#i may put characters through the ringer

[makingqueerhistory]

Spooky Queer Books

Since spooky season is starting, I thought I would share a list of my favourite queer books that are great for this time of year.

Some of these links are affiliate links.

It Came from the Closet: Queer Reflections on Horror

Joe Vallese

Horror movies hold a complicated space in the hearts of the queer community: historically misogynist, and often homo- and transphobic, the genre has also been inadvertently feminist and open to subversive readings. Common tropes--such as the circumspect and resilient "final girl," body possession, costumed villains, secret identities, and things that lurk in the closet--spark moments of eerie familiarity and affective connection. Still, viewers often remain tasked with reading themselves into beloved films, seeking out characters and set pieces that speak to, mirror, and parallel the unique ways queerness encounters the world.It Came from the Closet features twenty-five essays by writers speaking to this relationship, through connections both empowering and oppressive. From Carmen Maria Machado on Jennifer's Body, Jude Ellison S. Doyle on In My Skin, Addie Tsai on Dead Ringers, and many more, these conversations convey the rich reciprocity between queerness and horror.

Into the Drowning Deep

Mira Grant

The ocean is home to many myths, But some are deadly... Seven years ago the Atargatis set off on a voyage to the Mariana Trench to film a mockumentary bringing to life ancient sea creatures of legend. It was lost at sea with all hands. Some have called it a hoax; others have called it a tragedy. Now a new crew has been assembled. But this time they're not out to entertain. Some seek to validate their life's work. Some seek the greatest hunt of all. Some seek the truth. But for the ambitious young scientist Victoria Stewart this is a voyage to uncover the fate of the sister she lost. Whatever the truth may be, it will only be found below the waves. But the secrets of the deep come with a price.

The Devouring Gray

C. L. Herman

After her sister's death, seventeen-year-old Violet Saunders finds herself dragged to Four Paths, New York. Violet may be a newcomer, but she soon learns her mother isn't: They belong to one of the revered founding families of the town, where stone bells hang above every doorway and danger lurks in the depths of the woods. Justin Hawthorne's bloodline has protected Four Paths for generations from the Gray--a lifeless dimension that imprisons a brutal monster. After Justin fails to inherit his family's powers, his mother is determined to keep this humiliation a secret. But Justin can't let go of the future he was promised and the town he swore to protect. Ever since Harper Carlisle lost her hand to an accident that left her stranded in the Gray for days, she has vowed revenge on the person who abandoned her: Justin Hawthorne. There are ripples of dissent in Four Paths, and Harper seizes an opportunity to take down the Hawthornes and change her destiny--to what extent, even she doesn't yet know. The Gray is growing stronger every day, and its victims are piling up. When Violet accidentally unleashes the monster, all three must band together with the other Founders to unearth the dark truths behind their families' abilities...before the Gray devours them all.

Tell Me I'm Worthless

Alison Rumfitt

Three years ago, Alice spent one night in an abandoned house with her friends, Ila and Hannah. Since then, Alice's life has spiraled. She lives a haunted existence, selling videos of herself for money, going to parties she hates, drinking herself to sleep. Memories of that night torment Alice, but when Ila asks her to return to the House, to go past the KEEP OUT sign and over the sick earth where teenagers dare each other to venture, Alice knows she must go. Together, Alice and Ila must face the horrors that happened there, must pull themselves apart from the inside out, put their differences aside, and try to rescue Hannah, whom the House has chosen to make its own. Cutting, disruptive, and darkly funny, Tell Me I'm Worthless is a vital work of trans fiction that examines the devastating effects of trauma and how fascism makes us destroy ourselves and each other.

#queer #lgbt #transgender #queer books #lgbt books #book recommendations #queer history

[deadwooddross]

Sometimes I forget I can post things..... Here's characters/shapes/colors stuck in my head! Some old ones and one mystery new one who won't tell me her name yet. I've been putting them through the Elden ringer to see if any neurons light up, and Piper (congrats if you remember her)makes a good golden order fundamentalist. She's basically covered in advanced physics equations bc elden ring fundies are essentially studying thermodynamics, solve for God(s) The mystery one is a mystery and I though she was lyell or dag for a bit but she may in fact be someone else! We're doing fusion and mitosis to make characters up in here. Everyone pictured is a she and a her aside from Seth's they/them ass

#art #doodles #elden ring #seth #piper #dagmar #my color palette be like: mold #and a dash of unseasoned chicken #oops i forgot #lyell #sorry girl

[aziraphales-library]

I *love* any fics where Crowley is hurt incredibly bad and Aziraphale must save him or bring him back to health. I also LOVE fics that delve into trauma or mental health which stripes the characters of their mask and they must rely on someone/each other. Do you have any recommendations for fics that are either, or both? Happy endings are a major must for me, but I am open to any suggestions!

You'll want to check our #crowley whump, #hurt crowley, and #protective aziraphale tags for loads of fics like this. Here are some that may or may not have been recommended before, but mind the tags on all of these!...

Where's My Mind? by ebullience24 (T)

See, the thing is: Crowley is tall. His height had caused a few stares back in the days where the tallest man stood at five foot five. And, because of his height, one might be inclined to describe him as slender with spindly fingers and snake-hips. The pun is never intended on that last one but it stands true nonetheless. And Crowley would be likely to agree with these statements: he is tall and slender and spindly and snake-hipped. But what Crowley would be less likely to agree upon is the statement that he, Anthony J Crowley, is underweight. OR: Crowley has an eating disorder. Trigger Warnings now and at the beginning of each chapter.

Safe Haven by McRaider (T)

When Anthony Crowley stepped back into Aziraphale's life for the first time after eight long years missing, it became exceedingly clear with him came a world of trouble and heartache. But Aziraphale never could say no to his beloved Crowley. Can he help Crowley heal after a failed marriage, a gas-lighting ex-wife with an evil plan?

To Speak the Unspoken by ihamtmus (T)

“Uhhhh… Hi,” Crowley started lamely, scrambling to find a way to explain the situation as quickly as possible. His mind was refusing to work properly, thoughts slow as if doused in oil. He hadn’t really thought about what to say on his way here – he’d been too busy focusing on the getting here part before he would collapse. “I was wondering if I could… If I could maybe die in here, if you don’t mind..?” The expression on Aziraphale’s face changed abruptly, telling him that the angel did, in fact, mind. (In which a mortally wounded demon just wants to get somewhere quiet to die but his Adversary will have none of it. A story of how they both learn just how much they care.)

Death in Love by Aspirina_Effervescente & Cyanidechan (M)

After tempting a composer to fame and success, Crowley is cursed by his wife and tormented by her ghost until the end of his days. Aziraphale would do anything to save him, the only problem is that he doesn't know what's going on and, anyway, the problem could be much more complicated than it seems. Inspired by Giuseppe Tartini’s Sonata “the Devil’s trill”

Drops of Sorrow by EdosianOrchids901 (M)

Ten years after the failed Apocalypse, Crowley is captured by Heaven. Gabriel plans to use him as bait to lure Aziraphale into a fight. Can Crowley survive captivity, and will Aziraphale be able to rescue him without walking into the trap?

A Touch of Heaven by IneffableToreshi (E)

A despondent and defeated Crowley has been through the ringer, moreso even than his roommate, Newt, realizes. After a car accident puts him though a number of surgeries and a temporary - but terrifying - few weeks of blindness, the club owner wants nothing more than to curl up in his bed and refuse to move until things return to normal...or as normal as they'll ever be again. Newt - and his cafe-owning girlfriend, Anathema - have other plans. They think that Crowley just needs some care and pampering, so Anathema schedules him a special, off-hours appointment with a friend of hers who is a rather sought-after masseur. Crowley is hesitant and stubborn, but Aziraphale's soothing voice and comforting nature soon win him over, in more ways than one...

- Mod D

#good omens #ineffable husbands #hurt/comfort #crowley whump #hurt crowley #protective aziraphale #crowley has ptsd #mind the tags #mod d

[soupdots]

Hey, I haven’t posted on here in a while, but! I read Azula in the Spirit Temple (finally) and I wanted to give my thoughts on it.

Overall rating, 7.5/10

Things I liked:

• These two panels:

I love how her humanity is shown in both of them. I don’t know if we’ve EVER seen Azula given the humanity shown in the second panel— fear, specifically trauma-motivated fear (and a traumatic experience not frequently discussed, her institutionalization). It’s significant because she’s showing fear without anger, which is rare for her. And I was blown away by the first panel. I didn’t expect them to be so explicit about it. It’s almost too explicit, but honestly, it’s needed (because people clearly don’t pick up on subtext). It made me very happy to see what we’ve all been saying stated outright and in canon. These two panels pushed the comic up from more of a 6/10.

• I liked the idea of spirits and avatars (no pun intended) of Azula’s past friends and family talking to her (This is something that’s planned for my fic, if I ever get that off the ground again). It allows Azula to directly confront what has been done to her and what she has done, which is important for a redemption arc. It also allows for some healing, because she’s able to talk to those who hurt her.

• Azula is not given a quick redemption arc in 80 pages. Thank god. While of course she deserves a redemption arc, a rushed Kuvira-style redemption arc would be awful.

• I like that, true to her classic hair symbolism, Azula has her hair down throughout her time in the temple but puts it back up when she goes back to meet her Fire Warriors.

• She looks like a child in most of the frames. It’s good.

• This may have been unintentional, but I like that it’s Zuko who yells at her about how she’s hurt everybody, she’s a monster etc; then he turns into something of a monster himself. This shows that Zuko has hurt her, that he’s not perfect.

• I think the writing in general was better than past comics (definitely better than Yang’s writing) and it bodes well for the future. I think, all things considered, Faith Hicks did a remarkable job with the barely salvageable remnants of Azula’s character.

Things I didn’t like:

• Azula is still hung up on her “rightful place on the throne!” She never showed any real desire for the throne in the show, and yet for some reason that has become a key piece of her identity. It really doesn’t make sense. Also, didn’t she drop that in S&S? She is still seeking to destabilize Zuko in AITST, but appears to also have regained the desire for the throne. It’s confusing and weird.

• I think Azula could’ve been shown being a little nicer to her ‘Fire Warriors,’ given that she doesn’t have the same pressure to keep them by her side as she did with Mai & Ty Lee, but it’s fair that she’s not. In S&S she’s a pretty terrible person and takes several steps back in her redemption arc (several extremely OOC steps), and while I want to forget the Yang comics ever existed, Hicks still has to adhere to them and that means not suddenly making Azula a lot more chill.

• It felt rushed, but of course it did, it’s 80 pages long. Still this did affect the satisfaction I got from it.

• Azula ought to have been more distressed when she found out that her friends left her given that that’s literally her biggest wound. However I also kind of like that she wasn’t, especially at the end, because it hints that she’s getting tired of the whole friendship through manipulation thing.

• I wish Azula had gotten to talk to the spirit in its monk form a little bit; we could’ve had an Iroh moment for her which would’ve been cool to see.

• In general Azula’s character has really been through the ringer so it’s hard to get anything good out of it, but again I’m impressed at what Hicks has been able to pull off. Still, it felt kind of unsatisfying that at the end of the comic Azula said that she would “find new followers, a new place to rule,” which is like, oh okay, so you kinda haven’t really learned anything? It would be nice to at least get a bit of an idea that she’s on a path towards redemption and healing.

Again, overall, 7.5/10, I really enjoyed this, honestly. There were some parts that made me roll my eyes but ultimately I was surprised at the amount of kindness given to Azula (not a lot, but more than usual). I’m thankful to Faith Erin Hicks & the rest of her team for doing the best they can with our girl. I hope this means she’ll get more good content in the future.

#atla #azula #avatar the last airbender #azula in the spirit temple

[infamous-if]

I'm going the ValenReign route but everytime you write about Vic being upset with her marriage it makes me wanna put G in a jar and shake them for a bit. Is G my special babygirl (gender neutral)?

Yes

Do they deserve a little punishment for making the love of OUR lives upset?

Yes

I love your writing and your characters and the emotions they evoke ❤❤❤

LOL. Yah, G sort of puts Vic through the ringer in BOTH of their routes and the poly. The sad thing is that I don't think G realizes the extent of their harm on Vic. Well, they do but then they don't. I can't say much due to spoilers but surprise, surprise it gets real messy.

I think some people will see it and find that they do love each other, while others may think it'll only be doing them more harm to help them stay together. I'm excited to see what the general consensus is from everyone!

Aside from xxx (spoilers), I do think G's route with Vic is the saddest. Not only dramatic, but just sad. I'm both looking forward and dreading writing it lmao

And thank you <3 :,)

#g reign #victoria valentine #inbox #valenreign poly #valenreign

[fandom-animals]

I have 2 theories:

1. Stolitz doesn't become official in the next episode. In fact, whatever happens, they end up worse than before; I'm taking full-on break up: no more talking or sleeping together. They're both devastated but trying to be cool about it (save for occasional petty remarks from both of them and Stolas obviously more open and weepy abt his feelings tho). They stay like that for a few episodes then idk at some point they reconcile and start talking again which leads to other stuff and then we're back on the endgame train. But basically Full Moon is gonna be pure angst w/o a happy ending.

2. Stolitz DOES become canon in the next episode, but their problems are not solved and each episode that passes afterwards just shows how many other flaws they have in their relationship. They end up breaking up a few episodes after FM. After the break up, same as theory 1 they spend some time apart, they grow as individuals and shit and eventually they reconcile and blah blah blah Stolitz endgame. The thesis of these theories is that even if we do or don't get Stolitz canon in the next ep, they still are endgame (I believe) but they still have a lot of growth to do before they can have the truly comfortable, loving, and satisfying healthy relationship that the viewers want.

Source: I've seen a lot of TV couples have to work very hard for their happy endings and I can't rly see why Stolitz would be any different especially w a relationship as complicated as theirs. If you were to ask me which route I think is more possible, I'd say theory 1 bc authors LOOOOOVE putting their fans through the ringer, and theory 2 reflects that as well but holds it back a little bit.

ALTERNATE THEORY 3 (imo highly unlikely tho): Stolitz becomes canon and they actually have a sweet and loving relationship!! It's not without its faults tho and sometimes we do get eps or arcs where shit is just MESSY but Stolitz still comes out of it everytime better and stronger. There are no breakups and every1 is happy!! The end.

Edit: Alternate theory 4: My sibling brought this up to me: they said that maybe Full Moon won't mark a major shift in with Stolitz and that it may just be more interaction between the two characters; that while the episode may not be a turning point in their relationship, it may still continue to move things along between the two of them (though for better or for worse remains to be seen.) Sibling may have a point imo and I may just be too overcome with Stolitz fever to have considered this before 😅 What do you guys think?

#stolitz #and trust me if theory 3 DOES HAPPEN i will never be so happy to have been so wrong #i just wanted to share some thoughts while we wait for the next ep :) #stolas x blitz #stolas goetia #blitz buckzo #blitzø #helluva boss #helluva boss theory #helluva boss full moon

[iheartgod175]

So, that Star Fox x KonoSuba idea…

It’s had an insane grip on my brain. To the point where my good buddy @blazing-shadows had to spam me with fifty messages, haha XD

Basically, this is what happens when you get your yearly itch for one of your favorite franchises and add in the game that you’ve been playing religiously for a few weeks ^^

I’ve decided to title this silly story “God’s Favor on This Not-Yet-Retired Veteran!” It may be subject to change, though!

This particular crossover idea takes place during the Assault/Command timeline. Why? Because I absolutely ADORE Star Fox Assault, especially Peppy’s portrayal in that game, and while Command is a whole mess, a few ideas/characters were pretty neat (*cough* Lucy *cough*). That, and I wondered what would happen in an alternate scenario where Peppy dies for real during the tail end of the game (a question that has been answered by several authors, actually!).

So the basic gist is that Peppy dies for real after sacrificing the Great Fox, but receives a second chance at life when he meets Aqua, who revives him and sends him to Axel. That second chance at life involves a world where cabbages fly, ranking works like a video game, and the people there are somehow are even bigger a-holes than in the Lylat System. Oh, and he ends up being in a party with one of those a-holes. Not Kazuma—although he’ll definitely meet him later. That would be Dust, the resident town punk, and his long-suffering party consisting of Rin, Keith and Taylor. With his chances at retirement permanently shot, Peppy now has to navigate his new life of being one of the oldest adventurers in Axel, and try not to either rage quit or kill Dust in the process. Meanwhile, in the “real world”, Lylat is reeling from the Aparoid Invasion when the Anglars make their debut, and the fractured Star Fox team must face this amidst team struggles and without their beloved mentor.

It’d be easy to have either Fox or Falco in this scenario, since their personalities would mesh with the craziness perfectly (I personally would nominate Falco for this position since in-universe he’s super competitive), but even before I got into KonoSuba, the idea of Peppy ending up in an isekai situation—especially in this world—was too hilarious to leave alone. Also Peppy’s my favorite character, so that’s a no brainer, lol XD

Also, the main reason I had Peppy team up with Dust is for two reasons: 1. As much as I like Kazuma’s character, I wanted to challenge myself with writing an ensemble cast outside of the main one. Kazuma and his party will definitely get their chance to shine, but I wanted to focus on a different set of adventurers for this story, and the team that’s the opposite of Kazuma’s seemed to be a fun choice. 2. Dust is one of my favorite characters in KonoSuba, which happened completely on accident, lol (more on that in the KonoFan post I’ll make soon). And just imagining the headaches he’d cause Peppy was hilarious.

This being KonoSuba, hilarious shenanigans ensue, but there’s also a little bit of seriousness due to, well, Star Fox. You can’t expect a battle-hardened veteran like Peppy to just be dumped into a crazy world like KonoSuba and pretend none of the canon in his universe didn’t happen, lol. I told my buddy that this little story is gonna be full of humor, drama, tragedy, a smudge of romance, and lots of wholesomeness, because although I put him through the ringer a bit here, Peppy needs a bit of a break after the stuff that happened in canon ;_;

If y’all like this idea enough—or if I can’t shake the brain rot off, haha—this might be something I’ll post on AO3! Let me know what you think in the replies!

#star fox #konosuba #star fox assault #KonoSuba Fantastic Days #peppy hare #dust KonoSuba #fan fic ideas #ramblings

[girl4music]

God I just love how fucking real they are. The way they’re written. They have their fights, their conflicts, their toxic moments just like any real life WLW couple would and yet all of that only shows the depth of their love rather than pulls them down and turns me off.

I swear that draws me to them more than the actual love displayed between them because the way they handle the rocky moments in their relationship is just bloody brilliant. It’s so natural the way that they come undone and then come back together again. I don’t know, I can’t really articulate well what I mean by this.

But it’s something you can watch and pick up on for yourself. The realness of them. I haven’t seen anything like it since Xena and Gabrielle to be honest, who have - arguably - the rockiest moments in their love story that is possible to have and depict in TV art/entertainment without a ratings change, and yet - it makes them better. It makes their love story far more significant because you see what they go through and what they have to overcome and the tremendous strength and effort to do so because they love each other so damn much and don’t want to lose that love.

Yeah, WayHaught are exactly like that. There may not be a “Gab Drag” equivalent scene between them but what is displayed is very reminiscent of “the rift” arc that puts Xena and Gabrielle through the ringer,… because it doesn’t destroy them completely. It only ever makes them stronger and even more in love. Which is what you want from drama and conflict.

Well-written fleshed out queer main characters provide this rollercoaster ride of representation. And - for me - WLW couples in TV art/entertainment just don’t feel real without all the drama and conflict.

But there obviously needs to be a balance. You don’t want it to be soap opera level of drama and conflict where everything that happens happens BECAUSE there NEEDS to be drama and conflict because it’s shock value and cheap viewership. But rather - you need to show how BECAUSE of all the drama and conflict, the relationship is much more real and strong and substantial than a spectacle to gawp and gasp at.

And yeah, they do WayHaught very fucking well when it comes to this. They’re in a Universe where everything is meant to be high stakes all the time so the drama and conflict between them doesn’t come out of left field. It’s organic and logical progression.

They’re really well fucking written I have to say. And it makes me all the more invested in their relationship because I love fantasy as a genre in the overall concept and environment of a TV show but I never want fantasy in a couple. I always want the real shit.

And WayHaught are the real shit. Absolutely!

It’s what I love about Xena and Gabrielle so much. That they’re a REAL couple in a FANTASY show.

Can we have more WLW ships like this please? 🙏

#wynonna earp #wayhaught #waverly earp #dominique provost chalkley #nicole haught #katherine barrell #because I love you #emavids

[silverredtail]

-OH MY GOD!! BULLSHIT AU INCOMING!!

-Okay okay okay, so school au right?! Macaque-king of the theater program- if he's not lead he's a big character or master of the backstage always has his hands in everything cause he loves the stage and the other kids who have the drive and passion for it. Incomes wukong and the other preps and asses who suddenly wanna audition and be a part of the "magic" cause "oh my god it's just like that one episode/show/movie!!" Makes all of macaques fellow students feel so isolated when this was their space to shine. They had the fucking courts and hallways. Que some high school musical bullshit where macaque puts these preps through the ringer of the theater life, the heavy equipment, the long hours of lighting and blocking and he's not afraid to bully. He's the jock on this stage and he's got a bite to his bark. One by one they leave because they won't be disrespected/it's too hard/ this isnt fun at all...all but the biggest stubborn bitch mac's crossed paths with.

-✨Wukong, star jock, biggest bully cause he's clearly the best, and school massive douche of a prankster✨(Only cause we're going really Disney channel with this au)

-Macaques equal when it comes to weight they can throw around and what they can take. Wukong doesn't break at all, carrying stage peices like it's nothing, actually singing good, standing still out of pride and stubbornness more then anything. But with how loud he is and how above he thinks he is- it takes macaque literally screaming in his face "YOU FUCKS HAVE EVERYTHING! EVERY PEICE OF THE SCHOOL TO RUN BUT THE PLACE WHERE OUTCAST LIKE US CAN FEEL LIKE PEOPLE! AND YOU INVADED IT LIKE EVERYWHERE ELSE BECAUSE WERE LIKE A DAMN TV SHOW!" Then wukong kinda breaks alittle, blinking at his punkish/gothish rival in a new light, never seeing the other gets so emotional. "Oh..." "YEAH OH!! Why the hell do you think I've been trying to get you assholes out of here!! This is barely a fraction of the abuse you give us on the daily!"

-But!!!! The worst part is that wukong is good right?! And he doesn't even understand what's technically happening so two things could happen depending on what theme we're going for yeah???

-Either 1) wukong stops coming, gives the loners their space and actually stands up for them outside the theater as well. Opening night he's there frontish row cause you know...he wants to see what macaque sees..not see it for how the other jocks do..and then he slips backstage to offer Mac roses or something and they can start anew in a healthier way.

-Or the more dramatic 2) wukong doesn't quit the show. He's lead and with him there they get a whole new crowd interested in the theater program and macaque has to deal with it...but at least wukong is taking it more seriously. Till the big day..where wukong relaizes as he peeks out of the curtains that all those people..all watching, all waiting...he doesn't get to hide among the team or sit out when he fucks up...he's the lead, if messes up he ruins the whole show. Que his massive stage fright freak out so close to show time

-But macaque isn't a complete ass and he's had plenty of his stage crew who have stage fright..so he pulls wukong aside to a dark quiet space and they have a tender moment there..something along the lines around

"What if I fuck up?!"

"When has that stopped you before peaches?"

"It's nothing compared to this!!!"

"It's not so easy now huh?"

"no..i-I don't think I can do this..."

Which ya know...shows macaque just how bad this is running deep if Wukongs going to bail and humble himself that badly ya know?

-Which is another branch of things that could happen. Macaque doing the simple things of pulling wukong from the show..they have understudies for a reason. Sure they may suffer since the crowd came to see wukong but he's seen panic attacks..and this is the cusp of a big one..one wukong might not recover from.

-The other being the more cuter but again silly movie thing.

"I'm the lead too...just focus on me..just like in practice. The lights will be so bright you won't be able to see them and it will just be us out there..I won't let you mess up..and after, were all going out for food? I'll pay for an extra desert for you."

#monkie kid au #monkie kid #lego monkie king #lmk au #shadowpeach #sun wuking x macaque #lmk macaque #lmk sun wukong #writing prompt #writing #high school au #hsm the musical #hsm #2am rambles #i wrote this at 2am

[gailhai1storm]

may i have some peterachilles thoughts/headcanons/anything 🥺

The fact that I havent read all the books that have them as central characters makes. this a bit hard, like I have thoughts but its hard to speak on a lot of it.

So im going togive you my thoughts on both of them just in stream of consciousness cause that will probably work better.

Ok so Achilles is so fucking facinating to me, cause he is absolutely masterminding things and plotting but I get the distinct feeling that he actually does overestimate people

there is hubris there but he truly thinks people are also plotting against him and thinking the same way he is, while also understanding that he is better at it than them.

I find this fucking hillariouse to put againct Peter who first off knows that Achilles could fucking destroy him and probably is trying to and is smarter than him. But Peter also has this odd confidence in himself and what he is doing that I find so utterly fascinating. I actually know someone a lot like peter and just that deep knowledge that you are missing something pared with hubris is facinating.

Thats the main place (from what ive read) that I get the ship from. It makes the trust Peter has make more sense. He wants to give Achilles freedom, and shiney things, because he enjoys him. He trusts him, but at the same time he cant.

I always imagine both of them just so paranoid about the other, Achilles more than Peter, cause peter has confidence in a way Achilles doesn't. Achilles does not understand kindness, not really.

Its part of what makes there dinamic to intesting,

Achilles wouldnt understand the kindness a first, wouldn't understand that this is admeration not pitty or groveling

cause Peter does not view Achilles as greater than him, but his equal his match, they challenge each other.

I picture them in a spiral, thinking their thoughts, pulling and pushing but perpetually funneled together and into the same place around and around.

They are infatuated with each other, and it tastes like medium rare steak, their relationship, sweat, and full, but you can still just almost taste the blood.

They are vile and put each other through the ringer but at the end of the day they love the others mind, the others drive, and they end up needing each other.

because to loose your match is to loose yourself.

#i dont know if this is what you wanted #or if its coherent at all #but this is how i feel about them they just dbcbfw #sorry if i said anything jsut incorect i really need to read more of the books #i actually have read a lot of them but so out of order everything is very jumbled in my brain #enders game #perterachilles #peter wiggin #achilles de flandres #them. #sorry for it taking a while to respond #gail hail speaks

[animehouse-moe]

Can I ask your top 5 (or top 3) favorite characters from CSM? And why you loved them? And your top 5 favorite moments from the series? Thanks....

Alright, top 5 characters and top 5 moments. This was an interesting one. Of course, there's definitely going to be manga spoilers for both Part 1 and Part 2, so anime/part 1 onlies beware.

Makes the most sense to start with characters so we'll go there first.

Denji

Kinda hard not to put Denji on the list. I know sometimes people's favorite characters can be the supporting cast, but in such a character focused series it's hard to not love Denji's character arc, and his cyclical story that feels like it mimics a devil's reincarnation. Always the same person, but everchanging, Denji's stuck searching for happiness at every turn in his life despite accruing everything that he thought would make him happy.

Asa Mitaka

I mean, there's a reason that the main character is called a main character. Asa's duality, and her juxtaposition in part two against Denji is really well done. Everything of hers serves to be an antithesis to Denji's, so both characters have done really well in bringing out the best in each other when they're together.

Quanxi

Alright, finally into the supporting characters. To put it simply, Quanxi is just plain cool and interesting. Having taught Kishibe all he knows while putting him through the ringer each time he asks her out, it's just fun. Being the oldest Devil Hunter and also one of two weapon hybrids to evade Makima's grasp up until the end? There's just too much that's cool about her, and her re-appearance in Part 2 only heightens that as she may well be positioned to take over Kishibe's role from the end of part 1. As a note, I was torn between Quanxi and Reze for this "spot", but I feel like Quanxi brings a more "complete" arc through what I've seen of her character so far, while if Reze resurfaces she'll become far more important than her role in part 1.

Makima

Chainsaw Man's core cast is pretty undefeated in terms of quality. I mean, it's pretty hard to do much with a character when they all die so quickly. Anyways, Makima as the antagonist is just plain good. People will get hung up on her manipulation and whatnot, and that is a part of her character, and a good one, but a lot can neglect the "genuine" aspect of her character that makes those manipulative pieces that much harder to discern at moments. She's more complex than just "Chainsaw Man is mine", and she deserves credit for that as a character.

Power

I'd like to say I struggled with choosing Power, but I really didn't. I do like Aki and his whole thing about death and revenge and his relationship with Himeno.... but I think that Power gets the head start on him. It's not really stretching the truth to say that the women of Chainsaw Man are more important to Denji's character than the men. After all, it's why four of the five in this list are women, Power included. Power's story does really well to bond with Denji as a sibling, giving him a closer connection to her than he has to Aki. It's almost like a precursor for becoming a big brother to Nayuta. And then there's the whole thing with Power's death mirroring Pochita's. Power fills a void in Denji, much like Aki. But it's not Power herself that does, but their bond, the pieces that the pair have put together between themselves through jokes, fighting, fear, or anything else. So, out of all the possible recurring characters, Power is arguably the most important, which makes me curious to see if we'll ever find the Blood devil/fiend again.

Alright, on to top 5 moments now. This one's a bit more challenging, because defining a moment isn't super easy. Because of that, I'll center it around a panel or sequence that I think is really important, impactful, or cool.

Go Find The Blood Devil - Chapter 91

Ended the characters with Power, so gotta start the moments with Power. This one's rather self-explanatory, as Power gives her life much like Pochita to offer Denji a new life, not another chance at his current, but a new one. It plays, in the literal sense, into Denji's circular story of rebirth and how it affects his dreams and ideals. Great moment all around. Also on that note, Pochita's moment is solid, but it's more foundational than some of these other moments. It has it, but it's more important as a story aspect than something that can grip readers with the same importance.

Play Catch - Chapter 79

I know I picked Power over Aki earlier, but that doesn't mean that he's a worthless character stuck on the sidelines. He does a good bit through life in the manga, but his Gun fiend moment is the most important for both him and Denji. It speaks to Aki's innermost desires, to be able to play with his brother once more. Though in this case it shows how he's come to see Denji as a younger sibling and is using that to replace the one that he lost. All the while it's meant to show Aki's desire to be able to laugh, to have fun and lead a normal life, none of which was available to him. Infinitely more depressing than Power's death, Aki's moves in the opposite direction as a self-serving one which impacts Denji in a totally different way.

Save The Asa - Chapter 127

This stretch from Part 2 was really something else because it's the first time that Asa and Denji really talk properly. There's the piece at the aquarium, but it's not the same as looking into these characters like they do in this chapter. How it approaches the feelings of depression, and what can help fight them or stave them off is just incredibly fresh and realistic, and so very much Denji-like. It's silly and wonderfully uplifting and important, as well as showing Denji's resolve and (at this point in the manga) his latest reborn self. Sure, he's gone through hell several times over but he's now got a little sister, a bunch of dogs, and a massive Chainsaw Man fanbase. The sun's only just rising on his new life, and he's excitedly reaching out for more.

Dream Battle - Chapter 10

It wouldn't be Chainsaw Man without some insanity, and I feel like Denji's fight with the Leech Devil is the first real instance of that, and such an electric one at that. On his last legs, bordering on desperation, Denji's feral and ridiculous side appears for the first time, and it's an incredible amount of fun.

Chu Chu Lovely Lovely Muni Muni Mura Mura

I love Maximum The Hormone, Fujimoto loves Maximum The Hormone, how could this chapter not top my list of favorite moments? Belting off a song about sexual assault as Denji beats the brakes off a bunch of guys taking their turns against him, it's just so Chainsaw Man I don't know if there's a moment that better explains the series. It might even top the list of chapters I can't wait to see adapted as the series continues, purely because I know the song will play during the fight.

Finally, out the other side. These things always take a deceptive amount of time because I have so many ideas swirling around in my head that I need to trim down on. Going all the way down to five for each is really difficult, but given how narrow the criteria are, I feel pretty confident in my decisions at this point, especially in my favorite moments.

#chainsaw man #csm pt 2 #chainsaw man manga #csm manga #chainsaw man part two #chainsaw man part 2 spoilers #csm part 2 #csm part two #csm spoilers #manga recommendation #manga review #anime and manga #manga #csm denji #miri sugo #sword man #sword devil #sword hybrid #flamethrower devil #flamethrower hybrid #csm barem #whip hybrid #spear hybrid #nayuta csm #nayuta #spear devil #whip devil #fumiko mifune #quanxi #csm part 1

[momentofch-aos]

Daisy Johnson/Daniel Sousa - Invisible String by Taylor Swift

so i said i would write an essay on this. So I will.

minor mentions of PTSD, therapy and the traumas they've both been through

A huge theme for Daisy and Daniel is time. Obviously.

"time, curious time. gave me no compass, gave me no signs."

neither of them expected each other. For Daisy, this was just another mission, where everything was on the line. For Daniel, it was literally just another day at the office. Until he opened that office door.

"were there clues I didn't see?"

It has been said that their relationship was rushed in that last season of AoS and it was, due to the fact it was a short last season of the show where there was everyone's plot points to wrap up. BUT, I could wax lyrical about little things that you can pick up in both of their character developments through the respective shows (AoS for Daisy, Agent Carter for Daniel), that make them ideal for each other. Both bullheaded, quick witted, willing to do whatever it takes for the good of other people. The way they compliment each other's personalities. Sousa's measured calm to Daisy raging storm.

"time, mystical time. Cutting me open, then healing me fine."

this applies to them both, but I mainly think about it from Daisy's perspective. Throughout the show she goes through huge trauma, huge things that, through lack of time to process or just huge attempts to internalise it she moves on from. Her whole childhood. Trip giving his life to try and save hers. Her mother almost killing her. Lincoln's death. Coulson's dying and coming back in various forms. Fitz forcibly removing her inhibitor. Fitz dying. May dying. Although she's not healed completely, time forced her to move on. I feel like she's the kind of person to say she was 'fine' when she is indeed, not.

"A string that pulled me, out of all the wrong arms."

Whether there was something, fate or subconscious, that moved Daisy away from the darker paths she could have gone down. Something cosmic that would lead her to something even better. To a life with him.

"Something wrapped all my past mistake in barbed wire"

Theres a deep debate in my heart about the way the rest of the team treat Daisy over the seasons. Don't get me wrong, I love them all dearly but I think a lot of pressure is placed on her shoulders. Knowing someone as well as the team know each other, leads to past mistakes being brought up even years later. Think Fitz (I love him don't come for me) saying "do you want me to list all the times you did [turn her back on the team]". I think Sousa, our protective boy, would provide a relief from this, a comfort that she was more than the mistakes she'd made, how she'd proven herself time and time again. Maybe it's due to the fact that he hadn't been present then, the fact he solely knew the person she was now and not how she'd got there.

"Chains around my demons, wool to brave the seasons"

All I can think is Ghost Rider here sorry.

But I'd also like to think that they both force each other to confront things, I like to think Daisy suggests going to one of the Shield therapists Mack hired would be good for Sousa as he is thrown into the 21st Century as well as the PTSD he likely has from his injury and the war. I also think he would suggest it as a good option for her, after a few sessions of his own, and they's have therapy and then go on lunch dates. Dealing with the demons, together.

"One single thread of gold tied me to you"

NEED I SAY MORE - THEIR LOVE IS GOLDEN. sorry.

"Cold was the steel of my axe to grind."

To me, this is Daniel and their first meeting. The frame of mind he was in when he found that fake CIA agent sat at his desk, after the emotional ringer he'd been put through thinking Peggy had arrived and then finding out it was a imposter. The anger and emotional rawness he was feeling. That (after some initial defensiveness) was healed by this fun to be around superhero that says what she means.

"Gold was the color of the leaves, When I showed you around Centennial Park"

This is off topic for this piece, but imagine, the pair of them taking a walk around the town close to the Lighthouse when the mission debrief was over. The pair of them chatting, Daniel enraptured when Daisy throws her head back in a laugh as they walk through the park, leaves crunching beneath their feet. And it just feels so normal.

"Hell was the journey, but it brought me heaven."

I have nothing to say, both of them went through hell and back,

"Time, wondrous time. Gave me the blues and then purple pink skies"

Time brought her to him. Time hopping kept them connected. TIme loops bringing them closer, at least for Daisy.

Blue shirt of chivalry and any excuse for my favourite gif purple pink skies.

"isn't it just so pretty to think, all along there was some invisible string tying you to me?"

I like to think of Daisy, on a early morning watching a sleeping Daniel in the light of a beautiful sunrise, looking back on her life, wondering if everything she's gone through, although awful, meant that it lead her to this life with him. This unequivocal support, this life outside of shield that she never thought she'd have.

Anyway! If you made it to the end congrats.

Heres some links to videos that i found after i had this thought in the car the other day that use the song for these two. One on tiktok and the other on youtube

tagging @angry-slytherin because they seemed excited by the concept of this chaos ⭐️

#agents of shield #daniel sousa #daisy johnson #marvel #fanfic #dousy #aos #timequake #agent carter #song fic #taylor swift #invisible string #i could monologue about them #and i just did #my apologies #clusterfluff #Spotify

[teaspoonnebula]

Reigate Squires #3 Thoughts!

His words were cut short by a sudden scream of "Help! Help! Murder!" With a thrill I recognised the voice of that of my friend. I rushed madly from the room on to the landing.

Poor Watson is really being put through the emotional ringer with this one, isn't he? First Holmes is not ok, then he's ok, then he's not ok, then he's ok...

It doesn't say specifically how Watson 'tore' the Cunninghams off Holmes, but I imagine it was fairly... vigorous.

"Tut, man, look at their faces!" cried Holmes, curtly.

Not an especially scientific method of convincing the inspector to make an arrest...

"I am afraid, my dear Colonel, that you must regret the hour that you took in such a stormy petrel as I am."

I had to look up what a storm petrel was, and I wasn't disappointed.

They are seabirds regarded by sailors as a bad omen, capable of bringing about storms and causing ill-luck. I think there might even be a superficial resemblance to our favourite detective, don't you?

But, first, as I am rather shaken by the knocking about which I had in the dressing-room, I think that I shall help myself to a dash of your brandy, Colonel. My strength had been rather tried of late."

"Rather shaken" feels like an understatement for being half throttled.

Now, I make a point of never having any prejudices, and of following docilely wherever fact may lead me, and so, in the very first stage of the investigation, I found myself looking a little askance at the part which had been played by Mr Alec Cunningham.

I really enjoy Holmes saying that he makes a point of not falling for prejudices and being swayed by the idea that certain classes of people are more likely to be criminals than others. It harks back to A Study in Scarlet where he find out he receives all kinds of visitors and clients. Of course we can probably have fun debating whether this actually holds true in his characterisation (and with our Doylist hats on, he's a character created by an author with his own set prejudices which peek through sometimes, so of course it doesn't.)

There were twenty-three other deductions which would be of more interest to experts than to you.

PFFFF You absolute TROLL, Holmes.

The Inspector was about to tell them the importance which we attached to it when, by the luckiest chance in the world, I tumbled down in a sort of fit and so changed the conversation.

TROLL.

#letters from watson #the reigate squire #the reigate squires

[zee-has-commitment-issues]

twenty questions for fic writers

Thank you @altruistic-meme for the tag! 💜

How many works do you have on AO3? Currently sitting at 25 works!

What’s your total AO3 word count? 502,854 (holy shit)

What fandoms do you write for? Right now I only write for Young Royals. I might branch out in the future, but my mind is pretty all-consumed at the moment.

What are your top 5 fics by kudos? (a list not one person is surprised by) 1. Simon Eriksson: Just Some Guy From Biology Simon is a little shit, but it's a whole lot of fun. 2. Screwed Erik lived, but things are still royally screwed up. 3. Love Bites The Hickey Crack Fic no one asked for. 4. Simon Eriksson: Not Really Just Some Guy An unhinged continuation of Simon Eriksson: Just Some Guy From Biology, in which Simon is still a little shit, but it's really not his fault this time. 5. You Have Reached The Voicemail Box Of... Humiliating table shenanigans.

Do you respond to comments? Why or why not? As often as I can! I try my best. I've gotten better at it more recently, but sometimes it still takes me a million years to reply. I apologize. But I really appreciate people who take the time to comment on my fics, and I try to let them know that.

What is a fic you wrote with the angstiest ending? The Last Time which is ironically my least read fic. It is my masterpiece, though. My Nilcent no-happy-ending fic. Truly one of the best things I have ever written, in my humble opinion.

What’s the fic you wrote with the happiest ending? I couldn't figure it out, so I asked Dani. She says the answer is Simon Eriksson: Just Some Guy From Biology and she is probably right.

Do you get hate on fics? Not really. This fandom is pretty chill about that kind of stuff. The only thing was that there was one anon who told me I was too obsessed with Swedish while writing a fic. Even thought the show is... quite literally Swedish...

Do you write smut? If so, what kind? Once. I wrote one blowjob. The readers said it was good, but I am very unsure. They may be lying to me. Also I don't like men and my beta is asexual so we are quite possibly the worst pair to be writing gay sex.

Do you write crossovers? What’s the craziest one you’ve written? I haven't and I don't have any current plans to.

Have you ever had a fic stolen? Not a whole fic, no, but I have had someone steal a few paragraphs word for word 💀

Have you ever had a fic translated? Not translated, but I have had one of my fics turned into a podfic by @willesworld, which was super super cool! [Podfic] Simon Eriksson: Just Some Guy From Biology

What’s your all-time favorite ship? Wilmon of course! Although I have delulu'ed a bit too close to the sun with Nilcent and my quite literally made up Erik/Ebba.

What’s a wip you want to finish, but doubt you ever will? Lightning Strikes. It was a Felice and Walter friends fic that takes place in their second year. I realized recently that I have put Walter through the absolute ringer with his fanfictional queer journey and this story was literally no different and I felt bad. I stopped writing this fic because I felt bad for a fiction character going through a fan fiction plot.

What are your writing strengths? I have a really hard time giving myself compliments, especially with writing, so I'm not really sure. I think I do pretty well with characterizations, though.

What are your writing weaknesses? Grammar and being repetitive. My grammar sucks ass. Dani fixes way too much. And I feel like I'm quite repetitive. Not necessarily in a whole-plot kind of way, but in a small detail kind of way. If I like a little thing I added, I'll keep it going throughout the fic or multiple fics (ie. Walter's queer journey, Wilhelm's favorite color being green, Fredrika's nickname being Freddy)

Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language for a fic? Go for it. I do it sometimes (but I usually add the translation somewhere). I think it's fun, and ultimately I write for me.

First fandom you wrote for? DIVERGENT LMFAO

Favorite fic you’ve written? Oh I love them all. It's like having to choose a favorite child. But I have some fics that are just way too close to my heart. Screwed is always going to be one that sticks out because it brought so many people around me and I met so many new friends. The Thing In The Mirror is very much a love letter to my own grief and I cherish it deeply. And Reckless Abandon has taken so much of my time to craft and plot that I lowkey might just turn it into a novel lmao.

tagging: @insomnaticwilmon @the-navistar-carol and @willesworld if y'all want to participate 💜

#tag game #fic questions #zee writes shit

[themosleyreview]

The Mosley Review: The Equalizer 3

Very seldom do film trilogies realize what type of genre they belong to and stick with it. The standard is to go big in the sequel and by the third film, pull out all the stops and have a major blast of a send off. Its a common downfall for trilogies that aren’t designed for that to do make that mistake. Its extremely rare for a franchise to circle back around to what made the first film fantastic and scale back down to a slower, smaller and more personal story. That is what this film did and it was a refreshing return of an almost forgotten style of storytelling. What I loved is the build up to the action and how precise it still was with every movement of the camera and brutal yet efficient execution the titular character dealt. The story itself isn't as earth shattering or epic as most would expect and that was its strong suit. It may come off familiar and stereotypical in many ways, but that didn't stop the film from being fun and exciting. The action in the film was great and I loved the cause and effect approach that most action have films have forgotten how to achieve. There is a reason for the carnage and doesn't have to involve a massive body count by the end.

Denzel Washington returns as the franchise hero Robert McCall and he hasn't skipped a beat. He is still that secretive, clean and precise avenger we all love but this time we get to see something that I want more characters to have. In this film, the actions of his life catch up to him and makes him come to grips with his vitality. I loved that for once he is actually looking for a peaceful life away from the world. It was a beautiful and warm ending for Robert that ties directly back to the first film. Dakota Fanning joins the franchise as CIA analyst Emma Collins and she was fantastic. The instant chemistry between her and Robert was awesome and wholesome. I liked her willingness to get into the investigative side of her job as this was her first major case. As a side note, its almost been 20 years since Denzel and Dakota have been on screen together and that chemistry and friendship is felt the moment they’re on screen together. David Denman was good as her CIA Operative partner Frank Conroy even if he's there just to showcase the international gravity of the situation and drive the exposition of the story forward. Remo Girone was great and loveable as Enzo Arisio. He really brings out the warmer side of Robert that I don't think he's seen in a long time and helps him appreciate the meaning of peace. Eugenio Mastrandrea was good as the town Marshal Gio Bonucci. He gets put through the ringer in the film and I loved that he never faltered. Andrea Dodero was great as your typical small time gangster Marco Quaranta. He is instantly despicable and its a testament to his excellent acting. Andrea Scarduzio was awesome and venomous as his older brother Vincent. I loved his vicious nature and his intensity once Robert comes on to his radar. The payoff in the conflict between was so satisfying and personal.

Marcelo Zarvos takes over as the composer this time around and he did a excellent job highlighting the beauty in the film and puncuating the action. The smooth, tense and slow building music to the action never over took the scenes, but the score really sores in the moments with the towns people. I loved the intimate way Italy is shown and how it highlights the food and its people. It was quite tranquil against the blood soaked action sequences. As I said before, the second film stayed true to the tone of the first film, but it quickly started to stray and become about the action set pieces. This film brings it all back and wraps up the story in a heartfelt way that may leave you wanting more, but doesn't over stay its welcome. I truly enjoyed this film and if you loved the first 2, then you'll enjoy this one. Let me know what you thought of the film or my review in comments below. Thanks for reading!

#the equalizer 3 #denzel washington #dakota fanning #Eugenio Mastrandrea #Andrea Scarduzio #Andrea Dodero #David Denman #Remo Girone #antoine fuqua

[vampi-fixx]

diversions

bleach; izuru kira x reader 

normal!au? kira is in college. uhh public sex. in a bouncy house. that may or may not have been my prompt: kira + bouncy house. i somehow made this only like 60% crack.

tw: semi-public sex. quickies. blowjobs. ripped panties. izuru’s depression.

part of the seireitei sins spicy (and sweet) and crackfilled summer collab!

2.8k words wowee

—

“Sorry for making you come all the way out here,” you whisper, to which Izuru shrugs, the sparkly birthday hat your little cousin donned on him drooping down his head.

“It’s fine,” he mutters. “This is better than agonizing over philosophy.”

You know Izuru means it—his advisor, Dr. Ichimaru, is a notoriously hellish professor who enjoys putting his students through the ringer. He says it “builds character,” or something like that, prepares them for the rigors and trials of academia and real life. You’ve seen Izuru spend many nights hyped up on caffeine, stressing over his professor’s whimsical grading and abstruse comments.  

While your cousin’s birthday party is a less-than-ideal place to catch up with Izuru, it seems like neither of you have time lately—he’s working on finishing up school, and you’ve been swamped with work. You’re surprised he even agreed to come. Izuru says he likes kids, but they don’t seem to take to his gloomy demeanor much. Maybe it’s because your cousin, chipper and naive and meeting him for the first time, asked Izuru what he did for fun. And Izuru responded solemnly with, “I like to think about mortality and the meaninglessness of living.” Naturally, all the children at the party end up keeping a wide breadth from you two, crowding around the opposite end of the table instead.

In a way, you’re thankful to have him here—it means less children to goad you into playing tag, or asking you for money. Even your nosy aunts and uncles seem to be off-put by his dour personality, avoiding conversation and eye contact with you.

Izuru picks at his cake, and it collapses, a mishmash of frosting and strawberries sliding avalanche-like off his plate.  

“How’ve you been?” you ask.

“The same as usual. Ichimaru-sensei is…” Izuru shudders, shoving a bite of cake into his mouth. He chews what seems almost painfully, before swallowing. “Something. It’s fine, though. Pretty soon I’ll be done and then—practical stuff.”

“Professor Kira,” you say, rolling the name off your tongue in a way that has Izuru flushing, rubbing the back of his neck. “I like the sound of that.”

“Y-Yeah. It’s hard to believe... And you? I haven’t seen you in awhile.”

“Eh, work’s the same. So-so.” Your head rests on his shoulder, your arm winding around his. “I missed you.”

It’s a testament to how long you’ve been together, that Izuru no longer frets over public displays of affection. While he still prefers lowkey acts, like brushing your hair from your face or linking hands, he seems to have missed you too based on how he relaxes into your touch. “I feel the same.” He flashes you a small smile, like a present just for you, his hand dropping down to cradle your knee. “Thank you for inviting me. It’s nice. Even with the kids screaming in the background.”

You laugh. Izuru’s sense of humor is always dry, but when given the chance, you find he can be hilarious. “It’s ah, it’s not exactly an ideal date spot,” you agree. Izuru snorts, his long, thin fingers drumming across your thigh as he finishes his cake, a cute tick of his that he doesn’t seem to notice. At the sight of his hand, an idea occurs to you.

There are a few things you could do to entertain yourselves.

Izuru stills once he feels your hand rest on his thigh. He glances at you from the corner of his eye, but you’re nodding along in conversation with one of your relatives who worked up the courage to approach you two. He pops another strawberry in his mouth, deciding to ignore it for the time being, when he feels your hand travel further up.  He nearly chokes on the fruit, swallowing roughly. His hand stops your trajectory, his fingers gripping your wrist firmly.

It’s a warning in and of itself, but just in case, he shoots you another look.

Which you resolutely ignore. Izuru knows at this point it's intentional, and he picks at his cake to ease his nerves, his grip tightening around your hand as it trudges on the path to dangerous territory.

Anxiety rears its grotesque head. You don’t want to try anything here of all places, do you? In front of all these people?!

Izuru’s eye twitches at the thought. Public humiliation is not something he’s particularly keen on, as it brings back memories of Ichimaru-sensei’s highly questionable and probably illegal teaching methods. He still can’t stomach the thought of showing his face around certain bars near Seireitei Uni after what happened… he doesn’t want to add your relatives’ house to that list.

At that moment, something glinting off the sun catches Izuru’s sight. He glances down. And his spoon falls into the mush of cake and frosting on his plate.

He gave you a simple gift for your one-year anniversary a few weeks back. It wasn’t anything outlandish, but Izuru still felt incredibly nervous about your reaction to it, and offered it to you with red cheeks and shaky hands. It was a thin metallic bracelet inscribed with a Latin saying he’d grown fond of, one that reminded him of you.

Sic ego nec sine te nec tecum vivere possum.

So I can’t live either without you or with you.

“You’re wearing it,” he says with wonder, his fingers drifting up your wrist, thumbing the inscription. He furrows his brows, chewing with his lip, trying to describe the feeling bubbling inside of him.

“Hm? Oh yeah! I’ve been wearing it every day since you gave it to me.”

“Ah… that’s nice. That’s really… That makes me happy.” And it does make him stupidly happy, Izuru realizes, like there’s a bubble inflating in his chest. He was worried when he first got it for you that you would think it was lame, or that you wouldn’t like it, but to hear that… The warmth in his chest seems to traverse downwards, his restraint slipping away. His hand releases your wrist.

“Okay, kids! The piñata is ready!” Your aunt announces, and the children race after her, pushing each other aside in their haste. Leaving you and Izuru the only ones left behind.

“Just what do you think you were doing?” he asks once they’re gone, the moment passed. Your hand stays obediently in place on his thigh, but he can’t trust it won’t stray upwards again.

You hum. “Entertaining myself,” you say idly.

“Entertaining?” He catches sight of your bracelet again, and sighs. While he’s loath to admit it, you can be so much like Ichimaru sometimes, in your unpredictable nature. In both cases, Izuru’s powerless but to play along; when it comes to you, at the very least, it doesn’t involve blackmail....

“Does it have to be—here though?” Izuru persists. “If you wanna fool around, let’s go somewhere private first. Like the car—”

“In broad daylight?”

“Or someplace far away from here—”

He spots you glancing at the inflatable bouncy house set up in front of your aunt’s house, and if possible, his pallid complexion pales even more. “No.”

“What?”

“I know what you’re thinking. And the answer is no.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about, Izuru,” you say innocently, batting your eyelashes at him. “I just want to entertain myself some other way.” His brow raises, a retort clearly on his lips, but you continue. “Have you ever even been in a bouncy house?”

“I—” He frowns. “Well, no actually.”

Your eyes widen. “Seriously? Never?”

“My parents never threw me a party. They were always small birthday celebrations.”

You gape at him. “Well, you have to try while we’re here!”

—

Izuru finds that he does not like the bouncy house.

He strips off his shoes, crawling in through the small mesh entrance. He stands up once inside, before you jump over to him and he topples over, landing awkwardly on his side.

“Oops. Sorry!” you say, reaching out a hand to help him up.

“What the hell is this,” he says, grasping your hand before getting to his feet. He takes another wobbly step, and you jump lightly. Izuru apparently lacks any kind of balance, as he falls back on his ass, amid your fit of giggling.

“I don’t like this,” he grumbles.

“You don’t like jumping?” you ask, bouncing up and down around him.

“No,” Izuru says, staring at you blandly. “I’m just gonna… stay down here.” He stretches his legs out, observing his surroundings better. The bouncy house is made up of the most offensively blinding primary colors; the closest comparison he can think of is the interior of a clown car. The sound of air being pumped into the inflatable house is raucous, and he has to speak up for you to hear him.

He feels absolutely ridiculous being in here, but you at least seem to be enjoying yourself, bouncing around carefree. He relaxes a bit, smiling at the sight. Maybe he is all doom and gloom, but at least you’re happy—happy enough to stay with him, and happy because of him.

He’s startled when you bound over to him, dropping to your knees before him.

Izuru is certainly not imagining the way your shirt rides down (intentionally?). His face grows hot once he realizes he’s been staring, his gaze sliding back dutifully to your face.

“This is fun, but I want to play with you, too, Izuru.”

Izuru doesn’t even need to ask to clarify what you mean by that, the suggestion in your tone reminding him of earlier.

“N-Not here!”

“Why not?” You pout.

“It’s—first off, it’s public, and what if someone walks in on us?” Izuru stammers. “What if a kid—”

“But I haven’t seen you in so long. And no one else is around!” You put your hands on his outstretched knees, leaning forwards, and he is momentarily distracted by the way the movement pushes your chest together, accentuating your assets. Izuru’s mouth goes dry.  

“We can’t—”

“They can’t see us clearly through the mesh… Besides, I just want to help you relax, Izuru,” you practically purr, and Izuru is cursing his inability to stand firm when it comes to you.

Any protests die on his lips however, when you kiss him. You press closer to him, and all his arguments are being coaxed out of him by your touch. You’re right in a sense. He has been stressed, and he has been undeniably missing his one source of relaxation. But there’s so many wrongs and no’s about where you’re doing this, and—

Your mouth moves towards his ear, nipping a spot right under his jawline, and he shudders beneath you. He grasps onto your wrist, barely managing to repress a moan once he feels the cool metal of your bracelet again.

Does he deserve this? He can’t honestly say he does. But does he want it? His body speaks for itself. Regardless, he still has to be the voice of reason.

“Make it quick,” he mutters in defeat, pressing his face into your shoulder. You trail kisses down his neck, your hands fumbling with the zipper to his jeans. He exhales sharply when he’s bared to you, his cock flagging upwards. Your head ducks down, your mouth descending on him. “Fuck,” he gasps, curling in towards you, as if trying to hide both of you from sight. “God…”

Your mouth is so warm and tight; it’s like being engulfed in a hot blanket. Izuru’s head tilts back, a flush rising to his cheeks as his mouth falls open, soft moans making their way out of him. He’s more than thankful that the loud suction of the air drowns them out. He catches you staring and shuts his mouth, his nails digging into the nylon beneath you two.

When’s the last time he’s been able to indulge in simple pleasures like this? He can’t even remember.

He doesn’t know how but you take him even deeper, till the tip of his cock hits the back of your mouth, and Izuru can’t quite suppress his strangled grunt. His hips buck upwards, the surface beneath you two undulating with the movement.

“G-good,” he sighs. “So gh-good.”

He swallows hard, his balls starting to clench up, and then—and then you’re pulling off of him, staring up at him innocently, in stark contrast with the shine of his precum on your lips. Izuru’s breathing hard. He can’t help the shudder that runs through him when you wipe the precum oozing from his cock with your thumb, his member twitching at the contact.

“That’s enough, I guess.”

Izuru’s head snaps up. He inhales sharply, protests falling half-formed from his lips. You giggle at the sight of his stricken expression. “What’s wrong? I thought you said we had to be quick—”

His mouth crashes onto yours, heat rolling through him at the taste of himself on your tongue. Izuru doesn’t quite know where to put his hands, so he settles for grasping your shirt.

The thing is, you make Izuru want and crave things—he’s never been selfish, never considered himself worthy of wanting, but you make him greedy. He doesn’t deserve you, no, but he so desperately wants to feel like he does, yearning so sharp in his kiss it’s near painful the way his lips mesh against yours.

You shift, your thighs straddling his, the head of his cock rubbing against the fabric of your shorts. Izuru fumbles with your zipper, before you laugh against his kiss, taking over to remove them yourself. He doesn’t even wait for you to slip off your undergarments, hooking a thumb in them and yanking them to the side, baring your entrance before he sinks you onto him.

You gasp his name out. Lifting your hips again, you plunge downwards, the movement making the two of you bounce. You giggle, Izuru hiding his face in your chest before you can spot his smile.

Your hips rock against each other, and Izuru, wanting to occupy himself, clumsily sucks marks onto your collarbone. You’re perfect, he thinks, every part of you like a work of art to revere with his hands. He could wax poetic about you, and he has, but this time he worships you in the way his hips cant upwards into yours, in his tongue laving circles across your skin, in the quiet, shuddering moans he presses against you, like a secret he’s afraid to voice but would gladly whisper to you in this way.

The bouncy house doesn’t allow for much control with either of your movements; you rock your hips too hard, and the entire floor undulates, driving him deeper into you. You gasp, and he stiffens, his hand coming up to balance you. There’s a certain tension to both your bodies that comes with trying to stay upright amid your movements. But you feel so good around him, and if he closes his eyes, it’s like you two are waves crashing against each other, sinking into perfect harmony.

He bucks his hips a few more times, his thighs tensing up. It’s been awhile, and his stamina has seen better days. “I’m close,” he mumbles, and you wrap your arms around his neck, burying his face into your chest.

Kira rocks your hips down hard onto his, like a final adieu, shuddering as his restraint snaps and he fills you with his essence. He wants to stay in that blissful moment, his face against your chest, ear pressed close to hear your slowing heartbeat, your chin atop his head, the two of your breathing falling in step. Despite the the gaudy colors around you, this could be the perfect moment to write a poem about.

Unfortunately, life has other plans, as posed by the hissing noise around you that becomes increasingly louder until neither of you can ignore it. The two of you glance at each other, feeling the ground dip beneath your bodies.

“Is it—”

“It’s deflating.” Izuru blinks.

The two of you pause, before throwing yourselves into motion. Izuru releases your panties, blanching when he realizes he’s ripped them with how hard he was gripping them. He quickly shoves them in his pocket, before pulling up your shorts (his cheeks reddening once he sees his cum dribble out of you). You’re fixing his jeans, tucking him back into his pocket before zipping them up. You both escape the bouncer just as your family files back into the yard to see the bouncy house takes its last breath, before collapsing on itself with a sad fwoosh.

“Aw, what happened?” your cousin whines.

“It was, uh…” you stammer. Nothing comes to mind. It was you fucking your boyfriend in it. It was the power of Izuru’s hips. You glance at him.

“It was a branch,” he says lamely. “It popped a hole in it. A... A big hole.”

The two of you say your final farewells shortly after, before leaving the party with haste. It’s only a few blocks away, when Izuru looks for his phone in his pocket, that he freezes, stomping on the brakes. When you look at him, he’s turned deathly pale.

“What happened?”

He turns to you, the absolute picture of desolation. “I-I thought they were in my pocket, but. I think your panties fell out…”

“Oh. Oh. Oh no.”

Needless to say, you are not invited to the next family get-together.

Meanwhile, that is another place that Izuru adds to his list of places he can never show his face around again.

#izuru kira x reader #bleach x reader #izuru kira imagine #bleach imagine #tati writes #bleach thots; #not sfw #bleach smut