#god liv and peyton make me insane

[roddyretrograde]

Do you have any fond rp memories?

Oh wow, this is such a fun ask!

I have so many memories of rp, because honestly I'm 30 now and I started at 15?? Holy shit that's half my life. This is going to age me so hard I can tell already.

A bit of a timeline, I started rping back when avidgamers was a thing. Not sure if anyone on tumblr would remember that, but it was my first time even knowing roleplaying existed. I was in the HP fandom, and that time I took the only character left and it was Lavender Brown and it was hella fun. That being said, I got catfished by someone who was stating they were a guy because back then playing a guy as a girl was kinda 👀 cause you know, 2000's, but we worked it out and I still follow her on Instagram and Facebook. My first real internet friend heartbreak though! (My first baby!bi moment lol) 

Then Proboards became the hit thing, and I moved over there. Played more HP characters, but of course my teenage self wanted to be Hermione. Duh. (Movie faceclaims were still the it thing which is cringey to think about.)

Then things moved to Invisionfree and I found a One Tree Hill rpg, and so my angsty teen self played of course Peyton. I've loved her from the start, and the fact that I'm playing her again on Discord is SO fun because I get to see how I've changed as a writer and a person.

But that was also my first time realizing people can be really intentionally manipulative. I made a friend with the admin who was hella controlling, toxic and very god-modding, but I just loved having a friend, and eventually came to Tumblr where I helped them create a rpg for a The Vampire Diaries and Teen Wolf cross over lol

I met my absolute babe Kristen @detectiveupton there and we began our almost decade long friendship! Seriously, we’ve met multiple times, I love her family so much, and we’ve even gone to Disney World together on a road trip! So honestly that is one of my fondest memories and I’m going to love her forever. She always has my back no matter what.

Eventually that rpg died, and my awful admin friend dropped me for doing a ship that she didn’t like (which is insane) and it was the most chaotic energy I’ve ever put out because when I left the rpg, Kristen followed and the entire rpg followed her. She has that power on people! 

Eventually we made a few more rpgs, broke a few more hearts, and I moved to the indie community. I played Elena Gilbert still in RPG, and then Liv Parker, and then I moved to The Hundred fandom and played Clarke Griffin for a hella long time. Don’t judge me on the recent drama, all that was unknown back then. Feel free to DM me if you want my old indie urls and think we met back in the day  :) 

There I met my rp soulmate @oretstarkov who is literally the person who I click with writing wise the most in the whole world. We have verses that have lasted 4+ years, and threads with thousands of replies back and fourth. We moved from tumblr to discord, and right now she’s the only person I write with, but we have 23 different verses in 4 different fandoms, including Hinny, Jeyton and Malina right now. (B*llarke are a bit of hiatus cause.... you know) 

Seriously, we are so good at plotting and world building together. We frequently #samebrain 

I highly recommend that if you have an exclusive though, do it, because even if you have a main character, you get to also guest post as other characters you wouldn’t play 24/7 and it’s SO fun. You also get to scream at eachother about literally everything. 

So those are my fond memories, mixed with a bit of my rp history haha basically the friends that have lasted this long make everything worth it, and I still love writing with them to this day! 

[danwhobrowses]

WWE Royal Rumble 2021 - Initial Thoughts

I know I’m late, but employment is still a thing, and I had to prioritize that over an all-nighter, but it’s time for the Royal Rumble, one of the more exciting shows of WWE’s schedule, so let’s get on with it!

Spoilers for Royal Rumble, you have been Warned

I might not invest too much in kickoff matches but the Women’s Tag Match was not a good time

It was fine before the end, but who the hell decided that Charlotte should control 90% of the champions’ offense and have the hot tag!? Asuka is the RAW WOMEN’S CHAMPION, not Charlotte. After the tag Asuka literally had one spot and she was dead, completely taken out of the match for *checks notes* being thrown over the Announcer’s Table...you know that thing several wrestlers come back from easily.

The finish was just too much too, Ric distraction didn’t work, Lacey distraction didn’t work, Kirufuda Clutch didn’t work but then the brass knuckles did. Too much.

And why TF are we putting titles back on Nia!? We should’ve just given the titles to the Riotts, or the winner of the Women’s Dusty Classic. It also cuts me deep that Asuka and Shayna are treated this way, even as champion Asuka is a side character to Charlotte T_T

Main show though and I don’t like the package and interviews between entrances

Drew vs Goldberg was just...meaningless.

It was cringy enough that Cole had to spout drivel to make 60 year old Goldberg seem strong but to have Drew be ‘injured’ by a barricade spear - something much more tired wrestlers have and will get back up from in less time and continue a longer match - was daft. Also saying that Goldberg’s spear or jackhammer is the best move of all WWE is stupid, it was a WCW thing

Thank God Drew Won, but the post-match does remind you of the meaningless circumstances this feud came about. Suddenly Goldberg is okay with Drew’s same manners of respect

I mean, Carmella’s entrance and gear is cool, but do you think it eats at Corey a little that Carmella’s ‘behind the curtain’ bit is a tad...red light district?

Sasha’s promo didn’t hit for me unfortunately

Reginald didn’t deserve to be ejected for that! He caught Sasha and get beaten up for it

Jesus Carmella! Sasha got barely any of that dive

Screeching and faffing aside, Carmella got a good showing...I do hate quick tap outs in title matches though

Sami cuts a good promo, but his content wasn’t exactly the best. New Day are hardly the management’s faves, it’s taken this long for E to get a singles run, Fans literally had to Yes Movement their way into giving Kofi the world title.

New Day’s Brodie gear was good though

Bad Bunny as the ‘Biggest Latin Artist’? Is Cole for real? I didn’t even know who he was before today

If the song is about Booker T then why is he dancing around GI Bro?

Come on Book, you hang on the Sucka! That’d be like if the Rock just went ‘If ya smell what the Rock is cooking’ without the drags or pauses

Ric’s ‘with a tear in my eye’ promo was after the Rumble though...

It’s actually a sad stat that just over half of the Rumble winners win titles

No Morrison segment for the escape spot!? He did it as much as Kofi dammit!

Sorry Greatest Royal Rumble is not canon for me

This Stat Attack has taken far too long

I’m okay with Mike Rome but couldn’t a woman have announced the Women’s Rumble? Where’s Lillian at!?

NAOOOOOOOMIIIIIIIIIIIIII GIRL WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN!?

That hair is amazing as well

I know you can’t say it, but we all remember that Benoit won the rumble in the first two as well

Was...Bianca wearing earrings on her entrance, she looked like she was taking them off

Billie actually had the right idea, can’t be in the match until you enter the ring, it’s clever stuff

That tank did not look like it was meant to turn that direction XD

It actually surprises me every time how tall Shotzi is, I always imagine her short

Billie no...not with Shayna

The piped boos are highly unrealistic to boo even a heel Toni Storm

Shotzi eliminated and then horrible singer Jillian comes in? Urrrrgh, Bad Singer Jillian was terrible

Wrestling wise she hasn’t missed a beat though

Billie’s surprisingly being a highlight here with actual narra-OHMYSHITITSVICTORIA

Gear was a bit meh but Victoria definitely can still go

Oh Peyton the purple looks good on you, and her Widow’s Peak was not bad at all

Ah, good for Santana, for a moment I thought it said Santina and got a very bad chill

Damn Liv, Speed Machine!

Ooof, the betrayal is real Billie

THIS IS MY BRUTALITY!

Somehow I’m genuinely upset by every elimination so far, good job!

Aaaaaand then they got rid of Victoria and brought on Charlotte to immediately take out Rhea -_-

That was a clever move from Bayley but damn Ruby landed hard

Are we seeing a Bayley/Peyton team? Or is she just eliminating the Riotts for revenge for Billie, but also Liv Nooooo!

Torrie now, eh okay

Ouch for Dana

Lacey...no, this ain’t working

Poor Peyton, her elimination was a side chapter

And we missed Bayley’s elimination!? For Shame

Mickie! Good to see ya! Aaaaand being beaten by Charlotte...

Nikki Cross is back too! Hopefully they find a good story for her

Alicia Fox? I guess she sobered back into the good gra...R-Truth? No

Oh yeah, Humberto is a thing

Jerry shut the fuck up!

The 24/7 stuff was super unnecessary, we did not need to take focus off this match

Lacey eliminating Mickie, rude.

Dakota should’ve gotten more time, she barely lasted a minute

Reginald again deserves better

See Tamina vs Rhea would be exciting...if Tamina was booked better

Naomi’s chemistry with Bianca is really insane right now

Lana *reminded of her feud with Shayna and Nia* Also Lana *goes for Rhea*

That was a hard tackle on Alexa by Rhea...aaaaand she’s eliminated mid ‘transformation’ a bit worthless for me

Road Warrior Ember Moon! And right into the Eclipse that’s the good shit

Baszler probably shouldn’t have eliminated Lacey story-wise

The Betrayal is real for Tamina as well

What’s with the crazy camera cuts!?

Nia eliminating Baszler? Nah...

Hold on Cole, baiting Nia over the ropes isn’t a ‘tremendous elimination’

The betrayal is real for Lana too, Nattie sure shrugged off that double assault

I get that the narrative is that Charlotte has beaten both Bianca and Rhea before, but to hang against both of them after already being in a match and hanging on from two apron attacks was daft. Stop making her super strong, she’s mega talented yes but giving her the Brock Lesnar energy does her no favours

That close call though with Rhea and Bianca was great, need more spots of two wrestlers about to be eliminated at the same time

The final bit of chain wrestling too was great, that’s what you need at the final part of a rumble, the mini-match

I had Rhea as my win prediction but am more than happy for Bianca, who was my second choice. Winning at No. 3 is great and her emotional promo just gets her more over. Bianca vs Sasha’s gonna be wild too

Overall the Women’s Rumble was good, most of the women got shine and there were a few mini stories too, do wish that more time was given to some women and that Sonya was in the rumble but the returns were good and most of the eliminations got me good

Miz talking about guaranteeing a championship run like he didn’t lose the last cash-in and didn’t have a chance to cash in previously this night when Drew was ‘reeling’ from the barricade spear.

I reiterate that I wish Sonya was in the rumble, but do like her endorsement of Bianca

Again, this 24/7 stuff is wrong place and time right now

Last Man StANDing Match for the UniVERSal Championship

Cole, there is Champion’s Advantage. Triple H vs Michaels Last Man Standing, neither men made the 10 so Trips kept the title, 17 years ago. Royal Rumble 2004.

See, this is where a Finisher Spotfest works, because it’s not about pinfalls it’s about keeping people down

The camera switches are not doing good on this portion of the side of the thunderdome

Yes, attacking the knees, this is the Cerebral ‘rope breaks with his pinkie finger’ Owens I like to see

Ooof the Golf Cart, a la Kane and Stadium Stampede

Why is this training area just like a second arena

Lil’ running ref in the background

Right into that conveniently placed mini-ladder

Not the forklift! Think of Judy Bagwell!

Oh that curtain is the thing Becky took a photo of! I mean she was always gonna be backstage

Corey before the match ‘there must be a winner’, Corey after Owens went through the stage LED ‘The ref should consider stopping the match’

Did the Ciampa move there to stand up

I don’t think you’re allowed to use a Ref Bump that way

Then the Second Ref restarts the count and stops at 5!? If this doesn’t come back next SD it’ll be a misstep

It was a physical match, not the best I think the finish brought it down. The problem is that KO has lost 3 times now and the last time is a botch finish, and we can’t have him lose again - the poor guy needs a win

ON THIS DAY, I SEE CLEARLY!

I will say this immediately, revealing Edge and Orton as 1 and 2 beforehand was a terrible idea, just because you don’t have a live crowd doesn’t mean the people watching from home can’t be surprised

‘Number 3 is the worst number to draw on average’ - Belair just won at No. 3

Ali at 4? Then went after Edge and not Orton?

Sami, just don’t get in Orton’s face

Refs what are you doing? No rules in Rumble, where were you with Nia and Shayna with that logic

‘What does Shin need to do to be more successful?’ - for one not face AJ Styles, he is still a tag, US and IC champ as well as a RR winner, that’s quite successful

Carlito finally shows after the Legends Night tease and yes those are some abs

So...Randy’s just sleeping with this knee injury

Big E enters with some snappy camera angles again

I was hoping for more Ali - especially since Ricochet came immediately after - buy angry E was nice to see

Wait is that Elias’ entrance? Where’s the guitar strum?

Priesty, wonder if this is his main roster call

What DJ leaves his equipment on stage anyway?

‘The biggest star in the world in the music business’ - for real?

‘I’ve heard of flying squirrels but flying bunnies!?’ - Corey you need to watch Tokyo Joshi Pro, they got a flying sugar rabbit

To quote Ross Tweddell, MMMmmm Riddle...does not do it for me

Stop with the camera cuts I beg of you!

Mayor of Knox County!?

Ricochet eliminated by Kane, le sigh

The betrayal is real for DBry

Big Elim for Priesty though

‘Now it’s a Royal Rumble’ - reminder that Edge is a KOTR winner too, and that Nakamura is the King of Strong Sty-oh and Corbin eliminated him :/ what was the gauntlet about if you’re gonna Corbin him?

Otis’ new gear is slick

aaaaand Corbin’d again

Big Dom Fuck im Uhhhhhh Spinebuster’d

Damn he got him though

Dang that bounce sound from DBry

Bobby no why you gotta do Dom like that!?

Hurricane back from his Gangrel crossing and disposing Sammy Guevara’s broken body in Elite Deletion to do another rumble

One of these days, he’ll hit that Chokeslam and shit will go wild

Christian! This time getting the more emphatic reaction

Oh that smile, that hits you in the chest cavity...then Riddle ruins it

Rey comes in and WWE made him an advertisement ¬_¬

Edward James Omos what are you doing? well...I know what he’s doing, IC feud between AJ and E

Edward James Omos fuck you for eliminating Rey

The betrayal is real for Shamu

Cole how did you know it was Seth before his entrance hit?

I don’t think we were supposed to pick up Shamu welcoming Christian back but that was sweet

Then finally BWOAR

And Bwoar eliminates Cesaro, what was the point of his push? (it’s because his contract’s nearly up isn’t it?)

Again with the camera switching

Seth No! And where’s the boos pipe music!? DBry was a heavy favourite, that would’ve caused heat

Can’t believe Mmm Riddle lasted ahead of DBry

I didn’t forget about Orton, but the finish was good, that Orton tease got us good

It was a decent rumble, in hindsight you could tell Edge was winning given how they put express focus on Michaels winning at number on in the stat attack, Edge being face in peril for the first 10 entrants and Cole reminding us how long Edge has been in there

I don’t at all hate the end result, though I do question whether it was the best choice in the long run. Edge had his rumble win returning from injury already and throwing more legends at Drew does imply a heavy lack of depth in the current roster. Edge didn’t really need the win, but I’m not disappointed in him winning

The Men’s Rumble itself wasn’t as good as the women’s I don’t think, a lot of favourites of mine were unceremoniously dumped out quickly, any layered storytelling didn’t get enough time and it did feel a little by the numbers, almost a microcosm of modern WWE booking

Overall it was still a decent PPV, happy with the winners of the rumbles and that’s mostly all we need from a Royal Rumble. The Road to Wrestlemania starts here

[anxiety-trademark]

The week in review:

Raw 08/31 NXT 09/01 Smackdown 09/04

Raw:

Still like ShaNia.

Unclear on why being merely pushed sent Shayna out of the camera’s field of view for 8 seconds, but alright.

Me: *likes Nattie and Lana together* ; wwe: “How about a feud with them vs Asuka?”; Me: “...you know what, nvm.”

The absolute state of Becky’s title, yikes.

This segment needed more hairdryer crowd noise.

They’re not wrong, that ring gear is insanely outdated.

Lana “elevating this entire women’s division” pppfffftttttt

“If you wanna get to her you gotta go through me,” with all due respect to Nattie - cuz I DO respect her - who is trying to get to her? Who in this segment has mentioned her name??

The way Lana never lets herself get properly thrown out of the ring. Ugh.

Coach Nattie “harder Lana” Neidhart, everyone.

Watching Asuka on commentary just adds to the positives of pairing her with Charlotte. Sorry I’m not into the random yelling Japanese, with nothing being accomplished and zero questions being answered. I’m jumping ahead of myself here though.

No seriously what happened to the pants Mickie used to wear on SD back in 2017?

That was a match. If I had positives to give, I’d give them. Anyway.

I haven’t said how much I like the backstage interviews taking place in a mock ring, but I’m a fan. I love wwe for its impressive amount of over-the-top production, and small things like this just adds to the product imo.

This is cute, sad, and a little too on the nose. I’m a fan of how they’ve built up Riott Squad’s bond, but it’s too obvious who’s losing. They deserve the time, though.

iiconics had a niche; neither will shine as singles stars.

Also don’t like that the shades of their blue gear don’t match. Nitpicking again, I know.

Really liked iiconics’ theme. rip.

Somehow, after all these years, I’m still shocked at how bad Billie Kay is at selling. You’re being punched in the face. Just PRETEND like she’s making contact, please. You’re staring right fucking at her.

Good positioning of the ref and good camera work, did not see Liv coming to intercept Peyton on behalf of Ruby. Points to everyone.

Wow couldn’t finish it with a finisher? Is there a reason we need to protect Billie Kay of all people??

“Over a decade of friendship is gone,” what a bad line, Tom.

*Jassamyn & Marina dominate Raw Underground* No.

Highlight: ShaNia interview prior to Asuka joining in

---

NXT:

*Tegan looks back at her time with Candice* No.

Why isn’t nxt in the Thunderdome? Why are all these people crowded together? Hello, covid anyone??

Candice gets 1/4 a point for the annoyed look she gave Kacy and Kayden, cuz I actually nearly laughed.

Kacy willing to take bumps. Beautiful neckbreaker, beautiful bump onto the floor.

...Did Candice just do a poor woman’s version of Charlotte’s Natural Selection? EXCUSE ME??!? Negative 20 points.

All that setup just to push her face into the mat. Okay. Oh that was her finisher. Wow, once again I sat through a Candice match that I immediately regretted.

*Candice wants to reconcile with Tegan* No.

This is why losing to Charlotte was a good thing for Rhea, she has honed her craft in every single category since wm. Great promo.

That is not at all how I expected Mercedes to sound. And a 12 word promo... Kay, anyway.

Highlight: the neckbreaker Kacy took

---

Smackdown:

“Bayley, Shayna’s tapped you out the last 3 times you were in the ring with her,” LMFAOOO I’m crying omg. That sentence and its reactions get mad points, whew.

I’m questioning the stupid smile on Bayley’s face the entire time Sasha straight went off, and I’m realizing that as much as she’s improved, there’s a reason I still rate Sasha as a better actress.

Every time I hear Sasha’s entrance, I just want to jump to an old match to hear the good version.

The way they transitioned from Nia’s music into Shayna’s should be a staple. Beautiful.

Not an ounce of me needs this pre match commentary.

Lol mirrored ragdolling. Didn’t even realize Shayna was that strong.

I like that struggle by Bayley while being forced into her opponents’ corner.

Fantastic attempt to separate Bayley’s shoulder, points.

Sasha is my all-time favorite opponent of Nia’s. Usually I favor Bayley’s speed, but I love Sasha’s “flurry of offense,” as they call it.

OOF a rope hangup into a power bomb on the floor. Well done. Points for the combo move, points for the bump.

Sasha in her desperate pin attempts is always great.

“rare miscommunication between Banks and Bayley,” it wasn’t terrible, but very noticeable... and very rare indeed. Still the best tag team in the entire division - or at least they were lmao.

This match is way better than Payback. I feel like it’s longer as well.

Ohp Sasha’s knee is dead.

“What we didn’t see is Nia Jax rip Bayley off the apron,” and why the hell did no camera catch that, especially on the network? Billion dollar company btw.

It’s a good finish though. These 2 were exhausted and on their last leg (lol literally) it’s buyable for a crossbody by Nia to finish them off.

One thing I like about this was Bayley’s premeditation. It wasn’t a random act of violence.

This is the first time I think I’ve ever seen Sasha’s infamous knee pads that protect her from doing an INSANE amount of damage to her knees like 15 times per match lmao. Wonder if she wears anything protective on her poor shins, or if they’re just indented and bruised to all hell.

MAN I wish this had a crowd just to gauge the reaction.

“Don’t look at me like that” whew it’s misty in here. Sasha does vulnerable, heart broken, kicked puppy REALLY fucking well, wbk.

That moment when Sasha “I’ll sell ANYTHING” Banks stops selling moves because her body is fucking rekt. Sad. My god her body shook on impact of that kick to the back. BAYLEY CALM DOWN.

“YOU HAPPY MICHAEL COLE? HUH?? IS IT BOSS TIME NOW?!?” lmaooo

I like the imagery of Bayley standing over Sasha, holding her face up and screaming at her, but the dialogue was weak.

Long segment to not be broken up by security/officials.

Curious to know why Bayley decided to fuck up Sasha’s neck.

Love how Sasha shakes her arm after the stomp. She’s so good.

Sasha with a neck brace on a stretcher... getting ptsd flashbacks from hiac 2016.

Fine segment, glad it happened. Some kinks I would’ve ironed out, starting with the length, but that’s nitpicking. Not the greatest betrayal I’ve ever seen, but I give them points for having it be by Bayley’s hand rather than the typical Sasha’s.

Omg one of Bray’s puppets is in the back.

Love that there are more dreads in Lexi’s hair.

Lexi gets cute points. She’s cute. Sue me.

The madness continues. We’re in this for the long haul, huh.

I realize Nikki is totally secondary, but she’s selling all of this really well. Alexa needed someone who cares about her to help make this stick, so points to Nikki.

Highlight: ShaNia vs Baysha

---

*Smackdown easily shined the brightest this week. Following a great match, Bayley and Sasha finally split up after teasing this shit for over a year. Enough said.

[actuallylorelaigilmore]

King And Queen Of The Weekend, Chapter 1: Different Drinks At The Same Bars

Peyton x Blaine, post-“Some Like It Hot Mess.” Part angsty fix-it-fic, part smut, with just a dash of songfic along the way for flavor. A plot bunny that would not be denied, this was heavily inspired by Lorde’s Melodrama, especially “Sober.” 

Summary: What happens when you and your ex both decide to drown your feelings rather than facing them...on the same weekend, in the same small town? “Most of the time she appreciates being able to drink just about anybody under the table, but when all she wants is to forget her own name until morning, her high threshold is a pain in the ass.”

Cross-posted on AO3; fun with tags + more notes can be found there.

You’ve made a fool of me. This whole time, my friends could’ve been cured. Liv could’ve been human for months. You’re a sad, selfish, greedy man.”

“Wait. What happened to, ‘It didn’t matter how we got here?’”

“I’m a lawyer, Blaine. I shouldn’t be trusted.”

----

Peyton is spacing out at work, lost behind her efficient mask. She’s so angry at Blaine for lying, even more furious at herself for falling for it–for wanting to believe it, queen of denial–and she feels so guilty for the part she played in Blaine, well, playing them all.

It’s too much at once. She’s drowning.

The worst part is not being able to lean on her friends. How much she misses Blaine is the last thing they would want to hear about right now.

Maybe that’s the worst part, actually: how much she does miss him, even while she completely hates him, too.

So she is exhausted and more than ready for a vacation when her cousin invites her down the coast to use his beach house for the weekend. It isn’t like her to actually take time off, but Baracus practically shoves her out the door, wanting her refreshed for his campaign.

Dylan left the key under the mat along with a note that just says ‘Hey. The Sand Dollar is good. Love.’ That’s his code for “Hello. There’s not much fun to be had around here, but The Sand Dollar is your best bet if you need it. Love ya, cousin.”

Sneaking away without inviting anybody else along had seemed like a good idea at the time, but as soon as Peyton drops her bag on the couch and listens to the windy silence, she knows she'll go crazy just lying around for two days. She’ll spend all her time thinking about what she came to escape.

Who, her treacherous brain corrects her, which she ruthlessly ignores.

She heads for The Sand Dollar, which turns out to be a seedy bar just off the beach, full of handsy, stoned locals and drunk kids on spring break.

Obviously it isn’t her scene–not the kind of place you’d ever expect to find Peyton Charles, Assistant DA to the aspiring mayor of Seattle. But it is dark, and secluded, and has plenty of alcohol…which tonight, she decides, will be just fine.

She takes a seat at the bar with Lyft at the ready–in this day and age, who needs friends when an app can send you a designated driver?–and signals to the bartender.

“Tequila,” Peyton tells him. Ready for that escape, she lets the flashbacks hit her the way the liquid hits the shot glass, slow and warm. They’ll be washed away soon enough.

Shot #1.

Reckless normally didn’t suit her, and even the people who knew her best–especially them–would’ve been shocked by her behavior, but she didn’t care. Aching lately, intrigued by this man who had confounded her expectations from the moment they met, and loosened up by the whiskey, Peyton deliberately turned off the critical-thinking side of her brain and gave in to the sensation of his body pressing hers into the couch.

Her office couch, where she spent so many late nights stressing over the Mr. Boss case as potential CIs declined her offers; the place where she’d sunk down, shaking and pretending she wasn’t scared, after Mr. Boss himself had threatened her and waltzed out unnoticed. A place her hyper-professional self would never have invited over anyone she was dating for drinks, let alone started making out with them.

Let alone…dear lord, he had amazing hands. It had been too long since she was touched, such a long time since she let herself be open to it, vulnerable. But Peyton trusted him, a former lowlife drug dealer of all people, because he’d given her no reason not to. Instead he came to soothe her nerves and held back when she gave him every flirtatious opening.

“You’re sure?” he paused to ask when things got more heated, his own speech a little slurred. Her nod seemed to be enough for him, as he searched her eyes for consent and got her hand pulling him back toward her by the nape of his neck.

Shot #2.

His fingers stroked down her back while he murmured in her ear, more words about how gorgeous she was, how much he wanted her, how he’d been drawn to her from the moment they met. She lifted up her own shirt, wanting to ask him to hurry, please, to just keep going, but she couldn’t find the ability to speak.

The pressure building inside her normally would’ve alarmed her, so intense so quickly, with someone she didn’t know that well. It was that charming, self-aware grin and those insanely blue eyes that made her stomach muscles twitch, contrasted with his trying-too-hard hair and slightly hesitant moves. The combination made him seem more sweet than cocky, someone who she believed when he said he wanted to atone.

She bit back a moan when he shifted, his lips against the bare skin of her throat. “God, don’t stop,” she said, and then his hands were stroking over her black satin bra, cupping her as she arched against him.

Tugging his shirt off and trailing her fingers down his chest, she enjoyed the way he shivered. Their skin was slick where it met, her bare legs entwined with his, everything too hot and bright and slow.

“Oh, God.” His tongue was circling her nipple even as his hands traveled lower. Eyes shut to the sensations, her breathing hitched when he slid a hand down her leg, then under her skirt and across the sensitive skin of her inner thigh.

She unbuttoned him with her eyes still shut. His mouth was teasing against hers as he stroked his fingertips along the lace edges of her underwear.

She was wet and ready by the time she tugged his pants down. Balanced precariously against the cushions, he slid into her, the two of them shuddering in unison. Then they were moving together, faster and faster, the tension building, until he came on top of her while she was still shaking from her own climax.

Wondering to herself if they’d just permanently dented her fancy office furniture, she started giggling in her post-coital glow. With his face buried in her hair, he didn’t even ask why she was laughing.

Shot #3.

“Can’t we just stay here all day?” Blaine was idly curling her hair around one of his fingers while the sun streamed through the gauzy curtains. Seattle had a terrible reputation for rain and general gloom, but every once in a while its residents caught a perfect spring morning.

How long had it been since she felt so utterly relaxed? Just being around new-and-improved-Blaine made it easier for her to take a mental step back from all the apocalyptic drama, so after their second night together as a sort-of-couple, Peyton knew just how he felt.

“Mm, I wish,” she replied, arching back a little against his chest. “Gotta get up, though. Brush my teeth…eat…do people stuff.”

“Ah. Yeah, that stuff.” He pressed a kiss to her shoulder, then just rested his nose in the curve of it and lingered there.

“Blaine.”

“Hmm?”

“Getting up. Remember?”

“Right.” He moved his lips up the line of her neck, grinning when she hummed in approval. “You sure?”

“Yeah. Breakfast time,” she informed him. “I’m starving.”

“Okay,” he agreed with a yawn. “Who’s cooking?”

Catching her look, Blaine raised an eyebrow. “What, you don’t think I know how?”

“Well, not to cast aspersions on your boarding school upbringing, but the only thing I know you used to know how to cook was brains. Anyway, this is my apartment. I didn’t expect you to offer.”

Sitting up, he watched her slide out of bed. “It seems only fair. Tell you what: you cook today, and I’ll be up next time. Who knows, maybe I’ll surprise you.”

Shot #4

She ended it. Both times, she got to hold onto at least that little bit of control. Or pride. For whatever good it did.

The first time, as enraged and disgusted as she was, she couldn’t quite keep eye contact. He was a literal monster and yet there was real hurt in his expression. Disappointment, too. She couldn’t believe in it, but that didn’t mean she didn’t see it.

The second time was worse.

Now, she knew him. His family history and why he seemed so fragile sometimes, his ability to be truly sweet and selfless and silly. So the second time, when she left him there in his office, looking as lost and stunned as she felt, Peyton knew she was breaking his heart. What he had of one, anyway.

Because that was what happened when you really put your trust in someone, especially when it was messy and difficult and they were maybe the last person you should trust, and then they made you regret it.

They broke your heart…and you owed them the same.

Shot #5

She’s not drunk yet, though she’s finally starting to head in that direction. Most of the time Peyton appreciates being able to drink just about anybody under the table, but when all she wants is to forget her own name until morning, her high threshold is a pain in the ass.

So she’s about to signal to the bartender to pour again, or maybe just leave the bottle, when she catches something through the chatter of the crowd that makes her freeze in place, head tilting to hear it better over the flirting and dancing and rousing arguments that surround her.

Damn it, she would recognize that silky, melancholy voice anywhere.

Of all the bars on all the beachfronts, Blaine had to walk into hers.

[lovenerdthings-blog]

This Week in Review

May 7 – 21

 FANTASY

Once Upon a Time

Season 6: Episode 20 – The Song in Your Heart

In flashback, Snow and Charming make a special wish that Emma will be protected. The result of their wish has the whole kingdom bursting into song which infuriates the Evil Queen. Meanwhile in Storybrooke, the Black Fairy announces her plans to unleash another curse on the town while Emma and Hook prepare for their wedding.

We wait 6 seasons and finally we get a musical episode. For a show that is based on Disney stories, which are mostly musicals, this had to happen eventually. And they did not let us down. Each song was catchy, entertaining, and effort was put into it by the actors, the writers, and the musicians. Of course, as per usual, the villain gets one of the best songs, but that is par for the course. They had to tease us with the Evil Queen asking Rumple to sing… we thought he was going to do it, and then that little laugh we love so much. The story about the curse coming and the wedding added to the flavor of this episode. But I think the best parts were the songs throughout the whole episode. It really brought the magic of the fairy tale to life. But now we face a new challenge. Where is the Black Fairy taking them?

Season 6: Episode 21-22 – The Final Battle

Henry awakens to a cursed Storybrooke and discovers Emma has been in the mental hospital, and the Black Fairy is the new mayor. Henry attempts to help Emma regain her memory while Gold tries to find out what has really happened to Belle. Meanwhile, Snow, Charming, Regina, Zelena and Hook are trapped in a crumbling Fairy Tale Land and desperately try to figure out a way to be reunited with Emma and Henry.

What a great season finale. We went from hope to despair, to almost utter ruin, back to hope and that reminder that good will always triumph over evil. Hook made such a moving speech to David about his love with Emma before they climbed the bean stalk. It’s true; their love was not easy, it was not love at first sight. They had to fight for their love, and they made it through. Snow and David’s love may have been true love that never fails, but Hook and Emma had something amazing that grew over time. The battle itself did not last long, but the meaning behind it, the trap behind it, was very clever. Gold’s final decision, to try to do the right thing was heartbreaking, knowing it wouldn’t work. But in the end we all got our happy endings… or were they beginnings. This was a great season finale, everything got wrapped up nicely, and Gold and Belle were able to raise their son after all. And there was an interesting lead into the next season, though I’m curious if they’re just going to do the same story over again.

  PARANORMAL

Lucifer

Season 2: Episode 15 – Deceptive Little Parasite

When it is discovered that the flaming sword is the only hope for the family returning home safely, the pressure is on for Lucifer to control what he has never been able to control before – his emotions – in order to ignite it. Meanwhile, Chloe wants to air some emotions of her own, but when a therapist and head of admissions at a prestigious private school turns up dead, the team must get to the bottom of it

We learn in this episode that it is not anger that will fuel the blade, but pain. Something that Lucifer has a difficult time showing. But, in true Lucifer fashion, instead of going to his therapist to find out how to control and properly express his emotions, he goes to the private school with Trixie, and tries to find out how best to control and channel his emotions. We also learn more about the character of Trixie in this episode. Her character is much more complex than just Chloe’s daughter. Maize gives us the comic relief as always, listening to music instead of listening to Chloe’s problems. It was a filler episode to say the least, but we learned about the flaming sword and Lucifer’s fate as the Light Bringer.

Season 2: Episode 16 – God Johnson

When a grisly murder takes place at an insane asylum, the prime suspect calls himself God. After realizing that this man could actually be his father, Lucifer struggles with his feelings towards him and tries to find the truth, all while trying to discover who the real killer.

Nicely done by the actor who played “God”. He had a really interesting vibe to him that actually had the audience convinced he could actually be Lucifer’s father. There was some comedy with Lucifer and the character, but it was mostly dealing with Lucifer’s angst. The actual killer in the episode was a bit obvious, but it seemed that the murder was a background plot and the real part was Lucifer finding his “dad”. The show really threw us when God and Lucifer’s mother met once again. It would have been interesting to see them fighting, but we enjoyed what we got instead. Too bad it was only for a short time.

NEXT WEEK

Season 2: Episode 17 – Sympathy for the Goddess

When the man who had the final piece of the Flaming Sword is murdered and the piece goes missing, Mom joins Chloe and Lucifer on the case to track down the killer. But when Lucifer gets sidelined, Maze recruits him to help save Dr. Linda's endangered career and confronts him about the secrets he's been keeping

 IZombie

Season 3: Episode 6 – Some Like it Hot Mess

To help Clive solve the murder of an irresponsible narcissist, Liv consumes her brain and literally becomes a hot mess. Meanwhile, Peyton learns some shocking news. Lastly, Ravi experiences a major setback.

Irresponsible Liv was interesting to see. It made me think of her if she had lost about 10 to 15 years in age and become completely irresponsible. Peyton’s discovery was sad in some points, and enraging in others. It would have been interesting if we didn’t get this reveal, but it is better storytelling to have got it. It seems we were all convinced of Blaine’s amnesia, and yet… it was only partly true. It seems he was just the same old con artist just trying to absolve himself of his past guilt. Poor Peyton.

Season 3: Episode 7 – Dirt Nap Time

When Liv and Clive work together to solve the murder of a very charming, but womanizing, preschool teacher, things get interesting when they bring his jealous girlfriend Piper in for questioning. Meanwhile, Peyton is assigned a very interesting case. Lastly, Blaine finds himself in a bad situation.

Who didn’t love Liv on preschool teacher brain? That was extremely entertaining. It is difficult to interrogate someone who is on a “time out”. It seems that some old murder is coming back into Peyton’s view as she uncovers more evidence. And poor Blaine cannot catch a break. He is sleazy and a con artist, but he’s one of those ones you can’t help but to love.

NEXT WEEK

Season 3: Episode 8 - Eat a Kinevel

Liv shares the brain of a former daredevil with her new boyfriend, and the experience brings them closer. Blaine is back to his old ways. Meanwhile, Ravi makes progress in his new research. Finally, a discovery is made that could put Major in grave danger.

 Supernatural

Season 12: Episode 21 – There’s Something About Mary

Sam and Dean are alarmed when they learn hunters are being killed by suspicious “accidents” all over the country. They decide it is best to find Mary and make sure she’s safe. Meanwhile, Toni is back in the states and she and Mary face off.

It seems that everyone is out to get the hunters these days… Men of Letters, Lucifer, Crowley, and who knows what else. This episode focused more on Mary’s ‘conditioning’ as opposed to the boys searching for the hunters and their mother. It seems they slowly put the pieces together and figure out the puzzle, but by the time they do that… it’s too late. This episode would have made a great finale, with how it ended, but luckily we have two more episodes to go. I wonder if they will find a way to save Mary, or if this is her last season.

Season 12: Episode 22 – Who We Are

Caught in a dangerous situation, Sam and Dean only have each other to rely on. Meanwhile, the fight between the American Hunters and the British Hunters comes to a head.

This episode was slow to begin with, and that worked out really well. It would have been pointless if they had escaped the bunker on the first try. Not to mention we got some great Dean one-liners “we’ll Shawshank this bitch” was one of my favorites. When Sam went with the hunters to take the fight to the Men of Letters, and Dean stayed behind to work with Mary’s mind, the dream kicked me in the feels. The conversation Dean had almost to his mother about Sam, and the upbringing they had, made me worry for Sam’s safety during the fight. The fight itself seemed almost too easy and rushed. This is supposed to be a high-tech organization, and yet the hunters were able to storm it without a problem. This episode seemed very slow-paced and that worked well for the subject matter, and the show made up for it in the finale…

Season 12: Episode 23 – All Along the Watchtower

Lucifer battles Sam, Dean and Castiel for control of his unborn child.

And here we are, the season finale. I think Doctor Who is fighting for that SuperWhoLock crossover when Castiel spoke of the rift in space and time, but that’s just my opinion. This episode had more action in it and gave us so many directions for next season to go. It was interesting to see an old face in the alternate world, known as the world without the Winchesters. It will be really fun to explore that world next season; if that is the direction they go in. It is hard to say where we are heading next, but as far as cliff-hangers go, this season was actually quite relaxed, apart from what Sam found in the nursery. But now we have to wait a whole 5 months to find out… what are we going to do?

SCI-FI

The 100

Season 4: Episode 11 – The Other Side

Clarke faces the consequences of her fateful choice

It is strange that we are seeing the repeat of the Arc from season 1, where the teenagers are now making the same decisions that they fought against in the beginning. It is also interesting that Octavia has now become the one seeking unity, whereas it has been Clarke in the past few seasons. It seemed out of character for her to side with Jaha in this episode, and Bellamy was the one who acted out, just as he did in the past. It is a good thing that he did, as it would lead to war and massacre if Skykru were the only ones who got places in the bunker. This was certainly an Octavia and Bellamy episode. With all the possible moments in this episode to kick us in the feels it was the Monty and Jasper scene that got me tearing up. Such a great performance by both actors, and it really caught the audience by surprise. This entire episode was full of events and much foreshadowing to come. Who thinks that Raven is going to be the one to save everyone in the end?

Season 4: Episode 12 – The Chosen

Jaha and Kane disagree over how to handle their grim reality. Meanwhile, Clarke leads a group to save a friend.

Octavia really comes into her own in this situation. When the people of Skykru start to disagree with the situation and try to enforce their own opinion, she points out that the other 12 clans had already chosen their 100 and Skykru is no different. What they end up doing to decide is heartbreaking. It was difficult to watch Kane making the calls as to who lived and who had to die. Clarke and friends make it to Raven, but sadly without enough time. Are they really going to go back to the arc? So next season will most likely be about the trip to the arc, or how the 13 clans will get along in the bunker. Though, there is one episode left, and The 100 is well-known for its twist endings. So who knows what will happen next.

NEXT WEEK

Season 4: Episode 13 – Praimfeya

It's a race against the end of the world as Praimfaya arrives forcing our heroes to make impossible decisions to ensure their survival.

 Doctor Who

Season 10: Episode 5 – Oxygen

The Doctor, Bill and Nardole answer a distress call in deep space, and find themselves trapped on board space station Chasm Forge. All but four of the crew have been murdered – and the dead are still walking! In a future where oxygen is sold by the breath, and space suits are valued more highly than their occupants, the TARDIS crew battle for survival against the darkest evil of all…

So, while watching this episode, who remembered “Silence in the Library” from Series 4 and wanted one of the suits to say “Hey Who turned out the lights”… no? Just me? Oh well. This was an interestingly creepy episode. The idea that everything is sold and measured in breaths of air, as opposed to steps or time. It really makes you think about how many breaths you take in a minute’s time, not to mention the question… will there come a day when we become so obsolete that the suits that keep us alive will be more important to our employers? Of course Bill shined in this episode and is becoming more and more a great companion. The way she talks back to the Doctor reminds me very much of Donna Noble, again from Series 4. This was a great episode with a wonderful twist of an ending, the Doctor losing his vision... It will be interesting to see how he continues to be a brilliant as he is now, without being able to see.

Season 10: Episode 6 – Extremis

In the Haereticum – the Vatican’s secret library of blasphemy – there is an ancient book known only as The Veritas. Throughout history, anyone who has ever read it has immediately taken their own life. Now a new translation is online, and the danger is spreading. The Vatican appeals to the Doctor. Will he read The Veritas? But can even the Doctor survive the ultimate truth?

This is the Matrix… I mean Doctor Who. At first it seems this book is the danger that everyone is worried about, but upon reading it, and upon Bill’s discovery with random numbers, we learn something completely different is going on. Bill seems more curious than some of our last few companions, who does what she likes. This endears her to me, as she won’t just blindly follow the Doctor’s instructions without question. I do enjoy a companion who thinks for herself. At the same time, we also learn who was in the vault that he had been guarding all this time. Who was surprised to see Missy in the vault? I had my guesses, but was not certain. It will be interesting to see her interacting with the Doctor once again.

NEXT WEEK

Season 10: Episode 7 – The Pyramid at the End of the World

  Please be advised that the comic book shows will have their own weekly post this season, just changing things up a bit. Please keep an eye out for the Superhero Low-Down

If there are any shows that you think we should check out or that we have missed, please send us a private message or leave a comment below.

Until Next Time...

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