#she’s really mad about her job lately and I think she needed a reason to break down cause that’s what not something she would break down for

[bronx-bomber87]

Hello lovely fandom and happy Wednesday. We are cruising along with 6x09. Can't believe we're already on the second to last ep. Not a ton of Chenford or Tim in this one but what we do get is GOOOD. It's an all around good episode though. Let us begin.

6x09 The Squeeze

Recap of 6x06-6x08 got me all in my feels before this one even starts. Poor Tim killing me right off that bat. Always be floored by Eric and his ability to convey so much with a look. How it just makes me wanna hug his hurt away. No wonder Lucy always pulls him in for hugs. How could she not? I’m sure he hasn’t even begun to process how he feels. It’s a lot what just happened to him. It all unfolded in the blink of an eye.

Someone who he used to work closely with killing himself in front of him. Doing so because he’s a dirty cop. Not only that but taking all his secrets with him. Only thing Tim got out of it was Dr. London being dirty too. Grey shows up to the scene and startles Tim out of his thoughts. He debriefs Wade letting him know Mad Dog confessed to being dirty. That he believes Blair to be apart of it as well. Now we all know he didn’t mention her by name.

BUT it was pretty damn implied. With the awkward interactions in the hospital and the rooftop scene. Wade asks if he used her name specifically? Tim tells him no….But it was clear she was who M.D. was speaking of. Grey reminding him to be careful of accusing without any evidence. As amazing as his cop gut is that’s not evidence unfortunately. Loving the hat on Wade btw. Very fitting.

It’s not too long before the accusatory Detective Pearson shows up. Not loving him from the jump. Couldn't stand him for couple reasons. One because douche bag just comes off him in waves. Two the way he comes at Tim makes me wanna knock him on his ass. This guy coming in way too hot for my liking. Far too eager to pin this on Tim.

Makes my protective Sicilian side emerge and she’s not happy. I do love Grey being quick to Tim’s defense. No one better to have his back in this moment. Lucy would be great of course. But Wade is the superior in this moment so his 'back off ' holds more water. Gotta love this man. Always protects his people.

Wade can tell Pearson wants to have a slam dunk case against Tim. It’ll further his career to get such a high-ranking officer tangled in a dirty mess. It's why Grey tells him as such. Ugh. What a schmuck. Kudos to the actor though. I instantly dislike him so well done sir LOL The way Tim watches the body get wheeled away breaks my heart. Damnit Eric you’re too good at your job. Expressing so much in that look I just want to hug him. But that’s Lucy’s job later…

We join Celina officially moving in. This will be an interesting dynamic for s7. Especially after they get back together. I’ll be intrigued how that is all handled... But I’m getting way too ahead of myself. It's hard not to when we don’t know anything. It’s easy to daydream and speculate about the unknown. Anyways John is there and sadly not as a friend but to check in on Celina. She says he’s just making sure she’s not late for her shift.

Nolan commenting would reflect poorly on him and his performance review is coming up. Not selfish at all John….His review should be ‘Needs work.’ But we all know how I feel about him as a teacher. He asks Lucy how she is? I don’t think he expects the epic rant he receives. I mean she has healed some but not nearly enough. Her words sounding like she’s trying to convince herself. Makes me sad. Doing her best to flip all this upheaval into a good thing.

Our girl feels really lost in her life right now. All the turmoil that I don’t know she’s really dealt with. I think part of her having Celina move in is she doesn’t have to deal with it as much. To not have to be alone and sit in her feelings. Because I am the the same way. If left alone too long with my thoughts they eat at me. This scene just being more proof she hasn’t dealt with much of it at all IMO. I know the prevailing theory of the season for Lucy was she was alone. Isolated. I mentioned this in my mini too.

I think a lot of the isolating is self inflicted. Her and Tim are very alike in how they handle emotional distress. At an arms length and solo. Other than Jackson, Tim is the only one she’s really allowed close to her. Tamara yes but that's always been more maternal and not like what she has with Tim. And even him she doesn’t tell everything to and vice versa. It’s very in character for her to do this. I know people thinks because she’s bubbly, optimistic and outgoing this isn’t the case. But it is. Just like how people who are depressed don’t come off that way. When there a signs of it despite their ‘happy or sunny’ demeanor.

She was isolating herself before the breakup even occurred. Rewatching this season she was doing so from the very jump of s6. Their fight in 6x01 being proof of that isolation. She felt herself overloading and shoved him away with her accusation. That was just the start. 6x04 and her rash decisions with Jeff Budny is a huge one as well. She didn’t include the one person she should’ve in that ep. It's how we ended up in that hospital room with her. I’ve said this many times before. But her and Tim are quite alike in how they handle their emotions.

Tim’s is showcased more especially this season. It's easier to detect. If you're really looking you can see her's. Lucy’s were screaming through out this entire season as well. She is a control freak just like Tim in the way she shuts people out. Even her person couldn’t get in and vice versa. They have the same fatal flaw. It’s why their lack of communication became their downfall. Our girl has as much growing to do as Tim does. I’m hoping all this is a setup for s7 for her. To me her explosion here is an example of her not dealing fully with what happened still. Shall see how s7 is handled for her. I'm hopeful.

Their convo is interrupted by Angela calling Lucy. First off I love her looking out for Lucy. Just like she does with Tim. There was a great parallel set for this and 2x12. Angela providing comfort to them both when the other is in distress. Our on-screen cheerleader for them both and I love it sfm. Even knowing what a weird place they’re in, she knew Lucy would wanna know from her than anyone else. We love you Angela Lopez. You’re a real one.

She also knows Lucy well to tell her right off the bat he’s ok. You know her heart stopped when she began that sentence. We watch Lucy instantly go into wifey mode. Both in her body language and tone of voice as Angela explains. How she turns her back to the others when it’s about her person. Needing a moment to herself as she absorbs this information.

Melissa crushing it in this scene with everything she does. From closing her eyes taking in the severity of this situation. To the concerned wifey tone she switched to quickly. We all know she has a million and one thoughts rushing through her brain right now. Mainly was he ok? Does he need her? The worry for him settling into her soul and growing rapidly by time the call ends. Once Angela hangs up she finally turns around and updates them. Concern flooding her tone.

The wifey vibes continue when John gets a call shortly after. Tim has called him to be his union rep. (Only reason he would ever call Nolan in a personal matter...) We watch as anxiety all but pours out of Lucy. Worried wifey mode has activated and it’s not going away. Despite everything they’ve been through. Everything he’s done. Her number one instinct is worry and concern for him. It's deeply rooted. It's who she is.

She loves him so much still. That is written all over this scene and her reaction. That instinct to be there for him coursing through her like a powerful current. I love her stopping Nolan before he goes. The worry seeping out of her tone. Asking how he sounded? Nolan just replying ‘Tight.’ Which is apropos for Tim in situations such as this tbh. The reason she asked this was that she could gather everything she needed to know about his state of mind from that information alone.

When she hears Nolan’s reply her worry increases tenfold. Melissa is killing me in the best way in this scene. Props to her and Eric once again for this season. I can't praise them enough honestly. It hurt so much but hot damn if they weren’t giving their A game and more every single episode. Holy hell. Not that they don’t always. Just with such limited episodes they did really good with the material. Writing was superb for them. They rose to the occasion and then some.

Tim is so anxious waiting for Nolan it’s making me anxious. He is wound so damn tight right now. Not that I blame him but we can feel the anxiety just seeping out of him. The tapping of his feet, hands, and whole body is tense before Nolan arrives. He pops right up the minute John enters the room. He doesn’t look at all prepared for what Tim is about to thrown down at him.

Nolan tries to ask him questions but Tim doesn’t have time for it. Immediately let's him know what’s going on. That they’re going to want to hang this on someone. Now that Mad Dog is dead their scape goat is gone. All that is left is Tim. He’s STRESSED they’re going to hang this around his neck. That he needs Nolan to take over the investigation. I said this in my mini and I'll say it now.

My first thought was I don’t trust Nolan with this….That I wouldn’t have chosen him to spearhead this whole thing. But Tim doesn’t have a ton of options atm. So he’s gotta go with what he’s got. And that happens to be John Nolan right now. He asks Tim who to investigate? Tim tells him to look into Blair London the rookie police department shrink.

That he’s been seeing her and so has Aaron. That he thinks she had leverage on M.D. and that’s why he jumped. I wanna pause here and say how proud I am of Tim in this moment. Look at him reaching out for help this time. Not trying to quarterback this alone. Handling this completely differently than how he handled Ray. Not isolating himself and trying to figure this out solo. He’s going through the proper channels this time. Not wanting to do a OP and segregate himself from everyone.

To say it sucks Dr. London is dirty is an understatement. Because my greatest fear would be what she does in this episode. BUT I am forever grateful to her in the same vein. Because despite her being dirty she truly helped Tim in short time he had her. Look at the growth in this moment right now. I’ve said this many times already but I truly hope we continue his therapy journey. The results are astounding and I need more of this growth. It’s just like Chenford ship crack to me. Tim growth is my other drug of choice haha Give it to me writers LOL

We see Pearson is under Dr. London thumb. (Monica’s really) It leads up to this next scene that makes my blood boil. I hated watching this scene the first time and I didn’t love it any better second time around. It makes me sick to my stomach to watch unfold. How Pearson comes after Tim like a dog with a bone. The way he uses Dr. London to solidly his reasoning makes me all kinds of angry. I'm seeing red.

I HATE them using his sessions and twisting them for their own gain. It was like I said earlier this was my biggest fear of her being dirty. This right here. Gotta commend Danielle Campbell though. She does a really good job in this scene. Even though this was her idea you can see the conflict raging in her. Because she is the one who convinced Tim to go to therapy. For pure reasons actually. To help him out. Which she did. We know that’s why she’s under Monica thumb.

She used her need to help people against her. That she is only doing this because she is being coerced. Doesn’t excuse a damn thing, but explains her hesitation and almost tortured look in this scene. Especially when Pearson comes at Grey. Accusing him of favoritism. Saying he cares more about that than this city. You can see the restraint on Wade's face not to knock this punk out. How very dare you come at him and Tim like this. Makes me wanna rage so much.

This scene right here is why love Angela Lopez so much. That fiery passion she has for those she loves. How she is unwaveringly loyal to those she holds dear. Tim being that person in this moment. Not gonna lie that’s why I love this moment so much. Calling her husband. Love her of her life to chew him out to defend her brother. Her first instinct just like Lucy is to protect him.

To make sure if he’s charging Tim that she better know first. Hot damn Angela. Tell us how you really feel. haha This man is so lucky to have this fire ball in his corner phew lord. Telling Wes she stands by Tim a thousand percent. That he’s family. Ugh my heart. Gonna make me cry. I love their friendship so much. Give me more of them in s7. Their dynamic is fantastic and I need far more of it in my life.

We arrive at the best part of the episode. After nearly fifteen minutes filled with tension…We need this hug as much as these two do. My god. I adore her being so attuned to him. Lucy sees him and knows she needs to go to him. She can see how tense he looks. The clench in his jaw very evident. Her look damn near mirroring the worried look she had in 5x19. That same longing look to reach out to him surging through her. Worried Lucy is a fav of mine and we got to have that a lot in this episode.

This time she doesn't stop herself and we all love her for it. She worries about him, regardless of the state of their relationship. It’s what drives her to go after him before his elevator closes. That magnetic pull she can’t explain nor describe. All Lucy knows is she needs to be near him and comfort him. That even from afar she can tell he needs her. As I said earlier Lucy is so attuned to Tim and what he needs. It’s a beautiful thing to witness.

To say Tim is shocked when she keeps the elevator from closing is an understatement. Not only that but stopping it so they aren’t interrupted. Wanting to ensure they have a moment alone. Even when she says to be clear she’s still mad. That this doesn’t change anything. He’s still clueless as to what is going on here. You can see it all over his face above. He has zero idea why she is in here right now.

Because in his mind there is no way she’s thinking about him. Let alone wanting to be there for him in this moment. Which breaks my heart. The last thing he ever expected was for her to care for him. Or about him in any way shape or form. Also the 4x09 vibes coming off this hug had me losing my friggin mind. This hug is everything. It showcases their bond, the intimacy that still exists between them, the vulnerability has me reeling and how they are each other’s safe place still. *happy sigh*

The way she pulls him in reminiscent of the 4x09 hug. Tim standing there not expecting this moment of comfort and getting it. It’s the way she draws him into to hide in her arms. Just like she did in ‘Breakdown.’ I’m fine….Only difference in this hug from that one is the way he just melts into her arms. The face smoosh into her shoulder. Once again mirroring that infamous hug. We watch all that anxiety and stress just drain out of him. The tension he was carrying into the elevator leaving his body once he's in his happy place. Closing his eyes and surrendering to the comfort she brings him.

He immediately wraps his entire body around her. Melding into her. Easily falling into this hug and her arms. Like two puzzle pieces that are meant to be together. Fitting back together so effortlessly after time apart. Encasing her back in his hands and snuggling in for good measure. Clinging to her like she is his emotional life raft. Because. Well she is. Holding her as close as he physically can. Cherishing this moment. Because I’m sure he never thought he would experience this again. Holding her in his arms like this. Feel her comfort and love.

These two make me insane in the best way. Also let me once again point out Tim's growth. He didn’t even try to fight her like he’s done in the past. He sees this for the gift that it is and absorbs this moment. Savoring it really. The peace you can see on his face floors me. Eric at it again. You can tell this is first time in long time he’s felt whole. This hug is beautiful on some many levels. You can feel the raw emotion coming out of them both.

The concern that’s been building up in Lucy since this morning coming out in waves. She is tucked in TIGHT to him. Clinging to him as much as he is clinging to her. I'm not ok. You can hear the immense worry in her voice as she asks him if he’s ok? Despite everything she felt the draw to be there for him. The way she looks like she can finally breathe as she asks him that question is EVERYTHING.

We get some good hands hands hands in this hug. I can’t stop staring at her thumbs in that gif either. The soothing way she is running her thumbs up and down on his back and arm. Methodical in her soothing of him. Gah I cannot you guys. Her remarkable empathy shines through in this moment. This was a balm my soul needed so much. That all of us needed. We all know how much our boy longed for this.

Can't get over her face pressed so tightly into his neck. Doing this, as she asks him what she’s been dying to since she received that phone call. Like she couldn’t breathe until she knew the answer to this question. Look at the concern on her face when she does. I’m reeling and sobbing. Lucy looks on the verge of tears herself. Their hearts are just starting to mend in this glorious hug. You can feel it. Ours too.

No one does hugs like our ship does. They’re always top tier goodness. Holy hell. They’re just breathing each other in. Calming one another down. The anxiety that was raging in both of them cooling down to a simmer in this embrace. He has melted into her like butter at this point. Reveling in the comfort and empathy she's providing him. The way he says ‘I am now.’ Reminiscent of 5x21 and their phone call in the alley. How he wasn’t ok till he heard her voice.

Song remains the same in this moment. He wasn’t ok until now. Until she had her arms wrapped around him for this hug. Didn’t know he was holding his breath till she released it for him. It’s how he sways with her and sinks even further into her arms. Smooshing his face even farther into her shoulder. It’s so sincere his reply back that I am just a puddle of emotion. He’s so vulnerable in this moment with her.

Letting her know he wasn't ok until she was there. Imma scream at how much I love this growth in him. If there was any more doubt in Lucy’s mind of his feelings for her, this hug and his reaction to it should clear that right up. That is a man who is still so in love with her. Letting her know he wasn’t alright until she came and found him. I’m not crying you are…. Find you a person who knows what you need when you need it. Even when you’re not in the best place. That’s Lucy Chen for this man. Reigniting him falling in love with her all over again in this moment.

Lucy picking up on this growth reflects in her reaction back. Gah it’s the way she tightens her arms around him after she hears this. Closes her eyes and tries to bring him even closer. Trying to wrap him up in her arms even tighter. Absorb any stress he is carrying right now. The sheer relief written all her face. The way she shuts her eyes knowing he’s ok because she is there. *sobs*

Just melting into this man as she holds him as close as she can. Clinging to him as much as he is to her. I’m not ok in the best way. I remember thinking this hug would feed my soul into the hiatus. Just gonna scream into a pillow how much I love this moment. Their chemistry is insane and with a hug? Even more so my god. We are blessed to have a ship where our hugs are this amazing.

I love this faraway shot of their hug. They are in-sync as they part. How do they do that? We can see how deeply entangled they are. Nary an inch between them. You can see how they were just clinging onto each other for dear life. Look at Tim’s arms/hands. How gentle and intimate his are placed.

Having her as close as he can. It’s the hand gently wrapped around her lower back that has me losing it. It’s just so intimate I can’t get over it. Lucy is retuning the favor in kind. She too is just as intertwined as he is in this moment. Arms clinging to him and her face buried in his neck. Their chemistry on massive display here.

You’d think the hug alone would be enough to make me squee to death. Lucy follows it up with fixing his collar. I’m dead. The most wifey move of all moves. Reminded me of the lint picking from 5x12. Such an intimate coupley thing to do. I’m losing my damn mind over it. Wife energy coming off her in waves. Just seemed so automatic and natural when they part.

Also she touches her arm before reopening the door. She can’t keep her hands off him and I’m here for it. Tim looks like he’s going to cry in that elevator. I also love Tim putting his hands in his pockets right after. Because if he doesn’t he’ll never let her go. They’ll never get off this elevator. He could've stayed in that hug all day.

Basked in the comfort she had to give him. So he puts his hands immediately in his pockets after they part. Ugh my heart. They miss each other so much and this hug is screaming that. Also screaming how they didn’t miss a beat. How natural and wonderful it was. *happy sigh* This hug giving me true hope for the first time.

They re-open elevator to find Angela and Harper waiting for them. They look like they’ve been caught. Like they didn’t just have this deeply emotional embrace. The looks they share before Lucy leaves are LOADED. The expression on Angela’s face... She knows they interrupted something. I adore her saying she can get him extradited if he needs it. Love this woman so much. We know just like Lucy she is willing to do anything for this man.

Makes my heart so happy. All these women in his life want is to support and protect him. You can tell Angela wants to be tagged in so badly. Tim telling her won’t be necessary. He didn’t do anything wrong. That she had his back last time. He has different forces at play this time. Adore her saying 'Different isn’t me.’ Not it’s not ha Sadly last of Tim for this ep. *pouts*

Another telling scene for Lucy. Really really need s7 to clear these things up for her. Because despite being wonderfully empathetic human to Tim. She is still lost in life and not sure who she is. I NEED UC and some other things clarified for her next season. I really do. Just because she’s amazing at UC (and she is) doesn’t mean it’s her path. I do love this scene because it’s just Lucy being Lucy.

Having EIGHT covers ready to go. Our little nerd in action here. I adore it so much. It’s the most Lucy Chen thing she could do. Telling them it takes twelve off duty hours to grow. I love her so much. It’s not a mystery why Tim is so damn gone for her. Their faces as she explains cracks me up. Tim wouldn’t be shocked in the least. Hell I’m sure he was there while she was growing some of them.

The detective line is just another stab at our hearts though. Hoping for clarification and goodness for her career in s7. Manifesting it. As much as I need their reconciliation.(and I need it bad) I need her path resolved just as much tbh. For her to find her purpose and grow. Because once her and Tim do this. That reconciliation is gonna be even sweeter because of it.

I will say I was impressed with Nolan. Enjoy this it won’t last ha He handled investigating Blair really well. Rattling the cages of the potential dirty cops she was seeing just by showing up to her office. I forgot seasons 1-2 Nolan was a good cop. He just got really annoying after s3. LOL Also roping Smitty in was hilarious. He was already there for the food so might as well use him.

It’s the first time in what feels like a long time I enjoyed John. He enlists Nell too to help him with data from dispatch. Maybe it’s Bailey that makes him extra irritating to me. Lmao Sorry Jenna....lol Anyways quite the miracle Nolan pulled off in this ep getting me to like him. Not only that but commend him on the job he’s doing. Helping out Tim in a major way and I can’t deny that.

Nolan’s plan works out like gang busters. He went to her office to rattle a dirty cop into revealing himself. Pearson does it perfectly. Losing his mind about finding out they were in Mad Dog's apt. Like I said earlier I commend John on his work in this. Had Tim’s back and then some with his investigation. If they wrote him like this more wouldn’t dog on him so much lol

The other part that is so great is Grey. He is a papa bear ready to devour anyone messing with his work kids. This part was so cathartic to watch after earlier. Watching him dismantle Pearson like the schmuck he is. Was sick of him stomping around the station. Acting like he can just be top dog when he's really on a leash.

Rubbed me the wrong way being disrespectful to Tim and threatening Wade. Watching him attack Nolan/Celina is Grey's final straw. Puts that turd in his place. We watch him visibly shrink as Grey tears him a new asshole LOL All but telling him to stay in his own lane. Get em’ Wade! Nolan putting together the connection of Pearson and Blair due to this. Was fun to watch them piece this together.

Scenes like this give me agita like no other. My heart was beating in my chest for her. Lucy did a really good job despite the toy. Unfortunately it’s one of those loud musical ones. That not only gives away her position. But possibly her cover in the process. He find it’s on the floor. Looking menacing af. This man gives me the creeps on so many levels. I hated this mission for her on so many levels.

Unfortunately they’ll need her going back into the house. Now that Monica is in play it’s crucial she is there. Especially with Batista investigating who tried to kill her. Lucy is worried they’re going to blow her cover faster with her involved…But it’s a risk they have to take. If Tim knew about this he would be feral. Oh Feral Tim how I miss you. I need more 2x11 feral Tim in my life. That's a wishlist for s7 I suppose.

The ep ends with Nolan making a deal I’m not sure he can make lol But he was good in this episode so I’ll give him a pass. You can see how panicked she is. I am impressed John got her on this bench I will say. Getting her to almost spill her guts to him. Saying she didn’t think anyone would get hurt. That's what they all say....

I will say I missed Tim a lot in this ep after he was gone. That's my man. But it was a good episode. Reminded me of what a good ensemble cast we have as a whole. That's all she wrote for this one.

As always thank you to everyone for reading, liking, commenting and reblogging these means more than you’ll ever know. Shall see you all in the finale with 6x10 :)

~~~

Side notes-non Chenford

We get more insight in how Dr. London is being leveraged. Of course it’s a Monica connection because she is the absolute worst….

It’s great to see Pearson get nailed to the wall at the end of the ep. Prick.

[yoohyeon]

If my parents learned how to apologize, 90% of the fight we have wouldn’t happen….

[cosyvelvetorchid]

Prompt: Buck and Tommy asking Maddie to be their surrogate.

I LOVED writing this one so much. I may actually add it to Ao3 as a oneshot.

I genuinely made myself cry at the end!

I hope you enjoy it! ❤️

It's funny how life works. You think you have a handle on things; that you know where things are headed, and then God, or the universe or something throws you a curveball. A big, giant, cruise ship shaped curveball, with enough power to turn your life completely upside down and give you exactly what you needed despite you having no idea you needed it.

Buck thought he would spend his whole life on the hamster wheel. The endless song and dance of dating, thinking he'd found someone he could be happy with, then they leave. And he loses enough couch.

Tommy had spent a lifetime hiding. Years of repressing who he was to protect himself. And when he finally came into his own and accepted who he was, it was too late. He'd resigned himself to the fact that he would be alone.

And then the captain of the 118 needs help and 2 people who - somehow despite having the job, the city they live in and people they know in common - had never actually met, flew into a hurricane together and everything changed.

Six months later they're sharing keys to eachothers homes.

One year and Buck is moving into Tommy's house.

And, 18 months in, when Tommy finally comes home from a month in the hospital - including 6 days in a coma where Buck thought he might actually lose the love of his life - after a helicopter crash, Buck barely makes it 5 minutes before proposing.

Two years and they're standing on Tommy's deck exchanging rings in front of everyone they love. They saw no point in waiting - they knew they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together.

Three years in and they want to take the next big step. This one, however, was the biggest. The most terrifying: a family.

They'd spoken to a couple of surrogacy agencies but something was missing. Somehow they made it all seem so clinical. A business transaction. On top of that, in their research they had come across some horror stories of surrogate parents wanting to keep the baby despite it not being genetically theirs.

They talked and talked and talked about what options they had. And then Buck had remember something Connor had said about the reason they chose him as a sperm doner - they wanted someone they knew.

The answer was quite simple really. It was asking the question that was going to be difficult.

Three years and four months in they're sat in Maddie and Chimneys living room, nerves vibrating through they're entire bodies waiting for Maddie to say something.

"What?"

"We want to know if you would consider being a surrogate for us." Buck repeated.

"I.. Buck... I.. that's..." Maddie couldn't quite process what was being asked.

"Look, you know that we've been talking to agencies and trying to find the right one and sure they seem all above board and I'm sure that we could eventually find someone to help us build our family. But then it hit me - there's nobody on earth I.. we would trust to grow and nurture our baby more than you. Maddie you're a wonderful mother and I know that if you did agree to this that he or she would be loved and cared for and protected so much while their growing." He stopped to take a big breath. "But, we know its a huge ask, and you have as much time as you need to think about-"

"Yes." Maddie interrupted.

"What?"

"What?"

"What?"

Buck, Tommy and Chimney all sat forward to look at her.

"Evan, you are the most amazing little brother anybody could ever have. And you've been through so much in your life; so much pain and trauma and, all I ever wanted for you was to be happy. And then I found out you and my stupid husband were going to fly into a hurricane and I was so scared - and mad-" She added scowling at Chimney "-but you came back and not alone." She looked at Tommy fondly. "You found someone who makes you truly happy, and I have never been more proud or happy for you." She wiped a tear from her eye.

"So, if I can do this one thing for you, to make you even happier, then of course I will do it."

Buck wiped his own tears away that had started falling somewhere around the helicopter part.

"Really?" Buck said, not quite believing it. His chin was shaking and more tears threatened.

"Are you sure?" Tommy added. Maddie leant forward reaching out for each of their hands.

"I love you both. I'm sure."

Buck practically through himself at her, enveloping her into a hug.

"Thank you Maddie. For everything. My whole life."

"Hey I wanna get in on this." Tommy interrupted, gently peeling Buck from his sister so he could hug her.

"I don't know what else to say other than thank you. So so much."

Four years and 2 months in and they get the phone call. The bag has been packed by the door for weeks, the nursery decorated for a month and 2 men, wildly in love with other, who couldn't imagine life without the others existence, were on the way to meet they're baby.

***

They chose not to tell anybody that Maddie was in labour. They knew they would get nothing but an outpouring of love, but they wanted to spend a little while - even if it was only a few hours, thanks to Howard i cant keep a damn secret Han - after the baby was born to enjoy the moment as a family. However, there was one person Buck did call.

Bobby arrived at the hospital and sat in the labor and delivery waiting area. After a few minutes, Buck turns a corner; a tiny bundle in his arms wrapped in a pale yellow blanket. Bobby immediately walked over with a smile.

"Hey cap. I wanted to introduce you to someone.. meet our daughter - Brook Maddie Kinard."

Bobby stared at Buck for a moment, not quite fully comprehending what he had heard.

"Brook that.. that was my daughters name.."

"I know." Buck smiled softly. "We wanted to name her after you, and Bobby is a gender neutral name, but having two of you might get confusing, so we chose Brook instead. Is.. is that okay?"

Bobby's eyes filled with tears as he swallowed back the emotion.

"Yeah, kid. Yeah it's okay."

[fool-inthe-rain]

All the Right Reasons

Sirius Black x Potter!Reader

wc: 1500~

Content: Fluff!!!! Angst if you squint. Use of she/her pronouns, use of Y/N. Let me know if I missed anything. 

Request: I’m a hoe for Sirius Black and was wondering if you could write a Sirius Black x Potter!reader secret relationship. Maybe some sneaking around and getting found out and James being mad or something but with a happy ending. 

Anon I'm so sorry this took much longer than I expected it to. Thank you so much for the request and I hope you enjoy reading!

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To say they were in love, well, that would be an understatement. The pair were totally and completely infatuated with each other. They did a remarkable job of hiding their intimacy, however. The only other person who knew about the relationship between Sirius Black and Y/n Potter was, of course, Remus Lupin. It’s not like they wanted him to know, but when he walked in on them making out on Sirius’s bed, it was pretty difficult from there on out to hide what was going on from him. 

Remus was, unsurprisingly, incredibly supportive of them. Sure, he was skeptical at first. Who wouldn’t be? Sirius Black, best friend of James Potter, and dating his twin sister? Remus made it a point to set boundaries, even though he knew, he didn’t want to hear about it or see anything too relationship-y from either of them. The less he knew the better. The last thing he wanted was to know every detail of their relationship, and have James find out he knew. Remus knew Sirius and y/n better than either would admit, that being said, even though they had been diligent so far, he knew how incredibly unstealthy the two were. James was bound to find out sooner rather than later. 

Summer was hard. What with Sirius living with the Potters and all. This was his third summer with them, and his last, as they were going into 7th year and would–hopefully–be graduating. Sirius spent his nights waiting for James to fall asleep so he could sneak into y/n’s room. He was exceedingly grateful that James was such a heavy sleeper. 

Sirius was already laying out a game plan in his mind for how he and y/n would get ample alone time during the three-month break. He figured it wouldn’t be much different than last summer, but he still wanted to be prepared for what he liked to call ‘unprecedented changes to the mission’ the mission being their relationship. To his credit, Hogwarts was much larger and much easier to sneak around in, so y/n let him have his silly code phrases as long as it meant they would still be able to get away from James when needed. 

They had gotten home late, as the ride from Kings Cross to the Potter’s home was excruciatingly long and boring. Euphemia and Fleamont let them know in the car that come morning, they would be heading out for a small family engagement on the coast. James and y/n were not expected to attend as it was extended family they really had no relationship with. As soon as Sirius heard the house would be free of adults for a few days the gears started turning in his head. When they had finally gotten home, decisions were silently made between Sirius and y/n to just sleep for the night, no sneaking around. They were too drowsy to be careful. 

Sirius and James parted ways from y/n and made their way to their shared bedroom only a few doors down from hers. 

“Thinking of going out tomorrow with a few old friends from the neighborhood. You game?” James asked Sirius, turning his head to look at his friend.

Sirius smirked from where he was standing, facing away from James. 

“Nah mate, you have fun. I think I’m just gonna hang out here, maybe see about that motorcycle I had been telling you about.” He was trying to hide the smile from his voice. This was almost too perfect. Effie and Fleamont would be out, James would be out, and then there were two. 

“Alright, well if you change your mind…” James’s sentence trailed off into a yawn. “Godric, I’m bloody tired.”

“Me too.” Was all Sirius could get out before he caught James’s yawn. 

James turned the light off and within seconds the pair was asleep. The next morning, as per usual, y/n was up early, in time to see her parents off. James woke up around mid-morning and when the clock hit 12:30, Sirius was still sound asleep. 

“I’m heading out for the day. I’ll be home around dinner.” James yelled as he left the shared bedroom, slinging a backpack over his shoulder.

“Mhm, whatever.” Sirius grumbled from under his sheets, sticking one limp hand out to wave away his best friend. 

James made his way out the door, offering a quick goodbye to his sister while tousling her hair. When she was sure he had left, she silently made her way upstairs, creaking open the door to Sirius’s bedroom. 

“I thought you left?” Sirius once again grumbled in annoyance, if there was one thing he hated more than his family, it was being woken up. 

“Oh? And where exactly was I supposed to be going?” y/n snickered teasingly.

Sirius turned around in the bed, enough so he was facing the door. A large smile was plastered on his face as he held the sheets up signaling for her to join him. Of course, she did, when Sirius Black wants you in his bed, you go. 

He draped an arm around her waist, running his hand up and down her back as they two just admired each other, and basked in the silence of the house. 

“This is nice.” She squeaked out, it didn’t matter that they had been together for almost a year she still got nervous around him.

“It’s exceptional. How lucky we are. First day home and we have it all to ourselves.” Sirius punctuated his sentence with a long kiss to her lips. 

The two were so wrapped up in quiet conversation, and each other's eyes that neither had heard the front door open. They certainly didn’t hear footsteps coming up the stairs, but they did hear the bedroom door opening and the loud gasp that followed. 

“What the hell are you two doing? Get off my sister!” James was wide-eyed as he stood in the doorway.

The two sprung out of bed, y/n’s chest was heaving from the adrenaline his yelling had caused. Sirius stood slightly behind her.

“I can explain!” Sirius quickly offered.

“Oh, I’d love to hear this! What you bed my sister and then leave her out to dry like every other girl?” James was fuming. “Give me one reason not to punch you right now.” 

“I love her.” Sirius shrugged as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. 

Y/n snapped her head back to look at him, her eyes wide in shock. They hadn’t said that before. Sure she thought about it, but to hear him say it made her heart swell.

“Okay, can I just say you two with the wide eyes, you look creepily alike so can you please stop with that look?” Sirius deadpanned as if he had just not made an earth-shattering confession. 

“You love her?”

“You love me?” 

The twins said in synch and Sirius just nodded. 

“Of course I do,” he was looking at y/n “I’ve loved you since the day I met you.” His eyes were full of honey and adoration. 

“I love you too-” Before she could get in another word James cut her off.

“Okay, wait, lemme get this straight. You guys are dating?”

The couple nodded.

“Merlin’s beard,” James ran his hands down his face a few times, trying to grasp the situation at hand, “How long?” 

“Almost a year.” y/n squeaked out, afraid that he would get angry again for keeping it from him for so long.

“Okay, okay.” James sat on his bed.

“And you,” He pointed at Sirius, “Love her?” He pointed at his twin sister. 

“Yeah mate, I really do,” Sirius said, nervously playing with the hem of his shirt.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” James asked, a twinge of hurt lacing his words.

“Mate, one of the first things you ever told Moony and I was that y/n was off limits. I thought you were gonna rip my head off!” 

“Well I mean yeah if you were gonna use her for a quick fuck then I would be pissed, but you love each other,” he stood up, a mischievous smile playing on his lips, “who am I to deny love!” he cried out with a dramatic flair, drawing them both into an equally as dramatic hug. 

“Why are you even home? I thought you were going out?” Y/n questioned when he let go of them.

“Yeah I forgot something, but now I can’t remember what it was.” 

James took in the sight before him one more time before picking his backpack back up.

“Oh, young love! Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!” He left the room and the couple could hear his loud laughter as he exited through the front door once again. 

“Well, he took that better than I expected.” Sirius smiled. “Now shall we pick up where we left off?” He got back into the bed, lifting up the sheets the same as he did before. 

Getting in the bed she couldn’t hold back her happiness any longer.

“You love me! Sirius Black is capable of love!” She sniggered poking at his sides. 

“Oh come off it!” He responded with a smirk of his own.

[sunthyme]

Ah... welcome to another instalment of my headcanons. I lowkey lied again but I think my prefect will be the last of the headcanons to come out. Tyty for all the love, as always, and now...

🪶The NRC Staff🪶

Trying to find characters I hadn't already twisted for my student ocs to make my staff ones was such a pain 😭😭😭 but here they are!!

🐦‍⬛Dire Crowley🐦‍⬛

(he/it) - Bisexual

The most USELESS HEADMASTER EVER!!! God, I know his SSR card looks great but I won't pull for it istg this bitch. We could have had Sam or Crewel but nooooo...

- I wanted him to look a bit older but since we don't know his age, I didn't push it too much. No spoilers for book 7 but I assume he's probably fae or smth idk.

- You'll notice I honestly didn't change much about the staff in general but I do like most of their design already. Kept his sclera dark cause it looked cool and made the gold eyes pop.

- He talks in a weird mix of old language that literally no one uses, like hella old-fashioned, and poorly used teen lingo. He's trying... A for effort, ig.

- His house and office are super cluttered with a ton of stuff he's found throughout the years but knows exactly where things are. His memory's actually incredibly good, he's just lazy. He likes to collect teaspoons.

- Later in the story, when he starts kinda view the prefect as his kid of sorts, it starts dropping off little trinkets at Ramshackle. Various things from old photos to books with old annotations to pretty rocks. He just wants the prefect to make the dorm 'more homey'.

- I'll get into this more with my prefect design but when Crowley attended NRC (in my headcanon idk if he actually did), he was a Ramshackle student. As such, my MC is using his old uniform as he didn't have any extra ones.

- He really likes cats but they just fcuking hate him. Lucius hisses everything he see Crowley. This is why he cries himself to sleep.

Enough of my dead-beat dad, onto the good dad!

🐕Divus Crewel🐕

(he/they) Transmasc - Panasexual

The good father-figure!! I love Crewel. Also, ignore me misspelling his name in the big one, I thought it had two 'l's...

- He is my Mexican father. Idk they give like simultaneously abuelita and Mexican mom vibes and I am so here for it. (Apparently also Jewish grandma vibes according to @thearchiveofalexandria but I wouldn't know lol).

- I also think he'd be older, like late 40s/early 50s but because of those anti-ageing Mexican genes, they look like 30. (Literally, my mom gets mistaken for being that young, she's in her 50s) Gave him some gray hair at the back but don't be fooled, that's just from putting up with Crowley's bullshit. The shit that goes down in-game for sure results in a couple grey hairs for poor Crewel.

- Is the father figure I never knew I needed, well, my prefect anyway. I know my MC would go to him for anything ranging from 'Crowley's threatening to cut off my water supply!' to 'Can you help me make a Halloween costume?' and his ass always helps. Stan Papa Crewel.

Oh god, this next one was HELL ON EARTH I hate drawing masculine men...

🏈Ashton Vargas🏈

(he/him) - Heterosexual

God, I hate Vargas' og design. The worst part is it does it's job, I couldn't find much to change. Also, didn't even know he had a first name lmaooo.

- I gave him more of a beard because it looked so fcuking bad without it ong 😭😭😭 I hated this... that's pretty much all I did.

- That being said, I do think Vargas wants the best for his students. Wait. Dad-bod Vargas. Guys, I just had an epiphany.

- He's got a wife, kids in like elementary school, and like two dogs idk. I feel like he's older thirties. He's giving total family man and likes to cheer on his students like they're his kids too.

- I feel like he's got mad ADHD and it's one of the reasons he became a gym teacher, just to be constantly moving and doing stuff.

My opinion of Vargas has increased while writing this. Onto my funky uncle...

🏷️Sam Cecil🏷️

(he/they/it) Genderqueer - Asexual Aromantic

I LOVE SAM!!📢📢

- They're like mid-twenties, I don't know if they went to college but if they did, they were a business major. I gave him a last name too, idk the fact that he didn't have one made me mad. Cecil cause Dr. Facilier had a daughter named Cecilia apparently.

- I tossed in a couple more piercings and I love the idea that he has tattoos too.

- He's like the fun uncle that occasionally sponsor your weird ideas. Wanna make cookies at 3am? His store's still open. Need some Nerf guns? He's got 'em. If he says it's in stock, he will literally have anything. Don't ask, he won't answer you anyway.

- Also has crazy good like and low-key knows the future but typically drops hints in a joking manner. He's also very good at communing with the dead, sales for sessions are discounted in October.

- Incredibly rich. Probably canon given his store branches and the crazy shit he has in his shop but I felt the need to reaffirm it.

- Also supplies Ramshackle with snacks and groceries. My MC works at its shop part time in return but I firmly believe that it'd refuse to let the MC starve.

Now for the gramps,

📚Mozus Trein📚

(he/him) Transmasc - Heterosexual

- Trans old man, idk. He is to me. Also, he's both the history and literature teacher.

- Also changed pretty much nothing lol, he's just an old trans man whose sick of Crowley's bullshit (you'll notice a running theme).

- All the grandpa memes and stereotypes are so true for him. His drinks tea every afternoon, plays chess with Crewel (that's canon btw), and squints whenever you try to show him something, especially on a phone.

- He uses a flip phone mobile-y but his house has a rotary one. His daughters keep telling him to replace it but he refuses, saying modern one are too complicated. His daughters also went to Royal Blade as he originally worked there before recently transferring to NRC.

- Hates pumpkin-flavoured anything so doesn't care much for fall. Winter is his favourite season though as he loves sitting with Lucius by the window on snowy days and reading. Very academiacore, gramps.

- He totally advocated for NRC to allow students to use preferred names.

Onto the ocs!!

🪐Mèng yáo Yuan🪐

(she/they/it) Agender - Biromantic Demisexual

- First up is Mèng yáo, twisted from the Horned King from The Black Cauldron. Never seen it personally but @thearchiveofalexandria has and recommended I use its villain.

- She's Chinese and a fae of sorts so she's likely quite old, though she looks in her twenties.

- She's the astrology and philosophy teacher because I thought it would make for a good course since it's mentioned in passing in Book 4.

- She's also skilled in potionology and she and Crewel test out potions for Crewel to teach in class. She is intrigued by the concept of immortality but it's more of a passive study for her.

- She's really bad at getting jokes, though she tries. She's generally not too familiar with modern human concepts but does her best to learn.

Finally,

💎Kore Gorgon💎

(she/her) - Sapphic

- Kore is based on Madame Medusa from The Rescuers, which, fair warning, I ALSO haven't seen. I really needed villains though lol. I read the wiki page and prayed tbh.

- She's around her mid-fifties and is the Math and Physics teacher. She works to integrate known magical physics with standard math and physics and teaches such.

- Her wife is named Crystal (based on an inspo character for Madame Medusa) and they're Kyra's adoptive parents. This is a small nod to Madame Medusa having two pet crocodiles. Kyra kept her parent's names as a sort of way to remember them but likes her adoptive moms a lot too.

- Kore's name is a reference to another name for Persephone and is associated with not only 'the maiden' with the underworld as well.

- She loves shiny things and adores being dressed to the nines all the time. She has a small collect of pretty rocks and tends to decorate her classroom with various trinkets.

- She and Crewel get along super well as their personalities are rather similar. (Fun fact: Madame Medusa not only was heavily inspired by Cruella De Vil, but also served as an origin for Ursula's design.)

- She has bipolar disorder and does her best to work around it, sometimes having pre-recorded lectures if she's not able to be in person.

I'll be sharing my designs for some side and family characters tomorrow so stay tuned! Love y'all!🩷🩷🩷

[socksandbuttons]

Bean Eclipse Au has my love and seeing any post makes me very happy but now I want to get to know your Space au a little. May you give us some funfacts about the characters to get to know them better?

Aw thank you! I'll do my best describing some things! Its been a moment where I dont know what ive said about them on here. ((The ladies, are by @nekojaf so if u want info on them you gotta ask her!)) First, We got Eclipse (yes thats his name, unless we go au hopping its-)

-He's a captain of his own spaceship (however its mostly a ship that can house just a handful of people.)

-He's self confident, he's got leadership qualities and doesn't stand down often. However can be a huge flirt (as Beige unfortunately deals with). -I've mentioned before but Eclipse (like other models of his kind) are far more Emotive than the previous models.

-Eclipse is the reason Lunar has a collection of plushies. The guy is very good with sewing. -He's not familiar too much with the 'Star' like SAMS' Eclipse is. At least not currently. He's far more concerned with other things.

-His relationship with Earth is rather... interesting. He may be vocal about not wanting to speak to her but its mostly cause she's like a mom who tends to baby him. (Although he can't blame her frequent check ins.) -Most people avoid him, but that's cause he's made an interesting name for himself.

Lunar, my BOY who started this whole au actually.

-The space suit was given to him by Eclipse. Who may have taken it.

-He comes off as sweet, but don't think less of him in comparison with his brother. He's mischievous as well, and cunning when needed.

-Far better at keeping his emotions in check than Eclipse.

-Unlike Eclipse (again) he's actually rather good at y'know. Getting the girl.

-However, he is younger than Eclipse. In part not as experienced with the whole line their apart of.

-Rather handy with his shots, but better at driving. Also has a bit of a name for himself.

-Cannot actually believe how his brother acts around Beige from time to time. He's judging his brother immensely everytime. Just let her clear the hyperdrive so they can go!

Moon!

-It should not be a shock he's still a scientist in this au. (Mad scientist Sun would say...)

-But in part of that, its due to being part of a Space Camp. He's suppose to be in charge of the sciences of how rockets run. However he uses most of that to make his own things.

-It usually does end up with the kids handling it. Unless Sun gets involved. Kids love the anti gravity chamber a lot.

-Also in this AU he is still AroAce.

-However since Sun and him are under a company, they don't usually leave the Camp. They can't really.

-Moon has made a Star.

Sun, sweetie my darling.

-Although him and Moon run the Camp together, Sun mostly handles the kids. (Although, Sun more or less just doesn't want them getting hurt cause of Moon's experiments.) -He's been having trouble with some outsiders makings noise lately but it's usually something he can handle. The dome around the place keeps the camp relatively safe (and Safer with Moon's additional technology)

-He goes by his own checklist, although the one from the higher ups isn't something he wants to fully deviate from. It's kept things running, and their own job secure.

-He may be dressed up as a Spaceman, he's uh... not actually one. At least not by astronaut standards.

-They don't talk to other models of themselves.

-Earth and Sun usually can talk for hours. However, he tries not to keep her too long. She's got others to check in.

Bloodmoon, yes it's him!

-The possibly second youngest.

-He's the only model of his type that... well Ruby's seen actually.

-An avid fan of Invader Zim, due to many movie nights he's had with Ruby. (In an effort to help him learn some things about people...without being near too many.) -He doesn't understand why he needed clothes, unaware of his own autonomy.

-Unfortunately for everyone, WAS destroying planets and ships, destruction in his wake. No one could keep him contained. Until Ruby. But she's not really trying to contain him.

-His curiosity mainly keeps him in check, at least in regard to his learning program. He still seeks some chaos, even if it is on a isolated ship in the meantime.

-Comet Boy! Danger, do not engage.

Angel, y sweet sweett bababyyy

-Probably the oldest? He's quite a mess it's hard to tell.

-Has been passed around here and there from job to job so he's very well versed in many skills!

-Earth finding him again was a blessing. She thought she lost him. Incredibly thankful for Cosmo.

-Is far more interesting in helping Cosmo than being helped. He's survived quite a bit!

Killcode, don't you forget my giant man.

-Was made by Moon, or from Moon. In doing so, he's got a few quirks he picked up.

-Such as... He's actually less violent. However able to withstand radiation, rocket blasts, high velocity impact, mundicide... Assumingly.

-Incredibly Tall. A normal person would maybe feel incredibly intimidated by how much he towers.

-A darling cook, he mostly has to kneel for that though. Not many ktichens he's been in are for his height.

-He's a rather calming personality, has no qualms to start fights.

Earth and Solar Flare (or welll... the ACTUAL Sun)

-Two AI's made for well.. as you guess the Earth and the Sun.

-Earth is as expected to be motherly, warm, stern with her own wants. While SF has less expected results of being rather recluse, cold, to the point and selective in their interactions.

-Earth is partly why the actual planet is far cleaner. With her being actually forthright about the planets condition. It helps if theres someone who may be disappointed if you throw your trash on the ground, or company's dumping waste. She may have been made, but she more or less is her own being. Most don't mind since her main concerns usually fall with her own planets affairs. That doesn't mean she doesn't have concerns of other places.

-SF was made as a safe bet to monitor the sun. However, hue to unexpected AI developing their own personality. SF doesn't fairly speak to much anyone aside Earth. He rather feels she's better at relaying information than he is. Ironic, they find.

-Recently some reptilian android has started to make some impressions on Earth, SF doesn't normally hear her talk about individuals like this aside the 'children' she oversees.

-Earth also ended up supervising the celestial and eclipse models. Attaching to them far more than expected but due to- [The Rest is too glitched to make out.]

Well that was more typing than I thoguht it'd be. But me and Neko have quite a bit of art. The main inspiration for a lot of it is retro futurism. But thank you for asking! You also got Earth in there too. My sweet lady I love her.

[jenniferjareauwife]

hey, really random, but ik you don't write for emily, but i was just wondering if you would be okay with implying it?

like jj's daughter (in her early 20's/finishing college) is dating emily, and jj finds out cause her and Will come home from the hospital (set at the beginning of 13) to check on r, who was babysitting Henry and Michael,

and she's like sobbing cause she doesn't know where Emily is/if she's okay etc, but knows how dangerous Scratch is, and is worried sick about both of them, then she sees JJ standing in the doorway and scrambles for an excuse,

cause r thinks that JJ'll see it as morally wrong and stuff (cause of the age difference), but JJ's not actually mad they're together, she's just upset that r didn't tell her/felt like she had to keep it secret.

it's fine if you're not comfortable with writing it, i just thought i'd ask.

-🕸️

Approve Of It

pairing: jennifer jareau x daughter reader

category: hurt/comfort

warnings: none

word count: 759

age: 22

summary: request above 👆

Once I got Henry and Michael to bed I collapsed onto the couch. My parents were saints. I don't know how they put up with them all the time. I reached for my phone for the first time in hours, hoping to see a text from Emily, but I didn't. She hasn't responded for over a day. Where the hell was she? Was she even ok?

I didn't even realize that I was crying until I felt wetness on the top of my thighs. I put my phone down and wiped off my thighs and my face. She had to be ok, she had to be. But if she was ok then she would've answered by now.

"Y/n, we're home!" I heard my mom's voice and quickly wiped away fresh tears but it was too late. She saw them. My dad didn't seem to notice though, he was too busy putting up his coat. "Whats wrong?" She kept her voice quiet.

"Nothing."

"Y/n you're crying." She put her palms together and pointed at me. "Something is obviously wrong." She put her hand on the small of my back and led me up to her room to give us some privacy. "Talk to me. What's going on."

"It's nothing mom, really."

"You're my daughter. I know when you're lying." I sniffled and avoided eye contact. "Y/n come on."

"I don't want you to be mad at me."

"The only reason I would be mad at you is if you accidentally killed Michael and Henry. I won't be mad." I looked down at the ground and sat down on the foot of her bed. "Come on. Talk to me."

"Is Emily ok?" I sniffled, my voice quiet.

"Yeah. She's ok baby." She rubbed my arms. "Why?" I didn't answer and I felt her stiffen a bit as she realized.

"She hasn't answered my texts in over a day. I know how dangerous Scratch is and I need to know if she's ok."

"She's ok. She doesn't have her phone because we can't use anything Scratch can use to track us." She explained. I nodded and she gave me a few minutes to calm down before asking more questions. "So when were you planning on telling me about your secret girlfriend?"

"I don't know." I mumbled, scrubbing my face with my hands.

"I need to hear all the gossip. You know that." She laughed.

"I didn't think you'd approve of it."

"Honey I don't want you to ever hesitate to tell me anything. Ever. I don't care who you're with, I just want you to be happy, ok?" I nodded and wiped away some more fresh tears.

"I wanted to tell you. I promise." She pulled my head against her shoulder, kissing the top of my head. "I don't want her to get hurt. I don't want you to get hurt either. You two have one of the most dangerous jobs in the world and it scares me all the time and it's not fair-"

"Shh baby." She stroked my hair. "We're both safe. I promise. She's going to contact you as soon as she can. She's not just going to leave you behind in the dust."

"You swear?"

"I swear." She kissed the top of my head one last time.

"So there's no way I can contact her?"

"She has a burner phone but it's not safe to give out the number."

"I miss her." I sniffled.

"I know you do." She kissed my temple. "I'll let you know whatever I can. Whenever I have information I'll visit you and tell you." I nodded, hugging my mom tightly.

"Thank you. You have no idea how much that means to me."

"Of course. You deserve to know about her safety. Is there anything you want me to tell her? I'm going to see her next week."

"Just tell her I need her to come back unharmed. And that I love her. I want to know that in case...in case I never see you again."

"You'll see her again."

"I might not though. You know how it is with your job. Do you know how scared I was when I was a kid? When you came home late I couldn't sleep because I thought you were hurt or dead."

"I didn't know that." She sighed, her eyes softening with sadness and sympathy. "She's gonna be ok. You have my word. I'll give you as many updates as I can, ok?"

"Thanks mom. I love you."

"I love you too baby.

[theminecraftbee]

There’s a flier someone’s left on the bus. Something shaming a—company logo he doesn’t recognize, as he shoves it aside to grab the last seat in the back that usually means he and Gem don’t have to sit next to anyone else—for “desecration of the Carrows Life”. Alright; with a logo and a slogan like that, it’s either a religious nut job or one of the people real mad at the Church about the demons.

Yeah, sure. He’s exhausted. Impulse can’t really bring himself to care about neon-yellow fliers in the dead of night on the bus.

Just another hour and practically every single stop down the line, and he’ll be home. He’s glad there’s a late-night bus down here; enough people come and go from these streets at two am that they make some poor bus driver do the route.

Next to him, Gem grumbles as she removes her makeup. “Impulse, why do I keep getting the waterproof kind?”

“Hard to dance and still look good if it doesn’t stand up to sweat,” Impulse says, settling into his seat as the bus starts moving again. “Don’t see why that should make it that much harder to remove, unless you’re sweating acetone these days, but they don’t pay me to know how your makeup works.”

“No, they pay you to be your stupid big protective butt. You absolutely know how my makeup works,” Gem says.

“You could wait until we aren’t on a moving bus to take it off?” Impulse offers.

“Nah. I need something to do so I don’t fall asleep, and I’m not opening my other bag until we’re both safely at home.”

“Yeah, fair,” Impulse says, not glancing at it for too long. Gem had a good night tonight. Sometimes, he’s jealous of the nights she has; the amount people are willing to throw at her sometimes is insane. Most of the time, though, he’s just glad he’s paid a regular salary to stand in the corner and occasionally show people exactly why he’s so big if they act up.

(Someone’s got to do it.)

The doors open. The unmistakeable smell of someone on way, way too much weed wafts through the doors. Impulse sighs. There’s a reason they sit in the back.

“What are the odds we get lucky and get home early?” Gem says. “My knee hurts.”

Impulse looks at her sharply. “You didn’t say anything during the show.”

Gem laughs. “Relax, relax. Not that bad. Nothing a bit of icyhot won’t solve, or one of your little…” She wiggles her fingers.

“You need to tell me these things before you dance on them, Gem,” Impulse says. “One of these days, I won’t be able to fix it! Then what are you gonna do about your knee, huh?”

“Uhuh. And the bruise on your face…?”

“He was drunk,” Impulse says. “It’s barely a scratch. Or, uh, well, it’s a bruise, but…”

“If I were any good at healing,” Gem says.

“I’ll ice it!” Impulse says, putting his hands up. “Besides, I don’t need my face to do my job. Might make guys respect me more?”

The bus stops. A few more people get on. There’s a bit of shouting from a drunk guy, and it makes Impulse look up on instinct, both his and Gem’s awareness hovering around their bag. Gem has a nasty curse on it if anyone but her tries to grab it, but these days…

The drunkard isn’t looking their way. He settles down again. Impulse doesn’t.

“One day, one of us will get a car, and we’ll just drive,” Impulse mutters.

“And pay for parking?” Gem asks.

“Well, it’s the thought that counts,” Impulse says.

The bus stops. Impulse looks up at the sign, just to make sure they aren’t near their stop. They aren’t. He almost looks down.

There’s a feeling in his gut. He doesn’t ignore gut feelings after as long as he’s been doing what he does. He puts a hand in his jacket. He doesn’t actually carry a gun; people think he does, but he’s fairly effective at threatening without it, and if all else fails, he does have a thick vest he’d bought with his own money after the only time he’d been shot. It had taken all of his savings, but it had been worth it.

He curls his fingers instead around the lucky charm Gem had given him after they’d become roommates and tries to focus on the feeling. There's something scraping nearby. A horrible scraping, like talons against brick, or maybe more like death clawing against soil.

The bus starts moving again. The drunks stay drunk. The fellow exhausted club and bar workers stay exhausted. The guy who’s high out of his mind doesn’t even blink.

A woman who had gotten on the bus, though, approaches them. Gem stiffens. Impulse is hyper-aware of the bag full of the night’s tips that Gem has with her.

“Hello. Sorry for interrupting,” the woman says. She’s tall. She has long, light brown hair that she hasn’t tied back. She’s wearing a long overcoat. It looks second-hand, but not properly so, like it’s being worn by someone who doesn’t quite know how to fit into second-hand clothes, or perhaps doesn’t quite know how not to fit.

There's bruises on her face, too. A split lip and a black eye and a bit of blood on the collar of her shirt.

"You look lost," Impulse says without thinking. The woman blinks.

"Oh! Yes, I suppose you could say that," she says. "That's..."

Impulse slowly takes his hand out of his jacket. Her voice is even more lost, somehow. Impeccably put-together. Very hard to read. But Impulse, he has to read people for a living, and this is a woman who is lost.

"I was just here because you two look the most aware and fit on the bus," she says.

"Oh, I'm not all that fit," Gem lies to the woman's face. "I mean, just look at me! I'm delicate!"

Impulse has seen Gem's abs. She's not delicate, she just puts on a show of being—still not delicate, actually, but the kind of not-delicate men like, not the kind of not-delicate she actually is. It's a fine line.

The woman raises an eyebrow. "Okay," she says. "I'm just—there are demons. Not far. I got away from them, but they might be following you."

"They're following you?" says Gem.

"Shhh," says the woman.

"Fine," Impulse says. "They're following you. Why? And why did you get on the bus?"

The woman is silent for a moment. "I don't think they'll catch up to us," she says. "I don't—I don't have another place to go back to, right now. I'm a bit... I don't mean to put anyone in danger. You two are the most fit looking people on here, is all. If danger did happen..."

Impulse feels something in him crack. He looks at Gem. It wouldn't be the first time the two of them have helped someone down on their luck off the streets. Of course, it's not entirely out of the goodness of their hearts, all the time, but, well, Impulse is still Impulse and Gem puts up with it and this world doesn't work if people don't help each other, Impulse has always said.

Gem shrugs and nods.

"Sit down. You can get off at our stop. My name's Gem, by the way."

The woman, slowly, sits down in a seat across from them.

"Impulse," Impulse says.

The woman opens her mouth. The woman closes it. "You can call me Griba," she says, finally.

Impulse quirks an eyebrow. "I can call you?"

"Hey, that sounds like—wasn't there someone with a name like that on the news recently?" Gem says.

The woman grimaces. "You could say that," she says.

Gem and Impulse look at each other. They look back at the woman. "Fine then. Keep your secrets," Gem says imperiously, and her tone works, because it makes—Griba, Impulse supposes, until she wants to give them her real name—laugh.

"At least until we find out if the demons get me," she says agreeably.

The bus stops again. They all tense. One person gets off and no one gets on. The bus starts moving again.

"One of these days," Impulse mutters.

"You've got to finish the sentence," Gem says. "Don't leave me hanging like that!"

"Is this an ongoing thing?" Griba says, and they continue onwards together.

[rvspecter]

okay hear me out. what do we think donna's relationship with her mother is like??? and the older sister??? because tbh im willing to bet it's not the best.

first of all, we know her parents separated at some point and that her sister is "much older" than her - im willing to bet 10 years, maybe? old enough to probably be out of the house when the separation happened, but i am wondering how old donna was at that time, and i wonder if she spent more time with her dad during that period.

we're just exposed to her dad so much more in the show, like two or three times compared to the one time in season EIGHT (very late in the series, mind you) where she goes to her mom to reminisce about a trip that was never taken, and the advice she gets leads to her severely fucking with harvey's job. while tbh i might have also told thomas if i were in her position, just bc he was really a good guy and didn't deserve to be fucked over like he would have been, i just find it funny that the one time donna's mom has impact as a character it leads to like a near catastrophe.

do we think younger donna could have blamed her mom for the separation as a child, and that it caused a shift in their dynamic that has been a fracture following donna into adulthood? could her mom be closer with the sister, or have moved to be wherever the sister lives in case the sister has kids or needs greater support?

just like even when donna and harvey get together there's no excitement to tell her mom or an indication that her mom is told, it's just a big thing to talk to her dad about (and FUCK donna's dad by the way, I'm on harvey's team with this one, jim was pissing me off every chance he got!!!!).

anyways I really am just trying to come up with more ways that darvey could parallel each other (harvey's blame to his mom for breaking up their family while sad wasn't all that great but he had a better relationship with him and admired him anyways), and I do want to know your thoughts on donna's sister if you have any!!!

SO I JUST REWATCHED THE DARVEY PARTS OF THIS EPISODE

i feel like she thought her mom was dumb for trusting her dad and giving him her savings. she asks her mom if she regrets doing it because of the way it turned out. and her mom is like how wud i kno how it’d turn out. and donna’s like CAUSE HE LET U DOWN BEFORE re: her dad but also harvey

and then there’s the flashback of her mom promising her all sorts of things that never happened because her mom trusted her dad so she tells thomas because she didn’t want to be made a fool of like her mom

what I don’t get is if this is the case why did she want to help her dad before with money ??

also during the flashbacks of this episode were her parents together or separate because that’s also confusing. her parents are together when they stay at harvey’s place but her mom has a boyfriend whose name doesn’t matter at the dinner party we don’t see. her family situation is definitely all over the place zero stability

i never got the sense that she was distant from her parents. the difference between her and harvey is that he seems to hold onto his anger whereas she doesn’t. i think she’s aware of their faults and conscious of not wanting to be like them but i think they have a decent relationship. enough so that she’s attending dinner parties with her mom and having breakfast semi regularly with her dad

also the episode where donna gets mad at harvey for not trying to build a relationship with her dad - i felt at the time it was donna’s reaction to their relationship like that he was going to bail and she was finding a reason to bail before him!! like what did u think

omg donna’s sister i didn’t even know she had one ahaha

[leiflitter]

I've figured out the You’re Almost Home Timeline so for the gang who care about the passage of time it's under the cut.

Firstly, I have chosen to totally ignore the gravestone dates because of Reasons, including "okay look I started writing this when it wasn't on streaming and this is mostly so it makes sense to me" and "time is an illusion I just need to know this so I can say what year it'll be on NYE". Felix has a January birthday in my little canon and nobody can stop me.

So let's go!

2007

Felix is in Expensive Rehab Facility until Christmas. Sir James and Lady Elspeth have pulled a lot of strings to make sure that Felix's accident won't impact him in any way, shape or form. This mostly means getting him an expensive tutor and essentially permission to submit all of his work online. No need for tutorials because he's had a hard time and is a very special boy. Felix takes this chance to essentially do as much work while he's stuck in the facility as he can because there's fuck all else to do, and he's being made to quit smoking so he's mad about that. Farleigh's back as if he never left, and Venetia is being an absolute rock.

Oliver returns to Oxford, makes contact with the Student Counselling Services, and throws himself into studying so hard it hurts. He needs to distract himself. They allow him to switch tutors and move to a different dorm where he turns into a studying hermit. If he sees any of the Alpha Hotties, he hides. He becomes invisible again, even more than before. His new tutor helps him switch to an accelerated degree program.

2008

Felix turns 21 and does the Spring and Summer terms. His parents decide to go on a tour of Europe to celebrate Felix getting back on the horse. They also know he's going to graduate, because the Special Little Boy measures are in place for him so all he has to really do is log on to Moodle and submit one of his pre-written essays every so often. He's burned a few bridges because he's being very twattish. Felix decides to sack off Christmas term and heads to Bali in late July/early August. Sir James has made sure he has internet access, so what's the point of even being in Oxford? He meets Lucia, who is 18 and on her Gap Year. Because it's the end of the summer, there aren't many options, so Felix sticks with her. Harry is part of the group from maybe like... week three? Luckily, Lucia is on a cleanse, so although they're partying, she isn't drinking or indulging in anything else. In November, Lu gets food poisoning- or so they think, until the doctor Felix hauls her to gives them the news. Felix contacts his parents in a hurry, and they are flown back to the UK and subjected to a major parental conference. Felix proposes to Lu at a Catton Christmas party.

Oliver graduates early. He doesn't go home for the holidays, saying he needs to keep studying. He decides on teaching because it won't be sustainable to be a student forever. His tutor is a major help; he's from Newcastle, although you wouldn't know it because his accent has long since faded and has taken Oliver under his wing. He remains Oliver's main advisor throughout his studies and is probably the reason he gets the job- he's keeping an eye on him so he knows there'll be a Northern Lad Professor once he eventually retires. They're not exactly friends, but there's a lot of mutual respect there.

2009

Felix turns 22 and marries Lu shortly after. He briefly returns to Oxford, but mostly to make sure he graduates. Harry is born in on the 10th of April and he gets his degree in absentia. Lu gets pregnant with Ru maybe a little too soon afterwards, and Rufus is born prematurely on the 27th of November. Oopsie.

2010

Oliver gets his Masters degree in english literature.

2011

Sir James dies of a heart attack in May.

2013

Ellie is born on the 1st of August. Felix gets a vasectomy.

2014

Oliver gets his PhD. His thesis was titled "Narrative Accessibility and Diversity within Academia".

2015

Lady Elspeth passes away in her sleep.

Then a bit of a time jump until

2020

Oliver is finally an associate professor after being in postdoc for 6 years.

Farleigh finally hits on a startup that works- a designer resale app that offers item verification for an add-on fee. It's wildly successful, mostly because he's been hobnobbing in America hardcore and is getting a ton of celebrity endorsements.

2025

Venetia is diagnosed with lung cancer.

2026

Venetia passes away. Felix is bereft.

Harry gets her A level results and Oxford place, despite being 17- Lucia, having not got a degree herself, is adamant that her children be highly educated as fast as possible... and Harry will turn 18 in her first year anyway. Harry doesn't mind this, as she has a fake ID and cannot wait to be away from boring boarding schools.

Oliver Quick receives an email notifying him that, amongst others, he will be tutoring Harriet Catton.

And then Felix Catton walks into his office, and they proceed to go bonkers.

[mosneakers]

The spirit of Agnes and Coraleye enter the elegant Sunset Valley estate. Vintage melodies from a record player swirl, enveloping Coraleye in a sense of nostalgia that she had only known from classic romance films up until this moment.

Agnes: Welcome home, darling. 230 Redwood Parkway, fondly known as "August Moon" by some.

Coraleye: Wow, that's such a magical name. This home is breathtaking, Grandma!

Agnes: It's always been my envisioned haven for raising children. Coraleye: And you owned it? Even while you lived in Moonlight Falls? Who took care of it when you weren't here?

Agnes: My sister, Cornelia, tended to her in my absence. This home held a special place in my heart, and she, understanding its significance, made occasional upgrades, just in case we ever decided to sell. Or, perhaps... return.

Coraleye: Return? As in move back? Agnes: Come, dear. Looks like dinner is finished, and now we're clearing up. I want you to hear this conversation.

As they step into the kitchen, tension hangs thick in the air. Erik diligently washes the dishes while Agnes busies herself preparing ingredients for tomorrow's meals. Neither utter a word, until Agnes finally breaks the silence.

Agnes: Erik, I... I must apologize for snapping at you during dinner. That was quite unwarranted. You were right—I ought to have shared the news with you about the fire. I know the Seymour house was so dear to your heart. It was for me, too. I hope you're not angry with me.

Erik: Ain't mad at ya, Aggy. Gee, I suppose I overreacted too. It's not just about the house; I can live without that. My decent paying job in Moonlight Falls, no chance nobody here'll pay the same. Cost of living's a lot higher, and...well, I've been hoping you'd eventually come 'round to having another baby with me, honey...

Coraleye: [eyes misting] Grandpa really wanted another baby, didn't he? Agnes: [Smiles fondly] Oh yes. But I was quite stubborn. Coraleye: I think Janie mentioned a bit about the fire being the reason for you moving back here. Did you figure out how it happened? Agnes: No, we never did. But the Crumplebottom Sisters informed me that it destroyed everything. Even their great powers couldn't reverse the damage. I had planned to tell Erik, but Belinda beat me to it with a telephone call.

Agnes: [Continuing with Erik] You know I've always said that I'm content with our two. Erik: I know baby, I've just had my fingers crossed one day you'd change your mind. Just a pipe dream, that's all. Agnes: [Sighs] Well, darling... We'll need to sort through our finances. It seems you might just be getting your way, after all...

Erik: What are you telling me, woman? Agnes: It's still early yet to, but... I find myself a tad late.

Erik: Late for tea and crumpets with the ladies at the country club, or are we talking more along the lines of a bun in the oven? Agnes: It could be. Again, it's still very early. Just three days.

Erik joyfully sweeps Agnes into his arms, twirling her as they share a tender kiss. A soft giggle escapes Agnes's lips.

Erik: Aggy baby, you make me the luckiest man to ever live or die!

Coraleye's heart swells with emotion as she witnesses her great-grandfather express his unconditional love for Agnes with such passion and honesty. They follow the Darling pair into the living area to join the girls, particularly Gwendolyn, who are engrossed in the television.

Coraleye: Gosh, look at how you two lovebirds are gazing at each other. TV not holding your attention much, is it? [Grins]

Agnes: Well, I've always preferred books. [Smiles] The television often broadcasted troubling news, especially that year when the government confirmed the existence of aliens. I made the children turn it off promptly if I heard any talk of extraterrestrials.

Coraleye quickly averts eye contact, wondering how much Agnes knows about the current state of the world, particularly Sunglo, his abduction, and how those events resulted in the birth of his beloved daughter.

Knowing her great-grandmother's well-documented phobia centered around extraterrestrials, Coraleye opts to change the subject for the time being.

Coraleye: Hey, Grandma? How did you and Grandpa know to bring the family photos along on your trip to Sunset Valley? Most people don't bring all their family photos on vacations.

Agnes: [Grins] My, I did say you were observant, didn't I? Coraleye: Well, astute. But yes. I hope to land a career in journalism, just like Grandpa! Agnes: [Nods approvingly] A journalist in the making, just like your Grandpa. No, the decision to take the photos along was merely a coincidence. Like you heard your Grandfather say, I make him "the luckiest man to ever live or die!"

[melhekhelmurkun]

Watched The Shining by Kubrick last night, and I can honestly understand why Stephen King hates it so much. It’s definitely not the best adaptation of the book at all, and the film really did destroy all the characterization the book goes through for each of the characters.

He might’ve been a bastard and a drunk, but Jack Torrance did love his wife and son, and the book does show that. It’s only towards the late middle and end that he really goes psychotic, and that’s mainly because of the hotel itself essentially possessing him and bringing out the worst of him. I am in no way excusing his actions, because he is an attempted murderer and an abusive father, but he did love Wendy and Danny, and he wasn’t a psychopath. Ultimately, it was his love for his son that stopped him when he managed to catch up to Danny, and it was what made him try to kill himself in an attempt to save his family. Unfortunately, at that point the Hotel was too powerful, and it didn’t matter if Jack was alive or dead; it just needed his body. The movie really failed to show his descent into madness; it just jumps right into crazy, with nothing to show the man he was before everything at the hotel happened. It also failed to show that the Hotel - the ‘manager’, as was stated - was truly what was behind everything. Had the Torrances not gone to the Overlook, would Jack have snapped and killed his family? It’s a possibility, but a low one - it’s more likely that Wendy would’ve ended up divorcing him, or he would’ve carried out his suicidal thoughts.

Wendy Torrance was not a weak woman - she not only had the courage and drive to stand up to her husband when he went batshit crazy, she locked him in a pantry, stabbed him, and went up multiple flights of stairs while very badly injured… and then she lived to be happy afterwards! She survived having her back broken by her husband when he tried to kill her, and lived a happy life afterwards! I can name maybe three people in my life who I am confident could do that. Kubrick’s decision to depict Wendy as an emotionally fragile woman was just demeaning to her character. Shelly Duvall did an incredible job, however, and I respect her immensely for it. That’s not an easy role to be put into in any way, especially not when you’re working for a nightmare of a director who decides that the best way to get results is to psychologically torture the star actress. She depicted the movie version of Wendy perfectly. I was cheering for her the whole way.

And then there’s all the other changes which I can understand from a filmmaker’s perspective as being more logical to making a movie, but they did change the story quite a bit. Having Jack use an axe rather than the roque mallet was an understandable change, as it was more recognizable to the public as a dangerous weapon, however… it meant that most of the important scenes, such as when Wendy’s back gets broken, never happen. You can’t exactly do that with an axe, can you? But that scene is one of the most impactful (pun not intended) and important to the book, at least in my view, since it shows her resilience and her love for her son, as mentioned in the above paragraph about her character. The choice to use the axe also meant that that Dick Hallorann died when he should not have.

That man, the chef with the Shine, was more important to the book, I think, than any character. He was the first to tell Danny that he wasn’t alone, that there were more people out there who had the same abilities he did, and that it wasn’t a bad thing. He was the one to tell Danny of the strange happenings at the Overlook, and to tell him that the visions might be scary but ultimately he didn’t think they could hurt him - which ended up being a major part of Danny’s choices. The main part of the reason Danny went into room 217 (237 in the movie) was because he remembered Dick telling him that the visions couldn’t hurt him, that all he had to do was look away when he saw them. And then there was how Dick came all the way across the country to help Danny when he was called. He pledged to help that boy if needed, and when he was needed, he came immediately, and ended up saving the remaining Torrances. His refusal to let that boy and his family die was such a big part of the story.

I can also understand the decision to turn the hedge topiary into a hedge maze. Making bush animals move is not at all easy, especially for a movie made in the 80’s. However, the animals were also fairly important to the story; they were the first real visual of Jack’s descent into madness, and then later a big factor of his possession by the Overlook; when he refused to believe that he’d seen them move, he essentially shut down any possibility of belief that there was something wrong at the hotel. By the end of the book, we sort of find out that the hotel itself was influencing his willingness to believe that, but his initial refusal did push that along. Once someone has made up their mind about something, even something they’ve seen with their own two eyes, it’s often very difficult to get them to change it, especially in a scary situation. The topiary was the first big turning point in Jack’s psyche.

Then there’s the decision to change his death scene - having him freeze to death after getting lost in the hedge maze and suffering a mild heart attack. It was… definitely a choice? In the book itself, after Jack ‘kills’ himself (again, the Hotel was possessing him fully at that point and no longer needed him alive, just needed his body, so him fighting back and bashing his own face in really did nothing in the long run but was a rather important scene - see the paragraph on Jack Torrance for clarification) the boiler in the hotel begins to overheat. The Hotel (possessing Jack’s body) goes to release the steam from it to prevent it from exploding - the problem here is that Jack was told by Watson that the boiler would blow long before the pressure gauge reached its red zone, because it was so old. But since it was not Jack present in that body but the Hotel itself, it had no idea about this and believed the boiler was now safe, as it had managed to reach it before the needle hit the red… and then the boiler exploded. Having Jack freeze to death in the hedge maze (and thus forcing us to experience that absolutely ridiculous final scene where we see him frozen) was a much less final and impactful death than that of the boiler exploding. With the explosion, his body was destroyed, and so the ‘manager’ of the Overlook was destroyed (the ghost/demon). It was a finale; the evil perished, the good guys got away, and everything was right in the world. With the freezing, it was much less final, and much less satisfying.

Objectively, if you separate the book from the movie, the movie wasn’t terrible. I did like it, and I had a lot of fun watching it. But as an adaptation, I found it VERY lacking. I can understand why King hates it so much.

[jsprnt]

Healing Hearts PT. 18 | Virgil van Dijk

Would a fresh start bring you more than just a new job?

A/N: I’m back! Still a little sick but we push through. Life’s been hectic lately with uni applications and exams. Even so we’re almost reaching the end of the story. 😭 please don’t forget to leave a note <3

WC: 3.405

Summary: Y/N L/N is a very skilled and praised physiotherapist. A certain event pushing her for a fresh start, as a physiotherapist for Liverpool FC. One question always being in the back of her mind: Will she be able to let go of her past and allow herself to experience new things?

"I'm sorry mom, it hasn't been that long even. So I wanted to keep it private, but you know how it unfolded."

I hear her sigh, accompanied by the sound of the TV in the background.

"y/n, we are your parents. Couldn't you have said a single thing?"

"I wanted to but the way you've been adamant on me getting back with that piece of shit. I didn't think you'd even be happy with it." I try to reason, nervously chewing on my bottom lip.

"No, we would be happy."

"What do you mean? You've been talking my ear off about him when you call, even in my dreams! You show up and scold me about it, in my dreams mom."

"Look I said all of that, and I realize maybe I shouldn't have. Just thought that would be the best for everyone!"

"Everyone mom? Really? You don't even know some of the things that happened in between us!"

I hear her sigh again, hearing footsteps, assuming she's walking around the house.

"I'm just disappointed to hear that my daughter is dating someone from my friends, and not my own daughter."

"If I told you last time I was home. You and dad would be fine with it?"

"Yes.”

"You're being serious?" I ask, confused by her change of opinion.

"Obviously, your dad has been bragging about you since he heard it."

I raise my brow in curiosity, sitting up from the sofa.

"What do you mean?"

"He's been getting calls left and right. His friends asking about you and your- boyfriend."

"Oh- what is he saying?"

"He cuts them off when they ask about your boyfriend. Ignores the questions and changes the topic to how good of a physiotherapist you are."

“Mom, you don’t have to pretend-”

"Of course not! He hasn't stopped talking about you."

This gives me a great feeling of relief, like huge weight was lifted off my chest.

"So, what I'm getting is. You both aren't mad about me dating someone else? Just mad I didn't tell you?"

I hear her hum, and a smile forms on my face.

"You won't bring up my ex or anything?"

"That's in the past now."

"Promise? You won’t mix him with any of our business anymore?”

"You have my word on this. I promise."

"Grandma! Are you in the back!" Virgil shouts as we enter the familiar restaurant, shoving the spare key into his pocket. The place silent apart from the ticking clock on the wall.

"She must be, let's go and look." I say, dragging Virgil further inside the place.

"Grandma?" I call out, opening the door to the kitchen.

"You're here just in time. Take one!" She exclaims, walking towards us with a platter of sugar cookies.

"These smell amazing. Just a second, let us wash our hands." I reply, walking over to the sink, smelling the sweetness of the cookies.

"Come on now hurry." She urges, finally handing one to Virgil and me.

We thank her, popping the buttery goodness into our mouths.

"I need the recipe, please.” I mumble, covering my full mouth with my hand.

I hear chuckle as she goes to put the platter down, turning towards me.

"I will teach you of course." She smiles, taking her apron off.

"When is the delivery coming? Eleven again?" Virgil chimes in, taking off his jacket.

"Yes, let's have some coffee together until then."

I go to take off my own jacket, hanging it up on the coat rack before returning.

"I'll make the coffee!" I announce, fixing my sweater.

I walk up to the coffee machine, grabbing the bag of roasted coffee beans from the cabinet and filling up the machine with it.

"Grandma what do you want to drink?"

"A cappuccino for me."

I hum, grabbing a mug from the cabinet and filling the milk compartment with fresh milk. Clicking the right button, I watch the foamy milk mix with the black coffee.

I suddenly feel strong arms wrap around me from behind, looking back to see Virgil. His chin resting on my shoulder.

"What do you want to drink?" I ask, returning to grab another mug.

"Cappuccino for me as well." He says, and I go to push the button. Hearing the machine start grinding the beans as I adjust the strength of the coffee aroma.

I turn in his hold, looking at him as I lean against the counter. His hand coming up to my cheek.

"What?" I ask, seeing his eyes roam over my face. His thumb rubbing on my cheekbone.

"Just taking in your face before I have to leave you for a while."

"Oh come on. You'll be fine, you act like we won’t see each other for a month." I tease, laughing at him.

The coffee machine beeping brings my attention back to preparing the coffee, making me turn away.

"Here, I'll make mine now." I say, looking around to see grandma not in the kitchen anymore.

"Where did she go?" I ask, pressing the latte macchiato button.

"I'll go look." He says, leaving the kitchen.

I hear a grunt a couple of minutes later, watching Virgil walk into the kitchen with a huge bag of flour in his arms.

"Delivery is here already?"

"Yeah, came a little early this time."

"Well should I help you?" I say, stepping towards the door as I watch him leave.

"No, it's fine just have coffee with grandma until I'm done."

"Are you sure?" I press on, following him.

He turns around, hands on my back as he leans in to peck my forehead. Lips touching my skin with upmost tenderness.

"I'm sure, go ahead." He murmurs.

I nod, watching him walk away as I return to kitchen. Placing all three cups of coffee on the tray, grabbing a generous plate of cookies as I walk into the dinner area.

"I've prepared the coffee!" I beam, placing the tray in front of grandma. I watch her smile, pearly dentures showing as she thanks me.

I hear her chuckle, before she looks around.

"Where did Virgil go?”

"Oh he's still bringing in the flour, he'll be here in a minute." 

I take a sip of the warm coffee, it's warming me up since the weather was getting colder and colder in Liverpool.

"How have you two been? No trouble in paradise?”

"We've been amazing. Just both focused on working hard."

"That's good, but you should enjoy your youth. That's what my late husband and I did as well."

"Well will of course. It's just that Virgil is leaving for his international duty in a couple days."

"Right I've heard about that on TV. Are you going with him?" She asks, taking a sip of her cappuccino.

"Not this time, you know we have some injuries. Need to focus on my job and support him from here this time.” I smile.

"Right establishing a career is very important for a young woman like you."

"That's right- oh there he is." I smile, seeing Virgil finally walk in, sitting down as I put his mug in front of him.

"Thank you. What are you two gossiping about? Me?" He asks, smug smile on his lips as he takes a sip of his coffee, his left hand coming to rest on mine.

"You wish." grandma jokes, and I laugh watching Virgil's face twist in confusion.

"Right, you wish." I tease, laughing again.

"Nice first half guys!" She exclaims, high-fiving the tired players as they pile into the changing room at half time.

It was the last match before international break, this one being against Brentford. The first half being full of controversial decisions made by the referee and multiple checks for VAR. Liverpool still had the upper hand, with one goal a little before half time scored by Mo.

As Darwin walks past, she makes sure to pat his back, a smile in motivation thrown his way. The Uruguayan had already scored two amazing goals, though unfortunately both were annulled after VAR checks. He did have an assist underneath his belt, which hopefully cheered his mood up a bit.

She makes eye contact with Virgil as he throws her on of his cheeky winks, a smile forming on her lips as she follows the guys inside the changing room. Making sure to check on Diogo first since he'd gotten knocked down pretty badly.

They already had some injuries on the squad, with international break coming up they needed to be extra cautious. After full confirmation of no injuries, she leaves the changing room a couple minutes before halftime ends.

She goes to grab a cup of coffee, before heading back into the medical room. Watching the second half of the game with much anticipation. The next few 45 minutes going by fast as Liverpool wins with a 3-0. Confirming her belief that this season could definitely be Liverpool's if all matches went this well.

y/n immediately zips her jacket up, grabbing the empty disposable cup as she throws into the recycling bin. Making her way towards the pitch as she hears the full time whistle.

Stepping onto the grass, she turns giving her coworkers a high five in celebration. Then making her way towards the bench to congratulate and compliment the players.

She watches the players hug each other, Klopp walking away to celebrate the win as a smile forms on her face. Happy the last game ended on a positive note.

She observes the celebration for a second, ready to walk back inside, but a phone is abruptly shoved in her face as she moves to the side.

It shocks her into freezing up, eyes widening in before registering the string of questions coming out of the man's mouth, back-to-back.

"Are you really dating Van Dijk?"

"On your second gold digging mission aren't ya?"

"Women like you are the problem!"

The last sentence he says brings her back to reality. Wondering where the hell security even was, or why no else had noticed this maniac yelling at her and recording her yet.

She looks back at the man again, as he keeps repeating 'fucking gold digger'.

The words hit a nerve, making her blood boil. A feeling of defensiveness brews in her, folding her arms as she looks at the man skeptically.

"Why do you give a fuck?" She questions, fear of threat thrown away as she’s getting pissed off.

"What?" The man replies, flustered as he raises his brows.

"Why do you care? I mean, don't think there's anything to dig here." She repeats, motioning to him, ducking when he suddenly tries to grab her.

She presses her lips together, having difficulty biting back a laugh at the comical anger on the man's face. Stepping back as she finally sees security grabbing the feral man, watching him get escorted off the pitch with struggle.

A hand coming up to her shoulder, makes her head turn in curiosity. “You okay?" She hears Dr. Woods say, his hand comforting as she nods.

"I'm fine, just your usual pitch invader." She shakes it off.

Because a normal one goes up to staff instead of the field full of world-famous players.

"Then let's go inside." He suggests, and she agrees in an instant. The both of them walking inside through the tunnel.

She goes to grab her belongings immediately, saying goodbye to the players who would be leaving for international duty. Warmly hugging some of them, eyes catching her boyfriend still doing interviews as she makes her way into the garage.

She throws her stuff into the backseat haphazardly as she steps into her car, grabbing onto the wheel as she rests her forehead onto it, sighing. The initial shock, anger and humor she found in the situation wearing off.

Sitting up straight she tries to remove it from her memories, tapping her fingers onto the steering wheel as she waits for her boyfriend. Spotting him walk through the doors minutes later.

"You look tired. Not happy we won?" He teases, shutting the door. Leaning in to press a kiss against her forehead.

"Of course I'm happy." She mumbles, putting her seatbelt on. Glancing at him for a moment, noticing the curious look in his eyes, but choosing to ignore it.

She shifts a little, waving at the staff outside for a second, then starting the car. Driving out of the parking garage.

"You okay?" He asks, noticing her silence and the fact that she hadn't turned on a song like usual.

"I'm fine, something silly just happened. That's all." She breathes out, focusing on driving.

He doesn't believe she's totally fine, deciding to ask about it later and not when she's driving.

"You packed everything right?" She asks, watching her lover sit on the floor next to his suitcases.

"Yeah, I'm just trying to figure out how to style these jeans." He replies, holding them up.

She hums, walking away for a minute, grabbing some items out of his closet before throwing them onto the bed.

"These would work. What do you think?" She asks, grabbing the jeans and placing them next to different sweaters.

He gets up, going to stand next to her as he ponders over the options.

"These are all nice." He adds, hand on his chin.

"I think this sweater and T-shirt combo is the best. Especially for the weather." She says, looking at him. "-and with those new LV sneakers you just got!"

He smiles at her, wrapping his arms around her back, pulling her in closely.

"That's perfect." He mumbles, leaving kisses on the side of her head.

"Being all lovey dovey suddenly?"

"Going to miss you."

She doesn't reply, pressing her face into his chest, soft sigh leaving her lips. He only pulls her closer, hand resting on the small of her back.

"We have to finish packing soon. It's getting late." She mutters pulling away and glancing at the clock.

"Just let me hold you for a moment." He whispers, pulling her back in. Wrapping his strong arms around her tightly.

The couple is wrapped in between the gray sheets of the bed, the autumn sun casting minimal sunlight into the room. Bodies entangled, still basking in the silence of the morning. Before a universally hated alarm sound blasts through the room, making the couple groan in annoyance.

"Babe, turn it off." She complains, snuggling further into the sheets. Clutching the thick blanket closer as she hides her head underneath her pillow.

Not getting a response by the athlete, she nudges him with her knee, enough to not hurt, and harsh enough to wake him up. The annoying alarm still all but stopped.

"What?" He questions, voice raspy as he opens his eyes.

"Alarm." She mutters, face squished into the mattress. Feeling him shift, as the sound finally gets cut off.

"Come here." He mumbles, grabbing her naked shoulder and pulling her into his bare chest. A soft smile on his face as he strokes patterns on her back.

"What time is it?" She asks, wrapping her own arms around him lazily.

"Little past eight." He replies, leaving kisses on her shoulder.

"Let's just sleep more, I'm tired."

He chuckles deeply, smug smile on his face.

"Bet you are."

He receives a light punch to his hard stomach, fake groan leaving his lips as he watches her amused through his squinted eyes.

"Quiet please." She mumbles, laying her head back on his chest.

"Alright I'm sorry." He hums, running his hand down her back again, resting it on the small of her back.

"Let me ask you something first." He whispers, watching her raise her head.

"I've heard what happened yesterday. Why didn't you tell me everything?"

"What do you mean?"

"About the guys who harassed you on the pitch. Security reached out to me yesterday."

"It's nothing."

"No, how you feel is important to me. Did he hurt you?" He asks, holding her chin up.

"He tried to insult me, then he went on this rant about all women being gold diggers or whatever."

She notices his jaw clench, his hold on her chin leaving as he strokes her cheek.

"I'm sorry for not being there."

"It fine, we're even since I insulted him back. There's probably a funny video of it floating around the internet, he was recording until security took him." She chuckles, imagining how dumb the video would look.

"He was recording that?" He asks, removing a fallen eyelash from her cheek.

"Yeah, with his phone."

"I'll make sure it gets deleted." He promises, leaning in to kiss her. Pressing his plump lips against hers.

"No, more speaking. Just let me sleep now hm?" She urges, pulling the blanket up. Wanting to stop talking about the incident.

"Anything you want my love."

She brings in the groceries, two heavy bags on each hand as tries to unlock the front door of her boyfriend home. He'd insisted she'd stay at his place while he was gone, since his place was safer and had better security.

Washing her hands and taking of her coat, she takes the TV remote. Shuffling her playlist, landing on ‘Sidewalks’ by The Weeknd and Kendrick Lamar. Going back into the kitchen to organize the groceries.

The vibrations of her phone stops her from moving, smile forming on her lips as she hears Siri announce the caller ID. Going the dry her hands quickly before picking up.

"Can you see me?" She asks, leaning in after resting her phone against the empty fruit basket.

"I can. How's my girl doing?" He asks, laying comfortably in his hotel room bed.

"Went grocery shopping." She replies, grabbing the remote to lower the volume of the music.

"Think I called at the perfect moment." He teases, voice deep as he looks at her through the screen.

"Yeah, if you think putting groceries away is sexy." She laughs, leaning her body against the counter.

"If it's you thats difficult to deny."

"Enough trying to virtually get in my pants. Where are you? Gibraltar?" She asks, putting a bottle of juice into the fridge. Starting to organize the vegetables and fruits into containers.

"No, Portugal. Stadium in Gibraltar is getting fixed."

"Really? Are you done training? Back in your hotel room?" She asks, popping a washed grape into her mouth.

"Yeah, captains have their own hotel room remember?" He replies, sensual undertone peeking through his already amorous tone.

"Oh really? Didn’t know that-" she begins, confusion on her face as she hears the doorbell ring.

“Who’s that?” She asks, suddenly on high alert. No one had visited since Virgil had left, unless it was a package she was aware of.

The break-in had only affected her in one way, and that was being home alone. It wasn’t to the point of paranoia, security cameras definitely helping a lot. But a little sound here and there definitely had her on high alert at times.

Noticing the sternness in her expression he calls out to her, taking her attention away from the door.

“It’s fine, just something I ordered. Go check it out.” He reassures, calming her down.

She grabs the phone, holding it in her hand as she opens the front door. A delivery man standing there with a bouquet- or more like box of roses.

“y/n l/n?” He says, extending the bouquet.

“That’s me, thank you.” She replies, grabbing the flowers, shutting the door when he leaves.

She walks to the sofa propping the phone up as she looks at him while taking the card from in between the flowers.

“I miss you so much. Enjoy these flowers. I’ll be back soon, baby.”

- V

Looking up at her phone, seeing her boyfriend smile makes her smile as well. Heart tingling from kindness of the gesture.

“This is so sweet..” she exclaims, looking back at the arrangement of roses, baby’s breaths mixed in between.

She hears him chuckle from over the phone.

“I’m glad you like it love. I missed you.” He replies, watching her expression intensely.

Grabbing the phone off the the coffee table she lays down on the sofa, looking at him.

“Then you better win tomorrow’s match. I want to see you as fast as possible.”

[caitlynskitten]

Mmm, yeah I’m obsessed now with the idea of Wednesday slowly becoming softer as her relationship with Enid & Yoko progresses and it starts to show a little bit in public so a few other students think that they can start mess around with her,,,,, only to be given fucking nightmares by the sight of a vampire and a werewolf standing right behind Wednesday, a very slightly psychotic look in their eyes as they both flash their fangs at anyone who dares even think about messing with the raven.

Wednesday thinks she’s still doing a good job of keeping her antisocial reputation intact meanwhile not realizing that now, everybody’s still terrified of her but for an entirely different reason. That reason being Yoko & Enid pretty taking up the role as her bodyguards. Though the vampire and wolf find it cute that Wednesday still thinks she’s this perfect picture of venom and deadliness and so they never have the heart to tell her otherwise, letting their little raven continue to live in her little fantasy of being the most terrifying thing on campus when really,,,, it’s the two women behind her that has everyone scared

Anyway tl;dr, Protective YokoEnid is canon, you cannot change my mind

YES!!! PROTECTIVE ENID AND YOKO AHHHHHHHH I LOVE IT!!

The students of Nevermore tried to mess with each other species too much but seeing a werewolf and vampire team up to be the bodyguard of not just a psychic raven but an ADDAMS?!!!! I love to imagine everytime someone’s about to tease Wednesday they look up and Yoko and Enid are staring at them with deadly eyes.

I need more protective Yoko and Enid for Wednesday 🥺🥺🥺 Especially since she still thinks she’s tough shit, she’s not as powerful compared to those two. And the two of them agree with her and encourage her that she still is the most feared student of Nevermore.

But that also means Wednesday is very over protective of her two partners. She’s never felt to spark of jealousy before but now she’s feeling very possessive and needy. Especially when she sees one of them talk to other people. It’s a whole new feeling for Wednesday and she doesn’t know how to handle it. And everytime she sees Yoko or Enid talking to somebody, she kind of stares at them with sad puppy eyes like she’s about to cry.

One day, Enid and Wednesday are waiting for Yoko outside of one of her classes. She had to stay late to work on a project. When the vampire finally emerges, she’s seen walking out and talking to the new psychic Luna that just arrived at Nevermore.

Wednesday sees her talking to Luna and gets extremely mad right away but is trying to not show it. Enid notices this of course and hugs her from behind and nuzzles the back of her neck telling her “She’s just a new girl, Wends. Yoko’s trying to be nice. She still loves us. Okay, baby?” The raven nods and tries to cover her face before any tears rolled down.

When Yoko is finally freed from talking to that girl, the raven quickly runs up to her and hugs her tight.

“Awww, there’s my little raven. How are you?”

“Waiting too long for you! We miss you, come on!”

The raven gives Yoko a big kiss hopefully Luna noticing. The three resting and walk off holding hands together with Wednesday sandwiched in the middle as always.

[dwampyverseawards]

PYXEHASTOOMANYINTERESTS VS AGENTLIZARDOFOWCA

@pyxehastoomanyinterests

Relevant reason for being submitted: https://archiveofourown.org/works/44009515, https://archiveofourown.org/works/37760605

Propaganda: I am Pyxe but I think I do pretty good with writing and art! I co-created the deity au and made the mad scientist au, plus I think I’ve done neat art. Apologies if it’s selfish to submit myself, I just thought it would be fun to play along.

@agentlizardofowca

Relevant reason for being submitted: Her fics are always enjoyable to rewd

Liz is one of the most skilled and dedicated writers in the community, which is immediately evident to anyone who reads her writing. She specifically writes (human) Perryshmirtz, but shares the love for many of the PNF cast throughout her work on Ao3. She’s a writer who is immediately memorable to those who’ve read her fics, from large scale intrigue plots to 1-2 chapter character driven self-indulgence, her work always stands out. I would say she’s especially relevant having recently participated in the tumblr pshmirtz wedding event, and having concluded her novel-length “Better Left Unsaid” fic in late 2023.

Propaganda: Let's not forget that even Dan Povenmire himself acknowledgements that plot B enjoyers is a specific subset of the fandom on his tiktok

I met her because she decided to write a fic about a Perryshmirtz comic I made that got shared a bit and messaged me with it in dms, and was so nice that we never stopped talking. Manages her adult woman real life job and still has a creative out put rate higher than most people will accomplish in half the time. I can tell you she puts lots of love and research in to them too. I recently made her a 2 part floor plan for an upcoming PnF mystery fic she’s writing, just because she wanted to be absolutely sure where everything and everyone was to plan the story more effectively. Girl cares about the quality of her writing! And did I mention english isn’t her first language? She’s a God amongst men. I also remember her researching the state of Ohio to be accurate in “Better Left Unsaid” (my favorite thing from her,) which she really didn’t need to do. Always going the extra mile.

Contestants may add their own propaganda however they see fit, provided it does not put down the person they are against, and if they continue it will be added to the next poll they are in. All round 1 matches were randomly generated, and anyone may drop out at any time.

[userautumn]

You don't have to post this. But I adore you so I always want to tell you things even if they are dumb and pointless.

I was also thinking about Oliver's video and like.....why are you filming on the freeway, friend?? And I've chosen to be parasocial and try to make him relatable to myself. I saw that wet hair and the tired eyes and thought "that man is late for work" and then I thought that he is gonna get really battered on SM if he doesn't speak up on Bi Visibility day. So he's posting before 7am in the car looking like a whole mess. Trying to multitask in a sense. I am projecting, yes, but that is me every day of my life. (Took a client meeting at a fast food restaurant because I was running late and wasn't going to make it to the office on time lol).

Anyways. I feel like I am the only person who really really does NOT like C. R. Or her music. I can't stand either. I love your political thoughts - you are always right on the money and i appreciate that you articulate your thoughts clearly and with research. I've told you before on anon that you've never been wrong or had a bad take and I stand by it. Happy Monday! Keep your thoughts and ideas coming - your audience loves it! xx

This message is so so special to me, you have no idea. I'm currently sitting here like :D :D :D

Anyways! You know... a little parasociality never hurt anyone. I do think you're right, he was definitely running late to work which is a SHAME for no other reason than for the fact that that probably means he didn't get to enjoy the slow crawl of the morning >:( Capitalism truly is the devil's handiwork, I think. I don't know what kind of job you do, but if EYE had to have an early morning meeting, hashbrowns, bacon, and pancakes from McDonald's (pre-strike) would definitely soothe the burn so I can't imagine they were mad about it, and if they were, maybe that's just a skill issue idk

You're NOT the only person but I will say that her old music speaks to me a lot more than the flamboyant fempop aesthetic she's got going on right now. I think, aside from Taylor Swift/Olivia Rodrigo, I'm just not really like a... bright!pop kind of girl. You know the kind I'm talking about. like Ari or Alessia Cara (?) or whatever. like. Lana Del Rey is waaaay more my speed when it comes to Pop Girlies(TM). But as for the rest of her... Yeah. Not a fan. But that's okay because there are a million other artists out there that I can, and do, focus my energy on!

Thank you for your confidence in my opinions! I'm definitely not right about everything, haha, but I have been heavily invested in politics - not just current events, but the political process - since I was about thirteen and there's a staggering amount of ignorance surrounding... well... everything that I just can't hold my tongue about. Never have been able to, actually! I recently learned to uncensor myself which has made me wildly popular with the masses, but. You know what? It is what it is. I have no interest in changing myself to suit the needs or comfort of other people. I'm willing to be wrong about anything but I'm not willing to let other people be wrong about things that are proven fact, because misinformation - especially in our current political landscape - is wildly dangerous.

Anyways! This was such a lovely little message. I don't really need or want an "audience" necessarily, but I do love having conversations, whether on or off anon, so thank you for stopping by xoxoxoxo love you <333