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in1-nutshell · 1 year ago

Note

I love your work and I was wondering if you could do the TFP autobots and deceptions reactions to a Spider- man/woman/person buddy. Either Romantic or platonic if possible :) have a nice day/night and remover to look after yourself ☺️

Thank you for the compliments! Compliments are very much apprenticed! the Cons section is a bit shorter, only because I feel like the Con's would try and kill Buddy on sight because of Arachnid. Lets see how the Bots and Cons fair with Spider Buddy with their powers and shenanigans.

Hope you enjoy!

Autobots and Decepticons reaction to Spider Buddy

SFW, platonic, some mentions of violence of Con's part but nothing graphic or detailed, Spider reader

TFP

Optimus Prime

Oh.

This is new. Buddy has to sit down with him so he can properly understand what is happening.

He is a bit unsettled by the webbing at first but comes to terms that it is a thing Buddy does and it becomes the new normal for him.

“Buddy, I know you enjoy swinging around the base. But if you can please refrain from webbing our frames?”--Optimus

“Got it Optimus!”—Buddy

Buddy demonstrated their ability to climb and stick to the walls by climbing and standing on the ceiling. He was just on edge and ready to catch them if they ever fell. But he is also amazed at Buddy’s powers.

He discovered their strength when Raf accidentally slipped a controller under the couch and Buddy casually lifted the couch with Miko and Jack on it with one hand and grabbed the remote and tossed it to Raf.

“Agent Fowler?”--Optimus

“Prime?”--Fowler

“Is it normal for a human to lift up a couch with other humans on it single handedly?”--Optimus

“Not if they have steroids. Why?”--Fowler

“…”--Optimus

Ratchet

Buddy nearly gave him a spark attack when they showed their power. To be fair Buddy was trying to explain them, but he wasn’t paying attention. So, they web one of his tools and hold it proudly above their head single handedly.

“You need this Ratchet?”--Buddy

“Thank—What! How are you doing that!?”--Ratchet

Ratchet nearly has the attack right there.

He gets very interested in the levels of dexterity and strength the webbings have. He won’t conduct any test on Buddy, not even if he had their permission. He does want to know everything he can about the webbing’s utilities.

“What else can you do with it?”--Ratchet

“Hmmm… Oh! I can shoot long distance web balls! Watch!”--Buddy

Buddy throws a random web ball behind their back.

THWAP!

“BBBBBBEEEEEPPPPPP! (PRIMUS! WHAT IS THIS STUFF! GET IT OFF ME!)--Bumblebee

He also wants to know if there is any medical thing he should know about. He wants to know so he can be ready to help when they get hurt.

“You don’t need to be worried about that Ratchet. I have a fast-healing factor.”--Buddy

“Did I ask?”--Ratchet

“Well—”--Buddy

“No, I didn’t. I don’t care if your healing factor is faster than a speedster-on-speedster circuits. Now where are the bandages?”--Ratchet

Bumblebee

He remembers the comic hero that Buddy’s powers are slightly based off. He watches a lot of superhero media on TV with Raf and the kids. He is a fan of the powers.

Of course, he found about their webbing the hard way…

“BBBBBBEEEEEPPPPPP! (PRIMUS! WHAT IS THIS STUFF! GET IT OFF ME!)--Bumblebee

“Bee! Stop moving! I’m trying to help!”--Buddy

“BEEEP BEEEEEPP! (WHAT IS THIS!? DID THIS COME OUT OF YOU!?)--Bumblebee

Buddy has scared him multiple times. Buddy has the bad habit of swinging and landing on his shoulder. He does get used to it as time goes on.

He finds it cool that Buddy can pick up stuff that shouldn’t be possible for an average person to pick up.

He does worry about them overexerting themselves though, he always reminds Buddy to take some things easier.

“Pass me the couch.”--Buddy

“Bep. (No.)”--Bumblebee

Arcee

Flashbacks…

One of the longest to warm up to Buddy’s powers. She is fine with Buddy as a person. But their powers…they remind her too much of Arachnid.

Freaked out seeing the webs the first time.

“Jack! Why are you webbed up? Oh, Primus it was Arachnid! She’s here! Hold—”--Arcee

“Nah ‘Cee that was me.”--Buddy

“…What?”--Arcee

“You see Jack over here wanted to see how useful his dull knife in his Swiss army tool kit was. So, I gave him a challenge.”--Buddy

“Yeah. That’s my bad Arcee.”--Jack

“…”--Arcee

“…Arcee?”--Jack

“…I think I involuntarily gave her Vietnam flashbacks…”--Buddy

She does get used to it after some time.

She finds Buddy’s strength cool but doesn’t like to test it. Who knows where buddy’s limit is? What if they accidentally hit it, what would happen then? She doesn’t want to know.

“Hey Arcee, can you pass—”--Buddy

“I’m not passing you the couch.”--Arcee

Smokescreen

He thinks that Buddy’s powers are so cool!

Absolutely eggs them on to do more tricks.

“I’m going to jump!”--Buddy

“BEEP! (Don’t!)--Bumblebee

“Do a flip!”--Smokescreen

Definite instigator. He asks so many questions about Buddy’s powers that Buddy can’t keep up with all of them. So as a compromise Buddy set a limit for questions per day.

“Hey Buddy, how can—”--Smokescreen

“You used your last question 2 hours ago Smokey.”--Buddy

“But—”--Smokescreen

“Wait until tomorrow.”--Buddy

Definitely wants to know how much can Buddy carry. He can never get Buddy to do just enough because someone always comes in when things get interesting.

“Smokescreen have you seen Jackie? I’ve been—BUDDY!”--Bulkhead

“Hi Bulk! I haven’t seen Wheeljack—”--Smokescreen

“Forget that! Help Buddy!”--Bulkhead

“They’re fine. Right Buddy?”--Smokescreen

Buddy holding the couch, TV, and the kids with one hand giving a thumbs up.

Bulkhead

Oh, more flashback!

He doesn’t have good memories with Arachnid just like Arcee, but they aren’t as bad as hers.

He does find the webbing to be weird. Cool, but weird.

Buddy webbing a can of soda and drinking it.

“How did you get so good at catching it?”--Bulkhead

“Oh, I wasn’t always good. But I got better with time. It only took The Curling Iron incident for me to really get the hang of it.”--Buddy

“What incident?”--Bulkhead

“Not important.”—Buddy

He holds out about Buddy’s strength when he nearly fell on one of ratchet’s equipment again bit was stopped mid fall when Buddy webbed his back and was holding him steady.

“Hey Bulkhead, if you don’t mind, can you please get your footing right? This isn’t exactly the most comfortable position ever.”--Buddy

“HOW ARE YOU EVEN DOING THIS!”--Bulkhead

Wheeljack

This goes in the list of weird things Wheeljack has seen, but he likes this.

Like Ratchet, he becomes fascinated by the dexterity of the webbing. But also, on Buddy’s physical strength.

“So, you stopped Bulkhead from falling using these webs?”--Wheeljack

“Yep!”--Buddy

“Do you think it can hold Ultra Magnus down for 5 minutes?”--Wheeljack

“Hypothetically, yes? It should… why?”--Buddy

“… I think we both know…”—Wheeljack

He helps Buddy with their acrobatics. He is always hyper vigilant in case Buddy looks like they are going to get hurt.

“C’mon Jackie toss me higher!”--Buddy

“Any higher you’ll be eating the ceiling.”--Wheeljack

“Like I haven’t done that 27 times.”--Buddy

“…That’s oddly specific.”--Wheeljack

“Don’t question it.”--Buddy

Ultra Magnus

He is not prepared.

Like Optimus Buddy has to sit down with him to talk about their powers so he can fully understand. He understands for the most part. So now all that needs to happen is the demonstrations.

“These are my webbings.”--Buddy

“Interesting.”—Ultra Magnus

“I can do all sorts of things with them. For example, throw them.”--Buddy

Throws a web ball randomly behind them.

THWAP!

“BEEEEEEEPPP BEEEP BEEEEEPPP! (NOT AGAIN! BUDDY! HOW MANNY TIMES ARE YOU GOING TO DO THIS!)--Bumblebee

He finds out about Buddy’s strength the hard way. He had gotten in the crossfire of a game of lobbing and was falling backwards from the force of the ball. He is fully expected to land hard on the ground, but he doesn’t he is inches away from the floor.

“Hey Mags? As much as I would love to keep holding you, can you please get up?”--Buddy

“BY THE ALLSPARK HOW ARE YOU NOT DEAD!?”—Ultra Magnus

“I have no idea. Made it this far on pure accidents.”--Buddy

Megatron

He doesn’t like Buddy.

“Pest.”--Megatron

“Bucket head.”--Buddy

They remind him too much of the traitor Arachnid. He might send other bots to dispose of them. He lets go of that seeing as Buddy always comes back to the Nemesis.

They become the equivalent of an annoying stray that comes by your house at 3 am asking for food.

“Hmmm… its quiet... too quiet…”--Megatron

“Hey Bucket head! You had your daily dose of space meth!?”--Buddy

“For the last time! It’s called Dark Energon!”--Megatron

“All I hear is space meth!”—Buddy

Starscream

He really doesn’t like them.

“Insolent Fleshling.”--Starscream

“Whiney-wannabe-toddler.”--Buddy

Like many others, he is reminded of Arachnid, too much. He has tried to kill Buddy before, but Buddy is too fast and nimble for him. Buddy now has a grudge against him and purposely webs his pedes together at the most inconvenient times.

“Now! Rise my fellow Decepticons! Rise with the new age of Starscream the—”--Starscream

Wham!

“I hate that human so much…”--Starscream

Knockout and Breakdown

It was near death on sight.

“Hey! Hey! Calm down!”--Buddy

“Kill it!”--Breakdown

“Rude!”--Buddy

But after some explanation, the pair realize that Buddy is nothing like Arachnid. They have to sit down for another explanation on Buddy’s powers though. Buddy has made it their mission to protect their new friends from Arachnid.

The pair thinks it is a joke.

It’s not.

“I pushed the spider off of the ship.”--Buddy

“Oh, that’s nice.”--Knockout

Later.

“Knockout! I heard from some Vehicons that Arachnid fell off of the ship!”--Breakdown

Sudden realization

“Oh, boy…”—Knockout

Soundwave

Child. Must have child.

Buddy is now an honorary cassette after they webbed Arachnid and Starscream into a closet.

Soundwave looking at the loud closet. Walks away like nothing happened.

He doesn’t mind Buddy swinging around and their webbing, it’s just an organic thing they do. Yes, he sat down for Buddy to explain everything. He now has a file exclusively just for Buddy’s things. He is willing to protect his new friend against all Con threats on the Nemesis.

Buddy is his now.

“Operation: Buddy safety”

“Arachnid: Threat must be neutralized.”

Dreadwing

He doesn’t mind Buddy being there.

Sees Buddy swinging off a ledge.

“I question where my allegiances are sometimes…”--Dreadwing

He kind of ignores them while they are on the ship. He isn’t that rude though; he’ll acknowledge that they are there maybe a quick chat on what’s happening on the ship but that’s about it.

“I heard that Arachnid fell off of the ship a few days ago…”--Dreadwing

“Oh no, anyways…”—Buddy

He doesn’t bother Buddy; Buddy doesn’t bother him.

Win-win.

Shockwave

He doesn’t know that Buddy exists.

Why?

Because he doesn’t come out of his lab.

And, because Soundwave, Knockout and Breakdown don’t want him to meet Buddy.

“Why can’t I meet him again?”--Buddy

“I prefer our conversations to happen when you’re not getting dissected on a filthy table.”--Knockout

They firmly believe that Shockwave would dissect their friend in the name of science.

And that he would.

Predaking

He hasn’t had enough time to officially meet Buddy.

Mainly because Buddy is so small and Predaking doesn’t really acknowledge them. They are weak and frail like any other human.

Sees Buddy walking down the hall, turns around and walks away from the ‘filth’.

He does know that Buddy is an enemy to Starscream after witnessing Buddy web his pedes to the ground. The enemy of my enemy is my friend, right?

Maybe he would try and strike a conversation in the future.

Arachnid

As much as she loves another fellow spider.

She is going to hunt down Buddy.

Which is tough luck for her because Buddy always seems to know where she is at and at time used her own webs against her.

“When I get my servos on you—”--Arachnid

“You mean IF you get them on me, you evil robotic knockoff.” --Buddy

She is making it her goal to have Buddy’s head on a pike in her trophy room.

#transformers #transformers x reader #tfp x reader #maccadam #tfp x platonic reader

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agent99galanzo · 1 month ago

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Unmasking Chemistry

Setting: San Diego Comic-Con, where energy is high, and anticipation even higher. You’re on stage with the Marvel cast, ready for an evening of surprise reveals, interactive games, and secret announcements. The crowd is massive, buzzing with excitement for what they don’t know is going to be one of the biggest Comic-Con surprises ever.

---

You’ve played a beloved Marvel superhero for the past couple of years, and tonight’s panel is expected to reveal major spoilers for the next film. But what no one knows—not the fans, not the press, not even your fellow castmates—is that you've been roped into a very secret mission by the studio. Your co-star, the famously unpredictable Robert Downey Jr., is in on it with you, and he’s grinning like a cat who got the cream.

The Marvel cast is seated in a semi-circle, answering fan questions about plot points and character arcs when a huge announcement comes through the speakers:

Moderator: "We have a surprise guest who will join the MCU tonight... But you’ll have to guess who it is!"

The crowd goes wild, and the lights dim dramatically. A game begins, with the moderator reading out mysterious clues about the new Marvel character, but the audience isn’t getting it. Neither is your fellow cast, who are all shooting confused glances your way, sensing something is up.

The final clue is read:“He’s faster than a bullet, can charm the stars out of the sky, and might just be hiding in plain sight…

The lights flare back on, and suddenly, a character dressed in full costume appears on stage—a masked superhero in dark tactical gear, completely unrecognizable. The crowd erupts, assuming it’s a new Marvel villain or a hero they haven’t seen before.

Robert Downey Jr. the notorious troublemaker, grins widely at you, nudging you to stand up. You’ve rehearsed this moment a hundred times, but the nervous excitement is still real. You step toward the masked figure and start engaging in some light banter, but then, without warning, the figure grabs you by the hand and twirls you toward them, dipping you dramatically.

The crowd gasps, and you lean into the mic with a mischievous smirk.

You: "Want to know who’s under the mask?"

With a flourish, you reach up and pull off the mask to reveal—Henry Cavill, looking devilishly handsome and playful. The audience loses it. The deafening cheers drown out everything, and the Marvel cast collectively falls apart in shock and laughter, with a few of them openly gaping at the unexpected twist.

Henry still holding you in the dip, smirks at you before setting you upright. He takes the mic, obviously amused by the stunned crowd.

Henry "Sorry to crash the party, but when Marvel offered me a spot next to this talented crew—and especially next to you—I couldn’t say no."

The banter is fast and flirty as Henry takes a seat beside you. There’s a palpable chemistry, and it’s clear that you two have a shared secret—one that your fellow cast members are only beginning to catch onto.

The interview continues with Henry playfully introducing his character, a mysterious anti-hero who will both rival and work with your character in the next movie. The Marvel cast slowly recovers from the shock, and the chemistry between you and Henry becomes the unexpected highlight of the panel, leaving everyone guessing just how much of the playful banter is scripted and how much is real.

Halfway through the interview, the moderator brings out a *Truth or Dare* segment—a tradition for these Comic-Con panels—and you feel your heart skip a beat. When it’s your turn, the moderator puts you on the spot, asking you to choose.

You: "Truth, let’s keep it safe... for now."

Moderator: "Okay. Here's one: Who is the most charming co-star you've ever worked with?"

You hesitate, feeling all eyes on you, especially Henry's. The crowd goes silent as you weigh your answer, and with a playful shrug, you finally respond.

You "Well, there’s this one guy…who unexpectedly swept me off my feet—literally—right here on stage tonight. What can I say, he’s got some charm."

The crowd roars with approval, and Henry laughs, clearly enjoying every second of this.

Then it’s Henry’s turn. He grins devilishly, choosing "Dare."

Moderator: "We dare you to recreate your favorite on-screen kiss with any cast member of your choice…on stage, right now."

There’s an audible “ooooh” from the crowd, and Henry’s gaze turns immediately to you, eyes glinting with mischief. Before you can react, your co-stars are egging him on, laughing and chanting your name. With a dramatic flourish, he turns toward you, his expression more serious.

Henry: "Well, since I just joined the MCU, I think it’s only fair to make it memorable… if you’re up for it?"

You can feel the room’s energy tighten, everyone waiting to see if you’ll accept the challenge. With a playful smile, you take a step closer to Henry and nod, a boldness taking over you.

You: "Why not? We’ll give them something to talk about."

Without hesitation, Henry gently cups your face and leans in, and what was supposed to be a “movie moment” becomes something entirely electric. It’s meant to be a quick, playful kiss for the crowd, but the intensity catches you both off guard, lingering just a second longer than planned.

The entire room explodes in applause, your Marvel co-stars are mock-fainting, and you and Henry pull back, both of you grinning like school kids who just got away with something outrageous.

---

The kiss becomes the highlight of Comic-Con, trending across every social media platform. Fans speculate wildly, analyzing every frame of the interaction, convinced there's more going on between you and Henry than a scripted moment.

That night, after the adrenaline-filled panel, you and the cast head to an after-party in a private suite overlooking the San Diego skyline. Henry is by your side the entire evening, the chemistry between you unmistakable.

At one point, when the crowd thins out and it's just the two of you standing on the balcony, he turns to you, his eyes warm and sincere.

Henry: "You know, I’m really glad we did this. The MCU, Comic-Con, the surprise... and everything else."

He reaches for your hand, his touch surprisingly gentle amidst the chaos of the evening. You look out over the glittering city below, feeling that tonight was the start of something thrilling and entirely unexpected.

You: "Me too. But next time we plan a stunt like that, let’s make sure we don’t surprise ourselves."

He laughs, his thumb brushing over your knuckles, and you realize that whatever comes next—whether it’s on-screen or off—it’s going to be one wild, unforgettable adventure.

#henry cavil x y/n #henry cavill fluff #henry cavil x reader #henry cavill #comic con #marvel

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yourplaywright · 1 month ago

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Thinking about who would succeed Megatron as Decepticon leader

Like, okay, I have two very specific scenarios in mind: one where Megatron and Optimus are basically teleported away and locked away somewhere and their respective teams have to rescue them (alive!! They all know they’re alive because that changes the scenario a lot) and so someone must lead. The second scenario would be a proper passing of the torch, which I’ll get to later. These both take place in the Generation One Cartoon continuity, also before the 86 movie. No one is dying lol

But…. yeah, who would?

Before we can get to that, we do have to ask: what makes a good Decepticon leader? Like, why does Megatron lead?

My short answer is the fact that Megatron has been the defacto leader for so long now, plus the ideals he embodies. The Decepticons are less like an organised team in the cartoon and are more akin to a pretty dysfunctional military family bitter rivals… who also have space guns. Yeah. As we can see in many episodes, Megatron’s leadership tends to default to ‘Yell And Threaten And Hit’ which works! Some of the time! <Cue One!Starscream saying his bit about strength over another, yada yada.> Megatron pretty much just hits anyone who tries to overthrow him.

… which leads to a pretty nasty power vacuum, like what we saw in the 86 movie, though less intense due to how he’s still There.

Obviously, Starscream tries to swoop in immediately with his ‘MEGATRON HAS FALLEN’ spiel. Cue Shockwave hitting him.

Starscream fails as a Decepticon leader because, despite the fact he’s wickedly smart and does have the firepower and a few followers to back him up, he’s very shortsighted. His flaws lie in how impatient he is, really. Screamer is smart but doesn’t have the (semi) wisdom in leading that Megatron has acquired. Short term gain vs long term consequences hasn’t clicked in his mind yet, and it probably won’t for a while. I believe in one continuity Megatron specifically stated that he was kind of training Starscream to take over as leader for the qualities I mentioned but that he wasn’t ready yet, as evidenced by everything. He has a long way to go before he can lead bots like the Decepticons, even if he won’t admit it.

So, Soundwave, yeah? Dude’s the glue holding this army together, whenever he leaves it all goes to scrap, he’s probably puppeteering Megatron behind the scenes. While very funny, I honestly doubt he’d ever take full control in the cartoon world. He did have a bid for power in the 86 movie IIRC but was content enough to follow behind Starscream when he won. What gives? Soundwave works best as a spymaster/communications guy. He’s in Megatron’s ear as a trusted advisor and someone to fall back on, but he never takes full control. Soundwave flourishes when he’s not in the limelight like Megatron does, dude goes on whole stakeouts where he just chills in altmode until someone gets curious and picks him up (or the infamous lamp transformation). Laserbeak is also a very specific spying tool. Considering how it seems like he has to go at least partially AFK during those sessions, it’s best he works in the shadows to help out the leader behind the scenes. He also strikes me as the kind of guy to really believe in the Decepticon cause beyond Megatron, so he would be forthcoming to a leader who can actually lead (looking at you, Screamer).

Then… Shockwave? Absolutely not, I love my guy but he’s a bit of a joke (CARTOON ONLY. I’m aware he’s actually scary in the comics). My mans got relegated to guard duty on Cybertron, which he fails at REPEATEDLY all the time once the space bridge is open and also those female Autobots kept stealing from him. Dude can’t shoot to save his life, he tries to bid for power and goes down after Astrotrain and Blitzwing make a 5-klick treaty to beat him up a bit. In the situation where Megatron is still alive, I suspect he might even split off from the main ‘Cons to stage his own rescue mission, because half the guys are arguing and the other half are scheming to get rid of Megatron. My favourite girlfailure probably gets captured almost immediately, but it’s the thought that counts.

So who leads the Decepticons? Ahah, clickbait, because I’m saving that for tomorrow. Though a quickfire:

Astrotrain does not get very far, I’m sorry. We saw how he turned out.

Blitzwing, if he had the opportunity, might be somewhat competent accidentally. With his SIC the former coach, he interrupts some Autobot plans and has a basic outline for rescuing Megatron before he’s stopped, either by another ‘Con or the Autobots.

The Constructicons self-destruct. They’re barely functional together and now they have to compete for leadership? Done for, over with. They’re saved by the fact that they form Devastator and can wreck the competition, but Hook complains about the state of the Decepticons, Long Haul wants to best up Autobots, and Scavenger’s best isn’t good enough.

Skywarp and Thundercracker don’t really have personalities ): My boys follow Starscream, being terrible advisors (one moreso than the other).

Waahoo. More to come tomorrow, might mess around and do the Autobots too, who knows!

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ofmdrecaps · 2 months ago

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10/06-07/2024 Daily OFMD Recap

TLDR; Rhys Darby; Taika Waititi; Samba Schutte; Anapela Polataivao; David Fane; Guz Khan; Kristian Nairn & Nathan Foad; Vico Ortiz; Minnie Driver; Boris McGiver; Fan Spotlight: Never Left Podcast; Gay Pirate News Hour; Love Notes; Hey Crew, I mentioned it on twitter, but forgot to here.. I came down with something and am dealing with some grumpy migraines on top of normal life, so everything is behind again. I'll be getting a couple days out at a time over the next few days. I promise to catch up!

== Rhys Darby ==

Rhys and the fam out at Medieval Times!

Source: Rosie's IG stories

== Taika Waititi ==

Taika out in Wellington!

Source: Instagram

== Samba Schutte ==

Samba is out sharing so much love for Anapela and Kristian! Also-- Advanced Chemistry is out on digital now! Check it out on VUDU, or Amazon, Apple TV, whatever you prefer!

Source: Samba Schutte's Instagram

Oh yeah, and Samba did an awesome stand up show recently!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Samba Schutte (@sambaschutte)

instagram

Source: Samba's Instagram

== David Fane ==

Moana 2 is coming out November 27 to theatres! Are you ready to hear David Fane and Rachel House?

Source: David Fane's Instagram

== Anapela Polataivao ==

So many more videos have been posted interviewing our beloved Auntie and the team at the Tina premiere at the HIFF! Check them out!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by @tinathefilm

instagram

Source: Tina Film Instagram

== Kristian Nairn / Nathan Foad ==

Nathan promising some shenanigans at Kristian's Book Panel at MCM Comic Con London on Oct 27!

Source: Nathan's Instagram Stories

A new episode of Spektrum is out! Check it out on SoundCloud!

Source: Kristian Nairn's Instagram

== Vico Ortiz ==

Vico's been so busy! They finally got Kristian's book though!

Jasmine Is Haunted-- a book Vico did the audio version of, they found out in the wild! Still on my list to listen to!

Lots of pictures of Vico out at LatinX New Play Festival 2024!

Source: LajollaPlayhouse / Vico Ortiz Instagram

== Guz Khan ==

Source: Guz Khan's Instagram Stories

== Minnie Driver ==

Minnie's joining Kirsty Young for an episode of Young Again!

Minnie also out promoting her friends shirt company!

Source: Minnie Drivers Instagram Stories

== Boris McGiver ==

In case you were looking for another spooky show for your October viewing pleasure, the Horror/Thriller King, Stephen King has endorsed our Father Bonnet's new show Teacup! Check it out on Peacock Oct 10th!

Source: Boris McGiver's Instagram

== Fan Spotlight ==

= Never Left Podcast =

The Never Left Podcast folks are talking with some of the creators of Samba's new movie Advanced Chemistry! Check it out! Never Left Podcast Linktr.ee

Source: Never Left Podcast Instagram

= Gay Pirate News Hour =

New episode of Gay Pirate News Hour! Hosted by Our Flag Means Fanfiction! Check it out below!

youtube

Source: OFMFF youtube

== Love Notes ==

Hey there lovelies! I know the Hurricane hit FL yesterday and I'm really hoping all of you are okay. Please be sure to reach out to your crew if you need something ,ya? As a heads up, I'm gonna get into some real talk tonight, so please bear with me. I have heard some stuff lately about how not everyone is redeemable, and not everyone deserves a second chance, and I thought this would be a good time to mention some things that have been on my mind about said subject. Every single one of us is human. Good people make mistakes, good people do things out of good intentions that go badly, seemingly bad people do good things occasionally, and people who generally seem neutral can fuck up. This world is not black and white, and I know our trauma has taught us over and over and over that it is. The world is a big grey goopy lump of clay and every single situation, no matter how similar, is different from the one before. Don't get me wrong-- I'm not saying, don't have boundaries. I'm absolutely not saying "forgive" someone who has done some horrible shit to you or has hurt you over and over. What I'm saying is-- every single person has a unique experience that causes them to make decisions based off of knowledge limited by their experience, or the experiences of the people they know. Now why is that important? That means people can change with new information, or when treated differently. I'm gonna use our show as an example-- did the Queen Anne and Revenge crew think pirating was their only option? Yes. (Was that true? Yes, for them because of class, race issues, etc but that's a talk for another time). They believed there was only one way to do things, and no other options were out there because there were never other options presented to them. Stede offered a different perspective. Now there's A MILLION caveats and complex situations, and things, but my point is-- "irredeemable people" out there sometimes don't know any different, and if one group continues to try to explain one thing to them, and it doesn't get through-- that doesn't necessarily mean they are choosing not to change their mind. It might mean that the perspective isn't clicking for them. Another person, maybe with similar trauma, maybe with different life experiences so drastically different can explain something in a way that opens the eyes of someone that others haven't been able to. The point I'm trying to make here is--- YOU are not irredeemable. YOU are worthy of forgiveness for mistakes you've made. YOU are not the same person you were 10 years ago, or a month ago, or yesterday. Your neighbors, your friends, your family, your moots, your acquaintances on the internet, no one is the same as they were yesterday. Some people may never be in a place where they can forgive you for something-- but THAT DOESNT MEAN YOU are irredeemable or unforgivable. People clash, and we don't have to be loved and forgiven by everyone to be valid. We can choose to do better, and even if that doing better never reaches the person/event who triggered the change, that doesn't make YOU any less of a better person. That doesn't mean YOU didn't improve. It means they can't forgive you for their own reasons-- and your happiness and worth shouldn't be based on that. You are so much more than your past actions lovelies. Please remember that. Please remember that tomorrow is not written in stone. You are wonderful, and you are trying your best and that's all anyone can ask of you. Please remember that we love you crew. We care about you-- and we all do things we don't mean to. It doesn't make us unloveable, it makes us human.

Be kind to yourself if you can, and get some rest <3. Sending so much love your way.

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lightningstar1389 · 8 months ago

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hiiii big fan of your work. i wanted to ask as someone who wants to work in illustration similarly to you, how do you go about getting hired for comic covers or illustration work?

Late reply but uhhhh hey!

Thanks so much, I really appreciate your support 🙏😊

As far as getting hired for freelance work: there's no exact answer for set of rules, it varies a lot, even in an established industry like comics, which can be very frustrating but also very nice sometimes. I can really only give you tips to help improve your chances. First and foremost is that getting freelance gigs is 50% your portfolio and 50% who you know or being in the right place at the right time. Shoot your shot and apply for every opportunity that you can! You never know when a project will present itself! Some general tips:

- have a well presented, up to date, portfolio. I use my own website, and you can make plenty of free urls, or use a social media if you'd like. Just something that's up to date and has a link that you can just copy and paste whenever and opportunity pops up. For reference, my portfolio is Lightningstar1389.com

-make sure your contact is easily visible on your social medias and portfolio. Editors will overlook you if they can't figure out how to get a hold of you.

- Quality > Quantity in your portfolio. It's better to put 5 great pieces than 15 mediocre ones.

- include fanart if it's relevant to the job. For example, IDW Sonic wants to see examples of Sonic art obv. Don't limit it just to fanart though, original stuff carries you a long way.

- YOU NEED SEQUENTIALS if you want to work in comics. Even just as a cover artist. They want to hire people that can do anything and everything, so make sure you have comic examples ready, even if youre aiming to just do covers.

- keep up with editors and people involved in the comics, that way you can be ready if they ever post about looking for an artist! Big plus if you're able to connect with and meet them in person at cons and show them some of your work :) a lot of comics also have letter columns where you can submit fanart/fanmail, and that goes directly to the editors. Just to get your work in their mind.

- take commissions! It can help give you some experience for what it's like to work with clients.

- don't give up! Keep applying and working on your portfolio! You won't always get accepted right away and rejection is part of the process. It will work out eventually, I promise.

It's a tough industry, but really rewarding. Best of luck!!! You've got this !!!

#idw #comics #art tips #portfolio tips

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spacelessbian · 25 days ago

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thoughts on Agatha All Along FINALE

Full spoilers ahead, 100% don't read if you haven't seen episodes 8 and 9.

I really enjoyed the finale, both episodes had a lot to offer and overall I am quite happy with how the show concluded. Things that I liked in no particular order:

The REVEALS. There is simply nothing better than a reveal that recontextualizes everything. And we didn't get just one, but two! Personally I found Agatha running a con and murdering women for centuries the more fun one, but Billy actually creating the Road was also really good and even though I've only seen the show once (unlike many people on here, no doubt), I can name many points in the story and in the dialogue where this is worked in and suddenly makes sense. Really great stuff.

Agatha and Nicky. I was dreading this part a little bit because I know Nicholas Scratch is some sort of big name in Marvel comics and I truly couldn't care less, so I'm pleased with what we got – a genuinely sweet yet tragic story of a mom and her son, destined to death even before being born. I was surprised (but in a good way) by Agatha's quiet reaction to Nicky's death because we know his death hurt her badly, but that's just how it is sometimes.

Agatha and Rio. I won't say I'd always had fate in Marvel to not mess this up, so yay! I don't think they did. This relationship is the heart of the show (and it is black and beats for the queers) and I think the writers did it justice (apart from one thing which I will get to in the next section). The kiss was intense, sexy, beautiful and also tragic and both Kathryn Hahn and Aubrey Plaza did a fantastic job with every piece of dialogue and every expression. I want them to play doomed lovers in five more projects, at least.

The coven. I already blogged about Jen but man, is it funny. Even this was Agatha all along, but she is such a menace she hasn't even realized that. I'm truly happy for Jen making it through and getting her power back. I'm glad we saw Alice's last moment and I liked how much Billy cared about her, Lilia and Sharon.

Agatha's death. I can't help myself, I need to go to that moment again. I was destroyed by that. It was so beautiful, both thematically and also visually and all. The flowers and mushrooms? The sun coming up? I kept thinking about Hozier's Work Song: When my time comes around, lay me gently in the cold dark earth. No grave can hold my body down. I'll crawl home to her. (whadup, Rio reference)

Agatha and Billy specifically in that last battle scene. She was blue you guys, she was just completely blue and in the exact same blue that Billy wears in his silly Marvel costume. And Billy just offered her his power, without questions and without wanting anything in return! And she didn't kill him! (Writing that down, the bar is on the floor for Agatha lol.)

There are other small things (like the Subaru lol), but I am ready to go to the bad section now. Two things I did not like (hidden for lenght but also because not everyone wants to read negative stuff):

Agatha's ghost. I'm gonna say it. Agatha as a ghost looks fucking terrible and her existence itself diminishes her death scene. I do understand why they did it and even why she looks like that (Agatha in the comics, as I understand it, is Wanda's mentor and also an older white haired lady, so they wanted to keep that but it didn't make sense with Wanda anymore), but I just hate it. Especially the wig.

The Marvel stuff. Yes, I realize this sounds stupid, it is a Marvel show after all. We wouldn't get a stupid gimmick like ghost Agatha joining Billy to look for his brother if this wasn't a starting point for the Wiccan. And I like Billy, I do, I also (obviously) love Agatha, who was first introduced in WandaVision (I realize the hypocrisy), but it just doesn't work for me. I would rather think about the beautiful death scene with it's poetic tragedy than about white haired Agatha floating on a washing machine, I'm sorry.

That being said, I really really liked the whole show and I am happy to say I hooked in my best friend (if you are reading this, you are contractually obliged to like the post, you know how it is) and that I actually know other people irl who watched it and enjoyed it. I'm sad it's over and even sadder that in this day and age, noone will talk about it in about two to three weeks. Anyway, it was lovely.

#agatha all along #agatha harkness #rio vidal #nicholas scratch #billy maximoff #agatha spoilers #agatha all along spoilers #no hate please #this is just my personal opinion

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rxmqnova · 1 year ago

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Comic Con

Y/N: 5 years old Story: Y/N insists on going to a Comic Con with her mom… ——————————————————

NO ONE'S POV Lizzie's leaving for a Comic Con in an hour. She's getting ready while her daughter is playing with Rose as the pair is in New York, staying at Scarlett's.

"Mama, you are going somewhere?" Y/N asks, now standing by the bathroom door frame.

"I told you yesterday mama's going away for the day, honey" Lizzie reminds her little one. Y/N whines, wrapping her arms around Lizzie's thighs. "Y/N, you're gonna have so much fun with Rose and auntie Scarlett today" Lizzie peels Y/N's hands off of her legs and kneels in front of the little one, taking the small hands in hers.

"But I wanna go with you, mama" The little Olsen says, tears filling her eyes.

"Y/N/N, you'll be bored with me there, my little monkey" Lizzie lets out a sigh, knowing this answer won't satisfy her daughter.

"But I want to go with you" Y/N cries out, wrapping her little arms around Lizzie's neck and hiding her face into the crock of Lizzie's neck.

"Baby, I promise you'll have a great time with auntie Scarlett. And mama will be back before your bedtime" Lizzie tries to calm her daughter down, lifting her up and rubbing her back. But Y/N only shakes her head in response, holding her mother tightly and continuing to cry.

"Is everything okay?" Scarlett walks into the bathroom after hearing Y/N's cries. "Oh no. What happened?" She walks to the pair and rubs Y/N's back.

"I want to go with mommy" Y/N cries into Lizzie's neck. Lizzie sighs, receiving a sympathetic look from Scarlett.

"Sweetheart, we'll have so much fun. We'll go on the playground, have ice-cream. We'll play the entire day and your mommy will be back before you'll go to bed" Scarlett tries to calm Y/N down, running her hand up and down the little back.

"But mommy was gone yesterday too" Y/N says between sobs. It's the second day of the Comic Con and Y/N already stayed the whole day with Scarlett yesterday. "I wanna be with mommy" Y/N sobs, rubbing the tears out of her eyes with her little fist.

Lizzie sighs, walking to the bedroom and sitting down, pulling Y/N onto her lap. Y/N looks up at her mama with her big green glossy eyes, waiting for her to say something.

"Will you promise me you'll be a good girl?" Lizzie asks, giving up on trying to get Y/N to stay. The two have always had only each other as Y/N's father left before she was even born and Lizzie hates seeing her little monkey cry. Y/N nods, rubbing her eyes again. "Okay. I'll take you with me today, but you'll stay with auntie Scarlett tomorrow and no tears, okay?"

"Yes, mama" Y/N nods her head, cuddling up to her mama. Lizzie kisses the top of her daughter's head, letting out a sigh.

"Good. Go to choose toys you'd like to take" Lizzie says, wiping out her baby's cheeks with her palms and standing Y/N on the ground. The little Olsen runs away, leaving Lizzie and Scarlett alone. Lizzie lets out another sigh, pressing her palm to her forehead. Scarlett gives her bestfriend a smile, opening her arms for a hug.

Meanwhile Y/N gets all her toys ready. The little one takes her little backpack, putting in her crayons, some papers, her two small teddy bears, Barbie and some lego. Once she has everything, she sprints back to her mama who got back into getting ready a few minutes ago.

"I have everything, mommy!" Y/N smiles widely, her backpack on her back, ready to get on the way. Lizzie can't help but chuckle on the sight of her daughter standing there, still in her pajamas and with a backpack on her back.

Lizzie walks over to Y/N, taking off her backpack, lifting her up and carrying her to the bedroom. She picks up some outfit for her little one, helping Y/N to put it on afterwards. Lizzie then puts her daughter's hair in two pigtales how the little girl wanted it and Y/N's ready to go.

"And done. Y/N/N's ready to go" Lizzie smiles, pressing a kiss to her daughter's forehead. "Go to put your shoes on, honey. I'll be there in a minute" Y/N smiles, taking her backpack and happily walking downstairs.

Lizzie goes back to the bathroom to do some final touches while Y/N sits on the ground on the hallway, puts on her shoes and just sits there, waiting for her mama to come and tie her shoes up. Scarlett walks to Y/N and kneels in front of her, helping her to tie her shoes. "Are you sure you don't want to stay here with us?" Scarlett asks the little girl while tying her shoes.

"Yes, Scarly. I'll stay with you tomorrow" Y/N smiles widely, wrapping her little arms around Scarlett's neck and giving her a hug. Scarlett chuckles, lifting Y/N up and booping her nose which makes the little one giggle. "Mama is here!" Y/N says happily, bouncing on Scarlett's hip and pointing at her mom with her finger as Lizzie's walking their direction.

Lizzie smiles, giving Y/N a little wave before bending down and putting on her own shoes.

"Okay. Ready?" Lizzie asks her daughter who nods with a smile. "What about a kiss?" Scarlett requests. Y/N smiles, pouting her lips and pecking Scarlett's lips. Lizzie then takes Y/N from Scarlett, both girls saying 'bye' and walking to the car.

The pair arrives to the Comic Con and holding hands the girls walk to the place Lizzie is supposed to be. Lizzie has an interview soon, so she leads her daughter to a table that is close to the stage and sits her on a chair, giving Y/N papers and crayons from her backpack.

"Okay, my little monkey. Mama needs to go up there on the stage. You'll stay here with this really nice auntie, okay?" Lizzie asks, pointing at a girl who works for the security and whom she got to watch her daughter. Y/N nods, pouting her lips for a kiss. Lizzie smiles, pecking Y/N's lips before standing up and waiting for the start of the interview.

Lizzie walks on the stage when called, so Y/N decides to make her mommy a card meanwhile. She draws two girls, one taller and one little, representing her mommy and herself while Lizzie is answering some questions. She adds a few hearts, but leaving enough space for a little note.

"Auntie?" Y/N looks up at the young girl who smiles and bends down.

"Yes, sweetie?" She smiles.

"Can you help me write here something for my mommy?" Y/N asks nicely, pointing at the free place on her card.

"Of course. What would you like me to write?" The girl smiles, taking the pencil Y/N's giving her.

"Hmm… To my mama, I love you so, so, so, so much. You are my bestest best friend forever and I love you the most. Yours little monkey" Y/N says, the girl writing down every word.

"And done" The girl smiles, giving back Y/N the card.

"Thank you!" Y/N grins and takes her favorite pink crayon to write her name under the last word the girl had just written.

Y/N then quickly jumps off the chair and runs on the stage to her mama. The security girl calls for her, but Y/N's not listening. Y/N crushes her little body to Lizzie's legs, hugging them tightly.

"Mama, I made you a card!" Y/N says with a huge smile, her voice echoing through the room from the speakers as Lizzie's holding a microphone, making the crowd of fans laugh.

"Honey, what are you doing here?" Lizzie chuckles, sitting Y/N onto her lap.

"I made you a card, mommy. Look!" Y/N smiles widely, handing Lizzie the card.

"To my mama, I love you so, so, so, so much. You are my bestest best friend forever and I love you the most. Yours little monkey. Y/N" Lizzie reads quietly. "Thank you, sweetheart. It's beautiful" Lizzie smiles, pressing a kiss to the top of her daughter's head. Y/N blushes, hiding her face in her mother's chest which makes Lizzie chuckle again.

"That's so sweet" The interviewer says. "When we have here this little princess, can we ask her a question?" The woman asks.

"Yes. I want to answer questions like my mama" Y/N shoots her head up, making Lizzie and the crowd laugh. Lizzie nods in agreement.

"Y/N, do you have a favorite superhero?" The interviewer asks with a smile.

"I do! Mama is my favorite superhero! Did you know my mommy is a witch?" Y/N whispers the question, making everybody laugh again. "It's true. My mama can read my mind, she always knows when I'm sad or when I'm lying. And mommy can fly! And lift things up without touching them" Y/N says, her eyes getting watery as the crowd laughs again.

The little girl believes her mama can really do magic and it breaks Lizzie's heart seeing how the little girl's dream just got crashed. Y/N hides her head into the crock of Lizzie's neck, letting out a little sob. "Mama, why are they laughing?" Y/N mumbles, making Lizzie put down her microphone, so the fans can't hear her conversation with her daughter.

"Sweetheart, we won't cry. It's okay… Mommy can't really fly and do magic, honey" Lizzie says, kissing the side of Y/N's head.

"But you always know what I'm thinking" Y/N mumbles.

"I do… because I'm your mama. It's my superpower to know how my baby feels" Lizzie smiles, poking Y/N's side which makes Y/N giggle. Y/N looks up at her mama who wipes her tears away and rubs her nose against her daughter's one. "I love you, my little monkey" Lizzie smiles.

"I love you, mama" Y/N smiles back, snuggling up to her mama and receiving a few more kisses on the top of her head from Lizzie.

----------------------

I have no idea what this is, but whatever…

Would you guys tell that I love when Lizzie/Wanda calls Y/N 'my little monkey'? It's just so cuteee, I can't help it😅

Elizabeth Olsen masterlist

Masterlist

#fanfiction #elizabeth olsen #lizzie olsen #scarlett johansson #elizabeth olsen x y/n #lizzie olsen x reader

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mikeywayarchive · 4 months ago

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Mikey Way: "Don’t be so preoccupied with yesterday and tomorrow, because there’s a whole today that you’re gonna miss"

Mikey Way opens up about the importance of staying present, his ambitious new album-and-graphic-novel project with Electric Century, and working with My Chemical Romance bandmate Ray Toro again.

February 26, 2021

Words: Emily Carter

Full interview under the cut:

“If this makes someone feel better for even an hour in a day, then I think I did my job,” smiles Mikey Way. “Even if it’s one person that loves it.”

The My Chemical Romance bassist is currently unpacking the wonderful self-titled second record from his side-project with Sleep Station’s David Debiak, Electric Century. Released alongside an accompanying graphic novel and a whole new world for fans to dive in to, Mikey is aware that his latest ambitious undertaking could serve as a welcome break from the strange times we’re all living in right now… not that it was initially planned that way. That’s simply how Electric Century have always been since their inception.

“The benefit of this project is that it is a pandemic, and people aren’t able to do conventional things to release art, so it’s pretty cool – this was going to be unconventional anyway, but I think people are now more open to something unconventional,” Mikey enthuses. “We didn’t plan on touring on this. We maybe were going to play some shows – in fact, there was one that we were going to do at San Diego Comic Con. But we weren’t really going to tour on this, especially in light of, you know, I have something else going on that is touring.

“But I still felt so strongly about this album and the graphic novel that I wanted it to be exciting, and I wanted it to be fun. And I think people are ready to be immersed anywhere else – people need escapism right now. And not only that, but they also need emotional release, and I think you’ve got both: escapism is the graphic novel, and I think the music is the emotional release.”

The self-titled follow-up to 2016’s excellent For The Night Control, Electric Century does indeed provide both of those things. An 11-track effort produced by Mikey’s MCR bandmate Ray Toro, the record takes in the infectious ’80s new wave of their debut, and ramps things up even further, packing in finely-tuned musical ideas while tying in cohesively with the story of the graphic novel.

“We kept going back and revising things, and then we would sit with things for a while, and we’d add to it,” the bassist explains of why the partly-fictitious and partly-autobiographical (“That’s my sweet spot!” says Mikey, “I love mixing music with fiction”) album has taken such a long time. “One of the things that extended this project was that we wanted the graphic novel to be as great as it could possibly be, and great things take time. The graphic novel gave us the time to perfect the music, and we were able to really make sure that this is the statement we wanted to make. Even until two weeks ago we were still tweaking songs! So I think the graphic novel gave us the freedom to really make the music everything we wanted it to be.”

Here, Mikey dives into all things Electric Century – from the album’s creation, to working with Ray again, to keeping the project open-ended and continuing the story…

Was the album all created remotely or were you able to get into rooms with both Dave and Ray at various points before – or even during – the pandemic? “It was all mostly before the pandemic that we did the brunt of it; I think some time in 2018 me, Dave and Ray got together in Los Angeles and did a big chunk of it. And then the rest was done with Dave sending stuff to Ray, and me going to Ray’s house, or us sending stuff to Ray and him sending it back. We got to do it in a way that a lot of projects are done in the pandemic nowadays! That’s how this project was done before the pandemic: it was done mostly remote. There was only one time where we were all in a room together, and in fact me and Dave, before we went to Ray’s, were never in a room together. He would demo stuff, send it to me, I’d give him feedback and make edits, send it back… And then once Ray became part of the project, he joined in on this process where we were sending him things. And then it all came to a culmination of us going to Ray and recording.

“I always joke with people that me and Dave have never really played any of these songs together in a room – we’ve rarely even been in the same room when we’re creating things. And maybe that makes something special… maybe we’ve stumbled upon something where we’re making something special, far apart.”

When Dave sends you an idea or demo, is there anything in particular that you’re really listening out for? “Most artists will tell you about this thing that happens and it’s like you get this feeling in your chest or your throat when you hear something. I kinda listen for that. I want to feel something when I hear it, and stuff will jump out to me and I’ll be like, ‘Dave, that’s the one we need to hone in on.’ I know what Dave’s great at, and when I hear him reach that point I’m like, ‘Let’s explore that.’ Maybe internally it’s hard for a human being to point out what they’re great at, and I feel like I’m great at finding what’s great out of what Dave’s doing. I talk to a lot of musicians and they kinda feel the same way: it’s like, ‘Ah, man, I know what you mean!’ Most musicians have this sixth sense where, if you feel something and you know it speaks to you, then maybe it’ll speak to other people, too.”

What have you learned from working with Dave? “What I’ve learned from Dave is to just be relentless! He’s relentless; he just doesn’t stop. At any given time there will be 40 demos that he’s sent me – and even over the past few months he’s sent me a bunch. He just tirelessly makes music, and I think there’s something admirable about that. His work ethic is amazing, and I think that’s what he taught me. I mean, I knew it before, but he’s really taught me to be tenacious with things.”

You’ve spoken about needing to stay creative, always. But what was the driving force that was pulling you back to this whole concept in particular? “When Electric Century was all about to kick off, I went to rehab [in 2014], and by the end of that 30 days, I was like, ‘I don’t wanna tour anymore.’ I wanted to take care of myself, and I think it kind of set the stage for this project – in my head, it was like, ‘How can I make this fun and not have a conventional record cycle?’ I always respected what Gorillaz did and thought, ‘Well, they make it work and they’re living in a ‘fictional’ world…’ And it made me realise that it could be done. I put a pin in that for a bit, and then around 2018, towards the end of the year, Z2 reached out and were like, ‘Hey, we’d like to make a graphic novel for the next Electric Century album,’ and I was listening to them pitching it to me and the guy said, ‘Hey, I kinda see this project as something like the Gorillaz!’ and it hit me like a lightning bolt, as I’d never said that to anybody before. From that moment on I was like, ‘This is what we need to do,’ and it kind of informed the project. I want Electric Century to exist in this almost Twilight Zone world.”

Did having such a big project to meld together drive you a bit mad at points?! “Um… no! I had a lot of help from people – one of my best friends Shaun Simon co-wrote the comic with me, Dave and Ray were there to help me make the music… I feel like with an ambitious project like this, I also had ambitious people with me. Some of the most creative, hard-working people I know worked on this, so I never felt overwhelmed. I felt like, if there was ever a moment for me to feel overwhelmed, somebody would be like, ‘Yo, I’m gonna help you out!’ It was a great tag-team effort.”

How did Ray get involved when it came to production? “We were unsure of what we were going to do with it. Dave had somebody that he loved working with, but they both felt it wasn’t a good match for the project – it was a mutual thing, which is fine. So then the first name that popped into my head was Ray – I was like, ‘Oh, Ray! He can do this!’ He did a tester song with Alive, and Dave was sold – we were just blown away. It’s funny about that song, too, because when I was in rehab [in 2014], Dave came to visit me – he brought a tape recorder with a cassette in it with Alive, and it was just him and an acoustic guitar. And I listened to that thing for probably a month straight – I was just lost in it, and I kept imagining all the things we could do with it. I kept roadmapping it in my head. That was the one that I kept going back to – I was like, ‘It’s got to be the song.’ And I think we succeeded with that; I think Alive is the anchor of the whole thing.”

Were there any conversations with Ray about, ‘Hey, you can tweak things as much as you see fit’ because you have so much trust in him? “Oh yeah, we let Ray do whatever he wanted! We were like, ‘Get as crazy as you want.’ We were excited to get his guitar on there, and his vocals are on there a lot as well. There’s a ton of Ray Toro on that album, and I’m super-excited about it. Just getting to hear his solos makes me happy – he’s one of the greatest guitar players on planet earth, doing what he does best. Getting to hear that on a record again made me so happy. He’s one of the best there is, and everybody knows that.”

youtube

What made Till We’re Gone the first song to show people ahead of release – was it a case of it opens the album and welcomes people into this world, so it was always going to be the first song people would hear? “For me, Till We’re Gone is a great way to explain our sound, if you listen to it. It sets the stage – like when you watch a movie and you see the opening credits, and all the actors’ names cycle through! I feel like, when I listen to that song, I picture a movie starting. And not only that, but just sonically it’s everything that Electric Century does best, I think, in one song. And it’s also short and sweet. It’s got a very traditional song structure, and I feel like that’s the best first taste for this album.”

When we last spoke, you mentioned how the album sort of came before the graphic novel, and you had to create the story around that. Was the album tracklist quite easy to fit together, or did you have to rearrange songs to fit in with the story to make everything cohesive? “What’s interesting is – and when I look back on it all – when we did that initial interview, the album has changed since then. I feel like we were able to use that time to fix things. So there’s a bunch of songs we added, there’s a bunch of songs we fixed. I think that time allowed us to properly marry the two things, and make the songs fit the story that we’d written and vice-versa. When we did those initial interviews, the album was a little bit different, and a whole bunch of songs got added.”

The album begins with these thumping drums on Till We’re Gone, but then it ends on Someday We Will Sing Again which is so stripped back, and the complete opposite of the opener. What was the process of creating that musical journey? “I like the concept of this big, bombastic opening, and this stripped-back, raw ending. I feel like that’s how we’re put on this earth: we’re loud and bombastic as babies, and then we’re frail and raw when we’re elderly. I feel like that’s a good story arc for an album, and I felt being raw and exposed on that last album was a good juxtaposition for everything you’re gonna hear when you go through the journey. And then it’s the same thing with the story: the story kind of follows a similar arc as well.”

Would you say that this is a more emotional album than For The Night To Control? “A lot of emotion was channelled into this record, in all its forms. Dave was going through a lot – but of course that’s for him to talk about. But that is exactly what art is: you use it as an outlet to work out your feelings, both positive and negative. Ultimately that is what makes what you create whole and hopefully what the listener can relate to.”

You’ve spoken about mixing fiction with real life in your work – is there any song that you could pinpoint as the most autobiographical on Electric Century? “Alive – that’s a good one that I just like to kind of remind myself: be present, be alive. That whole sentiment of, ‘Your best moments are actually right here, right now.’ And that’s one of the themes of the graphic novel as well. People kind of romanticise about ‘the good old days’, or ‘when we were kids or teenagers it was so cool…’ but maybe the best days are right here, and maybe you’ve been wishing to be where you’re standing right now and you don’t even realise it. That’s the theme of the graphic novel, and that song especially. It’s a simple thing: be alive. I feel like that’s something I try to remind myself on a daily basis. And especially in light of what’s happening in the world. A lot of people feel like they’re in some strange purgatory – I think everyone feels that. And I think that song is going to speak to a lot of people.”

Is there anything that this project taught you about yourself? In terms of the storyline and putting yourself in that nostalgic headspace, did it make you realise anything? “It’s something that I’ve always suspected, but I’ve talked at length with people about it, where it’s like, ‘Don’t be so preoccupied with yesterday and tomorrow, because there’s a whole today that you’re gonna miss. There’s a whole today going on.’ We’re all guilty of that – and especially now when we’re all stuck inside and we can’t go anywhere, or do anything that we used to love on the outside world. And it’s like, ‘Well, maybe right here is where we’re supposed to be right now.’ You have to kind of hop into that perspective and realise that we’re all here for some reason, and we have to roll with it and make the best out of the situation right now.”

For people who’ve listened to For The Night To Control this is obviously just the next logical step, but are you nervous in any way, or is it more like, ‘Yep, of course people are gonna like it if they liked the last one’? “That’s kind of what I feel about this: if you liked the last album then you’re going to love this one even more, you know? We had a lot more time to do it, and I feel like we’re all older and wiser. I’m 40 now – I was in my early 30s when we made the last one! It’s almost a decade on from when Electric Century started, and I feel this is the complete sentence. The last one was like we were getting our feet wet and figuring it out, and this one feels like we figured it out.”

Is that your proudest takeaway about this entire project? “Well, what I’m proud about is that I didn’t expect this! I didn’t expect to make an album and graphic novel – it started out as an album and as time went on it grew and grew, and it’s something I’m proud of. It’s very ambitious, and I didn’t see it coming. It was that fateful call with Z2 – they said things to me and I was like, ‘That’s what we need to do.’ I’m proud of that, and I feel like it’s mission accomplished in terms of what I want Electric Century to sound like. I feel like we’ve reached the point I wanted it to be – it sounds exactly as I wanted it to sound.”

Could you see a sequel – both musically and with the graphic novel – happening some day down the line? “Yeah! Honestly, the graphic novel leaves everything wide open. It introduces us to a world, and you can easily revisit this world. And that’s another beauty of this project. I was blessed to work with a lot of amazing professionals, and this whole thing never once felt like a drain or a drag. It was a delight from the beginning to the end, and it’s somewhere we can revisit if we want to!”

Electric Century is out now along with an original graphic novel published by Z2 Comics.

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majaloveschris · 1 year ago

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Why nothing makes sense, part 8.

Comic Con and Wedding Ring Edition

So before I start this part of the Why Nothing Makes Sense series, I'd like to say that I'm not saying there wasn't a wedding or that this isn't real. However, I'm going to explain why things don't make sense to me and why I think this might not be real.

So before we jump into this amazing Comic Con weekend, I'd like to go back to the DM Boston airport sighting. So that picture of them coming back from Portugal happened (according to that "anon") after their honeymoon and wedding. So we could all see in that picture that Alba was wearing no ring. This was obviously very weird to a lot of people, since if you are newly married, why wouldn't you want to wear your ring? We got explanations from anons, like they wanted to keep the marriage private or that they only had a commitment ceremony. After the thousands of articles and the comic con, we can all agree that both of these explanations are bullshit. So why wasn't she wearing a ring? Where was hers? If this is real and they got married, then why didn't she have hers on?

People love to throw around "they are private" excuses, but they aren't. They never were, and they never will, because they want to sell this relationship. Since Alba stepped into his life, he has forgotten that he is a private person. And he is still pretty private about everything except her. If they were private, there wouldn't have been Instagram stories uploaded or articles about their wedding, or he wouldn't have worn his ring, or even if he had, he wouldn't have talked about their wedding. This whole shitshow is everything but not private.

After people started questioning this whole ring thing, he suddenly appeared to wear one at the Comic Con. I think he was showing the ring much more on the first day but appeared to hide it more on the second. The ring alone looks cheap and not very fitting. I'm not only saying this based on the pictures, but I talked to someone who's met him (yeah, I have evidence they met), and they said it looked rather yellowish than gold, and it was clearly too big for him. He looked unhealthy, and I don't really understand the "he looks the healthiest and happiest he's ever been" comments because I don't really see it.

Then we got that amazing interview. So the whole thing started with the lady saying that he's been working a lot in the past 2 years, and if there was a personal project he was working on right now, This question was clearly planted. I doubt that he or his team didn't know about the questions prior to the interview. Even if they didn't know about this question, he could've said anything else. Saying he's getting ready for fall and immediately changing the subject, or he could've started talking about Dodger. He needed to talk about her; he needed to talk about the wedding. He said it was really, really great. Now call me disputatious, but he always said how much he wants to settle down, get married, and start a family. So if she is the one, if she is the person who makes him happy, etc., I would assume he would've said something like, "It was the best day of my life" or "This was everything I've ever wanted, and I'm so happy" not that it was "really, really great". Then he continued that they "kinda had two ceremonies, one on the East Coast and one in Portugal". What does "kinda" mean? You either had two ceremonies or not. And why did he say East Coast and not MA? Everyone knows he lives in Massachusetts, and there were like a thousand articles about them getting married, so there isn't really anything to hide at this point. Then he mentioned his wife's Portuguese, which we've all also known, and I don't even want to mention the awkward "Go Portugal!" thing. He also said it was wonderful and beautiful, but a lot to organize. Then he said they've been enjoying life since then, and he mentioned autumn and seemed excited and happy to talk about it. He turned back to "their" life, and his face changed again. It seemed like he didn't even take himself seriously when he said that they were "reflecting". I think he only mentioned the last sentence so he could change the subject and start talking about something. It felt like he was trying to remember everything he had to say and share.

People said he looked happy talking about the wedding. I mean, he didn't look desperate or sad like every other time we saw them together. I care more about actions than words, and him smiling while talking about the wedding won't make me forget how he acted during the NYC pap walk, Disney, that awkward car kiss, or the Boston airport photo. I also think that you can see that as soon as he changed the subject, he looked happier. He looked way more excited to talk about autumn and Dodger than about his own wife and their kinda weddings. And he definitely talked much more about it.

He didn't share new information; everything he's said we already knew about the weddings. There wasn't a fan who asked him about her during the interview; they knew the questions prior, and even if they didn't, he didn't have to talk about her. So then why? People won't start liking her and shipping them just because he talks about her, and what if some people think they didn't get married? They seem to care so much about what people think about this, which I don't really get since if this is real and they are happier than ever, then why do they keep trying to convince people that it is? They are supposed to be private, yet they act like they are selling something. They keep trying to fill gaps and make this more authentic, but it's not and never will be. Those things that make this whole thing really fake for me and for a lot of people are already out there. You can't change what's done, and no matter how hard they try, those inconsistencies and bullshit are out there and will stay there. They can try to explain and fill the gaps by "randomly" mentioning it or publishing an article, but again, why would they do that? Why are they doing all of this if this is genuine and they have nothing to sell or prove?

#majaloveschris #why nothing makes sense posts #cevans-love

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call-me-chips · 27 days ago

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Long vent warning 🙃

So if you came here for my typical carefree content, don't feel forced to read this at all :)

Ik I won't care if you do or don't, but I just need to get this to someone

I see a lot of people talking about having no friends and having bad friends, and both are really bad and I'm not trying to put down anyone's experiences, but I feel like there's a different kind of hurt when your friends just don't like you. Like, they're good people, but they just don't like you.

Like, I have this one friend where, he's the closest thing I have to a best friend (aka, we see each other once a week and seem to enjoy each other's company), but I really don't think he likes me

He always has an excuse for not hanging out. Always. My sibling and I wanted to go to a comic con and invited him and his girlfriend. He mentioned a few weeks before that he might not be able to go because he might have to babysit a child or something. Closer to the con, he said that he, infact, wouldn't have to watch the child, which we were happy about, but then immediately he said that he "wasn't allowed" to go to this con. The reason he gave was "My dad thinks comic cons are cults." Even though he's been to several cons, one of which was in the US (I'm Canadian).

And just yesterday a group I was going to had a Halloween night, and he promised he would go. We all made plans to be there, but the night of, I texted him and asked him if he was coming, to which he responded with "I'm not allowed", even though he's at the age where that shouldn't matter at all

I asked him why, and he never got back.

Everything I want to do, everything we try to plan, he's got a reason to not go.

He says he likes me and likes hanging out with me, but I don't believe it. Every excuse he uses is bullshit.

And it really sucks because I truly thought he'd be a friend that sticks around. Every friend I've ever had has left the moment I got too close.

And it's not like I can easily make friends, as I've never gone to school and I'm not in college

My parents keep scolding me about how I have no friends and that "God designed people to need other people" and that I "can't live life alone", but I don't know how the fuck they just expect me to summon new ones.

I've exhausted all groups I'm in of potential friends. And it's not like I don't try to make friends. I've been rejected dozens of times

But I know I'm just about ready to stop reaching out to the friend I was talking about earlier. I'll just stop asking if he wants to do anything and see if he initiates anything. When he doesn't, at least I'll know for sure that he doesn't really like me xD

Sorry if you've made it this far btw. Ik no one really wants to listen to a stranger talk about how terrible their life is

Slightly different topic, but I really feel like I can't ever open up to anyone (which is why I rant to strangers on the internet). Literally everyone I've opened up to has either left me or betrayed me with it

I shared my struggles with a licensed therapist, and she made me feel like my feelings were nothing. She told me it was a phase and refused to hear any more

I shared one of my phobias in a trusted friend group chat, and one of the dudes sent me a gif of it, have me the worst panic attack I've ever had, and then he called me sensitive when I complained about what he did (I was crying non stop for 30 mins, couldn't calm down completely for the next couple days, and got triggered my a simple household item that has NEVER triggered me before. I mean like, I saw this simple thing, froze in place, started hyperventilating, and nearly had another panic attack)

And there are a few other examples, but the worst one is when I opened up to my best friend at the time. I opened up, shared my story, cried in front of her. She left me the following week. She suddenly started talking to her other friend more and I could barely get a moment alone with her anymore. We barely talk now

I'm just tired of people. Tired of trying. Idek what I'm supposed to do at this point. I only rant to strangers cuz it's a lot less painful if someone online unfollows you than if a friend leaves you

Anyway I think that's enough for right now, I got pretty carried away 😅

If you read all this, here's a cookie :3 🍪

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dailycass-cain · 4 months ago

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Balancing real-life stuff so I couldn't do this over the weekend. So tonight here are my thoughts on Detective Comics #1087 (all of it, main story and side).

Cass's appearance in the main story is brief but still has a great weight around it. There's just something I love of Ram V where every small moment still has overtones to everything that's gone on in his run.

Every side character on this quest Batman has been through gets to shine. It hits me with utter 😄seeing the payoffs occurring in this run that have been built here or throughout other stories. These payoffs are just SOOO good and these aren't even the "end" ones.

For Cass, it's being her and just not giving up. STILL fighting, still honoring the bat symbol, and the legacy of the Batman. Aka reasons why we love this character 101.

ust the way she's introduced in the issue? chef's kiss

That extra added, "Oh they boned and know it." just by the added panel of Cass's eyes narrowing. SOOOOOO good I was little squeeing in gittiness at it. Something that's consistently happening since 2020. 😊

Likewise, you can feel that "ending" coming as Batman readies his schemes, the Orghams entering their's, Gotham too, and of course the twist we all saw coming given last issue with one other party throwing their hand too.

I'm really curious to where this all goes from here on out, and honestly I feel like a broken record but I cannot wait to see the payoffs. Like I know and feel these are all gonna be earned.

Oh sure, we might get a reset on some (Two-Face and Mr. Freeze), but man; Ram V's characterizations of both are leaving an impression on me. Something for me to continue spouting top of my lungs, "This is kino and enjoy the ride." to anyone who hasn't picked it up.

The art by Christian Duce and Stefano Raffaele is just 🔥 with the coloring by Luis Guerrero just stunning too. DC since 2020 has been killing it with the colorists they've got sprinkled throughout their books. Just makes everything the artists draw pop more.

What else can I say of the main story? Other than it just keeps delivering every month. But hey we're getting more kino with Ram V with the New Gods. That's gonna be great and curious to see where he goes with that.

The secondary story is something I've been hoping to see since the character showed up in this run, and that was some Jean-Paul Valley goodness, and not only do we get this here.

We get Dan Watters back on writing him. Oh sure, he couldn't get Nikola back, but hey Francesco Francavilla on it? Oooooh sign me up! Seeing his Cass was a delight at long last.

The story itself is just rooted in SOOO much back lore with Dick and Jean-Paul. You can take it as the perfect case to their history with one another (and it isn't pretty). I'm kind of glad we got this in the story to show this wasn't forgotten.

That this isn't just a united heirs to Bruce working together. There's still some stuff there from past that causes spite and mistrust (aka KnightsEnd).

In that regard, Dick is right to be this way. He's given Jean-Paul multiple passes and well every time Jean-Paul fell back to the conditioning he went through.

But again, Cass being Cass. Her coda is stone. "You can change. You can." Even when she was at the brunt of it too, she still that beacon holding for that hope this is the time Jean-Paul defeats his inner demons for good.

Again, it's a nice balance between the three characters. An actual reason Dick would be no trusting, and Cass being, "TRUST HIM." Given all she's been with Jean-Paul due to No Man's Land. I wasn't expecting this to be remembered on my 2024 comic bingo card.

That's something I wish someone would dig further into. That Cass could be that rock for Jean-Paul, kind of like how Steph is for Jason currently. Or Oynx was for Cass (kind of hoping that this is revisited on when she arrives in BoP) or currently Cass bonding hard with Barda.

Again, layers upon layers here. Why I enjoy this run currently for all of this.

Detective Comics #1087 continues the ride and makes me appreciate this run even more. Like, again this feels different to me. To have Cass entwined to a modern Batman epic?

Oh sure she has sprinkles in Batman runs or past Tec runs. But here? Not just the fan service appearance but characterization and history.

All the reasons why people love this character are all here. Leaving me ☺️🥺every single time I read an issue of this run. I can't wait to have the whole thing collected and just read it all.

Gonna be great.

#cassandra cain #dc comics #my thoughts

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thevegandarkelf · 1 month ago

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Finding Myself, Finding You: Chapter Twenty-Four

Masterlist

AO3 link

Let me know if you want to be added to the taglist <3 (18+ only, MDNI)

Story is 18+ for mature content/themes, minors do not interact please

TW/CWs for this story--implied/referenced past rape, canonical violence, non-canonical violence, blood, gore, referenced past suicide, swearing, surgery, excessive drinking, nightmares, panic attacks, mention of scars, vomiting, amputation, medical procedures, non-con medical procedures, referenced past medical torture, referenced past drugging, attempted sexual assault, panic attacks, mental health struggles, referenced sibling death, referenced parent death, PTSD

Each chapter will have its own TW/CWs listed

This story, Lydia Vector, her family & bestie (c) me, TheVeganDarkElf

TWD & its characters (c) AMC & Robert Kirkman, the writer of the comic series

Legolas & Lord of the Rings (c) J.R.R. Tolkien

TW/CWs for this chapter--swearing, aftermath of attempted sexual assault, panic attack, mention of nightmares

Word count: 3.2k

Once we were inside, I bent over and untied my boots, tossing them off to the side. I set my notebook and pen on the floor, along with the ice pack. Daryl tossed me the one he had, and I added that to the pile. He kicked his off and went for the stairs.

“Let’s get ya that shower,” he called out as he made his way up.

“You can go first,” I said, propping myself back onto my feet, “you’ve been on the road for days. I can wait.”

He turned around to face me. “Ya sure?”

“Very sure. I have a surprise to put together for you,” I explained, scampering off to the kitchen before the look on my face could give anything away.

Once I heard the bathroom door close, I began taking vegetables out of the fridge and cans out of the cupboards. Daryl was quick to shower, so I figured I had probably 10 minutes max to get it going. I planned on making that first dump ’n pray I made for Daryl the very first time we had dinner together. I hadn’t made it in a while, and I knew it was one of his favorites. I wanted to start it hours ago so it’d be done when he got back, but sometimes, shit happens.

I quickly but carefully chopped the veggies and got them into the slow cooker, opening the cans next and tossing those in as well. Once everything was in, I set the timer and let the slow cooker begin to work its magic. Maybe it was a Midwestern thing, but my love for a slower cooker was unmatched. They reminded me of backyard potlucks that my mom liked to host, where she’d invite the entire neighborhood over, and just about everyone showed up with something in a slower cooker. It reminded me of when things were normal.

The longer I was at Alexandria, the more I started to see my friends like family, and the closer I got with Daryl, the less I found myself missing when things were normal. I only wished I had my parents and siblings there as well.

I gave it a stir before reaching for the lid to seal it in. I heard Daryl scampering back down the stairs, coming up and wrapping his arms around my waist, giving me a hug from behind. He rested his head on my shoulder.

“I know that smell,” he commented, taking a whiff of the spices I’d generously added to the pot, “ya do too much for me, woman.”

“Not much of a surprise now, is it?” I said, resting the spoon on the counter, “I wanted to have it ready when you got back, but…my evening didn’t exactly go according to plan.” I folded my arms across my waist, laying them on top of his.

“Don’t matter to me. Just appreciate ya doin’ so much,” Daryl complimented. I tilted my head back onto his shoulder, and I caught the faint scent of coconut.

“Did you wash your hair?” I asked, recognizing the coconut as the scent of our shampoo. I saw him nod in my peripheral. "You should do that more. You smell really good.” I rested my head on his, my nose tucking in between locks of his hair. Typical Daryl smelled of pine, sweat, tobacco, engine oil, or a combination of those, all which were fitting for him. But clean Daryl smelled intoxicating.

“Glad ya think so,” he replied, snaking his arms around me a little tighter and pulling me closer.

We spent a minute like that, pressed to each other, the heat from his body warming me from the inside out. I allowed my muscles to relax as I leaned into him. Daryl’s eyes fluttered closed, and he let out the cutest little satisfied hum. I reached one of my arms back and put a hand in Daryl’s hair. I scratched lightly at his scalp, which I knew he loved, and it elicited another little satisfied hum from him. Everything about this moment was perfect.

“Daryl my dear? As much as I love this, do you mind if I go get clean?” I asked, my voice just above a whisper as to not talk too loud directly into his ear.

“Shit, yeah,” he exclaimed as he released me from his embrace, “sorry ‘bout that. Got distracted.”

“Oh, you don’t need to apologize. Not at all.” I spun around to face him. I stood on my tiptoes and gave him a kiss on the forehead before making my way to the stairs.

“Aye,” he called out as I went up, “no bleach.”

“No bleach, I promise,” I laughed.

I grabbed a pair of shorts and a sports bra out of one of my drawers before hopping in the shower. I had to be careful not to put my face directly under the water, as even the direct stream of water hitting my nose sent pain shooting through my face. As I put my hair under the water to wash it, panic once again flooded my body. Trauma was funny like that, always hitting you when you least expect it. You can go from feeling fine to feeling like everything is crashing down around you & you’re drowning. The earlier events and lack of sleep certainly weren’t helping.

Despite my unfathomable exhaustion, sleep was the last thing I wanted. At least Daryl was back, and when I woke up on the floor, sobbing and hyperventilating, I wouldn’t be alone.

I sat in a little ball on the floor of the tub, legs hugged tight to my chest and face buried in my knees, like I had so many times before. It always made me feel so pathetic, curled up like that, naked and afraid. I wanted to become so small that I disappeared, never to be seen again. It was never for very long, and the panic & anxiety would go as quickly as they came, but that didn’t make it any easier. Those several minutes always felt like several hours.

After regaining my composure enough to continue, I was able to wash my hair and body, though still sat on the floor for both. And still crying, but less now. There was something that felt less vulnerable about being balled up at the bottom of the tub. Pathetic, but less vulnerable. I was able to pull myself to my feet when I was done to get myself out. The soft towel wrapped around me brought me some comfort, concealing my naked body from my own eyes. I couldn’t even look at myself.

I rang my hair out as best as I could and ran a towel through it before getting dressed. Back in my room, I tossed Daryl’s jacket on my bed and my dirty clothes in the hamper. I ran my hands through my hair as I stood before my mirror, biting my tongue to stop myself from crying more. I stared back at my reflection, the dark circles and black bruising under my eyes more prominent than before.

I started braiding my hair, taking a bobby pin I’d found and pinning my bangs out of the way. Daryl’s familiar footfalls came striding in. He leaned back and propped himself up against the dresser, crossing one ankle over the other and his arms across his chest.

“Ya feelin’ any better?” he asked. I blinked back tears and shook my head.

“I don’t know how I could’ve been so stupid,” I said, my words shaky and barely above a whisper. I kept my eyes locked with the gaze of my reflection. He let out a sympathetic sigh.

“Anyone’s stupid, it’s that douchebag. Messed with the wrong girl ’n suffered the consequences,” Daryl said. As I finished braiding my hair and tied off the end, he shifted between me and the dresser and took my hands in his. He looked nervous, shifting his weight from one leg to the other and tapping his foot lightly on the ground. “There’s something ya should know. About ya gettin’ drunk the other night. ‘Member how I said there was that one gate asshole who wouldn’t leave ya alone? Tried to get ya to go off with him?”

“…yeah…” I said. My stomach heaved, and I swallowed hard to try to suppress it.

“It was Jake. I’m sorry, I shoulda told ya who it was,” he explained.

My heart stopped, and my stomach dropped like I was on a rollercoaster. Every muscle in my body froze, and I was afraid that if I opened my mouth to talk, I would throw up. I felt sick. The sensation of my hands in Daryl’s was the only thing keeping me grounded in reality.

“So that wasn’t even his first try?” I croaked, “Jesus Christ, what the fuck did I ever do to him?” I felt faint, so I lowered myself to the floor. Daryl came down with me, shifting his legs to allow room for me to cozy up to him.

“C’mere,” he said, wrapping his arms around me and pulling me close to him, “I got ya, sunshine.” I fell into his chest, tossing my arms around him and resting my chin on his shoulder. I wanted to bury my face in the crook of his neck, to feel his warm, soft skin on my face, but the pain in my nose wouldn’t allow me that pleasure. My shoulders heaved, and I couldn’t find any words. All I could do was cry.

“I shoulda told ya before. Night of ya hangover, all I’s worried ‘bout was making sure ya’s ok. I’m sorry, both for not tellin’ ya and for what happened.”

My voice came out broken. “It’s alright. You telling me wouldn’t have stopped him.” He ran his hands up and down my back, just like that night he comforted me after I fell out of bed. “I just wish I knew what I did to deserve this.”

“Nothin’ ya did to deserve that. Ain’t your fault. Ya safe now, that’s all that matters,” he soothed. I could feel Daryl’s muscles tensing up, and his breathing became slightly heavier. The rage he was suppressing was trying to come to the surface, likely at seeing how Jake’s actions were affecting me. Then his breathing slowed down, and his muscles relaxed again, like he realized what was happening and was swallowing his feelings again for my sake.

“I feel like everyone’s gonna be looking at me funny tomorrow,” I said, “I mean, I was out in front of everybody in my bra with blood all over me. God, it was so humiliating. And this bruising is only going to get worse. I look like a mess.”

“Any of ‘em give ya a hard time, I’ll set ‘em straight,” he assured, “speakin’ of the bruises, let’s get ya that ice pack.” He slipped his arms out from around me, which coaxed me to do the same, and got himself to his feet, reaching out for me to grab his hands so he could help me up.

“Hey Daryl?” I asked as he helped me stand up.

“Yeah?”

“I like when you call me sunshine,” I said, a shy smile crossing my lips. He let out a soft chuckle, one of the sweetest sounds I’d heard all evening. He wrapped his arms around my waist and picked me up, bringing me up to eye level with him. He lifted me with ease, like I weighed nothing more than a feather. I let out a tiny yelp in surprise, followed by a giggle as I snaked my arms around his neck.

“Good, ‘cause I like callin’ ya that,” Daryl replied. He looked deep into my eyes, so deep I swear he could see right into my soul. “Ya gonna be okay. You’re strong, Vec. One of my favorite things ‘bout ya.” I kicked my feet gently, not caring that I was turning bright red before his very eyes.

“Thanks, Daryl.” My heart was fluttering so fast, I thought my ribs might break.

“Almost forgot,” he said as he gently set me down and grabbed something off my bed, “can wear this if ya want.” He held one of his flannels out to me. “Ya seemed to really like the last one.” I took it in my hands, reaching my arms into the sleeves and pulling it over my head. I wasn’t going to say no to an opportunity to wear something of his.

“Soft like a blanket,” I said as I pulled it over my body. The cozy flannel enveloped me, warming me almost instantly. I grabbed his jacket off the bed and tried to hand it to him. “Here’s this back.”

“Ya can hang on to it. Wear it out more. Let anyone know they try to mess with ya, gonna have to deal with me,” he explained. I smiled like an idiot and tossed it back on my bed, following Daryl out and downstairs.

He grabbed the pile consisting of my notebook, pen, and the two ice packs and went for the couch. I checked the timer on the slow cooker. For what I was making, I usually put it on for three hours, and it had two hours and 15 minutes left. I found my water bottle on the counter and brought it with me to the couch. Daryl had already cracked one of the ice packs, giving it a good shake to get it cold. He handed me the now-chilled pack, and I took a seat next to him.

“This alright?” I questioned as I stretched my legs out across his, bending my knees so they were propped up in a sort of triangle. I held the ice pack to my nose, and the cold both stung and provided relief at the same time. I laid it flat so it would cover my whole nose and hopefully my under-eyes as well.

“Mhm,” he hummed in response. He looked confused for a moment before folding his hands under my legs in his lap. I guessed he wasn’t sure what to do with his hands.

“You can touch my legs, Daryl. They’re not gonna bite you,” I snickered. He brought his hands out cautiously and placed one on my shin, the other on one of my knees. After a moment, he was stroking my shin.

“Didn’t know if maybe…I dunno. Just didn’t wanna upset ya,” he elaborated. He truly was such a gentleman, and it had me swooning hard.

“I appreciate you being considerate like that. You, however, have my permission to be just about as touchy as you’d like. You’re a smart guy. I think you can deduce what that means,” I said flirtatiously as I reached up and swept his hair out of his eyes. I let my fingers linger on his cheek for a moment before slowly sliding them off. My hand landed on his bicep, and I let it rest there, occasionally scratching lightly. Daryl was partial to back scratches, but he seemed to like any itch-scratching I provided.

“Think I got it,” he replied, about as equally as flirtatious, which was a big step for him. He drew little shapes on my knee with his fingers, none of which I could determine just by the feeling of them. I thought I felt a heart being drawn at one point, but I couldn’t be sure. I hoped, though, that I was right.

“Hey, Daryl? You said my strength is one of your favorite things about me,” I said, resting my head on the back of the couch, “can I ask what some of your others are?”

He softly tapped his fingers on my shin as he talked, keeping his eyes locked on something in the kitchen. I could see his jaw clench in his side profile, like he was trying to keep his face stoic, but a tiny smile broke through. “Ya’s compassionate, but ya don’t take shit from nobody. Ain’t afraid to bite back when ya gotta. How ya get this look in your eye when ya talk ‘bout medical stuff. Went to med school, so ya’s real smart. Real good listener. I know ya hate it, but ya blush a lot, ‘n it’s real cute.”

To say my jaw was on the floor was an understatement. It had fallen through the floor, into the ground, through the center of the Earth, and out the other side. The corners quickly upturned into a smile, and my eyes widened ever so slightly. I was turning red, which the ice pack mostly hid. But apparently, it was “real cute,” so I wasn’t too concerned with hiding it.

“Huh…wow…for a man who claims to not have a way with words, that sure was a lot of them,” I acknowledged. Daryl brought his beautiful blue eyes to me, studying my facial expression to assess my response.

“Shit.” His gaze dropped to the floor, then came back up to me. “I overdid it, didn’t I?”

“No. God no, not at all,” I reassured, “after the evening I’ve had, I don’t exactly feel great about myself. So it was a little extra flattering given that. Thanks, Legolas.”

I’d taken to calling him that after our overnight watch earlier in the week. It always elicited a little scoff from him, but I knew he liked it.

“‘Bout me?” Daryl asked, “ya got some favorite things ‘bout me?” He looked a little sheepish, like he was afraid to ask, afraid of sounding cocky. I let out a soft giggle and gently squeezed his bicep to reassure him.

“Where do I start?” I said. I adjusted the pack on my nose, flipping it onto the colder side. “You’re courageous, you’re resilient. Despite all the shit you’ve gone through, you’re still a kind, caring human being. You’re strong, both mentally and physically. There’s your voice too. It’s gravely, in a good way. Tickles my ears nicely when you talk. You have a very strong moral compass, and you’d do just about anything for the people you care about.”

“Damn,” Daryl sighed, letting out a sound somewhere between a scoff and a chuckle, his cheeks turning a light shade of pink, “gotta get used to all this flattery.”

I bit my lip lightly before I continued. “I know about what you did for Judith when she was born. How you went out of your way to make sure she made it. That was really sweet of you. I also know about what you did for Beth. For Sophia, and you hardly knew any of these people then.” He shifted a bit, probably surprised to hear me referencing names he hadn’t heard in ages. “You have a hard shell, but you care about people. You’d never say it, but I know you do.”

He nodded as he tried to find his words. He was looking down at his hand drawing circles on my knee, but I could see a tiny sparkle in his eye. Not a sparkle from the reflection of tears, but a sparkle that came from inside. A sparkle that reflected him feeling seen, cared for, and appreciated.

“You said I do too much for you. You’ve done more for me than you know,” I elaborated, “I don’t know what I did to deserve you. Don’t know how I got so damn lucky.”

“Bein’ you. That’s what ya did.”

Taglist: @raddydaddydude @lovenormandixon

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princesskitty5 · 2 years ago

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Am I dreaming?

Pairing: Jared Padalecki x Female Reader

Warnings: Smut, Cheating

Word count: 3,576

Summary: You meet Jared at a convention but the innocent photo ops turn steamy

This is purley fiction based on the comic con Jared recently attended in England. This fiction is not meant to be harmful or offensive to Genevieve as I think she’s a sweetheart and they are a good match!

The sunshine shinning through my bedroom curtains awoke me, yawning with a stretch of my arms above my head and a straightening of my legs a smile spread across my face. Today was the day. The day I meet Jared Padalecki, living in the uk and only being 21 meant I’ve never got to meet him before as times he’s came down before to the uk I didn’t really know about him. I have been watching supernatural since I was 14 but today is the day I finally see him and have his arms around me! Excited is definitely an understatement. Sitting myself up in bed I check my phone seeing it is just gone 7:30, with excitement I climb out of my bed and open my light purple curtains ready for what today has in store for me. My outfit for the day was already picked out, being a black thin strap dress with small cherries on it, the back also was made up of a thin strap showing most of my back to just above my ass.

My shoes are a pair of black wedged sandals with stapes going around the ankles, with a small black cardigan incase I get cold.

My outfit was not exactly con appropriate due to all the standing I will have to do but I wanted to stand out from the crowd and hopefully catch his attention, I know wishful thinking. I know he has I wife and I have nothing against her, she’s beautiful and they have such cute kids but I mean can you blame a girl for trying? I have had a crush on this guy for years he’s such a stud if I get my chance hell yeah I’m taking it.

I head into my bathroom to brush my teeth and comb my hair then head straight into my kitchen for breakfast, I live in a studio apartment so my space is pretty small but still big, big enough for two even, again wishful thinking ha. I go ahead and make myself a sandwich, once finished I pop my dish in the sink that can be laters job and head straight for the shower. In the shower I make sure to come out smooth as a baby with my hair naturally curly, once out I proceed to defuse my hair and dry off then get my outfit on ready to head out. After grabbing my bag and making sure I have everything I need I go and head to the train station, the time only being 8:30 I should get there with plenty of time with entry being available for me from 9am and photo ops not being needed until 2:30pm. Away in my thoughts I was surprised when the train arrived 10 minutes before its estimated arrival, getting up off the bench I was sat on I headed towards my train and through the doors finding two seats free near a window. Sitting down I popped my headphones in ready for the long journey ahead of me and the train set off towards Wales.

After a two hour journey you arrived at the train station just past 10:30, with the train coming to a stop you gathered your things and called for a taxi, with the taxi arriving after 5 minutes you headed to the comic con. While in the taxi you checked to see if your hair was in the right place and you applied some cherry lip balm, when the taxi came to a halt I looked outside the window and was utterly shocked at how massive the queue was. The queue must of had at least 400 people in it, getting out the car I headed to the gates where one side said priority and the other general entry, unsure of what either of that meant I asked a security guy at the gate and he told me that priority meant early access meaning my ticket so I went were he told me and with a sigh of relief I passed though all of the crowd and got in first, I did feel bad for the people who had to wait but I did get a different ticket type and I’m more glad now then ever. Heading through the doors I entered into a big room where all the stalls where set up and different actors where doing autographs there was one room split into two by a stair case with overhead railing for actors to cross floors without coming into contact with too many fans. The first place I headed was directly into the first set of stalls near the Doctor Who phone box, there must have been around 12 stalls all filled with really intriguing things such as DC and Marvel merch with goody bags, there was also crystals, dragon ordiments and dragon soaps dressed as characters, drawings and more.

There was also so many people in fancy dress it's amazing, looking around in aww I browsed all merch I liked the look of and brought a few bits while then headed straight to the cafe for a drink of hot chocolate, it was nice to have a relax while waiting for my three photo ops. Looking at my schedules I saw I had one with Samantha and Jared at 2:30 and two with jared at 2:45 luckily they was in the same room, with only a few hours to kill I had a nice drink and relax then headed to look around some more.

2:25pm

Rushing back into the building, I headed straight to the photo op room I was panicking that I was going to miss my ops, I had been late deciding to stay the night in Wales instead of rushing back home in time for a train so I booked myself a room at holiday inn which luckily was walking distance. By the time I reached the doors everyone was already in line and it looked like I was last, with a sigh I go to the end of the line for my Samantha and jared photo op, the queue was around four lines long so I decided to have a seat down on the floor like most people were doing while going on my phone to pass time. Surprisingly I wasn’t nervous I really thought I would be but I wasn’t at all, slowly the line went down and it become three lines instead of four, checking the time I could tell it looked like they was having scheduling issues, I would have missed my jared solo op if they didn’t move it up to a later time.

Three lines become two and then one and soon enough I was standing up, as the room was clearing and the line was disappearing I slowly came round the screens and seen jared and Samantha, I instantly got butterflies but I wasn’t about to let my nerves get ahead of me and make me sit this out. Standing next in line as the last person left and they both turned to me, the manager then announcing I was the last person before the solo ops. Jared had a big smile on his beard clad face and Samatha had a small smile too, they invited me into their arms and asked me what my name was while replying it was "(y/n)" Jared smiled and said “that’s a beautiful name”, making me blush I looked away and the person behind the camera said “ready?”, while the flash went off I felt Jared’s hand slowly make its way down my back touching just above my ass.

With each touch he made me shiver, in the photo Samantha was hugging me one side and Jared was close to me with his arm around me unaware to the camera it was very close to my ass. My head was resting against his chest., the photographer announced it was done and I said “thank you” to them both, Samantha told me I was “very welcome” and she headed off. Jared’s eyes where following me I got my ticket for the print out and walked round the screens, he followed me and said “I really liked that photo, I hope it turns out great!” I replied blushing “me too, thank you so much it has been amazing to meet you….. I’ve always been a sam girl” a chuckle left my lips, his smile appeared bigger and he said “will I see you anymore today? Do you have an autograph or solo op with me?” I smiled sweetly and replied “actually I have two solo ops with you!” “Great! Hopefully you’ll be last again” he said with a wink as he walked off. Making me weak in the knees as I grabbed my things and headed outside again to wait for my solo ops.

After a fifteen minute wait the doors opened up again, as everyone pushed into the room Jared’s words played back into my mind “Great! Hopefully you’ll be last again”…. Sighing I decided it wouldn’t kill me to wait and see if his words had meaning behind them. Sitting down in the corridor I waited half an hour to see if others went in, seeing no one else enter I picked up my things and headed in grabbing my token. Walking up I was the last at the end of two lines, waiting patiently the line was going down fast luckily as I was getting impatient.

Jared's Pov

Smiling as a new person came through the screens expecting it to be (y/n) and trying not to be disappointed when it wasn’t. As person after person came I started to lose hope that (y/n) was coming at all and decided to just forget about her, I know I’m married but there was something about her that my mind and body just couldn’t shake off. Was it the fact she was gorgeous? I don’t think so, I know she absolutely stunning but that’s not it, it was something else and no matter what I just couldn’t pin point it, and boy was that frustrating. “How many people are left?” I asked “not many jar only around five” I nodded at my manager thinking I’ll just power through these people then head back to the hotel to see Gen and hopefully get my mind off this girl. As photos are being taken and while I was trying to take my mind off of her my manager announced there wasn’t anyone else left, frowning my head falling I looked up when I heard “sorry! I was late is it still okay to have my photos taken?”.

Before my manager could answer with a massive smile I replied “of course!” A little too excited “get over here!” She smiled. God she is beautiful, she looked into my soul with every gaze, I knew now I had passed the point of no return, I had to have her, I needed her! Pulling her closer in to me as we gaze into each others eyes we posed for the camera, my eyes got lost in hers almost missing the photographers words “perfect, what pose next?” Her smile never faulted when she replied “I was thinking a dancing dip pose… that’s of course if I’m not too heavy for you” she looked away embarrassed, I was taken back “what do you mean, if you’r not to heavy?” She looked at me confused “well I am a curvy women, I’m a size 18 uk, I don’t know what that is in American but that isn’t exactly skinny.” looking at her with adoration and love I replied “darling your perfect the way you are, dress size doesn’t matter your beautiful on the outside just as you are on the inside. Please don’t ever think differently and with regards to me handling how heavy you think you are, let me show you how light you actually are” and in one big swoop I lifted her up with no effort as she let out a squeal of excitement.

Y/N Pov

He lifted me up in one big swoop as I let out a shriek of excitement “Jesus Jared, you really are strong” I said laughing, looking up at him in the cradled position he is holding me in. “Did you think I wasn’t darlin?” He asked with a joking tone, I blushed and answered “well I guess I always thought you were but I never truly knew” with a smile on my face he put me down and we posed for the last photo. After we was done I looked at him with slight disappointment on my face as his manager perked up and said “let me show you out, come on jared go take a break, you have autographs soon.” I looked at him with a disappointing smile and said “thank you for making my day, honestly I never thought i'd meet you and I’m truly glad I did….. I guess I wish it didn’t have to end.” I smiled and turned to walk away as Jared perked up and turned to his manager “hey, I’m going to walk her out, you guys take a break I’ll see you at autos” “but Jared she’s a fan! She could be dangerous. We can’t leave you alone with her.” Jared’s face turned serious “ I appreciate you guys but I can handle myself, I pay you and I say take a break. I will be fine” “are you sure?” “Yes I’m sure” Jared replied his tone going soft. His manager nodded “okay”.

After a few minutes in silence we were left alone, looking at Jared with a smile he held his hand out “want to take a look around with me?” I smiled and took his hand “definitely!”. Walking through doors I had seen earlier I said to him “can I ask you something?” He looked at me while we walk down the quiet corridor “sure, what’s up?” “Why are you paying attention to me?, you’re being so sweet to me. You know you don’t have to right?” Jared paused turning to look at me with a smile “ you don’t see it do you?” “See what?” I asked with a look of confusion “here, let me show you?” He walked closed to me arms wrapping around my curvy waist pulling me into him, my breath hitched as his lips connected with mine. One of his arms moved up to cradle my face and I paused in astonishment, he then was pulling away assuming because he thought I wasn’t into it, I kissed him back my tongue licking the bottom of his lip asking for entrance which he obliged, our tongues in each others mouths.

Getting carried away with the kiss, I felt my back hit the wall as his right hand sneaked his way into the back of my curly (y/h/c) hair, coming back to reality I gasped pulling away, grunting “I’m going to probably regret this but, are you sure you want to do this…. You are married” Jared turned to look at his wedding ring and sighed “ I know you’re right I have a wife and three kids…. But (y/n) there is something about you I just can’t shake” after a pause he continued “you mesmerise me babe. I want you so unbelievably bad, I’ve never felt this way before even with the thousands of people I’ve met, your the first to make me act like this….. I don’t even think I’ve felt this way about me wife.” Taken back I grabbed his face and kissed him hard, no one has every made you feel the way he does, you didn’t care about anyone or anything, you wanted him too. After a few minutes I needed to catch my breath and I breathed out “Jared if you don’t want to do this tell me now, if you do then lets go back to my hotel room, I want you to fuck me”.

No ones Pov

After being stunned by my words he grunted, panting out “can’t wait until hotel, come on there’s a bathroom this way” he grabbed my right hand with his left dragging me to the bathroom he had seen. He guided me to a bathroom, as we both went in I observed how clean it was, he broke me from my train of thought with his lips and tongue viciously attacking my neck, moaning he pushed me up against the wall his 6ft 4 figure towering over my 5ft 2 curvy figure. His hand tapping the back of my thighs as he hoisted me up, my legs wrapping around his waist, he walked forward placing me on the counter pulling the straps to my dress down, my size E breasts being released from their confinement’s.

With a moan he scooped up my breast pulling his face between them while sucking on my nipples, throwing my head back as moans are leaving my lips. His mouth biting and sucking at my breast eliciting all kind of noises for me, my hands grabbing at his belt and tugging it open. He pulled away from my breast and stepped back to undue his belt and his button, letting his jeans fall to the ground revealing his large bulge in his tight boxes, biting my lip he moved forward closer to me his hands snaking under my dress finding my purple thong, tugging it down my thick thighs it was discarded somewhere in the bathroom. Snaking his fingers between my thighs his lips found mine again as his fingers played with me, rubbing up and down my soft folds. Luckily preparing was something you did before coming, making sure to shave everywhere except your landing strip, a bit of hair never hurt anyone……I think. As the kisses got deeper I spread my thighs wide, leaning back a little so he had better access,his thumb finding my clit rubbing tight circles causing me to moan more and get wetter by the minute. After a couple minutes of playing he pulled away from the kiss to get on his knees wanting to eat me out, grabbing his shoulders I shook my head no “later, I need you inside me now!” with a slight chuckle he nodded “come her baby”. Moving closer to the edge surprising me he hoisted me up around him and lowered me onto his enlarged cock, moans explicating from my mouth like a porn star.

Completely shocked at the noises that are coming out of me, I didn’t care he felt so good, we fit just right. He walked us back towards the bathroom wall, my head thrown back moaning, he started off at a slow pace after a couple second I demanded “more baby! I need more! Harder” nodding he lowered his neck into the crook of mine sucking and kissing at all of my exposed skin as his arms rested under my thighs lifting me with his deep thrust’s, each thrust was deeper and faster, feeling so good inside me I felt that familiar feeling of being close. My moans were getting louder and they only edged him on more causing his orgasm to quickly make an appearance, grabbing the top of his shoulders I helped his thrusts by bouncing my ass against him harder. “God Jared please, I need to cum" nodding his head he said "cum with me baby” grunting and moaning “(y/n)” he came spilling inside me, feeling him pulsating his load inside my tight hole, you fell over the edge screaming into his neck shaking as the most powerful orgasm hit you. Jared feel forward resting his head against the wall and his arms still wrapped around you, he slowly thrusts until he comes to a stop, pulling out he asks me “are you okay? Do you want me to sit you down on the counter?”.

Smiling at him like I’m high I reply “I love how your being so sweet even after a heck of a ride” with a laugh he slowly walks to the counter and puts me down gently, he starts washing his hands and pulls his pants up, doing up his belt and sorting himself out. After a couple minutes of watching him I see him go into a stall and grab a hand towel “wow this bathroom really is posh isn’t it” I laughed out loud, he smiled “this is all I get now I’ve been leads in shows but before the bathrooms where terrible, don’t get me wrong I still use horrible bathrooms, I don’t really like the special treatment but I must admit the nice toilets are definitely a plus” nodding my head in acknowledgment I continue watching him as he grabbed the towel and ran it under some water.

He comes over to me and starts cleaning the cum off of me where it had ran down my thighs out of my pussy, I look at him in aww and he says “what’s up? Has no one ever done this for you before?” “Honestly……no, is that bad?” “Yes. You should be treated like the princess you are babe” I smile at him and ask “do you regret it?” He replies looking in my eyes as he comes to a stop cleaning me “definitely not, I don’t want to scare you but I think I’m falling for you (y/n)” “really Jared?” He nods in agreement “I really must be dreaming” you whisper

To be continued?

Let me know if you guys crave more! I honestly loved writing this I had so much fun! Thinking I might turn this into a series. Where will this go from here, what will Jared do, he has a family. Will he choose her?

written by R-J_C (me)

#jared paladecki #Jared padalecki x reader #jared padalecki x curvy reader #jared smut #walker #spn

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yellowhollyhock · 7 months ago

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this got me thinking about bayverse raph and 07 donnie, and I wanted to write a oneshot where they hug but instead I have ended up with this multichapter concept where they hopefully will both be hugged eventually

so I guess here's part one of Where's the Honor in Secrets, update to come idk when maybe this year

part 1 part 2

"So Leo told Donnie to keep it a secret. From us?"

Mikey paused as he realized where Raph's head was at. Mikey, who, just like Donnie, was ready to accept Leo's decision no matter how unfair. Mikey who wanted so badly to go to the Halloween festival, or comic con, or even the supermarket.

Mikey wouldn't call Leo out on his behavior. And somebody needed to.

"No?" Mikey squeaked, utterly unconvincing. "Hold on." But Raph wasn't listening.

"Who does he think he is?"

Leo was in the dojo, peacefully playing his part as the most responsible ninja even as he kept from his brothers the one thing they'd always wanted most desperately.

Raph strode in with confidence and purpose, righteous fury driving him forward.

"Pop quiz: what are the three most important traits of the ninja?"

He stumbled, confused by his surroundings. He had just stepped under the doorway into the dojo; he'd seen Leo inside practicing before. He turned around to see where he'd come from.

Everything was wrong.

He looked in front of him again, finding, instead of the dojo, someone else's living room.

And like that wasn't weird enough, a little green guy, probably barely over five feet tall, sitting in a rolling chair and wearing a headset.

The strange mutant stared at him, but held up a finger and spoke to someone else.

"Please hold."

He pressed a button, removed his headset, and whirled his chair to face Raph.

They stared at each other. Raph fidgeted. The little guy had looked like a frog at first, but now Raph could see he was definitely a turtle. He even wore a purple ninja mask.

Was he dreaming?

"What?" the turtle in the chair broke the silence.

Raph startled. "What?"

The smaller turtle blinked at him. "What did you ask me, while I was on the phone?"

Raph gaped. This was definitely a dream, it had to be--but he could feel his heart hammering, his face was still flushed with anger. He'd been talking with Mikey in the other room two seconds ago.

"That's what you're asking?" he blurted.

The smaller turtle winced at the increase in volume. "Um," he looked Raph up and down, "I mean, I have a lot of questions, but it seemed the most polite to ask about what you just said, and if I knew that it might give me a starting point to know what else to ask, because right now this makes literally no sense and I don't know what I don't know. Does that make sense?"

Oh, this was going to be a long day. Or dream, or whatever it was. "No, it doesn't."

The smaller turtle sighed and rubbed his eyes. "I'm going with, you're a hallucination and that probably means I haven't slept, so. I'm gonna finish this call and then clock out."

That left him with all kinds of concerns of varying urgency, but somehow the only thing he managed to say was, "Hey! I'm not a hallucination."

"That's exactly what a hallucination would say," the smaller turtle smirked with misplaced smugness as he slipped his headset back on.

"No it ain't!" he protested, even though it probably was.

"Thank you for holding. Do you see the three dots at the top left corner of your screen?"

Something about the clipped, professional tone had Raph waiting patiently, hands folded neatly in front of him. Waiting made him antsy, especially since he still had no idea where he was or who he was talking to, but he pushed the panic down for now. This was probably all a dream anyway.

He zoned out while his dream who thought he was a hallucination finished walking a stranger through changing their settings.

Then, finally, the headset was tossed unceremoniously onto the desk, and the smaller turtle beelined for--away from Raph.

"Hey!"

He didn't even glance over his shoulder. Raph hated being ignored. He crossed the room in three long steps, and grabbed the at-this-point-probably-not-a-dream by the shoulder.

"Don't leave me here!"

He turned the weird mini-mutant around to face him, and was shocked to see the little guy's eyes fill with fear. He immediately drew his hands back; he hadn't meant to be too rough. He was usually good about keeping control while he fought, always bearing in mind that humans were smaller, with softer skin, and no protective shell.

But now he wasn't fighting, and probably hadn't been careful enough.

"Uh, sorry. I just wanna know how I got here and who you are and how I'm gonna get home. I didn't mean to--are you okay?"

The smaller turtle didn't appear hurt, but he was blinking away tears. He seemed a bit out of it, and it was kind of freaking Raph out. He sort of reminded him of Donnie when he got focused on one thing and startled easily, if Donnie were very small and smiled a lot less.

"'M good," he swiped at his snout. "Sorry. Just got startled. I mean, I wasn't expecting you to be corporeal."

Raph took another look at the little creature in front of him, whose reaction to a stranger appearing in his living room had been 'what.' The purple mask concealed the dark circles under his eyes, but Raph could guess they were there from the slumped shoulders and bloodshot eyeballs. He looked like he might fall over if someone talked too loudly in his direction.

"How long did you say it's been since you slept?"

He laughed awkwardly and quickly changed the subject. His sudden turnaround startled Raph a little. "Don't worry about it. Now that we for sure know you are in fact corporeal, we should probably figure out how you got here and how you're going to get back to wherever you came from."

"I knew I was corporeal," Raph argued instinctively. He bit his tongue; this weird sleep-deprived little mutant was his best chance at getting home.

To his surprise, the little guy started pushing him towards the couch. He was a lot stronger than he looked.

"Wait here," he instructed, "I need to get my notes."

"Your notes?" Raph was starting to get irritated. "How often do you get random people dropping in here?"

He was already walking away. Raph twisted to look over the back of the couch so he could shout at his retreating shell. "I still don't even know who you are!"

A door clicked shut. Raph sighed angrily. He tried to make himself comfortable on the couch while he waited.

Was he in some kind of mutant turtle world? Was this a punishment for doubting Leo's decision about becoming human?

The purple-masked mutant reappeared with a clipboard clutched under one arm, a thick textbook in another. It wasn't exactly reassuring.

He settled on the armchair, setting the book down next to himself and clicking his pen on and off. "Best theory I have so far is an alternate dimension," he announced. "What's your name, by the way?"

Raph crossed his arms, eyeing the clipboard mistrustfully. "You first."

The little mutant shrugged. "I'm Donnie."

Raph's heart-rate spiked. "That's--" he fought to keep his tone and expression calm. He didn't really have the luxury to not trust this guy at all, but he couldn't exactly fully trust him either. "That's my brother's name."

Donnie scribbled eagerly on the clipboard. He flipped the back to a dog-eared page, but kept talking instead of reading. "Well that pretty much confirms it. You're Raphael, right? And your brothers are Leo, Mikey, and Donnie."

Okay, that was definitely the exact opposite of reassuring. Was he meant to understand that he'd somehow landed himself in some kind of mirror-world, where short, frog-like versions of his family worked customer service jobs over the phone? The worst part was, if a situation like that dropped into his living room back home, this was pretty much exactly how Donnie would break the news.

"Can I talk to Master Splinter?" he asked, rather than confirm his name.

"Ah, no. Bad idea. This time of night, with this kind of news... we better not. But you can meet Mikey!"

Alright, that was downright suspicious. Why would Mikey be the only one he could meet? Something about this whole situation was deeply off. But Raph didn't know what to do, besides stay on his guard. He'd literally been in his own living room not fifteen minutes ago.

Donnie was already knocking lightly on Mikey's bedroom door. Raph wondered if this Mikey's room was next to his and across from Donnie's, like back home.

He didn't have much time to think about it before a turtle even smaller than Donnie, this one maskless, was practically on top of him.

"Who are you? Is he Raph? He's got a red mask and twin sai. Are you Raph? Is he from a parallel universe like in The One?"

Donnie chuckled. "Well, I hope it isn't too much like The One, but yes. As far as we've determined, this is Raph from a parallel universe. Seems like there was some kind of unexplained link between our worlds that he slipped through accidentally. I haven't determined what caused it, so I need you to call out of work tomorrow and be very careful around the exit. Raph, this is my brother Mikey. You'll meet Raph and Master Splinter in the morning."

Something about having a hyper Mikey practically in his lap and hearing Donnie's sleepy rambles put Raph at ease in spite of himself. It also made him ache for his own brothers, and Donnie's less than thorough explanation of how he'd gotten here didn't inspire confidence that he'd be able to get back.

"Okay," he managed to croak out, unsure what else to say.

"What's your favorite food? We could make it tomorrow. Hey, we should watch a movie! I bet you haven't seen any of the same movies we've seen."

Raph glanced uncertainly between the two of them. Donnie gave him a sympathetic look.

"He's probably tired, Mikey. I'll set up a couple air mattresses, I think that's as comfortable as we can offer tonight. Unless you'd want to sleep in Leo's bed? It'll be kinda small for you, but firmer than an air mattress."

Raph had about a million questions--where was Leo? Why were these guys so short? Why couldn't they wake up Master Splinter, or their Raph? What was that about being careful near the exit? And besides all that, he still had his own brothers and that purple stuff that could change their lives on his mind.

But mostly, he was wondering what kinds of movies they had in other dimensions.

"Actually, I'm nocturnal. I'd be down for a movie."

Donnie and Mikey exchanged identical grins--the kind that made Raph wonder what he'd just gotten himself into.

He leaned forward and held up a finger.

"No cartoons."

They both laughed, and Raph felt himself smile.

#tmnt #2007 donnie #bayverse raph #tmnt bayverse #tmnt 2007 #yellow writes #bayverse raph is so fun to write for #2007 mikey #where's the honor in secrets

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