#2014 Winter special

[putschki1969]

Heya, Sarah! Sorry for the negative question...but has Wakana cried in one of her lives? She was referring to herself crying in one of the lives during an interview

Hi there!! Sorry for the late reply, I keep forgetting about posts in my drafts.

Either way, you have nothing to worry about, this is in no way shape or form a negative question. Believe me, I have received enough NEGATIVE questions in my time here on Tumblr to know what they look like and yours definitely doesn’t look anything like that.

Also, a quick reminder: Tears aren’t inherently bad. Yes, we often associate them with bad feelings such as sadness, frustration or anger but people cry because of all sorts of things. Tears are a useful outlet when we feel overwhelmed with emotion. For many of us crying is actually a cathartic process that provides a sense of relief and healing.

Now, let’s get to your question. 〈(•ˇ‿ˇ•)-→ Wakana is very sensitive. She will cry about anything, she is the type of person that wears her emotions on her sleeve. She will never hesitate to express her feelings so there have actually been many occasions where she has openly cried in the past. Wakana is easily moved to tears during concerts whether that be during the performance of an emotional song or during a final greeting.

Wakana cried A LOT during her Winter Special Live performances. Reflecting on her first year as a solo artist made her very emotional. Also, to have the audience sing together with her during “Koi wa Itsumo” got her choked up a little as well. Finally, when we all stood up to sing Happy Birthday for her, she obviously couldn’t hold back her tears.

She was an emotional wreck during the Nagoya live of her VOICE tour back in spring 2019 (it was the final performances of the tour).

Of course she also cried a lot back in the Kalafina days (unfortuantely, most of these moments never got caught on camera).

[introvert-celeste]

I rewatched Lion 3 for the first time in a while, and I have to say, the scene where Steven is watching the tape is still the sweetest, and now the most bittersweet, scene in the entire show. This was probably the first time Steven heard his mother's voice and saw her in action, and it was this beautiful speech about how much she loved the Earth and humans, and Steven most of all.

Now, Steven knows so much about his mom. The facade isn't there anymore; all of her questionable and downright objectionable acts have been laid out for everyone to see, and Steven can never watch that video with the sort of pure joy you see on his face in this episode.

I do hope that Steven revisits the video, after he's learned a little more about what Rose was really like, now that we've explored the extremes of her character. I want him to see her face again and smile, knowing that she meant every word she said, that despite everything she's done, she was honest with him from the very beginning.

And now I'm sad.

[kazooiesart]

Hes got a point

[triple-axel-triple-threat]

[stevenatsource]

No one special, then? Believe it or not, it’s hard to find someone with shared life experience.

CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER (2014) dir. Joe & Anthony Russo

[little-lynx]

HAPPY OLYMPICS!

If there is anything I’m obsessed with as much as with Hunger Games, it’s Olympics (I have a thing for a “games” huh). It would not be an exaggeration to say that the Olympic Games have largely determined who I am now. Winter Olympic Games 2006 are the reason why I have degree in journalism (i wanted to become sport journalist SO BADLY, you have no idea… kinda sad I lost that fire). And also I live in Olympic city! My hometown - Sochi - hosted Olympic Games in 2014 and I was there (as a journalist and just a spectator) and I can’t describe how it felt to be there, to feel that atmosphere. It’s incredible. I have nothing to compare. I hope to visit another games some day (hope covid will be in the past soon).

Anyway, Olympics are forever in my heart and it’s a super special time for me. Good luck to all the athletes! Happy Olympic Games and may the odds be ever in your favour!

And to celebrate the start of the Olympics here is fresh baked Cupcake for you! Super fast and simple, but still! If you haven’t read this fic yet it’s the perfect time. Please check Outside Chance by @katnissdoesnotfollowback ✨🏂🎿🥇

[givemewallywestorgivemedeath]

Do you know where Ace was first introduced? I want to learn more about him, but I'm not sure where to start in the rebirth flash run.

Oh buddy hold onto your butt because I'm going to give you the full Ace West reading list:

1) The Flash Vol 4 #31-36, #43-52 (plus 2014 annual)

2) DCU: Rebirth #1

3) Teen Titans: Rebirth

4) The Flash Vol 5 #1-87 (plus 2018 and 2019 annuals)

5) Teen Titans Vol 6 #1-7

6) Titans: The Lazarus Contract (Titans #11, Teen Titans #8, Deathstroke #19-20 and Teen Titans Annual #1)

7) Teen Titans #9-47

8) Teen Titans Special #1 (2018)

9) Titans Vol 3 #16-18

10) DC Love is a battlefield

11) The Flash Vol 1 #750-762

12) Teen Titans Endless Winter Special

13) Generation Zero: Gods Among Us

14) Death Metal: Speed Metal

15) The Flash Vol 1 #781-782

16) JL: Road to Dark Crisis

17) The Flash 783-788 (< that comes out this week) (plus the 2022 annual)

(there's also Teen Titans Academy but I would skip that honestly. Like at most just issue #13 and it'd be before number 15 on my list)

[petits-pois-carcinogenic]

I'm by no mean a historian, let alone a journalist (Thank God). But at the risk of playing armchair analysts, I've noticed that ever since WW2, there are mainly three tropes of conflicts, in matter of duration, that is:

First case: 4 days-long wars. Those where the power balance between belligerent factions is so unequal that there is no point in resisting or fighting back. Outpost guards just watch powerlessly entire regiments cruise drive through their checkpoints. It's basically what happened with the American invasion of Grenada in 1983, or the Russian invasion of Georgia in 2008, or even Crimea in 2014. Those are wars that end up seeing very little material damage and few victims (Crimea's invasion is even called "The war without a single shot fired" in Russia, which is an image they like a lot btw. Krutchev claimed America would fall without them firing a single shot too, few decades back).

How many Central and South Americans does the CIA need to kill before you realize socialism is bad? - Charlie Kirk

Second case: 4 weeks-long wars. Or the Blitzkriegs. The power balance is a bit more reasonable, but through coordination and shock&awe tactics, one invader sends the enemy to the mat by wreaking havoc. Destroying comms, bombing roads, bridges, rail tracks, or shredding the airforce/navy before it even takes off. Within a month, the defending army is folded. This is essentially how most of the allies fell during WW2 (Poland, France, Norway), and in more recent examples, it is how went the American invasion of Iraq, or the NATO-backed coup in Libya (Iraq evolved into a case 3, but Saddam's army still got swept within 40 days, give or take).

The Onion did release some bangers during that time, so maybe the Invasion was worth it after all

The third type, the worst of all, either when the power balance is fair, or when the fighting tactics are too different to compare: the dragging to a stalemate. A lot of destruction, a lot of death, civilian & military alike, but no winner in the end. Yeah, some skirmishes here and there to be claimed, but the losses are so that it is pointless to call those victories. The textbook case of "Tactical VS Strategic victory". Examples are Vietnam to the US, Algeria to France, Afghanistan to the Soviets (for the record, those three were the strongest armies of the Cold war, with nuclear armament). And the most iconic: The Iran-Iraq war: 8 years of conflict, 300.000 deaths on each side, hundreds of billions worth of dollars thrown into the cogs of war. Yet the borders have not moved a centimetre nor did the people in power. Almost a million people died for, in the literal sense of the term, nothing.

"Hey you ever heard of Verdun? Hell on Earth, chemical artillery, fruitless bloodbath. Sounds horrible. Let's try that!" - some iraqi/iranian general, probably

Back in February, when I heard the news of war, I expected it to be a case 1, the way it happened in Crimea back in 2014. Zelensky would run tails between legs. Russian tanks arrive in Kiev without firing a single shot and Ukraine would fall back into Russian tutelage. The international community gets pissed, shakes their finger. Dogs bark and the caravan moves on.

But that did not happen, a month in and Ukraine was still holding. I then betted that Zelensky could come to terms with an armistice à la Finnish winter war (Both sides lose, but having saved enough dignity to call it a victory). The Donbass is demilitarized, Donestk becomes a Karelia 2.00 and falls into Russian territory and the Azov battalion is sold out on the sacrificial altar. Putin, having filled his "Special operation" objectives (demilitarization, denazification, protection of russophones), can now toot his horn back in Moscow. Meanwhile, Zelensky can come back to Kiev as a hero: he saved Ukraine from getting eaten whole by the second army in the World, like Finland did 80 years ago.

It is tomorrow the day 250 of the conflict. Russia has since mobilized its civilians because the meat grinder needs more flesh and Zelensky is getting more and more bold and aggressive in its pleas for assistance to the West: Ukraine is a hill Putin's Russia will die on, literally. And no Russian (that desires to keep living in Russia, that is) can back down either. If/when Russia loses, the Western powers appear hell-bent to make Russians pay for all the wrongdoings in Ukraine for the passing 10 generations. "Russia will be carved, its economy dismantled, its relevancy wiped out!". Well, this is what Russian media claims at least, but it's hard to fully deny it either; the US doesn't give tens of billions monthly to Ukraine as a charity: like everything, it's an investment, it expects a return and I don't really see a war-torn Ukraine bringing it.

But to Russians, this conflict either ends two ways: with Russia's annihilation and its fall back to square (199)1, or Russia forcing the way through Ukraine to have a chance at living a life like it used to be before the conflict. The peace talks are far gone. In fact, peace is a word neither Ukrainians nor Russians want to hear right now: This war is ending with the capitulation of Ukraine, or Russia's.

[desertdollranch]

Hey dollies! Let’s do our own year in review post for the fandom!

2022 has been a very eventful one for American Girl fans! 

I’m doing this wrap-up of the year simply because of how many changes and surprises we witnessed from AG. Looking at the data, a new direction from the company began in 2020, they seem to be trying to re-capture the unique and special qualities they first brought to the world 36 years ago. At the same time, though, they’re not purely just repeating what they’ve done in the past. They’re trying entirely new things and introducing new products in order to keep the brand fresh, contemporary, and full of surprises.

The year kicked off, as it always does, with the introduction of the new Girl of the Year. Towards the end of 2021, we here on Tumblr had racked our brains trying to figure out why American Girl had trademarked two full names, and we speculated on the possibilities: could it be twins? Was it a brother and sister pair? We were pleasantly surprised to finally meet Corinne Tan and her younger sister, Gwynn. Corinne debuted a new face mold made specifically for her, and Gwynn was released as a 14-inch doll. This marked the first time that sibling characters were released together! Their story centers around their lives in Aspen, Colorado, and the winter sports they enjoy. We also learned about their struggles of having divorced and remarried parents, their training of a search-and-rescue dog, and the racism they face that reflects the experiences of real Asian-American children. American Girl partnered with the organization AAPI Youth Rising to shine a light on the good they’re doing to make the world a better place for Asian American and Pacific Islander children in the United States.

To round out the summer, we were then blessed with the presence of Claudie Wells, a new historical character from 1922 in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City. This came as a surprise to nearly no one; we here on Tumblr have spent years discussing, yearning for, and dreaming up a Harlem Renaissance character. We did a pretty good job of predicting a character just like Claudie! Click here to read that post that summarizes our predictions and how many of those elements we got right! 

We also welcomed back our dear retired friend, Molly McIntire, and lots of pieces from her original collection! While it’s happened a few times before that beloved older characters have been brought out of retirement, it has always happened alongside a major revamp of the character, with new outfits and accessories. Think about Samantha being brought back with a pink dress. But this was the first time that parts of a retired character’s original collection have been re-released alongside her. That is also a very encouraging sign that American Girl may someday do the same for other long-retired characters. I’m sure all of us would love to see the return of Kirsten Larson, who has been put away in the archives for more than a decade now.

The final big surprise this year was the complete revamp of the Truly Me dolls. If you’re not familiar with them, Truly Me is the name for the line of dolls who are sold nameless and without character backgrounds. They are available with a variety of face molds, skin tones, and hairstyles so that you can choose one who looks like you, or one who doesn’t. They’re specifically meant for you to be creative and come up with your doll’s story and personality. This year, all the existing Truly Me dolls were retired and sent into the archive--and they were replaced with 25 brand new dolls with new looks! Newer face molds were added to the line, as well as the long-retired Marie-Grace face mold, a fan favorite that has had high demand on the secondhand market ever since its last production in 2014. Many of the dolls have colorful hair and all but four have extra painted-on eyelashes. 

In smaller news, American Girl launched a podcast network with several new podcasts covering several topics. For news and behind-the-scenes discussion, there’s The American Girls Fan Club. And Ten-Minute Mysteries presents a reading of novel-length historical mysteries. The Smart Girls Podcast expands upon topics covered in the A Smart Girl’s Guide To.... series of nonfiction advice books geared at a slightly older child audience. 

Now, for my favorite part.... running the numbers! I do this pretty frequently. Check out my #data tag to see posts like this one if you enjoy that sort of thing. 

So I’m sure it’s no surprise to know that 2022 takes first place for the number of new dolls released by American Girl.

That includes: 

2 Girl of the Year: Corinne Tan and Gwynn Tan

2 historical characters: 1922 Claudie Wells and the re-release of 1944 Molly McIntire

25 Truly Me dolls: numbers 100-124

2 mini baby dolls: Blix and the second of two Caring for Baby sets

1 limited edition holiday doll: Sapphire Splendor

1 WellieWisher: Bryant

That is a grand total of 33 new dolls! The only categories that didn’t have a new doll release in 2022 were Bitty Baby, World By Us, and 6-inch mini character dolls.

Here’s my original post from summer 2021 that calculates the average number of dolls released each year. I was a little more strict with the numbers I used, so the average is perhaps a tiny bit lower than it could realistically be. Either way, at the time of that post, the average number of new dolls released each year was approximately 4. With complete data from 2021 and 2022 included, and expanded to include all categories of dolls (not just 18 inch and including all special editions), that number actually goes up to 5.2 new dolls released per year! That’s a big increase! 

Before this year, 2009 saw the most abundant release of dolls, with a total of 23. That includes 20 Truly Me dolls (#s 33-52), 3 Girls of the Year (Chrissa Maxwell, Sonali Matthews, and Gwen Thompson), and 1 historical (Rebecca Rubin). Taking third place was 1995, when the first 20 original Girl of Today dolls were released. After 2009′s generous offerings, the number of new dolls began to plummet, and came close to the average. 

It’s becoming quite obvious that the 2020′s are a new era. 2019 gave us only 3 dolls in 2 categories (Girl of the Year and Truly Me), and only 3 years later we've got 33 dolls in 6 categories. In fact, in 2022, more dolls were released than in 2021 and 2020 combined!

For 2021, dolls released included:

1 Girl of the Year: Kira Bailey

3 World By Us characters: Makena Williams, Maritza Ochoa, and Evette Peeters

1 Caring for Baby 8-inch doll

3 Truly Me dolls: 89, 90, and 91

2 Winter Princess dolls

6 re-released historical characters as 35th anniversary limited edition dolls

1 new Sparkling Ballerina blonde-blue eyed doll available in a Costco doll-and-accessory gift package (the other three released were existing and re-dressed Truly Me dolls; the blonde one was the only unique doll never before released) (this is what I mean when I say I’m deliberately being very generous with the numbers)

That’s a total of 17 dolls. Which is still higher than average! And we’re seeing a lot more categories of dolls as well! Holiday and anniversary special edition dolls, 8-inch baby dolls, and World By Us are all newly introduced in the 2020′s. 

In 2020 itself:

1 Girl of the Year Joss Kendrick

1 Historical character Courtney Moore

1 Holiday Limited Edition Sugarplum Fairy

6 Truly Me dolls 83-88

Courtney’s mini Molly doll

3 limited edition “Swarovski Crystals Couture for a Cause” dolls: Sweet as a Rose, Fuchsia Feathers, and Boho Chic

Elf on the Shelf doll

For a total of 14 in 2020, and so that’s a total of 31 in 2020 and 2021 combined. Even if you’re going to point out that maybe Molly shouldn’t be counted as a new release, 2022 still wins. But what a difference that’s making to the numbers! The average number of dolls released in the 2020′s is 21.3 dolls. So it’ll be interesting to see how many we’ll get in 2023! Likely the number will be smaller than it was this year. There are only so many times an entire category can be revamped the way Truly Me was. 

Partnering with other brands, charities, and institutions is also an upwardly moving trend. This year, AG had numerous collaborations in the release of new products and books. Those include:

Janie and Jack

LoveShackFancy

Harry Potter

Swarovski 

Harlem Fashion Row

Harlem School of the Arts 

Kidcraft

AAPI Youth Rising

HBO Max

Cartoon Network

To sum up the partnerships:

Swarovski is a returning collaborator for the fourth year in a row, having first made an appearance on an American Girl product in late 2019, when three $5000 special edition dolls were released, each wearing a gown adorned with Swarovski crystals. They did the same for the special edition dolls in 2020 and 2021. 

Janie & Jack and LoveShackFancy both produced seasonal mix-and-match clothing collections for the Truly Me line.

Partnering with Harry Potter branded doll clothing was a surprising move that disappointed a lot of fans who disagree with series’ author JK Rowling’s derogatory public statements about the trans community. American Girl as of yet has not responded to any criticism about this partnership, and in fact completely ignores all critical comments on their social media. 

Harlem Fashion Row collaborated with AG to make parts of Claudie’s collection, including three outfits inspired by the 1920′s.

To celebrate Claudie’s release and to pay tribute to the neighborhood she called home, American Girl is accepting donations to Harlem School of the Arts.

Kidcraft partnered with AG to make the multi-story Luxury Dollhouse sized for 18 inch dolls, which I’m surprised hasn’t happened until this year. 

Cartoon Network and HBO Max are producing a movie based on Corinne’s story. That is set to release some time this month. 

So that about wraps it up for this year.

I know I’m not speaking only for myself when I say that I’m excited about what 2023 will bring. I’m certain we’ll get some nice surprises. The new Girl of the Year will likely break ground in some way. Claudie’s collection will expand. Maybe we’ll see a retired historical character brought out of the archives, with a restored collection. And there’s a strong possibility of seeing one or more entirely new historical characters released.

If I didn’t mention your most memorable moment of this year, feel free to chime in!

[backhurtyy]

Jujutsu Kaisen, Chapter 90 // The Unbearable Lightness of Being, Milan Kundera // You’re Somebody Else, flora cash // The Song of Achilles, Madeline Miller // Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)

[ID: eight images in black and white. 1- a mangacap from jjk. the first box has the words "Is he a fake?" the second box shows gojo satoru looking forward with a shocked expression. the third box says "Is this some kind of transformation technique?" the fourth box is a zoomed in view of the left side of gojo's face.

2- "The brain appears to possess a special area which we might call poetic memory and which records everything that charms or touches us, that makes our lives beautiful."

3- another mangacap from jjk. the first box shows an image of geto suguru, with a text above that reads, "Who are you?" in the second box, it shows geto from the side responding, "Suguru Geto, of course. Did you forget? How sad." the third box shows Gojo from the side, saying "Your body... And even your cursed energy..."

4- "well you look like yourself/but you're somebody else/only it ain't on the surface/well you talk like yourself/no, I hear someone else though/now you're making me nervous"

5- a mangacap that continues gojo's sentence from image 3. it reads, "My six eyes tell me... you're Suguru Geto."

6- I could recognize him by touch alone, by smell; I would know him blind, by the way his breaths came and his feet struck the earth. I would know him in death, at the end of the world."

7- gojo lunges forward, shouting "But my soul knows otherwise! Hurry up and answer!! Who the hell are you?!"

8- "I knew him... But I knew him." /End ID.]

[look-at-the-soul]

The Photoshoot Master list (2015)

Cillian Murphy

2014 Parts 1-31

2015

Part 32, Part 33, Part 34, Part 35, Part 36, Part 37, Part 38, Part 39, Part 40, Part 41, Part 42, Part 43, Part 44, Part 45, Part 46, Part 47, Part 48, Part 49, Part 50, Part 51,

Special holidays edition: All I want for Christmas is you

Bonus: A small glimpse into their future (no spoilers) All of this unreal time

When we were young (Golden Globes afterwards)

Yael at the SAG Awards after Cillian won

📷 Updated: 07.07

📷 Another man magazine (Fall/Winter) by Willy Vanderperre (2015)

A/N I’m separating each year into a different master list 🥰

[cp3killer]

untitled: a lestappen fic (or a glimpse of it)

hello!

here you go, the first glimpse of the fic. This is still very rough around the edges and i’m not even sure wtf this is. Still I hope you enjoy it or at least gives some excitement to your day-or night.

Please let me know your thoughts, if it’s good, or bad or nothing at all! 

playlist for this fic

2014

Today marks the end of his most successful season as a driver. Somewhere in his mother house his trophies attest to this. 

There’s a horse in one of them- his Maranello trophy couldn't be more obnoxious even if their cars depended on it. Ferrari's horse is in the middle of it with a cheap glint. In the end it’s just an object with arbitrary literature about the winner being the champion. 

But the real success is a personal milestone he hopes will become the norm in the future. This season his anxiety is less obvious. He suspects his mother knows this too, even if he’s never told her about how all his accolades are defiled by the experiences behind them. However he does feel satisfaction at how proud his mother is showcasing his trophies. It’s borderline embarrassing how giddy it makes him feel, blushing in front of someone worthy of his discomfort.

Maranello in winter is nothing special- in any season really. But Rome has the Vatican, Pisa has a tower, David is the representation of courage that makes Florence proud. Maranello on the other hand, is mythical, a museum filled with sacrifice and history dripping in devilish red.

His dad is somewhere talking to a mechanic or engineer, maybe even a sponsor. He doesn't care. It’s been half an hour since the race finished and with the conference done, the season has officially ended. Maybe he’ll see his mother soon, he doesn't remember the last time he saw her. 

He calls Victoria most days, lately by the time they finish their calls his ears are ringing from how her voice escalates with the fluttering panic of her current crush. Max is protective of her, but the distance between them is a reminder of what pursuing his dream has cost the family, which keeps him quiet. 

“What about you? How are things with Nyck's sister?” She finishes applying nail polish on her toes before turning to the video call.

He rolls his eyes. That had ended a long time ago, getting lost somewhere in the couple of months that passed. Honestly he feels a bit guilty about how little effect the break up has on him. 

“You can say her name Victoria” She was watching a show when he called her that is still playing in the background, loud enough he has to make an effort to hear her. “Oh, I know” she almost gags in disgust at the idea. His answer is concealed with a sigh.

“Were done”

“Finally!” His screen is framing her nose by how close she holds the phone, joy overflowing her blue eyes “Jesus Max. You train your reflexes everyday but couldn't see her coming, could you?” She moves her hand in the air like it’s supposed to keep her rant going. For everytime Max has swallowed a sarcastic comment, she vomits every single one of her thoughts “Plus, I warned you that those weren't just rumors, she is a ho..” 

“Let’s not go there Vic, alright.” His hand flashes in front of him writing a period in the air. “I don’t have the energy for this” She huffs, her eyes are still talking- despite the pixelated image the shitty internet provides, he can guarantee it. 

“I just…” This is the part he hates the most. Her distress is a consequence of something that is out of his hands. He could do anything about it, but doesn't want to. No matter the overflowing reason as to why he should. 

Max goes left when he crosses the back of the garage. There’s a spot far enough he escapes to sometimes. It’s just him and a sea of green weeds. It’s cloudy- he can almost smell the earthy aroma that sets after it rains. 

There’s still a couple of weeks before fall, but the rain is here. Ironic how in the one season where the cool raindrops would be welcomed they forget the clouds can kiss the ground.

He’s not hiding by being in this particular part of the track. But it is true that you only stumble on it if you actively look for it- or get lost. 

Last night's phone call is the first thing that crosses his mind when he sits down. He told himself he wouldn't think about the conversation with Victoria until he gets home, he had won the championship a couple of races ago, this one wouldn't really make a difference.

But even still, he wanted a 100% win rate. Every victory is a win. Yet he’s still anxious, he knows this  will not be enough for his dad. The most this will do is get his dad to say ‘you’ll do better next year’ or at least take back saying ‘you’re not even worth being a bus driver’ he lets the remark swim in his mind like it’s training for the olympics.

“Oh” Not oh. Ughh. Charles is standing in front of him looking uncomfortable. He’s so exhausted he can’t be bothered to give him more than a glance. Charles misunderstands it as an invitation.

Charles sits close, maybe the fabricated privacy gives him courage. The secluded place gives Max comfort. He doesn't worry about closing his eyes and letting out a sigh. Truthfully that's all he can do to manage his nerves. The adrenaline should be out of his system by now not racing to reach his cheeks.

He closes his eyes and counts to ten. Charles is still there when he opens them, a bubble forms around them, the tension is building fast enough to threaten them with the impending explosion. Charles' demeanor is anxious. Even if he decided to keep Max company- voluntarily.

“Congratulations” Max shakes his head, brings his knees to his chest, wrapping his arms around it. “What do you want?” Please leave me alone. Charles keeps quiet, pondering. “Take a guess” the shift in his eyes challenges him. Max turns away in return.

“Max” maybe it’s his accent- or his emotions, but the name rolls out of him like a moan. He watches Charles swallow, captivated by the apple in his throat- small and fragile. Dropping like it’s been trying to defy gravity.

His blush is deep, the heat in his cheek lights something in his mind, a fuse having no right to be so strong, he trembles, Charles eyes control the tide of his shivers. If only he could affect him too. Have him show his true colors. Even if his eyes highlight every thought, the absolute control of every single micro movement on his face is enough to confuse him.

“Honestly, can we stop with this” he hasn't learned how to show his pain through anything else but anger. He doesn't want to let anyone see anything that his anger can’t conceal. The last time he opened the curtains to his shiny eyes, it burned him.

“I can’t come up with a single fucking reason why you’d want to talk to me” his voice breaks at the end. Great. He tries to regain his composure “Someone who just put your career to shame” The facade is hard to maintain.

“I’m not here as Leclerc, Max” Charles interrupts him quickly, his voice drips with desperation, like Max is missing the point.

“I'm..” Charles points towards himself as if Max could ever forget who he is. “I know who you are,” he answers impulsively. Stupidly. 

Charles lets out a tiny huff, a giggle, a ‘ha’ that takes some of the younger's indignation away. If only Charles knew what saying his name out loud would do to him. Would he laugh at me? A memory pops up and it’s enough to keep his grit in place. 

“I don’t doubt it” The younger brags condescendingly. He rolls his eyes. 

If Charles was the sun, he bathes Max in the most intense and violent sense of inferiority. This is another addition to the countless times Charles has obliterated any sense of control between them. There’s always a lingering feeling that he’s behind on something.

The latter is looking down at the space between them, a tight smile on his lips. He's sitting half turned to him, letting his face be closer than his lower half. Left hand tentatively close to his thigh.

The breeze is showering them like a sprinkler. The rain is getting stronger and Max is getting weaker.

Charles crushes their lips together, his hands protect Max's head like a helmet. Which definitely needs protection, the kiss feels like deliberately losing control over your car at the right speed so you can optimize the G forces that are about to impact you. You think you’re prepared for it. The chances of hitting a barrier are higher than winning a race. And still.

The constellation that bursts between them is the space between his longing and fears. Charles' lips which both bite and heal him are eager in their conquest. 

Max keeps still holding his breath. The memory of when the roles were reversed- it breaks him. Charles’ courage is a walk in the park compared to the sword Max prepared for a gun fight.

“Yeah, I.. that was” Whatever Charles wants to say stays in the space between them. But the rims of his eyes hums softly.

“A mistake” Prove me wrong. 

Charles' eyes squint in suspicion “Is that really how you feel?” Max swallows ”I don’t know about you, but when I do something twice it’s a decision Max” Charles looks so honest, it scares him.

Max can see himself, the way Charles eyes blink cautious and curious. How his body trembles so lightly he wouldn't have noticed if it weren't for his hands still holding him. The tremor actually comforts him, both of them are shaken by whatever is going on between them and having proof that he affects the younger feels delicious, it feels like victory.

“You’re only making a fool of yourself” Charles gasps. “I don’t know about you, but I don’t surround myself with fools Charles” The latter’s eyes blaze with fury, Max cheeks are on fire, between his blush, the dried sweat and Charles tight hold he couldn't be more present even if he searched from more things to ground him.

Charles is staring at his lips, there can’t be more than 3 centimeters between them, it’s so close yet not close enough, he swears Charles takes a breath to impulse himself forward, this time he’s ready. 

[ransomflanagan]

— THE FALCON AND THE WINTER SOLDIER (2021)

— CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER (2014)

GEORGES BATROC (also known as Batroc the Leaper) is a French costumed mercenary who specializes in savate, a form of kickboxing, with acrobatic skills and unusual articulate flexibility (Wiki.).

[triple-axel-triple-threat]

Finally the Sochi 2014 Tonya/Nancy special has been posted. Very biased against Tonya though.

[enigma-the-mysterious]

A Fair Trade Ch. 1

Fandom: The Musketeers (2014)

Chapter Summary: A mission gone wrong. A missing agent. A wanted criminal on the run. Just another Tuesday for the Musketeers, the special unit of the French police force.

"These botched operations will go down in the Garrison's history as one of its most disgraceful moments, bested only by Savoy."

Read on AO3 here

My Winter Solstice gift for @unamoosedwerewolf Event organised by @musketeergarrison

[alexhasalotofthoughts]

My FULL Alice Oseman collection (So far)

Before I start, I would just like to preface this post by saying that I’m really tired because this is my second time writing this post because Tumblr decided to delete it right before I posted it, so sorry for any spelling mistakes.

I have been collecting Alice Oseman books for a while now, so I thought I would share my collection so far. I have included how much I spent on each book and where I got them from, in case that is something that interests you 😊

The bookshelf:

This is the bookshelf where I keep my collection. I made a second, much less stable, shelf out of cardboard so that you could see the books at the back! This shelf brings me so much joy. Every book has a memory attached to it and a story to tell. If this shelf was a person, I would hug it.

The UK editions:

These are probably the most loved books in my collection. I have taken these books to school and fallen asleep reading them. Although easily accessible where I live in the UK, I love these books and they hold a special place in my heart.

In order, these books are:

This Winter - £8.99, Amazon

I Was Born for This - £8.99, Amazon

Nick and Charlie - £8.99, Amazon

Radio Silence - £8.99, Amazon

Loveless - £8.99, Amazon

Solitaire - £8.99, Amazon

The Heartstopper books:

I love the Heartstopper graphic novels as they were my introduction to the Osemanverse. Like with the UK novels, these books are well-loved, though they have not been taken to school. I got most of these books and a Christmas gift from my parents, so I do not know the price, sorry.

In order, these books are:

Heartstopper vol 1 (TV Tie in cover) - £10, Amazon

Heartstopper vol 1 - ???, gift

Heartstopper vol 2 - ???, gift

Heartstopper vol 3 - ???, gift

Heartstopper vol 4 - ???, gift

Heartstopper Colouring book - £6, Amazon

The Hardbacks:

This is the most expensive bit of my collection by far. I have seen some of these books on eBay for as high as £400, though I never spent anywhere close to that on a singular book. This section also includes some of my favourite books, with Solitaire (Us Hardback, 2014) and Heartstopper vol 1 (Fairyloot edition, signed) being in my top 5 favourite books in my collection.

In order, these books are:

Heartstopper vol 1 (Fairyloot edition, signed) - £80, eBay

Heartstopper vol 2 (Fairyloot edition) - £20, Fairyloot

Solitaire (US Hardback, 2014) - £15, eBay

Radio Silence (US Hardback, 2016) - £18, eBay

Loveless (US Hardback) - £18, Book Depository

The UK Original Covers:

Like with the hardbacks, this bit of my collection has another one of my favourite books in my collection, Solitaire (2014 edition), which I was able to get for the bargain price for £1.30 with free delivery!

In order, these books are:

Solitaire (2014 edition) - £1.30, eBay

Radio silence (2016 edition) - £8, eBay

The Miscellaneous Bunch:

Finally, we have the miscellaneous items that did not fit into the other groups. I have had some of these items since I was in year 7, which was in 2018, before I even knew Alice existed!

In order, these items are:

Proud - ???, gift

Echo (who plays Nellie in the show) the dog’s paw print - £10, Echo’s official shop

Solitaire poster – £18, Redbubble

The conclusion:

I hope you enjoyed this in-depth look at my Alice Oseman collection. I have been collecting these books for a while now and felt like it was time to share them. If you have any questions, feel free to ask in the comments 😊

Thank you for reading.

This is Alex, over and out.