#everyone say thank you jon favreau

[thanksgiving-isnt-ur-fav-holiday]

mando at some point: mr. din was my father. please, call me djarin

[kaminocasey]

See You Again (Part 1)

WARNING: MANDALORIAN S3 FINALE SPOILERS

Summary: Din Djarin just wants to settle down and perhaps Grogu's pretty new teacher understands that.

Pairing: Eventual Din Djarin/Grogu's F Teacher!Reader

Warning: 18+ MINORS DNI; Teacher!Reader, Dad!Din Djarin, Eventual Smut, Fluff, Domestic Fantasy

WC: 1.9K

A/N: Can you believe I've not written a full Mando fic yet??? Everyone say thank you to Jon Favreau for giving Din and Grogu a house. <3 Domestic fantasy coming right upppp. Excited for part 2!

TAGLIST FORM

The Galactic Farmer’s Market at this time of morning isn’t too terribly busy. A little cool, maybe. But, It’s pretty manageable and you aren’t regretting your sundress so far. You know it’ll warm up around lunchtime. 

You don’t have work today, so you’re trying to get all your stuff done early for the day so you can relax tonight. You’re planning on making dinner and reading your new book. So, your typical night.

“Can I get a couple of these meilooruns? They look great!” You ask the Tarsunt vendor, handing him a few credits as you pick a couple up and stick them in your bag. “Thank you!”

As you walk away to the next vendor, to look at a few vegetables you could use for dinner tonight, you hear a droid-like voice arguing. When you turn, you’re met with a sight you can honestly say you’ve never seen before. A Mandalorian and a child inside an IG unit, arguing over the same fruit you just picked up. As a teacher, you’re met with all sorts of unique situations, but never one like this. 

“No. Hey, Grogu.” The Mandalorian sighs, trying to take the fruit.

“Yes.” The IG unit speaks for the child, making your eyebrows raise in amusement. 

“Give it.” The Mandalorian tries to reach but the child makes the droid raise it above his head so he can’t reach it. “Grogu, give it back-”

As the Mandalorian grabs the droid’s arm to pull it down, the hand around the fruit squeezes tightly sending meiloorun juice all over the poor Tarsunt who groans like it’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to him. 

“Uh oh.” You murmur, still rather amused, as the child drops the fruit, prepared to step in. 

The Mandalorian sighs again, sounding absolutely exasperated. Clearly this is not the first time something like this has happened. As you walk back over to the Tarsunt’s stand, you hand him a few credits. 

“Here.” You smile and hand the Mandalorian your meiloorun. “Maybe you can cut it up for him later.” 

“Oh…” The Mandalorian sighs. “That’s… very kind of you. But not necessary.” 

He tries to hand you back the fruit but you hold your hand up.

“Keep it.” You grin and nod in the vendor’s direction. “That’s probably one of the most interesting things to happen to him all week anyway.” 

The Tarsunt grumbles something in his native tongue and you can’t help but chuckle as you and the Mandalorian and child walk down the cobblestone path between all the other vendors. 

“Thank you for your kindness.” The modulated voice tells you.

“Believe me, I get it. Kids at this age can be a lot. But give them a death machine on legs and you’re probably asking for trouble.” You tease. 

He lets out a soft chuckle. “Yeah, this thing isn’t working for me. The IG unit, that is. It was a “gift” from High Magistrate Karga.” 

“Quite a gift.” You smile. “Especially from the Magistrate. You must be important.”

“Not really. Just old friends.” He tilts his helmet at you slightly before glancing behind him to make sure the child is following. 

“That’s nice. Greef is an old friend of mine as well.” You tell him as you near the end of the street. 

“Then perhaps you are the important one.” The Mandalorian teases. You think. 

You chuckle either way. “I mean, maybe. I do shape the minds of the young children of Nevarro.” 

“You’re a teacher?” He guesses.

You nod. “I am. Will I see your little one in class or are you just visiting?” 

“Undecided.” The Mandalorian stops at the end of the road and looks out into the distance, and when you follow his gaze, you can see multiple ships and what you see are other Mandalorians. 

He was part of the group who helped stop those pirates, you realize. They’re just camping out, from what you’ve heard through the grapevine. Your neighbor, Eia, had already developed a crush on one of them and was hoping that they’d stay, but from what the woman had told her, they were looking to retake Mandalore and weren’t planning to be camped out long.

“I see.” You nod. “Well, maybe I’ll see you around again someday. Bye Grogu.”

You wave to the duo and Grogu gives a little coo and wave as you walk back up toward the vendor stands to continue your shopping. When you look back, you can’t help but smile at the Mandalorian with his helmet faced in your direction. You can’t be sure if he’s still watching you, but you smile anyway and then continue back up the street.

Later that evening, you can’t help but wonder if perhaps you should’ve invited the Mandalorian and his child for dinner. But by the look of it, his clan was pretty large and maybe he didn’t want to separate from them. 

Cooking your dinner, you can’t help but let your thoughts linger on the mysterious Mandalorian. So many questions run through your mind. Was that his child? What did he look like underneath that beskar helmet? Why was he undecided if he was going to be just visiting? With all these questions running through your mind, you remind yourself it isn’t your business. 

You know very little of the Mandalorians. Just who they are, how they lost their homeworld, and how private they can be. You should make peace with the fact that you’re never going to find out. 

But still… your mind wanders.

A few days later, you’re cleaning your chalkboard as the kids play outside in the courtyard. It’d been a long day with the kids feeling rowdy from their weekend activities. They always come back full of energy, so you normally let them play a little longer in the morning. 

You finish scrubbing the board clean when you hear a modulated voice clearing in the doorway. The sound, admittedly, makes you more excited than you were expecting. When you turn your head to the voice, you find the Mandalorian and his little green companion, this time without an IG unit. 

“Well, hello there.” You smile at the helmeted figure leaning in the doorway and then look down at Grogu. 

“Hello.” The modulated voice sounds happy, which in turns your smile into a wide grin. 

The fluttering feeling in your stomach surprises you. It’s honestly a feeling you’ve not had in a really long time. What do you do with this feeling? Lean into it? There’s no way that this man feels the same way as you. You’re just a teacher. Granted, you have an exciting past… But you’re not that person anymore. You enjoy your solitude and your quiet evenings at home with a book, too much. Something a Mandalorian probably wouldn’t care much for.

“What can I do for you…?” You try to ask him his name.

“D-din… Djarin. And this is my son Din Grogu. Or just Grogu.” He sounds a little nervous to give you his name.

“Din Djarin and Grogu.” You grin up at him, stepping around the desk. 

Grogu makes his way over to the doorway to watch the children play. 

“Can he join them?” You ask his father. 

Grogu looks up at Din for permission to which Din nods. Grogu immediately scurries off into the play yard, joining a few children who are playing in the dirt. Din walks over to the doorway to keep an eye on the small child, and you join him, standing closer. 

He looks down at you and the weight of his stare seems heavier somehow. The dark visor makes him seem so… mysterious. So… far away. 

“Do you happen to have space for one more child?” He asks you, curiously.

It takes you by surprise for sure. You’d seen the Mandalorians’ ships all take off and not come back. Your neighbor, Eia, had been devastated that the woman she had spent time with had left. So to see this Mandalorian return, without his group, surprises you a bit.

But still, you smile kindly up at him. “Absolutely. Decided, have we?” 

He lets out a soft chuckle. “Yeah. Decided.” 

Your chest tightens at the content in his voice, like he’d gone through a lot to get to this point right here. You try to mind your business and not ask him.

“He can be a little handful, I should warn you.” Din tells you and you can hear a smile as he looks back at Grogu.

“Don’t worry, I specialize in little handfuls. I’ve got 12 of them.” You tease.

“Thirteen now.” Din teases back and you laugh. 

He looks at you again and the thought of what he looks like under the helmet comes back. Does he ever take it off? 

He tilts his head and your breath catches in your throat.

“Um… let me grab my…” You struggle, stepping away to regain your breath and to grab your datapad so that you can enter Grogu's information into your system. “Here. Just enter all your information and his so that he can start.”

He nods and takes the datapad from you, brushing his gloved fingers over yours as he takes it and you can’t help the rapid beat of your heart that picks up. 

Why are you acting like this? He’s a parent to a child who is now your student. Calm down.

You look out at the children playing, giving him a little privacy to fill out the information. Grogu seems to fit right in, all the kids starting to want to play with him.

“Easy with him, Lira. He’s smaller than you.” You tell one of the young girls as she tries to pick him up.

“Don’t worry about him. He can handle his own.” Din chuckles.

You walk back over to your board and pick up the cleaning supplies to put them back into the closet. As you turn around, Din is right there with your datapad, trying to hand it back to you. 

“Oh.” You feel yourself go warm at the sudden closeness again. “Thank you.”

“Thank you.” Din tells you. “Is he alright to stay for the day-”

“Yes, absolutely.” You nod, smiling. “Pick up is at three.”

“Perfect. I’ll see you then.” Din tells you and then goes to tell Grogu bye, who meets him at the door. “I’ll be back in a little bit. You’re going to learn new things from this nice woman, like we talked about.”

He talked about you? 

Din starts to walk back toward the door that leads to the street, and then stops. 

“You’ll comm me if there’s an emergency?” He asks and your heart warms at the concern in his tone.

“I promise.” You nod.

He nods again and then pauses again before leaving. “I… was really looking forward to seeing you… again.” 

You’re lucky you don’t immediately turn into a puddle right then and there as you smile brightly at the Mandalorian and bravely tell him, “I was hoping you’d come back.” 

“See you at three.” Din clears his voice and walks back out the door. Perhaps the lack of excitement in your life wouldn’t be such a turn off to Din Djarin.

TAGS: @twistedstitcher27 @misogirl828 @rebel-finn @grievouus @madameminor @dumfanting @rain-on-kamino @corona-one @tecker @ladykatakuri @brynhildrmimi @the-sith-in-the-sky-with-diamond @zoeykallus @maulslittlemeowmeow @littlemousedroid @arctrooper69 @rexxdjarin @agenteliix @padawancat97 @hated-by-me @sleepingsun501 @quigonswife8 @idlenesses @redheadgirl @dnxgma @themcuwriter @ashotofspotchka @sunshinesdaydream @crosshairsimp73 @ariadnes-red-thread @rosmariner @heyitsaloy @starstofillmydream @high-ct5555 @echos-girlfriend @sleepywych @nekotaetae @justanothersadperson93 @brownstalebread @aconstructofamind @book-of-baba-fett @chopper-base @palliateclaw @501st-rexster @dead-poolz @nahoney22 @where-is-my-mind-tho @jediknightjana @erishimoon @witching3 @queen-of-many-fandoms

[obirains-archive]

Hey, I get that we are all collectively losing our minds over the finale but can we appreciate the Twi'lek's costume design in that final scene? It's still relatively revealing, still an outfit you'd expect of a slave in such an unsavory place as Jabba's Bib Fortuna's palace. But it's clear that it wasn't designed with the male gaze in mind! Everything from the costume itself to the way in which it was shot highlights her role as a slave (and with that, her being objectified in-universe) without actually objectifying her to the audience!! And rather than forcing us to watch her be brutally killed and presumably eaten on top of the rest of her torment, we see Fennec showing her compassion!!! She is free!!!! She can rebuild her life!!!!! I'm gonna cry im so tired of star wars fucking this up but we rly are winning tonight

[yoditorian]

massive thank you to my followers for getting me to this milestone, and also to everyone who sent in fics!! while i can’t confess to having read all of these works (i’m getting there tho) each comment is from the person who submitted it 💛 i’ve decided to keep this up as a regular thing, hopefully to be able to traffic some more readers to lesser known writers too so keep an eye out for that link

these have been listed in the order i received them, multi chapter works have either the masterlist or first chapter linked, please pay attention to warnings on the individual works

@bee-dameron - kair’ta - din/reader - this is one of my own recs, the original holder of my din djarin loving heart, ellie knows what they’ve done to me.

@keeper0fthestars - would you let me - din/reader - again, a rec of mine, solely responsible for planting tattooed!din in my head. a concept which haunts me daily. 

@thosewickedlovelies - into the woods - frankie/reader - my beloved rachael took a middle of the night shitpost of mine and turned it into something truly beautiful, i can’t wait to see where it goes. 

@anxiety-riddled-mando - shereshoy - mando!oc/reader - the last of my suggested fics, lives rent free in my head and the only thing i will accept as canon. jon favreau who??

@firstofficerwiggles - caretaker - din/reader - It's my fic so this is a hard question to answer but I think the story's strengths are it's romance and the blend of other elements like humor and action.

@heatherbel - desideratum - din/reader - Gorgeous poetic romance with Din Djarin.

@jura-moon - chrysalis - din/reader - The most beautiful slow burn one shot you will ever read. Jura's writing is beyond special. Sweet, emotional, sexy gorgeousness in fic form. 

@wille-zarr - in fields of white - din/reader - I wrote it lolllll jshshdhs.

@papercinders​ - enigma - obi wan/reader - the description of everything!! im not gonna make sense but gosh the author hooks you with the first chapter and drags you along by the neck for the next four

@waatermelon-sugaar - want to kiss? - poe/reader - So sexy 🥵.

@michaelperry - amidst the to and fro - din/reader - It’s a rebel!Din Djarin AU fic that is such a cool what-if idea and is written so beautifully. Din’s characterization is perfect and the whole thing is super sweet and soft. It’s one of my favorite fics I’ve read recently (tbh everything I’ve read of hers so far is amazing).

@maharani-radha-writes - cultural differences - javier/reader - It’s wonderful to be able to experience a little bit of someone else’s culture! And Javi doing his best to accommodate and understand is great to see!

@pumpkin-stars - waiting - frankie/reader - this fic has everything, angst, absolutely staggering symbolism, talk of death, frankie morales and the origin of his iCONIC hat (need i say more) (yes I will), heartache, taking chances, more angst, acceptance, a love confession, a happy ending. This fic is written with such care and empathy it is easily one of my fave frankie fics <3.

@katlikeme - it’s all the same down in the capital - reader + clones - Kat knows my whole heart belongs to her because this fic and i get all weepy just thinking about it.

@fromthedeskoftheraven - visions of sugarplums - jack/reader - being snowed in with Jack Daniels and his endless list of sweet pet names for you. And the pining!  

@mourningbirds1 - the crossroads i’m standing at - javier/steve - Javier peña and steve murphy and all the yearning and pining possible <3.

@miceenscene - star-crossed - din/ofc - din djarin soulmate au that takes your breath away.

@filthybookworm - nothing more and nothing different - frankie/reader - the most beautiful character study of frankie morales and his love languages

@ladylothlorien - oberyn is our greatest post-punk novelist - oberyn/reader - beautifully written modern!oberyn.

@itssmashedavo - mary magdalene - javier/ofc - Incredible OC, excellent pacing and very good writing. 10/10 would recommend.

@corellianhounds - geroya - din + covert - The cutest slice of life Mando fic that I can’t stop thinking about. A lovely unique look at Din from the POV of the covert foundlings. 

@millllenniawrites - warmth - poe/reader - love how Poe is portrayed in all their fics, but this one especially as it's such a slow build, and I can really feel everything when I read it! Also sex pollen is one of my favourite tropes ngl.

@brandyllyn - doppelgänger - nathan/reader - Wow - everything. This fic is just- so perfect! I love how Nathan makes an AI of himself (and believes that everyone would fuck themselves, given the chance) - that is one os the most in-character things I've ever seen Nathan do in fic - it's just perfect! Also love how bad Nathan is in bed at first, and the ending is so hot. Love love love this fic, I reread it regularly.

@youvebeenlivingfictional - don’t treat my love like a habit - santiago/reader - I love reading this series because I love how the characters develop, and how their relationships change over time too. I love the imagery in this fic and its such a comfort read. (Also there needs to be an honourary mention of Magnetic too, by the same author as it has excellent slow-burn pacing).

@woakiees - mistakes and sour grapes - poe/reader - I love how, although its modern-day Poe, it also does a really good job of showing Poe's struggles as he tries to adapt to civilian life. I also really enjoy the slow build between the two of them and Finn's friendship with the reader (also it's made me desperate to try a chocolate cake shot lol). 

@woakiees - and you keep me holding on - santiago/reader - it made me cry so much!!! the emotion, the days counting, the pain of poor Santi, just everything its so good

@brandyllyn - to sell your love for peace - javier/reader - omg ok. the writing in this was so good, and the foreshadowing was excellent - the whole time, I had a sneaking suspicion of what was going to happen, but the clues were so expertly scattered in that I had just convinced myself I was wrong when... (AAAAHHHH I screamed you have no idea it was so good).

@writingletterstothefire - she loves me - santiago/reader - the suspense! I love knowing things that the characters dont and I cant wait to find out how they react! I really enjoy this authors writing too.

@witchyavenger - coffee - richard/reader - how sweet it is!! I just wanna give Richard some love too, he deserves the world, (and the moodpboard for this fic is so good also).

[ebenenoir]

https://fanfest.com/the-mandalorian-season-4-reportedly-greenlit-with-gina-carano-returning-despite-controversy-vaccines-antivax/?fbclid=IwAR2-GEGtqM3ovrCYHdDzbRiyWxhyzFpJ1f6l9dSiASo4fYxdH-4GorLpGQw

Interesting new development? Nothing officially confirmed but it is interesting

Thank your for the link ! 😛

This is an interesting twist of a turn indeed.

thb I wouldn't mind the return of Cara Dune at all storywise. I know she's not everyone's favorite character but I think she's still a great asset to Din. The ride or die type of friend.

The return of Cara would mean that they bring back The Rangers of The New Republic? IMO since she was not present enough in The Mandalorian Season 2, that show would have been a good opportunity to explore the character, her past and the role of Marshal. I didn't really get a good sense of Cara's character, so I would like to see more of her.

I really like the fact that the Star Wars Universes are all tied together while allowing each important character to be explored. The last episode of S2 gave us a hint about the future of Fennec, then she was mentioned in The Bad Batch. Bo-Katan was already known thanks to The Clone Wars and I think it's safe to say that she is present in the third season of The Mandalorian. So a show focusing on Cara's future was interesting.

If she comes back in season 4, would it mean that Din is back Nevarro ? Now I'm stressing over the fourth season when the third season isn't even out yet ? 🤣

Regardarding Gina Caro... ahem... If a return of Cara Dune is to happen, I hope it will be with another actress (Lana Parrilla please and thank you).

Does the return of Gina Caro mean that Disney is going back on its decision to have fired Gina? Wouldn't it lowkey give reason to Gina or wouldn't it a way to say "her tweets and the tweets she liked weren't that bad"? I don't work there but I don't believe they would go that far. (Would they ?)

I know that some people screamed " F*Ck CaNcEl cUlTuRe" and that her now old cast have been supporting her but the truth is that neither Gina nor Cara are irreplaceable . The hype around the Mandalorian is still very real and no one mentions Cara or Gina anymore.

That being said, Cara Dune's return to the universe would also mean that Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni feel that the character and the new show are worth working on. In that case, I think they will hire another actress.

What do you think? Would you like Cara Dune to return to The Mandalorian and the Star Wars universe?

[chaoticsoulsword]

For the doomstrange prompt, maybe something fluffy? Thank you so much for asking abt doomstrange prompts, since I am starved for some content of them but I sold my soul to another ship and can't write for anything else

Thank you for the prompt, anon! It’s okay, all ships demand love and devotion haha lucky us I’m obsessed with them all over again 😩

Now... Behold! Fluffiness!

***

Victor is a hopeless nerd - the kind of nerd who will fight over Star Trek > Star Wars because he’s Victor and he believes he’s always right, no matter what other people might say.

He absolutely adores the original Star Trek series and, even though he despises everything that J.J. Abrams has done to the franchise, he still watches the movies so he can  anonymously write his own criticism on the internet.

But Victor always must wait until the movie is out in DVD/Blu-ray because, well, he’s Doctor Doom. Can you imagine the kind of commotion he might cause if he simply decides to show up in public? Even in Latveria?

So there’s a new comic-con happening in New York, and that’s relevant for a nerd like Victor. But he’s currently busy, working on diplomatic issues at the Latverian embassy. It turns out a Latverian mystic artifact was robbed by an American thief from Castle Doom. In order to avoid distress between the nations, he decided to request the presence of the only person he could trust with discretion: the Sorcerer Supreme himself, Doctor Strange.

Stephen is astonished. Obviously, Victor could deal with this matter on his own. He’s powerful - and proud - enough to settle things by himself. He suspects Victor is plotting a hidden agenda but he doesn’t care that much. They’re at a stage where the Sorcerer Supreme believes Victor whenever Stephen’s involved. Victor usually treats Stephen with trust and respect, which is quite valuable to both of them.

Anyway, Victor shares that his intelligence net sighted the American thief around the comic-con area. It’s perfect because they can pretend they’re cosplaying.

It feels nice. Victor doesn’t have to suppress his appearance. He’s not feared or arguably loved. Of course, some people are not pleased at his cosplay since the guy is a tyrant and a terrorist. But that’s fine, there are many other villains out there.

On the other hand, Stephen doesn’t have to perform weavering spells in order to hide his identity. He’s not very popular among youngsters and that’s a good thing. They feel like they can express themselves freely for a change.

When people are not asking for pictures or interrupting them to share praises - and criticism - about their “costumes”, Stephen discretely casts a searching spell. He doesn’t find any signs of this thief Victor speaks of.

But Doom is reluctant to leave.

“Your spell is broken, Strange. My armor scans indicate he’s in there” he mutters, getting in line for the Star Trek panel.

Ahhh, I see it now, Stephen thinks with a smug face. He doesn’t say a word. He simply follows the King of Latveria and waits for the panel to begin.

One hour later, J. J. Abrams appears on the stage and everyone applauds him - except Victor, of course.

“Bah, what a clod,” he scoffs.

“Any sign of our thief yet, Victor?” Stephen inquires with sarcasm.

“Doom has his eyes on him, sorcerer. But caution is required amidst this crowd. Let’s wait for the panel to end.”

Surprisingly enough, Patrick Stewart makes a special entrance, bringing tears to the crowd. Stephen glances at Victor. He’s clutching his shaking fist. The Sorcerer Supreme smiles. What a nerd.

The panel is over. Victor says that his armor picked the artifact’s mystic signature. He goes behind the stage and finds it lying on the floor.

“The thief must have sighted us and fled in fear,” he lies.

“Yes. That’s probably what happened. Anyway, since we’re here, how about we go shopping? I’m quite sure Bats is into The Mandalorian. Perhaps I can buy him a treat.”

“Bah. Jon Favreau has to fix everything Abrams does. I wish he devoted his time to Star Trek as well.”

“...Right,” he raises an eyebrow. “Oh, and next time? There’s no need to create such an elaborate plot to make me come to a comic-con with you. All you have to do is ask.”

“Doom knows nothing what you speak of,” he mutters as they walk toward the artists’ alley.

[hotpodsummer]

REVEALS ARE HERE

Hello! Now that reveals are over, a masterpost of all of the gorgeous new fic! Thank you to everyone who posted in this exchange, commented, left kudos. You really made this exchange come alive! 

And By a Sleep, to Say We End the Heartache by laceblade for Srw 

No summary. (Ronan/Tommy)

And they were roommates?! by catpennies for bigpunktapes (biggayghost) 

Lovett was not supoosed to have roommates. This was not the plan. (Jon F/Tommy, Jon F/Jon L/Tommy)

Are You Writing Your Vows? We Don't Even Have A Date Yet. by Srw for Moreanswers24 

Ronan thinks that he's going to get a head start on writing his vows. (Ronan/Jon L)

But maybe we're the same by thetimesinbetween for swishandflick 

"One sec," Lovett says, already tapping at his phone. "Let me ask Ronan if he’s all right with me offering to let you drink from the source, or if he aiming for us to be, like, super super exclusive to the point where no other man can touch me."

Tommy opens his mouth, but Lovett is already hitting send.

Tommy's phone buzzes. Lovett has renamed their groupchat “bloodbag?” (Ronan/Jon L, Ronan/Jon L/Tommy)

close enough to touch by somehowunbroken for HereWeAreAtTheEnd 

They come together naturally, and when it all finally clicks—well, Tommy's pretty sure it's going to be amazing.(Jon L/Jon F/Tommy)

come do a friendly thing by kenopsia (indie) for catpennies 

Lovett shrugged. “I think it probably would have been a lot of fun to see Tommy’s face if he walked in on us in a four way post coital cuddle instead of coming back to change early enough to spook us sober. But it’s not like I still… think about it.”

“Clearly,” Emily said. She pulled her legs up to sit on her feet, feeling chilly suddenly. “Since neither of us are here thinking about it.”

(Ronan/Jon L/Emily/Jon F)

Despite the heat it'll be alright by okaystop for fizzy_smile 

It was hot. (Jon L/Tommy)

A Fitting Room for Changing by SelfRescuingPrincess for laceblade 

He's been holding onto these more-than-a-best-friend feelings for over a decade and a half but it always seems not quite right to verbalize anything specific. He second guesses himself and makes “Dear Diary” jokes instead because self-deprecation is safer. Or he straight up talks himself out of it because at this point it's been so long, and what would he even say? And what would Tommy say? What if he ruined everything? Realistically, Lovett should probably say something before he self-combusts, except the thought of losing Tommy- and the potential professional fallout- is ultimately unfathomable. Unbearable. Unimaginable. So, he’ll forget it. Bury it. (Jon L/Tommy)

Hallmark Moments by Moreanswers24 for celli 

Hallmark and Lifetime wish that they could write a relationship as captivating as the one between Jon Favreau and Emily Black.

But if Emily has her way, Hallmark and Lifetime are going to want to write about another relationship instead.

College AU. Pre-JonJon (Emily & Jon F, pre Jon F/Jon L)

here i am, rock you like a hurricane by fizzy_smile for ruthvsreality 

What is with that devilish glint in Dan's blue eyes? (Jon L/Dan)

home is wherever i'm with you by moonlitelupines for Laliandra 

He turns to Tommy and suddenly it’s the easiest thing in the world to lean in and place a kiss on his lips. Lovett hasn’t let himself think about kissing Tommy, a fact true even before he met Ronan. It felt like he was tempting fate by indulging in the fantasy. Because Lovett was sure that’s all it was ever going to be.

But, this isn’t fantasy. This is real.

~ Or, how an earthquake and a questionably functional elevator help Lovett, Ronan, and Tommy see what's been in front of them all along. (Ronan/Jon L, Ronan/Jon L/Tommy)

i want you to love me/i have everything i wanted by tealwall for waronchairs 

“I want to. Even if we don’t hit it off romantically, it would still be nice to third-wheel with you on the boys’ date.” (Jon F/Tommy, Emily/Hanna, Hanna/Tommy, Emily/Jon F)

No before, you are all I can see by swishandflick for kenopsia (indie) 

As fall rapidly swallows the last vestiges of summer, Lovett prepares to leave, and Tommy desperately tries to hold on. (Jon L/Tommy)

No One Knows Where They Belong by celli for whenlifehandsyou 

Jon and Emily are in love with someone else.

Lovett's going to figure out who it is. (Emily/Jon F/Jon L)

perfect use of an imperfect medium by earnestbros (departureboard) for hopefor46 

Human sexuality is complex! Lovett pleads with himself as he adds chips and guacamole to his order. There’s an entire universe between what you find theoretically hot and what you actually want to happen to your physical body.

OR

Lovett stumbles across Jon's porn search history, and he can't help but notice how much of it is Lovett-and-Tommy-adjacent. (Jon F/Jon L/Tommy)

Reach out and touch someone by hopefor46 for moonlitelupines 

Sometimes, middle school math teacher Jon Lovett's teachable moments are best suited for himself. (Jon L/Tommy)

Save Up All the Days by Laliandra for thetimesinbetween 

What you’re supposed to do is let your marker touch it, spend some time in each other’s company and let whatever strange energy that has connected you settle, find out what kind of mark effects you have, if it feels like something that could become a bond.

What Lovett does is dig out his one long sleeved henley and go to bed. (Jon L/Jon F/Tommy)

Shine a little light on me by whenlifehandsyou for tealwall 

It's been a real long pandemic. The foursome is finally alone together again after over a year apart. There's a lot of sex and feelings to catch up on. (Ronan/Emily/Jon F/Jon L)

Take Me Out to the Ball Game by HereWeAreAtTheEnd for okaystop 

When Lovett was growing up, he had always dreamed of playing professional baseball for the New York Yankees. Who knew a 5’7 jewish kid from Long Island would end up an MLB catcher? In spite of the antisemitism he faced and keeping his sexuality hidden, Lovett found dear friends in the Major Leagues, including Boston Red Sox catcher Tommy Vietor.

When the Yankees and Mets face off at a 3 game series at Fenway Park, Lovett is introduced to team captain and star pitcher Jon Favreau. Can Lovett look past Favereau's polished all-American persona or will his initial distrust and the Yankees/Red Sox rivalry keep him from finding something that could change everything? (Jon F/Jon L, Past Ronan/Jon L, Past Tommy/Jon F)

there's a spark in you by somehowunbroken for alotofthingsdifferent 

As it turns out, finding out you have a soulmate is nothing like it is in the movies. (Jon L/Dan)

this is our place, we make the rules by Sonni89 for earnestbros (departureboard) 

Sometimes it takes a truly ridiculous game to realize you’re all in love. Or, life’s fundamental question: can you gay chicken the gay one? (Jon L/Tommy/Jon F)

with the assist by bitterbeets (ginnydear), ginnydear for SelfRescuingPrincess 

Lovett loses a bet and has to wear a Lakers jersey all day. It causes quite the response. (Jon L/Tommy/Jon F)

You Matter to Me by waronchairs for ginnydear 

Five times Tommy and Lovett engage in non-sexual intimacy, and one time they don't. (Tommy/Jon L)

[itafushikugism]

every week i say "this is the best mandalorian episode" and every week i am wrong in the best way everyone say thank you dave filoni and jon favreau

[disneyplusfan]

Revisiting our first viewing of The Mandalorian S01E01

A look back at our reactions to Season 1 episodes as the new season of The Mandalorian begins.

November 24, 2019

The Mandalorian: Chapter 1 recap by K (includes detailed spoilers)

A Mandalorian bounty hunter tracks a target for a well-paying client.

Directed by Dave Filoni

Written by Jon Favreau

Music by Ludwig Gӧransson

Airdate: Nov 12, 2019

As I write this, I have watched the first three episodes of The Mandalorian three times now. I’m hooked. I did not expect to be. I expected to like it well enough — but not to love it. 

I’m a Star Wars fan for *cough* many years, since childhood. Adore the original trilogy, intrigued yet annoyed by the prequels, less than wow’ed by the final trilogy. I like Rogue One. I also liked Solo, although I get that I’m one of maybe three people in that camp. I have not watched Clone Wars. So this is my frame of reference.

Boba Fett is perhaps my favorite character. He is one of the best characters in the franchise, and I will die on that hill. You know next to nothing about him, and that adds to his mystique. I read Tales of the Bounty Hunters and Tales of Jabba’s Palace back in the day, and “Last Man Standing: The Tale of Boba Fett” and his showdown with Han Solo will always be the quintessential Boba Fett/Mandalorian story for me, canon or not. I was enraged when they changed his voice in the original trilogy to Jango’s (like he couldn’t just be disguising his voice??). 

For me, Boba Fett is the original Mandalorian against whom all others will be measured. I have spoken. 

All this to say, my standards were high. My expectations for The Mandalorian in particular would have been even higher, if I wasn’t somewhat disappointed by the final trilogy of films. And this was the first live action Star Wars television series, so it’s uncharted territory. 

I also managed not to be spoiled at all for this show going in, which was how I like it. Everything came to me fresh as I watched.

From the establishing shot, the cinematography is like the original series movies. Check. You feel immediately immersed in the Star Wars universe. Check. It’s a snowy ice world, like Hoth but greyer and flatter in terrain.

The titular Mandalorian, who is all but certainly not Boba Fett, as he looks a bit different in his armor (and the show is set 5 years or so after Return of the Jedi, which you don’t know yet in the show itself but meaning Boba Fett should be dead by now, or at least dying in the Sarlacc’s belly), looks good. Same imposing figure, same mysterious-yet-badass immediate impression in his imposing armor and weaponry. Can he pull it off? I mean that for the actor as much as the character. I know nothing about which actor is playing him (Pedro Pascal, from Game of Thrones, I learn later). I’ve remained completely unspoiled. 

He’s holding a tracking device. So, also a bounty hunter. Check.

He’s heading for an establishment, a darkened bar, or saloon, or cantina. Inwardly I eyeroll a little. Another cantina?

From inside the bar we see the round spiral blast door opens from the middle outward and the Mandalorian is darkly silhouetted against the icy white exterior landscape. 

Nice, iconic character-establishing shot. I am interested.

Simultaneously, the music starts. A soft, repetitive, lulling theme of eight wind notes vaguely Native American in tone that we will come to know quite well. For now, it adds a touch of mystery and suspense. The lulling, almost hypnotic aspect of the music gives the sense this is all just routine, and the Mandalorian’s short, almost imperceptible shake of the head as an insult is hurled at him seems to add to this effect.

Two patrons of the bar, a couple of aliens, have been roughing up a meek, chubby merman guy, some kind of aquatic creature. He’s a new species so that’s interesting. They are bullies, who threatened to cut off his glands, so the violent type, and it feels like Mos Eisley or worse. Inwardly I eyeroll again because we’ve seen this before in the original Star Wars film, A New Hope. Don’t they have any new ideas? 

The Star Wars universe has at least one entire galaxy to play with. Yes, establish place as the Star Wars universe with familiar things. But within that we don’t need to keep seeing so many of the same things we have seen before. Give us some easter eggs because we’re fans, but give us new things to love, too. It’s a balance, and I personally want more new than repeat. One of my main gripes with the final trilogy is that it’s too much of the same, just with new characters who aren’t fleshed out and developed enough for me to care about them. But that’s another review.

So it’s a cantina, and they want Star Wars fans who are perhaps not as well versed as me (like say, my sister) to be oriented. Fine, I’ll be patient. I don’t doubt a bounty hunter will frequently find himself in such places.

All the patrons’ eyes are on the Mandalorian as he enters and stands at the bar counter. If you haven’t started to feel vaguely Western elements yet, they start to come now. He’s got his back to the rest of the bar, waiting. Almost baiting. The bullies immediately shift focus leaving the merman alone to go pick on him instead. It’s a mistake and everyone knows it. But they must test our hero. And I too, as if just another patron at this cantina, want to see them test him. I’m curious. 

The loud one calls him “Mando!” and we have something of a name to call him for now. But it might be an insult and I’m not quite sure yet. 

They seem interested in his armor — Beskar Steel — and this is something I personally have not heard of before. I’m interested.

A bit of Mandalorian taunting and a quick fight later, one of the bullies who tried to escape the bar is pulled into the blast door entryway as the Mandalorian’s grappling hook yanks him halfway back inside, and closes it, severing him in half. I let out a bitter laugh. It wouldn’t be Star Wars without some bully losing a body part in a bar fight, right? Check. And the Mandalorian proved himself badass, so far. 

He goes over to the merman, who first just tries to thank him, then bribe him with credits and a drink. The stoic, imposing Mandalorian simply places a disc on the table in front of him, and immediately a holographic image pops up showing his face and name in Basic. 

“Is that a bounty puck?” the merman asks. A device that’s new to me, perhaps not to others. Further interested. The weak man tries bargaining some more.

The Mandalorian brings a hand to his blaster and speaks for the first time. 

“I can bring you in hot, or I can bring you in cold.” 

Cut to opening title credits. 

Perfect first line. 

The voice itself doesn’t immediately wow me. It’s not as grizzled as Fett’s, it’s younger and somehow... unseasoned? I’m not sure. But it’s not Jango’s voice, so I’m willing to accept it. And again I think, why couldn’t Boba Fett have kept his original Jeremy Bulloch voice? 

Title credits. Nice font. The drum beat theme music that also sounds vaguely Western. I like it. 

Then we are back outside on the ice world, walking back up the path where we first saw the Mandalorian. He’s got the merman in handcuffs. 

“I need passage, to the yards.”

An Ortollan, a species from the original series, plays a little flute and a land speeder comes up piloted by a droid. 

“No droids.” 

I find it interesting that our Mandalorian would prefer a living creature to a machine as a programmed droid should be more reliable but perhaps machines can be remote controlled, or else there’s a story there that I really want to hear.

The Ortolan plays his flute again and the next speeder comes up, a red one. It's considerably more broken down than the previous one, driven by an older guy in a hooded coat. “Where to?” 

They pull up to a silver-colored ship of some kind, bigger than the Slave IV I think. Kind of clunky, really, more like a C-130 cargo transport than an F-16 fighter jet — not what you’d expect to be necessary for a bounty hunter to make quick getaways. Merman agrees with me. 

“You’re kidding me, right? I’ll hire us a Livery Cruiser. I’ll pay for it. Just trying to make it pleasant.”

The speeder pilot meanwhile is scanning the horizon anxiously and demands payment. The Mando pays him. “I’d stay off the ice if I were you.” Something’s gonna attack, and probably from beneath the ice. Can’t wait.

Merman is worried and watches the speeder depart into the distance as the Mando readies the ship. 

Something launches up from under the ice and consumes the speeder, and a snakelike body with dragon-like spinal plates disappears beneath it again. Merman freaks out and demands they hurry as the ice cracks in their direction. 

The Mando yanks him out of the way just in time for a giant walrus-tusked creature with a long body launches out next to the ship. It catches part of the ship’s landing gear in its mouth as they try to take off and there’s a familiar sound effect like the Falcon losing power. 

The Mandalorian grabs his tuning-fork weapon from outside the cabin doors (where it stays when it’s not on his back) and heads out to fight. The creature has one of the landing gear legs in its mouth as the music swells very tribal. One zap from the tuning fork weapon and the creature is electrified, immediately lets go, and they escape.

The ship is more impressive in air than on the ground as two enormous jets fire. It seems heavy though. I don’t see any weapons except two forward cannons of some kind, but of course there is probably ample hidden weaponry. Can’t wait. 

Once in space the merman starts bargaining and conversing but the Mandalorian is silent, having none of it. 

“I like your ship,” the merman says, now trying to butter him up. “She’s classic. Razor Crest, am I right? Pre-Empire?”

So it’s an older ship. The cockpit, entryway and ramp, halls and hull are quite wide and roomy. It makes sense that a bounty hunter needs room to carry cargo. I suppose some quarry may be quite large depending on species. I’d like to see him have to capture something large. I wonder if he has a larger ship because he’s young, and can’t yet afford something speedier. Or perhaps he loves it, despite being old and possibly rickety, like Han loved the Falcon. It doesn’t look like it’s been through the wars, though, so that’s a mystery. Can’t wait to learn more about the ship. 

Merman goes below on the pretense of having to use the evacuation tube. There’s some funny toilet humor here. There’s no restroom, the evac tube is in the middle of the floor against a wall--kind of like a New York City basement apartment I viewed once. To the right of the evac tube is a wall with what looks like a palette inside -- I guess that’s where the Mandalorian sleeps? It’s hard to tell.

Merman keeps exploring as he talks. Finds a cache of weapons but surprisingly just closes it again. And then he finds the other bounties.

This actually pissed me off on first viewing. The Mandalorian has several other quarry below deck--all encased in carbonite. I did a massive eyeroll here. Boba Fett (really, Vader) encased Han in carbonite as a matter of convenience at the location they were at in Cloud City. It was a test to see if he could transport Luke that way to the Emperor--IF he survived. But it’s NOT like it was the preferred mode of choice for bounty hunters to transport their quarry. So why would this Mandalorian just happen to have not just bounties in carbon freeze on his ship but has a carbon freezing /chamber/ on the ship, as he shoves the merman into it. 

This really annoyed me until a friend suggested maybe the other hunters heard about Fett and Han at Jabba’s Palace and it became a thing once they knew it wouldn’t kill the bounty. After some thought I have accepted this idea, even though it seems quick if this is only set 5 years after Jedi. Still, the other Mandalorians would have been among the first to know, and it’s a more practical mode of transport allowing low risk of escape and not having to address your quarry’s various biological needs. Also easily stackable while protecting them. So okay, I’ve come to accept it. 

Mando arrives at a spaceport in a semi-large desert city, that actually looks a lot like Tatooine--both what we’ve seen from the original trilogy and the prequels. They never actually state where we are at any of these locations, but this is my theory. There’s a droid like Red, there are people walking around dressed like Tatooine inhabitants. More evidence comes later in the series.

He enters another drinking establishment that seems to be the meeting place for his contact. The feel is very much like the bar where Han shot Greedo, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it was even the same one years later. Aliens of all types, again, watching him closely.

He meets his contact and returns the fobs. Payment is arranged. The Mandalorian says the Empire is gone, and he accepts Calamari flan at half than Imperial credits at full payment. 

The question of the next job comes up. Guild rates are high. The Mando wants the highest. 5,000 doesn’t cover fuel these days. 

The contact says “Well, there is one job.” No puck. Face to face, direct commission. Pays well. “Underworld?” No codes. The Mandalorian accepts the chip.

More of the city. Goes to a back-alley establishment. Arrives at a door with a  TT-8L/Y7 gatekeeper droid, like at Jabba’s Palace. Inside is a walking garbage-can droid like in the Jawa’s ship. I take this as more evidence we are on Tatooine, though of course these items could be sold throughout the galaxy.

Inside there are four Stormtroopers. An older man with an Imperial pendant who is clearly the leader and client. “Greef Carga said you were coming.” So that’s the Mando’s contact back at the bar. “He said you were the best in the parsec.” Haha, at least we are using parsec correctly now.

A side door opens, which startles the Mandalorian and he draws his tuning fork weapon (a modified amban phase-pulse blaster rifle). The four Stormtroopers draw also. A younger man with glasses comes in, shielding his face, apologizing profusely. The client introduces him as Doctor Pershing. A scientist. The Mandalorian still has weapons drawn in both hands, facing off with the Stormtroopers. “We have you four to one.” “I like those odds,” he responds. “He also said you were expensive. Very expensive.” 

All calms down and the client invites him to sit. He unfolds a block of beskar steel as down payment. He has more upon delivery of the asset -- alive. Proof of termination is also acceptable for a lower fee. The Doctor protests. 

No puck. Tracking fob, age, and last known positional data only. The quarry is 50 years old. 

“It is good to return the beskar back to the Mandalorians. It is good to restore the natural order of things after so much disarray, don’t you agree?”

The Mandalorian pauses here and almost imperceptibly again cocks his head. He touched a nerve. Amazing how an actor can still convey so much behind a helmet. I still don’t know this actor but he’s pulling it off. 

More of the city. Whatever that laughing thing was at Jabba’s feet, two of his species are roasting on a spit. One more is in a cage. (It’s a Kowakian monkey-lizard like Salacious Crumb. I had to look that up.)

The Mandalorian ducks in behind a curtain. Down some steps. Strings here that sound very Star Wars. A long hall with other Mandalorians about. Some have the helmet antenna like Fett. Some are small, running. Children.

At the end of the hall over the archway is a Mandalorian skull emblem. Within is a person working at a forge, hammering metal and heating it over a ring of open gas flames like Bunsen burners. The blacksmith, which IMDB tells me is Armorer, comes forward and sits down with our Mandalorian. There is fur around the collar, the helmet is different, golden with two small horns, and looks more like a gladiator helmet. From the way she moves, and especially once she speaks, this is a woman. I am intrigued, since I have not seen a female Mandalorian before. They nod respectfully to one another. The Mando produces his payment: the Calamari flan--and then, the bar of Beskar steel, marked with an Imperial insignia at one corner. She is visibly surprised and impressed.

“This was gathered in the Great Purge. It is good it is back with the tribe. A pauldron is in order. Has your signet been revealed?”

“Not yet.” 

“Soon.” 

A pause here to discuss armor. Any show about Mandalorians was going to have certain elements. Ships, weapons, lore, armor. 

Mandalorian armor is famous in the Star Wars universe. Beskar steel, the material it is made of, is strong, and can withstand almost anything, yet very light, rather like mithril in the Lord of the Rings universe. It would seem the Great Purge by the Empire included not just Jedi but Mandalorians, and their armor was melted into bars, as currency or for transport. (This is speculation on my part.) And that a goal of the Mandalorians is to reclaim as much beskar as possible, and reforge it back into Mandalorian armor. 

The blacksmith does just this and makes him a pauldron, or shoulder cover, from the bar of beskar. She tells him this is extremely generous and the excess will sponsor many foundlings.

“That’s good,” he responds. “I was once a foundling.”

“I know.”

A bit more of our hero’s background. 

Her forge is a combination of computerized part designs and heavy iron machinery, like a 3-D printer on steroids. And as it bangs out the new pauldron each loud clang of metal on metal shows us a brief flashback of our Mandalorian’s memories. A battle with fire and sparks all around. A woman in dark red robe carrying a boy also in dark red robe. He is terrified. Presumably this is our hero. She is carrying him, he’s maybe 8-10 years old. A man is with her, her husband? People getting shot--massacred--all around them as they run. Explosions. She opens an underground container of some sort, deposits the boy. He has brown hair, brown eyes, and olive skin. He reaches for her as the doors close. And then the pauldron is completed; the flashbacks stop.

Having viewed 3 episodes already, this becomes a pattern and I love this device. You get a little more of his backstory with each piece of armor, with each clang of the forge. It’s perfect. It makes sense that in these moments as he waits in this safe place, he might slip into memories. Or perhaps they come unbidden at this time for some reason. There’s also a nice theme of memories being buried beneath his armor, along with his emotions. And only when there’s a chink in the armor, does it show through.

The pauldron goes on, shiny and new, and for the first time I notice the wipes. A center point wipe expanding outward, with fuzzy borders, and so very Star Wars that it makes you smile. 

He heads to another planet that looks from space like Tatooine. If we weren’t on Tatooine before, we might be now. We are at least in the vicinity. It’s a desert planet with jagged sandstone cliffs all around. He lands his shiny ship, and gets out with the fob. He looks through his turning-fork weapon’s scope, and spots two distant creatures I can only describe as land grouper with legs and long tails. Suddenly he is attacked by one, sinking its teeth into his arm before he can get a shot off, and then a second, and though he fights with flamethrower and even fists, it looks like we will lose our hero until someone shoots them with taser darts. 

It appears our hero is not wounded, but his arm pieces are damaged. 

A small man with a piglike face and a kind, wise voice and goggles on his head. An ugnaught. Remember them from the original trilogy? IMDB tells me his name is Kuill, although this is never actually said in the episode, so I will refer to him as the ugnaught. 

I suspect anonymity is a running theme in this show, as part of the Western genre. So far we’ve heard almost no character names (which makes writing reviews a little difficult). I’m wondering if there’s any significance to the ones we do know, vs. the ones we don’t.

“You are a bounty hunter. I will help you. I have spoken.” This last part is his trademark line, as we’ll see. I love it. 

We go to what looks like a wind or moisture farm. There is, from what I can see, only one sun. 

The ugnaught tells the Mandalorian that others have come looking and died. He will show him the way for half of the blurg they caught. Mando will have to learn how to ride them to pass to the compound. 

On the first few attempts the blurg throws him. Apparently it’s a female; the males are all eaten during mating. (Thanks for that tidbit, Kuiil.) He gets thrown again and loses patience, asking for a speeder. 

The ugnaught challenges him. 

“You are a Mandalorian. Your ancestors rode the great mythosaur. Surely you can ride this young blurg.” 

Our hero is challenged; the words touched him. He approaches the blurg like a wild horse that needs breaking in, and the Western theme is back, even in the music. Eventually he succeeds, a triumphant moment that impresses the ugnaught, and they’re off across the landscape full of ravines that only the blurg can jump, apparently. The theme music swells until they arrive at a cliff where they can spy on the encampment. This is where the bounty hunter’s quarry is. 

Mando tries to pay him off. Ugnaught reveals his motive: it’s been an endless stream of warriors trying to get this quarry, breaking the peace. He’s read the stories about Mandalorians and believes ours can make quick work of it and bring peace back to his land. 

Our boy does some recon with a hand telescope and the place is swarming. Then he spots a bounty droid, and groans. The droid is just walking right in, and demands the asset be produced.

The bounty droid looks like IG-88 from The Empire Strikes Back and again, for a moment, I almost eye rolled because really, can’t we see something new? All bounty droids look the same? But whereas IG-88 just stood there, this one moves, and the way he moves is COOL. Although humanoid in appearance like 3PO (head, two arms, two legs), unlike 3PO he appears to operate around a central pole or spine, allowing his parts to rotate 360 degrees. This includes his head, his eyes, his arms and therefore weapons, and his waist/hips. It gives him an amazing advantage as he can just keep spinning and shooting. The way he steps over a body is awesome. He’s also really skinny and thus hard to hit. Whole new respect for the IG series. 

This IG unit is also funny, and his repartee with our Mandalorian is instant comedic chemistry. There’s a fantastic shootout, where they team up, and as they are outnumbered, the bounty droid seeing no way out, keeps trying to self-destruct. “Do not self destruct!” our Mando keeps shouting at him, and after a very badass moment with an [ion machine gun], by the end they win, and everyone in the yard lies dead. Mando helps him up, saying “You’re not so bad for a droid,” and the droid replies likewise. I saw a sidekick in the making. They shoot their way inside, kill a few more people until there’s no one left, and determine the quarry is just before them in the corner. 

Except there is no one there, just a white ball looking thing with a net over it that the fobs indicate is the target. 

They remove the net, and open the ball, which is really more egg-shaped. 

And then it opens, it looks more like a bassinet with a blanket inside. 

“Wait--” says Mando. “They said 50 years old.”

“Species age differently,” replies the IG unit. And we get our first glimpse over the top of the blanket as he says “Perhaps it could live many centuries. Sadly, we’ll never know.” And as he’s speaking, a little head peeks over the blanket.

Oh. My. God. And in this one moment, I am glued to this show forever. 

It’s a baby Yoda. 

Except it isn’t Yoda, because Yoda’s dead. But we don’t know Yoda’s species name, and we don’t know the baby’s given name, so we will call it what the internet has dubbed it in the meantime: Baby Yoda. 

And this moment, above all, is the biggest reason I am so glad I wasn’t spoiled. 

Baby Yoda is the most adorable, most precious, most endearing thing you have ever seen. And in a franchise that has at times been criticized for its more saccharine “cute” creatures that appeal to young children (Ewoks, anyone?), this is one we can all get behind.

Baby Yoda is CUTE. <3

Baby Yoda is everything.

Remember my aversion to anything we’ve seen already? I NO LONGER CARE. Looking at those huge brown eyes and long floppy ears, this doesn’t even cross my mind. 

I would give my life for Baby Yoda. I know this all in one second.

And the IG unit is about to kill it. 

Apparently our Mando feels something similar. 

“Wait,” he says, and reaching out he lowers the IG unit’s weapon. “We’ll bring it in alive.”

“The commission was quite specific. The asset was to be terminated.” The IG unit raises his blaster again, aimed squarely at the crib.

The camera closes in on the Mandalorian’s helmet, fixed on the bassinet, and there is a red blaster flash from his right, reflected in the helmet. The Mando’s head never moves. 

But the IG unit falls to the floor, shot in the head. Sizzling. He’s toast. 

Our guy shot him without even looking. He’s fixated on Baby Yoda, as we all are. He puts his own blaster away, and tilts his head.

The camera cuts to a gorgeous profile, backlit from a doorway. The Mandalorian stands before the crib, which is now floating in the air at waist height. He raises a finger towards the crib, as a tiny finger comes up from inside it. They don’t quite meet. 

End credits. 

End credits for this show are a series of beautiful concept drawings and if you know Star Wars at all, these are some stunning art. The whole theme also plays over the end credits and it is hauntingly beautiful. Ludwig Gӧransson’s score is perfect. 

Thoughts.

Themes: Space western. Anonymity. (Even the ship still has no name, just a model.) Foundlings. Characters that seem to have no family, but instead bond in other social ways (covert/religion, bounty hunter guild/profession). Remnants. Loss.  

I LOVE the concept art at the end. Fans love this concept art, and I have a couple of books of it myself. Nice way to incorporate it into the series. You can see how the original concept and final product differ (very little, in most cases) and a few intriguing pieces that were either filmed but cut from the final edit or never filmed. I love how they add the 3-D effect to some of the drawings, and I still don’t know how Hollywood achieves that. 

Concept art round-up: 

Mando and Baby Yoda’s ET moment 

Some intriguing glow-dice game between two Mandalorians? I need to know more about this.

Mando firing a blaster

Mando entering a cantina

Mando and Kuiil on Blurrback

Mando and IG-11 taking cover during battle

Mando and Kuiil entering Kuiil’s home

Mando walking on the icescape with his back facing the camera

Mando battling the ice creature while hanging out of the Razor Crest

Mando and IG-11 standing shoulder to shoulder

Mando on Blurrgback

Taika Waititi is amazing as the IG unit bounty droid. Never would have guessed it was him.

Werner Herzog is perfect as The Client, I love his voice, and the article/video about him crying over Baby Yoda. 

This show is going to get me writing fanfic again, dammit. 

*****

The Mandalorian: Chapter 1 recap by K (includes detailed spoilers)

A Mandalorian bounty hunter tracks a target for a well-paying client.

Directed by Dave Filoni

Written by Jon Favreau

Music by Ludwig Gӧransson Airdate: Nov 12, 2019

Run Time: 40m

Greef Karga (Carl Weathers)

The Client (Werner Herzog)

Dr. Pershing (Omid Abtahi)

Kuiil (Nick Nolte, voice)

IG-11 (Taika Waititi, voice; Rio Hackford, performance artist)

Mythrol (Horatio Sanz)

Alpha Trawler (Tait Fletcher)

Beta Trawler (Ryan Watson)

Quarren Trawler (Dmitrious Bistrevsky)

Armorer (Emily Swallow)

[hazinhoodies]

everyone say THANK YOU TAIKA WAITITI AND JON FAVREAU

[rodrickheffeley]

We are getting so much MCU content. Everyone say thank you Tony Stark, Iron Man (2008) dir. Jon Favreau and Robert Downey Jr.

[stubbychaos]

OKAY BUT YOU SAYING WINSTON DUKE AS PAZ IS THE BIGGEST MOOD BC IVE BEEN THINKING THE SAME THING CAUSE MY BRAINS JUST LIKE “big large man in armor but big large man Winston? Serotonin.”

I know this has been a popular headcanon for a little while now and if anyone knows who originally came up with this headcanon, please let me know so I can credit them properly because I know this is kind of popular on Ao3 and I absolutely get it.

Winston Duke being Paz is literally my favorite thing ever and it's just??? Perfect?? A close friend of mine actually told me that they could see Joe Manganiello playing Paz, so I'm trying to keep it as ambiguous as possible in my story bc I want everyone to be able to envision their own perfect Mandalorian, but...

I literally started writing Saviin'ika after watching Us and seeing how much of a thick dumb bitch his character was compared to our queen Lupita, I can't go back lol.

Winston Duke is just... well, he's so freaking gorgeous and perfect and I'm so sorry if that's who I'm inspired by bc I literally love him so much and he deserves all of the love in the world.

Let's be real, we all love what Jon Favreau did for the fandom and I know he technically voiced our favorite blue boy, but he IS NOT OUR PAZ 👏👏 HE IS NOT OUR BIG BEEFY SIX FOOT FIVE BLUE BOI THAT COULD DESTROY US WITH A TILT OF THAT DUMB BLUE HELMET.

I'm in the middle of writing the next chapter and all I can picture is my hunky boi, Winston Duke, sooo...

THANK U FOR THE VALIDATION ANON.

[ohwellokcomputer]

everyone say thank you jon favreau

[imagines-dreams]

First Meeting(s) - Tom Holland Imagine

Rating: G

Warnings: meet-cute, budding feelings

Summary: Stacy, an intern at Stark Industries, is told to give Peter Parker some pictures from his Germany “trip.” / You are auditioning for the role of Stacy in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. During your last callback, you have to do a chemistry read with Tom Holland.

Word Count: 1774

Notes: So this might be a series??? Idk, I had an idea, I ran with it. Sorry if it’s a mess, also I wrote this for a poc!reader, but I’m not sure if I mentioned anything specific

~ - ~

You smiled. “Hi, I’m looking for Peter Parker. I was told he’d be here for Academic Decathlon practice.”

The young man nodded. “Yes, he’s right over there.”

“He might quit though!” One of the girls shouted. “You never know.”

“He did quit band,” another one added. When everyone looked at her with knowing eyes, she only raised an eyebrow. “I’m observant.”

You tilted your head. “What can you observe about me then?”

She tilted her head and looked you up and down. “Type A, private school, intern.”

“You can call me Stacy.”

“Michelle.”

“Anyway, Peter?”

“That’s, uh, me. I’m Peter.” He looked shorter in pictures. His layers of clothing hid the superhero muscle you knew was underneath. His backpack was on the floor, and if anyone stared closely enough, it wasn’t a standard backpack. It wasn’t the patches or the pins that made it special. No, it was the plastered web fluid on the corner, perhaps from a misfire or leftover from when he webs it to walls. 

You cleared your throat and as you walked to Peter you purposely brushed your foot against the misplaced webs to smear it, turning it effectively into a smudge or stain. 

You handed Peter the folder. “Ms. Potts told me to give this to you.”

“Ms. Potts?” Peter took the folder and smiled at it. “What is it? Why-”

“Pictures,” you said. “From the last intern conference.”

He blinked a few times, and for a split second, you could see Peter’s face contort in confusion. There was no such thing as a Stark intern conference. With one look at you and your tale-telling expression, he nodded. “Yeah, yeah the, uh, conference, that I was at. With you, of course. Cause you’re also an intern.”

“Yes, in the research department,” you helped.

“Yeah!” He laughed. “And I met you at the conference...”

You laughed. “Stacy.”

“Right, Stacy. I remember that.”

You laughed. “You know, for a Stark mentee, you have pretty bad memory.”

“I’m just trying my best.” Peter shrugged.

“Hey, it’s all good. We all are.” You leaned in close to whisper. “You might wanna not leave webs on your backpack, though.”

Peter’s eyes widened. He leaned down and whispered back, “You, uh, saw webs on my backpack? That’s, I mean, that’s insane.”

“Mhm.” You tilted your head. “Mr. Stark told me about what you do for your internship.” Peter Parker held his breath, but you just smiled. “Helping out at the Avengers Compound must be exciting.”

“You know, you don’t have to help Parker,” another boy said, a smug smirk on his face. “We know his Stark internship is boring as hell. Not to mention, he’d probably never meet any of the Avengers.”

“Hm.” You hummed and held out your hand. Peter put the envelope in your hands. “Do you mind, Peter?”

“Not really. What are you-”

You opened the envelope and grabbed the first picture. A printed picture of Peter with Black Widow. She was staring at the camera, clearly amused by Peter’s attempt to get a selfie with her. As you suspected, Peter wasn’t in the suit. It was after whatever happened in Berlin. So, his eye was forming a bruise, if you looked very closely, but he had this infectious smile, so it was easy to overlook. 

Almost. You couldn’t believe that the kid you just met, that stuttering, clumsy kid, was Spider-Man. How could a fifteen-year-old do all this? Sure, you had a similar-ish schedule. But your internship was in the research department. You reviewed simple calculations and offered an idea or two. Sometimes, you got to see Ms. Potts walk through the hallways. She said hi to you once.

You squealed when she left.

Those were your exciting moments. 

Peter’s exciting moments was fighting other superheroes and chasing bad guys and swinging through New York.

You glanced at Peter. That kid with a nervous smile was really something.

“Black Widow?!” screeched the kid with that smug look on his face. Well, he had a smug look on his face. It dropped when he saw that Peter really had met the Avengers. He reached out for the envelope, but you pulled them away and handed them back to Peter. “Sorry, here you go.”

He laughed. “That was amazing.”

“It was nothing.” You glanced at that annoying kid, and you couldn’t help but giggle that escaped your lips. “Plus, that was really satisfying, not gonna lie.”

“Still,” Peter insisted, “I could never do that.”

You scoffed. “Please! I know you do braver things.” 

He laughed and looked around, as if trying to hide the fact that his cheeks were turning a slight pink. “I, uh, I mean… not with that.” He shrugged. “I don’t know.” 

You nudged him. “Hey, don’t worry about it. But, if you ever wanna talk, they call me Stacy. And I intern in the labs at Stark Tower. My boss is really nice and lets me take breaks when I need it, or if a friend visits.”

Peter nodded. “I might swing by.”

Your jaw dropped. “Did you just-” You hit him again. “I hate you. I rescind my offer.” You picked up your things. 

Peter laughed. “Hey, what? That was uncalled for! Stace!”

You laughed. “See ya, Peter.” You saluted him with two fingers and left for your internship. Couldn’t leave precious biotech sims and cell cultures by themselves after all.

~ - ~

Tom was stunned for a moment. You were good. You held this confident air around you when you played Gwen. Sure, other girls have too, but you did it with such grace. At that moment, he could see the entire franchise’s span with him and you on the posters. Sure, you didn’t look like the Gwen Stacy from the comics, but you were her in every sense. Sharp, clever, graceful, kind. 

Your eyes met his. When Tom didn’t say anything, you looked through the script. “Sorry, is it my line?”

“No!” He cleared his throat. “Uh, you did a great job.”

You sighed. “Oh, good.” You laughed. “Thank you. You did a great job, too.”

“Alright, thank you, (Y/n). If you got the part, you should get a call from us within the next two weeks.”

You nodded. “Thank you so much for the opportunity.” You shook hands with Sarah Finn and Jon Watts. Then, you smiled at Tom and held out you hand. “And it was nice meeting you, Tom.”

“Yeah, yeah, you too.” He shook your hand. “Hopefully, we can see each other soon.”

“Definitely.”

Just as you approached your car, the man you played opposite of ran outside of the building and called your name. 

You rubbed your tired eyes and smiled. “Yes?”

“Sorry, uh,” Tom stuttered as he tried to catch his breath. You assumed it was from running, but in truth, the actor was just trying to compose himself long enough to talk to you without sounding like an incoherent mess. So, Tom shook his head and stood up straight. “Sorry, I just forgot to ask for your number.”

You blinked a few times. “Right. Of course, you need my number.” He did not need your number, but you were too tired, and perhaps you were supposed to swap numbers. It must’ve slipped your mind. He handed his phone to you, and you typed in your number. 

“Uh, thanks. So sorry about that,” Tom apologized again.

You shrugged. “No problem. It’s nice meeting you.” You laughed. “Again.”

“Yes. Lovely meeting you.” He smiled. “Well, I can’t keep you. Have a nice day.”

“You, too.”

It wasn’t until a few weeks later, much after the two-week deadline, did you realize that Tom was too fit to be out of breath from a very short run. So, that meant there was another reason why the actor wasn’t his calm self. He did gaze at you after the scene had finished. Was it possible…

No. It wasn’t. And even if it was, it didn’t matter. You weren’t going to see him again.

And even if you and he crossed paths again for another project or for an awards show, you were both actors. Cameras and gossip magazines took your privacy away. It’d be too complicated. So, no use in thinking about it.

Your phone rang. The area code was familiar. Maybe it was another open audition. You answered, “Hello, (Y/n) (Y/l/n) speaking,” and grabbed your planner just in case.

“Hi, it’s Tom.”

“Oh, hi!” You smiled widely at the sound of his voice. When you realized it, you pursed your lips. “Uh, what is it?”

“I just wanted to congratulate you!”

Congratulate you? On what? 

The pen fell from your hands. He couldn’t mean. You hadn’t received a call from the casting director. Or your agent yet. “Congratulate me?” you gasped.

“Oh, uh, check your messages.”

“My what?”

“Check your texts. I sent you something.”

You opened his text to find a link. You clicked on it. It read, “The New Cast of Spider-Man: Homecoming - What We Know”. First, a paragraph on Tom Holland and his reprise of his role as Spider-Man. Then, Zendaya who was casted but no details on the person she plays. Jacob Batalon playing Ned, RDJ playing Tony Stark, Marisa Toomes as Aunt May, Jon Favreau as Happy Hogan, and then your name. 

“New and upcoming actress, (Y/n) (Y/l/n) has been cast, but little is known about the character she will play. While Laura Harrier has been confirmed to be Liz Allen, the popular teenager Peter can’t stop thinking about, there is no indication of whether or not (Y/l/n) will be a major character in the film.”

“I got the part,” you whispered. You were cast. That meant that you were given the role you auditioned for. Oh god, you were going to be Stacy!

“I got the part!” you screamed.

“Yeah, you did!” Tom shouted. “Congratulations! You deserve it!”

“Oh my god!” You laughed and shouted, “I’m Gwen Stacy!”

Tom laughed. “Sh!” he teased. “Spoilers!”

You pressed your hand against your chest as if that could calm your racing heart. “Oh, god, I can’t believe this.”

“Really? Your audition was perfect.” He sighed. “I can’t wait to start working with you.”

Working with Tom Holland, the new Spider-Man. It was a dream come true. It didn’t matter how he looked at you when your scene was done or how handsome he was, you were going to part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with an amazing leading man and cast. No matter what happened, this was going to change your life. 

With a dreamy smile, you admitted, “I can’t wait either.”

~ - ~

Am I posting this super late? Yes. Do I have any idea what to do from here? Kinda??? I mean, I don’t even know if this is a good idea, or something from my tea-infused, late-night brain, so very sorry if this sucks. I may or may not continue it. If you want me to write more (I have no clue why you would), please give me ideas??? maybe???

Anyway, thanks for reader, and have a wonderful day, readers!

[angiewang19]

contemplating about careers

At the start of spring semester, I decided to not do 3-2, and I switched to a new academic advisor, my first semester math professor. During my first meeting with Prof. Aksoy, she asked, “What do you want to do after you graduate?” 

I was stunned that she dared to ask this weighty question to a college freshman. I came from a high school that espoused “Do what you love in the moment!” and “You don’t need to plan for or think about the future; everything will fall in place when it needs to!” Most of my classmates had no idea what they wanted to do in college (let alone life), and most seniors went to college as undecided majors. 

However, when I’d get home from high school every day, my parents relentlessly pushed me to make decisions as soon as I was ready. Planning for the future would give me luxuries -- more time, more opportunities, and therefore, possibly more money, happiness, and clout. While I was quick to fall back on, “almost all of my classmates have no idea what they want to do!” they knew, as first-generation immigrants, that being undecided was a privilege. To put off any form of planning is an acknowledgement that you can afford to buy time, opportunities, happiness, and clout. It is an acknowledgement that you have options that you can tap into whenever it’s convenient for you. 

All of this went through my head as I tried to provide a coherent answer to Prof. Aksoy: “I’m thinking about going into consulting or finance. I think it might be nice to work in the industry for a few years to understand the purpose of my education, and then I’ll go to grad school. But... I don’t really know.” 

My last sentence was my only genuine thought in this jumble of words -- I really had no idea. 

She gave me a slightly disappointed look: “You need to do some soul searching. Look at your parents -- are they happy? Would you be happy doing what they do every day? You need to do something that makes you feel fulfilled.” 

Before our conversation, fulfilled was a word I never gave a second thought to. Through our conversation, I realized I wanted to go into those fields because it seemed like everyone at CMC was/is fighting to get these opportunities. I think about the Goldman Sachs information session, where they didn’t talk about what exactly they did (maybe their day-to-day is actually mundane or they just assume that everyone already knows?), but they spent a great deal of effort talking about what it’s like to live in New York City as a first-year analyst and the fact that “everyone at Goldman is just so smart.” The fact that jobs and internships in these fields are so highly sought after at CMC made these roles seem glamorous in my eyes. More importantly, I saw them as prestigious destinations, and chasing prestige is addicting. 

I found a question about consulting/finance on Quora: 

Q: Why do so many students in the Ivy League and other elite universities go into investment banking and management consulting? 

A (from a student at Wharton): A slightly majority of my classmates (and myself included) go into finance and consulting. This speaks to how we’re all insecure and value the safety of a high paying and prestigious job.

Most people (especially “students in the Ivy League and other elite universities”) aren’t idiots, so I’m sure there are decent reasons to go into either of these fields. But I realized that wanting to go into consulting/finance because “everyone else is doing it” or “it pays well” are not good enough reasons for me. Over the past few months, I realized that consulting is not a great fit for me (thank you CCG), but I still haven’t closed the door on finance. However, I don’t feel strongly about a possible career in finance (in a positive or negative light), since I haven’t done my homework on what exactly the people do. In my opinion, understanding the responsibilities of the day-to-day and the consequences of my actions at work are the first steps to figuring out whether this career will feel good in the long run. 

“Feeling good in the long run” is a nebulous phrase. In the process of trying to find more concrete understanding, I thought about the distinction between fulfillment and meaningfulness, words that are often used synonymously. I believe there’s a difference -- fulfillment is when an individual feels personally satisfied, while doing something meaningful has consequences beyond the individual doing the action (think: meaningful = full of meaning). 

They’re connected, as often doing something meaningful gives you a sense of fulfillment -- volunteering for a cause you believe in, Bryan Stevenson’s work at Equal Justice Initiative, Jon Favreau writing speeches for Obama. As Favreau mentions in his commencement address, the day-to-day grind of a fulfilling job might not be pretty, but the work can still make you feel empowered and inspired. 

To make my point about the distinction between the two words, I believe there are jobs that are meaningful but not necessarily fulfilling -- maybe serving our country via the military. According to Ben Rhodes, Obama’s deputy national security advisor, Obama remarked that the audiences he spoke to at military bases were always diverse coalitions, but as you climb higher up the chain of command, it became all white men. So while serving your country is meaningful work, I can imagine feeling cynical and disheartened if you were trying to work your way up, and you were anyone but a white male. Finally, there are jobs which I believe are fulfilling but not necessarily meaningful. Unfortunately, the first ones that come to mind are consulting and investment banking, which aren’t typically considered the most “moral” professions. For many people in the field, it’s immensely satisfying to close a deal or engage in the daily grind of solving client’s problems and being well-compensated for those efforts. But I’d argue that managing rich people’s money or consulting for Coca-Cola is self-serving and actually perpetuates inequality -- you help the rich get richer in the former and in the latter, you’re complicit in a Rust Belt child’s set of teeth completely rotting before they reach adulthood because soda is cheaper than water or other healthier alternatives. 

This is my perspective based on a limited (sheltered + privileged) worldview. It’s important to look at any opportunity from the question of fulfillment and meaningfulness, but why you make choices, especially professional choices, is more nuanced than that. Favreau says he’s been better off looking for opportunities which enable him to do something, not to be something. As immigrants, my parents tucked away many of their genuine interests in order to make a living in the very expensive Bay Area. For them, the search for meaningfulness and/or fulfillment was put on the back burner, which serves as a reminder that evaluating for meaningfulness/fulfillment/happiness is a luxury. Michelle Obama’s parents told her to make money first, and then do what makes her happy. Worded differently, money buys you any kind of freedom you’d like (hence economists say that the best gift is always cash), which buys you a sense of fulfillment or meaningfulness or whatever combination of the two you’d like. 

As a starry-eyed, ambitious, and naive college student like me, I’ve kept Andrew Lee's advice in mind: “Money isn't the most important thing, but money goes where value is being created - for me, this was a really hard pill to swallow coming out of college, but you'll notice people at the top of their field tend to be able to move to other fields and have come from other fields. Why? Well, it turns out a lot of them started in places where they were surrounded by the best resources - sometimes that is money, sometimes that is people, sometimes, that is technology (or some other resource that helps you shape reality). Early in your career, people tell you to pursue your passion, but it's really the intersection of passion, economic engine, and what the market will bear. As a result, people who go to money first, find it then easier to go out of it than the other way around. It's not that you won't learn anything elsewhere, but you learn with more resources, and it turns out most people go to where resources are.”

So... I feel like this post has taken a windy path, where I ramble a ton. Scrolling up, I notice that I start with my conversation with my academic advisor, and I go to the differences between meaningfulness and fulfillment. Ultimately, I make a pit stop to the role that money plays in all of our choices (the elephant in the room, in my humble opinion). Our individual core values shape our choices and outcomes, and we can condition ourselves to feel certain ways, for better or for worse. As of right now, I think working in academia or education checks my boxes, but others won’t agree (and ha! I don’t know if I have what it takes to go into academia). Andrew Lee argues that “right now the private sector is pretty damn good at being able to achieve some powerful social ends,” and as a venture capitalist, he can fund underrepresented founders and amplify their voices in society. You have people who are marketing sustainable products (hi Lauren), and you have people like my parents who work tirelessly every day so that we can have a better life in America. There’s not one way to get there -- wherever you believe "there” is. 

[no-birdstofly]

Favs/Lovett: “You fainted…straight into my arms. You know, if you wanted my attention you didn’t have to go to such extremes.

38.“Maybe we should take a break,” Jon says, and Lovett grumbles. Normally he lives for those words when they come out of Jon’s mouth. So rare, so few and far between. But he just hit his stride and he thinks he’s got at least another paragraph in him before he has to look away from his screen. He waves at Jon without looking at him. “You go, I’ll be here.” “Lovett, come on.” “Some of us have work to do,” Lovett says, and he smirks when he hears Jon fighting back a laugh. “You can go… go fuck around or whatever, I’ll be here when you get back.” “I’m not going to fuck…” Jon mumbles to himself, and Lovett sees him shake his head out of the corner of his eye before Jon pushes away from his desk and stands up. Or, well. He sort of does. For a second at least. “Jon,” he says, and he sounds a little panicked. 

Lovett tears his eyes away from his draft. “What’s up?” “I can’t…” Jon says, staring into the middle distance, his hands white-knuckled on the edge of his desk. He makes a desperate grab behind him, like he’s trying to get to the desk chair he just scooted back too far. “Favs,” Lovett says, soft, like he’s trying not to spook a horse. He sets down the laptop out of harm’s way on his chair and crosses around the desk, his hands out soothingly. “Are you alright?” “Yeah,” Jon says, but it sounds weak. He doesn’t look alright, all the color drained from his face and his hands shaking. “I just need to–” He takes a step back from his desk and his knees buckle, Lovett actually sees them give out. Lovett doesn’t think about it, doesn’t hesitate, just rushes over to him and barely catches him before he hits the ground. Lovett’s not that adept at catching things, so they both more or less end up on the floor, but at least Jon didn’t bang his head against anything, cushioned as he is by Lovett’s somewhat bony body. “Jon?” he asks, staring down at his slack face. He doesn’t have any time to panic, not really, before Jon’s blinking up at him, looking confused. “Jon?” “I’m okay,” Jon says, but he doesn’t move, staring up at Lovett and then looking away, around the office, like he’s trying to figure out how he got here. Or got down here, more accurately. He’s not making any move to stand up, or to get away from Lovett, though. If anything, he settles in a little, his shoulders comfortably settled kind of sideways across Lovett’s lap, head pillowed by Lovett’s stomach. Most of him, all his miles of skinny legs, is on the floor, but Lovett managed to hold onto the vital parts of him, to save his upper body and his organs, his head and his brain and his stupidly handsome face. “You caught me,” Jon says, and his words come out a little slow. Fuck, they’re not quite out of the woods yet. “When’s the last time you ate?” Lovett cranes to reach behind himself, trying not to jostle Jon too much. He knows he has something in his bag, or he’s pretty sure he does. “You caught me,” Jon repeats, and that’s it, Lovett’s officially worried about brain damage, even though Jon didn’t hit his head. Was he out long enough to kill some of his brain cells anyway? “I did,” Lovett says, and when he risks a glance at Jon’s face, he’s treated to a full attack of Jon’s dumb, gap-toothed, incredibly pleased grin. He’s smiling so hard his eyes are almost closed. It’s stupid and unattractive, and definitely not the kind of thing that makes Lovett smile back, helpless. “Here,” Lovett says, pressing a little condiment tub of peanut butter he’d squirreled away the last time he’d gotten an apple in the mess. Jon squints at it as he peels back the plastic wrap. “Did I pay for this?” “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Are you sure you didn’t hit your head?” Jon rolls his eyes. “Spoon?” “Huh?” “You know, it’s a utensil. Fork, knife? Anything?” “Uh,” Lovett says, because normally he has apple slices to eat his peanut butter with, but he’s fresh out. He’s also not above getting the last little bits out with his fingers, sue him. “Fine.” Jon shrugs, which Lovett acutely feels, thanks to Jon’s shoulders still being in his lap, and leverages himself up enough so the back of his head is pressing into Lovett’s chest, and Lovett has to rearrange so he can lean against the desk while Jon leans against him. Probably they could have moved to the couch. Probably Lovett should have moved Jon to the couch. He doesn’t have much experience with swooning maidens, he’s a little out of his depth. Jon brings the shallow cup up to his mouth and licks at it, like he’s curious, and Lovett absolutely needs to look away, just like he has the last two times he’s seen some asshole pass Jon Favreau a jello shot at a party. He needs to look away and not see the way Jon actually goes for it, using his apparently strong tongue to scoop some of the peanut butter out and into his mouth, making a small, contented sound at the taste. Nope. Nope, nope, nope, Lovett thinks, wildly, reaching for his own chair, which is thankfully in reach, wheeling it over so he can get to his laptop. He re-reads over what he has so far, making small, useless edits, his laptop awkwardly on the floor, pointedly not watching Jon eat. It’s worse, when he risks a look down, when he thinks the peanut butter is gone, because Jon’s using his long fingers to get the rest of it out, sucking on them after, his tongue curling around his knuckles like he’s chasing the taste and fuck but Lovett needs to get his boss off his lap now. “You good?” he asks, keeping his eyes on the draft. “Yeah, I think so,” Jon says, tossing the cup toward the trash. He huffs when it bounces off the rim and onto the floor, and Lovett can’t help but smile. “Come on, let’s go get real food before you fucking faint on me again,” Lovett says, urging Jon up by his shoulders.“I didn’t–” “You absolutely did. Literally on me. And yes, before you ask, yes, I’m telling everyone. Do you think Tommy’ll think it’s funny? Or do you think he’ll get all Papa Bear on me?” Jon mouths Papa Bear with a horrified look on his face, but Lovett soldiers on. “You know, somehow decide it’s my fault you didn’t eat all day.” “You fed me just now,” Jon says, shrugging, picking up the tub and actually getting it in the trash this time. “To be fair.” Lovett ruthlessly pushes down at how the acknowledgement makes him feel warm all over. “Yeah, yeah. Let’s go, we can do this over pizza instead.” “We got pizza yesterday,” Jon whines, slipping on his coat. “What kind of red-blooded American are you?” Lovett asks, aghast. “Some kind of, of representative of the leader of the free world you are, disparaging one of our greatest institutions.” “Pizza is not a–” “Slander!” Lovett cries, his voice echoing in the quiet hall as Jon locks his office, doubled over and laughing at Lovett’s outburst. “Fine, we can get fucking pizza,” Jon says. “But we’re finishing the draft tonight.” “Sadist,” Lovett says. “Walk ahead of me so I’ll have some warning if you pass out again.” Jon looks over his shoulder. “So you can catch me again?” “You know,” Lovett says, “if you wanted my attention you didn’t have to go to such extremes.” He can just see the tips of Jon’s ears and the back of his neck flushing red as Jon hurriedly turns back around, and he counts it as a win.