#A lot of the people in my family work in corporate and what I’ve seen is TERRIFYING

[theres-whump-in-that-nebula]

Maybe I could switch careers and train to become a firefighter after… five years to a decade in education?

[yxngbxkkie]

street racing series masterlist

hello! so, i’ve seen the idea of min as a street racer on tik tok. and, recently, i had the idea to make mood boards of skz as street racers. which you can find that post here! i’ve now decided to write a mini series for this idea. i’m super excited about the ideas that i have, and i hope that you enjoy it as well <3

~

Secrets - Bang Chan

Lately, over the past month and a half, your best friend has been blowing you off. You know Chan isn’t normally like that, and being in love with him didn’t help the fact either. You tried asking his friends about it, but they wouldn’t tell you anything. The only thing they’d say is, “It’s not my secret to tell.” You decide to distance yourself from him, even though he’s already kind of doing that himself. After a month of not seeing or talking to Chan, he randomly shows up at your apartment one night. You try to get him to go home, telling him that you didn’t want to see him, but he wasn’t having any of it. He dragged you out of your apartment, reassuring you that he’ll explain why he kept blowing you off. And that’s how you end up in the passenger seat of Chan’s car, participating in a street race.

Rivals - Lee Know

Lee Minho, a rival of your boyfriend. The guy you’re dating warned you about him multiple times. From how he puts it, Minho is an asshole. And from what you’ve seen, you can agree. Unfortunately, your boyfriend has lost more races against him than won, and Minho’s not afraid to rub it in both of your faces when everything’s done for the night. The rivalry between your boyfriend and Minho becomes too toxic for you that you end up going to Minho to try and mend it. You slip into his vehicle before the race starts, not your best idea but it was the only idea you had at that moment in time, and it quickly turns into a bad idea when your boyfriend catches you in his car.

Change of Heart - Seo Changbin

You met Seo Changbin in a coffee shop. He’s loud, cocky, and sometimes he’s kind of a dick. You dread it every time he comes into the cozy place. Sometimes you wish you could quit your job there and work somewhere else, just to get away from him. After going out with a man you met through your job, you end up at an illegal street race. You quickly find yourself uncomfortable with this guy and when you ask him to bring you home, he ditches you. One thing you didn’t expect… Seo Changbin coming to your rescue.

Off Limits - Hwang Hyunjin

You’re the daughter of a big corporate boss. Your father despises the street races that go on almost every night near his company building. He’s warned you his whole life to stay away from those kinds of people. Sometimes street racers can be hard to spot. Who would’ve thought that the handsome man you met at an art exhibit would be one of the best street racers in the city?

Childhood Friends - Han Jisung

You moved away from Seoul when you were a teenager. You hated leaving. You didn’t want to leave. Especially after meeting Han Jisung. He and his family lived next door to yours since you were toddlers. After being away for ten years, you finally find yourself living in Seoul again. The first thing you attempt to do is get in contact with Jisung. The two of you kept in contact for a few years after you moved but as time went on, the messages slowly stopped coming. One night, you stumble upon a street race. You heard that they happen a lot but you’ve never seen them. And you never would’ve thought that your childhood friend would be a part of it. 

My Favorite Boy - Lee Felix

You meet Lee Felix through your best friend. She’s dating one of his friends and one night she asked you to go for a drive with her. With how busy you’ve been with work, you accepted her offer. Your whole night did a 180 when the two of you show up at a street race that her boyfriend is participating in. You’ve only seen street races in movies. Before the race starts, you find yourself aimlessly walking around the parked cars. That’s when you meet a beautiful man with cheeks littered with freckles and a personality that shines as bright as the sun.

Anything For You - Kim Seungmin

You knew that Seungmin was a street racer. He kept it a secret from you for half of your relationship. You understood why he did it. He wanted to keep you safe and he didn’t want you to worry about him. Recently, you’ve been hearing about how dangerous street racing has become. A few people have been holding grudges against the people they lost to. You’d be lying if you said you weren’t worried about Seungmin, even though the two of you broke up months beforehand.

Racing Gone Wrong - Yang Jeongin

Your roommate has been sneaking out of the apartment almost every night. You, being a curious person, decide to follow him one night and found out his biggest secret. Street racing. Never in a million years, you would think that your roommate, who’s an absolute angel, would be a street racer. You planned to tell him that you knew but a part of you thought he’d get angry, so you kept it to yourself. It didn’t stop you from going every night he went, disguising yourself with a hoodie he’s never seen you wear before. You did well to keep yourself hidden until one night when Jeongin gets into a big accident.

~

tagging: @thewxntersoldier @reddesert-healourblues @luckieleaf @stayconnecteed @tiaxa @yoonrimin @sunny-future @daysofskz-ateez @spacegirlstuff @foxinnie8 @moon0fthenight

[hyumjim]

Oh yeah I have been thinking about this for a while re: overzealous callouts typically targeting trans women. Basically I shudder to think what any of you people would do with even an ounce of institutional power. I have one of those jobs where I’m a mandated reporter of child abuse. And for my job I spend time in people’s homes. And I’ve been doing this job for seven years. If I have good reason to suspect that a child is being abused then I need to call child protective services. You know how many times I have done this over seven years? Twice. And both times it was because a child asked me directly to do it. And I sat with both kids and we called CPS together. In one case this resulted in the cops coming to their house and in the other case, nothing happened. In both cases I stayed with them for as long as I could.

Now, over the years of course I’ve heard a number of questionable things. I’ve thought, yeah, this person is probably hitting their kid. I mean, it happens a lot, and some degree of corporal punishment is still normalized in many homes. I don’t condone that, and I’ve had a lot of conversations with parents about it and suggested many alternatives. But the bottom line is that I cannot be trigger-happy when it comes to calling CPS. CPS is a deeply flawed system. Many of the people I work with are extremely used to having CPS called on them. Truancy from school on its own is enough to open a CPS case and criminalize parents. Abuse absolutely happens and needs to be addressed when it does, but so often, police involvement, system involvement is not the answer. Kids get removed from homes and placed with foster families who can be more abusive, less closely monitored, and don’t even have the relational bond that acts as a protective factor. Parents receive the message that they are unfit to care for their children, which makes them worse as parents, and the cycle continues, etc.

So whenever something that’s questionable comes up, I always speak to my supervisor about it and we discuss whether or not I need to take it to CPS. But the answer is almost always ‘no.’ It’s a last resort, only to be used when absolutely necessary. And even in cases where it’s absolutely a necessity, like the one I mentioned where the cops came? That call resulted in me being cut off from the young person entirely. Because his abusive mother knew that I made the report, and forbade me from ever speaking with him again. Which she can do, because he’s her child. For all I know, nothing came of the investigation and his parents retaliated against him more harshly than before. So do you think I made the right call?

Mind you, I’ve seen all sorts of really fucked-up family dynamics, all kind of patterns of emotional turmoil between families, a lot of parents saying terrible things that I think nobody should say to a child, and vice versa. It’s my job to sit with these things and try to help. Not to call someone to come and take away the problematic person.

The point is that I’ve had to sit and think deeply about when to report abuse, as part of my job, for years and years of my life now. And I see the ease and eagerness with which people on here will smear a trans woman as a pedophile with the flimsiest of evidence (i.e. agreed with another user who turned out to be an abuser; has kinks that are triggering to me personally; has innocuous sfw art on her blog of a teen anime character). And I think wow, if you guys had a job like mine you would be ruining people’s lives frequently. Just something to think about.

[blowflyfag]

Pro Wrestling Illustrated: December 1994

press conference…

Every issue, reporters from PRO WRESTLING ILLUSTRATED will participate in an incisive press conference with a top wrestling star. The questions will be demanding. And the answers will reveal the innermost thoughts of the giants of the sport.

[Ted DiBiase and Irwin R. Schyster were WWF World tag team champions on three different occasions, but a neck injury is now limiting the “Million-Dollar Man” to broadcasting and managing. He says Schyster, who handles his financial affairs, is still a good friend.]

TED DiBIASE

WHEN TED DiBIASE suffered a neck injury in Japan last November, many fans probably thought they’d seen the last of the “Million-Dollar Man” for a while. But the three-time former WWF World tag team champion wasn’t about to drop out of the spotlight.

He returned to the WWF as a broadcaster in January 1994, but it became oblivious within a few months that he wouldn’t be content to remain in that relatively powerless role. If he couldn’t wrestle, the next best thing as to assemble a stable of wrestlers who could serve as an extension of his personal philosophy.

The first man he signed to his corporation” was Nikolai Volkoff, whom he claims to “own.” Nikolai had started appearing in the audience of every WWF TV taping, always wearing the same suit. When DiBiase found out Volkoff was nearly penniless, he hired him as a wrestler, but said he would only pay him if he followed his orders and wrestled more aggressively. So far, he is complying.

Next, DiBiase signed Bam Bam Bigelow and continues to aggressively pursue Lex Luger, a man with a well-documented rulebreaking past.

Senior Editor Bill Apter recently had a chance to speak with DiBiase. As usual, DiBiase was very willing to offer his opinions on his stable and other subjects. “DiBiase is a man with a plan,” reported Apter. “His corporation is already extremely powerful and he’s still looking to expand it. You might not like the way he treats people, but he is driven to succeed. I respect that.”

APTER: Why are you so intent on humiliating Nikolai Volkoff?

DiBIASE: Because the opportunity was there. Everybody knows Volkoff was a great superstar in the WWF years ago. He was also known for pinching pennies and saving money, but he didn’t have the mental capabilities to make the right investments. The bottom line is, he lost it all. He lost it all and there he is sitting in the front row of an arena, in the same old suit every week, because he’s got nothing else, nowhere else to go. It’s a very familiar story for these musclehead wrestlers who don’t know how to save their money, don’t make proper investments. Look, everybody says I’m a jerk, that I’m humiliating Nikolai Volkoff. I did the guy a favor.

APTER: What about the pair of tights you make him wear with a cents emblem on it. Isn’t that demeaning to him?

DiBIASE: Everything has a price. If he wants to work for me, if he wants to feed his family, his mother and father back in Russia, he’s just gonna have to bite the bullet. (Laughs hysterically.)

APTER: To stay in your good graces, what will Volkoff have to do that Virgil didn’t?

DiBIASE: He’ll have to do everything I tell him to do. If you’ll notice, he’s decided it’s not so bad to cut corners, break a few rules, and do whatever it takes to get the job done. I’m giving this guy an education

APTER: A Lot of people say you’re afraid to get into the ring and this is why you have hired Volkoff and also Bam Bam Bigelow and The Undertaker to do your dirty work for you.

DiBIASE: I have had some problems as far as my physical condition goes. I have a neck problem that may or may not keep me out of the ring forever. That’s neither here nor there. I don’t have to get back in the ring. I love to wrestle. I proved everything I had to prove. I held every major title there was to hold. Bottom line is I’ve made all this money. Other guys are out there busting their can every night because they need the money. I don’t need money.

APTER: You’ve been wrestling all these years only for money? DiBIASE: No, I wrestled because I had something to prove back then. But what else could I want now?

APTER: Bret Hart has the WWF title.

DiBIASE: So what? I had the WWF title, too.

APTER: Sort of.

DiBIASE: Did I have it?

APTER: Yes.

DiBIASE: Case closed. I had it.

APTER: You never beat anyone for it. You bought it from Andre the Giant. Andre had the belt for less than two minutes and you were stripped almost immediately after he gave it to you.

DiBIASE: You know, Apter, you can be replaced. Move on to another subject or I’m out of here. 

APTER: You used to team with Irwin R. Schyster as Money Inc. Do you two stay in touch as he wrestles as a solo competitor now?

DiBIASE: Irwin R. handles all my financial affairs. 

[“I have a neck problem that may or may not keep me out of the ring forever. I don’t have to get back into the ring… I proved everything I had to prove. Bottom line is I’ve made all this money. “]

APTER: Are  the two of you going to team against and go after The Headshrinkers’ WWF tag team belts?

DiBIASE: Irwin knows I have no desire to climb back into the ring. He is also a wealthy man–like I am–so he’s not going to rock the boat by asking me to go after tag team belts. We have nothing to prove, as I said before. 

APTER: Your buddy has called Tatanka a “Native American embarrassment.” Do you concur with Schyster’s feelings?

DiBIASE: Irwin’s gripe with Tatanka was very simple. He levied a tax for that ridiculous set of turkey feathers Tatanka wore to the ring. 

APTER: It’s a sacred headdress!

DiBiIASE: Feathers are feathers. I have the same feathers in my pillow at home. 

[DiBiase’s corporation now includes Nikolai Volkoff (above) and struggling super heavyweight Bam Bam Bigelow (right, battling Tatanka). He hired Volkoff, who at one point was so poor that he had to bring his own food to arenas with him, and delights in humiliating him.]

APTER: What about Lex Luger’s feud with Tatanka?

DiBIASE: Lex Luger is obviously helping his good friend Irwin. I can’t blame him for doing that.

APTER: You’ve said Luger is one of your new corporation’s assets.

DiBIASE: That will become obvious to you and everyone else very soon, my boy. Next  subject.

APTER: you’ve added Bam Bam Bigelow and an Undertaker to your corporation. Are you pleased with their performances?

DiBIASE: Now that they’re with me, yes. Bigelow was wasting his time wrestling Doink the Clown and Dink. Bam Bam is one of the best technical wrestlers in the world. He’s also one of the toughest and meanest. If you think that Luna Vachon was intimidating to Bigelow’s opponents, wait till they have me standing next to Bam Bam. Regarding The Undertaker, he had to get rid of Paul Bearer to get mean and back into contention again. That’s where I came into the picture.

APTER: Is he the real Undertaker?

DiBIASE: I brought The Undertaker to the WWF the first time. He went on to win the WWF title. Why? Because of the big break I allotted him. He owes me. He is one of a kind, the original. Don’t ask me stupid questions. 

APTER: Why are these two Undertakers set to battle at SummerSlam?

DiBIASE: Because Paul Bearer is bringing in a bogus one. It’s that simple. I have assured my Undertaker that Bearer’s guy is an easy win. He won’t have any trouble with him. How dare Bearer hire an imposter! It makes me sick to discuss what Bearer has done. Why don’t you ask questions like, what’s a typical day in the life of the “Million-Dollar Man”?

[The “Million-Dollar Man” started a huge controversy in February 1988 when he purchased the WWF World title from Andre the Giant. That didn’t sit well with WWF President Jack Tunney, who stripped him of the belt. 

APTER: Okay, what’s it like?

DiBIASE: I can’t think of anything more pleasurable than sitting in the vault, surrounded by the smell of money. I love to watch the little bank peon with his little spectacles on and his funny little hat, sitting in this corner and painstakingly trying to count it all (Again, laughs hysterically.)

APTER: What about your career as a broadcaster? DO you feel you are better than Vince McMahon and Randy Savage?

DiBIASE: Yes. No doubt in my mind. I never doubt myself. You don’t spit in the wind. You don’t pull on Superman’s cape. You don’t doubt that wealth and obvious broadcasting talents of the “Million-Dollar Man.”

APTER: Anything you’d like to add before we end this interview? 

DiBIASE: Peons like you, Bill Apter, have their price for the “Million-Dollar Man.” If I want to hire you to do whatever I choose, you have your price. (Laughs hysterically and leaves the interview area.)

[argisthebulwark]

i want to share this with you, maybe you like it, maybe you dont but in my heart i’ve never stopped wanting to become a princess in the future, yknow? like fuck corporate jobs, i wanna be a princess. but im also like addicted to the whole princess becomes somewhat rogue outlaw?

okay so, bryn breaking in some rich peoples home (or maybe a castle) only to find the lass of his dreams. im picturing something like tangled, except this motherfucker would definitely kidnap someone. for shits n giggles

listen i haven't seen tangled in like a decade but the vibes are immaculate. i do not want to have a 'job' or 'responsibilities' i simply want to chill. and i DO like it so much im sorry this took forever lmao

Just imagine Brynjolf hearing that some wealthy family has bought land in the Rift and getting giddy with excitement. They've made it obvious that their intention is to clear away the crumbling remnants of an old castle and rebuild. He keeps an eye on the construction, impressed with the sheer magnitude of the structure they're building. He rarely sees the owners, only workers.

When the construction ends and they begin work on the interior his interest wanes. He knows that it takes months for wealthy people to decorate their homes. Besides, he'll see it soon enough. He merely needs to wait for them to fill it with enough valuables to keep the Guild afloat.

(nothing nsft - i just write a lot)

Every once in a while Brynjolf checks in. He watches workers laying floorboards and hanging chandeliers. Furniture and appliances are carted in. He has no clue how many people will live in the castle or why they need so much stuff. When the paintings and bookshelves are finally hung he knows that it must be almost complete.

Despite the completion of the castle he notices that it remains dark. Whispered rumors around Riften hint that the family is traveling from far away, possibly even making the long journey from Solstheim. Others claim that the family built it only to sell to another wealthy family. Brynjolf doesn't care enough for the lives of rich folk to investigate their personal lives.

Returning from an unpleasant job in Dawnstar, Brynjolf is exhausted. His feet dragging and pack too light he's dreading the hopeful eyes of those waiting in the Cistern. Just as he's formulating the speech to explain the situation something catches his eye - there, flickering in the distance. The castle's curtains are thrown open and candles cast shadows upon the manicured lawn below.

Before he realizes what he's doing Brynjolf is crouched in the shadows of the castle's hedges. He's eyeing the broad windows and watching overdressed bodies squeeze in and out of view. The owners must be celebrating their arrival with every member of Skyrim's upper class.

They hardly hired any guards around the place. Brynjolf spots a few well-dressed employees that seem more focused on checking invitations than watching for thieves. His heart's in his throat when he scoots into the silence of the back garden.

The castle is large and spindly but one tower stands a few feet above the rest. It has to be their vault. The windows on this tower are thrown open but the lights are low, as if not wanting to draw attention. Brynjolf is grateful to the sharp new stones as he clambers his way up the side of the tower.

Sweat beading on his brow, Brynjolf grasps one last ledge. Voices float up from the garden but he doesn't waste his time - if they'd spotted him their tone wouldn't be so relaxed. A balcony at the tower's peak blocks the pesky moonlight from illuminating his hurried hop into the tower.

The staircase winds upward into the darkness. Sconces along the walkway are unlit and his footsteps are silent on the polished steps. His heart races with every step and Brynjolf finds himself envisioning what awaits at the top - chests full of gems and coin, jewelry if he's lucky. He's calculating how much space is left in his pack when he comes across the final door.

It's firmly shut. No visible locks but it doesn't budge - must be locked from the inside. Had he missed another entrance? The staircase winding up to the peak makes it impossible for a ladder to be hidden somewhere and he doubts that any of the nobles laughing and eating in the main hall are able to scale the walls.

The rational part of his mind urges him to return to the Cistern emptyhanded and create a viable plan but morbid curiosity leads to a quiet knock on the door. He waits, shocked to hear locks sliding open one by one.

"I already told you, I'm not interested in your pathetic suitors!"

When the door is wrenched open, Brynjolf is stunned. The most beautiful woman he's ever seen is glaring at him with enough venom to kill. Her fingers tap impatiently on the door as if waiting for his explanation.

"Well?" She prompts, voice sharp. "Which one sent you?"

"What?" Did she think he was from the Dark Brotherhood?

"Was it my mother or father?"

"No one." He answers curtly, ignoring the way his heart races. Surely it's from the panic of getting caught and has nothing to do with the woman glowering at him. Brynjolf pointedly ignores the way her face softens when she eyes him, noticing his attire.

"I heard the Thieves Guild was based in the Rift." Her head tilts and Brynjolf's heart skips at her words. "I didn't think you'd be so quick considering the state of your group."

"You're wrong, lass." Brynjolf lies through his teeth, surprised when she finally smiles at him.

"Oh good." She steps aside as if welcoming him. "I think we could help one another."

"How?" Brynjolf is careful, never looking away from her in case she's a threat. It has absolutely nothing to do with the alluring way she spoke or her nimble fingers braiding hair out of her face.

"I've been trapped with my family for ages." She mutters, tossing her robe aside to reveal basic clothing unlike those downstairs. "Not literally, of course, but socially. I'm chaperoned and shown off to every unmarried man on the continent with enough coin to his name. If I hadn't locked myself up here they'd be parading me around to whoever owns land in the Rift."

A nasty, jealous feeling leaves Brynjolf unsettled. He doesn't even know her name but dislikes the thought of her being treated like some animal to be sold off. He already knows he's going to agree to whatever she proposes when she faces him again, eyes full of hope.

"How can we help each other?" His voice remains neutral despite the excited fluttering in his chest.

"My parents are terrified of the Thieves Guild. Scared enough that if their eldest daughter were kidnapped I'm sure they'd pay a handsome fee to get her back."

"Sounds more like the Brotherhood or even some of the bandits." His attraction to her battles against the instinct to protect the Guild's failing image. "Thieves don't generally kidnap, lass."

"Then teach me to be a thief." She grins at him and Brynjolf knows she's won. "I can't stay here and rot in this tower or be married off to someone I hardly know."

"I'll keep you around if you're helpful." Brynjolf grumbles and savors the way her arms fling around his neck, treating her kidnapper like a savior.

"Okay!" She bounces to her desk, digging around until she finds some parchment. "Would you like to write the ransom note or shall I?"

[unfortunate17]

Ooo so what fics have you been imagining exactly??

Right now, I’ve gone down the Wilmon/Young Royals hole when it comes to fics so that’s what I’ll talk about here. There are SO MANY things I want to write/read in this fandom, but some of the headcanons have been stronger than others and there’s too many for them all to be written. Anyway, without further ado:

1. I want to explore how Wilmon’s sexual dynamic changes after the video gets published. This fic would be canon compliant and take place after a lot of the events of the series have shaken out and Wilmon finally have the chance to just be. Except now they have so much time and sometimes, when you have a lot of time, things Simon’s been ignoring start to come out of the woodwork. Namely - everyone on the internet has seen him have sex. When the video first came out, while Wilhelm totally shut out the world, I want Simon to have watched it back over and over and over again, picking himself apart and drowning in the embarrassment and regret of it all. I want it so that he feels exposed now whenever he’s intimate, doesn’t want Wilhelm to get him off, doesn't want Wilhelm to even look at him, wants to be in control, and is deeply, deeply unhappy. I have this vision of the ending where Simon would finally relax again, allow himself to be vulnerable, and Wilhelm would take over with a kind of there you are, I’ve got you kind of vibe.

2. Another exploration of Simon’s arc as Wilhelm grows out of his anxiety with the support of therapy and age and friends/family. I have this line rattling around in my brain: Simon has always held a fundamental belief that Wilhelm’s hurt runs deeper than his own, that his pain is somehow more important than his own. Throughout the series, Simon takes great pride in being able to take care of or protect people, often to his own detriment. He likes being needed. And I don’t think he truly understands the difference between being needed and being wanted. As Wilhelm starts to stand on his own feet and rely less and less on Simon for emotional stability, I want Simon to feel the conflicted horror of realizing that he doesn’t want Wilhelm to get better - because what if he doesn’t need Simon anymore then? What purpose would he have in Wilhelm’s life? What if he is unwanted?

3. (I think I’m going to write this next maybe): Wilhelm is a student at Hillerska, a secretive, expensive boarding school for mutant teenagers, loosely based off of the X-Men comics. I want him to have Storm’s powers of controlling the weather/having the weather reflect his mood. While he’s at Hillerska, he meets Simon, who has seemingly no powers. Mutants are a secret to the rest of the world, and Simon says he’s basically only there because his sister is a mutant (she can talk to animals) and it would be safer for the sake of the secret and if they both boarded at Hillerska. Wille has never seen such an exception made, but he’s not about to question it because he fucking adores having Simon around. They fall for eachother slowly but surely, but Simon keeps pulling away, like he’s afraid. Long story short, Simon does have a power - a very rare one - hint hint, Rogue is my favorite character.

4. (Or maybe I’ll finish this one first instead of the super hero one) I want a fic mainly just for the dynamic of Simon getting a whiplash of Wille’s personality HAHA and I’ve never written an office romance before sooo. Wilhelm would be in some position of corporate power, a senior partner at some firm, a director somewhere etc. And he definitely only got this position because of his family connections. While he’s good at his job, he’s a little too young and a little too inexperienced to have actually worked his way up there. Simon joins in an entry-level position and he’s shocked to learn that his skip level leader is his age but when the CEO says that Wille is her son, it all starts to come together. It also doesn’t help that Wilhelm is a bit detached and uncaring as a people leader but Simon doesn’t have room to complain, he really needs to keep this job so he shuts his mouth and puts his head down. His manager, August, might potentially be worse than Simon - he keeps taking credit for other people’s work and while Simon often takes no shit, again he really needs this fucking job. Eventually, one day, Wilhelm comes over to speak to him and to Simon’s shock, he asks him out. All of Simon’s friends tell Simon not to go, that Wille is likely just using him, but Simon is too fucking curious for his own good and Wille’s easy on the eyes so he does - and it turns out that Wilhelm is actually the nicest person ever? LOL

5. (this is not going to be like, irl accurate but idc) A really angsty/melo-dramatic fic that’s summed up with: If this is their happily ever after, why aren’t they happy? I want Wilmon to be married, but for Wilhelm to remain Crown Prince. Simon absolutely loathes royal life, but he loves Wilhelm. And Wilhelm still feels a strong sense of guilt induced duty, especially now that he’s been allowed to keep Simon at his side. Still, some days he feels as though he can barely bear it. One day, they have a blow-up argument about something trivially silly and Simon goes back to his mom’s house for a few weeks to cool off. He tells Wille that he needs to reevaluate their relationship and their priorities and Wilhelm doesn’t think he’s ever been as cold as he is at that moment. The main problem is that the things that Simon hates about their life cannot be fixed - whether or not Wilhelm abdicates, he will be hounded for the rest of his life, he will never be allowed to live in a normal apartment, he will always need to have security, and the press will only become more invasive. Simon had once said that Wilhelm was worth it, but now Wilhelm’s not so sure that Simon means it anymore. Security follows Simon back to Bjarstad, where unbeknownst to Simon, they keep sending Wilhelm updates on his whereabouts and doings. Wilhelm wants them to stop, but he also misses Simon like a missing limb, so he doesn’t say anything even if he knows it's wrong. Pretty soon, Wille is looking at pictures of Simon laughing in restaurants and playing soccer out on the old field and volunteering at the local church. And despite all the benefits of Wilhelm’s wealth and power and privilege that they both have enjoyed over the years, the sentiment that Wilhelm has ruined Simon’s life has never felt more real.

[astrolaurical]

Hey

It's the same girl who asked about your opinion on my 10 year old cousin thinking Jungkook will marry her

I just wanted to ask

Is it normal that Every ARMY(some non-ARMYs too) around me thinks that someone from BTS gonna marry them? Or is it just people around me???

Everyone are delulu omg😭

I have too many stories about these girls

I (forcefully) checked what they were talking about and checked your Tumblr and I was so thankful someone was normal. I almost thought Everyone were like that

And Yes I told her to stay in School

I think everyone has a secret fantasy about marrying their favorite celebrity. That’s why celebrities and idols exist and why boy bands are so successful. I’m really showing my age but omg the frenzy in the 90s and early 2000s around NYSNC and The Backstreet Boys and Britney Spears?? Unparalleled. Then in the late 2000s we saw it again with Justin Bieber and One Direction. The Josie and Pussycats film (SLAY) makes fun of the entertainment industry the entire movie by even parodying boyband obsession, product placements, and the trend cycles. The movie went over so many peoples’ heads when it was released so it bombed at the box office but it’s a cult classic for a reason. Highly recommend to watch!!! Also aging myself again by admitting I had both the dvd AND soundtrack as kid bc the songs are bangers. Honestly the 90s-2000s in general just rocked. This is the only meme I have of the film but see the product placement and the mockery of boy bands? Genius.

The 1D documentary is a perfect example of the boy band frenzy that JATP film was mocking bc they even had a small scene where they had a neuroscientist or someone similar in that profession (I haven’t seen the movie in a few years so I’m not 100% sure but I was a hardcore 1d stan and have the dvd bc their live vocals honestly slap. Their concert cover of teenage dirtbag in the movie?? Still waiting for the actual recording bc chefs kiss). Anyway the neuroscientist was saying that corporations/ music companies have these formulas to create the perfect idol down to a t after studying the phenomenons of rabid Beatles and Elvis fans in the 50/60s. It has to do with the happiness chemicals in the brain. Combine those with good looks and music? You can’t help but fall in love. The entertainment industry then purposely directs their carefully molded artists to vulnerable audiences (preteens, teens, women) because they will buy more products. Casey Aonso (another fellow 1d stan wassup girl) YouTube video describes their XFactor era HILARIOUSLY. War flashbacks. The clips about HOW BAD each individual one direction members auditions were but you could see the $$$ in the judges eyes bc the boys were good looking and you could tel the judges were plotting how to sell the boys good looks. And they did.

And boy do we know that formula works. Hybe overprices bts products on Weverse shop and y’all eat it up and sell it out every time. $200 for a REPACKAGED cd. Weren’t they selling like a $1000 product recently? But even Jin had to be like “nah for my Astronaut comeback yall not gonna be selling hella expensive pajama pants like last time tho. We don’t price gouge in this house”. All hail jin.

I’ve talked a lot about parasocial relationships and media training, etc. While I think it’s fine to have a secret fantasy about marrying *insert celebrity crush name here*, I think it’s important to realize it’s a FANTASY. Fun to think about and daydream to, but NOT REALISTIC when trying to plan a future around or with. Go play the childhood game of MASH or make a SIMS family with Jungkook as your husband. That’s fine and normal. But don’t be going around telling people he’s your boyfriend. That’s delusion. I’ve included a perfect real life example of healthy young fangirling in the tags.

EDIT JUNE 11 2023:

I happened to come across this tik tok video yesterday that also explains delusion and obsession. I think it applies to “fangirling” especially well. TW for trauma.

[greylockkey]

It’s also horrifying that sometimes this person is an intern and sometimes that intern is me.

I worked for a production company for 3 consecutive summers while doing school during the rest of the year. And over those 3 summers the entire Quality department crumbled and rebuilt around me.

First summer, I was hired as a lab assistant for product testing to do the daily grunt work of testing so that the actual full time lab tech (J) could work on some other things. This is all well and good until at the end of my FIRST WEEK the Quality manager puts in her 2 weeks and the entire department (of like 5 people, it’s not a large operation lol) has to get restructured to compensate. By the end of my first 3 weeks at the company, J is the new Quality manager despite not wanting the position at all, and I am now the sole lab tech. I’m told to just focus on getting the daily testing done and not to worry about anything else because I’m still New(tm). Well, I was generally able to get the daily testing done by like 2pm depending on how many lots we did that day, so I started working on those side projects that J was supposed to be doing. This requires me to learn a whole lot about the production side of things really quickly so I absorb a whole bunch of information on how the place runs. They eventually hire a new full time lab tech (C) who won’t be leaving for school in 1.5 months and I train him up to be able to do everything required of the lab. Then I go back to school.

Second summer, I am hired back in the lab primarily to do the side projects, but it’s decided when I get there that I’ll split the projects and daily work 50/50 with C so that he is at least somewhat involved with more than the bare minimum of his job requirements. I get intimately familiar with the production, quality, and purchasing procedures because some of these side projects involve reviewing and updating Standard Operating Procedures where necessary, and I end up asking a whole lot of people a whole lot of questions about what it is exactly that they do. The summer passes mostly uneventfully and I leave with the knowledge that they are looking for a new Quality manager to replace J because he never wanted the position in the first place and really just wants to get back to being a lab tech. The regulatory requirements of dealing with government agencies really just doesn’t suit him. Then I leave for school.

Third summer there and shit has hit the fan. The new Quality manager (K) was hired in November, and by midway through April she has hired a new lab tech (A), fired both J and C, and hired a second new lab tech (R). Also during this time, the purchasing manager (V) has switched departments so he’s in Production instead of Quality. So the entire institutional knowledge of How Things Work in the lab dates back about 5 months when I come back with my 8 months worth of actually working there, and 2 years of process development knowledge (since I’ve seen the company grow between the summers I was there). This summer, however, I was not hired back into the lab, but as a general quality assistant, and my primary focus was supposed to be migrating our systems from a local server to a cloud server.

Note how I said SUPPOSED TO because this was not in fact my primary focus. K would like to believe it was, but really I was fielding questions from every department (production, quality, logistics, finance, warehouse) because people learned very early on that K was a raging bitch who was trying to run this very blue collar family owned production facility like it was a corporate white collar office. K liked to use all of the corporate buzzwords that made the CEO, COO, and CFO very happy, but really just didn’t actually tell people what was going on. Case in point, she hadn’t told anyone that I was going to be migrating the servers and deleting things off the local drives. I got a lot of angry emails about people wondering where the hell core documents had been going and how to access them on the new servers because K hadn’t actually told anyone we were doing this or how the new system even worked.

I also spent all summer trying to train the new lab techs because while they were able to do the daily testing, it was taking them both all day to do it so they didn’t have time to do literally anything else. Again note the key word of TRYING, because K wouldn’t let me train them unless I trained her beforehand and she was never available to be trained. She had a very bad habit of disappearing into the aether the second someone needed her. And outside of training people, she had banned me from the lab, so I couldn’t even step in to help on high production days, and the lab just got further and further behind.

Then K fired A, the lab tech who had technically been there the longest, because A had been asking too many questions about the legality of some of the things going on, though K just told us that she “wasn’t a good fit for the team”. (I had access to K’s email to field the aforementioned angry questions from the other departments, and to deal with customer complaints and I saw the email chain about her reasons for firing A with the COO). So we were back down to a single lab tech and I was still mostly banned from the lab. Some of the equipment in that lab is older than me and required some very finicky, very regular calibrations in order to operate somewhat accurately, and K wasn’t allowing me to go in and teach R how to do those calibrations so the numbers were just slowly drifting from what they were supposed to be reading.

I was also the one collecting all of the documentation for the federal and international audits we were having that year to re-certify the fact that we are allowed to sell product, as well as all of the documentation necessary to switch to a new standardization program. I’m genuinely not sure what the hell K did the entire time I was there beyond fire the last remaining old Quality member (who had been there for 7 ish years) as well as all of our maintenance staff all at once, and hiring people who were entirely unfamiliar with our old as shit production systems that required constant fixing and leaving no way to train them because all 3 previous maintenance guys were gone within a week of each other.

I left at the end of that summer with no intention of going back no matter how much money they offered me because they needed to get their shit together so that a SUMMER STUDENT was not the longest term worker in that department. By the end of it I had full admin rights to absolutely every system and was answering everyone’s questions because K was doing fuck all to actually run the Quality team and communicate with the rest of the company. I have no clue how they’re doing without me, but I’m graduating this year and am going to be looking for a job in my actual field. And you bet your ass that I will be putting every possible spin on my resume to reflect the amount of work and effort I put into that company because I swear to god by the end of that third summer I was the real Quality manager, not K.

I’ve got more stories from that hellish third summer too. This isn’t even half of it.

i think this is probably true of every office, but there's a middle aged woman working in business who doesn't hold any particular place in the chain of command but is Sovereign. i was running support and she has access to more secure network drives than i do. im pretty sure she has an admin account. i was having trouble with my parking pass and my boss just said to talk to kristen- one day later i had parking in any garage on campus. she's not even in charge of parking in our building

[sheblogstoo]

𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰: 𝗕𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗬𝗲𝘁

Here are seven realizations I earned this year:

𝟭. 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲

This year, I achieved something I once thought impossible: I fully paid off a 180-sqm lot and began building a house for my family. It was a daunting goal, but I realized that progress doesn’t require perfection—it only requires starting. Even if you feel unprepared, small steps forward add up. One day, you’ll look back and realize you made things possible despite the odds.

𝟮. 𝗟𝗲𝘁 𝗴𝗼 𝗼𝗳 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂

One of my hardest but most freeing decisions this year was to leave a company with a good reputation mainly ecause it didn't pay me what I know I deserved. Despite its prestige, it wasn’t aligned with my long-term happiness. I’ve learned that no job title, paycheck, or external validation can substitute for inner peace. Now, I am grateful for my job that allows me to take ownership of my work, no micromanagement, and pays me well.

𝟯. 𝗡𝗼 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗹𝗮𝗱𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀

I’ve let go of the need to climb the corporate ladder. Recognitions are nice, but I’ve realized that I don’t need a job to define me—I just need it to support the life I want to live. Success is no longer about status; it’s about having the freedom to prioritize what truly matters. Okay na ako sa trabahong kahit hindi managerial o leadership basta may flexibility— like pwedeng matulog during shift o mag time-in/out anytime I want.

𝟰. 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳-𝗱𝗼𝘂𝗯𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗷𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

For so long, impostor syndrome followed me like a shadow, whispering that I wasn’t enough. But this year, I’ve started to shed those insecurities. I’ve seen my capabilities firsthand, and I’m slowly learning to trust in my skills and contributions. Growth doesn’t happen overnight, but every step away from self-doubt is a progress, and I am still a work in progress.

𝟱. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹

I’ve come to understand that people must take responsibility for their emotions. If someone has an issue with me, it’s their responsibility to communicate it. I no longer exhaust myself trying to fix misunderstandings or navigate mind games. Life is too short to carry burdens that aren’t mine to bear.

𝟲. 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝘂𝗺𝗮 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗲𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂

The weight of past traumas felt lighter this year—not because they disappeared, but because I’ve grown stronger. Maturity has helped me carry those burdens with more grace and less resentment. Healing isn’t about erasing the pain; it’s about building resilience to live beyond it. I also realized na ang laking bagay talaga na may support system ka.

𝟳. 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗻𝘂𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗱𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻

This year, I’ve come to value relationships that feel mutual. The people who matter most don’t demand something from you constantly—they simply enjoy your presence. I’ve learned to invest in connections where I’m celebrated for who I am, not what I can offer.

To you who are reading, may your household have no illness, no funerals, and may your table never run out of food to serve. Happy New Year!

[doctorwhonerdadi3]

Ranking Doctor Who Episodes from Series 1

I’ve previously claimed that Christopher Eccleston is my favourite doctor, and most of that is due to nostalgia. But let’s look back at his series and do a bit of a dive into which episodes I like and why.

There are 13 episodes in this series, but for the sake of my rankings I will be counting 2 parters as 1 episode, meaning there are 10 rankings in this video.

That being said, let's begin.

Number 10: The Long game

The Long Game is hated amongst most of the Whovians for a few reasons.

So humans are on a spaceship with no aliens around, even though they're not banned. They broadcast the news from their head and it is all run by the Bad Wolf Corporation.

Despite having Simon Pegg in this episode, it is just kind of low par.

And I really dislike Adam in this episode.

Number 9: Aliens of London/ World War Three

The Slytheen family aren't that bad. They just have a simple sense of humour. They're supposed to be a bit of fun.

These episodes provide us with Jackie slapping the Doctor, and Mickey saving the day. He really proved his worth.

Rose just trusts the Doctor whole heartedly in this episode, but we are reminded that she is just a kid.

Number 8: Rose

Despite being the episode that brought back Doctor Who, it is a bit subpar to the other episodes in this list.

It was nice to see the autons as a villain but some of the special effects in this episode were bad even for the 2000s (Auton Mickey).

Rose saved the day in this episode claiming she's got no A Levels, no future etc. It was a nice speech but in the end all she did was Tarzan swing at the doctor and then he literally had to catch her. At least it worked?

Number 7: The End of the World

This is a series which definately builds and gets better throughout the most part.

The End of the World is sweet. That's pretty much all I can say about it. I liked Jabe, but she died.

A lot of people died in this episode.

Also, Rose really comes across as racist in this episode. Then again I think she is also homophobic (as seen in the Empty Child and the Doctor Dances when Jack goes to flirt with the guard).

Not much to say about this episode. It's sad that no one saw the planet die. And I like Cassandra.

Number 6: The Unquiet Dead

This is the episode which is classed as the Christmas special in this season, even though it came out in March. It's set at Christmas and features Charles Dickens.

I enjoy the characters in this episode and the plot. It's a sweet episode.

It is also the first episode where we see Rose and the Doctor as true companions, holding hands and ready to face death together.

Number 5: Father's Day

This is probably what would happen if you took a 19 year old travelling through time and space. She'd want to save her dad.

I think this episode is rather dark. The Doctor and Rose argue a fair bit, and then the Doctor dies.

It is nice that it's not Rose or the Doctor who saves the day. It's an ordinary man, Pete Tyler, being brave.

Number 4: Bad Wolf/ The Parting of Ways

A great finale.

The Daleks are back.

The Anne Droid.

Jack.

What more can you want? Plus, this being Eccleston's last couple of episodes, it means a lot.

His 'No' speech is amazing. His speech about being Fantastic is brilliant.

My only problem with this is it dated itself a little bit. Yeah Big Brother has come back now, but it's not the same as it was back in 2005.

Number 3: Boom Town

There is one person in this episode that annoys me, and that is Mickey. He asks to spend time with Rose, asks her to get a hotel room and basically hints that he wants to jump on the bed and do the bad thing- and then he tells her he's seeing Trisha Delany and that by being with Rose he's cheating on the girl from the shop.

The scene with the teleport is funny.

Jack brings out a darker side to the Doctor. The Doctor says no to taking Blon (Margret) to dinner, but as soon as Jack says he can electrocute her, he's suddenly down for it.

It's overall, just a really well acted episode, and I enjoy watching it.

Number 2: Dalek

My sister told me that her first memory of Doctor Who was seeing Adam and Rose on the stairs, and Adam is mocking the Dalek for not being able to get up them, just for it to say "Elevate" and start levitating.

This episode is brilliantly written.

And it's the first time we hear "You would make a good Dalek" and it actually means something.

Number 1: The Empty Child/ The Doctor Dances

Are you my mummy?

These episodes are terrifying and wholesome both at the same time.

The winner in this 2 parter is love.

The speech about everyone living is great, and the woman who says her leg has grown back makes for a funny little gag.

We are intoduced to Captain Jack in this episode.

Plus, Colin Baker (the 6th Doctor) claims that these two episodes of Doctor who are his favourite. (He said this on a panel at London Comic Con).

So what do you think of my list? Do you agree? Let me know. As always, remember this list is just opinion based and you are entitled to your own opinion.

Stay wibbly wobbly guys!

[daisiesforkate]

College is a tool for class consciousness.

This is a conversation post. I want to have my mind changed on this.

Recently I’ve heard a lot of discourse about how college is a waste of money and doesn’t even matter and it has me truly baffled.

Personal background:

-My mom was a private school teacher so I was able to attend good boarding schools my whole life at almost no cost.

-I graduated college with a stem degree, which I was able to attend because my great grandmother paid some of my tuition before she died (I still had to take some loans and graduated with debt).

-I grew up in a liberal community that emphasized political activism and education.

-I am politically on the left, definitely the most left-leaning of my family and many of my friends, and consider myself to be pretty good about keeping up with sociopolitical goings-on.

ISSUE:

(I use “they” to refer to both the ruling and working classes here, so if it’s confusing anywhere just lmk)

The main arguments I hear are that A) college is too expensive and B) college is a waste of money because jobs don’t pay better if you have a degree.

A is totally fair, if you can’t afford it you can’t afford it. That’s not your fault and shouldn’t be held against you. I have no problem with this.

B is crazy to me. In a time when a mirror is being held up to society and the unique place that class holds as a socioeconomic marker is under examination, where is this mentality coming from? Like, the ruling class would LOVE for us to not be educated. They would kick their feet and giggle like schoolgirls if the working class decided to say “f school”. Like??? And people don’t want to be college-educated because jobs don’t pay that much more, but isn’t that also playing into the classist structure? Isn’t that the point? Yeah, they don’t pay more bc they don’t think a degree should be *for* you. It’s discouraging because it’s intended to be discouraging for anyone except other rich people. Like aren’t people who say B essentially saying “I have decided to make my life revolve around work and I do not care about furthering myself for anything unless it benefits the corporate world for me to do so”? Because, to me, they’re implying that if their job paid more to be more educated *then* they would go to college. I understand money is a big issue, but if for nothing else then is education for the sake of personal improvement not a good enough thing in the long run?

I wanted to go to the women’s march in DC in 2016, but I couldn’t because of school and my mom told me “education is our rebellion”, and I can’t wrap my head around why education of the working class is no longer seen as a tool for change or this great act of “sticking it to the man” and “getting up when they push you down” and whatnot. ESPECIALLY in a time when social activism is so prevalent and classism is being put under the microscope like this. Wouldn’t this be the exact period in history where we would expect to be seeing *more* education? It feels like we’re giving the ruling class exactly what they want since keeping people uneducated is a tool that they’ve used throughout history as a method of quelling social movements. And so often the same people who say college is a waste are also lamenting how politically/socially illiterate people have become, especially in regard to the news cycle. Higher education is how you combat that, is it not? Like a “using their own system against them” sorta thing. Shouldn’t we be saying “if you can’t afford it then don’t go, but if you **can** afford it then you should”? Shouldn’t there be a whole education-uprising or something?

If I heard more discussion about reorganizing the college structure or solutions that make college not “a waste of money” I would be totally down for those. But all I’m hearing is throwing the baby out with the bath water, it seems, and just giving up on the whole college system? I really don’t understand why.

This issue makes me feel like I’m misunderstanding something about classism and this is when I go and try to find out what it is I’m not getting. I feel like there is a gap in my understanding of the current social situation that I want to fill.

[ihavenothingtodo10220]

100% accurate with the way you said abt the therapist friend or the person whos always the extra earpiece. it feels like people want others in their lives but only for their own benefit bit like how people have kids even tho the world isnt really suitable for them so what do they do? have kids anyway and be like ehhh tell their gremlins to just suck it up as though older generations arent responsible for anything but then again no ones accountable so what does it matter anymore? ~ common sense anon.

Exactly. Like, the amount of times I was the third earpiece or the go between in basically everyone’s lives was exhausting as shit. And again I agree with your statement about having kids when the world isn’t suitable. Like, I get wanting to have a family and settle down and raise a kid, and if your situation means you can have one all the power to you, but people with those particular situations are growing to be less and less. And then I hate when people lord it over their kids heads like “Oh I gave birth to you.” That was a choice you made and something they have no control over. And I love what you said about ‘gremlins’ because honestly that’s what a majority Gen alpha is becoming. Not as if it’s their fault, but parents nowadays are shitty as fuck parents. I’m not saying my parents were perfect or parents in my generation were perfect, but at least the way they raised us was…Raising us, albeit with a lot of spankings which I’m not about to get into. But nowadays people don’t even want to raise their kids or have any punishments for them verbal or not. Like they just give them an iPad and let them walk all over them and do whatever they want. Again, this isn’t the kids fault and I’m not trying to be that person like “Oh kids nowadays are so disrespectful.” Like I have two baby cousins, sweetest kids ever, I love them to bits. Their father is a good dad, (albeit with corporal punishment which…Again we’re not getting into) and working long shifts so they’re with the mom most of the time, but their mom lets them do whatever the hell they want and run wild. Like I’ve seen them do crazy ass shit only for her to laugh it off or try and tell them not to only for them to walk all over her and for her to just let them. Like there’s a difference between gentle parenting and letting your kid run wild as a menace. When he’s around family and she isn’t he’s so sweet and articulate and well-behaved. He even listens well. But when she’s around? He runs wild and tears stuff up and my house and some furniture is STILL damaged from how much of a menace he was, albeit he’s mellowed out. He also tried to throw himself over the banister and she just wasn’t there because she left him unattended with me and the rest of his cousins who didn’t even really know we were supposed to be watching him. Also I just remembered this but he can’t go to daycare and stuff because he’s not potty trained. He’s about to be like six this year. And he still wears diapers. And lies about them being full and his mom just goes along with what he says even though we can smell it and see the sag.

All and all everything’s going to shit.

[m4tinnn]

Question 2

As a person who loves being creative and the world of creativity - This course that I’m in is the right place for me. I’m a person who loves digital to tactile and the various forms of art and design. From branding/marketing works and design communication to the art style of painting, Linocut, Screen print to even video formats and even sewing. I’ve been exposed to all various types of creativity and I have interest in all of them.

I do feel like I’m lucky to have this burning passion for being in the creative world as not many people love this space especially here in Singapore. Currently I'm taking my diploma in Design Communications and I’m left with 1 year and half in this course. I love it as the different modules shape me as a better designer but also someone who loves being creative. 

I would love to be an established designer in the upcoming years - Being in a design firm whether it being a corporate company just to start off to hopefully a design agency or a studio such as Practice.Theory - Foreign Policy Design or even go more of the tactile/illustration studio route such as Knuckles & Knotch any many more! 

Here are some of my current works! From school projects and also personal work!

Health Hub  - Mental Health Campaign 2022

This was a campaign by the Health Promotion Board in 2022. Their campaign was about raising awareness about the rise of Mental Health in Singapore. By having videos, social media ads to posters plastered all over Singapore, they got to raise the stigma of how important Mental Health is in this day and age of life.

The different stories in the posters are inspired by real stories that teenagers and the young generation faced in their lives in the modern age. How the different colours & characters represent the different stories and what they are about.

Personally I’ve seen the video ads and also saw the actual poster’s as seen from the picture I took. I’m glad that the government is finally realising how Mental Health is very important and how it’s a big issue in the modern day that we live in. I would say for the younger generation, this campaign definitely helps us a lot. It helps to be knowledgeable about the topic and what are the things we can do if we have friends/family facing these issues. However…

I do feel like this is still not enough for the older generation. There's still a big stigma about Mental Health and everything about this topic. Other than online & public awareness, There should be brochures around the country or be in the newspaper assuming the older generation still reads them.

Other ways could be organising a real life campaign doing different activities from talks to group counselling and such. Maybe having an annual event on the day of Mental Health day every 10th October making it free for all citizens to attend. Having this stigma more aware for the older generation.

Us as designers can communicate with the people around the basics by just having posters all over the island and raising awareness with the different social issues - Mental Health being one as I’ve shared. There's so many more campaigns held by the government so far such as the kindness campaign but there are also campaigns held by people having their own petition such as abolishing the death penalty any many more. 

580 Words

MLA Reference :

“Practice Theory.” Practice-Theory-2023, practicetheory.com.sg. Accessed 16 Nov. 2023.

Policy, Foreign. “Coming Soon | Foreign Policy.” Foreignpolicy.design, foreignpolicy.design.

Knuckles & Notch | Knuckles & Notch Is a Risograph Printing and Publishing Studio. We Provide Riso-Printing Service and Operates as a Retail Shop for Art-Books, Prints and Merchandizes.knucklesandnotch.com. Accessed 16 Nov. 2023.

“Seeking-Support.” Www.healthhub.sg, www.healthhub.sg/programmes/mindsg/seeking-support. Accessed 16 Nov. 2023.

[video-production-leeds]

Meet The Shot Blast Media Team: Our Favourite Movies

The Shot Blast Media team are a small, experienced and captivated team who are incredibly passionate about bringing creativity to the video production industry. In this blog , you will learn about the team’s favourite movies, why they enjoy working in the video production industry, and a little bit more about their career background! Lotty Wiltshaw , Director, formed Shot Blast Media in 2012 with one purpose in mind: to produce corporate videos that would go above and beyond a simple portrayal of what her clients do. Lotty specialises in creative storytelling by using a multitude of skills acquired over a career which spans many years in video creation & production. Lotty’s previous years of experience working across Television Production for the BBC has also helped push her creative production skills forward as Director at Shot Blast Media. When she’s not working, she loves adventures. Lotty is always looking for a new city or country to explore, taking in the scenery, enjoying the food and getting involved with the local arts and music, as well as spending quality time with her family. What is your favourite film? My favourite film is Shawshank Redemption. It’s a fantastic story. Very moving with compelling characters and sends out a message of hope. Well written, well acted and well filmed too. All round perfect movie in my eyes. What do you like about working in the video production industry? We get to tell lots of stories, our own and other peoples whilst getting behind the scenes of businesses and seeing things we don’t often get to see. That’s exciting! Steph Taylor , Sales & Business Development Manager, has more than 14 years of experience working across sales and business development in a variety of large corporations, such as Experian and Virgin Pulse. Steph joined Shot Blast Media in 2023, and works towards promoting our video production packages and other popular video services. What is your favourite film? My favourite film is Shawshank redemption because the story is gripping yet heartwarming. The main character alongside Morgan Freeman works so well and I love a happy ending. I do enjoy a good underdog story so my second favourite is Erin Brockovich. What do you like about working in the video production industry? Early days into my experience here at SBM, I enjoy supporting companies to bring their products and culture to life via video production. Video’s tell the story so well, bringing creativity and personality together. Short, snappy and engaging!! David Mead , Camera Operator and Editor, is an accomplished and innovative filmmaker with 20 years of experience, specialising in video editing, camera operating and directing. He has been working with Shot Blast Media for the past 6 years, bringing to life every client brief, from script to screen projects of all shapes and sizes. What is your favourite film? I hate this question! So lets put a spin on it, what’s the 1 desert island disc I would take… The Simpsons Season 5. The peak of the golden era! I’ve seen all these episodes countless times, the opening 5 episodes are all 10/10, it’s hard to find another 5 in a row this good. Homer’s Barbershop Quartet, Cape Feare, Homer Goes to College, Rosebud and the best, Treehouse of Horror IV, including the segment Terror at 5 and half feet, where a Gremlin attacks the school bus. This was the inspiration for a short film I made with a puppet and CGI Gremlin a few years ago called Turn Around When Possible, which had over 2 million views. Go check it out! This series also includes my favourite all time episode. Boy Scoutz ‘n the Hood. I could recite the entire script for you if you wanted. It’s just one hilarious gag after another. Homer is in fine form. GET ME 700 KRUSTY BURGERS! The Simpsons in general has always been one of my favourite things to watch (only season 3-9, that story is for a different day). Huge sense of nostalgia with every watch. Themes of family values mixed with a bit over the top mayhem with countless brilliant characters is just bliss. What do you like about working in the video production industry? Going to all sorts of places and meeting all sorts of people. Every week is different which keeps everyone on their toes. I’ve travelled to places far and wide across the UK, Europe and North America on projects. Places I would have never gone doing another job. Getting to use new equipment is always fun and finding ways to make each project better than the last. Maddy Goddard , Marketing Executive, works to bring creativity to Shot Blast Media’s social channels. She graduated from the University of Leeds in 2021 with a degree in Film, Photography and Media, and her years of experience in the marketing industry means she is ideally focused on brand awareness and lead generation for the business. Maddy previously worked in Marketing for various recruitment firms across Leeds, and was extremely excited to start her role within her dream industry; video production. What is your favourite film? I would have to say that Madagascar is my favourite film. Madagascar 2 is a pretty close second though… It’s my go-to film on my birthday and it never fails to make me laugh. I also cannot wait to watch the stage musical of Madagascar soon…. Some may say that this is a kids film, however these people would be WRONG. What do you like about working in the video production industry? I have wanted to work in the video industry since I was in school, so it’s fantastic that I’ve been able to fulfil that dream. I absolutely love working in this industry. There is something different happening every week and I’ve learnt a whole bunch of new filmmaking skills since working at Shot Blast Media. Byron Sheldon , Camera Operator and Editor, joined Shot Blast Media after finishing his Bachelor’s degree in Filmmaking from Leeds Beckett University in 2022. Byron focuses on working on the company’s monthly video subscription service, in which he films and edits unique and memorable videos for a range of businesses across Yorkshire. What is your favourite film? Hot Fuzz holds a special place in my heart, and it’s no surprise why. I’m a massive fan of the dynamic duo, Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. Their comedic brilliance and on-screen chemistry have never failed to put a smile on my face! And let’s not forget the icing on the cake – Edgar Wright, the genius director behind this cinematic gem. Here’s a fun tidbit about me: When I was younger, I dreamt of joining the police force! And that’s precisely why “Hot Fuzz” resonates so deeply with me. It’s a perfect blend of thrilling action and hilarious comedy, all within the context of law enforcement. Watching the film brings back memories of my childhood aspiration and sparks a sense of adventure every time! What do you like about working in the video production industry? One day, you might find us delving 100 metres underground, capturing breathtaking shots in unexpected locations. The next day, we could be perched on majestic mountaintops, filming electric trucks zooming by! This industry brings with it an exciting mix of challenges and endless possibilities, allowing me to bring my creative vision to life in ways they never imagined. Let us know what your favourite film is! Find out more about the Shot Blast Media team . Learn more about our video services .

[tendousthoughts]

HQ Boys Thinking Their S/O Left Them Pt. 3

Character(s) included: Oikawa & Kyoutani

Requested by: @chibiiichann

Warning(s): Cursing, Mention of bullying [Oikawa], Mention of flinching [Kyoutani], Hints towards readers tough past [Kyoutani]

Song of the day: Trees II by McCfferty

A/N: First off thanks for 200- I know I said it a lot but I’m just so glad! Next, many of you haven’t seen but I have updated a few things. One of the biggest being my name I go by. At the moment I’m trying out Xic. I also noted my pronouns and stuff. Which you can all find on my announcements post. Now back to some more ‘important’ things [though this is important, this is not why you came here!]. Sorry about the long wait for part three! Please read through the warnings again to make sure everything is okay. Thank you for everything. Bye!

Where to find all the parts!

Where to find all my content!

Tag(s): @chibiiichann & @corporeal-terrestrial

Oikawa

He was at it again. Working late nights and shit. You were happy for him. You were. Of course you were. He was back doing what he loved. He was back playing volleyball. With that happiness also came fear and worry. You knew how he was. Everyone who ever met him, knew how he was. He over worked himself. He always did and scared you. No matter how hard he tried not to. He pushed himself past his limits. Even after the doctor already told him, if he didn’t ease up on the practice, his knee would get even worse. But he was Oikawa Tōru. Determined and intelligent.

It was ten thirty and he already missed your date. Which you expected to happen, but it still kind of hurt. You tried calling for the fifth time that night, but you were met with the same thing. After a few rings it went to voicemail.

“Hey! You’ve reached the voicemail of Oikawa Tōru, thank you for calling! At the moment I’m busy but I promise after I’m done I’ll call you back. If you want, leave me a message and I’ll get back to you. Byeee!”

You waited all night for him to come home around twelve thirty. He looked tired. Extremely tired and to be honest that pissed you off more. Not only did he not respond but he over worked himself again, and when he woke up the next night sore, you were the one who would have to take care of him.

Instead of bringing it up you waited for the morning. Not wanting to have this conversation while he was tired. It would feel like you were talking to yourself, and he wouldn’t understand. So you went to bed with him and by the morning he was already up before you.

You went to the kitchen to find him shuffling through your medication bin. “Are you sore?” You ask, looking at him.

“I’ll be fine, I just need breakfast and some medicine,” he muttered. He couldn’t have cared less. At least that’s what it looked like. He didn’t even spare you a glance.

“Maybe you should listen. You know, lay off volleyball practice for a day or something. Try to lesson the hours and stuff..” You looked back at him for his reaction.

“Can’t. If I ease up I’ll never be able to catch up.” He finally looked to you now, finding the medicine.

“I mean I think you will be fine. It is taking over your whole life and stuff so I just don’t want it to be a bigger issue. Like you know.. with your knees and stuff.” Your eyes are pinned on him.

“I told you not to worry about my knee, and it’s not taking up my life okay? It has and will always be my life. It’s the only thing I’m good at. So no, I'm not going to take a break.” He snapped at you. Which caught you off guard.

“It is… It is taking up your life,” you replied which made his face change.

“You don’t understand how it is like me. You don’t! I understand you don’t have anything you're good at and shit. But you have to understand that I actually have goals in life okay? You have to understand that my fucking life won’t revolve around you and how you feel when I do something. It won’t and never will. You and I are together because I feel like having you around. Because you know what, volleyball is the only thing that distracts me from leaving. Volleyball is the only thing I can do to escape you!” He screamed.

It takes a few seconds for the weight of his words to sink into your skin. But here’s the thing. You knew what you were up against when you started dating him. He just lit a fuse in you. A spark that made an explosion of feelings hit you. When it did you couldn’t control your words. “After all that practice I wondered why you never made it to nationals. I mean seriously. You need a distraction from me, right? Your always doing it, and get you can’t even fucking get to nationals. Not only that but I can see why your last girlfriend left you. You're a dick. You can’t remember a fucking date. A fucking date we have been planning for weeks. Oh wait, let me correct that, a date I’ve been planning for weeks. Not only that but I took my fucking time to work around your schedule. For you not to even send a message.” You spat out. You looked down at him, “I wonder sometimes if everyone was right. You and me. Never belonged. I’m just a distraction from such a ‘handsome’ and ‘kind’ person.”

He looked hurt at first, but then again he started it and intended to finish it. “I can see why your whole family doesn’t talk to you. You always think you're the best or something. Maybe I remembered the date. Have you ever thought of that? Maybe I didn’t wanna hangout with you. Maybe I didn’t want to hear you nagging me every fucking second. You know what? I can see why people fucking hate you. Bully you and shit. Your such a fucking selfish freak.”

“What..?” You looked at him. You told him you were bullied, because you thought of him as your safe space. You thought of him as the only person who understood you. You felt safe when he was around you. You felt understood. To use that against you. To say you deserved it. To say you deserved to get hurt. To get shamed. To get everything that happened to you… it was your fault?

“What are you too dumb to understand?” He laughed at you. Hatred and venom spilling from his lips. “Awe.. look at the baby. You should be grateful I didn't break up with you. You should be thankful because I’m the only reason you're even someone.”

Tears filled your eyes. “God fucking damn it.” You muttered softly. You weren’t going to allow him to take you down. You were stronger then he would ever understand. “You really think anyone wants to hang out with you..? Do you fucking think anyone find you a good person..? Your just a fucking pretty face, okay? Your nothing compared to anyone else on your team. You might not realize it but to be honest sometimes I do want to be set free. Set free from this shitty relationship okay? That’s the truth. Sometimes I get sick of having to take care of you. When your fucking sore before you over works your self again. I am the only one trying to keep you okay. I’m the only one who actually thinks about the long run. No matter how hard you practice in the end you won’t even be able to walk. Let alone play volleyball and shit. You know what sometimes I get sick of being the only fucking one trying to keep us together.”

“Then maybe you should give up okay. Maybe we should finally go our separate ways. I mean after all, you're too easy.” He was hurt. He just blurted out whatever he thought would hurt you the most. Which fucking worked. Before you had said anything more he had left the room, leaving you stunned.

It took a moment but before you knew it you were out of the house, crying and walking the farthest away from your shared house as you could. “Fuck..” you whisper. Did he really not want to be with you..? You should have known. This relationship wasn’t a relationship. You barely talked. You felt alone. So fucking alone.

It took an hour for him to fully cool down. When he walked out of the room he was expecting you to be waiting for him. He was expecting everything to be okay. When he was met with the emptiness. The emptiness of you being actually gone. He was met with the realization that his words were taken just how he thought he wanted them to be.

You on the other hand we’re at the park blasting music in your ears. Forcing the thoughts to be pushed deep down. Forcing you to forget everything. Everything that hurts you. Maybe it would be best if you guys did go your separate ways..? You knew this wasn’t good for your mental health. But fuck that. This was the only thing that made you feel grounded. Made you feel okay. When he wasn’t with you or practicing he was out with friends, drinking and partying. You couldn’t continue to live like this. So maybe it would be best to let go. To give up on everything and everything you loved… your everything was him. You always argued and at this point you felt sick. Thinking about it just broke you. You had no more tears to cry, with your tear stained cheeks you decided to go back. To your home. It was over. Everything you had built up was coming crashing down.

On his side he was freaking out. He knew he was in the wrong. He knew there was no excuse for what he did to you, but what could he say? You were gone already. It took a bit for him to get to the nerve to call you. To his surprise he heard the sound of your ringing phone. So you left it. Maybe you were going to come back. Maybe you will and then everything will be okay again. Maybe everything would be perfect. It was a small chance but that's all he could hold on to.

When you walked in it was quiet, but there were soft whimpers and cries coming from your shared room. Gently you knocked on the door and waited for a response. You were surprised when you immediately heard a stumble and then were met with a hug. Your shoulder almost immediately feels wet to the touch. “Ba.. Oikawa..?” You muttered.

“Please don’t call me that.. please..” He muttered softly. His face buried deep into your clothes.

You kinda ignored his response. “I came back to get my stuff. I took into consideration what you said and I realized that you don’t deserve to be distracted by me all the time..” You whispered softly. “So like you said earlier.. I think it is best if we stop seeing each other.. entirely because I don’t know if I could let you go otherwise..”

His arms tightened around you, “C..can we please talk about it first.. please..” his nightmare was coming true, and maybe it was dumb but he didn’t realize how much he needed you.

“There’s nothing to talk about.. I don’t understand why you want to make it harder on me. I gave you what you wanted okay..? You can practice your heart out and hangout with your friends and stuff okay? You can finally find someone who will fit all your needs. You and I both know that I will never be what you want. So maybe it would be best if we just let go..”

“No… please no.. that’s not what I want.. I want to make it up to you and be there for you and I want to make you happy and I want everything to be perfect. I know I messed up okay? I don’t deserve you and I don’t know what came over me today because you're everything I’ve ever wanted. I know I don’t deserve it and there’s no excuse for what I said or did… I know I should let you find someone better but I love you. I love you so fucking much. I know I’ve been lacking and I want to make up for it. I want to be someone you want to be around again.. I love you so fucking much okay? I should have been there. I shouldn’t have said the things I did. I know I don’t deserve a second chance but please.. just one more.. I promise I’ll make it up to you.” He didn’t want to let go of everything.

“I’m sorry too.. you didn’t deserve it. I’m sorry for everything and that’s why I want to let you go. To find someone who will not hurt you like I hurt you.. You and I both know that I can't resist it. I don’t know why you do this to me.. pull me back.. you have one more chance… Please don’t make me regret it. I really love you but this.. this isn’t going to work if we do what we are doing now okay? We will just tear each other more and more apart..” you whispered gently, kissing his head. Your arms finally meet his back as you hold him. “I’m sorry.. but I’ve got you now baby. I love you so fucking much..”

Kyoutani

Kyoutani was the type of person most people would never understand. Not because they were “difficult” or anything.. they just never took the time too. Well other than you. You were different. You understood his outburst and such. But at the same time you were human. There was only so much you could take. There was only so much you would take.

When he came into the locker room you were already waiting for him. He had been thrown out of the game for fighting with a few people. You knew he was frustrated. You could hear the crowd from a mile away shouting to kick him off. It was harsh. Even for ‘mad dog’ which he hated to be called. He hated to be tied to an animal.. and always being an angry reck. Anybody would. But of course nobody understood other than you. When he sat on the bench you immediately rushed over.

“Baby.. I’m sorry.. You didn’t deserve that.. just ignore them, please. I know it’s hard but their not important okay..?” You we’re just trying to comfort him. But there were times when Kyoutani couldn’t control himself. Like any other person when they get looked down at every fucking moment of their lives. When they are ridiculed and laughed at all the time. When they are nothing more than an angry person.. Sometimes there is nothing more to do than be the person everyone so desperately makes you out to be.

“Not important? Not important! I just got fucking kicked from the game because of them chanting to kick me. They didn’t even fucking have the decency to call me by my name. So don’t tell me it’s okay and that their opinion on me doesn’t matter. Because quite frankly their opinion is the only one that matters it seems.” He lashed out.

“I didn’t mean to upset you. It’s just that.. it wasn’t entirely their fault. You were arguing with the other team members.” You muttered. It wasn’t meant to do any harm, just for him to keep in mind.

“Are you serious right now.? Nobody else got kicked. Nobody. If they can’t handle a little trash talking, maybe they shouldn’t play a sport. I mean seriously there’s no need for them to tell the referees to kick me.” He started raising his voice when he spoke.

“I know it’s just that.. maybe you should try and not trash talk you know?” You whispered softly, retreating a bit.

“What?” He looked annoyed. “God ducking damn it. How can you be so cute but so fucking annoying. I mean seriously how can someone with such a face be so fucking dumb and so annoying?” His hands were balled into fist

“I..I don’t understand, can you tell me why you act so sweet..? Then so cold the next moment..? You don’t mean it right..? Please say you don’t mean it.” You were worried you loved him but god it was hard. It was hard to respond when your friends asked about your relationship. It was hard when they flaunted their perfect relationship and then asked about yours. Its was so fucking hard.

“Do you think I would say it otherwise..?” He looked at you. He laughed at you as he saw your pitiful expression. God it was almost sickening how much he saw that expression. That expression that nobody else had ever shown him. The one of worry  but at the same time already knowing it was coming. He loved it. He loved everything about you. But most of the time you pissed him off. This relationship wasn’t healthy. But for god sake you already started counseling. But fuck this was a bad idea.

Silence. Nothing could come out. You wanted to scream. You wanted to forget this. You wanted it to stop. Everything to stop.

“Answer me.” He punched the wall next to you. Fear spreading all over your face. Fuck. Fuck. Not here. Please no. He gripped your warm face making it so cold in seconds. Forcing you to look at him he laughed at your crying face. But when you didn’t stop for a minute he immediately backed away. He fucked up. He knew he fucked up. “Wait I’m sorry baby..” he muttered.

“Please stop. Please. I won’t do it again.” Flashbacks we’re pulling you way too far out. You were drowning. No one was around to save you. He was laughing as you begged to be saved, pushing you deeper into your own pool of your own thoughts. You were so cold. The next second you were able to move back to the surface.

Realization hit as he stepped back. “I..I am sorry..” he muttered softly as he left the room without another word leaving his mouth. Words were banging on his lips but he knew if he spilled them out everything out it would just hurt you ten times more.

You got up five minutes later, finally pulled back to reality and decided to get up. Grabbing your stuff you walked back into the stadium. Waving a small wave to the rest of his team before exiting. Confusion was read all over as they saw your tear stained face. To be honest, all that was running through your mind was that you didn’t want Kyoutani to break up with you. You didn’t want to be alone, again. You didn’t want to be just another one of his ex’s. So for the better of both of you it would be best to leave him be. To let him cool off.. for him to feel better.

He was freaking out. He fucked up. You. You were his everything, not only that but you were more than just that. You were like a fucking rainbow at the end of a rainy day. You were his partner in crime. You made him feel normal, you made him feel safe, and loved. He couldn’t believe he just put that all in danger. He just put everything on the line because of some stupid game. He hit the wall hard, “fuck me. I’m sorry y/n..” he muttered as he sank to the floor and balled up. Tears burning through his eyes. He did the one thing he promised you that he would protect you from. You became the one thing he was always scared of becoming. He loved you so much, he love you so fucking much.

You left and got into your car. Sinking into your seat you locked the doors, and hit the steering wheel. Taking a deep breath salty tears rolled down your already stained face. Placing the key in and turning it the car started. Next thing you knew you had left wherever you could go. You loved him. So fucking much. But it was hard to be okay when he acted so fucking rough with you. It was hard to stay calm and not imagine your past relationship in this one. You tried. You really did but god it was hard to feel okay, feel okay about everything happening around you. It was too much. So fucking much. It made your head hurt.

When the game ended Kyoutani was still freaking out, now moved back into the lockers. He didn’t know what he was expecting but he knew he hoped you would still be there. God damn it. He fucked up. You had left. You were gone. Tears brimming his eyes as he teammates walked in. Now mentioning it to his teammates their faces seemed to change. More salty fucking tears left his eyes, as he heard about what type of pain you looked like you were in.

You headed back to your shared place. Unsure where else to go. You weren’t close with your family anymore. You had no friends. You had no work buddies. You had nobody but Kyoutani and in turn, now you were left alone with the thought of everything being gone. Ripped right out of your hands as you're forced to watch your whole world come crumbling down on you. You placed your stuff down on the side and laid on the bed. It smelled just like safety. Just like Kyoutani. You just wanted to be held. You just wanted everything to be perfect, again. To be okay at least. You needed him more than anything.

After a night out he finally made it back to your shared place. He didn’t want to be back without you, but you weren’t answering and he didn’t know what else to do. When he walked into the apartment he slowly walked into your shared room. There he saw you. Laying in bed cuddled up in the blankets. Slowly and carefully he walked up. Not wanting to cause you any more hurt. He missed you. Even for a few hours he had felt like he hadn’t seen you in years. But maybe that was because he thought that’s what might have happened. Maybe he thought you had left for good. Maybe he thought he would never have the chance to apologize. Never have the chance to hold you again. When he reached the bed he noticed that you were awake. “Hey y/n..” he muttered softly. The silence was killing him. “I’m so sorry. I know I fucked up. I promised to make you feel safe and protected around me. I made a promise to keep you safe and protected. I broke both of those. I fucked up. I know I did. I lashed out again. I did exactly what everyone says I do. I just get so fucking heated for no reason and I know I shouldn’t and I know I should just relax. But I feel like if I do the worlds would burn though my throat and then it would just explode.. and I know it’s stupid and I know I end up hurting you more. I know that there is no good reason to do that. But I just.. I don’t know. You're the only one that makes me feel normal okay..? I know it’s not fair. I know it’s not. You just make me feel like whenever I’m with you that I’m floating. I just want everything to be okay again. I want everything to be back to normal. I know I should give you space but I missed you so much. I don’t want you to leave, please don’t leave..” he was crying again. He barely had any tears left to cry. He wanted to hold you but he knew it was a stupid idea. “I’m sorry for being so selfish.. but please..”

You never really heard him or saw him crack. But fuck. It hurts you so much. To see him beg for you to stay with him. What were you supposed to do..? Leave him now? That was never even the plan. You didn’t have a plan to be honest. You sat up biting your lip before you gently held him. “Hey baby it will be okay.. calm down I’ve got you.. I’m not going anywhere now. I promise you I’m not going anywhere.” You muttered softly. He melted into your touch. He knew he didn’t deserve it but he felt like he couldn’t breathe. “Shush… I’ve got you.. take a deep breath..” you mumbled softly kissing his head as he took deep breaths. Soon enough he was relaxed in your arms again. “You know and I know that I love you so much. But there’s a line between where I can take it and I can’t. I understand you get frustrated but I don’t deserve to be treated like that. I don’t deserve to be scared of being hit.. and I know we both know that. I try to be understanding but you need to try to be too okay..? I love you so much.. more than you might believe but Kyoutani I can’t handle being in a relationship with you if you're constantly annoyed or angry with me. I think we deserve to be happy.. and if that means needing to take a break then we would have to okay? You need to work on communicating. I know it can be hard.. but please..” you whispered. Tears flowing down your soft skin again. It was getting a lot. So it would be best if you told him… you needed him to understand.

He gently shook his head. He understood. He knew he was in the wrong. He knew he was lucky for you to be holding him.. for him to even still be in a relationship with you let alone it be still a romantic one. He loved you and he knew you didn’t deserve anything that he put you through. In the end all that mattered was you in his eyes. He was going to change.. he was. “I promise.. thank you y/n..” he whispered softly. Gently he wrapped his arms around you. “I love you so much..” he muttered. Everything would be okay.. he knew it was going to be now. All that mattered was that you were safe. That you were happy.. that you were in his arms again.

Follows and likes are appreciated! Please reblog if you enjoyed it, so more people can find my work! Thank you all for your support! Stay safe, and have a good rest of your day!

[anchanted-one]

“Father”

This is a part of my new ‘Book of Heroes’ series, but I wanted to post it right away

It’s a story of Jace Malcom receiving an unexpected guest. It takes place days after SWTOR: Annihilation, and is a variant of the first scene I dreamed up for my OC Jasme

Jace was home at 1800 sharp today.  He had been giving himself some time lately, perhaps due to the recent revelation which had shaken his life. For over twenty-four years, he had been a workaholic. Satele had been the last person he had given his heart to. After her sudden radio silence, he had dived into his work with a near all-consuming abandon. The Supreme Commander Malcom would not have taken the risk of defending Duro a few months ago; but with the knowledge that he had a son, had been willing to gamble. To hope.

It had made him reflect on a lot of things that he had done over the years. The many hard decisions which Satele would have condemned as actions of the Dark Side. He wondered now, this late in his life, if they had been truly necessary.

The idea that he had family… softened him, somehow. Made him more alive than he had been in years; pulled him out of the hard, ruthless soldier he had decided he was.

He entered his apartment, returning his sentries’ salute, and immediately hit the shower.

He groaned as the hot stream began loosening his muscles, and cleansing his mind. When he got out, he saw that someone had been trying to reach him. Despite the mess of emotions he felt after the past month, he decided to call back, just in case it was something urgent.

“Good evening, Grand Master.”

Her eyes did not linger on his body, but she gave him the soft smile that had once driven him crazy. “Good evening, Supreme Commander. I hope I’m not interrupting?”

“No, not interrupting, but I need to ask if this is urgent.”

She tilted her head at the question, and Jace felt a little weary.

“Not ‘urgent’, exactly, but one of the Order’s brightest Archivists has asked to meet you. I was hoping you’d accept her request.”

“Didn’t think the Grand Master would have time to petition on behalf of a lowly Archivist.”

“Unfortunately, time is a luxury these days. But Jasme’s a special case.”

“Well, I’ll see what she has to say,” Jace grunted. “But I can’t promise her more than twenty minutes of my time.”

That more than merely amused her; he’d never seen her toss her head back and laugh so hard before. “I’d wager five hundred credits—and a date in the Grande—that you’ll give her more time than that. Have a good evening, Jace. Be nice to her.”

Jace felt disconcerted but sighed. He threw a standard physical training uniform, the sort he wore casually around the house, as well as the more casual of gatherings for soldiers. He was just about to notify his security about a guest, when he got another call, this one from Theron.

“What is it, Theron? I’m sorry to keep this brief, but I’m about to receive a guest.”

“Yeah, that’s what I was calling about,” His son gave him a rather happy smile. “I heard Jasme’s coming over.”

“You know her?”

“Quite well. I thought I’d give you the head’s-up. She’s one of the nicest people I’ve ever met; kind, thoughtful, and honest. In fact, the Jedi often say this about her; she’s the happiest drop of sunshine in the Galaxy. You don’t have to feel like this is some big news interview.”

“Got it. I’ll try not to make her cry.”

And now he was treated to a roar of laughter from his son. “That’s like, the last thing I’ll ever worry about! No one hurts Jasme. Enjoy the evening, Commander.”

Jace was really feeling stumped now. What the blazes was going on? Was he having some strange dream?

Corporal Gibson called in before he could recover. “Sir, you have a visitor from the Jedi Archives. One ‘Jasme’.”

“Send her in.”

He headed over to his bar and began pulling out glasses and plates. He heard the main door open, and spied the young woman as she entered the room.

“Come in,” he said politely. “Please, have a seat. Is there anything I can get you?”

“Whatever you prefer, Sir,” she gave a very gracious bow that he only half-caught. “I’m sorry to intrude on your personal time, but…”

“It’s alright. I have the greatest of respect for scholars and researchers,” he assured her. While it was not entirely true, he did respect the need for such people. They were the ones who would tell past generations how to do better; by telling them what mistakes to avoid, or what paths to follow in difficult situations. He himself had used knowledge presented from the Jedi Archives to plan particularly interesting but obscure manoeuvres. “I take it you’ve come to talk about the Battle of Duro?”

“Erm… only tangentially, Sir. There’s a more important matter I need to discuss with you. Allow me to properly introduce myself. My name is Jasme.” She paused as he put the bottles of Chandrillan blue and Corellian Nectar on the counter. “Jasme Shan.”

He wheeled around in surprise, looking at her head on for the first time. She gave him a sunny smile, then bowed again. “I am Jasme Shan, and I am Theron’s twin sister. Your daughter. You have no idea how long I’ve waited for this.” She frowned slightly. “I can’t believe Theron found out before I did. I thought I had the advantage, being around Mom all the time! And I heard he wasn’t even looking!”

“Please, slow—slow down.” He staggered to a chair

“I’m sorry, Sir,” she apologized. “Bad habit. I ramble.”

“No, no! Don’t be!” His befuddled brain finally made sense of what Satele had said. There was no way he would be throwing this woman out. “Don’t be!”

He didn’t need proof, he could see it. Unlike his son, this girl was not a halfway between each parent. She had Satele’s figure and face, the same shape of her eyes, and nose. Her eye color though… it was the same brown as his. Her complexion was the same as well.

And she had his height too, she was one of the few human women he had met, who could look him straight in the eye.

“Here! I’ll get those drinks! Please, just sit down. I know it’s a lot to process.” She moved behind the bar and began mixing the drinks. He watched her as she poured them out, the daze fading at last.

She was wearing a form-fitting, long scarlet gown made of a bright scarlet fabric, and intricate golden embroidery. There was a holdout blaster belted to her slim waist, and knee-length black boots on her feet. She wore a bracelet on her wrist which had a lovely yellow crystal embedded in it, a crystal Jace was certain was used in Lightsabers.

She sat down beside him, carefully placing the drink in front of them. “So… has it started to sink in yet?”

“A little… why didn’t Theron…?”

“He was too stunned to mention it the first time you met him. And after… well, he called me as soon as he got his wits back. And I asked him if I could break the news myself, once the Ascendant Spear crisis had ended.”

“I see. Makes sense, I suppose.” He frowned at a sudden realization. “Wait! You knew about the Ascendant Spear? That was supposed to be top secret!”

“I helped Master Gnost prepare.”

“Ah, of course. He’s an archivist too.”

“The Master of the archives!” she smiled. “My boss.”

Jace chuckled, and took a sip of the cocktail. “So…”

She tilted her head. “Well… honestly, I’m at a loss too. I’ve dreamed of finding you for so long, but…”

“You said you had the upper hand over Theron, because you were with Satele all the time...”

“It wasn’t easy, but I wormed my way back into her life. By the time I appeared on her doorway, she had found her balance as a Jedi—there was no more a fear of Falling to the Dark Side. She accepted me back in, though she never stopped saying she didn’t deserve it. For what she did to us. But I forgave her, for my part.”

“I see…”

“She… hurts a lot behind her mask,” Jasme confided. “Always sad, always melancholy. I try to help where I can.”

“That’s… good. It’s good for people to have someone looking out for them.”

“But she—” Jasme shook her head. “I’m sorry, Sir. I came here to talk about you. And about us. If I may, I’d like to talk about her later.”

Jace felt his hope rise. “Does that mean…?”

She took a few deep breaths. “I want your permission to be your daughter,” she said firmly. “I’d like to meet you as often as I can. If you’re able to hear me call you ‘Dad’, that would be fantastic, but I can see how that would feel weird right off the bat.”

Jace swallowed a lump in his throat, but for the first time in years, he couldn’t contain his emotions. He wiped away moisture from his eyes that Jasme did not comment on, but when he opened his eyes, he saw her looking delighted.

“I… I would love that,” he informed her.

“Yes!!!” she did a charming little victory dance before looking at him again. “Um. Also if you don’t mind, I’m something of a hugger…”

“It’s not my style, but…” he laughed his first genuine laugh in years. “I’ll get used to it!”

He felt her arms lock around him the second he got the words out. He inhaled in shock as he returned the hug. This was really happening!

She held on tightly for a few seconds before chuckling. “You reacted exactly the way Mom and Theron did before they got used to this. Guess I’m the standout in this family! Not that that’s a bad thing.”

“Would you be okay if I let people know that you’re my daughter?”

She nodded enthusiastically. “That would be great! I don’t like sneaking around, giving people the wrong impression…”

“I take it the Jedi don’t know about your relationship to Satele.”

She chuckled ruefully. “We haven’t told many people about it. Not that that means much. I’m rather like her in some ways. And a lot of people know my connection to one ‘Theron Shan’. That should be enough to set tongues wagging.”

“I wanted to ask him why he kept her name,” Jace said. “He clearly… has issues with Satele.”

“He’d say it’s an act of defiance,” Jasme’s eyes shone with mirth. “I think it’s love. He tried so hard to get into the Academy, to be close to her. To understand her motives better. When he was denied… he was heartbroken.” Her humor vanished at that. “He cried for weeks before he disappeared. He’d send me messages every now and then, but it wasn’t until recently that I met him again. He can’t let go of her. Of his family. I’m certain Mister ‘I don’t talk about my feelings’ didn’t tell you this, but he was pleased when you found him. He'd given up on being a son, but soon after your talk…”

“Everything changed,” Jace finished. “I know the feeling.”

“He feels… more secure in the galaxy now. Calmer.”

“He thinks about more than just his job?”

She snorted. “Yeah. He came to meet me for the first time in years. He’s starting to feel wanted again, by more than just me. I’m glad.”

“Why aren’t you enough?”

“I… I’ve thought about it for years, and I still don’t have an answer. Maybe he wanted the right to feel angry? Maybe he found me annoying? I can be needy sometimes. Maybe he was ashamed. Maybe he needed someone who made him feel special; since I try to be everyone’s friend.”

“I don’t think it’s a ‘you’ problem. He… he called me before you came. He said you were the nicest person in the galaxy. Said no one hurts you.”

She laughed. “Not to my face, anyway. But I was a little hurt when he walked out on me. And a couple of other times in my life. We’ll get to those later.”

“Of course. I’d like to know everything there is about you.”

She thought for a moment, then gave him a slightly mischievous grin. “Are you absolutely sure you want to publicly accept me as your daughter?”

“Yes,” Jace smiled.

“Then you should know, I’m going to abuse that privilege,” her eyes sparkled again. “I’m going to introduce myself to some of your co-workers, and make them my collaborators.”

“Collaborators?”

“Yes. They’re going to be accessories in my plot to get you to live a healthier lifestyle. Get you to leave work at 1800, eat your meals on time, and so forth. Maybe even get their help fitting me into your schedule.”

“Ah,” he felt a mix of consternation and satisfaction. “You are making me nervous!”

“Good. I’d like to create a new comfort zone for you, one which allows me to drop in more often.”

“You will be welcome anytime,” Jace smiled.

She laughed again, and he realised that he felt a deep happiness whenever he heard that sound. A type of joy he’d long hoped to feel as a young adult, but had abandoned as time had passed.

He was… pleased. He had a son. And a daughter who already loved him, not half an hour after meeting him. Someone who made it clear she was going to fuss about his well-being in a way few did anymore.

The thought shattered some dam which had been standing in his chest for nearly thirty years, and a tidal wave of emotion burst forth which he had suppressed.

But Jasme held him as he wept, and for the first time in his life, he felt like he was home.

 *