#putting all rnm stuff in one place

[lovecolibri]

SaL anon here bestie and I'm sick of attempting to organize my life in boxes so I'm taking a salt break, because while I wholeheartedly agree that the S4 premiere was infinitely better than any other season premiere (excluding S1 of course) I have some issues, especially regarding the Malex storyline. I mean the scenes were fantastic and Tyler and Vlamis always take any trash their given and take it to the next level (Michael's face when he heard the gazebo break was pure 😭😭😭😭😭) but a lot

of things about it pissed me off. The fact that the other couples got soft/cutsie storylines buy Malex got the angsty/almost breakup storyline (let Malex be happy writers, we are TIRED), the fact that they regressed Michael to his S1 mindset (also writers stop ignoring entire seasons of development for characters to push dumb plots), the fact that the amazing interaction between Michael and Dallas was undercut by the fact Michael did NOT take his advice (writers I know you don't  remember events between episodes but that conversation happened 10 minutes before Michael saw Alex ffs). However I want to talk about most egregious offense, which is basically there is NO WAY Michael Guerin would have broken the gazebo using the scenario they gave us. First of all, you cannot tell me that when Michael learned Alex had a precious childhood relic he built with his Mom (you know that would hit him hard) the first thing he did wasn't immediately go to his workshop  build an indestructible alien glass case for it, go back to Alex's, put the gazebo in the case, and then install earthquake proof/tornado proof/ everything proof shelving to put the case on. And then he would fix, the garbage disposal. Any other scenario is bullshit. Next, even if we buy that he addressed the disposal first, there's no way Michael, professional mechanic for half his life, sat at a rickety table where his soulmate's precious relic was, equipment spread out  everywhere like a college student with their first tool set they bought from CVS, fighting a screwdriver when he could use his TK, and with a wrench placed precariously (like comically so) above said childhood relic. I mean, we got that sad little Michael face (again 😭😭😭😭😭) which was soo much, but I still call bullshit.

This is late because of vacation reasons but I’m always down to be a salty bench! So, watching the episode the first time the scenario was more believable because Vlamis fucking sells it. NO ONE is our here doing the glassy eyes/kicked puppy look like him (except for Oliver Stark). But mostly I think, as always, RNM is still suffering from the way they dragged things out with Malex originally. Using stupid side relationships for drama instead of addressing the ACTUAL reasons these two were kept apart, and the trauma responses they have much earlier on ends up with now having to revert one of them (usually Michael) back to The Before Times. And yeah, healing isn’t linear and of course something like moving and getting everything he ever wanted is going to be triggering for Michael! But since we didn’t ever get to see him and Alex really digging in and addressing this stuff before now, it feels almost like an endless cycle of Michael spiraling and Alex brushing it off. Season 3 really did them dirty by refusing to address the elephant in the room (season 2 and m*ria) and having them at each other’s throats until they were magically back together without really hashing things out. And that *might* have worked if they decided they wanted to be together and then hashed things out later, but they didn’t. It was just sort of brushed off as “they’re together now, aren’t you fans happy?” And yeah, I’m happy they’re together but the compelling part of their story, the healing and catharsis got skipped over so it’s never going to be as satisfying as it should have been.  

Also, again as always, they forget their own mythology! We saw Michael take apart and put together an incredibly intricate handmade clock full of tiny cogs and springs and alien parts! You’re telling me he couldn’t fix that gazebo good as new? Or, like you said, that he wouldn’t have made an indestructible case for something so precious to Alex? Or moved it out of the way? Or used his powers to help fix the disposal? And I will absolutely buy him being too flustered and upset to think straight for this whole thing! It does make sense that at least SOME of those things could have happened. The argument can be made on how this all makes sense, and what Michael’s state of mind was, and how his trauma responses make what happened perfectly logical, however at this point after ALL the crap they have thrown at Malex and how they keep undercutting their own narrative, and keep regressing the characters (LITERALLY Echo’s every conversation is a flavor of the same argument), it’s a lot harder to want to give any leeway. 

It was also definitely frustrating that Echo got a “when is the best time to propose” plot, while Malex got an “I immediately fucked up and Alex is probably going to kick me out and hate me” plot, but again, Echo are also still having the same basic conversation they always have so it’s not like it’s that much better for them? *deep sigh* the wasted potential for this show will never fail to frustrate me. 

#my sweet nonnie friends #sleeping at last anon #roswell nm #roswell spoilers #roswell nm my behated #malex #michael guerin #look he's smart but also dumb #and i can see him being too caught up in his head that he makes one dumb mistake #and then compounds it with other mistakes because that's very on brand for him #but these specific mistakes were...certainly A Choice #and i'm less generous about granting some slack #when the show consistently can't be bothered to do the most basic things #like allow people to worry about kyle when he's kidnapped or malex to exist outside their bubble with each other #or alex and isobel or alex and rosa to be allowed to speak to each other at all #ANYWAY #i'm clearing out my inbox and wanted to get this one out of the way before i watched the new ep

[echo-bleu]

As my Encanto hyperfixation goes away (I went from 100 to 0 surprisingly fast given that it hasn’t been replaced), I find myself looking at all the fanfic loose ends I’ve left lying around. I am quite determined to use this in-between-hyperfixations time to work on my original project, Singer Street, and I’m half-hoping that the next hyperfixation might be on that project. I may or may not be procrastinating on that by taking a look back ( @t-lane-writes i might need a kick in the butt) but at the same time I think I need this to be able to move forward.

This is going to get rambly so I won’t make you all scroll past :D

Over the years I’ve left a bunch of unfinished fanfics behind as I moved fandoms, and I regularly get sad that I couldn’t finish them. That’s especially true of the more advanced fics in which I poured a lot of energy and time and emotions. I’m constantly wondering if I could just make a little effort and finish them just so I can lay them to rest.

- Gifted fics: Nope, not gonna happen. The Underground is technically unfinished but it ends in a really good place. I think I might edit the end note and mark it as complete actually, just so I can say it’s done. All We Stand To Lose... it ends terribly but I really had no precise ending in mind and I can’t get back into this one enough. If You're Still Breathing was never meant to be a full fic anyway. I’m way too far from these characters now even though I still love them, and my writing style has evolved too -- not to mention that the fandom is fully dead.

- RNM fics: The fandom is still alive and I still have friends there but... I pretty much hate what the show has become. Season 3, which was awful imo, did give me enough of a boost to continue the one unfinished fic that still had a real place in my heart, our hands clasped so tight. I think I’d like to bring it to an end, because I’m actually pretty close and I still like it. It took the backburner again when I blocked on the flashback chapter and then fell headfirst into a new hyperfixation, but I’ll give it another try at some point. There’s maybe 3-4 chapters left to write (3k-ish words each) so it’s not a lot, and I feel like it’s worth it. The other WIPs I can barely remember and none of them were advanced enough anyway.

- Shadowhunters fics: I was looking at my folder the other day. There are so many fics I started and didn’t finish. There are a few one shots that I’d like to just clean up and bit and post as very short fics/snippets just because they’re pretty good, and it doesn’t matter than they’re not really finished. I might give this a try today. Beside that, the only really advanced WIP I had is the time we've been given. I don’t know about this one. I like it, but it’s maybe not close enough to my heart to actually put in the work to finish it. As it is, it was maybe halfway done with the plot I’d planned. I could maybe cut some stuff and just give it a nice epilogue -- I’ll have to look at what’s possible there.

Oh, and I also have sparks filled with hope, my mutant AU that I never posted. Um. It’s pretty advanced but it’s been so long since I even thought about it. Yeah, that one’s not going to happen.

- Hamilton fics: This is the fandom I’m kind of reverting back to now. It’s a bit frustrating in the sense that the fandom is so small now that it barely feels worth it to post fics at all, but those characters are the ones on my mind, though not in a hyperfixation way anymore. So. I have one fic that’s finished and awaiting betaing, part of the the things we used to know series. I meant that series to be a lot longer but it’s fine as it is. I have one project that I still vaguely wonder about that I don’t think will ever see the light of day unless I get a sudden burst of inspiration, I think I can lay that one to rest too.

And I have Eyes On The Horizon. It’s my most advanced fic, I’ve written almost 80k but it’s nowhere near done. It’s been read by a total of two people so far, it’s the first long fic I’ve written without posting anything. It’s proved to me that I’m capable of writing something without constant feedback (I’ve had amazing feedback from my beta and it’s been enough). It’s taken the backburner during Encanto phase but I still really really love it. So I’m on the fence about it. Basically I see three possibilities. 1) Start posting it, keep working on it on and off and hope for the best, knowing that it’s unlikely that I’ll ever finish it. 2) Chop it into parts. As it is, it’s too long, the pacing doesn’t work really well, and I have too much planned. It’s basically three different genres and three different novels into one. So I could simply finish the act I’m in, which would make it a character-focused kinda slice of life thing, and tell myself that maybe one day I’ll write a second part with the more plot-focused part. 3) This fic is barely fanfiction as it is, it’s so far from canon. If I can find a way to tighten the plot and to change the worldbuilding enough that it’s fully original (here it’s not really the Hamilton part that’s a problem, but the Sense8 inspiration) I could rework it into an original novel, and I think it could be really good. But there would be a lot of work and a lot of questions to ask myself, too.

I... don’t have an answer to that one yet.

- Encanto fics: I essentially have two, and a third that I barely started and that will not see the light of day, that’s okay. Nothing In This World is very advanced but also not even close to the end, but I don’t want to abandon it completely because I think it’s one of my best works yet. I’ve really reached the depth of nuance and emotional complexity that I want to be at with this one. I think I’m going to try to tighten the plot a bit more to make it shorter and keep going, but definitely not as intensely.

The Pirate AU isn’t going to be written. I’m still drawing the characters, and I’m going to try and do the whole family. I’m shelving the fic (I only wrote about a chapter). However, I’ll keep the plot in the back of my mind because I definitely want to write an og story like that someday. Not the exact same, but there are elements I really like.

- Original projects: Singer Street is my current project. It has a full plot, it has all the character it needs, I JUST NEED TO WRITE IT. STOP PROCRASTINATING ECHO.

I had this one post-revolution fantasy project that I’m shelving for now, but the good thing about og projects is that they’re not subject to fandom whims. I might go back to it. I might transform it into something else.

And I have Eyes, if I decide to turn it original. I really could. I’d need some solid reflection about one specific representation-related aspect of it, and to really figure out what’s important and what I want to say.

So, to recap.

- Maybe finish Hands (shouldn’t be that much work) - Have a look at which SH one-shots I can post as is or with minimal work, maybe look at Time, then shelve everything else - Post that Things we use to know fic whenever possible, then have a serious look at Eyes, which might require rereading it and talking it over with my wonderful friends/betas/writing buddies - Try to keep going with Nothing, but don’t force it - WRITE THAT GODDAMN NOVEL, COME ON YOU CAN DO IT

( @t-lane-writes is going to be very cross with me about this, I should only be thinking about Singer Street. But. At least my mind is a little clearer.)

#echo's writing thoughts #singer street #eyes on the horizon #nothing in this world #our hands clasped so tight

[ladynox]

Nox’s Fanish Content: Roswell New Mexico

Fanfic

Solo

i thought i was a fool for no one/oh baby, i'm a fool for you (status: complete; malex)

Summary: Alex loved Michael like this, warm and pliant under his touches. Accepting whatever was given to him, no matter how gentle or rough or teasing, until he couldn't take it any longer. Until Michael had to pull back, drop to his knees, and plead: "Alex"

For RNM after Dark

palabras sinceras (status: complete; malex)

Summary: In which Alex gets turned into a cat and Michael frets.

Podfic by the amazing Cath w/ cover art by the superb DrLemurr

A New Year, A New Hope  (status: complete; malex)

Summary: New Years Day fic

A New Year, A New Hope  (status: complete; malex)

Summary: New Years Day fic

Six  (status: hiatus; malex)

Summary: Michael had known it was stupid to go through Albuquerque. Big cities were always full of Infected, which are bad sure, but also people which are the absolute worst. Michael would take a raving horde of zombies hungry for human flesh over living and breathing people any day. But cutting through Albuquerque was the fastest path to Roswell. Michael didn’t want to go around. He’d been separated from his siblings long enough.

Note: This fic was originally going to be much longer but I've fizzled and I can't seem to reignite. I believe what's been posted is self contained and provides a satisfying enough ending as a one-shot. So that's what it's going to be now. A one shot.

Rough Stock (status: complete; miluca)

Summary: Michael just wanted to live in this moment forever, where nothing else mattered but the two of them.

i could make you smile if you stayed a while (status: complete; miluca with background malexa)

Summary: The morning after The Threesome was full of uncertainty. Maria sorts through the emotional aftermath of the night before.

Podfic by the lovely Cath

Broken Sign (status: complete; miluca) 

Summary: It's almost like the Wild Pony itself is annoyed with her for breaking up with Guerin.

i set my clocks early cause i know i'm always late (status: complete; Michael & Maria)

Summary: S3E3 coda. Maria confronts Michael on his behavior.

A Tremendous Thing  (status: complete, marilex friendship, background malexa)

Summary: Alex gives Maria a gift.

Written for the Maria DeLuca Healing Crystals Celebration

Co-authored with @beautifulcheat​

Crossed Wires (status: complete; malex) 

Summary: Michael's been kicked off more than one Starfleet posting. So when he was reassigned to the USS Roswell, he decided to keep his head down and behave. This decision is immediately thwarted when he meets her hot Vulcan captain. This might be the first time Michael got kicked off a posting for flirting with a captain.

Podfic by the lovely Cath with absolutely gorgeous cover art by mythras_fire

Art by the amazing Slynella 

Contigo me encontré (status: ongoing; malex) 

Summary: The Lockhart House was once a home, although it was never a happy one. Steeped in tragedy, it still stands today, in the heart of Old Town Roswell, attracting ghost hunters and those seeking to catch a peak of something from beyond the veil. Contrary to popular myth, it wasn’t currently haunted (except by one paranormally talented docent). It was Michael’s favorite job and the best part of his summer home from UNM. Or at least was until Alex Manes was hired to man the gift shop, complicating an otherwise fun and easy job.

For: RIP Roswell

Shelter (status: complete; malex)

Summary: It was pouring when Michael pulled up to the airstream. The wheels of his truck skidded on the mud, a combination of the speed at which he was traveling and the water that hadn’t fully soaked into the parched earth. It was hard to see through the deluge, but this was his home. He didn’t need to be able to see carry his bundle into the airstream, wrapped up within the folds of his coat. Just a bit of power and the door swung open, allowing Michael access. “I don’t think he followed us,” Michael said to the small, shivering form that was curled up in his jacket, locking the door firmly behind him and peeking out. “Can barely see anything in that rain.”

For: RIP Roswell

The Great New Mexico Fake-Off  & Petit Four (status: complete; malexa; background forlex & echo) 

Fake-Off Summary: Michael had tons of secrets. Sex secrets, murder secrets, alien secrets… they defined him. Most of them, he hated keeping. There was one secret, however, that he was determined to take to the grave. Or Michael learns to bake. Or cakes are a metaphor for Michael's love.

P4 Summary: While Michael attempts to hide his new baking habit, life in Roswell continues and the people around him have some things to say about all the cakes that are popping up.

Note: Petit Four are a series of short companion/background pieces to The Great New Mexico Fake-Off. They are meant to be read in tandem with Fake-Off.  

Art by the fantastic Lychee Jelly (spoilers for chapter 4) 

cause you're the one who resonates (status: complete; malexa)

Michael and Alex were so handsome together, so soft and effortlessly intimate. Maria couldn't help but imagine how nice it would be settled between them, warm and safe... It's time to go, Maria thinks. Alex disagrees.

For RNM after Dark

Dealing with Dragons (status: complete; miluca)

Summary: In which a rebel princess meets a recalcitrant dragon

Note: Part 1 of the Enchanted Forest Chronicles

Milestones (status: hiatus; malexa, background echo) 

Summary: Maria, Michael and Alex have been in a v poly relationship for years. Peacefully cohabiting together. That peace is upended when Maria realizes she's pregnant.

The Truth Is Right Here  (status: complete-ish, see below for details); eventual malexa, background Kyliz, endgame kaliz) 

Summary: Maria Deluca and Alex Manes had been partners, both in the X-Files department and in marriage, for years. They each had their own reasons to search for the truth, and it just made sense to do it together. Michael Guerin was just a con trying to keep his head down, serve his time, and not attract the wrong type of attention. He definitely had not bargained on being loaned out to a couple of alien hunters.

[Update 1/8/23: I have marked this fic as complete, even though technically we are simply on hiatus. However we stopped at a very good pause point that could serve as a finale, so if you've been waiting to catch up -- this is an excellent time to do so.]

Dealing with Dragons (status: complete; miluca)

Summary: In which a rebel princess meets a recalcitrant dragon

Note: Part 1 of the Enchanted Forest Chronicles

Edits/shitposts

Malex

Miluca

Manes family 

Malexa 

Marilex

Maria DeLuca

#pinned post #rnm fic #michael guerin #alex manes #maria deluca #malexa #malex #miluca #putting all rnm stuff in one place #rnmedits #michael x maria

[foramomentonly]

3.08 Alex Meta

I don't usually do meta and maybe all of this will be a very, "Duh, Nat!" moment for you. But 3.08 was a huge Alex episode for me. I feel like I understand him on a totally new and deeper level, and I'm seeing a direct character line from S1 and to some of the questions and issues many of us had in S2.

Spoilers for RNM 3.08 below.

As I might have said ten thousand times previously, I relate to Alex a lot. His compartmentalization, his emotional distance, his seeming inability to correctly identify and name a damn feeling. Like, same, man.

But 3.08, in my opinion, completely blew that all up. Because Alex is pretty clear in his story: he has all the emotions, he just no longer feels safe acting on them. And when I think about Alex in the flashbacks we've had, that totally tracks. Teen Alex is a walking ball of emotions and he is not afraid to act on them. His whole vibe is "pissed at the world," which, valid. He's angry, so he punches Kyle. He's moved by Michael and his situation, so he offers to help. He unapologetically feels and acts on those feelings. He's in love, so he keeps seeing Michael even after the events of the shed (Rest on a Bloody Bed of Rusty Nails, Jesse Manes). Alex is brave and bold with his emotions and even though Jesse and others are no doubt giving him hell for it, he doesn't stop.

Cut to S1 Alex, who vacillates between wildly passionate, closed off, angry, ice king. He pushes and pulls with Michael and we don't really know why and it's an emotional whiplash that carries over into at least the beginning of S2. I always understood this as Alex not knowing his own feelings, acting in the moment on what he wants and later talking himself out of it, denying himself out of fear.

But that's not it, is it? Alex is fully aware of his feelings, apparently, he just doesn't see acting on them as safe anymore. He gets home and he runs into Michael and everything, all that love and desire is still there and his impulse is to act on it and he does, but his experiences have taught him that his emotions are dangerous. And if all he's ever done is try protect Michael, he does that by trying to lock his feelings for Michael away, pull back when he loses control and acts on them. He's still learning how to do this in S1, and that pull toward Michael is strong (cosmic, almost?) and I think that's where that back and forth comes in.

None of this is that new, though. What's new to me is the understanding that hiding/feeling/repressing emotions isn't instinctual for Alex! It's learned behavior, and not even from his time with Jesse, but this experience in war.

And let's talk about that story, huh? A lot of us assumed (myself included) that Alex's rigidity, his tendency to bulldoze over other people's boundaries and take charge is born of stubbornness, of believing he's always right, that he must be in control to feel safe. But what I heard Alex tell me in his story is fuck, no, he's knows how wrong he can be, he's failed on a massive level already, caused hurt and pain to himself and others. He's not a hero. He's a mess. (We all knew that. But a lot of us operated on the idea that Alex didn't know that about himself.) Everything he does is to avoid causing further harm and chaos in the future.

Obviously, he still does. I don't want to discount that. And he's still accountable for it. But I think it's significant that Alex isn't operating from a position of superiority after all (I mean, he probably still is a little, he's Alex, his class privileges are still there), he's operating more from a place of knowing how completely and utterly he's fucked up before and wanting desperately to avoid that in the future. And to him, a man who lives his whole life in extremes (fucking drama queen, I mean lol), the way to avoid that happening is to go in the total opposite direction. To push down his natural emotions, ignore his instincts because they can't be trusted (Which, hey, maybe that's why he's got Kyle on speed dial every time he has to make a decision!), and strategize the shit out of everything. And it scares the fuck out of him that Michael, the person he most wants to avoid experiencing harm or being put in danger, acts on feeling and instinct and all the things that Alex believes caused his own epic failure that cost literal life and limb.

I used to think Alex and Michael were opposites, one a live wire of emotion and instinct, and the other the keeper of approximately three feelings and he hates them all. But I think now that they are extremely alike. They're both driven by emotion, instinct, heart, but Alex has forced himself to ignore all that and think like a computer, and Michael still lives his life by his them, still inherently trusts them. I've always loved and admired that about him, and I think that's part of what Alex loves, too, even though it scares him.

There's a whole nother meta's worth of stuff in the episode of how Alex's journey to trusting and working with Michael as an equal parallels Liz's storyline with Rosa (Liz and Alex are so alike, I die!) and yet another about the phenomenal pattern of growth with see from Malex, and especially Alex, throughout the episode. For a literal, step-by-step breakdown, ask the incomparable @adiwriting very nicely, who went OFF in the best way about it last night in our DMs. Like she could draw you a diagram.

This episode just gave us so much. Damn. It wasn't perfect, of course, and I would have liked to see Alex and Malex's development and growth happen over the course of the season, not jammed a single episode. But I love what we got and what it's taught me is I didn't know shit about Alex, but I had a lot of fun learning.

End meta.

#alex manes #roswell nm #roswell nm meta #alex manes meta #malex #season 3 spoilers #spoilers #meta

[lambourngb]

day 7 : cheerleaders, or the people who make this fandom thing fun

day 7 for @roswellnewmexicocreate - and this is the hardest day ! ❤️

My recent obsession is Ted Lasso, which thank you tumblr, so when I think about why I’m still involved in fandom, it boils down to the speech in 1x10 (that I recycled in a fic I love it so much)  there’s something worse than being sad, it’s being sad and alone.

2020 was a very bad year, and um, 2021 is actually fundamentally worse for me in so many ways, but I’m still here, still loving on this alien show. There are so many people that have helped me along, and I know I will miss someone, my anxiety almost guarantees I never feel like I’ve thanked enough people or supported those in my life adequately.

Anyway, here’s some people who keep me around or keep it fun for me, my village where I’m the idiot:

In no particular order:

@haloud - I cry in your DMs, like literally cry, so thank you for never turning me away. You’ve inspired so many stories, and I’m learning from you all the time when it comes to writing, when it comes to being a fan, and most importantly when it comes to being a friend. Anyway, I love you so much. All I can do to repay you is write endless Michael-on-his-knees stories for you, since those feels come from your work- along with Alex loving sweet coffee but torturing himself with black coffee.

@adiwriting & @litwitlady - you’re a package deal in my head, both of you are endlessly creative and always with a good insight on the show. ❤️ The fic output you guys have constantly amazes me with both pace and quality. I treasure our many conversations, and the way you both generously support me. 

@tasyfa - my wild writing sprees and comma abuses haven’t scared you off yet, so I’m endlessly grateful for that. Thank you for indulging my war with the past perfect, and looking forward to another year of sending you my crap so you can spin it into gold.

@arielana - I don’t know where to begin, first of all, thank you for hitting up my DMs that first time. You’ve been a wonderful cheerleader - always knowing the right amount of prompting to use on me, and then such a lovely feedbacker, but I think my favorite role you’ve taken on is author- thank you so much for sharing your writing with us, I can’t wait for whatever you write next. You’ve also made season 3 so much fun with your wry observations.

@bisexualalienblast - Amanda, I was just a star-struck fan of yours when we were matched for the RNM Big Bang, and now I’m still star-struck, so that hasn’t changed, but I love trading DMs with you about the show. Thank you for yelling about all things Malex, Michael, and Vlamis with me and producing some amazing gif-sets.

@manesframe - oh man, where to begin, I don’t know if you know but the encouragement you gave me in my ask box last fall while I was writing my big bang helped fuel me along. Secrecy meant I couldn’t share any of the writing, but just seeing a message expressing excitement was so amazing. Thank you for being such a great friend, and I look forward to picking your brain on my future put-Michael-in-therapy fic.

@christchex - you’ve been a real lifeline last year. I am always learning from you, you help me see new perspectives, balancing the Doylist with the Watsonian look at the show. Thank you for giving us Sharkey and Walt Sanders, and also for not yelling at me too much for my endlessly sad head canons. 💖

@faraway-stables12  - Forget the malex stuff, I had so much fun watching the Euro cup knowing we were going to discuss it later. But also, you’re a rockstar in your support of creators and feedback, thank you for being a part of this fandom with me.

@finckyoufreeky - I don’t know how many times you’ve picked up my spirits, they’ve been too many to count. The last forever-long pandemic year it has been hard, I’ve enjoyed our conversations from US politics to what’s happening in your country and I still am sending you so many positive thoughts after hearing what you went through personally. Your tags always make me smile.

@foggyfestival - I love your dash, how fiercely you love Malex, how generous you are with reblogging and boosting creations on tumblr, thank you for your efforts at creative a positive fan space, they are truly appreciated.

@soberqueerinthewild - girl, not sure where I’d be without you, but probably in a worse off place. Thank you so much for sharing your life events with me, filling my DMs with your questions about Deep Sky and plots, and I adore reading all your tags, they are spot on. And as soon as 911 /LS 911 restarts, I can’t wait to livewatch with you ❤️

@el-gilliath : babe, what more can I say? You’re a blast of good reason and salt and endless support. One day when travel happens again, I really want to get a drink with you, but for now let me love you from afar - because you are too cool of a person to be my friend.

and now here’s where my anxiety takes over because I know I’ve left off tons of people, both from discord, tumblr, and AO3 - and I’ve probably hurt your feelings because I didn’t name you, so I’m so sorry. Validation is important. It matters. I do write for others, I write to share it and so I can see everyone’s reactions, and if you’ve left a comment, kudo, reblog or just sent an ask, you’ve helped me continue to create in the last year, so thank you. ❤️

[I wrote this on a painkiller and way too much coffee, so forgive my overly emotional and lengthly entry on this day.]

#rnmcreate21 #day 7 cheerleaders #i love everyone in this bar #fandom love

[therewithall]

Roswell, New Mexico custom Magic: The Gathering cards

For RNM D&D Weekend Warriors, I branched out to another tabletop format and made a handful of custom Magic: The Gathering cards based on the core cast of Roswell, NM. Here’s the break-down of how I chose each character’s color(s) and abilities as well as highlight some of the neat ways they interact. None of the cards have been playtested so there is still room for them to be further developed and balanced. For anyone who isn’t very familiar with Magic: The Gathering, every card fits into various types that can be played for the cost printed in the top right-hand corner. There are 5 colors of Mana- White, Blue, Black, Red, Green- I’ll be using the letters W, U (blue), B (black), R, and G to represent the mana colors in my discussion. Each card can also have different traits and abilities, and a set of numbers that represents how strong its attack and defense are (represented as attack/defense). There’s a lot of amazingly nerdy discussion of Magic Lore that delves into how the Mana colors relate to personality traits and behaviors of the characters on the cards-- more on that here- but just know that I’ll be discussing some of those qualities as I go into why I chose the attributes for each card/character.So here we go!

Max Evans, Smalltown Hero        2WR Legendary Creature – Human Alien Vigilance, Haste (This creature doesn’t tap to attack and may attack or use tap abilities the turn it enters the battlefield.) T, Sacrifice a nonland permanent: Another target creature gains indestructible until end of turn. Max is a deputy with the sheriff’s department and a natural leader who has kept his powers and identity a secret for years. 3/1

Max is kind hearted and wants to protect his community and friends. On the other hand, he’s impulsive and will make rash decisions without thinking about the consequences of his actions. These two beliefs place him firmly in red/white for Magic colors; a combination that often plays small aggressive creatures and engages in frequent combat. I gave Max vigilance to represent him being a defender as well as an aggressor in a lot of circumstances. His ability to sacrifice something to protect someone else exemplifies his ability to both heal and destroy. Lastly he has haste and a fragile body (1 toughness) making a game with Max play out with an early attack followed by him protecting someone else and only getting in when the coast is clear.

Michael Guerin, Tech Genius      1WU Legendary Creature – Human Alien Artificer When Michael Guerin, Tech Genius enters the battlefield, search your library and/or graveyard for a noncreature artifact or enchantment card and exile it with a research counter on it. If you searched your library this way, shuffle. X, T: Create a token that’s a copy of a card exiled with a research counter. X is that card’s mana value. 2/3

Michael cares about the team differently than Max does. He is often tinkering with things in order to heal or protect others if possible and is a genius when it comes to inventions involving alien technology. His intelligence and need for knowing more fits in blue (alongside a few other science oriented characters). Whereas Max is a straightforward attacker, I chose an ability that is much more complex to understand for Michael. He makes copies of trinkets after taking the time to examine them which lends itself to more combo and control oriented play patterns instead of just blindly turning stuff sideways. I didn’t capture Michael’s temper, but I didn’t want all aliens to be red. Maybe I’ll make another version some time that incorporates different facets of their personalities.

Isobel Evans, Influencer                UBR Legendary Creature – Human Alien Your opponents play with the top card of their library revealed. 3R, T: Gain control of target creature an opponent controls until end of turn. Untap that creature. It gains haste until end of turn. 6BB, T: You control target player’s next turn. Activate only once. 1/4

Isobel has fewer words than Michael, but oh my is she complex as well. If Max leans toward aggro and Michael is combo, Isobel is the control card of the siblings. Isobel is often guided by her emotions, but channels that into careful thought in how to execute a plan and always looks out for herself and her people. Her abilities represent her powers spread across the three colors: Blue – Reading your opponent’s mind, Red – Controlling someone’s impulses for a short period, Black – Forcing your opponent’s actions, once.

Liz Ortecho, Savvy Scientist          1UB Legendary Creature – Human Rebel Liz Ortecho, Savvy Scientist can’t be blocked as long as defending player controls an artifact. Whenever Liz Ortecho deals combat damage to a player, gain control of target artifact that player controls with mana value less than or equal to the damage dealt. 2/1

Liz is smart, cunning, and will protect her own. Her science background lends itself to Blue, but this card plays up some of her devious nature of stealing hospital equipment, doing illegal research, and general sneaking around, so there’s Black in her mana cost as well. She often draws on the abilities of those around her, which means that her connections make her stronger. Amusingly, she’s unblockable against some of our other characters including her own dad!

Alex Manes, Tech Specialist            1WUB Whenever you draw a card, target creature you control gains deathtouch (Any amount of damage it deals to a creature is enough to destroy it.), lifelink (Damage dealt by that creature also causes you to gain that much life.), or vigilance (Attacking doesn’t cause it to tap.) until end of turn. Whenever Alex Manes, Tech Specialist deals combat damage to a player, create a clue token. (It’s an artifact with “2, Sacrifice this artifact: Draw a card.”) Kyle: “What’s the worst thing we could find?“ Alex: “Literal skeletons.” 2/3

Alex also sneaks around, but I wanted to play up his investigation skills a little more. Instead of just drawing a card when he does damage, he makes a clue “token”. That clue token represents information (drawing a card) that can be held onto or acted on later. He’s a character who’s able to do plenty of damage in his own right, but his big advantage is being able to help other characters do their jobs and get combat abilities they wouldn’t otherwise have. He protects his friends.

Maria DeLuca, Entrepreneur       2RG Legendary Creature – Human Alien Haste (This creature may attack and use tap abilities the turn it enters the battlefield.) Each other creature you control enters the battlefield with an additional +1/+1 counter on it. “Maria DeLuca is her own savior.” 3/2

Maria cares about her friends and her business. Her ability helps everyone and represents your other creatures being able to stop in for a drink at the bar. She gets haste to show how hard she works and has aggressive stats so she can get her hands dirty in a fight. Like Michael, I could see another version playing into her psychic powers.

Dr. Kyle Valenti                 1WW Legendary Creature – Human Lifelink (Damage dealt by that creature also causes you to gain that much life.) When Dr. Kyle Valenti enters the battlefield, put a +1/+1 counter on each other creature you control. "In a hospital it doesn't matter what someone did before they came through the doors." 2/2

Kyle is a healer and instead of showing that with damage prevention, I chose a simpler buff to the whole team. Now you’re less worried about losing fights!

Rosa Ortecho, Troubled Artist                     1BR Legendary Creature – Human Alien At the beginning of your upkeep, choose one — • Draw a card and lose 2 life. • Exile the top card of your library. Until end of turn, you may play that card. Red is armor. 3/2

Rosa was a fun one to design. She is black red which is a color combo notoriously bad at impulse control. She has aggressive stats and an ability that makes the controller make a hard choice every turn. Do I take the guaranteed draw at the cost of a couple life or do I risk not being able to cast whatever I exile? Among other things, this represents her struggle with addiction-- taking the most directly expedient option comes with some harm to her life totals- but it’s the damage you know. The second option requires you to risk the unknown, but be able to participate in the fight without automatically being harmed-- it requires you to trust your deck and your support network...but be prepared for potential setbacks.

Arturo Ortecho                 GG Legendary Creature – Human Defender (This creature can’t attack.) Whenever a nontoken creature enters the battlefield under your control, create a Food token. (It’s an artifact with “{2}, {T}, Sacrifice this artifact: You gain 3 life.”) G, T, Sacrifice a Food: Target creature gets +2/+2 until end of turn. “I already have my miracle.” 2/4

Arturo cares about his community as do many of our characters, but if there’s any color that cares about bringing everyone in for dinner, it’s green. He delivers food whenever a new creature enters and can use them as buffs instead of just life gain! His kindness and compassion sustain everyone.

Deputy Jenna Cameron                 1RR Legendary Creature – Human First Strike (This creature deals combat damage before creatures without first strike.) Whenever Jenna blocks or becomes blocked by a creature, she deals 1 damage to that creature. “Who you callin’ a girl?” 2/3

In case you can’t tell, a lot of our characters act on impulse and emotion, which is a Red trait. Cam is tough (A 3/4 is needed to best her in combat!) and efficiently deals with enemies. The faster-than-first strike damage represents her sharp shooting skill. And because of her skills, anyone going up against her is going to feel it right away.

Sergeant Jesse Manes                   2BB Legendary Creature – Human Soldier Menace (This creature must be blocked by two or more creatures.) When Sergeant Jesse Manes enters the battlefield or attacks, exile the top card of each opponent’s library face down. You may cast noncreature cards exiled this way and you may spend mana as though it were mana of any type to cast that spell. Jesse's inhumane methods leave only pain in his wake. 3/2

Jesse is a character who has his own twisted view of how his actions will better society. His card here plays up how he tends to believe the ends justify any means-- for him, at least. He steals information and uses it against those he took it from, to represent his involvement in Project Shepherd and the threat he represents not just to the safety and security of the aliens, but to anyone helping them. I chose to exclude creatures in order to make the ability a little more efficient and make it feel more like controlling the chess board and less like mind control (Which a Noah card would someday probably do).

Whew! I hope you enjoyed reading these as much as I enjoyed making them!

#rnmweekendwarriors2021 #magic the gathering #roswell new mexico

[ssickprimus]

jerryseem to be almost officially gay!! i just hope that they will let him leave beth finally!

🍄 🌈🍄my boy was always gay, hon. he loves them men🍄🌈🍄

but honestly, i kinda hate the 'double-standart' that applies almost to every show on the earth, when it comes to those things. since when there is female gay character, they get recognized as that right away by simply dating/loving one single girl. you don't see people calling them bi like ever. but when it's men, who fall for another man, folks be like 'well, he's bi'. i mean, can't they just imagine, that some people and yeah, males included, can simply not love/prefer women this way, but be tricked into thinking that they do?

in fact, a lot of closeted gay men are married and have kids, but not actually 'love' or 'want' their wife. and jerry just an ideal example of that, esp taking in account his childhood trauma. with this being said, i have zero problems with bi-characters, but in most cases, they just presented as that from the start. they always kinda know, that they swing both ways. but jerry is like...he's not like that at all. i mean, beth was his first 'gf', his first time (with woman), his wife eventually. he never ever dated another girl. he banged alien chick, but idk, jerry only ever have sex with women to feel better about himself. it's never about him wanting them for what they are. he's not interested in them in that way. they are a boofer for his own issues, basically.

but since rnm is writen/directed by dudes like harmon, who only want to suck on milf's titty (beth's), it's kinda a dead end for this sort of narrative. since you know, they will never be like 'yeah, jerry is gay and yup, he was this all along', bc it takes a focus away from the object of their own desire, which usually happens to be some asshole mommy-wife sort of character. historically, they can only write about fucking women, bc they themselves wanna fuck them. no place for 'college experiments' lol.

still, i always feel like, or well, i think that justin might have implied jerry's sexuality from the very start (knowing him, at least). personally, i always think that all jerrys (yeah, doofus jerry too) are gays. or more like just into males. i picture female jerry being basically straight tbh. i don't think that it changes much for her. she just loves dick, like all her male counterparts lol. i kinda always view this as part of jerry's nature. being attracted to men, esp to men like rick, who's a bad news.

and well, this prob an unpopular view/opinion right here, but i just kinda feel very cranky about those things lately. you have a few popular cartoons with two female leads being in love and stuff, but not a single one with men having the same bit of recognization. at best, they're being writen as some side-story and never a part of main cast. i won't go and fight people, who think that jerry is 'bi', but i disagree with it.

but that's just me and my own prism. in reality, i never want for my opinion to affect someone's enjoyment of hcs and whatnot, esp if it's smth like that. but yeah, i was pretty sure that jerry is gay, since good ole 2014 and i stand by it. and i also stan by the fact, that he needs to divorce beth, bc you can't just write her as idk marge now. not after all the shit and abuse that she put him though.

#ask #jerry smith #i never actually rambled about it #but here i go #media can be very-very annoying in that sense #i rarely express my own view on things in such manner #but this is what i think #sorry anon this prob not what you expected to hear lol

[laufire]

RNM 3x04

Although I’m enjoying the season so far, I gotta say, the episodes feel super disconnected, this one most of all. I blame the fact that Liz (THE LEAD) and Rosa still aren’t participating in the main fucking plot :)))

I’m still extremely wary of Rosa’s storyline. I think it makes sense for the character, and that *for now* they’re keeping it in line with it being more about Rosa proyecting/exorcising her issues than about Wyatt Long’s manpain, but. I’m eyeing it. And I really want her to be more involved in the main plot/do more stuff. Now that Kyle is in peril and Long is leaving town (which made me wonder whether he’ll become a suspect, actually), I hope that’s where she’s headed. I loved her art (it always has so much personality in it, I love how they do it) and her quote about people changing and becoming who they want to be.

I feel that with this storyline I’m doing a reverse of my usual “things I roll with in fiction but wouldn’t stand for irl” LOL. Because if I was in Rosa’s shoes I WOULD try to deradicalize someone like Long -and there’s no shortage of people like Long in my hometown, so I’m not just talking out of my ass here-, less for him and more as harm reduction and for my own morals. But this could derail Rosa’s storyline in really annoying ways. And I REALLY don’t trust this show’s track record with race. On top of that, a lot of the discourse around redemption arcs~ conveniently omits the fact that only white male characters are pressumed to get them after they commit horrible acts. Why can’t Flint, a MoC, be the one to get a redemption arc instead, for example? It could’ve been painfully easy to switch their storylines, and it could’ve been interesting since Rosa actually disliked him in high school. But the show suddenly decided to care for Long’s inner life. Because white characters (and people) are afforded more complexity by others, more good faith.

I’m not TOO worried about Kyle because it feels too early in the season to fully close that plot. But if they killed him I don’t know that I could continue with the show. I adore Rosa, but her storyline isn’t grabbing me; and I dig Michael’s family drama with Nora and the dictator, but they’re not as ~dear to me. Kyle this season was the one reuniting it all. And they can’t kill him before we figure out everything with the communicator and his father!! C’mon. Anyway. I did love him this episode, helping out; and his scenes with Michael (my rareship is sailing! xDD) were great, from their bitchiness with the radio to their perspectives during their argument. The moment Michael pushes him to take cover and then removes Kyle’s hand from his shoulder asldkfjaf. This fandom is weak for not writing me multiple pages of this rareship, js.

Speaking of rareships sailing LOL, I can’t believe after my joke post about Bert x Kyle I got a mini scene asdlfjasdf, where Bert talks to Kyle and pays a compliment to his mother. I’ve also said since then that I wanted more Bert in the show, but frankly, I wish it was for more alien/conspiracy/fun stuff (like his artisanal beer or his werewolf obsession! or get into the main alien plot!), and not an Issue Storyline that I don’t even trust the show to handle properly.

Maria and Isobel’s vision quest was fun, although I resent the fact that the Liz we saw for half the episode was a fake (seriously, BRING HER TO THE DAMN MAIN PLOT ALREADY). I don’t care much for the two of them bonding, tbh, but if it’s what Maria wants, so be it. And her moments with Kyle this season have made me more lenient towards Isobel, at least. I’m also curious about some of the elements in the quest: the first things Maria sees are Michael sitting in her bar and Rosa painting her table <33. Bert is around being attacked by racists. I also dig that either/both of them pictured Kyle in his doctor getup (with the radio).

Wrt the vision itself, I’m still on denial about the dead being Kyle lol. I’ve heard all the theories: fake death to hide the aliens (I hope that can get solved because if Kyle couldn’t for some reason continue his career in medice it would CRUSH him), and his mother (please don’t) seem the most likely options after this episode. Others are Sanders (for the hints in last week’s) or even Arturo (for Rosa and Liz’s reactions, although obviously the “Valenti” crest wouldn’t make sense there). I also don’t see how it makes sense to cover Kyle’s death if Logan killed him? Unless Max tries to heal him and leaves a handprint. Anyway, I hope none of the above die and it can be resolved. And BTW: the SPN war flashbacks I’ve witnessed in the tags with the “killing” method are. Something. I think RNM still kept the scene dramatic and the audience concerned, but man. The risk of that reference... I don’t know that it was worth it lol.

BRING LIZ TO THE MAIN STORYLINE FFS. I like what we see of her on LA in abstract, but in practice... she’s the lead ffs. One episode where she’s out and having a nice time dancing (those scenes were lovely, admittedly) like this one can be great, but after three episodes where she’s been so removed of it all? Nuh huh. Given recent events (Kyle’s attack, the handprint on her chest reacting, her resignation) I hope it changes soon. And I hope Heath can be taken at face value, because I don’t trust this show’s track record with MoC that could inconvenience its storylines (see Noah and Diego, or even Flint). Also, I LOLED at her dream in the beginning, with her imagining Max apologizing to her and expressing her own concerns about getting lost in their relationship lmfao (as if that would ever cross his mind xD).

His scenes with Kyle seem designed to get Michael out of his funk wrt his heritage, and I appreciate it (especially if it’s THIS, and not the useless or even counterproductive pep talks of anyone else Michael cares more about that does the trick lol). I’m still eagerly awaiting for development on this front. Related to that, I’ve seen the theories about Jones being his father, but. Eh. It’s not that I don’t see how it could be possible (he’s incredibly powerful and can make fire), but. To put it bluntly? I don’t think the actor can pull off what I want from the Dictator. I want someone charismatic, and preferably visibly older than Michael that actually looks like his father. Jones would be a terrible miscast on both accounts. If they bring someone else JUST for Michael it could also be a sign of him really taking over the storyline (which I’m still iffy about because of my other faves, but it’s an interesting way to see where the show is headed).

I feel they could have taken Jones to more interesting places but there’s still time. The good news is that he shaved his godawful beard AND saved a dog’s life lol. Also, am I the only one that thought he might’ve known Noah, when he grabbed his and Isobel’s picture? I’m curious about that.

#roswell: new mexico #roswell thoughts #rosa ortecho #wyatt long #flint manes #kyle valenti #guerenti #rnm bert #bert x kyle #maria deluca #isobel evans #liz ortecho #michael guerin #the dictator #mr. jones #my thoughts #talking to the void #roswell spoilers #rnm spoilers

[neeterloveschenford]

Thoughts on RNM 3x10

Well here we are a day late and a dollar short (they’re killing me having to go in early on Wednesdays). But my lord were we blessed this week! I mean blessed and highly favored!! I can’t believe we are basically watching fanfic come to life. It’s amazing how much goodness we are getting. This is our reward for surviving last season. But I digress. Let’s talk about the best episode of this season! Let’s dive in.

Why you gotta step on Hufflepuff, Heath? Don’t you have any idea how amazing Hufflepuff is? SImmer down son.

I agree with Liz. I dislike the Longhorn tattoo too. (I am from Oklahoma afterall.) But I will not be upset seeing Max naked. He may annoy me most days, but he is a pretty pretty man. And I like how sweet he is with Liz here lately. Apparently this brush with death is making him appreciate the magnificent woman in his life. Growth. It’s a good thing. He’ll probably never completely win me over, but the more naked he is the better. (I’m a simple woman.)

Michael feeding his man! I loved this scene. I love how he just wants to take care of Alex. And I love how Alex wanted more kisses, but Michael had to show off his intelligence. Can’t have the bae thinking we’re not brilliant can we. Alex looked so put out! It was great.

So Anaste and Isobel are cute. Not gonna lie. But it’s too late for me to become invested in them this season. I think she’s just this year’s Forrest to be honest. And there is no way that they are not setting up Kybel. Just the utter joy they have in spending time together. I love them.The way Kyle looked at Isobel when she talked about helping people reminds me of the way that Alex and Max look at Michael and Liz. So I cannot see how they cannot be cosmic. And the way they support each other is fabulous. I think they will have the sweetest love story because it’s not going to be falling super hard super fast. I think Kyle is already starting to realize that he has feelings for Iz. And I think Iz will have a moment like Kyle did last season when Iz propositioned him. She’s going to pursue this relationship with Anaste, then realize she has feelings for Kyle. I can’t wait.

Dallas inadvertently teaching Isobel not to violate people’s minds makes him ok in my book. I like him. I still think Heath’s pretty boring, but we can keep Dallas. I mean, Malex’ll need someone to marry them, why not an alien preacher? And I love the fact that we are seeing him interact with Michael first. Poor Michael is probably the worst choice to stall for time. I just love seeing him try to come up with reasons why he shouldn’t leave.

Sassy Max is funny. Of course he would call it a lightsaber. Makes me wonder if he is an actual Star Wars fan, or if he’s just calling it that because that’s what Michael called the sword.

I’m thinking that we’ve had another instance of things that happen off screen. Kyle was obviously not happy to see Heath. Someone has to have told him that they think Heath was the one who attacked him. Heath had the alien mask on when we saw him, so he wouldn’t have seen his face, and the only other time we’ve seen them iAnd nteract was at Liz’s when Kyle was rubbing the vapor rub on Liz’s chest. Not the type of interaction that would make Kyle freak and lunge for his phone.

I love you Jones, but you need to keep your hands off my Kyle. He’s been through enough! Let my son go!! Also, can’t Liz find a better place to keep her bag of notes? And I’m about done with the sheriff lady. How dare! Arresting sweet Kyle. But look at him trying to protect Isobel! They’re not setting up Kybel at all! Nope.

Seriously Isobel, floating a giant smiley face is not the best way to calm someone down. She’s trying though. I love her no matter what. And Michael baby when will you listen to Alex. He’s the only one who knows how to keep his cool under pressure. Poor Dallas running away.

I love how this confrontation between Malex went compared to the last one they had in Michael’s bunker. They could so easily go down the same path they’ve always taken when they disagree. But they are committed to working things out. They are going to be such a strong couple. I am so excited to see them grow! And Michael listened!!! I’m just so proud of them. They have made so much progress!!

Another Kybel moment! They are going to make me scream if they don’t follow through with this! And you have ice powers was hilarious!!

This was a nice little Echo moment. They are not my favorite. But it was nice to see the hope blossom in Max. I don’t think he’s thought that they would find their way back to each other. So it was nice to see Liz admit that she still loves him. He has something to live for again. Good for you Max.

I still think Heath’s pretty boring. I liked the conversation with Michael and Dallas. They really bonded over their crappy childhoods. I want to see them have a great friendship. I like that they are so similar but have chosen such different paths.

Dear Liz, please learn Jones’ mannerisms. It’s really obvious to anyone that pays attention. That way you won’t have to kiss a megalomaniacal dictator next time.

I like how Kyle says he doesn’t like Max but he still wants to save him. I also really like Theo. I wouldn’t be opposed to a flashback with him in it. I’d really like to learn more about the Triad. Where does that leave Max? Did they look for Dallas back in 1947? So many questions. So many that won’t be answered. So if this equation can make Jones’ reign everlasting, does this mean that Max’s body is immortal?

Never thought I’d feel bad for that sheriff. Maybe she’s going to be like OG Valenti and end up being an ally. Or Isobel will mind scape her. I guess we’ll find out.

Kyle looks so forlorn. And Dallas picked the wrong person to tell that he might have to kill Max. I don't’ care how much smack Kyle talks, he will never let someone kill any of the pod squad. He’s just that good. I also think that the equation in the alien symbols will be something that Alex will figure out. In the OG series, Alex figured out how to translate their language. So I definitely think one of the world’s best hackers could figure it out.

And now we’re getting to the good stuff. This scene was everything I have ever wanted for these two. It was soft, sweet, loving, sexy, and hopeful. They are both so all in with this relationship. I always knew that the moment they were both on the same page, then that would be it. There is no turning back for either one of them. And the fact that they brought back cosmic and the song was chef's kiss! Alex’s face when Michael told him he was home was so emotional. They just love each other so very very much. I have cried every single time I have watched that scene. People at work the next day wanted to know why I was smiling so much. I just can’t believe that we are living in the age of Malex. And the chest kiss. But seriously, can we not let these boys have sex in a real bed? Trust me, things start to hurt after you hit 30. Their backs are not going to like them much longer if they keep this up!

So nitpicky time. There were only two small things that annoyed me in this episode. First was Dallas saying that the Lockhart machine had haunted him for 25 years. If he was 7 when he came out of the pod like the pod squad were, then they would all be 32 now. That adds on at least a year from where we are supposed to be in the timeline. Also, did Michael live with two religious nutcase families? Cause he said he was 9 when he was burned at his exorcism. But he showed Max fresh burns when they were around 13 in the season 1 flashback. I know time means nothing on this show, but if I can remember these things, surely someone on the show should be able to.

Anyhoo, that’s all I’ve got this week. I am now going to go have a small breakdown again about Malex. Hope everyone has a wonderful week! Till next time my lovelies!

#roswell new mexico #roswell new mexico s3 #s3 spoilers #it's only my opinion

[cakebeam]

The only point of having Maria be conveniently unavailable whenever Michael was dealing with something important and implying Alex was some sort of second choice was Carina's pettiness. And it was weird because M*luca still wasn't written as a couple with emotional substance when they did talk about stuff. Michael could have opened up to Maria so many times in s2, but he never tried past the breakfast convo, where he didn't get much of a reaction. Acting like Michael would have investigated his mom with her if only she had picked up the phone in 2x04 was unnecessary and absurd but it's still something people can canonically claim. 2x09 didn't even give us a reason as to why Michael didn't call Maria but let shippers pretend that she must have been occupied elsewhere (even though it took place on the same night 2x08 did and Maria was very much at the Pony) and Alex was a substitute. It all reads like Michael never letting himself admit to needing Alex and expecting him to bail again if he pushes hard enough while also using every opportunity to still be around him (the diner scene in 2x10 was downright ridiculous). But it doesn't work with the general audience unless this is actually verbally stated by him at some point. Instead we got an I love you directed at Maria despite the two of them struggling to connect or give each other what the other needs all season. I don't know what kind of speeches they wrote for Michael in s3, but he has a lot of explaining to do.

🙌🙌🙌

Nonnie, YES TO ALL OF THIS. Here's another thing about the lack of emotional substance with Miluca that you brought up, they actually have so much in common and it was NEVER brought up LOL. They both got left behind by friends/loved ones right before the lost decade after high school, they both had to let go of dreams to put family first and got stuck in Roswell because of it, they both struggle with finances and they're both in love with the same guy (Alex). But neither of them EVER discuss any of it! Michael still has no idea that Maria was in love with Alex in high school! They only ever talk about Maria and her powers, that's it! It's the f*cking Maria show with Miluca, I swear to god.

Miluca is so empty, it was never fleshed out and like you said nonnie, the "I love you" came from nowhere and the delivery from both of them was so weird. Why was it even written in? It certainly can't be because they're meant to be a main ship in the long run, so why focus on them for over an ENTIRE season?! Miluca definitely doesn't make any sense for the storytelling (we're missing out on a Romeo and Juliet epic romance with Malex for THIS?!) and really comes off like Carina is just forcing these characters together like a kid in a playroom with dolls and just being like, "now KISS!". It not only made the characters look terrible (Michael coming off indifferent towards Alex, Maria a horrible friend at the barest minimum) but this "relationship" didn't even push forward the story in general at all. It was just a huge waste in terms of time and a giant setback in terms of Malex.

I 100000% agree about Michael having some explaining to do in season 3 with his out of character actions towards Alex. I mean the RNM writers not only have to dig this love story back up from ground where Carina buried it but they also have to clean up all of hurtful actions that happened in season 2. I mean they're just going to have to go hard on the romance for Malex in season 3 and we better get a handprint or another song or a dance or SOMETHING to at least make up for the hell we've gone through already with this show.

#ask bee #rnm #roswell new mexico #anti miluca #anti maria deluca #anti carina

[lovecolibri]

What really sucks about Alex going missing this season is that it should have been an upgrade over the s2 stuff. Instead, regardless of what Michael (and anyone else) does in the next 2 eps, Alex essentially had to save himself. For 5 eps, there was zero indication that anyone was even remotely getting worried about him being MIA and no indication of that ever changing. It's not like people were already starting to get antsy when Liz figured out who was haunting M*ria. S2 Michael had a whole ass girlfriend and still picked up on something being wrong based on a thrown away napkin. Granted, Alex still had to ultimately escape from his kidnappers by himself, but at least, Michael wasn't gaslit into leaving him by everyone who supposedly loves them both. I didn't think RNM could sink lower than Kyle's near death experience after which he was chastised for being irresponsible of all things and basically had to take back rightfully calling out Liz on her bullshit and his kidnapping being a nonevent no one was allowed to so much as mention, but everyone knowing a disabled person is literally buried underground with no means of escape and just sitting around talking about how they totally will rescue him in some nebulous time in the future might be it.

"at least, Michael wasn't gaslit into leaving him by everyone who supposedly loves them both" okay but given their reactions when they found out Michael had left, and how they treated him when he came back (after...not actually rescuing Alex), if he had talked to any of them first, they would absolutely have pulled this same shit.

I’m also eternally angry at how they decided the way to have Kyle miss an episode or two was to put him in a coma, but they didn’t actually want to accidently allow him to have a plotline where everyone cared about HIM so they used it for some cheap drama at the start and then didn’t even HALF-ass more like 1/8th-assed the rest of that and then promptly forgot it ever happened. As evidenced by Rosa being all buddy-buddy with Heath, the man who put Kyle into the coma in the first place!

But yeah, for sure this is worse. Which is...quite a feat to accomplish.

#my sweet nonnie friends #roswell nm #roswell spoilers #roswell nm my behated #roswell nm writers room my beloathed #alex manes deserves better as does kyle! #i mean everyone else too but damn those two were the most interesting and the most sidelined for no reason

[gra-sonas]

Hey! I hate to ask this, you already do so much for us! But would you mind just a tiny recap of Vlamis’ live from last night? You don’t have to go into a ton of detail or anything, I just saw that it was a half hour long. I have a weird anxiety thing that keeps me from watching lives and stories for the most. Still haven’t even been able to work myself up to watching the vlamburn one as much as I’d love to! 🙁

Either way, thank you for everything!

Okay, nonnie. I went and watched the whole thing again and wrote you a detailed account of what’s been said. I’ll link the live again, then you can watch here if you want to. Or not. Up to you. 🤗 Hope this helps. 💕

Brushing his teeth and flossing for 3 minutes while talking.

800 new follower lately “where have you been before?”

“Do you do anything to your hair at night?” He adds Moroccan hair oil in the morning, nothing at night.

“What’s your favorite of the drop?” He hasn’t seen everything from the drop (like the COSMIC tie-dye) bc he’s in Santa Fe. He loves the COSMIC and MALEX embroidered things (“so subtle”) bc they are in Vlamburn’s handwriting, he loves the Manesqueeze shirt bc you can make Alex and Michael kiss by putting your wrists together. He *loves* the candle (there’s one burning on his bedside table), the silky PJs are great, but he can’t decide on just one favorite thing.

“How’s Jesa’s sanity?” She needs like 3 weeks of sleep. He explains, that while we *are* the Vlambase, the Vlambase merch company’s just Jesa and Vlamis. Jesa has a team, but all the day-to-day things, ideas, emails/customer service (Jesa), the newsletter (Vlamis). They hadn’t collaborated with anyone before Tyler, so working with him was a new experience. 

One fan mentions how they wanted to buy stuff but couldn’t. Vlamis says that he’s been there, and when he wanted something in the past he couldn’t afford, he started putting away a Dollar a day. 

“Thought on One Direction?” Vlamis is a Harry Styles guy. “Harry Styles’ swagger is next level!”

“What do you think about Russia? Will Vlambase merch be available here?” Talks a bit about how annoying things are with shipping companies, says they wanted to protect themselves for the holidays, and now that the Christmas rush is over, some shipping options have become available again. 

“Who came up with  MANESQUEEZE” He ponders about it, and settles on Jesa. It was Vlamis’s ides to put tiny Alex and tiny Michael on the sleeves so that they can kiss tho. And Tyler came up with the idea to put a “toupee” on his head (in a previous drop, the NEVER LOOK AWAY design had tiny Alex and tiny Michael on the sleeves, but poor Alex was bald) for the design.

Someone got a MALEX pin and the candle. He knows the pin sold out fast, and he feels bad about that. They want everyone to get everything they want, but it’s difficult to make proper calculations how well an item will sell. The pandemic made things even harder. Like the PJ sets. Normally, they would wait until the sale ends and see how many sets were actually ordered, but during the pandemic, stock listings have been changing dramatically from day to day, so they had to pre-order the PJs and robes to make sure they had a certain number at their disposal. He said that they “overshot” on a couple of things, but ultimately sales have been great, and he appreciates that.

“I’m excited to make the MANESQUEEZE doodles kiss bc I do that with the NEVER LOOK AWAY shirt” Vlamis jumps up and shows his closet that’s full of Vlambase merch items.

“Why am I here, it’s almost 3am” He mentions that he’s been staying up until 4 in the past couple of days, but he has to be on set in 7 or 8 hours. 

“Hello, just wanted to let you know that I got a tattoo for you” Vlamis asks for a photo and to be tagged.

“Kyle the packer [Vlamis’s roomie KA, who works in the warehouse when a new drop is ready for shipping]” Vlamis says they’re working him to death.

“Please save this live” He doesn’t know whether he’ll save it. Thinks the one with Tyler was important, but since it’s just him, he doesn’t think it’s important.

“I followed Jesa, Jesa is the real MVP” Vlamis says that Jesa is “a beast, and best in the game”. Quickly explains who Jesa is, and that she’s his partner in the Vlambase merch company. He mentions that she recently called him with an idea for Valentine’s Day, and he was like “Jesa, we need to relax!” But she loved the idea. She’s a big fan of RNM and the characters (and Tyler). “Jesa’s amazing.”

“What about new Soli art [Soli’s the artist who created the Boys Will Be Boys art for a previous drop]?” Vlamis smiles. “What about new Soli art. I like that idea. 😏“

“Your house [in New Mexico] is so cute.” Vlamis says thank you and shows the ceiling of the house (which he likes best). “Santa Fe is dope!”

“I adore your teeth” *shows his teeth* Says he had to wear braces (some even adjustable)

“I could’ve used my birthday money to buy something but I forgot” 🤨 << Vlamis’s face. “How you you forget, man?”

“Back to Twitter after this live” He mentions that he’d just been on Twitter before the live.

He got retweeted by Mountain Dew and loves it.

“I’m from Australia and hope my merch arrives before winter” Vlamis says he hopes shipping will be fast. 

“Love the Valentines” They’re not actually Valentines, hence they’re “Love Notes”.  Vlamis considers doing them not just around Valentine’s Day. 

“You catch any of the CW shows returning this month?” “Might have to” But he knows what he’ll be catching on the 12th. “Prodigal Son, baby!”

“Where did you get the Game Boys?” Those are his Game Boys. He has a Game Boy Advanced and a Game Boy Color. 

“How do you feel about Forlex?” *scoffs* 😒 “Yeah” 

“So excited for the robe!” Vlamis gets excited. “The robes and the PJs are so comfy!” Talks about how it’s a bit weird, bc they don’t make them themselves.

Several people mention that their closet looks like his closet bc of all the merch and he loves that. 

“How do you feel about Forlex” *gets agitated* “Why are you asking me this? Don’t do that to me, alright?” *softer* “Don’t do that.”

“How are you doing?” He’s doing very well. Very relieved that eh sale went well. This drop was like 3-4 months of work, the night before the sale felt like an entire month, too. Jesa and Vlamis Facetimed for more than 5hrs. They set up the website, and that’s how the glitch with the GIVE ME MALEX OR GIVE ME DEATH shirts and poster happened. They made a mistake and only noticed after the website went live. 

“Do you know when S3 will air?” No, he thought it might’ve been sooner, but apparently not.

“I love your poetry from the last drop so why no poems this time?” He writes poems when he’s inspired, he hasn’t written a poem in a while. He’s currently preparing to direct his first movie in June 2021, and he’s been very focused on that. 

“The Meet & Greet day changed.”  Filming schedule changed bc they had snow, the schedule’s changing constantly. He’ll be set all day tomorrow (well, today, Jan 11) from 8am until 8 or 9pm. Sometimes they might even wake up in the morning and learn that the schedule’s been changed. 

 “You could talk about nothing and we’d still watch.” He doesn’t want to talk about nothing, wonders if anyone has any questions about the sale.

“I’m so excited about the robe. I was going to buy more but I’m broke.” He says we should be responsible.

Someone’s still waiting about their Black Friday stuff, but he says it’s the shipping company, not them. 

“Vlamentines" He *loves* that, thinks it’s a good pun. 

“Gotta support Aurora.” Always. 🥰

“Jealous Guerin in S3?” You’ll see, you’ll see.

“I placed 3 orders, last one last night. Give me Malex or give me death.” He loves it. He also mentions, that they’re working hard on figuring out how to combine orders in the future so people don’t have to pay for shipping several times. They just can’t do that logistically at the moment. 

“Real talk, how often do you check your DMs?” He says, that some people might’ve noticed that he occasionally likes random photos on people’s IG pages. When that happens, it’s a sign that he read someone’s DM. He feels bad when he checks his mentions with a delay, and people’s stories have already vanished after 24hours. He sometimes doesn’t get to checking DMs for a week.

“Will we ever get the original pic of the kiss recreation?” *smiles* *waggles his eyebrows* “Maybe in the morning”

“So happy the Trevor Project was chosen for this merch drop!” He’s very happy, too. According to him, it was a no-brainer. Tyler’s worked with them in the past, so it made even more sense. They wanted to make sure that Tyler felt very strongly about wherever they’d be donating. 

People urge him to go to sleep. “You want me to go to bed?” 

“Why is your merch not available in India?” *deep breath* “It should be, it’s ridiculous. Unbelievable.”

“Your poetry was awesome.” He appreciates the praise and promises to write some more poetry. 

Someone asks whether the movie he’ll be directing in June will be a comedy, but he says it’s the opposite. He’s mentioned in the past that Aurora and him will both act in the movie, but apparently he forgot about that. He doesn’t want to jinx the movie and doesn’t know how much he should reveal just yet. Talks a bit about 5 Years Apart. 

Someone mentions that it’s Jeanine’s birthday on January 14th. 

“Do (or don?) a face mask, Vlamis.” He refuses. Mentions his friend and roommate Spencer Waldner, who makes face masks.

“If there’s leftover merch, will you do another sale?” He says that most things are actually sold out bc they use Blank Clo’s blanks and will only make what’s been ordered.  They might try to restock some pins tho, bc they went so quickly. 

“USPS are a joke” He defends them. “They’re a public service, they’re trying hard, guys.”

“You should do a Vlambase drop with the Real Vlamis [a.k.a. Jeanie]” He’s excited and thinks it’s a good idea and asks if anyone’d be interested. 

Someone congratulates him on directing his first movie. He points out that he’s directed before (Making It, a 3-part web series, it’s on YouTube).

 “Would you ever come to Australia Comic Con?” He’d love to. Mentions that he’s supposed to be in Paris in May for a convention, but he’s not sure whether that’s gonna happen considering how things are currently going with the pandemic. 

Some more talk about 5 Years Apart.

Circles back to doing a merch drop with Jeanine. People like the idea. 

“Please save this live.” After an IG update, things have changed and he doesn’t know how to do it. In the past he had the option to save it [for 24hrs], now he can only upload it to IGTV. 

“$30 shipping to Australia hurts my soul but I did it anyway.” He appreciates that and mentions, that he lived in Australia for 6 months in the past.

“Sing some Bright Eyes” He thinks his singing would hurt people’s ears. 

Jesa Joy pops up in the chat and urges him to go to bed. 

“Jesa is yelling at you.” Vlamis says that Jesa’s a “yeller”, and that she has a tattoo that says “Don’t yell tho”. He admits that Jesa often yells for a good reason. “I need to be yelled at sometimes.”

Someone asks him to accept a request to join his live. He says he’s pretty tired. 

He says hello to someone from Germany (not me btw :P) “What’s up, Germany ✌️” 

More people ask him to sing, but he says he cannot sing. He says it’s not like a joke  or him being modest, he straight up can’t sing and is a horrible singer. 

“Will there be a sequel to 5 Years Apart?” Maybe a sequel called “10 Years Apart” (he’s joking and visibly tired)

“Should I buy anything before the sale ends?” Yes.

Jesa Joy’s from Michigan, and Vlamis’s grandma’s from Middlesborough, Kentucky.

“Is Tyler singing again?” He doesn’t know. “I hope so. Love that kid’s voice” (Tyler’s 3.5 years older than Vlamis :P)

He’s getting sleepy and will read a little bit before bed. Considers drinking some Mountain Dew. 

“Do you take design ideas.” Sure. Sometimes he sees design ideas from people they’ve been working on for months, but he’s gonna “steal” an idea from someone, he’ll tell them. He’ll steal it, though. 

“Are you still reading SAGA?” He read the first one and is half-way through the second. He’s currently reading a book called “My First Movie” by Stephen Lowenstein. “How cliché.” Aurora got it for him.

Purple Skittles are his favorite. Purple everything.

“Your girlfriend’s the best girlfriend.” She is, she really is.

Asks Jesa Joy whether he should go to bed now.Even though it’s late, he’s hungry. Considers eating something. People tell him to go to bed.

He asks “Should I get naked and put on the PJs?” *waggles eyebrows* “I’M KIDDING, YOU’RE SICK. YOU’RE ALL DISGUSTING.” xD

“Don’t eat!” He laughs.

Says goodbye and says that Jesa’s posted a surprise picture. 

“Any advice for aspiring actors?” Tells them to make their own stuff bc no one’s gonna hire them. (He’s being sarcastic). “It’s dark, but it’s what you need to hear.”

“Okay, love you guys. Thank you again! It was our best sale yet. Means a lot to me. Means a lot to Tyler. Us doing so well might mean that Tyler will work with us again. So I really appreciate it. Okay, I love you all.”

Jesa promises to post the pic in 4 minutes. He’s excited. “See, I got her to do it! The picture is kind of ridiculous.”

*pretends to take off his shirt, stops halfway through* “Noooooo, noooooo, noooooo!”

*throws kiss* “Love you guys, good night.”

#michael vlamis #vlambase #mgv ig #mgv interviews #nonnie asks

[adiwriting]

S, T, U, V for the writer's ask!

I just answered S here

T: Any fandom tropes you can’t stand?

I don’t know if this is a trope, but I cannot stand reconciliation/reunion fics where one character stands there and admits every fault and the other character is just like “yes, good, okay, I will take you back now.” I prefer my stories to involve characters both coming together and able to admit their own faults and how they’ve contributed to things not working out. 

Other than that... if you’d have asked me 2 weeks ago, I would have said mpreg. Which is kind of hilarious now considering what I’ve been writing. 

U: Share three of your favorite fic writers and why you like them so much.

Only 3?! That’s really cruel. I feel like there are way more than 3 authors that I love. So I guess I’ll just list out some of the authors that teach me and inspire me to be a better writer (though even that list is probably like 6 people long). 

@litwitlady: I’ve gotta start with Brooke. When I came into RNM fandom I was having a hard time finding fic that I really vibed with. There were a lot of good stories that I was reading, but a lot of it just had a different view of canon than I did, so while i enjoyed reading it, it didn’t inspire me to be a better writer. Then I read Brooke’s stuff and I’ve never stopped. Anyone that has followed me for awhile knows that I just gush and gush about Brooke’s writing because it’s so lovely. I read it and I think “Wow, this is what my writing could be if I was more poetic in places... If I spent more time coming up with a metaphor to describe these feelings instead of just explaining the physical reaction to that emotion.” And so Brooke is forever a fav because her writing inspires me to write more “pretty” 

@jule1122: Every time I read one of their fics I’m just floored by the way they’ve mastered characterizations. I always walk away from one of their fic feeling like I’ve learned something new about life, but not feeling preached at. It’s a very special gift that they have in being able to tell very human stories in a way that I deeply connect to and envy. It’s difficult to really explain to anyone that hasn’t read their fic, but it’s just... really really beautiful work. 

And... UGH, I hate picking 3 because I’m stuck here trying to figure out if I want to talk about how @haloud has written some of the best smut I’ve ever read and how the characterization is just *chefskiss* and makes me want to do so much better with my own work. Or do I want to talk about how @lambourngb is able to create (and actual finish) these grand stories that span multiple chapters and do an amazing job with character arcs and growth and showing how to navigate difficult situations and character moments with maturity? Or do I want to talk about @jocarthage and how I’m ever in awe of the amount of research she puts into a fic before writing, leaving such a tight, realistic, and consistent story on the page. I can’t choose. 

And that doesn’t even touch on all the writers I just truly love and have on my AO3 subscribe list... 

V: If you could write the sequel (or prequel) to any fic out there not written by yourself, which would you choose?

Oh wow. What a question. Because there are so many good fics out there in this fandom that I want sequels and prequels to but don’t necessarily want to write myself. Like, I don’t want to write a sequel to Brooke’s Savior!Michael fic but I want to read it. I don’t want to write more of Hal’s Marco fic, but we all know I’d kill somebody for more. And the list of things I want to read but am not willing to write myself is long. 

So I’m gonna go with something fluffy. I would totally write a sequel to @christchex’s sharkey verse because it’s just so soft and adorable. I call it my emotional support fic. 

#writing memes #ask memes #foramomentonly

[foramomentonly]

Malex New Year’s Ficlet

It’s New Year’s Day and the first ever RNM fic I wrote took place on New Year’s Day. So this is a shameless reblog of my first ever contribution to this fandom. Love you all.

Read on AO3

Michael shuffles out of Isobel’s guest room on New Year’s Day and pads groggily downstairs, following the scent of freshly brewed coffee. The good stuff. He expects to find Isobel sipping coffee at the kitchen table, her casual, but effortlessly chic look perfectly curated to shame the rest of their disheveled, hungover asses. Isobel had invited everyone over for a quiet, elegant New Year’s Eve soriee. He and Liz—perfectly matched partners in mayhem as well as in scientific research and discovery, as it turns out—had turned it into a drunken rager. Secrets were revealed, grievances were aired, but they’d somehow rung in the New Year with arms draped heavily on shoulders, sloppy cheek kisses, and even sloppier declarations of eternal love.

Which is why Michael is surprised to walk into Isobel’s unexpectedly cozy kitchen to find Alex standing at the sink, elbow-deep in sudsy water, drying rack beside him half-full of Isobel’s boho dish set.

Alex glances over his shoulder at Michael’s soft oh! and smiles at him.

Defying the expectations of their friends, they had avoided a drunken throwdown the night before, chatting casually, if briefly throughout the night. They’ve already torn into one another a hundred times over, fueled on occasion by alcohol. They’ve used words like teeth to gnaw at old wounds and tear apart tender flesh. Their truths still float unspoken between them, but time and proximity have taught them how to treat each other like there might just be a tomorrow after all.

“Hey,” Alex says easily. “Sleep well?”

Michael smiles in return, moving farther into the kitchen.

“Ugh, did anybody?” He points to the half-empty carafe of rich, dark liquid on the table. “You make that?”

Alex nods.

“You still make coffee stronger than jet fuel?”

Alex shoots him a devilish grin and nods again.

“Bless you,” Michael sighs, pressing his palms together and half bowing toward Alex. He grabs a mug and pulls the nearest chair out with his mind, dropping heavily into it and pouring himself a cup. They’re both silent for a few minutes, Michael guzzling his coffee and Alex scrubbing a particularly crusty serving platter.

“You trying to avoid Isobel’s wrath?” Michael finally asks, gesturing towards Alex’s work with his now half-empty cup. Alex huffs a laugh.

“I just thought I’d make clean up a little easier for her and load the dishwasher,” he says. “Turns out she has no dishwasher, and ninety percent of her stuff isn’t dishwasher safe anyway.”

He shrugs as best he can while rinsing out a champagne flute.

“Yeah, she used to have one,” Michael replies. “A dishwasher, I mean. But me and Max and fucking Noah kept putting her fancy dishes in it, so she made me take it out and install a custom wine fridge.”

Alex laughs, and Michael smiles at the sound. He drains his cup and rises, moving to stand next to Alex at the sink.

“Here,” he says. “I’ll dry. I know where everything goes, anyway.”

Alex hums in response, reaching to take Michael’s dirty mug out of his hands.

“Never thought of you as the domestic type,” he teases. Michael shrugs, a little self conscious.

“I like to cook, actually,” he says. “No room to in the Airstream and Isobel can’t cook for shit, so she lets me use her kitchen.”

“Did you make the food we ate last night?” Alex asks, hesitant.

“Fuck, no,” Michael snorts. “I like comfort food. Isobel had the thing last night catered.”

Alex sighs in what Michael interprets as relief. He remembers Alex picking politely at his plate at dinner, but mostly eating a lot of rolls.

“I was actually thinking of asking Liz’s dad if he needs some help at the diner,” Michael admits, eyes fixed on the plate he’s drying. He feels more than sees Alex turn towards him. “It’s been slow at the junkyard and I’ve had way too much time on my hands to fall back into, uh, bad habits.”

Alex has been the unwitting witness of Michael’s bad habits, scraping him off the floor of The Wild Pony or fielding phone calls and voicemails that prick like barbed wire and leave a million tiny cuts. He’s also been the impetus of of them, on days when dark shadows cloud his brain and he can’t seem to see or care who’s reaching out to him.

“I think that’s really great,” Alex says softly. “You should mention it to Liz. Let her work on Arturo a little before you go in.”

“Yeah, I will,” Michael says, shelving the final plate as Alex drains the sink. Without the easy routine of a shared task, they stand awkwardly together, the silence heavy between them.

“I’m, uh, I’m starting therapy next week at the VA,” Alex says, offering a piece of his own vulnerability to Michael in a hesitant exchange. “Yeah?” Michael asks. “Well, look at us.”

And it’s not midnight, it’s not even close to fixed between them, but like lost parts of a whole, like the pieces of Michael’s incomplete ship they slide together, warm lips pressing lightly, then more insistently as mouths open and small breathes of pleasure escape. The kiss is slow and easy, full of later, soon, tomorrow. They pull apart, step back easily, and offer soft smiles.

“Happy New Year, Guerin.”

“Happy New Year, Private.”

#malex #roswell new mexico #malex fic #alex manes #michael guerin #new year's day #rnm fic

[cosmiceverafter]

This has been an amazing event! Spotlighting the talent in our fandom is so important. But what else is important, is focusing on the people who uplift and inspire you! The ones that always stand behind you encouraging you to continue your stories, your art and edits, and ultimately, being a friend. So today is for all of you cheerleaders!!

There are so many people I call good friends in this fandom, and lucky to have them in my world. So get ready for a very long post!

The Junkyard — my people. You all know who you are. 💕 From the very beginning we’ve stood by each other and y’all are what encouraged me to start writing and creating my edits in the first place. So lucky to be on this journey with you fam! 🤗

Now I want to personally focus on the individuals who not only inspire and cheer my work, but also the ones I call my closest friends:

@manesalex - Molly, I don’t know what I would do without you! You inspire me daily and are always so excited about my latest work, even if it’s not Roswell. I love talking ideas with you, and I love thirsting with you. And hey, I love that we gave “flirst” a name! 🧲 You helped me feel confident when I tried writing smut the first time, and that’s a big deal. Thank you for your ongoing support. It truly means the world to me. Love you! 💕

@i-never-look-away - Beka, I love you with my whole heart! I love how close we’ve gotten because of this show. So very lucky! But now I know when this show is long over, you’ll still be there as my friend. I love bouncing ideas with you and talking theories. You always make me feel good about my creations, always so supportive and encouraging on whatever I do—so thank you, always! Love you, person! 💕

@gra-sonas - Gra, you are such a good friend! You inspire me with your posts and more importantly, your friendship. I love that you support the fandom with their creations. You’re always the first to reblog, and as a creator, you know how important that is! Thank you for taking such good care of all of us. Love ya! 💕

@insidious-intent - Inigo, you’re the best! You always have such good ideas and advice when it comes to creating. I’ve appreciated the help and support you’ve shown me since the beginning. It means the world to me. You were the push I needed to finally write my first fic for this fandom. I hadn’t written fanfic in so long, but the encouragement you showed me, was what finally made me take that leap. I love how you focus on all creators; I know it brightens their day. It does mine. Thank you for being my friend! Love you! 💕

Some more personal shout-outs to people and blogs that go that extra mile to make you feel seen with your work:

@lilassparks - My girl! I miss you so much. But I cannot do a shout-out list without mentioning you. You’ve always been so supportive to me in whatever I’ve created, and always so kind about it. In the early days, it’s what pushed me to really start creating for this fandom. So thank you, truly! Love always. 💖

@unbreakablejemmasimmons - Amy, you’re the best! I love writing with you and bouncing ideas off each other! I always look forward to it and for your positivity when it comes to the show and my creations. Thank you for the comments you always leave on my fics, too. They brighten my day. Xoxo 💖

@saadiestuff - Sadie! You’re fun and silly, and I love your Malex as animals. You inspire me to think outside the box, and as a creator, that’s important. Like encouraging me to go through with my Baby Yoda fic! 💚 You always support me, and for that, I thank you. Thank you for being a light in this fandom. Xoxo 💖

@lire-casander - Lire, you have a heart of gold. You’re kind and supportive and for that, I’ll always thank you. You’re always the first to comment on my stories and you’ll never know how much that means to me. You put so much thought into them, every single time, that I feel like I have a true fan with my work. It means the world to me. Also, thank you for being my friend! Xoxo 💖

@malex-i-never-look-away - Toby! I just love ya! You always reblog and like my work, and that makes me feel so good inside. Plus, I’m glad we can always thirst together. It’s the best! It always inspires new ideas, which is the greatest thing a creator can ask for. Xoxo 💖

@moderngenius94 - Nixie, my love! I love talking about the show with you and bouncing ideas off together. I love our love for the creepy stuff, too, which with October around the corner, I cannot wait to talk fic with you! Thanks for always being a good friend. Xoxo 💖

@salmonthestoryteller - Salmon! Your fics and theories/metas inspire me daily, but you also are such an amazing cheerleader to other creators. It truly uplifts everyone. Thank you for being you, and showing us how kind and supportive you are. We’re lucky to have you. xoxo 💖

@bellakitse - Stef! You’re such a positive force to be around. Whatever the topic or show, you inspire me. You’ve helped me so many times with ideas, and when I felt burnt out with RNM, you helped to keep my creativity aflame with the love of Lone Star. Thank you for your support and friendship. xoxo 💖

@andrea-lyn - You my friend, define talent, and that alone inspires me to keep creating! You’ve helped me with ideas when I’m in a funk, and written fics that just call out to me (for ex: The Mummy). You opened my eyes to au’s and the love I now feel for them, so thank you for that! I’ve really tried expanding the way I write because of that. Keep creating and cheering others on, the world needs it! xoxo 💖

@djchika - Deej, you’re amazing and oh so talented! But you’re also so supportive of other creators. I’ll never forget the day I was first writing Boots the cat and telling you all about it, and then all the sudden you showed me a drawing you had done of Boots as we were talking! I felt seen with my fic in that moment, as if what I was creating was important and special. That’s the type of friend you are! Thank you! Never stop creating. xoxo 💖

@queersirius - You’re not only talented and creative, but you’re so supportive to other creators. I’ll never forget the spotlight rec you did on my Christmas fic. It was right in the beginning of when I was writing for this fandom, and it made my holiday season. You took the time to do that, and it touched my heart. Thank you for your kindness! xoxo 💖

@litwitlady - You my friend, have been such a gift to our fandom, especially during this hiatus. There have been so many times I’m in a writing block, but reading your work and seeing how many fics you write, has really helped me to keep writing and creating. You’re kind and supportive of other creators, and for that I thank you! xoxo 💖

@rnmsmalltownlegends - This blog has been so wonderful to recognize and spotlight so many amazing and often times, unrecognized creators. Its blogs like this that uplift creators enough for them to keep creating. And for that, I thank all of you. 💖

Also, a message to anyone who has ever liked or reblogged my work:

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

And last but certainly not least, cheers to this amazing event @roswellnewmexicocreate — this was so wonderful! During a pandemic and a darker time, as well as a long hiatus, this really uplifted so many creators! I thank you from the bottom of my heart for this week. 💞

#rnmcreate2020 #roswell new mexico #fandom love

[lambourngb]

Fic Writer Interview

Tagged by: @irolltwenties ❤️ thank you so much my dear!

Name(s):  L , lambourn on AO3, lambourngb here.

Fandom(s): Roswell New Mexico, a very long time ago, Smallville, and lost to the ages, baseball.

Where you post: AO3 is where just about everything lives. The only things that are tumblr specific at the moment are sneak peaks at future works and my Michael Week AU - the “This Hard” series that will be under one title -  “This Hard Love” - once I finish it. 🤞

Most Popular One Shot (by kudos)
This year : Leave the Fire Burning , my post-season 2 sex pollen getting back together fic.  This was also one of my first stories to be in Michael’s POV.

Overall: it’s still my first finished work here, truth (to the people we love) - that I posted in Nov 2019. Probably the most ideal way to enter a fandom, lots of great people warmly welcomed me in and I still get emotional thinking about it.


Most Popular Multi-Chapter (by kudos)
Overall: last year’s wishes are this year’s apologies - if I’m known by one story, it’s this one and you know what, I’m okay with it. This story changed my fandom life and honestly, my confidence level. I’m extremely harsh on myself, and often hate something once it’s done, so when I reread the epilogue just the other day, I thought “this is still good, well done L” that’s unique for me. This year: 
 See above.

Favorite story you’ve written so far:
 Oh I would say “Leave the Fire Burning” because I wrote it very quickly almost in a trance. 2020 has been a challenging year for writing for the most part, long battles with days of only a 100 words here or there, but that story was basically 20 K in 10 days. A runner up is you give me a good reason to be heartsick again (let me down easy) - my salty post season 2 co-write with Christi @michaels-blackhat where we made fun of the narrative surrounding Forrest and Forlex for almost 6,000 words. I haven’t done a co-write in years, and Christi was game for it and so gracious about my bossy participation ❤️...

Fic you were nervous to post: All of them, but I would say my upcoming Big Bang is giving me butterflies since it references a lot of what happened in season 2, and generally the fandom response to season 2 is pretty polarizing?

How do you choose your titles?: Song titles generally, or sometimes it’s a song lyric that I misremember? Like “Leave the Fire Burning” is related to a Noah Gunderson song “Fire Don’t Die”. I also liked to repurpose lines of dialog from the show into titles, like “truth (to the people we love)” was cannibalized from Michael’s speech to Isobel, “maybe it’s time to tell the truth to the people we love”. And “If You Regret (What You Know) was from Michael’s conversation with Alex in 1x10. Yes, I’m going to continue to abuse punctuation in my titles.

Do you outline?: Yes, absolutely. The outline is allowed to change, with inserted scenes or scenes that get blended together but every project that I’ve made some progress on has an outline that I write within. I like to use brackets, and write just above it, so I can see my goals as a go and to keep my focus.

Complete: 6 works, soon to be 7 when the Big Bang goes live.

In-Progress:  *laughs uncontrollably* A LOT. I’ve somehow acquired a circle of friends who are constantly dropping soft and sad head canons on me and then it turns into a fic idea. Right now, I’m working on “This Hard Love” to finish by the end of the year. Next up after that, I want to finish my epilogue to “Last Year’s Wishes”, write the Michael POV scenes that others have requested previously, and then dive into my LYW prequel/Lost Decade epic “prettier and younger, but not any better off”. Also smaller projects in the works, some AUs - like Michael is a guitar maker and Alex is a Nashville star called “Summon Out of These Hollow Places” - @haloud , @adiwriting and @christchex are firmly to blame for that project, along with “Dress Blues (hold me lover, this ain’t an arms race) - Michael becomes Alex’s military spouse and follows him around. I also started a really dark, torture Michael story for @ninswhimsy called “Piece by Piece” where Mr. Jones basically trades Michael to be experimented on and Alex & Maria go undercover to save him. And finally, I’ve got “Why Can’t I Change” - Michael dating during season 3 with background Forlex, and my really sad epic “Grave Dancer’s Union” where Sanders is dying and Michael is his caretaker.

Coming soon/not yet started:  All of the above have some words, outlines, etc. Not yet started- stuff like a coma AU, where Jesse puts Alex into a longterm care facility when he’s a teenager and Michael “meets” him because he’s visiting Isobel after the drifter’s attack. “Pressing on a bruse (we can heal)” is my sequel to “Truth” that has taken me forever but still planned, Duty of Care needs some reworking to turn it into a canon-divergent AU, same with “Gather Your Skeletons” my attempt at a soul-bond fic for Malex.

Prompts?: I’ve still got a few in my ask box that are old enough to vote, and as you all can see, I’ve got a lot of google docs in progress. So sure, you can submit, but I don’t know if I’ll get there. I’m better at answering questions about WIPs in progress- like I’ve definitely written more on some of those WIPs just from that last meme that went around. So sending me a nudge about something in progress might get you a sneak peek faster than sending me a whole prompt. With RNM there’s always a chance something will happen and turn you off of the fandom before I can fill the prompt submitted.

Upcoming work you’re most excited about: I would say my prequel to LYW. It’s looking quite long, especially the sections where Michael transitions from sneaker and jeans to jeans and cowboy boots with a big belt buckle. I’ve got a lot of horse knowledge I can’t wait to bore everyone with !

No-pressure Tags: @jule1122 , @adiwriting , @litwitlady , @aewriting , @tasyfa ,  @andrea-lyn @prouvaireafterdark, @el-gilliath

#meme #stuff about me #so many wips #wip whine #malex #my hamster still only runs on roswell new mexico #self-promotion #my imposter syndrome is a noisy bitch #am I writer? and meagyn has always assured me YES #thanks for the tag