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lalazeewrites · 1 year

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What are your personal favorite Gallavich fics?

OKAY, BUCKLE IN!

I actually answer this fic and Tumblr like glitched and deleted it and I was crushed about it, but now I'm back. Ready to tackle this again!

First off, I have 90 Gallavich fics bookmarked. So let's start with the fact that I have a lot of fics that I LOVE and I'm going to link you right here to my Gallavich Bookmarks, should you want to look. I didn't add to my list any purely smutty fics and I have A LOT of amazing ones Bookmarked.

That being said, here are my personal standouts. I'm NOT putting these in order of how much I like them, because I would simply die on the spot under that kind of pressure.

BELOW THE READ MORE: 25 FIC RECS & SHORT RAVE REVIEWS

Life, or Something by @palepinkgoat

This fic encapsulates a lot of things that I crave in a fic that is designed specifically for my tastes. Personal journeys that begin rocky and work toward healing. Dark themes that are treated in a very matter-of-fact way instead of rolling in angst. The growth of mental health. You'll probably see those themes a lot in the fics I love. I also have a fascination with all things death, as someone who has almost died many times and who struggles with a chronic illness. This fic is so. . .beautiful? Articulate. FEELING. I love everything about it.

Belladonna by devovitsuasartes

Oh, THIS. Oof. Okay, this is fantasy HOW I WANT IT. So intricate, so unique, so embedded into the world-building that isn't word-dumped on us with exposition, but SHOWN to us. Witches and forced familiars, complicated family dynamics, rough pasts, coming full circle between the beginning and the end. Emotional journeys, coming back from tough experiences, PINING. This is the fantasy for ME.

Is There Somewhere by andchaos

Soulmates! Soulmarks! Mute Ian who is really fucking funny and sweet and Mickey who doesn't think he has a soulmate because he has no 'first words said to me' mark. I love the dance, I love their rapport, I love how warm this fic is. I've read it several times for comfort.

You Can Bite Me by @goodkwuestion

It's easy as breathing to love all of this author's fics, but this is the one for me, and it has nothing to do with the fantasy vampire aspect. This is one of the only fics that has made me cry. I don't cry from fics, almost ever. The write in this goes from hilarious, witty, clever, and sharp, and then swoops you into appreciating the beauty and sanctity of life, traversing the journey of loss and grief, embracing the passage of time, welcoming love into your life, and simply embracing what it means to be human. This fic touched me in ways I'll never be able to express without a five page essay.

Etherized Against The Sky by Snarfle

A canon-divergent story from 1x09 onward. I couldn't put this into words if I tried, because it is EVERYTHING. Everything that I could ever want in a canon compliant type of fic. Holy shit, does this make me ache. It explores so many facets of their growth, mental health, self-acceptance, found family, rebuilding blood family, and learning how to live in the world of Shameless, but this time, thriving. A complete work of art.

You make me feel human by Dragona

Listen. LISTENNN. Are you listening? Anything that is considered a 'dark' AU is going to be my jam. Anything that dips its toe or severed foot into Hannibal or Murder Husbands type worlds are not just up my alley, but they're leading right up to my fucking house and knocking on the door. This is it, folks! This is the one! No one did it like this fic did it! PLUS: A happy ending? Bitch, I'm on the ground.

My Nine Lovers by @annatrow

While we're talking kiss kiss bang bang gun boyfriends, let's just slap this fic right down here, because holy fuck, I have read it at least three times. The pining? The smut? The secrets? SEXY MURDER BOYFRIENDS TURNED HUSBANDS??? Yeah, honey, I'm here in the front row with my little #1 fingie! My Bookmark comment says "This was so fucking clever and reverent and heartening and joyful."

The Mask of Insanity by @annatrow

Yeah yeah, I am trying to pick only one per author, but I simply cannot with this one. It's so fucking gritty and smart and sharp and emotional. Full of depth, character growth, strange life coincidences, bad boys and good guys and where they fall in between together. I'm big on fics that make you fall down, get scraped up real good, then pick you up by the armpits and say, bitch, we're got more to go!

Conflict of Interest by @thisdivorce

Everyone and their mom knew this was coming. It has everything I crave in a fic. Exceptional characterization. Deeply flawed, real humans living through real life events. The struggles of being queer and unsupported, specifically within the trans community. Journeys through mental health and the pitfalls of navigating the world when you don't see it as clearly as others might. Tearing and screaming out of the confines you've built around yourself, even if they're comfortable and safe, but knowing it's no longer right for you. This fic as everything and more and I've read it three times now because it fills my heart.

(And since this author is possibly probably my fav ever in this fandom, check out WIPs Reckoner and Change Like Shifting Shadows because their writing speaks to my pain and love on a bone deep level.)

Burden of Proof by DodgerBear

Okay, I really fucking like crime fics. Whether on the good side, bad side, or grey side, I love crime fics. This one is soooooo good, and I LIVE for the pining, the draw between them, the SPICE. Please! This is so fucking well done! Whip smart and sexy!

(and shout out to WIP by the same author, Quatervois, for which I will wait an eternity to update, I don't care, go read it NOW.)

Wild West Ian and Mickey by 09cityskylights

Always always always, I will be invested in Western AUs. Any fandom, anywhere, any time. I love for Westerns and this author does it so perfectly. I fucking adore this journey and I can't recommend it enough.

Can't Figure You Out by Crimson_Bebop

If I'm going to pick one office AU from the lot (and there's so many good ones, check out this post for more), it's gonna be this. It's nerve-wrecking, hot as hell, an emotional rollercoaster. You're rooting for both of them so badly, but they both require different but equally important things in their lives, and finding that middle ground is MESSY.

Dancing After Death by @squidyyy23

Oh man. Oh shit. I don't know where or hot to start, because this combines two of my fav things, Sons of Anarchy with Shameless. It combines them, yes, but more important, this is completely it's own beast with an incredibly detailed timeline of events. It's hot as all HELL, it's gritty, it's real, it's loving and tender and difficult and highly charged with emotion and struggle. LIVING FOR IT. I have read this three times.

Teenagers Scare The Living Shit Out Of Me by Mellow_Yellow

Oh hey, we're back at the Lala Loves Murder & Crime Show, and yeah, this one is FULL of it. It's so fucked up. It's so well written. The character growth is fucking A+, the murder reveal is exceptional, the mystery is FRAUGHT WITH DANGER. Guys! It's so fucking GOOD!

Teenage Dirtbag by @celestialmickey

Hah. . .I have read this three times. I'll never have read it enough times. Ian is 17 in 1999 here and I was 12 at the time, so everything this fic speaks to speaks of my entire adolescence and I just. Deeply cherish every moment. I savor every chapter of slow build. I revel in their victories. I sing along to all of their songs that I already know by heart, I wiggle in my seat to the Spotify soundtrack, I live for the vingettes of their happy ending. This fic is so magicl and wias written with such love and care.

you'll never see us again by @spoonfulstar

Okay okay okay, listen to me. Yes, we ALL love Intro to Quantum Dating by this author. I fucking adore it. I open it up at random chapters just to read and make myself smile. But THIS FIC??? THIS ONE??? You have got to be kidding me. I cried. I fucking yearned. I hurt, I hurt so bad down to my toes, and I smiled when things went right, and I teared up when it didn't, and I hoped and prayed for a happy ending, and yes I got one that was fulfilling and beautiful and poignant. Did the fact that I am a kidney transplant recipient play into my deep-seeding feelings about this fic? Absolutely. Do I think everyone should read this fic to grasp what exceptional storytelling looks like? BIG TIME.

Solid Skies and Slate-Blue Earth Below by @sentimentalspiders

This is one of the weirdest fucking fics I"ve ever read and I LOVE LOVE LOVE IT. Best alien!Ian! Exceptional, fascinating, vivid writing style! The narrative is articulated in such an ethereal, out-of-the-box way that is perfectly fits a story that is about an alien and a very lost man. It's SOOO COOL.

Brand Spanking New by J_Q

I don't know what to tell you. Micky gets sent to a fuckin' retreat when he gets professionally spanked (by Ian) to fix his horrible behavior. He gets out of there and then he and Ian start a very detailed BDSM relationship. This is SOOO my wheelhouse of JOY, but if it is not yourself, y'know uh. I mean, I still recommend it anyway. It's so wildly delightful and hot as FUCK.

That's a Wrap by @crossmydna

Am I biased because this was written for me as a gift? Shut the fuck up, of course I am. But also, no, because well before Cross took on prompts, they were working on The Menagerie which is in my top five favorite Gallavich fics of all time, and I read it all the time AND YOU SHOULD TOO. Anyway, back to this fic. What can I say, it's EVERYTHING I WANT. Actor AUs! Meet Ugly, the hottest smut imaginable, banter that's sharp and strong, badass Ian & Mickey, everything everything everything.

The Stargazer by crazynadine

Hey yeah, hi, welcome to my Daddy Kink. There's a lot of it. Let me show you around, its got scrappy heart of gold sex worker Mickey, it's got age difference bearded and jaded by life Ian, it's got panties and road side motels, and secrets, jealousy, and hot hot hot smut, like holy shit. But if daddy kink is not your jam, then y'know. . .ahem.

The Question of Normal by blue_newman

Ian is a prison counselor and Mickey is in prison. The way that I LIVE for Ian breaching any of his professional protocols to help Mickey (this goes for so many fics in my bookmarked fics) is unholy, but how about you five me a fucking break okay. I just like it when they break the rules, as they should, because this is Shameless LOL. But seriously, this is so thoughtful and heartening and left me feeling really fucking right in the world after I read it.

Well, I hope this helped! This is only about a fifth of my Bookmarked fics, and I wanted to write about SO MANY MORE. Anyone is always welcome to ask me to rave about fics, I am always here for it lol.

I said this in the begining, but I have bookmaked A LOT of smut fics that I think are exceptional works, so I suggest you filter my Bookmarks by works under 10,000 words and you're gonna find 'em all.

#gallavich #ian x mickey #gallavich fic #gallavich fic rec #fic recs

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newtdrawz · 7 months

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I'm rereading the outsiders rn and like (this accidentally turned into a rant where nothing I say makes sense my b 😭)

"I don't care about Darry. But I was still lying and I knew it. I lie to myself all the time. But I never believe me."

Why would he say this? Why would,,, PLEASE. IM SICK. ILL.

Darry and Pony's relationship is something so special to me,,, it's so,,, omg. Like a whole page dedicated to how he doesn't care if Darry doesn't like him/care about him but he literally says over and over that he does care,, I'm sick over these two 😭😭

Literally earlier in the book when Pony gets jumped and Darry's the first one at his side and he's shaking him and immediately apologizes,, I'm gonna VOMIT.

"Darry's always rough with me without meaning to be." "I'm okay. Quit shaking me, Darry, I'm okay" He stopped instantly. "I'm sorry."

That's why the part where he hits him is so,,, literally insane,, ik people joke abt it all the time and call him whiney especially cuz of Johnny's situation,, but literally like,, ok so,, 😭😭

Imagine you're a little guy (😭😭) like Pony's only 14 (and remember how awful being 14 was 😭 you hate everything and everyone and you feel weird/awful 24/7) and he explains how no one in his family ever raised a hand at him or hit him and he thinks Darry can't stand him, he thinks Darry wants to send him away and that he's only a thorn in his side. So Imagine how terrifying it is for your big brother (who's like huge might I add) slapping you and you're thinking "Oh my god,, he really does hate me. This was it. He really doesn't like me." Like yeah he's gonna be scared and he's gonna go to the one person he trusts the most and even Johnny was like "wth??? What??? Omg???"

And imagine Darry's guilt,, I'm not justifying him hitting Pony cuz there definitely was a better solution 😭 but like he's only 20, raising two teens, working all the time and they're all dealing with the loss of their parents. So many things have gone wrong to lead to this outcome and you can bet he regrets it everytime he thinks about it,,

Pony was valid for being scared is what I'm basically saying,, 😭😭 and their complicated relationship really just gets me all the time and I'm obsessed with them growing and getting better cuz that's all I want for them and I love them the end 🫶

#Newt ranting #the outsiders #ponyboy curtis #darry curtis #the outsiders book #the outsiders movie #the outsiders ponyboy #the outsiders darry #Darry and Ponyboy #curtis brothers #they make me so sad #and so happy #i love them #complicated sibling relationships #really get me in stories

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morningglory-sims · 1 month

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... The Chills Came From You 💙

I think they may be exploring, the "each other kind" 👀 I love them and their growing love for each other 🥰

Previous Story Post/Next Story Post

Transcript under the cut:

2 Months Ago

📍 Chisaka's, Mt. Komorebi

[AKIO] Yeah, so this restaurant is run by my older half-brother. This is essentially his inheritance from his grandfather on mother's side, so technically this is a family thing, just not my family, I guess?

[AKIO] *deep sigh* Fuck, family is complicated, huh? I wouldn’t trade it for the world, but some of the dynamics I would. A part of the tension going on with my family is my dad threatening to cut Isao off for taking over this restaurant. I don’t know if it’s one of his messed up ways of dealing with the grief of that failed marriage, but it’s really torn things apart.

[ELIZABETH] Oh, that must be so hard for your brother. I can tell he's just trying to honour his family's legacy in a meaningful way. After my mom died, one of my aunts felt like she was owed something because my mom was the "prettier" sister and she"suffered" because of her. It's really messed up how legitimate feelings of grief can be dealt with in such unhealthy ways. It makes me nervous for Kath's wedding.

[AKIO] I can imagine! That's really fucked up with your aunt though, I hope your sister is able to have her dream wedding.Now that I think about it, it’s the entitlement that gets in the way. Like you said, its not healing wounds in a healthy way. Anyway, I want to know more about your mom and your family. If you're comfortable sharing.

Family matters, and you matter to me.

[ELIZABETH] My mom was amazing! Totally warm, welcoming and made you feel like you mattered. She knew how to stand her ground and be bold, yet she was also shy. She passed away from heart failure when the twins were 17, Caroline was 15 and I was 13, she was so young. You know how it feels to be punched in the gut and have the wind taken out of you? I felt like that every day for almost a year. Being more on the quiet side, I for sure slipped through the cracks. My dad did his best, but it's hard to come to the realization that your parents aren't perfect.

[ELIZABETH] I think that’s why I went to school so far away. I wanted to get away from the place and the dynamics, not my dad or my siblings. To be completely honest with you, Akio, and I’ve only said this to Lily. I finally felt like I grieved my mom fully when Owen took my sorry ass out of Del Sol Valley. I had a good cry in his car and I got everything off my chest.

[ELIZABETH] It was really special because Owen and I don't always get a long, but during that road trip to Windenburg, we really bonded and opened up to each other. Family dynamics are rough, but when I learned to see my older siblings as people beyond just being my siblings, I love them more! I don't feel like I've been punched in the chest when I think about mom. She'll always be a part of me.And, I can carry that into other areas of my life, especially in my relationships. I still can't believe it's been almost 10 years.

[AKIO] Thank you for allowing me to know something so deep and special.

I learn so much about everything from you, Liz. Maybe I need to see my family as people beyond just as my family.

Maybe it would take out some of the emotion? You and your beautiful mind have given me something to chew on.

[ELIZABETH] We're all works in progress, Akio. We tend to figure things out as we go along.

[AKIO] Well, I'm lucky to have you in my life as I figure shit out. *winks*

[ELIZABETH] Wait, were you hitting on me? *winks* I'm grateful for you, babe. I've never felt safer with someone, I'm grateful for your emotional intelligence, and it's pretty sexy if I'm honest.

[AKIO] *blushes* Well, babe I'm so absolutely serious about, us. I've never felt cared for by anyone like you.

I see how passionate you are and how you care for others. I want you to know that I only do serious and committed, and I want that with you.

[ELIZABETH] *sighs deeply, relieved* I only want something serious with you, Akio.

[AKIO] Good, glad to hear that, beautiful. I adore you, so much and I can't wait to explore what life has to offer with you by my side.

[ELIZABETH] *to herself* Ohhh, hmmm!

[ELIZABETH] *lowers voice* Explore, you say? I've been thinking about 'exploring' too…

[ELIZABETH] *gently caresses Akio's ankle with her foot - a little flirty game of footsie*

[ELIZABETH] I wonder if we're thinking about the same type of exploring, hmm? The each other kind?

[AKIO] *gulps, eyes widen *

[AKIO] *lowers voice* Well, Elizabeth Grace, I initially wasn't thinking of it that way, but I'd be pleased to facilitate that. Juri is sleeping over at Eiko's tonight... So we can get that exploring' figured out.

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hatari-translations · 3 days

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Matthías on Vikan með Gísla Marteini, 15.12.23

Another translation request I missed: Matthías was on Vikan með Gísla Marteini before Christmas, the other guests being Jón Jósep Snæbjörnsson or Jónsi, who competed in Eurovision on Iceland's behalf both in 2004 and 2012, and actress, screenwriter and director Tinna Hrafnsdóttir. The discussion touched on Palestine and Eurovision boycotts (at this point Matthías would have already been involved in Bashar Murad's Söngvakeppnin entry, but keeping it under wraps), Matthías's shift from the toughest guy around to a soft family man, his current job as a dramaturge for the National Theater, Christmas traditions, and Danish.

I fully translated more of this show than I really should have; it took ages and I should've tried to summarize more of the non-Matthías bits, but there was a lot of Matthías scattered throughout. Oh well. Hope you all enjoy hearing more from him, at least!

During the introductions, Gísli Marteinn says two of the three people on the couch have their names attached to bands they're no longer part of; he'd wanted to say "Jónsi í Svörtum fötum" (referring to Jónsi's old band Í svörtum fötum) and "Matti í Hatara" (Matti from Hatari). Matthías says "Skellur," which we could translate as, "That's rough." Gísli Marteinn affirms that neither would be correct. Jónsi says "What are we even doing these days? Are we doing anything these days?"

Gísli Marteinn mentions that last time Matthías was on the show, he was going to say he's no longer part of Hatari, but then they forgot to talk about it. Matthías goes "Oh yeah, right. That was supposed to be the big news." But Gísli Marteinn says they're all here because of the interesting stuff they're currently working on.

The show moves on to other things for a while, but we pick back up with them later, after a segment where Gísli Marteinn goes through the news of the week and makes jokes about them.

After a bit of banter with Jónsi about how Gísli Marteinn's dad jokes would have gotten him canceled many times over at Jónsi's dinner table (Gísli Marteinn says more dinner tables than his would) and a bit more talk about how they're all doing such exciting things, Gísli Marteinn moves on:

GÍSLI MARTEINN: There's one issue we didn't mention there despite being prominent in the news, and that's that we're watching the horrible actions of the Israeli army in Gaza, and it makes it hard to quite get into the Christmas spirit. And into that comes this discourse about Eurovision, which is unusual but understandable. I mean, we have two Eurovision-goers here--

JÓNSI: Uh oh.

GÍSLI MARTEINN: I mean, in both of your cases there was talk of whether we should boycott. And Matti, you went to Israel. You had a message to Israelis. When you watch this discourse, what do you think?

MATTHÍAS: Well, I think it would be very courageous and good of RÚV to send a clear message. I mean, let's imagine that after the invasion Russia had competed in Eurovision, but Ukraine hadn't. It's a bit like that, from my point of view. Israel is competing but Palestine isn't. I think either there should be a rule that while there's active warfare going on you shouldn't be in this contest that's supposed to be about peace. Or you could pull out more flags, Palestinian flags, and include Palestine. I think that would be a neat thing to call for. But the boycott movement is very important, of course, even though we didn't quite follow it when it was our turn.

GÍSLI MARTEINN: Right, they wanted you to boycott.

MATTHÍAS: Yeah. But boycott is a silent action. A bunch of people boycotted the contest when we were competing; people just didn't hear about it because they weren't recorded anywhere. We went a bit of a different route, but that's not to diminish this important movement.

GÍSLI MARTEINN: No. It's a complex matter. Everyone who insists this is simple perhaps doesn't see every side of it.

MATTHÍAS: No, it is complicated. But it's also very simple. I mean, what's happening now in Gaza is just -- I think people don't realize because they're so used to hearing news about this in their ears, the region of Palestine, but this right now is just -- I'm not going to completely kill the Christmas spirit in the show, but this is so much worse than ever before, ever in the history of Palestine. And that's going on right now.

GÍSLI MARTEINN: Yeah, absolutely. And I didn't mean to say that that's particularly nuanced - of course that's simple, in itself.

MATTHÍAS: Yeah. But then you get everything else, which is complicated, of course.

GÍSLI MARTEINN: Jónsi, even when you went, even though it wasn't the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, I remember a call for you to boycott.

JÓNSI: Yeah, there was.

GÍSLI MARTEINN: Namely, you went to Baku in Azerbaijan.

JÓNSI: Yes, it was 2012, and I think that was… It's been a while, and I'm sorry, there are probably a lot of people who know a lot more about this than I do because I perhaps tend to just try to forget these kinds of things and do something else. Please excuse me, I'm sorry. How often have I apologized now?

GÍSLI MARTEINN: A lot!

MATTHÍAS: Like he said, there's no wrong thing to say on this show.

JÓNSI: Right, thank God. Wiener dog.

[laughter]

JÓNSI: No, sorry. There was discourse about how there are human rights abuses going on down there, and we became aware, the group that went, me and Greta Salóme and more, that there were people who were asking us to show solidarity in action. And it was very hard, just sort of being between a rock and a hard place. I hadn't been imagining that this was something I would be tackling - aside from the fact I was probably just a privileged dude, being pampered out there. But by finals night, we really felt like we were in a bind. It was weird to be about to compete for our country and make everyone proud, on the one hand, while knowing that there were people who, from the literal safety of their armchairs in Iceland, wanted us to do something different. And it was always a bit unclear exactly what should be done -- you get so many possibilities, and you don't really know how to react because you think it's not going to matter at all what you do, and you're always going to make someone mad. Just like how you can no longer do a good deed and tell anyone about it, because then it's time to tell you off for trumpeting it. You feel like there's no right chess move to make, these days. But nonetheless, I don't want to minimize that there are horrible things happening in Gaza, and it's weird to feel that political angle coming into the music world. But I'm not an expert on it, I admit.

GÍSLI MARTEINN: Of course, and you weren't brought here to opine as an expert. But it's necessary to discuss it. And -- Tinna, we were talking before the show about how it's hard, or you feel guilty for being in a good mood, or a Christmas mood.

TINNA: Yeah, it's a different Christmas season than often before, almost like you don't dare to be happy because there's so much going on.

GÍSLI MARTEINN: But you, artists and entertainers, putting on shows and making music and creating TV shows that are meant to delight us -- give us some good message about how we can do both at the same time.

MATTHÍAS: You're commissioning a message from us?

GÍSLI MARTEINN: Yes. You were brought here to be…

MATTHÍAS: You can do both.

JÓNSI: Can't we just make it a message, like kop28 [I'm not sure what he's referencing], we're trying to show you some message that doesn't really mean anything by itself? I do realize that if I breathe here in Iceland, that doesn't really change much in Gaza. But I think we should keep talking about it, but I'm also an advocate for focusing on the good things. We should work from the good that exists in the world, and try to say, isn't the influence of good better down there than not? Maybe it doesn't affect anything, I don't know. But…

GÍSLI MARTEINN: Be joyful, but don't forget about Gaza. Is that the message?

JÓNSI: A good T-shirt.

MATTHÍAS: Yes. If you want the core message, it's that.

GÍSLI MARTEINN: To be joyful but don't forget about Gaza.

MATTHÍAS: Yes, you've got it.

GÍSLI MARTEINN: Now we move to other things. Thank you for giving a bit of where your minds are at with all of this. I know it was a heavy beginning, but sometimes that's necessary.

JÓNSI: Yeah, it's necessary. That's quite true.

GÍSLI MARTEINN: Should I talk about the clothes of the men on the couch next? You're both wearing Icelandic wadmal.

MATTHÍAS: You bet!

GÍSLI MARTEINN: Is this the latest fashion trend?

MATTHÍAS: I got married in this, this summer, so I just decided to use it.

GÍSLI MARTEINN: It looks great!

TINNA: They specifically asked me to sit in the middle so that they wouldn't be side by side in tweed.

GÍSLI MARTEINN: That would be tacky.

JÓNSI: My friend Gunni at [clothing store] Kormákur og Skjöldur is very happy with us both, no doubt. But he doesn't realize how ridiculously warm it is under this, and we had a heavy discussion earlier, and they had to make up my ears twice so they wouldn't get red, and it's all just firing up now.

They move on to talking with Tinna about her new TV series Heima er best, which they compare to sort of an Icelandic Succession, which was just nominated for the Nordic scriptwriting awards, and then about when Jónsi and Tinna co-starred in Grease and then in Ávaxtakarfan ("The Fruit Basket", an Icelandic children's musical about bullying featuring anthropomorphic fruit). To stay sane after writing up all this I won't translate this whole section since Matthías doesn't have much to say in it, although he does express surprise that they had theatrical productions during the summer (Grease was an indie production that just kind of rented the City Theater over the summer).

GÍSLI MARTEINN: Speaking of your former lives and such… Matti, when you went to Eurovision and were Matti the Hater [Hatari], I would have said you were just about the coolest, toughest guy in the country. Then fifteen minutes later you're on your knees at Sky Lagoon proposing to your wife and had become so soft and tender and beautiful and in love, and now you've got a kid and another on the way.

MATTHÍAS: Exactly.

GÍSLI MARTEINN: Was Matti from Hatari all fake, or did you just change that much?

MATTHÍAS: Mmm, I've always been soft. The other stuff is a bit of a costume. But of course it softens you when you're in love, and softens you more when you love your child. So maybe that's the Christmas message you were looking for.

GÍSLI MARTEINN: I knew you had one in there!

MATTHÍAS: No, definitely. I was on my way home from work earlier and my sister-in-law who was babysitting called me and said, "Sóley has pooped everywhere!", and I found it to be good news, because I like hearing news of my daughter but also, "everywhere" means some of it went in the potty, so I was kind of just, "Score!" to hear that message. It changes a bit… You've got new and exciting stuff to deal with. It's wonderful. And I'm looking forward to having two. It'll be… Two girls!

GÍSLI MARTEINN: Oh?

MATTHÍAS: Yeah, it's a girl.

GÍSLI MARTEINN: I can recommend having two girls!

TINNA: I'm lucky to have two - twins. Two for one in my case.

MATTHÍAS: So you were quick.

TINNA: Just finish it all in one.

JÓNSI: In one evening, or?

TINNA: One evening! All in one, one evening.

GÍSLI MARTEINN: How old are your twins?

TINNA: They're eleven. And when I told them I was going to sit on a couch with the Hatari guy, they were like, "Wow, Mom!"

GÍSLI MARTEINN: If you've got twins, is the hardest part over, or is it only over when they're about thirty?

JÓNSI: Good question.

TINNA: I'm actually very lucky. They're very good friends and mesh together well, so it's gone pretty well for us. But then you never know what the teenage years will be like.

GÍSLI MARTEINN: Right. We're making our way there.

TINNA: We're making our way there.

JÓNSI: But doesn't that make you alone against them, and then there's two of them?

TINNA: There are some plots going on that I don't quite know about, but I try to keep up the radar.

JÓNSI: A lie detector.

TINNA: Yes, and a lie detector and everything. They're watching me right now; they're probably going "Oh my God, Mom, don't talk about us!"

MATTHÍAS: And do you use these plots to write your scripts?

TINNA: Oh, yes, definitely.

JÓNSI: I also… How old are they?

TINNA: Eleven.

JÓNSI: What are their names again?

TINNA: Starkaður Máni and Jökull Þór.

JÓNSI: I'm going to look into camera two: Starkaður Máni and Jökull Þór, if you aren't good until Christmas, Matti from Hatari and Immi the Pineapple [Jónsi's character in Ávaxtakarfan, the tyrannical villain] are coming to your house.

[laughter]

MATTHÍAS: Correct.

They go to commercials. When we return to the show, Jónsi has brought out a guitar and is enthusiastically leading the audience in singing Christmas songs.

GÍSLI MARTEINN: Jónsi formerly of Í svörtum fötum decided to keep everyone pumped while we went to commercials -- while capitalism took its share, since you didn't manage to bring it to its knees, dear Matti.

MATTHÍAS: The boys are working on it.

GÍSLI MARTEINN: The boys are working on bringing capitalism to its knees.

They talk about Jónsi and his wild success as a pop star in the early 2000s and how now he works for a financial corporation. He describes how fame and being surrounded by people who worship you almost regardless of what you do just kind of isn't healthy and he had just become kind of a dickhead, and he withdrew from it all to get away from it.

MATTHÍAS: But Gísli, you're one of those exceptions. You've been famous for a long time but you're not a dickhead. [He says a few more words that I can't make out over the laughter.]

GÍSLI MARTEINN: That's the best compliment I've ever gotten! Thanks, Matti, I'm grateful you say that. But back to you, you said earlier you were on your way home from work. Where do you work?

MATTHÍAS: The National Theater!

GÍSLI MARTEINN: I mean, you aren't Matti from Hatari anymore.

MATTHÍAS: No, I'm Matti from the National Theater!

GÍSLI MARTEINN: Matti from the National Theater! Who doesn't know Matti from the National Theater?

MATTHÍAS: Hopefully more people know now!

GÍSLI MARTEINN: We know you had become a playwright. You wrote award-winning plays. And theater is just your muse right now?

MATTHÍAS: It seems to be that way. The urge to write is still strong in me, and I'll probably keep doing that.

GÍSLI MARTEINN: Don't you have the title of dramaturge, which nobody knows what that is, except Tinna?

MATTHÍAS: The chosen few know.

JÓNSI: Can we know what it is?

MATTHÍAS: Those of us who know what it is recognize each other.

JÓNSI: And no one says anything.

GÍSLI MARTEINN: A secret society!

MATTHÍAS: No, it's translated as 'listrænn ráðunautur' ["Artistic advisor"] for the National Theater, and of course it's the best job in the world. You get to read plays, watch them, your job is to have opinions on theater, talk about theater. You're part of a book club called the project choice committee of the National Theater, and you're in contact with all the directors, and reading scripts that Icelandic playwrights entrust to the National Theater, which is a big responsibility for me because I've been on the other side there.

GÍSLI MARTEINN: Is this your dream job?

MATTHÍAS: It's -- of everything that exists that is a job, this is the best one.

GÍSLI MARTEINN: Very good!

MATTHÍAS: Because the other stuff that I'd want to do even more doesn't exist as a job. It's just freelance. But this is perfect.

They turn to Tinna to talk about her project directing a drama series about Vigdís Finnbogadóttir, former president of Iceland. Matthías mentions he's excited about it and that they compared it to The Crown during the break and that really piqued his interest.

GÍSLI MARTEINN: And speaking of our heritage, you're doing the Edda [Snorra-Edda, the most comprehensive source about the old Norse religion, written in the 1200s] at the National Theater, right?

MATTHÍAS: Yes, I'm working on that as a dramaturge, and it's very exciting.

GÍSLI MARTEINN: It's your Christmas show, right?

MATTHÍAS: The National Theater's Christmas show.

GÍSLI MARTEINN: The Edda in its entirety?

MATTHÍAS: Yes, it's very comprehensive. But it's full of unexpected little twists for those of us who know these stories -- the myths, Thor, Loki, Óðinn and all that. Or for those who don't know and want to get to know their heritage, you're also welcome. But everyone who liked Njála [Brennu-Njáls saga, one of the Sagas of Icelanders written between ~1200-1350 CE] at the City Theater, if you saw that, this is the same director, Þorleifur [Örn Arnarsson]. That was one of the coolest shows I've ever seen, so this should be something.

They move on to a Berglind Festival (comedian) bit about rebranding Christmas. When we return to the studio, she has joined the couch, everyone is wearing sunglasses, and they're each doing some kind of little dance to the Christmas song remix still playing in the background. Matthías says, "You have to warn us if we're going to dance on the show." Gísli Marteinn says, "I didn't see you, did you look like dorks?" Matthías: "I don't know."

GÍSLI MARTEINN: So if we keep to the traditional Christmas, Christmas is next weekend. Do you have any bizarre Christmas traditions, or are you very standard about it?

MATTHÍAS: Speaking of rebranding, my dad… At the Ban Thai restaurant downtown, there's a course called [kung hansa?] [I looked up their menu to try to find out what the correct spelling is but unfortunately the online menu had no name similar to that], a shrimp course, and we find it Christmasy. We often have it as a starter on Christmas.

GÍSLI MARTEINN: On Christmas Eve? [Christmas Eve is the height of the Christmas celebration in Iceland.]

MATTHÍAS: Yes.

BERGLIND: So do you put an almond in the rice? [She's referring to the Icelandic Christmas tradition of making rice pudding and putting a single almond in it, often as a starter; whoever gets the almond in their bowl should try to discreetly remove it and then keep it hidden until the end of the course. If they do it successfully without being spotted, they will receive a special 'almond gift'.]

MATTHÍAS: Uh, no.

BERGLIND: Okay, lame.

GÍSLI MARTEINN: So do you just go to Tómas at Ban Thai and buy it, or do you cook it at home?

MATTHÍAS: We buy it at Ban Thai.

GÍSLI MARTEINN: Wow, well done! How did that start?

MATTHÍAS: We were just at Ban Thai celebrating some milestone, as we do, and then someone said it was kind of a Christmasy taste.

GÍSLI MARTEINN: Very good. Tinna, that's a hard act to follow.

TINNA: I will try my best. We have very firm traditions and always go to my mom on Christmas Eve and eat Danish duck, speaking of Danish Christmas earlier. It's an old family tradition, and we have the Christmas pudding and an almond gift and so on.

GÍSLI MARTEINN: Is Danish duck getting imported?

TINNA: My mom has some secret ways of procuring Danish duck, I'm not going to get into that. In previous years we would sometimes sing afterwards, "Og nu har vi jul igen, og nu har vi jul igen, og julen varer helt til påske." [Danish: "And now we have Christmas again, and now we have Christmas again, and Christmas lasts all the way until Easter."] Do you know it?

GÍSLI MARTEINN: No!

TINNA: It's some Danish song. I love the lyrics - og julen varer helt til påske.

JÓNSI: I said that at the start of the show.

TINNA: Wouldn't that be great, just having Christmas all the way until Easter?

GÍSLI MARTEINN: Christmas until Easter, definitely!

MATTHÍAS: Now you, and earlier there were some people in the audience talking about flødeskum [whipped cream], and you [Gísli] earlier with leverpostej [Danish liver pâté] -- do people generally just speak Danish--

JÓNSI: Danish is taking us over.

MATTHÍAS: --at least at Christmas?

GÍSLI MARTEINN: Don't we? I mean, it's all Danish traditions we have here.

MATTHÍAS: It sounds great, at least.

GÍSLI MARTEINN: It sounds great. Jónsi, the pressure is on.

JÓNSI: Så man sidder i sin festlige måde [Danish: "So you sit in your festive manner…"]… No, definitely not.

He talks about his workplace's tradition where they eat as much as they can and simply decide not to gain any weight by sending a message to the cosmos; Matthías doesn't comment further from here.

#matthías tryggvi haraldsson #interview #translation #vikan með gísla marteini

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lemonisntreal · 1 year

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IT'S THE BOYYYY, MY [deceased ;-;] BOY-

My heart hurts whenever I write about him I'm gonna cry but he's so perfect to me you have no idea

Ok, so, I have written so much on this man because of how overly complicated I made Buster's entire family situation. But I can't. Share. A single. Crumb. Of. It. And it's killing me. Guys, I'm dying. I'm simply gonna perish if I don't write about him. So. I'm gonna headcanon dump, heehee :> [gonna do this with a bunch of other characters once I get art for them going ~_~] [I look at my drafts and weep-]

TD!Charley:

Age: 47 [deceased] Height: 3' 02" [96cm] Male - He/Him Sexuality: Aroace Build: H A T

The name is a headcanon in itself. Charley. He was never given a real canon name for whatever reason.

It just felt like it fit

Oh boy,

Ok, heavy lore time-

TW: Mentions of religious trauma and [briefly] kidnapping

[there's a fluff tab if you're wanting to skip all that]

So for a quick lore-dump, there was a HUGE war between the different animals [mammals, reptiles, and birds being the most prominent groups] that lasted from 1903-1955, before finally cutting off because a bunch of animals had practically gone extinct

Koalas being one of them

And Charley was born in late 1956, right after the war had ended, so yeah. Generational trauma's real rough-

Plus his hometown [all Koalas btw] was extremely religious and controlling over him, and he wasn't even allowed to buy his own clothes until he started to carve out his own life in Calatonia

The only thing they let him do was play music, usually with the idea that he'd be playing for the church band

[which he never did]

He was set up on arranged dates, made to feel like he was wrong for not wanting a relationship, and ridiculed for his desire to have a different life in the city- along with a lot of other things I probably couldn't fit into this post

He has a sister, Holly Moon, who is 4 years younger than him, who was seen as a golden child because she always listened and did everything their parents asked

[Parents being Darrick and Kara, for more TD lore]

He had a horrible family life before sprinting away at age 18 to Calatonia to hopefully make it big

This is where he met animals who weren't Koalas for the first time

Let me reiterate that- first time

[he'd read about other animals and seen what a few of them looked like in pictures, but never the real thing]

He learned the true meaning behind the words his family always spoke

"Make a family, there aren't many of us left"

Yeah, he was the only Koala in Calatonia for a good minute

Which kinda sent him spiraling-

Imaging you growing up in a small gated community, where you're a human around other humans, and then you leave and find out that there aren't any humans left and the rest of the world has been populated by aliens or something

He was very curious at first, which got him into some trouble

He met Harry after almost getting poached/getting ganged up on and almost kidnapped. Harry saved him, took him to calm down at his restaurant for the night, and the two quickly became friends

Ok, fluff time

Meeting Harry for the first time, the thing he offered Charley was a sandwich, which would start Charley's "give sandwich = I care about you" thing

Like his go-to way of making friends after this encounter would be to meet somewhere for sandwiches

It became a comfort food, and an introduction into other flavors besides the basic food groups + eucalyptus

This little quirk got passed down to Buster

Amazing cook

Like, he invented a couple of the recipes on the menu at Harry's Bar [despite having a diet of mostly eucalyptus, which is poisonous]

Even back in his hometown with his limited ingredients, he was fantastic, but after learning that there were other foods, he got a little obsessed

He has a cookbook he put together [which got passed down to Buster, who cannot cook for the life of him lmao]

Harry tried to get him to go to culinary school or something, but Charley always insisted on loving his little bundle of odd jobs in Calatonia [including the carwash, which was his baby]

After coming to Calatonia, making his home in a shady little apartment complex [which he ABSOLUTELY ADORED], getting a job, and finally getting his first-ever paycheck, he immediately went thrifting

Which is where he got his raggedy hat and patchy coat

And learned what a turtleneck was

He taught Buster the art of thrifting too :D

He dresses like he's homeless by choice [mostly]

[money's always tight]

Back to the odd jobs that he got instead of getting a real job- Charley always hated "luxurious" things if that makes sense. Not only did it remind him of home, but he's just a minimalist in general

If he doesn't need it, he won't take it

Modest guy [opposite to his entire family ~_~]

The hat is kinda a symbol of his independence and freedom in a way, so that's a little sweet

He never takes his hat or coat off really, even in the hot summer days in Calatonia

Harry always has to remind him to drink water [woah, Koala moment]

Oh yeah, Koala stuff-

Harry ends up helping out Charley with the complete lack of Eucalyptus products in Calatonia by ordering it in with his usual imported restaurant food, and then just giving it to him

Harry insists on paying for it all, despite Charley's objections

Charley always gives monstrous tips when eating at Harry's to balance things out

He's actually pretty tall for a Koala

He made good friends with all of the waiters and staff and musicians at Harry's, and was always there for the music nights where Harry'd get someone to play atmospheric stuff on stage

You see this in the first movie

Charley's actually really great on the guitar, and has a very nice voice [I don't have a voice claim yet ;-;;;;;] so he was eventually given the offer to try playing in front of a crowd at Harry's. Which he took

[And Harry made him take money for it, of course]

Had no intention to have kids, but ended up taking in Buster due to family drama and strange circumstances [later explained in Tone Deaf] [also why they have different funky patterns btw! :DDD]

Please, it's so complicated-

He quickly fell in love with the idea of show business after seeing some street performers, and eventually got over his discomfort with doing illegal things [the idea of it being a sin really had him in a chokehold for a while-] and grew into his true personality of "very chill and very shady charlatan" after a few years away from his hometown

Actually, it was his urge to steal a ticket to see a show at the theater that drove him to get over it all

Learned how to pick locks and pockets to scrounge around enough money to get by

Charley and Harry were best friends. Practically brothers

To the point of Harry being called "uncle Harry" by young Buster

Charley was the best man at Harry's wedding to his Panda wife, Claire. Buster was given the honor of being both the flower boy and ring bearer lmao [he pulled it off]

Claire definitely mothered both Charley and Buster quite a bit

Back to Charley living in the apartment complex, he made good friends with an old Lizard who lived next door-

Yeah, Miss Crawley [Irene Crawley]

After Harry realized that Buster was an absolute demon child, Charley tried asking her to babysit instead

She must've had the magic touch or something, because he was perfectly behaved with her

Harry was speechless

Buster was absolutely a problem child, and Charley would frequently get calls from school about him [especially in elementary]

[half of the trouble he got into was due to bullies, but this ain't about him 🤭]

Charley taught Buster how to commit crime, and play guitar

And when he got older, the two would duet together at Harry's

[I'm crying it's so sweet]

Crawley would always bring homemade candies around to give to Buster when she came over to visit with Charley, specifically Turkish Delight

She eventually taught him [with lots of hand-holding] how to make the candy himself. If left alone, he'd just set things on fire and eat the chocolate chips plain though :D

She lost her lover in the war, and even before that, struggled with infertility problems [they were different species- working with the idea of a Gila Monster] so she never had any of the children she had wanted before the war basically ruined her life

She adored that child and never accepted pay

[she was paid by the government anyway since she was a war vet]

All of the money that Charley would slip into her pocket, she'd either secretly give right back, or spend it all on Buster

She was like a mother to him

Still is

She offered to help with the theater after Charley realized that the place didn't just come with staff

Charley and Buster's bond was basically unbreakable

Charley would always stand up to the school system whenever they treated Buster unjustly

[Trust me, there was a lot of prejudice against Koalas and other endangered species, no matter how small or harmless they seemed. People fear what they don't know, and to say Koalas are an oddity would be an understatement-]

[Like even irl, they're Marsupials, sure- but they're so different that they've been given a classification all to themselves called Phascolarctidae. They're so alone in the animal kingdom, it's not even funny. Their closest "relative" is the Wombat, and even then barely]

[Give me another animal that's even remotely similar to Koalas appearance-wise. Their facial structure, the double-thumbs, massive ears, the fact that they can only eat one thing, and it's poisonous [catch me writing Buster poisoning someone with eucalyptus >:D]- yeah, they're super interesting to work with. And of course, I give them hardships for it ~_~]

[Everyone that saw Buster and Charley just immediately knew they were endangered just because of how alien they looked]

["freaks"]

[They just rolled with it]

[Well, Buster was always bothered by it, but Charley was always there to tell him that it should be something to be proud of. Didn't always work all the way]

[I'll talk about Buster later, don't you worry]

[Ok enough with the gushing about Koala facts in brackets-]

Buster would also stand up for Charley during family gatherings [which they eventually just stopped going to entirely] because Charley would just freeze up and not say anything whenever people started fighting with him

✨trauma✨

The two protected each other is my point pretty much

Ok, for a rough timeline:

[1903 - 1955] - Great War [1956] - Charley was born [1960] - Holly was born [1974] - Charley ran away to Calatonia [1980] - Buster was born [1988] - Charley took Buster in [1990] - Harry meets Claire [1994] - Harry and Claire get married [1997] - Theater was sold to Charley and quickly opened [2003] - Charley is killed

It's fucking tragic how he dies

Like, him and Buster were literally in the middle of planning the show when Buster got the call

Late too

He couldn't get to the landline at first because he was busy with set design, and actually saw it a LOT later, which- yeah. Cue horrific amounts of stress as he bikes as fast as he can to the ER

"Where's dad!??" he's in the hospital bucko

Why must I kill all the characters I love-

Charley'd just gone out to get some supplies from like, home depot or something, and then yeah. Dead

Buster could never finish the show, so it sits collecting dust in the attic now

Grief made him unable to write much, which is how he eventually went into debt too

The whole thing with them is absolutely tragic, oh boy-

Can't wait to draw the funeral scene

Ok, so I keep forgetting what's been posted and what's still a draft, so sorry if something just- absolutely jumps out of nowhere here. I think I've mentioned the war before? And Poachers- I hope I at least mentioned Poachers-

Well, if you didn't know before, you do now ''':D

Thanks for reading

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prey-4-me · 2 years

Text

Strange Preferences - Epilogue

Prey Predator x fem!reader

Epilogue

Amishta - name, meaning fearless, limitless

Tenahpu - Comanche/nʉmʉ tekwapʉ word for man

Pabi - Comanche/nʉmʉ tekwapʉ word for elder brother

Kiande Amedha - Yautja word for xenomorphs (hard meat)

Ooman - Yautja word for human

Thar’n-da s’ yin’tekai - Yautja for “strength and honor”

***

Tenahpu shifted in the sun, putting his arm over his eyes. You smiled, squinting to look up at your charges. Orphaned, they were given over to the care of the family matriarch. Grandmother had deemed it that you two, as a childless bonded pair, would take them in. The twins laughed and played under the cloudless sky. Sarii barked as they chased her, calling her name happily.

“Stay away from the river,” you called. They had learned nʉmʉ tekwapʉ quickly. Tenahpu growled gently. He had just returned from a kiande amedha hunt, and was recovering from hot blood burns on his torso.

“Does it still hurt?” You asked, inspecting them.

“Yeah,” he clicked. “But it was good hunt.” He grumbled something else in Yautja you only partially caught; you were still learning their complicated language of clicks and vocalizations.

“Huh? You saw oomans?” You sat up.

“No. Like ooman. Very small, soft. We did not hunt. Made me think of you. Very much brave they are.”

You smiled. Since your bonding ceremony, you had encountered other oomans living with Yautja. They spoke a strange language, but it was good to see other soft meat all the same. Grandmother had eventually been able to explain to you that the ground under your feet was not the same ground as where you were from. The thunderbird thing somehow travelled through the skies into different skies, allowing the Yautja to go many places. Oomans were on ground that was very much out of the way, which was why you could not return. No thunderbirds were going that way again for many years. Tenahpu had chosen a strange place to prepare for his kuhtaamia.

One of the children fell down, hurting herself. She clacked plaintively, crying. You and Tenahpu leapt up and hurried to her side. Sarii was licking her face. Her sister clicked, “We were running and then, and then… she fell!”

Tenahpu bent to look at the injury. It looked like a small cut. You sat down behind her, putting your arms around her small body. Tenahpu cleaned the wound gently as she complained and you comforted her.

Snapping his mandibles together, he looked up. “All better.” He gently patted the child on its head. She stood up and ran off without another thought about it. Sarii and her sister ran after her. You moved next to Tenahpu and snuggled into him.

“Tonight, we will be alone.” He commented after a minute. Every few days the twins slept over with Grandmother. Otherwise, you all slept in the same space. You smiled knowingly, but played dumb, “Oh?”

He growled softly. “I am going to fuck you.”

You laughed. When you had taught him the swear word, you hadn’t known he would end up using it so liberally. But it was one of the ooman words he could enunciate perfectly, so he liked to use it. You accepted the invitation. “Yes.” He murmured excitedly to himself as you snuggled him, smiling.

***

As soon as you were alone, Tenahpu swept you off your feet. Clicking affectionately, he leaned his head down so you could kiss his cheek. You did, running your hands through his dreads. He playfully tossed you onto your bedding. You thudded into it comfortably.

Jumping into it over you, he stripped his clothing from his body. You smiled as he carefully pulled your clothing off so as to not rip it. “Hurry,” you teased. He clicked softly and ran nis claws down your body suggestively. You shivered, waiting.

He slowly slid the rest of your clothing off, tossing it to the other side of the room. He laid on his side and pulled you against him so that your back was against his broad chest. You laid naked with him, anticipation driving you wild. He chittered courtship clicks to you while he ran his rough hands down your chest, down to your lower abdomen. You rubbed your ass into his already hard cock. “So impatient, hmm…” you cooed. In Yautja, you managed to get out, “I want you.”

Tenahpu growled deep in his chest. He loved when you attempted Yautja. Sliding one hand further downward, he slipped his fingers between your legs. You moaned as he ground himself into you and ran his fingers through your wet folds. Growling, he bit your shoulder lightly, making you shudder.

“Good?” He rumbled as he pushed a finger into your pussy. Panting his name, you bucked your hips. “Now who is impaaaatient,” he hummed.

He slowly drug his finger in and out of you, purring deep in his chest and holding you close to him. Squirming against him, you begged for more. He grumbled and rolled you over onto your stomach, slipping his hands around your waist. He slowly slid them up over your chest and placed them on either side of your head.

Growling low, Tenahpu spread your legs with a knee and settled in between them. Rutting into you, he found your entrance and pushed inside. Clicking and growling, he fucked into you forcefully. The sensation of him inside of you made you squirm in pleasure. You rocked your hips rhythmically with him.

He grunted, clacking his mandibles together as he came in you, his hot cum filling you. You felt it drip out of you as you started to cum, moaning and rocking your hips as your pussy pulled at his shaft. Tenahpu growled, stilling in you finally. You laid like that for a moment, both enjoying the feeling of his body on top of yours. Then he rolled off, taking you with him.

Holding you closely, Tenahpu purred loudly to you. It calmed you to near sleeping. When you were almost asleep, he stopped purring and softly nibbled on your shoulder. “You are my thar’n-da s’ yin’tekai, Amishta,” he cooed softly in his language.

Smiling, you turned your head and kissed his cheek. He grumbled, surprised. “You were not sleeping?” He asked quietly, a hand moving to brush a thumb gently over your lips.

“Almost,” you mumbled, closing your eyes sleepily. He started to purr again. Smiling again, you relaxed into his strong body and let him soothe you to sleep.

***

Tenahpu purred softly for his mate. He was sure she was asleep this time, but didn’t feel like stopping. Soon the twins would be back. As welcome as that was, he relished the time with only her. Nibbling affectionately on the soft skin of her shoulder again, he decided to stay awake for a bit longer to enjoy the moment.

@coolninjavoid @eclecticpatrolroadlawyer @lainphotography

#yautja x human #predator x you #yautja x you #predator x human #predator x reader #feral predator x reader #predator fanfiction #yautja x reader

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chronicallylatetotheparty · 9 months

Text

Perfect Paradise

Ch.4 Y se te Para el Tiempo en tu Cara

Bunnyx stared at the fuzzy branches that split from the timeline. None of them good. But none of them world ending either.

Which meant she couldn't, shouldn't rather, interfere.

A change was coming and Alix needed to let it happen.

She waved her hand and the static cleared to show the Celestial Guardian sprinting across the countryside... A deep sigh left her as she swept the timestream back to Paris.

A familiar blue head stood in front of Adrien's mansion. Alix fast forwarded. "Oof that's rough," she winced.

But... This she could do.

----------------------

Going back a few minutes Alix stepped through the Burrow and detransformed. Joining Luka on his way to see Adrien.

"Your interview with Nadja Chamack is set, Adrien."

"Thank you, Gregor." Adrien leaned back in his chair and rubbed his eyes.

The paperwork to extricate his assets from the "family business" was long, tedious and complicated further by Adrien's insistence on combing through it himself before approving anything... He wasn't particularly trusting at the moment.

"I've also-" Gregor paused.

"Hmm?" Adrien looked up at his assistant's floating emoticon face.

"Luka Couffaine and Alix Kubdel are at the front gate."

Adrien felt something squeeze his chest.

"I will tell them you are indisposed."

"Yeah... Wait." Adrien took a steadying breath. "I'll see them."

"...Are you sure Adrien?"

Adrien straightened the papers on his desk as the pressure in his chest grew. "Send them in."

-----------------------

Luka saw some of the tension leave Alix's shoulders as the spherical camera retracted and the gate opened. "You okay?"

"Yes. No. I just, don't like the whole 'Jabba's Palace' routine. Reminds me of Agreste Manor."

"Oh." Luka wouldn't know. He only visited Adrien there once.

"Welcome." A Kanté-class AI said as they entered. Their holographic face neutral.

"Hey, Gregor," Alix greeted.

Gregor bobbed in a nod. "Alix... Luka. Adrien is in the No Fun Room."

"His office," Alix explained at Luka's confused look.

Luka's lips twitched. "He calls it the No Fun Room?'

"Says it helps his ADHD."

"Ah..."

"Please remove your shoes," Gregor asked as he lead them through Adrien's home.

From what little Luka remembered, Adrien's new mansion was almost the exact opposite of his old one. There was colorful carpet and hardwood floors instead of stark tiles. Faded drawings made in crayon ran along the bottom of the walls. The light filling the space was soft and warm.

But there were also... scars.

Empty spaces that obviously used to hold framed portraits were next to pictures of Adrien and his family. Emma in her fencing gear. Hugo playing the piano. Little Louis surrounded by fabrics.

And, just over there, was a family portrait. Marinette and Adrien and the three kids all laughing in a candid photo. It was off center. Like it'd been removed from it's place of prominence.

"Now this is a surprise," Adrien said from behind a desk stacked with papers. "The prodigal son back in town to pay me a visit."

"Hey, I'm here too!" Alix spoke up.

"Alix we saw each other last month."

"And you kept tight lipped about something important dincha?"

Adrien's eyes wandered back to the paperwork on his desk. "I don't see how my personal life is any of your business."

Alix bit her tongue. Reminding herself that she was there to smooth things over not rock the boat even more.

"That's actually why I'm here." Luka walked up to the desk but kept on the opposite side of it. "It's not great to hear but... The relationship between the Ladybug and Black Cat does concern us. As wielders of the Miraculous."

The mask of polite neutrality on Adrien's face was pulled taunt. "I'm surprised you came to me and not Marinette."

Alix coughed.

"... She was busy," Luka admitted.

"Of course."

"Adrien-

"I'm sorry."

Luka blinked. "Sorry?"

"I know it's, heh, twenty-six years overdue but... I'm sorry I went to you for advice about your ex-girlfriend."

"Oh." Luka's confusion didn't diminished but now he knew where Adrien was coming from. "I mean, I don't hold it against you."

Adrien shook his head. "Still. I shouldn't have done that. And I'm sorry."

"I forgive you," Luka said because it felt like the answer Adrien was looking for.

The mask slipped a little as Adrien gave a tentative smile... And stared at Luka... Waiting...

Alix cleared her throat drawing Luka's attention. She gave the slightest jerk in Adrien's direction. Eyes practically bulging as she pointed at him with just her irises.

Luka glanced from her to Adrien. Eyes widening. "And I'm sorry I didn't tell you I knew your identity before leaving."

Adrien twisted the rings on his fingers. Over and over and over. "...Is that it?"

"I'm... sorry I wasn't honest with you-"

Adrien shot to his feet. Rolling chair shooting back and papers sliding off their piles. Mask gone as Adrien stared at him with disdain. "Honest with me? Honest with me. Is that all you did, Luka? You weren't honest with me?"

Alix stepped forward. "Adrien-"

"Stay out of this, Doctor Who!" he snapped.

Luka scrambled for the right notes as Adrien's song went into a minor key. "I know we haven't harmonized for a while Adrien but just-"

"Our songs have never been in harmony."

Luka flinched.

"...You don't even remember do you?" Adrien deflated as whatever rage he held onto was replaced with sorrow. "I think you should leave."

"Please, just tell me-"

"You sold me out." Adrien whispered.

"... What?"

Adrien took a deep breath. "You. And my ex-wife. Sold. Me. Out."

Luka shook his head. "No. I would never do that to..." A memory came back to him.

Marinette. Panicked and small. The Celestial Guardian. Loud and angry. Adrien. Hopeful and oh so trusting.

Luka staggered back. "I..."

"Gregor."

The AI materialized. "Yes, Adrien?"

"See him out."

"Of course. Come now. Back the way we came."

"She was trying to protect you!" Luka blurted out.

Adrien's expression hardened further. "I have nothing more to say to you. Good day, M. Couffaine."

"If this is why you-"

"M. Couffaine. You may have seen our faces but you never saw past our masks."

With a nod at Gregor a robotic chair zoomed in and pushed behind Luka's knees. Who fell into the seat. A seatbelt zipping into place before hurrying away with it's charge.

As Luka was ushered out he saw that there were also photos of Kitty Section playing together.

None of them included him.

Alix pinched the bridge of her nose. That could've gone better. She definitely should've bent the rules a bit and told him... Something.

"Not turning out the way you hoped?" Adrien asked, straightening the papers on his desk. "Join the club."

"Luka didn't deserve that from you, Cinderella."

"You're right. He deserved worse."

"That's not- Mm, no. Not getting into this. I'm just gonna go."

Adrien pressed a button and the door to his study closed.

"...Well that's not creepy at all. Do all your doors do that?"

"It's just for this room. The kids overhearing business dealings would be... Legally messy."

"Uh-huh," Alix said, eyeing the window and gripping her Miraculous. "Sure."

"I have a question. For Bunnyx."

Alix sighed. "If it's about the future..."

"I get that we're not friends but you still owe me answers."

She bristled at the allusion to her "owing" him. Remembering the times he posted her bail and asked nothing in return... Her grip on the pocket watch loosened. "Since when aren't we friends?"

"Since you found out about 'something important' and said jack shit. So, y'know, however many years that is."

"..."

Alix looked at Adrien. Laugh lines overshadowed by the eye bags he sported. Tall, muscular frame weighed down by truths made heavier with time.

He was looking at her the same way he looked at Luka. Like she was a stranger... "What do you wanna know?"

Adrien stared into her eyes. "What is Chat Blanc?"

--------------------------

Adrien looked at the security feed as Luka and Alix left him.

"Gregor?"

"Yes, Adrien?"

"Luka Couffaine, Alix Kubdel, Viperion and Bunnyx are no longer welcome in my home."

Gregor bobbed in midair as a nod. Eyes sad but understanding. "Of course, Adrien. I will-" His eyes became three dots pulsing in sequence. Before snapping back into focus.

"Gregor? What is it? You okay?"

"... Emilie Agreste has filed for custody of Emma, Hugo and Louis."

#adrien agreste #luka couffaine #alix kubdel #ml fanfic #ml fanfiction #ml au #divorce au #Perfect Paradise #ml ephermeral

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lostmykeysie · 8 months

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I have a super long comment for you about the Horcrux Hunt bcs I want to comment every chapter I read but I forget bcs I download the ao3 doc to my books app okay here we go!!!!

Agahdgdjd I just finished reading it and I loved it soooo much. Remus and regulus friendship is EVERYTHING to me. The platonic kissing!!???? As an Aspec gal this means so much to me bcs ahhhdghdhd and let’s be real those two deserved a little song after all that tension and then just cute little kisses bcs they both need a good loving friendly kiss aww. And I loved the flirtiness bcs I just know those two would constantly have such good banter and get along and I SOBBED when reg became a part of the lupin family. Also. HOPE LUPIN.!?!??? The best Hope I ever did read about. She is amazing and now the only version of Hope I accept ty very much.

ALSO also I love regulus so much and love your characterization of him and seeing his growth. Also I am autistic and I headcanon reg as autistic and there were so many moments in the way you wrote him that fit in with that that made my heart so happy UGH and some moments where I felt like he’s aspec of some sort like aro specially and wow reg my boy <3

And ugh Remus and his feels over being accused as the traitor??? Rough but also I love the angst. His complicated feelings about himself and others and I can’t wait to see him sort shit out and start healing bcs he deserves to heal and be ANGRY and sad and everything. Remus my best boy <3

Also I’m just getting into jegulus so I’m super excited to start reading the missing link!!! The way james is already slowly creeping on him agshdjd I can’t wait to see it all happen.

OKAY THATS ALL I LOVE U AND UR WORK AND U ARE AMAZONG OKAY BYE GONNA GO READ THE MISSING LINK NOW HEHEHEH :))))

Oh PS I loved Remus getting to scream and go off on dumbledore that was amazing and more people should get to scream at him.

i always download long fics to my kindle so i feel you baby!!!!!

putting my boring reply below the cut xxxxx

aspec babes deserve all the platonic kisses they want and deserve and they deserve them all xxxxx this includes me so WHY is no one kissing me platonic smooch smooch xxxxx i have said this before and i know i haven’t written it but reggie is definitely aspec xxxx

regus friendship means soooo much to me i have also said this before and i will absolutely say it again but like. i am obsessed with them. they are BEST friends. forever. they are something special that’s friends and family and more and i love them forever and they will always be besties in every single fic i write for the rest of my LIFE. and they FLIRT and i LOVE IT and hope is such a queen i feel like she deserves her own fic i also want to hug her i bet she would give the best hugs ever i bet she’s the only person regulus is 100% comfortable having those long hugs with that last arguably too long and it gets weird (this is how i feel about most hugs)

omg so i’m answering as i read so YES i AGREE i think there’s a tiny bit of me that is accidentally being a bit self insert with reg LOL ANYWAY i think we see reg very similarly xxxx

on the traitor point… a few people have said ‘how did he even forgive them in the end’ and i think that is so valid like to get over a betrayal like that from your closest friends would be so so so hard and i tried to reflect that and not just make it an easy fix because oh my god how is that not in the back of your mind always just whispering all the time??? like getting over that would be a JOURNEY so yeah it got a bit angsty haha but i feel like if anything it could have been worse it could have been unresolveable !!!! but it will never be because i am a happily ever after boy ONLY

i am a bajillion years late to this i’m really sorry i’m a pants person who is 99% offline BUT thank you so much for your consolidated comment it’s so sweet and has made me smile all lame and gross xxxx i hope you enjoy / enjoyed TML too i hope that it gave you the healed remus and the jegulus you deserve and maybe some giggles hopefully xxxxxxx thanks for being nice to me lol i honestly am so weird and lame and awkward but kiss kiss i am blushing like a loser xxxxxxxxx

#someone asked me a q #lovely wonderful babe #chimaera & the wolf #when people are nice to me i go ?????????????? so sorry for being unarticulate #also hoping to finish epiloggy 2 tomorrow xxxx #fingers crossed xxxx

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distort-opia · 11 months

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for the purposes of writing fic, how in the world do you keep track of the timeline and what has happened and who knows what and so on and so forth - like i know about the dc chronology project thing which seems complicated.

like, the joker still knows that bruce wayne is batman right now doesn’t he??? i’ve seen some of the arc with him looting his fortune in Their Dark Designs?? and obviously The Joker War has him saying that he’s gonna carve bruce’s face up so that no one will recognize him after but like, this is all recent continuity right bc i know punchline is in it……??????!!!????

you’re just one of my favorite authors and i guess how do you do it besides just having an encyclopedic knowledge of batman comics

Yep, Joker knows that Bruce Wayne is Batman for sure, as of current continuity. Theoretically he's known about it ever since Year 3 of Batman's career, as per Snyder's Death of the Family, which shows a flashback of Bruce's to the time he went to Arkham Asylum and revealed himself to Joker. (Don't get me started on this, because based on even older comics, Joker knew. The most blatant instance of it is Bruce running around without his cowl on around Joker in Morrison's Batman: R.I.P.)

Thing is though, Joker doesn't care. He's actively avoided and repressed the knowledge of Batman's secret identity because it ruined his fun. Bruce's identity starts to come up only when Joker becomes dangerously disillusioned with their "game". He blames the very existence of "Bruce Wayne" for what he perceives as the weakening of Batman, so he's begun to actively go after him (his Family, fiancé and fortune) since Endgame and Joker War.

And thank you for the kind words, I'm flattered! When it comes to keeping up with DC comics... [sigh] I have two words for you, my friend: Excel spreadsheets. And also, a sprinkle of mental illness.

This is still very much a work in progress that I do want to share in the future, after I'm content with it. (Oh the sheer beauty of the filters that I dream of.)

But yeah, at the end of the day writing stuff down and organizing it is tremendously beneficial, especially if you're planning a fic. I recommend making a timeline for your story, recording events that are relevant for character backstory as well as significant hallmarks for the active plot. One website that I've found very helpful over time is The Batman Chronology Project, that you can access here. As with every attempt to piece together timelines for DC, there's still points at which people disagree on placing an event or an issue, but if you're aiming for a rough idea of where to situate your plot, it's more than enough.

#hope this helps even a little Anon!#asks #batman #personal

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bridgyrose · 6 months

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Ruby Notices some Similarities between the Arma Gigas and the 2 statues by the Staircase of the entrance hallway in the Schnee manor, she also takes note of the painting of the Man in the armor found in the dining area, so she Decides to ask Weiss about her connection to it.

(This is going to be more from Weiss's perspective than Ruby's cuz Ruby's would be like... 3 sentences long)

“Weiss, who are those statues of in the entryway? He almost looks like your knight summon."

“Now’s not a good time to be asking that,” Weiss whispered quietly as she walked through the ballroom, keeping an eye out for any of the servants that would recognize her and potentially stop her. “I still need to get to my Father’s office and find out how my father won the election.”

Ruby sighed. “Then will you tell me after?”

“Once things slow down.” Weiss paused for a moment as she caught a glimpse of a painting of her grandfather, Nicholas, knowing he’d be rolling around in his grave if he knew what Jacques had done with the company. Even now, she wasnt sure if he’d approve of what she was doing, sneaking around the manor and trying to find evidence that may not even exist. “You know things are complicated with my family and I dont want to be here any longer than I have to.”

“Then I can come with you to help-”

“And you know we all agreed it’ll be best if I do this alone. I know where my Father’s office is and it’ll be easier if only one of us slips in than trying to keep two of us out of sight.”

“Will you be safe?”

Weiss nodded and smiled at her partner. “You know I will. And I promise, I’ll answer your questions in the morning.”

Weiss stood in front of the broken statue of her Grandfather, replaying everything that had happened in the last twenty four hours over and over in her mind. It was all supposed to be a quick mission: get proof her father tampered with the voting, get him arrested, and let General Ironwood and the rest of the council deal with a re-election for the council position. But now, here she stood in the front entrance of her home, hiding as a fugitive while letting her friends rest after that grimm attacked. She let out a small sigh as she caught Ruby walking past her out of the corner of her eye, her words nearly a whisper. “I… never did answer your question, did I?”

“Huh?” Ruby asked as she stopped. “My question?”

“About who the statues were of and why they looked like my knight.”

“Oh, right. Well, there’s other things we need to worry about. Blake still hasnt been able to get through to Yang and the others, Penny is still in rough shape with whatever it is that’s infecting her, Nora still hasnt woken up, May’s gone, and grimm are still swarming around Atlas. We need a plan.”

Weiss nodded, finally looking away from the statue as she made her way to the kitchen. “I’ll see if I can find something for us to eat. Have a little more than just coffee and tea to keep our strength up and for Nora when she wakes up.”

Ruby nodded with a smile. “Be safe, okay?”

“Of course I’ll be safe, dolt,” Weiss said with a smile as she started to make her way into the kitchen. Her smile dropped as she stopped for a moment in the dining room, plates shattered on the ground from the panic of the grimm whale in the sky. Her eyes glanced at the ruined portrait of her grandfather, her heart sinking as she walked over to it and gently ran her fingers across the scratches on the canvas. “I wish you were still here to guide me. I cant do this alone.”

She waited for what felt like hours for a response that she knew was never going to come, wanting to hear his voice once more for the reassurance she craved. After everything that happened, she was less certain than ever that she was doing the right thing. Her home was mostly destroyed, her family was broken, and the more she tried to fix things, the more everything started to fall apart.

“He’s important to your family, isnt he?”

Weiss turned around to see Ruby behind her. “Yeah, my grandfather. He’s… he’s the reason I’m trying to be a huntress. Trying to bring some sort of honor back to my family name. You know the deal.”

“I’m sure he’d be proud of you. I know I’m proud to have you as my partner.”

Weiss smiled a bit as Ruby walked off, looking down at her rapier. She reached for the hilt and rubbed the emblem on the side. “I hope he would be.”

#weiss schnee #ruby rose #rwby ruby rose #drabbles #rwby

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solartranslations · 5 months

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AF2 Arcana Academia: Jolly

Jolly: [Now that La Primavera is over, spring brings more new changes to Regalo]

Jolly: [Arcana Academia]

Jolly: [Sparked by the lord’s plan to turn the island into a center for learning, Arcana Famiglia aims to establish a school]

Jolly: [With a goal to promote learning among the citizens]

Jolly: [Today, everyone in the Family is once again busily fulfilling their young Donna’s wishes]

~*Scene: Hallway*~

Ash: We’re finally done…

Elmo: That sure was rough

Felicita: What was rough?

Elmo: Oh, Miss

Ash: We were moving these

Felicita: That’s a lot of books and equipment. Are you using these for alchemy classes?

Ash: Yeah

Elmo: Ash is a good teacher and his classes are fun, so he’s really popular

Ash: …Geez, I didn’t think taking this seriously would make it more of a pain

Ash: We’re running out of herbs, too. Can’t we get a break for once?

Felicita: You could get Jolly to help you

Ash: No way would Sunglasses help

Felicita: Really? You might be surprised if you asked

Ash: You ask him then, Strawberry Head. Still, I doubt it

(*mad) Felicita: …Fine

~*Scene: Entrance Hall*~

Felicita: (Ash has the wrong idea about Jolly. He really would help if asked…)

Jolly: Now what is it that has you looking so frustrated, Donna?

Felicita: …Jolly

Jolly: You’re welcome to confide in me. Though I can’t guarantee doing so will help

>I was thinking about you

>I was thinking about the alchemy classes

Jolly: Oh, were you now…

Felicita: Yeah…

Jolly: What did you want to know?

Felicita: Stuff like…what you’re really thinking…

Jolly: Hmph, to think you were so interested in me

Jolly: It seems they were too high level for you

Felicita: That’s…!

Jolly: Seems I was correct

Felicita: It’s still too complicated for me

Jolly: Hah, if you really want to learn, I’d teach you

Felicita: Really?

Jolly: Of course. But I only do private lessons

>I’ll pass on that

>…I’ll think about it

Jolly: What’s there to hesitate over?

(*blush) Felicita: Because…

Jolly: Because what? Let’s hear it

Jolly: *chuckle*… Then, I look forward to it

Felicita: …Actually, are you headed out?

Jolly: What makes you say that?

Felicita: It’s rare to see you in the entrance hall at this time

Jolly: How observant. You’re starting to understand me better

Jolly: I’m going to buy equipment for the laboratory. We’ve run out of some materials

Felicita: (Materials…could it be what Ash and Elmo mentioned…?)

Felicita: Can I come with you?

Jolly: …Whatever Donna wishes

~*Scene: Marketplace*~

Felicita: (…This is strange. He was buying a ton of herbs and seeds at first, but…)

Felicita: (Why does he need all these metals? It’s not enough to go around to all the students…)

Felicita: (Could it be…?)

Felicita: Jolly…

Jolly: Yes, Ojou-sama?

Felicita: What are we buying next?

Jolly: Last is an octopus to use as a specimen

Felicita: …And that’s for class?

Jolly: …What?

Felicita: You said you were buying equipment. It’s to help Ash stock up since he’s running out for his classes, right?

Jolly: And when did I say that? This is all for me

Felicita: …

Jolly: You have something to say?

Felicita: …Those two really do have it rough

Jolly: Mhm… And?

Felicita: And I want you to help them

Jolly: Is that an order? Or a request?

Felicita: …A request

Jolly: Haha, you could have said it was an order. Aren’t you well within your rights to give one?

Felicita: There’s no point if you were only obeying an order. …Is a request not good enough?

Jolly: Only if it’s coming from you, Donna

Jolly: But, I will ask for an appropriate reward

Felicita: Alright

Jolly: *chuckle*… Should you really be making that promise so easily?

>I trust you, Jolly

>Yeah, it’s fine

Jolly: A fitting response

Jolly: On what basis?

Felicita: …I just know

Jolly: Hmph…quite a naïve answer

Jolly: But, very well. Then as you wish, I will assist Ash with his classes

Jolly: I look forward to my reward

~*End of Scene*~

(Back to Directory)

#jolly #arcana famiglia #arcana famiglia 2 #arcana academia #solar translations #psp game #translation #releases

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goat-and-a-pig · 16 days

Text

Chapter 12

Mabel took a deep breath. “Hey, so, um, Stan,” she started, then winced. “Yeah?” He replied, a little hoarsely. Aw, he’s still so sad…

“I know who you really are.” That stopped him in his tracks. “Excuse me?”

“You’re the banished Prince Stanley Pines. Your twin brother, the missing king, was lost to the multiverse. And… You’re also my great uncle.” That caught Stan by surprise. He spun to face her quickly. “WHAT?!?” Stan’s cries startled the birds. It looked like he was doing complicated math until it dawned on him.

“You’re Shermie’s missing granddaughter! The one they’ve been searching for for almost a year!” Under his breath he added, “You really did take after Ford in that way.” Mabel heard him.

“It’s almost been a year?!? It’s hard to tell time accurately in his- that- nightmare realm…”

Oh Dipper, she thought sadly.

“So you knew this whole time?” Mabel nodded her head. “Pretty much. The puzzle pieces were mostly in place… It just took your cave confession to solidify it. Why haven’t you told him you’re royalty?”

“Was royalty,” Stan corrected. “I’m not anymore. Not since- well, Dad made it pretty clear I wasn’t. Why haven’t you?” He pointed at her for effect. “ Because I’m not allowed to.” Mabel got quiet. “What?” Stan asked. He almost sounded concerned.

“When Bill came to our universe to look for a friend for Icarus, he took me and mutated me and D-Dipper.” She stumbled over his name. “Why he chose me, I don’t know. Before we got to the spaceship, he made me agree to never talk about my life before the tower and to go along with everything he said, or I’d never see Dipper or the rest of my family ever again.” She felt tears well up in her eyes. “And I just can’t go back to his dimension, I just can’t! I’d have to break Icarus’ heart in order to heal mine! I’ve never been able to talk to Icarus about anything real, and he’s one of my best friends- it’s just not fair!” Tears were openly streaming down her cheeks now. Stan gulped, then brought her to some stumps to sit. “Look kid,” he began. Mabel scrubbed her eyes and sniffled. “I know what you’re going through. It’s rough. And- and if you really need me to, which you will, I’ll go with Icarus instead. Okay? I’m old and doing nothing worthwhile with my life. You need your brother. So when the time comes, go. I’ll take your place. You got that?”

Mabel smiled gratefully through her tears. “You’re the best, Grunkle Stan!” Stan grinned back at her. “We should probably grab some firewood for real though,” he said.

“Okay,” Mabel agreed.

#see the light #chapter 12

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alpaca-clouds · 9 months

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My Issue with Redemption Arcs

I think my most unpopular popculture opinion ever is: Zuko's redemption arc... does not really work for me. Though it is not that much a thing about Zuko's redemption arc and rather about how white western media tends to portray redemption arcs.

Usually it goes something like that: There is this villain character, who usually from the very beginning is carrying this huge "gotta get redeemed later" sign with themselves, who at some point in the story goes "wait, am I the bad guy?!" They will then go ahead and join the ragtag band of protagonists, who might be kinda mistrustful for obvious reasons, but will probably come along within half a seasons worth of episodes (or up to 10 book chapters) and quickly forgive him. There might be some episodes/chapters to establish the reformed villain's role within the group then. If the now reformed villain has done ill by a large group of people (because they are a war criminal or something) there might also be an episode/chapter where they go ahead and save a village or something, willing to sacrifice themselves. Which instantly will make everyone everywhere totally forgive them and they end up being celebrated a hero by all.

Thanks. I hate it.

But now let me talk about why I hate it so much.

It is not even a complicated reason. It is simply: This kind of story tends to put narrative pressure onto the victims to forgive the villain, who might have suffered all kinds of both physical and mental pain through what the villain have done.

Depending on the kind of story they might have suffered abuse, might have lost family members or friends, might have been a supressed class or even a slave because of the villain.

And then the story will go: "But, hey, the villain is now really sorry and you tots should forgive them because they didn't mean it! Don't you see, they have this big dramatic, sympathetic backstory that totally explains why they have turned out that way."

And I am sorry, but... It just does not work like that.

My issue is not the villain redeeming themselves. That is fine. But it is specifically the relation to the victim and the expectation that the victim(s) need to be fine with it then that irks me so much. And how easily they are forgiven.

And yes, the reason why this irks me so much is, that in real life we often also expect victims to behave like that. "Oh, your parents abused you? Well, they said they are sorry and are willing to make up for it. So you should accept that!" - "Oh, that bully from highschool? See, they went to a super rough patch with their family at the time and now they feel sorry. Will you not go and meet with them so they can apologize?" - "Oh, that expartner who raped you? Yeah, they went to therapy and are now totally reformed. They feel really sorry. Forgive them."

And it also obviously goes for group-based violence. "Oh, that politician, who campaigned on taking your human rights from you and had your brother thrown into prison? Yeah, they totally are seeing now that they were in the wrong and are willing to make up for it! Give them a chance!"

And that's just not... how any of this works.

I am perfectly fine with people switching sides and joining the good side... But I am just not fine with people being forgiven by everyone everywhere by just... doing this one thing or gesture for them, making everyone instantly go "I guess it is fine now".

If you follow me for any amount of time you know that my favorite series currently is Castlevania - and if you have followed me a bit longer you also know my favorite movie of all time is Mad Max Fury Road. And I think both have a much better approach to redemption arcs.

Isaac's story in Castlevania very much is a redemption arc. But during this redemption arc NOBODY has to forgive Isaac. Well, that is nobody but himself. There is no survivors from the genocide that he has to save to proof himself and who then are forced by the narrative to say: "Yeah, actually he is a good guy." His entire arc is about he himself figuring out why he did wrong and how he could do better.

Same with Mad Max Fury Road and Furiosa. The story is not shy about telling you that it is a redemption story. Though the things the characters need redemption for are not even defined in detail. It is just said: "Yeah, they are looking for redemption." It is very much about Furiosa and Max learning that they can do right by some people, even if they have done wrong by others. We do not even know (well, in Max's case we do through additional material), who they have failed/done wrong by. Those do not factor into the story. The story is about them learning to do right.

Nobody owes anyone forgiveness. And I hate it, when media frames it as if they do.

#writing #redemption #forgiveness #nobody is owed forgiveness #unpopular opinion #pop culture #storytelling #redemption arc #trauma #mention of abuse #mention of rape

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