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enha-woodzies · 3 years

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➸ CHAPTER 7 | " A BREW GONE ASKEW "

starring: enhypen ft. i-land daniel

pairing: jungwon x fem!reader x sunghoon

genres: royal au, romance, angst, slowburn, 18th century setting

word count: 1.7k

warnings: mentions of blood, very mild swearing

taglist: @serendipitysung (betareader) @angeljungwon @en-sun @affectionaterainoflove @renkiv @softforjungwoo @jislix @gyeraniee @fluffi @stxrryemxlys @jungwon-luv-bot

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A week has passed since the favored pair passionately promenaded around town. They’ve always looked very fond of each other, and the ton can only imagine the two tying the knot by the end of the year.

Only a week in but Sunghoon was already finding it hard to keep himself away from Y/n’s side. From their long, humorous talks, to past secrecies, bliss, and memories, Sunghoon isn't always a big talker. But when it comes to the young miss, he blurts out almost anything and everything that comes to mind, and the lass would happily enjoy them; so much that she even laughed with a snort once, to which Sunghoon found really adorable and charming.

Sunghoon told her she was magnetic, and the girl helplessly clung herself to the marquess like an ornament.They've shared a lot of stories with each other in the course of a week. And in every topic, Jungwon never ceases to be mentioned. Y/n almost always connects everything with the boy, and Sunghoon can clearly see how Y/n’s got it so bad with Jungwon.

He told himself that he was going to change that.

Today, it was said they were seen traipsing around the Swan’s Lake一 a cradle for the tons banal scandals. Further ahead, the Queen’s garden can already be seen just by the tip of the tiny greenhouse that’s solely standing amidst the wildflowers. Sunghoon leads the way for the young miss to enter first.

“See that? The garden admires you.” Sunghoon whispers against her ears and send tingles through her entire body.

“This is amazing. I’ve only ever been here once, you know. It’s actually one of my favorite places here in Northumberland.” The young miss exclaims while softly touching the brightly colored flowers in each step she takes.

“Was the first visit special enough to make this one of your adored places?”

“Yeah.. I was with Jungwon.” She mutters the name under her breath with a look of regret.

“What was the reason he brought you here?”

“We were nine. He said he wanted to show me something that only this garden can offer.”

“Let me guess. Was it a ring made of twigs and he played pretend like he was proposing to you?” Y/n chuckles at the marquess. Though she wouldn't admit it, she finds Sunghoon very ideal and gentle.

Could it be that she wishes Jungwon to be more like him? Or is she just telling herself that Sunghoon’s perfect enough to bury down her dying feelings for Jungwon?

“That’s cute but unfortunately, that's not what happened. He showed me the Catalpa tree and gave me its flower. He said it reminds him so much of me and that I should tuck the flower in my favorite book to remind myself that he thinks of me often.”

“Ahh. Quite the romantic our little Jungwon here, eh?”

Y/n looks down to the ground remembering the dead Catalpa flower that was tucked between Jungwon’s Austen book; the book that was now back in the comfort of its owner after she threw it in the Kielder Forest.

“Once upon a time, yes.”

Sunghoon quickly picked up the mood and snapped it away. Seeing how Jungwon made this hole in her heart annoyed him to the extent he realized he had been living in hypocrisy as well.

He oddly sees himself in Jungwon, although in his case, it was much different. Jungwon never had any rivals when it comes to Y/n’s heart. Whereas with him, he had Niki, who wasn't even a bad guy in a story that Sunghoon tried so hard to own.

“Did you know that there's a poison garden here?” He breaks the silence.

“A what now?”

“A poison garden. The Queen’s very particular with it. Although it's off-limits to everyone except the royal gardener, anyone can still have a peek at it. I bet Jungwon never told you that.”

“He didn't.”

“Of course. Your chap doesn't alway know things, Y/n. You sometimes think so highly of him.”

The young miss kept her mouth shut the whole walk to the poison garden’s entry. They decided to take a brief peek, as per Sunghoon’s wishes, and she went along. It's not an everyday occurrence that you get to see a real and existing poison garden in Northumberland's Alnwick Castle.

“Sunghoon? Until when are we going to keep up with this whole ruse?” She softly whispers.

“Well, Jungwon hasn't told you anything worthy yet, has he?”

“The other day, he uhh… he told me to stop seeing you.”

“Why do you suppose he would say such thing?”

“I don't know. Must be something that happened between you and my brother?” she stopped shortly.

“What happened, Sunghoon? How come they all know about it and act like it was so horrid, yet keep it very subtle?” Sunghoon clicks his tongue and hisses before letting out a deep exhale.

“It's all in the past now. Even Niki. Though, I want to start fresh with him, but he doesn't seem to give me any chance at even trying.”

“What happened?”

“I don't think your brothers would want you to hear it. I respect Jay the most, and I owe Niki a whole lot. Or even if they do, I won't tell you anyway.”

“Was it… that bad?” Sunghoon fakes a chuckle while sitting on the nearby cemented bench. Y/n reaches out to hold his hand and the gent softly grips her fingers while brushing it with his thumb, locking hands with her in the process.

Sunghoon wanted to let everything out. But he fears the young beau would distance herself. If he were to be honest, there's nothing for him from this ruse they plotted. It was just to help the poor miss and satisfy himself with the look of envy upon Jungwon's face. He has nothing against the chap, but he may just simply be a schadenfreude.

The following day, Jungwon received a personal letter from the soon-to-be-duke himself. The moment he read the contents, he hastily dashed from his house and onto his horse, galloping in a speed of light to the Kielder Forest.

It is peak afternoon and the golden sun hit the forest perfectly, making it look like the two men are bathing under the immaculate bliss. Picture perfect as it may look, they didn't meet there to dawdle time away.

“Your Grace.” Jungwon bows to which Sunghoon returns in the aftermath.

“Why did you summon me here?” Jungwon glints at the marquess with a scorn. As much as he wants to showcase his manners, it didn't seem like the time and place to do it.

“Let's cut the formalities from here on out, Jungwon. Who do you think you are to give orders to Y/n? You know, the more you convince her to stop seeing me, the faster she runs to my tail. You're just doing me a favor to be very honest, and I am so pleased for this wonderful opportunity. You don't have the slightest idea of what convenience you are to me right now.” Sunghoon mockingly exclaims with both hands holding together like a child in prayer.

Jungwon aggressively walks towards the marquess and grabs his cravat with both hands. “You pompous blowhard! What are you doing with her?!” Jungwon grunts while shoving Sunghoon against the tree. With a stern look upon his eyes, the marquess suddenly finds the situation very amusing. He smirks and chuckles before pushing Jungwon's hands from the tight grip on his clothing.

“Are you talking about yourself? Take it easy, Yang. I don't think you're hearing yourself right now. Shouldn't I be the one asking you that?” Sunghoon lets out a laugh that makes Jungwon even more furious. It was his plan, after all.

“You haven’t had enough of triggering Niki, and now you're using his sister?! You're a big mess, Sunghoon! Admit it! You couldn't have Yena all to yourself with Niki around, so you're tainting Y/n to get revenge on the both of us?! You’re a lost cause!”

“Am I? A lost cause, eh? You're plainly calling yourself out, don't you think? All these years of having the most beautiful lady in Northumberland at the palm of your hands, yet you're too much of a dimbo to even hold onto her. And besides, it's like hitting two birds with one stone, yeah? You and Niki?”

Sunghoon mockingly laughs at Jungwon's fuming face and before he even realized it, his glorious face landed on the cold ground with an angry clobber from the chap. Jungwon straddles him and continues punching him while sitting on top of the fallen boy.

In a swift response, Sunghoon pulls Jungwon by the collar and pushes him aggressively to the side. While landing several punches on Jungwon's face, the marquess spits out blood in the process.

“Enough!” Sunghoon sternly yells at the former who is now bending over his knees, huffing out exhales with a fast beating heart.

“Stop this stupidity you're doing with Y/n! You're no good for her, Yang, and you know that! Can't you see? You're just wasting her time when she could've been married last season already!”

“Don't fucking tell me what to do, ugly bastard!” Jungwon hisses with gritted teeth, mustering up his anger to give the marquess another blow of his fist.

“Stain my face with more blood, Yang, and you’ll have to kiss your princess goodbye. Mark my words, you will never have Y/n. Not even a useless moment with her.”

“Niki! Niki! Niki!”

Daniel runs inside the Park manor with such haste, unknowingly bumping the mansion’s servants along the way. “Nishimura Riki!” The boy helplessly cries out to the latter, who apparently seems to be very preoccupied in the garden, impulsively firing the target on the branch.

“What?!” Niki yells back.

“I have big news to tell you!”

“If it’s about Sunghoon then shut your mouth ‘cause I have no intentions of hearing it. Sister will get tired of him soon enough, so I’m not worried. I trust Y/n’s wit to deliver her from that traitor.”

“But this is about Y/n and it's something that you should be worried about!” Niki swiftly turns his head to the boy bearing no more second thoughts as he throws away the blunderbuss and rushes to Daniel, “what happened to sister?!”

“She made a deal with the devil himself.”

*send me an ask or a message if you wish to be added on this series' taglist!

ㅡ © ENHA-WOODZIES, 2021

#kpopscape #enhypenwriters #enhypennetwork #of lords and mischiefs #enhypen angst #enhypen fluff #enhypen series #enhypen fics #enhypen imagines #enhypen jungwon #enhypen sunghoon #enhypen heeseung #enhypen jay #enhypen jake #enhypen sunoo #enhypen niki #iland daniel

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perseusjackson-jasongrace · 3 years

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Day 10: “How’s the weather down there, babe?”

Masterlist

Three things: 1, this is set in the Empires on the Horizon universe, however you do not need to read or be caught up with that fic to understand what’s going on here. 2, i got so excited writing this i forgot all about the prompt and then had to go back and figure it out. 3, this is so horrifically sweet please be aware you might need to go to the dentist for cavities after this. I lied there’s four things; if you want full vibes while reading this listen to “Winter” by Tori Amos (chosen by my darling child, @little-league-coach-mako)

non-canon complaint, Empires on the Horizon AU

Annabeth Chase had been wanting to go to the lake cabins for over a year but between her and her boyfriend’s busy schedules and the continuously unfolding happenings of their friends’ lives it seemed almost impossible. But finally, three weeks till the end of December her and Leo are packing up their car and grabbing snacks for the break to the cabins.

It will be a well deserved, much-needed rest.

“You ready, my love?”

She looks around their room, as meticulous and pristine as they made it each morning. The white sheets tucked tightly into the bed, and the maroon throw angled over one corner so that the two sides hanging over the bed were exact in length. Their blinds had been drawn shut, but winter sunlight still leaked through their large windows, causing the white-oak floors to soften into magnolia.

“I’m ready,” She turns around with a gentle smile on her face, hands reaching for him.

He pulls her in for a hug, surrounding her with the warmth that always seems to radiate from him, no matter the temperature. His curls tickle her cheeks and she can smell the cinnamon and wood that seemed to be his cologne.

“You okay?” There is concern lacing his voice like wax; it makes her choke on emotions she didn’t even know she was holding down.

“I love you.”

Leo pulls back, worry in those beautiful brown eyes, “I love you.” He strokes her back gently, “Do you want to stay home?”

“No!” She bursts, “Gods no. I’m just tired and i can’t wait to walk into our little bubble and never leave.”

He simply hugs her tighter and she feels every wonderful feeling soar between their bodies.

Soon enough they’re in the car and on their way, with nothing but open roads and bare trees in their vision. The road trip is short, three hours at most, and Annabeth is content to listen to her boyfriend’s soft jazz and stare out the window, bundled in blankets and pillows, and snacks. Leo keeps a hand on her thigh for most of the drive, a comfortable weight and a reassurance that he is here, that he isn’t leaving. By the time they get there it is raining hard, battering the roof of the car like drums. It soothes her soul.

They rush into the cabin in a blur of bags and slicking mud, laughing as the onslaught drenches them. Their curls become coiled and springy, losing all the effort they had put in before leaving. But they’re inside and it is warm and the clouds opening above them are a comfort that carries their feet to safety.

“I love it here.” Annabeth sighs, looking around. There’s a small table in one corner, and a large fireplace running through the middle of the space, separating the dining room from the lounge. The couch looks inviting, stacked with copious pillows and the fluffiest blanket she has ever seen. The kitchen is... quaint. All the necessary appliances are there but it doesn’t make the area look any less like an 18th century cottage.

Her boyfriend steps out of the room, where he had gone to put their bags away, and wraps his arms around her waist as they take in their home for the week. It is dark outside but the moon is high, casting a white glow between the clouds that gives the whole world a haunted look. The lake is pitch black but she knows when they wake up tomorrow it will be a glistening blue, sparkling against the weak sunlight.

“Want to have a bath?” Leo nuzzles her neck, “Get warm?”

“Yes,” She breathes, “And then can we make hot chocolate and snuggle up by the fire?”

His laughter is bright and lovely as he spins her around so they’re chest to chest. “We can do whatever you want, my love.”

“Let’s go then!’ She tugs on his hand, racing to the bathroom. “I’ve got a new book i want to start.”

“Of course you do,” He scrunches his nose teasingly, “You nerd.”

“Hey, i’m not the one pursuing yet another degree.’ She gives him a pointed look. “I mean i love studying but a PhD and a masters later?” Her face pulls with exasperation, “Even that’s too much for me.”

He scoffs, slapping her butt as she bends down to turn the tap on, “I have to study if i want a degree in architecture.”

“You know i wanted to be an architect when i was little.” She mutters distractedly, swirling her hand in the water as it heats up.

“You did?” She can hear the surprise in his voice. “What stopped you?”

She smirks over her shoulder, “All the cute girls liked engineers better.”

“Yes that certainly seemed to be the case.” His eyes spark with joy as laughter bubbles out of him. It fills all the cracks inside her, like gold.

She strips and lowers herself into the steaming water, while her boyfriend gets ready to join her. And then, with a content sigh he gets in behind her, supple fingers already reaching to massage the knots that seem to tie themselves at her shoulders. With a groan she leans into him, letting the magic of the moment wash over her. It’s not surprising then, when she falls asleep.

She is woken up by the loss of heat at her back. Grogginess clouding her mind, she cracks an eye open and sees Leo standing over her, a towel around his waist.

“Can you help me, my love?” He grips underneath her arms. “I need you to push up so we can get you out of the bath and I can dry you off. Can you do that?”

Sleep is pulling at the exhausted strings of her body and it is a fight to hear what he says. But something pierces the hazy veil and she nods, digging her heels into the porcelain tub.

In one swift motion she is pulled out and stumbling into a warm body. A towel, coarse with freshness, rubs across her body; she doesn’t register much of the situation, swaying on her feet as her boyfriend dries her legs. A chilly breeze wraps around her bare arms, and she feels goosebumps rise on her skin. Oh dear, what if Leo is also cold? She should check on him. She blinks, blinks again, and realises he’s on the floor, rubbing her calves in a gentle motion.

“How’s the weather down their babe?” She mumbles, looking at him, or the blurry image of him, before her.

“Warm, love,” He smirks up at her, “View is great too.”

“Of course it is,” Her murmur is all sleep-deprived and unintelligible. She feels him press a kiss to her knee. “I'm tired,”

“I know angel.” His voice is so soft. Like marshmallows and clouds and sweetness. “Here’s a t-shirt.” He holds one of her hands as he guides it through the correct holes, and then her head, and her other hand. She moans contentedly.

Through her fluttering eyelids she sees a little smirk pulling at his lovely, candlelit face. “It smells good.”

“The shirt?” He kneels before her and lifts a foot to put on her favourite pair of fluffy socks. “What does it smell like?”

There’s nothing but pretty darkness, and molten brown eyes as she collapses into his arms. “Smells like you.”

Lifting her up so her head is against his chest, and an arm is tucked underneath her knees, he whispers. “Let’s go to bed, my love.”

Moments later she is gently put down in what can only be described as paradise. She sinks into the duvets burying her nose in the fresh sheets which smell like forests and rose-petals. Leo crawls in next to her, and after a bit of maneuvering she slings her arm around his waist and finds the spot between his neck and shoulders where her head fits perfectly.

He kisses her head of curls, “Goodnight angel.”

It is the last thing she remembers before she succumbs to her exhaustion.

Annabeth wakes up to sunshine on her skin, and her nose nuzzling her boyfriend’s back. The room is quiet, save for Leo’s steady breathing, and she takes the time to observe their slice of Elysium.

A small writing desk sits in the corner, a stack of yellowed papers and a fake quill on top of it. The bed is situated in the center of the space with dark wood canopies framing it. And the huge window that sits to their right looks out to the lake which, as she had suspected, is bright blue. There is a small boat house tucked in the reeds that border the water and she knows before the end of the week they’ll have used the canoes housed there, and probably dropped the oars in the water about six times before they get the hang of it.

In the other corner of the room is the entrance to their bathroom; as she looks to it she realises with a startle that she needs to pee. Very badly. Trying not to make too much of a disturbance she slides out and races to the bathroom. When she comes back Leo is awake, rubbing sleep out of his eyes and sitting up, against their mountain of pillows.

“Hello love,” She smiles, tucking herself into his side, ‘How did you sleep?”

“Like the dead.” He grins, all white teeth and mischief.

“Me too.” She traces her finger along the smooth plains of his stomach. “I really was tired.”

He giggles, “I know. You couldn’t even keep yourself upright while I tried to towel you dry.”

She pokes him, “At least i didn’t fall back into the tub.”

“I would have left you there.”

Her gasp of disbelief sets them both laughing and when she reaches up to brush a kiss to his lips, she swallows his happiness like it’s her favourite drug.

“Shall we make breakfast and go for a boat ride?”

“First one to lose the oar has to plan the holiday party this year?” She smirks, holding out her hand to sign the deal.

Her boyfriend takes her hand in his, and pulls her closer so they’re barely a breath apart. “You’re on Chase.”

And when they come back from the lake hours later, Annabeth is the one to plan the holiday party because her boyfriend, no her fiancé, had surprised her with a ring. That’s really an honourable reason to lose an oar. Or both.

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Tags:

@nishlicious-01

@spoopylucy

@leydiangelo

#leobeth #12 days of fanfics #pjjg series #pjjg fanfic #annabeth chase #leo valdez #empires on the horizon

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kill-for-cookies · 4 years

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Can i request some posessive, jealous reader this time? You're both at a royal gala on an alien planet, and the princess keeps flirting with dhawan!master all night and its driving you mad- eventually resulting in you having enough and putting her in her place, and the master being both surprised and thrilled to see how jealous you got x Thank you! x

When I read your request, I was like "AAAA, JEALOUS READER!! YOU'RE AMAZING! YOU'RE KILLING ME!" Your idea is so brilliant. So here we go. Hope, you enjoy it!

Sorry, but he is with me

---------------------------------

You entered the huge light hall where the royal gala was taking place, arm in arm with the Master. Everything was decorated for 18th-century ball in the style of Marie Antoinette. And you had to admit everything looked truthful. Well, as possible for an alien planet.

To be honest, you didn't want to be here. And not just because today you wanted to stay in the TARDIS reading books or watching films. Also because you didn't like all the pomp. Of course, with the Master everything is pompous, but dressing up in ball dresses wasn't for you. Damn, it would have been better if you two had run away from the Daleks. That would have been more interesting. But you were here. And it was pointless to argue with the Master.

"Glad you did visit us, Master" the two of you turned to a voice from behind.

In front of you stood a girl in a huge pink dress with a lot of ribbons, lace and other thingies on it. She was wearing a wig as it was fashionable in 18th-century France. She reminded you of a doll. And in a bad way. Looking at the pink color and cute face, you started to get sick of all this sweetness.

So you decided to leave the Master and explore the hall. It was much more intresting and informative than listening to this small and boring conversation.

You stopped somewhere in the middle of the hall examining one of the largest paintings hanging on the wall. Well, not directly examining. Honestly, you weren't interested in it at all, looking at your watch every second. Damn, why time was so slow? Shame you can't pilote the TARDIS or you'd have skipped an hour... or hours? Oh, this is even worse!

You felt someone took your hand. Turning your head, you saw a young man with slicked-back hair and a relatively modest jacket (compared to miss "Pink dress") kissed the back of your hand. Well, at least he didn't annoy you so much.

"Why such a beautiful girl is left alone?" you gave a sad smile and turned to where the Master was talking to the cloying lady. Seriously? How long could he talk to her? Following your gaze, the young man continued. "Is this your boyfriend, right? He'll regret leaving you" it was nice to know that at least someone was on your side. It didn't matter you left the Master.

You two had a small talk moving away from the center of the room. He really was a good and nice person. Maybe you'd appreciate it if there wasn't one thing. You couldn't focus on anything. Your thoughts were only about the Master and that second Marie Antoinette. Really? What was wrong with that? They were just talking, giggling. Nothing unusual. So why did it make you so mad? Drove you crazy, honestly.

"I forgot to introduce myself. I'm prince Albert" the voice of the young man in front of you distracted you a little from these thoughts. You looked away from this sight, which caused you terrible pain.

"Wait, if I'm not mistaken, this gala is organized in honor of the engagement of prince Albert and..." when you were going to this event, you didn't really listen to the Master, but apparently something remained in your memory.

"And princess Beatrice. Yes, that is, my engagement. Oh, here's Beatrice."

Albert pointed you to... No, it couldn't be! It had to be a joke. The prince pointed to the girl in this miss "Pink dress". The Universe must be mocking you. First, this damn princess came up and flirted with the Master, and now it turned out she was getting married.

Your hands clenched and you were a little shaking with anger. Well, anger wouldn't help right now. Otherwise, it would ruin everything. Taking a deep breath, you decided to calm down and then you came up with an idea. Oh, this lady-sweetness would definitely regret getting in your way.

"I'm from another planet and don't understand local customs, but is it normal that your bride is talking to the one person for half an hour?"

"And I'm talking to you..."

"Also I think princess Beatrice likes it."

You looked at the young man in front of you and saw doubt and a little jealousy in his eyes. Great! Your plan worked. Well, almost. Now you needed to separate the pair. It wouldn't be very difficult. You were very good at arguing. You had a lot of practice with the Master.

"I'm sorry to interrupt your lovely conversation, your Highness, but he's with me. And I'd like to talk to him, too. In addition, new guests have arrived, I think you should pay attention to them" you pulled a fake sweet smile, addressing the princess.

If there weren't people around, you would attacked her. Insulted her or something worse. But unfortunately, the Universe wasn't on your side today, so you had to be patient. But that didn't mean you couldn't teach her a good lesson.

"I'm sure my fiance is already talking to them" she said it as casually as possible without even turning to face you.

Oh, that was her mistake. The greatest mistake! No one could talk to you like that. Even when you first met the Master (and you were on opposite sides of the fence), he didn't treat you like this. And we are talking about the Master.

"The one standing there and looking at us? Oh, I talked to him a little and told him that you didn't move away from Master for half an hour. Remind me, when is your wedding?" you could barely hold back your glee. You already won. She just didn't know it yet.

You quickly glanced at the Master standing motionless with round eyes. He didn't look like himself. Well, you had never seen him so surprised. His jaw was about to fall. As much as it was fun to see his reaction, first you needed to put this arrogant lady in her place.

"How dare you talk to me like that?"

"I don't care who you are. And I doubt we'll ever meet again. Now go away and get your prince back."

"Boor!" princess Beatrice picked up her many voluminous skirts and walked away.

"Thanks for the compliment!"

You were so proud of yourself. Gloating wasn't your style, but right now... Damn, you'd be lying if you said you didn't like it. But perhaps you liked more the argument between Beatrice and Albert. How they spread their hands, raising voices. You just made it clear no one should mess with you. Especially make you angry.

You didn't enjoy your victory for long, because the Master roughly grabbed your hand and led you into an empty and dark room. Your faces were only inches away from each other. The Master looked directly into your eyes full of fire. And no matter what, you wouldn't look away from him.

"Are you jealous?" he grinned and damn, you were going to strangle him right now. You wanted to complain but finger was at your mouth. "Shh, don't" he moved even closer to you, now you could feel his warm breath "Did I ever say how beautiful you are when you're angry?"

In the blink of an eye, his arms were around your waist, pulling you to him and his lips met yours. Your hands immediately went to his shoulders. You were lost in that kiss. All your tension and anger immediately disappeared as if they weren't at all. Damn, you wanted it so much. Wanted this proximity. Wanted the Master paying attention to you. Who would have thought it would end like this? Well, the conflict between you and future queen was definitely worth it.

When The Master finished the kiss, he pressed his forehead to yours. He mumbled some sweet words, but you didn't really listen. Now you were thinking about what happened. It was like it didn't happen to you, but to someone else.

You thought that because of this whole situation, the Master changed his attitude towards you. You could feel he was as much in love with you as you were with him. Damn, why lie to yourself? That exactly was. And you couldn't help but smile when you realized.

"Now let's move. We have things to do."

Well, at least something didn't change.

#doctor who #dhawan!master #dhawan!master x reader #dhawan!master imagine #the master #the master x reader #the master imagine #dw #dw imagine #request #doctor who imagine #Reader #reader insert #Jealous #jealousy

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vitosscaletta · 4 years

Note

>:) Personality + Background for Helena, Basics + Appearance for Erin

YES thank u... vampire time

Helena

PERSONALITY

What’s their alignment?

Probably neutral good ehehehe

What are their hobbies and interests? Do they have any particular “favorites” (food, books, and so on)?

Her number one passion is acting, it’s not really a hobby since she does it professionally (or is trying to lol).. She enjoys learning history though, especially the mid-18th century :^) Also music, corny movies, she’s also a huge sims fan >:)

As for her favorites uhhh her favorite band is My Chemical Romance DUH, fav movies are Shakespeare in Love, Valley of The Dolls (yeah ik it sucks),... Shark Tale.... aaaaand her favorite food is fries. Or it was, she can’t eat it anymore :(

What are they bad at?

Within the game’s mechanics and all that.. she’s not much good in a fight (thank u faelike background). She’s still significantly stronger than the average human of course, but very fragile for vampire standarts :/ Noodle arms bitch

Do they have any vices/addictions/mental illnesses?

None that I can think of

What are their goals and motivations?

Before her embrace it was to become a famous actress.. which isn’t possible anymore, she’s still craving that kind of lifestyle though. She grew up not being very well off and not being very popular either, so it’s kinda... wanting to be someone important? Like that Will Smith fish from shark tale :)

What are their manners like? Any habits?

She’s rather well-mannered, not exactly posh but she doesn’t do anything weird in public either.. usually.

What are they most afraid of?

irrelevance... something like that :/

BACKGROUND

Where were they born? What was their childhood like?

She’s originally from San Francisco, grew up with a single mom and her younger sister. They weren’t very well off so her mom had to work a lot, it was pretty much just her and her sister :/ She wasn’t very popular either so she made only few friends in school, it was lonely :(

What’s their family like?

Her mom Jenny is a nice lady, very goal-oriented.. she was very popular in high school, which is how she met Helena’s dad. He’s originally from germany and comes from a long line of vampire hunters and religious zealots (Society of Leopold hoes..), doesn’t really know anything about it though. His family are just a bunch of weird catholics. They had two children, miss Helena & her little Sister, Elizabeth before he divorced his wife and fucked off 👋. He cut off all contact and doesn’t pay child support bc he’s a freak. Also Elizabeth is currently studying law somewhere, their mother insisted they make something of themselves >:(

What factions or organizations are they a part of? What ranks and titles do they hold?

She’s with the camarilla, mostly due to the fact that Christian is in it too. She came to them all starry-eyed because the other members were all sexy, powerful and rich vampires which is pretty much what she wants to be like lmao.. She works directly for Lacroix, kinda like the fledgling except with better pay, slightly less shitty jobs and a tiny bit more respect (only a tiny bit everyone still thinks she’s dumb af). She just has to run small errants lol. There’s no official rank or title though lol.

She’s not really loyal to them or anything and quickly becomes disillusioned by it all. Vampire society is fucked up... she kinda starts spending more time with the Hollywood anarchs because toreador solidarity, doesn’t join their cause though. The anarchs can’t stand her lmao. She’s really mostly independent...

How do they fit into their “story”?

She’s just your good ol’ regular La Croy foundations employee, she was initially my fledgling but I don’t want Christian (her sire) to die, I suppose she’s just like.. there.. idk its kind of a wip

Where do they currently live? What’s their place like?

She has that little apartment in downtown LA during the events of bloodlines :^) It’s a nice place, modern interior and all that... she does miss her old apartment with the victorian furniture though :(( Post bloodlines she probably leaves LA after the whole thing with Lacrosse lol... she’s friends with Ash now they can go on a road trip or something

How do they eventually die?

she doesn’t... shes a vampire >:)

Erin

BASICS

What’s their full name?

Cassandra Erin Winters :~)

What does their name mean? Why were they named that?

Cassandra (from greek “to excel, to shine “) is a little nod to the seer Cassandra, who appears somewhere in her bloodline :^) In-universe it’s one of those names that appear throughout her family.. there are a bunch of important great-grandmothers, aunts and other relatives so her parents named her that to make it look like they’re an important dynasty or something. Rich people bs. Erin is an english derivative of the irish word for.. Ireland lmao. It was just one of those names that were popular in the early 80′s and her mother liked it, there’s no real reason behind it!

Do they have any nicknames?

jhdfjhfd Cammy by Damsel even though she helped them out 😒 also “Newbie” by her bf sdkjskjdf romance ❤

How old are they?

22 in 2004, I suppose she’s 37 in 2020 aka during the events of bloodlines 2

When’s their birthday?

December 13th, 1982

What’s their zodiac sign/element/birthstone/etc.? Do they believe that holds any significance?

I had to take a whole quiz for this but she’s a Sagittarius 😌 I’d say it definitely does lol... she reads her horoscope almost daily

What’s their species/subspecies? Do they have any special/magical abilities?

Vampire lol... specifically of clan Malkavikan. As for magical abilities yknow, typical vampire stuff, plus the voices & Malkavian insight and all that. Her abilities are Auspex and Obfuscate :^)

What “class” do they belong to (for fantasy characters)? If none, what weapon do they favor?

No class but her favorite weapon was the axe she found in the haunted hotel

APPEARANCE

What do they look like?

goddd.... small, pretty blonde, pale skin bc she’s dead, yellow-ish eyes (used to be blue)... big eyes, sliightly overplucked eyebrows bc it’s 2004 :( she’s still cute though

Do they have a face claim?

Mostly Bella Heathcote and Christina Ricci in one image I found on pinterest lol.. I never have faceclaims that are 100% what they look like :(

What’s their style like? Clothes, hair, makeup?

goddd jt was pretty much regular late 90s/early 2000s popular girl before her embrace.. short skirts, juicy tracksuits, tube tops, those awful tinted glasses, coats with fake fur. Her hair was often in those late 90′s updos with a few streaks hanging loose in the front... makeup is just regular looks from the time, lipgloss, frosty eyeshadow and all that 🤢 she’s a big fan of turtleneck sweaters though 😌

It’s still the same but a bit more fucked up post-embrace because she’s just like go crazy aaahh go stupid aaahhh and digs out some of her weirder clothes because half of these vampire bitches wear dumber clothes than her anyway... an old white lace dress that looks like it’s from the early 1900s or something like that... her standard outfits are still low-rise jeans with tank tops and those giant early 2000s shoes though, she just adds in a few weird looking clothes for fun sometimes

How do they carry themselves? What’s their default expression?

Honestly she looks like this emoji 😳 most of the time, Malkavian voices, weird doomsday visions and all that... She had a very cheerful attitude before her embrace and it still shows sometimes, most of the time it’s kinda weird though :(

Do they have any physical ailments or disabilities?

nope!

#jennystahl #thank u hehe...#c: helena #c: erin #miss helena..

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cbseung · 4 years

Text

cobblestones: modern prince hyunjin au - part 10

[masterlist]

[pt 1] [pt 2] [pt 3] [pt 4] [pt 5] [pt 6] [pt 7] [pt 8] [pt 9] [pt 10] [final]

pairings: hwang hyunjin x reader

wc: 2,600

description: the long awaited ball is finally here! but you technically don’t know how to ballroom dance,, luckily someone here is able to teach you!

a/n: it’s 3:30 am and i haven’t slept so TECHNICALLY it’s still saturday night for me 〜(^∇^〜）hope you enjoy the second to last part! (long part today so i can end this series on the next part (⸝⸝⍢⸝⸝) ෆ )

fiancée?

what?

all these thoughts start running through your head

once again

how long has he known and why did he tell you he had feelings for you if HE KNEW he was already engaged and if he knew he was engaged why did he even confess to you if it wasn’t just to play with your feelings and-

“oh! y/n!! it’s so great to finally meet you!!! hyunjin has said so much about you!!” mirai says, cutting your mental breakdown/overthinking/internal rant

so he HAS been talking about you

but more importantly what HAS he been saying about you?

you probably look like a dork because the shock hasn’t worn off yet

“hey mirai?” hyunjin says

“hm?”

“do you mind if i talk to y/n privately?”

“no not at all! i’ll let you two friends catch up!!”

ah right

friends

because that’s all you guys were after all

you went on two (2) dates of course you weren’t dating

you even said no labels

but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t suck!!!!

so mirai walks back into the palace

and it’s just you and hyunjin

alone

....

and you wait for him to break the silence because he’s kinda got A LOT to explain to you

“so.. uh how are you” he says

??????

i’m sorry?

the first thing he asks

after he hasn’t seen you for a week

and he ditched his promise to take you on a date

is how are you??

how does he THINK you are?????

you get like

really mad?

and you could never ever conceal your emotions cause your face just gives it away

so hyunjin

obviously

can tell that you’re angry

and he sighs

“look, y/n”

at this point you’re fuming

like you’re about to explode

“i was going to tell you.. bu-”

“when? hyunjin? when we went to paris? barcelona? during many many coffee conversations we had? when we were on the ferris wheel where i told you i liked you back? hyunjin, engagements can’t happen overnight! you’d have to have known!”

so you’re trying NOT to cry

because it’s stupid

crying over a boy

who’s only taken you out on two dates

but you can’t help it o(╥﹏╥)o o(╥﹏╥)o o(╥﹏╥)o

“y/n.. i found out when you got here.. remember when you and felix went to brighton? mom told me then, something about keeping the relations between japan and korea happy”

“what? this isn’t the 18th century??”

“i know,, i think it’s a good idea”

“but-”

“but what? it’s almost like you wanna get married to me, wow you call a girl pretty once” hyunjin laughs without a readable emotion

hahahah

if that was a joke

that was a sucky joke

you take a deep breath

because you’re trying not to scream and yell at hyunjin

and even worse

you’re trying not to show him how you really feel

so you take a few breaths to calm yourself down

“you know what? i was trying to be a friend and worry about your future and your feelings because i wouldn’t want my friends to be forced into anything that they didn’t want. because that’s all we ever were. friends.” you seethe. “i’ll see you at the ball prince hyunjin”

with your head held high

you walked back into the palace

really fast

because tbh you felt the tears coming

you only wanted one person and one person only

⊱ ━━━━.⋅ εïз ⋅.━━━━ ⊰

you take the rest of the day to recuperate before talking felix or yeji and having to explain yourself

so that night you drag yourself to you and yeji’s shared room and call felix as well

because the bffs need to be updated

“hey yeji.. felix..”

“y/n! my baby!” yeji says

you can always count on yeji to be protective over you

and she has never let you down!!

unlike..

oh look at that you’re crying again

now yeji and felix are concerned

“y/n??????? what happened????? who do i need to fight????” they both say

you sob/laugh

a great sound

and you explain everything to yeji and felix

literally from the beginning so you know that they got the full story

from hyunjin spilling coffee on you to your verbal spats to paris to shopping to barcelona to him confessing to your try out date to you confessing to your actual date that ALL leads up to the confrontation you had with him in the garden

“thaT LITTLE RAT” yeji yells angerly, “felix, you’re his brother wtf is wrong with him??”

but felix also looks kinda shocked

“it’s kinda weird that i haven’t heard anything about the engagement,,, maybe he really did find out last night”

“even so! he practically ghosted her for the past week!”

“yeah that’s.. still really weird..”

“but enough about him,, y/n are you okay?”

“i.. don’t know.. do i JUST like him? or do i ˡᵒᵛᵉ ʰᶦᵐˀ ”

yeji sighs and replys

“y/n.. what you feel is what you feel, and no one can convince you otherwise”

“yeah don’t worry about it y/n, you’re leaving soon and we’ll have tons of fun at the ball and you won’t have to worry about him anymore!”

ah but that

kinda makes you sad

it was a really fun summer

all thanks to hyunjin

but it’s fine

he’s getting married!!

what can you do???

⊱ ━━━━.⋅ εïз ⋅.━━━━ ⊰

IT’S THE DAY OF THE BALL :00

who knew this day would come

also you’re leaving for home tomorrow (｡•́︿•̀｡)

you spent the rest of your days in london with felix and yeji

doing fun bff stuff that you never got to do

you also picked up your dress and did last minute shopping for the ball

because you’RE GONNA LOOK GORGEOUS

you also spent the last days avoiding hyunjin like THE PLAGUE

he was eating breakfast? guess you were just gonna have to starve

walking down the hallway? you yeeted yourself into the nearest room

it helped i guess because if you didn’t see him or talk to him then he CAN’T HURT you and your feelings can’t resurface !!!!!!

but anyways

the morning of the ball: hectic

everyone in the palace was running around setting it up

you were trying your best to help yeji and felix who were off supervising everything

(apparently this isn’t their first ball,,,,, royal kids am i right ╮(╯▽╰)╭ )

the morning speeds by and yeji yells at you that it’s time to get ready

this is the really fun part

the whole transformation look

like you don’t USUALLY go all out

but now you have an excuse!!

it’s a ball!!

at the buckingham palace!!

that yOU helped plan!!!!!

yeji hired a hair stylist and a makeup artist to help with this whole shabang

so you spent the next couple hours chilling and hanging out with yeji while you prepped for the ball!!

felix also popped in to hang out with you guys

and you were really happy!

but surprise surprise

your mind drifted off to hyunjin

you just hope he’s happy you know

⊱ ━━━━.⋅ εïз ⋅.━━━━ ⊰

by the time the ball rolls around you and yeji (finally) finish getting ready

and you make your way down the stairs

and felix is waiting for you

and surprise suprise

hyunjin is down by the stairs too

at this point

you know you look good

and you’re gonna have to face him eventually

might as well do it when you look good right?

“hey hyunjin..!!”

“ ᵒʰ oH hi.. y/n.. you look..-”

“great! i know!” you say as you wink and laugh

YEAH YOU LAUGHED BUT LIKE WAS THAT GENUINE BRO

“where’s mirai?” you ask

crossing fingers he’d say that he dumped her and that he wants you but like

that’s not reality

“i’m right here! y/n you look lovely!” she says

“aw mirai you do too!”

you glance at hyunjin

WHO’S STILL LOOKING AT YOU

luckily

felix is there to whisk you away before it got too suffocating yaknow

“y/n!! you look stunning!!” felix says

“thanks bro you’re not too bad yourself!!” you say

“come on we have to go outside to greet the press and then we can get our BALL on”

“omg please don’t ever say that” you say as you and felix both laugh

⊱ ━━━━.⋅ εïз ⋅.━━━━ ⊰

you go outside and take those press photos with felix

and then it’s hyunjin and mirai’s turn

and you hear the other guests murmur

“ah did you hear that they’re going to announce their engagement today?”

“oh? the prince of south korea and the princess of japan make such a cute couple”

and you’re just like

they’re not wrong

he’s really pretty, she’s really pretty

he’s a prince, she’s a princess

it’s almost like this match was so carefully planned out

...

anyways

you and felix make it into the ball

and sees the fruits of your labor

and it’s like ??? STUNNING if you do say so yourself

throughout the night, you’re having a lot of fun

eating and talking and laughing with yeji and felix

and next thing you know you hear felix say

“hey y/n it’s time to ballroom dance”

“whAT”

so APPARENTLY you HAVE to dance

because it’s a ball and APPARENTLY it’s what you do

“FELIX i don’t know how to dance!”

“it’s okay! i’ll teach you!”

so if you didn’t know

you kinda have two left feet

so you’re gonna look

a mess

so 5 minutes and 10 broken toes latter

and felix says

“wow, you’re actually kinda bad”

“WOW THANKS”

“we’re gonna need an expert hm?”

“yes please”

so you’re standing there

waiting for felix to come back

“hey.. felix said you needed to learn how to dance?”

you know that voice anywhere

you spent a month and a half with it

OH WAIT

OH NO

you frantically look around for felix

becAUSE HOW DARE HE GET HIM TO TEACH YOU!?!

unfortunately you don’t see him

SO I GUESS

YOU’RE GONNA HAVE TO

SLOW DANCE WITH HYUNJIN?

NO THANKS

“uh um i- haha you-you’re the expert?”

“i mean i guess? i dance a lot in my free time so ..”

OH RIGHT BECAUSE HE WANTS TO BE A DANCER

HOW COULD YOU FORGET

sigh “i guess you’ll do, come on i don’t wanna embarrass myself more than i already have”

“ouch i guess i’ll do?”

“yeah,, you’ll do” and you two crack a smile

JUST LIKE OLD TIMES AM I RIGHT

“okay so first, hold my hand”

“o..kay..”

“and put your other hand on my shoulder, and i’ll put my hand on your waist, okay?”

“you got it bud”

now you’re

HEAVILY AWARE of him and you and your hand in his hand and your hand on his shoulder and his arm on your waist

too much has happened it too little time!!

“okay, now step back when i step towards you, and move right when i move left and vice versa. got it?”

“got .. it..”

eventually

you got used to it

with a couple mistakes here and there

but you guys just laughed it off and continued dancing

BUT you got the hang of it

“you look beautiful today” you hear him say

now we’re gonna ignore the clench in your heart and say

“thanks bro, you don’t look bad yourself, prince hyunjin” you respond with a goofy grin

i can’t believe you just bro’ed him

“i can’t believe you just bro’ed me” he says

and now people just saw you and hyunjin laughing as you guys danced around the dance floor

because hyunjin made it fun!

you two were so lost in the moment

you two looked like you were in your own world

you two felt like you were the only two people in the world

he lifts your intertwined hands up and says

“spin!”

so you spin

a little too much

and hyunjin has to pull you back close to him

BUT HE PULLS you JUST

A LITTLE TOO CLOSE to HIS FACE

AND YOU FEEL YOUR BREATH HITCH

and he’s staring at your lips which makes you stare at his lips

and like look SO! SOFT! ⁄(⁄ ⁄•⁄-⁄•⁄ ⁄)⁄ ⁄(⁄ ⁄•⁄-⁄•⁄ ⁄)⁄ ⁄(⁄ ⁄•⁄-⁄•⁄ ⁄)⁄ ⁄(⁄ ⁄•⁄-⁄•⁄ ⁄)⁄

AND BEFORE YOU KNOW IT

HE’S COMING CLOSER

AND YOU’RE LIKE

WOAH WAIT BRO

you step back so quick

and see hyunjin’s shocked face

“um, i-” you say, “i-i can’t”

“but y/n-” you hear him say but not before

you SPRINT as fast as you can to the gardens

because you know that the only place that’s safe

away from the ball, away from him, away from your feelings (but that doesn’t work out)

ah but too bad hyunjin FOLLOWS you

you make it through the doors when you hear a

“y/n!” hyunjin yells as he grabs your hand

you refuse to look back at him in fear your feelings overpower and do something you end up regretting

“talk to me,,” you hear, his voice cracks with a hint of sadness and laced with hurt

now this makes you look at him

because this HURTs your heart

and you see hyunjin’s eyes start to tear up

and you PHYSICALLY feel your heart breaking

but your mind (thank god) is still working and kicking and you refuse to give in

without hearing him out first

“you barely said anything to me, i haven’t seen you since i got back, i really,, miss you..” he says

“hyunjin,, i- i can’t,, be around you, and i know it’s selfish of me but i can’t be around you without wanting to hold your hand and kiss your cheek and boop your nose and i can’t be around you unless i want to fall in love with you more and more”

well apparently

youR MOUTH

THINKS FASTER

THAN YOUR BRAIN

BECAUSE YOU’RE 99.9% SURE YOU JUST TOLD HYUNJIN YOU LOVED HIM

“and you’re marrying mirai!” you exasperate, “i can’t do that to her, but please please be selfish for once! and do what you want to do”

and be with me

“y/n i love you, but i can’t go against my parents’ orders..”

now you feel the wind knocked out of you

so 1) prince hwang hyunjin of south korea loves you back but 2) won’t do anything about it because he “can’t” go against his parent’s orders when he doesn’t even want to be prince in the first place?

but you respect him and his decisions

and you don’t wanna fight a fight you feel like you can’t win

so you crack a smile

a heartbroken

but small smile

“so this is it huh?” you say

“wh-what do you mean?” hyunjin stutters

“i go back home tomorrow silly, and you’re getting married soon! invite me and jinyoung to the wedding so i can meet him okay?” you say, nudging him

like you’re saying this

all trying not to cry

because if there’s one person you’re not crying in front of tonight

it’s hyunjin

you start walking past hyunjin until you stop before the doors that lead into the palace

“hey hyunjin,, thanks. for everything. this summer was everything i asked for and more! i’m glad i met you, i’m glad i met felix, and i’ll cherish the times we spent together. i’ll see you around.”

and those are the last words you say to him before going back to the ball

the last words you say to him for a while

⊱ ━━━━.⋅ εïз ⋅.━━━━ ⊰

a/n: last part coming soon! also down below is the dress i had in mind while writing this part

#hwang hyunjin #stray kids #skz #stray kids imagines #hwang hyunjin imagines #hwang hyunjin x reader #hyunjin x reader #hyunjin stray kids #prince hwang hyunjin #kpop imagines #modern prince hyunjin #hwang hyunjin stray kids #stray kids fluff #good night <3 #cbseung imagines

82 notes · View notes

greekowl87 · 5 years

Text

Fic: Weight of the World

A/N: I wrote this within a day with very little editing. I guess bad anxiety and insomnia make great muses for writing. Sorry for any typos. No beta as I rushed to write this. Post IWTB before the separation in season 10. P.S. Smutish if not smutlight. Just a heads up.

Scully was not one to let her anxiety or nerves show.

As a child, she kept her emotions inward and was a private person. In college and med school, she kept her head down to excel at the top of her class. At the FBI academy, she stood head to head with her male cohort and continued to excel with her own merits. At Quantico, no one questioned Dr. Scully. It wasn’t until Mulder that something changed in her. At first, she tried to show him that she was no spy and she was more than capable. But things evolved and shifted and she was his equal. She was simply Scully and she found her emotional armor chinked away over the years. She could finally be herself with him. Years in the field battling alien conspiracies, years on the run, and years living together had not changed them. So she thought.

Ever since Mulder regained his freedom after they helped the FBI, Scully began to see him less and less. A part of her was happy that he was no longer a prisoner but another part of her envied him. It was as if him being a fugitive was the only thing that kept him from running off and forgetting about her.

There it was. That feeling of being left behind. That anxiety that had been growing over the past month that she was struggling to keep hidden away. It gnawed at her and ached like an insufferable pain that could not be cured. She found herself waking more and more in the night. Mulder’s insomnia had somehow transmitted to her once he regained his freedom and she began to feel trapped. Work no longer held the same enjoyment it once did. She started to come back to an empty home with Mulder finally chasing down leads and meeting the contacts from his MUFON forums in person down in Richmond.

When Scully was first assigned to be his partner, it took months to keep him from running off without her. Now, sixteen years later, it was happening all over again.

Despite all this, everything imploded after tonight. She came home to an empty house that evening after a disastrous dinner at her mother’s house. Bill announced in anger over Tara shouting at him, Matthew trying to hush his younger siblings, that Bill was being transferred to Germany to get away from all the family BS. His words, not hers. Charlie and his wife were shouting right back. Maggie Scully caught hopelessly in the middle trying to placate her feuding sons. And that left Dana Scully, somehow silently caught up in the family fight, alone (because Mulder was elsewhere), listening to the random barb dropped in regards to her life choices. Her mother watched helplessly as her sons and their families left in a whirlwind and the sad smile Maggie Scully gave her remaining daughter, wishing her a good evening and not to worry. That night just made her feel even more alone.

By the time she drove back to Virginia, Mulder’s truck was still missing in the driveway. Their house was eerily silent. And that was what caused the dam to break. The ache in her chest, the anxiety that made her want to claw at her skin, came out with silent tears.

She climbed the old wooden steps, the third step from the top creaking loudly, as she ascended to disappear into their bedroom. She thought about maybe taking a bath but decided it was too much effort. Instead, she changed into a large t-shirt and soft cotton pajama pants and crawled into their bed. Scully pulled a frayed cotton quilt around her like a cocoon and just let herself cry.

A physician in the 18th century would have diagnosed her was pangs in the chest. Pangs. Suffering. To be sorrowful. Was she said.? Or was it the anxiety? She balled her fists, her nails digging into the palms of her hands, as she tried to force herself to breathe. This was not something Dana Scully did. Her rational mind recognized the signs of an anxiety attack but she was also angry and hurt. Why did she feel this way? What the hell was causing it? She took a deep breath, closed her eyes, her heart drumming in her ears, and counted silently to four. She tried to ease her breath out slowly but it came out too quickly.

She couldn’t breathe. In a last-ditch effort, she hugged a pillow to her chest and willed herself to steady her breath. This didn’t happen to her. She didn’t panic. She didn’t have anxiety. She was stronger than that.

When she opened her eyes, Scully didn’t know how much time had passed when she heard the downstairs door slam shut and Mulder’s voice calling for her. Did she fall asleep? How much time had passed? Was it already night?

Scully willed herself to move, to get out of bed, and pretend everything was a-okay. That’s what Mulder expected. That is what the rest of the world expected. But her body rebelled and she stayed right in bed. She could hear his heavy footsteps coming up the stairs. That loud third step from the top sounded like an alarm.

Panic.

Fear.

Pretend you're asleep, she thought.

“Scully?” His voice was soft. “You awake?” She didn’t respond, trying to keep the ruse going. But something must’ve given it away. “Scully, have you been crying?” Another pause. “I know you aren’t asleep.”

“Fine,” she muttered, twisting her back to him.

“That doesn’t sound like your regular fine. How was your mother’s?”

“I don’t want to talk about it.”

Typically that was enough and he would leave her alone but not this time. She felt the bed dip and he sat on his side so he could look at her. Scully huffed and turned her back to him so she faced the window. “You’re cute when you are angry but it’s painful to see you hurting.”

“I’m not hurting.”

“You know, once upon a time, I used to a profiler at the FBI and they used to pay me to do this work,” Mulder joked.

“Stop profiling me then.”

“It was a joke. Scully, look at me. Tell me what’s wrong.”

Mulder traced her cheek and she closed her eyes, feeling fresh tears. He gently peeled back the blanket and traced her arm. “Nothing’s wrong.” She bawled her fist again in frustration. “Mulder, please. I’m fine.”

He ignored her and pried open her fist to take her hand. Like a small child, she tried to pull away. “This isn’t you,” he whispered. “Scully, what is it? Tell me what’s wrong.”

She shook her head defiantly. He took a deep breath and curled up behind her and drew the old quilt she had been using around them. “We don’t have to talk if you don’t want to,” he whispered. “We can just lay here.”

At that moment, whether it was just the sensation of Mulder surrounding her, not being alone, or both, she cried harder. He pressed his hand to her chest over her heart. “I’m here. Scully, I can’t help you if you don’t tell me. What happened at your mother’s tonight? Is it work? Is it something else? More than once you pulled me together, let me return the favor, but I can’t if you don’t tell me.”

One of the longest minutes of her life passed before she answered. “No, I’m not okay, Mulder.”

“Tell me.”

“Work. My family. Us. Me. Everything.”

She wished the bed would open up to a hole to China so that she could fall into it. Maybe from China, she could travel to Australia and live a different life. “Everything,” he repeated.

“Everything.”

He took a deep breath and her anxiety dissipated slightly feeling him around her, safe and secure. “Well,” he sighed. “Let’s begin with your mother’s dinner.”

She laughed bitterly. “A clusterfuck. I don’t even remember what the argument was about. Charlie and his wife stormed off. Bill started yelling as Tara stood by terrified. He’s getting transferred to Germany. And me? It was like I didn’t even exist.”

He nuzzled behind her ear. “I don’t know about that but I’m sure it’s going to be okay.”

“I don’t think so,” she whispered.

“That doesn’t sound like you.”

“I don’t know anymore, Mulder.”

“Okay. What about work?”

She shrugged weakly. “Okay. The thing I have avoided: us.”

“It’s nothing, Mulder.”

“It’s something to cause whatever this is,” he whispered.

In the silence, they lay together. Scully closed her eyes trying to memorize the sensations of being held by him and just feeling safe for a moment. “Do you remember at the beginning of our partnership? When you tried to always run off without me?”

“I didn’t trust you then,” he whispered. “But yes, I remember.”

“It feels like that again.”

Scully’s confession striked him as odd. He rubbed her arms and kissed her again. “What do you mean?”

“It sounds selfish.”

“Try me.”

She shifted and turned to face him. “When you were home,” she started, “well, still a fugitive...I always knew you would be here. Maybe I am being selfish but I miss knowing you are going to be here when I get home. When I come home, the house is empty. Lonely. We talk but we don’t talk. Does that make sense? It feels like we are living two separate lives. You are running off without me.”

“I thought you wanted to keep the darkness out of our life.”

“Not at the expense of losing you, Mulder.”

He closed his eyes and bent his forehead to rest against hers. “If I could take away this anxiety and pain that you have, I would in a heartbeat. You aren’t going to lose me. It’s going to be okay. You have to trust me.”

“You know what I miss most of all, Mulder? This. Just this moment with us.” She sighed as if a great pain had been relieved as he began to run his hand up and down her arm, over her face, and then under her shirt. She closed her eyes. “At the end of the day, it’s just us against the world.”

“Hasn’t it always been like that, Scully?” He rolled her gently onto her back and kissed her gently. “You’re starting to relax.”

She closed her eyes despite herself. “You were always the best drug. But this feels like a band-aid at best. I’m still scared. I am worried.”

“Don’t be. We have a life together.”

“Do we?” She opened her eyes and blinked lazily. “Mulder?”

“It seems we both need a reminder.”

Scully relished his touch as he pulled her shirt above her head and began to kiss her breast bone. She relaxed into the pillows and closed her eyes praying that nothing would take him again from her. The anxiety she had festering for the past month vanished under his lips and she shivered. “Mulder,” she murmured.

Her fingers raked through his hair slowly as he found her lips again and, unrushed, enjoyed his ministrations. This was something that a couple did after many years of being together. Unrushed and unhurried, they relished their closeness. For once, their unspoken communication reigned supreme and she pushed against him. Scully felt her anxiety falling away.

“This isn’t a band-aid,” he whispered between kisses. “This is real.” His hand snaked downwards and she became jelly under him. “All this is real. If the world feels like it is shattering around us, we’ll still have us, Scully.”

Scully found it odd that her body felt so ready after so little. Her anxiety must've run her down to nothing. “Shirt off,” she ordered softly.

He arched his bag as she tore off his shirt with practiced ease. Skin against skin, they sighed in contentment. “All or nothing, Scully.”

What an odd turn of events, she thought. A simple reunion of their bodies and spirits and all was well. Was that how it worked? As she let her thoughts drift, Mulder stripped away the remains of their clothes. With a few quick strokes, he entered and joined her. Any doubt and anxiety Scully had left evaporated in a fiery death as she hugged him close and wrapped her legs around his waist. It did not take much as both cried out in unison and sheer emotion ebbed away. He held her close and continued to kiss her leisurely. “You don’t have to be Atlas, Scully. Let me be your Heracles and carry the weight of the world for a while.”

Scully smiled. She let her anxiety go and decided, yet again, to just enjoy the moment. It may be just a band-aid but Mulder was the best drug. “Love you,” she whispered sleepily.

“We’ll be okay, Scully. Just you see.”

Mulder’s voice was heavy with sleep. Emotionally exhausted, she let herself forget and sleep as he kissed her lovingly and whispered they were forever.

#xfiles #xf fic #txf fic #txf #msr #msr fic #mulder and scully #unremarkable house #angst #smut #smutlight #mulder #scully #scully gets anxiety #post iwtb #before season 10 #insomnia is a muse

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nellie-elizabeth · 4 years

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Outlander: The Ballad of Roger Mac (5x07)

Boy howdy. Let's dive straight in to this one... I'm going to put everything under the cut so as to avoid spoiling stuff.

Cons:

If you've been reading my reviews all along, you'll know I've gone back and forth on how I feel Murtagh has been integrated into the story, since during these events in the books he is already dead. Now that we are saying goodbye to Murtagh's character, and I have a sense of his full arc on the show, I can make a firm ruling on how I felt he was utilized. Honestly, he didn't have a lot to do for a couple of seasons there, just sort of vaguely there in Ardsmuir, and then appearing only to constantly vanish and never really establish a role in the main story. I also think his romance with Jocasta was a total failure. I was not compelled by it at all. In fact, Murtagh being the kind of man willing to die for his principles makes it all the more frustrating that he'd have this relationship with a member of the landed gentry. Yes, Jocasta is Scots, but she's also a plantation owner, a slave owner, and a firm upholder of the status quo. They didn't really go into the implications of that, beyond the fact that it made their love story "forbidden" and "tragic." And as I've mentioned in the past, I don't have a lot of sympathy for Jocasta as a character.

All of that said, I did thing there were things about Murtagh's story-line, this season in particular, that really, really worked, and I'll talk about those in a moment.

We should talk about Roger, though, right? Why was this episode called "The Ballad of Roger Mac"? It ends on a cliffhanger (oof I feel insensitive even using the word "hanger" like that), and book readers will know what comes next. It just felt odd to name the episode for him when his plot is basically relegated to the background. This was Murtagh and Jamie's episode much more than it was Roger's. I also thought that the foreshadowing of Roger's doom was really heavy-handed. Showing him singing to Jemmy, and promising his son to come back and sing to him again... book readers, once again, have a unique reason to know why this whole thing is so ironic, but it didn't have the deft touch that one might have hoped. Also, the grief and pathos of Murtagh's death overshadows how we should be feeling about Roger. I'm not the biggest fan of Roger and Bree, especially in the show, unfortunately. But he was kind of given short shrift here, and it felt odd to name the episode for him when clearly it's next week that we'll be focusing on his character more. (I tried to write this whole paragraph without spoilers for the crowd who hasn't read the books... not sure how I succeeded!)

Pros:

I want to linger on the Roger situation a bit more, though, before moving on to other things. I did like his little side-quest, the way he went to find Murtagh and warn him that the Regulators were sure to lose - Brianna remembers the battle of Alamance from her school books. He gets to have utility here, gets to try and do right by his fellow country-men, and even though his mission is pretty much doomed to failure, it says a lot that Jamie is willing to trust him with it.

We also see him reunite with his ancestor Morag MacKenzie, and try to warn her about the coming fight. And... we meet William Buccleigh MacKenzie, the bastard child of Dougal MacKenzie and Geillis Duncan! Played again by the same actor who played Dougal, Graham McTavish, which I think is quite fun. I hate to keep saying "readers of the books will know," but readers of the books will know of this character's coming importance, so I think it's so awesome that Graham McTavish is back to play him. The connection between Roger and Morag is a strange and oddly intense one, for good reason. Roger knows he's speaking to his many times' great-grandmother. He is a man who lost his parents young, and longs for the connection of family. And Morag is reunited with the man who saved her life on Bonnet's ship, when she and her baby might have been thrown overboard. Of course they would feel a bond, and stupid Buck has to come along and misinterpret things, setting off all manner of trouble and heartbreak.

In the main plot, we've got the War of the Regulation coming to a head at Alamance. Tryon on one side, Murtagh on the other, with Jamie stuck in the middle. This is where I think Murtagh's continued presence on the show really worked well. The image of Jamie Fraser wearing the iconic Redcoat of the British army is really striking, and it works all the better when he comes face-to-face with his godfather in the woods. Jamie knows, and Murtagh knows, that in a couple of years they would have been fighting on the same side. Roger even reminds Murtagh of it. But Jamie has decided to set aside his principles for the sake of protecting his family, and Murtagh has decided he's alright with dying for his own beliefs. In this moment, right at the end, neither can truly blame the other for any of it. I really believe this is a well-written tragedy, at the end of the day. These two men, bonded by their love for each other and long life of friendship and loyalty, forced by circumstances to fight on opposite sides.

And Murtagh's last act on this earth is to protect Jamie Fraser, like he promised Ellen he always would. That's some heartbreaking stuff, yo. The way Jamie took Murtagh's body to Claire and begged her to heal him, wishing for a miracle, the way he yelled for her to do something, the way he told Murtagh he took it back, he won't release him from his oath, "you can't leave me"... all of this stuff just tugged at my heartstrings in the best way. And then Claire saying her quiet final goodbye, to the first true friend she met in the past. Murtagh is the one who saved her from Jack Randall in her first minutes in the 18th century. Their friendship spanned literal centuries, and I was almost more touched by Claire's grief than I was by Jamie's. Well, maybe it's a tie. Murtagh will be missed. This last episode was one of his strongest.

Lest we forget that this story is a romance between Jamie and Claire, we do get some cute moments lifted straight from the books, including the conversation about "taking stock" on Jamie's fiftieth birthday. (Holy shit does he not look fifty. Sam Heughan is ten years his characters' junior, and they might have done a bit more to reconcile that, in my opinion!) They have their cute banter about Jamie's parts all being present and accounted for, Jamie reflects quietly that he has now lived longer than his father ever got the chance to, and then Claire treats Jamie to a Marilyn Monroe-style happy birthday serenade, which was a lot of fun. We also got Jamie's promise to Claire that while they one day will be forced to separate, today is not that day. This proves to be true, although the day does bring other grief, of course.

Jamie's outburst to Tryon at the end of the fight was something I believe really was altered quite significantly from the books. It makes sense that in a TV show setting, you'd need to forego some of the subtle, nuanced stuff that can be portrayed in a novel. I think it quite worked for Jamie and Tryon to discuss how this battle is going to be remembered throughout history. Tryon insists he was restoring order and doing right by the law, while Jamie says "there is the law, and there is the way things are done." He knows that the slaughter of innocents, men just fighting for a cause, can never be right. He has known the bitter taste of being on the side of the oppressor, and you can really sense that his disgust is for himself as much as it is for Tryon, when he takes the redcoat off and throws it to the ground. This was a great performance from Heughan!

There are other things I could talk about, like Isaiah Morton's brief subplot, or Brianna's heroic ride to the camp to warn them that the Regulators are going to lose (which honestly - duh, but whatever, I'll let it go). But by and large, this was an episode about Jamie, and about Murtagh. I'm really excited to find out how they handle certain aspects of the plot moving forward, especially as regards our secondary leads Brianna and... well... let's all just tune in next Sunday to see what's next!

8/10

#review #outlander #outlander review

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writingfortoomanyfandoms · 5 years

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Recording Booth Angel

Pairing: Joe Mazzello!John Deacon x Reader

Summary: Y/N worked in the recording studio that Queen used to record their first album - she and John pined for each other and their feelings come out when recording at Ridge Farm

Requested: No

Warnings: Swearing, pining (a shit ton of fluff??)

A/N: Hey guys! So this is my first time writing a full-scale fic for John! I’ve loved writing this so much!!! I’m so in love with John guys and I kinda love how this turned out so please let me know what you think - like, reblog, comment, send asks (plz send asks I love talking to all of you!!!) I hope you guys enjoy reading it as much as I loved writing it!!

Y/N looked up as the door to the recording studio swing open, crashing into the wall. Four men spilled into the room, accompanied by two women. Y/N’s eyebrows shot up at their sudden appearance.

“Who are you?” One of the men finally asked. He was tall, with kind, smiling eyes and seemingly untameable brown curly hair atop his head.

“I’m Y/N,” she frowned a little. “I work here,” the men’s faces flooded with recognition.

“Right, sorry - we’re recording now,” the same man explained, gesturing towards himself and the other men. Y/N lent forwards just enough to pick up the clipboard.

“You guys Queen?” She questioned, looking over the clipboard to take in the party of six.

“The very same, Darling!” The man who stood behind the tall man announced, pushing himself to the front of the group, a wide smile set on his face. “I’m Freddie - Freddie Mercury,” he held out his hand and Y/N took it, though her amusement was clear on her face.

“Nice to meet you - please, make yourselves at home,” she said, standing and gesturing to the sofas in the room. “I’ll just go get everything set up for you,” she murmured, moving through the crowd.

Y/N returned ten minutes later after setting everything up for the start-up band.

“Sorry about that - I lost track of time,” she smiled at the group, falling back into her swivel chair and turning around in it to face the group.

“Don’t worry about it at all, Darling,” Freddie assured her with a warm smile.

“This your first time recording?” Y/N asked, pulling her headphones over her head again to rest on the back of her neck.

“Yes,” the curly haired man from before confirmed. “I’ Brian, by the way. I play guitar,” Brian moved forwards and shook Y/N’s hand.

“Roger, the drummer,” the blond man said when Y/N turned her gaze onto him. He sat on the sofa with his arm around one of the girls’ shoulders and pulling her to rest against his chest. Y/N’s eyes turned to the final man in the room, his cheeks turned a light pink at her gaze.

“I’m John - John Deacon,” the shyness with which he spoke was endearing and brought a smile to her face as she nodded at him.

“And this wonderful woman is my girlfriend - Mary,” Freddie introduced the other woman in the room with a bright, beaming adoring grin on his face and Mary’s embarrassment was clear though she smiled back lovingly at her boyfriend.

“It’s lovely to meet you,” Y/N said with a grin and looked to the woman under Roger’s arm, presumably his girlfriend.

“This is...” Roger trailed off, clearly concentrating hard on remembering her name.

“Crystal?” The girl offered, clearly unimpressed. Roger nodded, grinning and squeezing Crystal’s shoulder, either not picking up on or not caring about Crystal’s annoyance.

“This is Crustal.”

“Well lets get you guys recording then.”

“You’ll come with us, right?” John asked, warming his hands around the mug of coffee set on the table in front of him.

“Of course she will - she’s our good luck charm,” Freddie winked at Y/N. The woman rolled her eyes at her now-close friends.

“I do have a life outside of you guys,” she said mildly, tapping her fingers lightly along the ceramic mug.

“But we are the most important aspect of your life,” Roger teased, pushing his sunglasses up his nose and leaning back in his chair to regard her with a grin.

“Will I get a raise for putting up with you arseholes every hour of every day?” She asked, finding it difficult to stop the grin forming on her face. Brian laughed at her, shaking his curly head as he took her in.

“No chance, I’m afraid, in fact we were even thinking of not paying you at all - I mean, it is an honour to be in our presence,” Brian joked.

“We are royalty after all,” Freddie insisted and Y/N threw her head back in laughter.

“I thought you were under strict instructions to ‘remove all distractions’” Y/N asked, raising her eyebrows as she surveyed the boys. John went bright red as she made eye contact with him as he always did, smiling down at the table. Y/N bit her lip, unable to contain her smile - she found him absolutely adorable.

“You’re our muse,” John’s response was whispered, the redness on his cheeks intensifying. Y/N’s head tilted to the side, heat creeping up her neck at his shy words and she shook her head at him.

“You’re so fucking cute, Deaky,” Y/N said. John’s eyes flicked up to hers, a pleased expression on his face as he returned her smile.

“You’ll come?” He asked. Y/N hesitated, thinking of all the university classes she’d miss and all the work she’d have to take with her. “Please?” It was the final plead that did it for her as she looked into his eyes and nodded, knowing that she would most likely never be able to resist the dorky, accidental charm of John Deacon.

“Okay, I’ll come.”

“Wow, this room is...” Y/N trailed off, raising her brows as she looked around John’s room at the farm. John gave her his signature crooked smile from his seat on his bed.

“Small?” He offered. Y/N laughed a little.

“I was going to go with cozy, but small works too,” John giggled a little and Y/N tilted her head back up the stairs.

“Dinner’s ready,” she told him. John nodded and moved his bass off of his lap as he stood up, placing it to lean up against the wall.

The two of them ascended the stairs together in silence, but it wasn’t awkward. Things between them were rarely awkward.

“So... had any inspiration, yet?” Y/N asked as they emerged into the living room of the building the band were sleeping in - Y/N’s room was above the actual recording studio, in case the band woke up in inspiration late at night and decided they had to record. It had been known to happen.

John stuck his hands in the pockets of his jeans as he walked next to Y/N and shrugged. “Nothing much so far,” he was lying, not that Y/N knew that.

He was walking next to his inspiration.

Y/N touched his arm with a sympathetic, sweet smile she reserved solely for him. “It’ll come, Deaky, don’t worry - you’re an amazing musician.” John let out a little laugh that caused Y/N’s heart to skip a beat.

“Thanks, Y/N,” Y/N bit her lip and shrugged.

“That’s what I’m here for, right,” she winked at him, “and to be your muse,” John laughed affectionately and nodded at her.

“Yeah - you’re definitely that,” he murmured.

Y/N’s eyes were fixed on John, as she often found them to be. He was deep in concentration as he often was, focusing solely on the bass in his hands, rarely looking up from his instrument to cast a glance at the people on the other side of the glass in the recording studio.

To say Y/N felt blessed to be able to see him play was an understatement - she adored watching John as he recorded, the focus on his face was an incredible sight to behold and she adored to watch his fingers moving on the strings.

Y/N loved watching him.

She loved him in general, if she was being honest.

“Can you make it more obvious?” Brian murmured into her ear, ducking down so their faces were level and moving the headphone off of her ear so she could hear his words.

“Make what more obvious?” Y/N muttered, ducking her head and staring at the ground to avoid making eye contact with Brian. The guitarist let out a long laugh, shaking his head.

“Trust me, Y/N/N, the only person you’re fooling here is Deaky - and that’s only because he’s oblivious to everything,” Y/N turned to look at Brian with a glare.

“Would you kindly fuck off? I’m trying to work here,” Y/N huffed. Brian held his hands up defensively.

“He likes you too,” Brian muttered. “But whatever - I’m going to get some coffee,” Roger perked up at that.

“Coffee? I could go for coffee,” Roger agreed, standing up from the sofa and stretching. John paused his music in the box, raising his eyebrows at them questioningly. Freddie pressed the button.

“Hello, Deaky Darling, we’re going to get coffee,” Freddie announced. John nodded.

“I think I’m going to stay here, thanks,” John declined the silent invitation, the same shy smile on his face as always.

“Y/N?” Roger asked, looking to the woman. Y/N rubbed her forehead and shook her head.

“I should get some uni work done,” she groaned, reaching down below the recording bench to where her uni books were stored.

“We’ll bring some up for you,” Brian promised and Y/N gave a thankful nod and a tired laugh.

“You okay?” Y/N jumped at the sudden voice, turning to look at John, wide-eyes. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you,” John bit his lip and Y/N shook her head, smiling at him - she could never get mad at him for anything.

“Yeah I’m fine, John - just a little tired is all,”

“Want me to help?” Y/N raised her eyebrows at him.

“How much do you know about 18th Century literature?” John shrugged bashfully.

“I can learn,” he offered. Y/N smiled at him.

“You’re sweet,”

“I do try,” John chuckled. Y/N groaned and rested her head on his shoulder. John instinctively moved his arm to wrap around her shoulder and pull her to him.

“You don’t need to,” she murmured.

“You know something?”

“I don’t know anything,” John laughed quietly, shaking his head and kissing her temple. “Go on then, what do I need to know?”

“I like you, a lot,” Y/N shot up from his arms, staring at him wide eyed.

“Do you mean that... as in...” John nodded hesitantly, his cheeks tinged bright pink. Y/N watched him let out a visible breath of relief as she started to grin. “I like you a lot too,” she murmured. John’s hand raised and settled on her cheek, his thumb brushing nervously across her lips.

“Can I...” He trailed off, clearly embarrassed with his question but Y/N nodded immediately.

“Please,” she whispered.

Sparks flew as their lips finally connected, a mere brush at first before they both giggled like naughty school children and kissed one another again, more firmly.

#bohemian rhapsody #queen #John Deacon #john deacon fanfiction #john deacon fanfic #john deacon fan #john deacon fic #john deacon fluff #John deacon imagine #john deacon imagines #john deacon x reader #john deacon x y/n #joe mazzello!john deacon #not a request

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thebrochtuarachs · 5 years

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The latest “Are Sam Heughan and Caitriona Balfe Dating?” article is up and today, it’s from The Oprah Magazine! 😝

So I was looking for more details about Sam’s honorary degree and naturally, I searched his name in google and this is the first article that came up - and it coming from The Oprah Magazine kinda surprised me (cause I thought they’re more “journalistic” than this) but here we are. The way the article’s written is kinda funny, to be honest, with the writer adding some details that only, erm, “in the know”fans are aware of.

[Here’s the link to the article] - but I thought I’d post it below too cause details!! (Going to [comment] on my favorite parts! Super sorry in advance but this was too good to pass up!)

Are Outlander's Caitriona Balfe and Sam Heughan Dating?

Their chemistry is undeniable. By Samantha Vincenty

[Another day, another IS SAM AND CAIT DATING article which we all know how would end but let’s see if this one is different. And oh yes, Samantha Vincenty, their chemistry is UNDENIABLE!<3 ]

Sam Heughan and Caitriona Balfe's chemistry onscreen has sparked dating rumors since Outlander first premiered in 2014.

The two actors have long maintained that they're just "incredibly great friends."

Though Caitriona Balfe has confirmed her engagement, wedding details are scarce.

Outlander is chock full of action, suspense, and wild 18th century world history lessons. But the white-hot love scenes between Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan) and Claire Randall Fraser (Caitriona Balfe) are one of the biggest reasons people are hooked on the Starz series, which is based on Diana Gabaldon's books. As any fan of the show knows in the rational part of their brain, Heughan and Balfe are simply gifted actors playing fictional characters, and it's their talent that makes their relationship so convincing on TV.

[Hehehehehe 😝]

However, one could be forgiven if their small screen chemistry and adorable real-life photos—such as this one—spark occasional thoughts like: "Wait—Are they dating, though?"

[The linked photo is Sam and Cait from BAFTA 2018 with the Audi - honestly, we got more “small screen chemistry and adorable real-life photos that are more “sparky” than that]

So, are Outlander's Sam Heughan and Caitriona Balfe Together in real life?

Despite their body language, flirtatious looks, and countless wishful Tumblr posts that would have us so ready to believe it, the Outlander stars are not a couple in real life. In fact, Caitriona Balfe is engaged—possibly even married.

[This writer has scoured through Tumblr and probably that’s what birthed this article. She must’ve seen the hundreds of posts from the 20 (ehem!) shippers around here and decided to give us a shoutout]

"We've always said from the get-go that we're incredibly great friends," Balfe told E! in a joint 2016 interview with Heughan. "We're not together, sorry to break people's hearts! But they like to try and, I don't know, maybe replicate the Claire and Jamie story. I think it would be difficult for us to work together and be together." (Heughan then jokingly chimed in with "we could try," just one of the many times he's done nothing to dispel the rumors and theories some imaginative fans still cling to.)

[”...Heughan then jokingly chimed in with "we could try," just one of the many times he's done nothing to dispel the rumors and theories some imaginative fans still cling to.” - omg, even this detail is IN, hahahaha! I mean this info is kinda “deep shipper” level findings and it found its way up! And of course, the fact that Sam has done things that “IMAGINATIVE” fans still cling too, ugh - HAHAHAHAHA! IMAGINATIVE - a more friendly term for “delusional” I guess - thanks for trying.]

Who is Caitriona Balfe's Fiance?

The Irish actress is engaged to longtime boyfriend Tony McGill, which she confirmed at the 2018 Golden Globes. (Balfe was nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series–Drama, as she also was in 2016, 2017, and 2019.)

[No, she did not confirm at the 2018 Golden Globes - she announced it in People Magazine a few days BEFORE the Golden Globes. And she just wore a ring in the red carpet but HARDLY SAID ANYTHING in interviews (I mean did anyone even ask in the red carpet, I can’t remember?) in the GGs that “confirmed” she was engaged”]

"It happened over the break," Balfe told People. "I'm very happy."

The two have been together since at least 2015, as evidenced by this Instagram video of Balfe sitting on McGill's lap while she dazzles some friends with a tin whistle solo. (Playing the tin whistle in a pub might just be the most Irish thing...ever.)

[THEY POSTED DONAL’S IG VIDEO OF CAIT AND THE MAESTRO IN THE PUB WHERE SHE’S BLOWING A TIN WHISTLE as evidence. AND THE FACT THAT THEY FOUND IT, AGAIN, IS DEEP INVESTIGATION HAHAHA]

Tony McGill is, by most reports, a music producer—but it's a little confusing, since he's also been misidentified online as founding producer of the Australian caberet trio Combo Fiasco (FYI, that's a different Tony McGill).

[”...Tony McGill is, by most reports, a music producer—but it's a little confusing” - IM JUST GOING TO LEAVE THIS HERE]

"He's a very shy person and he doesn't like much talking about him," Balfe told host Ryan Tubridy on Ireland's The Late Late Show in February 2018, according to The Independent]. "I met him through one of my best friends, which I think is the best kind of introduction you can get."

Here's the couple one month after their engagement news broke, at an afterparty for the 2018 BAFTA Awards in London. Cute glasses, Tony.

[THEY POSTED THE LOVED UP PICS OF CAIT AND THE MAESTRO FROM 2018 BAFTA AWARDS LONDON and 2019 BAFTA PARTY LA]

In November of 2018, Balfe told Marie Claire that she and McGill will get married "as soon as I plan it." The deeply private couple has yet to confirm whether they've officially gotten hitched yet.

[Again, just going to leave this here...]

So Who Is Sam Heughan Dating, Then?

As a perusal of Heughan's social media accounts will tell you, the Scottish actor may be even more secretive about his love life than Caitriona and Tony are. He shares little-to-no evidence of a lady in his life. Since 2018, Heughan has been romantically linked to Irish actress Amy Shiels, who Twin Peaks: The Return fans may recognize as Candie, one of the Mitchum Brothers' identical cocktail-dress-clad assistants.

Shiel refers to Heughan as "big brother" in this April 2018 birthday greeting, which...you know...isn't super girlfriend-y.

[THEY POSTED AMY’S BIRTHDAY IG POST FOR SAM WHERE THEY’RE HOLDING A DOG. Hahahaha, “isn't super girlfriend-y.” is right on the money.]

Her attendance at various Heughan-related events, such as The Spy Who Dumped Me film premiere in July 2018, had fueled the rumors, as did this dubious US Weekly "confirmation" that cites "multiple sources."

Heughan also previously dated American actress and singer MacKenzie Mauzy from at least 2015 to 2017. The two met at an "industry event," he told Harper's Bazaar in October 2017, and Heughan revealed that their relationship made Mauzy the target of trolling on social media.

"Initially, it is upsetting but, ultimately, it doesn't mean anything. It feels like a schoolyard thing," Heughan said at the time. That's a valid and likely reason he keeps his love life so under wraps. So bottom line? Outlander fans who want to see Heughan and Balfe together forreal will just have to make do with the dozens of times they've flirted on-camera.

[Alrighty, then. 😊]

FIN

#outlander #caitriona balfe #sam heughan #sam x cait #samcait #sam cait #dating articles #the funniest and cringiest one ive seen #seems like a starz intern went to the Optah magazine

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sashatrr · 5 years

Text

Breathe with me. Chapter 16b

Chapter 16a here

Liam and Lina spent few more days in Antwerp, mostly staying in their suite or visiting different pubs.

Friday night they checked out and drove to Brugge.

Next day Lina instantly fell in love with this city. She was charmed by everything. Neat streets, ancient buildings and bridges, white painted carriages pulled by horses, charming cafes all over the streets and small souvenir stores.

She couldn't resist and bought a few laced tablecloths and napkins. In the end, Brugge was famous for it. Endless chocolate stores that were selling chocolate in any form, including those that you wouldn't buy for you kids.

That part Lina found the most amusing.

They bought all possible kinds of chocolate candies, pralines, in Leonidas and some cute looking, but useless for both of them antique bells, ashtrays and candlestick on swap meet.

Lina tried to stop Liam when he was buying a fifth candlestick but he shrugged it off.

-We are just shopping for home - He said adding three 18th century jewelry boxes to the bunch he already picked.

They spent day in a park. Liam laid a blanket in the grass by the river in a trees shadow. A weather was hot and lots of people came out to get some chill by the water. They spent all day napping, reading books on their phones or lazily talking about everything and anything.

Only now Liam fully accepted the fact that he was totally in love with Lina. He was terrified and happy at the same time. The connection they formed in New York, was growing stronger with each passing day.

It was a new level of relationships. Before it was mostly physical attraction that grew only stronger, but at the same time, as they were learning more about each other, Liam was more and more attracted by her personality.

She was so different from the women he used to be with. They always remembered who were they dating, except of Vivien. With them he always knew that he must give something in return, that they expect favors for their families, sooner or later they will try to take advantage.

Vivien never asked for anything, never tried to use their relationships or persuade him into anything but also he never had a deep feelings for her. With Lina he always knew, he felt that she wants him for himself, she always saw a man in him, not the crown, money or influence. Now and then she was even snapping at him or treating him just like regular man. He would lie if he said that he isn't enjoying it.

In a few more days they continued their trip and went to Gent. It was a less impressive city than Antwerp or Brugge. Brugge would always remain Lina's favorite because of its special atmosphere but she enjoyed Gent as well. The city center was small and cozy. Two days were enough to explore it fully.

They visited a medieval castle, Gravensteen. It was mostly empty inside so Lina had to use her imagination to picture everything that the voice in headphones was telling about each room and events that took place here during different times. It wasn't the usual boring historical lecture but a funny one. The last room was showing all kinds of executions and the voice was telling her about several examples of it that took place in this castle. Off course, there was also a story of a witch hunt. After visiting a castle, they ate Belgian waffles in the street cafe and returned to the hotel.

-What do you say if we go to Amsterdam next?-Liam asked at the dinner.

Lina winced and shook her head.

-Liam, don't get me wrong, this trip is amazing, I never expected to come here at all but it's overwhelming. I am sure that if we visit one more city, It will all mix up in my head. Actually, it already did.

-Then what do you say if we spend next two weeks on the beach? - Liam himself was a bit tired of constant change of places and flow of impressions. He already visited most of those places in the past but now, being here with Lina, seeing it with her eyes like for a first time, he felt just as overwhelmed as her.

-As long as there won't be any tours, I am in. - Lina agreed. - I guess I'll go shopping for bikini tomorrow.

-Doubt that you will find anything decent here. I suggest we stop in Paris for day or two.-Liam suggested.

-Really, Liam? - Lina arched an eyebrow chuckling. - Shopping for bikini in Paris? I am sure that I can find something here.

-I promise you, there will be no tours in Paris unless you will want to see some landmarks.

-You are to much-Lina said giving up. It must be nice to go to Paris for bikini shopping on a whim. That was his life.

Lina was so used to having Liam all for herself, to walking holding hands with him, to shopping together, to eating in street cafes and other things that normal couples enjoyed, that she kept forgetting most of the time who was he. It felt right and natural. Her feelings grew stronger every day but sometimes her inner angel would remind her that what they have is not real, she borrowed her time with him from another woman. The one that was his wife, the one who had to be here with him, the one he had to hold in his arms at nights.Lina was trying to to push those thoughts away but they would return to her more and more often with each passing day. She tried not to think about the future and the time when he would have to leave her behind. Lina wanted to live in this borrowed month forever.

Day after that dinner, Liam and Lina boarded jet in Brussels Airport and very soon landed in Paris. A flight was really short.

-Wow, that was fast. - Lina said getting up from her seat.- I didn't even have a time to freak out.

-You did great-Liam tenderly caressed her cheek and placed a gentle kiss on her lips before to lead her out of the jet to the waiting car.

Paris was bustling with activity, hordes of tourists on the streets and endless stream of cars.

Their car stopped by a fancy looking four floors building. Liam helped Lina to get out of the car and she stared at the building.

-We are not staying in the hotel?-she asked surprised.

-No-Liam replied and rushed her inside. - We should be careful here, I am afraid that even sunglasses won't save me if someone will spot me here. It's one of our family residencies.

An elevator carried them to the third floor and Liam unlocked a door leading Lina inside.

Despite a surrounding luxury, Lina found herself calm and not so impressed as she would be just some weeks ago. She was getting used to this lifestyle and it was scaring her.

It was a two level apartments surrounded by terrace that was opening a breathtaking view on les Champs. Lina and Liam spent the night in another conversation learning more and more about each other, enjoying the view and two bottles of Chateau Lafite. Nor Liam or Lina wanted to think about what will happen later. He knew that going back to his reality, Palace, Madeline and his duties will be a difficult process but he was pushing those thoughts aside. A life of ruler was demanding from him to sacrifice much of his heart desires but never in his life he felt so helpless as in the moments when he thought about his life after this so called honeymoon.

Next morning a car took them to Galeries Lafayette where Liam headed straight to Lafayette Coupole where, despite Lina's protests, they purchased much more than one bikini.

-Baby, it's ridiculous to come all the way to the Paris just for one bikini.

They went from one boutique to another leaving each with a few bags and boxes of clothes, shoes, lingerie or accessories.

Lina felt helpless not wanting to cause a scene or to get into the fight, but decided that time has come for conversation with Liam.

That night, sitting on the terrace, Lina tried to start it but either Liam didn't want to hear it or simply couldn't understand her feelings about it.

-Lin,there is nothing wrong with shopping. Everyone go shopping.

Frustrated she stared at Liam.

-There is a normal shopping and there is a Julia Roberts shopping, Liam. With only difference, I am not a prostitute you hired to escort you.

Amazed Liam stared back at her.

-What are you even talking about? I've got no idea and for God's sake, don't ever use that word again.

-Pretty woman, that's what it is about. - she almost yelled at him.

-Yes, you are a pretty woman indeed. Does it upset you? - Liam asked leading conversation away from the subject.

-Unbelievable, you are taking a couch tonight. - Lina growled getting up from a chair.

-Baby, not to upset you but there are three spare bedrooms here.-Liam chuckled.

-But you are still sleeping on the couch. - she answered, headed inside and loudly smashed a door shut behind her.

Thirty minutes later, Liam claimed his place in the bed again much to Lina's pleasure. Her anger faded away approximately five minutes after shutting a bedroom door. She already missed him.

Following morning it was still dark outside when Liam and Lina woke up, had their morning coffee and headed to airport. It was a long thirteen hours flight, they landed late at night and a car drove them straight to the hotel.

Liam picked Komandoo Maldives Island Resort

because of secluded villas where he could avoid running into someone he knew or someone who could recognize him. He refused the butler and a chief services just to be sure that there won't be anyone to leak this information to the press.

Their villa was facing ocean and straight from their veranda they could get to the private beach. Every night they would take long walks along the shore, sometimes swimming in the ocean and making love. Some days they spent by the pool or inviting spa masseurs for couple massage.

Two weeks flew by very fast. Never in her life Lina was happier than on this island but she felt as time slips through her fingers, every morning she was waking up xmarking one more day from her mental calendar and before any of them was ready, it was time to return to New York.

The weather back in New York was matching Liam's sullen mood. From the airport they went straight to their new apartments.

By the door they were met by muscular looking woman in a grey suit.

Three of them headed to the living room where Liam introduced woman to Lina.

-Lin, it's Mara. She came here from Cordonia two weeks ago and was studying the city to prepare for her service.

Mara extended her hand to confused girl.

Lina shook it and looked up at Liam.

-A service? What kind of service?- she asked him.

-Mara will be your driver and assist you with anything you might need but my priority is to make sure that you are safe.

-Excuse me? - after receiving no further explanation from Liam, she looked at Mara apologetically and grabbed Liam's wrist pulling him towards bedroom.

She loudly shut the door behind them and snapped at Liam.

-Is she going to spy on me? - she yelled at him. - What does it mean? What gives you a right to assign your personal spy to me? - Lina grabbed a pillow from couch and threw it in Liam's direction.

Reflectively, Liam caught it and threw pillow back on the couch.

-Whoa, calm down, Lin. Nobody is going to spy on you. I already explained that she is only here to help and protect you. - Liam tried to defend himself. Maybe that was a bad decision but he knew that he won't sleep at nights imagining her being thousands of kilometers away from him all by herself.

-Protect me from what, Liam? I survived for twenty three years all by myself. I know how to cross the road and use a subway. Why all of sudden I need extra protection? Because I am your mistress? - she spat out a last word. - Did I fall asleep and suddenly woke up in fifty shades of grey? Where is your red room then?

Liam was struggling to keep up with Lina, he heard that combination of words before but couldn't recall what was that about.

-What Red room? Which shades? What are you talking about? - he asked trying to sound calm but not defensively.

-It's a movie, Liam. A kincky billionare falls in love with a simple girl. Only he wasn't married and had more respect for her than you show for me.-Lina stopped herself in time before next words would leave her lips.

Despite being angry, she knew that some words you could never take back. She didn't want to make any threats, especially since she knew that no power in this world can make her to leave him right now.

She had no idea how to make him to listen, how to make him to ask her before to make a decision for both of them. For a third time he failed to keep his word and discuss his decisions with her.

-How am I disrespecting you? I am taking care of you! We already discussed it and you were fine with it! - Liam snapped back.

-I wasn't fine with it! And we didn't discuss it! You promised me not to decide anything without me before we flew to Europe but it's a second time you are doing it since then. - Lina grabbed a pillow from the couch again and began to beat it on his chest making him to step back with each hit.

Liam teared a pillow from her hands, threw it on the couch and quickly moved behind Lina. He caught her hands with his, pressed them to her lower belly holding her tight against his body.

-I apologised, baby. And I promise you that she is not here to spy on you. I will feel better all the way there knowing that you are not alone in New York. - He tried to make Lina to look at it from his point of view.

-I am not alone, Liam. I have my family and Nicci. I'll be all right. I don't want your spies here with me. - she began to calm down a bit.

-That's our first. - Liam chuckled into her hair.

-First what? - Lina asked.

-First fight, off course.-Liam beamed all proud of himself.

-First of many if you won't stop this. I refuse to be followed by your spy, call her whatever you like.

Liam felt that storm has passed and led Lina back to the living room.

-Mara, from this moment on you will be taking orders only from Lina. You can not… spy on her-he shot Lina a look-and you can't give me any information without her consent.

-Understood, sire. - Mara nodded.

-You can go now.-Liam dismissed her and waited till she walked down the hall and disappeared from a view.

-Are you feeling better now? - he asked Lina.

-No, mister Grey. - she replied with sarcasm in her voice.-Bit it's a start. Just know now that if you misbehave, I will send Mara after you. - she chuckled.

Rest of the day flew by like one second. Their fight was quickly forgotten. Both knew that it will be their last night together until Liam could find a time for another visit.

Next morning after breakfast Liam changed from his jeans, that became his casual clothes during past month, into suit. Sad Lina was watching him, following his every move with her gaze. Her heart was bleeding. She couldn't imagine how can she live without his constant presence in her life now. The future looked grey, rainy and depressing without him.

Liam kept a blank face but his emotions and thoughts were similar to Lina's. He only hoped that he can dive into the work to survive those first days until he learns to live without her again. He hoped that it will become easier with each passing day but deep inside he knew that it won't.

Lina walked him to appartments door and rose on her tiptoes to give him a lingering kiss on the lips.

-I am bad at saying good bye. I'll miss you. - she said swallowing back tears.

-I will come as soon as I can, I promise. I'll miss you too, baby. Take care of yourself. I… - he stopped himself before he would add anything else and pulled her into tight embrace. After a few long minutes they parted and Liam walked out of the door.

Next chapter

@indiacater @drakesensworld @annekebbphotography @hopefulmoonobject

@jared2612 @carabeth @dcbbw

#the royal romance #trr #trr liam #choices trr #choices fanfiction #choices liam x mc #liam x mc #trr liam x mc #Breathe With Me

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theregoesyourlifeagain · 6 years

Text

S-capades 9.

Friday was an absolute dream! I met her right at the start of my day. And we spoke for about twenty minutes! It ended with quite a bit of awkwardness and foolishness on my part. I think it was too much for my frail heart to speak to her for that long. My earlier hour and a half meeting was structured, so it wasn’t that difficult. This was all off the cuff. Anyway, this post will be in the form of a dialogue because it’s more precise that way. Also shorter. It’s still a long post though, but I promise it has some very cute moments. (:

So just as I’m entering the university, I see her office is open. I know I should go in because I need to give her the comic books, but I am sweating profusely, so I decide to cool myself under a fan before I walk in. But about a minute later, I see her leaving her office. She smiles when she sees me. And this is the conversation that followed.

Me: Do you have a minute?

S: Sure. (goes back into her office)

I go in and get the two books out.

She sees the Sacco, and then the Sen. She picks up the Sen.

S: I’ve heard of this one. Thank you. When should I return these?

Me: You can keep the Sacco until I am in the city. So a year. Sen is for you to keep.

Then I foolishly add "as a gift."

Me: This is a photocopy because the original is… not there anymore (I meant to say out of print, but you know, what are words when I have to articulate in front of the woman I adore.)

S: Yeah.

Me: Yeah, so there’s this section which was supposed to be a pullout, but it’s not like that here. So when you’re reading it, think of it that way. And the Sacco is about the Bosnian war. It’s a little graphic. So I’d suggest not eating anything with it.

S: Heh, yeah. I saw one panel. It was… yeah.

Me: Okay then.

S: What are you doing here though? Do you come everyday?

Me: Yeah, I have an abstract to write for the university journal which is due in three days, so I thought I’d work on that.

S: Oh good, get working on that. I’m also working on compiling an 18th century journal, but I don’t think you’d be interested, otherwise I would’ve asked you to write for that also. But do this, it won’t be of much importance in your M. Phil pre-submission, but you’ll need this for your PhD.

Me: I’m having some problems deciding on a topic though.

S: Choose something related to your PhD area. That’ll help. Don’t do it on graphic novels if you are not picking it up for the PhD.

Me: Thank you! That’s what the confusion was. One topic was on comic books.

S: Yeah, and it’s good you’re working on your M. Phil this early on. Don’t take an extension…

Me: No no…

S & Me together: That’s just ridiculous. (❤❤)

S: I had an M. Phil student and she was, i think just plain lazy. She kept making excuses and missed all deadlines. So now she’s nowhere.

This horrified me.

S: Work on getting a government fellowship. You’ll get in for the PhD easily if you have it because the university likes to show continuity that way. The only way you won’t get in is if you really goof up the interview… Which you won’t.

Me: You seem to have more confidence in me than I do in myself. (She laughs, I die.)

Me: Would you have a spot free to take me on as a PhD student? If you want that, that is.

S: Yes, sure. I don’t have a problem, but I don’t know how much help I’ll be to you. Literary theory is not my forte.

Me: That’s okay. I’ll figure that out, and I’ll be in touch with other professors too. I will mostly need your help with discipline and methodology. I have spoken to a few, and I realised that not many specialise in theory anyway. I would’ve asked A (another professor), but he’ll retire soon.

S: Hmm… what you could do is take A up as a co-guide. Or take a co-guide from *** (a specialised centre for study affiliated with my university) also.

Me: Yeah, that’d be cool.

S: You could also talk to B (another professor specialising in psychoanalysis), but people go into another realm when working with him. 😂

Me: Yeah, I’d rather stay in this realm. The other one tends to be a little hollow.

She and I share a snarky smile, because she knows what I’m talking about, and I’m secretly elated that she thinks most of academia is hollow too! I really really wanted to kiss her then. ❤

S: Yes, then okay. I don’t mind working with you. You could work out something with A too. R (on of the other professors she shares her office with. The one I wanted to meet in my previous post) and I guided one student once. It was fine.

Me: Meetings for that student must have been very convenient, geographically.

S: snigger snigger So yes. Work on this. It’s good that you’ve started work so early. Otherwise it gets very hurried towards the end.

Me: Yes, I hit a nice momentum during submissions, so I decided to keep that going.

S: Good. I think you were the first one to submit?

Me: No, I think G and a few others submitted before me.

S: I see, but others created a havoc within the department. It was crazy.

Me: Ah well. That always tends to happen. Am I keeping you, ma’am?

S: No I just needed to go to the admin to drop off some answer scripts.

Me: Would you like some help?

S: No. You’ll have these when you teach.

Me: Will I get paid? I’m just asking. Or is this a part of the course work?

S: Not really. You can get a certificate if you want, but do you get a stipend?

Me: Yes, the ****. (a private fellowship)

S: Yeah so the head of the department says that since all of you are getting paid somehow or the other, we could…

Me: Just milk us?

S: (gives the cutest sheepish smile) well yeah…

Me: This place is more like my hometown than I thought. (The city where I live is quite the capitalist hub in my country.)

She laughs at that. Then we head out, i hold her answer scripts while she locks the door.

Me: What about our meeting, ma’am?

S: Yes, so I’ll be in most of the days next week (!), we’ll figure it out. Have an informal meeting maybe.

What I should have said: Does informal mean with tea? Because yes!

What I (the biggest moron in the world) actually said: I’ll ideally need a day’s notice, ma’am. I need to collate questions.

S: Oh. Okay.

Then I realise that I am a complete doofus, so I say: But impromptu is good too. I have the questions on email. So just let me know?

S: Okay.

Me: And some criticisms on the write-ups I sent would be highly appreciated.

S: The one you sent day before.

Me: That, and the previous one.

S: The one you sent to your guide as well?

Me: (I go blank for a few seconds because I’m distracted by too many things: how pretty she is, how profusely I’m sweating, how A is walking towards us and how his head looks weird with the new haircut and how she seems to be in a hurry to leave) Yeah?

S: …

Me: I think I’ve confused you enough for a day. I’ll see you around, ma’am.

S: Heh. Okay.

(And I run up the stairs)

~ Fin ~

So as you can see, the end was a complete travesty. I am just hoping that she takes it as me being awkwardly cute. I have not seen her since, but when I do, I am going to tell her that I have collated all the questions in one place, and so we can have the meeting any time we want. Hope this will redeem me just a bit.

I noticed she that she has a beautiful neck, by the way. Very hickey-worthy. It’s a little worrying to think this because until now, the crush wasn’t overtly sexual. It’s slowly getting there now, which means it’s intensifying. This is both a cause for happiness and concern. Oh well.

Also, when I gave her the books, one of them had a post-it saying “For Dr. S.” Ugh.

Now getting to the main issue. I have now asked her to be my guide. And she has accepted! But this also means that any romantic relationship in the future will be detrimental to my research work. Or maybe it’ll make it that much better. I don’t know. Additionally, I had previously asked N (from S-capades 3) to be my PhD guide, but she was so busy that she didn’t give me a concrete answer. And now I’m hoping that if I do get inhere for the PhD, that I don’t have an awkward situation where N wants to be my guide too. I’ll deal with that problem when I get to it, I guess.

To the persons who read this extremely long post, thank you so much. You are very kind. :)

#female tc #female teacher crush #teacher crush #teacher crush community #tcc #tcc love #lgbt teacher crush #lgbt tc #lgbt tcc #lesbian tc #lesbian teacher crush #lesbian tcc #tc imagine #teacher crush imagine #female tc imagine #female teacher crush imagine #s-capades

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drunklander · 6 years

Text

Drunj!Der Yells About Outlander

Thoughts on Ep. 309

*puts Lonely Island on repeat* Shipnanigans are here!

I was originally kind of not looking forward to the second half of the season because this part of Voyager is absolutely batshit bananas. But then I was wicked underwhelmed by the part of the season I thought I would love.

So fuck it. Bring on the ridiculousness.

I like this episode. But only if I try to watch it pretending like the first part of the season didn’t happen... Because if I watch it with the other episodes in mind, I just get mildly ragey that we skip over the important emotional work Jamie and Claire still have to do in favor of fluff followed by another separation. And yeah, I love fluff. I love secksi times. I love Fraser snuggles. But the jump from the end of ep. 308 to the start of ep. 309 leaves me salty that we’re yet again asked to headcanon the reconciliation between Jamie and Claire. *side eyes the similar jump between ep. 207 and ep. 208* Whatever.

Get your towels ready it's about to go down. Everybody in the place hit the fuckin’ deck. But stay on your motherfuckin’ toes. We runnin’ this, let's go.

New credits! And the title card... Take a good hard look at the motherfuckin’ boat.

Ok this opening bit. Like Jamie was an asshole for the last two episodes. Claire never actually got to tell her side of things. She basically was like nope, I don’t think I even want to be here. But now it’s like all good, she’ll go on this 18th century sea voyage to find Jamie’s nephew. For real? They couldn’t have made a handful of tweaks last week and the beginning of this week so she could say she was going because she wanted to be with Jamie and keep working on their relationship? And Jamie’s apparently never going to apologize for being a massive piece of shit toward her? They do a good job over the course of the episode of showing them together but still with the insecurities and stuff, but jumping from where they were on the cliff to where they are in this episode makes me side eye the show like whoa.

And yes, I know that she’s really going on the ship because she wants to try to make it work with Jamie, but geez, let her say that. Let her tell him that he’s been a dick to her but she knows he has it in him to be not-shitty and she’s going because she thinks he can be better than he is in the last couple episodes. I don’t know why it bothers me so much when they make us fill in the blanks ourselves on stuff that seems definitely important enough to actually show. And then make it seem like we’re dumb or bad fans or something for wanting to actually see things instead of just headcanoning them in, because that’s how this production team rolls.

Replacement Rupert and Angus just aren’t the same as the originals. Like no one can replace Rupert and Angus, but like, I can’t bring myself to give a crap about these randos?

For real though, Claire’s inner monologue is probs like yeah, never thought I'd be on a boat. It's a big blue watery road...

And I get her 20th century scoffing at superstition, but like, girl. You’ve been in trouble for being a “witch” enough times now that c’mon. Don’t act like you don’t understand what’s going on with the sailors.

Marsali is my everything. I love her. I love her so much.

As much as I want Jamie to stand up for Claire, I do like that Fergus does it. Because Jamie, my dude, you deserve everything Marsali’s throwing at you.

Claire’s “No. You don’t.” as she drags Jamie away is also my everything.

Oh hey, a trunk of clothes! Got some swim trunks, and some flippie-floppies. But not a nautical themed pashmina afghan in sight. Welp. Can’t have everything.

I know it’s supposed to be sweet that Jamie wouldn’t let anyone get rid of Claire’s clothes. And a nice inverse to Frank burning her clothes. But I’m still just kind of chuckling because it’s not like he ever saw them? What with him living in a cave and then prison and then Helwater and then with Laoghaire. But whatever.

“Would you care to dine with me this evening? We drinking Santana champ, cause it's so crisp.” This captain is seriously the human equivalent of ¯\_(ツ)_/¯. Like dude. You’re the captain of the ship and you’re just like welp. Can’t do anything about the men. They’ll do what they’re gonna do. It’s not like I’m the one in the position of authority or anything.

High fives to Fergus for calling Jamie on his bullshit revisionist history.

Although it’s kinda icky that Jamie knows all of the girls who Fergus has banged? And also fuck him for being super chill about Fergus banging tons of girls but so fucking uptight about Marsali and Bree. I know, I know, it’s a different time. That doesn’t make him not a hypocrite though.

Slash Jamie’s the last person who should be lecturing *anyone* about the importance of honesty right now. But whatever. No real consequences for lying soooo... *pretends the last few eps haven’t happened*

Yi Tien Cho convincing Jamie to do acupuncture is also my everything. Seriously, I know I had a *rull* low bar for how that character was going to be changed, but I’m really, really loving him.

I for real can’t wait for more of Claire and Marsali. Like yeah, Jamie’s marital status *was* Claire’s business, and Jamie hadn’t been living with Laoghaire and the girls for ages so Claire also wasn’t really breaking up a family or anything, but I really like that Claire just lets Marsali’s comment slide. Like call Jamie out on all of his bullshit, please, but Marsali’s a teenager whose life was thrown through a loop and I feel like trying to talk to her when she’s in this kind of mood isn’t going to get anywhere. So by just being like “well the whore should get the bigger bed, shouldn’t she” it’s like telling Marsali that she’s not going to be cowed by the snark and also that she doesn’t need to justify her place in Jamie’s life to a rando. Like she’s not going to concede power by trying to explain herself to Marsali.

But for real, I love Marsali.

I honestly don’t get Jamie’s aversion to Fergus and Marsali though. Like they’re not making the age difference a thing in the show. And Jenny’s fucking kids have apparently been married and spitting out babies since they hit puberty. Like I get it makes for some tension with Laoghaire, but who gives a fuck? She hates them all already?

Claire and Yi Tien Cho are my favorite pair that I was not expecting to like so much. But like her being genuinely interested in his story and him being open with her, which is probably the first time he’s gotten to talk like that with anyone since he got to Scotland, is so great.

Oh. Another VO. Cool. It’s basically like I'm on a boat motherfucker take a look at me. Straight flowin’ on a boat on the deep blue sea. Bustin’ five knots, wind whippin’ out my coat. You can't stop me motherfucker cause I'm on a boat.

Ok this insecurity in Jamie about hurting Claire’s feelings about the tea and acupuncture is adorable. Asshole Jamie’s insecurity of the past few episodes wasn’t. He was just an asshole.

And also, broseph, this is the kind of secret it’s ok to keep. Small, insignificant, adorable. The other one, not so much.

“My return has been confusing and frustrating. But it’s never been a question of whether I love you.” Confusing and frustrating is putting it a bit mildly, Claire, but apparently we’re done having real talk and Jamie doesn’t have to own up to being a fuckwad. Bqhatevwr. (Don’t get me wrong, I’m 1000% here for the fluff in this episode. I just have to pretend they actually did more of the hard convos in order to get to where they can have the fluff again.) And I’m pretty sure it *literally was* a question of whether you loved this Jamie, Claire. We all know you loved the old Jamie. But like, the whole thing on the cliff was literally about whether you loved the new Jamie. Y’know. The thing they never bothered addressing beyond the question being asked. Because lol nothing matters, fans can headcanon it and if they don’t they’re whiny and #badfans.

Whatever. *actively doesn’t think about past episodes* Here for pincushion heart eyes. Lookit how cute they are.

Cause of death: Claire telling Jamie about reading Bree Goodnight Moon.

And I love them talking about the moon like with the science of men flying there and the folk tales of the man in the moon representing each of them. They’re gonna fly this boat to the moon somehow. Like Kevin Garnett, anything is possible.

“You miss her.” “Terribly.” Glad they’re highlighting Claire still feeling the loss of what she gave up to come back to Jamie. Still salty at his non-reaction to learning about his kid. And even here, like one line from him about Bree to let Claire know he loves her too? Or thinks about her too? To let Claire know she’s not alone in missing Bree? Please? No? Ok.

Here for the cuddles. I want the fluff. Believe me, I am trash for the fluff. I just wish again that the fluff felt more earned because they’d actually come to an understanding about where they stand with each other rather than just glossing over the hard part of coming back together. They showed the angsty set up then skipped the resolution and went straight to the fluff.

Whatever. Back to pretending the last few eps didn’t happen. Give me all the fluff. It’s fucking wonderful. I love fluff. I am a broken record.

I feel like the gif of Claire saying “that’s insanity” is going to come in quite handy...

Jamie going to save his dude like fuck land, I'm on a boat, motherfucker. Fuck trees, I climb buoys, motherfucker. I'm on the deck with my boys, motherfucker. And no one is gonna mess with his Ardsmuir boys.

Really reaching to fit some of these lyrics in and I’m not at all sorry.

The way they chant Jonah is def the angry mob way to chant it, but in my head I def kept being like Jo! Nah! Jo! Nah!. Like pumping someone up at a sports thing or something. You’re doing it wrong, brain.

I have a lot of feelings about Yi Tien Cho giving up his story and letting it go before he wanted to in order to save Jamie and his men. Yi Tien Cho really is the best of them.

And honestly Jamie telling the captain to let YTC speak is maybe the most decent thing he’s ever done for the man.

And then the papers fly off in the wind and I realize that I give not a single fuck about the actual plot of this episode.

But Claire saying thank you to Yi Tien Cho is so much more than just thank you for quelling the fight. Like this guy just told the story of his life, of where he’s from, and now he needs to give it up. And she recognizes and respects and appreciates what it’ll cost him to give it up since she too is from a place the fuckers on the ship couldn’t possibly understand. And he did it for this group who, as he so passionately said, thinks the worst of him. I have so many feelings about Claire and Yi Tien Cho, guys.

They kept in the ship quickie! I def thought they were going to cut it! Bless them for keeping it. Blesss. Same feelings about the rest of the fluff still apply, but this show is probs always going to pull stuff like this so I clearly just need to get over it and accept the fluff I’m given like a #goodfan.

Jamie’s like believe me when I say, I fucked a mermaid.

(I swear, I *hated* the line last week when Jamie said Jenny would sooner believe Claire was a mermaid than from the future, but at least it means the most ridic lyric in the fucking song fits perfectly.)

And Jamie being cute about Claire’s hair. Awww.

I hate the king of men line. Hate it. Hate that the production is so fixated on that. And that they think it’s cute to keep including their weird in-jokes in the show itself.

But whatever. Snuggle time! Yay for snuggles! Embrace the fluff! Forget your issues with the show! Stop being a sourpuss!

Oh snap, the British are coming! Never thought they’d see the day, when a big boat comin’ their way.

RIP Lt. Babyface. Long live Capt. Babyface!

Yay for Claire telling Jamie about her oath. And yay for Jamie actually getting it and respecting what she needs to do. It’s like ep. 306 Jamie again with the whole respecting Claire’s calling thing. So like, we should just ignore ep. 307 Jamie? Because he was an asshole about it.

Oh man, next week is gonna be rough, isn’t it. *All* the puking. This ain't Seaworld, this is real as it gets.

For real though if the puking noises next week are like the brothel noises in ep. 306, I’m going to just watch on mute or something with the closed captions because it’s over the top, show.

Ok if Thomas Leonard is Capt. Babyface, I guess that makes Elias Pound Midshipman Fetus.

Oh man the cook being all like I'm flippin’ burgers, you at Kinko's straight flippin’ copies. Don’t fuck with Claire when she’s in Dr. Claire mode, my dude. You will not win that fight.

Yeah. If I pretend like this episode is the first one of the season, I like this episode. I’m kind of pissed that the show managed to make me salty about fluff. I love fluff, why you make me salty about fluff, show? And now I just want a goddamn fluffernutter.

And since I’m ignoring everything that could have been up until now, it doesn’t bug me that Jamie and Claire are separated...again. Because lol nothing matters.

Fucking give me all the badass Dr. Claire you have, show.

She’s on a boat motherfucker, don't you ever forget.

#*#drunj!der yells about outlander #outlander starz #outlander 3x09

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thegeekerynj · 4 years

Text

An Occasional Attempt to Read, Discuss and Review the Wonders of Comics

By: John Rafferty, cranky old man, and Fan of All Things Comics

Riding the IND

Designed with the intent to acknowledge the Immense Contribution of the Independent Comic Press, and highlight a more unique stable of products

==========================================

Short Hops on the IND

Quick looks at books from the Independent Press, when the reviewer has too much on his plate

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Seven Secrets #2 (Boom! Studios)

Writer: Tom Taylor Artist: Danielle DiNicuolo

‘You know, being a Leader, I really expected my decisions to be undermined less.

Really? That’s cute.

Why do I keep you around?

Mainly to hold this. I suspect you have unusually weak arms.’

——————————————————————————————————————————

So, Caspar has been born, and shipped off to be trained, becoming another Secret in the Order of Secrets…

And he comes back. At 9 years old, trained in the martial arts, Smarter, more inquisitive and much more driven than any Initiate before. Training with Keepers and Holders, to become one of them.

And more importantly, to discover his roots.

Taylor’s scripting is tight and fast. He packs a great deal of story into 24 pages. More importantly, he brings Caspar’s story fully around, to the point of Sigurd’s departure.

The artwork from Danielle DeNicuolo is simply beautiful. I know… I waffled on about how pretty her pencils were last time, but Jeebus, this issue is prettier. It’s almost as if last issue was a test balloon, to see if she had the hook she wanted, and now… well, she’s fishing the pond dry!

This issue ends on a terrific cliffhanger line, one I will not repeat.

More importantly, one which can mean many things, depending where the story goes.

Suffice to say, I am determined to follow this book. I would suggest you do so also.

Out of 5🌶 🌶🌶🌶🌶.5

======================================================================

Locke & Key ‘…In Pale Battalions Go…’ #1 (IDW)

Writer: Joe Hill Artist: Gabriel Rodriguez

‘Where did Father find you? Be honest, I shall have the truth soon enough. I best not learn he hauled you out of some sordid immoral hole.

No. Worse. Canada.

——————————————————————————————————————————

Locke & Key.

The story of Key House, on Lovecraft Island, has spanned years, for Key House, itself is older than the Americas.

The Lockes have forever been the guardians of the Keys to Key House, guarding them against the Evilthat wants to use them… for the Keys are Weapons. Not weapons like guns, and rifles and knives or spears. But Weapons.

Those which have the Power to Destroy. And the Keys DO want to be used.

Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez have taken it upon themselves to bring us another tale in the History of Key House. Thank Gods!

The year is 1918, and the Great War is raging in Europe. Jonathan Locke is 14 years old, and wants to fulfill his destiny, for the Lockes have been represented in every war. As the only son, this is his right, and with the Keys of Key House, there’s no telling what he can do…

Gabriel Rodriguez seems to have decided to leave everything on the battlefield with his artwork. His pages are so expressive, and capture the feel of the World War One era. If the closing splash is any indication, the actual war pieces will be fantastic.

As far as Mr. Hill, what can I say? There has not been a miss, even remotely, in his portfolio… and this latest edition of the Locke Family chronicle is no exception.

My only complaint, it relies on a conceit that the Reader knows the story already, and gives little information about the Keys in play… Now, this is a minor dig, for if the Gentle Reader perusing this truly wants to find the history of Key House, and its family of Guardians, they would merely have to purchase the prior volumes of Locke and Key, and read to their heart’s content.

Out of 5🌶 🌶🌶🌶🌶

======================================================================

A Man Among Ye #1 & 2 (Image / Top Cow)

Writer: Stephanie Phillips Artist: Craig Cermak

‘You might try using the eyes that head, Jack, unless you fancy a new breathing hole. Still I do love the smell of gunpowder in the morning…

——————————————————————————————————————————

Well, this is a pleasant surprise…

A comic about pirates. Not any pirate, not a ‘Jack Sparrow’ type of pirate.

No, this is a look at Captain John ‘Calico Jack’ Rackham, and more importantly, his first mate, Anne Bonny.

The stories of Jack Rackham, Anne Bonny and Mary Read are almost as extensive, and fantastic as those of Blackbeard, William Kidd and Bartholomew Roberts.

What makes Anne Bonny and Mary Read so special is their being successful Female Pirates in a male dominated world. Every bit as strong, independent, and batshit crazy as all the others of their time, Bonny and Read ran the British Navy ragged throughout the Caribbean, while doing so an all-male crew, an amazing feat for the 18th Century.

Stephanie Phillips has certainly done her research, taking this story from the sinking of a British frigate by Rackham and his crew, to the British Governor of the Bahamas, and his plan to capture all the pirates, and execute them.

Cermak’s art is nicely complementary to the story, however I find it a little trope-y… The Heroes / anti-heroes are pretty, the ‘Villain’ is an ugly brute, and things are a little to clean… This is a pirate story, on the High Seas, there is nothing clean and pretty about this…

But, I digress.

With two issues in, and the British on their tail, Rackham, Bonny and Read have their hands full. Knowing a little of the history here, I am looking forward to seeing how much legend Phillips mixes in with the facts of the raids on the Barbary Coast, the Tortugas, and the shipping lanes.

It’s really nice to see a non-Super, strong Female Led Book. Here’s hoping it gets legs, and readers!

Out of 5🌶 🌶🌶🌶🌶

======================================================================

Bomb Queen - Trump Card Part 1 (Image - Shadowline)

Creator - Jimmie Robinson

‘Why the FU*%ing rush? *cough - cough* He’ll be gone like every asshole politician. They’re all the same.

Not this time. Trump changed the Constitution by repealing the 22nd Amendment. He’ll make himself President for Life if he wins this election.

——————————————————————————————————————————

Sweet Jeebus. As if Jimmie Robinson hasn’t fed the zeitgeist enough with cut-off shirts and tiny, tight skirts, now he feeds the fears of America, outlining an America with a lunatic trying to rewrite Democracy… And the need for Bomb Queen to run against him!

This is my introduction to Bomb Queen, the ninth mini-series, each of the earlier ones a titillating wonder of humor and over-sexed action. At this point in her world, the anti-hero has had her own country for Super-Villains, and is now on the run, having beset upon by the World’s Heroes.

Captured by her Clone / Sire (these things are never clear), Bomb Queen is offered a choice, as it were. Run for office against the Orange Horror, or well, you know, because heroes aren’t really heroes…

His artwork is pretty, simple, and clean. There’s a certain elegance about the characters he draws. They’re not overmuscled, although the ladies do have exceptionally large ‘lungs’, which are emphasized by uniform cutouts (a’la Power Girl)…

This book is full of hoots, giggles, belly laughs, and unfortunately, the harsh reality of the 2016 Election. There’s a two page spread which harkens back to the CNN / MSNBC / National Television Network ‘Man on the Street’ interviews, with paraphrased quotes I heard about Trump over his opponents, and over Clinton. The idea that Robinson could make it fit so easily, and fluidly… well it both makes me ill, and gives me pause to want to read much more.

As I said, Jimmie Robinson has grabbed the National Zeitgeist by the shorthairs with this storyline, not because he’s rich, and just can, but because it’s just too soon, and no one will be able to deny the ugly nature of what they are reading.

This is worth a read to see where he takes it, to see if he has the stones to finish what he started, and to see HOW THE HELL Bomb Queen WALKS IN THOSE FRICKIN BOOTS!!!

Out of 5🌶 🌶🌶🌶🌶

======================================================================

Cyberpunk 2077 Trauma Team #1 (Dark Horse Comics)

Writer: Cullen Bunn Artist: Miguel Valderrama

‘Everyone’s resentful of how little money they make. Doesn’t change anything.

We get the call.

We do the job.

—————————————————————————————————————————

As I read this book, and watched the flashes of color race across my eyes, my first thoughts were ‘godsdamn, this guy makes Frank Miller look good!’

Gentle Readers, in my introduction to this book, inside the first 5 or six pages, I was making comparisons between the artist of this book, and the master of dark, splatter mayhem.

Miguel Valderrama has a very special touch to his pencils and inks, maybe he buys them from the same place, perhaps they are fashioned from the same tree and graphite quarry… whatever the reason, the cause, I want MORE!

The biggest difference is the lightness of touch, the fine lines, there are many more, much more elaborate detail than the broad strokes Master Miller uses, however, this is not a complaint. Rather , the observation is more of a wistful longing for a, well, a ‘What if Frank Miller Drew Everything The Way He Drew His Crowd Scenes?

The answer might be found in this book

Cullen Bunn’s story reads like a reality television story. This is a look into the psych eval of the lone surviving member from a Medical Evac Team. This Trauma Team has medics, and soldiers to act as guards, as the areas they are sent into aren’t exactly Beverly Hills, unless the 90210 has been overrun by the Crips and Bloods, and they are eating the shop owners.

As Nadia is running through her memories of the events, we are seeing it in real time, along with the interviewer’s requests for clarification. She appears to be a solid medic, her only concern being getting back in the field. She has a job to do…

Now, at first glance, this could be seen as pretty derivative… like Judge Dredd / Anderson as a Guard / Medic team… BUT… and this is a Big One, the comparison ends with the big helmets and firefights.

There’s none of the cynicism, or the poking fun at the Government / Branches / Cabinet Offices. Rather, there’s what feels like a genuine look at how being a survivor has effected this character, and how she is going to handle getting back out into the field.

I liked this. I have to say, I went in to this book with some preconceptions, and was happy to see them dashed. The interactions between the Team characters come across as real, there’s little stilted, unnatural dialogue… and that was a great thing to see.

The twist Bunn slams at the reader on the last page of the book, well, I want to see Issue 2, just to see how this plays out.

Out of 5🌶 🌶🌶🌶.5

======================================================================

HEAVY #1 (VAULT Comics)

Writer: Max Bemis Artist: Eryk Donovan

‘I’ve got fifteen Hitlers to do away with before the end of the night!

They’re throats aren’t gonna slit themselves!

——————————————————————————————————————————

Have you ever read ‘The Punisher’?

Seen R.I.P.D.?

Put the two together, you’ve pretty much read this book.

Hyperviolence, set to a redemption arc, while saving the Multiverse from the worst iterations of the Famous (both good and bad… Leonardo DaVinci as a bisexual foot fetishist who uses his genius to become Dictator of the World, and build weapons that are sexual torture devices???!!!???)

The redemption part?? To get to the Other Side, and redeem yourself, you have to partner with, and train the jerk who killed you and your girl, and make sure he doesn’t get killed when you are on the job!

Unless this is what you are into… HARD PASS!

Out of 5🌶 🌶🌶🌶

======================================================================

We Only Find Them When They’re Dead #1 (Boom! Studios)

Writer: Al Ewing Artist: Simone De Meo

Boss, tell me if I’m out of line here, I don’t mind not knowi—

— But what IS this between you and Richter? What happened?

Oh, it’s quite simple, Jason.

She killed my PARENTS.

—————————————————————————————————————————

I was hooked on this book before I got to these lines of dialogue.

I don’t know if it was the absolutely wonderful artwork, the beauty of the layouts, the detail, the ——Oh Hell, Simone De Meo’s artwork grabbed me and held me for the three readings I gave this book. I couldn’t get over the visuals, her place ts of panels, the character sketches… Hell, some of this was downright cinematic.

There are panels, and pages, that made me think of James Gunn’s vision of Knowhere… and that is high praise from me.

Al Ewing, what is there to say. After reading his work on Judge Dredd, i sought out his work wherever I could find it.. This is tough for me, not being a big Marvel Fan, since almost everything he has written has been for the House of the Iron Mouse…

The story, is simplicity. Explorers in Space find the corpses of the Gods. Well, that is as close as they can come to what they are.

There is a market for their meat, the materials which clothe them, certain parts of their organs, both a legal and a Black Market.

Once a Godcorpse has been identified, the Sutopsy Ships descend upon it, to stake claims. these are monitored by Escort Ships, in place to enforce Government Regulations concerning what can and cannot be stripped from the Godcorpse.

Violate protocols and die.

This is the story of the Vikaam Two, her captain, Georges Malik, his crew, and his plan to find a Living God.

I can’t wait!

Eight Bells… All is well…

Out of 5🌶 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶

======================================================================

Grendel, Kentucky #1 (AWA /Upshot)

Writer: Jeff McComsey Artist: Tommy Lee Edwards

‘You believe what Pap said about Clyde?

How he died?

Do I believe a bear killed my Daddy?

No Fuckin’ Way.

——————————————————————————————————————————

1976. Junior Year of High School, my AP English class was assigned ‘Beowulf’ as an Advanced Placement Test read. In the Olde English translation.

It was an attempt by my teacher, a wonderful elf of a nun, to get her literary stunted students to stretch, comprehend, and recognize themes once they see them, in preparation for the exam and the expectations of college.

2020. As is my wont, I picked up all the First Issues of the Indy Comics at my local purveyor of Four Color Sequential Art, The Geekery.

While running up my near National Deficit weekly Comics tab, my eyes slid across the title, and the gritty cover… Hmmmmm, too much of a draw not to at least give a look, add it to the pile.

In the opening pages of this book, Clyde Wallace has dressed himself in catcher’s mask, chest protector and knee / shin guards (poor man’s body armor), and strapped on enough real and makeshift weaponry (baseball bat with spikes driven through the business end to an M-60 grenade launcher) to make Rambo, Negan and Max Rockatansky run screaming into the night.

Clyde marches into the mouth of a mine…

WHOA! By Hrothgar, King of the Danes… This is Beowulf… In Kentucky!!??!!

Set in 1971, the Beowulf character, Denny, is a veteran of the Viet Nam Police Action, his warriors, well they are an all female biker gang, led by Marnie, a woman his father raised from childhood. The King, Pap, is the Town Elder, and he knows something he isn’t talking about.

Yeah, this is already good, one issue in.

Jeff McComsey has written an offbeat take on the Beowulf epic, taking some very severe literary license with the story lines. The epic heroes and warriors, well, not so much. Relatively amoral, criminal for support, ahhhh lets face it, these guys are all anti-heroes, at best.

If this were today’s America, I’m not sure I wouldn’t be rooting for the monster.

But I digress.

The artwork by Tommy Lee Edwards is gritty, hard on the eyes, and, well appropriate to the story. His artwork HURTS at times, you can feel the violence, the intent, through the eyes. America in 1971, it was not a pretty place.

As a miniseries (1 of 4, so far), this is worth the read. Too much more, and it would feel like I was prepping for a test again… but I digress.

Out of 5🌶 🌶🌶🌶🌶

======================================================================

Inkblot #1 (Image Comics)

Creators: Emma Kubert and Rusty Gladd

‘Sweet Suckleberries!

——————————————————————————————————————————

Her Name is KUBERT. As in Joe, and Adam and Andy and Katie.

That alone earns her the right to a viewing.

The fact that this is a fun little book she co-created with Rusty Gladd, well, that’s a gallon of whipped Italian Sweet Cream on top of the cake!

Give this a shot! Buy it for your little ones, if you have any! Lie about having little ones, and buy it for yourself! You won’t be disappointed!

Out of 5🌶 🌶🌶🌶🌶.5

======================================================================

Spy Island #1 (Dark Horse Comics)

Writer: Chelsea Cain Cover / Designer / Supplemental Art: Lia Miternique Artist: Elise McCall

‘Some people are afraid of the ocean. There’s a word for it: ‘Thalassophobia’. A fear of the open ocean and what lies beneath its surface.

Not me.

I think the ocean’s great*.

*except for the Kraken.

——————————————————————————————————————————

SO. That happened.

There is an area of the Atlantic Ocean, delineated by vertices at Miami, Florida, San Juan Puerto Rico, and Bermuda, which has been the source of many stories concerning the disappearance of airplanes, ships, crews of ship, and unusual activities. This area, lovingly referred to as the Devil’s Triangle, or the Bermuda Triangle, is the source of this tale.

Spy Island is located somewhere inside the Triangle, and it plays host to spies, bad actors, scientists, etc from all nations, some other worlds, and all times.

It’s the story of Nora Freud, Agent for an unnamed country, possibly the USA, possibly not. She is a spy, and so much more. She is also a woman of action, who can perform any assignment given to her.

Including assassination.

Lia Miternique and Elise McCall have put together an artistically gorgeous offering in this book. Between the inserts for the fish, maps, the advertisements and covers, this a visually wondrous.The underwater scenes in and of themselves are masterful, offering a view of the ocean one might actually see off t a Caribbean island.

The story, well it is OK. Lots of self exposition, not much action (the best stuff is in the first 4 pages), this is setting up like a spy thriller, of sorts. DUH, bimbo!!! Look at the title!

It is a first issue, and seems to be tagged for a longer run, so, I’m willing to give Ms. Cain the benefit of the doubt here. She had to have given the artists the perspective to draw from, and I am cautiously optimistic, based on Mockingbird, and her NYT Best Seller Status…

It’s worth a shot, just for the eye candy…

Out of 5🌶 🌶🌶🌶.5

#indie comics #seven secrets #locke & key #a man among ye #bomb queen #cyberpunk 2077 #heavy #we only find them when they're dead #grendel ky #inkblot #spy island #image comics #dark horse comics #boom studios #comics #comic books

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fallofrainblog · 5 years

Text

Outlander Rewatch 4x03

I just watched season 1, episode 7 of Castle Rock (the Queen) which I would say is up there with the finale of Chernobyl as the best TV I’ve watched this year and so I thought I would channel some of the TV-related love into Outlander. Why? I don’t know. I’m still hungover from a Halloween party I went to last night.

- Oh no, Roger’s in this episode. I’ll try not to go on about it too much but I really do not like this man. I didn’t like him in the books and I don’t like him on the show.

- Having said that, I enjoy Rick Rankin’s acting. Roger feels like a real person.

- I’ll give this show minimal points for carrying over some of the horror of the Rufus Incident into this episode, but I feel like they are very good at forgetting genuinely traumatic incidents, especially when they happen to Claire. This woman has been nearly raped about eleventy billion times, had a heartbreaking stillbirth, been almost burned at the stake, whipped, committed murder, almost BEEN murdered, had Stephen Bonnet stick his disgusting fingers down her throat, and will never see her daughter again, as far as she knows. I am begging for some small acknowledgement that even one of these things would have a huge negative impact on her mental health.

- I’m not even asking for a huge long production, just a little more of what we saw in je suis prest, when she had flashbacks. Maybe the show is afraid that digging into the real negative repercussions of choosing to live in such a dangerous time will detract from the Claire/Jamie love, or maybe they just didn’t have time for some character work, but either way they’re wrong.

- I love what they’re doing with Jocasta. She’s so pissed that they’re leaving and genuinely heartbroken but also so matter-of-fact? MDK gets so much across in really straightforward sentences.

- Also Jocasta’s furniture is so fucking amazing. I want that couch she has so bad.

-Jamie having to leave the lady who probably looks just like his mother is 😭. There’s a part of him that really doesn’t want to leave, which is interesting.

- I love Young Ian so much guys. “BUT UNCCCAA JAMMIIEE! IMA BIG LAD! YE CANNAE TELL MAE WHAT TAE DOOO!”

- I like scenes where Jocasta and Claire have scenes together because it’s one Irish woman speaking in an English accent acting with another Irish woman using a Scots accent. I wonder what they sounded like in between takes.

- Ooooo Jocasta’s a slippery one. She plants seeds of doubt, not about whether Jamie loves Claire, but about whether she’s making his life harder by being with him. It’s a kind-of legitimate point in that the two of them can’t seem to stay out of trouble when they’re together, and Caitriona plays defiance and doubt and insecurity so well.

- Clarence is here guys! CLARENCE IS HERE!

- Annnnd we’re in Boston!

- Look, Roger and Brianna start out pretty cute. Sophie’s accent is much better and they seem really young and twitterpated, to borrow from Bambi. It’s not Claire/Jamie love but the first time I watched this it was nice to see a more realistic-looking romance. At first.

- The minister’s cat game is just Diana showing off her vocabulary lol.

- I have absolutely no idea what kind of timeline we’re on here (how long has Claire been in the past? I feel like it’s one year but I think anything from 6 months to 2 years is feasible) but that shot showing that Brianna/Roger/Claire/Jamie are in the same place, if not the same time, was a nice idea.

- I tried to play a drinking game called “take a shot every time Outlander shows a bald eagle” and my liver fell out halfway through the episode. It’s almost like they’re trying to tell us something about the location the show is set in. Not sure I’ve understood their extremely subtle message yet.

- Claire and Jamie love Ian! (as do I). When he says he’s going with Myers both of their faces say “not our babie boye!”

- Just noticed that Caitriona has dropped her Claire voice down a few tones. I love the little things they do to age their characters a little. Like Sam does the Scottish HHMMPH man noise a lot more in season 4.

- Riding a horse looks so tiring.

- THESE TWO HAVE SUCH GOOD CHEMISTRY. This is literally all I want from this show, the two leads interacting.

- Jamie speaking Gaelic to the horses is 💖

- As adversarial as the conversation with Jocasta was, Claire does think about it, which leads her to initiating a conversation with Jamie about what would really make him happy. I think one of my favourite things about this couple is that they don’t have any of that TV drama that’s caused by not having simple conversations. That’s one of my least favourite tropes and the series avoids that 99% of the time with them.

- I cannot BELIEVE I forgot that Jamie’s speech was in this episode! Gonna transcribe it real quick:

“I was an outlaw when first we met. And an outlaw when you returned. If it was only me, I would live as one again. And when I was old, I would lie under a tree and let the wolves gnaw at my bones but it’s not just me. It’s you. And Ian. Fergus, Marsali. You understand? I would lay the world at your feet, Claire, but I have nothing to give you.”

Stellar writing, and Sam knocks it all the way out of the park. I believe him completely. And the combination of the writing and performance really underscores how Jamie still has that young man’s wildness, but he’s old enough to balance that with responsibilities that he’s willingly taken on. It’s really beautiful and I love it.

- Claire tearing after the mule on her own and getting into trouble is very on-brand.

- I find it really odd that Claire and Bree never set up a system so she could let Bree know she made it. Maybe this is just me exposing myself as a mama’s girl but I would be so worried for her.

- The Brianna/Roger date is cute! Well, up to a point. He has a very nice voice.

- Then it all goes to shit. I will provide a quick and factual summary so I don’t devolve into a ball of frothing rage: Brianna takes her shirt off, and she and Roger kiss. He stops, covers her with her shirt, and proposes. She says no. He is upset. She still wants to have sex, which upsets him further. He says that if all he wanted was to have his way with her he could have had her on her back a dozen times last summer. She slaps him. He explains that while he has had sex with women in the past, he assumed she was a nice catholic girl. He does not consider this hypocritical. In his opinion her hesitance to get engaged means that she does not love him.

- If I was dating a woman who wanted to have sex when I wasn’t ready, I would simply communicate this to her like a mature adult. rip to Rogers everywhere but I’m different.

- Look, they’re in one more scene but I’m tired of them. That scene was a hot mess.

- Back to the 18th century we go! It seems that our heroine has been unconscious for at least a couple of hours. In real life she would most likely have severe brain damage, but in the world of outlander she is just a bit achy.

- Claire and Jamie are experts at bellowing the other person’s name into the ether.

- The scene with the ghost is so creepy and awesome!!! Outlander is so good when they put their minds to it.

- Claire just takes that skull and crams it into her purse like that’s a normal thing to do. Keep being you, you wonderful weirdo.

- Jamie just unquestioningly accepts that a ghost brought them back together? I suppose once you’ve bought into time travel nothing shocks you anymore.

- Oh no, the green screen’s back. And someone accidentally layered on the matte filter.

- Cheesy ending but I forgive them!

That wasn’t bad! I would even go as far to say it was good!

Overall rating: a fine wee episode.

#outlander rewatch #my opinion #not gonna put this one in the OL tag lol

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