#shipping with him started as a joke but now i'm actually taking it seriously

[chiibinomonodamon]

WHO WANTS TO HEAR ME RAMBLE ABOUT GAY FURRY DEMON SEX? XD

(damn, there's a sentence I never thought I'd say....)

Okay...so I see some Stolitz confusion and bashing online and I need to type up a defense here because I won't be able to sleep otherwise lol

I consider myself to be a Ship Critic and someone who takes shipping rather seriously.

What I mean by this is, I like to analyze and break down romantic relationships between fictional characters because it's just interesting to write for me. I especially take delight in friendly debating with opinions that I strongly do *not* agree with.

Let me start off by saying I am NOT a "this ship is awesome because gay furry sex lol" type of girl.

FAR from it. I'm generally more passionate about hetero ships between human characters (because I can relate to them more) among other reasons. So if you wanna dismiss my defense as "shallow fangirlism", you can forget about that lame excuse.

I fell in love with Hazbin Hotel when it was finally released in February and suffered waiting for each new two-parts per week. During that time, I decided to watch Helluva Boss as well, after a friend showed me a particularly soul-crushing clip (Moxxie's childhood trauma about his mother).

Yes, I like funny sex jokes as much as the next goofy adult but scenes like this, scenes that carry a very heavy emotional weight are what really get me in the end, even moreso when VERY little dialogue is exchanged. I knew I had to watch the entire episode run after seeing that the creators had a talent for this.

I saw people asking:

"How did Stolas go from using Blitz as a sex toy to being painfully in love with him?"

Oh I can tell you. I can tell you the EXACT moment this is revealed. But it's not spoon-fed to you; it's quite subtle actually and this is why lots of people miss it.

See, one of the strongest talents Vivenne has shown me is that she REALLY knows how to get her characters to communicate their feelings to the viewers JUST from their expressions and body language. These can be 'blink-and-miss-it' teeny little scenes and it may require a couple rewatches.

But since people demand time stamps for all information others post here, I'll rewatch a few scenes from S1 E7 'Ozzie's' as I'm typing this.

'Ozzie's' remains to be not just my favorite episode of HB...but probably my favorite episode of any adult-targeted animated show outside of Japan (aside from S2 E7's Mid-Season Special)

It has this huge reveal for both Blitzo and Stolas.

We'll first address Blitzo's irrational, stalkerish behavior of Moxxie and Millie.

He's obsessed with them. He finds both of them very attractive, fantasizes about threesomes with them and is constantly inserting himself into their personal lives.

Why?

Because they have everything that he badly badly wants for himself.

They have the perfect marriage and he is trying to live THROUGH them.

This was hilarious to me at the beginnning of the show but it's slowly revealed that it's one of the most tragic and depressing things I've ever seen. And it's scarily realistic too.

But you know this already so let's move on...

Blitzo follows the couple to Ozzie's but he can't get in without a date. So he calls up Stolas and yes, this is very low but he doesn't realize how much this means to Stolas (hell, I'm not sure even Stolas realizes it himself!) but the owl man is giddy with joy, he rushes over and they enter Ozzie's.

When Ozzie and Fizz mock Moxxie for being so sappy towards his wife, this strikes a chord with Blitzo (because they're his IDEAL relationship) and he speaks up to defend them.

NOW PAY CLOSE ATTENTION; THIS IS THE IMPORTANT PART:

Fizz, still holding onto his past grudge turns on Blitzo to humilate him:

"Some nerve you got commenting on a relationship"

Time Stamp: 11:37

As Fizz says "-ship", Blitzo VERY QUICKLY makes eye contact with Stolas who has a look of panic on his face. Blitzo is seeking VALIDATION from Stolas in this sharp, subtle second of screentime, as if to ask

"Well, ARE we in one?"

And then what happens next...Stolas remains silent, Blitzo's ex joins in to announce how selfish Blitzo was in bed with her, tearing him down further. Stolas stands up like he's going to put a stop to it but then Ozzie notices him and interrogates him about sleeping with Blitzo.

Blitzo looks incredibly ashamed and guilty as Stolas blushes with similar feelings...and hides his face behind his menu; HIS BIGGEST MISTAKE IN THE SERIES SO FAR.

Time Stamp: 12:24

The look on Blitzo's face as he grits his teeth and darts his eyes away basically says

"Yeah, I should have known...boy am I an idiot for trusting him to stand up for me".

(look how SHOCKED he is...wow, this hurts fr ;_;)

This is a silent betrayal on Stolas's part. Afterall, his reputation is on the line, so if he were to defend Blitzo, it confirms they are in fact, dating. He chose his pride over Blitzo and Blitzo is crushed by this betrayal.

Moxxie finishes his song and kisses his wife tenderly. Stolas watches this and also wants to have an affectionate moment with Blitzo (who is rightfully glaring daggers at him) and tries to reach for his hand.

Blitzo rejects his touch and suggests they leave. As they do, Blitzo still looks furious and hurt. Stolas is now realizing how badly he screwed up with a "What have I done?" face (13:41)

He even looks disappointed with himself.

After Blitzo drops Stolas off, he thanks him and tries to smooth over the awkwardness with sweet talk but Blitzo just rolls his eyes in disgust and pulls on his face like "I don't want to hear this bullshit".

He responds coldly and curtly, "Yeah." Stolas makes more suggestions to spend time with him, which just makes him even angrier and he snaps

"I'm not fucking you tonight, okay!

I'm really just..." (14:28)

he pauses to wipe a tear because at this point he can barely hold it together (top notch voice acting and animation directing btw)

"...not in the mood, Stolas."

Stolas still tries to talk him into doing couple things unrelated to sex.

Blitzo's face switches back to anger and frustration because Stolas isn't getting the message so he goes for the blunt tactic;

"Stolas, don't act like what we have is anything but YOU wanting ME to fuck you, okay?"

(14:42)

"You make that really clear all the time."

(again his voice sounds like he's about to break down)

"But I-I just can't do it tonight, okay?"

(Finally meets his eye)

"...I'm sorry."

I believe this is code for "I'm sorry we're even in this situation and how your reputation got damaged. " Or, more painfully, "I'm sorry I'm such an embarrassment to you".

Stolas replies "Okay" and takes a deep breath to compose himself. They say goodnight and depart.

An important note here is that Stolas calls him "Blitzo" instead of "Blitzy" to show more respect.

As Blitzo zooms away coldly, Stolas looks up at the sky with tears in his eyes, surprised at how much it hurts.

He then sits down with his head in his hands in anguish...because he's getting that

"Oh...no. These feelings are real" epiphany.

And as if this wasn't enough angst, Blitzo collapses onto his couch at home, goes through the memories on his phone and starts sobbing.

I'm going to be real with you; this is the most heart-breaking shit I have ever seen in an adult show of this type. It's also the first time a show of this type got me to cry.

The last six minutes have revealed so much information without spoonfeeding it to the audience because the show RESPECTS its audience.

To recap:

*Blitzo takes Stolas on a first official date to use him

*Stolas is extremely happy about it

*Blitzo gets humilated and looks to Stolas for validation

*Stolas betrays him and breaks his heart

*Blitzo snaps that their relationship is nothing more than lust-driven sex

*Stolas realizes he's actually in love with Blitzo and it's a huge problem because (he believes) that it's unrequited.

*Blitzo breaks down because the ONE person whom he thought would protect him didn't do so.

So these two are convinced that neither one loves the other...while the irony is, it's quite the opposite.

Because if Blitzo REALLY didn't feel anything towards Stolas, he would not have gotten this emotional.

Yes, they are both lonely...but I really don't think that's all there is between them.

So..........we know WHEN they started falling...now the question is why;

I think the answer's quite simple; single-target affection.

It was mentioned in S2 that Stolas and Stella did sleep together ONE TIME...but Stolas didn't enjoy it at all. He is stuck with a wife who hates him so much that she put a HIT on him...and a daughter who thinks he's a loser. Blitzo is pretty much the one person in his life who is able to make him happy. That one small, bright spot. He enjoys the sex with him but he also simply enjoys his company, as shown in Ozzie's episode. He is thrilled to simply talk to him about his day...and do anything else that couples do. They're complete opposites. Stolas is an intellectual but naive and sheltered. Blitzo is poorly educated but cynical and street-smart. Opposites attract...though this is likely more from Stolas's POV than Blitzo's.

In other words, Stolas is into bad boys xD lmao

In Blitzo's case, Stolas is the only character who shows him physical affection which he desperately craves. He's pretty tsundere about it most of the time...but I think he actually does enjoy that attention...especially when he's always getting disrespected by Moxxie and Loona..and quite a lot of people around him. BUT he's too scared to get serious with anyone because of past trauma and he also believes that no one could possibly love him as a person. :(

Reasons I Think This Love is Real

Aside from what I pointed out in the Ozzie's episode...there's quite a lot of evidence, esp from Stolas's POV.

After he realizes he's in love, he goes to Asomodeous for an ALTERNATIVE method for Blitzo to use so they will no longer sleep together. He wants to set Blitzo free. Which means he DOES truly love him because love is about being generous to the other person. He COULD be totally selfish about it but he isn't.

Asomodeous mentions how against love potions he is and Stolas agrees. He thinks that's out of the question.

'Look My Way' music video. Lol I don't have to say anything more.

In S2 E6 OOPS

This exchange at 16:57

Fizz: Seems your taste has gotten more 'regal', lately?

Blitz: Yeah, well unlike you, I fuck who I want WHEN I want. I'm not gonna be tied down to some big blue-blood asshole.

Fizz: You coulda fooled me the way Prince was cozying up to you at Ozzie's.

Blitz (gets very defensive) HEY! Stolas only cares about have a rugged peasant raw-dog him into his mattress, okay!

It's nothing...(gets hesistant and looks away)...you know...

(Fizz gives him a 'bitch please' look xD)

"it's nothing else."

Fizz: Then why were you even there?

Blitz: OTHER very important reasons of course.

Fizz: Whatever. I don't actually care.

Blitz: Stolas is just a loud, thirsty BITCH!

(Fizz is rolling his eyes again)

Blitz: He loves feeling the thrill of getting dicked by the lower class.

It's a novelty to him.

Fizz: LITERALLY just said I don't care!

Blitz: And then he'll call me and try to see how my day was!

And he'll pretend to care about me and comment on my photos laugh at my jokes...

Fizz: (Smirking) OH! That's definitely your clue right there that it's all bullshit!

Blitz: I KNOW, RIGHT??

Fizz: (Making a 'What in idiot' expression, shaking his head)

Blitz: HE'S JUST A FAKE, PRIVELEDGED ASSHOLE...

Fizz: Sounds like you just hate him for being a prince!

No one (laughs) and I mean NO ONE pretends to care that much just for a cheap lay.

All right. IF ANYONE knows what real love is like, it's Fizzaroli...who is in a very HEALTHY relationship with Asomodeous. He recognizes the signs because he's IN that place. He sees it...and he's annoyed that Blitzo keeps denying it and brushing it off...yet clearly can NOT stop talking about Stolas (amusing irony)

To sum up (this freaking essay lol) 'Stolitz' ABSOLUTELY has the potential to be pure and true...these two just need to communicate...or Stolas has to PROVE to Blitzo that he's serious about his feelings in another way.

There is no doubt that this ship is 100% endgame and is a case of the 'Earn Your Happy Ending' Trope. I look forward to the rest of the journey. Ron is putting my feelings about Stolitz in a perfect phrase:

#shipping #helluva boss #blitzø #stolas #stolitz #blitzo x stolas #stolas x blitz #vivziepop #animation #man they really have a firm grip on my heart #it's so strange to me lol #OH THE ANGST

[itsjaywalkers]

for the drabbles me n you 71 (jokes....unless..)

but seriously rosekiller 60—i think it fits their vibe perfectly

i seriously considered writing a silly drabble for u and me.. greatest ship of our generation etc etc

but anyways !! here u have some rosekiller darling <3

60. "Before you decide to murder me, let me explain..."

If you asked Barty how he ended up pinned to the ground, right next to an open and half-dug grave, and with a scalpel to his neck, he wouldn't know what to tell you.

He knows it started with the disinheritance. Or maybe it was a bit later, when Regulus had told him he couldn't keep hiding in his dorm room, because his neighbour was starting to get suspicious, and he couldn't afford to be kicked out, now that he had also stopped being a trust fund baby. Not like he behaves any less spoiled.

Barty is convinced that it had nothing to do with the risk of getting discovered, and everything to do with that brainless rugby player who has started coming over. Regulus keeps insisting that it's just for uni, because they have a project together, or something, but Barty has caught that stupid jock ogling his best friend more times than he can count.

And there's also that one time he climbed Regulus' dorm window a bit earlier than he had said he would, and had seen the rugby dude lifting his shirt for some unknown reason and Regulus touch his abs with a ridiculous amount of awe. Like it was the first he was seeing a human body.

Barty still wishes he had recorded it. Regulus keeps trying to gaslight him about it but he knows what he saw. Unfortunately. He still has nightmares.

The point is that Regulus needed him out of there, and Barty also had jumped at the chance of getting away. It was fun, at first, interrupting their alone time and being the target of all those murderous glares Dave—or whatever his name is—kept sending his way. But it was beginning to grow old. The fear of Regulus poisoning his food or choking him in his sleep was getting a bit too real—he gets so cranky when he's horny but doesn't get any.

It's not like it's Barty's fault. He used to take care of that for Reg, because he's a great friend like that, but, well, after that one incident of Barty eating Regulus out and Regulus moaning that stupid jock's name, he refuses to lend him a hand anymore. Literally.

Not being able to rely on Regulus' dorm room, Barty needed money, and he needed it fast. So, technically, it had started with the disinheritance. Because like everything else in Barty's life that goes wrong, of course his father is somehow to blame.

Although, and watching the angel straddling his hips and who's about to slit his throat open, Barty isn't sure he'd say this is going exactly wrong.

"As much as I'm enjoying this, blondie," Barty starts, voice a little strained. "I think the scalpel and the whole threatening my life is a little unnecessary. We can have a conversation like grown ups—"

The angel presses the tool against Barty's skin a bit harder, abit deeper, and he has to bite his tongue to repress a groan when he feels the first drops of blood trickle down his neck.

Is this doing it for him? Really? It's not the weirdest thing that has managed to turn him on, but it's about to get very awkward if he pops a boner all of a sudden.

"Or not," Barty rushes to add, chuckling hoarsely. "We can totally talk like this. The dirt is actually pretty comfortable, and it's such a lovely night. I'd dare to say it's even kinda romantic."

The angel tilts his head to the side, brown emotionless eyes blinking down at him. "Are you flirting with me?"

Blondie's voice is empty, lacking any form of inflexion, but so smooth and so soft it's genuinely doing things to Barty.

"Depends. Is it working?"

He blinks at Barty again. Somehow, the gesture looks more condescending this time. The angel cuts him a bit more, and Barty hisses.

"What do you think?"

"I'm taking that as a maybe," Barty retorts, managing a little smirk.

Barty really has no survival instinct. He might actually die tonight, and yet his brain doesn't seem to be able to get with the program.

Not like Barty can blame it. If his killer looks this pretty, then he has no complaints. Or not as many as he should, at least.

"You were nosing around my grave," the angel states, squinting his eyes slightly. "Why."

"Your grave? I don't know if that's right, blondie, you look quite alive to me—"

The angel exhales loudly through his nose, and then moves the blade to the side of Barty's throat, as if getting ready to properly cut.

"Wait, wait," he exclaims, attempting to grab blondie's wrist and then remembering both of his hands are being crashed by his own back. "Before you murder me, let me explain..."

He pauses, leaves the sentence hanging and stares up at the angel with what he hopes are convincing puppy eyes. They've never worked on Regulus, but then again, he's a heartless man who only gets moved by his Prada slippers, so it doesn't really count.

Blondie doesn't say anything, just continues watching him with the most deadpan expression Barty has ever seen in his life. But his throat is only bleeding just a little, and he's still alive, so he'll take it as a win.

"I didn't know it was your grave, blondie," he assures him, and it feels a bit weird, not having to lie to defend himself. Most of the time, he's done whatever they're accusing him of and worse. "Really. Maybe you should put some sort of sign, something that actually stakes your claim, so people like me don't get confused—"

"You shouldn't be digging up graves anyway," the angel cuts him off with a pointed look.

Barty arches an eyebrow. "I'm not sure how I feel about a bloke who's literally threatening me with a scalpel judging what I decide to do with my free time."

"You said you were gonna explain and I'm not listening to any explanations." The angel rolls his eyes so hard Barty is momentarily concerned. "My hand is getting sore."

"You know how it'd feel less sore? If you dropped that cute little knife, or at least put it away from my face—"

"You have thirty seconds to talk before I cut your neck open."

"Okay, okay!" Barty sighs, closing his eyes for a moment. "It really was nothing personal, blondie. I just needed a body, a recent one, with all its organs intact, so I could sell them for an insane amount of money and pay for a room in the uni accommodation."

The angel finally looses the grip on the scalpel, the pressure becoming bearable. "You're digging up graves because you're broke?"

"Pretty much, yeah," Barty confirms with a shrug. "It's easy money. And I have experience digging up graves." He stops for a second and then he adds, "don't ask."

"I wasn't going to."

"So? Truce?"

Blondie gives another one of his slow blinks. "Not yet. How good are you with dismemberments?"

Barty doesn't miss a beat. "As in, having enough stomach to watch them or doing them myself?"

"Both."

"Quite good, I'd say. If I have the right tools, that is."

"I can provide them."

"Can you? Really?" Barty questions with a lazy smile. "Why would a cute, murderous thing like you need someone who knows how to dismember bodies for?"

"That's none of your business," the angel replies, raising his chin. "It's just for a little project I'm working on."

A project that includes referring to random graves as yours? That needs dead bodies' limbs?

Oh, this guy is absolutely batshit insane.

Barty wants him so ridiculously bad he's starting to get dizzy.

"You can have the organs," blondie adds, after Barty takes a little too long to answer. What can he say, he's a little busy fantasising about bending the angel in half and having his way with him. "They're of no use to me. I only need the limbs. And a head."

"Tempting," Barty admits, nodding. "But the question is, can you afford to hire my services?"

The angel finally puts the scalpel in his jacket's pocket, sitting up slightly and crossing his arms over his chest oncee the blade is away. "Afford? An amateur grave-digger's fee can't be that high, especially when you're this desperate. I'm sure I have enough money to—"

"Woah, woah, no one said anything about money, blondie. That's what selling organs illegally is for," Barty chuckles, squirming until he can free his hands from behind him. Still, he's gentle enough to not jostle the angel in his lap too much.

"Then?"

"A kiss?" Barty bats his lashes for good measure.

Blondie glares at him for a few long seconds, and when Barty is about to laugh it off, assure the other boy he was just joking and simply agree to his insane business proposal, the angel leans down.

Barty is sure that blondie only intended it for it to be a peck, but he's nothing if not an opportunist, and the moment the other boy's lips touch his, he rushes to deepen the kiss. Surprisingly, the angel allows it, opening up his mouth all sweetly when Barty licks at the seam teasingly, and tangling their tongues together.

He lets Barty explore a little, shuddering when he hums lowly into his eager mouth, but then he pulls away, the back of his hand coming up and rubbing furiously at his lips.

It's too dark to tell, but Barty could almost swear the angel is a bit flustered.

"Happy?" he grumbles, slightly muffled.

"Very much so," Barty says, not bothering to hide his shit-eating grin. "That's only the payment for a limb, though, blondie. So, if you need more..."

"It's Evan," the other boy correct him with a huff, finally putting his hand away from his lips. "And don't push it. I have to see how good you are first."

"Barty," he introduces himself in response, offering a handshake that Evan accepts, if a little begrudgingly. "I can assure you, I won't disappoint."

#silly little drabbles #rosekiller #s tag

[svnriseblvdd]

Family Reunion | Steve Harrington

Author: @svnriseblvdd

Word count: 2353

Warnings: bitchy relatives (an aunt and a cousin only) but none apart from that

Summary: In which you're sick of the judgmental questions from your aunt about boyfriends, and you enlist Steve to be your fake boyfriend for a family reunion

Steve is literally so cute in that GIF I can't -

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was a beautiful summer day, decently warm, but a nice breeze blew through the air. The perfect day, really. Except today was the family reunion.

You were dreading it with every ounce of yourself. Every single one of these brought new rounds of hurtful jokes and teasing from your family. Not always aimed at you, but quite often. And aunt Violet was probably the worst for it. She was almost always picking at your lack of a boyfriend, always comparing you to her daughter, who each time showed up with a boyfriend on her arm. Said boyfriends had two out of three times turned out to be complete assholes, but that didn't matter. Keira had a boyfriend, that was what mattered.

Today, though, would be different.

You'd employed Steve Harrington to act as your boyfriend for the day. Steve was one of your best friends, so you trusted him absolutely. You'd first met through mutual friends, because he'd been enlisted as help when tracking down Dustin's adopted baby Demo-dog, and you, as a friend of Dustin's, had also been called upon.

Together, you and Steve had parented and protected the children and undergone heavy levels of parental stress which was, quite frankly, unnecessary and unappreciated.

He'd rung your doorbell at eleven thirty, a smile growing on his face as he looked up at you, elbow on the doorframe as he leaned against it. He was dressed in jeans and a blue button up, hair sat perfectly atop his head - so very Steve.

You were wearing a pretty blue dress with a neckline across your shoulders, some white shoes, and a belt sat around your waist.

"Hey," he greeted. "You look gorgeous."

"You clean up pretty good yourself, Steve," you chuckled. He held out an arm for you, and you took it, smiling, closing the door behind you. He led you to his car, opening the passenger door for you. "Such a gentleman."

"Only the best for you."

He closed the door, crossing around the front of the car and getting into the driver's seat, beginning to drive to your grandma's lake house.

"Okay, you remember the cover story?" You checked. Everything had to be perfect. If there were any holes in your story, someone (probably aunt Violet) would gauge at them and sink that ship before it reached the harbour.

Steve nodded. "We met at a costume party. We started dancing together because you were making eyes at me from across the room because you dug my attempt at Tim Curry's outfit from Rocky Horror Picture Show. Next thing we know, we're dancing together and then I'm asking you out and boom... Now we're dating."

You looked over at him, deadpanning. "Why didn't I ask someone else to do this?"

"What other guys do you know?" Steve asked. "Aside from Jonathon, because he hates everyone, and he's with Nancy."

"I would've found someone. Maybe someone who would've acted like a mature, responsible person and take this seriously."

"Okay! Okay! I'm trying to be the best boyfriend I can here, I can only do so much seriousness. We were paired together on an English project, and you were super into Macbeth and I wasn't really until I heard you talking about it with so much passion that I kind of instantly fell in love with you and the play."

You nodded. "Thank God. Maybe there's actually some hope for this after all."

Steve stopped outside the lake house, which had many cars parked outside already. He turned the engine off, and got out of the car, running around the front and opening your door for you, taking your hand as you stepped out.

"We're not even in there yet," you reminded him with a small laugh. "You don't have to be all chivalrous yet."

"I know. I'm... Getting into character."

You laughed. "You sound like a real actor."

You pushed open the front door, Steve's hand slipping into your own. "You've got this," he reassured her. "If anything happens, I'm fully ready to throw some punches at Aunt Violet."

You grinned at him. "Hopefully it won't get that far."

The two of you walked inside, looking at the extended family all talking. And through the crowd comes your Aunt Violet, lightly pushing others aside to come greet you and judge your appearance first.

"Y/N, how lovely to see you," she greets, bright red lipstick forming a smile and huge dangling fake diamond earrings swaying. She gives you an airy hug, wherein she barely touches you, just enough for it to be called a hug. Her eyes catch Steve over your shoulder and her face twists into nothing other than blatant shock. "And you brought a friend, how nice."

Frankly, you're not surprised at her comment. The family's lost hope in your bringing a boyfriend, a boy friend would be a surprise certainly, and yet the tone she holds is odd. You know that some part of her doesn't quite want you to bring a boyfriend to one of these, it outshines her daughter. You bringing a boyfriend would be a huge shock to the family, you'd both totally steal Keira's thunder.

Steve placed a hand on your shoulder, noticing your slight nerves. You relaxed rather quickly, just the reassurance that he was there calming your nerves. "This is actually my boyfriend, Steve," you told her, smiling.

Steve's arm around your waist reinforced your confidence and you smiled, giddiness overcoming you like a massive wave. No more teasing about boyfriends, that was for sure.

"Boyfriend?" Aunt Violet splutters, shocked.

You nodded, Steve lightly squeezing your waist. "Do you want me to hang up your jacket, sweetheart?" You nodded, and he took your cardigan, hanging it alongside the rest of your family's jackets.

Steve was surprisingly... At ease. Despite the King Steve confidence he'd maintained throughout high school, he could be quite insecure at times, and honestly, he'd been quite... skittish around you lately. But yet here he was, with the calm confidence he'd had in high school, with the same sweet personality he'd developed since.

"Oh, well... It's lovely to meet you." She turned away, heading to talk to someone.

Steve leant down to whisper in your ear. "Personally, I think that was pretty successful. One point to us."

You turned to look at him, hands on his chest as he held your waist. "Her face was priceless."

"That was amazing, really. Come on, let's go grab some food, and then we'll go talk to whoever you want. If whoever you want to talk to is literally no one, that's fine. We can sit there eating and talking between us the entire time."

"I usually just wait for people to come up to me. They will eventually. Especially today."

The two of you grabbed some food from the kitchen and moved to sit on the deck outside, overlooking the lake. By now, Aunt Violet would've told practically everyone about the news.

This was proven rather quickly as Keira came outside, a tall, muscly guy following her out. "Oh my God, Y/N, it's so good to see you!" She, like her mother, gave an airy hug too. "And who's this? Is this your boyfriend? Mom was just telling me you'd brought someone. She failed to mention how handsome he was."

The guy behind her wasn't listening, clearly uninterested in the day.

"This is Steve," you introduced.

"So great to meet you, Steve. I don't - should we hug? I feel like we should hug." She placed a hand on his shoulder, your eyes landing on it and jealousy striking through you.

"Hello," Steve greeted simply, taking her hand off of his shoulder and sliding an arm around your waist.

Keira seemed a little taken aback, straightening herself up. "Anyways, I have to go talk to people. Love you, talk to you later."

"Of course. I'll see you later."

Keira led her boyfriend away, your eyes travelling down to your fumbling hands as they left. You were picking beneath your nails, Steve frowning as he noticed. He held your hand, meeting your eyes. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah. She just really gets on my nerves, that's all."

"Were you jealous?" You looked away from him, rubbing the back of your neck. "Oh my God, you were totally jealous."

"Shut up!"

"I promise, you had nothing to worry about."

You smiled at him, your gaze flicking down to his lips momentarily. It was then that your grandmother chose to come say hello, accompanied by another aunt, Aunt Beatrice, the two of them sitting down with you and Steve.

"Y/N! How wonderful to see you!" Your grandmother exclaimed happily. She was, unlike her daughter (Aunt Violet) a lovely person. "I assume this is Steve. Violet's been telling everyone. Between you and I, she's a little outraged. But ignore her. Tell me everything." She patted your knee.

"How did you meet?" Aunt Beatrice inquired.

"Last year, actually," Steve replied. "We were paired up for a project in English. I wasn't totally interested in it. I never understood Macbeth. But Y/N explained it so well and she was so passionate about it and I just kind of instantly fell in love. With her and the play."

"Oh, that is gorgeous," your grandmother commented, a hand on her chest.

You turned to look at Steve, finding his eyes already on you. And for a moment, you forget that it's all fake. The way he's looking at you, that damn smile, the love in his features as his hands find yours. But you have to remember. Of course it's fake. He's just really good at this whole boyfriend thing.

"Steve, what our your intentions with our Y/N? We can't have her getting hurt, of course." Your grandmother and Aunt Beatrice are the only blood relations (aside from immediate family) who don't suck on some level. They're genuinely nice people.

"Y/N is honestly one of the most, if not the most, incredible people I've ever met. She's changed my view on the world, and helped me change for the better. I feel like she's constantly surprising me, because I always wonder how on earth she could be so amazing, and then something comes up and I've learned something new about her. She's just so unbelievably awesome, I mean she totally rocks. She's turned my world upside down." You supressed a laugh at his words. "And I'm gonna be here as long as she wants me to be. And I'll try to make her as happy as she makes me, even happier."

Your grandmother and Aunt Beatrice were speechless, honestly. You turned to look at Steve, a look of almost shock on your face.

"This one's a keeper, Y/N. Better than any of the idiots Keira brings for us. All beauty and no brain, or personality for that matter. This one is sweet."

You could see Keira watching from just inside one of the doors that led out onto the deck, her anger clear in her eyes. The attention wasn't on her and she was pissed, clearly, but that was the least of your worries.

"So, Steve, tell us about yourself," Aunt Beatrice prompted.

You took the opportunity first, to show Steve the same love he'd shown to you just moments ago. "Steve is amazing. Really. I mean, was he a little bit of a jerk in high school, absolutely, but he's changed himself around totally. And don't let him fool you. He'll tell you I helped him change, except he never needed me. Because he was always a good person. He just needed the eye-opener to realise it. He's become so wonderful. He plays basketball, he's a great swimmer. He doesn't know movies, but that can be easily fixed, he has a good taste in music. Those kids I've told you about, he acts like a second mother to all of them. He's so protective over them and he cares so much for all of them. It's honestly one of the best things to see."

"Steve, you sound almost too good to be true," Beatrice chuckled.

"Yes, don't let this one go, Y/N," your grandmother agreed. "My camera! I need my camera. I need a picture of the two of you." She was up and away rather fast for an old woman, and she returned quickly with her camera, ready to take pictures.

You and Steve stood, finding a good place to stand, with the lake right behind you, leaning against the railing. His arm was round your waist, yours around his, bright smiles on both of your faces.

But then, he did something unexpected.

It had happened rather suddenly, and you had barely registered it before it was over, all too quickly.

Steve's lips, on your own. They were soft, and the kiss was even more so, gentle like the stroke of a feather against your skin.

He pulled away from you as the family outside cheered a little among themselves, grinning. His eyes searched yours for a moment, your tongue darting out to wet your lips, his eyes following the brief action.

"Oh, that is a lovely one. That is absolutely beautiful. Look at this one, Bea." Your grandmother showed Beatrice the picture, and her face lit up in a smile.

"That is gorgeous." And then the two of them walked away.

"That was..." You murmured.

"Yeah, it was."

"You should've picked drama, you're really good at this," you told him in a quiet voice.

He chuckled, looking down at his feet for a moment as a blush crept up his neck. "I don't have to pretend that you mean the world to me."

You paused, thinking his words over. Did Steve Harrington just admit to having a crush on you? Because it certainly sounded like he did. You looked up at him. "Did you just -"

"Yes. Probably. If you're thinking what I think you're thinking."

A huge smile grew on your face, your hands reaching up and grabbing his face, pulling him down to you, your lips meeting his an a kiss that lasted much longer than the first.

#steve harrington #steve harrington fluff #steve harrington imagine #stranger things #stranger things imagine #steve harrington x reader #stranger things fluff #sweetness

[liesmyth]

Your last rb on the John Gaius post how much John is the OPPOSITE of what that reblogger implied. Because like - we rag on him for not using his magical girl powers for C--'s "Good Wizardry", but it's specifically because he *doesn't* want to rely on a new untested "technology". He tries to incorporate it into the old project, make it better, make people trust it and give him money. Slow down the people who are trying to actually do the "promising new technology" bit without proof of concept.

It's "We all came up with trials to figure out what I could do, what I couldn’t do" vs

"...they were taking one discovery and acting like it changed the whole ballgame when really we now needed ten years of funding to discover whether it was any use, i.e., academia functioning as normal."

And I think that's neat, actually.

[post for context]

Ok actually #discourse aside, I think a lot about how John WAS a scientist, and that was the approach he used in his cryo project, and that was ALSO the approach he used when he started displaying magic powers. He tried to do experiments. He tried to make up scientific terms. He tried to write papers.

And nobody would listen and then he had to cosplay a wizard on youtube.

I think about that SO MUCH. Like... I think John never had a high opinion of the "cultists." He's obviously annoyed that one of the first guys who gave them attention was a flat earther. He only started calling himself a necromancer so that people would listen. It was a last resort and personally, I think he wasn't keen on it.

Like... I think John, an educated scientist who has successfully pioneered a potentially revolutionary new technology (the cryo project, not the magic!) AND is also an indigenous man of colour, might have felt some kinda way about putting on a cape and eyeliner and recruiting a gullible cult of followers because he wasn't being taken seriously in ~intellectual circles. I know we make jokes aboout God being a twitch streamer - Taz put that in for a reason! I think it's funny, I think the cult aesthetic is fun, I think the pre-Res gang HAD fun with it, eventually. But I also think that there's a lot to unpack about John going from the lead research on a project that had serious corporate and government backing ("We cannot keep diverting three percent of the country’s electricity to your vats") to putting on a cape for the memes.

Also! You're absolutely right that the FTL fleet IS "the special technology that shows no promise." John, Mercy AND Augustine all it as hooky because it's SO new that it can scale up to what they need, if it even works as advertised. I'm very curious if / how / on which scale it was tested, and I think Augustine was right to suspect that the FTL propulsion was just an initial kick and the fleet was gonna generation-ship it and never come back.

Also speaking of people wanting an "immediate fix" - John also explicitly brings up that some of the cryo project backers nagged at him because they though an imperfect technology was good enough but the team thought the chance of damage was too high, and worked to reduce it.

Like, the whole point of the cryo project is that it worked, but it wasn't an easy fix, it required literally global cooperation, and there was no priority access for first-class passengers.

I am once again pointing a huge neon sign in John's direction that says HE ATE THE SUN!! That's plenty enough! We don't have to directly contradict canon to sue him for ethics breaches.

#chaos-has-theories #there's the 'john as elizabeth holmes' person. there's the 'they clearly STOLE those corpses' person. #there's the 'he disliked the FTL project because he was too selfish and wanted HIS name on the world saving project' discourse #have we read different books... #personally i think mindwiping his friends was the most evil villain moment <3 #that actually happened and it was NASTY #ask #ejg #tlt thoughts #ntn #elle tlt posting #tlt

[chrysalis-the-butterfly]

Sir Pentious perhaps?

Certainly, my dear!

Send me a character and I’ll list:

Favourite thing about them: His dorkiness! I like how he starts out trying to be intimidating so he'll be thought of as a formidable foe, and then learns to embrace his naturally dorky self and be a better person. Maybe there's a message there about toxic masculinity? Or maybe I'm reading too much into it.

Least favourite thing about them: That so-called 'joke' in Episode 6. You know the one. I mean, you can't have a whole episode taking sexual assault seriously when it happens to Angel Dust and then turn it into a joke when it happens to Sir Pentious. I'd have preferred it if, instead of Pen being dragged into the sex room, Valentino overheard his "sex with everybody" line and started offering him a job at the porn studio and making him flustered, and that was what motivated Angel to stand up for his friends.

Favourite line: "The only cool thing here is to say 'No' to drugs! Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to not have sexual intercourse before marriage!"

brOTP: I like the enemies-to-friends thing he had going on with Angel Dust! My favourite moment is in Episode 5, when Pen is trying to shield his cookies for Lucifer from Angel's grabby hands, and then he has to stand up straight to salute Lucifer with a quick, "Your majesty!" before he goes back to shielding the cookies, but it's too late because Angel's taken one, but Angel doesn't make a big deal of it, he just says, "Heya, short king," to Lucifer as if there's nothing out of the ordinary going on. They're like brothers! Pen is the responsible one and Angel is the naughty one, but at the end of the day, they've got each other's back. It's fun to watch!

Also, now that Sir Pentious is in Heaven, I love the thought of Emily becoming his new best friend! She could show him how Heaven works, and he could teach her what he knows about Hell, and together they could try to find a way to let Charlie know that redemption actually works.

Plus, there's the angst potential of Sir Pentious interacting with Molly - he knows who Angel Dust is, and she knows who Anthony is, but they don't know they're talking about the same person... I'd love to see a Pen/Emily/Molly trio going on escapades in Season 2!

OTP: CherriSnake! I wasn't sure about the ship at first, but it's grown on me. It's a neat example of the enemies-to-lovers trope, where Sir Pentious' admiration for Cherri as a worthy opponent turns into something more romantic. And they could have bonded over being inventors - Pen with his gadgets and Cherri with her "brilliant explosive contraptions". Too bad he only confessed his love a few seconds before his heroic sacrifice...

I think I like this ship for its potential. What will Cherri do now that Pen is gone? Will she find out he's in Heaven? Will that motivate her to stay at the Hazbin Hotel, to get redeemed herself and be reunited with him? It's rife with story possibilities!

nOTP: Sir Pentious and Vox (StaticSnake?). Mainly because Vox told Pen to kill himself in Episode 2. That was unacceptable.

Random headcanon: Sir Pentious has a son! Remember that moment in the pilot when Angel said, "Harder, Daddy!" and Pen replied, "Son?!" I think Pen did actually father a child when he was alive, and he'd been scouring Hell trying to find him again. (And for a moment there, he thought Angel was declaring that he was his son.) Pen never found his son in Hell, but now he's in Heaven, maybe he'll have better luck...

Unpopular opinion: I actually quite like Sir Pentious' singing voice! It's nowhere near as bad as people make it out to be. And I much prefer it when characters' singing voices match their speaking voices, instead of being wildly different. (Looking at you, Vaggie.)

Song I associate with them: @hazbinned made a video of Pen being kept awake at night by Angel blasting out "Made You Look" by Meghan Trainor, so now I associate that song with Sir Pentious! LOL!

Favourite picture of them:

#hazbin hotel #sir pentious #egg bois #angel dust #cherri bomb #cherrisnake #emily hazbin hotel #hazbin hotel emily #molly hazbin hotel #hazbin hotel molly #lucifer morningstar #charlie morningstar #vaggie #valentino hazbin hotel #hazbin hotel valentino #vox hazbin hotel #hazbin hotel vox #hazbin hotel pilot

[sciderman]

Reading New Mutants #98 is such a wild experience because Wade still acts as the snarky and kinda sadistic shit talking queen of mercs, but he's also like...super menacing and competent too? Especialy next to today where people fuck him up like a noob, seeing him taking out a group of mutants with gadgets and tricks, body Nathan and having to be taken out by a suprise element was a true shock...and i kinda love it? Like, Wade shows up and he's actually a threat, but a threat that doesn't even take you seriously, he insults you but is also oddly polite to his main target. What is your take on the original version of Wade?

interesting question! really really reaaaally interesting question! new mutants #98 is an issue i've read like, a million times because newer comics always always always recontextualise it - so you find out, wait - domino was vanessa in disguise, so actually, she probably had an insight on how to take down wade better than anyone else - wait, nathan knew wade as someone who saves his life so was probably pulling his punches actually - wait - the guy who sent wade to kill nate was actually nathan's SON?? like there's five million plot twists that come after new mutants #98 that get me rereading it over and over.

i do love that wade's introduced as someone who is equipped and prepared – he definitely was more competent in the earlier comics, he was perpetually a threat, and always had just the contrived weapon in his arsenal needed to take out certain mutants with certain powers.

they kind of gradually started stripping him of all that - i think when he started making the transition from minor villain to empathetic anti-hero, they started stripping him of his teleporter belt, his image inducer, his swiss-army-knife arsenal that made every fight too convenient for him. and now - now he's just a guy with two swords and maximum effort.

i'm not saying it's bad – buuuut... i love the mission impossible movies. i love impossible gadgets. it's so much more fun to see than just, you know, guys hitting and slashing at each other. give me stupid weird gadget that wade has tucked away in some pouch belt of plot convenience specifically to take down this specific guy with weird specific powers. give me a competent wade who did all the research before going into the fight. not a wade wilson who kind of coasts by with dumb luck and gumption.

but - you know, on the topic of wade being hyper-competent in new mutants #98 it's - kind of not something i believe, either. sure, he's a menace to those kids but - remember, he does still get his ass handed to him in a humiliating kind of a way. what a start to his career. and these guys aren't shaken at all. no "oh my god. this guy is someone we should worry about. we should worry about letting him free." no. wade is shipped back to his employer in a box. there's no worry that he might come back angrier. deadpool's kind of a joke.

nathan summers does often maintain a level-head in general - buuut, i just don't think there was any moment in that fight that nathan really thought he was going to lose against wade. there was no "oh no, all hope is lost" moment. wade was just quick with his punches, sure, but i don't think the cards were actually in his favour. nathan wasn't incapacitated, and would have easily taken wade down.

he kind of just didn't want to, i don't think.

i think maybe he wanted to see what wade could do. and i think if nate really thought wade was a threat to the kids, nathan would have protected them more fiercely. there's no reason at all why nathan couldn't have so, so easily just - yeeted wade out of the building. wade really, really wouldn't have stood a chance if nathan really saw him as a threat to him or (especially) to the kids. nate's training up these kids. he probably saw wade as just - adequate practice for them, but no real threat. wade is completely manageable for him.

i think later on wade gets savvy to the fact that nathan usually pulls the punches with him.

nathan could so, so easily just...

if he didn't want to deal with deadpool.

i think vanessa probably knew that too. and i think that's why she stepped in when she did - because she probably thought if wade pushed too far and trod on one of nathan's nerves, it would be the end for wade. so she neutralised him.

i write a bit about it in i love you, wade wilson - my beloved fic about deadpool's early days.

#sci speaks #sci talks comics

[valkeakuulas]

16. Laughing while kissing with Wolffe/Plo?

This came out really soft and I'm so glad that you gave me one of my favorite ships to write about. <3

16. Laughing while kissing + Wolffe/Plo

Wolffe reared his head back with a small grimace, his nose all scrunched up.

The clicks that were Plo's way of expressing amusement echoed within the mask as the Kel Dor straightened himself. "Are you alright, my Wolffe?" Plo asked, amused.

"Not my brightest moment," he admitted ruefully, reaching up to rub the slightly smarting nose.

What had meant to be a nice Kelbade kiss had ended up with Wolffe smacking his nose right in front of Plo's anti-ox mask because, in his eagerness, Wolffe hadn't waited for Plo to bow down enough.

"If I'm lucky it will not scar," Wolffe added with a wry grin, enjoying how Plo click-laughed more.

"Should I kiss it better then?" the Jedi suggested, bringing his hand to gently cup the back of Wolffe's head. One of his claws started to scratch the short hair, making Wolffe shiver a little.

"Is that some kind of Force healing treatment?" Wolffe asked, teasing.

Plo nodded with as much gravitas as a Jedi Master of his caliber could (Wolffe had to bite his lip as another tremble ran down his spine, leaving a tingling trace behind as it went). "One of the most powerful ones, actually," he replied, mock-serious. "It never fails, according to the younglings."

"Then who am I to disagree with them?" Wolffe mused and let Plo tilt his head back slightly.

"A wise decision, Commander. Now, hold still," Plo told and carefully pressed the cool metal of his mask against Wolffe's nose. "Mwah."

"Did you just - ? Oh Force, you absolutely did!" Wolffe exclaimed, amazed and absolutely delighted. He couldn't help but start cackling at the bizarreness of having Plo Koon, a kriffing Jedi High Councilor to make an actual kissy noise.

"It is a very important part of the treatment, my Wolffe," Plo explained, once never once letting go of the mask of aloof seriousness most natborns associated with the Jedi. "If you don't believe me, I can take you to the creche so that you can ask the younglings."

It only made Wolffe laugh more and he had to grab the front of Plo's robes just to stay up, shoulders shaking visibly. He vaguely heard Plo join him in on the laughter, so pleased with his silly joke.

The best thing was that Plo had been right.

Wolffe's nose didn't hurt anymore.

#Plo Koon #Commander Wolffe #Star Wars: The Clone Wars #asks #askbox writing prompts #gaogaigar-the-king #valkeakuulas writes AKA butchers English grammar #OTP #fanfiction

[dana-chan-the-control-brain]

I avoided tumblr for too long and now there are people shipping Solar with New Moon....and I'm confused like....WHERE DID THIS SHIP COME FROM AND WHY ARE PEOPLE SHIPPING THESE TWO??? DID I MISS AN EPISODE?? DID I MISS ANY INTERACTION BETWEEN THEM??? WHAT DID I MISS??

I'm not sending hate to anyone or hating the ship (it sounds kind of interesting, I'm not going to lie). I just want to understand where this ship came from and what others see that I didn't see??? Can someone help me please?? 👉👈

"SUDDENLY"

Lol in reality I've been shipping them in secret for a long time. Gushing in my DMS to my friends about all their interactions for a long ass time. I've just been rambling publicly about it lately.

(mostly started with jokes between @witchysolfan and I in DMs cus ofc it starts out as jokes)

I pretty much started shipping Solar with Moon back when he was just called "Nice Eclipse"

I rambled a bit about it here.

But Solar does a lot for Moon, outside of the realms of just "helping a friend"

Solar was willing to sacrifice himself, not only for Lunar's sake, but to kill Eclipse, and Protect Moon's family. A Moon he doesn't even know. When his Moon has been nothing but cruel and abusive toward him.

Moon was unwilling to lose that sacrifice, and pushed Solar into the portal to save him, and Solar actually punched and cussed him out for it. Even if he was angry, he appreciated the save. Even if he thinks Moon did it for his own sake... just to "not let another person die" You can take this as personal as you want in "he didn't want to let his friend Solar die"

Not to mention, a few episodes later, Solar legit abandons everything he's ever known. He knows he reached a dead end and there's no saving his Sun or Moon. There's no hope of bringing Sun back. No hope of his Moon liking him. No hope of being loved, cared for or a family. His dimension is a dead end....

So he just shows up in Moon's Daycare... Like ..... And to MOON. Specifically... IS LIKE:

"Can I crash here......I had nowhere else to go..."

....That's like one of my top ten romantic troupes how.... like im losing my mind....

Solar is also appreciative of this dimension Moon in a way that he's not with his own Moon. Maybe he was seeing our Moon as a replacement for is, but I think their friendship evolved past this point.

The whole Solar rebuilding the Daycare in a Day episode and Moon gawking at him just made my heart soar. It felt very "As you wish" Princess Bride shit, you feel me?????

Not to mention, Solar and Moon get eachother's humor. They're both a bit of snarky sarcastic assholes and they like teasing each other. And maybe it was just me, but I could never take those teases in a familiar/family way.

Not to mention, Solar was the one that Moon ran to when he was struggling with his NewMoon identity... Not Sun, because his brother he felt just was missing the old him so he couldn't be honest. And Solar readily accepted that part of New Moon so readily.

Moon, in kind, does listen to Solar when he vents about his life and his problems and even suggests he takes breaks and make sure he's not overdoing it. He watches out for him too.

Solar even in the latest episode was so concerned when Moon got sucked into the portal, and even comforted Moon when Moon was being a bit existential about being "one of the dead ones"

They listen to eachother vent, Solar makes things for Moon, Moon even tells him he doesn't need to do all this just for them, and Solar insists he wants to.

Just all their interactions sometimes make my brain explode into mush.

Anyways, don't take this too seriously. I'm just having fun. But all aboard the ship train, choo choo.

#to clarify I shipped them long before Solar announced his family status and i think it's subject to change as he was half hearted about it #tsams au #danachan's asks #danachan's replies

[markbannersstuff]

Jealous Boy

Summary:Joel begins to notice certain behaviors from his Ex-Soulmate, he certainly isn't disappointed with what he finds.

Words:1259

Notes: English is not my frst language, i'm sorry if some parts don't make sense or there are spelling mistakes, i have dyslexia and that doesn't make it any batter.

I can't balive the first thing i post here is a Boat Boys One-Shot

Ao3 Link

Etho is a jealous man.

It's something Joel learned in the previous death game, his attention always came back one way or another to Bdubs, he's not an idiot, he notice each of Etho's attempts to separate "the perfect couple" that were Impulse and Bdubs, the redstoner's jealous and almost obsessive behavior was obvious to him, Joel didn't really care, not like people, and even Impulse himself, seemed to wait, as long as Etho did his part not to die, for him it's okay.

That doesn't mean he didn't become annoying a few days later, easily familiarizing himself with the feeling of not being wanted, although that seemed to change when he built the ship, Etho put aside Bdubs but not quite, quite understandable actually, both were quite close during the two games leading up to Double Life.

But one thing about Joel didn't expect is that the behavior that was once meant for Bdubs, was now destined for him.

You can't blame him for being shocked to realize what was happening, he started with something he at first thought was just a joke, maybe even a minor claim, "so you're going to make a boat with a new friend 'ey Joel", the death of the cow was just an afterthought, something he did just on the whim of doing it.

While Etho threatened to shoot anything or person valuable or important to Joel, while he stated out loud in front of Jimmy and Tango that they were now enemies, their behavior days later seemed to say otherwise, it took him a while to notice it, but once he did it was impossible to overlook, Etho was basically in his head for months in Double Life, He knows the things that bother him, so it's not hard for him to make him angry.

And if there is something that Joel hates in these games, it is the fishing rods, more specifically he hates when he tries to pull him with the damn thing, Etho himself hates it, he knows it because it is engraved in the minds of both since his red because of the same, so he really do not hesitate to threaten his ex soulmate, he was willing to take his own life if it meant being able to kill Etho.

And Etho seemed to take his threat seriously, a few days passed without further incident, that's when Grian decided it would be a good idea to go AFK, being basically a state of deep sleep, the problems started a short time later, he didn't go into details, his head still hurts just remembering, problems came and went and deaths happened in droves, being he the cause of some.

During that time there really weren't many changes in their interactions, maybe a comment here and there from both of them, things changed when he accidentally call Jimmy Babe in front of Etho, it's supposed to just be a joke okay? You can't blame him,

he usually calls his friends babe, it's a nickname that's stayed around over the years, and he's more than sure that at some point he call Etho the same way.

It was the next day that the changes began, they were small changes like prolonged eye contact, standing closer than necessary when he had the opportunity or even the tone of his voice, which went from being sharp and suspicious to soft and almost affectionate, it was almost as if they were back in DL, he had become so used to those little things that he don't even notice when they happened again.

Attempts to separate him from the Bad Boys occurred a few days later, passive-aggressive comments were directed at the other two men, Etho took it upon himself to point out Grian's affinity for ending the lives of his teammates, he also pointed out how Jimmy was always the first to leave the games, inevitably taking others with him. Pretty low blows if you ask Joel.

He was also in charge of spreading rumors, such as how Grian seemed to put more and more his eyes on Scar, how he heard Scott and Jimmy talk about teaming up again, the idiot is really going for his insecurity of ending up alone, not a lie, he almost accepted when Etho offered a place on the T.I.E.S. team.

But he remembered how a cold night in the nest Grian expressed his refusal to partner with Scar, he remembered how Jimmy said in a very serious way how he did not want to betray or be betrayed, so, although the idea was tempting, he sent Etho and his offer to shit, deciding to keep the songbirds by his side, Etho was clearly not happy with his refusal to be on the same team, he could perfectly see the frustration on his face.

And it seems that Bdubs also noticed, the man tried to make him talk, but Etho did not seem very interested in telling him the cause of his anger, he did not really seem interested in Bdubs at all, his days seemed to be divided between being with his team and trying to get Joel's attention, he on the other hand did not understand.

Not at least until contact began.

Etho doesn't shy away from physical contact, one of the things he caught on in Double Life, is that he actually seems to enjoy it, he never starts it, it's Joel, who after small pushes and tentative hands on his shoulders and arms, which began to be more susceptible to things like resting his weight on each other, Hugs also began to occur and they even walked hand in hand at times.

Double Life was full of physical contact between them, at least when Etho started paying attention to it, Bdubs seemed surprised, although he's sure it was the fact that Etho let Joel be so tactile with him that had him so surprised, the narcissistic little shit.

The thing is, Etho NEVER initiates physical contact, so you'll surely understand his surprise when one day Etho took his hand out of nowhere, he doesn't remember much of what happened before or even after that, only that his brain short-circuited when he again felt the familiar sensation of his ex soulmate's hand. he's pretty sure he had to be dragged out of the mansion by Grian, the only thing etched in his mind is what he was pretty sure was an arrogant smile from Etho as he left.

That and the phantom sensation of fingers intertwined with his own.

It was only moments later that he started going over all his previous interactions, and oh, he felt so, so stupid for not noticing it sooner, Etho was acting so desperately that it was painfully obvious, he wouldn't be surprised even if Scar and Jimmy have noticed it before him, Joel, who was so blinded by the sense of familiarity those actions gave him that he never questioned it.

It was a bit embarrassing that it took Etho to hold his hand on his own to notice everything, it was so embarrassing that I consider not coming back down from the roof, but the vertigo in his chest at the thought of not returning to his soulmate did not let him stay, knowing that the further he moves away from Etho the more is in his mind gave him a twisted feeling of possessiveness.

because if that was what it took for etho to chase after him, then goddammit he’ll run.

#trafficshipping #smalletho #boat boys #ethoslab #smallishbeans #Joelsmallishbeans #traffic series #trafficblr #traffic smp

[ro-botany]

I want to know who, if anyone, you ship Freddie with. I wanna hear all ur Frederick Fired Emblem opinions tbh--

HELLO I HAVE SO MANY OPINIONS ON THIS MAN

Probably too many opinions to fit in one ask!! To be honest!! I don't even really know why I imprinted on Fred so hard. It was the meme quote and the horse backflipping at first but at some point it became genuine fhdsjkfhds

Given that Fred strikes me as one of the older members of the cast his ship options were a bit limited for me lmao. But I ended up going with Fred/Cherche in my playthrough, and I stand by that! They don't have the most exciting support chain, I suppose, but there's so much mutual respect there. They meet each other on even footing in so many respects, and their S support feels like a very natural extension of the supports before it. Idk it's just cozy. They'll terrorize new recruits together forevermore.

Though I could easily leave him single, too. He strikes me as acespec, and while he can be a sap in S supports I also think he could be perfectly content never having a romantic partner. Maybe's that's me projecting but eh.

Some other opinions that I may elaborate on sometime include

I may not consider the spotpass chapters canon but I WILL NEVER RECOVER FROM HIS IN-BATTLE CONVERSATION WITH EMMERYN. I AM INCONSOLABLE...

I know we all joke about his out of left field arson streak but LISTEN. LISTEN TO ME. THAT CAN BE SO COMPELLING IF YOU TAKE IT SERIOUSLY FOR A SECOND. He may not necessarily have full blown pyromania, but if you humour that he might... Pyromania is an impulse control disorder. And often for someone with pyromania the starting of fires is a way to release tension or anxiety. Do you see how interesting this could be combined with how neurotically worried he is about the safety of his people, and how rigidly he controls himself, and how he keeps himself busy literally every single waking moment?

Between the potential pyromania (often caused by childhood abuse and neglect??? hello??) and the wolf attack trauma and the fact that he's now the razor-witted right hand of the goddamn prince, I'm super interested in this man's backstory. And the fact that 90% of the content we have about him is variations on being comedically overprotective of the royal siblings pains me sometimes. I love how ridiculous he is too, and I know flanderization is the curse all fire emblem side characters bear, but you can't just put these interesting breadcrumbs in front of me and expect me NOT to want to eat the loaf of bread they came from! I'm over here having to re-engineer this bread recipe my damn self! Give me the forbidden Fred lore intsys!

Frederick and Robin enemies to besties arc is criminally underutilized in fanfic and I need this problem resolved yesterday.

The fact that Frederick and Validar share their english voice actor is criminally underutilized in fanfic. We can use this as an excuse to make them sound similar in-universe! We can do angst with this, people!

The fact that his main hobbies are knitting and mushroom picking is adorable, actually. He's like if a grandma was capable of felling entire armies with a greataxe.

This is getting so long so I'm gonna stop there but listen. I will always answer questions about Frederick Fire Emblem. He is my boy and I love him.

#fe awakening #frederick #ask box #thank you for indulging me ana fdjskfh

[oleander-neruim]

hi it's me the kuervo lore anon back back again with a WALL OF TEXT and also pirates spoilers but those are pretty obvious.

starting with his Tragic Backstory™ everything about him makes so much more sense when you realize he's just shadow the hedgehog spanish dub. ie raised as the specialest child soldier ever, idolized older sibling got killed by the government, now he's on an epic bloody revenge quest and there's these blue guys trying to teach him about the power of friendship but he doesn't care. said revenge quest is also where he lost his eye btw, and his eyepatch and rings are sort of fucked up trophies.

his self image is Messed Up bc of all that. he hypes himself up in his mind like he's some amazing folk hero (in-universe he literally calls chat his "adoring fans". which. ya got me.) and then you realize that's absolutely a front so he doesn't have to think about the murders. he's paranoid as fuck about the other pirates finding out his whole deal but such a horrible liar that he seriously considers yet another murder. but he's just a silly little guy he's done nothing wrong ever in his life why would you even think about him like that.

characterization wise kuervo's got a strong sense of justice which got him in this mess in the first place. he's quick to jump to insults or casual threats and even quicker to just laugh it off (ignore the sword it's just a joke bro!!). he's not super vain but definitely cares about his appearance. there's a very good chance all that eyeliner hides some impressive eyebags. he doesn't talk much but hangs around on the edge of conversations listening to gossip like he's at the movies with a metaphorical bucket of popcorn. he's an insanely good shot but refuses to touch guns (except in life or death situations) to the point of getting jumpy when other pirates pull guns for whatever reasons. he's the type of guy to keep a knife under his pillow (that isn't canon but it's close enough). despite being in the murder faction he doesn't take bounties (one of his only trips to the bounty guild ended with eret killing a guy and getting exiled bc of his bad advice). there's actually so few kites toward the end of the server that he just hangs out with the nightingales despite calling them a bunch of losers once.

one time he crashed bek's ship on a deserted island. he's the only pirate to get away with swearing in front of owen bc he does it in spanish. he's made peace with the fact his epic revenge quest's probably going to end with him dead, but he refuses to die on any other terms than his own. he's lonely as hell but he keeps everybody at arm's length bc he knows he'll have to leave someday soon. he got kidnapped once and immediately resorted to talking to a bunch of fish. he's even aroace

Obsessed actually.

I'm. Honestly pretty hyped that I got the right vibe around him and I'm even more hyped to be able to read about him.

If there's more solid-stuff about Kuervo's background, I'd love to hear. Unless it's like. Purposely a bit shrouded I just loved reading all this.

I'm probably gonna re-read this about 20 times honestly. Thank you for the Lore Dump, I'll be eating it all promptly

#loved this thank you #love silly rambles about silly fucked up fellas #ollie rambles #ollie answers #thanks Lore Anon #🐦‍⬛ #pirates smp #<- so more people can read it honestly #unfortunately i dont have much commentary cos im braindead but rest assured im super glad to have this summary of Kuervo on hand. gobbled.

[golbrocklovely]

okay since a bunch of you asked, here is my review of kris' podcast with snc ! :)

first off, i highly recommend you go watch it. i'll link it right here. it was seriously so fun to watch and very silly. but it had some really good points in it too.

i'll give some overall thoughts and then i'll point out random things that i liked.

so i think the flow of their conversation thru out the podcast was really fun, even if they were hung over from the night before. kris is really good at interviewing ppl, or at least snc. so i'm interested to see her do other podcasts in the future.

the beer pong element was a fun way to break up the podcast without getting it too far off topic.

this podcast also really made me love kris. i've watched her from time to time, never been a huge fan or anything. just someone that i could occasionally throw on in the background or whatever. but her banter with snc… top notch. i want to be friends with her just so we could sass snc together.

they were all so giggly together and it was just so cute to see. 10/10 watch this podcast again.

also…. was it just me or was she flirting with colby??? i KNOW they are just friends. i'm not actually shipping them…. but if they ever got together i wouldn't be mad. just saying.

okay, here are some random things that i liked that happened during the podcast:

kris saying colby should do voice acting: YES. she is just like me forreal. especially with the mics she was using, my god his voice is hot.

the reoccurring joke that colby is conceited was kinda fun, until i started thinking of ppl taking it too seriously. that man already gets enough shit, yall better STOP before it gets bad lol

kris' hair looks so nice. i love that color on her. it really warms up her face.

when kris made the joke of "are you guys gonna quit now since you hit 10 mil", and colby said "he (sam) gets to decide that, not me." and then followed it up by explaining their dynamic as "he's the leader and i'm lazy as hell, i don't do anything." this man was feeling SPICY that day lol i love sassy colby it's kinda my favorite

"i'm the girlfriend." - colby brock

sam being the stern one and colby being the go with the flow one makes perfect fucking sense. have i not said this before a 1000 times lol

sam not respecting astrology ppl but then admitting that it's kinda true…. something is not clicking there, cheif

i said this in an ask but them not being able to see but refusing to get glasses; yall are too rich to be BLIND

what is with snc getting houses or staying in places with no ac??? that could NEVER be me omg

so snc ended up mentioning the conjuring house and that what happened there is gonna change lives and might get on national news……. i'll try to say this in a positive way: i LOVE that snc love to shoot for the stars when it comes to their content. and them believing in their own content, being passionate about it, is really nice to see. but like… bffr.

kris having a snapchat group with snc, that's adorable.

i highly recommend watching the part from 20:46 - 21:23. i want this shit to be permanently on repeat in my mind forever. everything about it was a masterpiece. - kris whooping snc's ass - colby complaining the table being too long - kris saying "i'm throwing the same shots as you boi, i'm throwing the same shots as you baby." - the look colby gives her when she says boi (😀), and then the look when she says baby (😏) - kris then saying to sam when he misses a shot "is your mom proud of you?" and then colby's face???? I LOVED EVERY MOMENT

colby saying he can't read comments bc they just make him feel bad breaks my heart. that sometimes he has to refuse to read them just bc they get to him too much. i need everyone to rewatch that clip back next time they want to say something about his appearance that isn't extremely nice. yall fucking suck.

snc strategizing pics on insta is so true. just watch jc's livestream when they hit 10 mil. it took them 20 minutes to post about it lol

re-rack, reconfigure, no no. the real word you're looking for is rearrange. that's what we used to call it.

i love snc with my entire heart, but sometimes it becomes very apparent that they only got a high school education. what do you mean you don't know what the word gaudy means???? ostentatious??? and then colby not knowing what the bible belt is???? cmon now lmao

colby talking about dating/his love life just a bit… kris really is trying to get on my good side sksksks

colby's raya profile saying he's a wwe wrestler, and then his caption being "6'0 on a good day with the right shoes"…. how does he get laid as often as he does???? i can't with him anymore

him also admitting to ghosting and getting bored talking to ppl. imagine being ghosted by colby. i would be embarrassed lol

it was interesting to hear their opinions on 25x25 now. i personally loved that content so to hear them say it wasn't as authentic as the haunted stuff is a bit confusing. i don't know if i would agree with it, but i like hearing what they have to say about it.

sam saying back to kris "if you make this shot, i think ppl will love you… finally." and then saying "make your mom proud"………… why do i find this hot something is wrong with me lol

if you're wondering if i could ever take snc in a fight, the answer is YES. i would absolutely murder them sksksks

snc listening to country music???? what has this world come to?? i mean i'm happy to hear they like country but it's just so surprising

colby saying his favorite movie is 'life of pi' but not understanding it and kris saying "you're so cute." i love that moment.

colby needs to make more music STAT

kris saying she's sleeping with socks on and colby not liking that: sir, you enthusiastically told xplrclub that you watch cist popping videos i don't CARE what you have to say.

colby also not wanting to saying anything to get canceled is very accurate

the little handshake they all did at the end of beer pong was adorable.

colby being good at moving his tongue fast………. i'm not even gonna say anything lmao

also his inability to do the cowabunga with his left hand. i fucking cried laughing at that.

#sam and colby #sam golbach #colby brock #kallmekris #personal #text

[chim-chim1310]

I'm not a jungkook anti. But I'm a hardcore jimin stan i wouldn't tolerate all this sabotage.

All these are my opinions as a fan. You can have your own opinion but don't tell me what to feel.

Yesterday some hashtags were trending against jungkook and hybe. And armies were going bonkers.

I think the hashtags against the company are well deserved. I would even say, f*cking destroy bangpd. I hate him with every bone of my body. You have no idea.

When jimin was accused of all this during face it was a completely different situation. Because jimin didn't get any of that shit and people were still shitting on him like always. Whereas jungkook DID get everything that goes against bts morals and I don't think this should be ignored or taken lightly.

If jimin actually got even half of what jungkook got, armies would have teared him apart. They still are so insecure because they know jimin have the potential to go beyond the group. Even hybe is scared about that. That's why the moment jimin achieved #1 on billboard Hot100, they immediately started working on seven for jungkook.

They planned the #1 for jungkook but poor them, jimin ruined their plans. That's why they were so bitter to jimin.

Yeah I used to ship jikook. In fact I still ship them sometimes. But for me it's mostly for fun. Jimin has always been more important to me than the ship. And I won't let a ship, that's not even confirmed, cloud my judgement against everything bad that is happening to jimin.

During face it was like the whole universe was working against him and now suddenly everything is working for jungkook during seven? Literally paying to make him succeed. How pathetic. Didn't they even have a little bit of trust in jungkook? Or did they believe that jungkook would never be able to surpass jimin organically?

Honestly if jungkook didn't get all this special treatment and still his song did so well. Then I would've been so happy for him. Because he would've done that on his own merit with his own hardwork not by money or company push and fraud. But everything that he's getting for that mediocre ass song is so f*cking unfair when an amazing song like 'Like crazy' didn't get even half of it.

I'm not saying that jimin should get all this too. But what I'm saying is if no other member got it, jungkook shouldn't have it too. If every other member's success was organic then jungkook's should've been too.

If jungkook did all this on his own merit and hardwork without paying or without the western push then we wouldn't even be arguing about it and just praise jungkook.

I'm sorry but I can't take him seriously when he's not given me one reason to do so. Where is his artistry? Wasn't he supposed to be the golden maknae? Why is he the only one who needs thousands of people and all those fraudulent things to make himself successful? Doesn't he trust himself even a little? Doesn't hybe trust him to have an organic success?

Now I'm not saying that you should hate jungkook and trend hashtags. But at least hold him accountable when he's wrong.

He's not a fucking kid. He's not a rookie. He's been in this industry for ten f*cking years so don't come and tell me he doesn't know what's going on. He knows exactly how his song is gonna be promoted and still he agreed to it. It's not wrong to be ambitious. But he knows payola and everything else that bts stood against for, will be used to promote his songs and he still did it. If you think he doesn't know all this then you're either naive or just totally ignorant.

He ruined bts morals, he ruined it by using all this and I think he should be held accountable for this. If it was jimin all the armies must've been barking by now. Because it's always easy for them to hate jimin. Because jimin is their punching bag when he's the sweetest person ever. He doesn't deserve this.

During face literally every kpop stan on this planet got together to hate on jimin. Using SA, r*pe jokes and what not. Why is it that whenever jimin is involved these haters go straight to r*pe jokes? Do they realize how sensitive that matter is? I can't even imagine jimin reading these types of tweets. I hope to God he doesn't.

Anyways what I'm saying is that armies are a f*cking bunch of hypocrites. Just because it's jungkook, the fandom fav, who everyone token stans it's not a problem. But if it was jimin he would be accused of sleeping with bandpd and 🛴.

Whenever pjm calls armies out that they're not defending jimin. Armies are like 'Oh I usually don't see such hate on my timeline' and 'Oh I think we should ignore it.' But when it's the fandom fav, jk and tae then suddenly they see everything on their timeline and suddenly things shouldn't be ignored.

Like when I was listening to seven and when it ended I just sat there and wondered 'This is the song they were hyping so much? Is this what they invested in? '

Like it's just some random a*s song. It feels like we've heard such types of songs multiple times from multiple artist. Literally there's nothing iconic about this song and it's average at it's best and 🛴 was hyping this?!!

It's funny to me because they really sat in the studio heard that song and were like yeah... "This is the iconic song of the year" I mean give me a f*'king break. Every success of this song will be because they paid their way through it.

And they really preferred to invest in THIS song instead of the gem 'Like crazy'. Like even comparing this mediocre song to like crazy sounds like disrespect. I thought jungkook was talented and artistic but seriously dude? What is this? 'Monday, tuesday, Wednesday....' Like you liked this? MV was the only tolerable thing about this single.

I mean if they so badly wanted to invest in Jungkook at least would've given him a good song. But then if they actually gave him a good song they wouldn't have to pay for it to succeed.

Like jungkook is going against everything bts stood for and armies are ignoring it just because it's jungkook when they would've been dragging jimin to filth if it was him and I don't even want to imagine the SA insults they would've been pulling over jimin.

Like jimin worked his ass off for f*cking 10 months!!! And like crazy got 9 days promo and got treated like shit and sabotaged by his own company because they didn't want jimin to be more successful than jungkook. B*tch if jimin was successful then YOU were the ones who would've been profited. He's literally your artist too. Idiots.

But jungkook literally just lounged on his couch, drinking, sleeping on live and suddenly after watching jimin's success he decided to take the song hybe gave him on a silver platter, agreed even after knowing the way it would be promoted.

He blatantly copied jimin's concept photos, during performance he literally looked like another jimin, copying his styles, outfits, hairstyle even. And now he's even copied some steps from like crazy choreo. Like wow. Looks like an obsession to me. I mean I used to find jk copying jimin funny but God it's not funny anymore. Doesn't jungkook have a personality of his own? Why did he just blatantly copy Jimin. Like come on no one can deny the eerie similarities. What I don't understand is why. Why is he doing this? Was this always like this? Did he always copy jimin to this extent? Idk.

Face was a masterpiece. Jimin poured his heart out in that album. It was personal to him and it was amazing. Like actually pleasant to hear. But now a mediocre song with trash lyrics got everything that it never deserved. Like this is total fraud dude.

I already hated the company. But jungkook? What is wrong with you man? Doesn't he himself have a conscience? Doesn't he feel like every member had their achievements without these fraudulent methods? Doesn't he see jimin and think that jimin got that #1 on billboard hot100 despite the sabotage and no company push? Wasn't he like I should achieve this on my merit too.

He wanted to get that western validation. It's not wrong. If he wants to be more popular than good there's nothing wrong with that. But then he should do it on his own f*cking merit and not by the company paying money for him to succeed. How disappointing seriously.

Just a few days ago armies were hating on jennie saying that she wants western validation just because she starred in Idol. And now they're radio silent when their own fav jungkook is the one seeking western validation even celebrating his success which is obviously not his own.

Like he didn't put his creativity in it at all. He listened to the song, gave his voice and learned a few dance steps. He didn't write the song, didn't participate in the making of the song except for giving his voice and for the concept photos he just recycled jimin's ideas from face era.

It's not unusual to not have written your own song and it's ok, not everyone have that talent, it's completely fine, but to praise jungkook as if he made the whole song. That's wrong. Also not to forget the way armies used to laugh at other groups because they didn't write their own songs. Hypocrite much?

What's wrong is wrong. People shouldn't hate on jungkook but at least hold him accountable because he knows real well what is going on and how he's being promoted. He went against bts' morals and he should be held accountable for that.

And the company should be held accountable for the blatant favouritism and for paying their way to the top. And for jimin's sabotage.

I'm a jimin stan and i won't tolerate all this. Armies are good for nothing. There's no strong hate towards the hyung line anyways. But in case of maknae line armies only come out when it is to defend their fave jk and tae. They ignore jimin's hate completely and even sometimes they themselves tweet something shady about him. But then use jimin's achievement to shove down other artists' throats.

I'm actually glad Jimin has a strong fanbase who are willing to go to lengths to support jimin. Jimin deserves this support from his fandom. Pjms are enraged since the sabotage started and it was inevitable that they would burst some day.

The more jimin is being sabotaged the more pjms are realizing that armies are good for nothing and jimin only has pjms. I'm glad pjm are there to protect him and fight for him. Jimin deserves a strong, devoted fan base. I love pjms for that.

This became too long but I just wanted to pour out my frustrations.

#jimin

[oneatlatime]

The Avatar Returns

Exposition as an opening theme song is an interesting choice. I thought that was a quirk of the first episode, but nope. Less catchy than an actual song, but probably less annoying that hearing a song 50+ times in a row.

Episode 2 starts right where episode 1 left off, making me think that this must have been a two part premiere.

Yeah, Sokka is right. Gran-gran is right. Katara's known this boy for five minutes and she's already breaking what seem to be basic, long-established, life or death rules. See this is why gran-gran weighs Katara down with washing Sokka's dirty socks (and probably any other chore she can find). The first time this girl has more than five minutes to herself she endangers everyone (albeit with help). But Aang seriously doesn't get how dangerous the situation is, what with him being frozen for a hundred years. Katara had to be the responsible one with regards to the ship and she blew it. And now presumably they're all gonna get melted to death. Or burnt. Fireburnt? Firebended? Killed a bunch.

"Well I'm banished too!" UUUGGGHHH wrong hill to die on! This girl goes from 0 to 100 lightning fast. Although if the Fire nation do attack, Katara may be setting herself up to be the sole survivor of her village.

Why does the temporally dislocated 12 year old have more sense that Katara? So bossy and hotheaded and teenage girl-like. And she's known him for five minutes, why is she heartbroken by his leaving? Girl you feel too much.

"I haven't cleaned my room in 100 years" such a simple joke but it completely caught me off guard. Aang's priorities are so in line with what an actual 12 year old prioritises. I love it.

Laying it on thick.

You know it's too bad that igloos don't have wooden doors because I think Katara would feel a lot better slamming one right about now. Don't yell at your grandma.

Can ice do this? Also Appa looks so comfy. The one time I lived somewhere with bay windows & box seats I sat like this all the time. Messed my neck up every time I did, but that didn't stop me. The comfiness outweighs the pain.

They weren't kidding when they said all the men went to war. I was expecting a Helm's Deep type situation where old men and younger teenagers would be there to man the defences. But it's really just Sokka. That's an impossible burden.

This is the second episode of a kids' cartoon so I don't think they're going to kill anyone, but if this were a more realistic show, or real life, that whole village would be doomed.

What a shot! And he's not running. That's an unquantifiable level of courage.

Boat's got no brakes

That is not where I was expecting that ship to open.

The fire benders have horns. And I bet that steam coming out of the ship smells sulphurous.

That might be the best possible outcome. Head first in a snowbank is embarrassing but not fatal. Also war cries are manly but they give advance warning to your target. Hush up.

I love the "show no fear!" kid. Sokka's genuinely got these little kids believing in him. The potty break scene last episode shows that he pretty much has no idea what he's talking about but he's got the kids convinced! And the moms probably appreciate him taking charge of them for a few hours, even if he has no actual combat experience. And he keeps getting up!

How hard did he throw that boomerang!?! It took 24 seconds according to my DVD for it to come back.

It honked. Lord have mercy it honked. I have a weakness for well-placed sound effects and this one got me. Also these other soldiers must have orders to be as useless as possible. And do they all have the same face?

Zuko's spent years meditating? Don't believe it. Unless angry meditation is a thing? Maybe he has to meditate himself into angriness before he can burn stuff? Like work up a rage? Just guessing.

"Well you're just a teenager" They're all babies! All of them!

I repeat, Katara you feel too much! You need to grow up apathetic and cynical like the rest of us dried up adult husks ASAP or else you're really gonna be hurting.

"Take care of Appa for me until I get back!" I love this. He's announcing at maximum volume that he's going to escape and none of the fire soldiers react?

Sokka my man of practicality and action. Gran-gran my grandma of practicality and action. Katara my annoying little sister.

Is Zuko's little speech to Aang supposed to be a veiled insult or is he just making small talk? Obviously it's exposition for the viewer re: how monks are raised, but why did he feel the need to say that? Also your dad likes sticks? Cool. We all have hobbies.

So pretty.

Sokka, my man of synonyms. So Appa understands basic language commands but not spoken English. Heartfelt pleas won't get him flying, but yipyip will.

These two are such siblings. "big deal he's flying" careful there Sokka, you were nearly uncool in front of your younger sister. That can be fatal.

Aang is so polite when he's wiping the floor with full grown men. Also he has crazy good aim. That trick to break the ropes? How?

To be fair, Aang said he'd go with them, not that he'd stay with them.

Burrito Zuko

Aang's whole defense is running away. And it's working! Not the bit with burrito Zuko but he's actually winning this fight.

That mattress slam is brutal. I know this is a cartoon and physics isn't real here, but that caught me off guard. How is Zuko still conscious?

Prince burrito is a parkour champ.

Appa! Has the same problem as Sokka re: announcing sneak strikes.

Zuko what was your plan? Knocking him into the water doesn't recapture him.

Yep. Appropriate reaction to cyclone Aang.

So Aang does know how to waterbend. Katara didn't need to go north after all.

Love the head bonking callback.

This is genius on the fly problem solving. Only works backwards? Then do it backwards! Also these guys are dead. They'll suffocate long before they freeze.

"Shoot them down!" He orders... himself?

Siding with Zuko over the old man on this one. Aang is crazy powerful.

I just realised his eyes are different sizes. Does that impact his vision? For that matter, if that is a burn from taking a fireball to the face, how does he still have an eye?

So so pretty.

A literal cloud passes over when a cloud passes over their conversation. Clever.

Aang's waterbending was instinctive? Or only accessible during the glow-up. So they do still need to go north.

Katara you know your brother so well. He does indeed want to knock some fire bender heads. Sokka, having defeated his nemesis the potty break, now moves on to greater targets.

No matter what goes on in the show, all episodes end on a high note because that credits song is just so good.

Final thoughts

This was good! I think I liked this episode better than the first one, which makes sense. The first episode has to do all the set up, it's the next one that can have fun. Those moves Aang was pulling in the ship were really impressive. And really clever too.

Still loving Sokka, still loving Aang, Zuko was less of an asshole this episode. He also felt more competent, or maybe coherent? Like his character hangs together better, despite the butt honking. I laughed just typing that. I'm still not used to Zuko's voice actor though. I like how unique all of the characters' voices are in this show so far, but Zuko's still feels out of place to me.

The show doesn't dwell too much on Sokka facing down the fire nation ship (there is lots of build up but it gets played for laughs), but I think it's the stand out moment for me in this episode. Obviously it was foolhardy and a doomed effort, but it was also Sokka very literally fulfilling his responsibilities to the village. He was tasked with protecting his sister; he did. Goofy as it is, this moment is a win for Sokka. Not wise, but a win.

I love that Aang is 12, and feels 12. So often fiction about kid heroes that is intended for young readers/viewers has characters that feel like adults despite their stated age, but Aang feels 12. Katara feels like she's trying to be a grown-up so hard but keeps slipping up and acting her actual age. Sokka feels like he's trying to act as he thinks a man should, but keeps getting called out by Katara and responding in a way that fits his actual age. They close out this episode with plans for a multi-stage animal-riding safari. I love these priorities. Saving the world can wait, hopping llamas cannot.

My one problem with this episode is Katara. She needs to slow down, dial it back, stop yelling at grandmothers, and stop feeling everything at 110% before she exhausts herself. I get that the South pole and a grand total of like 25 people is probably a really boring way to grow up, but she threw herself heart first at Aang with near-suicidal enthusiasm, assuming that banishment in the South Pole would actually be a death sentence. I don't know how old she is, but that is such a teenage girl thing to do. And she's gonna get hurt!

Next episode needs more Sokka quips and more Appa. I would watch whole episodes with just Appa. I'd watch a whole Sokka episode too.

#atla #avatar: the last airbender #The Avatar Returns #avatar the last airbender

[allthelittlecreepycrawlies]

Okay, so, I actually wrote this as a thread weeks ago for @grtr3's sangyaoFES on twitter, but there were a lot of little hiccups that needed to be edited. Still not... totally pleased with it? But it's as pretty as it's gonna get.

Anyway! A common joke is that Nie Huaisang's donghua design post timeskip is such a perfect sad-eyed tragic ingenue that it's a lucky thing no one ever got hit with it full force with his grief before he started the Headshaker ruse or else there'd be a whole lot more yanderes about.

So of course I have to take a silly idea and play it in full seriousness.

Title: The Wolves in the Hall Ship: implied past and maybe ongoing SangYao Tags: Mixed Canon, Crack Treated Seriously, Awakenings, Accidental Public Grief, Everyone Discovers They're A Little Bit Yandere, And Experienced Yandere!Jin Guangyao Is Having Absolutely None Of It

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Considering it was both his first public appearance since the funer- his ascension, as well as his first inter-sect conference since the same, Nie Huaisang was holding up surprisingly well under the scrutiny of the other sects. 

He was still pale and underweight from his period of mourning and he seemed to still be somewhat mentally distant -never quite looking at anyone, just the space they were occupying- but he had participated in all the formal introductions and the gift-giving to the hosting Jin sect and even the required toasts near-flawlessly.

After months of checking in on his mental and emotional state, it seemed Jin Guangyao had been overly concerned.

Or so he thought until the dull roar of the chatter and clinking plates and cups throughout the banquet hall unexpectedly began to die down.

Gently shooing away the maid who had come to ask him about whether or not to switch the type of wine yet, he turned to find that, gradually, more and more people were stopping eating or conversing to stare in the direction of the Nie delegation's seats.

Or, more specifically, to stare at Nie Huaisang, who was sitting stone still, face stark white, chopsticks still held in an upheld hand-

-and silent tears slowly trickling from widened green eyes as he stared at the bowls on the tray in front of him.

As he and most of the other occupants of the room watched, the Nie sect's new second in command put a hand on his leader's shoulder.

Startled out of his trance, Nie Huaisang's head jerked up as if he was a spooked deer, the tears streaking his face and lingering in his eyes glittering in the light of the lanterns and candle torches positioned all around the room and soft mouth opening on a gasp.

Jin Guangyao was very sure he did not imagine the collective inhale all around the room.

His hands reflexively clenched in his sleeves.

Unlike most of the guests and hosts in attendance, he had known of the vast and stark difference between Nie Huaisang's dramatics for observers and his state of genuine distress for years. It had been a secret Nie Huaisang himself had let him in on mere weeks into his tenure with the Nie sect, the way he used one to hide the other.

And now someone on their staff had blown that secret open and public, and it seemed the wolves were scenting blood.

"Ah- I'm sorry," Nie Huaisang was mumbling as he checked his sleeves for a handkerchief to wipe his eyes. "Haha, how embarrassing- on the first day, no less-"

Jin Guangyao noticed a few people starting to lean forward in their seats at rapt attention.

That his father was one of them made a deep possessive disgust bloom in his chest like the peony embroidered on his clothing, and his jaw clenched a little as he began to make his way around the edge of the hall, unnoticed.

He was halfway to the section where Nie Huaisang was sitting when it seemed the Nie disciples had picked up on the change in the air as well, judging by the way some of them began shuffling closer to their sect leader, eyes sharp and metaphorical hackles raising.

Once he was close enough to see the tray's contents, it was immediately apparent why Nie Huaisang been so openly caught off guard.

Jin Guangyao had expressly directed the kitchens to prepare braised pork belly with mustard greens, mushrooms, and wheat noodles, wanting to give Nie Huaisang something familiar and comforting for his first major public appearance.

Instead, the large center bowl held spicy beef and venison stew with glass noodles and eggplant.

One of Nie Mingjue's favorites.

In fact, it was what he'd ordered to be prepared during the last banquet the man had ever attended, looking to appease his increasingly volatile temper.

It could have been a simple mistake, someone having gotten their notes crossed from the previous event.

Or, he thought, restraining himself from glancing in his father's direction, it could have been deliberate. 

A cruel point to be made.

Either way, he would be sure to investigate.

But that would have to wait until later, as there was a much more pressing matter at hand.

"Xiansheng," he interjected politely to the second in command, keeping his voice soft enough that it wouldn't echo in the near-silent hall, "Perhaps it would be best for Nie-zongzhu to be escorted back to his room for a little peace and quiet to recover."

The second, a man with whom he'd never actually been friends, but had shared a mutually respectful relationship when other disciples had been much more condescending and rude, glanced around at all the staring spectators, then nodded and reached out to take hold of Nie Huaisang's wrist to stop his increasingly anxious searching.

A soft wave of murmured gossip went up at the gesture -more likely than not at the difference in size between the second's hand and the wrist he held- and Jin Guangyao bit his tongue to keep his ire from becoming evident in his expression. 

This vulnerability was something that belonged to him more than anyone else, even Nie Huaisang's own sect. He would not share it with the likes of anyone in this room.

Not even Er-ge.

Especially not his father.

"Lingyun, go with them," the second said, and one of the other disciples, a young man with a serious face but a bright gaze that spoke of an eagerness to do his assigned task well, saluted and stood.

"It- it's fine," Nie Huaisang said, his voice still faint and slightly wavery. "I'll be alright with San-ge, you don't need to go hungry on my account."

As the second had done before, this 'Lingyun' directed a distrustful glance towards the crowd. "I do not mind half a meal. But if Zongzhu prefers it, I will return to the hall once Zongzhu has been settled."

That seemed to be a good enough answer to placate his nerves, and when Jin Guangyao held out a hand, Nie Huaisang accepted the offered assistance. Once he was on his feet, the second let him go so the younger disciple could step in on his other side.

The movement broke the spell that had fallen over the banquet hall, and the two of them quickly herded Nie Huaisang out of the room before anyone could raise a protest to his leaving.

As he shut the hall door behind them, Jin Guangyao could feel the sharp prickle of many irate and envious stares piercing his back.

For once, he didn't care. Enjoyed it, even. Let them all chug vinegar that he was the one Nie Huaisang trusted to care for him while in such a state, rather than any of them.

They wound their way through mostly empty halls and were halfway to the wing for the visiting major guest sects when Nie Huaisang made a soft wounded noise and leaned against him. "San-ge, I'm sorry," he murmured, audibly trying to restrain himself from breaking down again. "I swore I would do well by Da-ge and not make a fool of myself on this trip."

Jin Guangyao put an arm around his waist to steady him and, once their escort said nothing about it, gave him a reassuring squeeze.

"It's not your fault," he said soothingly. "If anyone should apologize, it's me. I was sure I'd ordered a different dish for you, but-"

Nie Huaisang gave a small shake of his head, and though he made no verbal response, it was clear by his body language that he wasn't holding Jin Guangyao responsible for the error.

A relief.

A maid, young enough that she was likely a new hire for the banquet, met them at the door of Nie Huaisang's room and bowed. "Will Nie-zongzhu be requiring anything from the infirmary or kitchens?"

"A mild sedative and some chrysanthemum and wolfberry tea," Jin Guangyao said. "And something easy to eat that does not have beef or eggplant."

She bowed again and bustled off towards the kitchens.

Once she had disappeared around the corner, Nie Huaisang gently patted his disciple on the arm. "You can go back to dinner now."

Lingyun looked at his sect leader's still-unsteady hand, expression tightening in concern, but when Nie Huaisang gave him an encouraging little push, he nodded and bowed. "By your leave," he said, then turned to go.

Once they were alone inside the room and the door was closed behind them, Nie Huaisang turned to rest his forehead against Jin Guangyao's shoulder. "San-ge..."

"Shh." Jin Guangyao reached up and unfastened the younger man's guan, then began unpinning the bun of braids to let them fall.

The simple act of removing the most obvious sign of the sect leader position seemed to also remove the last of the anxious tension Nie Huaisang had been carrying in his body. He sighed, low and exhausted, and allowed Jin Guangyao to embrace him fully once the guan and pins had been laid aside.

This soft, quiet, completely earnest trust was another gesture that Jin Guangyao had absolutely no intention of letting anyone else experience, and though he was sincere in his caretaking, he couldn't resist reveling just a little bit in the warmth between them and the feeling of his fingers sliding through the loose sections of the other man's hair as smoothly as water.

"Come on," he finally said, walking backwards towards the bed and tugging Nie Huaisang along with him. "Boots and belt off, and I'll help you take your hair down the rest of the way."

"Okay," Nie Huaisang murmured, pulling away to begin removing his outer layers.

He'd just sat down on the bed and pushed off his boots when there was a knock.

"I'll get it," Jin Guangyao said when Nie Huaisang moved to stand. "You just stay put."

It was the young maid, with a tea tray that had a surprisingly large array of various dumplings and buns and sweets. "The meat ones are duck or pork only. I asked one of the cooks to open a few to double check," she said proudly.

He motioned her in to set the tray on the bedside table, then as he walked her back to the door, he handed her two silver taels from his sleeve. "One for you, one for the cook you spoke to. Thank you for your diligence," he said with a placid smile. "And let them know I said you could have two pastries as well."

Beaming, the girl bowed extra low in thanks, then left.

Jin Guangyao closed the door and returned to Nie Huaisang, who was looking at all the food with apprehension.

"You're going to help me eat this, right?"

"If that's what you prefer."

"Of course it is. There’s no way I can finish it myself, and you probably haven’t eaten at all yet, have you?”

Having undergone such an upsetting night and still concerned for him. Yet another small luxury he jealously hoarded.

“I have not,” he said as he turned and poured tea for Nie Huaisang, then handed him the cup and one of the small sedative vials from the tray. He allowed himself to steal a fleeting kiss on the cheek in the process, and took gratification in the small tentative smile it earned.

Slipping off his own boots, he took a seat behind the younger man and reached for a comb to begin unraveling the braids.

"I don't know what I'm going to do tomorrow," Nie Huaisang said after swallowing the dose of medication and taking a sip of tea to chase away the taste. "I should... I'm supposed to make up for causing a scene, right? Isn't that how it goes now?"

"You would be surprised how many don't bother," Jin Guangyao replied, managing to keep the bitterness out of his voice.

Though, in this particular case, he didn't want Nie Huaisang to make such an offer. There were too many, his father in particular, who would be all too happy to take advantage of it after what they'd witnessed tonight, and he had no intention of letting that happen.

"Simply apologize and say that you are yourself again and will be conducting your part of the discussions with the appropriate decorum."

"Okay."

And while Nie Huaisang was thinking about how to word his apology, Jin Guangyao would be thinking about how to keep a pack of scavengers from touching what was his.

#mdzs #cql #sangyao #jin guangyao #nie huaisang #fanfic

[martianbugsbunny]

Let's talk about Loki! Under the cut for the sake of those who have not yet seen Episode 2.

OKay so to start with, overall this episode of Loki was a pleasant surprise. Loki himself got to be serious and powerful and I enjoyed that. He's finally had a chance to shine in his own series. The way he played with magic, especially with the shadows at the beginning, was absolutely stunning, and I'm glad we're finally diving into his magical abilities more. He had just the right amount of menace in his interactions with Brad, and the way he was softer and rather understanding when Mobius flipped out was a wonderful counterbalance. So far I'm liking this version of Loki where he's threatening to his opponents but genuinely caring towards his people, and I think whoever was in charge of writing him in this episode did an excellent job reinjecting some nuance and some authority into his character.

Mobius was a little weird at certain points; he's been an analyst for like a bajillion years or something so I think in-character he should've been able to handle reading the guidebook, but honestly he had a decent showing too. Using him as the levity...it's not a horrible decision if it's not going to become a recurring theme, because I don't want him to get dumbed-down, which he's not so far; his deducing that there was set-up was quite clever and I didn't see it coming. It worked in this episode partially because he was also doing some smart stuff, but also because it was offset by the bits of temper and vulnerability he displayed, which were both very well done in my opinion. It actually added another dimension to his character that I really like, and I think addressing that he's more afraid of "what if the life I was supposed to have is good?" than if it was bad is an interesting take, especially considering he seems to be in the camp of "it may be the life I was supposed to have, but it's not my life," because it's good for the show to be exploring those different avenues for the TVA workers, and because it makes Mobius a more unique person himself. I'm also kind of enjoying his little ruthless streak, ngl.

I like the dynamic Mobius and Loki have together right now. Them eating pie together and talking about Mobius's feelings was a lovely scene, and probably one of the most authentic we're going to see out of the entire season if I had to guess. They're working together very nicely; Mobius sort of letting Loki go off his leash with the magic at the beginning was neat, and I just adore the way their less-heroic tendencies are playing off of each other (such as in the Brad-in-the-box scene). I think that makes sense for them, and I'm not looking for these guys to be heroes of pristine reputation, or even heroes at all, just guys who are trying to hold what little they have left together, so it's really hitting the spot for what I expect of their personalities melding together.

(Also, I'm now pronouncing Casey and Ouroboros a ship, although I doubt I'm the first one. The idea of OB being a celebrity to this one guy, and only this one guy, is pure gold.)

I will say, there's still a little much of the MCU-brand hokeyness in the show for my taste. There doesn't need to be something to laugh at every couple of minutes (not that I'm really laughing, because I'm tired of that style of writing by this point). The story can stand on its own without the forced comedy, and if it can't, then the comedy is only going to annoy people further. This is kind of serious stuff, and although I'm not against having some lighter moments or some comedic relief, I could live with Loki actually taking itself more seriously. But, like I said, this episode did feel more genuine to me, so it's not all jokes and quipping.

I'm still not a fan of Sylvie. Her existence annoys me because the female-Loki premise is obnoxious, and she feels so much like every other female character out there she doesn't really have the personal qualities to redeem the premise. Also, I find Loki's obsession with her strange, as she's mostly only been a total bitch to him and clearly wants nothing to do with him. (Which in itself is weird; her acting all butthurt at him in this episode like he was the one who pushed her through a time-door or something was like...what the heck? If somebody can explain that to me, please do, because I feel like I've either missed or forgotten something that would make it make sense.) I find her "normal life" as an 80s McDonald's employee strange, also, because that's...that's not the kind of normal she would envision. Her "normal" should be something regular on Asgard, because she's not a human dreaming of a normal life, she's an Asgardian dreaming of a normal life, although I do understand that according to the rules of the game there's probably not an Asgard where a Loki is welcome...yet Lokis are shapeshifters, so she could sneak in one anyway. That's probably a little nitpicky, I can recognize that.

So, yeah. There we go. This episode of Loki actually raised my expectations for the rest of the season, which is a nice surprise for me. I didn't think I would enjoy any part of this show so much, because the first season really didn't have a moment like this where I went huh. this is pretty good. I hope this episode being so good isn't an anomaly, because I was a huge fan of Loki in Thor, Avengers, Dark World, Infinity War, and I want to be a fan of him again in this show. If the writing stays this good (or gets even better, perchance?) I may end up considering myself a convert.

#loki #loki series #loki show #Loki season 2 #loki spoilers #loki laufeyson #mobius #mobius m mobius #(my beloved) #(he's currently my favorite character) #(partially because he's Owen Wilson I'm not going to lie to you) #sylvie #casey #ouroboros #it was a pleasant surprise #not a horrible showing at all #I'm almost looking forward to the next episode #which I have never thought about this show before #how exciting! #also I did not proofread this so if there are typos yes there are my bad #marvel #mcu #marvel cinematic universe #martianbugsbunny reviews