#Welcome to Lehigh

[astronautforhalloween]

Charon's Obol

ᴘᴀɪʀɪɴɢ: Gator Tillman x Reader

ꜱᴜᴍᴍᴀʀʏ: You really didn't want to cover a shift at your new job. But when an old familiar face walks through the door, the night yields some unexpected results. Some more welcome than others.

ᴡᴀʀɴɪɴɢꜱ: Gator. Some hints to his misogyny, blood, canonical death. Not proofread, not written with the reader's gender specifically expressed but it is implied to be female (Gator refers to them as 'princess'). Gator does refer to reader as 'little bird', but it isn't a reference to height or body type. It's more so condescending.

ɴᴏᴛᴇꜱ: 7.9k words. Might do a pt. 2? (If so, there will be some changes to Gator's character) The story takes place during the end of episode 2 but diverges at the end. Banner by @saradika

It had been a bit of a surprise when you watched him walk in through the taped up front door, glaring at Andy - someone whom you've learned to be a frequent regular - like the man had personally affronted him with his mere existence; his lip was curled in a sneer and there was a scoff waiting to be released from his chest while he stared the older customer down with an incredulous scowl. The same scowl that he's had since high school - looks like all that much hasn't changed. And you expected some sort of conflict, a quick shove to Andy's chest or a smart quip, though thankfully the interaction ended with Gator slipping past the regular. But not without roving a scathing glance across his body from head to toe as the man dipped out of the doorway. 

He didn't even notice you behind the counter as he immediately set off in the direction of the restrooms, and a part of you was relieved for it. Sure, when you had been making plans to move back down here to assist your mother, you had briefly entertained that Gator was still living in Lehigh, even though your old childhood town was about a seventy-eight-mile drive from where she was living now. Before the move she used to give you all the local gossip during your daily phone call, and Gator had been a frequent focal point in the scoop of the day, with his bad behavior and quick temper. It seems that being on the police force has done nothing to teach him manners. If anything, from what you've heard, it's only amplified his complete lack of boundaries. 

He had been passionate about football for a time, but then there had been that accident in mid-August back in senior year which left him favoring his right leg with a slight limp. From what you had heard through the grape vine way back when, he had also wanted to be a sheriff. To follow in his father's footsteps and protect Stark County like the previous men of his heritage had. 

And if the big, white bold letters printed on his vest was any indication, it looked like he was working his way up to doing just that. 

You had been taking shifts here at the gas station for about a week now. Had moved boxes packed full of your belongings from a U-Haul and into your room inside of your mother's new trailer home a week before that. But for some reason seeing him again seemed to solidify that you were actually back here in North Dakota after you had worked so hard to get out. It was like being shoved into a time machine and forced to a point in your life that you didn't want to return to. There isn't necessarily wrong with this state or the people who live here. It's just quiet, tight-knit, and everyone knows everyone. Secrets are difficult to keep here and evading bored, curious eyes can be difficult, if not impossible at times. 

There wasn't anything here for someone your age, who had dreams and longed for something more than church potlucks and being barefoot and pregnant. 

But now here you were. Reaching for the broom propped in the corner to sweep up a cluster of glass shards peeking out from underneath the bottom of the counter into a small pile. They seemed to be everywhere, no matter how hard you scanned the floor while you cleaned, more and more glass just seemed to pop up as soon as you thought you had gotten it all. You had even found a piece in the cash register when you were counting out a customer's change, and you nearly sliced your thumb on the damned thing. How it had it had managed to find its way in the till, you aren't sure. Though as frustrating as those little slivers are, you actually find yourself being thankful for them. It gives you an excuse to at least look busy instead of just awkwardly standing around, uncomfortably hyperaware that Gator Tillman is in the store. 

You aren't even sure why you're so nervous about the thing. Yes, you and Gator had never been particularly close, and the interactions that you had were few and far between, mostly due to forced proximity because of your position on the cheer squad. But apart from the after-school activity that both of you participated in, you mostly had your own circles that you kept to, the two of them hardly ever merging. Based off of what you'd seen of him back then, he wasn't all that impressive. He was abrasive and cocky. A bully, to put it lightly, that liked to slam other kids against locker doors as he passed. 

You didn't think much of him then. Just a guy who like to flaunt underneath his father's shadow and abuse the privileges of being the sheriff's son to taunt others. And you don't think much of him now, so you aren't sure why your gut is sinking like a nervous pit. 

It isn't odd that he's here. Sure, the gas station is a short drive outside of Beulah which happens to be about an hour's drive from Lehigh. You suppose that it isn't completely wild to see him outside of his county, but for some reason it still catches you off guard, even if it was just a matter of time before you crossed paths. Whether that had been while you were out having dinner at one of the local restaurants or him walking in on one of your shifts. Though the kicker is, is that this isn't technically your shift. It was meant for Derreck, but he was unable to show up because he's no longer one of the living. You don't want to speak ill of the dead, especially one so recently passed, but you can't exactly say that you're all that surprised. Even with just your short interactions to base off of, he didn't seem exactly like he was the sharpest. 

And when Miles called you just the night before, fretful over the state that the gas station was left in after a particularly horrendous break-in, explaining that Derreck was gone, that he had tried to scare an armed perpetrator with an airhorn of all things and got a chest full of bullets in response, you were horrified and regretful but not exactly shocked. 

He had also mentioned something about an attempted kidnapping in between his worried rambling before he zigzagged back to the point of the call, which was trying to cover some of Derreck's shifts that had been left vacant due to his murder. Apparently, no one else was willing or able to cover them and that had left you as his last resort. You nearly said no. You weren't usually one to work the graveyard shift. You liked the peace that came with it, but your mother, despite her wanning health found old habits hard to break and was typically an early riser. Doing chores as early as 7 am; vacuuming and doing laundry or poking around in the garden behind the house. Which is roughly around the time that the nightshift ends. You knew that it would make falling asleep a task with how thin the walls are, but you couldn't find it in yourself to say no. Not even with your own fears of being shot while standing behind the register gripping you like a chill. And not with money so tight.  

You could just picture him in your head, pacing around in his office underneath the oily glow of his desk lamp and you could hear that click-click of his teeth gnawing on his nails through the other end of the call. An anxious tick of his. And then there was the medical bills and the torn open envelopes declaring that bills were past due splayed out over the kitchen table. You had just been able to put some good money aside for those but there was still an intimidating amount that was owed and every bit of cash counts. Even with the pressures of debt and financial insecurity hanging down over you with an unbearable pressure, you hadn't been exactly psyched about accepting a solo nightshift at a recently burglarized (and that's putting it lightly) gas station. But you couldn't refuse. You hadn't told your mother about the tragedy that had taken place here. She never would have allowed you to leave the house for work this evening if she had.  But it's just a matter of time before all the gossip finally reaches her ears; nothing ever remains a secret or quiet for long in small, sleepy towns. But fortunately, by the time she becomes to date the crime, you'll already be on your way home to take a shower and fall asleep in your bed. 

The sound of one of the freezer doors slamming shut has you pausing to look up from the pile of glass and dirt on the linoleum and over to the back of the shared chip and candy aisle where Gator now shuffles around. You can just hardly make him out from behind the other shelves full of microwavable mac and cheese and Campbell's soup, but he appears to be idly scanning the rack of junk food with a bottle of pop in his good hand. The other, you've just noticed, seems to be fixed inside a cast and blue gauze bandaging. You wonder how he managed to get that injury. 

Your curious little inspection doesn't stop there. You let your eyes sweep over him from his cap to his knees (which is about as far as you can see of him from the angle), and on their way down you take notice of the holster secured to his thigh. And for whatever reason your focus seems to settle there and just stay for a good breath or two. It looks good, those black straps wrapped and pulled tight around his thigh.  In fact, he wears the entire uniform in way that you shouldn't find appealing. The weight of his vest seems to pronounce the slimness of his waist and the fatigues that mold around his hips are doing him nothing but favors. It's almost stupid. It's jarring. You have to tighten your grip on the broom handle, forcing yourself to look away to pin your gaze down on one of those solar powered bobble heads placed between the register and a mini shelf stocked full of Bic cigarette lighters. 

But it's facing the wrong way. Instead, it's turned towards you. It's supposed to be cheery. A Christmas themed orange cat peeking out of a stocking with its head still steadily wobbling despite the fact that it's been sundown for more than a few hours now. Its cartoon smile feels judgmental. Like its criticizing your shameful ogling. 

Seriously, since when have you ever checked out Gator Tillman? 

Sure, a part of you had found him cute in the past. A surface level sort of attraction, with his pretty, round brown eyes. But it was never really enough to compensate for how crude he was. All packed full of harsh comments, inflamed bravado and plastic charisma; always searching for an excuse to fight. If anything, it garnered nothing pity from you. An awful aching sorrow. Especially whenever you could see something soft peeking out from underneath that boastful, sarcastic exterior of his. The potential to be kind. Sweet even, if it had been nurtured enough in him. But Roy Tillman was anything but nurturing. 

The entire town had known how harsh the Tillman patriarch was on Gator, even though they all kept their mouths shut tight, in fear that he might raise his hand down against them instead. All of the split lips, black eyes and pulled muscles that were all conveniently filed away as mishaps caused by a wayward cow during a roundup on branding season. 

Of course, your only excuse for not outright speaking out had been that you were hardly more than a child, busy saving up for your first car and writing out college admission essays. And the harsh, whispered warnings of your mother telling you to keep your nose out of things that aren't your business never helped. Not that you have ever been particularly well at heeding her advice. You had tried once, to reach out to him and let him know that he wasn't alone, one evening near the bleachers before graduation. Maybe you should have kept to yourself like everyone else had warned you to. To not get involved. But it was hard when Gator showed up to school one day with his right cheek swollen red and purple, the molted shades of plum and a nasty vermillion dotting up around the corner of his eye like a crescent.  Seeing Gator banged up with a new cut or scrape wasn't a new development by any means. But all the excuses were getting old; wore you down even though they shouldn't have impacted you personally. 

His cover for the swollen cheek was that he had gotten it during practice the evening before. But that was bullshit. He hadn't left the field swearing like he usually did whenever he got hurt during training. When Gator got hurt it was something that everyone would become uncomfortably aware of; usually by a string of loudly exclaimed expletives that could be heard reaching across the expanse of the field.  There had been none of that. He didn't leave campus with an icepack clutched against his cheek the day before. He got that bruise when he went home that night. And you would have put good money on it that the one that did the damage was his father. 

And despite all the warnings you told yourself that you would speak to him about it. That you'd try to at least. Your friends must have noticed the moment you decided to go and talk to Gator. Maybe they'd seen the glint of it in your eyes. And they had all told you not to. That it wasn't your place. That you'd best stay out of it. But you couldn't listen. 

It took you the entire school day to build up the courage to approach him. To calm your nerves. You remember vividly how awkward the air around you had felt when you asked him to meet you behind the bleachers. It didn't escape you how flirtatious the invitation could have been construed as and you're sure that he was expecting some sort of sloppy make out underneath the grandstands and not an intervention. You're sure you had completely blindsided him when you had opened up the conversation with words of sympathy and not some flirty spiel. You had tried to be delicate about the whole thing. After all, for the most part the both of you were hardly more than acquaintances. You did your best to be gentle when you had offered to be someone that he could talk to if he ever felt like he didn't have anyone at home to confide in. But he had turned you down then with clear irritation in his eyes when he told you that he didn't need your help. That he didn't want it, and that was that. 

Your eyes flicker back up to him from the bobbing fake cat, and he's moving down the aisle now, still browsing but apparently uninterested in the available chips and assorted junk foods. But he does reach for a bag of jerky from the cardboard display on the end of one of the shelves and his eyebrows perk up when he inspects the packaging, and he nods his head to himself like he's intrigued or pleased with what he's seeing.  

You wonder if he'll even recognize you at all after all of the years. You suppose that it wouldn't be all that bad or unexpected if he didn't. It has been a while. The last time you've crossed paths since now had been a little after graduation, before you scrounged all of the money that you had saved by serving at Patty's Diner over the summer together and piled all of your stuff into your shitbox of a car and set off for the state line. 

You finally allow yourself to let go of the broom, reluctant to release your little lifeline in preparation to scan his items, propping it against the wall behind you. But what you hadn't expected for him to do was to quite literally toss his bag of beef jerky at the counter. The throw seemed lazy, but regardless of that, the jerky almost goes flying off the countertop entirely and rushes towards the edge. You have to scramble to catch it, mostly out of reflex, grabbing at the packaging with clumsy hands before it could land on the pale, dirty tiles and next your feet. 

Even with unease prickling at the nape of your neck you can't curb the displeased scowl from making an appearance. And the look that you pin him with is entirely unimpressed. He, on the other hand, doesn't look apologetic in the slightest. In fact, there's a smile curling at the edges of his mouth and his eyes are sparkling underneath the fluorescents with unrestrained mirth. "Oh, sorry there, " he says with the hint of a laugh on his words. "I forget my strength sometimes, ya know."   

You should have let it fall. 

You don't bother entertaining his joke. You just flip the package of Jack Links over so that you can scan the bar code while he sets his drink down on the counter. You've interacted for less than five seconds and you're already remembering why you didn't care for him all that much in high school. But luckily for you, he hasn't seemed to recognize you and all you have to do is cash him out and he'll be on his merry little way. 

You can smell his cologne once he's up against the counter. It's woody, a sort of musk and there's hints of something warm with a few notes of vanilla. It seems he's graduated from layering his body with Axe body spray, thank God for small favors. He used to wear that cologne like it was a repellant. "You can smell him before you see him," your mother had noted once, after he had walked past the both of you one afternoon during a communal chili festival. And she hadn't been wrong. But now you can also pick up something artificial and sweet coming from him too. Like berries or some other kind of fruit. Watermelon, maybe? 

"Eight dollars and thirty-eight cents." You supply after ringing in his bottle of pop, leaning your weight on your hands. And thankfully, he already has his wallet out and is thumbing through the bills, but his attention keeps jumping from between his cash and back up to you like he's trying to piece something together. And you're hoping that he isn't trying to place you. That the memories are too vague, that he didn't care enough to remember you. That this interaction won't have to be any longer than necessarily. 

His eyes brows are pinched, and he almost looks studious when he hands you a ten. "Do I know you from somewhere?" 

"I don't think so, " you respond quickly, punching the given amount into the register and counting out his change as soon as the till pops open. 

But he doesn't seem to be deterred. He even shakes his head just a bit, unconvinced and squints at you like it might help him take in your features better. "Nah, I know ya from somewhere." 

"I'm not so sure, " you say and hold your hand out, offering his money, but he doesn't take it and just continues to stare at you silently. It's awkward. Tense for no reason. Suddenly, the music playing over the speakers is too loud. Some old country song with warbling vocals and a gentle guitar but it does nothing to ease the weird energy that's dipped over the room. You can hear the fluorescents too. Buzzing above you in a steady, pulsing thrum. 

"I'm sure. " He replies, voice low with concentration and his eyes dance over your face. The shape of your chin, tracing the curve of your lips, roving over the swell of your cheeks before settling on your own gaze. You can see the exact moment that he recognizes you. Something seems to spark in his stare. The elation that comes with recalling something that's been on the forefront of your mind but eludes you at every turn, and he exclaims your name with a sort of surprise and maybe even wonder. "I never forget a face! C'mon, don't tell me you don't recognize me." 

He settles down against the counter, crossing his arms to lean his weight against its surface like moving in closer might help you recall him better, toeing the line of almost closing in too close to your personal space. You briefly entertain the idea of continuing on with your ruse. Of playing dumb, even if it's just to frustrate him. But really, you'd rather this little impromptu meeting only be as long as it has to be, and you find yourself nodding. Feigning a sort of awe, pretending to a put a name to a long-buried memory. 

 "Oh, yeah. " You nearly gasp in faux surprise. "Gator! Gator Tillman."

He smiles in a pleased way, rapping his knuckles against the counter. "What the hell are you doin' here? I heard you ran off to uh . . . which was it?" He snaps his fingers together like it'll help him recall the information better, or tries to, but his fingertips sort of just slip against each other uselessly from around the obstruction of the cast. " Arkansas?"  

"Arizona, " you correct. And you give up, placing his change on the counter in front of him for him to pick up whenever he decides to take it. 

'That's the one. " He agrees. "So, what brings you back? Got tired of all the dirt and heat, huh?" 

"Uh, no, I'm just here to help my mom." You say and reach for a stack of sticky notes to absentmindedly flick through. "Do you need a bag?" 

"Oh, yeah, how is she doin'?" He asks, completely ignoring or unhearing your question. You'll take that as a no then. "I haven't seen her in a bit. Not since she moved." 

"She's . . . doing okay." You shrug, glancing off in a random direction, hopeful that training your focus on something else other than him might make you feel less exposed. Less examined. It doesn't. "Could be better, could be worse." 

He hums in agreement and for a moment falls silent. And you think that maybe the conversation has fallen out. Run its course and he's grown bored past the temporary marvel of reconnecting with a familiar face from the past. But that'd be too easy. "It's been about, what? Nine years, give or take since we've last seen each other." 

Dammit. 

"Yeah, that sounds about right." It's a simple response. And you let it settle at that, just wishing that he'll take the hint and leave. He has to be somewhere to be, right? Patrolling or whatever. He's probably on his way back to his county, surely, he doesn't plan on standing here all night, chatting you up. But to be fair, he's never been particularly adept at reading basic social cues. 

"To be honest, I'm surprised they got you workin' this shift. " He nods his head towards the front doors; covered up with cardboard and a plastic sheet as a temporary means to keep it sealed until it could get properly repaired. "Ya know, with the break-in an' all." 

"Yeah, well no one else volunteered, so I agreed to come in." 

"A little bird like yourself, here all alone." He says it casually. Probably doesn't really mean anything behind it, but knowing Gator, maybe he does. But regardless of his intent, the comment does make you bristle. The sentiment wasn't necessarily harmful. Feeling worried for someone being on their own to work a shift at a business in the middle of nowhere is normal. Understandable. Especially considering that the said business had just been the scene of gruesome crime, but the air with how it was said rubbed you the wrong way. Granted he's never been one to have tact.

It seems that he really hasn't changed all that much since you've left. Except for maybe growing an inch or so taller, but that could be due to the boots. And the planes of his face have slimmed a bit more, having officially lost what little bit of baby fat was clinging to his cheeks. Still, that condescending air that he used to carry himself with has seemed to survive his younger years, not like you were expecting it not to. 

"You must be pretty scared being here all on your own. "  He wasn't wrong, per se. There was something intimidating about being here with the horror of what had taken place still fresh in the back of your mind. You hadn't seen the aftermath and all of the smeared blood and shattered glass; you hadn't been here with Miles to meet the cleanup crew. In a twisted sort of way, it almost seems worse that you didn't walk in on this place when it was still stained with viscera and signs of struggle. Seeing the store all taped up with shotty repairs to try and regain normalcy left too much to the imagination. Everywhere you looked your brain tried to fill in the pieces. You couldn't bear to clean up the restroom. Not without thinking about how a man had died in there. Slipped and split his head open on the toilet. There was still a sense of paranoia that latched its claws down your back and has yet to let go. It even has you looking at some of your customers funny - even the regulars, the people who you talk to almost daily. It was even worse when you reminded yourself that Derreck had died in the very spot where you're currently standing. 

"No, not really. " You lie easily. 

Gator laughs. Almost scoffs, really. Dipping his head low and for a moment the brim of his baseball hat blocks half of his face from your view before he tips his head back up to look at you. He rocks back on the heels of his shoes. "Well, I just gotta say, it doesn't sit right with me." 

What? 

 He's worried? Why would he even care? 

"I'm sure I'll be fine."

He doesn't seem to be persuaded or assured, and he sits up from his leaned over position, straightening to his full height. He doesn't break eye contact once, and for some reason you feel like you couldn't look away from him, even if you gave it some real effort. The dark brown of his eyes is a rich shade, even from underneath the blunt glow of the fluorescents, and you swear you can see delicate flecks of a honeyed amber. 

" That may be, but I'm not a man to take chances." And he reaches into one of his front pockets to retrieve a lime green vape for him to lift to his lips. When he nonchalantly exhales the smoke in the middle of the store, the scent of something syrupy and sweet reaches your nose. That explains that bit of watermelon that you had smelt on him earlier. "I mean, anyone could be a threat. Even that fella that was just in here." 

Your eyebrows raise at the comment and for a moment you just stare at him while you wrack your brain. "Do you mean, Andy?" You ask, thinking back on the outright rude way that Gator had glared at the regular. "No, he's fine. Possibly in need of an AA meeting, but he's always nice. Sometimes he brings his girls in for a drink . . . a fountain drink. Not . . . alcohol. " 

"Those are the ones you gotta watch out for the most." He presses, taking one more drag from his vape before stuffing back into his front pocket. "It's always the one's ya know." 

You aren't sure how to respond to this. How to reciprocate the conversation now that this is the direction that it's taken. You aren't sure where this apparent desire to keep you safe has come from. It's certainly something that you've never experienced before. Or fully witnessed. Even the protectiveness that he had shown his teammates back in high school seemed to come from a place of ego. It always came off that he had some sort of point to prove; that he could take a hit or get even if need be. That he saw his friends as an extension of himself, and by taunting or harming one of them was as good as personally offending him. And he couldn't stand for that. But you'd like to believe that it came from somewhere genuine at least. 

"You should take my number. " 

He says it so casually that it throws you off more than the previous statement did, except this time your outright gawking at him. There's only one reason why Gator Tillman would want your number, but you can't for the life of you figure out why he would be trying to flirt with you. You aren't even sure how to feel about the situation. You never would have assumed that he, of all people would have an interest in you. Yes, in the past you had caught him giving you intrigued glances when he thought you weren't paying attention. Especially whenever you had been in your cheerleading uniform, but you had never put much stock in it; usually equating his wandering eyes on him just being an obnoxious teenage boy. "Is this your way of asking me out?" 

He shrugs lightly at that and raises a hand to grip onto the shoulder of his tactical vest. "I just want to make sure you have someone to call in case anyone gives you a hard time, that's all." 

Sure, bud. That might be one of the lamest excuses you've heard in a while. And that's saying a lot considering the last time a man tried to flirt with you he had unironically used one of the worst pickup lines you may have ever heard, something along the lines of; "kiss me if I'm wrong, but dinosaurs still exist, right?" And Gator's apparent inability to upfront about his intentions makes you want to mess with him a bit. 

"Wait . . . don't I already have your number?" 

He looks confused, face twisting up dumbly and the pinched, clueless furrow between his brows is almost adorable. You can see his fingers already twitching, reaching for the vape stashed in his pocket out of habit. Like the nicotine might help him think better and you can see the gears in his mind turning, but you can tell that he's coming up empty. 

You tilt your head, propping your chin up in the cradle of your hand. "It's 911, right?" 

The realization that you're playing with him finally clicks into place, and he glances away from you with a small scoff. His clear frustration just amuses you further and he takes notice of your obvious enjoyment if the way that his frown deepens is anything to go by. 

"Besides, aren't I a little out of your jurisdiction?" You ask and start to fiddle around with the bottle of unattended Mtn Dew, rotating the carbonated drink around within the cradle of your palm with the push of your fingertips. 

"Jurisdiction, " he echos the word with a sort of repulsion, before he fixes you with an oddly intense look that feels like its burrowing into you. "I am the law; I do whatever the fuck I want." 

Like most things during this little conversation of yours, you aren't entirely sure how take that remark. The passion and utter belief that he said it with was more than a little concerning. The way that he truly seemed to think that he was above the laws that he was meant to enforce. It was a dangerous mindset to have. Especially in his profession, with all the power that he held as an officer, even while he was within the confines of such a small county. Well, not small in terms of size or milage, but it's not like he's a cop in some big city. But who knows, maybe that just makes him even more dangerous. Everything about him was the clear-cut definition of a walking red flag, so you don't even understand why you're sitting here entertaining his bullshit.

At least you're getting paid for it. 

"What do you really want with my number, Gator?" You know why, of course, as odd and confusing as it all is, but you want to hear it from him. 

And just as you expected, he falls silent. Having some sort of internal debate and struggle. And you wait for him to get annoyed and leave, throwing some sort of scathing remark over his shoulder as he goes, but he doesn't do that. Something in the way he holds himself relaxes, and it seems like some half-assed way to come off as unaffected. Probably a way for him to psyche himself out mentally and project self-assuredness. He steps closer to the counter until his hips are brushing against the edge and there's an impish kind of gleam in his eyes. Something about the dynamic seems to shift; you can feel it move and click into place and it makes you feel untethered. Like you're walking on rocky, unexplored terrain. And you aren't sure if you like it. 

"Surely you know, " he says with the hint of playful but if not cocky smile on his lips. And now it's your turn to look up at him in confusion. "I'm a bit embarrassed to admit it, but I've always harbored a bit of a crush for ya." 

Well, that's something that you wouldn't have guessed. You never would have successfully gathered that on your own, that's for certain. And it threw you off even more, considering that for the last leg of senior year, he was a part of an on-again-off-again relationship with Rebecca Mallory. Granted their relationship had always seemed to be in a constant state of a crisis with the way that they had always butted heads. Mostly because Rebecca was a rigid, set-in-her-ways Christian who was often displeased with Gator's penchant for violence and swearing. Not that she was necessarily wrong for her frustrations. Even with his own father being a preacher with an iron fist, Gator never been the most forgiving or restrained person and you figured that being around him for more than an hour would probably be quick to grate on your nerves, too. 

"I, uh, no, I didn't know that." You manage, unsure how to navigate this newfound revelation. In all honesty, you had figured that his previous request for your number had just been an attempt to ease his boredom. A way to enjoy the excitement of meeting up with an old acquaintance - and knowing him - assuming that he might get lucky in the process. 

"It always bugged me that I never grew the balls to make a move in the past." He confesses, and he leans over the counter again. And with the way that you're also propped up on your elbows it leaves only a few inches separating the two of you. You swear you could feel the heat radiating off of his body brushing against your own skin. The sudden proximity seems to vacuum all of the air out of the room, and your mind scrambles to catch up. He can see the way that you're floundering underneath his stare. You can see the amusement twinkling in the dark brown of his eyes from underneath the bright, pale splash of the long florescent bulbs. "And then you went and moved out after graduation. Up in a hurry to leave this little shithole - not that I blame ya, mind you; but it always left me wondering how you would have responded if I had asked you out on a date." 

The quiet that follows is stifling. For a moment it's just the both of you alone, in a grimy busted up gas station in the middle of nowhere with an upbeat Beach Boys song playing over the sound system. It feels laughably too energetic for the still but charged atmosphere that surrounds you and stalls your lungs. That keeps your focus pinned to his with the pleasant musk of his cologne wafting over you; sweetened by the sugary notes of vape smoke. 

"I think I would have said no, " you say truthfully. You can see the way his shoulders go slack. The movement is so minute that you probably wouldn't have noticed if you weren't so close to him. His head tilts back like he means to pull away and for some reason your stomach flips with disappointment at the thought, but you don't bother trying to unpack that feeling right now. "But . . . " 

He pauses, attention zeroing in on you and you swear you might actually see something akin to hope somewhere in his expression. "But, what?" He asks when you don't immediately respond. 

"Convince me." 

"Excuse me?" 

"You heard me." 

He stares at you like he doesn't know what to think. His mouth is hanging open just a bit and he laughs, though it comes out as more as a disbelieving puff of air. And you can see him going through the motions of it in his head, like he's trying to solve something. But he seems to come to some sort of conclusion. His shoulders square up like he's accepting it as a sort of challenge. " Alright, " he agrees, and settles back against the counter. "I'll treat ya real good; take you out the dinner. You ever been to Twister's?" 

"No, " you answer, and the look he gives you is pitying, but one that's lively and not mean-spirited. It throws you for a loop to see him so carefree and relaxed. Typically, the jokes that come from him are underhanded barbs, meant to make someone uncomfortable or angry rather than a means to actually get a laugh. But you like it. It's as pleasant as it is unexpected and all of that initial unease and irritation that you had previously felt towards his presence begins to thaw. 

"The best food in North Dakota." He praises and you hum in interest and nod, quietly ushering him to continue, even though the gesture is a little condescending it's also playful. 

"One of the guys at the station said they got a new drive-thru theater over in Bismarck. They show old classics mostly- shitty B movies and low budget horror flicks, but I think they're plann' on playin' one of those old stop motion films; Nightmare Before Christmas, I think. For Halloween, probably."  

Admittedly, it doesn't sound like a bad date. And as cliche as the idea of a theater may have been, it has your interest piqued. Especially the drive-thru part. It's been on your bucket list for a while now, and the prospect of going is more than a little enticing. Especially with how stagnant and stressful life has been as of late. It would be nice to go out again and get away from the monotony of life at home and work. And truthfully, a part of you is a little intrigued to get to know Gator again after all the time away. To see if maybe he has changed and matured a bit as a person. But you also don't want to give in too soon. Admittedly, you do like to string him along, as wrong as it may be. 

"Then afterwards, we could maybe go ice skating, " he offers. "It's been a few years since I've worn a pair of skates, so I might be a little rusty. But I figure it's gotta be like riding a bike." 

"Sounds tempting, " you say with a smile that you couldn't help. "And after that?" 

It takes him a second, but he quickly seems to catch on to what you're implying. His gaze seems to darken, that honeyed brown turning russet and warm. He tips in closer to you; you nearly feel the bill of his cap brush against your forehead. "Well, that depends on you, princess. " 

You don't say anything, letting him stew in the potential of rejection. And you reach over to your left, plucking a Sharpie from an old, chipped mug that's used to store miscellaneous pens and highlighters; there was even an old cherry flavored lollipop that's been in there since you've started working here, and you've got the feeling that it's probably been in there for more than a few years.  He tracts the movement with open curiosity but raises his focus to you when you reach for his injured arm with your free hand, though he doesn't fight or question you when you pull it over across the counter towards your chest, careful not to accidentally put any strain on it. 

And when you pop the cap off with your thumb and raise the point of the marker to his cast it suddenly feels like you're being put under a microscope again. You can feel his attention searing into with an intensity that should be uncomfortable. But you find that you don't completely mind it. Not even with that bobble headed plastic cat awkwardly bouncing in the corner while you write out your phone number on the inside of his wrist. 

"I'm free on Saturday. " You say, capping the marker and plopping it back inside the mug. 

He's outright smiling now. It's a little smug, pleased, but there's also something content about it. "Sounds like a plan, " he replies, and reaches for his jerky and drink, stepping away from the counter without turning away from you. Walking backwards towards the exit. "How's five o'clock sound?" 

"Works for me." You return his smile, unable to fight it off. And there's a sappy, fuzzy feeling inside of your chest that's going to mean nothing but trouble for you in the future. 

"I guess I'll see ya then." He's nudging the door open with his back and pauses almost like he's reluctant to leave but then he's slipping out the door with a quick, "g'night!" tossed over his shoulder. You barely get to return your own before the door swings shut behind him, blocking you from seeing him with the cardboard plastered over in place of glass. And now that he's left, the store feels all too quiet with only the old, tired speakers to keep you company and the ragged hum of the wall freezers in the back of the store. 

You glance around the room boredly, stepping back from the counter while you mentally go down the to-do list. Finding that you've already done most of your tasks. The delivery truck wasn't due for a few more days, and you finished up all of the necessary stocking a few hours ago. And you've already squeegeed the remaining windows clean and organized the shelves. But you hadn't cleaned the restroom yet. 

You suck in a ragged breath. You were less than enthused to clean the toilet on a regular day, but now that it had been the scene of a crime and a literal death you were more than unhappy with prospect. But unfortunately, it was a part of the job description. And it's an absentminded glance downward that you notice the change that Gator had left discarded on the counter. A crumpled dollar and some change. Just a measly dollar and thirty-two cents. He probably forgot about it, and even if he hadn't it was such a small amount that it wouldn't be missed. But you figured that there isn't any harm and giving it back to him. If you go now, he might still be parked outside. 

And that was enough for you to scoop up the change in your palm and run around the length of the front desk, crossing the expanse of the floor quickly and shoving the door open to cross outside. The cold night air that rushes across your skin surprises you for a moment after spending the last few hours underneath the heat of the store, but it doesn't deter you. And a quick glance to the passenger side lets you know that the cab of police cruiser is empty, and you stare at it dumbly for a second before you notice Gator standing off to the left, near the rear end of the truck. 

And you don't even notice the fact that his gun is drawn, that his body is pulled taut; clearly on edge while he stares down at the ground with wide eyes. 

"Hey, Gator!" You call, stepping forward with a smile on your face. His head snaps up when he hears you, and there's a wild sort of glint in his eyes that jerks something deep in your chest, jostles free a heavy, chilling sort of concern and worry. 

"No, no - don't come over here!" He shouts with a horrific sense of panic that you feel in your bones. But it's already too late. You've come too close, and when you walk past the rear end of the truck to step towards him you notice some strange lump lying on the ground from out of your peripheral vision. And in a kneejerk reaction it seizes your attention, pulls your focus to it like it's being tugged by a string. It's the blood you notice first. Pooled across the dirt and glittering a rich red from oily shine of lights on the ceiling of the gas pump canopy. It's pouring from a slice in the body's neck. But what's more is a piece of cardboard pinned to his chest, notched in place by a thick hunting knife. Your mind sort of just goes quiet. Unable to grapple with what it's actually seeing even while you can't look away. 

You can smell the blood. It's a thick, nauseating scent, like sucking on pennies and rust and you want to gag. You want to vomit. Or scream. Or anything. 

But you can't manage to make yourself move. You're stuck frozen; forced to stare. The change in your hand feels damp with sweat and you're clutching it so tightly that you can feel that coins burrowing painfully into the palm of your hand. Even from where you stand you can make out the messy writing written on the cardboard in an ominous, messy scrawl: 

You owe me 

And finally. Blessedly, you're able to tear your gaze away from the body. Stiffly turning your head from the carnage and over towards Gator who looks just as shaken as you. His gun is still drawn, clasped with both hands but his attention is on you. He just looks confused. Unsure and worried. For a while neither of you say a single word. You just sit still in the chilly night air, with the scent of blood choking you and fear in your eyes. And then Gator seems to be able to collect himself, holstering his gun and fixes you with a look that you can't discern. That you aren't able to. And then he utters one word with complete defeat and a little exhaustion too: 

"Shit." 

#Gator Tillman x reader #gator tillman x you #gator tillman #fargo season 5 #fargo s5 #joe keery x reader #joe keery fargo #gator tillman x y/n #gator tillman x fem!reader #gator x reader #gator fargo

[vaspider]

Just throwing it out there, but I'm a Quaker (aka Society of Friends) (a lot of people consider us to be Christian but I don't - we're not expected to believe in Jesus or even a god, nor read the Bible, go to church, celebrate Christian holidays, any of that, though we're allowed to if we want to. Quakers are actually allowed to belong to any other religion, or lack thereof, which is rather un-christian. Like, you could be a Muslim Quaker or a Hindu Quaker or whatever, it's all good (I'm an atheist Quaker). We did start off as an offshoot of Christianity but there's plenty of offshoot religions that become their own thing, like Christianity itself). Context aside, it's literally, explicitly against my religion to try to convert people. We're not even allowed to suggest it to people, although it's not a closed religion. Like, if you ask me about becoming a Quaker, I'm welcome to talk about it, but I can't just tell people that they should do it.

So yeah, just adding to the anti "proselytizing is just a required part of religion" pile.

On a side note, the main tenets of Quakerism are Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, Equality, and Stewardship, and in my experience, a frightening number of Christians (my parents included) balk at the "equality" bit. Like, people have legit gotten angry with me about it. Despite the "we're all God's children"/"all sins are equal in the eyes of God" thing that a lot of them talk about, because when *we* say equality, we actually do mean equal.

Also, fun fact since it's Coronation Day or whatever, Quakerism is inherently anti-monarchy as part of the "equality" tenet 😉

I attended multiple Quaker meetings (Lehigh Valley Friends Meeting, Lancaster Friends Monthly Meeting, Gwynedd Friends Meeting) for like... a total of about eight years of my life, and I was planning to marry a Quaker. My HS boyfriend was super active in Young Friends; we used to do a lot of the setup and teardown for the Peace Walk in December and before First Day Meeting. Emet and I used a self-attesting/Friends wedding license. I spent most of my life before 2019 living in the eastern half of Pennsylvania or in Maryland. I know what Quakers are, but I appreciate your thorough explanation for folx who might not know.

I ... have a lot of respect for the Society of Friends, and I applaud the Society's attempts to keep everyone under the same big tent, but to say that the Friends are not Christian is quite a stretch. 89% of Friends worldwide belong to Evangelical or Programmed Meetings, with a pastor and Bible readings.

It's probably more true to say that American Quakers of Friends General Conference do not have a Creed, that some Quakers are not Christian and that many Meetings, especially Unprogrammed Meetings in Friends General Conference in the United States, welcome diverse faiths as well as non-theist members.

I think it's important, however, not to look away from how deeply-rooted many Xian ideals and concepts are in Friends philosophy. Saying "Friends aren't Xian" kind of allows for a sort of magical thinking that all of those ideas - some of which are harmful or have been used for great harm - are just gone. That's not the case.

There's a lot of classism issues in many Friends Meetings, too, especially some of the older ones, because many of those Meetings are populated by people who have an awful lot of old money, and that can give people outsized voices when it comes to seeking consensus.

At least, that's what caused me to come away from the Friends, though I went through multiple times of returning to Meeting because I was deeply Convinced at multiple points. I was drawn to Meeting very strongly by the ideal, and the reality pushed me away.

None of this is to say that Friends don't do wonderful things or that FGC's work isn't often lovely and commendable. I just ... object to the idea that Quakers aren't Christian. Well, no, many are, and the deeply Xian roots of the Society are still very visible to me. I love the Friends deeply (the design for a Publick Universal Friend pin is waiting for me to set up our next Kickstarter), and I'm very glad you find such joy and fulfillment there. I have confidence that if anyone can continue working on the issues within the conference itself and on the greater issues of the world with patience, consideration, and genuine consensus-seeking, it's FGC.

[marvelrarepairbingo]

Hey gang! We've got another round-up of great fics to offer up below the cut. Marvel Rare Pair Bingo - possibly soon to be renamed, we'll get back to you on that one soon! - is still going strong with a great group of writers and artists, with mini-events and other goodies to share. We hope you're ready to dig into our catalogue of goodies because as usual, we're bringing you the best with some fun rare ships. Also, if you're interested, check out our FAQ and see if you'd like to sign-up for your own Round 3 bingo card. Check out our Discord family as well. We're fun, welcoming, chatty (usually - sometimes life holds us back), and hey, there are even games and mini-events that are exclusive to the Discord group. Don't miss out on the fun!

Title: In the land of gods and monsters Author: Wolfsheart (me) Card #: MRP-001 Square Filled: B2: That’ll never happen again Pairing: Bruce Banner/Thor, Hulk/Thor, Tony Stark/Loki Rating: Teen Warnings: Established Relationship, Established Loki/Tony Stark, Established Bruce Banner/Thor, Minor Bucky Barnes/Steve Rogers, Jotunn | Frost Giant, Jotunn Loki (Marvel), Implied/Referenced Sex, Humor, Sexual Humor Summary: When three rogue Frost Giants show up in Central Park, turn it into a mini and temporary Jotunheim, Thor and Tony do their part in the fight by encouraging their boyfriends…by ogling and thirsty commentary. Word Count: 1289 Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/55313029

Title: I Feel What You Feel When Everyone’s Gone Author: endlesstwanted Card #: MRP-031 Square Filled: N4: Image prompt: Sam Wilson with the shield Pairing: Natasha Romanov/Sam Wilson Rating: Teen Warnings: On the Run, Mild Blood, Developing Relationship Summary: Sam’s having a chill night on the first cold one of Autumn when Camp Lehigh fell onto pieces over Steve and Natasha —literally. Word Count: 3260 Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/50991697 Title: What Is A Girl Like You Doing In A Place Like This?, Chapter 1 Author: endlesstwanted Card #: MRP-031 Square Filled: N2: Natasha Romanoff Pairing: James "Bucky" Barnes & Clint Barton & Natasha Romanov Rating: Teen Warnings: Spies & Secret Agents, Mission Fic, Reunions Summary: While on a surveillance mission, Natasha runs into an old ally from a competition agency. Fearing that he could interfere with her case, she decides to pay him a visit before it’s too late. Little does she know how that is going to turn her plans side down. Word Count: 3019 Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/47567218/chapters/119883439

Title: Of Ice Cream and Park Benches Author: 42donotpanic Card #: MRP-038 Square Filled: I3: melted Ice cream Pairing: Matt Murdock/Franklin "Foggy" Nelson Rating: Mature Major Tags/Warnings: Implied/Referenced Child Abuse, Implied/Referenced Rape/Non-con, Implied/Referenced Abuse, Implied/Referenced Alcohol Abuse/Alcoholism, Panic attacks Summary: On a hot April afternoon, Matt and Foggy decide to take a break from studying and go for some ice cream in the nearby park. A bad day turns even worse when the park and the ice cream trigger flashbacks of something Matt would rather forget. Word Count: 2898 Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/51545782

Title: Out Kink The Kinkster Author:  Jimothy Card #: MRP-041 Square Filled: G2: Shower Together Pairing: Clint Barton/Bucky Barnes Rating: Explicit Warnings: ABO, Blowjobs Summary: At first, it started as a way to relieve stress and boredom from days spent in a safehouse, fueled by hormones. Then it became something the pair craved from one another, try as they might to deny it. One thing fell into another and they agreed to become friends with benefits, figuring nothing could go wrong. Except it’s them and something always goes wrong. Word Count: 3769 Link:https://www.tumblr.com/captainjimothycarter/728024464849256448/out-kink-the-kinkster?source=share Title: Fic Author:  Jimothy Card #: MRP-041 Square Filled: I2: Dom/Sub Pairing: Clint Barton/Bucky Barnes Rating: Explicit Warnings: Alpha/Beta/Omega, Alpha/Omega, Omega Clint Summary: Bucky loves it when Clint avoids taking his medicine, it means he can play with his Omega all he wants. Word Count: 1769 Link: https://www.tumblr.com/captainjimothycarter/731913759359205376/clints-medicine?source=share Title: Play Stupid Games, Win A New Way To Keep Warm Author:  Jimothy Card #: MRP-041 Square Filled: N2: Huddling Under The Covers Pairing: Steve/Thor Rating: Explicit Warnings: Pissplay, Watersports Summary: After Odin gets under his skin and Steve tries to swim across a frozen river to retrieve their fishing boat, Thor has to find a new way to keep his fiance warm Word Count: 2024 Link: https://www.tumblr.com/captainjimothycarter/732028017798463488/play-stupid-games-win-a-new-way-to-keep-warm?source=share Title: Stress Relief In A Flowery Gown Author:  Jimothy Card #: MRP-041 Square Filled: G3: Karma Sutra Pairing:  Steve Rogers/Peggy Carter Rating: Explicit Warnings: Trans Characters Summary: It felt like they were always dancing around one another, denying each other pleasure. What little conversation they have had, Peggy clings onto when her agent gets under her skin. She’d need it most of all when her agent got under her skin once again, denying her the chance to wear one of Rogers’ famous designs. She finally throws it all to the wind when he makes a comment, pulling Steve into her office to fuck these frustrations out and have an important conversation. Word Count: 3644 Link: https://www.tumblr.com/captainjimothycarter/732391483829846016/stress-relief-in-flowery-gown?source=share

Title: Don’t Go Searching For What Goes Bump In The Dark Author:  Jimothy Card #: MRP-041 Square Filled: G5: Forced To Hurt Partner Pairing: Clint/Bucky Rating: Mature Warnings: Hurt/Comfort Summary: They had worked for this peaceful life, after a lifetime of turmoil and pain. They deserved this peace that they’d carved out for themselves. Peace can only last for so long, as life liked to remind Clint that it surely was a bitch. His peaceful life with his mate, with the love of his life, his soulmate is crumbled into ruins when Bucky disappears one morning. Clint would do anything to get his mate back, even if that meant walking into the slimy tentacles of Hydra itself. Word Count: 2337 Link: https://www.tumblr.com/captainjimothycarter/732749869200130048/dont-go-searching-for-what-goes-bump-in-the-dark?source=share

Title: Here, At The End of All Things Author:  Cerylid Card #: MRP-047 Square Filled: O2: Nightmares Pairing: Scott/Logan Rating: Mature Warnings: Physical - Touch-starved, Hurt/Comfort, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Angst, Resurrection, Suicidal Thoughts, Grief/Mourning, Scott Summers Needs A Hug, Trauma, Uncanny X-Men (2018) Wolverine and Cyclops, Alternative Universe - Slight Canon Divergence Summary: The other X-Men have vanished, and a newly-resurrected Scott has called out their enemies to face him at the remains of the School, determined to take as many of them with him as he can. He didn't expect Logan to show up and help. He didn't expect to survive. And he certainly didn't expect Logan to stay and look after him afterwards. Word Count: 3248 Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/50118301

Title: Resolution Author:  Cerylid Card #: MRP-047 Square Filled: I2: Soothing/Healing touch Pairing: Scott/Logan Rating: Explicit Major Tags/Warnings: Scott Summers Needs A Hug, Logan is a Softie (X-Men), Sexual Content, telepathic trauma, Not Jean Grey Friendly Summary: After a bitter argument with his ex, Scott is rescued from his doubts by Logan. Word Count: 2474 Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/53440141

Title: Fifth Times the Charm Author:  Cerylid Card #: MRP-047 Square Filled: I1: "Opportunity Knocks" Pairing: Scott/Logan Rating: Gen Warnings: Scott Summers Deserves Happiness, Scott is Scott, Logan is a Softie (X-Men) Summary: Scott Summers has been trying to ask Logan to the New Year party for a couple of weeks, but it keeps going wrong. When he finally gets the chance, can he overcome he fears to find out if Logan feels the same? Word Count: 2162 Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/53115751

Title: Long Nights Author:  Cerylid Card #: MRP-047 Square Filled: G4: Napping Together Pairing: Scott/Logan Rating: Mature Warnings: 5+1 Things, Missions, Only One Bed, Pool & Billiards, Grief/Mourning, Hurt Scott Summers, Scott Summers Deserves Happiness, Scott Summers Needs A Hug, Protective Logan (X-Men), Grumpy Logan (X-Men), Making Out, Intimacy Summary: Five long nights that Logan found difficult... and one long night he didn't. Word Count: 3791 Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/53116726

Title: New Beginnings Author:  Cerylid Card #: MRP-047 Square Filled: I3: "I love you" Pairing: Scott/Logan Rating: Gen Warnings: Krakoa Era (X-Men), Developing Relationship, Intimacy, Making Out, Resurrection Summary: Mother Mold has been destroyed, and the whole of the new mutant nation of Krakoa has been celebrating. Everything has changed, everything is new, and maybe it’s the chance for new beginnings. Word Count: 1475 Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/53556145

Title: It’s a Party! (It’s a Party! - Chapter 1) Author:  Muffin Card #: MRP-058 Square Filled: O5: Alternative Reality/Universe Pairing: Logan Howlett & Morgan Stark, Darcy Lewis/Sam Wilson, James “Bucky” Barnes & Darcy Lewis, James “Bucky” Barnes & Sam Wilson, James “Bucky” Barnes/Steve Rogers Rating: Teen Major Tags/Warnings: blindfolds, mentioning of sabotage, teasing Summary: Logan brought the cake for Bucky’s birthday party and immediately got roped in the preparations by a young lady. Steve put a blindfold on Bucky, who complained. And Sam, he got accused of sabotage. Word Count: 862 Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/46204081/chapters/116320420 Title: Moonlight - Private Investigations - Chapter 1: Moonlight P.I.? Author:  Muffin Card #: MRP-058 Square Filled: O4: Noir Detective AU Pairing: Darcy Lewis & Natasha Romanoff, Frank Castle/Darcy Lewis, Frank Castle & Natasha Romanoff Rating: Mature Major Tags/Warnings: suggestive themes, discussion of death, mentioning of violence, mentioning of brainwashing, mentioning of cheating Summary: To get her P.I. business running, Darcy did a favor for her neighbor. Natasha had a different idea to do so and introduced Frank Castle to her. Word Count: 2748 Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/47468947/chapters/119626003

Title: Hydra Author:  Muffin Card #: MRP-058 Square Filled: O3: Run in with a Hydra (not Hydra!) Pairing: James "Bucky" Barnes & Steve Rogers & Sam Wilson Rating: Mature Major Tags/Warnings: doubt, mistakes, dark Summary: Our boys have a run-in with a hydra. Word Count: 0(Moodboard) Link: https://www.tumblr.com/muffinengineer86/733819216896180224/title-hydra?source=share

Title: Soaking Wet (Chapter 1) Author:  Muffin Card #: MRP-058 Square Filled: G2: Pick-up lines Pairing: Darcy Lewis/Loki Rating: Explicit Major Tags/Warnings: porn, unprotected sex, squirting, wet sex Summary: Loki’s eyebrows pinched together. He had trouble processing what he just heard. How could a woman be too wet during sex? Word Count: 948 Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/48809404/chapters/123127993 Title: Stitches and Biscuits Club Snippets - Chapter 6: Operation “What shark, Tony?” Author:  Muffin Card #: MRP-058 Square Filled: G1: Nightmare fuel Pairing: Darcy Lewis & Tony Stark, Peter Parker & Frank Castle, James “Bucky” Barnes & Darcy Lewis, James “Bucky” Barnes & Jack Rollins, James “Bucky” Barnes & Cameron Klein Rating: Teen Major Tags/Warnings: attacked by creature, fatigue, jump scare, pranks Summary: “Dr. Lewis, if I may interrupt. Sir is very uncooperative. I think now is the perfect time to initiate the plan “What shark?". Sir refuses to stop his current project. He hasn’t slept for fifty-three hours.” Jarvis’ voice sounded out of the club room’s speakers as Darcy and club members discussed the newest edition of the “Hot Stitches” magazine. “Yes!” Peter jumped up, all eyes on him. “Peter!” Darcy looked at the youngest club member with a raised eyebrow. Word Count: 1022 Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/45356182/chapters/125381350

Title: Steam Train (Holiday Hangover: Chapter 10) Author:  Muffin Card #: MRP-058 Square Filled: N5: What the hell was that noise? Pairing: Darcy Lewis/Steve Rogers/Brock Rumlow Rating: Mature Major Tags/Warnings: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, polyamory, triple agent Brock, train driving, crack taken serious, fantasy, dreaming, sexual references, kinks mentioned Summary: Darcy never thought she would enjoy steam trains. Okay, she didn’t enjoy the trains, but her men were having fun learning how to operate one. Brock and Steve loved trains, and she had (with Tony’s help) found a place that gave you the steam train engineer experience. Her nerds not only dragged her with them, no they dressed accordingly. She had to admit they looked good in the train driver uniforms, dirty thoughts good. Word Count: 1153 Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/44305264/chapters/124924105

Title: Margarita Monday on a Thursday Part 2 (Her Red Lips - Chapter 4) Author:  Muffin Card #: MRP-058 Square Filled: N4: Survival Sex Pairing: Darcy Lewis & Yelena Belova, Darcy Lewis/Brock Rumlow Rating: Mature Major Tags/Warnings: drinking, talking about big breasts, talking about stealing, mention of men’s opinion about big breasts, curse words Summary: Darcy spilled the beans to Yelena. The Russian now tried to summarize everything and make sense of it. Darcy wasn’t forthcoming with the missing details, but that wasn’t what had Yelena upset. No, it was the pitiful content of Darcy’s pantry. Word Count: 1830 Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/47653312/chapters/123582538 Title: Crystal Ball and Truths (Simply Magic - The 24h Help Hotline) Author:  Muffin Card #: MRP-058 Square Filled: Free Space - Magic Pairing: Darcy Lewis/Loki Rating: Teen Major Tags/Warnings: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, magic au, witch!Darcy, hotline operator Loki, crystal ball, language, slow burn Summary: “Ah, Darcy. How long has it been? Two hours? You must like my voice a lot.” Arrr. Gods. Was he reading her mind? That man was so entitled! She wished the Darth Vader Force choke move was real. “No, not really. As you should know by now, I’m an astrophysicist, and your manuals are shit. On top of it, I inherited a shop full of old magical objects with no manuals at all.” Word Count: 1141 Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/51385414/chapters/129850864

Title: Legendary Lost & Mythological Found Author:  Muffin Card #: MRP-058 Square Filled: N2: Creepy Housekeeper Pairing: Darcy Lewis/Brock Rumlow Rating: Teen Major Tags/Warnings: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Daisy - Symbiont, Crete, Labyrinth, lost, talk about getting children, minotaur, a creature of legends, found, chocolate, cursing, verbal fighting Summary: Walking back the way he came, Daisy held his nose in the wind and sniffed. He found her trail, but it ended suddenly. The only thing he could make out was her glasses on the ground next to an old stone with a strange glyph, looking like a maze, carved into it. “Fuck.” “Ouch.” Darcy rubbed her butt, looking confused around the dark room. One minute she walked under the bright sun of Crete with Daisy, and the next, the ground beneath her feet opened and swallowed her up. Word Count: 1044 Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/49330948 Title: Operation “What shark, Brock?” (Stitches and Biscuits Club Snippets: Chapter 9) Author:  Muffin Card #: MRP-058 Square Filled: N1: Sphinx Riddles Pairing: Brock Rumlow & Jack Rolins, Frank Castle & Jeff the land shark, Peter Parker & Frank Castle, Darcy Lewis & Cameron Klein Rating: Teen Major Tags/Warnings: canon divergence, Jeff - the land shark, pranks, Jeff on a motorcycle Summary: Out of reflex, Brock waved back. He stopped himself and kept staring at the corner the motorcycle had rounded. “Did you see that?” “What?” “Frank Castle drove past us with Peter Parker and a shark on that bike.” Brock gestured towards the street corner. Word Count: 902 Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/45356182/chapters/130289551

Title: The Cherry Incident (Her Red Lips - Chapter 2) Author:  Muffin Card #: MRP-058 Square Filled: B1: Scars Pairing: Darcy Lewis/Cameron Klein, Darcy Lewis/Brock Rumlow Rating: Mature Major Tags/Warnings: cuckolding, insults, cheating, unhealthy pinning, shirtless man, triple Agent Brock Rumlow, Brock is kind of an asshole, but not to women Summary: Brock spotted Darcy as she set up a picnic for her boyfriend. Jack only was sarcastic but Brock took it quite literally. And now he was shirtless interrupting Darcy's and Cameron's date. Word Count: 1632 Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/47653312/chapters/120530506

Title: Waiting for a Reply (Matchmaker Femdom Edition - The Dating App: Chapter 2) Author:  MuffinEngineer86 aka. Muffin Card #: MRP-058 Square Filled: O2 - Taking Care of Someone Pairing: Darcy Lewis/Steve Rogers, Yelena Belova & Darcy Lewis, Steve Rogers & Thor Rating: Mature Major Tags/Warnings: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Avengers Tower AU, language, D/S dynamics, gentle femdom, submissive!Steve, domme!Darcy, dating app, it’s all Nat’s fault, kink negotiations, self-doubt, Yelena is a good friend, Thor is a good bro, alcohol, mentioning of other drug use Summary: Two days went by without a reply to her message. It was not only eating on Darcy but also Steve felt bad for not opening the app. Thor and Yelena helped their friends to overcome their self-doubt. Word Count: 942 Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/53898709/chapters/136884361

Title: Reassurance (Holiday Hangover: Chapter 14) Author:  MuffinEngineer86 aka. Muffin Card #: MRP-058 Square Filled: G2 - Hugs and Kisses Pairing: Darcy Lewis/Steve Rogers/Brock Rumlow Rating: T Major Tags/Warnings: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, polyamory, twins, fertility god, blessing, royal traditions, pre-wedding jitters, anticipatory grief, Fandal is flirting with Brock’s mom Summary: Darcy leaned into his back as best as her baby bump would allow. “Planning our or your escape?” "Neither." Brock took her hands in his, squeezing them tenderly. "Why? Do you need rescuing?" “No.” She lay her head between his shoulder blades. “Just a little nervous. I know we discussed it, but ...” Word Count: 838 Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/44305264/chapters/138631783

Title: Coddling The Injured (Dating Trouble: The Flying Wand: Chapter 2) Author:  MuffinEngineer86 aka. Muffin Card #: MRP-058 Square Filled: O2 - Taking Care of Someone Pairing: James “Bucky” Barnes/Darcy Lewis/Steve Rogers, James “Bucky” Barnes/Steve Rogers Rating: Explicit Major Tags/Warnings: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, No Power AU, language, farmhand!Steve, farmhand! Bucky, handjob, Hitachi Wand, bleeding, sex dream, wound, Sam must never find out, sexy nurse uniform, Nurse!Steve, Nurse!Darcy, Patient!Bucky Summary: “You know I threw the wand!” Darcy asked from the doorway, smirking while playing with a lollipop. Steve’s breath hitched, and Bucky’s mouth fell open with a breathless “Wow!” Her boyfriends' reaction was priceless. Smirking, she popped the lollipop back into her mouth. Her boys did react to her new outfit exactly as she expected. Word Count: 710 Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/53701648/chapters/137013619

Title: The Flashback Blanket Author:  MycroftRH Card #: MRP-062 Square Filled: B3: Loki Pairing: Loki/Tony Stark (I'm using this as my one popular-ship exception) Rating: Gen Warnings: N/A Summary: Loki was pressed against a wall, green flickering sickeningly around his hands, eyes tinged red. Thor threw himself towards him as Steve grabbed for the shield. “Wait, hang on! Back off!” Tony, armorless, darted in between them, hand held out warningly not to Loki but to Thor and Steve, gesturing them back. “Give him some room, for fuck’s sake - “ he said as he all but shoved them away from Loki. “Stand away, Anthony, he will harm you.” Word Count: 1936 Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/51245299

Title: Pier Fishing Author:  MycroftRH Card #: MRP-062 Square Filled: N2: Prompt was "break up," but I replaced it with the adoptable "pier fishing" Pairing: Steven Grant/Marc Spector/Jake Lockley/Bruce Banner/Hulk Rating: Gen Warnings: Summary: Bruce & Hulk & Steven & Marc & Jake deal with a sea monster, and also possibly some feelings. Word Count: 2071 Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/54305425

Title: Pier Fishing Author: MycroftRH Card #: MRP-062 Square Filled: N2, by way of an adoptable Pairing: Steven Grant/Marc Spector/Jake Lockley/Bruce Banner/Hulk Rating: G Warnings: None Summary: Bruce & Hulk & Steven & Marc & Jake deal with a sea monster, and also possibly some feelings. Word Count: 2,071 Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/54305425

Title: “Insider” Author:  Annie/nekoannie-chan Card #: MRP-066 Square Filled: N5: “Discovering someone’s secret identity”. Pairing: (Not) Brock Rumlow X Jemma Simmons (Love). Rating: Teen Warnings: Skrull, betrayal, heartbroken. Summary: Jemma discovers a horrible secret. Word Count: 538 Link: https://nekoannie-chan.tumblr.com/post/731245857969733632/insider

Title: “Urban building” Author:  Annie/nekoannie-chan Card #: MRP-066 Square Filled: G1: “Scary urban legend” Pairing: Brock Rumlow & Jack Rollins (Friendship). Rating: Teen Warnings: Urban legends come true, enchanted building. Summary: Urban legends aren’t real, are they? Word Count: 530 Link: https://nekoannie-chan.tumblr.com/post/731336443201486848/urban-building

Title: “Now is real” Author:  Annie/nekoannie-chan Card #: MRP-066 Square Filled: G2: Pretend couple becomes real Pairing: Clarice Fong X John Proudstar (Thunderblink) Rating: Teen Warnings: Love, fluff, undercover mission Summary: Clarice and John finally admit their feelings. Word Count: 502 Link: https://nekoannie-chan.tumblr.com/post/731517641592815616/now-is-real

Title: “Not an alliance” Author:  Annie/nekoannie-chan Card #: MRP-066 Square Filled: G3: “Shapeshifters” Pairing: Raven Darkholme & Erik Lensherr (Work). Rating: Teen Warnings: Shapeshifters, argue. Summary: Can mutants have an alliance with shapeshifters? Word Count: 511 Link: https://nekoannie-chan.tumblr.com/post/731698834616516608/not-an-alliance

Title: “I can’t believe it” Author:  Annie/nekoannie-chan Card #: MRP-066 Square Filled: G4: “Dealing with a betrayal” Pairing: Marcos Díaz X Lorna Dane (Eclaris) (Love) Rating: Teen Warnings: Betrayal Summary: Can Marcos forgive Lorna and protect their child? Word Count: 540 Link: https://nekoannie-chan.tumblr.com/post/731880026978631680/i-cant-believe-it

Title: Melted gift Author:  Annie/nekoannie-chan Card #: MRP-066 Square Filled: G5: “Melted ice cream”. Pairing: Anna Marie D’Ancanto X Robert Drake (Love). Rating: Teen Warnings: Melted ice cream. Summary: Bobby cook something special for Rogue Word Count: 100 Link: https://nekoannie-chan.tumblr.com/post/731972515557261312/melted-gift

Title: “Escaping” Author:  Annie/nekoannie-chan Card #: MRP-066 Square Filled: O1: “Survival instinct” Pairing: Clarice Fong/Ferguson X John Proudstar (Thunderblink) (Love). Rating: Teen Warnings: Escaping, Sentinels, Purifiers. Summary: Clarice and John need to use their abilities to escape from danger. Word Count: 521 Link: https://nekoannie-chan.tumblr.com/post/732151821570818048/escaping

Title: “Not normal photos” Author:  Annie/nekoannie-chan Card #: MRP-066 Square Filled: O2: “Spooky photographs” Pairing: Ana/Satana Helstrom & Chris Yen (Friendship) Rating: Teen Warnings: Scary encounter, horror, spooky photographs. Summary: Ana and Chris appraised some stuff in an old house. Word Count: 564 Link: https://nekoannie-chan.tumblr.com/post/732332935133495296/not-normal-photos

Title: “Not normal photos” Author:  Annie/nekoannie-chan Card #: MRP-066 Square Filled: O2: Spooky photographs Pairing: Ana/Satana Helstrom & Chris Yen (Friendship) Rating: Teen Warnings: Scary encounter, horror, spooky photographs Summary: Ana and Chris appraised some stuff in an old house. Word Count: 564 Link: https://nekoannie-chan.tumblr.com/post/732332935133495296/not-normal-photos

Title: “Glitter” Author:  Annie/nekoannie-chan Card #: MRP-066 Square Filled: O3: Sequins/Glitter Pairing: Nico Minoru X Karolina Dean (Deanoru) (Love). Rating: Teen Warnings: Glitter, fluff, femslash. Summary: Karolina loves glitter, Nico doesn’t. Word Count: 507 Link: https://nekoannie-chan.tumblr.com/post/732514225252139008/glitter

Title: “Undead” Author:  Annie/nekoannie-chan Card #: MRP-066 Square Filled: O4: Necromancer Pairing: Nico Minoru & Alex Wilder (Friendhship). Rating: Teen Warnings: Necromancer, spirits, talking to the dead. Summary: A necromancer can’t be a problem for Nico, right? Word Count: 542 Link: https://nekoannie-chan.tumblr.com/post/732608594725470208/undead

Title: “Garden” Author:  Annie/nekoannie-chan Card #: MRP-066 Square Filled: O5: Surprise Pairing: Karolina Dean X Julie Power (Love). Rating: Teen Warnings: Secret garden, secret gift, femslash. Summary: Julie wanna surprise Karolina. Word Count: 100 Link: https://nekoannie-chan.tumblr.com/post/732876877742637057/garden

Title: Cost Author:  Annie/nekoannie-chan Card #: MRP-066 Square Filled: B1 “Short term gains at a long term cost.” Pairing: Steve Rogers & Clarice Fong (Friends). Rating: Teen Warnings/Tags: Mention of betrayal. Summary: Steve asked Clarice for help. Word Count: 556 Link: https://nekoannie-chan.tumblr.com/post/745469836561350656/cost https://www.wattpad.com/1429251324-marvel-rare-pairing-round-3-cost https://archiveofourown.org/works/54406006

Title: Cross the Sky for your love Author:  SomeSortofItalianRoast Card #: MRP- 067 Square Filled: O5: Running out of Time Pairing: Tony Stark/Thor Rating: Teen Warnings: Alternate Universe - Soulmates, Soulmates, Soulmate-Identifying Marks, First Kiss, Injury Summary: Tony had spent years learning how to live as Tony Stark and as Iron Man. He'd never thought he'd be racing across the sky against time itself as he tried to save his Soulmate. Word Count: 2170 Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/51394282

Title: Wingmen and Airmen, Flirting and Flying - Chapter 1: Two Drink Limit (Limits Were Made To Be Tested) Author:  rebelmeg Card #: MRP-084 Square Filled: B2: image of Tony & Rhodey Pairing: Tony & Rhodey, Carol & Maria, Rhodey/Carol, Tony/Maria Rating: Teen Warnings: first meeting, flirting Summary: Rhodey lays down the law, Tony scoffs at the very idea, Carol is considering hijinks, and Maria is up for the challenge. Word Count: 1752 Link: https://www.tumblr.com/rebelmeg/732862242223210496/new-session-archive-of?source=share&ref=rebelmeg

Title: Wingmen and Airmen, Flirting and Flying - Chapter 2: Darts and Tequila and Pairing Up Author:  rebelmeg Card #: MRP-084 Square Filled: N5: best friends forever Pairing: MIT Bros, Carol & Maria, Rhodey/Carol, Tony/Maria Rambeau Rating: Teen Major tags/warnings: flirting, drunken shenanigans, kissing Summary: Rhodey braces himself to make his move, Tony makes his, and last call comes as a surprise to everyone. Word Count: 2093 Link: https://www.tumblr.com/rebelmeg/732941439022006272/new-session-archive-of?source=share&ref=rebelmeg

Title: Wingmen and Airmen, Flirting and Flying - Chapter 3: I'll See Your Hangover, and Raise You Another Author:  rebelmeg Card #: MRP-084 Square Filled: N4: found family Pairing: Rhodey/Carol, Tony/Maria Rambeau, MIT Bros, Carol & Maria Rating: Teen Major tags/warnings: hangovers, slightly secret identities revealed, embarrassment, plans for a second date Summary: The boys are having just as miserable a morning as could be expected after their night out, but when they finally do show up at the demonstration, a couple of familiar faces are there to greet them. Word Count: 2068 Link: https://www.tumblr.com/rebelmeg/733050469850710016/new-session-archive-of?source=share&ref=rebelmeg

Title: Heart Eyes Over Coffee Author:  rebelmeg Card #: MRP-084 Square Filled: O2: Unexpected Love Pairing: Bucky/Sarah Rating: Gen Major Tags/Warnings: coffeeshop AU, work dad bucky and his teenage kids, flirting, fluff and humor Summary: Papa Bear Bucky (wow, does he hate that nickname) falls in love at first sight, while his work kids ogle and make helpful commentary. "Helpful" being extremely subjective... Word Count: 2324 Link: https://www.tumblr.com/rebelmeg/733488970613374976/new-session-archive-of?source=share

Title: a bruise of a kiss Author:  Xenomorphic Card #: MRP-086 Square Filled: G3: Stuck together - literally Pairing: Loki/Stephen Strange Rating: Mature Major Tags/Warnings: Graphic Depictions of Violence Summary: Loki and Stephen become stuck together when a spell backfires. It has mixed results. Word Count: 2690 Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/51557656

Title: warm like a hug, sweet like a kiss Author:  Xenomorphic Card #: MRP-086 Square Filled: B5: Coffee Shop (+ O5 Bakery AU) Pairing: Wanda Maximoff/Stephen Strange Rating: Gen Major Tags/Warnings: N/A Summary: Down Mainstreet, Westview, NJ, Wanda Maximoff and Stephen Strange meet from across the road. Word Count: 4390 Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/51554248

Title: What Doesn’t Kill Us Author:  Xenomorphic Card #: MRP-086 Square Filled: Square I1 Mission ends bloody but successful and the adoptable prompt Bruises and cuts. Pairing: James "Bucky" Barnes & Thunderbolts team, James "Bucky" Barnes/Sam Wilson, James "Bucky" Barnes/John Walker/Sam Wilson, Yelena Belova/Kate Bishop, James "Bucky" Barnes & Yelena Belova Rating: Mature Major Tags/Warnings: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Post-The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (TV) Season 1, Drama & Romance, Hurt/Comfort, Blood and Injury, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, they're all messed up your honor, Team Dynamics, Mother Hen Bucky Barnes(love that that's a tag), 5+1 Things, Divorced John Walker Summary: It very much starts and ends with John which is kind of an issue because Sam gets so fucking smug about it. “You do know that you’re less their team leader and more their nanny, right?”

Or, five times Bucky looks after his team and one time he lets someone else take care of him. Word Count: 9091 Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/54242446?view_adult=true

Title: A Shadow Among Shadows Author:  Xenomorphic Card #: MRP-086 Square Filled: I4 Ghostly Chill Pairing: James "Bucky" Barnes/John Walker, background John Walker/Olivia Walker, background James "Bucky" Barnes/Sam Wilson - Relationship, implied John Walker/Sam Wilson Rating: Explicit Major Tags/Warnings: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Post-The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (TV) Season 1, Smut, Light Hurt/Comfort, Open Relationships, Knife Playdom/sub dynamics, light roleplay, Fighting As Foreplay, John: this better not awaken anything in me, also John: actually on second thought, No cheating Summary: He really wishes he was normal sometimes, normaler. At least Bucky’s in a similar wavelength of messed up, take some lose some and all that bullshit. Or, they have an arrangement. Word Count: 5093 Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/54254146

Title:  As if We had Plenty of Time Author: stormxpadme Card #: NSFW Bingo Card #2 - complete Square Filled: Caught in the rain | Your clothes are soaked. Take them off. | Fireplace | Sharing body heat | Friends to lovers Pairing: Scott/Logan/OC Rating: Explicit Warnings: none Summary: It's been almost three decades since jealousy issues in the X-Men's team almost led to tragedy. With the relationships between Jean and Logan and Scott and his wife unshakeable by now and everyone having grown and matured a lot, the two couples recently discovered a new and exciting solution for the occasional sexual tension still playing between all four of them. A night of comfort after a funeral in Germany finally offers a chance at least for three of them to embark on this journey of exploration together. Word Count: 11127 Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/55134730

Title: My spirit's sleeping somewhere cold, chapter 3 Author: stormxpadme Square Filled: MRP Spring Break Adoptables (prompt: 13 - Picnic) Pairing: Scott/Logan Rating: Explicit Warnings/Tags: none for this chapter Summary: Logan helps Scott recover from physically and mentally being brought back to life. Word Count: 5899 Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/51254512/chapters/138639148

#marvel rare pair bingo #mrp2024 #thor #bruce banner #tony stark #loki #sam wilson #natasha romanoff #bucky barnes #clint barton #matt murdock #foggy nelson #peggy carter #scott summers #james howlett #cyclops #wolverine #captain america #winter soldier #iron man #falcon #black widow #hawkeye #daredevil #morgan stark #darcy lewis #logan howlett #frank castle #peter parker #jack rollins

[polutrope]

I was going to make this another "women of the Silmarillion in HoMe" quote but as I was typing it out my eyes were widening and I couldn't resist getting analytical.

A comparison of two accounts of the Third Kinslaying.

From the 1930 Quenta Noldorinwa:*

... yet Maidros and Maglor won the day. Alone they now remained of the sons of Fëanor, for in that battle Damrod and Díriel were slain; but the folk of Sirion perished or fled away, or departed of need to join the people of Maidros, who claimed now the lordship of all the Elves of the Outer Lands. And yet Maidros and Maglor gained not the Silmaril, for Elwing seeing that all was lost and her children Elros and Elrond taken captive, eluded the host of Maidros, and with the Nauglafring upon her breast she cast herself into the sea, and perished as folk thought. But Ulmo bore her up and he gave unto her the likeness of a great white bird, and upon her breast tehre shone as a star the shining Silmaril, as she flew over the water to seek Eärendel her beloved. The History of Middle-earth, Vol IV: The Shaping of Middle-earth, The Quenta, §17 (QII)

*According to Arda Reconstructed by Douglas Charles Kane (Lehigh UP, 2009), which documents paragraph-by-paragraph which of Tolkien's writings went into the creation of the published Silmarillion, this is the text used for the account of the third kinslaying (it had to be; the 1930 Quenta was the first and last time Tolkien actually finished a complete draft of the Silmarillion).

From the published Silmarillion:

... but Maedhros and Maglor won the day, though they alone remained thereafter of the sons of Fëanor, for both Amrod and Amras were slain. Too late the ships of Cirdan and Gil-galad the High King came hasting to the aid of the Elves of Sirion; and Elwing was gone, and her sons. Then such few of that people as did not perish in the assault joined themselves to Gil-galad, and went with him to Balar; and they told that Elros and Elrond were taken captive, but Elwing with the Silmaril upon her breast had cast herself into the sea. Thus Maedhros and Maglor gained not the jewel; but it was not lost. For Ulmo bore up Elwing out of the waves, and he gave her the likeness of a great white bird, and upon her breast there shone as a star the Silmaril, as she flew over the water to seek Earendil her beloved.

Commentary below the cut...

Obviously Christopher had to make editorial changes to the 1930 Quenta to account for all the ways his father's mythology had developed since then (most significantly here is the insertion of Gil-gilad, a LotR invention). I am not criticising his choices here but damn these editorials changes and additions change so much (imo) about the characters and motives involved; had it been possible to keep the passage as it is in the Quenta and still have a coherent Silmarillion, I think a number of common fandom debates would be rather different.

I don't really want to engage in discourse at the moment, but I'm just gonna emphasise a couple things that stand out for me in comparing the two quotes:

In the original context, Gil-galad does not exist. There is no one on Balar to come to the aid of the people of Sirion. Their only choice following the battle is to flee or join with (High King!) Maidros.

In the Quenta, there is an explicit explanation of Elwing's motives for jumping into the sea: "seeing that all was lost and her children Elros and Elrond taken captive."

I hope people will be inspired to think about the implications of this, but I'd be grateful if anyone who wants to share their interpretations could start a new post (and link to this one, if they want; but these are just quotes, not my property). You're welcome to tag me as I'm curious to read (but you also don't have to), but I just don't want the reblogs to turn into a heated debate 🙏

#silm meta #third kinslaying #elwing #maedhros #gil-galad #women of the silmarillion #bonus meta installment #I'm not actually gonna tag this kidnap fam #but it's relevant

[morgansyorkie]

forgive me but im new to hockeytown so like what happens now. since cutter wasnt On the team and you can only have so many on the roster right. is someone going to get sent down to make space for jamie or??

first off welcome to the whirlwind that is hockey town, buckle up because it’s something new every single minute, hour, day, month so on and so on. secondly , the flyers had the rights to cutters draft pick, cutter didnt even sign his entry level contract yet so we don’t have to move or send anyone down to make room for jamie. they will most likely sit someone else in order for him to play on d or they could possibly send someone to Lehigh we won’t know until jamie arrives in philly.

#kan speaks #anon asks #come talk flyers hockey #philadelphia flyers #flyers lb

[religion-is-a-mental-illness]

By: Michael Tanenbaum

Published: May 2, 2023

An after school club connected to a group that embraces the virtues of Satan can continue to operate in the Saucon Valley School District, a federal judge ruled Monday.

The After School Satan Club is run by The Satanic Temple, a religious organization that promotes free speech, scientific inquiry and individual liberties. The temple's ideals are rooted in secular humanism. It advocates against hate groups, corporal punishment in public schools and religiously motivated attempts to restrict reproductive rights.

The temple's after school clubs, which have popped up in various districts in the U.S., allow students to participate in community service projects, nature-based activities, games, and arts and crafts.

The school district in Lehigh County had approved the temple's application to rent space at a middle school in February, but rescinded the approval after a social media campaign promoting the club violated the district's social media policy. Saucon Valley leaders claimed the social media posts prompted backlash from parents, community members and others who mistakenly believed the club was spon.sored by the school district.

The district further said it had received an anonymous voicemail from a person threatening to "shoot up the school" due to it permitting the After School Satan Club. The club's approval was revoked because its permission slips to join didn't explicitly state that it was not district-spon.sored, the district said.

After Saucon Valley prohibited the club, a lawsuit was filed in March on behalf of The Satanic Temple by the ACLU, the ACLU of Pennsylvania and the Philadelphia-based lawfirm Dechert LLP. The suit contended that the club's activities are protected by the First Amendment.

The lawsuit argued that the First Amendment does not allow the government to give preferential treatment to one religious group over another, even if a group's beliefs are unpopular.

Judge John M. Gallagher, of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, wrote in his ruling that the Satantic Temple's free speech rights must be protected.

"When confronted with a challenge to free speech, the government's first instinct must be to forward expression rather than quash it. Particularly when the content is controversial or inconvenient," Gallagher wrote. "Nothing less is consistent with the expressed purpose of American government to secure the core, innate rights of its people."

June Everett, the Satanic Temple's director of after school programming, applauded the decision.

"This is welcome news for Saucon Valley students and families seeking to participate in the supportive and inclusive community provided by ASSC meetings," Everett said. "The ruling affirms that schools may not discriminate against groups on the basis of their beliefs or faith. The district must allow all qualified organizations to use district facilities, even if some in the community object."

The federal court ruling in Pennsylvania follows a similar decision in February over the After School Satan Club's chapter at school district in Virginia. The Satantic Temple was supported by the ACLU in that case, too.

The Satanic Temple says it promotes the virtues of benevolence, empathy, critical thinking, problem solving, creative expression, personal sovereignty and compassion. The group, founded in 2013, is distinct from the Church of Satan, which was founded in the 1960s by former carnival worker Anton LaVey, author of "The Satanic Bible." The Church of Satan is also monotheistic, but its activities are more rooted in occult rituals and a membership hierarchy based on meritocracy.

Last year, students at Garnet Valley School District in Delaware County successfully lobbied to have the district alter its dress code to allow clothing promoting the local Satanic Delco congregation. The district had prohibited clothing with Satanic or cultic references. A similar dress code was eliminated the year prior in the Rose Tree Media School District, also in Delaware County.

Sara Rose, deputy legal director the ACLU of Pennsylvania, said the ruling in the Saucon Valley School District case reinforces The Satantic Temple's Constitutional rights.

"This ruling sends a powerful message that the First Amendment protects the viewpoints and beliefs of all people and faiths," Rose said. "When a school district opens up its facilities, it cannot discriminate based on religious beliefs. This ruling reinforces the principle of equal access and ensures that all views have a fair opportunity to be expressed."

#The Satanic Temple #First Amendment #satanism #secular humanism #ACLU #After School Satan #after school club #Saucon Valley School District #After School Satan club #freedom of religion #freedom from religion #religion #religion is a mental illness

[the-gone-ton]

I grew up around the Lehigh Valley and the Poconos. I haven't had reason to go back since I left, but your urbanex posts have given me a bit of closure for that part of my life. Thank you

You're welcome! If there's any specific places you want to see feel free to dm or send an ask

[eovaldi]

i don’t want to watch the phillies without rhys he is the heart of that team he welcomed bryce with open arms he was the only good thing abt this team :( i took a picture with his trash can in lehigh valley :(

[hairdresserlehighacres]

Master of Glam: Your Ultimate Destination for Hair, Beauty, Nails, and Styling Excellence!

Welcome to "The Salon Studio," where beauty meets expertise! At The Salon Studio, we take pride in offering a comprehensive range of top-notch beauty services to cater to all your grooming needs. Our team of skilled professionals is dedicated to providing an unparalleled experience that leaves you feeling refreshed, confident, and looking your absolute best.

Our Services:

Hairdresser Services:

Our talented hairstylists are committed to crafting the perfect look for you. Whether you desire a trendy haircut, a classic style, or a bold and unique color, we've got you covered.

Hair Salon: 

Step into our inviting and chic hair salon, where we offer a myriad of hair services, including styling, coloring, treatments, and more. Our expert stylists are passionate about transforming your hair into a masterpiece.

Nail Salon: 

Indulge in a pampering session at our nail salon, where we provide a range of nail services, from classic manicures and pedicures to trendy nail art. Our skilled technicians ensure your nails are not only beautiful but also healthy.

Barber Shop: 

Our barber shop is a haven for those seeking precision haircuts, classic grooming, and a touch of masculine elegance. Experience the art of barbering with our skilled barbers who understand the importance of a well-groomed appearance.

Beauty Salon: 

Uncover your natural beauty at our beauty salon, offering a variety of services to enhance your facial features and promote radiant skin. From facials to makeup application, our beauty experts are dedicated to helping you look and feel fabulous.

Hair Removal Service: 

Smooth, flawless skin is just an appointment away. Our hair removal services cater to your specific needs, providing effective and gentle solutions for long-lasting results.

Hair Extensions Supplier: 

For those looking to add volume and length to their hair, we supply high-quality hair extensions that seamlessly blend with your natural hair. Achieve the desired length and thickness with our premium extensions.

Hair Extension Technician:

 Our skilled hair extension technicians specialize in the art of seamless integration. Whether you're seeking volume, length, or a new look, our technicians ensure a flawless and natural-looking result.

Check out : https://www.thesalonstudio.us/

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At The Salon Studio, we prioritize not just beauty, but also the overall well-being of our clients. Our commitment to excellence, combined with a relaxing and stylish atmosphere, makes us the go-to destination for all your grooming needs. Come experience the epitome of beauty and professionalism at The Salon Studio.

Address:

505 Gunnery Rd N, Lehigh Acres, FL 33971, United States

Phone Number: 239-747-2539

[email protected]

[fortitudina]

BASIC INFORMATION

FULL NAME: Rebecca Penelope Barnes NICKNAME: Becca, Becky, Becs, Red Widow AGE: 101 ( looks 40 ) BIRTH DATE: March 29th GENDER: Female SPECIES: Human ROMANTIC ORIENTATION: Biromantic SEXUAL ORIENTATION: Bisexual RELIGION: N/A SPOKEN LANGUAGE: English, Russian, German CURRENT LIVING CONDITIONS: A mid-city apartment OCCUPATION: Close Combat agent for L & Strix / Freelance Agent ( Formerly Redroom Widow & HYDRA Agent. )

RELATIONSHIPS

PARENTS: ~ Mr George Barnes ~ Mrs Winnifred Barnes SIBLINGS: ~ James Buchanan 'Bucky' Barnes SIGNIFICANT OTHER: ~ Verse Dependent CHILDREN: ~ N/A FRIENDS: ~ Steve Rogers ~ Natasha Romanoff ~ Yelena Belova OTHER CONNECTIONS: ~ Valentin Demiurgos ~ Lucien Morningstar ~ Adrian Strix ~ Uinseann McConnell

PHYSICAL TRAITS

EYE COLOUR: Blue HAIR COLOUR: Striking Red or Brunette HEIGHT: 5ft 7 inches BODY BUILD: Mesomorph TATTOOS + PIERCINGS: Pierced Ears, Red Room tattoo on her wrist NOTABLE PHYSICAL TRAITS: Surgical scars and combat sustained scars upon her body.

POWERS & ABILITIES POWERS: ~ Above average stamina ~ Above average Strength ~ Hard to kill ABILITIES: ~ Expert marksman ~ Skilled in Hand-to-hand combat ~ Highly skilled in espionage WEAKNESSES: ~ Can still get hurt by any form of weapon ~ Her brother.

PHOBIAS & DISORDERS

PHOBIAS: Thanatophobia MENTAL DISORDERS: PTSD WHEN WAS THIS DIAGNOSED?: After she was free of the Red Room

PERSONALITY

PERSONALITY TYPE: MORAL ALIGNMENT: True Neutral INTELLIGENCE: Above-average intelligence LIKES: Movies, Martinis, going for runs DISLIKES: Not being in control, disorganised people, poor time management, Routine being broken. DISPOSITION: She is very much sassy and likes to joke about but at the same time, she is incredibly hard-working and loyal. She cares deeply about her friends and family and will do as much as she can to ensure that they are happy and do not get harmed by anyone or in any way. EXTRAS: She can be quite hot-tempered at times, along with reckless.

BIOGRAPHY

TW: DEATH, WAR, TORTURE, BRAINWASHING

Born to George and Winnifred Barnes, Rebecca Barnes is the younger sister of James Buchanan Barnes. The family grew up in Shelbyville, Indiana until their parents were dead and the two siblings were separated. Whilst Bucky went off with their Dad’s friend to Camp Lehigh, Rebecca was forced to endure boarding school. She was only 14 and having lived with her parents until their deaths, being shipped to a new school, in a new city daunted her. 

She focused on getting herself through her schoolwork; it was a welcomed distraction from the fact that she no longer had either parent ~ Winnifred had died whilst she was only a tiny child but George had been killed in an accident whilst training at the camp her brother was now staying at. There were the winter, spring and summer breaks, along with thanksgiving, where she was able to visit James at the camp, meeting and getting to know Steve in the process too. The three became a family in their own way, vowing to stick together, no matter what. 

At the point that she graduated and could no longer reside at the boarding school, Becca enrolled at New York University, doing a degree in biology. She was in the middle of her studies when news that America was joining the war after Pearl Harbour broke out. She tried her best to get hold of her brother but by the time that she could, she’d heard the news of both him and Steve heading off to join the war effort. 

Many nights were spent wondering if they would come home again or not. She hoped endlessly that both would do so. Then came the beginning of the letters no relative wished to receive. First came the Missing in Action letter. Rebecca did not want for it to be true and she hoped for weeks, that news of him being found would come but instead came the letter that no one wanted, ever  ~  Killed In Action. 

Rebecca did not believe either of the letters, despite them having broken her heart. She knew her brother; knew his stubbornness and determination to live, knowing that he would not allow himself to be killed. From the moment she graduated from NYU, Rebecca made it her mission to find her brother, no matter what the cost. She found Agent Carter and Howard Stark first, asking them what they’d done to Steve and asked that the same be done to her with a slight age progression so that she didn’t look so childlike. She had no idea at the time, that it would then stop her from ageing completely. The process was painful, but she wanted to have the best chance at finding James as she could. 

When everyone was certain that the war was over, that was when Rebecca went in search of them. She was aware that even Steve was lost now too, but no one had any clue of his whereabouts, either. As much as she loved Steve, her focus was on her brother ~ their connection was considerably strong since they only had one another. She made her way to where he was last seen; made her way into the remnants of the base there, fishing for clues that might lead her to wherever Bucky had been taken. That was when she ended up being taken, herself. 

She put up a good fight, considering she hardly possessed any former training ~ only the little bit that her dad and Bucky had taught her. She was taken by HYDRA, made to become another of their little minions for a time before a fault in the system meant that their little brainwashing machine failed to fully rewire her mind and thought process. She mimicked the mindset that she could remember; that distant and emotionless expression, answering their orders, right up until they went on a mission and she managed to slip from their grasp. However, she fell from one organisation to another. She hadn’t realised that they were deep within Russia at that point and, as a result, walked directly into the hands of the Red Room. 

They treated her better than HYDRA did, even if she was still a slave to the cause, but with them, she was quickly one of the top agents and one tasked with looking after the newer recruits and posing as a parental figure to some of them. One day, she was given the means to free them from the assassin's hold and did so, freeing them of the Red Room’s clutches, along with herself. 

That was when she took herself back to the US. She made it her mission to blend in with those around her, unknowing that both her brother and Steve were still there, until one day, she walked straight into them. Now, she’s happy to be back in that little family of theirs and to live a relatively normal existence. 

#* REBECCA { BIOGRAPHY } #LONG POST TW

[luxuryfield]

Inside Luxurious Lifestyle Of Sabrina Carpenter

Inside Luxurious Lifestyle Of Sabrina Carpenter https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-WjBuXN1e4 Inside Luxurious Lifestyle Of Sabrina Carpenter Description: Welcome to the world of Sabrina Carpenter, where luxury isn't just a lifestyle—it's a way of life. Join us as we unravel the opulent tapestry that defines the remarkable journey of this multi-talented star. *Childhood Footage of Sabrina Born on May 11, 1999, in the quaint town of Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, Sabrina Ann Lynn Carpenter's journey to stardom began at a tender age. *Sabrina's early performances in school plays From her humble beginnings as a precocious young performer, Sabrina's star began to ascend, illuminating the path to a world filled with glamour and splendor. *Sabrina's breakthrough role on the Disney Channel series It was her role as Maya Hart on "Girl Meets World" that catapulted Sabrina into the spotlight, transforming her into a household name and igniting her journey toward an extraordinary life of luxury. *Sabrina's rise to fame in the music industry it was Sabrina's transition from screen to stage that truly set the stage for her ascent into the echelons of extravagance and refinement. *Sabrina's sold-out concert tours With each sold-out show and platinum-selling album, Sabrina solidified her status as a musical sensation, paving the way for a life filled with unparalleled opulence and grandeur. *Inside Sabrina's lavish mansion Nestled amidst the rolling hills of Los Angeles, Sabrina's palatial estate serves as a sanctuary of luxury and indulgence—a haven where every whim and desire is effortlessly catered to. *Sabrina's extravagant purchases From couture gowns to custom-made jewels, Sabrina's impeccable taste and discerning eye for luxury have solidified her status as a bona fide style icon and arbiter of elegance. *Sabrina's global adventures it's not just material wealth that defines Sabrina's life of luxury—it's the priceless experiences and unforgettable memories she's amassed along the way. *Sabrina has a positive impact on the world. Despite the allure of fame and fortune, Sabrina remains steadfast in her commitment to using her platform for good, championing causes close to her heart and inspiring others to do the same. *Sabrina is seen standing atop a glittering stage, bathed in the glow of the spotlight, as adoring fans cheer her on.] *As Sabrina Carpenter continues to weave her tale of magnificence and splendor, one thing is abundantly clear—her journey is a testament to the transformative power of dreams realized and the boundless possibilities that await those who dare to dream. *Accompanied by a symphony of Sabrina's greatest hits, celebrating her remarkable journey and unparalleled success in the realm of luxury. if you like this video kindly share and subscribe for more interesting video More Video Links: *The Crazy Life of Zeus The Extravagant Millionaire https://youtu.be/8qrPho8W5U8?si=yQiimfs8yttxeyZs *How America's Wealthiest Travel Undercover https://youtu.be/6mEiItzwF54?si=BDnBG3rCUOsjI6K1 For Collaboration and Business inquiries, please use the contact information below: 📩 Email: [email protected] #lifestyle #luxurious #exclusive via luxury field https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJhOMyDsJS5unW-iqcVEG7A April 16, 2024 at 10:11AM

#luxury field

[fanyhomes]

B54 Buttonwood Dr, Jim Thorpe, PA 18229

0.50 acre $13,000

Parcel ID 23A-51-B54 Subdivision Hickory Run Carbon County, PA Municipality Penn Forest Township

MLS: 733438

Hickory Run State Park Game Lands! RV & recreational vehicles are allowed. Welcome to Penn Forest Township. This fantastic property located in Hickory Run Forest Subdivision in Jim Thorpe, PA! Electric is available on the street, making it easy to hook up. Hickory Run Forest is a peaceful and quiet community, offering a great opportunity to relax and unwind. Community offers fishing lake, clubhouse, playground, and road maintenance. HOA dues are $200 a year. The land is flat and easy to clear. Historic Jim Thorpe, Pocono Raceway, ski areas Jack Frost and Big Boulder, indoor water park Great Wolf Lodge, Mt Airy Casino, shopping at the Outlets in Tannersville, outdoor adventures at Hickory Run State Park and Penn's Peak concert venue are all a short drive away. Lehigh Valley and Wilkes Barre within a 30 minute drive, easily accessible via nearby major highways. Right by NE Turnpike exit. Come drive by and check it out today! Additional Lots for Sale is available. Property is sold as-is where-is Buyer responsible for obtaining township permitted uses. INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY ! Call listing agent today to set up your appointment. PRICED TO SELL!

#ForSale #AlbrightsvillePA #JimThorpeArea #CarbonCounty #LehighValley #RealEstate #GLVR #BHGRE #monroecounty #pocono #landforsale #lands #investmentproperty #vacantland #justsoldml

[grindcitymedia]

GCTv News..GCTv Welcome The Vault Hiphop show to the V.O.D

This is my captions feel feel to change it to your liking….. GCTv Roku Wwlcome The Vault Hiphop Show on thier 6th Anniversary!! HAPPY 6 year anniversary 🎉🎈🍾 6 years ago on MARCH 23rd 2018 The Vault Hip Hop Show was introduced to the world & today we are still here and growing at the most consistent HIP-HOP SHOW in the Lehigh Valley🙌🏾 I wanna thank everyone who has supported the show & all the…

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#50YearsOfHipHop

[valleyledger]

Community Music School Board of Directors Welcomes John Wittenbraker

Caption:  John Wittenbraker was elected to the Community Music School (CMS) Board of Directors in March 2024. Allentown, PA (March 19, 2024) – Community Music School – Lehigh Valley & Berks (CMS) is pleased to announce that John Wittenbraker was elected to the CMS Board of Directors by unanimous vote on March 11, 2024.  Wittenbraker will serve a three-year term with the 42-year-old Allentown…

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[daunteddeputy]

WHO IS GATOR TILLMAN?

𝐍𝐀𝐌𝐄: GATOR TILLMAN

𝐀𝐆𝐄: 27

𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐒: Roy Tillman (Father), Linda Tillman (Mother- Deceased),

Dot Lyon (Former Step-mother), Karen Tillman (Current Step-mother).

𝐒𝐈𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒: Jessica & Maude Tillman (Twin half-sisters).

𝐎𝐂𝐂𝐔𝐏𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍: Sheriff's Deputy

𝐋𝐎𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍: Lehigh, North Dakota

RULES:

An independent / canon portrayal of GATOR TILLMAN from season 5 of FARGO.

This account will have heavy dark and mature themes. (Including; strong language, abuse, unhealthy relationships, gore and violence).

MINORS/AGELESS ACCOUNTS DO NOT INTERACT! You will be blocked.

Open to any and all fandoms. Crossovers & OC’s are highly welcomed!

This account is Multi-ship

Any ships for Gator MUST BE discussed. DM’s are open for discussing further about potential shipping.

DM’s are also open for plot discussion!

Writers Note:

Another character loved by #ⲙⲁⲅⵢ

Writer pronouns are She/Her

Born in 96

Please be patient with me, I work full time and typically work 40hrs a week. I will try to be around for replies and etc when I can! 🫶

[jusxxi]

Durable Outdoor Acoustical Sound Shield Attached to Temporary Construction Fence

AcousticalFencing specializes in the professional needs of acoustic architectural communities, providing a comprehensive collection of architectural acoustics solutions. We take quality very seriously and strive to ensure that no defective noise absorbing fences are shipped to customers. In addition our service and business practices are based on honesty, efficiency, and continual improvement.

Our products are well received by customers such as architecture firm, construction contractor, architectural and planning services provider, roofing firm, for their excellent structure, various styles, beautiful appearance and high quality. CommercialFNContractor is a fencing contractor in the Lehigh Valley area near me, including Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton, providing residential fences, commercial fences, fences, railings and flags. UKGTC is your roofing and cladding manufacturer in Ireland, manufacturing system solutions in a wide range of fields from business to residential, agriculture to healthcare, industry to leisure. ConstructionSIContractor is a professional construction contractor, specializing in apartment renovation, new construction and holiday home construction, additions, renovations, energy efficiency improvements, etc. HHQYIJ is a team of brand creative who are experts in outdoor culture. They produce films, prints, strategies and social community projects for brands, non-profit organizations and their selves.

This product is the best-selling in the domestic market and is also exported to more than 40 countries and regions such as Qatar, Canada, Indonesia, India, United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, United States, Uzbekistan, Thailand, United Kingdom, Palestine, Djibouti, Latvia, etc.

Portable Acoustic Barrier Sound Blanket Acoustic Barrier Mass Loaded Vinyl Sheet Fence Soundproofing

1. How much per square foot is this acoustic fencing? My objective is to block sound from my stereo system on my spa so the neighbors are not disturbed by the sound.

2. I wanted to have someone contact me regarding pricing for acoustic panels in a Detective interview room.

3. We would like to know more about your products. Kindly send us complete details of Acoustic wall and Ceiling Panel offered by you.

4. Your products look interesting. I wanted to know regarding the NRC results is there third party test you are having?

If you have any question during in installation or use, welcome contact with us.Website: https://www.acousticalfencing.com/product/noise-reduction-fence/