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terrence-silver · 4 months

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Could I request ❛ you won’t survive long out there. i can protect you. ❜? I feel like there's some potential terry silver manipulation sprinkled within those words. 🫣

---

Collecting people.

It was a hobby, in a sense.

More than that, actually; it was like being an Architect.

Taking a rough slab of marble and chiseling it into something greater than itself.

Having the ultimate authority and say in what it will and can become.

Margaret Spencer he found working at a firm in London as a secretary for what was his overseas business partner at the time, toiling with idiotic, menial tasks far beneath someone her class, capabilities and particular education level, coaxing, or rather pilching her from underneath her boss' nose by making her an infinitely better and more advantageous offer at employment back in Los Angeles, the same way he discovered Milos Dadok in Prague as a hotel concierge, working for cheap change east of the Iron Curtain, with barely any visitors to serve in an old, Bohemian golden lobby of a run down, neglected establishment that mostly stood empty, having seen better times. Snake and Dennis he picked off of the streets after they've brazenly tried to mug him of all people, failing comically, much to his infinite amusement, deciding to keep them around purely on the off chance their antics made him laugh --- and that they did, frequently and several times a day. John himself. That was a friendship he wanted ever since the first time he saw him at basic training and then later, during orientation, on ground, in Vietnam, and the best of friends was precisely what they remained because it was something Terry cultivated, invested into with the greatest of devotions. Even Ponytail, he carried around with him, on his head, fastened to his scalp with an unassuming black hair tie, nobody realizing he was ever there. Nobody but him and John, at this point. Where others saw nothing, he tended to see opportunity. And opportunities? Opportunities were things he never had the habit of passing up on, wanting to be in control of what becomes of the rough, ragged slab of marble under his fingers as he presses down on its hardened, sleek surfaces, leaving behind ever so many dents, fingertips and markings, deciding what shape it'll ultimately take once he's done with it. Deciding if he'll make it or break it. Create a beautiful statue or ram his fist into it, shattering the project into pieces.

Then, there was you.

Homeless.

A typical sight outside of Beverly Hills.

Aimlessly mingling around what was John's dojo for months now, buzzing around the alleyways like a little fly at the mouth of the serpent's nest, often in his sight and crosshairs through the lowered shutters of the interiors of the studio space where he could spy on you accordingly; it was Terry's business. He made it his business. Everything that happened in and around this dojo, in its adjoined streets, neighborhoods, blocks, in the heart of this very city, country, the West coast itself, concerned Terry exclusively, the way the markings lining the palms of his hands concerned him, more so when he occasionally found you casting uncertain, tentative glances at nearby garbage cans dotting the sidewalks akin to so many eyesores, like you were ashamed of yourself, like you were unaccustomed and new to this, carrying collected cardboard, for what he only assumed was for the purpose of rough sleeping down on the concrete; on one occasion, it went as far as him catching you slumming it out by leaning against the inner walls of the Cobra Kai dojo itself after working hours, obscured from view at dawn, knees pushed up against your chest, startled and taking to running the minute you spotted him pulling into the parking lot, his blue Ford intended to give off the airs of working class relatability still enough to startle you into a frightened state of movement, a tinge of satisfaction running through like a current trying to imagine what your reaction would be if you ever ran into him at another part of town, Rolls Royce, Tuxedo, private chauffeur and all. But, this crap you were doing right now wouldn't cut it. You didn't get to utilize his territory like this, it wasn't for free, not without being confronted about it one way or another. So, he ambushes you one morning, coming in even earlier than he had the habit of doing so, two hours before the Larusso twerp had the tendency to show up for his classes in pain, tactically cutting off your usual escape trail tightly and very neatly pushed in between two buildings. You shriek at the sight of him.

He relished the sound.

You wouldn't mind hearing more of it.

-"You won't survive long out there."-

Terry states bluntly, but not unkindly; last thing he wanted now was for you to get a tremendously bad first impression of him, even though you by default pushed his hand by making him come head to head with you the way he did through your incessant running. Luckily for you, he liked to chase. You give him a look, like you knew. Like you knew survival wouldn't be easy out here, but you didn't feel like necessarily vocally agreeing with him. Was it pride? It was pride, wasn't it? It's only once he hands you the lunch he's been hiding behind his back that your eyes widen and you become responsive, eyes shimmering, albeit still overshadowed with carefulness. Not that he couldn't appreciate your raw survival instincts being on display. -"I can protect you."- He offers, once you fidget, stepping forward and reaching for the food being given freely, practically ripping it out of his hand to shove it into your mouth in greedy gulps, undoubtedly, fearing he'd change his mind or that this was some kind of trap, keeping your focused gaze still on him. Once you swallow, you immediately take the first given opportunity to snipe at him, appearing defensive. He chuckles. -"What's it to you, though!? Who are you? Why'd you startle me like that!?"- You demand and he bows his head, ever so slightly, sprinkling in a deliberate aura of something apologetic and respectful for you to spot, making introductions. Weird place to be formal, he understood that much, but it was shocking how far some propriety could go applied at exactly the right time and under the right circumstances. But then again, the back wall of the Cobra Kai dojo, when he really thought about it, was as good of a place as a sparring mat to pay homage. -"I'm Terry Silver. The co-owner of the establishment you're roughing it out around. I own the whole lot."- He explains, softly, watching your demeanor change. Like a slab of marble, you start to take shape, even now. He extends his hand and you never even realize you've already been collected by him as you hesitate to take it.

-"And I can be your good friend."-

Terry promises, meaning every word of it.

#this is such an old ask my goodness #terry silver #kk3 #cobra kai #terry silver x reader #terry silver x beloved #homeless!beloved #homeless!reader #tw; homelessness #tw; some subtle manipulation #tw; savior complex

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lullabyes22-blog · 1 year

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Vi and Jinx x reader (separately) who just got their driver's license and invited them on their FIRST REAL RIDE?

I mean, these girls are my first passengers and they will accompany me on my first ride around town

Something like: I just got my license. Fasten your seatbelt and let's go

How can I resist an ask in adorable pink font?

Vi: First of all, prepare to be swept up into a bone-cracking hug. Congratulations! She knew you could do it. She was probably watching from the sidelines and cheering during your driving exam. The parallel parking was touch-and-go for a minute, but you aced it, and she couldn't be prouder! But- now that you've got your license, safety first, right? She'll walk around your car and make sure the blinkers are working and the tire pressure is correct. Next, once she's inside the car with you, she'll make sure you've both buckled up.

The ride itself will be a blast. She'll play both your favorite songs loud on the radio, shout at random passersby to let them know you're officially licensed, and insist your first stop should be Jericho's, where you'll be treated to a seafood special on her.

Afterward, at a nice quiet spot, she'll put a hand on your leg and give you a mock-suggestive smile, "Time for your real driver's license present."

Wink, nudge - before you both dissolve into laughter. It's certainly an evening to remember.

Jinx: She was in the trunk of your car during your driving license test. No, not really - but hehehehe! You should've seen the look on your face. Now that you are a Licensed Adult (‽), you must christen your car with a name. May she suggest Ford Firetail, Hyundai Hot Wheels, Suzuki Screechinator. Or, her personal favorite: Zoom-Zoom. Short and sweet. Next order of business is bedecking your bride. Sorry, pimping your ride. Same thing, really. She'll chivvy the car to her workshop, and return it to you complete with spinning rims, fuzzy pink interior, dice hanging from the rear-view mirror, and the most, er... eclectically colorful paintjob of graffiti and monkey-faces you've ever seen.

Jinx, are you sure that window tint's legal? Yep! She called the DMV to check!

Your ride itself will be a rollercoaster. Not because you're driving badly, but because Jinx keeps grabbing the wheel and requesting that you stop at X or Y spot so you both can take a commemorative pic with Zoom-Zoom. Look, here you are at the drive-thru. Here are you are at the car wash. Here you are at the laundromat.

Your carbon footprint's gonna be huuuge.

At night, she'll take you to a remote lot, and you'll both perch on the car trunk while she hits a switch. Enjoy a sudden (and mildly terrifying) fireworks display in celebration for your big adult milestone!

Afterward, she'll nestle her cheek on your shoulder, and whisper, "I really was in your car trunk during the exam."

Not a jinx after all, huh?

#asks #arcane #arcane league of legends #arcane vi #arcane jinx #jinx #vi #jinx x reader #vi x reader #arcane headcanons #arcane headcanon

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straykidsnerd255 · 1 year

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Heliotrope and Honeysuckle

Pairing: Ace D. Portgas x Female Reader

Genre: Fluff

Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KuyFS3tdf8Y,

A thousand years Male version acoustic version

Rating: G

Summary: Y/n finally has some time to spend with her lover, Ace. It’s been a year since the battle at Marine-ford, and all Y/n wants if for Ace to relax and not feel burdened. What better way than to lay in the sun in a flower field and enjoy time with the crew.

Ace had his eyes closed and his head on his arms. A well-deserved nap after fending off the Navy. Y/n, his girlfriend, was picking flowers and fastening the flowers together into a crown. She giggled before placing the crown on Ace’s head. “Ace! You look so pretty with the crown!!” She giggled when he opened an eye and tilted his head just a bit to see the flower crown. He smiled before sitting up. Y/n immediately moved to fix the crown and set it nicely on the top of his head.

Ace chuckled before crossing his legs and his arms. He smiled when she copied his movements but looked at him with a raised eyebrow. However, Ace was curious. Why did she make the crown out of heliotrope and honeysuckle? He turned to look at her before his curiosity got the better of him. “Why did you choose these two flowers?” Ace asked, scooting closer to her and taking her hands in his. Y/n giggled. He watched her reach into her bag and pull out a book. Y/n flipped through the pages before stopping. “Here. Read this.” She said, handing the book to him.

Ace took the book and began to read. “While the rose is revered as the flower of romance and prosperity, the heliotrope represents eternal love. One normally brings the heliotrope into the relationship when they know that the person they love, truly loves them back.

The honeysuckle, admired for the sweet scent and vines of pink and orange flowers, the honeysuckle is known for its symbolic nature of devotion and everlasting love.”

Ace stared at the book before closing it and looking up at her with wide eyes. She was smiling softly, a contrast from the childish smiles and laughter that had filled the air before. “My mother and father told me all about flowers when I reached 18 years old. My father, when he first met my mother, had given her roses on their first date. By their fifth date, my father had gifted my mother honeysuckles and heliotrope flowers.” Y/n smiled, she leaned back against her hands and looked up at the deep purple and blue sky.

“I always dreamed of finding someone who I could give those flowers to. I have dated many people before you. None of them however come close to how you make me feel. That’s why I made that flower crown out of heliotrope and honeysuckle.” Y/n turned to face Ace only to find him a mere inch from her face. His dark eyes filled with an emotion she had never seen before. “Well, then I’ll have to find a bouquet for you at the next town we visit,” Ace whispered, his lips barely brushing against hers before he dipped forward and pressed his lips to hers.

His hands moved to cradle her face while her arms wrapped around his neck. Tears filled her eyes as she felt the gentle warmth slipping from Ace as he pressed closer to her. Pulling away from the kiss, both Ace and Y/n pressed their foreheads together to catch their breath. “I love you,” Ace whispered, still very much out of breath. Y/n smiled, leaning forward she pressed her lips against his in a chaste but loving kiss. “I love you too, Fire Fist Ace.” She said, using his nickname. Ace’s heart fluttered in his chest. Y/n soon moved to sit beside Ace and lay her head on his shoulder. “Let’s watch the sky for a moment. I’m sure white beard wouldn’t mind.” Y/n giggled when Ace pulled a face.

{A few hours later}

“Geez Y/n, you could have told me you were getting tired. We could have gone back to the ship earlier.” Ace mumbled, no real bite behind it. A smile sat on his lips while she slept, her face buried in his neck. He had red dusting his freckled face but he didn’t mind. He loved her and knew that she loved him back. Ace tightened his hold on her slightly before jumping. He grinned when the wind blew around him as he bounced from rooftop to rooftop before landing on the Moby Dick.

“What were you two up to?” Marco’s voice called out startling Ace for a moment. “Y/n and I were just playing in the flower Field after shaking off some Navy officers. Nothing super big.” Ace said, shrugging his shoulders as he held Y/n closer to his chest before walking to his room. Marco smiled before waving his goodbye and walking back to where Whitebeard was. He laid her on his bed and smiled before laying down next to her. Ace pulled her against his bare chest and sighed. He closed his eyes and fell asleep.

When the morning rays filled the room, Ace woke to Y/n nowhere in sight. He sat up in bed fast before hearing laughter from in the kitchen. Ace stood from the bed and stretched. A satisfying pop was heard and a sigh of bliss left his lips. He grabbed his hat before slipping it around his neck so it hung down on his back. He slipped his shoes on and walked towards the kitchen, the laughter growing louder and louder. He slipped into the kitchen and his lips turned upward. He watched as Y/n flipped food around and created a spectacle that the rest of the Whitebeard crew cheered and clapped for.

“What’s on the menu this morning?” Thatch asked, walking into the kitchen with a grin on his still very much tired face. Y/n giggled. “Well, it's a special breakfast today. It's the year after Ace was rescued from Marineforde.” She gave the entire crew the biggest smile but Ace knew deep down she was still in pain from that battle. Ace moved from where he was standing and snuck behind her. He wrapped his arms around her waist and snuck a quick kiss to her neck. “I’m not going anywhere anytime soon. I won’t be fighting Teach for a while. That is until I can figure out his weakness.” Ace whispered so only she could hear him. She giggled before her look of anguish disappeared.

The rest of the morning consisted of laughter, screaming, storytelling, and everyone drinking to their heart's content. Ace had practically devoured all the food and was happily sleeping on Y/n’s lap when Marco sat down next to her. Y/n continued to run her fingers through her lover's hair before turning to look at Marco. “I don’t think how much we owe you for helping us save Ace that day Y/n,” Marco said, looking straight ahead and taking a swig of his ale. Y/n laughed heartily. “I don’t think that I did much though.” She said, her fingers switching to gently scratching Ace’s head. Said male shifted and sighed in delight. Marco rolled his eyes. “You did more than you think. When you appeared on that battlefield, everyone stopped. You managed to get Ace on the boat and got Pops on the boat as well. Who knew that you ate the Sutansutan akuma no mi*” Marco mentioned, giving her a side glance before finishing off his drink.

Y/n chuckled. “I only did what I thought was necessary at the time. I didn’t think that my fruit would be of use that day. It's a pretty weak fruit after all.” Y/n lifted her head and looked at the clear blue sky, the occasional cloud floating past. Marco stood from where he was sitting. Before leaving, he patted her head and walked back toward the others that were still partying. Whitebeard laughed and lifted his cup and cheered with the others. Y/n looked down at Ace, a smile drifting across her lips before she leaned down and pressed a kiss to his forehead. “I will protect you no matter what.” She whispered.

{Later in the afternoon}

Ace sat near the side of the boat as the water flew past them. Y/n stood next to him, a smile on her lips. “You know, I don’t know where I would be in the world right now if I hadn’t met you, Ace,” Y/n whispered, leaning her head against her crossed arms that sat on the railing. Ace lays his chin on his arms and looks over the water that laps at the side of the ship. A smile appeared on his lips before turning to her. Y/n looked at him and returned the smile. “What do you think you would be doing right now?” He asked. Y/n thought for a moment. “Well, I think I would be stuck in my hometown doing nothing but housework and selling flowers,” Y/n said, remembering her life before Ace appeared in it.

“Hey, love birds! You two are gonna miss the food!” Thatch yelled. Y/n turned and looked at Ace with a mischievous smirk on her lips. “Race ya.” She said before darting from the side of the ship and running to the food. Ace was shocked for a solid second before he darted after her. Once the two of you joined in on the feast laying before the crew, Ace pulled Y/n into his lap and his arms wrapped around her waist. She rolled her eyes but giggled. She grabbed a plate and filled it with food before she started to eat while splitting some of what she had gotten on a plate for Ace to eat.

“You two are so gross.”

“I think they are cute together.”

“He is so damn lucky that she came when she did during the battle.”

Y/n rolled her eyes but couldn’t help the small blush that stained her face. Ace wasn’t doing any better. He had his face buried in her back and he was bright red. Y/n laughed loudly when the rest of the crew started laughing and Ace’s arms tightened around your waist. She placed her hand over his hand and her laughter died down til she was just smiling. “I didn’t really do anything. My devil fruit isn’t that strong.” She said, trying to play it off. “What are you talking about? The Sutansutan akuma no mi isn’t as strong as you think it is.” Y/n said, looking at everyone with a raised eyebrow. Ace laid his chin on her shoulder before pressing a kiss to her neck. “You have the ability to stun anyone that isn’t an ally to you or Whitebeard. I’d say that’s pretty powerful. You used it on the Admirals and had them shaking in their boots while you and Luffy rescued me.” Ace said, smiling against her neck, and closing his eyes.

When the party died down, Y/n looked around the deck to find everyone laying against the wall, the ground, or leaning against something as they slept. Y/n smiled softly as she looked over the people that she had grown so close to. She looked down when Ace nuzzled closer to her stomach and a smile appeared on his lips. She smiled softly. Her hand moved towards his black hair to card them through. “You are such a cat when you are drunk. You are such a dork, Ace.” Y/n mumbled before she finally succumbed to sleep.

*sutansutan akuma no mi- Stun Stun devil fruit*

#ace d portgas #Female reader #Ace d portgas x female reader #One Piece x reader #One Piece x female reader #one-shot #fluff #Ace x Female reader #Ace x reader #Enjoy #Set after Marineford arc

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orthodoxadventure · 6 months

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Al-Maghtas. The Place Where the Lord Was Baptized

In the Gospel the place where the Lord was baptized is called “Bethabara”, (בית עברה, meaning “house of the ford” or “house of the crossing” in Hebrew): These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing (Jn. 1:28). The early Greek manuscripts of the New Testament mention the toponym “Bethabara (Bethany) beyond the Jordan” in this verse. It is known that over its history the Jordan River has constantly changed its course, so it is extremely difficult to trace where it lay in the time of Jesus. - Anton Pospelov

Al-Maghtas

But it turned out to be possible to find the place which was honored as the Baptism site of Christ in the early Byzantine era. Thus, according to the account of Theodosius, a pilgrim from the West who wrote in about the year 530: “Five miles north of the Dead Sea, in the place where the Lord was baptized, there is a single pillar, and on the pillar an iron cross has been fastened, there too is the Church of St. John the Baptist, which the Emperor Anastasius [Anastasius I, the ruler of the Eastern Roman Empire between 491 and 518] built: this church is very lofty, being built above large chambers, on account of the Jordan River, when it overflows.” (The citation source: http://www.baptismsite.com/the-place-where-jesus-was-baptized/)

This and a number of other historical testimonies mention a little spot on the territory of what is now the Kingdom of Jordan called Al-Maghtas (المغطس in Arabic, meaning “immersion”), with a stream called Wadi al-Harrar running nearby. In the 1990s, an international team of archeologists carried out excavations there. The location was suggested by the famous and unique sixth-century mosaic map from St. George’s Church in Madaba (Jordan), which shows over 150 holy sites of the Holy Land, including “Bethabara, the site where John baptized” (Βεθαβαρα το του αγιου Ιωαννου του βαπτισματος). During the excavations the ruins of a Byzantine church along with the base of a column in the form of a square marble slab measuring two square meters were discovered. Five churches occupied this spot successively in the period spanning the fifth to the early twelfth centuries. As a result, in 2015 Al-Maghtas was added by UNESCO to the World Heritage list as a site associated with the Baptism of Jesus Christ.

Until recently the stream was filled with water. Alas, by the time of our visit in August 2018 it had dried up. [Source: OrthoChristian.com]

#Christianity #Orthodox Christianity #History #Theology #Religion

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spideyhexx · 1 month

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thinking about the outfit from the tom ford show where he has like one button fastened on his shirt

slutty unbuttoned shirts on men >

#asks #men I like

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toxickehlani · 4 months

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𝗖𝗿𝘂𝗲𝗹 𝗩𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲

║ ꜰᴏʀᴍᴀᴛ･* – 𝖲𝖾𝗋𝗂𝖾𝗌

║ ꜱᴜᴍᴍᴀʀʏ･* – 𝖠𝗇𝗀𝖾𝗅𝗂𝖺 𝖺𝗍𝗍𝖾𝗇𝖽𝗌 𝖺 𝗆𝖾𝖾𝗍𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗐𝗂𝗍𝗁 𝗁𝖾𝗋 𝖿𝖺𝗍𝗁𝖾𝗋 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝖻𝗋𝗈𝗍𝗁𝖾𝗋𝗌 𝖺𝖻𝗈𝗎𝗍 𝗐𝗁𝖺𝗍’𝗌 𝗁𝖺𝗉𝗉𝖾𝗇𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗐𝗂𝗍𝗁 𝗍𝗁𝖾𝗂𝗋 𝗆𝖾𝗋𝖼𝗁𝖺𝗇𝖽𝗂𝗌𝖾.

║ ᴡᴏʀᴅ ᴄᴏᴜɴᴛ･* – 𝟤,𝟤𝟩𝟪

║ ᴡᴀʀɴɪɴɢꜱ･* – 𝖺𝖽𝗎𝗅𝗍 𝗅𝖺𝗇𝗀𝗎𝖺𝗀𝖾,

║ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ/ᴘᴀʀᴛ･* – 𝖢𝗁𝖺𝗉𝗍𝖾𝗋 𝖨❣️: 𝖥𝖺𝗆𝗂𝗅𝗒 𝖬𝖾𝖾𝗍𝗂𝗇𝗀𝗌

ɴᴇxᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ

ꜱᴇʀɪᴇꜱ ᴍᴀꜱᴛᴇʀʟɪꜱᴛ

Angelia’s POV

𝗜𝗧'𝗦 𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗗 𝗕𝗘𝗜𝗡𝗚 the princess of one the most ruthless gangs in Los Angeles. My great-great-great grandfather, Mauro Ballesteros, moved to Arizona from Mexico with his parents at twelve. After kids bullied him for not being from America, Mauro got with the local Spanish teens at the school and on the street and formed Los Santos Vagos. Over time, the group expanded and multiplied to different city areas. From that moment, his gang was the most feared as it’s passed down from generation to generation.

Now, in the present time, my father, Sergi, has been running the show since my grandfather passed it down to him. Things have changed a bit over the years. We respect other territories and don’t kill on their turf. Sometimes, my father expects a lot from me, like he wants me to always step up to the plate. Honestly, it’s stressful.

I’m getting ready to meet my pops and brothers at the warehouse in twenty minutes. I stepped out of the shower, wrapped a towel around my body, and walked to my bedroom. After drying myself, I changed into gray solid flare yoga pants, a white crop top with a gray cropped zip-up hoodie, and gray New Balance sneakers. I stood before my full-length mirror and styled my hair in a slicked-back bun. Grabbing my purse from my bed, I picked up my phone and left my room.

My mother, Yvette, watched a telenovela on TV in the living room. I leaned over the back of the couch and kissed her cheek.

“Adiós, mamá, te veré más tarde.” I smiled, walking to the front door. ( “Bye, Mom, I’ll see you later.” )

“Adiós, amor.” She replied as I closed the door behind me. ( “Goodbye, my love.” )

Unlocking my custom pink 2019 Ford Mustang, I climbed in the driver's seat, fastened my seatbelt, and drove away from the house. Before I met up with my dad and siblings, I stopped by McDonald's and bought myself a McGriddle, two hash browns, and a medium Sprite. As I pulled into the warehouse, people stopped and stared at me instead of working. Exiting the car, I grabbed my food, locked the doors, and walked to my dad's office. I knocked on the door and waited for him to answer.

“Come in.” His deep baritone voice speaks from the other side.

Opening the door, I see my three brothers. Moises is 30, who my parents adopted when he was a teenager. They found a scared and hopeless boy and took him in their arms. Antonio is 24 and was the son of someone my father was close to before he died and brought his son into his home. Finally, there’s Mauricio, the baby out of the two of us. He’s 19 and spoiled as fuck.

I sat next to Antonio as my father smiled at me. As he opened his mouth to speak, Mauricio's annoying ass decided to say something to me.

“Why do you always have food in your hands?” My brother asked, looking at me.

“Same reason why you don’t have a girlfriend.” I sarcastically replied, biting into my breakfast sandwich.

Mauricio had nothing to say and kept quiet like he should’ve. My father rolled his eyes and crossed his arms, annoyed.

“Can we carry on, please?” My father asked, eyeing us intensely.

“Sorry.” I apologized, flashing him a genuine smile.

“Okay, 16th Street Lagos has been killing our dealers, taking the drugs and money.” My dad sternly commented, leaning his hands on the table.

“What are those bitches taking?” Antonio questioned, rubbing his hands together.

“Our weed, meth, and heroin.” My father replied, shaking his head in frustration.

“Let’s go kill those foo’s man. Fuck that shit.” Mauricio stated, jumping to his feet.

“Sit down, puto. We can’t just walk into 18th Street’s territory and start shooting people,” I remarked, smacking my little brother’s arm.

“She’s right.” My dad nodded, agreeing with my previous statement.

“Let’s show them why we’re the most dangerous gang out there. Show them what we stand for.” Moises replied, puffing his chest out in confidence.

“I agree with him,” I interjected, nodding in agreement.

As the conversation continued, my phone suddenly started ringing. I pulled it from my purse to see my best friend and ride-or-die Gloria calling me. Smiling, I stood up and walked out the door to answer it. M

Hola, puta.

R.H.B🫶✨ - Puta?! Please don’t make me slap you through this phone.

What’s up, love?

R.H.B🫶✨ - One of the homies is having a get-together at his place tomorrow. Do you want to go?

Yeah, I’m down. Who’s going?

R.H.B🫶✨ - Chachi, you and me.

Okay, I’ll talk to you when I come to your house. Are you home?

R.H.B🫶✨ - Yea, I’m here I’ll see you boo.

Bye.

I walked back into the office and sat down in my original place. The conversation about rival gangs stealing our merchandise continued for about forty-five minutes. Once our meeting was over, I followed my dad out of the office behind Antonio and Mauricio.

“Guess who wants to fight you, Angel,” Mauricio said, clapping his hands in amusement.

“Who?” I questioned, arching an eyebrow in confusion.

“Antonio’s ex Yasmin.” He replied, pulling his phone out of his pocket.

“Screw that bitch. I fought her so many times it’s draining my energy.” I expressed, shaking my head.

Antonio’s ex-girlfriend Yasmin was the biggest shit-talker known to man. When they were together, she would give my mother and me an evil glare whenever she came over. Once I confronted her, she said I’m not Antoinio’s real sister, and I’m probably fucking him. I became so enraged I punched her in the face, and we started fighting inside the house.

“I told her she needs to watch her mouth. Talking all that shit online.” Antonio remarked,

“Is it on her Instagram or Facebook?” I asked my brothers, walking to my car.

“Facebook,” Moises answered, leaning against the side of my vehicle.

“Okay, I’ll check it out.” I nodded, unlocking my car and getting inside.

“The homegirl said Yasmin wants to fight tomorrow,” Antonio commented,

“I’ll be there to fuck that bitch up,” I replied, getting in the driver’s seat of my car.

Closing the door, I started the engine and drove out of the parking lot. When I pulled up to Gloria’s house, I parked behind her car, stepped out, and walked up to her front door before ringing the doorbell.

“¿Quién es?” I hear Gloria's question from inside the house. ( “Who is it?” )

“It’s me!” I shouted, placing my hands on my hips.

The door opened, revealing my best friend since diapers, Gloria ‘Loca’ Enriquez. I love and respect this girl for always having my back and behind there for me.

“Hey, mami.” Gloria smiled, greeting me as she pulled me into a hug.

“Hey, my favorite girl,” I replied, returning the gesture.

My best friend allowed me inside her house and closed the door behind me. I followed her into the family room and sat beside her on the sofa.

“What have you been up to, my love?” Gloria questioned, smiling at me.

“Nothing much. I left the family meeting before I got here and received some news.” I sighed, answering her question.

“What happened?” She asked, staring at me with curiosity.

“Well, first, someone is killing our dealers and taking the merchandise. My dad thinks it’s 16th Street Lagos.” I explained, leaning my head against the back of the sofa.

“Why would they come across town for drugs when I know they revive their stuff?” My best friend asked me, furrowing her brows in confusion.

“That’s what I was thinking.” I nodded, clapping my hands together.

“What else happened?” Gloria asked, drinking from her water bottle.

“Moises told me that Yasmin, Antonio’s ex, wants to fight me tomorrow,” I confessed, rolling my eyes.

“No fucking way.” She gasped, shaking her head.

“Girl, yes. I told Moises I fought her so many times it drains my energy.” I sighed, pressing my lips together in annoyance.

“I understand.” Gloria nodded, flipping her over her shoulder.

“Hell, last time we fought, she tried to jump me with her sister and best friend,” I commented, laughing at the memory.

“Girl, why do you think Chachi and I were there? We were not about to have that.” Gloria responded, giving me a high five.

“Exactly. Like bitch you are a pussy.” I laughed, throwing my head back. “Yasmin is hard-headed as fuck. I fought her until I broke her nose, yet she still talks shit.”

“We’ll see if she continues running her mouth after tomorrow.” She nodded, shrugging her shoulders.

“I hope not because I don’t have the energy to whoop her ass again.” I laughed, shaking my head.

Gloria and I continued talking when my phone started ringing in my lap. I looked down at it to see my little brother Mauricio calling me. Rolling my eyes, I answered his call.

Hello ugly.

Snitch Ass😒🖤 - First of all, I’m never ugly. Second, when are you coming home?

You are and why?

Snitch Ass😒🖤 - Mami wants to know.

Why didn’t she call me and ask?

Snitch Ass😒🖤 - She’s cooking.

What is she making?

Snitch Ass😒🖤 - Shrimp and steak Alfredo pasta.

I’ll be there in the next twenty minutes.

Snitch Ass😒🖤 - Ok, I’ll let her know.

Thanks, asshole.

Snitch Ass😒🖤 - I bet you won’t say that to my face.

Keep that energy.

Ending the call, I continued talking to Gloria about what was up and coming with the gang and my father’s plans. After some time, I decided to leave and said bye to Gloria, giving her a bear hug.

“Call me before you go to sleep.” My best friend said, pulling away from me.

“Okay, see you later, babe.” I nodded, waving at her as I walked to my car.

Climbing inside my vehicle, I started it up, fastened my seatbelt, and drove home. Once I parked behind my mother’s automobile, I got out and used my keys to enter the house. When I walked inside, I heard my mom yelling at someone in the kitchen.

“¡Fuera de aquí!” She yelled, swatting my younger brother's hand away as he tried to grab a piece of steak out of the pan. ( “Get out of here!” )

Mauricio winced as my mother smacked him with her wooden spoon. “Lo siento.” He held his head in pain as he sat at the table, waiting for her to finish cooking. ( “I’m sorry.” )

When my mother saw me standing in the kitchen, she smiled, chewing on shrimp. “Angelia, how was the meeting?”

“It was good, although we suspect that 16th Street Lagos is killing our dealers and stealing our merchandise,” I answered, sitting next to my brother at the kitchen table.

“So what are you guys going to do about it?” My mom asked, turning the stove off.

“I don’t know. We have to wait and see what Dad wants to do first.” I replied, shrugging my shoulders.

Suddenly, a loud commotion echoed through the house before I heard the voices of Antonio, Moises, and my father. The three of them entered the kitchen, kissing my mother’s cheek.

“Huele bien aquí, mamá.” Antonio nodded, kissing my mother's cheek. ( “Smells good in here, Mom.” )

“I made shrimp and steak Alfredo pasta. A new recipe I found online.” She replied, smiling at him.

“Siempre tienes la cocina oliendo bien.” My father smiled, wrapping his arms around my mother and placing a kiss on her lips. ( “You always have the kitchen smelling good.” )

We could hear their lips smoothing aggressively against each other’s, making me smile at their affection while my brothers gagged.

“I think I’m going to be sick.” Mauricio groaned, turning his head away.

“Oh, shut up. Weren’t you the same way with your now ex-girlfriend? What was her name? Lina?” I laughed, pointing at him as he was speechless. “We couldn’t keep you two off of each other.”

“Man, why do you have to bring her up?” My little brother asked, smacking his lips.

“It’s the truth.” I laughed, shrugging my shoulders. “At first, I thought you were going to get her pregnant the way ya’ll be going at it like rabbits.”

“Shut up. I don’t even talk to Lina anymore.” My little brother grumbled, rolling his eyes. He pouted, crossing his arms like a child.

My father pulled away from my mother as she started filling plates with food and smacked my little brother on the back of his head. As Mauricio sat at the table with his plate, I became disgusted at how messily he ate his food.

“You eat like a pig.” I cringed, watching him slurp the pasta noodles.

“You look like one.” My little brother retorted, rolling his eyes.

“¡Pinche pendejo!” I cursed, throwing a water bottle at his head. ( “Fucking asshole!” )

“¡Qué mierda!” He gasped, staring at me in shock. ( “What the fuck!” )

Before I could react to my brother, my father stepped in, making us look at him.

“Hey! Cut it out!” He remarked, pointing at me. “Apologize to your brother.”

“Lo siento, hermanito.” I apologized, crossing my arms. ( I’m sorry, little brother.” )

“Say sorry, Mauricio.” My mother said, putting her hands on her hips.

“Sorry, Angel,” Mauricio replied, glancing at me.

Huffing, I ignored him and continued to eat the food my mom cooked for the house. Once I finished my plate, I sat it in the sink and headed to my room. I got comfortable on my bed and started watching Netflix on my TV until I eventually fell asleep.

#✰ 𝑻𝑯𝑰𝑺 𝑰𝑺: ⠀ ⠀ ⠀« my writing»#$!%? ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀/ urban fiction 、#$!%? ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀/ spanish lovers、#$!%? ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀/ spanish couple 、

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dgf2099 · 4 months

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The Driver Suit Blog-Paint Scheme Tracker-January 3, 2024

By David G. Firestone TRACKHOUSE RACING #1 Ross Chastain #1 Moose Fraternity Chevy Camaro–New scheme for 2024, red roof added. A HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS #5 Kyle Larson #5 Hendrickcars.com Chevy Camaro–No change. A Kyle Larson #5 Valvoline Chevy Camaro–New scheme for 2024, red, white, and blue with series of stripes. B ROUSH-FENWAY RACING #6 Brad Keselowski #6 Fastenal Body Guard Ford Mustang-New…

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cheesybadgers · 3 months

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(GO TO PART 1 AND PART 3)

PART 2

60. In chapter 23, it’s finally revealed that Javier now works for a charity on the Texas-Mexico border. This idea has been in my head for over a year, as can be seen from the below notes I made to myself in February/March 2023:

Strangely, I then read Infinite Country by Patricia Engel (referred to above at point 50) in early May 2023, which contains the following passage:

So, that made me even more determined to go down this path with Javier ❤️

I won’t list all of the different charities/not-for-profits/NGOs I researched, but there are some mentioned here plus Border Angels and Al Otro Lado. Not all of them are Texas-based, but they do operate somewhere along or near the US-Mexican border, so I used a mix of them as inspiration.

61. Horacio’s route to getting a visa and green card in chapter 23 was largely based on the real-world EB5 visa. Although, I may have taken slight liberties for the purposes of the story (it was hard to see any other real life route for Horacio to actually be granted a long term visa/green card to be honest…which is apt for other themes of this chapter), so it’s not 100% accurate to real life lol.

62. There are several references in chapter 23 to America’s sodomy laws that were still in place in some states, including Texas, by 1997 (when chapter 23 is set), but it wasn’t until the landmark Supreme Court case of Lawrence vs Texas in 2003 that it was ruled sodomy laws in Texas and various other states were unconstitutional.

For further reading on the queer rights movement (and the violence and harassment queer Texans faced) that paved the way for Lawrence vs Texas, I highly recommend Before Lawrence v. Texas: The Making of a Queer Social Movement by Wesley G Phelps

63. If you wondered what a lariat was in chapter 23, it’s the rope cowboys use to lasso (‘lasso’ is actually the verb, whereas the rope itself is called a ‘lariat’, which comes from the Spanish word la reata, meaning to catch or fasten).

There’s also a reference to a quirt, which is a short leather whip used by cowboys to encourage their horse to go faster.

64. As for the sex scene in chapter 23…eagle-eyed readers may have spotted the foreshadowing for this in chapter 20 😉 A long while before I even wrote chapter 20, I’d had Horacio wearing a harness in my head (these are things that live in my brain rent free, apparently lol), largely influenced by this Tumblr post and the gay leather movement. Speaking of which…the references to Drummer relate to a real gay leather magazine that exists in the US.

I made up the part about the harness instructions and a cowboy/rodeo special, however, there is a website with scans of old issues…and lo and behold, there was a cowboy special (WARNING FOR HIGHLY NSFT/W CONTENT).

There’s also a fascinating interview here with ‘Cowboy Frank’ who created the above archive of gay magazines as a tribute to his late husband.

65. Keeping on the theme of gay cowboys…gay rodeo is a real thing in Texas. You can read more about it here, here, here, here and there are some photographs here too.

I also have Slapping Leather: Queer Cowfolx at the Gay Rodeo by Elyssa Ford and Rebecca Scofield and Rodeo as Refuge, Rodeo as Rebellion: Gender, Race, and Identity in the American Rodeo by Elyssa Ford to read at some point (unfortunately, I didn’t get chance to read them before posting chapter 23), which look really interesting.

I couldn’t in a million years see Horacio (or Javier for that matter) taking part lol, but I wanted to at least mention its existence in chapter 23.

66. I’ve mentioned Día de Muertos above already, but here’s more about what the different items on an ofrenda represent and also a breakdown of what happens on each day of the festival.

67. La Virgen de Guadalupe, La Llorona and La Malinche are all referenced in chapter 23.

I initially got the inspiration to include the Guadalupe prayer card from these promo images of Javier. But it wasn't until I started doing more research, I discovered her links to La Llorona and La Malinche. Their identities throughout Mexican history change depending on who is telling the story (which is why Chucho lists various different names) and La Virgen de Guadalupe in particular symbolises the shift Mexico underwent after the Spanish colonisers arrived (from the religion of the Aztecs to Catholicism).

This is a strong theme in Borderlands/La Frontera: The New Mestiza by Gloria Anzaldúa and this book was a big inspiration for the conversation between Javier and Chucho about their Mexican roots.

I also found an interesting article dissecting the trio as different archetypes of women (in fact, it quotes Gloria Anzaldúa as well).

Some other related pieces about La Virgen de Guadalupe and how she relates to Mexican/Chicano identity:

Tonantzin Tlalli Coatlicue & Our Lady of Guadalupe

Commentary: The representations of La Virgen de Guadalupe show her power over identity

Celebrating Guadalupe, Sacred Icon of the People

I may have gone a bit overboard with this part of my research lol, but it was so fascinating to me, I just kept falling down different rabbit holes. And I’ve always liked the idea of Javier being caught between two worlds – in the show, and in the OHDH universe. So, this all served chapter 23 well with Javier returning to Laredo and trying to connect the different parts of his identity.

68. Operation Gatekeeper and Operation Hold the Line are referenced in chapter 23. These were two anti-immigration initiatives in the early ‘90s which involved the militarisation of the US-Mexican border with an increase in Border Patrol staff, the introduction of checkpoints and the building of physical walls.

69. Javier references new immigration legislation in chapter 23. ‘IIRIRA’ is the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act 1996, which came into effect on 1st April 1997.

It was yet more harsh anti-immigration measures that widened the remit for people to be removed, deported and banned from the US. Here’s an article about the problems the legislation caused.

Ironically, whilst America was doing everything it could to keep people from crossing the border, the passing of NAFTA in 1994 actually made drug trafficking across the border easier and exacerbated cartel-related violence in Mexico.

Whilst on the subject of US immigration, there is also a reference to the ‘INS’ in chapter 23, which was the predecessor to ‘ICE’ (ICE was formed in 2003, so it would still have been INS in 1997).

70. Towards the end of chapter 23, when Javier and Horacio are snuggled under a mesquite tree and talk about a story they read in The New Yorker, it was, of course, Brokeback Mountain by Annie Proulx, which was first published in TNY as a short story on 6th October 1997.

I had to fit a reference to it in this fic somewhere lol. Although, for as much as that story influenced OHDH in places, I like to think Javier’s and Horacio’s ending is the antithesis to the ending of Brokeback Mountain ❤️

71. At the end of chapter 23, various artists are mentioned as appearing on their bookshelves. I’ve picked out either titles of significance or reasons for why they’re referenced:

Our Lady of the Assassins (La Virgen de los sicarios) by Fernando Vallejo (A gay Medellín-born author writing semi-autobiographically about a gay man living in Medellín during the worst years of violence…I don’t think I need to explain further why this is on the list lol)

Maurice by E.M. Forster and also the film adaptation (A gay romance with a relatively happy ending for a change)

City of Night by John Rechy (Follows a gay Texan man’s journey and sexual encounters across America)

Gloria E. Anzaldúa (See point 67 above)

Alejo Durán (Colombian Vallenato musician – and cowboy)

Long, Long Time by Linda Ronstadt (If you’ve seen The Last of Us, you’ll know why I chose this. If you haven’t seen it, please make a point of watching season 1, episode 3 as it’s one of the most beautiful queer love stories I’ve ever witnessed 😭)

Drag by K.D. Lang (A covers album by a lesbian musician of songs centred around smoking…again, I don’t think I need to explain any further lol)

Para Siempre by Vicente Fernández (A Mexican ranchera singer…just look at the lyrics for Para Siempre and sigh longingly)

Preface to Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman (Specifically for this quote, because I stumbled across it by accident and it fit so many themes of the fic:

“Past and present and future are not disjoined but joined. The greatest poet forms the consistence of what is to be from what has been and is. He drags the dead out of their coffins and stands them again on their feet….he says to the past, Rise and walk before me that I may realize you. He learns the lesson….he places himself where the future becomes present.”)

Pedro Almodóvar (A Spanish gay film director I’ve mentioned above somewhere before…and also coincidentally worked with Pedro Pascal in Strange Way of Life)

The Living End written and directed by Gregg Araki (Just a couple of gay HIV Positive guys on a road trip)

72. The end scene of them dancing together was largely inspired by two things:

This gorgeous, gorgeous piece of artwork (artist at the link).

And this scene in Fellow Travelers.

I had originally intended to end chapter 23 like the artwork, but after watching Fellow Travelers in December 2023, I had to write my own nod to possibly one of the most intimate scenes I’ve ever seen committed to camera. I swear it re-wired my brain chemistry.

And it’s funny, because I hadn’t actually read or even heard of Fellow Travelers by Thomas Mallon when starting OHDH, but there are so many delightful parallels (e.g. Tim and his cross necklace/religious guilt and the Dom/sub undertones, all of their dancing, the switching in power dynamics during sex as a way to show vulnerability…I just couldn’t help but imagine Horacio/Javier in all the Hawk/Tim sex scenes).

73. A few other books/articles I read for chapter 23 research that I haven’t mentioned already:

Farm Boys: Lives of Gay Men from the Rural Midwest by Will Fellows

The Distance Between Us by Reyna Grande

Retablos: Stories From a Life Lived Along the Border by Octavio Solis

Where We Come From by Oscar Cásares

Brownsville: Stories by Oscar Cásares

Beyond Smoke and Mirrors: Mexican Immigration in an Era of Economic Integration by Douglas S. Massey, Jorge Durand and Nolan J. Malone

In the Valley of Mirrors by Antonio Ruiz-Camacho

Out West, the Gay Cowboy Roams Free by Evan Moffitt (New York Times article transcribed on my Tumblr)

#Narcos #Javier Peña x Horacio Carrillo #Javier Peña #Horacio Carrillo #OHDH Trivia #OHDH #My Moodboards

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renaisguy · 3 months

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forde is someone knoll knows, but not well. another member of the renais twins’ collection of demon king slayers, but actually from renais. knoll hasn’t really had the opportunity to speak with him before. does that make this more awkward? he doesn’t know.

regardless, he smiles as he hands over a metal pin reading ‘ exceptional model of behavior ’ across it.

“well-liked by those you met, sir forde. ‘lovely’ and ‘cool’ were both adjectives used to describe you. and i thank you for your participation in this.”

Lovely and cool? That's so sweet! Forde looks at the pin in his hands, and fastens it to his tunic. (He'll find somewhere in his room to display it later).

He knows he's lucky to have gotten such good conversation partners. And for that there's two people to thank.

"Thank you for running this, Knoll. And give my thanks to Hubert, I've had a wonderful time today."

#pryings #toalovehypothesis2024

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batrachised · 1 year

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How do you feel about the Ford Family?

This question brought to mind the Conan plays video games series, where he rates each video game at the end by saying on a scale of 1 to 166 where 1 is average and 166 is average and 17 is really good, he'd give it a 44XXIV or some equally nonsensical rating. If A is for A plus, and F is for failure, I'd rate most of the Fords an E in that they exist.

Most especially, Owen Ford merely existed to me; his function in the plot was Leslie's new husband haha. Same with Kenneth. He had "captain of the football team in high school" vibes, and to be fair, that's who he was intended to be. Rilla was the popular girl who lives in a bubble only to get slammed with the reality of WWI. Persis always fascinated me because her name is really cool, but I don't think we ever really learn much about her either.

Leslie though...Leslie almost seemed like someone out of a noir film. The first description we get of her IS something out of a movie:

The girl was tall and wore a dress of pale blue print. She walked with a certain springiness of step and erectness of bearing. She and her geese came out of the gate at the foot of the hill as Anne and Gilbert passed. She stood with her hand on the fastening of the gate, and looked steadily at them, with an expression that hardly attained to interest, but did not descend to curiosity. It seemed to Anne, for a fleeting moment, that there was even a veiled hint of hostility in it. But it was the girl's beauty which made Anne give a little gasp—a beauty so marked that it must have attracted attention anywhere. She was hatless, but heavy braids of burnished hair, the hue of ripe wheat, were twisted about her head like a coronet; her eyes were blue and star-like; her figure, in its plain print gown, was magnificent; and her lips were as crimson as the bunch of blood-red poppies she wore at her belt.

Beautiful and hostile--that summarizes Leslie Ford. I've talked about her before, and my take on her is that she isn't a good friend, but she is a good character. Leslie Ford is hard to judge because she's like a skittish wounded animal in a trap who's willing to gnaw off its own leg to escape. She's rude to Anne, including the scene where she tells Anne that since Anne's baby died, now they can truly be friends (!!) even if the narrative presents it as acceptable. She is by far the most interesting member of the Ford family (although, to be fair, she also receives the most attention from the story). She's standoffish, hostile, cruel, and above all, heartbroken. Most of Leslie Ford's actions are explained by the fact that she is heartbroken. Not due to a lost love, like Miss Lavender, but due to traumatic events that would be impossible to forget--such as seeing her 8 year old brother be crushed by a wagon wheel.

To be honest, I always wished for another glimpse at Leslie's life after AHOD. I know we get snippets of her living her best life in Japan and so forth, but I wonder at the radical flip her life did in a matter of weeks. How could you react to something like that? After so many soul destroying things happen to you, would you be able to accept something good? What was that transition like for her? Did she wake up in the middle of the night years later, dully thinking she needed to check on Dick only to realize? I love LMM because of her happy endings, and I'm delighted Leslie got hers, but she's such a rich character that I kind of wanted more. I don't think the things that happened to her are the type you're able to forget, even if everything gets resolved. Personally I'd have trust issues for the rest of my life haha (Esp. after the twist with her husband, I would literally be doubting my entire world forever lmao). I also just realized she's Rilla's future mother in law, which is an interesting intersection of personalities.

So, to the point, most of them are decent but Leslie is a cut above the rest. Of all the characters in Anne, she probably has one of the darkest storylines, from watching her baby brother die a violent death to a coerced marriage. It's interesting to me that Kenneth doesn't seem to have been affected by his mother's traumatic background at all although we do get so little of his perspective, and it reminds me of the Blythe children appear not to know that Gilbert and Anne ever disliked each other or that Anne was neglected as a child (see: Di Blythe being shocked in Ingleside about Anne saying she was very hungry as a child, or TBAQ in which the kids are astonished at their parents referring to old spats).

#leslie ford #kenneth ford #aogg #anne's house of dreams #lm montgomery #yes i'm off tumblr for lent but according to the RULES I can have today off #no i will not elaborate

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