lmnop14048

Latest Posts by lmnop14048

oh my god oh ly god the voice change Aph my GODDD

THE WAY HE LEANS FORWARD I CANT DO IT ANYMOREE

david u are truly america's hero

GUYS. THE WAY HE SOUNDS SO CUTE AND SQUEAKY AS CLARK, with the "yeah!" and then just says "miss lane." in the OH MY GODDJEJEK

yeah i might have to make a dc tumblr blog

I'm only on episode 4 so far but Baekjin and Humin are literally the toxic version of Sieun and Suho. The reserved, calculative, loner geniuses with flawless pokerfaces and the prettiest eyes you've ever seen, and their outgoing, charismatic, popular jock boyfriends with a darker side and killer punches, who they'd let manhandle them even though they hate people touching them, who they can't get over because they're obsessed with them.

Mark Grayson, Peter Parker, Stiles Stilinski.

My loves

Oh how I love this genre of men

finding out making up whole detailed scenarios with fictional characters in your head is a “sign of mental illness”

me maladaptive daydreaming about the most recent ff i've read (i need psychological attention not an iphone)

Oh that fandom? I like it a normal amount *shoves pinterest boards under bed* *shoves playlists in the closet* *shoves the dream I had about it last night into a bush* *closes youtube and tumblr and throws computer into a lake*

i miss them so bad!!!! ☹️☹️

i’m in love with ekko bro…

Do you think we’re soulmates in another universe?

Men should never have podcasts, but Benoftheweek is an exception

We love you Ben dont die <3

I don't mind that Walker Scobell doesn't look like book!Percy because 1) he's absolutely got the spirit. Walker basically is Percy, you can see and feel that in every one of his scenes, and

2) If book!Percabeth had a baby, he would look exactly like Walker Scobell, and I think that's hilariously perfect

So, I binged The Acolyte last night.

I had a mental block and couldn't get myself to start while it was coming out, and I also haven't touched any High Republic era media before which made me hesitant. But the spoilers/gifs/fanart etc I saw convinced me I should give it a try.

I'm not a huge fan of binging, I like sitting and thinking with each episode, so I expected to just watch an episode or two, give it a day or so, then continue if I liked it.

But, to my great surprise, once I started, I couldn't really stop (aaand stayed up till 7 AM, oops).

I think it had several things going for it:

-The acting was genuinely phenomenal. I feel like I would have felt completely differently about the show if different actors had been involved, and i mean that more strongly than I usually do. Their delivery in certain moments really sold me.

-It's not your usual Star Wars genre. I'd consider it mystery/suspense with a touch of horror, and it really does come together. Some of the characters are experience a more stereotypical Star Wars action/adventure story, but are jerked out of their genre at certain moments. It's pretty neat, and makes the twists fun and interesting (even if you were completely spoiled beforehand, like me lol)

-The costumes were gorgeous and unique.

-Some truly gorgeous cinematography, shots that have beautiful composition and lighting.

-It was rich in lore and references, some from Legends that I caught, many from the High Republic that I didn't catch but appreciated nonetheless. It felt deeply connected to the SW Universe.

-While cynical, the writing says things that I've thought about but never really thought Star Wars would have the guts to say. The writing is also Tight, meaning that little moments of character interactions bring up things that will be necessary/helpful to the plot later, and I appreciated that. There felt like very little waste.

-There are genuinely no "good" or "bad" guys. Every character makes mistakes or has horrible qualities, yet also positive ones. We see and understand motives, even if we don't agree with them, and see the fallout of those actions. This made almost everyone compelling. The narrative and writing gives the audience space to think.

Things that I wasn't as much a fan of:

-I felt like most of the sets felt kind of generic and Earth-like, especially in comparison to the rich costumes and alien characters.

-There are some fantastic fight scenes and emotional scenes, where the acting and cinematography was fantastic, but I wish the music had been a bit more memorable. I can't really recall any of it, and I feel like there were scenes that could have been truly iconic had the music resounded more with me.

Now, some more specific thoughts, SPOILERS below:

On Sol:

Sol is a character who, I believe in most cases, I would have absolutely despised. But holy shit, Lee Jung-jae. I am not exaggerating when I say that his performance is perhaps one of the best, if not THE best performances I've ever seen in live action Star Wars. He played this character so tenderly, so genuinely.

Despite being misguided, having made terrible decisions, and making mistakes that even he acknowledges, Sol himself always truly thought he was doing what was right, and loved Osha with his whole being even at the end, and it Shows. The way he looks at Osha was so sincere.

This is why I can't get myself to hate Sol as a character. It makes me feel so conflicted, like how can a guy with so much love and genuine desire to help and do good go so wrong? And that, I think, is one of the major points of the show, and Lee Jung-jae absolutely sells it. What a phenomenal actor. You could genuinely watch this show for him alone.

On Osha/Mae:

When the first info/promos for Acolyte came out and Amandla Stenberg was announced as the main character, I admit I was a bit confused. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't that I thought she couldn't act, but it's just that her face is so kind. She looks so warm (and gosh, she's so beautiful), but it made me go hmm, she looks like a Good Guy Protag, a Hero, so I was a bit confused as to how she was going to lead "the Acolyte," which from the title, I assumed she'd be Dark Side. Even with the early promo scenes of Mae fighting Indara, I wasn't really sold on her being "Dark."

And it turns out, that was exactly the point of the casting.

Amandla was perfect, and was brilliant at portraying two characters who not only have different and distinct personalities, but also both shift and change throughout the show. Mae never came off as "Dark" to me, because she isn't. Osha's not necessarily Light OR Dark, but she's independent. They are balanced, yet cycling, reminiscent of that little palm-to-palm circling ritual that the girls do. Amandla's portrayal of them was poetry, and made me so very invested in them.

I think if there's one thing I really wish the show had included more of, it's both Osha and Mae's pasts between their tragic separation and their reunion in the present. What was Osha's Padawan-ship actually like? I feel like the exact reason for the timing of her leaving the Order was ambiguous, and I wanted to know more. And was Mae with "the Master" the entire time?

I truly wish Osha could have heard the full story from Sol, because of his many crimes, ironically, killing her mother really was a genuine accident. There are things I wish he could have apologized to her for, or that she could have understood about him, such as how that night at the coven was largely driven by how Sol felt connected to her. This is one part where, while I get how the writers went this way, I do wish I could have felt more closure to their relationship.

I found it so tragic that Qimir erased Mae's memories and they had to be separated so soon after finally understanding each other. I really hope that if there's a season 2, they can be reunited.

On Qimir:

Preface by saying I was spoiled regarding his identity long before I started, by all those thirsty posts/tweets. And man, I GET IT.

But thirst magnet aside, I found him a genuinely fascinating character. For one thing, he's kind of an ironic character to *be* a Darksider. He seems so chill and laid-back, is honorable (or at least keeps his word), and despite his words about using emotions to harness energy, we don't really see him passionately mad/anything really. In contrast, the Jedi we see around him are furious, scared, sad. It's interesting that he almost seems more calm, but not necessarily because he's trying: he just doesn't care.

Manny Jacinto's portrayal of the character made him so damn Likable. Which, is pretty hard to reconcile with the fact that I genuinely liked Jecki and Yord, but a lot of his lines make me just go, y'know he's got a point. Like the whole, "She was a child," "You brought her here." Like yeah. Honestly, fair. His little quips, the delivery, the I'm-just-a-chill-dude attitude, actually keeps his word, and on the flip side, undeniable ruthless skill and viciousness that took down a whole team of Jedi single-handedly. It's a very BRRRRRR combo.

In general, I don't really get too attached to "Dark Side" characters, and don't really have a favorite Sith. Or at least, I didn't, but I think Qimir (or whatever his actually name is) might claim that spot now. Truly peak character, I truly hope we get to see more with him.

And this is kind of an aside, but can I just say, it felt unreal to have entire fight sequences focussing on just two Asian actors, with the other protagonist we see a black girl, for huge chunks of the show? No white people except comparatively brief side characters? In a Star Wars show?!?? All of them unique and well fleshed out and phenomenally written and acted?? None of it felt like "forced diversity," it's all so natural, that when I step back and thought about it in these terms it just...again, feels unreal. I'm so grateful for these characters, and hope we get more like them.

On Jecki and Yord:

Honestly given what I saw about Yord before hand, I was expecting him to be far more annoying than he was. Sure, he was a little stiff, but he felt like a young Jedi Knight who was trying to prove himself and do his best, and I think he very clearly did care for Osha.

Jecki, gosh I loved her. She felt very similar to Ahsoka, if a bit more by the book. She was very wise for her youth. I loved the budding friendship between her and Osha, how they helped each other and weren't jealous.

The thing about both of these characters, which I think the writers did so well, is that they felt like protagonists. In another story, they would have been the main characters, the heroes. Both of them were so young, so early in their training/careers. They could have become Obi-Wans, Ahsokas. Jecki especially was bursting with so much potential.

But alas, this was not that story. It makes it that much shocking when their lives are cut so abruptly short. We were given time to get to know these characters, to care for them, and then without much fanfare, boom. Gone.

On one hand, I sorta Hate That. On the other, I deeply respect the writers for going there, because I think it did have an Impact on the story and show.

On the Witches/Mother Aniseya:

Admittedly I was a little ehhhhh on some of the world-building regarding the witches, just the use of the words "witch" and "coven" and some of the chanting with gasping cackling women etc felt a bit caricature. I do get that they wanted us to have a vibe for this group and to get one with limited screentime, and sometimes stereotypes are the way to do that. I didn't love it, but also didn't mind it too much.

I actually really loved Mother Aniseya. For one thing, the actress is Gorgeous, her costume stunning, and she really sold the whole otherworldly ethereal immortal goddess vibe well, in a way that still felt Star Wars. For the other, I liked how she was the soft, empathetic one, it kinda contrasted with expectation of her position.

I also loved Mother Koril, and how again, she was designed as a character foil to Mother Aniseya. I love how we didn't see too much of them, but could still see that they were partners who loved and respected each other (I hesitate to say "wives," because I feel like their society may not exactly have the same concept of marriage, but partners was undeniable). I think it was a neat Oh moment when they stated that Mother Koril is the one who carried the twins. Love them.

I know I'll have more thoughts, but yeah, to sum it up, I enjoyed Acolyte a ton more than I thought i would, and am so glad I gave it a chance.

Other things:

-Mentioned earlier that I love "little moments of character interactions bring up things that will be necessary/helpful to the plot later." Some actual examples of this: When we see Sol noticing Osha's tattoo and Osha saying he must hate it, which in the moment, shows the kind of guardian-student relationship they have, and how little seems to have changed for them in the time they've been a part. Later, it's shown to clearly identify Osha after Mae steals her clothes. Another is the rolly polly moth things, which at first seem just like a way to show This Forest Dangerous, but then are a plot point to temporarily escape from Qimir, and later on, to show Vernestra's connection to the Force (and also her light whip). Stuff like that, I really like.

-I so appreciated Qimir's Cortosis helmet. For one thing, it's neat that it's not just cool-looking or a disguise, but actually is Force-blocking. I think an official SW account factoid said that this is also how beskar works, though beskar is stronger. The two effects this has: when the user is wearing it, they're forced to confront what's inside of them. The other, is that it hides the wearer's identity from Force users who would otherwise recognize them. The latter is my personal headcanon for beskar helmets, so it's very gratifying to see it in canon! The former has some interesting implications for Force-users who wear beskar.

-The cynical view of the Jedi Order as an Institution, and all the politics, corruption, and obscuring of dirt that that entails. Admittedly this may be because of my own increasingly cynical perspective on the Order, but it felt honest and I agreed with most of it. The fact that individuals are trying their best to do "good" does not negate the fact that they are pretty much acting as Space Cops. This line by Senator Rayencourt felt especially raw:

"I think the Jedi are a massive system of unchecked power, posing as a religion, a delusional cult that claims to claim the uncontrollable. [] Your emotions."

Framed as a religion having unchecked power—that feels uncomfortably realistic! And also zeroing in on how for all their power, the Jedi are still people, and just as fallible (and therefore, must necessarily be held just as accountable).

Also:

I can see how this portrayal of the Jedi may make some folks uncomfortable, especially if you love the Jedi, but I long hold that the Jedi as an organization are deeply flawed. It's part of why I personally like the "fall of the Republic" era; both the Galactic Republic and Jedi Order have deep, fatal flaws, and this is an era where that all comes to a head—one where they must fall, or fix themselves.

So in conclusion, my favorite parts: the characters, and the moral grayness of almost everyone. Many stories may claim there's no good/evil dichotomy, but few ever truly show it, but this one did.

I'm not sure yet if I want to "fandom" over this or if I'm pretty satisfied with having just watched it, but it was definitely worth the watch and I'm glad I gave it a try!

~~

~~

I also kept a lil document of live reaction notes as I was watching, which I'll copy below:

Episode 1

UEDA?? The planet is just, UEDA?? A pretty common Japanese surname?? That's like. Naming a planet Johnson or somethin...

Loving the costumes 'n set

Oh wait I recognize this scene, it's the one they played as a preview at the AMC Star Wars marathon

Idk how to feel about the Space Generic T-Shirt

Ooh Neimoidians (thank you for no horrendously exaggerated Evil Japanese Accent TM), and interesting Jedi ship shape

Oh interesting interesting they intentionally paralleling TPM eh

Hrmn not a positive first impression of Master Vernestra, her lines are so mechanical

Very cool pilot chair droids and tentacle alien

Osha says practice vehicle safety and wear seatbelts and protect your head!

Oh Osha has Trauma I see. Girl ain't getting good sleep

Oh wow Sol Loves Osha, oh no is this going to lead to Padawan Jealousy Trauma between Osha and Jecki. How much are we heavily paralleling TPM here

Kill the dream eh?

Episode 2

Oh there are multiple Jedi temples, that's nice

Jedi Temple using same security system as Jabba is...uh

Mae tips, good for her

Master Torbin just sittin' there, lookin like some random youtuber. why tabi socks

Man I dig Mae's patchwork cloak with massive princess hood.

It's pronounced KAI-meer??? My Chinese ass thought it was Chee-mir

Barash Vow

Ohhh so Mae doesn't know that Qimir...? (was spoiled)

Episode 3

ooh i like the fairy clione things

Ohhh village all women??

Mother Aniseya is stunning

Oh she and Koril blatantly lesbian, fantastic

Oh gosh the Jedi are NOT looking good here. They don't have the right to train children?? WTF

You must let the children take the test?? And if they pass the Jedi will take them away??? That does NOT sound very consensual!!

Oh gosh, selling "you are special" to a child, after separating her from her community...

Really feel like "how does taking a child away affect their community" should be factored into jedi stuff

Mae that is...sudden and violent wtf

Kinda not trusting Sol here

Episode 4

Wow Kelnacca looks...mentally stable

Ohhh Qimir's ship? Looks suspiciously Kylo Ren-ish

Qimir really suspicious eh

Oh wow not using the Force or anything, just using a sniffy guy

They're really doing a Fellowship of the Ring walk huh

Look I absolutely adore Mae's long gorgeous cloak but that is going to drag half the forest floor with her

Not liking those tree bulbs. looks spider eggy

Osha don't Touch the Thing, that's such a Pippin move

oh no, not spider eggs...rolly polly moth vampire thing

Really enjoying Osha and Jecki's friendship, I'm so glad it's not former Padawan jealousy

Oh, Mae, oh no....knowing spoilers...oh...

The red lightsaber igniting next to Osha's head...dang what fantastic composition

The lil hand twitch and head snap. I Get It.

I remember when "Darth Teeth" was trending

And wow that's a Cliffhanger

Episode 5

Oh no Osha knocked out that doesn't bode well

How many against one is that damn

The double spear through then hidden head lop...wow

holy shit booma-saber

Oooooh the cut treeeeees damn

all that death before even the opening title

Honestly GO JECKI, that's very impressive, her win against Mae AND double saber against Darth Teeth, Anakin level spinning and drama

Holy shit Jecki's death was brutal...

She was a child - You brought her here - FAIR

Why risk discovery - I did wear a mask LMAO

Damn did he just casually break Mae's leg

I don't make the rules - the Jedi do

The Jedi say I can't exist...wow

Holy shit Yord's death

Damn full on brawl

I've accepted my darkness, what have you done with yours

Damn really yeeted Qimir from the fight by sticking a light on his back

Pip tho ;_; killin droids feels like killin pets...

They've turned you against me - really Anakin quotin

Wow Sol, not even going to see Jecki????

And wtf how can Sol not tell that Mae's switched them??? Has fandom been grossly misunderstanding how the Jedi use the Force....how the fuck can any Jedi tell apart any clones eh...

While not exactly subtle, I appreciate how lil details in character interactions have had pay offs. Like the tree bugs and Osha's tattoo being a way to identify her

Episode 6

He really just makin a hot pot

his lair kinda looks like sequels Luke's island

Not sure how I feel about the elephant rock bird things

Honestly glad we get to see Sol upset and affected by everyone's deaths. Might explain part of why he can't tell apart the twins?

Oh he's really wearing hakama hakama

Wow Qimir really just getting in buck naked eh. Is this the scene that Manny froze his balls off for

His line about it being fine in a fight but vengeance a few hours later

Oh he brought a change of clothes

Damn the Jedi are taught "it fades"???

Aww Osha, u aren't tempted by the soup??

Oh wow we revisiting bodies, that feels...u usual for SW. Oh there's a Kel Dor... (why are there no flies buzzing yet. or are there no flies yet)

Mae wakes up so peacefully compared to Osha

Oooh sensory deprivation mask, all dark, nothing but breathing, evocative of Darth Vader even if breathing is not similar

Episode 7

Vergence....iiiiinteresting

Sol, stalking lil kids is creepy af

Oh my god you're just gonna break in???

See - You cannot deny the Jedi have a right to test potential Padawans - Why the fuck not???? You don't have the right to stalk, spy on, break into random people's homes, and talk directly to their children without permission from guardians??

Guh Sol....

Interrogation after isolation from guardians....

Oh, the Jedi Council is right for once??

Do not alter this little girl's destiny because you have formed an emotional attachment to her

Gosh I thought Indara was the most innocent in this buuuuut

Episode 8

I'm surprised they never added Darth Teeth's mask to the front credits

"See you in hell" Oh I know Han mentioned Hell like once but I thought they were avoiding mentioning it in newer media

Holy shit Rayencourt: I think the Jedi are a massive system of unchecked power, posing as a religion, a delusional cult that claims to claim the uncontrollable. - Kinda uncomfortably real!!

-We don't control the Force - no, your emotions - OOF

I didn't realize till this ep how the cool Brendok eclipse got that line, it's the comet ring. super neat

oof Mae climbing out of the scene of Trauma...

Oh that is some Wu Xia shit

"I will destroy you if i must" really??

Nice dagger saber

Okay Sol that is Cool

oh gosh, the plot-relevant inversion of clothes resulting in it reflecting how they swapped light/dark is SO cool

very yin yang fighting

Damn it keeps coming down to the unarmed opponent thing

Damn, Mae going the justice route

Damn, just Damn

Gosh the thing about Sol is that he is SO well acted, so sincere in his love and devotion, it's hard to hate him

I'm glad the helmets block the Force identity like that tho, fits headcanon

Glad Basil continues to shine

Oh no. Vernestra...I thought you were doing the right thing revealing the truth, but instead you're continuing the cycle of covering up crimes

Oh...use Mae to find Vernestra's former Padawan...that's a cycle alright

And ends with Yoda okay

Acolyte thoughts:

It’s exciting to have a Star Wars project freed from the shackles of other movies (while also feeling very prequel-driven in tone). It remains to be seen how this will turn out but I’m a fan of the new characters (Amandla is very good) and the fight scenes are much stronger than these other D+ shows. The overuse of wipes was sending me. I know George Lucas was smiling at that.

I’m a simple girl

Shout out to the real star of The Acolyte: Manny Jacinto’s arms. 🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵

the thing that's pissing me off most about this fucking fandom rn is the fact i openly LOVE The Acolyte as a High Republic fan and people keep dissing it

I DONT CARE PLS I JUST WANT TO LIVE MY LIFE I DONT WANT TO HEAR ABOUT WHY ITS BAD UNTIL ITS OVER!!! OR EVER!!!!! leave me aloneee 😭😭

Being an Acolyte fan on social media be like...

Right I was soo confused and looked up what they changed but they didn’t really change much so ig the acting is just that good ahhhhh

I've rewatched all of his scenes multiple times, and I still can't figure out how Manny/Leslye (and the whole team) managed to have Qimir feel and LOOK like such a different person before and after his reveal.

Like, they slapped some barrettes on this mofo and he went from scruffy and unassuming goofball to "your daughter calls me daddy, too"

Obviously Manny's acting is amazing, and he's so convincing in both personalities. But the costuming/makeup/whatever somehow makes him look taller, stronger, more menacing, and show stopping as The Stranger

Thanks to this post I noticed that JINX TOUCHED HIM!!!!?!

I brightened the images but there's paint on his dreadlock and ear???

So,Jinx with still fresh paint on her hands couldn't resist touching his face!?!!

Me because the Miles 42 fic community is dying rapidly (someone PLEASE SAVE IT):

on another note..stop writing my baby like he’s a heartless hoodlum.

AHHHHHH love it

Hi Jade ! I loove your sunshine!readers, could I request one for Carmy ? Maybe someone calls her to get to the restaurant when hes feeling anxious to calm him down idk if thats good lol love ya !

ty for requesting <3 fem, 1.4k

Is it The Beef or The Bear? In your head, despite the wishes of everyone who works there (except for Ebra, who seems to have mixed opinions), you always call it The Beef. But the sign brags otherwise, and when you push open the doors, nothing inside is left to remind you of the old restaurant. It was a total gut. 

“Hi, gorgeous,” says a familiar, warm voice. 

You almost walk straight into her table, distracted looking for brown curls through the kitchen door’s little window. “Hey, Tina.” You grin at your second favourite chef. Your most favourite Sous. “You taking a break?” 

She offers you a round butter cookie from a sleeve of them. Her cup of coffee billows with steam. “Uh-huh.” 

“Hiding from a meltdown?” you ask, taking a cookie, fingers oily with butter, sugar grains falling to the floor. 

“It’s not like that,” she says. 

Well, what is it like? you think. 

Richie’s text wasn’t exactly descriptive. Need ur help with the little Bitch, he’d said. Then, when you didn’t answer, ASAP!!!!

You figured it must’ve been another rant. He’s prone to these… episodes of anger where he doesn’t realise he’s spinning out and hurting people who really care about him. You try to bring him out of it, but he’s a Berzatto. They’re all the same, sort of. Everything that’s wrong with them has been stamped into them a long, long time ago. 

He’s been better since Nat steel armed him into AA, but still. You tilt your head to one side, sugar cookie between your fingers, listening for the goings on in the kitchen. “Sydney’s here?” you ask. “I thought she was sick.” 

“Sydney gets sick, but she doesn’t take sick days,” Tina says with a loving shrug. 

You smile at her in brief goodbye for now and make your way to the kitchen, where you push in quietly. All their ‘Behind!’ and ‘Corner!’ and ‘Hands!’ makes you laugh, and you can’t take it seriously so you don’t, but you’re not trying to be dangerous in there either. 

“Hello?” you ask. 

Sydney and Richie look up from a cramped notebook at the table nearest to the door. There are employees you're unsure of prepping vegetables along the wall, but Carmy isn’t anywhere to be seen. 

“Fucking finally,” Richie says, before rubbing his face regretfully. “I’m sorry, it’s just– I texted you an hour ago, babe, you’re letting me down.” 

You laugh. “Sorry, babe,” you tease. “I have a job, just like you.” Your hands are cold where you tuck them under each armpit, crossing your arms. “Hi, Sydney. You feeling okay?” 

“No. He’s stressing me out.” 

“Which one?” 

“Both of them.” She looks like she might rub her face too. “I need him to be in here right now, he should be doing this, but he keeps walking away and– and not saying where he’s going.” 

“He is stressful,” you agree, though usually Carmy’s stress tends to bounce right off of you, “I’m gonna find him and strap him down for you.” 

Sydney just frowns. 

“I’ll see what’s up,” you say more seriously. “In the office?” 

“Out the back,” Richie says. “Smoking like his mother. He’s a fucking steam train lately.” 

It’s like they want to worry you. You give them grateful nods, sorry nods, and start to make your way out of the main kitchen, past the dishwashers and the dessert station to one of the back doors. Carmy isn’t your responsibility. You don’t have to apologise for him, you don’t have to mother him, he should commit to his responsibilities all on his own, but… it’s hard. You like apologising for him because his behaviour isn’t always on purpose, and he struggles with commitment for similar reasons. There’s this aching, stagnated grief in him that’s reawakening, there’s the stress of the restaurant, his business, the scars of the last ten years, and before that. You know it isn’t your job to come here and make him feel better, but isn’t it? When you love someone, it’s half the deal. 

Carmy shouldn’t yell at his friends, or employees. He shouldn’t chain smoke, and he shouldn’t be sitting on the low wall by the dumpsters shaking so hard with his head so low that you can see the first notch of his spine in his shirt. 

“Carmy?” you ask. 

His head ducks further down. You can hear him breathing, not too hard as to alarm you, and yet unrelaxed. 

You smile without thinking. You hate seeing him like this, but looking after him is a pleasure. “Hey, Carmen. Can I sit with you?” 

He forces his face up. “What are you doing here?” he asks. 

Trying to make sure he doesn’t tear another chunk out of Richie. “It’s my lunch break.” 

You perch on the wall beside him and snap your nearly forgotten cookie into two pieces, one side bigger than the other, which you offer him. 

Carmy takes it. Looks at it without expression, though that slowly turns to a dry ire you’ve felt directed your way a hundred times. “What the fuck is this?” 

“Cookie.” 

“I don’t want this.” 

“Could you just eat it?” You put your own half in your mouth in its entirety, all aligned to your teeth. It shatters into sweet, soft crumbs between your teeth. You talk with a hand over your mouth, “It’s not gonna kill you.” 

Carmy looks at it for a long time before he eats it. 

You watch him. He’s more tan than you’d think, that Italian gene kicking in, skin clinging to whatever sunshine it finds. He spends enough time inside that you’re surprised it can muster the energy. He looks better with it though, his curls look gold toned under the sun, and his clenched jaw doesn’t seem so harsh. 

“What’s wrong?” you ask eventually. Almost conversationally. 

“Nothing.” His hand shakes on his thigh. He turns his palm down to clasp his knee. 

“You sure?” 

“No.” 

“That one’s my favourite.” 

“What?” 

You poke toward a tattoo on his hand. It’s a simple flower, same style as most of his tattoos. “I like it ‘cos it’s just a flower.” 

“My least pretentious,” he guesses. 

“Something like that.” 

He tips his head back. 

“Richie texted me. He thinks I’m gonna… like, I’m gonna calm you down, I guess.” 

“You always do,” he says. 

You give him a long, smiley look. “So you’re in love with me?” you ask warmly, pushing up into a knee to wrap your arm behind him, hugging him before he can move away. “You’re totally fucked for me, Berzatto, that’s fucking crazy.” 

“Fuck off,” he laughs. 

You rub his arm, his skin hot in your hold. He touches your waist very, very lightly. “What am I supposed to do, anyway? I can’t cook. You and Syd are on your own.” 

“You already… already did enough.” He grabs your waist where you wobble on the brick wall, grit biting your knees, his hand comparatively soft. 

“Such a crush on me,” you tease in a whisper, his hair crushed under your cheek. 

You’re tempted to kiss his temple, but affection with Carmy is like oil and water sometimes. You give him a last protective squeeze and sit yourself down again. 

“Carm,” you say, “you know you can call me, right? Like, if you don’t feel okay.” 

“Yeah. Yeah, I know.” 

“Or text me. If that’s easier. It’s hard to say hard things out loud.” 

He laughs again. “Sorry.” 

“I know, I don’t– I don’t seem like I know what you’re talking about, I get it, but I do understand. N’ even if I didn’t, I don’t mind listening. Or laughing at you.” 

“What’s that about?” 

“The laughing?” you ask. “You tell me.” 

His hand slides behind your back in half a hug. “Guess it’s funny.” 

“Can I change my mind about the tattoo?” 

“The flowers not your favourite?” 

“No. You know which one I like best?” 

His thumb rubs into your back. “The snail.” 

“Absolutely the snail. You’re so fucking silly sometimes, I’m supposed to take you seriously when you’re yelling and red in the face with a snail on your arm?” 

You can’t see his face with your cheek to his shoulder, won’t know that he’s smiling at you with a rare aura of peace. Can’t see the wanting, either. 

꫶᳜᳝ᰭ ᅠ✿ Beijo Aveludado

͟ ͟✧? ͟ ͟ ͟ ͟ ᳝᳜᳝᳜᳝᳜᳝᳜᳝᳜ᰯ 悪党.

in Germany it’s actually scissors rock paper

i cant believe americans on tv really say rock paper scissors like???? its paper scissors rock omg do u irl americans actually say rock paper scissors????

PipRavi moments

SEO IN GUK as MYUL MANG DOOM AT YOUR SERVICE (2021)

AHHH this is soooo good literally giggling rn

one year with luke castellan

↳ january 14 with annabeth chase

series masterlist

pairing: luke castellan x daughter of apollo!reader

word count: 2.9k

summary: luke forces annabeth to go seek medical care from that one apollo kid he’s always fighting with

content: a little bit of a slow burn. luke makes like one dirty joke. unedited writing and banter

“Luke, you’re being—“ Annabeth cuts herself off with a wet cough. “—completely dramatic.”

The sight of them must look crazy to any of the early risers around camp. Because much like a cat handling her kittens, Luke has Annabeth by the scruff of her neck, dragging her in the direction of the Apollo cabin. With her tired and lethargic, he’s doing most of the heavy lifting.

“Kid, it’s been a week, and you’re still burning up. And the way you hack up phlegm is scaring the campers.”

“Yeah, so?” she groans, dragging her feet. “If they weren’t aware, that’s kind of how being sick works. That’s how the body reacts to—”

“Don’t get smart with me.”

She huffs, annoyed, but the congestion just makes it sound like a weird gargling noise. Luke snorts a laugh from in front of her, and she digs her heels into the ground harder. But he just continues walking with her in tow, undisturbed.

Annabeth doesn’t care how immature she’s sounding — she hates going to the camp healer. The bedside manner of those teenagers could use some work. The last time she’d landed herself in there, she was fighting the urge to put one of the healers in their own infirmary.

“And definitely don’t get smart with this healer I’m taking you to,” Luke adds, looking thoughtful. “‘Cause she won’t care how old you are. She’s evil.”

The Apollo cabin is only about fifty feet away now, and even though it’s dreary and cold out, the building still seems to be shimmering under the sun. Annabeth feels her stomach churn at Luke’s words, and she can’t tell if it’s one of her routine bouts of nausea or slight fear.

“Are you being serious?” she hisses, her voice dropping to a whisper as they grow nearer. “Why would you take me to her, then?”

“She’s apparently good at what she does,” he soothes. “She’s just mean. A monster in the form of a demigod, really.”

He releases her from his grasp just to knock on the door, and Annabeth sees the opportunity. But her exhaustion has dulled her reflexes, and the moment she’s bracing herself to run, Luke’s grabbing onto the orange fabric of her camp tee again.

Luke gives her a lopsided grin as the two of them hear footsteps on the other side of the door. “Plus, she’s really pretty.”

Annabeth rolls her eyes so hard it hurts. Her snarky response is cut off when the door opens.

Your eyes meet hers, and Annabeth is taken aback by the kindness in them — no apparent evilness like Luke had claimed. All kids of Apollo have that weird glow to them, and you’re no exception. Even though the door still isn’t fully open, just staring at your shiny smile gives the effect of having a flashlight shone directly into your eyes.

“Hi,” you say kindly, opening the door a little wider. She’s starting to get a closer look at your face, and she realizes Luke was right. You are pretty, and she remembers seeing you around before with Silena and Clarisse.

But she honestly hears about you more often than she actually sees you around camp.

Luke’s complaints of you always made their way to her ears eventually. Some days it was about how you were always trying to one up him, whether you were on his Capture the Flag team or not. Other days it was about how you would always go way too far during training and bruise his ribs, or nearly sprain his ankle.

With the amount of bodily harm you seemed to cause, Annabeth hadn’t even considered the idea of you being a healer.

You open the door wide enough for her to get a good look at you, and your easy demeanor is enough to put Annabeth at ease. If she were more awake, Luke’s mean words about you would’ve probably had her on edge, but it feels like you’re single handedly parting the clouds above you, so she relaxes easily.

“Can I help— Oh.”

Whatever it was about you that had Annabeth pacified in your presence is gone the moment you push the door open a little wider. Your smile flattens out into a line.

It’s like watching the sun disappear behind a cloud.

“Castellan,” you greet, expression unreadable. Annabeth doesn’t miss the way you look him up and down, cringing at the blood stain on the bottom of his shirt.

Luke grins, and Annabeth has half the mind to walk away before she has to hear the rest of this conversation. “Hey, sunshine.”

For a second, Annabeth wonders if Luke’s snark is going to end up with them having the door slammed in their faces. You give him an indecipherable look.

“You’re lucky your sister is here. I would’ve done your face in for that stupid nickname.”

Annabeth doesn’t doubt it. It had taken Luke a week to get over the black eye you had given him that one time.

“Sorry,” he says, but the amused look in his eyes says anything but. “Just excited to see my favorite girl, of course.”

Something changes in your eyes. You look smug when you say, “Oh, really? Well I don’t see—”

The amusement is wiped clean off his face. His teasing tone has long disappeared when he says, “Dude, fuck off.”

“Language,” you remind, giving a side glance to Annabeth. “But really, have you ever considered just—”

“I get it,” he says quickly, throwing Annabeth a weary look. He throws his hands up in surrender. “Sorry, sorry.”

You look smug. Luke looks effectively humbled.

Annabeth’s head is spinning. The two of you go back and forth so quickly it’s hard for her to keep up.

“Anyway, is there anything I can do for you?” you ask Annabeth, turning away from him.

She glares at the boy. Plants her feet like the proverbial mule.

“No,” she says firmly. “I feel perfectly—”

”Annabeth’s sick. She’s had a fever for over a week now,” Luke offers, cutting off her lie. He seemed to have recovered from whatever conversation you two had just had. His tone is sweet again, his charm levels cranked back up to fifteen. He’s really laying it on thick.

You don’t seem to care much for the way he has that look on his face — the one he uses whenever he talks to pretty girls. Instead, you tilt your head at Annabeth curiously. She only shrugs, her mouth shut tight. There’s no use lying to you.

After looking her over, you reluctantly turn to face Luke. “It’s been over a week?”

“Almost two.”

You nod, the first remotely kind gesture aimed in his direction. After what Annabeth feels is a few awkward seconds of Luke staring expectantly at you while you assess her condition, you finally open the door for the both of them.

Luke tries to usher her in, and she nudges his hands away. Annabeth’s already resigned herself to her fate — she knows the drill. Still dragging her feet, she makes her way over to an empty bed at the edge of the room and slumps down, exhausted.

She’s pleasantly surprised to find the scratchy green sheets have been replaced with soft blue ones. And as she lets her head fall back against the cloud-like pillow at the head of the bed, she realizes a lot of the room has changed since she’d last been here. What had once been a dreary infirmary has been revived — posters that look like they should be in a pediatrician’s office cover the walls. A glance inside the storage closet shows organized shelves stocked to the brim.

Annabeth shuts her eyes so she doesn’t have to look at the photo of an owl wearing a stethoscope anymore, and listens to the sound of you flitting around at the other side of the room. There’s the quiet closing of cabinets and the sound of your sneakers on the wood as you gather what you need. She can hear whatever’s in the cabinets roll around as you shut the drawers of supplies quickly.

Annabeth sighs loudly. She just wants to take whatever medicine the camp bought from the local Walgreens and leave.

When Luke doesn’t say anything about her dramatics, Annabeth realizes belatedly that she can’t sense his presence at the end of the bed. She cracks open an eye in curiosity — and fights the urge to cringe.

He’s practically on your heels, watching as you do whatever healer-y stuff that it is you do. Annabeth knows for a fact that he has no idea what you’re doing, but he watches, a little too interested, as you take a knife and begin chopping something efficiently.

The reason why you’re using a common kitchen knife in an infirmary is beyond Annabeth’s knowledge. Maybe a new healing method? Or maybe it's a silent threat to get Luke to back away from you.

“You still sore?” Annabeth hears him ask, picking up a metal object off a desk and tossing it into the air.

Confusion paints your face as you set the knife aside. “What are you talking about?” You catch the object on his next throw, unamused, and hiss at him to stop touching things.

“You know, after last night.”

Annabeth watches your eye twitch. Luke smiles, like he knows he’s won something. “After we sparred?”

He just grins, picking up the object again while you blink at him, stunned. “‘Course. What else would I be talking about?”

Annabeth has a feeling that she’s missing out on a second, more unspoken conversation.

The point of the kitchen knife is tapped lightly against Luke’s chest, but he doesn’t break eye contact for a second. “You’re funny, Castellan.”

“I know.”

The two of you move around your table in silence, with the occasional murmurings of Luke as he opens his mouth and asks what sounds like a stupid question. At one point, you pretend you can’t hear what he’s saying over the sound of you crushing something with a mortar and pestle.

“Why haven’t you been resting?”

After a beat of silence, Annabeth blinks hard to clear her vision. It had taken a little too long for her to realize that you and Luke were at her side. You’re standing over her and Luke is sat in a chair by the bed, giving her a questioning look. Her face warms, adding heat to her already raised body temperature.

“Excuse me?”

“You were leading Capture the Flag last week,” you point out. “But Castellan says you’ve been sick for a while. Why haven’t you been resting?”

She bristles. What good demigod gets put out of commission for two weeks over a simple sickness? Any normal demigod, sure, but she was Annabeth Chase. She could overcome anything, especially the average flu.

“I’m not that sick. And I’ve had the flu before, it should go away any day now.”

You nod at Luke, and he helps prop Annabeth up on a pillow, much to her dismay. A swirling goblet is placed in her hands, the liquid inside purple and shimmery. It’s so dark in color she can’t see to the bottom.

“Something me and my dad made,” you explain, a tinge of pride in your voice. “It uses some medicinal herbs and less than a tablespoon of ambrosia. Just enough to kickstart your immune system, but not enough to heal any major wounds.”

Annabeth hides her surprise. You had developed this with Apollo? The gods visiting their children wasn’t unheard of, but it was obviously not an everyday thing. Even claiming their children seemed to be a load of work for them.

“You just have to drink the whole cup. After that, you should start feeling better in about twelve hours.“

After a weary glance, Annabeth nods, draining the glass sip by sip. It doesn’t quite taste like what she’s usually reminded of when she eats ambrosia, but there’s still that umami taste that warms her chest with the comfort of a long lost home cooked meal.

“You’re going to need to make that for me,” Luke says after a few minutes of silence. “You hit me so hard once, I lost hearing in my right ear.”

You snort. “I don’t think drinking it could save you from your atrocious form when we do hand-to-hand.”

Luke is fast enough to curl his foot around your ankle so you stumble when you take a step back. But he isn’t fast enough to block the metal appliance you throw at his face.

Annabeth works to drain the rest of the liquid so she doesn’t have to sit through another few minutes of you two arguing. She’s almost done with the goblet when you make a gesture at Luke for something. Half yawning, he haphazardly sticks out his arm in your direction.

Your responding gaze could rival Medusa’s.

“Couldn’t even bother to read the time for me? It’s a digital watch, you don’t even have to—”

“—Well, Sunshine, I just thought that since you obviously do everything better than me—“

“Don't start.”

Annabeth almost laughs at how Luke did the one thing he told her not to do — get smart with you. He retracts his arm, huffing. “It’s eight fifteen.”

You’re smiling when you face Annabeth. “Then you’ll get off of bedrest by dinner.”

“Bedrest?” she echoes in disbelief. “I’m supposed to sit here for twelve hours doing absolutely nothing?”

“No. I expect you’ll be asleep for a few of those hours. The treatment kind of acts like an antihistamine, so it could make you a little drowsy.”

Her head is spinning. She’s being taken out by a mortal sickness.

You take the empty goblet from her and hand it to Luke.

“If you’re going to annoy me while I work, you can at least wash this for me.”

“Don't you have a servant to do that for you? I’m sure that one Aphrodite kid would love to.”

You make the same face you made when you realized Luke was outside your cabin, so Annabeth assumes you don’t like the aforementioned Aphrodite kid very much either.

“At least leave the cup in the sink.”

Luke mumbles under his breath what is likely a mockery of your words, but you pay him no mind as he slinks away.

The cabin is quiet for a few moments, and Annabeth accepts the cool cloth you place on her forehead thankfully. Then, there’s the sound of running water, and she stares behind your head to see Luke using a sponge to scrub out the interior of the goblet.

You take his seat next to Annabeth and give her a heavy look. “Even the best of us have to rest, you know.”

“I know.”

“So it’s okay if you take off the rest of the day.”

“I know.”

“Do you?”

She shrugs, turning the washcloth over. “Yes. I just don’t want to.”

You smile in the weird shiny way you do. “You’re exactly like Luke said you were.”

Annabeth doesn’t say anything about how you’re calling him by his first name now, but she perks up at your words. You and Luke were talking about her?

“Which is?”

Your icy gaze usually directed at Luke thaws a little when you turn back in the direction of the sink. The both of you watch as he dries the inside of the goblet, thoroughly wiping it down. “He said you’re smart. And an excellent counselor.”

Her spine straightens the slightest bit. It wasn’t often that Luke was willing to praise people to their faces, so she would take anything she could get.

“But he also said you can be stubborn. And prideful.”

Of course he did.

“And even though those can be flaws, I do admire that about you.”

You look pensive, so Annabeth waits for you to continue.

“I’m not going to force you onto bedrest.”

The one eighty from your previous decision is making Annabeth’s head spin. She thinks that’s what you wanted.

You give her a look that’s thick with wisdom and experience. For a second, she can picture you amongst her older siblings, with their steely gazes and sharp stares. “But if you keep at this, you’re going to face a fate a lot worse than twelve hours of bed rest.”

You don’t say anything else, letting her sit with your cryptic words. The conversation ends when Luke walks over with the newly shined goblet, and you take it from him to put everything back in their proper places. He sits down in the spot you vacated with a heavy sigh of his own.

Annabeth can’t tell if it’s the placebo effect, but she is beginning to feel a little exhausted. She sits in a comfortable silence as she joins Luke, who’s watching quietly as you saunter around the room, deep in work.

Her eyelids haven’t quite fluttered shut yet when Luke mumbles something from next to her.

“I hear your bedrest’s been lifted. You headed out soon?”

Annabeth hesitates. She thinks about her counselor duties. And she thinks about rotting in this cot doing nothing.

And then she thinks about you.

She doesn’t waver when she says, “I think I’m gonna rest for a while.”

Luke’s brows raise. “You are?”

Trust me, I’m surprised too, she wants to say.

“Your friend,” Annabeth says, hesitating over the word. She isn’t quite sure what the two of you classify as. “She’s not evil like you said. She’s really smart.”

What seems like a grin spreads across his face — Annabeth can’t tell with the way everything is unfocusing.

Luke’s voice is surprisingly light. “I guess you’re right.”

notes: they’ll get together in a year. trust

if i added you to the wrong taglist let me know and ill fix it!

1 year with luke: @marshymallo @ghostisstuff @tayswiftlovebot @dangelnleif @bipstargirl @fearlessmoony @lyssaluvss @badcoping @dorcas4meadowes @surftrips @inejwraiths @lizziesfirstwife @randomnpc456 @pleasingregulus @solecitoszn @supercutszns @superswaggycooch @kiyasoup @teatimedisaster @sgmianne @otchae @the-ghost-0f-t0m0 @mclando81 @softtina

general luke taglist: @chasebeth @silkenthusiasts @urmomsbananabread @sunny747 @randomgurl2326 @repostingmyfavs @au-ghosttype @mrsaluado @holy-macncheese-balls @catluvwr @katemlk @lukecastellandefender @wonuskie @kitkat-writes-stuff

riordanverse - luke castellan. son of hermes. betrayed camp. cabin eleven counselor

‘ethan, me, all the unclaimed. don’t let it… don’t let it happen again’

Awww this is sooo cutesy

A bunch of cuties in love | A.H.

Pairing: Aaron Hotchner x fem!reader

Content warning: fluff, nicknames (i think that's about it?)

Word Count: 2.2K

Summary: Running late to a meeting with Strauss, Hotch leaves Jack with his favorite person - you. The scene that greets him when he comes back leads to some realizations. 

Request: Hotch request: BAU!Reader is Jack’s favorite and always spends the day with them when he’s brought along to the office. They have a cute bonding moment that Hotch secretly watches. Cue the “oh god I’m in love with them aren’t I”

A/N: it’s been two months today since I made this blog, and it’s been wild, it’s been fun, and it’s been a little teary. thank you for the love and support! Please enjoy this cute little hotch piece, I had a blast writing it! Thank you to the anon who requested this, and I’d love to hear what you think! Also, I miss old Disney😭

9:23.

On the days you weren’t working on a case, and the only thing you really needed to catch up on was paperwork, your usual start time was 8:30. Yet almost an hour had gone by and he wasn’t in his office like he usually would be.

With a punctual Unit Chief like Aaron Hotchner, it was a shock, and a little nerve-wracking that he was late. 

You’d lie if you didn’t say you were getting a little worried, taking into account the last and only time he’d been late - Foyet attacking him in his own home, leaving him with long-lasting trauma, scars, and without his family. 

You'd never forget that day, and every day after where he was left to suffer, laying the blame on himself. No matter how many times you said it, how many times Rossi patted him on the back, reminding him it wasn't his fault, you knew a part of him still didn't believe it.

And the part of you that cared about him, maybe a little more than you should, didn't have the heart to watch him do this to himself - the silent guilt, the long empty looks. 

You’ve known him awhile, seen him through many of his ups, and just as many as his downs. You’d seen him laugh in glee and beam with happiness, you’d seen him lose it in anger and anguish and you’d seen him cry in heartbreak. 

So much of your life spent beside him, so many memories linked with him, and your team. And much of it you knew was friendly love - your love for Emily and Spencer, JJ and Morgan, Penelope and Rossi. But the love you felt for him was just a tiny bit different, deeper, not the friendly kind. 

You’d only recently started to understand what you were really feeling for him, as recent as the last few weeks. Still new and a little unexplainable at times, you were learning to balance that, within your friendship.

You didn’t think you wanted to pursue anything, right now. It had been a little over two years since he’d lost Haley, since he’d needed to start navigating his life as a single dad, a widower. 

You could still see the pain in his eyes, fresh as the day it had happened. You knew he was managing, but it was still apparent, that it was hitting them both hard.

And Jack? He was a little ray of sunshine in the otherwise gruesome life all of you led - the same could be said about Henry. But Henry was Reid's favorite, as his godfather, you knew the bond between them was unbreakable. 

But Jack? You were his favorite, and he was yours. 

He was your little buddy, your partner in all things art, cartoons, and Disney shows. He was your little helper during all things baking - you'd babysat once and he'd requested chocolate chip, peanut butter cookies and you'd been more than happy to help him make them.

He was a natural baker and a little taster. 

Your love for the little cutie ran as deep as your feelings for his dad.

At the end of the day though, you were a friend, a shoulder both could use to lean on and rely on. You were comfortable in your role within their little family and weren't looking to make any changes then.

9:28.

You were playing with your watch, already having decided you’d be giving him a call if he didn't arrive by 9:30.

Worry was making your hands sweat, and just as you went to wipe them on your pants, the door to the bullpen opened, and in walked a very frantic Hotch - his tie was a little crooked, shirt a little wrinkled, and Jack - a little backpack on his back, and a curious look paired with a timid smile.

Aaron's eyes searched the bullpen, as did Jack's, the little Hotchner noticing you seconds before his father did. You stood up, watching as the blond pulled away from his dad, and on a little run, made his way towards you. 

“Cutiee.” He called out, using the nickname you called him, to address you too. You leaned down when he was a few steps away, accepting his hug, his little arms wrapping around your neck. 

“Hi, cutie.” You greeted him, a wide smile on your face. Hotch had made his way over to you by then, giving you a barely-there smile, but his eyes shone.

“You're late.” You started, pulling to your full height.

“Yeah, Jessica was called on an emergency at the last minute, and Liah is away on a hiking trip, so here we are.” Liah was Hotch's neighbor, she looked after Jack for a few hours when Hotch couldn't stay with him, or Jess was busy.

He looked at his watch, running a hand through his hair, messing it up a little.

“I have a meeting with Strauss…well, right now. Can you please watch him until I get done?” 

“Go, don't make her wait. We'll be okay and we're going to have fun. Right, Jack?” You watched him nod at both you and his dad before Hotch exhaled.

“You're a lifesaver. Be good for Y/N, okay buddy.” Another nod from Jack, and he was on his way to Strauss's office.

‘’Okay Jack, let's see if Aunt Penelope can download a few episodes of ‘The Suite Life’ for us, and then we'll go color and draw for a while. Does that sound good to you?” 

“Very good. Can I also have orange juice?” He asked, taking your hand in his small, soft one, fingers wrapping around your own.

“Let's go see if we have any.” You walked towards the small communal kitchen space, checking the fridge and then you checked the pantry…and, “Bingo. Let's go see the lair.” You led him to Penelope's office.

“Knock, knock, may us mortals enter?” You joked, making your little partner giggle. 

“Us?” Her voice rang from the other side of the door.

“I have sir Hotchner with me. The smaller one.”

“Hey,” Jack said in outrage

“My favorite Hotchner.” You added.

Penelope pulled the door open, beaming at both of you, before she made space for you to enter. 

“Jack, my love, hi,” She raised her hand, letting him give her a high five. Even though she was affectionate, Jack wasn’t as much, especially after Haley. He only hugged a few people now - Jess, his dad, and surprisingly, you. 

It really showed how comfortable he was with you.

“What brings you to my tech cave?” She asked. You raised your brows at him, prompting him to do the talking. 

“Can you, please, download a few episodes of Zack and Cody for us?” His voice rang with its usual child calm and sweetness, fingers intertwined in front of him. 

Penelope's smile softened even more, “Sure thing, sweetie,” Her eyes turned towards you then, “Your tablet?”

“Yes, please.” You knew it was a work tablet, but no one had to know.

“Any requests?” She asked the little guy.

“You pick.”

“Okay-dokey. Should have it in about 10 minutes, my loves.”

“Thank you, Aunt Penelope.”

“Thanks Pen.” You gave her air kisses before you led Jack out and towards his father's office. 

His day had started rocky, hell, the whole night had gone that way. 

Jack had woken up from a nightmare - twice at that. After the second time, he’d asked Aaron to sleep in his bed, too scared and sad to stay in his room.

He’d snoozed his alarm, just once, and had a hard time waking his son up too. He’d had 20 minutes to get himself ready, but Jessica had called 10 minutes before she was supposed to arrive - apologizing because she’d been called on an emergency at work. 

Aaron had to rearrange his whole morning then, already aware he’d be late for work. He’d had to get Jack and his backpack ready and cook him breakfast. All of that, and be in the office before his 9:30 meeting with Strauss. 

Breakfast and preparing Jack for a day at the BAU, he’d done successfully. Arriving on time had been a little tricky, with barely 2 minutes to spare. 

But when he’d walked into the bullpen, Jack spotting you just seconds before he did, and he’d watched your smile grow, he’d known all would be okay. 

Watching you with Jack always brought a warm feeling within him, like he was watching something sacred. You were always patient and kind, always interested in listening to him talk, even though he was a quiet kid, who appreciated quality time more. 

You gave him that too, and a lot of it - you watched cartoons and shows with him. Colored and drew, baked cookies, and played with him whenever he wanted. Any time spent with Jack was about what he wanted, what he liked doing, and above all, making him comfortable. 

Even if it meant cleaning flour off your kitchen floor and whatever had gotten in the drawers too. 

He appreciated, even loved the bond you had with his son, every smile, every hug, and every minute you spend with him. He loved hearing about you from Jack - what you’d done together, what you’d told him, the stories, the jokes, the conversations. 

Hearing his son proclaim you as his favorite person in the BAU had made his heart soar. Taking into account all the time you spent with him, it wasn’t really a surprise. He bonded hard, but once he did, he never went back.

He was much like Aaron himself in that regard. His trust had to be earned, as did his friendship, and it required hard work. Jack was much the same. And you’d successfully earned both of theirs with your beautiful and caring personality. 

He exhaled a breath, checking his watch, step fast, and briefcase in hand. 

11:18.

His meeting with Strauss had run longer than he’d anticipated - over an hour and a half. Diplomacy, politics, budgets, and cuts, they’d run through countless things, half of that meeting already fully blacked out from his memory. 

He was tired - every meeting with Strauss left him drained. Worried,  about Jack and his state of mind after last night. All he wanted to do was get to his office and check up on his son. 

Walking into the bullpen for the second time that day, he quickly made his way towards his office, only to stop short at the window. The blinds were open, having forgotten to close them last night, so he had a clear and full view of his office.

You were sat on the couch close to the armrest, Jack cuddled against you, cheek squished against your collarbone, face almost buried in your neck. 

Your work tablet sat propped on the coffee table, and your arm wrapped around his small body, keeping him close. His eyes were almost closed, your thumb running soothingly on his back. 

He watched, mesmerized by the scene. He felt himself soften, all of him. His face, the furrow in his brow, and the tight set of his lips. His whole body, his heart, suddenly at peace. 

For months he'd observed the kindness you showed everyone - the families of victims, heartbroken by the injustice of life. Passersby, people you might never see again. Your team, especially, your work family. Jack, and even Aaron himself. 

And as he watched you with his son, the one person left in this world who truly loved him, no matter his rights or wrongs - he couldn't help but feel himself unravel. 

Every little thought he'd had about you, every feeling he might have somehow suppressed in order to protect himself and his child, they all attacked him, in seconds. 

Because the truth was, you earned his trust, his friendship, and somehow along the way, you'd won his heart as well.

Right at that moment, his heart pounded in need, in adoration, in pure, clear love. Love he hadn't allowed himself to feel since Haley. Love, he'd frankly hadn't felt in years, ever since he’d put his signature down on the dotted line. 

He wanted to get home to see this. He wanted to see you put Jack to bed, and kiss his forehead with a whispered ‘good night’.

He wanted to stroke your cheek tenderly, pull you into a kiss that made you melt, and stroke a fire within you like no one else could. 

He wanted to tell you he loved you - in the car, as he drove you to work. In the kitchen during breakfast and dinner. In his office, a few stolen moments as you worked. And under the sheets, while you made love. 

And even through the fear that gripped him in a vice, of rejection, separation, and even trust - he still wanted to love you, as if he was loving someone for the first time again. 

“Everything okay, Aaron?” David asked, passing on the way to his office. 

Aaron barely spared him a glance, nodding his head a little, “Yeah, it's okay.”

He pushed the door to his office open and walked in, greeted by his new favorite sight, and his two favorite people. 

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i am going to obsess over this male character in a way that is so lesbian