#(and not only that but the rookie has helped his friends survive... they helped him /escape/)

[spiinsparks]

         ||. don’t mind me screaming, crying, dying over how freakin complicated Sonic’s bond with the Forces Rookie would have been. Genuine friendship blooming from shared trauma, and only starting because of Sonic’s own insistence at running away from his problems? Yes.

[feirceangel]

Imagine | Escape (Crocodile)

Imagine breaking Crocodile out of Impel Down.

Warnings: spoilers for Impel Down!!! You’ve been warned.

Word Count: 980

(Not my gif)

"Why are you helping me?"

The question was asked with a tilted head as the boy in the straw hat stared you down.

You just grinned, “Like you, there's someone I'm looking for, and I think he's in here."

"Well, then we'll find him!" Luffy copied your grin, “After we rescue Ace!"

"Of course," you smiled back, "It won't be too hard to break in and out of the impregnable Impel Down."

"That's the spirit!" He laughed, clapping you on the back.

You laughed and raced alongside the young teen.

Confident in your abilities, you rush forwards, uncaring about the possible complications and consequences that could befall you.

The presence of the young teen is a good booster for the spirit. Even when serious, he has that uplifting energy that you admire him for.

It's best to have an ally in this place, you realized that early on. Therefore, you decided to team up with him as soon as you spotted him.

It's not like you were strangers.

Sure, you weren't exactly friends per se, more like acquaintances. Having run into him and his crew a few times, you're familiar enough with him that you're comfortable being allies in such a rough place.

You barely survived the fight against Magellan, Luffy taking the brunt of the damage until you, Luffy, and Bon Clay were ‘Demoned Away’ to Newkama Land.

There, you met the infamous Emporio Ivankov. You’d heard much about him and his followers, so you were honoured to meet him in person.

Albeit, a bit taken aback by his outlandish personality and bizarre followers. He helped Luffy and you, so you were indebted to him.

And now here you are, trying to escape level six and get back out of the prison. It’s a long ways to go and you aren’t thrilled.

You’ve been searching every cell looking for the man you came to find, but have had no luck. Luffy’s had just as much luck as you, seeing as Ace is already on his way to the execution area.

A sinister laugh sounds, deep and rich.

Your ears perk up immediately.

“If you want to escape from here, set me free.”

The voice is deeper than the ocean, smooth as snake skin. You’d recognize it anywhere.

“I can open a hole in the ceiling. So, how about it?”

The sharp clang of shackles rings loudly as the prisoner stands up and walks to the bars of the cell.

“Long time no see, Mugiwara.”

You grin, racing over to the bars, “Crocodile! Here you are!”

His cold eyes meet yours as shock overcomes your companions. Luffy reaches out, clamping a hand on you to drag you back beside him.

“What are you doing, Y/n?! Don’t you know what he did?”

“Hmm, oh well yeah, but we’ve been close for ages!” You reply, slipping from his hold. “I can’t just let my boy rot in here.”

“Your boy?” Ivankov echoes.

Crocodile does not look impressed, “What are you doing here, Y/n?”

“I came to rescue you!”

“He’s who you’re here for?!” Luffy steps towards you, anger in his eyes. “He ruined Vivi’s country!”

“That’s all in the past, I have no interest in that anymore. But a war between the Marines and Whitebeard? That piques my interest,” Crocodile interjects.

“Gonna act like you’re not happy to see me, huh?” You cross your arms, staring at Crocodile.

He ignores you.

“Let’s release him, Mugiwara-boy. He would make an powerful ally,” the King of Newkama says.

“What-?”

“Ivankov,” Crocodile spits out, clearly not happy to see him. You unlock the cell door with a key you snagged earlier, opening it with a flourish and a grin.

“We can’t trust him completely, but I’ve known him since he was a rookie.”

“Really?” You ask, “I bet you have good stories!”

“Don’t say anything,” Crocodile growls.

“Don’t take that tone with me, I have no qualms sharing about your past,” Ivankov smirks.

You raise an eyebrow, “Oh please, I wanna know.”

Crocodile shoots you a glare to which you stick out your tongue.

“It’s only fair after that cold welcome you gave me. Croco-boyyy,” you tease before snatching his hand in yours.

You find the lock on his shackles and slide a different key into it, twisting it deftly. It falls to the ground and you let your hands linger on Crocodile’s skin.

He doesn’t shrug off your touch, but his tense expression doesn’t change.

“I missed you.”

“You shouldn’t be here,” he says as he flexes his hand. “It’s dangerous.”

“I’m used to danger, silly.”

He huffs in irritation, shooting a glance at the men watching. Luffy still seems to be in shock, while the other two look unaffected.

“Oh, here.”

You dig in your pocket for a second with a toothy grin, “I got you something.”

Smugly, you place a fat cigar into his hand, producing a lighter as well, “You must be cranky cause you had to quit cold-turkey.”

At this, his lips twitch into a soft smile. A smile that he only gave to you, for you alone could make him feel this way.

Not only did you care enough to break him out, but you also thought of the small things.

He places the lit cigar into his mouth, placing his hand on your head to ruffle your hair, “Thank you.”

You lean into his touch, savouring it.

While Luffy and the others discuss their next moves, Crocodile turns you to face him directly. He draws you into a quick hug.

“I missed you too, you know,” he whispers, tightening his hold mindlessly. “But I think you’re an idiot for coming down here.”

You laugh, “Well, we can talk about it more once we’re out of this shithole.”

He nods, focusing on the task at hand: escaping Impel Down with you by his side.

[hippiejunk]

Lethal company ocs in the making :D

Got some stuff written down abt them initially

Two rookie friends who signed up and got deployed down together afrer their first seperate missions had their crews wiped.

Alone they are kind of useless and afraid because of the simple fact nobodhs prepared to get mauled by mostners. Together however, they have a nice dynamic, 2 is a bit stronger and the 1 is a bit smarter, they fill each other's lacking parts in and because of that, they are about as efficient as whole experienced company worker. They might just be the two most genuine members on the crew that will try and help ur ass even if u wont help them (-cough- captain -cough-)

1 is very much into researching what they might encounter when most are apathetic to the threats, presumably because the other crews have had their decent amount of interactions with alien beasts and foreign horrors to not give as much as afuck anymore, he kind of helps bring in a new dynamic to the crew

The stronger, 2 sticks to his buddy a lot, all he kind of got going for him are his long legs that help him bridge gaps easier and run faster. LOL

Veteran, a "Captain" of some sorts. Demanding and the Instructor for the new folks - only reason he made it this far, is because he himself is the biggest coward of them all. Refuses to put his back into it, carries light items only and only if it leaves him enough space to hold a walkie talkie. The keys hogger and the type to always end up back at the ship before 12 midday.

HAULER, silent type. Decent experience, got moved crews after his entire crew ate shit. Coincidentally the guy who also loves to have the most fun. (example: useless purchases, WILL groove out at the end of a mission in a form of celebration) capable of survival alone and has a significant amount of bravery that could be seen as recklessness, which actually usually saves his hide by being the one that takes action when shit goes south(comes in with the shovel). THE HAULERRR

4 stupid dumb bitches go adventure in tight suits.

[my-rose-tinted-glasses]

BL Premiering in April

01/04 | 🇰🇷🇹🇭 Love is Like a Cat MDL When global superstar Piuno is threatened by those who wish to see him brought low, there’s only one thing he can do to save his reputation and his career: work at a pet daycare. Pushing aside his severe dislike for animals, Piuno begins working alongside the daycare’s director, Dae Byeol, who helps him find ways to overcome the trauma that first inspired his hatred of animals. As his heart begins to soften, unexpected feelings for Dae Byeol begin to arise. Could their current working relationship grow into something more?

03/04 | 🇹🇭 We Are MDL For this friend group, no matter how hard their university studies are, there's always something more to do their head in; the chaos of life and love won't let anyone rest. We are... friends, but we fight each other and like each other so much we might hit on each other.

11/4 | 🇯🇵 Living with Him MDL With his parents frequently away for work, Natsukawa Ryota had been the main caretaker for his younger sisters and the housework, but now he’s finally about to go to University, he’s looking forward to being able to live freely on his own! However, in a surprising turn of events, he’s surprised to discover his roommate will be his childhood friend Tanaka Kazuhito. Despite his picture-perfect looks and pleasant personality, Kazuhito doesn’t have a girlfriend. Curious, Ryota accompanies him in searching for the reason why, but is unable to find any flaws and finds his heart fluttering over Kazuhito’s kind words and actions. As he gets to know more about Kazuhito, their relationship develops. Thus begins their cohabitation life where they’re mutually self-aware of each others presence! 11/4 | 🇰🇷 Gray Shelter MDL With no dream aside from to survive, Soohyuk reunites with his friend, Yoondae, who has no place to go. The two end up sharing space together; will this cohabitation spark something?

18/4 🇯🇵 At 25:00, in Akasaka MDL Shirasaki Yuki, a rookie actor, finally lands an audition and is chosen to star in a BL drama alongside current superstar Hayama Asami, who was also his senior at university. Feeling anxious and troubled before his first major role, Shirasaki is approached by Hayama with the proposal to form a “romantic relationship for the sake of character development” until the filming concludes. Their pseudo-romantic involvement off-screen leads to a moving and beautifully crafted love story exploring the intricacies of relationships within the entertainment industry and among actors. 26/4 🇹🇭 My Stand-In MDL Joe, the stunt man of famous actor Tong, happened to meet Ming. Having developed a deep relationship, Joe didn't realise that Ming had always seen him as Tong's replacement. When the truth is revealed, Joe has to take work on a foreign set where an accident takes his life. When he wakes, Joe's in the body of a young man likewise named Joe who'd met with an accident on the same day. With help, he's soon living the same life as he was before—with the same people—and he meets Ming once more. In this life, Ming wants Joe back at his side as before and Joe doesn't know why. Ming, who's kept all memories of the old Joe, tries to find the truth about Joe's continued life in order to return Joe to his side and give him the explanation he never had the chance to.

?/4 | 🇰🇷 Boys Be Brave! MDL Jung Ki Sub is Kim Jin Woo's slacker friend - and secret crush. So when Ki Sub asks to crash at his place, his heart tingles to be near him everyday. But as the short stay turns into permanent mooch, how long can Jin Woo keep his true feelings under wraps and hold back from confessing? ?/4 | 🇯🇵 A Man Who Defies the World of BL 3 MDL Mob realizes he’s trapped in a world straight out of a boys’ love comic, complete with typical love story scenes. Determined to remain a background character and avoid becoming the main focus, Mob tries to keep a low profile. However, in this sequel, the love and comedy intensify! In an ultimate BL world surrounded by extremely handsome men, will Mobu be able to avoid the situation where B becomes L? The main cast will return, with Inukai playing Mob, who fends off advances from handsome men tossing out “BL love flags.” Yutaro will return as his younger brother, Ayato, while Akihisa Shiono will be Tojo, Ayato’s lover. Asahi Ito will come back as Kikuchi, a college student who has a crush on Mob. Also couldn't find definite info on 🇹🇭 Knock Knock, Boys! to be sure it will premiere this month or not.

[paigemathews]

(According to wiki at least,) Prue's death was today, May 17th. So, in honor of the oldest Halliwell sister's death: have you thought about how the cover up must have gone? Because, let's be real, that is not an easy death to cover up.

First of all, there is another dead body there, even if he was quickly forgotten about. He was thrown through their back window and was last seen hanging over it, so there's always the possibility that someone saw something. Plus, the house is wrecked.

As for Prue herself, she was thrown through a wall. She clearly would have suffered some kind of blunt force trauma, and we see a pool of blood underneath her head, so there was definitely some kind of damage to her body that they wouldn't be able to hide.

Honestly, I have no idea how they would've spun this. That's not really what I'm interested in talking about rn admittedly, because:

Imagine Phoebe, finding both of her sisters seemingly dead (and knowing that if she'd had been there, they'd both be alive). Imagine Leo, finding his wife and her sister seemingly dead and only able to save his wife (the guilt that must've caused). Imagine Piper waking up to find out that they didn't just fail to save an innocent (and Piper, who always took it the hardest as seen with the doctor's death, never mentions this again because), her invincible older sister is dead from the same attack that Piper herself survived (the survivor's guilt there alone.)

And not only are they confronted with the loss of their sister, but now they have to hide how it happened. Her body isn't even cold, but they have to figure out how to spin it so that they don't expose magic again. Realistically, that's when they'd probably have to call in Darryl, who is confronted with one of his close friend's death and the cover up of her murder in the span of one breath. (Which is worse? The idea that he finds out over the phone, sitting in the station and having to suddenly sit down as - who? Piper, tears in her voice? Phoebe, shaky and horrified? Leo, guilty and crying? Cole, on the rockiest of terms with Prue? - someone tells him Prue is dead - murdered - and they need his help covering it up or that he gets to the Manor, vexed and exasperated, only to see a battlefield with Prue lying dead, her sisters inconsolable, and realizing that he has to help cover all of this up while choking down his own grief about another lost friend?)

Victor had always thought that Penny calling him about Patty's death would be the worst phone call of his entire life, but this, a nightmare and worst fear come true, tops it as he finds the fastest way back to San Francisco.

Do you think about the fact that they'd have to coach each other on the cover story? Phoebe having to work to say the lies about her sister's death over and over again, always the worst at keeping secrets? Discussing potential plot holes and gaps in their story, trying to figure out how to fit it all together.

The fact that there was an investigation - of course there was an investigation, Prue's death was clearly a mystery - and at some point, someone may have pointed fingers at the sisters? (A rookie pointing out Phoebe and Prue's tense history and the former's return to take the house after their grandmother's death and the morally ambiguous boyfriend and what better way to get everything than get the oldest sister out of the way? Piper considered either as prospective victim or accomplice? I mean, Prue was noted to be the bossiest of the group and family is always the first place you look- and Darryl shutting it down, utilizing more influence than he maybe really had (and explaining his need to be promoted to Lieutenant a year later) to put a stop to it in its tracks.)

And they somehow manage to spin it as the murder it was, but imagine trying to explain how a human murdered her by throwing her through a wall. The sympathetic voices asking for statements and events and lies lies lies that the sisters and Leo and Cole and Darryl have to spin. All while Prue's body is barely cold, all while they each slowly realize that she isn't coming back this time, all while they realize that Prue Halliwell really and truly is dead for the final time, beyond their reach.

[richincolor]

Ode to the Olympics: Books & Sports

I'm a big fan of the Olympics and have absolutely let responsibilities go in favor of watching amazing sport. And I thought, as the Olympics come to a close that I'd share some books that focus on athletes aiming to be their best all while dealing with the trials of adolescence. 

Rez Ball by Byron Graves

These days, Tre Brun is happiest when he is playing basketball on the Red Lake Reservation high school team—even though he can’t help but be constantly gut-punched with memories of his big brother, Jaxon, who died in an accident. When Jaxon's former teammates on the varsity team offer to take Tre under their wing, he sees this as his shot to represent his Ojibwe rez all the way to their first state championship. This is the first step toward his dream of playing in the NBA, no matter how much the odds are stacked against him. But stepping into his brother’s shoes as a star player means that Tre can’t mess up. Not on the court, not at school, and not with his new friend, gamer Khiana, who he is definitely not falling in love with. After decades of rez teams almost making it, Tre needs to take his team to state. Because if he can live up to Jaxon's dreams, their story isn’t over yet.

Check out this trailer for Rez Ball coming next month!

You Don't Have a Shot by Racquel Marie

Valentina “Vale” Castillo-Green’s life revolves around soccer. Her friends, her future, and her father’s intense expectations are all wrapped up in the beautiful game. But after she incites a fight during playoffs with her long-time rival, Leticia Ortiz, everything she’s been working toward seems to disappear. Embarrassed and desperate to be anywhere but home, Vale escapes to her beloved childhood soccer camp for a summer of relaxation and redemption…only to find out that she and the endlessly aggravating Leticia will be co-captaining a team that could play in front of college scouts. But the competition might be stiffer than expected, so unless they can get their rookie team’s act together, this second chance―and any hope of playing college soccer―will slip through Vale’s fingers. When the growing pressure, friendship friction, and her overbearing father push Vale to turn to Leticia for help, what starts off as a shaky alliance of necessity begins to blossom into something more through a shared love of soccer. . . and maybe each other.

Chasing Pacquiano by Rod Pulido

Self preservation. That's Bobby's motto for surviving his notoriously violent high school unscathed. Being out and queer would put an unavoidable target on his back, especially in a Filipino community that frowns on homosexuality. It's best to keep his head down, get good grades, and stay out of trouble. But when Bobby is unwillingly outed in a terrible way, he no longer has the luxury of being invisible. A vicious encounter has him scrambling for a new way to survive--by fighting back. Bobby is inspired by champion Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao to take up boxing and challenge his tormentor. Then Pacquiao publicly declares his stance against queer people, and Bobby's faith--in his hero and in himself--is shaken to the core.

And Other Mistakes by Erika Turner

Aaliyah's home life has never been great, but she thought she'd survive her last years of high school with at least her friendships and cross-country stardom intact. That is, until junior year she got outed by a church elder and everything came undone ― including Aaliyah. Now, senior year is about to start and she is determined to come back faster and wiser. No more letting other people define her. No more losing herself to their expectations. Except... well, with new friends, old flames, nosy school counselors, and teammates who don't trust her yet, the route already feels rough. And what's with the new girl, Tessa, who gives Aaliyah butterflies every time she looks at her? Regardless, everything is fine. She'll be fine. Because this is the year to prove to everyone―and most of all, herself―that she's more than her mistakes. After all, even Aaliyah can't outrun everything.

[nethhiri]

Marooned: Chapter 5

Kid x FemReader x Killer

Warnings: Suggestive, implied eye-fucking? lol

A Mutual Rescue

Kid's scowl deepened before evolving into a smirk. "Yeah, I'll fuck you." He lunged for the meat again and you jerked it away.

You were taken aback for only a fraction of a second until it was replaced with cackling so hard it brought tears to your eyes. "That's- That's not-" You couldn't even get the words out. A minute or two passed and you took a calming breath. "What I was going to say, Eustass, was: If you give me a lift off this island when, if, your ship shows up, I'll give a hand to your ship's doctor up to the point you drop me on the next island. And, of course, keep you and your friend alive since your crew probably would like you alive." Your shoulders shook as you kept trying to stifle your giggles. That was the literal furthest thing from your mind. You were focused on getting off alright. Getting off this fucking island.

The redhead considered your proposal. Or, rather, his stomach considered it for him. It cramped with hunger, growling loud enough for you to hear it from across the fire. Did he really have a choice at this point? Actually, the more he thought about it... It was sort of a win-win-win for him. He, and Killer, would survive long enough to be rescued. There would be someone who had medical talent on the ship, since, what you didn't know, was that they didn't have a doctor. As for the third win, it wasn't lost on Kid that although you may be covered in dirt and grime, with unwashed, unkempt hair, that you were hot. You were obviously cunning, tough, and there was a distinct ferocity behind your gaze that reminded him of himself. Not to mention that your little dress, though loose and boxy, gave glimpses here and there of a body he wouldn't be opposed to seeing the rest of. 

"So?" You prompted. "By the way, me and Mini are a package deal so she's coming too." 

"Who the fuck is Mini?"

"She's behind me." You pointed your thumb back in the direction you threw the drumstick. You half turned, expecting her to give some indication that she was there. "She's mad at me," you apologized for her lack of politeness.

Kid would have shared a glance with Killer if he was conscious. Okay... she's hot and .... has an imaginary friend, Kid thought. Usually he let Killer make these types of decisions, but he thought Killer would think you were ho- helpful too. "Deal." Kid gave his signature shit-eating grin, "Consider yourself our newest rookie."

Narrowing your good eye at him, "This is temporary." Shoving the remaining food at Kid, you walked past him to check on Killer. The wound on his head had no signs of infection, however he felt clammy and slightly warm, causing your eyebrows to knit together. 

"You'll be begging me to stay. Just wait." Kid said with his mouth full as you tended to Killer.

If you could roll your eye any harder, you would. "Or you'll be begging me not to leave." 

Kid inspected his dinner to make sure he hadn't missed any meat on the bones before tossing it aside. "Then I guess we'll see, won't we...what's your name anyway?"

You hoped Kid hadn't noticed you pause momentarily while you checked on Killer. There was luckily a good opportunity to stall as you pressed your ear to Killer's chest, systematically listening in different areas. You held your hand up to indicate you needed silence while you did this. Obviously, you weren't going to give him your real name. You had a bounty and you didn't know if your posters were still around or if anyone on the crew had seen them when they had been. You avoided the question. "Did you notice he was hot?" The instant the words left your mouth you knew you should have rephrased. It worked in your favor, however, since the accidental bait distracted him from the fact you didn't give him an answer.

"Aw you hear that, Killer? Girlie thinks you're handsome." Kid's mood seemed greatly improved with a good meal in his belly. More likely, it was because he had realized how very entertaining you were going to be. You had successfully piqued his interest. He liked a woman with a mouth on them, in more ways than one. Regrettably, since he had a lovely view of you bent over his friend, Kid got up and crouched next to you. Though he could, at times, be daft, he knew what you meant. "I guess he felt warm. I don't know." The grin previously on his face was replaced with a concerned look.

You were certain there was fluid in his lungs, probably from being tossed around in the ocean and on his back for too long. "I think he might have pneumonia." A grimace settled on your features and Killer seemed to confirm your suspicion by letting out a weak, phlegmy cough. There was a chance you may be able to make an herbal remedy from some plants you had stored. It couldn't hurt. Hopefully, it would at least prevent it from getting worse until you were picked up. 

A large hand grabbed your shoulder, squeezing in, not a reassuring way, but a menacing one. "I hope you remember that your life is contingent on his." 

I didn't forget. It was unsettling to feel his gaze on you when he was this close. You weren't scared of course. If this didn't work, you could always try your devil fruit powers.

Next

[whenthegoldrays]

ELLY'S TOP TEN K-DRAMAS (with songs to match!)

10. Queen of Tears (2024)

Baek Hyun-woo is relieved to hear that his wife has only three months to live, which will save him the mortification of divorcing her — what he isn’t expecting is to fall back in love with her in those three months. This show gets a little crazy, but the acting is top tier, and the ensemble cast is one of my favorites ever. (Also, the OST is my new most beloved.)

Song for this drama: Don’t Take The Money

9. Extraordinary Attorney Woo (2022)

Woo Young-Woo navigates her career, life changes, and love as a rookie at Hanbada Law Firm and a woman on the autism spectrum. Young-Woo is a darling, and her boy is the greenest flag ever.

Song for this drama: scales

8. Castaway Diva (2023)

After 15 years stranded on a desert island, Seo Mok-ha pursues her dream of becoming a singer while searching for the boy who helped her escape her abusive father. Despite the horrors, this show will make you believe there is good in the world.

Song for this drama: Sweet Chamomile

7. Lovely Runner (2024)

Immediately after her idol commits suicide, the devastated Sol is transported back to high school, where she discovers that the two of them used to be neighbors and begins a desperate mission to change the course of his life. Get ready for the most adorable, most pathetic loser of a male lead ever.

Song for this drama: Always Remember Us This Way

6. Familiar Wife (2018)

A married couple who have fallen out of love get to see each other in a new light after the husband, Ju-hyeok, goes back in time and changes their history. You've never rooted this hard for such an infuriating man.

Song for this drama: No One Knows

5. Marry My Husband (2024)

After being murdered by her husband and best friend, a woman wakes up ten years in the past, months before her wedding, and must fight to prevent her marriage and eventual death from happening again. Swooniest male lead, cutest female friendships, and some of the most legit terrifying villains.

Song for this drama: Funeral

4. Hometown Cha Cha Cha (2021)

Yoon Hye-jin moves to a seaside town to open a dental clinic and finds the home she always wanted amidst its colorful residents. So funny and the male lead is basically the perfect man.

Song for this drama: Apple Pie

3. Crash Landing On You (2019–2020)

After a freak accident lands her in North Korea, Yoon Se-ri must rely on the soldier who saved her life in order to survive, stay hidden, and get back to South Korea. Rips you apart in the best possible way.

Song for this drama: If I Never Knew You

2. Live Up To Your Name (2017)

Renowned acupuncturist Heo Im falls 400 years through time and lands in Seoul, where his life and fate intertwine with cardiac surgeon Choi Yeon Kyung. Beautiful, unmatched chemistry.

Song for this drama: epiphany

1. Twinkling Watermelon (2023)

Ha Eun Gyeol is mysteriously sent back in time, where he meets his parents as teenagers and discovers he didn't know as much about them as he thought he did. Peak family feels, peak soft couple, and peak enemies to lovers.

Song for this drama: Long Live

[bronx-bomber87]

Saturday afternoon review. Another glorious episode. The intro of their fur child. Kojo-Chen-Bradford baha A pup we all know and love. Also that we hope to get to see in S6. This is a very solid Tim backstory ep I’m excited. I’ll delve little more into the actual ep than normal. Just because it’s so tied into everything in this ep. Especially Tim’s past. I always love delving into his past. As I always tell my friend D, When I get into Tim's past I go off a lot haha I can't help it I relate so much to him. So bear with me while I rant off about him in this one. He is a subject I am very passionate about. But let’s get this ep started.

2x14 Casualties

We start our episode with our fav canine. Destroyer of chew toys Mr. Kojo. He really is a beautiful dog. The dog lover in me adores him so much. Jackson is awoken by this sweet boy and honestly handles it better than expected haha Lucy clearly has gotten him for post DOD reasons. Smart on her end. I know my dog has helped me a ton emotionally. I totally understand why she did this.

I think Jackson is very aware of reasoning and doesn’t push it. Look how cute this dog is I can not. Also how happy Lucy is to have him. She’s literally beaming and so adorable with him. Another reason I don’t think Jackson says anything to Lucy. He isn’t happy about it but won’t fight her on it either. Such a good friend putting her ahead of his discomfort about this. He knows how much she has been through so he's not going to tell her no...Oh the power Lucy Chen holds over the men her life ha

Lucy tells Tim about Kojo and he instantly thinks it’s a mistake. Discouraging her owning him. (Of course he does). Lucy is her sassy self and tells him she didn’t remember asking him. LOL Tim tells her tough. He’s there to teach her how to succeed. That adding a dog into the mix is only going to distract her. Lucy shows him a picture of Kojo. Says what if he is cute and snuggly?

You can see Tim also thinks he’s cute and snuggly when she shows him the pic haha but says that’s not the point he’s trying to make. Can tell he loves Kojo but isn’t going to give her that satisfaction right now. Lucy is too damn happy about her new pup to let Tim ruin it. He continues his interrogation and asks who’s watching him while she’s at work? Lucy replies she paid a neighbor let him out. Then asks if Jackson is ok with it? Lucy being clueless (which is a rarity for her as we all know) replies 'Why wouldn’t he be?'

First off I always love when we get tall and smol shots. They make my soul so very happy. Their height difference always gets me in the feels in a way I can not describe. This whole scene cracks me up though. Both trying so hard to top the other with who's right. It’s what they do and they do it so damn well.

It’s so cute how Tim defends himself about dogs when Lucy says he doesn't like them. ‘Wrong. I love dogs.’ LOL He is definitely not wrong about the responsibility part. They are a lot especially for a rookie trying to survive her training. Lucy mocks him and says he’s about to go off on a ‘But you were when you were my age?’ rant. Tim then does just that haha Our marriage moment of the episode.

Telling her all he’s done at her age. How he already did 2 tours in Afghanistan and Iraq, Second in charge of his squad of ten soldiers. Lucy is not indulging him this time, scoffs loudly and calls him a show off haha You know he heard her but says ‘What was that?‘ Her face in those two last gifs. Be more married you two please.

They knock on the door of their call. Someone has reported a peeping Tom. They head back with the husband to their pool area. He says his wife likes to tan in the morning. A drone has been watching her the last few mornings. Tim says they can put out an alert but they’re tricky to track down.

The wife comes in and and is instantly checking Tim out. I can’t say I blame her. The man is sinfully delicious especially in uniform. She shamelessly flirty with him. He could not be cuter being embarrassed about it. That smile of his as his reaction. He’s always so caught off guard when women hit on him. Lucy’s face during the whole thing is hilarious. She’s so awkward and uncomfortable as this goes down. His polite ‘ma’am ‘ and shyness we rarely see in him. *fans self* Can’t blame a girl for trying LMAO

Lucy gets a call from her apt about Kojo shortly after they return to the station. Tim says they’re not going unless it’s a crime scene. It kinda is...One of her apt. Lucy opens the door and we see the destruction the poor boy has caused. Lucy clearly has no control over this sweet angel. He just jumps up on her when she arrives. Clearly so stressed being alone. He wants her attention. Kojo won’t get down until Tim shouts a firm command at him to sit and he does…Oh my...

Tim barking out orders like that shouldn’t be so hot and yet here we are. I am a puddle. This man does things to me I can't properly put into words haha Also his sexy and confident ‘Come on.’ afterwards. Lucy girl, it’s a miracle you get any work done around this man LOL Kojo you just met your dad and you have no idea. They go through the destruction that is her apt. Tim basically beaming with an ‘I told you so.’ energy as they explore the wreckage.

He is so pleased with himself. They enter Jackson's room and it is trashed. He is at the height of his smugness at this point. He starts taking pics of her and the damage to Jackson's room. These two and their pics of one another I love it so much. Tim says ‘I don’t have to say anything do I?’ Poor Lucy.. ‘I rather you didn’t…’ Already feeling the massive guilt for Kojo destroying Jackson's room the most.

After they leave their fur baby, Lucy and Tim join in on a suspect Nolan is chasing. He was sharing a shady SRO with the man who was found killed earlier. He took off and they end up catching him in an ally. It’s here we find out he and Tim have a history. The shock on Tim’s face gets me. There’s so much going on in that look that we don’t understand right now. Eric is conveying so much in just this small window.

We rejoin them at the station booking him. Tim looks like he's in a state of shock. Thought Mitch's life was going well post-service. Definitely wasn't expecting him to be living on the streets. Knowing he's not in a good place is bringing back all his guilt in waves. There is so much Tim is carrying in these interactions with Mitch. He asks what he's even being charged with? Lucy tells him resisting arrest to begin with. The DA will sort out the rest.

Mitch is all over Tim about what’s going on. He tells him he can’t violate the victims privacy. Mitch then pieces together his friend Joe is dead. Tim refuses to give him anymore info. Says detectives will be by shortly to talk to him. He looks so damn distraught walking away from the holding cell. Lucy points out the obvious tension between them. Tim lets her know exactly what their history is. I’m so proud of him for not brushing her off or being angry with her for asking. He’s just defeated and tells her why.

Like he wants to share this emotional burden with her instead of holding onto it solo. How far we've come. Truly. When just Isabel's name would set him off for most of their shift. Now he just tells her when she asks him. Telling Lucy things is a safe place for him at this point in their relationship. It’s a beautiful thing to watch him not even fight that. To let her know with no pretense. Allowing her to know something from his military past is huge. Something he keeps quite guarded. Watching him feeling comfortable enough to share with her. My heart. I'm not crying. You are.

Tim watches Armstrong and Nolan interrogate Mitch. The emotions in his eyes as he does is killing me. You can feel his guilt through the screen. There seems to be more than just Mitch's guilt there to me. But we will touch on that later....Nolan lets him know Joe had his neck snapped. It seemed like a professional. Mitch tells them he didn’t kill him. That Joe came to him about finding a lot of money. Pallets of cash in the millions. Found it in a building with a bunch of weaponry. Being guarded by heavy duty guys. Lots of machinery too.

Mitch says he and Joe were tight cause they were both vets. That’s why he shared the cash. But he begged him not to go back there for any more. Mitch says he feel guilty. Wishing he would’ve gone with him, because Joe would’ve gone with him. We go back to Tim and see more guilt flitting across his handsome face. The weight of what he is carrying is so evident. Kills me to watch it him bearing it alone. Harper comes in and tells them all that money is counterfeit. Really good but fake none the less. They figure out the machinery could’ve been printers from Mitch. Armstrong decides to get a search warrant and go to the building Joe found.

Naturally when they make it to the warehouse it’s empty. They ask Tim if he still believes his army buddies story? He says yes. That they must’ve cleared out of here after they killed Joe. Nolan finds some evidence. It’s linking them back to a security guy who was “fixing” a camera at their crime scene. They were about to run his face off his body cam when Grey calls them back to the station. Says they are to leave that area immediately.

Once they’re back Grey says their search warrant sent an alarm all the way up the food chain. Telling them to stop. That the path they’re on isn’t allowed for their investigation any longer. Tim asks what if it’s the path that leads them to his killer? Grey looks conflicted. Harper asks what they’re really into? He says he doesn’t know and tried to push to find out. All he knows is it’s non-negotiable. They all look very frustrated especially Tim. Grey tells them to take the night to reset. Tim goes off saying this isn't right. Armstrong says no it's not but it's a direct order.

Harper looks at Tim and he knows what he needs to do. Earlier in the episode we learned about LA Clear. Used to prevent blue on blue situations. It’s the best way for them to find out who is behind all this. What higher up agency is preventing them from investigating further. Only higher up officers can use it. i.e. Tim. They were told at the beginning of the ep the feds were in town for something. Sounds like this could be it. Harper asks what Tim thinks. He says this is clearly a federal operation and they don’t have enough information to proceed.

Tim asks Lucy how they get more clarity on a federal operation? She proudly produces the right answer and says LA Clear. He tries to get them all to step outside while he calls. Lucy being her sassy self says not a chance. Her wifey look is so cute I can not. You know he loves it when she’s fresh with him. Tim having to answer his personal security questions is too damn funny. Lucy is enjoying the hell out of this. His answers are so sporadic and funny. 'Lady Marmalade' and 'Xanadu' LOL He gets off the phone says they’ll get back to them within an hour.

Tim goes to see Mitch. Tells him he’s free to go. Naturally he wants more info on the case. Tim tells him they haven’t found anything yet. The money is gone. They’re working late on it though. Lets him know he just needs to go home. Then realizes how insensitive that is. Mitch tells him just to find his killer. That he served his country with honor. He deserves as much. You know that's hitting Tim right in the gut.

The ever present guilt on his face with Mitch hurts to watch. There’s an undercurrent of something else going on with this whole thing for Tim. More than just what happened with Mitch coming to the surface. It’s coloring everything he’s doing and saying in this episode since Mitch showed up. He gets the call from LA Clear and tells Mitch to take care of himself.

They find out it’s a defense intelligence agency OP. Harper says that’s national security. Nolan asks if they told him anything else? Tim says just a contact name. Colonel Norman Jangus. Nolan asks what a National security agency is doing printing counterfeit money for? Harper chimes in and says this is bigger than they thought. That they should take the night like Grey said. Tim says an off the books op isn’t great on a good day and today definitely isn't that.

Nolan gets a visitor. It’s Colonel Jangus. Tells him he is DIA, but his team works in the shadows. Does things people don’t want to admit to. John asks why he came to him? This is a great part and accurate. Says he’s the weak link. Lists why above. He’s not wrong those three are certified bad asses and John is well John LOL sorry dude. I'm so mean to Nolan I know ha I do like him but he is the weak link out of the four of them.

Tells him you always push on the weak link. Wants him to relay something to the other three. That it was a mistake to call LA Clear, to leave it alone. Nolan tells him they just want Joe’s murderer that’s it. He leaves with telling him every war has its casualties. That if they don’t stop he’ll end up being their next one.

Harper, Tim and Lucy show up lurking in the shadows. They were expecting him to show at Nolan’s. Do love them all in black street clothes. Looking ever bit the bad asses they were just explained as earlier. Tim was able to get a tracker on his car while Jangus rambled on. Tim says now they can follow him wherever he goes. Lucy is ready to go when Tim tries to stop her. (Why he think's he'll win this fight I do not know) No way in hell she was going to let him do this alone. She’s his partner through and through.

Harper telling them they’re more likely to survive the storm if this goes wrong than her and Nolan. She has a golden ticket and Tim has unblemished record. Says they don’t even need a reason to fire them as rookies. Lucy replies like the BAMF she is ‘ I’ve been buried alive by a serial killer. This rabbit hole doesn’t scare me.’ God I love her. Her resolve is rock solid. Nolan’s reply pales in comparison tbh LOL That unshakeable drive is one of the reasons why Tim falls for her. He doesn’t fight her any further. He's just hopes Jangus leads them to the money.

Now comes one of my favorite parts of the entire episode. Also another iconic OTP line stemming from it. They pull up together in Tim’s truck (LOVE them riding together) Lucy wastes zero time asking about Mitch’s leg. Just like earlier he doesn’t fight her on it. Doesn’t shut her out like he used to. Not even a little. I can not emphasize enough how huge this is for him. The beautiful place he has gotten to with her. This is confession time right now for him. He'd been letting it build up all day. Now he was letting the damn loose with her. Makes me so happy to watch his growth. I never tire of watching her chip at his wall one section at a time. It’s about to have another piece break off and shatter to the ground.

There is so much to love about this scene. I love her challenging him to open about this. It’s been so obviously eating at him all day. I'm just like him where I need my anxiety off loaded by someone I trust or I'll self destruct. It's clear he needs it off his chest. Lucy knows this. Knows him and it's why it's the first thing she asks when they're parked. They have a moment alone. She is going to take advantage of that. Lucy reads Tim like a book and knows he needs to talk about it. I've said this a lot but I am a lot like Tim. The more I analyze him the more that fact becomes true. I get his mentality towards things.

Where you think everything is your responsibility or your fault when things go wrong. Because when you grow up in a volatile household like he did (As did I) it was. A mistake was the worst thing you could do. So it's beaten into you that its your fault and you're given no grace by those around you. It's almost like a reflexive shame you feel when you make a mistake. It's how it is for me. I know it is for him too. So why would you give yourself any grace even when its warranted? When you are like this you need that 'Lucy' to unburden you. To have that safe space to off load that burden. To let you know not everything is your fault.

Lucy is that person for Tim and has been for quite some time. He confesses his sin to her. Like it’s a dark part of his soul he’s expecting to repel her. News flash it does not. She loves every part of this man especially the damaged parts. What he finds as absolutely shameful Lucy sees as something redeeming and wonderful. You can see above how much he is beating himself up over it. Even as he speaks the words he's chiding himself. The way his eyes dart around and how can't face her. He'a so ashamed of himself for not being by the book. To him he slipped up and it cost Mitch his leg. That's unforgivable in his book. He's so hard on himself. I relate so much it makes me wanna cry for him. Because I know that moral pressure.

I love her little smile before she tells him 'It's the most Tim Bradford thing she’s ever heard.' Because it really is. She just knows him so well. Lucy wants desperately for him to cut himself a break. To lower his high standards of himself just a bit. He won't but damn if she won't try to to change his POV on this. The reason she says that line is she KNOWS the depth of which he beats himself up for things. This is the type of situation where he is going to fault himself and flog himself mentally over it until someone stops him. i.e. Lucy.

I empathize with this on a deep level. I know that guilt driven anxiety you get when you feel you’ve wronged someone. It consumes you and feels like that feeling is bottomless. Lucy is very aware he will destroy himself over this. The reaction on his face below when she tells him it wasn't his fault. That he showed humility. Gets me right in the gut. Telling him that it’s nothing to feel guilty about is everything to him. Tim can't believe she's absolving him for this. Not only doing that but commending him for what he did. By praising him for that humility he showed Mitch.

I want to delve into his reaction above a little more for a couple reasons. One. Once again what Tim sees as weakness Lucy views as a strength. Knowing he is wracked with guilt over this. Trying to give him absolution for it. His sunshine human is striving to let him know not EVERYTHING is his fault. As much as he would like to think so. Beautiful thing is Lucy being in his life has lightened that emotional load he carries. Whether he realizes it or not she's shouldering part of it now.

Two. I said earlier there was an undercurrent of something else coloring Tim’s guilt in this episode. Something unspoken in the way he was carrying that guilt. Like it was more than just Mitch's guilt he was lugging around. I know he’s comparing what happened to Mitch to what happened with Lucy. By not being by the book he put Lucy in danger. The guilt about Mitch has also brought up the burden he still inflicts upon himself. Which is what happened to her in 2x11. There is some deep subtext in this scene. The way he looks at her when she says he doesn’t need to feel guilty. It's very telling to me.

In a way she is absolving him of what happened with Caleb. Because the situations are similar, in the fact that Tim wasn't by the book and something bad came of it. Lucy does this without even knowing she is doing so. Because in her mind she never blamed him. Doesn't even know he's added that to his emotional load. For Tim her acceptance of what happened with Mitch is hitting close to home with him. It feels like she is also absolving him of his immense amount of guilt he still feels about Caleb. It’s not something they’ve talked about yet. It’s coming but I felt this scene was a good precursor to that. Lucy reminding him not everything is on him like he thinks it is.

Even though it seems to him he's been absolved of both things he still defaults to being a stickler. That is his default mode. He just can't help himself. Letting her know ‘Rules matter boot. ‘ You can see the glimmer of tears in his eyes when he says this. Still feeling unworthy of her kindness and understanding of what he thinks he’s done not only to Mitch but to her. Lucy once again having that sassy smile asking him ‘Then what the hell are you doing out here? Sweetly calling him out for being a living and breathing contradiction.

The way he looks at her and says ‘Some things matter more.’ *heart clutch* Eric and his wonderfully expressive face. We are lucky to have him everyone. He is a blessing to have as our Tim Bradford. By saying this he is saying she matters more. That what they're currently doing matters more. Tim showing Lucy his moral compass for Mitch and Joe means more. I’ve said this before but I feel Lucy is never more attracted to Tim than when his moral compass is on fire.

It’s a raging inferno in this episode to find Joe’s killer. That bending the rules a bit to do the right thing means more. to him. That doing the right thing and the easy thing are rarely the same. Her respect and honestly love for him grows for him in this scene. As his does for hers with the previous moment. It's a slow climb to the top with them but what a view it is when we get there. It's so worth the wait.

I friggin love this shot of them. Forever adore how in sync they are in the field. All dressed in their black ops gear. Sexy Af watching them be poetry in motion together. The aesthetic is very pleasing to the eye. Watching them doing an off the book ops together. It ticks a box for me I love. They decide they need to make sure those pallets are actually the money first. Once they do that they can get Joe’s killer during the arrest. Harper asks how they’re gonna do this? Tim says no idea. LOL

Tim goes off to check it by himself. He’s so tall and you can see that as he ducks under a semi to check the container. Sexy af how tall he is to me. I would say I’m sorry but let’s not lie shall we? Ha Tim gets caught confirming the pallet has the money and sees the rest have been caught too .You can see the panic on his face when he sees Lucy has been caught. Jangus rants that he warned them and they didn’t listen. Harper then signals Angela with her sniper rifle. Trained right on Norman.

They’re at a stalemate with this. Tim wants to negotiate a settlement. I love how Tim takes control of this whole situation. Sexy af. Saying all they want is Joe’s Killer. If they give him up they walk away. Norman considers this. Then asks about the money. Tim says 'Not our problem.' Lucy pipes up and Tim looks right at her and repeats himself. Now that she’s in danger he’s not taking any more risks. That game is over. He’s gonna break one more rule tonight to keep her safe. Letting the money go.

I love him so much. If bailing on the money keeps her safe and gets them their killer it’s a win win for him. The way he stares the Colonel down as he decides. *Oh my lord* Causing me repeated ovary explosion in this one. Protective Tim is one of my fav Tim flavors haha He’s got me going more in this episode than normal. I would say I’m sorry but I’m very much not. LOL

It works and they give up one of their men as the killer. The plan worked for the most part...They didn't get everything they wanted but getting Joe's killer was the most important. It gets back to Grey and he does some rule breaking of his own. Just accepting their wild unrealistic story of how they found Joe’s killer just walking the docks. Says the paper work better be spotless on this. Harper smiles and says yes sir. This is an excellent episode all around.

Next morning Jackson wakes up and notices Kojo is gone. Lucy says she’s really not ready for a dog yet. (Or his new owner heh) That he is gone. Lucy continues on to apologize for getting him without asking his input. That she was going to pay to replace all his things. How sorry she was about all his stuff. Jackson quickly breaks and is sweet and says he did like Kojo but hopes he went to a good home. Lucy smiles and says he did.

I want to talk a little bit about Tim taking Kojo. The amount this man cares about not only Lucy but animals is prominent in this moment. He knew how much this dog meant to Lucy therefore he was important to Tim. Also taking him so she could come visit him and have access whenever she wanted. The depth of caring this man shows for her in his actions are unreal. They legit became co-parents to this dog in this episode and we all loved it. They own a dog together long before they were together. Makes me so happy I can not.

We then get this GLORIOUS shot of Tim walking Kojo. Tim looking fine as hell walking his new fur baby. Basically a model walking down the street. That sweet smile on his face as he looks down at him. He loves this dog so much already. Tim meets up with Mitch and does something I know Lucy would be beaming over. He put in a good word to get him a live in guard job. Tells him it’s not a handout. That it’s a job and a roof over his head. Mitch thanks him and he hugs Tim. He looks like he’s gonna cry. My boy. Mitch can still see the lingering guilt in his eyes.

Tells Tim ‘It’s not your fault you know?’ That what happened to him is nobodies fault. Tim is grateful for his words. Getting forgiveness for a weight he’s been carrying around for far too long. Such a good way to end the episode. Tim wipes a tear from his eye and looks down at Kojo. Tells him ‘Not a word’ LOL I love this man so much and how much he’s grown. Makes me want to cry. Damn good episode holy moly.

As always thank you to everyone who like/comment/reblog. You all make my whole day with them. I enjoy doing these so much and you make it all worth while :)

No non chenford notes this ep was pretty intertwined. See you all in 2x15 :)

[danthepest]

So with the Metal Gear Collection out now (of debatable quality), I figured I'd make a short, handy list of the chronological order of these games, and a short summary of what they're about. I'll try to be as vague and spoiler free as possible.

1 - Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater - Takes place in 1964 during the Cold War. CIA operative and FOX unit member Naked Snake is sent to Russia and has to survive the jungle (don't ask, just roll with it) to stop the development and deployment of a new kind of ultimate weapon, the Shagohod. Things are not what they seem and the political machinations of both the United States of America and Russia will have severe repercussions for the rest of the series. Most of all, it will affect Naked Snake and his legacy.

2 - Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops - Takes place in 1970. FOX has seemingly gone rogue and started a revolt in San Hieronymo. Naked Snake begins to build his own resistance with the help of Roy Campbell. (The game is only available for PSP and while it was touted as a "missing link" between Snake Eater and Metal Gear 1, it hasn't been mentioned or referenced since. Easily skippable.)

3 - Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker - Takes place in 1974 in Costa Rica. Naked Snake and Kazuhira Miller begin building their private military company Militaires Sans Frontières. As they uncover the truth behind the strife in Costa Rica, Snake's past during the Snake Eater incident comes back to haunt him. (Originally a PSP game, it was included in the PS3 HD collection. This was also billed as a "missing link". Up to you if agree. Definitely need to play this to understand the next game.)

4 - Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes - Takes place in 1975. After the Peace Walker Incident, one of MSF's own people goes to Cuba on a failed rescue mission and Naked Snake goes in alone to retrieve his man and the person he came to rescue. Serves as an epilogue to Peace Walker and a prologue to the next game.

5 - Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain - Takes place in 1984, primarily in Afghanistan. Ten years after what happens in Ground Zeroes, Naked Snake is rechristened Venom Snake and is rebuilding his forces with Miller, naming themselves Diamond Dogs. They prepare to strike back at the organization that has been targeting them for the last 10 years. A startling truth is revealed and strong alliances shatter.

6 - Metal Gear - Takes place in 1995. FOXHOUND unit rookie, Solid Snake is sent into the fortified state, Outer Heaven, to rescue FOXHOUND veteran Gray Fox and discover the secret behind Outer Heaven's nuclear weapon, the Metal Gear, and the identity of its leader.

7 - Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake - Takes place in 1999. Dr. Kio Marv has bio-engineered a new fuel and energy source that would reduce the consumption of oil. Military forces belonging to Zanzibar Land kidnap the doctor, intending to control the world's oil supply and hold the world hostage as well as stockpiling nuclear weapons. New FOXHOUND commander Roy Campbell forces Solid Snake out of retirement to infiltrate Zanzibar Land and rescue Dr. Kio Marv. Solid Snake is forced to face those he once considered friends and mentors.

8 - Metal Gear Solid - Takes place in 2005. FOXHOUND rebels against the US government and takes over the Alaskan island Shadow Moses, which contains a nuclear weapons disposal facility. Among their demands is the body of Big Boss who is considered the greatest soldier that ever lived. They wish to use his genes to create an army of super soldiers. At the behest of the Secretary of Defense, Roy Campbell once again has to ask Solid Snake out of retirement for one last solo mission. Solid Snake is forced to confront who he is, where he came from and what it is he's fighting for.

9 - Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty - Takes place in 2007 and 2009. In 2007, the anti-terrorist organization Philanthropy learns that a new Metal Gear is being transported through the Hudson river and attempt to stop it. They are thwarted by Russian mercenaries and the tanker is blown up as they get away with said Metal Gear.

In 2009, FOXHOUND operative Raiden is sent to infiltrate the Big Shell, a large decontamination facility that has been taken over by a terrorist faction calling themselves the Sons of Liberty. Raiden must neutralize the threat and save the hostages. However, Raiden will soon learn of a conspiracy that dates back to even before the Cold War and begin to question his own existence.

10 - Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots - Takes place in 2014. War has changed. War has become a commodity and has created what is known as the War Economy. Old Snake is tasked with putting a stop to the madness as well as put an end to a personal war that started as far back as 1964. (So far, this is exclusively a PS3 title, but there is hope that it will be released for PC in a further Metal Gear Collection)

11 - Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance - Takes place in 2018. Raiden has made peace with his lot in life and is trying to support his family by working as a military trainer and VIP bodyguard among other things. While protecting a VIP, Raiden is ambushed and utterly defeated by a cyborg that is part of a larger organization. Raiden begins his quest of vengeance and will finally see if he can put his past behind him.

And there you have it! Dunno really what prompted me to do this, but hey, maybe someone out there will find this helpful or interesting or intriguing or whatever.

[paladin-of-nerd-fandom65]

Neato answers buddy! :D

1: What's one video game the duo would like to go into? (It must be a story game not like Minecraft or any multiplayer)

2: Let's say the starburst duo got sucked into resident evil 2 remake & had to go through the events ( Leon A, just them, & no powers) will they be able to beat it & escape?

3: What's the worst panic attack the duo ever gotten?

4: How would Jon, Chris, Kon & the super-twins cuddle together?

5: Between the super-sons, the super-twins, starburst duo, & timkon, who wins in a game of basketball? Rules: only hover a few inches above ground (if able to) first to 10 scores wins, & the group with the least amount of points get face covered up in make-up.

Aww thanks @pin-crusher2000 . these are always fun to answer XD

1) Hmmm…..Well I have been having in my mind for the longest time a sort of crossover between DC and of all things CoD Zombies so…..Maybe one night Chris and Jake find themselves awakening inside a denounce and hellish version of the infamous Alcatraz Island, crawling all over with not just the undead but also hellhounds all led by an equally demonic Warden and the Duo have their powers severely dampened. They don’t have to rely on firearms to protect themselves but the waves of undead charging at them are endless and there’s seemingly no escape. Thats when they get help from a certain voice of a girl who guides them on their little haunting adventure, explaining that ancient evil which brought these undead to life had sucked the Duo into this world to break a sort of cycle their reality was within to ensure their own dominance or reality.

The girl’s name is Samantha. She would tell Chris and Jake how all this really began

Basically The Starburst Duo in a combination of Mob of the Dead and Origins basically lol.

2) Oh definitely so. Their parents taught them very well on survival techniques for those types of scenarios where both the Dead and the Monstrous Rise and they’re left powerless. As such, them fighting alongside the lovable rookie cop that is Leon Kennedy in the world ravaged by the T Virus can seem right up their alley no matter how freaky the effects of said Virus can be like, and not just those Nemesis T Zombies

3) Chris: The one he got once a more complete picture of his memories as Lor Zod and all the harsh treatment he got from his birth father and after sending the General and his army back into the Phantom Zone, being surrounded by all those reporters and his super hearing picking up on all the sounds of suffering all over Metropolis, unable to reach his family and eventually the pressure getting so bad, he straight flew away from the sight as fast as he could and far away from everything as fast as he could. It was once he was far away enough at the other side of the globe that he managed to calm himself to an extent. It really took another whole week wandering the earth in secret and about another week and a half staying with the Graysons until Chris finally was able to approach the Kents once again.

Jake: Probably in the immediate months after he was discharged from Bludhaven General Hospital for his recovery from his fateful and haunting duel against Victor Zsasz, it’s easy to envision Jake getting increased anxiety with capers and cases involving kids like himself in grave danger or far worse. He might get the job done if it involves rescuing said kids but his mind has gone into full overdrive with panic and fear as those memories of finding those slain orphans and how cruel Zsasz was are surfacing. It usually takes his allies, friends and loved ones present to help calm him. Also of course, plenty of nightmares and bad dreams about that particular case are a lot frequent for him, especially on those first few months afterwards.

4) it’s a five person longways pile on either the living room couch or a king sized bed. Conner would be at the core with Chris to his immediate right side and Osul to his left. From there, Jon would be snoring happily next to Osul while Otho in turn is cuddled up next to Chris. Conner’s loud snoring is blissful ambiance for the younger siblings.

5) I would say it’s major tie between the Super Twins and the Starburst Duo, not simply for their power levels and ability to learn as they play. It’s moreso how well in tune those two teams really are with Chris and Jake complimenting each other’s strengths and weaknesses with both stern direction and experience. Thr Twins on the other hand have superb understanding of what the other of doing and how to follow suit given their years working side by side back on Warworld

[makeitastrength]

Slowly and then all at once

Chapter 9 sneak peek

Chris is… fine.

He’s a nice person and not terrible to look at. And they have a few things in common, including a shared love of sushi and true crime. They’ve been on four dates so far and they’re having a good time.

But, well, he’s not Tim, the voice in her head reminds her.

Lucy silences it.

Despite a few fleeting moments of evidence to the contrary, the overwhelming consensus she’s reached is that Tim isn’t interested in her. He has Ashley. And even if he was interested and he didn’t have a girlfriend, Lucy has no intention of acting on her feelings for him.

She’s never forgotten Bishop’s warning about dating another cop. And that was about Nolan – someone of her same rank. A fellow rookie. This is Tim. Her superior and her former TO. Lucy knows Tim would never cross that line, and the people who know him know that as well. Just like the people who know her would know that she didn’t sleep her way to where she is. She’s earned her place in this department.

But how things are and how things look aren’t the same, and she knows perception would override the truth.

Besides, Tim has become her best friend, and she knows she wouldn’t survive the heartache of losing him if she did pursue her feelings and it didn’t work out. They’re better off maintaining the status quo.

So she suppresses her feelings for him – which aren't that big a deal anyway, she reminds herself – and decides she’ll let Chris get away with calling her his girlfriend.

Lucy also spends much of the morning pondering Chris’s suggestion about pursuing a legal career. She loves being a cop, but she also sees his point. They interact with so many people every day, many of whom simply made a bad decision due to bad life circumstances, or who need mental health care rather than prison or a criminal record. And while she does her best to treat these individuals with compassion and fights to get them the help they need, there’s only so much she can do. Her recommendations may be taken under advisement by the DA, but so often they aren’t. Being on the other side of things would give her more power to enact real change.

And she thinks she could be a good lawyer.

Tim, however, doesn’t seem to agree. Then again, he’s been wrong about her before. He didn’t think she had what it took to be a UC either and she proved him wrong on that. But she’s not going to make any rash decisions – and then a car speeds around them and starts shooting at another driver and all thoughts of becoming a lawyer vanish from her mind.

By end of shift, Lucy isn’t really even considering the idea any longer. Today was frightening and stressful but it also reminded her why she loves her job. Lives were saved today because of the work they did. And the people at Mid-Wilshire have become her family.

[iamtaran]

WIP Title Game! oh good lord

rules: in a new post, post the names of all the files in your wip folder regardless of how nondescriptive or ridiculous. let people send you an ask with the title that most intrigues them and then post a little snippet and tell us about it!

thanks @allyunabridged for the tag! Lmao I stared down the barrel of not one, but two google drives to gather these and all I can say is

😬

IN AN ORDER ONLY THE GODS UNDERSTAND:

The Twilit Gate (BG3, when in want of more fey bullshit in your BG3, do it yourself!!! TavxAstarionxGalexliterally everyone i'm gay alright???)

Island (The Guest/손 AU, horror and survivalism; Hwa Pyung, Choi Yoon, and Gil Young follow Park Hong Joo's and Park Il Do's machinations out to open sea, to an island with long forgotten history where the real struggle for survival begins.)

But For Grace (SW:Preq's, modern-character in GFFA aka "what to do when you accidentally change things and the Chosen One dies?", started as a silly question but now I'm committed; Qui-Gon Jinn lives; what would happen in a galaxy without Anakin Skywalker?)

The Mage's War (DA2 + DA:I, what if Bethany Hawke was the Herald, Modern/Avvar OC, playing Fade chicken with the Dread Wolf nbd, put on my tinfoil hat for this one re: the Fade, the Abyss/Void, Forgotten Ones, etc.)

In God's Eye (Vampyr, human!Jonathan, ekon!McCullum, Mary lives, I'm a hobby WWI & Spanish Flu researcher so hold your britches I have FEELINGS)

For Want Of Two (Vampyr, wanted more mythological beings & nemrod lore so I'll do it myself gdi, put-that-thing-back-where-you-found-it-or-so-help-me-god.gif ; JxMcCxOC)

Lights All Hung On Nothing (Star Wars Preq's to Clone Wars era, modern-character-in-SW with a big twist, Force + time fuckery, Ani + Obi focus, the butterfly effect changes everything)

The 72nd Cycle (SW: Mandalorian, AU - Grogu is not the only Force sensitive prisoner Gideon had captured. Without room in his ship for multiple students, Luke tags along, not expecting the sad Mando's ride Boba Fett (w h a t) to show up and offer the poor guy use of his bacta tank; well, soon-to-be-his. He just has to kill its current owner, Bib Fortuna, first. You know. On Tatooine(WHAT!!). Meanwhile, on Tattooine: Cobb Vanth gets the nagging feeling his life is about to become much more stressful.)

A Heavy Thing (KOTOR, amnesiac Revan works a shitty food service job on Taris and definitely isn't a Jedi/Sith/Soldier, I mean, clearly. Slice of life becomes tragedy becomes adventure becomes mystery becomes ??? RevanxCanderousxCarth DON'T LOOK AT ME)

Life, Happening (The Shining/Doctor Sleep introspective piece on Danny Torrance, life & death, what it means to be gone, and not gone.)

Led To Water (Mandalorian, Din takes off the armor having broken his Creed and, unsure what to do next, returns to Kuiil's homestead to brood and sweat manfully through his existential crisis; his friends help him through it.)

Mando'ad'ika (Mandalorian/Original SW movies, The Mandalorian is taken into custody and now Leia has to deal with a sweet but stressed frog lady, a green gremlin with too much Force power, and this intimidating tin can who won't budge. Since Han laughed at her, she decides to make it his problem, too.)

Time Travel, & Other Ways To Die (Mandalorian/SW:Bounty Hunter video game, Din & Jango centric, whilst trying to get to Grogu on his magical big rock, Din & Grogu end up chucked through time onto an outlaw space station. Jango Fett's no good very bad day begins. Coincidentally, it coincides with Din Djarin's SUPER no good very bad day. They most assuredly do not bond over this.)

I am, or was. (Dragon Age: Inquisition, a spirit takes an interest in Solas after he helps it in the Fallow Mire and begins following him around like a lost puppy. Which would be cute, if it weren't possessing more and more alarming vessels to do so. The Andrastians are starting to get a bit twitchy.)

Rookie, Shiny, Soldier, Spy (Mandalorian/Clone Wars, Din Djarin accidental time travel into the Clone Wars AU. Caught without his 'gam on a battle field and forced once again to wear trooper armor, he is Not Impressed--and why do all these guys look like Boba?)

This Prodigal Son (Hades/Dragon Age: Inq, Zagreus goes through the wrong Chaos portal. Magister Alexius finds a powerful spirit in the Fade and, as is his way, decides fuck it, we ball. Also his way, it doesn't go very well for him.)

Send me a title via ask and I'll post my favorite bit I've currently written!

Lmao this was wild to throw together given how many WIPs of age past are staring me down; these are just all the recents. Go ahead and chuck some WIPs out there if you're interested @singoallala @narwhalninja @mauverawrites @in-a-trans-like-state @terresdebrume and @jackironsides ! And if you don't/aren't currently writing, everyone loves to see the pet tax paid C:

[dayeonhd]

super lovely to meet you all! i’m 𝒓𝒐𝒔𝒊𝒆 (she/her, kst), bringing you all 𝒏𝒂 𝒅𝒂𝒚𝒆𝒐𝒏 !! i’ve been eyeing this roleplay for a while, and dayeon’s actually an older muse of mine that’s been revamped to fit into this universe. i’m new when it comes to idol rp’s, so please excuse me if i ever ask a question or three. without further ado, let me introduce my lovely angel to you all! please go ahead and like this post for further plotting. i am also available on discord if that’s more comfortable for you!

first, her background!

na dayeon, born august 2 of 2003 in daegu, second child out of two with an older brother. mother abandoned the family to go marry a rich dude, and so dayeon’s paternal grandmother was the one that practically raised dayeon and her brother as her father was a fisherman who resided on a different island

that’s all a long way of saying that she doesn’t come from money. she grew up watching her grandmother work for the family, her father sending money and coming home when he can, the neighbors contributing and letting them have dinner, and her brother studying his ass off to get a scholarship to college (which he did and she’s super proud of him!!!)

thankfully, both the na children were smart. dayeon topped her classes, and she was set on getting into a top college, like that was her only goal for a while

that was until she had a friend at school got casted and debuted and was kind of making big bucks ?? dayeon saw that and went oh... well, that’s another way of making money (insp. kind of like how sunmi started training to provide for her family) 

that’s how her journey began! auditioned here and there before finally getting accepted into kiss studios on january of 2022! a rather rookie trainee as she’s only just passed a year, but she’s definitely gotten hang of the life

of course, it’s still rough for her. it’s not like her family magically became rich because she became a trainee, but she’s hanging on. she’s surviving because she knows that if she debuts here, she’s pretty much guaranteed a successful career and ( hopefully ) ways to provide for her family so her father can quit his job and her grandmother can live in complete peace

her strengths are mostly vocal and performance! she’s interested in songwriting/composing eventually, but that’s something that’s still in the making. right now, she’s focused on building up a basic foundation so she doesn’t lack behind some of the more talented trainees

onto her personality!

definition of “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade!” which basically means that dayeon does try to see the best with what she’s given. if her family can make it through their lives through hard work, then so can she. no complaining, no whining, it’s all about the grinding for her

a hard worker by nature, but she also believes in being a team player. she’s a big community/family person, and she knows for a fact that nobody in this company is going to succeed by working on their own. the competitive nature is a little tough on her, but she’s not a pushover. she knows her boundaries; she just also knows that at the end of the day, it’s best to work alongside others rather than on her own. it also helps that she’s friendly and very outgoing. doesn’t like to cry in front of others because yes, she still believes that’s a sign of weakness 

on the other hand, she has lived a sheltered life in that she was the family’s baby/princess. sometimes, she can be a little too idealistic and overthink someone else’s words, yada yada. getting some sense smacked into her wouldn’t be such a bad idea because she could use a reality check from time to time

some wanted connections!

i’d love to figure things out with everybody but here are some vague/general ideas: someone who’s sick of her always smiling and positive attitude, someone who rather enjoys her positivity amidst the competitive nature of the industry, if anybody is a songwriter and would like a guide vocalist for their songs please hit up dayeon, someone who she may struggle to relate to because they grew up more comfortably, someone who catches her on a rather rough day and sees a more frustrated side of her, someone who doesn’t think “becoming rich” is a valid reason to be an idol aka they question her passion for music

anything else is all fair game as well so please let me know if you have any wanted connections or anything, really!

[vsnotresponding]

*tucks hair behind ear*

That essay on Ira’s understanding of love and relationships?

my girl I love her so much

she hasn't had many people she's cared about in her life. first it was her and her mentor, who then died (to keep her alive) and left her alone (she was around 5). then she spent years alone surviving how she could (some people on the outskirts tried to help her when they could but they didn't have much resources themselves so no one could actually go and take care of her)

the first person she considers her person is Hamza, who she met at around 8 or 9 years old. he was a creator just like her, and that meant the world to her (it's one of the things her mentor taught her. creators are there for their kin and they take of each other no matter what. it's the one thing she has the most internalised). Hamza didn't have that early creator education, but was also relieved when he found someone who was also like him. they created their own little family: ira taught him how to be a creator and Hamza took care of her (he's a good 5 or 6 years older than her). they have been surviving together in spite of their differences for years. and so ira loves him

then came Níniam a few years later, when ira was around 10. they stayed with his mentor for a while but then she died of old age. ira loved Níniam instantly. he was a creator, and a helpless babe. how could she not make him the most important thing in her life? she cares for him, she loves him

for years it was just them two to her. her family, her life. and then púlsar happens and she meets new people (and is forced to share time with them by the circumstances)

it takes her a while but she learns to tolerate Garvan and would even call him a friend (tho she doesn't really have friends in the sense that internally she thinks of people as either hers or the rest, and to be considered hers she would have to quite literally put your life above hers). the rookies are of course just kids and they remind her of Níniam so she has a soft spot for them. still she doesn't love them

and then there's Karma, of course. he's the first person to really take care of her since Hamza. he's so earnest in his worry and in his will to just help and understand her she can't help but unconsciously add him to those she considers hers

after púlsar she also gets to interact on neutral ground and neutral circumstances with others too. she doesn't get to the point of really caring about any of them but she'll do the small talk and such. there's one exception tho. Raí starts being a part of her family kind of against her will (he was in Níniam's bonus scene) (she ends up bonding with him because of Things) (he's probably the only person she would call a friend and really mean it)

ira's aware she doesn't experience relationships like other people do. she sees it in Hamza who gets friends and a partner eventually (that's Raí), and that willingly goes out with coworkers and stuff. she'd rather not. she enjoys being alone and only wants to share space with her people (and by share I mean she'll hug you or use you as a personal pillow because she derives a lot of comfort from physical touch and goddammit she's earned it)

she knows she loves her people, and she knows she loves them in different ways. she knows how these different ways are seen by an outside witness and she might use those labels to make people understand her even if she doesn't really use them herself (mainly with Níniam and Hamza), because she only cares about whether she loves them or doesn't and the rest is meaningless to her

TL:DR my girl is basically a cat

[ambraambrose]

The baseball game

Series: Open Heart, book 1: chapter 5

Pairing: Ethan x F!MC

Rate: fluff

Summary: Ethan needs support to handle Banner Health.

Casey goes inside to order new drinks, balancing between all the other baseball fans. She then catches a familiar figure sitting at the bar. Her heartbeat fastens immediately. “Dr. Ramsey?” He turns around, without permission his eyes travel down her body, realizing that he starts to like sport dresses. “… Rookie.” Her damn significant smile spreads on her face. “Small world!” “Some might say too small.” He bites his tongue, hopefully he hasn’t hurt her with this. But to his relief, she just smiles amused, seemingly used to his grumpy demeanor.

“What are you doing here? You don’t strike me as a baseball fan.” ‘Oh yeah? What type do you strike me for?’ “I merely doing what all doctors do… delaying the inevitable.” ‘Oh maaaaaan, can’t he just answer my question.’ “Wait… What?” He has to suppress a smile at her expression. Her sculpted eyebrows knitted in confusion and that little pout. But instead of giving another teasing comment, he heaves out a long sigh. “I was invited here by the executives of Banner Health.” “The health insurance company?” ‘Smart little thing’, he thinks. “The administration is negotiating our contract renewal with Banner… Chief Emery insisted I accompany her as they essentially bribe us in their private box suite.” “You and Chief Emery are up in a box? Cool!” “Well, it’s just me, now. Harper was called back for an emergency, so I’m fending off the vultures on my own. They’re trying to butter me up with lobster, fine wine, all the ridiculous luxuries they can afford. It’s terrible.” ‘Oh, he is so cute when he’s angry (not about me, of course) and dramatic.’ “Um, that sounds pretty alright to me.” “It may surprise you to hear, but I’m not one for… schmoozing.” She grins widely. ‘Don’t do that grin on me, Rookie!’ “You? Nooooooo…” “Really funny, Rookie.” An idea accurses to him, it is a dangerous game for him, but also too tempting. Maybe she’ll tell him, why she didn’t join the competition, just because Harper wants to know the reason, he himself doesn’t care. “As much as it humiliates me to ask a favor of an intern... would you... join me upstairs? I won’t take you long. I just don’t think I’ll survive with them on my own." 'Oooooooh, is he basically asking me out on a date?’, she wipes away the idea to tease him about this. “Sure, I’ll help you.” “Excellent, follow me.”

Ethan leads Casey to the VIP section, where a suited guard stands. “She’s with me.” He can’t explain it, but these words send thrills down his spine. They stand next to each other in the elevator, an awkward silence between them. After a short ride up, the door opens and for Casey it is like she enters a totally different world. An amazing few at the game, cushioned stadium seats and couches, almost all occupied by well-dressed people. “I could get used to this.” “God forbid. Here, you’ll need this.” He pours her a large glass of an expensive-looking Malbec. Suddenly she gets nervous when she remembers what she is wearing, while he pours himself a glass of wine. "Dr. Ramsey, I think, I’m not dressed to be here.” She fiddles at her shirt. “Nonsense, if any, you are the only one dressed exactly right for a baseball game.” His eyes softens at her and it calms her down a little. He raises his glass to hers. “To surviving this insipid people in our industry without having an aneurysm.” She shakes her head, smiling and clinks her glass to his. “I don’t know what you’re complaining about. Great view, great wine, lobster and steak at a baseball game? This is the life!” “That’s what they want. To seduce you. To convince you to think like them. Don’t let it become about the money.” “Dr. Ramsey, I’m $100,000 in med school debt. My friends and I are all closing in on thirty, and we eat peanut butter and instant ramen regularly. Of course I care about the money. I have to.” ‘Damn, you idiot, she is right.’ For a split second he asks himself how it would be to cook a proper dinner for her, how her green eyes would twinkle by the surprise and the comfort that someday she would achieve what he did. “My apologies. You’re right. I was in debt years after I graduated. That’s part of the scheme. It’s easier to recruit the best doctors to high-paying jobs if they’re more desperate. Even if those jobs do less good for the world.” Before she can say something a voice calls: “Ethan! Ethan there you are.” A boisterous man and his business partner approach them. Ethan lowers his voice to her. “That’s them. The Banner Health reps. Are you ready?” “What are we supposed to say?” “We’re trying to negotiate a good deal on our renewed contract.”

Ethan puts on a fake smile and the fake is totally obvious. “You have a terrible poker face.” ‘Thanks, Rookie.’ “What do you want from me? I’m a doctor, not an actor.” The reps arrive and shake Ethan’s hand. The woman speaks up: “We’re still so pleased that you could join us today. As I was saying, we at Banner Health are big fans of your research.” The man follows up: “A lot of monetization opportunities there, as I’m sure you know…” “Ah… yes. By the way, allow me to introduce you to Dr. Casey Valentine…” He gently holds his hand to her lower back without touching her, but the closeness of him gives Casey goosebumps. “…She is one of our most promising young doctors. The next generation of medicine, in fact.” When he looks at her, he can see the tease in her smile. “It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.” She bows her head lightly and shakes their hands. “Dr. Ramsey has already impressed upon me the invaluable bond that Edenbrook has built with Banner. I very much looking forward to working with you to help our patients in a fiscally responsible fashion.” She puts on a smile that fool everyone. ‘Rookie, you little minx, you have no problem with the poker face, don’t you?’ He can’t hide a proud smile. The woman seems pleased as well: “Well, well! You’re making quite the impression yourself, Dr. Valentine.” “Ethan, if this is who Edenbrook’s recruiting these days, this partnership is going to really take off.” “Yes. I believe it is.” Ethan glances at Casey for a split second, approval in his eyes. “Now about this contract—” The woman interrupts him enthusiastically. “Wait, I just had a fabulous idea! Why don’t you join us for golf, Ethan? We could talk about our long-term future.” The man joins. “We’ve got a tee time already. Wednesday at 9 AM at Old Oak.”

Ethan gets nervous, this will be a new level of hell. But before he can react, Casey does. “Dr. Ramsey will be out of town.” “He will?” “Er, yes. He will be consulting on a case in Poughkeepsie.” “Poughkeepsie! Nice! A burgeoning market!” “Yes. I’m sure you’d rather have that conversation with Chief Emery anyway.” He looks at Casey with a half-smile, clearly grateful for the rescue. ‘Wicked little troublemaker.’ “Now, if we could return to the terms of our renewal?” “We’ve covered most of the big picture with Chief Emery, but there are some fine points to hammer out.” ‘These people really are bloodsuckers’, Casey thinks, while Ethan and the reps talk numbers.

Finally the man says: “Great. We’ll have legal draw up the paperwork.” He offers Ethan his hand to shake. Ethan hesitates… “There‘s one more condition we want… Better rates on cardic services. You just said we’re 35% of your business in that field. That’s all lost when we walk away.” “Hm. You strike a hard bargain. But I suppose we can give you an extra three points in reimbursement.” Ethan shakes their hands, and they depart.

He looks approving at Casey. “Nice job squeezing them at the end.” “We had to get something extra for our patients. It’s our responsibility.” His smile widens, she really is not like the other interns. “You’re right. It is.” “So we’re done?” ‘Yes, but I want you to stay!’ “With the business, yes. Though I suppose we could stay and enjoy the game for a while.”

Both sit down together to watch, when she turns to watch at him an grin. “’One of our most promising young doctors.’” “Stop.” “’The future of medicine.’” She is so cute when she teases him. “Well, I couldn’t very well introduce you as a colossal pain in my ass, now could I?” “So how do you think those talks went?” “Fair to middling. But work like this.. it’s not why I became a doctor.” “Why did you become a doctor?” She really is the only intern that asks him such questions straight in the face. It isn’t a really risky question, but usually the interns aren’t even brave to ask him what time it is. He gazes out over the field for a moment, lost in thought. “To conquer. To defeat mysteries that defeat us.” He turns to look at her. “My turn. Why have you not entered the competition for the fellowship?” His direct and briskly question and tone thrills her in an exciting way. She likes him like that, maybe too much. But she manages to answer teasing. “Were you hoping I would?” This smile again. “It’s unbecoming to flatter yourself, Rookie.” That doesn’t shake her excitement. “You were hoping, weren’t you?” “Not in the slightest. It's a mystery, and I can’t resist a mystery. Nothing more.” ‘Yeah, fool yourself’, he thinks. “I think you care because we’re becoming friends.” ‘I don’t wanna be friends with you, Rookie, not in this way.’ “Absolutely not.” He can’t help a smile. “You’re just delaying the inevitable.” “… As all doctors must.” “But we’ll do it together as beeeeeeestiiiies!” “What is a bestie?” He asks with a scoff. “It’s a another word for best friends.” “There is no winning with you in that, isn’t it?” “No, if I want something and I’m sure about that it’s good, I’m going for it.” His thoughts turn around: ‘what else do you want, Rookie?’ He leans in in a seemingly magnetic pull. Her breath hitches by his intensity. A sudden cheer brings them back to reality. “Seems like we are winning”, Casey says looking out on the field while Ethan’s eyes are still fixed on her. “Yeah, seems so.”

Later that night Ethan sits in his office, feeling relaxed now that the negotiating with Banner Health is over. He looks over some test results for Naveen. ‘Damn, nothing.’ He takes notes to document his treatments and results of Naveen’s case. A knock at his door interrupts him. “Come in.” He doesn’t know what he has expected but definitely not with this. He takes off his eyeglasses and looks up at her. “Rookie.” She is out of breath like she has ran all the way to his office. “I want in.” His eyes wander to the clock mounted at the wall… 12:01 AM. “I’m sure I made it clear that the cutoff was midnight. So go ahead. Tell me why I should make an exception for you.” ‘Come on, Rookie, you got this.’ She starts speaking with a nervous but excited voice. “I want to help people the way you do. The entire reason I ranked Edenbrook first on my list of residencies was because of you and diagnostics team.” Against his better judgement his heart jumps in his chest. Normally he would call an intern out because they were just kissing his ass and he hates schmoozing, but Casey is different. Even if he is her medical idol, she would never bitter him up. Like on her second day on the rounds when she stood up to him. She continued, she knows exactly what to say because it is just the truth of what she feels and thinks. “All I’ve ever wanted to do is to help people the way you do. Help the people everyone else has given up on. Please give me the chance to prove how worthy I am to do that.” Ethan thinks for a moment, his face unreadable for her, scratching his chin. He knows exactly what he is going to if one intern will be ready for this spot it’s her. Sure she needs to be pushed and educated, but she has it in her, he always knew it since he read her application. “You had me worried there.” He opens a file, adding her name to the bottom of a long list. She beams up at him. ‘Dammit, this smile.’ He curses inside. “Thank you, Dr. Ramsey!” “Don’t thank me. Just don’t make me regret it.”

@choicesficwriterscreations @openheartfanfics @wanderingamongthewildflowers