burritoagain

Latest Posts by burritoagain

#SHORT QUEENS Quinta Brunson and Sabrina Carpenter during Quinta's opening monologue for Saturday Night Live | 3rd May, 2025

Margo, I wanted to ask, will you be at the ICSE conference in the UK this summer?I’m not sure. Why?

yeah yeah you know the drill

Modern Margo & Sergei

Margo x Sergei Mini Fic: "Whatever It Takes"

... Well, I seem to have stayed up late writing this possibly rather devastating little thing. Um, sorry I guess?

Set during a version of 3x10 in which Margo never got the call letting her know that Sergei and his family made it out safely, and she had to make her decision to defect without knowing.

As he entered the elevator in the lobby of JSC, Sergei felt as though his heart was pounding out of his chest with anticipation. He hoped he was making the right decision, coming to see her unexpectedly like this, but as soon as he was on the ground in Houston, the pull towards Margo was irresistible. Once he was granted permission to make this visit to JSC, no other choice had been possible. He simply had to be here as quickly as he could.

He had wanted to let her know as soon as he and his family were safely out of the Soviet Union. He had hoped to be able to call her when they reached the base in Germany, to tell her the good news, tell her he couldn’t begin to thank her enough, tell her they would see each other again very soon. For some reason that was not explained to him, he had not been permitted to make such a call.

Sergei had hated the thought that Margo might worry for him a day or an hour longer than she needed to. And at the same time, the idea that she would be worried for him – that she cared for him – warmed his heart.

The memory of her at their last parting had scarcely left his mind. It had all happened so suddenly; a shock to both of them. Allowed a brief time to say his goodbye, then, he had gone to her office with some hope, but little expectation. He knew her well enough to know how unlikely she would be to let him close to her, the shock making it all the less likely.

He had longed for nothing more than to hold her tightly, even if only for a moment, and tell her how much he loved her. This he had longed to do for so many years. And as he expected, this Margo had not allowed, either part of it. And yet, while she made the impossible promise that they would see each other again, he had been able to read in her eyes that she knew what he felt for her. Even, he now almost dared to believe, that she felt the same. And as he’d walked away from her office then, he could almost swear that he had heard her let out a muffled sob.

And now, against all the odds, here he was again. He could not wait to tell her that she had been right, after all. Somehow, she had made the impossible happen, for him and his family. She had told him she would do whatever it took; he should never have doubted this. He was here, safe, in the United States to stay – they all were – and he was going to see Margo again in just a few moments.

Sergei exited the elevator and started down the hallway toward Margo’s office. And there she was, heading down the hallway towards him, a look on her face of determination that was familiar to him, tinged with something – was it resignation? – that was unfamiliar.

She saw him then. She stopped dead in her tracks, her face growing pale.

Sergei hurried toward her.

“Margo. I’m sorry to surprise you like this. I wanted to call to tell you as soon as we were out, but I was not allowed. It is done, Margo. My family and I, we are all out, we are safe. We landed here just a little while ago.”

Margo continued to simply stare at him. He wasn’t sure he’d ever seen her so much at a loss for words.

Then, visibly collecting herself for a moment, Margo looked up and down the hallway, and moved to open a door near them. She gestured for Sergei to follow her into an empty conference room and shut the door behind them.

They stood very close to each other now. At last, she spoke.

“You’re here.”

“I am, Margo. I am here. And I can stay. Thank you so much for—”

Sergei cut off, utterly shocked, as Margo let out an anguished sob and half collapsed, half threw herself, into his arms. She clung to him. He had never seen her overwhelmed, overcome like this. Never even close.

He wrapped his arms around her tightly. He stroked her back, her hair, wanting nothing but to comfort her, however he could. His mind could scarcely process the fact that Margo Madison, the strongest, bravest woman he had ever known, was weeping in his arms. He made his voice soft, barely more than a murmur.

“Margo, I’m here. It’s all right. It’s over. I’m safe now.”

Perhaps it was the wrong moment to say it, perhaps it was a mistake. But he could not help himself.

“I love you, Margo. I love you so much.”

At that, she only sobbed harder.

Growing more and more concerned, Sergei continued trying to reassure her.

“I don’t know what’s wrong, Margo, but I’m here. I am here and I don’t have to leave. I don’t have to leave ever again.”

At last, she pulled back from him a little, looking up at him through her tears.

“You don’t, Sergei, but I do. I have to leave. I was on my way to meet my contact now, and – I don’t – I can’t –”

This didn’t make any sense. What contact? What did she mean? He asked her.

“They know. The FBI, they know about the engine design. It’s either this or prison and I can’t see any other choice I have.”

She rested her head on his shoulder again, tears still flowing, but quiet for a moment. Sergei still didn’t understand. What or prison? What was she planning to do? Not understanding, he nonetheless made her a promise, meaning every word. She had done whatever it took for him. He would do the same for her.

“We will find another way, Margo. We will solve it, whatever it takes. I’m here and I will help you. You don’t have to go anywhere. Not without me.”

He kissed the top of her head.

At that moment, the explosion tore through the building. The world went dark around them.

I couldn't get any sleep last night so I watched the elevator scene again (as one does) and I can't find the previous discussion. But Margo definitely takes her shoes off during the pufferfish discussion and puts them back on when the elevator stops on the fifth floor. It's intentional, she sighs and lets her feet rest.

What do you want to say to all the couples out there watching?

Jason Mantzoukas's Taskmaster Series 19 Interview

it's a day that ends with an y, what can i say

FOR ALL MANKIND | 3.03 ALL IN

omg. I love him so much.

Jason Mantzoukas's Series 19 Interview | Taskmaster

Kiss the fourteenth, in a rush of adrenaline.

For All Mankind, Margo x Sergei. AU set a little ahead of S4, but diverges from S3. Margo had never wanted to go to space.

Margo? It is done. My family and I, we are out. Thank you. Thank you so much. Um... I'm so happy to hear that, Sergei.

don't sweat the technique

Hello I have decided it's my turn to declare an Adamczyk Appreciation Day.

You know, I was rewatching the docking module scene last night, like one does. And I’m not sure we talk enough about, before they get into the docking module, how incredibly cute Sergei is trying to remember the English word “equidistant.”

Sergei awoke mid dream. It was beautiful. Sunlight bathed him, but the source of light warming his body was his hand intertwined with Margo's. He caressed her fingers, soft skin over delicate bones. The smooth skin and strong fingers of a mathematician.

Sergei rubbed his fingers together, trying to conjure the feeling of her hands and fingers caressing his. Chagrined at his indulgence, he smiled nevertheless. She was the thought behind his smiles these days.

He checked his watch for the time, he had forty minutes. Standing from his desk he stretched his back and then shrugged into his coat. Nodding to remnant staff and security, Sergei made a smooth exit.

He easily managed a solemn facade as he made his way to his appointment, but inside he was beaming. When he began walking to the phone booth, his battle to keep a straight face was lost.

He noted little of his cold surroundings, instead focused on his destination. A smile quirked at the corners of his mouth and his pace quickened. Sergei checked his watch again and adjusted his pace, slowing down.

His mind was buzzing with idle questions: how was she doing, what would she think of his latest record selection, what new detail of her life would he learn about. Other thoughts, pernicious though they were, he shoved aside. He was a practiced and careful party man; he could hold two opposing ideas in his head easily. Yes, the KGB needed him to work Margo for information, but he also wanted to do right by her as a friend.

When he got to the phone booth, he checked his watch again. Stepping inside, he closed the door and waited. The phone startled him from his musing.

He eagerly picked up the phone, “Hello?”

“Sergei! How are ya?” Came a smooth southern drawl.

“Margo! I'm cold, but well. You?” Sergei couldn't keep the smile out of his voice. Pleased to hear from her as ever.

“What record should I expect today,” came an eager reply.

OMG. Color me excited.

For All Mankind | 4x07 - Crossing the Line

Wrenn Schmidt as Margo Madison Ania Bukstein as Tatyana Volkova

Gosh, we really have just been getting spoiled with great Margo x Sergei fic lately haven't we?

Full Blood Worm Moon l Rami Ammoun

*insert bat signal*

In For All Mankind's season three episode "All In" there is a sequence that I'm sure you all are not familiar with at all.

Two characters share increasingly intimate moments (especially for them), in an elevator. After a rewatch (I'm sure noone has done this), I think I saw something, but I need more perspectives.

Query: In 1988, does Margo slip out of her shoes for part of an elevator ride?

Please check my math, because it looks like she does. It matters naught, it's just every time I watch I kinda do a doubletake.

Sergei lounged comfortably in his living room. He was seated in a comfy armchair, the fabric of which he idly stroked with his hand.

The warm light from the floor to ceiling windows gave the room a welcoming glow. To bathe in sunlight after so long in the cold–it was a balm to his soul.

Beyond the windows, the backyard stretched out of sight, the lush grass and sprawling oaks swayed with a gentle breeze. Head tilted back, he listened to a lively piece played from a new album bought at a recent trip to Neptune's.

Wrapped in sunlight, music, and safety, Sergei felt at peace.

“Sergei!” He heard Margo call from the kitchen, “Did your mother call about dinner this evening?” She moved into the living room to stand before him.

He smiled, his eyes drifting open to soak in the sweetest light in his life. Margo wore a red dress that hugged her figure and set off the red of her hair. She was a vision.

“Yes, Margo, we are expected at seven,” he replied. He grasped her hand, squeezing her delicate fingers, before raising them to his mouth for a gentle kiss. Margo smiled softly at him and bent forward to replace her hand with her lips.

Keep Reading at AO3

They turned out the lights.

She settled herself under a blanket on the sofa.

Sergei chose to bed down on the floor.

Just before drifting into sleep, Margo remembered something. It hardly mattered, in light of everything else. In light of all the other reasons she had to be angry with him now. But still …

“Sergei. There’s one more thing I need to say.”

“Yes?”

“When I told you to grab that bottle, the ‘and don’t let them see you’ part was implied!”

“Margo. You said it loudly enough that they could hear you.”

Well. Perhaps he did have a point there.

“OK. Fine. Good night.”

“Good night, Margo.”

Chapters: 3/5 Fandom: For All Mankind (TV 2019) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Margo Madison/Sergei Nikulov Characters: Margo Madison, Sergei Nikulov, Original Characters, Irina Morozova Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Angst with a Happy Ending, Fix-It, Really quite a mix of silliness with angst and eventual bits of fluff, Elevators Summary:

Canon divergence during 3x03 – everything has happened as in canon, with the kiss and with Sergei asking for the engine designs, until there is a knock on the door of Margo’s hotel room. But it’s not the KGB, it’s hotel staff there to follow up regarding a certain bottle of whisky…

WIP Wednesday

I can't believe I've been watching For All Mankind and into space stuff generally for this long and have only just discovered that the real life Thomas Paine designed a flag for Mars. I had to work it into a fic especially since him telling Ellen about his love of the stars is one of my favourite moments in s2.

‘What was that you were working on?’ 

‘Oh that’s, it’s nothing really, a flight of fancy,’ Tom tried to pass it off casually, but secretly he was a little pleased when Ellen said, ‘Go on.’ 

‘It’s a flag for Mars, a proper flag. A true symbol for exploration, something for the whole world to rally around.’ 

Ellen was taken aback a little; she had always assumed he had been the one who demanded NASA use the Stars and Stripes back in ’69.

Tom retrieved the legal pad from where he had haphazardly hidden it. Ellen furrowed her eyebrows in an attempt to decipher the scribblings but Tom handily narrated.

‘If you notice, it goes diagonally upwards to represent progress, from the sliver of Earth, where we’re came to where we’re going. Mars is in the middle but the arrow to the star in the far corner is to show that it’s part of the journey not the final destination. I’m not much of an artist…’

‘I like it, it’s a beautiful vision. So how is the Mars program coming along?’

‘I’ve got time to daydream up flag ideas, I’ll let you figure it out.’

it just might be adamczyk appreciation day again

Soft warm light filtered into their bedroom and illuminated Sergei stretched out in bed, reclined against the pillows with the weekend edition of the local paper.

Sergei contemplated their lazy Sunday morning with joy in his heart. As open and cloudless as the sky outside their window, he rejoiced in their time together. The woman he loved would be at his side in only a moment.

Margo interrupted his reverie when she entered the bedroom with two mugs of coffee. Sergei sat up smartly from the bed and lifted the blanket to allow Margo to slide back into the warmth under the covers with him.

Handing him his mug, Margo harrumphed when she saw the discarded section that featured news of the asteroid orbiting Mars. He set his mug aside and snatched the paper away from her, holding it out of her reach.

“Nyet, Margo,” he chided as Margo clicked her tongue, “Work can wait.” Sergei braced himself; Margo did not like to be handled.

Keep Reading on AO3!

That and I want to see how they fuck up the history of the Soviet space program. That shit is wild enough in reality.

OK here’s a really dumb kind of FAM shitpost but this thought just arrived in my mind. Based on the one canon line where he specifies the people who’ve been threatened, we’ve all fully run with the idea that Sergei’s family includes his mother, father, and two or more sisters, and he’s the only son in the family. But what if it’s actually like, “Oh, I do have a brother too but he’s an asshole, the KGB can have him.”

October 1971 | July 2003 Working the Problem

Fic Teaser: Chapter 3 of "Last Call"

(Chapters 1 & 2 on Ao3 here.)

It wasn’t as though she’d never thought about the idea of asking Sergei to defect before.

It had been a small, secret dream, one she’d only rarely let herself indulge in. Him agreeing to come to NASA. Them working side by side, every day, to send humanity further out into the solar system, to Mars and beyond. Them being able to build a real life together. To be together.

But Margo had allowed herself to imagine this only rarely because she had always known it was impossible.

Almost the first thing Sergei said to her, in the first real conversation they’d ever had, was that he would never defect. Until now, she’d never seen enough reason to believe that may have changed. Leaving his home, his country, his entire life behind, for her – it was far too much to ever actually ask of him.

But, he’d said at the same time, he was given a long leash because of his superiors’ knowledge that he would never defect. The leash had been severely tightened, now, if what Sergei had told her tonight could be believed. So, would his openness to the idea of defecting also have changed?

Margo still wasn’t sure how much of what he’d told her tonight could be believed. She’d learned that he had been betraying her trust for years. And yet she found herself still wanting to trust him, now.

Could Sergei still just be lying to her even now, about all of it? Just using her for his government’s ends? If that was the case, then maybe getting her to believe he was in danger, so she would keep him close to her, bring him back to the United States with her, was exactly what they wanted.

Rationally, Margo knew she had to consider this a possibility, but in her heart, she rejected it. The guilt and shame, the pain and fear that she had seen and heard from him tonight — it all felt too real. Though, of course, everything about their connection had always felt real, for the past nine years.

She simply wasn’t going to be able to be sure about all of it. Not tonight, at least. She didn’t have enough time. She had to make a choice anyway. And if she chose to let him go, the risk was too great to bear. Rational or not, Margo knew that she wouldn’t be able to live with herself if Sergei’s life was in danger and she failed to save him.

Keeping him close to her, in the way she used to want, would now have to be out of the question, of course. If he defected and came to NASA, she would have to set strict professional terms for their new working relationship. He was a brilliant engineer who’d be very valuable to NASA; that much couldn’t be faked, and that was how she would have to learn to see him now. Any personal feelings and former hopes would need to be put aside, left behind, buried in the rubble of everything that had fallen apart in this one horrible night. Margo didn’t want to think about how difficult a task that still seemed to be. She would do it, because it would be necessary.

She’d stayed silent for too long, by then. Sergei spoke again, softly.

“Margo. I know I have no right to ask you to do anything, or even to suggest. But, what do you think of what I said before? Will you go home to Houston as soon as you can tomorrow? Get away from the KGB here and, and try to keep yourself safe?”

She looked up at him. “No.”

Sergei frowned at her, but she cut him off before he could reply.

“Sergei, I mean what I said about getting us out of this. It’s obviously not safe for you to go home. So, I’m wondering if …” She took a deep breath. This was the only option. Out with it.

“Would you consider defecting to the United States? If you came to work for NASA, you’d be an incredible asset, and I know I’m not the only one who’d see it that way. There are people I could talk to, and, I know it could all be arranged.”

To her surprise, he smiled a little.

“I have dreamed that you might ask me this one day, Margo.”

He had?

His smile faded. “But, no. No, it can’t be. If I defect, the KGB would retaliate against my family, I am sure. I won’t leave them.”