#good job loki writers

[idk-bruh-20]

(^originally from @thisisnotourlasthunt)

The degree to which this meme calls me out specifically i-

#😂 #LITERALLY THE ENTIRE POINT OF MY BLOG #sticking my lil plot ideas into your brains then clapping my hands like welp my job here is done #can't wait to see the end result of your blood sweat and tears like good work team we all contributed equally #thoughts #.....am I the loki pretending to be odin of the irondad fandom #just requesting lil stories from my chair #please understand that I worship y'all who actually do the writing part #the heroes we need #irondad writers my beloveds #WAIT NO BETTER COMPARISON #@ irondad fic writers i am your Guy in the Chair

[indigosprite]

Every time I sit and try to find good parts of the Loki show I find all these great Mobius jokes and art and post and then suddenly a small part of my brain goes “immediately no” and I’m reminded how I was so on board with Lokius until idk that man started saying and speaking to him a certain way that even my enemies to lovers ass couldn’t quite get behind. Wasn’t enough balance for me.

#Loki series #Mobius #Lokius #like I like it and I also don’t #it’s redeemable in my eyes but still #I think it’s just the fact that he speaks to Loki as if he actually is this charater they decided to destroy. #like yes he has a clear inferiority complex #he doesn’t win his battles #he is constantly consumed by his own pain #in that way where he self destructs while also harboring his god complex #Anyways he didn’t really respect him to me and he was written as the driving force to this narrative that ruins Lokis character #they used him and sylvie to do it and in the end I just disliked both for it #it’s sick because had the writers been good at their job I actually would’ve loved both characters #but not at his expense. it’s literally his show. #spriterot #Loki talk

[nezreblogz]

i'm so sick of Marvel Feminism™

i get it already female character strong hur hur

#anti mcu #anti loki series #anti thor love and thunder #anti marvel #ooh a staff of male writers made a female character who's tough and fights good guess misogyny is over good job guys

[into-the-lokiverse]

Who You Really Are (Loki, God of Stories x Reader)

Summary: When all appears lost to an aspiring novelist, the God of Stories sends a message of hope.

(credit to @lokitvsource for the gif)

You weren't sure how much further you could go on, or if you could go on.

For years, one of the biggest things you desperately wanted in life was to be a novelist. To entertain with stories of magic, power, action, romance, and a little nonsense.

But lately, as you sat before your desk, exhausted from the day job you relied on to pay the bills, you just couldn't bring yourself to move forward with your debut story. The plot felt too twisted to the point even you could barely comprehend it at times. The characters once vivid, were fading into shadows and dust of their former selves. And the scenes you envisioned in detail started to feel...unreachable.

And yet, you couldn not stop scribbling notes at every random moment of inspiration. You clung to the memory of your characters.

Like a parasite or an infection, the idea of your story plagued your mind for weeks, months to the point where it never seemed to leave you. You could barely think straight about anything else, even cleaning.

Half-drank cups of coffee at every corner of the desk, loose napkins with random thoughts written on them, a garbage can full of tissues, candy wrappers, and tea bags, a folder filled with printed images of your dark-haired, blue-eyed muse, and a stack of books that you checked out for "inspiration" but hardly touched.

The floor surrounding your desk had a thin layer of dust, wherever there weren't fallen pens you hadn't the heart to pick up, or papers you abandoned.

Am I meant to be a writer, or am I simply possessed?, you contemplated over a cup of stale coffee. Am I truly, clinically insane with obssssion? Am I doing the right thing, or have I finally lost my mind? Maybe I'm just crazy...maybe I'm wasting my time, doing the wrong thing that was never meant for me.

Or maybe I'm just not worthy of being the person who...does things. The person who flourishes in doing something they love.

But just as you were about to put your head down on the one free space on your cluttered desk, you spotted a mysterious note in parchment.

It read,

I believe in you.

I believe in every part of you, even in that couple of paragraphs you've stuffed in your desk (which honestly should be cleaned, but you won't do it.).

I believe in you because I know who you could become.

Because I know who you really are. You're a talented, blessed individual burdened with a glorious compulsivity to write and far too much fear for your own good.

But who you really are, it does not matter. It is all about the stories. The adventures.

There is a last refuge for the unloved and the desperate, and the persecuted.

When life gets too impossible, when life gets too terrifying, find hope in this, my talented scribe. That when all else fails, remember that you are a branch on the tree of life.

And in the center of that tree, there is someone watching over you, protecting you like he's always done before, and will continue to do so.

Your branch is just beginning. So marvel me, and marvel yourself with all you do. My blessing is with you.

For all time always.

Loki

#loki laufeyson #loki (marvel) #loki god of mischief #loki of asgard #loki odinson #loki x reader #loki imagine #loki x y/n #loki x you #loki

[bones4thecats]

I see you have your requests open! :D

May I please request Loki, Shiva, Thor and Beelzebub from SNV with a S/O who's like Hastur/The King In Yellow from Lovecraftian mythos?

(They walk around in a tattered yellow cloak and a crown, maybe have more than 2 eyes?) Humans are terrified of them and are even scared to mention their name. How would they react to seeing their S/o in their cosmic horror/non-humanoid for for the first time?

(Sorry if it's a little long... Have a great day! 🥰)

A/N: This has to be one of my favorite requests ever! I love H.P. Lovecraft and other mythical writers, and Hastur has to be one of my favorite creations in these stories! Now, before I start rambling again, enjoy!!

●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・

Known as the God of Shepherds, you were feared by many, so feared that the mention of your name scared others to their core. 

You were set in a battle against a human known as William Marshal, the Most Loyal Knight in History. 

Your yellow cloak hung to your form as the man pulled out his sword and began his attack while Humanity and the Gods’ roars echoed throughout the arena.

The Gods had put up a barrier protecting the people inside, knowing if you got too mad, the ring would get destroyed very quickly. 

William was getting on your nerves as he sliced off six of your tentacles.

Ragged breathing filled the ears of everyone in the arena as you grew in size, your frame becoming unrecognizable as you began to fight with all the being you contained.

Everyone was shocked, but your husband was the most shocked…

●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・

●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・

🐍 Loki watched as you grew in size and his eyes widened, you had never gotten this mad while in battle

🐍 He yelled in anger as one of William’s sword’s hit your appendages, cheering as your threw him to the opposite side of the arena

🐍 The sound of colliding weapons echoed as the Valkyrie transformed into a sword and shield, protecting the former knight

🐍 But it was no match for your strength

“ You humans are pathetic, when you want something you get arrogant and expect more, yet when you don’t get it, you get mad and petty like nothing. “ “ You know nothing of Humanity… monster. “ “ Good riddance, worm. “

🐍 Loki was so proud as you slayed the human for his disrespect of his creators

🐍 Now he had to wait for his round and you to join him, or maybe he’d visit you? Who know~

●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・

●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・

🪩 Shiva watched with his wives, son, and pantheon as you grew in size and became your true form

🪩 He smirked as William’s valkyrie stepped back and became a sword and shield

“ Idiot humans. They think they can defeat Y/N. “

🪩 You glared at the human as he fought you, trying to hit you with any chance he could take, honestly it was quite pathetic

🪩 Though even Shiva had to admit, the human was quite smart with his hits

🪩 But his brain was no match for your anger

🪩 You grabbed him with a rogue tentacle and threw him against the wall before chocking out his valkyrie and snapping his neck

🪩 Shiva laughed as Humanity cried, they really believed that human had a chance against you? The Hindu God of Shepherds? The one everyone feared so much as to not mumble their name?

🪩 After you were dragged to the infirmary, he visited with his wives and son

🪩 They checked your pale face and dark eyes and scolded you for letting your emotions get out of hand, in which Ganesha hugged you, asking how you were

🪩 Shiva just stood off to the side and waited for them all to leave, and when they did, he gave you the biggest hug and happiest smile you’d ever seen him give anyone

“ Good job, my dearest. “

●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・

●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・

🌩️ You and him were not ones to anger, as it lead to major destruction

🌩️ And anyone could tell this was one of the rare moments of your anger taking over

🌩️ Thor stood up and watched as the human’s valkyrie protected him, giving the most bloodthirsty smirk as the duo talked about how they would destroy you

🌩️ How pathetically arrogant

🌩️ You mopped the floor with them with so little energy

“ Remind me to never prank them anytime soon. “

🌩️ Odin looked at Loki and back at Thor, he could tell his son was admiring his S/O’s battle with so much love and dedication

🌩️ Now everyone knew why you guys got married

🌩️ You had the same amount of bloodthirstiness inside, hidden behind a dead and cold appearing front

🌩️ Once the battle ended, Thor met you at the entrance, assisting you to the infirmary, and when you were all healed, he hugged you from behind while resting

●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・

●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・

🪰 Beelzebub was getting bored of watching these battles, but seeing you walk onto the field made him perk up

🪰 He knew you were getting mad with the human’s attacks with the support of his valkyrie, but he didn’t know you were that mad

🪰 You stood tall and launched the biggest and most dangerous assault that you ever had before

🪰 Your husband watched with interest as you kept throwing and harming the human with bloodlust driving through your head

🪰 He was monitoring how plagued your mind was getting, and when he saw the human nearly dead, he messaged Zeus, telling him to wrap this up, saying you were about to the level of genocidal rage

🪰 Beelzebub watched you get dragged away while William shattered away, his smirk ever present as he looked over your sitting form

🪰 Your pale face still had some blood from the human, so he wiped it away and patted your head

“ My wilted rose, my heart fluttered as you fought. “

#Record of Ragnarok #RoR #Shuumatsu no Valkyrie #SnV #RoR Abrahamic Pantheon #RoR Hindu Pantheon #RoR Norse Pantheon #Record of Ragnarok Gods #RoR Gods #Record of Ragnarok x Reader #RoR x Reader #Shuumatsu no Valkyrie x Reader #SnV x Reader #RoR Abrahamic Pantheon x Reader #RoR Hindu Pantheon x Reader #RoR Norse Pantheon x Reader #RoR Gods x Reader #Record of Ragnarok Gods x Reader #S/O! Reader #GN! Reader #God! Reader #RoR Loki #RoR Loki x Reader #RoR Shiva #RoR Shiva x Reader #RoR Thor #RoR Thor x Reader #RoR Beelzebub #RoR Beelzebub x Reader

[smhalltheurlsaretaken]

ngl I enjoyed season 2 of Loki, maybe more so than season 1, but it’s never not gonna bother me how American centric it is. And not in a “oh this American show is made for an American audience and that makes me mad” way, which is a dumb thing to be mad about, but just in a “why is the literal centrer of the universe America in this story about an alien norse god” kind of way. EVERYBODY in the tva is from the us. people that could come from anywhere, anywhen in the universe, all come from the same 200-ish years in the U.S.A

fcking Kang is from the USA (and the what, 19th century? Can’t remember) when I really thought season 1 was implying he was from the distant future, like the 3000s or something. It was a much coooler concept to have somebody from an unknown time period and unknown place play such a large role for once, instead of every significant MCU character being from settings we already know well

Sylvie, a *Loki* variant, meaning a Frost Giant adopted by asguardians, was suddenly free to explore all of time and space and decided to go work in a MacDonald’s in the us in the 20th century????? Why?????? Why wasn’t she downing shots on Contraxia 10000 thousand years from now? Watching stars being born a few billion years ago on a nova ship she borrowed from their year 74392? If she wanted a quiet peaceful life, how the frick is late 20th century rural America the best she could come up with? Why would she settle for that? Why not go hang out literally anywhere else tranquil and pretty in the universe?? I guess the in show explanation is that she just wound up there and decided it was good enough and she might as well stay, but why is it the best the *writers* could come up with?? how much did McDonald’s pay them? Heck, if that’s why Sylvie had to be in one, keep the mcdo and change the country, anything!

why do they not get that having every universe-significant event happen during a two centuries period in one country on one planet severely reduces the perceived scale of the universe? There are huis-clos movies that do a better job at implying a larger world than this *multiversal* time travelling adventure.

#loki #loki season 2 #loki s2 #loki series

[spider-gem]

What if Mobius was a villain/anti-hero in his past life?

Here’s why I think there’s a good possibility for this:

While it’s probably easier for Marvel to go the boring route (Mobius was simply a normal dude with a normal job and a normal family, etc), I think there’s more to Mobius than we think. Owen Wilson himself teased Mobius has a deeper story arc this season:

In the latest episode, X-5 (or Brad) strikes a nerve when asking Mobius why he’s not interested in his past. Mobius tells Loki that he likes his life at the TVA- that’s his purpose and he’s good at it (My Lokius heart also tells me that it’s because he likes being with Loki and doesn’t want to lose him if he goes back to his past life- yeah yeah, I’m delusional, I know…)

I may be looking to hard into this (I’m a writer and reader, over-analyzing is what I do) but what if there’s a reason Mobius prefers his life at the TVA? Don’t get me wrong, I do believe that his memories have been wiped, but what if there’s something deep within him (part of his subconscious perhaps) that’s telling him to avoid his past?

I looked into Mobius’ comic counterpart to see what I could learn about the character. There’s not much. He’s had interactions with the Fantastic Four and She-Hulk, but there aren’t any details on his past. However, there are a few things I found interesting:

We all know that Kang created the TVA, but could this imply that Mobius may have known Kang personally and chose to work with him? Let’s dive deeper:

Mobius is also known as Mr. Tesseract. Why? I have no idea. He doesn’t seem to have any relation with the Tesseract. (There are some VERY cool fanarts though, so check them out if you have time). However, there’s more:

There’s a Mr. Orobourous and a Mr. Paradox as well. We just met Orobourous (spelt as Ouroboros) in the first episode of season two. Also, connect the dots: Mr Paradox = General Dox? I may be looking too deep into this, but I feel like these three may be connected in some way.

While this still isn’t a lot of information, there’s still a chance that this alias has something to do with Mobius’ backstory in the show. So, here’s my theory:

What if Mobius, once known as Mr. Tesseract, worked closely with Kang? What if he helped build the TVA? There’s a possibility that he has powers he doesn’t know about (as well as O.B. and Dox) that helped structure the TVA. Mr. Tesseract may have powers similar to his namesake. Mobius balances the TVA’s power over space, Ouroboros (which, in definition, is a snake that represents infinity) balances the power over time, and Dox balances the power over reality.

So, why don’t they have their memories? I theorize that Mobius (and maybe the others) eventually realized that Kang was wrong. Maybe he attempted to overthrow him. In the end, Kang defeated him and took away his memories as punishment, making him forget about his powers. We also know that Mobius’ memories have been wiped more than once, so there’s a chance that Mobius’ powers (in theory) eventually resurface, causing Kang to repeat the process.

This may be just some wacko theory that I overanalyzed and spent too much time on (probably) but the idea excites me. If this is in anyway true, how will Mobius react? How will Loki react? How will this impact the course of the show?

I can’t wait to find out more. Again, Mobius may have just been some random jet ski enthusiast on the time line. But that’s the boring option. Marvel, please don’t be boring. (Marvel’s probably going to make it boring).

So, what are your theories?

#this ended up being longer than I expected #yes im delusional next question #please share any theories you have! #loki #mobius #mobius m mobius #lokius #loki series #loki theory #marvel #ouroboros #general dox #o.b. #spider-man #Mr Tesseract

[arcielee]

Interview With a Writer

Thank you @st-eve-barnes for going over your Saltburn series with me! Just a reminder, you can view volume 1 & 2 of my ongoing series Interview With a Writer, where these talented individuals allow me to pick their brains over the brilliance behind their writing!

Name: st-eve-barnes

Story: Leverage

Paring: Michael Gavey x Female!Reader

WARNINGS: 18+ for explicit content and language. Kissing, oral sex (male receiving), dry humping, hand job, fingering, p in v sex. First kiss and loss of virginity. Experienced reader. Enemies to lovers vibes.

So, when did you start writing?

I guess I have to say as a teenager, though I never shared anything I wrote back then. I still have the notebooks I used to drabble in (in Dutch), it wasn’t very good at all but I guess even back then I had that need to be creative and make my own stories.

I officially started writing fanfic in 2013. I watched Thor the Dark World, fell in love with Loki, made a Tumblr and a whole new world opened. After a few months of reading fanfic, I started writing my own. Again, it wasn’t very good at all but even my bad stories slowly started to find an audience on here, so I stuck with it.

Loki is amazing, just Aemond energy in a different font.

He truly is! I've written different characters since, but the moment I saw Aemond on screen I was transported back to the first time I saw Loki. His intensity, that quiet threat like you don't know what he's going to do next, combined with this, "I was made to be king but my stupid brother is the chosen one."

And a certain sadness, of course. We know they're the villains, but we understand them in a way and can feel their pain. And they are sexy as hell of course ;)

Where did the plot for Leverage come from?

Okay, so first of all, I am someone who never plans an entire plot when I start a fic. I am very much a "make it up as I go along" writer. I start with an idea and a dynamic I want to write between two characters and then I build from there.

For this one I wanted Reader and Michael to have a common goal and a common enemy, something that would push these two different characters to want to work together. I wanted the enemies to lovers vibe but soft. Like, you can tell very early on in the fic that they have empathy for each other. When Reader is crying, Michael softens up easily, and when she sees Michael being vulnerable about not being able to get girls, she feels for him as well.

Their personalities will still clash even after that, but you can (hopefully) feel the connection between them as well. I wanted Ben's threat to loom over them for the entire fic but also never make it the main plot point in every chapter. The main plot for me here was how Michael and Reader could help each other change and grow, and then either accept that change or turn away from it.

Was there anything in specific that inspired your Reader portrayal?

No, not really, I think. I wanted to make her independent and confident, but also a little bit lonely, all traits you can also find in Michael. And anything else, as usual, I make up as I go along. I get to know the characters as I write them and often I'm surprised where they take me. In this fic I think it was Michael who surprised me the most though, he really turned out different than I initially had planned.

Explain your interpretation of Michael. What drives him? How did he differ from what you originally had in mind?

Salburn didn't give us much to work with, and I actually love that because it gives us so much freedom to play with the character.

I went with what the movie did give us: Michael's obvious hatred for the popular privileged kids. It's the reason he initially hates Reader, but warms up to her when he learns that she is actually working for her place at Oxford and she is not a real part of Ben's group. I think he is driven to help her purely because of that common enemy in the beginning.

Then he gets to know her a little and the promise of sex comes into play, which he definitely doesn't say no to. What surprised me in writing him is that I initially planned on writing him as a sub throughout the entire fic, but then half way in the tables started turning and he started taking over control a bit (of the Reader and me as well apparently!). And then suddenly it made complete sense to write him that way, because he would be that overeager student who wants to do well and who does the homework to get it exactly right, it doesn't matter whether it's math or sex, he wants to show how good and smart he is.

Him just accepting his feelings for her so calmly was also something I didn't plan, but just sort of happened as I was writing.

My initial plans there was going to be a big fight between her and Michael right before they would call things off. He would force her to admit her feelings and the sex would turn quite rough; Michael just being Michael and saying a lot of wrong things to her that would eventually shut her down completely. But I never wrote that scene and by the time I got there in the story it didn't seem to fit their characters anymore and it also seemed too heavy for this fic so I let go of that idea.

Do you feel your Reader and Michael complement one another?

I definitely think they complement each other, but I also think they are quite alike in many ways. As I said before, they are both quite confident in different ways and insecure in others.

I do think they complement each other perfectly with Michael being more book smart and focused, while Reader is (a lot) better with people and social skills. I think them being together changes them both for the better cause they can learn from each other's personalities and bring out the best out in each other (but also the worst, of course).

Let's say that in their future they definitely learn to focus on bringing out the best and not the worst in each other ;)

Do you think you'll ever continue their story?

Never say never, but there's no plans to write more for them for now. I don't think I've written many sequels over the years, but I love writing different ideas and dynamics between two characters and once they are together, it's like "my work here is done."

Do you have a personal favorite story (on ao3 or Tumblr) you'd like to share?

My absolute favorite story is from a previous fandom that I'm not in anymore, but I have to share that one as it is the single most beautiful thing I've ever read. It was the fic that pulled me into the fandom. It's a Stucky story and it's called Not Easily Conquered, known as NEC in the fandom.

It will crush your soul and heal you and I will give anyone the same advice I got before I read it for the first time: be prepared because this one will hurt. I cried for like a week after I read it and I don't cry easily so this one should come with a warning. But it is absolutely worth it!

Do you have another story in the works?

The only thing I'm working on right now is a Felix Catton x Reader story called Pretty Little Liars. Two chapters have been posted and I'm working on the next ones, but it may be a while as life has been a bit full on here lately.

Would you like to share a snippet of what's to come?

“I think he has a little crush on you,” you stated while Felix opened the door to his room and let you step inside first. Felix shook his head but the little blush on his cheeks didn’t go unnoticed by you. “It’s not like that,” he denied, “He’s just…a bit lost and I’m trying to be his friend.” “You sure that’s all he wants?” “Yeah,” he laughed, “Ollie doesn’t want me, he just wants to be like me.” “If you say so,” you sighed, not convinced. Felix grabbed you by the shoulders and pushed you down to sit on the side of his bed, leaning forward to look into your eyes, “Hey, come on, don’t ruin this by becoming jealous.” “I’m not jealous, I’m…concerned.” That wasn’t a lie. Jealousy was never a factor, you knew right from the start that Felix would never truly be yours, you would always have to share him with the rest of the world. And you always accepted that. But the idea of sharing him with Oliver somehow made your blood boil. Felix kneeled down in front of you, eyes locking with yours as his gaze darkened and he smiled that irresistible smile of his. “Now, did you come up here to chat about Ollie, or to get your pussy eaten, hmm? Cause I can’t do both at the same time.” His lips connected with your knee, kissing your skin softly and you bit your lip and sighed deeply, “Fine, I’ll shut up.”

#interview with a writer #bts #of their brilliant writing #writing community #writing stuff #writers on tumblr

[therese-lokidottir]

Honestly, I hate it when writers try to say that this character can't change. I don't mean when never change or reject offers to try to change for the better. I mean specifically when a character does try to be better but then someone claims that they just can't change or that they're not a good person. Because isn't the character that won't change, it's the writer who refuses to let them change. I hate it because it's lazy, especially when a character is genuinely shown trying to change, but then the writer just has them fall back on old habits and then tries to spin it like the flaws they have are just coded into their DNA or something.

I have expressed how unhappy I was with how Dan Watters ended his run of Loki comics. It has been eight years since Agent of Asgard and Loki proved himself as an anti-hero ally and then Watters honestly tries to pull back and say, Oh, Loki is just inherently a villain. AoA was about Loki actively defining everything Watter is suggesting. He just so completely missed the point of what the God of Stories meant and literally says the exact opposite of what the entire point of Loki taking that title was. After everything that happened in AoA, it would be hard for any writer to pull off Loki becoming a villain again without coming across as lazy but what Watters wrote felt especially insulting.

So, I did watch the first few seasons of Miraculous Ladybug. I'd already started tapering off by the second season when there was no real progression and as someone who watched a lot of Sailor Moon, I knew there was a better way to utilize the formula and make it feel like the story is happening. The only thing that made me watch even part of season 3 was to see what would happen with Chole and they screwed up entirely. They did too good of a job showing Chloe makes an effort, being kinder and protective of her friend, and listening to Ladybug. Chloe was trying to be better she just didn't know how to be good. Rather than having characters help they just say, Chloe can't change. For some people, goodness doesn't come naturally but that doesn't mean they are incapable of being good they just need to take more time to learn. It didn't feel like Chloe couldn't change it felt like the writer refused to let her change.

I don't need every character to be redeemed or to change. Nothing angers me more than when a character makes an effort, but the writer just goes, nah. Redemption arcs can be hard to get right, but a failed redemption needs just as much effort to get right as not to feel like hack job

what character's development are you dissatisfied with?

#rant #meta #media criticism #loki #chloe bourgeois #i know its been like four years im still disappointed

[smirkingkitten]

Reading list November 2023

It's December and that doesn't just mean the Christmas season starts and it's the time for cozy evenings with candles, blankets and a hot chocolate, but also: it's time for another reading list.

It feels like it's been so long since Loki graced us with a new episode every week. I'm still not quite over the ending, although this interview did heal my poor heart a little, if only just a bit. I hope you're coping well with the ending. And now, happy reading.

✨And don't forget to reblog the storys you read to support all these lovely writers.✨

My other Reading lists can be found in my Fanfiction Bookshelf.

Series | Collections | Multi Parts

The Redbridge Hunts @fanficshiddles

8 Chapters (on going) | Vampire!Loki | fluff

prev. | Ch. 4 | Ch. 5 | Ch. 6 | Ch. 7 | Ch. 8

Summary: Claire moves to Demsdale to take up a new job as an assistant teacher for one Loki Laufeyson. She's also very intrigued with all of the rumours within the borough of Redbridge. However, as she starts to fall for Loki's charm and good looks, she also learns that all of the rumours might not just be rumours after all.

Double Cross @gigglingtiggerv2

12 chapters (on going) | Jaguar Villain!Tom | dark, smut

Summary: In Dante’s inferno, the Eighth Circle of Hell was reserved for liars, panderers, thieves and murderers.  For the criminal underworld it is an opulent London club, representing neutral territory where deals can be made, grievances aired and scores settled.

For the owner, Thomas Cross, it is his own private kingdom, one where he makes the rules and wields absolute authority. Recently, however, that authority has come under threat.  In order to maintain his standing and the Club’s ruthless reputation, it is imperative he find the perpetrator.

In this violent place, where lies are currency and everyone has their own agenda, who can he trust? Certainly not Verity Williams, the talented thief who has her own reasons for infiltrating his organisation. 

Neither can deny the sparks that fly whenever they’re together, but if he’s not careful, will those sparks burn down everything he’s created?

Déchiré @ijuststareatstuffhereok89

7 chapters (on going) | Loki, Bucky, Captain America | smut

You are a HYDRA agent sent to infiltrate the notorious Avengers, to tear them apart in the worst way possible in order to make them vulnerable to attack. In the midst of the wild heat you generate, three suitors take your bait.

One Shots

Firestarter @delaber

4,2k | AvengersMovie!Loki | smut, hatefucking

Rule Number One @just-the-hiddles

medium | Jonathan Pine | smut, dom/sub, daddy, spanking

Gorgeous @ghostofskywalker

1,2k | Avenger!Loki | fluff

Heavy Petting @wheredafandomat

800 | Loki | smut

I gave your girlfriend cunnilingus on my couch @wheredafandomat

short | Loki | smut, oral (f reserving)

Aftercare @sarahscribbles

680 | Loki | fluff, spicy

If I was your best friend @wheredafandomat

medium | Loki | smut

Worshiped by a God @sarahscribbles

1,1k | Loki | fluff, smut

Best of Friends @just-the-hiddles

long | Actor!Tom Hiddleston | fluff, friends to lovers

Duty of Care @muddyorbsblr

1,9k | Jonathan Pine | smut, fluff

Winter Warmers: A Winters Night on Asgard @lokischambermaid

930 | Asgard!Loki | fluff

The Sandwich Incident @holdmytesseract

1,2k | Tom Hiddleston | fluff, humour

My Girl @lokisgoodgirl

1,8k | Avenger!Loki | smut, man-bun

Lactation @viviluvssmut

1k | Loki | smut, oral (f reserving)

Drabbles

Don't Move, Darling @sarahscribbles

1,1k | Loki | smut, teasing, edging

Time slipping @wheredafandomat

600 | TVA Loki | smut, hurt/comfort

praise kink, gagging, hickies @ragnarachael

short | Jonathan Pine | smut, daddy kink

Headcanons

Loki and the Watcher @benevolentgodloki

✨Happy reading 😊✨

Back to my Fanfiction Bookshelf

Many of the fanfictions are 18+, so if you're under 18, don't read them.

#tom hiddleston #hiddleston #fanfiction #multi chapter #one shot #drabble #headconon #loki #loki laufeyson #fluff #loki fluff #loki smut #smut #fic recs

[simplyholl]

Although I was a constant lurker for months, today marks my one year as a Loki writer. It has been so fun whoring out with all of you. There have been too many laughs to count. By some miracle, I’ve reached a little over 1,000 followers. I’m shook that so many of you are interested in partaking in my wildest fantasies. But I am so thankful for all of you. If you have read, liked, commented, or reblogged anything - thank you from the bottom of my heart! I love reading every wild thing you have to say about these scenes I’ve created.

Sometimes I will just sit there and read your comments over and over in complete shock that my words would elicit such responses. I am so thankful for our little corner of the internet where we can unashamedly be ourselves. We all have different backgrounds, cultures, and lives but we can all agree we just want our favorite god to dick us down.

I’ve made lifelong friends from doing this, and I would’ve never met them otherwise.

@lokisgoodgirl Thank you for giving me the kick in the cooch I needed to start posting my writing. I would have none of this, if it wasn’t for you. Your words of encouragement mean everything to me. Thank you for being my tech expert for the first little bit. I would never give anyone else my login info. You’ve helped me get through some of the toughest times of my life and I am forever grateful for your friendship. I love listening to your voice notes. Your “Good morning” always puts a smile on my face. I hope we can meet in person one day, although I can’t promise that I would keep my hands to myself. I love you endlessly.

@wheredafandomat I only met you at the end of January, but it feels like I have known you my whole life. Is it possible for two people to share the same brain? Because I’m sure that we do. You can make a 2 hour phone call feel like 5 minutes. I’m lucky to have you in my life. My frequent collaborator and birthday twin - I love you so much.

I couldn’t think of a celebration that I wanted to do, but I wanted to share some of my favorite comments over the course of my time on here.

#burdened with a glorious manhood

-@coldnique

The threat to use his vibranium hand to do the choking was just the cherry on top of my death day cake. This is a filthy masterpiece

- @joyful-enchantress

Well spank me sideways, this went from O-deranged in 2.5 seconds AND I'M NOT MAD ABOUT IT

- @thedistractedagglomeration

Ohhhhhh he talks her out of her hero panties and in to his heart

- @cakesandtom

"sit on his face darling" l'm not gonna survive another paragraph I swear to god.this is too much in the best way

- @lokisgoodgirl

The thought of being an avenger and having Loki fuck you senseless is stupid hot, but add into it him talking about making you carry his secret sex baby and still be an avenger is 🔥🔥🔥

- @itsybitchylittlewitchy

Take that you little shit! I am so glad he saw them together and still mounted at that!

- @silver-tongue-taken-to-bed

I mean it's a fitting description after all the devil is tempting and so is Lokis dick

- @fictive-sl0th

You had me at President Loki and biting!

- @marygoddessofmischief

should have really realized that it was you, my dear, who wrote this!

- @smolvenger

I don't need legs, l'll just drag myself around.

- @goblingirlsarah

Spelling his....spelling his name.. ☠️☠️

- @lokisgoodgirl

absolute genius. i read the part about considering staying with him even if just for the sex and i was like "YOU GO Y/N GO GET THAT MULTIVERSAL ASGARDIAN DICK"

- @muddyorbsblr

Yeah Narfi you little bitch. Take that!

- @wheredafandomat

This was so naughty!!! When the vacuum fell and he was like, "fuck it" then continues to pound you harder!!! 🥵🥵🥵

- @mochie85

I neeeed a tall Loki to be my coworker for the job I don't have so he can fuck me in the storage closet

- @wheredafandomat

The best part of waking up is Bucky & Loki in your cup!! WAY better than Folgers.

- @km-ffluv

IT WAS PHENOMENAL. would have tears in my eyes with how proud I am if I wasn't so horny

- @lokisgoodgirl

Just for fun,

If anyone wants to give it a re-read, here’s the first fic I posted.

Snowed In

And this is actually the first thing I wrote

Across the Multiverse

It’s been a great year. I can’t wait to share more horny, unhinged, wild fantasies with you in the next one.

All my love,

-Holly 💚🖤

#loki #loki fanfic #loki laufeyson #loki fanfiction #loki fandom

[trutrustories]

Just some thoughts I have, immediately after viewing ep 6.

spoilers! oh my god, oh my god! I´m honestly relieved! Can you believe it??? I´m SO GLAD endindg didn´t ruin the show! Quite the opposite, actually! I think that with the context of this ending, they actually made season 1 much BETTER. which is like... complete surprise for me! What the hell???? I seriously didn´t expect that! AT ALL! 🤯 It was funny, It was clever, it was epic, and absolutely heartbreaking 🥺😭 Ouroboros, Casey, Timely, and Sylvie... they all survived, and can live they lives however they choose! O. B. making the sequel of his bestseller is the best thing ever! And he has friends now!!! My precious boy!!! Good for him! He deserves it! And Loki and Mobius both survived as well THANK GOD!!!! And they still remember each other! (I was prepared for much worse scenarios, to be honest.)

Anyway, I´m sucker, for bitter sweet endings. So I´m FINE. ....except I´m not.

Because It´s so fucking tragic at the same time!!! God, what a love story! (what isn´t denied is allowed, so... ) they ended it with two of them, alone. Mobius isn´t actually getting back to his boys, because they already have Don. But he didn´t want to stay at TVA because Loki is not there anymore.

Last few shots are Mobius, just standing there, watching life he can´t have and for the first time he is free to wonder around the world on his own. he´s able to WASTE HIS TIME now. And then we see right after Loki, stuck on his throne, alone. And it is implied that he was able to hear Mobius (or see him, even!) And he looks lonely, but also happy for his man!!! GOSH. I was crying like a baby. whole sequence from that scene in a theatre room right until the end! And that freaking music!!! I only have one complaint, and that being: we should see Mobius actually enjoy some JETSKI! Or even better: last shots should have been Mobius happily steering a jet ski on the open sea (wind in the hair and all) AND then Loki on his throne with a smile on his face (because he´s watching him). Last thing: there is actually so much potential, after this finale. If not for actual Marvel project, then for fanfiction writers and for imagination. They left so much room for the good stuff! 😍 For example:

Mobius struggling to addapt to normal life on a timeline. And then he somehow finds out, Loki can see him/ hear him. And he will starts talking to him. And because Loki is so alone and unable to go anywhere, this starts to be his source of fun. Something that makes him happy. And he finds way, to talk to Mobius back somehow... or

Loki will find out that he can travel to his past selfs without having to leave his throne. He stays there, but his mind can travel to his body at any point before.

I am actually mad, I have no time to write fanfics right know (but hey, my english is totally tragic and terrible, so it´s probably a good thing 😅)

Anyway. I feel sad, and also happy. And inspired and satisfied. And I´m still sobbing. All at once! It was beautiful, and I enjoyed every second of it! Can´t remember last time marvel actually managed to do that to me.

*standing ovation* I applaud to creators, actors and everyone involved. You guys did a fenomenal job! (at least that is how I see it)

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

#loki #lokius #loki spoilers #loki season 2 #mobius #mobius m mobius #loki and mobius #loki spoiler #marvel #mcu #finale #glorious purpose

[skitariiposting]

Okay, I've just finished watching episode 1 of Marvel's hit TV show Secret Invasion, and I've gotta say: eh. Especially coming off of binge watching all of adventure time and experiencing it all over again, then immediately watching AI Builds again and suffering another mental overload despite it being one of my favorite pieces of media ever. Heck, even if I have to compare it to another Marvel thing; Loki season 2 was way better. I really should have watched something bad before watching this, I'm coming down off of the "Rewatching AI Builds and fucking crying myself to sleep, again" high, but here we are.

This show feels especially "the writer strike, struck." Given that I haven't heard anybody really talk about this show at all, good or bad, I will be undertaking the task of relaying things I enjoy and/or find annoying.

Spoilers, obviously.

1. Look, say what you will about AI stuff, trust me when I say I'm pissed with it possibly taking my job eventually too, but for once it felt like it was used for a stylistic choice as opposed to just trying to rob people of a job.

The intro is obviously made with AI. However, I feel like they're trying to use it to make it feel alien and foreign, something inhuman or unearthly, and it works. It's visually interesting. However, I just wish we could get something like that without having to rely on this shitty AI stuff to do it. Imagine how cool it'd be if it wasn't for the immoral and outright theft involved with sourcing for AI.

2. The main plot is wacky, goofy, and utterly silly sauce. "Oh damn this giant catastrophe that effected literally half of all life all at the same time and made a bunch of people disappear made Nick disappear, that means he's totally not going to honor his deal with us because he's disappeared, time to terrorists!" I hope that the plot gets more fleshed out or something, but off to a bad start in episode 1.

3. Nick feels both simultaneously great and awful at the same time. He's still cocky and charismatic, which is something I love about his character. However, he feels like he's dumb. He's not the same Nick Fury from Avengers and Winter Soldier, and I don't like that. Sam Jackson's putting in a lot of the footwork here to keep the character from falling completely flat; line delivery is on point as always with Sam, but it feels like the writers are just dishing out some crappy plot stuff he's having to work with.

4. They set off three dirty bombs in a square full of people, with all three protagonists within range of it, and yet its a gunshot that almost kills one of them, not the bombs nor the "dirty" part of it, which I feel like they kinda forgot about. These are supposed to be radioactive for a reason: skrull are immune to radiation according to 30 minutes ago in the episode. As I've not seen any spoilers or anything plot related to this show (since nobody has really had anything to say about it at all, good or bad) I am forced to make the super easy prediction that there will be a big reveal where Nick is actually a Skrull.

I will continue with the show now and bring updates as I go.

#skitposting #marvel

[animnerd]

Once again it's time for Rose's Garden Reading List! This month March I found some more awsome authors! Please read and send them some love! (A/n: I know i don't have February up yet the last couple of weeks has been busy so please bare with me! I will have that up soon)

Please Enjoy:

https://www.tumblr.com/sagechanoafterdark/657971847757987840/writers-block-pt-one?source=share

@sagechanoafterdark I love this! I love seeing supportive Bucky help out his girl. The spice you sprinkled in amaxing! Can't wait to read the rest of the series!

https://www.tumblr.com/ashdreams2023/743747656823799808?source=share

@ashdreams2023 I loved this concept! You did an amazing job with Loki with kids! I can see him do well with kids.

https://www.tumblr.com/buckyalpine/730044988835201025/imagine-ceobucky-accidently-taking-his-anger-out?source=share

@buckyalpine I love this! I know Bucky got frustrated but i love that relazed his mistake and was trying to find ways to prove to the reader he was sorry. The smut *chefs kiss*

https://www.tumblr.com/foreverlokislove/743695728625483776?source=share

@foreverlokid i love this! I needed this!

https://www.tumblr.com/aalyssah/738072731216707584?source=share

@aalyssah i couldn't stop reading!

https://www.tumblr.com/mrsmischief209/744143654460047361/does-bucky-ever-get-homesick-and-think-about?source=share

@angrythingstarlight I love this little blurb! It was sooo cute and fluffy!

https://www.tumblr.com/dungeonpuppykai/743607536944562176?source=share

@dungeonpuppykai I love this! I love seeing carrying/soft dom Bucky.

https://www.tumblr.com/weirdomellow/743291593252044800?source=share

@weirdomellow I couldn't get enough! The way the stended with hinting was to come next *cheifs kiss* you nailed Ari's personality! I can see him act like that. Forbidden love yes please!

https://www.tumblr.com/navybrat817/744137080917114880/for-a-kiss-15passionately-with?source=share

@navybrat817 I will admit this is my first story that I read with Hal. I haven't watched Picknick yet. (I know I know I'm trying to find where I can watch it) anyway this story was a good introduction to Hal! I loved it!

https://www.tumblr.com/skaye44/743151135894978560/the-list?source=share

@skaye44 i love how even though Bucky is shy(which I love shy Bucky) he still wants to help the reader out. Along the way he shows more of himself to her! I love it! And that kiss at the end *chiefs kiss*

https://www.tumblr.com/literaryavenger/744223454287544320?source=share

@literaryavenger I love the concept of you three growing up together! I can picture all the adventures! I love the concept of you having a crush on Bucky!

https://www.tumblr.com/holylulusworld/744054570551001088/dinner-for-four?source=share

@holylulusworld I love some daddy Bucky he makes a great dad! I loved this!

https://www.tumblr.com/buckyalpine/744226313542500352/i-love-bucky-being-the-cutest-thing-to-ever-exist?source=share

@buckyalpine I always love reading your concepts stories! And this one is no exception! I love this fluff concept! Too new he is cute/ sexy when he is cute! Plus I can imagine Bucky denying he is.

https://www.tumblr.com/witchywithwhiskey/744574190549680128?source=share

@witchywithwhiskey I don't know if I have told you but I love your stories! I love how you wrote this! How patient and careful the reader is with Bucky! How she won't walk on eggshells around him but still show him kindness! I love how she is shy around him while trying not to show her feelings to Bucky. (Which we know would be hard to do!) Then when Bucky is sweet on her asking for a kiss, and showing her his feelings for her! *chefs kiss*

Complete Series:

https://www.tumblr.com/mochie85/678276055852875776?source=share

https://www.tumblr.com/mochie85/678360365089816576/the-language-of-flowers?source=share

https://www.tumblr.com/mochie85/678808257793523712/the-language-of-flowers?source=share

https://www.tumblr.com/mochie85/678898415980183552/the-language-of-flowers?source=share

https://www.tumblr.com/mochie85/679446828546211841/the-language-of-flowers?source=share

https://www.tumblr.com/mochie85/679537675126046720/the-language-of-flowers?source=share

https://www.tumblr.com/mochie85/680082689749139456/the-language-of-flowers-finale?source=share

(Have not read the one shot yet)

@mochie85 I loved this series! I couldn't get enough! I read all chapters in one sitting! (Which i know its not the first time for some people) anway I loved how you did this story! The story the plot line the romance between lokixreader! ALL *chefs kiss*! I gobbled it up! The rollercoaster of emotions, how Loki wanted to prove himself to reader! I loved how you added information about flowers to each chapters! Which I didn't know any of them by the way(thanks for that info!)

https://www.tumblr.com/world-of-aus/744777226192601088?source=share

@world-of-aus I too would be nervous wreck if Bucky asked me on a date. I love how sweet and best friend Wanda was. I love how you got Bucky's personality down! I loved this!

https://www.tumblr.com/world-of-aus/642311381317713920/pre-mission-jitters?source=share

@world-of-aus I loved this! I love how sweet Sam was to the reader and how he helped the reader out through her nervous.

https://www.tumblr.com/world-of-aus/642846240488472576/you-dont-have-to-play-pretend?source=share

@world-of-aus i loved how Bucky helped the reader through realizing that yes she needs help too. Even though she was putting up barriers. I love seeing sweet Bucky!

@world-of-aus i loved how Bucky helped the reader through realizing that yes she needs help too. Even though she was putting up barriers. I love seeing sweet Bucky!

https://www.tumblr.com/world-of-aus/642121942573400064/youre-not-alone?source=share loved how Bucky helped the reader through realizing that yes she needs help too. Even though she was putting up barriers. I love seeing sweet Bucky! 

https://www.tumblr.com/world-of-aus/744605818924744704/hows-your-head?source=share

@world-of-aus  loved how Bucky helped the reader through realizing that yes she needs help too. Even though she kept saying she was fine. I love seeing sweet Bucky! 

https://www.tumblr.com/late-to-the-party-81/744602466061058048/happy-birthday-yasha?source=share

@late-to-the-party-81 i couldn't get enough! I love this! The smut *chefs kiss* i honestly didn't know i need this paring until after I read this! Now i do!

https://www.tumblr.com/pahtoosh/743497093252087808/bakers-convention?source=share

@pahtoosh love this! I love supporting Nat/ Steve, and daddy Bucky!

https://archiveofourown.org/works/53713498

https://www.tumblr.com/lives-in-midgard/745761482860642304/bucky-is-wondering-why-you-arent-giving-him?source=share

@lives-in-midgard so cute! I love soft Bucky!

https://www.tumblr.com/amathslutsguidetofandom/745831826144346112/i-seen-this-gif-of-bucky-and-immediately-thought?source=share

@amathslutsguidetofandom My heart! After reading this amazing story my heart melted! You did an amazing job!

https://www.tumblr.com/amathslutsguidetofandom/745786744177344512/hear-me-out-please-imagine-bucky-doing-this-as-a?source=share

@amathslutsguidetofandom if Bucky asked me I won't go into work 😏. I loved this!

https://www.tumblr.com/bict/691952695570006016?source=share

@bict I loved this fluff story! Steve was sooo cute!

https://www.tumblr.com/lokischambermaid/745851902244290560/captains-orders-steve-x-yn-summary-you?source=share

@lokischambermaid I couldn't stop reading or putting this story down! I liked seeing the dom/1940s captian side of Steve! You got Stevies personality down pat!

https://www.tumblr.com/lokischambermaid/745717183930368000/battle-scars-steve-x-yn-summary-you-give?source=share

@lokischambermaid this was soooo cute and fluffy! You nailed Steve's personality to a T! I can totally see Steve acting like this while you do a simple thing as clean his wounds.

https://www.tumblr.com/lokischambermaid/746211116637618176/fugitive-nomad-steve-x-reader-summary-in-a?source=share

@lokischambermaid I loved this! I couldn't stop reading! I have a sneaky suspension that the real reason Steve bought the room was to keep you “warm” 😏

#Roses reading list #March edition

[valkyrieandstrangeridingaragorn]

You know what's so annoying, women, girls and even PoC fans will often be made to feel unwelcome in fandom spaces and accused of being "fake fans" if they don't know enough about a character. Meanwhile these hacks at Marvel studios will brag about not seeing the previous movies and the just expect praise for they're work and they'll act shocked and offended we people didn't like their movie

That's a good point 👍

It's the lack of professionalism for me. It is definitely Feige's responsibility first and foremost, but these writers are not spending their free time with these movies, it's their freaking job. We don't need them to like the characters or the stories, what they have to do at the very least is get familiar with what came before in order to do a good job. Especially within the MCU's "connected" universe.

I keep reading fans defending them saying these movies and series are just one project of many they work in, and they're right. Again, I don't need Waldron or Loveness or any of them to be Marvel fans, I couldn't care less about that. But being a professional means you have to put in the effort whether you enjoy the project or not.

However, we hear writers say they didn't watch previous movies, and even directors like Raimi confirm he didn't watch WandaVision prior to MoM. Things that would take what... one afternoon? They don't need to watch all the +25 movies that came before! For the Loki series, they had Thor1 + The Avengers. That's two. Two freaking movies. Can't have time for that? Can't have time for WV when most eps are around 30 minutes long and it's only 9 of them?

Dunno, I'm not going to pretend to know how Hollywood/Disney works because I have no knowledge of that world, but I know the extensive research writers have to engage in before writing a novel, so it blows my mind that when it comes to writing scripts these guys can just... not care?

That's okay, apparently. But gods forbid a woman wears a band shirt and she doesn't know every single song from that band. Fake fan! 🤦‍♀️

#mcu salt

[lokiondisneyplus]

For 30 years, Dan Deleeuw has worked in visual effects, from “The Mask” to “Armageddon” to “Night at the Museum” — but he always had a dream that one day, he might get to direct. That opportunity finally arrived in 2019, when “Avengers: Endgame” directors Joe and Anthony Russo — who’d worked with Deleeuw on VFX for their three previous Marvel Studios productions — hired him to shoot some additional photography for the behemoth production. That gig led to second unit directing jobs on 2021’s “Eternals” and 2023’s “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania,” and then, finally, to the main directors chair for the second episode of Season 2 of “Loki.”

Deleeuw, who oversaw visual effects on Season 1 of the show, presumed that he was hired because of his proficiency handling the action beats of the episode, in which Loki (Tom Hiddleston) and his TVA compatriot Mobius (Owen Wilson) pursue a rogue TVA trooper (Rafael Casal) to 1970s London, and then later reunite with Loki’s variant Sylvie (Sophia Di Martino) at a McDonald’s in 1980s Oklahoma. But Deleeuw says that executive producer Kevin Wright told him he was hired as a director because, even when working on visual effects, he “always talks about story.”

Deleeuw also discussed how both he and Ke Huy Quan — who joined the show for Season 2 — were surprised by how Hiddleston approached rehearsing the show, why the production decided to have Sylvie working at McDonald’s — and his reaction to the recent decision by Marvel’s VFX artists to unionize.

Since Sylvie is living in a branched timeline, did you ever discuss having an alternative version of McDonald’s, rather than the actual McDonald’s?

We started saying, OK, she’s gonna settle down on a timeline, what restaurant do we use? At that point, there was a pitch for RoxBurger — you know, the evil corporation in the Marvel Universe, Roxxon. But it didn’t tell a story other than it was like this faux-restaurant. And so McDonald’s came up as a suggestion. And McDonald’s is timeless, in a way — it crosses countries and borders. Everyone started talking about this nostalgic moment they had with McDonald’s. So quickly getting the audience cued into what Sylvie’s feeling — being on the run so long and seeing normal people, and just wanting to have that and leave everything else behind — we’re using McDonald’s to set the audience in a place where they can pick up on that pretty quickly. That’s what kind of sealed the deal on using McDonald’s.

Rafael Casal in Episode 2 of “Loki.” Courtesy of Marvel Studios

What was one of the biggest surprises about the experience of directing this episode?

Something I’ll always try to do on any other show that I direct: It was the openness to collaboration that Kevin Wright had, particularly encouraged by Tom Hiddleston and his experience in the theater. As the scripts were getting closer to being done, we would invite all the directors to come in for their different episodes. All the actors would come in. The writers are there. And we had a week-and-a-half, two weeks where we went through every single script, and just rehearsed them and played with them and made them better. It was just this wonderfully creative moment on the show. Once we got shooting, we had a really good idea of what we wanted to do. Ke [Huy Quan] sat next to me. He saw it all happening, Owen and Tom playing with lines. He leaned over and he’s like, “Is this normal?” I’m like, “It’s normal for them!”

You’ve been working with Marvel for over 10 years now, largely in visual effects. Did you always have an ambition to direct as well?

Yeah. In high school, in college, we did small films — public access, back when there was public access. It was something I always wanted to do. Even from the visual effects standpoint — designing the sequences and doing animatics — telling the story was something I gravitated to. When I got to work with the Russos, they definitely were encouraging of that and gave me the opportunity to shoot additional photography on “Endgame” that led to me doing second unit directing. I just always approach something from a story standpoint. So Kevin Wright saw that I had that kind of brain, and invited me back for Season 2 to direct.

How did he pitch that to you?

Being at Marvel for 10 years, there’s a little bit of a rumor mill going around. So I knew that they had hired Justin and Aaron, and then heard that Kasra [Farahani], the production designer, had gotten an episode. I was like, “Ah, there’s one left!” And then Kevin called me one day and he’s like, “Yeah, so, how’d you like to direct a ‘Loki.'” “Yes!” It was as simple as that.

Last year, several VFX artists who’ve worked on Marvel projects expressed pretty deep frustration with their working conditions, which contributed to the recent decision to vote to unionize. What has your experience been with those issues?

I support everything they’re doing. I’ve been in it for a long time. The number of hours in visual effects have been ingrained in the system for years. From the very beginning, we always had that crunch time. We take a couple months off, and we come back to it again. What you’re seeing now is, the shows are so much bigger, and you’ve got so many shows. A lot of the artists on set, and especially in the visual effects houses, are going from one big show to the next big show to the next big show. 

There has to be something that makes a better work-life balance, for the artists’ sanity and for their families and just their creativity. Otherwise, you’re getting diminishing returns. It’s your crew. You have to take care of them. That is something I think we have to think about and work out.

How did your experience in visual effects have influenced your approach to directing this episode, especially with regard to the VFX?

I can tell a story with something that isn’t there. In the original draft, there was a car chase. It didn’t make a lot of sense why Loki would be in a car chase. We decided we wanted to go a little bit more towards the dark Loki side and move away from a traditional chase. I was imagining one day, “What could Loki do?” and came up with the shadow gags with the horns and things like that. 

Was anything you did that a director who hadn’t worked in visual effects might not know to do?

You already know what it costs in terms of time and difficulty, and when you’re trying to get through your day, what you’re going do to [VFX artists] if you try to shoot without getting the blue screen just right Because I know the consequences, I’ll fight harder for getting it right, so the artists don’t have to deal with it. Getting into post-production, you know how much you can use an effect to help with storytelling, in terms of if you need to change the set a little bit, just to make it make sense for where Loki is. There’s an editor we have at Marvel, Jeff Ford, who’s cut a lot of the films. Jeff is a master. He doesn’t change his cut to fit the footage, he changes the footage to match his cut. I think that’s an insightful way of knowing how to use  some visual effects in post, without getting get too carried away with it. 

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