#I loved him in sense8 too

[natjennie]

god sayid is so fucking hot.

[mashmouths]

so i started this show and it just gets worse and worseeeee not only did it lift the romance subplot directly from twilight (and not well) but they also are trying to play the forbidden love angle hard in the fantasy racism vein except it's a "cross-species" relationship between the two whitest people i've ever seen in my life and there are three people of color in the whole (first season of the) show who aren't villains and it seems that every other episode (and sometimes ebery episode and sometimes twice an episode!) there is a man physically or magically subjugating a woman and i keep waiting for the big reveal at the end to be stolen from fucking rainbow rowell

[erros429]

why are you calling farcille sapphic representation when they aren’t even canon

had a very lengthy internal debate with myself on whether i wanted to answer this with an essay or say something short like “because i’m sapphic and they represent me.” but you guys can have the essay too.

i’d like to preface this by saying that i understand where you’re coming from. explicit lgbt+ representation is so deeply important and queer characters in media needs to be normalized instead of tokenized so that queer viewers can feel like there is a world that accepts them and that they can belong in.

HOWEVER. this does not also mean that queercoding and subtext should be devalued, especially given how ingrained it is in queer culture and media. historically, when it was a lot more dangerous to show a character as queer without villainizing them in some way, subtext was all a queer viewer could have. but it’s because of those small hints (see: the legend of korra) that we could have popular media that unabashedly shows queer love. however, even that representation has been stifled, either by only allowing the queer love to be shown in the end (see: adventure time, she-ra, and voltron) or by straight up canceling the show itself (see: the owl house, warrior nun, i am not okay with this, sense8, and first kill).

now let’s get into the actual discussion of farcille. more often than not, shipping arises more from seeing the buildup of a couple rather than when they actually get into a relationship. and this goes for any ship, not just queer ones. but you’re not questioning me on shipping farcille, you’re questioning that i called them sapphic representation without them actually being canon (and therefore they can’t be considered representation).

however, i wholeheartedly think that farcille cannot be read as anything other than romantic, and i genuinely believe that (MANGA SPOILERS) they’d pursue a relationship post-canon, now that falin is un-chimera’d and marcille has a less anxious attachment style to the people she loves. dungeon meshi doesn’t focus on romance whatsoever, and there honestly wouldn’t be any time to show romance anyway because neither character was in a position to be ready for one, so the only appropriate moment would be post-canon.

and that’s where the importance of subtext comes in. ryoko kui’s storytelling relies heavily on her audience’s media literacy skills. though laios is never explicitly stated as autistic, his character is written in such an exquisite way, that any viewer could easily guess what she was trying to represent there. i would 100% consider him to be autistic representation, even without him saying it in-text. now why shouldn’t i be allowed to extend that same logic to farcille being sapphic representation? all the tell-tale queercoding signs are there, just like all the tell-tale autistic-coding is present in laios. i don’t need the two girls to kiss to be aware of how utterly devoted and in love they are with each other.

[powerpolyculeshowdown]

Do you have recommendations for shows/books/whatever with canon/basically canon polyamory?

ok the only media w officially canon polyam i personally consumed are Iron Widow and Hades.

Iron Widow is a mecha scifi/chinese fantasy book, it has pacific rim mechanics, so it takes 2 ppl to pilot the mecha but its more dystopian in that the pilot (male) usually drains the life force of his concubine (female). the mc has a guy shes interested in from the start but she pushes him aside to seek her goals to become a concubine pilot (theres a very good reason for this but i dont wanna give too much away) ends up being forced to work w the most dangerous pilot (spoilers hes actually a misunderstood sweetheart and i love him), her first love somehow finds his way back into her life so he can be their ally and its very clear from the first time he meets the other guy that this bitch is bi af. At one point he literslly saves their lives and i wont elaborate on that cause again spoilers but someone mentioned it in a propaganda ask. They canonically fall in live w each other and start dating. Please look up the trigger warnings first cause theres some heavy subjects addressed in this book. The book itself has trigger warnings listed at the start so if u find it at a book store u can check them this was too.

Hades is a roguelike videogame w dating sim mechanics (ish) -you give gifts to characters to learn more about them, and theres two romance options but you can romance both at once, they're both aware of and okay with it, hinting that they mightve had a past even before zagreus was born (its greek gods one is death incarnate the other is one of the furies, they've basically existed since forever)

From the submissions I got:

ive been told Leverage is like the korrasami of polyam, as in they were as polyam as they could be in a show from 2010, so it sounds like its canon but not explicit because they couldnt get away with that.

The girls from Amphibia are apparently in a similar situation, heavily implied canon, someone told me it was confirmed by people who worked on the show, but i dont think its explicitly stated.

The Kane Chronicles apparently also has canon polyam, although its 2 bodies, cause I think one of them has a god in him or something? I never read the books, but I was told Sadie (i think thats her name? The girl) is in love w both of them, and kinda dating both too i think?

I dont know if Singing in the Rain is canon but theres that kiss gif that got prrtty popular on tumblr where kathy kisses one of the guys then the other, so it looks canon? or at least implied canon?

Sense8 as some people have mentioned has 1 officially confirmed to be canon throuple, 1 that has a lot of hints to confirm but a lot of ppl see it as a gay couple w a very supportive friend ig and someone else said in general because of the plot u could kind of see the 8 of them as a big polycule, although that one isnt canon

HoneyWorks/Heroine Tarumono is one of those songs turned novel turned anime. i dont think its confirmed canon but theres a lot of stuff pointing to the possibility, you mightve see @non-fantasy telling me about them in a few asks. im obsessed and ive yet to watch anything

Penumbra Podcast: Second Citadel has Rilla/Sir Damien/Lord Arum, i also haven't listened to this one but a lot of people told me rilla and damien were in a pre-established relstionship, both got crushed on lord arum separately, talked about it and worked things out to now be a canon polycule

im She-Ra (netflix) theres a trio that is implied to be a polycule at the end, a lot of ppl called them canon in the notes but i dont personally ember it being confirmed? i am very forgetful tho. It's Rogelio/Kyle/Lonnie, unfortunately they lost the prelim round

I believe people submitted some others that were canon but im very forgetful so i cant remember right now

[moirindeclermont]

Daily thread about BridgertonS3: now, after some proper aftercare and with a lot of group therapy in forms of amazing conversation with people in the fandom, I'm okay with this season. More than okay to be honest.

Narrative speaking it did hit the points: Pen needed to accept all parts of herself, that she didn't have to sacrifice part of her identity to be happy. Let me tell you, this is so important to me because it's full of people saying you can't have it all. Fuck it. I can and I will.

Colin needed a reminder that he didn't need to change. Pen loved him for his best qualities and because she wanted a partner, not just a husband. My man had to overcome toxic masculinity to do that and it's beautiful to see.

It's perfect? Of course not. I'd do a bunch of stuff in a completely different way. I've added more intimacy between them because this is what I want. But nothing can be perfect. If the finale of Sense8 didn't achieve perfection, no other thing can.

Jokes aside, there isn't a thing that's perfect. And every opinion is valid. It's okay if you found it lacking or frustrating. I'd like though to suggest to wait a bit before casting judgement, as we are still in the processing phase. Give it time to breath.

Now, I'm happy to bask in the positive things. That mirror scene will haunt my dreams for the rest of my existence. The consent. The perfect mix between lust and innocence. But not just that. Pen having all. Husband and purpose. You know how rare it is??

In the end the imperfection helps too. It gives a realistic portrait. So I'm okay with that too. Being kind with yourself, and if you need to talk with someone I'm here or on Tumblr! Take care 💓

[bengiyo]

Love for Love's Sake Ep 7 Stray Thoughts

Yesterday, the game started falling apart around Myungha, and it was scary as hell. His latest mission was to get Yeowoon to 100,000 IG followers. After getting help from Sangwon's mom, Yeowoon's stalker came out of hiding and tried to snatch Myungha's phone. Sangwon berated Myungha for his behavior, and Myungha is being more direct with Yeowoon. We left on a pretty effed cliffhanger where Myungha has 24 hours to decide if his grandmother or Yeowoon should die, but I know my boy will defy fate.

In my feelings about my grandmother again. She also gave me advice before the end.

Episode 7: Choices

Yeowoon brought the apricots! 😭

I was wondering how they would use the countdown clock, and I like the choice to knock him down to 15 days. I almost wonder if the game isn't actually falling apart and this is designed for the drama.

That was a little fast, but showing Myungha choosing to abandon happiness in a vacuum but choosing Myungha in a real scenario is excellent. He didn't even hesitate.

Even if he's mostly inviting the friends over because he's worried about Yeowoon, Myungha is so right that you have to work on your friendships too. You can still have couple time later, but you gotta keep your friends involved.

I like that Sangwon and Yeowoon still pick at each other.

You love your blorbo, but do you trust him? Will you be vulnerable with him?

Oooh, I like the pen as a reward for changing anything. It's giving Vlad saying he wants to write the ending.

Yeowoon asking all the right questions, and leading to the heart of it. Happiness is more than a momentary surge of feelings from a nice treat or a kiss. It's grounded in emotional security with those we value.

Now you're making your blorbo cry! Where is Yamada? She needs to come yell at this broody boy, too!

I usually hate these kinds of breakups in romance stories, but I like the way Myungha's cowardice plays into the game mechanics for this one. It's reminding me of Lito in Sense8.

Deleted? What did you write??

I love seeing the world literally fall apart because Myungha can't be emotionally honest with Yeowoon.

Another great cliffhanger.

This has been so excellent. It's so enjoyable having a show with clear character writing and a good understanding of its core conflict. The original trailer really didn't set me up for this, but this has been a very pleasant surprise. I am thriving.

[sergeant-angels-trashcan]

I'm literally about to sleep but Kate and the 141 being a sense8 cluster is this anything

THE WAY MY EYES WIDENED HOLY SHIT

(Gonna ignore age differences. Maybe they all technically died and "breathed their first breath together" upon resuscitation I love shit like that anyway)

They would be in a cluster for the LONGEST time and not realize it. The guys would BE in the task force together and NOT REALIZE IT. But also. I love the angst. And I kinda want Kate to visit with Simon as he's buried alive. Because how fucking horrifying????? And his fear/panic is so great that it yanks her consciousness to him. Maybe this is before they are born as a cluster? But the trauma is so great that Simon's brain is reaching and reaching and reaching for the connections that should be there!!! And Kate is the closest geographically.

nooo no this is really interesting. i think the trauma could trigger the birth of the cluster, OR, Kate and Simon are kind of like...preemies? They can sort of sense each other but their sensate biology isn't fully developed so it's a very incomplete form of visiting/sharing (it would be interesting if trauma is why their cluster is all different ages? like they were all supposed to be in DIFFERENT clusters. Simon and Kate would have had the same cluster "parent" and the rest of the 141 would have been in separate clusters but trauma+proximity made those connections form with each other? Near death experiences? I'm thinking about when Gaz falls out of the helicopter. The sensate part of his brain is like FUCK I NEED CONNECTION and Simon's sensate brain is all untethered and goes oh HELL yes, FINALLY, cluster here we come! (sensate scientists are fucking feral over this cluster and the IMPLICATIONS )

BUT ANYWAY

simon is just like "sometimes I hallucinate a woman, it's a trauma response"

Gaz: huh weird me too sometimes. First I was freaked out, you know? But then I got used to her

Soap, joking: she's not American, is she?

Gaz, Ghost, and Price turn as one to look at him.

Price: what

So THEN they all think they are having a shared hallucination. Is that something that can be spread? Ghost seems like patient zero but he never said anything about her til now???

Naturally Kate chooses this moment to bebop in. "So I'm a shared hallucination? I don't feel like a hallucination." "How would you know?" Soap points out. "You've got me there. Counterpoint: Why would you create a hallucination that is American?" The four men lean back. Which. Well. "I mean, me hallucinating four hot British guys? Believable. Four hot British guys hallucinating me? Not so much." "You think I'm hot?" Soap says. They ignore him. "You're saying we are the hallucinations," Ghost says flatly. "Or, get this," she says. "None of us are hallucinations." Gaz makes a disbelieving hum. "Okay fine. Easy test." She sticks out her hand, palm up, wiggling her fingers. "Someone give me a phone." After some hesitation, Price pulls his out and slaps it into her hand-her oddly solid hand. She taps the screen for a few seconds before handing it back. "Okay, call me." "What?" "I put my number in. Call me," she repeats then disappears. "Cap, "Gaz says when he finds his voice. "Did that hallucination just put a number in your phone?" "Oh, thank Christ," Soap interjects. "I'm not the only one who saw her." Price looks down at the phone in his hand before answering Gaz. "Appears so." "You gonna do it?" Soap bounces of the sofa. "'Spose it could be a detonator. You call it, something explodes." (Kate, appearing on the sofa next to Soap: oh, PLOT TWIST! I didn't do that, though. Don't know how to. Do you know how to do that? Soap: yes!!! Kate: omg can you teach me? Soap: YES :DDDD loml i will teach you how to make SO many things explode) Ghost kicks him. Gaz tugs the device out of Price's hand. "Video call," he says decisively. Price hits call. It rings. It rings It-- A man's face fills the screen. He's familiar. He is not, however, hallucination woman. "Clinty-boo, can you tell me what you see on my phone?" "What?" "Just tell me what you see.' "Three very confused dudes and someone in a mask, who could be confused and a dude, I just can't tell for sure." "Cool, thanks!" The familiar voice chirps before a familiar face fills the screen. "See?" she says, proud. "None of us are hallucinations. Yay!"

Ok for some reason I see Kate in Egypt doing something slightly sketchy to get info on Rama tut with Marc Spector and Layla El Faouly and she is like "can you see those creepy British guys?" (They cannot) Kate says something about how they are glaring at her and saying they're a 4 hour flight from her, she better not be doing anything illegal, yada yada, they keep following her around or vice versa??? And Marc, apropos of nothing, says, "Yeah, they're your cluster."

"Of what???"

"Fellow sensates. You're sensates."

WhAT

(idk i just liked the idea of Marc being like oh yeah nbd. and kate is like no no i think it's a VERY bd. also Marc knows Ghost.)

when kate visits them she koalas on to one of them. they're so used to it that when they meet in person Soap just carries her around because she's not supposed to walk!!!!

when they visit her Gaz is the one constantly touching her, always has an arm around her. always shows up when she starts to get irritated at her PI work

Her sleep schedule is super fucked because Ghost (NEVER asks her to) sleeps better if she is visiting him. since she has a more flexible schedule (aka is not in the military) she'll stay up late and take naps at random times during the day so Ghost can get some sleepy snuggles companionship to help him drift off

price will visit when she's strategizing to offer helpful advice. gives her scalp massages when the young avengers are on her last damn nerve.

ok i've been sitting on this for a while so i'm gonna stop here!! i love this idea

[variousqueerthings]

hi hello the exorcist show for the ask game please!!! (hope you are well!)

AHHH HELLO HELLO HELLO HELLO HELLO HELLO

awwyeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh (also known as: the show of all fucking time that nobody watched before it was too late, including my good self but lbr they were never giving it a third season but does it matter???? we got two seasons of some of the most beautiful narrative you can imagine. chill im chill you know im chill gosh im so happy you watched this show still!)

my favorite female character ooh, this is interesting, because I never had a Fave fave out of all of them, but i think a toss-up between Angela Rance (duh, perhaps, my beloved Geena Davis), Mother Bernadette (i miss u babe), and Rose Cooper (head solidly on her shoulders as she navigates the utterly bizarre, adopts all the kids 😭😭😭)

my favorite male character YOU KNOW! HOW DIFFICULT! THIS IS! YOU KNOW I HAVE TO GO MARCUS BUT THEN TOMAS WOULD ALSO SAY MARCUS (but then Marcus would say Tomas, so forwards and backwards we go) - my midlands orphan who was groomed and abused by the Church to become an object/weapon, who has somehow maintained an inherent belief in People, in Goodness, and above all who will never ever let another child suffer on his watch!!!! who sees abused children and wants to save them!!!!!!!!! who is queer and deeply repressed (canonically this time, we say this about many a character, but Canonically!!!!) and working through it!!!! played by the beauteous and yet rugged Ben Daniels!!!! This character Did Things to my psyche forever and always, he is nestled softly in there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

my favorite book/season/etc Mmmmmmm there's only two to go for... I think........ argh. hm. ok. no. i can't do it. coward's way out. soz babe

my favorite episode (if its a tv show) me like, damn it's so episodic, what happened wheeen but ok in terms of Moments in the story: s1: when we properly discover who Angela is. the rug pull is so so good for me and pulls everything into focus as a Story! s2: toss up between "Marcus makes out with a sexy fisherman (called Peter!!) while Tomas embarks on The Horrors alone," and the finale............. gosh that s2 finale!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

my favorite cast member I've seen Ben Daniels onstage and it absolutely rocked my whole world, but I cannot go without shouting out Alfonso Herrera (yes, he of Sense8 fame to anyone reading this trying to connect the dots!) Geena Davis, and John Cho!!!! like!!!! this cast is fucking Stacked!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

my favorite ship Tomas/Marcus. whatever they are, they are everything to one another! which is the whole core of the show

a character I’d die defending Father Devon Bennett!!!!! I don't know if he needs defending from fandom, but holy cow the way we leave him is so so bleak it hurts my soul!!!!! can someone come save my baby boy 😭😭😭

a character I just can’t sympathize with Idk man. the demons? OH NO WAIT I KNOW FUCKN! MARIA WALTERS!!!! Truly a "ok sob story, still evil" kinda thing (which is the point, this woman!!! this fucking woman!!!!!!!) -- i do like how absolutely pathetic she was in a particular way I usually see in these powerhungry guys! girlboss! cancer killed the demon inside of her (lol)

a character I grew to love I'd say Mouse. I think the thing about Mouse is simply that we didn't get to the next part of her story, so she's In Potentia permanently. I also think it was a slight misstep to ground her in a past will-they-won't-they with Marcus, because it puts her into that fatal position of "oh so she's just a love interest after all" vs giving her her own journey, BUT! HOWEVER! She does have her own journey! very much so in fact! it's just that that wig Ben Daniels had in the flashbacks was fucking atrocious and you were maybe more interested in the current-day stuff on first watch but then on second watch she really came into her own for me, especially everything she was doing with Bennett! I wish we'd had more of them doing Stuff together! I wish we could have seen her and Tomas properly bonding!!!!!!!!!

my anti otp um. dunno really. Marcus and the wig. I wasn't necessarily compelled by Marcus and Mouse romantically either, I will say, but her hero-worshipping him and misreading it a certain way (she was a young nun, he was a mysterious exorcist), that I can get behind, especially since present-day Mouse is so Capable and Jaded, we like that journey for her

Anyway... that fucking show. forever in my mind. forever hurting my soul. forever waiting for a third season. forever recommending it because even without a full ending it's so so satisfying!

sry needed to add gifs of marcus touching tomas like he's precious

[ultimate-polyship-tourney]

Ultimate Polyship Tournament:Round 72|Side B

Propaganda under the cut:

JJ Maybank/Kiara Carrera/Pope Heyward

JJ and Kiara are currently canon and Pope and Kiara have been canon in the past

JJ and Kiara have been close for the whole series, and JJ has openly had a crush on her since the first episode, but in season 3 they officially get together, after a lot of false-start love confessions, and after JJ saves her from one of those troubled teens wilderness camps, they kiss in the middle of a room of screaming teen girls lol- theyre adorable, Kiara endulges in JJs nonsense while also making sure he doesn't go too far into self-destruction, theyre both kinda unstable and inconsistent and tbh- kinda iconic.

Pope and Kiara's canon relationship doesnt really go well? I don't think they'd be a romantic pair in this triad since that doesn't seem like something Kiara wants for them, but they are incredibly close and Kiara does seem to love Pope, just not romantically, I think they'd both benefit from a QPR lol

JJ and Pope are a huge ship in the fandom, they're incredibly close in canon, very playful, very touchy and affectionate (they obviously hug a lot, but theres also a weird amount of moments where they kiss each others necks??), and JJ makes... like a lot of sexual jokes specifically about or towards Pope? He also just straight up asks Kiara if Pope is "freaky" and if he's a better kisser than John B (Main character who Kiara had a situationship with) and just seems incredibly interested with Pope and Kiara's relationship when they were together.

I just KNOW JJ has so much fucking compersion for Kiara and Pope, he wants to know every detail about their relationships (both with each other and probably with others) and is constantly offering Pope "girl advice", I just know he gets so happy whenever his crushes/partners are romantically happy/satisfied, even if it's not necessarily only with him-@rotteneldritchhorror

Lito/Riley/Kala/Nomi/Wolfgang/Sun/Will/Capheus/Amanita/Daniela/Hernando/Rajan

It's one big polycule made up of smaller polycules! The Sense8 main characters, the August 8 Cluster, are psychically linked and partake in everything together, including group sex. Within the polycule are also 2 smaller polycules, one is Kala, Raman, and Wolfgang, and the other is Lito, Hernando, and Daniela. This isn't subtext either, it is very clearly stated by the end of the series that both trios are in loving, consensual, and serious relationships.

[alexwilltellyouthings]

Entirely self indulgent rating post about the top 10 TV shows that made me fucking insane for some reason

10. Sense8

God, this was so good. Such a blessing. I saw part of the cast during a Pride Parade and it's one of my favorite memories. I felt every possible emotion with this show, I love it.

9. The Last of Us

This is kind of a cheat, because the obsession comes from the games, but it is what it is. It's one of the few games that had a big impact on me and I closely relate it to my relationship with my dad. Can't wait to cry my heart out at season 2.

8. Good Omens

It's a given, isn't it? That stupid angel with his stupid demon and their stupid God. GRRRAAWW. A lot of thoughts and feelings came from the fandom, I have to point out. It's been very nice.

7. The Umbrella Academy

I have the first issue of the comics autographed by Gerard Way!! I mean, yes, it's because I'm a MCR fan, but it became even more precious after I got into the show. I'm rewatching right now, preparing for the last season. I'll be a mess when I say goodbye to them. Can't even really think about it too hard or I'll cry right now.

Continues under the cut

6. Our Flag Means Death

LISTEN THIS CHANGED EVERYTHING TO ME. What do you mean we can have a show THIS queer? It's all I want now. I ate it up. I smiled so much. I wanted this so badly and had no idea.

5. Interview with the Vampire

Feels like it should be top 3 honestly but I'll get there. This is also a cheat, I've been reading the Vampire Chronicles since I was like 15. Growing up with Anne Rice probably messed me up but hey at least I have great taste. And seeing them on screen? The way they made it BETTER? And Lestat?? Who has been haunting me for 15 years on and off??? And the second season and their reunion and and and?????????? I'm STILL insane about them and will be forever, I'm afraid.

4. Doctor Who

Listen. Listen. Okay. Yeah. What can I say? If you get into it, you're doomed. And I have been doomed for 10 years at least. I stopped watching for a while and got back last year, and it hit me all over again. I love this dumbass genius alien in a way that's calm, even. Just a permanent part of who I am now.

3. The Untamed

The year was 2022, it had been a while since I had a proper fixation and I didn't think it would happen with this danmei live-action, but then came Wei Wuxian. Guys, if I tell you I fell in love. Couldn't stop thinking about him. Everyday I was plagued by his smile and red ribbon and tragic backstory, yadayadayada. I really like other characters too, and their stories, but WWX did something to me that I still don't quite understand.

2. Queer as Folk (US)

This was a looong time ago and it didn't really persist over time like the others, but it was my first actual obsession. I was clinically insane over these gays. I had no one to talk to about them, so for every episode I wrote several pages of notes to comment to my (only) friend at school the next day, the poor thing. It was pretty much all I talked about because I spent EVERY MINUTE we had to talk going over the notes and explaining the episode. Like, between classes, during breaks, everything. Months of that. She held on firmly because she was a good friend, but I'm aware it must've been terrible. Like I said, insane.

1. Dead Boy Detectives

Maybe I'm putting this up here because it's my current hyperfixation? Maybe. But I don't think I have felt something hit as strongly as this since QaF over there. This time I can participate in fandom so I don't need to write every thought I have because it's all a big talk anyway, but I'm still pretty much having those thoughts all the time for *checks notes* nearly three months. I'm writing more than I have in years. I'm back at Tumblr after I don't know how long. I'm staring at GIFs over and over like I have the fucking time for that. I'm distracted at work daily. I talk about it in therapy. I have the main cast's notifications on. I'm getting involved in fandom discourse sometimes even knowing I shouldn't. It's a nightmare. I love it. I love them.

If you read all of this, congrats! Now you know how my mind works, kinda!! I'm open to talk about any and all of these shows. It's amazing how they mess us up. It's also scary, but anyway.

[biestcallisto]

Rajan

I am rewatching the first season of Sense8 and Rajan is such a lovable dude. Yes, I shipped Kala with Wolfgang too, but Rajan is great. And she is infatuated with him too!

Anyway, all this to say: OT3. I love those three.

[nie7027]

Ive been avoiding sense8 spoilers for years but lately I've been curious and from the little I have allowed myself to see I think Kala ends up with both Wolfgang and Rajan

AND GOD PLEASE LET IT BE REAL

I love Rajan so much(his phrase "Parents do their best for their kids and it's our duty to forgive them for that" has haunt me and my therapist sessions since the first time I heard it) and you have no idea how much I would love him to be in the know about all the whole sensate thing. HE WOULD GO NUTS. HE WOULD BE OVERJOYED.

This man loves Kala so much there's no way he can't love (either romantically or platonically) her soulmates too. Not only they are part of her but they also care for her and watch over her and Rajan would love that. Would love to know there's more people in the world who can see how awesome Kala is. Who share his love for her

AND HE WOULD BE SO JEALOUS

Because he would love to be in the cluster, he would love to have that connection and know what Kala feels and share his own feelings with her.

AND THIS IS SPECIALLY TRUE IF YOU ADD WOLFGANG INTO THE MIX.

Because at least Kala can express herself and has the emotional intelligence to talk about her feelings but Wolfgang is a godammn block of stone AND RAJAN WANTS TO KNOW HOW HE FEELS.

Because he is now dating this strong as fuck German and yes it was sudden but he loves him. He loves him, he loves his the same way he loves Kala, and he knows Wolfgang went through some shit so he wants to be there for him. BUT ITS HARD AS FUCK WHEN SAID MAN RARELY OPENS UP AND TALKS

And it's so unfair Kala has this advantage (and Kala will laugh at how much Rajan whines about it while secretly sharing it Wolfgang).

He wishes he could know what's he's feeling

He and detective Mun befriend because of this. They form the "We are dating a hard to read sensate and we aren't even part of the cluster. (Do you understand our suffering?)" club.

Except Mun isn't suffering. He enjoys slowly learning about Sun. Slowly seeing her open to him.

Rajan does too.

Its just sometimes his impatience (and the culture differences) gets the best of him and he has crises where he feels he isn't being a good partner to Wolfgang.Completely unaware that seeing someone getting so worked up over correctly caring for him hits right into that deep tender part of Wolfgangs heart.

All his life Wolfganf grew up surrounded by people who harmed in a daily basis without a csend thought and now he gets this. Two partes who love and care deeply for him( and the cluster and Feliks of course). He's speechless and doesn't know what to do.

This only worsens Rajans crises.

Kala knows this and just enjoys watching this mess from afar. She's glad the boys of her life care so greatly for each other even if they are a dumpster on fire mess.

She eventually helps them.

Dani and Hernando, while not as in a dire situation as Rajan (Lito is an open book. It's impossible to not know what's he's feeling at all times. The boy might be an professional liar but no. He can't trick Hernando nor Dani) they still have to get used to the whole sensate thing.

They and Rajan form the club "We are in a poly relationship with a sensate/sensates (we are still unsure whether we are only dating just them or if we are actually dating the whole cluster... not that we mind ofc)" club.

It's Amanita and Nomi the ones who are laughing at all of this.

Not everybody can make such perfect and healthy relationship nor tackle the whole sensate thing as easily as them.

Sadly I don't know mucho about Capheus girlfriend but I guess she's on the some boat as detective Mun. The "Wow, this is so cool" club.

[sixlane]

sense8 au.....lane........what r we thinking....what is everyone's vocation..what perk does every1 bring into the group.......

ino the way this au could be everything to me. it’s so fucking good. okok so i think there are a few parallels between some characters so i will point to those but also make some up for myself hehe.

barty has obvious wolfgang energy as you’ve already pointed out. so so smart but he uses it for evil. they are the same. he’s a criminal who is great at picking locks and street fighting, staying cool in high stress situations.

and the opportunities for bartylily here are SO RIPE with lily as a kala-like character. she and her family have expectations for her but DAMN that criminal is hot as fuck. i could definitely see her as a chemist building bombs and shit.

ok and reg is very sun to me. because of the corrupt black family, and he’s kinda running the show but he’s also the scapegoat and sacrificial lamb figure. so yeah let him be a badass underground mma mastermind too. but he’s also very levelheaded and meticulous so he’s bringing that to the table.

then there’s evan. who is a doctor to me. so he’s bringing precision and knowledge of the body. which helps in knowing how to patch people up but also how to incapacitate quickly. i think he does a lot of the dirty work with barty and they make a good if not unlikely team.

dorcas my love. she’s a model probably and kinda has the fame going a little like lito. i think she is extremely confident and direct and even manipulative because she can read people so well. she can get into anywhere just by bullshitting and being pretty.

marlene is here too in my mind. i kinda see her as a small town farm hand or something like that. she’s so handy and can build almost anything from scraps. this is about to sound so funny but like if you’ve seen the lego movie she’s like that. can scan a room and identify anything as useful and make due with whatever’s around her. she and dorcas want to kiss so bad.

james is such a will figure. like the glue of the group. he’s a firefighter (because i’d never make him a cop) and a devoted public servant. he’s super strong and he can hold his breath for a long time (idk if this is something firefighters can do. but it seems like it should be)

and my last little guy will be remus. he’s a professor of renaissance art at a prestigious university BUT in his youth he was an expert forger of any an all things. he’s left that life behind of course. but he still gets a thrill from making things for himself from time to time. he has a photographic memory too. just for fun.

THIS IS SO LONG MY BAD. i had much to say. i need your thoughts please please share!!!!!

[fictional-actors-bracket]

Round 3.1

Propaganda under the cut

Lito Rodriguez: "Not only is he an actor, he’s also so dramatic? He goes up to this guy at a bar, right, orders SIX TEQUILAS IN THE MOST INANE WAY (“tequila squared” “…four tequilas?”), KISSES HIM, says “i have already met my true love,” fights this guy in the most dramatic way, SPITS OUT BLOOD HE SPITS OUT BLOOD, and then he’s like… he’s just so dramatic. He’s so dramatic. He’s an icon and the moment. I would die for him actually."

Aijou Karen: "one night, when she was little, Karen and her best friend Hikari went to see a play together. they loved it so much they both decided to become theater actresses together. now, Karen is attending the prestigious theater training school Seisho Academy, learning not just acting, but singing and dancing too. and she's getting better all the time. it's just as she says: "The Stage Girl Aijou Karen is evolving day by day!""

[mermaidsirennikita]

HAPPY PRIDE MONTH what are your top 10 favorite queer ships?

HELLO HAPPY PRIDE!

Louis and Lestat, Interview with the Vampire (the show, I have no time for the novels)--Toxic! Horrible! Angsty! Incredibly compelling and giving me some of the best chemistry and acting and writing I've ever seen! When Armand did the psychic phone call for them I wept. "Tell him I love him" gag me

Lito and Hernando, Sense8--Will always and forever have my heart. They gave angst, they gave romcom, they gave WHIMSY. I love love love love them.

Nomi and Amanita, Sense8--Because I can't just give one Sense8 ship, and my God, these two were beautiful. Still one of my favorite proposals on TV ever.

Callie and Arizona, Grey's Anatomy--These two became so toxic and awful because Shonda, but when I was younger they were such a huge deal on TV and I was sooo invested. So I can't NOT mention them.

Atia and Ilithyia, Spartacus--SADLY LOL. They were honestly both heinously evil and I think their deaths were absolutely appropriate, but I was kind of obsessed with their twisted love/hate thing that was always like... in a weird gray area between platonic and romantic and like.... mother/daughter........ IT WAS WEIRD.............. But also, Lucy Lawless?

Agron and Nasir, Spartacus--Obviously they also get a place here, and they get even more of one because they were a) undeniable, whereas Atia and Ilithyia I will allow was like... clearly a thing, but more subtextual b) SO BEAUTIFUL AND GORGEOUS AND I LOVE THEM SFM.

Stede/Ed, Our Flag Means Death--However much I dislike season 2, I did actually really enjoy their ending all things considered (the big I love you, the retirement which would've been stupid if the show got renewed but it didn't so I'm fine with it) and season 1 is one of my favorite seasons of TV ever. So. Them.

Dani/Jamie, The Haunting of Bly Manor--Sometimes I forget how much I love these two, but then I rewatch Bly Manor for Halloween and they're kinda perfect. I really love the tragedy of their relationship against like, the romanticism of it all. While there is the Bury Your Gays stereotype that we should always be mindful of, I think this show is a really good example of how you can have romantic tragedy (which kinda happens to every couple on the show.... these two arguably have the most time together) which befits the Gothic genre, PLUS heart and true love. That never really dies.

Patrick/Tashi/Art, Challengers--WELL THEY'RE UP THERE NOW. I'm trying to stick to onscreen things because my favorite queer romance novels would be ANOTHER POST, and these three gave me that same feeling. Like, in my mind, it's really not a question of whether or not this is canon. That ending is a polyamorous ending lol. I refuse to accept anything else.

Anne Lister and Ann Walker, Gentleman Jack--LOL THESE TWO WENT THRUUUU IT and I wish the show had gone on longer, but I really loved their chemistry and like... I don't know. It was a very complex and messy relationship, but I kinda feel like you often have this sanitized version of queer love in media at the moment? And I liked that the complexities of this relationship--infidelity, is Anne using Ann for money, does Anne love Ann but have such massive trust issues that she can't pull off happiness?--is seen in SO many het couples in period dramas? Like, we accept that in a het period drama without blinking, and I kind of appreciated that all those "seducer" tropes were here, too.

[desomniis]

Thank you for the tag @f1-stuff

Share a snippet of a current WIP!

So this story had been stuck in my WIPs for months now and I first shared the idea about 5 months ago on this ask. So basically...

'We breathe a sigh of relief' is a story about 8 people who discovered they were another type of human species. It is essentialy a Sense8 AU with multiple driver pairings (Charlos, Carlando, Yukierre, Maxiel, Alonstroll... you get it.)

The plot still does not exist but I'm already about 5k words into the first chapter. The first chapter will essentially be similar to the first episode of Sense8, so if you have seen it, then this will be familiar to you. I will share half of the first chapter but please read the following notes below first:

This story contains depictions of sensitive and complex topics such as death, suicide, gun violence, physical violence, drug use, emotional manipulation, misogyny, and sexual acts. These themes may be uncomfortable or triggering for some readers. Hence, reader discretion is advised. It is the responsibility of the reader to manage their own reactions to the material.

Enjoy. :))

Inside the remains of an abandoned church, the air was thick with the musty stench of dampness and decay. The once beautiful stained glass windows lay shattered and scattered amidst the rubble and debris, casting ghostly shadows on the ruined walls.

A filthy mattress lay in the centre of the room. Upon it, a man writhed in agony, his anguished sobs and groans echoing off the walls.

He reached for a small tin box under the mattress, bony fingers frantically searching for relief.

Blockers. His blockers. Where are they? He should have more. He swore he had more. He wants— No. He needs it. He just needs one, just a small piece, it would do. Please.

Finally.

He found one: a small, broken piece—a glimmer of hope.

Temptation whispered in his ear «take it!» loud and demanding.

But a smaller voice pleaded.

Don’t.

He looked at it, the small black pill, imagining the pleasure of it melting in his mouth, the tingling sensation as it blocked his sense, the way it relaxes his muscles, they way it lulled him to sleep.

Peace.

But he couldn’t do it. Not yet.

Begrudgingly, he kept it in his pocket. As soon as he did, his body started to contort and twist in pain, his nails digging through the mattress, red staining the soiled sheets.

He can’t take it anymore. He needs something. He needs someone.

"Seb," he cried out, reaching out his hand, clawing for the surface of the water like a drowning soul fighting for air. “

Seb,” he called out again, his heart pounding. Please.

His outstretched hand caught a familiar warmth, saving him.

“Mark!” his voice raw as he pulled him up. Sebastian held him close, Mark’s body sagging against him. “I’m here love, I’m here,” he whispered, his fingers brushing through Mark’s hair as he held him in his arms.

Mark looked up at him. He could breathe again. “You came,” he said through his smile. Despite it, Sebastian could see the exhaustion in his eyes, the pain etched deep in the lines of his face.

“I thought I’d lost you,” Sebastian sobbed, tears streaming down his cheeks.

“Shhh. Don’t cry. I’m still here love, still fighting,” Mark said, hushed.

“All this time?”

“All this time.”

Damn it, Mark. “Don’t do it alone. I’m here. I can help,” Sebastian begged.

Mark shook his head. “I can’t risk it,” he said, cupping Sebastian’s cheeks. “You’re too precious to me.”

“Don’t give me that bullshit, Mark,” Sebastian said, his voice breaking. “We could do this together.”

Mark shook his head. “It’s too late,” he said, his voice strained with pain. “I’ve run out of time, and I’ve run out of blockers. He will find me soon enough.”

Sebastian's heart sank as he realized what was happening. His voice shook as he said, "No... no no no. I'll come to you. I'll ask for help and get you out of—"

"Don't. Please don't,” Mark pleaded, his voice barely above a whisper. “Or else, he will find you too."

As soon as Mark uttered the thought of him, the devil showed itself.

His gloved hand picked one of the aluminium wrappers on the floor, inspecting it. «Is this how you’ve been hiding from me? Blockers?» Toto whispered in his ears, a menacing growl. The hairs on the back of Mark's neck stood as he refused to give the devil the satisfaction of a response.

He was dressed in all black: black coat, black sleeves, black everything—a perfect reflection of his rotten soul if he even had one.

"I don't care if he finds me," Sebastian choked out between sobs. "I just don't want to lose you, Mark. Not you too. I don't know how I'll go on without you," he admitted, his voice breaking with the weight of his emotions.

“Shhh… I know you can do it, love,” Mark reassured. “I believe in you.”

«Is that, Sebastian?» Toto asked with a smirk, all too eager. «Tell him, I can’t wait to meet him.»

Mark's heart skipped a beat. Sebastian felt it, his eyes growing wide. "Is that him?" he asked.

Mark managed a faint nod, trying to conceal his conversation with Sebastian from Toto.

«I wonder what your precious Sebastian would think if he knew all the things you did for me,» Toto mused, his eyes glinting with pleasure. "Do you think he'd still love you, knowing what you've done?"

Mark gritted his teeth, refusing to give Toto the satisfaction of a response.

“Seb, listen to me,” Mark said, urgent, indifferent to Toto. “I found hope, Seb. I found more of us.”

“What do you mean?” Sebastian asked, his brows furrowing.

Mark knew Toto was listening. He knew that he would hunt them regardless, just like how he hunted everyone else. But He can’t let that stop him. Sebastian and his children were his last hope.

The pounding pain in his head grew. The clock was ticking.

“I’m giving birth,” Mark revealed.

Sebastian's eyes grew wide but deep in his heart he knew what was happening. He felt it.

A sinister grin crept up on Toto's face, his eyes glinting with malevolence, before he broke out into a cruel laugh. «Oh, Mark,» Toto said, »how nice of you to bring them into the light for me. Thank you. It would be my pleasure to meet them too,» he warned.

“But,” Sebastian said, apprehensive. “They’ll get hunted down by Toto, by the FIA.”

“I know,” Mark said, “But promise me, you’ll protect them. Promise me that you’ll show them the light.”

Another mocking laugh came from Toto. «I always find my prey, Mark, you know that. You really think little Sebastian can protect them?» He tutted. «How optimistic, even for a dying man. Let me clarify a few things for you, alright? First: I will find you by the end of this night. Second: I will have Sebastian by morning. Third: All eight of your children? Gone before they could even say hello to each other.»

Mark’s breath hitched as he felt Toto’s satisfaction. No. It’ can’t be.

«Did you feel that, Mark? My team just found your location. Looks like we will be meeting each other sooner than I thought,» he said, disappearing the moment the words left his mouth.

“What did he say?” Sebastian asked.

He can’t know. “Seb, love, I need you to be strong alright? I need you to be there for them.”

Time. He felt it slip away from his fingers.

“Why can’t you do it, Mark?” Sebastian pleaded, his voice strained. “Show them the light, just like you did with me?”

“Oh Seb,” Mark sighed, kissing Sebastian’s knuckles. “I wish I could. But I’m running out of time.”

Sebastian shook his head. He wished that he could do something to help Mark, to take him out of his pain, to protect him from Toto. But he knew better, he knew that the only thing he could do now was to do what he was asking.

“Okay… Okay,” Sebastian agreed through broken sobs. “I promise— I promise I’ll find them… and protect them. I’ll try.”

Mark smiled, feeling a moment of respite before pain surged through him again, all at once.

It was time.

Mark's consciousness ignited, a cosmic burst like a supernova, casting luminous tendrils that surged through the obsidian expanse of the One Mind. One mind is a place one can feel but never reach, a concept one could know but never understand, an idea within grasp but always intangible.

What was once a sanctuary for homo sensoriums, now a graveyard for those who came, and those who hide. It used to be a universe, glimmering with stars, but now it was just a void, except for the faint light of those who hunted them, one of their own. Those who work under Toto. Apart from them, no one else dared to come here. Coming here is like wishing for death.

Perhaps it was cruel, giving birth to his children in such cruel times. But it seemed worse if he didn’t, a betrayal to himself, to the future of his kind, to the forces that led him to them. A selfless yet selfish act.

At the precipice of this vast expanse, Mark found them. Faint beacons of hope, his children, like distant stars in an infinite night. Finding them was nothing short of a miracle, a work of the Divine. Who would’ve known that their salvation lay dormant beyond their grasp waiting to be known.

So that's what he did. He made them known.

He drew them in until

they were a part of him,

a part of those who came before,

a part of everyone who still lives.

Together, they were One.

“I see them,” Mark announced, his tone full of hope.

“What are their names?” Sebastian asked, hushed.

Mark closed his eyes as he made his very first and last visit.

In the dead of the night, buried under the bricks of London, the DJ ignited the dance floor with the unmatched beats of techno music. A sea of people jumped and swayed, bathed in a spectrum of neon colours. The air was thick with the smell of sweat and perfume, tequila and vodka, marijuana and coke. Everyone danced like it was the last night of their life.

The moment the DJ dropped the beat, he saw him, the man in white standing in the midst of the crowd like a rock in the middle of a torrentous river. Unyielding.

Who the fuck?

“Lando,” Mark said.

Under the glimmering lights of Times Square, the Artist clung to the cold steel of a lamp post, patiently waiting for something interesting to behold itself. His keen eyes peered through the viewfinder of his Leica M6, scanning the crowd.

He was framing a shot when he saw him: the man in white, standing in the middle of 7th Ave, yellow cabs passing him by. He was tall and lean, his features sharp and chiseled, his piercing blue eyes seemed to glint with ancient wisdom, and his pale skin was almost translucent, like he was made of moonlight.

Click. The shutter closed.

Gone. Just like a ghost.

Was he dreaming?

“Charles,” Mark said.

On the rooftop of a war-abandoned building in Moscow, the Spy proned, his eyes peering through the scope of his rifle. The frigid winter winds bit his skin but he paid it no mind. He has one goal tonight and he is not leaving his spot until he achieved it. So he waited, his breaths shallow and measured.

That's when he saw him: the man in white, blending in with the snow, staring back at him. He seemed to glow in the darkness, his piercing blue eyes boring into the spy's eyes, seeming to see right through him with an all-knowing gaze that sent shivers down his spine. His gut had never betrayed him before.

Max placed his finger on the trigger.

Bang.

“Max,” Mark said.

Beside the Old Port of Montreal, the Hacker sat in front of a wall of screens, his fingers dancing across the keys with the fluid grace. Lines of code streamed across the monitors, their glowing green text a mesmerizing sight. His eyes scanned the code with a hawk-like precision as he crafted a programme aimed to kill and destroy.

As he turned around to get a drink, the man in white stood in his apartment, his ashen skin illuminated by the monitors. Lance yelped, falling to the floor with a thud, his head hitting the sharp corner of his table.

Ouch.

“Lance,” Mark said.

At the top floor of a gleaming skyscraper overlooking the Marina Bay Sands, the Businessman sat through one of the most pointless meetings he had ever attended: the succession of the largest media empire in the world. His father sat at the head of the table while a line of lawyers were infront of him and his lovely sisters beside him. No offence to his sisters but a woman can’t handle the pressures that came with running this empire.

He was about to say something when the man in white appeared behind his father.

¡Madre mía!

“Carlos,” Mark said.

In the rugged terrain of the Australian Outback, the Daredevil defyed gravity by soaring through the air on his dirt bike. The engine roared, as he revved up for another hill, wheels kicking up a cloud of red dust, the sun beating down mercilessly on his tanned skin. He lived for the thrill of danger, elusively dancing death with every trick.

He saw him the moment he launched into the air: the man in white, standing on the track, curious. For a moment, the daredevil was suspended in the air like a bird, before he landed with a jarring thud, his bike bucking beneath him as he fought to regain control.

Fucking cunt.

“Daniel,” Mark said.

Under the clay roof of a small sushi restaurant in Tokyo, the Chef in his pristine white uniform glided the sharp edge of his knife across fresh tuna, preparing it with the precision and artistry of a master. The scent of freshly grated wasabi and soy sauce wafted through the air, mingling with the subtle, sweet aroma of the rice vinegar. Soft murmurs of his customer mingling and enjoying the food filled his ears.

He carefully placed two pieces of Tuna Nigiri on a plate before coming to attend a new customer standing by the door, the man in white. “Irrashaimase. Nan mei sama— Eh?” the chef asked, stopping when he saw a foreigner wearing white, with blood dripping on his forehead. He was unsure wether he wanted sushi.

Daijoubu?

“Yuki,” Mark said.

Under the relentless sun of Djibouti, the Soldier stood stoicly in the face of the blistering heat. His uniform clung to his sweat-soaked body, fingers clutching his rifle, waiting for his captain's signal. The hot, dry air was thick with the stench of diesel fumes and dust, the gritty sand coating his boots and filling his nostrils.

The glare of the sun was blinding, casting harsh shadows across the barren landscape and making it nearly impossible to see.

But he still saw him, the man white, standing on top of mudhut, staring down at him.

Contact!

He pulled the trigger.

“Pierre,” Mark said.

“Boys… they’re all boys?” Sebastian asked.

"Just like your cluster," Mark added, tinged with sadness.

Sebastian was the last of his cluster.

Mark was the last of his cluster.

“I’ll find them. Every single one of them. And protect them,” Sebastian promised.

Mark's touch was gentle, his fingers brushing delicately against Sebastian's cheek. ”Thank you,” he whispered, “for everything.”

Sebastian leaned into his touch, letting the world around them fall away as they savoured this fleeting moment.

"You look as beautiful as the day I first met you,” Mark said. “I wish we had more time.”

Sebastian clutched Mark’s hand. “I love you,” he said. “Always.”

“Always.”

Mark brought his face close to Sebastian's, and they shared one final kiss. Tears streamed down Sebastian's face as he held Mark close. He felt all of him: his soul, his body, their love.

For one last time.

The soft screeches of tire on asphalt broke through the silence. The devil has arrived.

“Go,” Mark whispered, giving Sebastian a choice.

“No,” Sebastian rebelled. “I’ll stay here till the end.”

Mark managed a weak smile. He knew this was coming. He reached for the black pill in his pocket, the last one.

Sebastian closed his eyes, withdrawing. Mark had always been wiser than him.

“I’ll see you on the other side?” Mark

Sebastian nodded. “I love you.”

Mark took one last look at Sebastian before swallowing his last blocker. Within seconds, the light of the One mind disappeared along with Sebastian.

Sound of heavy boots approaching echoed through the church, an all too familiar signal of impending doom.

With newfound determination, Mark reached for the pistol hidden under the mattress. It was his last resort.

Toto turned the corner with an army of soldiers in black in his trail. “Oh please, Mark,” he said, eyeing the pistol. “We both know you won’t do it.”

“Watch me,” Mark taunted, pressing the cold barrel on the roof of his mouth before the devil could posses him.

"Stop him," ordered Toto, his voice betraying a slight tremor. His soldiers sprinted towards Mark, desperate to catch him.

But they were too late.

Bang.

-+-

Max jolted awake, instincts kicking in as he snatched his pistol from the nightstand, aiming at the intruder who just fired a shot.

But there was no one else in his bedroom.

What the?

The clock read 4:00 AM. He winced.

The sound of the gunshot still rang in his ears, reverberating like a thunderclap, igniting a searing pain in his head. He wanted to sleep more, but the pain wouldn’t let him.

"Damn it," he muttered, pinching the bridge of his nose.

He stood up and stumbled towards the bathroom. He switched the light on, assaulting his eyes and making the pain worse. He walked over to the medicine cabinet, fingers frantically searching for relief but he was only met with empty bottles of painkillers. Leaning over the sink, he prayed for it to subside, to no avail.

The man in white…outside blending in with the snow…inside a church…staring back at him…a black pill…a pistol…bang.

It’s been a week since he first saw him. He doesn’t know why he still kept seeing him in his dreams. He used to not dream at all.

It’s fucking him up.

“Are you going to tell me what’s up?” a voice asked, bringing him back to reality.

Rico Verhoeven, his partner, leaned against the doorway in all his glory for the world to see. "Can you put on some pants?" Max asked, his voice clipped.

Rico’s brows furrowed. “Since when did you care?” he asked.

“Since, right now.”

“Too bad. Deal with it.”

“Rico, I’m not in the mood to—” Max said.

"No shit, you haven't been in the mood," Rico said, his voice a low growl, grumpy.

“It’s just the migraine…” Max attempted.

“Just the migraines my ass,” the giant scoffed. “We’re going to be stuck in this shithole for two more months if you don’t don't tell me what's actually going on.”

Max hung his head low, quietly admitting defeat. He had almost sabotaged their mission. If it wasn't for Rico's intervention, they would have blown their cover and probably be on an electric chair under the Kremlin right now.

Rico let out a deep sigh, walking over to Max, placing his massive hands on Max's shoulders, and kneading them with a firm grip. "Do you need some… loosening up?" he suggested, his voice softening, carrying another meaning.

This was Max’s eighth mission assignment with Rico. They are Field Agents working together for the Vanguard Intelligence Agency (VIA) for five long years. They had been through it all: stranded in deserted towns of the Gobi Desert, hid in the cargo hold of container ships during a typhoon in the middle of the Pacific and even camped in the middle of the Siberian permafrost. Isolation had always been part of the job description. Field agents like him are trained to spend a year without human contact. Not a single one. But luckily for him, he was assigned a partner.

A partner who was willing to… relieve him of the stress that came with the job. Max was also more than willing.

However, their missions were bearable most of the time. But occasionally, fear and uncertainty swoops in from their back, taking hold of their thoughts. And it usually came at night, when the world was quiet.

But it wasn’t one of those nights.

Max shook his head, careful not to jog it too much. “No,” he said, removing Rico’s hands off him. “Like I said, not in the mood.”

“Alright, if you say so.” he shrugged, turning to leave. “Goodnight, partner.”

“Before you go,” Max said, stopping Rico. “Can you tell the neighbours to turn the music down?”

Rico frowned. “What music?” he asked, bewildered.

"The music. Don't you hear it?" Max asked, his voice strained with confusion and pain. The sound was deafening, drowning out all other noises. He could feel the bass reverberating through his bones, and the cheers of a crowd were like a knife to his already throbbing head.

“Max, there is no music,” Rico said, concerned. “And we don’t have any neighbours.”

But the music and cheers only got louder, taunting him. "Never mind," Max said, his words clipped as he pushed past Rico, ignoring his partner's worried gaze. "I'll do it myself."

Max stomped over to their neighbour's door and banged on it, the sound of his fists echoing in his own head.

"Hey, open up!" he shouted, his voice hoarse and frustrated. The blaring music spilt through the cracks of the door, grating on his already battered senses. Realizing that screaming was no use, he resorted to force. Stepping back, he kicked the door open, causing splinters of wood to fly off the knob.

He got what he wanted. The music stopped. The cheering stopped.

Because no one was there.

-+-

Everybody was there.

In the rugged terrain of the Australian Outback, Daniel savoured everyone’s cheers as he landed another stunt. After a solid week of sitting on a couch munching on potato chips, drinking coke and jerking off three times a day, he was pumped to have his baby, the KX250**,** in between his legs again.

“BOOYAH!” He cheered. “Oi! You didn’t see that coming, did yah?!”

Oscard rolled his eyes, unamused. Of course, he was. The cunt just kissed his 500 quid goodbye.

Daniel? Oh yeah, he was born to be behind the wheel. He also meant that literally because her mom was leaning on his dad’s massive monster truck wheel when he came out of the womb. Nuts, right?

What's more nuts is that at three years old, while most kids were still drooling trying to figure out how spoons worked, he was already speeding around in a go-kart. Shocking by today’s standards. Back then? Nah, just another Tuesday. Though if it were now, his dad would probably have his own reality show titled: "How to Kill Your Kid While ".

At six, he was zipping around on a mini dirt bike. Sure, by today's norms, it's like giving a kid a chainsaw for his birthday. But Daniel was practically NBA height at that age, so his father thought, why not put my son on a bike? A Kawasaki one, at that.

By ten, he was racking up trophies like they were Pokémon cards. Australian Motocross Championship? Check. Australian Rally Championship? Yep. Australian Kart Championship? Of course. And that's just the start of it. Let's not forget the I-beat-grown-ass-adults-at-racing-stuff awards too, like the Finke Desert Race, Targa Tasmania, Rotax Pro Tour…

You know where he's getting at. He's cool, right?

Damn right, he was.

I don't know if I will ever come to complete this and post it on AO3 it's definitely quite a challenge. So for now, it would exist here. :)) Ignore this if you've done it already, but I'll tag @pgaslys @queent09 & @effervescentdragon If y'all have any WIPs share them. :))