SMALLVILLE (2001–2011) 8X05 « Committed »

Lorelai Gilmore + naming things

MODERN FAMILY (2009–2020) #05.17 'Other People's Children'

" i wanna talk to this woman that might know her. or know where to find her. her name is monroe, and talking isn't her thing. believe me, i've tried. " they're past that. they've been past it since he was 19, only he hadn't wanted to accept it then. perspectives change. lenses shift, reality casts its harsh light and calls out every shadow in the corners. he knows better now. that doesn't mean that he has to like it, but acceptance isn't always soft. sometimes it's the teeth of a steel trap snapping shut. ahead of them, the shadows break open around the bright yellow of her parked car. scott feels the hook of a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. the beetle looks out of place but somehow like it belongs exactly where it is, like the gold yarrow that grows in clusters with chaparral and sage scrub back home. he arcs a brow, lets the smile curve a little into a grin. " this is yours? " it lands halfway between admiration and fondness, almost like relief. the only other car that's stood out in years, unique and familiar, not some big, boxy SUV with blaring headlights and an engine that sounded like a threat, is stiles' jeep. " nice. the street bike that i had in high school was lime green. "

" sounds like she's a problem – d'you have backup ? " she feels the need to ask. there's an aura of unease to the way he talks about her & she wonders just how effective it would be if he were to take this woman on alone. she wonders if she has backup. she's dangling dangerously close to caring about the rest of this story – still, she tries to focus on her own crap. her own investigation. if this chick knows anything about what happened the night she was abandoned, emma needs to pry it out of her. she needs to know what she told the cops that night, word for word. because as her absolute shit luck would have it, the precinct chalked it up to the ramblings of a mad woman in shock & the details fell through the cracks – but she got a name. well... a nickname : the cobra. & now, she aims to hear everything from the horse's mouth – or the cobra's mouth – as soon as humanly possible. " yeah, it is. " a beat. " i mean... now, it is. " how do you drop 'i used to be a thief' casually in this conversation ? the wrinkles on her forehead & the thin line of her mouth say she has no idea. " it's a long story. " & a long drive. she reaches for the car door next & lets out an amused puff of laughter. " nice... people are weird about bright colors, but they're cool as hell. "

You think you can tell her what's wrong? Daddy doesn't love me anymore.

Which means it's almost two hours later when he finally makes it back to the Daily Planet, whooshing in through Lois' office window. Still looking a bit windswept, he adjusts his glasses and straightens his tie. "I know, I know. I'm sorry. How do I look?" There's a bit of soot on his cheek.

the feeling of relief & pride is the same each time she sees that red cape floating in the wind, taking him to where he's needed. she watches the live report breathlessly, hands clenched around the edge of her desk, only letting out a joyful exhale when the save is over & done with. the aftermath is what takes a hell of a lot longer to conclude now, but it's all part of it. it's part of sharing him with the world. a little more than a few handshakes later, he finally flies back to her & she rushes in with the warm welcome. " about time you showed up, hero ! i'm surprised they let you go, i was this close to taking off on a rescue mission. " she teases, hands smoothing over his shirt & finally resting on his shoulders. the question brings a grin to her lips, thumb lifting to clean the soot off his cheek. " like a million bucks. " a beat. " you missed our lunch. " she's decidedly not scolding, just informing, but that doesn't mean he won't have to make it up to her. " you owe me dinner. "

@driverseats liked for a starter.

love story: john f. kennedy jr. and carolyn bessette ⇾ 1.04

gilmore girls: we've got magic to do