#thomas magnum imagine

[xxchumanixx]

Here's my Magnum PI Thomas x reader request 🤗 it's some kind of the always loved enemies to lovers trope, with hurt reader, an annoyed Thomas with slightly asshole vibes but he improves during the story until we have our beloved cute sassy Thomas with his heart of gold. So let's go (please feel free to change the details, to ignore the request or just use some aspects).

Reader was a good friend of Rick and moved recently to Hawaii

She needs help cause she's threatening due to an investigation she made to write an article (I imagine her as a journalist, but of course you change that)

Rick is worried for the safely of his childhood beat friend and so he is determined to keep her safe. And what place is the safest on the island? Robin's Nest with the 24/7 protection of Thomas Magnum

Thomas is absolutely not amused to play "babysitter" as he refers to it

Reader feels really uncomfortable to intrude and Thomas complaining is making her more shy than she already is

She doesn't want to annoy Thomas more so she tries to be invisible in the house

Thomas often teases her in bad way

I picture reader as a shy but lovely young woman and to make it a bit more dramatic she suffers from bad migraine attacks when under stress and stress is what hee bothers her now. The bad feeling that Thomas hates her and having a target on her head makes her health spiraling

When one day Rick wants to visit his friend and Thomas he notices her feeling super bad (dizziness, nausea, bad migraine) and also explains Thomas the whole situation (her health, the reason she's threatened and her huge sense of justice). Maybe Rick also explain him that she's like a little sister to him etc

Thomas begins to see reader differently and his behavior changes. He takes care for her stops being an asshole

Soooorry I know it's long :D and I've got sooo many ideas but I don't want to waste more of your time. Even if I have another idea for a story in which reader works with Thomas and at first they don't get along sooo great and she hides a severe injury from him....

I hope my request doesn't bother you.

Love your work

Vitamins and Bulletholes

Thomas Magnum x fem!reader

Warnings/Tags: fluff, hurt, angst, reader has migraine attacks Word count: 4.786 Authors note: Hello love, thanks for the request! I'm always down for some enemies to lovers, so I'm very exited about this idea! I know this problem with having too many ideas, I also have so many of them (especially when I don't have time to write, like when I'm at work, have to sleep or whatever), and sometimes I even mix them up, because I lose focus. Whupsi... So I really appreciate how detailed your request is! Also, I'm a migraine patient as well, so I know how bad these attacks can be... Anyways, lets get going! Enjoy!

Hawaii.

It was like breathing the freshest and most delicious air on planet earth.

Fragrances you would nowhere else smell, sights you would nowhere else see.

It was magical, pure bliss.

The birds singing melodies in the trees, wearing the most colorful and beautiful feathers you could imagine.

After your first vacation on the island, you knew that someday, you would move here. Now the time had come, finally having made your dream come true.

Rick, your childhood best friend (and maybe your first crush) had helped you move, accompanied by his friend TC.

TC was like a big, cuddly teddy bear. He didn't have to do much to wrap you around his finger. He was nice and sweet, something you at first wouldn't have imagined, given his size and broad shoulders.

You had bought a house, a very nice one with a beautiful garden. It wasn't cheap, but after saving every penny you could, it made it even more worth the wait.

The whole moving situation, finding a new job and stuff, caused you to suffer from migraine attacks more frequently, though. You were prone to them, especially when you were under pressure or exposed to stress.

After settling in, starting your new job as a journalist, and finally getting to breathe more freely, the attacks luckily lessened again.

That was, until you did something dumb.

Very dumb.

You weren't new to dangerous situations, having your fair share with gangs and bad people, something that came along with being a journalist back in Chicago.

This, was something entirely different, though.

But how did you get into this situation in the first place?

When your boss, an ambitious and eager woman with zero tolerance for failures, told you to bring up something big, you inwardly rubbed your hands.

This was your chance to move up the ladder, to impress her.

That you would have a target on your back by the end of the day, you didn't know then.

Originally, you were supposed to get a statement of a young man, exposing a chemical company that was said to dispose off their toxic waste in a nearby river, contaminating the water and making people sick.

Originally.

That he was being observed by people hired by said company, neither of you knew - nor even noticed.

But they saw you, and when they broke into your house, threatening your life when you made the mistake to talk back, you slowly realized in what kind of situation you had maneuvered yourself.

That the man was killed only a few days later, gave you the final push to do something about it.

"Y/N, you're on Hawaii for barely a month now, and you already managed to pin a target on your back?" Rick yelled, frustration and confusion clear on his face, as he threw the towel he had used to wipe his hands with on the counter.

Rubbing your face, you sighed, only the more realizing how bad your situation really was.

"I know..." you groaned, sipping your coke, the dull pain behind your forehead returning. "But how was I supposed to know this would happen? I mean, he was at a damn safehouse, they shouldn't have even known where he was!"

Rick cocked a brow at your words, leaning on his elbows, his face inches from yours. "Did they exchange your brain for a dumb one, when you moved here?" he wanted to know, sending you a pointed look.

Rolling your eyes, you pushed him, causing him to chuckle slightly.

"You know how this works, you should have noticed them after being in this industry for the last couple years now." he spoke softly, sighing.

"I know..." you grumbled, rubbing your temples. He bit his cheek, scratching his chin. "Migraine?" he guessed, standing more straight again. You nodded slightly, digging in your bag for some painkillers.

Once you had found them, you swallowed them with the coke, before your gaze wandered through the bar.

"Did I mention how great it is that you own a bar?" you asked, smiling at Rick as you looked back at him. He chuckled, cleaning a few glasses.

"Free drinks for me?" you asked slyly, smirking at him, as you batted your lashes. He laughed, shaking his head. "No, even if you're my sister, you have to pay for your drinks like the others do."

You huffed playfully, emptying your glass, before you slid it over to him. He took it as he shook his head at your attempt. "Even Thomas has to pay for them."

Narrowing your eyes at him, you leaned more towards him, propped on your elbows. "When do I get to meet the infamous Thomas Magnum?" you wanted to know, tilting your head.

Rick had told you about him multiple times, they had served together with TC, were best friends. He was living on Hawaii as well, working as a private investigator.

"Infamous, huh?" someone spoke behind you, causing you to turn towards the source of the voice. "Huh." you made quietly, mimicking him.

Speaking of the devil, right?

He smiled at you, holding out his hand for you to shake. "Thomas Magnum." he introduced himself, as you took his hand. "And you must be the infamous Y/N Y/L/N, I assume."

You nodded, taking him in.

He was even more handsome than he was on the pictures Rick had sent you.

"Rick talks about you nonstop." he told you, smirking. You blushed a little, chuckling. "Only good things, I hope." He nodded, chuckling as well.

"Thomas, perfect timing." Rick mused, drawing Thomas' gaze towards him, as he cocked a brow. "Is Higgins with you?" Thomas shook his head, denying. "What do you need?"

Rick hesitated a second, licking his lips.

"Y/N here, works as a journalist." he started, motioning at you. "And she somehow managed to make some people very mad." Thomas mouth twisted, eyes narrowing. "What type of people?" he wanted to know, glancing at you.

You swallowed, sighing, as Rick answered for you.

"She was supposed to investigate in that case of Cleantec disposing of its chemical waste in a nearby river." he explained. "She interviewed a former employee, that was at a safehouse, because he was supposed to testify in court."

"He's dead now." you chimed in, licking your lip, before you bit down on the cushion.

Thomas' brows furrowed, as he looked between you and Rick.

"The people responsible for his death threatened her. Now we're worried that they're after her as well." Rick continued, hesitating again. "And the only place where she would be really safe at is Robins Nest."

Thomas' eyes widened, mouth agape. "And now you're suggesting that we let her stay at hotel Robins Nest?" he concluded, brows raised. He didn't seem all too happy about the idea.

Rubbing your eyes, you swallowed. Of course you were scared - Hell, the whole killer at your back situation scared the living shit out of you, but you didn't want to be a burden to anyone.

"I'm worried for her safety, Thomas." Rick pressed, sending him a pleading look. "I don't want to be a burden." you cut in, before Rick could have said more. "I can handle this on my own."

Thomas bit his lip, clearly torn between helping and not.

Then he pulled out his phone, dialing someone.

"Hey Higgins." he began, his free hand playing with a beer mat. "Ricks friend, Y/N, is being targeted by killers, and now she needs someplace safe to stay at. Do you think we can let her stay at Robins Nest?"

It was quiet for a few seconds, as Higgins answered him. "Okay, thanks." Thomas then said, before he ended the call. "You can stay." he told you, stuffing the phone back inside his pocket.

Eyes widening, you thanked him, still unsure if you should really do this. But it was better than constantly having to watch your back, right?

"You need to keep her safe at all costs." Rick clarified, leaning foward to underline his words. Thomas' brows rose, pointing at himself. "I'm not a babysitter." he made clear, gaze wandering towards you for a split second.

Ricks eyes widened in earnesty, not believing he heard him right. "She's my sister, Thomas." he pressed, shaking his head. "She needs to stay safe. If you won't do it, I will."

Thomas groaned in discontent, but you cut him off, before he was able to respond.

"Look-" you began, holding out your arms in a gesture of diffidence and surrender. "you don't have to keep a watch on me - I'm sure we can figure this out without you even noticing me."

Thomas sent you a pointed look, having trouble to believe your words.

"And if I bother you too much, I will just go back to my house. I'm sure I can manage just fine."

Rick made a sound of protest, the towel he held hitting your shoulder. "Y/N, you're not gonna be alone until these guys are either arrested or dead!" he told you, determined.

Sighing, you bit your cheek, giving in as you nodded slightly. "Whatever you say."

"Damn right, whatever I say."

____

Even though he was your brother - you had somewhere along the way of your friendship decided that you had to be siblings, people even mistook you as being siblings when you were younger - you could have hit him, hard.

Robins Nest was much bigger, than you had imagined.

Rick had told you multiple times about it. You knew that Thomas stayed at the guest house and that Juliet Higgins lived in the main house, but he failed to mention that it was this big.

It was intimidating, honestly.

So, when you arrived in your car - which was in no way a comparison to the ones parked up front - you needed a moment to catch your breath and slow down your racing heart.

How were you supposed to not get lost on this property?

Getting out of your car, you grabbed your bags that held the things you needed for your stay.

You just hoped you had packed enough. Who knew how long your stay would get?

Sighing, you walked towards what seemed to be the front door, ringing the bell. It took a few seconds for someone to answer, but when she did, you were sure this was not Juliet.

You somehow remembered her differently from all the pictures Rick had sent.

"Aloha, you must be Y/N." the woman greeted you, smiling warmly and you couldn't help but return the smile. "I'm Kumu. Come in, the others are already waiting."

Your brows lifted, not sure what she meant. "The others?" you questioned, following her, as she made her way through the mansion. She nodded, leading you to an open living room with windows as big as your bedroom was back in Chicago.

In said room were several people gathered: Rick, TC, Thomas, Higgins and Shammy.

Brows furrowing, you sat down your bag, gaze shifting between the people staring your way.

"Am I missing something?" you wanted to know, feeling the uneasiness creeping through you. "No, but mr. insecure told us to meet here." Thomas gave back, sending Rick a displeased look.

Clearing your throat, you noticed how your cheeks grew hot. Suddenly, you wished to be back at your place, immediately feeling unwelcome.

"I'm sorry for all this turmoil, I can just go back home and we'll forget about it." you suggested, feeling more and more uncomfortable. "No, you'll stay." Juliet spoke up, stepping towards you, holding out her hand for you to shake.

"I'm Juliet Higgins. Nice to meet you." she introduced herself, as you took her hand and shook it. "Y/N Y/L/N." you gave back, forcing yourself to smile despite the uneasy feeling inside you.

"The others are here, because Rick told us what happened." she explained, motioning at the others. "Thomas might not be happy about it, but we're not letting anyone down, no matter what happened. We want to help."

She turned more towards you, lowering her voice to a whisper. "Oh, and he'll come to terms with it, just give him a little time."

You nodded almost unnoticeable, swallowing.

"But, how are you gonna help me?" you wanted to know, fingers tugging at lose strings on your jeans. "Thomas and I are private investigators." Juliet spoke, walking towards a table to your right with a laptop placed on it.

"We will investigate in your case."

Eyes widening, you chuckled uneasily. "But, I don't have the money to hire you." you told her, biting your cheek. Suddenly, you felt ashamed, knowing that Juliet seemed to have already begun researching.

"Oh, don't worry." she told you, typing away on the laptop. "It's pro bono." Sighing, you nodded, feeling a little relieved. "Thank you." you said, looking at the others. "Thank you all, even if you don't really know me, except for Rick and Shammy."

You hat chatted with Shammy before, after Rick told you how they met him. He was a little grumpy sometimes, but he had a heart of gold.

The others nodded, even Thomas, though he still seemed grim.

____

When the others were gone and it was already dark outside, you had settled in one of the guest rooms of the main house. Juliet had the staff ready a room for you earlier, one that was bigger than your living room back in Chicago.

Robin had to have a lot of money, if one of his residences - one he barely visited himself - was this big and luxurious.

But you had read his books, knowing all about the white knight, so you understood where the money came from.

He was a genius.

The white knight had inspired you to start as a journalist, he gave you the strength when you doubted yourself - even if he was just fictional.

Swallowing, you sent the painkillers down your throat, sighing to yourself. You just hoped your stay wouldn't get any more complicated than it already was.

____

It had been two weeks, since you moved to Robin's Nest - Yes, literally moved.

You hadn't seen your house other than gathering more clothes and the mail. Other than that, you weren't allowed to leave the property of Robin's Nest.

It was hard, you had to take time off your job, explaining them the situation as best as you could, hoping they wouldn't fire you.

Meanwhile living with Thomas was... difficult.

Even though he resided in the guest house of the property, working on your case as well as on another one, you still saw him plenty of times.

Either he was plundering the wine cellar, making Higgins furious over the various missing bottles he never replaced, or he was getting himself something to eat or just lounging around whenever he had the time.

You had barely spoken to him, other than about your case or occasionally a hello or goodbye - or him complaining. You sensed his discomfort, knowing that he wasn't fond of your presence, even though you did your best not to stand in his way - literally.

The typical cliche moment of standing opposite each other, both stepping left and right to get out of the way, had occurred more than once.

You had migraine attacks almost every day, already having had to restock your painkillers.

Sighing, you shifted on the couch with your laptop on your legs, doing research. Yes, I know what you might think now, but after what happened, you couldn't just sit by and wait.

You had to at least do some research, using your skills and contacts to help.

That you came up almost empty handed, you didn't tell the others, though. They didn't even know you were doing research in the first place.

Your breathing hitched, heart pounding faster in your chest, as you suddenly felt a presence loom over you. You heard him breathe almost unnoticeable, he was quieter than normal people were.

Smelling his meanwhile familiar cologne, you relaxed slightly.

It was Thomas.

Still your hands began to sweat, heart pounding even faster.

"And here I thought we would do the investigation." he mumbled, causing you to flinch slightly at how close he really was. Taking a deep breath - of course as quiet as possible - you tried to calm yourself, as he rounded the sofa, looking down at you.

"I'm just doing some research." you defended yourself, holding his gaze, as his eyes narrowed slightly. "In case you have forgot, I am a journalist. It's my job to do research. And if I'm able to find something, even better!"

He cocked a brow at you, tilting his head mockingly. "Are you able to find something?" he wanted to know, even though he could already guess the answer.

Taking another deep breath as not to explode - your head already did that on his own - you bit your cheek, breaking eye contact after a few more seconds.

He truly had a way of getting under your skin.

"What do you want?" you tried to stir the conversation away from you, looking back at your laptop, typing away.

It took him a few seconds to answer, as his eyes roamed over you. You were looking uncomfortable, only the slightest bit, but he had a schooled eye - he knew when something was up.

"Are you okay?"

He surprised you with his question, causing your brows to furrow slightly. "I'm fine." you responded, briefly glancing up at him. "Why?"

He didn't respond, only sitting down in an armchair.

His presence made you all the more uncomfortable, his curious gaze burning holes into your skin.

He was handsome, you couldn't deny it, and yes, you would have hooked up with him, if it wasn't for his comments and him being so dismissive towards you.

Rolling your eyes, you tried to ignore him, fingers tapping on the smooth surface of your laptop, lost in thought. You had already browsed every platform you knew, coming up with nothing useful.

Biting your lip, you sighed, closing the laptop.

Your migraine was making it hard to concentrate, anyways.

"Don't you have anything to do?" you wanted to know, giving Thomas a pointed look. He only sipped his beer, shaking his head.

Only then did you notice that it was already dawn.

"What, missed the time?" he quipped, sending that pointed look right back at you. "Maybe you shouldn't waste your time doing research, when your not able to find anything, anyways."

He was hot, but his way towards you, made him colder than the antarctic.

____

Having lived at Robin's Nest for over a month now, you and Higgins became friends. You got along very well, having a lot of things in common.

Your case stretched on like chewing gum, having no hints or new findings. Thomas grew frustrated, never having had a case that went on for so long.

You hadn't got out of bed today, your current migraine attack causing you to have nausea, barely holding yourself back from vomiting.

Unfortunately, he let it out on you with witty comments and snarky remarks, causing your health to spiral further downwards.

He took every chance he got to pick on you.

You made out voices in the distance, recognizing Rick.

"Where's Y/N?" he wanted to know, his steps getting closer. "She's probably still sleeping, too exhausted from all the research she's been doing." you heard Thomas respond, their voices getting louder.

"What?" Rick gave back, shocked. "What research? I thought she wasn't working as long as the case went on?"

Someone knocked at your door and you groaned, causing the door to be ripped open, Rick barging inside. "Fuck." he breathed out, kneeling down beside you.

Swallowing, your eyes met his. You didn't need to tell him for him to know what was going on.

"Have you taken painkillers already?" he wanted to know, brows furrowing in worry. "Yes." you mumbled, sighing.

Thomas stepped further inside the room, his eyes scanning over you, taking in your distraught face and hunched figure. "What's going on?" he inquired, brows furrowing as well.

"Y/N is prone to migraine attacks." Rick started to explain, his fingers brushing through your hair absentmindedly. "When she's exposed to stress or is having a hard time it can trigger an attack. Sometimes, when the pain gets too much, she suffers from nausea and dizziness as well. She's having a migraine attack right now."

Thomas swallowed, now understanding what was going on with you. He'd been an absolute ass to you, only worsening your condition.

He felt guilty.

It wasn't that he couldn't stand you, in fact it was quiet the opposite. But after he was this way towards you in the beginning, he wasn't able to break out of it.

It had almost become a bad habit of sorts.

Rick straightened back up, motioning for Thomas to follow him as he left the room to gather a hot water bottle.

____

When you woke up, your head was doing a little better. Blinking the sleep from your eyes, you smelled herbs, causing you to frown.

"I didn't mean to wake you." you heard Thomas say. Looking up, you saw him standing at your bed, a cup in his hands. "I thought you'd like some tea, when you feel better."

Licking your dry lips, you sat up, taking the cup as he offered it to you. "Thanks?" you said, not sure how to react. "Is it poisoned?" His brows furrowed, as he huffed. "No, of course not."

Sending him a small smile, you sipped some of the hot tea. It warmed your body, spreading a nice feeling through you.

"May I?" he motioned at your bed, asking if he could sit down. You nodded, and he did. "I didn't know you were having these migraine attacks." he began, licking his bottom lip, as he looked at his hands, before his eyes met yours.

"Had I known I wouldn't have acted this way. I was a complete ass to you, which only worsened your condition - Rick told me about it. I'm sorry, that wasn't my intention."

You were taken aback by his apology, not having expected that change in behavior. "Wow." you breathed out, stunned. "I didn't expect that."

He chuckled, brushing over his chin.

"Yeah, I know." he gave back, smiling slightly. "Somehow everyone's surprised when I apologize." Rolling your eyes, you chuckled. Your head already felt a lot better.

"I've got you some vitamins as well." he explained, pointing at the package on your bedside table. "Oh, and we finally have a breakthrough in your case."

You sat up further at his words, eyes widening.

He grinned knowingly. "Yeah, we found a lead to the killers. But that's for later. What do you say we ask the cook to make somethin'?"

Your brows rose. "Who are you and what did you do with Thomas Magnum?" He chuckled, shaking his head. "Get up, I'll get us something to eat."

Huffing silently, you obeyed.

Getting out of bed you walked into the bath, as he left. The shower helped clear your mind a little, soothing your aching muscles.

When you stepped into the dining room, Higgins walked in from the other side. "Thomas!" she almost yelled in anger, her hands at her hips as she stopped in front of him.

Tilting your head, you watched them, curious about what had happened now.

"What happened to the ferrari?"

Thomas bit his lip, leaning on the table behind him, arms crossed over his chest. His gaze wandered towards you and he shrugged. "The lead I found might included them shooting at me." he explained, slightly shrinking, as Higgins inhaled sharply.

Eyes widening, you took a step forwards.

"Really, I don't know what to say." Higgins mumbled, shaking her head. "But hey, I've got her some vitamins for her migraine." Thomas added, smiling hesitantly.

"Vitamins and bulletholes." you said, shaking your head. "Sounds like an article I would write."

Even Higgins had to chuckle at that, as Thomas winked at you.

Maybe he wasn't that bad after all.

____

"Why is it always everyone but me?" Thomas grumbled, watching the dogs chase each other. Cocking a brow, you tilted your head at him. "What do you mean? They are quiet lovely, aren't they?"

He abruptly stopped, his feet kicking up some of the freshly cut grass. He looked at you in shock, spreading his arms. "No!" he gave back. "They are cruel monsters, trying to kill me every chance they get!"

You chuckled at his exasperation, turning back around towards the ocean. The view was breathtaking, really.

He huffed, following you as you started to walk further towards the beach.

Over the last two weeks you and Thomas had talked a lot, after he promised to be nice to you. He had no reason to be harsh or angry at you, he never really had.

Rick's words had shaken him out of his behavior towards you, showing him that you were more than the burden he had first expected you to be.

He had explained why you got into this situation in the first place - yes, you got into this situation when you talked back at the killers, but Rick explained why you had taken this upon yourself at all.

He explained that you fought for a better environment, Cleantecs diposal of chemical waste something you wanted to expose to the public, helping the people that had been affected by it.

The man that had been killed wanted the same.

His wife had been killed by it, her cancer having worsened due to the chemicals in the water. She didn't make it, too weak from the chemo.

You knew that feeling, your mother having died of cancer when you were still very young.

Even though you knew it was dangerous to talk to the man, you still had taken that risk, even when Rick had warned you about it. You wanted peace for him and justice for his wife.

Thomas watched you with amazement, as you walked in front of him, having created a slight distance between you, after he took a moment longer to follow you.

He had a small smile on his lips, as he noticed that he wanted to get to know you better. Even though you had talked a lot and learned a lot about each other, he still had the feeling that there was even more to you.

You turned slightly, as he caught up with you. "Are you going to continue your work as a journalist?" he wanted to know, watching you.

Biting your lip, you nodded. "Yes. Now that the case is solved and there's no target on my back anymore, I think it's time for the next one."

He snorted, his shoulder bumping yours. "I'm not gonna rescue you again." he warned you, chuckling to himself.

Higgins and him were able to solve the case, after Thomas managed to catch one of the killers red handed. You were relieved, now finally being able to sleep again.

As a bonus, you had managed to write that article, exposing Cleantech.

You stopped at a slope, looking down at the water. It was peaceful, the sun shining down on you.

Turning your head, you looked at Thomas, only to find him already looking at you. You swallowed at his intense gaze, the rest of your body turning towards him as well.

He silently stared at you, mouth slightly agape. His scent clouded your senses, heating your body up.

He leaned closer, as your heart hammered in your chest. You couldn't deny the attraction you felt towards him, and the urge to close the gap and press your lips against his, was overwhelming.

His breath fanned over your face, eyes darting to your lips, before he closed the distance, kissing you. Your hands wrapped around his neck instinctively, tugging him closer, as his hands wandered to your hips.

His lips caressed yours, tongue brushing over your bottom lip. You let it in, sighing softly.

Your lips parted, as you both had to gasp for air. His thumb brushed over your cheek, his fingers removing lose strands of hair from your face.

Breathing heavily, you smiled at him and he returned it.

"What do you say we go out for dinner?" he suggested, swallowing. He wouldn't admit it, but he was nervous. Your smile widened, nodding. "I'd love that."

His smile widened as well, sighing in relieve.

"How's your head?" he wanted to know, one of his arms wrapping around your waist, as you started to walk back to the main house. "Good." you gave back, nodding to yourself. "I haven't had an attack in over a week now."

He tugged you closer. "Good."

As you walked, you heard the dogs bark, Thomas stiffening and you chuckled.

"Damn these dogs."

#thomas magnum #magnum pi #magnum #thomas magnum imagine #jay hernandez #magnum pi 2018 #imagine #reader insert #one shot #fluff

[morgandr]

Imagine:

Thomas looking over at you in regret as he missed his opportunity to ask you out. Now having this defeated look on his face he knows he probably will probably never get another opportunity like this.

——————————————————————————-

(NOT MY GIF!)

(Thomas Magnum X Reader)

——————————————————————————-

(TAGS)

#old hollywood #oldhollywoodedit #thomas magnum #tom selleck #magnum pi #moviegifs #gif imagine #images #imagine #x reader #fame dr #fluff #y/n #1970s #1980s

[morganoperandi]

Wait!

You know Data, on Star Trek?

You know how he would go to the holodeck and pretend to be Sherlock Holmes?

What if

He instead played a different famous detective?

Imagine the possibilities! Imagine the fan art! Who would Geordi be???

#morgan original #poll #data #star trek tng #star trek the next generation #holodeck #Sherlock Holmes #benoit blanc #shawn spencer #hercule poirot #fox mulder #father brown #Columbo #thomas magnum #basil of baker street #Batman #adrian monk #imagine

[halsteadsparker]

Who I Write For:

Marvel

- Peter Parker

Chicago Fire/PD/Med

-Matt Casey

-Jay Halstead

Hawaii 50/Magnum Pi

-Steve McGarrett

-Thomas Magnum

#matt casey #jay halstead imagine #peter parker #peter parker imagine #matt casey imagine #thomas magnum #steve mcgarrett

[racefortheironthrone]

I have come to realize, I don't quite understand what a back-up story is? Like, do some comic issues just sometimes have too much space for the main story so they include another, smaller comic at the back?

No, it's usually the reverse: the creators have a story they like, but that's too short to make up a full comic, so they attach it as a bonus feature after the A-story.

To me, the acme of how to do backup stories are Chris Claremont's Classic X-Men. In an era before trade paperback and omnibus collections were common, in an era before there were digital comics libraries where you could access the entire back catalogue of entire companies on demand, Classic X-Men reprinted everything from the Roy Thomas/Neal Adams Silver Age through to the big hits of the first hundred or so issues of the Claremont run with edited captions and dialogue and interstitial panels and pages of new art.

However, Chris Claremont wasn't satisfied with tinkering around the edges, so the first 44 issues of Classic X-Men included backup stories by him and Ann Nocenti. These short (usually ~8 page) stories included a lot of "deleted scenes" - so you get to see how things that are alluded to but not shown in the main narrative, like the beginning of Logan and Jean's attraction in the immediate wake of Giant-Size #1, or Emma Frost's Hellfire Club scheming against Jason Wyngarde or Selene during the Dark Phoenix Saga, or Jean Grey wrestling with what it means to be the Phoenix with the help of Storm and Misty Knight, or why Nightcrawler stopped using his image inducer and came out of the closet as a mutant, etc. These scenes "danced between the raindrops" of canon, where they added richness and flavor to the main story without being essential reading.

But more and more, Claremont and Nocenti used these backup stories to fill out backstories through "period pieces." It is in these stories that we see Max Eisenhardt escape Auschwitz and tragically lose his daughter Anya, or go from being a Nazi hunter in South America to a mutant separatist terrorist when he learns the truth about Operation Paperclip. It is in these stories that we see Jean Grey's psychic powers awaken when she experiences the tragic death of her childhood friend Annie Richardson from inside Annie's mind, and how that shaped her understanding of life and death and what it means to be a mutant.

I would argue that these stories are essential reading, because they're often where Claremont (and Nocenti) found the emotional core of his characters, the motivational drives that make them who they are.

Alternatively, backup stories are where creators could take advantage of free "real estate" in anthology books, team-up books, and annuals to tell more fantastical and imaginative B-stories that wouldn't have fit within an overarching narrative. So we get weird stuff like Margali Szardos casting her adopted son Kurt Wagner into the literal Inferno of Dante Alighieri, or straight-edge Harlan County miner's son Sam Guthrie romantically abducted by an intergalactic cat burglar who also happens to be a cockney Joan Jett, and so on.

And that's what I like about backup stories - they're like miniature paintings, where the artists get to stretch their creative muscles free of the burden and pressure of the magnum opus.

#comics #comics meta #xmen #xmen meta #claremont run #chris claremont #ann nocenti

[magnumdays]

Magnum PI - S05E11 - Hit and Run review

We're back. I guess. It feels strange knowing these are the last ten episodes it seems likely we're getting but judging from just this first one it's going to keep on being one heck of a ride at least for that :P

(Full honestly, something is wrong with my internet so I watched this with like 1 million little lags and annoying loading bits so... may have affected my viewer enjoyment. Also gotta go to bed because I gotta work tomorrow so this is a little short and 5% spell checked...)

Miggy

Wham-bam, thank you, ma'am. It would have been more shocking if we hadn't gotten the "I'm late in the promo" but still, it was fun to explore this for an episode. They didn't touch back on what Juliet said about not being sure if she wanted a baby or not, but from how the discussion went today she seemed to have changed her tune. Would have been good to have addressed. I thought the would with Magnum being incredibly award when she told him. (This was low-key a favorite part of mine because not knowing what to say Magnum is pretty rare.)

Loved that they're keeping the Miggy banter and Thomas Magnum logic going strong even with big life-changing-ish news looming on the horizon.

"Yeah but if you are pregnant you will be more pregnant tomorrow."

"Just like how you said you weren't scared of spiders?"

I think this was a big set-up for how the series is going to end. Which I think is going to be very Mentalist and we kind of needed to have them talk about and want a baby, even if not right now. (Seriously, if the show doesn't end with a Miggy wedding and baby on board I'm going to be annoyed.)

So yeah, I'm glad they had the baby talk and that it leads to Confessions! (have I been watching too much K-drama? Maybe. Yes.)

And is it weird that I cried there with them being all "I love you" at the end? Like I thought, kind of that I'd gone through my mourning process for this both with thinking season 4 was the end and during the past few months knowing season 5b is the last. But apparently, I was wrong. I still have tears left.

Watching this episode just kind of made me realize how much I love this show (all over again) and that I'm going to miss it and my babies sooo much.

TC being sad = sadness

It's was kind of hard to watch our favorite guy going through tough stuff. I feel like the *protect TC at all cost* society will sue someone :P no but I was really thankful things seem to be going in the right direction for him both with emotionally dealing and getting some feeling back!

Rick + Piper...

So Rick's got a new GF? I feel like she gotta have some connection to something bigger. Like she's for sure a spy or something right? Wasn't her being all "that dump never" just too great of a start? I mean Rick is cute and all, but just introducing her as a love interest would be a little frivolous? Though they have done that before with Ethan and Lia.

Anyway, Piper is cute and I can't wait to see what happens with it.

The Case!

I really liked this case, even if it the excitement was somewhat lost because my internet kept lagging. It's pretty classic "hitman decides to save victim" only with a Magnum and Higgins twist. It could have gone a lot of different ways and in a way it felt a little too quick for it to end. (I think this might be another K-drama symptom where most things just keep going throughout the season.) I was hoping/thinking when I heard "boarding school, sick mom" that we'd get a Juliet/kid bonding moment.

I would have liked Mr. Hitman to not have died so unceremoniously. I mean this poor kid, her mom is dead, her dad is dead, her brother just tried to kill her with 2 hitmen and now the guy who saved her (even if he was a hitman to start) dies? I mean come on! Couldn't he have gotten caught and she'd be like "I'll come visit you in jail" or something?

The Jin + Book

Are we going to get more flashbacks of Jin imagining the White Knight with superpowers? Because that was so weirdly hilarious. I was like? What? What? WHAT? Then I totally cracked up.

But yeah, hope we have something more with the TR Bell + White Knight. That kiss back from early season 4 is still one of my faves of theirs (even if it wasn't actually 'them'.)

Next week seems fun! Like, repo a fish? What a strange world, but it sure going to be amusing.

#magnum p.i. #magnum pi #magnum pi season 5 #magnum pi review #my review #miggy #juliet higgins #thomas mangum

[disappearinginq]

So, I have just recently gotten into the Magnum 2018 Fandom and am wondering if you write soulmate AU's? Or prephaps like a magic AU prompts?

I don't really know what this idea falls under. But this I have this idea that Rick, T.C., Nuzo, and Magnum are all connected. Like they can read each other's minds and/ or being near each other gives them instant relief from all sorts of pain.

I don't know what else could go with it though... I also don't know if you write for that Fandom anymore. Just thought I'd ask.

I hadn't until THIS VERY SECOND.

I think the closest I got to a non-reality based AU was an idea randomly floated in response to an ask/prompt on a song about how Rick makes a deal with Death to get them out of Afghanistan to become a reaper - and if he refuses, bad things happen to his friends.

Buuuuuut....I like this idea. I especially like the idea of them choosing whether or not they can accept that connection or not, and Thomas being difficult about it, always insisting that he's fine even though they know he's not, but he doesn't want them to feel what he feels....or if they want to keep secrets from one another.

It's also not that I don't write for the fandom, I just haven't really written anything lately (or at least, nothing complete enough to post in any context, which is how Snippets was posted).

Hmmmmmm.......imagine the chaos they can cause. How effective they would be as a team. Ouch. How much it would've hurt to have Nuzo die if they had a connection like that.

This is going in the Idea Folder - because I think I can do a one shot (any suggestions?) Instead of an epic length alternate timeline, which is how I keep getting bogged down in current works.

#asks answered #magnum pi 2018 #thomas magnum #rick wright #tc calvin #soulmate au fic idea #the more i think on it the more i like it

[denimbex1986]

'Would it be an exaggeration to claim that it’s Cillian Murphy’s world and the rest of us are merely existing within it? Opinions on the matter would, of course, differ. What can be affirmed, though, is that the Oppenheimer star’s unquestionable popularity is nothing short of amazing. With his enigmatic depiction of J. Robert Oppenheimer in Christopher Nolan’s magnum opus, movie-going audiences have been charmed. People are starting to crave more.

Media connoisseurs acquainted with Murphy’s previous works would know that this isn’t the first instance of the actor’s overwhelming talent being felt in an endeavor. The rise of the Irish actor to worldwide stardom was amplified by his participation in the popular crime-drama series Peaky Blinders. With the famed talent playing a major role in the British TV show, Murphy’s co-star felt overshadowed by his prodigious presence in the narrative.

Why Peaky Blinders Star Joe Cole Left The Show

In a 2020 interview with Metro.co.uk, Joe Cole, who portrayed the role of John Shelby in the Cillian Murphy-led premise, revealed why he decided to depart from the notable endeavor...

...His exit from the Steven Knight-created series, which also happens to be a crime drama centered around the Peaky Blinders street gang, was intended to allow the actor to explore different stories and characters.

Following was his statement:

“I’ve spent the last few years turning down gang-related shows because when a show does well you get offered quite a lot of them. I actually chose to leave Peaky Blinders because I wanted to explore new avenues and new characters and new stories.”

...the actor thought there was one significant distinction between the two gang-drama series. With Gangs of London and its ensemble cast, Cole wouldn’t have to feel eclipsed by a central character or actor in the storyline—a phenomenon that Cillian Murphy’s Peaky Blinders seemed to have contributed to.

Joe Cole Felt Overshadowed By Cillian Murphy In Peaky Blinders

Murphy’s presence in Peaky Blinders is astounding. Imagining a world where the Irish actor isn’t embodying the role of Thomas Shelby becomes near impossible. The prominence of the character within the show would understandably shine the light on him more than it would on his other co-stars.

The reason behind Joe Cole’s exit from the show, after his character’s brutal demise in season 4, episode 1, was owing to the actor’s desire of wanting to branch out and do more with a role—which he couldn’t with what he deems “Cillian’s show.”

"With Peaky Blinders I never really got out of the gates in that role. It’s Cillian’s show really. This show [Gangs of London] is more ensemble, it follows characters on a deep level. So for me, it’s really an opportunity to show what I can do and for the rest of the cast, what they can do.”...

While it’s undeniable that Murphy holds a central position as the main lead, the Steven Knight-created show’s success is owed to not just the Oppenheimer star but also the many others connected to the premise. Hence, claiming that the show solely revolves around Thomas Shelby would be a disservice to the other talented individuals associated with the project.

Nonetheless, we can empathize with Joe Cole’s perspective. Cillian Murphy’s on-screen presence has always demanded the undivided attention of viewers. His compelling character portrayals remain one of the glorious factors behind the success of his projects. It’d be intriguing to see what’s next for the skilled Irish actor.'

#Joe Cole #Thomas Shelby #Peaky Blinders #Gangs of London #Steven Knight #John Shelby

[mariamariquinha]

Directors cut: ⭐️

Good question, Meaghan. GOOD QUESTION. 

Let’s give it a name, first and foremost? Okay. 

Father-Daughter relationships

In chapter two of Bossa Nova, there is a dialogue in the Greek restaurant between the reader and the parents:

[...] Your father, on the other hand, just shook his head no and sipped his wine with a disgruntled smirk on his face. Imagine how displeased she must have been to know it wasn't the sort of thing you or your father would do.

“You need to be more diplomatic.” He said to her with a light tone.

“Diplomatic? With a man who did that to our daughter? That would be a disrespect to my principles!”

Elsewhere, in chapter three, Benny asks the reader about the picture of Kojak on her desk in the lab.

“Is that a fish?”

The question caught you by surprise for a lot of reasons. First, no one really starts a conversation looking at the Kojak picture frame on your table; second, the lab was really badly designed, you never see who’s coming when you’re working with video processing, because the editing room made you have your back to the door; third, it was Benny asking - small talk question.

He almost opened his mouth to apologize for scaring you, but your eyes gazed at the picture and then at him again.

“... Yeah. Kojak.”

“Huh?”

“The fish. I bought it at a fair a few months ago, he's one of those guppys, you know?” By the look on his face, he didn’t. Of course he didn’t. “His name is Kojak.”

Here in these two moments, I tried to demonstrate with singulars that the reader is close to her father in terms of the way in which they act in unprepared moments. When he hears her mother's argument, the first thing he says is that she should be more diplomatic. This does not mean that he did not defend his daughter, but that he had a less aggressive attitude towards Theodore. 

Later, in the lab, the reader hesitates to answer Benny's question about Kojak, then mentally assumes that Benny would be too cool to know about species of fish.

What happens here is that even if the reader has a more assertive attitude towards situations like Nick or Mathias, she was taken by surprise by the idea of ​​someone so far outside her bubble being interested in knowing about something in her life with respect. 

She and her father are alike in their hesitation. Although she hides these fears inside, using her mother's side to deal with life's problems, the reader is like her father - cautious and very nerdy.

-------------------------------------------------

Another moment that is partially clear about the relationship between the two are the references to classic police programs. The first it, obviously, Kojak, but at the prequel when she was ‘negotiating’ with Nick, she mentioned another one. 

“She would mention how you try to look like Thomas Magnum.”

“So she has good opinions on Tom Selleck?”

“He has an avocado farm. She loves avocados. And she's one of the only humans who liked his character on Friends, so it's not a compliment.”

In the Prologue, as well, her brother made a comment about the nicknames from the Major Crimes. 

“Now I understand why you like working with these guys.” There was a sarcastic tone on his voice, as always. “Big Nick really does look like a drunk detective with a small dick from the 80s.”

“I never stopped to think about the dick size of the guys I work with.”

The reason he used this comparison was more than a simple joke, but a provocation to the reader's tendency to be connected to people of this 'inner circle'. She gets defensive because cop shows have always been her father's passion and it was one of the activities they did together since her childhood.

------------------------------------------------------

Still on the close relationship between the two, there is a more explicit moment when Benny gets tickets for the football game. Chapter 7.

“How do you know I like the Rams?” The change of subject widened the smile he already was wearing.

“I'm a detective, remember?”

“Oh, so you investigated me?” You arched an eyebrow and maintained a teasing crooked smirk, seeing the way he scoffed.

Still aware of your surroundings and what you should be doing, your steps turned the other way around, walking to a free table close to other shelves. Benny followed you.

“I saw a picture on your desk. Right next to Kojak.”

This was the kind of thing that Theodore stopped understanding during the end of your relationship and you knew that since things with Benny were so recent and so uncertain, he was putting more effort into knowing things about you.

The reason why the reader feels this sense of care is not just about Theodore, but because of all things, he dedicated himself to doing something that he realized she enjoyed doing with someone she clearly had a lot of affection for. In a way, it was apprehension for him too, because it could be an intrusion in her personal life.

---------------------------------------------------------

An important observation about my biggest works is that while in Bossa Nova I try to approach a healthy father-daughter relationship, in Versos de Placer it is completely the opposite. In both, it is worth reflecting that the presence or absence of a father figure in a woman's life shapes her in different ways, but does not prevent her from dealing with the cruelty of the world or her experiences with other men in the loving sphere.

----------------------------------------------------------

It was a lot, didn’t it? I’m sorry 😭😭😭😭😭 But thank you for asking, baby ❤️

#ask game #I'll even add this to my masterlist

[popentertainmentmusic]

WEIRD: THE AL YANKOVIC STORY (2022)

Starring Daniel Radcliffe, Evan Rachel Wood, Rainn Wilson, Toby Huss, Julianne Nicholson, Quinta Brunson, David Bloom, Spencer Treat Clark, Dot-Marie Jones, “Weird Al” Yankovic, Will Forte, Scott Aukerman, James Preston Rogers, Tommy O'Brien, Nina West, Arturo Castro, Conan O'Brien, Jack Black, Jorma Taccone, Akiva Schaffer, Demetri Martin, Paul F. Tompkins, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Patton Oswalt, Thomas Lennon and Nat Faxon.

Screenplay by  “Weird Al” Yankovic and Eric Appel.

Directed by Eric Appel.

Distributed by Roku Originals. 108 minutes. Not Rated.

Screened at the 2022 Philadelphia Film Festival.

I’m not big on superlatives and I find it hard to believe I’m about to write this, but Weird: The Al Yankovic Story is the funniest film comedy I’ve seen all year. By a long shot.

Now I know that sounds strange. And before you ask, no I’m not a Weird Al superfan, although I like him well enough. (Who doesn’t?) I’ve never seen (or had much urge to see) his previous attempt at film stardom with UHF, although I have heard relatively good things about it over the years.

And yet, I say it again – Weird: The Al Yankovic Story is absolutely hysterical.

As you may get from the title, it is a takeoff on the traditional rock and roll bio pics, although it is very, very loosely based on the life of Yankovic. Or, as it is described online: “The unexaggerated true story about the greatest musician of our time. From a conventional upbringing where playing the accordion was a sin, ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic rebels and makes his dream of changing the words to world-renowned songs come true. An instant success and sex symbol, Al lives an excessive lifestyle and pursues an infamous romance that nearly destroys him.”

This deviation from pure fact is what makes it so funny. Imagining the goofy, good-natured, teetotaling novelty singer Yankovic as a surly drunken rock star is comedy gold. And imagining a world where a man can conquer the rock charts with a Hawaiian shirt, an accordion and a dream – to make up funny words to other people’s songs – is just so weird that it can only be true. Or true-ish.

I mean come on, just the idea alone of Daniel Radcliffe (aka Harry Potter) playing Weird Al is meta enough to blow your mind. And he does a damned good job of it, too.

And I haven’t even mentioned the Pablo Escobar and Madonna connections, nor when (according to Weird), Michael Jackson plagiarized Al’s magnum opus.

It’s silly, it’s stupid and it’s undeniably funny.

Weird Al himself even has a bit part as one of the Scotti Brothers, the record label owners who signed him and released his early records. (Other Scotti Bros. acts which became marginal stars included Survivor, John Paul Young, John Cafferty & the Beaver Brown Band and Leif Garrett.)

One slight caveat... Weird: The Al Yankovic story was made as an original production for the new streaming machine Roku, which very few people have, so it may take some work to track the movie down. You can stream it on Roku’s website as well. More to the point, having seen it on a big screen at the Philadelphia Film Festival with a hysterical crowd (and Weird Al in the house), I realize that a theater is the way that it should be seen. (With or without Weird Al.) Weird is a film that works a lot better as a community experience than it would sitting alone watching it at home. They really should have given it a brief theatrical release.

But see it any way that you can. It’s that funny.

Jay S. Jacobs

Copyright ©2022 PopEntertainment.com. All rights reserved. Posted: October 28, 2022.

#Weird: The Al Yankovic Story #2022 #Music Review #Weird Al Yankovic #jay s. jacobs

[xxchumanixx]

Break it again

Thomas Magnum x reader

He broke your heart once - will he do it again?

Warnings: hurt, angst, fluff, comfort, reader has a broken heart

Word count: 4.659

Authors Note: Heya! I'm watching Magnum P.I. at the moment and I really love that guy ugh... I wish I could hire him to keep me company, I swear I'd just stare at him all day long. Now I have to wait for season 5 to air in Germany...

Anyways, have fun!

"No way!" TC mumbled to himself when you entered the bar, gathering Rick's attention. "Huh?" he hummed, following his friend's line of sight.

"No way!" he repeated TC's words, when his gaze landed on you as well; eyes widening in shock.

Your eyes scanned the small crowd gathered at La Mariana, before they landed on the bar to your right.

You couldn't believe your eyes as your mouth slowly opened in disbelief. Huffing you smiled, walking towards Rick and TC.

"Y/N!" the boys said in unison, grinning at you. "Where have you been?" TC wanted to know, engulfing you in a bone crushing hug.

Still smiling you hugged him back, ignoring the ache in your heart at his question.

He didn't need to know where you have been or why you left in the first place.

Even when they most likely knew anyways.

Rick rounded the bar, before he snatched you from TC's arms to hug you as well.

They used to be your family, your best friends.

But that was three years ago.

You still loved them, though - even when you had left them without properly saying goodbye back then.

Which made you wonder why they weren't angry at you, but instead were happy to see you.

"It's been what - four years?" Rick said when he let go of you. TC's brows lifted, as he shook his head. "It's been three." he corrected him.

"Feels like an eternity." Rick gave back, shaking his head as well.

His hand landed on your shoulder and he grinned. "Damn, we've missed you." he said, shaking his head again.

Then his eyes widened and he let go of you, stepping behind the bar and gesturing around him.

"What do you say?" he wanted to know, sounding proud.

Your eyes widened and you looked at him in shock.

"Wait, the La Mariana is yours?" you asked in disbelief, as a grin stretched your lips. "Actually, it's ours." TC chimed in, chuckling to himself. "We bought it a while ago, but Rick manages everything."

"Wow." you breathed, taking a look around you. "It's beautiful!"

Rick smiled. "Thank you." he said, wiping his hands on a towel. "It's been a hell of a ride, but we're very proud of it."

You nodded, feeling excited for them.

"Want something to drink?" Rick asked, tilting his head questioningly. You contemplated for a moment. "Surprise me." you then told him smiling.

He chuckled before he went to grab a glass, as he froze in his movement, his smile suddenly gone.

He was staring at a point behind you, and as TC sighed, you turned around to see what they were seeing.

Thomas Magnum.

"Oh." you made, staring at the man who once broke your heart.

The one who drove you away three years ago.

He didn't see you at first, talking to a blonde woman who was walking beside him. She was beautiful and you felt how you became jealous of her.

No, stop it. you warned yourself. Don't.

His eyes looked up a few steps away and landed on you, causing him to stop dead in his tracks, mouth open.

You bit on the inside of your cheek, chewing at the sensitive flesh.

You should have known he would appear sooner or later - where Rick and TC were, Thomas wasn't far.

Turning back around you tried to calm your racing heart, hands sweating.

"I need that drink, now." you told Rick, pressing your lips together. "Please."

Rick nodded silently, pouring you some bourbon, before sliding the glass over to you.

Your hands gripped it shakily, before you downed the shot, grimacing at the burning sensation in your throat.

But you needed it.

Then you turned back around, plastering a fake smile on your face.

"Thomas." you greeted him, trying to conceal your feelings, keep them in check. You didn't need him to know that your heart was still in pieces.

He needed a moment to respond, shaking the shock off and offering you a hesitant smile.

"Y/N." he gave back, swallowing. "Hey."

The woman beside him watched your interaction with furrowed brows, clearly confused.

"I'm Y/N Y/L/N." you introduced yourself, holding out your hand for her to shake. "Juliett Higgins." she gave back, shaking your hand. "Nice to meet you."

Nodding you looked back at Thomas. He didn't seem comfortable, and it satisfied you somehow.

You didn't feel comfortable either, when you left because of him.

It became silent for a moment, before Thomas cleared his throat awkwardly and faced TC.

"We need your help." he told him, biting his cheek. "Our client went on a hike in the mountains and she's missing since this morning. Could you fly up there and look for her? Please?"

Your brows knitted together.

Client? That meant he was still active as a private investigator, which meant he must've been pretty successful in doing so, when they still hired him.

Was Juliett his partner then?

TC nodded, looking your way for a split second, before he cleared his throat. "Sure."

Thomas thanked him, before he faced Juliett. "I'm gonna look after Gordon's tip about her ex boyfriend." he told her, avoiding to look at you. "Okay, then I will check her bank account and GPS." she gave back, nodding.

Then she looked at you, tilting her head.

"May I ask where you're from?" she wanted to know, eyes wandering towards Thomas, before looking back at you. "I believe I haven't seen you here before."

You nodded biting your cheek. "I live here." you told her, avoiding the others questioning looks. "Just moved back. Have been gone for a while, after I couldn't stand being here any longer. Personal reasons."

Thomas inhaled sharply, and you swallowed.

You intended to bite, and so you did.

Though it seemed to hurt you as well.

Juliett nodded, seeming pleased with your answer. "Where do you know the others from?" she asked further. "They've never mentioned you."

Ouch, that hurt.

Biting on the inside of your lip you contemplated your answer.

"She's like a sister to us." TC responded for you and you sighed inwardly in relief. "We met after we moved here."

Even though you were a few years younger than them, it had instantly clicked back then.

Julietts brows furrowed, but she just nodded.

She was probably wondering why Thomas and the others never mentioned you before.

Clearing your throat awkwardly you pulled out your wallet, handing Rick some money.

"Oh, no, no." he said, pushing your hand holding the money back. "It's on the house." He sent you a smile and you returned it. "Thank you." He just nodded and put your glass away.

"Well, then..." you said, looking back at the others, your gaze eventually landing on Thomas. He was already looking at you, irritation clear on his face, as his intense stare sent shivers down your spine.

He still had that effect on you, even after not seeing him for three years.

"Was nice to meet you all." With that you walked past them, biting your lip when you heard Thomas, though. He wanted to say something, but stopped himself, before he even really voiced anything.

Your steps faltered, but you continued on, swallowing.

You needed to be as far away from him as possible on Hawaii.

The waves crashed against the stones at the beach, calming you down a little. The wind brushed through your hair and you finally felt at home again.

When you left Hawaii you instantly missed it.

The waves, the weather, the air and the beach. You missed it all, causing you to come back after three years.

Maybe you had hoped he would've been gone by now, moved to another city, but somewhere you also hoped he hadn't.

Now you weren't sure what to think at all. Or what to feel, for that matter.

Someone cleared their throat behind you, snapping you out of your thoughts as you turned around.

You wished you hadn't.

Barely holding back from rolling your eyes you turned back around, continuing to watch the waves.

"Y/N." he said, stepping beside you as he tried to gather your attention. "Can we talk?"

Huffing you shook your head.

"About what?" you asked, still not looking at him. "What could possibly be of interest for you to talk about?"

He sighed, putting his hands in his pockets. "You know what I wanna talk about, Y/N." he spoke, still looking at you.

"There's nothing to talk about, TC." you responded, already feeling bad for getting angry at him.

"I know why you left." he said. "But when you're gonna continue being angry at him, this won't work."

"Im not angry." you shot back, finally looking at him whilst crossing your arms above your chest.

"Yes you are." he returned, shaking his head. "You forget that I can read you like an open book, Y/N. He never said anything, but we know what happened. What I don't get is why you never talked to us, but instead left without a word."

Rolling your eyes you bit on your cheek, as the memory of him breaking your heart Colin Bridgerton style flooded your mind.

"Nah, never." you heard Thomas say, chuckling uneasily.

You knew it was wrong to eavesdrop, but you just couldn't help yourself. Drinks in hand you waited for them to continue around the corner.

"Why not?" Rick asked, sounding confused. "She's funny, smart and beautiful. She's all you could possibly want, Thomas. Still you don't want her. Why?"

Thomas sighed, needing a moment to answer.

"I would never date her." he then said and you felt your heart become heavy. Where they talking about you?

God, you hoped not.

"But-" TC started, but Thomas cut him off. "No, guys." he said, most likely shaking his head. "I don't love her like that. I would never date Y/N. I couldn't."

You felt the tears pricking at your eyes, blinking rapidly as you tried to push them back.

Your heart crushed, as Thomas ripped it from your chest and stomped on it.

He didn't love you - not like that.

The drinks almost slipped from your grasp, as you tried gathering yourself, before making your way back into the living room.

"He broke your heart." TC spoke, ripping you out of your thoughts. "And I get that you're angry and that you're not willing to forgive him just yet, but you have to at least try. If not for him, then for yourself."

You sniffed, wiping at your eyes in an attempt to stop the tears that threatened to spill.

"If you want to live here you will have to see him from time to time." he continued. "Especially if you want to visit us at La Mariana. I expect you to become a regular, by the way."

You chuckled through the tears, smiling a little.

"Who would pay your bills if not me?" you joked, looking at him. He chuckled, shaking his head. "That's what I'm talkin' about."

You stared at each other in silence for a second, before he hugged you. "C'mere." he said, pulling you into his arms.

Yours wrapped around his middle with your face against his shoulder.

"I meant what I said. You're like a sister to Rick and me. When you left, you broke our hearts. We just settled here and I just started Island Hoppers. I could've used some help, Y/N." he continued.

The tears spilled at his words and you did your best not to sob.

"I didn't want to go." you told him, sniffing. "But I had to. I loved him and he broke my heart. I couldn't be near him, but being with you and Rick meant that he would be there as well. It would have been inevitable so I left."

He shook his head, before he let go of you.

"Let's go back to La Mariana and get you something to drink." he suggested. "Rick's worried that you'll leave again."

Your eyes rolled playfully, head shaking. "No." you said. "I'm not going to leave you again. I will just avoid Thomas, or..." you paused, not sure about it.

"Or you'll talk to him." TC finished for you. "Yeah..." you mumbled, starting to follow him back to the street. "Something like that."

When you got back to La Mariana, Rick rushed to you and pulled you into his arms.

"Thank god." he mumbled and you chuckled at his reaction. "I thought he would have caused you to flee again."

"No, not this time." you told him, head shaking, as he let go of you. "Nor ever again. I've missed you guys and Hawaii too much and I'm not gonna let him ruin this again. I should have never left in the first place." You mumbled the last part, looking over at TC.

He smiled, bowing his head slightly.

Rick then walked you towards a table, handing you the menu. "Whatever you want, it's for free tonight." he told you, smiling down at you.

You felt the tears prick at your eyes as you nodded gratefully. "Thank you." you said, smiling back. He nodded, patting your shoulder, before he and TC went to the bar.

You looked over the menu, deciding what to eat, when someone sat down across from you.

Not looking up you sighed. "Yes, TC?" you asked, contemplating between nuggets and fish.

The person across from you cleared their throat and your heart missed a beat.

That was not TC.

Putting the menu down on the table you looked up. "What do you want, Thomas?"

He cleared his throat again, sliding uncomfortably on the bench.

"We need to talk." he finally said, avoiding eye contact. "And what should we talk about?" you wanted to know, biting your cheek as anger bubbled up. "About the fact that I left because of you, or that I should leave again? Because that's not gonna happen."

He flinched at your words and bit his lip.

"No." he then said, shaking his head with his eyes glued to the table. "No, I should start by apologizing to you."

Your eyes widened. The Thomas Magnum wanted to apologize?

When you didn't say anything he looked up, his eyes meeting yours.

"What I said was wrong." he started, swallowing. It must've been really hard for him to apologize. "I never meant to hurt you, please believe me Y/N. When Rick and TC asked about you, I-" he cut himself off, wiping across his face with his hand.

He stared down on the table again and your brows furrowed.

"I panicked." he then said, shaking his head lost in thought. "I thought that because we were so close friends, that you'd never even consider dating me. So I said the same, never even considering that you would hear me."

"But I did." you told him, huffing. "I did and it broke me. It made me leave - something I never wished to do in the first place."

You heard him swallow again, as he bit his lip, nodding. His eyes seemed to glisten - but then it could have just been the light above you.

"I know." he said, sighing deeply. "And I blame myself for it. There's not one day that I don't feel guilty for what I did to you. I never told Rick and TC, but they surely know."

You nodded, fiddling with the edge of the menu.

"They do."

Nodding he brushed over his chin. "Yeah, I figured." he almost whispered.

It was silent for a moment, as neither of you knew what to say.

"Listen, I wish I could undo what I did, but I can't. I shouldn't have said what I said... I'm sorry for what happened and I hope you can forgive me some day." he spoke, looking at you with what seemed to be hope in his eyes.

Your breathing hitched as your heart pumped faster. Did he really mean what he said?

"Truth is, that I-" he cut himself off again, and his teeth grit. He was silent for a moment, as his eyes nervously switched from one point to another, wandering through the room.

"I lied."

Your brain seemed to come to an abrupt halt.

He did what?

"What are you talking about?" you wanted to know, clearing your throat as you noticed just how dry it had become. Was he doing this on purpose?

He breathed in shakily, wiping his hands on his legs, before he suddenly seemed to lose his patience.

"I lied, Y/N." he pressed, looking back at you. "I told them that I would never date you and that I wouldn't love you like that - it was a lie!"

Your heart seemed to shatter for the second time, as his words broke it again.

Mouth agape you felt your eyes sting. Was he messing with you?

He had to, right?

"What?" you managed to breathe out, noticing how your entire body began to shake in anger and disbelief. A tear managed to spill from your eye, but you didn't care.

"Are you telling me, that you loved me and even when I went away - because of you - you didn't tell me?"

His breathing hitched and he seemed to understand just how big his mistake really was. Swallowing he looked away, eyes watering.

"You could have stopped me - could have had me - but you chose to let me go with a broken heart?" you almost yelled at him, causing Rick and TC to nervously look your way.

"Do you know just how much I suffered, because of you?" Now you were yelling at him, as you stood up, looking down at him, as some of the customers turned your way as well. "No, Thomas, you don't know. You only care about yourself - So don't tell me that you loved me! Because clearly you didn't!"

Making your way past Rick and TC, who walked over to your table, Rick tried to stop you. "Y/N-" he spoke, grabbing your arm, but you freed yourself, walking past him and out of La Mariana.

You couldn't believe him. How could he do this to you?

The tears now fell freely, as you made your way to your car. Leaning against it you slid down, sitting on the ground as you lost control over your feelings.

Crying you buried your face in your knees, sobbing and shaking.

All this time he let you believe that he didn't love you, that he would never do so. All this time you suffered because of a lie.

The realization of him loving you didn't make you happy, as you had imagined so many times before. It made you angry and even more sad, knowing that he had let you live in the dark for so long.

You didn't know what to feel, besides the emptiness that slowly overtook your whole body.

You felt numb.

The tears subsided after some time, but the pain was still there. Your heart ached so badly you were scared you would actually die of a broken heart.

You heard steps coming your way, before someone crouched down before you.

Even though it was already dawn, you could clearly see that it was Rick.

"Hey." he spoke softly, grimacing at your tear stained face.

"I wanna be alone, Rick." you told him, sniffing, but he shook his head.

"Forget it." he gave back, sitting down beside you. One of his arms wrapped around your shoulders and he pulled you towards him.

The smell of his familiar cologne calmed you down a little.

"Thomas is an idiot." he quietly said, his fingers brushing over your arm. "Only he could fuck up this badly."

A bitter chuckle made its way through your lips, as you nodded. "Yeah, that's exactly like him to fuck up." you spoke.

It was silent for a while, as you both were lost in thought.

"We tried to convince him to be honest about it." he eventually spoke up. "We were so sure about his feelings for you, but he denied them. Even when you were gone, he didn't change his opinion. If he would have been honest from the start, he could have stopped you. After you left, he wasn't himself for a couple weeks. But he was ashamed, was so sure you wouldn't talk to him, so he eventually accepted it instead of talking to you."

Shaking your head you bit your lip, to stop another wave of tears from falling.

"If he would have been honest, I would have forgiven him." you gave back, clearing your throat. "We could have been happy."

Rick contemplated for a moment, scratching his chin.

"You still can be." he then said, causing you to sit upright and stare at him in confusion.

"What do you mean?" you wanted to know, brows furrowed. "I mean that his feelings for you never changed." he gave back. "His face when you stormed out the bar proves my theory."

Shaking your head you looked away. "If anything, it's a theory." you said, not believing his words.

He sighed, turning your head back to him with two fingers.

"If I know one thing, than it's that two of my best friends - my ohana - are in love." he explained, looking you in the eye. "And this is your only chance to talk about it and get it right. To not lose that opportunity again."

You stared back at him, swallowing. If he was right, than this was your only chance.

But were you ready to forgive Thomas? Were you ready to waste another few years with a broken heart, if not?

Before you could decide, TC walked out with Thomas in tow. Swallowing you stood, Rick following you.

Rick and TC nodded towards one another, before they left you and Thomas alone.

Breathing in deeply you tried to calm yourself down.

If you were going to talk to him, you didn't need to let the entire neighborhood and customers be part of it by yelling at Thomas.

It was silent, as you stared at one another without uttering a single word. Biting your lip you decided to start if he wouldn't do it himself.

"Did you suffer?" you wanted to know, biting your cheek. He looked away for a split second, before nodding once. "Yes." he answered, swallowing. "But I believe you suffered even more than I did."

Huffing you nodded. "Yes, Thomas." you replied, crossing your arms above your chest. "I did. In fact I suffered so badly, that for three years I didn't let any man get near me out of fear that the same thing would happen that happened with you."

He swallowed again, before he took a step closer.

"Y/N - I'm so sorry for what I did to you." he apologized again, looking sincere. "I'm so sorry and I don't know what I should do to make you believe me, to make you forgive me someday."

Shaking your head you felt your eyes beginning to burn again. You were going in circles with this.

"What are we doing here?" you asked, looking away from him, suddenly feeling defeated and tired. "I mean, what are we doing? You broke my heart and now you broke it again. What makes you believe we can actually fix this?"

"Do you still love me?" he asked, instead of answering you. His question stole your breath, causing your gaze to snap back to his.

"What?" you gave back, brows furrowed.

"Do you still love me?" he repeated his question, still looking at you. He really wanted an answer to it.

Breathing heavily you stared back at him, speechless. Why did he want to know that?

"What if I do?" you finally answered, having trouble to keep up the eye contact. Your voice was smaller than before.

"Then I'll tell you, that I still love you, too." he responded, taking another step closer. "Because I do. And I want to fix this so we can finally be together."

You couldn't stop the tears anymore, as you bit your lip. Did he really want this?

"Yes, Thomas." you spoke, swallowing. "Yes, I do. But how am I supposed to forget what happened? Because I can't."

He nodded, looking away for a split second. "Then don't." he said, looking back up at you. "Don't and we'll take it as en example how not to do it. Let us prove that we're stronger than this."

Shaking your head you wiped your tears away.

"I really want to, Thomas. But... why didn't you talk to me sooner? Why didn't you tell me the truth when I left?"

Biting his cheek he wiped his face with his hand.

"I was scared." he spoke, shaking his head as well. "I really wanted to, but I was scared you wouldn't believe me. I pushed it further and further away until it was too late. And I hate myself for it, believe me. I do."

"I would have forgiven you, you know?" you told him, taking a shaky step towards him. "I really hoped things would take a turn, that you would call or something - but after a few months my hope vanished. I thought the only solution was to go, but that meant that I had to leave my ohana as well. All because of you."

He nodded, sighing shakily.

"I know." he spoke. "But I'm willing to do anything to gain back your trust - and your love. Whatever it takes."

Another wave of tears streamed down your face and he stepped forward, his fingers hesitantly brushing the tears away.

"Please tell me that you want this as much as I do." he whispered, looking you in the eyes. His pupils were dilated, making his brown eyes almost seem black.

"I do." you gave back, as his hand cupped your cheek and your head leaned towards it. "I really do."

Your heart raced, and you felt how you became warmer. Ignoring what happened and what led to this situation, you somehow felt like a teenager that just confessed to its crush.

He breathed a breath of relieve, smiling hesitantly.

Something inside you convinced you to forgive him - then and there. Forgive him for breaking your heart and stealing you three years that could have been wonderful.

And so you did.

"I forgive you." you mumbled, eying his lips that seemed so close, yet so far away.

His brows shot high, as he couldn't believe what you were saying.

"What?" he mumbled back, confusion clear on his handsome face. "I forgive you." you repeated, a small smile stretching your lips. "If we want to do this, I'll have to start by accepting your apology and forgiving you."

He blinked a few times as if trying to understand what you just said, before he started to smile.

"Oh, thank god." he mumbled, before his lips finally met yours.

Kissing him for the first time felt like a dream come true - which it was.

As you kissed him back your hands wrapped around his neck, his wandering to your hips and the back of your head.

Fireworks spread through your body, leaving goosebumps and tingles in their wake.

It felt right, as all the troubles of the past three years fell off your shoulders. As he kissed the pain away, he somehow stitched your heart back together along the way.

When your lips left his you stared each other in the eyes, breathing heavily. His pupils were blown, and so must have been yours.

"I love you, Y/N Y/L/N." he confessed, as his fingers brushed some stray hair from your face.

"I love you too, Thomas Magnum." you confessed in return, a giddy feeling making its way up to the surface.

"Let's do this together then." he spoke, smiling down at you. "Yeah." you gave back, biting your lip. "Let's do it."

#magnum pi #magnum x higgins #thomas magnum #x reader #my text #text post #text! #text #imagine #Fanfiction

[morgandr]

Imagine:

Tom Selleck being interviewed and saying how lovely it was to work with you.

——————————————————————————-

“Y’know it was really lovely and amazing working with Y/N. Y/N is dedicated with his/her work and it was a pleasure to work with them.”

——————————————————————————-

(NOT MY GIF!)

(Tom Selleck X Reader)

——————————————————————————-

(TAGS)

#old hollywood #oldhollywoodedit #tom selleck #thomas magnum #moviegifs #gif imagine #images #imagine #fame dr #x reader #fluff #y/n #1970s #1980s

[popentertainment-moviereviews]

WEIRD: THE AL YANKOVIC STORY (2022)

Starring Daniel Radcliffe, Evan Rachel Wood, Rainn Wilson, Toby Huss, Julianne Nicholson, Quinta Brunson, David Bloom, Spencer Treat Clark, Dot-Marie Jones, “Weird Al” Yankovic, Will Forte, Scott Aukerman, James Preston Rogers, Tommy O'Brien, Nina West, Arturo Castro, Conan O'Brien, Jack Black, Jorma Taccone, Akiva Schaffer, Demetri Martin, Paul F. Tompkins, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Patton Oswalt, Thomas Lennon and Nat Faxon.

Screenplay by  “Weird Al” Yankovic and Eric Appel.

Directed by Eric Appel.

Distributed by Roku Originals. 108 minutes. Not Rated.

Screened at the 2022 Philadelphia Film Festival.

I’m not big on superlatives and I find it hard to believe I’m about to write this, but Weird: The Al Yankovic Story is the funniest film comedy I’ve seen all year. By a long shot.

Now I know that sounds strange. And before you ask, no I’m not a Weird Al superfan, although I like him well enough. (Who doesn’t?) I’ve never seen (or had much urge to see) his previous attempt at film stardom with UHF, although I have heard relatively good things about it over the years.

And yet, I say it again – Weird: The Al Yankovic Story is absolutely hysterical.

As you may get from the title, it is a takeoff on the traditional rock and roll bio pics, although it is very, very loosely based on the life of Yankovic. Or, as it is described online: “The unexaggerated true story about the greatest musician of our time. From a conventional upbringing where playing the accordion was a sin, ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic rebels and makes his dream of changing the words to world-renowned songs come true. An instant success and sex symbol, Al lives an excessive lifestyle and pursues an infamous romance that nearly destroys him.”

This deviation from pure fact is what makes it so funny. Imagining the goofy, good-natured, teetotaling novelty singer Yankovic as a surly drunken rock star is comedy gold. And imagining a world where a man can conquer the rock charts with a Hawaiian shirt, an accordion and a dream – to make up funny words to other people’s songs – is just so weird that it can only be true. Or true-ish.

I mean come on, just the idea alone of Daniel Radcliffe (aka Harry Potter) playing Weird Al is meta enough to blow your mind. And he does a damned good job of it, too.

And I haven’t even mentioned the Pablo Escobar and Madonna connections, nor when (according to Weird), Michael Jackson plagiarized Al’s magnum opus.

It’s silly, it’s stupid and it’s undeniably funny.

Weird Al himself even has a bit part as one of the Scotti Brothers, the record label owners who signed him and released his early records. (Other Scotti Bros. acts which became marginal stars included Survivor, John Paul Young, John Cafferty & the Beaver Brown Band and Leif Garrett.)

One slight caveat... Weird: The Al Yankovic story was made as an original production for the new streaming machine Roku, which very few people have, so it may take some work to track the movie down. You can stream it on Roku’s website as well. More to the point, having seen it on a big screen at the Philadelphia Film Festival with a hysterical crowd (and Weird Al in the house), I realize that a theater is the way that it should be seen. (With or without Weird Al.) Weird is a film that works a lot better as a community experience than it would sitting alone watching it at home. They really should have given it a brief theatrical release.

But see it any way that you can. It’s that funny.

Jay S. Jacobs

Copyright ©2022 PopEntertainment.com. All rights reserved. Posted: October 28, 2022.

#Weird: The Al Yankovic Story #2022 #Movie Reviews #Daniel Radcliffe #Weird Al Yankovic #PFF31 #Philadelphia Film Festival #Jay S. Jacobs

[ear-worthy]

Unsung Science Podcast: Giving Voice To Untold Scientific Breakthroughs

Podcasting is particularly adept at science shows. Dope Labs, Science Vs, The Disappearing Spoon, and Unexplained are just a few of the noteworthy podcasts. Perhaps it is the lack of the visual component that challenges these shows to explain the science so efficiently using only words and sounds. It's not like you can wow your audience with an image from the Webb Telescope, and then sit back while your audience "oohs and ahhs."

Since science is such a broad and discursive topic, successful science podcasts have a "hook" that is designed to attract listeners. 

Unsung Science, produced by Simon & Schuster and CBS News, uses as its hook "The untold stories of mind-blowing achievements in science and tech."

What makes this science podcast so ear worthy is its excellent premise, skilled narrative storytelling, and superb host, taking you behind the scenes into the worlds of the people who’ve built the best in transportation, entertainment, food and other areas. What’s unique about these stories is that they veer from the well-traveled path of scientific discovery storytelling.

No Lindbergh, Alexander Graham Bell, and Thomas Edison here. Instead, listeners hear the untold stories of mind-blowing achievements that don't show up in your daily news feed. 

Some of my favorite episodes include the May 19th episode about David Peterson, the one man who makes a full-time living from creating, maintaining and safeguarding invented languages such as Star Trek's Klingon, and Dothraki and High Valyrian from HBO's Game Of Thrones. 

Want to ensure that your first date from a dating app goes sideways? Speak Klingon to your date as you explain your hobbies. 

Another favorite is also a recent one about how scientists at Colgate spent five years and millions of the company's dollars to design a recyclable tube of toothpaste. Then, Colgate made its patent available to other toothpaste makers. Wonders will never cease.

Unsung Science began in September 2021 and is in its second season. My favorite show of season one has to be the Baby Carrots episode. We learn that baby carrots are not really "babies" but the invention of a California carrot farmer and his family. The years-long saga of perfecting baby carrots by this farmer is an uplifting tale of perseverance, ingenuity, and imagination. After listening, you'll never look at carrots the same way.

The secret weapon of Unsung Science is the creator / host David Pogue. You've probably seen him on TV on CBS Sunday Morning, perhaps the best morning show on television. 

Pogue can handle narrative storytelling like Tom Brady could throw a football. He's master-class good at keeping listeners interested. Pogue also doesn't take himself or the subject matter too seriously. There's that sense of good-natured cynicism and raised-eyebrow humor that keeps the show from becoming too science-geeky. 

Pogue has superb narrative balance, explaining science, then waggishly pointing out the idiosyncratic tale surrounding the breakthrough.

Pogue's resume makes me realize that I am a serial underachiever.

 David Pogue was the New York Times weekly tech columnist from 2000 to 2013. He’s a six-time Emmy winner for his stories on CBS Sunday Morning, a New York Times bestselling author, a five-time TED speaker, host of 20 NOVA science specials on PBS, and creator/host of the CBS News/Simon & Schuster podcast Unsung Science.

He’s written or cowritten more than 120 books, including dozens in the Missing Manual tech series, which he created in 1999; six books in the For Dummies line (including Macs, Magic, Opera, and Classical Music); two novels (one for middle-schoolers); his three bestselling Pogue’s Basics books of tips and shortcuts (on Tech, Money, and Life); his how-to guides, iPhone Unlocked and Mac Unlocked; and his 2021 magnum opus, How to Prepare for Climate Change.

After graduating summa cum laude from Yale in 1985 with distinction in music, Pogue spent ten years conducting and arranging Broadway musicals in New York. He has won a Loeb Award for journalism, two Webby awards, and an honorary doctorate in music. 

Enough Pogue, now back to Unsung Science. The show offers listeners a learning experience, a science lesson that doesn't hurt your head, and a sense of things are always not what they seem, all while chuckling and smiling. 

This is one of my top recommendations for a podcast, science or otherwise. Check out Unsung Science and if you don't like it, feel free to contact me and tell me that I am full of it. Of course, I will only accept such feedback in Klingon or Dothraki.

#podcast #science #technology #history

[ich-hoere-dir-zu]

The man with no imagination has no wings.

Photo by Thomas Hoepker—Magnum

#Ali

[parkpavilion]

Long Live the King

As millions around the world mourned the passing of a venerable queen, another monarch, far less famous, slipped more quietly into death. King Xavier I, reigning monarch of Redonda, died in Madrid, Spain, far from his fiefdom, a tiny outcropping of rock near Antigua and Barbuda in the middle of the Caribbean Sea. He was there in spirit, though, since his kingdom had always existed more solidly in the minds of his followers than in any physical location. 

If anything about his story sounds familiar, it may be because I wrote about Redonda in a recent bookstore newsletter, highlighting the imminent publication of the first comprehensive study of this mysterious, ineffable place. The monarchical micronation was created in the mind of influential British fantasist M.P. Shiel, and its crown passed (not without controversy) from writer to writer, eventually landing on the noggin of an acclaimed Spanish author, one often touted (including by me) as a leading candidate for the Nobel Prize in Literature. The collective whim of its existence has served as secret entertainment for the cognoscenti, but has also had measurable impact on the real world. All this is chronicled in Try Not To Be Strange by Michael Hingston, and it’s oddly fitting that the cerebral but playful Spanish author in question, Javier Marías, took his leave from us the very week this history was fully told.

Marías savored his royal role, handing out honorary aristocratic titles to friends and acquaintances (such as Pedro Almodóvar, Francis Ford Coppola, A.S. Byatt, Alice Munro, Umberto Eco, George Steiner, Ray Bradbury, Frank Gehry, J.M. Coetzee, Éric Rohmer, and Philip Pullman), and I’m eager to learn who will next take the imaginary throne, but I don’t want to focus too closely on Redonda. It was never more than an amusing footnote to Marías’s more important literary accomplishments. 

I became aware of these when I read Tomorrow in the Battle Think on Me in Margaret Jull Costa’s translation, first published in the US in 2001. It’s a cool, elliptical novel about a one-night stand gone wrong: when the married woman who has invited the narrator into her bedroom suddenly dies of natural causes, he must extricate himself from the situation without compromising himself or her memory. But what about the incriminating message on her answering machine? And worse, what about her young, now unattended, sleeping child? Unable to break his unspeakable connection to a woman he barely new, he becomes a shadowy presence on the periphery of the life she’s left behind.

Entranced by the book’s sinuous sentences, which hesitate, qualify, and doubt even as they assert, à la Henry James, I started working my way backwards and forwards through Marías’s oeuvre. I discovered that his career began precociously, with Conradian novels of seafaring adventure published in his early 20s. He was a lifelong student of world literature, particularly writing in English, and translated works by William Faulkner, Thomas Browne, Vladimir Nabokov, and Laurence Sterne. He spent considerable time in the US and at Oxford in England, recording his experiences in the latter (with appropriate artistic license) in All Souls and Dark Back of Time. His slimmest book is Bad Nature, or With Elvis in Mexico, about an interpreter and a rock star on an Acapulco film set; his most expansive is his magnum opus, Your Face Tomorrow, a three-volume novel with epic scale. There’s an enormous amount that goes on between its covers, but imagining James Bond if Proust had created him will give you the idea. The narrator is recruited into a hyper-secret intelligence organization, falls for a colleague, and eventually finds himself in over his head, but that hardly does the book justice. Threads stretch back to British military snafus in World War II and betrayals during the Spanish Civil War; the meanings of words shift as they’re translated from language to language; the psychology of marriage and estrangement is examined; and the philosophy of violence is investigated from all angles. It’s an exploded diagram of a spy novel where every action is labeled with a thought.

Marías was very much a current writer—his final novel, Tomás Nevinson, came out last year and is set for publication in English in 2023—but his work, and indeed his life, seemed in closest conversation with the past. He never used computers, composing on an electric typewriter and correcting with pen on paper, and fussed in his regular newspaper column about various 21st-century indignities, but the affinity ran deeper. Something about him resisted comparison with his contemporaries; his books seemed finer and more lasting, already part of the pantheon. That should make it harder to feel truly sad about his death, but I do, much more than I’d have expected.

—James