#Baron should win this entire thing

[best-fictional-cat]

Round 4 Group 2

Jaspers (Homestuck) vs Baron Humbert von Gikkingen (The Cat Returns)

#Baron should win this entire thing #either him or some really obscure cat from some obscure fandom #anyway #Homestuck #jaspers #baron humbert von gikkingen #the cat returns #ghibli movie

[machinesonix]

Gang, I love the Harkonnens. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t endorse the Harknonnens, but there is something really refreshing about unsanitized villains. They aren’t inhuman slaves to Morgoth, they aren’t seeking restitution for some sort of childhood trauma with dalmatians, they are just shitty, weird people and we get to talk about how those people think without trying to excuse it. What really made me fall in love is the sheer alien weirdness of Geidi Prime in the 1984 movie, and if you haven’t seen that I really recommend you check that out. I feel like there should be some sort of trigger warning, but I don’t really know how I’d tag it so use your best discretion. Today I want to zoom in on a Harkonnen scene towards the end of the first book that I personally would like to see in some sort of extended cut. Let’s dig in.

I’m gonna start off by reminding everyone about the most famous scene in the franchise right at the beginning. You know it. The pain box. ‘I hold at your neck the gom jabbar, it’s poison kills only animals.’ Mohaim is testing Paul’s ability to delay gratification by threatening to stab him with a poison needle if he pulls out of the pain box. We've all seen the memes. Now let's talk about Feyd.

In the book, the whole un-drugged gladiator thing was Feyd's own doing. See, Feyd's family doesn't take him very seriously. He's been chosen as the na-Baron because he's got charisma and he'll look like the savior of Arakkis after Rabban and Vladimir, but he’s a big showboater that has all his fights rigged. By conspiring with Thufir to get a real Atredies soldier into the arena with him, he is forcing his family to realize how important he is to them. If something happens to him, everything goes up in smoke. But he's also given a chance to demonstrate that he is competent (even if he's cheating with a poisoned blade and some selective brainwashing of the undrugged slave.) The seduction with Lady Fenrig happens off screen, but I think in both Herbert and Villinueve's telling of the story, both of these show us this conflict Feyd has with the pressures of his family whether they're tests from the Baron or something he does to himself in response to those pressures. Finally, and most importantly to Feyd, when the Baron executes his slavemaster for slipping up with the gladiators, the next slavemaster is on Feyd's payroll.

Years down the line the Baron finds a poison needle hidden on one of his slave boys and immediately knows what's up. Feyd is trying to claim the Baron's seat and he's been planning on it ever since He calls Feyd in to make him watch as his entire staff and harem is executed on a whim. Here's where we get the absolute juicy thematic inversion. This shit makes me salivate in a way I might want to talk with a therapist about. The Baron says ‘Feyd, you know what this whole poison needle business tells me? You don't know where your priorities are. I am working on setting up the Harkonnens for generations to come and you're so laser focused on the inheritance you haven’t put any thought into what comes next. So stop trying to kill me and let's talk about your future.’

Feyd-Rautha is, by Bene Gesserit standards, an animal. In the Villinueve film we kinda skirt around the idea by hearing he's such a weirdo that the nerve induction gets him off, but I think this scene here really helps to illustrate why Paul might be the Kwizatz Haderach and Feyd has no shot. They've both got the genetics and the ability to win over a crowd. Nobody saw it coming, but the Kwizatz Haderach's ultimate purpose is to wage the war that will literally end all wars, you'd think Feyd-Murder-For-Fun-Rautha would be a shoe-in to traumatize humanity to violence once and for all. But the fact he'd be good at it is what makes him ineligible. The Kwizatz Haderach can't be someone who thinks in the short term. If Paul didn't have the big picture in mind, he would have fled from the violent future he saw himself being responsible for. If Feyd were in his shoes, there is no way he could stop from getting lost in the sauce. Feyd orchestrated his own gom jabbar in the attempt on his uncle's life, and he failed. Even if he saw the same path to save humanity, he'd have too many opportunities to indulge his glory seeking.

#dune #dune meta #baron harkonnen #feyd rautha #house harkonnen

[kerubimcrepin]

Episodes 27-29 - Ecaflip City (part 2)

Hiiii totally-not-one-of-Ecaflip's-avatars

This says "Pub."

This is so cute... She really cares about his opinion of her outfits.

We need more scenes of them shopping together. (I say, as if we won't get this in the next episode.)

I feel like if I was Keke, this would be my time to start running and fleeing.

While it's never explained what his lucky dice mean to him, they obviously mean a lot. He was ready to die for them, in the comic, after all.

While this did start out as something he did for Lou, it became very clear that really, this is about Kerubim's sense of being inadequate.

But what really feeds his sense of inadequacy is his love for Lou, and it's kind of not-the-best-manliest-coolest-adventurer thing, to say, "I think I'm not good enough for the woman who already agreed to marry me."

The baron, being a god's avatar, doesn't really have insecurities. He plays to put mortals in their place.

Kerubim, however, plays because he doesn't want to go to therapy.

As I've said in the previous liveblog, if Ecaflip is testing his willpower or morals... Then that's a very cruel test, rigged in a way that doesn't seem to expect Kerubim to win.

Especially with how conveniently Lou is made aware of the game, right before the moment Kerubim is about to make the biggest fucky-wucky of his entire life.

We can see, here, how much he downplays his love for Lou out of fear of being vulnerable, and appearing weak before other people. But all it does, is make him look like an asshole.

Really, I've seen so many theories on why they broke up, — from terminal illness, to "well what if she got pregnant, and thought that Kerubim, who can't shut up about how much he loves kids, (though mostly orphans,) wouldn't want to have one, so she left?" — and none of them consider the possibility that, perhaps, she would leave him after remembering what he did, as well as everything else that happened and how their relationship was in general.

(Or perhaps, and this is my personal "theory that doesn't have any proof behind it and is just me throwing stuff at the wall and seeing what sticks", what if she Would Not Fucking Want to be with a demigod, who might just end up not ageing, amd will outlive her and their theoretical kids? Because I can totally see him hiding this from her until the last possible moment.)

(Hell, both of these possibilities can coexist! There are so many factors that probably led to their split, god.)

I think, if the reason why she left him is remembering this, the only reason she hadn't beaten him to death is also remembering that 1. she's been an asshole too, 2. him finding her is what helped her recover her memories to begin with.

Just... a fail relationship. They both failed in every single possible way. God.

You play stupid games, you win stupid prizes, Keke...

As sad as I am, I think it's good that in the end, she left him. They both deserved better than this relationship.

Perhaps Oropo did nothing wrong.

Maybe we should kill and dethrone the gods.

New reaction images for when Ecaflip is being an evil fucking cat.

#ep27-29 #ro liveblogs dofus #dofus #wakfu #krosmoz

[mostlysignssomeportents]

After Ohio rail disaster, Buttigieg is silent on restoring the safety standards Trump repealed

When a freight train carrying toxic chemicals derailed near East Palestine, Ohio, bursting into flame and sending up clouds of poisonous vinyl chloride smoke and gas, our immediate concerns were for the people in harm’s way and the train crew:

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/04/us/train-derailment-fire-palestine-ohio.html

If you’d like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here’s a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/02/11/dinah-wont-you-blow/#ecp

But those immediate concerns were soon joined by a broader set of worries: that the entire rail industry presented a systematic danger, and the Ohio derailment was a symptom of a much deeper pathology that endangered anyone who lives near one of the rail corridors that crisscross America.

The rail industry is the poster child for corporate power, and rail barons were among the first targets of Gilded Age trustbusters who saw the rail monopolies as a threat to the prosperity and wellbeing of Americans, as well as the integrity of the American political system itself.

40 years of neoliberal “consumer welfare” antitrust — starting with Reagan and continuing through every administration since — has seen the American rail sector achieve levels of concentration that meet and exceed the corrupt, untenable degree of the late 19th century.

Like the original rail barons, the current crop (including the self-styled cuddly billionaire Warren Buffett), have gutted rail investment, skirted on safety, maimed and abused their workforce, smashed their unions, and placed the entire US supply chain in a state of brittle precarity:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/02/04/up-your-nose/#rail-barons

Like all monopolists, the rail industry has been able to capture its regulators, trampling evidence-based policy and replacing it with rules that benefit shareholders at the expense of the public, labor, and customers.

https://doctorow.medium.com/regulatory-capture-59b2013e2526

This regulatory capture is an inevitable consequence of market concentration. When an industry is composed of dozens of small- and medium-sized firms, they are unable to converge on a single story about which rules regulators should favor them with: some of those companies will want things the others don’t, and each will vie to produce evidence disconfirming the others’ claims.

But when an industry dwindles to a handful of cozy giants whose C-suites are stuffed with company-hopping executives who’ve done time at every major company in the sector, they converge on a single fairy tale about the best way to regulate their industry, and convert their regulators’ truth-seeking exercises into rigged auctions that they handily win:

https://locusmag.com/2022/03/cory-doctorow-vertically-challenged/

That’s what happened during the Trump years, when rail lobbyists secured the repeal of a long-overdue, hard-won safety regulation that would have required rail companies to replace the Civil-War-era brakes on their rolling stock with modern electronically controlled pneumatic brakes (ECPs):

https://jacobin.com/2023/02/rail-companies-safety-rules-ohio-derailment-brake-sytems-regulations

The repeal cost millions in lobbying dollars, but it was worth it. Shortly after the ECP rule was scrapped, Norfolk Southern handed millions in bonuses to its execs and did billions in stock buybacks, while laying offf thousands of workers:

https://www.fool.com/investing/2018/10/25/norfolk-southern-implements-massive-buyback-progra.aspx

Elections, we’re told, have consequences. After Biden won the 2020 presidential election, he made a string of excellent appointments — people like FTC chair Lina Khan, who hit the ground running with detailed plans for making sweeping, consequential changes that would blunt corporate power, reverse-Trump era abuses, and correct the dysfunctions that created a political base for Trump:

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2021/08/party-its-1979-og-antitrust-back-baby

But other Biden appointees arrive in office with much less ambition. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has spent his tenure as King Log, failing to take action on spiraling airline cancellations, confining his major enforcement action to fining foreign airlines while ignoring the out-of-control abuses of America’s domestic carriers, except for the also-ran airline Frontier, which accounts for less than 2% of domestic travel:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/01/16/for-petes-sake/#unfair-and-deceptive

There are striking similarities between the structural defects in the airlines and the rail companies: both are highly concentrated sectors who have laid off senior staff, attacked unions, and blown billions in public money on stock buybacks and executive bonuses, even as their service degraded.

Both industries have been sharply criticized by experts and industry veterans, who’ve called for specific regulation. In the case of the airlines, SWA pilots and flight attendants had sounded the alarm about antiquated scheduling systems; for the rail companies, it’s experts like Grady Cothen, formerly a top safety expert at the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), who told Congress that without action on braking systems, “[there] will be more derailments, more releases of hazardous materials, more communities impacted”:

https://www.congress.gov/event/117th-congress/house-event/LC69424/text?s=1&r=9

Despite these warnings, and despite the near-misses and smaller disasters that led up to the 100-foot-tall fireball over Ohio, Buttigieg’s DOT has not moved to reinstate the Obama-era brake safety rule, deferring to the monopoly rail owners self-serving claim that there is no need for such a move:

https://jacobin.com/2023/02/department-of-transportation-train-brake-regulation-ohio-derailment/

Indeed, the FRA is currently considering a rule that would further weaken braking rules, reducing obligations to inspect, test and certify braking systems:

https://www.regulations.gov/document/FRA-2019-0072-0005

The rail labor unions — the best source of independent expertise on the daily operation of the freight system — say that this would be a disaster: “Following through with a final rule would only deliver yet another financial windfall to rail carriers by eliminating inspections, testing and repairs, and deferring routine maintenance”:

https://www.goiam.org/news/territories/tcu-union/carmen-division-tcu/rail-labor-files-joint-comments-on-fras-nprm-2/

Serving as Transportation Secretary to the President of the United States of America makes you one of the most powerful people in the history of the human race. The Secretary’s powers, while not unlimited, are extensive. The American people need a DoT that works for them, not one that weakens safety rules:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/01/10/the-courage-to-govern/#whos-in-charge

Image: Gage Skidmore (modified) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pete_Buttigieg_January_2020.jpg

CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/deed.en

James St John (modified) https://www.flickr.com/photos/jsjgeology/27110172823/

CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

This week (Feb 13–17), I’ll be in Australia, touring my book Chokepoint Capitalism with my co-author, Rebecca Giblin. We’re doing a remote event for NZ tomorrow (Feb 13). Next are Melbourne (Feb 14), Sydney (Feb 15) and Canberra (Feb 16/17). More tickets just released for Sydney!

[Image ID: A locomotive steaming away from a nuclear explosion. The face of the logo has been replaced with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg's, in the style of Thomas the Tank Engine.]

#pluralistic #railroads #trains #freight #department of transport #pete buttigieg #monopolies #transport #dot #federal railroad administration #ohio #fra #ecp #electronically controlled pneumatic brakes

[newkiqx]

Nearly every single modern computer utilizes cobalt, a mineral whose supply chain is so heavily dominated by slave labor that it's practically impossible to ethically source. Ignoring AI, it is even ethical to do digital art at all? The production of a drawing tablet is not a victimless crime.

I feel you when you want to reduce this to something as simple as a comparison. But bear with me (or alternatively, I put a tl;dr/conclusion at the end).

Much of capitalism is unethical - yes. I agree with this point completely. It's impossible to completely avoid unethical consumption in the world we live in. But it's good to be thoughtful of it and I think businesses and governments responsible for bad practice should be held accountable. Sadly I can't change the world on my own in any meaningful way, but i'll do my part where I can & vote people into power that care about this too.

Taking your comparison for a second, I feel like the art project of that OP was asking a much more direct "I bought cobalt I didn't need and then turned into a children's toy, could this be art?". And my reply was basically yeah sure it could be art, but was it worth it? My point is that I'm not sure on that last part, and leaning towards a 'no'. They specifically sourced it unethically and made that the center piece, which is distinct from the utilitarian nature of consumer electronics we need to get through our lives. Unethical sourcing of art can be a goal or statement (like here cw dead pets) but will then of course still be a part of it. I don't think ethics were considered for the post we're discussing though and it instead only discussed the very unproductive 'is it art' discourse. This, of course, matters about as much as my "dick" being objectively "long" or not.

Maybe getting a little sidetracked, but I also want to mention that cobalt is an extremely useful metal, whereas AI.. well.. i've mentioned the very human cost of mturk and the wholesale theft of the entire internet. There's also:

the power required

the jobs in art it threatens and therefore the skilled labor we stand to lose if we're not careful

the inevitable price hike and betrayal of the public as soon as alternatives are out competed (this will happen)

the risks of biases (racism, ableism, sexism) in an opaque weighted system like AI & the fact we cannot deal with this except for slapping some extra prompts in front

AI poisoning our actual collective knowledge with untrue shit. Recent cases in point being the hilarious fake mouse dick science being published and the ai generated inaccurate servals on google, but there's a lot more going on

the risks of companies and people in power using AI to more efficiently screw everybody over and hide behind 'machine told me so' accountability loopholes

the risks of AI being used in all sorts of malinformed use cases

But what are the gains? What do we stand to win? Call me cynical, but we already had an infinite amount of pictures at our fingertips, as well as all the mediocre writing you could ever want (but actually much better because someone loved writing it). I feel like all these general AI's are good for is filling the pockets of some very rich robber barons and grifters, as well as diluting everything that's beautiful and true in the world.

Quick sidenote - Some specialist AI have genuinely already improved the world, like with medical screenings, but even then it's hard to really call it a win because reverse engineering the reasoning of an AI is so fucking hard. And again, they're a slippery slope with insurance companies wanting a piece of that pie badly, just so they can apply their 'justified' penalties to people not even sick yet.

tl/dr; So in conclusion, no, I don't think your comparison holds up. I agree that it sucks that so much of necessary consumption is unethical in ways we can't easily fix as consumers. But one thing bad does not equate other thing good. If anything, it should inspire you to do better where you can make a difference and hold the ones responsible for the exploitation in this world accountable.

Don't let it eat you up though. I'm not even saying you can't use it for inspiration ever. But any art based on these generated pictures cannot be divorced from the ugly side we'd rather not see: the underpaid army of technically not slaves and the wholesale theft of everything.

also sorry but i couldn't not include this (source: matt bors)

#long post #txt #ask #fuck ai art #ai #ethics #negativity

[ninja-go-to-therapy]

Dismantled Chapter 6

AO3

my therapist says this is a good coping mechanism soo guess whos winning at therapy?

Trigger Warnings: mentions of neglect, self deprecation, stalking, infantilization, concussions, drugging, shutdown, overall creepy whumper

2569 words

Donnie’s. Head. Hurt.

His face had stopped bleeding hours ago, but in the absence of one problem, another had risen up. He was stuck with a headache that just wouldn’t quit.

He was no stranger to headaches. It wasn’t like he was the king of self care, so they were a more than frequent occurrence. But this… something felt wrong. If he could think without making it worse, he would’ve figured it out by now.

He groaned softly in distress, dragging his palms over his tightly closed eyes. As a scientist, he could confidently say that if he tried to stand up right now, he’d probably just die.

He wished he could just fall asleep. He was certainly tired enough, but the throbbing in his skull made it thoroughly impossible. 

It crossed his mind that, given the unpredictability of the universe, spirits, and the Hamato Clan specifically, it was a possibility that this particular pounding in his head was something trying to tell him to stop being stupid and to go back to his brothers.

On the other hand, he wasn’t exactly down to trust the advice of anyone that enthusiastically offered him and his brothers up as martyrs when they’d been captured by Baron Draxum.

He cracked his eyes open, looking over to the bedroom door in the darkness. Had he any desire to, it would have been so easy to just walk out. Of course he had the desire to. But if he couldn’t keep himself upright without this pain… 

Besides. He could go back to the sewers anytime he wanted. It was just that… for the first time, he wasn’t entirely sure what he did want. And that terrified him.

He wasn’t blind enough not to see the problems with this situation (there were many). But, to his frequent dismay, nothing in the world was black and white. Sure, maybe he’d been taken against his will, but… there were good things about it, too. He wanted real validation from something more than a parent-aged adult. He wanted validation, attention, even, from a father. And… those were things that this guy was willing to give. Willing to be.

Sure, there were stupid rules and strings attached, but, as far as he could tell, the man in question wasn’t even really asking for anything in return. Maybe he was just lonely.

Additionally, Donnie was a man of — oh, who was he kidding. He wasn’t anywhere near grown. He was a person of science.  And… if he already knew how Scenario Sewer would play out, wasn’t it in his best interest, really, to stick around? To see the full extent of Scenario B? That’s what a proper scientist would do.

Maybe it made him a little bit selfish. Maybe, in the logic-ridden part of his brain (that is to say, the majority of it), he knew full well that it was unfair to his brothers to up and disappear so that he could be happy. But by god, he had always been the black sheep of the family, and he wanted so desperately to be selfish. 

Even in the dark, his eyes continued to linger on the door. It wasn’t like it would vanish if he looked away. It would always be there, always allow him exit if he so wished. That is, if he could make it more than three measly steps without nearly killing himself. 

…had he always been this clumsy? Or this weak? Sure, he’d never been the most muscular of the team (who needed brawn when he had brains?), but he felt he should have at least been able to kick in a regular old door.

But it wasn’t even necessary to do that. It was unlocked. But it hadn’t been, before, right? Before dinner? Why had he even willingly come back into this glorified prison cell?

All at once, he rolled out of bed, landing unsteadily on his feet as nausea pushed itself up. He groaned, but went for the door anyway, swinging it open in the otherwise silence of the night.

He stumbled a few feet forward, his head spinning. 

So… now what? What was he even doing? Proving that the door wasn’t locked? Leaving outright? Wandering this weirdly domestic house purposelessly? 

It was so… different. The lair was scrapped together junk, but a home nontheless. This place was… commercialized. No personality to it. Like the after of most home makeover shows.

He collapsed into the couch, landing somewhat roughly. His head hurt. Why…? Right. He’d smashed his face hard enough to catch a glimpse of god. 

Hadn't his head hurt before that, too? Ever since he’d first woken up here…

Something creaked, and he nearly jumped out of his shell, searching the room cautiously. There was nothing there. Houses tended to settle. Sewers… not so much. Not in the same way, at least.

His gaze drifted to the front door, glaring at it.

The door, as hypothesized, didn’t move, or react, or do anything a door shouldn’t be expected to do. 

He hugged a throw pillow to his chest — pleased to find it didn’t have a Bad texture — as he continued his impromptu staring contest. 

Nardo always cheated during staring contests.

…half the time, when neither of them could sleep, Nardo would haul himself into the lab, two mugs of cocoa in hand, and they would just… exist together. Sometimes, they would talk for several hours, derailing for anything and everything. Other times, Donnie would continue to work on his latest project whilst his twin scrolled mindlessly through his phone.

…this was wrong. What was he thinking? He needed to go home. He needed to apologize for being a selfish dumb-dumb who just cared about… himself.

He was making the wrong choice, here.

Except, of course, he wasn’t even making a choice, yet. He was choosing to continue collecting data. He would make a choice, a real one, after he’d inspected every angle. And if that so happened to mean that he’d get a few days of no responsibilities, nothing to stress over, just exist as a real kid?

Well. He wouldn’t complain about that.

He stayed planted firmly on the couch, slowly finding himself slimping further into the cushions. He didn’t even remember falling asleep.

…He did remember waking up, though. Exhausted and groggy, he slowly came into consciousness, cringing at the crusted drool on his cheek. His whole body was sore from whatever position he’d found himself sleeping in.

With a groan, he sat up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. Light peaked in through the blinds. The Hidden City had… some kind of light source other than the sun, considering the whole underground aspect of it. Probably just another weird mystic thing… he’d never understand that shit, would he?

He cringed at the realization of the word he’d used. He couldn’t slip up out loud. He didn’t know what he would do if he had to touch that thing again, so restrictive and textured and god, the smell…

He shuddered in memory. He wasn’t keen to get a repeat of that particular lesson.

Why was he even here? This was all — it was all wrong. When had he become so stupid? Why was he just playing along in this man’s game? It was obvious he was being manipulated!

…But wouldn’t it be nice to be normal?

No, it wasn’t normal to be held captive.

You’re not captive, you dumb-dumb. Door’s open, remember?

Right. Of course it was. Was it? What if he tried to open the door to leave, and he just ended up tied to a bed with a muzzle over his face again? He couldn’t do that again. He couldn’t.

This isn’t normal.

But it was — it was something, certainly. Not normal. A freak of nature didn’t really get the option for normal, did it?

Why was he even thinking about this?

There was too much to consider. Too many variables. Indecision and raw panic clawed at him, too many different ideas of what exactly he was supposed to do. It was like the very atoms making up his being were caught in a fight on which way to move, leaving him entirely stagnant.

If he even tried to move, he feared he’d be torn apart.

What was going on with his brain? He was a genius, his mind should have been helping him, not hindering. Every move by his captor so far had clearly been calculated, edging him into, what? Trusting him? Accepting this? Allowing himself to stop needing to be so grown up all the time?

He missed being a kid. He missed playing with his brothers, even when it was sportsball and he was always the one who got hurt at the end. He missed wearing broken glasses, before he’d finally just manned up and given himself laser eye surgery because it wasn’t like he was normal. It wasn’t like they could go to a doctor and get it done there. He was smart enough to do it, anyway.

He loved being smart. He loved being young almost as much.

Maybe they could’ve all been real kids if their father had raised them in the Hidden City. They could’ve gone to school, they could have had friends, they could have been normal. But of course Splinter hadn’t considered that. Of course he’d never even mentioned it to them. He’d never even mentioned any of his past, never made much of an attempt at all to bond with them. All he’d ever been concerned with was his stupid television and shutting himself in his room.

When Donnie really let himself stop to think about it, it just made him so. Angry. All he’d ever wanted was to spend time with him. He’d just wanted to exist in the faraway world his father lived in. Even now that Splinter actually talked to them more often… it never really managed to make up for the other fourteen years. It would never make up for that 278 days of nothing. 

A spiteful part of him hated his father. He hated him. He hated him for ignoring him for his entire fucking life (who care if he swore, maybe at this point he fucking desered to). He hated his dumb-dumb brothers for always stealing away all the attention, he hated them for not getting him out of this hellhole already. Were they even looking? Why would they be? They’d never taken him seriously and they’d never loved him as much as they loved each other, and they were probably thrilled he was gone, thrilled he couldn’t bore them to death anymore with every ounce of his mind.

It hit him that he’d stopped remembering to breathe for the last minute or so. He inhaled and exhaled manually, closing his eyes as he processed the anger slowly leaving him. Stupid. Stupid. Of course he didn’t hate them. Of course they cared about him. They were a family. He knew they loved him.

They cared. He knew they cared. It just… wasn’t as obvious when they forgot him in the clutches of a cannibalistic mutant-pig. Or when they called dibs on all his stuff. Or when they always made him the butt of the joke, or when they only needed him to make things for them.

Was he being too sensitive? Perhaps he was just being too sensitive.

He could hear words being spoken, asking what was wrong, if he was alright, and he could hear them, but he also couldn’t, and he didn’t have the brain power to even acknowledge it. How sad. He was like a computer having it motherboard ripped out. Heh, or fatherboard, more accurately.

“…eathe, kiddo, just breathe for me…”

Right. Breathing. That was important, wasn’t it?

Time to snap out of it, Donnie. You don’t even have a shell to retreat into.

“That’s it… just some nice deep breaths…”

His vision swam momentarily and he pitched forward, dropping his head between his knees. The most movement he’d allowed himself in… how long had he been sitting here?

Slowly, it passed, and he carefully brought himself back up. 

“Sorry…” he breathed, “‘m sorry…”

“You don’t need to apologize, sunshine. I’m here to help you,” he said, offering a glass of water that he eagerly accepted, downing it in a few gulps. His head spun. 

His papa back home had never even considered comforting him in a moment like this. And why would he have? Donnie wasn’t worth the emotional energy for that.

But… here was someone who seemed to believe he was. Someone who was proud of him for existing. Someone who didn’t make him feel like a burden for being alive.

“…feels like my bodily functions have been scrambled for days,” he admitted, exhausted and defeated. It wasn’t like he was giving up. Just… seeking comfort where he knew he could find it. 

“A concussion will do that to you, kiddo.”

He nodded absentmindedly. But then…  wait, what? A concussion? He didn’t remember — okay, that was a symptom, but so not the point — but when had he gotten a concussion? “Huh?”

The yokai’s brow furrowed in what seemed almost like worry. “We talked about this before… you don’t remember?”

Clearly not. Although, this did explain the headaches, the nausea, the general confusion… 

“That’s why we kept you tucked in bed for a few days,” he continued, like it was supposed to make perfect sense, “so you wouldn’t aggravate your poor head. Lord knows that nosebleed didn’t help…”

“I thought you said that was to… keep me from running?”

He laughed, but Donnie was fairly certain he hadn’t told any jokes, so…? “Running to where?”

Good point… he wouldn’t keep him here against his will. He’d said himself that he was free to go whenever he pleased. But he could have sworn he’d said yesterday… 

“No,” he said, shaking his head and wincing at the ache behind his eyes that it brought him. “You said…” His tongue felt oddly heavy in his mouth. 

“Poor thing, you’re all turned around.”

No he wasn’t, he was sure that he’d said…? What had he said?

“How’d I get a concussion?” he asked, the room seeming to tilt around him. It wasn’t supposed to do that.

“I’ll tell you another day, kiddo. I don’t want to freak you out.”

No, not okay. He needed to know, he always had a deep-seated need to know…

“You look exhausted.”

That couldn’t be right… hadn’t he just woken up?

A cup that he’d apparently been holding slipped out of his grasp, clattering empty on the floor.

He flexed his fingers, confused as to where it had come from. 

When he finally looked up, he discovered that at some point, he’d been picked up, being carried back towards the bedroom he’d escaped from at some point in the night.

“Noo,” he managed with great difficulty, struggling to remember exactly what it was he was disagreeing with. He struggled in his restraints — or… fuzzy…? Arms! They were arms. 

“No more thinking for right now, kiddo, let’s get you to sleep.”

But he’d already slept, he didn’t need any more, what about that was so hard to understand—?

He was being tucked in, and the bed was welcoming him with open arms that threatened never to let him go. But he really was exhausted, all of a sudden…

A few more hours of sleep wouldn’t hurt.

#rottmnt #rise of the tmnt #rise of the teenage mutant ninja turtles #kat writes #fanfiction #fic #rottmnt fanfiction #rottmnt fic #rottmnt angst #rottmnt whump #whump #angst #hurt/comfort #rise fanfic #parental whumper #infantilization #concussion #drugging #shutdown #self deprecation #neglect #stalking

[night-market-if]

I know that the MC has been busy trying to get baron favors and having headaches and not knowing why, but as a Gabe-mancer, maybe MC could be a bit more observant about Reese and Elias? 1. Reese has the same tattoo as the dockmaster ring. 2. Everyone pretends Reese is dead. It's your story; I hope this is a good feedback, not a demanding feedback, but I think the MC should realize Reese is a baron on their own? Much of book 1 is MC being protected and told things, so maybe they can have this Win

Hey anon,

There is a point in Gabriel's route where the MC does realize this. I'll take a look at it though during editing in case that was not clear. MC just didn't make a big deal out of it, out of respect for Gabriel. Especially with it coming after the entire thing with Elias.

🪷✨🪷✨ If you want to support me 🪷 ✨🪷✨ 

Demo 🌿 Patreon 🌿 Ko-fi 🌿Discord🌿Kickstarter

#the night market #gabriel caine #interactive fiction #twine game

[loopy777]

Whats your thoughts on the way aang, zuko and the earth king who's name i can never recall handled the former fire nation colonies? Cause frankly speaking looking at it objectively, it really does seem like the compromise route and let them become sorta independant was the worst of both sides.

Culturally speaking, like it or not the area had become fire nation dominant, which would be a very strong argument for them remaining part of the fire nation.

On the other hand, the earth kingdom is right that they took the land by right of force, with no casus beli, no marriage ties that bound the fire nation royalty and whoever was the lords of the land together. It was as clear cut a right by conquest and nothing more as you can get.

Finally the independent route seems to have just been a compromise to not allow either side to truly "win", rather than an actual, good solution.

And in the end it ended up with Aang's republic project(good job on being a neutral party aang ;D) ending up as an abyssmal failure, both during his own time as robber barons consolidated power during his reign, and then falling completely off the wayside after he died, then replaced with a just as bad successor after the first election.

While things does seem to kinda be looking up after the last election in the comics, it does seem like aang should have just taken a side, or if he was going to compromise, it should probably have been something along the lines of demilitarize the entire zone on a permanent basis, but allow the Fire nation to keep it. Or allow fire nation citizens to remain but let the Earth Kingdom retake political control(This is what I would have done by the way) over the colonies, with those who remained legally becoming earth kingdom citizens.

Yeah, there were no good solutions, but I feel like there were better compromises possible than what 'The Promise' claimed were the only possibilities. To summarize, here's what those options were:

The colonies go back to the Earth Kingdom and everyone either from the Fire Nation or of at least partial Fire Nation descent is deported back to the Fire Nation forcibly.

The colonies remain under full Fire Nation control and the ruling Fire Nation social class gets to stay on top.

The colonies all become independent, and on a case-by-case basis some of them might choose to hold elections and of those some of them might elect at least one person of Earth Kingdom descent to participate in the local government.

I like your radical and hard-to-conceive-of idea of putting the Earth Kingdom in charge and then not deporting people. Perhaps, in that scenario, we can even reduce the influence of the rich Fire Nation upper class types with taxes on wartime family/clan gains, or something like that. The money would be used to fund local stuff rather than merely inflating Ba Sing Se's coffers.

Or, the colonies could have been made independent, but the Fire Nation is given some kind of corresponding punishment so that it's not perfectly positioned to profit from the situation. Perhaps all Fire Nation residents can be banned from trading with any of the colonies for a century or something, giving the Earth Kingdom a chance to make practical and cultural in-roads. Or, just have the ban last for Aang's lifetime, and now he's the one dodging all the Fire Nation assassins! It would give Zuko a chance to sleep, at least.

Of course, both of those leave plenty of opportunities for cheats and corruption, which is where I presume Aang would have to keep an eye on things and fight the people making a mess of things. That sounds like something more out of one of F.C. Yee's novels, which I would be quite happy with. It's certainly a lot more interesting than having Aang deal with the same Bender Vs NonBender conflict that even LoK couldn't make plausible with twelve episodes and the best voice-acting in the business.

However, I'm not against the idea that the United Republic still eventually becomes a corrupt land where capitalism runs wild, no one believes in spirits, and organized crime is a more effective government than the actual ruling council. But I'd like the steps that lead to that to be framed as the gAang's failures. As it is, all of Aang's adventures in the former colonies conclude with what are presented as happy endings, and things only go wrong when bad people slip in while he's not looking. If Republic City is supposed to be so bad that LoK's happy ending is most of the city being rendered a wasteland, then why can't we see Aang losing when something about the former colonies is at stake? I mean, yeah, the 8-year-olds the comics are aimed at probably would be confused and stop reading, but they probably didn't like 'The Puppetmaster' either, so who cares about them? Give me the 12-year-olds starving for some tragedy in their family-friendly media.

Those are probably the kids destined for careers in politics, anyway, so they might enjoy taxation as a plot element.

#thekingofwinterblog #lok critical #gene yang critical

[tsuki-sennin]

Maaaaan, First Love Hero should never have been cancelled, Broken Heart Night sucks. ...I wonder if we'll get to meet the mangaka at this week's festival! ...to be clear, I want to meet Kiito-sensei, not the other one.

Anyways here's Donbrothers Episode 22! Spoilers, I guess...

-Ah yeah, manga fans. Very safe.

-Pitch Black Academy.

-Haruka.... Kanata.

-Homegirl really rode her self-insert to the top, we stan.

-Ew.

-...I mean, I can't blame Haruka entirely, this almost seems like an ideal writing environment for me personally.

-Ahhhhh, New Term, new arc!

-Yeah I'm with Sonoza here, what the hell?

-OH MY GOD HARUKA'S NEW STUDENTS ARE HER TEAMMATES

-...and Sonoi, but

-T

-Tsuyoshi, oh my god

-This is brilliant.

-...and to think I thought of Haruka as the braincell of the team at the start of the season.

-Oh my god, Sononi/Oni Sister Team Up.

-Oh yeah, Jirou.

-He's feral.

-"I'm sooooooooooorry, I have to go sicko mode!"

-Oh my god Tarou.

-"We need this man! He's very funny and st"

-My name is Don Dragoku!

-The Don clan...

-Brothers in arms.

-"Onii-chan! :D"

-"Ototo... :o"

-Cicada.

-"Noooooo :("

-Oh my God, Haruka.

-NOOO NOT TSUYOSHI LEAVE THE MAN ALONE

-I read a post on here, can't exactly remember from who, saying that Tarou felt like an analogue for neurodivergent children. ...I feel like everybody in the main cast is that to an extent, but I think Sonoza especially fits this mold right now. Think about it, he develops a hyperfixation on this otherwise extremely random short-runner manga that's been reduced to a punchline plagued with controversy, and he's using it as a method to learn how to sort out his own feelings. That tends to happen with autistic children, speaking from firsthand experience. He doesn't experience or understand emotions the same way allistic folk would expect or want him to, and because of that, he very easily alienates the people around him as he seeks guidance.

-Donbrothers makes me feel things, and feel them deeply.

-Humans fall in love for all sorts of reasons, Sonoza. Sometimes it even just kinda happens.

-We bonded!

-This rich dude... he looks familiar, where do I know him from?

-Ok, this man is apparently played by Tet Wada. Apparently he was in Sex and the City II and Royal Pains, which're all definitely things I've seen.

-Daaaaamn, he had dinner out.

-Wow, he's been winning all this time.

-"You're kinda boring, Goda-san."

-3-3-5! Oh, this guy's definitely Denji-ki.

-He's an epic gamer.

-Magical Girl Haruka!

-Oh my god, Bishoujo Kamen Onitrine.

-B

-Banana

-Baron da?

-It's a slump of a festival! We all just wanna go eating and fighting!

-Corporate bastard.

-OH FUCK SONOZA FOUND IT

-You could say "Once upon a time" to this man, I guess.

-"Haruka, where the FUCK have you been? Did you get kidnapped again?"

-OH MY GOD TAROU YOU NEARLY SHOT THAT OFFICE WOMAN

-H

-Haruka, you hjklh;hl.

-"Is that me?"

-Haruka, don't do that

-Oh god, Naoki Shiina real.

-B

-Bun

-I wanna hold off on cursing them out, but you've probably noticed that I have a rather low opinion on them.

-Rightfully so, I feel.

-Good luck, Haruka-san.

-They don't even speak, huh? Really dedicated to this gimmick.

-Wonder if thee's somehing bad.

-Sononiiiii!

-Oh nice, they're friends.

-"Yeah, this is pretty epic."

-Oh my god, beef stroganoff.

-"It tastes like fuck."

-Shinichi, I don't think CEO Man wants a Haiku.

-Oh

-Well, ok!

-AVATAR CHANGE YES

-Ooooooh, Fiveman! Five Guys, Burgers and Fries.

-Poor Jirou :(

-Hell yeah man, get up!

-Man, this action's so cool.

-"Cool Story Bro!"

-Our story reaches its climax, it seems!

-Wahahaha!

-We're back in cyberspace.

-Awoooooo!

-Tsuyoshi and Tarou confirmed non furry.

-Ooooooh, Kyoryu Gold! Hell yeah Jirou.

-You deed it!

-...where he at?

-Peachyyy!

-"GIVE ME ROBOT POWER!"

-I swear to god, if you don't give your employees massive raises...

-Shiina Naoki...

-Ohhh

-Oh no, Tsubasa's stuck.

-Dog man forever.

-Jirou robot confirmed :o?

-Okay, while we're still here, I have a theory about Naoki.

-It is my belief that Naoki is an entirely artificial entity created by whatever force is compelling the Donbrothers to fight, and their purpose is to anger and goad Haruka into doing what this force wants. Think about it, the rebranding of their doujin to ride off of Haruka's success, getting all the fame and fortune she wanted, being so far above Haruka's apparent skill level that they even predict how she throws tosses the manuscript in frustration... all of it seems deliberate in making her mad and forcing her to grow up as a character.

-When Haruka gave up her powers in Episode 10, Naoki Shiina was nowhere to be seen, perhaps suggesting that they were specifically part of her curse. There's also how little we see of them otherwise. Their secretive nature aside, we only see their one work, with nothing suggesting that they even did anything else, and thus have so little clout that it's a miracle this complete nobody took on a huge publishing company and won.

-Something else worth noting is that Shinichi called Haruka's OniSister form a rabbit all the way back in Episode 3, and now we have what's essentially an anti-Haruka represented as a rabbit... this is 5D chess on Inoue's part, I swear.

-Anyways, enough straining my brain, I'm going to destress by listening to Don't Boo for a few hours </3.

#don! don! it's a full force peachy festival! #donbrothers #donbrothers spoilers #avataro sentai donbrothers #super sentai

[flamechar33]

I am only posting enough about some Sonic AUs I've had in mind for context for an image I've come up with that I don't think I can just Not share: This entire chain of AU ideas started when I was in my mid/late teens when I started reading Ghosts of the Future (that Future AU written by Ian Flynn Evan Stanley, don't know how I got that wrong ) and after catching up I ended up thinking up a Future AU of that set after GUN's been defeated. All that's relevant of what I called GofT Whirlwind is:

The 'main' character who I'll refer to as the originally planned last name Hunter is a descendant of Infinite and son of a famous Extreme Gear racer known as the 6th Black Baron, who originally was a member of GUN before a whole Plot happened and ended up on the other side and taking up the mantle of his dad's opposing racer the Red Rider. (He was a faded green wolf originally but now I'm thinking that Hunter and his dad should be Jackals. Also I could go into depth about his suit as the Red Rider and how it isn't necessarily red. Also I can't remember if the notion of Chaos Powers was introduced in GotF or if I just expanded/made it up from somewhere, but his ability was Chaos Sight which gave him...essentially Eagle Vision from AC? idk I was inspired by the tracking mechanic from Lego Lord of the Rings. There's also just too many OCs from this to talk about Just in this post so, like, ask I guess.)

The only other OC I will mention is sleeper agent murder android fox who very much does not like 4 of those 5 words and ends up defecting before Hunter. She's called Sabina, probably more of the protagonist than Hunter is at first.

Tails uploaded his mind immediately post death to become an AI. He gets a robot body after being stuck inside the Tornado up until (reads notes) Story Chapter 2 of...5? (the entire Plot I mentioned earlier? That's just Chapter number 1)

Also there's another noteable part of this AU which is that Infinite had a sister who survived/left, who had a son who ended up as a part of the batch of Rookies and the main one's best friend. Remember this later

Then I ended up making an AU of the Dark GotF AU (where Shadow died instead) with Hunter having things A Lot Worse. His family died in a resistance raid and he nearly burnt to death, only to be taken by the GUN higher ups and made into a living chimera weapon who could absorb Chaos powers through absorbing blood. His deal in this AU is that when he gets introduced he pretty much only likes Silver, and that he disguises his nature with a longcoat, gloves, orange tinted glasses and a lot of other things to hide the wings and tail...and pretty much everything but his head.

That's the past context: onto this year, where Adult Me is looking back and brainstorming/rethinking again, while I'm also looking at IDW comics - especially Surge. I looked at Surge and Kit, I looked at Dark GotF Hunter, and said "yeah this could be fun" So onto the last AU of this, this time of IDW. A bad future ends up happening with Eggman Empire in control because Surge ended up killing Sonic, so Silver ended up going back in time to help Sonic. Hunter ended up going back in time as well to also stop Surge but meets them and goes "wow ok these guys need help." Sabrina also comes back in time but everyone thinks she's here to stop them from Preventing Sonic's death.

Long Story Short Surge ends up unable to kill Sonic, Sabrina finally gets to reveal that No she's here to stop Hunter because he gets all the Chaos Powers and ends up getting a vision that Maybe drives him insane/is him being possessed. I would have kept that as a surprise but Hunter going and releasing Infinite from the Phantom Ruby as his right hand man is important. But eventually everyone (except Sonic) wins and the future is changed again with only the timetravellers remembering the whole deal.

A later incident ends up with the planet from two different times (present and Silver's future) being in each other's sky. Another long story but basically Infinite joins Eggman and the future villain because he learnt from last time that he has surviving family, and basically Hunter redeems himself during this whole thing and takes Infinite to go see his sister (leading to him retiring). AI Tails also appears from the future world.

Then there's story set exclusively in the future, which I'm Not going to spoil since If I write it well it's going to have some really good twists, but I ended up thinking about in this future Surge and Kit being immortal due to whatever Starline did to them (Kit's also taller now) and them being part of Gun, and a bit where Shadow and Robo Tails meeting up with them (Tails is not allowed in Kit's stuff) ended up during the thinking process having Surge say something along the lines of "the hangout's not today".

So yeah, the image: Shadow, Surge, Kit, Robo AI Tails, Infinite, Metal and Mecha Sonic all sitting around at their usual immortals hangout session.

That's it, that's the entire reason I've released the knowledge of 3 of my Sonic AUs out into the wild. dropping this and seeing what happens overnight

#long post #sonic #sth #sonic au #sonic idw au #Surge and Kit only got brought into the future only story because Shadow ended up accidentally important enough that #< he needed a new trio due to the fact that Rogue probably isn't. #yes I forgot Omega. my bad #Surge is the Power of the three and Kit's the Tech/Flying. Also leans more into a spy speciality as part of GUN #yes I have another AU. that one's gonna need more stuff maybe before I consider sharing. #or not. who knows?

[danddymaro]

Darling | Bucky Barnes x Reader

Kochanie means love/darling in Polish ( I fucking Hope, given that my source is the internet LOL)

It’s a Bucky x Reader and Zemo (platonic) x Reader thing // If you wanna reach and squint maybe it can be romantic, but I don't think lol.

Abrupt end. my focus was only a scenario where Bucky is jealous of Zemo.

I like drama.

Word count: 2925

Darling

It wasn't that (f/n) was always so guarded that people would assume she was jaded. In fact, the young woman truly believed that everyone deserved the benefit of the doubt.

She had it in her heart to retain that somewhat optimistic trait, even in spite of the bitterness she'd come across.

She liked to see the good in everyone, yet, all the same, she liked to think that she wasn't entirely naïve.

She wasn't an oblivious fool, but rather, soft at heart.

Everyone deserves a chance, right?

'Even him...' (f/n) thought to herself. ‘At least, for now.’

When she started to notice the Baron's behavior towards her, she became wary, not knowing what to really feel.

"- Why are you being so nice to me?" the young woman asked with a scrutinizing  gaze, trying to figure out his strategy, because a good part of her was convinced there had to be some type of game he was trying to win at.

'I just don't understand,' she thought with genuine uncertainty as to what she should feel.

Part of her really wanted to look past everything and just hope he was actually helping out. For the mission, she wanted to do that, but it was waging wars with the part of her that loved her friends.

It battled with the part of her heart that had fled along with Steve when he had to go into hiding.

It argued with the person that stayed back and sat with Tony, sadly gazing at his beaten form, crying because she remembered the instance where during their fight she'd almost gone in for a kill shot.

  For just a fraction of a second, she had gone in with the intention of actually hurting him, and while she'd recoiled the second she realized it had happened, there was a moment where they were enemies.

There was a moment where he looked at her with disdain and utter betrayal.

And Rhodey?

Rhodey didn't deserve what happened to him either.

There was so much that happened because of Zemo's vindication. So many lives were lost, and so many things just could not be reversed.

With halting steps, the male then released a short huff of amusement,

"can't I just be friendly?" he asked her as he lightly bowed before sliding a small teacup over to her from the other side of the table, urging her to take it with a lax motion of his hand.

"No," She breathed, still staring at him, trying to finally determine if he had a hidden motive or not.

"- You didn't really like me before," She recalled, and at that, he let another chuckle escape before he nodded, "Once again, It was not personal," he reminded her, making it seem as though it were all the explanation that had been needed.

But it wasn't good enough for her.

"- Helmut," She said with another sigh, overall exasperated because it was as though the man spoke in riddles.

It was never yes or no.

There was a subtle lift to the corners of his mouth, and after the small, worn utter of his name, he decided to stand back up.

"If you need me...call." He said softly, not bothering to look back at her, instead, leaving with silence just as the other two men walked in, and as he retreated, (f/n)'s brows furrowed, feeling unsettled by the man and his sudden kindness.

He'd been especially sweet to her and she just couldn't understand why he went out of his way for her.

"What's with that face?" Sam said with interest, noticing how thoughtful she looked as she stared down at the warm drink.

Her index finger played with its handle by trailing the pad of it over the porcelain, idly continuing the act as the gears in her head began to pick up their working pace.

"It's...nothing," she said with unease before deciding to pick the drink up, taking a greedy sip from it, because after all, she did love it.

It not only calmed her nerves, but also helped her sleep, and overall, just made her feel happy.

And these days, she needed any bit of serotonin she could get.

She'd had a lot on her mind lately, and being around the auburn-haired male did nothing to ease her.

It wasn't like she was developing any weird feelings for him, but all the same, she felt a strange warmth for him, and much more his actions.

He was sweet to her, as well as attentive, and it all felt genuine, all to a degree she found trouble accepting.

'Why is he so nice to me?' She wondered again, not having received an answer from him, yet feeling anxious for one.

'It doesn't really benefit him in any way, so why would he risk his life...for me?' She then wondered with confusion, releasing a soft, shaky sigh as she thought of the events from just a day before.

"Kochanie, Stay back!" he said while pushing her back, standing before her, shielding her from the upcoming danger which came in the form of quick bullets.

He'd been so careful with her, and it all resulted in him receiving a stray shell, one that grazed his arm, which was a stroke of luck considering the real damage that could have done.

Nonetheless, she stood alarmed.

"Are you alright?" he said while quickly moving towards the woman, inspecting her, his eyes roaming over her to try and find signs of injury.

Still stunned, the young woman nodded, "yeah...yeah, of course," she said softly, not knowing what else to say while eyeing the red that spilled from his arm.

With deaf ears she continued to watch the oozing warmth, conflicted.

"T-Thank you, Helmut," She said while offering him a faint smile that had slowly arisen, and it was one he received with a soft, shaken breath.

"Yes...kochanie," He responded, his eyes closed for just a moment as he responded.

All the while, the light-eyed brunette had stared with narrowed eyes, stirred by the sudden closeness, annoyed by all the tension that existed between them and that was easy to detect.

"-You've been getting really close to him," Barnes said accusingly, something that made (f/n) stare at him with confusion as she turned to him with a little scrunch to her face.

"Hello James," She said flatly, not entirely pleased with the antagonizing way he approached her.

'Not even a hello, ' She thought to herself, holding back a scoff, finding it hard to remain courteous. The only thing she could do was to behave as formally as she could with him, letting him know that they weren't as close as they had been before.

In sense, it was just her being petty.

"Good morning (f/n)."  She then said in a lighter pitch, speaking while showing off a kind smile, giving him a more acceptable greeting.

There was a long pause set between them before she spoke again.

"Now," she started before breathing in a long, low breath, "What in the world are you talking about?" She asked him, staring at him with brewing annoyance, because, first off, he hadn't spoken to her in weeks.

Somehow, even while stuck in the same building, he'd managed to avoid her like the plague, even while being stuck in the same room, yet had the nerve to judge her acquaintances.

He was the reason she was roped into the mess she was now in, and not only that, but he was the reason she was associated with the man in question to begin with.

'If it weren't for you..!' she thought with annoyance.

So how was it her fault?

How did it seem like she went out of her way for the other man?

'He always comes to ME,' she inwardly cried.

"You've been getting real chummy with Zemo lately," He specified, "And maybe, just maybe, I'm imagining things, but he's been real' sweet on you as of late," he added with the same narrowed eyes.

"- Do you want us at each other's throats?" she then quipped back, "Or do you want us to not talk, kinda, like, how you and me have been getting along?" She shot back, being quick to point it out without so much as a second thought.

He was quick to change face, his entire expression melting into regret before his right hand ran to the back of his head, moving to take hold of the long strands that had, by then, been snipped off.

His eyes were then shot down as he chewed his inner cheek, having been quickly put down by her, and having nearly no response back.

It took him a long minute before he seemed to find the right words, releasing them lowly and with uncertainty,

"Last night I saw him go into your room."  He told her. "And he was there for a long time," He added with a frown.

Silently, she listened on, recalling just what he spoke of.

They’d only talked and did nothing more.

"And before then...

The way he's been looking at you.

Talking to you..." It was then that Bucky swallowed hard,  thinking back to how sweetly the man had addressed her.

He had a little endearment for her, and it bothered him so much to hear the familiarity he'd uttered it with.

While shaking her head, and executing a swift roll to her (e/c) colored eyes, (f/n) then turned around, not wanting to hear him continue.

There was panic in the blue-eyed male's face before he sprung forward, stopping her by getting in her path, soon coming face to face with her after the quick stride,

"I thought you were smarter than this!" He then blurted out.

The sudden bellow stunned her before she pursed her lips, her (e/c) colored eyes becoming hard as her entire expression soured.

"One." She gritted while lifting a sole, shaking finger while trying to maintain her voice still, " He's been getting close to me," she corrected him, which only made Barnes roll his eyes.

" It’s the same thing," he added quickly.

"uh, no," she said flatly.

"And two," she said while lifting up the second finger,

"Who the hell do you think you are, huh?" she questioned him, the sudden question making him deflate, having no answer for her.

"Exactly," she hissed, quickly brushing past him and not looking back.

She loved him, she really did.

But sometimes, she just couldn't stand him. Lately, she hasn't been able to stand him one bit.

It was that evening that she decided to just suck it up and be upfront.

 She didn’t approach with a confrontational strut and stern resolve, but rather, a tired exhale and concerned face.

And she asked him. She asked him why he was so kind. She asked him why he called her that word, why he’d go out of his way for her.

And he finally answered.

"You remind me so much of my Kochanie," He finally admitted.

“My wi- My late wide.” he confessed.

"The little way you say my name, is just like her," He told her, and at the admittance, (f/n)'s expression melted.

If there was one thing that was true, it was his love for his family, and she'd never had any doubt in his words when they were involved.

'he'd never taint their memory,' (f/n) thought with certainty.

It was then that he chuckled softly, "Sometimes when you are frustrated, and I can see your face just set in that mood, I wait for you to say my name," he admitted with lightly glistening orbs.

"I'd disappoint her so much," he said with a mix of fondness and regret.

"But she was understanding. Far too understanding. " he thought with shame, "And the most she'd do is say my name just like you sometimes do," he said while reminiscing.

"(f/n)," he then murmured, making sure to look at her straight on. "- I noticed your behavior lately, and I realized that perhaps there is another reason," He said while gliding over a crushed, slim box, the same one she'd snuck out to purchase.

"Why are you still here?" He asked her, his voice low and frustrated as he scooted closer, his eyes begging to know why she'd put herself at such a horrible risk.

"Kochanie," he said firmly, calling her by the endearment as a force of habit by then.

" You have a wonderful gift," He told her, all while pain resided in his heart, because, to him, a child was precious.

To him, his own child had been a blessing and he would have given anything to hold him just once more.

"for you to just put yourself at risk like this," he said while reaching for her hands, daringly doing so without hesitation.

And quietly, she allowed the contact, feeling solemn and chided.

Her lips purse before she released a shaky breath, one he responded with another question to,  

"Are they aware that you are-"

"No," She said sternly, "And I want it to stay that way," She told him, making him shake his head in disapproval.

"How far along are you?" he questioned her.

Biting her lip, (f/n) shook her head, "could be two months," she started, "could be less," she admitted, thinking back to the last time it could have happened. "I don't know for sure," she added, wishing that she'd been much more cautious.

She'd never really been on track with her cycle, never paying mind to it, because when it happened it happened, and when it didn't, it eventually came a little later.

'what the hell is wrong with me,' she thought with annoyance, ' this is the kind of shit I'm supposed to keep track of,' she went on, lamenting over her disorganization.

Her only excuse was that she’d been going through a lot the last few months.

'what the hell was I thinking!' she then added, regretting the few times she'd let herself get carried away so much that she hadn't even considered the fact that she could become pregnant.

"And....ah..." Zemo struggled to find the words before chuckling, "You are staying close to their father....right?" he questioned her, the man having a hunch.

And she dropped her head in shame,

"He gets himself in a lot of trouble," she said while breathing out a soft, bemused chuckle.

'He's kind of a mess,' she inwardly mused, hating how much she loved someone so complicated.

Before she knew it her eyes glazed, the (e/c) colored drops overflowing,

"Shit..." she breathed as her right hand went up o her face, her palm hastily dragging over to collect the falling tears and brush them aside.

"I'm sorry," she airily murmured, not having expected to suddenly break, but then again, she hadn't expected the conversation at all.

"Things have been tense between us," she sniffled.

"Clearly," he mumbled, not needing her to say more.

He reached out for her, his hand placed on her shoulder to comfort her before she suddenly leaned in.

With short sobs so soft that they were easily muffled by his shoulder, she held onto him.

"Thank you," (F/n) managed to utter, the muted, little words understood even while softened by the strong press.

'I'm so tired,' the young woman grieved, fully melting onto the man, the warmth of his body giving her solace.

'I've been so tired...' She added while tightly shutting her eyes.

She'd been so tired, so frustrated she just let herself sink into the calm that surrounded her.

She jumped awake at the echoing boom of shattered glass, the force used to destroy the clear container being angered and brute.

Her (e/c) colored eyes were opened wide in alarm, quickly narrowed to the sight of two hazy figures that quickly cleared into the sight of familiar faces.

"Back...off," Bucky said lowly, stalking closer to Zemo with heavy, imposing stomps that it was definitely the strut of a man out for blood.

"-I don't want you anywhere near her," he added just as darkly.

"I don't want you to touch her.

I don't want you to even look at her," he continued on, his right palm pressed to the other man's chest, pushing him back, all while he accepted it with a stoic expression.

Helmut pressed his lips together before swallowing down thickly, his chin pointed to the direction the woken woman stood as she tried to process the sight.

“If you were a man, you’d speak to her,” He said. “You wouldn’t ignore her.” he added. 

“You would be the one protecting her. You should not hesitate to,” Helmut lowly muttered.

“ If you care about her, you should protect her with you life.” he said sternly. 

“ - Protect her and your child,” he nearly spat, and at that Barnes’s hold loosened, the slack in his stance heavily noted.

“My child?” he said with confusion, the tight knit in between his brows upturned as he looked at (f/n), his eyes holding a great concern and worry as well as regret.

“(f/n)?” he started, his voice terribly soft. 

“Are you pregnant?” he asked her, and she swore the room spun, she felt as though she’d been cough in a powerful whirlpool, one that dragged her down. 

She registered her knees Buckling before her sight was peppered with black spots that overwhelmed her before it all became black.

She never figured she’d be one to suddenly faint, that was a new symptom, but she later mused that perhaps the right amount of pressure would make anyone cave.

#james bucky barnes #bucky barnes x reader #bucky barnes fanfiction #bucky barnes fanfic #Bucky Barnes #bucky barnes x pregnant!reader #bucky barnes x reader x steve rogers #bucky barnes x you #bucky barnes x reader insert #bucky barnes x female oc #bucky barnes x y/n #platonic zemo x reader #slight zemo x reader #zemo #helmut zemo #captain america and the winter soldier #the falcon and the winter soldier #the winter soldier x reader insert #The Winter Soldier x Y/N #the winter solider x reader #the winter solider fanfiction #the winter soldier fanfic #the winter soldier #mcu fandom #Marvel MCU #mcu fanfic #MCU #marvel #marvel fanfic #marvel cinimatic universe

[colinrobinsonn]

ahhh I never write fics but here’s nandor x guillermo after this week’s ep 🥺

- x -

Guillermo sat on the front steps of the house after driving back from dropping off the Baron, the Sire, and the hellhound at their new home in New Jersey. It had been a long, long night and he should really be heading to bed but he just needed a few moments of quiet.

The night air was sharp and the dark sky had only a few clouds overhead. Today had been successful, yes, but also very scary. He wasn’t thinking about facing the Sire, or the Baron again (although it had terrified him). No, he could not let go of the horrible feeling he’d been having all day that he may lose his entire family.

He heard the front door open quietly and he turned round to see Nandor coming out the door and walk towards him.

“Ah, Guillermo, there you are. What are you doing out here? It’s fucking freezing.”

“Just taking a minute.”

Nandor came and sat next to Guillermo on the same top step, looking out onto the street and then up at the sky as Guillermo was. It was quiet for a few moments between them, then Guillermo turned to Nandor, “Was there something you wanted, Master? You were looking for me?”

Nandor didn’t turn to look at him as he said, “Oh, nothing…”

“Okay…” Guillermo let the silence linger on.

“It’s just-“ Nandor began before he noticed Guillermo shiver. He was only wearing his shirt and waistcoat and the sun was, obviously and fortunately for Nandor, yet to come up. “You’re cold.”

Guillermo put his arms around himself, “Yeah, I guess it’s a little chilly.”

“Why don’t you go back inside?”

Guillermo shrugs, not being able to explain why he wants to be outside right now. Maybe he’s enjoying sitting here peacefully with Nandor under the night sky too much. Maybe he needs to clear his head. “But your fragile human body is going to freeze to ice. You don’t want to be made into an ice chip do you, Guillermo?”

“What? I’m not going to-“ he shakes his head, huffing quietly from Nandor’s ridiculousness, “I’m fine.”

Nandor stares at him, fangs bared, like he doesn’t believe him, like he really will turn into an ice chip in a few moments. “Eesh, fine. Here,” he says as he unclasps his black cape and drapes it delicately over Guillermo’s shoulders, and then quickly turns back to look at the sky.

Guillermo froze - not into an ice chip - but out of surprise, slight nervousness, and an uncertainty about how to react to Nandor’s… kindness. “Thank you, Nandor,” he went with, looking up at his strong profile.

“You are welcome, you will not freeze now and I will not have to defrost you and ruin my precious Persian rugs,” he replied matter-of-factly, nodding his head and putting his hands straight out on his knees.

Guillermo grabbed the cape and brought it round his body to wrap up in. The material was very warm and as he brought it up towards his chin he became very aware of being surrounded by Nandor’s very distinct and familiar scent: of oils and incense and musk, of history and comfort and home.

Nandor looked at his bodyguard and felt his dead heart constrict. The sight of Guillermo snuggled into his cape with a content smile on his face challenged Nandor. It challenged him to give in. To give in to feelings of softness towards Guillermo which he mostly did not allow himself to give into, and was always weary of whenever he was around him. Or saw him. Or thought about him. For Nandor, it was Him, for he had become everything. Everything he believed in, everything he fought for, and everything he smiled for. It is suffice to say, he did not win the challenge, but it felt good to lose.

“Guillermo-“, he took a quick breath in and held it, “I came to say that I am sorry for what happened today.”

“Huh? But we did it, we-“

“Just-“ Nandor put his hand up to tell Guillermo to let him finish.

“I am sorry for how you were treated today and if that hurt your feelings. I mean, it should hurt your feelings but I don’t know if you always let it.”

“Mas- Nandor, I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Guillermo said. Nandor could literally be talking of about twenty different points today where his feelings could have been “hurt”.

“You know what I am talking about,” Nandor growled, impatient. He shot up off the steps and paced in front of Guillermo. Did he want to make him feel even more ashamed? He guessed he deserved it. He calmed his voice, “I am talking about the time when I allowed for you to be used as bait for the Sire.”

“Oh.” Guillermo breathed out, looking up at Nandor who had stopped his pacing now and was looking at Guillermo. There was a small silence, and then Guillermo also stood up and walked down the steps towards Nandor, cape still round him and falling far below onto the floor.

As he stood in front of Nandor, Nandor could not stand how adorable he looked wearing his cape, oversized on him. It made him feel… protective and proud.

Nandor was too caught up in his thoughts so Guillermo spoke first, “That’s my job, right? To protect you?”

“Yes, I suppose it is…” Nandor said quietly, unsure as Guillermo approached him further.

“But I would have done it anyway. I always would have.” It’s true, he went the extra mile whilst he was his familiar and even before he didn’t know of his bloodline.

Nandor did not know what to say to that. So instead he focused on how the cape was falling off of one of Guillermo’s shoulders. Without thinking, he raised his arm and pulled the material back up and around his shoulder.

He did this with such care and without agenda that it made Guillermo choke up slightly. He felt tingly all in his chest and willed himself to hold on. To not fall too far tonight, as he did so many nights, especially since Meg’s comments at Massive Fitness. As much as he was committed to Nandor, he could never let himself believe that Nandor felt the same.

The small act felt unnaturally natural for Nandor. When he fully comprehended what he was doing, he did not have the instinct to jump back and push Guillermo away, to tell him to get out of his way. Instead, the act made his next words come much easier.

“Guillermo… it should be my job to protect you. You came into my life, and it is a dangerous one. I have… taken too much from you, and you should not be willing for me to take your life.”

The double meaning was there. Yes, he was talking about what happened today, but Guillermo could not help but apply Nandor’s words to his own vampiric dream.

“No.” Guillermo could not, would not, keep going on like this. “It’s not that you have taken too much from me, Nandor,” he said with conviction, “it’s that you haven’t given me enough.”

“Guillermo…-“

“I’d die for you,” Guillermo said bluntly and laughed, “you know that? I would actually die for you. Not become undead, not become a vampire, I would die.”

Nandor looked away from him and took a step back, “Do not speak this way, Guillermo.”

“And I’m fine with that, I am,” he continued, “you’re not taking anything away from me, I’m giving it to you, because I want to. Because that’s how I feel.” Guillermo felt breathless from the outburst and he was slightly shaking, not just from nerves, but because the cape had unwound itself from his middle and only lay across his shoulders again. He shook his head slightly; tonight of all nights he was going to go there. “How do you feel, Nandor?”

“I-“ Nandor was stunned and his brain was working overtime to keep up with his little ex-familiar.

In all of his anxious tension, Nandor’s hesitance was too much. Guillermo huffed and span round to go back inside.

Nandor’s chest clenched and his heart fell, he couldn’t stand the sight of Guillermo walking away from him anymore. “Wait-“ he said as he grabbed Guillermo’s hand and gently pulled him back round to face him. The cape fell off his back.

Guillermo looked up at him, small tears in his eyes as he waited with little hope. His optimistic heart started again, however, when Nandor brought his hand up and drew his fingers through the front of Guillermo’s hair, sweeping it gently to the side and pushing small strands behind his ear. Guillermo’s heart was beating so hard he was sure Nandor could hear it, feel it even. His hand landed delicately on Guillermo’s cheek, like he was touching something precious, and he leaned in.

As their lips touched tears ran down Guillermo’s cheek which Nandor smoothly wiped away with the pads of his thumbs, as he brought his other hand to Guillermo’s other cheek. Guillermo was once again encased by Nandor, except this was the real thing and infinitely better. Guillermo’s hand found its way to Nandor’s neck, his fingertips pushing their way into his hair.

The kiss was gentle and undemanding; a shy but loving meeting with someone you have loved for years. Nandor pulled away but only slightly, so their foreheads rested against each other’s. Their eyes were both closed as they breathed unevenly with each other.

“Guillermo, I would die a thousand times over for you to have one more minute alive.”

Guillermo, teary, giggled dizzily and with relief at the vampire’s words and opened his eyes to find Nandor’s still closed.

“Hey,” Guillermo said as he leaned away and gently urged Nandor to open his eyes by putting his hand under his chin, “so… we’ll protect each other, right?”

Nandor had opened his eyes and was looking down at Guillermo who wore a bright, understanding smile on his face. His cheeks were quite pink and so Nandor leaned down to pick up the fallen cape and pull it back around the smaller man. He held on to Guillermo’s hand, brought it to his lips and kissed the top of it, where the knuckles lay. “Always.”

#im so embarrassed hahah #goodbye #nandor x Guillermo #nandermo #what we do in the shadows #nandermo fic #wwdits #mypost

[norabrice1701]

High Octane - Ch. 7

A Powerboat Racer!Zemo x Fem!Reader AU Series

Series Main List

Warnings: Explicit language, reader angst & stubbornness

Chapter Word Count: 3.6k

Chapter 7: Saturday

Laying in bed, you watched Zemo’s post-race interview and wanted to scream.

“Baron, that was a stunning race today.” The interviewer said with bright energy. “You were edged out of first place just barely, and since Team Hulk completed the entire race today, you’re currently at a points disadvantage heading into Sunday.”

“Indeed, we had a good start, and no mechanical issues,” Zemo answered as the corner of his mouth tightened with a frustrated attempt at a smile. “While we didn’t defend our position as well as we should have, we still have a good position.”

“At this point, anybody could take the top prize on Sunday. Why, I could run formulas that give all five teams a shot at the top of that podium, but you’re still clearly a force to be reckoned with. Who’s your money on to beat?”

The time, Zemo’s smile took a definitively sly edge. “If you say that they all have a chance to win, then, I suppose that I just have to beat all of them.”

The interviewer laughed. “Those sound like fighting words, baron. After the last two years, are you worried about a target on your back?”

He shrugged with a disinterested air, the fabric of his black and purple Zemo Racing shirt stretching with the movement. “I think there’s been a target on my back since day one – but anyone who’s not running at full power is going to be left behind, and to those who say differently – then I say, meet me on the course, and we’ll see.”

You wanted to strangle the man. Even falling behind you in points, his fierce arrogance didn’t waiver. Neither did his fiercely handsome appeal with sweat-dampened hair loose over his brow and the shadow of your love bite bruises visible along his shirt collar, despite the dark circles under his eyes.

“It’s a tight course out there – just a 4.3 mile loop – and things happen, unfortunately.” The interviewer continued. “It gets bumpy, it gets rough… is that how you sustained those bruises on your neck?”

Zemo’s mouth curled with a hint of self-consciousness, but his countenance didn’t otherwise falter. “No,” he smoothly replied. “They were made by… well, she knows who she is.”

A sly smile crossed the interviewer’s face. “You know, we caught up with the winner of today’s race in the Team Iron Man Racing boat, and she spoke about her accidental run-in with a merchandise trailer canopy support arm. Did you hear about that?”

Zemo arched an elegant brow in a flash of surprise but quickly played it off. “I believe I did hear something about that – and sometimes, those support arms can be dangerous. Almost invisible in certain light. I know others would mock her for her clumsiness, but I sympathize – truly.”

You groaned in frustration, smashing the power button to stop the video before dropping your phone to your bed covers. The last thing you needed was Zemo calling you clumsy on a national network. Nor did you need his guileful teasing reference to ‘she knows who she is.’ If anyone had their suspicions about you and your obnoxiously obvious bruises, he had done nothing but fuel speculation.

Eventually, you rose from bed and still steadfastly ignored your phone. The light of dawn treated you poorly as you went about readying for the day. Try as you might, you couldn’t hide the puffy redness around your eyes, nor the sallow skin texture that followed a sleepless night. Fortunately, you had until tomorrow morning to get your head on straight before strapping back into the cockpit.

It gave you time to think. Because you weren’t brooding. You weren’t, dammit. Even as you went through the motions of breakfast and found yourself sitting on the pier hours later, letting your legs dangle over the edge above the emerald water. Because that’s exactly what you were doing – thinking. Because honestly… there was just too much in the last forty-eight hours.

You closed your eyes, bowing your head under the weight of your jumbled thoughts. Worst of all, why did he have to do this to you now? In the middle of the fucking world championships?! Couldn’t he have waited until the winner was announced before upending everything in your life?

Footsteps scraped against the concrete beside you, and your eyes flew open. Squinting against the harsh sun, your face fell in open surprise to see Stephen lowering himself to sit beside you. He swung his long legs over the edge of the pier, mirroring your posture as you both sat in silence for several minutes listening to the ocean waves beat against the unyielding concrete.

“Well,” he said softly, taking a breath of briny air. “This is… charming.”

You shook your head slowly. “No one asked you to join me.”

“Wrong. Tony volunteered first, but I told him to fuck off.”

The corner of your mouth lifted involuntarily. “Thanks.”

“Oh, don’t thank me yet.” He turned to face you, and the weight of his assessing stare hit you like a palpable force. “So… a bad breakup?”

You huffed in surprise and utter embarrassment. Biting your lip, you wondered if you could get away with lying, but thought better of it. Stephen Strange was the king of recognizing bullshit. Slowly, you shook your head. “Just the opposite, actually.”

“Then, what’s your problem? You’ve been trying to beat this guy for two years now.”

“That’s just it,” you spit the words before you could stop yourself. “We fuck in a fit of frustration, and the next day, I lead him in points, and he tells me that he’s never hated me, that he wants… that he feels….”

“So, again, what’s your problem?” He gave an incredulous shake of his head. “You obviously want and feel in return… who cares if you care about him? It’s not a weakness.”

Your chest grew tight as your breathing shallowed. “Shut up, Stephen.” You hissed, knuckles whitening against the concrete edge. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“No, you shut up.” His tone commanded full authority. “You’ve been convinced since day one that any sign of weakness makes you a failure. Fuck, even when you got the flu during the off-season you refused to let anyone check on you.” Again he shook his head, exhaling an irritated sigh. “I can’t believe that I’m about to say this - but if you care for him, then don’t push him away. He won’t wait forever, and two years is already a long time.”

“It… it hasn’t been two years. He… I haven’t… that long.”

Stephen blinked at you. “Are you sure?”

You bit your lip as the torrent of uncertainty raged within you.

“Not that I’m an expert, but let me make it clearer: admitting love is not a weakness.” He shook his head, drawing a sharp breath. “So, give it a think or don’t. Admit that you love him or don’t - either way, it won’t change the truth of the matter. But choosing one of those options will make you significantly less miserable, and I won’t allow a miserable driver in my cockpit tomorrow.”

As if realizing how that sounded, he edged closer to you on the concrete, nudging your shoulder supportively with his as he spoke again. “So, please don’t force me to sit in a confined space with Barton. I can’t guarantee that I wouldn’t misalign the trim tabs just to avoid a fourteen lap race with the man.”

That startled a snort from you as another smile edged your mouth without your permission.

“There you go, that’s it.” He encouraged gently, nudging your shoulder again. “Take the day. Sit here for as long as you need, or whatever it takes - I’ll handle Tony and the pit crew, but please get some rest. We both need you to pass your physical in the morning.”

“God, Stephen…,” you tore your gaze from the water, looking up to him, unable to hide your affection and appreciation for your throttle man. “I think I could kiss you right now.”

His face pinched with irritated disgust. “Oh for the love of god, please don’t.”

The stove timer went off. You stood from the couch and moved to the tiny kitchen of your motorcoach. You weren’t much of a cook, but you did your best with what you had. Race season kept you perpetually on the road, and you needed to try maintaining something of a healthy lifestyle. Besides, you needed the best chance at a good night’s sleep before tomorrow’s race.

You drained the lentil pasta water and spooned the pumpkin pasta sauce with vegetable chunks into the pan. It may not feel much like winter in Florida, but you were determined to enjoy the flavors of the season anyway. With a glance over at the TV, you dished a bowl as Die Hard continued to play.

The emergency services supervisor held her headset. “Attention, whoever you are, this channel is reserved for emergency calls only.”

John gripped his radio harder, eyes wild. “No fucking shit, lady! Does it sound like I’m ordering a pizza?!”

A knock sounded on your motorcoach door. Your mouth upturned in a frown as you abandoned your dinner to the counter and walked to the door. Pulling it open to the breezy night, you froze.

Helmut Zemo stood with a small, crooked smile and his hands held open in surrender. “I come in peace.”

After the day that you’d had stewing in your own sea of tumultuous thoughts, the last thing you needed was Zemo on your doorstep. You sighed heavily, crossing your arms as you leaned against the doorway. “What do you want?”

“I just want to talk. Nothing more.”

“And if I don’t want to talk?”

His eyes glinted in the light spilling out from your motorcoach. “Please… I need to talk with you.”

Anxious anticipation knotted your gut as you quickly weighed your options. Of course, it would be easiest to just turn him away. To ignore him until after tomorrow’s race when the season ended, and you wouldn’t have to see him until the start of next season. But the longer you looked at him, silhouetted against the dark evening - you couldn’t do it. Instead, you raised your eyes for a quick scan around the camp.

“Don’t worry.” His voice drew your gaze back to his little half-smile. “I can always give myself a black eye on the way out to save your reputation.”

You scoffed, shaking your head as you pushed out of the doorway and held it open for him. He stepped up, closing it behind him. With your back turned, you took a deep breath as silence stretched between you, broken only by the movie playing in the background.

You reached for your dinner, fortifying yourself and turning around. “So, what did you want to talk about? As you can see,” you hefted the bowl for emphasis, “my dinner’s getting cold.”

A look of surprise flashed across his face. “That looks tasty. Did you make it?”

“Yes. I do try to be somewhat healthy in the midst of all this traveling.”

He nodded in agreement. “I understand. This life asks a lot of us.”

“Then, why do you do it?” You shrugged. “You say shit like that, but you don’t have to live this life. So, why?”

The question took you both by surprise. Surely, that wasn’t what he had come to talk about. Embarrassed heat danced along the tops of your ears as you debated telling him to forget it.

But he drew a breath to speak before you could summon words. “Before I answer that question,” he started softly, his tone so heart-wrenchingly earnest. “I wanted to apologize for anything - everything - I said last night that upset you.” His mouth pulled to a thin, embarrassed line. “I’ve thought about you - about that conversation, and I… needed to tell you before tomorrow’s race, or…,” he paused, a flash of irritation sparking on his face. “Or, I won't be able to stop thinking about it.”

You tried to swallow around the sudden lump in your throat. “Is… is that all?”

He continued to level you with devastating honesty, and your heart raced as he spoke. “Do you still want the answer to your question?”

You continued to drown under his gaze, struggling against the crushing urge to fall into his arms as the movie filled the weighted silence.

With a deep sigh, you looked down at your dinner. “Fuck, I’m too hungry for this conversation… and far too sober.” You paused, debating the wisdom of your next words. “Neither of us can drink tonight, but… I can offer you food?”

Surprise colored his face. “Admittedly, I haven’t eaten yet, and your offer is… very kind.”

A stab of irritation lanced through you, and you tried to tramp it down as your gaze darted back to him. “So, is that a yes or no?”

He paused for another minute, as if he too debated the wisdom of the moment. But eventually, he nodded. “Yes, please.”

You nodded in acknowledgement, stepping to the cabinet to retrieve another bowl. “It’s not gourmet, but it’s decently healthy.”

“It smells good.”

“Well, it’s pretty hard to fuck up pasta and sauce with vegetables.”

“Did you make the sauce?”

“Yeah, just a simple internet recipe.”

The corner of his mouth lifted. “I always suspected that you were a woman of many talents.”

You searched his words for any hint of a teasing joke and found none. Warmth sparked in your chest, warmth that you wanted to take hold and never leave. You finished filling his bowl and caught your reflection in the window above the sink. God, you just had to hold it together.

You forced another swallow as you reached for a spoon and handed him the bowl. He took it with a smile of thanks, and you reached for your own to stir around the steaming pasta. Taking a bite, you walked around him back towards the couch, happy to let the TV continue to fill the silence.

The deputy chief of police glowered at the building. “I’ve got a hundred people down here, and they’re covered in glass.”

John stared at his radio aghast. “Glass? Who gives a shit about glass? Who the fuck is this?”

You took a seat, watching as Helmut approached and took the chair opposite with uncharacteristic discomfort. Taking another bite, you nodded towards the TV. “Have you seen Die Hard before?”

“Of course.” He swallowed a bite, nodding gently. “A Christmas classic.”

“Damn straight.” You scooped more pasta with your spoon. “I’d have to further question your taste if you said it was anything else.”

“‘Further question my taste’?” He arched an elegant brow. “And, pray tell, what else has you questioning my taste?”

Heat flamed along your cheeks as you purposefully took a big bite, stalling for time. The movie played in the background as you chewed and watched him eat for several long minutes.

“For starters, your stupid wool and fur coat.” You said, tapping your spoon against the bowl in thought. “I mean, I get that this sport is all about intimidation, but good lord, you’re dramatic about it. And that obnoxious purple ‘Z’ on your hull - as if it isn’t obvious enough that you're the owner of your own self-named company, as well as the lead driver. There’s narcissism, and then there’s you. Of course, that’s to say nothing of how smarmy you are in interviews - always so suave and vague, a-and charming. You could almost pass as a snake-oil salesman. And, then there’s this… your thing… with me….” Your torrent slowly died off, and it felt like a weight had lifted from your chest. It wasn’t enough to completely release all of the confusing, frustrating feelings from the week, but it was a good start.

Silence reigned and your cheeks burned. You couldn’t bring yourself to look at him as the movie suddenly sounded too loud.

“Draga….” Helmut’s voice carried gently across your motorcoach. “Will you look at me? Please?"

Tears stung your eyes without permission, and you bit your lip to hold them back. Slowly, you forced your gaze to meet his. The look in his eyes threatened to undo you, and your heart seized. Every raw nerve that frayed during your heated fuck in the restroom and every feling that flayed open during last night’s stolen moment consumed you.

He exhaled gently, his gaze holding you so tenderly. “Do you truly think yourself so unworthy? Or have you just fought so hard for so long that you’ve forgotten how to do anything else?” His eyes pleaded with you across the small space that felt way too intimate. “Your stubbornness makes you who you are, and I… I wouldn’t change that about you. It’s drawn me to you since we first met, but I wish… I want to help you realize that not everything needs to be a fight. That it’s… it’s alright for your strength to take a break. It’s alright to lean on someone else for support.” His face softened, and your heart melted. “You’ve never been as alone as you may have imagined.”

“I know that.” Your voice came in a strained whisper. “I know that I’m not alone. The outpouring of offers from my team are endless, but I don’t need-.”

“Yes, as I’ve heard you say - you don’t need help. But what do you want?”

Your mind flooded with traitorous thoughts. You wanted to know what it felt like to curl up against his chest as the rest of the movie played out. You wanted to know how his kiss would taste as you led him through the doorway to your bedroom. You wanted to hear him moan in your ear as he buried his cock in you. You wanted to hear the three most beautiful words you could imagine fall from his lips. You wanted to whisper those same three words back to him, and know the moment was real.

You drew a trembling breath, shaking your head to physically shake the thoughts away. “I-I… want…,” you drew another breath, at last finding your words as you lowered your forgotten dinner to your lap. “I want an answer to my earlier question.” You wet your dry lips. “Why do you live this life?”

“In truth, it was my wife’s idea.” He didn’t pause to think. “We summered in Monaco every year, and she had friends on the Offshore Australia team. Through her and them, I discovered a hidden talent of my own.” His face warmed with fond, distant memory despite the loss that darkened his eyes. “As much as the idea exhilarated her, she feared for my safety - especially after the birth of our son - and it became a distant dream. But once Heike’s trust fund had no dependent, and Carl’s college fund had no purpose, those accounts were closed and funds reallocated.” His expression sharpened but his words were judgment-free. “If you look closely, the company isn’t named after me. Rather, it’s H&C Zemo Racing… though, most everyone has forgotten that by now.”

He leaned back against the chair, taking a bite and chewing thoughtfully before shaking his head. “I’m not surprised that you have forgotten or may never have known.” Again, he shook his head with a small, sad smile. “It’s rather ironic that I named the company to honor their memory so they wouldn’t be forgotten… and yet, that’s exactly what's happened.”

Your mind blanked, overwhelmed with guilt and shame. Had you ever known the full name of Zemo Racing? How had that not been the front and center story when he started racing two years ago? You shook your head as you sputtered for words. “I-I’m sorry-.”

“I’m not looking for an apology, draga. I just thought - perhaps foolishly…,” he paused as a surprisingly bashful blush overtook his cheeks. “I thought maybe I could find a way to not be the villain that you think I am. To find a way where maybe… you don’t hate me.”

You wanted to sink between the couch cushions and hide. You wanted to tell him that you didn't hate him. You wanted to tell him that you feared the opposite was true. But words stuck in your throat as you stared back at him. With a crooked smile, he broke from your gaze to glance down at his bowl. The spoon clanked against the ceramic as he scooped out the last bite. You couldn’t be sure but perhaps a blush colored his cheeks.

He dropped the spoon to the bowl as he sighed. “And if that’s not possible, then at least, I have said my piece. Laid my cards on the table, as it were.” He looked back at you as he stood up. “However you choose, I will respect your decision. And please don’t get up.” His smile softened as he nodded. “I’ll see myself out - and all my best for tomorrow’s race.”

Dumbfounded and stunned, you watched him set his bowl in the sink and exit your motorcoach.

Series Main List

Tag List: @hiraeth-the-dreamer @everythingbeginsineternity-blog @glimmering-darling-dolly @linkpk88 @groovyponypatrollamp @thedaisycrownwitch @reallystressedhoneybee @janine-007 @revolution-starter @lorna-d-m @strayrockette @raniiaaa

#zemo #zemo x reader #zemo x you #helmut zemo fanfiction #helmut zemo x reader #helmut zemo x you #baron zemo x you #baron zemo x reader #helmut zemo #daniel brühl x reader #daniel brühl x you #daniel brühl

[mostlysignssomeportents]

What the fuck is "carried interest"?

For at least a decade, US politicians have made symbolic, unfulfilled promises to do something about the "carried interest tax loophole," a thing that virtually no one understands. Yves Smith's explanation will remedy that.

https://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2021/04/private-equity-and-hedge-fund-barons-having-a-hissy-over-carried-interest-grift-because-biden-isnt-staying-bought.html

To understand carried interest, you have to start with capital gains tax. In the US, wages - money you get for working - are taxed at a higher rate than capital gains (money you get because you sold something you own at a profit).

Supposedly, that's because capital gains are critical to pension savings. That's important given the annihilation of employer-backed pensions and the rise of "market-based" pensions dependent on working stiffs figuring out how to win at the stock-market casino.

But that's not a very compelling reason to protect capital gains. 401k-based pensions are a near-total failure.

https://pluralistic.net/2020/07/25/derechos-humanos/#are-there-no-poorhouses

Virtually the only people who have adequate 401ks are the very earliest workers who transitioned to them, at a time when employers offered generous matching funds as a sweetener while they got rid of real pensions with a guarantee of a dignified retirement.

The real beneficiaries of tax-preferred status for capital gains are not retirement savers, they're wealthy people, especially super-wealthy people, because the richer you are, the more you make from *owning* stuff relative to what you make from *doing* stuff.

As with other wealth-preferencing tax policies, the super-rich use the nearly nonexistent benefits to the middle class as an excuse for wildly regressive policies (think of the agitation for a SALT Cap repeal or the near-elimination of estate taxes):

https://pluralistic.net/2021/04/28/inequality-r-us/#neotrumpism

The idea that people who make money from toil should be punished because they didn't make money by owning things is obviously fucked up - not least because if you tax workers' wages it leaves them with less money to buy capital on which to realize gains.

And if you let the ownership class retain more of their income, it lets them buy more stuff on which they can realize those tax-preferenced gains. Preferential tax rates for capital gains are a way to make workers poorer and owners richer, period.

So that's capital gains. What about "carried interest?" It has nothing to do with "interest" on a loan - it's a way for a specific kind of very, very rich person to pretend that what wages they *do* receive are actually capital gains and eligible for tax-preferenced treatment.

The name "carried interest" dates to 16th century mercantalist sea-captains, paid a 20% share ("interest") in the goods they shipped ("carried").

It's not the 16th century anymore, and the beneficiaries of carried interest aren't sea captains, they're money managers.

If you run a hedge fund or a private equity firm, you're typically compensated in a "2-and-20" scheme: every year, you pocket 2% of the money you've been given to manage, and 20% of any profits that money has realized.

These are wages, not capital gains. The money in the fund isn't your money, it's someone else's (money managers investment in their own funds is a token sum, 1-3% of the total), and your share doesn't come from selling something you own, it comes from doing a job.

PE and hedge fund managers make millions - sometimes hundreds of millions - every year this way, and because of the carried interest loophole, they get to treat those wages as if they were capital gains.

That's how it is that if you work your guts our bending steel at a sheet-metal plant, your wages are taxed at a higher rate than the wages of the distant finance-ghoul  who bought that plant, debt-loaded it, and drove it into bankruptcy.

So carried interest is bullshit and yeah, we should kill it. But as Smith points out, that would be a largely symbolic victory: there are many new tax-gimmicks that money-managers could use to shift those wages around and maintain the pretense that they are capital gains.

The only reason that these ripoff plutes are even fighting about the loophole is that they find it aesthetically untenable that the US government should poke holes in the risible fiction that their wages are, in fact, capital gains.

The thing is, PE and hedge-fund managers really do see themselves as saviors of civilization, somehow characterizing their ruinous, real-economy-destroying financial engineering as socially necessary.

In support of this, they cite hedge-fund and PE takeovers of health-care and renewable energy -two vital sectors driven they've actually driven into crisis and, frequently, collapse.

https://www.nber.org/papers/w28474

As Smith points out, the fact that killing carried interest will merely trigger new accounting fictions to maintain the status quo tells us that this isn't the fight we should be having: instead, we should eliminate the tax-preferenced treatment of capital gains altogether.

If we taxed capital gains at the same rate (or higher) as wages, we'd eliminate the entire purpose of carried interest shenanigans - and we'd blunt the lobbying power of the casino-riggers who stole our pensions and forced us to rely on the market to support our old age.

#pluralistic

[dragon-kazansky]

Til death do us part | Helmut Zemo

Bodyguard AU! 🕶

Gender neutral reader

Collage by @realremyd

[Previous chapter] - [Next chapter]

Part 12

After that day, Zemo and yourself had grown a little closer. You were more willing to sit and chat with him when he asked you to.

You had seen all his tea sets by now. Even helped him find another one to collect. He had bought it instantly, waiting for it's delivery so he may share it with you.

You had spent pretty much every day in his office with him. There had been no warnings of Walker or his group. The pair of you would spend the days laughing, smiling, and growing ever closer.

Now you could happily believe that he may hold feelings for you. It was the little things that gave him away. The touches. The smiles. The compliments. The staring.

You just used all your might to keep him at arms length. You still refused to take a step further. You wouldn't let that happen. He had loved and lost before. As his bodyguard, that could very well happen again.

Perhaps his feelings would fade.

That was just wishful thinking.

You were currently sitting across from Zemo in his office. Another intricate tea set, this one pale blue with white details swirling around it, set out in front of you.

You were sipping from your cup when Steve came. Zemo looked at his expensive watch and cursed quietly under his breath.

"I forgot I asked for you."

Steve doesn't look at all offended. Actually, he looks far more amused about the sight he sees. He knew you had been with the Baron a lot these past few days, but he had no idea you were in here having tea parties with him.

"What can I do for you, sir?" Steve asked.

You turned to the Baron confused, wondering why he wouldn't just ask you for something. Steve would have been doing his rounds around the estate.

"I'm tired of being locked up in my own home," Helmut states.

"It is for your own safety, sir. They are still out there."

"Yes, I'm aware, but I am tired. I want to throw a party."

Both you and Steve stare at him, concern written all over your faces. That was the worst possible thing he could do.

"Helmut," you had been using his name a lot more recently, "I don't think that's a good idea."

He looks at you, a smile settled on his face.

"My home. I'll do what I want. I want to hold a party. As much as I enjoy our chats and tea parties, I want to have a bit of fun," he shrugs, not at all concerned about what kind of advantage that would give Walker.

Zemo wasn't about to Agent Walker enter his home and take you.

"I really don't think that's a good idea," you say.

He was still unfazed.

"I'm going to do it regardless. Whether or not my security detail is going to be present that night, well, that's up to them."

You turn to look at Steve.

"I don't think we're going to change his mind."

"I agree," Steve smiles at you. "Up for the job?"

"Always."

"Actually," Zemo intervenes, "I was rather hoping Y/N would attend with me."

You look at him.

"Well, I would. I'm your bodyguard, I have to be close by," you state, missing the point entirely.

Helmut wanted to roll his eyes, but didn't.

"No, you don't understand. I want you to come to the party as my date."

Your mind goes completely blank.

Steve has also completely frozen behind you, but his eyes are on you.

"But... how can I do my duty if I'm attending as a guest?" You ask softly.

"That's the point. You won't be on duty. You'll be my date."

You try to will more words, but nothing comes to mind. You glance back Steve who just stares at you silently.

Helmut chuckles softly.

"Are you really that surprised I would want to have you as my date, after everything?"

"Helmut..."

Zemo smiles fondly at you.

"Please say yes."

"I... uh... What about Walker?" You ask.

"I'm sure we will be well guarded." He looks up to Steve who nods. With the extra guards on the estate, there were plenty to cover the grounds.

"You know he could still show up?"

"I'm aware, but I'm not going to sit here any longer and wait. Let him come."

"Helmut..."

"Let him. I'm not afraid of him. I'm afraid of what he'll try and take from him. I can only ensure my desired safety if I have them with me at all times."

"I don't understand."

"I think you do," he says, standing up. Helmut comes around to your side of the desk and kneels in front of you. He takes your hands in his and looks you in the eye.

You have no idea what to say.

Steve silently excuses himself, knowing this was an important and private matter between the two of you.

Your heart felt like it would explode.

"I only wanted you as my personal guard so I could keep you close. When you saved me that day, I was in a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. I didn't think you were capable of protecting me because you are so unlike the others. You stood out too much. I was wrong about you. You saved my life and everything changed. After that day, all I could see was you bleeding out on that road. It haunted me. I was angry they had left you, but ever so relieved to hear you were alright. It dawned on me while we were parted that I perhaps I was rather fond of you."

You bit your bottom lip, unsure of what to make of all of this.

"Now, I want you to know that I'm utterly devoted to you. I don't want you to put your life before mine. It should be mine before yours. Let Walker come. I told you that I was in the military, do you remember?"

You nod.

"I will not let him harm you. I will not let him take you. He already took someone from me once. Never again."

"I can handle myself, Helmut." He smiles at the use of his name. "I'm your bodyguard, let me protect you."

"This is quite a predicament," he chuckles.

He knew you were stubborn, you had been since he met you, but he was insistent on not letting Walker hurt you.

If John Walker so much as laid a finger on you, he wouldn't live to tell the tale.

You smile at Helmut.

"I would love to attend as your date."

He smiles handsomely. That's all he wanted to hear.

"I will have an outfit sent to your room."

"You don't have to do that."

"I want to," he states, smiling still.

You give in and just let him do what he wants. It would appear he would have his way in the end anyway, after all, he's going ahead with this party.

"You are excused for the rest of tonight. I'll send for you if I need you," he says, releasing you finally and returning to his seat.

You stand, though rather awkwardly.

"Alright. I'll see you later."

"Yes, you will," he chuckles.

You leave the room with a huge smile on your face. Your heart was racing unlike anything before and all you could think about was the handsome Baron behind that door.

Steve is waiting for you.

You look up at him, trying ever so hard to bite back your smile, but failing miserably.

He's smiling too.

"What did I say?"

"You were right. I'm sorry for putting the job first, but when he looked at me like that... I knew he meant it. Damn him and his stupidly handsome face."

Steve laughs fondly.

"I'm happy for you."

"Thank you."

"What are you going to do about Walker? A party is bound to give him a chance to get inside, even if I summoned more guards. I'm worried he'll get in."

"I have faith in you."

"Walker isn't messing around, Y/N. He wants the Baron dead and he's going to do whatever it takes to make that happen. Your life is in so much more danger now."

"I won't let him hurt Zemo. Even if this is just a fleeting thing, I will lay down my life for him because that's what I came here to do," you say, determination set on your face.

Steve knew you meant that.

He nods quietly as he looks at you. Right here, right now, you seem like a whole new person. Steve couldn't be more proud of you.

"We will do everything we can to make sure nothing happens, OK?"

You nod.

"Thank you, Steve. And no matter what happens tomorrow, promise me you'll protect Helmut."

"Y/N..."

"Promise me. Do your duty."

He stares at you. You're serious. If anything happened, it would be just like last time. Protect Zemo, leave you behind until they could get you help.

It would pain him to have to do it a second time.

"I promise."

He had said the words. He would.not fall back on them, but if I can help it, nothing will happen to you.

This time both you and Helmut Zemo would get out safely.

Walker will not win this fight.

@thesuitkovian @justfangirlthingies @belle82devart @anteroom-of-death @silverlambcaptain @that-stupid-head-tilt-thing @lieutenantn @daniielbruhl @awesomesauce-abbie @latenightartist-author @lazygurl05 @rumblelibrary @nonamec0s @shura-gorl @ginger-abreu @caligrl1992 @livvyshmiv @luciadiosa @vverliebt @tatooineisdry @charistory @somethingthatsaysbubbles @apparrio @alex-the-nb @thewrongkhristol @hb8301 @the-chaotic-cow @mssennimatilda @uncomfortablebagel @fictionlandslanddreams @madhatter2727 @kinismanditory @the-webkinz-kier

#marvel #zemo x reader #helmut zemo x reader #helmut zemo #au #baron helmut zemo #zemo #bodyguard au

[tendertokyo]

My take on NCT at Hogwarts

what is it with me and being active on this god forsaken app all of a sudden... anyways, i know that we've thrown jk rowling in the garbage but listen i can't just throw away my whole childhood for one stupid rich white cis woman. also i have no idea what's going on with the neos but when do i ever? alright here we go

taeil: he's giving me frustrated hufflepuff, like he really wished to be in gryffindoor but it didn't work out. think he'd be a halfblood and have a pet toad. likes to visit hagrid for tea sometimes. simps over some bad bitch in slytherin, really thinks she's into him too, everyone tells him she's way out of his league. broke his wand twice already trying to open a can of sardines

taeyong: also strong hufflepuff energy. he's the keeper and captain of their quidditch team and a prefect too, picked purely cause he's good with kids. walks around without his scarf in the cold winter because he wrapped it around ten's neck one morning and nagged on him for not taking care of his health properly, never got the scarf back and doesn't mind. i feel like snape would intimidate the crap out of him, like he would not be able to stay calm during his classes rip. he'd be adored by all the other teachers though, especially flitwick who believes he's really gifted in charms

johnny: a gryffindoor pureblood and keeper and captain of the quidditch team. always the one who tries to talk things out with mcgonnagall when they pull some stupid shit and get caught, never successful. has the marauders map and likes to throw underground raves in hidden rooms and tunnels. buddies with peeves and the house elves. buddies with everyone actually. and regardless of liking him like that or not, every girl in school has fantasized of fucking him in the quidditch locker room showers ooooop-

yuta: omg the heartbreaker of the school. a halfblood slytherin prefect and beater. snape's favourite student, like he gets whatever he wants from that man without trying. everyone is lowkey into him cause of his hot and mysterious vibe and there are so many rumours about his sex life circulating around, but no one actually knows if he's seeing someone. people also speculate he's a metamorphmagus but no lol he just dies his hair a lot. has a pet cat who's mean to everyone except him and mark. likes to explore the forbidden forest cause he's a weirdo

doyoung: a ravenclaw pureblood who hates quidditch, only shows up for taeyong's matches and nags him afterwards if hufflepuff loses. he's the headboy and happily uses his title to threaten haechan. hates divination with a passion and idolizes mcgonnagal, as he should. knows everyone's bussiness in the whole damn castle, never starts drama but almost always ends it. used to tutor some younger students but they quickly realised he's a mini mcgonnagall and zoomed straight outta there. snape lowkey wishes he was in slytherin but don't tell anyone

kun: gryffindoor headboy, probably the calmest person in that entire house and the only one who can kinda control the chaos. if yangyang or hendery annoy him too much he'll give them the wrong password on purpose, mcgonnagal has this unspoken respect for him for that reason. feels really bad for the house elves and wants to help them as much as he can. known as the dad or daddy of gryffindoor, depending on who you ask hehehehe

ten: the artsiest ravenclaw but fucking terrible at riddles, so he's always stuck at the door unless someone let's him inside lmao. is super into divination but purely for the aesthetic. never wears his uniform properly, always wears taeyong's scarf and lots of witchy jewelry. started a dance club in the room of requirement, loves hogwarts halloween with his whole heart. set a classroom on fire once and managed to sneak away undetected. always hooks up with someone at johnny's parties

jaehyun: the fucking fratboy of gryffindoor. he's a halfblood and a chaser on the quidditch team. left so many girls on read oh my god. sneaks alcohol and weed into school, coorganizes parties with johnny, yuta and mark. people think he's this hot bad boy or some shit, lol no bitch he's a dumbass don't waste your energy on a doofus like him, have you heard his laugh he sounds like a 45 year old man. mcgonnagall doesn't trust him at all, always looks at him with shifty eyes. the fat lady flirts with him everytime he approaches the commonroom door

winwin: on the snobby pureblood side of slytherin, like he gives off really judgy vibes. is in ten's dance club, there's a rumor going around that he's an animagus 'cause he moves gracefully like a cat or smth, but he isn't he's just really talented. spends most of his time in the owlery petting birds. the bloody baron freaks him out, most of the ghosts do. tried to be a big brother figure to renjun and chenle but they bullied his ass like crazy so he dropped them like hot potatoes

jungwoo: the most confident gryffindoor y'all. he's a muggleborn and a chaser. has the cutest pet owl, is really into care of magical creatures. snape hates him because he's too "sunny" of a person. wild at parties but looks fine in the morning somehow. the biggest flirt you'll ever meet and has so many bitches wrapped around his little finger lol, there's a rumor going around that he's real beast in bed. awesome at dueling, uses his cute airhead shtick to apsolutely destroy people. can you tell i love his pisces ass?

lucas: a hufflepuff halfblood and beater. wannabe fuckboy but can't because he cares too much lol, those muscles are made of feelings dawg. hits on every girl he sees and is almost always successful 'cause we're weak for cute and sweet himbos. is the biggest show off on the quidditch field and has his own fan club. really into care for magical creatures, like literally wants to befriend every single one of them, hagrid has to pull his ass away from them before he gets hurt rip

mark: a gryffindoor prodigy, a muggleborn and a chaser. the most stressed prefect you've ever seen. mcgonnagall has a soft spot for him and everyone knows it. snape dislikes him but respects him because he's fucking brilliant at potions. a lot of people like him and are into him but he doesn't know how to respond to them lol socially awkward king. plans parties with johnny yuta jaehyun and ten, is always roped into the dreamies schemes against his will. no one can fucking tell if him and haechan are on good terms cause they're at each other's throats all the time, but slobber all over each other like crazy when they get drunk

xiaojun: the most emotional ravenclaw. a halfblood and a prefect. he dated a girl for a long time and she broke his heart, moped about it in the prefect's bathroom for ages. lowkey believes she cheated on him with yuta but isn't sure, is extra weary around him though. says he's done with love but then simps over a new girl every two weeks smh. no one understands how he's such good friends with hendery and yangyang, like the combination of the two of them is a recipe for disaster. whenever they rope him into their bullshit, he always manages to drop their asses in the perfect time and doesn't get caught. many portaits are jealous of him 'cause he has better bone structure then them lol

hendery: the best definition of a gryffindoor. comes from a rich pureblood family, is a beater on the quidditch team. he's the life of the party, man. out of all the students he hates, he is the one snape hates the MOST and he's so proud of that. a really fast runner so he never ends up in detention 'cause it's just too hard to catch him. buddies with the ghosts and hagrid. tries really hard to impress girls, it only works half of the time when he's not being too intense

yangyang: also a gryffindoor pureblood, tried out for the chaser position but didn't make it, is still bitter about it. has a really fucked up owl that always messes up his letters. constantly in detention, like he's cleaned that entire castle by himself 43 times already. also in ten's dance club, also really good at dueling when he actually tries. really into muggle culture, explores it in his free time and shows everyone cool, new music he found all the time. gives kun daily headaches cause he's way too energetic in the morning

shotaro: imma say he's a hufflepuff but don't quote me on that cause i don't know him that well. he seems like he'd have lots of friends though and would be in ten's dance club

sungchan: don't know him well either so i'll just say gryffindoor??

renjun: i'm torn between ravenclaw and slytherin, gonna go with slytherin for him. he's a halfblood and a prefect, also uses his title to threaten haechan. loves defence against the dark arts anď herbology, might become a healer someday. gets tricked by the moving staircases all the fucking time, ends up at madam pomfrey's way more than he likes to admit. likes the slytherin aesthetic but can't stand the evil stereotypes. most people think him and chenle are brothers, wants to strangle chenle when he plays into it. once told the bloody baron to fuck off, no one dares get on his bad side since that day

jeno: pureblood hufflepuff prefect and a chaser. he's the cute, athletic guy everyone has a crush on. is on snape's good side 'cause he likes cleaning up his brewing station after finishing the task the lession is about. is the best flyer in the entire school and has the best chance of getting scouted in the future, everyone knows it but if you mention it to him he blushes like crazy. i feel like he's been in many fwb situations but they all ended well because he's a gentleman

haechan: a slytherin through and through. halfblood and seeker on the quidditch team. thought he was gonna be prefect and was hella pissed he wasn't chosen, i mean hello you're a snake who would want to give a snake authority goddamn it. also always complains during quidditch matches, calls everything a foul just 'cause he wants to win. puts up this persona of the mischevious slytherin boy but it falls flat on it's ass because he's peeves's favourite target

jaemin: a muggleborn hufflepuff, because of that reason he's sworn to himself he'll take care of jisung like a mother. a chaser on the quidditch team. such a sweetheart my gosh, like that dude is always so happy, unless he hasn't drunk his 6 cups of coffee. speaking of, mcgonnagall and pomfrey worry for his health like crazy but won't admit it. excells at care for magical creatures and charms, horrible at ancient runes like he didn't think there'd be so much math involved. girls are also crazy into him but he's such an introvert, the thought of someone wanting to be around him so much scares him. still flirts with everything that breathes lol

chenle: a slytherin and a pureblood, from one of those rich old families. because of that people expect him to be a lil brat, turns out to be the coolest guy you'll ever meet. he's friends with everyone regardless of house, a chaser on the quidditch team, known as the one who scores the most points in a game. he's great at defence against the dark arts and transfiguration, is thinking about becoming an auror 'cause that dude fears nothing i'm telling you. was made a prefect instead of haechan, rubs it in his face like crazy, but ultimately just let's people get away with stupid shit like "haha nice one, respect". memorized all the secret passageways of the castle in his head, helps johnny, mark, ten and jaehyun with their parties. pisses off filch like no other, was in detention all the time with yangyang until they realised how terrible it is when the two of them are in close contact lol so he gets let off the hook all the time. also fucking flirts with everything that breathes, the biggest fucking tease like you never know what he means smh

jisung: jaemin's muggleborn hufflepuff son, though most people are surprised he isn't in gryffindoor 'cause god the reckless shit that boy pulls... always late to breakfast with his uniforn all messy. people think he's very innocent but like his bestfriend is chenle, so how pure could he be. he's a seeker on the quidditch team, goes extra hard during hufflepuff-slytherin matches 'cause he wants to knock haechan off his high horse. blushes like crazy whenever he sees a cute girl which only gives chenle more reason to tease him 'cause he's a lil bitch like that. is the star of ten's dance club but has tripped and fallen down multiple flights of stairs, this kid's a walking paradox

to conclude:

gryffindoor: johnny, kun, jaehyun, jungwoo, mark, hendery, yangyang, sungchan

hufflepuff: taeil, taeyong, lucas, jeno, jaemin, shotaro, jisung

ravenclaw: doyoung, ten, xiaojun

slytherin: yuta, winwin, renjun, haechan, chenle

#nct #nct 127 #nct dream #hogwarts #nct imagines #nct scenarios #taeil #taeyong #johnny #yuta #doyoung #kun #nct ten #jaehyun #winwin #jungwoo #lucas #yukhei #mark lee #hendery #xiaojun #yangyang #shotaro #sungchan #renjun #jeno #jaemin #haechan #chenle #jisung