#i mean i'm not salty about it lol i understand

[strongheartneteyam]

[ all credits of the Neteyam pic go to the incredibly talented @cinetrix ♡]

Champagne Problems

Part 2

Pairing: Neteyam Sully x female!human!reader

CW: neteyam is a simp for reader, black cat gf/golden retriever bf "trope", a whole lot of angst, beach party, use of alcohol, some romantic comedy vibes, neteyam acting a bit cocky lol, reader is a tiny bit of a meanie towards neteyam, sexual language, sexual content, reader is a bit antisocial, flirting, emotionally unavailable bc of trauma reader, unrequited love (neteyam is the one having the unrequited feelings), sexual tension, commitment issues, exophilia, size kink, interspecies relationship, bad words. Hit me up to lemme know if I forgot something ahaha

Do you guys remember the story inspired by Champagne Problems by Taylor Swift that I promised like ages ago? Well... The first part is here? 🤓 A lot of people seemed to be excited to read this when I posted that sneak peak. Hope you guys like it! kiss kiss 💗

Neteyam and Reader (AI Art)

Slightly proofread.

Part 1 : Say Yes to Heaven

𓇼

If you dance, I'll dance

And if you don't, I'll dance anyway

Give peace a chance

Let the fear you have fall away

I've got my eye on you

(...)

Say yes to Heaven, say yes to me

Say Yes To Heaven (Lana Del Rey)

𓇼

"It's not like you're not gonna break me in half if we try to get down and dirty." You laugh a bit too much, the alcohol invading your brain slowly, making you care less and less about behaving in a "socially acceptable" way. Though you wondered if your not-a-bit-elegant-honesty mattered at all to Neteyam Sully, the na'vi boy sitting in the maroon leather couch, by your side, his huge size making the couch look ridiculously small. He was na'vi, after all. Totally different culture. The na'vi were way more upfront about their real thoughts and feelings.

Neteyam had been talking loudly, almost yelling, at your ear for the past 40 minutes, trying to make his voice sound louder than the party's music, so you could hear him try to convince you to hook up with him. As if the loud uplifting songs that echoed in the salty air of that Metkayina beach were not enough to bug your tired head, now you had Neteyam helping your headache get worse.

"That doesn't mean you can't let me take you home. Or even let me make you my mate, eventually, if we end up falling in love while we fuck under the starry sky. You might like laying with me in my hammock and letting me pleasure you more than you think. Maybe you'll want to be my girl once you get a taste of this na'vi spice" He was joking around with you while flirting.

His thick, muscular but still fleshy thighs were spread on the sofa way too much to your liking. It was almost like he was trying to show you how masculine or desirable - some bullshit like that - he was. You know, that kind of thing a lot of guys usually do when trying to seduce you.

You knew Neteyam was aware he was handsome, that his body was attractive. He had always had girls - na'vi and human - all over him since he was a teen, drooling over his beauty.

But if he thought his loverboy flirting that must have worked so easily with just way too many girls before was gonna work that easily with you, he was mistaken.

Okay, you had to admit he was being pretty insistent, though. Neteyam had been there for almost an hour already. You did not understand what was making him insist that much on you if you had an armor as impenetrable as the one of a human warrior of the Middle Ages, back on Earth. And those armors were really hard to get under.

"Listen" you took a last big sip of your champagne and put the glass cup on the wooden table next to the sofa "When you gonna give up, honey? It's not gonna work. I'm not hooking up with you." You looked him in the eyes.

Goddamn, were his orbs big compared to the ones of a human. 

They were beautiful, though.

Damn, (y/n)! Focus, girl!

"I'm known among my people for being disciplined, focused and getting what I want because I fight hard for it. You're my focus now, tawtute." (human) I'm not giving up on you. You're like my Ikran. You're wild and hard to get but I'll conquer you, sevin tawtute." (pretty human) "On the first try."

"Cocky much?" You smirked and shook your head in disapproval "No, but, seriously, Neteyam, are you out of your mind? Have you forgotten about tsaheylu? I don't have a neurological queue, babe. I know I have many braids in my hair," You pointed out your hairstyle "but they're all regular human braids. None of them have little tendrils on its tip. Sorry, Neteyam. We're Romeo and Juliet. And Juliet doesn't even love Romeo in this story. You're deemed to heartbreak." You said, like you could not care less about his attempts to win you over, sipping on your sparkling champagne, that went down your throat comfortably, making you feel cozy and safe. It wasn't gonna work, anyway.

You liked champagne a bit too much... you had to admit it was very possible that you had a bit of a drinking problem. Alcohol made you feel warm inside. In an emotional way too. It felt like someone was hugging you, when you would not let many real people hug you because you just were not exactly enthusiastic about having physical contact with just anyone. You only let your closest friends and some family members, like your little sister, hug you. 

Some people would often call you "cold" and say that you acted "like a queen, above everyone else", behind your back, but that could not be further from the truth. You actually hated how low your actual self steem was.

"Why don't you look at Munì?" You mentioned the curvy, tall, blue eyed Metkayina girl who clearly had a mad crush on Neteyam. She was incredibly pretty. Nobody could deny that. "She has been drooling over you ever since you got here. Give the poor girl a chance. She's such a cutie. If I liked girls, I'd easily do her. Look at those beautiful, long, toned legs. Look at her wide hips. Damn, she's yummy!" you were drinking too much, your honesty getting way too out there.

"I don't want her. I want you." He spoke, like he really meant it. "My hammock will be hanged between those two big trees you like to collect fruits from. I'll be waiting for you, if you want to meet me."

With that last line being said, Neteyam got up from the sofa and walked away, swiftly finding his younger brother Lo'ak and tapping on his back, like men usually do. Both brothers started what looked like an interesting conversation.

You were left alone wondering how Neteyam could say those words and walk away so nonchalantly. 

"Phew! I thought he'd never leave, girlie." Adeline screamed, coming closer to you.

She was your best friend. You guys knew way too much about each other, but that only drove you closer and made you two have a beautiful bond that felt unbreakable. She was one of the few people in the world you trusted with many of your secrets. But not even she knew everything about you. Yes, talk about trust issues…

"God, I was about to call his sister to take him away! Kiri is much more chill and quiet compared to her siblings. She's a sweetheart." You said, finally letting your guard down and being able to relax your body language, laying back on the couch and resting your bare feet on the wooden dark brown table in front of you

𓇼

You cursed yourself while you walked towards Neteyam's big light brown hammock, hanged between two big beautiful trees that reminded you of the Palm Trees that used to exist on Planet Earth.

Why were you doing that, anyway?

"Tawtute! You came." Neteyam smiled, relief all over his face 

You sighed.

"Yeah, but I'm still wondering why I did."

"Ouch!" He put his huge four fingered hand on his chest and frowned, like he was in pain

You rolled your eyes at him.

"Stop that, silly." Crossing your arms, you walked towards the big tropical tree in front of his hammock but still a little far

"Hey! Where are you going?" Neteyam almost screamed as you were already further away from him than you should be if you were actually gonna have sex with him

It was like you were running away from and showing up to the "job" at the same time. Go figure out.

You rested your back against that large tree, feeling the rough edges of the wood harassing your skin.

Neteyam was already almost there where you were. His long na'vi legs helped him walk faster than you anticipated.

Neteyam got next to you. You felt a little fear but a bit of excitement, simultaneously, when you realized your head only reached his hip.

Fuck, he was a giant next to you… why the hell did that turn you on?

"Are you afraid of me, yawntutsyìp?" (little loved one) Neteyam said in a lewd, low voice as you looked at him, feeling like a pathetic little ant looking up at a human

Was that how ants felt?

"No, silly, I'm not." You looked away from him and tried to focus on the way the eclipse had beautiful violet and blue tones

That almost worked. If it wasn't for Neteyam using his huge alien hand to stroke your hair softly.

"You're so pretty, tawtute." You could feel his gaze directed at you, you could feel his heat burning your skin. The desire he felt for you was almost freaking tangible. 

You kept your eyes on the stars.

"You're not gonna look at me, yawntutsyìp? Lemme see those pretty eyes, hmm?" Fuck, he was turning you on so much, your pussy felt good already and there was a tight knot forming in your lower belly. How did he do that to you with so little effort?

You looked up at Neteyam's face, your neck hurting. You did not expect to see a big bulge under his navy blue loincloth, though. Neteyam was so huge you could not help staring and your face totally betrayed your surprise.

"C'mon, I wanna feel your tiny body on mine." He paused and his big blue hand traced your collarbone and your shoulders "You're so small, tawtute… Hmmm…" he let out something between a moan and a growl "So soft too." Neteyam squeezed your arm, feeling your soft human flesh against his slender fingers "I love how different from na'vi girls you are. I'm so lucky to have you all to myself tonight."

Your breath was now labored and your pussy was soaked. Your poor panties were all wet.

"I'm dying to squeeze those titties. They look incredibly soft. But I won't do anything that intimate before you say "yes" first, yawntutsyìp."

•

Taglist:

@yeosxxx (u asked to be tagged in all my writings so I'm tagging u here hehe)

Comments are very welcome. I love all of you who take time to read my writings ♡ Thank you all so much from the bottom of my heart. If you wanna be added to the taglist, just leave a comment down below <3

#neteyam x you #neteyam x reader #neteyam smut #neteyam sully smut #neteyam x human #neteyam x human reader #neteyam x y/n #neteyam x female human reader #neteyam x female reader #neteyam sully x y/n #neteyam sully angst #neteyam sully #neteyam atwow #atwow fanfiction #avatar fanfic #avatar fanfiction #neteyam sully x human reader #neteyam sully x reader #neteyam fanfiction #neteyam te suli tsyeyk'itan #neteyam suli x reader #neteyam suli #✎ victória writes ▢࿐✧

[saltygilmores]

Thoughts While Watching Gilmore Girls, Season 3, Episode 8, Part 4: "Let The Games Begin", the part where Lorelai says that if Jess was trapped inside her burning house she would save her shoes first

Lorelai Gilmore, you are no Jack Pearson. I won't complete that thought, even though I'm feeling nice and mean and I totally should.

Scene: Lorelai and Rory are discussing the upcoming road trip to New Haven with the Gilmore Grands. Rory forgot to pack. Lorelai goes into panic mode. Rory questions why she needs to pack her entire closet for a short road trip. Lorelai recounts a family vacation story from her childhood that would be best unpacked in a lengthy therapy session, frets that her mother will lecture them for under-packing, starts rummaging through Rory's dresser. Rory catches Lorelai making a double entendre about a meaty taco and declares it was dirty. The show makes another dig at New Haven after Lorelai brings home a pamphlet about Exciting Things to Do In New Haven but it's only a few pages long.

You sound surprised, as if ya'll aren't wearing heavy coats and long sleeves in the spring and summer. I swear there's something in the drinking water affecting everyone's thyroids in this town, they can't regulate their body temperatures.

Could anyone tell I'm stalling here? Classic Salty.

Rory: Mom, stop rummaging through my shit. Awwwe. Even Evil Villains like Lorelai Gilmore get the blues. I'm surprised she decided to go on this road trip to Yale instead of sending Rory off alone with the Grands, that way she'd have the house and Dean Forrester to herself the entire day. Since Dean's sexual stamina only extends to 1-2 minutes, they could have had sex hundreds of times in a day.

Two quips that sprang to mind (couldn't decided which one was better): The only words Lorelai is thinking about right now are "Dean" and "Shower". Lorelai thinks Jess removed Rory's bracelet while they're in the shower together? Jess could only hope.

Excuse me for a moment... *deep inhale*

I went into the Tumblr gifs library and looked up "peaceful". Here is a nice, presumably not-evil, Peaceful Bunny.

So not only does Jess commit attempted vehicular homicide, and steal Quarters on a String, he steals said QOAS by forcibly ripping them directly off the wrists of poor unsuspsecting delicate young ladies.

Nice try. You think you're so slick, but you're not, Slick Gilly.

You all don't understand the effort it takes for me to break down a scene like this without taking the cowards way out and simply rage quitting (which I have done before). I have to come up with multiple lines of witty, cutting commentary about what is unfolding before me, when all I want to do is KEYBORD SMASH. SO, YOU KNOW WHAT I WILL!! ITS A FREE COUNTRY ISNT IT! BALD EAGLE BASEBALL APPLE PIE! (Deep inhale) sagfshafgahfgasvxzcywtryqwuhajlkansjbkfagsfyafvabsfvsdgr2347527q2y4q#&$T%#^%^#*U@(%)&@tGSHFBSHFSVAGFSFS FUCKYOULORELAIGILMORE#^&#^%&#^WGHFSHGAS@$%@^@

Thank for reminding the audience the reason why Lorelai thinks Jess should, ya know, die painfully and slowly. He was mouthy once. (the Netflix captions borked the line; Rory also said "and wrecked my car", but as if that makes Lorelai's treatment of Future Nephew any more justifable).

I am told that in a later season, Lorelai bemoans the fact that unlike Dean, Jess never offered to change her water bottle for her. NOW WHY WOULD HE DO THAT? YOU'RE ABOUT TO WISH HIM A FIREY DEATH. AND WHEN HE WAS (FORCIBLY) APPOINTED TO CLEAN YOUR GUTTERS YOU DIDN'T WANT HIS HELP..

Lorelai practically moans this, lol. We know "Change the water bottle" can mean two very different things. You ain't so slick, Slick Gilly.

Welcome to Gaslighting and Emotional Manipulation Theater! See, here's the thing Slick Gilly, I watched an entire frigging episode about you accusing Jess of being a thief, it was called Lost and Found and it took me four frigging centuries to finish, I'm quite sure I have concrete evidence that you have accused him of stealing things. I am Jess Mariano's defense attorney and I will see you in court. Bring Rory too, she should also start getting used to what a court room looks like.

Rory, honey. Sweetie. Sugar bear. It's best you don't wish for a crystal ball. Just strap in to the rollercoaster that is dating Jess Mariano while living with your mother, and pray.

See, here's the thing Slick Gilly, I watched an entire frigging episode about you not letting Jess enter your house, it was called Swan Song and it will take me four frigging centuries to rewatch it.

This "Jess talks in grunts" shtick is getting old and moldy.

So not only does Jess commit attempted vehicular homicide, steal Quarters on a String, and steal said QOAS by forcibly ripipng them directly off the wrists of poor unsuspsecting delicate young ladies, but he's also an arsonist, and not only is he an arsonist, he's such a bad one that he'll apparently be killed by his handiwork? (he also can't be trusted to clean gutters). He was probably trying to off himself instead of live in Stars Hollow for another minute. Can we recall another time Rory tried to play this same grim hypothetical with her mom? Does Rory, like Jess, also have some kind of firey death wish? I mean, who can blame either of them. *twinkly flashback music to early season 2*

I notice Pigtails didn't say "my daughter" this time, either. Sorry Rory. Maybe try playing a third time until she answers with "Some form of human life." Lorelai lies to Rory's face that she "promised you before and am promising you again that I will cut "this kid" some slack." Alright, I ran through my 30 screen shots, let's stuff this scene in a sack and throw it into the lake with Shane and her swan family.

Rory: "You're just waiting for the day I break up with Jess." Lorelai The Villain: "Did I like Dean? Yes. Did I worry less when you were with dean? Yes! I never expected you to be with Dean forever. I don't expect you to be with Jess forever." What a pile of rancid baloney. Maybe he won't be with Rory forever, but 13 years later Jess becomes her nephew and will be a part of her family forever and I will never, ever, ever stop loving that. What JUSTICE.

When I hit my lowest of low valleys listening to this wretched woman spew her many lies and Gilly-Nonsense, It's often the only thing that makes me smile.

#jess mariano #literati #gilmore girls #denise rewatches gilmore girls #gilmore girls season 3 #let the games begin #ltgb #now I just have to suffer through the ridiculous shit fit she has at Yale

[trulybetty]

Sunday Week in Review X

No obnoxious coffee in the car this week for a little driveway session. BUT Mr. Truly did bring me back one with doughnuts after Lil’ Truly’s (baby Truly's older sibling) swim lesson and couldn’t understand how a box of doughnuts could make me smile so wide (looking at you @secretelephanttattoo & @morallyinept 🍩)

Really enjoying the October prompts I started - it's been a fun break to get into something with no pressure and to just write without worrying about anything. I can't believe I'm like halfway through and I've not thrown in the towel yet (I've been tempted to skip a few days). It's also given way to some inspiration for some ongoing wip's and populated some new ones (I see you Tim Rockford).

But because of this, it's not really left me much time to read - so another light week, but it's okay! It means my TBR list (it's a work in progress that I've been neglecting and there's so much missing) is bursting with some incredibly great fanfics to get my teeth into next month!

Also, I am LIVING for everyone's weekly rounds ups, no matter how you format it or what you share - it's such a joy to see them popping up and getting to learn a little more about the people in this community!

T R U L Y U P D A T E S . . .

oct' x 08 - umbrellas (will miller x gn!reader)

oct' x 09 - ravens (maverick!frankie x reader)

oct' x 10 - oktoberfest (sequins!joel x reader)

oct' x 11 - pumpkin spice (marcus x reader) (parts II & III coming later this month)

oct' x 12 - cornfields(sequins!joel x f!reader)

oct' x 13 - black cat (tim rockford x gn!reader)

oct' x 14 - spooky (dieter x gn!reader)

W H A T I R E A D . . .

Fort Bravo (Dieter) by @secretelephanttattoo Of course our man Bravo would be building blanket forts in his walk in wardrobe this week. I very much would like to build my own to go hide out with and wouldn’t say no to sharing it with Dieter either. Medicinal Purposes (Frankie) by @grogusmum Ironic I read this at the start of the week and finished it with two days off of work for a migraine lol. Alas, I did not have Frankie show on my doorstep to offer his services - but this was a spicy read that I may have read a couple of times for educational purposes. 

PATS (Pedro Across the Street not RPF) by @oonajaeadira There’s a re-read this month, and not that I need an excuse, but it’s been fun dipping back into this world and reminding myself that I really should go book myself a massage. If you haven’t read this series I wholeheartedly recommend it, it’s top tier. It’s a comfort and a spicy read at the same time. 

Headshots | Chapter 3 (Marcus) by @secretelephanttattoo El has been making waves in the Pike Puddle™️ with her Marcus Pike offerings as of late and this third instalment to Headshots is makes no less of an impact. This is so Marcus and just so sweet. 

Salty & Sweet (Marcus) by @secretelephanttattoo I’m not the biggest fan of popcorn, but if Marcus Pike wants to eat it off me, who am I to say no? 

Swimming Lessons with Catfish (Frankie) by @avastrasposts Okay, aside from the jokes that this is the title of the sex tape could make of this fic, this is an incredibly smoke show of a drabble that I may or  may not have read a couple of times. 

Frankie to the Rescue (Frankie) by @avastrasposts Again, Avastra is just blowing it out of the water with these drabbles this week! The whole time reading this I was excited to find out how it would play out and it did not disappoint. 

Paranoid Heart (Javi P.) by @goodwithcheese I’m so behind with my reblogs this week (don’t look in my drafts) - but Megan comes in again this week with another fantastic instalment to this series and I’m falling for these two so hard. 

in another life… (Frankie) by @chronically-ghosted Speaking of being behind, I read this while on one of my sick days and I’d you’ve not read Taylor’s work, you’re sleeping on it and you should check it out. This here is a slice of life with Frankie that is utterly atmospheric and beautifully written. 

Bloom | Chapter 2 (Joel) by @wildemaven-prompts I. Am. Here. For. This 🙌 the little slow burn, Joel being a little awkward, the descriptions of the flowers 🌸 and most of all Ellie who almost manages to steal the show in every appearance. This whole series is a delight and we’re only two chapters in!

Unlikely Friends (Joel) by @sweetercalypso Despite having adopted Frankie Cat™️ last month I’m still not 100% on the cat train (don’t tell Frankie, she’s still bitching about the Andes man) - but this is incredibly sweet and I absolutely resonate with Joel trying to win over a cat (Frankie Cat may have just pounced at my feet from under the armchair that I’m supposed to pretend I didn’t see her under)

…assie (Frankie) by @frenchiereading I love everything Mel has been sharing with us from the Shared Breaths universe and this is just incredibly sweet. I don’t want to spoil anything, but my heart may have grown three sizes after reading the ending. 

Ring Toss (Frankie) by @morallyinept Okay, if @secretelephanttattoo hadn’t changed my perspective on doughnuts, then Jett has permanently altered all thoughts about them. This is is just, lustfully and sinfully indulgent and Frankie is just a menace 🍩

M E M O R A B L E P O S T S . . .

Megan's 1K celebrations, go drip into her Asks and repent to our Gouda Mother of Cheesus

Catfish PhD program had another assignment: Module 6 - The Licence Suspension

All of @wildemaven's moodboards, they're beautiful and such a mooood 💕

Three words, LAW. ENFORCEMENT. BALL. @sin-djarin threw out a thot and a hero came along and answered the prayer we didn't all know we needed, @for-a-longlongtime and presented us with a treat with this WIP

I did a bad job of tracking this week, there were so many more great posts this week that I got to be a part of and enjoyed!

B R O U G H T T H E J O Y . . .

Honestly? This community. I feel like I sound like a broken record on the topic now and that if I keep going on about how wonderful everyone is here it’s going to lose all meaning. But I’m getting to witness friendships being made through posts, a community being built in real-time and getting to know you all better is a real joy.

Having said that, despite the bullshit I put out - I am socially awkward at my core and trying to preach what I say and jump into more inboxes and DM's. But both of mine are always open if you want to drop down and discuss anything or everything 🙌

Also, if we want something superficial to balance that out, I’m almost finished with Sons of Anarchy season seven, finally (oh I have so many feels), and copious amounts of gratuitous Jax Teller nudity certainly never goes unwelcomed amongst the angst (Kurt Sutter knew what he was doing). I will be dropping into your Asks at some point @laurfilijames, be warned (also still thinking about the ask you sent me, is not forgotten!).

T H I S W E E K ' S J A M . . .

Adeem the Artist has been on permanent rotation since @goodwithcheese shouted them out and I love everything about this song. The feel-good beat, the voice and those lyrics? 🙌 *perfection*

Happy Sunday all! Wising everyone a good week ahead! 💛

#betty's sunday in review #sunday week in review #Spotify

[egg-emperor]

I was thinking (my thoughts get a lil morbid at times), given that Eggman is shown to STILL be salty about Maria's death stealing attention from him over 50 years ago, Do you think it's possible that he takes a moment to mentally gloat over maria's death and be smug about how he's still alive and she's worm food (and proclaim himself the superior Robotnik)?

Like would he look down on her for being "stupid" for not ditching Shadow to save her own ass and for being "weak" because she died from a single dinky little bullet, while he has survived things that would have killed an ordinary man 10 times over , multiple times?

Yours and mine both lol you know you've come to right place here 🤝

I mean Eggman is canonically so horrible, self-centered, and selfish that he feels resentment towards his dead 12 year old cousin and felt jealous when people talked about her because it wasn't all about him like he thinks it always should be. And even decades later as an adult, he didn't grow out of it and think "that was wrong, she was an innocent soul who was killed in a terrible way and people talked about her because she was a nice sweet girl and I was just bring a bratty kid demanding attention" like others would. He has held onto it to this day and it suits him very well for how horrible and selfish he is, how he has low empathy, and how he's a manchild.

So I can definitely see him having the most twisted thought process to make himself feel better on the occasion she crosses his mind. Like when he feels that bitterness seeping in and gets agitated again, he turns his nose up and scoffs and grumbles nasty stuff like "Some great, strong, brave girl she was when she died to a measly bullet, pfft" and "If she's so great, why is she long gone while I'm the one still here, accomplishing amazing things and on my way to victory and ruling my glorious empire?" and mentally lists all the amazing things he's done that she never came close to and things he's survived that would've killed a normal man a hundred times over.

I also like the idea that he'd judge like "She really died so he could be saved, what a pathetic waste of life. When I rescued Shadow with a robot when he fell to earth, it was because I was going to make good use of him as a weapon/tool and use him as the blueprint for my androids!" instead of just doing it as some foolish selfless act that ends up getting him killed like she did instead of saving herself! Because he really can't understand doing anything for anyone ever if it won't benefit himself by appealing to his own selfish desires in any way. And it's another way he can blame her and feel like he would've made the better smarter choice.

And because he acts like it was so easy to wipe out GUN himself and like they're just nothing and so pathetic compared to him like I mention in my next post, I can imagine him acting like being killed by GUN of all things is such a skill issue because they're so weak and pathetic too, as yet another way to have a one up over Maria. And yes, by saying that he'd actually also be insulting his grandfather and idol in the process, whether it comes to his mind or not. But with the way he also called Shadow the "so called" Ultimate Life Form and literally just dissed him and his creation like that in the very same TailsTube ep, I don't think that would exactly concern him lol

These are all the things that come to his mind whenever she crosses his mind and gets him grumpy, it will soon put a big proud cheeky smirk on his face and cheer him right back up again. He won't hesitate to put anyone down in any way he can to affirm that he's the superior, even in the absolute sickest of ways like that! That's golden, he's so nasty XD 💜

#if there is a hell I'll see you there Ivo 💜 fhjdbgskgjfh #dr eggman #eggman #dr robotnik #dr. eggman #maria robotnik #my post #headcanons

[slothquisitor]

One Last Sunrise

Liv and Astarion spend one last sunrise together before taking on the elder brain. OR I'm still salty at Larian for not giving us a penultimate scene with our LI before the final confrontation. Astarion x Liv, 2k, fluff-adjacent (lol).

Also on AO3.

__________________________________________________________

It is still early when Astarion wakes her. Their room at the Elfsong is dark, and Liv can hear the soft breathing and somewhat louder snoring of their companions throughout the room. 

His touch on her shoulder is gentle, and he kisses the side of her head before whispering, “Come with me.”

She attempts to burrow back into her pillow, pulling her blanket back over her now-exposed shoulder. Astarion snorts before pulling the blanket away. “Come on.”

She rubs the sleep from her eyes and sits up. “F’what?” The words emerge from her mouth, dry and slurred together. 

Astarion stands beside their bed, a soft smile stretched across his face. “You’re so adorable when you’re half-asleep. If we don’t hurry, we’ll miss it.”

Miss what? She wonders as she quietly pads across the room. He’s far stealthier than she is, his footfalls making almost no sound. He stops at the base of the ladder that leads up to the roof of the Elfsong, and even half-asleep, Liv realizes what this is. She often wakes alone, or else wakes to him climbing back into her bed after watching the sunrise over the city. It’s become a sort of ritual of his. She’s thought about joining him before but wasn’t sure if her presence would mar the sacredness of it as if this time belonged to him alone. 

So to receive an invitation now, on what might well be the last sunrise he will see, means more than she can say. She swallows around the lump building in her throat and follows Astarion up the ladder and onto the roof. 

The city is still sleeping. The dotted lights of the streetlamps burn softly below them, and here or there is an orange glow of a window, of someone else up just as early, or late, as they are. She glances toward the horizon line, to where the deep blue of the sky is lightest, the promise that dawn isn’t far off. 

By this time tomorrow, she hopes the elder brain will be no more. The city will be saved, the tadpoles dealt with. It is a fight months in the making, and she means to win it, whatever the cost. Free the coast, and save her friends, but saving them all from the tadpole means that Astarion will lose this. She wishes there was another way. A part of her hopes that some of the changes he’s experienced due to the tadpole might be permanent anyway. It’s a fool’s hope, perhaps, but then, stranger things have happened. 

Astarion is already making himself comfortable amongst the myriad of pillows and blankets that live up here. There is an automatic, comfortable quality to his movements. As she approaches, he reaches for her hand, guiding her down beside him. He keeps their fingers locked together, and she rests her head against his shoulder, both of them watching the distant horizon.

“So, today’s the day, hmm? We’ve come a long way since the Grove. But I can’t help but think about what comes after?” he asks, eyes still watching the first rays of sun peeking up over the distant hills.

Liv has scarcely allowed herself to consider an after. There have been moments, especially with him, where she has seen privileged glimpses, pieces of a life that might be hers if only she lives long enough to see it. But the truth is, she is terrified of this ending. She is terrified of losing the purpose she’s found these last months. What will she do with a world saved? What can she offer a world that doesn’t need her or her sacrifice? 

She doesn’t want to lose these people she’s found, her friends, her found family. Karlach tells her she adores her, Jaheira calls her cub. Wyll understands her family, Gale the pressure of expectation, of that deep-seated need to be useful, to have something to offer. She will miss late-night chats with Shadowheart and Lae’zel, will still smile to herself at how far they’ve come. She will miss Halsin’s steadiness, Minsc’s simple goodness…and the way they all care for each other. It’s more than she could ever have hoped for, but she knows that once this fight is over…they will go their separate ways. 

And she isn’t ready for it. 

“I…I don’t know,” she says. She has no plans, no life she wants to return to. Her wants have always been vague things: justice for her sister, freedom from her parents. When she finally did get out, all she wanted was to be safe, to build a life of her own, but she still doesn’t know what that looks like. This quest of theirs had been a relief, finally, finally, she had a direction for her life, something to strive for. Even amongst all of the danger and terror, she has known who she is for the first time in her life. She is terrified of losing that. 

Astarion frowns and looks at her. “Oh, come on, you must have something.”

But it hasn’t mattered, not for months, what she wants outside of this . She’s still not sure it does. They could very well die today. This is a problem she will face if they survive, but perhaps not before. “This discussion feels somewhat premature, don’t you think?”

Astarion shakes his head, rejecting that. “No, it’s not.” There is something pleading in his tone as if he is begging her to have an answer, an ambition beyond today. But Liv was lost before the nautiloid; she is worried she will be just as lost after. 

She looks back at the rising sun, trying to hide the turmoil within her, and racks her brain for a better answer, for something that feels true. It takes an embarrassingly long time. “I… suppose that I’d like to leave Baldur’s Gate…see more of the world.” It’s a rather trite answer, but it doesn’t feel false. She turns back to Astarion, hoping it’s enough, worried that it’s not. 

She knows how this must look, how invariably sad it all must seem to him. She has had the freedom, the ability to shape her own life in ways he has not, and she has…nothing to show for it. No wants, no ambition, no plans after this. She doesn’t want to die. That’s not what this is, but she simply never expected to make it this far.  

He is watching her carefully, crimson eyes locked on her face. She worries that he can see every tumultuous thought, every failed attempt to make sense of her own feelings.

“I’d like to see the world too.” There’s a promise tied up in those words, and so much he isn’t saying too. 

The sun rises just a bit more, and Astarion turns his face away, eyes falling shut. He is bathed in golden light, pale skin soaking in the rays of warmth. He is beautiful, and he doesn’t deserve to lose this after everything he has done and fought and sacrificed. And while she cannot change fate’s design, she makes a promise then and there. 

He will get an after, no matter what it takes.

***

The morning sun is warm, and it promises to be a beautiful day in Baldur’s Gate. It’s ironic he thinks, considering the danger that hangs over the city. But still, Astarion is grateful because it allows him one last sunrise. With the sun on his skin and Liv’s warmth beside him, he feels almost alive. 

And this serene morning is almost enough to banish the wash of ice-cold concern he feels when he asks Liv what she wants after this is all over, and she has no answer. She is so rarely caught off guard, or at a loss for what to say. But this morning he sees her fear, not only for the fight to come, but also of what comes after. Of having to live a life of her choosing. 

He feels the same fear. Some days, he worries that he only wants freedom in the abstract, in the possibility of being anyone, of doing anything, but that he will not find it fulfilling in practice. He has no skills beyond what he has honed these last two hundred years. He had a profession, once, but he does not remember it, and doesn’t even know if he enjoyed it. And yet, he finds himself starving for the opportunity to find out what he can be, to live a life no longer bound to this quest of theirs. The openness and possibility terrify him, but he is tired of waiting, tired of obstacles. He wants to live his life. Discover what else this world has to offer. 

“I’d like to see the world too,” he says simply. It’s true. He’d love to travel the realm with her. 

He lets his eyes fall shut as he turns to face the sunshine. He doesn’t know what comes next, but he knows that he wants to discover it with her. He knows that he wants more adventure, more laughter, more time. He loves her, and he knows her. Days ago she had made a joke about things not mattering if they died to the elder brain anyway, and he knows like so many things in their time together, she has pushed off dealing with this because ambitions and dreams are for people who plan on surviving. 

He doesn’t believe for a moment that she doesn’t plan on fighting as hard as she can, but she never met a heroic sacrifice she wasn’t willing to make. She is so good, so selfless. He doesn’t wish her to be different, but he often worries about the cost, that she someday she will be asked to give too much. And she will do it anyway. She doesn’t have to have an answer this morning for what she wants her future to be, but he will do whatever he must to carve out time and space for her to discover what it is she wants, just like she has done for him. 

He opens his eyes and turns toward her, slowly and gently he cups her face in his hands. She leans into his touch, green eyes filled with softness and affection. “I love you,” he says. 

Her answering smile is a gentle thing. “I love you too, Astarion.”

Despite the warmth of the sun, he shivers as she says his name. He leans in, resting his forehead against hers. Her hands come up to rest on either side of his neck, and they stay there a long while, breathing each other in as the sun rises higher in the sky. 

“Thank you for sharing this with me,” she says. He doesn’t own sunrises or mornings on this roof, but she has deliberately left him space, allowing them to be his. He never asked for it, but she has always carefully anticipated his needs, even before he knows what they might be. And he has needed these quiet mornings to himself, but not today. He wanted nothing more than to share this morning with her.

He’s not sure how to put any of this into words, not sure how to explain the profound relief of being seen, known by her. It is so much more than he ever expected. He kisses her then, hoping she feels everything he’s not sure how to say. The morning might be soft, all golden-tinged, but the kiss is not. There’s an edge to it, a desperation as he pulls her into his lap as if they could banish all distance between them. And yet, the kiss is undemanding of more, there is no pulling at clothes or fumbling hands. Instead, she seems content to kiss him, to be held. And he feels…stunningly cherished. 

As she pulls away, he’s struck by how wildly unfair this world is. They love each other, but the world is still ending and they must go save it anyway. He is selfish enough to wish that it fell to almost anyone else, but it didn’t, and it hasn’t. And so he will follow her instead. 

To whatever end.

#astarion #astarion x tav #baldur's gate 3 #bg3 fanfiction #astarion x liv #look #no one asked for an existential crisis with a side of fluff #but I am here to provide it anyway #slothquisitorwrites

[xhellodollyx]

Rewatching You on Netflix makes me wish we'd gotten more insight into Chucky's Joe Goldberg-esque obsession with Sarah Pierce, because i still cant believe that whole storyplot in Curse was never brought up again 🥴 I mean combining what we know now about Chucky's childhood (seeing his dad get murdered, killing his own mother for said man who killed his father, and then being groomed by Dr. Mixter), that all could have explained his obsession with Sarah. He saw a good mother with children and just went off the deep end into an obsession he's never had before, like Joe, thinking she was "the one". When I see that flashback it makes me think of Joe and how Joe is always becoming obsessed with a woman he thinks is the one due to his issues with his mother. Chucky doesn't have "mommy issues" persay like Joe does. Joe's mother just abandoned him, while Chucky ultimately killed his own, while he was too young to fully grasp his actions.

And Tiffany ends up being Chucky's "perfect match", the way Love Quinn was to Joe. They're similar, bringing out the worst in each other, while ultimately being soulmates, matching each other perfectly. She is the only one who will ever truly understand him and what he is. Chucky does love her, even through all the back and forth murdering and backstabbing they do to each other (i'm holding out hope they'll reconcile in season 3), but I just wish we got more insight into how Tiffany felt about Chucky becoming obessed with Sarah, confronting him about it, HELL, that being her reason to call the cops on him being due to her jealousy of knowing he was with another woman would have made more sense than her calling the cops on him from being angry he was "killing without her".

Tiffany is his perfect match, yet for a moment, in a fit of weakness, while reminiscing on the past, he sees Sarah and is reminded of his mother, and something inside just clicks. He thinks that's what he wants for a time: a normal family, a normal wife, a normal life. Sarah represents that normalcy, what his parents were. Tiffany represents what he truly is deep down and what he truly wants (the romance and the murder, along with a partner in crime).

I just wish we got more insight on the Sarah Pierce obsession. I'll always be salty we didn't lol.

#more rambles from yours truly lol #chucky #chucky x tiffany #chiffany #tiffany valentine #charles lee ray #you netflix #everytime i watch you i am just like 'gdi don we could have had more of this!' #im sure ive gone on this tangent before but still!

[taegularities]

I MISS CMI SO BADLY CMI 11 IS A PRAYER CHANT I SAY EVERY NIGHT BEFORE I SLEEP

and for that.. cmi jungkook! If there’s a last thing you want to say to oc (lets say when they’re old and grey), what is it?

"there was a time when you took me here, so i could see the real stars. look how they haven't changed," you say, squinting, fighting the weak eyesight to inhale all of the night sky. "but we have, haven't we?"

"i don't think you'll ever change to me."

maybe he's right. since the twilight of your days, he's remained the same, too. as you sit on your bench on a delicate spring day, you think back to the sunsets you've seen with him so far.

at the beach. over wide fields. through the open window.

you've surely woven a masterpiece of a life together; it used to be far worse. but the two of you have indeed not changed. in fact, you don't even need to be here. the stars in his eyes are still the same, too.

a wrinkly hand reaches out to yours, enveloping your pale skin to lift it to his lips. there's a tenderness in his touch you never quite got used to. the words he uttered always carried the same beauty as stardust, drenched in understanding, affection and gentleness.

like now.

"sometimes i still don't understand," he whispers, "how a mind can be so constant. sometimes i see you eating the same favourite snack you loved so long ago, or talking about the stories to me that you wrote when i first fell for you. how are you so constant?"

"how are you?" you nudge his shoulder; he flashes the smirk you know, though weaker now. a thumb rubs the back of your hand – an old habit, too. "how do sad movies still make you cry?"

"i'm not a monster. and i only cry about movies." pause. "and you."

"me, yes?"

"you. out of sadness, out of joy."

he blinks slowly, his movements matching the pace. he gulps and licks his lips, producing saliva, and then looks into your eyes with a stare you know from years and years ago.

god. was it just yesterday that you fell in love? that you waded through heartbreak, found solace in each other, fought the universe and built a home not in your four walls, but in each other, too.

he still paints the same gorgeous lines on the canvas. still floods you with the same colours; you've left the grey world far, far behind.

"i wish we could stay here a bit longer, angel," he mutters, hiding your hand in both of his. "i want to see more sunrises with you. whatever the hell happens, i hope you're still there in a hundred years, okay? might sound very stupid, but. i'll make sure to find you again."

you're tearing up. you tear up all the time these days.

you understand what he meant when he said you were the salty liquid collecting in his waterline. out of sadness, out of joy. out of comfort.

"tae would be calling you cheesy. in fact, i do, too," you whisper, leaning in until your shoulders and knees touch. "then again, i'll be mad if you don't, kook. find me, i mean."

"munchkin, do i ever lie?" he beams, smile reaching wide. shit, he looks so young again. "thank you. for the life you gave, and keep giving me while i'm alive. just… one more thing, okay?"

you already know. so you guess, "you want me to stay with you?"

the nod is gentle. the sparkles in his pupils similar to the ones above. a lifetime echoes in them when he confirms–

"stay."

-

a/n: ah lol, i'm actually crying? this took a while bc i kept sobbing wtf :') not the last thing he says to her, but one of the last for sure <3 i miss them so much too… doing my absolute best with the next part, love <3

#also my god.. i gave you a sweet but harmless scenario bc there's one roaming around on dc that's.. gut-wrenching #but i didn't want to hurt anyone too bad </3 #notes for rid 🌹 #anon #fic: colour me in #*amc #*amc: cmi

[lyrenminth]

NUMBER ONE PICK

N/A: this is kinda like enemies to lovers. You are an athlete, the story happens in college. It will have a second part because I don't like long posts lol

Joe fucking Burrow.

Ugh.

Why couldn't he wear that stupid helmet everywhere? Or why couldn't he move to another university? Stupid football players, stupid football, and stupid administration.

Your volleyball team was doing fine, the media started noticing your progress and decided to made a short documentary about the players, but since LSU football team was doing extremely well since Joe Burrow arrived, the school media decided your team wasn't interesting/engaging enough and cancelled the short documentary.

You were excited, you were happy someone was paying attention to the effort put in by all the girls. You had seven wins in a row, come on. So, when they gave you the news, you were pissed. It ruined your day. Bad.

It didn't help that you were sharing a class with him, and after an important game where the tigers won everyone was sucking his cock. And he was enjoying it.

His stupid cocky ass.

That documentary should be about the volleyball team, not Joe Burrow. You didn't talk to him so much, you had friends in common but never were at the same time in the same place for different reasons. Besides, you didn't like how everyone worship him. Yes, he was good. The same with the other one hundred athletes in college. And yes, you were damn salty.

So, when your friend invited you to the party to celebrate the win, you said no. She was taking it better than you. Everyone in the team was taking it in a better way. They prompted you to go, saying Joe wouldn't be there because he didn't like people. A fucking lie, of course. What convinced you was the alcohol, you need to forget for a couple of hours.

The party was nice. There were students-athletes and members of sororities. At the beginning you didn't see Joe and thought he wasn't there, but when you went to the garden in a hidden corner to take fresh air he appeared like the fucking Houdini.

Great.

"Hey, you are y/n?"

You nodded, holding your cup with both hands, trying not to look so much his face because for the heaven and hell, he was hot. Everyone knew that, it was a reason why girls loved to show them tits to him. He was tall, well-built, a jawline which could cut your veggies and his laid-back, confident personality.

"I'm Joe Burrow" he said. You almost roll your eyes. "Yeah, I know" he read your expression, knowing you weren't happy with his presence.

"So, I just want to tell you I'm sorry for the doc" he explained. He didn't sound drunk at all. You were drinking but still thinking clearly.

"Yeah, me too" You couldn't hide the bitterness in your voice. Gosh, people didn't understand how important was for you, for the team. Everyone said "it just a documentary no one is going to see" and that hurt because you were working so hard and nobody cared.

"I didn't say or did anything if that's what you were thinking" he added "I'm just good"

His last comment sent you to hell. What the fuck?

"Yeah, and we are fucking trash although we are in a winning strike"

"I didn't mean it that way" he clarify, bothered after hearing your harsh tone.

"Yeah, I don't care" you took a deep breath realizing how rude you were. Yes, it wasn't Joe's fault, he was an exceptional quarterback and you only wanted to fight a wall "Sorry, I didn't mean to be rude. It's just frustration"

"I see" he said quietly.

"What does it feel that everyone around you thinks you are great, cool and hot?" you asked, regretting it a few moments later.

"Do you think am I hot?" he said, amused.

"That wasn't the question"

"Um, I don't know. it is who I am" he shrugged.

"Well, yeah, thank you for the clarification. You deserved it though" you replied, referring to the doc.

"I mean, yeah, but you played well. I think is unfair for you and the team" You raised your eyebrow, not expecting that answer from a guy like him. "I mean, you can't avoid being popular" you stated.

"I don't like it as you suppose" he answered, looking around. A blonde girl was smiling at him "I just want to play"

"Well, doesn't matter what my opinion is. Congrats"

After that talk, you realized he wasn't such a prick. In fact, he was kinda weird. Not in a bad way, but you could tell, he didn't receive so much attention before. Also, the perfectionist and competitive traits pushed him to give his all. LSU did better not only for him but other key players. And you didn't want to get to invested, but Joe started following you, talking to you in class, sitting next to you. Weird stuff which made you uncomfortable because the last thing you wanted was to be labeled as his girlfriend when you were an athlete too. It didn't help the comments he used to make when you were lonely:

"You help me to be better, to improve my game"

"You are more competitive than me, I like it"

"I could learn from you too"

"My coach says you are the best in your position, I believe that's true"

You didn't know when your hatred vanished; when your walls fell down.

"You should sleep with him" Mindy, your friend and teammate said "He is the moment, he is hot and soon-to-be number one pick in the draft"

"No" You had a flashback of his back muscles, the long thighs, the pecs, and the dreamy booty. How many dreams have you had about kissing him below the ear?

"Not every day you sleep with a number one pick" she argued.

"Mindy no" you push the lustful thoughts aside.

"He likes you"

"Hell no" you replied, feeling uneasy.

"Hell yes" she said, grinning like a damn maniac "You are clueless and in deep denial. The poor boy follows you like a lost puppy. The other day I saw a girl trying to kill you with her glare when you were speaking to him. Those bitches dream to be you"

"You know that I have my goals too"

"Oh, come on! You didn't like volleyball either, you did it for the scholarship. Are you thinking of having a career?" Not really. Mindy knew your well "Or are you scared you like him as he likes you?"

"He is gonna be famous, and I wouldn't know how to handle that" you confessed. College and NFL were different lives. "You let it flow, baby" she said "And also, do you think he is going to let you go away?"

No, Joe always worked hard for what he wanted.

The thought made your cheeks red and your knees weak. But, there was this unnamed relationship, very close to a couple. He supported you, listened to you and you reciprocated. It was easy to do because...well, because you liked him too.

You took a deep breath, thinking about all the reasons why you should not date him. Stick to them, even if it hurts.

-----

Joe got nominated for the Heisman.

He invited you to the awards. Everybody thought you had something going on. I was strange since slept in a sexual way (once you got wasted and slept together) and kissed a couple times. You were going crazy. What Joe Burrow wants from you?

It was time to put your big girl pants and asked him directly. So you invited him over, and he arrived after practice, freshly showered. Joe was happy to be there, and bought you a Subway on the way since you told him you haven't eat. It was those actions what cause confusion and ache. You needed to get the thing straight.

"Do you want to eat, first?" He said offering the Subway.

"No, later" he raised an eyebrow because you rarely rejected eating "I want to talk about us. I know you invited me to the Heisman ceremony and I would like to go, but I want to be clear that I'm not willing to wasted my time if we are not a couple. I'll go to the ceremony as your girlfriend nothing less"

Joe wasn't the only taking decisions. You wanted you piece of cake too. You were serious about this, after thinking so much about the pros and cons, the lifestyle of Joe scared you, but with a good support system you should be ok. You talked with your parents, friends and strangers on internet. Again, you were going crazy for this relationship.

"Ok" he said, and you almost threw a pillow at him. "Ok, that's all?" You asked skeptical.

"Yeah, I mean is weird you asked because in my mind we have been dating for a while, but I'm willing to go and said to the world you are my girl officially"

"In your mind?" he shrugged, a shy smile on his lips "Joe, wtf? I was dating you without knowing. Dude, we haven't had sex yet" his laugh made you stare at him "What?"

"From now and on, we have so much time to do what you want. Kiss, fuck, watch movies. Whatever you want" he said, happy. You noticed that he was fully committed. He had that determined expression he used to have before important games.

"I'm confused" he got closer to you and kissed you. You were getting used to his soft lips. Needless to say, he was a good kisser.

"Don't be, you're mine, I'm yours, everything is fine"

#joe burrow x reader #joe burrow #joe burrow fan fic #nfl

[crystallinestars]

Hello! I'm back for another rant :)

I was still thinking about Mihoyo's tendency to pair characters and play the ambiguity game to make more money and something I've noticed is that people will jump through sooo many hoops to defend the company. ''oh they can't be explicit because of censorship'', ''oh it's China, their culture is different!'' or even ''stupid entitled westerners always complaining about things they don't even try to understand smh 🙄''

Now, while I can agree that censorship and culture should be taken into account when talking about these games, I also feel like it's a bit disingenuous and lowkey patronising to chalk it all up to ''the Chinese are just all like that lol''

Like, why are we so vehemently defending a company that makes millions (if not billions) through ship teasing, as you've put before? Censorship does not change the fact that the development that characters get in these games (especially Genshin) goes out the window every other event or as soon as the main story is finished. And whenever I hear someone talk about censorship, I always think about Mo Dao Zu Shi (granted, the situation was different in its case so we should take it with a grain of salt) where its donghua and drama adaptations where indeed censored (but they were much more explicit than whatever's going on in Hoyoverse), yet the novel (the source material) had many MANY chapters with its two male leads going at it

I admit that I've been feeling a bit salty recently (because I feel like people only care about coding when it comes to the 'great' questions of ''OK but do these two men FUCK? How many times a day do they go at it and who's the woman in this ship??'' Meanwhile nobody ever talks about different dynamics, asexuality and aromanticism are seen as boring, and oh lord does bisexuality seem to be often treated as a trump card to say ''ok but this character is at least 50% gay'') and I also don't know that much about how everything works in China, but idk, I guess my point is that if they wanted to make ships canon, they WOULD (or could) find a way to do so

Anyway, your recent posts and asks also got me thinking and I guess I wanted to show you some support! I've seen your bio and I think it's a really smart move on your part to be clear on what you don't feel comfortable with from the get go. It can definitely be awkward when you have to tell someone that's just really excited to share their thoughts on something they enjoy that you're not interested and you'd rather not talk about this AT ALL. And it really does not help that popular ships tend to attract a lot of unhinged behaviour 😑 It's really refreshing to come across content creators like you, who are very clear in their boundaries and write such thoughtful fics

Once again, I hope you will be left to do your own thing in peace and that you'll keep finding ways and solutions for you to enjoy your favourite works without feeling alienated 💜

(And hopefully one day I will learn how to type short rants 😅)

Haha, short rants don't exist, Anon! It's perfectly okay to type long rants to me, I don't mind. If anything, I relish in them. As someone who rants and complains a lot myself, I welcome it when someone else does it. 😊 (I mean, just look at the length of my reply. I am not any better than you, dear Anon)

Lord, the "Mihoyo can't show explicit gay ships because of the CCP censorship" excuse grates on my nerves, as well. Censorship of homosexuality is definitely a thing in China, and it can sometimes be very horrible, but that's not what's stopping Mihoyo from making certain ships canon. They got way with a lot of lesbian ships in Honkai 3rd (though admittedly they had to tone it down once new laws were implemented, but the fact remains that at some point they were able to be blatant about their ships), and if we're talking actual coding, then Jeht being lesbian-coded is a thing that exists! If it was such a huge deal, I feel like Mihoyo would have either been way more subtle about it or not included these things at all.

It's just my personal opinion, but I'm certain that the reason Mihoyo doesn't make any ship canon is for the sake of making money. They need to sell characters, and the best way to do that is to allow players to enjoy characters the way they want. Assigning a specific sexuality or canon ship will crush the interpretations some players have about a character, and make that character unappealing. It would negatively impact their sales. Keeping things vague and only giving teases of the most popular ships seems to be the ideal marketing tactic for them. It panders to a lot more people this way and keeps most of them happy (however, the fact remains that they ignore a particular demographic of women, though that's a story for another time).

Regarding your reasons why people whip out the "coding" card... YOU ARE SO RIGHT! People only use sexuality coding as a way to "prove" their gay ship is canon and discredit any BG pairing. And they focus on things like one guy being muscular and the other more slender, and then assigning traditionally masculine and feminine traits to them, respectively. I could go on a whole separate rant about this topic, but I'll spare you the wall of text. Feminizing one of the guys in a gay ship is one of my biggest pet peeves, especially when it's OOC for the character.

One thing I noticed is that sexuality often gets used as a convenient tool to suit the needs of certain shippers instead of being used for actual diversity.

I can't tell you the amount of times I saw a sexuality tier list where the aromantic and asexual rows were treated as trash bins where people tossed the characters they didn't care about. There's no actual thought put into the sorting, and that's very unfair to actual aro and ace persons.

As for bisexuality... it's such a polarizing topic in fandoms. It's seen as a good thing when you have a canonical BG pairing, because then you can claim one or both are bi and therefore are also attracted to the same sex (as you said, they're "at last 50% gay" and can be shipped in gay pairings). However, if you have a non-canon BL or GL ship, saying one or both characters are bi is tantamount to treason. How dare you suggest they can be attracted to the opposite sex? That's erasing the gay representation!

Basically, bisexuality, much like the term "coding", gets treated like a tool that's allowed to exist only when it's convenient to a person, instead of as an actual sexuality real people have. I feel like bi, aroace, and pansexual people get shafted hard in fandoms in general.

Anyways, thank you for your support, Anon! I mentioned it in another post, but putting your likes and dislikes in the bio is a common practice in the Eastern part of the world, and I chose to copy that. I think it's a good way to meet people with similar interests while also letting those who have opposite interests avoid you. If the BL Anon had checked my bio first before following me, he could have spared himself some trouble haha. Sadly, it seems that many don't look at bios 😢

Thank you for your nice sentiments! I'm fairly confident that I won't be harassed, especially not in the reader-insert community, but I appreciate the thought! And hopefully I can find a way to combat the alienation... If not, then I'll simply uninstall both HSR and Genshin and find games that actually pander to me 😅

May you stay happy and free of harassment as well, dear Anon! 💚

#Lunaria answers #Hopefully the read more bar works properly this time

[yuikomorii]

I wish for all non-Japanese people to stop acting like otome game experts when they know nothing about them to begin with. Main hero has always been an official term in Japan, that’s an official role for a character and it’s always the English or Spanish fandoms that keep denying it not only in Ayato’s case. That’s like saying that all heroines are self-inserts. As you said you can use them as self-insert but that doesn’t erase the fact they’re still their own character with their own confirmed role in the story. The other guys are still important but they’re just not connected to the story or heroine as the main hero is. The creator just has a preference regarding that character and couple, why would this affect the player in any way? And we still wonder why we don’t get a localisation hah.

// FACTS! Japanese fans will always know better than Western ones, because otome games are made for them. The West and Japan have very different mindsets when it comes to certain things, therefore what Japan finds good, can be seen as bad in the West and vice versa. However, I'd rather trust the word of Japanese fans because, after all, otome games are aimed at them, and if they truly dislike something, it means that thing failed; it couldn't meet their expectations or be to their liking, and their liking is considered the most important because they're the ✨target audience✨

Unfortunately, teaching an entire fandom about otoge pop-culture is impossible; nobody is popular or convincing enough to truly open everyone's eyes, but whatever.

Main hero is and will always be an official term. Those are facts, lol.

As for Ayato, he is seen as the main hero by Rejet and Japanese audience, that’s what matters the most. When he was asked if his opinion about Ayato changed before and after the anime, even his VA said “no”, because, according to him, Ayato is a character that can easily be the core of the story (主軸). In the least biased way, that's a true statement, given that he got that main character charisma and energy, plus background.

From my perspective, he got an amazing world building, and whoever thought of that is a very clever person (or people, if there were more)! I like how everything makes sense, it's a bit weird how they only released YB manga recently but at least it solved a "mystery".

We can see in the last YB chapter how he became addicted after eating that fig. "Addicted" is literally the name of his character song, and its lyrics perfectly describe the entire fig situation (translation by silvermoon249).

Last but not least, I have such a love-hate relationship with this official short story (translation by Koiiro) because 1. that’s the best confession Yui has ever made and 2. it sounds kinda creepy?? The atmosphere was quite disturbing; Yui didn't even seem embarrassed, which is unusual for her, and even Ayato found the situation strange. It has a strong "everything is always connected" vibe to it…?

Welp guys, don't be sad if you haven't found your soulmate yet. Ayato had to wait hundreds of years for it. xD

I truthfully agree with the part about localization. It's not like DL doesn't get one due to the themes presented there, because there are localized otome games with far darker themes, but I feel like the English fandom really doesn't deserve one (I'm not referring to everyone, there are some genuinely kind and calm people). They complain about everything Rejet releases, they are petty and too salty, they abet, and they have no idea how the otome game world works... To summarize, they aren’t able to appreciate anything. As a result, DL should be limited to the Japanese audience, who are far more understanding and supportive.

#admin

[dipplinduo]

📚

And 💚

(Context: this ask game and ask game)

📚 ⇢ what's the last thing you wrote down in your notes app? 

LOL. My notes app is very chaotic, I use it for random reminders or shoddy bursts of inspiration that I write down in the spur-in-the-moment so I don't lose it. It's all for poetry writing unrelated to my fic writing. I've written poetry for much longer. The last note page I opened had a few different (unrelated) rough lines I wrote at a few different points that are intended for me to return to later:

"But then the crease near your eyes

became your deceptive disguise

that no one realized

but me"

"Shadows of you

loom over me and

cascade as blemishes

that bruise my skin and

I wonder if you

ever think about me

when your curtains are closed

in your new place"

"You would tease me and I'd

laugh because I was seen"

"Measuring in units I don't even understand

I want to find the beauty in my better

I want to create the magic I want to see

but oh, what I would give to have some come to me

it's hard to picture something you've never really seen"

"You trick me out of my door

then go ahead and shut yours"

"Tell me you want to trace my mental scars

when I'm lost in my barren memoirs"

"I am not responsible

for cleaning up the mess

that leaks from your indecisiveness"

"Frost over crunchy leaves"

"I want to tear my eyes

out of their sockets when

the hazing air grips

on my throat in

a chokehold

I can't stand you"

"You can shred every inch and corner

for a drop of new meaning

put on the face of your worst fears

even if it's only ever fleeting

the blinds are shut now

so no one's seeing

I promise this isn't a one-way conversation

I'll pick up the pieces

ward off all the demons

refold your security at the creases

so you can go on and keep dreaming

Everyone has their reasons

their abusers, late night intruders

repeated mistakes and challenged futures

I'm a bit of a late bloomer

so I'm sorry for not being here sooner

But you can fight

and I'll be by your side

untethered to all but your unyielding might

I know you'll figure out what's right"

"May the bridges you burn light your path"

"The flowing current reminded her

of salty waters grazing her tiny feet

free-flying

as she held her mother's hand

It reminded her of the heavy blue snow

stockpiling

and the slumbering houses nearby

that froze her bus stop in time

It reminded her of that bone-chilled night

mind-numbing

it soothed her dark, pierced heart

quietly howling in the echoes of laughter

It reminded her to keep counting planes

memorializing

the neon hues that once humored her

on the patio swing of a coast-bound town

It reminded her of the truly precious

reigniting

the necessity of honoring memories

in a temporary life coated with fragility"

💚: one million dollars. for you.

omg I have 2 million now LEZ GOOO B)

#asks #ask game #okay that was lowkey embarassing to put that writing out given how early in the stages those are compared to like #a legit finished product of my poetry #im dead #bye

[beautifulpersonpeach]

Suga Ain't Sweet

This post is kinda 18+ so if you're underage please do me a favour and skip this one.

I don't do this ever, but I'm in a mood and I want to talk about Yoongi. He's my bias, if that isn't clear by now. I usually don't talk about him or any of my biases, because I know I sound deranged and definitely unstable when I talk about them. But I've been getting some asks, D-Day is around the corner and after those concept pics I'm here to give you a sample of what loco BPP sounds like. I ask for your forgiveness in advance, or you could, you know, deal.

Lol.

I'm streaming/listening to D-2, from the top of the album down, and I just listened to People play after Burn It, and almost came. That's why I'm here really. To tell you that man is so raw it's impossible to think he hasn't been getting some for years. Everything about Yoongi, from the kind of music he makes to the way his eyebrows move, screams to me he's a pro at playing hide-the-salami, Korean style.

Listening to Suga on D-2, he sounds the way salt and bitter tonic tastes. You get what I mean? He sounds like that gooey milky-white thing he's shoving into the song.

Suga ain't sweet.

And he makes sure you understand it.

He serves cock in every song. C.A.W.K. Nearly every song this man has ever made is filled with the most naked greed I've ever seen in a man. The most honest sort. It makes Yoongi seem more vulnerable than the rest of the members, to me. I mean, Namjoon and Hoseok are just as shameless but at least they moderate those impulses better than Yoongi, at least so far. Maybe in D-Day we'll see a more mellow Yoongi but somehow I doubt it lol. Jimin and Jung Kook sometimes give me the sense they have the potential to express their shadowed thoughts as well as the rapline do, but out of every member, Yoongi's approach is often my favourite.

To quote what I've seen another Suga bias observe:

"Have you noticed how the posters are having consistent glitch affects with D-Day having the most distorted version?"

I'd noticed the same thing, how that glitch in his album design has progressively worsened. In the past on this blog, I've talked about Yoongi's love for distortion: autotune, pitch and sample distortion, chaos and fragments are his favourite tools to play with because it's how he makes sense of the mess inside him. And even within that mess, I recognize that while self-loathing is one thing you'll occasionally see in his work, self-pity is a whole other thing he certainly has no time for. The result of Yoongi's process is cathartic release and progressive evolution towards a more whole and healthy version of himself. In his music, Yoongi breaks it all apart, fragments himself beyond recognition, kills his own alter-ego, to put it all back together again into something that feels more right, more honest, and more just.

Everything about his music feels very much to be all him, it's bitter and salty and nothing about it is sweet. Except the aftermath which to me feels like post-orgasmic bliss.

It's how I feel listening to the production on Burn It, which makes me almost grateful Yoongi has said he'll try out more acoustic / folk / classic rock sounds in his next project. Like yes please something easier to take in at once, cause D-2 is so heavy. It's so bitter and so salty. It's so him. So him it's difficult to take it all in at once. It's too big, too thick, too heavy… too much. But somehow it fits and it feels incredible.

I hope that Yoongi gives us sweet on D-Day, but if he doesn't please don't look for me, because I will be managing my sanity very carefully during that period.

Goodluck and godspeed to us all when D-Day drops.

(You're lying to yourself if you think you're ready for D-Day)

*

(I just... fuck, I'm such a goner)

#min yoongi #suga #agust d #D-Day #d day is coming #bts #gush post #also a disclaimer in case I go radio silent in the next few days

[lee-aveyourmark]

besties with nomin!

∘.∙°. masterlist Pairing: Lee Jeno x reader x Na Jaemin, nomin x bestie!reader Genre: sickening fluff, a whole lotta crack Warnings: mentions of food Wordcount: 767

A/N: I'm back bitches

- nomin are like a bonded pair of pets - you befriend one of them and just couldn't avoid befriending the other

- you're definitely the middle ground in this relationship, bc these two boys can be quite the opposite of one another

- being very open and accepting of jaemin's physical affection while understanding jeno's feelings and concerns through his gazes and jumbles of words is a massive feat but they absolute treasure you for it

- it means that jaemin can randomly give you hugs to feel comfort at the physical contact and not really say anything at times, allowing his nonverbal cues to communicate his intentions as his embrace is ever so gentle and his eyes ever so soft

- it also means that jeno can freely express his emotions and frustrations without judgement, gaining release from negative internal thoughts, and gets excited at the thought of catching up with you to ramble on about how his day went, regardless if it was enjoyable or utterly crap

- haechan has shared about how jeno literally hates anything cute and being associated with cuteness, but i know full well that you and jaemin still coo and baby the living daylights out of him not because you're trying to annoy him, but because you two believe with your whole hearts that he is a d o r a b l e and deserves to be showered with affection and praise

- the amount of pure satisfaction gained from seeing jeno blush

- nomin has money and they know it, so they like to buy you gifts from time to time (it's also a way of them showing their appreciation for you putting up with them lol)

- perfumes are a go-to, with jaemin carefully selecting a new fragrance each time while jeno opposes many of his selections and chooses one that he sniffed once

- rip jaemin when you're given the two fragrances and then end up wearing jeno's selection more often

- playdates are random late-night baking sessions together with jaemin making sure that you and jeno don't burn the kitchen down, becoming distracted himself as he accidentally adds 3/4 tablespoon of salt instead 3/4 teaspoon

- "did someone cry into the brownie mix? why is it so salty?" jeno frowns, reaching for a glass of water to cleanse his overwhelmed palette

- "it was me, i cried when fishing out all the broken eggshells from the batter" jaemin deadpans

- also, imagine just happily enjoying a day off together, walking in a park while your arms are linked with theirs, feeding each other bites of street food and taking the cutest pictures together

- after the first time one of you gained the courage to link arms with the other two, it becomes a little quirk of your relationship

- whether it be strolling around late at night or trying to encourage each other to hurry up in getting to a certain place, linking arms makes it just that lil bit better huehue :)

- until, you guys run into a doorframe and suddenly you're all turning 90 degrees like a blade on a fan to fit through sideways, not even bothering to think of unlinking arms

- your group chat is used mainly for memes and confirming deets on your next get-together

- oh, it also consists of jaemin writing in paragraphs about the most random things and jeno responding with 'k' while you try to respond as empathetically as possible to prevent jaemin from moving out of the dorm lmao

- aND, sometimes with jaemin ignoring jeno's questions followed by jeno sending some words that seem very vulgar but surprisingly none of which are profanities, all ending with the (.◜◡◝ ) emoji

- i'd imagine you guys would facetime on a regular basis, but the timing is always really odd and, more often than not, at least one of you are in a less than publicly decent situation

- most calls aren't even proper conversations - it's just you guys showing each other something cool and then quickly cutting off, or jaemin calling you to tell jeno to turn the lights off

- "jaemin, i swear, it's 4am" "exactly, that's why i need you to tell jeno to turn the lights off so i can sleep" "newSFLASH, I DON'T LIVE WITH Y'ALL"

- but yet, you call the gamer boy anyway

- and alas, gamer boy jeno didn't pick up as he was, as expected, gaming, leaving you to give up and ignore jaemin's calls

- sigh what a lovely friendship <3

#nct #nct dream #jeno #lee jeno #jaemin #na jaemin #nct fluff #nct scenario #nct imagine #jeno imagine #jeno fluff #jeno scenario #jaemin fluff #jaemin imagine #jaemin scenario #nomin fluff #(.◜◡◝ ) #nct dream fluff #nct dream imagine #nct dream scenario #nana

[max-nico]

I just wanna let you know that your writing is living rent free in my mind and is actively fueling my sonic obsession ♥️♥️♥️/pos

If you're still doing them do you have any headcanons for Knuckles Sonic and Shadow? (the blorbos)

AHHHHH thank you sm sm !!! 🫶🏾🫶🏾

I'm unsure if you mean separate or as a team/working together so I'll try to squirrel in a little of both. I hope this is to your liking 🔥

As a team

I'm pretty sure any team with Sonic on it is just referred to as team Sonic ngl, I don't know what they would be called anyway? Just bc they have so many conflicting traits

They'd probably end up with something generic like team Force or smthn

They all have a music preference but don't mind the music the others listen to

They bond mostly by beating each other up. It's all in good fun. Kinda.

All three of them are quiet one on one but are nothing except overstimulating when together

Sharing Tails is actually the worst thing to ever happen to them, as well as Tails. They fight constantly. All the time.

They rarely ever actually say things that would cause emotional damage, and they're all horrible at apologizing, but they're all learning together. Since everyone understands hating emotional vulnerability so well they cut each other some slack

Normally only two people are fighting at the same time, allowing the other one to act as a mediator. Though, three-way fights aren't unheard-of, and they usually get over it after punching each other a bunch instead of talking through it

Shadow and Knuckles take great joy in teaming up against Sonic when he gets too cocky

Group costume except they all showed up as the same thing on accident and started brawling because of it

Argue like brothers. Everyone is tired of them. Everyone. However, when it comes down to it if you upset one of them you upset all of them. Especially if you upset Sonic, the other two have way less restraint than him. You will get jumped I fear

None of them keep track of anything. They lose things constantly. Important documents? Yeah they're gone. Why'd you even give them those? At this point it's your fault you know how they are. Shadow is the only one with an excuse (I headcanon Shadow still suffers from short term memory problems many years after his not-really death)

None of their sleep schedules line up. Ever. Someone is always running on empty and is cranky all day.

Separate

Sonic is an early bird and takes naps throughout the day. Shadow is a night owl and doesn't really need to sleep as much as the average person. Knuckles goes to sleep super super early and has the sleep schedule of an old man

Shadow spends a lot of time trying to figure out newer technology. Despite being the ultimate lifeform it just really doesn't come naturally to him

Knuckles is the same way except he doesn't care, and only really tries when Tails asks him to

Sonic ends up being shorter than most if not all his friends and is very salty about it

Sonic and Knuckles are audhd

Shadow is autistic OCD <- projecting

Shadow's house is covered in incense. Every room has one. They're all lavender scented.

Shadow hates change, Sonic has mixed feelings

Knuckles is a chronic headache haver. Like no wonder he's always in a bad mood, do you know how hard it is to get Advil when you live on a floating rock

It's okay, Knuckles has tons of natural/organic remedies for most sickness anyway

Sonic is really good at charades

Shadow is super sentimental and refuses to admit it, he has lots of old mementos that he simply refuses to acknowledge but can't bring himself to throw away

Knuckles is fluent in multiple dead languages

Sonic and Knuckles are both super into geography, one is way better than the other one at it but you can choose which is which lol

Knuckles likes grapes but can't stand any of the faux grape flavors of processed foods. He wants grape flavor not purple flavor.

On the same wavelength, he doesn't really f/w processed food in general. He spends most of his time foraging and making his own foods from scratch, most processed foods make him sick

#sth #sonic the hedgehog #shadow the hedgehog #knuckles the echidna #headcanons #sonic headcanons #sonic and shadow #shadow #sonic and knuckles #knuckles #i have the mic #asking and answering #sorry it took so long i had a very long day #it is currently 1am as i am writing this lol #another long ass post so im just accepting that's what it is now #i need to brush up on my shadow lore lol hopefully you can't tell

[egg-emperor]

Gotta how Eggy is still salty over his terminally ill cousin hogging all the attention from him, even 50 years after her death. Now that is what I call peak pettiness and narcissism.🥚👑💚

God yes it's one of the memos I understood and loved right away when it leaked. I was surprised by the ways it was interpreted to hint at a tragic past of neglect, I could tell right away that it was bratty and selfish instead with his words and the attitude in his tone. Plus Flynn was later asked if the former was the implication but he said Eggman is a very unreliable narrator too.

I really wish that more people would focus on what we know is actually happening in it and what makes the memo so great and funny and true to him with his self egotistical mindset and attitude. It's definitely one of the highlights. I LOVE how he canonically feels the exact about Maria in the exact same way I imagined him to, I've had the headcanon for years!

He'd totally be jealous and bratty towards absolutely anyone getting attention instead of him in any amount, even if they have all the most understandable reasons in the world such as being kind and loving like Maria was known to be and would unsurprisingly be praised and treasured for, and the fact that she had a terrible life threatening illness.

I truly believe Eggman was always an asshole and this memo supports it because now we know he's always been like "ugh why couldn't I get all the attention instead, who cares about her when I'm right here!" I find the consistency of him always being selfish, self-centered, egotistical, and entitled to attention due to it, more compelling than coming up with a sad reason for it.

And we know that even after she died he was like "you're all talking about her like she's so special but she's DEAD but I'm right here still alive and with tons to admire and praise!" He's so messed up and funny for that and I like how he feels about her terminal illness and death is also another example of how he has low empathy and that it does go back to childhood.

And yeah that type of jealousy towards family for attention is common but it's also the fact he still feels that way as an old man. This bastard didn't learn and mature like "it was kinda fucked up to be rude and insensitive towards an innocent terminally ill child", he's still just like "ugh everyone talked about her like she was so special 🙄 but it should've been ME!"

I mean what a major fucking asshole LOL it just screams Eggman and I love it so much. It shows his ego, selfishness, and desire for all the attention always existed in him, which are all traits he still has that fuel his evil motives to take over the world today. It's like it got worse and more extreme over time for him to want all the attention from the entire world too.

And the way he didn't grow out of that immature attitude that kids in family can feel towards each other, such as when they don't get cool gifts at another's birthday party and stuff like that, also makes it seem like it's a part of how he's a big manchild now, as he showed that side of him a looot throughout Frontiers. XD Love how it all seems to date back

I've also imagined that one of the ways Eggman took inspiration from Gerald is how impressive, important, and famous him and his work was. Eggman is known in the games and TailsTube to take pride in being related to him and because of his own high IQ and skills too, he likely felt entitled to that same attention and focused on that part instead of Gerald's good deeds lol

I like to think that while he obviously admired Gerald and thought of him more positively, it was because he could see himself in him through his intelligence and scientific accomplishments and wanted to be a great scientist like him so he could get all the attention and praise for himself and his own work. They are actually the things he says he admires in the SA2 ending.

But then Maria was admired by others because she was a good person with a terminal illness, neither of which I believe Eggman could ever relate to, so he didn't take inspiration from her and couldn't take pride in being related to her like Gerald with his genius and science, so he only felt bitterness and like it was just undeserved and that he should've had it instead.

And I imagine that another part of it is how he felt like Maria was in his place that he really deserved instead because she actually knew him personally and lived with him. He'd obviously wish he could've been on the ARK with his grandfather and idol and inspiration in science instead too, which is yet another reason for him to be like "it should've been me instead!"

How he lacks sympathy for an innocent little girl with a tragic terminal illness because of egotistical entitlement for attention and feeling more important was fucked up. Eggman isn't a victim, he's a biased narrator as Ian Flynn said. He doesn't think anyone should get attention over him when he's there to love and praise and give attention and appreciation instead.

I also like to think the reason he compares Sage to Maria is that as she's an impressive and admirable creation of life, she could be liked and praised by people and it would give him more of the attention he desires as he can take credit as her genius creator. It tracks with how all the reasons he praises Sage is for her use to him and it's yet another way to benefit.

OH and also, going by my theory for why his thoughts on Gerald are so different compared to Maria but have the same reasoning behind them, unlike her he can actually take pride in Sage for her similarities because he actually created her! While with Maria he couldn't relate like he could to Gerald, so he resented her. This adds up way too well holy shit

He could also brag that Sage is superior to Maria and use it as proof he was always more worthy of attention because she was created by him and in a real genius way with code and electrons, like he says in memo 19, and that she can't get sick and die like her. He'd definitely stoop that low, especially with how much of an asshole he is about it already hehe >:)

Can you tell I just really love diving deep into his mindset, attitude, and perception of himself and others and finding ways it's consistent in both his past and present? XD I'm super interested in the smallest things they let us know about his past/childhood and how he feels about his family too. I'm also going to be sharing some more analysis on his feelings on Gerald soon. ^^

#asks #dr. eggman #dr eggman #eggman #dr robotnik #my post #sonic frontiers #maria robotnik #analysis #robotnik family

[juniperhillpatient]

Lake Laogai

It's not even remotely a secret that I'm incapable of being unbiased or objective about this episode. I love Jet, & I think killing him off was a huge mistake & a waste. I wrote a post explaining in more detail why I specifically think that Jet's death was a writing mistake HERE.

This re-watch has been interesting because it's really nice to re-watch a fave show & re-evaluate my opinions after spending a lot of time engaging with the fandom. I don't know, maybe it's just my annoyance with the fandom's pushing for a Katara/Aang/Zuko love triangle but this re-watch has made me take a firm stance that Jet should've lived, & become part of the Gaang, & dated Katara. "But Rose, don't you prefer Katara with girls?" I mean yeah, I like to write that more, but I'm talking about what I think should've happened in the actual show, which is entirely separate.

[ID: two pictures from different angles of Katara & Jet in the streets of Ba Sing Se]

Katara & Jet have the whole contentious complicated past & I'm always gonna be a sucker for the dynamic where the girl is violently angry & the guy is just like "I'm so sorry I've changed please accept me" like, I'm just being honest that's a good dynamic. Jet's already pretty strong redemption arc could've been concreted & we could've had a new, needed perspective in the Gaang from someone who was a victim of colonization in a similar way to Katara & Sokka but with a very different experience & reaction.

I will try not to spend this whole post being salty though, that's why I made a separate post. The brainwashing under Lake Laogai is very creepy, & it is one of the aspects of the show that stuck with me the most upon first viewing & for good reason. All the Joo Dees speaking in unison is genuinely terrifying. Long Feng is also a well-written villain. He's sly, manipulative, & just creeps me out.

The other thing that I wanted to ponder on with this episode is Zuko saving Appa, & Zuko & Iroh's discussion. I want to make it clear that I think Zuko's redemption arc is incredibly well-written overall. I only criticize Avatar because I love it so much & have thought about it so much. There are a lot of popular Avatar hot takes on Tumblr about how Zuko's redemption arc is poorly written, nonexistent, or whatever, & I simply strongly disagree. I have to get that out of the way & be clear about it or I'll worry I'm being misinterpreted. I also like Iroh, although I feel like I don't always understand what's going on with him & this episode is an example. That's another thing I wanted to clarify because I don't want to come across as anti-Iroh. I don't know, maybe I worry too much about how I come across lol but anyway -

Iroh: And then what!? You never think these things through! [Points at him.] This is exactly what happened when you captured the Avatar at the North Pole! You had him, and then you had nowhere to go!

Zuko: I would have figured something out!

Iroh: No! If his friends hadn't found you, you would have frozen to death! Zuko I know my own destiny, Uncle! Iroh Is it your own destiny, or is it a destiny someone else has tried to force on you? Zuko Stop it, Uncle! I have to do this!

This scene specifically & the entire framing of Zuko's unhappiness about the teashop is very interesting. I have said before that I dislike Zuko as Firelord in the end, but that's not necessarily a firm stance...I guess I just dislike the inconsistency with how it was built up. Others who are willing to be much harsher than I am have often pointed out that Zuko went from following his father's orders & vision to following Iroh's vision of his destiny, & I think there's some truth to that. But what bothers me more than that, is that we don't actually get firm foreshadowing on what Iroh's vision for Zuko's destiny even is.

This is the first time we see Iroh really yell at Zuko & go off on him but it's unclear what he wants from Zuko. I mean, okay, he wants Zuko to be happy serving tea. I guess that's fine, but it doesn't quite work knowing that later, Iroh completely does a 180 on this stance & it's sorta like...What happened? Ya know? It's just inconsistent. And characters can be inconsistent, people change their minds, but we're not really given much information about Iroh's internal struggle concerning what he wants from his nephew so it just comes across as confusing to me.

Zuko's character arc is all about discovering what it is that he wants & acting on it. I've said before that my issue with Zuko's ending on the show is that Zuko always wanted to be Firelord & then he....becomes Firelord. That's not really a change? This scene between Zuko & Iroh feels like it was building to something larger with Zuko's arc, but it really....isn't.

That said, I do love Appa's return! Aang & Appa's reunion & Appa getting to be a badass is just amazing.

[ID: two pictures of Aang & Appa hugging, one from up close & one from a bit of a distance.]

I definitely enjoyed Appa's reunion with the Gaang the most out of all the parts of this episode.

Well, I enjoyed Jet's parts up until his death too. I also wanted to point out that Sokka teases Katara about her thing with Jet, but doesn't seem that angry at Jet himself & is quite willing to give him another chance. And it's Aang who breaks Jet out of his brainwashing by reminding him that they are friends. So, Katara is not the only one in the Gaang with any connection with Jet. Again, they should've addressed --- ah, whatever, I'm done.

That's all I have for this episode.

#oh jet gets...idk...2000 iconic behavior points for BREAKING OUT OF BRAIN WASHING & also using his dying breath to reassure Katara #lake laogai #atla re watch #atla book 2