#when it should have dedicated just as much time to showing us penelope's

[natashasfilms]

Chapter Six - Local

Summary: FBI agent Leila faces a profound life change after giving birth to a baby girl, supported by her loving husband. Despite the challenges of motherhood, Leila returns to her role as a dedicated agent a few months later, ready to confront gruesome and haunting cases with the BAU team.

Pairing: BAU!Fem!OC x Male!OC , EVENTUAL Aaron Hotchner x BAU!Fem!OC (Like much later)

Warnings: This story contains mature themes such as sexual content, strong language, violence, mentions of alcohol and drugs, blood, gore, and death. All the usual Criminal Minds stuff. And there is NO CHEATING.

Note 1: I imagine Leila Kade as South Asian but I have decided to let you, the reader, imagine her appearance, hence the reason why I have not given her a face claim. However, her race does not affect the story, whatsoever. You, as the reader, are free to imagine her however you want. If you don't see her as South Asian, then that's fine. It won't affect the storyline. I also imagine the OC!Male as South Asian, but again, it won't affect the storyline.

Note 2: The team will consist of the main cast (Emily, Derek, JJ, Spencer, Penelope, Aaron, and Rossi) but will also include Elle Greenaway and Jason Gideon because they were some of my favorite characters and I wanted to include them with the rest of the team. Basically, Elle and Gideon never leave when Emily and Rossi join.

Note 3: There will be multiple time skips throughout this series. For example, the first chapter will begin on the first season and episode of the show but then there will be a time skip to later episodes (because there are obviously way too many episodes to write this series on and I wanted to include specific episodes that would help the plot of this story). This means that this series will be a slow burn romance but I believe it to be better this way. This will also stray from the actual show a lot, so don't expect it to follow the plot precisely.

Series Masterlist

Original Chapter

"It sounds like a big one." Leila remarked, watching her husband pack his bag for work. "Have there been any more updates on the murders?"

Zaid zipped his bag and grabbed the file on the bed, quickly scanning its contents to ensure everything was in order. "Just that there have already been four murders. They're probably going to call in the FBI soon."

Leila nodded in agreement and then flashed him a smile. "Well, make sure to call me in."

He mirrored her smile and leaned down, planting a lingering kiss on her lips before breaking away. "Who else would I call, honey?"

A phone on the nightstand began to ring, and Leila swiftly grabbed it. Glancing at the Caller ID, she smirked and directed her gaze back to Zaid. "Agent Kade." She answered, listening intently to the voice on the other end. "Okay, just tell the team to meet me there."

"Guess I didn't have to call you after all." Zaid chuckled, taking hold of Leila's hand to help her stand up. His hands slid to her waist, drawing her closer. "Let's go to work, baby."

Leila and Zaid left the house, ensuring Jasmine was in capable hands with Grace, and drove to the local police department where Zaid worked. Leila had informed JJ, who had called her earlier, that she would meet the team there instead of at the BAU. It was more convenient to accompany Zaid, and they would conduct their briefing once everyone had gathered at the police department since it was a local case.

Entering the station, the couple was greeted by Zaid’s partner, Michael Ramirez. He extended his hand to Leila. “Good morning, Zaid, Leila. Your team should be joining us shortly. Thank you all for coming.”

Leila responded with a warm smile and a nod. “Of course, we’re here to assist in any way we can. Thank you for reaching out to us.”

Michael couldn’t help but smirk, his eyes shifting playfully to Zaid. “Well, we didn’t have much of a choice. Someone here was quite insistent that your team was the only option.”

Zaid rolled his eyes at the remark but couldn’t hide a faint smile. His grip on Leila’s hand tightened, reluctant to let her go.

Leila playfully glanced at her husband, her tone teasing. "Oh, really? That's a first." She quipped with a hint of sarcasm.

“What’s a first?” A voice asked, causing the three to turn towards the voice. They were met with Leila’s team, the voice coming from Spencer.

Zaid cleared his throat, glaring at Michael. “Nothing. Thanks for coming guys. Let’s get started.”

Suppressing a giggle, Leila followed Zaid, their hands still entwined, and entered an unoccupied office where they would conduct the case briefing.

JJ handed a file to Leila, who offered a quick thanks before perusing the documents. "So, what do we know so far?" Leila inquired, her brow furrowing as she examined the photographs of the four victims.

JJ took the lead, summarizing the case for Leila since she wasn’t in the briefing with them. "We have a string of homicides here in D.C., all within a short timeframe. Four victims so far, each found brutally murdered in their homes."

Derek added. "The thing is that all of them are prominent individuals, well-known in their fields. We've got a lawyer, a doctor, a professor, and a journalist. High-profile targets."

Elle interjected, "And there's a connection between them. They were all involved in some controversial cases or investigations in the past. Nothing obvious links them, though."

Zaid provided his perspective. "Our local intel indicates there might be a vigilante group involved, possibly targeting these individuals for their perceived injustices."

Michael chimed in, scratching the back of his neck. "We've got no murder weapon though. These scenes are clean, too clean for such brutal killings. It's like the killer wanted us to find these victims."

Leila, her mind racing, summed it up. "So, we're looking at a calculated, methodical killer or group of killers, possibly with a vendetta against those they perceive as corrupt or guilty.”

"The first murder occurred last Monday, and now it’s Friday of the next week. He’s escalating quickly, and we need to figure this out before he kills again." Gideon stated urgently.

Maintaining his usual stern gaze and crossed arms, Aaron nodded in agreement. "Right, we should get started. Reid, Morgan, I want you to go to the coroner's office and check the victims."

"Michael and I were actually going to check out the latest victim's house if anyone wants to come along." Zaid added

Aaron gave an approving nod. "That’s perfect. Leila, Elle, you two join Zaid and Detective Ramirez."

After Aaron delegated tasks to the team, Leila, Zaid, Elle, and Michael left the station and headed to the most recent victim’s house. Upon arrival, they offered their condolences to the victim’s family before embarking on a thorough search of the house, hoping to uncover any potential clues that might have been overlooked.

The four began to search the victim's room, noticing the journalist's computer on her desk. Leila reached for the computer and started it up, pondering the mystery that surrounded the killer's knowledge.

"How did this psycho even find out about all of the victims' pasts?" Elle wondered aloud, scanning the room for any clues. "Garcia had to dig through encrypted files of the cases they were involved in. They were all sealed shut."

Michael raised an eyebrow, considering the implications. "Yeah, but why were all of the victims' crimes sealed shut? They went on to do big things. Maybe the guy knows them from somewhere, and all the victims are related."

Zaid, who had been inspecting the room for any hidden notes or clues, chimed in. "If that's the case, it's like he's holding them accountable for something they did in the past. But we need to know how he's connected to them."

Leila agreed, her eyes fixed on the computer screen as it booted up. "Whatever the motive is, it's deeply personal. Let's see if we can find any leads on this computer. Garcia might be able to decrypt any relevant files."

As Elle and Michael waited by the computer, Leila and Zaid continued to search the room. Michael had his arms crossed and glanced at Elle, smirking. "Say, uh, how long have you been with the BAU? Don't think I've seen you around before."

Elle side-glanced him before looking back at the computer. "It's only been a few months. I'm still pretty new, I guess."

Leila couldn't resist adding a playful comment. "Oh, don't let her modesty fool you, Michael. She's already a rising star. She had the highest number of solved cases in her specialty back in Seattle before joining the BAU."

Michael raised an eyebrow, impressed. "Wow, that's quite the track record.”

Elle gave Leila a wide-eyed look, before turning her head back. “I suppose so.”

Michael and Elle's playful banter continued, with Michael attempting to flirt in a lighthearted manner, and Elle being a little tough on him.

Michael grinned mischievously, leaning in closer to Elle as they waited for the computer to load. "So, Elle, you never told me what your secret to solving all those cases was. I bet it's something impressive."

Elle smirked, pretending to ponder his question for a moment. "Well, Detective Ramirez, it's all about having a sixth sense when it comes to catching the bad guys."

Michael chuckled. "A sixth sense, huh? I knew there was something special about you."

Elle raised an eyebrow and flashed a sly grin. "Well, Detective, I'd hate to disappoint, but my secrets are closely guarded. Can't be revealing all my tricks on the first case together."

Michael laughed, enjoying their banter. "Fair enough, Agent Greenaway. I guess I'll have to keep trying to crack the case of the elusive Elle Greenaway."

Elle couldn't help but laugh too. "Good luck with that, Ramirez. You're going to need it."

Leila exchanged a knowing glance with Zaid, both of them silently acknowledging Michael's flirtatious nature. While Michael had a reputation for being quite flirty with the women, Leila trusted him completely. She observed his playful interaction with Elle and couldn't help but think that they might make a great pair. However, she had no intentions of pressuring Elle into anything. She believed in letting things happen naturally and respecting her friend’s choices.

The computer finally turned on and Leila called Penelope to surf through the contents to check if there was anything valuable on it. After the call, they searched the house a bit more, but found nothing that could be possibly linked to all the other murders or the unsub.

Penelope called back, most likely about to give information she must have found on the computer. “Hey, Pen. Go ahead.” Leila spoke.

"Right, my lovelies. So I didn't find anything totally riveting on this computer, but there's a strange amount of cat videos, memes from the early 2000s, and a surprisingly detailed recipe for chicken pot pie." Penelope's voice crackled through the speaker, her usual eccentric self shining brightly even in the midst of a serious case. Zaid and Michael exchanged puzzled glances, while Leila and Elle just shrugged. “But I managed to decrypt a sealed folder! Inside, I found a series of encrypted emails that our journalist victim exchanged with an anonymous sender. It seems like they were getting information on various high-profile individuals and cases. This could be our link to the unsub."

Leila’s eyes widened, impressed with Penelope's quick progress. "Pen, you're amazing! Can you trace the origin of those emails? We need to know who our journalist was communicating with."

Penelope didn't miss a beat. "Already on it! Give me a few more minutes."

"We should head back to the station and share this information with the others." Elle suggested, prompting the team to leave the victim's house after a fruitless conversation with the family. Their earlier discussion had yielded no relevant information for the case.

Having thoroughly discussed their findings as a team, they reached a point where they could present a detailed profile. Gathering all the authorities from the police station, including Zaid and Michael, they shared their insights about the unsub.

Aaron began. "Based on the information we've gathered so far, our unsub appears to be a highly intelligent individual with a deep knowledge of the victims' pasts. The fact that they were able to access sealed records suggests either a background in law enforcement or a close connection to someone with such access."

Gideon continued. "The victims all had their past crimes concealed, indicating a possible vigilante motive. It's likely that the unsub sees themselves as a judge, jury, and executioner, targeting those they perceive as corrupt or guilty."

Spencer chimed in. "The escalation in the murders suggests an increasing need for control and power. This could indicate a need for recognition or a desire to send a message."

"We should also consider the possibility of a copycat or an accomplice who may have a personal connection to the victims." Derek added.

Standing beside Derek, Leila continued. "Our unsub is likely male, displaying a high degree of intelligence and a methodical approach. He possesses a deep understanding of the victims' pasts, possibly owing to a background in law enforcement or access to sealed records."

Elle added on. "Our primary objective is to unearth potential connections between the victims and identify the unsub's underlying motive. We anticipate that he will continue targeting individuals he perceives as corrupt."

JJ concluded with conviction. "Stay vigilant, and if any of you come across information or leads, please report them immediately. Do not go up to him or else it’ll only trigger him into killing."

Everyone went their separate ways, while Zaid walked up to Leila. “Aren’t you a smart little thing?”

Leila rolled her eyes, playfully shoving him. “Shut up. We’re at work.”

He chuckled but agreed, knowing there was a time and place for that. “You’re right. I think we’re doing a great job, though. We’ll find that bastard in no time.”

A few tense hours later, the team received a lead that brought them to the unsub's location. They arrived outside his residence, their collective determination etched onto their faces. It became apparent that the unsub had taken a victim hostage, her life hanging in the balance.

With bulletproof vests secured and guns at the ready, they prepared to enter the house. After ensuring it was safe, Derek forcefully kicked down the door, and they swiftly began their search of the premises. A shout came from the basement, prompting them to rush downstairs. There, they confronted the unsub, who was holding a terrified woman hostage, a gun pressed against her temple.

"Come any closer, and I will shoot her." The unsub barked, his eyes filled with anger as he glared at their team. Zaid stood firmly by Leila's side, his gaze locked onto the unsub.

"Evan, please, just let her go." Leila urged, her voice filled with empathy as she tried to calm the desperate unsub, Evan George. "We don't want to hurt you. Just put the gun down, and we can talk about this."

Evan glared at her, shaking his head vehemently. "No, you don't understand what she's done."

Elle stepped forward, drawing Evan's attention away from Leila and onto herself. "Evan." She said calmly. "We do understand. We know what she did, and we know about the others."

Evan George, the man who had become their prime suspect, had a deeply personal vendetta driving his crimes. As the team gathered more information about him, they discovered that Evan had experienced a harrowing tragedy of his own. Several years ago, Evan's family had fallen victim to a corrupt and influential individual who had evaded the justice system, escaping punishment for a heinous crime.

In Evan's eyes, this individual represented everything that was wrong with the legal system. Fueled by his grief and anger, Evan had devoted his life to seeking justice for his family. He believed that the victims, the ones he had targeted, were complicit in enabling the corrupt individuals to escape their rightful punishment.

Each victim had a connection, either directly or indirectly, to the man who had wronged Evan's family. Some had been directly involved in the case, while others had shielded the culprits from prosecution through manipulation or bribery.

Evan had meticulously planned his acts of vengeance, ensuring that each victim would face their own moment of reckoning. He saw himself as a self-appointed avenger, determined to ensure that those who had eluded the grasp of justice would no longer be able to hurt others.

Now, as the team confronted Evan, they knew that they had to diffuse the situation carefully, not just to save the hostage but also to understand the depths of Evan's pain and desperation that had led him down this dark path.

Evan’s eyes darted from person to person, and Leila could sense his growing agitation and frustration. It was clear that he was on the brink of a violent outburst, and they had to intervene before he did something irreversible, endangering both the hostage and himself.

“Evan, please.” Elle urged, her voice stern as the unsub aimed the gun in her direction. The tension in the room was palpable as Evan shouted, demanding them all to silence.

Then, unexpectedly, Evan released his grip on the woman's arm and firmly grasped the gun with both hands. Panic coursed through the room as the hostage seized the opportunity to escape. At the same moment, Evan pulled the trigger.

As Elle braced herself for the impact of the gunshot, another shot echoed through the basement. However, she soon realized that she hadn't been hit. Instead, someone had taken a bullet meant for her. Her heart raced as she crouched down to find Michael clutching his abdomen.

Aaron had fired the shot that struck Evan, killing him instantly. Leila and Zaid rushed over to check on their wounded friend, their eyes wide with shock.

Michael groaned in pain but managed to raise a reassuring hand. “I’m okay. It hit the vest. Don’t worry, guys.”

Leila let out a sigh of relief, her shoulders slumping as the tension in the room finally began to dissipate. Elle, still trembling from the adrenaline rush, shook her head and rubbed her face, trying to process the intense situation they had just experienced. Zaid, with a wry smile, simply rolled his eyes, knowing that Michael had a penchant for theatrics even in the most harrowing of moments.

"What kind of bulletproof vests are these if they're just going to cause bruising, anyway?" Michael scoffed, holding an ice pack to his now shirtless abdomen. He winced as he pressed it against the sore spot. "You'll get injured either way."

Elle, still visibly shaken, muttered as she sat beside him at the back of the ambulance, "That was really stupid. Who just jumps in front of people like that? I mean, were you even thinking?"

Michael flashed a mischievous grin and locked eyes with Elle. "I was only thinking about how I had to protect the pretty lady beside me or else I wouldn't forgive myself if something were to happen to her."

Leila observed the two from afar, grinning to herself. She crossed her arms as she felt a presence next to her. “Those two look cozy.” Derek said.

She turned to look at him, before her gaze fell back onto Elle and Michael. “They’re cute.”

Derek chuckled, leaning in closer. “He’s been flirting with her since we got here.”

Leila chuckled, shaking her head. "That's Michael for you. He's kind of like you, Derek, always flirting with the ladies."

Derek raised an eyebrow and grinned. "Well, you know, it's all in good fun. Keeps things interesting."

Leila playfully rolled her eyes. "As long as you don't cross any lines, we'll let you keep your 'ladies' man' reputation."

Derek chuckled and teased, "My 'ladies' man' reputation, huh? Is the Leila Kade suggesting I'm a little naughty?"

Leila smirked, winking at him. "Lucky for you, I like my men naughty." With that, she walked away, leaving Derek momentarily stunned. However, he soon realized Zaid was there, witnessing the exchange and laughing.

"She's not wrong." Zaid quipped, his amusement evident as Derek blushed in embarrassment.

#angst #fluff #criminal minds #aaron hotchner #fanfiction #one shot #aaron hotchner fanfiction #criminal minds series #revelations series #original female character #original male character #aaron hotchner x bau!reader #bau reader #criminal minds bau #aaron hotchner x original female character

[sea-owl]

Time for first kisses! Though not between our husband and wife to be

Penelope was honestly getting a little annoyed. She loved the Bridgertons, she truly did but damn they were clingy lately. Between them, her mother’s newfound hovering, planning for the move, her writings, and the twins the poor girl and Phillip barely had a moment to just breathe. 

The couple had been invited to Aubrey Hall along with several other members of the Ton in a joint event planned by Violet and Kate. It was time for Aubrey Hall to officially welcome its new Viscountess. Penelope was already mentally drafting a possible mention if not a passage in her next column. 

“Should we dedicate a whole page, Amanda?” Penelope asked as she rocked the toddler.  “Or would that be too much even for an event such as this?” 

Little Amanda only yawned as she buried her head into Penelope’s shoulder.

“Maybe you should add a detail or two that only one of the guests or their maids would know. Confuse them, add another mystery to Lady Whisteldown as she weaves the secrets of London’s gentlefolk,” Phillip suggested as he laid Oliver down.

 The red head smiled and laid the baby girl down next to her brother. “Now wouldn’t that be a sight to see.” 

Phillip offered his arm and Penelope accepted. They gave a nod to the nurse and made their way to one of the drawing rooms. “You’re tired.”

Penelope sighed. “With everything that has been going on lately it’s hard to find any time to rest.” 

Phillip nodded in understanding. “Tell me Penelope, does Lady Bridgerton grow lavender in the garden.” 

“I believe so yes,” Penelope said, now sitting down on one of the couches in the drawing room. 

“I’m sure she would not mind letting us borrow some to help you sleep.” Phillip gave Penelope’s shoulder a squeeze before making his way to the gardens. 

Penelope smiled. Trust Phillip to know a plant that could help. 

Looking to pass the time as she waited for Phillip Penelope picked up a book on a nearby table. It appeared to be an account of someone’s travels! Penelope found herself absorbed in the author’s words, it felt like she was there with them. Though the writing felt familiar. 

“What are you doing?” 

Penelope jumped. She didn’t hear anyone else come into the room. Looking up she could see Colin leaning over the back of the couch. 

“Oh Colin, I didn’t notice you there.”

Colin kept glancing from her to the journal. “How much of this did you read?” 

“Just a few pages. It’s really good. Is it yours Colin?”

Colin’s cheeks show the tiniest bit of pink as he avoids Penelope’s gaze. “Yes.” 

“You should try publishing this.”

Colin blinked. He was not expecting that. “No one would want to read it, it’s just random thoughts during my travels.”

“I disagree,” Penelope said. “You have a talent for words Colin. I almost feel like I am there experiencing all the things you did. More exciting than the mundane life of the ton.” 

“It’s not that-”

Penelope shook her head. “Yes, it is. You have your exciting travels, meanwhile I have never even been kissed before.” 

Colin stares in wonder at Penelope. “You’ve never been kissed? What about Phillip?” 

“No, Phillip and I-” Penelope was cut off when a Colin pulled her in for a kiss. The journal slipping from her fingers. 

At the same time in the garden, a piece of lavender stalk falls from Phillip’s hands as Eloise pulls him in for a kiss. 

#i feel like i rushed the end #sorry if it's choppy #i just wanted to dive back into this universe #engagement of convenience au #polin #slight philoise at the end #colin bridgerton #penelope featherington #phillip crane

[bacchicly]

Friends Don't Let Friends

PART 2: NOT BOUND BY WHERE WE SHOW UP TO WORK: A RE-IMAGINING OF SEASON 15 GARVEZ

PART 1 is here. Or this is also posted on AO3 : Part 1 | Part 2

CM EPISODE: 14x15 TRUTH OR DARE - ROSSI'S WEDDING

Content: More feel good sex. Mentions of alcohol / not drinking and driving. A bit of cursing.  Literary use of flashbacks which either brilliantly ups the tension or is deeply annoying…possibly both!

Words: 3800ish

Dedicated to: @vangsdroide who is such an amazing beautiful friend who helped me develop the story and previewed early versions, @snailsandpuppy-dogtails who reminded me that “No Penelopes or Lukes will be harmed in the making of this fic” and that if I say they are sober - they are sober…which opened the door to everything you are about to read… and to John Lazarus (Canadian Playwright) who taught me to “Give the problem to the characters” - which was what first gave me permission to not ignore the little voice in my brain that worried whether or not they were too intoxicated to drive home safely when I envisioned sex in the back of a pickup truck under the stars. Finally a shout out to @tranurse who is an amazing fan and I am so glad whenever I see them on my dash. 💖 

Finally, thank you to all who read this little flight of fancy - I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Luke didn’t know what he expected when he left the hotel meeting room just moments behind the amazing (and ridiculously well fucked - even if he did say so himself) Penelope Garcia… Penelope Garcia who had basically suggested that she might.. well… like he says - he wasn’t sure what he expected… but whatever it was - it was certainly not what has happened. 

✨💫⭐🚀⭐💫✨

The air has a snap and Luke is sure he can smell the dew blooming on the meadow grass beneath them. He tilts his head back - not all the way - just enough to be awed by how there are more stars than sky. 

It would not be the first time he howled tonight - but now - with everything - the urge to bay at the moon that hangs low and full on the horizon is powerful.  Luke feels freer and stronger than he has in forever - it is a feeling worth chasing.  

And isn't that what he lives for… the chase?

He runs a hand through Penelope's hair - fancying that his fingers can tell the difference between the blond and the blue. 

Too good.  Everything about tonight is too good.  

Rossi should get married more often. 

✨💫⭐🚀⭐💫✨

He’d been trying to get beside her ever since returning to the ballroom but Penelope had been surprisingly elusive - surrounding herself with other wedding guests - helping behind the bar again - dancing with Reid… so Luke had finally decided he’d stop chasing her and just see what happened.  He had strategically settled into conversation with Tara and Matt as they ate cake - shootin' the shit about a classic car she was helping Rossi rebuild and then about Matt’s BIG news.  

Kid number five? 

The idea seemed unreal to Luke - especially since he’d just broken up with his girlfriend of a year and couldn’t seem to get the woman he had just had incredible sex with (protected - so hopefully no babies would result) to even stand beside him in a crowded room… 

…despite himself, when thoughts of Penelope bubbled back to the surface - Luke couldn’t help but search Penelope out in the crowd.  

…then, much to his (apparently completely conspicuous) chagrin his gaze had fallen on her making her way for the exit.  

Tara had laughed at him with a far too knowing grin, “Hey Luke, don’t worry so much, you big lout, she’ll be back! Rossi and our blue eyed blond bombshell of a technical analyst just had their heads together - I think she’s just in charge of the final big surprise that our hosts have been hinting at all night.”

At that Matt jibed, "Hey - speaking of Garcia - I have been meaning to ask… did you find what you were looking for IN. HER. EYE."

Luke caught every ounce of the innuendo that his buddy had lobbed his way and instinctively fought fire with fire.

"Yes, sir.  An eyelash - a long one.  Oh! And I've been meaning to ask if you and Kristy found everything you were looking for in the coat check earlier?"

Matt barked out a laugh and raised his glass and clinked Luke's "Touché, Bro.  And yes.  I'd say we did."

Tara had shaken her head with this gleam in her eye that said she was about to give them a thorough and well deserved teasing, but just as she started with "You two are-"

Penelope Garcia sped back into the reception room grinning wildly, dragging a compact muscular woman who was severely under dressed for the occasion in a pair of khakis, a purple baseball cap with some sort of rainbow decal on the brim, and a light turquoise mixed media puffer jacket with knit sleeves.  

Luke couldn't have taken his eyes off Penelope - she was, as always, vibrant - sparkling - brimming over with an intensity of caring that he wanted simultaneously to bask in, protect, and stoke like a fire.  

"Hey Everyone! Over here! David and Krystal have one last thing to announce and then we shall send them on their merry MARRIED way!"

Rossi and Krystal were holding on to each other smiling.  This time it was Krystal who spoke up first…grinning at her daughter…her best friends, her siblings who had joined the party, and then at the BAU team and Rossi's daughter - her new family.

"Well everyone!  This has been an amazing night!  Now I have a story to tell! When we were planning - I shared with David that, if nothing else, my years dealing cards on the strip had taught me that Friends Always Make Sure Friends Get Home Safe.  And he - as per usual - had a million dollar idea ready to put my fears to rest.  So tonight - with a little help from Penelope and her longtime good friend and my new one: Cheryl-Jean Sparks!" the woman with Garcia took a little bow, "…we have prepared a surprise that is as out-of-this-world incredible as each and every one of you!"

✨💫⭐🚀⭐💫✨

Penelope looks up.  

He is so gorgeous in his pleasure - and it makes her ache. 

Luke's mouth is slack and he's gasping in short pants - his eyes keep drifting closed like Sergio's do when she rubs his ears 'just so' - but unlike her cat, Luke is fighting it - like he doesn't want to miss a second of the view. 

His face is flushed. He's sweating.  He must be boiling in his suit jacket.  Damn - he's even still wearing his tie.  

Suddenly, Penelope is acutely aware of how little of his body she's actually seen - even as her head bobs and her mouth covers and sucks and becomes intimately knowledgeable of the shape and feel of one of his most private places.

She slows - just holds his cock in her mouth - she sucks hollowing her cheeks and is rewarded with Luke convulsively fisting her hair. Slowly oh so slowly and carefully she starts pulling back - still sucking hard - pulsing her tongue. 

Above her Luke makes a noise that is part grunt, part moan and part ah! Ah! AH!  Delicious. She breaths through her nose as she comes to the tip - letting her jaw relax and soften around his silkenly hard cock - and swirls her tongue literally languorously around the head - then she is off but places little kisses to the tip before standing - her way of making sure Luke's little erotic soldier knows it has not felt the last of her lips and tongue and wet soft mouth yet - a little goodbye mixed with a promise to return.

Heady stuff.

✨💫⭐🚀⭐💫✨

Rossi's eyes glinted with amusement.  

"So, as my dear Nona used to say, we've made an arrangement."

Krystal cackled "An offer we hope you don't refuse."

At this a small army of valets in full smart uniforms complete with caps and white gloves had marched in.  There were women valets - men valets - non-binary valets - some old - some young - and others who seemed ageless - short - tall - fat - thin - but all were proper as a shiny copper penny and all of them were smiling genuinely.  

Each one was beaming at the shocked guests.

✨💫⭐🚀⭐💫✨

Luke is flooded with another wave of joy so intense that his knees almost buckle.  The feeling is somehow magnified a thousand fold when it hits him that his feelings and nature are in concert - as Penelope presses a final kiss - for now - to the tip of his wanting cock -the edge of the sky is starting to glow and the sun is just raising its sleepy golden head above the horizon. 

As Penelope rises to her feet before him - somehow sliding gracefully up his body - the graze of her dress-sheathed breasts making him shiver despite feeling like he's almost inside a bonfire - her ringed fingers reaching for his tie.

Penelope leans so her perfect smart lips are right at his ear.

"You are so hot.  Let me help you off with this formal attire. Time to get more comfortable, my friend." 

Luke cups her cheek - guides her face so that she is looking into her eyes.

"Your lover."

She glows up at him so he kisses her.

They are flying.

✨💫⭐🚀⭐💫✨

Penelope's voice had been excitedly brassy as she jumped in with her part of the explanation.

"So my happy job tonight, oh fraptuously fabulous fancy friends, is to explain how this is going to work.  So firstly, as you may have guessed, Mr David Rossi SUPER SPECIAL AGENT, FAMOUS AUTHOR, SPIFFY SPOUSE, AND THE BEST TYPE OF FRIEND as a gift for all of us, but especially for his beautiful bride's peace of mind, has arranged for this army of the best drivers in Washington to drive all your vehicles to your final destination of the evening!"

There was applause but Penelope had cut it off.

"Yes! Yes! Amazing right?!? But wait! Hold your applause and understandable whoops of glee.  There's more!"

✨💫⭐🚀⭐💫✨

Neither would be able to explain it later, but their kiss dissolves into a laughing smoosh.  Mirth bubbles up in both of them and they are holding each other up helplessly against swooping giggles.

"You are re-cock-ulous, Luke Alvez!"

"Me?!? You're the one who-"

"Yeah. Yeah.  But, I did prove I could keep a secret - here let's get this tie and jacket off you.  You must be broiling.  In fact, if you want to strip your top right off, I'm on board for that - I am in the mood for some nipple kissing."

"Hmmm will you be baring your nipples too?"

The naked hope (or is that hope of nakedness) in Luke's voice is adorable.

Penelope can't help but give him her best impression of the game face he gave her earlier tonight and repeat his line…

"Later."

✨💫⭐🚀⭐💫✨

Penelope crowed at her audience.

"That's right, while these amazing individuals are more than happy to have passengers… so are Cheryl-Jean and her crew!"

With that - a second army - this time dressed much more like Cheryl-Jean - every last one of them wearing a purple hat with a rainbow decal on the brim.  As they crowded into the room - pulling the eyes of almost every guest away from the gorgeous Penelope Garcia - Luke watched as Cheryl-Jean passed Penelope an identical purple hat which Penelope exuberantly perched on her head over her perfectly coiffed blond and blue hair.

"So?", Cheryl-Jean called out to the crowd, "can we of - Up Up and Away Ballooning - offer any of you a lift?"

✨💫⭐🚀⭐💫✨

Penelope pulls off the tie then turns to her chart and the instruments. 

"Here, you finish undressing. Nipples out if you please, sir!"

"Yes, Captain!", and Luke starts unbuttoning his shirt, watching Penelope confidently adjust the burner flame so they will rise a bit higher, "Honestly, Pen, I can't believe you kept it a secret from everyone that you're a licenced commercial hot air balloon pilot! Heck, I can hardly believe you are a licensed hot air balloon pilot! It's absolutely bonkers."

"That reminds me, I had better just radio down to let our chase car and let them know everything's shipshape," she lifts the handset to her lips and presses the call button, "Purple Sparkle to Crew"

"This is Purple Sparkle Crew"

"Purple Sparkle at 1200 feet heading North West at 5. Head toward Wal-Mart"

"North West at 5. Heading toward Wal-Mart. T minus 20?" 

"T20. Roger."

And Penelope Garcia, ad hoc Balloon pilot extraordinaire, turns off the radio with a decisive click.

"...and now we can finish our sexy side adventure before we land - about 20 minutes as long as nothing crazy happens.  I really hadn't meant to pilot tonight - good thing we didn't have those shots and I didn't drink anything more after our first interlude. What a kerfuffle at take-off.  Oh well!  Happy Accident as it turned out, don't you think?"

Penelope steps forward reaching out so she can admire his shirtless chest with questing fingers.  She pressed kisses to each nipple as promised - then tickles the copper flat pebbly rounds with her pink tongue  

He is so beautiful she is breathless - again.  

His hands go to her bare forearms - stroking her soft skin with his thumbs. 

"Yeah. Very happy. Hey, is there anything else I can do to help? I mean besides nuding myself up and watching to make sure we're nowhere near trees or anything when you're uh busy."

"I'll let you know - for now…"

Penelope knees back down - letting her hands trace down his torso so he shivers - and then grins up at him and finishes what she was saying.

"…for now….just…promise to enjoy the view, Handsome."

His fingers find their way back into her hair and he laughs - feeling for the first time in a long time like all his troubles have floated away….

"That I can do."

✨💫⭐🚀⭐💫✨

So it was quickly explained that guests could either have their cars driven home with them as passengers or they could take a ride in one of the balloon's Rossi had hired - and the valet would follow the crew chase car and then they could either drive home themselves or the valet would drive them home from the landing site.

Before anyone was allowed to decide one way or another, the group had been ushered out into the field outside the grand hotel and was met with a glowing congress of hot air balloons.  There was every colour imaginable and the sight was pure magic - so beautiful that even those who had privately sworn their feet would stay on the ground - decided they just had to go for a ride.

Almost more wondrous than the sight of the glowing balloons - was the revelation that Penelope had gotten her commercial pilots license half a decade ago after meeting Cheryl-Jean through the grief support group she volunteered with.  

Every single member of the BAU was gobsmacked and each took a turn hugging her and marveling over this secret accomplishment.

Luke had been the last to hug her (finally!) and she had challenged him then and there - in front of everyone - to ride in a balloon with her. And he - with just enough “no no no you’ll push me out over a cow pasture in the middle of nowhere” to convince observers that he wasn’t internally fist pumping in triumph - grudgingly allowed himself to be convinced - especially once he was made to understand that Penelope would not be piloting tonight - so there would be a chaperone to keep him from plummeting. 

But then on take off - there had been as Penelope would call it a kerfuffle - and somehow (Luke had kept his suspicions to himself) their balloon - which had been scheduled to take off 4th with Emily and Tara joining them - had been cut loose early before Tara and Emily and the pilot - who had just stepped out briefly to take a call from her wife had not been on board - but Cheryl-Jean had shouted at them “Oh you’re fine - just control your ascent - we’ll use your usual call name - ok Penelope?  We'll put these two on Sky Rider! She's ready to go with no passengers assigned.” 

 …And off they had flown literally into the wild blue yonder. 

The first part of the flight had kept Penelope busy - checking the charts and the instruments - controlling the propane burner so that they gained height - communicating with her ground crew in the chase vehicle - charting potential emergency landing spots - but eventually they had been floating high high high up - on their own in the night sky and Penelope had a few minutes to give Luke the tour - and then - she had looked at him with a grin - showed him how to run the propane - told him to tell her if he noticed anything in their airspace - and then with a mischievous wink had fallen to her knees in front of him and said:

 “Well, Luke - I think later is just about now?  Do you agree?” 

And he had. He had agreed wholeheartedly.

✨💫⭐🚀⭐💫✨

Luke looks down at the blond bobbing head and the ringed perfectly manicured fingers wrapped around the base of his cock and then up at the orange and pink streaks of dawn sun blooming on the skyline.  The two gorgeous unbelievable views fight for surpemecy while the erotic sensations radiating from his cock clamour for his full attention - chasing through his body like electricity running down a line.

Penelope hums against his dick and swirls her tongue over the hot silken skin pulled tight over the evidence of his arousal and sensations win.  

"Fuck Pen.  That feels amazi-ahhhhh fuck-fuck…" 

Penelope sucks - slow - hard - then hums again - then inhales and sucks and then hums - her quim tightens in time with her ministrations - her breasts buzz with arousal - heavy in the built in bra of her crazy wonderful dress - part of her wants to stand and beg him to fuck her - so she can cum for the second time on his hard length - cum for the third time tonight - but part of her wants to even the score have him cum in her mouth the way she came on his earlier tonight.  

Fair is fair.  

So Penelope slips her free hand from where it is resting on his thigh - trailing the backs of her fingers up - then turning her hand over - cupping his balls and then dragging up over his belly - smoothing over and around his hip - palming his ass cheek - pulling him into her - squeezing in an encouraging way so that he'll know he can pulse his hips if he wants.  

Luke doesn't just want - he is not sure he can stop himself - and Penelope catches his rhythm perfectly. She looks up at him - his chest is sheened with sweat - his nipples taught - she might cum just from the sight.  

Penelope wetly lets his cock free for just long enough to issue some important instructions. 

"Luke - I need you to cum in my mouth, ok?"

"Are you-"

"Yes, Luke. Luke, I want to swallow everything you can give me - but can you…can you…"

"Just - ah - fuck your hand is magic - just say what you w-aaah-nt, Chica. If I can - it'sahhhh yours''

"Can you - can you… play with one of your pecs - stroke your belly - please - while I…"

"Yes!  Penny just..please!"

He can't help it - he guides her mouth back on his cock - thank fuck - and then - oh fuck - her eyes are saucers when he grab at his pec  as asked - tweaks his nipple for her - runs his hand roughly over his belly - arching - groaning - for her as he grabs back at his chest. 

In return, fair is fair, she sucks hard as he grabs at himself for her - and her cunt tightens too - and she mirrors his grip with the hand on his ass.  

Luke is pincered in an erotic hold that makes him starts to tremble and bow - part giving in - part holding back not wanting to explode too soon and end this exquisite wracking storm that has him in its grip.

There are no games now - just rhythm - Luke hangs on to the edge of the basket with his free hand for dear life - fucking her mouth in short jerky thrusts - clawing at his own chest and belly because he thrills at how much touching himself pleases her - the feelings inside of him are rising now - sensations chasing through him - rising like the damn sun on the horizon - threatening to shatter him into a million tiny erotic pieces.  

Penelope is now doing something more intense to his cock - it is part sucking part long tongue lashes while at the same time her hand that had been on her ass is moving around him in these round encouraging strokes - big circles of touch egging him on - then she drags her fingers down the front of his thigh and then oh fuck  he feels her slip her hand between his ahhh legs and then cup ahh cup ahh cup his balls - so he pinches a nipple - bitting the inside of his lip so he doesn't explode - and then and then - ahh fuck oh fuck - and then - oh fuck - her fingers slip back and those clever amazing fingers are pushing up hard - oh fuck - oh fuck - oh fuck - on the taught skin just behind his balls and Luke is lost - he is letting go - hoarsely crying out - Pen - nelllll-  oooh- ohhh - ohhh- peeeee - the orgasm wracks his whole body - his balls push hot streaming sweet salty semen up and out and in to her wet waiting triumphant mouth - he is pulsing thrusting crying out - emptying emptying - her wet open sucking glorious so fucking gorgeous mouth smiling - smiling - around his cock.  Then - oh then - oh fuck - a strangled grunting cry of "Pen! Pen! Pen! Pen!!" accompanies his spending thrusts and he squeezes both his pec and the rim of the basket so hard he is seeing more stars than just those that have not faded from the night sky.  

Penny for her part - swallows as she sucks him through his explosion - his orgasm though is catching and she is suddenly there with him - her breasts blooming like roses - her cunt clenching hard in time with his thrusts and his fucking terrific out of this world cries and grunts - just hearing those sounds would have been enough for her but there is so much more and  - now oh fuck now - the peak of release screams through her body like wind billowing through a mountain pass - she forces her eyes to stay open - not wanting to miss a moment of the unforgettable sight of this kind brave beautiful man letting down his guard and giving into his pleasure with her.  For her.

Because of her.

Penelope swallows one last time and licks her lips.  Luke hauls her up - needing badly to kiss her - devour her. 

The kiss is wild and his wet messy softening cock rolls against the silken folds of her dress and his naked chest presses against both dress and naked cleavage - and the feeling for both of them is a strong louche bizarre mix of safety and luxury and the forbidden.

Just then the radio crackles to life.  

The crew wants an update.  

Penelope untangles herself - deftly checking instruments and adjusting the burner - speaking as clearly and unshakily as possible into the radio - finding a place to land - relaying their eta - starting their controlled descent.

Luke tidies himself, buttons back on his shirt - pushing his shirt tails into his pants - balancing on his toes as he zips his fly - stuffs his tie in his jacket pocket.  

Penelope is looking everywhere but him - but he doesn't mind…there will be time for talking…and, if what she said is true, more…later.

Finally, Penelope looks at him - serious at first but her expression then breaks into its very own sunrise of delight - and dawn is beautiful.

Luke grins back.

"This has been a very - ah - memorable night, Chica."

"Oh Newbie, what are friends for?"

They grin shyly - knowingly - at each other and then, together, they prepare for landing.

Master List | List of One Shots & Happy Versions  | Micro-Garvez

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#garvez #criminal minds #luke alvez #penelope garcia #matt simmons #tara lewis #david rossi #garvez smut

[hayscodings]

penelope blossom in anatomy of a murder

#riverdale #penelope blossom #nathalie boltt #riverdaleedit #penelopeblossomedit #parentdaleedit #fyeahriverdale #riverdaleladiesdaily #riverdalecentral #riverparents #parentdale #riverdale gifs #my gifs #my edits #riverdale mine #mine #her sad little face in this scene... #i'll never get over #this show focused so much on cheryl's pain re: jason #when it should have dedicated just as much time to showing us penelope's #there's nothing like having to bury your own child #and to then discover that it was your own husband (and brother...) who murdered him? #penelope trusted clifford #he was all she had since they were kids #in killing jason he betrayed her worse than anyone ever did #and that's saying a lot #this scene just breaks my heart because penelope looks so vacant but she's trying so hard #clifford says they'll finally have peace and she says /jason/ will finally have peace #and then she addresses the table and says they can all start over #i just...i have a lot of feelings

[a-simple-gaywitch]

“I’m SO Fired”

Spencer Reid x Reader

Summary: Spencer falls in love with Dave Rossi’s adopted daughter

Word Count: 2038

Warnings: canon-typical violence, mentions of brutal case, mentions of death of parents, that’s it. it’s mostly fluff

“Don’t tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass.” -Anton Chekhov

~

Spencer was leaning over Emily’s desk, helping her with some details of her paperwork. He glanced up and noticed a beautiful woman briefly talking to Anderson before entering through the glass doors. 

“Reid. Reid!” Emily said, snapping her fingers to get his attention. 

“What? Oh, sorry.”

Emily shook her head. “And just like that, 187 gets slashed to 60.”

The woman walked over to the desk with the two. “Uh, hi,” you said. “Is Dave Rossi here?”

“Oh, um, he should be here. Did you- do you have a meeting with him?” Spencer asked. 

“Kind of,” you said with a small laugh that made Spencer’s stomach flutter. “I’m-”

“(Y/N)!” Hotch said when he saw you. 

“Aaron!”

Emily and Spencer exchanged glances as you gave Aaron a brief hug. 

“Are you here to see your dad?” he asked you. 

“Yeah, is he here?”

“He should be in his office. How long are you in town?”

“Just the weekend,” you said. “But I’m coming back in June for vacation.”

“Well, I’ll let you go see your dad,” Hotch said. As you walked up the stairs, he turned to see Spencer gawking at you. Emily looked at Hotch apologetically. Hotch sighed and said, “Reid, focus on your paperwork, not (Y/N) Rossi.”

~

You knocked on the office door, waiting to hear your father’s voice. 

“Come in!” You pushed open the door and your adoptive father’s face lit up. “Tesorina!” he said, getting up to kiss your cheeks. “I was wondering when you were getting in. How’s work? And what about that boyfriend of yours? Anything-”

“Dad,” you said, cutting him off. “I’ll tell you everything you want to know at dinner. But you promised you’d introduce me to your team the next time I was in town.”

“I did promise that, didn’t I?” he said, pushing up from his desk. He slung his arm around your shoulder and steered you out of his office. The team was gathered in the bullpen, and they all turned to face Rossi when he cleared his throat. “Guys, this is my daughter, (Y/N).” He then introduced each team member to you, save for Aaron.

“Wow, Rossi, I didn’t know you even had a daughter,” Morgan said. 

“Gee, Dad, you don’t talk about me to your coworkers? I’m hurt,” you said, pressing your hand over your heart. 

Rossi rolled his eyes. “Drama queen.”

“So, you’re a Rossi?” Emily asked you. 

“Not biologically. Dave adopted me when I was five,” you explained.

“Initially, I was just fostering her for a little while, but I fell in love with this little rascal,” he said, ruffling your hair.

You set about fixing your hair. “Well, I gotta run. See you at the house for dinner?”

“Yeah, I should be done around 6. Don’t get into trouble.”

“Me, get into trouble? When have I ever been known to do that?” You shot a wink at the man you now knew to be Dr. Reid before leaving the BAU.

Spencer’s cheeks turned pink and he felt Rossi’s eyes on him. He looked down at his desk, busying himself with organizing his pen cup. When he heard Rossi’s office door close, he let out a breath he hadn’t known he’d been holding. 

Derek rolled his chair over to Spencer’s desk. “You’re looking a little flushed there, Pretty Boy. That wouldn’t have anything to do with Ms. Rossi, would it?”

“Shut up, Morgan,” he muttered, focusing on folding a small piece of paper on his desk into even smaller squares.

~

Dave walked into his house (mansion) to the smell of garlic bread and tomato sauce. He smiled and set his coat on the rack by the door. 

“You know, I would have cooked!” he called as he made his way to the kitchen. You were setting the table for the both of you. 

“Yes, but how often do you actually cook?” you asked him as you poured two glasses of red wine. “You’re always away on cases, I know how much fast food and takeout you eat. Now shut up and enjoy my carbonara.”

Dave chuckled and sat down at the table across from you. “So, how’s work going?” he asked you. 

You shrugged. “You know, there’s good days and bad days. We had a brother and his little sister get adopted together this week, which is always one of the big wins for us.”

He nodded. “What about that boyfriend of yours, Chad?”

“Oh, we broke up,” you said. “About a month ago.”

“Good, I didn’t really like him.”

“Dad, you say that about every guy I date.”

“And it’s true, I haven’t liked any of the guys you’ve dated.”

“Yeah, the only guys you’ve liked have been the ones you’ve tried to set me up with.”

“That’s not true!”

“Dad, remember Stephen?”

“I thought you would be a good match, honest. And before you say it, it’s not just because I’m overly protective.”

“So, we can admit you’re overprotective of me?” you said. 

“Of course I am. And can you blame me?”

“I guess not,” you said with a shrug. “And you could be worse. I could still be living here.”

“Oh, come on. Would that be so bad, having a huge house mostly to yourself?”

“Well, no, but I like living in Pennsylvania,” you said. “And I like having an apartment.” Your father gave you a skeptical look. “Stop profiling me.”

“Sorry, it’s hard to turn it off.” He took a sip of his wine. “You’re planning to go to the cemetery tomorrow, aren’t you?”

“I do every year, you know that.”

“Yeah. They’d be so proud of you, you know.”

You smiled down at your plate and pushed the pasta around. “I know. I, uh, I don’t have many memories of them anymore,” you said. “But the one I’ve been trying to get rid of is still there.”

Dave reached across the table and grabbed your hand. “Hey. Your parents loved you, so much. That’s all you need to remember, okay? They loved you so much that they sacrificed themselves for you.”

“Yeah.”

You lost your parents when you were five. There was a serial killer in the Greater DC Area, a family annihilator. He’d called himself the Orphan Maker. The man would seek out young families with kids no older than 8 and kill the parents first, in front of the children. Then he would kill the children. 

Rossi had been on that case, and had found that your family was the next target. Unfortunately, they did not get to your family before the man killed your parents. But fortunately, they caught him before he could get you. 

Rossi felt guilty they didn’t make it in time. When the law officers found that you didn’t have any family to take you in, Dave offered to bring you home. The plan was to originally just be a foster parent to you until CPS found a place for you to stay officially. But he fell in love with you. You were a little spitfire, a little troublemaker. Dave adopted you and dedicated the rest of his life to taking care of you and protecting you.

~

“Hey, Rossi!” Morgan said as he met the man in the kitchen to get coffee. “How was your weekend with (Y/N)?”

Rossi noticed Reid’s back straighten at the mention of (Y/N)’s name. He smiled to himself, a plan forming in his head. It was a bit of a convoluted plan, but it would work out for everyone in the end. 

“Oh, it was fine. She made me watch an episode of that show Reid and Garcia like.” He glanced over at Spencer’s desk and noticed he was listening intently. “I agreed since she’s still recovering from a recent breakup.”

“Is she okay?” Derek asked. “I know breakups can really suck.”

“She’ll be okay, she bounces back quick. I didn’t like the guy anyway. He was a meathead jock who thought being the high school quarterback was his entire personality. I want her to find a guy who’s smart and kind, someone I like.” He walked out of the kitchenette and passed Reid’s desk. He clapped his shoulder. “Morning, Reid.”

~

You were back in the area for a week-long vacation, and Dave had promised to go sight-seeing in DC with you. 

You walked into the bullpen and were greeted by Penelope, who had quickly become your friend. She wrapped you in a hug before Rossi made his way over to you. 

“Hey, Dad. You ready to go?” you asked after giving him a hug.

“Um, actually, I have to work late. But, you know, Dr. Reid here,” Spencer’s head snapped up from where he was packing his bag at the mention of his name, “knows more about the area than anyone I know. He can show you around. Right, Reid?”

Spencer looked like a deer caught in the headlights. He cleared his throat. “Uh, yeah. Yeah, sure.”

You smiled at him and Spencer felt the butterflies that were already in his stomach go crazy. The two of you walked out of the office, Spencer nervously gripping the strap of his bag while you walked alongside him. 

Penelope looked at Rossi narrowing her eyes. “You don’t have to work late.”

Rossi smiled. “No.”

Penelope gasped. “You’re trying to set them up, aren’t you?”

“I will neither confirm nor deny,” Rossi said before walking back to his office. 

~

“So, Dr. Reid,” you said as the two of you walked out of the FBI building, “I heard you’re a huge Doctor Who fan.”

Spencer turned to look at you, losing his footing and tripping on the sidewalk. He straightened himself up and cleared his throat. “You, uh, you can call me Spencer. And yeah, I’m-I’m a fan.”

You smiled and Spencer thought the sun had come out again with the brightness you radiated. “Who’s your favorite? Personally, I’m a Tennent girl, but Baker is a close second.” Spencer was staring at you, his jaw dropped. “What?”

“You might be the hottest girl I’ve ever met.”

~

When Spencer woke up, the first thing he noticed was the beautiful woman asleep next to him, her head on his bare chest. He smiled and ran his hand through your hair as you started stirring.

“Morning,” he said as you looked up at him, resting her chin on his chest. 

“Morning, Pretty Boy.” You saw his smile falter and his eyes go wide. “What’s wrong?”

“I’m so fired,” he said. “I slept with my boss’s daughter. I’m so fired. No, I’m more than fired. I’m dead. Rossi is going to kill me.”

“Hey. Spence, breathe,” you said, cupping his face in your hands. “He’s not going to do anything to you. And if he tries, he’ll face my wrath.”

Spencer chuckled. “Well, after that guy drove through that puddle and splashed you last night, I believe it.” He was silent for a moment as the two of you sat up in the bed. Spencer wrapped his arms around you, pulling your back to his chest. “What are you going to tell him when you go home?”

You shrugged, leaning your head back. “The truth. I got to know a sweet guy last night and I stayed the night at his place.”

Spencer smiled and gave you a soft kiss.

~

You slipped into the Rossi Manor, feeling like a teenager missing curfew again. You got about halfway through the kitchen before hearing Dave clear his throat. You spun around to see him standing by the kitchen island with a cup of coffee. 

“Oh, uh, morning, Dad.”

“So, you were out all night.”

“Yep.”

“And you’re wearing the same clothes.”

“Uh-huh.”

“Who is he?” When you didn’t answer, he said, “Spencer?”

Your face paled. “How did-”

“You didn’t really think you could hide that from an old profiler, did you?” He handed you the mug. “Don’t worry, I approve. I’d be more than happy to have Spencer as a son.”

“Dad!”

~

“I would rather share one lifetime with you than face all the ages of this world alone.” - J.R.R. Tolkien 

#spencer reid x reader #spencer reid #x reader #rossi!reader #criminal minds #em's fics

[goldentournesol]

The Receptionist and the Profiler (Seven)

Chapter Seven: Sweet Fulfilment

(Spencer Reid x f!Reader)

Series Masterlist

General Masterlist

The silence that fell upon them in Rossi’s backyard was so heavy, no one dared to break it. Derek was brave enough to stand and follow Y/N into the house, most likely to drive her home. The rest received the message and began to dwindle away, until only Ashley and Spencer were left.

Spencer absentmindedly fiddled with the top of his cane, still stunned into silence from Y/N’s heavy confession. He could feel Ashley’s eyes on him, but didn’t bother looking at her. His mind was racing ten times faster than it ever had before.

Ashley breathed out a sigh and kept it simple and straightforward, “Do you love her?” She asked softly. 

He wished to hear some malice in her tone, thinking it might make him feel something other than shock, but all he heard was curiosity. He didn’t even have to think to find the answer, but which answer was he willing to give?

“Yes.” He said, not even having the audacity to see the reaction it brought upon her eyes. 

He should have felt horrible for hurting Ashley, but he couldn’t bring it upon himself to feel anything but relief as he replayed Y/N’s words in his head. He heard her move to stand up and remained motionless as she left him on the couch. She went inside and Spencer deduced that she’d probably already taken her car and returned home. He’d have to find a different ride home but that was the least of his problems right now.

No one knew what to tell him as he passed them in the spacious living room a half hour later. No one knew where to start with him, but their unrelated hushed conversations continued on. Y/N had stupefied them all, but him especially. His heart should have been soaring because of her confession, but he knew he’d have to give Ashley a proper goodbye. She deserved one, even though he had quite literally used her in the most ungentlemanly of ways. He hadn’t let themselves get too invested in the relationship, though. He’d always kept her at arm’s length for fear of getting too attached. 

The next day, he’d promptly gone to her apartment and given a heartfelt apology. She’d let him know how hurt she was and that she was not going to be returning to the BAU. He still felt bad, but once again, he felt like he could breathe. Like the air knew its way back to his lungs. 

The weekend came and went, silence on both ends. Both lovers just stewing in their own pots. Both pots teeming with unadulterated, unconditional love and affection for one another. It could barely be contained at this point. Time seemed to float by and before they knew it they were back in the office. A new month had just begun. She felt new, she felt like she’d peeled off a layer of her skin, one that had been holding her back, trapping her within the confines of herself.

With the new month, she was called in early to have the routine monthly meeting with Hotch where they went over the itinerary of the next month. They liked to plan whatever they could given that half of the BAU’s job was unpredictable.

“So, I have here the form that Strauss asked for. Also, the 6th floor’s printer is a literal piece of junk and I’ve typed up a formal proposal so that maybe we could get a new one? I coordinated with Penelope about the funds and she says there are sufficient funds for a new printer.” Y/N said, handing Hotch a typed document. 

Even after all these years, her dedication to this job continues to blow him away. He’d come to see her as a work-daughter. He has taught her so much over the past few years and he’ll always have a special place in her heart. He nodded, glancing over the document.

“Great, I trust you and Penelope will pick an adequate printer.” He paused, sending her a smile. He noticed the slight glimmer in her eye, “I know you’ve been having a rough few months, Y/N, and it’s not technically my place to get involved in your personal life, as your boss, but as your friend, I hope you know that I am available to help you in any way I possibly can.”

Her whole face formed into a fond smile, “Thanks, Hotch and yes, I know.” She chuckled slightly.

“You are a dedicated employee and a wonderful person. If you ask me--” He was interrupted by his office door slamming open, showcasing an absolutely beaming Dr. Spencer Reid in the doorway.

“Hotch, I am so sorry to interrupt your meeting,” Spencer’s eyes flew from Hotch to Y/N, his attention now zeroed in on her. He leaned into the office, not fully entering, “are you free for dinner tonight?” he asked in a rushed manner, as if not getting a fast answer would somehow make him lose all the confidence he’d mustered up.

“M-me? Yes! I mean, yes, I’m free tonight.” Y/N answered, flustered at the interruption as well as the question. Spencer’s face split into a grin and he tapped the doorframe once awkwardly.

“Great, then...it’s a date.” He raised his brows and tried to lessen his grin as he snuck a glance at Hotch before gracelessly forming his lips into a line and scurrying out of the small office.

Y/N turned back to Hotch quickly with eyes widened with disbelief and a face totally failing to contain the utter joy she felt, “I’m sorry, what were you saying?”

Hotch only responded with a knowing smile at the precious interaction he’d just witnessed firsthand.

First dates were supposed to be awkward, however, their first date was anything but. Spencer had showed up with a fresh haircut, his shoulder length hair cut into a dreamy, swoopy style that sat along his forehead comfortably. It was so much more attractive than Y/N could outwardly-or inwardly- admit. His knee was now fully healed and no longer needed his cane which allowed them to walk around the city freely.

They’d both realized how stupid and blind they’ve been over the years. Y/N confessed to feeling especially stupid for staying with Anderson for so long, even when she had realized her true feelings for Spencer. Time had passed them by like it was nothing. 

Spencer, like the true gentleman he is, insisted he’d walk her home. He’d feel more comfortable knowing she was safe, not to mention that he was extremely curious about her new apartment. He hadn’t expected Y/N to invite him in, but of course she did, because that was who she was. She was warm and inviting, and if she was being honest, she didn’t want the night to end yet.

“I’m sorry about the mess, I haven’t really been in the right headspace these past few weeks.” She said, walking him inside. He took a look around and noticed a few unpacked boxes out of place but he definitely wouldn’t characterize it as messy. 

He chuckled softly and shrugged, “Trust me, it’s fine.” Her shoulders dropped with relief slightly and she returned his lightheartedness by smiling and flopping onto the couch.

“It’s been so long since I’ve lived on my own. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to the silence.” Y/N said, but only realized how sad it must have sounded after she said it. Spencer took a seat next to her on her small, but comfortable couch.

“I feel quite the opposite, I think I’ve been living on my own for--for a long time.” He said, thinking back to his days but pushing away the especially dark parts. 

She dared to glance at him, seeing him in her space was so...different. So refreshing. It’s like this apartment needed Spencer in it for it to feel complete. Or maybe that was her heart speaking. Maybe both the apartment and her heart needed Spencer to feel whole. Her glance had long been forgotten and had turned into a longing gaze instead.

“Spencer, I-” She gazed at him, feeling the words get caught up in her throat before she could have had the chance to voice them. Besides, what words would ever be able to convey the way she felt towards him? 

Words escaped her when he looked at her like that--all soft eyes and a fond, lopsided smile, despite his curiosity at her interrupted sentence. She made the mistake of glancing at his lips, the lips that were so appealing, practically calling her name. The ones she’d caught herself daydreaming about for years and years on end. His proximity was intoxicating and before she could doubt herself, she closed the gap between them, her hands attaching themselves to the lapels of his blazer to pull him ever so slightly closer.

His lips were just as warm and inviting as she’d remembered them, but this time the kiss tasted sweeter, it was no longer tainted with suppressed guilt and confusion. His lips tasted like certainty. It was clear that she’d finally found what she’d been missing all these years. The gentle push and pull of the kiss was invigorating to them both. His slightly calloused hands found her flushed cheeks, each thumb delicately caressing the delicate skin beneath the pads of his fingers. They’d savored the kiss so much that when they pulled away, two, three, four tender, short kisses followed the initial one.

Almost as if they’d never get enough of each other. Like if the world was ending, it wouldn’t matter, they’d go peacefully, knowing that this is what it was like. That this is what quenched thirst felt like.

“I love you.” She murmured against his lips, breath uneven. She’d known it for as long as she could remember and he’d known it too, but she was past the point of timidness to admit it now. There’s no use in prolonging it, not when she was this certain. 

The pad of his thumb traced a line across her jaw slowly as he heard the words. His face couldn’t contain his smile, teeth almost clashing into each other from their closeness. His warm, amber eyes flitted to hers, visible comfort and reassurance filling his irises. He was transported back to Rossi’s garden when he’d first told her he loved her. She knew, she knew he loved her too, which is why it was so easy.

“I love you, too.” He murmured back, pressing another passionate kiss to her lips, as a quiet admission of love. She could feel the tears gather underneath her closed lids almost as quickly as relief flooded her chest.

They’d decided to keep things under the radar for a while, neither of them too eager to showcase their relationship to the world just yet, excluding Hotch of course. They did their best anyway--or at least they thought they did. Their recent smiley faces and cheery attitudes were not invisible to America’s top profilers and well, Penelope, who was perhaps the sharpest of them all, despite not being trained to analyze behavior like the others.

Exactly two weeks after their first date, Penelope cornered Y/N at her desk around lunchtime, right before the two lovebirds took their daily lunch walk. 

“Spill.” Penelope demanded, her colorful teapot earrings swayed, contradicting the sternness in her voice.

“What are you talking about?” Y/N gazed up at her with genuine confusion.

“Uh-uh, don’t give me that. I know something fishy is going on. I can smell it.” Penelope leaned in closer and began pointing fingers. Y/N barked a laugh.

“Garcia, nothing is going on. Please tell me what you’re talking about.” She laughed, amused at the sight of her friend being so outwardly nosey.

“You think I haven’t noticed you and Boy Wonder--” She was interrupted by a loud clearing of the throat noise from Spencer to announce his presence.

“Garcia, Derek said something about making hot chocolate in the kitchenette and you know how he dips the sugar spoon back into the chocolate mix? Yeah, you should probably--” Spencer lied through his teeth but Penelope wasted no time in rushing off to the kitchenette, groaning about how she hated finding extra sugar in the chocolate.

Spencer caught Y/N’s eye and they both burst out laughing. They quickly made their exit, whispering about how close of a call it was with Garcia. Little did they know, Rossi had caught every little bit of the very tender, intimate kiss they shared before the doors of the empty elevator had closed, leaving him shaking his head at the obliviousness of the two. 

The team decided to make a game out of it very quickly when they all realized. They wanted to see which of them could expose the couple the quickest.

 JJ found extreme joy in trying to set Y/N up with one of Will’s friends right in front of Spencer.

“Come on! This guy’s totally your type, Y/N.” JJ pushed, showing her a picture of a man on her phone, leaning towards her over the top of her desk. Y/N laughed uncomfortably and glanced with panic at Spencer who was watching curiously.

“I don’t know, I d-don’t think I have a type, JJ.” She tried to brush her off, continuing to laugh in discomfort. Emily and Derek almost split their lips as they bit them to try and keep from laughing. They watched Spencer shift nervously in his seat.

“I’m just not interested.” Y/N said, “Thanks, though.” JJ finally gave in and accepted that she’d lost the bet.

Emily tried her hand at “girl-talk”, hoping that maybe Y/N would slip up and tell her about Spencer, but to no avail. That woman’s lips were sealed shut.

Derek and Penelope both tried to follow them around but Spencer and Y/N were far too cautious at work now. Derek actually had to convince Penelope to take the moral high road and refrain from tracking their devices or hacking into their messages.

After trying and failing for so long, the team finally gave up on trying to rat them out and instead decided to respectfully wait for their announcement. 

Y/N realized that she hadn’t technically invited anyone over to her new apartment and decided to throw a somewhat delayed “welcoming party” for herself. She’d cooked dinner, which Spencer did his best to contribute to, decorated the place nicely, and invited the whole team over.

“Thank you all so much for being here. I know this has been a long time coming. I’ve missed our little get-togethers and thought it’d be fitting if I finally host one, given that I now have my own apartment.” Y/N spoke from her place at the head of the dinner table which had barely ever been used before this night. It was a tight squeeze, but her heart soared as she saw the faces of her caring coworkers and friends staring up at her. They all lifted their glasses and gave her a silent toast of appreciation.

Spencer stood from his seat that was to the right of Y/N’s and cleared his throat, “Also, we have an announcement to make.” He timidly began, catching the eager smiles. “Y/N and I are, finally, together.” He waited for the cheers of excitement but nothing but an eerie knowing silence befell the dinner table.

Something clicked in Y/N’s brain as she spotted Rossi handing Hotch something under the table not-so-discreetly, “You all knew?!” She gasped in disbelief. The team broke out into fits of laughter.

“The whole time!” Garcia guffawed. Spencer and Y/N shared a look of incredulity before breaking into laughter themselves. Y/N shyly hid her face in Spencer’s shoulder as he wrapped an affectionate arm around her back.

“You guys thought you were so sneaky.” Derek threw his head back, laughing.

“Wait, so what was all that about?” Y/N asked, referring to Rossi handing Hotch something, “You guys had a bet going?”

“Technically there were two bets going. Everyone else was determined to expose you, which they all failed at, thankfully, while Rossi and I had a separate bet. I said that you’d announce it first and Rossi apparently had more faith in the team.” Hotch explained, smirking triumphantly at Rossi, who appeared delighted despite having lost the bet.

“Bet or not, you two deserve each other. I’m glad you two are happy together. To the lovely couple.” Rossi raised his glass and everyone followed in pursuit.

Spencer turned to Y/N to place a sweet but chaste kiss on her lips, leading everyone to cheer in response.

There was little he could compare to the feeling he had then, but if he had to, he’d compare it to being whole.

previous chapter/epilogue

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thank you all for joining the ride, feedback is always appreciated!

#spencer reid #dr spencer reid #spencer reid fanfic #spencer reid fanfiction #Spencer Reid fic #spencer reid x reader #spencer reid masterlist #spencer reid series #spencer reid fluff #spencer reid angst #Criminal Minds #criminal minds fanfic #criminal minds fic #the receptionist and the profiler #cm

[alrightsnaps]

Sorry in advance for ranting a little here lol, but does anyone else feel like Chris Van Dusen pats himself on the back a little too much? It rubs me off the wrong way that he acts like his original characters are god sent when majority of us couldn’t care less about these random people’s storylines and he could spend more time developing the siblings (the show is called BRIDGERTON) for a readon. Also, unrelated, but did he forget school exists? Why isn’t Gregory at Eton? Why isn’t Colin at University considering he’s like 20 in the show? Again, I’m sorry, I’m just annoyed. As a Frannie stan, we’re being done dirty once again. Free our girl!!

Frannie stans, my beloved ❤️

I absolutely agree about original characters, I've complained about them in the past and I'll probably will many times in the future lmao. In a series of 8 episodes per season you have the opportunity to start developing the characters of the rest of the Bridgerton siblings prior to their own stories and their relationships with each other and the Bridgerton spouses. Same with the books’ secondary characters (Edwina and Mary, Posy, John etc). We only see glimpses of these relationships in the books and as far as I'm concerned it's one of the best things about the Bridgerton series. And instead of dedicating screen time to these characters you make up new ones each season, as if you don't have enough b-plots already?

The treatment of Francesca has got to be one of the most frustrating aspects of the show. They already wrote her off during the first season but I thought that was a one time thing and she'd be given her proper arc in the future like Benedict, Colin and Eloise. With Eloise's coming out this season, Francesca's isn't far behind. She heavily features in AOFAG and normally we should be getting Frannie and John's courtship in s03– which would require her to be an actual secondary character rather than making random guest appearances. If they keep up with the same nonsense in season 2, I'm not even sure we'll be getting that.

But I guess we have time for uninteresting b plots of original characters or having Philip show up three seasons before his actual story (at this point I won't be surprised if they manage to squeeze the Philoise story in over the next three seasons so the two will get together before they wrap the show in S04)?

If they planned to have Frannie as a random character that shows up once in a blue moon I don't know why they bothered including her in the first place. CVD clearly doesn't value her more than Gregory or Hyacinth. Meanwhile they've been promoting Eloise and Penelope like crazy since season 1.

Haha you're right about school (since the stories usually take place roughly from April to late June). With Gregory they could have him be at Eton during the first episodes and show up in the middle of the season, once the summer holidays begin (though I may be overestimating their attention to detail?), but with Colin they seem to have jumped straight to him travelling.

#bridgerton season 2 #asks #anon #francesca bridgerton

[diamcndgirl]

have you ever thought to yourself, “hmm, i love one direction and i love waltrp... i wonder what would happen if we gave every taken character a one direction song that reminds me of them??” well, don’t worry because even if it never crossed your mind because it did for me. i’m back once again with another silly little #waltmeme for you with songs by one direction or their solo albums that remind me of your characters. the choices can have something to do with a certain lyric, the title, or just the all around vibe it gives me that makes me think of them. don’t worry everything is under ‘read more’ and in alphabetical order-- or whatever order the taken list is in. p.s. not everyone has a blurb. but i still had a reason for everyone. if you really wanna know why just dm me and i'll give an explanation. love u mean it.

ALEJANDRO DIAZ - STOLE MY HEART / ONE DIRECTION

“you stole my heart with just one look” alejandro, my love, my heart. it’s clear the reason i chose this song is because it talks about having something stolen. but, you and your band of misfit criminal friends can steal my heart any day.

AURORA CAPULET - LITTLE THINGS / ONE DIRECTION

“i can’t let these little things slip out of my mouth” aurora you may be thinking.. this song talks about all my imperfections why would you pick such a thing? oh no! it’s not because i think you’re imperfect at all. it’s because i’m totally in love with all the little things that make you who you are.. and not to mention i couldn’t not give you a ballad. 

ANNA ARNADALR - HEY ANGEL / ONE DIRECTION

“hey angel do you ever try to come to the other side?” this whole song has anna vibes. anna, you’re an angel.. did you know that? well, angel… when you aren’t busy trying to fix your sisterly connection come to the other side and hang out with me.

BECKHAM TEAGUE - NICE TO MEET YA / NIALL

“i want your number tattooed on my arm in ink i swear.” the song, the lyrics, the vibe all just fits beckham’s personality very well. 

BENNET DOE - SWEET CREATURE / HARRY

“sweet creature running through the garden oh where nothing bothered us.”  sweet, soft, and lovely bennet.. sweet creature is one of my favorite songs in the world and it reminds me so much of you. i couldn’t pick a character better than you to give it to. 

BARLEY LIGHTFOOT - CANYON MOON / HARRY

“i keep thinking back to a time under the canyon moon.” lyrically this song doesn’t fit you, barley. not truly. but, aesthetically it reminds me of you very much. you’re adventurous and a little out there just like this harry styles tune. the bridge especially gives me a vibe of riding around in guinevere out on an adventure.

CASSANDRA JAGER - ONLY THE BRAVE / LOUIS

“tall stories on the page, short glories on the fade.” cassandra reminds me of strength and being brave (wink wink). and this song just reminds me of you, cass. though short it gives me a feeling like i can kick some ass. 

DANI DENNISON - THROUGH THE DARK / ONE DIRECTION

“oh i will carry you over fire and water for your love and i will hold you closer hope your heart is strong enough.” i love dani.. like really really love your sweet soul. she’s the cutest truly. just the sound and lyrics remind me so much of her and her heart to help the ones she cares about. 

DAPHNE BLAKE - LITTLE BLACK DRESS / ONE DIRECTION

“i wanna see the way you move for me, baby” clearly this song isn’t anything to write home about lyrically. but, when i hear this song i get all excited and ready to go take on the world. something about it makes me feel like i’m the hottest girl in the room and it should go to the hottest girl in the room.. which is you, daphne.

ELIZABETH MCQUEEN - WOMAN / HARRY 

“i hope you can see, the shape that I’m in while he’s touching your skin.” hi elizabeth.. this song is just hot. you’re just hot.. i really am jealous of monty and would take his place at any given moment if you let me.

ELSA ARNADALR - DON’T LET IT BREAK YOUR HEART / LOUIS

“don’t you let it kill you even when it hurts like hell. oh, whatever tears you apart don’t let it break your heart.” elsa, you’re truly the strongest girl i know. this song just radiates that energy of getting over what you’ve been through and not letting it break you down. 

EMILY LORELEYN - BLUE / ZAYN

“in the clouds where the angels sing. in your eyes, where i wanna be and her smile is all i see….. i need someone to love me blue.” emily is a goddess okay.. like she’s so beautiful and kindhearted. this song is so beautiful and then also the ‘love me blue’. reminds me of her origin and how she waited for love until she passed and turned blue. 

EUGENE FITZHERBERT - ONE WAY OR ANOTHER (TEENAGE KICKS) / ONE DIRECTION

“and when the lights are all out.. i’ll follow your bus downtown.” oh horace.. this whole song just fits you so well.. the teenage kicks mashup with the joan jett classic. it just embodies you so well. i don’t think i could’ve picked a better song for you. 

FLORIAN CHARMONT - NIGHT CHANGES / ONE DIRECTION

FRANCIS KYDD - SOMETHING GREAT / ONE DIRECTION

“come on, jump out at me. come on, bring everything. is it too much to ask for something great? the script was written and i could not change a thing. i want to rip it all to shreds and start again.” there isn’t a real lyrical reason i picked this song for you, francis. just something about it made me think of you. just gave me a feeling that it was theatrical enough for you, dear.

FRAN BERNOULLI - NO CONTROL / ONE DIRECTION

“i just can’t get enough of you the pedal’s down, my eyes are closed. no control” did i pick this song because you’re a race car driver and it made me giggle… yes, and because i haven an uncontrollable crush on you, fran. 

FRED FREDRICKSON - SAVE YOU TONIGHT / ONE DIRECTION

“i, i wanna save you. wanna save your heart tonight. he’ll only break ya. leave you torn apart inside.” fredzilla, my absolute favorite hero. i dedicate this to you. simple but effective.

FREDDY JONES - END OF THE DAY / ONE DIRECTION

GEORGIE FOXWORTH - SOUR DIESEL / ZAYN

GRACELYNN MOON - HAPPILY / ONE DIRECTION

this is my favorite one direction song, gracie and i’m giving it to you. so take care of it and understand that it’s upbeat sound reminds me of you and your cute behind.

HADES VASILIKAS - STOCKHOLM SYNDROME / ONE DIRECTION

you steal people. but if you stole me.. i’d fall in love. that’s all really.

HAVEN LEMOS - STEAL MY GIRL / ONE DIRECTION

HERCULES ZERVOUS - STRONG / ONE DIRECTION 

get it because you’re strong? hehe.

HOWL PENDRAGON - ILLUSION / ONE DIRECTION

IAN LIGHTFOOT - MAGIC / ONE DIRECTION

JACK FROST - LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW / LIAM

i’m sorry but i’m not sorry i chose this song for you, jack. feel free to hate me forever. 

JIM HAWKINS - WE MADE IT / LOUIS

KIARA SANTUCCI - NOBODY COMPARES / ONE DIRECTION

LILO PELEKAI -  SHE’S NOT AFRAID / ONE DIRECTION

LOGAN TEAGUE - TEENAGE DIRTBAG / ONE DIRECTION

LUCA PAGURO - SUMMER LOVE / ONE DIRECTION

MAEL CALCIFER - FIREPROOF / ONE DIRECTION

“i’m feeling something deep inside. hotter than a jet stream burning up.” i’d only want to be fireproof for you, mael. there is just something about you that wins my heart. i’d walk through fire for you.

MAVIS VADUVA - 

MEG DIMITRIOU - SHE / HARRY 

MOLLIE SILVER - KISS YOU / ONE DIRECTION

MONTY MCQUEEN - ROCK ME / ONE DIRECTION

“hit the pedal heavy metal, show me you care.” not only do i want you to rock me, monty. the only reason i chose this song is because i have a nascar inspired shirt for this and it reminds me of you. 

NALA OMITA - NEW ANGEL / NIALL HORAN

NUKA LEU - PILLOWTALK / ZAYN

ORION BARTHOLOMEW - KIWI / HARRY 

orion, are we sure you’ve never had a woman accuse you of being her baby daddy? either way, this songs vibe just makes sense for you, dear.

PENELOPE HAINLINE - GIRL ALMIGHTY / ONE DIRECTION

“she floats through the room on a big balloon. some say she’s such a fake that her love is made up.” penny, you are aware you’re the literal coolest girl in the world this song just proves it more. 

PHILIP CHARMONT - WOLVES / ONE DIRECTION

REAGAN CYMBELINE - SUNFLOWER VOL 6 / HARRY

“sunflower my eyes want you more than a melody.” reagan, besides the fact you’re a literal walking and talking sunflower there is just a sweet feeling i get when i hear this song and its the same feeling i get when i think of you. 

RITA HOLDEN - ONLY ANGEL / HARRY 

SADIE TEAGUE - KILL MY MIND / LOUIS

SIMBA SANTUCCI - TIO / ZAYN

SHAGGY ROGERS  - WHAT A FEELING / ONE DIRECTION

SOPHIE HATTER - ADORE YOU / HARRY

THACKERY BINX - SMALL TALK / NIALL

VITANI LEU - MIDNIGHT MEMORIES / ONE DIRECTION

“tell me that i’m wrong but i do what i please.” vitani, if anyone in elias is gonna say fuck you i’m doing what i want.. it’s you. 

VELMA DINKLEY  - BACK FOR YOU / ONE DIRECTION

VIDIA BELLEFONTE - SHE / ZAYN

WALLY AXIOM - PERFECT / ONE DIRECTION

WILL TURNER - LIKE I WOULD / ZAYN

#waltmeme

[unitchiefs-blackbirdphoenix]

Opportunities Will Come And Go

Summary: JJ leaves to run the New Orleans field office, and she and Emily have their last conversation with each other.

Read on AO3

Emily had heard the rumors. JJ was planning to leave D.C. to go to New Orleans with her family. The older woman frowned at the thought. She was leaving for the second time. How badly did JJ want to leave her home? On the one hand, Emily knows their job isn’t exactly the easiest one in the world. On the other, she knew JJ loved her job, and showed so much dedication and resilience.

Emily walked through the small aisle, picking at her fingernail and rubbing a thumb over it. Her eyes scanned over the jet to find the top of a blonde head. Taking a deep breath, she shook her head and slowly walked over to her, so as to not startle her.

JJ sensed movement in her peripherals, despite the music playing in her earphones, and looked up to see Emily sliding into the seat across from her. She brightly smiled at her and used one hand to shake the earphones out.

“Hey,” Emily softly greeted with a smile of her own, folding her hands together on the table. “Can I bug you for a second?”

JJ gave a small nod. “Please do.”

“There’s a rumor floating around.”

JJ scoffed, knowing who exactly told Emily. “Penelope.” Of course .

“Is New Orleans something you’re seriously considering?” Emily asked. It might have been a bit of wishful thinking, but JJ heard a pleading tone in her voice and her heart ached at the sound. Did Emily not want her to leave?

She shook her head and shrugged. “I don’t know. It… sort of came out of nowhere. B- but believe me, I’m not gonna do anything without consulting all of you first,” she tried her best to reassure Emily.

JJ found out she was offered to run the New Orleans field office when she and her family visited Will’s family in New Orleans. Initially, she was shocked that they wanted her to fill in that position, and was torn about leaving the BAU that she barely slept a wink on their flight back to D.C. JJ had kept the secret from the team, but tried to avoid Emily the most, as best as she possibly could. As far as JJ knew, she had only told Spencer and Penelope before work, but apparently it had spread amongst their coworkers.

“They would be lucky to have you.”

JJ couldn’t help but smile at Emily’s statement. All of a sudden, she felt her cheeks flush a light pink and she looked at the window, hiding her blush from the woman in front of her. Emily was always so proud of JJ, and the blonde readily accepted her compliments without hesitation or doubt. JJ was going to miss that.

“But,” Emily continued. “Something to factor in, you know, should things get serious. If I were to move on from my position, I had you in mind to take over as unit chief,” she finished, gauging in JJ’s reaction.

“Whoa, wait. Are you-” JJ blinked as she tried to comprehend Emily’s words. Was this a hypothetical question or a genuine one? She’s not leaving too, is she?

Emily shook her head. “No. At least, not until I’ve consulted with all of you,” she said. “But I wanted you to know that when you weigh your options.”

JJ shyly smiled again. She didn’t know what Emily meant by that offer, but she was flattered that she was her first choice as the successor of her role as unit chief.

“That’s all,” Emily finished with a small smile, standing up from her seat and walking away.

“Emily?”

It was soft and quiet, and Emily turned her head the same time JJ did. Brown and blue eyes were locked with one another. Emily raised her eyebrows, a spark of hope in her eyes.

JJ wanted to tell her at that moment. She wanted to say “I love you” and “I’m gonna stay” to Emily. Her mind was conflicting her courage to make her decision right then and there, and ask Emily to beg her to stay.

JJ’s eyes broke the nearly intimate exchange as she shifted them in thought. “Um…” Come on, Jareau, just say it . “Thank you,” she nodded instead. With a small laugh, she looked up at Emily again, “That means a lot that you said that.”

Emily silently nodded and walked away, leaving JJ with her thoughts again. The blonde looked down and mentally kicked herself for not telling Emily. What was she going to do? Should she go take that job offer to be special agent in charge of the New Orleans field office or stay and become unit chief? Should she go to Louisiana and live a new life there or stay in the BAU and watch Emily continue to accept gifts and affection from Andrew?

It was a lot to process and so, JJ plugged her earphones in before glancing out the window.

*****************************************************************************************

It was a day of celebration for Penelope. Everyone was congratulating her on her new job and saying their farewells. JJ’s eyes scanned the backyard quickly before she excused herself, tearing her body away from Will's and giving him a small smile. Before walking away, she lightly squeezed Emily's arm, signalling that she wanted her to follow. Emily furrowed her eyebrows in confusion but followed anyway, letting Andrew know she was going to be gone for a few minutes.

JJ walked to the back door of Rossi’s mansion, and held it open for Emily. She closed it behind them and rubbed her hands together, taking a deep breath.

"What was that?" Emily asked, pointing a finger towards the backyard. "The arm squeeze?"

"Um, you’re good," JJ said with an exhale. "Tonight’s not about me, ok?”

Emily slowly nodded. “Ok…” she squinted her eyes at her questioningly. “But there’s something.”

JJ sighed and played with her hands. “Will and I decided… it’s time for a change.” Well, that was mostly a lie. JJ had told Will she wanted to leave and he asked if that’s what she really wanted, in which she, after a few moments, said yes.

“I’m going.” JJ said with confidence.

She had about a week to make up her mind about the two options she had, and finally decided to tell Will what she wanted.

“What are you talking about, JJ?” Will asked, muffled by a toothbrush in his mouth.

“I think I’m going to run the field office back in New Orleans.”

Will had to spit out the toothpaste and rinse before turning around to face his wife. He saw that she was playing with her fingers and staring at the bathroom mirror, not him. He grabbed a towel to wipe his mouth and grabbed JJ’s hands in his.

“Are you sure that’s what you want? I know how much you love your family here. And your job,” he pointed out. He didn’t want to force JJ into anything that huge, especially because he had already become more supportive of her and her work later in their relationship.

JJ looked down at the floor and their hands for a moment, rubbing soothing circles on his hands with her thumbs. She needed to ground herself a little to remind herself why she wanted to take this risk. She couldn’t be doing this because of Emily and Andrew’s relationship, that would seem a bit selfish and impulsive. It does seem like a great position for her. She had some experience in leading people most of her life.

JJ finally nodded and squeezed his hands. "I'm sure. I mean, we said we'd call it at some point, right? Maybe this is our chance." She wasn't sure if she was convincing more, Will or herself. Maybe she wanted to call it and work a much easier but still stressful job. Maybe she wanted to call it to let Emily and herself be happy.

Will smiled. "Ok, let's do it."

Emily felt her heart sinking to her stomach, knowing what JJ meant. “You’re gonna run the New Orleans office,” she said in more of a statement than a question.

JJ bit her bottom lip and nodded. “I am,” she murmured, choosing not to make any more eye contact with Emily. “But if Penelope finds out-”

“No, I won’t.” Emily shook her head, cutting her off. “Not tonight. I am so excited for you guys,” she lied. Well, sort of. She really couldn’t believe JJ was actually thinking about leaving again.

“I’m so sorry, Emily. I know how much you wanted that FBI director position and I just completely ruined it," JJ frowned and started to apologize.

“No.” Emily shook her head again and smiled. “No, it’s not your fault. Uh, I guess now’s a good time to tell you that I got taken off the list.”

“Oh my god,” JJ gasped with a hand over her mouth. “Emily, I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”

“It’s ok. Really.” Emily assured with a smile. “I’ll still be unit chief, but… I guess things will be different, huh? I mean, with you and Penelope gone.”

JJ nodded. “I guess so.” She glanced at the floor, still fumbling with her fingers. Emily tilted her head to the side and noticed this.

“JJ.” Her head shot up at her name. “There’s something else you’re not telling me.”

JJ looked at the backyard behind her and saw Andrew getting along with everyone. Her eyes drifted downwards again. He's a good guy. He's good for her . She turned back to Emily. It’s now or never, she thought with a sigh.

“I love you, Emily.”

Emily gave a confused but small smile. “I love you, too, JJ.”

JJ shook her head. “No. I mean, I love you. You know…” she gestured vaguely with a shrug of her shoulder.

Emily’s eyes widened and she opened her mouth in shock. Oh . “Oh. I don’t know what-”

JJ humorlessly chuckled with a wave of her hand. “It’s fine. I didn’t really expect you to say anything. I just wanted to,” she let out a puff, “get this off my chest.”

“How long?”

“I don’t know…" JJ shrugged again. "For a while now.” She took a shaky breath and chewed on her bottom lip again. “I couldn’t do anything about it because we were both living different lives. Our own lives. I was married- um, still am, and you were in London. Now… we’re here and with other people.”

Emily was trying to process everything in her brain. JJ loved her, and still does. All these years, Emily wasn’t the only one who felt some sort of attraction or romantic feelings between the two of them at some point. She was afraid that JJ wouldn’t like her back, so she never said anything.

“Emily?” JJ began to feel anxious. “Please say something, or don’t say anything.”

Emily blinked before smiling. “I love you, too, JJ.”

JJ shook her head in surprise. “You’re not just saying that to spare my feelings, are you?”

“No. I do love you. I always have, but… like you said, we both have our own lives now. I knew I couldn’t stand a chance with you, so after a while, I… stopped. I wanted you to be happy, and that’s ok with me,” she smiled. After leaving for London after JJ and Will’s wedding, Emily thought she would be able to get her mind off of JJ, and it worked a little as she began seeing other people. When she came back, all those intense feelings did, too, but she knew she couldn’t chase JJ anymore, so she tried her best to keep a safe distance from her.

JJ nodded, feeling guilty. “I’m so sorry, Emily. I wish I’d known sooner. I thought it was this little crush that would quickly go away but you kept pulling me in. And I don’t think I can stop, if I stay here any longer," JJ slightly laughed and felt tears falling down. "Don’t get me wrong, I want you to be happy, too. I just never realized how much it would hurt seeing you with someone else.” JJ's small cries made her choke on her words, lips forming a tight line to stop them.

“Come here.” Emily opened her arms, and JJ immediately crashed into them. She sniffled and buried her face into Emily’s shoulder. "It's ok." The older woman hushed and let JJ's tears wet her dress and neck.

“I love you, Emily. I’m so sorry,” JJ muffled, hands gripping onto the fabric on the back.

Emily nodded and stroked her hair. “It’s ok. I love you, too.” She closed her eyes and let the blonde stay in her arms for a few more seconds. She decided to kiss the side of JJ’s head, still stroking her hair. The action made JJ pull back and stare into Emily's eyes. Her own blue ones flickered down to her lips and back up into Emily's eyes. Emily awkwardly nodded with a small smile, "We- we should get going."

She started walking until she felt a hand tugging at hers. JJ pulled her flush against her body and cupped her face with both hands. She kissed Emily, sighing when their lips connected. The older woman was a little shocked but rested her hands on JJ’s waist, pulling her closer. JJ took this time to pour in all the love she’s had for Emily for so long, and Emily reveled in this moment to receive something she’s yearned for a long time.

Emily pulled back to rest her forehead against hers and they both closed their eyes. JJ lifted a hand to hover her fingers on Emily’s cheek, lightly tracing one over her jawline.

“I’m gonna miss you,” Emily whispered with a voice crack. “You’re gonna do great.”

JJ nodded and whispered, “I’ll miss you, too.” Two seconds later, she pulled back and exhaled out a breath. “Well, it’s time to go now,” she said, pointing outside.

“Yeah,” Emily sighed. JJ held the door open for her again, watching Emily go back to Andrew. She saw how happy Emily really seemed with him, as she interlocked their fingers together and smiled at each other. JJ chewed on her lower lip and looked down with a sigh before closing the door and going back to Will.

*****************************************************************************************

Everyone was out on the dance floor, talking amongst themselves and dancing. Andrew asked Emily if she wanted water and started walking up to the table, pouring it in two glasses. JJ stepped away from the dance floor and decided to approach him, exhaling out a breath. She nervously rubbed her hands and tapped on his shoulder.

"Hey, Andrew. Can we talk for a moment?"

He shrugged. "Sure. What's up?"

JJ took another deep breath and quickly glanced behind him to see a smiling Emily dancing with the others. She looked back at Andrew.

"Take great care of her," she simply said.

Andrew furrowed his eyebrows at her, so she explained a little further while still being vague. "Emily. She's… she's a really amazing person," JJ said, casting her glance towards the other woman, making Andrew follow. "I promise you, she's not someone you just meet every day, so don't let this one go."

Andrew looked at JJ, who was still staring at Emily from a distance. "You really care about her, don't you?"

His voice broke through JJ’s little reverie before she sighed and sadly smiled. "More than you know."

Andrew noticed the way JJ looked at his girlfriend. It was the same way he looked at her. “You love her.”

JJ’s eyes widened and she stammered. “I- um,” she slumped her shoulders slightly in defeat. “I do, but… I want her to be happy, and I think you can do that for her.”

Andrew nodded in understanding and smiled. "I'll do my best." He wasn’t looking for any blessing from JJ or anyone on the team, but he wasn’t jealous either. JJ knew Emily for a very long time, so he understands. Andrew wanted to make Emily happy and so did JJ.

“Thank you.” JJ smiled at him, a genuine one. They both went back to the dance floor, Andrew handing a glass to Emily and her thanking him. Her eyes looked over to JJ behind him before smiling softly at her. JJ reciprocated with one of her own and a small nod.

This is what Emily wanted, the blonde knew that. Someone who would love and care for her, even if that someone wasn’t JJ. She was letting go and moving on, and so was JJ.

#jemily #jennifer jareau #emily prentiss #jemily fic #criminal minds

[popculturebuffet]

Star Vs Tom Luictor Retrospective Detour: Skooled!

                                         Dedicated to Jessica Walter                                                     1941- 2021

Welcome back all you still mourning people to Prince of Wishful Thinking, my Tom Lucitor Retrospective... or at least a detour from it as I need to cover the Meteora arc to cover Divide/Conquer properly. When we last left off with Star she and Tom were going closer, but both are taking a break this time. We’ll get back to them in April... oh will we get back to them in april.  For now we’re back to Meteora who I forgot was ABSENT for a while. not forever, but while her parantege, the cover up related to her and all of that has been vitally important, Meteora herself vanished after Monster Party and hasn’t been seen till now. But i’ts a good storytelling engine.. it ratchets up tension for her inevitable return, and gives us time to find out what happened with her and let that sink in.. granted i’td also be the last time it sunk in but I can dunk on the series decline later... I still have season 4 episodes to cover after all. So join me under the cut as we get the welcomed Return of Henious, an unexpected hero.. and Ponyhead because this series clearly hasn’t hurt me enough. And as usual for my Star Vs Reviews, i’d like to thank one of my Best Friends @jess-the-vampire for her insight on this episode. It’s always welcome and she always manages to find something I didn’t think of . 

So we open at Saint O’s with Ponyhead returning to the school, having previously run it post rebellion before leaving because.. I don’t know. She probably got tired of being a leader, and out of universe they needed her to be around star more. Look the series has far more important things it never explained and never will, not explaining why a recklessly irresponsible asshole left a position of authority and responsibility I can let slide. 

She’s come for brunch but things have changed... the school is still a warm, free environment for princesses to better themselves and party hardy, no longer an oppressive brainwashing gulag run by someone who as it turned out was horribly brainwashed herself.. it’s just now it actually has rules and structure. 

It now also has an actual leader, Princess Patty Arms who showed up in the school’s previous appearance this season here and.. that’s it. I think she showed up in the background of the original st o’s episode. And it’s a shame because she’s a really fascinating character. No really she’s calm, dosen’t take Pony’s shit, and while a brunch exam SEEMS like a waste of time... it really isn’t. A good meal can loosen up a dignitary and some rulers have sticks up their keisters about things like this, so being able to do it just right can win them over. It’s still a touch ridiculous but given the world of star is a touch ridiculous to start with, it works. 

Pony naturally leaves in a rage over this especially when no one backs her up.. but soon the School has bigger issues and we get to why we’re actually here: Meteora is back. And while she has changed, now having grown larger and stronger, easily scaling the wall, she still wants payback and we get a damn fine battle sequence as the princesses all unite against their former tormentor. It’s also sad in hindsight.. because as Jess pointed out to me almost NONE of these characters show up again. And I only added the almost because Penelope is in there. They all seem interesting, the setting of ST O’s itself is interesting, and the idea of a school for princesses of various types is a cool idea. I’ts something the show could’ve come back to to see how they bounce back from this attack.. but like most cool background elements in the show they forget about it. It was intresting to see the schools slow evolution from horrible nightmare to princess ran utopia and like many things coming up it feels like a lost opportunity. 

That being said the fight is awesome, with Meteora proving to be a juggernaut in strength and outplanning her enimies, having brought an overide switch for the robots (Patty reprogrammed them to work for the school) and having them throw their hearts/ power sources as bombs. It’s a damn fine sequence as she finds way after way to keep going, with a now restored rasticore helping them simply portal in.

Pony meanwhile.. is hiding , as Patty find sout when she finds her, and Pony assumes this is about her... though for once i’ts not JUST ego.. but because she was one of the two who started the uprising at the school in the first place and THE person who tossed her out. We also get a nice character moment as while Pony tells patti she still hates her.. she puts the princess behind her when Meteora approaches. She may be a selfish twit whose massively unlikeable.. but she has a good heart.. and not just the one she keeps in a jar she got from one of her boyfriends. 

But Meteora has more important buisness and finds her way to the depths of St. O’s.. where we meet the Schools namesake and her adopted mother a robot played by tress macneile.. another thing the series never bothered to care about as where did these robots come from and why? 

Turns out Meteora came to find out her own personal history, with the remote from before used to find the real dirt.. and what we find .. is heartbreaking as we slowly journey back through Meteora’s childhoods as Henious.. and it’s fucking heart breaking with Tress voicing her younger versions, hence why I didn’t use this as the jessica tribute as while walter’s good in the episode, she isn’t given much. 

We see her as a teen, forced to hide her tail and insulted over it by her mother.. and it only gets worse as when her cheeks glow as a kid St. O tries to wash them off and we get the poor child desperately begging that “she can be better”

We do finally get the answers Meteora saught as we see Shastacan dropping off the baby meteora, calling her “Henious”.. which St. O took as her name. Proving the spiderbites minus penelope’s dickishness is indeed genetic and why I have no sympathy for the prick getting eaten later... and hopefully globgor will do an encor with penepople’s parents. Here’s hoping. 

So Meteora now knows she’s the rightful queen, and decides to go take it back.. though Pony does try to stand up for her friends... and while we don’t see it hte next episode confirms she got her horn ripped the fuck off. And this horribly traumatic injury.. is magically fixed via 3d printing next time we see her after an episode grappling iwth it instead of having pony deal with not having a horn, or her prostetic not giving her magic powers again. Because this show again really likes to leave good ideas out to rot in the sun like that  package of hamburger I left out in the sun yesterday. And I actually had a reason there: I need a lot of Racoons for an elaborate scheme involving a map to tex cruz’s house, a used apache helicopter and a bulk order of tiny parachutes. 

We do get some payoff to things though, as Henious comes on to rasticore who not so politely rejects her for being nuts.. before it’s revealed Gemini, her loyal servant is also a robot and she uses his heart to blow up rasticore and take the arm with her... which is ALSO never brought up again. Seriously this episode is so full of loose ends i’m suprised it just dosen’t end with Zuko asking his dad about his mother. Gemini’s death is genuinely tragic as his last words are “If you wanted my heart.. all you had to do.. was assssskkkkk”. God damn. So with that Meteora heads out to reclaim her birthright.. no matter the cost. 

Final Thoughts on Skooled!: This one is decent.. but like the last episode I covered, the lack of payoff off for almost anything here, excluding the Meteora plotline and the Pony thing which instead got a BAD payoff, is really starting to rear it’s ugly head as the series greatest weakness. Yes bigger than the romance plot. And given that romance plot after this season can be best discribed as...

The show just.. forgets a good chunk of things happened to keeep things chugging along. It sets UP plots, what happens to st o’s from here, buff frog and a small caravan of monsters leaving forever, the message from shastacan, who built the st o’s robots, and on and on.. but it never PAYS them off. It dosen’t care to. It just does things so the plot can move but never bothers to think about the fucking consequences. It just gets more and more irrtating to think about as other shows throughly DO: Amphibia has the fact the characters get into shenanigans become a commented on running gag and something they grow past, and everything that happens matters. Every episode of Owl House builds on the foundation of the previous episodes. OK Ko dosen’t forget one episode had the characters not be able to turn back into humans and implies their wearing human costumes for the rest of the series. Which is fucking weird, but it was their memory. My point is other shows around the same time or right after didn’t magically forget things happened for convience sake. While it’s OKAY to loose some things in the shuffle, it happens to the best of us, it’s not okay to do it SO fucking often and with no clear care for the audiences desire for payoff. The show just ignores what plot points, like the huge cliffhanger of Star telling marco how she felt at the end of season 2, it dosen’t care about till it needs them and ignores the ones it never does. You can’t just.. bring shit up like it’s important and then try and forget it ever happened. People remember stuff, we are NOT stupid. KIDS are not stupid. When I was younger I REMEMBERED things that happened on KND, Danny Phantom, Xiaolin Showdown, TMNT 2003, because those shows, which are from decades ago, knew I would and trusted even if I missed something and was thrown off i’d tune in for the quality. 

And in an age of streaming and more story based tv you can’t just.. ask kids to act like something they saw didn’t happen because your fucking lazy and frankly YOU never should have. Kids deserve better, my niblings deserve better and frankly the adults your clearly also writing for.. deserve better. This episode is eh, but the problems it represents are so fucking worse. 

Next time on tom. If you thought I got angry towards the end of this one, just you wait. Next time i’ts Booth Buddies. Yeah.. yeah that one. Stay tuned.

#star vs the forces of evil #skooled #lilica ponyhead #meteora butterfly #gemini #rasticore #patty arms #rat princess #penelope spiderbite #saint olga #saint olgas #disney xd #disney plus #disney channel

[multimetaverse]

Riverdale 5x03 Recap

Jellybean was born and raised in Riverdale though?? She only moved to Ohio after her mom left FP

Good on FP for doing what’s best for his daughter but probably should have told Alice beforehand that you’re skipping town

We’re ending this era of Riverdale as it began with Tom Keller as Sheriff. Hope he has a scene with his son tonight!

Jughead saying those kids almost looked innocent asleep was pretty messed up of him. 1) those are clearly homeless kids having to sleep in a fucking gym and 2) as bad as the voyeur vids were they still pale in comparison to the crimes that high school kids have been involved in over the years

Oooh man that Luke Perry is just brutal

It’s crazy to think of how far the show has come since that first scene of Cheryl and Jason Blossom in all white heading down to the river

Alice might be the most tragic living character on Riverdale, her life has just been wrecked over and over and over

It’s awful how realistic the army recruitment booth inside the school is. The Saved by the Bell reboot had a great joke about military recruitment of teens (it’s a much better show than Riverdale and I highly recommend it and it’s already been renewed for S2)

It’s nice that they brought Weatherbee back for the final high school eps

LOL at the Red Circle shade

The yearbook as a device to look back at some of the show’s history is clever. Also reveals how clearly chapter 79 which was supposed to be the S4 finale was also being written as a possible series finale

It’s very odd that Archie’s poor grades of all things are what the writers just to be realistic about. Nice of Weatherbee to let Archie walk with his friends though

Ladies and Gentlemen that could possibly be the last Varchie sex scene we ever see

Considering the US only abolished conscription after the Vietnam war, I don’t think those 4 students back in 1945 had much of a choice in joining the army. Although they lucked out with the timing since the war with Japan would end within months while they were still in basic training

Not Archie lying to both Jughead and Veronica about his post high school plans

FP telling Jughead he’s old enough to be on his own is rich considering Jughead was basically homeless and on his own in S1

Good on Cheryl for getting her red robe

Finally Tom Keller gets a scene with his son!

Omfg I can’t handle this Archie cover of Green Day

Yaas Penelope lurking in the bushes. I’m gonna miss that Queen, hope she gets out of jail soon enough

RIP Falice. It will never cease to amaze me that right when the obstacles that should have stopped Bughead such as their parents being in a relationship and their shared half-brother are swept away that Bughead is being broken up

Well good bye for now and maybe forever FP Jones. You were the best of the surviving fathers which is admittedly a hell of a low bar

Pop’s is rightfully restored to Pop Tate

Kevin mentioning Josie and the Pussycats threw me

I guess from now on we’ll always see Jughead without that stupid hat, that’s weird

These grad scenes have been surprisingly poignant but they fall flat when they include the wider group. How many lines have Kevin, Fangs, Reggie, and Sweetpea even had lately? Has Kevin done anything of note since Hedwig? We’re a long way from when he was Betty’s best friend. And what has Reggie been up to? I noticed his dad wasn’t at grad, is that because he’s dead? Is there ever gonna be a follow up on Reggie smashing his dad’s car?

Don’t have a great feeling about this vow

Archie sure knows how to kill the mood. The worst thing about Archie’s speech is its accuracy. The US military really does offer a path to a middle class existence especially for kids with no other options. The life outcomes for people without high school degrees are grim and Archie really is grasping the last, best way to try and turn around his life

This Choni breakup is so sad 

The CW is wildin out letting Betty take off her bra for sex. What a bizarre transition from tearful confession to sex. Perhaps the last Bughead sex scene we’ll ever see

Just realized that Vegas will very likely be dead by the time we pick back up in 7 years

These scenes would have more impact if the show had focused on the Archie/Jughead and Veronica/Betty friendship

Wow bringing the old car out for one last drive

These flashbacks are sad, especially the Luke Perry one

God I hope Nana Rose survives the 7 year gap

Jesus Christ, so Jughead had a home he could have stayed in but decided to squat at Archie’s instead??

Poor Jughead being the only one to keep the vow

Well this really is the end of an era. Riverdale will never be the same after this episode. From the promos we know that Veronica is married to a controlling wall street douche, Archie is wounded overseas, Betty is an FBI agent, and Jughead a writer. The crisis that brings them all back is Hiram dissolving the town of Riverdale for his nefarious ends

Veronica marrying a man who shares some traits with Hiram is not surprising though the fact that she’s married is interesting, both in that there’s no way that marriage will last and in how her husband is jealous of her past with Archie, it’s an easy way to start heading towards Varchie again if the writers choose. There’s no way that Betty would be get in to the FBI with a serial killer father and half brother but we’ll see what new killer the writers can come up with. It looks like Jughead is a tortured artist. I appreciate the costume designers for making Archie’s military uniform so retro that it looks like he’s being shipped off to Korea to stop it going the way of Red China 

Looking back it’s extremely bizarre that they did what they did with Barchie. It really served no purpose since they all would have gone their separate ways anyways

Well looks like Cheryl hasn’t been successful in thwarting Hiram. I would imagine that much of Veronica’s story after the time gap is her wrestling with whether to take on her father and to claim the Lodge legacy for herself once and for all. Archie had always been her guiding light in that regard and we’ll see if can play that role in the future

This 7 year gap brings the characters ages up to 25 which is much closer to the actor’s actual ages which will help in that regard. But time jumps are tricky and 7 years is quite a gap, double the length of time that these first 79 eps have lasted. Sadly, Riverdale was renewed for a 6th season but realistically the bulk of the series has now passed and whatever adventures the gang gets up to as adults will get far less time dedicated to them. Some sort of time jump was probably always necessary if the show lasted as long as it had but I’m skeptical that Riverdale can pull it off. Until next week Riverdalers

#Riverdale #Varchie #Bughead #Barchie #Archie Andrews #Veronica Lodge #Jughead Jones #Betty Cooper #FP Jones #Riverdale Recaps

[guccifloralsuits]

girl.........when u gonna rec some cm fics??? help a sis out!!

These are all Moreid, Hotchreid or no main pairing so heads up lol. I don’t read self-insert. I’ll try to tag the tumblr author’s blogs i know but i’ll prob miss a few (srry) 

GENERAL WARNING: please read the tags & ratings bc some of these have multiple TWs. I’ll try to tag here but also CM has some...uh. dark content. Graphic depictions of violence & ya know, murder. So be safe & take care of yourself.

Completed Works/One-Shots:

You Reap What You Sow by BloodiedRose // One-Shot // 6k // Elle & Spencer friendship, morcia side-pairing // took me a sec to get into but holy FUCK

Elle Greenaway suddenly transfers to the D.C. department. She tries to keep her head down, but that's hard to do when she has to get used to a new city, adopts her traumatised coworker, and is being haunted by her own personal Graveling.

A Dead Like Me au (but no knowledge of the show is required).

The Ghosts That Should-Have-Been by Kibbers // Completed // 17k // Hotchreid // TW: Suicide Attempt // The writing on this is insane. Kinda abstract but in a way which just works. I actually cried reading this

Hotch said, “You’re keeping score, just like Owen.”

If Spencer had been keeping score, the world was winning. The rolled eyes, the disinterested gazes, the way they spoke to him only when they wanted something. Only when they wanted notebooks read at an inhuman rate or statistics they could use for the profile, for a bet, for the delight of having them at all. If Reid was keeping score, he had the right to do so if only to prove to himself that he deserved to feel a little hurt. He deserved to step in front of a bullet to save a kid that felt the same way he did.

an ice white candle, lit by Lilaciliraya // One-shot // 2.5k // Moreid // TW: implied childhood sexual abuse

He fails his gun qualification because the administrator is male this time and he stands just a little too close. He hates that he is 23 years old and he cannot stop the way his hands shake in the presence of an unlikely possibility.

(or) The hardest thing that Spencer Reid has ever had to do is learn how to stay warm.

Visiting Hours by Word_Clay // one-shot // 5k // no main pairing // TW: threats of rape, dissociation, homicidal ideation // prison-arc, so well written

Getting more and more intense. Got to fall deeper in to beat them. I’ve lost friends before, but not like this; not in a box where I have no control—or do I?Starting to think like them; starting to survive like them. I’m here because I made a choice.What if that means I don’t get out alive?

Indispensable by Deejaymil // Completed // 40k // Hotchreid // this fic wrecked me lol it’s fine im fine

Dave's a damn good guardian angel, one of the best. And being one of the best means he gets the worst jobs: the important, the clumsy, the reckless, the difficult-to-keep-alive. The indispensables. But he's never before quite had anyone like Spencer Reid.

Within the first two seconds of meeting his new charge, the kid gets hit by a car; it really only goes downhill from there. His only consolation is that Emily is having just as much trouble with her new charge, Aaron Hotchner.

If only they could somehow combine their assignments...

He’s All That by rchr // One-shot // no pairing // 6k // criminally underrated i’ve read it like 70 times // bonus for Morgan’s POV // Garcia being a queen

"One does not simply make over the good Dr. Reid. A true makeover is all about sowing the seeds."

Sunflowers and Daisies by Agib, starsandsupernovae // @ag-ib & @rxsienbloom  // Completed // 12.5k // Moreid // Penelope being a queen (again) // I’m always a bitch for a Hanahaki Disease AU and this one especially

Derek is, without question, unfailingly in love with Doctor Spencer Reid.

Blueberry Syrup by dilaudiddreams // @m0rcia // One-shot // 1.5k // Moreid // Fluffy af actually all comfort & barely any hurt //

"Listen, uh...do you think I could maybe...take you out...sometime?”

Spencer frowns. “What do you mean?”

“Snipe you. No. What do you think? To dinner or something.”

Spencer wakes up in Derek Morgan's bed. He tries to sneak out without waking him.

He fails, and he winds up staying for breakfast out of common courtesy (and maybe something else).

Set season 1. Tooth-rotting sweet.

Following a Bright Shiny Thing by travelinthedark // Hotchreid but genuinely the whole team’s dynamic is what shines in this // One-shot // 5k // yes it has a lot of kudos // yes it deserves all of them

Wherein Reid feels like 6th grade girl, the girls squeel from time to time, and there are little blue drinks. 

WIPS I’m Keeping Up With: 

Dreams are Only Blue by themetaphorgirl // @themetaphorgirl​ // Alex Blake & Spencer Reid // last update: first week of October // TW: child neglect

AU. Nine-year-old Spencer Reid is brilliant, but he's too young to fully grasp the trauma threatening to bury him. Alex Blake buried her nine-year-old son and accepted that she just wasn't meant to be a mother. The BAU team takes on a case that ends up throwing them together, and Spencer is sent to live with Alex and her husband, and everything changes.

(this is the Spencer Blake AU)

Where Have You Bean All My Life? By agib // @ag-ib // Moreid // last update: the end of September

It's rare enough that anyone on the team has to take on undercover work for more than a single night, and even more uncommon that the CIA happens to be splitting a case with the FBI.

So, really, Morgan shouldn't complain. But he does, and he's wholeheartedly dedicated to hating this assignment up until the damn college kid, who looks like he survives on coffee alone, bustles into the café.

Full Series I Rec:

Undercover Pretty Boy by 898700 (ghostwriter) // Completed // Moreid leaning? // Undercover CIA model AU which inspired the whump moreid 5k I have written & will maybe one of these days post (rippppppp) 

Ag-ib’s Whumptober // Ongoing // general TW bc dark themes for Whumptober

Appalachian’s Whumptober // @appalachianapologies​ // Ongoing // general TW bc dark themes for Whumptober

Happy reading!

ps: I actually wrote a moreid (Ex-CIA undercover model!Reid) one shot too if that’s something you’d be interested in!!

#criminal minds fic recs #criminal minds #spencer reid #cus they'll all centered around him i love annoying twinks sue me #cm fic recs #asks #when in doubt just go read whatever ag-ib writes lol #thanks for asking for this actually this gave me a reason to start compiling some favs #recs #fic recs #oc cm

[xfandomwritingsx]

The Sweet of Night – Loki Laufeyson – Part 5

-gif source unknown-

Description: After growing up besides Loki and having a complicated friendship with him, you visit him in his cell at night.  

Warnings/Labels: Overbearing mother? Is that a warning?

Approx. Word Count: 2,700

Story Masterpost

Flowers in hand, you knock on the large wooden door of your mother’s home. It’s a quaint little cottage in one of the nearby villages. She had moved into it shortly after your father passed despite still being offered a place in the palace. While you missed seeing her daily, it didn’t surprise you that she declined and ventured into her own little home. The quiet, common life simultaneously suited her while making her feel important.

“My daughter!” she greets warmly as she opens the door. Her once golden hair, now slowly melting into white, is tied into an elegant braid draped over the front of her shoulder. “What brings you by?” she asks as though you don’t visit her the same time every week. You smile anyways as she pulls you into a hug which you return. “So beautiful!” She takes the bundle of flowers from your hands. “Come in! I have tea almost ready.” Her robe is a dull, dirty beige color and it always humors you how even with the extravagant and expensive silk robes in her closet, she chooses the most drab clothing for her daily life.

“Mother, you don’t even like tea,” you laugh.

“Ah, but you do!” she points her finger at you and then shuffles you to the table. “So,” she sighs happily as she puts the flowers in an already prepared vase in the center of lace table cloth. “What have you been up to?” You sit as she disappears behind a doorway to her kitchen where you hear her bothering with the tea pot and cups. She comes back quickly and arranges the dishes neatly on the table.

“Just work, Mother.” You know she’s going to ignore your tone. It clearly portrays that you know the real question she’s asking, the one she’s about to ask directly, and that you have no interest in answering. She’s going to ask anyways. It’s what she does. According to her, it’s what every good mother does.

“Not seeing anyone special?” The expected question causes an unexpected squeeze in your ribcage, but you manage to hide it well.

“No, Mother.” You use the same drawn out, placating tone you always use and reach for a tea cup.

“Shame,” she hums, passing you the honey.

“How’s your garden doing?” you ask quickly before she can press further. “It looks like it’s thriving.” She throws a look over her shoulder at the window as if to peer out at it.

“It’s doing well. The children are taking very good care of it.” You smile warmly at her. For all her faults, the woman has always been generous. She regularly pays young children to tend her garden and then usually gives away most of the produce. “The little one, Alistair, he’s quite dedicated.” You sip your tea and nod. “You know, his father is Lord Devereux.” She raises a brow at you and you sigh, setting your tea back down, already sensing where this is going. “Lord Devereux’s eldest son is of age now.” She pauses for merely a moment. “He would make a fine suitor.”

“Mother!” you exclaim, not sure if you’re irritated or amused at this point. “His son is much younger than I!”

“Yes, but he’s of age! And a younger man will certainly ensure he’ll be around long enough to take care of you.” She leans back in her chair and crossing her legs, shrugging. “Plus… think of his stamina.” Your eyes widen and if you’d had tea in your mouth, your sputtering would have sent it all over her table.

“Mother!” She laughs at your outburst and picks dust from the lace cloth.

“Oh, come now!” She always manages to scold you with a smile on her face. “You should at least meet with the boy.”

“The very fact that you’ve referred to him as a boy leads me to believe I should do no such thing.” The woman is relentless and perhaps a little delusional, but she never fails to makes you laugh at the insanity she brings forth.

“When was the last time you were out with a suitor?” she pries. You squint your eyes and look upwards as though thinking deeply.

“Well,” you ponder. “It was roughly two days after the last feast.” Her eyes widen with intrigue and she leans forward.

“Really? With whom?” Her genuine excitement causes laughter to bubble within you.

“Warrior Patrick! You arranged a dinner!”

“Oh,” she shies away with a smile.

“Perhaps you should stop trying to arrange suitors if you’re forgetting every match you’ve tried to make.” You go back to drinking your tea and watch her fluster.

“I wouldn’t have to make so many matches if you weren’t so stubborn.” She sits back with a huff. “You must have gotten that from your father.”

“Obviously, because you clearly still have yours.” You both take a moment and crumble into laughter at one another. When the giggles subside, she reaches across the table for your hand and you allow her to take it.

“Oh my daughter,” she sighs. “I just want to make sure that before I pass, I know you’re going to be taken care of.” You open your mouth to retort, but she stops you. “I want you to have more than I did. I want you to marry wealthy and have not a care in the galaxy. I want my grandkids to grow up lavishly.” Her fingers rub gently over your hand and when she looks up at you, her eyes glisten with the threat of tears. “I want you to be more than okay.” Your heart softens and you place your other hand over hers.

“Mother,” You squeeze her hand. “Rushing me off into the arms of the man with the wealthiest pockets isn’t going to make me okay. I want more than riches and gold gowns. I want love, passion, a man who makes me feel something other than obligation. And if I’m to have children, I want their father to be a man on honor.” You give a small smile and roll your eyes. “Half the noblemen are barely fit to be a good husband, let alone a good father.” She pats underneath her eyes with the pads of her free fingers, dabbing away at any stray tears that may have fallen. “When I find a man, you’ll be the first to know.”

“Well I’d better!” She smiles and retracts her hand. “And I refuse to die until I see you married. Though I suppose if you chose a middle class gentlemen, that would be alright too.” You manage to withhold your eye roll but let you smile out. “Better than some of the women in this village, pining after downright criminals!” She narrows her eyes in disgust and shakes her head, but you find your breath caught in your throat again.

“Yes well, no pining for criminals here.” Did your voice waver? You aren’t certain. If it had, your mother shows no signs of noticing, for which you are very grateful. She starts prattling on about how some of the women talk and some of their men. You choose to stay quiet and finish your tea. Best not to risk any more oddities in your untrustworthy voice.

---

“You seem tense,” Loki observes. You’ve been sitting in the chair Decimus provided for quite some time now, but your body has yet to relax into it. Before you can deny it, he continues. “As long as your habits haven’t changed, I would assume you’ve visited your mother this morning.” You scoff at your own predictability. “What did dear Penelope do now?”

“You know she would have you hanged if she heard you address her like that?” You raise an eyebrow at him, but can’t quite muster the energy to hide your amusement.

“Well, lucky for me then that I’m not high on her list of visits to make.” He leans forward in his own chair which has been pushed further towards the barrier tonight. “So what did our Madam Healer do now?” You give a short roll of your eyes.

“Nothing new. She’s still trying to marry me off to the highest bidder.” He grimaces and you realize your words are perhaps a bit harsher than they should have been. “She means well,” you defend. “She just doesn’t quite understand there’s more to my happiness than a title and wealth.” Another sharp roll of your eyes and a hard, bitter stare at the nearest wall. “Stars forbid I ever get involved with someone less than well off and apparently it would be an utter disgrace to marry a criminal.” You’d learned she is quite quick to harshly judge those men who may not have followed the law to the letter. The thought of her bittiness towards them angers you.

“Was that a proposal?” Loki teases after a short silence. It takes you a moment you put together his question with your statement and your eyes widen, suddenly in a panic.

“Of course not!” You feel heat rise into your face as he bares his teeth in a wide smile. “I would not propose to you!” He shrugs.

“Well if you’re expecting one from myself, I regret to inform you I don’t have access to a selection of fine jewelry from my current state.” Deciding to let yourself relax and simply play along, your fold your hands in your lap and finally lean back.

“Well I suppose you’ll just have to make me a ring out of the paper from my books you borrow, won’t you?” He crinkles his nose up at you.

“A ring?” Shaking his head, he leans forward, his elbows on his knees. “My darling, a bride of mine would have a crown.” He turns to look over his shoulder at his bed where the latest book is hidden. “In fact, I may have to tear up more than one of your books to make a proper piece.”

“Don’t you dare ruin a single of my books.” You point your finger at him, breaking the playful ruse to make sure he wouldn’t actually do such a thing. Some of those you lend are rare! His smile snaps off his face and he holds up his hands.

“I would never,” he promises before breaking back into a smile again. The air settles and you try to relax your body into the hard metal of the chair. You are not successful. Something about your visit with your mother just has strings of your muscles tense and on edge. You roll your shoulders back and Loki watches you with a look of consideration. He seems to make a decision and lifts his chin. “Close your eyes.” You do no such thing.

“What?” You most certainly need more information before obliging his wish. He sighs with a slight impatience.

“Close your eyes,” he repeats. You still do not do as he says. “What do you think I am going to do from in here?” he questions, sensing your uneasiness. “Trust me.”

Trust him? It’s a large thing to ask and yet he commands it so casually. You force yourself to think about it, to mull it over in your mind despite the fact that your first instinct is to do just as asks; trust him.

In the end, with one more curious and unsure glance his way, you let your eyes close and envelope you in darkness. You’re aware, firstly, of where the light sources make the black behind your lids just the slightest bit brighter. The lantern on the wall off to your left. The dull light from his cell. The flicker of barrier wall in front of you.

“Good,” he coos, his voice washing over you. “Let your mind relax and just listen.” A part of you holds a suspicion and wants to open your eyes, but you push it back. “Imagine you’re in your chambers. Warm. Safe. Plush.” You let yourself imagine a small fire underneath your mantle at night, the shadow of the flames dancing along your walls. It’s a comforting image. “You sit on your bed, the blankets thick and soft beneath you.” In your mind you wear short pants cut off mid-thigh so that you can feel the lush fur of your favorite blanket against your legs as you climb atop the bed. “A man is with you, sitting behind you. Hands come to your shoulders, squeezing softly.” The mention of a man threatens to ruin your peace, but his words continue to ease you into relaxation. “He runs his fingertips down your arms, so feather-light it sends small chills through you.” Your body tenses to suppress a real shiver at just the prospect of the sensation. “Fingers glide back up and thumbs press into the space between your neck and your shoulders, kneading there, pushing at your tension, battling it. Slender fingers that hold strength. When the knots break, his thumbs slip down your spine, fingers gliding along the smoothness of your bare back.” You’re mutedly aware of a flicker of light in front of your eyes. The barrier, perhaps? Has he touched it? Lost in the fantasy of the massage Loki is telling, you don’t dare open your eyes to find out. “Fingers back up to your neck, rubbing, pressing. Harder in your tense areas, lighter and softer at your more tender. You can feel his breath at your ear as he eases your tension.”

His words work wonders. Your head even lolls to the side as though leaning into someone or giving someone access. You let out a long, audible sigh and then suddenly it doesn’t feel so imagined anymore. You feel the physical sensation of cool fingertips at the juncture of your neck contrasted with warm breath at the back of your ear. Cold dread plummets down your body and your eyes snap open, your hand darting to your shoulder only to find nothing there. You look back at Loki and he’s not at the barrier as you had thought, but still sitting in his chair. He raises a single brow.

“What did you do?” you question, suddenly slightly out of breath.

“What do you mean?” His voice lacks the coy nature you expected. “I was helping you to relax.”

“Yes, but how did you…” Confused, you turn in your chair to look around. There’s no one in sight, not that you had thought there would be. You narrow your eyes back to him before considering the barrier. You analyze it from your seat, looking for any sort of damage or crack or any kind of vulnerability at all, but can see none. “I thought your magic is contained to your cell, that it can’t reach outside of the walls.”

“It is.” He squints and you can’t tell if he’s genuinely confused or if he’s simply playing you.

“Then how did I feel your hands on me?” There’s the smallest smirk playing at his lips.

“Is that who you were imagining? Were they my hands caressing your skin?” You tighten your robe around yourself and cross your arms, but do not answer. “Words and the mind are powerful things. Perhaps you simply felt what you wanted to feel.” He leans back in his armchair so comfortably. Was he right? He had vowed no trickery for your visits.

“If my mind is playing tricks on me, then I believe that’s a sign it’s time for me to retire.” You can’t seem to decide if you believe him or not, but it makes for an easy and safe exit. Going to bed and sleeping isn’t a bad idea at all right now.

“Then off you go,” he waves at you. “Perhaps your mind will add onto that little scenario as you drift off,” he suggests. “You’ll have to let me know how that little fantasy ends.” His little smirk widens as you turn away. Normally, you’d have a quick retort to throw back at him, but this time you can do nothing more than simply leave. Your body and mind are just a little too unstable, already missing the invisible contact of his touch.

~~~~~

Thanks for reading darling! If you’ve enjoyed, I ask that you like, reply, reblog, or if you’re really feeling generous, buy me a coffee! 

Keep up with my progress on Instagram!  You'll get to see excepts of upcoming works, writing inspiration, random photos of me, and moodboards!

TAG LIST

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#Loki Laufeyson #loki imagine #loki x reader #loki laufeyson imagine #avengers imagine

[actuallylorelaigilmore]

TATMILB, CHAPTER 2

Penelope spent her life writing love letters, which didn’t seem like a terrible idea until the letters were mailed out and Schneider received one of them. Hoping to fool their exes, they agree to fake a relationship. But are they lying to everyone around them, or to themselves? aka my To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before-inspired AU.

Penelope x Schneider, ODAAT. available on ao3 with extra author’s notes.

Chapter 2: Penelope is confronted by Nikki, who accuses her of having feelings for Schneider. Alex’s high school drama hits too close to home. Schneider joins the family for dinner; hijinks ensue.

“I got a call about a packet I needed?” Penelope asked the receptionist while she waited for Alex to get out of his last class. “I think it’s for my son’s baseball season. Alex Alvarez.”

The woman at the desk nodded and walked away, leaving Penelope alone in the silent office. Every visit to the school made her feel vaguely guilty, echoes from her own youth. Or maybe today, it was the knowledge that she’d taken time off work to run errands. She wanted Alex to be able to do things like baseball, but missing the hours felt irresponsible.

Scrolling idly through social media, Penelope took a second to consider her schedule for the rest of the day. Pick Alex up since she already had to come here, grab groceries on the way home...homework for the kids before dinner but also for her...hopefully time for a movie, if she didn’t crash first. Her school schedule had her worn out lately. She was so close to the end of it.

With her eyes on her phone, she didn’t see Nikki walk up, though she heard the click of sharp heels on the floor--and the sharp clearing of her throat.

“Penelope!”

“Nikki.” Ugh.

She couldn’t seem to get away from Schneider’s not-girlfriend lately. Though they had broken up three or four times by now--Penelope had lost count, not that she was really keeping track--their hookups were back on again, as nauseating as ever.

Penelope had no idea what Schneider saw in her, even for meaningless sex. She was just so...Nikki. And after Homecoming, Schneider had been really upset. The most genuinely hurt by a woman that Penelope had ever seen him.

She had tried her hardest to be sympathetic in between hovering at her Mami’s bedside and mourning her own breakup...but then a month later, Nikki was back in the picture.

As Schneider’s best friend, she couldn’t be expected to say nothing about that. It was insane. A terrible idea.

Apparently so was telling Schneider the truth about the situation, because during his next fight with Nikki, Penelope’s words found their way out of his mouth. Now Nikki was even more venomous than she used to be whenever they crossed paths.

It wasn’t like she’d told Schneider not to go back to hooking up with Nikki, Penelope thought in her own defense. She just hadn’t been in favor of it.

“Are you signing up for extra volunteer hours this year?” Nikki asked, a little too close as she leaned against the reception desk next to Penelope. “You know you’re running behind again, and the St. Bibiana PTA always needs...dedicated parents, who really care about the success and future of their kids, to help out here.”

Penelope sucked in a breath and silently counted to three. “I’m sure that’s true,” she replied. “Just like the world needs dedicated nurses to help out those kids and their parents when they get sick.”

As if being a working parent was a bad thing, she thought, furious. As if Nikki was giving so much to the world by sitting on her butt during charity events and hitting on other people’s husbands while she volunteered.

“What are you up to today?” She asked, instead of getting into any of that. You do not fight with a snake, she could her Mami advising her, with the wisdom of a woman who’d dealt with plenty of them in her long lifetime. Unless you want to get down in the dirt with it.

“Oh, just checking on the Prom committee’s budget. The kids have started planning, and we want to make sure they have the most fun ever, don’t we?”

“Of course.”

She remembered Prom fondly, but now that she was a parent instead of a teenager sneaking booze in her bra--especially since she used to be a teenager who did that sort of thing--Penelope’s thoughts on Prom were much more along of the lines of please God don’t let my son have too much fun.

“Are you going to be a chaperone this year?”

Penelope checked the time, wondering what was taking the receptionist so long. Once she got the forms turned in, it would be easy to make a quick exit. She could wait for Alex in the car.

“I don’t know. I’ll have to check my schedule when we’re a little closer to the date.”

“Well, don’t wait too long to decide.”

“I’m not planning on it.”

Nikki’s tone slid from bossy to patronizing. “You know, if you don’t get those hours in, there’s a fine.”

“Yes, I got it!” Penelope snapped back. “I have no intention of skipping out on my volunteer hours this year, just like I haven’t missed them any other year.”

“Jeez, Penelope.” Nikki tossed her hair, victorious at the show of temper. “There’s no need to get upset.”

“Oh, don’t tell me how to feel, thank you. I don’t even know why we’re having this conversation.”

“I saw an acquaintance, a fellow parent,” Nikki’s tone dripped faux affection, making Penelope’s fingers twitch. The urge to remove her earrings was strong. “I wanted to say a friendly hello, because anything else would just be rude, wouldn’t it? While we waited here, in our kids’ school? But you know, Penelope, it’s not my fault that Schneider likes me more.”

Her jaw dropped. “What?”

“Your crush on your landlord. It’s painful to watch, and it makes it hard to try and get along with you. Maybe you should talk to someone about that...the fact that you have a thing for Schneider.”

She took a full step back, trying to digest Nikki’s accusation. Did the idea somehow come from Schneider? If he thought she had a thing for him, wouldn’t he have said something to her instead?

“You’re crazy.”

“No, what’s crazy is the way you tried to weasel between Schneider and me after we had one little fight. I thought you didn’t understand what we have, because you’re such a conventional, old-fashioned person...but that wasn’t it. You wanted him all to yourself, so you tried to get rid of me. It didn’t work.”

Penelope shook her head. “Schneider and I are friends. Who he’s with has nothing to do with me, whether I think it’s a good idea or not.”

Obviously, she added silently, glaring at Nikki. Since he’s with you.

The receptionist came back, forms in hand, and Penelope almost expressed her relief out loud. She settled for a slightly louder thank you than was necessary, as she took a seat to fill them out.

Nikki became background noise then, grating but ignorable background noise. Penelope assumed she got what she’d come for as well, because she clicked her way back down the hall without further unpleasantness.

Something must have really gotten under Nikki’s skin, though Penelope couldn’t have said what--there was no reason for her to pick a fight in public over Schneider when, as Nikki herself had pointed out, they were back together.

Shrugging it off, Penelope went to her car and waited the ten minutes it took for classes to let out. Alex was easy to spot as he left, surrounded by his friends. It still amazed her sometimes that she had raised such an outgoing kid. He got that from Victor, she knew. She’d had friends in school, but not quite so many.

“Hey, Mom.” He slung his backpack onto the backseat as he settled in.

“Papito.” She ignored the urge to kiss him on the cheek, aware that parental PDA was worse than death now that her baby was half-grown. “We’re stopping at the store on the way home. How was your day?”

“Good.”

She glanced his way before pulling out of the lot. “Phone down, Alex. How about you give me more than one syllable, since I took time off just to make sure your extracurriculars are all set?” And got kind of attacked in the process.

He rolled his eyes, but slid his phone back into his pocket. “I don’t know, Mom. Things are good. What do you want from me?”

“Details. How are you doing in that science lab? How are your friends? What’s happening in your life?”

She stretched out the last word to make him laugh.

“Alright. The lab still kind of sucks, but Maddie helped me out today, so it wasn’t so bad. She’s in a fight with Casey this week.”

“That must be hard for your friends, huh.”

“Not really. We’re all used to it. They’re, like, always fighting. And it’s why she’s helping me--she wants to make him jealous.”

“So she’s using you?”

“She’s improving my science grade,” Alex replied, the duh heavily laced through his words. “And with Maddie all over me lately, Chloe’s trying to get more of my time, so I’m not exactly complaining.”

“Hold up. Are you saying you’ve got these two girls fighting over you? I don’t like the sound of that at all, Papito.”

“Come on, Mom. It’s just the price of being popular. Everybody wants my time.”

“I don’t care. You know I didn’t raise you to be that kind of guy, playing with girls’ feelings or pitting them against each other.”

“I didn’t ask them to be into me!” He protested. “What am I supposed to do, pretend I hate it? I thought you raised me not to lie.”

“Nobody’s saying you should lie. But you can pay attention to their feelings, not just your own. Being a girl is hard, you know--competing for a boy, worrying about whether he likes you back.”

And even when you’re not competing, other girls will believe you are, she thought. Clearly, not everybody grows out of that.

“My point is, you can enjoy the attention and still be honest. If you’re not into Maddie like that, don’t let Chloe think you are. It’s not fair to either of them.”

“Okay, okay. I get it.” Alex slumped a bit behind his seatbelt, shutting down the conversation.

Being the voice of reason led to so many sullen silences now that her kids were teenagers. She couldn’t claim to enjoy that part, but it also couldn’t be avoided. Who would talk to them about this stuff, if she didn’t?

The last thing she wanted was for Alex to grow up to date women like Nikki, directing their insecurities at innocent bystanders. Even though she knew Schneider would never have encouraged today’s bizarre attack, his continued involvement with Nikki made it possible. It took her the rest of the drive home to shake her irritation.

****

Schneider joined the family for dinner that night, like he had most nights since Elena left for Oxford. His presence didn’t fill up the space her daughter left behind, but Penelope welcomed it--at least he never ran out of lighthearted conversation, and always offered to clear the table when they were done eating.

Alex chatted with Lydia in the far corner of the kitchen while Schneider took over cleanup; her youngest had a knack for avoiding chores that she almost admired. No amount of cajoling or bribery had managed to affect it, so Penelope was pretty sure it was a lost cause by now.

Still, there were standards to uphold. She offered up a halfhearted “Papito, at least dry a dish,” but Schneider shook his head at her as he grabbed the last plate.

“I’ve got this, don’t worry about it. I like pitching in.”

She decided not to protest further. Let the rich white guy clean her house for once, Penelope thought, amused at all of them.

With her Mami and Alex discussing dessert options in the kitchen and Schneider at the sink, she got to the TV first--that never happened anymore. She picked something mindlessly entertaining on Netflix and settled in, happy to relax after dinner.

“What are we watching?”

Schneider was done cleaning up a lot faster than she would’ve expected. He took the other side of the couch without an invitation; not that she minded, really. The invitation was implied at this point.

“A documentary about submarines,” Penelope told him with a straight face. Why did he even bother asking? The show’s title was branded in the corner of the screen.

“Interesting,” Schneider said, playing along. “There’s an awful lot of cake-decorating going on here for an undersea adventure.”

“I guess so.”

She smiled at him and returned her attention to the screen. As soon as the others came to join them, her mom and Alex would team up to outvote her choice in programming. Until then, she would enjoy her silly food competition show in peace.

“Since when do you like reality TV?” Schneider asked, pulling her back to the moment.

“This isn’t reality TV,” Penelope shot back. “It’s not like the Real Housewives or something.”

“It’s literally listed as reality TV under the title, Pen. I’m not judging, just wondering.”

“It’s people making cake, okay? I like cake. And I definitely don’t have the energy to make cake. So I’m watching them do it.”

“You don’t have to get defensive,” Schneider said. “You’re allowed to enjoy mindless entertainment as much as the rest of us.”

It had the effect he probably intended, making her want to argue with him even more. Penelope was about to retaliate by bringing up his fascination with zoo livestreams, but her Mami’s lilting “Lupe, do you want me to make some cake?” distracted her long enough for Schneider to steal the remote and switch to a sitcom.

“Give that back--no, Mami, I don’t need you to make us cake--Schneider, you have terrible taste,” she said, all in one breath. “Hand it over before I make you.”

“Tough talk,” he replied, as she stood up to retrieve the remote he was holding out of her reach. His arms were longer than hers, but he also knew her well enough to stand when she did, wary of the damage she could do.

“Oh my god, are you twelve?” Penelope was seriously considering a gut punch now that Schneider’s height had her at a disadvantage.

She heard laughter and shot her mom and Alex a look over her shoulder. “Traitors.”

“I like this show,” Alex pointed out, unrepentant.

“Schneider washed all my dishes,” Lydia chimed in.

“Face it,” Schneider told her, shifting away whenever she moved in his direction, until he'd put the couch between them. “I have awesome taste, and you’re outnumbered.”

“I did more work today than you’ll do all month,” Penelope said, relaxing her stance. She watched him do the same. “You can play reruns at your own house whenever you want, Schneider. Let me have my cake show.”

“Take back what you said about me having terrible taste.”

She nodded and dropped her gaze to the carpet. “I take it back. You’re right, you have excellent taste.”

Seizing her moment while his guard was lowered, Penelope dodged the couch and snagged the remote. She grinned at him.

“In friends. You have really, very good taste in friends, Schneider.”

“Ha, ha.” He sat back down, ignoring the teasing coming his way from the kitchen.

Vicarious cake tasted even sweeter now that she was triumphant, Penelope decided, settling back into her own spot with a firmer grip on the TV remote.

“I’m rooting for the guy with the bluebirds,” Schneider decided, eyeing the last two contestants critically.

“What were you saying about having good taste?” She pointed at the screen when the camera switched to the waterfall cake. “That one is so much better. Your guy could barely pipe his flowers.”

Their debate as the episode wound down was comfortable, a return to normal that was especially welcome after such a weird day. She’d made the right call, she decided, in not telling him about what happened at St. Bibiana’s. It would have only made things awkward between them.

Nikki thinking that she was threatened by who Schneider chose to have sex with was so stupid, Penelope thought. It just showed how little Nikki understood about either of them.

Their friendship was better than anything he and Nikki could possibly have.

#alvareider #one day at a time #odaat #penelope x schneider #to all the men i've loved before #penelope alvarez #schneider #lydia riera #alex alvarez #nikki finn's mom #alvareider fic #odaat fic #my fic

[charliejrogers]

Wonder Woman 1984 (2020) - Review & Analysis

Here’s a non-controversial statement: 2017’s Wonder Woman is a legitimately great film (if you discount the last act’s boring battle). A fun, yet emotional anti-war tale with a great period aesthetic. What elevated it from greatness was its starkly bleak reveal that Ares does not start man’s wars, but he merely gives humans ideas for how to instigate them. Ultimately, it is Man who holds responsibility for our own destruction, and despite this Wonder Woman still chooses to help us poor creatures. Cool themes, cool hero, cool movie.

Wonder Woman 1984 shares the main character from its 2017 forerunner, as well as its dedication to recreating a particular period aesthetic (here the 1980s), but the brilliant writing from the first film is gone. The main themes are essentially… “be careful what you wish for” and “winners never cheat; cheaters never win.” Not the most grand and interesting follow-up to the prior film’s genuine insight into human nature.

But that’s OK. I’m really not sure why this movie is getting so much flak online. If DC’s recent prior history with filmmaking should have taught us anything, it’s that 2017’s Wonder Woman was a fluke. Remember that this is the same studio that brought us the outstanding climax to Batman vs. Superman where one grown man learns that another grown man’s mother is also named Martha. Oh, and did we all just forget that Justice League is one of the worst movies we have all collectively ever seen?

So let’s not be too hard on WW84 for not meeting the quality of 2017’s Wonder Woman. Few comic book movies can. In the more fair comparison to other movies in the DCEU, it sits below Shazam! and Aquaman, and just a smidge below Birds of Prey, but certainly above Suicide Squad, and then literally leaps and bounds over every other movie they’ve made.

Let’s start with the good. Honestly, despite my gripes about the themes of the movie not being very profound, I found the story to be interesting. The movie centers around Diana Prince (Gal Gadot in her role as an archaeologist for the Smithsonian and not as Wonder Woman) stumbling upon an ancient stone whose inscription invites people who hold the stone to make a wish. No one takes it really seriously at first, so two people make wishes without thinking they could come true. The first person is Diana herself who wishes to bring her boyfriend (whom she only knew for about a week, mind you) from the dead. As a reminder from the first film, her boyfriend Steve Trevor (Chris Pine) had died nearly 70 years prior to the start of this film in a dramatic, sacrificial, world-saving act. Apparently, Diana hasn’t moved on at all from the 1910s and still considers her short-time lover to be her forever lover. She’s not really a human and did not grow up a human, so I think we can forgive her for not moving on… but it is weird to imagine that Diana somehow works at the Smithsonian (without going to college? Or did she?) without developing any friends or interest in life. Wouldn’t she have moved on... like a little bit?

Anyways, she wants her boyfriend back, and that’s wish #1. Wish #2 comes from new character Barbara Minerva (Kristen Wiig… who I am shocked to find is 47 years old! She looks fantastic and far younger in this film). Were Barbara a man, the way she is treated by her colleagues would put them in the stereotypical role of a future school shooter. Barbara is a brilliant gemologist for the Smithsonian, but goes completely unrecognized for her brilliance. She is shy and unconfident, and subsequently people frequently forget that they have even met her. Add on to that the fact that she has to work in the same office as Wonder Woman, and her loneliness and subjective feelings of unattractiveness increase as male employees drool over Diana while they ignore and mock Barbara. Therefore, we would forgive her for having a chip on her shoulder. Yet, for all this, Wiig avoids playing her as an angry, emo goth. Barbara kinda has this air about her of “Well, this is just how life is, and there’s nothing I can do to change that.” Given the character’s lack of self-confidence and lack of social grace, it at times seemed like Wiig was just reprising her old SNL character, Penelope, the socially awkward one-upper. But that’s not fair to her character. Wiig portrays Barbara with an earnest goodness to her. She’s one of those people who when allowed to talk one-on-one proves to be more eloquent and interesting than you could have imagine. Far from being angrily envious of Diana’s confidence and beauty, she’s more sadly jealous. Naturally, then, she wishes on the stone to be more like Diana… unaware that this wish might have some unintended benefits.

But then, there’s a third key character to the film (and a third wishmaker), the main villain Maxwell Lord (Pedro Pascal). I cannot tell you if this was a good character or not… and I cannot tell you whether the imperfections of the character are more due to the film’s writing or Pascal’s performance. Lord is another loser, and like Barbara, his “loser” status is the result of being a victim of America’s prejudicial attitudes. But whereas Barbara fell victim to sexism, Lord falls victim to racism. Hispanic in origin, Lord grew up in America with an abusive father at home and racist classmates at school. Beaten down from an early age, all he wants in life is to make a name for himself, to prove he’s not a loser. In a clever twist, Lord (the person who originally ordered the wish stone to come to America before it was confiscated by the FBI and sent to the Smithsonian for analysis) does not simply use the stone to wish for riches and power… he wishes to BECOME the stone. That way, he can get nearly infinite wishes so long as he can con the people around him to wish things for him.

The scenes of Max Lord as a flawed human who just wants to not be a loser show Pascal giving a great performance as a human being at the ends of desperation. The scenes of Max Lord the supervillain are… not good. In a long string of over-the-top, eccentric, hyperconfident supervillains in countless superhero movies, Pascal’s Lord is just not interesting. In fact, he is literally a weak character. He cannot fight for himself as his body is crumbling (a side effect of wishing to become a stone). Furthermore, his initially grounded motivations to finally be respected and successful seem to be just utterly lost by the end of the film when he just wishes for world chaos… only then to turn around and declare undying love for his son. It doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.

Failure to understand a character’s motivations casts a shadow over Barbara’s character arc as well. It is explained that the wish stone takes something in return for granting someone their wish. So as payment for bringing Steve Trevor back to life, Diana loses some of her strength. Still… this strains to fully explain why Barbara, after gaining Wonder Woman-like strength, turns into a walking humanoid cheetah (complete with bad CGI like she walked straight out of the cast of 2019’s Cats.) Like I get that she lost some of her humanity and morality in exchange for strength… but Cheetah girl seems like a little much. And though initially it is fun to see Wiig get to play Barbara as a confident and sexy woman who fights back against the patriarchy, the movie (I think) unfairly pushes her into the villain role. In my opinion, she should be treated as a tragic character, something akin to a Harvey Dent in The Dark Knight, as her villainous tendencies are not really her fault. She literally had the part of her that cares about other humans taken away from her when she naively and innocently wished to be like Diana. Instead, the movie has Diana lecture her that she shouldn’t be so evil. She literally can’t, lady! Stop being so hard on her! In any case, it seems like a failed opportunity to generate sympathy for a genuinely likable character who tragically becomes a villain not through her own accord.

That failure to create genuine emotions extends to Diana’s story as well. As soon as Steve is resurrected, you know by the movie’s end he will be dead again. There’s no other way this movie ends. Yet, the fact that Diana is so stubborn in refusing to give up Steve makes it hard to sympathize with her. She is simply being selfish, making her eventual decision to say goodbye to Steve feel more like her finally doing the right (and obvious) thing, and not some heartbreaking decision. Also the fact that seemingly Diana hasn’t even tried to move on in the last seventy years doesn’t help matters for me: it more just feels like a lazy way to write in Chris Pine’s popular character into the second movie. The move certainly weakens the idea of Diana as a strong, independent woman by making her emotionally stunted and crippled for the last 70 years. It would have been a much more satisfying (and daring) choice if Diana had moved on from Steve emotionally and had to deal with the guilt of having brought him back by accident, particularly if he didn’t want to go back to being dead. Instead... Steve knows he has to go back and Diana feels no guilt keeping him around. It’s weak character writing.

These poor choices I contrast with two of my favorite TV shows that demonstrate perfectly how former lovers who miraculously reunite eventually have to say goodbye for good: Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Jane the Virgin. For risk of spoilers to those still watching Jane, I’ll stick to the Buffy example. There’s an episode of Buffy (though technically an episode of the spin-off show Angel) where Buffy and her vampire lover Angel are fresh off their recent and tumultuous break-up, but through some dark magic that neither seeks out, they are given the opportunity to live a life where Angel isn’t actually a vampire and their love can be fully expressed. Yet, in the end, Angel opts to give up his life as a human and return to being a vampire. The choice is so moving precisely because (due to circumstances I cannot begin to explain) in choosing to give up his life with Buffy, he saves her life as well. Whereas in this movie, Diana choosing to let Steve go is really just her choosing to undo her choice to essentially cheat death. Angel, however, is actively choosing to give up a life of happiness he never wished for but was just given on a silver platter, and will now live in a world where his lover will never know his selfless act and will go on hating him. It’s heartbreaking in a way Wonder Woman dreams it could be.

And not to get too Buffy-heavy… but that show also deals with the emotional consequences of being ripped out of the afterlife much better than this movie. Steve just kinda unrealistically adapts to being alive again in all of five minutes. If, perhaps, from the start he questioned why he was there and hinted to Diana that something was wrong, the emotional aspect of this story, the doomed nature, the feeling of “this is the last chance we’ll have together” could have made this a stronger movie. I wanted to find myself crying when Diana finally says bye to Steve, and I was no where close to that. Gal Gadot shares at least part of the blame. She’s a pretty wooden actress. It’s something I noticed in 2017’s Wonder Woman, but in that movie she was supposed to be a fish out of water so her stilted presence seemed appropriate. Here, where she’s supposedly become an assimilated American for 70 years… it is just bad acting.

Anyways, another aspect of this film that was lacking were the visuals. The bad CGI of Barbara as Cheetah is just scratching the surface here. The opening flashback to Diana as a girl performing in the Amazonian Olympics just… looks fake. I don’t know. The reliance on CGI over practical effects is clear and distracting. It’s only worse in the subsequent scene where Wonder Woman stops a theft from occurring in a mall. The effects are just bad. Like passable for a film in the 1990s or early 2000s. But for a 2020 blockbuster, it’s noticeably bad. And already the scene where Wonder Woman is running towards the camera with a weird green screen behind her seems to have become a meme given just how weird it looks.

And yet, for all the negatives I’ve listed, this is a decent action flick. There’s even some nice set pieces like the one in the White House. As little as I liked Max Lord as a supervillain, I found figuring out the other half of each of his various Monkey Paw wishes (i.e. the downside of each wish) to be clever. unfortunately, each of the main three characters fails to have a story line that takes full advantage of their emotional potential, or they are just poorly acted. With few exceptions, the film eschews “fun” in favor of “seriousness.” Really the only exception is, as in the first film, the chemistry between Pine and Gadot. Their chemistry makes for some of the movie’s best moments, like when Wonder Woman makes the plane they’re flying in invisible and the pair flies over fireworks on the fourth of July. But that sense of whimsy in their scenes is largely absent from the rest of the film. This is particularly true of the action sequences, especially those at the climax. The seriousness makes them rather boring. Really, I’m comparing these action scenes with the last half hour or so of Birds of Prey which really set the bar for superhero movie fight choreography. So in the end, it’s overall an OK movie. It certainly isn’t as bad as others make it out to be, but I cannot believe I’m saying this… in 2020 if you’re in the mood for a fun superhero movie, you’re better off with the Suicide Squad sequel than the Wonder Woman sequel.

**/ (Two and a half stars out of 4)

#wonder woman #ww84 #wonder woman 1984 #gal gadot #patty jenkins #chris pine #kristen wiig #pedro pascal