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#venom 2 reviews
episodicnostalgia · 3 months
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Spider-man: The Animated Series, 109 (May 6, 1995) - “The Alien Costume, Part Two”
LAST TIME… On Spider-man:
You can read my review for part one HERE (if you haven’t already), but there was one subplot involving Eddie Brock that I didn’t really get into because my post was already running long.  Basically Eddie was still sore at Spider-man over that time he got fired for being bad at his job.  Consequently, he decides to sell Jonah pictures that make it look like Spider-man stole the Promethium X [*dangerous radioactive space McGuffin] from John Jameson’s space shuttle, instead of correctly laying the blame on Rhino, whom Eddie both witnessed and photographed (that bastard).  As a result, Jonah has bounty placed on Spider-man’s head, and Eddie’s sittin’ pretty with his old job back.
AND NOW… The continuation
The Breakdown
Despite the constant barrage of bounty hunters trying to take him down, Spidey is doing pretty well at staying the-fuck-outta dodge thanks to his enhanced strength (courtesy of the new suit), indeed he seems virtually untouchable.  Still the inconvenience of constantly being attacked is getting on the web-head’s last nerve, leading to an all out confrontation with Jonah that… doesn’t exactly go well (the wall crawler uncharacteristically loses his shit and trashes Jonah’s office), but it does lead Jonah to discovering the truth about Eddie’s deception regarding the Rhino.  And so, Jonah must face humiliation by releasing yet another retraction to Brock’s latest and-most-brazen fuck-up (which of course prompts his immediate re-firing).
MEANWHILE… Wilson Fisk is still on about that whole Promethium X thing (trying to sell it to terrorists or some-such).  The Problem is, Eddie Brock’s public humiliation makes him liability to Fisk since he holds the only photographic evidence of Rhino’s involvement (who I guess can be linked to Fisk through payroll statements or something?). So Fisk sends his latest super-minion, THE SHOCKER, to deal with it using murder.  But of course, just as the Shocker shows up to vibrate Brock to death (Kinky), our less-friendly neighbourhood Wall Crawler arrives on the scene to save the day [also because he wanted to bully Eddie a bit himself, almost as if… SOMEthing is making him more behave more aggressively?  But WHAT, I wonder?].  The ensuing fight ends up with Spidey buried in rubble just long enough for Shocker to think he’s won, and for Eddie to make his escape.
Chuffed at his supposed victory, Shocker rushes to Allistair Smythe’s hideout so he can boast about it, but of course Spider-man just follows him there.  Another fight leads to Spidey stealing back the Promethium X so he can run some tests on it back at his place. Of course this naturally escalates things even further, and Allistair sets another trap with the Shocker using John Jameson as bait (kidnapped straight out of the hospital, no less.  Poor guy is having a rough time).  The deal is simple, Spider-man and Jonah are to meet Allistair at an old church building, where John will be returned to his father in exchange for the Promethium X.
Spider-man may be a little more violent than usual, but he’s still Spider-man, so he willingly hands over the Promethium in exchange for John, which is when Shocker shows up to spring the trap.  While Allistair makes good his escape (as well as the Jamesons), Spidey and his foe have at it, and it does NOT go well for Shocker. 
Like, Spider-man is UNHINGED you guys; it’s truly some meme worthy stuff. 
Eventually Shocker [SHOOOOOCKKKEEEEEERRR!!!!!] gets chased to the top of the building where the belltower is located (oh yeah there’s a bell tower. Now you know), and proceeds to get the living tar beat out of him [YOOUU CAN’T ESCAPE MEEEEEE!!!].  But Just as Spider-man is about to drop the ol’ Shockster to his untimely demise [I’LL CHASE YOU TO THE ENDS OF THE EEEAARTH!!!], he remembers that Uncle Ben used to have a whole speech about Responsibility (I won’t get into it here, but it involves great power) and resolves not to klll his hapless foe.  Except… the suit has other ideas and autonomously produces a tentacle to force the issue by shoving Shocker off the tower against our hero’s wishes.  Thankfully, the suit still respects Spider-man’s impulse to shoot a life-saving web line, thus sparing Shocker from death-by-impact.
Having finally accepted that the suit is responsible for his new bloodthirsty attitude, Spider-man attempts to remove it, only then realizing that IT has other plans (even though Doc Conners totally warned him about this in an earlier scene). While thrashing around in a fruitless attempt to take his ‘costume’ off, the massive tower-bell starts ringing at such a volume as to drive the suit utterly BANANAS. It’s at this point that Spider-man figures out that sound is the suit’s weakness, after correlating this incident with a bounty hunter’s sonic weapon from earlier.  Considering he has no other viable options, Spidey pretty much just hangs out nearby the ringing bell until the suit gives up and separates from him.  From there it eventually succumbs into a puddle and slithers off into a crack, NEVER TO BE HEARD FROM AGAIN.
[Oh and I don’t know if it’s worth mentioning, but Eddie Brock followed Jonah to the church, where he tried his level best to kill Spider-man while was distracted with the Shocker.  Of course he failed even more miserably than he did at his job, and Spider-man easily wrapped him up into a web cocoon, and strung him up inside the tower chamber beneath the bell.]
Anyways, with the alien symbiote out of the way Spider-man completely forgets to check in on Eddie who is still literally hanging out in the church tower.  At the same time, it turns out the alien symbiote is still very much alive after all (which Spider-man probably should have double checked) and in need of a new host. Since Brock is available for a rebound (not to mention unable resist), the Symbiote helps itself.  Eddie quickly goes from being terrified, to WAY TOO into it, and while we don’t yet see the end result of this new unholy alliance, it seems unlikely that it’ll be good. 
I bet they're gonna be Venom now though.  I just have an instinct about these things.
TO BE CONTINUED!
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The Verdict
Man these episodes are fun.  On the one hand, this show takes a fairly complicated piece of Spider-man’s lore, and streamlines it nicely for children’s television.  On the other hand, it’s still AN OBSCENELY convoluted 20 minutes of unrestrained structured chaos.  I’ve talked about this before in my other posts, but watching this show as an adult is leaves me both constantly impressed and confounded at the same time.  Every choice the characters make are so hilariously unhinged, and yet somehow it all works perfectly within the context of what the show is trying to be.
One element that continues to work especially well, is Spider-man’s transition towards insanity as a consequence of wearing the suit.  The original comics really didn’t lean into this idea as comprehensively back when the symbiote was introduced, mainly because the writers were still figuring it out as they went, and Venom himself was still some years away from even being conceptualized. But It’s telling that virtually every version of the character since this specific adaptation has incorporated the symbiote’s tendency to alter, dominate, and/or consume the host.  It’s a story telling choice that makes sense, and one that this series deserves credit for bringing to the mainstream.
I also feel compelled to give Christopher Daniel Barnes a shout-out for this episode.  Spider-man losing his shit over Shocker is (unintentionally) so funny to me.  Shocker has always been a C-list villain at most, and up against the Symbiote-Spider-man he amounts to little more than a mild inconvenience, so the idea that Spider-man JUST HATES this guy to the point of flying into a murderous rage, cracks me up (even though I realize the suit is responsible).  At the same time, Barnes really commits to the role here and, hilarious or otherwise, Spider-man is believably psychotic.  Gotta love it.
3.5 stars (out of 5)
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Additional Observations
There’s a scene where Spider-Man pays Dr. Curt Conners (aka the Lizard) a visit to help him figure out the mystery surrounding his fancy new extra-terrestrial duds.  In order to run his tests Conners tries to take a sample of the organism, only for it to retreat from his grasp when he reaches out with a pair of scissors.  Spider-man helps out by stretching out (pictured above) some of the suit with one hand so the Doc can cut it, which does work, but that still leaves the freshly cut piece of alien ‘material’ loose INSIDE Spider-man’s palm, which is also notably enclosed within the symbiote.  As a kid it always bothered me that the symbiote wouldn’t have just reabsorbed the freshly cut piece back into itself before Peter could hand it over to Conners. Thankfully I’m a well adjusted adult now, so I’ve moved on from such petty concerns.  Haha.  Ha. …ha.
The Promethium x subplot is officially resolved in this chapter, and it’s obvious the writers barely cared about that thread more than I did.  It turns out the substance has a short half life, before becoming inert, thus foiling the Kingpin’s plans and leaving Part 3 with more time to focus on Venom.
Spider-man’s personal microscope and PC must be incredibly advanced!  Within seconds he’s able to determine the Promethium X’s density, structure, and molecular weight, all with sharp colour-coded images rendered directly to his computer in real time!  Remarkable!
Responsibility Count – 2: Uncle Ben’s famous line returns!  I’m actually surprised that it’s been used as infrequently as it has been up to this point.  In my memory, future seasons would start to abuse the “power and responsibility” spiel with increasing regularity.  I suppose we’ll find out as we go.
Spider-man really needs to keep better tabs on his enemies after defeating them. Last episode he just leaves Rhino unrestrained in a military facility that carries sensitive technologies, and in this episode both Shocker AND Brock are just webbed up left behind. A few episodes back (in the Mysterio episode) it’s established that Spider-man’s webbing eventually dissolves, which means Eddie probably would have fallen to his death if the Symbiote hadn’t found him.  Oh well, I guess it all worked out.  Besides, what are the odds of something crazy happening like all three characters returning in the very next episode? Amright!?
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maddiesbookshelves · 2 years
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📚 Book haul 📚
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I finally have Manners & Mutiny in the right edition (although it's shiny and 1mm taller than the others but let's not talk about that)! And when I bought Lore I got a cool Legendborn bookmark since the French edition just came out.
J'ai enfin le bonne édition de Manners & Mutiny (même si elle brille et fait 1mm de plus que les autres, mais on en parle pas) ! Et quand j'ai acheté Lore j'ai eu un joli marque page de Legendborn vu que la version française vient de sortir.
Books in the picture:
Gearbreakers, Zoe Hana Mikuta
Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor, Xiran Jay Zhao
Manners & Mutiny, Gail Carriger
Lore, Alexandra Bracken
A Venom Dark and Sweet, Judy I. Lin
The Last Graduate, Naomi Novik
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crazydiscostu · 2 months
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ZyberVR Neck Power Bank
The major pain point of Virtual Reality gaming and experiences is inadequate battery life that restricts play time. Thankfully the team at ZyberVR are once again on the case! Introducing their Neck Power Bank which promises to offer a blend of convenience, comfort, and extended playtime for VR aficionados. Let’s take a look at this innovative accessory! Product supplied for review purposes Neck…
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mcknighttimegaming · 5 months
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SYMBIOTE SUIT UNLOCKED? MARY JANE? - Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 Gameplay Part 5
In this episodes walkthrough of PS5's Spider-Man 2 , we discover that Mary Jane Is BASICALLY a Hero, and the Symbiote Suit is not to be messed with. In this installment, we discuss the significance of the Symbiote Suit, and whether or not Mary Jane is basically a hero!
Get ready for an action-packed adventure in Part 4 of our Marvel's Spider-Man 2 PS5 Gameplay Walkthrough! Join McKnighttime Gaming as we dive into an epic boss battle that will leave you on the edge of your seat!
Don't forget to smash that like button if you enjoy the video, and leave a comment sharing your favorite moment from this epic showdown! Remember to subscribe to McKnighttime Gaming for more thrilling gaming content and walkthroughs!
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disasterfox · 2 years
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Marvel Legends Knull and Venom 2 Pack King in Black Review
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zerobaseonefics · 1 year
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reaction to the lipstick trend (pt.2) ㅡ park hanbin, junhyeon, kamden
boys planet trainees x gn!reader
genre : fluff
I HAD SM TROUBLE WRITING FOR JUNHYEON FR. YOU WILL PROBABLY FEEL IT </3 hope y'all like it tho 😔🤙🏼
pt. 1 here
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• P.Hanbin
at first, hanbin bring that trend up as a joke... but he didn't expect you to be so hyped up about it and to run to find the lipstick. he's not complaining tho, he thinks you're cute when you're excited about something. even more if the something is peppering his face with kisses.
when you came back, you had two different colors. you plopped on his laps, sitting sideways, as you showed both of the colors.
"which one do you prefer?"
an idea bloomed in hanbin's mind. you know, there are basic principles for an healthy relationship. one of the main point is to trust your significant other. however, you made a mistake by trusting hanbin, because he was literally going to scam you in order to get more kisses.
faking hesitation, hanbin chooses the pinkish one.
you fell into his trap with no problem, applying the lipstick on yourself with hanbin telling you when it was good since you had no mirror with you.
your attention went back to him, and with no hesitation whatsoever, you started planting soft kisses all over his face. they were longer than a simple peck, to make sure the stain would be visible enough.
hanbin closed his eyes, a shy smile that he tried to refrain on his face. you started with his nose, then moved down to his chin, back to his cheeks. he savored the feeling of your soft lips on his skin as you kissed his jaw. your kisses ended up going to his forehead and you finished, looking at his pleased face.
hanbin didn't open his eyes yet, thinking you would kiss him more. when he felt one of your hand ruffling his hair, only one of his eyes popped open.
"you're already done?" he asked.
"yes! i think you have enough marks on your face."
"could've let you kiss me all day" he muttered inaudibly as you grabbed your phone. it was okay, he had a plan anyway.
"should we record now?" you said and he nodded.
you recorded the video the same way it was done on tiktok, and you sat with him to review it, making sure it was good enough to post. you loved it. hanbin loved it. but it isn't about love right now, it's about being a fraud. hanbin was a fraud but that is a okay, because scammers also deserves a love story!
"i think we should do it again because the color isn't suitable with the light of the room. it's not pretty enough with the color of my hair neither. when i think about it, maybe we should try again with your other lipstick."
everything goes according to plan because you were completly oblivious to his stratagem. you simply grabbed something to wash away the stains on his face and the color on your lips. he let you cup his face while you softly brushed a tissue against his skin to take off the previous kisses. that's how hanbin, a mastermind, succeeded in making you do that trend three times in a row in order to have more kisses.
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• Kamden
"i would rather stand naked in alaska cornered by a hundred people than do this."
you felt like your jaw dropped to the ground when kamden replied this to your request. sure, you knew he would be reluctant, but not that much! he just couldn't take this seriously, the whole concept sounded stupid to him.
"so. you want me to sit here in front of a camera while you reapply lipstick but you fail just for the sake of failing and i use my finger to do... whatever they are doing on that tiktok and then i have to look at you like i'm.... yeah no. do it with your teddy bear or something."
you whined at his brutally honest opinion, a bit shocked considering the fact he spit his venom with a straight face.
"what? it's cute, right?" you insisted, sure he was going to change his mind for you. he looked at you as you gave him dejected puppy eyes. kamden scoffed, looking away. there was no way he's falling for this. no, he was stronger than this. in his opinion, intimacy was supposed to stay... intimate. why would people on the internet have to see this kind of content from you two? plus, it just ruins a moment to turn on a camera while he's with you. it's staged. it's not natural.
you sighed in defeat, realizing there was really no way in hell kamden would do this.
"right... that's okay, i'll ask a friend to do it with me."
"yeah, just do tha- what?"
an alarm has been triggered in kamden's brain. if you did this with a friend, wasn't it weird? and what friend were you going to do it with?
"what friend?"
"you mean 'who'?"
"yeah, who?"
"i don't know, maybe jay."
it was enough for kamden to change his mind. he pointed his finger at you, with a new found energy.
"bring that damn lipstick." your face lit up at his words.
"we're doing it?" you exclaimed.
"yeah, only if you don't post the video."
you nodded frantically. after you went to grab what was need for the video, you sat next to him. "you're ready?" you asked, "yeah, whatever".
despite his grumpy attitude, you weren't oblivious to the way he played nervously with his fingers when you planted the first kiss. you weren't oblivious to the fact that he was biting his inner cheek in order to not smile, either. you knew he liked it, otherwise you wouldn't have done it.
kamden knew he liked it as well. but how could he show it? it would be embarassing after all the fuss he made not to do the challenge. you guys filmed the video, and you respected your promise by not posting it online, keeping it to yourself. this was the day kamden realized he loved cheek kisses the best, and he waited for you to sleep to send himself the video secretly.
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• Junhyeon
you literally asked the wrong person. yes, junhyeon accepted your request, but there was something about him you forgot. junhyeon would combust if he didn't create a mess each day. even a little one, it was fine by him, but this menace could not go to bed happily if he didn't participate into chaos.
"how about i apply the lipstick on your lips for you?" he proposed. you didn't think about it twice, handing him the makeup supply. you felt the makeup on your lips as junhyeon was putting it for you. at first he did it right, but you noticed that little by little, a smirk appeared on his face and he started to go overline. pulling your face away, you jokingly hit his arm.
"what are you doing" you said, acting like you were mad even if you find the joke funny.
"what? isn't overlining the lips trendy?" junhyeon responded, acting innocent.
"yeah, act like it wasn't one of your jokes" you rolled your eyes still pretending to be annoyed.
"you were so pretty i couldn't stay focused, that's why" junhyeon explained in a dramatic tone.
you made an exaggerated grimace after hearing his cheesy words, hitting him once again. junhyeon's laugh ringed through your ears while you were catching a tissue to clean up your lips. he looked at you from afar, a smile on his face. junhyeon got up from the couch he was sitting on and went to backhug you. you put your hands on his as you felt his lips planting soft kisses to your jaw.
"i'll do it properly this time, if you still want to do it" junhyeon said, resting his head on your shoulder.
"is it another joke" you answered with a straight face.
"yes."
you whined while he started laughing once again. hearing your complaints, he didn't let go of you to make you turn around and face him. then, junhyeon leaned in to kiss your lips quickly. "i'm kidding, i'll be serious this time. i want kisses too."
after that, junhyeon got kisses from you indeed, but not because of the trend.
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maniculum · 2 months
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Final Scorpion Sunday! From here on out scorpion ratings will appear sporadically based on what shows up in my inbox. (I do have one or two already there; I'll get to them.)
Anyway, this one is from the Bestiary of Ann Walsh, which is so called because several pages have the name "Ann Walsh" written on them. I'd describe it for you, but in fact the fellow who runs the Medieval Bestiary website has a detailed write-up here that I can just direct you to if you're curious.
So I guess all that's left to do is hand out points. Bit of a damp squib of an ending, but I didn't plan this out ahead of time.
Small Scuttling Beaſtie? scale unclear, ½
Pincers? ✘
Exoskeleton or Shell? ✘
Visible Stinger? ✘
Limbs? 4
As for vibes, lizards are fine. I like a good lizard. This one looks very grumpy, which is charming. 4/5, good lizard.
However, lizards are also A Thing that is Not A Scorpion, so it loses one of those points for being identifiable as a non-scorpion animal. -1. You may think, "hey, 'lizard' is a pretty broad category, does that really count as identifiable?" To which I would say, "turtle" is also a pretty broad category and I docked a point from that one.
So that leaves us with:
3.9 / 10
The lizard would like us to leave it alone.
Bonus!
Since this is our last Scorpion Sunday, I think it's a good opportunity to review our high scorers, under the cut here.
Top Three
#3: the Real Scorpion from al-Qazwini’s Wonders of Creatures, who received an 8/10 for hitting all the requirements; its imperfect score is due to a plain 3 in Vibes for being no more or less appealing than a regular scorpion. (Submitted by @a-book-of-creatures; link to post here.)
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#2: this scorpion from Peter Lombard’s Sententiae, who managed to squeak an 8.1/10 because the fact that it seems to be actively spewing venom from its tail led me to give it half a point on stingers. (Link to post here.)
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#1: this magnificent beast from by Konrad von Megenberg's Buch der Natur, who got an 8.3/10 for hitting most of the requirements while also being majestic. (Submitted by @cuties-in-codices; link to post here.)
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cutesyscreenname · 1 year
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A Cowboy Like Me : Chapter 2
What Must It Be Like
Chapter 1
Series summary:
I've had some tricks up my sleeve
Takes one to know one
You're a cowboy like me
Javier Peña is a playboy, sleeping his way across Bogotá, never settling down. And he's used to being the only one. What happens when he meets his match? A friendly challenge between friends couldn't hurt, could it? Unless that friend is you...
Chapter Summary: Javier thinks over everything that happened at the bar as he and Steve get you home. He shouldn't be feeling like this...
Pairing: Javi Peña x f reader
Rating: 18+ minors DNI
Word Count: 3k
Warnings: drinking, hangover, language, angst 😉
Notes: So this is turning into a much longer endeavor than originally intended 😂 I thought it would only be a few parts but I capped this bad boy at 3k and we only made it halfway to where I thought we would. The next one will likely be even longer so hopefully y'all are down for it.
Here is the song mentioned at the end (there's no canon for it but I feel like Javi would have a few records from the 70's he brought from home and Santana would be one of them):
And the full playlist:
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What must it be like to grow up that beautiful?
With your hair falling into place like dominoes
My mind turns your life into folklore
I can't dare to dream about you anymore
From the moment your eyes closed until you reached the parking lot of your shared apartment building there was no sound but the dull rumble of the engine and a gentle crooning over the radio.
Javier leaned his dark curls against the headrest, staring straight ahead but seeing nothing in front of him.
Steve’s eyes flickered over to his friend with concern but he held his tongue. The man was a million miles away, gears turning so quickly behind his eyes Steve swore he could hear the faint sound of metal scraping over itself in a desperate grind.
A cowboy. Like him.
I do what Javi does.
I'll prove it to you.
I hear it every time I try to sleep.
You're declarations float around Javier's mind in a jumble, a record that someone keeps lifting and dropping the needle onto at random.
You were a tricky one, no doubt about it. It’s why he liked you, why he wanted your friendship. Smart but not pretentious, guarded yet forgiving, sure footed but still a little reckless, and the biggest heart that you thought no one could see. Maybe they couldn’t, but he could.
He had imagined your romances before; tentative coffee dates, sweet kisses shared in taxis, most of your suitors left disappointed aside the select few who manage to be invited up for a night cap.
He had supposed not even these lucky finalists would prove to meet the standard for dating you longer than a week, a month tops, nor should they. The man you would keep long enough to mention, to bring to drinks, to invite for dinner at Steve and Connie’s, he couldn’t build such a human in his mind’s eye.
Javier had posited all of this and a million other things but none of his thoughts matched what you had just divulged.
Entertaining my companions.
Like Javi does.
The evening in review plays on the projector screen of his hippocampus.
Quick like a bunny, sweetheart, or I won't tip ya.
Even though it was for the sake of a deprecating joke, you’d never called him sweetheart before that night. It made his ears burn and he’d practically bolted to the bar to hide the involuntary flush sure to be staining his cheeks.
Pinche mocosa, he’d thought to himself, the smallest smile tugging at his lips. The smart little mouth on her.
Later in the evening you’d groaned when Javi appeared with three tequila shots in hand.
‘Come on, we don’t have to be at the office tomorrow. Plus, Steve is a better conversationalist when I’m drunk.’
With a ‘good point' from you and ‘fuck you both’ from Steve the three of you licked salt from your hands, kicked back the poison, and pressed your teeth into limes like sucking venom from a snake bite.
His gaze couldn’t help but linger on the way your flat tongue slid across the skin between your thumb and forefinger to collect the salt crystals, his breath hitching when your lips rolled over the edge of the citrus rind as you sucked the juice from it’s flesh.
A deer in the headlights, he’d been snapped from his reverie by the man across from him.
‘Ooooo-wee. I’m switchin’ to beer after this. Someone’s gotta get you two geniuses back home later.’
‘Awww, thanks dad.’ You’d said ruffling Steve’s hair.
After your glass had emptied and refilled once and then twice more, Steve started poking the bear to amuse himself, going after the way the drink colored your words with a heavy Texas twang.
Javier relished in it, your lilting voice drawing him in like a moth to a porch light. It felt nostalgic, like the polaroid of his mamá that rested between the pages of the book on his nightstand; intimate, like a secret piece of you, buried beneath the Gulf Coast clay, awaiting your return home.
Ever the co-conspirator, you followed his lead to help him land a crude joke. Not his finest, but enough to make you laugh which was plenty for him. Then something shifted.
‘Oh it’s what they ALL say, I hear ‘em every time I try to sleep at my place.’
You’d tormented the man about his noise level before. Hell, just that morning you'd been playfully ribbing him for it. It’s not like Javier tried to keep it down. He could hear the creak of your wicker ceiling fan when he lay in his own bed chasing sleep.
The paper thin walls between you concealed nothing. Sometimes Javier swore he could hear you thinking too hard on the other side of the studs and drywall. So it stood to reason that no matter what he did to dampen the lewd soundtrack you’d hear it, and if he couldn’t shield you from it he figured it was moot to even try.
The tone in your voice tonight, though, it was different. Still playful, still antagonistic, but there was a rough undercurrent slipping through. If it weren’t for Steve’s uncanny knack for levity, Javi might have gotten caught in the undertow.
‘Girl’s out to catch Escobar all on her lonesome.’
A solid deflection but you spurred on.
I do like Javi does.
A cowboy.
Like me.
I’ll prove it.
His mind was reeling, trying to amend the portrait of you in his mind. It felt impossible. You must have been fucking with them. He was really feeling the alcohol, more intoxicated than he’d been in a long while. He was reading it wrong. Back to the script. Back to the game.
‘I don’t fuckin believe you, cariño.’
If you thought he wouldn’t call your bluff you had another thing coming. With all the cool and confidence he could muster, Javier dug his heels in even more.
‘In fact I think you’re home every night. Ear pressed to my fuckin wall, apparently.’
Yup. That would do the trick. The point goes to Agent Peña. But no-
A wave of anger flashed across your eyes, making Javier’s throat run dry.
I’ll prove it to you.
If his mind had been racing before, it short circuited when you took two of your delicate fingers and pressed them to the exposed skin of his chest. He couldn’t fight the shiver that ran through his body so he just hoped you hadn’t noticed it.
And then you- God. Fuck.
You reached up and tapped his cheek gently with your hand, your determined gaze softening just so as you peered up at him. He almost leaned into the touch. Get yourself together, Peña. She doesn’t see you like that. Goddamn tequila - una idea estúpida. He turned away from you, trying to collect his thoughts, but in his periphery he could see you were on the move.
Too sloshed to walk without stumbling, you’d swayed dangerously when you stood in pursuit of another drink. Acting on instinct, Javier had placed his steady, calloused hands around your waist. The warmth of your skin through your t-shirt seemed to creep up his fingers and send a searing current down his spine.
His hands stay curled around you for what feels like an eternity and he wonders when you’ll slap them away. To anyone that asked he’d say he had kept hold on you because he couldn't let you fall over. Really, though, he couldn’t let go if he’d tried, a man electrified, hands locked in place on the raw, exposed wire of your form.
He'd flashed a pleading look to Steve and nearly collapsed when the man took you by the hand, breaking the circuit.
He trailed behind as Murphy helped you to the car with a strong arm around your shoulders, taking the opportunity to run his hands over his face, trying to calibrate his thoughts. He sealed himself in the front passenger seat and slipped into silent thought as you slid your eyes closed.
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The next sound Javi took note of was his friend’s voice.
“Jav- we’re here, man.” His tone was gentle and Javi couldn’t tell if he appreciated the care or resented what bordered on sounding like pity.
“Let’s get you both upstairs, be good to sleep it off a little.”
Javier nods, not moving at first as Steve glances at the back seat where you lay, still lost in slumber.
The man in the driver’s seat reaches back and gives you a firm shake, calling your name a handful of times before sighing.
“I’m gonna need your help getting her upstairs, bud.” Yup that was definitely pity, Javier decided.
Not wanting to prove the man right, whatever he was thinking, Javi exited the car briskly and opened the back door on the side opposite your head. Lifting your calves from the where they hung over the edge of the seat, he hooked his hands beneath the crooks of your knees and pulled you to the threshold.
When he chanced a quick look at your face he took note of how soft, how peaceful you looked. Would you even remember the night's events in the morning?
Steve moved to help but didn’t get the chance as Javier steeled himself and swiftly maneuvered you, first sitting you upright in the seat before lifting to carry you in front of him. One arm beneath your legs, the other supporting your back, and your head slumped drowsily into his shoulder, he steeled his expression and started toward the apartment wordlessly, Steve hustling to catch up and help with the door.
“Can you tell where her keys are at?”
Javi sighed as they reached the landing. Your warmth pressed into his torso and he found himself torn between wanting to hold you tighter, to soak it in, and needing to get as far from you as possible.
“Well her pockets are clearly empty, so I’m guessing she keeps ‘em next to her cash. Not sure about you, Murphy, but I’m not lookin’ to cop a feel of an unconscious woman.”
It was the smart move, keeping your pockets empty and stashing the necessities in your bra, but it was a hindrance at this moment.
“Yeah that’s a game of go fish no one would be pleased with. Alright. She can crash with me and Connie.” Javi gave a quick nod to acknowledge his friend and turned you both toward the Murphys' door.
The lock turned almost silently under Steve’s careful movements but the hushed entry proved unnecessary when they walked in to see his beautiful wife, Connie, standing at the kitchen counter.
“Hey gang.” Her voice was soft and warm, gently welcoming the three of you in as though it was home to you and Javier as well. “She okay?”
“Yeah, honey. Just can’t find her keys and-“
“Say no more.” She waves off the explanation.
As Javier settles you onto the couch, Steve steps into the kitchen to speak with her quietly.
“What are you doin’ up, baby?”
She matched his hushed tone, just low enough to evade Javi’s range of hearing.
“Well when I woke up a bit ago and you weren’t here I figured drinks ran late. I’m about to put the kettle on, I thought at least one of you could use some tea and aspirin.”
“Let’s skip the tea and leave her some aspirin. Javi’s in no shape for company. I’ll tell you later.”
She nodded while Steve went to fill a glass with water for you.
As if on cue, “Not that I don’t enjoy seeing you, Connie, but I’m gonna head out.”
He finished pulling a blanket over your limp frame, slowly turning toward them with apologetic eyes.
“ No worries, Javi. I’m on my way back to bed anyway. Thanks for helping Steve get her inside.” Her knowing smile had him feeling uneasy.
“Anytime.” He replied softly. He and Steve exchanged quick nods and Javier slipped from their dwelling to his own. He locked the door behind him and leaned against it with an exhausted sigh.
What was he even thinking? Why should he be bothered? There was no good reason.
You were his friend, perhaps his best friend, and he had learned a surprising fact about you. That was all. He had no right to be anything but slightly surprised, maybe amused.
He didn’t worry for your safety, he’d seen you take down grown men twice your size on the job. You could handle yourself, no problem.
And so what if you were chasing away your demons? Lord knows he does the same. Columbia was vast and humid. The underbelly of the drug trade held the country in its bloody grip, pressing in on you from all directions. The assignment was full of uncertainty and it left Javier so lonely in the silence of his government issued abode.
He would do anything to fill the empty spaces, to stave off the cold tendrils that would pull at the walls of his chest when he lied awake, freefalling through the dark skies of his mind until morning. He could never fault you for doing the same.
Slumping into the worn sofa, his eyes shut slowly. Nothing is wrong. I drank too much and I'm being dramatic. She doesn't even think of me that way. It's not a big deal.
Still, as the weight of the day sank into his bones, sleep beckoning softly, his mind drifted to your faint sigh as you had nuzzled into his neck in your sleep while Steve unlocked his front door. When he opened his eyes again it was morning.
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You awoke with a low groan, a sharp pain throbbing a wild cumbia rhythm behind your eyes. What happened last night?
You cracked open one eye cautiously, then the other, thankful to find the room somewhat dim around you. Only the small lamp across the room from you was on, blinds and curtains muffling the sunlight that tried to peek through the window behind you.
Eyes adjusting quickly, you recognized the comfortable sight of the Murphys’ living room. It was the same exact layout as yours, but Connie’s warm touch made all the difference. The soft decorative pillows, kitschy knick knacks, and framed candid photos transformed the small unit into something that felt like a home.
Okay I'm on Murphy’s sofa. So- Your gaze finds the full glass of water and bottle of aspirin on the coffee table. The puzzle pieces begin to fit together quickly. Just as you start to recall what happened the night before, what you had said, Steve slipped out of his bedroom and noticed you stirring.
“Heyyy good morning. How ya feel?” Thankfully he kept his tone low, guessing the answer to his own question.
“I’ve been better.” You croak, sitting up gingerly.
“I thought that might be the case. You see the Aspirin? Connie made sure to close the curtains for ya.”
“Yes thank you.” You tap two pills into your palm and kick them back with a healthy glug of water. “Is there a chance I could have some-“
“Already on it.” Steve was moving to fill the coffee maker with water before you asked.
“Where is that angel you tricked into marrying you?”
“At the clinic, unfortunately. Somebody called in sick and they’re so shorthanded as it is. She said to give you her best and inform you that you’d better come for dinner soon.”
You raised your eyebrows as Steve raised his hands in surrender. “Don’t shoot the messenger, kid. I’m just quotin’. You know she won’t take no for an answer.”
You chuckled in reply.
Once your mugs were filled with rich black liquid, Steve placed them on the table in front of you, taking a seat on the sofa. You both sipped in silence for a few moments before you decided to break the ice.
“So…last night. Um. Did I-“ You did not want to ask but you needed confirmation. “Did I basically tell y’all all about my sex life in no uncertain terms?” You wince when you hear the words out loud.
“Well, my friend, in no uncertain terms… you said that Javi’s lady friends are so loud you can’t sleep so you conduct your own ah – activities – in other venues, namely the homes of your own dates.”
You groaned loudly and covered your face with your hands. It wasn’t a dream. You’d definitely made a tequila shaped mistake and said the in-your-head thing out loud.
“Do ya wanna hear the rest or should I just leave it be?”
“There’s MORE?” You didn’t want to ruminate, better to rip the band-aid off. “Let’s hear it.”
“Okay. So that, and then I guess Javi thought you were kiddin’ so he tried to push your buttons and you said somethin’ about provin’ it to him.”
The confirmation was all you needed, the words flooding back to you all at once.
Ear pressed to my fuckin’ wall apparently.
Ah yes, the anger. You were remembering quickly. Pendejo. Why wouldn’t he believe that about you? You weren't a delicate flower, some witless debutante in need of safekeeping. You were his friend and his fucking equal. Of course rubbing his nose in it seemed appealing, especially after so many drinks.
Polishing off the contents of your mug, you placed it on the table and stood, crossing to the door.
“I think I should go back to mine. I just-“
“Yeah. No. I get it.”
“Thanks for not diving for my keys, by the way. And ya know…everything else.” You smiled weakly at the man on the sofa.
“Yeah we, uh, figured that wouldn’t work out well. For all involved.” He chuckled. “As for the rest, anytime, kid. You know that.”
You nod and open the door. “I’ll call Connie soon.”
“Oh believe me, if you don’t she’ll be at your doorstep. She knows where ya live.”
You smiled, shaking your head. “Bye Murphy.”
Once alone in your apartment, you stripped off your jeans and t-shirt, collapsing on your bed as you vowed to shower after another round of sleep.
You could hear the faint sound of Javier’s record player, the muffled melody lulling you into relaxation.
I am just a mirage
Oh, I am just a mirage
When you look at me
Through your crystal glass you will see
That I am now your past
But you give your love to me
In your life I wasn’t meant to be.
Oh I am just a mirage
Oh I am just a mirage
Just a mirage fading away like water
The faint guitar licks pull you towards sleep like a receding tide carrying you out to sea. Even as you sink into slumber, you almost swear you can hear Javi thinking too hard on the other side of the paper thin wall.
Let me know if y'all wanna be on the tag list! I'll have one going as long as Tumblr cooperates 😂
@heythere-mel
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I thought it would be cool to share a list of important events and things I released this year, as 2023 winds down to a close.
#1: An Altar for our Sins part 7 (Jan 1st)
#2: Never Quite Enough Part 4 (Jan 4th)
#3: In Sickness and In Health (part 6) (Jan 8th)
#4: Valentine's Day in the AOP universe (Feb 16th)
#5: Siren! Billy Drabble (Feb 16th)
#6: Crime boss!Reader Drabble (Feb 16th)
#7: Vampire Club Owner! Billy (Feb 17th)
#8: Venomous 5 (Feb 20th)
#9: Some really amazing Siren!Billy art (March 10th)
#10: Teeth Part 2 (Mar 15th)
#11: JESS?!?!?!?! (Mar 18th)
#12: Teeth Part 3 (Mar 18th)
#13: Teeth Part 4 (Mar 18th)
#14: Teeth Part 5 (Mar 20th)
#15: Teeth Part 6 (Mar 21st)
#16: Oh my god this mafia Billy (Mar 27th)
#17: Teeth Part 7 (April 1st)
#18: Teeth Part 8 (April 3rd)
#19: Teeth Part 9 (April 5th)
#20: Teeth Part 10 (April 11th)
#21: Teeth Part 11 (April 14th)
#22: Teeth Part 12 (April 16th)
#23: Teeth Part 13 (April 22nd)
#24: WEREPANTHER ART (April 23rd)
#25: Teeth Part 14 (April 30th)
#26: With All That I Am Part 7 (May 23rd)
#27: Teeth Part 15 (June 6th)
#28: Teeth Part 16 (June 19th)
#29: Teeth Part 17 (Aug 7th)
#30: I got covid for the first time (Aug 29th)
#31: Never Quite Enough Part 5 (Sep 25th)
#32: Nightfall 3 (Oct 22nd)
#34: Nightfall 4 (Oct 31st)
#35: Teeth Part 18 (Nov 9th)
#36: Objects In Motion (Nov 16th)
#37: Teeth Part 19 (Nov 18th)
#38: An Altar For Our Sins Part 8 (Dec 5th)
#39: And All That I Have Part 8 (Dec 26th)
And that's it!
Wow, I had no idea I released so much. It was so much fun to relive all of that while I was making this.
This year was very harsh on me, I lost a couple of family members and I also almost lost my job as well, so if you were wondering about the sudden decline, that's your answer.
Special shoutout to the artists that made fan art of my work, they mean so much to me.
And a very special thank you to the people that left comments, wrote reviews and sent asks, they are not overlooked, and they fuel me to keep going.
Being inspired to write is hard, finding that spark of myself I want to add to my work is rough, but when I'm standing alone in the dark, it's you that hold the torch that lights my way out.
Cheesy, I know.
Anyway, Thank You everyone, I'll see you in 2024 with more smut and more angst.
Sincerely,
becauseicantthinkwritings.
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bluwavez · 19 days
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˗ ˋ 🌊    TAX WRITEOFF    ﹕   THE FIFTH FULL ALBUM    !
TAX WRITE OFF is the FIFTH full album by the fictional South Korean boy group DeepDive. The album was released on March 29th, 2024. Before the album's release, the group would release a pre-release single, "MY EGO," which would get a two-week promotional period before Tax Write Off's release. With a total of ten tracks, DeepDive would promote VENOM, EAZY, and CALL 2229 for a total of three months. Due to the success of the b-side "Smarter" they would add on another month of promotions for the song.
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"We kept a lot of the producing and writing in-house," DeepDive's leader, Hwang Jisung, would explain at their release showcase. With an impressive ten-song track list, every track is primarily produced and written by the members of DeepDive with the help of notable friends and colleagues of theirs.
With the typical features of SNS members on the credits, Mika and Yuki worked on the songs Venom, Kick It With You, and Locked In. "It's always great to work with them, especially Mika. She knows our sound very well. She's like the eighth member of DeepDive at this point." Noah would joke. SNS and DeepDive have worked extensively with each other over the years, typically being seen together in person and on the credits of their albums.
A new face would be seen on the album's credits. Oliver Song of Plastic Flowers and Starzie would help write and produce the song "This Feeling" alongside Finn, which came as no shock to fans. The pair first met on the survival show "Shooting Stars" and have been inseparable since their debut in the subsequent group Starzie. "Oliver is very fun to work with. It didn't feel like we were working. We were just messing around." Finn explained through laughs. It's noted that This Feeling was the second to last song to be finished, and the pair barely made the cutoff date due to the pair taking so long to finish the lyrics.
Another new face but not new to Mydol's catalog was the feature of Closure, AKA Zion of Arm Candy, on the final and fan-favorite track, Broken Trials. When asked how working with Closure went, Finn just shrugged, saying: "It was cool. He was cool. Very talented." leaving fans questioning what went down in the studio that day.
A shock to many was the featuring of VENUS members on the tracklist. Chloe Lee, Jacob's little sister, and Klara Blix would be seen several times on the album as writers and producers, only fueling rumors that Mydol is in the works of reacquiring the girl group's contract, though the boys did not comment on that matter. "If we release an album, we're going to work with a Venus member. That's just tradition at this point." Jacob would go on to say when questions about the girl's involvement in the album.
The most shocking producing credit would go to Son Jinhwa, controversial CEO of Mydol and father of member Noah. Call 2229 would mark the first song the father-son duo would work on together. "He came up to me and said: "We're going to work on a song together. It's been long enough." and we went in the studio and made 2229. It was really fun to work with him like that and I hope we can do it again soon."
WRITERS & PRODUCERS CREDITED ... @snspice + @plasticflwrs + @venusvity + @pinkscaped + @r0mcoms
TRACK OO1. MY EGO
TRACK OO2. VENOM
TRACK OO3. EAZY
TRACK OO4. CALL 2229
TRACK OO5. THIS FEELING
TRACK OO6. 1, 2, 3
TRACK OO7. KICK IT WITH YOU
TRACK OO8. LOCKED IN
TRACK OO9. SMARTER
TRACK O10. BROKEN TRIALS
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VENOM PERFORMANCE OUTFITS !
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EAZY PERFORMANCE OUTFITS !
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CALL 2229 PERFORMANCE OUTFITS !
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TAX WRITE-OFF sold 2,050,106 copies on Hanteo on its first day, setting an insane first-day record for the first release under Mydol. Within the first week of its release, Tax Write-Off sold 3,004,823 copies. Within a month of its release, it sold 3,653,291 copies, resulting in total sales in South Korea of 3,813,271 copies, according to Circle.
TAX WRITE-OFF received positive reviews from music critics. According to Metacritic, the album has an average score of 80 out of 100, based on 58 reviews. This score indicates that the album received "generally favorable reviews" from the critics.
VENOM would win SEVEN music show awards, EAZY would win EIGHT music show awards, and CALL 2229 would win FOURTEEN music show awards. SMARTER would also win THREE music show awards despite not being a part of the original promotional schedule.
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golden-redhead · 2 years
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Incoherent, messy and out of order first spoilery thoughts on TUA season 3, let’s go!
Viktor’s transition was incorporated rather nicely in the show and it led to some really wholesome sibling moments that I will cherish forever
the actor playing Reggie is a delight and while the character is extremely unlikable, I love seeing him on screen. it really is a testament to how good the TUA casting is
I expected to dislike the whole Stan thing, but I actually found myself enjoying it? I think the humor and delivery of some of the lines was amazing and made it work even if I am not a huge fan of what became of Diego in the last 2 seasons
Lila and Five’s dynamic absolutely SLAYS! idk, they are such a pleasure to watch, all this easy banter and everything, I just find their whole chemistry very satisfying and it shows both in the show and in the interviews that the actors truly get these characters, what they’ve been through and how it affected this relationship in particular. honestly, some amazing performances from both of them
overall, I feel like the performances in general were what made this season actually good to watch. I have a lot of complaints about some of the lines, subplots and plot points in general, but I can’t deny that I simply love these characters and the way they are portrayed by the actors and even though I can’t say I’m happy with everything that happened, it was still a lot of fun to watch. again, casting of this show is absolutely unmatched!
I really wish some inconsistencies in Allison’s reasoning were fixed and I still don’t know how to feel about THAT scene with Luther... I mostly can’t believe that it not only made it into the season, but - more importantly - that it isn’t addressed later on... at all. it’s one thing to portray dysfunctional and grieving characters doing shitty and questionable things, it’s another to frame it... well, the way they did it this season. 
that said, I enjoyed Allison’s arc a lot and Emmy Raver-Lampman is an amazing actress who was horribly underutilized until now, so I’m happy to see her have more defined role this season.
there’s something really interesting about the theme of losing one’s family in a show that’s so focused on family in general. I mean, usually when you grow up you begin making your own family unit with your spouse and children, so it’s interesting to see how Allison is torn between her obligation to her siblings, the family she didn’t choose, and the family she created as an adult. I know that we are more inclined to root for her relationship with other Umbrellas because they are the focus of the show, but it does make absolute sense for her to try to bring back the family she made for herself
I liked Klaus so much more this season and his scenes, especially those with other siblings, were really great! him bonding with Five was everything I wanted and didn’t even know. and it’s nice to finally tap into his issues with his powers instead of having him escape from them
Five being the Commission founder... I said in another post that I totally saw him being tied to the Commission’s existence in a more meaningful way coming because of how his powers operate in the same way the briefcases do, but I did not see THAT coming
on one hand, Sloane and Luther are a great example of insta love and everything wrong with it. on the other, though, it gave us some fun subplots and dynamics and if there’s one character that deserved to find peace and normalcy - it was Luther. I honestly need more time to form an opinion on it. 
RIP Marcus and his potential, I guess...
Fei deserved better
Allison and Viktor’s fight in episode 7 was amazing, the tension was really palatable and dang, THIS is how you write characters fighting! the actual VENOM in Allison’s voice, just... such a great scene, I was so impressed with the acting 
the amount of sudden deaths and betrayals was absolutely INSANE, the reviewers did not lie about that, holy shit
that moment when Five steps on his star, in the middle of the circle, connecting all of them? I don’t know what is it about that scene, but holy fuck, CHILLS
I might add more later once I collect my thoughts more, for now I’m a rambling, absolutely incoherent mess of emotions.
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stevesbestgirl · 2 years
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Marvel Masterlist
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Please see under the cut for my Marvel characters masterlist! Current characters include: Steve Rogers, Bucky Barnes, Stucky, Natasha Romanoff, Loki, Helmut Zemo, Steven Grant, and Johnny Storm. This also includes my Eddie/Venom fic (It took place when they were in the MCU, so it counts). Enjoy!
Find my main Masterlist here!
Because it needs to be said, no one has my permission to translate or repost my fics anywhere.
Key:
🔥 - smut
❤ - fluff
💀 - angst (always with a happy ending because I am soft)
💫 - my favorites
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One Shots:
Drunk Enough (Steve Rogers x Reader) ❤ 💫
-> Star Spangled (Steve Rogers x Reader) ❤
Teamwork (Steve Rogers x GN!Reader)  ❤
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Series:
A Moment of Your Time (Mob!Bucky x f!Reader) ❤ 🔥
One Shots:
A Walk in the Park (Bucky x f!Reader)  🔥
Shades of Gray (FATWS!Bucky x enhanced!Flagsmasher!Reader) 💀
Sunshine (ex!Bucky x Reader) 💀❤
Hooked (Captain Hook!Bucky x Lost!Reader) 💀❤
Last Call (Biker!Bucky x f!Reader) ❤ 💫
Shooting Blind (Bucky x Reader)  ❤ 💫
In the Pit (Pit Boss!Bucky x f!Reader)  🔥
Secrets (Bucky Barnes x f!Reader)  ❤
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One Shots
Dolled Up (Stucky x f!Reader) 🔥 💫
Late Nights (Stucky x f!Reader)  🔥 💫
Performance Review (CEO!Stucky x Reader) ❤
Down to Business (dark!CEO!Stucky x Reader) ❤
The Auction (Mafia!Stucky x Reader) ❤ 🔥 💫
Part 1 Part 2
Sticky Notes (Stucky x Reader)  ❤
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Series:
Vanaheim Storms (Loki x f!Reader)  ❤ 💫 Completed
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4
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One Shots:
Bock Haben (Zemo x f!Reader) 🔥 💫
Blind Date with Daddy!Zemo (Daddy!Zemo x F!Reader) ❤
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One Shots:
Don't Be Afraid (Steven Grant x Reader) 💀❤
Excited (Steven Grant x Reader) ❤🔥
Love Languages with the Moon Boys  ❤
Series:
Phases of the Moon (Steven Grant x f!Reader)  ❤
Masterlist
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One Shots:
We Are Drunk (Eddie/Venom x f!Reader) 🔥
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Drabbles:
There Was One Bed (Johnny Storm X f!Reader)  ❤
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willemdafinky · 1 month
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I have completed Spider-Man 2 twice now and I have very conflicting feelings on the game’s story, mostly towards its Venom/Symbiote storyline. On my first playthrough my problem was how little screen time and characterization Venom had in the story despite all the build up and prioritizing him over anything else and while I still have a problem with that aspect of the story, upon my second playthrough I realized that my real biggest issue with the narrative is Peter’s time in the black suit and being corrupted by the Symbiote. I felt it was rushed and forced but I didn’t have any deeper and meaningful critiques of it…that is until I looked back on other adaptations of the Black Suit storyline and a review of Spider-Man 2 by Youtuber Dorito God which I recommend watching that made it click as to why Peter and the Black Suit doesn’t work.
Insomniac's Peter Parker is the nicest version of the character.
An aspect of Peter Parker that I feel has been downplayed in many adaptations is that he was, at many points, a jerk. He had an incredibly short temper, tends to be cocky for the worst, and outright selfish at points. This does not inherently mean he was unlikable, I actually believe this makes him more interesting and even sympathetic. His negative traits aren’t there just because but are present of numerous factors, most of them because of his double life as Spider-Man. The sheer responsibility that is required of being Spider-Man would naturally cause high level of stress which as we all know can easily lead into losing your cool: not to mention other elements such as J Jonah Jameson’s constant slander of his name which influenced his public perception amongst New York, the grief and guilt of losing loved ones such as Uncle Ben, his struggles of keeping good relationships due to wanting to keep his identity a secret out of fear of his loved ones getting hurt, and how this all started when he was 16 it is completely understandable that Peter can be frankly a jerk.
I don’t think Peter Parker’s defining characteristic is a jerkass who underneath is a good person but I feel that his jerkiness is an important factor of the character that doesn’t get much attention in adaptations outside of Peter B Parker in the Spider-Verse movies. That being said, I would be arguing in bad faith if I said this has been completely left out of Spider-Man adaptations: Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy, The Amazing Spider-Man duology, and even the MCU have this aspect of Peter’s personality intact. In the Raimi Trilogy Peter is shown to be a very flawed boyfriend to Mary Jane with Spider-Man 3 being the most prominent example where he just doesn’t understand Mary Jane’s own struggles and subconsciously brushes them off not just because of his own struggles but also from the outright celebration he is getting from New York as Spider-Man. The Amazing Spider-Man duology gave Peter a new motivation for becoming Spider-Man as originally purely being revenge only to later take up the role of hero, not to mention also breaking a dying man’s promise of staying away from Gwen. The MCU had Peter initially refuse to help Norman and the other inter dimensional visitors despite the fact that it was his fault they were brought to the MCU and it’s only because of Aunt May that he does try to help.
Now, I have to ask a question: can you honestly name a scene with Insomniac’s Peter where he has any of these traits? I genuinely can’t think of one. Spider-Man 2 tries with the boss fight against Scream where while under the Symbiote, Mary Jane tells Peter how much he made her feel like she was nothing more than emotional support for his struggles while not doing anything for her and I don’t think that lines up with how Peter was written in the game. Peter is very supportive of Mary Jane throughout the story for her job and does listen to her when she vents about it so this interaction where the story suggests otherwise in the Scream boss fight doesn’t work for me. Peter in these games is just a really nice guy, does this mean he doesn’t have moments where he crosses his limit? No of course not, the climax against Otto disproves but that’s more of an example of the “pissing off the good guy is a bad move” trope than Peter’s more abrasive side. I don’t think this inherently means that Insomniac Peter is a bad character, I very much liked him in the first game and Miles Morales after and one of my other favorite versions of the character is the one from the 90s cartoon who is also a kinder interpretation of Peter Parker. So what is my problem?
I don’t think this overly nice version of Peter Parker works with the Black Suit story. Ever since the 90s cartoon, every version of the Black Suit story has the Symbiote amplifies Peter’s more negatives traits (most notably his temper) and we’ve established that Peter doesn’t have of any these traits so seeing him lash out at other characters and being more aggressive feels extremely out of character and not in the way that I think the writers intended.
Okay so, the amplification of negative emotions doesn’t work but maybe they went through a different approach. Maybe in this version the Symbiote instead brings out the host’s intrusive thoughts and inner frustrations, like they did with Mary Jane. The story suggests this: first in the Spider-Men fight where Peter hints that he has a sense of insecurity in his role as Spider-Man because of how good Miles is in the role, that he might not be needed anymore and how the Symbiote is the only way he could keep and be greater. Second when Miles and Martin Li go into Peter’s subconscious it is outward stated that Peter supposedly may secretly want to kill his foes just so he could end the cycle, which the Symbiote feeds on. This all sounds great, what’s the problem?
Neither of these are even hinted at beforehand. Peter never shows any resentment towards Miles, not helped by how little screen presence Miles has in the story but that’s its own can of worms, and there is nothing to suggest that Peter even entertained the idea of defeating his rogues gallery permanently. So there is nothing in this story that gives any reason as to why Peter acts the way he does while under the Symbiote. Now this might sound weird for me to say since “isn’t that what the Symbiote does” but hear me out:
Harry does not act anywhere similar to Peter when he is using the Symbiote. His personality is the same which gives the idea that perhaps in this continuity the Symbiote might not have the same negative energy it does in most adaptations and is more like in the original comics where its only negative thing is that it takes control over the host while they’re asleep. But I don’t think that was ever the intention, it always felt like that the Symbiote is supposed to be what it usually is in most adaptations. So why was Peter affected by it but Harry wasn't?
There’s also the problem that Peter himself never has the big moment of realizing what the Symbiote is doing to him, he doesn’t have his own self reflection. Compare to other adaptations:
•The 90s cartoon: He almost kills Shocker after the latter had already given up and even after he stops, the Symbiote still tries to kill Shocker.
•Spider-Man 3: Him slapping Mary Jane is the moment where Peter finally sees that he had changed for the worst.
•The Spectacular Spider-Man: Getting called out by Flash Thompson for how he’s been treating his friend is what plants the doubts in Peter’s head that something might be wrong with the Symbiote which only gets confirmed when it tries to convince him that they don’t need anyone.
In Spider-Man 2, we don’t get that. I don’t consider Miles telling Peter that the Symbiote is changing him to be a moment of self realization, it doesn’t work for me. I never got the idea that in this game Peter did something so awful, an action that he wouldn’t act out doing, that would break him free from the hold the Symbiote hivemind has on him and to be better. I don’t get that.
Combine all that and you have what has ended up being one of my least favorite versions of the Black Suit storyline, even more than Spider-Man 3. Note that I hate Spider-Man 3, it’s my least favorite of the Spider-Man movies not counting the Sonyverse movies, but with that I can see how it could work with that version of Peter. Spider-Man 2’s version of the story doesn’t work fundamentally to me because of their Peter unless you change Peter’s characterization, the narrative or how the Symbiote works.
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heiressofdoodles · 1 year
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Are you really a traitor when you get a career ending injury?
And I thought you'd be pretty defensive of your past, majesty. Seems kinda weird to talk about it with a complete stranger, wouldn't you agree? ;)
Also that is actual text on the documents, a medical record and a mission report. It's another mini headcanon, and ultimately can be disregarded by StarArtist. If anyone needs or wants to read the documents more clearly, I'll include them under the cut. I'm still considering on how exactly to end the comic. It will end on a hopeful note, but just what the characters will do is subject to changing.
Page two
Page Four
Page one
Prisma Knight belongs to @startistdoodles
Aeon belongs to me
Morpho Butterfly, Dark Matter Swordsman and Dark Matter belong to HAL Labratory
Document 1
Mission Review
This is, my I remind you, a high profile mission, and as such I cannot- for the life of me, Arthur -understand why you would recommend Troop 341 to such a task. I understand some of your points, but the risks are too great. Prisma is still not suitable to lead them, Meta has already been emotionally compromised by a similar mission, Dragato and Falspar are too immature and reckless, and Jercca is simply not prepared for something of this scale.
RECONSIDER IMMEDIATELY.
- Lord Uther
Mission Status:
Absolutely Catastrophic
Document 2
PRISMA KNIGHT (She/her/hers)
Copy abilities: Ice / Mirror
Prisma had been rushed to the medical center after a high profile mission resulted in an ambush. She was in a comatose state for six hours in which four medics had to administer an antivenom. When she came around, she was delirious and incoherent. After three days, it became apparent that the wounds she sustained would be permanent, having her wings sliced off and burned away by the venom. As of writing, Prisma has been discharged and awaiting next orders.
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ludi-cerealia · 1 year
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Where can you give yourself Grace?
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A pick-a-card reading reading intended for general guidance, but the collective energy was mournfully romantic, if that makes any sense? There’s something to be said about finding closure about unresolved connections, and in doing so finding grace for oneself by drawing a line where you should. Moving on is difficult, but please allow your pain to pass, allow the emotions to drain, understand that your desires are in spite of you; and (however contradictory it may sound) that is okay. Let your experiences co-exist, let joy in, let time pass; Trust that you'll be better, lighter in the end, especially because of how difficult it is. Prominent 6th house placements or are observing significant astrological transits in the 6th-12th house axis of their birth charts may especially resonate with this reading. For instance, Pluto is transiting Aquarius iirc, see where which house its in.You don’t need to have these placements/transits take what resonates!
Channeled songs: Outline// AlunaGeorge; Eyes Closed// Halsey; Yebo/Sema// Masego
Decks used: Language of Flowers Oracle, The Wild Unknown Archetypes, Children of Litha Tarot
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Pile 1
I heard allow yourself to stand apart and speak your mind, you deserve to be heard, especially your grievances. With the Hanged Man and 9 of Pentacles Rx side by side, which to me represent the Pisces-Virgo axis of escapism vs compulsion, fixation vs ignorance, release vs control— I get the impression that while you are no pushover, you gladly bite your tongue even when venom is most warranted; an involuntary tolerance for needling microaggressions. In some ways you feel bound or even obligated to float the conversation lightly so you don't rock the boat, because perhaps those concerned can't take what they dish out. For some of you these are cliques in which you are playing a part for laughs, for others these are people you know from your hobbies/leisurely pursuits (for a select few I heard water cooler talk, so maybe your part-time workplace). There's no love had or lost, yet you wonder why you don't simply speak your mind and let them burn as they should. Perhaps it is because these microaggressions are trivial that your pride would not allow you to stoop beneath your station, I heard your rage has bigger fish to fry but can't. It seems you're between a rock and a hard place socially, Pile 1, perhaps above you is overwhelming and overbearing expectations to act right, and beneath you are people testing your principle and patience. You may give yourself grace for your humanity, that it is only human to be frustrated when your boundaries are violated; you are neither lesser nor over the top for asserting them and yourself. Don't let pride get in the way of your wellbeing and fall on your sword, if you do know that's human too. I heard the highway has its tolls.
(Cards: Jade vine ~Communication, Comic, 9 of Pentacles Rx, Hanged Man, 3 of Cups, Lovers rx, Venom)
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Pile 2
You have not fallen from grace for a moment's weakness, Pile 2; people forget that despite his heel Achilles' was nigh invincible. I think the romantic energy I channelled in the collective may be most prominent in this pile. Take what resonates, but Leo Rising/Aquarius on the 7th house cusp may be a relevant placement for you. Something may have come crashing down for you lately, this may be a substantial crush, a long-term relationship/situationship in the making that just simply fell through despite your best efforts. Something shocking may have came to light, a betrayal or manipulation, that has you spiralling into doomsday crisis. You've been obsessively reviewing every detail of your shared experience to see where you've gone wrong, where you've fallen short; or perhaps you may be critically analyzing every text or physical cue, in gruelling pain over how you couldn't see it coming. With the 5 of cups Rx turned towards Page of Swords Rx, you're torn up and feeling a fool for not realizing sooner, even a hypocrite especially for those inclined to intellectualize emotional affairs. You should give yourself grace by seeing your power, and channeling your restlessness into other aspects of being like your health, passions/hobbies, friendships; your life is so grand, Pile 2, it will not be confined, not even by yourself. Give yourself grace by nurturing these other parts of yourself, you're a dime a dozen I heard.  The medallion here is reminding me of the Ace of Pentacles, so perhaps your earthly pursuits need attention in your neglect. For others, there's a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow should you choose to embrace all the colors of life, because there's more to life than just blues. Even if it feels like the end of the world, love is only the beginning and it is all around you. (Cards : Queen of the Night ~ Power, Apocolypsis, Page of Swords rx, 5 of cups rx, The Magician, The Medallion )
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Pile 3
I take back what I said about the romantic vibes being only in Pile 2, so you may have been drawn to that pile as well. The message here is similar, but a bit firmer— the first thing I heard was respect yourself. With 6 of cups and 2 of cups reversed, you may be far and beyond the initial stages of grieving over a lost connection; I heard you're more than sure there's nothing more to come of this situation, and yet your heart still aches unrequited and is on the verge of resentment. There is love in your heart but it has nowhere to go, I'm hearing Anne Sexton poetry in my head, "I don't care, I love you anyhow. It is too late to turn you out of my heart. Part of you lives here." You've pored over all that you can, and still you remain in a state of confused longing for something you don't even know if you want anymore, love has become limerance. Getting water venus vibes, particularly Cancer/4th House/aspecting Moon. While it's important to feel your emotions, its more important to let them flow freely through you. Take as much time as you need, but when you're done, make sure you're done Pile 3. So much freedom awaits you, and a better love that will cherish your gentle nature. The universe is nudging you gently towards happier times, the light will come through even if its just through your window. Got the message you may be listening to Miley Cyrus's River, or it may be relevant for you. If a silver lining must be had, you must find it for yourself Pile 3, find grace in gratitude for each passing day; however small, each little thing is a little step forward in the right direction. (Cards : Queen of the Night ~ Power, Apocolypsis, Page of Swords rx, 5 of cups rx, The Magician, The Medallion )
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Pile 4
This pile may be going back to something they used to love after some defeat in work, one that has taken you out of your usually confident and charismatic self. While the 5 of swords did not appear in this spread, I get the sense that you have walked away from a disagreement or difference of opinions that may have taken a deeply personal turn; and instead of staying and baring your fangs you have up'ed and left, going back to basics, I heard. This was something you were deeply invested in Pile 4, and it was a heartbreaking decision to walk away even if it was for your own good; it was a project on the cusp of completion, even greatness, this was a goal you were working towards for a very long time Pile 4. Give yourself a break, you have more than enough grief to spare, give yourself grace by being kind and patient to yourself, especially when you don't know why things are happening the way they are(Paraphrasing Waymond Wang). You're on the right track, what's yours won't pass you by! Though you may feel small by going back to the drawing board, you are simply beginning again a new adventure towards something better. Trust that you are divinely guided/redirected, because in this spread the card representing the destination (Siren) is steered towards the beginning (Bridge); so you are being guided to a path you thought long lost to you. Inner child healing may be important in this time.
(Cards: Snowdrop~Hope, The Bridge, Two of pentacles, Eight of Cups, Queen of Wands rx, The Siren )
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I hope you enjoyed this PAC! I’d really love to hear how it resonates for you. Any and all feedback is welcome. If you liked my work, do consider tipping me .
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