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kybelles · 9 months

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in which babianos sends his father a very stern letter

read on ao3 | inspired by this post

“Why are you not taking me to Isma?”

It’s late. In fact, it’s way past his usual bedtime, and yet Damen is gazing at him sulkily from where he’s curled up in his bed. His favorite blue fish is under his left cheek and his eyes are heavy with sleep. It’s endearing, if he has to admit, how Damen has dozens of toys by now and yet this old toy who was gifted to him by his older brother is still Damen’s favorite.

He should stop indulging Damen with bedtime stories and toys, probably. His son is four now.

But he’ll never have a child again. He’ll never get to experience these moments once more.

“Isthima.” Theomedes corrects, lightly tugging on one of Damen’s thick curls. “And I have already told you. You’re too small.”

Damen’s frown intensifies. At moments like these, with squinty eyes and pouty lips, he reminds Theomedes strongly of Egeria and a sharp pain twists on his chest like a knife.

“Kas is going with you.” Damen murmurs.

“Kastor is more than twice your age.” Theomedes replies knowingly. “When you reach his age, we may discuss it again.”

Truthfully, he began taking Kastor with him to political visits by the time his boy was six. But pointing it out now would only fuel Damen’s agitation as he would insist four is practically six.

Damen makes a distressed sound. “That’s too many years!”

“Well then,” Theomedes taps his nose. “I guess you need to sleep a lot and catch up.”

Damen is quiet for a moment and just as Theomedes thinks he’s out arguments, he says, “Baba.” with the sweetest voice. “Don’t leave me please. I will be soooo alone! ”

Theomedes rubs his face tiredly. “You won’t be alone. You have many people looking after you. And Lady Hypermenestra is here too.”

“Nessa treats me like a baby. ” Damen sniffs with a feisty attitude. His eyes are almost closed now. “She picks me and kisses and kisses and kisses my cheeks.”

At that, Theomedes can’t help but huff in amusement. Indeed; whenever Hypermenestra encounters Damen, she drowns him in kisses and hugs and Damen preens like a kitten under her attention.

“I’ve never heard you complain before.” he says. Damen finally succumbs into sleep and falls unconscious before he can come up with a response. Theoemedes sighs in relief, carefully getting up from the bed to not jostle him.

His Damen is a well-tempered child with a smile always adorning his face; so it’s quite a surprise to see him stand on the deck with the most cross look on his face when it’s time to see them off the next day, his little hand held by Hypermenestra. When Kastor finishes bidding goodbye to his mother and looks down on Damen, the child steps forward and wraps his arms around Kastor’s leg like an octopus.

“Damen, stop being a baby.” Kastor chides. Theoemedes thinks about Damen using the same word last night and wonders if he has picked it up from his brother. “We will only be gone for five nights.”

Damen stubbornly clings on.

Kastor drops a desperate hand to his head and ruffles his hair. “I’ll bring you pretty shells if you are a good boy while we’re away. Deal? Now, go and bid father goodbye.”

At that, Damen’s whole body goes rigid and before anyone has a chance to stop him, he takes off and runs away from the deck. His nursemaid hastily follows him.

“Well, no kisses for his baba I believe,” Theoemedes says with dejection. Despite knowing Damen is four and therefore prone to tantrums from time to time, he still feels slightly upset that he has to leave without a proper goodbye from him. He leans on and kisses his lover’s cheek. “Take care of him?”

Hypermenestra’s smile is blinding. “Of course, sire.”

Once they set sail, he takes a final look at the land and his heart immediately jumps into his throat at the sight: Damen, with a tear stricken face, running towards the deck this time; as if ready to fling himself at the sea in an attempt to catch them. Just as he opens his mouth to yell in alarm, Hypermenestra snatches him up with all the ease of a skillful mother and clutches him to her chest tightly just as Damen begins sobbing into her shoulder.

Theomedes lets out a deep breath. This boy…

“...and I believe we made a similar deal a few years ago with Patrans.” Theomedes is saying to Konstantin. The night is clear and cloudless with the smell of jasmines in the air. Next to him, Kastor is dozing with his head leaning mostly on Theoemedes’s arm. He lets him be; it’s been a long and tiring day and Konstantin isn’t a stranger. “Jase, hand me the scroll.”

Jase nods his head and opens the bag that contains the documents Theomedes asked for. Just as he’s taking it off, another piece of paper falls out of the bag. Jase frowns.

“What is it?”

Jase quickly takes a glance at the paper and when he lifts his gaze, his eyes are almost amused. “Ah, Exalted… I believe this is a note from Prince Damianos.”

Konstantin makes a questioning noise. Theomedes wordlessly reaches a hand and demands to see the note.

It takes him a while to read the whole thing. Damen is a smart child and his tutors always say he’s a good student, but he’s four after all and his handwriting is atrocious.

Deman- Danio- Damen to his father, greetings. It was so nice of you not take me with you to island. If you refuse to take me with you to Isma I won’t write you a letter or speak to you or wish you a good health. So if you to go Isma I won’t take your hand or kiss you ever again. If you refuse take me, this will happen!

Theomedes reads the note over and over again like the words are going to make sense if he tries harder; and then he starts laughing so loudly that it rings in the air. Kastor wakes up jumping. “What, what is it?”

Theomedes hands him the note, still laughing too hard to form proper sentences. Kastor reads it and then passes it to Konstantin, whose lips curl upwards for a little smile as he reads it as well.

“He’s turning into an incredibly spoiled child.” Kastor comments with a scowl. Theomedes thinks it’s a bit harsh criticism and opens his mouth to tell him so when Konstantin intervenes.

“I believe the young prince is so devoted to you because he feels lonely,” he comments with his usual calm manner. “There are barely any children around his age in the palace so he has to make do with his father and brother.”

Theomedes reaches out and pats his shoulder. “I’m glad you brought it up, old friend. Say, isn’t your youngest boy around my Damen’s age?”

“Nikandros?” Konstantin says with a slight surprise. “He’s two years older than the prince but yes… I believe they may get along.”

“Excellent. Say, what would your lovely wife say about spending the half of the year in Ios?”

Konstantin smiles. “I believe I shall ask and find out, Exalted.”

Whatever he’s expecting upon his return, it certainly doesn’t contain Damen running towards him with tears sliding down his face the second he sets his foot on land. Still, he easily scoops his son up. “Hello, cub. What’s the matter?”

“I was sooo mean! ” Damen wails, chest heaving with sobs. “I’m so sorry for my mean letter! Are you angry at me? Do you still love me? Nessa said you of course love me but baba— I’m sorry.” More sobbing.

Theomedes runs his hand through Damen’s hair over and over again until his boy calms down, his heart incredibly fond. Eventually, Damen’s sobs quieten. “There there… you are sorry for the way you behaved?”

“Yes baba.”

“Will you behave the same way the next time Kastor and I need to go on a journey?”

A quiet sniff. “No baba.”

Theomedes hums and hugs him tighter. “Then all is good, my boy. Baba loves you indeed. ”

#yall..... i'm sorry for clogging the capri tag with my deranged content lately feel free to block me...#if anyone has any babianos request pls let me know! no promises but i may end up writing it #captive prince #babianos #idil writes

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franklyimissparis · 2 hours

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mr schwartz: a line-by-line queer-coded lyrical analysis

warning: this is quite long but mr schwartz is one of my favourite songs off the car album (and one of my favourites of alex’s in general) and i’ve ALWAYS read it as super queer but have yet to dive into precisely what makes it queer and the themes within it. it’s TRULY such an understated lyrical masterpiece.

Put your heavy metal to the test

- this is a play on words of the phrase ‘test your mettle’ which basically means to see whether or not someone will carry on through something that is difficult. immediately, this indicates that the relationship between alex and the other person is a difficult one and requires strength/determination to move forward with

- it also could refer to heavy metal music (which isn’t a very traditional romantic genre) as is played off of in the next few lines

Might be half a love song in it all for you

- the phrase “half a love song” is particularly interesting to me as there are many ways to take it: it could be half a love song because it is unfinished or because it isn’t fully a love song (and both interpretations tie into other lyrics in the song)

- if we go down the route that it’s only half a love song because it isn’t fully a love song, it implies that there is more to the relationship than romance or that the song/relationship isn’t meant to be viewed (solely) through a romantic lens (but the other person may see it as such)

- whereas the idea that the song is unfinished could either suggest a lack of passion or the feeling that the story isn’t done yet.

- it could also communicate that the someone else needs to finish the song for alex - which is somewhat implied in the previous line. this could also indicate that, like alex, the other person gets musical inspiration out of their relationship

Timing wise, it’s probably for the best

- the use of “timing” ties in with the musical references but also highlights that the relationship is heavily tied to the timing of what’s going on in their lives (invoking “right person, wrong time” in a way)

- alex is acknowledging that because of forces outside of their control (i.e. time) it’s probably best they don’t pursue a serious relationship (or, like the previous line, a “full” love song)

Come here and kiss me now, before it gets too cute

- he’s asking his lover to quickly kiss him before they can let the moment become sweet, implying that, while he is fine with the physical aspect, the emotional side of things makes him uncomfortable

- musically, he also wants to avoid being cheesy or overly sentimental which ties in thematically with the ultracheese as well

- it’s important to note that this is also the only explicitly romantic line on the entirety of the car album: this (and the half a love song line) is the only line on the album that cannot possibly be read as platonic

Mr Schwartz is stayin’ strong for the crew

- here we switch to discussing the persona/character of mr schwartz, which as seen later, is obviously meant to be an extension/alter-ego of alex himself

- the reference to “staying strong for the crew” directly after talking about his lover implies that there is a conflict between the two: that staying strong for the crew entails keeping an emotional distance from his lover

- he recognises that those around him rely on him to keep up his persona to do their jobs (in this extended metaphor of a film set)

Wardrobe’s lint-rollin’ your velveteen suit

- alex is known to emphasise his personas via clothing choices and the velveteen suit is representative of that here. the crew removes any imperfections, like the lint, off of the suit (the persona)

- this also ties into alex’s obsession with perfectionism and control and how, though he is wearing the suit (i.e. persona), there is a mutual reliance between him and the “crew” to maintain his image

- also have to mention that velveteen is a rather untraditional material choice for something as traditional as a suit, there is a bit of a clash here between the two (a fully velveteen suit could also be seen as quite camp - and is also very 70s, which ties into eycte’s aesthetic too)

And smudgin’ dubbin on your dancin’ shoes

- dubbin makes leather softer and waterproof: again, others are trying to prevent damage from occurring to the persona

- this could also refer to the musical direction that the band has gone to in tbhc and the car: their music is softer and more contemplative than it was before, especially since ‘dancing shoes’ is also a song off of their first album. this could be commentary on how alex’s personas have evolved and the mixed reactions he’s gotten from his audience over it

Gradually, it’s coming into view

- we move from music imagery to film imagery with the line “coming into view”.. things were blurry or unclear before but he (or the other person) are slowly coming to realizations about their situation

It’s like your little directorial debut

- having a directorial debut suggests that this is the first time they are taking control of a situation and telling others what to do, they are directing someone else instead of being directed - with the word little being used to emphasise that this isn’t a massive change yet

- but he’s also directing himself to behave in a certain way: alex is directing his new persona, mr schwartz, in his debut

As fine a time as any to deduce

- to me this line also implies that this realisation has sort of been a long time coming, they’ve been through this cycle so many times that they might as well come to the realisation now

The fact that neither you or I has ever had a clue

- going into the next verse as well, this hints that alex and his lover have had struggles with seeing where alex ends and the persona begins and have also never been able to get their relationship right as a result

And if we guess who I’m pretending to be

- here he is confirming what is obvious: alex is mr schwartz and the persona is clearly differentiated from himself as “pretending”. alex and his lover are both keenly aware that mr schwartz is a persona which almost becomes a joke to them in the next line

Do we win a prize?

- alex pokes fun at how obvious it is to him and his lover that mr schwartz is a character but i think he’s also pointing out here: do we get anything out of the persona that i’ve created?

- he’s questioning, perhaps for the first time, if in the end keeping the persona up will be worth it to him and his lover or if it is all meaningless

Having attempted twice, both incorrectly

- okay so obviously the majority of us reading this are immediately going to go to a certain side project of alex’s and the two albums they’ve released (with talk of there being a third to complete the trilogy)

- this suggests that there have been two attempts at happiness between him and his lover but both times there was something fundamentally wrong with the relationship that caused them to drift, which is likely related to the act that he is putting on

Do we get a third try?

- the phrasing on this line is interesting as well as alex doesn’t ask his lover directly like “can we have a third try?” instead, he poses this question more existentially: will a third try be given to the two of them? it implies that he and the other person aren’t in control of their situation to some extent, they have to rely on being given chances by others.

- though this also could be interpreted as alex shirking responsibility of the situation onto others instead of being straightforward. he simultaneously wants and does not want control.

The gloved hand’s reachin’ in to hit the switch

- by wearing gloves, there is the desire to avoid leaving fingerprints/evidence of the relationship. and because the hand is gloved it is intentionally anonymous: is it alex’s hand? mr schwartz’s? the other person’s? or someone outside of things meddling in the relationship?

- interesting also that a switch is a binary thing: either on or off (gay or straight, platonic or romantic, alex or mr schwartz) ignoring the possibility of things being on a more complicated spectrum as is implied earlier (“half a love song”)

- hitting the switch is sometimes used as a euphemism for triggering a permanent change but can also be seen as a temporary action (the switch can be endlessly turned off/on), highlighting the back and forth in their relationship.

There’s not one goddamn thing that you can do about it

- this is the only time alex curses in the song which highlights how frustrating the persona and lack of power can be

- he feels stuck in the situation, just continuously flicking the switch between persona and reality, and indicates that his lover is also likely frustrated at this too. though they want to help fix the situation, they can’t, or at least they feel like they can’t

But Mr Schwartz is havin’ tea with the grips

- again, he’s switching back and forth between the real him and mr schwartz: while alex is frustrated and insecure about the lack of control in his life, mr schwartz charms those around him and takes hold of the situation

- more film imagery with mentioning the grips (those who help with camera and lighting equipment on a film set): to me, this line is fascinating as we’ve seen that everyone (including the crew) is working towards keeping the mr schwartz persona up and through the metaphor of the film set they are creating something imaginary, however, behind the scenes the grips still get to be real people with real families while alex, or mr schwartz, has to continue to keep the persona up.

Askin’ after all the wives and the kids

- the use of the phrase “askin’ after” instead of “talking about” etc. implies that the question is not mutual: mr schwartz is not being asked about his wife/kids because he does not have any and the others know it. yet he knows that it is important that he shows interest in their nuclear families. this is also clearly commentary on how alex is the only unmarried and childless member of the band

- it could be seen as him directing conversation away from his personal life: focusing on others and letting them talk is more comfortable than discussing yourself honestly and breaking the act

It’s at the heart of what the business is

- the final line of the song breaks down the essence of why the persona is kept up: ultimately, it is a business decision. alex understands how closely tied together business and personal lives are as a celebrity and is invested in the persona to keep the two separate, though by choice or force is up for debate

- also poses the question of whether or not he’s genuinely interested in their lives or if it is just business to him. it could be read as bittersweet in the sense that the heart of the business is human connection, but if you don’t conform you aren’t allowed to drop the act without punishment

- finally, this line also ties back to “staying strong for the crew”: he has to keep up the persona so that the ‘crew’ can continue to work and take care of their families. and hearing about them is both a reminder of what he is denying himself and what is at stake for the others.

to summarise: alex is torn between putting on the straight persona of mr schwartz and being truly himself within the fractured relationship he has with his lover - which has been heavily influenced by external and internal pressures. gee i wonder who the song is about (rhymes with schmiles schmane.)

#may do some other songs bc this was fun #it took me way too long though 😭😭#if you made it to the end you’re insane and i love you #if anyone has any requests let me know lmao #alex turner #the car era #the car album #arctic monkeys #miles kane #milex #the car #mr schwartz #tlsp

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itomiu · 2 years

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SIYOON ‘ RING ma Bell ’ (220903)

#if anyone has any siyoon / runa gif requests let me know ik theres not a lot of content for them #siyoon #billlie #billlienet #femaleidol #femaleidolsedit #femadolsedit #kflops #nugudomedit #useroro #aleksbestie #hijaehyukkies #wabisarah #rosieblr #useraweks #usershinaryu #♡

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stars-are-just-ghosts · 9 months

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if you're still looking for harrisco prompts i'd love to read something about a marriage proposal! thank you <3

Of course! I'm sorry I didn't see this sooner. I hope you like it!

- - -

"Ack, no! Harry, don't you dare throw that mug! That is my favorite mug!" Cisco pointed his finger right at Harry's head, his other hand out and reaching for the precariously lofted mug in question, Harry's hand well above Cisco's height and poised to toss the apparently offending piece of ceramic during one of his more robust temper tantrums.

Harry paused entirely, however, raising a single brow as he glanced at the mug. Then he lowered it just enough to make Cisco relax a little.

"It's a S.T.A.R. Labs mug. It's the same as every other mug in the building." Harry declared sternly, seemingly having forgotten, at least momentarily, what he'd been on a tirade about only a moment ago. Cisco took the opportunity to grab it out of his hand, stepping back as he practically hugged it protectively. Harry shook his head at him. "I thought your favorite was the one with all the rainbows on it. How can that," he motioned his hand at the one now in Cisco's grasp, "Be your favorite mug?"

"The rainbow one is my favorite. At home." He turned away, setting the mug on his workstation, turning and crossing his arms. "This one's my favorite here."

"Why?" Harry put his hands on his hips.

"Is... is that really important right now?" He asked, furrowing his brows a little. "Weren't you just upset about our equations not working?"

"I can be angry about that again later." He took a step forward, shaking his head dismissively. Cisco cracked an instant smirk, inwardly amused by the way he'd said that. Harry had always been singularly focused, but he was also incredibly flexible when it came to the problem of the moment. And apparently, for whatever reason, this mug situation was now very important.

"It's my favorite because you gave it to me." Cisco said gently, smiling knowingly. Harry seemed to still, glancing past Cisco at the mug. Which, in his defense, did look like every other S.T.A.R. Labs mug in existence. Except for the slight chip in the curve of the handle. It was how Cisco could tell it apart. "When you asked me out for the first time. We hadn't slept in two days, and you made really gross, strong coffee to keep us awake. You set it down in front of me and said-"

"We should get a real cup with breakfast after this is over." Harry responded, remembering the exact words he'd said. "You wanted to know if I was asking you out on a date. And I said-"

"Only if that's what you want." Cisco finished for him, unable to stop the warm smile on his face. Then he let out an easy breath, uncrossing his arms and moving right into Harry, slipping his hands right onto the taller man's hips and tucking in close. Harry's features softened even more, hands coming up to rest on Cisco's arms.

Consequently, that first breakfast date had turned into one of the best makeout sessions Cisco had ever had, followed by many, many other dates, which turned into the longest, craziest, most important, and honestly kind of perfect relationship Cisco had ever been in.

Truth be told, things had moved pretty quickly after that breakfast. But for Cisco, it was as though they'd been building into the 'something more' phase for months. He'd realized very early on that he was in love with Harry. But he was never going to act on it. He'd been too afraid of the idea of Harry rejecting him. He couldn't lose their friendship, which admittedly was one of the most important things in his life. But when Harry asked him out first, it was like a weight had been plucked right off his heart and he could finally act on all the pent-up yearning he'd been drowning in.

Getting to be with Harry, to love him out loud and without apology, had been the best decision he'd ever made. In fact, they'd been together for just over a year now. And Cisco couldn't picture ever making a different choice. He couldn't picture his life with anyone else. He never wanted to.

"If I'd known it was your favorite, I wouldn't have grabbed it." Harry said gently, all apologetic and rather sullen. "I'd never intentionally break something you care about." Which was true. Harry's temper was a work in progress. But even when he was throwing things, he never hurt anyone. Physically or emotionally. And he'd never, ever hurt Cisco. That was as real a truth to him as literally everything else about Harry.

The guy was surly, but his temper was driven by his heart and by the incredible enormity of how much he cared about his work, about his family, about the team. And especially about Cisco.

Harry was the only one who could really keep Cisco on his toes, challenging him at every turn, pushing him to do more than he thought he could, and daring him to believe in himself the way Harry always believed in him.

He was also physically exactly Cisco's type. Strong and lean, with eyes like the ocean and a smile that could melt icebergs. He was also incredibly good with that body and with his hands. In fact, of all the people Cisco had been with, Harry was by far the best in literally every category. With the focused, thorough way that Harry tackled most of his life, this meant his mastery of what went on in the bedroom was no exception.

Add to all that the way he treated Cisco every single day, like he was Harry's world and the universe around it, and Cisco couldn't help but feel like Harry was a bit of a miracle. Because how could someone already love him so much, and still seem to want to love him even more every day?

Now, here he was, lost in the way Harry was looking at him right, truly sorry for what he'd almost done to the mug, and all the reasons why Cisco loved Harry so damn much in return clicked in his head and had words tumbling out of his mouth before he had the sense to stop them.

"Marry me." Cisco said softly. Then blinked and wondered, if only for a moment, if he'd really said them out loud. But he had. He'd said it. And he, quite surprisingly, didn't want to unsay it. In fact, he really wanted to say them louder.

"What... what did you just say to me?" Harry sounded instantly stunned. Or worried. Or maybe a little of both? For once, it was hard to tell where his tone fell on the spectrum of emotion. He looked a little like a deer in headlights. And Cisco... shit, he should have felt just as petrified, right? But... he didn't. He really, really didn't. Because even though those words had popped up out of the blue, he was ready to dive in head first with what they meant. And it was probably the most comforting, wonderful thing he'd figured out in a long time.

"Marry me, Harry." He said with a barely contained smile, searching the crystal blue eyes he adored. "I'm serious. Say yes." Harry's expression softened, even took on a humorous quality, but he shook his head a little.

"You can't just tell someone to marry you, Ramon. That's not how it works." He responded dryly, pulling him closer, searching Cisco's eyes for any hint that this wasn't real. "You are serious..." he whispered, letting out a quick breath. "Cisco, I'm not... I-

"No, no," Cisco lifted his hands to Harry's face, shaking his head, "Don't overthink it. I'm happy, Harry. Happier than I have any right to be, and it's all because of you. I'm pretty damn sure you feel the same way about me. I mean, you were just nearly heartbroken at the thought of breaking a mug because I like it." He cracked a smile, then slipped his hands around to the back of Harry's head. "And just now... it occurred to me that I don't want to lose that kind of love. I don't want to lose you, ever. I want you to drive me nuts and make me happy every day for the rest of my life. And I want to do the same for you, okay? So, you're right. I'm serious. Very, very serious."

For a long, far too quiet moment, Harry didn't say a thing or move beyond his eyes dancing over Cisco's. Then he leaned down and slotted their lips together, warm and soft. That kiss lingered and deepened in a way that was familiar but always made Cisco's heart knock a little louder against his ribcage. Their tongues caressed in a way he knew well and always wanted to fall into. Harry backed him up slowly into his workstation, Cisco's rear stopping them both and shaking the table's contents. And, phew, that kiss? That was the sort of kiss that would have made a biker blush.

When they both finally had to come up for air, Harry stayed pressed up against him, hands smoothing Cisco's hair away as he examined the flush in his cheeks and the way Cisco couldn't help but try to get his breathing under control, because hot damn.

"You... you do realize that wasn't an answer." Cisco huffed out, smoothing his hands over Harry's chest without breaking eye contact. Harry's sly, knowing smile was a gift in itself.

"Try asking me an actual question." Harry countered. And Cisco giggled like an idiot, feeling a little giddy and honestly rather elated by all of this.

"Harry, will you marry me?" He asked, grinning when Harry's smile turned wide and happy.

"Yes, I will." He replied. And Cisco instantly pulled him down into another pretty damn incredible kiss. In fact, that kiss turned into hands everywhere and getting half-naked on the lab floor until Barry walked in and nearly had a panic attack at seeing them getting their busy on, which was something that Harry found endlessly amusing.

After that, whenever Harry brought him coffee in the labs, it was in the mug with the little chip in the handle and a knowing smile to go with it. And even if the coffee was too strong, Cisco enjoyed every sip. Because nothing could be better than this...

#harrisco #harry wells #cisco ramon #fic rec #prompt #i hope you like it #thanks for this request #if anyone has any other prompt ideas #please let me know #happy to be doing this again #looking forward to more #earth 2 harrison harry wells #francisco ramon

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