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youvebeenlivingfictional · 4 months

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ugh but i mean

Having the worst crush on Josh Lyman

Going for a drink with him after work

Feeling all of the sparks fly

But you're not willing to get your hopes up, so when a staffer asks you out for the next day, you say yes

And you can only kinda stand this guy on a good day, but you say yes

Because you and Josh are just...Never gonna happen, not really. You're positive.

Sure, you went for that one drink, but it was a one-off

So you may as well go on this date

But good god is the evening awful

You commiserate with Donna the next morning, slouching against her desk

"It couldn't have been that bad."

"It was," You grouse.

"And you're sure it was a date?"

"He bought me a drink and talked down to me until I felt bad about myself. Where I come from, that's a date."

"Hm...Hey, Josh."

Donna's greeting makes you whirl around, and you spot Josh standing just a couple of feet away, looking stunned, and a bit ashen. And it takes him a moment, but—

"Donna, can you get me a transcript of, uh...Of Thompson's deposition yesterday?"

"Sure."

"Thanks." Josh's gaze flickers to you, and you find the look riddled with confusion, and hurt.

It wells up your nerves, and you find yourself clearing your throat and excusing yourself.

He gives you that look all day, any time the two of you are in the same room, when you pass one another in the hall and again, finally, when you stop to give Donna the hot tea that she hasn't had the chance to grab for herself.

But this time, he doesn't just leave it to a look.

"Can I talk to you?"

His question is soft, and plying, and he sounds a little...Flighty.

"Sure."

You follow him into his office, hands wringing as he shuts the door behind the two of you. Neither of you speak right away, but when he does—

"What did I say?"

Your brow furrows as your confusion grows, and you shake your head a little bit.

"...Excuse me?"

"What did I say that made you feel bad?"

Your mouth works wordlessly for a moment.

"Did you—Josh, did you hear my conversation with Donna?"

"Yes."

"Did you hear all of it?"

"I heard enough—What did I say?"

"Josh."

"Was it that crack I made about you reading chick lit? I was joking, you can read anything you want."

"Thanks for the permission—"

"Don't get me wrong, I do think that Danielle Steele is personally responsible for the wealth of romantic ideas and collective brain rot in the anti-feminist camp—"

"Josh—"

"Not that I'm calling you anti-feminist, obviously—"

"Obviously."

"Was it that? Or was it when I called the elaborate cocktail that you ordered 'girly'—"

"Josh!"

You raise your hands, cupping his face to still his staccato speculation.

He goes quiet, his warm eyes fully focused on you. God, you want to live in that look—but you have to clear this up first.

"I wasn't talking to Donna about you. I had a date last night and it was...Bad."

"...Last night."

"Yes."

"Not two nights ago."

"Correct."

"You weren't talking about me."

"That's what I said."

"Right."

"...Okay?"

"So you didn't feel bad about yourself when we went out."

Went out—it sounds so good coming from him.

"No," You confirm. "Quite the opposite."

You let your hands slip from Josh's face as you back toward the door.

"You worry too much, mister."

"Yeah...Hey."

"Yeah?"

"Don't go out with him again."

Your lips twitch with a nervous smile. "Wasn't gonna."

"Good. 'Cause you've got a better offer."

"I do?"

"Yeah."

"Who from?"

In the space of those two words, Josh closes the gap between you.

You're stunned as he leans in, as you feel his lips brush yours and see the gentle flutter of his lashes as he closes his eyes.

You curl your arms around his shoulders as your kisses deepen, and you can't help but sigh softly as Josh's hands smooth over your hips, steering you back against the door.

You slide one of your hands up, gently grasping at the curls at the nape of his neck.

Josh rests his forehead against yours as the kiss breaks.

"Life's too short to go out with people that make you feel bad, you know."

"You are very wise, Lyman."

"And smart."

"Yes."

"And devilishly handsome."

"I'm starting to feel like you don't need me here at all."

Josh's face lights up with a grin as he gives your hips a gentle squeeze.

"I do."

"Do you?"

"Mmm, badly."

"How long before Donna comes knocking?"

"I think we've got a little time."

You hum, nodding and leaning in to murmur against his lips:

"Better make good use of it."

Tag list: @massivecolorspygiant @winniethewife @winchestershiresauce @kmc1989 @brandyllyn @missredherring @amneris21 @blueeyesatnight @nominalnebula

#Josh Lyman x Reader #Josh Lyman x You #Josh Lyman/Reader #Josh Lyman/You #Josh Lyman imagine #not beta read #just something my brain spat out

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love-imagineitall · 4 months

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Taylor Swift Prompt List

Hello all! I have been severely lacking inspiration, but after listening to Taylor Swift for a while, I wanted to create a prompt list with some Taylor Swift songs.

So please request away! And if there are other taylor swift songs that are not on this list please feel free!

Debut

Tim McGraw: "When you think Tim McGraw I hope you think of me"

Picture To Burn: "As far as I'm concerned, you're just another picture to burn"

Should've Said No: "You should've said no, you should've gone home You should've thought twice 'fore you let it all go You should've known that word 'Bout what you did with her'd get back to me (Get back to me)"

Fearless

Fearless: " You take my hand and drag me head first, fearless And I don't know why but with you, I'd dance In a storm in my best dress, fearless"

Love Story: "Romeo, take me somewhere we can be alone I'll be waiting, all there's left to do is run You'll be the prince and I'll be the princess It's a love story, baby, just say, "Yes""

Hey Stephen: "Cause I can't help it if you look like an angel Can't help it if I wanna kiss you in the rain so Come feel this magic I've been feeling since I met you Can't help it if there's no one else Mmm, I can't help myself"

You Belong with Me: "If you could see that I'm the one who understands you Been here all along, so why can't you see? You belong with me, you belong with me"

Speak Now

Mine: "You made a rebel of a careless man's careful daughter You are the best thing that's ever been mine"

Back To December: "So this is me swallowing my pride Standin' in front of you sayin', "I'm sorry for that night""

The Story Of Us: " Now, I'm standin' alone in a crowded room And we're not speakin' And I'm dyin' to know Is it killin' you like it's killin' me?"

Red

I Knew You Were Trouble: "Cause I knew you werе trouble when you walked in So shamе on me now"

All Too Well: "And you call me up again Just to break me like a promise So casually cruel in the name of being honest"

We Are Never Getting Back Together: "We are never, evеr, ever gettin' back togеther"

I Bet You Think About Me: "I bet you couldn't believe When you realized I'm harder to forget than I was to leave And I bet you think about me"

1989

Style: "Say you'll remember me Standin' in a nice dress Starin' at the sunset, babe Red lips and rosy cheeks Say you'll see me again Even if it's just in your Wildest dreams"

Now That We Don't Talk: "I call my mom, she said that it was for the best Remind myself, the morе I gave, you'd want me less I cannot bе your friend, so I pay the price of what I lost And what it cost, now that we don't talk"

reputation

End Game: "I wanna be your end game (End game) I wanna be your first string (First string) I wanna be your A-Team (A-Team) I wanna be your end game, end game"

Don't Blame Me: "Don't blame me, love made me crazy If it doesn't, you ain't doin' it right"

Delicate: "My reputation's never been worse, so You must like me for me (Yeah, I want you) We can't make Any promises now, can we, babe? But you can make me a drink"

Gorgeous: "You're so gorgeous I can't say anything to your face 'Cause look at your face (Gorgeous) And I'm so furious At you for makin' me feel this way But what can I say? You're gorgeous"

Dress: "Only bought this dress so you could take it off"

New Year's Day: "Don’t read the last page But I stay when it's hard or it's wrong or we're makin’ mistakes I want your midnights But I'll be cleanin' up bottles with you on New Year's Day"

Lover

I Forgot That You Existed: "I forgot that you existed And I thought that it would kill me, but it didn't"

Lover: "I take this magnetic force of a man to be my lover My heart's been borrowed and yours has been blue All's well that ends well to end up with you Swear to be overdramatic and true to my lover"

Paper Rings: "I like shiny things, but I'd marry you with paper rings"

Cornelia Street: "And I hope I never lose you, hope it never ends I'd never walk Cornelia Street again That's the kinda heartbreak time could never mend I'd never walk Cornelia Street again"

Daylight: "I don't wanna look at anything else now that I saw you I don't wanna think of anything else now that I thought of you I've been sleepin' so long in a twenty-year dark night And now I see daylight, I only see daylight"

Folklore

The 1: "But it would've been fun If you would've been the one"

Peace: "All these people think love's for show But I would die for you in secret The devil's in the details, but you got a friend in me Would it be enough if I could never give you peace?"

Evermore

Tolerate It: "If it's all in my head, tell me now Tell me I've got it wrong somehow I know my love should be celebrated But you tolerate it"

Happiness: "There'll be happiness after you But there was happiness because of you Both of these things can be true There is happiness"

Midnights

Midnight Rain: "He wanted it comfortable, I wanted that pain He wanted a bride, I was making my own name Chasing that fame, he stayed the same All of me changed like midnight"

Bejeweled: "Best believe I'm still bejeweled When I walk in the room I can still make the whole place shimmer"

Mastermind: "What if I told you none of it was accidental? And the first night that you saw me Nothing was gonna stop me"

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meganwritesfanfics · 1 month

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Fresh Bruises (Josh Lyman x Reader) Part 10

Y/N couldn’t believe that any of this was happening. She sat on the cool tile floor of the bathroom, her head leaning over the toilet as she vomited what little contents she had left in her stomach. She had been drinking the night before, of course, but not enough that she was hungover, and she prayed that this wasn’t the flu or something like that. But she also thought of another option that could be causing this sickness.

“Y/N,” A voice called as they knocked on the bathroom door.

“Come in,” Y/N groaned.

Donna popped in, her hair and makeup already partially done. “I got the stuff,” She said as she set the plastic bag on the counter. “How are you doing?”

“I’m ok,” Y/N said as she slowly got up and splashed some water on her face.

“And you’re sure this isn’t just some wedding day jitters.” Donna asked as she gently rubbed her back.

A smile spread across Y/N’s face. She couldn’t believe the day had finally come, after months of planning today was the day that she finally married Josh. And now there was a possibility of more excitement.

“No, this is, this is different.” Y/N said as she pulled out a Pedialyte and a pregnancy test.

“Y/N, hun, you gotta hurry up, you still need to get your hair and makeup done.” CJ called.

“I’ll be right out.” Y/N called as she turned to Donna.

“Are you going to be ok?”

“Yeah, of course Donna,” Y/N replied as she started to take the test out of the box.

“Y/N,” Donna said as she reached out and grabbed Y/N’s hand. “Are you going to be ok if this come back negative, I don’t want this to ruin your day.”

Y/N smiled sadly. “I am anticipating it is going to be negative, I mostly just want to double check to make sure I’m not getting Josh sick. I don’t want you to have to take on any more of his work that you already do.”

“Ok, I’ll just be right outside.” Donna said as she closed the door behind her.

“It’s going to be negative, it is going to be negative.” Y/N kept telling herself as she waited for the test. She needed to keep her expectations low or it would end up ruining her day. That was why, when the test came back looking positive, she had to keep staring at it.

“Donna!” She called “CJ, Ainsley!”

All of the girls burst in, dressed in their bridesmaids dresses. “What’s wrong?” CJ asked.

“It’s positive, I mean look at this that is positive right.” Y/N exclaimed tears in her eyes.

All of them looked at the test before screaming and hugging Y/N tightly.

“Oh my god! This is so beautiful.” Ainsley said.

“This can’t be real.” Y/N said her hands shaking as she still had the dance.

“Well, it is and while this is all very exciting, we have even more excitement that we are going to be late for if we do not get your hair and make up started.” Donna said as she started as she ushered Y/N out in the hotel room to get ready.

“You know Claudia is a really great name for a baby.” CJ said causing everyone to laugh.

****

Y/N stood in front of the mirror, taking in her appearance. Her dress had off the shoulder straps that hugged her arms as it went into a flower patterned bodice that went into a large princess skirt. Her hair was pinned up with a dark blue comb that Abby Bartlet had lent to her for her something borrowed and something blue. On her wrist she wore a bracelet that Josh’s mother had given to her one christmas, it had been in Josh’s family for generations and it was her something old. For her something new it was something that no one would see but herself and Josh. The new lingerie wore was something she had bought especially for this day.

“Y/N you look so beautiful,” Donna replied tears in her eyes.

“Donna you can’t already be crying, you are going to make me cry.” Y/N replied and CJ quickly handed Y/N a tissue to dab her eyes.

“Josh and you have been through so much, I just can’t believe we are here, and I can’t believe you are pregnant.”

Y/N felt her breath his in her throat as the tears started to well up in her eyes. All she could think about was telling Josh that she was pregnant, she could just imagine the look on his face. And in that moment she could picture their future together with their new family.

“I love you all so much, that you all for being there for me and Josh. You are our family and I am so happy you are all here to share this moment with me.”

All of them hugged again, when there was a knock on the door.

“Alright Y/N, it’s time.” Her wedding planner said and Y/N took a deep breath her stomach filling with butterflies.

“You got this,” CJ smiled as she handed Y/N her bouquet that was filled with white and dark blue flowers that matched the bridesmaid dresses.

As they made their way through the hotel and past their reception area, Y/N really took in the awe of the location and decoration. When Josh had told her they had booked the Hay-Adams hotel for their wedding and reception, she couldn’t believe it. Every since they had first gotten engaged, Y/n had mentioned that her dream location to get married but she had knew how hard it was to get booked. And Ceilia had been amazing with helping her find a wedding planner and helping with some of the homemade decorations. It was the wedding of her dreams. Of course when she was younger she hadn’t imagined that there would be secret service agents at her wedding.

“You look beautiful,” Bartlet said as she appeared near the doors.

“Thank you so much.” She beamed as he held out his arm for her. When thinking about who she wanted to walk her down the aisle, the only person she could think of was the man who had become like a father to both her and Josh. She knew it took some major negotiating with the secret service and she couldn’t be more grateful that it worked out.

“I am so happy for the both of you. You two truly are made for one another.”

“Thank you sir, and thank you for everything you have done for Josh and I. We owe you so much.”

“You don’t owe me a thing, I care about you both deeply, and I want to make sure you are well taken care of.”

He pulled her in for a hug, just as she could hear the music start for her entrance. She had picked the song At Last by Etta James for her entrance, it felt appropriate.

“Are you ready for this?” Bartlet said.

“I’ve never been more ready for anything in my life.” She smiled.

Bartlet nodded and the two secret service agents opened the door.

Her nerves were going crazy when she saw all the people looking back at her, but the minute she locked eyes on Josh all her nervousness went away.

Josh felt his heart skip when he saw Y/N. Instantly this eyes were flooded with tears. He couldn’t express how beautiful she looked and how grateful he was that they had made it to this moment.

“Hi,” Josh whispered as Bartlet handed Y/N off to him.

“Hi Lemon, you look very handsome.” She smiled as she took in his appearance. The man wore suits every day, but some how as he stood in front of her in his dark blue suit, she had never been more attracted to him.

“Let’s get married.” He smiled.

“Let’s do it.”

Josh had asked Leo to officiate the wedding ceremony and Leo did a beautiful job adding in funny stories about the couple. The two had also written their own vows, Josh’s were emotional and funny but full of heart. Y/N’s were powerful and tear jerking but with a lot of humor as well. And before the couple knew it, Leo said the magical words,

“I now pronounce you husband and wife, you may now kiss the bride.”

Josh didnt hesitate as he pulled Y/N in for a kiss as the entire room errupted in applause.

“I love you so much Y/N.” He said kissing her again.

“I love you Josh.”

The wedding photos went by in a blur, all Y/N could think about was trying to find the right time to tell Josh. They were just constantly surrounded by people and all she wanted was a moment alone with him to tell him. So when they finally got called out to do their first chance she knew this was her best chance.

The song that Josh and Y/N picked was Crazy Love by Van Morrison, and as they swayed to the lyrics Y/N could feel herself tearing up.

“Mrs Lyman, what are you thinking about.” He asked.

“I have a surprise for you.” She smiled.

“I don’t need anything, I have everything I need right herel.”

“Well, you might need to make room in your heart for someone else.”

Josh looked at her confused. Suddenly she watched his face brighten as it clicked.

“Are you serious?” He asked his voice cracking.

Y/N nodded with a giant smile on her face.

“Oh my god!” Josh gasped as he pulled Y/N into his arms tightly. “We are going to have a baby.”

“We are going to have a baby.” She said and at that moment Y/N felt that she could never be more happy in her whole life.

#josh lyman x reader #josh lyman #west wing #imagine #fanfiction

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fandom-imagines-stories · 1 year

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Not in Kansas Anymore

Josh Lyman x Reader

Words: 2054

Summary: A suggestion the reader makes to the President leads to an operation with severe casualties. Her best friend, whom she’s covertly began dating, tries to talk her down from making some very rash decisions.

Notes: This was actually inspired by a plot with Mandy in season one. I thought it would be an interesting concept to work with. Also, I’m lazy so I’m just going to give her Mandy’s job title of media director.

More imagines HERE

You told him to wait. You told him that the best option for all concerned would be to wait to act. The house was surrounded. They had to surrender. They had to. A bunch of nutjobs from your home state that didn’t know what the hell they were talking about. You’d seen them before. You thought they’d spout their nonsense, make a big show about their land and their rights, and come out with their hands up.

But you underestimated the power of fear and ignorance. And now seven people- seven federal agents- were dead. More were wounded.

All because you told the president to wait. Because, surely, they would surrender and all would live happily ever after. Everyone would read about the peaceful arrests in the morning papers and the president’s handling would be praised.

And now seven people were dead.

“Hey Billie,” you called with a weak voice. The usually bubbly member of your team, and close friend, peaked her head through your doorway. “Can you get me the names of the agents, please? I want to be prepared for when they hit the news.”

She gave you a solemn look, knowing what you were really doing, and nodded. “Sure thing.” She started to step out but stopped. “Oh, I was supposed to let you know that Josh Lyman has been asking about you.”

You nodded absentmindedly, still staring into the dark corner of your shrouded office. “Tell him I’m swamped with this thing. I’ll talk to him later.” You twisted open your blinds and looked outside. It was raining.

Billie’s frown deepened, but she made no argument. “Okay.” She took a deep breath. “And Y/N-”

“The names, thanks Billie,” you interrupted.

The door clicked shut behind her. You snapped your blinds closed.

It wasn’t a bad call. Either way they went, the press would eat up every possible mistake, every outcome. They would spin it in whatever way they wanted.

“How’s it looking?” Donna asked. She was more timid than usual, given the grim circumstances.

Josh shrugged. “I’m glad I’m not Toby or CJ.”

“Or Y/N,” she added sadly.

“This isn’t her fault,” he said. “She knows that.”

“Still…” Donna shook her head. “I can’t imagine what she’s feeling right now.”

“Yeah,” he sighed. “Hey, could you call her office and see if she’s still here?”

She glanced at him. “I was wondering how long it’d take you to ask.”

Donna went back to her desk and Josh returned to his office. He already knew the answer, of course. He could picture you now, sitting in the dark, keeping everything to yourself and worrying your staff. He knew better than anyone how hard you would be taking this. Hell, he was the one that had to tell you what happened and his heart broke when the guilt and grief flooded your eyes.

He shouldn’t have let you run off to deal with it alone. He should have stayed with you.

Josh looked over the files piled up on his desk and blew out a low, long breath. He’d just opened one when Donna came back in.

“Donna, I really don’t have time-”

“Leo wants to talk to you.”

Josh motioned to the mountain of paperwork around him. “Right now?”

She nodded. “He said it’s important.” Her frown deepened. “I think it might be about Y/N.”

He sat up straighter. “What makes you say that?”

“I called her assistant like you asked, and apparently she just left without telling anybody.”

“What?” His voice resonated throughout the room. He was up and hurrying down the hall before she could say anything else, calling back to her. “Call Y/N’s apartment. Hopefully, she went home.”

Josh stopped by your office and sure enough, your desk sat empty and in the dark, the only light being the streetlights through the slitted blinds. He hung his head.

Why did he leave you alone?

“I thought I’d find you here.” Leo stood at the other end of the hall with a grim expression painting his features. He joined Josh at your door and looked inside. “Do you know where she went?” He asked.

Josh shook his head. “I told Donna to call her apartment but…” He blew out a breath. “She’s taking this really hard, Leo.”

“Wouldn’t you?” The older man sighed. Leo held out an envelope. “We need to find her.”

“What-” Josh gulped. “What is that?”

Leo’s eyes met his and gave him the answer. “Y/N’s letter of resignation.”

Josh stared at the paper in his hands. He knew you’d take the news hard, but he didn’t think you’d go this far.

“You can’t be serious,” he gasped.

“As a heart attack.” Leo shook his head. “Listen, I think you should go talk to her. Hopefully, she’ll listen to you?”

Josh scoffed. “What makes you think that?”

“Because you are closer to her than anybody else.” He gave him a knowing look. Josh opened his mouth, but Leo stopped him. “Everybody knows, Josh,” he chuckled, despite the dark tone of the conversation. “Including the president.” He put a hand on the younger man’s shoulder. “Hell, I’ve known since the moment you saw her.”

Josh didn’t know what to say. Sure, he wasn’t exactly known for his subtly, but you’d always been adamant about keeping your relationship a secret. Convincing yourselves to admit your feelings had been hard enough, for fear of ruining your friendship. Telling your coworkers seemed like it’d just cause a whole other wave of issues.

“Don’t worry about that right now,” Leo said, as if reading his mind. “Just go and find her.” Josh tried to hand him the envelope, but he wouldn’t take it. “Bring her back, Josh. We can’t afford to lose her.”

There was so much more unsaid that Josh understood. This wasn’t just about the importance of your job. Everyone here cared about you and didn’t want to see what would happen if you let this consume you.

Josh nodded. If you were hiding from the world, there was one place you would go to forget about everything. He tucked the envelope into his coat pocket. “I think I have an idea of where she went.”

Your coat did little to defend your arms against the biting breeze of January, but you didn’t really notice. Across the water, the moon’s perfect reflection glared at you from the still pool. The towering monument in the distance was little more than an ominous silhouette in the light-polluted sky.

You pulled your legs closer to your chest. The hard steps beneath you provided little comfort, not that you thought you thought you deserved it. Still, the space helped to clear your mind enough to let yourself cry. The numbness you forced when writing your letter was gone now. All that was left was the digging claws of guilt and the shadow of disappointment. In the system. In the people you thought would make the right choice. Most of all, disappointment in yourself.

“We’re not in Kansas anymore, huh?”

Josh stood at the bottom of the stairs, hands in his pockets and eyes locked on yours.

You laughed humorlessly and wiped your cheek with the back of your hand. “Please don’t try and be cute right now.” You lowered your voice and muttered to yourself. “Dorothy didn’t kill anyone.”

“Sorry,” he nodded. He stays there, just looking up at you with big, caring eyes that you can’t bare to look at so you turn away.

“How did you know I’d be here, anyway?”

Josh shrugged. “Because this is where you always go.” He began climbing the steps and continued. “You came here when we won the election. You came here when President Bartlet hired you on as media director. And you came here after the first night we…” He trailed off, giving you a slight smirk. “You come here to think when you don’t know where to start.”

“You make me sound so predictable,” you said. He sat down beside you and, while you felt the instinctive pull to put your head on his shoulder, you kept your distance.

“Yeah, well.” He took something out of his pocket. “I can’t say I saw this coming.”

He handed you the envelope you’d left on Leo’s desk.

“How did you…”

“You didn’t really think he was going to accept that, did you?”

“Josh-”

“Y/N, you can’t blame yourself for this,” he said firmly.

“How can I not?” You fired back. “I told the president to wait. I told him not to give the order because I thought those sonsofbitches were cowards that would come out with their tails between their legs.”

“Those men were cowards.”

“Tell that to the seven people they killed!”

Josh fell silent and more tears streamed down your cheeks. You covered your mouth with your hand to try and quiet the sobs, but Josh brought it away, holding your hand in his.

“It’s not your fault,” he whispered. “You said what you thought would work and, at the time, it was the best option. The president agreed with you because he trusts you.” Josh squeezed your hand gently, getting you to look up at him. “He made the call, but even he didn’t pull the trigger. The only people responsible for those deaths are the ones that killed them.”

You closed your eyes to hide your tears. Josh put a finger under your chin, not letting you hide again.

“Hey,” he said. You reopened your eyes to find his filled with only worry and love. “It’s not your fault.”

You let a cry escape your lips and fell forward into his embrace. Josh locked his arms around you, pulling your shaking form as close as he could to remind you he was there. And he wasn’t going anywhere.

For a long time, he just let you cry. He didn’t say anything or try and get you to leave. Josh sat with you and kept his arms around you until you pulled away.

“Thanks,” you muttered, swiping at the stray tears still falling.

Josh brushed them away with his thumb. “Does this mean you aren’t quitting?”

You groaned, twisting in his arms to face the Washington Monument once more. It loomed there, holding all of your anxieties in its shadow.

“I never thought it would be like this,” you admitted softly.

Josh nodded, hand rubbing up and down your arm to keep you warm. “It isn’t exactly flowers and rainbows, huh?”

“But I thought we’d be making a difference,” you said. “I thought that’s why we’re here.”

“We…” He took a deep breath. “We do what we can.” Josh kissed the side of your head. “It’s all we can do. It’s all we have.”

You stayed like that for a few more moments, intertwining your fingers with his and listening to his heartbeat. But eventually, whether from the cold or from the situation awaiting you, you forced yourself to stand.

“Alright,” you said. “I guess I should go tell Leo I’d like to keep my job, if he’ll still have me.”

“Of course, he will,” Josh smiled. A look of realization and a grimace passed over his face. “Oh, one other thing I should probably mention… Leo knows.”

Your eyes went wide. “He what?” You exclaimed. “I can’t believe you told him!”

“I didn’t!” He swore. “He just knew.”

Your finger pointed accusingly at his chest. “This is because of all of those stupid puppy-dog eyes you’ve given me.”

“I thought you liked my puppy-dog eyes!”

You scowled and he tugged on your hand, kissing your lips gently. When he pulled away, you were smiling.

“Come on,” he said. “The Emerald City awaits.”

After taking you back to your apartment so you could freshen up, you walked back into the west wing together and straight to Leo’s office. He tore up your letter and, much to your dismay, ushered you into the Oval Office where President Bartlet waited to discuss the matter with you. You couldn’t remember the last time you were that nervous, but he was more than gracious and told you he’d be a fool if he let you go.

All the while, Josh stayed with you, holding your hand as you went back to your office together to face whatever came next.

#josh lyman x reader #the west wing #west wing imagines #bradley whitford #leo mcgarry #josh lyman #hurt and comfort

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thesunsethour · 1 year

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watching succession s4 at the same time as my west wing rewatch is both very funny and absolutely fascinating

#late 90s / early 00s liberal wet dream v late 10s / early 20s pre and post both trump & pandemic era #like on a deep level i want to write an entire essay on the depiction of the political process #on a surface level i’m imagining josh lyman having an absolute mental breakdown waiting for the miluakee numbers to come in #and when they do he just straight up explodes #succession #the west wing

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imawkwardlysoc · 11 months

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i may or may not have forgotten to upload the links to the new chapters and posted them... but hey! chapters 23-30 are out now!

#sam seaborn x reader #sam seaborn x oc #the west wing #the west wing fic #the west wing fanfic #sam seaborn imagine #sam seaborn #josh lyman #donna moss #leo mcgarry #jed bartlet #cj cregg #abbey bartlet #charlie young #matt santos #helen santos #toby ziegler #\

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princesssarcastia · 24 days

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thinking about the tragedy of The West Wing tonight. thinking about how jed bartlet convinced josh lyman to work for him, before they ever met, by telling the truth even when it cost him political points. thinking about how bartlet massively betrayed the trust of the people working for him, and also kind of did defraud the american public!

thinking about how even when american liberals write their wet dream political fantasy they still can't get anything done. thinking about how the bartlet white house got so stymied politically the show spent more and more time writing convoluted military plotlines, because they'd hit the ceiling of their own political imagination.

let bartlet be bartlet, they said, and bartlet wanted to lie. he compromised on his agenda and his values. he promoted moderate positions and people. he sat there and watched everything he'd worked for be unwritten by a maverick republican speaker.

the most interesting moment in the back half of the show is when bartlet attains some kind of meta-level awareness of his own ineffectiveness and sends the government into a shutdown because he can't bear to play politics by the rules anymore. but it only lasts for a few episodes before it's back to business as usual.

"Filling another seat on the court may be the only lasting thing I do in this office," Bartlet says, and he's right. yes, they negotiated that deal on social security, but they couldn't take credit for it and that was it! that was their one thing!

no, don't go after the KKK and other white supremacist groups. no, don't publish that study about the necessity of sex education. don't do anything. espouse some grand ideals and watch as they're slowing crushed by the political machinery that YOU are operating.

it's best epitomized long before aaron sorkin left, in a half-overheard exchange happening in another room.

BARTLET: I couldn't disagree more, Cal. As long as these people are funding their public school districts with property taxes, neither the value of the schools nor the value of their property is going to go up. It's a vicious circle. It's terrible and it has to be stopped. CAL: So we're going to do something about it. BARTLET: I wouldn't go that far.

That's a real issue that we need a real solution for. But instead of reaching for the stars, the west wing decided to stay right here in the dirt where our current system has left us. and here we still sit, together, over twenty years later.

#west wing #we are trapped by our own lack of radical imagination #not that any of these problems are the fault of the west wing lol #im not charging them with that #but it is emblematic of everything that's wrong with liberals

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solo-by-choice · 3 months

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alright, so would my fave survive castle Dracula? For the sake of @canyourfavesurvivecastledracula I'm doing Josh Lyman from The West Wing myself. Although I've only seen the show once and am not super... sure of my ability to remember enough minutiae to do this but I'm trying anywayyy

uh, no. He'd die. lol.

He wouldn't take the crucifix. He's not a superstitious person for the most part so I think he'd just find everyone freaking out about him going to the castle to be ridiculous. He's also Jewish. If he did take the crucifix, it would be to get the lady to stop bothering him and then he certainly wouldn't wear it.

He is technically a lawyer. I guess. He doesn't practice law, though, and I don't think he ever has. I suppose he could, but you know what let's not get into this because then I'll start questioning what an American from the late 90s/early naughts is doing in this story... (If Josh were from 1897 I suppose he'd be from Europe in the first place, but not England, and I'm having trouble imagining Dracula going to all this trouble to move to idk Poland or whatever.)

anyway

So maybe Josh doesn't make it past the shaving scene.

If he does, I think he might be able to keep alive for a while. He's good at talking; he could keep Dracula entertained as a conversation partner. The biggest issue might be his documented inability to be civil with people he doesn't like. He might be better at faking it with someone who has a (metaphorical) gun to his head, but we have no data on that kind of situation.

I doubt he'd put up with Dracula's weird touchy-feely habits. I'm not sure what he'd do about it, but I just don't think he'd be as fun to toy with as poor Jonathan because he wouldn't have Victorian manners preventing him from calling Dracula's behavior out. Which of course means Dracula won't put up with him as long.

If anyone's expecting him home on time, it's Donna. And presumably his boss is either Leo or Bartlett. (Sorry I'm thinking too much about transposing the cast of west wing into Dracula rather than assuming everything is the same in Josh's life which I think is how you're supposed to do this. So whyy is the deputy white house chief of staff bringing real estate paperwork to a count in Romania? oh nvm) Unfortunately I'm betting none of these people know shorthand, so Josh can't try and send them secret messages.

I do think Donna would recognize any letter that wasn't written in Josh's voice, but what good would that do them?

Does Josh get eaten by the Girlies? I guess the real question is whether Dracula saves him. I don't think Dracula would find Josh as fun a plaything as he did Jonathan. By this point Josh has probably started loudly demanding to be allowed to leave, is climbing the walls in boredom in every way but literally and has read every English book Dracula owns and taught himself basic Romanian. Josh's no genius, but he's smart and has the energy level of a working dog. He needs enrichment! Anyway Dracula probably thinks he's really annoying and maybe he lets his roommates bite him.

Unfortunately for him, Vampire!Josh is also annoying. But if they could get past that, Josh could do a great job running Dracula's take-over of his new country. Wants to be the guy the guy relies on, after all. America won't know what's hit it.

#tww #dracula #goofyness #i tried my best!#i think josh would be fun as a vampire and not just bc of my gay crush on him #getting this finished before you disappear for lent!

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mihrsuri · 7 months

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Danny in the West Wing Hunger Games because @miabicicletta is excellent <3.

See the thing about Danny here is that he’s a capital kid which did somehow make sense to me. I also think it’s interesting to think how much he might have thought about things (or not) - maybe he was always revolted by the whole thing. Maybe he didn’t really like it but what can you do kind of thing. Maybe a mix. Honestly there’s a really interesting thing about being Uneasy but not being sure what to do exactly.

He does end up working the media however and it turns out he’s pretty fucking good at this writing thing and so he ends up working for the Capital News People.

But at some point he ends up meeting Victor Abbey Bartlet to write her story for the capital market. Except she ends up telling him the true story and he ends up a rebel for definite.

He ends up being involved in the image crafting that goes on with the victors in general/the storyline crafting of the games for the media and he hates Every Fucking Thing About This Actually but he can play the part.

Did not expect to fall for the tall District 2 Victor but there you go, it happened.

I think the more he sees of the system the more he hates the entire thing though. Like there’s a certain amount as a kid in the capital that you just…it kind of doesn’t necessarily comprehend - or you might yell about things passionately in private but it’s very much a ‘what can you do’ most of the time. But Danny was going to find a way to do something.

Also now I’m thinking about Josh - because Josh having the most loving and great parents is so so canon to me it’s funny - I’m just struggling to imagine a Josh Lyman who could like sit down and not get himself murdered and it’s kind of sad :(. His sister died in a fire still (as it turns out it was some drunk peacekeepers who got away with it because they were connected - which Leo took care of and absolutely never told the Lymans). His parents in this world are doctors. Healers. The kind of rebels who help with safe houses and patching people up

Josh wants to murder people. Leo helps with channelling that. Josh can also be ruthless and kind of sheltered still (ask me about Sam and Donna)

#lil and her ridiculous aus #au: west wing hunger games #fic #tv: west wing #book: hunger games

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splinteredmercies · 2 months

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SPRING CLEANING ‘24 ␥ Catherine Willoughby (1/?)

fandom: the west wing

pairing: eventual josh lyman/catherine willoughby (oc)

author's note: this will eventually be a one-shot published on ao3, but for now, I'll post this scene. the following scene takes place during the '98 election cycle. at this point, bartlet and hoynes are on the ticket together. (want to imagine catherine with a face claim? kristin davis in sex and the city!)

word count: 239

Catherine resisted the urge to twiddle her thumbs. Her mother had taught her better. But Dr. Bartlet was not making anything easy.

“I do not need anyone to tell me how to dress! I know how to dress myself! Where’s Leo—?”

Catherine took her chance. She squared her shoulders and said, “Dr. Bartlet, I wasn’t hired to dress you. Quite frankly, you’re not the problem. It’s your husband.”

“My husband?”

“Governor Bartlet could speak all day about economics and theology and whether or not Notre Dame is doing well during the football season. He’s a smart man, but he cannot dress himself!”

Catherine paused to take a breath. She wondered if she would jinx the election with the words she wanted to say… She continued anyway.

“You’re doing well in the polls. The Bartlet-Hoynes ticket has a chance of winning. Your schedule isn’t going to allow you to be able to pick the Governor’s suit and tie for every event, Doctor.”

There was a begrudging acceptance in Dr. Bartlet’s eyes. The older woman assessed Catherine with a keen gaze. “You always address me as ‘Doctor,’ never ‘Mrs.’”

“You’re more than just a wife and mother, Doctor Bartlet. Pardon my French, but you’re a kickass thoracic surgeon. Anyone who calls you ‘Mrs. Bartlet’ should correct themselves.”

Dr. Bartlet stared for a moment before she said, “Catherine, you can call me Abbey. Do you go by Cate?”

Catherine smiled and laughed. “Oh, no, I’m Catherine—just Catherine.”

#karla’s spring cleaning ‘24 #oc: catherine willoughby #tv: the west wing #josh lyman #the west wing #josh lyman/original female character #drabble #karla’s plot bunnies

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youvebeenlivingfictional · 4 months

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Josh Lyman coming home late from the office

Finding you asleep in bed

Moving around as quietly as possible to keep from waking you up

Finally laying down beside you and feeling the tension of that day begin to drop away

And then you rest your hand on his chest and sleepily murmur, "Hey, stranger."

Josh shifts closer and tugs you in, apologizes for waking you up

You just shush him and make him promise to save how his day was for tomorrow morning

He promises, kisses your forehead, and the two of you blissfully drift off to sleep

#.....please #Josh Lyman x Reader #Josh Lyman x You #Josh Lyman/Reader #Josh Lyman/You #Josh Lyman imagine

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twwpress · 11 months

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Weekly Press Briefing #49: May 28th - June 3rd

Welcome back to the Weekly Press Briefing, where we bring you highlights from The West Wing fandom each week, including new fics, ongoing challenges, and more! This briefing covers all things posted from May 28 - June 3, 2023! Did we miss something? Let us know; you can find our contact info at the bottom of this briefing!

Challenges/Prompts:

The following is a roundup of open challenges/prompts. Do you have a challenge or event you’d like us to promote? Be sure to get in touch with us! Contact info is at the bottom of this briefing.

The Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda Josh/Donna prompt fest (hosted by @jessbakescakes and @thefinestmuffin) is open for claiming; fics reveal on June 24th. Details here.

Photos/Videos:

Here’s what was posted from May 28 - June 3.

Amy Landecker posted photos of her and Brad’s trip to Harvard for Brad’s son George’s graduation from Harvard.

Amy Landecker posted a photo of Brad doing the Leg Thing in Boston.

Dule Hill posted a photo of his son saluting Retired United States Air Force Colonel Norman A. McDaniel in honor of Memorial Day.

Marlee Matlin posted a photo and a birthday wish for her friend.

Marlee Matlin posted a video for Alzheimer’s Awareness Month.

Mary McCormack posted a TikTok of her daughter Rose singing and playing guitar.

Melissa Fitzgerald posted a picture of her dog Evie for her 15th birthday.

Rob Lowe posted behind-the-scenes footage with his son Johnny from their show Unstable.

Donna Moss Daily: May 28 | May 29 | May 30 | May 31 | June 1 | June 2 | June 3

Daily Josh Lyman: May 28 | May 29 | May 30 | May 31 | June 1 | June 2 | June 3

No Context BWhit: May 28 | May 29 | May 30 | May 31 | June 1 | June 2 | June 3

Allison Janney Updates: May 30

Editors’ Choice:

It’s summer in D.C., so today we’re recommending some of our favorite fics with the best of summer vibes for you to read beachside!

it's just a water view (and what a view) by mikaylawrites for JessBakesCakes | Rated M | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss | Complete | Now he thinks of the kids they’ve seen on this trip, chubby babies in unbelievably tiny hats and toddlers running through the tide on unsteady legs. They were cute, sure, but didn’t inspire any real paternal instinct in him. But then he conjures up images of babies with blonde hair and dimples, with his complexion and Donna’s eyes, and something catches in his chest. If he’s being honest, he’s imagined those babies for years.

Josh and Donna and their babies at the beach.

Shenandoah by hufflepuffhermione | Rated G | Gen Fic/No Pairings Listed | Complete | The President makes good on his threat of a staff field trip to Shenandoah National Park, Josh tries to prove he's an outdoorsman, Sam fights a bush, and Donna just tries to keep them all on schedule.

august, honey (you were mine) by sam_writes_fics | Rated M | Josh Lyman/Sam Seaborn | Complete | “Just Sam,” he answers, dropping his duffle bag off his shoulder and holding out his hand to shake. “Sam Seaborn.”

“Josh Lyman,” the other man says as he grasps Sam’s hand. “Looks like we’re bunk mates for the summer.”

// summer camp counselors au

[originally titled nothin' like you, renamed on sep 7 after much debate]

if i had a wish (i'd wish for sunshine all the while) by JessBakesCakes for mikaylawrites | Rated T | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss | Complete | “The parent who volunteered to coach Leah’s team ended up getting a job transfer. I know it’s short notice, but do you know of anyone who could possibly take that spot?”

// basically an excuse to write tee ball coach dad Josh Lyman.

heat of the moment by rearviewmirror | Rated M | Abbey Bartlet/Leo McGarry | Complete | "There’s another reason her innocent teasing hits home so acutely: he’s planning- and has been, for weeks now- what needs to be the greatest, most romantic gesture of his entire life."

all i ever wanted (was a life in your shape) by thefinestmuffins | Rated M | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss | Complete | Donna sighs and slumps further into her Adirondack chair, pretending to read her magazine, but keeps stealing glances at Josh. He sticks out like a sore thumb amidst her throng of brothers, who are, to a number, tall and broad and blond, with a wholesome, open-faced Midwestern quality. Even at 5’11”, Josh still looks slight amongst them, dark-headed and wiry, palpably radiating his particular brand of beltway cynicism. He’s been fully integrated into the Moss brood, though, with a train of children trailing in his wake all morning: she’s witnessed him happily tossing her nephews around, hoisting her niece up onto his back, sparring good-naturedly with her brothers about whether a pitch was a strike or a ball. And it’s a good thing, it really is — she’d worried he wouldn’t get along with her family and after a couple of hours they’re all thick as thieves — so why exactly does it feel like she’s been struck in the chest with a pickaxe?

Josh is dating Amy. And yet, here he is, in Wisconsin, winning over Donna's entire family and making her acutely aware of everything she doesn't have.

*songfic to Strawberry Blond by Mitski, for October 2021 Big Block of Cheese Day*

i’ll love you with all the madness in my soul by crossingdelancey | Rated T | C. J. Cregg/Toby Ziegler, Josh Lyman/Donna Moss, Abbey Bartlet/Jed Bartlet | Complete | Through the open window, he hears children giggling, and he figures they’ve taken breakfast outside for the second day in a row. They’ve been blessed with good weather this summer, with temperatures climbing daily. Toby isn’t pleased about that, and he insists he’ll burn, but CJ tells him to lighten up.

When he reaches to undo her towel, she slaps his wrist.

“We’ll be late.”

“We don’t have anywhere to be.” — in which the zieglers spend summer at the farm

Fics:

Presenting your weekly roundup of fics posted in the tag for The West Wing on Archive of Our Own.

Josh/Donna

Errors and Omissions by Chinesepapercut | Rated T | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss | In Progress

don’t talk (put your head on my shoulder) by flowersinapril | Rated T | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss | In Progress

Wonderful in a Loathsome sort of Way by JayeReid1 | Rated T | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss | In Progress

Domestic Days by spooky_spacegirl | Rated G | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss | In Progress

it ain't nothing but a family thing by hell_to_breakfast | Not Rated | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss | In Progress

C.J./Danny

Writer’s Block by krazykitkat | Rated T | Danny Concannon/C. J. Cregg | Complete

your love is a secret I’m hoping, dreaming, dying to keep by Luppiters | Rated G | Danny Concannon/C. J. Cregg | In Progress

Ten Weeks by Jxjxjx | Rated T | Danny Concannon/C. J. Cregg | Complete

Off the Record by onekisstotakewithme for daylight_angel, miabicicletta, Luppiters, hondagirll | Rated T | Danny Concannon/C. J. Cregg | In Progress

Other Pairings/Gen Fic

it started off with a kiss... now it ended up like this by imawkwardlysoc | Rated G | Sam Seaborn/Original Female Character | In Progress

even i don’t know myself tonight by belledamn | Rated M | Ainsley Hayes/Donna Moss | Complete

Multiple Pairings

Paradise City by casliyn | Rated E | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss, Josh Lyman & Donna Moss, Amy Gardner/Josh Lyman | In Progress

Operation in the Desert by mlea7675 | Rated T | Abbey Bartlet/Jed Bartlet, Helen Santos/Matt Santos, Josh Lyman/Donna Moss, Ainsley Hayes/Sam Seaborn, Danny Concannon/C. J. Cregg, C. J. Cregg/Toby Ziegler, Will Bailey/Kate Harper, Zoey Bartlet/Charlie Young, Leo McGarry/Annabeth Schott | In Progress

Golden State by miabicicletta for Luppiters, onekisstotakewithme, hondagirll, ballroompink, stars_inthe_sky | Rated M | Danny Concannon/C. J. Cregg, Josh Lyman/Donna Moss | In Progress

The Best of Wives and The Best of Women by DeborahSampson1776 | Rated T | Ainsley Hayes/Sam Seaborn, Danny Concannon/C. J. Cregg, Abbey Bartlet/Jed Bartlet, Zoey Bartlet/Charlie Young, Josh Lyman/Donna Moss, Cliff Calley/Donna Moss, Andrea Wyatt/Toby Ziegler, Amy Gardner/Josh Lyman | In Progress

THE WEEKLY PRESS BRIEFING TEAM CAN BE REACHED VIA THE FOLLOWING METHODS:

Twitter: @TWWPress

Email: [email protected]

Feel free to let us know if we missed something, if you have an event you’d like us to promote, or if you have an item that you’d like included in the next briefing!

xx, What’s next?

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octothorpetopus · 1 year

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i hate josh lyman but in a more intelligent and actually deeply loving way than you could ever imagine. i will criticize him endlessly i think he should be hit with a big cartoon hammer and thrown into the sky until he disappears with a little sparkle. but i will do all of this because i think that he (fictional character) is so capable of change. he hasnt yet but by god i will beat him senseless until he does

#tww #josh lyman #i lov him promise #i just also want to punt him into the sun

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variousqueerthings · 1 year

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I finished the west wing s3, and I feel like it’s in a place that’s quite hard for me to engage with on a fictional level now, moreso than before

pre-s3 (pre-real life 9/11) the show seemed to mostly be engaged with internal politics, and my biggest issue with it was related to something that I was also understanding was at its base structure, that is, because it’s set within the government, it doesn’t often actually... portray people whom their policies affect

and I think this was something I could live with better to begin with, but as we meet more ostensible activists and people who are working directly with people I notice they’re often portrayed as... a little out of touch, a little naïve about the big churning wheels, or sometimes just plain wrong (josh lyman arguing in defence of sex workers rights vs apparent feminist mary-louise parker being like “no criminalising makes perfect sense” is a strong example)

and then in s3 it got very terrorists and those countries over there doing that, and that worsened that structural issue waaaay more, because now it’s not that the show simply doesn’t depict people affected by things as much (which, again, can live with, even though I think it oughta have slowly done so more -- one gay main wouldn’t have killedya), so much as it is a bunch of people in the white house waxing on and on about american values needed in the middle east (or that british lord talking about not wanting to be in the same room as a sinn féin terrorist, and that’s not even really a plot point, it’s just there, I really dislike that character a lot, begone!)

I knew this would probably happen going in, so I’m just watching it with my own awareness, but it is harder to engage with the characters doing character things, when I’m also remembering that one or another rant this or that character went on about terrorism and you’re sitting there in 2023 knowing that in real life america just lied and invaded iraq (not during the filming of this or the next season though... would it align with s6?) and that the so-called “american leader of the free world” values that get touted more than once are uh... exaggerated, to be very polite

I kind of wish that since it’s a fantasy-world, they’d let it be one, but I can see how at the time it wanted to respond to the politics du jour. I just think that part of it mostly ages very poorly

I wonder what s4-onwards has to say about george bush by proxy (is he the fantasy republican candidate who’s an asshole who goes off about academic elitists? I’ll just imagine he is)

#im watching the west wing #i know im not saying anything new here it's just going into it as a viewer with no prior knowledge of the show #i preferred it when the *bad guys* so to speak were far right white nationalists because Guess What #and tbh i care more about storylines that are about infrastructure and equal rights gimme some more of that overarching

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