#typical brett stuff

[do-what-you-want-with-me]

BRETT DALTON as Mark Trent Found 1.05 “Missing While Undocumented”

+ BONUS

[jarvis-cockhead]

watching a live blur thing on the tv and no offense but they kinda like. arent that good 💀

[the-bad-batch-baroness]

Infectious

TBB & Fem!Reader

Chapter 2: Trouble Fitting In

Summary: You're completing your final practicum on Kamino as part of the experimental non-clone Combat Medic program. After graduating top of your class, and being inducted into the prestigious 407th Medic Unit, you get assigned to Clone Force 99. Neither of you are excited to be working together and tensions run high. However, those tensions dissipate when the Bad Batch unexpectedly falls ill while on a covert mission. Running against an unknown clock, it’s up to you to figure out what’s causing the illness before it ultimately kills you all.

Pairings: TBB & Fem!Reader

Characters: Kix, Hunter, Echo, Crosshair, Wrecker, Tech, Tungst (OC), Brett (OC), Drip (OC), Gloss (OC), Rift (OC)

Tags & Warnings: platonic, BAMF fem!reader, enemies to friends, lots of sass, humor, tension, action, angst, hurt/comfort, canon typical violence, mild suggestive themes, explicit medical descriptions (ie: blood, bodily fluids, needles, procedures, etc), tbb whump (later chapters)

Word Count: 5.8k

Author's Notes: This chapter was so much fun to write! The gif will make sense after you read the chapter, but I couldn't help myself. No TBB whump yet, still working on the setup. I believe in strong setups that make the exciting part more rewarding. Let me know if you want to be added to the tag list. As always, please enjoy 💚

Chapter 1 - Chapter 2 - Chapter 3

As you walk with your new squad through the halls of Kamino, you can’t help but shift your eyes to each member as they chat amongst themselves. You follow behind them, listening intently, and waiting for a moment to remind them that you’re still here, but the moment doesn’t come. The five clone brothers talk to each other as if you don’t exist, and you’re not quite sure if they are doing it on purpose or if they really are that absentminded about your presence.

You imagine this treatment is to be expected, at least a little bit. Clones are very familial and protective of each other, so attempting to fit in with an established squad is not the easiest of tasks. However, you want to show Kix that you can assimilate yourself into the most closed-off clone squadron the GAR has ever created and survive. You decide to take a less aggressive approach and see what comes of it. It isn’t the best plan, but you have to start somewhere.

When you reach their barracks, and Hunter opens the door, your nose is immediately assaulted by a pungent odor that churns your stomach. You try not to take any deep breaths as you peer into the dimly lit room. You wiggle your nose as you adjust to the smell and scan around the room. There are four bunks, each one distinguished out of the others with personal belongings and, well, junk. There’s also a hammock in the corner, and a couch across from the center table.

The group of clones walk over to their respective bunks and put their things down. You’re not sure how Wrecker sleeps in his bunk, considering the amount of garbage on it, or Tech for that matter, with all the wires and things poking out. Hunter and Crosshair’s bunks are the cleanest out the bunch, and closer to standard regulation. Which means the hammock must belong to Echo. You add notes to your squad mate's mental profiles as you continue to observe them.

However, standing alone at the entrance of their barracks and simply watching has now become very awkward for you. They all seem to have routines and you are most definitely not a part of any of them, or even have one of your own to start doing. You’re used to the barracks pods for the cadets, not a full barracks room. You wait patiently for your new commanding officer to tell you what to do or where to put your stuff, but he seems to be concerned with other things.

Unable to stand the blatant disregard of your presence any longer, you clear your throat in an attempt to gain some attention. No one seems to hear or notice you, so you try again with the same lackluster results. To these clones, ignorance must be bliss. You sigh and decide to take the direct approach as you walk over to Hunter, who is sitting on his bunk with his data-pad in hand.

“Sergeant,” you say.

“Medic,” Hunter says without looking up from what he is doing.

“Where should I put my personal belongings?” you ask.

“Wherever you want,” he answers with a dismissive wave of his fingers. He puts the data-pad down, bends over to pick up a box next to his bunk, and gets up to walk towards the table in the middle of the room.

“Understood, sir,” you say while following him to the table.

He sits down on the bench seat and places the box on the table. He pulls out his DC-17 blaster, opens the cleaning kit, and takes the contents out. “Something else?” he asks as he begins to disassemble his blaster.

You fidget with your fingers before asking the other important question. “Where is my bunk?��

Hunter puts his blaster down, turns his head to look at you, and raises an eyebrow. “Who said you were sleeping here?”

“Well, I thought–”

“You thought, now did you?” Hunter chides. “Well, think again, kid.”

“But, I’m part of the squad!” you argue. Yes, the place smells horrible, but these men are supposed to be your new family. You can’t sleep somewhere else. That doesn’t make any sense. That’s not how squad assimilation works.

“You might be part of this squad,” Hunter begins, “but that doesn’t mean I have to like you, trust you, or want you here.”

“Give her a break, Hunter,” Echo says as he walks over and sits down at the table.

Hunter rolls his eyes. “Must you always have an opinion?”

Echo rolls his eyes in return. “Must you always be so dogmatic?” Echo turns to look at you. “You can take the couch.”

“You can’t just give her the couch!” Hunter exclaims.

“Any objections?” Echo asks as he looks around the room at the three other clones.

“It will not be an issue with me,” Tech says with a shrug of his shoulders.

“As long as I get to sit on it during the day-cycle, I don’t care,” Wrecker hurls back loudly from his bunk.

“Not my problem,” Crosshair sneers as he narrows his eyes and stares into your soul.

You shiver at his cold glare, unsure of what you did to make him dislike you this much.

Echo gives Hunter an, I told you so, side eye and Hunter rolls his eyes again while crossing his arms in defeat. Echo gestures for you to make yourself comfortable on the couch, and you give him a small nod and smile as thanks. After listening to them argue over you, twice now, you’re not really sure who’s actually in charge of this squad, Hunter or Echo. However, Echo seems to be the most reasonable of the bunch and your biggest supporter, if you can even call it support.

“Get yourself settled,” Echo says. “Then we’ll hit the mess hall for some lunch.”

You do as he says and walk over to the couch. You place your duffel down next to it and sit down on one of the cushions, bouncing on it a little to feel out your new bunk. It’s a little softer than the barracks pods, which is nice, but there are no sheets, pillows, or even a blanket to be found. You look around the room to see if you can find any spares, but it’s hard to locate anything with all of the junk lying around. You surmise that you’ll have to find a pillow elsewhere.

You open your duffle and pull out a few personal items, but then quickly realize you have nowhere to put them. You look at what’s around the room and figure one of the crates can make a decent table to put your stuff on. You get up and find the closest one, pressing your full weight against it to push it over to the couch. As you begin to move the crate across the floor, you can feel their gazes shift to you. It’s like they’re waiting for you to trip or ask for help, but you don’t.

The crate proves heavier than you expect, and you wonder what is possibly inside of it. Their stares become unnerving as you push the crate into place next to the couch and you let out a small grunt with the last push. You pant softly at the exertion, but recover in a few seconds. Now that you have a place to put your things, you kneel on the ground and continue to pull your belongings out of your duffel, including a photo of you and your parents from when you were younger.

“Who’s that?” Wrecker asks as he bends over to look at the photo.

You startle at his sudden presence looming over you, but regain your composure and turn your head to look up at him. “My parents,” you say with a fond smile.

“Woah,” Wrecker says with awe. “You have parents?”

You chuckle at the innocent question. Clones are definitely fascinating people to be around. Grown in test tubes, they are motherless ten year olds stuffed into adult bodies with built-in programming to be fearless and loyal soldiers. Of course he wants to know about your parents, because he’s never had any of his own.

You sigh. “I had parents.”

“What do you mean, had?” Wrecker asks.

“They’re dead,” you say flatly while pulling more things out of your duffle.

“Oh,” Wrecker says. He straightens up and rubs the back of his neck. “I’m sorry.”

“It���s no big deal,” you reassure him. “They’ve been dead for a while now. That’s why I came all the way out here.” You trail the rest of your words into a soft whisper. “To find a new family.”

“Well, we don’t have parents either,” Wrecker says in an attempt to make you feel better. He grins. “You can be part of our family if you want.”

You half-smile at his kind words, but he seems to be the only one who shares the sentiment. The resounding silence and side glances after Wrecker’s remark tells you everything you need to know about your place in the squad. You sigh. You really did want a family, one that you could call your own, but it seems too far out of reach now. Hunter made it clear he’s going to keep you at arms length, and you understand the resistance, to a point, but their shunning still hurts.

“Thanks, Wrecker,” you say. “That’s a very nice offer.”

As Wrecker moves back towards his bunk, you finish pulling the rest of your things out of your duffle and place them all neatly on the crate. Happy with your little nook of a home, you plop yourself onto the couch, lean your head back, and take a deep breath. The smell of the barracks seems to be growing on you, albeit not by choice, but at least it doesn’t make you want to vomit anymore. You close your eyes and wonder if things will get better or worse from here on out.

After a couple hours of awkward silence in the barracks, it’s time for lunch. You trail behind your squad down the corridors and toward the mess hall in silence, again. They converse amongst themselves just like before, and never give you a moment to say anything or interject your own thoughts. They aren’t dull conversations either, so you listen with interest at their choice of words and the way they speak to each other, continuing to add to your mental profiles.

You sit down at the mess hall table with your squad and the silence is even worse. No talking, only eating. You pick at your food while remembering back to when you were a kid and ate meals with your parents at the table. The three of you always talked about how your days went and anything exciting that happened. You remember there was always laughter at the table. Laughter and love. Even the clone cadets had more conversations with you than these guys.

“Hey, Civvy!” Tungst calls as he approaches your table with his food tray.

Speaking of cadets. You groan at the sound of your awful name, but are happy to see a friendly face.

“You found out my name, huh?” you ask while twirling your fork around in boredom.

“News travels fast around here,” Tungst says as he sits down next to you, ignoring your squad mates who are also sitting at the table.

“Where’s the rest of the squad?” you ask as you peer around your shoulders.

“They’re coming,” Tungst says. He takes a bite. “They had a few things to finish up in the barracks.”

“Care to introduce the reg?” Hunter asks as he points with his utensil at the cadet who is clearly ignoring them. Tungst narrows his eyes at the sergeant and Hunter stares back, displaying equal animosity.

“Oh, yeah,” you feel embarrassed that you forgot to introduce him to your new squad. “Clone Force 99, meet Tungst and Tungst, meet Clone Force 99. He’s one of my friends from training.”

“Pleasure,” Tungst answers curtly.

“Is this the clone who’s anatomy you know so well?” Crosshair asks with a devious smirk from across the table.

“Cross,” Echo whispers in warning. “Don’t.”

You cough and almost choke on your food as your face turns red with mortification. Not this again. Why is this even a topic of discussion? You swear that Crosshair’s only goal in life is to make you uncomfortable. His words make you angry, however, you breathe and calm yourself. It’s not worth getting upset about and you figure that as long as you don’t feed into his antics, then the buck will stop there. You have to be the bigger person when it comes to Crosshair.

Tungst slams his fist on the table. “Care to explain what you mean by that?”

You flinch at the sudden loud noise. Oh no. He took the bait. You know this is not going to end well.

“Perhaps, I’m mistaken,” Crosshair mocks. “Maybe it was the commander instead. That’s how she became so popular, isn’t it?”

“I highly doubt the commander would trade preferential treatment for sexual favors,” Tech explains.

You can’t believe he said that. Why did he say it so loudly? You look around to see if anyone heard the scandalous remarks, but you don’t see anyone staring. However, you feel like everyone is now silently judging you. You place your head in your hands to hide your embarrassment, even though you have nothing to be embarrassed about. There were no 'favors' exchanged for your success. Everything you earned was won through blood, sweat, and tears.

Tungst shoots up from the bench seat in anger. “Don’t talk about her like that!”

“Tungst,” you gently tug on his arm, trying to get him to calm down before things escalate. “It’s okay, really. You don’t–”

“No, it’s not okay,” Tungst says as he looks down at your red face. “They’re making you sound like some sort of tramp.”

"If the stamp fits," Crosshair smirks.

Tungst scrunches his nose with indignation. “You son of a–”

“No one’s saying anything like that,” Hunter interjects as he takes a sip of his drink. “It’s just some friendly banter.”

“You rejects, have a funny way of being friendly,” Tungst scoffs.

“Are you picking a fight, reg?” Crosshair challenges as he flicks his toothpick away and stands up.

Wrecker pops up from his food tray. “Someone say fight?”

“Maybe, I am,” Tungst says. He leans over the table to get closer to Crosshair’s face. “If you don’t leave her alone, then maybe we should fight.”

“She belongs to us now,” Crosshair says with a cynical smile, reveling in the rise he’s getting out of the cadet. “We can do whatever we want with her.”

“That’s it!” Tungst yells, then jumps over the table to dive towards Crosshair.

The two clones tussle on the ground, trading blows at each other's faces and kicking each other’s torsos. A few seconds later, you see the other cadets from Tungst’s squad arrive and engage in fisticuffs with the other members of Clone Force 99. Echo, the last one still sitting at the table, rubs his fingers against his forehead and sighs before getting up and punching some poor cadet’s lights out. Soon, the entire mess hall of clones joins in on the violent festivities.

You wince as you watch the unruly sight before you, and you try to move out of the way of the flailing body parts. You are all for aggression when needed, but this massive brawl is just idiotic. You remember the stories you were told about Clone Force 99, and you know them all to be true now. You contemplate whether to join the fight or to stop it, but you’re torn between your cadet friends and your new squad. Whose side do you pick? Do you even need to choose a side?

Unfortunately, the decision is made for you when a softball sized fist collides with the right side of your face. You let out a loud feminine cry at the hit and the commotion comes to a dead stop. Everyone looks at you while you hold the side of your face as it contorts in pain. You don’t know who threw the punch, and you don’t care. You spit some blood onto the floor and lift your face up, staring dizzily at the clones in front of you until you find the one you’re looking for.

“Permission to leave, sir,” you stammer out before spitting more blood onto the floor.

Hunter looks at you with his first glimpse of real emotion and nods. “Permission granted.”

As you turn to exit the mess hall, Tungst runs after you. “Civvy, wait!”

You turn around and put up your hand to stop him. “Please, just leave me alone right now.”

“I’m sorry,” he says with slumped shoulders.

You take a deep breath and leave to return to the barracks to take care of your injury. You stop by one of the refreshers on the way back to check yourself in the mirror. Looking around, there doesn't seem to be anyone else in it. You push your stomach against the sink and lean towards the mirror, opening your mouth to get a better look. There’s not much you can see through all the blood, so you painfully swish some water around and spit it into the sink to try and clear it out.

“Want some help with that?” Kix asks while leaning against the side wall, medpack in hand.

You startle for a second, and whip your head around, but then relax when you realize it's just Kix.

“I heard about some friendly fire in the mess hall," Kix says apologetically. "You okay?"

You turn back towards the mirror and sigh. “Yeah.”

Your voice sounds like you have cotton balls stuffed in your cheeks and Kix chuckles at it. You lift yourself up to sit onto the edge of the sink counter to give him a good angle to examine your mouth. He places the medpack on the counter beside you, puts on a pair of sterile gloves, and pulls out a small light. You open your mouth as wide as you can and tilt your head side-to-side to give him the room he needs to look around.

“That’s a really nice laceration you’ve got on the inside of your cheek,” he notes as he inspects the inside of your mouth. “Must've bit it pretty hard.” He pokes around a little more and you wince as he touches it. “But, no broken or loose teeth, and no jaw dislocation, so that’s good.”

You let out a sigh of relief and adjust your jaw as Kix removes his hand from your mouth. While he throws his gloves away and opens the medpack to grab the bacta spray, you lean back against the mirror, close your eyes, and let a few tears escape. When he faces you again, to apply the bacta spray, the tears don’t go unnoticed. He puts the spray down and turns away to lean back against the counter, still looking at you through the mirror from across the refresher.

“Those aren’t tears of pain, are they?” he asks.

You shake your head and more tears come out as you lift your hands to cover your face in shame. You're a Combat Medic of the GAR. You’re a medic trained for combat. You’re not allowed to cry. You’re not allowed to show emotion. You’re not allowed to be fragile. But, the best day of your life is suddenly turning into the worst day of your life, and you’re struggling to process it. You want a repeat, a do-over, anything to keep from being in the present, so you cry.

“It’s okay,” Kix soothes, still facing away from you. “You can let it all out here with me.”

“Why?” you ask through muddled tears. “Why did you assign me to them? They want nothing to do with me!”

Kix sighs and turns back around to look you in the eyes. “You're my best medic, you know that right?”

You nod your head in agreement.

“And I need my best medic for my toughest cases, don’t I?” Kix continues.

You nod your head in agreement again.

“Well, Clone Force 99 is that toughest case," Kix explains. "I gave you this assignment because I know you’re the only one who can handle it. You’re the only one who can handle them. You’re tough, clone tough. You can play their game and win.”

You move your puffy eyes to look at him and mumble out a small, “Really?” You wonder if this is what Kix was trying to tell you after graduation, before Hunter interrupted your conversation.

“Yes, really,” Kix chuckles at your garbled speech. “I know it won’t be easy, but I need you to be exactly who you are, no more and no less. Let who you are change them, not the other way around.”

You sniffle one more time, wipe your tears away, and nod your head. Maybe this is what you need to hear. That this assignment isn’t an accident, a punishment, or a cruel joke. Maybe, just maybe, Kix is right and you are what Clone Force 99 needs. You’re a tough combat medic that takes no lip from anyone and will sass your way into their squad and force them to listen to you. You reinvigorate yourself with your thoughts and nod at Kix, this time with more sincerity.

“Good,” Kix says. “Now, let's get an icepack on that cheek of yours before you grow a second face.”

You giggle at the joke, but the stretching of your jaw muscles gives you the worst pain imaginable.

“Oops,” Kix says. “Sorry. Bacta spray first, then ice pack.”

After you finish up with Kix in the refresher, you continue your original journey to Clone Force 99’s barracks. You hold the ice pack to your cheek and ponder your conversation with Kix. He really is the best commander you could ask for and he always gives the best advice. You now feel a sense of pride in the fact that Kix entrusted you with his most difficult case. Going forward, you are determined not to let anything your new squad says or does deter you from your mission.

You make your way into the barracks and sit down on your couch-bunk. You pull out your data-pad with one hand, while holding the ice pack with the other. Being an official Combat Medic means you also have access to your squad's medical files. You think now, while you’re alone, is the best time to go through their files and learn about their individual medical needs. Clone Force 99 is full of enhanced experimental clones, so you need to pay extra attention.

You pull up Hunter’s file first and start reading.

CT-9901 Alias: Hunter - Experimental Unit Clone Force 99

Developmental Progression: Normal rate of change

Embryonic attachment: Unremarkable

Infancy stage markers: Normal

Early Adolescence stage markers: Normal

Puberty stage markers: Abnormal

Late Adolescence stage markers: Abnormal

Adult stage markers: Normal

Developmental Notes: Tendency to be overstimulated

Genetic Mutation Progression: Normal rate of change

Heightened Smell: Positive

Heightened Taste: Positive

Heightened Hearing: Positive

Heightened Touch: Positive

Heightened Awareness: Positive

Accelerated Regeneration: Negative

Genetic Notes: Ability to sense electromagnetic fields was unexpected

Medical Notice:

Prone to migraines

Prone to sinus infections

Prone to ear infections

Prone to mood swings

“Ah, so he’s not moody on purpose,” you nod as you connect a few dots and then move onto Tech’s file.

CT-9902 Alias: Tech - Experimental Unit Clone Force 99

Developmental Progression: Normal rate of change

Embryonic attachment: Unremarkable

Infancy stage markers: Normal

Early-adolescence stage markers: Abnormal

Puberty stage markers: Normal

Late-adolescence stage markers: Normal

Adult stage markers: Abnormal

Developmental Notes: Tendency for isolation and delayed speech capabilities

Genetic Mutation Progression: Normal rate of change

Increased neural density: Positive

Increased neurotransmitters: Positive

Increased neural plasticity: Positive

Increased frontal lobe activity: Positive

Increased dexterity: Positive

Increased linguistics: Negative

Genetic Notes: Loss of normal vision fields was unexpected

Medical Notice:

Prone to insomnia

Prone to tension headaches

Prone to cataracts

Prone to macular degeneration

“Lovely,” you add the information to your mental notebook before moving onto Wrecker’s file.

CT-9903 Alias: Wrecker - Experimental Unit Clone Force 99

Developmental Progression: Abnormal rate of change

Embryonic attachment: Unremarkable

Infancy stage markers: Abnormal

Early-adolescence stage markers: Abnormal

Puberty stage markers: Normal

Late-adolescence stage markers: Abnormal

Adult stage markers: Abnormal

Developmental Notes: Tendency to be clingy

Genetic Mutation Progression: Normal rate of change

Increased muscle density: Positive

Increased muscle elasticity: Positive

Increased ligaments and tendons: Positive

Increased body mass: Positive

Increased oxygen retention: Positive

Decreased sustenance requirement: Negative

Genetic Notes: Lack of mental capacity was unexpected

Medical Notices:

Prone to joint pain

Prone to muscle spasms

Prone to arthritis

Prone to high blood pressure

“Ouch, that doesn’t sound pleasant,” you wince and swipe to the next chart.

CT-9904 Alias: Crosshair - Experimental Unit Clone Force 99

Developmental Progression: Normal rate of change

Embryonic attachment: Remarkable

Infancy stage markers: Normal

Early-adolescence stage markers: Normal

Puberty stage markers: Normal

Late-adolescence stage markers: Abnormal

Adult stage markers: Abnormal

Developmental Notes: Tendency for aggression

Genetic Mutation Progression: Normal rate of change

Increased concentration: Positive

Increased pupillary response: Positive

Increased hand/eye coordination: Positive

Increased retinal capacities: Positive

Increased agility: Positive

Increased night vision: Positive

Genetic Notes: Lack of body mass was unexpected  

Medical Notices:

Prone to photo-sensitivity

Prone to epilepsy

Prone to dry eye

Prone to cluster headaches

“No wonder he hates everyone,” you note, then swipe to the last member.

CT-1409 Alias: Echo - Domino Squad

Developmental Progression: Normal rate of change

Embryonic attachment: Unremarkable

Infancy stage markers: Normal

Early-adolescence stage markers: Normal

Puberty stage markers: Normal

Late-adolescence stage markers: Normal

Adult stage markers: Normal

Developmental Notes: Tendency for independency 

Genetic Mutations: None

*File Update - Post Skako Minor Assessment*

Cybernetic neural capacity upgrades

Cybernetic computational upgrades

Cybernetic communication upgrades

Cybernetic bilateral lower leg upgrades

Cybernetic right lower arm upgrades

Medical Notices:

Prone to joint degeneration

Prone to nerve pain

Prone to depression

Prone to night terrors

“I wouldn’t exactly call those upgrades,” you sigh, then put the data-pad down and lay back on the couch.

So this is your team. A bunch of experimental clones, plus a half-cyborg, with a plethora of medical concerns that may or may not present in the field. Although, you do feel a little closer to them now that you’ve seen their medical history and a part of you feels sorry for them. They didn’t ask to be made, let alone with these enhanced mutations.

You adjust the ice pack on your face as it gets less frozen and wipe away the condensation that drips down your cheek. You look at the chronometer and realize it’s been over two hours since the incident in the mess hall. You wonder where your squad is. Did they go elsewhere and leave you behind? Probably. No matter though. You have a renewed perspective and you’ll do your job whether they like you or not. You’ll be the biggest pain in their backside if you have to.

No sooner do you finish your last thought, does the door to the barracks open. You turn your head to look and see who it is and not surprisingly it’s your squad. They each disperse to their bunks and grab their packs. Curious about their movements, you sit up on the couch and crisscross your legs, still holding the ice pack in place.

“What’s going on?” you ask. Your voice is still garbled from the swelling.

Hunter connects his pack onto his backplate and glances over his shoulder. “We’ve got a new mission and we’re heading out.”

Your heart races at the prospect of your first mission. You knew this day would come, but you didn’t think it would be this soon. You’ve barely had any time to adjust to your new squad or go through any practice simulations. They don’t know you and you don’t know them. Your anxiety increases, but quickly dissipates when your training kicks in. This is what you are trained for, and you’re going to do it. You put the ice pack down and grab your pack and helmet to join them.

As you follow them out, Hunter turns around and stops you. “Where do you think you’re going?”

“On the mission, sir,” you say. You let Kix’s words echo in your mind and refuse to back down.

“No, you’re not,” Hunter says.

“With all due respect, sir, I am,” you say.

Hunter huffs. “And why should I let you come?”

“Because, I’m the best, sir,” you say as you straighten your shoulders.

“That remains to be seen,” Hunter retorts.

“You can’t see if I’m left behind, now can you, sir?” you argue while placing your hands on your hips.

Echo tries to hide a snort. “She has you there.”

“Glad to hear you’re volunteering,” Hunter says sarcastically. “You’re in charge of the kid.”

“What?” Echo questions with disgust. “Why me? I’m not babysitting her.”

“I’ve told you before,” you huff. “I can take care of myself!”

“Shut it, shiny,” Hunter exclaims.

You cross your arms and scrunch your nose.

“I’ve got my own weight to pull!” Echo continues to argue.

Hunter pats Echo’s shoulder and smiles smugly. “And now you can pull hers, too,” he says while pointing at you. “Since you obviously have enough time to make jokes.”

“But–"

“Just make sure she doesn’t die,” Hunter says with a wave of his hand as he starts walking away.

Echo looks at you and sighs. “Come on.”

You quickly follow Echo, your new chaperone, and head off with the rest of the group towards the landing platform. The walk is once again, silent. Maybe the third time's the charm and after this mission they’ll start including you in their conversations. However, you don’t hold your breath that it will be the case. You’ll be lucky to get any action worth talking about, considering that Clone Force 99 has never had a downed man on the field in their tenure as a squad.

On your way to the platform, you are intercepted by Tungst and his squad mates. You brace for the worst and hope for the best, since you’re not sure what the outcome of the mess hall fight was. You’re still a little mad at him for causing such a big scene, but you don’t blame him for your injury. You may never find out who threw the punch, but it doesn’t matter. You’re just happy the five of them are still alive after the altercation with one of the deadliest forces in the GAR.

“I heard you were shipping out on your first mission,” Tungst says as he approaches, his words sounding a little awkward.

It makes sense. The last time you both spoke was after the punch, so you haven’t had a moment to debrief. You stop to speak with them and the rest of your squad surprisingly stops with you.

“Yeah,” you answer with a small smile. “I guess I am.”

“We’re gonna to miss you,” Brett says while patting your shoulder.

Hunter rolls his eyes.

You chuckle. “I’m going to miss you too.”

“You’re going to do great out there,” Gloss smiles.

Drip grabs your shoulders and pulls your face really close to his and speaks with a straight face. “Don’t die.”

You start laughing and push him backwards. “I won’t.”

“You better not,” Rift jests as he points towards Clone Force 99. “Or we’ll have to beat up your squad again.”

Wrecker laughs. “You lost the first time!”

Tungst clears his throat to change the subject. “We just wanted to see you off and remind you that we’ll always be here for you if you need us.”

You smile at the sweet gesture and wrap your arms around Tungst to wish him goodbye. “Thank you for everything.”

Crosshair leans towards Echo and whispers. “You can’t tell me they haven't kriffed yet.”

Echo groans and whispers back. “Please keep your comments to yourself.”

“Can we go now?” Hunter asks impatiently.

Realizing that you are holding up the rest of your squad, you let go of Tungst and follow after them. You turn around and wave goodbye to your cadet friends one last time and they wave back. You are going to miss them. They are the closest thing you have to a family and you’re leaving them. It feels bittersweet, since they may not be there when you come back. They will eventually graduate from cadet training, get their own assignments, and leave you behind.

You let the intrusive thoughts dissipate from your mind and refocus on your current mission. You smile as you walk aboard the Marauder. The only ship you’ve ever been on was the transport that brought you to Kamino one cycle ago. So, this is the first time being on an Omnicron-class attack shuttle. You read up on it during your training, but to see it in real life is amazing. You swivel your head as you look around the ship and take in all the different elements.

“Strap in for take-off,” Tech says as he sits in the pilot seat and gets the ship ready.

Echo sits in the co-pilot chair and also works to get you off the ground. Hunter sits in one of the open swivel chairs and Crosshair grabs the other. Wrecker sets himself up by the gunner’s nest and gives you a reassuring smile. Looking around for a place to sit, you take your go-pack off and strap yourself into one of the jump seats across from the bunk rack. You’re a little nervous, but feel more excited to be out on your first mission.

You feel the rumble of the engines and slight lift as the ship takes off from the platform. This is it. You’re finally going on a mission. You’re finally going to save lives, just like you posthumously promised your parents. You lean your head back against the cold wall of the ship and take a deep breath. You’re ready. You’re ready for anything your squad or the battlefield can throw at you. You’re going to show them that you are the best and you’re going to make Kix proud.

Chapter 1 - Chapter 2 - Chapter 3

Masterlist

A03

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[believesthings]

Not Just A Girl - Chapter 7 // Jason Sudeikis x Reader

You keep referring back to your calendar and then, when catching yourself in the act, huffing out of frustration. Tomorrow you will be back for second fittings for the James & Mia project, which they still had yet to give a working title – and if all goes well tomorrow, you’ll be back in on Friday for photos in costume.

Jason has already left for London with the rest of the cast and crew that you have grown to know through frequent set visits. Tom has been enlisting most of the actors he is working with to help him to send you short clips of funny moments on set, though such horseplay has died down in the past few days. Your favorites usually had Jason interacting with Theo whose humor had quickly endeared him to you. They always seemed to be having such fun, but you were glad to not be in their dizzying path. Your set visits had given you your fill of their combined antics, you’d settle for just Jason's endless energy from now on, thank you very much.

You are concentrating on sending Jason a message on your phone while you are leaving in the morning for the studio and stumble over a newspaper that had been left in front of your door. Odd, as you get typically your news via your phone. Rather than taking the time to walk it into your room you stuff the paper into your bag. Maybe someone else in the crew would like to read the publication.

Before you are even fully admitted to the wardrobe room you can hear that Brett is in today as well. He is standing with his back to you, his arms slightly splayed out to his sides as pins are used to adjust a suit to fit him more snugly. His shoulders are shaking with laughter, which is causing the two people trying to make adjustments to half-heartedly glare at him.

They picked a wonderful cut for him so why they are bothering with alterations you can’t imagine. Everett, the production’s wardrobe designer is nowhere to be seen but you know he is present. Alterations to one of his creations without his critical eye observing? Unthinkable! You nod greetings to the two tailors and sit down to wait to be told what to do.

Brett does his best to keep his body still but turn his head far enough to see behind him. “Morning.”

You motion for him to turn back around so the suit jacket hangs correctly, receiving grateful expressions from both tailors. “Morning Brett. Been here long?”

“Still on London time.”

Right. He had flown in for the awards, then went straight back to the job afterwards. London, of course, makes you think of Jason. You’ll call him after you are given your marching orders for the day. “Must be fun, arguing with your internal clock.”

“I’m surprised you haven’t tried to keep similar hours. Jason always worries about a good time to call.”

Having a conversation with the back of someone’s head is a little odd. “You talked to Jason?”

Brett nods. “This morning. He says Hi. And asked me to pass along the message to call as soon as you're free. And something about being in slow motion which I can only assume to be an inside joke?”

You are saved from having to explain what it means by Everett coming into the room with a bunch of papers in his hand. He stops when he sees you and scoffs playfully, “She sits and studies the stitching. Up, up. Let’s work on Mia’s wardrobe!”

The suit hangs on the rack, the man it was fitted to now gone from the room when you return with your own pieces that needed slight adjustments. Since there were so few changes needed you are released early. You don’t have anything else to do so you end up back at the hotel, trying to figure out how to occupy your time. Everett has assured you that everything will be ready for photos tomorrow. You can’t wait to see how everything looks once put together. Full makeup, costume, maybe a few props…

You miss Jason when you call to update him on the news. After leaving a brief message find yourself once again at the mercy of the clock. Considering you’ve lived pretty much out of your suitcase since arriving in town there isn’t all that much to do to pack for your move. Sifting items from drawers to your bags doesn’t take all that much time so you opt to clear the desktop of the little mementos and paperwork.

Most of the items are from places you visited while filming All Your Monsters but a few are things sent to you from fans. When you look at the clock again you sigh, only two hours have passed. You’ve already organized and then reorganized the constantly building stack of screenplays and appearance requests that Todd keeps handing you. Ever since the awards show, every time you thought that you had made headway he appeared with more. You finally had to lock them away in the room’s safe to keep yourself from trying to find a new way to order them.

The next morning you sit cross-legged in the hallway, your phone resting atop your now forgotten pages. You had been left to your own devices for the time being. Your coffee – only the second cup this morning thank you very much – has nearly cooled enough to drink without scalding the roof of your mouth. You had decided to use the time to continue to study the script, but had abandoned that venture when you see Jason's call come through. You can’t help but smile as you greet him. “Good morning sir. I miss you.”

“I miss you as well. I didn’t call too early?”

You’ve been at the studio at least an hour now. “Already been in with wardrobe once this morning.”

“Have you seen much of Brett today?”

You look around while replying, as though Jason will summon your costar. “Not today – I saw him briefly yesterday but only long enough to say hello. He always seems to know more about your day than I do…”

“My day? I got up this morning, watched a beautiful sunrise, and thought of you. You did film part of All Your Monsters here in London if I remember correctly. Did you get to sightsee at all?”

“No, not really. Will did try but we ran out of time and had to move on to the next location.” You sigh into the phone. Great, now you were both missing Jason and wondering what Will was doing with himself.

Jason sounds like he is pacing, moving around an enclosed space at least. “We’ll have to rectify that.” What time was it for him – ten? He had waited most of the morning to call.

“Yes. I would love that. How is the job?”

“Exciting. Frustrating. Keeping me busy. Do they have a villain for the All Your Monsters sequel yet? Or maybe a new love interest?”

You laugh into the phone, “You don’t have to be my costar to see me, you know. There’s this thing called video chat…”

“There’s being able to see you and,” his voice lowers, “being able to see you.”

“Jason!” His laughter over the line both delights and saddens you. You know exactly what he means. You look around to see if anybody is close enough to overhear the conversation.

Your phone is alerting you to an incoming video chat request and you tap the screen to find Jason still laughing. “Had to check if you were blushing.” He grins merrily. Just seeing him while he speaks to you helps to boost your mood again. That settles it, you’re going to find a way to fly there and surprise him soon.

“Of course I’m blushing. I’m in public and you’re making me think about being tangled in your arms.” You’ve hunched down slightly while furtively speaking to the phone in your lap.

“New hair, I see. Is that for the character of Mia?” Ah – you’d meant to take a picture to show him after they had finished it this morning but you’d gotten distracted.

You finger gently through your locks, "Yeah, We're testing out some styles, trying to find what works, they said they might make some changes."

“I vote to keep it like that. It looks great!”

 “I’ll tell them you approve.” Someone’s calling for you. Of course they’re now ready for you to come back in for photos. You glance away from the screen, and thereby Jason, and sigh. “I’ve got to go. But London. That’s a yes.”

Jason’s slight frown presses into view the two creases that run straight up between his eyebrows. How you wish you could smooth them out of view again. He doesn’t want to say goodbye either it seems. “Just a matter of finding time.”

“Yes…” You pick up your phone and untangle your crossed legs so you can stand. “I’ll call later?” You wait to see him nod before ending the call and pushing everything that had been in your lap into your bag. Oh, you’d also forgotten about the newspaper from yesterday morning. Oh well, it will continue to travel with you.

While playing dress up – yes you know that isn’t what you’re doing at the studio so bright and early this morning but that’s how you are determined to think of it – you’ve come to realize that while everyone is polite, no one really seems all that talkative with you.

By break at lunchtime you’ve had enough, “What? Does my hair look awful?” Your outburst sends most everyone scurrying.

Everett is the one to respond. “It’s not the hair –.” “It’s nerves and trying to figure you out.”

Confusion now mixes with frustration. “What are you talking about?”

“You’re intimidating,”

“I’m really not.” You reach up to fuss with your hair, unsure what else to do and desperately needing to fidget.

“You are. We all know your background. You could talk shop with most of us but you don’t. It took me all morning the first day to get you to open up past general introductions.”

“Everett that’s unfair, you were taking measurements and told me to hold still.”

He laughs. “Yeah, hold still, not become mute.”

“Besides, you guys don’t want to hear some nobody actor try to relate your work back to her theater days.” You try to wave him off.  

Evidently the walls have ears because you hear someone giggle, “The nobody actor that everybody wants to work with.”

You make a face at Everett for starting this which makes him grin and call out to the others who are making their way back to their work, “Ok – so different conversation since she’s too guarded to talk shop. Suggestions?”

Yes let’s open up the forum shall we: the life and times of the woman about to strangle her costume designer. One of the assistants is quick to pipe up, “Ooooh Jason! Tell us about Jason” A flurry of questions and pleas of encouragement follow. “Yes tell us about Jason, please.” “What’s it like dating him?” “Does he do a good British accent?”

Up until now nobody had really referenced the fact that you were dating Jason. Evidently it had been on everyone’s mind… “Er, so about Mia’s color scheme…” You are rewarded with a few laughs but everyone still seems to be waiting to see if you’ll share details about your relationship. After confirming that you were dating and fielding a few general questions both of you agreed to keep the details of your relationship as private as you could. The cast and crew here would eventually feel like family but until you trusted them more you’d stick to the basics. “I’m really fortunate to have him in my life."

You give Everett a look and he gives you a short nod of understanding before steering the conversation on to the next topic. “Talking about accents – when we went to pick up materials the girl cutting behind the counter had the most adorable Russian lilt…”

You are thrilled with the combined results of hair, makeup, and costumes. Mia is finally manifesting someplace other than on paper and in your head. You’ve signed the paperwork for renting a small place about an hour away from the studio so you are officially – at least temporarily – a resident of Los Angeles! The read through for James & Mia won’t happen for at least a week which gives you plenty of time to settle in to the new place and work out the best routes to and from the studio. Scrolling through your messages you see that Jason has sent you a series of pictures showing you the progression of his day. He looks tired in the last few and you sigh softly, “Don’t push yourself too hard, Jase…”

But wait, you have a week, at least a week… Screw getting your new place set up – there will be plenty of time to get it to feel like home. A quick search and you begin to scroll through possible flights to London. You can take advantage of the fact that the promotional period for All Your Monsters only just ended and you’ve grown accustomed to the wait to get through Customs.

You still have to run it by Todd- redirecting the taxi to the airport isn’t practical, you would at least need to grab your bag from your room – once again the benefits of living out of your suitcase make you smile. Maybe you can talk Brett into being your inside man and finding out where Jason will be when you figure out when you’ll be flying in – to surprise Jason – oh! You’re liking the idea more and more.

You quickly tap out messages to both Todd and Brett alerting them to your newly formed plans. Brett seems game but you can feel Todd’s glare as you read the words of his response:

We just went through all that paperwork for your keys to the new apartment and you’re talking about going out of the country. You’d better be positive on the time frame for James & Mia before you book your ticket. Spur of the moment trip – he hasn’t been gone that long – just, send me the details when you know them.

You make a face and talk back to the phone, which makes the taxi driver give you an odd look, “Judge me all you like Todd, I’m going to see him.”

You tap out a few more messages to the corresponding members of the production team and everything seems to work out nicely. Yes, there’s still a number of things that need to happen before a table read is a go. Looks like you’re in the clear for taking four or five days to go to London. You wait, your finger hovering over the link to confirm your plane ticket to fly out later tonight which would put you in London around 3pm their time – Jason has been incredibly busy with filming, is this really a good idea? There is the risk that you will fly there and he won’t have any free time to spend with you. If that is the case then you can tour yourself around London for a few days and try to see him when he is available…. Shit, now you’ve just about doubted your way out of your trip. No. No, you’ve already set in motion the required parts – follow through.

Now to make sure Jason doesn’t suspect anything…

Signed the lease! Keys will be mine on Monday. So excited to have my own place again! Can’t wait to start decorating.

You really are very excited about getting to once again have rooms that more accurately reflect your personality. You are going to eventually work on decorating the new place, just after your surprise trip. Hopefully this is a clever misdirect.

You’ve already talked with the hotel regarding your move so you need to stop back by the reception desk to discuss the possibility of them holding your things until you get back from London. Hell, you really don’t have much that won’t just squish back into your luggage. Though you really don’t need to take fan mail, scripts, and odd assorted collectibles you’ve been given all the way to London. If they need the room back, maybe the hotel will hold the various items in storage for you?

The clerk at the counter seems hesitant at first but after being given the go-ahead from management, extends the date for your departure from the room until after you are back stateside. Everything is working out! Jason responds while you are in the elevator:

Still say you should have just taken over the place I had been renting. Can’t wait to see pictures once you get settled. Wish I could be there to help.

He had tried many-times-over to convince you to talk with the realtors to see if you could lease the place he had been renting. You were stubborn on that point though, you wanted a place that was distinctly yours, not a place that would make you immediately think about how much you missed his presence.

There really isn’t much that you need to do to get ready for your flight. Your travel documents are always in your bag and since you were already preparing to move out of the hotel… After ensuring that you have a few days’ worth of clothes packed – no way are you lugging your entire wardrobe across the Atlantic – you check to make sure Brett is upholding his end of the bargain.

Looks like I’ll be arriving around 3 in the afternoon tomorrow (7ish for you here). I’ll keep you updated during the trip as to progress. Thank you again!!

His response is almost immediate.

Happy to help. Weather willing he will be working but I can recommend things to do until he is done with his day.

The ticket you purchase isn’t for the first flight out, but instead gives you a few hours to get your things together before needing to head to the airport. If you had chosen one of the extremely early flights you probably would have had a better bet of flying out without getting caught by cameras, but that would mess up your arrival time. You don’t want to have to consider an entire day wasted on travel. Maybe your new hair will help prevent you from being recognized? 

Eleven hour flights provide time to catch up on your sleep though so you’re not terribly worried about being exhausted upon arrival. You can’t find your bracelet or your favorite tube of chapstick, but in your excitement you’ve probably just forgotten where you packed them away. You pause to access your appearance in the bathroom mirror before catching a taxi to the airport: you’ve elected to wear clothes a little more comfortable for travel rather than trying to dress to wow Jason. You gather that you’ll have time to change after arriving… Should you wear a hat? Sunglasses? You throw those into your carry on, just in case you decide to try to use them to hide. 

In the airport there are a few people who give you prolonged glances but merely smile back when you make eye contact. Apparently you look just enough like yourself to be merely a good decent look alike. As you are boarding you send both Todd and Brett messages, as requested, to keep them updated. Once the plane takes off you are able to relax a bit though not enough to let you sleep. No matter, you’ll nap a bit eventually. You brought copies of the floor plan to your new place so you can start playing with ideas about the setup of the apartment.

You receive a text from Jason more than halfway through the flight. He had fallen into the routine of leaving you messages to wake up to. 

Good morning beautiful. Can’t remember if you’re working this morning or not. Hope the sunrise you are greeted with is as stunning as mine was.

Your response is true enough though you avoid the query regarding your work schedule. 

I’m awake. Entertaining myself with various ideas on color schemes for the new place. You? Busy day? 

Your response sounds natural enough. You aren’t giving anything away…. Hopefully Brett’s curiosity as to Jason’s schedule for the day doesn’t tip him off. 

The usual fun. I’m here if you need a second opinion. I’ll call later? Maybe another video chat session?

Video chat wouldn’t be needed soon enough. You shift in your seat to stretch a bit.

Later sounds good. Can’t wait

And be able to reach out and touch you… in – ugh, you shouldn’t have looked at the time… You close your eyes and try to relax. Sleep will make the hours seem to go by faster.

Jason's next text wakes you and makes your heart leap:

I have some down time, would now be a good time to call? 

It feels like you just fell asleep but glancing at the time informs you that you’re nearly there. 

Yes. Shit. No. You’re on a plane. How the hell do you disguise the fact that you’re on a plane while on the phone? What if they make an announcement during the call? The surprise would be blown. You’d love to talk to him but …

Er, not the best time. Too much background noise at the moment. Maybe in an hour?

Yes, in an hour when your plane would be landing and you can duck into a quiet room to talk to him.

I don’t mind background noise. You’ll have to listen to Theo, um, "singing", in the background to hear me as well.

Hmmm. How can you word this so that Jason doesn’t think you’re trying to avoid him?

Your hesitation as to how to describe it makes me cautious… I think I’ll pass for now. What is Theo ‘singing’ anyway?

There - keep him talking about his costar. 

But Jason isn’t easily swayed from his goals.

Frank Sinatra’s Fly Me to the Moon. But if you have a request I’ll pass it along. What if I promise to sing the entire conversation?

And now you have Frank Sinatra singing stuck in your head. Damn. Why don’t the insides of planes look more generic? What if you went into the bathroom? No, then it would just look like you were in the damned bathroom of a plane.

Tempting. But I want to be able to enjoy such an encounter. Let me get someplace quiet, then you can serenade me to your heart’s content. 

You’re teasing him now, but you can’t help but add another few lines of text:

No complaining if I make a thing out of texting you Sinatra lyrics. Already scrolling through my playlists looking for his music.

He responds back:

No complaints. Scout’s honor. Where is Brett? I asked him to help get you someplace quiet. Are you not at work right now?

You grin. He is curious now. You haven’t seen a text arrive from Brett so Lord knows what he was saying to Jason regarding your current whereabouts. 

Haven’t run into Brett. Apparently we aren’t in the same location right now.

Jason's response is slightly delayed which gives you time to plan out what you’ll say if he keeps pushing with questions about where you are. Your planning is pointless though, when you read his message.  

I’ll say! Sorry, but your secret is out. Just checked my feed to pester Brett there. Someone on your plane is fangirling that she is on the same flight. I know you’ll be landing soon. I’ll see you at the airport.

You will not run through Customs. You will not run through Customs. You will not run through Customs.

tag list: @my-soupy-brain @tegan8314 @tortilla-maria1 @nerdgirljen

[twistedwonderlandshenanigans]

Stonybrook Community College - TWST

Just some worldbuilding stuff and. uh even more OCs. I've got my other ones here and here.

Stonybrook is a picturesque part of the Sunshine Lands, known for it's gentle rolling hills, babbling brooks, and shockingly clear night skies. Because of how clear the night skies are, the belief of wishing upon a star was an integral part of the community. Nowadays, light pollution makes it difficult, but the North star is still always visible when there are no clouds around, at least in the suburbs of the city.

Anyways, Stonybrook Community College is meant to be an opportunity for locals to attend post-secondary schooling without travelling as far or paying as much as they may have had to in order to attend other schools. (Or did not receive an invitation to NRC/RSA/NBC)

So I got my Toy Story OCs

Cody Whitner - Twisted from Woody

One of the teacher's sons

Complete asshole to his half brother

An asshole in general, but he can be charming when he wants to...you just have to tolerate the asshole part long enough

Makes up for what he lacks in academic smarts with manipulation and emotional intelligence. (Yes, he uses his intelligence for typically malicious reasons but it doesn't mean he's not intelligent)

Brett Lancaster - Twisted from Buzz Lightyear (loosely)

Cody's half-brother (doesn't really care for Cody)

Total nerd, genius IQ but also kind of gullible

Best friends with Idia online, goes by the name 'space_rangerTIAB'

Also friends with Cody's crush, which. is a source of tension between the half-brothers

Nobody at the school knows they're half-brothers except Cody's dad

Wheel-chair user + amputee - Idia helps him develop blueprints to make a 3D printed prosthetic leg as well as some funds to make sure he can customize it how he wants

Tyrell Roe - Twisted from Rex

He is baby, ok, please be nice to him

1/4 fae and proud, his grandpa is based on an actual T. Rex (yes I think that the really old fae should be based on dinosaurs so that the Draconias can be the THE Draconias, like they're the only ones based on a dragon, but that's an HC)

He get's anxious easily, his sweater is absolutely his comfort item

He is constantly inviting friends to his place and his mom is the sweetest person alive

He wants to get into engineering soo bad

He customized spoke guards for Brett's wheelchair/generally very artistic

The Betson Twins - Twisted from the Benson Brothers (Alec and Xander respectively bc their birth parents were only expecting one child so when they had a Bonus one they just split the OG name in half skfhlskdjfhlksjdf (AKA I could NOT think of a name for the second one and Xander fits fine))

Grew up in the foster care system, but adopted when they were 12

FIERCELY protective of their (adoptive) little sister (totally not a partial response to PTSD whaaaat)

Both come off as fairly intimidating, but as you get to know them. Alec is not. Xander can, but he's intense/passionate

Alec has dyslexia, when they were younger Xander would always read things out loud for him

Xander has high-functioning autism, please ask him about computer sciences or Norse mythology he wants to infodump so bad

Alec wears contact lenses, Xander can't stand the feeling of them

Elle Betson - Twisted from Gabby Gabby

Also raised in the foster system, adopted when she was 14, her brothers were 16

Selectively mute, but at home she's a little chatty patty

Steals Xander's jackets alllllll the time they are big and comfy and comforting

Can handle herself in a fight. Will never have to.

Wants to become a veterinarian eventually

Very artistic

She and Alec have a lot of friendly spats in the comfort of their home

Do not let her cook. This girl cannot do it to save her life.

Jordan Persnickety - Twisted from Jessie (I remember blushing so hard when I went to Disney and Jessie gave me my own special nickname I should have known I was queer sooner /j (I was 8 LMAO))

Sentient doll, don't ask me why they're a sentient doll and Cody isn't, they just are

Genderfluid, She/he/they pronouns, also Lesbian

Best friends with Brett, used to be close to Cody in high school but in college he just came off as so much meaner

Speaks with a thick southern accent/sounds similar to Epel

Doesn't really remember when or where she gained sentience, or for what purpose, but she'll take full advantage of it now

Lives at Brett's place, (she's got nowhere else to go), Brett's mom loves her

Customizes all her clothing

Taking karate at the moment with her own money

Volunteers at the local zoo

She painted on her own freckles

Blaire Morrison - Twisted from Bo Peep

Planned to go to Stonybrook, but was invited to RSA and accepted

Fashionista

Influencer + entrepreneur

Started a pajama company

Animal rights activist (has a connection to my other OC, Neo Capini)

Aussie

Looooves matcha (lies)

Larry Boscus - Twisted from Lotso Bear

He was a teacher at RSA, was recently fired and got hired at the community college to teach entry level mathematics

His fiancee cheated on him, so they broke up two months before the wedding

In a bad place mentally, treats everyone like they're below him and gets exasperated quickly

Picked up smoking to cope with life's stressors

Really going through that midlife crisis

Has a group of fan girls at the school that just pisses him off more

Looks as put-together as he can for work but he is a Mess

[chainofclovers]

Do you personally think tedbecca will become canon

Short answer is I dunno but I decided to write a lot of S3 speculation under the cut. I don't have any spoilers for how the show ends, nor do I want any, but I've watched a lot of interviews and read a lot of reviews and what I type will be informed by the not-spoilery-but-suggestive-about-the-overall-arc vibes of those.

Will Ted/Rebecca become a canonical romance? I'm not sure! For basically all of the things I have predictions and/or feelings about for s3 (Ted/Rebecca relationship, Nate's arc, whether Ted stays in London or returns to Kansas in the medium term or "forever"...), I have a suspicious lack of gut feelings...or rather, all my feelings are like a swinging pendulum of deep convictions and I can easily feel convinced of one outcome then another within the span of a few minutes.

Since you're anonymous I have no idea how much press you've listened to, what fandom spaces you're a part of, whether you're a T/R shipper or not, whether I'm friends with you or not, etc. So I'm going to write this without worrying about offending you and just go for it from the heart, haha.

The press has been a little bit of a rollercoaster for me, especially in terms of Hannah Waddingham's remarks about why she sees more longevity in relationships that aren't just the typical romantic/sexual route, and some of the other writer-actors' (Jason, Brendan, Brett) statements about audience expectation and their awareness of fandom preferences vs. the intentions of the story they're telling. I've actually loved a lot of what they've said, and I've been really frustrated by some people in the fandom calling Hannah an idiot for being tired of all the romance questions or for daring to call those expectations social conditioning when to me they very much are social conditioning. (Even if romance can also be a deep and beautiful thing! I don't feel like she's saying romance is lame! She's saying it's frustrating to zoom in on this one thing and value it above all others! And as a result of her saying that people have said awful things about her personal life and intelligence and that's absolutely uncool!)

I think it's completely possible that these interviews are at least in part about setting realistic expectations that a canonical romantic and sexual relationship between T/R isn't something we are gonna see on our TVs. I don't think these answers are coyness or lies. Really grappling with that possibility has bummed me out a bit more than I expected it to, honestly. I think a T/R romance would be super beautiful and wonderful and would make perfect sense within the larger story being told here.

That being said, I also think it's true that none of the press we've seen so far has explicitly spoiled any endings of this show. I don't feel like the interviewees are being coy and winking to fans, but I also think they've all carefully prepared ways of speaking about this show because they know the barrage of questions they'll face and they want to protect their story. When reporters directly ask if the relationship will be canon, they speak to expectations and societal structures and the soulmate connection between these characters without revealing any plot points. When the writers or actors have gotten more opinionated about the possibility of romance, it's often in the context of questions about fandom expectations or what is "expected" or "unexpected" about the story, and I think it's completely fair and understandable to express genuine frustration for the obsessive, repeat nature of those types of questions when there are so many other things these people would probably love to discuss about their writing and acting choices. They're all smart people who are extremely close to each other and have spent years constructing this story, and I can see myself responding to the repetition and surface-level stuff in a similar manner.

We know there's gonna be a huge component of Ted deciding what his commitment to AFC Richmond is and how his relationship with his son and his feelings about the family he's left behind impact that decision. We know they're setting up storylines in which other characters are learning how to coach, learning how to balance the emotional side and the tactical side. We know this is a story that simultaneously grapples with "leaving well"/letting go/why quitting isn't always bad AND with the complications of space AND with why burying or running away from your emotions while they fester inside you for 30 years is, um, bad. We know the writers have not deviated from their original plans for any of these characters even as they've rewritten and redefined certain things about this season. And we know the writers and actors all agree that Ted and Rebecca are divinely connected even if they've said many kinda contradictory things about what form that takes.

Even knowing all that, I think it's still possible that T/R will be a factor in s3 in a romantic and sexual sense. I have basically prepared myself to not see it on screen, but every time I watch the actual show I'm watching a show that sets up delicate, beautiful connecting points for these characters with intention and purpose. Which is awesome no matter what. If they don't go the romantic route onscreen, I think we'll still be watching a meaningful relationship that is full of possibilities (especially since s3 canon will end in, like, spring 2022, not spring 2058 or something). Some of the choices they've made are things that I'd probably only write if I was setting up a canonical romance, but if a romance doesn't happen within the show I don't think that means those choices were inconsequential or, worse, designed specifically to torment and make fun of fans. This is a show that is loving towards its audience but removed from its audience.

One of the first posts I made about this show was a straightbaiting joke. That seems extra funny now, knowing what I know. As a queer woman who has mostly been involved in fandoms as a femslash shipper up to this point, I can say that a lot of the shipping culture around this show and around M/F ships in general makes me really uncomfortable. I watch the joy of the show drain away from people as they focus deeper and deeper on "Tedbecca" (even to the point of ridiculing people for shipping other stuff or not understanding why it could be a fun exercise to write fic about people who will never be together in canon...which...what? the queer history of fandom didn't happen for canon-or-bust to be such a prevailing attitude!). I even feel some of that drain myself, being in an interesting place as an enthusiastic multi-shipper who just so happens to love T/R (and want to see it happen in canon) to the point of modding a whole discord about it. I love T/R and I love that it feels like a thing that is real and true in the text, and that is something I've rarely gotten to be invested in textually speaking as a queer woman accustomed to living off little subtextual crumbs. This show makes me feel both privileged and desperate.

The whole T/R thing, and the literal years of suspense it's implanted in my brain, has been a really fascinating journey for me. I can honestly say I've never had a suspended state of suspense and wonder about a single topic for this long before. I've waited for other things for this long, but they've all been matters in my personal life that I had some level of control over. Even things like election cycles take less time than this. I think the healthiest thing to do in this situation is to protect each of our viewing experiences and to respect that we're watching the creation of artists who are brilliant and lovely and fallible. To take what serves us from the text and continue to play with it all in our own spaces.

Watching 3x1 was a fuckin' delight of an experience that reminded me why I love this show and why I'm willing to experience the lows and highs of disappointments and joys in a way that just feels a lot more raw than basically any viewing experience or fandom experience I've ever had in the past with anything.

THAT WAS PROBABLY SO MUCH MORE THAN YOU BARGAINED FOR. YOU ASKED A YES/NO QUESTION AND GOT A DIARY ENTRY. BUT I'M NOT ACTUALLY SORRY BECAUSE YOU ARE AN ANON AND IT FELT NICE TO GET THIS OUT. 😂

[reagans-malewife]

Betting on Brett

Relationships: Brett & The Gang (platonic) A/N: I like to think Brett's a bi king, if you have any issues with that, you can scroll on by Word count: 614

Summary: A short ficlet about the gang betting on Brett's sexuality

The whole gang probably placed bets on Brett's sexuality from the moment he walked in the door. Everyone's money is either on straight or gay, with the exception of Andre, who believes that Brett might be ace.

Gigi and Glen think he's straight, mostly because he fits into the typical cis-het male stereotype (though Glen secretly hopes he's wrong about it).

Reagan and Myc think he's gay- Reagan mostly because she's never seen his looks linger over a girl the way she knows him to do for a guy, and Myc because, "yeah, he seems gay enough."

The team is originally patient, waiting for him to say or do something that indicates any attraction anywhere- that'd rule out Andre, at least. But he simply... doesn't. They all have their thoughts on what his version of flirting or admiring is, but no one can tell for sure. It isn't until one day, when Gigi gets impatient in the cafeteria, that she finally asks him, "hey handsome, what are your thoughts on ladies?" And of course he's confused, so she tries again, "would you ever date a woman?"

That's where it clicks for him. "I mean, yeah, if she's right for me, then sure," he shrugs simply. Gigi is good at containing her excitement, but Reagan's loud, "DAMNIT!" from the next table over alerts him to the whole situation. He wanders over to the table, watching Reagan, Andre, and Myc throw some cash in the middle.

He quirks an eyebrow and observes the situation. Brett can't quite tell what it is, but he forms a slight idea before asking, "were you guys betting on whether or not I'd go out with Gigi? Because that's not what that was- I mean no offence to Gigi or anything, but-"

Reagan is the first to interrupt. "We weren't betting on that."

"Oh." His eyebrows furrow as he looks around again. "Were you betting on if I'd date a lady?"

"We were betting on your sexuality, moron!" Myc finally yells. "Reagan and I placed money on you being gay."

His eyes followed Gigi as she reached for the money on the table. "And I've never been more happy to be able to smell someone's heteronormativity from a mile away!" She fans herself with the bills, swatting away Glen's hand when he tries to reach for it.

"Hey! I earned that too, fair and square!" Just like that, Glen and Gigi began bickering over the division of the money, while Reagan starts ragging on Myc's mind reading abilities, a tussle which Andre was somehow dragged into. Brett can only stand and watch the chaos unfold.

Then he finally speaks up. "You're all wrong." Silence falls over the entire group, their eyes locking on him. "I'm bi. Didn't any of you know that?" He asks, mild offense leaking into his voice.

They all give him blank looks. Reagan is the first to talk. "I've never seen you look at a girl the same way you do to some guys." They all continue to look at Brett.

His face flushes punk, feeling the pressure of being put on the spot. He doesn't even notice Myc's tentacle resting on his head. "I mean, yeah. There's uh, some guys that I admire a little more. But I also flirt-- well, try to flirt-- with R-, uh, some ladies. But it---" Brett took a deep breath to keep himself from rambling, and finally looked at everyone around the table. Reagan had a soft smile, Gigi and Glen seemed intrigued, and Andre looked so genuinely happy.

"Holy shit! You guys should hear some of the stuff he was thinking about!" Myc declares, and everyone starts talking again.

[adultswim2021]

Tim and Eric Awesome Show Great Job #48: “Handsome” | April 19, 2010 - 12:30AM | S05E08

Morning Meditations bookends this weird episode of this weird show. In it, a strange man removes some of his clothes and then does animal stuff. They cut back to it at the very end for some reason. Very weird choice to call back the worst recurring sketch ya got. Great Job. 

This one also has a trippy drug-using theme to it; at least in the opening theme and closing credits. The normal visuals are augmented to include a trippy pulsating rainbow filter and extra imagery of weed and peace signs and buzzwords like TRANCE, WTF, etc. That is because this is the episode that aired right before April 20th, or “Smoking Some Weed Day”. It’s a fun idea, but they don’t go as all out as one would hope. I can imagine a higher effort version of this existing and it makes me a LITTLE SAD. 

I remember liking this one, but it’s a fairly mixed bag. Some of it works for me, which is all you can ask for in a sketch comedy program. Among the duds is a bunch of dads singing “It’s a perfect dad day”. This one’s pretty typical Tim & Eric style humor, all being about dads and whatnot. This one isn’t too good. Certain jokes, like putting gay guy pornography in one of the dads’ hands, seems like low-hanging fruit. Unless that dad was like “Tim, Eric, as a gay man I please request you represent my preferences accurately”. If that's the case, then they were being nice. Also the dads they got for this are dog shit. You got four freaking dads in this thing and you couldn't even ask MY dad to be in it??

The main standalone sketch in this is the Cinco Facetime Party Snoozer, a mask (and stand-up brace) that gives one the impression that you are awake and attentive during a social function, when really you're secretly asleep. It also has Bob Odenkirk soundbites saying affirmative phrases. This one’s pretty good, and pretty memorable. I don’t know if it’s as good as other Cinco products, though. It’s still the sketch of the episode. I promise I’m not being icy about this one just because I was once roasted by a group of friends for mistaking the actor in this for being my friend from school.

Okay, so this one actually is mostly focused on Tim & Eric’s petty battle over who is the more handsome man, and is fairly substantial. Tim & Eric do their detached acting style here for the most part, but it’s a far less grating example than some other episodes this season. This one has some memorable moments, like when Tim and Eric each play a campaign video of sorts to a panel of judges (including the much-missed Richard Dunn). Eric’s video is him dressed like Brett Gelman going “OH YEAH” while strange-looking women with huge, presumably fake, boobs appear around him. The imagery in this one makes me laugh. A little!

Tim’s video is shot like a Playboy Playmate video profile, and makes fun use of Tim’s disgusting body. Tim really goes for it, and this is a fairly fearless performance. I respect it! I remember laughing at this one more the first time I saw it way back when. It had diminishing returns this time, but I still liked this bit.

The end is that the panel of judges are deadlocked, and Richard Dunn demands that the boys give him a french kiss to determine the winner. “Come and french me, boys” says Dunn, while waggling his tongue around. It’s sorta shocking to see him be so outwardly gross, since Dunn’s whole appeal was just being slightly befuddled. Again, this is a moment I remember laughing at the first time around and it did a little less for me this time. I suppose I simply don’t feel too strong about it either way, and can see the argument for this being a little tasteless. And what's worse is that you don't actually get to see them kiss.

Dunn looks MUCH older in this appearance than he ever has before, which is basically just how aging works. But, Dunn’s lack of participation might be from the realization that he probably needed his rest.

Before the season started, my friends and I called him on Skype, half expecting him to not pick up. He did, just as my friend was saying something about him being old. Dunn gladly picked up and greeted us, causing my one friend to run away from his microphone. Me and another friend just chatted him up. We admitted that we didn’t think he was going to pick up, and gave him some nice compliments and sent him on his way. He seemed jazzed to have fans. He mentioned that he’d be in this season, and it looks like in retrospect this was mostly it. Maybe we should’ve gotten a content warning. 

Again, this isn’t the last we see of Dunn, but since I burned my one-and-Dunn anecdote about the man, I’ll link to this, his tribute from the season 5 DVD, which is mostly clips: 

MAIL BAG

From breadharrity

My biggest memory of this episode is showing this to some girl in college trying to impress her because i guess she had "stoner vibes" (i remember it was this one because of the 420 friendly intro) but was in sober housing. She later showed me The Last Unicorn which was pretty cool and also 420 friendly.

Let this be a lesson to the weed smokers: Tim & Eric rocks and so does Unicorn: The Movie, and both will get you laid

[rayless-reblogs]

Favorites Meme!

Thanks for thinking of me @deemoyza! I love this kind of thing.

Favorite painter: I say I love this kind of thing and then I don't pick a favorite. When it comes to figure-based art, I love the well-known classics, Alphonse Mucha (just lush and gorgeous), John William Waterhouse (softly cluttered, often a little unsettled) and Philip de Laszlo (fiery and opalescent). If we're talking animal art, I love the equine illustrations of Wesley Dennis (powerful nostalgia), all the shaggy warm creatures of Rosa Bonheur, and Theophile Steinlen's endless snoozing cats. And then with landscapes, there's John Brett (airy pure blues), Frederic Edwin Church (ethereal), and Mikalojus Konstantinas Ciurlionis (otherworldly, surreal).

Favorite poet/writer: That's even harder. Let's focus on just poets because it's narrower. I once heard Emily Dickinson described as terrifying in her spare use of language, and that's always resonated with me -- and it's something I've tried to angle towards in some of my own poetry.

Favorite band: Am realizing I don't connect as much with bands as with solo artists, so while there are lots of individual songs by bands that I like, I don't have a big pool to draw from. I've always liked the Something Real album by Meg & Dia -- very mid-2000s rock with a lot of cluttered lyrics. But I don't know enough about them overall to really say I'm a fan of them.

Favorite meal & drink: My family's macaroni and cheese recipe, which is kind of weird and atypical (it has cheese, but not an actual cheese sauce) but so cheddary and hearty and good. When I was learning to cook, mastering the macaroni and cheese was a big milestone. And then for drinks, a really good hot chocolate. One of our local restaurants has an amazing one with an enormous homemade marshmallow. For stuff in a packet, I love Starbuck's salted caramel version.

Favorite outfit aesthetic/style: I would maybe call it low-key romantic? I wear a lot of skirts, and I typically always put on jewelry when I go out. I like dark colors (though I've been branching into brighter colors and pastels), some light goth and medievaly elements. I like airy flowy lines, but I also want structure and shape. Am a huge fan of boots with skirts. Current favorite outfit is a dark floral corduroy mini over black leggings, black tee, and a long open-knit burgundy sweater. And of course boots. Adding a cameo necklace or pin gives it a little bit of Victoriana.

Favorite singer: Right now, it's a lot of Tori Amos. She has so many good stand-out lines, beautiful melodies, and also just so much music I still haven't even listened to, even after being a fan for well over ten years. Recently discovered her song "The Maids of Elfen-Mere" and may have to check out the album.

Favorite item you own: Hard to pick one. The year I finished writing The Price and Prey of Magic, someone, without knowing what was in the book, got me a pendant with stag antlers for Christmas. Stags are a big motif in the novel, and it felt like such a lovely, special coincidence. The person has since died, and so wearing the necklace is extra meaningful to me now; I wore it for my first book signing.

Favorite perfume: I don't wear perfume regularly. But my favorite scents are fairly straightforward -- vanilla, orange, rosemary and mint -- pretty simple stuff.

Thank you again! As for tagging, if you see this and would like to do it, go for it!

[galaxyarena]

02.     bag   /   purse. 03.     car trunk. / reagan

[ Depends on the bag! As annoying as it is to be gifted the Cognito Inc. tote bags, Reagan finds that they're really useful for packing toiletries + stuff of the like when she has to travel last minute. If they're not being used for that, whenever she actually remembers to bring them with her she'll use them as an alternative to plastic / paper when she actually has time to go grocery shopping!

Whenever she uses an actual purse it's likely because she's going somewhere important (date, formal event), so she'll keep what she needs for that specific purpose and leave whatever else in her car. Typically though the most consistent thing you'll find in any of her bags is her phone, a spare charger (more for Brett than anyone else because he almost always forgets his), hair ties, a stray adderall or two, and her badge for Cognito!

As for the trunk of her car, the fabric in there has some blood stains from the Kennedy clones she brought home that one time for Rand when he needed to replace his liver! In the compartments on the sides she has jumper cables and other vehicle related tools that she never uses, not because she doesn't know how but because she really only uses her car to get to and from work. The rest of her trunk is usually cluttered with garbage that Rand throws back there (sometimes she does too, but not nearly as often as Rand does). Pieces of spare tech that she has to bring home from work, lab coats that she hasn't bothered to bring back to work. Also, there's more Cognito tote bags that she says she'll put stuff into so the mess will be organized but never actually does. ]

[flyingspicerack]

🤖 here!!!

Yoooo nah nah nah ur so correct on the orb heating up.... so cuteeee wahhhh

ALSO THE SPICY STUFF... 😳😳 going insane for it..... love it love it love it.

I've been feeling not too well the past couple days so ima talk about more soft and wholesome stuff.... he knows and can tell when ur anxious but he doesn't really.... know how to comfort people? I mean being around for so long and not getting close to anyone definitely did not help BDJSB. So he just kinda. Tries to make you laugh or even some fun teasing and stuff!!! Idk!!! I'm so normal about him.

Also quick note about the way his mushroom cap is animated because I'm insane: his head turns are so much more smoother than the others in the gang? Like the animation is pretty smooth regardless but his seems more refined which makes me think that either A) the animation team went really in depth to animate his body cause its different than the typical human puppet or B) its a 3D model?? Which is also my theory for the final episode of Part 1 with Bear-O, where it straight up looks like a 3D model was smacked into there. It's pretty cool.

More insane stuff I think about: Brett and Myc have soooo many parallels. Like. They were both bullied and/or outcasted and more hypersensitive to others but they went in two completely different direction and I think about it a lot? I've been wanting to post an analysis on it but. Beweh.... tired. Like Brett needs to have everyone like him whereas myc just went "Fuck you guys!" And peaced out. I'm so normal for this show.

Omg i hope u feel better! And i will indulge you with my Myc ramblings 💗

Oh he sooooo does not know how to comfort people. I think his immediate response to feeling bad and negative emotions (like sad not angry) is to retreat and get away from it, they make him uncomfortable and he wants to get out of the feelings as soon as possible! Buuuut once hes with his s/o, he eventually realizes he needs to help somehow, but he doesn't know how!!! So, he will just sit in their company, like, be around them and just hold, let them vent or wallow, and like u said, crack jokes. (Hes just like me fr)

The 3d model thing is an interesting headcanon to have! I personally dont agree and think the animation is just like that, its smooth and fluid. Comparable to how smooth all the particle effects are in the show.

AND YES! Wow! Agreed!! I also really think it has to do with WHO bullied them as well, with their reactions!! Brett, bullied by his family, HAD to trust them because theyre his family and he doesn't know any better, ALSO dealt with it in a more healthy way. Myc on the other hand, bullied by peers, knew he could leave and get away from the situation but held onto that in a very toxic way.

AHHHHHH ANON UR SO GREAT TO TALK TO THANK U

[storytellingdreamer]

I posted 2,271 times in 2022

That's 557 more posts than 2021!

42 posts created (2%)

2,229 posts reblogged (98%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@princesssarcastia

@mythologeekwriter

@aspiringwarriorlibrarian

@do-you-have-a-flag

@quillingmesoftly

I tagged 2,254 of my posts in 2022

Only 1% of my posts had no tags

#real life stuff - 351 posts

#yeah this - 260 posts

#star wars - 193 posts

#boosting - 123 posts

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#happy things - 64 posts

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#usa politics - 53 posts

Longest Tag: 138 characters

#this makes me think of how people including me talk to our current machines (eg computers) when they do things we don't expect/ don't like

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

Watching Granada Holmes: The Speckled Band

So this recap is going to be a bit rougher than a couple of the previous because I’m not waiting to watch the episode a second time before posting it. 

This episode is decent overall, though it suffers somewhat from some cringe-inducing moments of “period-typical racism” that the Granada show, in their quest for faithful story adaptations, has chosen to preserve. Unfortunate. 

The Speckled Band was extremely creepy, and it was supposed to be, so good work all involved. Still. I am not overly fond of creepy things, and given the subject matter of why it was creepy (Royclott and his plot), I doubt I’ll watch it a second time so soon. Except perhaps on mute, skipping through to the parts with good opportunities for screengrabs. 

Anyway here are some things I liked about the episode: 

It’s another Woman in Need themed plot, and I like Helen Stoner and her gumption. 

Holmes introduces Watson to Stoner as “his intimate friend” <3 

The way Holmes supports/ comforts Helen Stoner during the interview (particularly) and episode

The way Watson supports and comforts Helen Stoner across the episode

It’s interesting to look at their different methods actually. Watson shows his care through a mix of physical closeness, sympathetic words, and the offer of creature comforts such as food. 

Holmes's care is more structured. Physical closeness is still there - but it’s usually the same sort of touch. And only offered in the moment of the female client being overcome by their emotion. 

Holmes will place his hand on or near the hand/ elbow/ shoulder area of the distraught client, guide her back to her seat, look her in the eyes... and implore her to tell him everything she knows about what is going on. 

From that point on, his manner becomes analytical, and he often withdraws somewhat once he knows the lady is calmer. Once he knows the facts he will give explicit instructions and/or verbal reassurance.

Other things I liked about the episode: 

The much-gifed scene of Holmes and Watson on the train going towards the manor, leaning in close to each other to explain their morning’s adventures. 

Actually, the fact that both of them split up to investigate their own paths, both valuable leads, then came back together to summarise was excellent. 

They do a lot of things jointly in this ep - sharing the load. 

The bits where Holmes and Watson are investigating the manor house with Helen Stoner’s help - unnerving in places but fun. 

Holmes’s nerves at the very real danger leading him to offer Watson a way out of the proceedings, and Watson’s refusal to take it. 

The way everything - actors, music, cinematography - worked together to build and hold the suspense. 

Aside from Jeremy Brett and David Burke’s usual excellence, the feel of this episode owes a lot to Jeremy Kemp’s Dr Roylott. From the instant we saw the guy, he exuded a presence that was delightfully discomforting to watch. A very threatening presence indeed. Ugh. 

The scenes with Helen Stoner (Rosalyn Lanndor) are excellent in showing this. Also, I particularly enjoyed the moment where Roylott surprises Holmes and Watson after Ms Stoner departs their rooms - all three actors play off each other superbly (Watson’s shock and indignation! Holmes’s “I don’t like you” expressions! Roylott’s threatening bluster!). 

It all leads to the scenes of Holmes and Watson, having gallantly insisted on being “the bait” in place of Ms Stoner despite their own misgivings. And after all that effort, there’s a certain amount of justice in what happens to Roylott. Especially if you agree with Plaid Adder about the episode’s rather pointed subtext behind the murders. I know I do. 

(Read her meta about this episode for more than just that theory though, there are lots of things commented on that I didn’t have time for rn.)

31 notes - Posted October 11, 2022

#4

See the full post

37 notes - Posted October 15, 2022

#3

Watching Granada Holmes: The Norwood Builder

Image description: Watson and Holmes inspect Oldacre’s will papers. Watson has just realised something with Holmes’s help, and both are smiling because of it. / end description.

This episode is AMAZING. The Holmes/Watson content is superb, the episodic characters delightful, and the premise excellently displayed. Instantly one of my favourite episodes. Due to this it’s a long recap post. See the rest of my watching Granada Holmes content here. 

In terms of style, this episode is one for the High-Stakes Deduction category, as well as a Holmes/Watson Feels ep. And it’s also a Woman-in-Need one, albeit by proxy. 

The opening was very atmospheric, and a bit spooky (the face at the window, the bones, etc.) though the insight to 1800s firefighting practices was intriguing.

Then we arrive at Holmes and Watson the next day. Holmes is in A Mood due to, it appears, a decline in cases. Watson tries to cheer him up but he’s determined to be grumpy. 

Fortunately, there is a young man pestering Mrs Hudson for Holmes’s whereabouts... and so the new case begins! 

I must say that I love McFarlane’s characterisation. In his initial introduction, you get the impression of an earnest young man who’s fallen on hard times in some way, though he’s able to try to joke about it (that little half-smile as he says, “most unfortunate man in London”). 

Also a highlight was the tension between Lestrade and Holmes, with Watson - the snarky one-upmanship raising the pressure across the episode. Lestrade is annoyingly smug for much of the time, and rather dismissive of Holmes’s previous assistance. 

It builds on Holmes’s little rant against prisons and not being beholden to the police in Blue Carbuncle, and Holmes is deeply uncomfortable with being forced to do things Lestrade’s way whenever Lestrade dictates. 

Notice how Holmes is convinced by McFarlane’s sincerity enough to be protective of him once Lestrade arrives, despite only knowing a handful of the particulars. He in effect acts as young McFarlane’s lawyer, giving him a little reminder about “what you say now will appear in evidence against you” and such. 

And then we get to the flashback. Excellently done. 

McFarlane’s manner is very much “nervous young person fresh out of schooling/ further ed, trying to Succeed at his new job, so yes, of course I won't make a fuss when This Guy comes in with a sketchy tale, because Jobs Be Like That.” A perfect illustration of the feeling. 

Then there’s Oldacre...  Quite the eccentric man, to say the least. The way he lays out his story, and uses McFarlane’s parents to minimise McFarlane’s questions is rather suspect. 

For example, notice the way he drops the death of McFarlane’s father into the conversation as an explanation, but without even a “sorry for your loss”? 

And then at the end of the office scene, he asks that his plan be “a little surprise” for McFarlane’s mother... 

And then, after the little scene at Oldacre’s house, we end the flashback. Five full minutes well used there! At the end, another bit of character: McFarlane looks to Lestrade when he says, “I left him there!” then elaborates directly to Holmes. 

Still, Holmes only replies enigmatically, though his conversation with Lestrade reveals, to the canny viewer, where his thoughts lie... and so, after a desperate glance, McFarlane is led away. 

Holmes leads Watson through a bit of Deductive Reasoning (the second for the episode after McFarlane’s intro) as they examine the will papers. The little smiles and insights exchanged in the early part of this are delightful. Then, of course, they each have their own further points to make about particulars each have noticed (Holmes about the how of the papers, Watson about the why). 

Before it’s off to Blackheath to speak to Mrs McFarlane, McFarlane’s mother... another excellent “speaking the subtext loudly” scene, i.e. a scene that made me, as a woman, think, "say no more, I understand that subtext exactly." 

The way Mrs McFarlane describes Oldacre reminded me strongly of a person who I usually only refer to as “the ex” - in much the same way Mrs McF has tried to forget Oldacre ever existed. 

Every single word Mrs McFarlane spoke resonated. It’s why I consider this a Woman In Need by proxy plot, because Oldacre has used McFarlane in a vendetta against Mrs McFarlane. 

The how is up to Holmes and Watson to discover, though not without a degree of difficulty. 

My one quibble with the latter part of the episode is that the time-skips were a bit hard to follow. Unlike, say, Naval Treaty, where we’re eventually shown what Holmes got up to for an entire afternoon, here, we have to keep our wits about us to interpret Holmes’s “I’ll stay for a while longer” as “stay overnight”. 

The rest of the episode and its conclusion, though? Superb. 

One part that struck me, beyond the obvious: it is extremely gratifying to see Lestrade’s anger and quick action when he realises what’s really been going on. 

Now I want to talk about the second theme of the episode, and the one that punched me in the feels a bit. Holmes and Watson’s “them-ness” (as I described it in a Discord server). 

Throughout the first half of the episode, Holmes and Watson run as a well-oiled unit. 

They discuss things together (by words or an exchange of glances), 

They play off each other (see McFarlane’s introduction, where Holmes deduces and Watson explains), 

See the full post

42 notes - Posted November 14, 2022

#2

Watching Granada Holmes: The Blue Carbuncle

I’m sleepy and will be heading to bed after this, feeling very happy indeed. If you’re interested in my previous episode recaps, see here. Also see Plaid Adder’s review of this episode, it’s great. 

This episode is FUN. I will definitely be rewatching it later. Thoughts:

This has its own category of Holmes and Watson Togetherness, really, because the case is only there as window-dressing to that. 

... Once you get over the slight confusion of the long introductory bit with all the extras, anyway. The start was particularly confusing! 

Not that the extras aren’t good! They’re all excellent. Part of what makes this episode fun. 

But it’s really not the usual story. If this was a regular episode/ story, Mrs Horner would have come knocking on Holmes’s door pleading for him to help prove her husband innocent. Or Countess Morcar would have sent a footman to bring Holmes around so she could demand he find the jewel for her. 

But it’s a whacky Christmas story/ episode, so the first mystery is about the goose... or rather, the Hat. Which then leads to the goose. 

And we’re introduced to Holmes and Watson this time with Watson stepping out smartly (”Where’s he off to?” I thought) and Holmes... still in bed. 

This is the origin point of the delightful scene of Mrs Hudson coming in to wake Holmes up (goodness knows what time it is) and Holmes’s response is only, “Please GO AWAY”. I am giggling just thinking about it. 

The fun is continued when Holmes stumbles into his sitting room some minutes (one presumes) later, to find he has a guest. But the most lovely thing about this is that Holmes is not grumpy at all, once he’s over his initial surprise. Apparently sleepy Holmes is a cordial one, willing to offer alcohol (... I didn’t catch what type) to his guest and find his rather odd tale amusingly fascinating, rather than, say, boring. 

Though he does fall asleep during the story, so perhaps I shouldn’t give Holmes too much credit. Seriously, what time is it during that scene? Holmes went back to bed after! 

And then Watson returns and we get the delightful Hat Deductions Scene. Gah, they’re so delighted with each other, I love it. 

... and then the carbuncle pops up, which sets Holmes and Watson On The Hunt for clues about it and the goose, which leads to the Betting Scene - another :D moment. 

THIS ENTIRE EPISODE IS DELIGHTFUL for the Holmes/ Watson content alone! 

Like, it might turn into one of my comfort eps I think. Just <3 ALL THE FEELS. 

Of course, there’s also Ryder and his pitiable comedy of burglary errors, and the poor Horners. I love seeing Holmes’s anger at Ryder’s deceit - so fierce. Ryder is reduced to begging on his knees for Holmes to be lenient... which he is. More on that in a minute. 

After how angry Holmes was with Ryder about the mess R had put the Horners in, I did find it a bit perplexing that Watson was the one to remind Holmes that Horner was still imprisoned. Not that Watson reminded him, because of cause Watson would care about that... but why didn’t Holmes remember? 

And how on Earth did Holmes manage to explain Horner’s innocence (leading to the very Christmassy end scene) without bringing Ryder into it?? Use the carbuncle and explain the events? Make something up using the facts but pretend that Ryder didn’t give his name? HOW did he do it? 

I’d love to hear people’s theories on that, I really would. 

One final thing: 

The way Holmes reacts to Watson’s confusion at Holmes letting Ryder go is another, “well that’s interesting” moment for Holmes’s characterisation. “I am not retained by the police to supply their deficiencies!” Holmes yells at Watson - Watson! - with almost as much frustration as he’d yelled at Ryder earlier (though thankfully with less venom). Seriously, I should have probably written Holmes’s words in capitals, he shouts with such emphasis. 

Is it a quirk of it being a Christmas story? With what Holmes says after his outburst, that he’s committing a felony to save a soul? Is it that Holmes doesn’t like prisons, really, unless the villain is a true one? (After all, he spoke plainly of Roylott getting what was coming to him last episode.) 

Or is it, with a queer reading, a combination of those, and something deeper? 

Goodnight. 

67 notes - Posted October 12, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

Watching Granada Holmes: On David Burke as Dr Watson

Okay so before I watch the next Granada episode, Empty House, I need to say goodbye to David Burke as Dr John Watson. David Burke couldn’t continue with Granada’s adaptation after FINA due to scheduling conflicts, which led to him helping them find his replacement, Edward Hardwicke. 

This post is me processing that in the hope that I can learn to love Edward Hardwicke as Watson without feeling too disappointed he’s not David Burke.

You see, going into Granada Holmes, I’d already been informed that Jeremy Brett is the Sherlock Holmes. This is definitely true. However, at this moment, all I can say that for me, David Burke will be the Dr John Watson. 

My tag for David Burke is “he smiles with his whole face”. Right from the start, his expressiveness intrigued me, and made it very easy to feel like I was part of the story. His openness invited me as the audience in. It also doesn’t hurt that he has a very fine voice - I’ve memorised the way he says “Holmes” and other words like “black moods”. They’re very fun to say in his accent! 

Watching the Granada Holmes series has felt very personal. For starters, watching TV shows or movies are always immersive experiences for me, due to the way my brain processes information. I get “sucked in” to the story very easily - it feels like I’m another character, almost, observing. It’s also hard because I’m having to process the audio-visual information, the language, the social information, the emotional contexts - and anything they trigger in me from past experiences - all at once. 

Granada Holmes is a very safe way to do that, because most of the time, the bad guys get their comeuppance in the end, and the client of the week has resolution, and perhaps catharsis. 

It also feels very safe because Holmes and Watson guide me through it. I’ll say more about Jeremy Brett at the end of my entire watch through, but for David Burke, my “oh, you’re my Watson” journey really took flight with the end of Solitary Cyclist. 

See, the thing about David Burke’s Watson isn’t just that he’s very expressive. He’s very reassuring. Steady and dependable, but also openly delighted in Holmes’s brilliance. A perfect foil for the audience. 

He’s the one who instinctively knows how to handle clients (see: any Woman in Need episode), and takes care of Holmes almost before Holmes knows he needs it (see: Norwood Builder) - and when he’s protecting you/ the client, by goodness do you feel it. 

You’ll recall that I had plenty to say about Solitary Cyclist, so much so that I wrote two posts for it. One about the episode recap, and another, which I wrote first, of my feelings about the episode’s context. Look, the Woman In Need episodes always strike a little close to home for me for various reasons. And after my first experience of that in Solitary Cyclist, one of the things that comforted me after was remembering, well, this moment: 

See the full post

68 notes - Posted November 25, 2022

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[normaltothemax]

She snorts. "I have to actively resist the urge to punch him in the face at least twice a day." Yes, she is absolutely serious about that. "It actually gets even worse, if you can believe it." Her lips pull up into a self-deprecating smile. "He's apparently decided I'm his protégé, or whatever. Which basically means I get unwanted advice on literally everything I do." Huffing out a breath, she shakes her head, annoyed just thinking about it. "Guy couldn't tell you the difference between camera lenses, but he's happy to give me photography 'pointers' constantly."

Brett was seriously the worst.

Following along, she stuffs her hands into her pockets, shrugs. "Luck of the draw. Brett's usual photographer couldn't make it, so he, of course, thought this would be a fabulous opportunity to 'show me the ropes'." And wasn't he doing such a great job? Look at her, learning so much from him. She rolls her eyes. "I left him like half an hour ago. I don't think he's even noticed, yet." Not that she's complaining.

"What about you?" A brow lifts as she looks up at him. "You here against your will, too? Or are you secretly the art nerd of the family?" He doesn't look like the typical art connoisseur, in her opinion, but hey, maybe he'll surprise her. "Off the record, of course." She's joking, of course. Hopefully that's obvious.

There's a moment of 'oh no oh fuck I fucked it up already' that flickers across his face when he hears who she's working for, but her offer to pretend to have not heard him has him heaving a sigh of relief. "That- that sounds like a great plan actually." He lets the formality drop to match her much more casual attitude. "I get it though, it's a job in your field, ya' gotta do what ya' gotta do. I won't hold it against you."

He glances back at the guy she pointed out, shmoozing the hell out of a brat heiress and her eating it up. The sleaze of it has him wrinkling his nose. Not a surprise of course but somewhat even worse for the triteness. "You must have way more patience than me, if I worked with a guy like that I'd have burned the whole place down within a week." Probably literally.

He nods his head in the direction of the collection, keeping his stride short as he starts towards it so as to not leave her behind. "So how'd you get stuck on this job if art isn't an interest? You looking to make some inside connections or just luck of the draw? "

[sin-sidejob]

Hi, would you be willing to write nsfw and sfw dating headcanons for Brett? Gender neutral is best but if you need it, can you make it for an afab reader? Thank you so much!

Brett Hand x GN!Reader: SFW dating headcanons

Warnings: canon-typical violence + shenanigans, SFW, talk of food, families, sickness and illness

Content: just canon typical shenanigans + behavior, domesticity, Brett Hand

- Brett’s literally the sweetest person ever, and when he’s in love? Infatuation and the most endearing type of affection possible.

- he’s a bit clingy, both with regular attention and affection and with sexual attention/affection. He doesn’t do too much PDA, keeping it mild like a hand on your hip or pecking a kiss, or kisses, on your forehead or cheek if not lips. If it’s more lax and around friends, he’ll have his hand drift a little lower if not nestle in one of your back pockets and won’t me afraid to kiss a little lower on your face at your jaw.

- if you don’t like PDA much if at all, he completely respects it! He doesn’t want to push your boundaries beyond the limits or make you uncomfortable. He’d be fine just holding your hand! He loves doing that if he’s being honest, running his thumb over your knuckles and just rambling absentmindedly with whatever is on his mind while he plays with your hands.

- Brett’s definitely the type to memorize tidbits and information about yourself. Hell, he’s probably got a google doc or a notes app full of stuff beyond just your birthday and favorite color. He’s got your food orders and favorite food places, your ick-foods, allergies, the exact shade of your eyes and how they look in the sun, what type of wedding rings he’d think you’d like, date ideas, jokes and inside jokes y’all have. He struggles to remember every single detail about you, but he’ll be damned if he didn’t try.

- he even notes down factoids and little things about you, like he's writing the bullet points of a Wikipedia article about you, trying to memorize just how you wear your hair, which color tone of jewelry you frequent, the story behind the scar on your knee. He jots it all down and it's a long list, that keeps getting longer. But it's so sweet it's practically cavity-inducing, craving to know all of you in every facet and aspect.

- he makes everything fun, whether your time shared and spent together are dates out mini golfing, bar hopping, clubbing, or just having dates in the comfort of home. He couldn’t care less where he was or what he was doing, as long as he was with you. He just likes being with you. You’re all he needs.

- his favorite type and choice of date?? Cooking at home with you, goofing around in the kitchen and eating dinner across from you in the comfort of home, only to clean up and dance with you barefoot in the kitchen to something softly playing over the speakers. Dancing in the refrigerator light is high key his favorite way to end a day, with you in his arms and swaying to the beat.

- he doesn’t fight often because he’s more resigned as a person. It can be difficult to have him open up truly and push back if his boundaries are neglected due to how he’s so much of a people pleaser and he’d hate to hurt your feelings, even if his own are hurting. It takes some time for him to heal internal wounds and be able to be open and fully share what he’s feeling.

- he is super spontaneous too like he enjoys the hell out of doing sudden dates. He would absolutely crush that date trend of going into target and getting things for your partner you think they'd like, like something in your favorite color, your favorite drink and snack, something for you two to do together. this man is spouse material good lord

- speaking of marriage material, please talk about future plans with this boy. Not too soon unless you wanna' get married like you're contestants on 90-day fiance but still if you've been together for a bit, already considering moving in, talk about how you eventually want to marry him and how you intend to spend the rest of your life with him. Brett will cry and hug you for a solid hour - that's not in jest I believe he will actually do it. Just sitting there cuddling and blubbering about how he's so happy and relieved and he wants to marry you too and then he's rambling about ring sizes and that he knows a guy who can get y'all's rings and hitched within the hour.

- he is so whiny when he's sick but I bet it's like once a year, if that, he takes such good care of himself but when someone in the gang sneezes in his face he takes it in stride and then gets laid up at home. Taking care of him is like taking care of a sick kindergartner but its fun, its Disney movies, cuddles all day, grilled cheese and tomato soup with that dollop of sour cream and pepper on the top, blanket forts, and setting him off to sleep at 8:30pm with a double dose of Delsum and sleepy time tea

- marry this man.

- Brett is so doting when sick too because he's got all the holistic remedies + the whole CVS over-the-counter pharmacy of cold medicines and sinus relief and tummy ache relievers. He's probably also got the industrial or commercial-size first-aid kit.

- If you ever skin your knee or sprain an ankle that man is hauling you up in his arms bridal carry and just making casual conversation while he takes you to the nearest doctor or nurse's office, no matter if you insist you're fine, and dotes on you and tells you how proud he is of you.

- he also excels in pep talks and affirmations, recording you tapes to play should he be away from you in case you want to hear his voice. He'll text you to not pick up his call so he can leave you voicemails sometimes, telling you about his day and asking about yours as if you're actually on the phone, and he ends the second half of the voicemail telling you how much he loves you, how happy he is to have you in his life, how thankful and grateful he is, etc etc

- Brett rushes to open the doors for you, and will even carry you over puddles that way your shoes and legs don't get wet. he'll have his arm around your waist and make sure he's on the side facing the road when walking on sidewalks, having you on his opposite side and safer in case something were to happen. You get his handkerchiefs and his umbrellas, the second half of his sandwich, the share of his fries, and control over the aux in his car when going places.

- he makes you mix CD's and playlists for certain moods, moments, memories, and loves to go to concerts with you. Brett'll stand behind you with his arms around your waist and head on your shoulder or on top of yours depending on height so you get a better view and he can still be close.

- He is a wreck when meeting your friends or family, knowing how important they are to you but you're just like ??? Sir, you are the perfect man how could they not like you ??? and then he's trying not to cry and begging for a hug meanwhile it's in the middle of a fast food restaurant and you two are about to order lunch. Idiot, marry him.

- Brett is the type to fawn over babies and pets in public and its even worse if its the both of you because then there's the conversational point of the two of you having a family and that man could not have bigger heart eyes, practically begging to have a baby or adopt one or have Reagan or the cloning department make y'all one

- it's tempting but like, perhaps move in or marriage first then extend bloodlines

- regardless, this man is ultimate dating material, marriage material, long haul ride or die. Brett is so choice, I'd highly recommend picking one up.

[deanstead]

He's Coming Now

Pairing: Will Halstead x Reader

Requested: yes, by anon

Summary: A car crash sends Y/N into emergency labor.

Word Count: 1,327

Warnings: canon typical mentions of car crash, injuries, emergency labor

A/N: This took way too long oops? I kind of entered one of the most serious slumps I’ve been in for the entire year so this almost feels like teething. But anyway, I had to change quite a lot of stuff from the original request to fit what I felt I could write but I still hope you guys like this! As always, thanks to my beta partner @mertes4cker

WILL HALSTEAD MASTERLIST

One minute you were heading towards home in a car full of groceries, the next you were being roused by a familiar voice, with a ringing in your ears.

“Y/N? Y/N, can you hear me?”

Your vision swam in front of you, before you recognized the blonde hair that framed the familiar face that was hovering in front of you as Sylvie Brett.

“Sylvie…?”

Sylvie let out a small smile. “Hey, it’s okay. We’re gonna get you out of here, alright?”

That’s when you remembered - the screech of tires, the sound of a long honk, the impact of a much larger vehicle crashing into the side of your car. And coupled with the pain you were feeling everywhere, you knew you’d been in an accident.

It was just then that you felt a cramp rip through your stomach.

“The baby…” You groaned, trying to turn to look at her properly now when you realized she’d already put the neck brace on you.

“We got you, alright? Try not to move.” Sylvie reassured you, before she glanced at Kelly, who nodded.

Matt climbed into the back of the car now. “Hey, Y/N. How are you doing?”

“Matt, I think he’s coming.” You said, your voice trembling as you felt another contraction and you felt Matt shift around behind you.

“Okay, just listen to my voice, alright?” Matt said, keeping his voice even. “We’re going to get you out as fast as we can.”

Matt barked instructions and you heard him talk to Kelly while Sylvie called back for your attention. Matt worked as quickly as he could, gently draping a jacket over you before the loud sounds filled the car.

You tried to focus on your breathing, even though the loud sounds of the firefighters cutting through the metal of your car filled your ears, but what was even more distracting were the intensifying contractions.

You heard Sylvie hurry Matt along without saying too much, just as Matt lifted his jacket off of you.

As you concentrated on breathing, you realized they were already lifting you out. You could hear Matt’s voice but the pain was too distracting. You weren’t sure if anywhere else hurt because the contractions were coming quicker and with more intensity.

You felt a gripping fear wash over you as you realized your son wasn’t going to wait until you got to the hospital. Sylvie noticed the look on your contorted face and she gave Emily a discreet shake of her head, as they checked you out.

“Alright, Y/N. Look at me.” Sylvie’s voice was reassuring as she stepped up beside you. “He’s not waiting, alright?”

You nodded back at her, finally raising your head to glance at your friend. “He’s coming now.” You agreed, between breaths. The contractions were rising in intensity and coming faster.

You heard someone climb into the back of the ambulance, only registering Herrmann’s voice when he helped you up slightly so you could lean against him as Sylvie and Emily got ready for the emergency delivery.

“He’s already crowning.” Sylvie said, glancing up and Herrmann reached for your hand gently.

“Just breathe.” Herrmann reminded you, as Sylvie nodded.

“And push.”

Maggie put down the phone and glanced around the ED. “Alright people, we have incoming!”

Will headed straight for the front, as Maggie called out to him. “Dr Halstead. Not you.”

Will frowned, confused as Ethan nodded at Maggie and rushed ahead to join Connor. “Maggie… what?”

“It’s Y/N.” Maggie explained, as Will froze, almost like there was a ringing in his ears.

“What?”

Before Maggie could open her mouth again, the blaring of sounds that signaled their arrival made both of them look up and Will was already running. “Y/N? Y/N!”

“Will, wait. They delivered in the field.” Maggie pointed to where Sylvie was in another treatment room with Natalie. His struggle was almost visible. “Connor and Ethan have her and I’ll be there, alright? Go to your son.”

Will exhaled and nodded, turning in the opposite direction.

“Nat…”

Natalie turned to look at him and smiled, nodding at him. “Vitals look good, I’m going to send him upstairs. How’s Y/N?”

Will turned around to look back at the opposite treatment room before he turned back again to look at Natalie.

Natalie nodded. “Alright, come on. She’s in safe hands, Will. Why don’t you come up with us?”

Will nodded, glancing back at the tiny human that was lying in the cot now, barely believing that it was his son. “Congratulations, Will.” Natalie said softly, smiling.

Your eyes fluttered open again. Your whole body hurt but only one thought floated right to the top.

You sat up quickly, wincing at the pain that shot through your body, just as Will opened the door.

“Woah, Y/N!” Will reached you in two strides, a protective arm going around your shoulders like an instinct. “Slow.”

You glanced up at Will. “Will, the baby… he…”

Will just gave you a smile. “He’s good. He’s right behind me.”

He finished his sentence, just as Natalie arrived, pushing the cot ahead of her, where your son lay.

Will turned to help arrange the pillows behind your back, pushing you to lean back gently. “Slow.”

Natalie smiled before she gently put your son into your arms. “Will said you guys haven’t decided on a name so we’ve just put down Baby Boy Halstead on the label. I’ll give you guys some time.

Will nodded and smiled, thanking her before Will turned his eyes back to the both of you.

You smiled back up at him. “And everything was okay?”

Will exhaled, leaning in again to put an arm around you. “You were barely conscious when you arrived. Everything was not okay. Until now.”

You leaned your head against Will’s chest and he pressed his lips on the top of your head.

“So save for keeping his name as Baby Boy? Are we still going with Isaac?” Will asked you, a smile lacing his voice.

You gave a small chuckle and nodded. “We decided this months ago.”

Will smiled. “I know but just in case you felt different when you held him in your arms, or looked at his face.” He leaned in towards the baby in your arms as your son opened his eyes slowly, his little hand reaching out for Will’s finger.

“Isaac Halstead.” You whispered, smiling.

The nurse came in then to see if she could help you to nurse Isaac and Will nodded a greeting at the nurse. Isaac was quick on the uptake and you nodded at the nurse’s comment. “Probably smart like his father.” You answered with a smile.

After Isaac was done and the nurse had left, Will leaned back in to press a kiss to your temple but you turned your face up towards him and Will smiled as he pressed his lips against yours. “Thank god you’re both okay.” Will whispered.

You smiled. “Once I’m out of here, we need to go to 51.”

“No need.”

You glanced up at Herrmann’s voice, spotting Matt, Kelly and Sylvie. “Thought we’d come by to see how you were doing.”

You smiled, as they piled in, Matt and Kelly going around to the other side of the bed.

“Thanks guys, I…” Will started and Matt nodded, leaning over to shake Will's outstretched hand.

“We’re just glad they’re safe.” Matt answered just as they were joined by Connor, Ethan and Jay.

“Hey, I got here as fast I could… I…” Jay’s voice trailed off.

You smiled. “Hey Uncle Jay, get over here and meet your nephew.”

Will grinned, picking Isaac up and putting him gently in Jay’s arms.

Jay glanced up and smiled. “Congratulations, guys.”

You just glanced up at Will smiling, feeling the residual uneasiness thoroughly subside as your husband stood above you, your son sleeping soundly in Jay’s arms knowing that the three of you were surrounded by family.

THANK YOU FOR READING!! PLEASE TELL ME WHAT YOU THOUGHT OF THIS!!

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Character taglists are open!

[trrickytickle]

(like, about half of) Cognito Inc- tickle headcanons

 NUMBER ONE!! I HOPE YOU ENJOY @moose-muffin TY FOR BEING A FAN BROOOO IT MEANS SO MUCH

dancing brett  (HCS UNDER CUT!!) 

Reagan General: LITERALLY has a set of four robotic hands including her own. Don’t tell me they can not be used for tickle purposes, I’m telling you. Bad perspective on tickling, got tickled by others (not rand, fuck rand) as a kid and liked it, but is extremely touch-aversed now. Will kick and flail but like it- just instinct. Touch starved as shit too.  Lee:  Dorky, snorty laugh. Absolutely uncharacteristic- voice actually goes a few octaves higher. Little honks too. Worst spots are sides, ribs and armpits, and her “ha”s are pronounced, like individually and she likes to throw her head back and sorta guffaw. ALSO a lee- but more low key. At least she thinks so, she can get just as panicky as Brett when tickling comes up in convos. She did not get much of that (thanks, Rand), and will PUNCH ANYONE WHO AT LEAST THREATENS HER WITH IT!! Brett and her are perf contrasts as switches- imagine them ganging up on somebody! 

Ler: Teasiest ler ever and doesn’t even intend it, because she’s just cynical. Uses her knowledge of Cognito tech to her advantages. Always uses her typical dry, snarky comments to make remarks about her lees and comments on their physical and mental state, likes occasional baby-talk and spider-fingers ESPECIALLY with that evil evil HAND THING!! super methodical when it comes to tickles.  Brett General: Loves tickling. Super scared and embarrassed about it, and honestly this man needs to calm down. He’s at everyone’s beck and call- kind of like a dog- which brings me to the touch-starved vibes this guy has. Lol.  Since he’s kind of a sentimental nostalgic d00d  (escapist tendencies much) he openly craves tickles and has lee moods frequently. I don’t like to hc characters as in the community, but he is so in the community. Working for gov. organization means you know, like just about anything so he would know these niche people.  Lee: Nervous as a lee, but will still answer “yes” honestly if he’s asked if he’s ticklish. But such a lee. He literally had a robot thingy pat him on the back. Maaaybe (DEFINETLY) cheer up tickles from Reagan are a given for this man. From anyone, really. He ALSO likes to use the tech to his advantage- maybe simulating tickle scenarios in the hologram room and such, and would LITERALLY orchestrate wacky plots to get his deserved tickles. Likes to be teased and he answers with stuff like “YES!! YES I AM A TICKLISH BOY!!” and like also his worst spots are his stomach, feet and pits!! He laughs so wildly. he’ll literally holler and just kinda has an enthusiastic laugh- kinda like his personality.  

Ler: SPEAAAKING of the nostalgia thing- Maybe he can tap in to his powers and use them for ler-purposes later? Not a ler but he tries. Always overthinks teasing and his kinda-- oblivious-cuteness? leeness can kinda be infectious on a giggly lee!! Teases and pep-talks the shit out of them, also baby talk and tickle talk is just chefs kiss. He loves it when people are lees to his tickling it’s just so fun for him both ways around.    Gigi General: Never considered the fact that two of her co-workers are massive touch-starved fools and the tickle capabilities of Cognito tech, so never really worried about it. This in turn leads to situations. 

Lee: Always says “no no no no no” and backs away and always curses at her lees. Bad at hiding the fact she’s ticklish, so never really gets pedicures and such. Worst spot is her belly. Like THE worst- way too ticklish for her own liking- and someone of her status.  Ler:  Master ler, teases in a way that you won’t tell it is, like a passive-aggressive cheerleader in the locker room. Never attacks without a plan, and likes to use fake-out techniques. Does NOT let anyone in on her tickle secrets and no one even dares to get revenge, because her wraths can last weeks. Punishment tickles to whoever playfully sasses her and frequently jumps into the action on tickle fights. As she said, she’s attracted to power- and tickling gives her that. that is all did not want to do myc. considered it but the penises.