#fitz in his final moments remembering the names of all the dogs he used to play with in buckkeep as a kid

[fairweathermyth]

ROBIN HOBB’S REALM OF THE ELDERLINGS >> Fitz POV Books

I sigh and set my quill aside. I have written too much. Not all things need to be told. Not all things should be told. I take up my scroll and make my slow way to the hearth. [...] I throw the vellum onto the coals.

#roteedit #bookedit #fantasyedit #realm of the elderlings #rote spoilers #robin hobb #the farseer trilogy #the tawny man trilogy #the fitz and the fool trilogy #made by carolyn #i just gotta say #fitzchivalry farseer as eternal friend of dogs is v important to me <3 #like i was second guessing the assassins apprentice gif choice #and then i remembered #SPOILERS #fitz in his final moments remembering the names of all the dogs he used to play with in buckkeep as a kid #and i was like no actually this is important #fitzchivalry farseer #nighteyes #lord golden #icefyre #bee farseer #motley #for what it's worth i imagine those are burrich's hands holding the axe for battle axe lessons with the child bastard assassin <3

[samanthaswishes]

Completely Random Agents of Shield Headcanons (Part 2)

Part 1

Daisy and Daniel's wedding anniversary is July 22nd. The day is the anniversary of Daniel's death in 1955. Daniel was actually the one who suggested that date. Daisy was very reluctant and confused, wondering why in the world he would want to choose his old death date, but Daniel convinced her with "You saved me that day." (Also it's the day 7x09 aired).

Despite the team not being in a formal work setting anymore (or very often), they all still pretty much call May, May, rather than Melinda. Phil is the only one who will call her that on a regular basis, and Mack and Elena will say it sometimes, but Fitzsimmons and Daisy still find it weird since they literally never called her Melinda before. In fact, there was a time when Daisy called her Melinda just to try it out. The two looked at each other, shook their heads, and laughed as they realized how weird it was, so she is just May, and May doesn't mind.

When really happy, Kora's body naturally emits warmth, and when she hugs people, they can feel this warmth radiate from her to them, and everyone pretty much loves it.

Also when Kora came back to 2019 with the team, she took 'Johnson' as her last name. Daisy was the one who suggested it given that Kora had said she actually didn't know what her last name was, so Daisy kinda just said, "You're my sister. Why shouldn't we have the same last name?"

Daisy visits Cal's veterinarian practice on a regular basis. He always has the biggest smile when she comes in, and everyone that works there knows her. Daisy always feels the sadness deep down within her, knowing that he doesn't truly remember their connection, but there are some moments that still make it feel like he's her father like when she first introduced Daniel to him. The happiest moment was when Daisy and Daniel decided it was time to finally adopt a dog, and they adopted a rescue from Cal's practice.

And the dog is either a golden retriever or a german shepherd (I might be biased towards german shepherds as my childhood dog was a german shepherd mix)

Each of the team members who have died at one point has their name on the Wall of Valor the number of times they had died during their seven years together. For example, May has gotten several students ask her, "Professor May, why is your name on the Wall of Valor twice?" This was Mack's idea.

Daisy will still sometimes use 'Skye' as a cover name for undercover work.

Polly Hinton invites May and Daisy to many of Robin's school functions (award ceremonies, holiday performances, festival nights, art shows, etc), and both of them make it a point to attend every single time. They even attend her high school graduation when that finally rolls around.

The team brought back their karaoke nights (it is canon that they had them in s2), and Mack made it a point to make "Don't You (Forget About Me)" a song they have to do every single time.

Alya's first word was 100% "Enoch", and Fitz is still pissed about it.

When/If the team starts having kids (excluding Alya), Mack and Elena are the first ones to have a kid (after already adopting Flint).

At some point, probably between seasons 1 and 2, Daisy got her GE Degree, and Coulson threw her a small party with the team and some of the new agents when she completed it.

This is more of a speculation than a headcanon, but what if Deke is not Alya's child? What if his mother is actually another daughter of Fitzsimmons? OR because the timeline changed, he may not even exist in the team's timeline at all anymore. Like Alya ends up pregnant and she actually has a girl, and Fitzsimmons are just like "Wait, what?" OR They have a son who has a son, and as the kid grows up, Fitzsimmons start to notice similarities and just go "Oh my god."

Coulson has taken all of the team's kids on joyrides in Lola at one point or another. Daniel nearly had a panic attack when he saw his and Daisy's tiny daughter in the passenger seat as Lola flew through the air.

Joey and Elena have lunch together very often. Mack and Flint tag along pretty often, and when she's free, Daisy is also invited as well and Daniel when he comes into the picture. They all also attend Joey and his boyfriend's wedding.

Daniel gets really into photography. After the typewriter, Daisy's next big gift is a polaroid camera. Eventually, he does own a more modern camera and he does have quite the portfolio on his smartphone, but he just loves his polaroid. He loves taking pictures of architecture and nature, but his favorite subject to photograph is, of course, Daisy. And once they have a kid, the kid is another favorite photography subject of his as they grow up.

One of the first things the team did after returning to 2019 after time traveling was going to a diner since their diner meal in s4 was cut short.

Alya and Davis' son actually become really good friends when they are older. (And if you think about it, Alya is actually older by like 2 or 3 years)

Every family takes turns hosting Christmas. After all the kids are born, May hosting and The Mackenzie-Rodriguez family hosting actually become the most anticipated Christmases

#agents of shield headcanons #aos headcanons #headcanons #agents of shield #aos #daisy johnson #kora #daniel sousa #melinda may #phil coulson #leo fitz #jemma simmons #alya fitzsimmons #robin hinton #alphonso mackenzie #dousy #mackelena #elena rodriguez

[teenageread]

Review: A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder

Synopsis:

The case is closed. Five years ago, schoolgirl Andie Bell was murdered by Sal Singh. The police know he did it. Everyone in town knows he did it.

But having grown up in the same small town that was consumed by the murder, Pippa Fitz-Amobi isn't so sure. When she chooses the case as the topic for her final year project, she starts to uncover secrets that someone in town desperately wants to stay hidden. And if the real killer is still out there, how far will they go to keep Pip from the truth?

Plot:

For her senior capstone project, Pip wanted to help further her career in investigating journalism but looking at how the media plays a key role in the police investigation, with a case study on the 2014 missing person report of Andie Bell. Sounding like a typical high school project, Pip adds the twist that Andie Bell lived in her town and was their most recent tragedy, one Pip has connections to. Sweet, popular, beautiful, Andie Bell’s body was never discovered, only that of her boyfriend, Sal Singh, who then killed himself due to his grief. Five years later, Pip starts her capstone project because she does not believe Sal killed Andie, and she was going to prove it. Going to the Singh’s house, Pip meets Ravi, Sal’s younger brother, who also tried to clear his brother’s name, and has agreed to help Pip with her investigation. With Pip’s best friend's older sister being friends with Sal, Pip remembers him being a nice guy, even helping her out once or twice. With Ravi telling countless stories of how amazing Sal was, it was hard to believe that he would cold blood murder his girlfriend. And if Sal was not the murderer, why would he kill himself? Or is there a killer in Fairview, hoping to get away with it? With questions in hand, Pip sets off on an infestation that leads her into the dark depths of her hometown. With letters showing up, telling her to go away, Pip knows she is close to the truth. WIth each capstone growing longer and longer, the suspect list also growing longer, Pip and Ravi must work together to catch a killer, before anyone else they care about gets hurt.

Thoughts:

Holly Jackson wrote a murder mystery thriller novel that is to die for. Taking from the point of view of senior Pip, she is what is classified as a good girl. Does her homework, walks the dog, spends time with her baby brother, she is the perfect friend, and is ready to be the perfect student to whatever Ivy League school accepts her. So when Jackson writes that Pip is going to do an “above and beyond” capstone project, it makes sense for her character. It also makes sense that Pip would become obsessive about the case, and try to solve it. Like classic who-done-it the killer is always there within the novel, letting the story be a fun guessing game, as you move along with Pip through her investigating, adding your own names to the suspect list. Pip is a fun character to read the story from! With her persistence to find out the truth, Pip gets herself into some fun situations and makes some daring escapes. Ravi is a great sidekick, with his witty remarks, he is a benefit to Pip throughout her investigation, and I loved how Jackson sprinkled in some chemistry-like moments between these two. After all, nothing gets teenage romance going like looking for dead bodies in the woods. The mystery itself was interesting, and often took turns and directions that I didn't see coming. The ending that Jackson gave us did leave some loose ends, and some suspects still left on the list. I was not totally satisfied with who the killer was, but I enjoyed Jackson’s explanation, and applaud them for keeping us waiting until the very end. With a nice conclusion leaving you satisfied with the novel, it is worth the read if you want a good story about a murdered teenage girl, a teenage crime-solving duo, and a lot of suspense sprinkled in.  

Read more reviews: Goodreads

Buy the book: Amazon

#A Good Girl's Guide to Murder #Holly Jackson #Book review

[checkingoutforheroes]

B.A.B.Y PROTOCOL.

Part 2.

Avengers x fem!reader 

Pt.1

Words: 1892

Synopsis: This takes place in Avengers: Age of Ultron. When The Avengers were at the rock bottom, Nick Fury and advised by Maria Hill, to initiate the B.A.B.Y Protocol. Will a young, damaged and broke girl agree to this initiative and help a team to save this planet earth?

Main Masterlist 

Maria and Fury bring you to The Avengers tower for mission briefing and meet the rest of the team. To be honest, you are beyond excited you see the building. You move from your seat to another, looking out of the window, facing the tower. Maria looks at you at the rear view mirror, seeing your awe face and smile. “If you open that window, I might’ve mistaken you with a dog.” You ignore her comment and ask them “Is this S.H.I.E.L.D? You guys work here? You build this place papa Bear? This is taller than I thought it would be!”

Fury look at you and then Maria “Now she’s excited.” Maria answer your question. “That is Avengers tower. S.H.I.E.L.D no longer exist. Burn to the ground.” You didn’t keep up about them after left the agency so you don’t know what happened. “What happened? Did this moody papa Bear show his emotion through action?” You let out a small laugh until Fury annoyed “Once again you call my name other than Fury, I’ll burn you too.” “Nahh, you’re not going to burn me. You need me. Otherwise, I’m not in this car right now. I said to him and Maria drive through the parking basement. “She got you, boss.”

Fury walk ahead to their meeting room. You stop your track when you see an aquarium placed at the wall. You never see something like that before in your life. When Maria realize that you are not walking behind her, she turns back to get you. “What are you doing?” “Looking at these fish in an aquarium stuck on the wall. How they do that? How they going to feed the fish? Rich people shit, quite awesome.” You said and Maria just shake her head. “We have a world crisis and the first thing you did is watch the fish?! Are you kidding me? Let’s go meat the team.”

 Meanwhile Fury already told the team about a new protocol or whatever. You didn’t hear that clearly until you are inside the room. Fury talk to them. “Since all of you are here, including Maximoff, I have a new protocol that you can use.” Steve looking confusing at Fury. “We already made a plan.” Tony interrupt to teasing Steve “Yeah and a good ted talk by the captain too.” Natasha asking about the protocol. “Do we know about the protocol?” Fury take a seat “No, Romanoff. No one knows about this protocol except Agent Hill. This protocol was created to help the team when in need, and this team clearly need it right now.” Steve ask him. “What protocol is that?” Natasha looking at Clint and he shrug. “B.A.B.Y PROTOCOL.” Tony just laugh while Steve have a serious face looking at him. “I’m sorry. That’s kinda funny name for a protocol.” Maria open the door and you both going in. All eyes on you and you feeling slightly nervous. How can you not, they are The Avengers! You recognize all of their face except one person wearing black dress and red cardigan.  

Fury introduce you to the team. “Right on time. Avengers, I introduce you B.A.B.Y PROTOCOL, as in Best Associate By Yours truly.” Maria added “Also, we call her Baby.” They are quiet and shock appear in their faces except two people. Natasha and Clint. They go greet you. “Baby!” Natasha walks to hug you while Tony look at you two weird. “Nat! Omg, I miss you. Clint! Miss you too!” You hug Clint and he hold your head. “Well, she grows up.” “Yeah, with some food and water, I did. Man, you’re old.” You said to him and Natasha smile “Kids growing, Barton.” “Natasha, beautiful as always. You have to drop your skin care routine, sis.” Tony interrupt the moment “You both knew her? Fury, you said no one know about this protocol.” Fury nods. “I said no one know about this protocol not that Romanoff and Barton didn’t know her.”

Steve starts asking question. “How old are you?” Tony interject again. “Yeah. You don’t look like a baby to me.”

             You looking back at Steve, smirk on your face. “How old are you?” Maria sign you to behave. “Baby.” Tony sit down at one of the chair. “I like this kid already!” He earns a glare from Steve and you apologizing “I’m sorry. That’s not a good first impression. I’m 22.”

“What is your name?” Damn he is a serious one.

             “People call me Baby.”

“What people didn’t call you?”

             “If they didn’t call me? Silence, I guess.” You whisper at Natasha left ear “Can I not tell them my name?” She crooks a little smile. “It’s up to you.” “I prefer being call by that name that Maria & Fury has told you or anything you want except my real name due to personal reason.” You nod and smile at them.

“Why? Dark past? Major criminal? Wanted by CIA? Interpol? MI6? Ugly name? Kicked out of family or something?” Seriously, how can they work as a team with a guy name Tony Stark? Maria, Natasha and Clint have your back.

“She’s here to help us. Nothing else, Stark.” Maria said to him.

Natasha glare at him. “I suggest you stop right there or you’re not going to see any sunlight.”

Clint agree with them. “Leave her alone man.” Tony look guilty. “Everybody in this room has dark past. I’m just curious, not judging. She’s not alone.” Wanda tell them that he told the truth. “He’s not lying.” “Thank you Wendy. Peace?” You walking toward him “No heart feeling.” You guys fist bump each other.

Steve ask again. “How do you know Barton and Romanoff?”

             “While I was in S.H.I.E.L.D Academy, which I thought a Juvenile school at first, they trained me combat espionage. Since that’s the only thing on my expertise. I wish to have Jemma Simmons and Leo Fitz brain though. They’re genius in bio-chem and engerneering.”

“Why you thought it was juvenile at first? You commit crime?”

             “Duh.” Both you and Tony said it at the same time and again “JINX!” Natasha look at Steve. “Relax captain, all of us commit crime back then.” “I didn’t” Tony look at him. “Are you sure about that?” “What do you mean Stark?” Steve ask and he say “You literally cheated your medical checkup to join the army.” “I did it to protect our country.” Steve said and Clint chuckle “Still crime.” Fury tell Maria to handle the briefing and he’s out. You ask where is he going? “Where is he going?” “He have another thing to do Baby.”

             “I know most of you but I don’t think I know or seen you, Mr. ?” You ask and Natasha introduce him. “That is Dr. Bruce Banner.”

             You shake his hand. “Nice to meet you. What did you do?”

Bruce seems like to hesitate to answer that. “You didn’t know? New York?”

             “Alien? Chitauri?” You ask him back innocently.

“Um. I’m, the big green guy.” He anxiously answers that.

             “An ogre! Wow, that is so cool!” Clint hold my shoulder. “The other green, buddy.” “Oh, I know. I’m sorry, I forgot your ogre name is Shrek. Still cool though. I watch all of his movies when I was a kid. Maybe we can watch it again sometimes.”

Bruce look at Natasha and then back at you. “That’s, not me either, but yeah, we can watch that, big green cartoon sometimes.” Tony finally tell you who he is. “You seriously don’t remember who broke New York kid? He’s The Hulk!” Bruce looks down and tilt his head to look at Tony. “Yes. I’m that! Thank you for bringing back memory, Tony!”

             You feel guilty for not remember that. “Gosh, I’m so sorry. But hey, New York already broken before you broke it. Can I have a selfie? You’re incredible.” You snap the picture before he even answers. Tony said something “I’m literally right here. The coolest guy in the group.” You turn your head to the girl in black dress, red cardigan. “And you are?”

She answers with a thick accent “Wanda Maximoff.”

             “You’re not from here? You have an accent just like Nat. Well, once she’s mad at me during training years ago.” You remember the detail and Natasha rolls her eyes at you. “That is one time. I slipped.” “Human make mistakes sis. You aren’t machine.”

“I just got here yesterday. I made a mistake. Wrong judgement, I want to make it right. I join them.” She explains and you currently melting, just to hear he talk. You want her to talk more so you can hear her talk. Thing is, you didn’t know that she can read mind. Where is that accent came from? Russian? You ask those questions in your head. “From Sokovia.”

             “Where are you from? What? I just ask-“

Maria answer my question. “She’s a telekinesis, energy manipulation and some kind of neuroelectric interfacing.” “Huh?” You don’t even know what that is and Maria make it simple for you. “Telepathic.” You turn to look back at her. “That is so awesome!” Tony huff at your statement. “Yeah, until she’s in your head.” She just looking down “I’m sorry.”

 Right after she said that, Thor, God of Thunder walk into the room and tell about the scepter. You are amazed and suddenly you bend the knee. “Oh. My. God. You’re Thor!” He looks back at you. “and you tiny female human.” “You. Are. the God of Lightning! I am a fan! No. I’m an air-conditioner.” He smiling, feeling proud. “Thank you, tiny human lady. It’s God of Thunder, actually. What’s an air-conditioner?”

Maria gives us final brief. “You guys might want to prepare something for tomorrow. We’re flying to Korea and find Dr. Chow tomorrow morning. Get some rest, sleep early, you guys need it.”

             You ask them a question. “Can I go back to my place, then come back? Clint can you take me?” “Yeah, I can.” Steve kind of not agree with you. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.” “Why? I need to take my stuff.” “I can pick her up tomorrow.” You and Clint said and Steve ask you again. “Do you have a suit? or uniform?” You unzip your sweater and show your Donut Do It uniform. “Will, this do? Because someone decided that it was okay to give a surprise visit when I’m on my way to work.” Maria just smirking at you and Natasha smile “I don’t think that appropriate gear for the field.”

Tony offers you to stay with them at the tower. “Captain’s right. Don’t want to risk anything on the team member night before fight. Stay here, I’ve got plenty of room. Natasha can show you. They basically live here. We have spare shirts too.” You look at Wanda “You live here too?” She’s thinking about the answer. “I spend the night here.” Natasha turn you to look at her. “That’s a good idea. Just stay here tonight. Wanda’s here too.” “Natasha can show you your room, take a shower and dinner later.” Tony said. You look at Maria by the mention of dinner. She sighs “Okay, spaghetti and chicken wings.” Natasha add “And caramel pudding?” You smile at her “You remember?!” “Of course I do.” Clint jokingly say “How can she not, you guys practically sisters.”

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Thank you for spending your time reading this. Feel free to reblog or ask me anything, thank you in advance!

Part 3 is coming!

#Avengers #The Avengers #natasha romanoff #black #Black Widow #tony stark #wanda maximoff #Steve Rogers #clint barton #bruce banner #thor #loki #Scarlet Witch #Iron Man #captain america #hawkeye #hulk #shrek #god of thunder #age of ultron #jarvis #vision #marvel incorrect quotes #avengers x reader #avengers!reader #natasha x sis!reader #natasha x reader #wanda x reader #tony x reader

[elia-de-silentio]

Recap on the Order of the Clocktower, suppositions on the real plan, and predictions on the future of the arc

Well! After months of fights that led to very little and an almost nonstop series of cliffhangers, it seems like finally we're entering the final stage of this arc. And in the last two numbers I noticed ... something doesn't quite add up.

Let's make a brief recap on the Decay of Angels and the newly revealed last part of their plan. So, unlike what initially thought, the last part of their plan wasn't 'mostly terrorist activity', it was a goddamn vampire apocalypse that brought several nations to their knees in a handful of days.

This led the world leaders to decide that Fukuchi's speech of several chapters ago was right on the money, the only thing that can face such a catastrophe is an international army of which he will be given complete control. Moreover, to drive the point home ...

They deem fit to give him this. Another extra powerful weapon in the hands of exactly one person? Who can multiply the strenght of every weapon he's given? With no countermeasure if he gets out of control? What is these people's problem?!

By the way, take a moment to appreciate how Fukuchi got something that allows him to destroy the individual soldier's free will and control all of their actions, something he felt already happened to him and the trauma of which gives him motivation. He doesn't spare a thought on the fact that they will suffer just as much as he did, he can only think of his own pain.

So, Ranpo makes an observation that really shouldn't need a superior intelligence to be made: that with this trick, the Decay of Angels will have its goal served on a silver platter. World domination. Again, take a moment to appreciate how Fukuchi, who expressed anarchist beliefs and just the chapter before gave a neat speech on how politicians who order others around without any risk to themselves suck, coughed up a solution that was even more authocratic. Maybe all the 'you're the hero everyone depends on' talk got a little to his head.

But ... for what I've understood ... this is not the Decay of Angels's plan, this is Fukuchi's plan. If the inconsistences for him can be attributed to hypocrisy, for all the other four people in his group it makes even less sense.

Let's take a look at his four comrades, from the one less likely to subscribe to such a plan to the most likely:

• Bram Stoker: he's literally being threatened with death if he doesn't comply. One of the first things he says is protesting that he swore not to add any more people to his kin, but Fukuchi forces him. Once he complies, he express little interest for whatever is going on around him, everything he wants is a radio to pass the time in his coffin. World domination? Seems like an hard pass for him.

• Sigma. While fanon commonly portrays him as the 'good and cute not-really-a-villain', because he has a sympathetic backstory and shows kindness to the clients and staff of the casino, I'd like to point out that he's actually fairly amoral. He's in there because the Decay offered him a home; it makes sense that he's like that after being abused and aware of his being different from the rest of the world for all of his short life, but he still took part in a terrorist plan. Moreover, he was the one to send the casino's clients against the Hunting Dogs to hinder them - regular civilians against the very best of the army. It was actually Teruko who took upon herself and Tachihara not to harm civilians no matter what; what guarantee did Sigma have that she would have done that? What if she had listened to Tachi instead, who wanted to retaliate? Caring to clients and staff, but only up to a certain point. Even when he gave Atsushi that information, it was because of the latter's kindness towards him, not for some moral reason. Sigma is ultimately out only for himself. But this also means that he isn't really involved in the Decay's grand plan: he wants a home and that's it, tutto il resto fottesega.

• Gogol. Now we're getting a little closer. But not without incurring in another contradiction: Gogol hates restraints and orders, anything that gives a boundary to a human's actions. He detests even internal restraints, given by morality and his own sense of guilt. Why would someone like that partecipate in a plan that strips human beings of their own free will, and traps the world under the control of a lone person? Well, it's just speculation because we haven't seen him in ages, but I think it's part of his tendency to destroy himself in the name of freedom. He kills people to defy his own sense of guilt; he wants to kill Fyodor to destroy his desire to be understood and accepted; he collaborates in Fukuchi's plan to destroy his own beliefs in freedom, the thing that more than anything keeps him chained to a certain course of action. In his debut, he described the Decay of Angels's plan as pure evil and thus worth supporting; it's possible that he wasn't saying that under the common definition of evil, but in his own book, the anathema to Gogol's beliefs.

• Fyodor. Who has already stated a personal, very different goal: to acquire the reality-altering Book and make a world devoid of Ability users. All he needs for thar is wiping out the Ability-based organizations in Yokohama so he'll have a free pass, which is not exactly a small thing, but he doesn't need world domination for what he wants. So, why was he involved in such a plan? Well, this is a point I'll expand more on below.

I've already made another post on how the Decay of Angels are an extremely unlikely group and it's almost surprising they managed to work along enough to make this much damage. It's becoming even more evident now: Fukuchi is the only one really interested in the organization's goal.

The other one who gets closest is Fyodor, who, as we have seen, doesn't really care for that; but he gained what he wanted as an accessory. He wanted to get rid of Ability-users organizations in the city, and now the ADA members can't show themselves without getting attacked by the police, the Port Mafia has most of his top members turned into mindless vampires, and the Special Ability Department is about to be overruled by Fukuchi. Moreover, a Fukuchi with absolute power would be able to hand him the Book. Mission accomplished!

But there is this little detail: the Order of the Clocktower, those with the authority to hand Fukuchi the 'One Order'. There is very little known about them (I'm going from the wikia here): appearently, their purpose is to protect the British royal family, their members are Ability users of a terrific level, and they were responsible for chasing Mimic out of Europe after they gave the order for the attack who labelled them as war criminals in the first place.

Come se questo non li rendesse già infinitamente più cani di quelli che danno il titolo all'opera, in Dead Apple they contact Ango to inform him that, to prevent the spread of Shibusawa's fog, they sent an incineration-Ability user to destroy Yokohama (quickly, native readers of British/European literature! Any suggestion for who this person could be! I could come up with Cecco Angiolieri, Aldo Palazzeschi and Gabriele D'Annunzio, but I really doubt it could be any of them, nobody ever cares about Italian literature besides Dante. Your loss).

So, this can mean two things: either they are in contact with the Japanese government and acted with their agreement, or they have enough power to overrule it. Personally, I think the former is more probable.

Anyways, they aren't irrationally genocidal. Once Atsushi &Co. fix the situation, the attack is called off, even if their leader, Agatha Christie, complains about not having the scent of a burning nation to go with her tea. So, their leader: it's not the first time she shows up in the story.

She appeared all the way back in chapter 12, the same that also introduced Fitzgerald and Fyodor, in a meeting to discuss the failure of the bounty on Atsushi. Which tells us two very important things: first, as the other two were out for the Book, it's highly probable that she's after it as well; secondly, that she works with Fyodor, the very same person who orchestrated the plan that should get the One Order, a weapon under the control of Agatha's organization, in the hands of Fukuchi.

Now, Fukuchi is an interesting one under this point of view, because he wasn't even implied in the Chapter 12 Conference. We have seen that Fyodor likes to keep his fingers in multiple pies when it comes to razing the poor Yokohama to the ground: first he hacked the Moby Dick to make sure it fell; then he helped Shibusawa with the aforementioned fog incident; then he acted with his own organization with the Cannibalism plot; lastly for now, the Decay of Angels. As long as he gets to eliminate the Ability users, he doesn't care who he's working with.

Insomma, è 'na zoccola di nome e di fatto.

But we have also seen that Fyodor isn't above backstabbing his 'colleagues': he ignored the fate of Fitzgerald after he fell and took the opportunity to take the Guild's assets for himself, and he directly killed Shibusawa to turn him in the Singularity and send him to get killed by Atsushi. Note how Shibu got off even worse than Fitz: he wasn't in the Chapter 12 Conference, and it's likely he didn't know about the plan to incinerate Yokohama while Fyodor did, being acquainted with Agatha. It's even possible that was the whole point of his involvement in the operation: give her an excuse to attack, while he got an opportunity to cause the deaths of Ability users on the side.

My point is: you know how Fukuchi was not in the Chapter 12 Conference? And he just put himself in a position where if he is found out, things will have consequences on an international level, now that the Order got involved? And do you also remember how Fyodor mused to himself that he didn't make the perfect plan required by the Decay of Angels, because that would have been boring?

Le mie previsioni per quest'arco sono: Fukuchi è una tigre di cartapesta, e si ritroverà la sua super spada ficcata di prepotenza su per il culo.

A very faithful translation of the above: it is very possible that Fukuchi was set up to fail from the very beginning; or at the very least, Fyodor was keeping his plans with Agatha as backup in the case the Decay of Angels didn't work out .

When the ADA will defeat Fukuchi (because no one of his colleagues will lift a finger to help), they will once again play straight into their enemies's hands. Maybe they will 'officially' remain as dangerous terrorists, and then the Order of the Clocktower will have to intervene against them. Or they will actually rehabilitate themselves, and they will be once again celebrated as heroes while the Hunting Dogs will fall in disgrace - what with their leader being secretly a terrorist leaders, suddenly these very powerful people will become unreliable - and the goverment will make an horrible figure, what with persecuting innocent people while being played like fiddles by the real criminals; surely, this situation will call for someone more reliable to establish order in Japan, such as, perhaps, an intervention from an highly esteemed European Ability organization.

How things will proceed from then on, it's anyone's guess. It is possible that Agatha will use her power to have Dazai and Fedka the Convict released from jail, though why would she do that is up in air. Maybe it would be more convenient for her to leave such an unreliable ally where she can see him, and she has never met Dazai as far as we know, so she probably isn't much interested in him. This is as far as my prediction abilities come.

Thanks to anyone who bothered to read my ramblings!

#bsd #bungo stray dogs #bungou stray dogs #bsd analysis #bsd meta #bsd theories #bsd doa #bsd fukuchi #bsd fyodor #bsd agatha #bsd gogol #bsd stoker #bsd sigma #elia's recaps

[queenerdloser]

okay i finally (finally!) finished gr*duation after what felt like three hundred years and i have many thoughts that i just.. want to get down to process my own very VERY mixed feelings on this season

overall it was a fun romp at the end with some highly enjoyable goofs. i enjoy fitz maplecourt so much & relished griffin being able to do a character. the firbolg lives in my heart. argo is great. 

that said, the plot was, overall, messy as shit, considering at the end i still had very little clear idea of a) what exactly order/chaos wanted to achieve and b) why the fuck they were even doing what they were doing. we spent all that time on a hog heist that, in the end, had... very little to do with what was going on at the time. (would the narrative have been significantly changed without the hog heist? if, instead, hog hadn’t responded due to their internal greed/indifference - something that’s already been established in world and isn’t a stretch to imagine - and thus had the exact same ramifications and end result as the heist gave us? like don’t get me wrong, the heist has some of my favorite goofs in it, but it’s essentially like six episodes of nonsense that, in the end, has almost nothing to do with the main plot & whose end goal could have been summed up in the finale.) the whiplash of suddenly taking gray on as an ally to we’re heisting hog for reasons to actually the real threat was the demons at the castle attacking now for reasons is... bad plot. (look at how many times i have to say ‘reasons’ bc there’s no real in-universe or external force that explains why something is happening at that specific time.) 

i haven’t listened to the final ttazz about grad but it kind of felt like travis just gave up on his narrative arc and this sloppy plot mess is what we have left. like, okay order/chaos is a cool concept but what were they actually trying to achieve? why could order just be booted out of their shared body and why didn’t they just do that instead of having that whole climatic battle? why both using fitzroy at all for anything if they could always just take over the world with demons? why did we have all these characters allied together if in the end we were going to op the three pc and have them fight basically one-on-one with order? why did the commodore suddenly and inexplicably switch sides after working with the boys literally like three episodes ago other than to shoehorn in a conclusion to argo’s arc that, ultimately, fell short bc it was so utterly anti-climatic? 

and like!!! maybe some of these questions were answered but none of them to an extent that felt grounded enough in the narrative that they made sense, lingered, or didn’t feel like a macguffin to cover a sudden plot twist or plot hole. a lot of plot felt sacrificed for cool concepts and fun character twists and i get that, but when all you have is cool concepts and fun character twists, there’s no real foundation for it to rest on.

i AM going to compare to amnesty bc i do think amnesty is the strongest arc plot-wise of the three major seasons of taz. balance recovers in the back half but the first three parts are very loosely connected to the major plot and then there’s that huge info dump in crystal kingdom so like - it’s also messy there, even though it manages to make it work in a way that graduation doesn’t. but amnesty is tightly plotted from the beginning - there’s a clear trajectory, foreshadowing built in, characters have actual arcs that make sense, most of the major villains and antagonists have motivations that make sense and even the act three twist is something that’s reasonably built in from the beginning. even if it wasn’t ALL planned (such as billy the goat’s involvement) it’s clear that new elements were worked into an already existing framework with an eye towards cohesiveness. i know people complain about the main three not being “together” enough or “friendly” enough with each other (as if that’s all that matters in a good story lmao) but i also think that amnesty has the strongest character arcs of the three seasons because we do see all three major characters start in one place and end up somewhere radically different, make movements in cohesive and reasonable ways, and change in a way that is not off-the-wall or just for a fun twist. 

graduation... doesn’t really do that. the main three are a fun time but in the epilogue i was genuinely struggling to get why fitz decided to suddenly be a lawyer or why the firbolg, who has never shown any interest in having a name before that moment (quite the opposite, really) is suddenly emotional over having a name. argo, who has spent all of his time honoring his mother, decides to... run a cruise ship? and even leaving aside the epilogues, these characters... don’t really have an arc. argo is the closest and even his emotional narrative falls flat bc the commodore’s ending is so anti-climatic and bc, other than the trial scene, he and the commodore largely don’t interact. if the commodore had played a larger part in the actual narrative maybe it would have felt less like an aborted attempt at an arc but. he didn’t. fitz also has an attempt at an arc but it also falls flat bc so much of fitz has remained unchanged from when we first meet him. he’s a little more empathetic and better at magic, but how has fitz really changed since the first episode?

(tangent: thinking again about justin having to ask why the firbolg was doing what he was doing during that whole dog-is-the-headmaster reveal portion, to the point of asking travis point-blank why his character was doing the things he was doing. thinking again of how travis just told the boys point-blank that this side character they couldn’t even remember the name of was their best friend. and then again about how that “best friend” just like... fucking disappeared from the narrative after that, never to be seen or heard from again until the epilogue twenty episodes later for two brief seconds. in fact pretty much every character except rainier just disappears from the narrative at a certain point and i’m pretty sure it’s in reaction to the complaints about the numerous characters - but the answer to those complaints wasn’t to just mysteriously cut everyone else from the narrative without warning or reason laksfsafjlfj. what happened to that one villain posh guy from the first episodes???? what about the accounting owl teacher??????)

this is just my rambly processing of grad bc i’m trying to figure out what about it fell so dramatically flat for me that it was a literal slog to get through most of it even though i found the characters themselves delightful and enjoyed the mcelroy goofs as much as ever. and i think the thing is... for some listeners, the most important thing is going to be the interaction with the players or the goofs or how friendly and found family-ish the main group is with each other. which is great and fine! but for me, a good story or good character arcs or something well thought-out and plotted out is always going to be more engaging, no matter how much i like the found family or how much i like the goofs. it’s why i struggled to get why people complained so bitterly about amnesty - who cares if the main three are always together or getting along really well or being friends if they’re having interesting, satisfying character arcs and personal growth set in an interesting, dynamic plot? in graduation, that foundation is just missing and i’m sure part of it was due to the unnecessarily vitriolic backlash against travis (that’s enough to steal anyone’s thunder) but also just like... an underdeveloped plot in an overdeveloped world, a trap so many authors have fallen into. (like travis can describe in minute detail the inner workings of hog that are only applicable for about five episodes but chaos/order’s motivations are largely handwaved despite them being the central antagonists for the entire season.) 

anyway. once again, great goofs. i would die for fitzroy maplecourt. but i can’t imagine ever listening to the whole thing again or even more than a couple of episodes here or there (ironically of the hog heist, which, despite how unnecessary it was, was a fun romp and had some of my favorite moments. so, you know. sometimes unnecessary is still good lmao). 

#also if literally anyone says that it's all bc of travis' adhd or w/e One More Time i will lose it #look i also have adhd and i am still capable of writing a cohesive plot okay??? having mental illness does not #somehow prevent you from being able to write a cohesive and well-thought-out story #i do think he got some very unnecessary backlash and a lot of the problems in gr*d were also present in early balance #the difference is that balance... balanced out eventually and grew stronger #whereas gr*d collapsed in on itself and became a mess plot-wise #and even tho i enjoyed the characters i felt no real emotional investment in their arcs bc their arcs were... not really arcs #anyway i dont regret listening to it BUT it was a slog & i dont think i'll ever really relisten #taz

[the-hidden-writer]

An Odd Family Tree

A series of snippets from the lives of the FitzSimmons family, set post 7x13. Also, the series of events that lead up to the birth of their grandson.

Available to read on AO3 and FF.net.

Comments make my day!

Epilogue (2)  [FINAL]

Cows. He’s back in the ‘right’ timeline and the first things he sees are cows.

He never liked cows. Sheep he could deal with. Dogs? He loved them! Sheepdogs? He’d never actually seen one before, but according to common sense he should love them, right?

But no, he had to land in a huge sloped field full of those big burly beasts. At least they sort of resembled sheep with their long brown fur that seemed to cover their eyes. Someone really needed to give those cows a haircut.

It took him almost a whole hour to orientate himself with his surroundings. Since the transportation device he’d just used had never actually been tested before, there were a few unpleasant side effects.

The main side effect that Deke came across was that he’d lost most of the feeling in his limbs. It was only towards the end of that hour did he remember that he was a robot. Huh.

After finally gathering up the courage to move and checking his pockets for the generous amount of money he’d brought with him, he stumbled his way down the hill to the quaint little farmhouse at the bottom. It didn’t take much effort to convince the friendly farmer that he was just an airheaded traveler who’d lost his way. He even managed to persuade her to give him a ride into the nearest city. Which, as it turned out to be, was Inverness. As in, Scotland.

Honestly, the accent should have given it away.

She was kind enough to just drop him off on the outskirts of the city. As much as he wanted to visit Loch Ness, he had a much more important place to visit.

He was too self-conscious to ask anyone what year it was. In his timeline (not technically his, but the one where he’d ended up living most of his life) he wouldn’t think twice about asking a random stranger even the stupidest of questions. But he didn’t belong here, he technically really shouldn’t be here is what Enoch had said, and so he had to try and avoid bringing too much attention to himself at all costs.

That, and the fact that he wanted to make a good first impression.

But that left him with the problem of not knowing what year it was. Honestly, they should at least display the online newspapers in store windows! The device had been programmed to take him to whenever and wherever the majority of his DNA was concentrated into a small area so that he’d hopefully get to see his grandparents together. He’d hate to arrive and there to be only one of them, or worse, none at all.

And since he’d made it to Scotland, he had a glimmer of hope that it had worked and that they were both still alive.

Asking around a little (he’d given up on trying not to), nobody seemed to recognize the names Leo Fitz and Jemma Simmons. But more than one person asked him if he meant Alya Fitz-Simmons who was apparently a very famous person within the city. That most certainly caught his attention. And after another painful two hours of asking random people, one elderly woman eventually gave him an address as well as a message to pass on (“Tell them that Elaine says hello.”)

He hailed the closest taxi he could find and practically screamed the address into the poor driver’s ear. The journey felt like it dragged on for hours. And still, somehow, it was over too quickly. The driver pulled into an estate that seemed to be a village of its own. Deke paid him and asked if he could stop a little further away and just show him which of the houses he needed to head to.

Once his feet touched the dusty old road, Deke felt like his metal knees would just collapse from under him. It was a straight path from where he stood to his destination.

It was the most homely, picturesque cottage he’d ever seen. There was a small wooden gate that led to the ivy-covered stone building, and there was a relatively wide area surrounding it that was protected by tall bushes. The section of the garden he could see through the arched entrance was filled with various species of vibrant flowers and bonsai trees. Next to the house, peeking over the top of the bushes, was a strong Acer tree that stood proud against the sky.

It was the most beautiful sight he’d ever seen, and he hadn’t expected anything less.

He dragged his feet closer. One foot in front of the other. He was glad he didn’t need to breathe because there was no way he would have been able to at that moment.

It was only a few feet away. He suddenly broke into a run, half-prepared to break down their door but then his ears caught-

“Bobo! Nana, Bobo, look at me!”

He screeched to a halt. Though he knew it should be impossible, his heart still felt like it had been ripped out of his chest. It still felt like blood was pounding in his ears. It felt like his vision was blurred and his head was spinning.

It couldn’t be-

“You’re doing great, sweetie!”

That was his Nana’s voice. Jemma Simmons. Nana!

He quickly retreated to behind the bushes and resorted to pulling apart some of the sharp twigs (he needed to get used to the fact that it didn’t hurt) in order to peek into the front garden.

There… there was his Nana. His Nana looked like how he vaguely first remembered her- her hair grey and neatly tied in a bun with a pair of glasses hanging around her neck by a chain. She was sitting on a tartan armchair with her hand help up as if shielding her eyes from something. Next to her was-

“Get down from there! You’ll fall off and break your leg and I’m not gonna make that trip to the hospital.”

Bobo. Fitz. His usual, grumpy self with his itchy sweater and long beard. Deke felt a memory be unlocked when he caught sight of the walking stick beside his Bobo’s chair. Fitz had his phone in his hand but was glaring a little boy that was wobbling dangerously on a branch of that magnificent Acer tree.

In a flash, someone jumped up to catch him before he could fall.

“That’s enough of that for one day, little dude.”

Dad! His Dad, in all of his blonde glory. He looked a lot happier and healthier than what Deke remembered.

And if Dad was there, then…

“Play on the ground now Deke, okay?”

Deke felt himself choke up.

Mom.

She looked exactly like he remembered her, but there was one major difference. She was laughing. She was laughing and smiling and she was happy.

It was the first time he’d ever seen his mother truly happy.

“Okay.” Said the boy, and only then did it hit him what his Mom had just said.

She’d called the boy Deke.

Despite his family being right there, Deke felt his eyes wandering towards the boy that had begun to chase a white butterfly that was flying around the garden.

Untamable brown hair. A scarily familiar spindly frame. Mischief shining on his baby face, as well as complete and utter adoration of the adults around him that was matched tenfold by said adults.

Doubt began to creep into his mind so intensely that he almost missed it when the boy, himself, turned in his direction.

Only then did Deke realize that he’d been shaking that entire time.

Green eyes met green eyes. One pair was full of trauma and survivor’s guilt, and the other of pure childhood innocence and curiosity.

Deke had never exactly seen a picture of himself when he was younger and had no idea what he would look like, but he was pretty sure that he never had the chance to have that sort of perfect childhood. He’d seen too much. The envelope containing many USB sticks filled with voice messages and pictures suddenly felt extremely heavy in his pocket.

That’s when he made the decision.

The second he noticed the tiny version of himself open his mouth, he turned and ran, not caring that the bushes noticeably rustled behind him, scaring a bird.

A robin. How fitting.

As the voices that he’d yearned to hear for years became distant, Deke finally stopped running.

There was no way he could show himself to that family. They were all happy together in the way that it was supposed to happen... Yes, he was jealous of himself, who wouldn’t be?

The last time he saw his Mom alive was the seconds before she was killed in front of him. The last time he saw his Dad was when he was being dragged, kicking and screaming, to his death sentence while Deke shrieked at him that he should’ve just listened and given up hope.

And his grandparents… he didn’t even get the chance to say goodbye either time.

The people he had just seen in the garden were Alya Fitz-Simmons, Owen Shaw, Leo Fitz and Jemma Simmons joyfully playing with Deke Shaw. They belonged to that version of him, not himself.

People regularly called him selfish, so is it still selfishness if you’re doing something for the benefit of an alternate version of yourself?

Little Deke Shaw should live a normal existence. The life that Deke had often found himself begging for. A life without a weird future-past-adult version of himself intruding.

...He might go visit Loch Ness after all.

Pulling out that damned white envelope, Deke smiled through his pain.

He pulled out a pen from his backpack and scribbled on it.

“Elaine says hi.”

Before he went on a Loch Ness Monster hunt... he had a delivery to make.

[THE_END_]

#The ending is purposefully open-ended for you to decide what happens next! #agents of shield #agents of s.h.i.e.l.d. #aos #fitzsimmons #fitzsimmons fam #deke shaw #leo fitz #jemma simmons #alya fitzsimmons #owen shaw #baby deke #fanfic #an odd family tree

[everysongineverykey]

WARNING! LEGACY SPOILERS!!

The table came crashing onto the floor with a smashing of wood and a scream, the owner of whom was difficult to identify. Tam, the person who had thrown it, threw up his hands in angry defense.

“For the last time, a hot dog is not a fucking sandwich!” he yelled, his eyes ablaze with fury.

Sophie furiously scrambled to her feet. No. He wasn’t going to have the last word. Not on her watch.

“IF A HOT DOG ISN’T A SANDWICH, THEN BIANA’S NOT A VANISHER, YOU… YOU…” she fumbled for a good insult.

“Crusty, silver-eating, bad rip-off of a hot topic clerk?” Keefe suggested helpfully.

“YEAH!” Sophie screamed. “AND IF YOU CAN’T UNDERSTAND BASIC LOGIC, THEN LET’S LOOK IN THE ELF!” She strode to the bookshelf and pulled out The Elf’s Comprehensive Dictionary And Thesaurus, Approved And Created By Councillor Bronte, Language Enthusiast, or TECDATAACBCBLE officially. Or again, as an easier name the ten of them had made up themselves, The Elf.

“By the power vested in me by The Elf’s Comprehensive Dictionary And Thesaurus, Approved And Created By Councillor-” (“Just say The Elf!” whined Marella) “-Bronte, Language Enthusiast,” Sophie continued angrily, flipping through The Elf’s many pages, “I hereby pronounce that a hot dog shall henceforth be known by all the Lost Cities as a form of sandwich, as proven by… THIS DEFINITION!”

She slammed the book down onto the couch and triumphantly stabbed a finger at the definition of “sandwich.” Linh bent her head and read it out loud-

“An item of food consisting of two pieces of bread with meat, cheese, or other filling between them, usually as a light meal.”

The room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. For a second Tam looked like he was moments away from grabbing Sophie, who was now sitting smugly on the couch staring at him, and throttling the life out of her and everyone else in the room.

And then he sighed and closed his eyes, smiling slowly when he opened them again.

“All right, Sophie. You’ve given me some very solid proof. Well done you.”

Sophie looked so smug that even Keefe wanted to wipe that stupid smile off her face.

Tam walked calmly, almost happily, over to the far corner of the room, and turned around, admiring a painting on the wall. Then he suddenly turned to the others again and smiled with the air- at least, Sophie thought so- of a TV movie villain who was about to reveal his secret identity to the heroes.

“It was very clever, you know, pulling out The Elf like that. I don’t know if I would’ve thought of that. A real kid genius, that’s you.” He said all this while straightening a few ornaments on the mantelpiece absentmindedly, not looking at any of them. Still smiling. “I suppose now I should admit defeat.”

“That’d be appropriate, yes,” said Sophie, still smug, but more cautious. She didn’t like the way Tam was acting.

“But,” he continued, finally turning to face them, “I’m afraid there’s one crucial fact you’ve overlooked.”

Sophie raised an eyebrow. “And what’s that?”

Tam picked up The Elf and flipped to a different page.

“You see, my dear Sophie, if we are using The Elf as our source, then we must heed all its definitions, and if we do that, we must remember…”

He suddenly exploded, shoving The Elf in Sophie’s face and pointing to another definition, his face convulsed with anger, his previous attitude vanished without a trace.

“THAT IT DEFINES A HOT DOG AS A FUCKING FRANKFURTER!”

He threw The Elf across the room, shattering an expensive vase sitting on a shelf. Sophie leapt to her feet, angry and flustered.

“But- But that doesn’t mean anything!” she blustered desperately. “A frankfurter could be considered filling!”

“OH FUCKING REALLY?” Tam demanded. He knew he had the upper hand. “THEN LET’S ASK THE ELF, SHALL WE?” He raced towards the shelf where the book had been thrown, but Sophie was determined to win the argument and threw her entire body weight on him, knocking them both to the floor. A mad fistfight followed. Dex managed to avoid their flailing limbs and picked up the book calmly, flipping to the f section.

“GUYS!” he yelled. Sophie and Tam did not look up. Tam had two black eyes by now, and Sophie was struggling to avoid another punch to her split lip. Dex was pretty sure he also saw a gap in her teeth that wasn’t there the day before.

He gave up trying to get their attention, and read out the definition of frankfurter. 

“A seasoned smoked sausage made of beef and pork.”

Silence. The only sounds that could be heard were the sounds of Tam and Sophie’s bloody brawl.

“Well, that didn’t solve anything,” grumbled Dex, closing The Elf. Suddenly, Biana’s eyes lit up.

“Wait a minute- hey, Sophie?”

Sophie did not answer.

“Tam? Sophie? Guys?”

Neither of them paid any attention to her calls- they were both battered and bruised all over, but still fighting.

Biana sighed, then walked over to Dex.

“Dex,” she said, calmly and professionally, “on the count of three, would you be a dear and hold Sophie down? I’ll grab Tam.”

Dex acquiesced. 

At the number, they both dropped to the ground and grabbed their assigned person’s arms- Dex hooked his around Sophie’s, stopping her from punching, and Biana did the same with Tam.

“What the hell’re you doing?” growled Sophie. Her hair was disheveled, and some of it had clearly been ripped out in chunks.

“There’s no need for this anymore,” Biana said, remaining as calm and collected as ever. “I’ve figured it out.”

They both stopped resisting.

“Fihured wha ou?” said Tam. Clearly his bruised tongue was giving him trouble.

“I know what a hot dog is.”

The room fell silent again.

“Now, if you’ll both get up and stop fighting, I’ll explain.”

They both reluctantly got to their feet and stumbled over to the couch. The others stared at them, a little scared. Biana stood up and cleared her throat.

“The Elf defines a sandwich as two pieces of bread with filling between them. A hot dog bun, however, is only one piece of bread.”

Sophie’s first instinct was to jump to her feet, but she controlled herself.

“Therefore, we must conclude that a hot dog… is not a sandwich.”

Sophie did not control herself this time. Biana put a hand up to stop her. Surprisingly enough, it worked.

Tam looked like a seven-year-old who had just proven that his dad was the coolest.

“In fact,” continued Biana, “it is something entirely different.”

Everyone raised their eyebrows.

“But- but what else could it possibly be?” asked a confused Wylie.

“It’s a taco,” said Biana, with all the foolish confidence of Don Quixote.

All of the others turned furious eyes on her, and in a matter of seconds Biana was down on the floor being beaten and battered by the rest of the kids, who were all chanting “NOT A TACO! NOT A TACO! NOT A TACO!”

Marella set a poker on fire and was about to beat Biana with it when the door opened.

“Hey, everyone, sorry I’m-”

Fitz couldn’t even finish his sentence when he beheld the scene before him. Keefe raced towards him and pinned him to the wall.

“Quick!” growled Keefe, “What’s a hotdog?”

All eyes were on Fitz.

“…Isn’t it that thing with the sausage in the bun that you usually eat for breakfast?”

Grady and Edaline came home that day to find the entire house destroyed, Marella hurling fireballs at everyone, Fitz and Biana lying unconscious in  the rubble, Linh trying to drown everyone, Tam unleashing shadowflux, Wylie burning people with the light of a million suns, Sophie inflicting all manner of pain onto her friends, Keefe throwing goblin throwing stars left and right, and Dex shooting all kinds of guns and using all kinds of weapons that he himself had built. Keefe had been heard to yell “MY MOM’S IN THE FUCKING NEVERSEEN, BITCHES, DON’T FUCK WITH ME!” while Linh seemed to be speaking some ancient sea language that was definitely summoning krakens as she chanted. Sophie might have been speaking in biblical tongues, but it wasn’t clear. Her voice was strangled and confusing. She was definitely being possessed, though, by… something. Marella was chanting in the ancient tongue of Pyrana, the great elven goddess of fire and fury, and was summoning what looked to be demons. The krakens and the demons began to fight at this point. Wylie, meanwhile, appeared to be pulling actual stars out of the sky and throwing them at people, screaming, “MY DAD DIDN’T ALMOST DIE FOR THIS SHIT!” 

Dex was just singing Survivor’s Eye of the Tiger very loudly.

They were all exiled to an Atlantian prison colony in the Mariana Trench a couple days later, and they never did come to an agreement over the identity of a hot dog.

#kotlc memes #KOTLC fanfiction #keeper of the lost cities

[selkiewife]

Harlots Season 3 Episode 1 Reaction

*There are spoilers below

Ahhh the opening music. Love it ha.

Okay... who are these people? Is this Josiah Hunt’s family?

Ok get it stable girl

Lady Harlot! Yessss did they make up?? Hmmm I guess?

Hey Luce. Hey new characters.

Holy shit Theon- er Alfie- Isaac is here already and face to face with my LOVING WIFE NANCY BIRCH what.

They’ve given Alfie lines to speak with his MOUTH not just his eyes! Listen up.

“Dainty Size” ha- I mean granted, she’s small but. Did she just threaten to “flay his face off??” Was that a Theon/ Ramsay call back? I doubt it. (Get out of the GOT headspace Selkie, ffs)

I’m sensing real guilt from Charlotte that she’s a bawd and isn’t just one of the girls anymore. You’ve done nothing wrong Char!

Well that’s a weird kink Lucy (licking the bald head). These men are ridiculous.

And now, Kate Fleetwood And Alfie Allen engage in the battle of the jaw lines.

Wait why are they rhyming? Oh right that’s what people did in those days for fun/ to flirt. I know this from Shakespeare. Get in there Fanny! Charlotte is so quick, damn. I want to be them.

“Not a Rogue” Isaac just said more words in this scene than Theon said in the entirety of Season 8 (I’m not ragging don’t at me- Theon said more with his eyes than everyone else combined in Season 8, so it’s fine. I’m just delighted to hear Alfie speak. In fucking RHYME. HA!)

Oh fuck... Bedlam is so horrifying. They are trying to manipulate me into feeling sorry for Lydia and no one is shocked when I tell you it’s working

Charlotte and Isaac. Be still my bisexual heart. Okay but what about Lady Isabella? Well this is just work though. Also maybe they have an open relationship? Or are they even together at all? I NEED ANSWERS HARLOTS. I love how sex is always so clothed on this show- It is realistic of the time period because of the weather and cause clothes were so involved. It just always looks right- like a job and kind of unappealing. And they always get the squeaking of the bed and shit right you know? Oh wait, but they are having a moment.

This must be the brother. Hey Emily. How much time has passed here? 

Did Charlotte just say she hasn’t slept with anyone since she became a bawd. So I guess her and Lady Fitz aren’t together then. But they are friendly? 

What the fuck Nancy where is your birch rod?? Hold up, where is Will? No seriously, where is Will?

I love Cherry so much God. 

Lydia is trying to remember a soliloquy. This is all so Shakespearean what with the rhyming and... 

It’s that stable girl

Lady Fitz’ voice cracks me up tbh it’s so over the top and hushed-dramatic but I love it.

William’s in York y’all... but why?

And Alfie’s.... still rhyming... like? I am starting to have flashbacks of my past outdoor Shakespeare jobs right now and part of me is totally into that. What does that say about me really?

That woman really creeps me out... Oh but this must be the molly house plot line. 

Back in Bedlam. The Shakespeare is continuing... you guys.

*makes a mental note that Lydia would be a great Alannys Harlaw for sad edits (help me chums)

I really love Harriet’s arc. omg THE THEME OF THE EPISODE IS SHAKESPEARE. Harriet’s brothel girls produce stripped down Shakespeare shows before the fucking commences. Truth though, that is my kind of brothel.

I want the backstory on why Nance wears that gold ring around her neck. Ha- Nance is just a big softie in truth. Okay a gripe though- WHY is Lucy not becoming a dom like Nance? They clearly set that up in the Season 1 finale but never went anywhere with it in Season 2- but they could now- since she is showing such dissatisfaction with her job- but instead she’s going to be a bawd? *Slams hands on table* Give me apprentice dom Lucy working through her trauma with Nancy storyline you cowards! It would be so great- they could use that storyline to give us more Nancy backstory too.

I know we aren’t supposed to like Isaac but something about him getting arrested is turning me on here. (But let’s be honest, I have to like Isaac cause it’s Alfie. I don’t have a choice. Like, I’ve been known to say that John Wick’s dog had it coming- just so we’re all on the same page here.)

Honestly I’m going to have to disagree with you Charlotte, I feel like the gibbet would have been better than Bedlam. I mean. Lydia could write self help books though I swear. Okay so it’s been a year- there was like a years jump- okay.

See, I like how they don’t just completely forget about the dead on this show. RIP Kitty. Aww I’d forgotten that Fanny named her daughter Kitty. I kind of shipped Fanny and Kitty. Now I’m really sad. They would have been a perfect little family.

Oh wow Lucy joined forces with Elizabeth and Fredo. I bet that will end well. 

Okay Isaac that was completely unnecessary. Leave baby Kitty out of this. Why does Alfie always get roles where he’s like harassing babies and dogs good lord. He’s so freaking good at them though lol.

Lydia and Isabella are so Shakespearean it’s verging on camp... and I love it. Oh... Lydia. Oh man... she thinks she is going mad. Charles, ffs, you make everything worse.

“A genius with a needle.” Oh no- it’s a hanging offense- again this is not going to end well. Lucy honestly has a noose wish.

Emily wants to learn the art of commerce. Emily is a Slytherin and we stan.

I need more Nance backstory dammit. 

This poor stable girl. I wasn’t listening well when she said her name. But God... poor thing.

THIS IS NOT A DRILL. NANCY BIRCH CAN SING. aww she’s singing Kitty to sleep. Oh no... you’re pushing it Alf. First the dog murder, then shouting cunt to a baby, and now trying to burn Nancy and Kitty during this sweet lullaby scene. Like you really want people to hate you don’t you? (In his defense I think he thought everyone was out of the house. Still, arson is not something to be trifled with in those times Isaac... christ. They didn’t even have like firefighters right? I mean, the whole city could catch on fire...) Alfie I swear it gets harder and harder to defend your characters’ actions with each role you play. But you know what, I am not going to even try with this one and instead I’m going to go with the idea that Isaac is just the kind of villain you love to hate. 

Oh Fuck you Alfie. Now I have to take back my previous statement because you’ve fucking got me with that line “this trade turns us into rats” and that look of regret. Damn you. 

Nancy get out of there... How dare you use Nancy and baby Kitty in this manner, show. I am beside myself.

Charlotte says “Let it burn.” No Char. That is not the attitude. Get some water. I get it though. She still wants to be free. She really should have left with that Irish what’s his name that was so lovely. But then she wouldn’t be on the show and I’d be sad.  

And we wouldn’t have Lady Fitz, which, speak of the siren... I kind of wish we had more info on what the hell happened between her and Charlotte this past year instead of this subplot with her daughter- I find myself not caring at all that her daughter is eloping. I mean, I know that there is some INTRIGUE about that but... we’ll have to see if it pays off I guess?

Final thoughts: AHHHH. I love this show. A quick search in the tag has shown me that people are unhappy? I thought it was great! But I do get what people are saying about the time jump. I found that confusing too. I also don’t think people should be concerned about Isaac ruining the Lady Harlot ship. I think that Charlotte and Fitz will be more of a slow burn and I’ve also seen speculation that Charlotte will seek shelter with Lady Fitz so maybe we will find out more about what happened with them next episode. Also, I just want to enjoy Isaac’s storyline in peace without shipping drama. (Um.. you do know you are on tumblr right selkie?) I think he is interesting, the human trashcan rhyming rogue. (And for the record I do ship Lady Harlot.)

Important Questions: Where the hell is Amelia and Violet and what happened with Amelia and Hunt? Surely they will be on next episode. A quick google search in IMDB for the cast list of the next episode has told me... absolutely nothing. So we’ll just have to wait and see. I see people freaking out that they cut them from the show. I suppose it is possible but I certainly HOPE not. I think they just had a lot to get through with this first episode. They will be on next episode. I am willing it into existence. 

Ahhh, I’m so excited this show is back. 

#harlots hulu #harlots #harlots season 3 episode 1 #harlots spoilers #harlots hulu spoilers #harlots reaction #kate fleetwood #nancy birch #isaac pincher #alfie allen #charlotte wells #jessica brown findlay #long post #lady isabella fitzwilliam #liv tyler #cw c slur

[the-sapphiresky]

Four Years Late

He was sitting out on the steps of her little patio when she came down. Fitz had fallen asleep almost as soon as his head hit the pillow and Sherlock clearly hadn't expected her so quickly.

He hastily flicked away his cigarette and waved the smoke away when she sat down beside him.

"He was really tired," she commented softly. He cleared his throat and followed her gaze up toward the night sky.

"How's...work?"

"Steady. You?"

"Same."

They were both awful at this. The small talk. They always had been. But it was worse now.

She pulled her knees up and wrapped her arms around her legs.

He leaned forward, bracing his forearms on his knees.

She didn't understand why he was still here. But she wasn't going to ask. Because deep down, she didn't want him to leave.

"How's John? And Mary?"

Sherlock lowered his gaze. "Fine."

She bit her lip to stave off the desire to cry. She had given it all up, removed herself from the equation, ignored John and Mary's repeated attempts to interfere, all for him.

She missed how they had been. How it used to be.

But then she remembered the little boy sleeping upstairs and suddenly...it was all worth it.

The pain and loneliness, the heartache. Fitz was worth all of it.

But in her darkest moments, she selfishly wished she could have both worlds.

"When did he leave?"

She stiffened involuntarily, suddenly finding the loose thread on her jumper sleeve incredibly interesting. Of course he had noticed. Was it the lack of mess, no dog fur, or maybe the cold, empty right side of her bed that clued him in.

"Molly?"

She closed her eyes, a tear escaping. It was the first time he had spoken her name in nearly a year.

"Two months ago."

He turned to look at her, blue eyes sharp with surprise, indignation, anger.

"Said he couldn't do it anymore," she brushed her cheek with her sleeve. "That every time he looked at Fitz, he was l-looking at you. And he didn't want to be a second-hand father."

She twisted the sleeves of her jumper and forced a smile. "Truth was, I knew Tom wasn't in this. As soon as he found out that you were...that Fitz..." She swallowed hard. "He was always going to leave."

She could feel how he stiffened beside her, the hard edges of his body becoming like granite.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

Her quiet laugh was bitter and empty. "What was I supposed to say?"

His jaw clenched. "How is Fitz?" There was something in his voice, a hard, protective thread at the thought of Fitz being hurt.

"He says he doesn't care. But he does. He never had liked Tom." She couldn't help adding, under her breath, "But being left by anyone hurts."

The unspoken accusation hung between them. A single night. An empty bed in the morning.

A telling blood test five weeks later.

He ran his hand through his curls. "Molly-"

"Why are you here, Sherlock?" She was tired, heart weary, and sick of avoiding...whatever this was.

He tilted his head back to look up at the stars. In the moonlight, his face appeared almost ghostly white, the shadows of his cheekbones harsh.

"Because four years ago, I made the worst mistake of my life."

Molly's blood ran cold. She wrapped her arms around her waist. She didn't want to hear this, didn't want to hear him say it, give voice to all the fears she battles that he regrets their one night together, regrets Fitz. Her heart couldn't take it.

This...this is why she tried to move on. Left it all behind. Tried to build a life with the wrong man. Because it was the only way. For both of them. So he didn't have to face the reality of his human fallability. And she didn't have to see what they could have been.

"I didn't tell you the truth."

Pulling her sleeve over her hand, she surreptitiously wiped away the tear that had fallen. She swallowed hard and forced herself to ask the question he was waiting for. The answer to which would finally break her heart and extinguish the last, tiny little flame of hope she still carried.

"And what would that truth be?"

He remained silent for so long, she worried he hadn't heard her whisper. She closed her eyes and tried to ignore the ache in her heart.

But then he spoke and it was as if the entire world held its breath around them. The wind stilled, the leaves waiting in silence.

"I love you."

She couldn't breathe. Surely she hadn't heard him correctly.

But then his hand covered hers, tugging it away from its death grip around her knees.

"Molly, look at me. Please."

It was the please that did her in. The way he asked so softly, hesitantly...hopefully.

She opened her eyes, suddenly aware she'd been crying as the world looked so blurry in the watery moonlight. He didn't let go of her hand, resting them on the decking between them.

His other hand came up to turn her face toward him, his long fingers trailing softly down her cheek. She blinked and twin tears fell, his thumb catching one.

"I left that morning because I was afraid. I'd never felt so vulnerable, so bloody terrified in my entire life. By the time I reconciled myself to what I was feeling, the damage was done. You would never have believed me, not weeks after I'd left. And then you told me about our baby, how you didn't expect anything from me, but wanted me to be a part of his life no matter how small." He swallowed hard and looked down, his hand falling away from her face. "Always so selfless, my Molly." He smiled sadly. "I wanted to tell you that I wanted everything to do with our baby. With you."

"Why didn't you?" She rasped, the hollow ache spreading out from her chest.

"Because you'd met Tom. I thought you were happy. I stayed away because I thought Tom could be the father I never would be: patient, loving, normal."

She gripped his hand tight. "You have been a wonderful father. If we had wanted normal, Tom never would have left. But Fitz doesn't want a normal father. He wants you." She cradled his face in her hand. "We both do."

The ache in her chest was fading, giving way to a warm, tentative feeling of fullness.

He closed his eyes and let out a shuddering breath, leaning down to brace his head against hers. She slowly pulled her hand away from his and before he could worry, she moved closer, their legs touching, and wrapped her arms around him. She tucked her head against his chest as he held her, her ear above his heart.

"I love you, too."

She hid a watery smile when his heart thudded loudly at her words. A finger nudged her chin and she looked up, brown eyes meeting blue eyes. Then, finally, four years late, he pressed his lips to hers and her eyes fluttered shut.

*****

Above them, a pair of bright blue eyes stared down from the window. A toothy smile grew on his face.

Maybe daddy would be here in the morning to make pancakes.

#sherlolly #angst like whoa #but with a happy ending because its me ya know #fitzwilliam holmes

[grapehyasynth]

The Fire and The Flood

A Fitzsimmons AU

Then: The cold is biting, finding its way inside despite his effort to burrow into his layers. He feels the cold extinguishing something in him, a fire he’s been suffering for years. But though he leaves her – though he has to, to protect his heart, to keep himself from doing something rash – he still feels her with him.

Now: There’s a light on in her window. Well, he doesn’t actually know if it’s hers anymore. He stops outside her building. He hesitates. He wonders…

Now

Fitz isn’t likely to admit it, but he loves the romance of the high street in snowfall. The days before Christmas brim with magic – not that he believes in actual magic, mind. But there’s undeniably an enchantment that’s cast by a collective eagerness and the lampposts wrapped in fairy lights and special holiday breads glowing in the storefronts.

Tonight is the solstice, so most people are at home with their families, celebrating the pagan holdover with cider and leaving the new snow to him. He’s gotten over the loneliness of being new (or, rather, new again) to the small town, pushed aside the memories long enough to tuck himself in enough knitwear to satisfy even his mum, were she here, and gone for a stroll in the silence.

It’s beautiful enough, really, to make him forget his self-pity for a moment. Alone on the solstice – alone at Christmas, probably, unless he decides to be one of the sad wankers in a pub that day. Still. He smiles up at the sky, its blackness somehow purpled by the hanging clouds of snow. All in all, not a bad way to spend an evening.

He’d wondered if he’d need to reacquaint himself with the place, after six years away. But his heart has a damnably powerful memory, and his feet follow it.

He finds himself on Brewster Court and laughs to himself in the muffled silence. Of course.

There’s a light on in her window. Well, he doesn’t actually know if it’s hers anymore. She’d probably been gone shortly after him. They’ve talked, of course, intermittently and without the depth he craved, and she never mentions where she lives. He hasn’t seen her for ages. (Six years, of course. Not that he’s been without her, not really. Forgetting her would be like forgetting his own name. Remembering her feels like breathing, but also a little bit like crying.)

He stops outside her building. He hesitates. He wonders…

 Then

“You check.”

“No, you.”

“You!”

“It’s your flat!”

“In which I let you kip!”

Jemma jabs Fitz’s chest and he curls inwards, catching her hand and groaning, pretending to be mortally wounded. She laughs, turning her face slightly into the pillow.

“It’s a meter away, Fitz.”

“Then you do it.”

She pouts. He does his darnedest not to show how that affects him. Can’t have her knowing she’s got him so thoroughly wrapped about her little finger or she’ll be winning every argument.

“Roshambo?”

They push up onto their elbows, the old couch springs creaking under the movement. Jemma wins, of course.

“Oh, Fitz,” she chuckles, and falls back so that her hair fans over her pillow, and a bit onto his as well.

I could get used to this, he thinks, even as he grumbles and pointedly climbs over her, kneeing her and nearly elbowing her nose, tumbling off the edge of the pulled-out sofa as Jemma kicks him off. I could wake up every morning like this.

At the window, he peeks out to check on the progress of the snowstorm that trapped him at Jemma’s last night, an imprisonment neither had minded as they’d pulled out her couch and watched a sitcom from the 80s on her excuse for a television. Jemma could’ve slept in her own bed, but she’d fallen asleep next to him, her fingers close to his on top of the covers.

“Looks like it’s done,” he reports, squinting into the blinding, complete whiteness outside. “They haven’t started clearing it away but it’s not falling anymore.”

Jemma hums and shields her eyes with the back of her hand. “Suppose that means we need to get up.”

“Nggggghhhh,” Fitz replies, pitching himself back onto the couch and over her legs. “Five more minutes.”

 Now

“Hell—Fitz?”

If it’s possible for a body to be struck by lightning and tremble down to its mitochondria and shiver through every nerve ending and yet show none of this, that’s what Fitz is experiencing.

“Hey. Hi,” he manages.

Jemma shakes her head, incredulous, then shoves the door properly open and hugs him right there on the threshold. She’s in her pajamas, bare feet on the welcome mat, and she clings to him so tightly his scarf might fuse itself into the skin of his neck. (He wouldn’t mind.)

“Fitz,” she repeats when she finally lets go. He’d run through a thousand painful scenarios on the way up the stairs – she isn’t here, he is here, she doesn’t want to see him, something terrible has happened, she doesn’t remember him, she doesn’t much care either way – and the sheer brilliance of her smile and incredulity with which she says his name makes every one of those fears worth it. He’ll climb that staircase with a knot in his stomach a thousand times, if she will only greet him like this.

“Come in, come in,” she insists, practically dragging him by the fabric of his coatsleeve.

“Wasn’t sure you lived here anymore,” he says. He notices she’s looking at him, still beaming, hands fluttering like she wants to hug him again, and he blushes, choosing to take in her flat instead. It’s changed, of course, just as he imagines Jemma herself has since last they saw each other, but it still feels right. The lights are warm, there’s a new stretch of exposed brick, and she’s loaded up the big windowsill with plants. He doesn’t have to glance into the kitchen to be sure the breakfast nook is still in use.

“Well.” Jemma shrugs. “Where else was I going to go?”

She takes his coat and laughs at his excessive layers and quizzes him on his job and his mum and he swears he can feel the rightness of it all thrumming in his blood.

 Then

When they finally do get out of bed and off the couch, Fitz isn’t in any rush to leave, and Jemma doesn’t seem to mind. She puts on gloves – right there, in the apartment, probably more to be dramatic than anything – and they make tea and sit in the breakfast nook and watch dogs and children frolic in the snowdrifts, chased by their weary minders. Sometimes their eyes catch across the table and they both smile into their mugs. Fitz’s leg bounces under the table, just because he feels too giddy to sit completely still.

 Now

“I just can’t believe it,” Jemma says again. “You’re really here. After all this time—”

“I feel the same way,” he admits, hoping it’s not too much. It just feels so easy with her. Had it felt this way, before? Or is it something about the way they’ve both changed in the past half-decade, separately but not apart, that makes them fit together so neatly?

They’re sitting side by side on the couch – a new one; she’s replaced the old fold-out for something a bit more chic – while some kind of modern jazz plays from the kitchen. He remembers hating modern jazz. In this moment, he can’t remember why.

“They all asked about you, you know,” Jemma tells him, a hint of teasing in her voice. “The butcher, the baker—”

“The candlestick maker?”

She smacks his knee. “You know we haven’t got one of those. I’m serious, Fitz, they were all sad to see you go. I think Mrs. McAllister from the grocer’s honestly thought you’d marry her daughter.”

Fitz snorts. “I think Mrs. McAllister honestly thought I’d marry Mrs. McAllister.”

She laughs. (She keeps doing that, laughing at his stupid jokes, and for the first time in six years he lets himself imagine that she feels the same way.) They keep talking about the townspeople, the new folk who’ve drifted in from London and threatened to make the place horribly modern, the traditionalists who’ve actually started flyer campaigns to prevent too many changes – but even as they rattle off names, even as he knows there’s a whole humming hive of people out there, that some of them are just beyond that wall, he can’t help feeling they’re the only two people in the world. The snow is falling quick and thick outside the window and maybe he should say something, should get home before it’s too heavy, but maybe it’s snowing because they’re here together. Maybe it’s snowing to keep them together.

 Then

Fitz keeps his hands wrapped around the mug long after the tea is gone and the ceramic has cooled. Jemma’s besocked toes nudge him under the table.

“Cent for your thoughts.”

He glances up at her and smiles. The smile is a lie. He’s got to leave in a few, there’s no appropriate way to drag this out further, and as always happens when he feels this critical moment before going away, he’s falling into a mood. She’s still here, just across the little table, her beautiful face poking out of that silly turtleneck, but he already feels like he’s gone. It’s just been so lovely, so easy, the last twelve hours with her. Everything he could ever want. Why can’t he just tell her that? Tell her what he wants?

“This has been nice,” he answers her, lamely, so far short of the truth.

Her lips contract, like she’s thinking. “It could go on being nice,” she says hesitatingly. “You could stay a while. Have another sleepover. Maybe with some wine and some…”

She’s just being polite, Fitz realizes. It’s so obvious, her uncertainty, the slight pleading in her eyes to understand her real meaning. She doesn’t want me to stay. Why would she? He knows she values their friendship, but there’s only so much Fitz anyone can take.

“Thanks, Jem, but I really should be going.” Jemma’s gaze drops into her lap – probably to hide her relief, he thinks sadly. “I’ll wash up.”

 Now

Jemma keeps watching him long after they’ve run out of proper things to say. Fitz nudges her knee.

“Cent for your thoughts.”

She squeezes her eyes shut, aware she’s been caught staring, and smiles. Fitz’s lips mirror her, her soft joy infectious or shared, theirs.

“This has been nice,” she murmurs. “I missed you.”

It’s such a simple statement, but it presses across the straining surface of his heart.

“I missed you too.” He thinks about leaving it there. He’s never been good at the vulnerable honesty. Then again, he climbed forty-eight steps filled with fear only to find Jemma waiting, after all this time. Maybe it really can be this easy, this lovely. Everything he could ever want. “But – and this is going to sound daft – I don’t feel like I’ve been missing you. Like – I knew you weren’t there, obviously, but you were also everywhere. I’d be in the market and see a certain kind of biscuits and think, ‘Ah, Jemma’s favorite.’”

He shrugs, embarrassed, but Jemma is nodding. “I know exactly what you mean. You were leagues away and I still…felt you, all the time.”

Fitz hums wisely and Jemma chuckles, ducking her head. There’s a moment of companionable silence, and then the radio announcer’s voice from the next room is saying the time and Fitz grimaces – he hadn’t realized it’s gotten so late.

“Right, I should go, you were obviously about to go to bed –”

Jemma’s lips contract, like she’s thinking. “You don’t have to go,” she says, eyes steady on him. “You could stay a while.”

He sinks back onto the edge of the couch. “I don’t want to disturb you—”

“You’re not. And—” Her fingers dig into the cushion, her taut knuckles pressing into the side of his knee. “I hope you’ll forgive me but I somehow managed to muck this up the six dozen or so times I tried to tell you, all those years ago, but I could never find the words, and I don’t want to risk you misunderstanding again—I’d like you to stay, Fitz. I – I’d like you to stay forever, if you don’t mind.”

She has changed, he can see it clearly. She’s still nervous as she’s saying it, but she’s sure of herself. She’s more direct.

But he’s changed too.

Because, for the first time, he genuinely believes that it’s possible.

“Forever?” he repeats, taking her fretting hand off the cushion and holding it tenderly.

Jemma shrugs, eyes filling with tears that betray her nonchalance. “You’re my best friend,” she whispers.

He bows his head until his nose brushes her cheek and catches a few tears on its tip. “And you’re more than that, Jemma.”

She presses shaking lips to his, and the whisper of the snow on the windowpanes sounds like at last, at last, at last.

 Then

Fitz gathers his things from the armchair in the living room, then sets them back down to strip the couch and fold it back up. (His mother hadn’t raised him to be a slob in other people’s houses – only his own.) He’s wrapping tucking his scarf into his jumper when Jemma laughs from the doorway and he hears another person with her.

“I just can’t believe it,” Jemma is chuckling. “You’re really here. After all this time—”

“I know! I feel the same way, it’s insane.”

He steps into the front hall and sees Jemma practically pressed to the side of a tall man with a postal service uniform and an obnoxiously perfect smile.

“Fitz!” Jemma exclaims, guiding her companion into the light. “This is Trip. He’s been delivering my packages for – three years now?”

“At least,” Trip chortles, grinning at Fitz, and god does Fitz hate his kind eyes.

“But we’ve never met! And he’s always been so considerate, leaving my packages with the Donahues when I’m out, even though that’s not technically protocol, I left out some biscuits for him last summer and he left a drawing his little sister did – and now he’s here!”

“It’s a Christmas miracle,” Trip beams.

Jemma laughs. (She keeps doing that, laughing with Trip, and for the first time since they became friends Fitz sees what everyone always says about Jemma being an obvious flirt. Why is she trying so hard? She doesn’t even seem like herself.)  They keep talking, Jemma and Trip, but even as they bond like old chums, Fitz can’t help feeling he’s not really there anymore. They look like they’re the only two people in the world. All his dread, all his uncertainty, all his self-loathing – here they are in a perfect, tall, muscular manifestation, and he knows he was right. He and Jemma could never be.

 Now

When they finally manage to force themselves apart (they try a few times, but Jemma’s discovered she loves kissing the part of Fitz’s neck where his beard thins away and Fitz is entranced by the feeling of her cheek under his thumb and lips), Fitz certainly isn’t in any rush to leave anymore, nor is Jemma eager to have him go. She draws the curtains – a good sign, Fitz thinks -- and they make spiced rum and snuggle on the couch and murmur to each other (with equal parts chagrin and humor) about all the times they’d come so close. Sometimes their eyes catch over their mugs and they both smile. Their free hands lay against Fitz’s chest, fingers tangled, just because they feel too giddy to be apart.

 Then

If it’s possible for a body to disintegrate and shatter down to its mitochondria and crumble through every nerve ending and yet show none of this, that’s what Fitz is experiencing.

“Falling in love with the mailman – how often does that happen?” he mutters.

He wishes there were a feeling of everything dropping away. He wishes there were some great breaking-glass moment where he realizes the rightness of moments spent with Jemma were all fantasy. He wishes he didn’t adore the brilliance of her smile and the way she says his name and how it makes him feel every time she hugs him. He wishes he hated her –

No, he thinks as he slips out of her apartment, Jemma barely noticing as she’s draping herself over Trip. No, he’d never wish that.  

The snow looks grey and defeated already, the charm gone. Perfect setting for his self-pity.

He doesn’t stop to look back. He doesn’t hesitate. He doesn’t wonder.

The cold is biting, finding its way inside despite his effort to burrow into his layers. He feels the cold extinguishing something in him, a fire he’s been suffering for years.

But though he leaves her – though he has to, to protect his heart, to keep himself from doing something rash – he still feels her with him.

 Now

“You check.”

“No, you.”

“You!”

“It’s your flat!”

“In which I let you do unspeakable things to me!”

Jemma nips at Fitz’s bare chest and he curls inwards, trapping her hips between his legs and groaning, pretending to be mortally wounded. She laughs, pressing her face into his shoulder.  

“It’s a meter away, Fitz.”

“Then you do it.”

She bites her lip seductively. He does his darnedest not to show how that affects him. Can’t have her knowing she’s got him so thoroughly wrapped about her little finger or she’ll be winning every argument. Maybe he doesn’t care. It just feels so… complete, to lay next to her like this, to rest on the same pillow.

“Roshambo?”

They push up onto their elbows, the sheets slipping to their waists. Jemma wins, of course.

“Oh, Fitz,” she chuckles, and she falls back onto the bed, hair fanning across the pillows.

I love this, he thinks, flooded with affection even as he pointedly rolls over Jemma, pressing their bodies together sinuously before slipping off the bed, not bothering to cover his nudity. I can’t wait to wake up every morning like this.

At the window, he peeks out to check on the progress of the snowstorm.

“Still raging,” he lies, pulling the curtain aside to show her the perfectly clear blue sky. “Can’t see a thing.”

Jemma hums and smirks at him, her legs dropping open under the sheets. “However will we pass the time?”

She floods his senses, she pulses in his blood, she has waited and he has waited and they have found each other again.

“You’ll think of something,” he grins, and crawls back into bed with her.  

#aosficnet2 #writing #thefitzsimmonsnetwork #fitzsimmons #aos #agents of shield #jemma simmons #leo fitz #leopold fitz #fsfic #fs tag #fs #au #alternate universe #song fic #ish? #song-inspired fic #fire and the flood #vance joy

[biebsimagine]

Newspapers

This is the very first draft of a fanfic I planned to write but lost confidence in at the beginning of the year, and I totally forgot about it until now. I thought I'd at least post it somewhere instead of just scrapping it. I've completely lost where I was going to go with the story so I don't know what this is, but enjoy! 

The news stands all around New York show the same image of a young girl - early twenties, blonde - laid out on the streets, covered in wounds. They don't catch my eye as I stride down the streets, trying to squeeze through the sea of people.

My earphones are in and Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Heart Club Band by The Beatles is my soundtrack on my way to work. My briefcase is heavy in my hand and I have to keep alternating between my left and right but I don't complain as it keeps me fitting into the crowd, despite what's inside.

The buildings are towering over us all and creating shade, which doesn't help in the already cold air. The smell of hot dogs and burgers coming from the stands around the corner from my building fills my senses, as always, and I try not to feel hungry.

There's four buildings in each corner, each one seeming as tall as the next and all overlooking the fountain that sits in the centre that I'm walking past. I feel water spitting on my neck and I flinch away, meanwhile my feet are hurriedly taking me towards the building to my right.

A woman is sat on one of the wooden benches. She's staring down at an iPhone 7 that rests in the palm of her hand and she looks up as I'm walking by. I smile at her and it takes her a second to mirror my expression, when she does, I send her a wink.

There's birds swooping low and landing on the branches of the trees, their voices echoing while they do so. I can't help but wonder what it would feel like to be so free; nothing to think hard about, nothing to keep a secret.

I stride into the building and aim straight for the desk that sights next to the elevator. Harry, who works the desk, is sat in his usual chair and looking down at the newspaper; I'm fairly certain he's currently engaging in his daily routine of doing the Crossword puzzle in the back of The Times.

He looks up when my shadow casts over his paper, he smiles the usual crooked smile when he notices me.

"Morning, Bieber," he croaks cheerfully. I sign in by scribbling my name on the sheet of paper.

"Morning, Harry. Good weekend? How's the wife?" I ask but I'm already taking slow steps towards the elevator that's just opened and spat out two men dressed in suits almost identical to mine. Harry replies but I merely nod and grimace - my earphones are still in and Day In The Life is blocking out any kind of sound - before lunging in between the doors that were seconds from closing before I forced them to open again.

Thankfully, there's no one in the elevator as I make my way up to the third floor. I'm able to appreciate the melodies floating into my ear while checking my appearance in the slightly distorted reflection on the metal walls. I run a hand through my hair to smooth it and fix my tie.

It stops on the second floor and I recognise Tim Fitzgerald stepping inside wearing an Armani suit. He gives me a once over before standing next to me, clasping his hands in front of him.

Tim has blonde hair that I'm fairly sure is dyed, his nose points a little too far to the right; rumour has it, he used to be apart of a notorious gang, but I call bullshit. I try not to look over at him and imagine him in tiny pieces.

"..Listening to me, Bieber?" I can hear him say as the current song finishes. I sigh and reach into my suit pocket to pause the next song that I recognise as ____.

"Sorry, Fitz, you were saying?" I ask tiredly and in no form of anticipation to hear what he has to say. The elevator is moments from arriving on the third floor, I'm not relieved because I know Fitzgerald's office is on the third floor.

"I asked you if you'd tried that new restaurant downtown; Nova, I believe it's called."

"No, I haven't. If you'll excuse me," I manage to say as I slip between the metal doors that hadn't stopped parting.

"Oh, really? Everyone's going there, it's almost impossible to get a reservation. You should definitely take- what's her name, Sophia? Yes, Sophia. She'd love it there."

I'm uncertain as to whether he'd spoken after that because I'm hurriedly making my way through the floor, passing door after door, each of them having signs with the name of its proprietor. I keep a mental checklist that includes each of the names, although I know I'll never manage complete it.

Taking a left, I can see my office door and it's then that I become aware of the fact that no music is coming through my earphones. I sigh and carefully take each earpiece out of my ear before twirling them around my fingers.

My assistant, who I'm pretty sure is attracted to me, is sat at her desk outside of my office. Today she's wearing a black pantsuit with her blonde hair falling down her shoulders. I nod at her while turning the door handle, I notice a hopeful smile fall from her lips and I'm guessing it's because she was hoping I would make some kind of conversation with her.

Inside my office, I place the briefcase down on the desk, it's joined by my phone and earphones. There's cool air kissing my neck and it only becomes more dominant to me when I slip my suit jacket off of my back. It's left to hang on the back of the door and I smooth my hands across it.

Moving around my desk, I take a hold of the phone - it's one that still having to be held back by a long wire - and dial the familiar number. It rings and I let myself fall into the chair while I await and anticipate that one voice.

I can see, through the drapes that hang over the window to the left of the door, my assistant - Courtney - sitting behind her desk.

"Hello?"

"Sophia," I say while wrapping the cord around my pointer finger before letting it bounce back into straightness.

"You left about half an hour ago, Justin." Her laugh echoes and bounces against my eardrum, I flinch.

"Am I not allowed to call my girlfriend when I want to? I thought you'd be pleased to hear from me. D'you know most men don't call their girlfriends?"

"Alright, my apologies. What's up?"

"How about dinner tonight?" I ask, yanking the drawer of my desk open before grabbing the TV remote that sits next to the duct tape and the pins.

The silence goes on for a little longer than I expected. "I thought we could stay home tonight, have some 'us' time, y'know?"

"I'm thinking Nova."

My words are the predecessor of even more silence from Sophia. "Nova's nice.."

"You've heard of it?" I ask, wondering how she had managed to be up to date when I'd only just been made aware of the restaurant's existence. I felt my fingers clench around the phone; the plastic creaks under the pressure.

"Of course, everyone's talking about it. I heard it's almost always impossible to get a reservation. Emily Pierce told me her husband took her last week."

I can't help the excruciating itch of frustration that I'm seemingly the only one that hasn't heard about the restaurant. I remind myself to pick up a copy of The Times on my way home.

"So, is that a yes?" I ask with a rather short tone; the only things I've gained from this conversation are the annoyance of not failing to be up to date, along with the determination to get reservations - with a good table - at Nova's.

"Yes! Of course. Shall I come over tonight?" I can hear the excitement in her voice, it's almost billowing out of the receiver and threatening to punch me in the face.

"No, no," I say quickly, remembering the state I left my apartment in last night; I specifically remember the lung puncturing and covering the wall. "That won't be necessary. I'll pick you up at seven. Wear something nice. Preferably black."

"Okay, see you then. I love you," she gushes and, to my relief, doesn't give me time to reply as she ends the call.

There's a brief pause; the only sound is that coming from the TV. The news channel is on and I can hear the reporter talking about a plane crash in the East. Forty people dead, ten missing.

I can see Jean looking through the window at me now and I motion her inside, I watch as she almost trips while  rapidly making her way towards the office door.

"Courtney," I announce and she smiles. "I need reservations for two at Nova, tonight at eight or eight-thirty. Could you sort that for me?"

Her smile falters and, all of a sudden, she looks as though she's trying hard to keep it there.

"Of course," she says rather monotonously as she scribbles it down in the usual pad she carries with her. The edges are frayed and ripped. "Anything else?"

"Just get me a water," I lean back in my chair while I watch her unnecessarily write it down. "That'll be all."

She nods just once and edges towards the door. I'm looking through papers that I notice have been left on my desk when I'm close to being able to feel her disappointment.

"Don't wear that outfit again."

I'm not looking at her so I'm sure as to what her reaction is, but I make a mental bet with myself that it's either - even more - disappointment, or excitement that I've noticed her outfit, even if I have commented negatively on it.

"You don't like it?" she asks and I finally look at her. I won; it was disappointment.

"C'mon, Courtney, you're prettier than that," I chuckle.

#justin bieber #justin bieber imagine #​justin bieber imagines #Justin Bieber mature imagine #Justin Bieber mature #justim bieber au #Justin Bieber aus #justin Bieber fake au #bieber #fanfic #justin Bieber love #Justin Bieber dirty imagines #justin Bieber cute #justin Bieber romance #fake au #fake aus #fake text

[theclaravoyant]

Another pride prompt! Daisy is freaking out because she just realized that 1) she has a crush on jemma 2) does that mean she is not straight?? until Fitz figures out what the problem is and is there for her as a supportive friend (Bonus for: "Aren't you worry/mad that I have a crush on your girlfriend?" / "Please, like both of us don't have ginormous crushes on you, Daisy.")

AN ~ I always love some FitzSkimmons but today I was feelin some regular Skimmons so have this brotp: FitzDaisy + romantic Skimmons/Bioquake... in a Coffee Shop AU bc #reasons. Super fluffy. Enjoy!

Read on AO3 (~1200wd)

-

Fitz’s stomach was growling by the time Daisy finally made her way, in drifting and stumbling steps, back to the table where he was waiting. She had her head turned over her shoulder, not watching where she was going, and all but stumbled into the table before she realised where she was. And how long she’d been staring back at the cashier, and the little glint of her silver necklace the way her blonde hair tickled the back of her neck as she made the next coffee and –

“Shit.” Blushing furiously, Daisy pulled her head in. Rampant thoughts scattered through her mind of flowers and kisses and a dog for some reason and a kitchen that was way nicer than hers and bare skin and –

And then Fitz ruined by taking a loud, slurping gulp of his milkshake.

“Took you long enough,” he cursed, but sighed with satisfaction as Daisy finally remembered to unload her cargo, and Fitz got his hands on the ham and cheese toastie he’d ordered nearly fifteen minutes ago. “Are you alright? You look warm. Should we move over to the window?”

“No! Nah. I mean. I’m fine. Just – strong coffee, that’s all.”

Fitz frowned. Daisy was an indiscriminate coffee drinker, just as likely to dump a handful of instant coffee in whatever mug she could find or empty a can of whipped cream into a frappe as she was to order a neat cappuccino with baby marshmallows or biscuits on the side. Strong coffee? Not likely. Nevertheless, no other explanation immediately came to mind so he let the topic go and they moved on to food and movies and video games and the afternoon whiled away.

Unfortunately for Daisy though, her confusing ordeal was not over yet. This was their regular café, and the new girl – so attractive Daisy seemed to forget how to speak around her – seemed to be there every day. Every meal. Every tiny smile as she rung up paninis and muffins and coffee and cola and Daisy really did not have the budget for this, but gradually she realised she was dragging Fitz more and more often to the same table and that maybe she was giving off the impression that this was their table and that they were a they and not that it mattered but it kind of did but why did she care all of a sudden… and it was when she looked down at the coffee she hadn’t ordered – it was the girl, Jemma, she had just known – that Daisy realised what it all meant. The flushed cheeks. The domestic daydreams, and the not so domestic ones. The need for Jemma not to think that she and Fitz were together. To keep the door open. To allow for the possibility…

“Oh… my god,” she whispered.

“What?” Fitz looked up from the design he was doodling on her napkin, and frowned at her unusually pale cheeks. Daisy bit her lip, but there was nothing for it now. She couldn’t talk about it to anyone else. Fitz was the only one who knew her well enough. The only one she felt like trusting. The only one she didn’t feel completely foolish, confessing to about anything… even if it did seem ridiculous… or did it? Or…

“Y’know Jemma?” Daisy began. A smile touched Fitz’s lips.

“Oh yes. Jemma. Jemma Anne Simmons. She’s just moved here from England and she’s on a working visa and she wants to see the Grand Canyon so she’s saving up but it’s hard because rent here is so expensive. That Jemma?”

Daisy blushed. It had been her that had parroted all this to him. Another sign, perhaps, that she was more interested than normal? “Maybe.”

“Then yes, I’m familiar. Go on.”

“Well… I think I might…” Daisy took a deep breath. Here goes. “Like her. Like her like her. You know, like… like her.”

Daisy’s fingers dug into the coffee cup so tensely she might have worried about tearing it, if she’d thought of such a thing. Her eyes searched Fitz’s face for a reaction. He frowned a little at first, but not in disapproval. It was more like… exploration. Reflection. As if realising that this all made sense.

“How do you know?” he wondered.

“I don’t know, haven’t you ever liked someone before? It’s just – it, y’know, you like them. And you want to be with them and hear their voice and learn everything there is about them because they’re pretty and nice and funny and – Jemma’s funny isn’t she? Probably. She’s probably funny.”

“Okay, I think that’s enough coffee for you.” Fitz pried it out of her hands, and Daisy rapped her nails on the table and rocked from foot to foot. She couldn’t help a glance back over her shoulder, at Jemma, and since it was a quiet moment, Jemma smiled and waved. Daisy waved back, and squeaked, and hid again, and when she saw Fitz smirk she glared.

“Shut up, asshole,” she hissed.

“No, it’s not that,” Fitz protested. “Although – for the record, you are adorable – it’s just… I think you have more of a chance than you think.”

“More of a what?”

“Well, first of all, Jemma just tucked her hair behind her ears for the third time in the last two minutes… and second of all…”

Fitz slid the coffee cup back toward Daisy, and turned it around, so that her name, and a phone number faced her. Daisy gaped at it.

“That’s not – that’s not my number.”

“No, it is not,” Fitz agreed, waiting for the implication to settle in. Daisy gaped. Blinked.

“Should I… should I text her? No, right? She’s at work. And I don’t –“ she scoffed dismissively. “I mean, I don’t want to lead her on. I don’t even know what this is, really.”

“Then find out.”

Fitz nodded, but not at Daisy. Daisy frowned, and turned. Was he talking to Jemma? But her brain hardly had time to jump from one thought to next before her phone buzzed. Instinctively, she pulled it out, and read the text in the notification.

I get off at 2.  

Daisy danced before she could think about it. Fitz smiled, and hitched his bag onto his shoulder.

“I’ve got to get back to the grind,” he said. “Tell me where it goes. I mean, not all the way, just – let me know, okay? Good luck.”

“Good luck!” Daisy replied. “I mean. Thanks. Will do.”

She waved, and he waved, and left, and she looked back down at her phone as the clock ticked over from 1:59 to 2:00. She felt a little thrill in her chest. Then she realised there was somebody standing behind her. She turned.

“Hi.” Jemma blushed, and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear.

“Hi.” Daisy bit her lip for a moment. “So I, uh. I would have brought you to this great coffee place I know but… who wants to go on a date at work, right?”

“Here here.” Jemma pursed her lips. It was true, but it did require more effort be put in, and they were only at the beginning.

“Have you had lunch?” Daisy offered.

“Actually, no,” Jemma confessed.

“Do you like burritos?”

Jemma’s stomach rumbled before she could answer. She laughed, and Daisy grinned at it, before dropping her payment on the table and gesturing to the door that led the way out.

“I’ll take that as a yes, then,” she agreed proudly. “Don’t worry, I know a place.”

#skimmons #bioquake #aospositivitynet #aosfemslash #aosfic #fitzdaisy #brotp: a tonne of weird crap #clara's fic tag #prompt me stuff #florchis

[jemmafitzsimmons]

Written for @jsimmonz, who requested FS + You can tell me anything. This also fulfills @thefitzsimmonsnetwork‘s Fanwork Friday prompt “Space.” 

Synopsis: As Jemma struggles with homesickness in space, Fitz finds a way for her to connect with the person she misses most. 

Read below or on AO3! 

~ 

She heard his footsteps not long after she escaped from the team’s weekly counseling session.

It was part of the agreement between the two of them – they didn’t necessarily have to talk, but they both needed to at least attend the sessions. Fitz wasn’t happy about it at first, but he quickly grew to like the time spent just talking with the team. And Jemma usually enjoyed this time as well, but today wasn’t just any other day, so she was less than thrilled to spend the afternoon discussing what they missed most about Earth. For many of them, it was the food, which they luckily got to enjoy with each other one last time before they were taken into custody. For Daisy, it was being able to use her powers freely. And Fitz missed their old lab.

Normally, Jemma would openly contribute to the conversation, but she wasn’t in the mood this time around, so she slumped into her chair until the opportunity arose for her to make her escape. When Coulson asked if she was alright, she made up an excuse that she was feeling under the weather and quickly left to find a quiet place to be alone.

But she knew she wouldn’t fool everyone.

She chose the space station’s small library to find some solace, locating a small nook in the back corner with a reading chair that few would notice at first glance. But before she knew it, she could sense his presence behind her chair and heard him let out a deep sigh before he came around to face her.

“I’m impressed,” she said as she put her book into her lap. “It only took you, what, twenty minutes?”

“Well, I knew you weren’t actually ill. You would have told me.” Squatting down to look up at her, Fitz placed his hand on Jemma’s arm. “What wrong?”

She shook her head. “It’s nothing. I just didn’t feel like talking today.”

“Jemma. You’re not like me – you don’t process. You just let it eat you up.” When she didn’t respond, he leaned in closer. “You can tell me anything,” he whispered reassuringly, moving his thumb back and forth against her skin.

“I know,” she replied, lowering her eyes. After another moment of contemplating if she should really tell him the truth, she exhaled deeply and met his gaze, finally giving in. “It’s my dad’s birthday today,” she revealed weakly. 

Suddenly, his face fell slightly, and Jemma could tell he was trying to hide the impact of her words. They had spoken little about their families back home, and the sudden reminder that their loved ones were back on Earth with no idea that the two of them were in space seemed to hit him heavily, just as it did when she realized what day it was.

“Oh,” he uttered softly. “When was the last time you…”

“Spoke to him? Oh, wow. I can’t even remember. Almost a year, I’d say.” She shook her head as she felt the weight of so much lost time. “When I became special advisor to….” 

She trailed off to clear her throat, not wanting to emphasize the memory more than necessary. Fitz was slowly starting to forgive himself, but the slight mention of the things they lost still sent him into a spiral of guilt. Without mentioning the fallen man’s name, she continued. “I sort of lost track of time. I was going to call him once we secured the apartment, actually. But that never happened, so… And then after everything that happened, I never got a chance to contact him.”

Fitz nodded in understanding. “Have you heard anything from him?”

“Just a few emails here and there. Always asking the same question without asking it.”

“And what is that?”

A soft smile spread across her face while she reached for Fitz’s hand. “He wants to know when I’m coming home – and when I’m coming home with you.”

“Ah,” Fitz replied, his eyebrows raised.  

“Yeah.” Squeezing his hand between both of hers, she gave him a slight shrug. “I thought I’d like space. But now I’m sort of over it.”

“I know.” He must have noticed her wanting to drop the subject, so he changed his grip on her hand and looked up at her with brighter eyes. “Do you want to come to the mess hall with me?”

“Oh, that’s alright,” she said, shaking her head. “I’m not really that hungry. But go, please. I’ll come by if I suddenly feel up to it.”

“Okay.” After he straightened up, he leaned down to press his lips to her hairline. She watched him walk away, but then he turned his head over his shoulder to look at her once more. Nodding, she silently told him she would be okay, at least for now. His eyes were soft, telling her that he was trying to convince himself that she was alright, but ultimately, she knew he didn’t completely believe it.

-----

Jemma stretched out on their shared cot, moving her limbs about in an attempt to find a comfortable sleeping position on the unforgiving mattress as she waited for Fitz to return. It was odd of him to not be back by now, what with the strict curfew and the fact that they rather enjoyed their alone time in their bunk. They were lucky to share, so they made sure they took advantage of their situation.

When it was nearly eleven, already a half hour past their curfew, she stretched her arm lazily off the side of the bed to turn off their bedside lamp. There was nothing she could do at this point – going out in the hallway to look for him wasn’t an option, the security guards at the end of each hallway making that impossible – and they didn’t have phones, so all she could do was wait as anxiety ate away at her mind.

But to her great relief, the lock on their bunk’s door turned, and Jemma sat straight up in bed. When she saw his face peak through, a sparse light from the hallway creating a soft halo around his features, she let out a loud huff. “Fitz, where have you—”

“Jemma, come here,” he whispered urgently.  

“What?”

“Quick, I don’t have time to explain,” he continued as he gestured her forward frantically.

As she followed him into the hallway, she pulled on his sleeve. “Fitz, what’s going on? Where are the guards?”

“Don’t worry about that. Here, follow me,” he insisted as he found her hand in the dark and led them forward. Once they made it out of the residence halls, he took her down a small flight of stairs and around a corner before they reached what Jemma assumed was the space station’s main server room, or at least one of them anyway. She was surprised by the lack of guards on duty, but she didn’t worry about that as Fitz had clearly already arrived at his desired destination. Without hesitation, he led her inside and closed the door softly behind her.

“Are we allowed to be in here?” she asked anxiously.

“Likely not. But Mack’s guarding the door, and Elena’s down the hallway.”

“Okay, but what are we doing here?”

Before answering her question, he opened up a panel near the far left end of the servers and pulled out a phone, similar to the one he had described finding on the bus that May had stashed away.

“I was able to set up a secure line. You’ll only have one chance to make a call because I’ll have to disconnect it before anyone notices.” He extended the phone out to her, but all she could do was gawk at him through her puzzlement.

“What? A secure line that leads where?”

“Sheffield,” he said through an exhale.

At the word, she nearly lost her footing, the air swiftly leaving her lungs.

“I memorized the number way back when,” he explained. “Just in case.”

“Oh,” she said softly, the only response she could muster through her shock. She knew they didn’t have time to waste, but at the moment, all she could do was stand there, her eyes shifting between the phone and Fitz’s waiting eyes. The possibility to make contact, to actually tell her father that she was okay made her heart race in anticipation. “So I can...”

“It’ll go straight to a voicemail box, but yeah. You can talk to him.”

She nodded her head slowly as she tried to process all that was happening. She couldn’t even begin to think about how Fitz had even managed to make this happen, let alone how much trouble he could have gotten himself in – or could still get himself in – if he were to get caught. No one was supposed to know where they were, let alone try to make contact with Earth. And the fact that he had recruited their team members to help with this plan, just so she could send a few reassuring words back home, was even more overwhelming.

When she didn’t make any movements to proceed with making the call, Fitz stepped forward, pressing the phone into her hand. “Do you want me to step out, give you some…”

“No, no,” she said instantly, reaching out to grip his bicep. “I, uh…you can stay here.”

“I guess you should think about what you want to say, yeah?”

Jemma bit her lip to suppress her smile. “I think I already know.”

Nodding urgently, he took a quick glance over her shoulder, seemingly making sure they still hadn’t been caught. “Alright then,” he finally said, pulling her closer to the back of the room so she could speak more freely. At once, he dialed the number for her, which she silently thanked him for as her hands were already beginning to shake. Before he hit the final button to connect the call, he looked up to meet her gaze. “Ready?”

Responding with a single nod, she took the phone from him after he began the call and pressed it to her ear. As she listened to the short dial tone, syncing her breathing to the steady sound, she prepared herself to hear the familiar voice at the end of the line, willing herself not to instantly burst into tears. But nothing could truly prepare her for the lovely sound of her father’s voice, chipper as ever even in its recorded state.

Hello there. You have reached the Simmons residence. We are unable to pick up the phone at the moment, as we’re probably too busy with the dogs. Please leave your name and number, and we’ll do our best to get back to you.  

Instead of feeling the heavy sadness she had anticipated, she was filled with a familiar warmth only he could provide. She’d heard the recording hundreds of times in her life, but somehow, it felt like she was listening to it the first time, the rise and fall of his phrases sending waves of comfort through her entire being. Once the recorded message ended and she heard the short tone signaling the start of her message, she willed herself to power forward, not wanting to miss a word.

“Hi Dad,” she uttered sweetly. “I know I haven’t checked in in a long time, and it’s getting more difficult these days, but I just wanted to say hi and wish you a happy birthday. I wish I were with you. I’m doing okay. We’ve been through a lot here, but physically, I’m completely healthy. Fitz is here. He’s…” 

She knew she didn’t have the time to pause, but she couldn’t help her voice catching in her throat at the mention of Fitz. Her father loved him dearly, more than she could have ever dreamed, and she knew it was important for her father to know that he was okay as well.

Needing to steady herself, she reached forward to hold onto Fitz’s shoulder as she fixed her eyes on his. “He’s doing okay, too,” she continued. “And it’s good between us. It still is. We weren’t able to get that apartment we told you about, but maybe one day, we’ll find a different place. Maybe somewhere closer to home.” At this, Fitz chuckled lightly and reached up to wipe away a stray tear that had made its way down her cheek.

They had discussed their dreams of moving away after stepping down as agents – whenever that day would come – and they agreed they would want a place back home somewhere, either his or hers, but not too close. They didn’t want their parents hovering, after all. But deep down, they both knew no matter how far away they relocated, their parents would always find a way to close the distance.

Jemma took in a shaky breath, her mind racing of thoughts of their future. But she knew her time was running short, so she jumped back in with the rest of her prepared words. “We miss you, and we wish we could see you, but unfortunately that’s not possible right now. I’ll explain it to you one day. And oh! Tell Fitz’s mum we miss her too.”

She noticed Fitz visibly tense at the mention of his mother, but Jemma was relieved she managed to get that part into her message. The last time Fitz had spoken to his mother was after Radcliffe’s betrayal, and Jemma knew he was reluctant to contact her after everything he’d been through. After the Framework, he didn’t recognize himself, so he feared his mother would feel the same way. But Jemma knew that would never be the case.

“Okay, Dad,” she said, closing her eyes. “Send Mum my love, and I’ll talk to you soon.”

As she lowered the phone from her ear and ended the call, she laughed weakly to herself. “I guess I’m being optimistic.”

“But you will talk to him. I don’t know when, but you will.”

She felt the tears suddenly pooling over, so she lurched forward and pulled him into a fierce embrace, letting her tears fall freely down her cheeks. She didn’t realize how many feelings she had locked away deep inside, but now – after talking to her original rock in this world – she let them out gratefully.

“Thank you,” she mumbled into his shoulder.

“Of course.”

But after a few moments, she pulled back, concern causing her forehead to crease. “We should have called your mum though. You need to talk to her, Fitz.”

He nodded, biting his lip. “We will. Just not tonight.”

She didn’t know when or how, but would find a way to do the same for him. As much as she felt like a reassurance from her father was enough to ease Fitz’s mother’s worries for some time, Jemma knew only her son’s voice would bring her peace. Even if they were whole worlds apart, the thought of bringing her father – and hopefully Fitz’s mother – some relief from the separation was enough to ease Jemma’s mind for the moment. It wasn’t enough to completely rid her of her painful thoughts of everything she missed, but it helped her feel like home was still right around the corner. And hopefully, Fitz would soon feel the same way.

~

Thank you for reading! If you would like a FitzSimmons fic, you can request one by choosing from this list! 

#fitzsimmons #thefitzsimmonsnetwork #engineering vs biochem #fsfic #aosficnet #team engineering #agents of shield #leo fitz #jemma simmons #fic #mine #mel writes #oneshot* #hope you like it! #<3 #i didn't know about the in-between bits the gory bits of queue and the gory bits of me

[douxbebearchives]

Author Profile: Glamour02

Stories on FFN; tumblr - @glamour02​

Your name/nickname/alias:

Glam

How long have you been writing?

I wrote my first short story in 5th grade.  

How long have you been writing Olitz?

First Olitz OS was written November 2013

What drew you to Olivia & Fitz?

Season 1/2 of Scandal is what initially drew me to Olivia & Fitz

Outside of Olitz, where do you get inspiration to write?

I get inspiration from my past experiences and my life now, especially my marriage and my children.

How do you describe your style of writing?

I honestly have no idea how to describe my style of writing

Do you write (journal, pen/paper) or type first?

I type all my stories on my iPhone in the notes section 

Do you have a special notebook or writing utensil?

no special notebook or utensil

Do you incorporate visuals, music, and/or poetry to help you get into the writing mood?

I sometimes will read a quote or hear a song that will inspire an entire chapter. I'm usually always in the mood to write but struggle with finding the time

Do you use mood boards/aesthetics/Pinterest?

No Pinterest, etc.

Favorite kind of music or podcasts to listen to before/while you write?

The only time I listened to a specific song on a loop (Do what you have to do by Sarah McLachlan) is when I wrote chapter 14 of No Escaping Him.

Where do you like to write (Home, coffee shop, etc.)?

I will literally write any and everywhere I find a moment if I'm right in the middle of a story (including the checkout line in a store or even when stuck in traffic)

How long does it take you to write a chapter?

It can take me one day to one week to write a chapter depending on how busy I am or how detailed I want the chapter to be.

A favorite line or paragraph you’ve written.

I have so many but below is one that immediately comes to mind because of the response I received after it was written. It's from chapter 18 of NEH

"Everything you need is inside of you...remember that." He spoke confidently and Fitz immediately saw the impact his words had on her. She obviously heard them before and a surge of gratitude filled him completely.

They walked him to the door and both thanked him again. Olivia kissed his cheek farewell and Fitz shook his hand again. A secret service agent opened the front door, ready to escort Michael to the car. Fitz watched him step on the porch and turn to face them once more before finally leaving.

"We all have the right to choose the life we want to live...decide what we will and will not tolerate. That's the legacy I want to leave my children."

Describe yourself in 5 words/phrases:

I'm a 36 old working mom who's been happily married to the love of my life for 12 years. We have two beautiful children (daughter 3, son 6) and one dog who snores loudly in his sleep. My children are VERY active and I love keeping them busy! Words that I think describe me are: devoted to my family, loyal, hard working, hopeless romantic & comfortable in my own skin

Favorite TV shows/movies

TV SHOWS: The Walking Dead, This is Us, Queen Sugar, House of Cards, Sex & the City, Will & Grace, The West Wing & literally anything on HGTV

MOVIES: The Godfather, Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, All About Eve, The Color Purple, To Kill a Mockingbird  

Favorite vacation spot

anyplace with my husband

Favorite books

The Color Purple, To Kill a Mockingbird, Les Miserables, Jane Eyre, A River Runs Through It, The Awakening, The Shack, way too many to name

AU or Canon?

Both.

Favorite trope/scenario to read?

Probably what I'm writing now in Come What May with Fitz as an architect and Liv as an actress  

Favorite Olitz TV moment/conversation?

The hospital scene in S2 when Fitz gets shot & Olivia climbs into bed with him

Anything else you’d like to share?

I'm an avid reader. The book on my nightstand right now is The Power of Significance by John Maxwell.

I'm thinking about going back to school and getting my doctorate (something I swore I would NEVER do

#author profile #Glamour02

[agl03]

AOS 4x21: Through a Child’s Eyes

·         She has been counting down all afternoon.

·         Giant pillow check, Princess Celestia to hold check, chocolate on stand by check…she is ready!

·         FINALLY! ITS STARTING!

·         Mack, no! It hurts!

·         FITZ NO! IT HURTS!

·         Rig          

o   Oh May and Coulson!

o   OH NO THE DARKHOLD!  BAD.

o   Darn right no!

o   LOL I’m with Couslon.

o   Oh Collecting powers.

o   Yay flirting…dude they were having a moment.

o   Yeah get him May!

o   GO May!

o   GO COULSON!

o   YEAH THE SHIELD!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!

o   Well done Coulson!

o   ANOTHER!

o   OH NO NONONONONONONONONONO!

·         Zephyr

o   Fly, fly away!

o   Ha love Davis, he better not die.

o   Well that is not good.

·         Rig

o   Mom is mad, you and him kissed!

o   Nope didn’t spot it right away!

o   There was kissing!

o   But you went out with a bang!

o   Yeap got messy, there was kisses!

o   May needs to catch up here.

o   Already opened

o   Is Robbie coming back?

·         Zephry

o   My goodness this is going bad

o   Go Yoyo!

o   Go Jemma!

o   GIRL POWER!

o   You have got to be kidding me!

o   Be nice to Davis!  Its stressful!

o   CRAP!

o   YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

o   GO PIPER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  No killing her either!

·         Fitz/AIDA

o   Blah!

o   LET HIM GO!

o   Things are being hurled at the TV

o   Great the creepy music

o   Me too Fitz I’m going to throw up too

o   You are not a bad person, she manipulated you!

o   NO TOUCHING!

o   Someone shoot her already

o   Radcliffe didn’t do that you did!

o   RUN FITZ!

o   PUNCH HER IN THE FACE!

o   EW YOU TOOK JEMMA’s PLACE!  I HATE HER MOMMY!

o   Give him his Jemma back, he is not yours!

o   NO TOUCHING!!!!!!!

o   There is lots of ranting and screaming I can’t keep up

o   Oh mom Jemma can find the foot---- DANG IT!

o   More stuff is being hurled at the TV, the dogs have had to vacate their beds due to legos coming at them.

·         Zephyr

o   Oh no. Daisy and Elena calm down!

o   Oh ouch

o   Feels

o   Poor Elena, someone hug her

o   No DO NOT GO IN THERE!

·         Rig

o   How do you know where you are?

o   I’m May

o   Finally that Framework stuff is useful

o   Come on wake up Mack

o   Mom what is that…NO!  Bad May, remember what happened last time you had a shot of nasty stuff.

o   Protect her Phil

o   You already gave her Mouth to Mouth (I love my Child)

o   Yeah something weird happened

o   Yeap

o   You kissed

o   Yeap and kill but there was kissing!

·         Zephyr

o   Jemma wants her Fitz

o   Stop with the sass guys

o   Oh no we are gonna find out what happened

o   TALBOT, oh no the base!

o   They are BLAMING DAISY!

o   MACE’s BODY!

o   OH no they are after Shield again

·         AIDA

o   Great

o   Ew

o   Your wrong

o   RUN FITZ!

o   Stop playing nice

o   SOMONE SAVE HIM

o   NO TOUCHING!

o   CONFUSING???

o   Well he doesn’t love you and he’s not that man

o   You’re not sorry, if you were sorry you’d let him go back to his Jemma

o   Oh NO!

·         Rig

o   Oh no

o   PROTECT MACK!

o   Yeah GO MAY!

o   AHHHH!!!!!!

o   AHHHH!!!!!!

o   AHHHH!!!!!!

o   GO MAY!

o   RUN COULSON!

o   ZAP HIM!

o   YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

o   LOL MAY!!!!! GET HIM GET HIM GET HIM!!!!!

o   Feel better?

o   Darn right that was well done.  That was AWESOME!  May is the best!  I missed her.

o   Don’t give them ideas

o   OH no stalling?

o   OH NO! This is WHY we don’t let the bad guys read the evil book!  What is he doing mommy?

·         Rig again

o   Get out of there!

o   Now is not the time Phil!

o   NO DON’T LEAVE MACK!

o   Save her!

o   This is so intense!

·         AIDA/Fitz

o   OH that’s not good

o   Fitz keep trying to get through to her…not going to work is it.

·         Rig

o   Dang it MACK!

o   MOMMY!!!!

o   OH this is bad

o   Oh karma stinks

o   WHAT DID YOU DO TO MACE?

o   OH! She threw a switch!  How is she strong.

o   WHERE ARE YOU TAKING HIM!

·         Rig

o   Save MACK!

o   MACK!

o   ELENA IS GONNA GET HER MAN!

o   MOMMY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

o   I CAN”T WATCH!

·         Zephyr

o   MACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

o   FITZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

o   JEMMA GET HIM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

o   AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

o   SHE SHOT HIM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  THAT WAS NOT WHAT I MEANT!

o   AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

o   WHAT JUST HAPPENED!?!

·         Base

o   Awww Elena

o   You did May

o   You missed a lot

o   OH man the base, we’re going to need a new one next season

o   Oh this is sad

o   MACE!

o   GET HIM OUT OF THERE JEMMA!

o   Down with Elena’s plan

o   And who thought it was a good idea to leave Fitz with her!

o   What do you mean what do we do with him?

o   Mommy!

o   Yeah Elena has it right

·         Pod

o   Again who thought it was a good idea to leave him with her

o   They aren’t you…oh Fitz…no

o   Jemma go hug him

o   Wait what ever happened to Ward in the Framework.

o   Mommy….I can’t

o   You stay away from him!

o   Oh you stole that!

o   I need a tissue.

o   FOR HER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

o   FOR HER!

o   YOU HEARD HIM!

o   FOR HER!

o   HER YOU EVIL WOMAN!

o   HER

o   JEMMA

o   NOT YOU

o   JEMMA!

o   SOMEONE GET DOWN THERE!

o   AHHHH!

o   RUN JEMMA!

o   NO TOUCHING!

o   WHO ARE THESE GUYS…TALBOT! Dude you have the worst time ever!

o   EVER!

o   BAD TIMING!!!!!

o   NO NO CHOOSING HER!

o   Yeah darn right

o   B SQUAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

o   GO B SWAUD

o   DAVIS I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

o   YOUA RE THE BEST!

o   You SAVED FITZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

o   AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

o   PIKACHU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

o   WHAT JUST HAPPENED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

o   SHE HAS LINCOLNS POWERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

o   HIDE FITZ!

o   WHO ELSES POWERS DOES SHE HAVE!

·         Talbot

o   Star Wars is strong

o   Quake them Daisy!

o   Jemma has no time for this.

o   Oh  poor Mace.

·         Base

o   Yes Piper

o   OH NO!

o   NO NOT THE B SQUAD!

·         Tablot

o   Yeap

o   Her name is Elena

o   NO NOT PRINCE!

o   NO!

o   NOT PIPER!

o   RUN PIPER!

o   NO!

o   Someone listen to Fitz!

o   FINALLY!

o   NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

o   WHAT THE HECK POWERS WERE THOSE!

o   You really left Talbot there?

o   Oh my heart.

o   HOLD HIM DARN IT!

o   CRY!!!!!!!!!

o   I CRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

o   MOMMY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

o   Where is yoyo…oh no!

o   DANG IT!

·         PARENTAL BLOCK IN PLACE

·         Geeze how many of them are there?

·         ROBBIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

·         YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ROBBIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

·         YOYO

o   OH no!

o   WHY DID YOU GO IN THERE!

#aos spoilers