#instead of acknowledging his history of doing something similar

[chirpsythismorning]

There isn't much discourse about how Mike went from saying that El was a weapon in s1, even encouraging the others to use El's powers when she was still recuperating after finding Will in the void, to then in s3 accusing the others of being reckless with her powers, saying she's risking her life for no reason.

Now, I want to make clear that I'm not bashing Mike here, this has less to do with what he's doing being right or wrong. What this is about is how Mike went from doing something himself, to calling out other people for doing it, without acknowledging that fact and why the writers chose to frame it all this way.

You might think it's insignificant, but these two following scenes are clearly being paralleled to each other. And so the fact that Mike himself is acknowledging this as something to be critical of, makes me wonder what exactly is going on in his mind...

I want to preface this scene from s1 by saying that Mike is giving very off vibes here. I know that I certainly viewed this scene as romantic the first time I saw it, but since rewatching it recently, I was getting completely different vibes.

They literally make a point to focus on Mike being distracted, on the verge of impatience. Then, the way El reacts upon Mike getting up abruptly, gives this feeling of uncertainty about Mike's consideration for her in this moment, as she's clearly not what's on the top of his mind right now. And it just makes you wonder, are we truly supposed to be feeling peak romance rn?

I never realized how out of place this scene was until now (or is it...). It's just such an odd choice to have El resting her head on Mike's shoulder for comfort, only for Mike to cut it short with him being distracted, and with Dustin and El looking awkwardly at Mike like "Okay?...", then followed by a scene where he's trying to convince the others to use El's powers to help.

Here we have s1 Mike displaying behavior that s3 Mike was calling out the others for displaying:

Here we have Lucas, who was very, very critical of El being dangerous ALL of s1, and yet now in complete contrast to that, he is showing more consideration and common sense for El's well being than Mike, the supposed love (at first sight) interest ...

'That's the most important thing, remember?'

A question, followed by Mike just standing there in silence, like he's only just now really thinking about El being safe as their main priority... This is something that combined with everything else unfolding over the course of this season and the seasons after, that makes Mike's behavior a whole lot easier to understand.

I'll have to make several other posts about this, because there are a lot of aspects to it, but for now I'm just going to focus on these two parallels.

Here we have what happens in s3, with Mike being critical of the others doing something he himself literally did in s1:

In fact, how careless all of you are.

THIS. When Mike makes it a big deal to call out everyone for doing something he himself has already done, he's outright admitting that it's something that he believes is wrong, and by not even slightly acknowledging his role in doing something similar in the past, it's very likely that he feels guilty about it.

This was probably his way of trying to make it right, by standing up for El in a way that he didn't before because he was treating her like some superhero and not a real person back then.

It's just that the word love slipped out, in the heat of the moment. And El, upon overhearing this, is seeing this development of Mike herself, with s1 Mike going from, yes being more kind and considerate than the other 2 boys in the beginning, but still sort of expecting stuff from her without her being able to verbally agree to it, to now having developed and changed to saying that one of his big priorities is her safety.

El is taking this as being evidence he went from not loving her, to loving her. Another reason why it's pretty obvious El didn't believe Mike's monologue, bc she herself witnessed Mike develop his apparent romantic feelings for her over time, and so him saying it was love at first sight, was probably the catalyst that made it abundantly clear to her that he wasn't being truthful, bc she knows it's not the truth. She's not stupid.

Again this isn't about Mike doing this back then or even the others doing it now as being bad vs. good, this is about the writers going about it this way, sending a message that Mike feels guilt, enough to try to make things right, but is apparently not ready to unpack the actual guilt that is beneath the surface which lead him to this point.

And then there's this scene, which... it's actually terrifying how obvious it is they instructed Sadie and Caleb to lean out of that shot with Will and Mike reacting to El entering the room... Like... It's SOO obvious when you watch it now what they're trying to hint at without saying it.

Not only are they hinting at Will's feelings, because that is part of it, they're also hinting at Mike's internal struggle. Will is always on the back of his mind whether he's willing to address it or not. And all while that is happening, he is feeling unaddressed guilt about how he treated El when they first met and spent that one week together helping her run away from the bad guys while also looking for Will, something Mike viewed as being worthy of El using her powers...

I'll have to make the other posts regarding this soon, because it all starts to click what's going on with Mike when you look at all of these things together.

While Mike is just a kid like pretty much everyone else in this story, and while he didn't mean any harm by asking El to help them find Will (none of them did), I think that's kind of the whole point?

I think that he got lucky superman landed on his doorstep, who just so happened to be in danger herself, giving him his own purpose to help her too, with her needing him as well, and so it became a situation where they both needed each other.

But because El could literally not speak, it's not like she could really voice her feelings about things they were doing, beyond yes and no. She had Lucas sort of being critical of her, with Mike encouraging El to do things that would make the others see her as being worthy of sticking around so they can find Will. It goes without saying she felt obligated to do these things, even if they didn't outright tell her she had to or else. We literally see almost all of these scenes with her doing stuff for the others being instantly juxtaposed with scenes of Brenner doing the same. It's not the same scale of severity, but it is an acknowledgment that although she is outside of the lab, she still feels like her powers are what define her and it's all people want from her.

I think what it comes down to, is that in that moment when she is sacrificing herself to the demogorgan at the end of s1, we are seeing in real time Mike realizing what he and the other's have been asking of her this whole time, without outright asking her.

And you can literally see the retaliation and devastation hit him all at once. The instant regret, where he's backtracking and El stops him from even trying.

'Goodbye Mike' singles him out, because while he was the one out of the three that showed her the most kindness from the start, he was also the one who at the end of it all, was still expecting her to risk her life for them...

And that just makes it hit so much harder when you think about how that made Mike feel in that moment.

And then in s2 how that impacts Mike and his journey going forward.

His breakdown at the end of s2 upon her return.

His behavior in s3-4, in relation to him juggling his relationship with Will and El, now that they are both in his life at the same time.

It all starts to make sense.

I won't go too much into it because those other posts are bound to be long with a bunch of pictures too!

But on that note, there's at least one thing Mike isn't acknowledging, and it's literally what led up to the unintentional love confession that then led us to 10 more episodes of miscommunication because of it...

It's going to be important for him to address this guilt for him to fulfill his arc and to also close off his expectations that he has to have a romantic relationship with El in order to keep her in his life at all.

The audience themselves seeing this and being forced to face it is also going to make it a lot easier for them understand why Mike did what he did, not only because he's a queer kid in the 80's who has every reason to doubt and repress, but also because he understandably feels sort of indebted to El after everything.

It's more complex than him just falling out of love with her and falling in love with Will because of XYZ.

I think there is a lot of guilt and shame and trauma connected to their meeting and the events that followed. And addressing that is going to give a lot of closure to the ending of the story and also the beginning.

#byler #stranger things #mike wheeler #i feel like mikes arc always comes off as convoluted to most viewers bc they’re missing the whole picture #like this is literally canon #Mike went from doing something to saying other people doing it was wrong without acknowledging his role in that from the beginning #and so ppl using that development as aww he loves her now… #doesn’t even work when apparently he loved her since the moment he saw her… #not being willing to pay attention to how they are building up mikes arc #dancing around all of his actions with #everyone makes mistakes bc they’re children and that’s okay #and just leave it at that… #bc yes obviously all of the characters should be able to make mistakes and be forgiven #but were ignoring the elephant in the room here #it’s canon Mike feels guilt for how he treated el in s1 yet he hasn’t acknowledged it… #instead of acknowledging his history of doing something similar #he’s pointed out everyone else doing it as if they’re doing something wrong he himself would never do… #as if he doesn’t have first hand experience #they could have actually made this moment romantic and genuine IF they wanted to #they could have had mike open up about how he used to do that #but after getting to know el and realize she is her own person #it made him think differently and he wants to do better by her #then maybe when she confronted him in front of everyone he could have said it again or asked to be alone to say it to her directly #and to apologize for how he acted in the past by expecting stuff of her #and THATS why he is extra cautious now #and then got her reaction #instead they give fans the impression Mike is the ideal male love interest #who is perfect for el #with this moment being one of their top reasons #and it’s a scene where he avoids confronting series long built up guilt…

[caesarflickermans]

thg fans, we need to talk about the "rose map".

with TBOSAS, a new Panem map emerged diverging from previous map iterations. Fans have attempted to explain the stylistic difference as either a Capitol map or an in-universe artistic interpretation resembling a rose.

however, this map resembles a popular fan-made map. let's finally address this.

[image id: two pictures of a map. the first map has been made by a fan with its social media links included. the second map is titled "history of panem". the first map has several districts marked in a circular form moving inward toward the capitol. the second map is a similar design with the same shapes moving toward an inner centre. it's red colour makes it look like a rose]

Note the resemblance of the District placements and their shapes. District 4 and its island are especially noteworthy.

the original artist has spoken out today on a reddit post. this is their statement:

Hi, I'm aimmyarrowshigh who created this map, and I just wanted to thank you for pointing out here and when it was originally revealed that Lionsgate stole it from me.  They never contacted me to ask about using my Panem map (even though it is copyrighted as part of The Panem Companion) and did not give me any credit for its use. If they wanted to use it as the TBOSAS map, I would have gladly worked with them to update it to their design specs in exchange for whatever they paid their graphic designers and an acknowledgement in the end credits! I would have been thrilled! But instead, they stole it without any regard, and they're ignoring the Cease & Desist sent by my lawyers. (I am being aided by the legal team at the OTW.)  I am so disappointed by their decisions regarding this issue, from the initial choice to use it without just... asking... or even informing me... to their refusal to admit that they did such a thing. The fact that the graphic design company quietly removed it from IG after Lionsgate got the C&D, yet they still aren't going to give any credit or compensation for its use, is kind of depressing.  I think I can probably speak for any fan artist or meta writer in saying that having one of my crazy ideas made canon is super cool, and if they had asked me whether they could use my map design, I would have said yes AND probably been a lot cheaper than whoever they paid to steal it, just because I would have been so chuffed to see it in the movie. I'm kind of heartbroken that they didn't respect it, or me, enough to just... shoot me an email. You know? I know some people will probably reply and say "it's just a fanwork" or "you made it 13 years ago, get over it" or something like that, but fanworks are made out of pure love for the thing (in this case, THG) and Lionsgate took advantage of my love for THG to earn a little more money directly (on merch) and indirectly (in the movie itself). That's gross, imo. Just because it's a fanwork doesn't mean it isn't the intellectual property of the person who created it -- and especially in the case of something like this map, which exists specifically because it DIDN'T exist in canon at the time I created it.  Anyway, tl;dr: yes, they stole it, and thank you for pointing that out so consistently. 

what to do as fans?

boycott the "rose" map. do not buy the map / do not promote it / raise awareness / share this post.

uplift fan work. support fans / share & credit fan work.

supporty aimmyarrowshigh. buy or talk about the panem companion / share the original map.

#thg #the hunger games #katniss everdeen #peeta mellark #everlark #lucy gray baird #coriolanus snow #snowbaird #annie cresta #finnick odair #odesta #haymitch abernathy #effie trinket #hayffie

[roo-bastmoon]

So privacy has been violated OR...

... a smear campaign has begun.

Let's just get this new dating scandal out of the way so we can get back to buying and streaming...

Listen, I don't share unofficial content, but by now everyone in this tag knows there's a video going around that's supposed to be of JK in his apartment with Bam, walking around back-hugging and perhaps kissing a girl. Folks say there's the same couch, same wall panel, and a mood lamp.

I'm side-eyeing this because it's super grainy footage, the windows are different, the wall panel seems to be in different places in the two videos, the guy is shorter than the girl, and he's wearing a mask indoors. Plus, the account that dropped the videos supposedly posted then promptly closed up shop, which seems like they had the intention for deliberate sabotage instead of clout chasing as a sasaeng.

But people say the apartment set up seems really similar and the man has a similar hairstyle to what JK had in the beginning of 2023. So I guess it's Schrodinger's cat at this point.

(Isn't it curious that apartment-related scandals seem to happen on the day new content drops? Hmm... I digress.)

Look... If Jungkook (or Jimin) ends up dating someone else, I'm still going to support them as individuals. I'll be sad of course, because Jikook had AMAZING chemistry and I was really rooting for them to be together forever and all... but, I want them to be happy and fulfilled more than I want them to fit into any fantasy or ideas of my own.

That being said: at this very moment, half of Jimin's insta feed is about Jungkook. Most of Jungkook's lives for 2023 have JK mentioning Jimin, or even being totally focused on Jimin. There's years of super duper sus history between them. Right up to and including yesterday, where Jimin very heavily implied they are sharing Chuseok together.

It feels really weird to me that Jimin would want to tie JK's hair back neatly, call JK baby, beg JK to stay longer at his rehearsal, and joke that he can handle seeing JK naked -- but JK can't come over to shower and visit b/c Jimin says he just isn't that easy... if JK were in a relationship with someone else.

It also feels really weird to me that JK would light up like a super nova any time Jimin commented on his lives, would beg Jimin to hang out, would sing all of Jimin's songs and memorize Jimin's interview content, would travel with Jimin for his debut, then roll around naked in bed grinning and blushing while flirting with Jimin on live... if JK were in a relationship with someone else.

That would make Jungkook kind of a shitty boyfriend and Jimin kind of a shitty friend.

I know Jungkook is cultivating this cool guy/ladies man image right now and that is kinda baffling. I know friends can play-flirt, too... but to do all that on lives, after all their history together, knowing what half of Korea and ARMY thinks? Hm.

That's not "fanservice;" that's really toeing the line of queerbaiting. And it's really hard for me to imagine Jimin or Jungkook doing something like that. Jimin said he hates fake bromance stuff. (I guess anything is possible. It's a new chapter, after all. Maybe it's par for the course in idol-world.)

Hey, maybe Jikook had an amicable break up but are still really close and are fine teasing each other? Maybe they always liked to flirt but never were together? Maybe I've been reading it all wrong this whole time? Or maybe this is a bullshit video?

Whatever the reality is, I'm prepared to acknowledge it. At any time.

I'm not in a cult. I don't have to convince myself of anything. Jikook's behavior had made me think Jikook were in a relationship. If JK is dating someone else now? Okay then. I will just stop posting Jikook content and continue to help OT7 and celebrate my bias with all my heart.

No need for elaborate conspiracy theories or coping histrionics. If JK is in his Loving Women Era, good for him. Go with god, my brother. (Personally, I'd never recover from losing my chance to be with Thee Park Jimin, but that's me!)

But something about this just doesn't quite feel right. I wonder if he'll address it at all, like he did when folks filmed him in his gym or sent food to his home? Because if this is somehow real, it's a HORRIBLE invasion of privacy; home is supposed to be a safe place, and stalkers are scary.

And if it's not real, then someone is going to an AWFUL lot of trouble to overshadow Jungkook's release and upcoming album and that is unhinged. The kind of trouble that reminds me of apartment break-ins and tampered mail.

In any case, like I said: I'm ready to accept whatever the reality is, once the reality becomes clear.

I really love Jungkook. I really love Jimin. I really love BTS. They were there for me at the darkest, lowest point in my life. So whether I was right or wrong about Jikook, it doesn't really matter. In the end, I support them as far as I can.

But also, I sorta think this video may just be bullshit. So let's let them have their privacy, and focus instead on voting for Jimin and buying and streaming for JK instead, hmm? Eventually the truth will come to light.

No matter what happens, let's behave in a way that would make Jimin and Jungkook proud.

Love, Roo

#jikook #koomin

[izzysillyhandsy]

It is finally time for me to try writing about The Scene.

There's so much happening and changing within seconds. I feel that the whole history of Edward and Izzy is played out here, for (from their point of view) the last time.

We start off with Ed waking Izzy up, taking out his pistol (to Izzy's confusion) and then handing it to Izzy.

They are close, Ed is calm and fully in the moment. It is such an intimate moment, the way Ed tilts his head down in line with the pistol, never breaking eye contact.

And Izzy, who at first was trying to fend Ed off, now looks at him like this:

What is actually going on here? It seems like a return to something they've done before, like a memory of a tender moment. Of course, this is right after Ed tells Iz about the dream. Maybe it's just the closeness, or the fact that this must be the first moment in forever where Izzy is the sole focus of Ed.

But I feel that there is a story there, something in their past that makes Izzy - what is it - happy? Nostalgic? Regretful? I don't see turned on here, it's much softer than that.

"Good for you." (slightly sneering) "It was good for me." (completely sincere)

You don't need me to tell you this has more than one meaning.

Ed touches Izzy's hand as he stands up, "It was just what the doctor ordered."

The first half ends - these were the good times. Spending time together with weapons aimed at each other :). I think this was when both were young and relatively innocent, when life was exciting and the two of them were best friends, possibly even closer than that.

But now the second half starts.

"Anyway, it wasn't even like that."

Also has a double meaning.

"No, in my dream - I was standing. Just like this."

Ed turns his back to Izzy, making this an execution instead of an act of intimacy.

Izzy first raises the pistol, laughs brokenly and desperately. It feels like this was also a situation they'd both been in before. The laugh sounds like "No, we're not doing this. Once was enough."

I think a similar scene happened when they were young, and the next bit strengthens this theory for me.

Izzy puts his hand over half his face, his voice changes and he calls Ed "Eddie" for the first and only time in the show:

"Oh, you're scared, Eddie? To sc- to scared to do it yourself?"

Hornigold also calls Ed "Eddie", and I think Izzy is kind of channeling Hornigold here. Maybe, back on Hornigold's ship, Ed was ordered to execute someone and couldn't. And maybe Izzy had to do it for him. Maybe Izzy had to do lots of traumatizing things for Ed. Maybe the person executed was someone Izzy and/or Ed cared about. And maybe Ed started to resent Izzy for it. The way Ed is spreading his arms out, the way it seems almost staged - it's like Ed is saying "kill me like you killed him".

OR maybe this is how Izzy pep-talked Ed into becoming Blackbeard, which would be much darker (and harder for me as an Izzy apologist). But Izzy telling Stede that Ed's complete breakdown is like 50% his fault may point to events in the past where Izzy thought he had to push Ed into the Kraken-zone to secure their and their crew's survival. Maybe he did this often, especially at the beginning of their Blackbeard fuckery.

What is remarkable though is that Izzy hides his face with his hand, then forces out the words, almost choking on them. This clearly has importance and history - nothing so far in the whole show was forced out so violently - so I am heavily leaning towards a traumatic experience for Ed and Izzy both. It definitely crashes Izzy down from his nostalgia-high real quick.

Now Izzy's voice changes back to his own, but he speaks really fast and without inflection, trying to get everything over with:

"Go on clean up your own fucking mess I'm not doing it I've been doing it all my fucking life."

(without thanks I might add)

"Fuck off."

Izzy's finally, finally had enough.

Ed acknowledges, resignedly, and leaves. I think he expected it to go this way.

Izzy shoots himself. I think Ed also expected this.

Ed says he loved him best he could. It's over. He goes to his own death.

This scene is only a few minutes long, but as I said in the beginning, I think they're reliving their whole relationship here, first the good times (which are quickly devalued - "But it wasn't even like that") and the bad times (I did this for you, but for nothing - "Fuck off").

As Ed says to Frenchie, he's had closure with Izzy. He's shown him what it was like for him. Izzy's also had closure with Ed. From now on, Ed has to carry the weight of his decisions himself.

Both die.

(and then both indestructible fuckers come back)

#ofmd #ofmd s2 spoilers #ofmd season 2 spoilers #izzy hands #edward teach #extreme closure with Ed and Iz #ofmd meta

[yuri-is-online]

Ace!Yutu when he sees his father being an idiot and claiming he doesn’t like the prefect that way:

I swear I love the angst potential of Yutu, and more because it depends on the version.

Imagine Riddle!Yutu waking up screaming from a bad nightmare and watching his previously dead parent right next to him.

Tumblr and I have beef, it deleted this ask and then magically re-found it AFTER I typed it out somewhere else. Anyway, I have a second ask about aceyuu Yutu mentioning him judging his dad because you know that Marcille face is what he is making 24/7. But since he is also Ace's son you know he has a little fun with it:

"I see I see." Yutu folds his hands together, index fingers standing tall in front of his lips as he nods in exaggerated agreement before shifting ever so slightly to look at Deuce. "So he really lives like this?" "Yeah he does." Cackles Deuce, Ace's eye twitches as he tries to decide who is more annoying, the new kid or Deuce. "I'll let you in on a secret, he thinks he's being subtle." "I think I'm being normal." Ace huffs, but new kid ignores him and nods sagely at Deuce. "Ah yes I see, like a brick." "Hey listen!" Ace hates how much more of a defense this new kid is making him run, why's he decided it is his business if he likes Yuu or not? "Unlike you two losers I actually have a relationship history-" "What, with a mirror?" Yutu's unimpressed look is so similar to Yuu's Ace swears his heart leaps right up into his throat. "Look I'm just saying it sounds like there was a break up in there somewhere." Never mind fuck this, who raised this kid?!?!

I try to have each Yutu be a bit different to help reflect how each character's reaction to him would be a bit different. That and I think different boys kids would be different even if they have similarities, Riddle! Yutu is withdrawn and angry while Ace! Yutu is more laid back and sarcastic, but they are still both Yutu.

And speaking of Riddle! Yutu:

He can taste the ink in his lungs through his struggle to breathe, the branch around his neck tightens at his audacity to try. He panics on instinct, screaming as the Phantom's scepter is pushed into his chest as it screams out a command "OFF WITH YOUR-"

You open the door with a bit more force than you intended, something about hearing Yutu scream out for one of his parents makes you feel awful, even more so when you finally see him. The poor boy has tied his sheets into knots with his thrashing, you silently thank the seven that you thought to set down the milk you had heated up before you shake him.

Calling out to them he tackles you with a surprising amount of force, holding onto you so tightly you can't help but hug him back. Fat tears roll down his cheeks as he shakes like a leaf and you do your best to keep him in his bed, but let him cling to you.

"It's just me." You pat his back and he freezes, but doesn't loosen his grip and you laugh slightly. He's got to be so embarrassed, better let him re-set before he has to look at your face. "Breathe in, now hold one, two-" You softly guide him through his breaths and relax alongside him as he calms. "That sounded like a bad one, are you sure you don't want me to loan you Grim? He's a real good snuggle buddy, promise."

"I think I'll pass." Yutu pulls back, but he still can't look at you, eyes instead going to the milk on his nightstand and rolling his eyes. "Really? I'm not a baby." But still he takes it and you let the insult go.

"Do you want to talk about it?" You hope he will, this is the third time this week he's had an episode and you really want to help. You think Yutu wants to, he looks at you now with a deeply strained look in his eyes that almost makes you think he is looking at a ghost.

"It's... not nothing." He had tried saying it was the first time you found him in the throws of one. "But I can't- I can't tell you." It's progress enough that he's willing to acknowledge it's a problem, you can't heal unless you accept that something is broken.

"I'll be here if you change your mind." You mean it to be kind, but it makes the ghost look worsen. Still, Yutu sort of smiles at you.

"I know and... thank you." He closes his eyes briefly to reset himself and remember. You're alive, that's enough for now.

"You want to play go fish?" More than enough.

#<3 asks #twisted wonderland x reader #twst x reader #future kid au #riddle rosehearts x reader #riddle rosehearts x yuu #aceyuu #ace trapolla x reader #ace trapolla x yuu

[garfunklefield]

hewoo!!!! could u write a yuji x reader SH hurt/comfort fic? it would really help me.. :>

One Minute At a Time

Viwer discretion is advised

GN!reader/Yuji Itadori Warning: No graphic description or direct mention of the type of SH, angst, hurt/comfort, Yuji will comfort you all :(, bath, bathing together Word count: 1055 DESC: Yuji will take care of you until you stop hurting

I hope you feel better ANON

REQUESTS and ASKS open!

You weren’t doing well and he knew it. Yuji had a way of knowing when you were upset again. And he had a way of knowing when you would relapse. You’d pull at the sleeve of your shirt and wear the same sweatpants for days at a time. And he hated it. He hated to see you suffer and he hated that he couldn’t do anything about it. You were gorgeous. You were the prettiest person he had ever met. With your weight, your bones, your hair, your teeth. Even if you hated all of it. Even if you found every single flaw within those things … he loved it. He loved you. And it pained him so hard to see you didn’t love yourself as much. Yuji knew you’d get better for a bit and stop. Then something would happen and you’d go back to the only coping mechanism you knew. He had a similar history. Instead of acknowledging his feelings he’d shove them down until one singular bad thing happened, and he’d blow up into a million pieces. He was trying to stop but it was hard. So he couldn’t imagine how hard it was for you.

Yuji tried to subtly hint at therapy or other ways to cope, but he never wanted to overstep. He knew you thought he didn’t know about your coping but he did. He knew from the moment it started. He knew you so well it was hard not to notice. So the day you came up to him with tears in his eyes, he knew things were going to change. He was sitting in his apartment when he heard a loud knock at the door. It was strange but he didn’t think much of it. Probably a salesman or some package he didn’t know about. He opened the door and saw you, hair a mess and tears flowing down your cheeks. You had on the same outfit he saw you in two days ago, but he wasn’t focused on that. Yuji was focused on the fact you were shaking and clutching your clothed arm. You didn’t need to tell him. You didn’t need to speak. And you didn’t need to look down or acknowledge it. 

Yuji grabbed you gently and pulled you into his apartment, closing the door and pulling you into a hug. He leaned down and rested his face against your shoulder. He inhaled your sorrow and listened as you cried gently, explaining what had happened. He nodded and reassured you, taking the time and effort to make sure you were okay. That you were safe now. He would never leave your side again until you were healed and truly better. He’d take you everywhere with him if he had to. After the hug, Yuji made it a point to wrap your arm. Just to wrap it from infection and to help you avoid seeing what had happened. The last thing you needed was to see it again. 

He took your hand and led you down his hallway to his bathroom, closing the door behind you two. You shakily sniffed and looked around, eyeing the bathtub, “Yuji…?” You asked, knowing what he was going to do. He lightly shhed you and turned on the tub, making the water nice and warm. He wasn’t sure how long you had been in those clothes, how long it had been since you took care of yourself. He didn’t care. He needed to help you now even if you felt a bit ashamed. Yuji didn’t mind having to wash your back delicately, dress you, or even feed you! He’d do it for a thousand years if it meant you were going to be okay. 

“Let me do this,” Yuji murmured, stopping the water after it had reached a good height. He gently took your face into his large hands, staring down at you and then kissing your forehead. He kissed your forehead, then your right temple, followed by your left, then your cheeks, then your nose. A small sad smile played on your lips as he watched you, “I love you. Don’t ever think I don’t.”

“Thank you…” You mumbled back, looking toward the bathtub, “Can you come in with me? You don’t have to but…” You trailed off with a bit of shame rising in your voice. Yuji didn’t have to be told twice. He stood up straight, removing his hands from your face and taking off his shirt, followed by the rest of his clothes. He let out a signature laugh and got into the tub, laying back against the back of it and spreading out his legs. 

You watched him warily for a moment before stripping as well. He could see from your eyes you were embarrassed of the marks surrounding your form, and how they littered your skin. All he could say under his breath was, “You’re beautiful,” and motion for you to sit in between his legs. You slowly stepped into the tub, with Yuji holding your arm and hip to ensure you wouldn’t fall. He’d never let you fall. Then he slowly helped you sit down and lean your back against his front, as his arms protectively snaked around you. You let out a small sigh and leaned your head back, closing your eyes. It felt nice. This felt nice. 

“I love you,” Yuji spoke after a silent moment, “I’ll always love you,” you felt a warm kiss against your neck, then another kiss going up further to your jaw. You couldn’t help but laugh slightly at the tickling sensation as he continued to kiss you, trailing up your cheeks and towards your mouth. He peppered your face, hoping and praying you knew how loved you truly were. Before he stopped and delicately placed one kiss against your lips. Yuji then pulled you back against him, letting the warm water take hold of all your anxiety and melt it away. It was the perfect temperature and he was the perfect boyfriend. You loved him and he loved you, even with all the imperfections you saw about yourself. 

Yuji would love you for a thousand years if it meant showing you how amazing you were. And he would love you for a thousand more if it meant stopping you from ever being sad again.

#jjk yuuji #yuuji x reader #itadori yuuji #yuji x reader #yuji #yuji itadori #jjk yuji #yuji itadori x reader #x reader #x reader angst #hurt/comfort #garfunklefield writing

[warmerstranger]

❝ [𝙰 𝟿𝟿% 𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚙𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚋𝚒𝚕𝚒𝚝𝚢 𝚖𝚊𝚝𝚌𝚑!?] ❞

ft. The 7 Bros

°°``summary: when you showed the 99% result of a compatibility test between you and your boyfriend to him...

°°``drabbles (hehe I made each part to be exactly 100 words)

Marked as and included with: Fluff, luci kind of being a harshie judger>:/

Luci;

Thinks of it as a sad pathetic attempt of yours as he looks at you with a frown and a shake of his head.

“If you need some form of reassurance, you should admit so to me, am I clear?”

Honestly, his pride gets scratched a bit somehow seeing the 99% mark. It irks him the same as he would react with fortune telling. You don't need those things in assessing your relationship with him, he would make sure of it. Needless to say, he treats you to a date or gives you a long and passionate kiss that day.

Mammon;

He would go through a phase of a grandpa trying to read; squinting and tilting your phone from all sides as if doing that (in denial) would change the result.

“Hmph, of COURSE! This is the Great Mammon you're talking about—you shoulda k-known by now! What's with the one percent anyway...”

While Mammon made that statement in trembling voice, he still demands you to explain why it's not perfect. He won't just accept a result like that! Do prepare for him behaving more jittery and embarrassed all at once showing he is your 100% attentive boyfriend through the whole day.

Levi;

“So wha-what's this got to do with me!? With us?? I thought we.. it's obvious....”

The one most sulky instead, before he starts a rant about how you shouldn't trust about tests like that since he doesn't need to be shown of the example. He's making it a big deal when really, he's just worried if those tests might affect or... ruin the relationship you already have with him.

Levi also adds that if you're one of the love interests in a game, he would straight up chase your route without fail and have a happy ending on first try.

Asmo;

He would be all squealing and cooing about how he really is the one and only for you. There's just no downsides from having him as your boyfriend, plus he could also be your own personal beautician; helping you have the best glow-up and become almost the prettiest as him.

“We're literally match made in heaven! Here, look this way, honey. Give me your best smile and pose!”

He soon snaps a picture of you and him together. It will be one of many proofs—even better than the shallow test result—about the most beautiful fitting couple in the Devildom history.

Satan;

The one gets a bit invested about it, depending on what kind of test you took; detailed or resulting in just a simple little speculation. He would be disappointed if it's the latter and you're easily happy with it.

But, when it's the former, he will deep dive and (over)analysis, seeing how your traits would connect then overlap with his own personality fueling the combination chemistry of being a match which as if two souls resonate and becoming a part of a whole unity—

“I see..., it must have been very fulfilling to learn of this development, wouldn't you think?”

Beel;

Is happy for you :) because you're that excited about it, he nods and will listen quietly to you if you decide to converse about it. He might make it seem as if the test is more about you and doesn't involve himself at all, but...

“That is a good thing, will we get to eat together more of my favorites then?”

His mind strays off imagining about new foods that he or you find delicious will be enjoyed its taste between the company of you two. You'll soon be surprised about a growing clamorous rumble which sounds very near.

Belphie;

Similar to how his twin reacts, he isn't that impressed and will give you a hum of acknowledgement before burying his head in your lap again that's surrounded by a blanket and pillow since moments ago. You were hoping for him to give something more than a passive response, but you can't blame him since he's just cozy being like that. He turns to face you and mumbles with a smile, while caressing your face.

“Maybe it's a sign we will have higher chance of finding each other more often in our dreams now... Hm, that wouldn't be so bad.”

#obey me fluff #obey me x reader #obey me imagines #obey me lucifer x reader #obey me mammon x reader #obey me levi x reader #obey me asmo x reader #obey me satan x reader #obey me beel x reader #obey me belphie x reader #obey me x gender neutral reader #mammon x reader

[astral-mariner]

vegeta/raditz headcanons

I'm actually surprised this pairing isn't more popular! I feel like once people really think about it, there's a lot of appeal, and there's plenty of places even in canon to imagine a relationship more complex than mere comrades. Feelings/headcanons dump on why:

Vegeta and Raditz are, to their knowledge, the last two young people left alive of their species. Sure, Vegeta might look down on Raditz for being low-class and considerably weaker than him, but as much as Vegeta might deny it, they share a history, a culture, and a bond (re: trauma bond).

They traveled and fought together before the destruction of their planet. Makes you wonder how Raditz ended up fighting alongside Vegeta. Lots of interesting speculations available here. (In the V/R story I'm writing, for example, Raditz reveals that he won a tournament to become Vegeta's fighting partner---even besting several elite saiyans of similar ages.) Makes you wonder, too, if Raditz fighting with Vegeta instead of another noble was something unheard of or scandalous.

And while we all know saiyans and humans aren't quite the same, I don't think it's a stretch to imagine they experience emotions like love/affection, loneliness, and grief in some similar ways. Even if these emotions are labeled "soft" or "weak" by their culture. (Here, too, I don't imagine their culture is a monolith: Vegeta, for example, probably faces more pressure to be "cold-hearted" or free of attachment than Raditz does because of his role and figurehead status.) So we end up with three saiyans, all of whom face varying degrees of pressure to move past the loss of their home and people, who must nevertheless find some kind of solace in each other in order to carry on. Meaning and purpose are definitely more elusive when Freeza controls every aspect of your life. When the people and culture that gave context to what matters to you are simply...gone. No more than memories.

The saiyans certainly put on a front of strength and invulnerability. Vegeta more than any of them. He doesn't care that his home is gone. He doesn't care that he'll never see his parents again. It makes sense that he has to tell himself that in a lot of ways: he's constantly facing new and unrelenting horrors under Freeza, both that he inflicts and that are inflicted upon him. If he stopped to grieve or acknowledge the wrongs being done, he wouldn't be able to pick himself back up and keep going. Forcing himself not to care is a defense mechanism.

But even then, there are moments of weakness. He punishes Raditz and Nappa when the immense burden of loss becomes too much for them to bear. When the purging assignments remind them all too much of how their own people were destroyed. And yet...the reason Vegeta punishes them so severely is because he sees those same vulnerabilities in himself. He needs to suppress and smother them. Violently.

Raditz doesn't blame Vegeta for the abuse he deals out as much as he could. As far as he (Raditz) understands, Vegeta has to be the way that he is in order to be as strong as possible and make at least something right after all that's happened. Nevertheless, he senses that, deep down, Vegeta struggles with loss and isolation as much as they all do. Even if no one ever acknowledges it outright.

Despite all the bullshit and unhealthy coping mechanisms, it's no great leap to imagine Vegeta and Raditz having their moments in spite of them. Vegeta might still regard Raditz as lesser; Raditz might still find Vegeta awful and insufferable. Yet Raditz admires Vegeta for his strength and determination; he hopes Vegeta really can live up to the legends to which they all cling in the absence of all else.

Meanwhile, Vegeta sees in Raditz someone who, in some ways, has more freedom than he does. Freedom to express the feelings he himself must stifle. Raditz will never be the Super Saiyan of legend. There will be no great consequence if he admits he misses his mother---just a little embarrassment and maybe some dishonor. And Vegeta longs for those things as much as he tells himself he hates them. To be able to let loose and lay down the burden of his rank.

Though as we know from canon, Vegeta seemed unmoved by Raditz's death. Even said he and Nappa were better off without him. This tells us a lot about their dynamic, but there's lots of room for speculation here too. Things must've always been fraught between them. Vegeta's pride and resentment got in the way. (And you can imagine that there was fear involved too: just as Vegeta had lost everything, he could lose Raditz and Nappa at any time; there would only be more pain if he let himself become attached.) Perhaps there were some truly awful fights between them. Perhaps they had a sort of love/hate relationship with each other. Two young people, the last of their kind---yet cultural, personal, and circumstantial obstacles drive them apart and prevent them from having any kind of loving, uncomplicated partnership.

Even then, though, there's still a certain inevitability to it. Vegeta can tell himself over and over he needs no one and wants nothing but power, but it doesn't make it true. He's still a young man like any other young man. He can't survive completely on his own as much as he wants to, and when Freeza has worn him down, and Raditz is there offering just the littlest touch of companionship, it shakes his defenses in a way more pain and trauma never could. (The same thing happens again with Bulma after he returns to Earth, but to an even greater degree.)

Anyway, this ship has a ton of potential! Angst, drama, trauma-bonding, love/hate, intensity---all things you can get out of it. And still quite plausible in canon. I'd love to see more art and fics exploring the possibilities! I'll definitely share some. I particularly enjoy the dark, angsty side of those possibilities myself... Stay tuned for more ramblings :)

#astral.txt #vegeta #raditz #headcanons #I will get everyone aboard this angsty ship with me

[beardedmrbean]

Hi, trying to make these one short…but in problem lying 🤡

But this thread

https://x.com/sophianarwitz/status/1772283920249167939?s=46

Also this whole “black people be can’t be in fantasy because of racism!” Is more because a lot of black kids were bullied the living fuck of for liking stuff kind fantasy because it was “white people shit” so they lost passion thus they never desire to go into that stuff to bring more rep

Of course a lot of white kids were bullied too

But the thing is you guys can call out your bullies without being called a coon or race traitor

Actually a lot of women here who were in geek culture often pointed out modern feminists were their childhood bullies

And tbh if this panel accurate…

https://youtu.be/JHgpHfrULHc?si=oJQcSWyPac1bCFZG

And that the thing about black stuff like in gaming or in current fantasy

It made be people who have surface levels of understanding of eras

“The Middle Ages were actually diverse!” The Europeans did established trade routes with the rest of world. Buuuut it was also common to stop or ended trades if Islam wanted to try another jihad again and the internal conflict

But about ac stuff and why I’m defending Yasuke as a second playable character

So when ac Japan was announced I decided to look into what time span they will use. So in ac Japan lore was explored here and there in books and other app. But they keep it light

Now a Chinese assassin Shao Jun acolyte Kotetsu went back home to establish his own assassins branch in Japan.

So the Japanese assassins were established in mid 16 century 1549-50 as that when Templars came to Japan

Now this story was told in a manga when it very like the ac red story being develop so they made sure not step on each other shoes

Then a iirc 2021-22 ac book centered around two Japanese assassins siblings during the Meiji period. It was noted the Templar didn’t gain a presence in Japan again until the American navy thus confirm the Tokugawa era was an assassin control one.

So when the leaks drop that Yasuke will be a second playable character. I figured out through research that the game will focus on the final sengoku civil war.

Now when ac3 did the American civil war in the pov of a Native American. It took a few hours in game and hell years in the story to explain why

Now I hope Yasuke can be handle in similar ways to why he want to help unify Japan in these story

But beyond that, feel like a lot of modern creators REFUSE to acknowledge the modern black American only exists in history during colonial and forward times. Hence my chimera republic idea

There a plenty of African kingdoms to use, but are you guys mentally stuck at 15 or something?

Representation matters. Exclusivity is not the same as racism.

She's correct, where it crosses the line into racism is the opening tweet where she's making a big deal out of it. Make your game and then if people bitch about it not containing white men you can point the finger at them.

Same outcome except you don't look like self hating racist, still are one but at least you can play dumb.

Also this whole “black people be can’t be in fantasy because of racism!”.........ect

Ya, that or they were told so many time that it's not something they do that it sapped their will to do it, that crosses over into a lot of things. When I see someone saying that women have to work 10 times as hard as men to get into STEM fields I ask them who told you that, and make sure they give a name instead of "society" because 98% of the time it was another woman that said it, same with the black community except it's white people instead of men.

Oh just a few seconds in and it looks fun, cackling woman is likely to be the kind of person who will try and claim that the oppression olympics isn't real moments after making a statement like her first one.

And that the thing about black stuff like in gaming or in current fantasy It made be people who have surface levels of understanding of eras “The Middle Ages were actually diverse!” The Europeans did established trade routes with the rest of world. Buuuut it was also common to stop or ended trades if Islam wanted to try another jihad again and the internal conflict

Alexander the Great's empire extended into India, not sure how far down into Africa but at least as far as northern Kush

But about ac stuff and why I’m defending Yasuke as a second playable character So when ac Japan was announced I decided to look into what time span they will use. So in ac Japan lore was explored here and there in books and other app. But they keep it light .........

You have absolutely done your homework on all of this, good to have a focus, nice.

Now when ac3 did the American civil war in the pov of a Native American. It took a few hours in game and hell years in the story to explain why Now I hope Yasuke can be handle in similar ways to why he want to help unify Japan in these story

I think historically at this point he's well enough known, legend or reality is going to be the issue, have fun with the story for sure, hopefully people don't take artistic license for fact (they will) and just enjoy the story, maybe take some time and put in some effort to do the reading like you've done.

But beyond that, feel like a lot of modern creators REFUSE to acknowledge the modern black American only exists in history during colonial and forward times. Hence my chimera republic idea There a plenty of African kingdoms to use, but are you guys mentally stuck at 15 or something?

Money. Also could you imagine the outcry if some company got Bantu knots confused with Dreadlocks.

You may have missed all the dreadlock discourse, that was just pathetic and whiny and good lord are there not better things to throw a hissy fit about.

Not really much in the way of records of SubSaharan Africa before the 7th century when some folks came a conquering, they wasn't white or Christian either, and setting up kingdoms and what not. At least for kingdoms that weren't bordering seas or oceans, those got to be older.

are you guys mentally stuck at 15 or something?

Yes, many of them are.

#zoomer huey anon

[nayatarot777]

Father God & Mother Gaia ~ Men Throughout History Have Disregarded Half of Source Consciousness/Energy

I find it fascinating how the fragile egos of men throughout history have twisted what the idea of “source” is, amongst religion. They’ve conveniently only recognised the masculine half of source as the only source that there is (hence why all abrahamic Gods are ONLY masculine energies within their religious text). But yet they also taught people that their masculine-only version of God is source in its entirety. That God is whole (holy). But how can God be whole without his other half? How can their version of the whole source ONLY be a masculine energy? Because they want to equal themselves as human masculines with the source consciousness?

It’s a fact that there’s duality in everything. Without one end of the spectrum, there can’t be the other. Without negative, you can’t have positive. Without bad, you can’t have good. Without the feminine, you can’t have the masculine. So why has the feminine side of source (which I believe is Mother Gaia) been ignored and eradicated from mainstream belief systems so easily? How can a masculine procreate by himself without a feminine? Father God & Mother Gaia are the PARENTS of creation. But, again, men throughout history have conveniently ignored the mother and only acknowledged the father in religion as a way to feel like they’re the superior energy (as masculines). Even going as far as demonising the feminine embodiments of God. But there’s no such thing. Father God and Mother Gaia make a whole, so how in tf are they only worshipping half of source while pretending like they’re worshipping the entirety of source? Only to simultaneously abuse, oppress, and degrade the physical embodiment (women/females) of the feminine side of source, on this physical planet? Men are the physical embodiment of the masculine side of source, but for some reason, their human egos decided to develop a superiority complex and oppress the physical embodiment of the feminine. While pretending to respect source? How tf are you “respecting” source while you abuse, oppress, and degrade half of source itself?

This is what has made prayer so difficult for me. I want to address Father God, but I never do in my prayers because it feels like my addressee list is incomplete, if that makes sense. This is why. I usually just say “source” but that doesn’t feel enough for me. It feels too removed from me sometimes. I want to be able to feel what’s similar to a human connection with source but just seeing it as the source of energy of creation doesn’t allow that. And I know that a lot of people struggle with the same thing. Instead of praying only to “Father God”, try praying to “Father God & Mother Gaia”. As if they’re parents who you can speak to, instead of the skewed religious version of God as a tyrannical biblical Father. That version of God is the projection of weak-ass male ego over centuries. You don’t have to subscribe to that version of God that has been twisted and lied about. And hopefully, this is how many of us can heal our religious trauma.

For my people who are into astrology, who have chiron and/or lilith in the 9th house, this particularly could be healing for you.

Just something to think about.

#psychic readings #religion #god #gaia #mother gaia #father god #channelling #pick a card #tarot reading #pac #pick a photo #divination #tarot #pick a picture #spirituality #pac reading #collective reading #daily tarot #intuitive #astrology #tarot cards #tarotcommunity #astrology placements #astro posts #free tarot #naya tarot collective #astro community

[teecupangel]

I'M WILL GOING BUCK WILD WITH THIS PLOT LMAO

Ah, ah! I was reading stuff on The Old Guard tag and now all I can think of is

Kassandra as Andy cause she is literally older than Jesus fucking Christ

Altaïr & Ezio as Nick & Joe cause WHY NOT

Arno as Booker cause he's a bloody drama queen

F!Eivor as Noriko cause DRAMA

Desmond as Nile cause they're BAMF and all come together on a AltEziDes with Arno suffering on the background and Kass looking like a proud lesbian mama lol

Bayek would be a good Andy too, and Connor and Shay also give me NickJoe vibes lol

Ooohhh, I’m always game to think about immortality-based plotlines XD

Kassandra as Andy would be spot on, especially if F!Eivor is Noriko/Quynh. Although, instead of a Labyrs, her main weapons would be the pointed tip of a spear and a Viking axe. She’d also be more on the calm chill side and happens to like to tease her fellow immortals. (To make it more interesting, maybe F!Eivor and her also met in the Isle of Skye and their relationship blossomed there as well)

Altaïr and Ezio as Nick and Joe would be a pretty fun pairing as well, especially if we keep Altaïr’s whole ‘distant and kinda arrogant’ personality. Ezio would be the one to remind him if he’s being too rude, sometimes with just a touch, because, even if they’ve been immortals for so long, some habits are hard to let go of. Ezio likes to joke that Altaïr is a work in progress which everyone knows is his way of saying Altaïr is trying. Altaïr, on the other hand, may act aloof most of the time but he’s quite protective of Ezio and there is no one in the world he trusts more than Ezio. Their personalities tend to clash at times and everyone knows that they sometimes spend half a century or so apart because of some dumb fight neither of them wanted to acknowledge responsibility with. It’s just become part of their whole deal that everyone just nods along to. Then Desmond comes in.

Arno as Booker would work. Just replace the death of Booker’s sons with Élise’s death (for more pain, maybe imply that Élise may have been or may have not been pregnant during the time of her death).

But you know who else could work as Booker? Haytham Kenway. Instead of being part of Napoleon’s army, keep his whole deal, including his actions to help the British Empire. But this time, he is the one to kill his own son instead. The American Revolution still played as history had recorded it so Haytham has to live his immortal life with the guilt of killing his son for nothing. He’d also be the most aloof of the Immortals and perhaps even be jealous of how ‘easy’ it is for everyone to move on. (Plus points if he treats Desmond the way he treats his son before and he only realizes it when Desmond tells him to stop treating him like an idiot, only digging in the guilt of how his relationship with his son was).

Eivor as Quynh/Noriko also gives us an excuse to… well, torture Eivor. While her imprisonment would be of a similar fate to Quynh/Noriko, we can include her being subjected to a blood eagle in Odin’s name. If you want to hammer in the angst, make Sigurd the one to do it. Of course, if Eivor and Kassandra met on the Isle of Skye, the events of Eivor’s life would have to be shuffled around to make it more coherent. Her imprisonment could be because of Sigurd or because of the Saxons.

And then there was Desmond. One main difference between Desmond and Nile would be their attachment to people. If we keep Desmond’s strained relationship with his parents, he would actually be more open to being immortal. He would hide his desire for a connection with practiced smiles and his chill personality although he wouldn’t fool Kassandra. It would be his desire for a connection but hiding it from everyone that makes it easy for him to fall for both Altaïr and Ezio. Neither of them planned to fall in love with Desmond, maybe they even started out a relationship with him as more of something fun and uncomplicated (like having the immortal version of an ongoing sexual and emotional threesome) which Desmond was cool with (he didn’t expect to fall for them too) while they’re teaching him the ropes and helping him acclimate with his newfound immortality. It would only be later that they would realize that Desmond is like the missing piece in their life.

Other possible ideas:

Ratonhnhaké:ton and Shay giving off Nick and Joe vibes? Color me intrigued. This one also has the additional emotional baggage of Shay being employed by Haytham who Ratonhnhaké:ton killed so, like… they say their relationship is ‘complicated’ and that would be an understatement.

If Arno is Booker, he would have had a relationship with Jacob Frye. Maybe his relationship with Jacob is what helps him move on from the pain of Élise’s death but Jacob isn’t an immortal soooo… (holy wow, Arno has, like, the short end of the stick in this one if he’s an immortal. Haytham doesn’t count, he deserves to feel the guilt)

Bayek would definitely be a good Andy as well. If you go for Bayek instead, Quynh/Noriko would have to be Aya. Although, if you just want Bayek to be included in the plot, he could be Lykon instead? Another possible Lykon is Alexios/Deimos as well and that would definitely be some angst for Kassandra.

Of course, Merrick would be Vidic, hahaha. Maybe Copley could be Layla or even Lucy?

Why are they immortals? Why do we need to explain that? Let’s keep it a mystery but make vague points of how it might be connected with some kind of Isu research to achieve eternal life.

#do assassins and templars still exist in this one #sure but they’re more in line with their historical counterparts than ac lore counterpart #ask and answer #kasseiv #is that their couple tag #idk #no usual tags because #altdes #ezides #altezi #altdesezi

[theflyindutchwoman]

Okay idk if we’ve talk about this before but I just saw it on the rookie subreddit and I wanted your opinion because it does irk me a little bit too

In 5x20 when Tim is talking to Isabel about his suspension and says “Lucy suggested meditating” and then they laugh about it. It felt so gross to me a little bit

Like he was laughing at Lucy with his ex-wife. Im sure that wasn’t the intention but I can see how people read it as that and now I can’t unsee that. And then the way he yelled Chen 😤 sir….

I know their point was to show that there was no bad blood left before Isabel and Tim but I hate how they did it. Laughing at Lucy’s expense ain’t it.

I think I wouldn’t bother me (and the subreddit lol) if maybe he laughed but then added a “but I know she’s just trying to help.” Or something like that. Like acknowledging that she’s trying to help but it’s not his vibe. Instead of just mean girl laughing abojt it

Idk that’s always irked me and I just saw the post on Reddit and it reminded me and then I thought “I have discussed this with bestie yet” lol

Yeah, it definitely was a point of contention when it aired. Actually, there were several moments in this episode that were a bit iffy, but this was the main one.

I just interpreted it at first as Tim laughing at the idea of doing meditation, rather than laughing AT Lucy. But it doesn't change the fact that it was quite ambiguous and clumsy… especially since the camera turned to her and he was laughing with Isabel. I fully understand why so many read it that way. And, like I said, it wasn't the only questionable moment in this episode so it certainly didn't help.

I also remember that someone pointed out how out of character it would be for Tim to laugh at this suggestion at all, since in 3.11 he was teaching Barnes some breathing/grounding exercises - which fall under the umbrella of meditation. Now it could be a case of the writers forgetting about canon. It has happened before and will most likely happen again. Or it could simply be that the writers didn't realise this. I was taught similar breathing exercises in the past without ever being aware that they were meditating tools. As a matter of fact, I still can't do regular meditating exercises, so in that regard, I guess I can relate a bit to Tim. But I found this to be a very interesting point.

Im sure that wasn’t the intention but I can see how people read it as that and now I can’t unsee that. Yep. I doubt that it was the intention either, there was just something lacking in the execution. I guess the writers were so focused on showing there was no bad blood between Isabel and Tim that they didn't grasp how it could look from Lucy's perspective. And the thing is, I actually appreciate that they didn't try to go down the 'bitter exes' trope or anything of the sort. We already have this with Nyla and Donovan or even with Bailey. It was refreshing to see two exes be able to work together and be cordial with no hidden agenda. To have these three characters work together without jealousy or bitterness getting in the way. Besides, considering their history, this makes more sense. But yes, I just wish that it didn't come at Lucy's expense either. That they would have found a better middle ground and not make fun of her empathy. Especially since the episode started so well - I absolutely love their very first scene in her apartment, before Isabel showed up.

#little talks #the rookie #chenford #lucy chen #tim bradford #Isabel #I'm really curious to see how this storyline will evolve in s6 #I should tag this as 'little talks with bestie' haha #Im so excited that we will soon be able to do that 'live'

[compacflt]

pre-publishing notes for slider (actually i meant to poast this yesterday i just forgor 💀), just to put them out there

as per usual i peddle an extreme amount of mis- and straight up disinformation about the aerospace & defense industries in this one. as a general rule of thumb if it sounds like i researched it poorly and/or made it up, that’s because i researched it poorly and/or made it up. like every scene i was like ‘that wouldn’t happen :D’ and wrote it anyway

this one-shot renders my third one-shot (about ice & hangman) entirely obsolete, as if the rooster one-shot didn’t already do that. so just ignore the hangman one. (i only wrote that one cause i felt bad about tagging my fics hangster when they’re barely in it.) Also, this one-shot kind of directly contradicts the end scene of “debriefing” in pretty much every way. i don’t really care, because this is a much stronger ending, but just throwing that out there—this one-shot doesn’t really jive with my other writing for plot/character arc reasons & im too lazy/sick and tired of my other writing to go back and retcon any of it

i only research things i am mandated to by school/a job/journalistic code of ethics, or that i think are interesting, or that i know will not depress me. divorce depresses me so i did not research divorce. Also im pretty sure marriage doesn’t work the way i described it “sign the papers & that’s it” but idgaf . shrug. im having fun

something i Didn’t make up, though: the thesis that iraq/afghanistan went so poorly in the long term partly because our armed services & especially that generation of commanding officers were prepared for total warfare with a near-peer (like the ussr) instead of counterinsurgency tactics against mountain-based guerrilla warfare-stratted forces (like Al-q*eda etc). that’s a very real thesis that ive read in multiple mil history books (“the generals,” ricks; “mil history for the modern strategist,” ohanlon) & co-opted because it’s kind of, in a fucked up way, a good metaphor for ice’s whole deal—he’d been expecting a traditional officer’s life with a woman etc (aka traditional warfare against the ussr, the us’ sworn enemy) and instead found happiness in the weirdest of places, another dude (aka guerrilla warfare) and no one taught him the right strategy for dealing with that; so, pigheadedly, like some US commands in the Middle East for a decade, he just dug in his heels & refused to budge/change his "total traditional war/heteronormative"-based strategy even if it obviously wasn’t working.

In a similar vein just so i can beat the allegations that im strategically dumb, the “strategies” against the ussr the boys are playing with in the usna section are intentionally the most dogshit strategies on earth. do not invade russia in a land war. especially not when nukes are on the table. the point is they’re ALL bad at strategy (strat as a metaphor for interpersonal communication).

i get the words “moderate” and “modulate” confused a lot. there’s a couple times in this one when I use moderate and mean modulate. Now it’s too late to edit it. by which i mean i am too lazy. editing anything on ao3 is a Sisyphean task. not worth it.

there's a lot to be said about my ice & maverick's respectability, which is to say, as slider points out, their life together is incredibly normie and boring and regular, except that they're two guys. like there's nothing super subversive going on here. "in the grand scheme of things is this really so bad?" is the question. politically this is a little funky. for metatextual character-arc reasons ice has to agree to an official marriage to prove that by the end he's not afraid to legally legitimize their relationship, but the heteroflexible/straight-passing/socially conservative ice & mav that I have written also probably aren't the kind of guys to acknowledge the struggle & strife & subversiveness of the queer community before them that fought for them to have that right. to quote from an essay by Lauren berlant & Michael Warner ("Sex in public"): "Respectable gays [ice & mav, distancing themselves from other gays] like to think that they owe nothing to the sexual subculture they think of as sleazy. But their success, their way of living, their political rights, and their very identities would never have been possible but for the existence of the public [visibly queer] sexual culture they now despise." just throwing that out there as something that is weighing on my mind having now finished writing this. I think that issue (ice & mav's relationship with/debt to the lgbt community) could be explored with a character like rooster, who might be much more a part of that struggle (especially pre-dadt-repeal)...but idk where or how I would write about it. just something to chew on. I keep finding different ways to politically interpret what I myself have already written which then keeps leading to more fucking one-shots. This slider one for instance was a reinterpretation from the 1980s Cold War politics lens of nuclear doomsday & how that affected a generation of men making shitty/suicidal decisions about their lives. an endless cycle for me. "just one more interpretation...i swear just one more..."

#re: me bullshitting about a&d industry: it’s so freeing to just make shit up guys #for the rest of my life i will have to be (get to be) steadfast in research & ethics #for fanfic? fuck that #virgin journalistic brain: SOURCE????? #chad fanfic brain: I MADE IT THE FUCK UP!!! #process poasting #edts notes #my whole job this summer is just going to be fact checking/research work for aerospace/defense journalists so #i will learn about the industry THEN. and probably look back on this series and weep in embarrassment #but that’s life #im proud to be embarrassed of my past writing including the earlier parts of this series #bc it means im learning/growing as a writer/researcher etc #the gen z impulse to overshare 😐 #oh well if u guys aren't used to it by now with me idk what to tell you. im an oversharer/overwriter. someone end my turn of show & tell

[like-rain-or-confetti]

Okay I’m dying for this, but it’s totally optional and you don’t have to write it.

I need our Riddle Man to have a daughter (maybe 12ish age wise?) that is similar to him right? (They just won’t shut up—like getting excited about certain things won’t shut up—and other Eddie characteristics—such as sass master 3000). I want to know how other rouges would react to meeting and spending time with a child such as this. I need them to be annoyed but think it endearing at the same time. Maybe a little fic idk.

On a completely different note—your writing is amazing and I die every time I read something of yours. The way you write Riddler is top notch. Keep up the fantastic work 🥳

Okay so I took this as a scenario since you want multiple reactions. Loving this already hehehe. Also thank you so much, I will CRY 😭❤️

The Riddler was tough work to even breathe around. Therefore the thought of him reproducing and now as a twelve year old daughter was frightening. Although they'll try to shape her into a more tolerable person rather than tolerant since that's a lost cause. The Riddler's daughter was certainly a challenge but deep down, they couldn't help but feel blessed.

Scarecrow: He's always fixing their hair or picking at their clothes. It makes the Riddler feel like he's judging his parenting. "What do you say?" "Now." She remarked. Jonathan stares her down. "Dad says that manners are to be used for him and that no one else has earned them." "Your father is a narcissist and you know fine well that what your father says only fits his perception- not reality. You also know, I do not care if my phone rings or he comes to my home, he won't change my mind. He'll instead have fear toxin to the face. So I'll ask you again, what do you say?" "...Thank you." "You're welcome, you've proven yourself better than your father already." Jonathan replied. "Can I tell him you said that?" You asked. "Why else would I compliment you than knowing you'll tell him when you're home. Its one of the very few delights in my life, dear." It was true. Nothing made Jonathan happier than knowing every compliment he gave would be passed to the Riddler.

Two-Face: "Oh wow. I can't wait to give you back to your father." Harvey grumbled after another one of your uncalled for remarks. "We could slip something in a drink or give the kid a drink. She'll never know. " Two-Face offered. Harvey cannot believe he was capable of such a thought. "Your solution is to either drug the kid or get them drunk?" He deadpanned. "Oh suddenly morals are on the table?" Two-Face shot back. "Harv', I know what alcohol smells like." The girl spoke. Harvey hummed, acknowledging her input. "Dad says he doesn't want me touching the stuff until I'm thirty and that it ruins a quick intellect." She continued. "Your dad's up his own ass." Two-Face retorted. "Hey!" Harvey snapped at Two-Face.

Mad Hatter: The Riddler was very apprehensive about leaving you with Jervis given his mental state. Plus he thought you were a munchkin once upon a time. He claims its just a pet name but Edward isn't too sure. That wasn't even a wonderland themed reference? "Tea, my dear?" Jervis grinned. "Dad says you've to stop giving me so much sugar in my tea. That three is too much and just sickening." Jervis raised an eyebrow. "So can I have four sugars?" You asked hopefully and Jervis wasted no time in giggling with glee and complying. There were no rules with Jervis and all of Edward's rules were out the window the moment you crossed the threshold. Neither of you even tried to hide it and Jervis often had you back to the Riddler, bouncing off the walls with hyperactivity.

Penguin: Undisputed, he is Uncle Oz or Uncle Penguin. He and the Riddler have history and do consider each other some form of a friend. However the Riddler refers to him as Uncle Oswald. Oswald gives her money 9 times out of 10. Usually a ten or twenty and it never really goes acknowledged between the two rogues after the Riddler taught you manners...who are we kidding- it was Jonathan who did that. The Riddler hoped that seeing the Iceberg Lounge would satisfy her curious mind whilst and show her what not to be. "Dad, there's more chance that I'll be a redhead than grow up to be an old small man who resembles a penguin. Did you know red heads take one one to two percent of a population? That's the least common." "Yes, I did. I was the one who told you that and that's not what I meant! I'm referring to the women Oswald hires." Edward replied with frustration. "Oh...I liked the high heels of one of them. I reckon it'd make me the same height as you." He sighed. "No, never in your life. Over my dead body will I ever allow you to wear those." "Aunt Harley would." She retorted. "She isn't your aunt and I don't suggest following her footsteps. I won't take kindly to anyone treating my daughter like dirt and there are only so many places I can discreetly hide bodies." She paused. "I could put myself up for adoption? Seems fairly easy. I have your signature perfected." "Keep talking like that and I'll put you up for adoption myself." The Riddler huffed. "And stop forging my signatures! Who knows what nonsense you'd put my name to."

Mister Freeze: The Riddler made a mental note to keep Victor to a very last alternative. Not because he didn't trust Victor. He could believe you'd be very safe with Mister Freeze but you came back rather...well, depressed. Has had to call Jonathan a few times to make sure there isn't permanent damage. "Life is meaningless and we all die alone in the end." You deadpanned. "Did you know the average age for widowhood is fifty-nine? A females life expectancy is eight-two years old. Therefore, chances are high that I'll die alone." "Sweet girl, Nora isn't dead and her husband keeps her frozen until he creates a cure for her. Believe it or not, my dear, that isn't normal. Now go read your encyclopedia whilst I call Jonathan."

Joker: Has never met you and if the Riddler has anything to say about it, which he always does, the Joker will never meet his daughter.

Harley: Gets her to recite all she's learned about the mind. All the while she's doing the daughters hair. She always gives the girl back with a completely different hairstyle. The Riddler always notices and he points it out all the time. Harley insists, to Nygma's dismay, that his daughter calls her 'Aunt Harley'. "Aww! We gotta show puddin' how smart you are!" "Dad said i can't talk to him." Harley sighed in disappointment. "I know...can't it be our little secret?" "Dad said I've to call Uncle Jonathan if I'm in the same building as him." She said and Harley cursed under her breath. Harley is also the one that she goes to if she feels she needs a females advice. Which he secretly appreciates. Hormones are a bitch and sometimes he isn't the most equipped to deal with it.

#batman #batman villains #batman scenarios #request #the riddler #scarecrow #two face #mister freeze #jervis tetch #penguin #the joker #harley quinn #edward nygma #jonathan crane #harvey dent #victor fries #mad hatter #oswald cobblepot #harleen quinzel

[e-b-reads]

[master list here]

Cozy mysteries - if you’ve read one you know the genre! Often follow the plot pattern of: [single young woman/divorcee] returns to [hometown/other important location of her childhood] to [take over family/start a new] business. Someone is murdered! Because [the murder hurts her business/she’s a suspect/her bestie is a suspect/…] she must investigate extra-judiciously. Luckily she is successful, and also a romance is developing with the hunky [detective/co-worker…it’s usually a detective and/or cop tho].

Despite the similarities, many cozy mysteries I’ve read do have a thing or two that sets them apart! Read on for some recommendations based on what kind of experience you might be looking for! (In order of how recently I read them; this is by no means an exhaustive list, just some things I read and thought worth recommending.)

Are you looking for a cozy mystery series that…

…has recurring characters that may become future murderers/victims?

Local Foods Mystery Series, by Edith Maxwell!

Otherwise a fairly typical cozy mystery experience, but I did like the setting and the journey to end up with the love interest - who is not, for once, described mainly as “handsome,” but is given physical traits that have no inherent value, but which the heroine obviously likes. (It’s a small thing, but worth noting!)

…has characters of color as the main cast?

Noodle Shop Mystery series, by Vivien Chien

In this mystery, when the main character moves “back home” it means she’s working in her parent’s noodle house again, in a shopping center full of Chinese-American owned businesses. This is the community she mostly solves mysteries in. Cute and funny at times!

…has a love interest who isn’t a cop?

Melanie Travis mystery series, by Laurien Berenson

As you can hopefully tell from the cover, the sort of business/special interest driving this cozy series is dog breeding and dog shows! The main character’s aunt gets her into helping show standard Poodles. Aside from the fascinating look into the world of showing dogs, the mysteries are fairly standard, but I do like (as said above) that the love interest isn’t a cop for once - and also and maybe more importantly, the main character is a single mom who really loves her six-year-old and has to deal with logistics like child care before diving into dog shows and mysteries.

…has a more experienced amateur detective?

Coffeehouse Mysteries, by Cleo Coyle

She’s not experienced at solving crime, but she’s a 40-something divorcée with an adult daughter who, in book 1, is about to take back over a coffee house that she has several years of experience running. In other ways, not dissimilar from the standard cozy series outline - except that they take place in NYC instead of a small town somewhere! Also good if you like a slow burn romance - it takes several books for the main character to get with the main love interest.

…has characters more complex than they seem?

Cajun Country Mysteries, by Ellen Byron

These also have a strong, fun sense of place deep in the heart of Louisiana, though in a fictional town. Though essentially light-hearted, they do acknowledge the history of plantations in the area, as well as giving the reader a look at various true funky Cajun Country traditions. The recurring characters are a little over-the-top at points, but they’re saved by the added complexity: for example, the mean sheriff character who is nowhere near as handsome as his detective cousin (guess who the love interest is…) turns out to be a still annoying but OK guy who is able to acknowledge when he was wrong. Also, as someone who works in hospitality: the people staying in the main character’s BnB are unfortunately not super over-the-top, people can really be like that. (Except with less murder, in my experience.)

…has a Marple-ish (older, underestimated) protagonist?

Deadly Edits series, by Kaitlyn Dunnett

There is no love interest here! (At least, not in the ones I read.) A retired widow moves to her childhood hometown and opens a copy-editing business, then starts solving murders. It’s a nice change of pace from the young businesswomen looking for love, if you’re still looking for an essentially cozy plot.

#eb's mystery recs #book recs #cozy mysteries #none of these is perfect but all can be enjoyable in different ways

[goatpaste]

genuine question! i've seen you post quite a bit about your dislike for caesar, and for good reason clearly! with that said, i wonder, how would you write him to be a better character, from your perspective?

that's aside from getting rid of the whole 'friends with nazis' shtick, that's a no-brainer, you can have that one for free

ah! ye so, like you said. the no brainer. i already have written the n*zi's from being a main story element in my rewrite as is. anything they did the speedwagon foundation could do better and without so much gross shit to make it eugh

so for Caesar id like to reframe him as a proud italian but proud in the way of loving his country before facism began to make a staple in it and standing up against it. i would actively have Caesar acknowledge the changes his country is going through with the approach of war and his distaste for the way italy is heading. ect ect.

but more important to the plot! While i find caesars personality not my favorite and a lil displeasurable i dont think it DOESNT work for him and Josephs relationship.

i would want to mold Caesar into Josephs character foil. Two very similar character that still conflict and especially as their important morals conflict. Their both prideful and a bit full of themselves, they tend to think their in the right and expect others to rely on them. But for Caesar is comes from his own self isolation, he made himself believe he was the only one he could trust and is the only one who knows better, and without even realizing it looks away and wont acknowledge when what he does hurts others so long as he gets the outcome he set out for. Caesar wants to play hero because he believes its what the world shaped him to be. In his eyes, by the cruel twist of fate the world left him his families legacy and he must do something with it. He doesn't stop to think of this second chance to go back to the siblings he himself left behind or to live a happy life. For him there's some part of him that seems so focused on doing something grade to live up to roots and be a hero. He's selfish and as much as he talks about doing all this for his family, or his friends he truly is doing it for himself.

For Joseph its because of his own lose that he feels people must rely on him, for him its a since of protecting others and become their shield. He's basically only ever had Granny Erina, Straizo and Speedwagon. He knows his lose is also theirs and he doesnt want to lose them or have them be sad or hurt. He will protect them from all the bad things in the world, and he just might take himself out doing it so long as he knows their safe. Some part of him is foolish and doesnt seem to fully grasp his own mortality, he just thinks himself lucky and defaults be thinking he's going to live no matter the situation. he's gonna out of so much worse before, surely he can get out of this? all while not realizing how the stakes have piled up. or that his death would also hurt the people he promised to protect in both body and heart.

their both self destructive with one focused so hard on the dead that he can't pay attention to those alive and right in front of him. while the other is so focused on whats alive and still with him that he doesnt pay attention to his history or own mortality.

anyways

while i dont love Caesar, i wont kill him off in the Wham fight. He has too much to do. Instead the Wham fight would be Caesar acussing Wham of not understanding bonds or Family, spiting words like this in his face. Words that cut close to Wham as he has dedicated himself to Kars' quest, the man who raised him and that he calls family. How could this man who ran away from what family he still has and tell Wham that he didn't understand family? and wham would let him know!! he would tell Caesar off that while he fights might and brave, his heart is cowardly to accepting his own faults and that he is wrong.

The ceiling would collapse onto Caesar and Wham would leave his Hamon bubble be.

instead of his death, Caesar would be found by Suzi who has come chasing after him. As iv picture the two of them have been there on the island under Lisa's care for nearly 10 years together since they were teens. (in my rewrite iv depicted them a bit older because honest to goD i lost it learning joseph is suppose to be 18 he looks and acts like he's in his mid 20s. i have Caesar at 27, Suzi is 26, and Joseph is 25 <3) Suzi and Caesar are like siblings, so when Caesar runs off to fight Wham, Suzi is the first to go after him.

She gets there quickly and fights that the majority of the larger rubble missed Caesar. He still was injured, which causes him to be unable to walk without aid and to have permanent breathing issues, which meant no more Hamon. Suzi and Caesar would depart from the story for now, Suzi collecting Caesar to get him to medical treatment, then after? home. Home home, Caesar would be taken back to his family, his siblings he hasnt seen in YEARS. hardly even contacted beside MAYBE a vague unmarked letter. Caesar would care and be cared for by his siblings as the oldest kid in the family. Some still teens and others adults trying to make ends meet. Caesar was finally there for them.

from here thats kinda it for him in p2, he settles into his life back with his family taking responsibility for the life he ran away from.

from that i picture in my fan part for holly a lil p2.5 part, Caesar has adopted in a daughter/apprentice to teach Hamon. His home is mostly empty at this point of his siblings who have moved out or work out at sea or other places for days or even weeks at time. So its mostly just him and his daughter, Adele Zepelli. Who would play the role of Holly's childhood friend and "jobro" for this part.

Holly and Adelle run away from home and this leds to Caesar and Joseph teaming up to track down their daughters before anyone finds out they lost the girls somewhere in Italy.

their part of the adventure heavily consisting of both of them still seeing each other as young immature dumbasses who would recklessly get themselves killed and both of them assuming they have to take charge to keep things running smooth. which ends up with them stepping on each others toe, but more importantly works up to them both realizing the other has changed so much. Both of them have grown so much since the last time they saw each other and worked together like this way back when in Italy. Their not the same immature dumbass thinking the world revolved around only the things they cared about.

anyways, i think Caesar could work really well with his building blocks as a character!! i truly think so. The issue just is (again, beside the n*zi shit because thats included by default) is what a lot of the characters in p2 suffer! their underused and wasted. so many characters have great potential ESPECIALLY to work with josephs character, only for them to do nothing with it. so many of them just show up like a shiny new character to oo and aaah at then they get shoved to the side for nothing. i KNOW jojo's is just 'big men punching each other' but MAN im SO bitter we didnt even get to see lisa lisa and joseph sparring for training even once...

that part is so short while having SO much potential to do a LOT with them imo!!

SORRY THIS ENDED UP BEING VERY LONG AND A LOT OF IT IS STUFF IV SAID PREVIOUSLY IN p2 REWRITES BUT I LOVE TO REPEAT MYSELF IG AND REFRESH INFORMATION IV SAID TOUCHING IT UP LITTLE BY LITTLE EVERY TIME BUT THERES AN AWNSER FOR YOU IG JKDSHGJK

#this also might have a bunch spelling errors but its 3am and i wanna eat my ramen or whatever so oh well ig #long post #pillar fam