#ACT 2 BABEY

[creatureffeature]

THINGS TO DO IN REITHWIN TOWN

1: LEAVE

[youssefguedira]

It's definitely gonna be flashier than "Le otto montagne", I think it will be probably even better than "Non essere cattivo" which is, to my humble opinion, his best acting so far.

For non-native speakers, it's very difficult to understand how difficult (pardon the repetition) it is to cancel the accent (as a non-native English speaker, I know it's difficult to me to fully appreciate when an Irish actor pulls a perfectly good australian accent).

Marinelli has quite the thick roman accent (not as think as, idk, Mastandrea's, but still pretty thick), yet in "M" we fully get the Mussolini talking: the different pronounciation is most of the letters, the completely different speech and pause pattern between roman and emilian, the voice itself sounding nothing like it did in his previous movies...

And that's just me not mentionin the "body" part of acting.

M was a short, pudgy man who carried himself like he was the biggest man in the world (think of the Russian guy nowadays), and Marinelli completely nailed this self-importance travesty in his portrait.

I can't wait to see it, even though I'm gonna be suffering through the whole thing.

i haven't seen non essere cattivo yet but yeah!!! marinelli is one of those actors that absolutely disappears into whatever character he's playing to a really incredible degree. i can point at a still screenshot of like, martin eden or le otto montagne or even the old guard or diabolik (which i think are definitely less Obviously Impressive roles until you compare them w/ the rest of his work: both are characters that involve a lot of microexpressions + i think it's not until you watch something like, idk, lo chiamavano jeeg robot when you really appreciate just how much skill goes into both of those but i digress) and go like yeah those are all the same guy. but once you actually see them in action they're really remarkably distinct!! as is his work in trust which is also an incredible performance.

trust is a good example too when it comes to voice/accent work im not quite familiar with accent differences yet (half of my teachers are roman and so is ninety percent of my immersion. ahem.) but even i can tell the difference sometimes!! and from what ive seen of the mussolini show there IS a lot of voice work going on there where it's again recognisably marinelli's voice but the quality of it is so so different (also as a tangent i rewatched le otto montagne and the narration is so nice. can he do an audio book or something). super impressive work. adapting yourself for a fictional character is one thing but mimicking the mannerisms of an actual person is another!! which is why biopics get so much oscar buzz!! + the physical aspects of that too is like. Wow.

anyway tldr luca marinelli's super good at his job and one of these days on god he'll get the oscar i have foreseen it

[villainanders]

I keep forgetting that I’m technically romancing astarion rn and getting jumpscared by him flirting with me

[darkgifted]

unfortunately for everyone, another act 2 meta on the way

[suitetarts]

haha gale is in danger

[rosykims]

love thinking about ocs-as-companions its gotta be one of my favourite genres of thought <3

[lecliss]

You know. Remembering that Nomura once said he envisioned Red being voiced by. Uh.... Matthew Mchonnhie....? Whoever the fuck, whatever the fuck, idc who it really was. Anyway, that's probably the reason why Red has always been given a deeper voice, but with the revelation that his normal voice is actually very childlike, I have to wonder, if it weren't for Nomura envisioning him sounding that way, might Red have always had a childish voice from the start then? Is this Square's way of correcting what they think might have actually been best for Red's character? ���🤔🤔

[yumenosakiacademy]

mom doesnt kno im solo nowadays so shes like "ur friends hav their lives put 2gethr n u dont! >:(" girlie theres no1 2 compare me 2 anymore. i won the game.

[urproblematicfav-ao3]

Update✨ lmao

Damn it my life is out of control

I think Alastor is gonna love potion Charlie and then tentacle fuck her in preachers daughter

Damn it

This wasn't supposed to happen this way. THERE ALSO WASN'T SUPPOSED TO BE A PUSSY EATING AND SHOWER SCENE BUT YA KNOW

It happens how it happens I must allow this

[phyrestartr]

My World Ends With You (1/2) | Miguel O'hara x M!Reader

Miguel x Husband!Reader W/C: 4.7k

#SFW, hurt/comfort, infidelity, toxic relationships, brief verbal abuse, mending relationships, difficult/complex feelings and emotions, things work out in the end, nobody dies, the zombies aren't that important, old men just really going through it, ZOMBIES BABEY

Note: Tis a continuation of Till Death Do Us Part . Would rec reading that first lest you get mad confused

--

“Did Miguel cheat on you?” 

The question caught you off guard. As far as you knew, only a handful of people got the gist of what happened, and even fewer knew the exact reason why everything systematically fell apart. 

“How'd you–who told you?” You asked Gwen, surprise and trepidation creasing your brow. 

The young lady shrugged and crossed her arms over her chest tighter as she leaned toward the fire you'd made–the one you made out of pure restlessness from staying inside for too long. You decided to pretend you were out in the great outdoors like the old days, and set up a ring of rocks and chairs on the roof to escape the fluorescent lights and white walls. Evidently, Gwen needed a break from it all, too.

“Gabi.” She fiddled with her toque and cleared her throat. “She, uh--y'know. She mentioned it.” 

“Huh.” Your gaze wandered away from Gwen, and back to the fire. “I didn't think she'd remember.” 

“How old was she? When it happened, I mean.” 

“Must've been 11. We split when she was 13, I'm pretty sure.” You sighed and leaned back in your shitty old soccer mom chair. “Guess we were bad at hiding it.”

“Pretty hard to hide that kinda thing from your kid,” Gwen mumbled, dwelling on something ancient and sore in the depths of her memories. “They're more perceptive than you think.” 

You nodded. The stars caught your attention and you stared up, gazing upon the winking lights and shooting comets flying by. Most of those celestial bodies were there when everything happened. Did they remember, too? Were they haunted, too?

“Yeah. My parents thought I didn't know nothin’ either. They didn't know how wrong that was,” you agreed. 

“So he did cheat on you?” Gwen asked. You nodded. She scoffed. “But--why? He always acts so lovey-dovey and gross around you. Why would he–?”

“Good people do bad things,” you said, and continued before she could cut in, “‘n bad people do good things, sometimes.” 

“So which camp is he in?” She asked.

“Pretty sure he's mostly good.” 

“Pretty sure?” 

You chuckled. “I've met ‘bad guys,’ believe me.” You took a breath and nudged some logs around in the fire with a stick. “Miguel ain't like them. He's full of himself, arrogant, stubborn ‘n all that, but he's helped people. He's helping people, even if he's got a crap attitude about it.” 

“Right,” Gwen breathed. Her voice carried something heavy with it. Something uncertain and unwavering, like the teeter of winter into spring, or thunder that wondered if it might rain. Her restless energy mirrored the fire as it roiled and spat brilliant sprays of embers into the cold, night sky; only, the fire would eventually die down, calm itself into blackened coals. Gwen’s torch would not fade as such. 

“You think he’s a bad guy?” You asked. 

“Never really thought he was a good guy.” She rubbed the back of her neck before sighing. “But. Yeah.  Never thought he was a bad guy, either. Kinda feels like a vigilante, or something. But less cool.”

You smiled when you peered over at her. “Maybe like an antihero?” 

“Way less cool than that, but yeah. Sure. An antihero,” she huffed. “But you’re a blue-blood. I don’t think those types are supposed to get along.” 

That made you laugh. “I think they get along pretty well. They do in the comics, even if they don’t see eye-to-eye on everything.” 

Gwen rolled her eyes. “You mean most things?”

You nodded. “Yeah, most things.” You tucked your hands into your pockets and gazed up again, this time losing your thoughts to the endless void of grey sweeping in and devouring all light in the sky. “You don't need to worry about me, Gwen. There’re more–”

“More important things to worry about?” She finished, not sounding too impressed. “Feels like you're using the end of the world as an excuse.” 

You frowned, and wiped the dew of melted snowflakes from your cheek. “Maybe you got yourself a point, there.” 

–

You were the new kid in year 12. Normally, no one gave a shit–it was New York, after all–but you had a tendency to catch everyone's attention when you never sought to try. 

You were a country boy. A fella with a strange tendency to be kind and hold doors open for ladies or help some sorry idiot pick up their dropped assignment. That gentle lilt in your voice, the only evidence that you weren't from the city, always had people staring your way. Boys would mock you, especially when their girls flushed soft colours and whispered while they glanced your way. It didn't help that you were handsome as all hell, too. 

And one day, like a fucking fairytale, Miguel finally ran into you and got hit with the triple threat that was your accent, face, and genuinity–what he didn't expect, however, was to meet you at the Kwan's ranch.

You were clad in boots and jeans and a stupid cliche cowboy hat hung around your neck, hiding the impressive display of shoulder blades flexing and rippling with strong muscle as you shoveled and cleaned out the old hay and debris from the stables. Something warm and melodious trilled under your breath as you worked, and it beckoned like a siren's song--so captivating Miguel couldn't help himself. 

“Hey,” he said. 

You looked over your broad shoulder and blinked a few times, like you were showing off the brilliant hue of your eyes on purpose. A kindly smile made you shine brighter, too, like the sun somehow lit you up from within. 

“Howdy,” you said. 

“Howdy?” Miguel snorted and tucked his hands into the pockets of his shorts as he wandered in. “That's a little too country, isn't it?” 

“Is it now?” The twang in your voice must’ve been fake. No normal person sounded like they were ripped straight from a Western. “Maybe you're just too city.” 

“Hm.” Miguel crossed his arms and leaned against a beam as he watched you continue to work. “Maybe.” 

“Come on, now,” you laughed, “I can smell the city on you. Could probably taste it, too, if I could.” 

Miguel's face burned. His heart pitter-pattered just a little bit faster, soon going a lot faster when he registered the wink you threw his way. Were you flirting? Was it working? Was Miguel swooning? 

Yes, yes and yes. 

–

“Y'know, you don't have to be such a busy body,” Miguel said, wandering into the lab-turned-greenhouse. He had to admit, it looked good. Peaceful. And it certainly helped with keeping everyone fed and happy. So did your presence at Alchemax; you and Gabriella felt like a fresh coat of paint on a beat-up old car. A nice change. Good additions. 

And Miguel felt complete now that you were with him, too. There were still issues, still things to work out and problems to talk about, but it felt nice to work towards something selfish and meaningful. Something that was wholly and unabashedly for him and him alone.

But you were such a restless man. All day, every day, Miguel found you working; clearing snow, repotting, sowing seeds, cleaning, teaching, handyman-ing were all on your resume of husband material and so clearly those skills ruled your mind every waking hour of every day. It didn't help that the other folks In the colony realized just how much of a do-gooder sweetheart you were. Miguel was one more flirty comment away from nuking the building. 

But the way you smiled in the face of adversity let him keep a reasonable cool. Whether it was your awkward attempt to be cordial with someone who so clearly thirsted for you and your attention, or in a sheepish and innocently guilty way whenever Miguel called you out for working too much, you had a way of melting his frigid heart into something cool and light like an autumnal spring.

“I’m just puttering,” you hummed, pausing what you were doing to lean in and give him a kiss, careful to keep your dirt-crusted hands away from him and his neatness. “Just movin’ some of these into bigger pots. Don’t want them to go dying on us.” 

“I think they’d live.” Miguel hummed as he looked over the array of little plants sprouting with flourishes of brilliant emerald. His hand slipped to the small of your back before his arms looped around your waist, and he pulled you flush against his chest. “I need you more than they do.”

You laughed, soft and smoky. “That right?”

“Yeah.” Miguel left a sweet kiss on your neck, right on the odd, heart-shaped-ish scar he used to leave hickeys over back in the day. “They’re not the only ones that need fertilizing.”

“Christ. Did Pete teach you that one?” You laughed, but didn’t crumble and fertilize Miguel. Damn. 

Your partner huffed. “Come on, just–can’t you take a break, viejo?” He kissed your neck another handful of times and buried his face into the strong curve of your shoulder with a most petulant sigh. “Feels like I only get to see you when we go to bed.” 

“Not much different from how it used to be,” you said. “I worked nights, you worked days. Hardly got to see each other.” 

“I hated it,” Miguel mumbled. And you actually paused, your busy hands halting with the rest of your body. “I wanted you home with me. I didn’t want you to work nights.” 

He felt you shift again, the sound of your hands under running water sparking hope in his chest. But he snuffed it out himself–he knew you too well. You weren’t the type to stop when something needed to be done. Miguel couldn’t fault you for it, though, not when he was the exact same way. 

“Miggs.” You turned in his arms and held the sides of his face. “I’m not going anywhere. No night shifts, no driving after gun-toutin’ idiots on the highway, no overtime. You can always find me if you need me.” 

“Would you've come for me and Dana–” he stopped, a bout of regret punching the words back down his throat. The sudden distance in your eyes and the stiffness of your touch haunted him. Why did he have to talk? Why was he still chasing you away like this? 

“Don't,” Miguel pleaded, his hands flying up to your arms, holding you still. 

An overcast of something chased away the far look. Miguel wished he could read you as easily as you read him. He didn't know what you were thinking. Did he ever?

“I still have some things I'm working on getting past, Miggs,” you managed. “I don't--I'm trying.” 

Miguel nodded. What could he say, really? Try harder? Love me more? Get over it already? Your marriage reached a difficult point before the apocalypse; now, it'd climbed to new heights, but problems erased themselves thanks to the simple fact that the world had ended. There were more deadly things to worry about in the present.

“Just let me know if I can help,” your partner offered. And you smiled, tired and weary, unknowingly soothing the frigid panic freezing Miguel's veins. 

“Promise I will.” You gently stroked the arch of his cheekbone with the back of your knuckles. “Just don't worry too much. I'm alright.” 

And he believed you. 

– 

“Who's your friend?” 

The question drove Miguel insane, like a chisel tapping away at marble. Because everyone asked when they saw you, a stupidly handsome, ridiculously tall, polite southern gentleman dressed to the nines in a custom suit Miguel picked out himself–garments he picked out for his fiancé. His betrothed. His to-be husband. 

Miguel's coworkers knew he was taken. He thought it'd be obvious by whom since, well, he rolled up to the event with you and had complimentary outfits with you and you were wearing a fucking ring on the finger.

Still, countless folks introduced themselves to you, sweeping you up into conversations and leaning in too close for comfort. Miguel’s ego swelled, sure; he had the most impeccable, handsome, perfect man in the world, but his jealousy chomped away at his temper. He didn't like people thinking they had a chance with you. It was funny at first, but you were too nice to snap at them, to put them in their places. And, quite frankly, Miguel had had more than enough of watching his damn coworkers throw themselves at you the second they heard that stupid, endearing drawl or saw your charming, lopsided smile. 

He floated to your side, anchoring an arm around your waist while his other hand held a crystalline glass of something golden and fancy. 

“Hey,” Miguel hummed as your eyes met, and he leaned in, planting a soft, sweet peck onto your lips. “Havin’ fun?” The energy around the bystanders shifted dramatically. Miguel felt more pleased than a lion catching its prey. 

“Better now that you’re here,” you hummed, eyes creasing with a gentle tilt of your lips. He loved that look on you. It was the same one you wore every morning when you cooed your sweet good morning-s. 

“I make everything better,” Miguel agreed. He finished his drink and handed it off to whatever poor sod stood beside him. “Guess they haven’t heard the good news.” 

Your head tilted as whispers spread around you both. “Thought you would’ve told ‘em by now, honey.” 

“Well,” Miguel said, sing-songy and so obviously annoyed and bitter with how annoying this event had been for him. He took your hand and brought it up, feigning examination while purposefully catching the light on the band of gold hugging your finger. “I didn’t think anyone would be stupid enough to not put two and two together.” 

With that, the vibe died. Soft scoffs and muttered words were left in the wake of party-goers as they abandoned the two of you. Some offered anxious goodbyes to you before shuffling off, but many who’d been burned and shit on by Miguel in the past were not pleasant enough to separate you from your man. Which Miguel preferred. 

Miguel smirked to himself, satisfied with his work. Though, when he met your eyes, you looked anything but impressed. Oops. He probably should’ve considered the aftermath.

“Look, they should know who they're messing with,” he testified.

You quirked a brow. “You mean who they're talkin’ to?” 

Miguel huffed, the smallest of pouts forming. “Don't give me that. They were all over you.” 

“Honey, no one's ever gonna replace you, alright? You've got nothin’ to worry about.” Still exasperated, you smiled, and fixed his tie for him, giving it a light tug and tucking it back against his breast neatly. “You think I'd ever fool around behind your back?” 

“What? No.” Why wouldn’t you? You were handsome, a gentleman, a man who could have anything and anyone you wanted with looks and charm alone. So maybe–maybe that's why Miguel did what he did. Maybe he was trying to show you just how wrong you were. 

“Exactly. Now, you stop worrying and try to enjoy the event, alright? Promise I'll stay by your side for peace of mind,” you said with a wink. Miguel melted. You were too good for him. 

“Por dios–yeah, alright, okay. Fine.” He huffed and pulled you in close to him again and gave you a sweet kiss to seal the deal. 

And of course, it was in that moment Dana passed him by with a smile full of secrets and damning evidence–a vault that he wanted to break open and force you to face.  

–

Miles fucked up. 

He yanked open that fucking car door–specifically when told not to–and set off the dinner bell for whatever undeads still wandered the streets of New York. 

The race through the city streets wasn't so easy, not after years of the military, militia and more trying to block off streets, take a stance against the unending hordes threatening human existence–tanks, trucks, barricades and more littered and cluttered the streets like the puddles after a storm. Every vault and jump was uncertain despite determined, never really knowing if the next car the group jumped onto would throw one of you to the ground with a broken leg or twisted ankle. Miguel almost wished Miles shattered his knee. 

Especially when you nearly didn't make it inside. 

Miguel pulled you through just as they got the shitty garage door down, and he pulled you up, eyes wide and jaw set as pain jolted your features. 

“Hey, hey, what's–you're fine. You're fine,” he whispered. His hand frantically touched where they could before settling on either side of your face as you both fought to catch your breath. “You're fine.” 

But you shook your head. “I, uh--need you to back away from me, baby.” 

“No.” 

“I gotta make sure, be careful–” 

“No.” 

You pulled his hands away from your face, and Miguel saw liquid ruby stain his skin, too. 

“Listen,” you rasped as you limped toward a rundown car with your cuffs unlatched from your belt. “We gotta–gotta clear the shop. Miggs, you take care of the doors.” 

But he didn’t. He stood still, shoulders rolling with the heavy breaths he sucked in while you and Gwen puttered around the small, homely garage to the tune of the undead hissing and snarling just beyond the metal door. Miguel took a deep breath, in through the nose, out through the mouth. In through the–

“I–uh, what should I do?” Miles asked. 

Miguel whirled around and stalked to him, explosive rage fuelling his steps across the room. He grabbed Miles’ shirt and slammed him into the wall, looming over him like a titan. 

“You are not going to do anything,” Miguel growled. Miles’ eyes widened as he shrunk. “This is your fucking fault in the first place.”

“Hey, he’s just a kid–” Gwen tried, but Miguel’s quick glance her way stalled her. “He didn’t mean to–”

“That’s the problem. He doesn’t know how to survive out here and he’s not willing to use his fucking brain to fill in the gaps.” 

“Dude, let go of me!” Miles snapped, panic lancing through the quiver in his voice. “You can’t–” Miguel slammed him into the wall again. The undead shrieked and howled a mere half a foot away beyond the stone walls barring them out. 

Miguel basked in the dread eating away at Miles’ confidence. “It was a mistake to bring you here. You were a mis–” 

You yanked Miguel off the kid and slammed him into the wall, hand clapping over your partner’s mouth while your red-hot stare bore into the back of his skull and pinned him still. Your other hand held firm over his throat. You didn’t hurt him, but the fingertips digging into the straining tendons of Miguel’s neck threatened the opposite. 

“Quiet,” is what you commanded.

The room fell silent. And it stayed that way. It was hard to tell if anyone still breathed or lived in the minutes you all stood, patient, suffocating, and you stayed in that unsure limbo while the bloodthirsty reverie gradually de-crescendoed in the placid muteness. Slowly, slowly, with each wandering corpse that left to chase errant noises or to wander aimlessly with no mission left in mind, the air in your sanctuary began to heal. 

Your grip became kinder, and you let go, staggering back on unsteady legs. Then, you collapsed.

–

Your injury turned out to be a gash, not a bite. It ran across your shoulder horizontally, accented by a few other gouges bloodying your exhausted face and Miguel's busy hands. 

He stitched you up carefully yet thoroughly, eagerly trying to finish the job while you squeezed your eyes closed and gnawed on the belt wedged between your teeth. To your credit, you handled the temp stitches well. You only really shifted and panicked when Miguel tried to flush the wound with what water he had on hand. 

“That should hold until we get back,” he murmured for your ears only. He cut the thread with his teeth after tying it off, and wrapped your arm with a strip of torn shirt. 

You nodded tiredly and let him take the belt from between your teeth. “Thank you.” You sat up a little straighter against the wall and took deep breaths, eyes squeezed closed and brow beaded with sweat. 

Heat flared in Miguel’s chest. If not for you, Miguel would have ripped Miles a new one. He might have even thrown him to the undead in your name. If you'd come out infected, doomed to die, he'd make sure Miles suffered the same. 

“Don't be so hard on him,” you rasped, voice blending with the soft crackle of the unconvincing campfire. 

Miguel's stare hardened into ice. “He could've–” 

“Miguel.” He looked at you, and melted as you leaned into his warmth. “Lectures can wait. We need to get home first.” 

You were right. And it enraged Miguel further. He wanted to take his anger out on something, or better yet someone, but you just–

“You remember when you proposed?” You whispered. 

The creases between Miguel's brows lifted and smoothed. “‘Course I remember.” He slid a careful arm around your waist and held you to his side. He kissed the top of your head and inhaled your scent. “You were coming home from a night shift.” 

He remembered it too clearly, actually. You, being exhausted and out of it, still suited up in your uniform when you came through the door with a yawn. 

Coffee, your other beloved, lured you to the kitchen where Miguel knew you'd find him. Though he hated not waking up beside you those mornings, he cherished the sleepy back hugs you'd greet him with while you both waited for the carafe to fill. 

“Mornin’,” you grumbled into his neck between small kisses. “Sleep good?” 

Miguel always leaned back into you and basked in the wander of your hands and the scent of cigarettes hiding in your words. It all meshed too well with the bitterness of coffee. “Woulda slept better with you here.” 

You hummed, crackly and apologetic. “Good thing that was my last night shift this block, hey? Get to wake up with you tomorrow.” Your fingertips dragged up the hem of shirt in your search to feel the dips and curves of his toned stomach. “And the next day, and the next day…”

Miguel turned in your arms to spy your drowsy smile. He cupped your face, running his thumbs along the bags under your eyes, before giving you a peck. “I think you need a nap, mi amor.” 

“No, no, ‘m fine. Promise. Just need a shower ‘n I'll be right as rain.” You took one of his hands in your own and turned to kiss his palm. “Wouldn’t be opposed to a mid-morning nap, though.” 

“Lucky for you, I'm getting back in bed after coffee's done.” Miguel kissed you again, purposely mooshing his nose against yours. “Go take a shower. I'll pour you a cup.” 

You hummed, accepting the offer, and very very reluctantly separated from your lover. “Just don't make mine too crazy sweet, alright?” 

Miguel huffed. “Tch. I don't even make it that sweet.” But you were already sauntering off to the ensuite, loud yawn punctuating your departure. “Pendejo.” 

The coffee maker beeped not too long after. Thoughts of what to do with the weekend swirled through Miguel's mind with the springy, disoriented bounce of ADHD while he made up both of your coffees, one just sorta sweet, and one just a little (a lot) sweeter. Honestly, Miguel was bad at making coffee to your taste. Too often he'd watch you stand at the coffee maker, measuring cream, sugar and coffee in your quest to achieve a perfect bitterness to sweetness ratio. 

But when Miguel made you coffee, you never complained. Simply requested it not be too sweet. And everytime Miguel handed you that cup, trepidation filling the childish part of his pride, you always declared it was perfect from the first sip. 

Perfect. Like you. Like his life. That's why he needed to–

“Honey,” you called, bringing your partner back to the present. He turned to you, eyebrows raising in interest at just how low the towel hung from your hips–until he saw the small box in your hand. That made his heart start pounding. 

Miguel crossed his arms and cleared his throat, trying to hide his sheer panic. “Where did you–”

“You forgot it in the bathroom. I think. Found it on the counter.” 

Shit. Fuck. Shit. He really forgot to put that stupid thing away. He really went all cliché romcom and rehearsed in front of the mirror and didn't put the fucking ring away. What the fuck was wrong with him? He was supposed to be a goddamn genius, and yet–

You opened the box because of course you would. Anyone with a shred of curiosity would. And you whistled in a way that only cowboys could. Back when you were both young, you whistled at Miguel like that when he walked by. Lyla said you weren't one to do that, that that was a first for you.

“Damn. This thing looks expensive.” You pulled the gold ring out and looked it over as Miguel came to you. The band was simple gold, yes, but inlaid was a diamond flanked by your birthstone and his, all shaped in a striking baguette cut. The piece was simple and masculine, something befitting you entirely. 

But you were too out of it to realize what the fuck it was you were holding. 

“Bet I could buy a farm with this.” 

Miguel had to laugh a bit at that. “Most people would say a house, you know.” 

“Farm's better. Comes with a house.” You snatched up his hand and examined his fingers, probably sizing up which one the ring–your ring--was supposed to fit on. “Either way, you’re gonna turn heads with a whole mortgage on your finger, I'll tell you what.” 

Miguel's chest warmed. Maybe because of your smooth way of talking, or maybe because you were too sweet and admiring of your partner. Miguel couldn't tell. But it was probably both. 

“On my finger?” He repeated as he plucked the ring from the box. His heart beat in his ears. His face burned. But it was now or never. “I think it'd look better on yours.” 

“What?” You asked, soft and confused, sorta like you'd realized what that ring meant halfway through. “Wait, wait–” 

“I was going to.” Miguel slid the fine gold band on your left ring finger. “But then you ruined the surprise.” 

There was something magical in that moment. Your hand in Miguel's, the sparkle of new promise shining on your finger, the glitter of crystals pooling in your eyes. And your eyes were so wide, like you didn't quite believe Miguel would want to marry someone like you, so he had to say it, if not for the cliché, movie finale:

“Will you marry m–” 

You kissed him before he could finish. Your arms flew around his neck as your weight hit him like a ton of bricks. But he caught you both and held you close, laughing against your lips as the ball of doubt unraveled as every whispered chant of ‘yes, yes, yes,’ touched his skin. 

Those days were good. They were simple. They were The start of everything Miguel could have dreamed of–and then he ruined it. 

“Still hard to believe you wanted me, sometimes,” you reminisced, looking down at the dull, chipped set of rings hugging your finger still.

“You're the only one,” he murmured into your hair. “Even when–even if I–no matter what. No matter what, it was always you. It'll always be you.” Then where's your ring, Miguel?

You hummed and sunk into your partner's warmth more, staying silent with your thoughts as you watched the dim flicker of the fire and the two others collapsed around it. “Try not to be so hard on Miles.” Ah. “He screwed up. But we need to keep morale up.” 

Miguel huffed. “So you only mentioned our–you just wanted me to stop thinking about today.” 

“I wanted you to relax, sweetheart.” God, that smile was so clear in your voice. 

“Tch. Pendejo. He deserves to be yelled at.” 

“By his father. At home. Where it's safe.” 

“Fine.” 

[badass-queer-couples-battle]

Sword gays showdown, round 2 of bracket one

Propaganda:

For Zoro:

Literally training to be the greatest swordsman in the world. Has a special three swords technique (one blade in each hand plus one with the handle held in his teeth). I haven't read the manga or watched the anime but the live action adaptation gives me extremely gay vibes and based on the fandom things I've seen I'm not the only one

bro uses three swords. has one in his mouth. dont ask how the HELL he manages that. one day he will be the worlds greatest swordsman....after he beats the current greatest for both the titles of greatest swordsman and fruitiest swordsman. he's dramatic as FUUUCK like bro what the hell. has homoerotic fights with the local twink like everyday. directionally challenged, can and will get lost in a paper bag, doesnt know left from right...he probably cant read, too. hes too silly ngl

First of all, im in like episode 250 and so far he hasnt been shown attracted to any woman at all during the whole show so far, not even when one changed clothes in the same room as him and this is anime so you know there were other characters with bloody noses and shit. With that out of the way he wields three swords at once [two in his hands, one is his goddamn mouth dude. Its cool af trust me.] When he was little he made a promise to his best friend that he'd be the best swordsman in the world. Later she died in a tragic accident and left her sword which he still uses today. He also carries a cursed sword but he overpowers the curse with a combination of skill and sheer luck. He got stuck in a chimney. While his crewmates sail their ship he takes naps. He learned how to cut through metal by fighting a guy who could turn his body into metal blades. That's metal. He refuses to fight this liberal marine officer because she looks like his childhood best friend and its just understandably really awkward for him. He's autistic. He's a he/him bisexual lesbian. He's a gay man. He's ace/aro. He's whatever you want him to be babey!!

he has 3 swords, wields one in his mouth sometimes, his dream is to be the greatest swordsman in the world

three swords and big aroace-spec gay vibes

He not only has a sword he has *three* swords. He's absolutely gay there's no way to see this man as straight. Also one time he licked his sword for no reason and that was really funny to me so I had to mention it

Look, this man thinks about three things: Swords, His Captain, and Booze. He’s on a quest to be the worlds greatest swordsman. The Live action has a scene where he declares his undying, unwavering loyalty to his captain WHILE reaffirming his promise to be the worlds greatest swordsman. At this point His dream and his Captain are so intertwined it’s crazy. Man is so sword-y he’s got three of them. When one of his swords broke he carried its empty scabbard until he was able to give it a SWORD FUNERAL. He hears a sword is cursed and takes that as a challenge. He will literally tell his swords off for “bad behavior” when they “act up” due to being straight up cursed. He tests one by throwing it in the air and sticking his arm out to see if it is so blood thirsty and ill tempered that it will cut him. Even though he’s literally the first mate if you ask him what his role is he’s going to answer Swordsman.

He's dedicated his life to two things: becoming the greatest swordsman in the world and his captain, Luffy. 

He mastered the three sword style. Its his style. It would've been more swords but he could only fit one sword in each hand and one in his mouth. He wants to be the world's greatest swordsman, a deal he made with his childhood best frenemy (before she died falling down the stairs). He thought he was All That at the start and was almost completely decimated by the actual Worlds Greatest Swordsman. Now, after two years forced training with that guy, he's probably in the top tier no-doubt, and honestly could already be the best but we just don't know for sure yet. Also, did I mention: he's got the whole demon/devil imagery going on at times. And he has absolutely no sense of direction! plus is a total softie when it comes to Chopper and all the children who somehow gravitate towards him. And he loves naps!

One of the guy's main goals in life is to be the best sword fighter and he fights with three swords which I think is telling enough of his skill.

For Sayaka Miki:

my favourite scene is the one where Sayaka turns off all her pain receptors to battle the shadow witch, uncaring of the damage dealt to her body, because what is a body but a decaying vessel you must eventually abandon anyway? that was very depression of her <3 Also there’s that one time (in the rebellion movie) where Sayaka stabs herself on her own sword to release the witch that dwells within her. and then she immediately gets up to fight back to back with her girlfriend. that moment lives rent free in my head. Sayaka is so depression and I love her for it:)

SHES SO GAY ITS NOT EVEN FUNNY SHE FLIRTS W THE MAIN CHARACTER HER NARRATIVE FOIL IS ANOTHER GIRL W TBE OPPOSITE COLOR SCHEME THEYRE RED BLUE LESBIAN MOMENT YOU WANNA KNOW WHAT ELSE ??? SHE COMES TO THIS FALSE REALITY LITERALLY JUST TO SEE HER GIRLFRIEND ALIVE THEY LIVE TOGETHER AND THERES A WHOLE OUTRO SEQUENCE JUST W THE TWO OF THEM SHE STUDIED THE GAY BLADE I STG also she uses a sword 🗡️ love u sayaka

[aesthetic-uni]

Arcane Season 2 Act III Reaction - Final Episode/Episode 9

When I say I will never recover from this series, that is not an overstatement. This series has impacted me so deeply. I know I mostly talked about Jinx in these reactions, but all the characters are just so wonderfully written and so heart wrenching. The story is so heart wrenching. Jinx of course is my favorite character and I do relate to her, so she impacts me the most. I’m so sad this series is over. I’m so sad she’s going to be gone. But thank you to everyone who worked on Arcane, for creating the most beautiful story I have seen in a long long time

And with that, the final reaction

Not off to. Good start BEAUTIFUL shot of Jinx but absolutely heartbreaking don’t do this to me

Oh no BEAUTIFUL ANIMATION THIS IS GOING TO CRUSH ME

EKKO MY KING THANK YOU OH MY FUCKING GOD

Oh no. Oh no how many times is he going to have to do this?! No. NO NO STOP THIS PLEASE!

This is actually fucking hurting me so bad how many times he’s trying to save her oh my god

Also her tear tracks say Vi. I’m going to jump off a fucking bridge

IM GOING TO THROW UP

Oh my god this is the last time I’m going to hear the intro

What. The fuck. Is about to happen.

I don’t like these flashes. What’s going to happen. Ooooooooh fuck

OH WE JUST JUMP STRAIGHT INTO THE WAR HUH?!

OH MY GOD NO NOT HER

God Ambessa is so awful but SO DAMN COOL

OH DAMN CAITLYN GOT A SHOT

LORIS NOOO!!

I can’t even fucking talk I can only fucking watch

I feel so fucking sick right now

YOU’RE KIDDING ME. A GODDAMN NAIL

MADDIE YOU BITCH I TAKE BACK EVERYTHING FUCK YOU TO HELL

CAITLYN NOOOO

OH GET FUCKED BY MEL

JINX JINX JINX JINX MY LOVE

FIRELIGHTS BADASS TIME!!!

SEVIKA!!

OH FUCK YEAH BABEY

There’s still 30 minutes left of the episode

M-Maybe it’s 30 minutes of happiness? PLEASE?!

Oh my god that’s a brutal death

OH NO IT WAS A DIVERSION

OH NO ITS LIKE THE HIT GAME LEAGUE OF LEGENDS WHICH IT IS BASED OFF FUCK

Holy shit that’s a sick design

THAT IS FUCKING TERRIFYING

NOO SEVIKA NOOOOOO

HELL YEAH CAITLYN

Oh my god Caitlyn and Mel are so badass

VANDER NOOOOOOOL

OH MY GOD ZAUN TRIO

STOP IT WITH THE GLORIOUS EVOLUTION

Oh that’s fucked up Not-Viktor

CAIT

OH MY GOD

THAT IS FUCKING BRUTAL

MEL IS SO FUCKING BADASS AND DESERVES THE FUCKING WORLD

OH MY GOD AMBESSA IS HOLY SHIT

AAAAAH MY GIRLS

ALSO SOMEONE PLEASE HELP EKKO

This is fucking HAUNTING

THE BOY WHO BROKE TIIIIIIIIME!!!!!

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

EKKO

BREAK FREE BABY!!!!

The unbreakable vows of love are DESTROYING ME

Oh my god.

OH MY GOD.

IT WAS VIKTOR. IT WAS ALWAYS VIKTOR OH MY GOD

It was always them OH MY GOD

OH MY GOOOOODDD

NO NO NO

DONT YOU DARE

NO DONT YOU DARE

NOOOOOOOO

YOU CANT DO THIS NOOOOO

NOO THIS ISNT FAIR OH MY GOD

PLEASE THIS CANT BE TRUE OH MY GOD PLEASE

NOOO HOLY FUCK

I SAW THAT ENDING SHE FUCKING LIVES I DONT FUCKING CARE FUCK YOU

SHE ALIVE MY GIRL IS ALIVE

[all-pacas]

Chase - 1,2,3,8,12,22

1. Why do you like or dislike this character?

because he's depressed <3 parental trauma is my Thing. parental trauma and abandonment and feeling lost and emotionally repressed and dead inside. its me . add in some of the most fucked up found family (house does not want to be this man's found family), and a wonderful tragic failmarriage doomed yuri romance and i'm there also he's kind of a silly guy. he's very funny. he's smart. whole package

2. Favorite canon thing about this character?

kind of a meta thing but honestly? i love how jesse spencer clearly gets bored during takes and starts figeting, thus making chase constantly biting pens, playing with random objects, making faces, like it adds a lot of charm to this very boring character, he's constantly grinning and reacting to what people say in a way that's really… good, really engaged, and also really hard to pull off in a way that doesn't feel like over-acting or distracting. (hugh laurie is also very good at this. to compare, jennifer morrison is a lovely actor, but cameron - reacts when appropriate, reacts to things, but doesn't often do much beyond listen in an engaged fashion if the scene isn't about cameron. this is a perfectly valid acting choice. but laurie and spencer will do the same thing while playing with random objects or… one of my favorite little bits is the scene where chase tries to steal one of house's pancakes and house slaps his hand. that was, i will bet anything, 200% improvised. it was just a funny bit. but they do it completely in character, in a way that makes perfect sense: of course chase would try to steal the pancake. it adds a real layer of charm to the character, and adds a lot to the house-chase dynamic. spencer seems like such a fucking douche but damn him he's a good actor) i also love chase's entire character trajectory. he keeps nepobaby failing upward, ending up the coveted heir to diagnostics. does he want this? does he want any of this? is he happy? his life is wildly successful, everything chase does turns to gold (except his marriage lmaooo), he's rich and a genius and good looking and successful and people admire him and like him and he's dead inside, but. does he want to do anything else? does he have any conception of himself as anything else? he's not pining to… help the needy or become an artist or even be a professional beach bum. he tried to be a professional beach bum and got bored after 6 months. you strip away the facade and there's just nothing and i find that very fun.

3. Least favorite canon thing about this character?

he can be a douche, and not in a fun, charming way like house but just in a … shut up, bitch kind of way lol. he's mean. he's rude. he talks shit about people. foreman isn't 100% right when he says chase doesn't give a shit about anyone, but 85% of people? chase really, blatantly doesn't care. he can be mean. he will let you know he doesn't care. at least house in his cruelty is engaged, chase just freezes people out.

8. What's something the fandom does when it comes to this character that you despise?

the 1,001 sick crying babey sad fics hahahaha. like i get it, chase is a very good character to torture, far be it from me etc. but while he's definitely a sopping crybaby, he is much more repressed than he's given credit for and i think the woobieing goes way too far a lot of the time: he doesn't sob, he doesn't have panic attacks, he gets a canon whump episode (several actually) and he tends to get mad and kind of whiny and freeze people out / shut down emotionally, not throw up from anxiety. chase is kind of a dick! especially when he's upset! ALSO THE WOMBAT NICKNAME . hate it. actually half the australian jokes fandom makes bug me because they're the same joke over and over and they never… feel tonally correct. almost never. but that's more of a characterization nitpick of house (in that i totally believe he'd make the jokes, i just don't buy the jokes fandom puts in his mouth).

12. What's a headcanon you have for this character?

he's a fish :( loves to surf, swim, snorkel, takes absurdly long showers, loves a good bath, will happily lounge in or by the pool, he is happiest near or in the water. also something about water as a trope/symbol; adaptability, malleability, still waters running deep: chase is easy-going, he keeps things to himself, he presents this calm facade but is anything but. (i use so much drowning language in my chase fanfics) but also he likes to take baths :(

22. If you're a fic reader, what's something you like in fics when it comes to ths character? Something you don't like?

i like useless pining, i think fandom doesn't write nearly enough of chase pining when it's like 80% of his character from s3-6. arguably s2. man really does spend half the show pining for cameron to notice him and how relatable is that tbh. who amongst us, etc. i also love and think we need way more chase&13 and chase&park friendship stories -- emphasis on friendship, because this man will ruin every relationship he has by sleeping with them, and i think he deserves two mean gay best friends who will bully him into therapy and never fuck him. something i don't like is that fandom doesn't write me these stories :(

[firestorm09890]

I've been trying to think of the best Organization XIII Limbus Company au... the Nobodies as LCB sinners would hypothetically be fun, but doesn't really work because the LCB relies on having a group of people of vastly different backgrounds, while the Organization has the majority of them coming from the same place (plus they parallel the Sephirot from LobCorp more than the sinners anyway). the Sinners in an Organization XIII situation might be interesting, though. and then there's Dante. their role in the story is most similar to Roxas's (woke up one day with no memories, was told that they were super important and given a job, everyone is so mean to them) except Dante is the manager so like. au where Dante has a keyblade? au where Dante is leading the Organization members? can't go the other way around because they would Not put a fucking 15-year-old in a manager position in the city. Xemnas leading the sinners though? random character swaps so there's a blend of 'em because the numbers match? but which ones are most interesting? anyway in lieu of actually coming up with anything here's a game I call "I can connect anything in my mind"

#1: Xemnas and Yi Sang - they talk like that… such is all I have to say - miss their friends a lot. Yi Sang got over it thankfully and managed to love his new companions. Xemnas did not

#2: Xigbar and Faust - won't stop hinting about stuff they know that you don't - this is secretly because they've lived several more lifetimes than anyone else

#3: Xaldin and Don Quixote - lances. though Don's lance is actually a lance meant for horseback and Xaldin's... aren't

#4: Vexen and Ryōshū - somewhat disturbing fervor for their craft (science and art respectively) - despite this, is somehow a parent - very bad things happen to the children

#5: Lexaeus and Meursault - the biggest one in the group - very intelligent, but usually defaults to following orders - what if I hit you very hard and you died

#6: Zexion and Hong Lu - um uh uhm Land of Illusion ooooo - raised in a very high-class family but the situation is fucking dire - what are you hiding…

#7: Saïx and Heathcliff - comparable to a wolf but secretly also comparable to a bunny - making envy their entire personality

#8: Axel and Ishmael - their hair being the color of sunset is a significant plot device; at dusk, I think of you - homosexual relations!!!!! - relationship to #7 is. uh. it’s

#9: Demyx and Rodion - act silly but I’m convinced it is only partially genuine and mostly to take attention of their problems (canon for Rodya, speculation for Demyx)

#10: Luxord and Dante - time and gambling go hand in hand babey!! - who the fuck are you. who did you used to be. tell me

#11: Marluxia and Sinclair - imagery that belongs in a stained glass window - this is moreso about Lauriam than Marluxia but: very pleasant but hoo BOY do not make them mad - broooo your gender - ...dare I say something about Cain

#12: Larxene and Outis - WILL say something terribly mean to you and call you a weak little baby - would kill all her teammates for one corn chip. except for one of them

#13: Roxas and Gregor - merely treated as the weapon they wield, both idolized and reviled for it - age 15 forced to kill

[thenukacolachallenge]

some fun facts about Luis and André Peña(his VA)

(from the Nick Apostolides(Leon Kennedy VA) livestreams, because i think Luis is neato and i liked André's performance, especially for a first-time big VA gig!)

UPDATE: NOW WITH TIMESTAMPS bc someone on the part two of this post asked about them lmfao

-André actually auditioned for the Spanish cops that escort Leon to Valdelobos originally, and went through several more auditions before landing the role of Luis Serra. for his first role on a big project like Resident Evil, that's incredibly impressive! (timestamp)

-Both Nick and André did motion capture for multiple enemies, including André calling his "best role" playing a dead body lmao. He and Nick also did mocap for the Verdugos, Salazar's bodyguards! (timestamp)

-Being that it was such a big role, he was very anxious about the game dropping, from the moment he got cast to the day it dropped. He even apparently asked Nick constantly if he had somehow been recast. (poor dude, as someone with anxiety issues and huge imposter syndrome, i feel for him!!!) Nick gives him a very sweet but stern pep talk about how he earned and deserved his role on stream too, it was a cute moment! (timestamp 1: André first mentioning his nerves) (timestamp 2: second mention of anxiety/Nick's pep talk to André)

-André is a big enough fan of the original to remember where all the treasure used to be! i love when people who are fans of a series get to work on it, dude. in addition, he was also very happy with the direction he was given, and felt that he was allowed to explore Luis as a more fleshed out character. (which he absolutely is, and i love it! Luis in the original was so strange and honestly off-putting imo. fucking ballistics lmao) (timestamp 1: first mention of André knowing a lot about RE4) (timestamp 2: more of André knowing the game) (timestamp 3: MORE of André knowing the game lmao) (there are a lot more than just these. dude is a FAN) (timestamp 4: André talking about direction and Luis)

-He refers to the bag Luis is stuffed into as a "Luis burrito", which is hilarious and adorable. (timestamp)

-(Also, not related to Luis, but Nick yells "YEET" when Leon gets tossed into the wall by Mendez, which is fucking hysterical) (timestamp)

-UPDATE: thank you to tumblr user @hamartia-grander for this detail that i completely missed originally! (timestamp)

(transcript: I hope this okay for me to add, but he also said that in the first scene with Leon and Luis, Luis looks away as Mendéz injects Leon with la plaga because he couldn't watch another person be infected by something horrible he had a hand in creating. Which is easy to infer from that scene, but it was nice that it was a conscious decision on André's part, rather than aimless direction.)

-the first scene André and Nick filmed together was Luis and Leon chained up together! and the first line of Luis's that got revealed was when he said to Leon, "I guess you, me... picked the wrong spot to vacation, eh?" Apparently the mocap for this scene was also very awkward for André, which is totally understandable, considering Luis spends 90% of it getting jerked around by Leon or trying to dodge a Ganado without the use of his hands lol. (timestamp)

-André worked very hard to make sure that Luis's accent was as accurate to Spain's Spanish as it could be, which is awesome, especially for someone who doesn't naturally speak that particular dialect. GOOD ACTING, BABEY (timestamp)

-André owns a legitimate Red 9 gun, the weapon that Luis uses in the game. this is a unique gun bc it was manufactured during the first World War, and it's VERY expensive(they can go up to $10k, but André apparently got his for a great deal!). he also has MADE a copy of the RE4 tactical knife Leon uses, and there's a video up on his youtube channel! (timestamp)

-(not related to Luis, but André also mentioned he has adhd! same buddy!!!) (timestamp)

-OKAY NEW STREAM TIME! This begins part four of Nick's playthrough, and André is a guest once more. All the previous facts are from part one, which is the first one André guested on. According to Nick, André learned how to flip a lighter around his fingers just for Luis, which is awesome. (and he shows off by doing so in stream!!!) (timestamp)

-Ashley's VA, Genevieve Buechner, got asked about her reaction to Luis' infamous "ballistics" line and both her and André aren't sad to see it missing from the remake. André himself makes a comment about how this version of Luis is still flirty without coming across as "creepy" about it. (i find the ballistics line from the original annoying, and it was a huge part of why i didn't care for Luis in og re4, so i too am VERY glad it's gone) (timestamp)

-André jokes about Luis breaking the brake on the minecart: "I react so depressed, like.... 'Guess that's it, bro.' 'Hey man, I tried.'" He really does! it feels like a mix of sheepishness at breaking it in the first place, and just very, resigned and depressed lol. (timestamp)

-Sadly, because he hadn't played up to that point yet, he didn't watch Luis' death scene, and therefore didn't have much to say on it :c

-when the cast was asked what kind of pet each of their characters would have, André said Luis would be a cat person, and he'd probably specifically adopt a stray cat, probably one that "adopted" him first. I definitely agree! (timestamp)

i havent watched Nick's last vid in the series yet but this is long enough as it is! im planning on watching some of André's streams up on his personal channel, and some others where he's a guest in, and i may make a part 2 of this :D (update: i did, link at the top of the post lol)

[jojea]

it’s haowednesday and guess who’s got a new outfit for the occasion 😌✨

sparkle on! it’s haowen wednesday! don’t forget to stay silly despite the dreadful urge to murder within you!