#colin foster

[somewhereincairparavel]

I love couples who are so soulmate coded like you CANNOT picture them with anyone else (not even yourself 💀) bc it feels so wrong.

[booboodaddysblog]

Evan will play the role of Detective Drew Foster, who is a task force leader in the Beauty Crimes division. He will deal with a case of spontaneous combustion in people who have been infected with Beauty (a new sexually transmitted disease). His wife Janna has also been infected, and he will become infected from her.

The series will be based on comic books by Jeremy Haun and Jason A. Hurley.

Modern society is obsessed with outward beauty. What if there was a way to guarantee you could become more and more beautiful every day? What if it was a sexually transmitted disease? In the world of The Beauty, physical perfection is only one sexual encounter away. The vast majority of the population has taken advantage of it, but Detectives Vaughn and Foster will soon discover it comes at a terrible cost. Now, they'll have to find their way past corrupt poiticians, vengeful federal agents, and a terrifying mercenary out to collect the price on their heads.

[colinsnorthernlights]

Long Day’s Journey Into Night is finally here!

Premieres at the Glasgow Film Festival in February 😭😭

[msuljic]

Redbubble Designs!

[apple-grass-and-smiles]

Fic: I Think I Should Marry You (The Rookie)

https://archiveofourown.org/works/62087329

(No, I don’t know why this link won’t load normally but it’ll have to do for now.)

Official Summary: In which Lucy, tasked with breaking some hard news to Tamara, fails to cancel a date with Tim and she, Tim, and Tamara spend an emotional evening together. Heightened emotions, a Freudian slip from Tim, and some quality time with her two favorite people help Lucy realize she might be ready for something more.

Unofficial Summary: If you want Tim to get to be Tamara's dad but be wildly surprised by fulfilling that role while Lucy looks at them both with heart eyes, then, BOY, do I have the fic for you.

[mariocki]

Kiss the Blood Off My Hands (Blood on My Hands, 1948)

"Listen to me. There's nobody else I wanna be with. Nobody else I wanna talk to. What's wrong with that?"

"I'll tell you what's wrong, you're wrong. You're a coward. There was one of him and one of you; he was a much older man, I suppose if you - if you hit a child, you'd say the same thing. What's the matter with you? Why can't you be decent? Why can't you be like everybody else? You're nothing but a cheap, vicious bully."

[casualoptimist]

Book Covers of Note, May 2025

[myhahnestopinion]

THE AARONS 2024 - Best TV Performance

The first Aaron for Best TV Performance nominated the entire cast of Hannibal for the award. Talk about co-stars cannibalizing each other’s votes. Here is The Aaron for Best TV Performance:

WINNER: Colin Farrell as The Penguin - The Penguin

When Farrell won the Aaron Award for Best Supporting Film Performance for the same role, it was noted that it seemed like just the tip of the iceberg for the character; an HBO miniseries all his own gave him ample opportunity to spread his wings. Freed from a PG-13 rating, the actor could wallow in all the unsavory facets of the ‘fowl’-mouthed mobster as The Penguin tried to charm and connive his way to power. Farrell is smooth enough to even fool the audience until the character’s depravity is impossible to hide. After plumbing the depths of the character, his intense eyes piercing through the prosthetics alone are enough to give one chills. 

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Hoa Xuande as The Captain - The Sympathizer

Though The Captain’s mission often went awry, Xuande remained always in command of viewer’s affinity.

Katja Herbers as Dr Kristen Bouchard - Evil

There’s no one better equipped to oppose evil than someone as good as Herbers.

Jodie Foster as Chief Liz Danvers - True Detective: Night Country

Even as Night grew increasingly murky, the formidable Foster was always a bright spot. 

Jimmy O. Yang as Willis Wu - Interior Chinatown

Looking inward, Yang made himself impossible to ignore in the role of a lifetime.

NEXT UP: THE 2024 AARON FOR BEST SUPPORTING TV PERFORMANCE!

[freakspotter]

// Having spent most of their childhood in LA before their family moved to Seattle, Riley is my outlet for all the little californianisms I have to actively edit out of my other characters speech.

[brucewaynehater101]

WAIT. Reverse Robin AU, but let's fuck everything up.

Damian is the oldest. He was conceived during Bruce's training arc. Talia found out she was pregnant and ghosted the hell out of Bruce near the start of the arc. Thus, Bruce was dealing with his bad breakup for eight or so years, comes home, takes a year to become Batman, and then a ten year old kid shows up on his doorstep a year later. A highly trained child that has some whacky notions about training/combat that also knows how to escape :) So, yeah. Kid becomes a little vigilante. He has some super friends but isn't really on a team (Jon, Colin, Flatline, Maps, etc). Through Bruce's dedicated reparenting, he grows up to want to be a vet instead.

Duke still met Bruce during Year Zero at the age of six. When Damian is seventeen, Duke's parents go missing (fuck the Joker, let's blame any other rogue for this). There's civil disorder as well, partly caused by Damian quitting and Bruce being sad about it (which good for Damian. Go chase your dreams). Bruce stumbles upon 13 year old Duke, realizes the kid is kind of an orphan who also has meta powers that he won't stop using to be a dangerously untrained vigilante, and thus yanks him into fostering. When he's 15, his mom is found, saved, and healed enough for Duke to move back in with her. Duke eventually moves to the day shift when he's 16.

Steph gets recruited by Duke! She's still Spoiler and even forms the first teen superhero group (with Anita, Cissie, Cassie, Greta, and Kon). She lives with her mom and is the one to encourage Bruce to make connections to other heroes. She's civilian friends with Tim. At age sixteen, she "dies." It's a fake death, but nobody else knows this except Tim. This causes massive ripples in the superhero community, Gotham, and the Bats.

Tim... Doesn't actually join the batfam at first :D There's no flying grayson, but he did figure out their identities. He thinks they're cool, but not to the hero level worship of canon. He knows Steph is Spoiler. His parents still die and whatnot, but Tim pulls an Uncle Eddie. He used his rich boy money to train a bit, even ran into Lady Shiva when he was abroad trying to save his parents, but he isn't a practicing vigilante (and thus currently not physically great). Instead, he uses his computer skills to subtly aid Steph/the Bats. Bart ends up seeking him out (future knowledge), so they start working together as a team (with Bart in-field but not in Gotham). When he's 17, Steph dies/goes missing. Thus, Bart and Tim end up on a StephQuest (because nobody believes stranger!Tim who has no actual proof) [which ends up training Tim to be a great vigilante].

Jason gets yoinked from the streets post-Steph's "death" at 13. Bruce is feeling massive guilty/depressed that one of his charges/unofficial children died. Jason, who found a really neat home with a library and also has experience with struggling parents, unfortunately helps coax Bruce out of his spiral while also signing himself up for becoming a vigilante. Jason has his own team of superheros and stuff. Steph comes back about a year into his vigilantism (so when he's fourteen or so).

Cass shows up in Gotham after Steph gets back. She gets adopted and becomes/starts Batgirl.

Dick's parents die when he's nine, thus when Jason is fifteen.

[inthedreamatorium1]

After Edmund died, Violet leaned on Anthony to run the estate, Benedict to look after the children, and Colin for herself.

We know how being thrust into the role of Viscount so young and so tragically impacted Anthony. His kept his siblings, with the exception of Benedict, at arm’s length. It’s not to say he didn’t love them! But he had this barrier up which wouldn’t allow him to think of himself as anything but their guardian and protector. Kate gave him the strength to knock it down and he was able to foster a brotherly relationship with them.

We’ve seen how close Benedict is with all of his siblings. When Anthony suddenly became the head of the family, Benedict took his role as “big brother” very seriously. He even acted in that way with Anthony! I’ve adored watching how he is with his siblings and how his relationship with each of them is so different, and I’m sure they’ll only evolve as he finds his own path.

Colin is, without a doubt, a mama’s boy. He doesn’t escape his mother’s clutches at a ball, even though the older boys do. He makes sure she’s taken care of, is sensitive to her feelings, and provides her gifts. He takes his mother’s words to heart because she is very in-tune with his emotions. I wouldn’t be surprised if Violet ends up living with him and Pen in her old age.

I just love my ABC brothers and their mama so much.

[booboodaddysblog]

Evan "hey" Peters aka New York walker😎

Someone could argue that it is Colin Zabel or Drew Foster😏

New York subway | 04.05.2025

📸TikTok: bellafarmiga

[juju-or-anya]

It's hard not to find irony in the criticisms directed towards Eloise Bridgerton and the elevation of Penelope Featherington as a more genuine and hardworking figure in contrast with Eloise's supposed privileged circumstances and her discourse on feminism. Indeed, some voices have pointed out Eloise's feminism as something white and privileged, and while this is not without merit, it's akin to rediscovering what others have already noticed, akin to Christopher Columbus "discovering" America.

Understanding the context in which "Bridgerton" unfolds is essential. The series is set in Regency England, between 1813 and 1825. This historical period is marked by a highly stratified and conservative society, where women, especially those of the upper class, were relegated to traditional roles and lacked basic legal rights. In this context, any discussion of feminism must consider the unique limitations and challenges of the time.

It is true that Eloise Bridgerton, being part of a respected family in English nobility, embodies many of the characteristics associated with the white and privileged feminism of the time. However, this should not diminish the value of her role in advancing feminist ideas in her historical context. It is thanks to women like Eloise, who challenged social expectations and dared to question the status quo, that doors were opened for future, more inclusive feminist movements.

On the other hand, when analyzing Penelope Featherington's role in contrast with Eloise Bridgerton's, intriguing nuances worthy of a more detailed critical exploration are revealed. Although both come from upper-class families, Penelope's experiences differ significantly from Eloise's. In the society depicted in "Bridgerton," Penelope is portrayed as a more marginal figure, overshadowed by the prominence and glamour of the Bridgerton family. She is often seen in the background, struggling to find her place in a world where her social status does not put her at the center of attention.

Throughout the series, Penelope exhibits a distressing lack of empathy and solidarity towards other women. Instead of fostering unity and support among her peers, her writings are propelled by feelings of envy, resentment, and desires for revenge. Striking examples of this include her actions to publicly reveal Marina Thompson's pregnancy, intending to undermine her relationship with Colin Bridgerton, or defaming individuals such as Daphne, Edwina, and Kate Sharma, often with no apparent reason other than personal gain.

Penelope's behavior as Lady Whistledown sheds light on her complex nature and motivations. While it may represent an attempt to find her voice in a world dominated by more powerful figures, it also reveals a tendency towards manipulation and selfishness. Ultimately, her role as the mysterious chronicler is more than just a quest for identity; it is a reflection of the moral and ethical complexities underlying the society of "Bridgerton."

In summary, asserting that Penelope is more feminist and hardworking than Eloise due to her role as Lady Whistledown is, at best, simplistic and, at worst, deeply misleading. Both women, while privileged in their own right, have chosen different paths in life and have faced their own challenges. However, the narrative of Penelope as a morally superior and more genuinely hardworking figure should be questioned in light of her actions and motivations, which often reveal a lack of integrity and empathy towards her peers.

It's important to note that when Theo confronts Eloise, questioning her understanding of the real world and her privileged position, Eloise doesn't reject this criticism but uses it as a catalyst to seek greater understanding. Recognizing the validity of Theo's observation, Eloise actively seeks to broaden her horizons. She engages in conversations with Theo and John, seeking to break free from the bubble of privilege in which she has lived so far.

On the other hand, Penelope takes a different stance towards her own privileged position. Instead of acknowledging her situation and seeking to understand the realities of those less privileged, Penelope vehemently denies any suggestion that she also benefits from the system. Rather than accepting her position of privilege, she portrays herself as a victim, despite her actions suggesting otherwise. Ultimately, this divergence in attitudes between Eloise and Penelope highlights the complexity of individual perceptions of privilege and personal responsibility in an unequal world.

PS: The comment: "Penelope saved Eloise by writing that she hung out with radicals, she doesn't know what it's like to be grateful" is shit. Whose fucking fault is it that the Queen is on a crusade with torches and pitchforks, looking for blood and a rolling head? From Penelope because she doesn't know when to keep her hand still and stop writing, if it weren't for Penelope, the queen wouldn't think that Eloise is Lady Whistledown, Penelope wasn't looking to help Eloise, she was looking to save her skin.

[krirebr]

I Know I Should Know Better 7/End

Pairing: Curtis Everett x Female Reader

Word Count: ~3.6k

Summary: Curtis has been working as your body guard for almost two years now. Standing by and watching you work and party your life away is becoming more and more difficult, but is there anything he can do about it?

Warnings: Angst, adult themes, explicit language, anxiety, but mostly, it's a goddamn happy ending, you guys!! Finally!!! All of my work is 18+ - Minors DNI

Dividers by @firefly-graphics

Series Masterlist

Masterlist

A/N: Holy shit. I can't believe it. We've made it to the end of this series. Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who's been along on this ride. Your support of this story has really bowled me over. I so hope you love this ending as much as I do.

For this one, especially, any comment, reblog, or ask will mean so much to me. I can't wait to talk to you all about where we leave our sweet beans.

Curtis stood on the front step of your house, waiting to be let in. He'd never gone in this way before, not even the first time. But he didn’t work for you anymore. He was the boyfriend now. A guest. So he'd play by the rules he'd always been so annoyed with Colin and Johnny and the like for flaunting. 

It only took a few minutes for Jensen to open the door. “Hey man,” he greeted warmly. “You know you don’t have to stand out here. Come on, get in.” Curtis followed Jake in, then stood somewhat awkwardly in the entryway. Luckily, Jake kept talking. “I should’ve texted you, but I was really sorry to hear how that whole thing went down. It wasn’t fair to either of you.”

“Thanks, Jake,” Curtis said sincerely. “I appreciate it. And I’m sorry, for all the secrecy.”

Jake shook his head. “No, don’t be sorry. You didn’t owe me any of that.”

Curtis gave a slight nod. “I hope you at least got a promotion out of it.”

Jake ducked his head and rubbed the back of his neck. “Yeah, kind of. Although I’m sort of pulling double duty right now while we try to find a new driver. But I think the trip went well, so…” he trailed off and shrugged. “You found something, yet?”

Curtis just shook his head. Honestly, he’d barely started looking for his next job. He’d been tired of personal security for a while now, and this seemed like a good opportunity to see what was next. Figure out what he actually wanted. Growing up in foster care, he’d been too aware of how easily things could be taken away, so as soon as he’d started making money, saving had been a priority for him. He had a decent rainy day fund set aside now. He figured he might as well make use of it. And if he got to a point where he needed to pick up a short-term gig here or there, he was sure, with all of his connections now, that he’d be able to do that. “No,” he said, “I think I’m gonna take my time.”

“Nice,” Jake nodded. “Good for you. Well, if there’s anything I can do to help, let me know. I always liked working with you.”

That got a genuine smile out of Curtis. “Thanks, Jake, you too.” He glanced around your house anxiously. He thought he heard Michelle in the living room, but he didn’t know who else might be here, occupying your time. “Everybody still busy with her?”

“No, the stylist and makeup artists left a couple of minutes ago. I think she’s just getting dressed now, in her room. You should be good.”

Curtis nodded, patted Jake on the shoulder, and made his way through your house.

Two weeks apart. They’d been filled with constant texting, evening phone calls, as much checking in as he could manage in your busy schedule. Hearing about your appearances, junket days, meet and greets. You were finally back, as of that morning, but he still had to steal time for your reunion before the last of your late-night talk show appearances. Your schedule never stopped.

He took the stairs up to your bedroom two at a time and gave a light knock once he got to your door. It immediately swung open to reveal you standing right in front of him in your underwear. He barely had a moment to process before you were throwing yourself at him, filling his arms with you, burying your face in his neck. “I’m so happy you’re here,” you breathed.

“Yeah,” he whispered, holding you as tight as he could. “Me too. Me too.” He shuffled you further into the room so he could kick the door shut behind him and then stood there with you in his arms for as long as you both needed.

You finally pulled away and he took his chance to look around. A rolling rack of clothing your stylist must have brought over was against one wall. Two outfits were laid out on the bed. Your suitcase was flung open in the far corner of the room, items spilling out of it. And then he took you in. Your hair and makeup were already done, but if he looked very closely, he could see the barest hint of bags under your eyes. Your smile was a little sad and you were picking at your nails, seemingly without realizing it. “How are you doing?” he asked, softly.

“I’m alright. I’m– I don’t know. I’m really tired, but,” you looked around yourself, “I’m happy to be home.”

He nodded. The exhaustion was radiating off of you. You’d told him in one of your late-night phone conversations that you’d barely slept on your trip. He wished he could wrap you up and tuck you into bed right now. “Were you able to sleep on the plane at all?”

You shook your head. “No, there’s just been,” you shrugged again, “too much to think about.”

He opened his mouth to ask what was on your mind, but you were already turning away. You went to the foot of your bed and stared at the outfits laid out there. 

“Which do you think?” you asked, your hands on your hips.

He looked at the two outfits. He wasn’t sure what exactly he was looking for. He didn’t feel like he really knew clothes well enough to offer any sort of an opinion. One was a dress, low-cut and mid-length, maybe. The other was a pair of shiny black pants, although not leather, and a billowy metallic tank. Each outfit had a corresponding pair of sky-high heels sitting at the foot of the bed. “What are you gonna be most comfortable in?” he finally asked. 

You sighed ruefully. “Yeah, I'm sure jeans and a t-shirt would go over real well.” After a moment of thought, you picked up the pants and blouse and started putting them on. 

You were both quiet as you put on the finishing touches. He helped you with the necklace and bracelets, his big hands carefully opening and closing the clasps.

You stepped away and turned to him. “What do you think?” you asked, a touch of shyness in your voice. 

He closed the space between you and put his hands on your hips. “You’re beautiful,” he said, sincerely. 

You just looked at him for a moment, studying his face for something, he didn’t know what. Finally, you asked, “You really do love me, don't you?” with just a touch of awe in your voice.

“Yes,” he said without a moment of hesitation, trying to infuse that one word with all of his certainty. 

He'd only told you he loved you a few times, since that first time, not wanting to overwhelm or pressure you. He knew he'd jumped ahead. You hadn't said it back yet which was fine. He understood. You'd get there when you were ready. But even if he was trying to go at your pace, he never wanted you to doubt him.

You kissed him unabashedly at that and it did something to settle the worry he'd felt since he laid eyes on you. You pulled back and grinned, the first real smile he'd seen from you since before you left for New York. “I'm gonna get yelled at for messing up my lipstick, but I don't care,” you said, before going in for another, shorter one. He gripped your hips tighter as you pulled your head away, giving him a knowing smirk. “Come on, I’m sure I’m already running late.”

He didn’t let go. Something about this time, just the two of you, felt too precious. “I don’t work for you anymore. I’m the boyfriend now, so I don’t fucking care if you’re late.”

You laughed, big and loud, and it quieted the rest of the unease he’d been feeling about how you were doing. When you were done, you leaned into his chest and just stood there. “I missed you so much,” you whispered.

“I missed you too,” he whispered back wrapping his arms around you. He took a deep breath, savoring the fact that you were there, in front of him, in his arms. Right now, he had you.

And then, of course, there was an impatient knock on the door. “I'll be right there!” you called out, then knocked your forehead against his shoulder, taking a deep fortifying breath. 

“Hey,” he said quietly, “you're so good at this. No matter what, this is something you can do. I've always admired the way you handle this stuff. OK? You can do this.”

You sighed and nodded into his shoulder. He was quiet for a moment, thinking. You’d talked, a little, about how upset you’d both gotten the night before you’d left for New York. He couldn’t help but feel that maybe in his frustration and desperation and worry, he’d come on too strong. He knew you weren’t upset with him, but– “I just want you to be happy. No matter what that looks like, I just want to help you get there.”

You moved your head from where it was tucked into his shoulder so you could look him in the eye. “I know,” you said, gratefulness shining in your eyes. “If I know anything, I know that.” You kissed him again, short and soft and sweet. “Come on. Let’s get this over with.”

It was an odd experience, climbing into the back of your SUV instead of sitting with Jake in the front. Michelle sat in the middle row, acting pointedly cold to him. That was fine, honestly. He wasn’t quite ready to forgive her for the things she’d said when the news of your relationship broke. He didn’t know when he would be. You deserved better.

You were very quiet. He wanted to ask, again, about what was on your mind, but he didn’t want to do that with an audience. So he held your hand, rubbing his thumb over your knuckles, and didn’t move a muscle when you rested your head on his shoulder.

Curtis couldn’t stop fidgeting. He was sitting by himself on what he used to derisively think of as the boyfriend couch. Michelle was on the other couch, focused on emails as always, while Tanya hovered in the middle of the room. There were snacks and drinks laid out on the green room’s coffee table that he was welcome to now, but he hadn’t touched them. He couldn’t take his eyes off you, filling up the big TV on the wall as you chatted with one of the countless late-night Jimmy��s. You looked okay. A little stiff. A little tired. But that was probably only because he knew all the signs to look for.  

You’d covered all the benign greetings and small talk and were now getting into the meat of the interview. Whichever Jimmy this was reached across his desk and held up a black paperboard-backed picture of you, twelve or thirteen years old, complete with braces and awkward pigtails. It was from that fucking show. 

He saw the anxiety flash across your face, quickly followed by your cheerful mask, although he didn't think he imagined the way it was more strained than usual. Tanya saw it too, judging by the way she took a step forward. 

Jimmy was blathering on about the recent influx of TV reunions and reboots and wouldn’t it be fun, wouldn't everyone just love it if there was some sort of reunion for this? The audience roared in agreement. 

You forced a chuckle that wouldn't have fooled anyone, pure panic in your eyes. And then you looked directly into the camera and Curtis knew, he knew, that you were looking at him. He tried to send you all of his confidence, all of his support, all of his love. All of his certainty that however you wanted to handle this, you could do it.

He was fooling himself, he knew, but he was sure that you felt it, because in the next moment you took a deep breath, turned to Jimmy, and said, “No, I don't think so.”

Jimmy just gaped at you for a second, clearly taken aback by you suddenly not playing along. He tried to cover with a good-natured laugh and “What? Oh no! Why not?”

You didn't match his tone. You responded seriously, “I really hated making that show.” There were a few audible gasps from the audience, but you ignored them. “Everyone did. It was a miserable place to be. Everyone hated each other. Everyone fought all the time. For seven years! I was a child and no one protected me from that. I went to work every day, as a child, in the most toxic environment. But I was making money. So I guess it was ok.

“And now, god, it’s been ten years! And everyone just keeps bringing it up. It’s all anyone wants to talk to me about. And I just can’t talk about it anymore. I really can’t. I’m not gonna do it again. I’m done with that.”

“What the hell is she doing?” Tanya muttered next to Curtis, who was standing up now, unable to take his eyes off you. Whatever you were doing, it was incredible.

He could tell that the host wanted to break in, he kept looking wildly off-camera to someone for help, but you just kept talking. You wouldn’t stop.

“There’s just– There’s so much I don’t want to do anymore. I’m not doing ok, you know? I mean, you must know. It’s all over every gossip site. I’m not ok. I haven’t been ok for a very long time, maybe ever. But I just keep going forward in the same way, because that’s all I’ve ever done since I was a kid. That’s all I’ve known how to do. But I think– I think I’m done doing that now. I want to figure out how to be ok.”

Curtis took a step closer to the screen. “Holy shit,” he mumbled, deep pride filling his chest, “she’s doing it.” 

“What is she doing, Curtis?” Tanya asked, somewhat hysterically.

He ignored her. He couldn’t see or hear anything other than you. 

Back on the TV, Jimmy cleared his throat and opened his mouth, trying to somehow stop his show from careening wildly off the rails. But you put your hand up to stop him. 

“Please, Jimmy, I know. You asked a simple question and you got all this instead,” you laughed, unabashed, and there it was. There you were. Curtis beamed at seeing it. “Just let me say this one last thing.” You looked directly into the camera again. “I– I am really proud of this movie. We worked really hard on it, and I hope you go see it.” 

A laugh escaped Curtis. God, you were so good at this, knowing exactly what you were contractually obligated to do. He glanced quickly at the other end of the green room. Michelle was standing now too, her mouth wide open in shock, while Tanya looked like she might have a stroke.

“And I think–” you continued. ”I think it might be the last movie I do for a while. The last anything. We'll see.”

A wave of murmurs went through the studio audience. Curtis had fully forgotten they were even there during all this, they’d been so quiet since you’d really gotten going, just as enraptured by you as he was.

“Ok,” you said, with a sheepish smile. “That’s it. I’m– I’m done.” Then you stood, took off your mic pack, gently laid it on the chair, and walked off stage.

As Jimmy awkwardly threw to a commercial break, Curtis raced into the hallway. He walked towards the stage as fast as he could, intercepting you about halfway there, a lost-looking PA trailing behind you. You looked a little shell-shocked but good. You looked so fucking good. 

He gently touched your face with both hands as soon as you were within reach. “Holy shit, that was incredible. You’re incredible. I can't believe you did that. I'm so fucking proud of you.”

“Yeah?” you asked, your voice a little shaky, your eyes a little watery. “I didn't– I wasn't planning to. But then he asked about the show and, I don’t know. I’ve been thinking a lot about all of the things you're always telling me. About living my own life and what I'm worth. And I just thought, ‘What if I actually do what I want for once?’ And, yeah.” You shrugged.

“Fucking incredible,” Curtis whispered and leaned in to kiss you. It was soft and a little desperate and so, so happy. 

So of course it was cut short when Tanya called out your name. You both turned around to look at her standing at the end of the hall, looking harried. “What was that?! How on earth am I supposed to clean that up?!”

“Tanya,” you said, your voice shockingly calm and firm. “Stop. There's nothing to clean up. You're fired.”

It took everything inside of Curtis not to whoop with joy or pick you up and spin you around. But, shit, he wanted to. He really, really wanted to.

Your gaze moved to where Michelle stood behind Tanya. “Sorry, Michelle,” you said with a frown, “you too. I don't think I'll need a team or an assistant for a while.”

“You need to stop and think about this,” Tanya said, her tone placating. 

“I already have. Thank you both, sincerely, for everything you've done for me, but it's time to try something new.” And then you grabbed Curtis’s hand and led him back down the hall. 

You quietly got your things from the green room and changed your shoes, then brought Curtis outside through a side door, far away from where fans were gathered, expecting you to run into your SUV.

You took a deep breath as soon as you hit the fresh air. “I kind of just want to walk around for a while. That ok?”

“Yeah, whatever you want,” he said softly, squeezing your hand. There were a few hours before the show aired on the East Coast. A few hours, hopefully, before the bomb you’d just set fully exploded. A walk sounded nice.

 You headed away from the studio and Curtis was content to follow your lead. You didn't say anything, which was fine. He figured you had a lot to process. 

After several minutes, you let out a long, deep breath. “Holy shit. I can't believe I just did that. Holy shit, Curtis, I just quit!”

“How are you feeling?” he asked, carefully, wanting to make sure you weren't wracked with regret.

You took your time answering. Then finally, “So relieved. Just so fucking relieved.”

He stopped you from walking, using his grip on your hand to turn you to face him. “I hope you understand just how incredibly proud of you I am. How brave I think you are.”

“Curtis,” you said quietly, ducking your head, clearly overwhelmed. 

“I mean it,” he said as he squeezed your hand and started walking again. 

After several more minutes of companionable silence, you slowed down a little. “So, where do you think we should go?”

He shrugged and glanced around the area. “I don’t know. I could eat. Think you can get away with ducking into a burger place?”

You laughed and he stopped short at how nervous you sounded. “No, that’s not– I didn’t mean–” You shook your head and he turned so he was fully facing you. “I don’t know, it’s just– You said a year, remember? Back on my couch, you said I should take a year.” You were avoiding his eyes now, and you sounded so shy.

Your couch. That night, however many months ago. When you’d let him really see behind the mask, and he brushed his fingers against yours for the first time. As he realized what you were trying to ask him, the weight of it, the enormity of what you were offering, all he was able to do was whisper, “I remember.”

“Ok, well, I thought that maybe we could do that. Take a break. Go somewhere maybe, if there was somewhere you wanted to go.”

It took him a minute, as he was flooded with so many things—how much he loved you, how much he wanted to do for you, give to you, how happy he was in this moment—but once he found his voice, he gently grasped your chin, forcing you to look at him. “Wherever you are,” he said, with the most conviction he thought he had ever said anything. He leaned in and kissed you. It was short and more chaste than he wanted, but he was too conscious of how out in the open you were. He pulled back and rested his forehead against yours. “Absolutely anywhere you are.”

You threw your arms around him and moved your head so your lips were right next to his ear. And then you said, so so softly, so that it was just for him, “I love you. I'm so in love with you.”

A warmth he didn’t think he’d ever felt before filled his whole chest. All he could do was just hold you, right there, in the middle of the sidewalk, murmuring in your ear just how much he loved you, too.

Eventually, you’d start walking again. You’d find a little restaurant to duck into for a bite to eat. He’d make you put your phone on speaker as you told Lloyd and Wilford they were fired. And you’d figure out what came next, where you would go, what the logistics of quitting actually entailed. Then you’d get an Uber home and show each other with your bodies just how much you cared. 

But for now, he just wanted to hold you in the middle of the sidewalk.

I love you all. Thank you so much for reading. 💜

Tag List

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[natashaslesbian]

Safe With Her

Word Count: 1.9k

Parings: (Scarlett x Teen!Reader)

Warnings: death / abuse / bruising / talks of sexual abuse but not extremely detailed

————

“Hey kiddo” Scarlett said as she came into the guest bedroom “you ready for bed? How you settling in?” She asked. Tonight was your first night in the Johansson-Jost household. Last week, child protection services removed you from your mother’s care after a school teacher reported your bruising to the CPS. You would’ve been thrown into the foster system if it wasn’t for Scarlett, there were no living relatives to take you in. When you were five years old, your dad took you to an open call audition for a minor roll in a new upcoming film. The directors hired you instantly and your first day on set you met Scarlett, she couldn’t explain it but she felt so protective of you and the two of you stayed in contact after the film wrapped.

You fell back into the shadows after the movie released, your character had a total of two lines so you weren’t expected to gain much recognition. You had hoped to go to more auditions but after your father passed away you lost the passion and your mother couldn’t have cared less. Scarlett came to the funeral with you and stayed at your house a few days after. It was clear that your mother was in denial, she was in no state to take care of you. When her next movie came up, Scarlett had to go back to work and since then you had only managed to see her a few times over the last 10 years. Now you were sitting in her guest bedroom after being introduced to Colin and Cosmo, you met Rose when she was born.

“Y/n?” Scarlett asked, bringing you back into focus “I’m okay” you said. “You hardly touched your pizza, thought that was your favourite?” Scarlett warmly smiled “it is, I’m sorry I’m just not that hungry” you tried to smile, but it didn’t work. “You don’t have to apologise sweetie” the blonde said as she came to sit with you on the bed “this is a big change, it’s a lot to take in isn’t it?” You nodded “how about I bunk up with you tonight?” Scarlett asked. You smiled, you’d like that a lot “won’t Colin be mad?” You asked “no of course not, he’s on baby and toddler duty tonight, so I can take care of you” Scarlett said. “Ok” you hummed, Scarlett lent forward and brushes your hair behind your ear. “Alright, I’ll go get ready for bed then we can snuggle, how’s that sound?” She asked. “Good” you nodded excitedly.

You’d been cuddled up in Scarlett’s lap for a while now, she was gently running her fingers through your hair trying to sooth you to sleep. You seemed unable to settle though, constantly fidgeting and shuffling in her arms. “What’s going on y/n/n?” The blonde asked. “I’m sacred” you whispered into Scarlett’s neck “oh sweetheart I know this is scary, it’s okay” she said. “No” you mumbled sitting up “I- I’m scared of Colin” you said as you dropped your gaze. You were preparing for her to shout at you but Scarlett softly pulled your chin up, finding your eyes. “Why?” She quietly asked “He- will- I- I’m scared he’ll hurt me” you shyly said “sweetie Colin would never-“ “I know” you cut her off “It’s just- at home, moms boyfriends” you paused, unsure how much you should share with her. “You can tell me anything darling” Scarlett said.

You couldn’t hold on anymore, the tears you had spent your whole life holding back started to fall. You curled into yourself, bracing for the impact of fists. Your mother hated when you cried, she said it was almost the most annoying thing in the world, the most annoying being you of course. You felt arms wrap tightly around you and for the first time in so long you didn’t push them away. You allowed your body to be anchored into Scarlett’s hold, it was warm and secure. You cried so hard you began to soak Scarlett’s shirt, she gently shushed you as she held you close. “It’s okay baby” she cooed “take some deep breaths for me okay?” She said as she heard you struggle to suck in a breath. “I’m sorry” you sobbed, looking up to Scarlett. “You have nothing to apologise for y/n” she said as she continued to gently rock you in her arms.

After a while, your cries started to soften. So much so that Scarlett thought you’d drifted off into sleep, until you shifted in her lap. “You’re okay sweetie” Scarlett gently coaxed as you began to sit up. “I- um- when- ughr” you sighed frustratedly, all of your words were just stuck. “It’s alright, take your time” Scarlett said as she looked down into your lost searching eyes. “After my dad died, it was just me and my mom for while” you began “things were somewhat ok at first but without dads work we got short on money fast. My mom refused to work and she started drinking to cope I guess” you paused, checking to see if Scarlett wanted you to continue, she nodded “she would get angry and shout, we argued a lot” you continued “after a few years she started dating again, it seemed to help her, she was happy again” you shifted back into Scarlett’s hold, you were afraid she would look at you differently.

The blonde wrapped her arms tightly around you and urged you to continue. “She’d had a boyfriend for a few months and she wanted me to meet him so she invited him over for dinner. It was fine, he seemed ok. He asked to stay the night which I thought was strange but my mom said yes. I said goodnight and went to bed as normal” you pulled Scarlett’s hand towards your own, wanting to fiddle with her rings to keep you calm. “I woke up a little while later and… Matt, the boyfriend, he was in my room. I tried to ask him what he was doing but he told me to be quiet and came over to my bed. He got on top of me and I tried to push him off but he held me down, told me to be good for my mom, I didn’t know what he meant. He was too strong and I couldn’t get him off me. He started touching me” you cried out. “How old were you?” Scarlett said while holding back her own tears. “12” you sobbed.

You held onto Scarlett’s hand so tight it was starting to be uncomfortable for her, but she didn’t mind. “It felt like it lasted for hours” you whimpered “I couldn’t move. I couldn’t scream. I couldn’t do anything” you sobbed. “Oh baby I’m so sorry” Scarlett said. “After, he left my room and went downstairs. I thought he left so I went to find my mom but when I saw her, Matt was giving her money. She saw me at the top of the stairs and she didn’t say anything, she just looked at me. She took the money and put it in her purse then said goodbye to Matt.” You took a few moments to calm your breathing before you carried on “my mom came up the stairs and she walked past me and went to bed, I didn’t understand what was happening but a few nights later, another guy came round and…he did it again. She took a shopping trip the next day and I finally figured it out” you cried “she was selling me to men so they could-“ you couldn’t finish the sentence, you’d never said it out loud.

Scarlett had never felt to angry in her life. It took all of her energy to not loose control right in that very moment. She wanted so scream, make you tell her each and every name of the monsters that had done this, she’d go out and find them and make sure they never laid another finger on another girl, woman or anyone. But as you laid in her arms, so broken and fragile, she knew that was the only place she wanted to be. “I’m so sorry sweetheart” she said “how long was this going on?” Scarlett asked. “She would never have stopped if my teacher didn’t see that bruise, the bruise he left a couple nights ago” you sobbed. “Oh baby” Scarlett cooed. “They think the bruises are from my mom, I just said they were because I was scared I didn’t know what to say” you whimpered “are you gonna make me tell?” You asked. “We can think about all that another time y/n. Right now we’re gonna stay right here okay. You don’t have to do anything right now” Scarlett said.

The two of you stayed cuddled up for a while until you spoke up again. “I’m sorry, I know Colin would never hurt me” you whispered. “You don’t have to apologise baby” Scarlett said “it’s okay to be scared but I promise that you’re safe here. We’ll all spend time together so you can get to know Colin better but you don’t have to spend any time with him until you’re ready” she finished. “No I want too” you said as you looked up at her “I wanna spend time with Colin, Rose and Cosmo too. And you of course ma-“ you paused, unsure if she would want you to give her that title. Scarlett picked up on your discomfort and reached down to gentle kiss your forehead “mamas here sweetheart” she cooed “my brave girl” she said as she ran her fingers through your hair. You smiled widely up at your mama, loving that she accepted you calling her that. You’d always considered her a second mom and now she was your one and only mama.

After a few more tears, you finally fell asleep in Scarlett’s arms, she pulled the duvet up above you both and shuffled further down into the bed. When she was sure you were deeply asleep, Scarlett let her tears fall. She didn’t want you to see how your story had hurt her, after all you were hurting a lot more and it was up to her to look after you. She kept her tears quiet and ran her fingers along your arm to sooth herself, eventually drifting off to sleep with you. The next morning, Scarlett had Colin take the kids out for breakfast so that you and her could talk things over. She reminded you many times that you didn’t have to do anything you weren’t ready for, and although you were scared you decided you were going to report what had happened. Your mama promised to be there every step of the way and continued to shower you with love for the rest of the day.

You spent the afternoon with Rose and Cosmo. The young boy seemed to take an instant liking to you, fussing horrendously when it was time for his nap. Rose wouldn’t leave your side either and you both ended up asleep on the couch after dinner. Scarlett and Colin stood in awe of the new member of their family, cuddled closely together when Scarlett asked “can we keep her?” Colin looked down to his wife, knowing that the first moment you came home he wanted the same thing. “She’s not going anywhere” he said. The two moved you both to your bedrooms and settled you down for the night. After, they met at the kitchen table, making calls and taking notes, getting the process started of adopting you. Even as you slept you knew you had found what you always wanted along with so much more.

————

Taglist<3

@saraaahsstuff / @dannipotatoo / @tobiaslut / @a-simpfortessa-lesbriean / @marvelnatasha12346 / @yelenasdiary / @mousetheorist / @ashadash0904

[sicklyseraphnsuch]

Reverse Successors AU

All generations barring the OG (ie Batman, Alfred, Superman, etc.) are born in reverse order

Duke Thomas caught Batman's peripheral attention as a particularly precocious child. They first met during Batman's earliest years (months lbr) when the Thomas family sheltered Batman during Enigma's take over of the city. Batman kept in touch with the clever boy, often taking the time to chat (on rooftops ofc).

Duke (unlike Dick) is a known entity long before he ever enters the Manor. When a vicious Joker attack results in Duke's parents going MIA, Duke is shunted in the foster system. In his efforts to find them, he finds So Much more and brings him more firmly into Batman's realm. But he also does find his parents, permanently disabled by Joker's chemicals. Bruce naturally offers to build a facility just for their care on the manor and step in as Duke's foster parent as Duke fully apprentices under him.

Duke is about 15-16 (about a year after he entered the foster system, about 4-5 years since he met Batman, about six months since moving into the manor) when someone new rocks the Wayne household.

Enter Damian al Ghul-Wayne. It's been abooout a decade (maybe less) since Bruce left the League of Assassins. Talia had lied about the miscarriage. Damian was raised by the LOA until his Grandfather got Other Ideas. So little assassin baby shows up with a Bruce whose parenting experience is about six months or more (if we count time duringthe foster experience)

Damian gains the nickname Shadow after shadowing Batman during patrol. (A younger, hapless Bruce is decidedly much more inequipped to handle Damian, much less put his foot down). Duke gains the nickname Signal after trying way too many names and decides Signal sounds nice paired with Shadow.

Damian and Duke have a great balancing act when it comes to Bruce. Duke is so determined to be independent - as effectively the caretaker of two permanent dependents. Damian is so determined to prove himself a worthy warrior - to convince Batman that he could use help. Bruce, in turn, has the problem of proving himself worthy of helping these kids - already so headstrong and ready for the world, letting them know that he could be depended upon as a parent.

Duke still primarily handles the opening shift, and takes gen ed classes at night (as well as some college courses). He is determined to speed run this adulthood thing, because he thinks like a parent (regarding his parents). Bruce is more than happy to keep footing the bill of care for the Thomas family but it chafes Duke to depend on charity. Duke, as the first, would be introduced into a vastly different manor without the implied "family takes care of each other". Especially because Bruce does not want to overstep (and be rejected) so Bruce never quite voices that the Thomas family is his family too.

So Duke speedruns high school and the first two years of college before leaving for about two years to actually go to college. He also has a hell of a time figuring out his Meta powers and his biodad sitch. But he comes out whole and healthy more or less. He keeps his squad (the We are Robins in canon) and when he starts operating in Bludhaven, he's the official leader.

As Duke goes to college, Damian goes from bratty kid to reforming teenager. Also, he comes with his squad (Lian, Colin, Jon, etc.). They started as playdates to socialize the child assassin. At which point, around the age of 17, just as Duke graduates college (and officially moves out), Damian deals with his al Ghul mess. He goes globe trotting with his new stalker (Maya Ducard), goes through atonement, etc.

And for the first time since having kids, Bruce Wayne has an empty house. Enter Stephanie Brown - brave and brilliant enough to narc on her wannabe villain dad. She chooses the name Batgirl, to represent her resistance against her Dad. She starts off by helping Batman independently, in her Batgirl capacity. She briefly does Shadow him but such a dour, boring role never fit her. She quickly springs back to Batgirl.

Then comes Tim, who full on sneaks into the manor from next door. He thought that Batman could use a more full time partner. He also makes an attempt to Shadow Batman. He is also not a good fit for the role - too chatty, too enthusiastic. He takes on the tentative name of Batboy because Batman's sidekicks apparently like a theme.

Things go downhill. Freshly reliving his childhood trauma, Damian comes home to find his father has brought two young children (13-14) into the fight. Damian opposes their involvement. There's a nasty fight between him and Bruce, in the usual "filled with unspoken grievances" between Bats.

Duke... stays out of the mess. He understands where Damian is coming from. But he also understands that while Steph and Tim are young, they are growing with growing minds that they have begun to learn and form. He understands their need for Batman in a way that he thought Damian would clock (but blinded by grief, Damian didn't). So he is the happy compromise between outright condoning and outright rejecting. He gives Tim and Steph a direct line, in case of anything. He treats them like a member of his Circuit (his group).

At which point, Jon swoops in and convinces Damian to take a partnership role with him as Flamebird and Nightwing. They leave for Chicago and make a base out there.

Things go bad. Cluemaster, Steph's Dad, gets more villain development. He puts a hit out on his daughter. Joker takes the job. Etc. This ends with Stephanie's brutal death. The whole family reels.

Duke and Damian have their first (and only real fight). Damian argues that she couldve been safe if she stayed out of the business. Duke argues that Damian, of all people, should know that a villainous parent is a hard influence to shake. And maybe if Damian spent more time helping Steph and Tim, instead of standing around on his moral high ground, Steph could have escaped - called for help - something.

Duke and Damian don't end the fight on speaking terms, carrying the weight of each other's accusations and a guilty conscience. Bruce benches Tim. Both are beyond devastated.

The mourning period goes until change rocks the family again. Cass enters in the periphery. Signal clocks her first, then takes her in. And in a peace offering, he calls in Damian. Cass turns out to be a product of a splinter sect in the League. This engenders a sense of responsibility for her in Damian. He leaves his partnership with Jon and returns as Shadow.

Cass gets introduced to Bruce. She is gifted the name Batgirl, in honor of (to quote Damian) "the bravest person that he ever knew". The family sees Cass fighting against the influence of her villainous father and they see the ghost of a girl that they could've saved. Tim is torn between being heartbroken and furious over this, or heartbroken and resigned to accept this.

Stephanie, back from the dead and training with the al Guls, she's just straight up furious. She recruits Tim on her side, and for a bit, he goes along with her plans, hoping he could talk her off the edge. He doesn't. He gets hurt in his subsequent "betrayal" when he tells the Bats about her. The result is a catastrophic fight and Tim loses an arm and a leg - the price, he jokes, of Stephanie's trust.

He eventually goes Full Metal (prosthetic limb and leg). He Very Nearly takes that name (Full Metal) as his new hero name (because he is an unrepentant nerd). But through his recovery, he figures out the whole tech wizard thing (Tech Wizard or Software Wizard was also considered) and finally settles on Oracle. It's a name that becomes his in truth.

Damian kills Cluemaster and gifts his heart (and the blade by which the deed is done) to Stephanie. Duke, in true brother fashion, covers for him. Stephanie, in true Stephanie fashion, is crossed between weirded out by the gift heart and also bizarrely and exceedingly touched.

Stephanie would eventually take on the moniker of Red Hood, but she only really works with Tim and his growing group (Bart, Cassie, Kon, etc.) For the rest of the family, Cass and she eventually connect. Cass is wary but the beef was always one-sided, with Stephanie trying to start smoke on the flame-retardant material that is Cass. So eventually, Cass wins her over. Stephanie has an understanding with the Brothers D (as she calls the tried and true duo of Duke and Damian).

Cass's heart broke over the Brothers D's mutual decision to take out Cluemaster. But this was a secret she keeps from Bruce. (Of course, Bruce knows. Damian was traceless as any League's Assassin. Bruce clocked the signs immediately). This puts Duke and Damian on Bruce's shit list for awhile. And for awhile, everyone except Cass was welcome in the manor.

By this time, Tim has settled in the Clocktower, Stephanie in Crime Alley, Duke in Bludhaven, and Damian returned to Chicago, remaining as Shadow. (He and Jon have a long talk because Jon also covered for Damian and Damian forfeits his Nightwing mantle as the price for Stephanie's peace if mind) Things settle into a new normal.

Jon ends up as Superman briefly, taking over whenever his dad leaves the planet. Damian is a fully established surgeon (practicing medicine in line with his grandfathers - both). Cass is Batgirl, easing into the good graces of Oracle and Red Hood and her team of Outlaws (they call themselves). Signal remains in Bludhaven with his Circuit of crimefighters. And Bruce once again has an empty manor.

Enter Jason Todd. He tries to boost the tires off the Batman's car. He fails. He gets adopted. Shadow drops by, loudly calls out his father, before planning an exhaustive training regimen for his new little brother. Jason gets a very warm family welcome as Batfam's first true orphan (Tim's parents are alive - for now, Red Hood still has her mother, Duke has both parents - however insensate, Cass has unfortunately both parents who circle her like sharks and same unironically with Damian.)

The Bad Things happen. Tim's parents are targeted. He loses his mother. But his Dad manages to survive. Cass has her brush with the League of Assasins, including a very brief time as its leader (It was Weird and Awful). Duke has to deal with someone nuking Bludhaven and all the bullshit that happens in relation to that (the nuke briefly blinds him and one of the Circuit takes over as Signal for bit). Damian tangoed with the al Ghuls on multiple occassions. And surprisingly, Jason gets away scott free through most of it. He never goes to Ethiopia because life in Gotham goes from shitty to hellish, and it became all hands on deck.

There's an earthquake, a deadly virus, and then Batman dies with his final act as Bruce Wayne being to bring the whole family to the circus for a fun little outing. It does not end happily. The Batfam takes in their second actual orphan.

In the aftermath of Batman's death, Cass becomes the Bat with Signal at her side, Jason leaves to locate their missing dad (forming an odd group with Bizzaro and Artemis), Tim stays as Oracle, Red Hood vanishes to complete mysterious and villainous tasks, and Damian as Shadow takes over custody of a young and brilliant Dick Grayson who flies under the name Robin.