#first post of my return is this song because i did a poll on my main of which sonic frontiers boss theme people like the most | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

ressjeon · 4 days

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relief | myg (m.)

pairing ⇢ yoongi x reader (hints of ot7)

genre/au ⇢ smut, fluff, idol!au, long time ??

summary ⇢ the nerves have been shaking Yoongi’s usual confidence while preparing for his first solo tour — what a relief that you’re here then.

wc & rating ⇢ 3k | 18+

warnings/content ⇢ dom/sub dynamics, grinding, protected sex, riding, emotional sex?, praise kink, groping, semi-clothed sex, size kink, breast play, temperature play, orgasm control, yoongi’s hands are everywhere help, aftercare, pillowtalk <3

a/n: it's been a year since yoong's tour kicked off so i wanna celebrate with this, along with my return here! never thought i'll do this cuz i don’t usually write nor read this au but he won again on the poll last year so here we are XD! this is mainly inspired by what i was feeling while watching the live stream of both his shows in the first city of his d-day tour! pretty divider by the amazing @cafekitsune <3

after the final song, you were just as surprised as the crowd around you. a faint chuckle leaves you at the way Yoongi ended his concert.

of course, you should've expected that he'll pull something like this.

“i’m so proud of you yoongs”

you greet him enthusiastically as soon as you spot him at the entrance of the hallways near his dressing room. he’s smiling so wide, reaching you at once with his airport-like walk like how he exited the stage quickly earlier.

you beam once he catches you, wrapping your arms around his shoulders despite how sweaty he is.

“it went well” he giggles lightly, caging you in his arms before grabbing your hand to bring you to the backstage area where you both can see the audience without being seen.

the gummy smile plastered on his face never wavered as he watches the fans dispersing outside and you have an inkling that it's reminding him of the world tours with the boys before.

“i told you it would” you whisper once he turns to you, leaning in to give him a peck but Yoongi’s hand reaches up to grab your neck, pulling you in to catch your lips once more and deepen the kiss.

a small whimper elicits from you, both from being needy and worry that any staff might see you both like this but Yoongi seems to not care. it must be the adrenaline and the whiskey combo he had during the concert cause his calloused hands start roaming your body.

a total opposite during soundcheck where he’s simply cuddling you while waiting during the delay that he almost fell asleep.

though Yoongi's performed in front of millions of people for a decade now, he still feels anxious since he’s doing this on his own and it’s been a long time since he met his fans in person. he was naturally nervous about this but you’ve been doing your best to support him so he's really grateful that you’re here.

teasing him earlier when he put those yellow sunglasses on while you rake your hand through his luscious locks thankfully helped ease his nerves.

"yeah yeah i saw the cat edit"

“you’re so cute”

a firm grab of your ass reminds you of where the two of you are, nudging Yoongi slightly to release you. both breathless from the kiss, he’s looking at you in bewilderment until you gestured him to the waiting staff who’s here to take his post-concert pictures.

“pics first”

he only answered with a pout after releasing you but he followed. you on the other hand couldn't look at the photographer as embarrassment floods you, immediately retreating to the dressing room to wait for Yoongi there.

grabbing another glass of Henny, you scroll through your phone for updates on what’s going on outside. you did sneak out earlier and lined up with fans to get some merch and talked to some of them because well, you are one of them.

loving the boys and their music is one thing you share in common.

after a while, the door opens, revealing a smiling Yoongi like he hadn’t been teasing you this whole time.

maybe that was part of his plan but you’ve been patiently waiting. it even came to the point where you can't wait to be all over him now that everything’s done for the night.

placing your empty glass of brandy on the small side table, you drop your phone on the couch before approaching Yoongi. he chuckles when you hastily drag him toward the couch before climbing on his lap.

he doesn’t mind really, knowing how needy you get after he performs like you were in the past. he might’ve unintentionally teased you like he does to everyone else but it's one of the things he loved about you.

how easily you get turned on in every little thing he and the others do but especially for this. knowing his voice can make you crumble instantly gives him that satisfaction that he didn’t know he had when he first met you.

“you’re worked up this much __?” he teases, hands situating themselves on both sides of your waist. “is it the black or white one?” he adds nonchalantly, pertaining to his outfits prior to the one he’s wearing right now.

“shut up, you know what your voice does to me” you whine impatiently, clutching the silver bone necklace around his neck before leaning in to kiss him again.

ah, the chain, another one that you love seeing on him. he'll always be fascinated with your favourites no matter how long you've been with them.

you deepened the kiss this time and Yoongi welcomed them with fervour. it’s his turn to get lost in the moment now that you’re needier than him. his ending fit riled you up this much that now you’re grinding yourself desperately on him but hey, he’s not complaining.

his hands smooth around your covered thighs after, lingering between the crease of your legs before he releases your lips.

“i’m surprised you’re wearing leggings, you hate it”

“it’s cold”

“explains the sweatshirt too” he muses, one hand tugging the baggy sleeve of your white tour sweatshirt with both his aliases on your chest.

his heart warms seeing it on you, the way you’re proudly wearing him even though this whole thing between you and them still remains a secret. his hands creep underneath your top, caressing your sides that hasten your roll against his crotch.

you lean in to kiss Yoongi once more but he grabs your sides, stopping you.

“want it off though” he whispers, the mischief in his eyes shifts to a demanding one.

his darkening orbs are looking straight into yours, making you squirm against him. you didn’t waste any time at once, taking off both your sweatshirt and your bra in a frenzy, much to Yoongi’s satisfaction.

you’d know with that cocky look resurfacing on his pretty face.

now that you’re bare in front of him, Yoongi can see your crotch rubbing along the top of his denim zippers. he could watch you like this, let you get off on your own until you cum like he’s done many times but he relents.

lately, he’s been so busy with the tour preparation that he missed seeing you this needy. he reaches down to cup your pussy, not surprised to find you drenched knowing how easy it is for you to get wet.

you squirm at his touch, trying to get more friction by rubbing your swollen clit on the buckle of his belt. he knows it's you silently wanting his fingers to help you get off but his hand abruptly leaves you.

frustration looms on your face, your lips turning into a frown but Yoongi grabs your body closer and instantly latches his mouth on your tits, earning a surprised shriek from you.

“yoongi!”

you didn’t mean to be loud but with how Yoong’s been licking your pebbled nipples and occasionally nibbling them, you’re starting to forget that there are still people outside the door who can hear you both.

one hand of yours takes a handful of his messy jet-black hair, pushing his face more into your chest. he groans and continues to nip around one tit while his other hand plays around your neglected breast.

kneading and pinching nonstop, you’re unable to hold in the whiny moans coming out of you as your other hand grips his shoulder. you’re relishing it, the rough feeling of callous fingers against your now-swollen nipples.

taking a glance down at Yoongi, you notice how wet he is. he's drenched in sweat but my fuck does he look even hotter when he does. his mouth releases your peppered breasts, opting to fondle your clothed pussy this time.

“don’t tell me you’ve been wet since the first song” he teases and you look away from his heated gaze. he got his answer when he felt your cunt twitch through your clothed core. rough pads of his fingers rub you faster, more of your slickness seeping through your leggings to his hands.

he was clad in all black earlier, one of your favourites so he wasn’t that surprised.

“yoongi..” you’re panting, almost begging him with the way you're gripping his hair and shoulders. you need him to do something, anything more than teasing at this point.

it surprises you when Yoongi grabs the empty glass of Henny that you put aside on the table earlier, taking the ice to his mouth and he’s back to assaulting your breasts. he rolls the ice cube with his tongue around your nipples, making you shiver at the cold and wet sensation.

you’re whimpering, legs shaking as the band on your lower abdomen threatens to snap with how Yoongi’s cold and wet fingertips fondling your core. the multiple stimulations are pushing you nearer to your orgasm. you’re not sure if he’s aware or not, if this was his plan all along.

“..oh fuck”

“hmm?”

“yoongi..i don’t.. wanna cum in this”

you cry, eyes mustering your neediest look towards him, hoping he’ll listen to your pleas. and Yoongi did, his hand leaving your drenched pussy and mouth releasing your breast. relief courses through you, smiling at him despite the uncomfy feeling of your leggings sticking to your core.

“of course, you don’t, always wanting to cream my cock”

he doesn’t say it in a mocking manner, the hint of adoration coming forward within his hooded eyes. you get off of him once his hands release you, quickly shimmying down your leggings while he unbuckles his baggy pants and boxers.

you didn’t miss him whipping out a condom from his front pocket, making you suspicious with your arms now crossed over your chest.

“and why-”

“you’re here and i did remember you love being fucked anywhere”

he answers right away and your face morphs in shame, arms sliding down to your elbows, revealing your breasts again to Yoongi.

you hate being paranoid like this though you know he’s always been prepared. and he’s right, you do love it when they fuck you anywhere they like whether it be on the venue, in their vans or in their hotel rooms.

it’s one of your favourites when you join them on tours before.

“yoon–..” you try but he beckons you closer and helps you back onto his lap, kissing you right away and ignoring your protests because he knew right away what you were gonna say.

“none of that hmm? lemme get you ready”

he took himself out and put on the condom already before his hands skitter around your inner thighs.

“no”

he quirks a brow at you, wanting to make sure if that's what you want. even though you’re stark naked figure’s been enticing him to just fuck it and ruin you like you’ve been begging for, he's been a pro at controlling himself to prepare you.

huffing before wrapping your hands around his neck, you squeeze his nape as an answer.

you just want him inside you and you don’t wanna wait anymore.

a smirk graces Yoongi's face at your impatience before helping your body up to grind on him again.

now rubbing your bare pussy against his dick, you enjoy watching him seethe with each friction. your hips circle until his swollen tip catches your entrance, pausing just to tease him. one of his hands scrambles to grip your hip and you chuckle before lifting yourself, grabbing his dick and lowering slowly.

“fuck,fuck,fuck”

you watch Yoongi close his eyes, a plethora of curses coming out from his mouth. you’re whimpering in return, pussy walls fluttering around him to try to accommodate his thick girth.

“big..fuck, yoongi” you cry, tears threatening to well in your eyes.

you love the feeling though and he knows it but Yoongi still tries to comfort you, roaming his veiny hands around your body till he reaches your breasts.

you start moving your hips slowly, planting your hands against his clothed chest as you try to take more of him. his hands fly on both sides of your waist, feline eyes also watching you while you’re slowly adjusting to him.

“more..” he grunts, prompting you to go faster as he tightens his grip on your waist. you try to roll your hips faster then deeper until you bottomed down.

pausing for a bit, you couldn’t help but lean in and whine against his clothed shoulder with how his cock’s filling you deliciously.

he has other plans though, releasing a deep groan after you unconsciously clenched around him. he starts fucking up to you, pouring all that adrenaline rush coursing through his bloodstream.

a loud moan escapes you when he finds that soft spot, causing you to pull back and again note the cocky smirk emerging on his handsome face.

“yoongi..fuck”

“shhhh”

he silences you with a finger on his puckered lips, hips bucking up to you faster while he repeatedly hits that spongy spot again.

you struggle but you wanna be good for him so you close your eyes and force yourself to keep your moans in. it results in you gasping instead, small whimpers still escaping you with how magnified everything feels.

“you listen really well baby” amusement laces Yoongi’s tone, eliciting deep moans after when you clamp around him with the praise. his groans spur you to ride him faster but you’re starting to feel the burn on your legs.

he must’ve felt you slowing down cause you found him grinning once you reopened your eyes. gritting your teeth, you dig your nails into Yoongi’s clothed shoulders and call his name in a whimper, biting your lip to hold back your release but his praise makes you crumble.

"yeah? come on __" he gauges you, kissing you at once to swallow the moans that you couldn’t keep in once you reach your peak.

he slows down his pace, letting you ride your own high as his mouth peppers your jaw then later your neck with kisses. his hands continue to caress your naked body until they reach down on your ass.

you let out a surprised yelp when he squeezes them hard, causing you to grip his damp hair once he starts fucking up to you again.

calling your name with a deep groan, you whimper by his ear in response as he chases his release. he’s relentless with his fucking, groping your ass nonstop until you feel him explode in the condom.

you do miss it when he fills you up but you both can’t risk anything while he’s still on tour.

“shit..” he chuckles after releasing you, pushing his hair back with a satisfied look on his face but it shortly disappears when he notices the small tears in your eyes.

“was i too rough?” he worries but you shake your head.

“you know i love it” you reply with a quick peck to his now perplexed face. he doesn’t say anything, waiting for you to continue.

“i just got emotional..you know”

a small smile of relief breaks into Yoongi’s face, stroking your naked back while you’re both coming down from your highs.

“i’m glad you’re here” he whispers, kissing your forehead. you don’t fucking know why you're suddenly emotional but it could be because of oxytocin flowing through you right now.

“the seesaw acoustic made me cry” you sniff, nuzzling Yoongi's clothed chest that’s a bit damp now, mixed with sweat and your tears but neither of you mind it.

“why? the lyrics still?”

he did remember you crying after hearing it for the first time years ago, the lyrics being the sole reason of it.

“it’s just.. i don’t know, it reminds me of when you guys were touring before” you admit, melancholy in your voice while you reminisce watching his solo performance during their last world tour as a group.

“thank you” he pauses, looking away from you. “for staying with us after all these years”. he takes your hand and plays with it as he says those words.

you adore this side of Yoongi and now you feel bad for doubting him earlier. meeting them years ago and staying this entire time meant a lot of hardships that you went through together with the rest of his members.

“i miss all of you together” you give Yoongi a quick peck on his heated cheeks before giggling, all the sadness gone at the sight of him blushing. he sits up right away and grabs your face to do the same on your lips before lifting your body off of him.

“you see each of them all the time more than i do, i’m jealous”

he gets up, pulling off the used rubber before picking up your clothes that he threw around earlier. he emerges in front of you after, wet wipes in his hand as he parts your sore legs.

“who knows, maybe me and Jimin will drop by”

he stops, letting out a snort and you raise a brow at him, mind suddenly alert to the possibility.

“he’s coming right?”

“idk babe” he’s got that teasing smile and you wanna cry.

“yoonggiiiii..”

“is this why you came here?”

“no”

you’re back to sulking because the boys won’t tell you anything either. it’s something they’ve all kept a secret cause even Jimin won’t budge earlier when you tried to get the answer from him during pillow talk.

however, Yoongi surprises you amidst your sulking when his head’s suddenly between your legs, licking up a stripe of your swollen folds, causing you to whine at the sensitivity.

he knows you’re tired so he stops your hand from grabbing his damp hair.

“later” he mutters, licking his glistened lips as he wipes your pussy.

you didn’t reply, still lying down on the couch while trying to put your bra, panties and leggings back on. getting up would be impossible so you wanna stay on the couch for a bit to cool down.

“i wanna surprise everyone okay? and you’re always on stan twitter”

he gives up, grinning at you with that adorable gummy smile before grabbing another glass of whiskey on the table.

then instead of wearing it back, you throw your merch shirt at him.

“YOU GET DEETS BECAUSE OF ME” you yell, earning a deep chuckle from Yoongi.

then he pulls out his phone and takes a picture of you, sending it to your group chat with a thumbs up caption. the others surprisingly replied immediately, with Jimin responding with a wink emoji.

oh they will pay for this.

e/n: it's been a long time lmao how are y'all? btw i wrote this during those two days and haven't opened it in almost a year now so 😂

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beltransadie · 28 days

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Small tidbits about my Still Into You 2ha animatic

Coz it's April, exactly one year from now was when I started completing it and I'm in the mood now. + I don't think I made a proper one + it won the twitter poll

Check it out if you're interested... or not! I just want to dump my thoughts and fun facts that I thought of while making this.

To preface this, check them out if you haven't seen it yet: (Still Into You & Please Don't Leave Me)

If you've been hanging around my blog for a while, it's kinda evident that I did post a promo post for Still Into You back in January 2023. And that first part does have an in-depth explanation about what it covers (which is from the start to the first chorus).

If you're wondering why: TL;DR I can't work on An Act of Kindness coz I was back home from school for vacation and I thought of the idea during a trip.

Anyway, I ramble. Time to get to the actual discussion.

(spoilers!!) The Actual Discussion

Making the rest of Still Into You, unlike Mo Ran's feelings for CWN, was actually just straightforward. I already knew that it'd cover the rest of the book, given that I intentionally focused heavily on book 1 while making part 1.

Like part 1, part 2 was that type of animatic that just naturally flowed during the storyboarding and rough sketch process. The whole animatic is divided into three phases which covers the following: Book 1, Book 2 and 3, and lastly the Epilogue.

Book 1 I've already discussed in an earlier post here but I did find this interesting tidbit I wrote to my cousin:

Anyways the discussion:

Yeah I really wish I have a funny image to put here. I'm really enjoying looking back at my stuff and seeing my initial plans though.

Order at which I made each part.

One thing of note (and actually a common oversight I experience while doing storyboards coz I don't do timings) was that I storyboarded the frames when the vocals started and forgot the timings in between.

So I kinda had to fill the parts between part 1 and 2 last-ish? (don't really remember the proper timings).

Oh, oh! And another fun fact:

Still Into You Part 2 (Rough Draft)

Part 2 was initially done on my tablet in CSP so there's a whole different and rougher version of it. (pls lower the volume if you're wearing earphones)

Funnily enough, this took me like one sitting to finish and a whole lot of sessions to clean up. I do like this process though given that, around the time I drew this, I started leaning heavily into animation and prioritizing getting my thoughts across without care for cleanliness. (Something I felt held me back too much while making Please Don't Leave Me).

In fact, there are some obvious frames that I didn't really bother polishing up (mostly because they're too hard for me or they just flash by quickly). A glaring example is this frame from the third part:

Another fun fact about the scene where TXJ shows CWN the plant he's been raising is it's actually inspired off of a doodle I made for someone in the Two Lifetimes CSE back in April 16 2023.

I just really think that it's super adorable for them. Mo Ran in the the epilogue section alternates between TXJ and 2.0.

Aside from the plant, TXJ also appears in this frame which is inspired from one of the extras. Another silly intentional decision I did is to have him pour alcohol onto a cup and drink from the bottle.

Meanwhile 2.0 appears here:

The one on the left is also from (you guessed it) an extra! It's based from an offhand mention that CWN makes in one of them. (Let me know what your guesses are haha)

I kinda just jumped into the 3rd half of the song, huh? I hope my ramblings aren't too much! I just wanna let it flow naturally.

Returning to the topic of the storyboard, I really only had a rough idea of what I wanted for the 3rd half. The references to the extras and even Goutou's appearance just came when I was already putting it into frame. Like, this was what I initially had in mind for the 2nd chorus to the end.

I think one of the notable differences is that I initially planned on doing the half MR half CWN screen transition the same way i did with chorus 1 and 2 but decided against it. In retrospect, I think it fits a lot because both aren't divided anymore.

Something about the second verse + chorus of the song

Like in chorus 1 and chorus 3, this section of the song takes on a darker tone since it covers book 2 going into book 3. It's a lot to talk about so I'm gonna select a couple that I personally like that's worth mentioning and leave the rest to the viewers to guess.

Also sorry not sorry for those who got spoiled by the animatic lmao.

The confession scene

Another fun fact: The confession scene in Still Into You and Please Don't Leave Me are intentionally connected through the color palette.

It's just that Still Into You takes a dump at how it treats it. Yes, the stick figures are intentional. It adds to the funny and tbh Still Into You really is just a feel good animatic. The comedy also serves as a whiplash to the angst hell that is the chorus 🥰.

(Insert obligatory CWN running at a tree meme here)

My Favorite 2ha Moment

Gotta insert my favorite chapter here (ch 184) which I think is one of 2ha's peaks because it resolves CWN's doubts about MR's feelings all this times.

And I'm just soo glad I could incorporate it in an animatic because it's so important to me. AND Like, 'yknow, I think it echoes the song very well because guess what MR tells CWN then?

“It has always been you."

That one frame before the chorus

There's like this moment before the second chorus starts where MR tells CWN something. I wanted it to echo ch 207 where MR felt the pressure of having to reveal that he actually is reborn and has memories of his past life.

If this were animated I'd have had MR match the song and tell CWN "I'm still into you".

Anyways, here's the frame before it zooms in. Physically it's still at ch 207, but I wanted the shadows to imply what happens next which is the chorus.

Other Bonus stuff

Ran out of stuff I wanna gush about so Imma talk about cut content.

XM and the MHX twins are supposed to have more frames (I didn't include it because it felt like it had too much energy)

2. Ling'er and the village ranwan visits during farm arc is also supposed to make an appearance

3. I forgot to animate the butterflies

4. I was supposed to polish the sequence at 2:41 - 2:51 at one point.

5. Fuck ow

6. CWN was supposed to glomp MR at the reunion scene

7. You and I

anyways go watch it

#2ha #erha #ranwan #danmei

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just-some-guy-joust · 11 months

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Posting my own propaganda; I did NOT write a (soon to be) 100k fic about Lyf to let them die here

(Although a quick note before I dive in- reminder that if you can get a perfect 50/50 they can move together as a team!!!! Since this is the most votes any of the polls have as of now, I'll allow a tiiiiny bit of leeway in either direction as well)

Wider necessary context: The Mechanisms (in universe) are a group of space pirates who tell the stories they come across in the format of narration-song-narration-song-etc albums. These stories are always gruesome, over the top, and always always end in tragedy.

Your sister dies before your eyes after 40 years of being made to serve a role in a war you hate, with only a few seconds to live again before being cut down yourself. You win the war, but what else is there left behind?

You finally find the one thing needed to save your city from endless capitalistic destruction, and yet you die before you can share it with the world. Maybe they didn't deserve it anyway.

You work your whole life to bring together the two different tribes of your own world only to become disillusioned to the cold hatred of your people. You destroy everything because what else is there left that's even worth saving?

Time and time again, things end the same way. Death, destruction, and only a handful of survivors if you're lucky. These three aren't even the only examples, these are just the longer albums. Even the individual songs end this way, just on a smaller scale.

So when The Bifrost Incident begins, you already know how the story ends. But the characters don't.

It breaks the rules of the narrative right from the very first second. For the first time, a character in the story is narrating it, rather than a Mech as an outsider perspective. They are introduced as Lyfrassir Edda, investigating the disappearance of a train, and in this first narration they tell you exactly how it ends. No remains were found other than the engine room, and "a couple of warped skeletons." Every single person on that train dies.

The only thing Lyf can do is try to work out how it happened. They go through the remaining security recordings, keeping track of the characters and where they go. There's nothing they can do to prevent these events, they can only stand back and watch as they unfold.

Another Mech narrative device that is broken here is that every previous album took classic public domain melodies to use for their songs. The Bifrost Incident is the first (and as far as I'm aware, only) instance of them using purely original music. Even from the beginning everything feels...off.

Lyf eventually unlocks the secrets of the footage, past a point of no return. The passengers on the train, the ones they'd been watching this whole time, did not cause its destruction. The once simple murder mystery turns eldritch horror, and the usual narration-song-narration format is shattered as 5 high-energy songs in a row describe the fate of the train.

Everyone on that train is doomed. There are two full songs describing their demises, ones they cannot escape or prevent. Lyf can only watch as things get worse, until eventually the only remaining living passengers decide what they have to do: take advantage of the blood ritual keeping the train moving to delay its arrival to the station Lyf found it at.

"They cannot prevent what they have touched following them into our world, but they can delay it. Keep the train on the track as long as possible."

There is no stopping this. And Lyf then realizes what seeing this footage means. The train has arrived. It's even taken them a few days to review the footage. Every second that passes brings them, everyone they know and love, and their entire star system, closer to its inevitable destruction.

There isn't a single thing they can do in their narrative other than discover just how impossible it is to escape it. And they do try, they're the only character that ever learns of this, and they flee. It is unknown whether or not they survive.

Nobody else does. And despite all their efforts, there wasn't a single thing they could do to stop it.

#sorry im autistic do you still think im cute #doomed by the narrative showdown #curtain call #-R #the mechanisms #yes im main tagging this because im right

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corrodedseraphine · 1 year

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playlist | #5 with you nobody else here

pairing: eddie munson x henderson!reader

summary: Just when you thought the boy you were in love with all through high school was gone, he suddenly reappears as your little brother's friend. Fate has once again decided to join your paths, however, everything turns out to be a bit complicated. Will Eddie Munson's sudden return to your life bring with it even more changes?

the story is also avaliable on ao3

masterlist | eddie munson masterlist | general masterlist

songs which I used in this chapter: Måneskin - THE LONELIEST | Guns N' Roses - Don't Cry | Metallica - The Unforgiven | Till Lindemann - That's My Heart

The last few days have been tough and it doesn't look like it's going to change, so I am sorry if this chapter isn't good. Adult life sucks, unfortunately I won't have as much time to write as I always had, but I'm not going to stop! I'll keep posting just not as often as recently.

My writing schedule looks like I'm writing one chapter and then one oneshot, and so on in rotation, so the next thing I'll publish will be the oneshot with Eddie that you guys chose in the poll, for which I thank you very much!

"That's what I thought I'd find you here." he said sitting down next to you on an old wooden picnic table in the middle of the forest. "You weren't at the cafeteria."

"I just- I needed to get some air." You said quickly wiping tears from your cheeks.

"Do you want to talk about it?" he asked moving closer to you. Feeling the warmth beating from him you wanted more. You thought about how wonderful it would be to be able to hug him. To disappear in his arms.

"I have no idea, it's all so stupid and messed up. I'm pathetic." You said, resting your forehead against the table top.

"You're not pathetic by showing emotions." After a moment, you felt his hand slowly and gently land on your shoulder, which he began stroking. Silently communicating what he wanted to say. I'm here for you and don't want to hurt you. Being in Eddie's company was always easy. He was a source of positive energy which he infected everyone close to him. When the mood was right for jokes he made everyone around him cry with laughter and clutch their stomachs in pain because of it. When worse times came, he never left anyone behind. Everyone could count on him. He wanted you to know that you did, too. It wasn't the first time he had seen your vulnerable side. You usually managed to defend yourself when a group of cheerleaders chose you as their target. You usually had no problem fending them off and protecting yourself from all the words out of their mouths that flew at you like knives. Sometimes, however, there were days when you didn't have the strength to do so. When you were so tired of it all and fate served you kicks in the stomach from the very beginning of the day you didn't care. They could stab you in the back as much as they wanted and you let them. What you didn't show, however, was that on those days all the words they said hit you with redoubled force and stayed there for a long time. Eddie Munson was a great observer, especially when it came to people he cared about. Despite the fact that you didn't know it, you were one of the people he cared about extremely deeply, which is why he was watching you much more often than others. He knew perfectly well when you were capable of handling an enemy attack and when you were not. Therefore, when you had your moment of weakness he always sprang into action. Loud and annoying to most people in the school, he jumped up on the tables drawing everyone's attention, thus giving you a chance to escape the battlefield. Eddie Munson was not just an observer. Eddie Munson was also a shield. A huge piece of indestructible material with which he shielded everyone in need. Eddie Munson was a protector, which is why in his presence you felt you could afford to be weak.

"I hate cheerleaders." you said after a long moment. "I hate how they feel superior to everyone just because they look pretty. I hate how almost every day they try to prove to me in a brutal way that I'm worse because I don't have a supermodel figure or a face like from a magazine cover. I hate the fact that I'm starting to believe them."

"Nuh uh," he began, pressing you tighter against him. "I won't let those venomous vipers poison your brain. You know very well that you're stronger than all that crap."

"It's damn hard, especially when you have PE with a team captain who doesn't spare her comments. Even though people hear and see how she treats others no one does anything about it because everyone is in love with her."

"I'm not in love with her." he replied quickly shrugging his shoulders.

"Sure." You snorted. "The whole school is buzzing with rumors after they saw you two together at the lover's lake." You didn't mean to sound rude. Eddie just wanted to comfort you and console you, and you were repaying something like that. But you couldn't help it, every time you thought about what people said about their meeting jealousy burned you from the inside out. "I'm sorry." You mumbled.

"It's okay." He said taking his hand from your shoulder. Feeling the coldness in that place, you immediately regretted what you had said. Cursing yourself in spirit and being convinced that this was the reason why he stopped hugging you, in silence, you watched as he pulled out a piece of paper and a pencil form his backpack and started drawing something. "Do you want to hear the secret?" he asked after a few minutes of silence.

"Yeah."

"The meeting was on business purposes. No matter how hopeless they are, the rich kids at Hawkins High love to waste their parents' money on pot." Now knowing the real reason for their meeting made you even more stupid for believing the rumors. "And something tells me that when the dear captain of the cheerleading squad comes for another dose the price will be doubled by then." He smiled to himself without taking his eyes off the paper.

You were used to the fact that he often drew while talking to other people. Mutlitasking allowed him to focus on two things at once. Usually it was D&D-related paintings or some chaotic doodling during a sudden surge of inspiration. This time it was a rose. A small sketch of a rose that, after a while, he slid towards you.

"A beautiful rose, for a beautiful girl." he said, smiling. "So that you will always remember about it."

Tears flowed into your eyes anew, but this time they were not sad tears. They were tears of affection. This also did not escape his attention. "It's okay now." he said embracing you again, and in an emotional move you hugged him snuggling your face into the bend of his neck.

From that moment on, every time he saw the shameful venom-filled tentacles lingering in your mind he wanted to run up to you and shout right into your eyes that none of this was true. He wanted to tell you that you deserved to know that you were beautiful. That even when a dark shadow of fatigue forms under your eyes and you don't have the strength to put on makeup in the morning he can't take his eyes off you. But not having the courage, he turned his words into drawings of flowers, which were a silent reminder that Eddie Munson was your shield, and when you needed it, his arms were the walls of a mighty fortress that offered you shelter when everything was against you.

Tonight promised to be a good night. Tom suggested that since you didn't want to go alone with him and his friends to parties you should take someone with you. With that, a not-so-happy Robin sat with you on the living room couch sipping a drink and people-watching. You were grateful for her company. When your boyfriend disappeared somewhere in the crowd, this time you had someone to talk to and didn't feel so alone. When you had a few more drinks you got up from the couch to dance a little and sweat out the acquired percentages. For the first time in a very long time you had fun.

By the time the moment came when you both felt you'd had enough alcohol and loud music, and Robin was tripping over her own feet too often, you decided it was time to go home. She said she would call Steve and wait for you in front of the house, while you went to find Tom in the meantime. Pushing your way up the stairs you went upstairs hearing him and his friends in one of the rooms.

"Hi babe!" he greeted you getting up from the floor he was sitting on. "We were just playing truth and dare, wanna join?"

"I came to say that Robin and I want to go home already, I thought you would come back with us." you said quietly hoping the rest of the company wouldn't hear it.

"So early? The party is just getting started! I thought you had a good time, I even let you bring Buckley with you."

"I had a good time, it's just a shame that once again without you." you sighed. "Why don't you come back with us and stay with me for the night?" You put your hands on his shoulders. Whenever you drank you became very affectionate, and you also needed more tenderness from others than usual.

"How about staying with me until the end of the party and then we'll go back to your place?"

"Can't you make an exception for once?"

"Oh come on Tommy! We just started playing, you can't leave us!" one of the girls sitting in the circle shouted. "If she wants to go back let her go alone, no one will miss her."

"Excuse me?" you asked surprised by her reaction. Taking a closer look at her, you tried to associate her face from somewhere, but couldn't connect it to anything. She must have been new to the party.

"I mean, from what I've heard you're not considered the social butterfly." the girl rolled her eyes. "Unlike Tommy."

"Tommy?" That was all you could get out of yourself. You may not have gotten along well lately, but a strange girl diminutively calling your boyfriend started your imagination. Suddenly you began to wonder what really was going on at parties when you left early or didn't go there at all.

"Don't you know your boyfriend's name?" she asked sarcastically. "I'm not surprised that he complains about you so much,"

"I think we don't know each other enough for you to have an opinion about it." you replied.

"I've heard enough to know what the situation is like, come on! Look at you! You're really shocked that he'd rather stay here with us than go home with someone like you? When was the last time you looked in the mirror?"

"Aren't you going to say anything?" you turned to Tom who was just watching your exchange of words.

"I mean...Lisa is kinda right. Maybe it's finally time to change a few things in your look, going to the gym hasn't hurt anyone yet," he replied quietly.

"I remind you that two years ago, when we started being together you didn't mind how I looked! And nothing changed since then!" you exclaimed. You were hurt. The only person who should be on your side turned out to be the one who stabbed you in the back with the ultimate knife. Feeling tears gather to your eyes you turned away from them and headed toward the stairs.

"Y/n!" you heard him call you and after a moment you felt a strong squeeze on your wrist.

"Come on! Don't be angry."

"You are fucking serious now?!" you shouted turning toward him.

"Why are you crying? Don't be pathetic, nothing serious happened."

"Nothing serious? You just let me be insulted by your friends like that, you didn't even lift a finger to help me!"

"You didn't ask for it!"

"It was so hard to guess?!" you were fed up. Fed up with his behavior, fed up with his lack of support, fed up with the way you felt so damn lonely despite the fact that he was your boyfriend. Not having the desire or strength to argue further, you snatched your wrist from his hand and left the house without a word. All the time replaying that situation in your head, you felt rage blowing you apart from the inside. You felt like screaming. You wanted to scream until all the negative emotions left you, but you could not. All that was left was a silent scream in your head.

"Steve didn't answer, so I thought I'd ask Eddie- Hey! What happened over there?" Robin asked, seeing you nervously tighten your lips, and the tears wouldn't stop flying from your eyes.

"Can we just go now?" you said opening the passenger side door. They sent each other questioning glances and also got into the car. They sent each other questioning glances and also got into the car.

"Y/n please, you are starting to worry me, and this silence scares me." said Robin finally, stepping forward so that she could grab your hand.

"This is the last party I ever went to with him. I'm sick of it. Enough." you said in a breaking voice.

"Hey, it's okay! You have a right to be tired of this situation." she said. "You're safe, no one will judge you here. You can tell us what happened, right, Eddie?"

"Of course!" he nodded, trying to sound as neutral as possible. He couldn't show how much he wanted to know what had happened, nor could he show how much he wanted to stop now, and wipe all the angst off your cheeks, say whatever you needed to hear to comfort you. But then you started talking about what happened. Hearing about how you were treated he felt like turning back and punching Tom. To yell in his face that he doesn't deserve you, that he's an idiot since he doesn't care about you the way he should, that he's definitely not worth your tears and all the sadness you have inside because of him. But he couldn't. All he could do was silently listen to your silent sobs as you explained everything while clenching his hands on the steering wheel angrily until the knuckles turned white.

"What a fucking asshole." Robin said as if reading his mind. "Eddie can you turn back? I feel like showing him up close what I think of him." Of course he could turn back. Of course whatever she wanted to do he wouldn't even stop her. More than that, he would help her with pleasure.

"No." you said quietly. And when he looked at you and saw the saddest expression on your face in the world his heart broke. He also realized that you didn't need revenge now. You needed support and to feel that someone cared about you. Eddie was more than happy to show you that he is this kind of person.

"Do you have any plans now?" he asked. "Or do you want to go home?" you just looked at him waiting for him to develop the thought. "I just thought that maybe- that maybe you don't want to be alone right now." he sent you a quick glance. "So if you guys feel like it, we can go to my place to watch some movie or do whatever makes you feel better."

You agreed. In this way you managed to watch half a horror movie before the sounds of screaming began to be drowned out by Robin's snoring. Seeing her in this state, the metalhead stopped the movie and got up to turn off the living room light.

"Do you want to finish, or are we waiting for the sleeping beauty to return to the living?" he asked.

"I don't know." You sighed. "What do you usually do when you're down?" you asked.

"I play my sweetheart until my fingers are in pain," he said.

"And when you can't do that?"

"Then I just listen to songs that fit the mood. Do you want to try it?"

"We can. But not too loud, if we wake her up now it will be unbearable." You laughed quietly pointing your head at Robin. Eddie nodded toward his room suggesting you follow him.

"Make yourself comfortable." He waved his hand over the bed and started looking for something in the cabinet next to it. After a moment he pulled out headphones, one of which he handed to you. "If you don't mind." he added while looking at you with a questioning gaze. You only nodded, took the earphone and sat on the bed leaning against the wall, he took the seat next to you. "Are you ready for the saddest concert ever? In the repertoire we have, of course, Don't Cry by Guns N Roses, classics like The Unforgiven by the one and only Metallica and many, many others that will make you feel like music expresses everything you feel." You leaned your head back and closed your eyes letting the music absorb you completely. You didn't want to think about anything else but the melody and the words that were coming from the headphones. Eddie's presence was soothing to you. Like a warm sweater on a winter evening it gave you the warmth you needed. When Till Lindemann finished singing about your heart being a diamond and how everyone wanted to steal it you felt the boy's gaze on you.

You'll be the saddest part of me A part of me that will never be mine It's obvious Tonight is gonna be the loneliest You're still the oxygen I breathe I see your face when I close my eyes It's torturous Tonight is gonna be the loneliest

When another song began to play you opened your eyes and also looked in his direction. Seeing this, he was panicked and immediately looked away, but you did not. You looked at him and had to admit that even in the semi-darkness he looked beautiful. Were you allowed to think that another boy looked beautiful while being in a relationship? His large, dark eyes now looked much more mysterious than they always had. You couldn't hold back the urge to explore their mystery. You found it harder and harder to keep your emotions in his presence. You were aware of what was happening to you, and you didn't know how long you would be able to push this fact aside.

There's a few lines that I have wrote In case of death, that's what I want, that's what I want So don't be sad when I'll be gone There's just one thing I hope you know, I loved you so 'Cause I don't even care about the time I've got left here The only thing I know now is that I wanna spend it With you, with you nobody else here Tonight is gonna be the loneliest

To occupy himself with something, he took a piece of paper lying on the desk and a pencil and began to draw, thinking that if he knew these were his last moments he would not regret at all how he was spending them. He could sit in a darkened room with you and listen to music for the rest of the time, if only that meant you were close. You were not the only person in the room who was beginning to understand the feelings. However, you were also not the only one who felt slightly frightened by this and lost in the situation. After a while, the drawing of the flower was finished, so he handed it to you.

And I just keep on thinking how you made me feel better And all the crazy little things that we did together In the end, in the end, it doesn't matter If tonight is gonna be the loneliest

You don't even know when with you started crying again. Feeling your cheeks getting wet with tears, you quickly wiped them with your sleeve, but you couldn't hide it from him.

"Aw, sweetheart, come here." he said pulling you close to him. Maybe he shouldn't do that, but at that moment he didn't care whether he should or not. "It's okay, y'know? You can cry as long as you need." he whispered into the top of your head while smacking you gently on it. "Crying is a good way to get rid of all those shitty feelings."

You were crying. Crying and crying without knowing the exact reason. You were crying because you were angry. You were crying because you were sad. You were crying because you were hurt. However, over time, you began to mourn a relationship that had not yet ended, but deep down you knew it was slowly fading away. You mourned your high school love that never happened because you didn't have the courage to do anything about it. Being in his arms now, you regretted it like nothing else. Would Eddie be the part of you that would never be yours?

But you knew that it was okay to cry. You knew you could cry as much as you wanted to. Because Eddie Munson was your shield and his arms once again turned into a fortress where there was always a room for you.

taglist: @i-me-mine

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lmk-6earm4c-au-blog · 2 months

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[AU of the AU Route/Unofficial] PortyHeir posted @[insert-VA-tumblr-blog] It's AWFUL DUDES. 6EarsM4c met some PAL-IOS from his secret mysterious backstory who did NOT like him. We regret to inform you that 6 is probably in hell rn with yellow hoodie guy. F in the chat because bro took the L. peace out fam. ✌️sleep in pepperoni's Macky my man. you were a swell dude while I knew you. I give you a B- in friendship 🫡 a salute. I'm rendering a song for you in the DJ house 😔drops later, keep a look out ISPP loyalists!

🌊 gentle-waters follow

wh-what…? what does this mean????

🥔 hakuna_patatas

i don’t- i don’t know????

💋 foolcellschild follow

ah lads not again

#???????? #haitus part 2??????? #or are we at part 3 #what time is it????

🫂 6earedwall follow

HELLO AND WELCOME TO:

Where in the world is 6Ear?????

i am your host, the 6 Eared Wall,

we will return next week with the results :3

#polls #ispp #i have no idea what is going on but it is hilarious nonetheless

💌 theadvisor-isthe-kingsconsort follow

it has been two hours since the *checks notes* baffling update by alleged user *squints* PortyHeir announced 6ear’s predicament “in hell” with the *squints at notes harder* “yellow hoodie guy” because of backstory reasons

#*massages forehead* what IS going on the House of Commons #and why does the name Porty sound so familiar to me #unreality #lmk 6earm4c au #hakuna_patatas character tag

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lexa-gui · 1 year

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Motivated by this poll post

Ahaaaa, time to share my brainrot with the world! \o/

Here's a cleaned up version of my ted talk that absolutely no one asked for on why 'Sunlight' by Hozier is the best merthur song:

The whole vibe of the song. It's incredibly reverential -- a perfect Merlin pov on Arthur.

Sunlight is a perfect and well-known analogy for Arthur in fandom -- the glorious golden airs and all that. Remember that scene in The wicked day where Arthur comes out of the room after spending all night mourning his father and you see him appearing over Merlin's shoudler basked in sunlight? Perfect visuals.

The song starts out with our POV subject shunning sunlight (for like 3 lines) -- I would shun the light, share in evening's cool and quiet/ Who would trade that hum of night/ For sunlight, sunlight, sunlight. What happens at the beginning of the show? Merlin meets arthur and he is *not* a fan.

(Rip Merlin's patience lol)

Immediately the POV subject changes his mind though, and goes on to say "But whose heart would not take flight?/ Betray the moon as acolyte/ On first and fierce affirming sight/ Of sunlight, sunlight, sunlight". And what happens? Merlin needs one (1) bit of attention and validation from Arthur in episode 2 to go: 'Oop, guess I'll devote my life to him'.

(Look at his boi, he is *so gone*)

"I had been lost to you, sunlight/ And flew like a moth to you, sunlight, oh, sunlight" -- The reverential tone remains, and I associate this part with 'Le mort d'Artur', when Merlin thought Arthur was lost to him, and refused to accept it. He did everything he could to stop it,

which leads us to: "All the tales the same/ Told before and told again" that can be associated with Merlin going above and beyond, riking his own life in the process, to save Arthur's. The cup is even a recurring symbol here.

"A soul that's born in cold and rain/ Knows sunlight, sunlight, sunlight/ And at last can grant a name/ To a buried and a burning flame/ As love and its decisive pain/ Oh, my sunlight, sunlight, sunlight," this part would fit in great in a 'queer in a hostile world' narrative. One could say he's been denying that part of himself for incredibly long, but when it (sunlight/Arthur/love) shines, it's so absolute and consuming that there can only be one name for it even if he's never applied it before or didn't even think he knew how to.

And "love and it's decisive pain" also hammers in the fact that this is a tragedy, because (as we all well know) it ends in pain.

"All that was shown to me, sunlight/ Was somethin' foreknown to me, sunlight, oh sunlight" We can even take this literally for everytime Merlin told Arthur he would be 'the greatest king this land has ever known' so candidly it seemed he could feel it in his very bones. Because he's been told and retold about that prophecy so many times, and every little thing that Arthur does that implies he might be the man for it, just drive Merlin's determination further. It's something Merlin has known and believed with all his heart since almost the literal beginning.

"Oh, and these colors fade for you only/ Hold me, carry me slowly, my sunlight" Merlin's mood is almost 99% of the time related to Arthur. When he's down and Arthur mentions he hasn't smiled for 3 days -- it's about him -- everytime he's sad about his impeding doom, he's the one causing it to save Arthur from the same fate -- plus we have all those times where he's sad because Arthur's not appreciating him or is mean to him, etc.

"Each day, you'd rise with me/ Know that I would gladly be/ The Icarus to your certainty" I really love this part (and the next). Here we can see that Merlin is always by Arthur's side, every single day ("He's always been there -- at Arthur's side" from Gwen), and he knows to some degree of certainty that the affection and care he feels for Arthur is somewhat returned (Servant of Two Masters) -- or even the certainty that Arthur is alive and well and ruling would be enough. It just emboldens his devotion and willingness to do everything and anything to protect him ("Whatever I have to do, I will do. His life is worth a 100 of mine." to Nimueh), including giving up his own life, like we see time and time again. And Arthur is the sun in this analogy, so Merlin being Icarus means he doesn't care whether he singes his wings if he gets too close to him -- because it's worth it ("I'm happy to be your servant, until the day I die" to Arthur). He doesn't care what happens to him as long as he can be at his side ("I swear I will protect you or die at your side"). Which we also see time and time again, and Merlin's own priorities change from 'bringing magic back to the land' -- his destiny -- to keeping Arthur alive. He gives up on magic and betrays his own kind for Arthur in The Disir ("There can be no place for magic in Camelot").

(the certainty of Arthur's care, which they so rudely cut from the show :(( )

And this part just reaffirms this: "Oh, my sunlight, sunlight, sunlight/ Strap the wing to me/ Death trap clad happily/ With wax melted, I'd meet the sea/ Under sunlight, sunlight, sunlight". He'd happily go to his death -- for Arthur.

And then it just ends and goes on with "Oh, your love is sunlight/ Oh, your love is sunlight/ But it is sunlight" Which would again be an analogy for Arthur's love <3.

And this ted talk has been completed.

(Also if you wanna check out the vid I did with this song click here ehehe).

Disclaimer: this is my interpretation of a song and a ship, other ships and interpretations are just as valid and never do I mean to put anyone down for having different opinions.

#merthur #merlin x arthur #bbc merlin #merlin #merlin bbc #sunlight #hozier #alex goes crazy in 1k words #and rants into the void of tumblr

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nautiscarader · 3 years

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2020 in animation - recap

So, 2020.

Yeah, I have to say I’m not entirely satisfied. Would not recommend, 1 star.

But I would be willing to bump it to 1.5, if only because of one factor: the animation.

Because I have to say, this was the best animated end of the world so far! And if there was something that kept our spirits up, it was the cartoon industry!

Just like last year, I should preface this by saying that this is highly subjective selection. Even when one is confined to their Hobbit holes for better part of the year because of *waves hands* everything around,

day still only has 24 hours, so I have missed a few shows. (I should also apologise for omitting a few major ones last year, like Milo Murphy’s Law S2, Ducktales, or She-Ra. This is why I started keeping a track this year). I’m sure I will catch up with those I missed this year some time in the future, but for now, let’s see what this year has gifted us with.

And right from the start, January opens the race with very interesting propositions. We were still riding on an incredibly high wave from last year, with Infinity Train season 2.

This one focused on Tulip’s mirror, and pushed the season towards a much darker and complex story, diving deep into one’s personal journey and identity. There were tears, math, deer, and cops being murdered. Brutally.

t was followed by two newcomers: The Owl House and first season of Kipo and The Age of the Wonderbeast. Both of them would dominate first half of the year, with The Owl House’s traditional, week-to-week airings, and Kipo's seasons appearing in June and October.

The Owl House, a strong contender in "What will be the Next Gravity Falls?" contest, invited us to a world full of magic, mystery, elongated owl demons and some dark secrets. It has also created a milestone for Disney, introducing an LGBT couple with characters of bisexual Luz Noceda and lesbian Amity Blight. Their Grom dance has risen to the top of my animates scenes, polling very closely to the unforgettable Kataango.

On the other hand, Kipo has taken us to the post-apocalyptic world filled with mutant animals, revealing that despite the end of the world, our old vices and animosities have survived in underground burrows, and we have infected the overworld of giant doggos and suit-wearing frogs with them.

Kipo did not pull any punches regarding commentary about our society, at the same time giving us hope in the form of the main protagonist, who was able to spread friendship and understanding amongst the mutes, as well as the humans that had to survive. And in the world that we have found ourselves in, it was a pretty darn good lesson.

February would bring end to two seasons of airing cartoons, Big Hero Six season 2 and Miraculous season 3, as well as another newcomer that won the hearts of fans: Glitch Techs, with its "second" season arriving in August. And while in my opinion he show wasn't as good as the other two new titles, I am clearly in minority, as the show about Ghostbuters-like team of game console technicians gained huge popularity... though not enough to keep the show afloat. As of writing this, it is currently in limbo, which is a shame, as the second set of 10 episodes finally added some much needed ongoing story.

in March, another show from last year ended - Steven Universe Future. As we have expected, it tackled slightly more mature themes, showing how much Steven needed that therapy we have wished him, telling an important tale of finding one's worth and one's self. its ending might not have been as explosive as those of the original show, or the movie, but it left Steven’s story as open as an open road, and deep in our hearts, we all knew it would look like this.

March was also the time when majority of western world caught the coronavirus, and that caused quite a turmoil with the movie and animation industry. One of the first victim of changed schedule was Disney's Onward, which was released on-line on Disney+ quickly after its theatrical release.

I have mixed feelings towards “Onward”. For such interesting promise, I think it made a few questionable and down right boring turns, though the unorthodox message at the end of it was its strongest point, and it was one I haven’t seen in a while, so it was worth watching just for that.

April was relatively quiet (aside from more end of the world stuff); brought us third season of Ducktales that spread throughout the year, while May gave us final, fifth season of She-Ra and the Princesses of Power.

To my eternal shame, I missed on this show when it premiered, and due to the lockdown, I binge-watched the previous four right in time for powerful and explosive season 5. And even though Catra and Adora finally gave us exactly what we needed, some fans felt slightly unsatisfied, calling for a movie, like the Steven Universe one to be made. And I’d be all for it, the rest of universe needs saving from the Horde! Also, cats in space - hilarious.

May also revealed a new player on the streaming field: HBO Max, who surprised us with new Looney Tunes Cartoons, much more in the spirit of the legendary originals than the often-criticised Looney Tunes Show from 2011-2014. And in my opinion, it did; one could feel the same fluidity in animation, dedication to slapstick, and synchronisation with music than in the very first cartoons with Bugs and Daffy.

HBO Max would, however, return in June with first of series of Adventure Time original movies called "Distant Lands". The first centred around BMO, with second one - Obsidian giving us a glimpse into Bonnibel and Marceline's lives.

Distant Lands allowed people to revisit the odd, odd world of Ooo and learn about its colourful inhabitants, taking turns to seeing their past and the future, an, as usual, showing us that post-apocalyptic world can teach us valuable and meaningful lessons.

Just in time for full lockdown in our burrows, aforementioned Kipo season 2 premiered in June, together with another cartoon movie, this time featuring We Bare Bears. While their movie wasn't anything to write songs about, it was exactly like the show, providing some wholesome content right when we needed it.

And just in case you needed more wholesome adventures, Craig of the Creek's second season ended, and its third season began, reminding us of HOW COOL LIFE WAS WHEN OUTERNET WASN’T SCARY AND WE COULD STILL WALK OUTSIDE FOR FUN AND NOT TO HUNT TOILET PAPER.

Just like last year, July was not dogs' days, but frogs'. Amphibia season 2 started raining on our heads, but unlike last year, its schedule wasn't a daily one, spreading the episodes throughout the Summer and early Autumn, with its second part arriving in February of 2021. There were more roadtrips, more mysteries and MORE MARCY.

August was equally strong: aforementioned Glitch Techs "season 2" premiered, offering better and more plot-heavy episodes than the first ten episodes. Unfortunately, the show's future is unclear; the uneven divide of plot between the seasons probably contributed to the show not being renewed. 10 new episodes apparently are written, but await in sleep mode, until Nickelodeon remembers about it.

HBO MAX picked up Infinity Train for its third season, after being derailed by Cartoon Network. And if you thought that killing a mirror cop was shocking... then this season has pushed the limit of what can be shown in modern children's cartoon to a frightening degree. The schedule was once again, weirder, with first five episodes airing on the day of the premiere, ending with a cliffhanger (literally) that only contributed to the shock factor and made us wait anxiously for its conclusion. It was bold, it was dark, it was memorable.

And just like Glitch Techs, Infinity Train waits on a side track, unsure if it will be picked up, or will it be abandoned and left as a canvas for graffiti artists.

However, to end the Summer, a truly amazing TV movie has arrived on Disney Plus, where we came back to good, old Danville and could witness Candace against the universe. The new Phineas and Ferb movie brought back the glorious memories of this fantastic show, with the same humour, writing, abundance of catchy songs and a surprisingly deep moral.

In September we have seen the start of Big Hero 6 season 3 and a odd change of format. Instead of standalone 22-minute episodes, the show now consists of two 11-minute segments. In opinion of many, this weakened the stories, forcing them to be more comedy-oriented, and shortening the potential emotional drama. Still, it gave us funny, short stories, but they did clash with the two previous season, not to mention the movie.

However, if that wasn't up to your taste, Ducktales season 3 also started airing, and continued its first part up until December with more action- and plot-driven episodes, including the Darkwing Duck crossover, serving as a pilot of the spin-off.

Later in December fans have learned that Season 3 will be its last, which broke the hearts of many duck fans; however, it seems that the season has been written as the last one in mind, and the news of the ending was known to the creators, which gives us hope for a kick-ass finale somewhere in 2021.

Miraculous New York, telling arguably one of the most mature storylines, opened the "Heroez" world to some new characters and new opportunities, with two more specials, taking place in Shanghai and Brazil, meant to air somewhere next year. AND I DO HOPE WE WILL SEE MORE LOCAL FOOD VENDOR SUPERHEROES LIKE HOT DOG DAN.

October was the month of two season 3's: Carmen Sandiego and Kipo. In case of Carmen, as it is usual with Netflix, the "season" was only a half-one, with just a handful standalone episodes, and just a dash of more ongoing plot.

For Kipo, however, season 3 was the end, and what a glorious one it was. Fans were saddened to learn of it, but Kipo was always imagined as a 3-part story, and it showed. The finale proved more than satisfying ending to the plot, elevating Kipo to one of the smartest cartoon characters we should all try to aspire to.

In November, Distant Lands: Obsidian aired, focusing on everyone’s favourite candy/vampire couple, and the long and complicated love between Bonnibel and Marceline. And as usual, it showed us that relationships are not always as straightforward as we would like them to be, but with enough music and teamwork, no enemy is big enough.

For the next new show, I’ve waited with the most amount of excitement and anxiety. Because while I was completely fine with other reboots and re-imaginings to take creative takes, new Animaniacs, (airing on Hulu) had to be perfect and had to be the lightning that struck twice.

And sadly... it wasn’t. It was still good, but some people criticised (incorrectly imho) the amount of political topics, while I mourned almost total cast-ration of additional characters, aside from Pinky and the Brain. This truly weakened the possibilities it could have had. It was still very good, but you can feel that some of the original charm was lost, due to these odd, odd limitations.

December brought us a new original Apple TV movie, Wolfwalkers. A beautifully animated folk tale of friendship and social divides, and how short-sight can cause the collapse of both arguing sides, reminding me very much of the intelligence and heart of original “How to Train Your Dragon”.

We’ve had to wait two years for the return of arguably one of the most wholesome shows out there: Hilda. Second season dived into deeper mysteries that permeate the rich and colourful troll-ridden land, we saw the return of some familiar characters, and introduced a whole new storyline, that ended with a surprising cliffhanger. Still as wholesome, but now with a tiny bit of Police incompetence. Also Twig, lots of Twig.

Just like Onward, Pixar’s highly anticipated Soul aired on Disney+, telling a very mature story about finding one’s purpose in life, what that purpose actually means, and whether it exists at all. Beautifully animated, with fantastic soundtrack, it was a stunning tribute to creativity, and it never dumbed down its profound, open message about following your dream.

And just if you thought that Soul was going to be 2020′s last note (pun very much intended), right before the year ended, DC Super Hero Girls concluded its first season on a rather anti-climactic two-parter. That being said, the season, running from March of last year, was packed with short, bite-sized, funny stories, taking interesting spins on existing comic book characters. For a comic book noob like me, it was perfectly fine, and I can’t wait for the second season next year.

And so, we have reached the series finale of humanity.

2020 ends in just under a day. What will 2021 bring us? I do not know, and if the animated shows of this year have taught me anything, is that the future is an always open book, full of worries and challenges, but also opportunities and possibilities.

...

And in reality I was too lazy to check any news sites about upcoming projects.

#infinity train #glitch techs #amphibia #kipo and the age of wonderbeasts #animaniacs #carmen sandiego #hilda #DuckTales #big hero 6 #distant lands #dc super hero girls #Miraculous Ladybug #spop #The Owl House

278 notes · View notes

coeurdastronaute · 5 years

Text

Either/Or: WWC

“Jess?”

“Yes, Ms. Luthor?”

Squinting behind her glasses, the CEO peered at her schedule on her computer screen and furrowed as she read, but failed to comprehend the words under the seven o’clock time slot that seemed to take up majority of her evening. There should have been nothing there. She carefully kept track of every second, trusted her secretary to do the same, and suddenly, she had to be somewhere on a night when she could have been home.

Leaning back in her chair, Lena Luthor scrolled and clicked on the offending task highlighted in a deep forest green. National City FC.

National City Fire Council?

National City Financial Committee?

National City Freedom Conference?

“What the hell is National City FC, and why is it taking up 3 hours of my evening?”

“The team you had us buy a few months ago. It’s their home opener.” the secretary explained, filing a few things in the drawer in the closet in Lena’s office.

She didn’t bat an eye at such questions. It was her job to know those things, to take care of things, like when her boss came in with a circled article from her ride into the office, and told Jess to fix it. This somehow included a struggling council measure to bring another sports team to the city and help the underfunded women’s program develop.

There were no follow up questions to how it got done, as Lena was immediately onto the next thing, but for Jess, there were hours spent meeting with officials and the in-house entertainment division to see how accumulating a women’s soccer team would diversify their holdings. This meant weeks pouring over spreadsheets and crunching numbers until the small team that was created for just this singular task, that again, came from a circled three inches of newspaper print, developed a plan to make it a success.

“What did I do?” Lena asked, looking up from her computer as her assistant continued her work of pulling and rearranging to prepare for end of month reports.

“You gave me an article about how the city wanted a team but couldn’t drum up the money to commit, and they were going to lose the bid for an expansion team.”

“That sounds somewhat familiar.”

“You said that expansion and bringing professionals into the city was how we continued to grow.”

“I’m sure I did.”

Quickly, Lena googled the team and found a few headlines praising the companies initiative to help grown equality within the sport, to bring jobs and joy to the community, to expand programs for children and sports, to bring a championship to the city. It was all news to her but still made her smile.

“I put together a team who did everything from polling to scouting locations to permits and projections,” Jess explained as Lena scrolled. “You helped pick out the colors and design the logo.”

“I did?”

“No,” she chuckled. “I did all of that. It’s been my pet project. I played in college, you know.”

The webpage was green, deep and royal. A white logo with the crest of the city and an outline of a roaring bear over it sat in the corner. The banner had the team picture with rows of tough and smiling girls looking back. A schedule followed and links to tickets. It was an actual thing.

“You did all of this?”

“I delegated,” Jess explained, handing over a folder. “Take a look at this so you have your talking points.”

“This got past the board?”

“A bit of community outreach, your name on the field, the logo on the jerseys, community services, tax breaks, and city-wide gratitude. It went a long way, and was a sound investment, set to see returns as early as six years.”

“Are you sure you don’t want that promotion?”

“I’ll just take another raise,” the secretary smiled as her boss looked over the papers in the folder.

“This still doesn’t explain why it’s on my schedule though,” Lena decided, closing it and laying it back on her desk.

“It’s the inaugural game. You have to go show your support.”

“I don’t like sports,” she reminded her. “That’s why I created an entire division of this company to manage such things.”

“You wanted more photo ops, and I’m creating that moment for you.”

Jess was right, which was something Lena still wasn’t particularly fond of admitting. Ever since her brother’s implosion and her ascendence to help the company two years ago, it felt as if her full-time job wasn’t being a CEO but rather a figure head looking to make people believe that she was just as strong, just as capable, just as, if not moreso, credible as the leader of a multi-billion dollar organization.

Lena looked back at the file on her desk and sighed, invariably giving in.

“Fine, but I’m not going to wear a jer--”

Smiling, Jess held up her personal jersey with DANVERS printed in big white letters over the number eleven. She wiggled her eyebrows and tried to hide her amusement.

“It’s to support the team.”

“That’s not even my name.”

“You don’t play for them, just own the team. You don’t get your own name on it.”

“I couldn’t get a custom one? I don’t even know who that is.”

“This is your star player, Kara Danvers. Got her in the expansion draft. She’s amazing. Led the league in scoring the past three years, only been in it for four.”

“This is soccer, right?”

With a heavy sigh, Jess tossed the jersey across the desk.

“Keep reading. I’ll have the car here at six.”

Lena smiled to herself as she held up the jersey, happy to have her name on it anyway with the logo of the rebranded L Corp. She never got used to seeing that, her accomplishments come to fruition. Somehow she accidentally bought a sports team, and though she wasn’t thrilled about having to spend her evening not at home on the couch, she was excited to see what her assistant created, excited to have done something for the city she grew to call home.

Not the biggest sports fan on the planet, Lena looked back at the screen with the team on it and found number eleven and gulped slightly, deciding that sports couldn’t be that bad.

XXXXXXXXX

The music blasted in the headphones, so loudly that nothing else could be heard, not even a thundering heartbeat or heavy breathing. The world and its honks and horns and yelling and voices and city chatter completely disappeared to nothing outside of the stadium, outside of the pitch of fresh grass.

Before the first fan would be welcomed, before they thrust open the grates on the concession stands, before the lights were tested and left on, a single player began her routine, sitting in the stands alone and taking in the world around her, as soon it would be chaos-- screaming people on the sidelines, lines calling changes and plays in the heat of the moment, chirping from those coming to disrupt her home. The soccer player’s head nodded to the beat of the song as she prepared, washing the rest of it away and focusing, centering herself.

The stadium was beginning to breathe again, with works appearing, setting up for the sell-out crowd. By the time the first few teammates began to filter out to warm up, Kara was warming up, making her way from side to side with a light jog, stretching muscles and coming back from her solitary centering.

“Are you getting nervous yet?” Nia asked as she sat on the ground, working hamstrings into something more tenable.

“I’m getting excited,” Kara corrected.

She was a leader on the team, and she took the responsibility very seriously. That included measuring her responses for the younger teammates, making sure that she was always on. It also meant that she played her heart out and left every ounce of energy on the field. She was going to lead the league again. She was going to keep her national team spot. She was going to accomplish great things, just as her parents always told her.

“I’m getting nervous,” her teammate confessed. “Sarah Lance is a terrifying defender. And Foster is a sniper.”

“But you’re Nia Nal,” Kara smiled, helping to pull her goaltender up. She didn’t let her escape though. She held her shoulders in her hands and gave her an intense look. “You are a brick wall. You are unstoppable. You are a fortress. That’s your goal, and no one is going to score today.”

“I know.”

“I don’t think you do,” the captain disagreed, grinning a little wider now. “Hey, Allen, tell Nal what she is.”

From over her shoulder another teammate immediately chimed in.

“Nia Nal is a force to be reckoned with! She’s not allowing one point this entire year.”

“See that?” Kara grinned, turning back to her goalie. “Everyone already knows it.”

“I know,” Nia nodded, a little less worried and a little more serious.

“Good. Let’s run some drills. I’m no Foster, but I’ll try to make it hard for you.”

Leadership was a role Kara felt both thrust upon her and eager taken up, as if it were second nature. She didn’t think about it, not directly, but often her time was spent planning her moves within the team to make them successful. It showed on the field.

On the pitch though, Kara was completely untouchable. She was focused on her goals and she was ready for anything. She was the captain, the heart, the everything for her team, and she gave her all because for so long it was all she had.

“Danvers, lets go,” the coach’s voice called as the player finished getting ready, completing the final tasks of her routine. “I need you for some press stuff.”

“I thought that was after,” Kara furrowed as she trotted over to Cat Grant as the rest of the team finished up in the locker room.

“Opening day means a lot of parading around,” she explained as they walked through the corridor. “You know this team is precarious at best. We have to do everything we can to appease the money bags.”

“I was going to do some appeasing on the scoreboard. Try to put on a show.”

“If you could do both, I’d appreciate it.”

“You know I can.”

With a comparable grin, Cat nodded and tugged open a door that led to a lobby area, where post game interviews would be held, where the team would meet before the huddle, only this time it was nearly empty save for two women.

“Ms. Luthor,” Cat held out her hand as she approached the striking woman that Kara was stuck staring at. “It’s an honor to have you out here to see our first game.”

“I’ve heard you’ve done amazing things. I’m excited to watch,” she smiled back, clasping Grant’s hand with both of hers.

Dimples were there, right on her cheeks. There was also red lipstick. Cherry red and full on the lips. And her eyes. The green of the jersey was absolutely perfect for making her eyes seem like never-ending forests. Kara cleared her throat when she remembered to swallow and looked away from her face quickly, afraid of gawking too long, though her own cheeks grew a bit warm with the observations. The problem was that looking anywhere else was just as bad. Skin-tight black jeans betrayed hips, and the jersey was enough to not hide her chest, and Kara wanted to pluck out her own eyeballs.

While she introduced her assistant, Kara looked helplessly at the door and shifted on her feet, hoping to avoid the weird feeling in her chest and head.

“This is one of our stars, Kara Danvers. She’ll be doing some press with you after the game, so I thought it’d be better to look as if you’ve met before.”

“Good thinking,” Lena smiled and held out her hand. “It’s a pleasure.”

“It’s very nice to meet you,” Kara nodded, curt and polite enough, the handshake not lasting very long.

“I will confess I don’t know much about soccer, but I’ve done my research on you,” the money explained. “Jess was telling me how brilliant you are, and I’m excited for you to share your talent with the city.”

“Me? Yes, um. I am as well. Excited. I love this city. My second home it is.”

With a funny look on her face, Lena just nodded and turned back to the coach, her glance following a beat later as Kara looked away, her cheeks full firetrucks.

“I wont interrupt anymore of your prep time,” Lena explained. “Thank you Cat.”

“Enjoy the view from the owner’s box.”

“I get one of those?” Lena asked, her voice going a little low as she asked her assistant.

Kara lingered for a moment as her coach made her way back toward the lock eroom to prepare. She met Lena’s lok and offered another shy smile before hurring to turn around.

“See you later,” she offered and cringed as she turned around.

The entire walk back to the locker room, Kara hung her head, oddly confused about the very short but very weird meeting. She didn’t know what to do or what she had done, just that she had a game to win and now knew that Lena Luthor existed.

XXXXXXXXXXX

“Good evening National City!” the CEO cheered from the edge of the pitch, a giant television of herself played just behind her for everyone to see in the sold out crowd.

The sun was beginning to set behind the city, the stadium sitting on the edge of the water with a view of the skyline and the lake behind it. It was all so new and clean and nice, that Lena took a little bit of pride in the fact hat she had some hand to play in it all even if she wan’t acutely aware of it.

“I am so happy to introduce you to your National City FC!”

The crowd roared again as she smiled into the microphone and surveyed the edge of the field with the waiting players and their tiny equivalents.

“It has been an honor to be part of bringing the next great franchise to our wonderful city, and I know these women are going to make you all so proud!”

The cheering was awfully addicting, and Lena was going to try to figure out how to get twenty thousand people to follow her around and agree with everything she said.

“What do you say we get this inaugural season underway?”

Lena smiled and waved, handing over the microphone to the emcee. The deep voice began to introduce the team as the owner walked off of the field toward her assistant who smiled, much too knowledgeable about the fact that her boss was actually having fun despite her inability to admit it.

“You looked good out there,” Jess nodded as Lena stood beside her, shielding her eyes from the squint of the sun as she looked at her team.

“Sports aren’t that bad,” Lena shrugged.

Despite herself, the CEO found Kara Danvers in the lineup, a little girl standing before her as they did the anthem and introductions. Even though everyone was quiet and preparing for the game, the little girl was antsy. Kara held her hands and lifted her up slightly, swinging her a bit, her shoulders and biceps straining. Lena swallowed as she watched Kara giggle with the little girl, and wondered how someone could exist that was insanely hot and also a big old goober. It didn’t seem fair.

“Let’s get to the box,” Jess offered, interrupting the absolute dehydration Lena was experiencing and hoping to hide. “We can go over some of the basics and I can finish explaining the strategy.”

“I trust your judgement, but I should learn a few things for press. This is going to take a lot more of my face than previous expected, I guess?”

“I was hoping a few showings of your face, and if we win, we’ll solidify the team. National City is lacking a prestigious championship caliber team.”

On the field, Kara hopped slightly before stretching out her legs and getting out the jitters. Hair pulled back tightly, her armband meant she was the captain, and she commanded her team with precision.

“Is this our first championship team?”

“I think so.”

“This is a much more enjoyable investment than all those property deals and some of those research labs I have to hear about.”

“Says the engineer?”

“It pains me to admit it.”

The whistle blew and Kara sprinted out, capturing the ball and immediately making her way toward the other goal. Lena’s heart jumped into her throat at the sheer force and speed of it all before she allowed Jess to tug her back to her box.

“How much do you know about Kara Danvers?” Lena asked, hoping it as subtle enough to be taken as small talk.

“It’s all in the folders.”

The CEO nodded as the elevator ascended, and she didn’t dare to chance a look at her secretary.

XXXXXXXXXX

No matter how many times she played, the adrenaline from a game was still mildly addicting. No matter how many goals she scored, the elation of scoring another was a fix that Kara Danvers chased perpetually. Nothing compared to it.

After the final whistle blew though, after the game ended and there was nothing left to give, she found herself full of these things, and no matter how tired her muscles and body became, the high was slow to come down from. It did make everything happen quicker though, and somehow, not long after winning, and a hat trick under her belt, Kara found herself seated in the media room with the team logo behind her and her new owner beside her.

“You must be fairly happy with the game tonight,” one reporter began, “any worries about the team as a whole that you will be working on this week at practice?”

“We’re always looking to be better, and I can’t say we were flawless, but I’m so excited for where we’re at as a team, that I’m just going to bask for the evening before we get back to work in the morning.”

The group chuckled slightly as the PR director called on the next hand.

“Ms. Luthor, how important was it for this team to get a win tonight? Was it validation for your involvement? Vindication maybe for all the naysayers who were against the expansion?”

“I can honestly say I haven’t paid any attention to anyone who was against this project,” Lena smiled as she earned a laugh from the audience. “It’s important to win as many games as possible for any team, let alone this team. We have a lot to prove as the new kids on the block, but I think Ms. Danvers is right, and we should celebrate and come back ready to continue in the morning.”

For the life of her, Kara wasn’t sure why the mention of her name or the corresponding look from Lena made the tips of her ears burn, but she smiled awkwardly and tried to ignore it.

“Ms. Luthor, what made you invest in this team and this opportunity?”

“The excitement in my advisor’s face when she talked about the team,” the CEO explained, nodding to the woman Kara didn’t remember officially meeting. “I can’t take credit for doing much more except being completely taken with Kara.”

The player snapped to look at the CEO for the pause that seemed to last much too long.

“Wait,” Lena shook her head and laughed. “Kara and her team. The sport really. The little girls that come out with the team. My advisor was one of those little girls, and she is now one of the most admirable and driven people I have ever met. If a team like this can give her joy and hope, imagine what it can do for all of the other little girls.”

“How does it feel to have the most powerful woman in the world behind you, Kara?”

“I’m quite taken by it,” she offered humbly with a smile, earning a laugh from the group and Lena in particular. “To be honest though, it is a truly empowering fact. To have someone with such kindness and tenacity as an example, it’s amazing.”

The pair shared a smile, and Kara looked back at the crowd, preparing for the next question.

912 notes · View notes

sumisuchan · 4 years

Text

Those Who Know

Hey guys, here’s a piece I’m posting for the Bellow Diamond Summer Sugar Bomb Liberate the People 2020 *or whatever it was called. This is also probably going to be my last Bellow Diamond fic, because I’m not quite sure what more I can say about this pairing, but I wrote this because I was a little sad the show didn’t tackle a fusion between them. I hope you enjoy, and here’s the Ao3 link for those who prefer reading there: (Also I love comments!) https://archiveofourown.org/works/24757537

----

On that day something had changed.

In hindsight, it seemed perfectly normal. Yellow and Blue were sitting in the garden amongst all of the new plants, mostly flowers, which had been collected from other worlds. It was a community effort. Gems who still traveled to the far corners of the universe were encouraged to bring back anything beautiful with them, which resulted in a garden overflowing with sundry plants and no semblance of unity between them. Most exploded with petals in shades of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet—a competition for the frilliest gown with the most shapely seams. The chaos was encouraged. The garden could be anything. The gems could be anything, and Yellow and Blue sat amongst every color and cut of them, even some fusions.

A comforting breeze picked up. Blue sighed and leaned back.

“It’s such a lovely day today.”

Amongst all the flowers swaying gently, the gems were sighing, letting go.

“I should probably get back soon,” Yellow said. “I left off when I was just about to put together a whole gem. I was just missing one piece...”

“No,” Blue touched her hand. “Stay a little longer.”

It wasn't the first time Blue had touched Yellow’s hand, made her skin bumpy, but now she wove their fingers together. She had captured Yellow’s entire hand and left her no choice.

Yellow sighed too. She forgot her responsibilities. “All right,” she said, “I'll stay.”

Blue continued holding her hand until the sun lazily changed positions.

* * *

As soon as the next day, Yellow caught herself reaching for Blue’s hand during inappropriate times. They were at a meeting sitting next to each other, suggesting ways to better Homeworld.

“I think if we make a separate larger building I could go to, I could make even more clouds than what my room can hold, and I know that there are so many gems that could use my help…”

Yellow almost went as far as touching Blue’s pinky. Her fingers had made contact, but as if receiving a shock, Yellow remembered it was a meeting and pulled them away.

White spoke. “Oh, that's a lovely idea, Blue. I know many gems still feel as though they are unwelcome into our rooms, so perhaps they might be more comfortable in a separate building.”

“I can send out a poll about it,” Yellow added.

“Would you please? Now on to the next order of business…” White continued but Blue had reasserted herself over Yellow’s pinky, touching it with the tips of her careful fingers. Yellow’s face felt as though it had caught fire. She couldn't focus.

Whenever they were apart too long, Blue would come drifting back. Sometimes Yellow would hear her singing from the next room, making her hand unsteady as she worked with the tweezers. Blue blurred the hard edges of her room’s clean lines and made the air feel warm, though any newly resurrected gems didn't comment.

Alone, Yellow would still play music. Gems would create and upload songs she could access from her communication device—formerly forbidden dance beats about going out, finding someone, spending an evening together. Yellow patiently sorted the shattered gems’ pieces on beat.

Most of them were vague enough to be about anything or anyone, so when they sang about dancing and dreams, it was easy to imagine taking Blue by the hand and leading her back to the garden. The electronic beats suggested neon colored plants against the black night sky. Maybe they would dance there too, or just sit, or lock their hands together and—

Yellow would stop there. She used to stop before even letting it go that far. Sometimes she might stop before even reaching the garden, before taking Blue by the arm. Yellow would remove herself from the music to stare from the window. The gems would come back apologizing, believing that they had upset her.

***

It kept getting worse. During walks, Blue would link their arms together and Yellow's head would swim. Her legs would threaten to collapse. Blue would laugh at her musically, then hold her tight to keep her from falling.

“I don't know what's gotten into me. I feel so overwhelmed.”

Blue patted her shoulder. “Maybe it's the first time you're allowed to feel this way.”

“Feel what way?” They stopped walking. “Don't tell me White's rules were the only thing keeping me together. You don't think I'm—gems don't fall ill, do they?”

“Hmmm…” Blue leaned in, trying not to smile. She pressed her hand to Yellow’s forehead. “You do feel awfully warm, but it could just be your lightning. I've also noticed that sometimes you have trouble paying attention. White has to repeat herself because it seems you’re somewhere else.” Blue took her hand away. "Where could that somewhere be ? Is it always the same?”

Yellow grew hot. Her feet had trouble staying connected to the ground. “Stars—it's happening again. This terrible feeling—what's going on with me?”

“I don't know, but it seems very serious.” Blue was beginning to laugh.

“Don't giggle at me. You don't have any idea how unbearable this is.”

“I'm sorry, Yellow. You're right. There's no possible way I could know what you're feeling. I promise I'll try to be more sensitive next time.” Blue kissed her on the cheek and led her along by her wobbly legs.

***

Yellow didn’t leave her room for an entire day, the longest amount of time yet. As the time passed, she slumped over at her desk, listening to music released the day before. These were fast-paced, mostly about fusion. She had to remind herself that it was okay that they mention it.

Only some of the songs were truly good but Yellow listened to all of them, staring out the window. When someone knocked on her door, she only turned around when it opened. It was White.

“Yellow—” The sun had begun to set, but White lit up the purple room with her glow, a perfect night light.

Even with a visitor, Yellow didn’t intend on moving.

“What's wrong?” White said, taking a few steps into the room. “Blue and I haven't seen you all day.”

Yellow turned back to the window. Stories below, gems were out for evening walks, linked at the elbows. She felt warm again. “I don't know,'' she said. “I don't know what's wrong with me. I'm so warm and dizzy all the time, and sometimes my chest tightens. I wonder if I'm corrupting...”

“Corrupting ?” White came and, like Blue, pressed her hand against Yellow’s forehead.

Where Yellow expected to swoon, she didn't. If anything, having White’s hand upon her head sobered her.

“You are a little warmer than usual. I suppose it could be your lightning.” White sat at the edge of Yellow’s bench, balancing somehow on her long legs. “But your physical form seems fine. Could it be emotional?”

Yellow burned into herself.

“If it is, maybe you should talk to Blue.”

“No. I can't talk to her.”

“You can’t? But I thought you two talk all the time. Oh—” White’s face turned pink around the nose. “Oh, Yellow,” White touched her shoulder. “This is my fault, isn't it? Now that you two are finally free, I'm sure the emotions are overwhelming. I'm so sorry. Have you told her?”

“Told her what?”

“Come now. I won't be upset. You're more than welcome to talk about it.”

“Talk about what? ”

“Yellow! You really don't need to upset me this way. I feel terribly enough for everything I put you both through!” White stood, wrapping her cape around herself dramatically. “Well, you have my blessing. Tell her, please. For my sake.”

White fled, leaving Yellow to holler after her. “Wait! Tell her what?! White! ”

But she had already escaped, leaving a trail of sparkles behind her.

Still, Yellow yelled. “Tell me what I should say to her, please!”

White, however, did not return.

***

It was only a while later that Yellow found herself next to Blue at the site of the new Happiness Center, where a team of Bismuths had begun to build. They asked her to hold large objects in place, such as a pillar, around which they cemented. Yellow held a pillar too, watching as Blue lifted the Bismuths and set them down.

She placed one upon the uppermost floor, at her waist. “I never knew how much fun it is to be an elevator. Yellow, why don't you try it? It looks like someone is waiting for you.”

Yellow found another Bismuth at her feet, who gave a shy smile, setting her hand upon the back of her head. “If I could, My Diamond.”

“You don't have to call me that anymore,” Yellow said, lifting her.

Blue was giggling again. “What a good elevator you make, Yellow. How efficient.”

“You're acting like it's difficult.” But there was that feeling again. Blue’s gem magnified angles of sunlight overhead, glowing, making Yellow dizzier.

“Well, I suppose it really isn't,” Blue said, “I just wanted to compliment you.”

Yellow held the pillar a little tighter; she had to. She also looked away, toward the capital, whose new buildings were drenched in colors. They used to be organized in sections, strictly divided along arbitrary lines. Without the full consent of her brain, Yellow said, “You're so beautiful.” Then as soon as it came out, quiet as it was, she covered her mouth, turning to Blue, who was yet again trying not to laugh at her.

“Thank you, Yellow. You are too.”

Yellow returned that evening a mess. Any composition unraveled, she sat at her desk, stared even harder out the window, head full of sappy electronic music as the night flowers opened. She caught them in the corners of her eyes—neon-fleshed and thirsty, because she couldn't observe anything else. There was just her breathing, which she never paid attention to before—painfully alive and full of sweet, floral air. She wanted to keep it, forever. She felt like crying.

The door opened on beat, but even if it hadn’t, Yellow wouldn't have seen the light.

“I'm sorry to interrupt, but I wanted to check on you.”

Blue entered. The door locked out the hallway light as it closed, leaving only the deep purple and glow-in-the-dark flowers. Yellow hurried to turn off the music.

“You don't have to,” Blue said. “I like that song.”

Yellow only turned it down, enough to hear Blue’s skirts rustle to the bench. She hesitated before sitting, but did, her legs pointed away from the desk so they could face each other.

The music thumped gently. “I wanted to tell you that I’m not upset about what you said today. You looked so nervous, but I like it when you share your thoughts.”

“I didn’t want to insult you by saying something inappropriate.” Yellow couldn’t bear to look her in the eye. “Especially something so out of nowhere.”

“Didn’t you hear me? I like your inappropriate, out-of-nowhere thoughts. We don’t have to keep such things to ourselves anymore.” Blue leaned in closer until closing the gap by embracing Yellow. “Aren’t you glad?” Her voice was low in her throat, her fingers trailing up the nape of Yellow’s neck. They could taste each other's shared breathing, Blue in, Yellow out. Out, in, scented of flowers.

“Blue—”

There was something between them they both reached for. Just for a moment, their bodies turned to light, grasping, casting a glow against the neon plants and the star-filled window. Just for a moment, they were huge. Just for a moment, they were green.

Then they popped apart on the floor, Yellow and Blue again.

The force of separating left Yellow lopsided on her bench, tilted with one side touching the floor, and Blue a short ways across the room.

“I'm sorry—I didn't mean—” but she was already heading for the door.

“Wait—!”

“I'm so sorry,” Blue said finally, and left Yellow with her photons buzzing back into place, and a snapshot of herself where Blue had stood.

***

The next day, Yellow went to Earth. She didn't tell anyone she was going, nor Steven that she was coming. She simply arrived that evening, apologetically, in front of the beach house.

As Yellow stood there, waiting for someone to acknowledge her, her gem shined over the entire house, bright enough to signal a plane. Meanwhile, gems who used to be hers passed below, pausing as if to bow, but not many committed.

Finally, the door opened. Amethyst came out.

“Uh… Hey, Yellow Diamond.”

Neither spoke.

“Do you need something or... You're just... Standing around?”

Both fought the urge to cringe, sweating profusely.

“No. I'd like to talk to Steven.”

“Umm. Sure. Hold on a second.” Inside the house, her voice could be heard calling, “Steven! Yellow Diamond is here to see you!”

“What?" There were footsteps, nearing the door. "Did she say why?”

“I don't know, dude. But I bet you're in trouble —”

The door opened again, and Steven shielded his face from Yellow’s rays. It occurred to her to cover her gem.

“Hey, what's going on?”

Yellow explained as he walked her to the beach. She told him about her shortness of breath, her episodes of sighing at the windows while listening to dumb techno songs. She told him about her dizzy spells and how her mind always returned to—

“Blue?” Steven asked. He had taken his flip-flops off and dug his feet into the sand. “I don't know. It sounds like you're experiencing some emotions. Have you talked to her about them, or...?”

“It seems that she wanted to talk last night. She came to my room and well... We almost fused. In fact, I think we did.”

“Hmm.” Steven lifted his feet from the sand, upsetting a crab from its burrow. “So you said you feel woozy around her, and you get tongue-tied, and you can't stop thinking about her. And you feel like you can't tell her any of these things?”

“That’s right.”

“And no one else makes you feel this way?”

Yellow glimpsed out to the ocean and the sky turning peach, orange, and purple. “Not even close.”

“Sounds like you might be in love.”

“ What? ” Yellow practically snapped her neck. “I can't be in love! That's ridiculous . I've known Blue forever and—” Her eyes widened. “ Oh, stars .”

Steven unstuck his feet and slipped them back into his shoes. “You came just around dinner time, so I'm going to go back in. I'd offer you a place, but…” Steven took a couple of steps, hands in his pockets, but turned back. Yellow was still having an existential crisis.

“The same advice doesn't work for everyone, but... You should tell her. No matter what happens, it will probably make you feel better, getting it off your chest.”

Yellow’s palpable dread seemed to dissipate. “Thank you, Steven.”

“You're welcome. Good luck.”

The waves crashed as Steven left footprints back to the house. Yellow stayed put, boots in the sand as the tide rolled in. She focused on the color-gradient horizon, forgetting to blink.

***

Yellow stayed by the ocean, the waves crashing in and out punctuating the time. The moon rose high over the water, casting a silver shadow upon its surface. Along the beach, a few humans had set a bonfire, and just as it extinguished, Yellow’s communicator rang.

It was Blue.

“Hello?”

“Yellow, where have you been? I checked in your room and you weren't there. And why do you have the video function turned off? Are you all right?”

“I'm fine.” The ocean crashed again. “I went to Earth, to clear my mind.”

“To Earth? Did you talk to Steven?”

“Yes...how did you know?”

“I had a feeling.” There was a short silence. “Do you mind if I join you?”

Yellow froze for only a moment. “No, I don't mind.”

“All right.” Blue set something down. “I'll be there soon.”

It took a few minutes. Even though their ships were impossibly fast, it still wasn't instantaneous. Yellow, without realizing it, held her breath while searching the stars, waiting for Blue.

The ocean even seemed to slow, meeting the shore a little more gently, and in an eternity stretched over no time at all, Blue arrived. She parked her ship next to Yellow’s and joined her on the sand.

“It's good to see you again,” she said, sitting down. “Thank you for letting me join you.”

Yellow, finally, took a breath. “Blue—”

Blue held her hand.

“I love you.”

There it was. Yellow had finally said those words. Her body caught fire internally, and Blue smiled. She squeezed Yellow’s fingers atop the sand.

“I know,” she said. “I was waiting so long for you to finally realize it. Stars , I've never seen you swoon like that. You looked so cute.” Blue kissed her cheek, painfully close to her lips, and used their proximity to embrace her. “Do I have to tell you that I love you too? Or have you known?”

“I was hoping—”

Blue kissed her, fully on the mouth. She held her a long time before letting her go.

“I'm sorry I fused with you. I mean—I'm not sorry that it happened, but the rules have been laid out for so long for what we weren’t supposed to do that now I'm not sure what you're comfortable with.” Blue kept her from falling. “You felt so overwhelmed. Even this seems like it might be too much.”

“No—” Yellow said. “I'm euphoric.”

“Euphoric? And I didn't even need to use my clouds.”

“Let me kiss you again.”

Blue smiled. “No. Come with me.”

Yellow was a little slow to stand, legs stiff from staying in place for so long, but she followed as Blue pulled her into the ocean. The water was cool as it lapped against her kneecaps, more and more softly the further they went. They stopped about waist-deep, when Beach City appeared as a series of dim lights. The moon was bright overhead, and Blue took both of Yellow’s hands.

“Do you want to try fusing again?”

Yellow held hers firmly back. “I can try.”

“If this is ever too much–” Blue kissed both sets of her knuckles, “I want you to tell me. I want you to tell me everything. Promise you will.”

“I promise,” Yellow said, and kissed her on the cheek. “I love you, Blue.”

“I love you too, Yellow.”

They embraced as the moon moved straight overhead, illuminating the greenish ocean water beneath them.

#Bellow Diamond #Bellow Diamond Bomb #Yellow Diamond #Blue Diamond #White Diamond #Steven Universe #Wholesome and GayTM #fusion #Green Diamond

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echoeternally · 3 years

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If Another Pair Survives Together...

Balancing the votes between various combinations of remaining options in the Hero’s Second Wind poll will bring them into the next story together. Those potential scenes are found on this page!

Brief descriptions and scene titles will be included below!

Fair warning: There is some content dealing with death below as well.

Second warning: This post is long to depict several developing scenes!

... ... ... ... ...

Alakazam & Politoed

Taking some time to adjust along the mountainside, Alakazam attempts to bond with Politoed by reading a story, but...

...

“Oh, this reminds me of an old legend that I read a while back,” recalled Alakazam. “It was the one about the two dragons.”

“Those two that were always together even though they were like opposites in a few ways?”

“Yes! Ah, I thought I was the only one that still knew about that.” Alakazam chuckled. “It was such a lovely story, there were a few versions, a few different pairs of dragons, but they…” He hesitated as his eyes twitched. “Uh, they were sometimes…”

“…It’s usually stories about them becoming lovers, in spite of the opposite natures, right?” Politoed waited as Alakazam faced him. “…Alakazam?”

“Sorry, it, ah…we just both enjoyed…” A tear slipped from his eye. “It…”

Politoed waited a moment, as another tear cascaded from Alakazam, and then a few more started to come out. He got up as Alakazam turned, and they hugged as he sobbed into Politoed, still patting him.

... ... ...

Shaping Up A Magic Knight

Alakazam offers to tutor Politoed with dabbling into magic, which the curious latter is somewhat hesitant about.

...

“I don’t know if magic is really my thing, Alakazam.” Politoed scratched at his head. “My brother was always the stronger between us, sure, but I still think that I’m capable enough relying on my natural abilities.”

“Well, you’re certainly not learning with that attitude,” muttered Alakazam.

“Don’t we have enough magicians on the team?” Politoed placed his hand on his hip. “There’s Delphox, even if he is blind. Then we’ve got Gardevoir, Lilligant, Froslass, Mewtwo, and you.” He shrugged. “I don’t think there’s much of a need for me to join those ranks.”

“You do realize that you could become incredibly more powerful if you could combine physical efforts with magical ones, correct?”

“Like Lucario?”

“Yes, exactly.”

“But he’s not really that invincible.” Politoed gazed down at the tome in his hands. “I just don’t know about this…”

“It is entirely your choice,” relented Alakazam. “Perhaps I’m trying to overcompensate, but I do truly believe that you would be a capable candidate for such combinations.” He lowered his eyes. “It’s certainly a unique avenue to explore.”

“Don’t really need that anymore,” mumbled Politoed.

“Sorry, that’s not how I meant it.” Alakazam sighed. “It’s just that not many knights do get such an opportunity to pull this off. Just…think it over a little more, when you have a chance.”

He strolled away from Politoed, who watched him for a moment, and then returned his attention to the tome.

... ... ...

Machamp & Poliwrath

Completing an early trial battle against rivals, Machamp and Poliwrath celebrate their win for a moment. Neither is good for comforting.

...

“Ha!” Machamp placed his lower hands on his hips and beamed. “Tough battle, but nothing that the two Empire powerhouses can’t handle!”

“You know it!” Poliwrath smacked Machamp’s back. “You and me, tough as they come!”

“Yeah, together for…ever…”

Poliwrath watched as Machamp slouched. “…That something you two—?”

“It was a little phrase we had,” murmured Machamp, hastily rubbing at his eyes. “Since we were kids, we always brought it up, and the way his face lit up whenever we brought it up, I just…he was so happy, and I, uh…sorry.”

“Don’t worry about it.” Poliwrath patted Machamp’s lower arm. “It’s not like I’m any better off. We’re managing, we just need…more time…”

“Maybe a lot more…”

“…Probably, yeah…”

... ... ...

Enchanting Performances

Poliwrath and Machamp join Greninja and Chesnaught in their review of majestic performances between competing artists, including their friends.

...

“These performers are great!” Poliwrath rubbed his hands together. “Tonight’s been fantastic, don’t you think?”

“Well, yeah, I guess so!” Machamp slumped back in his chair. “I feel like I’d appreciate more styles if I studied up more on cultures and less on legends.”

“It’s not just the dancers, though they are amazing!” Poliwrath chuckled. “Lilligant, I was expecting. Him? Definitely not.”

“Tell me about it!” I grinned as I turned to Greninja nudging him at the other table. “Someone definitely enjoyed that one for sure.”

“How about the singers?” Poliwrath drummed on the table. “Primarina, I was expecting him to be as flawless as he was. But that Leavanny? Who knew she had that kind of a voice in her, huh?”

“She did that entirely without her band,” agreed Machamp. “…Did anyone else cry from that song? I feel kind of silly if only I did.”

“No way, I was bawling,” piped up Poliwrath. “That emotion was too overwhelming for me!”

“It makes sense why she…um.” Machamp and Poliwrath watched me as I glanced aside. “Uh, don’t worry about that.”

... ... ...

Poliwrath & Alakazam

After traveling up the first leg of the mountains journey, Alakazam thanks Poliwrath for his help, and comforts him when it goes sideways.

...

“You know, the lake up here reminded me that I don’t think I got the chance to thank you properly.” Alakazam smiled at Poliwrath. “Your quick thinking got me out from the water so swiftly, and I barely processed what had even happened the whole while.”

“Ah, I was just panicking a bit,” admitted Poliwrath. “Saw someone in the water scrambling a bit, so I just wanted to make sure you didn’t drown or anything!”

“In spite of being around water so long, if I hadn’t been careful, I could have.” Alakazam laughed. “Can you imagine? That would’ve been dreadful.” He sighed and smiled to Poliwrath. “So, thank you again for pulling me out.”

“Nah, no worries.” Poliwrath rolled his eyes. “Wasn’t much trouble, you’re light enough, though heavier than I was expecting.”

“Really?” Alakazam rubbed at his arm. “I think that’s a first.”

“Oh, no, sorry, that was stupid of me.” Poliwrath clutched at his head. “I just meant, you know, you were heavier than who I was…expecting…”

“…Ah.”

“Can’t believe how much of an ass I am,” grumbled Poliwrath. “Alakazam, I’m sorry, that wasn’t called for.”

“Missing your brother is as normal as a sunset, Poliwrath,” insisted Alakazam. “My heart aches over Machamp, so I understand.”

“Yeah, but it’s…I just…” Poliwrath slouched. “…I didn’t think I’d ever miss him the way that I do now, you know? He was just always there, so I never…I never…”

He jumped as Alakazam gently placed his hand over Poliwrath’s arm. He twisted to him, and Alakazam nodded, softly smiling. Tears welled up in Poliwrath’s eyes and he hastily brushed them away.

... ... ...

Teleportation Troubles

In the middle of a trial, Poliwrath struggles to regain his bearings after Alakazam warps them around a bit.

...

“Hang on.”

Alakazam placed his hand behind Poliwrath and they disappeared in a flash. Another one flickered from behind me, and I spun back to them.

“Ugh…” Poliwrath shuddered. “How do you do that all the time?”

“What? It’s a quick warp.” Alakazam folded his arms. “Don’t tell me you get motion sickness. You swim!”

“It’s not the motion, but that felt weird for me…” He looked at Alakazam, and then to me. “Neither of you seriously feel anything with that?”

“Well, I can sink into shadows and travel in this weird space that lets me quietly approach enemies,” I reasoned. “Plus, ninjas do a lot of vanishing acts all of the time…so, no.”

“And it’s literally second nature for me,” reminded Alakazam.

“Ooh, you guys are weird…”

“You’re one to talk, Mister Mouthless.”

“It’s right here!” Poliwrath pointed at his body, but I just blinked at him. I turned to Alakazam, who shrugged his shoulders. “Aw, come on!”

... ... ...

Politoed & Machamp

Surviving an early mountains trial mishap, Machamp thanks Politoed for his rescue, but this stirs memories for the frog.

...

“Can’t believe I almost drowned out there again,” joked Machamp. “Thanks a bundle for rescuing me a second time, Politoed!”

“Ah, you know, we’re natural-born swimmers.” Politoed laughed as Machamp grinned at him.

“You Water Types make it look so easy, but I do know how to swim too,” teased Machamp. “Grew up around water like anyone else in the Empire!”

“Sure, we all learned swimming, luckily for Empoleon.” Politoed tapped at his cheek. “Makes me wonder what he’d do with someone that couldn’t swim.” He sighed. “You know, Poliwrath used to help me out a lot when we first started. I don’t think I’d be as capable in the water without him.”

“No?”

“Maybe at some point, but…” Politoed sank down. “…Maybe I’m not as much of a natural as I claimed.” He looked to Machamp, who reached over to him. “He was such an ass when we were, you know how, back home, but…when we were young, and I was scared at first, because I had a bad experience with water very early on, but he was so patient and he…he…”

“He was with you whenever you needed him,” finished Machamp, and he lightly rubbed Politoed’s head.

“…Yeah…” Politoed heaved. “I don’t know how I’m supposed to go on without him…”

“It takes time, but we’ll get there,” assured Machamp. “Remember, you’re not alone.”

“Right, of course.” Politoed smiled to Machamp, picking himself back up. “Thank you.”

... ... ...

Making a Mighty Bouncer

As they continue to climb and deal with the mountains, Machamp decides to try a different kind of confidence booster for Politoed.

...

“There’s got to be a way that we can climb up there.”

“If we can’t climb or fly, how about we just have someone bounce?” Machamp glanced to Politoed, who jumped up.

“Me? Bounce that high?” He shook his head. “Are you crazy?”

“Come on, you can make that!” Machamp crouched down and cupped his lower hands together. “Here, I’ll even give you a boost!”

“No way!” Politoed winced. “You throw hard and far!”

“Right, you combine that with your bounce, and that’ll help you soar further up!” Machamp rubbed his head. “Unless you’re too scared, I guess.”

“What was that?”

“Hm? Oh, nothing.”

“Are you making fun of me?”

“Nah, just thinking that you’re too, ah, timid for it?” Machamp shrugged his shoulders and lifted his upper arms. “But, it’s fine. We can think of--”

“Just shut up and get ready to throw me,” grumbled Politoed, to Machamp’s delight.

... ... ... ... ...

(Remember, these are scenes in development. However, this is what you can look forward to, should the vote tallies of two additional options be close enough together! See if you can get their combined return for the stories!)

(Head back to the poll here!)

(Still not sure or want to read more? Check back here!)

#a hero's second wind

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can-youimagine · 5 years

Text

The Selection Chapter 2

Summary: You are Manhattan royalty, making your marriage one people want to watch. What happens when the Avengers are your suitors?

Chapter TW: female reader, mention of sex, swearing

Chapter Word Count: 1406

A/N: I’m posting this a bit early because based on the poll the first date should be with Carol but this may change that. Basically, I’m torn between two options and I need help

Masterlist | Series Masterlist

Vote on what happens next!

You nervously wring your hands as you wait for everyone to show up. Unlike first impressions, you had no idea who would come in when. You had absolutely no way to prepare for this.

Your best friend laughs at you. “They aren’t supposed to be here for half an hour. What are you stressing about?”

“How am I supposed to pick one of them?”

“You aren’t expected to pick anyone today. Or even this week. Hell, if you want to throw this all away and marry a random construction worker, that’d be fine too.”

“Gina. You know I can’t do that.”

“Not yet anyway. If all these people turn out to be assholes, then you can argue that it would look great for your family is you lowered yourself down to an unknown commoner, and then you could marry your true love.”

“You know, I’ve never even considered that I could find love. I was just hoping for like. Or even tolerate.”

She grabs you by your shoulders. “(Y/N), you deserve so much more than that. You know you do. Besides, I’m sure you can love one of these people. Best of the best, right?”

“I guess.”

“There’s got to be at least one person you could see yourself with.”

You nod, smiling as you think back to their arrival. “There are a few I’d like to know better.”

Gina smiles widely. “There you go! Come on! Tell me about them.”

You shrug. “There’s not much to tell. I mean, I just met them.”

A dramatic sigh leaves her lips. “As your best friend, you are contractually obligated to tell about any person you want to have any sort of relationship with, even if it’s just sexual.”

“Gina!” you scold. “Now, I’m definitely not telling you.”

She pouts. “Fine. Whatever. I don’t care.” With crossed arms, she turns away from you, her bottom lip jutting out.

Before you have time to respond, one of the women from last night hesitantly opens the door. “I’m so sorry I’m early. I was just so worried about being late that I’m early.” She laughs nervously. “I can leave if you want.”

Gina looks between the two of you as you take the woman’s hand. “Of course not. Actually, I prefer you to be early. I should apologize. Gina and I were so busy chatting that we didn’t finish setting up.”

“I’d be happy to help.”

You open your mouth to tell her that you would love her help, but Gina has always been a faster talker than you. “So, who’s your friend?”

You glare at her. “Wanda. Wanda Maximoff. Why don’t you go make sure that the food’s ready?”

“I already checked five minu-” Gina protests.

“Gina. Check. Please.”

Finally taking the hint, she winks about you before leaving.

“I’m sorry about her.”

Wanda shakes her head. “No, no, it’s fine. She just cares about you.”

“A bit too much,” you mutter. “How was your first night?”

“It was very nice. Everyone has been so nice, even the other people here for you. I was surprised.”

You smile. “I’m glad. I hope it stays that way.”

“I promise to tell you if it doesn’t.”

You giggle, making her blush slightly. “Please do.” A moment of silence passes before you say, “I’m sorry we didn’t really get to talk last night.”

At the same time, she opens her mouth, words tumbling out quickly and uncertainly. “Did you kiss everyone last night?”

You stare at her. To say you weren’t surprised at her question would be a lie. Though, you should have expected it. “No.” You swallow, suddenly nervous. “Just you.”

“Why?” her voice is barely a whisper as she returns to being timid.

How do you answer that? ‘Because you were so nervous I just wanted to comfort you.’ ‘Because you were so beautiful that I couldn’t stop myself.’ ‘Because I have no idea what will happen next and wanted that with you.’ or completely honestly?

“I don’t know. I’m sorry.”

Her eyes widen. “I didn’t-”

“Hello again, Ms. (L/N),” a confident voice greets.

You smile up at the woman. “Hello again, Captain Danvers. How was your night?”

She sits next to you. “Wonderful, thank you.”

You nod, your focus still on Wanda who has gone to busy herself with a floral arrangement. “You made quite the impression.”

“A good one, I hope,” she says.

“Wonderful, Captain.”

“Is there a reason you won’t use my name?”

You shake your head, with a smirk. “I didn’t know I could, Captain.”

“You certainly can, Ms. (L/N).” Her expression mimics yours.

“Then, I am just (Y/N), Carol.”

Her smile softens once she hears her name. “Gorgeous.”

“Isn’t she?” a new voice calls from behind you.

You turn back to him. “Hello, Loki. Did you have a good evening?”

“Of course. The room is much nicer than anything I’m used to.”

You raise your eyebrows. “I never would have known. You carry yourself like a prince.”

He laughs loudly. “I’m glad you think so.”

He sits down across from you as Thor comes into the room, which Loki takes as his cue to leave.

“I hope my brother didn’t trouble you too much.”

“Brother? I had no idea you two were related.”

“I hope that that doesn’t impact your decision.”

You shake your head. “Of course not.”

The two of you talk for a while about your families and how growing up in such an important family changed you before Natasha walks in. You make some excuse to Thor before rushing over to see her.

“Ms. Romanoff,” you call, coming up to her. “I don’t think we’ve properly met.”

“You know my name. And I know yours. Is that not the definition of a meeting?”

You groan internally. “I hope that we could get to know each other a little better, given our situation.”

“Take me on a date, and maybe we can do something about that.” She turns and walks away from you.

There was something about her that was so infatuating and completely infuriating about her that made you want to send her home and keep her as close as possible at the same time.

Luckily, a few men walk in to demand your attention. Two of them are engrossed in conversation while the other two seem to want nothing more than to outdo each other.

As Peter and Scott try to win your attention without giving up whatever they are arguing about. Wanting a much less stressful interaction, you go over to the other pair.

“Steve, Bucky,” you greet, giving each of them a quick hug. “How was your first night?”

They both respond that it was fine. The three of you stare at each other for a moment before Steve asks, “Are we late? I thought it said noon, but I could be wrong.”

You shake your head with a small smile. “No, no. You were right. Everyone just seemed to be here incredibly early.” With a small laugh, you change the subject. “Did you two know each other before this? You get along much better than anyone else.”

“We’ve been friends forever,” Bucky answers. “It’s nice to go into this knowing someone.”

“I’d imagine so.”

You mill around the room, talking to everyone a little more and taking note of who got along and who didn’t, as you wait for the final suitor to arrive.

It isn’t until 12:30 that Tony Stark bursts into the room.

“Always one to make an impression,” you remark, walking over to him.

He wraps an arm around you, pulling you close. “Gotta make sure you remember me.”

You untangle yourself. “I’m sure I will.” You make your way to the center of the room, standing on a chair before addressing the room. “I want to thank you all again for coming. I understand that this is not the easiest thing for you, but I hope that this will be worth it in the end. Today is not only a chance for me to get to know you but also it is a chance for you to get to know each other.” You look between the different groups of people. “My goal is to make this as enjoyable as possible, for everyone involved, so if you will please do your part to help me, I will be incredibly grateful.”

You step off and make your way back into the groups.

Let me know what you thought!

Taglist (click here if you want to be added): @divinediego @pinkgeek96 @misschiefs1996 @jezzula @jyanasia @fansanctuary @the-hufflepuff-hunter @leasly @fangirlwithasweettooth @livlynn24 @sunobare @song-chaerin @marvelgirl7 @thatgirlwholikesgirls @foreverlostgirll @doctor-howard-potts @skyella01 @gabrielsgoldengrace

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witch-of-time-and-letters · 5 years

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Fantasieherz, schöner Verstand. Pt XVIII Veröffentlichung.

Beowulf: The Monsters and the Critics

As well as his fiction, Tolkien was also a leading author of academic literary criticism. His seminal 1936 lecture, later published as an article, revolutionized the treatment of the Anglo-Saxon epic Beowulf by literary critics. The essay remains highly influential in the study of Old English literature to this day. Beowulf is one of the most significant influences upon Tolkien's later fiction, with major details of both The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings being adapted from the poem. The piece reveals many of the aspects of Beowulf which Tolkien found most inspiring, most prominently the role of monsters in literature, particularly that of the dragon which appears in the final third of the poem:

As for the poem, one dragon, however hot, does not make a summer, or a host; and a man might well exchange for one good dragon what he would not sell for a wilderness. And dragons, real dragons, essential both to the machinery and the ideas of a poem or tale, are actually rare.

Children's books and other short works

In addition to his mythopoeic compositions, Tolkien enjoyed inventing fantasy stories to entertain his children. He wrote annual Christmas letters from Father Christmasfor them, building up a series of short stories (later compiled and published as The Father Christmas Letters). Other works included Mr. Bliss and Roverandom (for children), and Leaf by Niggle (part of Tree and Leaf), The Adventures of Tom Bombadil, Smith of Wootton Major and Farmer Giles of Ham. Roverandom and Smith of Wootton Major, like The Hobbit, borrowed ideas from his legendarium.

The Hobbit

Tolkien never expected his stories to become popular, but by sheer accident a book called The Hobbit, which he had written some years before for his own children, came in 1936 to the attention of Susan Dagnall, an employee of the London publishing firm George Allen & Unwin, who persuaded Tolkien to submit it for publication. When it was published a year later, the book attracted adult readers as well as children, and it became popular enough for the publishers to ask Tolkien to produce a sequel.

The Lord of the Rings

The request for a sequel prompted Tolkien to begin what would become his most famous work: the epic novel The Lord of the Rings (originally published in three volumes 1954–1955). Tolkien spent more than ten years writing the primary narrative and appendices for The Lord of the Rings, during which time he received the constant support of the Inklings, in particular his closest friend C. S. Lewis, the author of The Chronicles of Narnia. Both The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings are set against the background of The Silmarillion, but in a time long after it.

Tolkien at first intended The Lord of the Rings to be a children's tale in the style of The Hobbit, but it quickly grew darker and more serious in the writing.[159] Though a direct sequel to The Hobbit, it addressed an older audience, drawing on the immense backstory of Beleriand that Tolkien had constructed in previous years, and which eventually saw posthumous publication in The Silmarillion and other volumes. Tolkien's influence weighs heavily on the fantasy genre that grew up after the success of The Lord of the Rings.

The Lord of the Rings became immensely popular in the 1960s and has remained so ever since, ranking as one of the most popular works of fiction of the 20th century, judged by both sales and reader surveys. In the 2003 "Big Read" survey conducted by the BBC, The Lord of the Rings was found to be the UK's "Best-loved Novel". Australians voted The Lord of the Rings "My Favourite Book" in a 2004 survey conducted by the Australian ABC. In a 1999 poll of Amazon.com customers, The Lord of the Rings was judged to be their favourite "book of the millennium". In 2002 Tolkien was voted the 92nd "greatest Briton" in a poll conducted by the BBC, and in 2004 he was voted 35th in the SABC3's Great South Africans, the only person to appear in both lists. His popularity is not limited to the English-speaking world: in a 2004 poll inspired by the UK's "Big Read" survey, about 250,000 Germans found The Lord of the Rings to be their favourite work of literature.

Posthumous publications

The Silmarillion

Tolkien wrote a brief "Sketch of the Mythology", which included the tales of Beren and Lúthien and of Túrin; and that sketch eventually evolved into the Quenta Silmarillion, an epic history that Tolkien started three times but never published. Tolkien desperately hoped to publish it along with The Lord of the Rings, but publishers (both Allen & Unwin and Collins) declined. Moreover, printing costs were very high in 1950s Britain, requiring The Lord of the Rings to be published in three volumes. The story of this continuous redrafting is told in the posthumous series The History of Middle-earth, edited by Tolkien's son, Christopher Tolkien. From around 1936, Tolkien began to extend this framework to include the tale of The Fall of Númenor, which was inspired by the legend of Atlantis.

Tolkien had appointed his son Christopher to be his literary executor, and he (with assistance from Guy Gavriel Kay, later a well-known fantasy author in his own right) organized some of this material into a single coherent volume, published as The Silmarillion in 1977. It received the Locus Award for Best Fantasy novel in 1978.

Unfinished Tales

and

The History of Middle-earth

In 1980, Christopher Tolkien published a collection of more fragmentary material, under the title Unfinished Tales of Númenor and Middle-earth. In subsequent years (1983–1996), he published a large amount of the remaining unpublished materials, together with notes and extensive commentary, in a series of twelve volumes called The History of Middle-earth. They contain unfinished, abandoned, alternative, and outright contradictory accounts, since they were always a work in progress for Tolkien and he only rarely settled on a definitive version for any of the stories. There is not complete consistency between The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, the two most closely related works, because Tolkien never fully integrated all their traditions into each other. He commented in 1965, while editing The Hobbit for a third edition, that he would have preferred to completely rewrite the book because of the style of its prose.

Mr. Bliss

One of Tolkien's least-known short works is the children's storybook Mr. Bliss, published in 1982. It tells the story of Mr. Bliss and his first ride in his new motor-car. Many adventures follow: encounters with bears, angry neighbours, irate shopkeepers, and assorted collisions. The story was inspired by Tolkien's own vehicular mishaps with his first car, purchased in 1932. The bears were based on toy bears owned by Tolkien's sons. Tolkien was both author and illustrator of the book. He submitted it to his publishers as a balm to readers who were hungry for more from him after the success of The Hobbit. The lavish ink and coloured-pencil illustrations would have made production costs prohibitively expensive. Tolkien agreed to redraw the pictures in a simpler style, but then found he did not have time to do so. The book was published in 1982 as a facsimile of Tolkien's difficult-to-read illustrated manuscript, with a typeset transcription on each facing page.

The Children of Húrin

More recently, in 2007, The Children of Húrin was published by HarperCollins (in the UK and Canada) and Houghton Mifflin (in the US). The novel tells the story of Túrin Turambar and his sister Nienor, children of Húrin Thalion. The material was compiled by Christopher Tolkien from The Silmarillion, Unfinished Tales, The History of Middle-earth, and unpublished manuscripts.

The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrún

The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrún, which was released worldwide on 5 May 2009 by HarperCollins and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, retells the legend of Sigurd and the fall of the Niflungs from Germanic mythology. It is a narrative poem composed in alliterative verse and is modelled after the Old Norse poetry of the Elder Edda. Christopher Tolkien supplied copious notes and commentary upon his father's work.

According to Christopher Tolkien, it is no longer possible to trace the exact date of the work's composition. On the basis of circumstantial evidence, he suggests that it dates from the 1930s. In his foreword he wrote, "He scarcely ever (to my knowledge) referred to them. For my part, I cannot recall any conversation with him on the subject until very near the end of his life, when he spoke of them to me, and tried unsuccessfully to find them." In a 1967 letter to W. H. Auden, Tolkien wrote,

Thank you for your wonderful effort in translating and reorganising The Song of the Sibyl. In return again I hope to send you, if I can lay my hands on it (I hope it isn't lost), a thing I did many years ago when trying to learn the art of writing alliterative poetry: an attempt to unify the lays about the Völsungs from the Elder Edda, written in the old eight-line fornyrðislag stanza.

The Fall of Arthur

The Fall of Arthur, published on 23 May 2013, is a long narrative poem composed by Tolkien in the early-1930s. It is alliterative, extending to almost 1,000 lines imitating the Old English Beowulf metre in Modern English. Though inspired by high medieval Arthurian fiction, the historical setting of the poem is during the Post-Roman Migration Period, both in form (using Germanic verse) and in content, showing Arthur as a British warlord fighting the Saxon invasion, while it avoids the high medieval aspects of the Arthurian cycle (such as the Grail, and the courtly setting); the poem begins with a British "counter-invasion" to the Saxon lands (Arthur eastward in arms purposed).

Beowulf: A Translation and Commentary

Beowulf: A Translation and Commentary, published on 22 May 2014, is a prose translation of the early medieval epic poem Beowulf from Old English to modern English. Translated by Tolkien from 1920 to 1926, it was edited by his son Christopher. The translation is followed by over 200 pages of commentary on the poem; this commentary was the basis of Tolkien's acclaimed 1936 lecture "Beowulf: The Monsters and the Critics".[171] The book also includes the previously unpublished "Sellic Spell" and two versions of "The Lay of Beowulf". The former is a fantasy piece on Beowulf's biographical background, while the latter is a poem on the Beowulf theme.

The Story of Kullervo

The Story of Kullervo, first published in Tolkien Studies in 2010 and reissued with additional material in 2015, is a retelling of a 19th-century Finnish poem. It was written in 1915 while Tolkien was studying at Oxford.

Beren and Lúthien

The Tale of Beren and Lúthien is one of the oldest and most often revised in Tolkien's legendarium. The story is one of three contained within The Silmarillion which Tolkien believed to warrant their own long-form narratives. It was published as a standalone book, edited by Christopher Tolkien, under the title Beren and Lúthien in 2017.

The Fall of Gondolin

The Fall of Gondolin is a tale of a beautiful, mysterious city destroyed by dark forces, which Tolkien called "the first real story" of Middle-earth, was published on 30 August 2018 as a standalone book, edited by Christopher Tolkien and illustrated by Alan Lee.

#biography #literaturebiography #Fantasiebiography

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wwounu · 6 years

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Strolling alongside Joshua to go sightseeing was probably the best decision you’ve ever made through your times of being a stylist (Even though the choice was quite last-minute planned in the day).

“Hey,” Joshua calls, “How does this look?” And when you turn, you see him holding up a cherry patch next to his cheek, smiling as if he could advertise the simple product.

“Oh gosh—“

“That’s not just it...” He turns and happily presents a matching strawberry patch. “It’s meant to be!” He laughs, passing the object to you. “Should we get them?”

You and Joshua had developed an inside joke through cherries and strawberries: It was the back to the days when you began working as his stylist and he had started his idol career. Clearly, you remember his simple request of ordering a strawberry bubble tea, but when you got to the place you thought it was rewarding enough to get a bubble tea yourself — A cherry bubble tea.

Long story short, you mixed up your drinks as they were almost similar colours, and you remember watching the bitterness pour in both of your faces as you realise that this wasn’t the drink you or Joshua wanted.

Obviously, Joshua laughed it off, but still jokes about it until this day, explaining why you would add a cherry emoji to the male and he would add a strawberry one in return.

You nod, uncontrollably smiling. “Let’s get it.”

When Joshua pays, your eyes perk up in unison as an idea arises inside. Grabbing the other’s hand, you speed-walk to the closest shop to buy the first two white caps you see, along with a needle and a roll of thread.

Confused, the male stays mum to watch what you’re doing when the both of you are sat under the trees. He takes quick looks at you despite scrolling through his phone, a habit he does whenever he’s curious. You smile at the motion and continue to do what you were doing.

“And… Done!” Proudly, you announce after a couple of minutes. Joshua raises an eyebrow but proceeds to take the cap in your hands that you were offering to him.

The cap now had his cherry patch sewed onto the item, complimenting the white and popped-out red. You too, wear your cap you finished prior to that one, but with the strawberry patch sewed on.

“How’d you like it?”

“I… I love it!” There was a glimmer in his eyes when he looked up to you, replacing the plain black cap on his head with the white one you made just for him. Suddenly — turning left and right — you realise something.

“Where did my drink go—“ And you look straight ahead at Joshua holding your empty cup.

“Whoops?” He lightly laughs, soon feeling bad for finishing your drink. “Let’s take some pictures to cheer you up, then we can get more drinks later, deal?”

Joshua sure made good deals. After the mini photoshoot session, not only you ended up buying drinks, but bought other small items you and Joshua thought were necessary to keep (“For the last time Josh, you aren’t buying the Snorlax hand warmer!” “But Y/N…” “… Okay go wild, nerd.”).

Even a few fans recognised Joshua and asked you to take photos for them, which you’d be more than happy to do so. It was amazing seeing Joshua’s face right after the fans would leave; He was so happy, more than happy.

Nightfall came shortly after, slowly letting your energy down once you know that today was going to end.

But, it ended in a way you would not want to forget.

While wondering aimlessly through the streets and semi-closing stores, the opening nightclubs and streetlights, you and Joshua stop mid-conversation about promotions and watch your attention get attracted to the young lady busking on the streets.

Joshua taps your shoulder to non-verbally indicate his desire to go there. You follow the male as he listens to her mellow and soft voice echo from the microphone to the speaker. “She must’ve been playing guitar earlier on,” He points to the guitar hiding behind the speaker, “Ah, she’s so talented, I really like her voice.”

He liked it so much he loudly clapped as she finished the song and gave her a generous amount of money to her. With a fairly manageable crowd, the girl speaks into the microphone shyly, holding out her phone. “Does anyone have recommendations?”

You rotate your head to see if anyone was going to say anything, because if the didn’t you would likely say something. “Dream, Baekhyun and Suzy!” Abruptly, the voice next to you calls out. There was no denying you were panicking, but solely for the reason for Joshua’s sake and publicity: At the end of the day he was an idol.

The girl nods, burying her head in her phone to look for the song. And if you thought Joshua couldn’t be more obvious, he would always find a way to do so.

Jogging to her, Joshua tenderly asks, “Can I sing with you?” And the girl replies with a polite, but confused nod and smile. “I’ll also need your guitar, is that fine?” Again, she nods, getting out of her chair to set up the microphones for Joshua and herself, especially if Joshua was going to play guitar.

‘She must not recognise him.’ The thought crosses your mind. To make do with another seat, Joshua sits on the speaker with his leg crossed to support the guitar. He looks back up to say he was ready, and that the young lady could start playing the song.

The feedback from the mic to the speaker was outstanding. It was loud enough to clearly hear the guitar but still maintained at a calm level with the music. The idol makes eye contact with the girl and pulls down his mask, quickly pointing to himself before he begins to sing.

“You are beautiful just as you were yesterday — No, you’re more beautiful than you were yesterday…”

Just as those first lines were said, the girl takes a double take on Joshua, registering that Joshua Hong was sat right next to her, doing a duet. You stopped yourself from grinning at the details in her eyes, and curled corners of her lips — And she composed herself well, despite the flushed cheeks, before continuing to sing her part.

In those few minutes more people begin to tag along, watching Joshua and the girl, especially hearing the male’s name being mentioned and how similar it was to Joshua (Because it was him). You look at the idol who was busy strumming along to the song as the girl sang her part and choke out a small laugh, finally not being able to hold it in.

Simultaneously while strumming, Joshua places his eyes on you and shoots a wink, soon going back to sing in his sweet accent, peace in your ears and stars in your eyes.

Toward the end of the song, you take things in a different direction.

Dream, when you look at me just like that–

Closing your eyes, you picture it perfectly.

–I feel like you’re so mine

Butterflies. Butterflies twist and turn in your stomach. Every fluttery feeling came up in a rush and exploded like coloured, messy confetti inside

Dream, that makes me want to fall asleep again–

It was as if he was singing for you. The thought may be crazy but you couldn’t help it.

–Such a sweet dream

Because maybe, just maybe…

That’s you.

You felt like he was yours and you were his.

OPPOSITES ATTRACT PART SEVEN — Idol!Joshua x Stylist!Reader

the post where i had dk and jihyo’s cover was a light spoiler whoops (also poll’s out so please go vote!!) | POLL

one • two • three • four • five • six • seven • eight

masterlist

#joshua #seventeen joshua #joshua hong #hong jisoo #joshua au #joshua texts #joshua imagines #seventeen #seventeen texts #seventeen imagines #seventeen opposites attract au #kpop #kpop texts #kpop imagines #idol!joshua

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ollyarchive · 6 years

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Olly Alexander on harnessing the power of sexual fantasy in pop

The Years & Years frontman talks about owning his queer sexuality in the mainstream and writing a twisted disco album about ‘holy wood’

Owen Myers

9 March 2018

“It’s like my Rihanna Loud era,” declares Olly Alexander, before breaking into a laugh. The Years & Yearsfrontman is referring to his cropped curly hair, which is freshly coloured to the hue of a nice Merlot. It’s a cold February evening, and he’s puffing on a roll-up while huddled in the fire exit doorway of a Camden venue. His new dye job has to be kept under wraps, he explains, until its official unveiling in the band’s new video. “It’s so stupid,” Olly says with an eye roll. He then flashes me a grin, suggesting that this moment of starry subterfuge is not entirely unwelcome.

Olly Alexander really likes being a pop star. He says that it’s full of “fairytale” moments, like when his Years & Years earnings enabled him to buy his mum a house, or when he and his ex-boyfriend, Neil Milan (formerly of Clean Bandit), became embraced as British pop’s new golden couple. After winning the BBC Sound poll in 2015, Years & Years’ earworm synth pop was everywhere. They had an inescapable number one single, “King”, and their album Communion was the fastest selling debut that year from a signed British band. Olly says that there are downsides to the tabloid headlines and Twitter trolls that come along with being “a public gay man” – a phrase that he puts in self-deprecating air quotes. But right now, those pressures feel far away, as he prepares to change into a bright pink boiler suit and play to a boozed-up Saturday night crowd, at an Annie Mac-curated showcase. Or, as he put it on Twitter earlier today: bring his “gay agenda” to The Roundhouse.

Years & Years’ great new single, “Sanctify”, contrasts lurking vocals with an ecstatic synth-fuelled chorus, and is as unapologetic as any of Olly’s pithy social media posts. He was newly single when he wrote the song, and reading Andrew Holleran’s 1978 chronologue of gay desire, Dancer From the Dance, had got him thinking about a couple of hookups he’d had with straight-identifying men. “It would always be under darkness,” he says. “It had this added layer of eroticism because it was somewhat forbidden. But (being with me) was a window where they could be themselves, and I felt responsible not to fuck them up.” Those conflicting feelings come through in evocative lyrics about obscuring masks and sinful confessions, with a climax that’s about as on-the-nose as chart pop gets. “I sanctify my sins when I pray,” says Olly, quoting the chorus’s payoff. “What do you do what you pray? You get on your knees. So is it a sexual baptism?” He laughs. “I was just like, ‘There’s a lot to work with here.’”

Years & Years are a three-piece, but the other two members, Mikey Goldsworthy and Emre Türkmen, tend to hunker down behind synths and let Olly take centre stage. His soul-searching lyrics give the band’s maximalist pop its heart, with a singing voice that pierces through a constellation of synths. Their videos bring acts which are often shrouded in darkness into the light, showing the singer cruising in a dank car park, or at a pansexual orgy. The new “Sanctify” visual riffs on dom/sub culture, with an elaborate sci-fi plot that is a device for Olly to perform “Slave 4 U”-inspired dance moves to an audience of androids. When he was commissioned to write a song for the Bridget Jones franchise, he made it about bottoming. “I have sex, I enjoy sex,” he says flatly. He’s sitting in his cosy dressing room the Roundhouse, which rumbles with bass as Disclosure and Mabel soundcheck next door. “In the past, I think gay men (in pop) have often shied away from being overtly sexual, or being commanding of their sexuality. But I believe that our sexual fantasies are a big drive for us all. Exploring that side of yourself is super empowering.”

In the past year or so, many well-known LGBTQ artists have begun to bring queerness into their music in sex-positive ways. Pop’s boy-next-door Troye Sivan strapped on Tom Of Finland leathers for a back alley moment with well-fluffed trade, Janelle Monáe caressed women’s bare thighs, Fever Ray returned with a concept album about queer kink. For better or worse, Sam Smith is now calling himself a “dick monster”on primetime telly. “Sometimes seeing a man express themselves in an overtly sexual way, especially a gay man, makes certain conservative people feel a bit uncomfortable,” Olly says. “I always wanna keep people a little uncomfortable.”

“I believe that our sexual fantasies are a big drive for us all. Exploring that side of yourself is super empowering” – Olly Alexander

Years & Years are far from the first mainstream British pop act to proudly put gay sexuality at the centre of their music – that’s a lineage that runs from Will Young to George Michael, Pet Shop Boys to Bronski Beat, and beyond. But Olly’s performances are a reminder that mainstream pop can be open to explicit queerness (at least, when it’s embodied in a handsome white cis man). Olly has faith that you don’t have to be “generic to be palatable,” and that “straight guys can hear a song that I’ve written about being fucked by another guy, but still relate.” LGBTQ+ people like me grew up seeing straight culture pretty much everywhere; seeing more of our community thrive is crucial.

Growing up in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, Olly was a flamboyant kid. That got him bullied at school, called a “batty boy” before he was even aware that he was gay, and meant that he retreated into drama lessons. While acting, he felt it was okay – a good thing, even – to be expressive. He always nurtured a passion for music, too; he taught himself how to play Joni Mitchell songs on piano, and obsessed over “Dirrty”-era Christina Aguilera. An early performance at a year six assembly blended intimate songwriting and outré entertainment: Olly played piano and sang lyrics about lost love, while two of his friends did a dance routine.

In his late teens and early 20s, Olly cropped up in whimsical micro-budget indie films like 2011’s The Dish And The Spoon, alongside Greta Gerwig, as well as Gaspar Noé’s Enter The Void, and Skins. But his early experiences at school stayed with him. “Your first encounter with your sexuality is often from people bullying you and calling you the thing that you just pray to god that you won’t be – but deep down suspect you might be,” Olly says. “Well, no wonder we have an incredibly conflicting relationship with our bodies and our sexualities, because we’ve had to experience all of that.”

Reflecting on these difficult early years in his dressing room, Olly speaks openly about his own decade-long experience with depression, and the inadequate NHS provisions for those who are struggling with mental health. LGBTQ+ folks disproportionately struggle with depression and substance abuse, he recognises, and there’s only one UK organisation, London Friend, that caters directly to the specific needs of the queer community. “I’ve been there,” says Olly. “They’re amazing, but they are over-subscribed, with a tiny office, old chairs, and not a lot of money. When you’re seeing that people aren’t getting the help they should be, there’s an issue there.” That’s something he knows from first-hand experience. Last year, Olly fronted a BBC documentary, Growing Up Gay, about young LGBTQ+ people struggling with their mental health. His openness around the subject made him a kind of ambassador for those struggles, and he’s trying to work out how to deal with the “almost daily” DMs he gets from people at their lowest moments. “I feel very privileged that someone is wanting to share that with me, but it’s frightening,” he says. “We’re all in fucking pain, and I don’t know if we’re communicating with each other that well.”

“What do we expect a male pop star to do? As a society, how do we want them to behave or present themselves?” – Olly Alexander

Years & Years’ second album, out later this year, mixes gliding pop melodies with churning bass and twisted disco. The new songs feel more varied and exploratory than Communion, thanks in part to new collaborators like current pop’s minimalist masterminds Julia Michaels and Justin Tranter, as well as Greg Kurstin, who co-wrote “Shine”, Years & Years’ best song to date. The album’s centred around a motif of Palo Santo, a healing incense-like wood that you burn and waft around a room. (Olly dramatises this with hand motions as if he’s conducting an invisible orchestra.) Perhaps Palo Santo, with its power to expel evil spirits, could be a metaphor for the songwriting process? Maybe, Olly says. “But (when writing the album) I was angry about loads of things, particularly men. Palo Santo literally means ‘holy wood’ and I was like, ‘This is fucking perfect.’ Like, thinking that your dick is holy? I’ve known guys like that.”

Years & Years’ renewed vision also extends to creating a futuristic universe for their new music to exist in. That’s an idea that Olly’s idols – “Bowie, Prince, and Gaga” – have embraced, and “Sanctify” is the first part of an interconnected series of “weird, wonderful” videos. It marks the next step for a band aiming to join British pop’s pantheon, at a time when Olly, too, has been reflecting on his place in music. “What do we expect a male pop star to do?” he questions. “As a society, how do we want them to behave or present themselves? If I was asking myself, it would be like, ‘Well actually, I’ve always loved this kind of popstar. Maybe I should just be the pop star I want to see in the world.”

#olly alexander #years & years #yearsandyears #articles #interviews #dazed

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sussex-nature-lover · 3 years

Text

Tuesday 16th February 2021

Normal Service and some Out of the Ordinary News

I’ve got to say that I don’t quite know where my head is at lately, let’s blame disturbed sleep shall we - might as well. I’ve been doing my customary waking around 2-3am and then napping, waking again around 5-6ish for the day and watching the cricket, which has taken up the best part of the morning. Although that makes the days seem long, they’ve been full and my blog has ended up being written piecemeal here and there and then being rather last minute. Inevitably errors occur when you write that way and I haven’t made the time to read through properly before pressing post. Usually I’m fairly meticulous, but I’ve ended up rushing, so I’ve resolved to do better. Side-note to both my football and the England crickets teams, you should do the same. Liverpool FC play tonight in Hungary, 8pm our time should you need to know (Champions’ League)

Yesterday was a very dull and grey day, cold, but not nearly as cold as of late. We had to go out to the Pharmacy and so took the car on a run just for the sake of keeping it in action.

We came back via the village where the younger Ms NW went to school and it was a very neat little journey. The hedges have had a really good cut.

It was just around this point in the lane where Crow and I did our second synchronised Woaaaaaa Woaaaaaaa of the week so far - that always makes us laugh. The first had been at a low level swoop behind our top shrubbery bed - couldn’t see what it was, but we thought it was the Buzzard. Yesterday it was an absolutely gorgeous Kestrel that flew from one side of the lane across the front of the car and off into the distance. We saw enough to register the lovely markings and beautiful chestnut colouring. I took a few other pictures of some nice looking cows and a field absolutely covered by Seagulls but to be honest they’re not all that exciting, so I’ll just leave the thoughts there.

What was exciting yesterday and I’ll go so far as to say, terribly exciting, was a brand new bird in the garden. Seriously, I can hardly believe it, so settle down and enjoy with me one of the most delightful and tiniest birds we’ve had here.

Let me set the scene, I was standing at the sink under the window, just pootling about and tidying things and a bright flash of red took my eye. I presumed Goldfinch, which would’ve been unusual as it’s been a while. But no, it wasn’t that pillar box type of red, it was more a deep and bright ruby pink. Chores abandoned and camera at the ready I took as many photos as I could considering that A) it was quite poor light and it was drizzling and B) this little bird hardly stayed still. Suffice to say I have A LOT of very blurry pics.

Enough introductory waffle, this is what I saw

Ladies and Gentlemen, a Redpoll. I have to say that its Latin name is absolutely charming. Carduelis cabaret. Isn’t that wonderful? It certainly lives up to that descriptor in my opinion, as every angle is a feast for the eyes.

Wikipedia says

The genus name Acanthis is from the Ancient Greek akanthis, a name for a small now-unidentifiable bird, and cabaret is the French name for a type of finch

That turns out to be somewhat disappointing really. I prefer to stick to my imaginary idea of them being an actual theatre show-stopper.

Anyway after establishing the Redpoll bit, as so often in the birding world (and the rest of the natural world to be fair) it all gets rather complicated.

For size perspective: House Sparrow and Redpoll. I said they’re tiny didn’t I

The full name for this species is actually the Lesser Redpoll, as relatively recently (year 2000) it was classified as a separate species from the very similar Common Redpoll (also called the Mealy Redpoll) which, despite the name, is not common in the UK at all.

Lesser Redpolls breed in the UK, whereas Common Redpolls are winter visitors only and generally just to the eastern side of the UK. There are subtle differences only between the two species, but it is the Lesser Redpoll that’s much more likely to be seen in gardens across the UK.

I’ve put a really excellent video towards the end of this blog which should make things clearer.

As you can tell from the shape of the bill, Redpoll is a Finch, a small Finch. This is particularly interesting as I keep bemoaning how we lack Finches here and yet last year we saw more Goldfinch in the garden than we ever have before; not big numbers, but more frequent visits. We had the return of a Greenfinch and evidence they’d had young and of course, lately a male Chaffinch has been here a lot. Apparently Redpoll will often flock with Siskin - another relatively common bird, but again, one we’ve not spotted in our garden. There’re probably loads in the woods who only come to the garden when we turn our backs!

SIZE GUIDE:

1.5–12.5 centimetres (4.5–4.9 in) long with a wingspan of 20–22.5 centimetres (7.9–8.9 in) and a weight of 9–12 grams (0.32–0.42 oz). The bill is short, conical and sharply pointed and is pale yellow with a dark tip.

Little Lesser Red Poll making the distant Robin look huge

Obviously all the information I have is collated from various searches I made on the internet: I read that the UK population of this lovely bird went into rapid decline since the 1970s and now stands at about 10% of the known figures at that time. There is no sound evidence currently available as to why, but studies have focused on the reduction in young forestry plantations, especially non-native Conifers (a favoured nesting location) and possibly a lessening of Birch trees. To counter that though, I have also read that since around 2010 there has been a marked increase in sightings in gardens. In the Spring the Redpoll will feed on insects and source caterpillars for its young, but in the Autumn and Winter it’s a seed eater, particularly enjoying the fine Niger seed which is suited to its small beak. It seems more people are feeding the birds in their gardens and Niger seed in particular is being employed more frequently as it attracts the colourful little birds.

Lesser Redpoll GB breeding population was estimated at around 220,000 breeding pairs (2016) but they are doing particularly well these days in N Ireland which boasted an additional 40,000 pairs.

The species is now listed as red status in the UK (see below)

Absolutely beautiful from every angle

You can just make out a small black bib in the photo above and from what I’ve read this is a male bird already displaying breeding colours, as seen by the extremely red-pink breast. It could be said it’s fairly ahead of the game with its timing.

More information from an outside source Here (pdf) which is a British Birding Association article from 2010 with some excellent photographs.

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LISTING STATUS EXPLAINED:

The Red Listed birds are not necessarily terribly low in number - for example the Common House Sparrow. Starling and Song Thrush are in this category because of population decline.

Red List Criteria

Globally Threatened

A Serious Population Decline In The UK Between 1800 And 1995

A Decline Of At Least 50% In The UK Breeding Population Over The Last 25 Years Or Over A Longer-Term Period

A Contraction Of At Least 50% In The UK Breeding Range Over The Last 25 Years Or Since 1969

The RSPB say

"We use the red list to prioritise our action. We use it to identify which species need help immediately and take action. So, if there is research to do to find out what the problem is, and how to tackle it, then we’ll do that, then once we know what needs to be done to help them we’ll get on with it, whether it’s land management, species recovery projects or lobbying government.

"Prioritising is vital as we don’t have money and resources to work on everything, even within the red list we can’t prioritise action for all 67 species. In some cases we have to just keep a watching brief on a species until we have more resource to take action."

"The first step is considering what to do in your own outdoor spaces to create better habitats for wildlife. Those who have a garden could consider wildlife friendly gardening - create a pond, plant pollen rich flowers, or plant shrubs with berries for birds.

"Most of the data we use is collected by volunteers –if you know a little bit about birds you could get involved in data gathering with monitoring schemes, such as those run by the BTO in partnership with the RSPB."

I’m going to have a think about what projects we can embark on this Spring to help our garden birds even more and then, well, who knows what species might turn up. Even after 20 years here, there’s something to marvel at every single day.

WHAT ELSE DID I LEARN TODAY?

Mount Etna has erupted. If you look at this Twitter thread you can see photos and video

LINK

#Redpoll gardenbirds nature naturephotography #volcano Mount Etna

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