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#and those sets are jack and while i don't feel like i'm a good enough fan of george as a whole at this point
luveline · 8 months
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𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞 —send me a shy!reader request for any character (with a plot) and I'll write a >1k drabble
Can I request shy!reader and Derek? Maybe where she's really shy about pda but she finally works up the courage to hold his hand or kiss his cheek in public and he just melts <3
tysm! ♡
"Penelope, I'm not wearing that." 
Penelope waves the custom t-shirt she's made at him threateningly. "Yes, you will, because you love me and you love Hotch and he deserves our support." 
She's created matching garb for their entire team as well as any partner willing to support Hotch. "This is his second triathlon, and he's very much going to remember last year's triathlon and his now ex-girlfriend. Plus, it's for charity!" She slaps his chest with the shirt. "Put it on." 
You smile at his reaction, the fond clench of his jaw, his rolling eyes as he peels out of his t-shirt. The smile quickly stifles, mouth dry as the Sahara in seconds. The tight pack of his abs ripple in the sunlight, dark skin practically glistening. 
"It's too hot for this," he complains. 
Penelope nudges you. "He can say that again." 
Derek squeezes into his shirt and laughs. "This better be the wrong size on accident." 
"Maybe." She leans down to grab another shirt from her tote bag, saying, "This should be the right size, sweetcheeks." 
Yours is big enough to wear over your original blouse easily. Derek glares at you without any real malice and swings an arm around your shoulders, dropping a kiss at your temple. "Looking good." 
Being with Derek has never made any sense to you. Or rather, Derek being with you has never made any sense —you'd be a fool to turn him down and he's a fool to think you're good enough. He's ridiculously attractive, a bombshell of a man, with ambition and a good heart, sweetness and heat alike practically drip from him. You're confused by him often and melted by him more, a melted puddle of a girl as he walks you to the crowd of BAU employees waiting at the finish line to cheer for Hotch.
Jack and Henry stand together, though Henry, JJ's son, is much smaller. Will crouches next to him to make sure he doesn't run anywhere he isn't supposed to, while JJ stands with Emily and Spencer, all already bedecked in their supportive t-shirts. 
There's a chorus of hellos as you join them. Everybody Derek cares about that isn't in Chicago stands in a bubble, and it terrifies you like always. You want to make a good impression. You don't want to let Derek down. 
Not that he cares about any of that. He knew you were shy to aching when you met and he has no intentions of trying to change you. "Sorry we're late," he says. "My fault."
Actually, it's your fault. You got the time wrong. But Derek doesn't embarrass you by telling them —your affection for him swells. 
He keeps a hand behind your back for a while. You sway under the huge sun beating down and on tired feet for a while, Hotch your saviour as he appears across the finish line. Will takes Jack to meet him, and Jack, the poor thing, gets a super sweaty hug.
Hotch isn't first to finish, but he runs a good time. 
"Better than last year's!" Emily cheers. 
Penelope wolf whistles. You clap your hands with Spencer, pleased if feeling a little out of place. 
"Maybe I'll sign up for next year's triathlon," Derek says, grinning. 
You know he's kidding, but Derek could do anything he set his mind to. You go on tiptoes and kiss his cheek. "I'd cheer you on," you say earnestly, stepping back, wiping the tiny balmy kiss print you've left behind. 
Derek looks at you plainly startled. Your heart skips a beat, worried you've overstepped. 
"Can I get another one of those, or are they in limited supply?" he asks, warm and quiet, not an inch of bravado to be seen. 
You turn back the unfolding scene of victory in front of you, "Maybe later." 
Derek is noticeably sweet on you for hours, and declares at dinner that he'll be joining Hotch in next year's triathlon. You reach for his hand under the table and nod along. You'd love to see him at the finish line. 
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peachymilkandcream · 6 months
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Movie! William Afton NSFW Alphabet
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(A/N: The NSFW Alphabets are their canon events I cannot stop this I'm sorry T-T Also please read the warnings, I don't care if it's fucked my guy literally stuffed children into suits he's fucked up.)
WARNINGS: noncon, dubcon, manipulation, domestic abuse, yandere themes, forced marriage, forced pregnancy, stockholm syndrome, violence, mind breaking, misogyny, age difference etc.
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A = Aftercare (what they’re like after sex) William is surprisingly considerate, when he has the time to be. Most of his life is wrapped up in the chaos of covering up murders and coming up with new machines that sometimes sex just becomes stress relief and he doesn't have time for more. However when he can be convinced to take time away he really does try and care about his wife and make sure she feels clean and comfortable.
B = Body part (their favorite body part of theirs and also their partner’s) Deranged psychos and their hands are a thing I'm telling you. The power in behind them is 100% a secret turn on they won't admit. And when you've made your career the work of your hands, (like child murders and a booming business) you can't help but pick that as the favourite. For her, he's not super partial but he really likes her hair, gripping it, pulling it, is what he daydreams about.
C = Cum (anything to do with cum, basically) Let's just saw how else did they have four kids, cmon now. ;)
D = Dirty secret (pretty self explanatory, a dirty secret of theirs) While it's not inherently sexual William really loves putting fear into others, and he 100% has a r*pe fantasy that he puts her through often. (Although for her he doesn't tell her that's what happening so it's 'authentic') This includes fake home invasions as well when he gets bored of vanilla sex and wants to "spice things up". Poor girl lives in fear daily.
E = Experience (how experienced are they? do they know what they’re doing?) He has some before they met, mostly teenage mistakes when he had the time. After he started his career it was rare he did simply because of time. He knows enough of what he's doing, he knows how to make himself feel good and that's all that matters right?
F = Favorite position (this goes without saying) My guy is a ride or die missionary, reverse cowgirl is the only other he'll consider. Anything else is just uncomfortable in his opinion, and again it's about what feels best for him.
G = Goofy (are they more serious in the moment? are they humorous? etc.) William's very erratic so it really depends on the mood he's in, how his day has gone if this kids annoy him. He has been known to be more humorous on occasion but it's not often.
H = Hair (how well groomed are they? does the carpet match the drapes? etc.) Let's be honest William only gets his hair cut because his wife does it, he doesn't have the time to take care of himself like he should, those are precious moments that could go to his work. So no, he is not well groomed.
I = Intimacy (how are they during the moment? the romantic aspect) This again depends on the occasion, usually it's just stress relief so it's quick and usually not very romantic, but if it's a special occasion like an anniversary or birthday then he'll be way more romantic.
J = Jack off (masturbation headcanon) Same as with his hair, he honestly just never has time XD
K = Kink (one or more of their kinks) Big somnophilia fan, probably a slight breeding kink, lingerie (especially stockings), hair pulling, choking, gagging, knife play 100% (he's a serial killer, I had to).
L = Location (favorite places to do the do) Anywhere in the house really, anywhere he can get a moment alone. He used to enjoy when she distracted him in his workshop in the basement but now those old parts bring back haunting memories...
M = Motivation (what turns them on, gets them going) Her being a mother to his children, it warms his little black heart and gets him going. As well as any new sets of lingerie she buys or he buys for her.
N = No (something they wouldn’t do, turn offs) She wouldn't but if she tried to dominate him, he would nope the fuck out of there. My guy is an S tier misogynist and believes his wife should be beneath him literally and figuratively.
O = Oral (preference in giving or receiving, skill, etc.) He prefers receiving simply because it plays into the whole gagging thing. Her gagging on his dick as he face fucks her is so hot to him.
P = Pace (are they fast and rough? slow and sensual? etc.) As stated before it depends on the occasion, special moments require more slow and sensual whereas annoyance or hurry is fast and rough.
Q = Quickie (their opinions on quickies, how often, etc.) His whole life is about quickies, having just enough time to get himself off is what he usually does.
R = Risk (are they game to experiment? do they take risks? etc.) He takes too many risks, if he's not careful he's going to end up hurting her.
S = Stamina (how many rounds can they go for? how long do they last?) Obviously when he was younger it was more, but now he's a one or two rounds at most guy.
T = Toys (do they own toys? do they use them? on a partner or themselves?) No no never, no matter what it is he's come to not trust machines around his loved ones anymore.
U = Unfair (how much they like to tease) If he's in a goofy mood he will, but most of the time he doesn't have time to sit and tease her.
V = Volume (how loud they are, what sounds they make, etc.) He's actually quite loud, groaning and even soft whimpers are his specialty.
W = Wild card (a random headcanon for the character) William has a thing for stockings because that's the first thing he saw her in and he started fantasizing how her thighs would jiggle in them while he was eating her out.
X = X-ray (let’s see what’s going on under those clothes) I'd say he's above average, not too much but enough, he's slightly thick with a few smaller veins.
Y = Yearning (how high is their sex drive?) His drive has really changed from wanting to have sex to wanted her to relieve stress. So because of all the stress he's under, it's pretty high.
Z = Zzz (how quickly they fall asleep afterwards) William is out like a light after, dreaming about his victims or how he disposed of bodies. Solid sleeper while his wife lays awake plagued by waking nightmares of her own.
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ddejavvu · 1 year
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reader being shy about her period even though she’s been with hotch for while and doesn’t want to talk about it with him, but he’s straightforward about it, knows reader is shy but they’re both adults! so he draws her a bath (and maybe joins her?) and takes care of her whether she likes it or not lol
basically something fluffy 🥺
Drawing your bath is something you do every single night, but tonight it feels different, weird. It's probably the looming threat of Aaron shuffling around in the bedroom, and you're not even halfway through working up viable excuses when he asks the dreaded question.
"Can I join you?"
He's already undoing his pants before giving you the chance to answer. You never say no, the question is more of a formality at this point. But this time you shake your head, turning around to face him head-on.
"Uh, actually, Aaron, I think I want to take this one alone."
He freezes with his hand down his pants. Apparently untucking his shirt leaves him in a position that makes him look like a depraved teenager.
"Okay," He nods, redoing his zipper, clearly taken-aback, "Is there any reason why?"
"My head hurts. I just- I kind of want to be alone."
His face drops sympathetically, and he nods along, already reaching into the cabinet for the advil, "I'm sorry, honey. Here, take some, and when you're out I'll run interference with Jack so that you can go and lay down."
The way he handles it makes you feel bad for lying to him, but you bite the bullet and take the medicine anyways. It won't do anything, and the worst it will do is give you a headache. Then at least you won't be a liar.
"Thanks, Aaron," You murmur, bumping your face into his chest in a low-effort hug that holds more sincerity than it seems to, "I love you."
"I love you, too." He hums, kissing the crown of your head. He makes for the bedroom again, about to leave you to bathe in peace, but he doubles back, "Oh, and just so you know, I saw you were running low on pads, so I picked some up on my way home from work, but they're in that cabinet."
He points beneath the sink and your stomach drops, "I know you usually keep them in your purse, but Jack wanted gum this morning and I saw you didn't have many left, so I just stocked them here. You can move them, it doesn't matter to me, I just wanted you to know where they were."
He barely glances up at you after he's done, but the momentary gaze is enough to see that you're frozen. He stills in the doorway, "Honey? Are you okay?"
"You bought me pads?" The question feels embarrassing, heating your cheeks and burning your belly.
"I made sure they were the same kind," His brows furrow, "Is that.. okay?"
"It's-" You stammer, lip quivering slightly, "It's fine, it's- great! It's too good, Aaron," Tears well in your eyes, "You're too good to me."
"Honey," He croons, rushing to catch you in a hug, "That's- buying pads is not 'too good for you'. You need them, it's just the same as when I make you dinner or drive you to work."
"Those are all great," You gush, staining his dark green polo with your tears, "You're the perfect man."
You don't need to feel his cheeks to know they're on fire, and he chuckles sheepishly, rubbing up and down your back, "I think that's debatable, you can ask a few higher-ups at the office."
"Well you've never bought Erin Strauss pads before, have you?" You sniffle, two damp blotches on his shirt left behind even after you pick your head up out of his chest.
"No," He grins, shaking his head, "No, but one year I bought her a #1 boss mug."
"#1 bitch," You mumble, turning away so he can't see your smirk as he laughs, "Oh, and Aaron?"
"Mhm?"
"You can get in, if you want." You offer, still residually hesitant, "I just- I don't really have a headache. I didn't want you to know about.."
"Your period." He finishes for you, voice strong and sure of himself, "Alright. Lemme just set Jack up with a movie, then I'll be back."
You take the time he's gone to peek under the bathroom sink, and sure enough, two large packages of your go-to menstrual pads sit beneath a pipe. They're lined up neatly beside his shaving kit, and you marvel at the domesticity they radiate together. You pluck one from the package, fresh and light pink. The wrapper crinkles as you set it on the counter beside your fresh underwear, and a wave of comfort washes over you. This is your house, and you're allowed to live in it.
Comfort steps aside for amusement, though, when you picture Aaron striding into a corner store in his suit and tie, picking up two packages of pink pads, and handing them over to the teenage cashier.
"What's so funny?' He peels off his shirt with ease now that it's no longer tucked into his pants, discarding it on the floor.
"Nothing," You insist, a smile still lingering on your lips, "I bet the 15-year old checker was fun to talk to."
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roo-bastmoon · 7 months
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Thoughts on 3D
So Jungkook's collab with Jack Harlow is out. It is catchy; it will go viral. I have purchased it; I will add it to my new releases playlists--same as I do for all our boys.
But while the dancing was cool and JK's parts are okay (I'm not thrilled that the word "girl" is used literally 20 times, but I get what the western music industry is), I was--I need to be honest here--really taken aback and unhappy with how misogynistic Jack Harlow's rap lyrics were. As far as I'm concerned, he's absolutely unnecessary, and I'll be supporting the alternate version with a lot more enthusiasm.
A deeper look at the lyrics and more of my thoughts are under the cut if you're interested (but by clicking, you're agreeing to keep it respectful in the comments or you'll get banned.)
All my ABG's get cute for me I had one girl (One girl), too boring Two girls (Two girls), that was cool for me Three girls, damn, dude's horny Four girls, okay now you whorin' (Hey, hey, hey) Hey, I'm loose I done put these shrooms to good use
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Setting young women up in a line and talking about how sleeping with just one is too boring but sleeping with four is whorish? Yeah, miss me with it.
Then there's this:
You won't regret me (You won't regret me) Champagne confetti (Champagne confetti) I wanna see it In motion In 3D (Show it to me, girl, now, why?)
I was given to understand that "ABG" stands for "Asian Baby Girl" and refers to an Asian party girl who likes clubbing, wearing excessive makeup and tattoos, and revealing clothes, etc.
I also learned from Urban Dictionary—which can be an unreliable site with outdated or incorrect information—that "champagne" has referred to underage girls in the past and "confetti" or nowadays “champagne confetti” refers to orgasm, or sometimes when a group of men or women surround someone, masturbate, and then ejaculate on them.
Not even going to get into the shrooms thing. I'm not in a hyper conservative country with harsh punishments for those type of drugs so... I was a bit taken aback about a song about being fucked right, and now there's lyrics about what amounts to harem girls.
*sigh* Do you know how much I hope I'm reading into things incorrectly? Please correct me if I'm misunderstanding the innuendo, but this is what urban dictionary says. I'm 44 and live in a cave. Maybe I'm wrong.
But in any case, the vibe of Jack's parts in the video was not coming off respectful.
I don't care how many other rap songs objectify and insult women--I won't get behind any content that does. And don't even try to gaslight me or other ARMY into saying we should like this because it's comparatively worse in other rap songs. Don't try to suppress any discourse about it, either--let women discuss how they feel about how they are represented. Don't police women. Don't silence women.
BTS' rap music got so much better once they incorporated feminist feedback, so I'm used to a higher standard and I won't be lowering those standards for anyone. I have no hang ups about sex, but please miss. me. with. misogynistic. bullshit.
Then again, it seems some of the rap hyungs were on board with this.
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So I guess industry pros have a different take on stuff like this!
*shrug*
Okay, we have established that I really don't like Jack Harlow's contributions to this song. Which means I'll support the alternative. Thank goodness they had the foresight to provide an alternative!
Now I can work for JK's charts in a way that doesn't aggravate my conscience. All good. Enough said on 3D.
Personally? I really hope JJK1 showcases JK's range of genres, but also has a range of topics besides pursuing girls or being cool.
I just can't vibe with a fuckboy persona; I never liked Justin Bieber or Justin Timberlake for that very reason, even if some of their songs sound fine. Now, if Jungkook really admires their style and wants to pursue it, I'm not going to rag on him for it. Of course not. It's his choice and I can respect people's choices without making the same choices myself.
I will always try to support our members as far as I can, even if not everything is my cup of tea.
But I can't help hoping for something personal and authentic and substantive, when it's just Jungkook coming to us without a collab. (And with Scooter at the helm for an all-English EP, I guess I'm not holding my breath. But maybe this is all part of the learning and growing process. Time will tell.)
Please know that I don't expect other people to suit me and my tastes, but neither will I enthusiastically support content with my time and money when they don't suit me at all or actually really turn me off, ya feel me? It's a real and respectful relationship I have with BTS and their music; not performative. I don't follow along quietly out of obligation, but rather a sincere joy to participate.
I love Jungkook deeply. He's a sweet and intelligent and kind-hearted young man. Amazingly talented and humble. Sincere, open to being vulnerable, protective of those whom he loves. He donates to kid's hospitals, for goodness sake. Jeon Jungkook is a good egg.
I guess I'm just sort of feeling a bit whelmed by the type of music that is in vogue these days. JK worked hard, he did well on his parts. I just am hoping his album showcases some of the emotional depth and meaningful thoughts I have seen from him in the past, if I'm being purely honest. *shrug*
Those are my less-than-two cents. Of course, you may have a vastly different perspective and I appreciate that. Just please keep it respectful of all members and each other in the comments here. It's been a long day and I desperately need some real rest now. I'm trusting I can post this and not come back to a warzone.
I've got a Friday Thirst post in the queue for you guys, and then I'll be taking a bit of a break from social media for a few days to work on work deadlines. Please keep voting for Jimin and of course stream and buy for Jungkook and other new releases.
Sending you all so much love!
~Roo
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yukidragon · 2 months
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Sunny Day Jack - Cat AU
Okay, so, two particular pieces of beautifully drawn fan art have collided together in my head to create a light and fluffy self-indulgent image that I just had to share with you all.
@okamiliqueur's heartbreaking picture of Jack's lonely and forgotten box from the new demo made me think of cats abandoned in boxes, "free to a good home." Only in the case of the game's story, he was left out in the rain to rot, the owner having given up giving him a good home.
@jazzylovetodraw's picture of Jack as a cat has been buzzing in my mind for quite a while. I just love how precious he looks in both forms, and when I was thinking of Jack being like those abandoned kittens in cardboard boxes... well, the combination was obvious.
I know that Jack's fursona is a snake, and I know being a cat is Shaun's thing, but I'm a sucker for kitties. I'm as biased towards cats as I am for dragons, if my avatar and username didn't offer enough of a hint. ;3 I'd love to see all the characters as kitties honestly.
Tempting though it may be to go with Fruits Basket rules for kitty Jack, like I toyed with over on twitter, I think I'm going to play with a different and simpler set of rules. In this universe, Jack is stuck as a cat until his sunshine's love allows him to become human again.
Admittedly, it's kind of hard to imagine Jack being alone for very long when he looks so adorable. Who wouldn't fall in love with that precious kitty face instantly? Most everyone would be putty in his paws.
Content Warning: I wind up touching on a couple explicit headcanon details near the end. I mean, I did say this is a pretty self-indulgent image with my OTP.
Maybe Jack was stuck as a cat via a curse ala Hocus Pocus and is guarding the box/tape/etc. Maybe he was stuck as a cat instead of in the tape and no one could see him until MC came along. Maybe he's got a tragic backstory like the cat from Fruits Basket.
Since this AU is more about the vibes, I'm just going to leave the how and why parts of the lore up in the air. All that matters is that Jack is stuck as a cat and left out in the rain in a cardboard box until MC decides to take him home.
I'm just going to switch over to Alice and what she would do in this scenario. Poor lonely Alice is out on the town, when she comes across the box out in the rain and sees an equally lonely kitten. Poor little thing, all wet and sad... She just has to take him home with her.
Alice cleans Jack up, gets him wrapped up all nice and warm in a blanket, and even gives him some chicken she bought for her own dinner that night. She'll have to get cat food and other things for her new furry companion tomorrow, though she should probably look for his owner and take him to a vet.
At first, Jack isn't sure what to do about the situation, though he is grateful. No one has even acknowledged his existence until Alice came along. She's so soft and warm. He loves it when she holds him. She's so kind too.
Alice does find it surprising Jack doesn't put up a fuss when being given a bath. Jack didn't exactly like the feeling of being all grimy, and don't get him started on fleas and other gross things cats have to deal with on the streets!
The vet isn't as fun, though Jack is well behaved, though very clingy to Alice throughout the appointment. He can't help but fear that she'll abandon him too. He'll keep up the helpless and adorably needy kitty act if it means she'll stay with him.
There's no ID chip, no tag, and no missing notice for any cat that looks like Jack. It's clear that the poor guy is a stray.
Alice is hesitant initially. She's wanted to get a pet cat for a long time now, but she has barely been able to take care of herself. How can she handle taking care of an innocent life that needs her when she's struggling so much with her own life?
That hesitation doesn't last long. Jack loves on Alice so much, constantly purring and snuggling up to her. He curls up with her when she sleeps or relaxes. He was hesitant at first, and she assumed that was because he was wary of her, when in reality, he just didn't want to cross any of her boundaries. He didn't want to do anything that might upset her and make her get rid of him. When she started petting and cuddling him, he wholeheartedly returned the affection, absolutely starved for it.
The first thing Alice thought when she saw Jack was that he was lonely, just like her. He's so sweet and can't stand to be apart from her. How can she just get rid of him when he makes her feel loved and needed?
Of course, a cat's life isn't all sunshine and rainbows. Cat food is a step down from people food, and a litterbox is anything but sanitary. Jack just skips that nonsense and goes straight to using the toilet despite the awkwardness, which shocks the heck out of Alice. He also snubs all cat food in favor of human food.
Yes, I could go with Jack being a ghost(?) cat that doesn't need food or to use the toilet, but then he wouldn't have gone through the indignities of a vet visit.
Then again... it would be funny if Alice brought Jack to the vet, only for them to think she's crazy, since to them all she's carrying is empty air.
Hmm... yeah, I think I'll go that route. As hilarious as vet hijinks and typical cat care with Jack while he possesses a human mind and identity might be, this would be a more interesting and tragic route. No one else can see Jack but Alice. He's lived for who knows how long in a world full of people that don't see him at all, unable to even be human anymore. It'd be a different type of hell than the one in the video tape, similar to what I talked about in my previous ramble.
Imagine if the 1984 incident Jack died and became a ghost(?) cat because he was secretly a cat shape shifter or something. Or maybe something more supernatural happened during the incident. Either way, cat ghost(?) Jack is very, very lonely.
Man, I just realized, it would be even more tragic (and complicated) if I go with the reincarnation route for this AU. Ghost(?) cat Jack probably had to watch Mary die slowly in the hospital after the incident, unable to help her or let her know that it's him. He couldn't even offer her comfort in her final days. It would've been so traumatizing.
For now, let's just play with this AU without the reincarnation angle, since this is supposed to be mostly light and fluffy feline fun with the OTP.
Jack, even as a cat, tries to do his best to help Alice out. If he can make himself useful, make her need him, then he won't ever lose her. He sneaks out when she goes to work to keep her company even though she initially tried to get him to stay home. No one sees him, so it won't matter. Besides, petting an invisible kitty is a good stress relief when dealing with awful customers, and certainly beats regular stimming.
The more Alice cares for Jack, the more powers he gets back, starting with the ability to talk. It's a huge shock for Alice of course, but Jack makes it clear that it's because of her love for him that made her stronger.
Of course, that love is platonic, at least at the start, which Jack knows full well, but he'll work on shifting things to a romantic love... especially after he gets the power to shift back into a form that has hands.
Like in typical canon, Jack answers Alice's questions as best he can. He probably lost his sense of identity like in game canon, so he references CloudyTown and stuff "he" did there, mixing up the show's lore with his own past. It's also intermingled with his many years spent wandering the streets being ignored and going crazy from the loneliness.
Jack does let Alice know that he used to be able to change from a cat to human. He just... can't anymore. He thinks it was because he was forgotten. He doesn't know why no one can see him until Alice came along.
It's so sad and tragic that Alice can't be unmoved by his plight. Sure, it makes things a bit awkward knowing that Jack is sentient and used to have a human form, but she feels for him. It also makes sense now why Jack always turned away whenever she changed.
Yes, Jack could have peeked. He could have even watched Alice while she was bathing, but he didn't. He refuses to do anything she won't allow. Cuddling her and sleeping in her bed is innocent, but the thoughts he'd have about her when she was undressing were anything but. He loves her too much to take advantage of her innocent trust in him. He needs her to want him to see her in that vulnerable state... even if it drives him crazy lusting over her. Poor pitiful kitty can't even have a good wank off session with his paws.
Still, despite knowing that Jack was human and is sentient, it's hard for Alice not to fall for his feline charms and not think too deeply about that fact. She still winds up cuddling him and petting him.
Of course, when it first hits Alice that she's treating a human like a pet, she stops and apologizes, but Jack insists that it's fine. He enjoys their cuddle time. He gives her the big, pleading kitty eyes as he begs her not to stop, and she can't help but give in.
Awkwardness soon fades and settles into a strange new normal. Alice does wonder if Jack really is real or if she was just so lonely she imagined something this crazy... but his presence is comforting. He keeps her company almost all the time. She doesn't feel alone anymore thanks to him.
Also... now that Jack can talk, he says such sweet things. It's weird to have a "pet" take care of her, but he reminds her of when it's time to brush her teeth, wakes her up for work, helps her get chores done despite how awkward it is with his paws and small size... It's so endearing.
The encouragement and assistance Jack gives Alice is wonderful, and his jokes are so fun and silly, but it's the praise that leaves her feeling flustered. If she didn't know any better, she could swear that he's almost flirting with her sometimes. She's in denial that's what it is, but it feels nice to be told that she's cute, and Jack is so sincere about it... and how can she not melt when he says sweet things with such a sweet face?
It's one morning that things change drastically. Alice's bond with Jack strengthened over time to the point that Jack finally can change back into a mostly human form, though he does have cat ears, a fluffy tail, and whisker markings.
It was a big surprise to them both really, as Jack transformed in his sleep. Alice had gotten used to cuddling up to a talking cat during the night, so it was a shock to wake up in a pair of big muscular arms. Jack was so happy when waking her that morning, giddy to show her his (mostly) human side, that it slipped his mind what a shock it would be.
Naturally, Alice bolted back against the wall away from the stranger in her bed. Jack quickly started reassuring her of who he was and that she wasn't in danger. He stooped down to her level, pretty much wilting really, with ears folded back, as he apologized for scaring her. He was just so happy that he wasn't thinking about how it must look from her side...
Seeing Jack so pitiful and sad, Alice feels her heart go out to him. Once things calm down, she can't help but be amazed by how he looks. Unthinkingly, she reaches up to pet his ears and feel how they attach to his skull. She only fully realizes how forward she's being when Jack starts purring.
Flustered, Alice immediately pulls back, only for Jack to whine at the loss of her touch. He didn't mind it at all. He always loves it when she cuddles with him.
It's a complicated feeling for Alice. On the one hand they've been very close for so long. On the other, Jack is definitely a human, so it feels different now.
Yet, Jack is so sweet. He's mindful of her hesitation, even if he's disappointed. It's harder for him to hide his feelings with such expressive ears. Alice can't help but want to reach out to him, especially after they've already spent so much time together, getting to know one another. He's chased away the loneliness that had been haunting her for so, so long.
Of course, now that Jack has a human form, Alice finds her feelings slipping into "dangerous" territory. He makes her feel so good, so loved, and she feels for him too. She doesn't want to dare assume he might feel anything more for her than just a friend, but she can't help but notice the way he looks at her, the way he clearly longs to be near her. He's so tender and gentle... and they've already been so cuddly.
It's easier for Alice to find herself cuddling up to Jack, letting him and taking guilty pleasure from his gentle warmth. He pets her hair too in return, and it feels surprisingly good... a bit too good at times.
The line between friend or something more blurs with all the cuddles and petting. Alice feels guilty about it, but Jack keeps encouraging her until, finally, something has to give and their relationship changes. Both of them feel relieved when it does, as they couldn't help but worry that their feelings might not be reciprocated.
In a lot of ways, it's pretty close to the normal continuity, just with some fuzzy ears on top. Jack can change into a cat at will now. As he gets stronger, people can start to see him, perhaps as a feline silhouette, or maybe with some unsettling shadows not from a cat. He's certainly going to be a bit territorial and not be afraid to hiss and use his claws if absolutely necessary.
Still, this kitty is pretty content thanks to Alice. Jack loves it when Alice carries him around as a teeny kitty, warm and snuggly against her chest, even in the cleavage of her shirt at times. Naturally, he returns the favor, carrying her around the apartment as often as possible. It's only fair after all~!
Naturally, Jack wants to get intimate with Alice as soon as she lets him. He's so pent up. Even with hands to take care of himself, all the cuddling and now kisses just make him ache for her even more. He longs to be inside her, biting her gently and growling in pleasure as he takes her.
A bonus with Jack being part cat is that he gets to have some vibrating action when he purrs. It adds a whole new dimension to their lovemaking, whether he's using his mouth on her sensitive parts, or thrusting himself deep inside.
Oh, I'm reminded of the cat-like features I mentioned in the Omegaverse AU. I guess Jack, having feline features, would have a dick that's ribbed for her pleasure too. Tongue too. Neither would be sharp because rule of sexy, but it would add a very pleasurable texture that a clever man like Jack is going to take full advantage of~
Of course, Alice can take advantage of those feline features too. The base of Jack's tail and ears are quite sensitive, and she quickly learns what spots get his motor running. Of course, getting Jack excited will lead to him pouncing on her and getting rather frisky, but Alice would certainly be expecting that result~
I can imagine Jack could make himself look fully human without any feline features, but he knows Alice finds his cat side to be adorable. She has a hard time resisting petting him when his ears and tail are out, and he certainly wants to encourage her to pet him as much as possible. He also wants to encourage her to let him pet her as much as possible.
Of course, if Jack can become powerful enough that other people can see him, he'll have to stick with only cat or human form when out in public. Still, even when other people can see and hear him, he prefers to be in Alice's company. Cats have their preferred human, and Alice is Jack's.
Naturally, Jack would have to be sneaky about showing Alice love when in public if there's a chance of getting caught. Good thing he has that perfectly innocent little kitty form to hide in. I can imagine it would lead to some interesting interactions where someone shows up only to find Alice incredibly flustered with a slightly disheveled appearance, while her "pet" Jack is just casually looking smug, as all cats do.
Person: Whoa, what happened to you?
Alice, not looking them in the eye: Uh... Jack, m-my cat just... ah, got a bit excited.
Person: Heh. Cats, am I right?
Alice: Haha... right.
Jack: :3c
Hmm... I wonder then if the other love interests should have cat transformations in this AU too. It'd be a crime if Shaun doesn't have that ability but Jack does. Jack already gets together with Alice, so I don't want to be extra cruel to Shaun.
Admittedly, I don't have too many ideas for other characters with cat modes. Well, aside from an image of Shaun taking care of his baby MoonPie by carrying her around by the scruff. This post was mostly just indulging in sweet moments with my OTP with a bit of feline flavor sprinkled on top. Maybe I'll revisit the idea again if I get more ideas than just a bit of fluff.
Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed this silly romp with Alice and Jack having some feline fun times!
@channydraws @earthgirlaesthetic @sai-of-the-7-stars @cheriihoney @illary-kore @okamiliqueur @kurokrisps
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alwaysbethewest · 4 months
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Kingsman 2 fic: Stay Close to Me
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Happy @pedrostories Secret Santa day, y'all ���� I was thrilled when I received my assignment and saw that I'd be writing for my sweet friend @iamskyereads 😁 Skye, I hope you have a merry Christmas and I hope this little story helps make it bright. (Okay a quick note: generally speaking I don't believe in apologizing for your writing, but I do feel like a small apology is merited here. Halfway through writing this fic I started to panic because I felt like I wasn't really meeting the brief of your prompt 😬 I started wondering if I should start over from scratch but I was already too far into it. I accidentally wrote you... a case fic???? With a smidgen of romance sprinkled in. I'm sorry! Despite my stress over that realization I did have a lot of fun writing this and I hope you will enjoy it anyway!)
Title: Stay Close to Me Pairing: Agent Whiskey (Jack Daniels)/f!Reader Rating: Teen Word Count: 5.3k Content/warnings: Fake/undercover marriage! Statesman casefic! A little romance, kissing, coarse language, very mild peril and hurt/comfort, and a splash of alcohol. Reader is a junior agent and has some muscle but otherwise no physical/age descriptions. As with any good Kingsman fic, my first step was to disregard half of canon, so this is either pre-movie or an AU. Unbetaed but thanks as ever to @fleetwoodmactshirt and @mourningbirds1 for their hand-holding ❤️ Please let me know if you spot any typos/mistakes.
The Statesman offices are housed in a sleek highrise in Midtown, a 40-minute commute from your tiny apartment. To anyone who asks, you work in the marketing department, and you’ve learned enough by now to drone on about synergistic strategies for diversifying market shares to bore anyone listening, but to those in the know, behind passcode-guarded doors, you’re Agent Violette, junior analyst for the private intelligence agency hidden behind the national whiskey brand.
For a secret spy job, your work is actually fairly routine. Most of your time is spent doing research and compiling intel for agents working out in the field. Occasionally your boss sends you into the field yourself—little baby excursions to get your feet wet—and you won’t pretend you haven’t enjoyed the thrill. But your desk job is comfortable, and satisfying, and you’ve got no complaints.
It’s Wednesday, and the only sign something out of the ordinary may be taking place is the note you find on your desk when you clock in. It takes only a little of your codebreaking expertise to interpret:
9:15 AM—mtg w/ Agt. C rm 806
Room 806 is a teleconference room furnished with a small table and a handful of chairs. One seat is occupied when you get there.
Agent Whiskey raises an eyebrow at you from under his cowboy hat. The accessory is so out of place in the urban streets of New York City that when you’d first met him you’d wondered if it was an affectation—a marketing ploy to signal the authenticity of the Kentucky bourbon your company sells on the side. But while you haven’t worked closely with him, you’d quickly learned it seems he’s just… like that.
He slides a folder towards you and you accept it as you take a seat and don your glasses.
“Any idea what this is about?” he asks.
You shake your head. Just as you open your mouth to speak, the comms switch on and Agent Champagne appears across the table before you, via the technological wonder that is your projection spectacles. More high-tech and more secure than Zoom, they’re one of the many things that sets Statesman apart from lesser spy agencies.
Out of the corner of your eye, you see Whiskey straighten up slightly in his chair.
“Jack!” Agent Champagne greets him. “How was Munich?”
“All good, sir,” he drawls. “You’ll have the full report this afternoon.”
“Very good,” the older man rumbles. He turns his attention to you. “And Agent, uh—” His eyes shift down to the notes on his desk. “Agent Violette. Good to have you on board.”
You’ve worked at Statesman for three years, but you’re still too low on the org chart to have landed on the director’s radar before this. He says your code name like vie-oh-let instead of the French pronunciation you prefer, but there’s an affability to him that makes it go over easier.
“Thank you, sir.”
“So, California,” he says, diving into the brief. Whiskey opens his file folder and you follow suit. The top page features a short itinerary and a character profile that you quickly learn is a new undercover alias. Violet Davenport. You like the name. She sounds high society. Glancing over to Whiskey’s file, you spot his alias and your brows raise involuntarily.
Johnny Davenport.
Hm.
“Vineyard owner out there is concerned about a potential theft. He’s received some threats and needs a couple of bodies on the ground to sniff out the trouble,” Agent Champagne states.
“Theft of what, exactly?” Agent Whiskey asks.
“Wine. Money. The usual. He’s got his personal wine collection stored on the premises. You know the business—some of those bottles are worth a pretty penny. Mr. Peterson—that’s the client—says he has a list of suspects for you to look at.” Champ waves a hand, looking vaguely unimpressed. “Obviously you’ll have to use your own judgment on whether any of his theories check out.”
“Sir, I don’t understand why I’m being sent on such a simple assignment,” Whiskey says. “No disrespect,” he adds belatedly, glancing at you. You give him your politest go-along-to-get-along smile.
Champ looks like he’s torn between amusement or annoyance at Agent Whiskey’s attitude.
“Same reason for anything, Jack. Politics. This client has close connections in the state government over there. If we can solve this simple problem for him, it may just lead to more prestigious cases. Ones you’ll feel are worthy of your valuable time.”
Jack should look chastened, but he doesn’t. He does stop arguing, though.
“I need a senior agent on the case. And Violet’s supervisor assures me she’s got the research and fieldwork skills to step up on this one. Your cover is a married couple on an anniversary trip, so I’m basically sending you on a paid vacation, here. There’s more information in the files you’ve got.”
Whiskey flips through the pages half-heartedly and gives a curt nod.
“Well!” Agent Champagne slaps his hands on the table decisively. “I now pronounce you husband and wife. Mazel tov!” With that he ends the transmission.
And that’s how you find yourself at the airport Friday morning with a diamond ring on your left hand and a disgruntled cowboy by your side.
The flight lands in San Francisco without incident, and Jack shifts into doting husband mode as you head to pick up the rental car the agency has reserved. He reaches for your suitcase to load it into the trunk.
“Let me get that for you, sweetheart.”
You give him a saccharine-sweet smile. “I’ve got it, hon.”
You lift the heavy bag with ease and watch his mouth purse for a second before he smiles back.
“I guess my baby’s stronger than she looks.”
The bored-looking attendant sees you off and Jack has you punch in the GPS destination while he eases into the busy freeway traffic. He’s a confident, slightly impatient driver, but you see him relax once you’re over the bridge and sailing smoothly north on Interstate 80.
“So what’s our game plan?” he asks as highway signs for Napa begin to appear, and you reach for your notebook and flip it open.
There’s only one bed.
You probably should have done the math on this as soon as Agent Champagne declared you a married couple, but in the whirlwind of arranging to leave town and the anxiety of stepping into your biggest field operation to date, it hadn’t occurred to you to worry about the precise nature of your accommodations.
Jack sets his bags down and flops onto the bed, letting the soles of his cowboy boots dangle off the end. It’s an exaggerated display of exhaustion, but you’re tired too after a seven-hour flight and another two hours in the car. His lanky body takes up the whole length of the bed and you try not to let your eyes linger as you contemplate the sleeping arrangements.
He picks up on your hesitation.
“This is where I’m supposed to do the gentlemanly thing and let you have the bed all to yourself, huh? Sorry, sister, not gonna happen.” His tone softens. “But I promise I don’t bite. There’s no reason we can’t share.”
The only couch in the room is a small, overstuffed loveseat that you can tell at a glance neither of you would enjoy reclining on for long. So you do the mature thing and agree to sleep with him.
Not like that.
Bill Peterson, the agency’s client, is one of those people who claim to be easygoing while in reality they exude nonstop nervous energy.
“I know exactly who it is,” he tells you in a hushed voice. You and Jack are in his office, under the guise of a private tour of the winery. Peterson has been going over what you already know from the file: that he has a high-value collection of wine held on the estate, as well as a hard drive storing what he’ll only describe as “sensitive” material; that he’s received several vague threats recently; and that with the hustle and bustle of harvest season upon them, he’s concerned his regular security won’t be sufficient to stop the would-be thieves.
“Oh?” you say. “Well, that will be very helpful, Mr. Peterson.”
“Okay,” he amends. “Maybe not exactly, but I can give you a list. Of suspects.”
“We’ve seen the list,” Jack tells him. “But what is it that makes you suspect these folks in particular?”
“They’re mostly other winery owners,” Peterson says. “Everyone on that list was present at a party I attended a few months ago where I—let slip some details about my collection. It was only after that the letters started.”
You and Jack exchange a glance. You’re both wondering if “let slip” isn’t code for “bragged loudly.”
“Is there a reason you haven’t gone to the police?” you ask. His eyes narrow.
“I value discretion,” he says tightly. “Anyway—I’m not sure they’d consider the threats actionable.”
“Can we see them?” Jack asks.
“Of course.” He retrieves a small stack from his desk drawer. You and Whiskey put your heads together to pore over them.
They’re all written by one person, in slanted, blocky handwriting.
YOU WILL PAY.
YOU WILL LOSE EVERYTHING.
YOUR EMPIRE WILL CRUMBLE.
WE WILL CRUSH YOU.
“Is there another one?” you check. “There are five envelopes but only four notes.”
Peterson hesitates, then shrugs and shakes his head. He’s lying, but you don’t push it.
“There is one other thing,” he says. “I keep seeing this blue truck—but it’s like he doesn’t want to be spotted. I see it slow down like he’s scoping out the place, but then he speeds off as soon as he sees I’ve noticed. I tried to get the license plate but it was covered in mud.” He scoffs. “We haven’t had any rain in months.”
Jack has him describe the vehicle and where he’s seen it, while you take notes.
“Alright, Mr. Peterson. We’ll be in touch if we have any other questions.”
“Thank you. Oh—here.” He hands you a pair of vouchers for a free wine tasting. “They come with the tour. One thing you should know about Napa—you’ll only really blend in if you’ve got a glass of wine in your hand.”
Jack’s code name is Whiskey for a reason. He’s a spirits man through and through and he doesn’t give the tasting room a second look, ushering you out to get back to your room to regroup. Admittedly, it’s only 10 AM, but you would have enjoyed a few sips of merlot. You’re craning your neck a little to look at the wine list posted by the door—just out of curiosity—when he startles you by taking your hand in his. You look at him. He’s staring ahead, holding your hand like it’s nothing as you walk side by side. Finally, your brain catches up and your nine credits of college acting classes kick in and you plaster a loving smile onto your face, leaning closer.
In the privacy of your little rented cottage, you pull out your notes again to review.
“Peterson is lying about something,” you start. Jack nods distractedly.
“Yeah—listen, before we get into that, I need to ask you. You jumped when I held your hand back there,” he observes.
You feel your face heat with embarrassment. He’s calling you out on your inexperience, the rookie agent who can’t even play-act for a simple assignment. You can do it, you know. Being undercover in the field is just still new to you. He could help you instead of being critical.
“Sorry—”
“It’s my opinion,” he says, with a slight frown, “that a man who doesn’t treat his wife a certain way is no man at all.”
You’re lost, suddenly. “Sorry?”
“What I’m askin’ is, do I have your permission to touch you like you’re my wife when other people are around?”
Oh.
Something about the way he’s worded it makes your stomach do a little flip.
“Oh. Yes. Touch me like…?” You swallow. “Like how, exactly?”
He gives you a steady look.
“Intimately.”
That’s fine. You’re fine with that.
“Right. That’s—” you nod, maybe a little too emphatically. “That’s okay.”
You look down, fingering the pages of your notebook again, trying to refocus on the more analytical side of the job, when another thought occurs to you.
“Are you going to kiss me?” you blurt.
“Shit, Violet, that’s part and parcel of it.”
“It’s Violette,” you tell him with a frown.
“Sorry.”
“Do you even know my real name?”
“Of course I do,” he says. You don’t push it but you also don’t know whether to believe him. He’s shown little interest in working with you this entire week.
Jack takes a step towards you.
“I’m going to kiss you now,” he says. “So you don’t jump like a rabbit when I do it in public.”
You take a breath. Suck your bottom lip between your teeth involuntarily.
“Okay,” you tell him.
Your eyes fall shut as he leans in. You feel his fingers steadying your chin, tilting your face to meet his, and then his lips touching your mouth, light, tentative—teasing, your mind prompts, and the thought makes you feel flushed again. When you don’t shy away he presses closer and you’re not sure which of you is to blame when your lips part and his tongue brushes yours.
You were expecting it, so you don’t jump, but you feel a little trembly when he pulls away. He doesn’t step back right away—instead, his lips hover over your skin, mustache coarse against your soft cheek, as he tucks his mouth by your ear and quietly, intimately, says your name.
“So you think Peterson is lying,” he says, picking up the thread from before.
“Um,” you say, forcing your brain to switch back to work mode. Your whole body feels warm. “Yes. Don’t you think he seemed shady?”
Jack shrugs. “Call me jaded, I think most people are shady. But I agree with you. He lied about the missing letter. I fuckin’ hate when clients do that. What do you think about the blue truck he saw?”
“I think that could be something.”
You open your laptop and with a few keystrokes you’ve used a Statesman backdoor into the DMV system, where you enter the make, model, and color of the vehicle Peterson had described. There are no matching hits within Napa County, so you expand the search. It’s an unpopular color, so there are only a few dozen matches in the state. None of the owners’ names are on the list of suspects you’ve been given.
“He said he hasn’t seen it around town, only driving by his property. And we don’t know who owns it. So how do we find the car?” you wonder.
Jack is silent for a minute. You watch as a slow smile spreads across his face.
“I have an idea.”
This case originated at Statesman’s Kentucky headquarters, so Agent Ginger Ale is your tech liaison. It’s clear from their dynamic that she and Agent Whiskey have worked together before. Having her voice in your ear is a source of comfort as you carry out Jack’s great idea—which you’re not 100% sure you’re on board with.
“Don’t you need some kind of license to operate this?” you ask tentatively.
“Technically, on paper, he has one,” Ginger offers. “Well, Johnny Davenport does, anyway. As of twenty minutes ago.”
“It’s a balloon and a basket, how complicated could it be,” Jack grouses. This doesn’t exactly raise your confidence.
“Just don’t crash this one, Jack,” she pleads.
“This one?!”
He shakes his head. “You have one helicopter fail on you and they never let you live it down. Don’t listen to Ginger.”
To his credit, Jack pilots the hot air balloon much more smoothly than you’d expected, and after some time you feel yourself relaxing and enjoying the view. It’s early October and the landscape is a mix of green and brown from the last of the summer heat. Tidy rows of grape vines are bordered by houses and larger wineries, copses of trees, and fields dotted with grazing cows. Tiny workers move methodically among the vines, busy harvesting fruit to be pressed and fermented. Through it all, highways and winding roads run alongside the properties, and this is where you refocus your attention.
Ginger has programmed your binoculars to register any vehicles matching the description of the blue truck you’re seeking. You train the lenses on the backroads and driveways, looking for private hiding places it could be stashed.
The whole endeavor feels like a long shot, and you’re just on the verge of suggesting you give up and head back to base when the binocs let out a high-pitched beep of recognition, zooming in on your target.
“Holy shit,” you whisper. “I can’t believe this worked.”
“I told you it would,” Jack says, looking smug. “What is that place?”
Ginger has looked up the coordinates before you have a chance to do it yourself.
“It’s a winery… Double Loop Vineyards. Do you guys know that name?”
You recognize it immediately. The owner is one of the names on Bill Peterson’s list of suspects.
You and Jack exchange a look.
“Guess we’re goin’ wine tasting at Double Loop,” he says, and he turns to start your descent.
The tasting room at Double Loop Vineyards is a large, tastefully decorated space that looks like it was converted from an old barn. It’s all dark wood and ceiling beams, and a bar runs along the back and right side walls. When you and Jack step inside, you’re greeted by a tall young woman with a pixie haircut and striking cheekbones. She’s wearing a name tag that reads Eva.
You settle in front of her at the bar and she pulls out a pair of glasses and pours a splash of white into each to get you started. You take a sip and peruse the small menu on the bartop.
“She’ll have the red flight,” Jack says, “And I’ll just have a glass. Can you recommend me something… full-bodied?”
As he says it he palms your hip suggestively, pulling you to him a little closer. You laugh, mortified but amused despite yourself, and he shoots you a wink.
Eva takes it in stride. “I can offer you a cabernet sauvignon that’s got legs for days.”
“That’ll do me just fine, thank you.”
You’re the only visitors in the tasting room for the moment so you have her undivided attention. She’s skilled at making small talk to keep you charmed and at ease; eventually she asks something more personal.
“So I’m planning to propose to my girlfriend soon,” she tells you. “And I’m trying to figure out how to do it. I’m like crowdsourcing ideas. You two are such a cute couple—can I ask how you got engaged?”
You and Jack exchange a glance and you give him a sweet smile. “You tell it, honey.”
“Well,” he says, keeping his eyes on you for a long moment before he finally looks away to face Eva, “I knew I wanted to marry her, and I had this whole plan in mind. I wanted something special for my Violet so I was going to take her on a trip—my buddy has this little cabin on the most beautiful lake you’ve ever seen—and make her favorite dinner, and sit down with a glass of something nice. And then I was going to present her with this beautiful piece of hand-carved wood that spelled out, Will. You. Marry. Me.”
He pauses to take a sip of his cab while Eva says, “Aww,” and looks at you like, what a sweet partner you have.
“Now the thing is,” he continues, warming up to the story, “as Violet can tell you herself, I have never carved a single thing in my life. And somehow, like a dumbass, I was convinced I could make this plaque and do it perfectly. But it looked just awful. And it was taking me so long trying to get it right I could tell she was starting to wonder if I was stringing her along.”
You shake your head in protest and he laughs. “You were! You’d look at me like, why has this fool not married me yet.”
Eva laughs, too. “So what happened?”
Jack lets out an aggrieved sigh. “What happened was, I caught the flu. Just the most dog-sick, pathetic man, all sweaty with fever and miserable to boot. And Violet never hesitated, she bundled me up and cooked me soup and tolerated my whining and she’d read me to sleep when my eyes couldn’t even focus on the TV. And somewhere in the middle of all that, I thought, I need to hold on to this woman forever, and I asked her right then and there.”
His voice cracks a little on the last sentence and you’re shocked to realize your own eyes are damp with tears. You’re not sure which part, or how much, but something in that story sounded true and it’s left you with a strange sense of heartache. You lift his hand to your mouth and press a kiss across his knuckles, watching his face soften.
“Okay,” Eva says. “So I guess I’ll add ‘get the flu’ to my list of ideas.”
“I don’t recommend it,” Jack tells her, “but I don’t not recommend it.”
As you finish your flight and Eva rings up a couple of bottles you’ve chosen to purchase—you’re not sure if these classify as company expenses, but you enjoyed them enough you’ll pay out of pocket if you must—she asks where else in the wine country you’ve been to so far.
“We spent some time at the winery right next to the place we’re staying—actually, we got to meet the owner there, what was his name, baby?”
You keep your tone casual, but you watch her face as you reply. “Bill Peterson, I think it was?”
Eva’s expression falters, just for a moment, before she recovers and plasters on a polite smile. “They’ve got a great pinot noir over there.”
“Not as good as these,” you tell her, just to see her smile turn genuine.
A tour group walks in just then so you take your leave and step outside into the late afternoon sunshine. When Jack takes your hand this time you let him, and you don’t mind it.
The blue truck is parked out back. You walk along the side of the building, just a pair of happy tourists slightly buzzed on red wine out to take in the view, until you get close enough to make note of the license plate. Back in your own car, you run a search on it and identify the owner: a young man named Lucas Trent. The address on the registration is in Paso Robles, a town 250 miles south of here, but you do some digging and find he’s a vineyard worker at Double Loop.
“So what’s the connection to Peterson?” Jack wonders.
“Look at this.” You point at the screen and he squints. “He’s only been at Double Loop for six months. Before that—”
“He worked for Peterson,” Jack finishes. “So he’s mad about getting fired and wants to get back at his old boss.”
“Maybe,” you say, frowning. “We don’t really know yet. But it’s a theory.”
“It’s a good theory,” he insists.
The two of you sit in silence for a few moments, mulling it over.
“Tell me this, rookie,” he says. “You ever been on a stakeout?”
On your first ever stakeout that evening, you quickly learn a few things:
Stakeouts are cold. Stakeouts are boring. And rental cars are not designed to accommodate them.
You shift uncomfortably for the fifth time in twenty minutes.
“How do we even know he’ll show up tonight?” you ask. In the quiet of the night you keep your voice hushed.
“Call it intuition,” Jack says. You can tell he hates sitting still this long, too, but he’s clearly built up a tolerance for it over the years, because he’s not wriggling around nearly as much as you.
“Can I ask you something?”
He grunts an assent.
“That story about how you proposed—how did you come up with that?”
He pauses.
“I just—made it up,” he says.
“I thought it seemed…” you start. He gives you a sidelong glance. “Never mind. You’re a good improviser.”
After a minute, he says, “I was engaged once. A long time ago.”
“Oh.” You bite your cheek, holding back your questions.
“She died,” he adds. Your heart drops.
“I’m sorry.”
“I don’t want to talk about it.”
“Of course,” you say, helplessly.
Never in your life have you been more grateful to see a criminal approaching than when you see the familiar shape of Lucas Trent’s blue truck appear down the road.
“Ha,” Jack says, looking a little less glum. “What’d I tell you. Intuition never fails me.”
You take deep, silent breaths, trying to control your fast-beating heart as you creep behind Jack to follow Lucas inside the building. He’s got a key to Peterson’s winery; he must have stolen it before he left the job, you think. He heads down the hall, past Peterson’s office, and disappears behind a door.
Jack motions for you to wait a moment, listening intently outside the door. You hear nothing but the quiet thump of Lucas’s footsteps, growing fainter until there’s only silence, and finally Jack eases open the door. You’re faced with a short flight of stairs heading down into a cellar. The two of you tiptoe down the stairs.
You nearly bump into Jack at the bottom when he stops dead in his tracks, still hidden in the shadows. Peering around him, you see that Lucas isn’t alone in the room. Bill Peterson is here, too, standing next to a small wooden desk.
“What the fuck do you want?” Bill demands. Lucas stares at him sullenly. “You came here to steal from me, didn’t you? You didn’t think I’d be down here.”
“I just want what’s mine,” the young man growls. “You’re the thief, not me.”
Lucas steps further into the room, toward the back wall. The space is filled with racks of carefully preserved wine bottles—Peterson’s precious collection, you register—and a pile of empty wooden barrels, stacked two high.
“Those bottles are insured,” Peterson calls after him. “You’ll get caught if you try to sell them.”
Lucas says nothing, just continues walking until he reaches the wall. At the back of the cellar, he pushes aside a tapestry to reveal a combination safe embedded in the wall. He glances over his shoulder with a smirk, and punches in the code.
“How the fuck do you know that number?” Peterson roars, finally scared. He rushes past the racks of wine, suddenly worthless compared to whatever is on the flash drive Lucas has just retrieved from the safe. When they start to tussle over it, Jack finally steps in.
“Hey!” he yells, striding into the light. The men look over, startled, and then Peterson looks relieved. He lets go of Lucas, seemingly confident that his hired security will take care of the situation, and retreats to stand next to Jack.
“Get that back from him,” he tells him. Jack gives him a long, unimpressed look, and then turns his focus on Lucas, who’s starting to look slightly panicky now that he’s outnumbered.
“Listen, son. This will all go a lot easier if you just put that back where you found it and walk out of here with me.”
“You don’t understand,” Lucas protests. “He’s stealing from everyone. This is the proof.”
Peterson shifts on his feet, looking guilty. “Bullshit,” he says. “You resent me for being the boss, but I’ve worked for every penny I’ve got.”
Lucas lets out a humorless, disbelieving laugh. “Yeah, you work real hard. You must break a sweat making copies of your accounts so you can lie about the numbers. I bet you have blisters on your hands from shortchanging your workers.”
Jack makes a mistake here—he takes his eyes off the suspect to look at Mr. Peterson in a new light, trying to gauge which of them is telling the truth. And in that split second, to your horror, Lucas hurtles forward and shoves the stacked wine barrels, hard, knocking both Jack and Peterson onto the ground.
You make a mistake, too, and he gets on your case about it afterwards. You let Lucas slip past you in your rush to reach Jack’s side. He looks dazed and angry and his legs are trapped under the hundred-pound barrel. Gathering your strength, you lift it off of him and set it upright, then fall to your knees to check him over.
“Jack! Are you alright?” You feel carefully along his legs, then gently at the back of his head, running your fingers over his scalp to check for bumps or bleeding.
“I’m okay,” he mutters. “I didn’t hit my head.” But he winces as you help him up, and he’s moving a little gingerly when he takes a step. “Might’ve tweaked my ankle,” he admits.
“What the fuck is wrong with you?” Peterson yells. “You let that little shit get away with my property.”
“Let me ask you this, Mr. Peterson,” Jack growls. “Was it true what he said, about the double accounts?”
“I don’t see how that matters,” he insists angrily. “I hired you to do a job, and I expected a lot better.”
“I’ll tell you why it matters,” Jack tells him. “I don’t work for people who lie to me. Consider the contract dissolved. You can get your ‘property’ back on your own.”
“Actually, you got lucky, Mr. Peterson,” you call back over your shoulder as you help Jack walk over to the stairs. “If we had gotten our hands on that drive, we would have been obligated to turn it over to the IRS. Statesman has connections in the government, too, you know.”
And with that, you leave him sputtering and pale, alone with his precious wine.
It’s 3 AM when you get back to the room. Jack’s ankle isn’t broken, just twisted. You’d made him wait in the car while you stopped at a 24-hour convenience store to get ice on the way, so now you get him tucked into bed with his foot elevated and a baggie of ice draped over his ankle. He’s clearly still peeved over how things went down with Peterson, but he also looks amused watching you play nursemaid for him.
“You know, I’ve been hurt a hell of a lot worse than this before,” he tells you. “I can take care of myself.”
You give him an unimpressed look. “Getting badly injured isn’t the brag you think it is,” you counter. “And… you shouldn’t have to take care of it alone. That’s what I’m here for. I know you think I’m just a rookie, but—for this job, we’re partners, right?”
He’s silent for a beat, but then he nods.
Jack is still awake and waiting for you when you return from the bathroom in your pajamas. As you climb into your side of the bed, he says, “I don’t think you’re just a rookie. You did a good job on this case.”
The room is dark but there’s moonlight streaming in through the window, casting a beam of light across his face on the pillow. He’s looking at you. You look back.
“Thank you,” you tell him finally.
“Thanks for the ice,” he returns. He lets out a sigh as his eyes drift shut, and as you follow suit you feel his hand reach out and intertwine with yours.
“G’night, Violet,” he murmurs.
“Goodnight, Johnny.”
He laughs, and you grin in the dark, and you hold on tight.
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jackharlou · 1 year
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Letters
Concept: your daughter finds the letters you and jack sent each other years ago, the ones you thought you had lost.
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"how was school today, lele?" - jack asked leah, your eight year old daughter. she wasn't his. you two got together when she was just three years old, but since day one he likes to say she is his daughter, and right from the second she understood jack wasn't her dad, she decided that blood didn't matter and that he was in fact her dad, and according to her, the best in the world.
"it was good. i got the highest grade on an essay ms. carrie made us write" - she said after placing her backpack on the couch and following her dad to the kitchen, where you were finishing lunch while bouncing your five months old daughter, emma - "hi, mommy" - she hugged your waist and then grabbed her baby sister's little foot and smelled it - "hi, little stinky"
"what was the essay about?" - jack asked her, following the conversation they were having, after standing next to you to kiss your lips and your baby's head.
"she asked us about what we wanna be and do when we grow up and then made us read it for the class"
"and what did you write about? was it about you wanting to be an astronaut?" - you asked.
"nah, i don't wanna be an astronaut anymore. i realized it'd be too lonely and i don't think i can bring you guys with me. i want to be a poet, just like you guys"
you and jack shared a look, then looked at her confused - "poets? honey, i'm a dentist and your dad writes stuffs, yes, but it isn't poetry"
"i found some letters from each other in the basement and i thought they were that" - now everyone was confused.
"well, you can read that essay for us after we eat lunch, now help me set the table" - jack and leah went to did as you told them.
an hour later, when you all finished cleaning the table and the kitchen, you went to the living room to rest.
"do you mind reading your essay to us, baby?" - you asked her, curious about what she wrote.
she quickly got up and went to grab her notepad from her backpack. she sat across from you and started reading.
"a little over a month ago mommy asked me to go down to the basement to look for something, don't ask me what it was since i don't remember, but while looking for that forgotten thing i found a box full of letters and little notes. i grabbed the box and took it to my room and then went back to mommy. later that night, after mommy and daddy kissed me goodnight, i stayed up for a little longer reading some of the letters. they were from when mommy started dating daddy. i wish i could read them all to you, but for now you'll have to believe me when i say that all those little papers are the most beautiful forms of love you can see and read, at least to me they are. they told each other about how much they liked each other, then with time they said "i love you" for the first time, then some things happened and they were having some sort of issues but they made it through and kept going. i know it doesn't make much sense since you can't read them, but I've decided since I've read them that i want to be a poet. i want to make people feel things through my words. i want to have a love so pure that it inspires me to write the most beautiful things. i want to be loved like my dad loves my mom. i want to have a family of my own like the one my mommy gave me when she decided to love my dad. i want to be loved and happy enough to write it down like my mom and dad did..."
when she finished reading, you looked jack in the eyes and saw you weren't the only one tearing up.
"honey, you still have those?" - jack asked you.
"apparently i do. i thought i lost them when we moved"
"they were buried inside a huge box filled with books" - she said before running upstairs and coming back a few seconds later with the box between her hands.
"can i read you my favorite ones?" - she asked happily. you two only nodded.
she grabbed a piece of paper that looked like it had been to war and back.
"... remember how you jokingly said you would make me miss you while being on the road? i hate you for it, but i do; i do miss you. the only times i don't miss you are when leah needs me and i have to focus on her. i would say that i don't miss you when i'm asleep but that would be a lie because i even see you in my dreams and i hate it because i don't want to fall for you. i hate to admit it but i'm scared. i'm scared of you making us love you and then leaving and not coming back. i'm scared of leah growing attached to you because you're young, i don't think you're ready to be a dad, specially of a girl who isn't your blood but god, i can't stop looking and smiling when she sees you and runs to you. i can't stop smiling and tearing up at the thousands of photos and videos i have of you two playing or just sleeping together.
i'm scared, jackman. i'm scared at how much i'm missing you"
"I tracked the dates and found dad's response letter" - leah said putting down the letter and grabbed a paper that looked much better than the previous one.
"i wasn't joking. i was making fun of you just to hide that i was going to miss you too and oh baby, i thought it was going to be hard, yes, but i didn't imagine it would be this heavy on me. i have never missed anyone like this. i think it is because i left my parents home at a young age. i became independent very quickly and harshly. i was on the road all the time so I didn't have a home, just places where i was living in, but now i do. i have a home in you. is it too fast? yes? no? maybe? who cares? i don't want to be with anyone else. i want to come back home and hold you, rock lele to sleep. you two are my home. i'm scared too, because my work life isn't easy and i don't want that affecting you or lele, but i have to work hard so i'm able to provide for you two. you deserve the best things and i'm working in every way to give you that. to be that.
i don't know if lele is attached to me, but i sure know i'm attached to her. i don't want a life without that girl. she makes everything better, brighter and when i think about coming back to you, i think about coming back to her too.
don't ever stop missing me because i won't ever stop missing you.
missing something or someone is a good thing, and it means a lot.
and you two mean a lot to me, baby."
you looked at jack with teary eyes and with a smile on your face - "i went to visit him for the weekend while you stayed with your grandma and i left him that note on his bed" - you added a background story for her.
"yeah, i dropped her at the airport and when i came back i found it. i read it a couple of times a day, that's why it looks so ugly. then when I arrived to the next city, the first thing i did was sending her a response"
"oh, i love this one too" - leah carefully folded the previous pieces of paper she had in her hands and grabbed another one.
"... last night i was putting leah to sleep and she started crying for you. she wanted you to sing for her, i tried but apparently i'm not good enough of a singer for my baby, but i guess that's what happens when you date a professional singer. she's getting used to you and so is her mommy, because i had a hard time sleeping too"
she folded the paper after reading it and grabbed his response to it.
"i'm sorry to break it down for you, mama, but you aren't that good of a singer, but it's ok, you can't be a good mom, a good student and a good singer. that would embarrass the rest of us.
i need to come up with some lullabies because my songs aren't made for kids. i'll start working on that, lele, i promise.
pd; so, are you dating a professional singer? good for you, girl. is he good looking?"
"you know that song he sings to emmy?" - you asked her, making her nod - "dad wrote that for you after he sent that letter. you could only fall asleep to it, so i had to play it for you every single night"
"your mom was jealous" - jack said, laughing with your daughter.
"i sort of was. it was so hard putting you to sleep and he made it seem so easy every time"
"out of them all, this one is my favorite" - leah said before starting a new one.
"i'm literally writing this right next to you. you two look so beautiful and at peace while sleeping so i'm sitting on the floor while writing this. we're at the beach, lele's first time at the beach, and i can't express how happy i feel right now.
the way she gets so happy while watching the sand fall through her little fingers. how much fun she has while running away from the water so the waves can't catch her. her attempts to build a sand castle...
it makes me think about the future. i want to be there for her first times her entire life.
i want to be there when she starts school. i want to be first concert she attends to. i want to be at her graduation. i want to see her become a woman, a professional. i want to see her fall in love, get excited over dates, but for that i want to give her the example of how a woman should be treated.
i want her to think of you and think that her mom is truly loved. i want her to see our relationship, get inspired and aim for something like it.
i want to take care of you. i want to be here for you. i want to be here for you two.
what i'm trying to say is; if you give me the honor of spending the rest of your life with me, i would make sure you two are happy, loved, taken care of.
So, would you marry me?"
"that's the last one i found, so i don't know how that went" - she said a little upset.
"i woke up, confused because he wasn't there. i got up and kissed your forehead, when i did i noticed the piece of paper besides you. i took it and read it. as soon as i finished reading it you wake up, so I had to get you ready first. i was excited and tearing up. i literally ran with you in my arms. i got to the front desk of the hotel and asked for a pen and a piece of paper. he had texted me saying he was waiting for us at the restaurant to have dinner. i went there and saw him sitting at a table on his own, while using his phone. i asked a waitress to bring him the little paper and when he got it, he stood and started looking for us. i walked towards him, he snatched you from my arms and held me so tight"
"and i have never let go since then" - jack murmured while grabbing your hand and kissing the back of it, close to where your rings have been for years now. he stood and made you follow him to his studio - "look at that" - he told leah.
she looked up at the little frame hanging on the wall, and there it was. the little note with the name and logo of the hotel and a messy "i do" written on it.
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sixstepsaway · 4 months
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i've had some thoughts bouncing around for a while about ofmd s2, and in light of the news, i'm going to brain dump some of them. if you don't feel like listening to me complain about HBO and would rather just go cry about OFMD not getting season 3, that's chill, go ahead, no hard feelings
so.
season 1 was absolutely the definition of lightning in a bottle. it had great acting, great writing, gorgeous set and costume design, it was great, and not only that but it was unabashedly queer
jim had a whole episode dedicated to "actually i'm not a woman i'm just jim" and then everyone - even the bad guys, even the antagonists, even their nun nana, everyone - referred to them as they/them after that, no questions asked
the main character went through an arc that was basically figuring out his sexuality and going "oh shit, i love a man" on a show that was not directly advertised as "OUR QUEER MEANS DEATH" like a, y'know, Queer Show would be
and stede and ed's romance felt like it was important. It felt like the pirates of it all was mostly incidental, background, filler, just fun to pad out the situation and give them things to be challenged by (the badmintons!) while also being fun on its own. it's the kind of show where if you pulled all the characters out and slapped them into a whole other situation like space agents or time travellers or everyone lives together in a loft runs a bakery... it'd still work. sure, the badmintons would be less murderous and run a competing bakery or something, but it'd still work, because the focus was on the characters, and on the romance between stede and ed
the first three episodes of season 3 felt that way too. the love between stede and ed was paramount and if you swapped to a mafia au or a bakery au it'd still work (with some gentle adjustments for ed's Behavior™ to be fair)
but.
season 1, they kept saying it was a rom com, and it felt like one. it was just a rom com that was set at sea! how fun!
now, rom coms have tropes. they have genre-specific things that you kind of expect from, well, a rom com. you expect mess. you expect things like ed fucking off with jack because he doesn't feel good enough
(i've recently been rewatching new girl and although some of the humor makes me cringe, it's still a great show, and one of the main things about it is that everyone is messy. no matter how much schmitt loves cece, he's going to make mistakes. no matter how obviously nick and jess are going to end up together and belong together, they're going to sleep with the wrong people, make mistakes, break up etc. it's as much a rom com as ofmd.
one of the things that makes new girl so good and makes me love the main couples so much is how hard they work to be together, how they fight adversity and the mess of their own flaws and toxicity and still get together because they love each other most, in the end)
i remember in s1 thinking how if stede had been a woman, jack would have been too, and ed would've had at least one romantic/sexual scene with jack when he ran away with him
but i also remember thinking, "yeah, but the show hadn't explicitly done the his name is ed reveal and the kiss on the beach yet, and the reveal hits so hard, it makes sense not to do that earlier", and tbh i stand by that
which brings me to s2, after the first three eps, where they tried to go back to rom com and it just felt... forced.
rom coms usually have adversity. they have other characters that directly and truly threaten the main pairing by being interesting to those characters! no matter how you feel about izzy, he was framed as a love interest or as an ex that was still complicated, but the show very much tiptoed around that
does "i have love for you" and "i loved you best i could" make sense for the characters? yeah.
do i feel like if ed was a woman, she and izzy would've had a messy rebound relationship for stede to have to contend with, for the two of them to come out the other side of wanting each other from? yeah.
ofmd s1 felt unabashedly queer. s2 felt like they didn't want to be too gay.
they put olu with a Woman™, they put jim with a woman almost like it was less queer and more acceptable this way than queering olu, they completely waved off olu and jim's relationship and dropped any concept of polyamory because that would've made it even queerer, not less queer
(i'm using queer here as a definition more of breaking boundaries and being outside of the norm to the extent it makes cishets deeply uncomfortable and the queer in question aren't conforming to society's standards. and this reading of s2 (and s1) is entirely subjective, it's just what's been bubbling here for me)
pete and lucius went from "we don't own each other" to marriage, with no footnotes of what marriage meant to them specifically, whether they were, in fact, conforming with the 'norm' of marriage (exclusivity, labels, definitions etc) or whether they were still chill about these things or whether this now meant no more penis drawings
the queerest episode was probably the party episode (which was so good), but even that was especially queer because some cast members fought to make it so (con wanting izzy's drag to be beautiful not funny has HAUNTED ME, because that means it was originally supposed to be played for laughs!!) not because it was that way naturally
the fact i read somewhere that the party and the drag was originally lupete's wedding makes so much more sense to me because yeah, they WOULD have a wedding like that, but instead they got a lame final episode wedding because it would have been way too queer to do it at calypso's birthday with drag and queer joy everywhere
it also would have been more realistic to the lucius and pete we got in season 1.
there were a lot of things in season 2 that felt... weird. we've talked about it. we have all talked about it.
the final episode, even outside of the thing i hated most, was just horribly written imo. there's big sweeping gestures and no kind of real emotional pay off for the main relationships (lupete included), and everything got tied with a neat little bow at the end
i remember when we were told s2 was 8 episodes and how much the budget had been chopped thinking, "ha, we're so not getting a season 3"
i remember when i realized how weirdly rewritten most of season 2 had been thinking, "yeah, there's not going to be a season 3"
i remember when bitching about ed's arc being totally truncated and handwaved thinking, "mm, we're not getting a season 3"
and i remember when the Revenge sailed off into the sunset with everyone but ed and stede on board thinking, "oh yeah, we're done."
just enough was left open that a season 3 could happen.
just enough was left open that if a miracle happened, there'd be something to do with season 3.
but i genuinely, 100%, hand on my heart, think djenks knew he wasn't getting a season 3
and don't get me wrong, i'm not absolving him of the poor writing choices he made in season 2, but i am saying it makes a lot more sense if you think of it from the perspective of corporate meddling and having everything taken away while he was actively trying to make season 2
we already know HBO cut the budget a ridiculous amount so they just had to make everything work with what they had. we already know HBO cut the episode number.
season 2 plays out like they prepped a good chunk of it, ready for 10 episodes, and then HBO cut the budget and cut the episodes
and so things had to be changed and chopped about. ed's arc got lots of screen time and focus for three episodes (before the cuts) and then things got quicker, and fast
characters were cut for time and for budget reasons.
and then i think towards the end of production and the end of writing, djenks learned the odds of season 3 were minimal at best, and he panicked
i think the original plan was probably for ed's arc to go for the majority of season 2. maybe a middle piece where he and stede tried but it still wasn't Right (last night was a mistake) because ed had so much to work on and so much to heal
i genuinely wonder if the finale was completely rewritten at the last minute because to me it makes way, way more sense from a narrative standpoint for things to have been more staggered out. let's consider ten episodes instead of 8:
episodes 1-5: same as they were when aired, including the gravy basket giving us set-up for what ed's dealing with internally, giving us something to latch onto and prepare for his redemption. NO KISS AT THE END OF EPISODE 5. episode 6: ed is still wearing the bell. he's sort of done his amends with lucius, but now he needs to do amends with the rest of the ship. stede is still learning his piratey ways, so there's hijinks in the background. jim and archie and olu try to decide what their relationship is after the garlic and all, and debate room arrangements. lucius and pete announce their engagement. stede and ed nearly kiss. episode 7: more ed redemption arc. he's still working at things, he's shying away from violence because violence is what took him down this dark path to begin with. maybe we get some discussion of his father. stede, blind to ed's flaws, insists he's nothing like his father! ed tries to make amends with izzy but somehow this is the hardest of all because he hurt him the most of all. izzy gets chance to apologize for what he now sees as his part in pushing ed down into the darkness (trying to drag blackbeard back) and izzy's apology makes ed feel worse somehow and gives him some absolution when he finally figures out how to return his own. ed kisses stede but says he wants to take it slow. episode 8: wedding episode!! calypso's birthday!! ed uses his loot to bankroll lupete's wedding. stede reacts with violence to ned and we know from everything before that ed is actively trying to distance himself from the violence of piracy because, yeah, of course he is. is it a good idea? nope. does it make sense to his character for him to still be putting a good chunk of the blame on piracy for his actions, rather than accepting the parts of his whole and learning how to regulate those parts healthily? yes. anyway, stede reacts to his own violence by clutching for ed, ed feels after like his boundaries were pushed. same as show. episode 9: ed is having a meltdown. he and izzy have started to heal, so izzy watching him stare at fishing boats and just chatting to him like nothing happened actually makes a lick of sense. lupete are on their honeymoon at jackie's. olu gets to hook back up with zheng and archie and jim want to go along because they're not super happy on the ship still because although ed is doing better, the past of what he does still hangs over everyone. olu, zheng, jim and archie do not discuss the poly of it all properly, and it's hilarious and a mess, and gives us something to look forward to handling in season 3. ed freaks out about stede being violent when he's the one thing he felt like wasn't violent (and thus safe for him to be with), and about taking it not at all slow, breaks things off and runs away. izzy gets stede to come back to the ship. stede gets into a fight with zheng, the bombs go off, whatever (not a fan of this for her sake but if it has to happen, it can happen) episode 10: ed is off fishing but it's not going well and he's pissing pop-pop off all the time because he's not good at fishing. stede and co are handling the ricky of it all. the episode is mostly the same at the start, but instead of ed immediately going "omg, i gotta save bae" he doesn't find out about the attack until right at the end of the episode. stede and co make it back to the revenge and escape safely, and when ed retrieves his leathers and returns he thinks they're dead! he threatens/tortures/whatever some english and they say no, stede escaped! they all escaped! the season ends with ed, all decked out in his leathers, with his sword, now in the position stede was last season: staring out over the water, planning to find the man he loves.
this sets season 3 up for ed to be on his own for a little while, for him to handle and figure out how to channel his violence into something 'good' (wanting to find his love, wanting to protect his crew etc).
maybe season 3 flashes back to baby!ed again and the fact his first act of violence against his father wasn't motivated by anger or spite, it was motivated by wanting to protect someone he loved: his mum.
then season 3 they find each other again, and maybe they meet in the moonlight for the parallel to hit even better, they finally get back together properly, for good, with maybe some comedic issues along the way, and ed finds his place in the world to be less "blackbeard, the terror of the seas" and more "ed protects those he loves."
i honestly think this is probably how the show was originally meant to go, or at least something close.
i think midway through season 2, djenks heard it was over and he (rightfully) panicked and threw together a finale that tied up as many loose ends as he could because he knew.
and i dont think there's anything that could've been done about it. i think it was dead in the water (no pun intended) the moment all the MAX/HBO/whatever reshuffles happened, I think it was too queer and I genuinely think executive meddling made a lot of the more queer elements go away, possibly right down to trying to wipe away the exes/love interests of it all with that whole father figure thing
and, again, i'm not absolving djenks of some of his more baffling writing decisions. he's a grown man and he makes his own choices. but i am saying i think it explains a LOT about why the finale we got is what we got, and i'm not sorry stede and ed ended the show together rather than apart or with their lives hanging in the balance or something
anyway these are just a bunch of thoughts i've been having, tied together by the cancellation.
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"Niña, are you okay?" Is the first thing that greets my ears upon returning to the Aston Martin garage, Fernando's concerned expression meeting mine as he gives me a once over.
"I'm assuming my debacle in Redbull has already made it back here?"
"It's all over the internet," Lance is the one to answer, looking hesitant to continue. "Including the part where he announced that you're Verstappen's little sister."
Of course someone caught that on video. "Fuck me."
"Don't worry, no one around here will treat you any different," the Canadian assures, looking more sorry than I'd really like. "We're all pretty tired of the Verstappen's anyway. As long as you're okay, and that ass was kicked out, we're good, yeah?"
I can't help but laugh, nodding at the Canadian. Why he's made out to be the biggest ass, i have limited idea.
"Ms. Hughes, Mr. Caufield, Fernando and Lance will be needed in 30 for prep, so-" One of the staff mentions, earning a nod from the for of us. "We have prepared a set of stools in front of an Aston Martin backdrop for you all. It is just over here," She explains, pointing off to the side.
"Great, thank you much," I thank, taking the microphones from her hands before stealing Cole's hand from himself, pulling him to our designated chairs.
"Okay, so, the camera is here and rolling, so when you all are done we will edit it together," The woman explains, waving her hands around before walking off without a response.
"Y'all are very straight to business around here, aren't you?" The joke slips, ignoring my knowledge that Lance's father literally owns this team.
"You get used to it," Is Lance's chuckled response, just shrugging it off, crossing his arms over his chest.
"I get it, hockey's the same," Cole chimes, the little comment learning a kind smile. They're relating, Mom would say, it's how boys deal with feelings.
"Okay boys," I begin, clapping quietly and collecting their attention. "Starting in 3-" Cole's hand is moving to my leg, resting just above my knee in support. "2-" Fernando is running a hand through his hair, using Lance's sunglasses as a mirror. "And 1!"
"Hello everyone and welcome back to today's episode of A Women's Guide to Sports! As always, my name is Emily Hughes and today I am coming to you from the Canadian Grand Prix!"
"If you are one of my people who are watching this on social media, hi!" She greets with a little wave. "Or if you're one of my podcast diehards, I'm here to clue you in."
"As you most will have seen prior to this episode on social media, today I am here at the race with my brother Jack Hughes and Trevor Zegras, both probably lost in the paddock, and my boy Cole Caufield as guests of Aston Martin!" Cole gives her a little squeeze of acknowledgment with one hand, the other waving to the camera with a smile.
"Speaking of AM, we have some very special guests today, gentlemen, would you mind saying hi to the people on the other end of the audio?"
Both Aston drivers wave to the camera, offering a verbal hello as well.
"It's great to be here," Fernando assures, his quieter teammate nodding.
"We'll see if you still believe that when we're done with the questions I have for you two."
"Starting with?" Lance has enough self-respect to be concerned. He has seen her interviews before, asking about life while living the sport rather than just logistics.
'Women connect to a sport more when they can connect to a person, rather than data,' Emily had answered once when asked about the peculiar nature of her interviews.
Everyone knows those are the hardest questions to answer.
"So, we'll start a little easy on the questions here: Is it true that you have unofficially adopted Lance, Fernando?"
The older driver laughs, a light pink taking over Lance's cheeks as both men laugh, making Emily's smile impossibly larger, a sight that makes her brothers smile from off to the side, hidden from view and the camera.
"She seems to enjoy this," Max comments to Jack, noticing how easily she prompts the borderline ridiculous questions along, making sure to include many real questions about the cars performance and what it's like to live and love in Formula one. "She is doing better than most of the journalists."
Jack is an older brother, it's in his blood, and while that prevents him from trusting Emily's newfound family, he also knows that anything less than an attempt at acceptance would result in puppydog eyes.
And God all her brother's are a sucker for those.
"Yeah, she's studying journalism in New York, it's always been a passion of hers," Is the Hughes boys response, although he can't help the smile that takes place on his face. "While Quinn, Luke and I were pretending to be NHL stars as kids, she was pretending to interview us."
Max knew it would be hard not knowing her since she was a child. With his other half siblings he had been given the opportunity to be in their lives for all of those moments, or to at least know they happened.
"Now, this question is for the both of you," Emily catches his attention once more, "Fernando, towards the beginning of the season you were connected to one Taylor Swift, with rumors of you two being together floating around," She begins, giggling when Fernando winks dramatically at the camera. "With her mention in the sport, there was an increase in attention as everyone tried to puzzle out what was happening. Do you both believe that if big names such as Ms. Swift began to invest more into the sport, the audience would grow?"
Lance takes the question, diving in to how with his father being an investor, he does believe that if large names were to contribute more, the sport would increase in numbers. Fernando expands on it, explaining that that's how these things work, and why the teams like Ferrari and Redbull have such a following.
"So," Jack starts, doing his best to bond. "Do you have any other siblings?"
Max can't help the way his brows scrunch at the question. It's clearer by the second that as they watch their sister, they're just trying to get by.
"I have four," He decides to answer. "My sister Victoria is by full blood, then my sister Blue Jaye from my fathers second marriage and Jason and Mila from his third."
"God," the Hughes almost grunts. "Em has another brother and three sisters?"
"Yes," He hadn't processed that his siblings would be hers as well. "Does she have more brothers... through your family?" Is the only way Max can think to ask. "You mentioned a Quinn earlier?'
Jack nods, still in minor surprise that his sister has gone from simply having three brothers to now having five and three sisters. "Quinn's the oldest of us all, then there's me, Em, and we have a younger brother Luke."
Emily seems to have superior hearing, because her next question is on the same topic her brothers have been covering, "Now men, on to siblings, how does it feel knowing your sisters are superior to you?"
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romancomicsnews · 10 months
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My Adventures with Superman brings Hope back to the Man of Steel - REVIEW Ep 1 & 2
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*Spoilers for the first two episodes, now streaming on Max!*
Growing up, Superman always came off to me as a very nothing character. White bread. Good for the sake of good. Not funny like Spider-Man, not dark and cool like Batman, and too powerful to be in any real danger.
He was just there as the original cape and tights. He was important because he did it first, but that didn't make him interesting.
As I got older, and I read and saw him in more media, I realized the fun of Superman comes from the kindness. The hope he brings to those around him and that stable positive force is essential to the world and the Justice League. While he is the most powerful person in the room, because of who Clark is and his values, he's the person you fear the least.
He's gonna save your cat, he's gonna stop that burning building, and he's gonna get the bad guy, as unharmed as possible.
This is where the DCEU lost me, and where I think most Superman content does. That hope, that kindness, the gentle giant that Clark is has somehow been lost in translation.
While Henry Cavill is a great actor and can play the hopeful side, setting the tone of the movies as so dark and serious drained Superman of his charm.
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Superman and Lois has done a good job bringing Clark's hopefulness back in moments, but the Zack Snyder DCEU feel coupled with the CW drama still keeps Superman and Lois pretty dark and dire.
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While Hoechlin is a fantastic Superman, the world he inhabits has kept me wanting a true representation of the character I love.
Which is why My Adventures with Superman is such a breath of fresh air.
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Let's start with Jack Quaid. Using such a pure sounding soul like Quaid to embody Clark was a stroke of genius. While he is known for playing good-ish characters like Hughie in The Boys and Peter Parker/ The Lizard in Across the Spider-Verse, Quaid does not coast on his past charms for Clark.
This character equally feels fresh, different from Quaid's past characters, and like a kid who is transitioning into the Man of Steel.
Whether he is struggling to flirt, scold Lois for lying, or fight a robot, Clark feels genuine, kind, and strong.
As Superman, Clark does not change into a scary, super powered god. Instead, he is trying to help the bad guy, clean up the messes, and rescue kittens from trees. While we only get a glimpse of his true Superman form at the end of episode 2, it is enough for me to get so excited that I'm typing this all out. This is the Superman I've been waiting for!
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Rounding out the cast are Alice Lee and Ishmel Sahid as Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen.
Lee has a quality not always perfectly emulated for Lois in my opinion, which is spunk. Moxie. She is so clearly the leader of the team for the Daily Planet. Couple that with her comedy timing and clear chemistry with Quaid, this may be the blueprint for Clark and Lois in the future.
While usually Lois is a made journalist by the time Clark shows up, starting them at equal footing is an interesting development. I'm hoping they use this to show just how quickly Lois Lane can rise the ranks against others.
While Sahid is utilized the least so far, conspiracy theorist comic relief Jimmy is equally charismatic and likable. He is a character I think the DCEU and CW didn't quite understand the value of, but this show clearly does. My hope is this character goes on to go on as wacky adventures as he does in the comics.
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The chemistry between the three characters is very strong for the first couple of episodes. So much so I don't know if I'm more excited for more Lois and Clark romance, Clark and Jimmy bafoonery, or Lois and Jimmy investigating.
While the villains leave something to be desired in the first two episodes, the inclusion of overarching villains Deathstroke, Amanda Waller and General Lane lead me to believe they hope to build out this universe, at the very least into Batman.
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If that is true, I am so in.
I can see a world where we have 3-4 different anime shows introducing key members of the Justice League, all leading up to an anime style movie where they fight Brainiac, with Jack Quaid's Superman at the center of it.
But perhaps I am getting way ahead of myself.
All in all, My Adventures with Superman has me excited for Fridays to come. It has heart, it has comedy, and it seems to understand the Last Son of Krypton better than most pieces of media.
This should be the blueprint for Superman Legacy.
A Superman who brings donuts for all his coworkers.
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heartfullofleeches · 1 year
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Jack in the box (Old)
Male Yandere x G.N Reader
An: was going through my email and found this old fic from my first blog [naga-nerd] I haven't reread it, but I remember the general idea and its one I may rewrite in the future. Hope you enjoy if it's as descent as I remember.
"H-hey Y/n.. Wanna use it?" You turn to look at the person that use walked up to you, small box in his shaking hands. He holds it out a little more, looking away embarrassed as negative thoughts fill his mind. This was a stupid idea. There's no way you'd actually touch it.
"Uh sure I'll try it." His head snaps back to you as you grab the handle and begin turning it. The soft melody of Pop goes the Weasel comes from the Jack in the box, cutting off at times due to the old age of it. You jump as a doll pops out of the box, swinging back and forth on its spring."I didn't hear the end so that startled me. That clown is pretty strange. I mean I'm not judging it but aren't those dolls usually colorful and more alive?"
"Colorful?" He takes his eyes off of you and look down at the box, immediately seeing what you're talking about. The now still doll's clothing resembled those of a happy clown but they were completely grey. The eyes were shut and for a mouth there was a straight black line. The doll was neutral meaning your feelings for him were neutral. Meaning you felt nothing for him at all. Good nor bad. He turns the box over in his hands multiple times, checking the clown doll for any sign of color. Any sign of emotion.
"I hope your jack in the box is ok. I have to go now. Bye." You smile nervously at him as you walk away. Normally your smile would make his day a hundred times better, but at that moment he felt empty inside. He had known you for years and yet you felt as if he was just some person you'd pass by while taking a walk. It wasn't fair. You were on his mind every second of the day but he was the last person you'd probably ever think about. He wanted to smash the box in his hands to pieces and scream to the heavens as he did so. Asking whoever listened why you didn't love him. Why you didn't need him like he needed you every second of the day. But like most feelings he had, he just bottle the anger up.
Frustrated tears fell from John's eyes and landed on the doll, soaking its cloth face. Did he not try hard enough? Maybe he didn't get rid of everyone bothering you and you were just too busy with them. He followed you around and made a long list of those people so that couldn't be true unless you went somewhere without him, which wasn't likely. John grabs the small doll's hand and smiles. He shouldn't be so upset. You just didn't feel anything for him now, he'd change that for sure. He look in the direction you had walked in but you were long gone. That didn't matter though. He knew exactly where to find you.
You wake up in a dark room with a slight headache, laying with your back against something hard. You try to put your hand up to your throbbing head but the thick ropes keeping you tied up stops you. A light switches on and the wooden stairs creak as someone steps into the room.
"I'm sorry that I have put you down here Y/n. Our room isn't quite set up yet and I don't want you to see it." The person from earlier sets a familiar box next to you as he crouched down in front if you.
"Morning sweetheart. Well it's still night time but you've been out so long it feels like a new day." John leans in towards you and you pull away. "Uh who are you exactly?"
You didn't know who he was at all. When he asked you to use the jack in the box earlier you believed it to be a prank so you did it for laughs. You thought it was strange he knew your name but at the time you thought he may have been an old friend.
In all the years that he knew you and everything about you, you never know him at all or realize he was stalking you. You may have said hello a couple times but that's all. His face would just disappear in to the crowd of the many you passed on a normal day. John was a complete stranger to you while you meant everything to him.
"Who am I? Honey you're the love of my life and I'm yours er, I will be soon. I'm sorry to keep you here like this but I have to be sure nobody will try to steal that wonderful heart of yours."
John picks up the Jack in the box and holds it to his chest, voice growing dangerously quiet. The doll from before was still hanging out the box and he petted its head softly "It really hurt me when I found out I was nothing to you Y/n..."
"Don't worry though. I'm not upset about it anymore. I just have to get you to fall for me and that shouldn't be hard. I know pretty much everything about you so I'm sure I can win your heart in no time." He laughs and begins to hum the tone that comes from the box in his hands as he plays with the doll. He suddenly slaps the lid shut, forcing the clown back into its cage.
"Hey Y/n? Do you wanna see how I feel about you? I can't untie you so you can hold my toy but I'm sure my little friend will come out matching my emotions anyway." John turns the handle as you sit there frozen in silence, the dolls appearance changing more and more in the box as the music continues it play.
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pigeonwit · 5 months
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hi pidge! i was wondering if you knew of any canon era fics where davey and jack grow apart/jack goes to santa fe/separate/whatever and reunite sometime in the future?
... you know i could've SWORN i did, but i actually don't? which is a shame because jack leaving for santa fe, regretting it, and coming home in shame but knowing exactly what he wants and davey staying in new york, desperately wanting to welcome jack back but refusing because he knows how much jack can hurt him and won't risk it again, all set against that backdrop of period typical homophobia and keeping up appearances is a really cool idea. maybe davey actually did resign himself to living purely for his family and is close to settling down with a nice girl in a cushy job he hates, but has convinced himself its worth it for the sake of not letting his heart get broken again. what was he thinking, right? and it'd be so interesting to see how jack goes about rebuilding his friendships not only with davey but with everyone else he left behind. because i can understand people like race and crutchie feeling abandoned, but itd also be a great way to explore how jack was forced to grow up before he should've and how stressed he was acting as the leader to 100 boys at the age of 17.
that being said i feel kind of bad leaving this with just saying 'sorry no, whoopsies!!' so i'll recommend the two (technically three) fics that immediately came to mind when i was wracking my brain for anything that kind of fit this description. behold:
favorite crime by @we-are-inevitable (side bar this took me too many attempts to find again because i kept spelling 'favorite' the british way) - jack and davey engaged in a secret relationship which jack ended out of fear that due to his success with his political cartoons, they'd be under more scrutiny and thus more likely to be found out, leaving davey behind. they do TECHNICALLY reunite in the future but the story isnt meant to have a happy ending; instead you get a really achingly poignant story about love, fear and the consequences of both. the prose is gorgeous and the characterization is (in my opinion) the most solid in the fandom. jack's absence from daveys life is like a scar across the fic and you really feel how it affects davey to have such a permanent pain everpresent in him - but also having the memory of it nonetheless. its probably not the comforting fluff you're looking for but it IS a beautiful fic and if you're in a good enough place to read it, i recommend it!!
keepsakes (and trinkets) by @livesincerely - this is modern era, but it fits the bill almost perfectly. jack and davey were together but jack got a job offer in santa fe, causing a misunderstanding of davey wanting to support jacks dream while wishing he'd stay and jack not wanting to pressure him into uprooting his life while wishing he'd come with him. after finding davey while back in new york for a visit, they finally confront each other and all those old feelings come back to the surface. it's one of my favourite fics; i'm a big sentimentalist and i love the idea of keeping an object tied to a person for so long that you eventually dont even realize how much of that person is still in your life, still clinging on to the edges, not quite letting go. i love the idea of not even realizing how much a person is still clinging to the edges of your life until that person is THERE and suddenly oh, its unavoidable. all those little keepsakes and the memories attached are still there. you can try to get rid of them, but at a certain point that person has touched so much of your life that you dont even notice it. its just everywhere. i love that shit. im obsessed with that shit. it's one of my favourite go-to comfort fics when i need a little mental treat.
if anyone has any fics that DO fit this request in its entirety please let me know, because i would like to read them!
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middlechild404 · 1 year
Text
Learning anatomy
Summary: you have a lot of studying to do. Jack decides to help you.
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I was drowning in assignments and presentations this period, and on top of all of that, I had an anatomy exam coming up in two days. So for the time being I had set aside my other studies just to make sure that I passed this test. Even though I was confident that I would pass with a high grade, although, my confidence was overruled by the anxiety in the pit of my stomach that would linger until the moment I was done with the test.
I was frantically using my flashcards as I felt a strong headache creeping in from the amount of information that I needed to cramp up in my brain. I wasn't going to let a headache stop me from studying. Hence, I needed to make my remedy for headaches, which was a green tea mixed with mango and lychee, or so I liked to call it- pure heaven.
As I started the water boiler, my phone chimed. I immediately picked it up hoping that it would be Jack. We have been friends for a while now but at some point I started to develop feelings for him. Ever since then, I haven't been able to get him out of my mind and I keep second-guessing his intentions when doing things, hoping that he somehow reciprocates the feelings I have for him.
To my dismay, it was my lab partners. I answered their questions quickly and put down my phone right after turning off the sound.
I began to rationalize with myself that waiting for him to text was ridiculous and that I'd been tricking myself into liking him all along. I kept thinking that I should focus on my studies instead of a guy that doesn't even like me. But, all those thoughts went out the window the second my phone vibrated on the counter.
"Eyoo, I'm in the neighborhood. I'll be swinging by soon."- Jack wrote
I kept writing and rewriting a response, lastly, I settled for what would be best.
"It's probably best if you don't, I really need to study. Have a test coming up soon :(" I typed and hit send.
I could see the bubbles appearing instantly, not many seconds later he responded.
"No worries, we can work together. I need to finish a track anyway, so I can do that while you study."
My stomach did somersaults at his response. I quickly went to the mirror to make myself look at least half decent. My skin looked dull in the absence of makeup, so I tapped my cheeks a few times to give myself a rosy look.
The taps on my cheeks were unnecessary as I was completely flushed at the sight of Jack in gray sweatpants only a few minutes later when he entered my apartment.
I wanted to say something after we greeted each other but he stopped me from forming a sentence. "Shhh, just pretend I'm not here. I don't want to get in the way of your studying" he said as he placed himself on my couch.
To that, I rolled my eyes. "I wanted to ask if you wanted some tea, but nevermind" I said with a smirk on my face.
"Smartass" he smirked back. "I would actually love some of that tea you refer to as heaven"
I walked quickly into the kitchen and then back with two cups in my hands. Jack had already started his work as he had his headphones on and was typing rapidly on his computer. He simply acknowledged me with a "thank you" as I placed his cup on the table, then returned to his typing.
I admired how focused he was when it came to his work. I caught myself staring for a few seconds, which made me avert my gaze. I picked up my flashcards and started to memorize all the different bones in the body.
After two hours of studying, I finally took a break. I quickly looked at Jack who was still typing away on his computer, I didn't want to interrupt him so I just sat there playing with my flashcards in silence.
It didn't take long for my intrusive thoughts to appear. Am I going to be able to do this? Am I smart enough? Why am I even doing this? Will I be able to have a good career? Am I good enough? And the thoughts went on, chipping away at my confidence.
I was so lost in my thoughts that I hadn't heard Jack speaking to me. He caught my attention as he simply put his hand on my arm.
"Hey, where did you go?" He asked with a concerned look on his face.
I was contemplating if I would be honest or not and simply say that everything was fine. I didn't want to start a conversation about how I doubted myself and keeping him from his job.
He understood that I was having an argument with myself as the silence was long due. To this, he placed his computer on the table along with his headphones and turned himself toward me. He brought his leg up as a barrier between us as he made himself comfortable for some deep talk.
"Come on, spill. You know you can talk to me." Jack said as he sipped on his second cup of tea.
"I don't know, sometimes I get these thoughts that I'm not good enough…I don't even know why I'm majoring in this anyway, I lost my motivation somewhere along the way." I said embarrassed while looking down on my lap as I played with the fuzz on my sweatpants.
"Listen, from what I've seen, you're one of the most hardworking people I know. You don't just study to pass, you study because you want to be good at what you do." He said reassuringly. He continued before I could give a response "That definitely means you're good enough, and sometimes also a bit of an overachiever." He said with a grin, to which he received a playful punch on his arm.
"As for motivation, you will lose it a million times over in your journey, but that doesn't mean you won't be able to get it back. You just need to find new ways to motivate yourself." He said supportively.
I was always awkward in these moments since I had a hard time receiving any kind of praise. This resulted in me giving him an awkward smile along with verbal gratitude as my heart was beating out of my chest.
It felt like the world stopped spinning when he kept staring at me. Nothing happened until his handsome face lit up, which meant that he had an idea. I felt a bit anxious about what he would do next, due to his ideas not always being the best.
"I have an idea of how we can motivate you for your studies." He blurted as he grabbed my flashcards. "How about I help you revise." He said with a glint of mischief in his eyes.
"Don't you have work to do?" I asked, not really wanting to take his time.
"I was done a while ago, I was waiting for you to take a break." He responded as he shifted closer to me.
"Oh well, okay I guess. Those flashcards are only bones of the upper body" I retorted while pointing at the blue deck of cards in his big hands.
"Okay, good good." He said with a smile on his face.
He quickly went through the flashcards, seeing that they were in order going from the lowest part of the upper body to the head.
He picked up my hand and gave the tip of my finger a kiss. My mind went wild at this action, it showed on my cheeks as they swiftly turned bright red.
"What's this bone called?" He asked me with a smirk on his face, he was content with the reaction I had given him.
I struggled to get a word out as I said "Ehh, distal phalanx".
"Correct, and now in Latin." He responded proudly while kissing my fingertip again.
"Os phalangeum distale manus" I answered unsurely.
"Correct!" He exclaimed as I received another kiss.
He kept doing this procedure all the way up to my collarbone. He stopped as he realized our close proximity, waiting for me to protest. Since I didn't, he continued.
He stopped later when I had received kisses all over my head, not knowing that he had missed one bone. My cheekbone.
"You missed one." I mumbled, not wanting to sound like I was asking for it.
He quickly looked through the cards and gave himself a nod when he saw which one it was. He immediately kissed me on my cheekbone and asked which bone it was.
"The zygomatic bone, or os zygomaticum in Latin." I said correctly. "Uuughh, finally done." I added, knowing that we had gone through the whole deck.
He didn't back away too far from my face, as I kept feeling his breath on my cheek. "One last question, what's this bone called?" he asked while putting his thumb on my lip.
"There are no bones in the lip." I answered confused at his question.
"Smartass, you've gotten everything right. I think you need to get a reward." He said right before crashing his lips on mine.
I couldn't believe what was happening, my mind was in a frenzy as he put his fingers through my hair and our bodies impossibly closer.
We broke the kiss to regain our breath, or for me- my sanity. I'd been dreaming about this for the longest time and it was even better than I'd ever imagined.
"What do you say about taking a break to have some… fun. Or how about studying the lower body now." He smirked and gave me a wink.
I didn't want to waste any time, therefore I immediately crashed my lips on his as I straddled him and let my fingers play with his soft hair.
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Hope you liked this one loviiieess ❤️
It was supposed to be a short one but got a bit carried away😅
Taglist: @jackharloww, @j-worlds-blog @itsyagirljaz, @harlowcomehome, @neon-lights-and-glitter
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valiantarcher · 3 months
Text
I'm rereading Black as Night and have a few thoughts (under a cut for spoilers and because it did get a bit long).
Even thought it's incredibly obvious and his role is obvious, I think this is the first time it's clicked why Hunter is named Hunter.
This is the one book where it feels like I miss a certain amount of nuance and humour because I don't have a good grasp on the structure of the Roman Catholic church (what is the basis of the snub about Benedictines and fruitcake??).
I am again having idle wonderings about what would've happened if Blanche had tried to tell Fish about her feelings of danger before he left for Europe. I'm guessing he wouldn't have really believed her but I also have a feeling that he would've probably tried to give her a ride home from work a few times or checked in, just to set her mind at ease, with the result that he probably would've seen her mystery stalker or otherwise had his sense of danger raised enough for him to start taking it very seriously.
While rereading, I also was struck by the remembrance that, at one point, Regina Doman had been considering retellings of Rumplestiltskin and East o' the Sun, West o' the Moon. It seems unlikely those will happen now (but not impossible, I guess!), which I'm mostly fine with, but I am curious all over again about how those would've worked out.
I'm struck by how frustrated Fish is that Bear makes spur-of-the-moment decisions and gets into trouble without looping him into it. There's an aspect that probably comes from experience (always better to have backup and they learned a lot on the streets as teens) and some that just comes from their differences in personality and strengths, but it's also interesting with respect to Waking Rose, where Fish does get into trouble without Bear BUT always with a plan, usually with backup, and often with having given Bear a heads up or keeping him looped in.
The Nancy Drew reference is common enough, but I'm amused that Fish knows enough about girls' detective stories to know to call Rose Trixie Belden. Also somewhat telling that Fish both has a point in his comment about Rose not surviving to star in a second novel, much less three hundred fifty more, from the perspective of her only surviving SotB (and then WR) because he saved her and also sells her short because she *does* survive three novels where she does detecting. ;))
Also! I had forgotten that Rose is the one who hits the nail on the head as far as motive! Fish is right that it's unlikely but she's correct that it's about jealousy - they're just both missing a couple pieces of the puzzle at that point.
I feel like the Austrian professor is a reference to Fish's later adviser in WR?
I also feel like there's some significance to Mr. Fairston's name being Alistair but going by Jack. Maybe a bit of foreshadowing that his last name isn't really his right name either (though it is legal - which raises the question why he didn't change his first name to Jack when he changed his last name if he hated Alistair so much)?
I appreciate the continuity between Bear trying to talk Mr. Freet out of further murder in SotB and him trying to talk Elaine out of murder in BaN. Granted, the stakes are high in both instances, but he is also genuinely concerned for the consequences of murder on themselves.
The short emergency room scene is good and I like how quickly Fish, upon being thanked, redirects that thanks to Rose and rightly acknowledges her invaluableness to saving both of his surviving family members. (Also, I still kind of wish there had been a parallel emergency room scene at the end of SotB.)
OH MAN. I just caught that Mrs. Foster comes by to read to Bear and Fish's dad! She was so protective of them and rightly upset by how their dad threw them out after they got out of the juvenile detention and yet??? She comes by and visits him and reads to him, something he is appreciative of! She was under no obligation and it would've been really easy for her to just not even stop by and yet!!
I'm really hoping Rose had wandered off by this point in the phone call and didn't hear Fish's "Let's hope Elaine didn't dump [Blanche] in the river" comment.
I'm unexpectedly appreciating the reconciliation between Bear and his dad more on this read than I have before. I know it's critical for Bear's arc and growth, but it just stands out more this time around. (Also, I'm a bit saddened by the realisation that, apparently, his own probable reconciliation didn't have much of an impact on Ben as it never comes up in WR.)
I'm wondering if Fish went out, bought a cellphone for Bear, and pressed it into his hands before he went out looking for Blanche or if Bear is still just carrying around Fish's cellphone. Either seems reasonable and either is just slightly amusing.
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cypressnmarigolds · 10 months
Note
it’s achi!! here for my meryl meow bet but i’m too much of a coward to send this connected to my main.
nsfw meryl x reader hcs…. maybe reader getting her to squirt for the first time…. SORRY SORRY DEMONS GETTING OUT OF HAND
Oh, gosh I'm sorry this took so long. I could NOT gather my thoughts with ANY efficiency ,horny brain you understand , BUT I think I got some good ones for ya! And don't you worry, those demons are right where they're supposed to be. 😉 Enjoy~!
PS, I took some inspo from your headcanons Achi!
Contains: The obvious. Use of toys. gn! reader.
First Time Getting Her To... (Meryl Squirting HCs)
Her clit is very sensitive, so it's a bit of a gamble getting any toys for it specifically.
Meryl's an independent woman from the city, of course she has toys and of course she has them with her while traveling. Hidden away well of course.
You both have lots of fun using them with each other, and you had recently added to it on a whim. You'd gotten a clit sucker, which was a pretty penny for something that might be too intense, but c'mon. How could you not want to see her squirm and shiver?
How could you resist the possibility of getting her to squeal and cry loud enough to almost wake Roberto through a wall and his chainsaw snoring?
She's a little apprehensive at first. You assure her that if it's too much on her clit, you could always find other ways to put it to use.
You won her over when you showed her the design of the little suction cup that would hold her clit. It was fairly deep and wide, enough to avoid direct contact. The suction was created by the back wall of the suction cup being moved back and forth, so when the ring sealed around her, it would suck as it vibrated. The salesperson said it offered powerful sensation for relying on indirect contact.
It'd been while since you'd had some alone time together, so you got straight to it.
There she was, spread out on the bed, hands clutching the pillow beside her head. You'd been working her up for a bit how. Plunging her thick g spot vibe into her tight cunt while you gently brushed fingers around her clit, never touching it and occasionally blowing on it. When the sounds of the toy in her grew sloppy and slick, you asked her if she was ready.
At this point she was so worked up she was ready to beg for you to make her come. You grabbed the toy and switched it on to it's lowest setting. Before you began, you switched out the vibrator for three of your fingers, you just had to feel her twitch around you.
When you placed the suction head around her clit, she tensed up for a second with a gasp, before it was like a switch was flipped and she relaxed back into the bed, eyes going unfocused with a soft "Oh..."
"How you feeling sweetie?" The walls of her pussy were clenching, sucking gently at your fingers as you began to stretch her wider, she loved a good stretch.
"Good" She sighed, "so-oh! So good." Her hips wiggled a bit and her breathing was increasing steadily, interrupted by the occasional gasp or moan.
You decided to up the speed, and crooked your fingers into her favorite spot as you began thrusting them. The killer blow was when you slowly began to swirl the toy around her clit, never letting it make more than the slightest kiss to the sides of it.
Her hips jack-knifed off the bed, and her head shot back with a cry, hand quickly coming to slap over her mouth. "Good?" She could only nod frantically as she began to move her hips to meet the strokes and shifts of the toy and your fingers.
In less than a minute, her gasping breaths through her nose became sucking inhales. Her moans turned into high pitched whines and her cunt was clenching on your fingers like it wanted to swallow them. She grabbed the pillow beside her and shoved it over her face, and you knew this was going to be a big one.
With a high pitched squeal into the pillow, Meryl squirted.
Her pussy was clamped over your fingers and sucking while spurts of slippery release shot out with each contraction.
Your eyes were drawn to the weak little thrusts of her hips through it. It was a long one, it looked and sounded so intense.
Drool was about to start dripping from your gaping mouth when she reached the end of her orgasm. Hips jerking away from the onslaught of pressure as her hand blindly reached to grab your wrist and shove it away.
When she finally pulled the pillow away, she looked wrecked. Face flushed red, panting, and trying to meet your eyes through the haze in her head.
You immediately cupped her cheek in one hand as you kissed her forehead and let out a soft laugh. "Good Job!"
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amxrany · 8 months
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!! LOST IN THE BOOK WITH STITCH EVENT SPOILERS !!
This is already the second update, wasn't able to update sooner due to being sick (caught the flu), but I'm feeling a lot better now
So let's pick up where we left off (Part 1):
It's the next morning, and everyone (minus Lilia) didn't get good sleep due to mosquitoes (i mean real I can't sleep with those things biting me either). Everyone is just suffering from itchiness and Stitch helps Grim out by scratching his body. But then, Gantu's minions appear again and everyone is forced to fight
So now everyone is hungry, and they decide to split into groups in search for food and shelter. The groups are Floyd, Riddle, Jack, Yuu and Grim and the second group are compose of Lilia, Ace, Azul, and Stitch
Our first focus is on Floyd's Team, who's in charge for the shelter. Floyd suggests that they make a big house and everyone is like "nah that ain't possible" and Floyd said that they can use wood to make a house, but Riddle wasn't sure about the idea; since there is nothing that will support the wood and it will still result in the shelter collapsing
Instead of fighting, Riddle proposed on making a shelter based on their own styles, in which Floyd praised and teased him for the idea. Yuu gets choices to join or not, but they're pretty much forced to join because if they don't Floyd will respond that there's a punishment
So the group begins searching for materials. After a while, Yuu and Grim are exhausted from gathering wood and decided to gather food. Jack's carrying wood for him and Riddle, but he got annoyed when Floyd asked for his pieces to be carried cuz he got lazy 😭, and then Stitch appears to help Jack carry the wood
Riddle is still curious about Gantu's minions attaking them from left and right, but they gathered enough parts to get Stitch's spaceship repaired
That's when Stitch found a place for them to set up the shelter in Shore Island Beach, which is fit for them. There were also big shells that can be used as plates but Floyd suddenly didn't wanna help. Turns out the big shells were actually hermit crabs, and Floyd just wanted to mess with them
Now let's focus on Lilia's group, who's in charge of food and water (I am sensing something bad is gonna happen). Lilia just wants to play by the beach but Azul and Ace are just stopping him from getting sidetracked 💀
Lilia also suggested that they look for drinking water for hydration, in which Azul agrees and then Ace thought that Lilia was gonna go to the beach to get some water but Lilia tells him that seawater isn't good for drinking
But it turns out Lilia did some strolling around the island last night and found a waterfall which is close to the forest. Once getting to the location, the group is relieved to find drinking water. It also reminded Lilia of his past, he then prepares a pot to boil water and asks both Ace and Azul to keep an eye on the pot. When asked why, Lilia answers that he and Stitch will look for ingredients to make soup (oh no)
While they're doing that, Ace gets bored and asks Azul if the water is ready yet, and Azul replies that it's not. Ace was planning to tempt Azul into swimming in the waterfall, but Azul isn't gonna fall for thaf easily
Stitch and Lilia come back, with the alien carrying various fruits, but there as a golden fruit Lilia picked up which surprised Ace and Stitch. When Azul tried the said fruit, he nearly died 😭😭😭; and Ace and Stitch start to panic when Lilia offers them the fruit
Yuu and Grim find Lilia's Group with Azul still on the floor and was gonna ask Ace what happened to him until Lilia butts in asking if they want a taste of the fruit but Ace is like "no don't" and once again you're given more choices. If you wanna fuck with Ace and choose to try the golden fruit, Ace panics and tells you to go for the banana instead
Next: Part 2
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