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lelu3 · 10 months

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I have ranked all the Ted Lasso episodes from my favorite to least favorite and wrote some of my thoughts on each one. Spoilers ahoy. Feel free to disagree and tell me I'm a moron in the notes, but don't fight with each other.

Rainbow--My favorite episode. Absolutely as good as the series gets. Highlights are Ted's unending positivity and the the romcom themes mapping surprisingly seamlessly onto this football office dramedy. Make Rebecca Great Again--The introduction of so many things I love about the series: focus on Ted's mental health, Sassy, Rebecca taking steps toward getting over Rupert, Hannah Waddingham's singing voice, Keeley and Roy. That final sequence is just a masterpiece. No Weddings and a Funeral--The THEMES, man. Juxtaposing Ted and Rebecca's relationships with each of their fathers. The team showing up to support Rebecca. Rupert being slimy. This episode has it all. So Long, Farewell--Admit it, you cried. I cried too. I have some quibbles with this one, but all in all it was the most satisfying ending we could have had Mom City--You know I like me some Ted and his mental health. The "thank you, fuck you" scene encapsulated kids relationships with their parents. This one is just very personal for me. Man City--This is such a wham episode. Roy hus Jamie and my heart explodes, Ted admits to Sharon that his father killed himself and my heart explodes again. I may be in the minority, but I also really liked Rebecca and Sam. Also, who doesn't love Roy and his interactions with Phoebe? Sunflowers--A series of isolated stories that really come together into something special. Highlights include Trent and Colin bonding over their sexuality, Jamie and Roy bonding in general, and the Flying Dutchman. Also holy shit, Ted actually successfully does his job for the first time. Two Aces--A nice, solid episode. Dani is a treasure. Beard's "WE SHOULD DO THIS PART OUTSIDE" makes me laugh every time. I've never disliked Rebecca more than in this episode (in a good way). Tan Lines--Ok, real talk, Ted's toxic positivity would be WAY too much for anyone, and it was really nice to see divorce as a necessary thing that can happen. Henry is adorable. Trent Crimm: The Independent--Trent is in my top 3 favorite characters in the series. In contrast to the previous episode, Ted's positivity is on full glorious display in this one. Watching him be slowly figure out Ted is genuine is a joy to see. Phoebe and Roy are adorable. (I Don't Want to Go to) Chelsea--Another Trent episode. I really like Roy coming to grips with his self-doubt and Trent realizing how much her hurt Roy. As much as I dislike them later, Shandy and Zava's introductions are actually pretty successful. Inverting the Pyramid of Success--Another solid episode. Watching Nate implode was heartbreaking, but seeing the team win was amazing. Nick Mohammed is a really amazing actor. Midnight Train to Royston--We're reaching the point of the series where all I have to say is "really solid episode". I liked Edwin Akufo in this one and I felt his blow up was actually really funny, as was Sam and Rebecca's conversation at the end where Sam is talking to "Ted". Beard After Hours--Yeah, I'm in the minory that liked this one. Beard's weird night fits his personality perfectly. I really liked how off-the-wall this one was. For the Children--Rupert's real introduction! Keeley breaking up with Jaime! Accountability matters! Ted seeing through Rupert's bullshit! What's not to like? Pilot--A nice, solid episode that sets up the plot as well as the series' themes. International Break--There are things I like in this one, like Rebecca's speech and Jaime wearing Sam's number and Nate FINALLY starting to take accountability, and "those children are dead, Rebecca", but it also has Edwin Akufo who was DEFINITELY never utilized well. The Hope that Kills You--Another really solid episode that foreshadows Nate's downfall. It's sad seeing the team lose, but the actual football match was well done. The Signal--Watching Roy rise to the challenge of being a coach is awesome and there are some small points I really like about this one, but I gotta be honest; I was never terribly invested in Jaime. Also the Beard/Higgins/Jane plot is weird and I get second-hand embarrassment from Rebecca's mom. The Diamond Dogs--The debut of the Diamond Dogs and the darts match can't really save this middling episode. It's ok. Higgins quitting and Keeley getting angry at Rebecca feels like set-up for something that didn't quite pay off as well as I wanted it to. Buiscuits--Another solid, middle of the road episode. This one suffers for not being particularly memorable, but it doesn't do anything particularly offensive, either. La Locker Room Aux Folles--As sweet as the locker room scene is, this one is brought down by Isaac making Colin's coming out about himself and Ted comparing being gay to being a Broncos fan. Also, I looked up the Broncos on my phone after this episode and now I keep getting notifications about them? I don't even watch football (any of them). No, putting a lampshade on the Broncos doesn't make it better. We'll Never Have Paris--I know a ton of people hated this one, but I kinda liked it. Ted being neurotic about Michelle and Jake felt natural to me and Beard's conversation with Henry made my heart melt. On the other hand, this series REALLY handled Jake poorly. The stuff with the leak brings it down, though. Do the Right-est Thing--This one is fine. Nora is fine. The Dubai Air thing is fine. This one just kinda suffers from being unremarkable. Carol of the Bells--Super sappy with just enough pathos that I don't mind. It sure is a Christmas episode. Lavender All Apologies--The confession scene sure is good. So is Roy and Keeley's scene in the locker room. Fun fact, a gif of Rebecca and Rupert's conversation in this one is what got me to watch the series. Other than that, it kind of feels like another one that isn't all that remarkable. Goodbye Earl--The dog dies. Ted is weird about therapy despite desperately needing some. The cartoon dream sequence was weird as hell. Another pretty middling one. Smells like Mean Spirit--Another pretty eh one. I wasn't crazy about Roy and Keeley breaking up. I don't remember too many funny moments in this one either. Headspace--Ted's story with Sharon just kind of frustrates me and I get a LOT of second-hand embarrassment from Roy and Keeley's deal. Signs--Hate it. Hate Shandy. Hate Rebecca visiting the fertility clinic because of the psychic. Hated Nate's date. Hated Zava and his pointlessness. Really fucking hated Jack. Big Week--The entire episode we're waiting for Nate to approach Ted and it never happens. Ted talking to Michelle at the end is not nearly enough for me to show that Ted is expressing his anger in a healthy way rather than repressing it. Rebecca dressing Rupert down was pretty good, though. 4-5-1--Hate it. Hate how no one is paying attention to Ted's obvious spiral. Hate the green matchbook and the psychic thing. Hate Dr. Jacob. Trent catching Colin and walking away to "Everybody Knows" is the one bright spot. The Strings that Bind Us--The worst one bar none. The red strings felt like a joke Roy would make that Ted and Beard would shut down because it's INSANE. Jamie potentially losing his dick was such a stupid, sophomoric joke. I hate Keeley and Jack and their whole deal. I don't give a shit about Jade. Sam vs. the bigotted Cabinet member felt like it could have been an ongoing thing, but it was dropped after one episode. The only bright spot is Ola, but he's not enough to save it.

#Ted Lasso

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crow-the-unknown · 1 year

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Killing Strangers - an Avalanche mob/gang AU from multiple POVs (first three are Nate, Cale, and then Gabe's)

The rain was heavy and loud in Nate’s ears, the noise of the road dimmed by the alley. He hissed in a breath and touched lightly at his side, it came away deep red for a moment before the rain washed it away. He was so screwed. Gabe was gonna kill him. Nate staggered underneath a doorway and let his legs give in. He felt lightheaded and the water was blurring his vision. Distantly, he thought he heard the shrill whine of a dog— but that might have been his imagination. He needed to stitch himself up, he couldn’t die here. Not like this.

At least if they found him, he’d get a nice funeral. Maybe one day Cale could find a way to forgive him for leaving too soon. Maybe he’d find someone new. Nate hoped so, the kid deserved that much. The neon world began to fade away. Nate fell into unconsciousness, alone and dreaming of him.

...

“Nate. Nate.”

Cale? Nate’s ears were ringing and he slowly blinked awake. He tried to sit up,but someone pushed him back. Nate’s vision cleared and Cale’s rosy face came into focus. Pain was a distant thing. Confusion struck. He was supposed to be dead. Why wasn’t he dead? What the hell? Once again Nate tried to sit up despite clearly being injured. He struggled against Cale’s hold.

“Nate,” Cale scolded harshly and he rolled his eyes. “Nate, you stubborn bastard, just sit still,” he huffed.

Nate stopped, settling for resting back on his elbows even though it was incredibly uncomfortable. He had no clue where he was. The room was dimly lit, and steel was cold beneath him. He glared at the wall, and Cale smiled a bit. A few quiet moments passed, the only sound was the faint shouting of voices down the hall and the buzz of the ceiling light. Absently, Nate registered one of the voices as Gabe’s. Nate turned to Cale, wincing as his side stung again. “Where are we?” he asked softly.

Cale looked around, making sure they were alone purely out of instinct and not worry. He took a seat beside the metal table Nate was laying on and ran his hand shakily through his messy brown hair. He adjusted his suit jacket and touched at his peach fuzz nervously. “Downtown. A few blocks away from where I found you,” responded Cale.

God, Cale sounded so tired and worried. Nate felt a stab of guilt over giving him a scare like that. He shouldn’t have gone out on his own. He was lucky to be alive. Well, he wouldn’t be if Cale hadn’t followed him. Nate owed him. Nate didn’t suspect just an apology would do either.

“Gabe tracked down the guys we were after. He’s… dealing with them now,” insinuated Cale with a notable look at the door, his voice becoming laced with something dark.

“Did they have the…?” asked Nate, knowing Cale would have an answer.

Cale looked down at the floor, brows furrowed. He didn’t seem disappointed, just pissed. “No,” he replied with a small shake of his head. “They’re getting what’s coming to them, though.”

Nate flung his legs over the table, sitting up tentatively. He held up a hand to signal he was okay when Cale immediately looked up, expression wary. Nate searched Cale’s frustrated features. “Gabe tell you to back off?”

Cale just barely managed a laugh and he shrugged. He moved a bit too mechanically, swaying side to side a bit and he stood. Cale readjusted his watch absentmindedly. The face was fractured, but Nate knew why he still wore it. It was a symbol of why Cale was here in the first place. A reminder. Only Nate knew the full story. “Yeah. Yeah he did. Sent me to come look after you once Pavel finished stitching you up.”

“He’s giving them the right treatment, don’t worry.”

“Oh, I know.” Cale helped Nate to his feet. “But I would have given them hell on a platter. I would have given them even worse than they deserved for you.”

Nate grinned, and it was a cruel, bright thing. He laughed faintly, gripping his wounded side again as it ached. “I know you would have, Cale. I think that’s why he stopped you.”

They turned down the fluorescent-green lit hall, Nate leaning heavily on Cale for support. The shrieking got louder with each step. Halfway to the next set of doors Cale announced out of the blue, “You almost died, Nate. You know that? Pavel barely saved you in time… you—” Nate winced at the way Cale’s voice caught— “you were barely even breathing when I got you to Pavel. I felt you slip away in my arms…”

Cale drew in a sharp breath and Nate’s chest tightened in guilt. Nate looked up to him, brows raised with sympathy. Cale readjusted himself so that Nate didn’t slip from his hold. He sniffed and used his free hand to wipe at the corners of his eyes. Nate looked down again and pursed his lips. “I— I’m sorry.”

“I know you are,” agreed Cale quietly, but his voice was not forgiving.

The twenty-four year old pushed through the doors and immediately the screams of men pierced the air. Cale’s expression was firm set, his eyes cold and unloving as he brought Nate in. Gabe was standing in a single beam of light before a chair. Nate could see the blood dripping from his hands. Steel glinted in the light, and the doors slammed shut behind them. Nate gave Gabe a cheeky, short lived smile as his boss’ cruel profile turned to him. “Gabe,” greeted Nate blankly.

“Nate.” Gabe’s jaw ticked, and he dipped his head curtly Nate’s way. Then, he turned back to his work without so much as a word. Nate took a seat and watched the show with the others, satisfaction easing his pain like a tonic.

***

Cale should have known Nate would leave on his own. They’d all been at the meeting Gabe had called, sat in their wide circle to discuss. A group of guys had been infringing on their borders and smuggling supplies out of their warehouses, which Cale knew would only look worse on paper should things go… south. The same guys they’d suspected had also broken into one of their safehouses and stolen various important papers and valuables. They’d become a big problem, so Gabe had rallied all the guys to a discreet location and they’d made plans. Their big guys— men like Valeri, Nate, and Kurtis— would deal with the dirty stuff. Meanwhile someone like Cale would go under the radar, work in secret, just like any other job. Things like this tended to get messy, but Cale didn’t mind so long as they stuck to their assignments.

Nate had not stuck to his assignment. They weren’t even supposed to be going out that night, especially not alone. Nate was usually smart enough to at least bring back up, but lucky for him Cale could tell exactly what the twenty-seven year old was planning. The second Gabe had gone through what he wanted, with Erik offering obvious solutions to the boss’ problems as usual, Cale had seen how tense Nate got. He’d noticed the way his jaw ticked, the way he sat up, and the way his eyes glinted with ambition. Cale was trained to notice things like that.

Gabe had called their meeting to a close and the guys all paired off, laughing with each other and making plans to go out and have some fun. It was painfully obvious to see Nate break off on his own and Cale had gone straight to Gabe. He’d caught the Swede just as he was about to walk through the doors to his exit. “Landy,” he hissed, voice urgently quiet.

“Cale?” Gabe replied warily, voice instantly dropping that authority he led meetings with as his brows furrowed with genuine concern.

Cale pulled him off to the side behind a tall pillar. “It’s Nate.”

Gabe sighed and rolled his eyes, unsurprised yet still concerned.

“I’m going to trail him. I think he’s headed west to his spot where he last… Well,” Cale looked around, best stay careful, “you know. Will you get some of the guys to come with? He might need them if things get scrappy.”

Gabe redid his maroon suit’s button and adjusted his deep red tie against the stark black dress shirt he wore. Only he wore things like that. It was a symbol of his status. Some stories said his suits had started off white and the blood he’d had to shed to get to the top was stained into what he wore. Gabe embraced the stories though— despite their untruthfulness—, because they worked. No one messed with their group, and Gabe was a huge reason for it. The nicknames they gave him didn’t even begin to scrape the surface of what Gabe was really capable of. Cale had seen what the man could do, the lengths he’d go to get a job done… it was cruelly fascinating. And in some sick, twisted way, Cale couldn’t help but respect him.

Gabe snapped Cale back to the matter at hand with his response, “Oh, Cale. You don’t need backup when you have me.”

The conversation ended there and Gabe was already headed to the weapons room. Cale shook himself out of it and rushed out the exit. He hurried down the steps and searched the street. Which route would you take, Nate? The answer was near instant. Nate’s recognizable figure was standing by the road, waving for a taxi. Cale stayed out of the sidewalk and watched from behind the building’s gate. He hesitated, watching closely as Nate got into the taxi that had pulled up. It started heading west. Cale smiled faintly despite the anxiety in his veins. He was right. Nate was so stupid.

Cale immediately turned down the next alley and took the fastest route he knew. He was going to kill that man. Cale pulled out his phone and typed quickly as he walked. He sent Gabe a single word, knowing that his boss would know exactly where to go. Luckily enough, Cale wasn’t too worried about walking there. The spot Nate was going wasn’t too far from the building they’d met at, and Cale trusted Nate just enough to know he could handle himself just fine. This of course, excused nothing, but it at least managed to calm Cale’s worries a little bit. Well, that and also the fact that he’d placed a tracker on Nate because of the last time he’d run off on his own— per Gabe’s orders.

It’d been a couple months ago, and the stakes weren’t nearly as dire as this. Some guys from one of the other upcoming gangs, one a lot smaller than the one they were dealing with now, were causing trouble and Gabe had wanted a group to go out and deal with them. Simple stuff at first, just talk and a few threats. That usually worked with the reputation their gang held. Gabe still wanted multiple guys, however, just in case things got frisky. It was the smart move, one Cale had suggested. Yet, Nate had gone off on his own.

All Cale remembered was being worried sick for almost three hours as they searched and waited for Nate to come back. When he had, he’d been bloody and battered. Pavel had stitched up stab wounds and cuts, and his body had been wildly bruised. Apparently they’d underestimated the threat, but all Nate seemed willing to say was that they had still gotten it way worse. Cale shook his head to himself, trying to keep a steady pace as he weaved behind buildings and watched Nate’s location. It had slowed, a good sign that Nate was now on foot and no longer speeding ahead in a taxi.

Rain began to pour and Cale slid his phone into his pocket. He stopped, listening attentively. This area was less populated, more bars and underground clubs than busy streets and sidewalks packed with consumers. Cale straightened. He thought he heard… no. Cale’s heart sank in his chest as the echo of a gunshot floated through the air, a cruel melody. Cale was running before he could think anything of it, he pushed through anyone that was in his way as he frantically looked up and down alleys for Nate’s figure. Please don’t let it be him, don’t let it be him, Cale’s mind screamed.

Down the street he saw a group of about five guys, laughing and chatting amongst each other as they walked up the stairs to a bar. Cale saw from a distance that one of them had a tattoo on his neck and rage sparked. It’s them. Cale dialed Gabe and talked as he ran, now going with purpose to the alley he’d seen the men coming out of. “Hey, I found the guys,” Cale began shakily, “they’re downtown at the Ambrosia—”

Cale skidded to a halt at the entrance to the alley and his phone clattered to the concrete. Cale didn’t care. Nate was yards down, slumped underneath a doorway and bleeding. Cale forced his legs to move and he scrambled to Nate’s side. He’d never seen him so hurt… a clear sign that Nate hadn’t known what he was getting into. God, there was so much blood. Cale shook Nate by his shoulders a bit. “Nate.”

Hope fled as fast as a flint struck spark. Cale’s chest felt heavy, his heart sinking like a stone. He searched desperately for Nate’s pulse. It was there, but fading. Cale drew in a sharp breath and collected himself. Act like this is just another job. Just get him to Pavel’s place. He’s the nearest medic we have… Cale heaved Nate as gently as possible to his feet. Nate’s eyes fluttered open for a moment and Cale breathed the barest sigh of relief. He was alive. “Okay, Nate, I need you to walk. Just move your legs a bit, I’m taking you to Frankie,” he instructed gently.

Nate didn’t seem to hear him, he groaned and Cale winced at the thought that he could be hurting Nate even more, but he followed what Cale asked. Cale breathed shakily, looking up into the rainy sky. “Thank you.”

The trip felt so much longer than it really was. Every so often Nate would slip, and Cale would have to rest him against a wall and tear more from his suit to press against Nate’s shot wound. Then he’d heave him back up and stagger forward, keeping in the dark alleys and streets where there was no one to bother them or ask questions. Cale did his best to ignore the way Nate got limper in his hold and started leaning more heavily on Cale. He couldn’t die here, Cale refused to let that happen. He’d drag Nate back from hell if he had to.

Finally after what felt like hours, Cale was finally at Pavel Francouz’s doorstep. The response was immediate, Pavel had helped Cale take Nate in and then he’d gone to work. It’d been awful to watch. Nate had been completely still. It was terrifying. He’d lost so much blood, it was everywhere. After about half an hour Gabe had showed up and Cale had let him in. Behind him followed Val and Kurtis and Mikko, each shoving a beaten man through the hall. Gabe led, his knuckles bruised and his lip cut but other than that there was no sign he’d even been hit. The boss leaned on the doorway, looking into where Pavel had Nate. “Where can we take them?” he asked, catching the medic’s attention.

“Down the hall there’s a room that should do just fine. You calling together a show?” Pavel questioned simply, not looking away from working on Nate’s wounds.

Gabe smirked, drumming his fingers on the doorframe. His gaze landed on Nate and his jaw set into place, his eyes glinting with something dark and cold and brutally unforgiving. He looked away and nodded at his guys, signaling for them to go ahead where Pavel instructed. “Yeah, yeah I am. You good with the visitors?”

“Of course,” said Pavel pleasantly. “Always am.”

“Good man…” Gabe praised and went silent, staring at Nate’s still body. “Will he be alright?” he asked softly, the words barely a whisper.

Cale knew the feeling. Gabe had been the one to take Nate in when Nate had been lost, searching for a job, and angry. He’d taught him how to hold his own in a fight. He’d taken a lonely and vengeful kid and turned him into the monster he needed to be. In some ways, Nate was akin to a son for Gabe. Cale understood his pain. He didn’t want to see the person he loved most in this state either.

“He’ll be okay. He can’t die on us that easy,” Cale replied with a small laugh, though his chest only tightened more.

Pavel stepped away and looked at Gabe. “I did my best. He lost a lot of blood, though. He was gashed pretty deep in his side and the shot went through his shoulder… I—” he paused, wringing his hands together, and repeated, “I did my best.”

Gabe nodded. “I know. Thank you.”

Cale stopped Gabe before he could go. The Swede turned to him, giving him an almost warning look in response to Cale’s pleading eyes. “Cale, think about your priorities before you speak.”

Cale felt a wave of embarrassment and dull, tired-made anger wash over him. He wasn’t a child. In fact, he was a very calculated person. He always thought about what he said. He was frankly offended that Gabe would assume he wasn’t thinking straight. Maybe he wasn’t. “I want to deal with them, Gabe. Let me give them hell for what they did.”

Gabe was unfazed. “You need to watch him. I can deal with them just fine.”

“It’s my boyfriend that’s laying on that table on the verge of death, Gabe,” Cale snapped. “Let me hurt them like they hurt him. Do you honestly think I’d hesitate?” he challenged.

Gabe leaned in, voice steady but commanding, “Cale. Let it be. Nate needs you, and you know it. Now let me handle this, you’ll get your fun in time. Just be patient.”

Cale looked down at his feet, cheeks deep red. He turned away and took a seat next to Nate. “Fine. Now go have your fun. I’ll be here.”

Gabe gave him one last lingering look and Cale took Nate’s barley warm hand in his own. He didn’t even need to look up to know Gabe had gone. Pavel took off his gloves and slung his medical bag over his shoulder.

“Cale, I— I know this must be hard for you. I’m pretty new here, but I just want to say that he should be alright. He just needs to take it slow. Whenever he wakes up, get him water and bring him into where I sent Gabe. There’s food there, and he’ll need the nutrients to regain his strength given how much blood he lost. I’ve dealt with things like this before, so come to me if you need anything, alright?”

Cale nodded and said, “Thanks, Frankie. You’re too good to us. I appreciate it, though. I don’t know what I’d have done if I’d lost him. You saved his life.”

Pavel smiled, dipping his head gratefully. “I know.”

Cale laughed and shook his head. The rain began to slow outside, and the night calmed. Cale rested his head in his free palm, other hand still in Nate’s. The twenty-seven year old’s chest was now rising and falling more regularly, labored but getting better. That was a good sign. Cale sighed as he rubbed his thumb over Nate’s bruised, bloody knuckles. It was going to be a long night.

***

It had been a long, long time since Gabe had felt rage quite like this. That white hot, everlasting flame that consumed everything and left nothing behind. The kind that only translated to the language Gabe loved more than words: violence. Untamed, wild, ceaseless violence. Violence that often made him feel more animal or machine than human. There could be no shame, just precision. Just intent.

He’d stormed into that bar alone, and immediately The Ambrosia had gone quiet. It wasn’t a rowdy bar like most of the clubs around here. It was rustic, a place for deals to be discreetly made or bets to be waged. This one one of the only spots downtown someone could go that was quiet. The interior design was based on Greek architecture— a nod to the name “Ambrosia”. All eyes turned to Gabe. At the end of the bar five large men who’d been talking and drinking went silent. Gabe’s gaze landed on the large tattoo on one of their necks and he adjusted his suit calmly. The bartender broke the tense silence, “Careful, Näken.”

Gabe nearly smiled at the name. At least this man had the decency to give him a name in the proper language. Gabe cracked his neck and strode towards the group of men. He looked slightly up at the man with the tattoo who was only an inch or so taller than he was. Gabe tapped his index finger on the bar and instantly the bartender slid a glass of whiskey to him. Without breaking eye contact with the men, Gabe downed the drink and cleared his throat. The room was eerily silent.

From behind Gabe, the bell on the door of The Ambrosia rang loud and clear. He didn’t need to look away to know it was his men. He’d called them just before getting to The Ambrosia, and all he’d needed to do was give himself some time that his reputation served just well. Finally, Gabe spoke, “One of my own is dying because of you.”

Gabe threw his first blow into the gut of the tattooed man with as much composure as he could muster and the man bent double. The rest of his group surged forward, but Gabe held up a hand and surprisingly they stopped, confused. Gabe finished his statement, “One of my own is dying because of you… that doesn’t happen.”

And then it was on. Gabe let his muscles do the talking, let his natural instinct take over as he fought. When one man lunged, he ducked and immediately had the advantage again. Next thing he knew, he and Mikko were back to back. Val had already handled one of them and was working on heaving the man, barely conscious, to his feet and out the door. Kurtis was facing off against the tattooed man. Gabe drew his attention back to the matter at hand and together he and Mikko brought down the other two men.

After several thrown punches, Gabe loomed over the last man still conscious, watching curiously as he tried to crawl away. Suddenly, the man turned, picked up a fallen glass of drink, and threw it past Gabe’s head. He turned sharply away, dodging most of the impact. Blood began to seep from a cut in Gabe’s lip where the glass had actually caught, but the sting was nonexistent. He smiled faintly and licked away the blood, teeth bright white against the stark red bubbling on his lip. The man looked up at Gabe, terrified, as the Swede crouched before him. Then, before he could even get out a single syllable of an insult, Gabe drew back his fist and knocked the man out cold.

Gabe stood and shrugged off his suit jacket, throwing it over one of the barstools. He motioned for Mikko to take the men outside and pulled up a bottle of bourbon. He took two ice cubes from the bowl next to him, and calmly poured himself a glass. Gabe downed it, put two coins on the table haphazardly, and exited The Ambrosia. He neatly folded his suit jacket over his arm, embracing the rain and the cold. Then, he readjusted his tie and met the others back in the car. Gabe rode with Mikko and Val, meanwhile Kurtis drove separately with the rest of Nate’s unconscious attackers.

The drive was silent and tense. Any spark of excitement that had come with the fight had long since died. The weight of Nate’s unknown condition was heavy in the air. Even Mikko, who usually brought some fun to dull scenarios, was quiet. Gabe stared out the window and tried to shove his thoughts away, but all he could see was Cale’s bright, cracked screen on the concrete and the blood on the door where Nate had been. They pulled up to Pavel’s and Gabe was quick to get out of the car.

Mikko pulled smelling salts out of his pocket and handed them to Val, who took them and broke them before waving them under the men’s noses. They both jolted awake and together Mikko and Val helped them out of the car. At least they were smart enough not to resist. Maybe they thought that if they cooperated they’d escape their fate. They were wrong.

Kurtis was already there, waiting patiently with the other men they’d fought. Gabe strode towards him, peering closely at the man with the tattoo on his neck. He grit down on his teeth a bit, brows furrowing with an untouchable anger. They’re Bolts, Gabe recognized, finally getting a close look at the ink on the man’s neck. Great. Just great.

Everything else after that passed in a blur. Next thing Gabe knew he was standing in a circle of light, being watched intently by the others. Distantly, Gabe might have remembered a conversation with Cale and Frankie. But the only clear, jarring thing he could recall was Nate laying still on a metal table. Gabe’s grip on his blade tightened and he pressed it faintly into the skin of the tattooed man’s forearms. He let out a high pitched whine through gritted teeth and Gabe closed his eyes, pressing further. Then the man began to scream and beg.

“It was just a job!” he sobbed but Gabe paid him no heed.

Gabe made a deep slash across the man’s cheek. Then he stepped back, leaning on his heels as he laughed. “Just a job,” mocked Gabe, running his hand through his hair at the absurdity. “‘Just a job’ he says. Things like this are never just a job.Nate nearly died because of you. I don’t let things like that slide.”

Suddenly, the man received a rush of confidence— a very poor decision on his part— at Gabe’s threat and he sneered, “It was his fault anyway! You’d really think someone under the Näken’s wise teachings would know better. I’d be disappointed too. He might not even make the night in the state we left him—”

Gabe had the man pulled up by his collar within seconds, blade twisting deep in his side. Gabe relished the silent, open mouthed shriek the man let out and he met eyes with the Bolt, cold blue on deep brown. Gabe leaned in and hissed quietly into the dying man’s ear, “You know… you’re lucky he’s alive. If he wasn’t I assure you, your death would be much slower than this. Consider this a gift.”

The tattooed man’s features contorted with deep pain and Gabe let him go. He slumped against the chair and after several tense moments he went still. Blood began to drip on the floor, Gabe’s hands were wet. He drew in a sharp breath and calmly readjusted his suit. Gently, Gabe pulled the man off the chair and he crumpled in a heap to the floor. Without needing to be told, Kurtis moved forward and took the body away. Distantly, Gabe heard Mikko going to grab the next.

“Wait,” spoke out Gabe and the Fin paused. Gabe undid his tie and threw it across the room and he removed his suit jacket, leaving only his button up and the deep red vest. “Call up the others. Why waste the chance at entertainment?”

Mikko nodded curtly and replied, “Yes, boss.”

Gabe turned to Val. “Go find Frankie and ask him if there’s chairs somewhere. I’m going to check on Nate.”

“Of course, Landy…” Val began and after a few moments asked softly, “Will he be alright? I didn’t see much, but—” the Russian struggled to find the right words— “he looked not good.”

Gabe fell silent. The weight of reality came crashing back. This wasn’t normal, there had never been a hunger for revenge quite like this. Not that revenge wasn’t justified before, it was just that the situation had never been so dire. Nate was dying. That never happened. But here Gabe was, ignoring his closest friend and resorting to the only thing he knew; violence. He shoved away the pang of guilt he felt at that.

“I don’t know.”

“Oh. I— I’m sorry then. I know Nate means lots to you. He does to all of us.”

Gabe nodded, picking up what really mattered from what Val was saying through his thick accent. He hastily turned and strode down the hall. It couldn’t have been more than an hour since he’d last visited, but frankly Gabe didn’t care. Every dull moment was replaced with worry over Nate. He felt a hot wave of embarrassment come over him. He was so stupid. Nate would live, so why was he so anxious? He was supposed to be the collected one, the one that let his fists do the talking or the one that smoothly and deftly executed a complicated deal. He wasn’t supposed to lose it over something as simple as Nate being an idiot and getting himself into trouble again.

“Gabe?” Cale’s voice snapped him from his thoughts abruptly.

Gabe drew in a sharp breath and rubbed at his eyes. He hadn’t even noticed the overwhelming dread and sadness that had made its way into his heart. Gabe’s cheeks flushed red slightly. At least it was Cale and not someone else that was witnessing his boss’ unraveling. Gabe could trust Cale the most out of everyone with something like his shame. That put Gabe at ease, if only a little bit, and he made his way as casually as possible to Nate’s side.

“I just wanted to check on him,” stated Gabe.

Cale could have responded with a sarcastic comment, pointing out how obvious it was that Nate was the reason Gabe ended up here. But he didn’t. Instead he replied the way Cale would. “I’m worried about him too,” reassured Cale.

“How’s he been?” Gabe asked, trying to ignore how much Cale’s kind response made him want to completely break down.

Cale absently gave Nate’s hand a squeeze and he shrugged a bit hopelessly. “He’s been okay… his breathing’s a lot better but it’s shallow. I think he should be alright, but I don’t know how Frankie feels about it. I’m not a medic, I’m just—” Cale laid his forehead onto his and Nate’s hands as if in prayer— “hanging on to any hope I have left.”

“I think we all are,” admitted Gabe. After a few moments Gabe shook his head with the barest laugh and he stated, “How could he be so stupid?”

Cale smiled faintly, but it looked forced.

“He knows better. If you hadn’t been able to follow him, he’d be dead right now… I mean, did you see the guys we brought in?”

Cale’s interest peaked, as if he’d completely forgotten the people responsible for Nate’s predicament in the first place, and he questioned, “No, who were they?”

“Bolts.”

The color drained from the twenty-four year old’s face for a moment. “Shit,” he cursed.

“Yeah… I don’t know. Hopefully this should send the message, but it might escalate. We’ll see how it goes as their guys turn up missing but with Nate out of the field our manpower will be weakened. We’re going to have to call up some guys if they’re going to keep infringing on our borders. We might be going to war.”

Cale looked away. Uncomfortable silence fell and Gabe felt a pang of guilt. He shouldn’t be talking about this, not here, not now. He was only making it all worse.He should know better, Cale was sensitive to things like this. Talk like this. “I’m sorry,” apologized Gabe, “I know it’s not the time. I was just speaking out whatever came to mind, I didn’t mean to seem insensitive.”

“No, you’re alright,” Cale interjected. “I was just thinking.”

Gabe didn’t miss the way Cale stared at his broken watch as he said it. It was a curious thing, that watch. Gabe never understood why he wore something broken— he’d assumed it had some value of course— but he’d never bothered to ask Cale why. All he knew was that Cale never took it off, or at least that was how it seemed. Just as Gabe was working up the nerve to ask, the doors to the building opened and the noise of the others floated down the hall.

Gabe straightened. “That’s the others. I— I’m going to go…” Gabe began as he stood. “And Cale?”

The twenty-four year old came to attention, snapped out of gazing longingly at Nate. “Yeah?” responded Cale.

Gabe’s hand paused on the door handle. “Thank you.”

Cale seemed to be caught off guard by the compliment, but he nodded and replied, “Of course.”

Gabe gave him the barest hint of a smile and closed the door behind him. He said his greetings to his men and led them down the hall, reset into the stern but relatable leader he had to be. Part of him felt bad for leaving Cale, but if he was being honest with himself he wanted to be the one to hurt those that had nearly killed Nate. Was it selfish? Yes. But Gabe couldn’t bring himself to care. Cale would get his time, if he wanted. Right now, Gabe was going to do what he did best: harm and maim and kill. Neither hell nor high water was going to stop him.

#colorado avalanche #nathan mackinnon #cale makar #gabriel landeskog #829 #692 #mens hockey rpf #hrpf #btw the title is actually a song #it's called Killing Strangers by Marilyn Manson and it's really good #you might recognize it if you're a John Wick fan #cos this is inspired by John Wick and also the Six of Crows duology #i highly recommend them both #anyways here's the first three parts i hope you like it lol #this is one of my current and long projects so updates will be many but possibly far in between #also 692 fic is in the works but idk how long it's gonna take me #ps: i can't wait to give georgie weapons in this lmao #one goalie medic and one goalie that gets to just fight someone #they're a duo your honor

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purpleplaid17 · 1 month

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Jess Watches // Mon 25 Mar // Day 180 Synopses & Favourite Scenes & Poll

The Newsreader (with mum) 2x01 Decision 87

It's one year on and Helen and Dale are now established as 'The Golden Couple of News'. It's Election Night 1987 - Hawke vs Howard. Competitor Geoff Walters is also making a comeback on a rival network.

The rampant sexism and expected submissiveness of women throughout was infuriating, but it makes very compelling tv. I just want to protect Helen and Noels from all the misogynist aresholes. I hope Dale and Robbo prove their love and loyalty to them.

The Patient (with mum) 1x03 Issues

Sam's desire to find a therapeutic solution grows as his inner struggle intensifies. Dr. Strauss brings a new variable into their sessions.

Why can't women sing at Jewish weddings? She had a lovely voice. And using Sam's mum to try and get him to stop murdering people would be an effective method on me because I'd do anything to help protect my mum. Not that I'd ever need a serial killer intervention. Not yet anyway. 👀🔪

Buffy the Vampire Slayer (rw) 3x15 Consequences

A homicide detective closes in on Buffy and Faith as he investigates the deputy mayor's death.

The gay goggles were ON this ep:

Buffy having a dream about Faith pushing her head down.

Cordelia bristling at Buffy calling her just a 'friend'.

Faith touching B's shoulder to guide her out of the library into an empty classroom in which they lock the door to talk.

"I know what you're feeling because I'm feeling it, too."

Them telling different stories about their night in Faith's apartment.

Buffy crying to Willow that Faith doesn't even care about what happened between them.

Buffy fumbling over her words as she comes out to Giles.

Buffy not wanting to hear how Xander slept with Faith.

Faith using Xander as a substitute for Buffy.

"Yeah, because you and me are such solid buds, right?"

"You can't handle watching me living my own way, having a blast, because it tempts you! You know it could be you!"

The heavy breathing and prolonged staring after Faith saves B's life.

Six Feet Under (rw) 2x01 In the Game

A drug-addicted actress dies from a cocaine overdose and leaves her fellow cast and crew members to set up the funeral.

Ruth trying to communicate better with her gay and lesbian (looks at Claire 👀) children is so endearing. She really is trying her best. And I knew it was only a matter of time before Nate unknowingly took the hidden ecstasy pill from the aspirin bottle. He was so tactile with everyone around him. To get to talk to his dad again and see Life and Death fuck nasty was a lot to process. For him and for me.

#the newsreader #the patient #buffy the vampire slayer #six feet under #polls #tumblr polls #jess watches #day 180

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kinetic-elaboration · 5 months

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November 30: More Six Feet Under

Extremely tired after work (what a surprise) so I took a long nap and then had a really hard time waking up so I jumpstarted my brain, dead-car style, with online discourse and now I’m REALLY awake but in a middle of the night way. So I’m watching Six Feet Under because I just love it so much and am impatient in my rewatch.

One thing that’s really striking to me this time, which I think is standing out because it’s been so long since I last watched and I could see it with sort-of fresh eyes, is the dysfunction of the Fishers. I mean obviously ‘dysfunctional family runs funeral home’ is basically the tag line of the series but I don’t think it was really obvious to me before in any kind of detailed way. This time, they seem so much unbearable (again, I say this with love). Part of I suppose is the cliché lack of communication: they’re definitely in the style of a stuffy NE family, physically located in California, who let issues simmer rather than talk them through. But that’s a bit simplistic and also not quite right because you know if characters never discuss issues than the audience can’t know about them, right? You can give characters confessionals outside of the family (Brenda, Keith), you can do fantasy sequences, you can include straight-up ghosts, but some things do need to be said, and are.

I think their true dysfunction stems from this default distrustfulness they have in each other. With Nate it’s obviously more complicated but kind of the default Fisher mode is assuming your family is always acting in bad faith. That’s my latest theory. Ruth is constantly assuming Claire must have some kind of very-special-episode-of-Blossom style Teenage Issue (eating disorder? Drugs???). When Nate casually explains he was at his girlfriend’s house last night, David—annoyed of course that he can’t as casually mention HIS partner like that—snaps that Nate is always oversharing ‘every little detail’ of his life. Part of this stems from the communication issues and the distances between them, especially with Nathanial and Nate because they are or have been physically absent, but to a lesser degree with the others: that they don’t really know each other, so they create personas for their own family and then ascribe motives and feelings to those personas. How Claire sees Nate as both a cool brother figure and a bit like the second-father who abandoned her. How Ruth sees Claire as the troubled teen and doesn’t go beyond that stereotype. But it’s also that the personas they pick and the characters they make up are often so hostile, so negative.

It sort of reminds me of DC Fontana talking about Journey to Babel and the ‘they aren’t a family’ quote, like what does it mean to ‘not be a family,’ you know? Is it fair to say the Fishers ‘aren’t a family’ at the beginning of S1?

#the year 2023 #2023: fandom thoughts #2023: six feet under

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chickadeewrites · 1 year

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In Loving Memory

May 15th, 2002.

“Let your mother know we'll be home for dinner, Nikki,” Nickolas said as he dropped his daughter off at the house after school. Nick and his two sons were never home after school. This was a special time for Nikki and Karen. Only if Karen was feeling well. More often than not the two females laid in Karen’s bed and watched movies till Nick and the boys bought dinner home. “And that I will be bringing home dinner,” he added just as Nikki jumped out of his '65 black Chevy truck. Nikki smiled at her father and brothers “Okay daddy.” she said as she shut the door and walked to the front door. She pulled out her keys and unlocked the door. Setting her bag down in the foyer “Momma!” she called out, expecting to hear her mother's voice in some area of the small four-bedroom home. When she didn't hear anything she went upstairs to her parent's room.

Peaking into the darkroom Nikki saw her mother laying on the bed. TV on, her eyes closed. “Hey, momma. I'm home,” she said, hoping to not startle her mother. Not a peep came from Karen. Nikki walked in and to the side of her bed “How are you feeling momma?” she asked softly as she looked at her mother. Something wasn't right. Her skin was grayer than normal. Tears started to well up in her green eyes. “Momma?” her voice cracked. She placed her hand on her mother's hand. “Wake up momma,” she said as tears started to stream down her face. She shook her mother, she could feel her cold skin through the pajamas. She didn't want to believe it. The doctor said she was doing fine. “Please, Momma,” she said softly. She looked around for her mother's phone and called her father.

“Hey, babe-”

“Daddy! It's momma.” Nikki cried into the phone. “She's cold and I can't wake her up,” she said as she just looked at her mother's lifeless body. Tears and snot running down her face. Nick was speaking to her, but Nikki didn't hear a word as the blood drained from her face. All she could do was fall to her knees, next to her mother's bed. Phone falling from her hand as she screamed in despair. It wasn't long before Nick and the boys came rushing into the darkroom. Nikki was vaguely aware of her father talking and one of her brothers taking her out of the bedroom and to the living room.

The next few hours were a blur. But Nikki was never alone. One of her brothers was always with her. Trying to get anything out of her. Trying to get her to speak to them. Even just nod. But all the small nine-year-old child could do was cry or stare off into space. All Nikki could picture was her mothers lifeless body lying peacefully in her bed.

May 20th, 2002

It had been five days since Karen passed in her sleep. Today was the funeral and Nikki still had barely spoken a word. Mostly the young girl just mumbled a response to whoever spoke to her. Her father and brothers watched her, making sure she didn't break down again. After the funeral, everyone went back to the clubhouse for the wake. All over were pictures of her mother and the family. And even some of Nate.. The room smelled of stale smoke and beer with the subtle hints of Jasmine, her mother's favorite flower. It was lovely. Everyone who ever knew Karen was in attendance. All the bikers and their families. All were trying to get Nikki to smile with their stories of her mother. Silly things she did as a child and teen. Telling her how her grandparents flipped out when she brought Nick home.

Nothing made her lips curve into her bright happy smile. Not even a twitch at the corner. All she did was sit in a chair and stare off into space. The tears had dried up days ago.

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abstracthappiness · 1 year

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microfiction, October 30 - November 5

The General was not impressed by her little rebellion. “You’re mine, Lorelei—I’ll see you dead before I let you leave.” “The last man who tried to own me said the same—he was a king, and nigh-immortal, and he still died cursing my name. You have no power over me.”

Lady Black emerges from the hollow tree; her dress the color of dirt, her hands stained red. She has come to read the stars, on behalf of some fae King, underground, sleeping. She speaks with her hands and her eyes. She rarely brings good news.

The jack-o’lantern grins and grimaces, flickering and flinching, come alive with Nate’s soul. “Don’t you miss me, Sadie?” it asks, in his familiar smoker’s rasp. “I guess not. After all, you’re the one who buried me in the pumpkin patch.”

Her Halloween ghost knocks, and she wishes she could stay in bed. The first person she touches today will drop dead and haunt her for the next year. “Trick or treat,” repeats in the corner—the last words of last year’s victim. She hates when it’s a kid.

The demon’s touch was possessive; his eyes full of greed. “I could give you everything you want. The moon, the stars, and all the planets besides.” “And all it will cost is my soul, right?” I’d heard this tale before. “Oh, so much more than just your soul.”

It was a small kindness, but she knew he was not kind. She had once watched the King feed a deer from his hand, only to snap its neck a moment later. He was a clawed hand inside a velvet glove; he was a shark in calm waters, always smelling blood.

He traced her lips, his thumb resting on top of the Cupid’s Bow curve. “Did you know this line is called the philtrum? Such an unlovely name for where an angel touched you.” “What should we call it when a demon touches there?” Her fingers graze the base of his horns.

You dislike the painting in your room, a portrait of an old woman—only she seems to be getting younger. Her eyes are shut in the daytime, open at night. Sometimes she holds a knife. You wake with fresh cuts on your arms. You sleep with matches under your pillow.

A young woman puts on her wedding dress, twirling like a princess. Motes of poisoned dust release from the lace, mixing with light and laughter. The wedding song shifts into a funeral knell. The maid of honor, a dressmaker, comforts the grieving groom.

A true magician never reveals his secrets—but a foolish one might underestimate his assistant. Find himself helpless in his own top hat, reduced to white fur and quivering nose. Held up by long ears to rousing applause. Never seen again—what a legend, what a legacy.

The gramophone was haunted, of course—she expected nothing less from an antique that Kyle brought home. But the strangest part was when he tried playing a record. Instead of Dizzy Gillespie’s trumpet, their grandmother’s voice starting speaking to them—warning them.

A pregnant girl appeared at the gate, begging for asylum. She was branded with the Duke’s mark, which made Pat nervous, but he didn’t argue with me. The Riders came for her two days later. Billy shot four dead before they scattered. Now we wait for a war.

The record spins, a gruesome ode dragged from the grooves. It echos around the house until everyone drops dead, hearts stopped. The man in black smiles, as the music reaches what festers within the walls. The house will be well fed tonight.

Everyone made fun of Tara’s brother for his constant flirtation with the moon; he even invited the heavenly body to prom. A person of ambiguous gender showed up at the dance, with glowing skin, silver hair—and eyes only for Sammy, holding out impossible silver roses.

The characters startled when their writer appeared, anachronistically dressed and waving a battered novel. “No, no, no! It’s right here, on page 394—the origin of the beast is occult in nature, not extraterrestrial—this is a fantasy, not science fiction!”

The fox capers for the children (sometimes stealing one away). It pilfers pies from windowsills, laughs with the crows. A local burned the fox’s tail to drive it off; that man dropped dead at the crossroads a fortnight later, face frozen in terror—red fur on his coat.

read more on twitter: kattra | prompts: vss365 / GothicMicro / vssNature / vssHalloween / vssHauntedHouse / whistpr / WeirdMicro / 2WordPrompt / flexvss / HorrorMicro / vssDaily / SciFiFri / SciFanSat

#microfiction #vss #flash fiction #writeblr #writing #my writing #kattra #original fiction #fiction #fantasy #horror #supernatural #paranormal #scifi #scribblings #spooky stories

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laughing-at-the-darkness · 3 years

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What's a series you loved but could never rewatch because it would be too painful

#i'll go first #travelers #six feet under #midnight diner #i think re experiencing what philip knew would break me #also given the current state of the world i don't recommend anyone watch travelers for your own mental health #could not watch nate's funeral again #i just saw a picture of a bowl of cat rice and started crying so that's a hard pass for md #honorable mention to the first season of AHS #my sister and i both lost it over what happened to violet #as im sure any survivor of a suicide attempt would concur

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andthatscanon · 3 years

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I am personally advocating that you make a list of Dair episodes that one can watch in order to watch their love story and pretend that they ended up together.

and im very happy to do so!!

i think the best way i could go about it is just listing all the episodes they have some kind of interaction (that i remember) and highlighting the ones i think you can't miss

SEASON 1

S01E01 - blair sees dan leaving with serena S01E02 - they are properly introduced S01E03 - ivy week S01E04 - one of the best episodes of the whole show, with hits like "she's everything i hate about the upper east side" and the hallway scene S01E05 - knight in shining armor dan coming to the rescue S01E08 - blair's bday and dan is at her party S01E09 - blair meets cedric (thanksgiving ep) S01E10 - dan goes to blair's for tea S01E11 - blair mentions cedric to serena S01E12 - dan goes to blair's for essay writing/partying S01E13 - dan lists blair as one of the reasons why he loves serena S01E15 - exchanging glances after the SATs S01E16 - "just who I hate to admit I was looking for" S01E17 - dan goes to blair's to ask about serena S01E18 - first time properly teaming up

SEASON 2

S02E01 - "the only thing lamer than dating dan humphrey is mourning dan humphrey" S02E02 - hand holding my beloved S02E03 - "a party hosted by blair waldorf, the biggest dan humphrey supporter in all of manhattan" S02E04 - “google ‘revenge’ you get blairwaldorf dot com” S02E05 - "the only person with fewer friends than you is dan humphrey, and at least his lame '90s dad likes him" S02E08 - "you have to decide what's most important to you: keeping your pride and getting nothing or taking a risk and maybe, maybe, having everything" S02E11 - "i tried 😊" S02E13 - bart's funeral + he carried the garment bag (and gives blair an eyeful) S02E15 - blair kicks dan's book S02E16 - handsome dan S02E17 - very sexually charged bathroom scene S02E18 - school play S02E19 - blair tells serena about dan and rachel in the costume closet S02E23 - dan walks in the group discussing gabriel's conning S02E24 - "i just spent ten seconds talking to you, so consider yourself repaid" S02E25 - blair gives dan a whole rant about his life, showing she was paying close attention

SEASON 3

S03E01 - teaming up again to save serena S03E02 - she asks him on a date!!! he takes her headband off!!!! S03E03 - blair finds a half-naked dan humphrey in her dorm room S03E05 - looking cute together during the rufly wedding S03E10- another play! S03E11 - they are sitting side by side during thanksgiving dinner S03E12 - dan tells blair about serena's accident S03E18 - i do think!!!! you deserve to be!!!!! with someone!!!! who makes you happy!!!! + when we open our hearts we can explore a world of love???????? and be pleasantly surprised by the people already in our lives??????? S03E19 - dan brings blair to a party so she can kiss someone S03E21 - another team up! we love to see it S03E22 - so say life is giving you signs!!!! + dan punching chuck

SEASON 4

S04E01 - blair asks serena if she made up her mind between nate and dan S04E02 - blair compares dan to a donut S04E03 - blair recounts serena dating history S04E04 - dan helps blair dig up dirt on eva S04E06 - dan and blair briefly talk while jenny is on her parson's interview S04E07 - dan sabotages blair's bday S04E09 - serena still hasn’t decided between nate and dan so blair gives her some advice S04E10 - another team-up to save serena (third time's the charm) S04E11 - road trip!!!! S04E12 - blair invites herself on a date with dan S04E13 - internship at w my beloved S04E15 - valentine's day is their holiday S04E16 - maybe it's better sometimes to just get what you need!!!! S04E17 - dan and blair individual entities, two proper nouns separated by a conjunction. or a comma, if mentioned in a list. which is rare, since we have nothing in common, and are, in fact, opposites. the kind of opposites who do not attract. most definitely not. no. the world just wasn't ready for a humphrey/waldorf friendship. it's been nice not being friends with you. let's not do it again sometime. S04E18 - kiss aftermath S04E19 - mini dan makeover + second kiss S04E22 - "there's a certain someone that might actually like the way she's painted. and im not talking about serena"

SEASON 5

S05E01 - "lonely boy learning three words, eight letters don't come out right when no one wants to hear them" S05E02 - you'll still have me!!!! 😭😭😭😭 S05E03 - blair turning to dan because she knew he was the only one who'd protect her from her own worst instincts!!!! 😭😭😭😭😭 S05E04 - hot book kiss S05E05 - "you’re the star of dan’s book" S05E08 - dan is in love with blair and even chuck can see it S05E10 - blair, once again, turning to dan. and dan, once again, putting her happiness first S05E11 - fake dairffair ep S05E12 - dan!!! wrote!!!! louis'!!!! vows!!!!! S05E13 - blair runs away with dan S05E14 - dairport! S05E15 - valentine's day is their holiday (pt ii) S05E16 - ANOTHER PLAY!!!!! EVERYBODY CHEERED!!!! S05E17 - I!!! TOLD!!! CHUCK!!!! HE!!! DOESN'T!!!! HAVE!!!! MY!!!! HEART!!!! ANYMORE!!!!! (you could stop watching here) S05E18 - dan and blair have sex all over ny S05E19 - dan makes blair feel like a princess (series finale, stop watching here) S05E20 - just pure domesticity. the married vibes in this episode are through the roof S05E21 - blair sabotages dan's award party thing and he comforts her S05E22 - opening scene my beloved (stop!!!! watching!!!! don't even continue the episode after that scene!!!!) S05E23 - "there is nothing I want more than to spend the summer right by your side" (i!!! told!!! you!!! to!!! stop!!!! watching!!!! - but seriously, stop right after their kiss at the loft, this is your last warning)

SEASON 6

what s6?

#asks #dan x blair #dair #dan humphrey #blair waldorf #gossip girl #sorry for taking so long #it took me a while to compile this list #it was fun tho!

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chainofclovers · 3 years

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Ted Lasso 2x9 thoughts

It’s no secret that I absolutely adore Coach Beard; he’s one of my favorite characters on the show, and he’s so well-written and well-acted that somehow I tend to be both perfectly satisfied with the details we see and truly curious to understand more about the way he thinks, what’s really happening re: his professional and personal devotion to Ted, where he comes from and where he’s going. I don’t need to know his name beyond the name he wants to be called, but I want to know why we don’t have any other names for him. And I don’t need him to be a bigger focal point of every episode, but I very much needed this episode’s world-exploding reminder that every single character on this show has a rich inner life, full of joys and troubles.

“Beard After Hours” is like a movie, but one that scatters its climaxes and puts off its resolutions...because it’s not a movie. It’s episode nine of a twelve-episode season of TV. When the episode ended, I felt this almost frantic “But he needed to break up with Jane for good before the end of the episode!” feeling. I was so pulled in by the idea of being able to tell an entire story in one night, of going on an odyssey alongside a complicated hero, that watching Beard and Jane find each other in that club felt as intense as the fact that we don’t know if Ted responded to Rebecca’s voicemail and we don’t know what’s going to happen with Rebecca and Sam and we don’t know who isn’t getting married and who is having a funeral in 2x10 (I mean, I have my strong suspicions, but still!) and we don’t know if Richmond will be promoted back to the Premier League. And on and on. I didn’t mind feeling desperate for the story to resolve even though I understood after thinking about it for ten seconds that of course it couldn’t resolve yet. Or ever. Or yet.

I’m a big fan of the TL episode recaps/reviews Linda Holmes writes for NPR, and I have to quote something from this week’s directly because it so perfectly explains my feelings:

The power of the scene where Beard dances in the club isn't that it's a beautiful romantic climax. It's that it's an explanation of why he cannot seem to extricate himself from this bad relationship. What makes the worst relationships so dangerous is that they have elements that feel good that are very hard to get elsewhere. Beard knows that; he tells it to God. What's concerning isn't that Jane makes the world seem more interesting; what's concerning is she's the only thing that does. That doesn't take away from the joy of the dancing; it just tells you that even happiness is complicated.

I love Holmes’ perspective here so much, because it articulates something I was struggling to figure out: how it can feel so legitimate, like such a (temporary but nonetheless powerful) relief, for Beard to find Jane in that club and to have this moment of euphoria as his night nears an end. How it is possible to experience that relief on behalf of a character while fervently wishing it could end differently, because it’s so clear from the abusive text messages and the toxic calls and the manipulative interactions that Jane is terrible to him and they’re terrible for each other. But Beard knows this. He knows it when he hugs Higgins in the parking lot after Higgins is honest with him in a way Ted and Rebecca and Keeley have not learned how to be, and he knows it when part of his prayer includes the clear articulation that Jane isn’t the cure for what “ails me.” He’s inching closer to greater self-knowledge just as Ted is.

And the two big resolutions that really, really needed to happen did. I didn’t know I needed Paul, Baz, and Jeremy to get to wrap up their own night out on the pitch at Nelson Road, but I did. It brought actual tears to my eyes. And the other resolution was Beard showing up with the other coaches’ coffees for their meeting to watch the game film. As interesting as it would have been to see what Ted would have done if Beard hadn’t shown up, I’m so, so glad that he did. He’s got a messed-up face and some truly epic pants on, but otherwise this is just Beard showing up for work, showing up for his friends. It was incredible to realize that Beard and Ted haven’t been exaggerating when they’ve referred to his sex-and-drug proclivities in the past. The night documented in 2x9 might have been particularly scary and violent and euphoric and awful and meaningful, but this type of all-night adventure isn’t a foreign concept for this guy. In all the other episodes of this show, when we see Beard we’re seeing someone who might have been out all night, who might have spent the hours the sun was down desperately pushing himself closer to whatever edges he could find.

I don’t really want to touch upon all the allusions in this episode. They are abundant, they are well-documented, and also I haven’t even seen the movie After Hours. I enjoyed this episode for its allusive qualities and I enjoyed this episode for what it was and I feel like I have to be at peace with the fact that I’m never going to pick up on every single reference on this show and that is okay.

So, yeah, if this entry on my tumblr dot com blog seems remarkably devoid of references and allusions, it’s not because I’m not into it but because I find it too overwhelming to actually write about.

Very into the Misplaced and Discovered box at the Crown and Anchor. (That’s what Mae wrote on the Lost and Found box at the pub, right? Whatever it is, it’s so funny.)

Beard hallucinating Thierry Henry and Gary Lineker was truly upsetting and a great indicator not only of how broken things are between the Richmond coaching staff right now but also how deep Beard’s self-loathing might go. If you’d asked me before Thursday if I thought Beard loathed himself, I would say no. That deepening of knowledge alone makes 2x9 worth it.

James Tartt and his friends in the alley. Such a nightmare. I go back and forth on how much of the night was real, and part of me has decided all of it is, short of the images of Henry and Lineker. (And even that is real to the extent that it was a way of articulating what was in Beard’s head.) But watching Beard in physical danger brought on by the same abuser who had him so upset in the first place. It was a lot.

I’m so excited that Paul and Jeremy and Baz got some spotlight this episode. It was so wonderful to see them out of the pub. I love that they ended up telling the Oxford snots who they really were. They got to see Beard going to bat for them and smoothing over the situation socially, and that actually made it more possible for them to end up being truthful about themselves. Because they have nothing to be ashamed of, and they deserved the magic of that night. (And for it to end on Nelson Road. Every feeling. Oof.)

I feel like I barely have anything to say about the trouser-mending lady or the many places Beard goes or his key-dropping or the nightmarish feeling of wanting to be home and being unable to be home. It all happened and we all watched it and again, it was a lot. But I do feel incredibly moved and fascinated by the fact that Beard very obviously still hasn’t been home when he brings in the coffee. He’s had to sleep at the club for Jane- and key-related reasons in the past, and this time it’s not that he’s slept there but it still feels like a kind of homecoming he was robbed of for the entire night. Ted and Roy and Nate are there. He’s gotten their coffee orders correct. Ted is growing and evolving (he wants to learn from what’s happened, he’s insisting upon it even when the others resist) but he’s done a really perfect (almost romantic in its loveliness) thing by presumably spending his evening following a breakdown of his own speeding up the game film to 10x speed and adding Benny Hill. Ted is not OK and Beard is not OK and Nate is not OK and Roy is pretty OK but could very easily be not OK because he’s just joined a coaching staff with a whole lot of not OK. But they all showed up.

I am very into the realism of the lights being off in the club other than the coaches’ office (@talldecafcappuccino pointed this out!), and the way we’re seeing their desks from a different angle because this episode is unfocused on Ted. It really added to the mindset of being hungover and exhausted and unable to go home or even to know exactly what home should be; even this warm, familiar place feels off even as it’s a relief to be back there.

I am excited to return to our regularly scheduled programming with the full cast of characters, but I really adored this episode for what it taught us about Beard and what it illuminated about the humor, pain, and complexity of each person who inhabits this universe. Beard may not be loud about his long-standing beliefs or about the things he’s learned, but there’s a lot happening in there and I appreciated getting to spend 43 minutes with him and (in the case of the ticket he scrawls on a piece of paper so the pub guys can get into Nelson Road) the moments he sets in motion.

#ted lasso #ted lasso s2 spoilers #ted lasso 2x9 #meta by me #a lesbian watches ted lasso #coach beard

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theliterarybeldam · 2 years

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Euphoria Finale Time, I already saw shit on this app, I’m not ready to cry

Not Faye doing that shooshing thing like that

Custer I’m ready to murder you, but Ash beat me to it 😭

“Thank goodness we didn’t have a gun to shoot back” bruh 😭

“I don’t wanna Google the scraps. I wanna peel back the layers”

fez if you don’t stop being so cute I’m gonna kiss you on the forehead

Back to the heavy breathing 😭

Rue’s just like me “wtf is that”

Suze immediately “oh god” ma’am 😭

The gasp of the audience, they like “is this part of the play” 😭

Stoppp. Not him saying exactly what I said.

Cassie stop ittttt

Not Bobbi thinking it’s part of the play

Suze trying to diffuse the tension by bringing back Ethan lmao

Cassieee girllll it’s giving pick meee choose meee

“Language missy” 😭

“I feel like I’m gonna throw up” girl same

Cassieee why are you doing this to your sister

Stopppp not Lexi including the carousel 😭

BEAT HER ASS MADDYYY

Ooh that slap sounded painful

BB is me 😭😭

This convo with Rue and Elliot, “you might’ve accidentally saved my life” yea but he slept with your girlfriend 😭

Rueee you’re doing so good baby 🥺

“Don’t worry I’m not gonna tell anyone” girl bye 💀 snitch on him too

“You talk to jules?” Like nah we don’t talk to the opps idk why we talking to you

The song 😭 release this asap

If we’re gonna go into season 3 and Sam tells me Elliot isn’t in love with her, then he’s dumb

“Just a couple sinners makin fun of hell” 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

Okay we get it you love her stop singing now, go back to Fez or Maddy beating Cassie

The eye contact bro bye 😭 why am I blushing?

Even Rue’s like “bruh this song is so long” 💀

“I’m still workin on it” boy that was long af wym

“Can we be friends even though I slept with your girlfriend”

The look stop I’m already dead

Bobbi is so cute 🥺🥺

Rue starting the chant I fuckin love her 🥺😭

“Giddy up” BOBBI 😭

“Sometimes people need to get their feelings hurt” I know that’s right

Oh fuck why I forget Ash did that 😭

Y’all I know what happens but I can’t breath

Not the weapons in the dryer

The cameras moving

Ash wtf are you doing

Aye yo I need an inhaler

I’m SHAKING IN MY BOOTS

ASH STOP IT WTF 💀

I could honestly give a fuck about this Nate shit rn why’d you interrupt when I’m on the verge of not breathing

The warehouse 😭

“You don’t get to ruin our lives and just get to be happier” I mean he’s not wrong?

Everybody makes mistakes, everybody has those days

The nightmare and everyone getting uncomfortable like same 😭

If he’s not talking about the 3rd kid I don’t care 😭😂

“I don’t want your apology” yea well I don’t want this scene 🤷🏾‍♀️

Oooh he got a flash drive? Nvm yes I do

Everyone goin to jail……except for ash

EXPOSE CAL ALL 2022

Oh shit back to not breathing 😭😭

Not them pointing a gun at an already dead body like isn’t that why you’re in here 😭

Ashhhh noo

Bruh I’m shaking 💀

The fuckin bullet holes in everything I literally cannot breathe

Ash playing dead why the fuck

I’m fuckin crying leave me alone don’t fuckin talk to me, never watching this show again

Going back to the play right after please don’t 😭

Bruh this episode is hard I don’t think I’m okay

Lexi and her dad to Lexi and Rue 😭😭 if they’re not besties for the resties Sam is getting another very heated letter (he already has at least one per episode on the way)

I’m sorry but I think Ethan playing Suze is my favorite thing on this earth

I’m still crying

Rue’s letter at the funeral someone please hug her already 😭

Fake Rue making Jules realize stuff about Real Rue

I don’t think I’m okay…like at all

Realizing how close the girls actually are 😭😭

Rexi for the win

I’m fucking crying my face just permanently leaking

Rue reassuring Lexi about how an addict feels 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

Need a whole other box of tissues 😭😭😭

Have they been in the bathroom this whole time?

Why isn’t Cassie in the fuckin hospital 😭😭

“This is just the beginning” 😭😭😭😭 good she fuckin deserves it bitch ass hoe

Jules if you don’t get away from my girl

Take your "I love you" and shove it up your ass

Rue staying clean for the rest of the school year? Wtf does that mean?!

So you’re telling me Lab took I’m Tired offline so that they could release this Zendaya version? 😭😭

I'm not mad about it, but I'm a tad bit upset

IM NOT OKAY LIKE AT ALL THIS FINALE WAS HARD

#euphoria #kitten’s ramblings #jules vaughn #cassie howard #elliot #rue bennett #euphoria season 2 #maddy perez #nate jacobs #lexi howard #fezco #ashtray

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likesrandomstuff · 3 years

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Avalance Fic Recommendations Part 4

The final part of this series. Thanks to everyone who reblogged and liked, and a huge shout-out to @heywhereisperry who encouraged and motivated me into doing this.

As I said in Part 1, feel free to add any more stories you think should be recognised to any of these posts, and my ask box is open if you would like more detail on anything.

Part 1: Bite Sized

Part 2: Snacks

Part 3: Meals

Banquets (Over 75,000 words)

When you do not have anything you need to do in the next couple of days

You're My Miracle by bihexualmess

My tags: Ava is FBI, Sara is a Private Investigator, Rip brings Sara on for a case

This just got updated the other week and ruined multiple nights of sleep for me. At almost 350k words, still going, I don’t know how to explain without spoiling stuff that happens a long way in. There are so many layers to both Ava and Sara here, and the trauma, and the issues, and the fact they will not talk to each other about anything. I jumped on this a bit late, as the title and description didn’t grab me, but oh boy, I was missing out. I did get to read a heap of it in one go, but that doesn’t help the slow burn. I would start this even though it’s still a WIP, just because it will take you a while, to read, and also the storylines need time to settle in, because they are heavy, but just amazing. It is now the longest Avalance fic with the latest update.

this is the way that we love (like it's forever) by CoffeeAndArrows, moonlitprincess

My tags: College Avalance dated and broke up, five years later they meet again, Ava’s dating someone else

This fic had me crying in the lunchroom during my second week of work because I couldn’t not read during my lunch break, and it was hitting me so hard. That was after starting it at 10pm, reading to 2am, sleeping until 6am, reading until 11am a couple of days before. Warning for major character deaths; the funeral for one is alluded to in the description. If anyone says something bad about Jordan, I will not be happy; one of the best original characters I have ever read in a fic. Sara’s not in a great place initially, but she gets there. And there’s some cute flashbacks to college Legends too.

you make me smile (please stay for a while now) by CoffeeAndArrows, moonlitprincess

My tags: High School Rivals AU, Ava’s class president, Sara is the superstar soccer captain, they have more in common than they thought

I just looked at the word count for this, and it must be the first time I have, because wow! It is a journey! There’s a couple of prequel, sequel and interjection stories in this universe too. Ava has to deal with her family not being super supportive when she comes out. Sara has to deal with Laurel struggling and their mum having a clear favourite (Laurel). Most of the Legends have really great arcs in here as well. Ava’s family is great. I wanna hang out with her little sister. Don’t be like 2018 me who gives up after the first chapter because they are mad about what Laurel is going through. She’s fine, and there’s a heap of great Sara and Laurel moments. I recently re-read the last 10 chapters, and I still couldn’t stop myself from reading like it was the first time.

i am who you used to love (and you are just a memory) by justpalsbeingals

My tags: The Vow AU, but Ava makes some better choices early on, they’re married, Ava gets into an accident and loses all memory of Sara

I hate the movie this fic is based on. The movie’s fine, and it was a delight seeing Tatiana Maslany in it while I was watching Orphan Black, but basically it is my worst-case scenario, losing my memory. The fact that this fic kept me hooked despite that, is a testament to the quality. The fic itself says “light angst”, I say it’s much, much heavier than that, but that’s just me. Warning, there are some intense twists in here, and everyone is a bit OOC to me, memory loss being considered, which might not be your thing.

and i will stumble and fall (i'm still learning to love) by lucylikestowrite

My tags: SwanQueen kid fic AU, yes, I know go with me on this, Ava adopted Sara’s unexpected baby, said kid finds Sara years later

In general, as I’ve mentioned before, I don’t like kid fics. Fics with future children coming back to meet their parents, or the couple going into the future? Some of my favourites ever. This has no time travel, but I trust Lucy. This story is under 75k, but the sequel is almost as long, so combined they’re over. The sequel is a WIP. I didn’t watch Once Upon a Time, but it’s the plot of the start of that, except the gay actually happens. There are a lot of issues our girls have to work through here, but the kid is so cute.

and we could try by plinys

My tags: it’s a story mostly told on twitter through fake screen shots of social media, Sara drunk messages Ava, Ava doesn’t block her

I’m sure this format of storytelling is not for everyone, and that’s okay! I was so confused by it at first. I would recommend starting with the shorter one, I can be your hero (in Part 2), just to see if you like it, before jumping into this. I read this when the epilogue, the fic, was released, and I was up until 5am because I couldn’t stop. It became part of my personality. Story wise, Sara and Ava are on different coasts, but both know Nate, Ray and Nora. Ray and Nora get engaged, and Avalance have to deal with planning that wedding, and whatever is going on with them.

take my hands now by plinys

My tags: Another Social Media twitter AU, Sara is The Canary, Ava is trying to arrest vigilantes, Nate accidently gives Ava Sara’s number

Another brilliant twitter story. Some of our gang is trying to arrest the other half. Sara knows who Ava is, Ava doesn’t know that Sara is the person she’s chasing. Everyone has public twitter accounts. Sara actually gets [spoiler villain] to stop an attack by sending them money for a drink.

your eyes, they shine so bright by plinys

My tags: Social Media AU, everyone works for not Buzzfeed, a colab series is pitched, Sara and Ava’s teams have to work together

Ava makes factual videos, Sara does not, they are forced to work together. Nate is everyone’s boss technically, but they do what they want. Nate and Ava are non-biological siblings, and Satan Camp is a running gag. Oh, fake dating is in there too!

right to the top, don't hold back by SJAandDWfan

My tags: American Ninja Warrior AU, Sara’s a veteran and the Legends train together, Ava’s a rookie, rivals to training partners to friends to …

I re-read this every year when the new Australian season comes out. It’s so burned into my brain that when I was watching the speed climbing at the Olympics I genuinely thought “I wonder how Amaya would go in this?”. Amaya’s pre-Ninja experience is rock climbing in this fic. I learnt so much about Ninja Warrior and how the show (at least in this universe) works, and it’s fascinating. Would recommend watching some clips if you’re unfamiliar with the concept. The story goes pretty in detail about the courses. For recommendations, either Jessie Gaff, who was a S1 Supergirl stuntwoman, or Australia’s own Olivia Vivian, who is just stages better than our next female.

biding our time (until tomorrow) by TheTruthAboutLove

My tags: Period setting AU, Ava’s too noble for her own good, Oliver’s dad is the villain

This was a really cool experiment. Basically, told in lots of mini chapters like a soap opera. I do not know much about this period of American history, but it did not matter. A lot of different Arrow-verse peeps show up along the way. I’m sure I complained out loud “you’re allowed to want things Ava!” at some point. There’s an attempt for fake dating, and it’s not the homophobia but the second daughter problem that gets them.

Click here to see all the parts

#Avalance fic rec #Avalance #Sara Lance #Ava Sharpe #fanfiction

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