Please visit my changelog for series-related announcements, updates, and the like – I've been making some shifts and edits.
If you have questions, ideas, comments, etc., even if it's not about the series, write me on AO3 or email me, and I'll answer as soon as I can!
A series straight from my heart to my readers', Roses is my literary attempt to answer the question, "what would happen if Uncle Bob didn't die, post-canon?" Many works have addressed this query – but this one, differentiated by its romantic and reader-insert plot, turns on his nature as a machine becoming a man; that is, becoming a being capable of knowing and showing love. Of course, all are welcome to read it – I hope you enjoy! – though it is intended as a female reader x T-800 fiction, a large portion of which is written and worded accordingly.
The series is designed to be as realistic and immersive as possible, given that the message of the franchise (initially) is largely that there is extraordinary in the ordinary and that, as such, fate is made in even the smallest of moments, even by an everyman. Additionally, it aims to consider grand ideas about fate, humanity, and life and love through the lens of little moments in time; for it is in the small that we come to understand the big, and I believe that those moments are the foundation of relationships, forming the patterns of life, as opposed to the major milestones.
In order to realize this goal, all dates and times are correct, and information regarding events, weather, locations, historical and cultural contexts, etc. are accurate to the best of my ability to verify such using the resources readily at my disposal, though I do take creative liberties where proper or fitting. There are some sensitive subjects lightly covered.
It is indeed canon-compliant as well as true to the reality as much as possible, as mentioned. It is not a work of self-insertion, but it is heavily autobiographical...
The series covers several years, beginning in 1995, just after the events of the second film, and yet it is intentionally designed to be ceaseless; there is, happily, no way I could ever capture every moment over the period of this little universe of mine, and I take heart in its accordant flexible nature. It is updated (that is, its stories) whenever I please, without schedule. It is happily neverending; forever and always to be written, added to, and expanded. Maybe even rewritten!
This series is made up of several sub-series and one-shots. Which is which? Here is a guide:
As aforementioned, this series covers several years and events. That means, that there is no right way to read it! The one-shots may be read independently of one another; the same goes for the sub-series. The major sub-series, 000 and T., are anachronistic. You can jump in and out whenever you like, skip chapters, and so on, though T. lends itself to that a bit better than 000 does.
If you'd like to read it in chronological order, the sequence is here, though it is also listed in chronological order on AO3:
Some things make a little more sense to read together or in order. I recommend some of the following:
Some relevant works of mine not included in the series but beneficial or ancillary to read are Butterfly, Rove, Hagar, Rust, and Ode.
Please note that a significant portion of the ideas in this series (specifically in "Sweetness") have been copied in the work of another, which I believe to be blatant and deliberate, and that this, my work, is the original. Thank you for your consideration.
I am not the first to posit meeting and befriending Sarah at Pescadero or friendship/cooperation between the Connors, Uncle Bob, and the Reader (such as the Reader becoming part of their team).