#47 conversations in one day and not one entirely positive one

[roblogging]

i've spent a lot of the past 24 hours talking to various trans people in the fandom that reposted or dmed me about this video and i'm gonna yap here under the cut about it.

(i'm not a spokesperson for trans people obviously, and i don't mean to lead these discussions. i know i've had a lot of them recently but yeah it's been rough, i just thought this was interesting to share and can hopefully share a lil of how people are feeling.)

i've always assumed that the hate that i've received on my account was because of me? i post videos talking about discourses, i'm open about ships i like that are generally hated, etc etc, i've just assumed it was a me thing.

but then when people are mad about those things, it more often than not comes to slurs. it's come to people debating my identity, questioning how much of a man i am when i wear makeup, posting me on reddit pages, throwing the words tranny and "she-man" around farrr too much, and i thought "isn't it heartbreaking that this is their first thought?"

so it gradually became less about me as an individual, and instead my identity. and just that these people are mean.

and i made that video from the perspective of someone who's already upset. who's had a lot of stuff like this happen and is Sad about it.

but i've spoken to 47 trans people that reached out to me themselves about this, and have so many more requests to get through, and not one has said that they feel safe and comfortable in this space. not a single one.

so i thought i'd share some of the things that were said (with permission and anonymously) because i think it's quite interesting to see what the issues are:

the MOST mentions goes toooo: the discourse about male characters - namely sirius - wearing makeup and the way gender norms become the forefront of this - makes them feel as though people dislike "unconventional trans people" as one person put it.

alongside this, the hate for trans characters - namely regulus - and how people get very mad about it "reinforcing heterosexuality" - do not feel recognised as the gender they are, feel as though people are viewing trans people as "fake men or women" - quote.

discourses surrounding height, hair, 'gender presentations' etc - brought up by a lot of people and they recognised that this is coming from a good place (not reinforcing heterosexuality) but feel as though the amount of focus put on it is disproportionate to the presence of it. copy and pasted quote: "I'm a 5 foot 2 trans man and feel like less of a man because of it"

profitting jkr: (obviously, because that's what the video was about) i want to add that nearly everyone said that they understand the desire to, and were receptive of the fact you don't know what goes on behind the scenes re: donating elsewhere etc, but said that they've felt less safe since the surge of posts about the reboot.

guilt. which makes me glad that i posted about that here a few days ago because i felt alone in this. a lot of the people i spoke to feel guilty for being here, and feel as though they can't claim that this fandom is inclusive anymore.

comment sections: brought up by a handful of people who said that not enough people delete horrible comments on posts - one said "even if they argue against them it just feels worse than deleting it", another said "obvs i can't ask people to delete them on their own account but it does suck that they dont think to" - every person that brought up comment sections said that they tend not to look at them now which makes them feel like an outsider in the fandom.

cosplays: brought up by four people and feels relevant to above points about "gender presentation" - said that unless you're cosplaying sirius, they nearly always have to delete comments saying something along the lines of "xyz wouldn't wear makeup". all of them said that they just feel nice in it and never meant it in a bad way.

scared to be loud: scared to post, especially with face. a few acknowledged that they are scared to do so anyway, but worry about it in this space as well. bolded this one because it makes me so sad, but having been put on reddit pages for saying pete was their friend, i get it.

and the final point, a copy and pasted line: "i dont want to be represented when it suits them and i don't want to be a box they tick when adding diversity to a fic and then cry in comments. i dont want performative support"

ALSO ADDING HERE:

nearly everyone (bar 7 people) that reached out to me acknowledged that this is a minority, and not the majority. they were very clear that it isn't their whole experience, but is an issue regardless. a lot of focus was put on curating your own space and finding people who do support you, but algorithms don't always make that possible, and it's difficult seeing it happen even if they don't interact.

which is,,, yeah. that's the crux of it really. most of the time it's fine and it's lovely and things like this don't happen, but they still do, and how do you feel like you can engage when you don't know what side it will get on?

which,,, sucks. because there's not really anything anyone can do then. it's just screaming into a void and hoping that you don't end up on the wrong sides.

but anyway, i thought it was interesting. especially the comment sections and the headcanon discourse - which truly, i see less of on tumblr anyway but for all of the above reasons, don't fancy discussing this on tiktok right now which is the epicentre of it.

but yeah. food for thought perchance, and some very good discussions !! thank you to anyone that messaged me and allowed me to write this, you're not screaming into a void with me 🫶🏻

[xoioel]

꧁PROMPTS꧂

➪ ex; prompt 4 and 19 with Jisoo

THE LITTLE THINGS

1. spending every minute together to make the most of their limited time

2. sharing ice cream/a popsicle at dawn at the beach

3. nights at the pool

4. "I can't believe I've met you"

5. early love confessions

6. sleeping in a hammock together

7. running on the beach at sunrise/sunset

8. "It feels like I've known you forever"

9. spending entire nights talking and telling each other their life stories

10. spontaneous engagement/wedding

11. picturing a future together at a picnic

12. "I should just stuff you in my suitcase and take you home with me."

13. trying new things together for the first time

14. being the best version of themself when they're with the other

15. "Let me show you something! You'll love it!"

16. teaching the other a new skill

17. buying matching accessories/souvenirs

18. repressing the thought of going home again

19. denying that they have to go home again

20. hiding love letters in the other's suitcase

21. not-stopping flow of tears when they part

WAYS TO SAY “I LOVE YOU” BUT NOT SAYING “I LOVE YOU

22. Forehead kisses, and smiling through the kiss

23. Resting their forehead on the other’s after a kiss

24. Tucking strands of loose hair behind their ears, with a thumb caressing their cheek

25. Interlacing their fingers with the other’s when they least expect it

26. Sleepy back hugs when the other person is busy whipping up breakfast in the kitchen, catching them by surprise

27. Just doing their own things in the same space; being so comfortable around the other even in their pyjamas

28. Holding both their hands while holding their gaze gently, just before leaning in for a kiss

29. Switching positions with the other when walking down a busy sidewalk because your feel the need to keep the other safe

30. Being playfully clingy in the mornings when one has an off day and the other has to rush to work

31. Getting them something from the store when they only mentioned it in passing

32. When one is overseas for a work trip and everything they see reminds them of the other person (bonus: whenever it happens, they take a picture and drop the other person a text.)

33. Squeezing their hand reassuringly and holding their hand throughout an intense social situation (eg. a large school reunion which the more introverted person is dreading)

34. Kissing away their tears

35. Meeting them where they are, mentally and emotionally; never forcing them to do anything they aren’t comfortable with

36. Wholeheartedly supporting their dreams, and putting that into action by making concrete plans for it to happen

37. Dropping the other person an encouraging text before an important interview/event

38. Surprising the other with flowers just because; no occasion and no reason needed

39. Picking the other person up from work when it’s getting late, and walking them right to their doorstep after

40. Good morning and goodnight texts

41. Making the other person a Spotify playlist with songs that remind them of their relationship and growth

42. Remembering the littlest of things — activities they like and dislike, favourite brands of stationery, go-to ice cream flavour, choice of popcorn

43. Writing little notes on post-its and leaving them in random pages of their textbook, so that they will get a little endorphin boost when studying

RANDOM

44. accidental hand touching

45. eye contact across a crowded room

46. exchanging secret smiles

47. first conversations alone

48. admiring them from afar

49. asking them about their family

50. visiting them at their place of work

51. discovering common interests

52. exchanging gifts for the first time

53. a surprise encounter

54. picking a leaf/flower petal out of their hair, or brushing dirt off of their face

55. nervous embarrassment around them (blushing, fidgeting etc)

56. complimenting their appearance

57. looking at their lips as they talk

58. finding excuses to be alone with each other

59. naturally gravitating closer together

60. noticing their individual quirks

61. hello/goodbye hugs that linger

62. talking late into the night

63. clumsy attempts at flirting

64. sharing long term dreams, goals and aspirations with one another

65. playful teasing

67. being unable to keep their eyes off of them

68. attempting to find out if they are single/available

69. finding comfort in their scent

70. creating art inspired by them

71. sharing an umbrella in the rain, or a coat/blanket in the cold

72. surprising them with their favourite treat

73. visiting their home for the first time

SAD

74. "you haven't changed." "...do you mean that in a good way or bad way?"

75. "do you want to give us another chance?" "i'd like that."

76. "come back to my place."

77. "let's start over."

78. "i don't want to start over."

79. "do you realize how long i've been looking for this sweater? you've had it this whole time?!"

80. "i don't care what others say, i trust you."

81. "you better not screw this up."

82. "i thought you left..."

83. "i regret everything."

84. "....i trust you."

85. "god i missed you so much..."

86. "my mom asked about you the other day."

87. "i've been thinking about you lately."

88. "you've never left my mind."

89. "i thought i was doing the right thing. i had no idea...im sorry."

90. "i made the biggest mistake of my life and losing you was it's price."

91. "i should still hate you. why can't i hate you?"

92. "please don't make me regret this.."

93. "i can't believe we're really doing this."

94. "is this still your favorite place?" "you know it is..."

95. "we still got it." "hell yeah we do."

96. "you get one more date...one more chance."

97. "everything felt so empty without you."

98. "i still love you." "i know, you couldn't have gotten rid of me that easily."

[evajellion]

Been a while since Odio and Yamazaki. Number 16.

Birds of a Feather, Chapter 47

Prolly the only time I'm gonna post LAL written works on tungle unless I get more prompt requests, lol.

(Context: Odio in his usual rage/fascination with humanity, decides to drag General Yamazaki to the Dominion of Hate after the event of Near Future)

The knight burned down the world, destroyed everything around him, and the Lord of Dark.

And for what? He had loving folks at home who still would have supported him. He could have escaped the Kingdom apparently known as Lucrece. But he threw it all away after losing his best friend, being an outcast, and the woman he sought after.

It’s pathetic. General Yamazaki knows it could be worse.

Odio— no, Oersted, had parents who supported his passions and dreams. They don’t emasculate him for the friends he makes or how soft-faced he is. No, the General can see it all. This young man had his entire life handed to him, expected to be a hero without criticism.

Where was that in Yamazaki’s entire life? For over forty years, he had endured nothing but a strict life, not allowed to show interest in anything besides what was considered ‘appropriate’.

Gender norms in his country were strict. Young men aren’t allowed to show interest in things that seemed a bit unusual, something that women would be interested in. Yamazaki expressed fascination with the arts of dance, but his father smacked sense into him each time, forcing things that ‘suited him’ instead.

This went on until Yamazaki finally cut his chains from the old man.

If anything, that fool Streibough was in a similar situation. Belittled and chastised by his family, always being told that he would ‘never be as good’ as Oersted or other knights.

Yamazaki sent hundreds of soldiers to their death, most of whom had cold feet when confronting him or allowed thousands to be liquefied. All this silly knight did was kill people by accident and proxy, before deciding to throw everyone to the wolves just because he had one bad day.

He hated him.

But he’s also fascinating. Oersted, Odio, whatever he wanted to be called, didn’t have the same manipulative cunning as the General.

How hard would it be to tell this demon that it could be so much worse and that he threw his life out for nothing?

**************

That General killed thousands in the name of Odeo, in the hopes of control, a stage of evolution that would bring forth the greatest soldiers. 

And for what? He had such close allies. There was never any need for that sort of thing. Yamazaki knew a beautiful woman, a brilliant doctor, and an eccentric priest. Everything is at his fingertips, yet he chooses to make sacrifices rather than use his brain.

It’s pathetic. Odio knows it could be worse.

He didn’t need to stand on that platform with the rest of those fools. The priest? Wholly understandable. The scientist? Maybe. But all the General did was send people to their deaths when he could have just been content with his admirer and seen if it all went wrong or not.

This man is baffling. Seeing him fly into outrage over the smallest thing that didn’t matter is confusing. Even if his close allies perished, it’s not like it mattered to Yamazaki. How could this man be allowed to murder so many and not be given worse?

Odio had a simple life, yes, but he was thrown into circumstances so suddenly out of his own control. Putting himself in a position beyond redemption let him decide he would play the part that people saddled him with.

How was he supposed to know how his friend or the Princess felt? They never spoke to him. They were allowed to pull him aside and be honest! Yet here is this man, who controls every conversation and encounter like a complete snake.

And yet, Yamazaki acted like such a victim about being drowned. It’s not like his life had been ruined, it was just cut short! What was this level of victim complex? Begging to be saved by his enemy!

It reminded Oersted of others who tried to play the victim when they struck first.

The priest had more of a right to plea and beg for mercy than he did. That old man hadn’t touched a fly, despite his hypocrisy of not wanting to become one for Odeo.

He doesn’t know why he dragged the General to his Dominion of Hate. Perhaps Odio wanted to torture him more, show him just how bad things could get, perhaps there was even some sort of fatal attraction beyond his comprehension.

He hated him.

But he’s also fascinating. General Yamazaki perhaps hated humanity as much as Odio did, but hid it under some sense of pride.

How hard would it be to tell the General that it could be so much worse and crush what little confidence he has left in himself?

**************

Ultimately, upon confrontation, the two came to a conclusion.

What could be worse? Having no control over your childhood?

Or no control over your adulthood?

Odio already knows the answer. He smiles with delight.

“The past cannot be altered, in spite of me reaching into times of prehistory.” Odio breathes. “You could tell me as many hypotheticals about my past as you wish, but it cannot be changed. Nothing can.”

Darkness emerges from Odio’s palms. General Yamazaki smirks, going for his sword.

“Yet, I am more than capable of showing you the present and the future. One that you have no control over, no matter how hard you try. You shall witness what you could have had, what you could make, what you could have done, for these decisions were yours and yours alone!” Odio roars.

“As if you didn’t have control over your actions currently?”

Odio’s blood boils. He launches a magic attack, knocking the General from the near future down on his back, rendering him unconscious.

“It could be worse,” Odio says. “It will be worse. I will make sure that for you, it will be worse.” A smirk spreads across the archon’s face. “Or, mayhap, I shall show you it could be better. So much better. Because what is worse than seeing a deception of what could have been?”

He reaches down and strokes the General’s face.

[theorist-influencer-untitled]

4.4.24 Thursday

10:23 am

I still have windblow... I'm out of budget soon... I'm planning to apply tomorrow... Whew! Though I wanted to be with Pilot Garret... My ideal is to be with Pilot Garret... I'm self-pitying already...

On Mark I will feel HURT if you are just here and a Mickey Mouse for so long and laughing at my back... It HURTS...

Nana is sick now, having flu... I bought her bioflu meds and cleared my credits again...

Thanks Jp & Ely for being a true friend...

Or probably next week around Mon. To Wed. I need to prepare again.... I always need to review for subject verb agreement test though basics but it is not usually used on conversation...In conversing using English medium I always do 69 coz I have my way to deliver it, the way my "Speech and Power" teacher taught me... It is "English Conversation"... Now you get it why I'm so proud of 69!

10:40 am

But on the case of Pilot Garret,hmm.... How will I do 69 with him??? Probably just on the face , give him full of kisses...But basically a RIDER!

My dream guy these days...

12:11 noon

I still have windblow... It is really unfair in my part since 2007... They damaged my entire my life...

17 years, I feel frustrated being just here... They stopped my growth... I wanna leave Cavite and they are just pulling me down for nothing...

What did I do wrong?? Did I harm them???

12:15 noon

It is not really my ideal thing to be a call center agent but a particular group damaged my entire LIFE since 2007!

They wanted me unfairly DEAD!!!

I'm 44 already,in reality the only company who can accept my age is "Call Center or Being an Artist"... But being an artist on TV is a chance and a lot of work and needs an organization.

They always damage my career in call center that I can't speak English and I have a bad accent and I don't understand Filipino's mind!!!

Where is Mitchang? Did she give me a "simple battery"?

I hate it I had yaya's! I lost my position!!!

I lost my position for 17 years, that supposed to be I'm back from the past years... Then they stopped me on growing...

12:47 noon

I still have windblow...

I wanna travel...I wanna buy Starbucks everyday... What about my future??? My good positioning in life. I didn't harm them...They always stole my good life away from me...

12:54 noon

If only Pilot Garret can read this, my heart's content... Good act is a symbol of being a child of God! I mean I was a middle-class, my upbringing... I was'nt able to go back... Seeing you there accidentally, you captured my heart....

Life is a big choice and big decision. I've been waiting for it for so long and Life here is a big lie... A liar God who just wanted to check out if someone will take me then he will take me back coz it is his just big Fake Ego!

This is a Tagalog Song of Gary Valenciano, one of the artist here in the Philippines. It is about if God is still sleeping and if God is hearing you. But here in the Philippines God is a Lie! 17 years you think I should trust my God here...

It is also about you as as person can make choices for yourself and future road...

Will Pilot Garret will take me as his flesh??? Or will he allow me to take one of his ribs???

2:36 pm

He is 10 years younger... So, what??? I can always be a Barbie in time... One child with him... If he will allow me to take one of his ribs? But I don't wanna be ugly...

Oh! But he doesn't want to have a child... He wants to be happy forever... Shit! He got a gf but not thinking of having a child...

4:28 pm

I still have windblow... I feel bitterish... I wanna leave Cavite...

8:03 pm

He was so pretty 10 months ago and still pretty until now...

Tell me more Pilot Garret about that 20/20 road...

8:29 pm

I have lower abdominal cramps and I feel like vomiting....I was doing my jack-knife coz I hate gaining too much most specially I'm single and bitter and I feel fat, old and ugly...

I have my full menstruation today... I feel bitter coz I wanna get pregnant coz I'm 44 already, hoping to have Pilot Garret...

I have windblow... It is so happy to have a baby if I want the face and if the man is willing to take me into him or give his one rib to me... I hate being ugly...

8:48 pm

I feel bitter here... I feel HURT here in the Philippines... I feel super HURT! I feel super HURT underneath me... 17 years ... I feel super HURT... Unfair!!!

[missionhillssandiego]

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[ficrections]

Thank you to everyone who submitted fics for this project! All were accepted! We’ve got a great mix of fics here! There are some rare pairs, a few girl direction fics ,and lots of tropes that I am very excited for! Below the cut is the list of fics I’ll be reading in the new year. (Fics with an asterisk are locked and you will need an AO3 account to read them. Also, if I wasn’t reasonably sure of the author’s Tumblr, I didn’t include it. If you know the ones I left off, please let me know!)

This list is not ordered, it’s just so you know which fics I will be reading! Each Saturday, I’ll randomly select the fic for that week and post it so that you can read it too if you like.

When I am finished with the fic, I’ll post my thoughts on it and invite conversation from anyone who chose to read with me (or has already read it and wants to share their love for it). I look forward to experiencing all these epic fics with you!

1. Three Days in February - writing_practice/ @mercurial-madhouse​

2. Hold This Thread - disgruntledkittenface/  @disgruntledkittenface​​

3. Tired, Tired Sea *- MediaWhore/ @mediawhorefics​​

4. You Took My Heart By Surprise - LiveLaughLoveLarry/ @loveislarryislove​​

5. Bare Essentials - dryourtearsaway/ @dryourtearsaway​​

6. Little By Little *- nonsensedarling/ @absoloutenonsense​​

7. Feels Like Coming Home * - phdmama/ @phd-mama​​

8. KINGS & QUEENS - lovemylarry/ @lovemylarry

9. One-Two-Three What Are We Fighting For - taggiecb/ @taggiecb​​

10. What I Have With You (I don't want with anyone else) - lululawrence/ @lululawrence​​

11. In The Still Of The Night - jacaranda_bloom/ @jacaranda-bloom​​

12. The Dead of July - whimsicule/ @baroness-elsa

13 .I Wish, I Found Love - friendofhayley/ @slytherinzouis​​

14. Lies & Liability - 4ureyesonly28/ @evilovesyou​​

15. Passing By - Larry_you_know/ @larryyouknow​​

16. Breakable Heaven - amomentoflove/ @daggerandrose​​

17. Your Reason To Be - KellanCougar/ @thegoodshiplarrystylinson

18. feeling borrowed, always blue - falsegoodnight/ @falsegoodnight​​

19. falling in love (with you) - stylesthebrave/ @stylesthebrave​​

20, To Fight For Freedom * - Snowy38/ @snowy38​

21. Our Lives, Non-Fiction *- indiaalphawhiskey/ @indiaalphawhiskey​​

22. Live a Thousand Lifetimes - Layne Faire/ @laynefaire​​

23. Are you afraid of God? - lightswoodmagic/ @lightwoodsmagic​​

24. We Live Through Scars This Time - louiesunshine/ @louiesunshine​​

25. Orion’s Belt - ladylondonderry/ @londonfoginacup​​

26. I’ll Fly Away - juliusschmidt/ @juliusschmidt​​

27. Tell Me It’s The Strongest Shape - yesisaworld/ @louandhazaf​​

28. There's Such a Lot of World to See - crinkle-eyed-boo/ @crinkle-eyed-boo​

29. Drifting, Weightless *- dinosaursmate/ @dinosaursmate​​

30. The Changer and the Changed - homosociallyyours/ @homosociallyyours​​

31. Once a Gentle Breeze - crimsontheory/ @ireallysawanangel​​

32. i built my world around you - leighbot/ @leighbot​​

33. That Smile and That Midnight Laugh - yeah_alright/ @uhoh-but-yeah-alright​​

34. These Sparks We Light - QuickedWeen/ @becomeawendybird​​

35. the very best of *- yourblues (there is a blog with the same name but I am not positive that it’s the same person.)

36. When the Sun Won't Let You Sleep - allwaswell16/ @allwaswell16​

37. Just Me, Him, and the Sun and Moon - SadaVeniren/ @sadaveniren​​

38. Something in the way - momentofclarity/ @gaycousinlarry​​​

39. Heading For Limbo - kingsofeverything/ @kingsofeverything​​​

40. Made of Lightning - vondrostes/ @vondrostes​​​

41. not even a landslide or riptide could take it all away - we_are_the_same/ @so-why-let-your-voice-be-tamed​​​

42. Jupiter - galactic_larry 

43. Hold You Now - solvetheminourdreams/ @solvetheminourdreams​​​

44. Singing Harmonies in Neverland's Embrace - zanni_scaramouche/ @zanniscaramouche​​​

45. The Afterlife Fic (The Best I Ever Had in My Entire Life... Or Death) - LovingCup/ @iamjaggerme​​

46. shuffle off this immortal coil - absolutehly/ @thestylinsons​​

47. Make Your Words A Weapon * - HelloAmHere/ @helloamhere​​​

48. eucalyptus - docklands/ @hershelsue​​

49. kiss me on the mouth (and set me free) - tempolarriefics/ @tempolarriefix​​​

50. In The Night Sky (Like Shooting Stars) - Jiksa/ @jiksax​​

51. second-hand emotion - wadey_wilson/ @wadey-wilson​​​

52. The Last Song of Your Life - reminiscingintherain/ @reminiscingintherain​​​

I can’t wait to read these!

[antifainternational]

Whenever I get invited to a "leftist" space I'm almost immediately kicked out for advocating violence against nazis. I've just become completely hopless as of late. I'm not sure anyone's gonna bother fighting back anymore and I have no idea what to do.

It looks like wherever you are, people are spelling “liberal” wrong, Anon. First, some memes to cheer you up:

Now, here are a couple of essays that underscore the huuuuge position of privilege it requires to be able to sip tea and politely debate the philosophical merits of stopping racists bent on genocide and murder: -”My ‘Nonviolent’ Stance Was Met With Heavily Armed Men” by Luke Rimmel -”Antifascist Practice and Impossible Non-Violence” by Natasha Lennard Not the essay-reading type?  Dr. Cornell West on his experience of nearly being lynched in Charlottesville in 2017 summarizes it succinctly:

Don’t feel like reading @ all?  Watch Philosophy Tube’s breakdown of “antifa + violence” (from the 20:47 mark of this video, but the entire video is faaaantastic!):

Three final thoughts for you, Anon: -Maybe the problem is how you’re phrasing things.  Antifa do not actually want violence and are not very keen to employ violence.  But we do believe that antifa reserve the right to defend their communities from fascists and because fascists are violent by definition, this can mean sometimes having to physically defend their communities.  “Community self-defense” = a far more accurate way to describe what antifascists do than “violence.” -If the liberals you’re running into know a better way of dealing with fascists, ask them what it is.  WE’D LOVE TO KNOW!!! Is it “we should win debates with fascists so everyone can see how bankrupt their ideology is?”  The historical record disproves this, as Holocaust survivor Frank Frison would tell you.  To quote Frank, “If fascism could be defeated in debate, I assure you that it would never have happened, neither in Germany, nor in Italy, nor anywhere else. Those who recognised its threat at the time and tried to stop it were, I assume, also called “a mob”. Regrettably too many “fair-minded” people didn’t either try, or want to stop it, and, as I witnessed myself during the war, accommodated themselves when it took over … People who witnessed fascism at its height are dying out, but the ideology is still here, and its apologists are working hard at a comeback. Past experience should teach us that fascism must be stopped before it takes hold again of too many minds, and becomes useful once again to some powerful interests.” Maybe liberals think we should just ignore the fascists and they’ll go away if we don’t give them the attention they’re seeking?  Again, the historical record shows that  an unopposed/”ignored” fascist force quickly moving on to pogroms and mass murder. The only thing that works to stop fascism is stopping them by any means necessary.  We don’t usually quote Adolf Hitler, but here’s what he said in 1933 about stopping the nazis: "Only one thing could have stopped our movement - if our adversaries had understood its principle and from the first day smashed with the utmost brutality the nucleus of our new movement." So really, if the liberals you’re running into don’t think it’s appropriate to physically defend their community from fascists, ask them what they think the correct approach is.  Should we hug it out with them, maybe?  Turn the other cheek and let them slaughter us?  Their responses will at least be entertainingly naïve.  Here’s a bingo card for you to use while you’re having those conversations:

-You should probably accept that some/most liberals are simply never going to accept that fascists can’t be debated away or ignored away or made your BFFs.  Fuck ‘em, then!  We know that fascists pose a very real threat to the lives of people they target for violence (a quick glance at our list of the 578 bigoted & fascist attacks on people so far this year - attacks which have killed 372 people and injured over 1100 others - attest to this fact) and must be stopped by any means necessary before they hurt people.  Move on and find some people that have a more realistic understanding of the threat posed by fascists and what is required to stop them. -Finally: antifascism isn’t all about violence.  In fact, it rarely is.  99% of anti-fascist activities don’t involve violence at all. Here’s our list of 30 antifa things you could probably do where you live that even liberals would approve of; here’s Pop Mob’s list of 40 street legal ways to fight fascists that again liberals are going to have a hard time arguing against.  Pick some stuff you think you can pull off, maybe grab a couple of friends, and do the things!  And let us know how it goes!

[chefdoeuvre]

Cliché

Kelly Severide

Pairing: Kelly Severide x Reader

Description: Why try hard when you can be cliché?

Words: 1,254

Requested: yes by anonymous; Can you please do a Kelly Severide imagine with numbers 47 & 50? X

Warnings: hospitals, and probably incorrect medical terminology.

A/N: I'm so excited to write for my baby Kelly I hope this request is what you were hoping for. I apologize in advance for any grammatical errors.

—

Firehouse 51 somehow always ended up with the most calls in Chicago. However, you wouldn't have it any other way. There was a slight problem though, you were crushing hard on Squad three's lieutenant, Kelly Severide. He was the resident playboy, which meant you would never have a chance with him anyway. This particular shift you were getting calls left and right. Something to do with the winter weather and bad luck of the Chicago residents.

You had so many calls that no one had time to sit down for breakfast or lunch and you were nearing dinner with nothing but a granola bar you scarfed down at the beginning of your shift. Everyone else had found moments to sneak in snacks throughout the day yet you had no such luck. You ate your last granola bar that morning and didn't want any of the snacks stored in the kitchen. You weren't so much as picky, but you just didn't find any of the snacks you had at the firehouse appetizing. Hence the fact you always packed your own granola bars. You thought you had packed extras before arriving to this shift but you were proven wrong when your stomach growled while at your last call and just had a discarded wrapper to spare in your locker.

After finishing up the call you all but threw yourself into the truck as you headed back to the firehouse. Your head was already beginning to pound at the sound of the ambulance's sirens fading while they drove off to Med. You let out a quiet sigh as you leaned your head back and closed your eyes, doing your best to drown out the loud sounds around you. Soon enough, you had made it back to the firehouse and hopped out of the truck stripping back to your regular clothes. A sharp pain struck you in your temple as you placed a hand to your head and squeezed your eyes shut. You subconsciously let out a wince as the pounding became harder to bear and black began to dot your vision. You were the only one left on the apparatus floor as you reached your hand out grabbing at the truck for support.

From the other side of the truck, Kelly heard a wince as he furrowed his brows and rounded the corner to find you barely upright holding onto your head.

"Y/N?" Kelly asked in concern.

You peeked up at where the voice was coming from as black was almost completely taking over your vision, "Kelly?" You whispered out before stumbling forward.

Kelly lunged toward you and wrapped his arms around your waist to keep you stable. You let out another wince before stumbling again and falling limp in Kelly's hold. He gently lowered you down to the ground when conveniently ambulance 61 rolled into the apparatus floor. Sylvie quickly hopped out as she made her way toward the two of you.

"What happened?" Sylvie asked as she kneeled down to check you over.

"I don't know, she just passed out." Kelly shook his head.

You let out a quiet groan, slowly coming to.

"Hey, you alright?" Kelly asked you softly as he brushed the stray hairs that fell out of your ponytail out of your face.

"Yeah, I'm fine." You nodded, slowly trying to push yourself up to a sitting position.

Kelly looked at you in disbelief, "you just fainted into my arms, it's kind of hard to believe that you're fine."

You waved a dismissive hand, doing your best to get into a standing position. Before you could straighten yourself out black dotted your vision again as Kelly quickly wrapped his arms around your waist. You stumbled slightly before Kelly decided to lift you into his arms. He wrapped one arm around your back and placed the other under your legs, lifting you up bridal style. Sylvie instructed him to load you into the back of the ambulance saying that they were going to take you to Med to get checked out.

After being admitted Sylvie and Gabby left to head back to work while Kelly decided to stay by your side. He had already informed Boden about the situation who asked his lieutenant to keep him updated. Currently, you were asleep while Kelly held onto your hand with one of his while the other texted Casey all of the details to relay back to the rest of the firehouse. Apparently, you had passed out due to a combination of dehydration and hunger. You were hooked up to an IV to help with your current state.

You peeled open your eyes only to shut them immediately due to the bright lights blinding you. Letting out a quiet groan you open them again only to be faced with steel-blue eyes filled with concern.

You furrowed your brows at the sight of the man you'd been dreaming about thinking you were either dead or still asleep, "am I in heaven?" You whispered out.

Kelly's face broke out into a smile showcasing his best features and let out a light laugh, "no, you're in the hospital." Kelly corrected with a shake of his head.

Your furrowed brows rose up once your memory came flooding back to you. You pushed yourself up to a sitting position as you mulled over the memories. Your cheeks heated up in embarrassment at the fact you practically fell into Kelly's arms.

"What's up with the blushing?" Kelly asked in a teasing tone.

"I totally made a fool out of myself." You shook your head covering your face with your free hand only to find it interlocked with Kelly's.

Your eyes widened at your two hands looking up at Kelly before turning your attention back to your hands. He gave you a soft smile and just leaned back into his seat as your mind continued to run a mile a minute.

"You done freaking out?" Kelly asked in amusement.

You were wondering how he could be so nonchalant about this entire thing. You were holding hands with the guy you've had the hots for practically since you started and he was sitting there acting as if you've done it before.

"Not really." You shook your head still trying to wrap your mind around the fact his hand fit perfectly in yours like a romance novel cliché.

"Well, I was thinking when you were done with that we could go out for dinner. You know since our shift is basically over and you desperately need to get some food in you." Kelly suggested looking at his watch to check the time.

"Like a date?" You practically squeaked.

"Of course." Kelly nodded with a wide grin.

"You're being serious right now? Like this isn't some cruel joke?" You questioned.

"Deadly. I'm just glad I found a semi-good time to work it into a conversation with you." Kelly shrugged as he started playing with your fingers.

You still sat there in shock as you listened to the words come out of his mouth. The Kelly Severide wanted to go out with you this whole time and waited until you were in the hospital to ask you out.

"Maybe I should try being more cliché." You murmured out loud.

"You definitely should. It's cute." Kelly nodded his blue eyes sparkling when they connected with yours.

You looked at Kelly with a wide smile that he returned. Maybe you should've been cliché from the start if it got Kelly to look at you like this.

[live-the-fangirl-life]

✨OMG IT FINALLY WORKED✨

I posted 6,415 times in 2021

329 posts created (5%)

6086 posts reblogged (95%)

For every post I created, I reblogged 18.5 posts.

I added 646 tags in 2021

#asks - 129 posts

#rowaelin - 80 posts

#throne of glass - 60 posts

#tog - 59 posts

#aelin x rowan - 58 posts

#rowan x aelin - 57 posts

#rowan whitethorn - 55 posts

#rowaelin fic - 53 posts

#aelin and rowan - 48 posts

#aelin - 47 posts

Longest Tag: 70 characters

#all these generic prompts i see are cute but not doing anything for me

My Top Posts in 2021

#5

An Unintentional Encounter

Aelin Galthyniyus x Rowan Whitethorn - Blind Date Oneshot

A blind date gone wrong...or very right?

Written for Rowaelin Month 2021. Day 8: Blind Date

Masterlist | Read on Ao3 | Rowaelin Month Masterlist

Warnings: Language

3681 words

*******

“I am not letting you set me up on some blind date.”

Fenrys groaned, falling back onto the sofa in their living room, “Come on man, one date. Just one, and I’ll get off your back.”

Rowan glared at the blond, “Why would I agree to go on a blind date set up by you?”

“Yeah,” Lorcan snorted from his position on the chair opposite the couch, “whoever you set Whitethorn up with is just some chick you deemed not interesting enough to hit on yourself.”

Rowan snorted as Fenrys tried protesting.

“Fen,” Rowan interjected before a new argument could derail the conversation again, “I don’t need to be set up. I’m perfectly capable of getting a date on my own.”

“Really?” Fenrys lent forward and asked, “Then why, on the last several weekends, have I come home with someone only to find your sorry ass moping on the couch.”

“I wasn’t moping,” he grumbled into his beer bottle.

Lorcan’s grunt seemed to disagree.

“Rowan,” Fenrys tried again, “you haven’t been on a date in gods’ knows how long, you need to get some.”

Rowan rolled his eyes, “Again, I can get a date on my own.” He glared at his friend, “And how I spend my time, while you’re hooking up with someone new every weekend, isn’t your concern.”

Fenrys smirked, “Someones. Plural.”

Rowan rubbed a hand down his face. “I’m good, Moonbeam.”

Lorcan snorted again and leaned forward, “Tell me what you did last Friday night.”

“What?”

“How did you spend your Friday night? At a bar? With us? No.” The dark-haired man prompted.

Fenrys shook his head disapprovingly and took over the questioning, “Friday night, when I came home with that one girl, you were sitting on this couch reading that damn book.”

“It’s a good book,” he grumbled again, tired of his friends ganging up on his so-called lack of dating life.

“Don’t get me started on that book, Whitethorn,” Fenrys warned, waving his beer bottle at him, “you haven’t shut up about it since you bought it.”

Heaving a sigh, Rowan decided he’d rather put up with a single night of forced small talk than another minute of this beratement.

“Fine,” he groaned. “I’ll go. But you’d better drop it afterward. I’m only agreeing to get you to shut up.”

Fenrys’ smirk didn’t make Rowan feel any better.

See the full post

253 notes • Posted 2021-09-08 04:33:51 GMT

#4

Is This Seat Taken?

Aelin Galathynius x Rowan Whitethorn - Oneshot

“Is this seat taken?” / “…That’s my lap” / “That doesn’t answer my question.”

Masterlist | Read on Ao3

Warnings: Language, Light NSFW

1440 words

*******

The pumping bass blaring through the speakers seemed to shake the entire house. Aelin shoved her way through the crowds of rowdy, soon-to-be college graduates. Her own excitement at finally being done with classes toned down most of her growing annoyance with the masses of drunk people around her.

She quickly made her way into the kitchen, scrunching her nose at the heavy aroma of cheap beer emanating from, well, everywhere. She recognized a few faces and nodded or waved as she passed by.

Though not her own, she knew this house almost as well. She’d spent enough time here that it was easy to maneuver through the crowded hallways. Managing to find the coolers, Aelin lifted a lid and took a minute to choose her next drink. She wanted something sweet—perfect! Smiling, Aelin picked up her favorite hard seltzer, knowing exactly who made sure there were plenty stocked.

The house, now packed to the brim with burnt-out college kids who all wanted to let loose after finals, belonged to her boyfriend and his friends—the cadre—as she so lovingly mocked them. Fenrys had somehow convinced Rowan and Lorcan to host an end-of-the-year party…more like he came to Aelin and Elide and persuaded them to get their boyfriends to agree.

The guy’s other roommates, Vaughn, Gavriel, and Fenrys’ twin, Connall, had already left town. None of them wanted to be around to get roped into cleaning up the house afterward.

Aelin popped open the can and tried the first sip of the fizzy, almost sickly-sweet, lime-flavored drink and hummed contentedly. She closed the cooler with a bump of her hip and left the kitchen. She was more careful walking back down the hallway this time so as not to spill her drink, or have it spill on her from getting bumped into by someone trying to dance.

Aelin walked into the living room and spotted where her friends were sitting on the couch. One of the perks of hosting, she supposed, was having dibs on the best seating.

Rowan and Lorcan were talking about something that Aelin couldn’t hear. She wasn’t paying attention to the two guys, or to Elide who was sitting next to Lorcan, half on top of his lap. Lorcan was cut off from responding to something Rowan said as she strutted over to them, put the hand not holding her drink on her hip, and glared at Fenrys.

He only grinned.

She narrowed her eyes further and said, “You’re in my seat, Moonbeam.”

Fenrys stretched an arm over the back of the sofa and crossed an ankle over his knee, settling in and getting comfortable.

“It’s my seat now,” His grin widened as she took a sip of her drink and continued to glare at him. “Your ass has to be in the seat to claim it, Galathynius. You got up, it’s not yours anymore.”

Lorcan rolled his eyes at the two blondes and Rowan watched amused.

A gleam entered Aelin’s eye and Rowan wasn’t sure if he should be delighted or wary. It seemed that when it came to his girlfriend, he almost always was torn between those feelings; and he could seldom guess correctly. Actually, he usually felt a mixture of amusement, exasperation, and need whenever Aelin got that look in her eyes.

Wherever this was going, Rowan had a feeling he was gong to enjoy it. Deciding to just let this play out, he leaned back into his own spot on the sofa and watched as Aelin smirked at Fenrys.

Fenrys had the intelligence to look a bit uncertain at her new expression of sly amusement. She rolled her eyes at the man taking up her previous spot and flipped her hair over a bare shoulder before turning to face Rowan instead.

He raised a single silver eyebrow and waited for her to say something.

Her turquoise and gold eyes sparkled as she asked him, “Is this seat taken?”

Rowan watched her light with amusement, and something more wicked, that made desperately wish they weren’t surrounded by a bunch of other people.

His smirk grew wide and he heard Lorcan snort loudly at her question. The large, black-haired man rolled his eyes but wrapped a large arm around his own girlfriend, pulling her further into his side.

Aelin was waiting for Rowan to answer her question, patiently standing in front of him with her eyebrows raised expectantly.

He slowly looked down to where she had pointed and then back up to meet her eyes, his lips twitching up at the corner.

“That’s my lap.”

See the full post

259 notes • Posted 2021-07-15 17:31:12 GMT

#3

Computer Screens and Love Scenes

Aelin Galathynius x Rowan Whitethorn - University Oneshot

“You just caught me reading hardcore smut during class and you're wondering how I can read this with a blank face”

Written for Rowaelin Month 2021. Day 2: College/University AU. @rowaelinscourt

Masterlist | Read on Ao3 | Rowaelin Month Masterlist

Warnings: Language, Light NSFW

1334 words

*******

Aelin urged the coffee in her hands to wake her up. Why, in Hellas’ name, she had signed up for an eight am class was beyond her. It didn’t help that her professor’s voice droned on in a low monotone that threatened to lull her back to sleep.

She took another sip of her hot, caramel, magic-juice and glanced around the lecture hall. It wasn’t large, but it felt too big to house the sparse number of students in the class. Dozens of rows curved around in a semi-circle placed on ascending levels, and people were spread out enough that she had a bubble of empty chairs surrounding her.

Aelin kept surveying the room while keeping one eye on her boring professor. There was a girl with dark hair and brightly colored streaks in her row sitting five or six seats away for her, doodling in a notebook. There was a guy with long dreadlocks typing furiously on his laptop three rows in front of her. Turning, she spotted a guy with silver hair and a tattoo sitting two rows behind her and a chair to the left. She dragged her eyes away from his tattoo before she stared too long to be casual. Everyone else was either trying not fall asleep or already snoozing by the sounds of it.

Resigning herself to the next forty minutes of sitting in the lecture, Aelin decided to spend her time doing something she actually enjoyed. She was in the middle of a new romance book by one of her favorite authors, so Aelin closed out of her notes document and opened her reading app. When it came to her books, Aelin was always prepared—she would get a physical copy, an eBook, and an audiobook so that she could read whenever and wherever she liked.

Smiling to herself, she zoned out the professor, opened her book, and read.

***

Rowan was trying his best to pay attention. Normally, he was a morning person, and being awake at eight in the morning was absolutely nothing. But sitting in a stuffy, old room listening to a very old professor talk about something—he wasn’t even sure what this lecture was about—for an hour was becoming impossible.

He rubbed a hand down his face and took a sip from his water bottle. As he leaned over to place it back on the floor, he caught a glimpse of what the blonde girl sitting in front of him had on her laptop screen.

It took a minute for his eyes to focus on the lines of text. She was reading something, probably an article for some class, Rowan assumed. He was about to sit back when she clicked a button and the page turned. His eyes flew wide as he read the words.

“As he lifted her into his arms, she felt the long, hard length of him press into her aching core—”

It was absolutely not an article for class.

She was reading a love scene. A very explicit love scene.

Rowan wasn’t one to judge, but he did wonder why she was reading it in the middle of class. Looking around hastily, Rowan realized that he would be the only one able to see it, and that was only if he was obnoxiously leaning forward like he was currently.

He didn’t mean to snoop. Really, he didn’t, but it was far more exciting than whatever the professor was trying to explain.

Rowan shook himself. Was he really reading smut over some girl’s shoulder just so he wouldn’t have to hear about…allopatric speciation?

He tried refocusing but his attention kept dragging back to the girl. He’d noticed her before, Hellas, how could he not have? She was stunning with golden blonde hair and vivid blue eyes. He’d seen her walk into the lecture hall on the first day of the semester, she’d had her backpack slung over one shoulder and carried a coffee cup in one hand—much like the one she had today, Rowan noticed. She’d chosen a seat a couple rows ahead of him and turned as she set her bag down. When she’d met his eyes, she flashed him a wink before sitting down.

His eyes strayed back to her once more as he reached for his water. He was honestly impressed with her ability to keep a perfectly straight face when she was reading that. Rowan followed her hand as she lifted it to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, then his eyes fell back to her computer screen as he tried to take another sip of water.

“She gasped as his hand wrapped around her throat, squeezing until her vision blurred and sending lightning strikes of blinding pleasure right to her core. His thrusts didn’t stop, only gained force and speed as he pounded her lithe body into the mattress. She choked on a sob as his hand moved to rub rough circles on her clit—"

He choked. Loudly.

Loud enough, apparently, that the professor stopped talking and turned his attention on Rowan just as every other student turned to face him, too.

He tried to breathe properly, but Rowan could feel his face turning red as all the eyes in the room landed on him. He waved them off, muttering something about ‘water’ and ‘the wrong pipe’. Most of the students turned back to their own work already dismissing the, most likely welcome, interruption. His professor gave him a long shrewd look before turning back to the board and continuing his lesson.

When Rowan finally resituated himself, he noticed the blonde girl ahead of him still looking at him curiously. He tried not to, but his eyes darted to her computer before he could stop himself. He watched as understanding bloomed across her features and it was her turn to look embarrassed. She glanced a few times between him and her screen, which she had lowered the second she turned towards the disruption.

See the full post

262 notes • Posted 2021-09-02 11:01:25 GMT

#2

Emergency Contact

Aelin Galathynius / Lorcan Salvaterre - BroTP Oneshot

Aelin is forced to pick a concussed Lorcan up from the hospital.

Masterlist | Read on Ao3

Warnings: Language

2091 words

*******

“Hello, is this Aelin Galathynius?” A calm voice asked through her phone.

Aelin held her glass of water as she answered the unknown number. She’d just gotten home from work and all she wanted to do was curl up with a book and facetime Rowan later. He was out of town for a conference for a few days and they made sure to talk every night.

“Yes, this is she. Who’s asking?” Aelin thought she could hear rhythmic beeping and the sound of people typing in the background.

“Hello Ms. Galathynius, I am calling from Orynth Medical Center to inform you that there’s been an accident and—”

“What?” She choked on a sip of water as her blood froze. “What happened?” Aelin ran a mental list of the people who could be in the hospital that would justify her being called. Did something happen to Rowan? Oh, gods. Aelin couldn’t think straight as she rushed to leave her apartment.

“Rowan?” she demanded breathlessly, “Is it Rowan? Whitethorn? I’m on my way.”

Was Rowan hurt? Or Aedion? Or Elide, or Lysandra, or—

“I’m afraid there’s been a misunderstanding. I am calling about Lorcan Salvaterre.”

Aelin halted her frantic dash to the door, one shoe on while holding her keys and trying to put her jacket on one-handed.

“Lorcan?” Why the hell would she be getting called about Lorcan?

“Yes, Ms. Galathynius, you are Mr. Salvaterre’s emergency contact.”

***

Sitting at a stoplight behind two other cars, Aelin glanced over at the man in her passenger seat.

Lorcan was a large man. Well over six foot and muscular, he was essentially a talking tree—something she referred to him as on multiple occasions because he hated it so much. He was not meant to fit in the front seat of her small car. His shoulders were hunched over and his legs bent tightly to squeeze into the space, and yet, he looked like he was having a wonderful time.

He had the widest, dopiest grin she’d ever seen on the man. It was bizarre. Disturbing.

“And her hair,” he added, “smells like…like…cinnamon.”

Lorcan had spent almost the entire car ride thus far talking about Elide. More specifically: everything he loves about Elide, how much he loves her, and that he’s abs-itively pos-olutely in love with her. It stunned Aelin more than anything because, to her knowledge, he hadn’t actually said those three words to her friend yet.

It was solely because of that—and because he was fully concussed, she supposed—that she didn’t throw him out of the car.

***

When Aelin arrived at the hospital and told the receptionist she was there to pick up Lorcan, she was ushered into a small patient’s room where Lorcan was sitting on the edge of a bed, looking dazed and entirely too big for the small bed.

“Galathynius!” he bellowed when he saw her, but immediately winced and grabbed his head at the loud sound.

Raising her brows, she turned towards the doctor who was standing and checking Lorcan’s charts.

“Ms. Galathynius, I presume?” the woman asked, amused. “My name is Dr. Towers. I’m not sure how much you are aware of, but Mr. Salvaterre was brought in with a moderate concussion.”

See the full post

286 notes • Posted 2021-08-23 15:44:33 GMT

#1

My Library, My Love

Aelin Galathynius x Rowan Whitethorn - Library Oneshot

After moving into their new house, Rowan helps Aelin organize her new library and gifts her a very special present

Written for Rowaelin Month 2021. Day 4: Library/Librarian AU. @rowaelinscourt

Masterlist | Read on Ao3 | Rowaelin Month Masterlist

Warnings: Language

4898 words

*******

Too giddy to sleep in any longer, Aelin carefully removed herself from the cocoon of Rowan’s arms. It was rare he slept in later than her but occasionally there were days when she’d rise first and get to look at his face, soft with sleep, or listen to the steady rhythm of his breathing as she savored the warmth of being wrapped up with him.

Today, however, she barely spared him a second glance before changing into a pair of comfortable shorts and a sweater, and slipped out, making sure to close the door quietly behind her.

Aelin pulled her hair up into a messy bun as she found her way to the kitchen. Her first—and most vital—task was to make coffee.

She was careful not to trip over any of the boxes she and Rowan had set haphazardly in the way. As the machine came to life and the rich, sweet smell of coffee filtered into their home, Aelin looked around sighed contentedly.

Their home.

Their home.

She and Rowan had found this house by accident. They’d been driving around this neighborhood because it was one of the best places in Terrasen to see the fall leaves change color when they passed a quaint, beautiful house with a ‘for sale’ sign in the front yard. They’d already been looking for a place but so far, nothing felt right. Until they saw this place.

It was perfect.

It wasn’t massive, but it was perfect for her, Rowan, and Fleetfoot who particularly loved the backyard. It was on a quiet street with beautiful trees that canopied over the road. She could look at them from the bay window of their living room, or, a little less clearly, from the kitchen given the open floor plan that immediately made Aelin and Rowan love the place. Even with their boxes littering the floors and furniture placed sporadically, she could picture what the house would look once she and Rowan finished moving in.

They’d spent the entire day before moving out of their old apartment and into this house with the help, and loving complaints, of their friends. They finally finished unloading everything and celebrated over pizza and drinks on their new back porch, content to toast with their friends and watch the sunset. Once everyone else left, Aelin and Rowan celebrated in their own way by breaking in their living room (the sofa up against the side wall), their kitchen (the wide, perfectly-placed island), their bathroom (the shower: a necessity after a long day of moving), and finally, their bedroom (the king-sized bed Aelin insisted they buy).

They both were very excited to finally be in their own home.

The coffee machine buzzed and Aelin fixed the drink to her liking. She took a long sip and smiled as the warmth and sweetness of the caramel flavor flowed through her. In her opinion, coffee was the closest thing to magic.

She grinned again as she remembered why she was so excited to wake up today. Aelin clutched her coffee cup in her hand and walked upstairs. The upstairs only had space for a small sitting area near a large window and a room just off the staircase. They hadn’t put any curtains up yet, so the morning sun was shining in through the window brightening up the entire space.

She pushed the door of the room open carefully so she wouldn’t damage any of the boxes inside. This was her favorite room in the whole house—or, it would be once she finished setting it up.

Aelin placed her coffee mug on a box and looked around the room that would be her—and Rowan’s of course, but mostly her—library.

It was a good thing she’d splurged on the good beer last night because it was the only way that Lorcan, Fenrys, and Aedion reluctantly forgave her for making them haul her dozens of boxes of books up the stairs and into this room.

Unable to wait any longer, Aelin opened a box and began unpacking her books into various stacks around her. Once she’d gotten them all out of their boxes then the real fun could start.

***

Rowan expected to wake up the way he normally did: Aelin tucked in his arm with her own wrapped around his middle, her hair tickling or, more often than not, suffocating him, and her light snores that she adamantly refused to acknowledge filling the room.

That’s not how he woke up.

The first thing he noticed was the lack of Aelin. When she slept, she was always touching him in some way, but he didn’t feel her hand or her face or any other part of her body on his. He also didn’t hear any snoring or smell her shampoo.

Cracking his eyes open, it took Rowan a moment to remember why the room looked so unfamiliar. They’d moved into a new house yesterday. A house. Fenrys liked teasing them that they were finally real adults even though Rowan was almost thirty. He and Aelin knew they had a future together so when the lease on the apartment they’d shared was set to expire they decided to look for a house of their own.

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369 notes • Posted 2021-09-04 04:12:33 GMT

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[skellebonez]

So apparently in JTTW, Baije kept trying to get the monk to say the thing that would activate the torture headband? According to a post I just saw anyway. So I'd like to prompt something where Monkie Kid era Monkey King and Pigsy are arguing, and Monkey King brings that up, because it's kind of /messed up/. Preferably with prompts 25 or 47 because those seem vaguely fluffy and I don't want it to end /sad/ plz?

There are multiple times in the book (though it happened more often early on) where Zhu Bajie took full advantage of how much Tripitaka trusted him and made Wukong’s day miserable because of it, he isn’t the middle brother for nothing! The two have a better relationship as the book goes on, but as an eldest sibling I can tell you... even if you're on good terms later, sometimes you still remember the ways they used to mess with you... also I went overboard. Very overboard. This is really long.

"You have until the count of three to remove your arms from my person, or so help me…!"/ “Tell me what you want me to do."

Things had been going so well... at least as well as could be expected given they had only really seen each other twice after 500 years of Sun Wukong vanishing.

Their first meeting, their initial reunion, wasn't so much a meeting and more "hey I'm here to help MK fight because things are actually really bad and I totally don't already know who two of you are" and then lots of saving the world without the time to talk to or call out his once elder brother before he ran off. Their second meeting was not long after, Wukong coming to check up on MK at the shop and "oh yeah uh I kinda know your boss Bud". Which. Nice job revealing his secret Wukong.

That was a very interesting conversation, explaining to MK that he was indeed The Zhu Bajie from the stories and yes Tang knew and no only Tang knew and no he did not want to talk about why this was kept secret. Then it devolved into MK insisting the two of them needed to hang out together and then questions about Sandy and then how it was so cool that his dad was friends with his mentor. The at first befuddled and then completely shocked expression on Wukong's face as he finally put two and two together made agreeing to MK's insistence so much easier.

Easier than being pogo'd to Flower Fruit Mountain and then being stuck there as MK ran off to do "hero stuff" with Mei, anyway. At first it was awkward, being shown around the mountain by a man who he had spent years of his life with and was clearly trying to not look uncomfortable at the time lost between them.

Then the monkeys attacked. Well. Less attacked, more jumped on Pigsy in sheer excitement. It only took a few seconds for Wukong to cackle and pull them off him with the care of a roughhouseing father. Some of them were just little ones barely new to the world (he didn't miss how much more careful Wukong was with them), but Pigsy recognized a few of the elder ones from the time he had come here to bring Wukong back after the... WBS and Wood Wolf... event.

He also didn't expect any of them to actually remember him or to see Wukong acting so positively parental in comparison to how he acted the last time he was here. It was strange, he knew the Monkey King could be caring and that he had changed on their journey and must have become different over their time apart, but this was a side he had never truely thought he would see from him ever before. And he couldn't help but chuckle a bit at that.

It was like a tension line was finally let slack. They didn't simply slide back into banter, but they were much more relaxed. Wukong pointed out where he had been training MK, showed him to where his house stood (Pigsy wondered if he ever tried to rebuild the palace that had burnt down long before he visited all those years ago, but did not dare to bring that up either). The house was much more modern than he had expected, even having full internet access and TV and a kitchen.

He would never tell anyone about the passionate 1 hour conversation they had about cooking when he realized Wukong picked it up as a hobby. No one will ever know their debate/rant on how to properly prepare dough for steaming and how so many people do it wrong.

At some point they ate a lunch Wukong had prepared, much better than Pigsy expected, and that's probably when it went downhill.

He'd made an offhanded joke about people who use too much seasoning. Wukong joked back, asking if his underseasoned cooking was up to Pigsy's standards. Pigsy had shoved the monkey on old reflex, not hard and not nearly enough to move him, saying if he wanted him to compliment his cooking he could have just asked like a good big brother.

That had started a friendly wrestling match, not unlike ones they had had before and that drew a crowed of monkeys excited to watch. That wrestling match turned more violent before Pigsy had realized it and somehow, some way, they started actually fighting. He yelled about how Wukong had no right to just make MK his sucessor. Wukong yelled about how he chose MK because he was the most qualified and capable person he found. Pigsy shot back that he barely knew him before training him and if he had even bothered to try knowing him he would have known he was Pigsy's kid and he was a shitty mentor. Wukong screamed at that, scaring off most of their audience with the volume, picking Pigsy up off the ground entirely with his arms pinned down.

"You take that back right now, Bajie!" Wukong hissed out in a dangerous tone, one Pigsy didn't give a single damn about heeding in his anger.

"You have until the count of three to remove your arms from my person, or so help me...!" Pigsy fought against Wukong's hold, scrambling for any kind of purchase he could get with his feet dangling off the ground.

"Or what, Bajie? What!? Are you going to find another fillet and tell MK the sutra for it this time!? Are you going to make him not trust me like you did Tripitaka!? ARE YOU!?"

The words made Pigsy stop, but it was Wukong's tone that made him try to turn back to look at him. He'd sounded angry before but now he sounded... genuinely upset. Not angry upset. Sad upset. "I wouldn't do that."

"You did before." Damn it. He really was sad upset...

"Yeah... Yeah, I did." Pigsy admitted with only slight hesitation as he looked at the ground beneath him. "I'm sorry. About how I acted back then. I made everything harder than needed. I made Master hurt you and you didn't deserve it. More often than I'd like to admit..." There was a beat of silence before he decided to take a chace with a question that would probably upset Wukong more. But he had to ask. "How... how painful was it?"

The two of them didn't move for a while, Pigsy just hanging limply until Wukong slowly leaned down and set his feet back on ground. His grip losened slighly, but he didn't let Pigsy go as he rested his forehead against the back of Pigsy's head with a sigh. "Very. Very painful. It... the way it... Bajie, I don't want to-"

"You don't have to," Pigsy interrupted, raising one of his arms now that he could move to grab and squeeze his wrist. "If 'very' is all you want to say, I get it. I'm sorry."

"You already said that."

"And I'll say it again because I mean it." Pigsy pulled away, Wukong’s grip weakened enough for him to without even the smallest fight, and turned around to face him.

He reached up, Wukong giving him an odd confused look as he placed his hands over and around his forehead. Realization dawned quickly and he tensed as Pigsy felt the almost imperceptible scars hidden under his well groomed fur. For the band to have been impactful enough to leave marks at all, let alone after all this time... some didn't feel like cuts or stretches, more like burns almost.

"I'm sorry too," Wukong said suddenly. "For being an ass. I wasn't exactly the greatest travel companion myself at times. And for... for disappearing."

"I already forgave ya for the stuff on the journey long ago," Pigsy said as he pulled his hands back and crossed his arms. "Couldn't sit right with myself if I held a grudge for what you did after the shit I pulled. But I appreciate the apology for up and vanishing. And uh, I'm sorry for calling you a shitty mentor."

"You better be!" Wukong chuckled, standing up straight with an awkward crooked smile. "But, you know, I could stand to be a better teacher. You weren't wrong when I said I don’t know enough about MK."

"I could tell you a few things," Pigsy offered. "Nothing personal, just like how we met and what his job is like. To make up for the. Everything."

"Hmn..." Wukong made a point to rub his chin in thought, clearly about to do something Pigsy wondered if they would both regret. "On one condition."

"Tell me what you want me to do," Pigsy sighed out, fully resigned for whatever the Monkey King was going to ask.

"Cook me dinner."

... that... was not what he expected at all. "That's it?"

"That's it!"

That wasn't near enough to make up for anything in Pigsy's mind... but if that’s what Wukong wanted he supposed that was a start.

[chrisjake-cp]

History 3 Trapped Filming Diary (full English translation) - Days 41-50

Masterpost here. 

I don’t own the book so I can’t post my scans of the pictures that came with it. So I included some other pictures of the scenes that were being filmed. These pics belong to LINE TV or Choco Media, or I’ve taken screenshots from the episodes or the behind-the-scenes.

Read days 41-50 under the cut. 

Day 41

On this day of shooting it happened to be Christmas, and the crew, waiting for the evening shooting process, enjoyed a Christmas gift exchange. Shaofei gave out a book; according to him it was a very inspirational book. A crew member who does hair and make-overs nearby opened it and laughed jokingly: “What kind of ‘inspiration’ do you mean?”, causing Shaofei’s thoughts to immediately go into another direction to the point of him not even being able to say it out loud (I can tell you: he was very bashful!). The whole crew also acknowledged that the most creative gift was a big bunch of green onions⁕ from Sanxing. When this present was opened the whole crew burst out in crazy laughter, but it need also be said that this was a most memorable gift. 

⁕ Sanxing is famous for its spring onions! They even have a little museum dedicated to green onions there. 

Also, what kind of book did Jake gift someone? 👀

Day 42

The day after Christmas, Boss Tang arrived at work, and the first thing he did was accept his gift from the Christmas gift exchange from the day before. So what did Boss Tang receive? 

*ding ding* The answer is 20 Christmas trees and a bottle of “Indian Spiritual Oil”⁕ At the appearance of this gift, everyone nearby immediately laughed loudly, and I also silently expressed my heartfelt wishes for Tang Yi’s and Meng Shaofei’s happiness. 

For today’s scenes, basically the whole ‘world’ had to be there: Unit 3, Tang Yi, A De, Hong Ye, Daoyi and Jingtang were all present, so the set was really lively. What was shot that day were the scenes after Hongye and Shaofei were injured in the parking lot. In order to increase the conflictual character of these scenes, the director assigned each actor their own, individual combination. What was interesting is that during rehearsals, the cameramen all quickly approached the actors like a large quantity of reporters. A De said smiling that the group of people was so large that it looked like an oncoming tank and he could only silently take the ‘card position’⁕ each time. 

⁕ This oil is basically like viagra...but topical instead of taking a pill....It’s a natural plant oil but it contains some anaesthetics which will irritate the skin a bit (making your you-know-what more erect as it grows hot) and the anaesthetics will also cause you to last longer. Ahem. Let’s all imagine Chris receiving this gift. 😂

⁕ The card position comes from a basketball or football game. It means that during the game, when the ball is in the air, the player accurately judges the effective landing point of the ball, takes the lead in the opponent's position, and blocks the opponent out of the best position to gain control. Here it means that Stanley just chose the best position to gain control/the upper hand in the scene. 

Day 43

Today we continued to shoot the hospital scenes. Shaofei said smiling that today was another aptly-named day of “earning money while lying down,” as he was lying down from the first scene in the morning to the last scene in the evening. After several consecutive days of intensive shooting, the hospital scenes were back in Taoyuan. Shaofei said he had been getting out of bed at 4am in the morning for several days in a row, and that day was no exception. So during the moments when he wasn’t in the shots, he could openly but stealthily catch up on some sleep in the bed, which made everyone present pretty envious. 

Zhaozi just gets better the more he acts. Just look at his slightly wrinkled brows.

Day 44

In the last episode, Zhaozi took Tang Yi to see Shaofei [in the hospital] for the last time. Tang Yi, who had carelessly pulled the trigger and accidentally shot Shaofei was already handcuffed. He told Shaofei he would hand He Hang as well as Zhou Guanzhi over to the police. Zhou Guanzhi was the enemy who killed his father. In these past four years, Tang Yi’s biggest goal was to single-handedly murder his father’s killer. For Tang Yi to now agree to let Zhou Guanzhi live and to hand him over to the police, meant Tang Yi had made the ultimate concession.

Because he had persisted in his revenge, he had caused his lover to be hospitalized with a gunshot. Since meeting Tang Yi, Shaofei had been assaulted in big and small ways,  and suffered injuries because of him. Tang Yi discovered that his stubbornly insisting on having his own way was a big factor in Shaofei getting hurt. If this continued, Shaofei would one day be ‘killed’ by Tang Yi. Kept apart by handcuffs, kissing your lover like that; what kind of plot could be more cruel than that?

Tang Yi, even while being handcuffed, was very witty/playful. He didn’t forget to stick his tongue out to the camera. 

Day 45

Long time no see! I believe that people who have watched <Right Or Wrong< should not be too unfamiliar with Dr. Jintang’s “uncle-in-law” Jiang Zhaopeng. He is Qiu Zhiyu whom we haven’t seen for a while. Before filming, these two cultivated their understanding of their lines by videochatting [i.e. they practiced their lines] (and also cultivated the signals between both of their phones). One of the most frightening things in filming is the screen of a cellphone. Apart from this scene, the drama shows many different mobile phone screens; every time a call had to be made, or when a LINE conversation happened, etc. Only, whether or not the signal would be good, is an element that no one can control. If the signal is not good, phone calls won’t go through, or the moment when the phone rings doesn’t match the plot. Sometimes it can take a good number of takes, not to mention that this scene needed a video call. If the signal would not be good, the video and the sound might have been chopped. But we had a close call and the signal in the hospital was very stable, allowing us to be able to smoothly complete the take.  

Zijian, who portrays Jiang Jintang, has a lively and witty personality. He would often say crazy things that amused the crew. In the evening, we filmed that Shaofei followed Tang Yi to the hospital to see Jintang [the massage scene]. Jintang wanted to angrily quarrel with Meng Shaofei, because he didn’t expect them to arrive together. His red face, his hard breathing and his stammering made all the staff on the scene instantly almost collapse from laughter. Even Shaofei, who was doing the scene with him, and Tang Yi, who was lying down behind them, couldn’t keep in their laughter. 

At another rehearsal, Jintang was planning to jump on Tang Yi’s back, but because he hadn’t well coordinated his position, Boss Tang’s knees hit Jintang straight in his ‘important parts’. The staff who were on the scene jokingly told him to jump on the spot, and he actually did it. This was also a ‘pain in the balls.’⁕

⁕ Same expression was used in day 37. It’s more literal here. You can see this happening in the behind-the-scenes. 

Day 46

Today we filmed father and son Chen Wenhao and Tang Yi meeting in front of Lizhen’s grave. The weather at the cemetery site was very unstable. Sometimes an uninterrupted drizzle floated by, and at other times wind and rain became quite strong. Occasionally, the sun would stealthily sneak out from the clouds to join in on the fun, adding many changes to the shooting. But the two actors were not in the slightest affected by these elements. As if their surroundings were all congealed together, the two looked at each other and cried really heart-wrenchingly. Afterwards, Chengyang [Chris] also frankly admitted that for this scene his mood was very complex, and it was very hard on him. Tang Yi stood in front of his biological mother’s tomb, and his biological father, whom he once thought to be her killer, walked up to him. At that moment, that kind of “crying” already wasn't just tears simply shed from sadness anymore. 

When he heard the gunshot as he exited the graveyard without even looking back, Chris said that his heart was really hurting so much that he almost couldn’t go on.

A big thank you to teacher Jiakui, who plays Wenhao, to give [Chris] ample ability, and to push him beyond the limits of what he could do. What is even more special, is that today was, coincidentally, also Chris’ birthday. To shoot such a meaningful scene on his birthday and falling apart crying like that, really must have left a deep impression on him.

Day 47

The day when the entire Unit 3 team got together, happened to be the very last day of 2018. Today’s MVP was Junwei [played by Ethan Liu]. Everyone most likely knows about the meeting between Unit 3 and the international criminal police division where Junwei was tasked with reporting duties. 

That day Junwei was constantly drilling and rehearsing, because all his lines needed to be correctly and fluently spoken for that role to be acted out well. One of the biggest causes for stress is that when you start failing takes, the whole crew and all the actors are just waiting. One can imagine that that is a very big pressure. 

Originally everyone joked and said that before noon they would surely be able to go home to celebrate the New Year, but in the end, it took until in the afternoon for the first scene to finish smoothly and everyone on Unit 3 could begin to plan how they would spend New Year’s Eve. But our poor Captain and Shaofei had to stay behind to continue the next scene. Shaofei felt wronged and said to Zhaozi: “Where is the morality in him [the captain] being so happy?” 

Day 48

Outside it was drizzling, but inside, the room was brimming with nervous energy as Tang Yi took Jack to negotiate with Old Ke, while Shaofei from his side and Unit 3 rushed inside as an important step and wiped out the place.⁕

While waiting for their scenes, each of the Unit 3 were doing their own activities. First Shaofei looked for a quiet place in the room and silently sat reading the script for the future scenes. With his usual style, he would use differently coloured pens to write down dialogue that belongs to Jake and Shaofei.⁕ Zhaozi, in turn, would be lying on the very big bed inside the room, and would both be talking to Junwei, having a pillow fight with Jack and taking selfies with his cellphone. 

And how did Tang Yi spend the time waiting for his next scene? The answer is that he had rolled himself up in a quilt and fell into a deep sleep. No matter if Shaofei would loudly yell, “Where is Tang Yi?” outside the room, Tang Yi slept through it all.

⁕ The very first scenes of the whole show, when Shaofei and his team barges through the door! Some of the very first words we ever hear coming out of Shaofei’s mouth are “Where is Tang Yi?” MY HEART. This show is so well-made. 

⁕ There’s an example of what Jake’s script looked like in the “HIStory 3: Trapped The Making of...” book. ankdlgdndkgn it’s the hospital balcony scene. The thing that he writes in black, between the two red exclamation marks... “This is the show’s first kiss!!! (Vixen Andy doesn’t count).” WHY IS HE SO CUTE? 

Day 49

For shooting the scenes at the exterior of the police station, we borrowed the Xizhi branch police building. That Xizhi branch building which only opened in 2017, is very new and very beautiful. The interior was also very spacious, so we had plenty of room to use.

On that day there happened to be a major traffic incident in that jurisdiction area, and both clerical and field police officers were busy bustling about. Even news reporting vehicles were driving in and out. We were able to witness the police officers' work that we usually don’t have opportunity to see. Thanks to all the protectors of the people for their hard work. 

Today’s Xizhi police station was bustling and lively. Thanks as well to the fans of Director Qingrong who, during the afternoon tea time, came to visit the set and brought snacks like donuts and coffee. In the afternoon the weather turned cold and it started to drizzle. But the fans braved the wind and the rain and came anyway, and even gave handwritten cards to the actors and the director, which was really sweet.

Day 50

Day 2 at the police station. Today’s weather was nothing like yesterday’s “sunny and cloudy with an occasional shower”. Today the sun was shining very brightly, and the temperatures soared straight to 30 degrees. It was the perfect weather to play a song called “I love summer.” 

We shot the scene where three members of Unit 3 talked with Jack at the door. They had to walk outside from inside the police station and each time they had to redo the take, everyone went back into the building with a look of total unwillingness. They opened their eyes widely and took a very deep breath, and with a blank look in their eyes they wiped their sweat and used a small fan to keep cool. Phew, foreheads were filled with beads of sweat, and everyone’s clothes were also soaked with sweat.

In the afternoon we filmed the scene from the last episode when Boss Tang goes to the police station to wait for Shaofei to get off work, when Jack also happened to ride his motorbike to pick up Zhaozi from work.  At that time, the weather was still very sunny. Boss Tang, who wanted to sit on his car’s hood to wait for Shaofei, suddenly yelled out. Apparently the vicious sun had rendered the hood burning hot, which made boss Tang jump up in sudden fright.

[ikuzeminna]

Scene Analysis - Heero’s Farewell

AKA The Helmet Scene

This is one of the most famous scenes in the entire series. And it’s certainly one of the most interesting as well, thanks to a number of factors. We have a mood change, we have Heero finally fulfilling his promise to Relena to bid her farewell, we have a clear picture of how their relationship has evolved throughout the series, we have a retcon of the previous episode to make this scene work and a million other things, frankly. So, let’s get to dissecting it.

First, the setup. The previous two episodes, episode 46 and 47, present us with a Heero who, in my opinion, acts a lot like during the beginning of the series. It may just be me, but he comes off as rather brusque. Sure, he and Relena may be throwing compliments at each other, but there is a curtness to his tone and the ordering around (”You’ll stay here with me”) that annoy me personally. When Relena initially asks him if he came for her he even deflects, claiming that Noin and the others are worried about her. Sure.

Again, I don’t like it.

If I had to guess, I’d say Ikeda’s intention of not making their relationship romantic but keeping it symbolic paired with being unable to write normal teenager relationships is at play here. I’m putting the blame on him since he is the director, but I may be wrong, so sorry if I am. In any case, the farewell between Heero and Relena is just a loaded glance. They don’t speak, there is a huge distance between them, they just look at each other meaningfully and then Heero gets ready to fight. It’s pretty much Earth and Space, ever at a distance, yet bound by ...uh, something.

Come episode 48, the other writers apparently bound and gagged Ikeda, locked him up in a closet and gave us take 2 of the farewell, which the fandom knows as the helmet scene. And it really shows that someone else was in charge during the last two episodes because we suddenly have the most gentle, most tender sounding Heero in the entire series, complete with sparkly eyes and teddy bears.

And this, I like because the point of Heero’s character arc is regaining his humanity. So having him act like in the beginning kinda ruins that. So thank you, person, who made these decisions.

To clarify, episode 47 has Relena in a dark hangar with her helmet in her hands looking up at Heero who is about to board Wing Zero. He then enters the cockpit and closes it. That’s apparently the end of their interaction. Come episode 48 though, the hangar is lit, the helmets are on and the cockpit is wide open for Relena to jump up and talk to Heero one last time.

And here we see the aforementioned mood change. Gone is Heero’s brusque tone and his weird reluctance to admit any kind of fondness or affection. Instead, he freaking pulls her in during the conversation, because an inch from your face is the ideal distance when speaking to a person apparently. And not just that; he is softly smiling at her the whole time and instead of making it an order, he gently asks her to let him go.

I trust everyone can see how glaringly different this is from their interaction in the previous two episodes.

And there is so much more still. In their conversation Heero reveals his newly made promise to protect Relena (and the Earth Sphere). This goes aaaall the way back to Cinq, where he initially told Quatre he didn’t see much sense in fighting for Relena or her country. Through the various events, he did end up protecting her though, then he was forced to attempt to assassinate her again as Chief Representative of Romefeller and now we are at the point where the peace Relena promises, or at least wants to fight for, is something that Heero believes in.

This is so important for his character because he was the guy who would spout stuff like peace only being the result of war and not believing in it. This is also the lesson he later tries to make Wufei see in their fight in Endless Waltz. Heero is not a soldier anymore at that point; he has become a normal kid who belongs to and wishes for a peaceful world. So yeah, very important moment here.

It really makes me wonder why anyone thought the loaded stare of ep. 47 was enough.

Even more so because here Heero finally fulfills the promise he made Relena back in Cinq: he bids her farewell before leaving. Back in Cinq, and frankly, in all their previous interactions, Heero would just up and leave without a word. It started in episode 6, it happened in 10 and again in Cinq when he went on the suicide mission to Luxembourg. And Relena didn’t even ask anything special of him. She just wanted him to let her know when he’d leave. She didn’t demand a reason, she didn’t want to give him permission, it was just a simple goodbye she wanted.

Yet, Heero does all of the above when they talk. He tells her why he leaves to fight, he asks her to let him go and when she refuses, thinking he is intending to kill himself again for the billionth time, Heero shines even more light on his character development by telling her to believe in him. He isn’t trying to die on the battlefield.

Heero pushes Relena out of the cockpit at this point and gives her a look that honestly creeps me out a little even to this day, as the cockpit closes and he maneuvers Wing Zero into position to take off. Relena, placated by his plea and stare, says the she does believe in him.

And then, because he may not plan to die but is prepared to do so nonetheless if it can bring peace, he actually holds up his end of the promise and tells her that which she previously wished to hear. And it’s wonderful, because he really shouldn’t have.

See, at this point Relena has witnessed and heard of seven attempts and brushes with death of Heero’s. On the beach, at the harbor, falling down the side of the hospital, blowing himself up with his Gundam, asking the Noventas to kill him, nearly getting slaughtered by Zechs and then later by the mobile dolls in Luxembourg, this girl has seen a lot with him. So it’s a very reasonable assumption of hers to think he would do the same thing again here and throw his life away. Which is why Heero has to assure her that’s not his intention.

But because he knows the risks, he knows this might be the last time they talk, so he kinda chickens out a bit there after that bold “believe in me” and bids her farewell nonetheless, just to be on the safe side, I assume. Because he later also tells her not to worry over him since his life isn’t worth much anyway.

And while getting her wish of hearing a goodbye should normally make her happy, Relena freaks here. Here he is, a friend she has known for a long time and who means a lot to her, as he was what gave her the strength to carry on after her father died, sounding like he isn’t going to return. And Relena is heartbroken because Heero is important to her. The parallels to her father show us how much Heero’s death would affect her.

Her crying out Heero’s name in that agonized manner isn’t meant to be taken romantically. This is a girl fearing her friend will die.

I really love this entire scene because it not only gives us heaps of character development and normal human interaction, which those two sorely lack, it also brings a bunch of stuff full circle, illustrates their personalities well and makes for another interesting break from traditions.

What I mean with the last point is that normally (or at least in the 90s), the guy is all business when he has to go out and fight, being all stoically manly about it, while the woman will be emotional and initiate one final time of intimacy, and the guy may respond before going off to battle. I have this overblown image of Chuck Norris, Steven Seagal, Clint Eastwood type of flicks in my head. You know, the manly stuff.

And here we have Gundam Wing, where Relena doesn’t even care about herself or her feelings for him, but instead is only concerned about Heero’s well-being. Which is why I would have totally bought Relena’s feelings for Heero being purely platonic had Endless Waltz with that super tender caress not happened.

Which also portrays her natural selflessness, in contrast to Heero’s credo of living life acting on your emotions. And boy does he act. He is very much cranking up the romance here with how close he pulls her to him and how very tenderly he speaks to her. Ship it or not, it’s obvious here he likes her. Which in turn tints all their previous interactions.

Ikeda might have wanted a purely symbolic relationship between them, but the geniuses behind this episode ruined that. They gave us Heero displaying his feelings for her, which in turn made all that came before a massive slow burn of sorts.

Hah.

This is something I find highly amusing personally. If you removed the helmet scene and that caress from Endless Waltz, I wouldn’t see it. But those two scenes are enough to make me believe there are feelings there and it’s amazing to see how little it takes to make me change my mind. Then again, Gundam Wing is big on subtlety so this is practically on par with screaming it from the rooftops.

But still, thank you. Thank you writers for inserting this scene and generally giving us two amazing final episodes. You hit all the right marks in my book.

[danifics18]

↪ 5:47 P.M. (M)  ↩

Tags: Mature//Brat!Reader//Dom!Jongho//manhandling//cunnilingus//

Word Count : 1959

    General Masterlist    Ateez Masterlist

Notes: This is my first actual smut like this, and I really don’t know how to write smut all that well, but I tried my best ❤️ 

You always knew that the other members would joke about you and your boyfriend’s sex life. About how they were surprised that you were still able to walk fine after a long and loud night. About how you never had any bruises, marks, or anything besides the occasional (very well hidden) hickey. You both knew the only reason his hyungs would tease and joke so much was because it was very obvious that your relationship still held up as something innocent, and as well as, the other members seem to love seeing how embarrassed you both would get after hearing a raunchy comment or two. Although, some of their jokes did confuse you because of how genuine they would sound. It seemed like they expected Jongho to be more aggressive and rough with at least some of the sexual aspects of your relationship, and you could never understand why. 

  Of course, you knew that Jongho had his apple breaking party trick, you knew that he was considered the strongest member of Ateez, but you also knew that he was very self conscious about how he used his strength on you. In your everyday life, he was an absolute gentleman. He would tease you with his sarcasm and dry humor, of course, but physically he was soft. And in the bedroom, he was even softer. He treated you like a fragile doll, and even though you loved it, you could tell he held himself back a little bit. It perplexed you that he seemed as if he was holding himself back, yet every time you asked him about it, he would give out a small laugh and say that you were looking into it a bit much.

  So who better to go to than the main people who would joke about your sex life? Jung Wooyoung and Jeong Yunho. The entire conversation was full of hidden side glances of unspoken conversations and huffed laughs as they helped you make a game plan to un-soften your sweet boyfriend. You were glad you had went to them for help, you knew Jongho went to his hyungs for all types of advice, and you didn’t have a single doubt in your head that he’d went to them for sex advice at one point or another. The advice they gave you was thankfully more than enough to give you a nice game plan, and with that, all you had to worry about was how everything would play out.

And that’s how you got lead to where you are now.

  A day starting off with wearing a pretty dress that shows just enough cleavage when you bend the right way, and that is flowy at the bottom and stops at mid thigh. And when you noticed his lingering glances, you decided to bump it up a notch to lightly grabbing his face to give him a heated kiss and, walking away with a smirk on your face, before he could put his arms around you. And that was the mission of the day- to take the teasing just a little bit further, at least enough to get a physical reaction.

 By the end of the day, you two were at home, him in the shower, you on the couch. The plan hadn’t worked the way you hoped it would’ve. After you guys had walked through the door, you walked up behind Jongho, wrapped your arms around his middle, and gave him light kisses on the neck. As your kisses got harder and progressed towards his weak spots, your hands also started going down from his abdomen to the top of his belt buckle. It was at that moment he ripped himself away from you, only to turn around and say he was going to take a shower, and sped off with red ears.

  To say you felt bad was an understatement. Sitting on the couch, you wondered if maybe you’d pushed him too far, seeing that you weren’t the type to tease each other like that. Of course, you’d both talked about the vanilla sexual aspects you both liked and disliked, and you’d both agreed to tell each other immediately if either one of you got even the slightest bit uncomfortable. And today, he hadn’t said a thing. If you “accidentally” grazed his covered dick by bending over, he would just turn his head away. When you grabbed his hand during lunch and put it high enough on your thigh that you knew he had to have felt the edge of your lacy panties, he just softly patted your inner thigh and gave you the absolute sweetest smile. When you’d whispered about how good he looked, and how much you’d wanted him, to his ear, he would just laugh as if you’d told him a funny joke.

  And now you were left here on the couch with a pout on your face and an uncomfortable heat in your core. As you got up with a huff to go change into some different clothes, you got a plan. If he couldn’t take the sign that you wanted him, then you’d just take care of yourself. Easy enough, right?

  You hurried on over to your bedroom, making sure the shower was still going as you passed by, stripping your dress and bra off to throw in the hamper. Clad in just underwear, you dig through your underwear drawer to the back where you had an old friend of yours. You pull out the blue vibrator, checked to make sure the batteries were still in and working, and laid down in the middle of the bed with your legs bent and open.

  As you turned the vibe on it’s lowest setting, you closed your eyes while you let it graze your nipples enough to make you let out a sigh. You let it continue to run down your body until it reached the top of your underwear. It was at that point, you decided you didn’t want to tease yourself today, seeing that you’d been needy for quite a while. So you tore your underwear down and off of your legs and got to work with the low vibe.

  The entire time you had your eyes squeezed shut in pleasure, with little whines and moans coming out every once in a while. As you got close to your climax, you started grinding your hips up until the vibrator hit your clit at a new angle, and that’s what sent you over the edge. While you were coming down your high, with legs shaking and uneven breaths, you finally decided to open your eyes and saw the eyes of your loving boyfriend leaning against the door frame, lower waist wrapped in a towel that did nothing to hide his obvious hard on . Just as you were about to say something he walked over and beat you to it.

“Baby, what is this? You were being a teasing brat all day, and you still decided to get yourself off?” Jongho exclaimed with a cocked eyebrow,” You know, I was going to get you off myself, but if you’ve already got that covered, then I guess I’ll go find some other way to keep me busy.”

Immediately, the fire in your stomach was back and hotter than before, and you begged him to help you get off again because you really want him. All he responded with was a playful “Alright” before he settled himself in between your legs, with his arms around your thighs. As he licked your slit he would squeeze your thighs enough for you to feel a slight throb and you let out a moan at the thought of marks being left tomorrow. Seeing that you were still sensitive from you first orgasm, it wasn’t too long until you were on the edge of cumming again, and your thighs shook under his hands. Once Jongho noticed your shaking thighs and convulsing stomach, he looked you in the eyes while he latched his lips around your clit and sucked hard. The coil in your stomach snapped and you moaned Jongho’s name while trying to squeeze your legs together.

As you were starting to come down from your high, you whined to get your boyfriend’s attention- which he ignored- so you started to push at his head to get him off of your clit. That was when he finally lifted his head and spoke, “You wanted me to help get you off, so that’s what I’m doing. You acted like a needy brat today, so I’m going to show you what you were asking for. I’ll let you know when I’m done eating your pussy.” And with that he dove his head back down to lap at you again.

You couldn’t help but to get even more turned on while seeing him with your juices shining on his face, but you were still extremely sensitive now, so you were trying to pull your legs away so you could have a little more of a breather. And that’s when he finally snapped. He got up off his stomach, leaned back on his heels, and yanked you up by your thighs. From this position, your weight was all the way on your shoulders, legs spread and pulled down by gravity, and Jongho’s tongue fucking your hole while smacking the back of your thighs with his hand. 

  To distract yourself from cumming again so soon, you decided to help Jongho, who was using your back as leverage to grind himself into. As he saw you situate yourself a little bit so you could reach his length easier, Jongho yanked his towel off and threw it to the side of the bed, and picked your hips up a bit more so you could reach your hand behind you more comfortably. And so you reached your spit-coated hand back and started jerking him to the match the same pace he ate you out at. The look on Jongho’s face as he tongue fucked you was absolutely ferocious, but you loved it. As his long muscle poked your inner sensitive spot, your resolute quickly crumbled as you came while moaning his name.

  As your senses came back to you, you were finally put down and out of your boyfriend’s tight grip. As Jongho moved to sit on the edge of the bed to grab the discarded towel, you quickly moved to the ground and in between his legs. You weren’t paying attention if he had said anything, seeing that you had a goal in mind, but you did here the yelp he let out when you wrapped your lips around his length, your tongue flicking the spongy head of his shaft. As you got more into sucking him off, you relaxed your throat more and more to help take him back deeper. As you reached your hand up to play with his balls, he quickly gathered your hair up into a messy ponytail, subtly thrusting himself into your warm mouth more and more. You noticed his thick cock was starting to throb in your mouth, so you quickly pressed your face as close to his pelvic bone as you could, and swallowed hard. With a loud groan from your boyfriend, he came, his thick fluid being swallowed by you as quickly as it came out.

  As you leaned back on your heels, you looked up to him and gave him the sweetest smile you could muster up. Sweat dripping down the side of his face, he smiled back you you and gave you a kiss on your forehead and then on your lips. As Jongho got up, he invited you to take another shower with him, and you spent the rest of the night watching movies and cuddling each other. 

[inevitably-johnlocked]

Hi Steph! How you’re doing? First of all, I wanna say that I love your lists. So, I was wondering, do you have some long Johnlock fics? Like, with a bunch of chapters and all that. Thank you!

Hey Nonny!! 

I absolutely do! And you know what?? I’m gonna be selfish: No one has ever EVER asked me for my shorter long fics, so I’m going to take this opportunity to finally release this list, because it’s been sitting in my drafts for YEARS lol. BUT you can check the list below for the links to all my longer-fics lists! Happy reading!!

NOVELLA LENGTH FICS: 20-25K

See also:

Novella Length Fics: 25 to 50K (Aug. 2019)

Novel Length Fics: 50 to 100K (Nov. 2018)

Novel Length Fics: 50 to 100K Pt 2 (May 2020)

Novel Length Fics: 100K+ w. (May 2019)

Novel Length Fics: 100K+ w. Pt 2 (Aug 2020)

Through the Clouds by Mazarin221b (E, 20,004 w., 6 Ch. || Retirement, Home Improvement, First Time, Romance) – Sherlock takes a remarkably early retirement at 47, and convinces John that a change of pace would do them both good. They buy an old cottage on the South Downs, and exchange their nonstop life in Baker Street for quiet contemplation, bee studies, and book writing. They might go completely insane, but sometimes it takes stepping outside of the life you're living to find the life you want. Part 1 of Through The Clouds

A Life Well-Lived by Kate_Lear (E, 20,121 w., 1 Ch. || Original Male Character, Sherlock Woos John, Jealous Sherlock, Reluctant Bi-John, Past Abuse, Insecure John, Reassuring / Caring Sherlock, Protective Sherlock, Understanding Sherlock) – John got scared off men by an abusive past relationship. Sherlock has to try and woo him while not scaring him off with protective possessive rage.

The White Lotuses by SilentAuror (E, 20,340 w., 1 Ch. || Slow Burn, Domestic, Romance) – One day John realises that he just isn't where he belongs, which is back at Baker Street with Sherlock. So he goes back and Sherlock, in his own way, courts him. Romance.

Out of the Woods by SilentAuror (E, 20,471 w., 1 Ch. || Post S4, Romance, Slow Burn, Flirting, Drunk Sex, Practical Jokes, POV Sherlock, Bottomlock, Possessive John, Pining Sherlock, Frustrated Wanking, Frottage, Hand Jobs, Blow Jobs, First Kiss/Time, Virgin Sherlock, Love Confessions, Soft Sherlock, Dancing, Bum Appreciation, Hanging out with the Yard) – Sherlock is fairly certain that John has taken to flirting with him of late, but can't be entirely certain of it. At least, not until a case takes them into a forest, along with Lestrade's team and something happens that will change everything about their lives...

You're On the Air by prettysailorsoldier (M, 20,616 w., 1 Ch. || Unilock, Matchmaking, Radio, Christmas, Christmas Fluff, First Kiss, Friends to Lovers, Sherlock POV, Pining Sherlock, Flirting, Bisexual John) – The Consulting Detective and The Woman dominate the airwaves of their university radio station, doling out advice on everything from meeting the parents to sexual positions. When their ratings start to dip before the holidays, however, manager Mike thinks it's time for some fresh blood, and who better to fill in the gaps than rugby captain--and notorious flirt--John Watson? Part 1 of 25 Days of Johnlock

whiskies neat by Ellipsical (E, 20,660 w., 15 Ch. || Alternate First Meeting, POV Second Person Sherlock, Slow Burn, One Night Stand, Rimming, Blow Jobs, Anal, Soldier John, Crying, Emotional Lovemaking, Switchlock) – Home and hearth and whiskies neat, or, alternatively, Sherlock Holmes falls in love.

Achieving the Together-Coloured Instant by teahigh (E, 20,776 w., 1 Ch. || Est. Rel, PTSD, Codependency, Fluff & Angst, H/C, Smut, Demisexual Sherlock, Experiments) – John wonders if this is how it’s going to be: A life speaking in code, because they’re both too stupid to figure out how to say, “I love you.”

Winter's Delights by Kate_Lear (E, 21,173 w., 1 Ch. || Holmes Family, Christmas, Fake Relationship, Friends to Lovers, Bed Sharing, Domestics) – Sherlock takes John home for Christmas to meet the extended Holmes family. Part 1 of Winter's Delights

Once More, With Feeling by cellard00rs (T, 21,178 w., 7 Ch. || John’s Family, Fake Relationship, Romance, Fluff, Humour) – To put off his meddlesome, matchmaking mother, John convinces Sherlock to play the role of his significant other. Unparalleled awkwardness ensues.

Love Is by SilentAuror (E, 21,508 w., 1 Ch. || Angst, UST / URT, Post HLV, Romance) – At Mrs Hudson's urging, Sherlock finally decides to tell John how he feels about him. Part 1 of Love Is

echoes through time by chellefic (E, 21,619 w. || First Time, Romance, ACD & BBC, Epistolary) – Mummy sends a trunk from the Holmes cottage in Sussex to 221B. Its contents alter the way John and Sherlock see themselves and one another.

The Real Meaning of Idioms by feverishsea (T, 21,691 w., 1 Ch. || Texting, Humour, Post S2) - After two weeks away, John finally texts Sherlock. He doesn’t expect Sherlock to respond. He doesn’t expect Sherlock to keep texting him. And he really doesn’t expect things to spiral out of control so rapidly.

5 Times John Got the Girl (and lost her) and 1 Time John Got the Guy (and kept him) by LiviKate (M, 21,695 w., 6 Ch. || 5 and Ones, Kissing, Oblivious / Awkward Sherlock, BAMF / Sexy / Stud John, Embarassed John, John’s Scar, Hurt/Comfort, Jealous Sherlock) – John has always had good luck with the ladies. He's charming, friendly and funny, not to mention great in bed. However, his usual skill with the opposite sex is constantly being thwarted by Sherlock and his outbursts. How will John ever get a leg over when Sherlock is always cockblocking him?

Brief Conversations with the Woman by May_Shepard (E, 21,906 w., 20 Ch. || Pining, Love Fairy Irene, Filler Fic, UST/URT, Drug Use, Clueless Sherlock, Relationship Advice, Angst w/ Happy Ending) – Sherlock has a puzzle to solve, and his name is John Watson.

When to Let Go by KendylGirl (M, 22,109 w., 8 Ch. || Friends to Lovers, Reverse Reichenbach, Sacrifice, Forgiveness, Angst, Love, Implied Drug Use) – What if it were John who had to die to thwart Moriarty's plans? John's supposed death shatters Sherlock, and when he returns, it will challenge the pair to forge a path of forgiveness, to peace, and to find a way back to each other. Part 1 of When to Let Go

A Shipless Ocean by myswordfishmind (M, 22,135 w. 4 Ch. || Post-TRF, John has a Kid) – Ten years after the fall Sherlock goes back to London to find that John no longer lives there. Instead, he resides in a seaside town, a widower, and the father of a seven year old son. Now, Sherlock must struggle with the fact that there may no longer be a place for him in this new world.

Ghost Stories by SwissMiss (M, 22,256 w., 1 Ch. || Pining, Holmes Family, Christmas, Friends to Lovers, Slow Burn, Bed Sharing, Fluff, Hurt/Comfort, First Time) – Sherlock's parents think he and John are a couple. They might be onto something.

The One With the Proposal by kim47 (E, 22,375 w., 3 Ch. || Fluff, Romance, Marriage Proposal) – Proposing shouldn't be this difficult.

Sonatina in G Minor by SilentAuror (E, 22,574 w., 1 Ch. || Case Fic, POV Sherlock, Angst, UST, Sherlock’s Violin, Post-S3, Romance) – John has come back to Baker Street, but Sherlock doesn't understand the strange tension between them, even after he begins teaching John to play the violin at John's request.

Dear John by wendymarlowe (E, 23,031 w., 64 Ch. || Post-TRF, Online Dating, Pining, Epistolary, Cybersex, Long Distance Romance) – With Sherlock dead, John eventually (under duress) makes a profile on an online dating site. And falls into a long-distance relationship with an enigmatic partner who reminds him of Sherlock in all the right ways. (Hint: it turns out to be Sherlock.) Part 1 of Dear John

Knotted by naughtyspirit (E, 23,166 w., 4 Ch. || UST/URT, Cuddling, Sharing Body Heat, Confessions, Kissing, Mastrubation, Frustration, BAMF!John) – John has to cancel a date because of Sherlock's case, which leads them to be tied up in a basement from which they have to escape. They get wet, get tied up close and John has to step up and save them. Because he's pretty. And hot. And just a little bit of a BAMF.

You Can Imagine the Christmas Dinners by ardenteurophile (T, 23,584 w., 9 Ch. || Pre-Slash, Drama, Fluff & Angst, Humour, Romance) – Sherlock takes John along for Christmas dinner with Mycroft and Mummy (And "Anthea", too). Over the course of the evening, John realises that everyone in the room - apart from him - seems to think that he and Sherlock are a couple. Part 2 of Xmas Dinners Verse

Once Upon a Beast Becoming by antietamfalls (T, 24,042 w., 6 Ch. || Beauty and the Beast AU || Magical Realism, Folklore, Celtic Mythology) – An act of pride, a druid’s curse, an enchanted leaf; Sherlock’s torment has lasted an age. Hope arrives in the form of one John Watson, a man uniquely suited to break the spell. But with a single night to win his affections, Sherlock finds his carefully laid plans disrupted by a monstrous killer whose sights are set on the only thing he has left to lose: John.

The Kepler Problem by kinklock (E, 24,270 w., 1 Ch. || Sci-Fi AU, Alien Sherlock, Space Repairman John, Alien Biology, Horny John) – Working in uncharted space exploration was not as exciting as John had hoped, especially when it turned out to be mostly bot maintenance on uninhabited planets. However, the mystery of the repeated, unexplained malfunctions on planet BAK 2212 might turn out to be exactly the kind of adventure he'd been craving.

Maintaining A Personal Life by Gingerhermit (E, 24,284 w., 6 Ch. || Alternating POV’s, Bisexuality, BAMF!John, Jealous Sherlock, Romance / Drama, Sort-of Case Fic, Peril & Angst, Love Confessions, Toplock, Soft Idiots in Love, Post S3) – Sherlock and John discover some interesting revelations about each other’s sexuality, which lead them both to question the assumptions they've made about one another for years. In the midst of their mutual discoveries, a dangerous psychopath looms on the side-lines who threatens to destroy their new beginning.

The Sexual Awakening of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson by suitesamba (M, 24,579 w., 10 Ch. || Post-TRF, Case Fic, H/C, First Kiss/Time) – Sherlock owes Mycroft a favor. Mycroft calls in that favor by offering Sherlock's consulting services in a charity auction. Sherlock and John soon find themselves at the country manor of Mrs. Ives-Patton Smarmington III - not very coincidentally a long-time friend of Sherlock's mother - where they are reluctant participants in her Murder Mystery Weekend. It's a play within a play for Sherlock and John, and their roles for the weekend event bleed over into their real lives, waking the sleeping dragons within.

Tomorrow's Song by agirlsname (M, 24,645 w., 5 Ch. || Post-TRF, POV Sherlock, Angst with a Happy Ending, Virgin / Repressed Sherlock, Love Confessions, Slow Burn, Pining, Jealous Sherlock) – How can he think a relationship with me would be a good idea? I am the sort of person to take a break from my life and when I come back after two years, I expect to find it exactly as I left it. In reality I find it shattered to pieces. (I actually equate you with my life. When did I start doing that?)

State of Flux by Atiki (E, 24,655 w., 4 Ch. || Sherlock POV, Slow Burn, First Kiss/Time, Friends to Lovers, Frottage, Cuddles and Snuggles, Awkwardness, Insecure/Virgin Sherlock, Romance) – John’s marriage is over and he is finally back home (i.e. at Baker Street, where he belongs). Sherlock is awfully insecure and John is awfully hesitant, and they're both awkward idiots, of course, but they figure it out. Many First Times happen.

[husbandograveyard]

Hello!! Congratulations on 300!! Love your writing could I request Ace and #47? Hope you a nice day!!

Hiya! Thank you!!! Some freckly boi goodness for the final scenario of this event! Thank you for participating (and please check your PM for your giveaway prize) I hope you like this scenario!! Enjoy! 

4th time is the charm - Ace x Reader 

Cliche with bae prompt #47: “I have loved you for years” Character: Ace - Word count: 2k 

The first time you were children. A marine ship had come into town, and curiosity had taken over: the vice-admiral leading the ship had brought with him two young boys, his grandsons, who seemed less than impressed with the trip their grandfather took them on. You loudly heard them declare something about pirates and trying to sneak away from their grandpa. And you, a child on the island often running away and hiding, knew just the places to get the boys to! Only the eldest saw your motions and ditched his younger brother without a trace of doubt. 

You learned his name was Ace, the younger brother’s name was Luffy. Ace cared about Luffy, but like many brothers, he didn’t always show. “Besides, he’s got grandpa looking after him.” The two of you (and sometimes the three of you) always ended up playing together on the island for hours on end, oftentimes either their grandpa or your parents looking for you around dinnertime. When they eventually left the island, you hugged him tightly, telling him to visit again if his grandpa would come to the island again. You even cried a little after the ship disappeared from the horizon. 

The second time was when Ace had just become a pirate. You were both just teenagers, just starting to figure out what you wanted in life, but he was already so strong, so determined. He was traveling island to island, trying to recruit people for his crew. When you recognized him, you spent multiple days catching up. But at the end of his visit, he wouldn’t take you along on his travels. “You’re too weak y/n, I wouldn’t want you getting hurt because of the pirate life”. 

You were incredibly hurt, more than you thought you’d be. You asked him if he’d by come again if he would take you along when you were stronger. “You’ll have to prove your strength y/n”, he said, “but if you are strong enough, I’ll take you along.” That was enough to set your heart ablaze, and you wished that the hug goodbye would never end. It did, unfortunately, but you did not cry as he left the island this time. You were determined to get stronger.

And thus you trained every single day, no matter how sore you were from the day before. And you did get stronger. Became skilled with many weapons, started learning Haki. You were contemplating leaving the island to go look for a devil fruit. But you couldn’t really leave now, not when Ace might come by again and take you along on his travels.

Years went by and you kept an eye on the newspapers and saw how he became more and more notorious. He and his Spade pirates were making a name for themselves. He’d eaten a devil fruit and had even refused a position as a shichibukai, and even though it made your heart swell with pride and even maybe even a little love, it also made you worried. You were strong, but not that strong, and it had been years now. Maybe he’d never return at all. 

The third time you met was after he’d already joined the Whitebeard pirates and you had started traveling on your own. Tired of waiting for him, and half-convinced he was not going to show up anymore, you were now going from island to island, combining low-level bounty hunting with each and every little job you could find in order to keep in shape and earn money to support your travels and upgrade your weapons. You were not sure what your long-term goals were exactly, maybe you wanted to join a pirate crew eventually, but for now, you settled for exploring the world. You had seen amazing things already and you were sure there were plenty of adventures still to come.

When you heard a ruckus outside, you were pretty sure another pirate crew was on its way to the bar where you were working at the moment. It was one of the biggest in town, and you had seen your fair share of pirates. You just hoped they weren’t the angry types of drunks. Not that you couldn’t handle them, they were just a way bigger pain to deal with. 

When the door opened, you looked up smiling, ready to greet the new guests, but fell immediately speechless when the first thing you saw was the freckled face of the man you had been waiting for at home. He was just as surprised to see you as you were to see him, and long, firm hugs were exchanged, with plenty of unnecessary comments from his crew. You provided him and his friends with drinks and spent the entire night almost neglecting other customers in order to catch up with Ace. 

He apologized for not coming to get you and explained how he had found this crew, or family, as he’d like to call them. He told you of his adventures so far, and you told him about yours. Yours weren’t nearly as impressive as his were, but he still listened to you intently, asking questions and praising your strength and skilled that you had honed over the years. You didn’t dare tell him it was all for him, in hopes he’d take you along after that. You didn’t get to explain too much, somewhere halfway through one of your stories his head suddenly drooped and he fell asleep right then and there. The crew laughed and explained to you that it was quite a common occurrence and to just wait it out. 

By the time he woke up, it was nearing the morning, everyone leaving so you could close the bar for the night. Ace apologized profusely, and you told him he could make it up to you by meeting you again the next day. His ears were turning red and he looked positively embarrassed, but he did say yes, avoiding any and all eye contact before he waved you goodbye and followed the rest of the crew back to the ship. 

The next day he met you at the back of the bar, and you took him to one of the more quiet places on the island, enjoying the view together. There were no awkward silences, conversation flowed so easily and it had been as if you were talking for years on end, not these random faithful encounters that made your heart flutter every single time. You were wondering if you should tell him how you feel, but now that you were on your own adventure, it would not be as easy to keep up a relationship as it would have been all those years ago. Besides, he had his own family now, no use in trying to work your way into his world, which was always so different from yours.

You were sitting together for a while when he suddenly stopped talking, his head falling onto your shoulder, and because you weren’t prepared and flinched when it happened, slipped onto your lap. He was fast asleep again, in a position that didn't really seem comfortable. You tried to gently shake him awake but to no avail. You tried to move his body as much as you could to make him at least a little bit more comfortable and made sure his neck wasn’t bent in a funny way that could potentially hurt him when he woke up. Not wanting to move now that he seemed relaxed, and softly snoring, you settled for raking your hands through his hair. Although he was sleeping soundly, Ace seemed to lean into your touch a little. 

When you grew tired of curling his locks around your fingers -you didn’t want to mess his hair up too badly-, you settled for counting his freckles, softly tracing those on his shoulders. You felt him shift a little and pulled your hand back when you looked down and saw his eyes were open, something in between a gentle smile and a full-on grin on his face, mixed in with some embarrassment, out of all times to fall asleep, this wasn’t the best possible moment.  

A few moments of slightly uncomfortable silence and some insanely intense eye contact later, Ace sat up straight again and was on his feet. You followed suit, walking back, it had become quite late and he didn’t want to worry his crewmates. You understood but felt the pang in your heart as he said goodbye. You pulled him in for a hug, which he returned. When you let go, he still held onto your arms, as if he wanted to say something more, the words ready to roll off his tongue. And yet he seemed to swallow them. You couldn’t get yourself to spill your feelings either, so heartfelt goodbyes were all that was exchanged that night. 

You regretted not saying or doing anything from that moment on. The next morning the big ship was nowhere to be seen, and you had no idea when you’d ever see him again. With both of you actively traveling, the possibility of you running into each other again was insanely small. But you moved on nonetheless. 

The fourth and final time was when Ace was solo traveling as well, and you did not recognize him as you were sprinting to get the final spot in an overcrowded bar. You jumped onto the barstool only to bump right into a muscular chest who’d been just a little faster to claim that final spot for some drinks and dinner. You cursed loudly and were surprised when you heard someone call out your name. Ace. 

He quickly offered you the spot, and another evening of catching up ensued, and he told you all about how he was going after someone from his division that had killed another of his family. You listened intently as you saw the pain and guilt on his face when he blamed himself for not being able to catch this man. Your heart made all sorts of jumps when he placed his hand on yours and told you not to worry. You made up your mind right then and there. 

“I want to come along with you” “y/n… I don’t think..” “I won’t get in your way, I won’t fight if you tell me not to, and even if you say no, I’ll just be happening to travel in the same direction as you are.” You shrugged and he couldn’t help but laugh at that statement. “Don’t you have your own adventures to live?” “Oh Ace, I initially traveled to seek you out.” His smile faded as he looked at you confused. “I have been in love with you for years now. Please take me along, I cannot take another goodbye.” His mouth opened and closed a few times to say something, his brain obviously not catching up with what you had just said, and you made the bold move of leaning forward and softly pressing your lips to his in order to put some action behind your words. You were careful though, so he could still reject them in case you had completely misread the situation. 

You had not: once he got over the initial shock of the situation, he wrapped one arm around your waist, the other sneaking to the back of your head so he could deepen the kiss. You only pulled back when the bartender made a clicking noise, not the best place to share an intense kiss while other people were just trying to enjoy their meal. You both were blushing as you looked in each other’s eyes. 

“I thought I’d never get you to travel along with me. I love you y/n. Always have, for all these y-” His head slumped forward and you managed to catch it right in time before it landed in his plate. You giggled. Maybe it would be a good idea that someone came along on his travels.

[serenegaldr]

ancient language hcs

((I’ve been thinking of doing this ever since it was mentioned in a thread, and I realized I’ve never really thought that much about what the Ancient Language (abbreviated AL) was supposed to be like, spoken. The soundtrack for the Galdr of Rebirth renders it as backwards Japanese, and I will take that into account, but I also have some thoughts of my own! My thoughts are also ridiculously long so have a read more cut:

First, according to the FE Wiki:

The ancient language was first devised by the beorc of Tellius, and for a time saw wide use among all of the land's people. However, its complexity proved to be a significant obstacle for it to be learned by laguz, and so the modern "Tellius language" was created and soon supplanted it as the continent's dominant tongue.

So the Ancient Language is supposedly ‘complex’. However, it is also the language the Galdrar are sung in, which means bird anatomy alone is capable of making the full range of these sounds. Thus, I propose that the AL has these following qualities, when compared to the Modern Tongue:

Phonetics: The production of sound (phones) in AL is, as stated above, extremely simple, allowing for its production by the tongues of multiple different types of animals. ‘Backwards Japanese’ is actually quite simple to pronounce, since like forwards Japanese, a lot of their words end on vowels, but I did wonder if the glides or fricatives wouldn’t be too much for them, so I looked up a bird utterances paper online, to which I found that the sounds available to them in song are probably slightly different from the sounds available to them in speech. There are probably some replacements when they sing, but at the same time they are Magical Birbs (TM) so their range of available sounds could well be much larger than your garden-variety bird. Do keep in mind that other species also use AL, and I did not go and look up a ‘wolf utterances paper’, so my hc does not take into account the other Laguz :’D Also related, I do firmly believe that speaking MT is not feasible to them in their Laguz form; for stuff like battle cutscenes, regardless of what the graphics render, I think they talk first, and then transform to fight.

Phonology: Tonal changes, differing stress and syllable onset all play a large part in differentiating the subtle intent behind words, at least in the spoken language! In song, that’s often replaced by vowel shifts, some of which do not naturally occur in speech, so it’s a music-only feature of the language, which might have something to do with seid magic. If you disregard all the subtle phonology changes, you’ll get the general gist of what they’re saying, but miss a whole load of nuances behind it, similar to, say, the way sarcasm is used in MT.

Morphology: The absolute bulk of AL’s ‘complexity’ stem from morphology! Every single word is tagged with all the information, including but not limited to: tense, aspect, mood, gender, case, number, and even things like ‘relative degree’, ‘relative status between speaker and listener’, or ‘special emphasis’ and the like. Perhaps there used to be more variance, or maybe there still is for other ‘dialects’ of AL (will the Herons and the Wolves really speak the exact same language after being separated for centuries? Unlikely), but at least the Herons’ version of AL is extremely ordered (get it?), and there is basically no irregularity in the application of morphemes. Learn all the intricate rules exactly once, and you’re all set for life, but there are a lot of rules. It’s interesting that the wiki mentioned it was more complex for Laguz - later on I think it’s said that, however, eventually the Laguz’ long lifespans allowed them to master the language better.

Syntax: Think Latin, but even freer than that, since there is no such thing as emphasis through position and everything is indicated in tones and by the morphology. Any word can go anywhere in the sentence and it’ll make perfect sense and mean exactly what you want it to mean, which is great for these birb singers! Very few headaches about how to fit lyrics to make sense :’D This, however, is the main reason Leanne pauses so much when speaking MT! She knows her grammatical options are severely more limited there than in AL, so she needs to think about how the sentence is supposed to be structured before she says it. And while I am biased towards making her replies actually make sense to the other person, she probably does make weird grammatical mistakes every so often.

Vocabulary/Semantics: This is probably the part I’ve mentioned the most in posts already, but AL has a relatively small pool of vocabulary, with differences in nuance indicated mainly by morphology and tone. For instance, ‘walk’ and ‘run’ would be two different words, but ‘jog’, ‘run’ and ‘sprint’ would be the same word with a slightly different indicator for ‘relative speed’. I actually have not consciously taken to doing this (yet), but in practice, Leanne, as an unexperienced speaker who still thinks mostly in terms of AL, would tend to prefer using simple words with additional adjectives/adverbs (e.g. ‘run fast’ or ‘run slow’ instead of ‘sprint’ or ‘jog’) when speaking MT.

Pragmatics: If you have a good grasp of the phonology and morphology and what they entail, you’ll generally understand what the person is trying to say, but if not, then a lot of their conversations will appear to not follow any known rules of conversation at all. As AL is a very old language, I figure a lot of the pragmatics side has strong ties to basic instincts and body language, which animals are often better at reading than humans are, so a lot of that plays into AL conversation as well!

Ok, but then why can Leanne understand everything but not speak well? As I mentioned before in the hcs channel on discord, I hc that Bird Laguz are born in their bird form, before going through Laguz Puberty at a later age, whereby they gain and are then locked into their humanoid forms as their default form. This, for Leanne, probably happened during her time asleep in the forest, so she was a baby bird for her entire time alive before the Serenes Massacre, which happened when she was about 2.5 years old in equivalent Beorc age, since Reyson calls her an ‘infant’ during that time. Now, 2.5-year-olds don’t normally understand everything you tell them! However, and this actually is a gripe I have with a lot of long-lived characters with a long infancy period, this is really not the same as a human situation. I briefly looked this up, and a baby who is considered ‘spoken to a lot’ might hear about 15,000 words a day. For Leanne, who had 6 siblings and 2 parents and a whole forest of other playmates, I might even think she’ll have heard more, but some of that was AL so probably about 15,000 words of MT a day sounds about right. But unlike a 2.5-year-old human baby, she’s been getting that for a whole entire 47 years. That means, before she even has the capability to speak a single word of MT, she’s already heard way more words spoken at her than the average adult Beorc, certainly more than one of her mental age of 18. Thus, while she’s still struggling to learn to produce the language, listening is usually no problem to her, unless the interlocutor in question speaks very quickly, or uses unfamiliar figures of speech / very difficult vocabulary! Like, Leanne probably won’t get anywhere talking with Awakening’s Miriel, but she can probably understand any average speaker just fine.

TL;DR because this is really long: the ‘complexity’ of AL is mainly in its vastly intricate phonology and morphology, which also results in a rich and confusing-to-outsiders system of pragmatics, while phonetics and vocabulary are very simple, and syntax is basically nonexistent. Certainly a very different kind of language from MT, which is why Leanne struggles when speaking, despite being receptively fluent!))