#I DO NOT AGREE WITH SUCH ACTIVITIES BY THE WAY

[shyficwriter]

Sorry prev, but I couldn't let these tags stay in the notes.

And before I get into agreeing with prev, I also always use readmores- but prev still has a point.

This is directed more to people in the notes than to OP (who almost definitely didn't expect their post to turn into this and actually seems pretty chill), but threatening to block people because they don't make themselves smaller for you is kinda cringe actually.

For 30K fics, yeah I get it- they should probably be under readmores or linked to AO3. But just 1k or 2k like prev said? I've seen thinkpieces on here longer than that with no readmore get regularly reblogged and no one blinks an eye. Reblog-chains and comics longer than that which keep circling with no complaint. People only seem to care when it's fic. Everyone loves to call tumblr the fandom website until they have to scroll past a fic they didn't feel like reading, or belonging to a fandom space they weren't a part of.

You all came to the fandom blogging website and got mad that there were *checks notes* fandom blog posts. And then you threaten to block the writers for not making themselves smaller than they already do, as if you were ever going to read their fic or interact with them or their posts anyway regardless.

Weird behavior, honestly.

It just gives such icky/gaslightly, "Well I might have read your fics and became your biggest fan- but you didn't put a readmore so now I'm blocking and you've lost a potential reader forever! Ouch- sorry! Buh-Bye! xoxo"

Do you all not see how gross that is? How entitled that sounds?

I'm not saying never block accounts you don't want to see- by all means block away! Curate your own experience and all that. But when you feel the need to announce it, acting like your block is some righteous punishment, or something other bloggers should be scared of and should actively avoid, just for not blogging the way you personally want them to- it gets so gross.

Especially considering that you can go into your own blog settings and hit the toggle for "Shorten long posts" yourself, and have every long post be automatically shortened and given it's own "Expand" button, therefore letting you scroll right by all the fic you want to skip.

Yes, it even works in the tags, I just checked.

if you're posting a whole fanfiction to tumblr you've got to put it under a readmore boss

[juniperskye]

I’m Sorry…What?

Based on the following ask: Established relationship but it’s secret from the team. The team think they don’t like each other but in truth they are deeply in love with each other but the team don’t let them always be alone together out of worry so there have been a few close calls where they almost get caught until reader and Aaron room together and finally talk about maybe telling the team only the way they tell them is threw wedding invites and that’s shocks the team and they all have questions to which reader and Aaron only smile thinking how funny it is that a team of profilers never found them out. Love this idea! In this, Derek kind of looks out for the reader – very “big brother” behavior from him in this.

Aaron Hotchner x Fiance BAU! Fem Reader

Fluff

Word count: 1617

Not edited - please be kind. Requests are open and feedback is welcome if it's constructive!

Warnings: My blog is 18+, minors DNI, some explicit language, meddling profilers, canon typical violence, mention of stabbing and hospitals, mention of wedding related activities, let me know if I missed anything!

I do not consent to having my work translated or reposted to any other site. That being said I do not own the characters portrayed in this story.

You stood from your desk, just about to head up to Hotch’s office with a file when Emily stopped you. Her hand resting on your forearm gently, her eyes meeting your own.

“I have to go drop this file off, let me take yours.”

“Oh, Emily it’s okay. I can take them.” You moved to grab her file.

“Girl, it’s okay…I know how hard he is on you.” Emily stood, patted your shoulder and took the files to Hotch’s office.

--

Things had been like this pretty much since the moment you’d joined the BAU. For whatever reason, everyone on the team had just assumed that you and Hotch hated each other…that you two couldn’t even be in the same room as one another without fighting. But that couldn’t be further from the truth.

See, what the team didn’t know was that Aaron and you were engaged. The two of you were dating even before you had joined the BAU. You had been working with a different team within the FBI, having a background in behavior analysis…moving to the BAU when a spot opened up, that just made sense.

Aaron and you had agreed to keep things strictly professional at work to avoid any discomfort within the workplace. Apparently that choice was now biting you in the ass.

Working with profilers, you’d think the secret of your relationship would have come out a long time ago, that being said, doesn’t mean there haven’t been some close calls.

--

This had started early on in you career with the BAU. Aaron had avoided pairing the two of you together, simply to avoid any suspicion of your relationship. The team, however, took this as him not warming up to your presence on the team.

Then it was him “benching” you. Aaron for a period of time had kept you in the local precincts on cases, you knew this was because he was worried about you getting hurt, but the team saw this as him questioning your abilities. They all reassured you that you were an asset to the team, more than capable in the field. Morgan had gone as far as confronting Aaron about the way he was mistreating you.

What really sealed this theory in your teammate’s heads was the way Aaron and you sparred. During debriefings the two of you would go back and forth through numerous theories, jabbing at one another for how “ridiculous” the other one was being. While to the team this looked argumentative…it really was how the two of you were, always pushing one another, wanting them to be the best they can be. Unafraid to challenge one another.

Everything was different after that. The team worked overtime to keep things light when the two of you were around one another. They would step into conversations, inserting themselves when it wasn’t necessary. They would jump in and offer to pair with one of you, so you’d never be stuck one-on-one.

At first you found it kind of funny, laughing internally at their crazy antics, but now that you were engaged, it was getting increasingly annoying. You’d just wanted some alone time with your fiancé and they were making it impossible.

--

You had gone to get a fresh cup of coffee to help you get through the remainder of your paperwork. Upon entering the kitchenette, you came face to face with your fiancé.

“Hey sweetheart.” He quietly greeted.

“Hi hon.” You smiled.

Aaron passed you a cup of coffee before moving to fill a second one for himself. He’d been this way since the beginning, always putting you first no matter what. You offered him thanks and stood with him for a moment, enjoying the proximity.

“I got a call earlier from the florist, she sent over the invoice. I also sent the deposit to the caterer this morning.” You informed.

“For the flowers, peonies right? Did you decide on pink or whi-”

“Everything okay in here?” Morgan bounded into the kitchenette. “You guys look tense…please tell me you weren’t fighting again.”

“Nope, everything is good! I was just heading back to my desk.” You said before making your exit.

--

The next slip up was while away on a case. You had been with Derek interviewing someone that happened to be the unsub, only you hadn’t been aware of that going in.

He had pulled a knife and moved quickly, leaving you with a nasty stab to the gut. You were lucky that it hadn’t hit anything major. You’d waved Derek off, telling him to go after the unsub.

After apprehending the guy, Derek made his way back to you to check in and make sure you were okay. He had called the team and for a medic, not leaving your side.

When Aaron showed up he was livid. The team took that as anger for your “mistake”, not realizing that his anger was directed toward himself – he was beating himself up for having sent you in there, putting you in this situation.

He rode with you in the ambulance to the hospital…giving the rest of the team time to talk about how he was probably reprimanding you. But once again, it couldn’t have been further from the truth. He had held you hand and reassured you the whole way to the hospital.

The team met him there and waited by his side as you were tended to. And when the doctor came out and called your name, asking for family, Aaron didn’t hesitate to rise to his feet, barely catching himself and mentally correcting fiancé to boss.

--

After that, the team did everything they could to keep the two of you separated or at least had someone with you to act as a buffer. It was becoming exhausting – you’d been trying to give Aaron an update about some stuff for the wedding and you just couldn’t get the chance.

The two of you would end up rapidly firing through topics once you arrived home for the evening, trying to catch one another up on wedding tasks, work tasks, and just everyday things.

 “Aaron…have you thought about how much easier things would be if we just told the team about us?”

“Yes I have. Why do you ask?” He admitted.

“Just, well…they’ve been annoying lately.” You huffed. “I don’t mean to sound rude, you know I love them. But they just won’t quit, I can’t get even a second alone with you at work and it is getting ridiculous.”

“You’re right. When you were in the hospital last month, I almost let it slip in front of them. If it’s what you want, let’s tell them.” Aaron agreed.

And thus began your planning of how you’d tell the most oblivious group of profilers that the two of you didn’t hate each other but were actually engaged to be married.

--

It took about a week and a half before you could officially tell the team your little secret. You had been waiting for your invitations to come in so you could hand deliver a few to your team…it would be the perfect announcement.

“Round table in five.” Aaron called out into the bullpen.

“Shit…he seems pissed.” Emily hissed.

You couldn’t help but giggle, knowing full well he was anything but pissed. Emily and you went and collected everyone, bringing them to the round table. There were hushed whispers about what this could be about, and when Penelope mentioned there wasn’t a new case, you could feel the anxiety filling the room.

--

Aaron made his way in, his hands holding a neat stack of pale pink envelopes. You couldn’t help but notice the way he commanded a room, his mere presence demanding the attention of those around him. This is what had initially drawn you to him all those years ago.

“I have something for each of you. I’d like you to wait to open them until everyone has one.” Aaron announced.

He passed them out one by one, the room remaining silent the entire time. It didn’t take long for everyone to notice that you were the only one who didn’t receive an envelope.

“Hotch man, if this is some kind of sick power move then I swear I will-” Derek began.

“Please, open them.” You spoke before standing up and making your way to Aaron’s side.

Confusion painted its way across everyone’s faces. Hands working quickly to open the envelopes they’d been handed. You were shaking with anticipation, and you couldn’t help the little smirk that made its way to your lips when the confusion was quickly replaced with shock.

“I’m sorry…what?” Penelope asked.

“What the hell is this?” Derek questioned.

Everyone began talking at once, talking about whether or not this was a joke. Asking if one another knew, and how long this had been going on.

“Guys!” You called. “Aaron and I have been together for a few years, well before I started with the BAU. We got engaged about seven months ago…and well, we’d love it if you all would be there for us.” You smiled.

“I KNEW IT!” Rossi laughed. “I told you all from the beginning that they didn’t hate one another, they love each other, and you all swore that they hated each other.”

--

Four months later, the BAU team stood by your sides as you said your vows and committed yourselves to one another.

And while the team dynamic shifted slightly with them knowing the two of you are together, and with there being two Agent Hotchners now, the one thing that didn’t change was that this team was family and you all were there for one another no matter what.

Taglist: @bernelflo@pastelpinkflowerlife@just-moondust

[lilylushes]

Luigi x Pregnant Reader Headcanons

-Your sex life with Luigi had always been active, but once you two decided to see what happens in terms of getting pregnant, he got baby fever BAD and it turned into a whole baby making season for him. 

-You had sex almost every day before, but now it was constantly - on the countertop, in the shower, in the pool/ocean, etc. Even when you were tired, he’d happily make love to you with gentle strokes, humming how much he loved you and wanted a baby. He’d also lay on the praise even more during baby making season. “Mmm, going to give you a baby, beautiful.” “So good for me, taking all my cum, my good girl.” 

-He was SO excited when you both found out. The two of you both suspected you might be pregnant, so you took a test and decided to look at it at the same time. When you flipped it over and the two lines were clear as day, he was elated. He hugged you so tightly and even though he’s not an overly emotional guy, he cried tears of joy, and gave you so much praise. “You’re going to be the best mother.” “I love you.” “I can’t wait to do this with you.” Oh, and he’s thinking about how hot you’ll look pregnant.

-He immediately ordered a shit ton of books about pregnancy, fatherhood, babies, and everything.

-He thinks about different names all the time, too. He’d ask, “baby, what do you think of x as a name?”

-He goes to literally every appointment, ultrasound, and signs you up for a birthing class.

-NEEDS to find out the gender because he can’t not know. You’d do a little private thing, just the two of you. I picture one of those ones on the beach with a little cake and the wine glasses. No matter what you’d have, his reaction would be so precious. More hugs and tears, probably.

-He’s also kinda panicking because now he’s gonna be a literal father in charge of keeping another human alive. He is reading the books that he ordered religiously. He worries deep down that he’s not cut out to be a father.

-He proudly assembles all of the nursery furniture and makes sure it’s all safe.

-He takes up crocheting/knitting so that he can make socks, hats, a blanket, etc. for the baby. He goes kinda crazy with it, lol.

-He just wants to be a part of it all in any way that he can. He reads up on what you’re experiencing, is always asking how you’re feeling, wants to make sure you take all the vitamins you need, and takes part in your birthing class to ensure that he’ll be a supportive partner.

-He talks to your baby at night. “You have the best mom. She’s so pretty and so smart, you’ll see. You’re giving her kind of a hard time, though. It’s hard for her to sleep. Just keep still in there for a few hours, hm?”

-He is always encouraging you to try things out to make everything more comfortable for you, especially at the end.

-He talks about what the baby will look like and be like. You both agree on your eyes with his smile. You two take the opportunity to look at your own baby pictures. He’s a bit embarrassed at his, but he can’t get over how cute you were.

-Pregnancy sex, especially towards the end, is wild and constant. “I know you’re uncomfortable, baby. I read how we can induce labour, wanna give it a try?”

-He totally panics when you go into labour. He did pack your hospital bags long ago, but he gets all blushing and flustered.

-While you’re in labour, he gives you distance when you need it and is nearby when you need it.

-When your baby is born, he’d be crying so hard. Between your baby being here and how proud he is of you for going through labour, he’d be extremely emotional.

-He can’t believe how tiny the baby is, being totally in awe of their little hands and feet. He’s just in disbelief that you two made this sweet little baby.

-Afterwards, when you’re holding the baby, he says, “thank you for giving me him/her.”

-Even though he’s running on no sleep, he’d watch you sleep afterwards and come over to kiss your cheeks and forehead.

-He’s so proud to bring your visitors in. He’d by hyping you up to them, like, “she did such a good job, I’m so proud of her. She was so strong the whole time.”

-When you’re leaving the hospital, he’s beaming with pride to be able to look beside him and see you and your baby. 

-When you’re in the car, he’d look in the mirror at you and your baby in the backseat, and say, “There’s nobody else I’d rather do this with, y/n. love you, baby.”

[tricoloreddango]

dutiful boyfriend

Summary: Phainon wants to apply a lotion on your body; however, his intention are not so innocent.

Yandere Phainon x female reader

contents: nudity / dub-con|non-con touching (lotion application with groping) / obsession / smutty (nipple play) / female cycle mentions / patronizing behavior / forced relationship / mentions of suffocating (paranoid) /

Word count: 1.3k

Not suitable for minors.

No matter how much Phainon’s presence could have been suffocating for you, with him wanting to be in your space and have your attention 24/7, he has never relented.

That’s why you both just took a bath together. Another excuse to have you close to him, with his intention hidden under a false reasoning of couple activities and Amphoreus’s bathing culture. Anyone else who didn’t know the true nature of your relationship would think he’s just a clingy boyfriend, maybe like a puppy with separation anxiety; but you knew better.

He has held you tight to his chest the entire time of taking a bath together, sitting behind you. Washing you was included too, disguised as him wanting to take care of you and help you relax. Yet in never felt like anything else other than invasive and vulnerability-forcing.

However, your stressful situation of your peace and space being intruded wasn’t over just because you left the bathtub. Another part of him taking care of you was meant to be him applying a lotion for you too, right after he wiped you clean with a a towel to make it all invasive.

“Phainon… I can do it myself,” you said nervously when you saw him grab a bottle of lotion from the counter of the sink. He already did everything for you, making you feel so incompetent and out of control of your own life or even body. You didn’t know if you can handle more of his touch either.

“Nonsense!” he responded in a chirpy voice. “I just want to take care of you. You needn’t to lift even a finger,” he said with a smile and winked at you. Phainon stood right in front of you and pumped out few squirts of rose-scented lotion. Each pump made your heart pound like a thunder. He already was touchy on regular basis, but wanting to spread something all over your naked body felt even more unsafe and humiliating without a close barrier to protect you. Regardless, some part of you wanted to believe he was just being nice… even if it felt rather infantilizing and pushy to have everything done for you.

No, it was maddening when you were treated like someone who couldn’t take care of herself. The question was whether Phainon shared your sentiments.

“Okay…” you finally gave in. You knew he’d keep wearing you down if you say no anyway.

“Thank you, my love! Don’t worry, I’ll be gentle,” he said softly with another smile, although his eyes were a different story—watching you like a hawk, not hiding an unhealthy obsession with you.

Despite you agreeing, it didn’t make you feel any less anxious from anticipation of waiting for his hands to be put on you.

When Phainon finally did so, a hope filled you somewhat. He was just applying it on your shoulders and arms first, not in any suggestive way.

Only for your stomach to be churned when he got onto your chest after few more pumps of lotion to gather and spread.

He wasn’t just applying lotion. No, his hands lingered on your breasts for way too long. He was doing more than rubbing your breasts—his hands were squeezing them in circling motions, and you had to bite down on a moan, both sensitive and startled. “P-phainon, what are you doing?”

“Me?” he said innocently, “Didn’t you say your breasts are tender before period? I’m just helping you, I’ve heard a massage can help…”

“Yes, but…” you protested weakly, feeling as if he wasn’t entirely truthful.

“No buts, pretty girl,” he said with a reassurance and kissed your forehead to further convince you. “Now…” His fingers were now onto your nipples, rubbing their sides between his digits. You yelped, feeling a spark of both slight pain and involuntary arousal. He smiled a little.

“Phainon…” you said unsurely, “I am fine, really…”

You moaned when he gently pinched your buds that were growing sturdy. “Some pleasure should relieve your pain, I think.”

‘I think’—he wasn’t even sure if he had to do this, yet he gambled and put you through unnecessary humiliation.

Right when your body was getting more eager, he finally stopped. To your displeasure, for some reason you felt disappointed. “Do they feel better?” he asked hopefully. You nodded immediately in case he wanted to drag this out.

“Perfect. Just a few more places are left to moisturize…”

Few more pumps.

Next was stomach and back. He didn’t make it any weird thankfully, although with your legs he dragged his hands down and up them, making you extremely nerved when he was reaching more intimate areas.

You felt tears build up when his hands landed on your backside. Phainon even forced your body pressed tightly against his to get closer to that area, chest to chest and with his face buried in your neck. His lips were teasing your skin, as if you weren’t overwhelmed already. Your eyes didn’t need to witness his expression, as he knew you wouldn’t like the truth.

You felt his skin against yours, which only intensified the sense of being naked but in more symbolic sense than simply touch and nudity. “How can you be so beautiful, hm?” he teased, making you squirm as his voice vibrated against your neck. “You’re unreal, really…” he murmured contentedly, thinking about its just him in your life.

His words didn’t cause any sense of being flattered in you. You just wanted to leave this bathroom to signalize the end of this torment.

“I’m getting cold,” you tried to lie as you felt him massage and squeeze your flesh. “Don’t worry, I’m keeping you warm. You should feel warmer soon,” he said gently.

You did feel warm, albeit it felt like an unpleasant sweaty sensation than comforting one. When he looked up at you he wiped your few tears with a loving look that felt out of place for your distress. “Oh, my bad, I didn’t realize you’re that sensitive. It must be an overstimulation,” his tone was apologetic and worried, but the real reason of your tears remained unspoken; though you had to admit that even the scent of rose hanging in the air felt now too irritating to your nose. “I’ll make the rest of the process quick for your sake.” When you nodded and he gave you a quick kiss, making you experience a lot of relief that this torture was nearing the end, your joy was quickly diminished.

Few more pumps.

He was moisturizing your mound. Your eyes widened and you tried to close your legs in panic but he swiftly forced them open. “Don’t be ungrateful,” his voice was suddenly cold, making you freeze from the shock in sudden change in his mood. That kept you unmoving, scared you end up provoking him further even if you weren’t at fault here.

Fortunately for you his hand didn’t wander deeper between your thighs, leaving your most intimate place untouched… though you didn’t know if it’s a good thing—maybe it was merely a begging of some game, and he was taking you slowly part by part, hence he left the best for later.

“Good girl,” he praised at your compliance, and when he sounded soft again you had to do a double check to know whether you didn’t only imagine him being aggressive a second ago.

Last pump. Phainon’s left hand gathered your hair up to reveal your neck and not stain your hair with crème, and the other quickly spread the product around your throat. Despite him not hurting you, a sense of paranoia and claustrophobic pressure was there with his palm on this place—a worry about both being suffocated both literally and figuratively. You ever doubted he’d lay a hand on you; it was just a fear caused by having your entire existence have him all over your life everyday.

You exhaled deeply when he finally put the bottle away. “All smooth and soft, just like you should be. Not to mention how good you smell…”

You squirmed when his finger traced down your arm, wanting to experience how silky your skin was now…

You really had no idea how much he craved you just from simple gestures like this. Every part of you had a deeper meaning to Phainon, and you were desirable both physically and simply because it was you.

He smiled widely, all enthusiastic. “Now we can go to bed and rest. Don’t worry, I’ll help you put on your clothes too.”

I really can’t stop writing this type of Phainon…

[endykelopaedia]

This does still ignore that we don't have to choose one avenue or another when it comes to the intersectionality of this topic.

This post is about misandry being a bad "avenue" for sociopolitical analysis, not about "choosing one." you'd know that if you read the post.

I recognize in my experience as a latino that latina women don't experience the demonization that i do simply because of my gender.

and thats your fucking problem. First Of All you aren't even black so why are you here on my post on anti-blackness like this (and i did notice how you replaced all discussion of black people and anti-blackness with "poc" to get your nasty foot in). And second of yall YES THEY FUCKING DO. You really think being a woman of colour saves you from the racism you experience for their race in any meaningful way? You obviously a misogynist but you might actually be stupid too. Idk how long u lived as a woman or man but maybe go ask your grandma or sumn if being a woman made being latine easier. My exact problem w this misandry shit is how easily it becomes for you people to simply not think abt the women in your community and how obviously misogynistic it is to think their experiences of discrimination and violence must be softer than yours bc shes not a man. choke. moving on.

The darker you are, the more pronounced the fear surrounding you becomes, but it is also amplified by how masculine or feminine your gender expression is. I don't quite agree that "projected hypermasculinity" is the only cause of this.

i think its awesome that this non-black dude thinks he's in the position to explain colourism to me now. Also, I didn't say it was. You'd know that if you Read The Post.

for many poc, they are often in the cross hairs of white-enforced gender binaries. Many people in positions of power [even other poc] will use gender as a violent means to police us, often seeking to turn our own expression of gender against us.

you ever notice how in turning our gender expressions against us, there might be a pattern of projecting violence and aggression (traditionally masculine traits often praised in non-black people), that isnt actually there? This is masculinisation. This is racism. You'd know that, if you read. the post.

This intersection is important to acknowledge and I think very overlooked when poc trans macs like myself have been begging people to listen to us.

Ok. I'm a black i mean poc transmasc. Listen To Me! you are actively talking over what im sayin and barely listening bc it challenges the validity of misandry, a word that has apparently done soooo much for you, and me too obviously, given the nature of this post that you definitely read.

Also the section on adultification is sound. But very strange claim that "black people aren't actually masculine!"

Didn't say this. In fact i also very explicitly said black i mean poc adults also experience adultification. Try reading the post again, and applying my logic that you say is so sound.

Like???????? What about those who are? I have black transmasc friends who have extremely different experiences than my black trans femme friends and I can tell you that it absolutely is about gender there.

thats crazy. you're gonna bring black i mean poc transfemmes into this when the murder statistics for black transfemmes look like this? i wonder what happened there... i thought femininity was supposed to protect femmes from racislised violence...

Everything intersects with race in these conversations of course but there are those of us who are trying to communicate more nuanced experiences.

so sick of yalls "but my unique experiences!!" whinging. fuckin grow up n read a book. you arent the main characters. there are socio-political forces above you shaping our oppression and i am talking about those! i'm not your mother!!! think abt society outside of your feelings for 5 seconds n then get back to me!!!

ALL men benefit from patriarchy just as ALL white people benefit from white supremacy just as ALL cis people benefit from cisnormativity just as ALL rich people benefit from poverty. you think you're being intersectional but you aren't! you're just absolving your ability to perpetuate or benefit from a certain system in your own mind because you too are marginalised. being a man does not create a unique intersection with your race because men, unilaterally, are not oppressed for being men, no, not even sometimes, no, not even when you're black i mean poc or gay or broke or trans. and you can still benefit from misogyny against the women who are just like you.

Masculinity does not equal power.

Yeah ok. neither does whiteness or cisness or money or nun. nothing equals power cuz anyone can be oppressed for any reason. get fucking real.

There is the similarity of not equating feminity with powerlessness.

erm actually... you're the real misogynist for noticing how women are systemically disempowered by men instead of uplifting femininity (by refusing to acknowledge that women are systemically empowered by men) I Am Very Smart.

And Finally, lets talk about these tags a mo.

"white" "american" and i am very explicitly neither white or american. easy to guess from the way i write this post. easier to confirm from looking at my god damn bio. and thats how i know you arent serious bc you really think only white americans utilise male privilege as a concept? yk the feminist you haphazardly snatched "intersectionality" from was a black woman explicitly naming the way that the misogyny she experienced from black i mean poc men and the racism she experienced from white women was rendered invisible by both groups failing to acknowledge the intersection she had of being both black and a woman? of course not. you're an idiot.

"black people are seen as hyper-masculine and face a lot of violence for it, so yes you can be oppressed for seeming or being masculine"

AHT!! lets talk! black people are not actually hyper-masculine. hyper-masculinity is a projection by people trying to justify anti-black fear and violence. it is not a true and then demonised observation about black existence. the hyperfocus on the masculinity of black people is itself racism!

when you call this issue of racism anti-masculinity or misandry or whatever, you are obfuscating the bigotry at play. ESPECIALLY given that it is overwhelmingly just white women's fear about black people's supposed hyper-masculinity that actually gets listened to & acted upon.

in addition, there are other addendums people tack onto their anti-blackness that completely cause this logic to fall apart when applied. Namely, adultification! black people, black children get adultified by white society.

We are assumed to be older & more independent, and thus less in need of the safety, care, sensitivity, accommodation one would give to a child, and this results in violence and neglect. it is directly observable in the way black children are more likely to get detention, suspended or expelled for the same behaviour as their white peers, s/a rates for black youth, and the arguments that 40 y/o cops give for brutalising & murdering black 20, 16, 12, 8 year olds who so much as breathe in their line of sight.

Given this then, following the misandry logic, we can say being recognised as older or as an adult is a form of oppression.

"black people are seen as older/more mature and face a lot of violence for it, so yes, you can be oppressed for seeming like or being an adult"

we can for the sake of this post name this oppression adultery.

i kid. but do you see the problem. being recognised as an adult is obviously, not itself a form of oppression, in fact quite the opposite, being recognised as adult can grant you a lot of privileges that children do not have.

and black kids are evidently, not adults or people who act like adults. they dont mature faster. black 18 y/os will also face the problem of adultification to justify violence against them. black maturity is not a true and then demonised observation about black existence. the form of oppression is racism, and adultification is the deployed means of enacting racism.

the means of combatting the adultification of black people would not come in creating adult positivity or "advocating" for adults or telling children not to fear adults. it comes in the form of learning about anti-blackness, unlearning anti-blackness, and actually directly combatting anti-blackness.

similarly the means of combatting the hyper-masculinisation of black people comes in the form of learning about anti-blackness, unlearning anti-blackness, and actually directly combatting anti-blackness.

Racism explains both of this phenomena far better than "misandry" ever could.

[astracora]

Poly!LADs headcanons - Caleb Edition

(Because I have no idea if I'll ever get around to writing his intro to the polycule so I wanted to shove some ideas into a post.)

Masterlist

- The one who has the most trouble adapting to the concept of the polycule.

- Reintroduced after the polycule is formed, a year after his death.

- His reintroduction is obviously a bit rough, not only is he actively combative with the MC, but his actions push them further into the comfort of the polycule like a wounded cat.

- After they have eased the relationship out, it's some time before they talk to him about the polycule. Not sure how to broach it.

- He already knew, and he already stewed about it for a long time. (He's still stewing about it.)

- They've mourned him, after loving him, and moved forwards though, he can't push and demand when he knows that without the polycule they likely wouldn't still be there.

- His first meeting is rough, he can hide as much as he wants behind smiles, but Sylus is very good at reading people, as is Rafayel, so they can see through him. (Rafayel is no stranger to fake smiles). Xavier is jealous so reacts most to Caleb, while Zayne is somewhat calm, but wary. On one hand he has a childhood friend back, on the other hand depending on how much he knows. If he knows about Caleb's involvement with EVER, a great deal of distrust, and some real anger (that he tries not to show).

- Clashes most with Rafayel and Zayne. Rafayel because the two are almost opposed in many ways (Caleb's lack of sensory input and reluctance to touch, vs Rafayel as a Lemurian where his senses are SO attuned to his lovers, as well as the memory focus, and also the fact that both hide part of themselves behind a reasonably jovial mask, but Raffy is a lot better at hiding.) Zayne because the two do not agree on the methods of protecting and caring for MC (Keeping them hidden/caged, and the actions of siding with EVER with the intent to keep MC safe (which Zayne consistently states is a stupid plan.)).

- Understands Xavier, still doesn't like him.

- Depending on the advancement of his story, he has the potential to come to terms with the fact that accepting help and acknowledging that he's not alone in his drive to protect the person who means the most to him, helps him step past his self assigned cage.

- With enough time and trust, he accepts the polycule's help tending to his arm. They tinker with it and work with specialists to try to make it capable of sensory responses. It's kind of an exchange that keeps them on good ground. A kind of 'look we're not enemies, you have to lower your hackles' kinda thing.

- He hates the situation a lot less when he holds MC's hand for the first time again, and can feel the heat of them through his cybernetics.

- Builds models with Sylus, though it's more he builds models, Sylus suggests ways to bring them to life as real mini robot weapons. If the two are left alone, they WILL create tiny weaponised planes.

- Rafayel has taken to using them as target practice for throwing daggers.

- One crashed into Zayne's office door, waking him up from a nap, and made him think they were being attacked.

- Xavier slept through the whole thing, and woke up to plane shrapnel in his hair (he's used his light blade to knock a few out if they have disturbed his slumber though.)

- MC does not get enough sleep, and almost banned the planes, until Sylus and Caleb both promised to stop flying them indoors. Hooked up lil cameras to the things and started flying them around linkon and as far as they could before the things ran out of signal. (They got some killer nature recordings.)

- Caleb is another member of the insomnia crew. He's woken up alongside Zayne a few times, and made tea for them both. (Only for MC to toddle in not long after, and curling up between them with their own warm drink, exhausted and miserable but also unable to sleep.)

- Caleb helps take over some of the cooking, he also tries to find tech Xavier can use that won't catch fire, reducing the amount of cooking incidents by about 50%. (If asked he'll say he's doing it to keep MC safe... Xavier's smile when he cooks a full and very good meal has shit all to do with it. He swears.)

- Is the most averse to affection, originally sees the polycule as a means to an end, after all other people are just background noise to his real focus. Unluckily for him, it's hard to keep that mindset up when you spend that much time with people who don't have chips in their head, and also don't want to hurt the things you care about. The anti EVER squad are best placed to combat his 'world for just us two' energy. As well as question his intent. (Especially with how important MC's independence is to them.)

- Will not begin physically and emotionally warming up to the rest of the lads before he finally overcomes the wall keeping him from MC. After he has finally stepped over the line, he basks in it, then begins to let himself become more human again.

- He and Xavier ARE the protection squad. You want to bother the polycule? Can't promise you won't end up dead in a ditch somewhere.

- Zayne does try to rein this in. Sylus finds it hilarious. Rafayel cannot comment because he was thinking about stabbing that dude too. MC thinks they might need to start taking migraine medication because please guys, one nice meal out.

- He's tidy and multi talented. It takes a WHILE before he finds a room for himself in the house, isn't really sure what to fill it with because he struggles to refind his identity as a person. It begins with filling it with model planes, it advances into photos and memories, as well as his DAA stuff as well. Becomes a place he can keep things that tether him to himself.

- Has mended clothes for the others, really wants to know how Raffy tears so many shirts. No he cannot get acrylics out of a white shirt, why did you let it stain!?!!

- His puppy dog eyes are a weapon of mass destruction. NO one is safe. All have fallen to those eyes. 'But he just looks so sad' 'I know he does but why does that mean we now have two puppies in the living room' 'MC wanted them!' 'Caleb we don't have the space or time!!!'

- Uses all his old social media accounts, like an absolute fool. (Aren't you dead dude why are you using all ur old numbers????) Unfollowed most people, kept MC. Didn't follow the polycule. Was missing cute photos and things they'd posted, grumpily and (not that) reluctantly followed them all.

- He and Zayne occasionally have a kamaoji-off.

- He has taken Sylus flying. He did turn his head away so the dragon man could have a moment of sad recollection.

- Does still compete constantly to be the best person to assist mc in their day to day. The competitions can get aggressive and over the top. The lads do get carried away.

- Is the most scared of losing everyone, it does keep him awake at night. Does plan eventualities with the polycule. Does feel comforted knowing that if he fails, he's not leaving MC to deal with everything alone. Assures himself and everyone that he won't fail. He has his tether to get back to, after all.

[jostystyles]

when i run out of road, you bring me home | sj

a/n: HAPPY BIRTHDAY JARVY SORRY YOU LOST :( but anyways, this is a culmination of me yapping to @mattyanonwrites about jarvy. i also had casual by chappell roan stuck in my head writing this, so it’s loosely based off that as well. and also happy bday harry styles there’s references to you in here too.

warnings: mentions of marijuana and alcohol, brief mentions of sex

word count: 2.1k. this was supposed to be a blurb.

The blare of the alarm broke him out of a peaceful sleep. The kind that makes you not want to get up, and just stay in the comfort of the blankets and shielded from the real world. Seth sighed as he rolled over to silence the alarm, scrolling through the slew of texts he was already receiving. If he wasn’t already awake, he was now after seeing the notification he’s always looking for.

12:07 am

(Y/N) 🤒

happy birthday jarvy :) hope you have the best day. miss you and sorry i won’t be around today to see you.

His heart clenched, as he realized she was the first person that texted him. She was also the only person he wanted to actually see today. In all honesty, she was the only person he really wanted to see ever. He’d take her in any capacity he could get. Loving the message and replying with a quick “thanks, miss you” and dragged himself out of bed to go in the shower. As the water cascaded down his body, he couldn’t help but let the memories flow of just last week when she was here with him, their bodies wet and flush to each other as one. Turning the water cold, Seth shook his head and dragged his hands down his face with a sigh.

He rode to the rink in silence, aside from a nice phone call with his mom, the only thing surrounding him was the sound of Carolina by Harry Styles coming from his speakers. It was a song (Y/N) added to his playlist as a joke, but one he’d grown to genuinely enjoy. (In all honesty, he actually enjoyed Harry’s music which is something he’d never admit to anyone) Surprisingly, he was the last one to arrive to the arena for morning skate, a role which was usually reserved for KK. As if they had it rehearsed, the second he set foot in the room he was met with the glaring shrieks of Martinook and immediately encapsulated in a three way hug by KK, Andrei and Burnzie.

“Happy birthday Jarvyman!”

“Gee thanks guys,” he exclaimed, “I was afraid that blink 182 lyric was true for a second there.”

Rolling his eyes and shoving Seth away, Andrei let out a chuckle.

“You pumped for the late evening, eh? Win or lose tonight we are getting very drunk. Rented out the Local for a good time.”

Seth smiled, replying with a laugh of “Hell yeah man.”

Andrei noticed his friends spirit was a little deflated.

“Yeah? Any chance of uh, you know who making an appearance?”

Like a sleeper agent, Seth’s demeanor activated from distracted to focused almost instantly.

“Uh, probably not. She texted me that she won’t be around today. She’s stuck in New York City with work.”

That’s why he was sad, Andrei realized. (Y/N) wouldn’t be in attendance. He might be playing with fire by saying this, but he just had to ask.

“You guys are still doing that casual thing, yes?”

Sliding his practice sweater over his pads, Seth nodded.

“Yeah, if that’s what you wanna call it.”

Casual. Except he was eating her out in the passenger seat of his car the other day. Casual, when her mom invited him to their beach house for (Y/N)’s birthday in the summer.

He had no right to be as upset as he was. She wasn’t his girlfriend. In all honesty, he didn’t even know what she was anymore. Three months ago, she was the frazzled college girl he met his first year in Raleigh that became his best friend. The girl he couldn’t live without. Three months ago, she was the girl whose couch he cried on after his ex girlfriend cheated on him. One thing led to another, and the next thing he knew they were waking up naked and agreeing to keep it casual. But Seth liked to be stupid, and the guys teased him for it. He realized been in love with (Y/N) over the summer, and has done nothing but daydream about it to anyone but her. Nellie laughed and called him a romantic when he was wasted and told her and KK about his feelings, saying how he saw (Y/N) living in his apartment, her cats, and maybe they’d have a dog by then. And she’d take him with her and show him off to her friends back home.

“No attachment, right?”

He should’ve said no. Please. I’m attached. But instead, he agreed. A decision he was certainly regretting right now as he threw back his third green tea shot of the night, chasing it with a sip of his beer.

Jesperi sighed watching his best friend sulk at his own birthday party. In the next 5 minutes though, he was either going to go down as the best friend in the world or never be spoken to again. Glancing down at his phone, the message he’d been anxiously awaiting most of the night came through.

11:39 pm

(Y/N)

ubers 2 min out. do you think he’s onto us yet?

No. He doesn’t suspect a thing. Walking around the whole day like a sad puppy. Even looked dejected after he scored

fuck yeah. not that he’s sad, but this is going to be the best surprise ever. i’m here. keep him distracted

Realizing Seth was about to turn and head his direction, he raced forward to slap him on the back and keep him facing away from the door.

“Eh buddy, enjoying your night?”

“Yeah man this is awesome. I’m kinda beat though, think I’m gonna head out soon.”

KK squinted, pulling his head back a bit. “Leaving your own birthday party early? You good Jarvyman?”

Seth shrugged. “Yeah. ‘sides (Y/N) said she was gonna call me when she got to her hotel from the event she was at, but she hasn’t called me yet.” As soon as he stopped talking, he felt a pair of soft arms snake around his waist.

“Yeah, sorry about that. My plane got delayed a few times. Sorry I’m late to the party.”

Whipping around faster than he could on skates, he was met with his favorite smile and the prettiest eyes he’d grown fond of looking into blinking excitedly at him.

“(Y/N)? You’re here? I thought- New York, and you’d be stuck until tomorrow, and…oh my god.” he trailed off, burying his head into her neck and breathing in the scent of her. He could feel the tears pricking his eyes as he swayed her back and forth.

Giggling, (Y/N) murmured into his ear, “Of course I’m here, Seth. I would’ve never missed this. Happy birthday my dear.” she finished, pressing a soft kiss to his scruffy cheek.

“Can we leave? Now, please? Just wanna be with you.” He mumbled back, still holding onto her.

“Already? I just got here! At least let me say hi to everyone before I go-“

“You’ll see them at the next game. Let’s go.” He said, grabbing her hand and dragging her away from the bar. As they raced out, (Y/N) waved at Andrei and Jaccob, who were beside themselves with laughter at Seth’s sudden desire to leave his own party. Thankful he moved his car across the lot after the game, Seth opened (Y/N)s door for her before climbing into his own side of the car.

“I can’t believe you’re here right now. For the record, worst surprise ever. You showed up with only an hour left in my birthday.” He teased, fingers tapping the steering wheel with anxiety.

“Yeah well tell that to mother nature. I tried to get in so I could at least see the game, but we couldn’t depart JFK until the storm passed. I had to warn KK before puck drop to update our plans.”

“He was in on this?”

“Yeah, always. As soon as I found out I was going to come home today I texted him.”

“You guys suck. I don’t like being left out.”

(Y/N) laughed. “Jarvy, we were surprising you. We kind of had to leave you out.”

“Well yeah, but that doesn’t stop me from getting FOMO.”

The elevator ride up to his apartment was silent, which was unlikely for Seth. (Y/N) could tell he was on edge, and she wasn’t sure why. Before she could let her thoughts wander further, the bell dinged and they walked out hand in hand to his door.

Seth’s heart was racing. From almost bawling like a baby at the sight of her, he really hadn’t talked to (Y/N) that much since she got here. But in his own defense he didn’t think he’d have to do this so soon. Since she left last week, (Y/N) had left a void in Seth’s life. He’d always had her in some capacity since they came into each other’s lives. But lately, since they started whatever this thing they had going on, he craved her in every way imaginable. If all it took for him to realize he finally had to tell her how he felt was her going out of town, he’d have bought her a ticket a long time ago.

They stepped into his apartment, leaving their shoes by the door. As soon as (Y/N)s second boot was off her foot, Seth’s hands were grabbing her face, bringing it towards his own. His lips were soft on hers, and she could taste the cheap beer he’d been nursing all night. (Y/N) loved kissing him, but this one was different. Usually, every kiss they shared was fueled by pure lust, the marijuana smoke in their lungs or liquor in their veins providing accelerant. But this one, right now, was one fueled by something different.

Pulling away from her, his brown eyes wide, he rambled out, “I need to tell you something. Let’s go.”

“Seth. Honey, you’re scaring me. You’ve been weird all night, is everything okay?” (Y/N) asked, as they made their way to the couch.

“Yes it’s ok. I promise. Just please, listen to me, ok?” Seth replied, sliding himself into a position where he was kneeling in front of her, his head resting against her tummy. They’d been in this position many times before, but in his eyes this was the most intimate one yet.

“I don’t think I can be casual anymore. It’s getting too hard for me. Because I think it feels too real. And that’s what I want. The real thing. With you.”

“Seth, honey-“

“Wait please, let me get it out before you say anything, ok?” She nodded to him in response.

“I want to be yours. Your favorite bra is in my dresser, and I know my favorite jacket is at your place. I can’t call it casual when I was on the phone talking your sister down from dropping out of soccer. Or when you’re texting with Kayden about what he should buy his girlfriend at Ulta. Because that to me means we’re in this. And I try to be chill about it, and you know I love to talk but I try to hold my tongue on that topic because I want to give you space and not overwhelm you. But it’s overwhelming me. And I hate that I let this drag on so long because now I’m hating myself for not telling you sooner.”

“Oh, Jarvy. Don’t you know how much I love you?” (Y/N) replied, her acrylic nails scratching his head softly.

Seth must have died and gone to heaven. “You do?”

“Of course I do. I should’ve told you sooner. That night you kissed me, I decided that I’d have you in whatever way I could. And that meant being casual so it would hurt less when you eventually got tired of me. Because you were never really mine” (Y/N) confessed, sort of feeling a weight lift off her chest. She’s loved him for so long.

Seth moved so he was on top of her, her back pressed to the corner of the couch, their legs intertwined at the opposite end. “I love you. I love you so much. You’re my best friend. I’ll never get tired of you.”

(Y/N) giggled, leaning forward slightly to capture his lips in a quick kiss. “I know that now, silly boy.”

Seth rested his head on her boobs, his arms squeezing her waist a little tighter. Eyes closed, he laid there for a few minutes, listening to the beat of her heart, following the rise and fall of her breathing, and feeling the warmth of her hands in his hair.

“You know what would be the best birthday gift ever?”

“What’s that, honey?”

“For you to be my girlfriend.”

(Y/N) let out a cackle. “Well, it’s a good thing you asked because I left your other gift at my apartment.”

Jesperi was definitely getting an expensive gift for his birthday this year.

tags: @comphyjost @ilyasorokinn @lam-ila @2manytabsopen @laurenairay @leafsbabe

[mintyys-blog]

Bucky Barnes x Princess! Reader: The King’s Betrayal

WARNINGS: character death, betrayal, SMUT, violence

MINORS DNI

In the grand halls of the palace, with walls adorned with tapestries and portraits of ancestors long gone, Princess Y/N was about to make a decision that would change her life forever. The kingdom had long awaited the reign of a new ruler, and that ruler would be her. Her father, King Johann, had ruled for decades, but his age was beginning to show, and soon the mantle of leadership would fall to her.

But there was one thing that she had yet to do before assuming her rightful place: she needed a husband.

The thought weighed heavily on her, for the responsibilities of ruling would be difficult enough without the added weight of a union. Yet, as a princess, her choice of spouse was not entirely her own. The suitors her father had introduced were wealthy and noble, but none of them made her heart race with the excitement she yearned for.

That all changed one fateful afternoon when she was out for a ride through the kingdom’s village. A group of petty thieves had ambushed her carriage, demanding gold and valuables. But before anyone could react, a figure appeared from the shadows. He moved with such speed and precision that the thieves were taken down before they even had time to raise their weapons.

The figure was none other than Bucky Barnes, a man who had served in the kingdom’s army but had long since retired from active duty. His reputation for bravery and strength was known across the land, and now, Y/N had witnessed it firsthand.

She was captivated by the way he moved—strong, swift, and brutal when necessary. There was a power within him, something untamable, that stirred something deep within her. When the thieves had been dispatched and the danger had passed, he simply looked at her with those stormy eyes of his, a slight smirk on his lips as though he hadn’t just saved her life.

“Are you hurt, Princess?” he asked, his voice low and steady.

“No,” she said, breathless from both the fear and the overwhelming feeling she couldn’t quite explain. “Thank you.”

“Just doing my duty,” he said with a nod before turning to leave.

But Y/N’s thoughts were far from the rest of the world. She found herself thinking about him constantly, about the way his strength had made her feel safe. The more she thought of him, the more she realized that what she felt for him wasn’t just admiration—it was something deeper. Something that could easily grow into love.

She began seeking out ways to meet him again, sneaking away to the grounds where he often trained. She watched him fight, his movements fierce and powerful, and her heart fluttered with an intensity that she hadn’t known was possible. She felt a pull toward him, an unexplainable force that she couldn’t deny.

Soon, their encounters became more frequent. She found excuses to speak with him, to steal glances at him when he wasn’t looking. And it wasn’t long before she gathered the courage to speak the words she had been too afraid to say.

“Bucky,” she said one night as he snuck into her chambers to visit her, the moonlight filtering through the windows and casting a soft glow on his face. “I want you to know… you are the one I wish to marry.”

His brow furrowed in surprise. “Princess, I—”

“You’ve saved my life, and you have the strength I admire,” she said, stepping closer to him. “But it’s not just that. It’s the way you make me feel—safe, cherished. You’re everything I’ve ever wanted in a man.”

His gaze softened, though a hint of hesitation remained in his eyes. “Are you sure about this?”

Y/N took his hand, holding it firmly. “Yes. I’m sure. I don’t want anyone else. Just you.”

After that night, things moved quickly. Bucky was introduced to her father, and although King Johann was initially skeptical about the unconventional match, he soon agreed. A wedding was set, and within a month, Princess Y/N and Bucky Barnes would be married.

The day of their wedding arrived, and the air was thick with joy. The kingdom celebrated as the two were united under the golden arch of the palace gardens. The ceremony was beautiful, the vows spoken were heartfelt, and when they shared their first kiss as husband and wife, Y/N’s heart soared.

When they made it back to her— their, chambers, he was fighting to get her corset off. All the layers of her skirts pushed out of the way as he kissed her.

She wrapped her arms around his neck, in pure bliss. He took off more of her layers, until she was completely naked beneath him. She was slightly shy, as he eyed her with such hunger. She covered her chest, he shook his head, pinning her wrist above her head with one hand. He leaned in, “no,no. There is no need for that, my beautiful bride.” He kisses her neck, and she tilted her head back, spreading her legs for him. He unpinned her wrists, however she made no move to change her position.

He stripped himself of his clothes, showing how muscular his body was. She was in shock as she admired his body. He trailed kisses down her neck to her breast, then in between her legs, taking note how wet she was. “Someone’s excited,” he states with a chuckle, she slaps him with her leg, “stop teasing me!”

He kissed her inner thigh, “but it’s so much funnier teasing you,” right when she was about to reply he pushed his tongue right into her warmth. She threw her head back, gripping at his hair as he sucked on her clit. He hummed against her, sending vibrations throughout her body. She moaned and panted, getting louder when he added his fingers to the mix, loving the sounds she was making. For him, only for him.

She came with a cry, and he leaned over her again, kissing her cheek. “Are you ready, my bride?” She nods, but that wasn’t enough for him. “Words, sweetheart, use your words”

She bit her lip, “yes, I am ready.. my husband”

He smiles at that, slowly sinking into her warmth. He watched her reactions how she was battling with the stretch and pain. He stayed perfectly still, waiting for her permission to continue.

When she gave the okay, he continued to thrust in her, slow and delicate. She moaned and he kissed her again. He throws her legs on his shoulders, putting her in a mating press and thrusting deeper. Her moans echoed throughout the large room. The bed shaking with the intensity of his thrusts. He brought a hand down to play with her clit— rubbing in fast circles.

She felt a knot in her stomach, her body drenched in a thin layer of sweat. She tried to hold back, but the pleasure was too much. She came again, this time on his cock. He finished inside shortly after, pumping lazily a few more times before pulling out. Watching the clear white goo leek out of her. He falls beside her, kissing her head and telling her how good she did.

She turns to him, kissing his lips, “I love you, Bucky” he smiles softly, “I love you, too”

The sun was beginning to set, casting long, soft shadows over the royal gardens, and the delicate scent of flowers filled the air. Bucky and Y/N had stolen away from the palace for a rare moment of privacy. The hustle of the kingdom seemed far away in this quiet corner of the world, and for a brief moment, they were just two people in love, without the weight of responsibility looming over them.

Y/N sat on a marble bench, her fingers absentmindedly running over the petals of a nearby rose. She had been asking Bucky about his past, trying to understand the man who had saved her life, the man she had married.

“Come on, Bucky,” she said with a teasing grin. “I’ve heard enough about the battles you’ve fought. But what about… well, you? Who are you, really?”

Bucky chuckled softly, looking at her with a fondness that made her heart flutter. His blue eyes were warm in the soft glow of the setting sun. He leaned against the stone railing, crossing his arms.

“Me?” He smirked, but there was a hint of something darker beneath the surface. “You know more about me than anyone.”

Y/N tilted her head, her expression playful but thoughtful. “Oh, I don’t know. You’ve got a lot of secrets, Bucky Barnes. You’ve been to places I can’t even imagine, and fought battles that would make anyone shiver.”

She let out a small laugh, then added with a teasing tone, “But there’s one thing I don’t get… You’ve killed so many people, but I can’t help but wonder—are you really capable of killing me, too?”

Her words hung in the air for a moment, and Bucky’s smile faltered, just for a brief second. He blinked, almost as though the question had caught him off guard.

Y/N noticed the shift, and quickly added, “I mean, not that I’m planning on giving you a reason to, of course.” She laughed again, her voice light. “You wouldn’t dare, right? I’m your princess, after all.”

But Bucky didn’t laugh. Instead, he looked at her, his eyes searching her face. There was a tightness in his jaw, a tension that hadn’t been there a moment before. For a moment, he seemed like he was lost in his thoughts, far away from her in a place she couldn’t reach.

“Of course I wouldn’t,” he said, his voice low and steady. His words were meant to reassure her, but they only added to the weight of the silence that had fallen between them.

Y/N, sensing the shift, reached out and touched his hand gently. “Hey, I was just kidding. I know you’re not like that. But I still don’t know what you’ve seen out there… and that’s okay. Just promise me one thing?”

Bucky gave her a faint, amused smile, though there was still an edge to his gaze. “What’s that?”

“Promise me that no matter what happens, no matter who you’ve fought or what you’ve done,” she said softly, “you’ll never become someone who could hurt me. Not the way you’ve hurt others.”

For a moment, the world around them seemed to freeze. Bucky stared at her with an intensity that made her breath catch in her throat. The air between them crackled with an unspoken understanding—an understanding that neither of them could ignore.

He cleared his throat, and the tension in his expression melted, replaced with a forced smile. “I promise,” he said, a bit too quickly. “I could never hurt you, Y/N.”

She smiled, satisfied, but deep down, there was a strange feeling gnawing at her, a sense that something was off, that his promise might not mean what it seemed to.

“Good,” she replied, not entirely convinced but willing to trust him, for now.

Bucky leaned down, pressing a kiss to her forehead, his breath soft against her skin. “You have nothing to worry about,” he whispered, but in his mind, something darker began to stir. A shadow from his past that he couldn’t escape.

As he pulled back, their eyes met once more, and Y/N’s smile softened. But Bucky couldn’t help but feel the weight of her words hanging in the air, a premonition of something to come.

Her joking comment, her casual mention of death, had unwittingly set the stage for a tragedy neither of them could have foreseen.

“You’re my everything,” he said softly, almost as if trying to convince himself as much as her.

But Y/N, with her heart full of love and trust, didn’t notice the small crack in his voice, the flicker of something dangerous in his eyes. She laughed again, blissfully unaware of the storm brewing beneath the surface.

“I know, Bucky. I know.”

For a week, their lives were blissful. They spent their days together, their nights filled with quiet conversations and stolen moments of intimacy. It seemed that everything was finally falling into place for Y/N, that she had found her love, her soulmate.

But peace in the kingdom was fleeting.

One dark night, as the palace slept, flames lit up the sky. The walls of the kingdom were under siege. Rebels had gathered, intent on overthrowing the monarchy. The palace was thrown into chaos, and Y/N’s heart raced with fear.

She ran through the corridors, her mind frantic as she searched for Bucky. The palace was burning, and there was no time to waste. She found him at the end of a hallway, his eyes steely and determined, his armor stained with ash from the fire that raged outside.

“Bucky, we need to leave. The rebels are here!” she cried, grabbing his arm. “We can’t stay. We need to get to safety.”

Bucky looked at her, but there was something in his gaze that she couldn’t understand. For a moment, he didn’t move. His eyes, once full of warmth, were now cold—distant.

“Bucky?” she whispered, fear creeping into her voice.

Before she could react, he moved with terrifying speed, his hand wrapping around her throat and slamming her against the wall. The air was knocked from her lungs, and she gasped, trying to free herself from his grip.

“Bucky,” she choked out, her hands clawing at his arm in desperation. “Why… why are you doing this?”

His gaze never wavered, his expression unreadable. And then, in a movement so swift it was almost inhuman, he kissed her—his lips cold and unfeeling, as though he had no connection to the woman he had just married.

“I’m sorry,” he muttered against her lips, his voice barely audible. And then, with a flash of steel, the cold, sharp pain of a dagger buried deep in her chest stole the breath from her.

Y/N’s vision blurred as she sank to the ground, the warmth of her own blood soaking her gown. Her fingers trembled, reaching for him, even as her life slipped away.

“Please…” she whispered, her voice barely a sound. “Please stay… I don’t want to die alone.”

For the briefest of moments, Bucky paused. His eyes flickered with something that resembled regret. He looked down at her, as though torn between what he had done and what he still felt. But in the end, he simply turned and walked away, leaving her there in the cold, dark hallway.

His final glance over his shoulder was all she would ever get—a fleeting moment before he disappeared into the smoke and flames.

And then, she was alone.

Her eyes fluttered closed, her final breath a whisper of his name, the last trace of warmth fading from her fingertips as the world around her dimmed.

The night air grew colder, the thick smoke from the burning palace walls curling around Y/N’s body as she lay motionless on the stone floor. The pain in her chest, the warmth of her blood seeping through her gown, seemed to stretch on endlessly. Her mind was a haze, her vision fading in and out as the darkness crept closer.

The silence was unbearable, save for the distant crackling of flames. Her heartbeat, slow and heavy, echoed in her ears. Every breath felt like it could be her last, but somehow, she clung to life. Her body was betraying her, but her mind refused to let go.

She wasn’t alone yet.

The sound of footsteps—slow, cautious—reached her ears. Her eyes fluttered open, the blurred figure above her becoming clearer. It was a guard, a familiar face from the palace, Steve Rogers, who had been with her through many royal events. His face was a mask of fear as he saw her, bloodied and broken, sprawled on the floor.

“Princess,” he whispered, his voice trembling. “Oh gods, no…”

His hands were gentle as he cradled her head, trying to lift her in his arms, but she weakly shook her head, a small, silent plea for him to leave her be. She wasn’t sure how long she had left, but the thought of someone else being here as she died was almost too much to bear. She wanted her husband— the same one that had done this to her. To be the one to console her, to tell her it’ll be okay, that he didn’t mean it.

“Please… go,” she whispered hoarsely, her voice cracked. She coughed, and blood stained her lips.

But Steve refused to leave, his eyes filled with desperation as he looked around, his expression frantic. “We need to get you out of here! You can’t die like this. The king—”

“Father… he’s gone,” Y/N murmured, a tear slipping from her eye, her chest tightening. “The rebels… they’ve taken everything.”

Her mind began to fog once more, the overwhelming realization of the chaos around her starting to pull her under. She had failed. She had failed the kingdom, and she had failed herself by trusting Bucky.

And yet, a part of her clung to him, to the fleeting hope that maybe he wasn’t truly lost—that somehow, he would return. But deep down, Y/N knew the truth. Bucky had made his choice. She was just another casualty of the war, of whatever he had been hiding all along.

The guard’s voice snapped her back to reality. “We need to leave now. Come on, Your Highness, stay with me.”

She tried to focus on his words, but it was difficult. She could feel her body growing weaker by the second, her vision narrowing as the edges of her consciousness began to slip away. The guard continued to speak to her, his tone frantic, but his words became distant, almost like an echo.

Her thoughts wandered back to Bucky. To their wedding, to the happiness they had shared for those few fleeting days. She remembered the warmth of his touch, the way he had looked at her with such tenderness… and then the betrayal, the coldness in his eyes as he killed her.

Was he always this person? Was the man she had loved just a mask he had worn for her, or had he been consumed by something darker that she couldn’t understand?

The questions swirled in her mind, but she couldn’t find the answers. All she could feel now was the overwhelming pain, the sense of loss, and the cold emptiness where love once bloomed.

And then, just as the darkness began to claim her for good, a voice—his voice—haunted her thoughts.

“I’m sorry,” it whispered, barely audible, like a soft breeze through the trees.

Bucky’s face, tormented and regretful, flashed before her eyes, but this time, it wasn’t the man who had betrayed her. It was a man torn by the weight of his own choices, a man who didn’t want to lose her, who had never meant to hurt her. But it was too late. He had already made his decision, and the damage had been done.

Her body went limp in the guard’s arms, the final breath escaping her lips. The last of her strength ebbed away, and all that remained was the cold embrace of death, wrapping her in its sorrowful, unyielding grip.

Somewhere in the distance, the flames continued to burn, the remnants of a kingdom torn apart by rebellion, a betrayal, and a love that had never stood a chance.

Bucky stood in the shadows, his eyes scanning the ruins of the palace, watching as it crumbled beneath the weight of the rebel attack. His heart was heavy, his chest tight with the remnants of what he had done.

He had walked away from her, his princess, his wife—leaving her behind as her life slipped away.

But the voice had come to him. Her voice, weak and broken, echoing in his mind, asking him to stay. He had hesitated, but in the end, he had left her. His mind was a battlefield of conflicting emotions, guilt gnawing at his insides like a ravenous beast.

He had done it because he had to. Because it was part of a greater plan. The kingdom was collapsing, and there was no place for love in a world torn apart by war. He had no place beside her, not when the rebellion was closing in, not when the truth of his past would destroy everything they had built.

But the weight of her words, the plea to stay, still lingered in the corners of his mind, like a constant reminder of the life he had just destroyed.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered to the winds, his voice trembling with the rawness of his regret. “I never wanted to hurt you.”

But there was no one to hear him. No one to forgive him.

And Bucky knew, deep down, that he would carry this guilt for the rest of his life. He had chosen the path of the soldier, the assassin—the path that led him away from love, away from her.

And in the end, it was that choice that had destroyed everything.

The rebel camp was filled with laughter and crude jokes, the triumphant mood of a successful raid heavy in the air. Their victory over the royal family had been swift, the palace’s flames still flickering in the distance. They had taken the kingdom by force, burning the heart of the monarchy to the ground. Their leaders had made sure to break the people’s spirit, and tonight, the spoils of their victory were being celebrated in a dingy tavern, far from the sight of any nobility.

Bucky stood in the shadows outside the tavern, his face unreadable, his heart heavier with each passing second. The sounds of revelry and drunken singing drifted to him, but they couldn’t drown out the guilt, the regret, the anger that had been festering inside him ever since he’d walked away from her.

He shouldn’t have left her. But he had.

The cold steel of the wedding band pressed against his skin, the only thing left of the woman he had once loved. Y/N. His wife. His princess. The woman he had promised himself to protect, only to betray her with a single, horrifying act.

He had killed her.

The thought was unbearable, yet he could not escape it. His mind replayed the moment over and over again—her body falling limp in his arms, her eyes pleading for him to stay. But he had left her, just as he had been ordered to. He had to, for the sake of his mission, for the greater cause. And now, it was too late to undo the damage. She was gone.

Bucky’s fingers curled around the ring as if he could somehow crush the weight of his actions by tightening his grip. But no matter how hard he squeezed, the memories wouldn’t disappear. The guilt wouldn’t vanish.

A voice from inside the tavern cut through his reverie, causing him to stop in his tracks. A familiar, drunken voice broke the otherwise celebratory noise.

“It’s a damn shame about the princess,” the man said with a loud, lewd chuckle. “Such a beautiful body, too. Could’ve had a hell of a time with her before she went.”

The words hung in the air like poison, seeping into Bucky’s skin, boiling his blood. He could hear the others laugh, hoot and holler, clearly drunk on their victory.

But Bucky couldn’t stand it. He could no longer hold back the rage that had been building inside him. He moved, almost too quickly for the eye to follow, his fist slamming into the door and sending it flying open with a crash. The rebels inside looked up in confusion, their laughter faltering as they took in the sight of the man who had once been their ally—the man they had seen fighting beside them, now standing there, fury in his eyes.

Without a word, Bucky strode into the room, his focus fixed on the man who had spoken. The one who dared speak of Y/N like that. The one who had disrespected her memory, who had sullied everything she had been.

The rebel laughed again, oblivious to the danger in Bucky’s gaze. “Didn’t think a royal’s dog would care about a little—”

Before he could finish his sentence, Bucky’s hand shot out, grabbing the man by the throat and slamming his head into the table with a sickening crack. The sound of the rebel’s skull hitting the wood was drowned out by the sudden silence that overtook the room.

The other rebels stood frozen, unsure of what to do, as Bucky held the man’s neck with one hand, his face inches from his, his breath steady and controlled despite the violence in his eyes.

“You don’t ever speak of her like that again,” Bucky growled, his voice low, dangerous. “You don’t get to dishonor her memory. Do you understand?”

The rebel was unconscious, his body slumping onto the table, but Bucky didn’t let go. He gripped him a little longer, just to ensure that the man wouldn’t get up again.

When he was satisfied, Bucky released his grip, and the body fell limply to the floor. He wiped his hands on his coat, as if trying to rid himself of the filth he had just touched.

The others in the tavern looked at him warily, but no one dared speak. Bucky turned on his heel, walking toward the door without sparing another glance. His jaw was tight, his fists clenched, and his heart was still pounding in his chest.

Outside, the cool night air greeted him, but it didn’t bring him relief. The guilt, the loss, the pain—nothing had changed. He still had the ring, the only thing that remained of her. He looked at it again, the faint gleam of gold catching the moonlight. His wedding band. The symbol of his broken promises. Of what he had done to her.

He hadn’t meant to hurt her. He hadn’t meant for it to come to this. But in the end, Bucky had done what he thought was necessary. He had followed orders. He had killed her to protect the kingdom, to ensure that the rebellion would succeed, and that the royal bloodline would be extinguished.

But now, all he had was this damn ring, a constant reminder of the woman he had loved and destroyed. He couldn’t bear to take it off, not yet. Maybe never.

He had killed her. And no matter what reason he had given himself, the truth was simpler than that. He had chosen duty over love, and it had cost him everything.

Bucky walked away from the tavern, the weight of his actions pressing down on him like a mountain. He had done what he had to do, even if it meant killing the love of his life. Even if it meant living with the knowledge that her blood would forever stain his hands.

As he disappeared into the darkness of the night, he couldn’t escape the truth.

He had killed her.

And now, he had to live with it.

[armandsfangs]

I agree that by the time we get to Dubai, that's ultimately what their dynamic became (mutual trauma responses), but the tragedy is that it didn't start out that way. Louis was aware that Armand had identity issues as I said and from his confessional monologue in s1 he's aware of his own sins as a brothel owner and to me, the explicit asking for consent here is him actively doing better and NOT wanting to replicate that. If Louis had made a statement like "I'm going to take care of you, Arun" that would have read as a gross power move to me, but the fact that he is explicitly asking, checking in, and later on he assures Armand that he doesn't have to turn Madeleine if he doesn't want to, makes me think that during Paris, Louis was genuinely trying to make sure their relationship was consensual. He wanted control, but he also did not want to be Lestat. Prior to this scene, I don't think Louis expresses any desire to control Armand, he's all about being a free spirit and "I'm out here if you want me". The bdsm vibes kick in after Armand calls him Maître, after he thinks Armand has consented.

Also I consider Amadeo (and even Armand) to be more of a slave name, not Arun, because they are distinctly European names that were forced on him, meant to assimilate him (to Marius' teachings and then to the cult of darkness) and rip him further from his cultural roots. It's true that he's not even sure if Arun was his real name, but it's the only connection that he had to his ethnic origins and the only name where we don't know if it was forced on him. It makes sense to me that Louis, as a Black Creole man whose character arc is heavily influenced by his struggles due to racial inequality and the roles he was forced to play to appease the white men in power, would sympathize with Armand say "fuck those roles" and ask "what do YOU want? YOU can decide for yourself"

Whether or not Armand understood the message because of his own trauma is an entirely different issue, but I maintain that Louis was reaching out from a place of love in that specific scene.

"Are you sure this is what you want, Arun?" is THE most romantic Loumand line to me because this is Louis, knowing that Armand has suffered a life of abuse, of being bent and broken and reshaped to his captors' will, knowing that he has a complicated relationship with his own sense of self from the history he has shared, taking care to ask I want to know if you actually want this as yourself, not as Amadeo, the Maestro's perfect muse, not as Armand, the fearsome coven leader, but as Arun, the real you, before you were forced into those roles against your will. Arun, who did not have a choice then, you are free to make the choice now. Are you sure that you want this?

Which makes it extra unhinged that Armand's response is basically "yes daddy"

[lu-is-not-ok]

I'm curious, what do you think about Heathcliff's and Hong Lu's relationship to each other

I already elaborated quite a bit on my interpretation of their relationship in these three posts, but to summarize them all in one neat place.

I believe that, initially, Hong Lu saw Heathcliff as nothing more than a source of entertainment and an easy target for bullying. He consistently provokes Heathcliff into outbursts by acting dumb and poking different buttons, and then easily gets away with it due to Heathcliff's tendency to react with unwarranted aggression being a common enough occurence that the rest of the Sinners completely shrug it off as just Heathcliff being the problem.

Heathcliff on the other hand is perceptive enough to be the first Sinner to notice something was off about Hong Lu and his behavior, even if he couldn't word his suspicions beyond a general "don't trust rich people" mentality. Over time he gets into a rhythm of making his own jabs at Hong Lu, however unlike Hong Lu's provokations of him, Heathcliff's jabs don't seem to affect Hong Lu in any meaningful way. I believe this further contributes to Hong Lu seeing Heathcliff as an acceptable target, as his attempts at biting back fall completely flat.

This dynamic has a major shift in Canto 6.

After learning about Heathcliff's homelife and background, Hong Lu seems to start to not only relate to Heathcliff on a more personal level, but also shows outright genuine concern towards him when other Sinners are still at an arm's length. Afterwards Hong Lu stops actively provoking Heathcliff, even if he's still shown to not like or trust him very much by the fact he talks smack about him when he's not around.

Heathcliff likewise seems to be mellowing out towards Hong Lu as well, especially over the course of Canto 7. We can see that at the start of the Canto he still sends a few rude remarks and jabs his way, but by the time the next Intervallo rolls around this seems to no longer be the case. Heathcliff and Hong Lu are shown to not mind each other too much, and Heathcliff even amicably agrees with Hong Lu on a subject.

The two seem to be on somewhat even ground and fairly amicable terms right now. However, considering what's likely coming with Canto 8... there's a high chance of this dynamic developing further. Especially as Hong Lu's lies being unveiled might make Heathcliff feel betrayed and as if he was right all along about not trusting rich people.

[genderqueerdykes]

I want to say something and I know it's going to piss a lot of people off, that they're immediately going to call me transphobic etc. but I want to point something out.

Someone raised as a female and someone raised as a male are different. They are raised differently, they grow up with different rights, everyone knows this. Society places value on the male, praises the male, excuses the male and puts sole focus on him.

The female gets used to being spoken over, being passed over, being taken advantage of, given less opportunities.

Now imagine that these people, both raised in this way, come out as trans. A transwoman and a transman. Is the transwoman going to suddenly unlearn all of those behaviors? Of talking over others, of over exaggerating her self importance, of assuming that ciswoman and now transmascs are stupid and can't speak for themselves?

Maybe she'll try hard to "prove herself" as a woman and jump onto "all men should die" bandwagons. Overcompensation because she is insecure in herself, and her identity. If she says all men should die then surely no one could mistake her as a man. And it's easy to put down the people you've put down your entire life already (transmen are just women to these types of transfems).

Before you say "that's transphobic!" Please actually consider what I'm saying. You can't easily unlearn how you were raised. Society is obsessed with men, with CIS men who have penises. Society is also obsessed with transwomen, they're popular in porn, they're a target for hatred, they're used in every single example of transness. And why?

It is because they have penises, it is because they "used to be men". A transwoman is above a transman because one "used to be" a man and "one used to be" a woman. And in this society having a vagina or a penis defines your experience for LIFE.

Society doesn't make a distinction just because you transition. When a transwoman talks over a transman, she is doing exactly what she always did before coming out. Mansplaining doesn't stop being a thing just because someone stops being a man. Does that make sense?

i agree with you, i've been thinking about this for quite a long time. this might be too much nuance for tumblr, but as an intersex person, i need people to understand the way a child is socialized impacts them for life until they actively choose to challenge it or just keep going. before anyone gets mad at anon or us, please consider that they are genuinely right and it doesn't matter how much it bothers you. it doesn't change the fact that this is genuinely what is going on at the moment.

please note that we are talking about specific transfeminine people and not all transfeminine people when we say that there are issues in the community. these are community-wide issues, but it has nothing to do with saying that transfemininity is to blame here. it's the actions people are choosing to take. please consider this before assuming this kind of talk is transphobic. it is not. it is a conversation about toxic behavior that is hurting someone.

the issue here, like stated, is that unfortunately, a lot of transfems have internalized toxic masculinity that they may never end up challenging due to being raised as a boy or man, and being taught that you can only be a man in certain ways. this is a very common issue i've seen with a lot of transfems i've befriended and dated irl. we ALL have to unlearn toxic masculinity, especially people raised to be, perceived to be, and interacted with like they're men. transfems are often interacted with like men even if they no longer identify as one.

as you said it can take forever to unlearn these things. we are ALL taught misogyny, toxic masculinity, transphobia and so on. it's going to take a while for someone to get past that and its okay to show sympathy, but ive noticed an unfortunately hefty number of transfems who make 0 effort to undo their internalized misogyny because they retained the bullheaded "I'm right because I have a penis." mentality that so many penis-having transfems have. others have the superiority complex simply from being raised as a boy/man, thinking they are inherently smarter than everyone around them for no good reason. i've faced the transfeminine superiority complex too many times. too many transfems view themselves as the smartest person in the room due to toxic masculinity & being socialized a man but it's gotta stop.

a lot of transfems have internalized misogyny to work on. a lot of transfems i've met in my life genuinely think people with vaginas are dumb, weak, and useless. i've watched transfems go from treating someone like they're intelligent, competent and on their level to literally saying something like "oh wow nevermind you really are just like the rest of them" rolling their eyes and walking off after they found out someone had a vagina. i've heard a lot of transfems complain about this out loud. literally say the worst things about cis women, vaginas, and people who have/used to have vaginas. even disgust for trans women and transfems who have gotten neovaginas.

i've seen a lot of transfems resort to instantly yelling the second they're so much as questioned or even ask to clarify themselves. i've noticed a lot of transfems have this issue, and it's from internalized toxic masculinity. they've been taught that men raise their voices, and women stay quiet. they benefit from this still, s they keep doing it. i've also seen a lot of transfems default to throwing things or hitting people, screaming at someone unrelated, insulting people, literally making up lies and accusing people of things they haven't done, misgendering people, and so on

there is a massive penis fixation, correct. my trans ex-girl friend, her friends, partners, and other people who lived with us and came to visit had penis fixations hardcore. my ex trans gf literally stopped liking me and treating me like a person the second she found out i didn't have one. i was constantly made to feel bad for not having one. i was reminded that penis = man. she told me that as a swer, her clients that were men were just "secretly gay" because they were attracted to her penis. she started treating me like a stupid cishet woman the second she found out i had a vag.

there's also a huge misgendering fascination in a lot of transfems circles. some of the transfems i lived with were literally in misgendering kink discord servers and talked about it openly. they were misgendering trans men and transmascs mostly, and no, it was not with their consent. they did it constantly, out loud, to transmascs and trans men in their lives. they did not care how it affected anyone. this is a huge problem right now i am serious. it's okay to have a misgendering kink, but the recipient HAS TO BE A CONSENTING ADULT. consent was violated a lot there

she suddenly became super misogynistic the second she found out i had a vag and i'm tired of pretending like all trans women are instantly enlightened the second we come out as trans women.

we're not. we're really fucking not.

we have so much patriarchal bullshit we have to unlearn. we treat each other with it. we are so misogynistic to one another. transfems bully the shit out of other transfems who dont pass. transfems love trying to call each other ugly men it's not good. it's really vicious. and a lot of conversations end up becoming yelling matches because that's the only way some transfems were taught to communicate due to toxic masculinity & patriarchal conditioning. it's not being transmisogynistic to point this out. it's really not.

if transmascs need to sit for hours and unlearn transmisogyny, which is fine, transfems must do the same about internalized misogyny and toxic masculinity. some transfems do not change any of their behaviors after coming out and this unfortunately has consequences.

take care anon. these are hard pills to swallow, but its the truth. trans men and mascs can't be the only ones getting dogged on here for having cishet patriarchal bullshit to undo. we all have this struggle. trans women are not fucking enlightened the second we come out as trans women. we have hard fucking work to do, too. boot up. your sisters are depending on you to not treat them with misogyny and toxic masculinity. you owe them more than that.

[dramaticallytotal]

For Your Entertainment

Oh my god, another TDWT au???? Whaaaaaat?

Yep.

I will not apologize UwU

This au will feature Chaos Gremlin Noah. We've seen in canon he genuinely enjoys chaos and drama as long as it's not involving him, and I wanted to focus a whole fic around that. In this one, he is way more apathetic than in my other aus, and he is really only friends with Team E-Scope and Owen. So he really doesn't care what happens to anyone besides his friends in the competition.

Him being a little Chaos Gremlin is why he has managed to be Chris McLean's longest standing employee ever. They get on like a house on fire. Chris is arguably a king of chaos, so I just love the idea of him emotionally adopting little chaos gremlin Noah and bonding with him. In this au, Chris does tell Noah about having to fire him, and of course, they plan to stage it while Noah helps budget and take inventory of everything they will need for the new season. He is also publicly helping with the fake show, so it looks like he has no idea about the new season. There are some interns and crew who would love to snitch to the producers on him and Chris if they caught wind of their plans.

Noah is the one who selected and approved Alejandro, being the newest competitor as well as one of the fake stars of Dirtbags. If anything else, the guy will stir things up and make things entertaining for Noah while he pretends to be lazy and useless. But Noah and Chris agreed that he would embrace his original marketed title as Schemer. And he's all for it, as long as it keeps him entertained.

A bored Noah is a dangerous Noah. Chris found this out the hard way. (He never thought he would have to talk a teen out of actively blackmailing a very successful producer in the company, but well, life is full of surprises).

Noah knows all the challenges because he helped plan some! He was very proud of himself. Oh, he made sure things were safe but just barely, I mean, he doesn't want to end up hurt or dead in these challenges, so he had to make some safety features and everything. It's weird, but Noah actually feels...excited about the new season. Oh, and he left Chris some of his blackmail material in case they producers want to change anything or are being assholes. They had been planning on buying out the company, and Noah thinks this is the perfect chance. Chris will run the show how he wants, and when he gets complaints, some anonymous "interns" will leak the messages, emails, or calls and show the viewers just how fucked up and corrupt the producers are. This plan has been a year in the making.

Which is a long time for one of Noah's plans to take off, but they want to do this right and come out the winners/heroes.

The day of the plan dawns, and Noah is practically trembling in excitement, but he's had a lot of practice pushing down his real emotions (thanks, Mason). He played his role perfectly all up to the bus rescue. He thankfully was able to get Eva to stay by pretending to fall asleep, but he knew she knew he wasn't sleeping. The trust she has for him has him feeling all warm and fuzzy. He loves Eva. She's basically his ninth sister. Beth ended up staying, too, because Lindsay wanted to paint her best friends nails, and that absolutely could not wait.

The rescue happened, and finally, they were on the bus to the plane. Eva wanted the window seat, and Noah would give it to her since she stayed. Plus, the aisle seat was perfect for observing everyone and seeing what was going on. It looks like Harold and Leshawna were off again, which was not surprising, which would mean a small amount of entertainment for Noah. Then there was the whole Gwen, Courtney, Duncan thing that had Noah holding back a smile. That whole train wreck would bring him so much entertainment.

But who really had his attention was Mr. New Guy. Oh, he knew his name, Alejandro, but he had to pretend he didn't. He could already hear the giggles from the girls who thought he was attractive, and he could already hear the boys grumbling. Noah made sure to give a comment or two about he hoped Mr. New Guy wouldn't just be another Justin, which made some laugh, and Courtney glared at him. Oh yeah, he forgot those two were friends. He also caught the slight smirk from Alejandro before the boy suppressed it.

The competition began, and Noah was surprised that Ezekiel made it, but with Duncan up and quitting (goodbye love triangle drama), it made sense that they had to even out the teams. So, the first challenge became a reward. Boring.

He saw the way Alejandro had flirted with the girls, specifically Bridgette and Leshawna. Which probably meant they were his first targets. Oh, that was fun~!

And he could help move things along! And if, by doing so, he got rid of Harold, even better! So he made sure to make comments about Leshawna falling for Alejandro when he was close to Harold. Or he would make sure to act disgusted at the cultural insensitivity (yes. Noah will always be responsible for Harold's elimination XD). It got the ginger right where he wanted.

Then Harold was gone, and Noah knew it wasn’t all him given he had witnessed Alejandro talking to Harold a lot, and he caught on to the subtle manipulations. That guy was good!

Then the Yukon happened, and he knew he didn't hide his glee at seeing Bridgette stuck to a pole well, given the look Alejandro had given him.

"Good work." He whispered with a snicker to Alejandro.

"I'm not sure what you mean mi amigo." Of course the guy would play dumb but whatever.

"Hmm. Whatever you say." He tried to be blasé but the wide smile then kept growing on his face was probably a dead giveaway of how he felt.

And maybe that's what shot him in the foot because the next day, Alejandro was flirting with him. Noah was pretty confident it was because Alejandro was scared he figured him out (he did) and was going to expose him or something. Like hell! This was the most fun he was having on a season. And if him acting coy or shy or flirting a little back with Alejandro had most of the females mad at him, so be it. It just made everything all the more entertaining to him.

He did hurt his ankle in the Yukon (this will always be canon to me), so pain medication was a must but he had been stubborn in not taking it because it either makes him drowsy or puts him right to sleep and he doesn't want to be voted out (and miss out on all the drama and fun) because he couldn't contribute much to the challenge. But Izzy, Owen, and Alejandro made him take the medication.

So, the next challenge, he was a little out of it, but Izzy or Owen carried him when there was running or walking. He was able to climb the rope at least, and he volunteered to be put in the baby carriage, which was fine by him. He fell asleep, which was not a surprise.

No being swapped with a baby, though, because Alejandro made Izzy guard Noah. Heather had planned on doing something but couldn't because even she was not crazy enough to go against Izzy.

It was a reward challenge, which was great! What was not great was the challenge in Germany! Noah wanted first class! He craved it! And he knew they had it in the bag the moment he saw Alejandro flirting with Leshawna again. He made sure to have discussions with Izzy when Leshawna was around and made it seem like he didn't know she was there.

"I mean, it's honestly pathetic. How obvious Heather's crush on Alejandro is." He drawled.

"Izzy knows!!! Girl has got it bad! I didn't think you'd notice it, though NoNo. You're not usually one to notice these things." Izzy gossiped as she tried to put Noah's hair into pigtails. She knew what he was doing and was all for it. He's her chaos brother!

"Normally, and this kills me to say, but normally you'd be right. But it's so obvious that even Owen has noticed, and that's saying something."

"I don't know, Owen is pretty good at knowing when someone likes someone."

"Agree to disagree."

"Is this about him trying to set you up with that-"

"We are not talking about that!" Well, no acting there was necessary. He did not want to talk about that disaster of a date. Ever.

"Well, it's not like Heather has realized it yet, which makes it all the more entertaining for us." This is why he loved Izzy. She knew when to drop things, she knew how to roll with his plans, and she liked chaos just as much if not more than him.

"True. I'm more worried about what she'd do because of said crush. Even if she doesn't realize it, she's already snapped at her teammates when he's flirted with Leshawna."

"Oh yeah! She definitely seems like one of those people who would do anything to get someone to back off her crush. Izzy knows."

"Mmm. You would seeing as you're the same way. Normally, I don't worry for anyone, but I can't help but feel bad for Leshawna."

"Why?"

"Because it's obvious Alejandro likes her, and we already established that Heather likes him, so it's not out of the realm of possibility that Heather will so or do something to come between the two."

"Oooooh."

He couldn't hold back his smirk when he heard Leshawna storm off, and Izzy immediately matched his with one of her own.

Then the challenge happened, and he played up not knowing what Alejandro was doing up until the guy purposefully lost the challenge. Once they were back in the plane, he immediately dragged the guy down to the cargo hold to confront him. He, of course, tried to deny everything and tried to flirt with Noah in the same breath. Noah was not having it.

With more strength than he thought himself capable of, he shoved the guy into the nearest wall. He had to look up, given he was only to the guy's chest (short king Noah, my beloved), but he poked him in his abs to get his attention.

"I don't care that you got into Harold's head and made him vote himself off. Mainly because I was getting into his head first. And I don't care that you helped and flirted with Bridgette enough to get her to make out with a pole! In fact, I thought it was hilarious." He admitted.

And just to see more of a reaction than just the wide green eyes he was staring into, Noah started walking his fingers up Alejandro's torso oh so slowly. It got the eyes off of him for a second, and he thought maybe he saw a blush forming, but those green eyes held his attention once more.

"And I even decided to be nice and help you get to Leshawna! I had to let Izzy mess with my hair! But it was all for the sake of getting entertainment, and you, sir, make a lot of it happen. So I was content to let you play your game."

His fingers reached Alejandro's bull necklace, which he wound his fingers around and tugged.

He didn't miss the gasp the boy in front of him breathed out, given how close they now were.

"But I'm not so content when your actions mess with my game. I don't like to lose when I know we had every opportunity to win and would have won had you not thrown. You may not think much of me, I mean, I did get out early in the first season. But then again, I manipulated my way into being thrown off. I was not about to spend my summer in that shitty camp. And so far I've been playing in the shadows this season."

Great. He was monologuing like some cheesy villain. But I mean...he was being paid to play a villain this season, so he might as well go all in.

"I'm keeping you around for my entertainment and amusement. Purposefully losing is not something I find amusing, so the next challenge you better give it your all or I'm going to have to really play and you don't want that." He hissed before leaning back and patting Alejandro's cheek and letting go of his necklace.

"Good talk." And with that, he sauntered out. That was fun!

He missed the absolute heart eyes Alejandro had been giving him.

__________

Basically, a villain Noah au, where Alejandro falls for him so hard. The two create an alliance and dominate the game, all the while Alejandro is trying to get Noah to date him. Noah thinks it's just Alejandro being Alejandro, but he does like him, and he thinks it's very funny that the guy can't handle when Noah flirts back with him.

Boy this got long.

Enjoy.

[velvetvexations]

I've said this before but like I hate that I have literally gone from not thinking hard about transfem positivity posts to even being a little unsure about liking or reblogging them cause I'm like. Yes I agree. But do you extend the same kindnesses to other trans people? Do you think transfems are unique in deserving and needing kindness and care? It's harder to assume good faith of having a transfem only post, especially about things that affect all trans people, when I know and have seen so many people actively and purposefully leave out certain trans people (and this current wave of loud transmasc hate is just one in a long line of intra community bullshit. I have been here before with other identities) I'll never stop agreeing with positivity posts or supporting my sister's and siblings but if nothing else this discourse has left me on edge about people using transfem positivity as a bludgeon

I understand. It's important to acknowledge that you're starting to feel that way so you can work on unlearning it. <3 It is, of course, not a healthy mindset, for yourself or anyone else, but it's not your fault you've been kicked into this kinna fear.

The key thing is to keep surrounding yourself with as many cool transfems as you can. There are many, many more of them than the ones hostile to you, I promise! It can just seem skewed sometimes on social media. The more you focus on the real majority the less tense the association will be and it won't feel like everything for transfems might be against anyone else.

[theoryofwhatnow]

i suppose it’s no different from the fans who watched the film strictly because of tom sturridge and extend no further interest towards it beyond that. there’s a clear difference and divide between people who appreciate a movie for an actor versus the film itself, but such is true for practically any film-fandom.

regardless, everyone is welcome as long as they remain respectful.

does anyone else feel the disconnect in like minds fans between those who joined through eddie redmayne in day of the jackal and those who found the film through other means like i don’t know what it is but i can feel the difference in my bones

[gooobraghhh]

hello. chill if nah but do you want to share some advice for teasing/flirting w people? I know this guy, trans, loses it every time I call him "good boy" or "handsome" but I'm running out of tricks!! But he's so fun to teaseeee I don't wanna run out

I mean it depends on the person but if he’s into that kind of thing I can tell you other stuff he might enjoy, leaning more praise because of the examples you gave me. Pretty boy, an actual pet name like puppy, doggy, pet, or something, or like a overly cute nickname based on his name are some options to incorporate. Something id suggest is kind of dropping something teasing on him very suddenly in conversation. Innocently asking him to do something and then being like “aww what a good boy, you’re so good at doing what you’re told” is an easy example/ way to set it up. It’s just super cute to watch them get all surprised and clearly turned on.

Another thing I enjoy for teasing is like a demeaning compliment. Situation dependent but something like “it’s a good thing you’re so handsome/ cute because you’re not the brightest, puppy” after he like doesn’t understand a thing or makes a little mistake. Maybe if you helped him with something random you could say like “what would a pet like you do if I wasn’t here to take care of you”. These are just examples in the nature of what you’re going for, you’re gonna need think of little comments based on what’s happening in your conversation and cater them to what the guy likes. Also think about whats gender affirming when you’re choosing what to compliment and insult. For trans men I usually like to insult their intelligence since being like a dumb blockhead is just kind of a guy thing and usually won’t actually hurt any feelings, I’d lift them up in like appearance (handsome, cute, pretty etc), usefulness/obedience, (good job, good boy, what a good listener,you take it so well etc), or any other trait you know that specific person would enjoy being complimented on.

I’d also suggest possessiveness if everyone’s comfortable. My puppy, My pet, My pretty boy. Be a good boy for me, touch yourself for me, cum for me ( obviosuly more risqué but just add for me to most commands). I find most people enjoy the security and feeling of being wanted that comes with possessive talk and it just makes the praise all the more addictive.

Another thing is if hes responding very positively start making him directly participate. Who’s good boy?, you’re really so desperate for me huh? Tell me how bad you want it?. Just prompt him to respond. Either he does it and it’s adorable and embarrassing or he sputters out because answering is too embarrassing for him and you get to watch him get all flustered. Works well for some degration to, “you’re really such a slut huh?” Or something similar so that he either agrees or pathetically tries to deny it while still actively getting turned on which you can make fun of him for. It’s kind of little conversational trap.

Also keep in mind tone for all of this, I think that kind of condescending, patronizing, overly sweet tone is my go to. It’s kind of like everything he is doing is so cute but in a way thats actively demeaning to him. You don’t have to do that though. A Genuine sounding sweet voice can be very fun if you incorporate a bit more degration. Like someone sounding 100% sincerely nice while they’re calling you degrading names and making fun of you is super hot. Just find what works for the both of you. If it’s flirting over text then there’s only so much you can do but writing out the occasional condescending “awww” or telling him how irl you’re giggling at him can kind of bridge that gap. But like say those things honestly, don’t make up how you’re reacting just share it with him if it’ll add to the dirty talk.

Anyway hope this all helps, break that guys mind for me <3

[utilitycaster]

I just want to say as someone who bowed out of watching c3 very early on, I really enjoy your commentary on the fandom and the politics they keep bringing up as if they understand politics at all. Like the way people treat activism as fandom and fandom as activism is so ruinous to our ability to have real conversations, and to see the political discourse of the past few years reflected so stupidly in the critical role fandom has been mind boggling. The fight to be the most Morally Superior and Righteous in fandom spaces is a poison, and from what I remember, spawned some of the worst c2 discourse too.

Thank you and I agree. I actually struggle to talk about this topic in depth because to give it the explanations it deserves I would need to start naming and shaming individuals so I will leave it at 1. a good gesture would be for some of these people to either delete their accounts or at minimum apologize (deleting the individual posts and ignoring that it ever happened is not, in fact, a good idea) and 2. while I have little faith they'll do that I hope that everyone who decided it was very important to talk about anticolonial themes to the point of talking over indigenous people/those from the global south is involved in immigration/refugee resettlement or native sovereignty activism and that everyone who decided it was super important to defend the term "girlfailure" and attack anyone who didn't think the sun shone out of Imogen or Laudna's asses is involved in abortion and trans bodily autonomy activism (and I mean activism, not just yourself) and everyone who wrung their hands about the poor Ruidusborn child soldiers is working to clear school lunch debt or whatever real world causes they believe in. Because I do think a lot of people substituted attacking people over not liking characters or ships or plot points of C3 over doing anything positive for the world at large, and if so they will have to either change or live as the piece of shit hypocrite person they are forever, which is really more of a curse than anything I can say.