#living as a Walking memory for so long and being overcome with a desire to leave for the one place where you can feel present and future

[buttered-milky]

The sea-longing thing really gets to me. Legolas longed for something so deeply that it was like life had a hole, and yet if he sailed before the fellowship had died his life would have still had a void in it. That chapter had to be closed before he could sail. And then also he took Gimli with him because he had no intention of leaving Gimli to a past chapter of his life. Gimli was always meant to continue to the story with him, and elf heaven was not going to be heaven without him. Gimli had to be present or the void would still be there. I think about this. A lot

#the indomitable force of human love my god #I understand truly #there are some people I would not chase my dreams without #and there are some dreams that are incomplete without love #good lord Legolas greenleaf the living ghost of the past that you are #living as a Walking memory for so long and being overcome with a desire to leave for the one place where you can feel present and future #and setting that aside so your own past will not come back to haunt you #girl. I gotta say. these books are tearing me up #legolas #lotr #gimli #gigolas

[denimbex1986]

'Have you experienced a strange kind of delirium right before waking up from a dream? Especially when a dream is so lucid and visceral that it feels real. There’s even a stretch when one is simultaneously aware they’re dreaming, but also immersed in it like it’s really happening. A majority of Andrew Haigh’s All Of Us Strangers takes place in a delirium like this.

Adam (Andrew Scott), a lonely screenwriter residing in a ghostly apartment building in London where he’s one of the two occupants, spends a large part of his day gazing into a distance. He’s either staring at a blank word document on his laptop whose blinking cursor is measuring his time wasted, or mindlessly watching TV while chomping snacks. It doesn’t seem like he has friends (not nearby, at least) and he looks accustomed to microwave dinners and leftovers.

His solitude is threatened when his only neighbour Harry (Paul Mescal) shows up at the door, visibly inebriated and slightly on edge. He asks Adam how he copes with the silence of their area, without throwing himself off the balcony. When Harry invites himself in, Adam turns him away politely, almost instantly regretting it. Adam is battling writer’s block, and it seems like he’s also spent a lifetime running away from relationships. A spot decision to look at his childhood things (for inspiration) causes him to visit his parents’ home in the suburbs. While walking around in the neighbourhood, he bumps into his father (Jamie Bell), who invites him to come pay his mother (Claire Foy) a visit. What makes this meeting out of the ordinary is – Adam’s parents died when he was 12. “A car crash,” Adam tells Harry, the writer in him groaning at the cliche.

Haigh’s film is an adaptation of a 1987 Japanese novel by Taichi Yamada called Strangers. As much as it traverses the supernatural/magic-realism path, the grief and longing here is deeply personal. Having missed out on living his teenage years with his parents, Adam becomes a recurring visitor at his parents’ home. Note the obedience in Scott’s eyes, like he suddenly transformed into the shy, awkward adolescent they left behind.

He comes out to them as a gay man – resulting in two exceptionally touching scenes. Foy is exquisite as a mother grappling with memories of unconditional love for Adam’s 12-year-old version, her ‘80s mindset clashing with contemporary progressive values, while still concerned for her son’s loneliness and health. Her immediate question is around a disease she heard about on TV. Similarly, Bell is measured as the ‘alpha’ Dad, who smokes like it’s a fashion statement. But who also surprises his son with his generosity and introspection. It’s almost like Adam is concocting his own revisionist version of his growing up years, to overcome the pain of growing up isolated – which probably played a part in making him an even more isolated adult.

The more he reconnects with his parents, the more Adam finds himself opening up to Harry. Haigh’s film creates the perfect time capsule, as the 80s music becomes more and more prominent (Pet Shop Boys, Frankie Goes to Hollywood), almost as a way of indicating that telling his parents about his unspoken desires, might have freed him enough to profess being attracted to another man. Mescal, in another haunted performance (after last year’s Aftersun) of a man putting up the confident, assertive act while being completely shattered within, is a sight to behold. As Adam’s young lover, Harry brings a recklessness to the dynamic, which the former never allowed himself. Haigh films the sex scenes between Adam and Harry with a directness, as they explore each other’s bodies without the shame that’s been conditioned into them from a young age.

Haigh, who made the similarly devastating 45 Years (his economy could be mistaken for him being distant), brings his fleeting touch here too. He maintains the plot’s ambiguity till the end – is Adam’s writing assignment resulting in him visualising these hyper-real conversations? Is he ‘healing’ through these conversations? Or is he losing his mind? Will these visits take a toll on his relationship with Harry – who, in one scene, realises he will have to step up as the caregiver.

All of Us Strangers is brimming with great performances, but it’s best described as an Andrew Scott showcase. Best known for playing Moriarty in Benedict Cumberbatch’s Sherlock and a priest in Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s Fleabag – Scott brings his most pared-down version for the part of Adam. He almost physically contracts himself around his parents, and gets comfortable in his own body beside his lover. It’s the best example of body-language acting I’ve seen in the last year.

Haigh knows exactly how to leverage the school-boy kindness in Scott’s eyes, and tip him over during the film’s eerie scenes. And yet, a certain kind of love and longing permeate through a majority of the film’s 100-minute runtime, even when it turns into a fever dream. Would you lose your mind to speak to your dead parents for a few more minutes? What does unconditional love really mean – would you embrace a partner consumed by their loneliness? Would you lie beside them and offer them comfort when there’s little to no chance of this effort being reciprocated? All of Us Strangers marinates in these questions, not pretending to fully know the answers.'

#All of Us Strangers #Andrew Haigh #Andrew Scott #Moriarty #Benedict Cumberbatch #Sherlock #Hot Priest #Phoebe Waller-Bridge #Fleabag #Paul Mescal #Claire Foy #Jamie Bell #Taichi Yamada #Strangers #45 Years #Pet Shop Boys #Frankie Goes to Hollywood

[momentswithmani]

This post is dedicated to those who are suffering from depression, internal darkness, need a way out, or feel like life isn’t worth living.

This post is dedicated to those who question if they belong in this world.

This post is dedicated to the voiceless, and the unheard.

This post is dedicated to those who feel trapped in toxic situations.

This post is dedicated to those who battle demons internally, that those around them are unaware of.

This post is dedicated to those who need a reminder that there’s hope.

I understand that this world has not been so easy on you. It feels fast paced, unauthentic, lonely, like nobody sees you. You constantly tell yourself to remain silent + hidden, so that you’re not a burden on anyone, or you feel like nobody will understand you.

Truth of the matter is, this message is a reminder that…

You’re loved

You’re seen

You’re important

You’re purposeful

You’re celebrated

You’re needed

You’re appreciated

There’s so much of yourself to discover, appreciate, embrace, and find parts of that you love.

There’s so much beauty in what you do for others. Whether it’s texting someone to see how they’re doing, calling someone to invite on an adventure, letting someone borrow an outfit/item bc you know they love it, putting together a playlist for someone who is special to you, doing a makeover on someone bc you know it makes them feel good, sharing your content with those who are moved + inspired by it, going on a walk with someone to talk about life with them, being someone who resonates with the difference of another that society doesn’t celebrate, being a listening ear for a stranger who has no loved ones to understand them, sending money to someone who needs groceries, developing a connection with someone you want to see grow, taking someone out on a self care day, buying someone their favorite snack(s), consistently expressing your love to someone, always being there to make sure someone is the best version of themselves, and just, being you.

The “you” that society doesn’t accept. The “you” that was rejected + unappreciated by peers. The “you” that you didn’t have the courage to be in love with, due to other influences.

Make a promise to yourself:

🤍 I will speak kindly to myself

🤍 I will check in on myself occasionally

🤍 I will show myself love internally

🤍 I will dedicate time to healing my inner child

🤍 I will be patient with my journey of growth

🤍 I will embrace my mistakes as a learning opportunity

🤍 I will find tools to release my darkness

🤍 I will learn to appreciate who I’m destined to be

🤍 I will affirm my greatness

🤍 I will show compassion whenever I’m tempted to judge myself

🤍 I will remind myself that I’m deserving of the love I give to others

🤍 I will embrace my aesthetic

🤍 I will continue to learn + discover what suits my level of confidence

🤍 I will create memories that I’ll look back on + be proud of

🤍 I will heal my wounds, so I can be proud + celebratory of the “self” I used to hide

🤍 I will take gratitude in exploring who I am at every stage of my life

🤍 I will open my heart to relationships that desire to love me, support me, and nurture me

This is a reminder, that other people are doing their best to overcome battles that are considered “different” to you. You are not alone in your fight. You are capable of overcoming any darkness you’re going through, as long as you put your mind to it. ✊🏾🤍

#mental health #inspiration #mentalheathawareness #mental heath support #self love #note to self #self care #depression #seek help #support

[captnjtkirka]

time to post jim kirk headcanons that i remember from all the random thoughts i posted on my multi over the past few months.

He has anxiety and you can see it in his hands, movements and the way he carries himself. it’s most evident during a “crisis” or some sort of altercation.

migraines, frequently, especially after the events of his visit to the penal colony and he underwent that neural neutralizer that empties one’s mind. It had a side effect of intense pain we saw in the show. headcanon jim always had migraines and over the years they worsened.

insomnia and frequent late nights working, wandering the ship, etc.

intense back pain from how rough/how many away mentions he goes on and frequent long shifts sitting in the captain’s chair on the bridge

workaholic - just can never turn his brain off or his compulsive need to “work” and “be doing something” and why he’s a poor patient and does not fair well on bed rest.

lives on coffee with a little bit of cream and sugar.

hates dietary salads (dont tell mccoy)

frequent loneliness and inability to establish what he considers to be a meaningful connection with others. despite having friends/family he has this chasm he can never overcome. he always feels on the outskirts of friend groups, as if he can’t connect because of how his brain is wired.

fear of commitment.

easily falls into “love at first sight” self sabotages relationships so they never last. has frequent one night stands to combate this - repeat the process.

extremely empathetic and romantic at heart

walking book on legs, he can quote any starfleet regulation

eidetic memory

grew up as the “golden” child compared to his brother entered starfleet with great promise and aptitude for making captain.

deeply loves his older brother

desires a family but is ambivalent about being a father and maintaining a career with these ideals. essentially forgoes having a family for his career. also due to fear of commitment issues and several past failed relationships.

#headcanon | what makes a captain #ok some of these are new bc jim kirk thoughts

[jexistheblogger]

Once upon a time, in a quaint little village, there lived a young woman named Lily. She had always struggled with dry skin, which made her feel self-conscious and uncomfortable. No matter what she tried, her skin remained parched, lacking the hydration it desperately needed.

One day, while wandering through the village marketplace, Lily stumbled upon a small apothecary tucked away in a corner. Intrigued, she stepped inside, hoping to find a solution to her skin woes. The apothecary was filled with an array of potions and creams, each promising to deliver a different skincare benefit.

As she browsed through the shelves, her eyes fell upon a jar labelled "Miracle Moisture: Best Body and Face Moisturizer for Dry Skin." Intrigued by its bold claim, Lily couldn't resist giving it a try. She purchased the jar and hurried back home, her heart filled with hope.

That night, after cleansing her face and body, Lily opened the jar and scooped out a dollop of the silky cream. As she gently applied it to her skin, she was amazed by its luxurious texture. It glided on effortlessly, enveloping her in a soothing embrace. Instantly, she felt a surge of moisture and relief, as if her skin was finally being quenched after a long drought.

As days turned into weeks, Lily faithfully used the miracle moisturiser, morning and night. She marvelled at the transformation taking place. Her skin, once dull and lacklustre, started to glow with vitality. The dry patches that had plagued her for years gradually faded away, replaced by soft and supple skin.

Not only did the moisturiser hydrate her skin, but it also acted as a shield, protecting it from harsh environmental elements. Lily noticed that her skin felt smoother, more resilient, and better equipped to withstand the challenges of everyday life.

Word of Lily's radiant skin spread throughout the village, and soon, her friends and neighbours started seeking her advice. They too longed for the magic of the miracle moisturiser to work wonders on their own dry skin.

Driven by her desire to help others, Lily organized a skincare workshop in the village square. She shared her story and introduced the best body and face moisturiser to her community. Together, they learned about the importance of hydration, the significance of a healthy skin barrier, and the transformative power of the right moisturizer.

With each passing day, more villagers experienced the remarkable benefits of the miracle moisturizer. Dry skin became a thing of the past, replaced by a newfound confidence and comfort. Lily's humble apothecary became a bustling hub of skincare enthusiasts, all united by their quest for hydrated and radiant skin.

The story of the best body and face moisturiser for dry skin spread far and wide, reaching neighbouring villages and beyond. People from all walks of life sought out the miraculous cream, eager to experience its transformative effects.

And so, the legend of Lily's radiant skin and the miracle moisturiser continued to grow, reminding everyone that the key to hydrated and healthy skin lies in finding the right moisturizer, one that truly nourishes and revitalises, making dry skin a distant memory.

From that day forward, Lily and her magical moisturiser became a symbol of hope and inspiration for all those seeking to overcome the challenges of dry skin and embrace the joy of a well-moisturised complexion.

#cerave moisturizing cream #cerave #cerave moisturizing lotion #cerave cream #cerave moisturizing cream review #cerave moisturizing cream for face #cerave moisturizer #cerave moisturizing cream vs lotion #moisturizing cream #cerave review #cerave skincare #cerave sa cream #cerave cream vs lotion #moisturizing cream cerave #cetaphil moisturizing cream #cerave daily moisturizing lotion #cerave moisturizing cream acne #cerave moisturizing cream อุดตัน #moisturizing

[jdgo51]

Did the Devil Really Make Me Do It?

Today's inspiration comes from:

The Joshua Code

by O. S. Hawkins

"No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it". — 1 Corinthians 10:13

"'Early on in my Christian pilgrimage, I discovered the value of Scripture memorization. First Corinthians 10:13 was the first verse I ever deposited in the memory bank of my mind. Because I had hidden this verse in my heart, only God has recorded how many times across the years — when I found myself faced with some sort of temptation — it surfaced in my memory and kept me from many a potential mistake. Scripture memorization plays a vital role in overcoming temptation.

D. L. Moody’s worn Bible, from which he preached to millions in the nineteenth century, had these words written in his own hand in the flyleaf: “The Bible will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from the Bible.”

It is not a sin to be tempted.

Temptation comes our way in all sorts of forms and sizes. Our minds are like a hotel. The manager cannot keep someone from entering the lobby. However, he can certainly keep that person from getting a room. Likewise, it is not a sin when a temptation passes through our mind. The sin comes when it does not do that, when it doesn’t pass through our mind. The sin comes when we give that thought a room in our mind and let it dwell there.

One should not confuse temptations with trials that come our way. Most often, trials are allowed, or even sent, by God to cause the Christian to stand. Temptations are sent from the devil to cause the Christian to stumble.

Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. — James 1:13-14

The devil never made us do anything. He simply dangles the bait in front of us. Then we are tempted; we are “drawn away by [our] own desires and enticed” by that which is outside the boundaries laid out for us in God’s Word.

Make no mistake about it: we will be tempted. As long as we are encased in human flesh, it desires to rebel against what is good and godly. We never have to teach our children to disobey. They pick right up on it. We have to teach them to obey. So it is with us and the issue of temptation. It is a reality that is not going to go away. Consequently, it behooves us to know how to deal with temptation when it comes.

Some people live with the erroneous concept that the longer we walk the Christian path and the deeper we go with God, the less we will be tempted. None of us will ever arrive at the place when temptation will not be looming before us in some form or fashion.

Most of the great heroes of the Bible faced their greatest temptations near the end of their pilgrimage rather than in the beginning. This was certainly true of Moses, Elijah, and David.

There is a word of assurance here for those who may feel a sort of pseudo guilt over being tempted: it is a reality. “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man.” It is inevitable. Temptation is “common to man.”

Life may have its shadows, but one thing is certain: they are never caused by God’s turning or by His changing. He is faithful. James reminded us that “every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning” (James 1:17).

“The Bible will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from the Bible.”

~ D. L. Moody

Years ago, while in the process of memorizing James 1:17, I found myself one night in a parking lot standing under a light. When I stood directly under it, no shadow was cast. However, as I stepped away from the light, I began to see my shadow in front of me. The farther I walked, the larger the shadow, until finally I walked far enough to be in the darkness. The shadow was caused by my turning, my changing, and not by the light. Difficulties in life are never caused by God’s turning or changing. We can rest in the reality that even though we may be tempted, we have a Lord who is faithful.

God provides a way of escape for us.

The word picture here is of a mountain pass. The idea is of an army that is apparently surrounded, and then suddenly they see an escape route to safety through a mountain pass.

None of us needs to succumb to the temptations that come our way. Jesus will make a way of escape. Many who have fallen into sin did so willfully because they refused to take the path of escape that the Lord put before them. You say, “I am tempted.” The Lord says, “What else is new? I, too, was tempted in all points as you, yet I was without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). Jesus taught us how to overcome our temptation. For forty days He was tempted by the devil in the wilderness of Judea. On each occurrence, Jesus overcame by quoting Scripture.

The Word, hidden in our hearts, will also keep us from sin when applied by faith to our lives.

We should not be surprised when temptation comes our way. It is, after all, “common to man.” But Christ Himself is our way of escape. And one thing can certainly be said of Him — “He is faithful.”

Meditate on the words of James:

Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. — James 1:12"'

Excerpted with permission from The Joshua Code by O.S. Hawkins, copyright O.S. Hawkins.

[thesexaddictdiaries]

Day 8: The one that got away..

You might remember me telling about a girl I met on Yahoo IM?? Well we stayed in touch and in 2005 I was at a point that I needed to meet her in person. I left on a Thursday night and took the red eye to Cleveland Ohio… I remember being soo incredibly excited to finally meet this woman, I had been texting her on the plane but when I landed the next morning my heart was racing because this woman had rocked my world now for over 4 years and I hadn’t even met her… I found my bag and hadn’t seen her yet… I turned around and I spotted her but her back was to me… ( now I will NEVER forget this moment as long as I live) she was wearing cutoff shorts,a pink button down pink shirt and flip flops… her hair was up and she turned, her eyes widened and she put her hands over her mouth and ran to me, she put her arms around my neck and kissed me soo deeply I don’t think I’ve EVER been kissed like this ever again… this wasn’t just a “fling” kiss.. it was deep.. her arms still around me I held her tight, her hands gently on my face and her lips tasted incredible! ( I can almost smell her while writing this) after this amazing reunion hand in hand we walked to her car and headed out to the hotel…now the next part is something that I have fond memories of because again never have I met someone so incredible.. so care free and fun.. it was raining and humid omg.. we were driving and ate the top Backstreet Boys were popular… she rolled down the windows and was belting out one of their songs as we drove… all I could do was smile, my heart was soo full and I never wanted to leave this woman. We eventually got to the hotel and I felt so incredibly at ease.. like this woman was my wife or something and we were on a trip together… I hopped in the shower to cleanup, I had been washing my hair (so my eyes were shut) I heard a rustling in the curtain.. I opened my eyes and there she stood… water was running over her body, i had seen her before naked but never like this.. her eyes sparkled and her smile was intoxicating! She moved toward me slowly (this shower was quite large with a seat) she moved in close and her soft tits pressed up against my chest, again she put her hands on my face and began kissing me, she took one hand and reached down and grabbed my cock that was already standing at attention … I slid two fingers over her clit and gently rubbed her, I could feel her breathing hard and it turned me so much. Im this moment there was an incredible amount of passion between us, I turned her around so her back was to me and I could kiss her neck and let my cock press up against her hand was still stroking it gently. Now I’m 6’3” tall and she was roughly 5’7” or 5’8” … with her back to me she turned her head and whispered in my hear “I want you to fuck me” I’m that moment I slide my cock deep in her pussy from behind (I was sooooo deep) she winced and moaned… my hand came around and brushed over her tits and brushing her nipples that were incredibly hard… it felt incredible thrusting deep in her, I could feel her pussy throbbing and grabbing the shaft of my cock tightly as to not let go! We shifted to the shower seat and let the water run down over us, she strattled me and slid my cock back inside, her clit felt incredible grinding on my cock… she was definitely much more vocal than any other woman I’d been with… she moaned with pleasure… she arched her back and screamed “fuck that feels good”! She started to cum over and over and over till it was all I could do to hold back my load and filling her up… she sped up and groaned and pulled her close releasing a large orgasm into her… the feeling of euphoria in that moment was incredible.. never have I ever met a woman who I cared for that much and was just overcome with sheer love and desire for every aspect of her. We eventually got out of this amazing shower and got ourselves out together for dinner.. I had made reservations for us so she had gotten a special outfit for occasion … In these moments I felt absolutely alive like ya know the saying “behind every great man is a great woman”

[carolap53]

COMMUNITY EXPULSIONS That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:10

My wife and I live in Nova Scotia in the summer time. Not far from our cottage is the museum, church and statue of Evangeline in Grand Pre, Nova Scotia commemorating the Acadian expulsion of 1755—a black mark in Canadian history.

When the British conquered Port Royal in 1710 after being ceded Acadia (Nova Scotia) under the terms of the Treaty of Utrecht, they found themselves up against a French speaking people who had developed a strong sense of independence against British and French rule. The Acadians initially refused to recognize British rule, wanting to keep their religious freedom and not wanting to be obliged to bears arms in the event of war. These conditions were accepted only in 1730 and, at that point, the Acadians were recognized as neutral subjects within the colony.

But in September of 1755, Charles Lawrence, the appointed governor of Nova Scotia, gathered the Acadians in the St. Charles Church in Grand Pre in order to read the declaration that they must relinquish their possessions to the British Crown and that they would be deported for their unwillingness to swear allegiance to the King of England. Unaware of what awaited them in the church, many Acadians were taken prisoner and deported to American colonies, France, and England, and several thousand died from drowning, misery, illness and starvation during the long ocean voyages. Families were separated and shipped out in different directions. Their farms and homes were burned so they would have nothing to return to.

Longfellow immortalized the tragic story with his epic poem about a mythical young girl, Evangeline, cruelly separated from her fiancé, Gabriel. They were reunited at his death bed.

Many other countries and cultures have sad memories of expulsions. One is ongoing today in Chiapas, the southernmost state of Mexico. More than 35,000 indigenous evangelical Christians have been expelled from their communities just because they are evangelicals and no longer taking part in their community’s religious practices and rituals. They live in refugee-like camps.

One of those is Pascuala who was asleep when the community leaders came to burn her home. She woke up in time to warn her family. Fortunately one brother and sister were not there but the four children in the home were macheted, shot or burned to death as they tried to flee. Pascuala herself was shot and raped. She survived by feigning death. Weak and bleeding, she walked many hours to a hospital where her life was saved. But she says, “Since that time my desire is to help the people who are persecuted for Jesus because I feel their pain. I got in touch with Open Doors; they encouraged me to keep going with love. With their help I was able to get some supplies of embroidery thread for crafts to help other women…If God allowed me to live through my persecution, it is for one reason—to proclaim His name.”

RESPONSE: I will thank God for my challenges because they enable me to overcome and be strong.

PRAYER: Pray for those still dealing with pain, separation and loss from community expulsions.

Open Doors Ministry

[contextualstudiesblog]

12/10/22

I believe that walking is a performative art. Walking enables men to live as part of the landscape, and it allows them to experience nature through the use of senses.

Men have always been fascinated by nature, therefore it has been their desire to capture its beauty and art has always been the medium to represent it.

Cave paintings are a great example of how it was possible for cavernicolas men to embody what they saw while walking, looking for food and a prey to hunt.

Then with the passing of time, art itself and how it was expressed, changed.

Nevertheless artists like Richard Long and Haegue Yang preserved the act of walking and incorporated it into their arts.

Long shaped a line in the earthy ground of Peru by walking back and forth, Yang instead used her senses. During a bus ride, in which she felt car sick, she let her hand be guided by the vibration of the vehicle travelling on a bumpy road. Even if the final result was different, both artists started from the same action of travelling or walking and then translated it into art.

Actually the origin of many projects from other artists comes from a simple stroll that then evolves into something else.

To name other artists, Billie Eilish had a similar experience to this. In one of her interviews she said that while visiting Sidney she was amused by the sound the traffic lights made when they signaled pedestrians it was safe to cross. She sampled the pulsating sound and it made the chorus of her song “Bad guy”, which is one of her “most catchy” song.

Therefore I think that during a walk people have to let their senses overcome them, they have to be used as a sort of guidance. Walkers can be guided by the chirping of birds, by the buzzing of insects or by the smells that surround them, or they can follow a sudden inspiration.

When I went out on my walk I didn’t know what I would follow that day. Would I be guided by my senses?

I had my sketchbook with me in case I had some inspiration on my walk. But first thing first I headed to the nursing home where my grandma stays at. Usually when I visit her she talks about the weather and how she doesn’t like when the other elders steal her food, but today it didn’t happen. When I arrived she saw my little sketchbook and her eyes lit up.

My grandma was an artist when she was younger, she loved to paint.

She asked me if she could draw something. I said yes, a bit taken aback.

After a while she smiled and handed back my sketchbook so I could see her drawing. It was a cute but shaky drawing of us talking in the garden of the nursing home. My grandma sighed, she missed her paints.

I was sorry for her but I suddenly felt hectic. That was the input I was looking for!

That drawing became a new memory that I would recall whenever I visited the nursing home or walked past it.

We, as human beings, tend to cherish our memories and hold on to them because they are elusive. In our frenetic lives we are submerged constantly by new memories and the recollection of specific ones can become difficult, if not impossible. Eventually illnesses come and take them away.

So I decided that it would be nice to have a map of the city that could also be a recollection of many memories.

I packed my things, kissed my grandma and then I walked towards the city centre to have breakfast with my mom. We met at the new coffee shop which had various brewed coffees and many sweets. We chatted and while eating I asked her if she would draw us in that exact moment. She laughed but I insisted.

I thought that it would be more genuine if she did it and I was scared to overdo it.

When she finished I thanked her and went on with my walk.

The city centre is not that big, so I just wandered, waiting for my feet to drag me to more significant places. I then arrived at the central garden. There I thought of when I had picnics with my friends and I tried to capture them through the lines of crayons.

In the following hour I had met many people, but I only handed my sketchbook to the old couple that was sitting in the gallery. They were my old neighbours, who I stopped seeing when I moved. They decided to draw their usual sitting spot, and they told me it was their lucky spot because they met there for the first time thirty two year earlier. I smiled and while waving goodbye the old lady winked at me. Was it an encouragement on my journey?

I then headed to the conservatory, which was my childhood nightmare.

I had started at a young age to learn propaedeutic music and violin. Needless to say I failed because I couldn’t handle the stress nor reach my parent’s expectations, but nevertheless I still love music and its performance.

Although when I stopped in front of the music conservatory I had mixed emotions, I felt both nostalgic and relieved, so it was a bit of a challenge deciding how to represent it.

Suddenly I realised that on that day I had my tutor appointment! I rushed through the city and luckily I made it on time. Before leaving I asked the little girl I tutor to draw us together during our sessions. She seemed amused by the request and she did it anyway.

When I got home I then drew the last memory that would go on my map which was my own house.

[psitrend]

Interview with artist Hilda Shen

New Post has been published on https://china-underground.com/2019/07/25/interview-with-artist-hilda-shen/

Interview with artist Hilda Shen

Artist Hilda Shen was born in 1954 in Minneapolis, United States. She received her B.A. in Music and East Asian Studies from Oberlin College, and her M.F.A. in Sculpture City University of New York, Queens College.

Currently, she lives and works in Brooklyn and teaches at Parsons/The Newschool. Shen’s sculptures, prints, drawings, and installations have been shown in Brooklyn, throughout the New York City area, Seattle, and Beijing.

She acted in Public Hearing, a film by James Kienitz Wilkins, which premiered in the USA at MoMA/PS1 in 2013, and more recently in Common Carrier at BAMcinemaFest in 2017. Shen created large installations at WaveHill (New York), Tenri Cultural Institute (New York), China2000 Gallery (New York), and the Smithsonian Flushing Town Hall (New York).

Hilda Shen at Fou Gallery, photograph by Nadia Peichao Lin ©Hilda Shen, courtesy Fou Gallery

Her 30-foot wide wall piece, RecurrentRiver, is permanently installed at Riverdale Country School in New York.

She received residencies at Willapa Bay AIR, The Bloedel Reserve, Millay Colony for the Arts, Yosemite National Park, and Platte Clove.

Official site | Fou Gallery

China-Underground: As a sculptress, the direct relationship with matter is a primary element for the realization of your artwork. Can you tell us about this connection? How did you discover your passion?

Hilda Shen: Playing with materials is always intertwined with playing with concepts – materials and purpose are inseparable for me.

Hilda Shen, Range of Mountains, 2014-2019. Glazed clay, Variable dimensions, ranging between 1-4 inches ©Hilda Shen, courtesy of Fou Gallery

How did your artworks for this exhibition come about?

The director, Echo He, and the curator, Tansy Xiao, arranged that Jisook and I exhibit together.

Can you tell us what materials you used for the realization of your artworks and why?

Since the work in this exhibit dates from 2000 to the present, the use of specific materials chronicles my interests and concepts at different times.

Installation view of Jisook Kim & Hilda Shen: Orogenies, photograph by Nadia Peichao Lin ©Hilda Shen and Jisook Kim, courtesy Fou Gallery

Is there a message that you would like to be perceived by those who enjoy the exhibition?

I think that viewers arrive at their own interpretations, hopefully by viewing the exhibit in person.

Can you share with us some memories related to an experience in the mountains that contributed to the creation of one of your artwork?

I have walked and experienced a great deal of landscape, both unpopulated and urban. Among these, two are notable: my residency in Yosemite National Park, in which I hiked most of the trails, expanded my sensibilities regarding scale and altitude. Having a studio at the Elizabeth Foundation of the Arts in midtown Manhattan, with its “valleys” between high rise buildings, inspired a desire to include man-made references in my work.

Installation view of Jisook Kim & Hilda Shen: Orogenies, photograph by Nadia Peichao Lin ©Hilda Shen and Jisook Kim, courtesy Fou Gallery

How do you think the relationship between nature and the human being has changed in the period of increasing global urbanization and increasing use of technology?

We’re at the end of a long history of exploitation of nature, worldwide. There will be a narrowing of species, and most of nature as we currently know it will no longer exist. So will most humans be extinguished, except those who are privileged; technology will enable these humans to survive somehow.

Hilda Shen, Rock Strata, 2003. Paper, ink, wax, 14 x 18 x 25 inches ©Hilda Shen, courtesy of Fou Gallery

Nature and art contribute to overcoming cultural differences. What are the main benefits?

Nature is healing to us unless it’s in stress which it is now. I don’t believe that art overcomes cultural differences; rather, I believe that it reveals them.

Hilda Shen, Range of Mountains, 2014-2019. Glazed clay, Variable dimensions, ranging between 1-4 inches ©Hilda Shen, courtesy of Fou Gallery

In your artworks, nature plays a significant role. What do you think about the current environmental situation?

It is the leading crisis of our time.

Hilda Shen, One-Line Landscape V, 2000. Pencil on paper, 6 ¾ x 16 ½ inches ©Hilda Shen, courtesy of Fou Gallery

Your background is rich in multicultural and interdisciplinary experiences. Can you tell us which were the greatest difficulties and greatest satisfaction during your artistic career?

There are too many difficulties! It’s too long a story. When someone truly understands my work, it is great. But really, I’m most interested in the present, in what is happening now in the studio – this defines what being alive is for me.

Thanks to Fou Gallery & Hilda Shen

#ContemporaryChineseArtist

#contemporary Chinese artist

[lem0nshark-writes]

"The City of Ruins"

Thranduil x Male (elf) Reader

Word count: 2344 Summary: Lost lovers reunite 🌙☄

Warnings: angst at first then fluff w/ smut later on, the begining of smut is marked tho so don't worry, reader's a bottom

🌙 ☄🌙 ☄🌙 ☄🌙 ☄🌙 ☄🌙 ☄🌙 ☄🌙 ☄

After the battle for Erebor you stayed behind in the city of Dale, it wasn't on your own accord, no. If it were up to you you would have returned to Mirkwood with your king, but you were banished from your home.

Such events came to be because you defied your king's orders to fall back and leave the dwarves to deal with orcs on their own. But you weren't gonna let your friends die, you weren't gonna let them fight on their own, even if it meant going against your king's will.

So you stayed behind, betrayed look on your king's face coming to haunt you more often than you'd like to admit. But you knew you did the right thing.

Many moons passed since the battle and you managed to fix yourself a home, it wasn't much, just a lower floor with a fireplace and a spot to lay on, but it's all you could muster up from the city in ruins.

You took it upon yourself to slowly clean and build around yourself, salvaging what you can of the city. And short trips to Laketown took care of your need for food and liquids.

It was a decent life, but terribly horribly lonely.

Your only friend being your thoughts and a bittersweet longing for your rín meleth*.

(*crowned love)

You feelings didn't come as surprise to you, they've been lingering for a while now but you've never acted on them, fearing he wouldn't feel the same and you'd cross a line. And besides, you were just a regular elf, no royalty, why would you ever be a match for him.

Dark stormy clouds gathered around the mountain and the city of Dale, heavy rain moments from being released.

You rushed to your small home in the heart of the city, arms full of twigs and branches, racing the time against the rain. And you made it in in the last second because just as you closed the door the sky came crashing down in big droplets.

You let out a sigh of relief and made your way to the fireplace, placing the newbrought wood at the side of it and started the night's fire. After making sure it's well lit and strong, you moved the remaining wood on the side for later.

You got up and took off unnecessary layers of clothes and your boots as the room started to fill up with warmth, setting them on their spot near the door.

Fixing your hair up in a messy bun you sat down on your bed and just as your were about to lay down for your daily rest, an unexpected knock on the door broke the comfortable silence mixed in with the crackling of the fire.

You looked up at the door and slowly got up, wondering who could it be as no guests announced themselves for the following days.

Creaking the door open your eyes widened in surprise. There in front of you, soaked in rain head to toe, stood none other than your ex king.

Your shock was soon pushed away by reminiscence of betrayal and old memories that came flooding your thoughts.

"How could you do that to me?.." pained expression pushed it's way through on kings face, trying to overcome the angry one that he tried so hard to keep.

"I already told you, but I guess you've gone deaf on your ears, I wouldn't and I won't let my friends die because you were too much of a coward to fight!" you started slow and calm but by the end of the sentence got louder and angrier, fire of the old argument rekindling fast.

"I am no coward! I did that to save the lives of our people! To save your life!" he growled back.

Anger gushed through your body but you said nothing, staring at his icy blue eyes.

"You might be-You maybe were my king, but my friends' lives are more important than your orders," you turned away, walking deeper into the house.

Thranduil followed, doors closing after him, and looked around a bit, feeling bad seeing how you lived since he threw you out of your home.

"You're so stubborn.." he sighed heavily, "What if something happened to you? What would I do then? What would I do without you??"

You turned around slightly and looked over at him. Worry of past events and what-ifs ridden across his face mixing with anger towards your stubbornness.

"You did just fine.." you muttered almost inaudibly, looking back away to hide your tears, old feelings starting to become too much.

He looked at you in shock for a few moments before regaining his ability to speak, "What… You think I enjoyed banishing you?? You think I enjoyed returning home without you and spending months an months with you nowhere in sight?? You think I like that?? .. When people ask me where you are?? .. Not seeing your face ever day??…"

"You think my soul isn't tearing into pieces without my meleth.." he looked at you, sadness twisting his face into a pained expression.

Your eyes widened at the last part and you turned around swiftly, standing there with your mouth agape for a few moments before speaking, " . . . Your meleth?.."

Thranduil's eyes widened a bit as well after he realized what he had said but then closed slowly as his expression melted into one of saddened agreement.

"You loved me?.." you asked softly.

He nodded, ". . . I still do.."

"Why didn't you say anything?.." you took a few steps towards the taller male, closing the gap between you two almost completely, and searched his eyes with your own.

"I feared you wouldn't feel the same.. and I couldn't bear the thought of losing you if that were true.." he finally gazed back at you.

"Silly king," you muttered through a slight smile forming on your face, " I loved you for hundreds of years, and I still do," you took his hands in yours and held them to your chest.

At your words his face lit up like forest in spring waking up from a long winter dream and he leaned I swiftly, locking his lips with yours, something he's been yearning to do for so long.

Without thinking you returned the kiss, wrapping your arms around him in a tight embrace and he did the same, his strong arms washing away all the worries and making you feel like the whole world around you disappeared.

"Return home with me my meleth, rule as a king by my side, let's never part again," he whispered into your neck.

Your lips spread into a warm smile as you gazed upon his eyes, "I'd like that very much."

((smut continuation from here on))

The two of you settled down on a crapet by the fireplace, setting your journey back to Mirkwood for tomorrow, when the storm hopefully calms down.

You forced the king to take off the outer layer of his clothes to put to dry by the fire and he undid his wet hair too, allowing it to dry easier on the warm air.

The two of you rested in each other's arms for a while, letting the fire warm you both up as you chatted exchanging some old stories and talks of your lingering feelings.

He smiled down at you, arms wrapped around your body as you rested your back against his chest. You looked up at him, returning the smile, "What?"

"Nothing. I just am wondering why we didn't confess sooner," he placed a warm kiss onto your jaw.

"Me too," your eyes instantly closed as he did that, "I guess we are two completely oblivious idiots," you added with a chuckle.

He let out a chuckle as well, "That we are." He grinned and kissed you deepy, passion spilling out from his lips.

You smiled into the kiss and returned just as passionately, cupping his cheeks in the process.

The bigger elf moved slightly, allowing your bodies to face each other, before wrapping his arms around you again.

The two of your kept on kissing, the kiss turning from slow and passionate to yearning and with a lot more tongue.

His hands started roaming your body and soon enough your vest was off, and shortly after your shirt too.

At the motion you parted your kiss and the two of you exchanged a knowing look. And just as quickly his lips were back on yours and your hands now undoing his top.

Once you won the battle with his shirt he moved his lips to your neck, tracing kisses and licks before the same turned into bites and sucks, leaving hickeys behind that ended up littering your neck and your chest.

You moaned on his actions, running your fingers through his hair and giving it a gentle thug on each bite he left on your soft skin.

He moved his attention to your lower stomach, leaving warm kisses there as he slipt your pants off with a single swift move.

You looked up at him, the two of you locking eyes, as you bit your lower lip. His gaze trailed around your body, taking in every bit of it, "Y/n.. you're beautiful.." he said, lust-laced desire dripping off his words.

The tone he spoke in made you shiver under his touch. He gave you a deep kiss and then proceeded to take his pants off too and soon enough both of yours undergarments followed.

He laid you down and got on top of you, kissing you deeply once again.

Your eyes stayed locked with his abs and, well, lower parts, being slightly taken aback by how good he looks.

He quickly caught up on your thoughts and smirked, making you in return blush like mad.

"Like what you see?" Thranduil smirked at his smaller lover who by the looks of it was about to burst into flames from the redness his cheeks reached caused by his words and that smug smirk Thranduil proudly wore.

He chuckled at his lover's sudden shyness and let his hand trail to his already errect memeber.

You gasped softly at the feel of his fingers on you and your eyes closed from pleasure, hand rushing to your mouth to silent the escaping moans.

Thranduil's hand reached for yours and moved it from your mouth, pinning it above your head, "I like your moans, don't hide them," he smirked and left kisses across your yaw and neck once again, as his hand worked magic bringing you all the way to the edge before abruptly stopping.

You looked up at him in wonder, unpleased and yearning for the pleasure to come back. He smirked softly at you and pulled you by your thighs closer to himself and his face went down.

You looked up at what he was up to and gasped in pleasure when you felt his slick tongue move against your hole. You fell back and your eyes rolled in sweetness as his tongue made it's way into you. It twisted and turned inside you, sending waves of pleasure all throughout your body, his hands squeezing your butt cheeks as they held onto them.

Once again you were on the edge of an orgasm and once again he pulled away just as you were about to reach it.

You whined slightly this time, pouting at his repeated action.

"Shhhhhh you'll like what comes next better-," he smirked at you and sat himself up again, grabbing at the sides of your thighs as he positioned himself at your now wet entrance.

You propped yourself up just enough to reach his lips and kiss him deeply, which he gladly returned, one of his hands reaching up to cup your cheek.

"Ready?" he smiled at you warmly as you two held your faces close to one another. You gave him a soft nod, bracing yourself for what's about to come.

He slowly started pushing in, giving you enough time in-between each little push to adjust to him in you, moans rolling off your tongue along with rugged breaths.

Once he was all the way inside you he kissed you deeply, distracting you from any lingering pain till it all melted away into burning pleasure.

Holding at your sides he slowly started moving his hips pushing his big length in and out of you, at first slowly before picking up the pace. Moans streamed out of both of your mouths mixed up with muffled breathing between kisses.

"Ahhhh hhhhhngggg…" moans left your mouth one after the other as he picked up the pace even more, hand back on your ass and squeezing it.

Your finger nails raked his back in pleasure causing him to moan your name out between paced breaths, "Y/n… ahhh-."

You moved your lips to his neck, leaving the tall elf an even bigger moaning mess as you left hickey upon hickey against his skin.

He slapped your ass in the moment as he pushed in even deeper, reaching that sweet sweet spot, making you moan his name out even louder than before. He picked up on that and started hitting that spot repeatedly with even greater strength making you melt completely underneath him.

He could tell you were very close and so was he, and with a few more strong thrusts both of you came hard, moaning each other's names and spilling, you on his and yours stomach and him inside of you.

Panting he brought himslef down and placed a loving kiss on your lips, exhausted with pleasure and still riding your orgasm you returned.

He gently pulled out and plopped down next to you, pulling you close into his warm embrace.

You two stayed like that for a while, hugging and unable to reach your breaths.

Once your breath returned to your lungs you snuggled up into his chest and kissed his yaw, "I love you my king."

He smiled down at you and hugged you tighter, placing a long kiss onto your lips, "I love you too meleth."

#thranduil #male reader #male reader smut #x male reader #male reader insert #x reader #thranduil x male reader #the hobbit #lord of the rings #lotr #male!reader #smut #angst #fluff #the hobbit x y/n #the hobbit x male reader #the hobbit x reader #the hobbit x you #lord of the rings x you #lord of the rings x reader #lord of the rings x male reader #thranduil x reader #thranduil x you #thranduil x y/n #m/m #m/m fanfic #lotr fanfic #the hobbit fanfiction #fanfic #thranduil fanfic

[softscummymammon]

€Male Hashira React to Their MALE S/O Coming Out As Asexual€

••Part 1 ||→ Giyu, Rengoku, Obanai

••Part 2||→Sanemi, Gyomei, Tengen

→+*:;;:*Demon Slayer Headcanon*:;;:*+←

I have decided not to do Muichiro because of the context that he is 14 years old. Due to this, I will not be adding him to the fic. Though this is about asexuality, and therefore the lack of sex, it is still considered wrong to me.

←Sanemi Shinazugawa→

Really, you were kinda shitting your pants at the idea of coming out to Sanemi. You know he's only abrasive and stubborn because of his past, but sometimes reading him is like asking Gyomei what color shirt you should wear.

Aka, pretty much impossible.

But you both were in a committed relationship, and you didn't want to feel like you were leading him on. There is also the possibility of him feeling like you had higher expectations. Knowing how that feels, you never wanted your boyfriend to feel like that.

So, deciding to get this over with and be blunt, which really is the only way you can approach this like this with Sanemi, you sat him down after his afternoon training. When he heard your voice and how serious you were, he made no move to object beside the occasional grumble.

His normally scowly face turned inquisitive as you sat at the chabudai. He sat across from you and asked what you needed him for. Steeling yourself, you tell him you're asexual, and have no or little desire to have any sexual activity. Making sure Sanemi didn't blame himself was key. Otherwise, he'd blame himself.

His face blanks for a second, then he asks if he made you uncomfortable in anyway. You tell him no, that you trust him to control himself, but some touches just can't happen. Sanemi starts to get a little irritated and asks then what is comfortable to you then? You try to calmly explain that cuddles are fine, soft touches on the shoulders, arms and head are fine, kisses too, as long as it doesn't get too heated.

Sanemi takes a few breaths, but explains to you that he has needs too; sexual needs he wanted to carry out with you since you're special to him. You can't help the tears that start to fall, but Sanemi is quick to sit by your side and wipe them away. He's cursing himself out and telling you he's sorry while you're trying to say you understand and feel sorry you're limiting the his show of love.

It gets so hectic, Sanemi leans forward and head butts you. Nothing like that brat did to him, but it was enough to catch your attention. He firmly apologizes for any misstep he took, and shushes you when you trying interrupting him. He carries on saying his love for you can be expressed in more ways than sex ever could, so he'll just have to get creative. Sanemi loves you dearly, and he doesn't want his lack of self control to be the end what the beautiful thing you both had.

So, he does. Whenever he gets that urge he'll leave and deal with it, then come back and pamper you till you both fall asleep or take a nap. He's still weary about how he touches you, but confident hands on your part will ease his hesitancy. Sanemi also becomes super over protective. He'd glare and growl at anyone that gets too close.

He can't grope you like he would have done originally. So, to combat those people that can't seem to think through their brains, he uses his wind breathing style to quite literally blow them away.

←Himejima Gyomei→

Trust and commitment was always an issue of Gyomei. But once he opens himself up, he is unwavering in his care. He loves you dearly, and he takes this relationship seriously. So why have you been avoiding him?

Gyomei sighed heavily and settled down near the water stream. Thinking over the day within his memories, he recounted how you seemed to have been anxious. Himejima may not be able to see, but he can hear your emotions clear as day, your anxious heart and breathing.

The water rushing through the stream eased him slightly, but the memory of your fear put him on edge. He never liked when you felt anything negative. Himejima always wanted to hear that smile on your face and laugh in your speech.

Standing up, Gyomei listened for your heart beat and followed it towards your shared home. Ever since this relationship became serious, you both decided living in Gyomei's home was the best idea since it had more medical supplies and felt more lived in. So it was an easy walk he figured out leads to the training area in the back of the house.

Opening a sliding door that leads to the Zen garden you helped him plant, he found you setting next to the water fountain you both had chosen as an added on feature. Sitting down next to you, he heard you sigh and felt you lean into his side. Gyomei wrapped a careful hand around your waist and let you get whatever was bothering you out your self.

Mustering up your confidence, you suddenly blurt out that you believe you are asexual. He pauses and let's the thought wash over him, trying to remember where he had heard that term before. Now that he recalled, one of the many older children he had helped before becoming a demon slayer had confided with him about the exact same thing.

With a careful voice, he addressed your rising nervousness, " Sex was never my end goal with you, my Rock. My only goal that I ever had was to make you happy. If you believe that sex would only ever make you uncomfortable, or that being sexually active on a regular basis is unnecessary, then I will do whatever it takes to love you thoroughly another way. "

He embraced you that night, feeling the coolness of the sun slowly setting behind the hills. Gyomei held you close to his chest as he rocked you back and forth, setting a firm, callused, yet somehow soft hand on the back of your neck to keep you still and comfort you.

Himejima no longer tolerated you being around people that he could tell made you uncomfortable. He knew all too well how dangerous and capable you could be when you wanted to, but he also wanted to get that feeling of accomplishment when he successfully guarded you away from those he knew where only trying to get with you for something other than your opinion. Besides, it was rather easy to just walk up behind them and set a hand on their shoulder to scare them off.

← Tengen Uzui→

To say that you were nervous with your most recent, yet blatantly obvious, discovery was an understatement. Being with Uzui was a whole other thing in on its own, and you had to overcome hurdles like any couple to be together. For one, it was rather odd to you that he already had three wives, beautiful women that could give him anything he wanted, yet he still chose to date you.

It unnerved you, a little. Though it was common in your home country that having multiple married partners was common, you always felt like you were encroaching on their daily lives.

But, they always made a show of accepting you. Even going as far as to invite you to their gatherings and trips to the city for shopping and sight seeing. You had an amazing time with them, but you can never get away from their....steamy stories. They always got blushy when recalling their first times with Tengen. It never ceased to make you uncomfortable, and they would always tease you about having to excuse your self when the topic of their sex lives came up.

Now that you thought back on it, it was glaringly obvious how you came up with your discovery in sexuality. Though it was already said, you were nervous. Nervous about what Uzui would think, about how his wives would think, and your standing in the relationship would turn. If you even had a relationship after this to begin with.

But, this needed to come out, and you don't think you'd be able to continue to live in a relationship where you couldn't be yourself. So, you had called them all in. It was a lot more intimidating than you would have imagined it to be. All four of them sat around the table with you, each had a different expression on their face.

Tengen set a firm hand on your thigh, trying to give you a supporting hold, but it only made your nerves stand on end. Taking a deep breath, you took his hand into your own and lifted it to sit firmly on the table. Tengen blinked in surprise, as did Suma, Hinatsuru, and Makio.

Deciding to not beat around the bush this time, you tell your recent discovery about being asexual. The silence given afterwards was very...tense. They looked in between each other for quite sometime, likely having a silent convention you weren't privy to even try and understand. It started to get suffocating, and it felt like you couldn't breathe.

You quickly made your way out of their. Standing up quickly and getting out of the room despite your name being called out by four other voices. Getting to your room within Uzui's home, you close the door and lock the door. Going to your futon, you breathe deeply in and out while tears stream down your face.

Footsteps made you freeze. And a soft whisper of your name made you look up towards your door. Hearing a slight thump, you can only imagine as Tengen sits against the locked door and calls out your name again. Sighing, you get up and sit on the other side of the door, giving him a chance to hear you.

Uzui makes sure you're okay before telling you that he was sorry. He explained that he didn't mean for allowing your anxieties to eat away at you like they did, and expressed his wish to be able to help you with them like a good partner should. He tells you that he loves you no matter what, and Makio, Suma, and Hinatsuru agree. He didn't mean to make you uncomfortable with his touch either, and his wives apologize for not seeing how uncomfortable you were listening to them talk about their past experiences.

Listening to them, you could hear that they were genuine. So, you stood up and unlocked the door, immediately getting engulfed in a hug by the man himself. Sighing, you felt so much better for being accepted. Leaning into his embrace, you were swept off your feet with a yell and layed down on your futon where he and his partners cuddled up around you.

<————««➹𓆉➷»»————>

#anime headcanons #demon slayer headcanons #kinetsu no yaiba #head canons #x asexual reader #asexual headcanons #kny x male reader #male hashira #kny hashira #sanemi shinazugawa #uzui tengen #gyomei himejima

[hannigramficrecs]

Hey, do you have any "long" (30k up only) hannigram fics, with hannibal's pov (preference, but not absolutely necessary) of AUs, like the best long fic AUs you can think of, like time-travel, different meetings, abo, etc.

No vampire, mermaids or werewolves au tho.

If you can, of course. Thank you alredy 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

I’m not sure if these are all Hannibal’s POV, but here are a list of all my favorite long AU’s (sorry if I included too many LOL). Also if anyone’s interested here are links to the mermaid and werewolf fics

Palace of Dreams by MaiTai1327 [words: 41,986]

A lonely boy at a Lithuanian orphanage creates a memory palace for him to hide away from his despicable circumstances and the nightmares haunting him. In his dreams, his palace becomes reality. And one day, he finds another boy hiding in one of its rooms.

Our Stars are the Same by beforethedawn, ConstructFairytales, Destinyawakened [words: 42,578]

Someone’s moved into the old creepy, supposedly haunted, mansion down the way from Will Graham and his family. Will never expects to befriend the new family’s son.

Vena Amoris by PaperPlaneChemTrails [words: 55,596]

Will Graham is a producer on a Bachelor knock off reality TV show. Against his protests and better judgement, Dr. Hannibal Lecter is cast as the primary love interest on the show. Despite his many initial misgivings, Hannibal is a hit, and Will finds himself as drawn into the story Hannibal is creating as everyone watching at home. Everything is going well until Will becomes suspicious that he is the real object of Hannibal’s affections, and all of a sudden contestants start to turn up murdered.

Little Arts of Vice by drinkbloodlikewine, whiskeyandspite [words: 44,991]

Cruel Intentions AU. “Tedium draws me to observation,” he murmurs. “Contemplation.” “Manipulation,” Mischa adds calmly, tilts her head when Hannibal narrows his eyes at her. “You wouldn’t deny it, Hannibal, you’re proud of that one. And in truth you do it well.” “There is little to manipulate when watching a dog chase a bird.” It starts with a bet.

A Past of Plank and Nail by gleamingandwholeanddeadly (something_safe), printersdeadly, printersdevils (tuesdaysgone) [words: 87,821]

Hannibal needs a kitchen remodel, and his colleague and friend Alana knows just the guy to help him with his rundown new home. Enter Will Graham, carpenter and contractor extraordinaire, and devastating addition to Hannibal’s daily life. When he starts running out of new projects to keep Will around, Hannibal fast realizes his infatuation is more than simple attraction - and that getting Will to agree to dinner is only the first hurdle.

Redemption by houseofcannibals [words: 132,427]

After very publicly losing his mind and murdering three young women in an unconscious state, FBI consultant Will Graham is sentenced to serve three consecutive life sentences in the notorious Shawshank State Prison. Upon arrival, he is unsettled to find himself in a cell neighboring that of infamous serial killer Dr Hannibal Lecter.

Carnivore, Won’t You Come Digest Me? by HigherMagic [words: 64,019]

Role Reversal AU: Following the execution of Garrett Jacob Hobbs, Hannibal is forced to see Doctor Will Graham for a psychiatric evaluation before he can return to the field. Once cleared, Jack insists that Will shadow Hannibal in the hopes of catching the Shrike’s copycat. Hannibal has become a master of making sure the FBI stays blind to his extracurricular activities, but Will is a man who sees far too much, and won’t be so easily overcome.

Page Six by ThisBeautifulDrowning [words: 66,839]

Crime reporter Will Graham’s column on page six of the Baltimore Sun garners him the attention of many: fans, hobby detectives, the FBI…and others. Hannibal cut off a piece of meat with surgical precision. “I find your company rather engaging.” “Maybe I don’t find you all that engaging.” Silence. Hannibal grinned. “I see that it will take more than one dinner to earn your forgiveness. Challenge accepted.”

Falls the Shadow by littlesystems [words: 72,455]

AU where Bedelia is Will’s psychiatrist instead of Hannibal, Will makes a series of increasingly questionable life choices, and no one should ever take Bedelia’s advice. Ever.

Rescues by drinkbloodlikewine and whiskeyandspite [words: 99,552]

Mischa is living with PTSD, and Hannibal seeks out a service animal to help her. He meets Will, trainer of therapy dogs - cue puppies, adorable interactions and lots of dogs. And smut. Of course.

Where the Albatross Crash-Lands by HigherMagic [words: 40,220]

Everyone has two marks on their arm: one is the name of their soulmate, the other is the name of their mortal enemy. There’s no way of knowing which is which. This same trick of fate makes it so that your Marks are the only two voices you will ever hear when you go deaf at sixteen. Hannibal has a nice voice. Will hopes he’s his mate. He hopes he never hears the voice of the Chesapeake Ripper.

Provenance by drinkbloodlikewine, whiskeyandspite [words: 62,735]

A delightful AU about a rare book dealer, an owner of a high-end coffee shop, and murder. This does involve Hannibal Lecter, after all.

A Fortunate Wound by starkaryen [words: 83,312]

Will Graham, a police officer in Baltimore, is shot while he’s on duty. The surgeon on call in the ER is Hannibal Lecter.

Until I Met You by Dormchi [words: 33,990]

Detective Will Graham needs an expert and Fire Lieutenant Hannibal Lecter happens to be available. Basically this is just arson, murder, coffee, and fluff.

Canvases by thatviciousvixen [words: 36,660]

When Hannibal meets a handsome artist with a keen interest in death he knows he’s finally met a kindred spirit. All Will needs is a little push.

In Sickness and in Health by BonesAndScales [words: 67,450]

Everyone knows that Will and Hannibal are married. Not everyone knows that they are married to each other.

The Escapists by whiskeyandspite [words: 35,368]

Will’s cellmate said nothing, and Will didn’t venture. He had been prickly enough as a lecturer, where human interaction was mandatory, and prison was not the sort of place one made friends. One either made allies or enemies, or stayed quiet enough to avoid both. Will doubted he’d be that lucky; far too easy to rile up especially when stupidity was the catalyst. Prison, Will thought absently, was similar to college.

Sweeter Bitter by wormsin [words: 89,503]

Will is an awkward student and Hannibal an intrigued mentor.

Before You And After You by ache_for_him, Breakmybones (CarterReid), CarterReid [words: 33,734]

Hannibal and Will had a past: a dirty, bloody, violent past. Will was sure he’d never see his own personal monster again - then he walked into Jack Crawford’s office.

Ethics & Aesthetics by fragile-teacup [words: 106,330]

Pride and Prejudice omegaverse AU

Look, Mother! The Sheep Have Devoured the Wolves! by HigherMagic [words: 102,934]

Hannibal and Bedelia are married, but unable to have children. At Margot’s insistence, Hannibal agrees to meet the Omega that was a surrogate for her and Alana. Will is rough-edged, unrefined, and everything Hannibal shouldn’t desire. This arrangement promises to be clean, and simple. Of course, nothing concerning Will Graham is ever simple.

Wings of Wax and Feather by BelladonnaWyck and raiast [words: 55,947]

“Did you just smell me?” "Difficult to avoid. My apologies, I didn’t realize there were any Omegas in this section of the prison.” “Most get sent to the Omega Holding Facility two counties over. But then, most don’t get done in for rippin’ out an Alpha’s throat in the middle of the street.” or Hannibal Lecter had always known the winding road of fate may one day lead him straight to a prison cell. He’d never imagined he’d find his true mate there.

Truly, Madly, Deeply by slashyrogue [words: 52,811]

They meet by chance at a Christmas Party and share a kiss that seals their fate.

Purity by PixieDust291 [words: 130,528]

Will is cast aside by his alpha and sacrificed to the Wendigo that hunts in the forest. However, after confronting the creature Will then finds himself in the home of Hannibal. The alpha lives alone and seems to have taken it upon himself to nurture Will back to health. Over time Will grows comfortable with Hannibal and slowly reveals the reasons for his abandonment. Hannibal, being a pure bred alpha of the highest caliber, is well aware of just how rare and valuable Will is and decides to take the wounded omega for himself.

Quatervois by stratumgermanitivum, whiskeyandspite [words: 33,226]

Will is an Omega who desires independence and freedom. Hannibal is an Alpha who finds his mind curious. They make a deal: if Will can convince Hannibal that he is worth more than breeding stock, and can go through his heat without begging for his Alpha, Hannibal will not mate him, but make him a ward instead; Will could go to college, get a job, do anything he wanted. If not, then he will be Hannibal’s mate, bear pups, and accept his role. But is it really as simple as that?

#hannibal #hannigram #hannibal fanfiction #hannigram fanfiction #hannibal fanfic #hannigram fanfic #hannibal au #hannigram au #murder husbands #hannibal fic recs #hannigram fic recs #hannibal lecter #will graham #will x hannibal #mads mikkelsen #hugh dancy #replies

[atlasshrugd]

Hi seeing as you seem to be the only sorta active britin blog I can find lol I wanted to ask you about some of your favourite moments for them, as I'm kinda new to the fandom whatevers around lol, and would like to hear peoples thoughts on them if you don't mind answering 😊

Hey there! Sorry I am answering so late, but WOW this is a big ask because there are SO many favorite moments.

So I have narrowed it down to my Top 5:

1. Prom (obviously)

Okay this is a no-brainer. This is literally the most romantic sequence in all of television history. I still have not found something more beautiful, moving, triumphant, loving, and groundbreaking than when Brian and Justin danced to 'Save the Last Dance for Me' at prom. Obviously barring the horrific events of what followed, this scene transcended all stereotypes and barriers and allowed us as the viewers to feel pure happiness and pride as queer people. I remember seeing it for the first time at 14 and feeling so unadulteratedly happy and validated. This was a scene of two gay people unapologetically showing the world that they did not give a shit what anyone thought of them. The only thing that mattered was this thing between them; this unspoken understanding, solace, love, and pride. I still moves me to this day whenever I watch it, no matter how many times I do.

And of course we must talk about the implications of Brian's character in this scene. Throughout season 1, he has been an emotionally stunted and cold individual who does not believe in love, relationships, or trying to make other people happy. Here, in the finale, we see Brian finally putting away all his ego bullshit ("I wouldn't be caught dead in a room full of 18 year olds"), and going out of his way to make someone he cares about happy. The fact that he even showed up at Justin's prom is a direct U-turn from the moral principles he has been reinforcing all season. And by dancing to a "ridiculously romantic" corny song, waltzing, and kissing Justin in front of everyone without giving a shit — that is pride. That is one of Brian's long-accustomed walls tumbling down.

"And don't forget whose taking you home and in whose arms you're gonna be..."

2. When they make love for the first time after the bashing

Now these scenes...how do I describe the sheer profundity? After Justin's bashing at prom, Brian is left in shambles. He blames himself for everything, and it is just further proof that Brian's love always causes further destruction. Justin has lost all memory of that night at prom, and this is one of the big tragedies. Justin had promised that he'd never forget it, and that it was the best night of his life. That proof of Brian's love that he had for so long been longing to experience — has disappeared as if it never happened. Now, Justin's confidence and surety of the world has been distorted. He is no longer sure of anything, including himself and Brian. He needs reassurance and things spelled out for him.

When Brian and Justin sleep together for the first time after the bashing, it is not like all the other times they had sex. This, in fact, is the first time they make love. Justin is telling Brian that he trusts him wholeheartedly, enough to allow him in his body again after his own agency had been ripped away from him. This is where Justin absolves Brian of his guilt. He takes the blood-stained scarf off his shoulders, lets it fall to the ground. He gives Brian the forgiveness that Brian cannot offer himself.

"Like the first time?" Brian asks, because it is the anniversary of their first meeting, but at the same time—it is nothing like the first time. Now, they are not strangers. They are more acquainted with each other than they have ever sought to be; know each other in such profound depths. They are forever linked by this thing they have both experienced, but it is not just that shared trauma. It is based off deep understanding and love. They have, somehow along the way, become more each other than themselves. They know that they have become irreplaceable and inseparable parts of each other. And Brian has been holding onto that guilt for so long that it has become rooted deeply within him. SO when Justin absolves him of it, Brian allows himself to truly feel for the first time since the bashing. He gives himself to Justin, in that moment, as Justin gives himself to Brian. It is a brilliant and tender scene of trust, devotion, acceptance, and absolution. Something they both needed to soothe their troubled souls, and a new basis for their relationship.

3. When Brian helps Justin walk down the street after the bashing

Again, this is Brian showing nurturing, care, patience, compassion, and selflessness to another person. Justin trusts him enough to rely on him, and Brian doesn't take this trust lightly. These are some of the sweetest scenes of the whole show, because this is when Brian is completely focused and devoted to Justin. He wants to help him, more than anything, to get better. And he accepts and takes up this role of carer, not because he has to, or because he is obligated or forced to. But because he will do anything to ensure that Justin will be okay, and that he gets the life he deserves.

Specifically, my favorite scene is when the song 'Grand pianos crash together, when my boy walks down the street...' is playing. Justin is walking through a crowd and Brian has his arms outstretched. When they come together, they hug deeply and easily. This scene is so simple and pure, so chaste, but it shows the true essence of their relationship, beyond all the facades and bells and whistles. At the heart of it, Brian and Justin care about each other more than they care about themselves. They have established a stable foundation of trust that they can rely on. And it also perfectly encapsulates just how far Brian has come once again. He is showing such selfless care and devotion to a boy in public daylight, kissing and hugging him and not wanting to let go of his hand. Season 1 Brian would have never even considered that. This just shows how much the events of the prom changed him, and shows how his desire for responsibility of another person has matured him. He had been forced to face his inner feelings, fears, and truths. Now, they are out in the open for the first time and Brian accepts this. This alone is a huge development.

Brian is also afraid to let go of Justin. When Justin says he can walk back himself and says 'Later,' Brian repeats it apprehensively as he holds Justin's hand until he can't anymore. Then, he watches Justin go, walking through the crowds. The look on his face is wistful, a little troubled. He hasn't wanted to face just how much he enjoys Justin's presence and how much happier and content he is when Justin is with him. He hasn't wanted to face just how afraid he is to lose Justin again. Their words of 'Later' are a direct mirror of their last words on prom night, just before Justin got bashed. Brian had watched Justin walk away, too. And a second later, he was gone.

4. Pride

This is probably one of my all-time favorite scenes in television ever. I have cried each time I've seen it. There is something so pure, essential, liberating, triumphant and tender about this scene, and the song that plays (Chiquitita by ABBA) certainly shows it. Firstly, Justin accepts Brian in his entirety and doesn't expect him to change. He knows how much Brian has been devoting to Justin in his recovery, and how strange that role is for Brian. Here, he tells Brian to 'go find a stud, ask him to dance,' — because he knows how much Brian has been sacrificing for him. This alone shows Justin's maturity and inner strength. He loves Brian, so he will not try to change him or shackle him. He wants Brian to be free to choose and live the way he wants, and that is what he fell in love with.

But when Justin shows this sacrifical and detached love for him, Brian realises that there is nothing he wants to do; no one he wants to be with more — than Justin. He is aware of the myriads of choices he has. But he chooses Justin. (Technically, for the first time, perhaps aside from prom. But even at prom, he had been running from something [turning 30]. Here, he chooses Justin without pressure for the first time.)

So, he follows him outside. He ask him "Hey, stud. Wanna dance?" Justin doesn't believe him at first, because he is not used to Brian choosing him by his own volition. He cannot imaging Brian passing up getting laid, especially after being celibate for the whole day. He also feels like a burden; like Justin's recovery has been inflicted on Brian, stopping him from living his life normally. Justin loves Brian enough to let him be free, but the biggest part? Brian loves Justin enough to choose him in that freedom.

So this marks another checkpoint in their relationship. Not only is there trust, understanding, and love — there is also desire. Sure, they have always desired each other. But this desire is not the physical kind or one born out of loneliness. This is desire for the other person as a whole. This is desiring another person's company because theirs is the only company you want. This is desiring to be with someone when there are so many other options. This is real desire — the kind that originates from the heart and not the flesh.

"I promise you won't forget this one." Brian is promising Justin that this dance will be theirs, just theirs. Not to stick it to anyone, to show anyone anything, to make some kind of point, or to make somebody happy. This dance is theirs, for the reason that Brian wants Justin to have this: this moment where Brian only wants Justin, where he dances with him simply because he wants to. And he wants Justin to have this memory, to overcome all the vague blurriness of their past. He wants this dance to be the one he remembers when he questions himself. And so they dance, and they sway, and they kiss, and they press their heads together, and the lights are bright and colored on Liberty Avenue, and everywhere people are free and joyful, and there is nothing to prove, no one to run from, nothing to hide. Their arms are wrapped around each other and the sound of 'You'll be dancing once again...and the pain will end...you will have no time for grieving...' tumbles through the air and all around them. 'But the sun is still in the sky and shining above you.' Now: there is nothing to be afraid of, and everyday life is full of reasons to be alive. To be proud.

5. Their reunification

This is one of their main checkpoints. This scene is the moment they finally become equals. Justin had left Brian for the reason that Brian could not give him what he needed to be happy, which was: reassurance. After the bashing, Justin lost all sense of who he was. There was a huge gap in his memory, therefore a huge part of himself he could not claim. He had lost partial use of his dominant hand which took away the only thing that gave him solace; his drawing ability. He was no longer sure of anything and needed things spelled out for him. He needed to talk about it. 

But Brian was not willing to do that, because he himself was struggling with trauma from the incident that he did not want to face. Where his love language is in acts of service (letting Justin live with him, paying for his tuition, helping him recover) — Justin needed to hear the words. He needed verbal affirmation to prove that he wasn't crazy and just projecting his feelings onto Brian. He could no longer trust his own perception and interpretation of things whereas in the past he could read Brian's mixed signals easily without needing confirmation. This is the part Brian failed to understand. He was not willing to concede his identified notions of 'relationships' and 'love' — no matter how far he came. He had not accepted that his feelings for Justin were love, and that scared him. So he refused to compromise with Justin, believing that his actions were enough when they weren't. But all Justin needed was to be heard, and for someone to love him enough to give hime what he needed sometimes (which was, verbal and emotional affirmation).

So their relationship ended, and Justin thought he could get what he needed from Ethan, which proved to be another big lie. So at the end, Justin still cannot trust his own perception, but — he finally knows what he wants.

He comes to the realization that while Brian could not give him the words, he gave him honesty. He learned from Ethan that words without action had no meaning. So he prioritized what mattered more to him: hearing that Brian loved him? Or, knowing that Brian loved him. So he chose honesty.

And this is when they could get back together without that imbalance and insecurity.

"And you are never to play violin music in my presence again." This single line is the only thing Brian needed to say to indicate to Justin that he was hurt by Justin leaving. Brian has been putting up a front of indifference for their entire break up, only indulging in pain management in private. Justin leaving him irrefutably hurt him more than he could have ever anticipated. But he did not show it.

So, Justin smiles — a little nod of awareness — because that is all Brian needed to say. And he says, "I promise."

"And it's time...that we...grow old and so some shit..." plays in the background (Lover's Spit) as they start to undress each other, because they are now on the same playing field. They have no illusions, misunderstandings, and misinterpretations anymore. They are starting anew; a little older and a little wiser than before. Brian knows how painful it is to lose Justin. Justin knows how skewed his perception had been, because he had been so caught up in his isolation that he could not see the truth of Brian's actions.

But they both know at least one thing: that life is better together than apart.

Tbh I could go ON and write a dissertation about each of these individual scenes, but I hope this made sense and gave a little more insight on these scenes and characters. Thank you for the great question!

#queer as folk #ask #britin #qaf #brian kinney #justin taylor #brian x justin #mine

[violetlunette]

Okay, I’m planning to do a LOT of BNHA posts once the manga is finished, so to get ready, I’m going to read through every chapter and post my thoughts. This is to refresh my memory and to create reference sheets I'll need in the future.

I’ll admit I’ve been putting this off because I hate recent chapters so much, (so, so much) but as soon as I started re-reading I remembered how much I actually liked the early chapters and why I was pulled into the story right away, so let’s get into that.

Trigger Warning;

*Bullying (Not very graphic) *Suicide Baiting

Okay, so basic summary for those who haven’t read this chapter in a long time;

Izuku Midoriya lives in a world where superpowers are the norm and “heroes” is now a career in which a person will use their special powers—or quirk—to fight against people who use their quirks to harm others or commit crimes. The heroes seem to do a good job in keeping the peace and are admired by the people. Everyone wants to be a hero, even young Izuku. The problem is that unlike literally everyone else in the world Izuku was born without a quirk and is literally powerless—or quirkless as people like him are deemed. Because of this Izuku is bullied by others, the most violent being his “childhood friend” Bakugou. After a terrible day of being ridiculed and bullied, Izuku is attacked and nearly killed by a villain. Fortunately, he is not only saved by a hero but by the Number 1 hero in Japan (and possibly the world) All Might. As All Might is leaving with the captured villain, however, Izuku grabs him. This results in not only the villain being lost, but Izuku learning one of All Might’s secrets. Apparently, All Might has a 3 hr time limit in his hero form, all of which he used up that day. Izuku asks All Might if a quirkless could be a hero, but All Might regretfully explains that he doesn’t think so. Heartbroken, Izuku starts to go home but sees that Bakugou has been captured by the same villain that nearly killed him earlier. Despite the abuse he endured over the years from the bully and being scared, Izuku rushes forward to try and save him. This action inspires All Might to overcome his timelimit and rescue them both. Later, as Izuku is walking away, All Might appears before him. He takes back what he said earlier tells Izuku that he believes the boy CAN become a hero.

Honestly, I pretty much like everything here. This is a great opening chapter. It establishes from page one what kind of person our main character is.

Izuku is someone who has a heroic spirit, and he’s willing to stand up for others even when he knows he’s outmatched. The thing is that despite his desire to save and defend, Izuku is literally powerless in a world where everyone has powers.

We see all this on the first few pages;

This is the first image we see of Izuku; he’s protecting someone who’s been hurt to the point of tears. He's terrified to the point of shaking as he knows Bakugou and company are gonna hurt him (and they do).

Speaking of which, let’s touch on Bakugou—I love him in this chapter. 

(BNHA Fans: LE GASP!)

Yeah, I said it. Yes, I love Bakugou at his worst. (Before the people who follow me for my Bakagou hot takes call me traitor, hear me out.)

I think Bakagou is a good antagonist and opposite to Izuku here. Unlike Izuku, Bakugou was blessed with power but uses it for his own benefit. Which makes sense; he’s a spoiled child who was never scolded for his actions. I also like how unapologetic he was as an asshole he was here. He makes it clear from the get-go that he is all about his ego

--and how he reacts to anyone who challenges it.

I was pulled in and wanted to see how he goes from an asshole to a "worthy rival" character later. (More on that later… sigh.) Most of all, his terrible actions are framed as being bad. Here, they are NOT excused, waved off, glorified, or used to woobify him. He’s not framed as a poor misunderstood soul who needs the power of friendship to save him, he’s framed as an antagonist, especially to Izuku. The way the scenes are drawn, Izuku's reactions--never underestimate the small stuff, they matter more than you think. But that's something I need to study more before I can properly explain.

Oh, and on to everyone's "favorite" part-- the suicide baiting scene. Everyone hates it--for good reason--but in the spirit of fairness, I can understand why it’s there. It also shows how utterly alone and powerless Izuku is in the world, especially against Bakugou. 

Just look at the scene;

Bakugou’s saying it casually but Izuku’s panel shows the effect of those words. Now look at his response;

Izuku is angry, he knows Bakugou went too far and is about to say something, but--

Bakugou threatens him into silence with his quirk, a quirk we’ve seen that’s hurt Izuku and scares him. Even though Izuku wants to say something he can't. He's scared of Bakugou and his quirk and knows he can't fight back. Worse, Bakugou knows that as well. Just look at this panel;

It’s a small panel but it shows something very important--Izuku is alone. No one is there to support him, no is there to protect him, there is no one there for him. He is alone and helpless, and that helplessness makes him frustrated to the point of near tears. But he can’t do anything about it, even when the other is wrong--and he knows it--he can’t. All he can do is grumble about it later as he fishes out his hero notebook.

(I can’t speak for others, but I understand that feeling very well. This scene is probably what caused me to click with Izuku.)

All this sets the overlaying conflict that Izuku wants to fight back and defend himself, but can't. Maybe the baiting it was a step too far, but despite mixed feelings about it, I think it works to make us sympathetic towards Izuku. (Possibly it works TOO well.) I also think it works to show how noble Izuku is when rescuing Bakugou later. Speaking of--

I’ve seen people say that anyone could have been captured by the Sludge villain, and the story would have progressed the same, but I disagree. This scene wouldn't have nearly been as strong if Bakugou wasn't the hostage.

First off, Bakugou getting caught feeds into his arc later. Second, it showed the audience Izuku's moral integrity. 

Bakugou has been beating Izuku up since the former got his quirk and belittled him before that. He is the main antagonist in Izuku’s life to this point. Hell, on that very day—just a few hours before—Bakugou destroyed Izuku’s notebook and told Izuku to kill himself.

Also, this is the same villain who nearly killed Izuku less than an hour before.

The boy is clearly scared as he recalls his pain and fear from the attack, not to mention his near death.

The wounds are still fresh from both events, and he thinks about both. But Izuku doesn’t care about any of that--

All he cares is that someone is scared and needs someone to help him.

This proves to the audience that Izuku has what it takes to be a hero as he’s willing to forego his personal grudges to do what’s right.

THAT is why it had to be Bakugou Izuku saved. Yes, he could have saved anyone else but it wouldn’t have been as meaningful.

I also like how the event really shakes Bakugou up. In any other manga he’d apologize and the two would become best buds from then on (like in Yugioh). But nope.

Here, he’s angry and furious, not just at Izuku, but himself. He hates that he was so weak that he had to not only saved by a quirkless, but by someone who had no obligation to save him. Its kind of an interesting take, especially since we now know how insecure Izuku’s noble spirit makes Bakugou feel. (I’ll tackle this in a later post.)

But enough about Bakugou, let’s move on to one of the best characters in the series, All Might.

I’ve talked about the scene where he tells Izuku that he doesn’t believe a quirkless could be a hero, but I want to say how much I love All Might when he shifts to “Yagi” for the first time. It’s a bit sad but he feels—for lack of a better word—genuine. He’s honest, forward, and kind. Yagi knows he’s hurting Izuku, but you can tell that he feels pain in doing so. It’s like telling a kid that someone they care about is dead, and won’t come back. It’s heartbreaking but it has to be done (from his perspective). All Might could have just said, “no because the villains vary in power, and you’ll get killed.” But instead, he shows Izuku his wound--

--demonstrating that even he—the #1 hero with all his power—met a foe that nearly killed him. Yagi even admits that the only reason he smiles all the time is to hide the overwhelming fear he has every day. All Might didn’t have to say any of that, but he felt that if he was going to destroy someone’s dream he needed to be honest. This was probably the first time in years he allowed himself to be so vulnerable to anyone, which he did to show Izuku that he wasn’t just trying to be cruel.

The introduction between these two was so strong, but it had to be to create the best dynamic in the story—In my opinion, at least.

I really liked how we get to see how Izuku inspires All Might. He was willing to stand back and nothing with the rest of the crowd--

--until Izuku rushed forward.

This inspired him into action and just brings a whole new life to his demeanor (more on that in chapter2). He’s laughing and smiling genuinely--before coughing blood--

—I just love it and him! X3

Chapter 1 also establishes the flaws of the hero system. One issue is that the job of a hero is a bit of a popularity contest and other heroes are looking to steal others’ “captures.”

Like in an RPG game where you spend all this effort to defeat a villain, and then at the final moment someone steals your kill and gets the exp and loot.

(This image has nothing to do with anything, I really like Mt. Lady’s design. I think she’s cute.)

This brings me to the next flaw; how criminals and villains are placed in the same category despite there being a few steps between them. I mean purse-snatching is bad, but not “evil incarnated level.”

(Seriously, Kamui Woods, how sheltered are you?)

But the biggest is its effects on the civilians. Everyone is clearly embedded with the idea of “just sit back and enjoy the show as the heroes handle it.”

Now, in theory, this is a good idea as you don’t want people tangling with villains as that inspires vigilantism and gang fights but it’s created a severe case of bystander syndrome.

Remember that scene where Bakugou makes Izuku’s desk explode--

--and then backs him against a wall?

Yeah, all that happened in front of a TEACHER. And he didn’t say one word, not even a “sit down Bakugou” or “that’s enough, Bakugou.”

(Asshole, stop throwing around important career forms and DO SOMETHING. Especially since YOU singled him out in the first place.)

This especially awfully, as later in the series we see that if he had said some Bakugou would have obeyed. Despite his bombastic personality, he does respect authority, if I remember correctly (don’t quote me just yet though).

Then later when Bakugou’s been captured by a villain, only the heroes care that a kid might die, the rest are just looking on in excitement as if watching a stage show.

Again, more on this later in the series.

Oh! Nearly forgot, but I kinda like that the world's first introduction to superpowers was a glowworm baby.

A little young to be flashing a nurse kid! Hee, hee, I regret nothing!

I dunno why, but I thought it was cute. There's also a metaphor about a "bright future" here, I'm sure.

All in all, I love this chapter. It introduced the main character, and the type of person he was, the "rivalry" dynamic between him and Bakugou, the world, and the meeting of All Might and Deku was just amazing.

But this is only the first step in the manga re-read! Feel free to share your thoughts as well. I'm curious what others think about it. Do you think this was a good intro to the world and story, or a bad one?

#Bnha manga #mha manga #chapter 1 #re-read #bnha #mha #izuku midoriya #all might #yagi toshinori #deku #my thoughts #mine #Izuku Midoriya: Origin

[jdgo51]

Did the Devil Really Make Me Do It?

Today's inspiration comes from:

The Joshua Code

by O.S. Hawkins

"'No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. — 1 Corinthians 10:13

Early on in my Christian pilgrimage, I discovered the value of Scripture memorization. First Corinthians 10:13 was the first verse I ever deposited in the memory bank of my mind. Because I had hidden this verse in my heart, only God has recorded how many times across the years — when I found myself faced with some sort of temptation — it surfaced in my memory and kept me from many a potential mistake. Scripture memorization plays a vital role in overcoming temptation.

L. Moody’s worn Bible, from which he preached to millions in the nineteenth century, had these words written in his own hand in the flyleaf: “The Bible will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from the Bible.”

It is not a sin to be tempted

Temptation comes our way in all sorts of forms and sizes. Our minds are like a hotel. The manager cannot keep someone from entering the lobby. However, he can certainly keep that person from getting a room. Likewise, it is not a sin when a temptation passes through our mind. The sin comes when it does not do that, when it doesn’t pass through our mind. The sin comes when we give that thought a room in our mind and let it dwell there.

One should not confuse temptations with trials that come our way. Most often, trials are allowed, or even sent, by God to cause the Christian to stand. Temptations are sent from the devil to cause the Christian to stumble.

Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. — James 1:13-14

The devil never made us do anything. He simply dangles the bait in front of us.

Then we are tempted; we are “drawn away by [our] own desires and enticed” by that which is outside the boundaries laid out for us in God’s Word.

The devil never made us do anything Make no mistake about it: we will be tempted. As long as we are encased in human flesh, it desires to rebel against what is good and godly. We never have to teach our children to disobey. They pick right up on it. We have to teach them to obey. So it is with us and the issue of temptation. It is a reality that is not going to go away. Consequently, it behooves us to know how to deal with temptation when it comes.

Some people live with the erroneous concept that the longer we walk the Christian path and the deeper we go with God, the less we will be tempted. None of us will ever arrive at the place when temptation will not be looming before us in some form or fashion.

Most of the great heroes of the Bible faced their greatest temptations near the end of their pilgrimage rather than in the beginning.

This was certainly true of Moses, Elijah, and David.

There is a word of assurance here for those who may feel a sort of pseudo guilt over being tempted: it is a reality. “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man.” It is inevitable. Temptation is “common to man.”

Life may have its shadows, but one thing is certain: they are never caused by God’s turning or by His changing. He is faithful.

James reminded us that “every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning” (James 1:17).

Years ago, while in the process of memorizing James 1:17, I found myself one night in a parking lot standing under a light. When I stood directly under it, no shadow was cast. However, as I stepped away from the light, I began to see my shadow in front of me. The farther I walked, the larger the shadow, until finally I walked far enough to be in the darkness. The shadow was caused by my turning, my changing, and not by the light. Difficulties in life are never caused by God’s turning or changing. We can rest in the reality that even though we may be tempted, we have a Lord who is faithful.

God provides a way of escape for us

The word picture here is of a mountain pass. The idea is of an army that is apparently surrounded, and then suddenly they see an escape route to safety through a mountain pass.

None of us needs to succumb to the temptations that come our way. Jesus will make a way of escape. Many who have fallen into sin did so willfully because they refused to take the path of escape that the Lord put before them.

You say, “I am tempted.” The Lord says, “What else is new? I, too, was tempted in all points as you, yet I was without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). Jesus taught us how to overcome our temptation. For forty days He was tempted by the devil in the wilderness of Judea. On each occurrence, Jesus overcame by quoting Scripture.

The Word, hidden in our hearts, will also keep us from sin when applied by faith to our lives.

We should not be surprised when temptation comes our way. It is, after all, “common to man.” But Christ Himself is our way of escape. And one thing can certainly be said of Him — “He is faithful.”

Meditate on the words of James:

Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. — James 1:12"'

Excerpted with permission from The Joshua Code by O.S. Hawkins, copyright O.S. Hawkins.