Nonsense & Nonesuch

I have a new achievement! Blog's Birthday

2025-10-13T21:17:19Z

We're together for 20 years now! Thank you!

Meme: Holiday Wishlist

2014-12-04T00:04:04Z

It's that time again!

Step One

Make a post (public, friends-locked, filtered...whatever you're comfortable with) to your LJ. The post should contain your list of 10 holiday wishes. The wishes can be anything at all, from simple and fandom-related ("I'd love a Snape/Hermione icon that's just for me.") to medium ("I wish for _____ on DVD.") to really big ("All I want for Christmas is a new car/computer/house/TV.") The important thing is, make sure these wishes are things you really, truly want.

If you wish for real life things (not stories or icons), make sure you include some sort of contact info in your post, whether it's your address or just your email address where Santa (or one of his elves) could get in touch with you.

Also, make sure you post some version of these guidelines in your LJ so that the holiday joy will spread.

Step Two

Surf around your friends list (or friends friends, or just random journals) to see who has posted their list. And now here's the important part:

If you see a wish you can grant, and it's in your heart to do so, make someone's wish come true. Sometimes someone's trash is another's treasure, and if you have a leather jacket you don't want or a gift certificate you won't use — or even know where you could get someone's dream purebred Basset Hound for free — do it.

You needn't spend money on these wishes unless you want to. The point isn't to put people out, it's to provide everyone a chance to be someone else's holiday elf — to spread the joy. Gifts can be made anonymously or not — it's your call.

There are no rules with this project, no guarantees, and no strings attached. Just...wish, and it might come true. Give, and you might receive. And you'll have the joy of knowing you made someone's holiday special.

Wishes

1. A job. I lost my job as a Library Assistant back in August, and I really miss it. If anyone in the Central Arkansas area has an in with any library or university, I have a Masters in Library Science, am a hard worker and learn quickly!
2. Remember your newspaper person this holiday season. My current (hopefully temporary) job is as a newspaper carrier, and while it's not the worst job in the world, there are definite cons: like the proverbial Postal carrier, we are out in rain, sleet, snow - everything. And unlike Postal workers, we are contractors, not employees, so we don't get benefits. And, of course, the newspaper comes everyday, which means we *work* everyday. AND we have to pay for our own bags and rubberbands.
So when you get that little card in your paper in the coming days, asking for a little remuneration, remember that you don't have to go farther than your front porch in order to get the news, and consider sending your paper person five bucks.
3. To make extra money, I knit those ruffle scarves that are so popular, and sell them. But selling them online ends up costing *me* money, and it's hard to find a way to sell them in person that's any better. Craft fairs charge through the nose for a stall. A flea market stall would work, but that's way more space than I need, and also pretty expensive. If anyone in the Central Arkansas area wants to go in on a flea market stall, or has any other options to offer, please contact me! Or just contact me if you're interested in buying a scarf. I have lots of colors and patterns and can provide pictures.
4. The proverbial Amazon wishlist. Gently used is perfectly fine; if you have an old or second-hand copy of anything on my list, just send it my way! :)
5. Cat jewelry. I'd prefer earrings, but bracelets, necklaces, anklets, they're all good. And if they're holiday themed - even if that holiday is St. Patty's or Easter! - all the better. I can wear pierced earrings and ones with nickel in them, so no need to specialty shop. Again, gently used is great with me.
6. I knit a lot, and while I have plenty of yarn, currently most of what I make are prayer shawls for the families of organ donors. I can always use more yarn, even if it's only a little bit. Or even the last few cents on a craft store (Hobby Lobby, Michael's, Jo-Ann, Wal-Mart) gift card.
7. I'm a member of PaperBackSwap.com, which is a great site. It's an online book-swapping site where you send other people your old books for free, which in turn earns you a credit towards requesting your own book for free. The books I have to send out are here, and if you are in the market for any, please request. I'd love to get these books out of my home and into someone else's - and earn more credits! If you're not a member of PaperBackSwap and would like to be, please consider naming me as your referral - which will also earn me a credit! My user name is amarinrose, and my email is amarin_rose@sbcglobal.net

And these give back!

8. I am a member of Swagbucks.com. This is one of those online money-earning websites that REALLY works. I can make up to $75 a month on my computer and smartphone with a little work. With practically no work, you can still earn $10 a month or so. If you'd like to sign up using my referral link, I will get a little bonus after you earn your first 50 credits, and once you do, we both will be entered into a drawing to win up to $100! Win/win, yes/yes?
9. If you like shopping and/or selling online, why not try Listia? It's like eBay, except you sell for credits instead of money (and use credits to buy things). I've been a member for over two years and it's worked great for me! There's tons of ways to earn free credits, like sharing items for sale on your Facebook, or posting certain items on certain days, so you can even buy stuff for free! And if you join using my referral link, we both get some credits!

In return, I can send Christmas cards to anyone with an address. I've screened comments, and anyone who wants a holiday card, just leave your snail mail and I'll get it out as soon as I can!

Meme: Holiday Wishlist

2010-12-07T07:11:49Z

It's that time again!

Step One

Make a post (public, friends-locked, filtered...whatever you're comfortable with) to your LJ. The post should contain your list of 10 holiday wishes. The wishes can be anything at all, from simple and fandom-related ("I'd love a Snape/Hermione icon that's just for me.") to medium ("I wish for _____ on DVD.") to really big ("All I want for Christmas is a new car/computer/house/TV.") The important thing is, make sure these wishes are things you really, truly want.

If you wish for real life things (not stories or icons), make sure you include some sort of contact info in your post, whether it's your address or just your email address where Santa (or one of his elves) could get in touch with you.

Also, make sure you post some version of these guidelines in your LJ so that the holiday joy will spread.

Step Two

Surf around your friends list (or friends friends, or just random journals) to see who has posted their list. And now here's the important part:

If you see a wish you can grant, and it's in your heart to do so, make someone's wish come true. Sometimes someone's trash is another's treasure, and if you have a leather jacket you don't want or a gift certificate you won't use — or even know where you could get someone's dream purebred Basset Hound for free — do it.

You needn't spend money on these wishes unless you want to. The point isn't to put people out, it's to provide everyone a chance to be someone else's holiday elf — to spread the joy. Gifts can be made anonymously or not — it's your call.

There are no rules with this project, no guarantees, and no strings attached. Just...wish, and it might come true. Give, and you might receive. And you'll have the joy of knowing you made someone's holiday special.

Wishes

1. Dude, the Salvation Army Santas needs your pocket change – and you don’t. Go forth and donate all those pesky pennies! This is the season of giving, after all.
2. And with those pesky ones in your purse/wallet, head down to your local dollar store, purchase a toy, and drop it off at a local Toy Drive. Christmas is for kids, and a lot of them have parents who don’t make enough money for presents. 'Tis better to give than to receive, and you could make some kid's day.

And, now that my altruistic side has been sated *wink*:

3. The proverbial paid account time. I like my icons. :) *points up* This one is totally borrowable - with credit.
4. The proverbial Amazon wishlist. Gently used is perfectly fine; if you have an old copy of anything on my list, just send it my way! :)
5. Cat jewelry. I'd prefer earrings, but bracelets, necklaces, anklets, they're all good. And if they're holiday themed - even if that holiday is Halloween or Easter! - all the better. I can wear pierced earrings and ones with nickel in them, so no need to speciality shop. Again, gently used is great with me. I adore my stray kitties - one is right now *trying* to help me write this list! *grin*
6. I knit a lot, and while I have plenty of yarn, three of my current projects are making hats for children at the local children's hospital, blankets for women with breast cancer, so they can stay warm during chemo treatments, and prayer shawls for shut-ins. I can always use more yarn, even if it's only a little bit. Or even the last few cents on a craft store (Hobby Lobby, Michaels, Jo-Anns, Wal-Mart) gift card. Needles and patterns are great too.
7. I'm a member of PaperBackSwap.com, which is a great site. It's an online book-swapping site where you send other people your old books for free, which in turn earns you a credit towards requesting your own book for free. The books I have to send out are here, and if you are in the market for any, please request. I'd love to get these books out of my home and into someone else's - and earn more credits! If you're not a member of PaperBackSwap and would like to be, please consider naming me as your referral - which will also earn me a credit! My user name is amarinrose, and my email is amarin_rose@sbcglobal.net
9. An NCIS/CSI: Las Vegas crossover fic that includes as many of the following as possible: Greg, Abby and Tim geeking out together (in any combination), use of sign language as a significant plot point (like used as silent communication during an op, when they can see each other but can't talk), Warrick and Tony vying to be the most stylish agent on the case, and definitely something about bugs. I am partial to Gibbs/Tony, but I keep wanting to see Abby, Tony and Greg end up in bed together. Mmm...

And this one gives back!

10. If you shop on eBay or any of dozens other online stories like Shop.com, Walmart.com, Sephora, or Barnes and Noble, you could make money back on each purchase! Just join BigCrumbs.com, make your purchases on those sites by clicking on their link at BigCrumbs, and BigCrums will pay you back a percentage of your purchase price. I've been a member for a a year and have already make back over one hundred and thirty dollars! And if you join using my link - - I will get a comission for each rebate you get! Win/win, yes/yes?

In return, I can send Christmas cards to anyone with an address. I've screened comments, and anyone who wants a holiday card, just leave your snail mail and I'll get it out as soon as I can!

Music Videos That Don't Exist, But Should

2010-07-08T08:03:16Z

Does what it says on the tin. :P

DC Comics

1. Toon!Tim-centric vid to TATU's 'Clowns (All Around Me)'. Yeah, I'm going there: Revenge of the Joker! The song would work especially well if you could get clips (or comic panels) that seem to show a bit of right after Tim was 'rescued' and how the Joker followed him until the events of the movie.

2. Comics!Tim-centric vid to Dashboard Confessional's 'Perfect'. Tim, right after his father found out he was Robin, and then moving on to when he was murdered. It's (pardon the pun) a 'perfect' fit!

Star Trek: 2009

1. One of those trailer smushes where you take the sound/music of one movie's trailer and put it over the other movie's (generally with a few clips exchanged here and there to make it work). My thoughts? Star Trek's film with Mortal Kombat's sound. 'A handful of people on a leaky boat are gonna save the world?' 'Exactly.' Wouldn't Spock Prime make a fantastic Rayden?

Unfortunately I can't find an online version of the specific trailer I'm thinking of; I have uploaded the 'song' here.

2. Jim-centric vid to 'I'm Still Here' by the Goo Goo Dolls from Treasure Planet. It's subtitled 'Jim's Song', even! And it's a song about a boy (named Jim!) trying to live up to his father.

Torchwood

Okay, I know there are two vids to Supasister's 'Coffee', but, uh, I don't think either of them are very good. *cough* They mostly just look like random clips, which makes sense, since they are several years old, which means the vid-makers were probably only using the first season and maybe part of the second. But the song just screams Ianto (and his fiesty relationship with Jack), so I don't think there can be too many different versions of this!

I'm willing to supply the music for any and all of these, if any vid-makers reading this are feeling like giving me a prezzie!

Meme: The Fan Fiction Personality Test

2010-03-19T23:36:37Z

Your result for The Fan Fiction Personality Test...

The Weirdo

Crackfic, Mpreg, and all the other oddities.

You are pretty weird. It's hard to put you in a box. On one hand, you might lean towards the bizarre subgenres; recklessly slash people with inanimate objects, create alternate universes where Harry Potter is a seven-year-old girl named Annie and don't take fanfiction very serious. On the other hand, you might be a misunderstood genius that could write Tolkien, Roddenberry and Rice into the ground, and your ideas are simply totally ahead of their time.

However, the chances you're the latter are rather small.

Take The Fan Fiction Personality Test at OkCupid

And yet, I don't think I've actually paired anyone with an inanimate object... Not that I can remember everything I wrote off the top of my head. :P

Writer's Block: Toy Story

2010-01-19T17:16:30Z

A stuffed bunny I got for Easter when I was...six? Seven? I named her Easterly and she went everywhere with me. Whenever she got too dirty, she would go in the wash, which necessitated my Dad having to repaint her nose several thousand times when the original color wore off. And yes, I stil have her. She's on the same shelf as my other favorite toy, a bat puppet named Batterina that I got when I was eight or nine. Batterina is in much better shape, but no less loved.

Meme: My New Year's Resolutions

2010-01-02T04:47:17Z

In 2009, amarin_rose resolves to...

Apply for a new fanart.
Start an art fund.
Eat more DC Comics.
Spend more time with my Young Avengers.
Tell my family about icons.
Find a better Batgirl.

Meme: Which Stereotypes Are You?

2009-10-30T10:13:53Z

If you fit the first half, bold it, then laugh at the second half. *g*

I'm SKINNY, so I MUST be anorexic.
I'm EMO, so I MUST cut my wrists.
I'm a NEGRO so I MUST carry a gun.
I'm BLONDE, so I MUST be a ditz.
I'm JAMAICAN so I MUST smoke weed.
I'm HAITIAN so I MUST eat cat.
I'm ASIAN, so I MUST be sexy.
I'm JEWISH, so I MUST be greedy.
I'm GAY, so I MUST have AIDS.
I'm a LESBIAN, so I MUST have a sex-tape.
I'm ARAB, so I MUST be a terrorist.
I SPEAK MY MIND, so I MUST be a bitch.
I'm a GAY RIGHTS SUPPORTER, so I MUST be gay too.
I'm a CHRISTAN, so I MUST think gay people should go to hell.
I'm RELIGIOUS, so I MUST shove my beliefs down your throat.
I'm ATHEIST so I MUST hate the world.
I don't have a RELIGION, so I MUST be evil and have no morals.
I'm REPUBLICAN, so I MUST not care about poor people.
I'm a DEMOCRAT, so I MUST not believe in being responsible.
I am LIBERAL, so I MUST be gay.
I'm SOUTHERN, so I MUST be white trash.
I TAKE (or used to take) ANTI-DEPRESSANTS, so I MUST be crazy.
I'm a GUY, so I MUST only want to get into your pants.
I'm IRISH, so I MUST have a bad drinking problem.
I'm INDIAN, so I MUST own a convenient store.
I'm NATIVE AMERICAN, so I MUST dance around a fire screaming like a savage.
I'm a CHEERLEADER, so I MUST be a whore.
I'm a DANCER, so I must be stupid, stuck up, and a whore.
I wear SKIRTS a lot, so I MUST be a slut.
I'm a PUNK, so I MUST do drugs.
I'm RICH, so I MUST be a conceited snob.
I WEAR BLACK, so I MUST be a goth or emo.
I'm a WHITE GIRL, so I MUST be a nagging, steal-your-money kind of girlfriend.
I'm CUBAN, so I MUST spend my spare time rolling cigars.
I'm NOT A VIRGIN, so I MUST be easy.
I FELL IN LOVE WITH A MARRIED MAN, so I MUST be a home-wrecking whore.
I'm a TEENAGE MOM, so I MUST be an irresponsible slut.
I'm POLISH, so I MUST wear my socks with my sandals.
I'm ITALIAN, so I must have a "big one".
I'm an ASIAN GUY, so I MUST have a small penis.
I'm EGYPTIAN, so I must be a TERRORIST!
I'm PRETTY, so I MUST not be a virgin.
I HAVE STRAIGHT A'S, so I MUST have no social life.
I DYE MY HAIR CRAZY COLORS, so I MUST be looking for attention.
I DRESS IN UNUSUAL WAYS so I MUST be looking for attention.
I'm INTO THEATER & ART, so I MUST be a homosexual.
I'm a VEGETARIAN, so I MUST be a crazy political activist.
I HAVE A BUNCH OF GUY FRIENDS, so I MUST be fucking them all.
I HAVE A BUNCH OF GIRLS WHO ARE FRIENDS, so I MUST be a player.
I have Big BOOBS, so I MUST be a hoe.
I'm COLOMBIAN, so I MUST be a drug dealer.
I WEAR WHAT I WANT, so I MUST be a poser.
I'm RUSSIAN, so I MUST be cool and that's how Russians roll.
I'm GERMAN, so I must be a Nazi.
I hang out with GAYS, so I must be GAY TOO
I'm BRAZILIAN, so I MUST have a BIG BUTT.
I'm PUERTO RICAN, so I MUST look good and be conceited.
I'm SALVADORIAN, so I MUST be in MS 13.
I'm POLISH, so I MUST be greedy.
I'm HAWAIIAN so I MUST be lazy.
I'm PERUVIAN, so I MUST like llamas.
I'm a STONER so I MUST be going in the wrong direction.
I'm a VIRGIN so I MUST be prude.
I'm STRAIGHT EDGE so I must be violent.
I'm a FEMALE GAMER, so I MUST be ugly...or crazy.
I'm BLACK so I MUST love fried chicken and kool-aid.
I'm a GIRL who actually EATS LUNCH, so I MUST be fat.
I'm SINGLE so I MUST be ugly.
I'm a SKATER so I must do weed and steal stuff.
I'm a PUNK so I must only wear black and date only other punks
I'm ASIAN so I must be a NERD that does HOMEWORK 24/7.
I'm CHRISTIAN so I MUST hate homosexuals.
I'm MIXED so I must be screwed up.
I'm MUSLIM so I MUST be a terrorist.
I'm in BAND, so I MUST be a dork.
I'm BLACK so I MUST believe JESUS WUZ A BROTHA, he was...
I'm MORMON so I MUST be perfect.
I'm WHITE and have black friends so I MUST think I'm black.
I'm GOTH so I MUST worship the devil.
I'm HISPANIC, so I MUST be dirty.
I'm NOT LIKE EVERYONE ELSE, so I MUST be a loser.
I'm OVERWEIGHT, so I MUST have a problem with self-control.
I'm PREPPY, so I MUST shun those who don't wear Abercrombie & Hollister.
I'm on a DANCE team, so I must be stupid, stuck up, and a whore.
I'm YOUNG, so I MUST be naive.
I'm MEXICAN, so I MUST have hopped the border.
I GOT A CAR FOR MY BIRTHDAY, so I MUST be a spoiled brat.
I'm BLACK, so I MUST love watermelon.
I'm BI, so I MUST think every person I see is hot.
I'm a GUY CHEERLEADER, so I MUST be gay.
I'm a PREP, so I MUST be rich.
I don't like the SUN so I MUST be an albino.
I have a lot of FRIENDS, so I MUST love to drink and party.
I wear tight PANTS and I'm a guy, so I MUST be emo.
I couldn't hurt a FLY, so I MUST be a pussy.
I hang out with TEENAGE DRINKERS AND SMOKERS, so I MUST smoke.
I have ARTISTIC TALENT, so I MUST think little of those who don't.
I don't like to be in a BIG GROUP, so I MUST be anti-social.
I have a DIFFERENT sense of HUMOR, so I MUST be crazy.
I tell people OFF, so I MUST be an over controlling bitch.
My hair gets GREASY a lot, so I MUST have no hygiene skills.
I'm DEFENSIVE, so I MUST be over-controlling and a bitch.
I'm a NUDIST, so I MUST want everyone to see my boobs.
I read COMICS, so I MUST be a loser.
I hang out with a FORMER PROSTITUTE, so I MUST be a whore myself.
I'm TEXAN so I MUST ride a horse.
I’m (or sometimes) a CROSSDRESSER, so I MUST be homosexual.
I draw ANIME so I MUST be a freak.
I am a FANGIRL so I MUST be a crazy, obsessed stalker.
I WATCH PORN so I MUST be perverted.
I'm an ONLY CHILD so I MUST be spoiled.
I'm INTELLIGENT so I MUST be weak.
I am AMERICAN so I MUST be obese, loud-mouthed and arrogant.
I'm WELSH so I MUST love sheep
I’m a YOUNG WRITER, so I MUST be emo.
I’m CANADIAN, so I MUST talk with a funny accent.
I'm a GUY, so I MUST ditch my pregnant girlfriend.
I'm CANADIAN, so I MUST love hockey and beavers.
I'm DISABLED, so I MUST be on Welfare.
I'm a FEMINIST, so I MUST have a problem with sexuality and I want to castrate every man on the earth.
I'm a TEENAGER, so I MUST have a STEREOTYPE.
I WEAR A BIG SUNHAT when I go outside, so I MUST be stupid.
I like BLOOD, so I must be a VAMPIRE.
I'm an ALBINO, so I MUST be an evil person with mental abilities and am A MURDERER!
I'm ENGLISH, so I MUST speak with either a cockney or a posh accent, love tea and cricket, and have bad teeth.
I’m WHITE, so I MUST be responsible for everything going wrong on the planet: past, present, and future.
I don't like YAOI or YURI, so I must be a HOMOPHOBE.
I’m not the most POPULAR person in school, so I MUST be a loser
I care about the ENVIRONMENT, so I MUST be a tree-hugging hippy.
I have a FAN CHARACTER, so I MUST be an annoying Mary Sue.
I CHAT, I MUST be having cyber sex
I'm PAGAN so I MUST worship Satan, sacrifice babies and drink the blood of virgins.
I'm CONSERVATIVE, so I MUST be against Abortion.
I'm SWEDISH so I MUST be a tall, blonde, blue-eyed lesbian.
I'm a LESBIAN so I MUST want to get with every single girl that I see.
I like CARTOONS, so I MUST be IRRESPONSIBLE.
I like READING, so I MUST be a LONER.
I have my OWN spiritual ideology; therefore I MUST be WRONG or MISGUIDED.
I am WICCAN, so I MUST be a SATANIST.
I DISAGREE with my government, so I MUST be a TERRORIST.
I am a WITCH, so I MUST be and OLD HAG and fly on a broomstick.
I love YAOI, so I MUST be GAY.
I DON'T CURSE (or try not to), so I MUST be an outcast.
I like GAMES, ANIME and COMICS, so I MUST be childish.
I'm SWEDISH, therefore I MUST be WHITE.
I SPOT GRAMMATICAL ERRORS, so I MUST be a pedantic bastard.
I'm GOTHIC, so I MUST be mean.
I’m STRONG so I MUST be stupid.
I'm AUSTRALIAN so I MUST hunt crocodiles and talk to kangaroos.
I go to RENFAIRES, so I MUST talk weird, be a loser, and not be up with the times.
I’m GAY so I’m after EVERY straight guy around.
I don’t want a BOYFRIEND so I MUST be a LESBIAN.
I'm NOT CHRISTIAN so I MUST just need converting.
I love marching band, so I MUST be a friendless freak.
I DRINK and SMOKE, so I MUST have no life.
I am friends with a CUTTER, so I MUST be a CUTTER too.
I CRY easily, so I MUST be a wimp.
I can't help pointing out mistakes so I MUST be an over-controlling perfectionist.
I'm a PERFECTIONIST so I MUST check everything ten times.
I DON'T LIKE to talk about my personal life so I MUST be having problems.
I'm on the COMPUTER A LOT which means I MUST be a nerd.
I CHANGE my STYLES A LOT which means I MUST not fit in.
My DRESSING STYLE is a mixture of PREPPY, GOTH, EMO, PUNK, and SKATER which means I MUST not be able to make up my MIND what group I want to be a member of.
I like FIGHTING which means I must be a heartless, VIOLENT, wretch.
I'm SARCASTIC which means I MUST be a brat.
I look up PORN on the internet so I MUST be a PERVERT.
I’m A GOOD LIAR, so I MUST be an actor/actress.
I LIKE TO BE MYSELF, so I MUST be cocky and arrogant.
I’m FRENCH, so I MUST be homosexual.
I LOVE ANIMALS, so I MUST be a vegetarian.
I’m a TREEHUGGER, so I MUST be a drug addicted hippie.
I’m INTO JIMI HENDRIX, so I MUST be on drugs.
I’m a MUSICIAN, so I MUST not be doing anything with my life.
I'm a GIRL, so I MUST be obsessed with boys and gossip.

I'm a PERSON, so I MUST be LABELED.

Meme: Internet Win Factor

2009-08-31T01:15:41Z

I'm sure I win more than this.... :-)

Writer's Block: Do Not Open Until 2059

2009-08-04T05:26:05Z

Well, I presume we're not answering as if it were a personal time capsule, so... A copy of a Washington DC paper showing President Obama won the election, a copy of a New York paper on September 12, 2001, a copy of a Lousiana paper on the Katrina disaster, a Starbucks coffee cup, a DVD of the new Star Trek movie, obituaries for both Ghandi and Mother Teresa as well as complete biographies for both, a collection of both Cher and Michael Jackson's greatest hits, a cheap reusable tote bag, copies of the comic book trades where Superman and Captain America died, an article about the introduction of the Euro, the largest thumb drive from both 1999 and 2009, and a Forever stamp with a list of when stamp prices changed since 1990.

This is hopelessly biased towards Americans, but I freely admit to not paying much attention to the rest of the world.

Meme: Torchwood

2009-07-31T21:11:54Z

Ganked from joonscribble

1. With which character from Torchwood, would you most want to have coffee/tea/drinks and why?
Coffee = Ianto, because I don't really like coffee but I'm dying to taste his. Tea = Tosh, because I think we would have much in common. Drinks = Jack, because, I mean, he's Jack!

2. If you worked for Torchwood, what would your specialty be?
Ianto's part-time assistant, and the team's full-time Agony Aunt. Because Ianto needs some help with the extensive archives and the whole team needs help with their issues. Also, I actually have a bit of schooling in those areas.

3. If you could have anything from the Torchwood Wardrobe, what you pick?
Hmm, I would have more choice from the TARDIS wardrobe, especially considering the team wears pretty much the same thing from episode to episode, but... I suppose Mary's kimono? Or Emma's fluffy pink bathrobe.

4. If you could borrow any technology/weaponry from Torchwood for one day, what would you take?
That book-copier thing Tosh was using in the first episode. I could digitize my whole collection! Or Jack's wriststrap. Just 'cause.

5. If you could create a Torchwood spinoff show, what would it be like?
Torchwood Four, starring the poor unfornate employees of said station, who got stuck between dimensions, sort of, and now police alien activity on several semi-connected Earths of various dimensions. It would start Owen and Tosh welcoming Ianto on board, and the end of the first season would revolve around the TARDIS sending Rose and Ten II back home disturbing the 'Force' enough that the little spark of Time Vortex in him from Jack reaches back to Jack and pulls him in, culminating in a Torchwood Three with no Gwen or Suzie.

6. If you could join the Torchwood team and experience an adventure from one of the episodes, which one would you pick and why?
Well, definitely not Adam. Maybe Captain Jack Harkness.

7. If you could change something from an episode, what would you change?
Decisions, decisions... As much as I love Tosh and tolerate Owen, it would have to be you-know-what from Season 3. Actually, could I just erase Season 3, full stop?

Quiz: What Kind Of Reader Are You?

2009-07-29T04:10:19Z

Ganked from bookwrm89

What Kind of Reader Are You? Your Result: Dedicated Reader You are always trying to find the time to get back to your book. You are convinced that the world would be a much better place if only everyone read more.
Obsessive-Compulsive Bookworm
Literate Good Citizen
Book Snob
Fad Reader
Non-Reader
What Kind of Reader Are You? Quiz Created on GoToQuiz

Fic: Purposeful Joys, Torchwood, Jack/Ianto, PG-15, 1/1

2009-07-26T01:59:15Z

Bed is for two things (one of which Jack is really really good at). And that’s fortunate, because otherwise Ianto would kick him out of bed for eating cookies.

Purposeful Joys

“Bed is for two things, Jack, and eating is not one of them,” Ianto scolded his lover as he brushed biscuit crumbs off the sheets into his hands, before throwing them in the bin.

Jack finished chewing the last bite of his Oreo before replying, eyebrow arched to mimic Ianto’s favored expression. “Really? Only two things? How…unimaginative.” The eyebrow bounced a few times above leering lips.

Ianto gave his lover a withering glare as he slipped back under the now-clean sheets. “And here I was under the impression that your imagination was limited to new and inventive ways to have sex,” he replied dryly, secretly adding, Or die.

The former wasn’t quite enough to make up for the latter, in his eyes. Then again, he was the only one (at this moment in time) who could take advantage of the former, a fact which still occasionally boggled his intellect-laden mind.

“That’s what I was referring to, Yan,” Jack said in a pouty little whine that, try as he might, Ianto couldn’t help but find…cute. The great Captain Jack Harkness acting like a little boy. It was so cute he’d even let Jack get away with that childish nickname.

“So was I, Jack,” Ianto replied, keeping his tone businesslike as he settled into his side of the bed. He focused an unnecessarily large portion of his attention on making sure his pillow was placed just so. “Or what did you think those two things were?” He sent a piercing gaze Jack’s way.

Blinking owlishly, Jack’s dawning expression of surprise was immensely pleasing to Ianto, as was the wash of chagrin that followed afterward. “Oh,” was all he had to say, tone of voice unnaturally subdued.

This victory might just make Jack think twice about eating in bed. But probably not. Still, Ianto could chalk another point up in his column. And now for another… “Right at this moment, however, the second use comes into play,” Ianto said half into his pillow, not bothering to cover his yawn. They were at home, not work; he didn’t have to be perfectly polite.

Jack never was, regardless of venue. But Ianto held himself to higher standards; Jack was just allowed the intimacy of seeing him…unpolished.

Still a tad off-kilter, Jack absentmindedly straightened out the wrinkles in the blanket Ianto pulled up over himself. “And that is?” he asked.

Smiling sweetly at his no-doubt ‘ready and raring to go (for a shag)’ lover, Ianto said, “Sleeping.”

The long, drawn-out nigh-growl of frustration Jack let out as Ianto closed his eyes was the most wonderful sound Ianto had heard all night.

It wasn’t a purpose, per se, but one of the lesser-known joys in Ianto’s life was keeping Jack on his toes by frustrating him at every turn. Or driving him ‘round the bend, whichever seemed more fun.

But still, not as fun as sex. Especially with Jack.

Especially with a frustrated Jack out to prove there were better things to do in bed than sleep.

Ianto smiled as Jack settled, grudgingly, into the covers, wrapping one arm around his chest. He could guess that, no matter how early Jack woke him up (in an undoubtedly…imaginative…way), they’d still get so caught up in each other they’d be after or work.

Sometimes it was good to be shagging the boss. Even if he did get crumbs in the sheets.

Writer's Block: Investigations Of A Female Nature

2009-07-23T04:24:58Z

Jessica Fletcher. Murder She Wrote and I go way back, and even though I haven't seen the show in...Gods, a decade?...she's still my favorite.

Fic: Tears After Heaven, Runaways, AU, Gert/Chase, PG, 1/1

2009-06-19T03:09:22Z

AU. Gert’s back, and determined to think only of what will be. Pay no attention to the tears of happiness in her eyes; they’re an illusion.

Tears After Heaven

Weddings were not one of the few things in her new, super-heroic, post death-of evil-parents life that made Gertrude Yorkes cry. But if there were a few tears welling in her eyes, well, the candlelight was low enough in the room that no one could tell.

Except maybe Chase. But he wasn’t looking entirely dry-eyed himself. And Gert suspected that the dopey grin on his face was a match for the smile she could feel curving her own lips.

Sometimes Gert thought about what could have been. They could never have found out about their parents; but Chase probably would have booked the moment he turned eighteen, and she never would have seen him again. She knows Chase loves her, but without the enforced proximity of being ‘Runways’ together, their relationship would have had zero chance of happening. She never would have been walked down an aisle by her father towards Chase if this whole thing had never happened.

She could never have died; but then, they might have all kept thinking they were invincible (despite Alex; after all, he brought that on himself) and someone else would have gotten hurt. (Gert fears it would have been Molly, their Princess Powerful losing her powers at just the wrong moment.) They would have kept stupidly thinking they had all the time in the world. Her coming back two months ago is the reason they’re all here today, her and Chase doing this at long last; not putting it off for one minute longer than necessary.

Getting married. Her with freshly dyed hair, wearing an equally purple (and white – some traditions she just didn’t feel right deviating from) Roman-style evening gown, and white snow boots (because of course she came back on All Saint’s Day and even just outside of Vegas, winter is still cold), Chase in a rented tuxedo with a gaudy non-matching purple and gold vest, standing in front of a Wiccan priest. All of this in a wood-plank room covered in Gothic drapery right up Nico’s alley, which was also decorated with embroidery that wouldn’t look out of place on tarot cards. She hadn’t wanted to get married in a church, let alone have a Jewish ceremony, but this place was downright tacky; still, considering they needed a marriage mart that didn’t keep computer records, she can’t complain.

Gert doesn’t care about what could have been. She doesn’t care what was (though she is very thankful that if she’d been in Heaven for the past year, she can’t remember it), only what is. They can’t change the past; they can only make the future better.

She’s going to start hers with the words, “I do.”

Fic: The Boy Wonder Is Mine, Young Justice, Tim/Kon, Tim/Ray, PG, 1/1

2009-05-25T22:52:03Z

The Ray wants Robin. Superboy is not down with that.

The Boy Wonder Is Mine

Walking into the rec room of the YJ Resort only to find the Ray laying a major liplock on their esteemed leader Robin was definitely something Kon could have lived without seeing.

The two appeared to sense his presence, and Kon flushed, backing out the doorway. “Uh…sorry,” he said, before making a hasty escape, slamming the door closed behind him.

Then his train of thought caught up with him, and he went back over his actions. “Wait a minute…” Embarrassment fading in the face of righteous anger, Kon slammed the door again, open this time, only to confront the previous scene about twelve seconds further along. A startled Ray was finally being pushed back from a mussed, surprised, and mildly annoyed Robin.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Kon demanded.

Ray gave him an embarrassed, yet obviously smug smile.

Before he could reply, Kon continued, “Robin is mi–” quickly reconsidering his words on the fly, Kon verbally fumbled and finished, “–iiy boyfriend.”

Eyes wide, Ray stared at Kon, slack-jawed. “Bu-whuh?” he croaked, his previous air of superiority having been decimated by those four (and a half) words.

“Yes, Ray, Kon and I are dating,” Robin confirmed, backing away from Ray (and only peripherally moving towards Kon). He pulled his cape around him, managing to look less like he was doing it out of uneasiness and more like he was just straightening himself out, though it was his person, and not his Kevlar clothing, which showed signs of the recent amorous attack made on him.

Ray visibly swallowed, eyes flicking back and forth between the other two boys, panic rising in them with each redirection of his gaze. “Oh,” he said, voice almost small enough to be dubbed a whisper. “I, uh…”

“–should go, yeah,” Kon suggested with nothing resembling subtlety, but something approaching dignity. No harm, no foul; as long as Ray didn’t try anything on his boyfriend again, Kon could allow him the mistake of one kiss.

After all, he’d pretty much gotten together with Rob the same way; by getting fed up of semi-flirting back-and-forth with him and just kissing him out the of the blue one day. It had worked out for him, but it might not have. He could empathize with Ray.

Robin might feel differently, but then, probably not much. Probably.

While Kon was trying to figure out whether or not he got to have any feelings on the matter of Ray kissing Robin aside from jealousy, Ray had back slowly away from the actually-not-at-all-terrifying-and-thus-worryingly-alarming duo. Then his powers flashed on and he sped out of the (thankfully open) window faster than even Impulse could manage.

Fear leant strength, apparently. Who knew?

Kon, for one. Because now he and Robin were alone, and Rob was looking at him. Kon knew that look. It was the exasperated look of ‘You made a mistake but maybe you can still salve my annoyance’ look of probably Bat-doom.

To support Kon’s knowledge, Robin’s left eyebrow quirked above his mask, his typical gesture of incipient annoyance. “Were you about to say ‘Robin is mine’, Superboy?” he asked, voice deceptively laconic.

“Uh…maybe?” Kon offered weakly. He flushed, realizing that perhaps his possessive side wasn’t something Robin was particularly fond of. Of course, Robin’s broody side wasn’t something he liked much, either.

Robin’s annoyed smirk soon transformed into a suspiciously smug smile as he swayed closer to Kon like a mesmerizing cobra. “Maybe, huh? Well, ‘maybe’ if I’m yours,” he said with dry playfulness, “then I supposed that makes you…mine.”

Nodding almost frantically, Kon thought he was getting off easy.

Robin’s smirk turned mischievous. Grabbing Kon’s left hand and tugging him closer, he proceeded to lay a major liplock of his own on Kon.

Kon blinked, then fell into returning the kiss, giving as good as his got. Huh. It just so happened that the Boy Wonder had a possessive side, too.

He wasn’t just getting off easy; he was just getting off lucky.

Cool.

Deleted Fanfics For Download

2009-05-08T04:02:33Z

By which I mean, Hi! Sorry I've been AWOL for over...six weeks. But I'm back, and while probably not better than ever, it seems there's been a rush of people looking for fics that have fallen off the face of the Internet lately, and as I happen to have some of them, I thought I'd share.

ETA: Gqgqqt's Equilateral series, Marvel Avengers Movieverse, Clint/Coulson, lots of kinks and BDSM.

Okay, here is my Fanfic folder on MediaFire with all the files.

Here are all of sharpest_rose's fics, formerly know as monkeycrackmary. Well, all the ones I've saved, which are all of them except for two or three. If anyone has the one where Jason Todd teaches Carrie Kelly the Batusi, I'm kinda interested to read that... I've also included all the Robins in a Room snippets that I could find on my HD, as I foolishly didn't archive them in their own folder. I think I'm missing the original post, though...

EDIT: Here is all of sharpest_rose's fics, with the Batusi fic, plus the original Robins in a Room post. Thanks to chameleongirl for those!

Here is Mary and thete1's The Angels You Need series.

Here is Asessing and Adjusting by miarrow, which is a Dick/Slade fic.

Here is the Dracoverse (Jason Todd AU) by Kaylee.

Here is the cracky 'Spices' trio. The first fic, Generously Spiced by salmon_pink, spawned sequels by after_night which are no longer on the web. Generously Spiced is Poison Ivy/Dick, non/dubcon, and the sequels are Dick/Wally.

Here is the original zipfile of Shar's fics (as in Shar and Bast of Kix) that I got, like, seven or eight years ago. I've got other Kix-people's stuff if there's any interest in that. They all wrote mostly The Sentinel (TV) slash fanfic.

Here is Learning to Fly by Vathara, from her Urban Legends series. It's a 7 Days/Gargoyles fics.

Here is I Just Called by Vathara, from her Roll the Bones series. It's an X-Men: Evolution/Yu-Gi-Oh fic. These were both removed from FFN (only place they were posted - like most of her work *sigh*) because they had song lyrics, and while she re-upped Out to Launch, these two fics have so far stayed gone. I lucked out by managing to contact the right person who knew her way back when and s/he was able to forward me these fics, so I'm putting them out there, too.

I hope you all enjoy, and as my Fanfic folder goes back almost ten years (and is over 1 gig in size), please feel free to ask me about any fics you might be looking for. Please also feel free to pimp this post to any and everyone you like.

Fic: Dual Deceptions, Torchwood, Jack/Ianto, PG, 1/1

2009-03-10T21:01:20Z

Post Sleeper. The truth can hurt. That’s why Jack is keeping it to himself this time.

Dual Deceptions

Ianto’s never asked him outright, but Jack knows he wonders. He hints about it, in his own subtle way, asking if he thinks Beth is gone completely and there’s only the Sleeper left (no), asking if he thinks Beth can’t be trusted (not entirely), and, afterwards, asking Jack if he’s alright (about Beth, yes).

Ianto never comes right out and asks Jack why he treated Beth so badly. Gwen does, and he pawns her off with excuses about not being able to trust that there wasn’t a hidden layer of programming (he wouldn’t have been able to do that if Ianto hadn’t thought of it first).

Ianto trusts Jack to tell him when he’s ready. Jack trusts Ianto not to push. They fit together remarkably well that way (physically they fit together well, too, but that’s not so remarkable – for Jack).

Later than evening, as they’re sharing a cup of coffee (one cup; they don’t even need the kisses in between sips to have romance), Jack takes a deep breath and prepares to not-lie to his lover yet again. “Beth…when she…turned on everyone so suddenly… I…” This isn’t nearly as easy as he’d hoped it would be (but then, nothing is when it comes to Ianto).

Ianto places a steadying hand on his, and Jack raises his eyes from the floor to focus on the middle of Ianto’s forehead. He can’t meet Ianto’s eyes when he says this, but it will look to Ianto as if he is. “It brought back some bad memories…that’s all.” And Jack swallows down his guilt and leans in to bury his face in Ianto’s neck, letting his self-hate melt mostly away in his lover’s comforting embrace.

It’s the truth, of a sort. But Jack loves Ianto, and he does his best not to hurt him (when he isn’t caught up so much in his own pain or the job that he remembers to).

He’s forgiven the Doctor, but he’s not sure he can trust him, personally, again. After a year of being tortured, Jack finds it hard to trust anybody. But he will force himself to trust Ianto, if he has to, because he cannot imagine making it through this life sane without him.

So Jack won’t tell Ianto how this whole thing with the sleeper agents reminded him so very sharply of when he had discovered Ianto’s own betrayal, with Lisa.

Fic: A Rose In Time Saves Nine, Doctor Who, Nine/Rose, Poem, 1/1

2009-02-15T04:57:38Z

Freestyle poem on Nine's feelings for Rose.

A Rose In Time Saves Nine

I am the man that Time forgot,
living in the last remnant of a home
that cast me out, and left me behind.

She is golden, pure and true,
seeing everything as exciting and new
as only someone much too young can be.

And yet, while one of my hearts
is permanently broken in grief;
the other has laid its claim on her.

Wonder of wonders, she rejoices in the claim,
And returns it.

Fantastic.

Meme: Fanficcers Love Meme

2009-01-10T11:15:13Z

♥ the fanficcers love meme, continued ♥

Meme: I Am 68% Virgin At Life...Huh?

2009-01-05T01:40:39Z

Borrowed from quiet_tiger. Start at 100% and subtract 1% for everything you've done. At the end, repost this as "I am ___% Virgin at Life."

1. Smoked.
2. Drank alcohol
3. Cried when someone died.
4. Been drunk.
5. Had sex.
6. Been to a concert.
7. Gotten/given a handjob.
8. Gotten/given a blowjob.
9. Been verbally/sexually harassed.
10. Verbally/sexually harassed somebody.

PERCENTAGE SO FAR: 98%

11. Felt someone up and/or been felt up.
12. Laughed so hard something came out of your nose.
13. Cheated on a boyfriend/girlfriend before.
14. Been cheated on by a boyfriend/girlfriend.
15. Been to prom.
16. Cried at school.
17. Gotten lost in a Wal-Mart or a department store.
18. Went streaking.
19. Given or received a lap dance.
20. Had someone of the opposite sex in your room.

PERCENTAGE SO FAR: 96%

21. Had someone of the opposite sex sleep over.
22. Slept over at someone of the opposite sex’s house.
23. Kissed a stranger.
24. Hugged a stranger.
25. Went scuba diving.
26. Driven a car.
27. Gotten an x-ray.
28. Hit by a car.
29. Had a party
30. Done serious drugs.

PERCENTAGE SO FAR: 92%

31. Played strip poker/darts.
32. Got paid to strip for someone.
33. Run away from home.
34. Broken a bone.
35. Eaten sushi.
36. Bought porn.
37. Watched porn.
38. Made porn.
39. Had a crush on someone of the same sex.
40. Been in love.

PERCENTAGE SO FAR: 89%

41. French kissed.
42. Laughed so hard you cried.
43. Cried yourself to sleep.
44. Laughed yourself to sleep
45. Stabbed yourself.
46. Shot a gun
47. Trash talked someone and then acted like their best friend the next day.
48. Been online for 9 consecutive hours.
49. Watched TV for 9 consecutive hours.
50. Watched an animal die.

PERCENTAGE SO FAR: 85%

51. Watched a person die.
52. Kissed and/or messed around somewhere with at least one person present.
53. Pranked somebody.
54. Put somebody in the hospital.
55. Snuck into someone's room and/or your own room after being out.
56. Kissed somebody of the same sex.
57. Dressed punk.
58. Dressed goth.
59. Dressed preppy.
60. Been to a motocross race.

PERCENTAGE SO FAR: 83%

61. Avoided somebody.
62. Been stalked.
63. Stalked someone.
64. Met a celebrity.
65. Played an instrument.
66. Ridden a horse.
67. Cut yourself.
68. Bungee jumped.
69. Ding dong ditched somebody.
70. Been to a wild party.

PERCENTAGE SO FAR: 80%

71. Got caught stealing something.
72. Kicked/punched a guy in the balls.
73. Stolen a boyfriend/girlfriend from a friend.
74. Gone out with your friend's crush.
75. Got arrested.
76. Been pregnant.
77. Babysat.
78. Been to another country.
79. Started your house on fire.
80. Had an encounter with a ghost.

PERCENTAGE SO FAR: 76%

81. Donated your hair to cancer patients.
82. Been asked out by someone that you never thought you'd be asked out by.
83. Cried over a member of the opposite sex.
84. Had a boyfriend/girlfriend for over or 3 months.
85. Sat on your butt all day.
86. Ate a whole carton of ice cream all by yourself.
87. Had a job.
88. Gotten cut from a sports team.
89. Been called a whore.
90. Danced like a whore

PERCENTAGE SO FAR: 73%

91. Been mistaken for a celebrity.
92. Been in a car accident.
93. Been told you have beautiful eyes.
94. Been told you have beautiful hair.
95. Raped somebody.
96. Danced in the rain.
97. Been rejected.
98. Walked out of a restaurant without paying.
99. Punched someone/slapped someone in the face.
100. Been raped

68%

Who made this list? I thought for sure I'd never make it below 80, but look at me! Huh.

Pod-Cast Of My Fic: Getting Around To Good, Teen Titans, Bart/Rose, PG, 1/1

2009-01-04T07:24:30Z

As part of the Twelve Days of Christmas Challenge over on heartbart, scheherezhad did pod-casts of six fics for the sixth day. Mine is the fifth one down here. Thank you, sche, and Merry Christmas!

Fic: New New Endings To The Journey, Doctor Who, Ten/Rose, AU, PG, 1/1

2009-01-01T01:24:01Z

AU from before Journey’s End. The Doctor and Rose ring in the New Year in somewhat domestic style.

New New Endings To The Journey

“Ten, Nine, Eight, Seven, Six, Five, Four, Three, Two, One…”

Obliterating the number zero, the cheers rang out over the streets of New New New New New New New New New New New New New New New Times Square in New New New New New New New New New New New New New New New York in the year five billion (quite possibly the greatest, most fantastic such event in the history of the universe – at least in the Doctor’s humble opinion). The sight was brought to the duo snuggled up on the couch in the library courtesy of TARDIS intergalactic cable television (and some last minute jiggery pokery with said connection when half of the wall-sized viewscreen went snowy five minutes into the opening festivities), but the Doctor and his Companion had become more enraptured in cuddling with each other than the surround-sound spectacle playing at life-size long before the countdown had begun. Still, the shouts of adulation were enough to pull them both out of their dozing reverie.

“Happy New Year, Rose,” the Doctor whispered, turning his head to side and bending it slightly to catch his lover’s mouth up in a celebration kiss, tasting the remnants of sparkling cloudberry wine on her succulent tongue.

Rose’s eyelids fluttered open, brown eyes shining brightly as she smiled at him, before closing again as she leaned into the kiss. “Happy New Year, Doctor,” she returned softly, after their lips had parted some long minutes later.

Twirling one strand of Rose’s now-naturally brown hair around his finger, the Doctor mused, “So, it’s a new year. In New New York and back in your time. Well, mostly. All things considered.” Stopping his ramble in its tracks before it could run out of his control, he finished with, “At least it’s been around a year since the last New Year I celebrated.” Without Rose, was left unsaid, but palpable by his sudden, empty silence.

“Mm-hm,” Rose hummed pleasantly, cuddling back against his side and twining her arm through his in response to his unspoken sadness. His tenth regeneration was chattier than the ninth, but no less unencumbered by heartache. “‘S been about the same for me, I think. This one is better than getting pissed by myself on expensive champagne.” Her eyes flicked with her own unhappy memories for moment, mouth twisting up in a frown, before she relaxed back against her Doctor.

“Me too,” the Doctor agreed, though he’d gotten maudlin enough without being drunk on top of it. After a moment, he asked, slightly tense, “So, the new year…what do you hope it brings. They’d only been back together for a few months, and together for a few weeks, but oh, what months, what weeks! Still, Rose had changed quite a bit in those four years in Pete’s World. Not just her appearance (which was more natural), or her knowledge (which was broader), but even her general attitude. It was like she’d undergone her own regeneration. She’d spent those years getting back to him, but having gotten him, was he still what she wanted?

Rose’s gazes was clear, bright, and certain in her love. “More adventures with you – complete with happy endings,” she said with a cheeky grin, and snuggled back into her partner’s arms, dozing off.

The Doctor’s smile grew slowly on his face until it shone brighter than the manic grin his previous regeneration had so-seldom worn. “Happy endings,” he murmured. “Yes, that’s what I hope for, too, Rose. What we have right here, right now.”

Goodbye, Magi Ann

2008-12-30T21:01:09Z

I did something today that I've never done before. I buried my six-month-old baby kitten. We got her three months ago from the Humane Society, and for the past few weeks she's been going downhill, culminating in not being able to walk. The vet said it was most likely a congenital brain defect affecting her nervous system, and there was really nothing to be done. We had her put down today, and she's not in pain anymore.

I am. *sniff*

Rest in Peace, Magi Ann. When you get to Heaven and find your feet, look out my former bestest kitty in the whole wide world, Heidi. She'll take care of you.

Fic: A Cozy Christmas, Torchwood, Jack/Ianto, PG, 1/1

2008-12-24T19:15:26Z

On Christmas morning, Jack enjoys a rare moment of peacefulness with a sleepy Ianto.

A Cozy Christmas

The presents had been opened (Owen’s supposed ‘gag’ gift of blaringly hot pink furry handcuffs put to rather effective use before a mutual shower to clean up from their fun), the Christmas breakfast (pancakes, fresh peach slices, some turkey bacon for Jack, and, for a change, hot cocoa with homemade whipped cream instead of Ianto’s typically magic coffee) had been eaten, and Ianto and Jack were now cuddled together in front of the fireplace on the floor in front of Ianto’s couch. Jack was scritching his fingers lazily in Ianto’s chest hair, just enjoying the quiet of the morning, content to be with his lover, idly hoping (for even thinking too vehemently might trigger a spike) that the Rift would stay quiescent for a little while longer. At least long enough for Ianto to finish his nap and the both of them to eat their Christmas dinner (complete with figgy pudding; how Jack did love Ianto’s sense of whimsy).

“Mph…” Ianto yawned, then nuzzled further into Jack’s stomach, never waking from his overstuffed half-doze.

Jack smiled at this near-instinctual show of trust, liking the fact that Ianto was, for the moment, at peace. He normally spent all day on the go; being the Archivist and front man for the tourist office, as well as an active field agent, plus the person who made all the coffee kept Ianto going 24/7. Jack had used Ianto’s stopwatch once to see how long the other man spent each day making coffee; after a week, it averaged out to a staggering one hour and forty-seven minutes per day. But even the driving force behind Torchwood Three needed some time off once in a while.

And, though he loathed admitting it, Jack could use the down time himself.

Still, he’d slept last night (after Ianto wore him out, as per usual), and was wide awake now. There were plenty of things he could do today – for one thing, he could put the breakfast dishes into the dishwasher, throw away the used wrapping paper and bows, feed Moses – but Jack thought he’d rather just stay right here, with Ianto in his arms. At least for a little while longer

After all, it was moments like these that you came to cherish. He could clean up later.

Of course, Ianto would probably redo everything once he woke up, but when it came to gifts from the heart, it was truly the thought that counted.