Raymond Reddington - Blog Posts
@theblacklistrareshipsweek
Day 4: “The Things You Do Aren’t Good For My Health” or “I’ll Take Care of You”
Bonus: REDARINA/REDERINA
Day 4. “I’ll Take Care of You”. Or “The Things You Do Aren’t Good For My Health”. Reddington/Ressler.
You can interpret it both ways.
Day 4: “The Things You Do Aren’t Good For My Health”. Peddington/Prescott.
Btw, I have a fix-it AU (Ressler/Prescott)! In Russian, yup, but still.
https://archiveofourown.org/works/24271807
Day three: Hands All Over
A/N: Ever since seeing a guitar in Ressler’s apartment I have always been convinced that Donald is a blues-guitarist. I’ve never been able to see him differently. Enjoy!
_______
Red keeps a recording of Donald’s guitar playing in his desk.
It’s a silly keepsake, one he has been tempted to trash a few times over. But he can never quite bring himself to do so. How he came about such a keepsake is not exactly a thrilling story, but he does remember it clearly.
Once a long time ago, Red came into the habit of bugging the home of the FBI Agent who was currently assigned to catching him. It was a guilty pleasure. That delicious satisfaction when he could drop events, names and dates of their lives like hand grenades to shake their foundations.
They always took a moment to recover. Sputtering and stuttering to get themselves going again, by which point Red was long gone. He missed those days.
But then Ressler came along. The same routine was followed, a bug slipped into his home where he wouldn’t see it. Activated only when there was activity, or movement nearby and everything was recorded. And Red had picked up excellent facts, good little titbits, to spit out when Donald was in front of him.
But it never shook or rattled him like the others. Donald, sturdy like marble, simply took it on the nose, as if he’d half-way expected Red to know these things.
Needless to say, it sucked the fun right out of it.
He wanted to cut off the bug. Leave it dead and quiet in Donald’s apartment, what’s the point if Red couldn’t have any fun? When next the bug crackled to life over the speak and the recording clicked alive, he had stood to turn it off. No point in listening to the boring life of an Agent when he had better things to do.
“I’m not very good…” you’re at least a decent pain in the ass, Donald.
“Just play already!” He paused, his hand hovering over the volume.
“Alright, alright!” a long breath of silence, then the raspy voice of a guitar started playing over the speaker. At first it was tender, almost timid, as if he was apologizing for playing. But the notes were sweet, a blues tone with a warm resonance. There was no singing, just the soft ship-cha, rhythm carrying through the song. He could so easily imagine Donald’s hands, so quick to punch, shoot or kill, tenderly gripping the neck of his guitar. His other picking the strings with a tenderness he would never see in person. He was surprised to find he wanted to.
The song grew in strength and voice, and when it finally trickled to a stop, Red found himself sitting next to the speaker completely enraptured.
“That was amazing!” Audrey squealed.
“Thanks, it –“ Red cut off the volume, and immediately stopped the recording. He removed the tiny cassette, still more reliable than USB sticks in his opinion, and shoved it in his pocket. Later, when Dembe came home he would ask him to remove the speaker, they had no more use for it.
Years later he still has the cassette, tucked away in the corner of whatever desk he currently owns. He doesn’t listen to it often, but every now and then he slips it into the cassette player, sits back and listens to the raspy notes a blues song. Perfectly imagining Donald’s hands around the neck of his guitar.
Day 2: “Damn your eyes” (And those muscles!).
Red + muscle dude from Costa Rica.
@theblacklistrareshipsweek
Day 4: “The Things You Do Aren’t Good For My Health” or “I’ll Take Care of You”
@theblacklistrareshipsweek
Day 3, "Hands All Over"
Red had to give emergency medical aid to Ressler in Anslo Garrick which involved a lot of touching. But these two find excuses for physical touch throughout their relationship. Whether it's slapping on handcuffs, a pat on the shoulder, gentle care or a full-body hug, our #Resslington pair just seem to get more touchy as the years roll by.
I had to!
(Not my gifs. Credit to the original gif artist/s.)
#donald ressler #raymond reddington #resslington #the blacklist rare ships week #TBLRSW
@theblacklistrareshipsweek, Day 3 “Hands All Over”.
Pain is love, pain is love Drag me into the drain of your heart
“Pain Is Love” by Spiritual Front
@theblacklistrareshipsweek, Day 3 “Hands All Over”.
We are the same endless desire, devotion like emptiness I’m so in love with you, desperately in love with you Devoted to you as I
“Devoted To You” by Spiritual Front
Day 3. “Hands All Over”, Resslington. Partially whump, but everyone’s seen the show, eh?
Day 3. “Hands all over”. Resslington.
Does anyone have a hand kink? Because I do.
Day two: Damn your eyes
There has always been something about his eyes that fascinated Red. Donald’s job, his moral compass and his blind loyalty to his ‘FBI’ has always bored him to tears. But his are eyes an entirely different matter.
They are like the coolest pools of green, a sonnet can easily be written of their depths, their sheer intensity, their honesty. His face might be resilient to showing emotions, but they have no such qualms. Burning like fire, freezing like ice, softening like heated butter. They show what he’s thinking – without his consent.
And more often than not, when turned to Red they are hardened like steel, ready to be forged in the fire to be burned into a flaming weapon.
It never fails to make him smile.
Donald is not without passion, not without merits. Red often wonders what it would be like to turn that passion to something of real value. To send Donald into deserts and jungles to liberate those who cannot liberate themselves. He knows he would be marvellous at it. Donald was born to protect and defend; he would take to it like a Knight to his sword.
But it’s not to be. Donald has been sealed into the core of his FBI, he’s been crafted and moulded into something unbreakable. Even if Red could convince Donald that he can help people, the man would never turn his back on his team.
It angers Red, only serving to make him jaded and bitter towards Donald when the thought comes up. Donald takes it, let’s the punches land like bombs against his shields, keeping his face impassive and his words measured.
But his eyes burn, with fire, with anger and brimstone. And Red remembers why he endures all his failings.
He just can’t get enough of them.
Day One: When I first saw [You] Reddington
A/N Jumping in on day one for the “TBL Rare ships week”, despite the fact that I’m already two days late XD I’ll have to get cracking to catch up! _____ I wanted to punch him! Nothing has ever brought me to that level of sheer ferocity than the day I met Raymond Reddington.
After breaking into the building, my team and I had carefully picked our way down the dark passages. The tunnels had been hot and humid in the Vietnamese Jungles. We’d met with some trouble on our way through, and my team and I got separated in what I could only describe as a damned labyrinth.
By sheer luck I’d burst into his room. Decorated in soft cream panels, tasteful silk sheets on the four poster bed, and a deep red carpet. I was baffled that such a room could exist in the grimy tunnels I’d just left. But I’d quickly recovered and aimed my gun, the thrill of having him in my sights almost making my hands tremble. To this day I regret not firing immediately.
“FBI!”
He spared me a lazy glance over his $1000 sunglasses, a bubbling glass of champagne still in hand and a look of utter bemusement on his face. Curious yet half-way uninterested at the same time. Like a peculiar bug which had stumbled onto his plate, but not into the caviar just yet.
“Get on the ground!” I’d yelled, gun aimed at his head. My team had gotten pinned down somewhere, chances that they would even get here in time would be a miracle in of itself. Dembe, dour and serious, had pulled out his own gun, pinned in turn on me, but a casual wave of Reddington’s hand had most likely prevented him from blowing my head off.
“Ah,” Raymond had said, taking a long sip of champagne, “Another dog sent to chase me, let’s hope this one can keep up.”
I would, I always would, but catching him would prove impossible. I hadn’t known that yet.
The flash of anger had me almost baring my teeth. “Get your ass on the ground, Reddington!”
As a response he’d chuckled, and I could see it for what it was. A dismissive action meant to make me feel small and worthless next to him and his posse. “Agent Donald Ressler, is it?” he’d asked, clear disdain in his voice. Like plucking the words up with tweezers to prevent himself from touching them.
I wasn’t surprised he knew me. But I didn’t like the look in his eyes.
“You have a lot to learn.” And the world exploded.
Many years has passed since that first day. Part of me still hates everything that he is, from that hated suit and hat, to that quiet composure and his utter disregard for my experience and achievements – like a sour cocktail I have to drink every fucking morning. We work for him now. As lackey’s and hunting dogs, as pathetic and disposable as they sound. But a dog gets some affection from his master. He gets treats and pats and recognition for the work and loyalty he offers.
I get nothing but disdain, eyerolls, cutdowns, insults and sneers.
I hate that it’s so, but mostly I hate that I care. Hate that every time he does acknowledge my achievements and good deeds, I preen like a good dog, I wag my tail and I want to reach up to his face and do something completely different than punch.
@theblacklistrareshipsweek Day 2, “Damn Your Eyes”.
Do you think you’d love them all the same? (and even if) You’d lose everything, faith too. You gave your blood And the rest of that ridiculous crown And all your rags for just one dollar.
Lyrics from “Jesus Died in Las Vegas” by Spiritual Front
@theblacklistrareshipsweek
Day 1, “When I First Saw You”. The scene which made you fall in love with your ship
It was my engagement with you that ended that relationship.
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The Blacklist Rare Ships Week
DAY 2: “Damn, your eyes...”
This is actually what made my heart rate quicken. I’m not even joking! This is the EXACT frame that made butterflies erupt inside my stomach. The second picture is another pic that made my heart flutter.
Look, I know that these are literally the same pics from last time but idgaf. This is all we have of this beautiful pairing!
I will def draw artwork for RayAnne by the end of the week for my fellow shippers so we don’t have to fixate everything on that one masterpiece that is the first picture! I probably will draw a minimalist piece of them bird-watching or something like that. Or maybe them walking in Central Park. Who knows? All I know is that I cannot continue to reuse the same images, haha.
Day 2. “Damn your eyes”. Redlin/Bermond xD
I am in love with Peter Stormare (since “Constantine”, I assume), so when I saw him in TBL, I was like “OOOOOOH look at him!1″ And I also think, Red and Berlin have tremendous tension. Btw, I have a headcanon where they were meeting long time ago, but it’s a story for another time.
TBLRSW Day 2: "Damn Your Eyes"
Red/Cooper
Good morning, fellas!
It’s Day 2: “Damn Your Eyes”. Brush up your memory here: FAQs|Guidelines|Daily Themes|Ship Ideas|
Something to set your creative mood for the day by our glorious host, @yddraigwyllt
***
Red/his mirror reflection
Slow blues flows from the Sennheiser, reverberating through each cell of his body with pleasure. Red hums to the rhythm, slowly flexing his fingers and doing his tie in a Windsor knot.
He looks marvellous. Astonishing. Fabulous.
Each and every detail of his garde-robe is impeccable, clings to his body like a second skin, accentuating the shape.
In no hurry, Red turns around, trying to see himself from the back, and then turns around again, looking at his own eyes in the reflection. They are hazel, dark; a devilish twinkle giving away his attitude, tempting and sensuous.
“Parfait,” Red says, putting on his vest. He is ready for work.
***
WE TRACK: #the blacklist rare ships week, #TBLRSW (#tblrsw).
The Blacklist Rare Ships Week
 DAY 1: “When I first saw you...”
The GIF above is when I fell in love with Red and Anne’s friendship. The promotion picture for 8.13 is when I fell in love with their romance. The third picture, a screenshot of the promo for 8.13, is what solidified my love for Red/Anne.
Red honestly deserves more happiness, especially after all the work he’s done and all the work he’s doing. I still remember how in 1.09, Red described his wish to have a woman in his arms again. Anne could possibly be that woman! As you can see, I am so so STOKED for 8.13! So stoked!
Red/Anne is literally the best and most genuine ship! They actually formed a connection, and to be honest, I think Anne is a much better fit for Red than any other woman he’s been with. She seems to understand him though she doesn’t even know his criminal past and present, but I can tell she’ll be accepting of him once he reveals who he is (at least, I hope so). The scene where Red stood her up was so sad, especially when Anne started to cry. That scene, in particular, made me feel super heartbroken. Lastly, the fact that the next episode will be Red/Anne-centric is so exciting!
TBLRSW Day 1: "When I First Saw You"
Red/Cooper
Been watching The Blacklist for a while now, it’s a really good show