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gangplanksorenji · 4 months

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Kinknuary Day 8: Thighfucking

Pairing: Kep1er Mashiro x Male Reader

Word Count: 4,586

[Kinknuary Masterlist]

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Love can be faux and genuine, as well as how greedy and fluttering romance can be—well, that’s what you believe and no one can brush it off your mind. Maybe, at least, not from her attempts of persuasion that she made you this way but, it’s the way you view things—so contradictory but hell, you can’t be blamed for believing this, probably an earlier heartbreak could be the cause.

“It’s not that easy, Shiro—you should’ve known the story better—”

“Well, I’m just giving you some advice and my thoughts about the situation—no harsh feelings, I swear!”

“Yeah, you do…” You closed your eyes as the bitterness of the alcohol was getting through you, feeling that burning sensation was too strong, strong enough to maybe forget what happened but it’s just making everything painful. Mashiro sends off a glare as she clicks her tongue of dismay, disapproving of your ways of approaching the situation.

“Look, she’s not going to just ditch you for a reason—maybe she’s just genuinely mad or something! Don’t you just want to talk to her and work this out?”

You laughed at her current suggestion as the pain inside you voiced out such hints of depressive emotions, “If it’s that easy, Shiro…”

As you’re about to take that another gulp of alcohol, Mashiro hits your hand with a furious demeanor (you’ll probably call it an adorable expression since she’s pretty much the epitome of it, in anything she do), not really having the fact that you’re trying to get wasted because of such pain in your heart.

“And alcohol’s not always the answer…”

“You don’t get it, Shiro.” You let out a deep sigh as your vexed emotions are starting to have a hit on you. Feeling genuinely concerned for you, Mashiro then looks at your eyes as her glowing orbs are trying to ignite the fire of delight that once invaded your heart.

“That’s why I’m here for you, as always.” Mashiro caresses your cheeks as she tries to comfort and reassure you and with her genuine attempts of making you feel loved, you can’t help but emanate such a faint smile, voicing out your gratefulness for Mashiro, in all times, even at both your lowest points, she always choose to comfort you first rather than herself and with that, you can’t help but think if you’re worth being such a good friend of hers.

She’s too down-to-earth and selfless, something you’d want to yourself but can’t help but path the opposite and that’s why you’re grateful for meeting such a lovely, thoughtful girl like Mashiro.

She’s built like no other and you can’t help but feel butterflies, the best ones, in a while…

“If you want, I can talk to her so the both of you can make this up—”

“No, Shiro—it’s our problem. You don’t really need to interfere—”

“But I want to help!” Mashiro yelled with hurt and anger filled in every emotion as she sheds a tear, feeling really genuine to not let his friend go to another depressive state and wanting your relationship to end just because of sheer stupidity and selfishness. “I d-don’t want you to feel shitty ever again—you mean a lot to me and it breaks me down when you’re down too, so, please…”

You close your eyes as you fight the emotions that've been battling around your body. It’s a quarrel, a conflict of love between the both of you and she shouldn’t be meddling between the both of you but when she’s shedding a tear, on her lowest and willing to truly help you, you can’t say no but you need to and there’s one thing you need to do to stop this melancholy.

An audible murmur can be heard as she was caught off-guard with your lips latching onto hers. In your whole life, right from the start that you knew her until now, you never shared such intimacy and hotness with Mashiro, but that streak ends now as you indulge with the taste of luscious lips and Mashiro further reciprocates with deepening the kiss. You don’t know if this is love or romance but one thing’s for sure, it’s all genuine and that’s what really matters. It didn’t take long before the both of you closed your eyes and let it all be felt coursing to your veins. It was lovely, affectionate and at the same time, wrong.

There wasn’t anything wrong, maybe just unorthodox in your own words but nonetheless, you both love it and there’s no one holding you back.

There wasn’t any leverage to deepen the kiss if oxygen was lacking within your body, so, after a hot minute of sharing a kiss with Mashiro, you involuntarily pulled away from the warm embrace of it, gasping for air as you faintly smiled at her, feeling butterflies from the kiss.

“Gosh, I’m s-sorry, Shiro—I c-can’t help it—”

“Don’t—” Mashiro’s expression was stern as she didn't want any apologies coming out of your mouth because she seriously meant the reciprocation of the kiss.

“What d-do you mean “Don’t.”?”

She didn’t answer but rather, her lips spoke the actions clearer as such acts are better than words. Further indulging onto the intimate kiss, again, you directed your hands onto the back of waist as the resurgence of need instantly fueled you onto the enamored oblivion of your now so-called definition of ‘love’. It didn’t just stay there, because with tongues battling for dominance as a starting action on this show, you demonstrate such skillful acts of dance towards Mashiro and she took this as hint of stride as she fixes her position and further submit onto such lustful acts of dominance as not so long after, the both of you pulled out again, in need of better respiration. It wasn’t such a detachment that was thoroughly distant against each other because the both of you still peck each other’s lips as the both of you voiced out your frustrations and emotions that you’ve long shackled since day one.

“You c-can’t be this oblivious—hah…”

“And I’m so fucking stupid for not knowing anything genuine, Mashiro—do I even deserve you?”

“Shut up—” Mashiro did it herself as she invaded the caldera of your mouth with another intimate kiss but it didn’t last very long, as she opted for more ways and possible propositions you wanted to do with her.

Everything happened way too quick but honestly, that was just the tip of the iceberg because you really felt surprised (mostly her since you’re the one who initiated the sudden kiss) and the peculiar feeling of love. You never knew how much she sparked you with her charms and affection because you were too oblivious to know anything besides just seeing her as a friend.

You still love her but Mashiro—it’s goddamn difficult to choose but you can’t be arsed to really think about her when Mashiro’s now clouding your whole mind and with a given conclusion (for now), you averted all of your attention to her only.

Maybe it’s time for another bewildering awakening…

“You kiss me really good…”

“Did I? I w-wasn’t even sure—”

Mashiro shuts you up with her index finger laying down your lips, silencing you for such loathing remarks that she hates to hear. “Say something like that again and I’ll punch you.”

You scoff and laugh a little, her sarcastic attempts at being aggressive is so adorable that you want to kiss her again and show how much you loved it. “Okay, Shiro—I’m sorry, hah. You’re a great kisser too, honestly—I’m sorry, I’m just new to this f-feeling.”

She can hear you tremble because of such nervousness and honestly, she understands you because she’s in the same boat with you—her lips trembling in delight after such intimate kisses shows how much serotonin coursed over her body too that she doesn’t know what to really feel either. Blushing from your earlier compliments, she covered her face as she did so, knowing how she’s feeling a little embarrassed being complimented, especially by you. Even with how wholesome this is going, you can’t help but imagine the lustful fantasies you could with her but it’s only a matter of time until you—

“B-but can I confess something t-to you?” You got all of your ears and eyes on her, giving her the green light with a simple ‘yes’ as she proceeds with her wants.

“I wanted to do something but I don’t know if you want to do it…”

If this is what you think it is, then this is the time, a preferably lucky jackpot that you’ve wanting for so long—

“Go on, Shiro—no matter what can that be, I’m all ears—”

“I—you—I w-want to su—”

“Suck me off?”

Mashiro, stunned with your predictive advancements, gasped almost inaudibly as her mouth hung agape from your vulgar words in which, she didn’t mind because that’s exactly what she’s thinking off and it was a gamble—you didn’t want to end this note as Mashiro becomes uncomfortable with you but that’s not really the case because if people knew how she’s much more open about these sexual desires, then they’ll never look the same way like ever before.

Now, it’s not just going to stay in her imagination, let alone viewing it on such blue, pixelated screens and it’s just about time for everything to be in reality.

“H-how did you know?”

“Maybe you’re too readable—I can sense it, Shiro. I know you well, too.”

Mashiro was a bit caught off-guard with that but nonetheless, she trusts you so, she became open and wanted to try it out and maybe even more.

“But you wanted this, don’t y-you?”

The both of you didn’t mind anything as the spacious rooftop allows so much things to be let out, even with the most sinful profanities you had in mind but that (most of it), will be directed towards discomfort, which is the last thing you’d want. Now, pinning her onto the concrete wall as you swivel and repositioned yourself onto the more dominating spot of the act, you smirked as you set yourself on an answer that’ll rock her world: “More than anything, Shiro—I’ve always wanted to know how it’ll feel inside your possibly tight mouth.”

With such hot and erotic words escaping your mouth and the things happening escalating quicker than what she expected it to be, she can’t help but bite her bottom lip and let out needy whines that further puts salt onto the wound of lust. With how great she felt when kissing you, you can’t possibly brush off the fact that her mouth will possibly feel great on your length too but don’t let this be settled just on your imagination—make it a reality you can possess and cherish.

“Kneel down, Shiro—” You quickly unbuttoned your pants as she helped you with that, her hands doing such a magnificent job at it as all you can just sense is the cold air permeating your skin. As soon as your last restraint was about to be undressed and on your ankles, you knew the show would soon be starting and with one, swift motion, it was all off.

Kneeling down (she didn’t mind the cold concrete of the rooftop as her focus is now fully averted onto your erecting shaft), she traces her fingers from base up to the tip, leaving a tingle of an electric charge that makes you moan in sensitivity and delight. Her eyes traced your shaft, every inch of it as admiration was evident on her glowing orbs and it’s just going to get better than this.

“T-this was way better and weirder than I expected.”

“Don’t worry, you’ll get used to this, probably…”

And now, she succumbed to her biggest anticipation—your cock, inside her mouth and instantly, she gagged as she took the whole length inside her tight cavern, making her eject out of it and coughed a little.

“Y-you didn’t need to do that, Shiro—don’t take it all, start with slow sucks and eventually gather the p-pace—oh god!”

She knew what would happen and rather, took that first attempt as a foolish remark from you and instantly, she hugged her plump lips around your tip as she bobbed her head with almost a stagnant pace and god, she’s surprisingly good at it. Maybe, don’t judge the book by its cover next time…

She lathers every inch of your throbbing length full of her saliva, not leaving any of it unsheathed with her drool as her tongue does wonders all over your mushroom tip, capable of sending such pleasure that earns the finest of moans from you, in which, made her flustered considering how she’s making you feel good. With such a gradually increasing pace and a wonderful manifestation of her skills, it actually made you love her even more as the sounds of her gags and deprivation makes everything even better. If you were to be fooled, you won’t even think it’s her first time because on how she’s sucks you off with care and intense pleasure—thanks to the suction of her mouth, it made everything completely off the charts and her lack of experience is evident with her serrated teeth coming over the way of scratching the skin but nonetheless she’s doing good (she’s trying her best not to hurt you even though hints of it are evident and unavoidable for now).

“God, how are you like—fuck—a-already doing good like this, Shiro?”

She took seconds to divert her attention away from your succulent shaft as she didn’t want the tempo to die soon but nonetheless, she pulled out of your saliva-filled length and responded, “Toys—I f-felt a little kinky and decided t-to really practiced a little…”

“Hah—no wonder why you’re sometimes acting strange, huh? Feeling exhausted randomly now I know why…”

Mashiro just brushed off your words as her mouth does such great work onto the wholeness of your shaft, despite only playing it safe and taking only half of it—you could just imagine how better she’s going to be if the both of you consider this as a frequent routine every week. In every stroke she does, it brings utmost pleasure to you as well as her talented mouth being the icing of the top of the cake and it’s just a wonderful sight to see. You could see the tears flowing down her cheeks as the constant gags she does was the reason and it just arouses you further—her sullied façade adding up to the arousing sight is such a fulfillment of wonder and sin. Her saliva makes everything a mess, scattered all over the vicinity of your shaft as this is just hot to handle but there’s no intention of stopping because neither party wanted anything to end so early and to be deprived immediately. It wasn’t long until you grab her head for leverage from the pleasure you’ve been experiencing as she grabs your hips for her own leverage onto better service. You’re not going to last long, you could already feel it and thankfully, she pulls out of your length with a pop that make your cock twitch, not to mention how the string of saliva being connected to her lips and onto your mouth makes the scene such epitome of such sexiness and seduction. As she’s about to let her warm lips be in contact with your length again, you stop her as you propose something to her.

“Don’t—I w-want to fuck you now, Shiro. You could taste my load anytime soon but not now.”

Of course, it’s not surprising that she didn’t like the thought that she didn’t get to finish you off all by herself as she also knows how vulnerable your defenses are—on the verge of cumming with nothing left to do but succumb onto it but thankfully, you fought it as you didn’t want this to be over.

“B-but I want to taste you, or make you paint my face—”

“But you’re insatiable, Shiro—I want to fuck you now, from behind.”

She knows how well she turned you on and you know how much she wants this even though she can define such hypocrisy laced between her words. The both of you know how much you need each other but not how much you want each other—and now with no one to stop you, this is everything you’ve been wanting to win and you're not going to lose anything anyway.

“Honestly, I’d want you to fuck me—I won’t turn that down but I’d want it somewhere else, for now.”

Now rising up on her feet, Mashiro wipes her knees as she faces you and whispered seductively, “I want you to fuck my thighs instead, since you’ve been eyeing on them since earlier.”

That is an offer you can’t turn down since her thighs are considerably one of her best features that you’d want to feast upon and worship, when given the time but honestly, you’d love to ram the possibly tight pussy but if that’s what Mashiro wants, then that’s what you need to attend to and fulfill it with no hesitation—you yourself adore the thought of fucking her thighs. Now facing the wall, her hands resting onto it and her back arched, it didn’t take long before you line up your saliva-sheathed cock between those pillowy muscles, submerging them into no-return.

“This could’ve been better on the window, Shiro.”

“Why though? Hah—that feels good…”

With such a sluggish pace, you can’t help but feel an incredible surge of pleasure as the softness of her thighs and the heat emanating between it (thank god she’s wearing a skirt so nothing became a struggle) aiding that long-awaited serotonin. Now hiking that skirt of hers right up to her waist, she yelped as the cold air brushed against her skin that made her more sensitive as your thrusts added up to that profound pleasure she’s experiencing. Even without the stimulation on her clit, she can’t help but feel great as the wetness of her folds are enough evidence as from time to time, you feel her nectar dripping down her thighs and onto your raging length.

Her thighs do wonders all over you and you can’t help but let out the most erotic moans in every oscillation your hips do.

This is crazy but you’re an unstoppable force now as no one can make you hinder your carnal desires.

“God—you’re dripping already, Shiro? My dick must’ve turned you on so much, hm?”

Mashiro just can’t help but whimper in need between every second that has passed, almost ignoring you yet she’s not that girl that’ll fall deaf on her ears. “Y-you don’t know how long I’ve been waiting for this—even just in my thighs, you already feel good.”

With her encouraging words of lust, you can’t stop yourself from doing what’s been boggling your mind and with her cheeks presented all over your sight, you slapped her butt with a harsh spank as she yelped in response, the sudden surge of pleasure and pain contradicting what she's feeling right now.

“Fuck—why’d you slap me like that?”

“You don’t want it, Shiro? It’s okay, I won’t d—”

“I never said I didn’t like i-it—oh god, do it again, please!”

With your ruthless pace between her thighs are the constant harsh slaps that resonated around your ears, bringing music onto such lustful profanities that has been fueling you since the beginning, you can’t help but just maintain the tempo as there’s no point of stopping as Mashiro doesn’t even bother to even stop you as she herself, is now aiding for your pleasure and to reach your high as soon as possible. With her wiggling and thrusts of her pillowy butt and her thighs further amplifies the pace with such great trajectory, achieving a series of rough thrusts you never thought was possible and you’re loving every second of it.

“Y-yeah, Shiro—we should’ve done this somewhere that has a window—”

“For what?”

With your hands averting its attention towards her toned waist and to fix her hair in order for it to fall onto her left shoulder, you lean in and whisper another set of dirty thoughts that makes her enlightened, “Because I want them to know how much you’ll love this and when I cum, I’ll spray it all on the window and let you kneel down to taste it.”

Now Mashiro, being enlightened with such a kinky thought of yours, hints a bit of regret for not doing this somewhere as her imagination wildens with your lustful words, making her heat drip even more, aiding for more comfort and lubricant on your reckless length.

“Maybe even do i-it on a mirror, so you could also see my face when you thrust on my thighs.”

“Even going to be better if it’s in your pussy but fuck, Shiro—that’s hot and shit—I’m not going to last that long, t-too—shit!”

That is a hot scene probably urging you to even fuel your thighfuck kink but the inevitable will soon come, ending your masterclass and the long-lived pleasure that has been coursing through your veins. She sensed it too as your constant throbbing can be felt between her thighs and to further chase your orgasm, she clamped her thighs even tighter around your rock-hard cock as she moans for you, voicing out your incredible work of sin and to fuel you even more—not to mention her hands constants touching her breasts in order to stimulate herself and earn some pleasure too. With constant spanks, your mouth marking her nape and peppering it with kisses, it wasn’t long until you achieved the desired promised land and within a single blink, you let everything out.

She wiggle her thighs, massaging your orgasmic sensation as every spurt lets out such angelic moans coming out of your mouth as this is such an experience to behold and cherish. Even though your cum was such a waste considering how you just sprayed the concrete wall instead of maybe letting herself taste your succulent, long-awaited seed but nonetheless, it was an euphoric experience you’ll never forget and with such exhaustion, you pulled out of the valley of her thick, meaty thighs as she turned around, and initiated another kiss as she felt delightful with her needs sustained by you.

“Fuck—I’m sorry ‘bout that, Shiro. I can’t help it and I should’ve let you taste it—”

“No, it’s fine, honestly. I never thought a real cock would feel that good, and it feels kinda weird but good too.”

You laughed as you caressed her hair, emanating a smile that became contagious as you reassured her, “We’ll probably get used to this but for now, I think we need to get out of here…”

Mashiro realizes that the both of you are somewhat, still in a public place as you dressed your bottom-half up and hurriedly fixed yourselves as you prepare to come down and to do such things the both of you had been longing for.

What day to remember, this is… and it’s still not done as the night is still young…

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“Fuck, baby—go harder on my thighs!”

“Of course, Shiro—fuck, you’re so hot…”

And it was later fulfilled as the both of you became so derived onto the profound lust earlier that you needed to attend to each other’s needs again, and this time, it’s better since everything is just going according to plan.

Just as how the both of you liked it: against the mirror, Mashiro’s back arched as you fuck her thighs recklessly from behind and as the cherry on top, her ahegao face and her expression that further sends your arousal into oblivion. The pace was incredibly and pleasurably fast, executed with such techniques that furthers makes the best for the both of you and not just some any dumb and fast ones—the further alteration of fast strokes and then succumbing onto a sluggish pace is what makes this better.

Mashiro’s cheeks are now filled with your handprints, skin’s a shade of a familiar rosy hue as every spanks delivers such erotic moans right from her mouth. She was now long-lost with your control, fully submitting onto her own animalistic urges as she encourages you onto upping the pace, to further chase another orgasm. She squeezes her thighs oh-so-tightly around your cock, suffocating it and giving you the maximum pleasure you could attain and probably, foreshadowing the possible tightness of her pussy in which, will be attended in no time but for now, you gotta let her know how great your hips are when ensuing such mind-blowing thrusts.

The constant rhythmic contact of your skin orchestrate such genre of music that no one could possibly define, maybe close as an erotic soundtrack but it’s more—it’s a state of bliss; a lustful trance to treasure and succumb into and you’re just onto that trance with no point of turning back.

There wasn't much talking (more of just moans, groans and whines) as actions speak louder than words, the oscillation of your hips manifesting such divine bliss that benefits the both of you and your needs. You could definitely feel how close you are, again and no one can blame you because with these godlike, perfectly-thick thighs and the softness of it can make anyone succumb onto it and shower it with affection because of how perfectly sculpted it is. Gladly, you’re the only one who can utilize this gift and you’re not planning on giving it away—only you.

“F-fuck, Shiro—I’m going to cum, again—fuck!”

“Spray it all over the mirror, baby. Come on, cum for me—blow your thick, creamy load all over my thick thighs and onto the mirror, please—please cum—”

With your harsh grip on her hips and one, last harsh spank, you bury your whole length onto the warm valley of her thighs as you erupt multiple shots of semen onto the mirror, making it splatter all over the reflective object as it drips down eventually. Without even commanding her to kneel down, she does it ahead of what you’re thinking, as she seductively swirl and lick her tongue all over it, collecting every semen sample on the mirror and not wasting anything, not even a single drop. With her half-naked body knelt down, licking the mirror clean like she’s not having enough of a five-star meal and licking her plate for further conclusive delightment and that alone, makes you throb even more. After she’s done, she stood up and then showed her tongue that was filled with cum and will one, single gulp, it was all gone and now onto her stomach.

“Fuck—that tasted good, baby.”

Smiling from her complimentary advances, she’s missing one thing and you’re more likely to address it now, knowing she’ll ultimately fulfill what you’re going to command her.

“Don’t you mind cleaning my cock?”

“Oh yes, absolutely. I’m dying to taste your delicious dick, again.”

She parts her lips onto your tip, and up to the base, licking it clean as no cum remains uncollected with her talented tongue and with just little time, she pulled out of your length, showing you her masterwork—your length is now crystal-clear, shining with her saliva emanated thanks with the dim lights from above. Standing up, you pinned against the wall and whispered into her ear, painting a smirk on your face, “We’re just getting started, Shiro.”

“I know, baby—then make me yours for the night. There’s still plenty of time to do everything we may think of…”

#kinknuary 2024 #kep1er smut #sakamoto mashiro smut #mashiro smut #kep1er x male reader #sakamoto mashiro x male reader #mashiro x male reader

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the-poets-might-disagree · 1 month

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how Denis Villeneuve built Paul and Chani's love story in Dune Part Two – from beginning to end

In their first romantic scene together Chani goes after Paul into the desert because she knows he won’t last on his own. By this point in time she already starts to fear for him- she knows he is brave and a good fighter, but she also knows it’s not enough. „You sandwalk like a drunk lizard!” We see her teaching him the sandwalk. This is when their melody is first played in the movie, this time it's quiet yet, merely an introduction. He is proud enough to say he knows how to sandwalk, but wise enough to admit he has a lot to learn from her. So he listens.

And listens and listens, earning her trust little by little. „You know I’m the only one who believes you’re gonna make it ’till the summer”. There is a scene here when you can’t even hear what she is saying. Instead it’s their melody playing still, while we see Paul’s (all smitten) face watching her, just explaining things to him.

Second important scene is when during the first fight, Chani’s life is in danger, and Paul jumps on her without a doubt in a split second, to protect her life with his own. They share a quick meaningful look before they get up from the ground. There are no questions left in her after this.

Third. In the tent after he was named Usul and Muad’Dib. Paul speaks chakobsa, with a proud look written on his face, and there are many people present, but it's all for her. He wants to be one of her people so badly, he does everything he can. And it's working, Chani is watching him speak as if he invented it. When Stilgar invites Paul to join him, he looks at her. Chani is nodding and so he gets up. It’s always her approval he is looking for. Everyone is hugging Paul and it’s Chani’s turn. We see their faces slowly touching, her lingering there for a moment.

The fourth one is when she gives in. We see them sitting together, watching the sunset. Her telling him about her name in the prophecy. „Your blood comes from dukes and great houses. We are not like that. Here, we are equal.” „I’d very much like to be equal to you.” She is smiling back at him „Maybe I’ll show you the way.”. Their first kiss- the melody returns for the second time. A little later she is shown leaning on him, literally. He has earned not only her trust, but her love, too.

This is when his nightmares start to kick in. He knows he can’t go south. At this point she starts to wear blue, which in the fremen culture (in the books) means a woman is pregnant – was changed in the movie to be the symbol of being in love or being taken.

We see their only love making scene. They are just laying there on each other, but she cannot turn her thoughts off. „There will be trouble.” „What are you talking about?” „The way they are looking at you. They worship you now.” She fears what is to come for him, but he reassures her. „I’m no messiah”. She then warms him about the stories his mother is spreading. During this scene their melody returns for the third time, programming our ears and brains to connect it to their intimacy and bond.

When Gurney appears, Chani thinks he is not to be trusted. Paul says "he is family" and as soon as he does she gets up to help him. It's the small things that tell you at this point that she will do anything for him, as long as it is the right thing to do.

Paul telling her about the Atreides atomic arsenal in the tent. How it could change everything. This is when we first see him being slightly intrigued by power. "You promised me you didn't want power". Paul switching it back on her with "no matter what I do, you still don't trust me". He is offended and tells her that he is fighting for her people, no matter what.

When they visit the arsenal you can see how scared she is. Paul is confused, but proud of his legacy- even if it is one that is big enough to destroy their planet. Their differences keep growing. He keeps having nightmares about losing her.

The final conflict in him is people pressuring him to go south, but he says he cannot, because he is afraid of the fundamentalists. Chani is the moral compass still, and she emphasizes he is right to be afraid of them.

"The world has made choices for us." Sounds like the beginning of a goodbye. We watch their last intimate scene together before it all changes irreversibly. "If I go south, I might lose you." "You will never lose me, not as long as you stay who you are". Tears rolling down his face. He knows already how much he is about to give up. She has no idea. "I will do what must be done". We see their goodbye kiss.

He drinks the water of life. She is furious but she runs to his rescue. She refuses to do so, but compelled by the voice, she saves his life- as it was written in the prophecy. When he wakes up she makes sure first that he is feeling well, then she slaps him and leaves. He emerges with a facial expression that is pure evil. At this point we know he is innocent no more and has switched to his dark side, the one that gives into power.

"She'll come to understand. I've seen it." He is so sure he can do whatever, and he'll still have her by his side... But when he arrives to speak at the gathering, Chani is the only one who doesn't kneel in front of him. He is still her equal in her head.

"I'm pointing the way!" as he shouts we can also see a switch in her. He's losing her. She's not looking at him lovingly at all anymore as she realizes it's her worst fear becoming reality in front of her eyes, and he is not the person she fell in love with anymore. She's angry, she loses hope, she's disappointed. Is about to give up on him.

When they go into battle, she still wears the blue scarf, not on her head anymore but on her arm. Still there with her, but barely.

The final scene. Everyone's gathering. He orders Gourney to bring the prisoners and then stops for one last moment before it's all about to go down. He looks behind his back. Chani's standing there, keep looking at him while he is about to walk up to her. Her facial expressions are childlike, showing how devastated and afraid she is, but she says "this isn't over yet" as if she was still hanging onto something. "I want you to know..." he says but he is looking at the ground, afraid to look her in the eye "...I will love you as long as I breathe". They lock eyes. It's his final moment to confess his everlasting love for her. Pain is written in his eyes. He knows it is goodbye, but she still has no idea what's about to happen. She sighs and swallows, furrowing her brows. No answer.

The prisoners arrive. Chani lifts her head up, trying to collect herself and stand proud. When he tells the emperor he is about to take his daughter's hand in marriage, we see Chani's face immediately. Her jaw drops. When he says "we will rule together", she is literally breathless, her eyes darting. She bites her lip before she looks up in disbelief. Straightening her pose once again, wanting to maintain her dignity.

Before Paul and Feyd-Rautha start their fight, Paul sneaks one last look at her to gather his strength. The music stops. We can only hear the knives and breaths during the fight. When he's on the ground, he can't help himself and looks for her. "She's your pet?" asks Feyd-Rautha. Chani shakes her head, visibly disgusted. Feyd-Rautha starts walking towards her, so Paul gets up immediately. This is when he knows he is going to end this man. But he gets stabbed and looks for her with fear in his eyes. Chani holds her breath in disbelief and her eyes widen.

He can barely breathe anymore, but he wins the fight. Chani is relieved, and gasps for air herself. Paul turns back to her, before he talks to the emperor. Her face lights up, showing how special he makes her feel in this exact moment, but in a second, her gestures return to the childlike frown that shows how betrayed she feels. Paul demands the emperor to kiss his father's ring. He does, the music starts again and the whole room gets on their knees.

Princess Irulan, Paul and Chani are the only ones left standing in the room. We hear their melody return, and build into something that is a lot bigger than them, and it's meant to break our hearts with the bittersweet sound. It was all about them leading up to this moment, and now they are no more. Irulan takes a look at the two of them, and realizes it all. Chani is shattered. Paul is not facing the Princess, but watches Chani leave (this is the last scene she is wearing blue), refusing to be a fool like everyone else. He shuts his eyes. He's never been in this much pain before, but he cannot show it. With her, Paul's last pieces of humanity leave, too.

#ive come a long way since ive called their love bs #this post took me bawling my eyes out four different times at the movies at the final scene #dune #dune part two #chani x paul #paul x chani #denis villeneuve #paul atreides #chani kynes #mine

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lurkingshan · 1 month

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Japanese QL Corner

It's a quieter week as a few shows have just wrapped and the next wave hasn't started yet, but there is still Japanese ql airing, including what is shaping up to be an all time fav. Both of these current airing shows are on Gaga and I highly recommend watching!

Love is Better the Second Time Around

This show is so good, and so mature in exactly the way I hoped. And I don't mean mature as in explicit--there is sex in this show but it's not some wild heat level. It's mature in that it's a story about characters who know themselves, know what they want, and draw boundaries. Both Iwanaga and Miyata are going down as favorite characters for me; I especially love that Miyata is a more knowing and self aware spin on a really well known bl archetype (think Rain from LITA but if he actually knew exactly why he was reacting the way he was to Payu and was mad about it instead of just overwhelmed and confused). This week we got a lot deeper into his teenage hurt over Iwanaga and now have a firm understanding of why he's alternately giving into and resisting this attraction. I am looking forward to Iwanga figuring out how to repair the damage he caused and earn his trust back.

My Strawberry Film

This was easily my favorite episode so far of this meandering little show. Every week I am left wondering what exactly this drama is trying to say and be; it certainly doesn't feel like a bl. We have spent the vast majority of our time on doomed het romance while Ryo quietly pines for his oblivious friend in the background. But this week we finally got to know Minami outside of Hikaru's narrow gaze, and I like her a lot. Her scene with Ryo where they discussed their romantic woes and established each other as a safe zone was very sweet, and showed how perceptive she is about all these dynamics happening around her. I was discussing with @bengiyo whether the show is going for an aromantic read with her, and I'm not sure. I see the makings of it, but the presentation of her feelings on romance feels a bit muddled. I loved her calling Hikaru out on being self-centered and having absolutely no patience for his petty jealousy. Hikaru thinks he likes her, but he doesn't actually know her (or his own best friend). I liked the final scene between Ryo and Hikaru as well, and the terrible angst of Ryo's confession that he immediately took back. The way the lights and audio from oncoming traffic played over his face in that scene was a really fantastic way to communicate both a moment of clarity and a moment of fear in the aftermath. I'm curious to see where this show takes the ending; a romantic conclusion for the two boys would not feel genuine to me at this point, but I could see them leaving us on a note of burgeoning curiosity and hope.

Bonus: No Touching At All

I recently watched this 2014 jbl on @twig-tea's recommendation, and I really loved it (I have already watched it twice and will definitely be doing so again). This is a classic office romance between a young gay man, Shima, and his "straight" boss, Toga. It's a simple story but well executed, and the film has a strong sense of place that I really loved. Shima and Toga have a fairly instantaneous attraction, and Toga is the kind of laidback character who simply never gave much thought to his sexuality and doesn't care about the fact that Shima is a man; he likes who he likes. Shima, however, is carrying a lot of internalized homophobia and trauma from closeted men messing him around in the past, and has a hard time believing in Toga's sincerity. I really love the way this conflict plays out in the story, and I especially love the way Toga talks to Shima. He's a no bullshit kind of guy and he tries his best to reassure Shima, but he's not a pushover, either. Ultimately Shima has to work through his own insecurities and make the choice to be brave to make the relationship work. The ending of this one is amazing and left me feeling very confident in this couple, and I can't recommend it highly enough. It's the grey for this one, unfortunately, but if you have trouble finding it in HQ let me know and I'll point you (don't watch it on YT, the version on there is potato quality).

#japanese ql corner #love is better the second time around #koi wo suru nara nidome ga joto #my strawberry film #no touching at all #japanese bl

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scythesms · 10 months

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Cecily loved when the family gathered for dinner, even if it was at the parlor table so their father could fit in some work while he ate with the children. Their favorite dinners involved their father reciting the latest newsprint aloud as they feasted. While Edmund didn’t want his children to attend school, he heavily believed in the power of knowledge and education. Although they were sheltered, he expected their minds to be just as sharp. To him, it seemed like a good exchange, but it was different for each child.

Eugene didn’t see any use in leaving the manor. He cherished the comfort of the manor, even amidst the presence of bothersome siblings and a father who didn’t understand him in the same ways his mother did. Josiah and Elaine sat in wonder and fear at the stories and articles their father read to them. Still, they longed to see it all firsthand, tired of their surroundings adorned with tearing wallpaper and dusty, unkempt floorboards. For once they’d love to run past the gate, unveiling what lay beyond the hill that blocked their view of the town. For Cecily, the thought of leaving Windenburg frightened her as much as the thought of staying did. She dreamt of running to her father’s railway station and hopping into a train cart with nothing but her shoes and stockings. In those dreams, she wouldn’t get off until reaching Harlem.

Edmund never forgot the stories his aunt told about her travels after being sheltered from the truth for so long. By giving his own children access to any information they sought, he believed he found a workaround that kept his children from resenting him and his concerns for their safety. Of course, he wouldn’t know whether it worked to his liking or not until much later on.

On some days, the contents of the newspaper were tame, usually informing the people of town gatherings, new openings, technological advancements reaching St. Vaughn, mobile shipments delivered into town, performances at the theater, reports on stock market activities, commentary on racial, social, and political issues, and more. Recently, all that’s taken up the front pages was news concerning the escalating conflict in Europe. Anthony Biggs, head of “St. Vaughn Times Courier”, spent the last month using entire columns to spread his fears and speculations concerning Black Americans’ alleged role in America’s impending involvement in the war.

The only times Edmund left the manor was when he was needed at the bank or railway station, and he’d seen firsthand how alarmed Biggs made his coworkers and employees. He refrained from reading those columns and reassured the children that such conflict wouldn’t reach them. He always said Windenburg sat with a shield around it, but Cecily knew he didn’t truly believed that.

The highlight of these dinners came when Edmund would test their attentiveness by quizzing them on the material he had just read. Everyone longed to prove that they’d been listening and would sometimes eagerly volunteer to answer before the questions were entirely voiced. When Josiah did so, answering his father’s question confidently yet incorrectly, Eugene couldn’t help but burst out in mocking laughter from across the table. All eyes turned to him as he leaned back and held his stomach in pain from his tormenting and obsessive mirth.

Cecily scowled at her older brother in defense of her youngest. “Is cruelty marked in your blood?” It was as if he loved to bicker. No day went by without a snide comment from his end.

“Why should I be blamed when it’s his words that are as senseless as he is because he can’t pick up a book?” Eugene argued.

“He made a mistake. You don’t need to mock him.”

“It’s foolishness. He’s a fool.”

“You walk that back!”

Their feud continued until Edmund finally shouted “Enough!” He turned to his eldest son in exhaustion. “One day you’ll regret ridiculing your brother and sisters as much as you do. Family is all you have, and you need to learn to cherish one another.”

“I’d rather choke on this repulsive food than pretend I’d ever love them,” Eugene sneered.

Edmund made every effort to suppress his rising anger, but his attempts were futile. “I promise, boy, you won’t get far with that hateful mouth of yours. Now go’on upstairs since you’re too superior to eat with your family and treat us with respect.”

“I’m not-”

“Go’on!”

previous ➺ next

#1916 #Ambroise Legacy #1910s #decades challenge #sims 4 decades challenge #ts4 decades challenge #sims historical #ts4 historical #ts4 challenge #black simblr #sims stories #AL #Edmund Ambroise #Eugene Ambroise #Cecily Ambroise #Josiah Ambroise #Elaine Ambroise

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mike-haters-dni · 1 year

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El’s conflict in s4 had nothing to do with Mike, actually

Okay, maybe not nothing, but like basically nothing. I shouldn't have to tell you that s4 El was not in a good place self-image-wise. She was thrown into the deep end of a society she was not prepared for, separated from the few people that could actually understand her, and was being relentlessly bullied for it. She was clearly miserable but was also clearly trying really hard not to be miserable (waving at the girl in the hallway/her general demeanor). Lying to Mike in her letters was an extension of this. IMO, she was doing it more for her own benefit than anything. Telling Mike that everything in her life is great, actually, makes him a sort of safe space for her where she can pretend that she's happy and normal. When they’re sending their letters back and forth she doesn’t have to think about how sad she actually is, and she doesn’t have to feel bad that Mike feels bad for her either (which he clearly would if he knew what was going on). I just don’t believe he would have given her any indication whatsoever that he wouldn't love her anymore if he found out she was actually a mess. If any part of her thought that, it was because she had convinced herself it was true.

So she already feels like shit, and then the Roller Rink Incident happens, and now she feels not only like a complete social reject but remembers, "Oh yeah, I've killed like tens of people and probably also murdered a bunch of innocent kids? Maybe I shouldn't have rights," and gives in completely to the self-loathing (Mike's reaction doesn't help but like, she was already horrified with herself before he showed up). Yes, during The Argument, she brings up how upset she is that he refuses to say the word "love" for some reason, but even if he had actually said it in that convo, there was no way she would have actually believed it at that point, one: because she was in such a personal dark place, and two: because uhh it would be incredibly unsatisfying story-wise lol. I mean, he literally tells her that she's "the most incredible person in the world" and she responds with "actually, you're wrong lol." If he had been able to say it, I imagine her reaction would range somewhere from "you're just saying that to make me feel better" to "oh no, you just think you love me, but actually I'm fucked up and evil so you really shouldn't. Let me push you away for your own good." And none of that is on Mike. "Okay, what don't I understand" is an absolutely legendary fictional boyfriend line like, he really did his best.

Also worth noting that she does the same thing with Will after he tries to tell her that her presentation wasn't that bad (which, I mean, it absolutely was so, uhh). She says he's lying when he tries to comfort her and generally doesn't seem to take much reassurance from him at any other point either. Again, because of the self-loathing.

El's arc in s4 was about fixing her perception of herself, and that arc is done as soon as she tells Brenner off and then watches him die in the desert. You'll notice that from that point on, she is fully accepting of the affection of both Mike and Will (the desert reunion, the pizza glasses scene), way before Mike finally says the L-word. Because it was never really about that. You could say she had to learn to love herself before she could accept the love of others :)

#btw if anyone still doesnt understand why mike had so much trouble saying ily #i can provide a very detailed explanation lol #el hopper #mike wheeler #mileven #stranger things #edited this a bit just fyi

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lily-orchard · 1 year

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Hi, Lily! I‘ve been a big fan of your writing for a while now and I wanted a writing tip from you. In my story, I want to introduce a Muslim character. But how can the story acknowledge her religion without shoving it in the audiences faces and without making it her entire character?

I‘m a Muslim Woman of Color myself, but I have no idea what to do.

DISCLAIMER: Without knowing what the actual story is about, I'm not sure anything I say will be of use.

If you're worried about a character being defined by one thing... well most characters are defined by one thing when you think about it. Most character traits are usually an offshoot of one or two core elements of the character. I mean Alie has, ultimately, two defining character traits: Pride in her heritage, and Loss. Everything about her splits off from those two things. This is not a bad thing.

Too many times people define characters by lists of tropes, none of which can really drive a character on their own.

Faith is a pretty defining character trait, it influences a lot about a character. It's one of those fundamental character traits from which a ton of others spin off. It's one of those things that fundamentally influences what a character thinks and believes. And it does so in ways where it doesn't necessarily trace back to it unless you're looking really hard.

But a lot of religious characters tend to be part of a religion and that's it. Their feelings on the matter, their personal relationship to that faith, is often left unsaid. Maybe hinted at, usually derisively (Cough-georgeconstanza-Cough) but otherwise it's just a stated fact and left there.

And for most religious characters, they're usually raised that way so it can't NOT influence most of what a character thinks and believes. It often permeates not just what they're taught but their relationship to their families and the people they love because those things are influenced by faith. And that means their relationship to that faith can change based on how their family behaved.

Hell I became misotheistic partially because I grew up with a Catholic father who abused me.

So I don't think this is a real problem as long as you think about these things. A lot of people don't. A lot of people make a character religious and then... that's it. Throw in some turns of phrases, a few holiday references, and congratulations you're The Nanny.

But if it's a real concern, I understand that. I personally would love to read about a character's relationship to their faith. But to get the point:

Just... give her a second one. A second core element to build her character off already makes her infinitely more complex. I would suggest a memory. A moment in her life that fundamentally affected her and influenced the way she thinks that is separate from her faith. Maybe that and her faith are at odds with each other sometimes. Everyone gets conflicted, even if that moment ends with a self-reassurance that "Actually, I'm fine. I'm okay."

I've often said trauma is an interesting story hook because of the way it fundamentally alters the way someone thinks, but the same can be said for positive or neutral memories as well.

This all takes a while. Characters take a while to really percolate and come together. Oftentimes characters start on a basic, rather shallow level and develop from there and that's fine.

I mean not to degrade my own writing but Alie didn't start on the basis of "Here's a character who has a complicated relationship with heritage, family, and loss." Alie started on the concept that short, melancholy girls dressed in long flowing black robes with curly hair and covered in freckles... look cool. And you want to kiss them.

Yes you specifically.

Hopefully that helped.

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knightprincess · 1 year

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Forgive Me (Echo x Fem! Medic Reader) Part 4

Words: 1.3K (I know short) Warning: None

"Its not fair" commented Comet, walking through the prison like halls of the Military base. His foot steps being the only thing louder than his echoing voice. Following along behind was Sinker and Boost, Wolffe just in front, along he seemed to be listening to the conversation. "(Y/N)'s the best medic we've had, now we have to give her up to General Skywalker and the 501st. Can't we keep her?" continued the trooper, sadness in his voice. (Y/N) had become a friend to them all, she'd listened to them when they ranted after a particularly grueling battle, she'd patched them up and brought a smile to them, even been a shoulder to cry on. Never once had she judged them, instead she reminded them they were appreciated.

:Read More:

"501st aren't gonna know what hit them" responded Boost with a heavy voice. Like many troopers of the 104th Legion, he'd hoped another mission would come through, thrust delaying their return to Coruscant that little longer. Yet at the same time he knew it was wrong of each of them. Snap had spoken about her family, how much she missed her little sister Devika. She'd spoke of Isolde too, but pain and betrayal rang through her voice when she did. It being clear Snap was conflicted, she wanted to return home to see Devika again, to catch up on their months apart, but at the same time she dreaded having to see Isolde and Octavius, knowing there would be some drama and likely more complaints and insults.

"Snap's one of us. if there comes a time where she needs up, all she has to do is call" voiced Sinker, hearing Wolffe ahead all but grunt in confirmation. Even the battle worn Commander had become attached to their quick witted medic. "You gonna warn Rex of what's to come?" asked the Sergeant, directing his question to Wolffe in front of the small group, receiving only a silent nod in response. "Tell them she's brave, not afraid to kick ass if she needs to" laughed Sinker, recalling the time Wolffe had needed medical attention. He'd insisted he was fine, despite his armor being cracked, and bleeding out. (Y/N) had practically dragged him to her medbay, forcing him to stay put so she could tend to his wounds. Even playfully threatening to tie the commander down if necessary. She'd all but force Wolffe to submit to her, although she'd been gentle while patching him up.

Later that night seen many members of the famed Wolf Pack enjoying some down time at 79's. Some were dancing to the rhythm of the music on the brightly lit floor, others at the bar flirting with another patron. A few were gathered around the edge of the floor, or at tables and booths, catching up with old friends from other legions, sharing stories and jokes. Wolffe once again found himself in the normal booth, Cody, Rex, Gregor, Thorn and Howzer with him, each with their helmets placed on the table with a neon blue drink in their glass. (Y/N) had returned to her family home, if only to reassure them she was alright, despite the delay on returning and the many battles she'd been through.

"How was you're latest medic?" asked Howzer, looking over to the three whom seemed to have a never ending flow of medical personnel. Rex merely sighed, recalling the last one seemed to be in a constant argument with Kix. The pair never agreed on anything, even when so many relied on them. Cody merely offered his famous deadpan expression, the trainee with the 212th had some how managed to lose things, never seemed to know what they were doing and had probably caused more harm than good. Even Obi-wan had noticed and questioned how the young man had even gotten as far as being assigned.

Howzer had expected to see Wolffe roll his eyes, upon the conversation turning to the medics again. Instead the eye roll never came, merely a shadow of a smirk. Gregor and Thorn also noticing, although Thorn was the only other at the table whom had gotten to know (Y/N), even if it was only for a brief few minutes.

"The boys don't want to give Snap up" simply commented Wolffe in response, not admitting he didn't want her to go either. She was brave and far more effective at her job that previous medics to pass through and serve with the 104th legion. (Y/N) hadn't given it a second thought before running into the thick of battle to give trooper medical aid. Despite the horrors she'd seen, she still kept up her sarcastic wit and bright cheery smile. She was brave in the face of war, which in turn made the boys even more determined to protect her.

"Snap" questioned Cody, a combination of confusion and curiosity painting itself on his slightly reddened features. The alcohol turning his cheeks slightly more pink than usual. Gregor and Rex also looking over, never once had Wolffe nicknamed any of the medics to pass through the 104th legion in an affectionate way. Instead he'd always used insults in reference to them. Thorn soon began to grin, which in turn caught the attention of his brothers sitting around the table, Wolffe's shadow of a grin remaining in place, where as the others turned their attention to him.

"(Y/N) (Y/L/N), she was originally supposed to be assigned to 501st, but got reassigned last minute" explained Thorn, a chuckle escaping him. Even more so when Rex's eyes widened, as the realization dawned on him. "Hey, blame Cody, his original medic pulled out last second which caused the shake up" laughed the commander of the Coruscant Guard, seeing the slightly offended look to appear over Cody's features. Gregor's unmissable laugh ringing out seconds later, clearly he seen the funny side of the situation.

"Why'd you call her Snap?" questioned Gregor, as Rex looked up, debating whether he wanted to know the answer to the question. The alcohol making his fuzzy brain concoct many scenarios, neither of which seemed particularly enticing to him. The first thing his fuzzy imagination had come up with, was an image of her breaking bones, the second of which had been of an entitled princess snapping her fingers to gain attention. The third had by far been the funniest, her being a whiz at the card game of the same name.

"Her quick wit" simply voiced Wolffe, revealing the true reason for the name. "She's quite sarcastic as well" announced the battle worn commander, as he remembered their first encounter. Even the moment he'd began to see her as more than a medic, but as a friend. Without realizing it, Rex had began to smile. Maybe Snap would be a better addition to their ranks than their last one, plus she had the added bonus of having a good reputation with the toughest legion there was.

"Don't tell me she managed to tame our gruffly Wolffe" teased Gregor, chuckling when Wolffe rolled his eyes and practically growled in response to the playful comment. "Well Rex, if she can tame Wolffe, then your mischievous bunch wont be much trouble" laughed the captain, Cody and Howzer joining in with the laughter moments later, as did Thorn when he was sure Wolffe wouldn't do anything in response.

"That's it, I'm keeping Snap" responded Wolffe

"Hey" called Rex "My medic now"

"So when she visiting the 212th?" asked Cody, chuckling as he listening to the playful banter between Wolffe and Rex. Both acting as if they were cadets again, and (Y/N) was the shinny new toy.

"If those two are anything to go by. Then never" responded Thorn, wondering if (Y/N) knew how the pair were acting. Or if she knew how attached Wolffe had become. At the same time he suspected more than the Wolf Pack would come to see her as a valuable asset and friend. All those who got to work with her would, even the generals.

Masterlist

#forgive me (echo x medic reader)#part 4 #star wars the clone wars #star wars #captain rex #Commander Wolffe #commander thorn #commander cody #captain howzer #captain gregor #fem! medic reader #medic reader #reader insert #reader interactive #x reader fanfic #star wars x reader

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you-usuratonkachi · 2 years

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how could things potentially go for Byler in S5

Okay so, I keep thinking of ways S5 can fix the whole Will-Mike-El triangle and make it satisfactory for everyone.

My issue with Byler becoming explicitly endgame is always the same: Mike hasn’t had time to process his feelings yet, and tbh as long as he’s with El, I doubt he will face them at all, because... well, because he doesn’t want to. And, I mean, he’s supposed to be 15 (which I always forget because they do not look 15 but well) so it’s not very surprising either.

It took 4 seasons for Will to be shown as explicitly interested in Mike romanically. it was always heavilly implied, but never specifically highlighted. In the past seasons, if they put some kind of emphasis on the issue, it was more about Will being generally queer than Will being in love with Mike. They built that specific side of the issue NOW, so that it could have a resolution in S5.

They have done the same for El’s character arc. It’s begun since S3 and it’s probably going to pull through by S5.

What about Mike? Unfortunately for him, he always gets the short end of the character development stick. For being someone so closely connected to the two people who have a central role in the story, they do not dedicate much time to his psyche, and I wonder why they wrote him like that when they have made it a point to make his relationship with both El and Will be so important to both character developments. Why is it that he’s so important to them but he doesn’t get to care properly for either or have them influence his character development?

Between his first fight with El in S4 and his last monologue to her he literally hasn’t learned anything. What he got was Will reassuring him that he was already loving her the right way, he just needed to be more confident, so he basically only repeats himself by the end (plus the ily).

So if I’m right and El decides that she is better off breaking up with him, that will be the moment where he will finally starts to think. If he wants to go anywhere with his character development, the breakup needs to happen both for El and for him.

In my ideal world, it would be a good breakup. El would suffer, because out of the two I’d say she’s the one whose feelings are most invested, but she would know it’s for her own good. Mike would be confused (as he was in S3 after all) and hurt because he feels like he did his best. But they would also feel better very fast. Relieved, even. And it would be nice if they got to have a couple moments where they get to actually be FRIENDS first and they realize that, holy shit, they work better this way. In fact they can finally TALK to each other work as a team without being defensive or projecting. Which would ultimately make them feel that it was for the better.

Now in between this situation, I think it would make sense for Mike to feel like Will lied to him. He said El would always need him, that he was the heart... I think it would be the perfect chance to bring up Will’s painting and possibly make Will and Mike’s relationship strain because of it as Will is unable to explain what he truly meant with it.

Eventually Mike would calm down and realize that Will was just being a good friend and it’s not his fault.

This would be a good moment to introduce how conflicted he is towards Will, to show that there’s tension between them that doesn’t only come from Will’s part. Since Mike doesn’t have El to fall back onto anymore, some emotion coming from him is overly due.

Something supernatural ensues or happens in between who knows.

Timeskip.

I think the timeskip having M*leven being broken up is the best possible use of the timeskip, because this gives both Mike and El reasonable time to get over each other and the audience can also feel like it’s done and it’s not too soon for Mike to move on. It’s important that before the timeskip they establish some kind of open tension between Byler coming from him. They already kinda did with Mike’s behavior in S4, but they didn’t highlight it enough for the unattentive watcher to pick up on it. So they definitely need to make it more explicit. To leave it in the minds of the watchers and Mike’s mind for the whole duration of the time skip, and eventually pick it back up after the timeskip.

More supernatural stuff ensues.

Mike feels dejected because Will’s painting depicted him as a Paladin and the heart of the party but in reality he doesn’t feel that way at all. Sometimes he looks at it longingly but he feels like it’s all a lie. He’s not that special at all and El didn’t really think about him that way either. So he feels like he’s stupid for fixating on it, but he still loves that painting so much.

Eventually Will falls into a supernatural situation where Mike has to do something and take charge and either Will tells him that he was the one who painted and thought all that of Mike, or El tells Mike that she knows nothing about the painting and Mike finally realizes.

Basically, they absolutely should pull a Beverly/Bill/Ben situation with the painting. It’s too similar not to. They set it up way too well.

The aftermath could go both ways... either Mike was shown to struggle with his feelings for Will throughout the season and at this point he finally says fuck it and acts on them OR he still saves the day in a way that is not 100% romantic but by the end, when the supernatural is defeated and everything, he has a heart-to-heart with Will where Will gets to actually confess to him and Mike gets to be honest to him about the fact that he’s confused and scared and has been this whole time, but if Will is willing to have him anyway, he’s willing to work on it, because it’s not as scary if Will believes in him. And Will admits that this is so so scary for him too, but they promised that if they were going crazy they would be crazy together so of course he’s willing to work on it with Mike and they tentatively hold hands.

The season ends with Mike and Will leaving Hawkins for the same college and Mike asking Will if he wants to create a new party with him, ending the whole thing with Byler basically havily hinted but not yet official and them actually ending up playing D&D and accepting that that’s who they are for the rest of their life.

It wouldn’t give us Byler as a couple, but I think it would make such a good finale which would match all characters without making anything out of the blue? I think I’d rather have Mike come to terms with himself in a realistic, fleshed-out way, you know? Hints were given but it still feels to me that they won’t have enough time to make him go through so much self-discovery for Byler to be a full fledged couple.

I think I would love such an ending? They would be 17 or 18 by then and it just... fits. That he would learn to be himself by then, leaving his smalltown behind, but having Will with him. Because Will makes him feel like he’s not a mistake, like he’s better for being different.

#byler #would anyone else be happy with this #i know most people did not like that will's feelings weren't explicitly stated #but i would absolutely adore a finale like this for mike #it would feel very natural too #not rushed nor pushed onto his character #maybe it's just me #any thoughts?#there's also a chance that he has already thought about how different he is between s3 and s4 #but i feel like he won't actually acknowledge it until he's broken up with el

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ecargmura · 9 months

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My Happy Marriage Episode 7 Review - Endings and Beginnings

When one door closes, another opens. That’s what this episode technically is about. The door to the conflicts with the Saimori family has come to an end and then a door to a new arc with new conflicts opens. I really like the relaxed nature of this episode and the buildup of ominous things to come towards the end. I think the way the sakura tree stump disintegrated is a good representation of that; Miyo’s reliance on her mother ends as she steps forward into a new beginning with her fiancé.

The aftermath of the whole kidnapping ordeal ends with the Saimori and Tatsuishi families suffering severe consequences for their actions. The entire Saimori estate is burned to the ground. Mr. and Mrs. Saimori moved to the countryside while Kaya is sent to work as a servant for a strict household. Regarding the Tatsuishis, Mr. Tatsuishi is no longer head of the family; that is passed down to Kazushi now. The Tatsuishi family is now under the control of the Kudou family. I know that many want Miyo’s abusive family to die, but I do think that this is a better result. Falling from grace and then suffering from humiliation for the rest of their lives is the best end the greedy family could have. They all cared about their reputation and wealth, so for them to not have them anymore and whether it would make or break them befits them the best. Whatever happens to them are no longer Miyo and Kiyoka’s issues.

I do like how Kaya’s end is a bit of a foil to Miyo’s beginning. Kaya ends her stint with little luggage and a train ride to her new home where she’ll be treated strictly for a long time. Miyo’s beginning was taking little luggage and a train ride to her new home where she’d meet a strict husband and household, but that was the start of a happiness that will last a long time. It’s ironic in a way that both sisters have that same experience, but with different ends.

Koji also makes his exit as he decides to move to the old capital to train his abilities and to come back a stronger and better man for his family and for his future spouse. It’s unknown whether his marriage to Kaya has been annulled; does Koji even want Kaya? I do like how when Koji first made his appearance, he and Miyo were talking by the lake. For his supposed last appearance, he and Miyo part ways by that same lake. I do like the symbolism. I hope that Koji makes a future appearance and for him to have a cute wife too. He deserves his own happiness.

The end of Miyo’s suffering begins with a peaceful new start as she and Kiyoka finally document their engagement. However, the next step of their marriage process is to meet with Kiyoka’s family. Miyo is worried after learning that the old head of the Kudou family was the one who was sending out proposal requests for Kiyoka. The request for the Saimori household was most likely for Kaya, which is a part of Miyo’s worries as she fears they might be disappointed with her. Kiyoka reassures her that if his father rejects her, he’ll burn him. He’s a future wife guy, seriously. I do like how the marriage isn’t immediate, but takes time. Marriage in general is a long process. I’ve met people who tell me how long and tedious the process is from registering the marriage certificate and then holding a wedding; the whole process itself seems tedious to me.

Meeting the Kudou family formally will have to wait as Miyo wants to get herself educated on how to be a proper lady in order to impress her in-laws. Kiyoka was a bit reluctant at first, but he gives in; he requests that he’d pick out a teacher for her which turns out to be none other than Kiyoka’s older sister, Hazuki Kudou. What? He has an older sister? Miyo is meeting one of her in-laws already? I know that some girls in real life would seethe at the thought of training to be a proper lady, but please remember the time period this story takes place in. Hazuki was educated in a girls school and was once married, so she knows her ins and outs of being a proper lady; also, it’s best to have someone Kiyoka can trust to teach Miyo and not be a conniving person trying to ruin their marriage.

Hazuki is a cool character, I like her a lot. She’s knowledgeable and knows how to have fun. It’s great to see another person adoring Miyo; Miyo deserves all the love. I do like how Hazuki seems to be more into modern society with the way she dresses in western clothes, bobbed hair and has an outgoing demeanor. She’s the very opposite of Miyo, but they still get along well. I do love how she acts like a big sister to both Kiyoka and Miyo. I hope she appears more. She’s fun! I do love how she’s also a stepping stone for Miyo to decide on what sort of person she’ll become; for now, she wants to be someone deserving of Kiyoka.

The ending of the episode was rather unsettling and a huge change of tone from how the rest of the episode was before. The fact that the next conflict the couple will have to deal with seems to be a scary cult makes the Saimoris seem like child’s play now. What are those spirits they summoned? Are those Grotesqueries? Given that this might be the Usuba clan, it makes me worry for what’s to come. What will they do with Miyo? How will they overcome this ordeal? What did you think about this episode as a whole?

#my happy marriage #watashi no shiawase na kekkon #Miyo saimori #Kiyoka Kudou #Koji Tatsuishi #Kaya Saimori #Hazuki Kudou #review #anime #anime review #ecargmura #arum journal

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theredcapeofk · 4 months

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20 Questions More

A deeper and more detailed version of the 20 questions for AO3 fanfic writers. Thanks @fazedlight for the tag!!

1) How do you keep getting ideas for your ship/fandom?

I have three main sources of inspiration:

my own brain where my ship and fandoms live rent-free.

tumblr: other people's works keep the passion alive and new ideas coming

discussing the ships and fandoms with other fans

2) Which authors inspire you in your fandom, and why are they so freakishly good?

So many of you guys do inspire me for so many different reasons it's hard to make a list.

3) Aside from the characters of your main ship, who are the characters you love to write?

I love to have Eliza around she brings a sense of calm and reassurance to my scenes. I also love to have Esme, she's so cute and I like having her melt everyone's hearts from sheer cuteness.

4) Are there pairings or tropes you know for sure you'd never write about? Which ones?

Writing and reading fanfics have taught me that my views tend to change on ships and tropes. So my never today could inspire me tomorrow.

5) What is your writing process and why is it cursed?

I don't know about a writing process... I get an inspiration and start writing. Sometimes I outline longer fics and sometimes the stories cannot be outlined so I let it write itself as I go. Of course I make the whole thing coherent.

If that wasn't cursed enough, I'll just add that there are times where my brain just won't English so I have to think my writing in French and translate it.

6) What is your favorite part of your writing process?

The outpour of inspiration that makes me write until my eyes/fingers hurt

7) What’s the weirdest thing you’ve had to research for a fic?

I honestly don't remember. But every research I ever make for a fic is a fall down the rabbit hole. You start by a word research and two hours later you end up watching a tutorial on how to comb a Giraffe's hair...(It never actually happened, but you get my point lol)

8) Is there a particular writing rule you struggle with (grammar, spelling, tense, reality in general)?

Sometimes all of the above plus typos and the sequence of tenses? This used to never be a problem, but the further I get from my English classes the blurrier sequence of tenses become.

9) What was your hardest scene to write so far and why?

Fight scenes and action scenes. Like how am I supposed to describe who does what and how...?

10) Have your characters ever done something you didn’t expect, changing your plot completely?

Very often. In Change my Direction Kara was supposed to heal a lot faster. And then she didn't and here we are lol. In My Eyes are Up Here Kara was supposed to spill the secret sooner but she couldn't. And in a project I'm still working on on the rift era, Lena was supposed to cave in sooner but she's stubborn lol

11) If you could converse with any of the characters, who would it be and why?

Definitely Kara and Lena. I have so many questions and I would love their take on what canon left unsaid. I would also like to speak to Brainy and Cat. I would pester Brainy about the 31st century to know the extent of Kara's and Lena's legacy. I'd ask Cat how she managed to create Catco and also what finally gave Kara away.

12) What are some of the tropes or themes that you find yourself returning to in your writing?

Kara and Lena are always idiots in love in my fics and when they do admit their feelings to each other, they only live for one another.

As for themes, I tend to come back to the rift era because canon created a tension that needed solving and their version only broached the surface. And this conflict brought so many things to the surface for the characters there are so many alternate answers to be given I feel that it's an exploration that keeps on giving.

13) What's your most important resource as a writer?

My phone. I've been writing mostly on my phone for years and I love the flexibility it gives me. I can carry it around with me and write whenever inspiration strikes.

14) Can you share some of your strategies for editing and revising your work?

You guys actually have strategies for that? Hahaha. What I tend to do, is highlight words or sentences as I go along. Then, when I'm done with a chapter, I put the fic away for a few days and then I start re-reading the chapter from the start. Best-case scenario I take the highlights off, worst-case scenario I highlight more stuff lol. As some words need translating I try to do this step incrementally because I know how long or hard the language check can be.

When I get stuck to a point where I can't move on, I beg my English speaking friends for help. @lenaralanvers has helped me so much since 2021

15) Which is worse: making the summary, picking the tags, or the anxiety when you post your fic?

The summary is always my absolute nemesis

16) How do you define success for your fanfic - hits? Kudos? Comments? Bookmarks? Or just if you like it?

I think I define it from the hits.

17) Do you have a playlist for your favorite character/ship?

I do have a playlist for Supercorp and it's always growing. There's a lot of Celine Dion and Greek pop songs in it. There's something about Celine Dion's voice and late 90's and early 2000's songs that just screams Supercorp to me. The Greek pop songs have a special way of expressing pain and regret that fits perfectly with the rift era.

18) If fan art was going to be made from your work, which fic would you pick and which fan artist would you like to create it?

If I had to pick someone, I would commission them :). maybe 2024 is the year I finally do this.

And if anyone wants to create fanart from any of my fics please feel free to.

19) How many WIPs do you currently have?

Phew...tough question! I don't have time to actually count them all, but I'd say twelve? out of the top of my head. Some will be one shots, some will hopefully become multichapters.

20) What's your advice to new fanfic writers?

If you want to write fanfic go for it. Don't let anything or anyone stop you from ever writing. Never plagiarize anyone and if you get your inspiration from someone, always give credit.

- - - - -

Tagging (respectfully and without pressure). If you've done the game before, feel free to send me a link to it ;) @chaotic-super, @lenaralanvers , @inkedroplets , @fyonahmacnally if you want some rapid-fire q's thrown your way. But also anyone who'd like to do this!

#20 questions #writing

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lowkeyclueless5137 · 7 months

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Riddle's Double Isekai on Chapter 7

Hooo boi!

Upon voting, it was decided that people who like my shit want to put yet again the redhead shortie into the angst departament. :v

Initially, I had 7 double isekais, but when it comes to touching up the diasomnia chapter, we can exclude Malleus's double Isekai, since that had a completely separated plot and even then, the Isekai Malleus was way more detached from the conflict that cannon Malleus has.

Of course! We have chapter 7 Spoilers, for both servers. We will touch up until 7.5, cuz that is literally where the book stops at the moment, just to get a feeling of what we are dealing with. (I have a feeling that mayhaps we could possibly get near the Dia arc end in main story... Dunno, man...)

Anyway... Yep... Chapter 7 Spoilers... Along with spoilers for Riddle's Double Isekai story. We will touch up on the basis of it, just to tie in everything...

Under the cut we have everything! :3

OK... So for starters, background! Riddle got Isekai-ed back into twst along his adoptive mother, Yuuneka(his Yuu :3) and cheesecake, his cat. Due to this circumstances, Crowley assumed that Yuuneka was summoned to twst, hence Riddle, Grim and cheesecake were deemed as her student counterparts. Since she was an adult and also magicless, Crowley assigned Yuuneka as the janitor, therefore the other 3 would have to live with her in Ramshackle. :'3

Yuuneka is very positive, always reassuring that things will sort out just fine in the end. Riddle, unfortunately, is far more negative about the whole ordeal. He does happen to befriend Adeuce, the Chandelier incident commences and everyone gets yeeted at the mines. There Riddle discovers that he has magic, purely by accident.

We follow the Savanaclaw and Scarabia arcs almost like in cannon. Octavinelle has the highlight that Azul was very persuasive on Yuuneka giving up Ramshackle. Also cheesecake and Leona have rivalry. :'3

Then you have Heartslabyul arc, where Trey gets to push the line a bit too much on poor Riddle. Like he knew he was missing, at worst, dead, so to see this redhead with a new last name just waltzing around the school, was bewildering. Trey expected for Riddle to remember him and Che'nya, which wasn't the case. Adding to the fact that poor Riddle just discovered his UM in the heat of the moment back in Scarabia, he was very wonky and all was piling up on him. Plus, adding to the whole VDC camp ordeal and the fear of his biological mother stepping in and taking him away from his family, who raised him.

Yes, he was pushed into overBlot. The Aftermath was also messy. It was mostly stopped by Yuuneka reaching out to her child and Riddle who just wanted home. He wanted back home, at his normal school, at his grandparents and the magicless world. So it ended more with a heart to heart from mother to son and a fluffy time in the little family of 4(grim was officially adopted around the 2nd chapter :3).

Following it with the rest of the VDC and Vil's overBlot, Yuuneka had to finally be more harsher with those Bois. Mainly Rook got the shoe treatment. R.I.P. French he-man, your betrayal won't be forgiven. :'3

Then, chapter 6 happens, Idia also gets the shoe treatment. No one is safe from the shoe, not even Crowley. This mama had enough of you the second you made her child to cry. Suffer now :'D

And now... After this smol explanation of everything, leading up to the very awaited chapter 7, we can finally touch upon it.

First of all, with Malleus becoming a good aquitance of Yuuneka, it was clear the Fae was also introduced to Riddle, Grim and Cheesecake. So they were all buddies. :D

Hence why, when Ortho presents the opportunity to find a way home for Yuuneka, Malleus is a bit sad. Of course he would be if the allegedly new mom figure and his new friends all went home and never returned. But Yuuneka reassures the Fae that she is sure there could be made a 2 way in between the 2 worlds and they could visit each other.

But then Lilia ruins the mood when he announces he would suddenly drop out. Now, Riddle didn't knew all that well the diasomnia vice, but he figured Malleus was also sad about it. Cater, the Heartslabyul Dormhead, also expressed his woe about his fellow clubmate leaving so out of the blue. Many students came to like Lilia, so him leaving would be a quite painful jab. The good part was that Lilia was throwing a bigass farewell party and the whole school was invited.

Yuuneka also felt the need to serve a good party look, just because she is a very lady-like figure. If she doesn't feel she slays. She might as well stay at home. Riddle really doesn't understand his mom sometimes. :'3

But, for a nice farewell gift, the Ramshackle decided to give to Lilia a nice handmade scarf. Lilia wholeheartedly accepted the said gift.

Meanwhile, Sebek gets introduced to the first year group. And him with Riddle immediately go head-to-head. Ace and Epel are just egging on them, Jack tries to stop the fight, all whole Deuce and Ortho want to see how this pans out.

There is also Trey, but Riddle avoids him. They still had things sour in between them. And it doesn't help that Yuuneka is also very salty about Trey. He has a chance to redeem himself, but then again, if he messes up, the belt will be upon him. :'3

But, the party is abruptly stopped when OverBlot Malleus shows up. There is a fight and ofc, panic. Malleus uses his own UM, putting everyone to sleep.

So while Ortho goes to STIX like in cannon, we have the other side, where Yuuneka gets shook up by Riddle in the dream world, which depicted a more different Ramshackle dorm room. Grim and cheesecake were also there.

Unfortunately for them, there were also Phanthoms, whom Grim and Riddle had to put a front against. They thankfully get saved by Silver and together they jump into Sebek's dream. Again, Malleus sends his blot goons to stop them and so, they resort to jumping in yet another dream.

This time it was Lilia's and they get held hostages by the Fae soldiers, whom general Lilia was leading. Cheesecake bit some soldier's ass. :3

Lilia, of course, doesn't recognize Silver, nor Sebek. Same story with Baul. But Yuuneka does plead for them to at least help out, as they mean no harm. Since she was clearly an emphatic lady and of course, a woman who still fought to protect the boys(maternal instincts seem to be the bane of NRC Students's Pride).

In reality Riddle told them she could cook, the second they realised they needed to stop for food. Sorry, Lilia, but you were demoted from your cook position. :'3

And thankfully, the soldiers finally ate something that won't poison their stomachs. They won't voice it out, but the humans proved to be a gift from heavens so far. :v

Riddle does have a little heart-to-heart with Sebek, mostly about Baul rejecting the Greenhead for being 'human'. Cheesecake is also a chonky huggable mass of fluff, which helped more to the opening up. They are friends now! Yay! :D

They go to the castle where Malenoir is, along her egg. Imagine just how easy it becomes when Riddle uses 'off with your head' on the silver owl soldiers. Not only it gives shock value to the poor less knowledgeable, but also it locks the magic of the soldiers, having them far easier to defeat.

Reaching the castle, they ofc are waltzing right into a trap. Lilia gets wounded and is a chaos of proportions. Via unspeakable raging from Riddle and Sebek, they do manage to reach the throne room, where Malenoir was along the egg. It doesn't help that she was cranky on top of it. :'3

But Yuuneka, as a fellow mother, understands how excited Malenoir was for her very own child. So she resonates with her and the 2 immediately become buddies. Since Yuuneka worked as a kindergarten teacher prior to the Isekai, she had that knack for taking care of kids. So Malenoir was delighted that at least some humans prove to be kind and peaceful.

Ah yes... 'if not friend, then why friend shaped', But make it insanely powerful Fae queen and magicless hooman mom with 1 son and 2 cats. :3c

Malenoir does ask about Yuuneka's son, so the queen gets introduced to Riddle, who's at that age, where a teen only has one thing in mind: arson. :3

But because Yuuneka and Malenoir bonded so well and fast, it allowed the group to warn the queen far more quicker about the threat of the silver owls. So now it isn't a surprise attack anymore. Still, with a significant lack of preparation like the said owls had, our team was still getting the shorter stick.

And so, Malenoir takes it up to herself to protect the egg and the group. Firstly by entrusting Lilia with egg Malleus, then by going full dragon lady and fighting with the troupes of the enemy. :3

Ah yes, very nice! Malleus gets motherless, the dad's still out for some of that diplomatic milk... Great job, everyone! :D

So now we get introduced to the knight of dawn, who apparently wasn't a bitch and this whole time was pressured by his actual bitchy brother in law(or smth, I read summaries, don't sue me :v), into going through this fucked up campaign.

Riddle is the first one that makes the connection that Silver is related to the said illegally pretty knight. Their hair and eyes are just different. But ya know... Nothing a wig and some good ol' contacts can't fix. He does whisper it to his mom, who also keeps quiet and keeps Grim from bringing up the uncanny resemblance.

Cheesecake does seem to like the knight tho. Damn... Disney princess power hitting yet again. U-Ub

But after the noble sacrifice on the knight's side, we get to find out that *gasp* Silver is his baby son, cursed to sleep until ✨true love✨ wakes him up. Lilia tho manages to do just that and so uses his UM(still IDK what that shit does, but let's pretend I do know) on baby Silver, which results in the aurora eyes and the silver hair to appear.

Cue Silver having a breakdown about it, which yes... He totally has the right to it, because this is fucked up on so many levels at this point... And here I thought Idia's backstory was a tearjerker... :'3

Now Riddle also can resonate with Silver to some extent, because he also was an adopted child, someone who was faced with the fact that he was adopted quite harshly and he even overblotted under the pressure of that theme. It's a very sensible topic, so once Sebek does reach Silver with his UM and gets him to snap out of it, Riddle gets to comfort Silver about this. It was hard, everyone can't possibly imagine how this revelation is affecting him, but they have to be tough now. OverBlot Malleus is still out there and they need to stop him before something goes horribly wrong and no one could fix it anymore.

Yuuneka is also the voice of reason. As a mother, she feels like she is able to speak on behalf of our current Lilia, when she declares that no matter what, their child is their child, adopted or not, so they deserve the love, time and effort that was put into raising them. Because usually parents take this responsability upon them without being forced by someone. They want to share the love and give it life, raise it and educate it towards a future of it's own. It's not something romantic or platonic, is a whole other type of love that only a parent and their child has, so of course, Lilia has that love for Silver, otherwise he wouldn't be here.

And that gives to Silver determination. He is pumped up and ready to go and save his father! That, of course, alongside the rest of the group because sure as hell Sebek doesn't want for his buddy to go right into the danger, head-on, without being prepared beforehand.

And that would most likely pack up everything. I mean... Until Diasomnia chapter doesn't update a new part... We just have to sit down and relax for a bit. :3

Except moi... I have school :'3c

Until next time! Buh bye!

#twisted wonderland #twst #twst riddle #twst silver #twst sebek #twst spoilers #chapter 7 spoilers #The Double Isekai #Oh GOD-#It's a messed up book #and tbh... I'm here for it #This is all I could offer rn :'3 #gotta wait for what Rollo would bring on the table #PLS PLS PLS MAKE ROLLO IN MAIN STORY CANNON TWST

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frogfrizz · 1 year

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Thoughts on Gap the Series after Ep10

I’ve been a silent observer of Gap the Series. Since Episode 8 streamed on YouTube, I’m astonished by the series’ acceptance across thousands (and by now millions) of viewers, especially in the Philippines. After Episode 10 streamed, with conflict across family and societal pressures threatening to crack both protagonists, I’m compelled to write about what it means to me as media representation.

Gap’s narrative represents my terror and despair when I was in my early twenties, and the dim but eventual stirrings of hope. The series’ acceptance by its captive audience rouses my jealousy, too, because it is media representation and acknowledgement that I wish I had when I was younger. I wonder how different life could have been if Mon, Sam, and their cadre of supportive friends on-screen ran parallel to the narratives of my own life, so I could feel less alone. This brings back the importance of media representation for me and many others, and what matters so much about Mon and Sam’s story, where they navigate different identities that intersect and collide.

When I was younger, the life I imagined for myself was not possible in the Philippines; it still isn’t, especially when parents and authority figures wield their social and financial power over me to coerce, threaten, overpower, or destroy. For my family, the wider community and their relationships to it came first. Decisions revolved around their dignity, status, and how they could safely and effectively relate to their social circles and their church.

All this came at the expense of my individual needs as a young, queer person, especially since my needs were so antithetical to society’s demands: to date and eventually marry a man, to bear his children, to blindly obey the Catholic Church’s homophobic and sexist strictures, and act like a compliant, conventional young woman.

Strangely, it was the women in my family who preferred to see me suffer or die than sully the family name. When mom found out about my partner and I, she wanted me committed to the hospital’s psychological ward. Only a young doctor with their wits about them stopped her. My sister still maintains that mom’s financial, emotional, and physical abuse was and is a “personality clash”.

In the end, it was my dad, brother, and a community of queer women who tried to distance me from their cruelty and also saved my life. In the plan to get me more financially independent, Dad told me, “It’s better if you left (the Philippines). You’ll be constantly ostracized here.” With Dad’s help, my partner and I left everything we knew, all our friends and family, for a country we didn’t know and to which we had no ties. Eventually, we settled there, a time and place that recognized our rights.

Gap the Series manages to dig out the scars of that trauma, but it also surfaces many hopes for Mon and Sam’s future.

I’m speaking from a position of privilege as I’m educated, I had access to resources, and I had loved ones who helped me change my situation. It is still my sincere hope that if young queer people in hard, desperate situations hold out for long enough, find good allies (or are found by them), and nurture what love remains, It Gets Better. Whether Gap the Series gives us that happy ending or it doesn’t, let me reassure you that in many instances, life can be fully and happily lived.

With its young audience in the millions, I don’t want a message that tells young people to endure pain for the sake of their families. I won’t want a singular implication that there is no other way than to sacrifice one’s needs for the whims of the many, that one needs to suffer alone, or that the suffering will last a lifetime. So, here are fervent wishes for Mon and Sam, and anyone experiencing something similar. These are the core attachments that have saved my life many times over:

A partner who will choose me every time, even when I don’t have the courage to choose my self

An ally, or two, or three who will love, defend, and give me reprieve, so hope does not burn out

A family member who uses their agency and power to help, especially when things go dark

The physical and psychological resources, external or internal, to find and eventually maintain a safe space

…and it’s all possible, crew. You are not alone, never alone, and I love you beyond and across these virtual spaces. These came true for me in some form, the last only recently, and I hope we see this enacted on the episodes that are about to be streamed. I hope the creators can shape this reality for you and me. I hope they acknowledge its importance for queer people everywhere, imprinting the possibility of a bright and wonderful future into the minds of all the young, queer people watching.

#gap the series #sammon #monsam #wlw #meta #media representation #gap the series meta #mon x sam #tw: abuse

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itsclydebitches · 2 years

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If the writers had successfully developed Ironwood into a villain, the storyline still would have faltered because, with the heroes 100% secure in their choices and the enemy vulnerable about theirs, they, no matter how bad, will always feel easier to connect and empathise with because they feel more human compared to the heroes. Ironwood assures not!Penny she's doing the right thing. Ironwood pleads with Winter. Ironwood tears up. The heroes just tell themselves that they made the right choice.

Yeah, RWBY has a lot going on, including a lot of problems, so fixing one aspect, even a big one, isn't going to fix everything else too... but it would certainly help lol.

For me, the most frustrating thing about these later volumes is that the writing gets so close to letting the cast be flawed, complex, relatable heroes, but then continually pulls back at the last moment. Ren calls the group out on their failures, but Yang and Jaune instantly dismiss them. Ruby has a breakdown about how her plan didn't work, but Yang instantly reassures her that they tried, so it's fine. May insists that they make a hard choice for once, but instead they remain in the mansion and the next time we see her, May has completely changed her tune, claiming that there's nothing more the heroes could have done. (With the problem always being that yes, there was a lot more the heroes could have done). And then we've got all the moments where the story doesn't overtly establish a problem, but hints at it strongly, so strongly that in any other show you'd be mocked for thinking it wouldn't be resolved. However, RWBY drops conflicts like hot potatoes. How will Weiss resolve her disagreement with Winter? She doesn't. How will Qrow grapple with his decisions that got Clover killed? He doesn't. How will Yang work through this nonexistent fight with Blake? She doesn't.

Yeah, it's easy to differentiate the good from the bad on the surface because Ruby sheds tears, gives passionate speeches, and Ironwood is, canonically, trying to bomb a city. It's only when you ask what Ruby is crying over, what the speeches lead to, and whether this sudden turn into villainy makes sense (it doesn't) that you might go, 'Hold on, I'm honestly feeling more sympathy for the bad guy legitimately grappling with his decisions, than the heroic girl confidently leading a kingdom to their doom.' RWBY doesn't let the heroes make mistakes anymore, which means that we don't get to read their emotions as anything other than righteous fury. No matter what the heroes say or do, the audience is supposed to respond with, "Yeah! You tell 'em!" which would get pretty old pretty fast even if I did legitimately have that response within the context of the events. But when it's stuff like, "Yeah, you attack that ally instead of sending Weiss to Atlas" or "Yeah, you lie to Ironwood, and Mantle, and the entirety of Remnant, just like Ozpin lied to you" or "Yeah, you strip Penny of her identity without her consent and then frame that as a marked improvement; the chance for her to finally be 'real'" it, uh... gets pretty hard to drum up the emotional response I know the story wants to invoke. Ironwood is a mess by the end of the series and no, I don't feel for the man who wants to kill a whole city for no apparent reason. I do, however, feel for the man who was driven to extremes due to outside forces, part of which came from people he thought he could trust, and from a meta perspective, the authors who gave up on his development halfway through, resulting in a 'genocidal general' that didn't make sense within the story.

#rwde #rwby #mymetas

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perhaps-in-anotherdream · 2 years

Text

[CN] Victor’s Mystery Box DLC – “Date” (Eng Translation)

“tu me manques” – You’re an indispensable part of my existence. I’m incapable of being without you.

“j'appartiens a toi” – I belong to you.

“for the rest of our lives, forever.”

The following content is part of the Mystery Box Merch. The contents of the mystery box are exclusive to CN for players who’ve purchased the merch, and won’t make it to the global server! ♡

Do note that, this is not exactly part of the main storyline or the dates. You can treat this as “an independent date” which contains flavors from the actual storyline! A MUST READ!!! 🥺❤️

—

I’ve decided to not translate the “full-on angst” LOL cause it’s TOO MUCH contents. and I just don’t have the energy or the time ;-;

—

Allow me to give you some context from the storyline that are “necessary for the date”, instead of drowning you in the ocean of angst:

The story revolves around the conflict between Evolvers and ordinary people, BS drama, MC’s QUEEN identity and all that thing.

In Victor’s branch, he receives an email from MC which she thought was a spam and accidentally sent to Victor (he gets so “proud” later how he is her “go-to person” LOL 🤣🫀).

MC learns about how Victor got trapped in a phantasmagoria (because cue. the drama mentioned earlier), and figures she is the one to blame because if it weren’t for her – he probably would be living a relatively trouble-free life, and she’s the one who gets him into distress all the time (we see MC doing this continuously from S1 CH 18-21 as well) ಥ_ಥ

Along the way as she (i.e., you as the player lol) solves puzzles, she finds souvenirs Victor had stored to give her cue. more heartbreak. [they are actual souvenirs btw, you receive them with the merch box].

At one point, MC enters Victor’s subconscious mind and CUE. (P A I N + TEARS)^∞. She also sees visions of his time at the Space-Time Bureau, the ten thousand years—

And how in all those countless images in his memory during those years, SHE IS EVER PRESENT, his little secret silver lining to keep himself together.

The answer of a puzzle at a certain stage was – “I won’t leave you alone.” – the reference to his “Homeward Bound R&S”

And we see MC replying to him in her mind,

“Victor, I know... and I won’t leave you alone either.”

MC manages to find Victor in the end, and the two of them work together to find a way to get out of the phantasmagoria cue. more puzzles + playing card games with a mystery man cue. MORE P A I N + more hugs and hand-holding, as always 🥺❤️

While Victor expresses how he is proud of MC and all that, MC asks “how could be he so calm and certain the whole time, what if she failed to solve the puzzle in the phantasmagoria.”

Victor shows MC the cards he had drawn. A straight Royal Flush! MC realizes they could’ve gotten out even if she hadn’t solved the puzzles and asks him why he didn’t use the cards then? He replies,

“I didn’t look at the cards until you solved the password. I believed you could do it. This deck of cards is simply an alternative.”

~ ಥ‿ಥ

MC says that the “goddess of fortune” must be by Victor’s side. And we see him looking deeply into her eyes and saying,

“Indeed.”

sobbing intensifies

Anyway, after they break out of that painful illusion, MC is obviously heartbroken about the memories she saw, but what intensifies that is – Victor still can’t get out of this dimension.

With his reassurance and courage, MC leaves him there to solve more puzzles (but solving the puzzles were really fun tho haha🤡) Anyway, in the end, when MC manages to rescue Victor—

“Victor, I did it. I really have gotten you back.”

we find out—

Victor already knew everything was a trap from the start, and he went ahead after receiving the email from her, because he figured MC could be in danger. It turns out, ultimately he’s the one who rescued MC.

–

[Note: the aspect of “rescuing MC” is the same for all love interests btw ;-; but, their stories of being caught in the phantasmagoria, interactions with MC, events and everything else are different, of course, similar to the main story itself / their dates haha~ 💕]

–

Of course, Victor doesn’t breathe a word about his pain cue. his space-time bureau and other memories MC has seen. MC realizes how it’s not because “she is in his life that he is forced to be tangled in danger and pain,” rather it has always been “his choice to face the danger for her from beginning to end.”~ cue. Victor comforting and reassuring MC how none of this chaos was her fault~ 🥺

[same for all love interest] They catch the Evolver who caused the whole drama yes he has his own tragic story, more Evolver and ordinary people clash, and MC’s QUEEN identity being the “said” reason of it all—— 🤡

[branching out again] In response to Victor’s question, “how does she feel about her QUEEN identity”—

As usual, MC pours her heart out to him and tells him that she still doesn’t know what to feel. But she understands she has to “accept” this identity, and she will focus on the present instead of the future, one step at a time. Because this is what HE taught her you have no idea how I’ve been throwing hands by the time I reached here 😭😭

Ending with——

In this world – perhaps there are many who act in a certain way in spite of themselves, and there is no perfection. But I know that, no matter when or what happens, the six letters “Victor” will be my salvation, my strength, and my anchor in the journey to further beyond.

—

✧ [DATE – Part 1] ✧

The color of the sky outside the window is gradually turning dark. I sort out all the materials in my hands, heaving a soft sigh of relief.

It’s a project that isn’t very promising –– it’s about finding and taking notes of those families who have been unfortunately bereaved of their only child due to Evol, so that the entire society can see and pay attention to them.

Over the past few decades, Evolver attacks have resulted in the loss of many innocent lives. Each number represents a family and a painful story.

What happened in that phantasmagoria is merely a miniature version of these countless stories.

Dazed, I ponder for a while before returning to my senses. I lower my head and turn on my phone. The message I sent two hours ago hasn’t yet received a reply.

MC: Is Victor that busy...

Recently, LFG has taken on leading a collaboration project with a number of organizations. And as the person in charge, Victor has been so busy that he’s had his head buried deep in work and chaos, so much so that I’ve rarely seen him for a few days.

Every time I see him, it’s just quick glances at a meeting or while giving a report.

I scroll through the message history. He mostly found the time to reply with a “yes,” “redo,” or “talk to Goldman” – concise and comprehensive.

The last reply was at 1 a.m. this morning –– “Souvenir won’t be opening its doors these days.”

MC: Sigh...

I plop my face down on the desk, thinking about how I’m going to send him a text.

MC: It can’t go on like this. Why don’t I find a way to give him a treat?

As soon as this thought pops into my head, I can’t put it off any longer. I prance onto my seat at a galloping speed, ready to pry the information out of Goldman first.

MC: Goldman, I heard that the new project you guys are working on is going smoothly?

Goldman: Where did you hear that? But at least there are no more meetings scheduled for tonight; as of now.

MC: Ah, that’s indeed a help from heaven for me too!

Rejoicing, I dig out the spare key to Souvenir that Victor has given me earlier and tread out into the twilight before he gets off work.

As the sky slowly grows dusky, many people on the road are hurrying back home. I seem to be one of them as well.

When I arrive at Souvenir carrying the ingredients I’ve bought, the last shaft of twilight shrouds the white storefront, suddenly making me feel a speck of softness.

The door to Souvenir is still closed for business. I fish out my key and insert it into the keyhole, only to find that the door is not locked.

MC: That’s strange. Could it be that Mr. Mills is here?

Pushing the door open, I see a ray of light escaping to the dimly lit dining room through the half-opened door of the kitchen. A thought suddenly flits through my mind. I promptly accelerate my pace and run over.

MC: Victor––!

I slam open the half-closed door with a jerk. But to my dismay, even though the light is on, there’s no one in the kitchen...

MC: I guess he should still be at work...

I let out a bitter laugh, but a voice suddenly transmits from behind me––

Victor: What are you doing here?

When this voice, the one I couldn’t be more familiar with, rings out, my nose uncontrollably becomes a little sore. I turn my head impatiently and see Victor standing in the doorway.

He is still wearing his suit; only the jacket has been taken off, the weariness of the past few days lingering in his features. It’s only when he looks at me does the fatigue between his brows dissipate for a brief moment.

Victor: I just heard your voice and thought it was an illusion.

Victor’s gaze travels downward and lands on the key held in my hand, revealing a moment of understanding.

Victor: Why did you suddenly think of coming over?

MC: I just suddenly felt like... I haven’t seen you for ages.

Seeing that I’m still continuously eyeing him up from head to toe, Victor can’t help but break into laughter.

Victor: That’s your illusion.

Victor: Wasn’t it three days ago when you came in to submit a whimsical proposal and put down your grand statement on the spot?

Thinking back to that scene of me strongly arguing on my grounds and ultimately saying, “I will definitely make you guys approve it,” – my eyes can’t help but drift for a moment.

MC: That’s not... it’s because this project is really important.

MC: Although there is some difficulty with getting people invested in the early stage and the promotion of the show...

MC: However, it’s still possible to obtain good returns through a variety of means.

Listening to my frank and eloquent speech, Victor kneads the space between his eyebrows as though having a bit of a headache.

Victor: I’ll ask Goldman to compile a list of some trustworthy organizations to give to you.

Victor: However, I’m still putting my foot down on my original judgment. You can leave this project for someone else to handle.

He pauses in his words, hidden worries floating in his gaze.

Victor: Don’t let what happened in the phantasmagoria affect you too deeply.

MC: I...

MC: I can’t make any promises. The things that happened are facts, and the existence of pain is also real. There’s no use in running away from it.

MC: I’ll do the best of my capabilities to refine the proposal for this project until it gets approved.

Victor’s brows knit together into a tight frown, and I can see clearly that he doesn’t approve of this. I crane my neck and stare straight into his eyes, unwilling to retreat even half a step.

Finally, he sighs softly. Akin to a sign of concession, it causes my tense nerves to loosen up subsequently.

Victor: ...it seems that you end up persuading me every time.

MC: After all, my greatest merit is that I don’t ever admit defeat so easily!

Victor releases a soft chuckle.

Victor: Your self-awareness is fairly accurate.

Victor: I’ll be waiting for your refined proposal. And if it’s outstanding enough, I won’t stop you.

With that said, he crosses over to me and walks into the kitchen, rolling up the cuffs of his shirt several times as he does so.

Victor: Now it’s time for rest. You can set aside work-related matters for the time being.

Seeing that he has started to tidy up the cooking table that hasn't been used in some time, I also pick up a cleaning rag, prepared to help.

MC: Let me help too!

Victor: The cloth you’re holding is not used for wiping the table.

Victor: Don’t tell me that you especially came here just to clean up?

He turns his line of sight towards the ingredients on the side that I’ve completely forgotten about. It’s just at this moment do I recall the purpose of my coming over.

MC: ! I almost forgot...

MC: Actually, I was thinking that you’ve been working too hard recently, and I wanted to surprise you by trying out a new recipe...

But what I didn’t expect was for this plan to have foil as the outcome as soon as I set foot in the kitchen. Victor laughs softly; evidently, this thought of mine has also crossed his mind.

Victor: Dummy.

Victor: In case I hadn’t shown up, would the great meal you intended to prepare be devoted to your own stomach?

MC: Of course not. I had already inquired from Goldman in advance that you guys didn’t need to attend any meeting tonight.

MC: However, I was planning to call you after everything was prepared... didn’t you say that Souvenir isn’t gonna be open for business these days?

Victor: Looks like you’re in pretty good spirits since you’re talking so much.

Victor: A certain dummy had been drooping her head in depression the other day. So, I planned to try out a new dessert to cheer her up.

Victor: But now, seeing as she is still in the mood to comfort other people, this dessert doesn’t seem necessary.

Even though he says this, a light smile hangs at the corners of his lips.

My heart softens. It turns out that all my frustrations that I’ve painstakingly suppressed laid themselves bare before his eyes regardless.

MC: I’m sorry for making you worried. You clearly have been so busy lately...

Victor: In a few days, this project will reach the end of its phase, and I will hand over the rest to them to carry it out.

Victor: So that we can avoid letting you have the illusion again that “you haven’t seen me for ages.”

He gives me a meaningful look, a smile playing in his eyes. He then turns around to fetch the apron that is hanging on the side.

MC: Hold on a sec! Leave this to me!

One step ahead of him, I snatch the black apron hanging on the wall and hurriedly tie it on myself.

MC: I’m the chef today!

MC: Recently, I’ve meticulously studied a new dish. Although I cannot compare to the Souvenir’s chef, I can still manage to make it work~

Victor raises his eyebrows, a little surprised.

Victor: Are you sure you can do it yourself?

MC: Mm-hmm!! Leave the kitchen in my care now. You go out and get some rest first.

Seeing that he still wants to continue saying something, I rush to snatch his words.

MC: You can wait and see. No worries.

Victor: I’m leaving this all in your hands then.

He releases a chuckle, a handsome arc gracing the corners of his lips.

Victor: Don’t “blow up” my kitchen, though.

After prattling on with confidence, I kick Victor out of the kitchen, intending to implement my plan.

I bend down to open the cabinet to take out the utensils and ingredients, but find that the cabinet door is locked with an intricate combination lock hanging from it.

And the design on the combination lock seems to match the pattern on the Souvenir’s key in my hand...

—

[Players need to find out the answer to the riddle from the Souvenir’s key and commemorative coins they received in the merch]

Answer: TU ME MANQUES

This is actually one of the most beautiful French phrases ever!!!

On the surface it means, “I miss you.” But the structure of the sentence actually indicates – “You’re missing (from me).” So there’s a deeper meaning to this phrase, “You’re a part of me that I was missing. You’re crucial to my existence like a body organ or blood, and I can’t live without you.”

You’ll see Victor explaining it in a bit. Also, this phrase was on Victor’s 4th birthday karma too! 🥺💘

—

After some careful observation and comparison, I’ve finally figured out the password to open the lock. I carefully turn the gears to the correct letters. With a “click,” the lock opens.

The password above rests on a string of letters – “tu me manques.”

MC: French? It feels so familiar...

My brows crease into a frown as I search through my memory. Suddenly, an image from a long time ago floods into my mind––

–

━━━ [FLASHBACK BEGINS] ━━━

It was the time when Victor went on a business trip to France for more than half a month. When he came back, I especially snatched the airport pick-up job from Goldman.

MC: Tu me manques, Monsieur Victor~

Victor: ...don’t use “Tu me manques” casually with other people. For ordinary relationships, just using “Je pense à toi” would be enough.

MC: Why? Don’t they both mean the same thing?

Victor: [sighs] “Tu me manques” means more than just “I miss you”...

Victor: It also means, “You’re an indispensable part of my existence. I’m incapable of being without you.”

━━━ [FLASHBACK ENDS] ━━━

–

As I look at this familiar French phrase, a feeling of sourness slowly spreads through every corner of my heart, making my nose tingle.

So it turns out that I’m not the only one who’s been longing for the time spent together with him. He feels the same way too.

—

┈┈ ◍♡◍ ┈┈┈ ◍♡◍ ┈┈

—

✧ [DATE – PART 2] ✧

After gathering my emotions, I carefully remove the combination lock and put it aside before opening the cabinet and taking out the things I need from inside.

MC: First of all, let’s dice the vegetables...

Lowering my head, I wash and cut the vegetables one by one, following the steps in the recipe. Then, I toss the butter into the pan.

The butter melts into the pan with a soft “sizzling” noise. I, however, unwittingly begin to zone out.

My train of thoughts unconsciously returns to that phantasmagoria. The scenes seem to still linger vividly before my eyes, trying to drag me down into the shadows.

The aroma of food arising from the pan reminds me that it’s time to move on to the next step. I scramble to open the can of tomatoes and prepare to pour them into the pan.

MC: So hot...!

“Clang” –– the empty can falls onto the counter. I draw my hand back in pain and find a red mark on my finger from the burn.

MC: No, no, don’t think too much about it for now!

I turn down the heat and shake my head vigorously from side to side, as though this will toss away all those numerous turbulent thoughts.

Victor: What are you doing?

Hearing the voice, I turn my head and find Victor standing in the kitchen doorway, quietly watching me for who knows how long.

He repeats his words, his eyes seeming to see through all my concealment. But those eyes land on me as they have always had, just like any time in the past – as though nothing has changed, no matter what they’ve been through.

MC: I just accidentally...

For a moment, I find myself unable to find a suitable answer, but Victor doesn’t wait for my explanation. He walks over to me in a few steps, his expression somewhat piercing.

Victor: Give me your hand.

On tenterhooks, I anxiously place my scalded hand behind my back, still trying to find a way to refute.

MC: There are no blisters from the burn. It really isn’t that serious.

Victor takes hold of my hand that I was trying to hind behind me. When he touches an edge of the burned area, I can’t help but draw in a sharp breath.

MC: [hisses in pain] Sss...

Victor: Is this what you call “not serious?”

He frowns at me, his face wearing traces of dismay.

Victor: The first thing you need to do when you get burned is to treat it immediately, not stand around and be lost in thoughts.

Allowing no explanation, he places my hand under the water to rinse it off. His movements, however, are of great care and caution. Feeling slightly uncomfortable, I want to draw my hand out of his shackle, only to receive a faint warning in return.

Victor: Don’t squirm. It’ll still take a little longer to rinse.

Only after confirming that I’m no longer flailing about does Victor take out what appears to be an unopened burn cream from one of the drawers in the corner.

MC: You’ve actually got burn cream prepared here?

Victor: Just in case. Better safe than sorry.

He sweeps a glance over me, pulls out a paper towel, and gently soaks up the water from my hand before squeezing the white ointment onto his own.

MC: I can do it myself...

Not giving me any chance to choose, he lowers his head and applies the ointment to my fingers.

The icy ointment slowly coats my faintly stinging skin. But the truth is, what’s even more powerful than this cold presence is the touch of his finger pads – tender and patient.

Victor: All right, don’t touch the water for a while.

MC: It really doesn’t hurt that much anymore.

I explain with a little guilty conscience. Victor glances at me.

Victor: Didn’t you just say that it didn’t hurt?

Victor: Every time you cook, something always seems to happen.

He looks in the direction of the stove. The fire has been turned off, but there is red tomato juice spilled all over the pan and countertop, akin to a “scene of a tragedy.”

And the tomatoes, carrots, and king oyster mushrooms that have been sliced to different sizes in the pan... are soaked in the tomato juice. The entire composition doesn’t look the least bit appetizing.

Victor: The new recipe you were boasting about – were you referring to making a chaotic stew with seasonal vegetables?

Victor: It really seems like I shouldn’t have looked forward too much to your new recipe.

MC: Actually, that’s only the first step. The next step is to take the ingredients out of the pan, and then...

My mind spins at lightning speed, thinking about how I’m going to devise. Seeing me like this, Victor sighs a little helplessly.

Victor: There’s no next step.

He leans down, reaching his outstretched arms to my sides. The sudden movement causes me to have no other option but look up at his face, making my upper body fall backward––

Victor: Don’t move back. Careful!

Before my back hits the cooking table, Victor wraps his arm around my waist just in time, pulling me back.

The pepper bottle that has been knocked down by his movements rolls away. I stare wide-eyed at his enlarged facial features, my heartbeat involuntarily accelerating a little.

MC: [nervous] Wh-what’s wrong?

Victor: Dummy. What did you think I was going to do?

My reaction elicits a low chuckle from Victor. His body heat seeps through his arms that are wrapped around me, making me somewhat crave this temperature and reluctant to let go.

But he quickly draws back his arms and unties the apron strap behind me with his fingers.

Victor: If you’re unable to concentrate on cooking with your heart and soul, then you will be just wasting the ingredients.

Victor: Therefore, you’re temporarily deprived of your right to be the chef.

MC: !! I can still try harder!

Victor, however, doesn’t give me that opportunity. He pulls out a folded handwritten card and places it in my hand.

Victor: I’ve written down what I wanted to say to you.

MC: What?

For a while, I find myself unable to return to my senses and stare blankly at Victor. A soft laugh spills from his throat as though he’s pleased with the sight before him.

Victor: See for yourself.

Victor: And if you can’t understand, I’ll tell you again.

His eyes are like the dark, bottomless night, but there’s a tenderness concealed in their depths that no one knows.

Victor: Now, the kitchen should be returned to me.

–

Just like I kicked him out of the kitchen earlier, Victor closes the kitchen door on me.

A small, warm lamp illuminates the dining room, and a soft etude is playing on the stereo off to one side.

Victor: You rest here for a while.

Victor places a glass of warm water with fragrant lemon balm in front of me. As I’m about to say thank you, a cacophonous cooing sound suddenly escapes my stomach.

I lower my head in embarrassment and bury my face in my palms, only to hear a soft laugh coming from above my head.

Victor: It’s already a bit late for dinner today, and there aren’t any ingredients in the fridge. So, we can only keep everything simple.

Victor: I won’t let you be hungry for too long.

Only when I hear Victor’s footsteps gradually receding in the distance, do I lift my face to look at his back, heaving a sigh of relief.

Souvenir’s lounge is utterly empty, and there isn’t a single soul except for me. The gentle piano melody makes everything quiet. I can even hear the minute of movements coming from the kitchen––

The knife’s edge lightly landing on the chopping board in a swift motion, the butter melting on the fire, the water instantly evaporating from the vegetables with a “bzzz” sound…

These sounds portray the methodical manner in which Victor moves in front of the cooking table, like a commander handling a butcher’s cleaver with ease.

The long-awaited tranquility embraces my unease. The mere thought of him being there just across the wall makes me feel at peace.

I compose myself and open the folded letter. The handwriting that I couldn’t be more familiar with comes into my view again––

–

[The letter is a part of the merch players received]:

To Dummy:

When it comes to loving bravado, a certain someone has always been very persistent. Even if your gloom has long been written all over your face, you still have to say that you’re doing fine when it comes to it. Sometimes I really don’t know where this “stubbornness” of yours comes from. There are some things I’ll only say once, so listen carefully.

In the past, you didn’t use to think things through enough and even made reckless decisions. But now, you’ve grown far beyond my expectations. That day in the phantasmagoria–– I’m absolutely certain that I saw a different you. The “transformation” that you, yourself, have been clamoring about has indeed lived up to its name.

In the face of setbacks, you are able to calmly adjust your mentality and confront the challenges with a positive attitude. In the midst of adversities, you are able to stand firm in your convictions and devote everything you’ve got to the unknown future… these characteristics are incomparably precious. But, the outcomes attained from the setbacks and adversities are equally precious too. I’ve never considered them as painful memories, but rather, they are irreplaceable gains on the road to growth in the long run.

From this point of view, there’s no need for a certain dummy to be sullen because of that phantasmagoria. Instead, why don’t you pull out your “vacation checklist” and check out what you want to see and where you want to go. I’m on vacation next month, so I’ll leave the arrangements in your hands.

Victor.

—

After slowly reading the entire letter, I stare at the six letters “Victor” in the signature in a bit of a trance.

Every word of the letter seems to tell me that my anxieties and struggles over the past few days–– he has seen them all.

’That I’m not the only one who remembers how I’ve staggered and zigzagged along this whole journey onward to my growth, transforming through every adversity.

This journey towards hope is a long, long run. But fortunately, there’s another person to accompany me.

MC: Victor, thank you…

I draw in a deep breath and set down the heavy boulder weighing down on my heart, finally breaking into a relaxed smile.

As I put aside this important and precious handwritten letter with great care, I smell a wisp of aroma emanating from the kitchen and can’t help but start looking forward to Victor’s cooking, which I haven’t tasted in a long time.

On the back of the chair opposite the dining table rests the jacket that Victor has taken off. His wallet is also casually placed on the table, an identity card slipping out of a corner of its compartment.

The pattern on the card surface seems to be somewhat familiar-looking. My heart stirs. By some curious coincidence or miracle, I pull it out and quietly scan the QR code on it with my phone––

–

[Tidbits: If your phone supports the NFC function, and you scan Victor’s card – this is what you get *sobbing in hands*]

MESSAGE:

J'ai envie de rester avec toi, toute la vie. 某人念叨的惊喜, 不知道这个算不算。

MEANING:

“[in French] I want to be with you, for all my life, forever.” The surprise that a certain someone keeps talking about–– I wonder if this counts as one.

–

[Personal Notes]: YESSS!!! YOU GODDAMN BET IT WAS A SURPRISE!! 🥺 Tbh tho, I can’t say I’m surprised that Victor writers would be throwing mega-bombs like this, but still... you just never get used to being loved and cherished in this way... UGGHHH VICTOR WHY ARE YOU JUST SO HNNNGNNNNN 😭💘🤲

–

[Players have to find out the answer to the clue from this game]:

ANSWER: 余生可期

This phrase is actually hard to translate into English. It’s essentially what Victor said in French, but in Chinese, it’s more of a “vow.”

余生 means – “rest of one’s life.” 可期 can have different meanings based on the context. It’s him basically saying, // (if you want) the future waiting ahead is “us, together,” and it’s valid for the rest of our lives. //

—

With great difficulty, I find the final answer. I lightly stroke the identity card with my fingers, a warmth swirling in the depths of my heart.

Who would have known that within it is concealed a cryptic message from his heart?

As I listen to the sound of Victor cooking in the kitchen, a warm current gushes out of my heart, a feeling of stability suddenly coming over me.

In the future that belongs to “us,” we will have each other for the rest of our lives, forever.

–– this is the pledge that he has made to me.

After thinking about it, I take out a pen and surreptitiously write a sentence in French on a corner of his identity card.

This is the answer I wrote to him, and it’s also our secret.

After the ink has solidified, I carefully put the identity card back into Victor’s wallet.

He will find out my little secret when he uses it the next time.

—

┈┈ ◍♡◍ ┈┈┈ ◍♡◍ ┈┈

—

✧ [DATE – Part 3] ✧

Having put away the identity card, I sneak a surveying glance at the kitchen behind me to confirm Victor hasn’t noticed my actions just now.

But before I can heave a sigh of relief, his shadow has already stepped out of the kitchen.

MC: !!

Victor, carrying the tray, crashes straight into my frenetic gaze. He stops in his motion, his eyes seeming to ask me why I’m losing my head in a panic.

I stand up sheepishly, trying to find a justification for my anomaly.

MC: Let me help you with those!

Victor: No need. You just sit tight.

MC: Hmm…

I pretend to be nonchalant and sit upright and still with my hands on my lap, watching as Victor places a plate of creamy-white mushroom bisque in front of me.

MC: So fragrant… it looks super delicious!

Victor: The vegetables you diced have also been preserved.

Victor: Fortunately, the rescue was carried out in time, and the flavor is pretty good.

He sets down another plate of pasta with tomato sauce, filled with side vegetables that I cut up into all kinds of big and small sizes.

The diced vegetables that just earlier looked like the scene of a massacre are reborn after being cooked in his hands. So much so that their different contrasting sizes now have taken on a hint of amusement.

Victor: This is all that was left in the kitchen. The next time we have time, I’ll make something a bit more sumptuous.

Victor takes his seat opposite me, and spreads out the napkin with graceful movements.

MC: No, this is already very good! There’re so many people who would want to eat this, but can’t!

Victor: You can have it anytime you want.

Victor: After all, the key to this place is in your hands.

Hearing what he means, my face turns red. I can’t help but mutter in a small voice.

MC: What’s important is not the key. It’s the person…

I scoop a spoonful of the bisque into my mouth. The rich, creamy aroma diffuses across my taste buds, sliding down my esophagus with just the right temperature.

But I release a sigh inexplicably, squeezing the spoon at the taste that the tip of my tongue undoubtedly is so sentimentally attached to.

Victor: What’s wrong? Is the taste not to your liking?

MC: No! It’s delicious!

I lift my head, locking eyes with Victor’s tolerant and focused gaze. Beneath the warm yellow light, his silhouette seems to be tinged with warm colors too.

He waits for me to brew my answer slowly, neither rushing nor urging me–– as though he has plenty of patience. This is the tenderness that belongs uniquely to him.

My heart grows warm, my eyes crinkling themselves into a smile again to reassure him.

MC: Actually, I just feel a little guilty.

MC: If I didn’t have Evol, the actions of those people wouldn’t have implicated innocent lives, and they wouldn’t have been separated by life and death.

MC: But here I am, I can still enjoy such peace and quiet of everyday life, like a despicable thief…

At this point, I lapse into silence. Suddenly, a large hand lands on the top of my head.

Victor: MC, you haven’t done anything wrong.

His voice is gentle, soft, and certain, without the slightest hint of hesitation.

Victor: It’s not essentially your fault. You’ve simply been given the identity of “QUEEN.”

Victor: And you’re foreordained to become even more powerful. When that time comes, you will be able to dismantle their operations and put an end to this crisis, once and for all.

Victor: And you are the only one who can do that.

“Can I really?”

As soon as this thought flits across my mind, I immediately squash it.

I look up. In Victor’s eyes is reflected my somewhat bewildered gaze, but he only raises the corners of his lips in a soft smile.

Victor: A true “thief” won’t feel any guilt over the matter. Those who initiated the evil practice are the real thieves.

Victor: Usually, you’re a little brighter. How come you know how to bash your head against the wall at a time like this?

MC: In fact, I’ve always understood that there’s no use in being frustrated. The more important thing is the future.

MC: I can do it… no. Yes, I can definitely do it!

I clench my fists and give him a smile brimming with enthusiasm.

Victor: You better keep your word.

He loosens his slightly furrowed brows, the hint of a smile cresting on his face along with it. He then bends down and takes out a doll from a shopping bag.

Victor: I was going to give it to you a bit later.

Puzzled, I meet the Shiba Inu’s giddily giggling face and can’t help but laugh along with it.

Victor: I went to the mall before coming here. Its giggling face bears the most resemblance to you.

MC: …that obviously looks very cute!

I take the silly Shiba Inu and knead its smiling face.

MC: What made you think of buying this?

Victor pauses for a bit, as if he somewhat doesn’t want to answer this question. But eventually, he releases a sigh under my burning gaze.

Victor: When you first gave me your Shiba Inu, you said that looking at its laughter can cure all bad emotions.

Victor: I don’t have a deep experience or understanding of this matter, though. However, this time, I hope it can cheer you up instead.

Victor: This doll, I think, was the one with the happiest grin in there.

–

[Tidbits]: Victor is talking about “Rooftop Date,” where MC finds out about his mom and gives him her old Shiba Inu doll, which her dad gifted her as a kid. She told him–– this doll has accompanied her through laughter and sorrows for many years, and she hopes it can do the same for him now. MC gives Victor the very same Shiba Inu doll in S2 CH 4 as well. 🥺❤️

–

My eyes widen slightly at these words. I didn’t realize that he still remembers these words I once said.

Victor: Now, it seems that it has accomplished its mission very well.

He looks at the doll in my arms with some tenderness in his gaze.

I look down at the Shiba Inu doll, which is smiling extraordinarily happily, and suddenly spot a crown pattern on the doll’s stomach…

–

[Players have to find the answer to the riddle from the B.S. archive they received as merch]:

ANSWER: 我陪你证明永远

MEANING: I’ll accompany you to prove “forever.”

–

I raise my head and look into Victor’s eyes, who’s sitting directly opposite me. Beneath the lights, a soft glow twinkles in his gaze.

It appears that if only his presence is there, the painful and negative emotions that have been pent up deep in my heart will be slowly dissolved by his silent tenderness, bit by bit.

’Because I know that no matter what happens, this person in front of me will accompany me and face it together with me.

I hug the Shiba Inu close to myself and can’t help grinning gleefully from ear to ear.

MC: Hehe…

Victor: Don’t just giggle. Your dinner will get cold if you don’t eat it.

At his reminder, I feel my stomach rumbling with hunger again. I fork a piece of potato and stuff it into my mouth, the soft and filling flavor making me squint in happiness.

MC: Tasty! The taste is entirely different from what I’ve practiced before, though.

Victor: If it were to be the same as your craft, Souvenir would go out of business tomorrow.

MC: I at least get the pass mark, right? I had a bit of irregularity in my game today.

Victor: When have you ever played properly, though?

MC: Although your point is very valid, I still do a passable job once in a while.

Turning my grief and indignation into appetite, I curl up the pasta and bring it to my mouth, then squint my eyes cheerfully.

The dissipation of the dark clouds reinstates my good appetite once again. Happily gorging myself, I soon polish off the plate full of pasta.

Victor: Can you still eat the dessert?

Though having just yelled-- “I’m so full,” I immediately react to the sound of his voice and look at him with anticipation written across my entire face.

MC: Is it the new one you mentioned?

Victor nods, but with a hint of rarely seen hesitation.

Victor: This is the first time I’ve tried making it, and the procedure is quite complicated. So, the taste may not be a success.

Victor: Don’t hold your expectations too high.

I never thought I’d actually hear such words from his mouth one day. I gaze at him in wonder.

MC: Y-you actually have moments when you’re not sure of something…

Victor: When something is important enough to you, it’s only natural that uncertainty will arise.

A ripple flashes in his eyes as he gets up and brings the dessert from the kitchen.

The dark blue ceramic plate gradually transitions outwards to a lighter blue, with a moon-white sphere inlaid in the center of the dessert, surrounded by little white specks on all sides as they create a starry sky.

It’s reminiscent of the vast universe in which all human unease and angst are nothing more than just an insignificant speck of dust.

Victor: Try it. You are its very first taster.

I cautiously and solemnly cut a small piece off the edge with a dessert spoon before carefully taking it into my mouth.

MC: Mmm…

The first sensation on the palate is a slight bitterness with a hint of fragrance, followed by a sweet aftertaste that pervades the tip of the tongue as the bitterness returns to the fragrant sweetness.

The crispy outer shell enveloping the soft, fluffy interior is akin to a freshly made soufflé. Only at the most appropriate moment can a flavor this wonderful be born.

Victor: The procedure of making this is different from what I’ve done before.

Victor: I tried it a little. A bit of bitterness can make the entire flavor a lot richer.

Victor explains in a light-hearted manner, as though he is simply talking about something that couldn’t be any more ordinary.

But I know that because of the recent collaborative project, every minute and every second of his time is awfully precious, and he doesn’t often even have the time to reply to messages.

Victor, who values efficiency and results above all else, spent his time on this little dessert, just so he could cheer me up.

The faint bitterness in my mouth has already faded away, leaving only the profound sweetness that engraves itself into my memory.

MC: It’s yummy~ This must be the second best dessert in the entire world! Only lagging a little bit behind your pudding!

MC: Merci, Monsieur Victor~

I look at him with immense seriousness as I speak. In exchange, my exaggerated tone of voice earns a soft chuckle from Victor.

Victor: Why are you suddenly speaking French?

MC: Because the cabinet in the kitchen was locked earlier, and then I found something…

I drag on the tail note of my sentence and stare at Victor’s face. However, Victor remains utterly unfazed, looking calm and composed as he picks up the black tea on the table and takes a sip.

Victor: What did you find?

Seeing that he isn’t taking the bait, I roll my eyes and open my mouth in a manner as though I’m hinting at something.

MC: Mm, that’s confidential! Who knows, perhaps you might find some trail in your identity card?

Victor arches an eyebrow, dropping a sentence as usual.

Victor: Deliberately creating mystery.

Despite saying this, he still opens his wallet as I have hoped and takes out the identity card that I put back in earlier.

At a glance, he sees the newly scribbled small line of handwriting on the corner: j'appartiens a toi.

–– “I belong to you.”

As Victor looks up at me with some surprise, he is met with my triumphant smile. Consequently, he also perks up the corners of his lips into a smile.

Victor: Dummy, you don’t need to say it to me. It’s not like I don’t already know that.

—

——__——__——

[Extra]:

btw, the meme I was talking about in the tags is actually this one LOL 🤣😭

—

#i know i still have an official date to translate but THERE IS NO WAY I COULD RESIST THIS!!! IT’S A MUST READ!!! 😭🫀#I COULD WRITE AN ESSAY ON THIS! MASTERPIECE!!! I LOVE PG AND MC FOR MAKING THAT MEME CANON LOL– “VICTOR HOW CAN I LIVE WITHOUT YOUUU” ಥ‿ಥ #I CAN’T EVEN WORD HOW I FEEL ABOUT THIS. NOBODY TOUCH ME I AM JUST GONNA—UGGHHH—— VICTOR WRITERS BLESS YOU FOR SUCH MAGNIFICENT WRITING🫀🌊#Victor my beloved your handwriting tho akskdjskab💀 i do see why MC loves his handwriting so much but my eyes LOL💀💫#mlqc victor #mlqc li zeyan #mr love victor #mlqc #mr love queen's choice #love and producer #恋与制作人 #李泽言 #mlqc cn #mlqc translations #mlqc spoilers

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