#[ugly cries]

[bird-inacage]

Love Sea Episode 8 | "I'll Protect You"

[soutzouart]

An illustration depicting Kars witnessing the sunrise for the first time

(Inspired by Sibelius’ Symphony no. 2 and specifically the 4th movement)

[hynori]

The Family's greatest pride

[irestotles]

SHUTTTT

[pseudonymphomania]

Diavolo and Lucifer in Nightbringer Wanderer Wearabouts from Diavolo's newest card. I can't let you miss out on this just because the guarantee is 250 pulls and that's an insane amount of money. Enjoy this with me! ❤️ 🖤

Click here for the Pajama version

[neonross]

miscellaneous troll hunter sketches cuz im tryna figure out how to draw them

[kagemuch]

*ugly crying*

Not me making a cup with Joker/John cuz I’m obsessed so bad 😭😭😭

[okmcintyre]

The Hundred + "See you on the other side"

[br43lyn]

[oyeixcher]

Every OyeiCher scene (23 ¦ ??) feat. Yoryak (technically more of a Phadetseuk brothers scene but still)

C: "Was he completely out of form because his mind was on his lover or did he just throw the fight? What an insult to us." O: "Yak! Why did you do that? Do you know how much I've invested in you? Whether you sneak out or spend time with your lover, it's all cool to me. But your performance in the ring like that - it's unacceptable! Is this the dignity of a future world champion?" Y: "I never wanted it to turn out like this." O: "I'm so... f***ing disappointed!" C: "P'Yei, enough." Y: "Yeah. Someone like me... just keeps disappointing everyone - you, Mum, Dee, and everyone. I suck. Is that what you want to hear? I utterly suck!" C: "Yak! Where are you going?" O: "Let him go. Don't go after him." C: "Come on, P'Yei."

[oddly3nough]

A is covered in scars. B looks them over with curiosity, tracing a few with their fingers.

B: which one hurt the most?

A looks a them a moment. Then A grabs B’s hand, pulling them close. Their fingers curl under B’s shirt.

B: what—

B is cut off by A lifting the shirt hem higher revealing a nasty scar on B’s ribs. An old wound that almost unalived them. A was the one to save them. A traces the scar gently with their thumb.

A: this one

They whisper it so only B can hear. Of all the marks that riddled A’s skin the most painful wound they ever experienced was on B’s body.

(I made myself sad 😢)

[bird-inacage]

Only Friends: EP10 Ray's Therapy Scene (First Focus)

I've been meaning to do a deep dive on this scene, which has no doubt been immensely commended for Khaotung's stellar performance (I'm running out of vocabulary to gush about how talented that boy is). However the purpose of this post is to highlight how equally superb First is, as I fear some may overlook the excellent work he does here.

The reason why this scene warrants a huge amount of respect is how challenging this dynamic is on both actors. Only Ray is speaking the entire way through, which means the tone and rhythm of the scene is led by Khaotung, whilst First's role here as Sand is to be reactive to this immense outpouring and release of emotion. First is required to be a very restrained and contemplative presence - a projection and visual representation of Sand in Ray's own mind. It's literally acting on a macro (Khaotung) and micro (First) level in tandem.

I want to start by mentioning how well First portrays this bedded-in weariness in Sand’s demeanor throughout, an expression we’ve seen in Episode 8. It carries this heartbreakingly heavy and worn down quality. A symptom of a man who bears far too much weight on his shoulders, whose mental toil never seems to end; a product of his own nature and those who knowingly or unknowingly take advantage of it. This is the tragedy of Sand's character. And this is the realisation that is well and truly hitting Ray now. His temper and behaviour have inevitably taken its toll on someone Ray knows doesn't deserve all the suffering he's been putting him through.

⬆️ "I was stupid, but I want you to understand me. I was mad at you because I cared so much about you."

When Ray starts asking for forgiveness, there's an air of slightly deflated scepticism that flits across Sand's face. Sand's immediate instinct is to be hopeful, to give someone the benefit of the doubt. But the reality is Ray has apologised a number of times before and that hasn’t stopped him from hurting Sand still. So Sand’s expression sobers, conscious of how likely it is that Ray will let him down again.

This is Ray acknowledging that he's fallen into a pattern of taking Sand for granted. If that’s all Sand has come to expect, why would his apology this time change anything? Ray has not earnt his redemption yet as he hasn't apologised to Sand in person, and has no guarantee it would be accepted. Which is why he's so upset because he registers that Sand's disappointment in him is fully deserved.

⬆️ "There's no one more caring or loving than you. Though I've been nothing but an asshole to you."

You see the tiniest lift of Sand's brow that's tinged with grateful disbelief, 'Me? But I'm nothing special'. His gaze softens by the sentiment, a visible breath inhaled in as if taken aback, clearly touched but hesitant to believe it. A humbling trait of Sand's is that he genuinely struggles to see his own value. He doesn't realise just how meaningful he can be to someone. That he could hold such weight.

And all the criticism that Ray has thrown at Sand has only piled onto the insecurities he possesses. Remarks that have questioned Sand's principles, his dignity, his sense of worth.

⬆️ "But if you don't want to put up with me anymore, that's alright. I get you."

Ray's image of Sand watches on as he begins to fall apart, crushed by a mixture of intense fear, regret, and despair that this may be too little too late. That his last outburst may well have been the final straw, and he failed to appreciate Sand when it mattered.

On the surface Sand may look numb or somewhat devoid of emotion, but you can detect the turbulence brewing underneath. Sand has a habit of holding in his feelings in to an almost painful degree (which begs for release). It gives you the impression he could suddenly burst at the seams at any given moment. But Sand as always holds still, holds strong, holds steady. Other than the slight twitch of his lip, he holds himself together somehow.

⬆️ "No one can put up with me".

Ray vocalises his own self-hatred, how little he deserves someone like Sand, how guilty he feels for causing this damage. Whilst he does so, Sand appears increasingly teary, lip ever so slightly quivering, brows crumpling. He looks like he desperately wants to break down and cry along with Ray.

What sets Sand apart from everyone else in Ray’s life is he understands. He can sympathise with why Ray is the way he is. Despite everything Ray has done, Sand still very much wants to protect him, shield him, care for him. He doesn't blame him. It breaks his heart to see Ray upset, to see Ray hurting. His compassion for Ray has always been his undoing.

The last thing he would want is for Ray to feel unwanted or intolerable. He tries to be the person who can withstand Ray's temper, his volatile nature, because he knows Ray is still deserving of love. It’s because of this love that he can feel every single thing that Ray is going through.

Sand exudes an incredibly strong parental presence in this scene; a form of unconditional love and patience. As we're often told by our parents, they're not angry at us when we veer off path, just disappointed and perhaps saddened on our behalf - but that won't stop them from loving us all the same. This is beautifully captured by First. You can detect Sand's selfless love for Ray in his every gaze, always.

⬆️ "Ever since you walked into my life, I've been so happy. So damn happy Sand."

This is where Sand almost breaks down as he displays a small, tentative smile that is laced with pained and tired relief. His eyes close in an attempt to maintain composure. Whilst there’s overwhelm, there’s also finally a glimmer of peace.

This is what Ray knows Sand needs to hear, what Ray wishes he'd said sooner. Ray picturing himself saying this to Sand may be a form of vindication in the event he doesn't get say this to him in-person.

Finally Ray collapses into Sand's arms. Sand seems to visibly reign in his own emotions, in order to revert back to 'care-taker' mode. Sand nods once, a gesture of kindness and true acceptance that says 'It's all okay, I know.'

He's Ray's pillar, his rock, and his raft. Sand has become Ray's primary source of safety and comfort. Sand's gaze is so endlessly gentle as he nestles in close to hold Ray. Everything about his embrace feels warm and stable in such a reassuring way. Sand is every bit as loving and caring as Ray just described him to be.

What makes this entire portrayal so devastating is this is the Sand Ray sees and knows. Ray mentions in Episode 11 that he’s been stowing away these details. Which indicates that everything Sand has done and said has not gone unnoticed. Whether it was due to denial or ignorance that prevented Ray from confronting it sooner, he has unconsciously taken note of it all. How Ray's image of Sand responds in this scene is based on every interaction he's had with Sand up until now. This imaginary representation of Sand is proof of everything that Ray has come to fall in love with.

First was not given any dialogue in which to communicate in this scene. His entire performance relies solely on the tiniest of micro-expressions and gestures. He symbolises the essence of Sand but not the physical manifestation of him. Therefore his acting may come across as understated but that’s a sign of real talent when you can say so much with so little.

[randompajamaalt]

just got the worlds biggest gender euphoria boost from hearing orpheus’s singing voice. for context he’s transmasc. and he isn’t on t. and he sings with his natural high voice. and im gonna cry because ive always had dysphoria from my singing voice but now hearing him so confident in his own UGH god i love the mechs

[beemers-hell]

your madcom ocs are making me dizzy /pos

ok now I'm gonna sob for eel this time

[laazytoaster]

im gonna fuckling kms im having an art style crisis again

[justasopearchive]

Yes, me thinks 😌