#I just want justice for her character and also I want people to be uncomfortable
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pboogerswbb · 2 days ago
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do you have any book recs? you’re literally my fave writer on here and i’m curious to what you like to read 😌
NOW this is a question that was MEANT FOR ME thank you for asking <3 in general i read a lot of classics how dull i know, but i tried to include many different books and genres and times here
my all time favourites
Donna Tartt is my all time favourite author and i could easily list all her works here but i will not lol (also can never go wrong with Joan Didion, Sylvia Plath, Dostoyevsky or Albert Camus)
The Secret History by Donna Tartt - dark academia, greek tragedy set in the 80s, masterclass in building tension and using literary devices (the kind of book you can analyze every sentence for a deeper meaning and you can trust that the author wrote the book to be endlessly analyzed), if you feel like it's pretentious my friend that is the entire point (discusses privilege and class critically) my favourite book ever i could literally talk about this book for hours (and if anyone wants me to i'll literally write an essay detailing why it's so good)
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath - coming-of-age novel in the 50s, societal expectation on women so feminist themes, heartbreaking and relatable for many women in their 20s trying to find their way especially if you struggle with mental health
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reed - wlw, a lighter read, funny and touching, golden age of hollywood, timeless discussion about queer love between women, popular for a reason
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins - the hunger games prequel, masterclass in symbolism and the psyche of a complex villain and how war affects people for generations
A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess - dystopian and satirical, a more challenging read, a young criminal who undergoes state-sponsored psychological rehabilitation, themes of state control vs. personal choice and sovereignty
The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera - prague in 60s-70s and the soviet invasion, themes of weight and light through four characters, existentialist, love, identity and freedom of choice
books i think everyone should read
Iliad and The Odyssey - two epics from ancient greece that everyone should know
Animal Farm by George Orwell - allegorical story about soviet union and the stalinist regime, dystopian, class consciousness
Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky - themes of guilt and morality and alienation, referenced a lot in other works of media so reading this will open up a lot of other works for you
other classics
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte - intense, gothic, love and passion and gender, SO beautifully written and a beautiful example of how to use literary devices so smoothly the reader barely notices
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy - so long but so worth it, critique of high society in 19th century russia, morality and redemption, consequences of societal judgement, opening sentence: "All happy families resemble each other; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way."
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde - queer, gothic horror and moral fantasy, a retelling of the myth of narcissus, themes of mortality and youth and beauty, about how art imitates life
The Stranger by Albert Camus - existentialist, timeless, will have you thinking! (anything by albert camus is a good choice)
non-fiction
Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain - witty, funny, inspiring
I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy - dark humor, touching and to me, relatable
queer
Sunburn by Chloe Michelle Howarth - sapphic, coming-of-age set in rural ireland, beautiful language but easy to read, moving and relatable to most queer women
Call Me By Your Name by Andre Aciman - please read this, the movie does NOT do justice to the story but by reading this you'll find a whole new layer in the movie, just a great summer read and extremely touching but also uncomfortable
Notes of a Crocodile by Qiu Miaojin - taiwanese lesbian novel, queer identity in the 80s, nonlinear format which I LOVE, resonates deeply, cult classic
others
Circe by Madeline Miller - if you like the secret history you will like this, a feminist retelling of circe the goddess of witchcraft
Play It As It Lays by Joan Didion - nihilism and illusory glamor of life in hollywood, 1960s los angeles
hopefully this list has something for everyone
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I really wish more Frankenstein adaptations would lean into how fucked up Victor and Elizabeth's relationship (and generally the entire family) is.
I admittedly don't know much about many adaptations but from what I can tell Elizabeth is pretty much always portrayed as just Victor's love interest and all the messed up parts of their relationship are left out.
But I feel like utilizing them could add so much to the story.
How both are being pressured into marriage from a young age on even though they don't really want to but Victor's parents did so much for them, their marriage was his mother's dying wish and after all it's what they've been told all their life, so there can’t be anything wrong with it, right?
All the fucked up things in their family could be used to make the characters and mostly the audience uncomfortable.
I bet there’s a way to show how their lives are being controlled by others and not having the autonomy to freely decide how to live their life (especially for Elizabeth) in a way that makes people a little uneasy.
I really want to see their fucked up family dynamic used as a source of horror instead of ignoring these undertones in the book and taking everything said by Victor (who's an unreliable narrator) at face value and making them into a happy little family and also Victor and Elizabeth into a loving couple.
There's so much potential there and in my eyes that would be a lot more interesting than what I perceive to be the common understanding of the book in both adaptations and people's minds in general.
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uneducated-author · 2 months ago
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It's so nice that MaoMao both never goes too far with her negative qualities or too far with her good ones. She's remarkably balanced in a way most narratives don't allow for.
One piece of writing advice that I always take with a pinch of salt is 'characters should not be people'. Characters tend to have consistent values and a growth arc. They often have some symbolism or metaphor and even though they can be contradictory or relapse on their development, they generally have some level of bedrock in terms of their personality. That's not a bad thing, it's why we have the 'leader-lancer-heart' template for trios, the 'sunshine-moonlight' pair dynamic, the 'cat and dog' rivalry setup. People don't naturally fall into that, at least not to the same level of consistency (this is sort of adjacent to 'you never see characters coughing unless it's a sign of sickness' sort of logic, every scene a character is in has to be necessary and building).
Mao Mao is mindful of her status and self preserving so doesn't want to stand out, until there's a case where human lives are at risk. She doesn't come off as a vigilante, hunting out any perceived injustice, but she isn't passive to the extent of letting bystanders be hurt when she can help.
Mao Mao is manipulative and exploitative, making a friend based on her ability to give her relevant or potentially useful gossip or access to medical supplies, but she also has genuine affection for both Xiaolan and the Doctor, aiding them in situations where they require it and making active efforts to solve their problems. She acknowledges that she's being self serving but doesn't put them in uncomfortable positions or use them unfairly.
Mao Mao is curious and revels in unravelling mysteries, but never pushes it to an irreverence or carelessness of her position, or the impacts. She doesn't tear apart mysteries that could have tumultuous impacts on others just for her own satisfaction, and prioritises the prevention of further harm over amplifying the punishment. She doesn't fully expose the clinic or the conspiracy around Ah-Duo's child, because she's aware of the potential harm that 'justice' can lead to.
She's caring but conservative. She doesn't fawn over the new baby, but grows affectionate over time after repeated interaction. In fact, same with most of the attendants. She doesn't allow herself to be careless, doesn't overextend herself for them or sacrifice herself needlessly, but does consider their best interests and act accordingly.
She's self serving and opportunistic, frequently considering how to monetise of profit from various materials, techniques or excursions, but also willingly trades or shares secrets or methods with the people she's fond of, or people who would need it more/utilise it more effectively.
Mao Mao's characterisation is a scale where she actually winds up pretty average, because she keeps a level of conscious autonomy in a plot that allows her to be nuanced. She's never fully driven by her emotions in acting impulsively, but she doesn't feels dragged along by a complex plot, but instead everything builds to a satisfying interaction that feels realistic. Mao Mao and the plot are a Venn Diagram, where she has a realistic affect on the events around her, without feeling too large within the narrative or too skilled to be realistically countered.
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dark-konohagakure2 · 1 year ago
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hii, can i request noncon madara capturing tobiramas virgin daughter during a battle and then using her as his personal slave? sorry if this isnt a request you're comfy writing !
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tw: noncon, age difference, size difference, kidnapping, enslavement, abuse, breeding, rough sex, degradation, sadism
All characters depicted are 18+
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There are very few people that Madara can claim to loathe with his entire being, but if he had to pick one person, it would be Tobirama Senju. Not only had the man constantly discriminate against his clan, but he was also responsible for Izuna's death. Now Madara wants vengeance, and he already has the perfect plan to make Tobirama feel the same pain as him.
During the Uchiha's next battle against the Senju, his main target is not Tobirama, but his daughter, and capturing such a weak girl is almost laughably easy. Madara thinks it's only fair, Tobirama stole someone he loved, and now Madara will steal somebody he loves.
Despite his stoney face, internally Madara feels as giddy as a child on Christmas morning, he now has his hands on not only Tobirama's daughter but Hashirama's niece as well, and he has complete and total power over her, and he plans on using that to his full advantage.
Once he has her in his grasp, Madara will do everything in his power to strip her of all her human dignity, stripping her of her clothes, slapping her around, and treating her like less than dirt, tearing her apart with his harsh words and razor sharp tongue as he makes use of her.
"Shut your mouth you Senju whore. This is what you deserve for having such tainted blood running through your veins, so be quite before I rip your tongue out."
Madara is very rough with his newly acquired slave, holding her down roughly with his bigger body, using his full weight to force her thighs against her chest as he ruthlessly claims her virginity, almost animalistic with the intensity he employs as he breeds her.
He is a much bigger and stronger man than most, so Madara can easily hold her down or lift her up as he takes advantage of her. He'll twist and bend her body in uncomfortable positions to increase her pain and his own pleasure. Madara doesn't care about her comfort, he believes that she deserves every bit of suffering she gets for daring to be a Senju.
Madara doesn't just use her for sex, but for labor as well, making her do demeaning tasks such as cleaning the blood off his weapons and armor whenever he returns from another one of his "dances", he'll even gloat to her during this, telling her with relish about how the very blood she's cleaning off of him is the blood of her fellow clansmen.
Whenever Madara is done with her, he leaves her broken and bruised everytime, his seed leaking out of her holes and her body trembling in equal parts fear and pain. Madara enjoys her pain, knowing that he's not only hurting the girl herself, but her father as well by proxy.
"Does it hurt? Good. That's just a fraction of the suffering your damned father caused me when he killed my brother. Get used to it, bitch. This is your life now..."
Madara sees this as a twisted form of justice in a way. Tobirama took a family member from him, so Madara will simply make himself a new one, and he'll use that Senju bastard's own flesh and blood to do so, the thought of having a half Senju child both disgusting and exciting Madara.
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distort-opia · 7 days ago
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"Bruce's potential mommy kink"
I'm really curious about this. If there's no problem, would you explain more?
Sure! Though to be clear, I'm not arguing that Bruce definitely has a mommy kink or anything; but rather that, if he did have one, it's more likely for it to be a mother-related thing rather than a father-related one.
This was a thought that emerged from a conversation with @fractualized, actually. We were talking about how it's funny that there's way more fics with the tag "Daddy Kink" on Ao3 for Bruce, but nowhere near as many "Mommy Kink" ones... and then it turned from irony to "Waaait a minute." Because thinking about it led us both to go back and forth on how Bruce in many ways idealized Thomas and craved his approval, which at first glance would make one go "Well yeah, and that's probably why a daddy kink is more in character for him." However, precisely because of the high pedestal Bruce placed Thomas on, I don't see him ever projecting this aspect on another man; there's the fact Bruce rather wants to emulate his father (think the last part of 1985 by Bo Burnham). This is part of why personally, I see Bruce as focused on service, when it comes to sexual dynamics: providing for the other person. (If he cares about them, that is. But the essay on my reading of Bruce as demisexual will have to wait another day.)
The other part is... well, the fact Bruce is a mommy's boy. His father issues are about craving approval, but his mother issues are about craving comfort. Praise. Love.
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Poison Ivy #25
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Batman (2016) #45
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Batman/Superman (2019) #18
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Batman (2016) #18
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Justice League (2018) #52
[looks into the camera] And these aren't even all the examples I could give, but you get the point. A need for approval from his father combined with a need for praise and emotional comfort from his mother combines to produce... a person who thinks "I can only get love if I'm good enough, and if I'm good enough I won't be abandoned." It's not terribly hard to imagine how that would translate into Bruce just wanting to give the person he's with the thing they want, becoming focused on service (a lot of the time to his own detriment). And then it's not difficult to imagine how it'd make him feel all sorts of ways to be told by the right person that he's done well.
But guess who Martha is in an alternate world??
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Flashpoint Beyond #4
And guess what mad lad, upon finding out his mother is the Joker in an alternate universe, has another giant Joker card made with her likeness to hang next to his regular one? Yes you got it!
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DC: The New Golden Age
But I got so long already. That conversation with Frac actually started from her wondering why there's no mommy kink Batjokes fics, considering that Joker is Bruce's literal mother in another world. Alas, I'll put the rest under the cut.
It doesn't help that way before Azzarello made Batman's biggest enemy into his mother figure, probably causing Freud to vibrate in his grave, Morrison was going with their whole chest "Batman is uncomfortable with women because he's got mother issues connected to abandonment", in Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on a Serious Earth. And sadly it didn't make the final cut, but Morrison also wanted Joker dressed like Madonna.
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Do you understand now why I had to write that one fic?
It's not just that Bruce might crave praise and validation for his efforts, to feel like he's good enough. He also has a pattern of seeking out emotionally unavailable women, and relationships that might be doomed from the start. It's for many reasons, including his avoidant tendencies, but also it's about getting the love from the right people. From people he has to chase, to work hard to attain their standards; people who are able to beat him and thus who's respect or praise means something. In a way, the more "dark" or emotionally unavailable the individual, the more a thing in Bruce goes "If I got their love it would really mean I'm good enough." In a sad way, this is the core of what makes many people go "Oh this person is such an asshole, but what if they were nice only to me?"
And Joker is the potential epitome of that. He's the ultimate darkness in Bruce's life and the ultimate... unavailable person, for a thousand different reasons. He proclaims love, but it's not a comforting kind; Bruce sees it as a weapon Joker wields against him, and not something real. So to me, it makes sense that Joker offering (motherly) comfort, praise, love-- safety-- would get to Bruce viscerally in a way he might not even be able to understand.
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blu3n · 9 months ago
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Hola! May I request a Jason x reader where he sees his crush (or gf up to you) dressed up/glammed up for the first time. Maybe for Wayne gala or something like that? Thank you!
THE LOVE
Hey anon, I hope it is what you asked for.
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CHARACTERS: JASON PETER TODD X FEMALE READER
SYNOPSIS: JASON TODD WENT CRAZY WHEN HE WENT TO BRUCE'S PARTY, THAT OLD SHITTY MAN BUT LUCKILY YOU WERE THERE
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Bruce had organized the party to benefit yet another of his Wayne donations, he had invited his entire line of friends and family, as well as several members of the Justice League and their relatives. Jason had also been invited, so as not to feel left out, but deep down no one wanted him to be there, not from his brothers who convinced him to go. And of course he invited you to go; he would be crazy not to let you go with him to that angry party.
You looked so beautiful, that red dress that you knew drove him crazy, your hair (your way), your makeup. Your skin matching the dress.
"Damn, you look hot" Jason says shamelessly taking your hand and proudly leading you to the boring party. giving a smile so shy and perfect that it almost made him fall
"If you're bored, we'll come home," Jason says, huffing through his teeth, already seeing the evil looks on him.
"It won't, love, and if it does, we can leave like you said." Her voice always calmed him down like a delicious drug he was addicted to.
People had been whispering about his presence all night. He was so uncomfortable that he clutched his hand, trying not to freak out in the middle of all those suited jerks.
His brothers all gave him apologetic looks. The air felt so heavy and bad. Jason felt like screaming and crying but when he set his eyes on you - his wife - he felt so damn relieved.
Bruce made a half-hearted and ineffective attempt to shut down the gossip. As usual he didn't do a damn thing.
He needed an escape, and what escape would that be if not bragging about his girlfriend? The one who was by his side no matter what the hell.
"You look beautiful" he says softly just for you to hear, he wanted to see that beautiful and wonderful smile on your mouth, he wanted you to show him that he was nothing like what others said he was.
Your smile, oh that smile you gave him, the one that made him go limp, feel his chest tighten and quicken, feel that nice tightness in his stomach.
"I love you," she whispers, seeing his beautiful eyes not with fear, not with anger, not with disgust, not with repulsion, but with love. With everything that, for him, he didn't deserve.
God, how he loved you.
Your wonderful perfume
Your charismatic way
Your abundant love for him, he felt everything he had to feel possessive, obsessed with you, breathing, wanting to feel, wanting to kiss you.
Oh y/n.....your dear y/n.
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help: I read it somewhere, I don't know where.
DON'T COMMENT HATE, DON'T COPY
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mamawasatesttube · 2 months ago
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still thinking abt sb94 and how the fandom perceives kon and his multiple abusive relationships again this morning (oops actually i typed that and realized its almost 1pm. afternoon. anyways). there is honestly something kinda disconcerting about how often i'll write a fic including kon dealing w the aftermath of abuse and grooming and people in the comments will be like "omg i want to [insert some sort of very violent fantasy about tana and/or knockout depending on who i mentioned in the fic]". like... okay. okay. i understand the monkey brain urge but i also need YOU to understand that it is kind of uncomfortable to see you wishing sensationalist violence upon especially a character who is a woc written by a white man who did not want to acknowledge in any way shape or form that he was writing a groomer and abuser, in the defense of an impressionable innocent white boy. like ... yes, this is a story about child abuse and grooming. this is also a story trying to deconstruct and engage with something written by a white man who was writing his own teenage sex/power fantasies. it's kind of uncomfortable when you don't acknowledge that part!!!
(also, even if you set aside the way jumping to hurting an abuser for being abusive = a very punitive justice-based mindset, it ignores the fact that in-narrative, kon never wanted knockout hurt even when he was able to acknowledge she hurt and manipulated him. he couldn't bring himself to kill her. he just wanted to stop her from hurting other people. in the in-universe sense, i think it's also important to note that he wouldn't actually feel better or safer if something awful happened to knockout. and we all saw how he reacted to tana's death - blaming himself and spiraling. again, kesel never acknowledged her as being abusive or grooming him, so that is a component of his reaction, but it's very possible to read it as the trauma of her death and his self-blame for it just really compounding certain aspects of the grooming and its effects on his psyche.)
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verdantwyrm · 6 months ago
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hello, i saw your post about how people should not censor out or analyse Jimmy for the fear that it’d look like excusing his actions, and honestly i agree. Particularly, what you said stood out to me, I think I will remember it from here on:
“Trying to constantly make out the fact that rapists are faceless monsters that have never been people completely ignores the fact that most of them are people we know and people we care about.”
ngl does kinda make me teary, very based take I haven’t seen anyone make yet. I’m a CSA and incest survivor, it’s easy to say rapists are horrible people and should die, but it’s more complex than that, especially if you grew up with them and care about them.
I wanted to share that post so bad, but I’m a coward reblogging hot takes in this fandom. Just know I screenshotted that post for personal keepings because it was so based.
There’s also one interpretation of Anya that I haven’t seen yet: the non-angry. It is understandable that people may feel empowerment drawing Anya killing Jimmy. My interpretation of her (because I’m projecting hard lmao), she may not be angry or killing Jimmy in her mind. “I don’t want revenge, I just want peace” type of thing. My version of Anya is just someone who doesn’t seek revenge towards Jimmy or berating Curly for not doing her justice; just someone who wants safety, a peace of mind. It’s kinda weird when I see art of Anya lowkey guiltripping a post-crash Curly, it just feels off. Anya doesn’t seem the kind to be vengeful anyway.
Sometimes I think something’s wrong with me for not feeling angry at my abusers just as others seem to be, but I remind myself that responses to trauma can be varying. Nothing’s wrong with the revenge interpretations, more power to those who feel empowered by it, but I would like to see the non-angry interpretation someday, especially on a soft-hearted character like Anya.
Hi Anon! Thank you so much for your question! And more importantly, from one survivor to another, I know more than most about how it feels to have someone you trusted or someone you were supposed to trust have them go and do something as awful as rape or assault, and it's true because that happens a lot. It's a part of grooming victims, so constantly trying to make out these people as faceless monsters who emerge to only do bad is detrimental to the fact that they can, will be and are the people you hold closest sometimes.
And I'm honestly just as teary-eyed thinking about how that resonates with people because it's a very uncomfortable truth that not a lot of people want to reckon with or even understand and completely ignore. I was much like you when it came to opinions like this, "fandom discourse" as people may say, and I was terrified of reblogging it or even making a suggestion towards it in fear of it being a bad take or one that doesn't even make sense, but after years of writing and reading, it's helped me a ton to grasp themes, nuance, metaphors- the like. That's why I post my own analysis: because I know and understand how much it means to have someone speak on such an overlooked thing. When you don't have someone doing that, or anyone to even bounce your ideas off of, you start to feel like you're stretching it or simply going mad.
I actually really, really dislike the interpretation that Anya is angry, resentful or has any revenge towards Curly, or that she has to be this, hysterical mad woman sent out to kill or hurt Jimmy. I don't believe she's either of this. Anya deserves peace, and I think it's extremely important to understand just how similar she is to Curly.
They're both victims to the same man, they both believe in the best of people (although to their own detriment in a way) they want to find peace, and fulfilment in their career and life. They're so alike in such delicate and intimate ways, that trying to constantly paint Curly as this great, horrible oppressor over her does way more harm than good.
I've mentioned in a couple of posts now that Curly's good heart and his kindness aren't inherently a bad thing, and that's because it isn't a bad thing. It was because Jimmy was so ready to abuse him every time he showed "weakness" and the fact that Pony Express probably had already been exploiting it for a very long time, that made It as catastrophic as it was. And that's not his fault, that's not Anya's either.
Curly’s biggest weakness is his forgiving nature. We all talk about how Anya is a victim of Jimmy, and she absolutely is, but so is Curly. His first immediate response Jimmy's reaction to Anya announcing her pregnancy is met with immense fear and anxiety with the added soundtrack of what could be equivalent to the sound of Curly's heart racing.
He is beyond terrified, and when he does finally get to Jimmy, he immediately fawns and freezes. He makes absolutely no mention of Anya or anyone else because all that mattered in that panicked situation was easing Jimmy down and resolving the situation. Curly was and has been a victim of Jimmy's abuse for a very long time on an emotional and mental aspect that clouded his judgements and perceptions in the scenario which devolved into physical abuse very quickly once Jimmy got his chance. It is also true that Curly had a responsibility to protect Anya as a crew mate and Captain but he failed due to bias towards his abusers, and his kind and forgiving nature of simply wanting to see the good in Jimmy, which is a manifest of his trauma and being a victim, also definitely something that Jimmy himself has instilled into Curly.
And like you say, it is perfectly fine to interpret her this way, but it feels very... out of character. This is the same character that so reverently believes that our worst moments don't make us monsters, and I don't think it's insane to apply this sentiment to Curly too, because his worst moment was simply being too forgiving to someone who deserved it the least- which is its own trauma response.
Again, so sorry for the long response, I've been sitting on this ask for a while simply because I wanted to answer the best I could, and I have a lot of feelings about Curly and Anya and how they're reflections of each other in being victims. Thank you so much for sending in an ask! ╰(*´︶`*)╯
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nelumbonuciferagaertn · 2 months ago
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Hello! I just read your foey x reader and it was amazing so was wondering if you could do another doey x reader but the player is the reader if that's ok with you. And in it the toys escape and they live in their house. It was raining and the player goes back to the house and has a fever but refuses treatment and doey has to try and take care of them.
I don't mind if you don't like it but I hope you read this and I also have a question about what are your boundaries on your blog?
Sorry this was so long have a good day/night 🙂🙃
Doey (Poppy Playtime) x reader
Warning: Slight self-doubt, slight evocation of trauma
Relationship: Romantic with Doey, platonic/family with the other toys (such as Poppy, Kissy, Smiling critters)
Summary: The player get sick and Doey take care of them/him/her.
Notes: Your idea was just so sweet I couldn't refuse it <3. However, I changed some details. For example, the reader in my story accepts Doey's treatment after a little while. Speaking of the reader, I tried to write them as the player, as requested, but due to the fact that I am new in the fandom, I don't know if I succeeded. Moreover, I think I don't focus enough about the caring, so maybe I will write it again or do a rest, or perhaps I'll right a sick reader with an other character... Don't know. Anyway, I hope you won't be disappointed!
(I will do a post about the rules for the asking message later, good idea!)
***
You get into your car, the tiredness weighing on you. Before starting the engine, you look up at the stars to calm yourself. It was a hard day—talking to reporters about your adventure in the ex-factory, the experiments they performed on children, how you freed every survivor, and all that stuff. You put yourself through it because you want justice! (And maybe some benefits for the toys who live in your home now���money doesn't grow on trees.)
You start the car and drive toward your home—or at least that's what you hoped, because after 5 minutes, you crash into something, forcing you to stop the vehicle at the roadside so as not to block traffic. You get out of the car to assess the situation. Your tire is completely burst. Awesome! That means your only chance of getting home is on foot.
You had barely started walking when you felt a drop of water hit your forehead. Raising your head, you wonder if it came from a cloud or a streetlamp still wet from the night before—until you hear thunder rolling across the sky. The rain and storm aren't exactly comforting, but your house is less than two kilometers away, taking nearly 24 minutes to reach. You tell yourself you could do it in 12 if you run. So, you run for the first 8 minutes, then you're too tired to continue. Maybe you’ve let yourself go a little too much since you left the factory.
It's at that moment someone calls out to you. You don’t recognize the woman making sweeping gestures from the other side of the street. You stop, breathing heavily, as the girl crosses over to stand in front of you, so close you’re both under her umbrella, protecting you.
"Hello! Sorry to interrupt, but I saw you on the news and I just wanted to say what you did was crazy, but, you know, in a good way."
ou start to say thank you, but she continues almost immediately:
"And about the people you saved, will we see them more? Are they well integrated? Is their mental health okay? If not, I know someone who helped me a lot. I have his number, just wait a moment."
She rummages through her bag and pulls out a small piece of paper, placing it directly into your left hand. The contact makes you a little uncomfortable. "Sorry to interrupt. I hope I helped you. Have a nice day—or, well, maybe more like a nice night."
You look at the paper. A name, profession, and phone number are scribbled on it like the writer was in a hurry. The woman was... something. She wasn't mean, but something about her made you uncomfortable. Maybe it was the fact that she knew who you were, or her tireless way of talking—or perhaps the unexpected contact. You don’t know. But you decide to continue your way, walking now, despite the rain still pouring just as strongly as before.
When you finally get home, you were soaked to the bone. You drag yourself into the alley and are reaching for your keys when the door suddenly opens, revealing Doey.
"Welcome home pal! Why are you so wet, didn't you have a car? Whatever, come in."
He moves aside to let you in.
"I made dinner for the others. They left you some. Go eat, I’ll run you a bath."
Your day had been bad—until now. You give him a grateful look before carrying out his instructions. In the fridge, there are several types of meals—a wide selection to choose from. You pick your favorite among them. You eat quickly, eager to enjoy your hot bath.
When you arrive at the bathroom, you see the dough man adding some bath petals. This simple action makes your heart melt. Noticing you, he turns toward you and gestures toward the warm bath with a “Ta-dah!”, his big smiling mouth beaming.
You give him a grateful look and resist the urge to hug him. A small “thank you” and a little cough escape from your own mouth. "You're welcome, pal! Relax in the bath—you’ve worked hard for us." He leaves, letting you enjoy your soak.
You quickly remove your drenched clothes and toss them into the laundry basket. The woman’s paper, which you had shoved into your vest pocket, crumples, reminding you of its existence. You place it on the sink and cover your mouth with a hand as you cough. Then, you wipe yourself off with a damp towel, careful not to dirty the water Doey had lovingly prepared.
As he said, you get into the bathtub and relax. Your mind drifts between topics until your eyes fall on the piece of paper. The woman was weird, but she had a point—you didn’t even think of taking the others to see a psychiatrist. They really need it. Regret creeping in, you dip your head lower into the water, blowing bubbles with your mouth. You promise yourself you’ll look into it. Not now, it’s late, but maybe tomorrow? You have work, but you can take part of your lunch break to do a Google search. Snot is running from your nose, luckily you keep a stash of tissues right next to the bathtub.
You stayed in the bath nearly an hour. When you get out, your throat feels sore. You hope you haven’t caught something... That woman wasn’t sick, right?
Quietly—‘cause everyone else is sleeping and you don’t want to wake them—you go to your room. Already wearing your pajamas, you collapse into bed like a slime and fall asleep in the arms of Morpheus.
When you regain consciousness, you feel bad. Really bad. Your head hurts, your throat does the same thing, you feel tired and your nose is Niagara Falls. Yet you have to go to work. Plus, you have an interview about the experiment in the old factory. You concentrate all your strength on getting out of bed and heading to the bathroom.
As usual, Doey is already up, making breakfast. Poppy is here too, helping him. You know she’s an early riser, but you don’t think you’ve ever seen her help him before, or perhaps you didn't pay attention.
Poppy was the first to notice you. She greets you, and you try to respond—but a coughing fit cuts you off. They both turn toward you.
"«Are you alright?" They ask in unison.
You give a thumbs-up, one hand bracing against the table. As you lean over, you hear someone, the doll, approaching. She helps you sit on a chair, and in return, you help her onto the table.
“You seem weak today. Are you sick?” The little woman says.
"I wouldn't be surprised. You came home soaked yesterday." The big man adds, Doey adds, setting your breakfast down and cutlery in front of you.
You shake your head while eating, trying to deny their claims.
“Even if I am sick, I have interviews. I can’t take a day off.” you croak.
“I’ll go for you!” Poppy says brightly.
what.
"What."
“They’ll ask about the factory. As someone who was experimented on, I can explain better than you. No offense, but you just read the memos.”
"Ok, maybe, but what about my work?"
“Sick leave exists for a reason.” she insists.
"But I can't let you go alone —"
“Kissy will come with me. We’ve been through worse.” She points the tall pink toy you noticed now. She just woke up you tell yourself, emphasizing her tired look
“No, I can’t let you take my responsibilities.”
After a while, while Doey prepares the table soon and, you have eaten just the half of your plate.. Eventually, while Doey sets the table for the other toys who will wake up very soon and give to Kissy her plate, you’ve only eaten half of yours. You’re just not hungry.
“See? You didn’t even finish. You’re definitely sick.” Doey says, clearly worried but a bit annoyed too.
Your pride kicks in. You try to prove you’re fine—stand up, take a few steps toward the coat rack… and collapse when you were at two pace of your objective.
Fortunately, Doey was here to catch you just in time, following your shaky gait. He carries you like a bride.
“You really need—humph?!”
You push his head back with both hands stretched out towards his face (old habit) and move yours away as far as possible, in defiance and, a little, out of embarrassment. Bothering him, he sighs and adjusts his hold, throwing you over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes You squirm, but he keeps a firm grip on your ankle—not tight enough to hurt, just enough to hold you still.
He takes you to your room where he sets you down gently on your bed. Despite your headache sit up, determined to argue but he presses his yellow index on your forehead and use a little strength to push you on your bed a second tim lightly pushes you back down. Tired, you don't protest this time, letting him cover yourself with your blanket.
"Stay here, I'll get you some medicine."
You’re still unsure, but your aching throat and head are convincing. Thus, you stay.
You hadn’t meant to fall asleep again. When you wake, the Smiling Critters are all curled up around you—on your pillow, at your feet, on the covers. It’s adorable. Suddenly, your stomach groans to warn you are hungry, waking up the toys around you.
The first to stir up was a unicorn. Odd Ed if you well remember. He looks at you and say:
"Oh! You're awake. I'll tell Doey!"
You try to protest, but he’s already gone. You were sighting in defeat whereas the little guy comes in your room again.
"He'll bring food and meds."
After hugging you one by one to wish you a speedy recovery, every little toys leave you room while Doey enter in, letting both of you all alone.
“Hey again, pal! I brought cough syrup, soup, and tea to soothe your throat.”
"But... What time is it? Did I miss the interview?!" you ask, voice hoarse.
You think he is start to loose his patience because you see red teeth appear, his eyes narrow, and his expression darkens slightly.
“You’re sick. You need rest. Work can wait.”
You prefer not argument more. Seeing you surrende, he becomes chill again and drops off the tray he bringed to you. A warm soup, a hot tea, a throat syrup and a product to unblock the nose were waiting to be used. You admit even if you slept nearly five hours more than usual, you are exhausted. Thus, you decide to not protest again and let your pal takes care of you.
He sits where were your feet while you bring your knees towards your chest.
“Here, some meds to ease the pain and I made soup with leftover veggies.”
You tilt your head, asking how he knows how to make soup. And somehow, he understands you. In fact, the majority of the toys you saved understand you even if you don't talk too much. However, it's different with him, you think. He has a grasp of you with even more ease. It's like a link between both of you. Or maybe that's just a hallucination of your beloved drugged mind.
Before answering you, he pulls a spoon out of nowhere, dips it into the soup, and then guides it towards your mouth. Your head is turning red, but you accept the bite by opening your mouth. While guiding the spoon directly to you, extending his arms, he answers your quiet question:
“Since we’re not recognized as citizens yet, we can’t work. So we take care of the house instead. You shelter and feed us, this is how we repay you. Honestly? I’m kinda glad you got sick, so I can take care of you for once!” He laughs softly.
You smile, but guilt creeps in.
“We”? So the others have the same way of speaking? But, you’re not as saintly as he explains. You literally didn't take them to see a shrink! The soup is really good, by the way, it warms your injured throat, you say to yourself.
“You make me sound perfect, but I’m not… I don't offer you a castle. My apartment is so small that you share two rooms for twenty-eight. A-And-..." A coughing fit stops you in your tracks.
Doey comes near to you and runs his hand over your back kindly, drawing circles on it. When you calm yourself, he starts to reassure you.
"Don't be so hard on yourself, you're doing great!"
"But-" You start to stutter, tears welling up in your eyes. You continue after wiping snot from your nose.
"But I didn't try to keep your mental health stable!"
"What are you talking about?"
"I didn't seek a psychiatrist for you despite all the horrible things that the scientists inflicted on you."
Doey was perplexed hearing your words. He hesitates a moment, looking elsewhere, and finally said:
“It’s true. We’re still healing. But you’ve made life easier. You’ve given us hope, believe me.”
He pulls you into a hug, and you return it.
"Seems we aren't the only ones who need a therapy session!" He giggles, relaxing the atmosphere.
You laugh, sniffling.
"Yeah, you definitely have trauma, but you’re not the only one... The factory was literally hell!"
Time passes quietly. Eventually, you fall asleep in his arms. Doey lays you down gently, covers you, checks your temperature—it’s gone down. He opens the window for fresh air, then quietly leaves, closing the door behind him.
You both needed that moment and you’re grateful for each other.
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kittyscupcakeandbunny · 4 months ago
Text
Set Me Free
18+
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Part five
Good Girl Gone Mad
Characters: Min Yoongi as Agust D/Mafia boss, Jung Hoseok as Jack/Concierge, Namjoon/Police detective, Jungkook/Police detective, Park Jimin/thief and gang leader, Taehyung/Mafia member, Paradise owner. Jin/unknown, Busan/Mafia boss.
Pairing: Yoongi x Reader
Warnings: This story contains nsfw content (descriptive blood, gore, etc.) as well as sexual content. Mentions may include violence, consumption of alcohol, explicit sexual interactions, sharp objects, knife play, description of injuries, themes of major horror and also explores obsessive behaviors and codependency, robbery, killing, guns, torturing, fire, toxic yandere men, violence, possessive behaviour, unhealthy relationships.
🩸My master list 🩸
We Go Down Together - Dove Cameron & Khalid
< Previously • Next Chapter >
My mind have been a mess ever since i encountered agust d but that was also the moment i saw a chance to prove my worth at the station and to finally be one of them like Namjoon, it was a chance for me to get the bad guy and that was always my priority ever since i decided to become a police officer. As the days went by i found myself growing more and more impatient. The more my path crossed with Yoongi the more my greed became apparent, meeting Yoongi it was like a fire burning my skin, he brought out the things in me that I never once thought i had it it was uncomfortable to be in such situations I hade found myself to be so easily influenced by his presence that I just simply lost control. It was dangerous to be close to him but now more then ever I had no choice but to stay by his side but being with him i realized a part of me that was living dormant for all these years. I’m going down a path i never once thought considered fallowing and for that reason I’m lost inside this hell by my own choice, i had so much pride of my own morals and achievements when i started working at the station, my beliefs where always to make the world a better place by making the right choices and protecting those who made the same choices. After losing my dad i knew i wanted to fallow the path he did, make the right decisions and help people from the darkness of this world.
But what no one tells you about fallowing the right path is that to be a hero, is to bear the weight trying to bring justice to those who have no power but, you cannot.
Our laws exist to protect us but they are so limited to a point where even if you know who’s the bad guy, without any solid evidence they will just be set free from punishment. The worst part is you know they are going to hurt people again.
I never wanted to be part of this, somehow I’m grateful but at the same time I regret it very deeply all my choices. All it took was one slip and i was in the rabbit hole, that same darkness the people i was supposed to put in jail lived in, sooner or later, we always give in that slip to taste a new world.
I was taught to do the rigt thing and always fallow the rules, with my dad playing the biggest part into this. I know that justice takes time and you can’t always do the right thing. The more i thought about the things i had done so far the more i realized, i was only trying to hold on the small part of me who still lives in my past. The girl who worked at her fathers police station, the girl who loved Namjoon and would do everything she could to fallow her fathers steps and protect the last family she had.
Right or wrong are just concepts made by us to justify our actions, who really decides was right or wrong in this? In the end we all have to count on someone else’s empathy to get a less harsh punishment. If a convicted criminal of murder shows remorse he could use the empathy of the judges, the same laws that are there to protect us also protect them, whether they are faking it or not.
There is no god in this, we are all by ourselves here trying to live in a world were anyone you cross paths could be a psychopath.
As Jack drove us back to the mansion this was all i could think of, feeling a weight over my chest press down my heart against my bones and the emptiness it left as if killing that men was the last straw to selling my soul to the devil and I could feel every bit of it happening under my skin.
All that didn’t phase Yoongi even the smallest bit, i stared at him sitting comfortably beside me he had his eyes closed a relaxed almost pleasant look on his face. It made me wonder if he even felt anything when he killed his first victim, was he a normal person once? Did life made him a monster? What lead him into this world?
Once we got at the mansion he walked out first and i fallowed him out, keeping on his shadow as he entered the mansion and slowly walked towards his office.
No one said a word the entire time and i could already feel the hot tension rise by the seconds, if he notice my presence behind him he didn’t mentioned and as we finally got in his office he was quick to fill a glass with alcohol while i turned to closed the doors behind me slowly sitting in on of the couches on the room.
He took the sit on the other couch in front of me lighting a cigarette the fire shining bright in front of his face making the scar on his eye even more noticeable, never failing to make his looks sharp and scarier. He took a blow of it before finally looking at me for the first time since we got here.
Whatever went through his head in that moment i knew it was far away from any comfort words, i never expected that from him and i wasn’t disappointed by it.
I had taking someone else’s life to save my brother, the only thing i want now is the truth he had promised me.
- if you are expecting a hug from me.. i hate to disappoint - was the first thing he said, scoffing a laugh.
- i wouldn’t dare to - i was quick to reply, getting a chuckle from him.
- then why did you fallow me? - he asked, clearly amused taking a sip of the drink in his hand while the cigarette burned between his fingers - wanna make sure i fallow the end of our bargain?
- yeah…
- don’t worry it’s done - he said, as if it was nothing. But i founded hard to believe, it couldn’t be as simple as that.
I never expected but it still angered me, moved by the fire inside me i got up making my way towards him i harshly took the cigarette from his fingers, taking a blow of it before turning to him.
- since you’ve proven yourself Yoongi why don’t you start talking? - i spat - i don’t want your compassion, i know you got none. From you i just want one thing, the damn truth.
- why? - he scoffed, turning to look at me impatiently - you think you’ll go back to that silly life of yours? Get over it, is too late for that. You’re in my world now, you get what i give when i decide to.
Now it was my turn to scoff but no matter how much that angered me he was right. You can lead the horse to the lake but you can’t force it to drink from it, i bite back my tongue feeling a bitter taste up my throat.
- and if you still want me to work for you, you need to start talking - i said, sitting down beside him.
- now you’re ordering me around? You are not in charge here sweetie…
- you owe me that - i said, turning to him, using the right words would get me good points with him, i needed to gain his trust if i wanted to live a longer life, that was the only way to avoid Jack. Still it infuriated me how he never told me anything, i knew he didn’t had to but the least he could do is tell me about his plans at the station.
I knew exactly were i stood in here, not above him, not beside him and not even under him like his dogs. I was disposable, the last thing I wanted was to die here of all places. I knew for a fact that fallowing the rules would get you the the best chance. I hated to admit that but that was the only way.
- you said you would tell me everything after i did my work tonight - i said - then do it. Why were you at the station that day? Why did you almost killed the director?
He sighted almost rolling his eyes, taking a sip of his hard liquor before looking at me with bored eyes.
- i had a deal with you’re director - he said, staring at the cup on his hand as he moved around over his thigh - you’re smart enough to know it by know, what would i possibly want with the police?
It had passed my mind before that the director wasn’t exactly the good guy to begin with, Yoongis insinuations seemed to set fire to that old thought of mine and I could almost feel the dots connecting to each other - so the police was working with them this whole time, they were hiding Agust D tracks every time and making it impossible to get him. But why?
Namjoon has been fallowing a ghost his whole life in hopes of making justice possible, they had been playing with him just like they did to me.
It made me sick to even think about it.
But most importantly I could only wonder what would the police needed with Yoongi or what he used against them to get them to hide his tracks this whole time?
- I’m sure you know now… - he chuckled, knowingly - you’re friend was getting too close, i came to talk to him and he decided to call out our agreement. He was confident that Namjoon guy would get me eventually, so i had to make sure I made them aware of who they were dealing with.
- so that was a massage… - i murmured, more to myself staring at the floor.
- yeah, not that i needed to do much - he chuckled, taking the cigarette from my hand yes staring back at me with smirk laying over his red lips - you just happened to be there right on time, every single time i needed.
- what?
- in so little time you manage to get inside Paradise, obviously thanks to Scarlet then you proceeded to offer yourself to me unknowingly and ruined their opportunity to get me - he said, eyes shining brighter with delight.
Looking so proud of my mistakes, it didnt help to ease the way my insides were turning and turning around at his words. Making more and more obvious how my intervention helped only him, the one i was so confident i would put behind bars.
- i had reasons for it…
The most poor and stupid excuse left my lips, I couldn’t look at his face anymore to embarrassed to face him and the truth. I made a terrible mistake by thinking I could face him head on and win.
- you did… but what now? - he taunted - what do you have? Nothing… you’ve been nothing but a puppet this entire time, my puppet.
He made it clear from the beginning how it would end up for me if I continued with that investigation on him, i was honestly surprised at how he left me leave the first moment we’ve meet and yet i decided to ignore all the warnings he was “kind” enough to give me. I pondered if he was truly warning me or if it all wasn’t just an act to get me exactly where he wanted me to be.
He told me he would bring me to hell if i kept digging for him and here i was now, it felt different having to hear him say all that I’ve been thinking about ever since we meet.
But I was too deep into the darkness that surrounded him, there was no way to live in this world without getting your hands dirty. I was aware of that. It was all my fault.
For a second i felt stupid at how well he played me without me even realizing, feeling stupid for being so weak and giving in more and more. But now? I didn’t felt bed for destroying the operation and letting Yoongi escape, i made up my mind in that car as we came back deciding to rather then running from the fire, i would burn and dance with it. He wasn’t wrong when he looked into my eyes and showed me my own sins, but the more i stared at the fire in his eyes the more i felt deeply attracted to the darkness surrounding him.
To survive.
To feed my own greed. Truly… a puppet.
-I could still end you here right now… - I gripped his neck.
I was serious, I could feel my blood boiling under my skin. My pride was hurt, my heart was in pieces and all he did was stare at me with a sly grin on his face. He chuckled gripping my hands around his neck even tighter, his eyes burning into mine.
- do it… - he dared - but we both know you won’t.
he wasted no time proving how much stronger he was then me, pulling my hands away from his neck. With one hand he gripped the back of my neck, pulling me closer.
- tell me why you won’t kill me… you had many chances… - he said, a whisper. He’s breath hitting my lips.
- don’t play as if you didn’t know why…
- no, you don’t play coy with me… come on now, be a good girl for me and use your words.
His lips lifted into a smirk, he leaned forward face centimeters away from mine. Feeling his breath over my own lips a shiver runs down my whole body, the smell of whiskey was intoxicating making me crave more of him.
- say it… y/n.
I swallowed hard before thinking about it one last time. I knew this was one way and no turning back, but Yoongi was my best shot at surviving now. Even more he wanted me to be honest with him and myself.
- Don’t lie to me… - he smile was completely sickening, eyes darker then ever - it’s not that hard.
- i want…
- yes, what do you want? - he leaned more into me, hands reaching behind me to cage me under his body.
And to feed my desires for him.
- you…
He stopped immediately, eyes searching for mine and in that split second while i stared into his sharp eyes i saw his facet break, just a bit but enough for me to notice - surprise. He truly didn’t expect me to say that, one would even think that hearing that would be so fulfilling to ones ego, but him? It was as if he never heard it before. I didn’t know anything could get a reaction from him but i knew in that moment, despite everything else he secretly wished to be desired too. Even though he said he knew.
So i took my chance and braced the fire that would come with it.
Closing my arms around his neck i pushed him down, sitting over his lap with one leg on each side of his hips.
- i want you, Agust d - i said over his lips - in every way possible.
Looking down in his eyes seeing how he no longer had any trace of surprise in them but a serious look, hands sliding up my hips to my bear back holding my arms to slid away from his neck.
My heart begin to beat faster, blood running cold on my body. Shit.
I could see it in his eyes that he wanted, so what was holding him back in that moment?
- are you sure? - he simply asked, not looking me in the eyes but at our hands - do you have any idea what that choice comes with?
- does it matter to you? - i bit into my lower lip, i felt so confused in that moment. The warmth that surrounded us was disintegrating slowly, i helplessly wanted to hold on into that warmth.
His unphased expression was making me more and more anxious, one moment i was burning under his gaze and now completely frozen and lost. Swallowing all of my pride and embracing myself, i wished to be right about this.
- it makes me…. Yours - in that small second i looked into his eyes again i saw the surprised in them, bearly noticeable but it was there for a second.
- and you’re sure you can take what comes with that? - he mutter over my lips.
- i don’t know but i don’t wanna leave you…
I can’t leave my only chance to survive now.
- you’re life will be mine… completely… - he whispered above my lips.
- we’ll go down together then.
I didn’t wanted to lose any more seconds when i pushed my lips over his, feeling his smirk as i bite into his botttom lip. Catching his eyes briefly as i did so, he was quick to press his short nails on my exposed back scratching the skin down stoping at my hips. I moaned on his mouth kissing him hungrily.
He let out a soft groan as i slide my hands down his waist inside his shirt slowly tracing his ribs, the friction was enough to make us both lose our minds, i could tell he was holding back from letting out a moan as i grinded against his hips, my own body was becoming needy, craving more and more.
- Mmngh..You feel so good… - He whispered between ragged breathes and I felt my thoughts growing more and more blank, the only thing on my mind right now was him.
I grind against his hips again, feeling his warmth through the fabrics separating us, his breath hitches when i grind against him again, i hold his chin up taking in his lustful gaze, his grip on my hips tightened and i could almost feel how blissful he was becoming.
He gives me a devious smirk and gently ran his fingers along your spine as he whispered in my ear:
- You truly are a skilled rider, you feel so good on top of me.
The doors for the office burst open.
- you have to go to Busan - said Jack in a rushed tone.
Yoongi leaned away from me, hands still dancing over my naked back. I stared at him as he nodded to Jacks direction who soon left the room.
- i have to go - he said to me.
I nodded resting my forehead over his, lips brushing against each other as the heat slowly drifted away from our bodies.
- now, you behave while I’m gone.
His hands slipped down my back to rest over my hips pulling me out of his lap. After that o was quick to make my way out of his office but no before he called out my name.
- the room in front of mine - he said - that’s your room, some of your stuff is there already.
- okay, thanks.
With that i left completely.
From what i could tell, how he suddenly changed in seconds and jacks rushed and slightly worried eyes, something big must’ve happen that needed him to be there in person. I over heard from Namjoon once at the station, that his mafia had rooted connections in Busan as they were investigating and I wonder if Namjoon manage to take action on his secret plan as he told me once.
If he did Yoongi might be in trouble, but I can’t tell. Both of them are unpredictable when it comes to getting what they want.
[…]
It’s been two days since Yoongi left to Busan, no one told me anything about him or when was he even going to come back.
Anytime I would worry about him my mind would remind me of who I was thinking about, he certainly was not someone who would let anything happen to him. He made it clear who he was and what he was capable of. So I worry nothing about him.
Still it felt weird to be here without him, it was his house and I was used to have his presence around. Hands even been that long and I was so deep in a nest of snakes.
I had shaken hands with the devil before now it was time to dance with him, the only thing that kept wondering with worry in my mind was how no one would tell me anything.
The few maids in the house wouldn’t even say a word to me, the guards around the mansion acted like I was invisible.
I had no one here.
It felt just like I was back at the station once again, no one would tell me anything because I wasn’t a detective yet. Just a mere office worker for them, I couldn’t tell anything to Namjoon because he wouldn’t understand.
He grew up in a completely different world then mine, he didn’t know how hard it was to try to grow your career in a police station especially when you are a woman, no matter how good I was or my scores in the academy they still viewed me as weak and fragile.
I thought that if I worked harder they would notice me, but that only got me more work and less acknowledgement.
My view for them has changed also, now that I knew how corrupted they are. They were nothing but mere trash to me. Walking garbage.
My days here were the same, day after day ever since Yoongi left I was completely alone in this mansion. The only exception being the presence of the house keeper and the very few employees that helped her.
Another two days had went by without any news from Yoongi, I don’t know if I should’ve been grateful for that or worried.
Tha was until I heard a loud noise from downstairs, I was goin to bed since it was half past ten already but the noise caught me off guard. I quickly turned to fallow it and see what was that about.
The moment I saw his face I couldn’t hold myself anymore, first thing I notice I was rushing towards him. No second thoughts in my head as I closed my arms around Yoongis neck. For a while he didn’t move, I could feel how his body was stiff under my arms.
- what are you doing? - he said. His words were like a bucket of cold water.
Of course it would be like this, what was I even thinking in that moment. Is not like I missed him.
- I’m just checking if you got any holes in you… - I pull away, staring up at his eyes.
- you think I’d be that careless? - he chuckled - it was all playful banter…
He didn’t seem one bit concerned or stressed, almost as if he went to a trip and not to fix a problem. He came back in a complete different mood then he left. Was i wrong then? Did Namjoon not went with his plan for Busan?
- not that I care about what you do… but next time send a message?
- I’ll remember that for the next time… - he says as he walks up the stairs, without looking back.
I scoffed, of course. Criminals and their cold blooded hearts, i only grew more suspicious. Exactly what happened in Busan?
I decide to fallow him up stairs, not really sure why. It felt so natural, waiting for him to come home and being in his presence after not seeing him for days.
I enter his office after him, watching as he lights a cigarette and sits down behind his desk.
- You seem off… more then usual… - I cross my arms over my chest as I observe him.
For some there wouldn’t be a way to see it, but he was different tonight. I could see it by how he used his left hand to light his cigarette, he never did that and he kept avoiding having to use his right hand. He didn’t meet my eyes ever since he came back, he’d always stare at me so deep as if sweeping inside my soul.
It was odd how he looked serious now, not intense serious but cold, so cold.
He paused for a second, looking around before he glance at me with irritation clear in his eyes.
- Does it concern you ? - He replied, his voice low and sharp.
He took a long drag from his cigar, the smoke spilling past his lips in a steady stream.
- I was busy with work - He muttered simply, the corner of his lips quirking up into an almost mocking smirk.
-it was just an observation…- I say, at that point I knew he wasn’t going to tell me anything and I couldn’t blame him. If I was him, I wouldn’t either.
He let out a dry laugh, shaking his head slightly. “Is that so ?” He mused, his eyes boring into you.
- How observant of you - he sneered, his gaze now locked on mine. - as always…
He visibly tensed, his hand clenching around his cigar for a moment, his eyes narrowing as he studied you carefully. He let out a huff, his expression still stoic, but his eyes almost seemed to soften slightly.
- i have a meeting tomorrow… - He finally says - you’ll accompany me so go to bed, is late already.
Part of me wanted to stay, to talk to him but I knew better. Besides how tense and angry he was in that moment he still manage a bit of softness to tell me to go rest it was tiny, but it was there and that weighted so much more to me then I ever thought it was possible.
With no further do, i turn to leave his office but he pulls me back. Fingers circling around my wrist.
I look back at him surprised for a second, that surely was unusual.
- don’t leave yet…- he says, looking away from me.
- do you need to tell me something more? - I questioned, crossing my arms.
- don’t… - he mumbled, frowning as he stared at the desk in front of him - don’t sleep on your room tonight.
I could almost feel the thumping of my heart in my chest the moment he said those words, as if on cue my entire body burns with excitement but I try to hold back from the possibility.
- and were should I sleep? - I mumbled, my voice almost a whisper.
- with me.
I gasped the moment he pulls me closer by the waist, pressing our bodies together as his hands slide down my back at my hips.
- you should sleep with me tonight…
I stared into his eyes looking for something, anything that could tell me what was going inside his mind. He’s been hot and cold ever since he came back from Busan, keeping secrets and acting as if nothing happened even though I couldn’t tell that there was more to it then he was letting me know. Now as i stood so close to him, feeling the warmth of his skin and his heart beat through his chest. How his eyes seemed to falter ever so slightly, i knew it.
Something did happen.
But neither he could tell how he felt.
[…]
I couldn’t tell if I had actually slept, it felt as if I only blinked my eyes and when I open it was morning already.
Going to bed with him last night felt so odd and i could tell it was for him too, because we weren’t enveloped by the blinding desire or our needs. It was more intimate then we’ve been to each other, we both spent a night together only by each other’s arms and suddenly it didn’t felt like i was in bed with Agust d, that was Yoongi. When i woke up he was already up.
This time I had breakfast with Yoongi and seeing him across from the table as the light reflected on his face was a sight for sore eyes, how the sun iluminated every line of his face making him look much softer even with the scar over his eye. He looked so domestic in that moment that I almost forgot I was looking at a criminal. Almost.
Looks can surely be deceiving - i thought as i sipped my coffee, watching him from across the table.
We haven’t spoken a word to each other since last night, none of us tried to make small conversation. We just kept going as if everything was normal. It felt unreal and yet so comforting, it still amazed me how natural we could act together at times like this at this point I didn’t know if he was the insane person or me.
Oddly enough we did everything together, from breakfast to picking each other’s clothes for today, to lunch and eventually getting ready in his room for the meeting.
I was confused, it was writing all over my face and anyone could tell. Even he could as we got ready in his bathroom, I couldn’t stop stealing glances at him as i did my make up.
- that’s rude… - he said as he fixed his sleeves - you’re staring.
- that’s audacious coming from you - put the lipstick own.
We didn’t said anything after that but I couldn’t forget how he laughed at that, for the first time it was a genuine laugh.
As i found myself beside him on his car, Hoseok - as he called jack when we got in the car - drove us to our destination and I couldn’t understand how he wouldn’t just tell me what this all was about, even after making me come all the way with him.
What was this meeting about? Why he needed me there?
- I have something for you…- he said for the first time since we left the house.
- yes? - I turned to look at him.
He takes my hand, palm facing up before placing a silver collar with a butterfly on it.
- I saw you wearing one like this when I first meet you… - he says as if it was nothing.
I looked at him in utter shock, i was aware that he was perceptive of everything around him I just never knew I was included in that perception as well. He had notice such small detail about me from so long ago, I couldn’t hide my surprise - more like utter shock.
- don’t think too much of it… you can wear it or throw it away - he says, his tone was nonchalant, but i could still see his lingering gaze on the necklace every now and then.
- I never thought you were one to give gifts…
- humph… i told you not to think much of it - he looks over the window as i stare at him with a grin.
- my bad… help me put it on? - i say leaning closer to his side, watching as he looks at me suspiciously.
His eyes lock into mine sharply, almost like a cat eyeing a mouse before he scoffed and leaned closer to me with a smirk on his lips. He takes the necklace from my hand, and turn my back for him holding my hair up as he places the jewelry around my neck. For a split moment his cold finges slowly brush against my neck making me almost shrink at the sudden touch. I could hear his south breathing behind me, his breath hitting the back of my back exposed by the dress i wore. Once i could tell the necklace was closed around my neck i let go my hair, but before i could move away he pulls on my arm making me stop on my tracks.
- what? - i say in almost a whisper, feeling my cheeks heat up for letting him know how he had affected me in that moment.
- don’t move… - he says behind me, his breathing hitting my shoulder as he leans even closer.
I could feel my face heating up and body shivering, suddenly feeling like a tiger was about to jump over me from behind. He pulls my hair to the side, his touch almost soothing and like a predator hunting its pray he was the best at distracting before attacking.
I gasped when he suddenly grips my neck pushing his body against mine as he circles his right arm around my waist.
- you do have a beautiful neck… - he whispers in my ear - you know what i like the most about you, y/n?
- no… - i swallowed hard, knowing him this could either end really good or bad.
- your strength… - he grips my neck tighter, forcing me to look only ahead but still not enough to cut my air, just enough to apply the needed pressure to keep me in his claws. - you almost look weak but when i push the right buttons you never hesitate to pull the trigger, such an interesting puppet you are y/n. I want you beside me.
- i thought i already was… you trying to make it seem I’m choosing to work for you just to mess with me - i grip his writs pulling his hand off my neck - i was always a pawn on your games, i will stay beside you but not like the others.
- good… - he gives me small smile letting go of me- I’d hate to get bored of you so soon.
I couldn’t decipher him at all. He only acted however he saw fit in any situation, I couldn’t understand him at all but one thing i knew - he did know which buttons to push to make me go mad in both good and bad ways.
The car son comes to a stop in front of a luxury building, the name Golden Star shined bright in cursive words on top of it. A few sports cars were parked in front of it and i watched as a men walks out of a Ferrari in a tuxedo with a woman wearing a bright silver dress, completely exuding luxury head to toe. Suddenly i felt a bit self conscious of picking my doctor martins as shoes with the dress i wore, it never bothered me before in Paradise because people there weren’t always dressed so sophisticated like that but now that i look at it. I should’ve have put more effort into it.
Yoongi takes my hand placing around his arm as he guides me inside the building, the place was something I’ve only ever saw in movies. As we walk past the entrance we stop at the entering hall, in the middle of two big stairs was a red velvet curtain leading to entry of the cassino. I only ever heard about this place on the news, the hotel and cassino Golden Star. Even the air here felt more rich than outside.
- master Yoongi - a men dressed in a tuxedo approaches us, his name tag read Alfred. - mister Wuhan hasn’t arrived yet but he left the room ready for you in advance, but if you wish to entertain yourself at the cassino till his arrival I’ll guide you there.
- want to see the cassino? - Yoongi suddenly whispered to me.
- what? - i looked at him surprised, i didn’t expect he would take that into consideration and mostly i didn’t understand why he would.
- it might take some time… won’t you indulge into some fun before the real meeting starts? - he grins, glint shining in his eyes mischievously.
- honestly… it doesn’t catch my interest.
It truly didn’t, games in cassino were never something I found interest in partaking. If ever, i might felt curious now that they were so close to my reach but i was more inclined into watching it seeing how it worked rather than playing.
- we’ll go straight to the room - he says to Alfred.
- Very well master - Alfred smiles softly - this way, please.
We fallow Alfred up the long stairs, into a long corridor till we stop at a double black door. The men uses a black card on the digital lock, i notice the three golden letters on it “VIP” in golden cursive. As the door opens were soon met with glass window wall ahead with golden curtains hanging from above on each corner. The floor and the walls where black but the floor had a marble effect with gold and gray, in the center of the room was a L couch in velvet black as well as a red glass coffee table in the center and a mini bar on the right with a tv above it on the wall.
The decoration wasn’t what surprised me but who was sitting there, all blissful and shirt half opened.
- oh there you are… Agust d and miss bodyguard… - Jimin looks at us over his lashes, taking a sip of a red drink on his right hand and having a hard time with the straw. Clearly he was already drunk.
- i thought you stoped with this…. - Yoongi says, walking over the opposite couch and sitting down already taking a cigarette and his lighter to smoke.
- i did but… Wuhan offered a good deal so I couldn’t say no - Jimin mumbles, for a moment i try not to jump to conclusions but I couldn’t help but wonder what business he had here, especially with the men Yoongi was supposed to met.
- take a sit.. - Yoongi says to me, blowing the smoke into the air - have your fill…
He motions with his head towards the mini bar filled with all different types of alcohol bottles.
- I’m not one to drink actually - i cross my arms, taking a cigarette at sit at the corner of the couch.
- why? Can’t handle your alcohol? - he smirks, his tone full of sarcasm.
- no i just get tired from drinking, besides… as your pawn shouldn’t i stay sober? - i arch my eyebrow as i look at him.
- touché… - he blows the smoke into my direction.
- did you two fight? - Jimin leans closer to me - y/n! Since you’re here give me some attention, hum?
He blinked slowly as he stares at me, still leaning closer to my side. Although i doubt he was doing on purpose and not just falling at this point. It could be considered a crime how blissfully beautiful he looked now, perhaps the lingering innocence he managed to keep while still having a sexy appeal was what made him impossible to resist. The combo of always saying the right words as if he coated each one with honey could be added to the list of things that made him powerful, with no doubt i was sure he could have anyone he wanted with just a few words.
But i wasn’t like others, i could still see under that mask he wore, different then Yoongi i could read Jimin with ease because that was who he was, he never tried to hide his intentions and desires. Being like that was who he was, and being himself with the wrong people was what made him weak and easy to take advantage off. Knowing that I couldn’t just look at him as some sexy guy in front of me, i felt more… worried.
- i’ll give you some then…- i smiled softly, taking the glass from his hand i pick a bottle of water from the coffee table opening for him and putting a straw in it, i hold it up for him to drink.
At first he only stares at me with a pout on his lips before reluctantly drink the water, i hear a chuckle behind me and i look at Yoongi over my shoulder.
- you’re picking strays like that? - he teases.
- shut up… I’d do the same for you… - I mumble.
- you wouldn’t.
His assertion was final, it was truth. I would never do the same for him because he would never put himself into such situations, Yoongi didn’t need anyone to take care of him he was just that capable of living by himself. Knowing exactly every step to take to get where he wanted and never falling into the temptations of getting wasted as it would only take away his focus and control. Perhaps now I could actually get a little bit inside his mind after all, that thought brought a smile to my face for some reason.
I spend the next moments taking care of Jimin, making sure he eat an apple from the fruit plate in the middle of the coffee table that at first I thought was fake, and making sure he drinks water until he’s at least bit sober.
Jimin was a baby when drunk, I took those mental notes as he nuzzled on my neck and pouted the entire time.
If it wasn’t for the moment someone called him over he would probably still be on my lap like a puppy.
- Thank you miss body guard… thanks to you I can walk down the stairs without breaking a bone - he smiled at me before walking out the privet room.
I chuckled to myself as I saw him leaving.
- you’re quite the sweetheart adopting strays… - yoongi mumble.
- you seem jealous? - I retorted.
- me? Of that? - he scoffed, while pouring another glass of whiskey for himself.
He looked at me for a moment wordlessly, his gaze boring into mine. He slides closer to my side, until i almost feel his body heat against mine.
- Maybe you’re just trying to get a reaction out of me, - he added, voice lowering to a deep murmur as he holds his eyes still firmly on mine.
- And if I want a reaction, which do I get? - I stare back at his eyes firmly.
A hint of a smirk tugged at the corners of his mouth, and he took another drag from his cigar, a plume of smoke billowing around his face.
-Maybe you should find out, -he replied, his voice lowering to a deep murmur. He was leaning so close now I could feel the heat from his body, the scent of cigar smoke filling my lungs and the whiskey on his breath.
He let the moment drag on, his eyes never leaving mine. After a few moments of silence, he reached out, his fingers brushing against my cheek as he holds my chin to face him.
- You’re playing a dangerous game, - he murmured, almost to himself.
- you’ve been sitting here watching, playing fool but I want you… - I stare back at him.
A low growl escaped his lips and in one swift move, he had me backed up against the couch, his body pressed close to mine, hands on each side of my head, trapping me under him.
- You’re playing with fire…. - he whispered against my ear, his voice a low murmur. - we shouldn’t do this game now… I’m working here.
I froze for moment, his eyes meeting mine with a longing and fire I never seen before. I could feel my body heat rise, my chest moving up and down as I breathed and the loud thump of my own heart beat in my ears.
- You don’t know what you’re asking for, - he said quietly, his voice almost hoarse. - teasing me like this before my meeting….
- Why? Afraid someone might walk in? - I mumbled, breathing heavily as I looked from his eyes to his lips.
I could see how he tensed slightly, his eyes darting to the door.
- I’m not afraid of anything, - he snapped, his voice a little gruff. He leaned in closer to my face, his gaze intense. - But if someone were to walk in, what would they see? How much… would be off by then?
He slides his hand under the skirt of the dress, tracing up my thigh and pulling over his hip.
His hand clenched around my thigh, the tension between you both growing.
- You want to do this here? - He asked quietly, his voice gruff. He leaned in even closer, his breath hot against the skin of my neck.
- You set my body on fire… is only fair you take care of it.
- I might just do something we’ll both regret. - he murmured, his voice low and rough.
- I never thought you’d be one to restrain yourself?
A smirk tugged at the corner of his lip, and let out a mocking little huff.
- You really think you can tease me, don’t you? - He asked, his voice lowering to a dangerous murmur.
Before i could respond, he suddenly pressed his body against me, his lips claiming mine in a harsh, intense kiss.
- Mmmh… - I circle my arms around his neck, pulling him even closer.
His lips met with mine hungrily, body pressing against mine and hands gripping my thighs in bruising grip. He didn’t hold back, making me ache even more for his touch, giving in to the desire i had been holding back for so long. One of his hands gripped my hip as the other slides over my side and chest, giving it a tight squeeze before sliding up my neck grabbing a fistful of my hair. I moan into his mouth, arching my back, he let out a low, guttural, possessive growl against your mouth.
He tilts my head to the side, with a pull on my hair trailing his lips down my neck, leaving rough kisses as he went. I was a mess under him as he continued to bite and suck on the sensitive skin, gripping his shoulders as I felt him leave a long lick over my pulse.
- Do you have any idea what you do to me?- He whispered against my skin, his voice rough and ragged sending shivers down my spine.
- Ahhh… I could think of… a few things… - I mumble breathlessly.
He thinks I can still speak right now?
He let out a mocking little huff, his breath hot against my neck.
- Oh really? - He asked, his lips hovering over your skin, his tongue darting out to taste you. - You seem confident, huh?
- shut up…
He lets out a dark laugh, his hand tightening in your hair.
- Is that what you want? - he presses another harsh nip at my neck. - For me to shut up?
He tugged on my hair again, pulling my head back further, exposing more of my neck completely to himself. His lips trail wet kisses along my skin, nibbling gently on my collarbones.
He lets go of my hair, hand trailing down the curve of my body to my hip, squeezing the flesh in a tight grip.
I could feel his smirk against my skin, his fingers gripping into my hip tighter as he pushed his body even more against mine, pressing his hips into mine.
- Don’t tell me you’re getting shy on me all of a sudden? - he murmured, his tone almost mocking.
- Shut up… you know what I want…
- I know what you want - he murmured, his voice low and rough. He leaned in, his lips ghosting against my earlobe so softly I could feel my body giving in all restraints - But I want to hear you say it. Tell me what you want.
I couldn’t bring myself to say it, all the things I wanted him to do to me in that moment. All the lewd things that clouded my mind and the ways I wanted him to take me. For a split second I was back at reality, we shouldn’t be doing this now. Anyone could enter the room, but heaving him so close after heaving a taste was not helping my mind make a single right thought.
So I didn’t say anything and just pulled him into a fervently kiss.
He groans against my lips, almost caught of guard as i pull him but quickly, his hand is gripping my hip even tighter as he regains controls once more. His body is pressed even more into mine, his other hand grabbing a fistful of my hair, as his lips move against mine hungrily, desperately as if he couldn’t get enough of it and so couldn’t I.
His tongue delves into my mouth, tasting, dominating the kiss in a brutal sort of way. He was restless, pushing and pressing his body flush against mine, his arms wrapped around your waist as he grinds against my core pulling my leg over his hip.
I groan into his mouth, pulling on his hair making him moan into the kiss, his hand yanking on your hair slightly as I bite his bottom lip. He was so demanding and fierce, It turned me on even more, and i could feel the fire inside me burning hotter with each second. I needed him desperately.
He pulls away from the kiss, nipping at my lip, and moves back to kiss along the side of my neck again, this time with a little more teeth, as if to leave his own mark on me.
- You’re driving me crazy… - he murmurs against your throat, his voice rough.
He lets out another low chuckle, as he continues to kiss along your neck, his teeth grazing the skin, leaving behind little marks as his hands roam all of my body.
I stare up at his eyes, holding him closer. I wanted to stay in that moment forever but before I could even open my lips to say anything, the sound of a knock on the door stopped us.
He froze, his eyes snapping towards the door, his expression dark. He was breathing heavily, holding me even tighter, obviously angry to be interrupted at this moment.
- He’s here… - Jack voice says from the other side of the door.
The men Yoongi was supposed to meet arrived. What a timing.
Once he registered that he was quick to let go of me, sitting upright while he fixed his shirt.
Now it was time for business, for Agust d to show up.
- I’m gonna fix myself in the bathroom… - I say as I get up.
- yeah… don’t take too long though - he mumbles already taking another cigar from his pocket.
Once I exit the room I release a breathe I didn’t even knew I was holding, my body still tingled from the after effects of his touches and I couldn’t think of anything else but us.
I no longer felt ashamed from wanting more, for the first time I’ve been with Yoongi I only wanted more of him. I didn’t had to worry about people finding out at work because I no longer belonged to that life.
As I walk to the ladies room, I look back at the corridor seeing as a men with white hair walks into the room Yoongi was. He had two bodyguards with him and Jimin by his side, clinching his arm like an intimate friend. So that’s what he does - I thought.
I didn’t wanted to go back now, so I took my time in the bathroom. Splashing some cold water on my hands so i can wet my neck, trying my best to keep my body in control.
For some reason I had a bad feeling about this meeting. I couldn’t put my mind into what it was, but something felt odd. I felt like I saw that men with the white hair before, was it something at the station about him, perhaps, but I couldn’t put my mind to it.
With one last look at the mirror I exit the bathroom, walking back to the VIP room. From afar I notice the two body guards weren’t by the door anymore, making me stop immediately at my tracks. This didn’t seem right, as I reach for the door handle I hear a groan from behind the door and my heart jumps in my chest - Yoongi!
I gasped as a hand grabs me from behind pressing a cloth over my mouth and nose, the strong smell of chemicals immediately hits me making my nose burn. I try my hardest to pull away but the men holds me tightly against a wall, my mind was beginning to feel hazy and I knew what would happen then.
I was getting kidnapped.
What a damn timing.
[…]
It felt like I was hit by a car, my head was so heavy it took my longer to open my eyes then to wake up. I regretted immediately after once a sharp pain hit through my head, when I tried to move I felt my wrists and feet tied to the chair.
All the sounds around me were distant muffled voices, my head was spinning and I couldn’t speak.
- oi! Wake up doll…
- oh… gods… you guys are ugly - i groaned, looking up at the two men.
I’m so fucked now, how did i even got in this situation?
- ahh damn you Agust D!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Authors note: Call me the queen of cliff hanger endings because I’m about to push you all, jokes aside i bet you all thought i left right? And i did… for some time, but I’m back to finish this up for you all. Also sorry for any errors and mistakes. You better give this chapter a heart! Love you all and happy new year!
Tag list; @catlove83 @passionandsuga @crystallizedtime @cuntessaiii @rosquilleta @fatmaortiz @wobblewobble822 @mygdday @coralmusicblaze @whipwhoops @glosstwn @i-have-no-life-charlie @kooslilhoe @tarahardcore @manuosorio @thvlover @missroro @btspurplesky @i-am-invisible-for-you @celticcountrygal @fairywriter-oracle @m4gg13-g @unadulteratedlyunique @anaspectoflife @younhakim29 @nochookiee @strxwbloody @yoongislatinagff @pandafuriosa60 @kimsonlyluv @sukonsukuna @amariemoore @starrlo0ver @effielumiere @lovelgirl22 @baechugff @poochieshooky @seonghwaexile @xyahrinx
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skywalkr-nberrie · 9 months ago
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Fake Anidala fans saying that Padmé needed Anakin’s “whiny ass” as way to undermine her character and sort of bash her for loving and needing Anakin will never be true Padmé understanders. Padmé needing Anakin ≠ her needing a man and isn’t independent. Padmé literally never liked or wanted anyone before Anakin. She didn’t NEED a man to complete her. She was her one person and IS her own person even with Anakin. She crafted a successful career for herself at a very young age, became queen and led a whole planet at age 14. Then become a well known public figure of justice, and served as one of the most high ranking Republic senators in the galaxy. Padmé falling in love doesn’t take away from any of her individuality and independence. There’s also absolutely nothing wrong with her needing Anakin. It’s because she loves him so much. They both needed each other like that equally. Yet it’s only ever talked about as if it was “one-sided” and Padmé is some helpless lovesick damsel in distress who needed a man to fulfil her, while her hero didn’t give two craps about her. NO! That’s NOT their story. 
Padmé loved Anakin so much, and needed him just as much as he needed and loved her (I mean, take a look at where he ended up just because he thought she’d die.) people would call this “co-dependency” in reality, but I’m going to get a little controversial here and say that’s the point of their love story and even be the first to say that it’s not framed as a bad thing either. Because under the lens of fantasy and not reality, this narrative is acceptable. Anakin and Padmé are based off classical love tragedies, and essentially their so called “co-dependency” as people say (not me) isn’t supposed to be viewed as “unhealthy.” It’s supposed to be viewed as a testament to how much they love and need each other. It’s part of the “Star Crossed Lovers” narrative, in literally every single piece of media that includes this trope. What they have wouldn’t even be considered “co-dependency” either within the context of their story, it’s just naturally how they love one another. However, I’m only using the word because that’s what people have referred to them as.
While we’re on the topic of “unhealthy and toxicity.” That’s another misconception of Anidala’s relationship I’ve seen the shippers themselves say against their relationship. First off, Anidala isn’t abusive, and it’s getting tiring to keep hearing that. “Yeah but he choked her.” Yes. Because that’s what happens when you fall to the darkside. You get twisted and corrupted. All your good traits fall away and it strips you from your true self. It makes you behave in a way that’s completely unlike you. Compare the affect of the darkside to a the addiction of a drug. This is how the darkside works canonically. Anakin was never awful nor abusive towards Padmé before this point of no return. They were madly in love. That’s why his actions are considered (in universe) to be so unlike himself because Anakin would NEVER hurt Padmé. Everyone can connect Vader’s redemption to Luke, and say he’s the person who always believed in his father, but Padmé was the one who started that. Padmé was the first to have unwavering faith in Anakin, even after what happened. Because that’s how strong their love was. Anidala was always meant to be seen as “true love” that it transcended and reached their son.
It’s okay if they make you uncomfortable and their kind of love isn’t your cup of tea, but don’t paint them under a narrative that has never existed.
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maxwell-grant · 8 months ago
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The Penguin Episode 4: Cent'anni Breakdown
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She goes through all these different levels of all these different personas: excellent daughter, overachiever, and this horrific feral state in Arkham. And it's not until the yellow dress that she finds the one that fits.
Kind of like sharks can't stop moving or they sink. It's that relentless pursuit of justice.
This changes her forever. She never comes back. Something so much bigger than her takes over in order to survive - Cristin Milioti
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This was pointed out to me by my friend and, show of hands everyone, who else thinks it's unbelievably fucking sick that it is Sofia who gets to show up at the Falcone dinner table, wearing a thematically appropriate embodiment of her childhood trauma, and do a "None of you are safe" speech?
(Episode 1) (Episode 2) (Episode 3) (Episode 5) (Episode 6) (Episode 7) (Episode 8)
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It probably felt odd to spend time with Sofia when we’re in a show called The Penguin. But I think it’s just as important so you can understand Oz psychologically. Even though I don’t view Oz as a hero or a villain, he is a greater villain in the show than anyone else. And for you to feel that way, I think you have to understand his primary antagonist more. And that’s Sofia.” - Lauren LeFranc
I gotta say I'm generally not enthusiastic about Penguin being depicted as overtly disgusting, like drooling and eating raw fish and all that Burton stuff (actually I do think the black bile is cool, but only so far as as that version goes), but for that opening scene, that was a spectacularly well-placed bit of grossness. Like this sheer craven animalistic ugliness of DeVito's Penguin descending for a second to show us how Sofia sees Oz, and even how right she is to do so at the moment because holy shit hahahahahaha
From what we can see of Sofia's pre-Arkham life, she was basically the Meadow Soprano of the family: The smart, overachieving golden child, whose social standing and eligitibility for leadership wouldn't even be up for debate if she was born a man like her loser brother (love AJ, relate uncomfortably to AJ, he's not at all morally comparable to Alberto, but he is very much a loser). Socially conscious and sticking up for victims but only if you don't poke too closely at her victim-generating family business, aware of some things but willfully blind to her own hypocrisy and insistent that daddy is still in average a good man who isn't as bad as people around her may say he is. I'd even say that the Sofia we see here is a more moral person than Meadow, although obviously being the daughter of Carmine Falcone is a much scarier, more isolating and horrific prospect than growing up the daughter of Tony Soprano (the ways in which the two Sopranos kids diverged and majorly prefigured American socio-political developments that kicked off after the show is a topic for another post).
(Also, I don't really want to bring up Sopranos comparisons because the shows are similar, they're really not, but I finished The Sopranos yesterday so they're gonna come up still)
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I think Mark Strong does a really good job here filling in for John Turturro's role, even if he's not quite as good in it as Turturro. I think he plays the character differently in a way that works really well for this being a past version of Carmine, filtered through Sofia's vision. He is imposing and quiet and mighty, a lone titan of unquestionable power over the entire world, not even remotely someone to be defied or displeased. Turturro's Falcone was charismatic and affable and oozing with unspeakable yet casual cruelty, and I would have liked that here, but I like the idea that we're seeing a Carmine from before he was invincible, when he still needed Sofia to help him get Congressman Hill on the phone and still worried about the future of the family at Alberto's hands, a Carmine from when the Maronis were still around and he wasn't the sole ruling power in Gotham, who could still possibly lose even without vigilante intervention.
He is larger, more imposing, a stern and stoic father who had little use for pleasantries, and with no mirth to be had at the expense of the little people who think they can do anything against him that matters, even if he is getting there. I think the difference here adds a nice little arc to Carmine: there was a time where he needed to keep up appearences, there was a time where he raised his voice above a whisper to get things done, and there was a time where he wasn't the real mayor of Gotham. There was a time where he was a "proper" Don, when he acted like his comics counterpart, and none of that really became necessary over the following decade, when he grew more and more invincible and isolated and comfortable in this nightmare he made the city into.
They also confirm here that apparently the Iceberg Lounge/44 Below existed way back when Oz was just Sofia's driver, and it was already Carmine's prostitute slaughterhouse even then and Alberto knew about it. Possibly explains why Oz was handed the club in the first place, because the Falcones already called him Sofia's penguin and putting The Penguin in charge of the Iceberg Lounge would fit their idea of a laugh (and given how much Oz hates being called Penguin, he would hardly come up with the name himself)
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Lmao, those dog comparisons I keep making really don't stop justifying themselves.
Credit again to Mike Marino and the prosthetics team for this younger Oz make-up, he strikes a very nice middleground between current Oz and the one we see as a kid.
Really like what we see of Sofia and Oz's dynamic here, again reinforcing that for all intents and purposes he was the sidekick in her HBO protagonist life. We see how Sofia likes his company and how she even kinda defends him from the family, but she really cannot bring herself to respect him very much and disdains him from the same very upper-class perspective the rest of the family does, she's just nicer about it. And in turn we see parts of where Oz's resentment to her comes from, and also the extent to which Oz was always lying in wait for an opportunity to get ahead regardless of her, his justified grievances as well as him being a conniving fuck. The really thin line this treads though, is that it establishes that neither of them were lying about how they meant something to each other, even if it doesn't help.
Sofia did have her life ruined partially because of Oz, she did endure horrific things while he got a promotion because he ratted her out to Carmine, and he very much did in part because he wanted to get ahead and saw an opportunity to do so. But also, Oz genuinely had no idea that this is what Carmine would do, and I think in large part this was also about keeping himself safe. It's not even that unbelievable that he was genuinely looking out for her, because holy shit you do not talk to the press about Carmine Falcone, daughter or not, and he tried warning her in the car before she rebuffed him and insulted him pretty deep for good measure. If Sofia talked to the press and would not stop talking (since he didn't know in the car that she rebuffed Gleeson) and shit started happening because of her snooping around, he would have absolutely gotten punished/murdered for it, it is not at all a stretch to assume that Carmine would have done something to Oz as punishment to Sofia.
Oz didn't plan any kind of misfortune, at no point did he mastermind her admission into Arkham (or even help keep her there with the letters, like the rest of the family), he just told Carmine something he shouldn't have, and neither of them expected anything too terrible was gonna come out of it. They both wildly underestimated what a complete scumbag Carmine is, but with Carmine (and the others) gone, there's nobody else to turn those grievances to.
Even if Oz could claim deniability for the Arkham thing, which he kinda can't but Sofia even tried to grant him anyway, he sure as shit can't for everything else he does in the opening minutes.
Oh hey it's Mr Mustache With The Broken Nose.
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A thing that came to mind when I was watching the episode was the story of Rosemary Kennedy, JFK's sister whose father arranged for her to be institutionalized and lobotomized at age 23 as a reponse to "difficult" behavior. I'm not recounting it in more detail here because the rest of it is just too horrific, look it up yourself if you're curious. I remembered it because reading about Rosemary Kennedy ruined my fucking day and it still pumps up the breaks in my train of thought every now and then, so it came to mind watching this story about a young woman horrifically institutionalized and butchered for the sake of her wealthy family's image. Later I heard the podcast, and turns out that actually was exactly what Lauren LeFranc based Sofia's story on, which was nice. I'm glad it also fucks Lauren LeFranc up and that we both agree she should have gotten to wreak revenge on the entire family over it, thank you Penguin Show that continues to be made for me, this was nice.
Oh hey, Magpie. Just the name, yeah, but that was another nice surprise. I used to have a bit of a soft spot for Magpie, occasionally I thought there was something to get out of her and Penguin together, so a part of me likes that they put Magpie in The Penguin show even if just in name. Yes, she only exists to be annoying and die, but that's what she already tends to do anyway. And y'know, much as I may like her, she is still a John Byrne character, so she doesn't really deserve much more than that
Jesus Christ this episode gets uncomfortable.
I like that this establishes that Julian Rush kinda did make an effort to help her and kinda felt bad about it, but not nearly enough, and that he is very much a complicit contemptible creep who has it coming as much as any of the people who put Sofia in there.
Cannot state enough how much I appreciate that they didn't put any actual named Batman villains in the Arkham Asylum episode, guarantee a lot of creators would not resist the temptation. I mean okay I guess there is a Ventris already in Batman but, come on, you know who I mean. This did not need any references to like, Jeremiah Arkham or Jonathan Crane or Hugo Strange or any of that, and that's not a diss on any of those guys, it's just that unlike pretty much every other Batman story, this episode does not undercut it's point about the horrific institutional horrors dehumanizing and destroying Sofia by pinning it on a chief boogeyman supervillain that Batman is going to fight later. Dr. Ventris is not responsible for the systemic rot that got her there nor is he the sole orchestrator/perpetrator of the abuse it's inmates suffer, he simply answers to those, and thus perpetuates them, by doing his job in a mental institution.
I am still haunted by the inmate committing suicide with a fork. It is so fucked up that Sofia was tortured and goaded by the doctors into murdering another inmate, and when that failed, they tortured her again and again and again until she snapped. The whole point was to push Sofia beyond the breaking point to justify further incarceration. The doctors just standing there letting her kill Magpie.
I want Dr.Rush to die.
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I have more thoughts on Arkham, but I'd call this the most horrific take on Arkham so far, because it is the most honest take on Arkham so far. Even at it's most run-down and monstrous, it is usually never at all into question that Arkham Asylum is necessary, because if it wasn't there, all the crazies would run rampant in Gotham. Over the years, it's monstrousness has always been tied directly and specifically to it's inmates, and whenever people have pointed out the shoddy conditions and inhospitable environment of Arkham as a factor for repeat offenders, it's pretty much always as a fandom joke outside of Batman stories proper, and if there is anything wrong with the way the Asylum works, it is always the fault of particularly evil villains attached. A Lock-Up, a Jeremiah Arkham, a Hugo Strange, etc. Arkham Asylum is in general a Batman concept that's raised a lot of discussions and calls for revision over the years, and a lot of the issues with it tie into larger issues around superhero depictions of the carceral system, that @artbyblastweave went into here.
Here, in large part because this is a realistic world and a Gotham without a rampaging supervillain contingent of repeat offenders who can magically break out constantly, it is never into question that the patients are the victims of this system, and if they are being turned into potential supervillains, it is because of Arkham inflicting this on them. This is an Arkham Asylum that remains a nightmarish, horrific force in this world, but not because it's Castle Dracula where all the crazy villains hang out, not even just because the rest of Gotham is hopelessly rotten and corrupt, but because it's a mental institution and depicted accordingly. It gets to dig into the real life horrors mental institutions inflict on it's patients without having to justify those measures as benign or necessary to keep crazy crimes from happening. Frankly, this take on Arkham Asylum has been long overdue.
In every form of Batman media, just about the worst thing that can happen at any given moment is Arkham Asylum falling and it's inmates escaping into the streets, that's generally what happens when Batman needs to deal with apocalyptic stakes (which is why of course it happens all the fucking time now). Here, that scenario would be regarded with cheer, because the worst thing that can happen in this universe is being sent to Arkham Asylum. It isn't just Batman's unofficial personal prison / punching gallery, if anything it massively raises the stakes on this Batman's next adventures, because now we know this is what's waiting for him if he gets caught and unmasked.
I like that Sofia and Oz are both trying to save/protect those they see as younger versions of themselves, while inflicting on them the kinds of tragedies that ultimately created them
Oz reached out to this poor disabled kid from the streets and is showing him the ropes, while also belittling him as a nobody and distorting his worldview and dragging him into life or death cornered scrapdog situations chipping away at his morals. Sofia saves her little niece who laughs at bad table manners and doesn't quite do what her family says, gently lulling her to sleep so she can kill her mom and her entire family.
Extremely important that Sofia Falcone makes her formal arrival as a villain by showing up dressed in a sexy yet fitting extension of her trauma / cultural reference (The Yellow Wallpaper / the walls in her mother's bedroom), before putting on a mask and enacting Gotham's first Mass Casualty Gas Attack, we love to see it.
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I was frankly already calling Sofia one of my favorite Bat-villains even before this episode, I'm just glad everyone seems to be on the same page with me now. I'm seeing a lot of posts on Twitter and Instagram talking about how they're rooting for Sofia instead of Oz, that she deserves to win this war, and good, fucking amazing that they're doing this, again, this show is hitting home runs I could not have foreseen.
It is incredible what a character they've made out of Sofia, and the fact that we now see Oz as her antagonist as much as we see Sofia as his, and the fact that if Penguin wins, he will win this as a villain. He will steal a victory he does not deserve and rub it in your face and he will make the children of the world cry for it as any villain worth his name should be doing, and it frankly wouldn't be much of a fight if Sofia wasn't every bit the complicated, engaging protagonist he is. Lauren LeFranc claimed that she sees Sofia is the closest the show has to a hero even if she is not, and this is the episode that sold everyone on it.
Halfway through the show and it's only gotten better and better, can't wait for what's coming next.
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valtsv · 1 year ago
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This isn't a gotcha, so please don't take it as such, but would yuou be willing to explain what it is about VAL that makes her such a favourite of yours? I can't stand her myself, she comes across to me as a bully given god-like power that she abuses for her own amusement, and I've seen you acknowledge as much, but we draw completely different conclusions from that. I just want to understand your perspective.
i've been anticipating a question like this for a while now, so i'm more than happy to answer for you!
you're right, VAL is in some ways a "bully given godlike power" as you put it, and there's no avoiding that (nor do i want to). and yeah, i do like her in part because of that, because i have a fondness for horrible fictional characters and in particular "bad victim" archetypes, of which VAL certainly is one. but i think what makes her compelling to me, rather than repulsive, is that she is fundamentally a cautionary tale and a tragedy. in-universe, she's the scapegoat. the example. the "make the right choices or this could be you". she's inescapably, heartbreakingly human in her awfulness, and that makes her terrifying, but it also makes her deeply sad (at least to me).
i also strongly believe in rehabilitative/restorative justice, so for me, wanting better for VAL is about my real-world principles to a degree. i can't and won't argue that VAL doesn't function as an uncomfortable allusion to a lot of atrocious crimes against humanity (by humanity) within the narative, and that anyone who finds her upsetting or even hateful for these reasons is absolutely justified in doing so. however, she's still a fantasy entity at the end of the day. she's not a 1:1 stand-in for real-world abuses any more than, say, a vampire or werewolf, which plenty of people are more than happy to explore the nuances of. and there's also the question of what punitive measures would even achieve in her case, beyond personal satisfaction for the one administering or spectating them (which is not to say that wanting to punch VAL makes you as bad as she is, just that her arc is, among other things, about how cycles of abuse and violence perpetuate). the worst that could possibly happen to her has already happened. she's been tortured. she's been taken advantage of for her mistaken belief that working for and with the system has the opportunity to benefit her, and died for it. there's nothing to be "learned" from her punishment that hasn't already been shown to us. that she hasn't already internalised. if she were ever to develop a stable conscience, that would be punishment enough in my opinion.
despite being a victim of people not entirely unlike VAL, i personally am not her victim, so treating her with sympathy and kindness whilst acknowledging the elephant in the room that is her many (fictional) war crimes is not something that requires any cognitive dissonance on my behalf. i would cautiously argue that the narrative agrees with me somewhat in this regard - the few times VAL is treated to a genuine act of kindness with no ulterior motives, it shatters her composure and outward conviction that what she's doing is necessary for her personal satisfaction, and even prompts her to reconsider on occasion (sparing the woodsman comes to mind). i'm not saying anyone needs to hug her and tell her she's valid, but if all it takes is some genuine good intent to get her to engage in introspection, i'm willing to be the person to offer it.
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Hello! Can I apply for a general relationship hc with Lyney?
Ah yes, greatest magican, aka the rizzard. I should say that at the point of writing this, I still have not played his character story and have evaded spoilers for it very well so far, so if anything is not that accurate that's why. But I hope you enjoy these headcanons!
CW: None GN Reader
Lyney Relationship Headcanons
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Let me start this off by saying. This man is an absolute simp for you. If he could, he'd buy you everything you could ever want or need in life.
He lives to see you happy, a day where he hasn’t made you smile and laugh is a day he considered wasted. If the people of Fontaines believe in justice is the power used to energise the technology in Fontaine, then your laughs and smiles are the power to energise Lyney.
Lyney always gives you a rainbow rose before every date. Sometimes he gives them to you like a normal person, most of the time though he will give them to you with a magic trick. You have no idea what he does to the flowers, but he has to do something with them since they never seem to wilt away. You once asked him how he did it and all he claimed was “They will bloom as long as I love you my dear, which means they will bloom forever.”
Surprising you with magic tricks is one of his favourite activities. He comes up with so many ideas that it is impossible to carry them all out. And poor Lynette always has to help him set up the ones he does carry out and has to be his assistant for them, even if she is hidden somewhere so you won’t see her. She loves her brother truly, but by the Archons his love sick self could be annoying.
Speaking of magic tricks, for every one of his shows he has a seat reserved for you. He is aware that you can’t go to every one of his and Lynette’s shows, but he still reserves a seat for you anyways. So that when you are watching them you are always in the same seat and he can easily find your eyes amongst the many people in the audience. He will look at you, and his eyes turn soft and his smile grows a bit wider.
And should he ever need an assistant from the audience? Well lets just say that whenever you are watching the number generator randomly picks you every time. What a coincidence right?
Walking through the streets of Fontaine while holding hands is a must for him. He wants everyone to see what an amazing partner he has. If it were up to him all of Teyvat would know that he is taken and absolutely enamoured by you.
Though it should be said that despite being absolutely in love with you, Lyney would not be in a relationship with you if his sister or brother couldn’t stand you. They are a big and very important part of his life, and anyone who does not like them has no place in his life and heart. Luckily for you Lynette likes you, she sees how happy you make her brother. Freminet appreciates that you do not force him to speak when he is clearly uncomfortable and is also grateful for you that you treat them all with respect and love.
Whenever you aren’t paying attention to your surroundings, be it because you are sitting somewhere and reading a book, engrossed in the story, or because you are cooking a meal for Lyney, his siblings and well yourself, he will sneak up on you from behind and wrap his arms around you, kissing your cheek as he laughs. You want to be mad at him for scaring you, but how can you when he laughs so happily and his eyes shine with love?
While Lyney obviously has many magic tricks he works on to show them in front of a big audience and always has Lynette as his assistant. There is one trick that he is currently planning where he doesn’t want an audience or an assistant for. 
What is that trick? Well let’s just say it has to do with a ring sitting in a small velvet box ;)
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justcameheretobyler · 5 months ago
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I’ve been reflecting on Eleven and Mike’s fight in Season 4, and I feel like Mike doesn’t get the justice he deserves in that scene. Most people focus on his defensive side, which is fair, but it misses the complexity of his character.
First, let’s talk about Eleven.
El and Mike’s bond is incredibly special. He was the first person to offer her a warm place to stay and give her comfortable clothes—clothes he wore in the first scene of the show btw. Mike became a pillar in El’s life. Does she need him to survive? No. But she loves him deeply, just like she loves Hopper. Both gave her a home when they didn’t have to.
When Mike found Eleven, he had no idea she had powers. He stood up to Dustin and Lucas to keep her safe, showing how much he cared about her as a person. Even the lines people criticize him for—like calling her a "weapon"—weren’t meant to dehumanize her. Mike was just trying to convince Lucas to let her stay with the party. He’s always been tender with El, promising her they’d meet again when she rang the doorbell.
But let’s focus on the fight scene.
El had just lost her powers—the one thing that made her feel safe and in control. Mike had warned her this might happen, but the loss left her vulnerable. Without her powers, she reverted to the little girl who was bullied in the lab. This explains why she let Angela bully her, even though El is normally confrontational. She was scared of being different and wanted desperately to fit in. She also let Mike lie to her because she didn’t want to lose more than she already had. Deep down, she suspected Mike didn’t love her the way she wanted him to, but she couldn’t face it.
So, El lied to Mike, just as Mike was lying to her. They both clung to a "safe path," pretending everything was okay when it wasn’t. When El told Mike he was scared of her, she was really projecting her own fear—her fear of herself. She didn’t want to confront the possibility that she was the monster in her broken memories. Blaming Mike was easier. That fight became a turning point for her, forcing her to confront the “I love you” issue and begin facing her own fears.
Now, let’s talk about Mike.
Mike was unhappy and anxious, but he didn’t fully understand why. He had mixed feelings about himself—and about Will—but he likely suppressed them because they didn’t feel "right" or "normal." He clung to the idea of being the boyfriend of his “superhero girlfriend” because it seemed like the path he should take. Plus, Mike has always felt responsible for El’s happiness. From the moment he took her in, he probably felt like he had to protect her, and since he knew El loved him, he assumed it was natural to love her back.
He should love her.
But he doesn’t
And he can’t say it.
That’s what makes their fight so uncomfortable and lacking intimacy. Something is broken—not just between them, but within each of them. They were both pretending to belong to something normal, and it didn’t work. They couldn’t face their truths, so they stayed stuck.
By the end of Season 4, though, things seem to shift. El realizes she’s not a monster, and Mike starts to accept his own feelings—at least a little. It’s hard to say what will happen in Season 5, but I think it would be strange if they stayed together. A breakup and an honest conversation would be so much better for both of them.
Even before I started shipping Byler, I didn’t think ElMike was my cup of tea couple. It’s just not my relationship goal. Byler, on the other hand, works because of how they accept their mistakes and apologize to each other almost immediately (in their own way).
So, I hope these three people can have their own happy ending.
I'll keep our tags cuz I like this side of tumblr.
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iscdisc · 28 days ago
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I am wondering I know you mentioned you ship jonetello and such. I was wondering what is your opinion on Raph? And what’s your favorite ship with him?
I like 2012 Raph ! I find his character relatable a majority of the time and I wish his anger issues were handled differently / written better- 😭👍
If you're asking me if I ship 2012 Raph and Casey, I don't-! Nothing against people who do, of course ! I just personally don't see it, and I think how their dynamic was handled in the show plays a part in that perspective-! But ultimately I just see those two platonically ! (I apologize if you weren't asking this though-! I just thought maybe you were because you brought up my enjoyment of 2012 Donnie and Casey, so I assumed you might've been wondering if I shipped 2012 Raph and Casey also since I get that question a lot-!)
However, I do ship 2012 RaMona and 2012 Raphril (Fanonly, since my enjoyment of this ship is primarily founded upon April's character being written better / her character being handled very differently-) a lot ! I enjoy his relationship with Y'gthba ("Mona Lisa") a lot + I find 2012 RaMona to be the most tolerable canonical pairing (Though, I will admit I think a big reason for that is because they had the least amount of screentime compared to the other pairings the writers were trying to push, therefore they had the least amount of opportunities to ruin it in my opinion- Lmao), and I enjoy thinking about a relationship between Raph and April because of how similar they are !
2012 April and Raph are both very temperamental, they both have a strong sense of justice, they both have a difficult time expressing themselves / being vulnerable at times, they both aren't the most physically affectionate people (I know April gave Donnie kisses a lot, but that doesn't count to me since the writers were treating this like an "average girl behavior" which I disagree with completely + these were meant in a platonic way apparently since we see her get physically uncomfortable with hugging from Donnie or Casey, so- 💀), they both are very cocky and prideful, they both are very snarky and sarcastic, they both love animals (Raph with Spike / Chompy / and pigeons, and April with Ice Cream Kitty before she got mutated / a lone rat she encountered in, "I, Monster" / technically Dr. Rockwell before he regained his sense of self / etc.), they both have pretty reserved dispositions overall, they both are incredibly skeptical-
I just feel like Raph would have respected April the way that she deserved to be respected (Especially as a fighter, if that's truly what she wanted to pursue-), and April would have helped Raph feel very seen and understood as a individual (Especially with her psychic abilities, given how difficult it is for these two to express themselves, at least in my opinion-). I also think this growth in their relationship would have been substantiated by Raph not liking April right away because she was a human / him just being very distrustful of humans- Even though April turned out to not be entirely human, she's still very human passing (so to speak), so I feel like that wouldn't really matter to him, you know? Lmao
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There's also the fact that I think they're very pleasing to the eye together design and color scheme wise ! I'm not sure if this point is as easy to convey though-? I feel like this might just be a me thing, since I feel the exact same way about 2012 Casey and Donnie- 😭👍✨
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