#also that nancy mitchell is hot

[cantquitu]

Personally, I think he looks fabulous. Job well done.

#also that nancy mitchell is hot #guardian #Harry's fashion

[rafael-silva]

heal me (with you I’m whole): a tarlos fic

“You’ll be sporting one hell of a bruise, though.”

Carlos nods. “Yeah, not my first rodeo,” he says through gritted teeth as he attempts to sit up.

“Easy, easy,” Mitchell reaches out, her hands on Carlos’s shoulders as she helps him move.

The sound of sirens start to fill the air around them as the ambulance gets closer and closer. Mitchell looks in that direction, seeing the ambulance park in the alley entrance.

“Hey, Reyes. Isn’t your man a paramedic now?” She asks, her eyes not leaving the bus.

“Yeah.”

“Well, he’s not gonna be happy about this,” she replies, the bold 126 numbers stuck on the ambulance her biggest clue.

Or: Carlos is hit with a bullet while he and his partner chase a suspect, giving him a nasty and painful bruise. Cue TK working through his worry as he takes care of his injured boyfriend, in more ways than one.

for bad things happen bingo: tarlos + bruises 

established tk strand/carlos reyes, major character injury, emotional hurt/comfort, hurt/comfort, angst, whump, fluff, team as family, hurt carlos reyes, worried tk strand, angst with a happy ending, comfort, paramedic tk 

5.4k | on ao3

*****

“Dispatch, this is 363-H-20, in pursuit of suspect on foot, heading west on Sixth.”

“Copy, 363-H-20,” a female voice replies.

Carlos doesn’t have a second to spare to give dispatch more information because said suspect has turned to face the officers and started firing his gun in the direction of Carlos and his partner.

“Take cover!” Carlos yells as he and Mitchell dive behind a dumpster, hearing the collision of metal with metal echo against and through the steel.

He takes hold of his radio and presses down on the side button. “Shots fired. I repeat, shots fired. Requesting back-up.”

Carlos hears dispatch’s acknowledgment and starts studying the layout to come up with a plan to catch this guy. He carefully starts moving to get a better view of where the suspect was last standing, and when no bullets come flying his way, Carlos dares to move swiftly but cautiously into the open. He spots the back of the man running towards a nearby alley.

“Mitchell, I’ll follow him, you go around and cut him off from the other end of the alley,” Carlos quickly pieces the plan together.

Mitchell gives him a firm nod and starts moving, gun drawn.

Carlos starts jogging in the direction the suspect was last seen heading in, his vision and focus narrowed to just that.

Mitchell is about to reach the alley when a shot rings and bounces off the brick walls. She gulps, racing towards the source of the sound.

She freezes when she enters the alley. It’s only for a second but it felt like hours. Her wide eyes catch movement ahead and she diverts her gaze to see the suspect racing back in the direction he came from.

“Officer down! Officer down!” She screams into her clutched radio. “Suspect last seen fleeing on foot heading east.” She relays the information before dropping to her knees next to Carlos’s unmoving body. “Reyes!”

With a quick scan, she finds Carlos’s service weapon discarded on the ground next to him and a hand grasping at his chest.

“Reyes!” She tries again, moving to touch her partner but pulls back when Carlos startles.

His face immediately scrunches up in pain, squeezing his eyes shut and tries to catch a breath. Which doesn’t really work for him judging by the groan he exhales.  

He opens his eyes and looks up at her. “Go…after him.”

“Like hell I’m leaving you,” Mitchell replies. “Besides, he’s long gone. Maybe back-up will have better luck finding him.”

Carlos groans again, and she doesn’t know if it’s because of what she just said or if it’s the pain. Or both. Probably both, she decides.

“Requesting EMS to our location,” Mitchell calls into her radio. “363-H-20 last known position.” She releases the button. “Where are you hit?”

“Caught me straight in the chest,” Carlos pants.

After an inspection of his vest, Mitchell easily finds the tear where the bullet is lodged in the Kevlar. She pulls out the round, showing it to Carlos.

“You’ll be sporting one hell of a bruise, though.”

Carlos nods. “Yeah, not my first rodeo,” he says through gritted teeth as he attempts to sit up.

“Easy, easy,” Mitchell reaches out, her hands on Carlos’s shoulders as she helps him move.

The sound of sirens start to fill the air around them as the ambulance gets closer and closer. Mitchell looks in that direction, seeing the ambulance park in the alley entrance.

“Hey, Reyes. Isn’t your man a paramedic now?” She asks, her eyes not leaving the bus.

“Yeah.”

“Well, he’s not gonna be happy about this,” she replies, the bold 126 numbers stuck on the ambulance her biggest clue.

She moves out of Carlos’s line of sight and sees the moment his realization kicks in. And the groan he lets out then definitely has everything to do with the information and not his pain.

Carlos watches Tommy jump out of the back, shouldering the lifepak, and soon is followed by Nancy and TK, who’s holding the medkit.

The officer relaxes a little upon seeing his boyfriend, a sense of safety washing over him but that relaxing feeling is quickly replaced with dread at knowing how much TK is going to worry, and he already hates putting TK through that.

He sees TK and Nancy in a fast exchange, and TK laughs at something his partner said, making Nancy’s eyes light up at his laughter. Carlos wonders when he’ll get to see TK laugh that freely again. The team is still unaware of who is currently on the ground needing their help.

“What do we got?” Tommy asks once they’re near the officers and within ear shot.

“Mitchell?” TK frowns before anything else can be said, his eyes landing on her.

Confusion paints TK’s face for a few moments before all the pieces fall into place and with a pang in his chest, he realizes. He feels his face heating up and wills his eyes to start moving towards—

“I’m okay,” comes Carlos’s voice from behind Mitchell, speaking up before TK’s mind completely spirals towards the worst case scenario.

“Says the man who took a round to the chest,” Mitchell retorts, looking at the paramedics.

“What?” TK almost yells, his brain still catching up to everything happening around him.

“The vest stopped it,” Carlos raises his hands in defense.

“Still, not good,” Mitchell shrugs.  

With a sigh, TK drops the medkit and kneels next to Carlos. He works on collecting his breath and relaxes just the slightest at seeing his boyfriend sitting up, alert and talking.

“You’ve just shortened my life by five years,” TK mumbles.

“Oh, I’ve shortened your life by five years,” Carlos snaps back, but his eyes are filled with affection as he looks at TK and tries to lighten the mood.

TK rolls his eyes with a shake of his head. “She’s right,” he says instead, his eyebrow raised as he tries to mask his worry.

But Carlos can see right through it. “I’m okay, Ty,” he whispers, his face soft but clearly trying to hide the pain.

“Let me be the judge of that,” TK replies and no amount of banter or gestures can conceal the concern radiating from the paramedic’s green irises.

Carlos nods, watching as TK opens the medkit and grabs the equipment he needs to start his examination. Meanwhile, Mitchell stands aside while Tommy and Nancy crouch in front of Carlos.

“Hey, guys,” Carlos gives them a small smile.

“Hey, Carlos,” Tommy smiles back. “How are you feeling?”

“Okay.”

TK gently presses the head of the stethoscope to Carlos’s chest and moves it around as he listens. “Where exactly did the round hit you?”

“Right here,” Carlos points to the middle of his chest, a little above his bellybutton. “It hurts to breathe a little.”

“I’m hearing some wheezing, Cap,” TK speaks up.

Tommy nods, her mind gears turning. “Given the location you got hit and your breathing condition, I would say it’s a bruised lung. But the doctors at the hospital will confirm.”

Carlos drops his head at the mention of the hospital.

“It’s just to make sure it is what it is without any complications,” TK jumps in. “You know that, babe.”

Carlos nods.

“Help me get his vest off,” Tommy says to TK as Nancy preps to take Carlos’s vitals.

Carefully, TK and Tommy work together to peel the vest off Carlos without causing him any added pain. However, no matter how mindful they are, Carlos lets out a few pained breaths as slight jostling happens in the process.

“Sorry, sorry,” TK apologizes, his voice filled with sympathy.

TK knows what to expect as he watches Tommy lift Carlos’s shirt to unveil the injury. Yet TK can’t help the sharp breath he draws in when his eyes land on the nasty red bruise already blooming across his boyfriend’s chest.

That small, round piece of metal had left substantial damage in its wake, and TK finds himself praying that Carlos hasn’t also suffered bruised or fractured ribs from the impact. Or worse: internal bleeding.

“It’s okay, Ty. Not the worst I’ve had,” Carlos says, reading the worry and the reaction on TK’s face.

TK knows Carlos is trying to help make him feel better, to comfort him and decrease his worry, but that wasn’t particularly the comfort TK was searching for.

“That doesn’t make me feel better,” TK sighs, his voice filled to the brim with emotion.

TK extends his arm and takes Carlos’s hand into his own.

TK squeezes. I’m right here.

Carlos squeezes back. I know.

“Everything is okay, but respiration is a little low,” Nancy reports after checking Carlos’s vitals.

Tommy nods. And then to Carlos: “I’m going to check your ribs, okay?”

Carlos nods, sucking in a deep breath as Tommy starts adding pressure around and over his ribs. His grip on TK’s hand tightens as Tommy continues her exam, hot pain flaring through his nerves at the contact.

His eyes water a little and he lets out a shaky breath as Tommy retreats her hands.

“Good news is nothing appears to be broken, but they’ll want to get x-rays done, too.”

TK lets out the breath he was holding at Tommy’s words while Carlos’s ears are still ringing from the wave of pain still coursing through his body.

His ears clear as Tommy asks another question. “Can you get up?”

“Yeah,” Carlos answers, his voice a little unsteadier than he’d like.

And then Mitchell is by his side as he drapes an arm over TK’s shoulder, Mitchell taking his other arm and guiding it over hers. Together, they share Carlos’s weight as they get him to his feet. Supporting him, they slowly walk over to the ambulance and lowering him on the gurney before he stretches on it.

Carlos closes his eyes and lets out a content sigh at the softness underneath him, heaven compared to the hard asphalt where he was lying slash sitting for a while.

He opens his eyes again when Mitchell speaks. “I’ll meet you at the hospital. And Reyes?” She looks at Carlos. “They caught him.”

He gives her a grateful smile.

After pushing the gurney into the ambulance once Tommy got in, TK wordlessly follows, Nancy shutting the doors and heading to the driver’s seat.

Tommy is attaching some wires and equipment to Carlos while TK grabs the oxygen mask and places it over his boyfriend’s face. “It’s gonna help.”

Carlos accepts it, because breathing really does hurt right now and he’ll take all the assistance he can get, but still, he’s about to say something before TK interrupts.

“You’re okay, I know,” TK gives him a small smile and leans in, brushing a kiss to the officer’s temple.

Carlos finds TK’s hand and gives it another squeeze.

“Just relax, babe.”

TK feels better after Tommy’s examinations and her prognosis, yet a part of him can’t stop the worry and concern that flood his own chest. He can’t get rid of it or push it to the side, not until he’s a thousand percent sure that Carlos is fine, scans, tests and all.

He knows how badly and quickly things can escalate with injuries like Carlos’s. Patients go from sitting up, talking and laughing to needing emergency surgery in a matter of minutes if something went unnoticed. And that thought alone scares TK to his core.

No. TK expels the thought, Carlos is okay, he’s gonna be fine. He trusts Tommy and her judgment, her experience. And they’ll make sure Carlos gets all the tests and scans he needs at the hospital to rule out any underlying injuries or problems. Or if there are any, to catch them early before they get worse or become life-threatening to Carlos.

TK is torn from his thoughts when his hand is squeezed again. He zones back in and looks at Carlos, who’s giving him his own concerned look with slightly creased eyebrows. He sensed where TK’s mind had gone.

TK gives Carlos a smile to reassure him, or attempts to, but it doesn't quite reach his eyes.

Once they arrive at the hospital, the ambulance doors are pulled open the moment the bus comes to a halt. There’s a doctor and two nurses helping lower the gurney which Tommy pushes out of the ambulance while relaying information about Carlos, his injury and vitals. TK’s hold on Carlos’s hand remains firm as he quickly moves alongside the gurney.

However, they’re forced to pull apart when the nurse stops, stopping TK in his tracks with her.

“We’ll take him for some tests and scans, you can wait there,” she says, pointing to the waiting room.

“Can I stay with him? He’s my boyfriend,” TK replies, his eyes speaking volumes.

The nurse’s face softens at his words, and she nods after a moment. “Just until we take him up for the scans.”

He steals a quick look at Tommy, noticing Mitchell now standing nearby.

“Go,” she says immediately. “We’ll wait.”

“Thank you,” TK gives her a small smile and with a nod from his Captain, he jogs in the direction he saw the nurse walk in.

He finds Carlos easily, and his boyfriend is lying back in a hospital bed as another nurse wheels the gurney out. TK steps aside to let her pass and then directs his attention back to Carlos.

“Hey, babe.”

Carlos opens his eyes and they land on TK. “Hi, baby. I thought you had to go.” TK shakes his head, approaching Carlos. “Not right now. The nurse said I can stay until they take you to get the scans done. Tommy and Nancy are waiting and Mitchell is here, too.”

TK takes hold of one of Carlos’s hands while the other finds its way to Carlos’s hair, where TK runs his fingers through the officer’s curls, the gel he uses to keep said curls in place almost completely gone now.

Carlos is about to say something when TK cuts him off before he starts.

“Carlos Reyes, if you’re about to say you’re okay one more time…”

Carlos sighs. “I hate to see you worrying.”

“Well, I’m gonna worry. It comes hand in hand with loving someone,” TK says and leans in, planting a kiss to Carlos’s forehead.

Being close to Carlos and being able to touch him helps calm TK’s racing heart. Carlos’s warmth and scent an indication that he’s here, that he’s okay.

“You’re preaching to the choir,” Carlos teases with a small chuckle.

Whatever was going to be TK’s response stops short on his lips when his radio crackles to life.

He squeezes his eyes shut, titling his head backwards, that feeling of calm he had moments ago is now replaced with dread.

“Maybe I can talk to Tommy—” TK is already planning before even opening his eyes again.

“Hey, baby, it’s okay,” Carlos’s collected voice guides TK back. “Go.”

TK hesitates. “I don’t wanna leave you, not yet, I’m sure Tommy—”

“Ty, baby,” Carlos continues, slightly shaking his head. “Go. I’m okay, really. They’ll probably send me home after the scans. Mitchell will drive me to the station and I’ll go straight home from there. It’s okay, I promise.” He knows his boyfriend all-too well, and hopes his words will lift the feeling of guilt he knows is currently setting in TK’s gut.

“Okay,” TK finally nods, but his eyes still carry concern. “But if anything changes or if the scans show anything—”

“I’ll call,” Carlos gives him a reassuring smile.

“I’ll see you at home, baby,” TK whispers before pressing his lips gently against Carlos’s.

Carlos’s smile widens into the kiss as he returns it. “I’ll see you at home, babe.”

With one last look at Carlos, TK reluctantly leaves, repeating he’s okay he’s okay over in his mind, a mantra to keep him calm. He meets Tommy and Nancy by the rig and jumps into the passenger seat without a word.

*****

Owen meets them in the bay when they return to the firehouse after the call. He’s frowning, eyebrows drawn together as he watches TK close the door.

“Carlos,” Owen states, the concern evident in his tone. “Is he okay?”

TK nods, running a hand through his hair. “Had to leave the hospital for a call before his scans but he texted a while ago. He’s waiting for the results, his partner is with him.”

Owen pats TK’s back as he walks past him and walks towards the stairs.  

After a quick shower, TK heads into the common area. He tries sitting on the couch, but the bouncing of his leg starts to drive him a little up the walls, so he opts to stand instead. Which leads him to pace around the room, checking his watch for the time every thirty seconds as the black screen of his phone taunts him.

He starts fidgeting with his hands as he moves around, radiating nervous energy and he’s so caught up in his own thoughts of Carlos should have the results by now and what if something is wrong and I’m not there that he doesn't hear someone enter the space around him.

“He’s gonna be okay, man,” Paul’s voice seeps into TK’s ear through the fog engulfing him.

He turns to look at his teammate, and Paul’s face soft and carrying empathy.

Slowly, the rest of the team start filing in, dispersing into the room as they fall into easy conversations about anything and everything. And TK finds himself sitting down, too. They don’t make a big deal about it, but TK knows what they’re doing. He knows they’re here for him, physically and otherwise and to keep him company, knowing he can’t bear to be alone right now. Not with his leg bouncing again and his hand playing with a loose thread sticking out of a couch cushion. As much as he appreciates it, and he does, he ends up tuning out all their voices and movement around him, Carlos the only thing on his mind.

What brings him back is his phone pinging in his pocket.

He jumps to his feet in a heartbeat, fishing it out of his pocket. He sees its a text from Carlos and unlocks his phone with shaky hands.

The room falls silent as TK reads the message, holding his own breath as his mind catches up with his eyes.

Carlos: Everything is okay, babe. Scans are fine. No bruised or broken ribs and no internal bleeding. The bruised lung will heal on its own. Heading back to the station now.

TK rereads the text for good measure, to make sure his brain isn’t playing any cruel tricks on him. Once he’s satisfied that there are no tricks involved, he finally allows himself to relax and breathe.

“Oh, thank God,” he whispers, the first audible reaction to the text. He looks up at his family. “Carlos is okay. He’s gonna be home soon.”

The collective tension is suddenly lifted, along with the weight sitting on TK’s shoulders.

“That’s great,” Paul gives TK a wide smile.

“Hey, TK,” Owen calls for his son.

TK turns towards the doorway to see his father and Tommy standing side by side, both wearing small, soft smiles. Owen nudges his head in the direction of the bunk room and TK gets the hint. He follows them in there.

“You should go home, Strand,” Tommy starts. “You should be with Carlos and I know he’d want you there. We only have a couple of hours left for shift, we can hold down the fort here.”

TK nervously shifts his balance from one foot to the other. “Are you sure? Because it’s just a couple of hours, like you said.”

As much as TK wants nothing more than to be with Carlos right now, he also doesn’t want to skip out and leave his team shorthanded.

But Owen joins in the conversation, bringing any more of TK’s thoughts to a halt.

“Go home to your boyfriend, son,” Owen fondly claps TK on the back. “A bruised lung is painful, and like Tommy said, I’m sure Carlos would want you there. We got it covered here.”

And TK doesn’t need to be told again. With a quick thank you! and grateful looks given to his father and his Captian, TK is rushing to pack his stuff and order an Uber.

He was counting down the minutes and seconds until he went home to Carlos, and now instead, he’s making his way out of the firehouse with promises to pass on the crew’s well wishes to the officer as he gets into the awaiting car.

He’s using his key and pushing the condo door open less than thirty minutes later.

The living room is dark, save for a small side lamp that is left switched on near the couch, which casts a soft yellow glow.

Moving his attention up the stairs, TK notices that the hallway light is on.

“Carlos?”

A beat.

Then, “TK?”

Carlos’s tired and slightly strained voice has TK ascending the stairs two at a time and then steps into the bedroom.

The moment his eyes land on Carlos, he learns the reason behind his boyfriend’s fatigued tone.

Carlos is halfway through taking his shirt off, his movement paused as it sends waves of pain down his arm and rattles against his bruise.

TK drops his duffel bag at the foot of the bed and walks over.

“Hey, babe. Here, let me help,” TK says.

“Can’t really move my arm without it hurting,” Carlos sighs.

TK hums in understanding and helps ease the shirt off Carlos’s shoulders and down his arms in the least painful and uncomfortable way. He then throws it into the laundry basket to be dealt with later.

“I was gonna hop in the shower,” Carlos speaks after the waves of pain are over. “The hot water helps,” he adds, speaking from experience.

TK picks up on that, and he wants to know more about what exactly happened to Carlos before, but he holds back. He knows it’s not the time for it, and he can eventually revisit the subject when Carlos is feeling better and not sporting a gigantic bruise on his torso.

“I’ll join you,” TK decides.

“Then that shower will definitely help,” Carlos smiles, a glint of playfulness in his eyes. And then he realizes something, which makes his smile fall a little. “Hey, I thought your shift ends in a couple of hours.”

“It does,” TK confirms. “Cap and dad sent me home early. Told me I should be with you, and they got it handled. The whole crew send their well wishes and love, too.”

“I’m honestly just so glad and relieved you’re here that I can’t conjure up enough to feel guilty that your team is shorthanded right now,” Carlos expresses. “And also very tired.”

“There’s no reason to feel guilty,” TK assures Carlos. “I promise. They say they have it covered, then they have it covered. Besides, there’s nowhere else I’d rather be than right here.”

Carlos gives him a small, but genuine smile. TK kisses him softly. It’s a kiss filled with love, reassurance and safety.

“Come on, that shower awaits.”

TK runs the water to reach the perfect temperature as he helps undress Carlos the rest of the way and gives him a hand into the tub. After quickly removing and discarding all of his own clothes, TK steps in behind the slightly larger man.

Carlos closes his eyes as the warm spray collides with his battered body, running down his skin.

TK eyes the large bruise and his breaks at how painful it must be, and he hates that Carlos is experiencing that pain. And his heart also starts racing at the mere thought that Carlos is hurt to begin with. But he reminds himself that Carlos is here, he’s okay, and he’s going to heal.

“Relax, I got you, babe,” TK whispers when he notices Carlos tightening his back muscles. He reaches out, running his hands gently up and down Carlos’s back.

“You always do,” Carlos whispers in return.

TK drops a kiss to Carlos’s shoulder and cards his fingers through his now-messy curls, the product Carlos used that morning long gone.

He retrieves the shampoo and pours a good amount in his palm, lathering it up and then moving to run his hands over Carlos’s hair, gently scratching against his scalp, massaging it as he went just as the officer likes and the action has Carlos leaning into the paramedic’s tender touch.

After rinsing out the shampoo, TK reaches around Carlos again and grabs the peach scented body wash. Once it’s foamy in his palms, he carefully glides his hands up and down Carlos’s body, mindful of his injury as he washes the day’s sweat, pain and hospital visit off of Carlos’s skin.

Carlos lets out a satisfied hum, letting himself get lost in TK’s delicate ministration. This is everything he wanted all day, everything he longed for. To feel TK’s touch, to be in TK’s space.

TK doesn’t apply pressure on or around the bruise, his touches light as he works the soap over the wound. Looking over the contusion, TK can spot the point of contact between the bullet and his boyfriend’s body. The small circle is darker than the rest of the bruise, and TK has to swallow against his suddenly dry throat at that realization. The vest had protected Carlos, stopping the bullet, but the energy had to go somewhere and so it spread over and through Carlos’s chest.

TK shakes it off, focusing on Carlos in the here and now.

Once they’re done and smelling fresh, TK turns off the water and steps out. He wraps a towel around his waist as Carlos climbs out, letting TK wrap a towel around his middle.

“Better?” TK asks.

Carlos nods, looking into TK’s green eyes through his wet lashes.

“And your chest?”

“Doesn’t throb as much.”

A the edges of TK’s lips pull up in a small smile. He frames Carlos’s face with his hands and closes the distance between them with a chaste kiss, which Carlos happily reciprocates.

Carlos’s own sorrow starts to brew in his gut at the memory of a fleeting thought he had earlier in the day: for a second, he thought he may never get to kiss TK again.

TK taking hold of his hand brings him back to this moment, standing in the warmth of their bathroom and Carlos is thankful for the distraction. He pushes the memory to the side and follows TK as he leads them back into the bedroom.

They slip on sweats and comfortable cotton t-shirts, TK momentarily going downstairs to get two bottles of water before retreating back to their bedroom. He finds Carlos pulling the duvet back and carefully climbing into bed, letting out a content sigh when he rests his injured body on the soft mattress.

Carlos grabs the prescribed non-opioid medication he got from the hospital pharmacy and pops the dosage into his palm, gratefully accepting the opened water bottle TK hands him.

Carlos’s phone pings as TK makes his way around the bed to his side, watching as Carlos unlocks his phone, a smile immediately decorating the officer’s face at what he sees.

“My mom is coming over tomorrow,” he tells TK after a moment. “She’s gonna make us food.”

TK chuckles as he gets comfortable. “Sounds very much like Andrea Reyes.”

“Yeah,” Carlos agrees.

“Tell her I say hi,” TK smiles as he watches Carlos type back.

After responding, Carlos plugs his phone into the charger and a small wince escapes his lips as the movement hurts his chest.

“Easy, babe,” TK reminds him from behind.

Carlos settles back, taking deep, even breaths as the wave of pain trickles away. He slowly moves down the bed, until his head is even with the pillow but instead of using it, he gravitates towards TK’s open arm and pillows his head on his boyfriend’s chest.

Usually it’s the other way around, with TK’s head on Carlos’s chest, save for a few times Carlos would have bad days and want to be held. And right now, all Carlos wants is for TK’s arms to be around him, and TK happily obliges. Plus, adding pressure to Carlos’s battered chest is not a good idea, making the only other option for them is staying apart, which both men are highly and most definitely against. They need to in each other’s embrace.

They settle with careful maneuvers until TK feels Carlos relax in his hold when he finds a comfortable position. His arm is thrown across TK’s waist, his head resting above TK’s steady heartbeat, which is Carlos’s lifeline.

TK’s hold on Carlos is firm and gentle, with enough pressure to reassure his boyfriend that he’s safe but not enough to cause him any hurt. He runs his hand up and down Carlos’s back, to help ground and anchor him.

“I was really scared for a moment today,” Carlos whispers. “When the bullet hit my chest, all I could feel was white, hot pain. I didn’t know if it had gone through the vest, sometimes they do, and for a second, I was scared I’d never see you again. That I’d never kiss you again. I was so scared that we were out of time,” Carlos’s voice builds with emotion.

TK’s touches don’t slow or stop, he keeps the movement going, also knowing Carlos needs it.

“And there’s still so much I want to do with you, so much for us to do together,” Carlos continues.

TK nods along with Carlos’s words. He, too, feels the same in his heart.

“You know I’ll always fight to come back to you. I’ll always fight for us,” Carlos states, his voice wavering a little.

“I know, babe,” TK replies, dropping a kiss to the top of Carlos’s head. A moment of silence passes between them. “I was scared, too. We had no idea who was down and then when I saw Mitchell and you were nowhere in sight, it was like a bucket of ice water was poured over me. And all I could think was the same thing, there’s still so much for us to do together that this can’t be the end,” he confesses. “And you know what?”

“Hm?” Carlos moves his head to look up at TK.

“We’ll make every second count,” TK says with a soft smile.

Carlos studies him for a couple of moments, his eyes roaming over TK’s face, taking in his micro expressions, the way his green eyes sparkle, the worry still etched into his forehead that’s slowly fading away.

“We will,” Carlos promises back.

“You know it’s okay,” TK speaks, slicing through the quiet that settles in the air once again.

“What is?”

“For people to help you,” TK clarifies. “You always take care of everyone else, you’re always there for everyone, for anything they need. It’s only fair you get the same treatment in return. And I know you can take care of yourself and all, but it’s never a burden asking for help, or accepting it,” he pretty much reads Carlos’s mind.

Carlos tightens his hold on TK.

“And I know you haven’t been fighting me on helping you and taking care of you since I came home because you hate seeing me worry. And helping you has been helping me, too. Knowing you’re okay. You don’t have to be strong all the time, babe. I admire your strength, but you can get help sometimes, too.”

Carlos lifts his head again and looks at TK, his brown irises swimming with unshed tears. He doesn’t need to speak, TK understands.

“Oh, ‘Los,” TK murmurs. “I promise I’ll always be here.”

Carlos nods and closes his eyes when TK brushes a kiss to his forehead, a tear rolling down his cheek which TK wipes away with his thumb.

“I love you, Ty,” Carlos voices. “Thank you.”

“No need to thank me, ‘Los. I love you, too, baby. Get some rest.”

TK extends his arm and clicks the light off, the moonlight shining through the blinds takes its turn to illuminate the room. Carlos closes his eyes, focusing on TK’s steady heartbeat. He’s lulled to sleep, basking in the warmth and love of TK.

Yeah, everything is going to be just fine, Carlos thinks as he drifts off.

#911 lone star #911 lone star fic #tarlos #tarlos fic #userjilly #userthai #userkimmy #userjillian #tuserpaige #tuserjamie #reyesstrand #ronenrubinstein #tuserems #bellakitse #howtosingit #usertriz #meloingly #badthingshappenbingo #bad things happen bingo #*fics #i'm happy with how this turned out! #lots of whump but also comfort! #thank you for the prompt! #i hope you guys enjoy!

[cablesscutie]

tagged by: @favlie 💜

nicknames: uhhh my name isn’t really good for nicknames, but some people on discord call me Les and I’ve had friends that straight up call me Mom

zodiac: ~Aquarius~

height: 5′6″ (167 cm)

time: 1:19 pm

favorite band/artist: Joni Mitchell, Lorde, Fleetwood Mac, Nanci Griffith, Taylor Swift, Jonas Brothers

song stuck in my head: Some Say the Devil is Dead

last thing I googled: “to all the boys i loved before run time”

last movie I saw: To All the Boys: Forever and Always

other blogs: @imaginezimbits (that I’ve sadly neglected for a long time since fading back to an omgcp lurker - if someone wants to take over, pls hmu)

do I get asks: very rarely, but it’s always exciting when it happens so feel free to drop by and chat!!

following: 239

average amount of sleep: uhhhh 6-7hrs??

what I'm wearing: black sweatpants, a sweatshirt from the Clinton inauguration in 1993

dream job: high school English teacher!

dream trip: to Ireland

favorite food: apple pie

play any instruments: flute (but it’s been a hot minute yikes)

eye color: blue

hair color: dirty blond/dark blond/light brown? i dont even know (same julia)

why did I choose this username: uhhh I was like sixteen and really liked Death Cab for Cutie and thought I was clever (bc, you know, sixteen).  Also def didn’t know that changing your url was a thing, so I didn’t want to box myself into a fandom name.

languages you speak: English, Latin (like Ronan Lynch bullshit grammar Latin)

most iconic song: Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen 

random fact: uhhhh I have like 7 flannel shirts 

describe yourself as aesthetic things: the smell of coffee (keeping this one from julia), fog on a rocky shore, snow in tree branches, an apple pie still steaming, a flannel shirt with the sleeves pushed up, a rusty toolbox,  

i tag: @niinas and whoever else wants to share - just say I tagged you and @ me!

#about me

[dreamwritesimagines]

Untouchable 4- Sunlight [Bucky Barnes x Reader]

A.N: Thank you so much for your feedback my loves, please keep it coming! <3

The previous chapters are on my masterlist<3

Summary: It wasn’t like you needed a naïve romantic who had no idea how your world worked. 

Characters: Reader x Bucky Barnes, Steve Rogers

Word Count: 2748

Warnings: Mentions of sex work, explicit language, 1940s.

It took Shirley almost a week to feel better and talk with you, and throughout that week, you felt more alone than ever. Some part of you knew it wasn’t just because of Shirley, it was also because of-

It made no sense, really. You and Bucky hardly knew each other, his existence or lack of it wasn’t supposed to hold any importance in your life, especially when he had made no attempt of contacting you for almost a week.

Very well then. It wasn’t like you needed a naïve romantic who had no idea how your world worked.

Besides, you were way too busy to worry over some stupid crush. 

In all honesty, it was good that it had stopped before you could get used to his presence anyway. He was a soldier after all, and he would be shipped out soon, and what would you have to do then, other than being left behind, spending your days in worry, waiting for him to come back-

Nonsense. 

Even if he did come back, there would be no future for you. Your line of work wouldn’t allow it, and sooner or later he would get mean, all of them did. 

You had seen it a thousand times. Possessiveness, control, it laid inside every human being, and Bucky was no exception to-

Sergeant Barnes. Sergeant Barnes was no exception to that.

“Y/N? Are you listening?”

“Yes,” your head shot up and you cleared your throat, trying to focus. “I am. What is it?”

Shirley smiled at you, “I met someone.”

“Oh God.” 

“No no no, this time it’s different!” she insisted, making you tilt your head,

“If you say so.”

“But you should meet him, Y/N! He’s such a gentleman!”

“That’s a nice change,” you winked at her, “Not too much of a gentleman, I hope.” 

“Y/N!”

“I’m just saying!” you held up your hands, gesturing surrender and she walked around in your room before approaching your table, her fingertips grazing over the jewelry lying on it. 

“I will never understand why you don’t wear any of this.”

“I don’t like them.”

“None of them?” Shirley held up a ruby necklace, “This is gorgeous though!”

“You can keep it if you’d like.”

“It’s yours.”

“Not really. My clients send them to me so, not mine.”

“They send them to you so that you can wear them.”

“I’m not interested in their jewelry.” you managed to say and she pursed her lips,

“So can I keep it?”

“Sure, take it. It’s yours.”

“Thank you!” she rushed to hug you, then grinned, “I’d better go, I have an appointment approaching.”

“Yeah, good luck.” you said and grabbed your coat, put it on, then walked out of the house. Your next client still had some time before he came, so you figured you could go outside, it was a sunny day after all and since you were a child, you really didn’t like staying inside.

Until you actually had to stay outside. Then, that feeling had changed.

Not even Brooklyn really, where you actually wanted to be was somewhere far away. Somewhere green, away from this crowd and chatter and every bad memory, but you’d take what you could get.

You turned a corner to make your way by the river, but before you could get away, a man had shouted your name,

“Hey, it’s Y/N isn’t it sweetheart?”

You pretended not to hear him and kept walking but he caught up with you, grabbing your arm.

“How much for a night with you?”

You eyed him up and down, and yanked your arm back, “You wouldn’t be able to afford it even if you worked day and night.”

“Oh come on don’t be like that-“ he grinned at you, making you feel sick, “I’m sure we can work something out.”

“I don’t sleep with low life scum like you, you’re no one.” You stated and pushed him back, then attempted to walk away from him, ignoring the way he called you a whore, but then a surprised shout from him reached your ears and you turned around to see Bucky’s friend- Steve, you remembered him- punching him square in the face, making you cover your mouth.

The man pushed him back, throwing a punch at him and send him to the ground but he stood up, as if the mere anger was enough to make him move. You shook off the shock and reached inside your coat, then took out your pocket knife and pressed the blade right between his legs.

“Make a move,” you said through your teeth, “Any move, and I take your stones.”

He held his breath, freezing on his spot,

“Understood?” you asked and he nodded, then as soon as you pulled the knife back, he hurried away from you. You heaved a sigh, wiping the sweat off your brow and approached Steve.

“Hello,” you tried to smile, “Thank you. You didn’t have to do that.”

“He insulted you.” He wiped the blood off his nose and you shrugged slightly.

“Don’t worry about it, I’m used to that.”

Steve pulled his brows together,

“You shouldn’t be,” he said slowly and you pursed your lips, then took out your hankie to give it to him, so that he could press it under his nose.

“You keep it,” you said, “Consider it my thank you for defending my honor, Mr. Rogers. Not many people do that nowadays.”

“People are disrespectful then.”

“That tends to happen a lot if they see themselves morally superior to you.” You stated, “But in any case, you have my gratitude. It’s good to see there are some nice men in Brooklyn after all.”

He smiled at you abashedly, triggering your own smile, and he stole a look at you.

“Won’t you ask me then?”

“Won’t I ask you what?”

“Bucky.”

“Ah,” you nodded slowly, “Should I?”

“You tell me, ma’am.”

“It’s Y/N.” you corrected him, “Very well then. How is Sergeant Barnes?”

“He-“ Steve thought for a moment, “He looks tortured.”

“A broken arm hurts.”

“Yeah, I don’t think that’s the reason.” He rubbed the back of his neck, and cleared his throat as if he wanted to say something, then changed his mind.

“What?” you asked him and he shook his head,

“It’s nothing.”

“Steve,” you said “It’s not very kind of you to keep a girl guessing.”

“It’s just…” he waved a hand in the air as he tried to find the words, “Girls usually have a different reaction to Bucky.”

“He’s had many lovers then?” You had no idea why a bitter taste had appeared in your throat all of a sudden but you managed to keep your expression stable and playful. Steve chuckled.

“I feel like I shouldn’t answer that question.”

“I’d be the last person to judge, trust me.” You shrugged, “Would be quite hypocrite, no?”

Steve looked like he had no idea how to respond to that, but you crossed your arms, a thought hitting you.

“Is he in pain?”  you cleared your throat, “His- his arm, I mean.”

He was smart enough to understand what you had meant, “Looks like it,” he said and you bit inside your cheek,

“Steve, can you be in the alley where I last saw you tonight? Around 9?”

“Of course,”

“Thank you.” You said, before you started walking away from him, “Have a lovely day.”

                                                     ***

“Okay, what is happening?” Nancy leaned on the kitchen doorframe, “You never cook.”

“I had some free time.”

“Is that bone broth?”

“Yeah.” You twirled the wooden spoon in the pot, “My mom used to make it.”

“Where’s she now?”

“Dead,” you said, adding some salt and leaned in to check the stove, and she raised her brows,

“How was your time with Mr…?”

“Mitchell.”

“Is he the one with the scar?”

“Mm hm.” You mumbled, and she came closer to you,

“Any new gifts? I heard you gave Shirley a necklace.”

You smiled slightly, shooting her a look, “You know you can always get what you want from my room, don’t you?”

“How about those emerald earrings Mr Ward sent you?”

“Yeah, take them.” You said, “I didn’t take them out of the box, must be in my drawer.”

Nancy tilted her head, “Why don’t you ever wear any of their gifts?”

“I choose my own jewelry,”

“But why don’t you wear their gifts, ever?”

You turned the heat down and took the pot off the stove, then started looking for a proper cup,

“Because they don’t get to have me outside,” you muttered, “Just there. Just then. Nothing more.” You poured the broth into the cup, and covered it.

“Where are you taking that?”

“Tell Linda I’ll be back soon,” you ignored her question, grabbed your coat and left the house. The steam of the broth and the scent made your mouth water but you made your way to the alley where Steve was already waiting for you.

“Y/N,”

“Good evening.” You greeted him, and handed him the cup, “There.”

He frowned slightly, “What-?”

“It’s…” you licked your lips nervously, “It’s good for broken bones. My mom used to make it. Tell him to drink it while it’s hot.”

Steve gawked at you, “You made him soup?”

“It’s broth.”

“Fine, you made him broth?”

You had no idea why you felt almost insecure, but the feeling was way too foreign to you that it caught you off guard before you nodded.

“Yeah,” you said, “He has a broken arm, you see. It’s good for bones, my mom used to say.”

Steve frowned slightly, “….Okay.”

“Thank you.” You shot him a small smile and made your way back to the brothel before he could question you any further, and walked past Thomas who was waiting by the door.

“Where were you?”

“I had something to do.” You said curtly, and walked upstairs to your room, then flung yourself onto the bed.

You had absolutely no idea what you were doing. Half of you wanted to tell Shirley about him, but you knew she would never let that go, being the hopeless romantic that she was. Not to mention, it would make everything more real, and there was actually nothing happening, it was just….a friendly broth. For someone who happened to have a broken arm- a soldier.

It was your way of being a good citizen, to thank him for his service or whatever it was Shirley would say.

Okay, you really needed to pull yourself together.

You grabbed your book from your drawer, found the dog ear page and started reading but after an hour, you realized you couldn’t even focus on the book anymore so even if you knew it was a bad idea, you put the book on your bed and grabbed a blanket off the foot of the bed. You wrapped it around your body, then walked to the window to take a look at the dimly lit street.

Damn it, your heart wasn’t supposed to go nuts.

He waved at you with his healthy arm, motioning you to come outside and you nibbled on your lip, then turned around and left your room. You rushed downstairs, but were stopped by Thomas.

“Are you alright, Y/N?”

“Why wouldn’t I be?” you asked and he tilted his head to the right.

“I live here, so is Shirley, you know that.” he said, “That look of excitement seems familiar.”

“Thomas.” You said, warningly, “You know Shirley and I are different.”

He shot you a fond look, smiling slightly, “Don’t let Linda find out.” He whispered, then opened the door for you, “Go. I’ll keep it open, so that no one can hear you knock.”

“Thank you.” You said, then walked out of the house. You descended the stairs, then made your way to the deserted alley you had last talked, aware of him following you.

As soon as you reached there, you turned around.

“Sarge.” You said, demanding yourself to keep your voice calm, but it somehow felt difficult with the way your stomach was making flips, “What are you doing here?”

“I came to say thank you,” he swallowed thickly, his blue eyes almost gleaming in dimly lit alley, “And to apologize.”

You wrapped the blanked tighter around you, staying silent and he licked his lips,

“That is if you will not threaten me with a knife?”

You tried to stop your smile, “Steve told you,” your voice was soft and he chuckled,

“Yeah. What did he look like?”

“Steve?”

“The man who insulted you.”

You raised your brows, “I don’t need a bodyguard Sarge, thank you.”

“I’ll just learn from Steve.”

“You’ll do no such thing Bucky,” you told him and he looked almost caught off guard, hearing his name from your lips.  

“Why did you send me soup?” he asked curiously, and you shrugged slightly, crossing your arms over your chest.

“It’s broth,” you corrected him, “Um- it’s for your arm.”

“My arm.”

“I figured it hurt,” you nodded to yourself, “It helps bones heal faster, my mom used to say. And-” you motioned at him, “You know, it is the least I could do. Since you broke it on the front during battle. It’s me being a good citizen.”

“Nothing more?”

“Nothing more,” you managed to lie, but he didn’t seem to buy it, judging by the mischievous look on his face.

A silence fell upon you, and you cleared your throat,

“I should go-“

“Wait,” he stopped you, “I’m sorry. I never meant to offend you, I just…”

“I see more than people assume, Sarge,” you said, “People just feel threatened if they realize it. Especially in my line of work, so I let them think what they wish to think. Don’t fall for that.”

“So you don’t love him?” he asked and you couldn’t help but snort at that.

“No diamonds can hide his true nature,” you stated, “No worries, Sergeant. I don’t have to be on the battlefield to know what kind of a man he is.”

Bucky nodded slowly, as if deep in thought and scoffed,

“You’re way too smart for a guy like him.”  

That made your head shoot up and you gawked at him, not sure if you had heard him right. No one had ever commented on your intelligence before, it was always about how you looked, since you were a child. Whether you were beautiful or not, whether that dress looked good on you, whether those earrings brought out your eyes-

Never this. Never smart.

And the weird part was that, you knew how to respond to every compliment out there except for this one. It was as if someone had pushed you into some foreign land right now, and you had no idea how to behave or how to speak.

“Thank you,” you managed to say and Bucky smiled at you sweetly, making your heart beat even faster.

“Um- Steve tells me you’ve had many lovers.” You managed to turn the conversation to something you felt more comfortable with, and flirting was your specialty after all.

“Steve should keep his mouth shut.” Bucky said with an exasperated sigh, “And he’s exaggerating.”

“Oh is he?”

“Very.”

“So there is nobody that would be heartbroken if they saw you in an alley with me, like this?”

“Like what?”

You raised your brows, then smiled at him playfully, shrugging your shoulders, “You tell me, Sarge. You’re the one who tends to be present around me.”

“Yet, you don’t complain about it.”

You scrunched up your nose, trying to control your smile, “How could I? I told you, us Brooklyn girls need to see a handsome fella in these difficult times.”

His eyes crinkled with his smile, and he rubbed the back of his neck, clearing his throat and you licked your lips.

“I should go,” you said, “Good night Sarge.”

You turned around and took a couple of steps but before you could leave the alley, you heard his voice.

“There’s nobody,” he called out, making you glad he couldn’t see your smile,

“I didn’t ask,” you said nonchalantly, making him chuckle.

“Yes you did.”

You shook your head, biting down on your lip, then walked out of the alley to make your way to the house. You pushed the door, relieved to see it was still open and stepped inside to see Thomas grinning at you.

“Not one word.” You pointed at him, and climbed the stairs to your room.

     @rhabakoli​​​​ @rmwest9​​​​ @finnickfoxes​​​​  @theskytraveler​​​ @asongofmarvelanddc​​​​ @thorohdamnson​​​​  @fictionwillneverdie​​​​   @lostkizzy​​​   @superwolfchild-fan​​​​  @marauderskeeper​​​ @propertyofpoeandbucky​​ @alwaysadreamingoptimist​​​ @lettersofwrittencollective​​​ @i-am-always-famished​​​  @small-round-and-angry​​​ @captstefanbrandt​​​ @flowers-in-your-hayr​​​ @writeyourmindaway​​​ @geekandbooknerd​​​ @mamaraptor​​​  @j-finco​​​ @the-omni-princess​​​ @supercarricat​​​ @anxietysucks​​​ @fortisfiliae​​​ @stopitchris​​​ @nea90sweetie​​​ @inforapound​​​ @theladybiers​​​ @aikeji​​​ @nishanki1​​ @neerness @littledarlinhavefaithinme​ @marvelgirl7​ @to-the-road​

#bucky barnes #bucky barnes imagine #bucky barnes imagines #bucky barnes x reader #sebastian stan #1940s!bucky #marvel #marvel imagine #marvel imagines #captain america #1940s bucky barnes #winter soldier #winter soldier imagine #winter soldier imagines

[woodchoc-magnum]

911: Lone Star 2x02 Hate Watch

This is a hate watch, I hate this show - if you love this show, please keep scrolling and have a nice day!

Omg this douche in the pool is definitely going to die right

Girl do not go get him a beer wtf

We’re not even two minutes in and I want to kill him

Okay wow the pool is filling with lava and nobody is screaming?

This is why I got so angry at Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom

Lava is SUPER HOT and movies/TV do not seem to recognise that

How the fuck is CHAD NOT DEAD

Also his name is Chad that fits

How is he not dead OH GOD

THE ARM

FUCCKKK

god the fucking filter on this show

Okay the cake looks like red velvet which is a nice choice

Obligatory fuck I hate TK so much

Not two episodes in and Mr and Mrs Rob Lowe are already on the rocks

Okay dude it’s just mini golf chill out

I have 100% seen this dude in something but I cannot place him

What is with these men not telling their wives when things are bad. Why is only one person in charge of the money? And why do men bottle this shit up? This is why they kill themselves

Well wouldn’t you know it, a freakin’ volcano right in the middle of the putt-putt

“Don’t worry bud, nobody’s going to die today” FAMOUS LAST WORDS

Oh shit another guy got cooked

OKAY WHAT THE FUCK this is the grossest thing EVER so many close-ups WHYYYY

A VOLCANO ON THE SOUTHERN EDGE OF AUSTIN

I mean I know I hate this show but this is great

Fucking GO BIG or GO HOME

Gina Torres is berating this guy and he’s full on going to die

This is going to be GREAT for her confidence

Lady in the truck has to deal with lava AND scorpions?!

Grace is such a great character though honestly

I genuinely like her and Judd

I also really like food truck girl, she better not get cooked I SWEAR TO GOD I HAVE SEEN ENOUGH PEOPLE GETTING COOKED IN THIS EPISODE

Oh thank god she didn’t get cooked

That nice girl really got hurt trying to help that absolute douchebag out of the water

“Is she your girlfriend?” “I wish” AW OKAY he’s sweet I like him

I like in the scene right before Tim dies, they keep saying his character name over and over, so we know his name is Tim

So when Tim dies, we know it’s Tim that died, and not some other random paramedic

I don’t remember much of Season 1 but I feel like this is the most lines his character has had so far

Which does not bode well for Tim.

They are legit so close to lava and I just don’t think it’s realistic to be that close without proper safety gear

I had this SAME PROBLEM WITH JURASSIC WORLD:FALLEN KINGDOM

OH SHIT CURLY HAIRED DUDE GOT A LAVA ROCK TO THE CHEST

this dude would be dead come on

those things are like a thousand degrees

If he thinks it’s a spinal injury why hasn’t he put a collar on him

Oh shit Tim just got fucking SMASHED

Nice knowing you Tim

This is so fucking cheap, honestly - trying to eke out an emotional reaction to a fringe character nobody really cared about.

It’s lazy writing.

Not even the OG has killed a fringe character.

“There wasn’t enough of him left to work on” YIKES

This annoys me so much, honestly. The OG can introduce random characters (escalator dude, Thomas and Mitchell, the horse, the lady on the bike, the lady whose husband shot her in the head) and make you care about them, but the spin-off has to drum up some emotion by killing a paramedic - who didn’t even have anything other than a few lines up to this point, and was so inconsequential as a character that the other paramedic, whose name I’ve just found out is Nancy, had to relay his back-story to the rest of them BECAUSE THEY DIDN’T EVEN FUCKING KNOW

The dumbest. Fucking. Show.

So the volcano came to life enough to kill off a douchey frat boy and Tim and now it’s finished? Okay.

Judd’s the best character on this show hands-down

Did anyone even like this guy? “Tim was weird, but he was a good EMT” - like okay

OH GOD HE HAD A CAT

SOMEONE GO RESCUE THE CAT

I’ve enjoyed this episode more because it’s been less about Rob Lowe’s white man pain

Hallelujah? Okay.

Waste of a good song on this show

Okay Gina Torres rescued the cat I am relieved

Gina, cats are lactose intolerant just FYI

Lmao at the pack of huskies loose in the woods

Alright so yeah

An improvement on last week’s episode, less white man pain and 100% less TK (always a good thing). I’m giving this a 5/10.

CROSSOVER NEXT WEEK - BRING IT ON

#lone star hate watch #hate watch

[aion-rsa]

How All in the Family Changed the TV Landscape

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

All in the Family is roundly considered a touchstone for television achievement now, but when it debuted 50 years ago, even the network carrying it hoped it would fizzle quickly and unnoticed. CBS put an army of operators at phone lines expecting a barrage of complaints from offended middle Americans demanding its cancellation. Those calls didn’t come. What came was a deluge of support from people hoping this mid-season replacement was a permanent addition to the network’s lineup. The premiere episode contained a considerable list of “television firsts.” One of these rarities continues to remain scarce on network TV: creator Norman Lear trusted the intelligence of the viewing audience. To celebrate All in the Family’s 50th anniversary, we look back at its journey from conception to broadcast, and how it continues to influence and inform entertainment and society today.

Actor Carroll O’Connor, who was a large part of the creative process of the series, consistently maintains he took the now-iconic role of Archie Bunker because All in the Family was a satire, not a sitcom. It was funny, but it wasn’t a lampoon. It was grounded in the most serious of realities, more than the generation gap which it openly showcased, but in the schism between progressive and conservative thinking. The divide goes beyond party, and is not delineated by age, wealth, or even class. The Bunkers were working class. The middle-aged bigot chomping on the cigar was played by an outspoken liberal who took the art of acting very seriously. The audience cared deeply, and laughed loudly, because they were never pandered to. They were as respected as the authenticity of the series characters’ parodies.

Even the laughs were genuine. All in the Family was the first major American series to be videotaped in front of a live audience. There was never a canned laugh added, even in the last season when reactions were captured by an audience viewing pre-taped episodes. Up to this time, sitcoms were taped without audiences in single-camera format and the laugh track was added later. Mary Tyler Moore shot live on film, but videotape helped give All in the Family the look of early live television, like the original live broadcasts of The Honeymooners. Lear wanted to shoot the series in black and white, the same as the British series, Till Death Us Do Part, it was based on. He settled for keeping the soundstage neutral, implying the sepia tones of an old family photograph album. The Astoria, Queens, row house living room was supposed to look comfortable but worn, old-fashioned and retrograde, mirroring Archie’s attitudes: A displaced white hourly wage earner left behind by the social upheavals of the 1960s and 1970s.

“I think they invented good weather around 1940.”

American sitcoms began shortly after World War II, and primarily focused on the upper-middle class white families of Father Knows Best, Leave It to Beaver, and The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet. I Love Lucy’s Ricky Ricardo, played by Cuban-American Desi Arnaz, ran a successful nightclub. The Honeymooners was a standout because Jackie Gleason’s Ralph Kramden was a bus driver from Bensonhurst (the actual address on that show, 328 Chauncey Street, is in the Bedford–Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn). American TV had little use for the working class until the 1970s. They’d only paid frightened lip service to the fights for civil rights and the women’s liberation movements, and when the postwar economy had to be divided to meet with more equalized opportunities there was no one to break it down in easy terms. The charitable and likable Flying Nun didn’t have the answer hidden under her cornette. It wasn’t even on the docket in Nancy, a 1970 sitcom about a first daughter. The first working family on TV competing in the new job market was the Bunkers, and they had something to say about the new competition.

Social commentary wasn’t new on television. Shows like The Twilight Zone and Star Trek routinely explored contemporary issues, including racism, corporate greed, and the military action in Vietnam, through the lens of fantasy and science fiction. The war and other unrest were coming into the people’s living rooms every night on the evening news. The times they were a-changing, but television answered to sponsors who feared offending consumers. 

Ah, but British TV, that’s where the action was. Lear read about a show called Till Death Us Do Part, a BBC1 television sitcom that aired from 1965 to 1975. Created by Johnny Speight, the show set its sights on a working-class East End family, spoofing the relationship between reactionary white head of the house Alf Garnett (Warren Mitchell), his wife Else (Dandy Nichols), daughter Rita (Una Stubbs), and her husband Mike Rawlins (Anthony Booth), a socialist from Liverpool. Lear recognized the relationship he had with his own father between the lines.

CBS wanted to buy the rights to the British show as a star vehicle for Gleason, Lear beat out CBS for the rights and personalized it. One of the reasons All in the Family works so well is because Lear wasn’t just putting a representative American family on the screen, he was putting his own family up there.

“If It’s Too Hot in The Kitchen, Stay Away from The Cook.”

Archie Bunker dubbed his son-in-law, Michael Stivic, played by Rob Reiner, a “Meathead, dead from the neck up.” This was the same dubious endearment Lear’s father Herman called him. The same man who routinely commanded Lear’s mother to “stifle herself.” Lear’s mother accused her husband, a “rascal” who was sent to jail for selling fake bonds of being “the laziest white man I ever saw,” according to his memoir Even This I Get to Experience  All three lines made it into all three of the pilots taped for All In the Family. When Lear’s father got out of prison after a three-year stretch, the young budding writer sat through constant, heated, family discussions. “I used to sit at the kitchen table and I would score their arguments,” Lear remembers in his memoir. “I would give her points for this, him points for that, as a way of coping with it.”

All in the Family, season 1, episode 1, provides an almost greatest hits package of these terse and tense exchanges, which also taught Lear not to back away from the fray. He served as a radio operator and gunner in the U.S. Air Force during World War II, earning an Air Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters after flying 52 combat missions, and being among the crew members featured in the books Crew Umbriag and 772nd Bomb Squadron: The Men, The Memories. Lear partnered with Ed Simmons to write sketches for Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin’s first five appearances on the Colgate Comedy Hour in 1950. They remained as the head writers for three years. They also wrote for The Ford Star Revue, The George Gobel Show, and the comedy team Rowan and Martin, who would later headline Laugh-In.

Lear went solo to write opening monologues for The Tennessee Ernie Ford Show, and produce NBC’s sitcom The Martha Raye Show, before creating his first series in 1959, the western The Deputy, which starred Henry Fonda. To get Frank Sinatra to read Lear’s screenplay for the 1963 film Come Blow Your Horn, Lear went on a protracted aerial assault. Over the course of weeks, he had the script delivered while planes with banners flew over Sinatra’s home, or accompanied by a toy brass band or a gaggle of hens. Lear even assembled a “reading den” in Ol’ Blue Eyes’ driveway, complete with smoking jacket, an ashtray and a pipe, an easy chair, ottoman, lamp, and the Jackie Gleason Music to Read By album playing on a portable phonograph. After weeks of missed opportunities, Lear remembers Sinatra finally read the script and “bawled the shit out of me for not getting it to him sooner.”

The creative perseverance Lear showed just to get the right person for the right part is indicative of the lengths Lear would go for creative excellence. He would continue to fight for artistic integrity, transforming prime time comedy with shows like Good Times, One Day at a Time, and the first late-night soap opera Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman. He brought legendary blue comedian Redd Foxx into homes with Sanford and Son, also based on a British sitcom, Steptoe and Son, which starred Harry H. Corbett and Wilfrid Brambell, best known for playing Paul McCartney’s grand-dad in A Hard Day’s Night. But before he could do these, and the successful and progressive All in the Family spinoffs The Jeffersons and Maude, he had to face battles, big and small, over the reluctantly changing face of television.

“Patience is a Virgin”

After Lear beat CBS to the rights to adapt Till Death Us Do Part he offered the show to ABC. When it was being developed for the television studio, the family in the original pilot were named the Justices, and the series was titled “Justice for All,” according to a 1991 “All in the Family 20th Anniversary Special.” They considered future Happy Days dad Tom Bosley, and acclaimed character actor Jack Warden for the lead part, before offering the role to Mickey Rooney. According to Even This I Get to Experience, Lear’s pitch to the veteran actor got to the words “You play a bigot” before Rooney stopped him. “Norm, they’re going to kill you, shoot you dead in the streets,” the Hollywood icon warned, asking if Lear might have a series about a blind detective with a big dog somewhere in the works.

Taped in New York on Sept. 3, 1968, the first pilot starred O’Connor and Jean Stapleton as Archie and Edith Justice. Stapleton, a stage-trained character actor who first worked as a stock player in 1941, was a consistent supporting player for playwright Horton Foote. Stapleton originated the role of Mrs. Strakosh in the 1964 Broadway production of Funny Girl, which starred Barbra Streisand. Lear considered her after seeing her performance in Damn Yankees. She’d made guest appearances on TV series like Dr. Kildare and The Defenders.

O’Connor was born in Manhattan but grew up in Queens, the same borough as the Bunker household with the external living room window which wasn’t visible from the interior. O’Connor acted steadily in theaters in Dublin, Ireland, and New York until director Burgess Meredith, assisted by The Addams Family’s John Astin, cast him in the Broadway adaptation of James Joyce’s novel Ulysses. O’Connor had roles in major motion pictures, including Lonely Are the Brave (1962), Cleopatra (1963), Point Blank (1967), The Devil’s Brigade (1968), Death of a Gunfighter (1969), Marlowe (1969), and Kelly’s Heroes (1970).  O’Connor appeared on television series like Gunsmoke, Bonanza, The Fugitive, The Wild Wild West, The Outer Limits, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., I Spy, That Girl, and Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea. He’d guest starred as a villain in a season 1 episode of Mission Impossible, and was up for the parts the Skipper on Gilligan’s Island and Dr. Smith on Lost in Space.

The first pilot also starred Kelly Jean Peters as Gloria and Tim McIntire as her husband Richard. ABC liked it enough to fund a second pilot, “Those Were the Days,” which shot in Los Angeles on Feb. 10, 1969. Richard was played by Chip Oliver, and Gloria Justice was played by Candice Azzara, who would go on to play Rodney Dangerfield’s wife in Easy Money, and make numerous, memorable guest appearances on Barney Miller. D’Urville Martin played Lionel Jefferson in both pilots. ABC cancelled it after one episode, worried about a show with a foul-mouthed, bigoted character as the lead.

CBS, which was trying to veer away from rural shows like Mayberry R.F.D., The Beverly Hillbillies, Petticoat Junction and Green Acres, bought the rights to the urban comedy and renamed it All in the Family. When Gleason’s contract to CBS ran out, Lear was allowed to keep O’Connor on as the main character.

Sally Struthers was one of the young actors featured in Five Easy Pieces, the 1970 counterculture classic starring Jack Nicholson. She’d also recently finished shooting a memorable part in the 1972 Steve McQueen hit The Getaway. Struthers had just been fired from The Tim Conway Comedy Hour because executives thought she made the show look cheap, which was her job. The premise of the show was it was so low-budget it could only afford one musician, who had to hum the theme song because they couldn’t afford an instrument, and one dancer, as opposed to a line of dancers like they had on The Jackie Gleason Show. Lear noticed her as a dancer on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, a counterculture variety show which Rob Reiner wrote for with Steve Martin as a writing partner. Reiner’s then-fiancée, the director Penny Marshall, was also up for the role of Gloria, but in an interview for The Television Academy, Reiner recalls that, while Marshall could pass as Stapleton’s daughter, Struthers was obviously the one who looked like Archie’s “little girl.”

Reiner, the son of comedy legend Carl Reiner, was discovered in a guest acting role on the Andy Griffith vehicle series Headmaster, a show he wrote for, but had also played bit roles in Batman, The Andy Griffith Show, Room 222, Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., The Beverly Hillbillies and The Odd Couple. Reportedly, Richard Dreyfuss campaigned for the role of Michael, and Harrison Ford turned it down. Mike Evans was cast as Lionel Jefferson, the Bunkers’ young Black next-door neighbor who sugar-coated nonviolent protests with subtle and subversive twists on “giving people what they want.”

“We’re just sweeping dirty dishes under the rug.”

The very first episode tackled multiple issues right away. It discussed atheism, with Michael and Gloria explaining they have found no evidence of god. The family dissects affirmative action, with Archie asserting everyone has an equal chance to advance if they “hustle for it like I done.” He says he didn’t have millions of people marching for him to get his job, like Black Americans. “His uncle got it for him,” Edith explains, with an off-the-cuff delivery exemplifying why Stapleton is one of the all-time great comic character actors. The family argues socialism, anti-Semitism, sausage links and sausage patties. The generation gap widens as Archie wonders why men’s hair is now down to there, while Gloria’s skirt got so high “all the mystery disappears” when she sits down.

All in the Family would continue to deal with taboo topics like the gay rights movement, divorce, breast cancer, and rape. Future episodes would question why presidential campaign funds are unequal, how tax breaks for corporations kill the middle class, and weigh the personal price of serving in an unpopular war as opposed to dodging the draft. When Archie goes to a female doctor for emergency surgery a few seasons in, All in the Family points out she is most certainly paid less than a male doctor. When skyjackings were a persistent domestic threat in the 1970s, Archie suggested airlines should “arm the passengers.” It is very prescient of the NRA’s suggestion of arming teachers to combat school shootings.

But the first showdown between Lear and the network was fought for the sexual revolution. The first episode’s action begins when Edith and Archie come home early from church and interrupt Michael and Gloria as they’re about to take advantage of having the house to themselves. Gloria’s got her legs wrapped around Michael as he is walking them toward the stairs, and the bed. “At 11:10 on a Sunday,” Archie wants to know as he makes himself known. According to Lear’s memoir, CBS President William Paley objected, saying the line suggested sex. “And the network wants that out even though they’re married–I mean, it was plain silly,” he writes. “My script could have lived without the line, but somehow I understood that if I give on that moment, I’m going to give on silly things forever. So, I had to have that showdown.”

The standoff continued until 25 minutes before air time. CBS broadcast the episode, but put a disclaimer before the opening credits rolled, which Reiner later described as saying “Nothing you’re about to see has anything that we want to have anything to do with. As far as we’re concerned, if you don’t watch the next half hour, it’s okay with us.” Lear knew, with what he was doing, this was going to be the first of many battles, because this was the first show of its kind. Television families didn’t even flush toilets, much less bring unmentionables to the table. “The biggest problem a family might face would have been that the roast was ruined when the boss was coming over to dinner,” Lear writes. “There were no women or their problems in American life on television. There were no health issues. There were no abortions. There were no economic problems. The worst thing that could happen was the roast would be ruined. I realized that was a giant statement — that we weren’t making any statements.”

“What I say ain’t got nothing to do with what I think.”

Politicians and pundits worried about how the series might affect racial relations. The country had experienced inner city riots, battle lines were drawn over school desegregation, busing children to schools was met with violent resistance. Did All In the Family undermine bigotry or reinforce racism? Were people laughing at Archie or with him? Was it okay to like Archie more than Mike?

Lear believed humor would be cathartic, eroding bigotry. Bigots found a relief valve. Lear always insisted Archie was a satirically exaggerated parody to make racism and sexism look foolish. Liberals protested the character came across as a “loveable bigot,” because satire only works if the audience is in on the joke. Bigoted viewers didn’t see the show as satire. They identified with Archie and saw nothing wrong with ethnic slurs. Mike and Gloria come off like preachy, bleeding-heart liberal, hippie leeches. Lionel handled Archie better than Michael did.

O’Connor humanized Archie as an old-fashioned guy trying to make sense of a rapidly changing world. Bunker gave bigotry a human face and, because he hated everyone, he was written off as an “equal-opportunity bigot.” Not quite a defensible title. Archie was the most liked character on the show, and the most disliked. Most people saw him as a likable loser, so identifiable he was able to change attitudes. In a 1972 interview, O’Connor explained white fans would “tell me, ‘Archie was my father; Archie was my uncle.’ It is always was, was, was. It’s not now. I have an impression that most white people are, in some halting way, trying to reach out, or they’re thinking about it.” It sometimes worked against O’Connor the activist, however. When he backed New York Mayor John Lindsay’s 1972 anti-war nomination for the Democratic presidential nomination, Archie Bunker’s shadow distanced progressives.

Archie was relatable beyond his bigotry. He spoke to the anxieties of working- and middle-class families. Archie was a dock worker in the Corona section of Queens, who had to drive a cab as a second job, with little hope of upward mobility. He didn’t get political correctness. The character’s ideological quips were transformed into the bestselling paperback mock manifesto The Wit and Wisdom of Archie Bunker. White conservative viewers bought “Archie for President” buttons. 

“If you call me Cute one more time, I swear I’ll open a vein.”

As cannot be overstated, All in the Family set many precedents, both socially and artistically. The Bunker family is an icon on many levels, Archie and Edith’s chairs are at the Smithsonian. But Archie Bunker is also the Mother Courage of TV. The antithesis of the bland sitcom characters of the time, he also wasn’t the character we hated to love, or loved to hate. Archie was the first character we weren’t supposed to like, but couldn’t help it. This phenomenon continues. The next TV character to take on the iconic mantle was probably Louis De Palma on Taxi. Audiences should have wanted to take a lug wrench to his head, but Danny De Vito brought such a diverse range of rage and vulnerability to that part it was named TV Guide’s most beloved character for years.

We shouldn’t like Walter White, especially when he doffs that pretentious Heisenberg hat, on Breaking Bad. And let’s face it, Slipping Jimmy on Better Call Saul isn’t really the kind of guy you want to leave alone in your living room while you grab a drink. Families across the United States and abroad sat down to an Italian-style family dinner with Tony Soprano and The Sopranos every Sunday night. But on Monday mornings, most of us would have ducked him, especially if we owed him money. Even the advanced model of the Terminator guy was scared of Tony.

The best example of this is South Park’s Eric Cartman. While we don’t know who his father is on the series, he’s got Bunker DNA all over him. He’s even gotten into squabbles with Sally Struthers and Rob Reiner. This wasn’t lost on Lear, who contacted creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone to say he loved the show in 2003. Lear wound up writing for South Park’s seventh season. “They invited me to a party and we’re partying,” Lear told USA Today at the time. “There’s no way to overstate the kick of being welcomed by this group.”

“I hate entertainment. Entertainment is a thing of the past, now we got television.”

Television can educate as much as it wants to entertain, and All in the Family taught the viewing audience a whole new vocabulary. The casual epithets thrown on the show were unheard of in broadcast programming, no matter how commonplace they might have been in the homes of the people watching. When Sammy Davis Jr. comes to Bunker house in the first season, every ethnic and racial slur ever thrown is exchanged. In another first season episode, and both the unaired pilots, Archie breaks down the curse word “Goddamn.” But a large segment of the more socially conservative, and religious, audience thought All in the Family said whatever they wanted just because they could get away with it.

All in the Family debuted to low viewership, but rose to be ranked number one in the Nielsen ratings for five years. The show undermined the perception of the homogeneous middle-class demographic allowing shows like M*A*S*H to comment on contemporary events.

All in the Family represented the changing American neighborhood. The show opened the door for the working poor to join situation comedies as much as when the Bunkers welcomed Lionel, Louise (Isabel Sanford), and George Jefferson (Sherman Hemsley) when they moved into Archie’s neighborhood. Lear reportedly was challenged by the Black Panther Party to expand the range of black characters on his shows. He took the challenge seriously and added subversive humor. Sanford and Son was set in a junkyard in Watts. Foxx’s Fred Sanford rebelled against the middle-class aspirations of his son, Lamont (Demond Wilson). Good Times was set in the projects of Chicago, and took on issues like street gangs, evictions and poor public schools.

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Married With Children, The Simpsons, and King of the Hill continued to explore the comic possibilities of working class drama. Mary Richards on The Mary Tyler Moore Show was a successful, upwardly mobile television producer. Working-class women were represented on sitcoms like Alice, but didn’t have a central voice until 1988 when Roseanne debuted on ABC, and Roseanne Barr ushered in her brand of proletarian feminism. All in the Family’s legacy includes Black-ish, as creator Kenya Barris continues to mine serious and controversial subject matter for cathartic and educational laughter. Tim Allen covets the conservative crown, and is currently the Last Man Standing in for Archie. But as reality gets more exaggerated than any satire can capture, All in the Family remains and retains its most authentic achievement.

The post How All in the Family Changed the TV Landscape appeared first on Den of Geek.

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#aion-rsa #Den of Geek

[mab1905]

84 Questions

original: 

https://fuckyeahsurveys.tumblr.com/post/61049002526/84-questions

1. Put your music player of choice on shuffle and list the first 10 songs

Someone New (Hozier)

Cactus Tree (Joni Mitchell)

Budapest (George Ezra)

And Dream Of Sheep (Kate Bush)

Nancy Mulligan (Ed Sheeran)

And Then She Kissed Me (St. Vincent)

Level of Concern (Twenty One Pilots)

Lovefool (The Cardigans)

Best For Last (Adele)

Video Killed The Radio Star (The Buggles)

2. If you could spend a week anywhere in the world, where would it be and why? Would you take anyone with you?

Japan. I travel a lot and it’s been on my list for a while, I would really want to go to the Hayao Miyazaki/Studio Ghibli theme park, if it ever opens that is. I would bring my best friend, Layla. I also would love to go to Amsterdam again.

3. What is your preferred writing implement? (eg. Blue pen, pencil, green pen) 

My ink nib cartooning pen (similar to a quill, but without the feather)

4. Favourite month and why? 

October, not too hot, not too cold, and of course, Halloween!

5. Do you have connections to any celebrities (even minor)? List them.

Nope, met several, got to true connections though. 

6. Name 3 items you could pick up from where you are.

My iPad, my Leatherman Multitool, my collection of David Bowie postcards.

7. What brand logo is closest to you currently?

The Apple logo

8. Do you ever play board games or other non-computer games? Got any favourites?

Chess. Card games like Solitaire, Black-Jack, and Castle. A game that I can’t remember the name of but it’s essentially a board-game version of Capture The Flag. Mostly Chess.

9. A musical artist you love that isn’t well known

St. Vincent? I’m not sure if she’s well known or not.

10. A musical artist you love that is well known

David Bowie. 

11. What is your desktop background currently?

A picture of Apollo 11 accompanied by the words “It won’t fail because of me”

12. Last person you talked to, and through what you talked to them

My best friend Layla, through the iMessage app.

13. First colour name you can think of that isn’t in the rainbow

Salmon

14. What timekeeping devices are in the room you are currently in?

My iPad, my computer, my collection of vintage stopwatches

15. What kind of headphones do you use?

Sony, wireless, noise canceling, over-the ear 

16. What musical artists have you seen perform live?

Twenty One Pilots, Sylvan Esso

17. Does virginity matter to you?

I guess? I think it’s important, it’s certainly some kind of ‘milestone,’ but I don’t think it should be treated like the scale of a persons ‘purity.’ It’s important because it’s sex, and (hopefully) that means that you’re sharing a consensual, intimate experience that feels fucking great for both (or all, if it’s more then two) participants.

18. What gaming consoles do you or your family own?

Z e r o, although I’m hoping to buy a PS4 at some point so I can play Detroit Become Human.

19. What pets do you have? What are their names?

Juno is my cat, she is an adorable grey tiger-striped shorthair. She’s got little white mitten-paws and it’s absolutely ridiculous.

20. What’s the best job you’ve ever had?

Doing tech at a local theater

21. What’s the worst job you’ve ever had?

Teaching art to little kids (I like kids but it was just exhausting)

22. What magazines do you read, if any?

The New Yorker, and the National Geo if I’m like, waiting in my doctor’s office or something.

23. Inspiration behind your URL?

It’s just my initials and a year from the Edwardian era

24. Inspiration behind your blog title?

It’s just my initials 

25. Favourite item of clothing?

My reddish-brown knit sweater vest and my floral bow-tie (often paired together)

26. Are you friends with any exes?

I made a very conscious effort to cut my exe out of my life… we were not happy for a very long time to say the least

27. Name at least one book you loved as a child.

Strega Nona, it’s about an Italian witch that makes great pasta in a magic pasta pot. My dad would read it to me and my sibling in Italian.

28. What’s your native language? If that language has distinct regional variations, which variation? (eg. AU English, US English)

US English

29. What email service do you use?

Gmail

30. Is there anything hanging on the walls of the room you are currently in?

So many things. Here's the list:

A giant David Bowie poster, a plaque that says “David Bowie IS,” five David Bowie postcards, a giant Abbey Road poster, all of my patches from summer camp, polaroids of me, my friends, and my family (including my cat), ticket stubs from concerts and plays, two trail markers that I took off of fallen trees on two important cross-country backpacking trips I went on, playbills from a bunch of broadway shows I’ve seen, a poster that says “Stonewall was a riot,” a DC Comics poster, a Pink Floyd poster, a few paintings of mine, and a painting that I got for free from a street artist I befriended in Rome when I was twelve

31. What’s your favourite number, and why?

16, 24, 21, and 8, some numbers make me uncomfortable, but these are just very soft and light and nice 

32. Earliest moment in your life you can remember? 

A rocking chair with fruits painted on it sitting in a dark room and my great grandfathers brown leather loafers (I remember early early stuff in just images or stills, not full moments)

33. What did you have for dinner yesterday?

Pasta with shrimp

34. How often do you brush your teeth?

Usually twice a day, but I’ve been waking up later and later and sometimes forget in the mornings

35. What’s your favourite candy/chocolate?

I don’t know the name of it but it’s this chocolate bar that is stuffed with caramel, hot chili flakes, and crunchy bits of baked tortilla. It's one of the greatest things I’ve ever tasted.

36. Have you had other blogs on Tumblr? Do you have any other blogs currently?

I used to have one but I deleted it because I never used it

37. If you were suddenly really hungry, what would you choose to eat?

I would probably walk into the kitchen, realize that too eat something I would have to muster the effort to cook something instead, and then decide to just have a glass of milk instead.

38. What fandoms would you consider yourself a part of?

Downton Abbey (primarily Thommy)

Chernobyl HBO (as well as the Leonid Toptunov/Sasha Akimov subfandom)

Lord of The Rings and The Hobbit (books and movies)

CrankGamePlays

Buzzfeed Unsolved

Star Trek TOS

Philosophy Tube

The Dark Crystal and The Dark Crystal: Age Of Resistance

39. If you could study anything, what would it be?

If I had the energy to fully wrench my life in a completely different direction I would like to become a professional scuba diver and study the ocean. I already am a scuba diver, but it’s a hobby and not something I’m able to do very often at all.

40. Do you use anything on your lips? (eg. Chapstick, gloss, balm, lipstick)

I’ll wear chapstick if I have a cold

41. How would you describe your sense of humour?

Intellectual and dry

42. What things annoy you more than anything else?

People who think they’re better than everyone else and people who recognize a fault in themselves and then refuse to work to change it

43. What kind of position are you in at the moment?

I’m laying on my bed, hunched over my laptop

44. Do you wear much jewellery?

Occasionally I’ll wear a necklace or a few rings. I have a lot of non-traditional bracelets (I literally just have pieces of canvas and industrial tie-line wrapped around my wrist). I’m a gay guy and I like to sort-a walk the line between feminine and masculine (often leaning more towards the masc side), so it really depends on my mood.

45. Who is the leader of your country, currently? Any other levels of government with leaders? (State, region, province, county, district, municipality, etc)

A cheese-pizza flavored pringle is currently POTUS and every day the thought of that tears away at a piece of my soul. 

46. Last 3 blogs on your dashboard, not including any of your own

@shochmonster @velvet-of-the-night @panicsheerbloodypanic

47. What do you carry your money in?

My pocket, I have a wallet and I don’t use it

48. Do you enjoy driving? Why or why not?

It’s fine, don’t love it don’t hate it

49. Longest drive you have ever been on?

Three days

50. Furthest away from home you have ever been?

Went on a trip to Switzerland to visit family, I think that’s the farthest but I’m not entirely sure.

51. How many times have you moved house?

Twice

52. What is on the floor of the room you’re currently in, not including furniture?

Five paintings, stacks and stacks of books, boxes filled with stuff (mostly more books), plates, glasses, cutlery, clothes

53. How many devices do you own which can access the internet?

2, and iPad and a computer

54. Is there is anything that is guaranteed to always make you happy?

Listening to music

55. Is there anything that always makes you sad?

Thinking about my past for too long

56. What programs do you currently have open?

Google drive, I’m writing

57. What do you associate the colour red with?

Blood and fire

58. Last strong smell you can remember smelling?

Shrimp and butter

59. Last healthy thing you ate?

Three green olives and a handful of bean sprouts

60. Do you drink tea or coffee, and how much per day?

Used to drink coffee like it was life support (which it essentially was), now I’ll have the occasional cup of tea.

61. What do you associate the colour blue with?

Birds and rain

62. How long is the closest ruler you can find?

I don’t think I own one

63. What colour pants/skirt/etc are you currently wearing?

I am wearing olive green corduroy slacks

64. When was the last time you drank water?

30 minutes ago?

65. How often do you clear your browser history?

Never

66. Do you believe nude photos can be artistic, rather than erotic?

Nude anything can be artistic, it can also just be normal, eroticism is in the eye of the beholder.

67. Ever written fanfiction for anything?

Yes dear god so much fanfiction.

68. Last formal event you attended

I genuinely can’t remember, I am have extreme social anxiety and don’t go to events like that unless I absolutely have too

69. If you had to move your birthday to another date, which one would you choose and why?

I don’t care about birthdays

70. Would you prefer to be at a beach or in the countryside?

Beach, I love to swim, I’m also a surfer

71. Roughly how many people live in your town?

Uhm… eight times the number of people who live in the state of Montana and that doesn’t count daily commuters and tourists (New York City is essentially just a tin of sardines, except inside are 8.399 million sardines)

72. Do you know anyone with the same birthday as you?

No, but three of my friends were born on the day just after my birthday.

73. Favourite place to shop? Can be a certain store or a place where there are multiple stores

The Strand Bookstore, L Train Vintage, any antique shops in the town of Hudson, New York 

74. Do you have a smartphone? What kind? If you don’t, do you want one?

I used to have an iPhone 5SE but then it stopped working after a few weeks of quarantine and I haven’t gotten a new one (I’ve had it for about 5-6 years so it makes sense)

75. What is your least favourite colour, and why?

I don’t have a least favorite color, but my favorite color is prussian blue

76. How do you spell grey/gray?

Grey

77. Go to your dashboard and describe the image shown in the radar section (below the “Find blogs” link)

It’s anime fanart for a show I’ve never heard of

78. What difference is there between how many followers you have, and the number of blogs you follow?

3

79. How many posts do you have?

219

80. How many posts have you liked?

619

81. Do you post mainly reblogs, or your own content?

Mostly reblogs but I do my own content as well

82. Do you track any tags?

No, just blogs

83. What time is it currently?

10:39

84. Is there anything you should be doing right now?

writing

I’m not quite sure who to tag so it’s just open to anyone I guess?

#i love questionaires #they're so much fun

[bechloeislegit]

BeChloe Week 2019 - DAY 1

SOULMATES

Eighteen-year-old Beca Mitchell continued to stare at the half-tattoos centered on each of her wrists, wondering how they would be joined together when she finally met her soulmate. According to The Higher Power, when you meet your soulmate the two halves would join together and become one single tattoo on your right wrist; your soulmate would be sporting the same, identical tattoo.

Not all tattoos were the same. The colors and shapes varied from person to person. It was one of the only ways to make sure you were with your true soulmate.

For Beca, her tattoos were one-half of a G-sharp musical note. For her colors, the top half of the musical note was red, while the bottom half was black. She thought it was appropriate for her since music had become a big part of her life. She also hoped that if she ever did find her soulmate, they would like music as much as she did.

Beca shook her head at that thought. She never believed the hype about soulmates before, and she didn't see any reason to believe it now. Her mom and dad found each other and fell in love without their soulmate tattoos becoming one. A tightness came to her chest when she thought about her mom.

Sarah Cooke met Benjamin Mitchell when they were both just twenty years old. Neither had met their soulmates.

The two became best friends before falling in love. They knew there was always the possibility their true soulmates were out there, but they didn't care. They loved each other and at twenty-two, they got married.

Two years later, Beca Cooke Mitchell was born and her parents were ecstatic. Things went well for the next five years; that was when everything went to Hell. And least that's how Beca felt about it.

~~ DAY 1 - SOULMATES ~~

Thirteen years earlier, when Beca was five years old, her father slowly walked into the house and looked at her mother with tears in his eyes.

"What's wrong, Ben?" Sarah asked.

Ben held up his right arm and pulled up the sleeve of his shirt. Sarah gasped and put a hand to her mouth. His soulmate tattoos had joined together into one.

"When?" Sarah asked.

"At lunch," Ben said. "I met a visiting professor and it happened. She showed me hers and, and we matched. Her name is Sheila."

Sarah sat down on the sofa and put her head in her hands. "What are you going to do?"

"I, um, I don't know," Ben said as he sat next to Sarah and took her hand in his. "I do know that The Higher Power won't let us stay together. They'll force me to leave you."

"I love you," Sarah said.

"I love you, too," Ben said. "I don't want to lose you or Beca, but I won't be allowed to stay with you."

Sarah nodded her head. "We knew this was a possibility," she said and wiped at the tears on her face. "I hate this!"

"Me, too," Ben said, pulling Sarah into a hug. "To make this easier, I'll pack my stuff up and leave tonight."

"We need to tell Beca," Sarah mumbled against Ben's chest.

"I know," Ben said. "I'll pack and then we'll tell her together at dinner."

Sarah let out a soft sob and nodded her head.

~~ DAY 1 - SOULMATES ~~

Beca wiped the tears from her eyes. She didn't understand any of this when she was five, and she still wasn't sure she understood at age eighteen. Her parents married because they were in love. She hated her father since it was so easy for him to walk away from them both without looking back. She hadn't seen or heard from her father since the day he left.

She lost her mom when she was killed in a car accident two years ago. Her mom was thirty-eight years old and had not met her soulmate. This really bothered Beca. Especially knowing that her father was living a happy and fulfilling with his soulmate, without a thought or care for her or her mother. And it hurt Beca that her dad hadn't shown up for her when her mother died.

It bothered her more when her dad finally did show up. He came to her High School graduation and demanded that she go to college. Her Aunt Stephanie had no choice but to make her go as he was still her father. She was not looking forward to seeing him again.

The taxi stopped as close to the entrance of the Freshman dorms as he could, bringing Beca out of her trip down memory lane. Beca got out and went around to the trunk; she grabbed her computer bag and a guy with a cart grabbed her other bags. They made their way to Beca's dorm building and got in line to wait their turn for the elevator.

Beca had unpacked everything and looked around the room. This was going to be her home for the next nine months and she wanted to make it as comfortable as possible.

She placed the last book on the shelf and decided to head out to find something to eat. As she walked around she realized she was in the middle of the activities fair. She checked out a few booths and found herself standing in front of a white sign with a blue cursive B in the middle of it.

Beca looked up when a flyer was thrust in front of her. She looked up to see a pretty redhead with gorgeous blue eyes staring at her.

Before Beca could say anything she was knocked down by some guy rushing past her. He did have the courtesy to stop and help her up. The redhead also reached down to help her, as well as the blonde who had been standing next to her.

"I'm really sorry," the guy said. "I'm Jesse. Jesse Swanson."

"Um, Beca," Beca said.

"Aubrey, could you bring her a bottle of water?" the redhead asked her friend.

"Here you go, Chloe," Aubrey said as she handed Chloe the water.

Chloe turned to hand the water to Beca.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Jesse asked

"Thanks," Beca said as she took the water. She looked at Jesse. "Don't worry about it, dude. I'm fine. No harm done."

"I'm glad," Jesse said. "I'm sorry but I really have to go. I need to sign up to audition for the Trebles."

"No problem, dude," Beca said. "Go ahead."

"Thanks," Jesse said and ran off.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Chloe asked. "You did have a pretty hard fall."

"I'm fine, really," Beca said. "I'm going to go now."

"What's your full name?" the redhead asked.

"Um, Beca Mitchell," Beca said.

"Nice to meet you, Beca Mitchell," the redhead said, holding out her hand for Beca to shake. "I'm Chloe Beale, and this is my best friend, Aubrey Posen. We're the co-Captains of the Barden Bellas."

Beca took her hand and shook it. "Nice to meet you, Chloe. You, too, Aubrey."

Aubrey just sniffed and turned to talk with someone else.

"Here," Chloe said. "Take a flyer and, if you have time, come to auditions."

"Um, sure," Beca said with a small smile. "It was nice meeting you."

"You, too," Chloe said as she watched Beca walk away.

Beca looked back over her shoulder to see Chloe still looking at her. She gave her a small wave and smiled at her. Chloe smiled back and watched as she got lost in the crowd before turning to return to her table.

~~ DAY 1 - SOULMATES ~~

Chloe reached to pick up more flyers when she let out a gasp.

"Brey!" Chloe called out, causing Aubrey to look at her.

"What's wrong?" Aubrey asked.

"Look!" Chloe said, holding up her wrist.

"Chloe!" Aubrey said excitedly. "You met your soulmate."

"So did you," Chloe said, grabbing Aubrey's arm and holding it up.

Aubrey gasped and looked around. "Who was it?"

~~ DAY 1 - SOULMATES ~~

Jesse was signing up to audition for the Barden Treblemakers when one of them noticed his tattoo.

"Congratulations, dude," the guy said. "Is she hot?"

"What?" Jesse asked in confusion.

"You're tattoo," the guy said, pointing at Jesse's wrist.

"I'll be damned," Jesse said. "This must have just happened."

"Who is it?" the guy asked.

"I don't know," Jesse responded. "I met three girls just now. They were all over at the Bellas booth."

~~ DAY 1 - SOULMATES ~~

Later that evening, Beca was in her dorm room reading one of her textbooks. She couldn't really concentrate because she couldn't get the redhead out of her mind. She decided to change into pajamas and get comfortable.

She took off her leather wrist bands and threw them on her desk. She reached to take off her shirt when she noticed something on her wrist. She looked down at her wrists and her eyes widened.

"Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck," Beca cried. "When did this happen? Shit!"

Beca grabbed the door and pulled it open. She blindly started to run out the door, only to fall back as she ran into someone. Two strong hands grabbed her and keep her from falling to the floor.

"Beca," a voice said. "Are you okay?"

"Dad?" Beca said. "I, I, uh, I-" Beca couldn't speak so she held up her wrist to show her father.

"Oh," Ben Mitchell said. "I can't wait to meet him."

"I don't know who it is," Beca said, stumbling over to sit on the edge of her bed.

"What do you mean you don't know who it is," Ben asked.

"I was wearing wrist bands and never noticed it until just now," Beca said. "I met and talked to like six people today. It could have been any one of them."

"I guess you're going to have to do some detective work," Ben said.

"This is a huge campus," Beca said. "How am I supposed to find them?"

"Where did you meet them?" Ben asked.

"I met three of them at the Activities Fair," Beca said. "There was this guy, Jesse, who ran into me and knocked me down. Then there were two girls, Aubrey and Chloe. They were manning a booth for the Barden Bellas, and helped me when I got knocked down."

"The two girls should be easy to find," Beca said. "Did Jesse say anything to you? Maybe give you a hint as to where you might find him."

"He did say he was going to sign up for the Troubles or something," Beca said.

"Trebles," Ben corrected. "It's an all-male a capella group. What about the other three you met? Where did you meet them?"

"Um, two guys at the radio station booth," Beca said. "One was named Luke and I can't remember the other guy's name. And, the last one was a girl at the diner where I got something to eat. She was my waitress and her name was Nancy."

"Well, it should be easy to find the waitress and the radio station guys," Ben said.

"The others are part of that a capella thing and they have auditions in a week," Beca said. "I guess I'll have to wait until then to find those three."

"Keep me posted," Ben said. "This is quite exciting."

"I guess," Beca said. "What did you come by for anyway?"

~~ DAY 1 - SOULMATES ~~

Beca wore her leather bands to cover her wrists so no one could tell she only had one tattoo. Two days after talking to her dad, she entered the radio station to begin her internship. As she was talking to the guy at the front desk, Jesse walked in.

"Hey," Jesse said with a big smile. "You're my soulmate."

"What?" Beca asked.

"My tattoos joined when we met," Jesse said. "So, you must be my soulmate."

Beca swallowed and looked at Jesse. "Let me see."

Jesse held up his wrist and Beca looked down at it. Jesse's full tattoo was of what Beca thought was a film reel. The top half was yellow and the bottom was orange.

"Sorry, dude. It's not me," Beca said and took off her wrist band to show him,

"Wow," Jesse said somewhat disappointed. "I was so sure it was you." Suddenly, his eyes lit up and he grinned. "That means my soulmate is either the hot blonde or redhead that you were with."

"This also means," Beca said. "That my soulmate could be one of them as well. Plus, two other guys that work here, and a waitress that works at the diner."

"Wow," Jesse said. "That's a lot of possibilities."

"Yeah," Beca said. "I can knock two more off my list as soon as I can find Luke and Brad? Bryan? A guy who works here at the station. I met all of you within like an hour of each other."

"Which one do you hope it is?" Jesse asked.

"I'm not picking one," Beca said. "What if I really like one and another is my soulmate. I can't live through that again."

"Again?" Jesse asked, intrigued by the statement.

Beca sighed and ran a hand through her hair. Fuck it, she thought and told Jesse about her parents.

After she finished, Jesse said, "Wow, that sucks."

"Yeah," Beca said. "So, I'm not going to allow myself to fall for someone who is not my soulmate. It's too heartbreaking when one of you finds your real soulmate."

"I'm sorry, Beca," Jesse said. "That has to be hard to take. Maybe we can help each other figure out which soulmate is ours."

"You want to hit up the diner after work?" Beca asked. "I can knock one off my list if Nancy the waitress isn't mine."

"Hey, Jesse," a guy called out as he entered the station.

"That's him," Beca mouthed to Jesse, once she saw the guy.

"Hey, Bryan," Jesse said. "We were just talking soulmates. Have you found yours?"

"Yep," Bryan said. "Met him last year. How about you?"

"I actually met mine two days ago," Jesse said. "The only problem is, it could be one of two girls."

"Good luck with that," Bryan said with a chuckle. "You guys here for your internship?"

"Yeah," Jesse said.

"Come on," Bryan said. "I have to talk to Luke and then he'll show you around and tell you what you'll be doing."

Beca and Jesse followed Bryan into the studio area.

"Wait here," Bryan said and walked over to the booth and knocked lightly. Luke stood and opened the door. He put his arms up to hold onto the top of the doorframe while he talked to Bryan.

"Beca," Jessed called to get her attention.

Beca looked up and Jesse nodded his head toward Luke. She looked over and noticed Luke's wrists. He still had two half tattoos showing on his wrists.

"I guess that leaves Nancy, Chloe, or Aubrey," Beca said.

"I guess we're going to the diner for dinner," Jesse said with a grin.

"I guess we are," Beca said.

~~ DAY 1 - SOULMATES ~~

Beca was walking back to her dorm with Jesse after leaving the diner. Nancy, the waitress, had already found and married, her soulmate.

"Well, that leaves me with two to go," Beca mumbled.

"You mean that leaves us with two to go," Jesse said. "So, how are we going to find them?"

"I was thinking we should wait until auditions," Beca said. "They're both co-Captains of the Bellas so they'll have to be there."

"Sounds like a plan," Jesse said. "We'll be soul-bros trying to help each other find their soulmate."

"Don't say that again, it's not a thing," Beca said. "And it just sounds wrong."

"Fine," Jesse said with a shrug. "But, we are going to be best friends. It's inevitable because our soulmates are best friends, too."

Beca couldn't help but smile. It might not be so bad having Jesse as a friend.

~~ DAY 1 - SOULMATES ~~

"Have you seen Jesse or Beca?" Chloe asked Aubrey as they sat studying together.

Aubrey and Chloe had figured that they had met Beca and Jesse at the same time, so one of them had to their soulmates.

"No," Aubrey said. "We know Jesse will be at auditions. We'll have to wait until then to find out which of us is his soulmate."

"The waiting is killing me," Chloe said.

"I wasn't expecting my soulmate to be younger," Aubrey said. "And I wasn't expecting my soulmate to be a girl either."

"Beca may not be your soulmate," Chloe said quickly, and then blushed.

"I hope she isn't," Aubrey said, and seeing the look Chloe gave her, she continued. "I can tell how attracted you are to her and it would be awkward if she were my soulmate is all I'm saying."

"Jesse's cute," Chloe said. "But, I do feel more of a connection to Beca."

"I agree, he is cute," Aubrey said with a small smile. "And I feel a connection to him. Let's hope we both get who we want"

"Yeah," Chloe said as her thoughts went to a dark place.

"What if Jesse is my soulmate?" Chloe thought. "Will that stop the attraction I feel toward Beca?"

~~ DAY 1 - SOULMATES ~~

Beca was making an effort to get to know her dad. Dealing with the idea of finding her soulmate, and being attracted to someone who may or may not be her soulmate, has made her better understand what her parents had to go through. And why her dad did what he did.

"Any luck on figuring out who your soulmate is?" Ben asked.

"Well, I've narrowed it down to two," Beca said. "And, I discovered that the guy Jesse I told you about and I could be possible soulmates of the same two girls."

"Did you feel a connection with either of them?" Ben asked.

"I did," Beca said. "But I don't want to say or do anything about it until I know for sure which one is my soulmate."

"I can relate," Ben said. He thought for a moment and then placed his hand over Beca's. "I want you to know that I will always love your mother. We may not have been soulmates, but we had you and you were born out of our love for each other. We both love you so much."

Beca smiled as a tear came to her eye.

"I also want to apologize for not being there for you when your mom died," Ben said, his eyes glassy with tears. "When I heard the news I felt like a part of my soul had died, too. I didn't take it well."

"I get it, dad. My five-year-old self hated you when you walked away from us. But, I'm older now and I'm beginning to understand that it was destined to be that way. The so-called powers that be would never have allowed you to not be with your soulmate," Beca said and smiled. "And, I love you, too."

Ben smiled and patted Beca's hand. "Good," Ben said and sniffled. "I can't wait to meet your soulmate. I hope she's worthy of you."

"More like, I hope I'm worthy of her," Beca said.

"You'll both be worthy of the other," Ben said. "As much as the soulmate process has its flaws, they seem to know what they are doing. Sheila and I are very happy together. She has accepted that I will always love you and your mother and that I love her, too."

"I'm glad you have each other," Beca said with a genuine smile. "You deserve to be happy."

"So do you, Beca," Ben said.

~~ DAY 1 - SOULMATES ~~

Beca went about her days waiting for the auditions. One day she left her dorm and made her way to her favorite diner for breakfast. It was mid-morning so they weren't crowded. Beca was surprised to see Chloe sitting at a table alone with her laptop sitting in front of her. She noticed Chloe had a couple of empty coffee cups sitting on the table around her. Once Beca ordered she asked for two cups of coffee and made her way over to Chloe's table with her tray.

"Hey," Beca said, causing Chloe to look up.

"Oh, hey, Beca," Chloe said with a smile. "What brings you here?"

"Late breakfast," Beca said. "I also got you another cup of coffee. I figured you were either studying or working on a paper and might need it."

"Oh, my gosh, thank you," Chloe said, taking the coffee off the tray. "Would you like to join me? I could use a break."

"Um, sure," Beca said and sat down with her tray.

They made small talk while Beca ate. Beca kept trying to sneak a peek at Chloe's wrist but she was wearing a long-sleeved sweatshirt that covered down to her hands.

Beca finished and stood to leave, but Chloe stopped her.

"Um, can we talk?" Chloe asked.

"Sure," Beca said and sat back down. "What's up?"

Not knowing that Beca knew it was possible they were soulmates, Chloe asked Beca what she thought of people who got together even without them being soulmates.

Beca scoffed, but before she could answer, Aubrey came rushing in and started complaining to Chloe about the Bellas rehearsal space or something.

"I'll talk to you later, Chloe," Beca said and hurried away from the table.

~~ DAY 1 - SOULMATES ~~

The day of auditions had finally arrived. Jesse was buzzing around the radio station like a kid who stayed up late on Halloween night and woke up with empty candy wrappers strewn around their room.

Beca, on the other hand, was trying to keep her breakfast from making a second showing. She compared her situation to her dad's, but then realized her parents fell in love before her dad even knew who his soulmate was. How do you go on if the person you already have deep feelings for is not your soulmate?

The two soulmate-less friends hurried through their shift and then made their way to the Auditorium. Just as they were about to walk in, Jesse grabbed Beca's arm.

"What if my soulmate is Chloe?" Jesse asked, suddenly looking a bit pale. "I really like Aubrey. A lot. What do I do if she's not my soulmate?"

"I don't know, dude," Beca said."I'm in the same boat."

"You want Aubrey to be your soulmate, too?" Jesse asked, incredulously. "I thought you weren't going to pick one and wait to see who your soulmate really is."

"I am," Beca said quickly. "I meant that I really like Chloe. I've only talked to her twice, but there is something about her. It's like we had a connection or something, and I already have strong feelings for her."

Jesse took a deep breath and let it out. "I get it. I find myself thinking about Aubrey all the time. This could be a disaster."

"Yeah," Beca said. "I guess there's only one way to find out. Let's do this."

Jesse and Beca walked into the Auditorium together. They signed in on the clipboard provided and were walking to find seats to wait their turn to audition.

"Beca!" a voice called out, causing Beca to look for who was calling her. She smiled when she saw Chloe walking toward her.

"Hey, Chloe," Beca said.

Jesse walked up and stood next to Beca. "Hi, Chloe."

"Oh, hey, Jesse," Chloe said. "I'm glad you're both here. Um, Aubrey and I would like to talk to you two. Can you stick around after auditions."

"Um, yeah, sure," Beca said, looking at a nodding Jesse. "We'll talk to you then."

"Great," Chloe said and skipped over to Aubrey, who looked at Beca and Jesse with a small smile.

"Is she smiling at me or you?" Jesse asked.

"I don't know," Beca mumbled.

"If Aubrey's your true soulmate," Jesse said with a grin. "I wouldn't mind swapping with you."

"I wish it were that simple," Beca said with a heavy sigh. "Let's find a seat."

~~ DAY 1 - SOULMATES ~~

Auditions went off without a hitch. Both Beca and Jesse were sure the other made it onto the teams they wanted to be on.

Chloe and Aubrey sat conferring over the auditions while the Auditorium emptied. They finished and were putting their papers in a file. Chloe looked over at the two and waved them over.

"I guess this is it," Beca mumbled.

Beca and Jesse walked over to Aubrey and Chloe. Aubrey indicated two seats next to them and waited for them to sit down.

"Hi," Beca said, smiling shyly at Chloe.

"Hi," Chloe said.

Aubrey cleared her throat, causing the two to jump and stare over at her.

"Thank you for staying," Aubrey said. "We aren't sure if you're aware, but we believe that one of you is my soulmate."

"And one of you is mine," Chloe added.

"We are aware," Jesse said. "We figured it out once we realized we had met our soulmates."

Beca looked down at her wrist and played with the wrist band hiding her soulmate mark.

"How do you want to do the big reveal?" Jesse asked with a boyish grin.

"Only one of us needs to reveal their tattoos," Beca pointed out. "After that, we'll know who we've been matched with."

"I can't wait any longer," Chloe said and quickly shoved her shirt sleeve up and showed her right wrist.

Beca and Jesse both looked at Chloe's wrist. Jesse looked at Beca and saw tears in her eyes. Chloe saw them, too, and tears formed in her eyes as she stared at Beca.

"Oh," Chloe said, sounding disappointed as she lowered her arm. "I thought that you and I, um. I guess not." A tear ran down her cheek.

Chloe looked at Aubrey and said, "I'm sorry, Brey."

"Why?" Jesse asked. "I'm a good guy. I promise I'll make her happy."

"What?" Aubrey said, brow furrowed in confusion. "You're my soulmate?"

"Yep," Jesse said and showed his wrist. Aubrey turned hers toward him and they both smiled at each other.

"What?" Chloe said. "Jesse's not my soulmate?"

"I'm, um, I'm your soulmate," Beca said, barely speaking above a whisper.

"Oh!" Chloe said excitedly. "You are?"

"Yeah," Beca said and tore off her wrist band.

Chloe squealed and grabbed Beca in a hug.

"I'm sorry for the tears," Beca said. "I really wanted, um, I really wanted you to be my soulmate and I was overwhelmed with emotion when I saw that your tattoo matched mine."

Chloe pulled back and looked at Beca. "Can I kiss you? I've really been wanting to since that first day we met."

Beca didn't answer, she just leaned in and crashed her lips against Chloe's. Chloe pulled her closer and the kiss continued.

Jesse kissed a smiling Aubrey. He then took Aubrey's hand and kissed the back of it. He held onto Aubrey's hand as he led her out of the Auditorium. They stopped at the door and looked back to see Beca and Chloe holding each other close as they continued to kiss.

#bechloeweek #bechloeweek2019 #Bechloe #bechloe fanfiction

[garudabluffs]

Ohio National Guardsmen in gas masks and with rifles as they prepare to advance up Blanket Hill, through clouds of teargas, to drive back Kent State University students during an antiwar demonstration on the university's campus, Kent, Ohio, May 4, 1970

The shooting lasted a total of 13 seconds. These students lost their lives:

Jeffrey Miller - 20

Allison Krause - 19

William Knox Schroeder - 19

Sandra Lee Scheuer - 20

(and nine injured)

Kent State University’s virtual 50th Commemoration to honor and remember the events of May 4, 1970                              

READ MORE https://www.kent.edu/may4kentstate50

Celebrating Another 50th Anniversary: The Student Strike of 1970                                                                                May 1, 2020

 READ MORE https://woodstockfolkfestival.org/2020/05/01/celebrating-another-50th-anniversary-the-student-strike-of-1970/#comment-13

radio soundtrack

“Ohio” by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young – written by Neil Young in reaction to the Kent State shootings

“Kent” by Magpie (the duo of Terry Leonino and Greg Artzner) on their album Give Light; Terry Leonino is a survivor of the Kent State shootings

Dave Brubeck’s cantata “Truth is Fallen” was dedicated to the slain students of Kent State and Jackson State and other innocent victims

Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On?”

Steve Miller’s “Jackson-Kent Blues”

Bruce Springsteen’s “Where Was Jesus in Ohio?”

Barbara Dane’s “The Kent State Massacre”

“I-Feel-Like-I’m-Fixin-to-Die” by Country Joe and the Fish

“For What It’s Worth” by Buffalo Springfield

“Fortunate Son” by Creedence Clearwater Revival

“Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around” by Joan Baez

“The Universal Soldier” by Buffy Sainte-Marie (also a hit for Donovan)

“Bring ‘Em Home” by Pete Seeger

“Give Peace a Chance” by John Lennon

“Masters of War” and “Blowin’ in the Wind” by Bob Dylan

“War” by Edwin Starr

Books and Resources

Which Side Are You On? 20th Century American History in 100 Protest Songs by James Sullivan

33 Revolutions per Minute: A History of Protest Songs by Dorian Lynskey

Songs of America: Patriotism, Protest, and the Music That Made a Nation by Jon Meacham and Tim McGraw

Music and Social Movements: Mobilizing Traditions in the Twentieth Century by Ron Eyerman and Andrew Jamison

Talkinʼ Bout a Revolution: Music and Social Change in America by Dick Weissman

Playing for Change: Music and Musicians in the Service of Social Movements by Rob Rosenthal and Richard Flacks

The Routledge History of Social Protest in Popular Music by Jonathan Friedman

The Republic of Rock: Music and Citizenship in the Sixties Counterculture by Michael J. Kramer

Politics in Music: Music and Political Transformation from Beethoven to Hip-Hop by Courtney Brown

Troubadours & Troublemakers: The Evolution of American Protest Music by Kevin Comtois

Exploring American Folk Music: Ethnic, Grassroots, and Regional Traditions in the United States by Kip Lornell

Music in the Air: The Selected Writings of Ralph J. Gleason edited by Toby Gleason (Ralph was co-founder of Rolling Stone magazine)

Music: A Subversive History by Ted Gioia

American Radicals: How Nineteenth-Century Protest Shaped the Nation by Holly Jackson

Music is Power: Popular Songs, Social Justice, and the Will to Change by Brad Schreiber

Sounds of Freedom: Musicians on Spirituality and Social Change by John Malkin

Curriculum materials produced by Facing History and Ourselves – “How Can Music Inspire Social Change?”

The Social Power of Music – Smithsonian Folkways Recordings (4-disc box set and book)

Womenʼs Suffrage

Music in the Womenʼs Suffrage Movement – collection at Library of Congress – includes a digital collection of Womenʼs Suffrage in Sheet Music

Songs of the Suffragettes – Smithsonian Folkways Recordings

“Let Us Sing As We Go: The Role of Music in the United States Suffrage Movement” by R.L. Brandes (appears to be a dissertation at the University of Maryland – may be accessible online)

The Womenʼs Suffrage Movement edited by Sally Roesch Wagner

Why They Marched: Untold Stories of the Women Who Fought for the Right to Vote by Susan Ware

National Womenʼs History Museum (www.womenshistory.org) has materials and article by Nancy Hayward on their website has a list for further reading

The Music of the Suffrage Movement by Kate McKenzie at www.awsom.info Reviews of ʼ19: The Musical – musical last November in Washington, D.C. that was called “the Hamilton of Womenʼs History” – at National Archives

The Music of Womenʼs Suffrage – Amaranth Publishing – sheet music (this led me down an interesting path of other articles such as Women Ragtime Composers)

Earth Day and the Environment

Silent Spring by Rachel Carson

Earthrise Global Mobilizations – earthrise2020.org (please note this is entirely separate from the Festival’s “Earthrise” concert in 2018)

Walden by Henry David Thoreau

American Earth: Environmental Writing Since Thoreau by Bill McKibben

Never Cry Wolf by Farley Mowat

Writings by John Muir

Gorillas in the Mist by Dian Fossey

The Uninhabitable Earth: Life After Warming by David Wallace-Wells

The Death and Life of the Great Lakes by Dan Egan

An Inconvenient Truth: The Crisis of Global Warming and An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power, both by Al Gore

It’s Getting Hot in Here: The Past, Present, and Future of Climate Change by Bridget Heos

Unstoppable: Harnessing Science to Change the World by Bill Nye

World Without Fish: How Could We Let This Happen? by Mark Kurlansky

Weather Makers by Tim Flannery

A Sand County Almanac: With Essays on Conservation by Aldo Leopold

Songs by Malvina Reynolds, Pete Seeger, Joni Mitchell, John Denver, Peter, Paul & Mary, and Neil Young; music by the Paul Winter Consort and John Cage; Live Earth Concert from 2007

Student Strike of 1970 and the Antiwar Movement

Vietnam and the American Political Tradition: The Politics of Dissent by Randall B. Woods

Sitting in and Speaking Out: Student Movements in the American South, 1960-1970 by Jeffrey A. Turner

Give Peace a Chance: Exploring the Vietnam Antiwar Movement by Melvin Small; William D. Hoover

The Vietnam War on Campus: Other Voices, More Distant Drums by Marc Jason Gilbert

The Movement and the Sixties by Terry H. Anderson

The 1960s Cultural Revolution by John C. McWilliams

From Yale to Jail by Dave Dellinger

The War Within: America’s Battle over Vietnam by Tom Wells

The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien

An American Ordeal: The Antiwar Movement of the Vietnam Era by Charles Chatfield

Catch-22 by Joseph Heller

The Quiet American by Graham Greene

The Best and the Brightest by David Halberstam

Born on the Fourth of July by Ron Kovic

Fire in the Lake: The Vietnamese and the Americans in Vietnam by Frances FitzGerald

Vietnam: A History by Stanley Karnow

Public television’s Vietnam: A Television History and Ken Burns’ Vietnam War series

Songs by Phil Ochs, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Joan Baez, Pete Seeger, Peter, Paul & Mary, Bob Dylan, Country Joe & the Fish, Barry McGuire, Tom Paxton, Arlo Guthrie, John Lennon, Edwin Starr, Barbara Dane, and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, among many others.

https://woodstockfolkfestival.org/aiovg_videos/woodstock-folk-festival-9th-annual-invitational-concert/

Ohio" cover The Steppin Stones doing a great Neil Young cover at their July 4th, 2013 show in City Market in Savannah, GA.

#Kent State University Ohio 1970 May 4

[glee-dsm-events2]

Clean your rooms and pick you stuff up because parents are coming to Lima Heights! September 16th-21st there will be no classes as parents will be visiting our campus. So mind your manners and remember, you’re representing the school to these esteemed guests. Additionally, there will be no classes while parents are visiting. 


There are things prepared for Parents to enjoy and partake in on campus such as:  


Monday - Tours of campus at 9am, 12pm, and 2pm.


Tuesday - Lecture from Sue and Will to explain the graduation requirements, presentation expectations, etc for parents - 2-4pm


Wednesday- Glee Performance for Parents - 5pm


Thursday - Special Rival Football Game at 7pm complete with tailgating with punch, hot dogs, hamburgers, potato salad, corn on the cob, bread and desserts.


Friday - Family Dinner in the Great Hall. Family style chicken, fish, potatoes, rice, salad, mixed veggies and rolls, 6-8pm

Parents are allowed on campus to visit their children, however, then much be staying off campus. Students with off campus privileges may go into town with their families, though must still follow curfew. Students who are eligible may go off campus with their parents without an additional escort.

Rules:


Curfew rules and escort rules will stand for all students.


Parents/siblings 18 years or older are allowed to visit - no minors are allowed.

Parents + their submissives are allowed


Parents are allowed on campus to visit and to see everything, but they must stay overnight in town. Hotels in town are promoting discounts for parents of institute students.


Parents being here does not mean students will get away with poor behavior choices, punishments will still stand if earned. 


OOC:


Alrighty so here we go! This will require all of the characters in a family figuring this out so PLEASE remember to be adults about this as decisions are made. If you so desire, you may have one member of the family build a “parent blog” for one or more parents to be playable. WE ARE LIMITING EACH FAMILY TO ONE BLOG, however, if you have 2 parents coming they can both talk on the same blog. Or, you can have both parents come and only one be ‘active’ if you’d prefer. 
In regards to the parents, for characters who have been here through a couple of these, some FC’s have been determined previously. 

Here is the current list we have:


Abrams - Mother, Nancy Abrams (FC: Alyson Hannigan) and father, Thomas Abrams (FC: Jason Segal)


Anderson - Mother, Pam Anderson (FC: Gina Gershon), and father Charlie Anderson (Fc: Mark Dacascos)


Beiste - Mother, Shannon Beiste (FC: Dot-Marie Jones) and her submissive Thomas Beiste (FC: Vincent D’Onofrio)


Berry - Fathers, Hiram Berry (FC: Jeff Goldblum) and Leroy Berry (FC: Brian Stokes Mitchell) 


Clarington - Father, Henry Clarington (FC: Stephen Lang) TW: HOMOPHOBIC, ABUSE


Cohen-Chang - Mothers Wendy Chang and Rita Cohen-Chang 


Corcoran - Mother, Shelby Corcoran (FC: Idina Menzel), Father, Jeff Corcoran (FC: Jeffrey Dean Morgan)


Duval - father, Hector Duval (FC: Colin Firth), and Mother, Clara Duval (Jennifer Ehle)


Evans - Father, Dwights Evans (FC: Chris Hemsworth) and mother, Mary Evans (FC: Samantha Smith )


Fabray - Father, Russell Fabray (FC: Gregg Henry) and submissives Judy Fabray (FC: Charlotte Ross) and Sinclair Fabray (FC: Margot Robbie)


Hummel/Hudson - father, Burt Hummel (FC: Mike O’Malley) and Mother Carole Hudson-Hummel (FC: Romy Rosemont)


Karofsky: Father, Matthew Karofsky (FC: John Goodman), Mother, Stacey Karofsky (FC: Fiona Shaw) TW: ABUSE, BIGOTRY, PRETTY MUCH TERRIBLE HUMAN BEINGS


Lynn - Father, Patrick Lynn (FC: Timothy DeKay), mother, Gloria Lynn (FC: Marissa Tomei), and submissive Lawrence Lynn (FC: Matthew Gray Gubler) 


Motta - Father, Trevor Motta (FC: John Stamos), mother, Annabelle Motta (FC: Debra Messing), submissive Angela Motta (FC: Lucy Walters)


Rhodes - Father, Preston Rhodes (FC: ), mother April Rhodes (FC: Kristien Chenoweth) and submissive, Emily Rhodes (FC:)


Smythe - Father, Alistair Smythe (FC: Gerard Butler), mother Constance Smythe (FC: Jamie Murray) TW: PHYSICAL AND MENTAL ABUSE


Sterling - Mother, Felicia Sterling (FC: ), Father, Richard Sterling (FC: ), and submissives Eric Sterling (unknown FC) and Abby Sterling (FC: )


Wilde - Mother, Amelia Wilde (FC: Michelle Pfeiffer), Father, Leo Wilde (FC: Sean Penn)


Now, if none of the siblings were here for the previous Parents Weeks and want to change FCs - that’s fine with me. Just make sure they haven’t already been used. Please discuss this together and send the following to the main by September 14th:


Parent’s Names who are Attending: FC’s: Playable Parent: Blog URL: 


If there are any plots involving parents either on campus or off, PLEASE RUN THEM BY THE ADMINS. We need to make sure everything is alright and fits within the world/school and we also need to watch out how triggering things are happening.

#gleedsmevent #event #parents week

[1shirt2shirtredshirtdeadshirt]

“Aw fuck, it’s Gary.” -- Leonard H. McCoy (L-R: Gary Mitchell, James T. Kirk, S’chn T’gai Spock, Leonard H. McCoy) Graphite on 7.75" x 9.75" cream paper 

Ok. Ok Ok Ok I am way too excited to be working on this Academy fic again. Chapter 12 of Of Stars and Plebes is up!  I also love Spock’s sippy cup and I am alarmed at how aggressively sexy I’m finding McCoy in this drawing. I would 1701% jump his bones if he wanted it.

Below (SPOILERS) ((and drama, drama, drama mama.)) Chapter 12 Preview: Starfleet’s Prized Pig 

Lunch was an interesting event, to speak the least of it. The four had agreed to grab food late at 2:30 once they were all out of class at the same time. Spock was oblivious to what such an innocent course of events could lead to with humans, but he would by the end of the day.

Spock was able to quickly surmise the patterns of behavior he could expect from Gary Mitchell based on their lunch encounter. He had gathered three crucial facts pertaining to Gary about the dynamic of socialization within their small peer group. One, his friendship with Jim was old, and their shared affection and history were apparent in their discourse. Two, they enjoyed an unusual closeness which seemed to characterize a true friendship with Jim. Finally, it explained the leniency that Kirk allotted Gary in the face of such obnoxiousness. It was a valid test of Spock’s mental capacity to maintain impassive endurance; Jim showcased annoyance, McCoy was nearly purple in the face with rage, and Gary was so wholly and blatantly enjoying himself. His jabs has started innocent enough as they ran the mild stream of conversation, but the water rapidly got choppier to navigate. It was calculated; albeit his incorrigible behavior, Gary was clearly endowed with both intelligence and wit. He knew that his occasional passive aggressive commentary would eventually come to a head between himself and the doctor, and yet he pursued that vein of conversation anyway.

Gary Mitchell had already purposefully gone out of his way to rile the doctor several times, for what appeared to be sheer enjoyment. It was beyond Spock why anyone should be made to endure such an individual by choice, but humans frequently perplexed Spock with their illogical, complex, and counterproductive social networks.

It also became apparent to Spock that Gary Mitchell perceived Leonard to be a threat to his attentions from Jim, and henceforth must be made to feel inferior. Gary had not yet concluded Spock’s role in their social group and was attempting to gather more insight via observation; he would occasionally glance over at Spock rather smugly, as if to provoke or catch some response to it all, but Spock did not deliver such a satisfaction. 

Spock now fully comprehended the good Doctor’s objection to Gary, who exploited McCoy’s volatile nature in an attempt to bolster his own favor in Jim’s view. It was strange that despite knowing Jim for as many years as he did, Gary did not understand Jim’s nature well enough to have the foresight to comprehend that Kirk would not appreciate that -- or perhaps did not care either way.

It was hardly fair, and quite frankly it left Spock with a distaste for Gary’s thinly veiled, indolent aims. It reminded him of several old Earth colloquialisms used in reference to other instances of bullying he had encountered in the span of his lifetime: “Like shooting fish in a barrel”. Gary was going for “the low hanging fruit”. McCoy was mercurial and sensitive about several subjects, and Gary knew exactly what to niggle at to kindle Leonard’s spite. It was easy to do.

It still made Spock’s face feel hot when he reflected on those expressions heard through walls that his Terran grandmother thought he could not hear as she ranted to his mother Amanda about the perceived cruelty of Vulcan children. She was not wrong; however fervently his own kind postured that they were barren of emotion, they were capable of deep feeling and were not always successful in masking that. His peers had targeted him as it was an easy thing to do, and he was reminded of this now. The good doctor was not what Spock would describe as balanced or even-tempered on the best of days . . .

“I’ve had it!” Bones slammed a hand down on the table, unsettling their lunch trays. “Now you listen here. You’ve no right to commentate on marriage and how to make one work, Gary. For Christ’s sake, you can’t even hold down a girlfriend.”

“True. But I did hold down Nancy pretty well that one time.” Gary flashed an astonishingly handsome smile while Jim’s mouth flattened into an angry press. McCoy abruptly sent Gary’s food tray flying across the cafeteria with the smack of his right hand and promptly stormed out of the room in a fuming stride, leaving shocked glances from unassuming cadets behind him.

Chapter 12: Starfleet’s Prized Pig (Full)

(For those of you who are curious the entirety of the fic from the beginning can be found here).

#ocspirk #octrekart #fanart #fanfic #mcspirk #triumvirate #gary mitchell #spock #mccoy #kirk #James T. Kirk #dr. mccoy #star trek #tos #fanfiction #spirk fanfiction #spirk #kirk/spock #k/s #otp #starfleet

[i-need-a-doctor-run]

Tagged by @eg515 😀

Favourite colour: Blue

Currently reading: Besides fanfic? Uh...I think a Falcon & Winter Soldier comic was the last non-fanfic thing I read. Otherwise I’ve been switching between Pitch Perfect, Hawkeye, Amphibia, and Nancy Drew fanfics

Last Song: Let’s Make This Last 4Ever by Mitchel Musso 

Last series: My mom and I have been watching all the Spiderman movies before we go see No Way Home

Sweet, savory, spicy: Depends on what I’m craving.Yesterday I put hot sauce on my mac-n-cheese because Yelena Belova told me to

Currently working on: Well...I SHOULD be working on my Nancy Drew fic...but my brain isn’t letting me. I also have a bunch of ideas for Kate and Yelena shenanigans, but again, can’t get my brain to settle down long enough to focus, so... *finger guns*

I’m still weird about tagging, so if you want to do this, go for it!

[skonnaris]

14 THINGS TO DO ON A RAINY NANTUCKET CHRISTMAS STROLL SATURDAY

So it’s raining on Christmas Stroll Saturday…it’s not windy; it’s not cold; and there’s plenty of fun and festive indoor activities during this Nantucket holiday.  Here are 14 ideas on what you can do on a rainy Stroll Saturday:

1. Start the day with Eggs Benedict at Arno’s on Main Street or Finnan Haddie at Island Kitchen or a hearty omelette at Crosswinds.

2. Find a one-of-a-kind gift from a Nantucket craftsperson to put under the tree at the Christmas Stroll Craft Show, upstairs at 11 Centre Street.  And say HI to Sarah Morneau while you’re there.

3. Learn the history of the Nantucket Lightship Baskets, watch weaving demonstrations, and enjoy refreshments at the Annual Basket Festival & Sale in the Nantucket Lightship Basket Museum at 49 Union Street.

4. Enjoy a mid morning pick-me-up in the form of a Vanilla Latte from Nantucket Coffee Roasters or a Chai Charger from The Handlebar Cafe.

5. Stop into Sosebee Fine Art Studio & Gallery at 8 Washington Street for some Christmas treats, to meet artists Deb and Doug, and enter the raffle for a giclee.

6. Stroll down Old South Wharf and sign up for their raffle to win a basketful of prizes — everything you need for under the tree!  While you’re there, buy this year’s Nantucket Christmas Stroll ornament from Made on Nantucket, see Pete’s fantastic and colorful fish prints, and buy a couple of hostess gifts for the holiday parties you’re about to attend from Abigail Fox.

7. Now do the same at Straight Wharf!  These merchants are also hosting a raffle — you can sign up in every shop and enjoy refreshments along the way.  One of our Must-Have Nantucket gifts is the Rainbow Pearl Bracelet from the Nantucket Pearl Company tucked inside the G.S. HIll Gallery.  Be sure to buy this year’s warm and cozy Stroll Scarf from the Authentic Boat Basin shop before they run out. And if there is a little one in your life, then it would be a crime to miss a visit to The Toy Boat, where Loren sells unique and handcrafted toys for every age (so much better than the plastic garbage at Big Box stores).

8. Stop for a bite to eat at BACK-Yard BBQ on this last weekend of their season or head over to Easy Street Cantina for Bart’s amazing Lobster Newburg that he makes only for special holidays like Stroll!.

9. Wander over to the Appreciation Party being hosted in Hostetler Gallery, 42 Centre Street, and enjoy the sculpture of David Hostetler, live music by Robert Walder, and Bloody Marys “Susan Style.”

10. Stop by The Dreamland Theatre for their Open House and crafts for the kids, free hot chocolate, and special performances by the Nantucket Puppet Players, every hour on the half hour between 10:30am and 1:30pm. 17 South Water Street

11. Meet authors and get your books signed by Nancy Thayer, Peter Brace, Elin Hilderbrand, Nathaniel Philbrick, and more throughout the day at Mitchell’s Book Corner on Main Street. (for specific times visit http://nantucket.net/events/index.php

12. Meet jewelry designer Diana Kim England and find something sparkly for the special woman in your life (hint, hint) in The Jeweler’s Gallery, 21 Centre Street

13. Visit the Festival of Trees in the Nantucket Whaling Museum on Broad Street, where more than 90 adorned evergreens transform this world-class museum into a winter wonderland.

14. Stroll over to the Susan Lister Locke Gallery at 28 Easy Street for holiday cheer & wine and cheese.

And in between the raindrops, the Nantucket Island Chamber of Commerce (organizers of the Nantucket Christmas Stroll) have organized live entertainment on Main Street, an outdoor market in the downtown Stop-n-Shop parking lot, the arrival of Santa by boat along Straight Wharf at noon, and the Talking Tree at the top of Main Street from 1

For even more event listings for Nantucket Christmas Stroll weekend, visit http://nantucket.net/events/index.php  and Happy Strolling!

[dramauricaversan]

How Does Lyme Disease Affect Your Hormones?

As we’ve discussed in our previous blog posts, Lyme disease can cause debilitating symptoms and affect multiple organs.

Due to its resilient nature, Borrelia burgdorferi, one of the main bacterial species that causes Lyme disease, may be difficult to eliminate from the body; this could result in a long-term persistent Lyme infection.

What is less emphasized though is Lyme’s effect on the endocrine (hormonal) system. It makes sense to question this because Lyme can infiltrate almost any area of the body.

Although people link Lyme with other organs, affected endocrine glands may also impact a patient’s well-being. Below is a brief guide to Lyme disease’s impacts on the endocrine system.

Quick Notes

Chronic inflammation caused by Lyme disease may interfere with your hormone balance, resulting in abnormal hormone levels.

Lyme disease (with an affected hepatic (liver) system) may cause difficulties in metabolizing hormones, which may result in hormonal dysfunction.

Magnesium is an essential mineral that’s needed for balancing our hormones. Unfortunately, Lyme disease decreases the magnesium levels in our bodies.

Lyme Disease and the Thyroid Gland

Research suggests that Lyme disease can affect the thyroid gland, leading to thyroid dysfunction, specifically Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is a type of hypothyroidism in which the immune system begins to attack the thyroid gland.

Research shows that Borrelia may trigger Hashimoto’s through a process called molecular mimicry. In the case of Lyme disease, molecular mimicry occurs when the body’s immune system not only attacks Borrelia, but also the thyroid tissue that looks similar to Borrelia. Essentially, the immune system cannot distinguish between the pathogen and the healthy tissue, finally attacking both. The result is the development of hypothyroidism, further affecting the functions of the human body as a newly formed, independent syndrome. Symptoms and signs may therefore overlap, making it tough to diagnose.

Lyme Disease and the Adrenal Gland

During a persistent Lyme Infection, patients often experience chronic inflammation. The human body perceives chronic inflammatory states as stressors, leading to adrenal insufficiency (adrenal fatigue) from hormonal depletion.

Unfortunately, adrenal fatigue and Lyme may share common symptoms. An individual who suffers from both conditions might experience chronic pain due to persistent inflammation and lack of the adrenal gland’s anti-inflammatory properties. Adrenal fatigue in patients with Lyme disease is only a symptom induced by the effects of Borrelia burgdorferi on the adrenal glands.

Lyme Disease and the Reproductive Glands

The hormonal disruption from Lyme disease may affect reproductive glands, too. Testosterone, an essential hormone for both men and women, may decrease due to Lyme disease; this may cause low libido or low sex drive.

Women with Lyme disease may experience high or low levels of estrogen, which may trigger hot flashes, mood swings, brain fog, irritability, insomnia or anxiety.

In perimenopausal, menopausal, and post-menopausal women, an adrenal hormone called DHEA provides the body with about 50 percent of testosterone compared with 10 percent in men. Therefore, menopausal women with Lyme disease may have further difficulties in dealing with hormonal side effects.

Hormone Replacement Therapy and Lyme Disease

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) may increase the quality of life of patients with Lyme disease. Supplementing with hormones such as progesterone, pregnenolone, and DHEA may help individuals treat bothersome symptoms and focus on their primary battle, which is Lyme disease.

Note: Individuals with adrenal fatigue or thyroid issues may notice improvement with adrenal and thyroid support nutraceuticals, adrenal hormones or thyroid hormones; these therapies support or replace the function of the gland. However, stopping such supports abruptly may result in a crash for the patient. This is why we recommend seeking the help of a healthcare practitioner who has experience treating patients with Lyme disease and hormone imbalances.

Seeking Support for Your Lyme Symptoms and Hormones

Do you think Lyme disease is affecting your hormones? If you’re interested in having your Lyme symptoms and hormones assessed, please visit a healthcare practitioner today. Currently, we are accepting new patients at Dr. Amauri Wellness Centre. Our clinic’s program for integrative Lyme disease treatment is managed by Dr. Amauri Caversan, ND, and Arv Buttar, NP. Click here to book your appointment.

References:

Benvenga S, Santarpia L, Trimarchi F, Guarneri F. Human thyroid autoantigens and proteins of Yersinia and Borrelia share amino acid sequence homology that includes binding motifs to HLA-DR molecules and T-cell receptor. Thyroid. 2006;16(3):225-236. doi:10.1089/thy.2006.16.225

Van Den Eede, Filip & Luyten, Patrick. (2009). Does hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis hypofunction in chronic fatigue syndrome reflect a ‘crash’ in the stress system?. Medical hypotheses. 72. 701-5. 10.1016/j.mehy.2008.11.044. 

Cristea, Victor & Crişan, Monica. (2004). Lyme disease with magnesium deficiency. Magnesium research : official organ of the International Society for the Development of Research on Magnesium. 16. 287-9. 

Maarij Baig, Lin Zheng, Alka Farmer, “Severe Hyperbilirubinemia: A Rare Complication of Lyme Disease”, Case Reports in Gastrointestinal Medicine, vol. 2019, Article ID 2762389, 3 pages, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/2762389

Ramesh G, Didier PJ, England JD, et al. Inflammation in the pathogenesis of lyme neuroborreliosis. Am J Pathol. 2015;185(5):1344-1360. doi:10.1016/j.ajpath.2015.01.024

Anderson, Wayne; Gitlin, Robert. 2014 Lyme, Neurotoxins, and Hormonal Factors: an interview with Nancy Faass, MSW, MPH. The Free Library (July, 1), (accessed September 19 2020)

John E. Morley, H. Mitchell Perry, III, Androgens and Women at the Menopause and Beyond, The Journals of Gerontology: Series A, Volume 58, Issue 5, May 2003, Pages M409–M416, https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/58.5.M409

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The blog post How Does Lyme Disease Affect Your Hormones? first appeared on Dr. Amauri Caversan ND

#naturopathy #naturopath #naturopathic medicine

[nespressocoffeeszfo979-blog]

Office Coffee Machines - The Facts

The Definitive Guide for Coffee Carafe

"Smoothest & finest sampling coffee around" - Patrick Henry "No question! Definitely the ideal coffee I have actually ever before had!" - Janet Wilcher "After sampling this roast I understood just how unique it is. The long roast launches a lot more oils in the bean making the flavor rich while maintaining its full body. And ... reduced acid web content! Congratulations Puroast!" - Lyn Pereira "My only coffee option!" - Nancy Martin Coleman "Can not begin my day without my Puroast Kcup.

" The Scent and also the Preference Are Both Wonderful!" - by Charlotte R. Mitchell (Ohio) Lots of people declare that this is the finest sampling coffee there is, and I concur with that. However, my neighborhood supermarket usually runs out of these K-cups, possibly because of that. Given that the delivery is so fast, I locate that getting it from Amazon.com is a great way not to miss my early morning mug of the best.

Still this is my favored coffee taste. I used to like the odor but not the preference of coffee. With this certain coffee, I like both.

Red Coffee Maker - An Overview

Now you know where to discover Nespresso shells. Your on the internet options, while few, offer a variety of flavor choices. And also as you can see, a range of brick-and-mortar stores use them; nevertheless, they could not be the initial stores that come to mind when assuming about coffee. Maintain these shops in mind the following time you're out as well as concerning searching for these hard-to-find pills.

Lots of coffee addicts will agree that, when it's time for their first mug of the morning, the quicker it strikes their lips, the better. Speed is one of the large advantages of having a Nespresso machine . Appear a covering and also you've obtained hot coffee in one min flat-- it's remarkable! Running out of Nespresso vessels? Not so wonderful.

Some Known Details About Dual Coffee Maker

Facing any old comfort shop to stockpile, like you would for a can of immediate coffee, isn't mosting likely to occur. Finding Nespresso shells, particularly in brick-and-mortar stores, can be challenging unless you know where to look. To assist you in your mission for coffee, we've put with each other this list of Nespresso pod sources, which supplies both on the internet and also brick-and-mortar sellers.

Capsule Coffee Machine Things To Know Before You Get This

Before you scamper to acquire anything, you'll require the scoop (pun planned) on the distinction in between Nespresso vessels and Nespresso suitable shucks. Nespresso cases are produced just by Nespresso and also marketed in a fairly unique variety of locations. They have coffee that the firm curates and also enhances for their machines.

Do not hesitate to go shopping from either area below. If you have a Vertuo Line maker (that makes coffee and coffee), you'll require to stick to the initial, much shorter Nespresso sheath listing. Nespresso compatible shucks will not work with your maker. Nespresso's shop locator will point you towards a block and also mortar boutique near you.

Credit report: Nespresso You're a couple of clicks online or a trip to the store far from flavor nation, my good friend. Nespresso Purchasing your coffee skins online from Nespresso's website is the ideal method to ensure that you're getting the best refills for your machine, without ever before needing to put on your shoes.

What Does Coffee Machine Price Mean?

Amazon Nespresso also offers coffee sheaths created for use in their Original Line coffee machine with Amazon.com. If you own a Nespresso equipment that can make use of Nespresso suitable coffee shucks, your buying alternatives are considerably broader than those who can just make usage of first-party Nespresso shucks. Although these nationwide chains lug Nespresso compatible vessels, it's always a good suggestion to call your regional store to ensure they have them in stock prior to heading over there: Credit Scores: Cafe Turino Third-party Nespresso hulls, like these ones, are only compatible with Nespresso's Original Line equipments.

Think about it a lot more as a beginning point. Amazon These are simply a few of the wide array of Nespresso suitable capsules that Amazon.com provides: Walmart If you cruise Walmart for on the internet bargains, you'll locate a number of prominent Nespresso compatible coffee shell brands are offered: Bed Bathroom & Beyond Click Finest Buy If you prefer purchasing online with Finest Buy, creama.co.il/64280-מקינטות you have actually obtained The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf just offers 2 different Nespresso sheathing options however, if you choose to avoid purchasing with bigger chains, they're simply a click away: Peet's Peet's only deals a little http://www.bbc.co.uk/search?q=Coffee machines assortment of Nespresso suitable hulls, however they can create the best mug of coffee: Staples You can utilize https://en.search.wordpress.com/?src=organic&q=Coffee machines your next online office stationary or school supply run to grab Target Target gives online accessibility to a great selection of coffee capsules: .

[coffeemachineshtgq802-blog]

The Main Principles Of Coffee Machine Deals

Fascination About Barista Coffee Machine

"Smoothest & ideal tasting coffee around" - Patrick Henry "No question! Definitely the best coffee I have actually ever had!" - Janet Wilcher "After sampling this roast I understood how unique it is. The long roast releases a lot more oils in the bean making the flavor abundant while keeping its full body. And also ... reduced acid web content! Kudos Puroast!" - Lyn Pereira "My only coffee option!" - Nancy Martin Coleman "Can't begin my day without my Puroast Kcup.

" The Smell and the Preference Are Both Fantastic!" - by Charlotte R. Mitchell (Ohio) Lots of people declare that this is the very best tasting coffee there is, as well as I agree with that. Nonetheless, my neighborhood supermarket typically lacks these K-cups, most likely therefore. Given that the delivery is so fast, I find that purchasing it from Amazon is an excellent way not to miss my morning mug of the very best.

Still this is my preferred coffee preference. I made use of to such as the odor but not the preference of coffee. With this certain coffee, I such as both.

The Only Guide for Best Home Coffee Machine

Now you know where to find Nespresso vessels. Your on-line options, while few, use a large range of flavor alternatives. And as you can see, a variety of brick-and-mortar stores offer them; nonetheless, they may not be the first stores that enter your mind when thinking regarding coffee. Keep these stores in mind the following time you're out as well as regarding seeking these hard-to-find pills.

Many coffee addicts will agree that, when it's time for their initial mug of the morning, the quicker it strikes their lips, the better. Rate is just one of the huge benefits of having a Nespresso device . Appear a husk and also you've obtained hot coffee in one min level-- it's terrific! Running out of Nespresso hulls? Not so fantastic.

Little Known Facts About Coffee Machine For Home.

Running right into any old ease shop to stockpile, like you would for a can of instantaneous coffee, isn't mosting likely to take place. Searching for Nespresso cases, specifically in brick-and-mortar stores, can be tough unless you recognize where to look. To help you in your quest for coffee, we have actually placed together this listing of Nespresso covering sources, which offers both on creama.co.il/64299-פולי-קפה the internet as well as brick-and-mortar retailers.

6 Easy Facts About Single Cup Coffee Maker Shown

Prior to you hurry off to purchase anything, you'll need the inside story (word play here intended) on the distinction in between Nespresso vessels and also Nespresso suitable pods. Nespresso sheathings are manufactured only by Nespresso as well as sold in a relatively exclusive variety of places. They contain coffee that the company curates and maximizes for their makers.

Do not hesitate to shop from either section listed below. If you have a Vertuo Line machine (which makes coffee and also coffee), you'll require to stay with the first, much shorter Nespresso sheath listing. Nespresso suitable hulls won't deal with your device. Nespresso's shop locator will certainly direct you towards a block and mortar store near you.

Credit: Nespresso You're a couple of clicks online or a trip to the shop far from flavor country, my close friend. Nespresso Acquiring your coffee shucks online from http://www.bbc.co.uk/search?q=Coffee machines Nespresso's web site is the very best means to guarantee that you're obtaining the appropriate refills for your device, without ever having to place on your shoes.

Not known Facts About Top 10 Coffee Makers

Amazon.com Nespresso additionally offers coffee cases made for usage in their Original Line coffee machine with Amazon. If you possess a Nespresso equipment that can make use of Nespresso suitable coffee capsules, your acquiring alternatives are dramatically wider than those that can just utilize first-party Nespresso sheaths. Although these national chains lug Nespresso compatible shucks, it's constantly an excellent idea to call your regional store to make certain they have them in stock before heading over there: Credit: Coffee Shop Turino Third-party Nespresso husks, like these ones, are just suitable with Nespresso's Original Line equipments.

Consider it much more as a beginning factor. Amazon These are simply a few of the variety of Nespresso compatible coverings that Amazon.com provides: Walmart If you cruise Walmart for on the internet bargains, you'll find a variety of preferred Nespresso suitable coffee sheathing brands are available: Bed Bath & Beyond Click Finest Buy If you prefer buying online with Ideal Buy, you've obtained The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf just provides 2 various Nespresso capsule alternatives however, if you choose to shy away from shopping with bigger chains, they're just a click away: Peet's Peet's only deals a little variety of Nespresso compatible vessels, yet they could create the excellent cup of coffee: Staples You http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Coffee machines can use your next online workplace stationary or college supply run to get Target Target provides online accessibility to a great selection of coffee shucks: .