#Christmas feels a lot less aggressive now | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

razorblade180-heated · 1 year ago

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Early Christmas Gift

[Warning, smut. Like the whole thing]

It had been a looooog day for Jaune Arc. The end of a crazy mission that had far too many explosions, the loss of his wallet for half the day which forced him to miss his boat, and finally, bad turbulence on a flight all the way back to Vale. Now it was the dead of night and he was wheeling his luggage down the sidewalks. At least he didn’t vomit on the ride, this time.

“Note to self, Vacou kids are amazing pickpockets.” He mumbled aloud. Thank goodness Ren was quick on his feet and that Nora could be as scary as she could be sweet. If not, things could’ve been worse. Now that he was back in the city, his Scroll was practically blowing up with messages. Notably, his girlfriend, Yang, called a little more than Ruby. Before he could finally return a call, his scroll rang with Yang’s name.

He laughed nervously and smiled, preparing himself as he answered. “H-”

“SO YOU ARE ALIVE!? WHAT THE HECK MAN!?” The blonde yelled, relieved and annoyed.

Honestly, less aggressive than he expected. “Hi baby. I’m sorry.” Jaune deflated as he spoke. “Today has been a day.”

“That’s putting it mildly. Weren’t you supposed to be home seven hours ago? Did the mission go south? You didn’t get hurt did you?”

“No, the mission was pretty Nora core. All and all we made good time but then someone stole my stuff, missed my boat; lots of other very, very exhausting stuff. I’m walking home as we speak.”

“Wow. That’s…definitely a lot. Wait, you’re walking? It’s nearly midnight. You could’ve called me or someone to pick you up from the port.”

“I figured everyone was asleep.”

“Get real. Do you really think I’d be sound asleep before I knew you were okay?”

Those words warmed his heart greatly. “Thanks Yang. I’m fine though. Vale isn’t some ghost town at night. I am sorry though. We had plans to meet today. You must’ve been waiting a while.”

“You…could say that.” Yang laughed sheepishly. “Here I was, ready to see my boyfriend after we finished our missions and his annoying personal challenge was achieved.”

“A month without sex is a test of will and power.” He defended.

“November is the time for good food and being thankful. Anything else is wild. Besides, we’ve both gone years without fun stuff. Why add a month?”

“Heh, I don’t think being a single or a virgin counts. You’re just opted in at that point. How did your mission go by the way?”

“Got home on time.”

“Ouch… where’d the warmth go?” He teases.

“I know you’re fine now. If you want warmth then…maybe I should see you?”

“You’re an island away. Even if you caught the final flight I’d feel guilty. Though if it makes you feel better…I’ve been missing you all day.”

“…Always the charmer. I’ve definitely been missing you too.” She said, a little more bashful than usual.

“There’s always tomorrow. I’m definitely not going anywhere. Aside from grocery shopping.”

“Have you eaten?”

“My apartment should still have something edible. I’ll probably grab a snack, bathe, and crash.” He finally reached his building’s street. “Anyways, I’ve officially made it home safely. Just several feet away. Now you can have pretty dreams knowing I’m safe.”

“Nope. Not until you go through your front door. I’m not hanging up until you do.”

“Okay, okay. Heh, honestly with my luck something crazy would happen if I hung up early.” He laughed.

“Please don’t jinx yourself.”

Jaune made his way down the hall, up some annoying stairs, and to the front of his door.

“Kay, now you are free to sleep.”

“Have a wonderful night, handsome.” Yang made a kiss noise over the phone and hung up.

Just like that, Jaune felt the warmth again. She was so good to him. He’d definitely have to treat her to a dinner or some kind of club date. The man found his keys and went inside his home at last. Instantly his nose was greeted with wonder and bliss. That was…odd. He put down his belongings and walked over to the kitchen; a flick of the light revealed a hot box of pizza. Jaune had to do a double take to make sure this was his place. He then noticed Yang’s emblem drawn in orange on the box.

“Ah, that’s why she asked if I ate.” He smiled before quickly going back to being confused. How was the pizza hot? Yang had a key to his place but when was she over here? Did she leave briefly before he called? Unless…

Jaune looked towards the absolute darkness that was his living room and squinted. Not that it helped with the balcony blinds shut. “Yang?”

His call was answered with snickering. “Hehehe, I do love watching your brain at work. Although…” She pulled the metal lamp string next to her to light up the room. “You’re also cute when it’s derailed.

And derailed it was. There his cute girlfriend was, sitting on his black leather recliner his family had bought him. Her smile was cheeky as well as ear to ear. She sure caught him by surprise, but the real shock was her outfit. A silly little Santa hat on top of her head jingled while the only thing on her body was a red tube top with white frills that was fighting for his life, a matching miniskirt that barely went halfway down her thighs, and very, very long red stockings that compensated for the skirt’s lack of…well, skirt.

Jaune’s mouth went dry and his eyes embarrassingly wide. It was as if Yang had knocked the exhaustion out of them. He wasn’t quite sure where he should’ve been looking at first, but then noticed despite how confidently the lady sat there with her legs crossed, her cheeks were branded pink and her gaze, while excited, was also avoiding complete eye contact.

“For the record, I’ve been in this for quite awhile.” She said, breaking the silence. “It took guts to commit to this surprise.”

“Now I’m curious what you would’ve done if I had called you to pick me up!”

“Then Remnant would’ve gotten a hot Mrs. Claus on a motorcycle.” She smirked. “Although I’m actually very relieved that was not the case. It’s cold out there!”

Not the issue Jaune thought she was going to say but he rolled with it. Not that he had much choice. Yang finally stood up and slowly walked towards him, draping her arms over his shoulders and giving a more endearing grin despite her obvious flustered face. “Welcome home. As you can see, I missed you.”

He nodded, “Yeah, I can feel the yearning. Hehe, you look…wow. Talk about an early present.” His hands automatically went to hold her waist.”

Yang got on her toes and gained a very sweet and joyful kiss. She’s glad her efforts paid off, but she could tell Jaune really had a long day. “Go grab a slice and unwind yourself. I’m not going anywhere so- mmph!?”

Her offer was outright denied, thrown to the side as Jaune pulled her body closer and back into a more passionate kiss that fluttered her heart and stole her breath. The longer kept her in his arms, the more she found herself melting into the embrace to the point her knees buckled before he allowed her to breathe again.

Frazzled, Yang found herself stammering and chewing on her bottom lip. “I um- I uhh can wait a while longer for you to rest.”

“I’ve made you wait long enough.” He said with yearning and restrained lust as he pulled her back into a kiss that took custody of her tongue.

Yang felt herself rise up onto her toes as Jaune’s hands found residence on her shapely rear. He didn’t think twice about squeezing it as he picked her up and allowed her legs to wrap around his waist. It didn’t take long before her man went a step further in sliding his hands under the provocative skirt. Jaune quickly ended their kiss to gaze at her as her face grew red from his curious expression.

“No underwear huh?” He said, sinking his digits into warm flesh. “What am I going to do with you?”

“Funny. I was wondering the same thing.” Her hands rubbed his broad chest. “Come sit on the couch for you me will ya?”

He followed her quest and sat right in the middle of the couch. Yang was about to get off him for the next step, but was clearly taken by surprise when his teeth tugged her tube top down, freeing her massive chest before ravishing them. A jolt ram through her spine as his warm tongue lapped around her nipples. His hands kept her waist pressed down on her lap to the point she had no choice but to feel his pulsing cock through tight jeans. Nevertheless, Yang couldn’t stop her hips from grinning along it, dampening the fabric severely.

“H-Hey…wait! I-mmm” Her voice shook, feeling him sink his teeth into her. Jaune leaned forward, putting Yang on her back as he continued devouring her body. “Jaune! Hold on~ I…had a whole routine~” Yangs mewls only served to make him more daring. His tongue trailed up her neck, causing her entire body to arch as he met her lips again for another kiss. Yang was overwhelmed with the scent of the boy and his rough day, which she increasingly found more and more dulling to her senses. She didn’t even notice Jaune had unzipped his pants until she felt his buring hot tip rubbing along her folds. “Mmmph”

Jaune could already feel her lips quivering as they coated his cock. To get this excited so quickly; he wasn’t one to talk though. He began pushing his hips continuously into the molten warmth.

“Aaaaah!” Yang felt the wind leave her body as Jaune’s thick cock spread her body apart and filled her inch by inch until she felt the weight of his balls against her ass. He slowly began dragging himself out halfway before plummeting back in as he grunted. “Ah fuck!” Yang gripped his forearms as her body tripped to adjust.

“Gods, I missed you. You’re so wet.”

“Who’s fault is that!?” Yang’s breathing became sharper as Jaune started moving. “Nng, too big. Rock solid too~”

“It has been a long month. I’m dying for a release.”

“How do you think I feel!? It hasn’t been easy for me either.” She pouted. Suddenly she felt his movements slow. “Jaune?” He raised himself up and looked down at her with a shocked look from between her legs. “What?”

“Are you telling me you didn’t touch yourself the entire time?”

Yang felt heat rush to her face. Looking at him became a lot harder so she turned her head to the side. “What would be the point? Even if I used a toy, I just wouldn’t feel as good as you.”

A brief silence fell on them. Yang awaited his response when she suddenly felt him twitch inside her. Jaune’s hands held her waist tightly and raised her lower body off the couch with ease, causing her to look his way. “What are you-” was all she could manage before seeing Jaune thrust his hips forward, causing another series of jolts as he began to go all out.

Yang’s mouth fell open and stayed that way as voiceless, broken cries left her throat until a scream finally broke out. “AAAAGHN~” her brain became a mess, her eyes fluttering at the sight of jaune mercilessly fucking her pussy until their sex became loud and wet. Her stomach felt like fire as her hips became numb with the pleasure of being turned inside out. Each deep rub made her gasp for air she couldn’t gain while her chest bounced to the rough rhythm. “B-baby. Baby! Aaah!” Yang reached for him and he gladly returned to her embrace. She knew despite her pleas, his pace would not falter; nor did she want it to. Their pleasure had built too quickly to turn back now. With a final raise of his hips, Yang felt the man bury himself deep inside and release a rush of heat that made her body squeeze him for more as her vision blurred momentarily. When she recovered, Jaune was already pulling out slowly and giving both of their bodies a break. Still, if you were to go by appearances, Jaune’s body hadn’t calmed down in the slightest.

“Looks like all of you missed me.” Yang huffed, sitting up as her legs gained some feeling. “If I didn’t know any better, I would think you were trying to have a kid.”

Jaune watched the woman run her middle finger along her slit to pick up some of the lust he left dripping in her. Yang looked him dead in the eyes as she lapped up the naughty taste, making him blush.

“I had an entire routine planned out and you threw it to the side. Not that I mind.”

“You can’t say the things you said a

and wear this without expecting me to get riled up.”

“Heh, touché.” Her gaze fell on his erection, the near seven inches of solid flesh was still ready. Might as well start her plans now, Yang thought. She leaned forward, crawling on hands and knees until she was in the perfect spot to lower her head.

Jaune shuddered as he felt her hot lips wrap around his length to lick him lavishly. Now he knew Yang was horny for sure. Giving head was never her favorite activity in this fun process, but now her face was happily burying itself in his lap repeatedly. His left hand brushed the blonde bombshell’s hair aside for an unobstructed view of her work.

Yang ran her tongue up and down the girth base, polishing it while making faint moans and wet smacks to turn him on more. She must’ve been losing her mind because the way his taste and smell overwhelmed her senses in the best way possible. Her grip on reality only came back when Jaune's hand struck her rear suddenly, his middle and ring finger slipping inside her body to stir her desires harder.

“Mmmm~”

Jaune couldn’t stop his smirk. “Oh you like that?”

“Mmhmm~” Yang readied herself and pressed down in one motion to feel this man in her throat before coming up for air. Yang could feel his digits grow relentless as they sped up. Unable to focus, she freed Jaune from her mouth in a fit of panting and mewls. Her hips couldn’t stop shaking, pushing against his hand to feel each knuckle rub deeper. “Gods, why is this so good?”

“Cum if you need to. Let me see that pretty face.”

“No~ I…I wanted to use my tits on you. But now I…I’m…” Yang let out a long, heartfelt sigh. How did things get this messy so fast? “Put it back in me. I want it.”

Jaune retracted his fingers and did his best to regain his own composure; a difficult task when the love of his life not only pleaded, but brazenly kissed along his shaft in a stupor of want and desire. “Ngh, Yang, get on my lap if you want it.”

Yang got on her knees then swung her right leg to the other side of Jaune’s waist. The boy wasted no time massaging and kneading her chest, riddling it with bits as Yang cooed. Her body dropped slowly, piercing herself onto Jaune’s flesh.

“Aaaaghn~” her hands ran up his chest and gripped his shoulders as Yang started bouncing on his lap, putting all her weight down each time to feel her womb get knocked on. Jaune’s mouth stayed busy where it was but his hands returned to her rear, molding it like clay as he helped push her down to the base. Her hips buckled. “Fuck!”

Heavy, wet smacks echoed every time her ass slammed onto Jaune’s lap. The man couldn’t believe the tightness that surrounded him; the way it clung it his length and coated it with ecstasy that reached his thighs. Engulfed by Yang’s heat, Jaune finally took a second to separate his lips from his body and removed his shirt. Yang’s arms all but sprang out towards him right after, pulling him into a feverish kiss while her hips moved on their own before his hands returned.

“You’re so in love with my ass tonight.” Yang hummed.

“I’m in love with it every night.” He continued kneading it, his fingers rubbing all of it. “Hey, so how much did you prepare for today?”

Yang didn’t get the question at first, until she felt a single finger tracing her asshole. Yang couldn’t hide the state of blushing red he put her into with his pesky intention. To make it worse, her body already gave him the answer to the question. Yang buried her face into the crook of Jaune’s neck and quivered as the naughty middle finger pressed into her slowly. A moan came from her throat and her hips worked over time on his cock as Jaune began to play his little game.

He could already feel her walls frantically twitching but he knew he could make Yang go crazy. He wanted to make the month of emptiness mean everything. He nipped at her ear as he continued fingering her. “You’re such a good girl, you that? Doing all this for me; allowing me to cut loose~” he thrusted up suddenly.

“AAAHH!” His nipping turned into feverish licks as well. Yang tried staying strong but now he was meeting her thrusts and pumped his finger into her more quickly. Her body became repeated jolts of pleasure to the point Yang could only bite her lover’s shoulder as a way to soften her growls.

Jaune’s only panting became like a drunken breath as he approached his end. “Good girl~” he cooed, leaning right into her ear and whispering it one more time. “Gooood girl.” He pressed her hips down against his waist, going as deep as possible. “Here’s your reward!” He grunted, cumming for the second time.

Every muscle in Yang’s body tensed all at once. She was certain she’d scream, yet the immense rush of pleasure stole voice, leaving nothing but a silent yell as she clung to him like a girl on a wild roller coaster. Pulse after pulse, she felt her insides get marked by Jaune. The dork was brazen enough to call it a “reward” and she had half a mind to thank him for it. They were going crazy. Not that she hated it for a second.

Yang felt Jaune relax under her body while she found the strength to set up after his hands finished toying with her. “Wow, that was- hmm” Yang stopped short as she witnessed Jaune struggling to keep his eyes open. Poor guy was spent! It was almost hard not to laugh. “Pfft, gee, looks like someone should’ve eaten.”

“I was hungry for other things.” He groaned, wrapping his arms around her torso and resting his face in her chest. “But now that pizza sounds like a wonderful idea.”

“Oh what to do with you?” Yang giggled, her hands combing through his hands. Truthfully, she wanted him to stay inside like this a little longer, but the last thing she wanted was her boyfriend withering away. Yang kissed the top of his head. “I’ll go fix you a plate.”

“You’re wonderful.”

“And you’re outstanding. My hips are still floating.” She said, embarrassed by her own honesty.

“Let’s wash up together after we eat.”

“Only washing?” She teased, only to feel him twitch inside of her. Yang gasped a little. Jaune raised his head to look into her eyes with a gaze that made her chew on her bottom lip again. Tonight was going to be a long night. “Welcome home.”

#rwby #jaune arc #yang xiao long #rwby dragonslayer

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wooataes · 1 year ago

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Pretty Coincidences (Part One)

Pairing: Yoon Jeonghan x Fem!Reader

Word Count: 2.8K

Warnings: Strangers to ??? AU, angst, mentions of cheating, mentions of plane crashes, swearing

Summary: Choosing to run away from your problems on an impromptu trip to Italy may be the best decision you’ve made in your life thus far.

A/N: a belated birthday fic for the beautiful Jeonghan and also a belated birthday fic for my fave Carat friend Zan 💜

Masterlist

Part Two?

To say you were heartbroken was an understatement.

You feel almost dead inside as you sit in the backseat of your Uber, unshed tears tempting you to break the flood gates. How the fuck did you get here, in an Uber on the way to Incheon Airport running away from your responsibilities and problems?

The answer was Geumjae.

Forty eight hours ago, you were happy. You were happy and in love with your seemingly loving boyfriend of four years, Geumjae, in the talks of buying an apartment together and Geumjae planning to pop the question to you this coming Christmas in front of both your families. That was, until, you decided to take the afternoon off from your office job, feeling unwell and in all honesty, wanted the comfort of your boyfriend and your bed.

Instead of finding your loving boyfriend making soup for you in your apartment, you were greeted to the sounds of aggressive lovemaking coming from your personal bedroom. That scumbag was using YOUR bed in YOUR apartment to sleep with other women?! No fucking way.

Now, you’re not a pushover or a pussy. On the contrary, you proved to yourself that you’re the opposite; storming into your bedroom and throwing out your new ex boyfriend and his flimsy little side-piece, who you vaguely recognized as your now ex-best friend, who was trying to stammer some sort of apology. You didn’t hear her as she spoke though, only throwing both him and her out of your apartment with nothing but the clothes on their backs, which at that moment, was none at all, leaving them to rush to his car as quick as possible without being seen, as you curled up on the living room floor in hysterics.

After a long night of tears, a whole tub of ice cream, half a bottle of wine and burnt clothes, photos and bedsheets, at the ripe time of 2:43am, you feel the sadness within you seep into a seething anger.

Screw this guy! You don’t need him! You can do a lot better and deserve someone who will love and treat you right! Who else can treat you better than yourself?

In a half-tipsy wine drunk state, you grab your laptop and start typing travel options in your search bar.

You had always dreamed of wanting to go on a trip to see Italy ever since you met Geumjae, and for four long draining years, your requests were always rebuffed with a ‘I can’t afford it’ or ‘why don’t we try local?’ Well screw that. You’re newly free and have the funds saved, as well as PTO from your job. After sending a long and misspelled message to your boss, you rise from your spot on the floor to march into your room to pack your bags.

Forty eight hours later, you were miserable, angry and betrayed by two of the closest people you know, but you also felt surprisingly free, as if a weight had been lifted off your chest as you stepped inside Incheon Airport to make your way to your flight to Italy.

You settle into your seat with a tired sigh. For once, you’re actually happy you got seated in an Emergency Exit row. You’re not as enclosed as the others which means more leg room, and instead of having two people beside you, you only have one. Double win. The less people you have to interact with, the better. You hope that the unlucky person who was destined to be sat beside you isn’t a talker; hopefully they are just as tired and done with the world as you.

You take a quick glance at your reflection from your front facing phone camera, wincing at the miserable girl you faced. Your hair is pulled back into a ponytail, several strands having found their way out of the loose hair tie securing your locks and falling over your shoulders haphazardly. You have massive bags under your eyes, which isn’t surprising since you have barely slept since you found your trash ex. You hope that you’ll be able to catch up on your sleep during the twelve hour flight to Italy.

After heaving another sleepy sigh, you lift your head to the side to see a hooded figure placing a bag into the overhead locker before sitting down carefully beside you and pulling his hood back to ruffle his fluffed up hair out of his eyes. Your cheeks tinge a dusty pink as you take in the mystery man’s handsome good looks, suddenly feeling self conscious at your appearance. After giving the gorgeous man a small smile in greeting, (which he returns without hesitation) you shrink slightly into your seat, your brain beginning to work overtime as you feel an overwhelming urge to apologize about your half assed looks. The man is in an almost identical outfit to yours, but you can’t help but resent your new seatmate at how much better he looks than you. Then again, he probably hasn’t had his heart ripped out of his chest and then stomped on by his ex-girlfriend within the last two days. You were so consumed in your own self deprecating thoughts you didn’t notice the pretty man looking at you expectantly.

“Sorry, did you say something?” You blink, eyes wide.

“That’s okay.” The man smiles. You blush. Dang, why did he have to be so pretty? “I was just asking if you had enough room there.” He gestures to the armrest between you both. “I can scoot over a little bit if you need.”

“O-oh.” You stutter, shaking your head quickly. “No, you’re fine, really.”

“Are you sure?”

“Mhm.” You nod, giving him a little smile. “I will apologize in advance though, I am 100% going to sleep for this flight.”

“Damn,” he sighs dramatically. You tilt your head in questioning. “You’re going to sleep and let me be the only one to have to save the plane and all these passengers if a disaster happens?”

You’re caught off guard as a giggle passes your lips, your smile growing as the man chuckles with you. You didn’t know how badly you needed to have a laugh.

“I do apologize,” you hum. “But getting my beauty rest is more important than the well-being of the plane.”

It’s the stranger’s turn to laugh along with you, and you feel relieved that the joke lands.

“Hmm, I’ll keep that in mind.” He nods thoughtfully. “Did you need to be woken from your beauty rest when the meals come by?”

You blink in surprise. How thoughtful. “Uhh.. if it’s no trouble?”

“None at all.” He’s surprisingly chirpy at this hour of the morning. “We are the backbone of this flight. We need to keep our strength up.” He winks at you and smiles as you laugh again.

“Fair point.” You nod gently as you fasten your seatbelt, the flight crew beginning to prepare you for takeoff.

You wait for a moment to see if Pretty Man will continue the conversation, but when he settles in and starts looking for movies on his tv, you let your eyes flutter shut, sleep taking over you before you even feel the plane take off.

You feel yourself being shaken gently an hour later as you stir, rubbing at your eyes with a little yawn. Pretty Man is smiling warmly at you.

“Hey.” He mumbles. “Sorry, they’re giving out breakfast.”

“S’fine.” You yawn again, smiling politely at the flight attendant as she passes your meal over. “Thanks for waking me, uhh..”

“Jeonghan.” Pretty Man - Jeonghan offers, and you nod with a little smile. “You’re welcome…”

“Y/N.”

Your eyes open slowly, yawning out as you start to take in your surroundings around you, the PA system announcing that the descent into Rome will begin within the hour. You sit up slightly and run at your eyes tiredly. Your eyelids still feel heavy, but after having slept for a solid 10 hours, only having been woken up from Jeonghan to eat in between with minimal conversation, you feel like you’ve rested enough.

“Did you manage to keep the plane in one piece while I slept?” You joke, Jeonghan chuckling in response.

“Only barely.” He sighed dramatically, hand on his chest. “I think you owe me for the next flight.”

“I think I do.” You humor him as he laughed.

“So, what brings you to Italy?” He asks after a moment of silence as you glance out the little window beside you.

“Mid-life crisis?” You offer with a laugh. Jeonghan only raises his eyebrows in concern. “Long story short,” you start fiddling with your fingers, nibbling your lip. “Just got out of a long term relationship and I’m long overdue for a holiday. So, I just packed up and left for Rome to forget about the real world for a while.” You wince, not even looking at Jeonghan to know that he’s giving you a look of pure pity.

“Wow, I’m sorry to hear that.” He frowns.

“Ah, it’s fine.” You shrug. It wasn’t. Not in the slightest. “Was probably for the best.” You’re lying, you know you are. “What about you?”

“Ah,” he rubs at the back of his neck. “A friend of mine offered for me to go on a trip here with him. He flew out a few days ago, so I’m meeting him here.”

“That sounds exciting.” You smile as he hums in agreement.

“Definitely.” He smiles back. “Well, I hope that Rome treats you well.”

You hope it does too. “You too.”

It could just be your excitement, but you truly think that the Italian air is just as healing to you as the place itself. After parting ways with Jeonghan and making your way to your hotel right in the middle of the bustling city of Rome, you think you can feel the cracks in your heart begin to heal, if only slightly.

You take in a deep breath as you walk along the pavement that runs through the city of Rome, taking in the sights of small local stalls selling jewelry and knickknacks, a content smile on your face. You’ve been here for only a day but you feel more like yourself than you have been for the last four tiring years. You adjust the strap of your handbag over your shoulder, fixing the sleeve of your flowy floral dress as you let the sunshine warm your body. Your phone has been left behind in the hotel room, having been blown up since you have landed in the foreign country from your ex. The messages were deleted as soon as they were received and the numbers have been swiftly blocked by you, only providing updates to your parents and your boss that you arrived safely and you will contact them if anything new happens.

You lift the disposable camera that sits around your neck by a strap up to your face, snapping a quick photo of a gelato stand on the corner, your smile growing as your stomach rumbles. You could use something sweet.

“Buongiorno,” you speak quietly, stepping up to the man behind the gelato stand. The man smiles back at you as you take a nervous breath. “Uhh… vorrei un gelato piccolo in cono, per favore.” You smile hopefully, hoping that you didn’t just accidentally insult him.

You release a breath as the man smiles happily at you, leaning down as he begins to take out a cone and ice cream scoop, making your gelato with precision.

“Grazie!” You beam as you pass him your money, taking the cone gratefully. You bow your head in thanks to further show your appreciation, and the man chuckles, bowing his head back.

As you turn, you let out a yelp as you run into a body behind you, almost causing you to drop your new cold treat. Luckily, you’re able to compose yourself quickly and bow your head just as fast.

“I’m so sorry!” You pause before your brain catches up. “U-uhh.. m-mi scusi!”

“Y/N? Is that you?” A soft voice responds, and you freeze.

You lift your head quickly to the owner of the voice, your eyes widening as you see an all too familiar face smiling excitedly at you. His chestnut brown hair is pushed back, his bright smile being just as blinding as when you first met him all those years ago in middle school, who went on to be your good friend for five years before life caught up with you and you naturally drifted apart.

“Seokmin? Lee Seokmin?” Your smile grows with him as he almost immediately scoops you up into his arms, spinning you around in circles. You squeal out a laugh, your free hand holding onto his shoulder. “Yah!”

“What the heck?!” He laughs with you, squeezing you tight once he places you back onto the ground. “What are you doing here?!”

“I could ask you the same thing!” You giggle happily.

“I’m on a trip with a hyung of mine! We both had some time off and wanted to go somewhere warmer.” He chirps, looking you over with a smile. “What about you? Where’s Geumjae?”

You freeze at the mention of his name, biting down on your lip. “Um.. I’m here alone, actually.” You attempt to smile, but it looks more like a grimace. “We broke up. Not too long ago actually and messy. So, I guess this is my way of coping.” You shrug.

“Oh no, I’m sorry I brought it up.” He pouts, rubbing your arm comfortingly. “So you’re here alone?”

“Yep.” You pop the P with a little smile. “But it’s only my second day here and I’m happier than I have been in the last four years, so that’s a plus.”

“I’m glad.” He smiles warmly at you as you nod.

“Dokyeom-ah!” A second voice enters the conversation. “What’s taking so long?”

You turn your head and take a step back with wide eyes as you come face to face with Pretty Man; Jeonghan. He looks more put together than you both did at the airport; now sporting a pair of black skinny jeans with a plain white t-shirt and a leather checkered jacket. He looks just as surprised as you do, taking in your outfit.

“Sorry hyung,” Seokmin smiles, his arm wrapping around your shoulders as you hold your cone now with both hands. “I ran into a friend from school! Hyung, this is-”

“Y/N. The one who left me to fend for myself to save the plane all on my own.” He sighs and places his hand on his chest.

“That was you?” Seokmin gasps.

“Yah!” You glare playfully. “You said it was okay!”

“I only said that to make you feel better about the fact that you willingly let me save us all.”

“It was one bout of turbulence.” You huff before Jeonghan smirks playfully at you. “I won’t keep you guys, you probably are waiting to get some gelato.”

“What? Are you sure?” Seokmin frowns. “You can tag along with us if you wanted, I’m sure hyung wouldn’t mind?”

“No, it’s okay, really.” You give him a little smile. Jeonghan frowns. He can see right through it.

“You’re just going to walk around by yourself?”

“You say that like I haven’t done it before, Min.” You laugh.

“I mean, yeah, you did it on campus but… you’re in a whole new country. I think I’d feel a lot better if you had at least one friend to keep you company.” He insists.

You hesitate, biting down on your lip. He does make a good point.

“How about this,” Seokmin offers. “You don’t have to spend every day with us. Why don’t we meet up once a day? I can take some great photos for your Instagram to show Geumjae that you’re thriving without him.”

“Geumjae?” Jeonghan tilts his head. Your face turns red.

“The Ex-boyfriend.” You hum, looking down.

“He never deserved you.” Seokmin rubs at your shoulders comfortingly as he sees the dismay on your face.

“Ah, thanks Min.” You smile. “I’ll take you up on that offer, only if it’s okay with you and Jeonghan. I don’t want to intrude.”

“You could never. You’re always welcome. Right, Hyung?”

“Of course.” Jeonghan nods with a smile at you.

“Thank you guys.”

“It’s no sweat, really! The more the merrier!” Seokmin beams. “We’re going to the Trevi tomorrow if you want to meet us there?”

“Sounds good.” You hum, waving your hand. “I’ll message you?”

“Sure.” He nods as you begin to walk away.

“See you then.”

As soon as you’re out of sight, Seokmin turns towards Jeonghan with raised eyebrows.

“Ohh Dokyeom-ah,” Seokmin mocks Jeonghan. He starts to blush. “I swear I made her laugh. She was just too cute.”

“Shut up.” He grumbles, glaring at the younger man.

“I can’t believe my school pal is the Cute Girl from your flight.”

“I said shut up.” He hissed. Seokmin just smirked at him with a giggle.

#seventeen au #seventeen fluff #seventeen angst #yoon Jeonghan x reader #Jeonghan x reader #Jeonghan angst #Jeonghan fluff #seventeen fanfic #seventeen x reader

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tangledinink · 1 year ago

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Hello! I love your art and I had a few questions for the Swannie AU you have created. I have a lot so I separated them into sections if that helps.

Inventing at the Lake

1: In your April comic, she mentions a bracelet project and I don't think it has been mentioned again yet so... what is it and does it get added to the ensemble upon completion?

2: Aside from the directly mentioned bracelet, what else has Dee created?

3: Does Dee still create things for his brothers and if he does, does he just forget why it was made until he has a good day?

April Specific

4: What does April and Dee do when he has a really good memory day rather than just a nonviolent day?

The Birthday Fight

5: After the birthday fight, does Dee have a slightly more aggressive reaction to Lee on bad memory days?

6: Since Donnie won't remember said fight, does Leo try to celebrate their b-day again (without lying about the date) or does he decided to just not celebrate until they have Dee back?

6: Have any of the brothers visited when the board was destroyed and if so how did they react? (Espically Nardo if he saw it after that fight.)

Gifts and Holidays

7: Have any of the brothers baught gifts for Dee? If so, how would he react? Would they leave it at the edge of the lake if it is an aggressive day?

8: The last comic mentioned that a birthday had passed without Dee recognizing Leo. How have other holidays gone such as Christmas and New Years (being the first ones that came to mind)?

I know Swanatello started as a joke sona, but I think that your world creation is outstanding, especially since you mentioned that you tent to come up with answers on the spot. I may have been taking notes for my own AU world creation and the questions some readers could have. I hope you continue creating because your art is truly inspiring. Thank you and have a nice day. :)

Ahh thank you! ; w ; Answers are under the cut because it's a little long.

This is now answered! :D

He's mostly been working on the Research Board and on trying to figure out how the magick of the lake works and how he could reverse it. He's also been working on a generator so he can more reliably have electricity out here, as well as something that could boost signals so they could get reception at the lake.

He does when he's able! Most of them right now are very small things, as he currently struggles with any large projects given his memory issues. Anything he makes right now, ideally, should be able to be finished within a day or less. It is currently very easy for him to stray off-task or get distracted or sidelined, given that a majority of the time he's not able to fully understand the purpose, nuances, or importance of his 'main projects.' Some days he simply doesn't understand why he would want to work on a dumb research board that doesn't even make sense to him when he could make something badass for his family instead, or go do lake shit. And the research board will still be there later, right? As a result of the above, he has a ton of half-finished projects squirreled away that are intended as gifts for his brothers, but that he wasn't able to complete before he forgot and then later couldn't identify, or projects that he DID complete, but he then forgot about it before he was ever able to gift them to their intended recipient, so now he just... has them, and isn't really sure why.

Leo was terrified of this, but he really doesn't. It's really like it never even happened. Donnie doesn't seem to remember it at all or hold any resentment or ill will towards Leo in the least, and it's honestly almost worse. Donnie doesn't remember what happened, so Leo can't really apologize to him for it, or talk about it with him, or make proper amends. He almost wishes that Donnie WOULD hold a grudge over it so he didn't have to feel so... guilty. But he doesn't.

Leo just decides to let it go and wait for their next birthday, and hope that the next one is better. Trying to celebrate this one, now, feels wrong somehow.

Since the board was destroyed and Donnie relied on it in some ways to aid him with his memory issues, there is a gap between Leo's visit and the next time Donnie is able to recognize one of them enough to not chase them away. About a week and some change. It's Raph who finds the board, and it sort of helps him realize why things have been the way they have been lately, which is... a relief, kind of? But also it's heartbreaking, and it kills him to think that Donnie was hurting so bad and that he wasn't around to help. Not that Donnie understands now what happened to the board or even what its significance is... But that's okay. Raph focuses on comforting Donnie that day, because so much progress has been undone and he's confused and scared, and calmly helps him to rebuild the basic foundations of the board. And they all slowly help him repair it day-by-day after that.

They bring Donnie gifts all the time! Anything from tool kits to books to research documents to stim toys to food to clothing are on the table. If it's an aggressive day, they'll just wait for a day when he recognizes them to give it to him, because they can't really trust that he'll find and accept things that they leave, and they want to be around to make sure he understands what it is and that things are alright. There have been times that they've brought him gifts-- an old blanket, a hoodie, a drawing from Mikey-- and it ends up tripping something in his brain or triggering a memory and ends up leaving him in a very fragile emotional state. It's not always a bad thing, but sometimes he won't realize anything is wrong with his current situation until he's presented with a stuffed toy from their childhood, and then it all hits him. They've realized it's much better if they're around should something like this happen so they can help explain things and provide support.

He's missed quite a few holidays. When they can, they'll come celebrate with him. For Christmas, for example, everyone who visited around that time explained to him that it was Christmas (even if it wasn't the actual day) and they did their best to celebrate, depending on Donnie's current emotional state at the time and what that allowed for. There was some gift-exchanging (Donnie was devastated he didn't have anything prepared to give back!!!!!!), some candy-and-cookie consuming, some snow-ball-fighting, and some Nutcracker-dancing. But overall, the entire thing was bittersweet, because they were so limited in what they could do to celebrate and they all knew Donnie almost certainly wouldn't remember any of the things they did together. The holiday felt very hollow without him home with them.

Ahhhh thank you ; w ; THATS SO SWEET,,, AND MAKES ME HAPPY,,, I AM GLAD YOU ENJOY IT,,,,

#asks #anon #swanatello #swanatello asks #this was a lot of fun actually i had a very good time answering all of these~

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damnedrainbows · 11 months ago

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RULES:

These are five years old and are going to change with things to be added in the next few days, but they’re mostly the same! A i was informed they weren’t showing up on my blog so I made a pin for now

Muses:

Generally the entire show, but my mains are Alastor, Lucifer, and Charlie

Following and Unfollowing

I am selective.

I will only follow back blogs I actively wish to RP with. Or people I’ve made friends with. I’ll be ever grateful for every follower I get, but it doesn’t mean I’ll follow you back.

You don’t have to be an rp blog for me to rp with you. One of my partners is just a normal fandom blog. Writing is writing C:

I don’t do exclusives. For me I find it takes a lot of the opportunities away to get to know more cool people. If you want to make me an exclusive for something…go right ahead, but I won’t do the same. You’ll simply stay my partner. I want to be able to interact with everyone. That being said, I do mains! That doesn’t really mean anything other than your blog would be the first I tag if I see something that reminds me of our muses, that sorta thing.

If I hear wind that you’re harassing any of my friends you’re done. And if you’re harassing me in any way. I do not put up with bad treatment of my friends or me. You don’t want a block from me. Jordan doesn’t block ANYBODY.

Threads and Communication

Sometimes I’ll have long posts, sometimes short ones. It depends purely on my inspiration at the time, but I’ll always put my best effort in. I want you to do so too!

Before writing any verse you want to do, please talk to me first C:

I LIVE FOR RANDOM STARTERS TBH. It’s like…waking up to Christmas morning and seeing your present. Mutuals please drop me a random starter any time.

I play my characters the way I want to play them, the way I interpret them. So if you don’t like how they’re played, that’s fine, but I’m not likely to change it.

If you send IC memes please specify the muse, since…well, I have the whole show.

I’m of age so I do smut but nothing too-too graphic. It will be tagged of course.

My threads are for my PARTNER only. Or partners if it’s a threeway. Please do not reblog them. You can like em, you can use the little reply button to say something–if you really want to talk about something that’s happening in them shoot me a message-but do not reblog unless you are said partner. C:

For the love of God, don’t hound me. I’m aware I can take a while to reply, but I have a lot of threads usually at the same time and some I have more muse for than others. Please don’t link me to our thread, please don’t say “it’s your turn” or some sort of variation of passive aggressive harassment. You aren’t going to make me respond faster. You are just going to spark my anxiety and make me resent our rp. If it’s been four days feel free to message me–not four hours.

Unless you’re a canon character my muse needs to get to know you a bit. C: So it’s unlikely you can just pop up to one of my muses, never having met, like ‘hi, how you been?’ and not have them be like “who da fuck are you"

Shipping

Shipping will mainly be thread-dependent. If you feel like our muses may mesh, go for it!

I will not tolerate hate for what I ship. I don’t need to be told I’m shipping something unhealthy because chances are I’ll state it’s unhealthy and I by no means condone dating a psychopath in real life. Hate will be deleted and blocked.

When it comes to OC ships and any ship really, ship needs chemistry. Do not force a ship onto my muses. They need to get to know each other, and this mainly applies to OC ships–not so much the pr-established characters in the show. If I already ship it, I’m down to jumping straight into a shipping thread.

Crossovers

I am mildly less selective with crossovers since this show is literally…all about crossing over into other media. I’m still selective but not as much. For my own comfort I won’t be rping with characters from the Sonic franchise.

Triggers and Tagging

I know very little about triggers myself and what people consider a trigger. IF you want something tagged you’ll have to ask. I’ll be clueless otherwise, but I will tag all ships. And the basic gore and blood and such. Be aware of the fact I have bad memory problems. If I forget to tag something you asked me to tag I’m sorry, it wasn’t on purpose.

This is an insanely dark show and there will be a lot of blood and gore and horror. There will be torture and killing talk, but it will still be tagged.

Mun Notes

I have serious memory problems. Like, really bad due to a combo of illnesses. Cut me some slack, I’m going to forget rules and probably certain triggers if I’m not used to tagging them. You have no ida how many friggin rule pages I’ve read on this blog. I’ll do my best but I’m going to forget, and probably more than once. It’s not my fault, I’m trying my hardest.

I do not do passcodes. For some reason they make me…severely anxious and I don’t know why. If we rp, I’ve read your rules, rest assured. If you really really depend on a passcode…well, we probably won’t be rping then. ;-; sorry.

I’m a physically disabled person who’s online rather…all the time because I can’t work really. So rp is like all I got going on right now as I work on my animation portfolio at home.

I’m a very sweet twenty two four old that loves to talk to people. Talk to me any time about my muse, about anything! Feel free to approach me just to talk in general. I really love people! We don’t have to rp to be friends.

And finally, what I write, my characters’ views do not reflect my own. I do not condone the destruction of entire civilization or eating babies. Unless they are tasty babies.

#blog rules

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amiserableseriesofevents · 3 months ago

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Hi! So, about that last ficlet you posted with John and his dad. Why????

I'm such a fan of things just not getting resolved a lot of the time because that's how real life works. But does John's mum or his sisters ever give his dad what's coming to him for how he treats John? What a painful, jarring family dynamic, and it's wonderful to read - but just wondered!

Hi!! Sorry for the late response 😅

So, the Egan women have always known about the strained relationship between John and his dad but they all thought, mostly Mrs Egan, that it would resolve somehow naturally. They've all been supportive of John's career since the beginning so they figured Mr Egan would also come to term with it sooner or later, especially now that things are finally going well — which as also what John was thinking before the ficlet.

In the period immediately after the fight John doesn't tell anyone in his family what happened because he doesn't really want to think about it, and also because his intention is not driving a wedge between his father and his mother and sisters; it all comes down when he refuses to come home for the holidays, maybe he avoids Thanksgiving with an excuse but when Christmas is approaching his mom starts asking him when he's gonna come, if he's gonna bring Gale with him, and so the inevitable confession happens. And oh, the Egan women are pissed.

They try to reason with Mr Egan, who of course tells them he never meant for John not to come home ever again, he was just trying to help him make a reasonable choice; he tries to pin it on John, saying it's him who doesn't want to see the family, that his penchant for drama has always been the problem and stuff like that. Mrs Egan tries to mediate between the two men but the girls immediately know that it's a lost cause and take John's side, organizing an alternative Christmas (maybe a dinner on the 24th whereas the family has always celebrated on the 25th) so they can see John (and Gale of course) without him having to meet the dad. Mrs Egan also joins them for this alternative Christmas and still tries to convince John to come for lunch the next day but he refuses.

John's sisters are still going to see their father, but less and less as the years go by; they come home for the holidays but if there's a choice between spending time with their dad or with John, they're always gonna choose John. They also keep supporting him and showing their support of him in front of their dad, loudly and enthusiastically like only an Egan can.

John's mum feels more caught in between because the man is her husband after all, they've raised three biological kids together and fostered countless others so she doesn't really understand what happened to him to make him act like that towards John. She still hopes things are gonna change, especially when John's career really takes off and his name starts appearing in national news, he gets casted in more important productions, etc. but when she understands that her husband is not gonna budge she gives up. She stays with him but feels very disappointed, she blames him for the wedge that has separated their family — and family has always been the most important thing for her.

She also keeps supporting John, goes to every premiere he has, she doesn't quite parade around her support for her son in front of her husband like the girls do but she's always there when it matters — and she cuts out all the articles about John and puts them on the fridge because she's more passive-aggressive than her children.

Eventually — and I'm talking many years after the end of Such Stuff, when John is already married (his father wasn't invited/was invited but decided not to go, I still have to think about it) and he's won some important awards like a freaking Tony — Mr Egan comes to terms with his son's choice and tries to reconnect with him.

He mostly does it because he realized having a son who's a famous actor, whose name is in the papers, who people often congratulate him about, is actually something good for his own image; John knows this is his main motivation, and he's not exactly thrilled about it, but after discussing it with Gale he decides to allow a bit more contact. He'll go home for Christmas lunches (the Christmas dinners on the 24th with his sisters and eventually their husbands continue, of course, it's the new tradition) and chat politely with his dad but he'll never invite him to a show again, not even when the man tries to feign interest in it.

Their relationship is gonna remain cold and formal, with his sisters on his side and his mum more in the middle but still fucking pissed at her husband.

Also, fun fact: his dad actually likes Gale a lot, especially because he has a reasonable career, so Gale enjoys it very much when the first time they meet he tells him that yeah, he's a teacher and he likes his job, but he also loves acting and it's thanks to John that he went back to it. Take that, Mr Egan.

Sorry if I rambled too much but I really love writing their family dynamic so yeah, you got me monologuing! 🥰🥰

#clegan theatre au #such stuff verse #Mr Egan knows he's made a mistake the first time he hears about his son having a fan page #john egan #Ginia writes

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elephant-in-the-pride-parade · 1 year ago

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Essay: Post-Holidays, I see my Uncle's "Strange New Girls" Hate Watch in a Whole New Light.

No that is not a typo, that is actually what he calls SNW. And my macho-loving Kirk-fanboi of an uncle has been hate watching it religiously. The last time he hated a Star Trek show (DIS) he just didn't watch it. So this opposite response to SNW fascinates me. He talks big talk about there being too many women on the Bridge and hates on La'an with a particular vehemence, both because she's permitted in Starfleet despite a direct relation to the augments' leader and because she's a tiny lady running security. (I can't separate the more reasonable perspective from the sexist one, the man is both.) At first I took his persistent critiques of the SNW crew as a very straightforward anti-women enmity, until Christmas when he came out with the following bomb-shell.

"We just watched Voyager, you know Janeway: Janeway is alright. She's a good captain."

(Color me shocked we had rage-inducing debates about this in my teens and early twenties)

On the one hand, perhaps my uncle has gotten slightly less sexist towards a female captain over the last 30 years? Doubtful considering the way he layers personal criticisms on the female SNW characters. But on the other, him now enjoying Janeway's show does make me understand his hate and fascination with SNW. It's not about the women on the Bridge at all.

It's about Pike.

I'm sure there are other factors. Janeway's main Bridge crew was almost entirely male. And Voyager was written to try not to offend the sensibilities of men like my uncle (an effort that hasn't worked on him until now). But I also think it's got a lot to do with the two captains' presence on the Bridge, and how each captain is portrayed in their own show. Janeway makes many more aggressive command choices than Pike, by virtue of personality and situation. Sometimes she makes those choices even against the reservations of male subordinates. She stares down the barrel of death on numerous occasions, unblinking. She's often the protagonist in her own show. She changes the timeline to influence her past self and encourages her to make a daring and selfish choice that is applauded and shown to pay off in a big way.

And notably, while she's the first woman to have center stage in the captain's seat, her femininity and portrayal of gender is what I think is best described as micro-managed (One need only look at the dizzying array of styles the show experiments with for her hairdo). She dresses in a very feminine way off duty, but often displays more "masculine" behaviors, especially on duty. She very rarely cries. Outside of expressing anger, flirtation, and curiosity, she is not often overtly emotional. A special note for flirtation: she gets wide license to be flirtatious with everyone from enemy combatants to her senior staff to even her ship when she's trying to sweet talk it. She avoids talking about her feelings at all costs. She can't cook and that's a running joke. In all the ways that matter, she acts like one would expect a traditionally male captain to act, with just enough feminine concessions sprinkled in to keep her from coming off as "too masculine."

Pike is very diplomatic and much more rule-conscious. He's Starfleet's boy scout. He takes a back seat in many episodes as other characters get to shine. When he is center stage the conflicts he combats are very personal. He stares down the barrel of "death" (as he's referred to his future disability) and flinches. His trip to change time is done to tell his past self to step aside, act selflessly and take a back seat to a fate that terrifies him. He often listens to and makes decisions that align with his (largely female) Bridge crew's recommendations. And while he dresses in a traditionally masculine way on and off duty, emotionally, he's shown to be much more traditionally feminine. He cries over a dead horse (My uncle was particularly aghast at that). He cooks and is shown to take pleasure in it, even using it as a tool of diplomacy. He is a sympathetic counseling ear for many of his crew.

He does not get to flirt with his Bridge crew. When he is shown expressing sexual interest in someone it leads to emotional hurt and command weakness (in Lift Us Up Where Suffering Cannot Reach, he becomes aware of his love-interest's abhorrent ethics only after watching her participate in something horrific, which he is helpless to stop. And when Batel gets into trouble with the Gorn in Hegemony, his fixation on her well-being comes off as somewhat short-sighted, and contributes to command paralysis in the final scene). His very close friendship with Una may border on romantic attachment, but there's nothing sexual about their on screen interactions. And his quest to have her accepted by the Federation is one of the only major emotional decisions he undertakes that is shown to have a majorly positive outcome.

In sum I think Pike is shown to be vulnerable, gentle, and craving of connections in a way that is very human, but one that men are not traditionally supposed to be. The themes of his arc center on standing aside for the benefit of others, accepting future loss of ability and death, making peace with a future that doesn't center around you - all messages about moving from selfishness to selflessness. His lack of sexual incentives and behaviors stands out distinctly from how male protagonists typically get portrayed. He's basically anathema to the masculine ideal my uncle's spent his life trying to embody.

I still don't know what reason drives my uncle to keep watching "Strange New Girls" as religiously as he has. But I do now see his fixation on finding fault with all the women on the Bridge differently. By critiquing them, he is deflecting attention from his discomfort with the man in the center seat.

#personal #pike and masculinity #i continue to be fascinated by uncle's hate watch #i will generously leave his hate for the musical episode out of this analysis.#I suspect he might like Batel more than Pike as a captain if I asked him #It should come as no surprise that he also persists in willful blindness to the presence of K/S in TOS fandom

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madlilsongbird · 1 year ago

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It was fine, the pacing felt a little weird.

The cut characters weren’t a huge deal cos they weren’t super central to the plot (I do wish we got pluribus though) but some of the cut moments were a bit odd like I feel like there wasn’t enough moments between Lucy Gray and Snow. One minute they were meeting at the train then the next they were almost kissing through the bars at the zoo. Without at least a little of the build up from the book it kinda comes out of nowhere.

Same with Sejanus there were some throwaway comments from the classmates about how he hates the games then the chair scene happened. It just felt very rushed, I understand not every little thing can make it into the film…but can some of them??

I also don’t love some of the line switches like Snow got a lot of lines that weren’t initially his, they were Lucy Grays and they were lines that showed her charm and that she could stand on her own. Giving them to him made her seem like a damsel in distress.

I wish we got a little more of the covey.

I wish the water scene with Lis and jessop was as impactful in the film as it is in the book but again it was probably a time thing.

Clemmie.

Now for what I DID like:

I think the Reaper scene was really beautiful.

I like that we had cameras in the tunnels so that they weren’t just blank spots.

I do like the moment Lucy Gray catches Snow out in the lie my only wish is that she’d been a little more casual/subtle about confronting him like she was in the book…her aggression made me nervous for her.

I like that the film bridged the gap the books made when it came to Tigris. At the end of Songbirds and Snakes my impression was that Snow and Tigris were still on good terms (but I guess that does make sense since it’s his pov) but then of course when we see her again in the main trilogy (really just mockingjay) she’s ready and willing to help katniss. Whereas in the film you can see the moment she realises who he is and her feelings toward him change.

Viola Davis.

Theories I agree with:

Lucy Gray lived, I don’t know if she’d still be alive in Katniss’ time but she did not die in those woods.

I like the snake bite made him hallucinate theory but the book made a point of letting us know the snake wasn’t venomous so…I don’t know.

Definitely think Katniss is connected to the covey somehow. I don’t think she’s a descendant of Lucy Gray but I don’t know if I believe she’s descended from Maude Ivory either. Edit: wait I was only thinking about Swamp Potato and not the fact Prim is basically Maude Ivory in a less musical font…I’m officially at a maybe on this one.

Not a theory but I have seen discourse over whether or not snow and sejanus were friends, I think they were. I think whether Snow liked it or not Sejanus grew on him and they became true genuine friends.

That’s all I got for now, got the book for Christmas and finished it this morning (3rd January) and finished the film about a half hour ago.

#the hunger games #the ballad of songbirds and snakes #spoilers #tbosas #tbosas spoilers #lucy gray baird #coriolanus snow #sejanus plinth #tigris snow #viola davis #reapers scene was beautiful but also deeply sad

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twilightmalachite · 7 months ago

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Christmas Live - Star Chart 2

Author: Akira

Characters: Chiaki, Shinobu, Midori, Kanata

Translator: 310mc

JP Proofer: Mika Enstars

EN Proofer: ryuseipuka

"…I’m fed up with the idea of beating each other down."

[Read on my blog for the best viewing experience with Oi~ssu ♪]

Season: Winter

Location: Park’s Live Stage

Chiaki: In any case… Sengoku, Takamine, could you two go and check on how 2wink’s doing for now?

For the live show, we’ll rotate between two people performing at a time, and then three later!

If 2wink are doing well enough to perform, then we’ll ask them to rotate between us.

The optimal scenario is making it look as though it’s a joint live between RYUSEITAI and 2wink.

Midori: I’m in favor of that, since I’d be able to take it easy by performing less, but… Are you sure it’s alright for us to split the achievements with another unit…?

Shinobu: Yuuta-kun might be against that…

It’ll look as though we’re inviting them out of pity, so he may reject it entirely… Or to be more specific, it appears he wants to make 2wink famous through the two’s strengths alone.

Chiaki: It’s true that it’d be help they never asked for… But they’re students from the same school as us; we may compete sometimes, but we can never allow ourselves to crush one another.

…I’m fed up with the idea of beating each other down.

2wink is a unit made up of first years only, right? They have no choice but to rely on other units’ help at the start.

That’s nothing to be ashamed of—Please let them know that.

Be sure to look out for Hinata-kun especially. Based on my own judgement… He’s bearing a much heavier, complicated burden than Yuuta-kun.

He’s only a first year, yet he’s acting as a unit leader, y’know? He must be going through abnormal hardships in order to protect his castle.

And yet… That kid’s always got a smile on his face. Unlike me, who was always crying when I had just become a leader.

I have to protect that smile. How could I call myself an ally of justice if I fail to do that?

Isn’t that right, you guys!? So go on now! Leave this place to Kanata and I for now, and head over to 2wink!

Chiaki: Go make a miracle happen! The kind you’d see on Christmas…☆

Midori: This guy really talks with energy alone and nothing else… I really don’t wanna do it, though… Being near anyone feeling down just makes me feel depressed along with them…

Shinobu: I-It will be alright! I shall also do my utmost best together with you, Midori-kun!

We must make haste while the opportunity allows! Now, let’s depart! Yuuta-kuuun, we’re on our way~!

Midori: Woah, woah—Don’t drag me with you~… Jeez, when did you get so aggressive too, Sengoku-kun…

And here I thought you and I were in this together, as people-shy companions… But instead you went ahead without me and made friends…

Shinobu: Huh— Um…? Was that not okay…!? “Friends” and “companions” are two different things… Or to be more precise, Midori-kun’s also a precious soul buddy of mine! ☆[1]

Midori: It’s fine, really… Friends are just troublesome to have anyway… Uu, why does this kinda feel like when a sibling brings home their lover…?

Chiaki: Mhm, go on now! I’m expecting lots from you, my comrades…☆

Kanata: are you sure it is okay, chiaki~? leaving it to the [children] alone…?

wouldn’t it be [faster] if you were to go there [yourself]…?

Chiaki: That may be so. But the ones who make up the next generation will always be the kids.

I can’t seem to stop myself from spoiling them a little too much… And if they end up getting into the habit of relying on their seniors every time there’s trouble, they won’t be able to sustain themselves on their own in the next school year.

Anyway, you’ll need to get fired up, Kanata. If you stay listless as usual, the audience will grow bored and leave, y’know?

It’d be awful there wasn’t a single audience member left by the time Nagumo and the others come back.

Let’s solidify our foundation and maintain things as they are now—All so that we give a present to our juniors: a stage where they can shine as bright as possible.

Kanata: yes, yes, i understand~ ‘senpais’ have it so rough, don’t you think~… i cannot move my [body] much when it is cold.

but i have to at least [pretend] to be a [good kid]… or [santa-san] will not come visit me.

i suppose i have no choice~… let me show you all my [serious] side~♪[2]

Chiaki: Yeah! If possible, show that serious side always! You’re far too capricious most of the time!

Well, it’s alright, though… It’s time! Let’s start the Eve’s Eve Live!

Kanata: okaaay~ everyone~ merry christmaaas~♪

(Chiaki CG here)

it has been a while since the last time we [sang] as just the two of us, hasn’t it~… chiaki~♪

Chiaki: Mhm! The passionate bloodstream of my younger self is flowing back into me! Let’s sing with everything we’ve got, Kanata! It’s time to wish upon a star! Merry Christmas…☆

[ ☆ ]

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Shinobu says “soulmate” (sourumeito) here when specifying the kind of companion (nakama) Midori is. In Japanese, Soulmate is literally soul (tamashii) + companion/comrade (nakama), used to refer to someone who walks down the same path of fate/goals as you, or to someone you have deep connections with from a previous life. As an interesting note, RYUSEITAI sings lyrics similar to this concept in one of their songs, Bokura no Stella (set 1 year and a half after this story.)

He’s referencing a classic Kaoru line, seen in Melody in the Dark.

#christmas live #event #translation #shinobu sengoku #kanata shinkai #chiaki morisawa #midori takamine

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claireelizabethsblog · 1 year ago

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~ November's Books Reviewed ~

Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuinston

(418 pages)

I had wanted to read this book for AGES and I'd say it definitely lived up to my expectations - every shitty christmas romcom! And I mean that both in a bad way, and a very very good way. I unapologetically loved every second of it.

I gave this book 4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A Fateful Crossing by Tom Hindle

(449 pages)

Not bad, but also, not good. A little messy and therefore a bit confusing, especially as a murder mystery, messy plot holes etc can really detract from the story in my opinion. That being said, I read it quickly and it was an easy and enjoyable enough story for that to happen.

I gave this book 3 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Babel by R. F. Kuang

(546 pages)

Really interesting concept. I think I maybe read it a little too quickly so didn't fully appreciate it as it should have been. The commentary and insights on society and racism and xenophobia was very well done and extremely engaging which is what's going to make me say (unusually for me) that the fantasy elements were the worst bits of this book for me, and I almost felt that the same story could have been told without the "magic" and it maybe would have been even more impactful to just be commenting on language and communication in a reality that is more obviously similar to our own.

I gave this book 4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Murder Game by Tom Hindle

(373 pages)

Better than the other Hindle book I read in my opinion, but still a little too "convenient" almost to be a fully successful and good murder mystery for me. Still obviously an easy and light read though, otherwise I wouldn't have picked it up after the first one.

I gave this book 3 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Where are the Women by Sara Sheridan

(447 pages)

I was gifted this book and it is therefore an obvious movement away from the normal sorts of books I choose to read (it is designed more similarly to a guide book or history text book). In theory, this book is extremely interesting and so so undeniably well researched. I definitely learnt a lot. However, there is a reason I don't tend to read non fiction (or fictions books like this designed to be like a guide book), and that is because I don't particularly like reading them - they always feel just like an info dump with a lack of an actual story arc to me (which I suppose is exactly what they're aiming for...)

I gave this book 3 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Secret History by Donna Tart

(559 pages)

It is clever. And I'm always going to appreciate a book that is the first of its genre or does something new for the first time. That being said, just because somethings the first, rarely means it's the best, and I've definitely read other dark academia style books that I've enjoyed more to be honest. I found myself skim reading sections which speaks to the fact that I perhaps didn't find it as engaging as other books.

I gave this book 3.5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️🌗

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

(386 pages)

I was waring going in to this book since it has blown up, but mostly with people a little older than myself (late 30s-early 50s as far as I've seen), but I really really enjoyed this (and have now recommended it to all my reading friends my age too!)! It filled me with a righteous anger, but in a very validating way. Bits were a little predictable, but that hardly mattered when the social commentary was so much more important than the plot. I'd support a rule saying that every cis male should have to read this to be honest, it's such a peak behind the curtain at just the unintentional, but so deeply engrained micro aggressions that all us women experience, nevermind the outright moments of sexism and misogyny.

I gave this book 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Almond by Won Pyung Sohn

(252 pages)

A bit of a non story, but I strangely enjoyed it. I read the entire thing in less than an hour so hardly an intense read, but it was a very interesting perspective and commentary on people and their relationships with each other, and with themselves.

I gave this book 3.5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️

The House in the Cerulean Sea by T. J. Klune

(398 pages)

Everything I wanted and/or needed. So wholesome. My only complaint actually is that I wanted more to be honest. All the characters are so so lovely and I loved their found family. T. J. Klune rarely disappoints.

I gave this book 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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thowawayuntilfurthernotice · 1 year ago

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So I watched the animated Urkel Christmas movie and oh boy......do I have a lot to say about it.

First things first, I'm glad that this project managed to survive the HBO Max content purge. As it proves that getting shit canned by David Zaslav is no longer a death sentence.

Now, as for the movie itself.

It's fucking weird.

I'll admit that I didn't grow up with Family Matters, so I have no real emotional attachment to the Steve Urkel character, and my only exposure to Jaleel White as a kid was from his voice work on the Sonic cartoons.

So I didn't know what to expect going into this, and if I'm being brutally honest, I'm still trying to process what the hell I just sat through.

First of all, the title is a fucking lie. He does not save Santa. Santa doesn't appear until the tail end of the movie. And when he does appear, he doesn't really do much outside of teach Urkel the true meaning of Christmas.

A better title would have been "How Urkel learned to be less overbearing during the Holidays."

Seriously, the entire conflict of this movie could have been avoided if any one of Urkel's friends or neighbors just pulled him aside and said "Hey, Steve. I know you mean well, but can you tone it down a little bit?"

Also, Santa is a yeti because..... why the fuck not.

While I'm on the subject of the supporting cast, I don't know what to make of them.

They're passive aggressive towards Urkel for no reason whatsoever.

For example, there's a part where Urkel invents a translator helmet as a gift for Robin's dad, who doesn't speak English on the count that he's from Ecuador (Why his daughter is able to speak perfect English with an American accent is never explained, but whatever.) and Robin just shoots the idea down. Which is fine and all, but why does her dad have no say in the matter?

This scene would have been a lot more effective if Urkel had pitched the translator helmet to Robin's dad, rather than Robin herself.

Speaking of Robin, I can't help but feel like the writers originally wanted her to Urkel's love interest, but they most likely vetoed that idea halfway through production. As their first interaction is written like a meet cute, so I legit thought that they were going to get together by the end of the movie, but I guess not? Which is whatever, but it's still bizarre none the less.

Oh yeah, this movie is also a musical because the writers needed an excuse to pad the run time.

The only enjoyable song is Santa's song towards the end, mostly because his voice actor has a beautiful singing voice. The rest of the cast try their best, but they're not given any decent material to work with, and listening to Jaleel White try to sing in his Urkel voice is as grading as it sounds.

There's also this evil billionaire tech bro character, because this movie needed an antagonist for some reason.

Though I will say that I do like the art style, it's very 2000's. I just wish the animation quality was a bit better, but it is what it is.

Overall, I feel like this would have worked better as a forty minute special rather than an a hour and a half movie.

It's not terrible, but it's nowhere near as fun as it could have been I guess.

#Steve Urkel #Urkel Saves Santa #Jaleel White #Christmas #Family Matters #Christmas Specials

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jackalsinthekitchen · 2 years ago

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pop report #1 (1/7/23)

a glance at the US charts as we dance backwards dazed into a brand new year

The Christmas hangover – that vague viral thing where, still disoriented from January’s quick sideways punch, everyone agrees it’s OK to stay festive for a second – is one of the holiday’s loveliest gifts. That it comes with a mutual agreement not to continue certain seasonal obligations, like stressing over cooking or the exchanging of gifts, makes it all the sweeter. It feels in that stupid fun way like we’re all getting away with something. That, even as the calendar gives us its greatest opportunity to feel fresh and absolved – here you go, a whole new year you haven’t fucked up yet – we’ve still put one over on it, by not moving on from something frivolous.

In any case, I don’t know how long it takes the Billboard elves to tabulate whatever it is they tabulate, so it makes sense that the first week of January on the Hot 100 is very late December, though it purports to depict the most popular songs in the country in the exact first seven days of the month (one of which is still happening as the list is published). Most of the new top ten is residual Christmasness; it’s comforting in its way, like looking outside and seeing that the Statue of Liberty is still there (depending). The democracy reflected by these charts so rarely suggests the cynical things about humanity our leaders often do. We like joyful, familiar, apropos things.

Back in the very earliest album chart days, Bing Crosby’s White Christmas used to take the top slot every December. But then there was a long spell where the biggest sellers around the change of the year weren’t thematic. Yet these days, we basically vote on a Greatest Xmas Hits. We bow down to certain idols with a scary (if often explicable) lack of second thought, and Mariah’s “All I Want for Christmas is You”, #1 this week, is one of the most hallowed. The song is a made-to-order rush, retro and timeless at once, with Carey exuberant and irrepressible and commanding the way she is at her best – which is when she’s having a lot of fun, rather than being allowed to emote as indulgently as the contours of her dexterous voice will accommodate.

In a way, the very way she sings – the willful all-melisma approach – has dated, though that voice is so athletic and flexible it also depends a great deal on how it’s recorded. And of course, when the tempo picks up a certain amount she doesn’t have time to lean into that stuff so aggressively. So you forgive her the single’s intro, which is also impressive and soulful and silly and lovely (or some selection of those things) if you have no beef with it. The song has a bit of that tinny, glitzy sonic profile from a certain era of misguided trends. But it mostly just sounds good – it has a force, a brightness and arresting forward motion, and it glistens when the backup chorus spills out around the effortlessly powerful lead vocal.

#2, Brenda Lee’s reliably sexy “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree”, is from late ’58 – Brenda is the “uh-huh honey” of “Sweet Nothin’s”, so perfectly robbed and repurposed by a pre-fall Kanye for “Bound 2”, and the sheer conceivability that she does indeed say “fuckin’ pie” – she doesn’t, she says pumpkin pie – is tantalizing. The corny backup singers are a sign of the creeping corruption of pop pap into rock ‘n’ roll, but the salacious sax solo counterbalances it with a healthy dose of lusty hostility. This is the best kind of easy listening: a low simmer, pleasant for the lovers and leapers, lonely-hearts and lazyboneses alike. Half a century ago, this was shocking; now it soothes nerves while moving things along in the kitchen.

#3, Bobby Helms’ “Jingle Bell Rock”, is less threatening, but it still has that soupçon of swagger – just enough sultry swing not to ruin the mood the way, say, a sudden switch to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir would. The band is good, especially the guitar, and while the chorus in this case is especially preppy-sounding, if you listen closely, you can tell they’re down to unwind. The message in theholiday trinity occupying win, place and show this week is that we do like even our most sentimental days to rock a little, to shake and move us, to take us on a ride – something other than hitched to poor reined-up horses in the cold for too much money. We’re here for good times, and whatever the occasion – however we feel about Christianity – we’re ready to dance about, or around, it.

#4 is the ubiquitous “Last Christmas”, another nouveau standard (though I dunno, it’s forty years old). George Michael is an angel now, so we forgive him his sillier capitulations to the epoch at which he peaked. He really made them work – he was alluring and intelligent beyond his haircut, his drum machines, his bolder fashion choices, his partner. The grit and drama he peppers this wounded early valentine with aren’t the instincts of some vapid cherub. He sings like a Freddie Mercury with restraint, ductile and actorly. The holiday song is shockingly universal, even easier to befriend than the love song (both holidays and love reward and cost us), and this song is both kinds!

#5, Burl Ives, “A Holly Jolly Christmas” – we’re verging into corn, but still not there yet. This 1965 smash features a very good acoustic guitar player whose name I can’t find, though I’m admittedly not looking hard enough. Ives’ tone is naturally grandfatherly – unprovocative, but rough enough to go down right. He voices (and looks like) the snowman narrator in the Rankin-Bass Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, an admirably quirky special which I don’t think is very good. I have a small soft spot for the company’s Year Without a Santa Claus, but a much softer spot for the Chuck Jones Grinch and the flawless A Charlie Brown Christmas. I like my Xmas art a little dry, but welcome well-wielded sincerity. I’m no SCROOGE…

#6, “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year”, feels like a bit of a sleeper for a standard. It’s one of those pleasant, detail-rich ones that gets lost among the others, e.g. “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas”, “Mistletoe and Holly”, “Silver Bells”. When it echoed in my mind I thought it was by Frank Sinatra, and it turns out it is in fact a 1963 recording by Boring Frank Sinatra, Andy Williams. The easy-listening flavor of a protracted moment, Andy Williams is best remembered (this is my suggestion) for a joke in one of the peak seasons of The Simpsons where Bart and his friends are on a road trip and bully Nelson violently demands they stop for a Williams concert. That’s the joke. It’s the juxtaposition of the—

One thing you can say for Williams’ (admittedly peppy) song is it increases the relief of #7, “Feliz Navidad”, a cliché that in the wrong mood can certainly exacerbate some ill will. But it’s usually another sugar rush. Jose Feliciano’s lilting acoustic guitar is always welcome at this velocity, and there’s a lot else happening, down to sweet secret strings sneaking through and tickling the corners of a track one might describe as “tastefully lush” if one were being a little kind. Feliciano could be super silly – listen to his live cover of the Doors’ “Light My Fire”, where he briefly imitates an Irish priest for no reason. But he was also witty, seductive, compelling, a delight. And it’s nice when we break the English barrier the littlest damn bit.

(Spotify keeps switching to “Little Saint Nick”, and while I love the Beach Boys, I want to break a plate.)

Smashing through ceilings as ever, veteran juggernaut Taylor Swift bursts through the Christmas barrier at #8 with, talk about presents, my pick hit of the year, “Anti-Hero”. I consider it the shrewdest melody on her new collection of characteristically good ones, as well as her most interesting vocal on an album that could perhaps use more of that. The lyric is the coup, though, one of those simultaneous self-effacement/fuck yous she flirts with; it could be another tiresome kiss-off to the press or an honest, introspective missive to a lover (or a close circle of friends), and it toes that line like an advanced ballet student. Most of us could at some point stand to call ourselves out, and singing that this way makes it a lot easier to swallow.

Nat ‘King’ Cole was the very first artist with a number one on the Billboard album charts, back in 1945, and his presence at #9 in this week’s list of mostly vintage ornaments is a fair honor. His song (Robert Wells and Mel Tormé’s “The Christmas Song”, the chestnuts-roasting-on-an-open-fire one in the unlikely event that you needed a memory jog) is luxurious and not a little amorous, never over-orchestrated and crooned in that masterfully velvety way that earned this ‘King’ his crown. I think it’s also appropriate to herald here the persistent presence and frequent dominance of Black performers in our culture, going to back to the start of these little charts. Though this ten is color-lite – save for the #1 performer, Carey (depending on how Feliciano identifies).

I can also confirm Mr. Cole’s “Deck the Halls” – track 2 on his Christmas album – is a cringey, frosting-suffocated mess. But I should admit, it evoked a similar reaction to the first time I heard #10, Sam Smith and Kim Petras’ “Unholy”, with its campy introductory choir. When someone means such choices sincerely, as Cole seems to with his “Deck the Halls”, it compounds an offense. But when it’s a bold choice in the name of camp, you have to open your heart and mind past a little reflex revulsion. “Unholy” is a treat, a great deal more fun than Smith usually is; they feed off of Petras’ vibrant sense of outrage. Good for the both of them: a landmark statistic (first out trans and nonbinary performers to hit #1) and a car banger.

The next ten hits are Christmas all the way down, save two – including #11, SZA’s slow-sinking “Kill Bill”, one of those downtempo-insistent hits that sticks with you before you understand why it’s hanging in there. Then it’s the often underrated Ariana Grande’s magic faux-soul up “Santa Tell Me”, and two Phil Spector (boo) triumphs for the Ronettes and Darlene Love (yay) respectively, “Sleigh Ride” and “Christmas”, which is the one, you know the one, the one that keeps going “CHRISTMAAAAAAAS” (“snow’s comin’ down…”). Those songs sandwich Kelly Clarkson’s feebler “Underneath the Tree”. Then there’s yuletide stuff from Bing, Nat (“Deck the Halls”, ugh), Dean, and Frank, plus David Guetta’s melodramatic “Blue” mistake.

The lights have already been taken down for the better part of the album chart. I think the SZA is a slow-grower, but America doesn’t – #1 all three of its charting weeks. However good SOS is, it’s nice when a smart and interesting artist who’s hung in there at just over the radar makes this kind of left-field splash, and with a record you can tell she’s really worked on. Next is Taylor, then the celebrated Michael Bublé’s Christmas album, Metro Boomin’s Heroes and Villains, which I’ve only played once (moody, macho hip-hop), a Nat ‘King’ Cole Xmas (so-so), that Drake/21 Savage album that seems sexist, Bad Bunny’s latest blockbuster, a Phil Spector’s Xmas (classic), a Mariah Xmas (classic?), and Vince Guaraldi/Charlie Brown (absolute classic).

Merry Xmas, everybody. Look to the future now – it’s only just begun.

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petalsmooth · 2 years ago

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No chemistry? Tsk

The subset of envious fans in the Bridgerton fanbase that have been taking out their aggression on 1) being disappointed in Anthony/Kate’s story and 2) Benedict’s season not being up yet have for over a year been attacking these two actors and their characters with one ridiculous claim after another. No more so than that these two have no chemistry. lol

They weren’t supposed to play up sexual chemistry given his character was oblivious to his feelings and hers was like 16, 17...but all the same they’d have moments where you could see the potential. Now skip to season 3 and above picture when they ARE allowed to act it out. If it’s like that in a photo imagine visually.

The sad thing (for them) is I generally like the show and I’m happy watching most of the characters while their temper tantrums have accomplished nothing. Didn’t change the arc of Penelope/Colin’s story, season won’t be scrapped, it’ll be a success like all the rest and general fans and Polin fans I think are going to be more or less happy. So really you’ve just spent over a year making yourselves miserable for no reason. Particularly since Benedict WILL get a season either in season 4 or 5, and while K/A won’t get another to themselves at least the actors didn’t jet so you’ll get some (likely) better scenes to compensate for what you had in season 2. SO silly to watch those two groups work themselves into misery while the people targeted by them are unphased.

But OMG...I don’t want to wait until December. Although I guess will be week before Christmas break and then New Year’s so a lot of time to re-watch it.

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ofmermaidstories · 3 years ago

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I love when you talk about jewelry! I was wondering what type of jewelry would bakugou gift surrender!reader, if any at all? What type of gifts do you think he’d be the type to give, and would they be spontaneously or just for special occasions. Your writing brings me so much joy, by the way. Just re reading Surrender made me tear up because I was so happy to have something to cushion my bad day. Also, the Pro hero x secretary reader was so amazing!!! No pressure, but would you ever spin that into a separate fic? Who would you pair reader with? I feel like in your brain rot, reader had special chemistry with bakugou, but I’m also biased for how you write him😭💗

Sorry for so many questions. Have a great day❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

The first gift Katsuki gives you after Christmas is a pocket knife.

It’s weighty; a proper, old-fashioned folding knife. You hold it in your hand and thumb over the brass handle as you glance to him, silently questioning.

“S’hand-forged,” is how he answers. He’s frowning at it, contemplatively—at the fit of it in your hand. It’s a good length—less wieldy than the knives you use in the shop. You can use it easily. “Sharp,” he adds, quiet and firm and you cannot ignore why he’s giving it to you now, in this gloomy twilight-hours winter, when your hours at the shop stretch into the dark and he cannot be with you all the time.

“It’s beautiful,” you say softly, because it is. You flip it close, careful, and then smile at him. “It’ll be handy with the roses.”

Katsuki grunts, and then goes back to eating his dinner and you let your new knife sit on the table, the brass handle shinning like dull yellow gold under the lights of Katsuki’s kitchen.

(‼️📍18+/cw: some very, very vague smut at the end, like, not even two sentences but idk let’s go)

Things keep finding their way to you, after that. Thick, heavy towels larger than you and made of fluffy cotton you can run your fingers through. A new wash stool and basin, both in dark Hinoki wood and copper, to match his—it’s mostly decorative, living in the dark luxury of his very modern, very western bathroom, but you like seeing it in there, sitting next to his. He buys you soap—hand-milled and smelling like rich, expensive green-tea, leaving it sitting on top of a bunch of muslin face towels.

They’re all practical objects. You’re not even sure Katsuki considers them gifts, as much as just him just thinking ahead to what you might need—a lot of the time these items just appear in his apartment, waiting for you to touch them, to use them, to treat them for granted as yours.

He leaves for a cross-country mission that takes a week to finish, explosively, the carnage on the news—and returns to you with new cooking knives for your apartment.

They have wild-wood handles, polished smooth, the kind of knives woodland spirits might hunt with. You admire them and their wave-like ripple, on the edges of the blades.

“Some old fart makes them,” Katsuki says from under his towel, where he’s trying to dry his hair aggressively. “They’re better than the cheap shit you have at yours.”

“I take care of my cheap shit,” you retort, slipping the one you’re holding back into it’s box. Your snob of a Pro Hero boyfriend has bought you the basics: a large chef’s knife, a hefty one for vegetables and a blade for bread.

(It’s only later when he’s asleep and you’re pressing your face against the relaxed, soft give of his arm that you get curious enough to wonder about them. A furtive search online will tell you more than you wanted to know—indeed made by some little old man who lived by the sea, a fifth-generation craftsman who sold his pieces for a cool 30,000 yen plus, each. They are now, officially, the most expensive piece of kitchenware you own).

When he gives you the kintsugi vase, without ceremony or fuss, you think: oh. This is it, this is how this man will show you you’re important to him—by giving you things you can use, in his home. Tangible proof he is trying to fit you into the secret heart of his life, in the tiny ways he knows how to, that are important to him. So you start mimicking him: you buy bigger towels for your own apartment—darker sheets for your bed, lighter in weight so they don’t trap him and make him sweat. You invest in a heavy, fat chopping board and learn how to diligently look after the knives he’s given you, though when he’s in your space he scrubs them with baking soda and oils them up anyway, carefully running his thumb along the edge of the blade. You learn he prefers his singlets at home, the dark cotton of them, and find good-quality basics for him, for when he’s at yours. He tries to grow you strawberries in his gleaming, intimidating kitchen—you in turn grow him pottles of herbs in your tinier one. It’s a small exchange of here’s-something-that-will-make-you-more-comfortable and I-saw-this-and-thought-of-you-and-wanted-it-in-my-space, over and over again, a constant promise to each other.

“Y’okay?” He asks one night, out of blue. He’s silent, lately—deep in his own head. Tonight’s been no different and as such you’re curled up opposite to him, on his wide couch—a new blanket across your lap. It’s wool; soft and heavy and in the blues and greens of the ocean, a map of the waves. It had just appeared today, draped over the back of the couch—waiting.

“We’re okay,” you promise him, smiling. His hand passes over your ankle—bared to him as it is—and you resist the urge to kick at him, instead making a game of trying to wedge your other foot under the warmth of his thigh, his ass, ignoring his grunt when you’re successful.

“Watch my damned nuts,” he says and you laugh silently, breathlessly; the kind you know he can feel the pull of, touching you like he is.

You think nothing of the moment, beyond how much you love him, how similar it is to others with him—but Katsuki keeps his habit, now, of reaching for your ankle if you’re at opposite ends of the couch. It’s only sometimes—only when he wants to touch you, have you closer. You start to press your feet up against whatever part of him you can reach in return, like that, just to be annoying—digging your toes into his rib cage, seeing how smoothly you can pet him with your foot. He swats at you, swears, wriggles away—but it’s how you play, how you poke and prod and annoy each other.

Your first birthday with him, when it comes, is marked by dinner at his—against the large windows of his living room, everything dimmed for the occasion as the city glimmers before you. On the table, amid tiny candles and the riot of orange flowers he managed to surprise you with is your birthday present: a thin, black velvet box.

You try to ignore it, scared despite yourself—scared of what, you don’t know, you can’t name. But Katsuki waits, not mentioning it even when you’re done with dinner, done with your lingering over dessert. It’s a patience that belies the molten fire under his skin; when you do finally open the little box—slow and shy under the weight of his gaze—you can almost warm your hands on it, the stir underneath him.

It’s a bracelet. Spider-thread thin gold glinting in the low light, dotted with diamonds, twinkling gently.

Katsuki tches as your fingers trace over it in wonder. “S’for your stupid foot,” he says, and you realise then and there that you’re looking at an anklet. One of your first significant pieces of fine jewellery, and it’s an anklet. It’s ridiculous. It’s your new favourite thing.

“I didn’t know you were such a pervert,” you tease. The answering scowl Katsuki gives you is ugly—and all show, your heart singing as he finds your fingers across the table to bump them with his knuckles.

(It’s later that night when you’re lolling your head back and breathing in as Katsuki moves above you, languid, that you realise—

It’s just like all the other things he’s given you. Tangible proof that you fit into the secret heart of his life, his hand circling your ankle; thumb brushing the dainty chains like reassurance.)

I hope a new day means a better day for you, Anon. 🥺 You bring me much joy by being here!!!! I probably will never write that Office Work AU out, mostly because I am very much a blue-collar girl LOL and have literally zero idea of what secretaries actually do, beyond… idk…. calling other secretaries on old rotary phones? Idk. Idk!!!

#ofmermaidstories-asks #bakugou is a taurus and i just KNOW our taurus king likes his home comforts so you’re gonna like them too #i hope your weekend is better anon 🌷#you deserved to be held by all your favourite stories 📚💕#surrender-fic verse #do i need a surrender masterlist? blergh #of mermaids and pearls and sea glass 🌊✨🪞#bakugou x reader #prompts and drabbles and other things

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randomlywanderingmoth · 1 year ago

Note

"Right, so. Everybody on your best behavior, okay? These are our newest Masters, so we need to make a good impression. Ready, Senpai?" Mash was three bundles of nerves jammed into one very cute body- which she had no business being, given what we'd survived.

I, meanwhile, could only nod in response. I had no business feeling critical, since by contrast, I was five bundles of nerves in a critically underslept body. I knew only today that this was even happening.

The firm slap of Goredolf's hand on my back did a lot to knock the nerves loose. "Relax, girl. If anything, we're the ones to judge them."

The various other Servants and human personnel busied about- the few more agreeable Spirits on standby to receive the three new Masters. Apparently they'd survived a Grail War, and done more besides.

EMIYA approached me privately as I prepared the cafeteria, helping Tamamo set plates- anything to busy myself. "Master? I noted the new mages we're receiving today. You should know-"

"Oh god they aren't super important are they please tell me I'm not committing some sort of mage societal faux pas by not being there in person I'm trying my hardest here okay-" the nerves were back. The nerves were very very back. I would've rather been fistfighting a Beast right now, that would've been less nervewracking for me.

EMIYA cracked a smirk. "Not at all on any counts. But it will be complicated for me, and for a few specific Servants, for a few days during their onboarding."

"Right, they were in a Grail War. You were one of their Servants?"

His smirk turned faintly awkward. "That, and... well, you'll understand when-"

"WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?!?" That was Ishtar's voice. I bolted for the shouting.

At the entrance, I saw Ishtar, Muramasa, and B.B., along with Kama and Ereshkigal.

Except, the first three had Chaldea uniforms on.

And they had Command Seals.

"Oh."

===== ===== =====

I pointed a finger at the brunette. "Tohsaka Rin."

Tohsaka nodded. There was an indescribable air to her- I could almost sense traces of Ishtar in her.

My finger re-angled to the purple haired girl. "Matou Sakura."

"Pleasure to meet you." Sakura bowed. By contrast, she was utterly nothing like B.B., even on a trace level.

I redirected my hand toward the autumn-haired young man. "Emiya Shirou."

"Why do you have him here?" Emiya pointed a finger accusatorily at EMIYA. The young man that could've been my distant cousin was rather red-faced about spotting someone sharing a name with him- and perhaps a history as well, I suspected.

"I'm an agent of the Counter Force, this is a base with the explicit mission of protecting humanity. The math does itself."

Emiya leaned in, and whispered in a conspiratorial tone, "Is he still a hardass?" Oh. They knew each other. EMIYA was likely in his Grail War.

"Only to you," EMIYA replied. The two seemed poised to act like aggressively bickering siblings, except with maybe a greater volume of swords than the usual bickering siblings.

"Stop- stop stop stop- I need to ask now, why in the hell are there Servants that look like us?" Rin was making an attempt to force order into the conversation.

"Pseudo-Servants. Servants that are normally too strong, or under different conditions, using human bodies as a medium to not overload their Master. There's some stuff about compatibility in there somewhere too." Every last ounce of my formal training had turned into mud and I was having the utmost difficulty trying to recognize these three as strangers.

She sat back down, and introspected for a moment. "... so, me 'n' Sakura are compatible with goddesses, huh?" That made Rin puff her chest out a bit. "Hmm! So, we're here to help protect the world against possible threats, caused by the formation of Singularities- compared to being in a Holy Grail War, this should be a snap!"

I could physically feel the foreshadowing in her statement.

===== ===== =====

Three weeks into bringing in new Masters to the fold, two weeks into a new Singularity. A Christmas Singularity, hosted by the Moon Cancer herself. A Singularity that disgorged wildly strange and periodically inappropriate gifts, a novel method of messing up Christmas.

Emiya had taken to the antics like a fish to water- he had taken Nightingale and Karna (two veteran Santas), and become Santa Emiya (which a few Heroic Spirits found amusing, given he himself was not even a Servant.) I figured out rather embarrassingly slowly that Emiya was the person that EMIYA used to be, prior to becoming a Servant. I elected to not introspect on that too much.

Matou had somehow become the new favorite girl for a large number of Servants- Parvati, Kama, Medusa and her sisters, Ushiwakamaru, and several others doted on her heavily. More than once I saw her riding around on Asterion's back. More than once I saw her getting along with even the likes of Jeanne Alter (in her own way of getting along). The violet girl did a remarkable job of taking care of the Servants off-mission, but the few Servants she'd bonded with objected heavily to sending her on-mission. It was fine enough, though- between me, Emiya, and Kadoc, we had things handled.

Then there was Tohsaka Rin.

Of the three, the most competent magus, by a wide margin. Given how I was incompetent as a mage, and Kadoc was of only passing competence, and we were the Masters who survived prior to their introductions, it probably bode ill for the comparatively hypercompetent Tohsaka.

She had eased into her position as Chaldean Master like it was made of fresh brambles. A bit unused to the sheer volume of Servants, it didn't help that she had several layers of personal beef with at least a few of them. The momentary balm of her bonding well with Ishtar (who shared her face) was dispersed by her friction with Ishtar (who roughly shared her personality).

Then there was the three-hit combo. Christmas Singularity, Santa Emiya, B.B., one, two, three. The idea of a Singularity, an instability that threatened the continuity of the world, being festive, and the rest of us taking it casually, gave her quite the fit. The idea of Emiya taking such a thing in stride riled her something fierce.

B.B. was the worst part. Evidently the idea of a playfully malicious program from the moon committing identity theft on her sister and then becoming a Heroic Spirit was the point at which Tohsaka Rin's poor sanity finally reached critical failure.

"She was always a bit bad with technology," Emiya conceded.

"I think, Emiya- I think Tohsaka's issues with B.B. are a bit more wide-reaching than the technological aspect." I tried not to wrinkle my nose too hard.

"Oh, you mean the fact that B.B. looks like Sakura?" Emiya watched alongside me as Tohsaka went into the latter stages of an extended meltdown. "It's not that weird, Tohsaka summoned a future version of me during the Grail War we were in. Oh! Before I forget." He leaned back into his Santa sack, and pulled out a folding knife, bundling it into my hands. "Merry Christmas, here's a knife."

I stared at the knife, then back at Emiya. It took me a moment. "You got advice from the previous Santas?"

He nodded enthusiastically. "I should get going, I'm on a schedule." And Emiya bounded off in the traditional festive Santa attire.

Meanwhile, Tohsaka had made an admirable recovery from this latest round of extreme mental duress- just in time for one more thing to test her.

"Hiya!" I watched as another Santa Servant approached Tohsaka. "We haven't had the chance to get acquainted yet, have we, Master Tohsaka?"

"Oh, hello there." Tohsaka stooped down to address the Servant. "I think, with all the madness of Chaldea, I may have missed a lot of introductions." It had taken her the better part of her first week to get used to seeing the younger Servants, but I was happy to see her make progress- even if it was by simply imitating Sakura.

"Oh, you should take it more slowly, then! Some folks are better at being Masters than others! Master Fujimaru's the bestest Master, so she can adapt to all of us pretty quick, but you should take it at your own pace!" The little Santa was remarkably wizened. I chalked it up to Amakusa playing mentor in the moments when he wasn't playing villain.

"That's very good advice, thank you, erm..."

"Oh, I'm Lancer, Jeanne Alter Santa Lily! I'm the Santa Lily form of Jeanne Alter!" Santa Lily struck a little pose with her flagpole to cap off her introduction.

"... I see." Tohsaka stiffly patted Santa Lily on the head, stood up, and politely walked into her own room- in the same way I might politely crawl into a vent. Her door slid shut.

For what it was worth, Matou Sakura and Emiya Shirou had grown accustomed to hearing Tohsaka Rin's daily anguished screams- even if there were a bit more than usual. I elected to make sure Sakura brought her ice cream to console her in her time of comic desperation.

Just another day in Chaldea.

okay , for real , outta all the f/sn masters, i bet shirou would have the easiest time adjusting to the chaos of life at chaldea .

an rin is stuck on the struggle bus with now way out the second she meets BB.

Good for him

#fgo #my writing #this one is getting a little long #so I'm calling it before it gets out of hand

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