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pupkashi · 11 months

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movie nights

gojo satoru has developed a new weakness: romcoms

a/n: hi friends !! hope you are all well <3 just a quick little something I’ve been thinking of

wordcount: 1,138

masterlist

“okay give it one shot and i swear i will never ask you to watch a romcom ever again!” you’re pleading, seconds away from getting on your knees and waving your hands in the air, shouting a ‘please, please, please, please’ until he caves to your wishes.

“what’s it called again?” he’s sighing, already pulling the streaming app onto the tv as you’re grinning widely.

“crazy, stupid, love! you’re gonna love it i swear” you giggle, cuddling into his side as he run his fingers up and down your arm absentmindedly.

it’s only 10 minutes into the movie when you’re glancing at your boyfriend, biting back a grin when you see his eyes glued to his screen. you’re shocked when you hear a giggle from the 6 ft something man as ryan gosling flirts on screen.

“did you just giggle at ryan gosling?” you’re smiling and he only looks at you with one brow lifted. “you didn’t? it’s fuckimg ryan gosling” he emphasizes and you nod your head, “fair,” you reply settling back into his side as you two focus on the movie.

satoru is almost in tears by the end of the movie, a heartfelt smile on his face as he watches the ending unfold, giggling at the dialogue (or maybe ryan gosling).

“so what did you think?” you ask, grabbing the remote after the credits start rolling. your lovers unusual silence causes you to glance at him, bursting into laughter as you take in the pout on his lip and his expression of defeat.

“i cant believe i was wrong” he mumbles, “how can this happen to me, how could i be defeated?” he’s holding his head in his hands dramatically as you wheeze from laughter, squeaking a bit as you try to calm yourself down.

“does this make me the strongest” you laugh, shoving him lightly, his blue eyes narrow at you playfully, tackling you so he’s laying ontop of you, his bed resting in the crook of your neck as he’s sighing loudly.

“so what did you think” you smile, already knowing his answer. he’s not moving as his lips mumble against your skin, tickling you slightly and pushing him off you, “can’t hear you” you tease, satoru pouts a bit.

“it was amazing, it was real cinema” he sighs, his eyes screwed shut as he tries to force some tears out of his eyes.

“okay well what do you wanna watch now?” you ask, giving him the remote. satoru is quiet as he hands you the remote, not daring to look you in the eye.

“another one” he mumbles, trying his best to avoid your gaze.

“say that again?” you smile, there’s a shit eating grin on your face as he repeats the two words. “what happened to my satoru? the one who called romcoms the downfall of society?” you accuse, laughing as he rolls his eyes and gets off of you, pouting and sitting on the opposite end of the couch.

“people can change! I’m a changed man” he says, closing his eyes and crossing his arms over his chest. he still has a small pout on his soft lips, opening one eye to peak if you were staring at him, satisfied that you were he hugged once more.

“alright i believe you” you smile, moving so that your arms wrapped around his waist, squeezing a bit. “so i have like three other ones tied for second favorite of mine, let me show you” he’s paying attention to you now, eyes glued to the screen as you show him the previews for the movies.

“hm” he has a finger on his chin and his brows are furrowed, “i think i wanna watch 10 things i hate about you” you’re cheering as you press play, the two of you giggling to each other as you cuddle up, silent as the movie begins to play.

it had been only a couple days since that night, and satoru was off overseas on a mission, texting you more often than not and calling you anytime he could.

hey what’s the hbo password?

the sudden text catches you off guard, furrowing your brows as you reply, unlocking your front door.

*******

you can at least ask me about my day >:(

how was your day sweetheart <333 ??

the apple of my eye

my sweet sweet lover

you’re rolling your eyes, smiling and shaking your head at your boyfriends actions. curiosity gets the best of you, and soon enough you’re logging into hbo, going to satorus profile and your mouth is wide open.

Continue Watching: Confessions of a Shopaholic

you’re full on laughing, scrambling for your phone as you call your boyfriend.

“hi sweets can we talk in like… 47 minutes and 28 seconds?” his eyes flicking between his phone and the tv screen in his hotel room.

“why’s that?” You ask, your brow arched and suddenly he’s panicking a bit. “you’re too busy for me now? is that it?” your voice is stern and it’s taking everything for you to not burst into a smile.

“no! of course not sweetheart it’s just-” he’s pausing the movie, and you’re cutting him off before he can admit to his crimes.

“is it Rebecca Bloomberg? or are you too busy giggling over Luke? which is understandable by the way” you laugh, toppling over and wheezing as you see the utter shock on your lovers face.

“how did you- but- i can explain okay?” he’s speaking loudly, trying his best to save face and spewing all sorts of lies.

“-so when you think about it if i didn’t watch it the world would’ve burned!” he finishes after a second, you’re shaking your head at him.

“tell me what you think of the ending, I’m gonna make dinner and sleep, take care okay?” you’re saying your goodbyes as he blows a much too loud kiss to the camera.

when satoru returned from his mission he did what any sane man does. he walked into his home, kissed his wonderful, amazing, beautiful partner, order dinner for the two of you, and put on one of the movies he’d been dying to watch.

How to lose a guy in 10 days.

it was funny really, how many times you’d changed his mind on things he’d always sworn he hated. if anyone had told him he’d be in a stable loving relationship, watching romcoms deep into the morning he would’ve laughed at them in their face. if he’d been told he would like the way anyone cooked cauliflower or a variety of veggies he would’ve ignored them, calling them dirty liars.

yet there he was, watching romcoms with you until 4 am, having some dinner you’d cooked with a side of veggies that he absolutely devoured. and he wouldn’t trade it for the world.

#not proofread don’t k*** me plz #gojo satoru x reader #gojo satoru fluff #gojo x reader #gojo satoru imagine #gojo satoru one shot #gojo satoru drabble #gojo fluff #satoru gojo fluff #gojo satoru fanfic #gojou satoru x reader #satoru gojo drabble #gojo satoru x reader fluff

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my-my-my · 6 months

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Could you talk about Aizen"s relationship with Shinji? What he thinks about him? etc

Sure! This ask gave me an itch to reread TBTP because (much to my dismay), I wish we saw Aizen and Shinji interact during TYBW. I hope we see some added content in the anime, but I'm not holding my breath lol.

This is going to be more of a ramble/word dump so I apologize if it's not cohesive!

TW: none!

I'm of the opinion that if there was anyone Aizen wanted to understand him (outside of Urahara), it would have been Shinji. I specifically think about this panel and how interesting it is that Kubo gave Aizen a sad look in his eyes. We don't really see sadness in Aizen, there's only one other scene where I vaguely recall him looking more sad/disappointed (vs him being bored/disappointed).

(This is from Ch -316/TBTP 10)

We know from Shinji's side, he was always wary and somewhat cautious around Aizen. He never trusted him fully and kept him at arms length for everything. On one hand, this leads him to his downfall, but I also read it as Shinji having an immediate gut reaction to not trust Aizen and Shinji could never shake that off. He can be professional with Aizen, but he mentally cannot handle anything beyond that. Something about Aizen felt so fundamentally off to Shinji that he could not get close to him.

So I wonder if this bothered Aizen as well... Aizen is someone who meticulously crafted his persona. He was known to be kind, hardworking and diligent, but something about this persona immediately gave a warning to Shinji.

But I'm not gonna defend Aizen and say he crafted the "perfect" persona - because even he (in a roundabout way) admits he didn't. Even subconscious traits of the "real" Aizen comes through with every interaction Aizen and Shinji would have had with each other, but because of the wall Shinji mentally puts between the two of them, he cannot discern these traits. So while this adds to Aizen's "loneliness complex", it gives him leeway to add in stand-ins with Kyoka Suigetsu. And that's what disappoints Aizen at his core - even his own Captain can't recognize the little things about him.

And this leads me to think that Aizen and Shinji were Lieutenant and Captain for a few centuries at least. We know that at Nanao's graduation from the academy, Aizen was already the Lieutenant of Squad 5:

(Ch. 652/The Theatre Suicide Scene 6)

So yes, Shinji may have had time to "understand" Aizen - but he doesn't. Even at the start of TBTP, Aizen asks Shinji what he's listening to and while Aizen doesn't understand jazz, instead of trying to get to "know" Aizen (even frivously), by asking him "what music do you even listen to then?" he tells him "why did you ask me that then?"

Another thing I noticed is that Aizen (during TBTP) asks a surprising amount of questions (it can be argued though that these are the hypnotized stand-ins asking). He's trying to gain as much knowledge as he can from other people, and Shinji isn't there to answer, or even acknowledge that he's asking questions. It's also "normal" for Aizen to be seen at the library, as Shunsui and the C46 didn't bat an eye at Aizen's alibi. While fundamentally Captain/Lieutenant relationships can really be any sort of dynamic (mentor/mentee, boss and personal assistant), I got the sense that Aizen didn't really "learn" much from Shinji about the ways of Soul Society. Shinji had a tight lip and only shared what needed to be shared likely for work-reasons.

And then there's their shikais! I found it fascinating how both of them have reality-altering shikais. Shinji's shikai being a complete distortion of senses, while Aizen's is subtle manipulation of senses. I don't really have any more to say for that, but I've interpreted this as their way of being honest with people. Shinji's manipulation of senses is very cognizant and deliberate - Shinji is blunt. Aizen's is subtle but traumatizing - you can't trust anything coming from Aizen.

I think though, Shinji's experience with Aizen shaped how he treats his Squad going forward. I have a soft spot for headcanons for how Squad 5 operates post-Aizen's incarceration. Shinji treats Momo much differently than he did with Aizen because he knows what it's like being used and completely victimized by Aizen. There's no point in him being on his guard against someone who was hurt just as badly as he was by Aizen's hand. There is a sense of camaraderie they share in that sense. No one (arguably) "knew" Aizen as much as they did because they worked with him in such close capacity. I'd love to know what lies and truths Aizen shared with them lol.

Sorry again for this ramble, but thank you for this ask! Wish we see/have more Squad 5 content, but alas!

#bleach #aizen sousuke #shinji hirako #aizen sosuke #sosuke aizen #hirako shinji #bleach headcanons #answered #shinji #aizen

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epickiya722 · 3 months

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"If Gojo and Geto were really best friends, then why didn't Gojo realize there was something wrong with Geto mentally beforehand?"

And then I saw someone said that Satoru and Shoko were probably too selfish or too dense to notice...

A lot some factors play into Suguru's path to becoming a curse user, but I wouldn't say Shoko and Satoru were "too selfish, too dense".

With Shoko, she was indeed a friend to both Satoru and Suguru. But she wasn't always around, not because she didn't care to be. It was because she couldn't be. She practically had to stay at the school because her Reverse Curse Technique and sharpen that technique.

And it wasn't as if Shoko wouldn't have listened to Suguru because later on in the manga, she makes a comment about Satoru believing he was alone after Suguru left. She says he wasn't alone because she was right there.

Now with Satoru, he isn't dense and I know Satoru is arrogant to some level, but I don't even think he's selfish like that. He did notice something was up with Suguru. He did question him if he was alright and Suguru just told him it was summer heat. Satoru being Suguru's best friend, trusted that answer and probably didn't want to push it any further. I don't think he wanted to bother Suguru, just as much as Suguru probably didn't want to bother anyone else. He never would have thought Suguru would start questioning how things work in the world because the Suguru he knew always cared about others. Why do you think he spazzed out when he learned of what Suguru had done?

We saw the year prior that with Riko was upset about leaving the beach, Satoru suggested they stay longer. So it's not Satoru doesn't notice when someone is feeling some type of way. In fact, around that time, he was growing into being more considerate about others. Suguru deflecting solidified Satoru's change into who he became later down the line.

Also, just like with Shoko, Satoru was separated away from Suguru a lot of the times. He became the strongest and was assigned on more solo missions. The schedules for missions are irregular so they probably couldn't meet like that, let alone at all!

I think what gets me about people pointing fingers at who is to blame for Suguru's downfall is that it's at Satoru and Shoko who are just as much as victims to Jujutsu society and the Higher-Ups as Suguru was.

Even crazier, no one says anything about Yaga who was Suguru's teacher, who blames himself. And I wouldn't say he's at complete fault either given how the Higher-Ups treat him.

Sometimes, I feel like people who blame Satoru and Shoko are just Satoru haters (and maybe to an extend SatoSugu haters and looking for an "excuse" to slander the ship) and people who don't care about female characters.

Same fandom that likes to throw Yuki under the bus as if she directly told Suguru "go kill all non-shamans" in his ear.

Moments before she even appeared in that scene Suguru makes a comment to Yu saying how he's a good judge of character with "then why are you sitting next to me then" (or something along those lines), so he already knew that he (Suguru) was heading down a dark path.

It was just how it was gonna happen and what exactly what bothering him.

Yuki was just trying to have a conversation with him, that's it.

With Satoru and Shoko, they were just kids, too being unfairly used like tools.

Look, Suguru did wrong, but given all that has happened it was indeed going to happen. He was just a kid who at a time believed in doing good.

If, again, anyone should be blamed it's the Higher-Ups who treat those who work under them like garbage.

Who in their right mind sends a damn teenager on solo missions? Let alone one to a village?! With those kind of people?! (Because I don't doubt that the HUs didn't know what kind of people they are if they got word of what was happening. Surely, one of the villagers said something about the twins and blamed them. Two innocent little girls, mind you.)

Like, the HUs are the same people who orchestrated a death mission practically just to kill Yuji and would have also gotten Megumi and Nobara killed, too.

#LIKE DID THEY HAVE A FUCKING SCHOOL COUNSELOR OR SOMETHING HELLO?!#just kiya's thoughts #jjk #jujutsu kaisen #geto suguru #suguru geto #gojo satoru #satoru gojo #shoko ieiri #ieiri shoko #yuki tsukumo #tsukumo yuki

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kleftiko · 11 months

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what would hawks do if u asked him to stay after he gets called in

❦ LEAVE

cw: angst, slight implication of mental health problems, not proof read

oh, you want ANGST angst?

listen, this man was bred to be a hero, and what is basically the number one hero rule? everyone over one.

so he’s leaving. i’m sorry. you’re having a breakdown? wailing and just needing something to ground you and remind you that reality is around you and you’re not slipping away into your mind? keigo can’t be there.

if he gets called in, he’s going. even when it breaks his heart to close the door on your broken self. even after all those recycled apologies he gives you. even when you gentle grab his shirt and whisper ‘stay?’

that’s the downfall of a hero, they’re never really yours and you can’t be selfish about it.

even with the problems of hero society.

one of the biggest fundamentals in mha is the fact that heroes become a job and a business and that’s why you have people like stain who reject the commercialism of saving people.

so it’s not a stretch to reason that some heroes just turn off saving people as soon as they clock out of work. but, is hawks one of these people? no. he’s in the news all the time so if he’s called and doesn’t answer there’s gonna be riots.

he’s an advertising puppet for the hero commission, they’ve pulled his strings so much sometimes he doesn’t even feel human. and before he met you, he didn’t really care that he was a figure head and just did what he was told.

but now that you’re in his life, it’s so much more complicated. every time you’re interrupted by a disaster that he needs to go to, his popularity poll skyrockets. he’s the people’s hero but he’s slowly becoming your villain. standing you up to chase down robbers, leaving you while you’re mourning to go for a search and rescue, just so you can go online and see the publicity of it.

you thought it would be different. you thought he would save you like he does everyone else. but he’s not yours, he’s the commission’s.

if you ask him to stay, he’ll still go.

#mha x reader #bnha x reader #hawks x reader #keigo tamaki #keigo x you #keigo x y/n #keigo takami x reader #hawks angst #hawks scenarios

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balanceoflightanddark · 1 year

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Why overemphasizing Azula's mental health is a bad thing

Azula and the subject of mental health has been the topic of debate for years in the fandom. There have been COUNTLESS attempts to diagnose her with some mental disorder or genetic condition, she's been labeled "deranged" or "crazy" over and over again, and it's gotten to the point that her breakdown and Sozin's Comet state has overridden her entire character for both the fandom and canon.

Now there have been essays about the moral implications of diagnosing a cartoon character so I'm not gonna go back into that territory. What I am going to focus on...is how supposedly genetics or her mental illness is emphasized to the detriment of everything else. Let's forgive for a moment (but we'll get back to that) about blaming her condition on her ancestry or some inherent mental disorder (even though there's little evidence of that). Some people will contend that genetics or a mental illness doesn't make a person who they are (which is true) and that it doesn't negate the shitty upbringing she was raised in.

Except...by focusing solely on Azula's "madness", they forget everything else that made her who she was. The immense pressure by her father to be perfect. The toxic environment of the warmongering Fire Nation. That belief that her worth is only based on how well she serves the Fire Lord. How her father conditioned her to be a weapon. These are often left to the wayside in favor of her condition. Some people will contend these factors "exacerbated" her mental illness, even though these factors would screw her up regardless if she had a condition. What's worse, by playing up her breakdown, they're essentially taking the blame off of Ozai by contributing her downfall solely to her genetics. Like people don't already give the abusive father an easy pass off already. Instead, the blame is put on Azula, his 14-year-old victim.

Finally, what really gets me is what people are going to latch on to when you bring in genetics or mental instability in a discussion on a character's mental framework. Even if it's well intentioned (which it can be), what are people going to latch on to? A toxic environment with an abusive father and a neglectful mother and relative that emphasizes violence and intimidation? Or mental illness, something that has historically stigmatized for centuries and is ingrained in our society?

Does this mean Azula shouldn't be portrayed as mentally ill or having a problem in the psyche? No. Not at all. But it shouldn't be dragged to the forefront that everything else in her environment becomes muted or dulled.

#azula #princess azula #azula meta #ableism #atla #atla meta #ozai's a+ parenting #azula deserved better

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cloveroctobers · 1 year

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bloodwar — JOEL MILLER

A/N: Y’all voted and so shall you receive! Im nervous writing for such a loved character but here goes nothing! If you’re not familiar with my work…I always provide the angst. You’ve been warned.

GIF BELONGS TO: @pedrohub

WARNINGS: I’m always writing my characters with black or POC in mind yet you’re somewhat welcome to imagine whomever as the character/reader is not fully described, fem! Reader, language, lightly paraphrased sexual themes, trauma/lost, & hints of a toxic!relationship the deeper I went into writing this thing. I do believe Joel can find some healthy love romantically but there’s things within himself that needs to be worked through. I am no therapist, I’m simply a girl who likes to make people feel some things with writing so I’ll stfu! Again this is my first time ever writing for this man so I was trying to get into the mind of his character as I wrote so don’t slander me too much if you feel this isn’t right. Lastly this focuses more on uncertainties? That’s it!

˗ˏˋ╰┈➤ ´ˎ˗ ˗ˏˋ╰┈➤ ´ˎ˗ ˗ˏˋ╰┈➤ ´ˎ˗ ˗ˏˋ╰┈➤ ´ˎ˗

The bruises and Lambrusco weren’t enough for her to forget or to catch her off guard. She noticed him way off, through the fence and across what once would have been pretty pale blue water, turned murky and brown. Getting around that lake would take some time and that time was granted as she left the watch tower with her bow and arrow. The only reason she came down from the watch spot was to retrieve the mischievous lamb that loved to escape the barn.

“Got you, you little shit.” She scolded as the animal kept up the banter; while she scooped it up from underneath the belly.

Her senses then allowed her to hear footsteps before he spoke, “Do you?”

Tension filled her shoulders as she took a sharp inhale before she spun on her heels, revealing the lamb and her new weapon of choice.

“Joel Miller,” the name pushed through her lips, “can’t say it’s a pleasure to see you.”

The man scoffed, “that’s no way to treat the man of your dreams.”

A roll of her eyes was immediate, “you and I both know you weren’t serious.”

This much was true and if it were any other time and circumstance, the words probably would have stung as they left her mouth.

“Yeah, you’re right about that.” Joel muttered as he began to stare, which always irritated the woman.

“Can I help you with something or are you just gonna stand there being a creep with your beady owl-like eyes?”

Joel laughed to himself, almost liking that his presence was getting underneath her skin but also at the fact that she wanted to get right to the point.

“What? I can’t enjoy the view and the luxurious secluded home you’ve got for yourself here?” Joel attempted to tease but the woman didn’t appear to be in a joking mood.

Which the man didn’t bother to take offense to—even if he wanted to, he received the emotionless expression that remained on her oval face and assumed his own features showcased the same, although the little twinkle in inky eyes felt like he attempted to make the mood lighter.

It was her turn to trail her eyes over him and she could tell how much life passed him by. It had been years since she last saw Joel. Their history was shifty and rough from the beginning, since everyone was trying to get adjusted to the downfall of society—being thrown towards a new virus and death filled life it was safe to say, they got into some shit together to survive. They both were not as alone at the start since Joel had his brother Tommy, where they ventured from Austin to the east coast and on their way, they met a woman with no filter and her kind but no nonsense having father in Memphis. It was war from the very moment the Millers stepped onto the Lemelle’s riverboat but a truce between the families brought an unlikely path in their relationship. Eventually she, her father, Joel, and Tommy made it to Boston.

After the death of Kendy’s father, the realization that the QZ was not all it cracked up to be, she made the decision to leave first back in the year of 2010; in search of a place with no restrictions. Yet sharing that news with Joel that summer the sun burned down in almost a red hue and instead of just simply disappearing into the night without a word…was something she wished she would have done instead.

“Tommy or Maria sent you?” Her chin lifted in curiosity.

Joel exhaled, “I’m sure you know the answer to that already. I get the sense Maria and I are not gonna be the best of friends.”

“Whaaat? Don’t tell me you never wanted a sister?”

Joel just blinked at her, “fuck off, Kendy.”

“Hey you came to me,” her face held mock innocence, “what you see is what you damn get. Also mind you, I’m the one with the weapon.”

“Yet I’d probably get to that thing before you can even aim to shoot. Lamb chops sounds pretty darn good to me.” Joel warned but Kendy looked more offended than horrified.

The lamb seemed to tilt its head at Joel’s statement as well, floppy ears almost appearing alert.

Which was weird to witness…

“you sure about that grandpa?” Kendy cooed as she pulled her knee up to balance the weapon before adding, “what’s the matter, they’re not feeding you well out in Jackson?”

Joel scoffed and folded his arms as he peered out into the distance of Driggs, pretending to think about it. Of course the food was good, real good considering back in Boston the lbs for food were mostly scraps and back out into the destructive world with Ellie was way worse. Sure he stuffed his belly until it became bloated and uncomfortable but he didn’t want to get used to it, regardless of settling—staying—stationing? in Jackson.

There was no use in complaining about the way things are.

Joel was always about action.

“Why here?” Joel steered the conversation elsewhere, “You’re a great distance away from Wyoming.”

Kendy hummed, “forty-four minutes by car. Longer by foot, which is just fine by me.” Before carrying on, “Did you really expect me to be there too, waitin’ around?”

“I don’t fucking know,” Joel exasperated, “it’s a sense of community, belonging or whatever they’re trying to go for. Something that would have been good for you and—

Kendy almost stopped breathing, the gears turning in her head, thinking Joel was first hinting at some sort of relationship that wasn’t platonic with his brother, taking into consideration that the pair got along well, however the way he rubbed at his mouth in frustration told her his words were aiming at another topic.

“Ah, now I see why you felt obligated to be here. Trust me, I don’t need this.” Kendy hissed, turning back around to head to the barn.

Joel hesitated because part of him didn’t want to do this either…yet it’s been a long time coming. Thirteen years to be exact. He’s in a whole other state and he didn’t travel all this way, by himself (persuading Ellie to stay back with Tommy for at least a couple of days, was hard work and he expected the freckled face girl to find a way to keep close. However Joel didn’t miss how Ellie was starting to spend some time with a certain girl named, Dina.) to not get the answers he deserved.

“Trust?” Joel stomped after her, “I dunno how you want me to do that darlin’ when you’re the one who ran from me, knowing you were carrying a child. My child.”

She whipped back around, making Joel almost bump into her but she shoved him back with a fist pressed to his chest. Her eyes were heated as she met his stare, “it didn’t matter! I wasn’t your problem anymore, ‘good riddance,’ remember? You really think a child would have fixed what we were? We couldn’t get along if we weren’t on top of each other.”

“You still should have had the decency to tell me something. It’s not right how you did it. How I have to find this shit out from my baby brother but even still…he didn’t tell much. So you better start talking.” Joel glared, pointing a finger in Kendy’s face.

Kendy slapped his finger away, “I don’t know who you think you are, Joel Miller but you don’t get to show up here and make demands. This time, I won’t hesitate to put one right in your chest if you keep pushin’ me.”

“Will you put the damn lamb and arrow down, Robin Hood, so we can have a decent conversation?” Joel snorted, finding this image almost humorous, if his blood wasn’t simmering, “I can’t take you seriously.”

Kenny scoffed, “well you better! Seeing you again and talking to me crazy is making me want to go back to old Kendy.”

Joel deeply inhaled and pinched at the bridge of his straight but hooked nose. He was aware what that means, the whole shoot and ask questions later was what life was like at the start of the outbreak and it only increased once they crossed paths.

He still had a bald spot, that no form of nioxin would cure! thanks to the woman throwing an axe at the top of his head (it happened sometime in January of 2004, Joel remembered Tommy slipping on the ice on the boat floor, surprised the younger man didn’t catch that in their stealth—although it seemed he didn’t get much sleep before their arrival to the water. Which caused quite the commotion before the real physical events transpired) , temporarily trapping him against the door the minute he got close to where she was located on the boat. Joel recalled the burning sensation of his hair being ripped from his scalp as he yanked himself from the wall, axe still having a hold on his thick hair, as he struggled to pull the axe from the wooden door.

“And here I thought Jackson was all for redemption, guess Maria isn’t as convincing as she seems.” Joel mumbled.

Kendy gave him a blank stare for a moment before she replied, “not too much on Maria now. Yes she’s opinionated and we don’t always see eye to eye either but shes a great asset to that community and she makes your brother happy. So accept that or talk that shit out when you get back because I won’t continue to listen to anymore jabs you want to toss out while you’re here.”

Joel raised his brows, “you’re gonna let me stay?”

“It’s getting dark out and I’m guessing you left your car across the lake so…you can stay in the barn or the tower. Your choice.” Kendy decided while she entered the said barn.

Joel shook his head, “I’m not sleeping with the damn farm animals.”

“We’ve all slept in much worse places, don’t get uppity on me now, Miller.”

Joel crossed his arms, “You get a one star for hospitality, Ken’.”

“Which is exactly why I put my two weeks in after three days of working at this hotel during my college years so thanks, sugar.” Kendy clapped back, making Joel shake his head in disapproval but not surprised.

Joel watched as Kendy showed almost this nurturing demeanor with the lamb and sheep, silently wondering what she was like with their own child…that was still bizarre to process and Joel was unsure if he even processed this although he was standing face to face with the woman he created another being with! It had been days since he found out this piece of information and now he was trying to do something about it. When they were intimate with each other, Joel foolishly never thought of the possibility of Kendy becoming a mother. He never brought it up because he obviously had no intentions on being that ever again, or spoke much of their past lives once their bodies fell into each other’s hands. It was a after thought when she sat down on him, so warm and sturdy. He was cold, this he knew but falling in love was never in the cards for him, especially with the world crumbling with the little pieces it had left.

What he had left.

He’s seen Kendy and how she was tender to her father once he got sick, he knew Kendy still had soft parts inside of her despite the jagged scar that trailed from the corner of her left eye and down the apple of her cheek, the delicate was still there—just don’t tell her that.

Part of her found something to care for to keep going, even if it were deemed as little things or “nothing” at all in her eyes. Did that also include a child?

Which is why Joel battled with himself on seeking answers. He didn’t speak to Tommy for days after the curly haired man blurted out the secret Kendy withheld from the older Miller. Joel was the one who brought Kendy up, at the saloon one late night, after everything failed at the hospital with Ellie. It was hypocritical of him—sure—but this secret was way before Ellie had been a thought of being the cure.

Joel still wasn’t entirely sure what he was expecting to get out of Kendy. The idea of becoming a father again, scared him shitless but he wouldn’t show it. Kendy didn’t create this child all by herself and they had to be grown now, however fatherhood was never a easy task and life after the outbreak was just as stressful; throw a fourteen year old into the mix and it was constant worry from there. He initially wanted to warn Tommy about this and actually deemed him a, “dummy,” for bringing a kid into this fucked up time, until tommy let the news slip from his lips when it really wasn’t his place.

Drops of rain were cool against the Idahoan spring before they started to pelt. Joel shielded the top of his head, standing at the entrance of the shelter as Kendy made her way through the barn, locking and boarding it up just in case she got any other visitors tonight.

“Come on,” Kendy waved the man to follow her to the back entrance of the craftsmanship home, just as the wind began to pick up.

Yanking the blinds down over the glass door, she made sure to lock it and set her bow down by the rest of the archery kit. Joel took the invitation as he scanned the home, straight ahead held an ajar door, he then walked through the small entry way on his left, noticing a set of stairs to the right and headed into the next area which held the kitchen and living room with two other window-framed doors that lead outside, suddenly peaking around for any other source of life.

“Where’s—

“Joel,” Kendy clipped, “take off your damp shoes, you’re tracking mud. Do you want some wine or coffee first before we tackle this, since you’re so adamant to talk?”

Joel peeled off his jacket and bag, before using the couch arm to kick off his shoes with his feet. He then held them up silently asking where he should put them and Kendy pointed at the front entrance door.

He then replied, “Coffee.”

“Black, no sugar and no cream.” Kendy whispered to herself as she went to the kitchen, fighting with her intrusive thoughts to tell him to make it his damn self.

Joel silently watched her for a moment before he headed over to the wood stove which seemed to be going already. His eyes still searched the walls for any pictures or sculptures just like Tommy and Maria had in their own home but the walls were empty besides it’s horrible aqua color.

His attention was brought back to Kendy, walking by him, reaching for the handle on the stove, opening it to reveal the fire behind. She squatted down, mitten reaching for the tray to place the mug right on top, before shoving it back over the center of the fire. She counted sixty seconds before pulling back out, closing the stove and moving back to the side table to place the black coffee down.

“Give it a few minutes,” Kendy told the man who dipped his head as he moved back to the spot he claimed on the sofa.

Kendy soon made her way around, taking a seat on the opposite couch, bottle of Lambrusco and wrapped herself in some fur blanket that probably belonged to one of her many sheep.

Sorry animal lovers, desperate times call for desperate measures and you’re supposed to help the sheep shed their fur from time to time!

Taking a swing from the bottle, Kendy deeply inhaled after swallowing before her eyes set back on Joel, “okay. Ask away but don’t ask to respond. Listen, or else we won’t get far tonight.”

Joel rubbed at his pants legs, hearing Kendy and decided to not pick that response apart.

“…when did you know?”

“Not long after you and Tess.”

Which happened once after they both had too much to drink and Kendy wasn’t in the mood.

Believe me, Joel’s knows how shitty that was, he was the one who lived it.

“There was no Tess and I.” Joel uttered, not getting the chance to further explain that relationship but they were friends who spent time together as smugglers.

There was chemistry there regardless.

“So just like us, got it.” Kendy snapped her fingers, breezing over that as she ordered, “Next question.”

Joel scratched at his salt and pepper beard, “was the…baby also the reason why you wanted to leave? Did you think I’d ever find out?”

“A small part of it yes. We already know what the main reason was: Boston’s QZ was becoming dangerous and suffocating just staying there, I needed to get out whether you knew i was carrying or not.” Kendy answered, taking another sip from the bottle.

Joel could understand that but he figured it wasn’t any easier being out there on your own especially with a life growing inside of you, her elderly father was deceased and Tommy was debating on another trip out (with the damn fireflies and Joel wasn’t sure which pissed him off more!) ; although they shared hushed conversations about their exit…part of Joel still didn’t understand why she put herself through that on her own.

“Well how did that work out for you?”

Kendy let out a humorless laugh at the sarcasm that radiated off Joel, pulling one leg up onto the couch, “just dandy. I’m living the dream with my sheep and this eye-blinding house.”

Alone.

He breathed out a laugh through his nose, mind fuzzy, heart not feeling as steady as it should as he fidgeted with his hands. Before he got the next question out, he turned to grip the mug by the handle and brought it to his lips. The steam mists his nostrils as he took a sip of the coffee, the heat not bothering him in the slightest while the dark liquid slid straight to his stomach, igniting the impulse to see some action.

“Was Idaho the place you envisioned to raise the kid?”

Kendy closed her eyes briefly as she said, “No. I didn’t see myself as a mother because I didn’t have much of one in my life. It wasn’t really a goal of mine. I stayed in Pennsylvania for awhile, three months maybe? made a friend that was once in the medical field and thankfully she helped me through it all.”

“She helped you deliver and then what?” He pried.

Joel rested his elbows on his knees, eyes set on the woman not so far from him this time. He felt the shift in the room rising as he continued to ask whatever popped into his head. He noticed the woman rack her nails against the black bottle, plump bottom lip with a beauty mark on it moving to the right as she bit down on it out of habit.

This was something she commonly did, Joel remembered that.

“Joel…it’s been thirteen years.” Kendy averred, “I couldn’t do it.”

Joel tried to keep his breathing steady, “meaning what? You got rid of it? Let this friend take care of them…what Kendy?”

He was never a man with patience.

And Kendy had time to cope with this.

So instead she got to her feet, holding the neck of the bottle to place on the coffee table before she set her eyes back on Joel. He leg began to bounce as it seemed Kendy was almost playing a game with his mind right now. A frown of his brows appeared in between them while she began to unbutton her jeans, pulling them down some and yanking up her shirt to reveal a scar underneath her navel.

“It was a ectopic pregnancy. I needed surgery, I was bleeding out and Kristi did what she had to do. I almost died and I kinda wished I did, along with that baby. And finally away from all this shit.” Kendy vented.

Joel felt a smidge of bile rising in this throat but taking another swing of coffee pushed it back down. He wasn’t sure how he was supposed to feel, or if there was a right way to feel.

“So…this was for nothing then.”

Kendy blinked, “what?”

“Coming out here, seeing you, and almost having wishful thinking when you killed the baby that you originally didn’t want and I wasn’t sure I even wanted.” Joel told, placing the mug back on the table.

Kendy couldn’t help the cackle that escaped her lips. She had to press her fingertips to her lips as she pointed her pointer finger up and down at the man.

“Nothing’s really changed with you and this is the exact reason why I should have put an arrow right through your chest where your heart is supposed to be,” Kendy seethed, “you’re a very broken person with no ounce of mercy. I saw it in your eyes the day I met you and I should have believed that then.”

“If that was true then you’d already be dead, back in Memphis, on that boat. So don’t stand there and try and tell me who you think I am.” Joel lowly stated.

Kendy huffed, pulling her jeans back up her wide hips and buttoning them before raising her hands, “why not when you’ve already shown me exactly that? You’ve never given a damn about me and certainly wouldn’t give a damn if the baby lived! Nobody compares to—

“Shut up! You don’t get to speak her name!” Joel was also on his feet now, absolutely aware what wanted to leave her lips.

The room was quiet for a mere second, besides the crackle of fire in the wood stove and the dash of rain outside.

Kendy tilted her head to the side, framed piece of hair sliding to cling to her eyelash, “Sarah.”

And that set Joel off, a forearm going to Kendy’s throat and his hand slapping against her mouth. He harshly breathed into Kendy’s face as he glared down at her. The rings of bags underneath her eyes showed just how tired he felt. He’s never spoken to Kendy about Sarah but it didn’t take her long to figure it out with his nightmares when they slept in the same space, going city to city.

Tommy only implied that he and Joel lost someone prior to their role of survival and Joel’s said her name a few times in his sleep.

“You don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about,” Joel gritted, “you think I haven’t changed when it’s you who hasn’t. You’re a know it all without actually knowing anything. You run any chance you get, always thinking about what’s best solely for you and nobody else. What a lonely life, don’t you think?”

A fist went to the side of his neck first, catching the man off guard, followed by a knee going up into his abdomen, leaving Joel fighting to catch his breath. He let go of Kendy who circled around and crouched to get into Joel’s face.

“Why would I stay? Imagine me having a normal pregnancy in my forties and having a child with a screwed up man that can’t love? Or doesn’t even like me enough? I’d say I dodged a bullet here and I thank god.” She rested a hand on his shoulder, using her other to bring the cross around her neck to kiss with a wicked smile.

Once Joel got his breath back, with the quickness, he swooped his arm underneath Kendy’s, locking her in his hold as he yanked her side to his chest by the shoulder. Kendy winced as she tried to spin her body out of his hold and when he wouldn’t let go, she tried to ram her shoulder into him but with his grip, he merely stumbled.

“Get off me!” Kendy yelled, ready to jam her foot right into Joel’s.

He kept hold of her shoulder, knowing it wasn’t at its strongest, even after all these years, hearing it click from scar tissue as he freed one hand to grip the side of her head, bringing her ear to his lips.

“If I didn’t like you…I wouldn’t have followed you that night to make sure you made it to Connecticut’s state line back then, if I didn’t like you I wouldn’t have accidentally called Tess your name once while looking at her but not really seeing her, if I didn’t like you I wouldn’t picture you when I touch myself, if I didn’t like you I wouldn’t have numbed myself out of missing you since you left, I wouldn’t have asked Tommy about you, and I damn sure wouldn’t have thought about you and I with Ellie, the kid, and Sar—on the ride here. like I said, you don’t know.” He then shoved Kendy away from him.

Kendy felt a lump in her throat at Joel saying this. Sure these were his words and it sounded nice, although she didn’t know who this Ellie person was but that didn’t mean he never hurt her and with his back to her now, she tugged on his belt loops, getting him to face her again. She wasted no time, moving her hands to grip the collar of his long-sleeve shirt to bring his lips right to her’s.

Joel hesitated feeling Kendy’s lips against his after all this time. It wasn’t unfamiliar so he was only shook for a second before the desperation settled in. His hands rested on her cheek, then down to her backside, then back up to her cheek, the pad of his thumb touching where her jagged scar ended and the other on the back of her coarse hair.

He tasted the Lambrusco, she tasted his precariousness, his left ear rung as the tip of her tongue traces his bottom lip, and he lets out a groan as a form of a unsaid apology. Until Kendy nipped his bottom lip—hard to the point she drew blood and Joel had to pull back to test his theory.

“Did you just—

Kendy deeply inhaled and exhaled with her lips raw and puffed from the pressure, “I want you gone by the fucking morning, Joel.”

He wiped the blood with his thumb as he watched the woman move around him, snatching up the wine before she made her exit.

Snorting he shook his head at her retreating form and moved to take a seat back on the couch with a exhale. This is what it used to feel like with Kendy leaving his sight after whatever interaction they had but this time felt a little different. There was no way in hell he could say this was a new beginning. He stared up at the ceiling in thought, quite conscious how this all played out and that this was a trial and error—when wasn’t it with the two? However this battle was not something he wanted to entirely give up on just yet.

Not anymore.

He had the time to get it right and part of him wanted to with Kendy.

And if they couldn’t…it’ll be a fair one this time.

No it didn’t make any sense and no this probably wasn’t the healthiest of relationships but Joel was never perfect, the flaws: scars, the bruises that were black, blue and sore, and the blood were okay with him as long as he was doing it with Kendy, he never wanted perfect.

Perhaps fighting, getting it all out into the open field was the answer and you can ask anybody: when has Joel Miller ever been afraid of getting his hands dirty?

And so he sat in the quiet with Kendy upstairs in her bedroom lost in her own thoughts, her back against the door when a crooked grin appeared on his own lips.

Here’s to additionally another round with Kendy Lemelle!

But…Who’s counting?

˗ˏˋ╰┈➤ ´ˎ˗ ˗ˏˋ╰┈➤ ´ˎ˗ ˗ˏˋ╰┈➤ ´ˎ˗ ˗ˏˋ╰┈➤ ´ˎ˗

Continue along with my spring anthology series here.

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spacialexistentialcrisis · 1 month

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You’re not gonna read this all the way through, I guarantee it. You’re not you’re not you’re not because you’re now the slave of the government, and you have no autonomy over yourself you loser, you mindless idiot.

The mental battle between knowing that your attention span is actively being forced to be shortened and also giving into the small boosts of serotonin and endorphins we keep receiving is hideous. Actively scrolling on tiktok and consistently thinking “oh i got put this down and do something” but then when it’s put down, you can’t stop craving it. This dependency on short form information is gonna lead to our society turning more and more dystopian, as we start to ignore any long form (normal amount) information being projected to us. We’re going to be given articles without clickbait titles that impart important information but it will be overlooked because we can’t coax our brains to stay focused for more than 5 seconds, and given articles with clickbait that makes our brain feel happy and important that are filled with stupid idiocity for us to consume.

Filtration of content and desensitization will increase (and we see it happening right now before our eyes) which are all signs of a dystopian society. All of you hunger games, divergent, Fahrenheit 451, dystopian fans in general need to realize we are most likely living the world James Orwell thought if in 1984, but we refuse to realize it because of the system doesn’t allow us to realize it. Are you really letting them control the one thing that you have full autonomy over? are you a pawn? I love to preach about how individualism is the downfall of our society and that collective community will allow us to flourish, but remember individualism and independence are two different things and you are starting to lose your independence, whether you realize it or not. Sheep-mind set, hive-mind set, individual mind set who CARES when you trace it all back they’re the SAME THING everyone is the same freaking person, have we not already debunked original experiences????

The government does NOT give a SHIT about you, you’re not delusional enough (i hope) to think that they care about you as an individual, but you are delusional enough (unfortunately) to think they care about you as a group and a people as humans.

REMINDER: YOU ARE NOT HUMAN IN THE EYES OF THE GOVERNMENT, YOURE NOT A NUMBER YOURE NOT ANYTHING BUT A MEANS OF PASSAGE FOR OTHERS (self proclaimed elite in particular) TO STEP ON FOR THEIR OWN GAIN.

Reclaim your own self dammit. What have you become? Is this what you want to be? Who you want to be? You stupid wretched simpleton (are you one?)

#dystopia #the hunger games #hunger games #fahrenheit 451 #divergent #dystopian society #government #are you a pawn?#doom scrolling #random #rant #downfall of society #truth #spilled truth #i hate it here #reclaim yourselves you stupid bastards

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wickedwanchii · 1 month

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I read the MHA post and my gosh this is such an amazing topic to discuss! And so I shall curse you again.

Giving Ivan an ice quirk is cliche but suits him well.. But also. What about giving him white flame quirk? Like the name of the song his VA sang. I`m joking, but that would be cool XD. (Btw there is a way to make white fire with thermite mixture in irl. I researched it for my things)

Flame is always attached to energetic character but it would be interesting to look at it as something calm and scary instead. Flame will take away everything you love. It will eat up forests without hesitation, moving forward no matter what. Its hunger. Its flame without warmth and comfort, which makes it cold in some sence. Maybe Ivan is like peat burning underground. On first glance there is just some smoke coming from the ground and it looks safe, but a bit unsettling. In the same time.. The moment you fall thru you are dead. There wont be any exit, only fire and smoke. And it will eat you.

Im gonna give you free reign to just smack me full send

I cannot believe I FORGOT ABOUT WHITE FLAME WHEN ITS LITERALLY MY FAVORITE SONG OF ALL TIME? Ive only listened to it a solid 3-4k times and have SEVERAL projects based around it INCLUDING A DIRECT ENGLISH LYRICAL TRANSLATION IM-

Anyways, this is literally SO GOOD and would fit so well to the idea I have for the AU. The idea of giving him a flame so hot it feels like it burns cold would be perfect for his character in this, plus the mental image of him swathed in white flames is,,,,ough,,,,,, Ideas ideas 👁👁

Like I said in a previous post this isn't an exact retelling of MHA events so there is going to be some changes, but thinking about an Ivan spurned from society and the ranks of proheroes set on being their downfall, quite literally burning down the foundations of Pro-Heroes to the point his rage and hatred has turned his flames white- 💥💥💥

Man I might have to revisit this AU now 💀

#x radio wanchii #hetalia x mha #ACK many thoughts head full i LOVE THIS

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amazingmsme · 7 months

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Day 1: Anticipation Preview

In which Miles is the only one who didn’t know about Miguel’s new belt.

"Yeah well, keep me posted. I wanna know the second you plan on using it," he said, saluting him as he left the room.

Hobie made sure to spread the word to his friends, swearing them all to secrecy in the hopes that they could be lucky enough to witness Miguel's giggly downfall.

Too bad Miles was out sick and didn't get the memo.

He was back at the Spider-Society, catching up with his friends in the cafeteria when Miguel spotted them and decided to check in.

"Miles, glad to see you back," he greeted with a nod. "How're you feeling?"

"Oh, hey! I'm glad to be back sir," he replied, still unable to shake the urge to keep things formal between them. "B-but I'm feeling good! Much better now," he assured. He looked down at the burger in his hands, ready to take a bite when a new accessory caught his eye. He froze just as he brought it to his mouth.

"I've told you, just Miguel is fine," he assured, a soft smile gracing his features. He noticed Miles's gaping mouth and wide eyes, looking him over with a puzzled expression. "You uh, you sure you're okay?" he asked just to double check.

Miles shook himself out of it and nodded. "Yup! Never better!" Gwen shot him a look from across the table, undoubtedly wondering what had him acting so weird. She followed his line of sight and things suddenly fell into place. She locked eyes with Hobie, sharing a subtle nod as Miles continued on, "But is that a new belt? I don't think I've seen you wear it before..."

"Oh yeah, Peter gave it to me. Said he wanted to give me something useful for once," he explained, and it all suddenly clicked for Miles. "It's a nice change of pace from all the useless knickknacks. Don't get me wrong, they're fine in small doses but he seriously overestimates how much free space I have," he said, but Miles wasn't paying attention. "To be honest, I'm just glad he picked something that matches my suit."

"Heh, yeah. 'Cause that's the worst that could happen- ow." Miles wasn't sure who kicked him, but judging by all of their looks, he was clearly out of the loop on something.

"Riiiight," Miguel said, noticing how weird they were all of a sudden. "Well, you know where to find me," he said and walked off. Miles waited until he was out of the cafeteria to speak because you could never be too careful where Miguel's concerned.

"So were you guys just not gonna tell me Miguel got a tickle belt?" he blurted out as soon as he deemed safe.

"We were going to! We just... forgot," Pavitr said, a shy smirk tugging at his lips.

Miles scoffed, "You don't just forget something like that!"

"I was gonna tell you as soon as I saw you, but then we were on a mission and it really wasn't a good time, and I did forget to tell you. Sorry about that," Gwen explained.

"Nah it's cool. I just can't believe he's still wearing it," he said in awe.

"Oh he doesn't know," Gwen said, causing Miles to whip around to look at her.

#fic sneak peek #fic snippet #fic in the works #tickletober #tickletober 2023 #miguel o'hara #miles morales #gwen stacy #hobie brown #pavitr prabhakar #spiderman atsv #across the spiderverse #across the spiderverse fic #spiderman atsv fic #spiderman atsv tickle fic #atsv tickle fic

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peridyke · 1 year

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ok I was like telling myself I wouldn't do this but I'm actually gonna throw my hat in the ring about the bi lesbian thing as a lesbian lesbian. I think ultimately a good lesson to internalize is that you have no control over the way individuals identify and trying to exert that is a waste of time and energy and its best to go about life assuming people are operating in good faith as experts in their own identities. I see people fear monger about how the existence of people identifying as bi lesbians will cause the downfall of lesbianism meaning exclusive attraction to women and I honest to god do not think a niche identity is going to undo decades upon decades of cultural coding. HOWEVER it does really bug me when I see people insist that lesbian being a term that excludes attraction to men is unnecessary or unimportant and its something that feels like...absurdly insensitive? I'm far from a queer etymologist and I'm not gonna pretend for a second I know the deep history of how these terms have originated and evolved but I will say that like...I mean yeah duh there's a lot of prejudice and unique violence towards women who dont feel attraction towards men I've both faced that and seen that as someone who has like, existed in culture lmao. regardless of how it originated and evolved lesbian as a term carries a lot of cultural prejudice and burden not just because it describes same sex attraction between women but also a lack of attraction to men and saying that half of that isn't an issue just doesn't feel very like, idk, aware of...society LMAO anyways I was avoiding saying anything about this because I think the way this got brought up in the first place is insanely tone deaf but I can't deny that its been kicking around in my head so I guess I'm just as bad

#txt #imagine huge quotes around women when i say it lol #sorry for talking about this on my STEVEN UNIVERSE BLOG #i am caffinated and adderall free right now so i am just distracting myself

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whatyourusherthinks · 2 months

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Dune Part Two Review

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIITTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT'SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS HHHHHHHHHHHHHEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What's The Movie About?

SAME THING AS THE FIRST ONE!

Ahem. Sorry, excited. This is the follow up to the first Dune movie and portrays the second half of the Dune Novel. Mostly Paul and his mother imbedding themselves into the Fremen and amassing an army to take on the re-enstated Harkonnens.

What I Like.

These movies are fucking gorgeous. There are quite a few jaw-dropping compositions and the designs of all the technology and outfits are very cool. The story is excellent, although it should be a surprise since the book is a classic and as far as I can tell the movie is mostly faithful to it. The few changes they made I actually think are for the better, like not jumping the story forward or changing how a certain character dies. I really liked the Fremen society. It felt like a real society that would exist on a planet like Arrakis. The pool of water they add their dead people's water to felt like something that would actually come to be. And I dug Paul's downfall at the end. The Bene Gesserit are so sleezy that I felt genuinely bad for everyone who fell for their religion. I also felt like Stilgar is probably completely broken by the end, and that sucked because I really like Stilgar. (Sucked in a good way I mean. It was definitely intentional for the audience to feel bad.) I also weirdly like Feyd-Rautha. Like he's absolutely a villain, but I like his personality, how he's supposed to be an opposite to Paul, and I kinda liked him more than Paul at the end of the movie. He's just a silly guy, it's not his fault he was born on the German Expressionist planet to a family of snuff film makers. Christopher Walken as the emperor is also pretty awesome, very inspired casting. The score is great. I'll catch myself wanting to belt out the wailing used every so often. The action was also pretty awesome. The high frequency shields is an inspired bit of world building, because it brings more of the fighting into the realm of desperate knife fights, which I find more interesting than just people shooting back and forth. Also, as someone who's played the Dune board game before engaging with the Dune story at all, was was neat to see the characters take actions that could be done in the game and where some of the names of cards come from.

What I Didn't Like.

So I was praising how cool some of the shots were right? Well guess what. Pretty much all of them are in the trailer. Also, while I like how well built the Fremen society was, the Harkonnen planet seems like it should have flamed out in three generations. All they do is kill each other and they especially mistreat their women, so I don't know why they still exist. I get it's just supposed to be the evil guys so they took every opportunity to have them be evil, but it's kinda lazy writing. Speaking of Harkonnen, and this is gonna be petty, but I and everyone I talk to about Dune pronounces the name "Har-Ko-Nen". The movie pronounces it "Hark-En-En" and it was really distracting. There is also a major plot reveal 45 minutes before the movie ends, which happens to be when we drop checks in the theaters at my work. So I got fucking spoiled, thanks Denis Villanelle or whatever you name is.

Final Summation.

It's awesome. It's all the climax to make up for all the set up of the first movie. If you put a knife to my neck and made me choose which one I liked more, I guess I'd say Part 2 since more cool stuff happens, but like all stories split into two parts you should really treat it as a whole. And as a whole, Dune is fucking awesome. I cannot wait for the sequel.

#Dune Part Two #Recommended Movies

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angelwonie · 1 year

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life lessons/advice w lia under the cut sjddskdakjsd

one thing ive learned over the years is that people will hate you if youre better than them.

like there's going to be so many people praying on your downfall just because you're doing good at something. they're gonna tell you to shrink yourself ("it's rude to brag" babe just say you're a loser and move on. being proud of your achievements isnt bragging.) because it makes them feel threatened. because they dont wanna put in that extra effort, dont wanna work hard and so, when you do, and you succeed, they hate you.

and keeping people like that in your life is so fucking stupid. like they're not rooting for you. you know why? because they're afraid you're gonna rise to a higher level and leave them alone on the lower one. society is so fucking intent on making everything 'fair', but there's competition. always has been, always will be. so saying you should just sit and do nothing and stay on the same level as everyone else is stupid.

if you wanna be better, be better. and if people are bitter about it, cut them off. it's only a loss for them.

#— lia speaks !!#tbd #bcs like. i dont usually talk seriousness on here lol #i could make a life lessons w lia series tho idk

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progg · 2 years

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Symbols

Due to the Succession Arc’s large cast of characters and plots, Togashi has to be extremely economical with his storyboarding. He does not waste space. Anything he does decide to show is the result of a well-thought-out decision.

He uses a variety of techniques to maximize his storytelling. Notably, he loves to focus on seemingly unrelated items during conversation. Most of the time these items have a much deeper symbolic meaning that relates to the words around them.

One such item that sticks out to me every time I read Succession Arc is bottled water.

If you think I’m over-analyzing, I don’t blame you. However, I’m thoroughly convinced there is a reason for the water bottles being littered throughout the arc (see what I did there?). My goal by the end of this post will be to convince you, perhaps not of what I think they symbolize, but of the likelihood they symbolize anything at all.

I’m also going to cheat a bit and use this write-up to touch on several ideas I have that don’t have enough substance (yet) to justify their own post.

SYMBOLS

Before I talk about water, I want to talk about food.

There are many objects that exemplify Togashi’s symbolism which are less of a reach than bottled water. I won’t go over all of them here, but I will go over a few. My hope is that, by drawing attention to these items, the symbolism I attribute to water bottles will seem more reasonable.

Food

Food is used to symbolize the class divide throughout the Succession Arc. The above image represents the most overt example. The Phantom Troupe (often associated with the lower class) eats along with the civilians on the lower decks—a prison tier meal. Meanwhile, Onior Longbao (despite also being associated with the underbelly of society) eats like a king. This symbolism occurs right before Onior gives his speech about the “haves” being separated from the “have-nots”.

Exotic Pets and Taxidermy

I won’t pretend to have any special knowledge about the symbolism of fish in Japan, but I wanted to include this example because it pertains to something I feel is often overlooked. This fish belongs to Brocco Li, head of the Cha-R family. Brocco Li is constantly surrounded by several exotic pets that he, contrary to what one might expect, seems to take very good care of.

Onior, on the other hand, has a room full of taxidermy and frequently eats meat.

This symbolism acts as an undercurrent for their schemes. It seems Onior and Brocco’s cordiality is actually a farce, and the two mafia bosses are constantly plotting each other’s downfall.

Barbed Wire and Chains

Kurapika’s association with chains is pretty clear, but there is a much more symbolic meaning to them, which Izunavi explains.

Kurapika’s chains are actually binding him. I wrote about this in my breakdown of Kurapika’s character. Kurapika’s insistence on retrieving the Scarlet Eyes is destroying him from the inside out.

In the Succession Arc, we see the introduction of a new symbol for Kurapika: barbed wire. It’s subtle, and it hasn’t turned up again, but it’s some pretty vivid imagery explaining Kurapika’s current state. You can hold on to barbed wire, but it’s gonna hurt. A lot.

Wilted Leaves

While explaining the political station of “second-liners” (and queens!), Togashi focuses on what appears to be wilted leaves. The symbolism of wilted leaves is pretty universal: they represent decay, aging, and loss of fertility. I believe this panel hints at a much deeper importance to Onior, Brocco, Morena, and the queens.

It also occurs after the following page:

I can’t discount the possibility the leaves are actually alluding to the previous leader of the Hei-Ly mafia, whose empty chambers are shown after Brocco’s, unused by Morena Prudo! These leaves could be wilting because there is no one to water them…

Paintings

A famous one. This panel references a real life painting by Spanish painter Francisco Goya, entitled “Saturn Devouring his Son”. There are lots of interpretations out there for why Togashi included this painting, many of which I consider valid.

This painting references “The Massacre of the Innocents” by Peter Paul Rubens. It seems to be making a statement about Halkenburg’s awakening. He may be headed down a dark road.

THE WATER BOTTLES

Benjamin and Balsamilco

An entire panel, cutting into the conversation, dedicated to a water bottle.

Again, a panel dedicated to the water bottle cuts into the conversation. This is significant space.

After zooming out, we can see water bottles next to both Benjamin and Balsamilco.

Later on, Benjamin drinks again, as he discusses Halkenburg’s awakening with his second-in-command.

Zhang Lei and Oito

An entire sequence dedicated to the offering and acceptance of bottled water.

Both Zhang Lei and Oito drink the water.

Melody and the Investigator

The yet unnamed investigator offers Melody bottled water, but she doesn’t take it.

The investigator drinks the water himself.

Morena and the Hei-Ly

Morena sipping.

The Hei-Ly stake out with some water bottles.

The Phantom Troupe and the Buor Family

Not bottled, but worth mentioning.

POSSIBLE SIGNIFICANCE

Irony, foreshadowing the Black Whale’s destruction

“Water, water everywhere, and not a drop to drink.” – SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE

We are constantly re-shown images of the Black Whale sailing on the water. I could include all the examples here but it would be extremely long. Togashi is making sure to remind us, over and over, that the current story is taking place on a ship. If you’ve read my essay about the Black Whale’s destruction being planned, you’ll know I think the ship will eventually sink.

On that note, there is a commonly explored irony with people lost at sea being surrounded by water but unable to drink it. On the Black Whale, bottled water is being passed around as a courtesy, without a second thought. After the ship’s destruction, however, it will become a scarce resource.

Note that every time they appear, the water bottles are held by characters who are neglecting the consequences of their actions. Their focus is on the Succession War (or treasure), despite a greater threat looming on the horizon.

Commodification

In a similar vein, bottled water can represent the commodification of a resource that should be free and easily accessible. The Succession Arc is rife with themes of classism and indulgence. The princes have the privilege to squabble over the throne because they don’t have to worry about their daily needs.

This makes it somewhat significant that Melody doesn’t accept the investigator’s water bottle. She is purely focused on saving as many innocents as possible and doesn’t allow herself to get caught up in the “game”.

A symbolic gesture of goodwill and trust (or, alternatively, betrayal)

The water bottles only appear in scenes involving two or more people.

The relationship between Benjamin and Balsalmilco is very strong. A bottle is never offered between them, but they have both been seen with one.

The alliance between Zhang Lei and Oito has yet to be tested, but Oito accepts his offer of water. They both drink. It seems like Zhang Lei may have been offering a bottle to Kurapika, but after Kurapika refused he drank it himself.

There is a lot we don’t know about the investigator, but the interaction between him and Melody is less ambiguous. He offers Melody the water, but she refuses, and the investigator drinks it himself. This is really the interaction that makes me think water bottles might represent a gesture of goodwill, since Melody comes to the conclusion the investigator is really trying to help.

Anything, or nothing at all

Good symbolism is never explained; it is left up to the reader to interpret. Bottled water might mean nothing in the Succession Arc, but we can’t be sure. Only one thing is for certain: we should keep an eye out for any more bottles!

#hunter x hunter #manga #meta #analysis #succession arc #stay hydrated

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