#I planned on making these gifs as soon as I watched the ep but finding out it was his birthday was the needed push to get it done tonight

[tazzy-ace]

Happy Birthday Liu Minting!!!

In honor of his special day, I gifed the shirtless scene from ep 10 of First Note of Love moment by moment. Enjoy!

Reese shirtless in his apartment

First Note of Love | Ep 10

It's been so great to get to see him show what he's capable of as an actor and I hope he has many more opportunities ahead of him! Happy Birthday Liu Minting!!!

[lyubovsdiary]

Hi, can u do Armando x Vampire Reader(Lucy). Where, Armando, Mike, and Marcus were on a mission and they got captured and held hostage. Around 30 minutes, Mike and Marcus were trying to figure out a plan while Armando was listening till they heard screaming outside and then more screaming inside. The shots fired down and then the door was busted with great strength. Few men were guarding Marcus, Mike, and Armando. Then Lucy killed the first two by biting and breaking till the last one got his heart ripped out. Marcus and Mike were screaming but Armando was smiling little bit till it revealed Lucy. She said hey guys. Her mouth was all bloody and she got them out. In the end, Armando kissed her like crazy.

yeah ofc!!

Monster

a.aretas x vampire!reader

summary: due to a mission gone wrong, armando’s girlfriend has to come rescue her lover, his father and his father’s partner. what better time to meet his family?

warnings: violence, blood, graphic killing

a/n: i hope i could do your request justice!! i had some issues capturing mike and marcus’ humour and the way they talk, so i hope it resembles them at least somewhat. the smell problem marcus has with dead bodies is actually canon!! it’s mentioned in the first movie. also it’s my first time writing a supernatural reader, but i tried my best. the 5 eps i watched of the vampire diaries really paid off

“I thought when I joined las fuerzas del orden, shit like this wouldn’t happen no more,” Armando said while looking pointedly at Mike.

Said man just looked at him incredulously. “That’s too damn bad then. I’m gon’ call the guys over real quick and tell them to let us go because my bitchass son didn’t think policemen ever got kidnapped. Don’t piss me off,” Mike replied. This wasn’t how the day was supposed to go and Armando knew that damn well. He didn’t need to rub it in.

“Nah Mike, you can’t talk to yo son like that. What kinda role model are you gon’ be for him?” Marcus decided to pitch in.

“Now I know you ain’t tryna give me tips on raising my son, Marcus. Besides, what bullshit advice is that? He’s a grown ass man now, he has no role models,” Mike complained.

While the two continued to argue, Armando inspected his surroundings. The chair he was tied to was made of metal, so he couldn’t break it and have his hands and feet free. The room they were in was dimly lit and the walls were bare, if not for the grime and dirt sticking to them and the floor. In the nearest angle there seemed to be badly cleaned up blood and a fingernail. This really wasn’t what Armando expected would happen.

When he was briefed earlier today about the mission’s details together with the rest of the AMMO team, it had seemed simple enough. Infiltrate this new gang’s base, collect as much information as possible and then knock out and arrest everyone they could find. They were supposed to be quiet and sneaky to not alarm the gang’s members and make them run.

But things had not gone to plan. As soon as Armando, Mike and Marcus entered the bulding, they had been drugged with some kind of substance which made them pass out. Next thing Armando knew, he was tied to a chair next to the two idiots who were still talking next to him. He knew that every connection he had to the AMMO team had been ripped out and taken by their captors. But they hadn’t accounted for one thing: You.

Now it was just a matter of time before you got him out of here. Armando would just have to be patient and trust you.

In this moment he decided to listen in on the conversation currently held between the other two men in the room.

“I’m telling you Mike, if you make yourself sweat enough, you’ll be out of these ropes in no time,” Marcus insisted.

“Let’s see it then. C’mon, show me how the hell that’s supposed to work. And even if you did somehow succeed, what would you do after that? You ain’t got weapons, or a plan of what the building looks like. How many people are even in here?” Mike ridiculed. He knew damn well Marcus had no idea, ‘cause he never listened when team meetings were had. 25 years with his partner had given him enough experience to be sure of that.

“We can figure that out later, man. The first step is to get out of these ropes. See how my hand is moving already? I’m almost free Mike, you just wait and see how my genius gets us out of this place,” Marcus assured, wrists barely moving an inch.

Armando then decided to stop listening to them to protect his common sense and his peace. Their plan certainly wasn’t the best he’d ever heard of, but he had done much stupider and more reckless things, so he didn’t judge too much.

Suddenly the conversation between the two men was interrupted by loud screaming far away. Though that was cut off by a sickening ‘crack’. Someone started to yell something about “Shoot her! Shoot her now, you idiot!” but more screaming picked up and even more nauseating sounds of bones breaking, flesh tearing and knives meeting flesh could be heard.

Soon one couldn’t distinguish between the different sounds and they were combined to a vile symphony of chaos.

“What the fuck is happening out there?” Mike questioned, looking at the door like it might explode at any given moment. Marcus wasn’t looking too well either, fearing this may be the day a mission proved too much for him and his partner to handle.

Meanwhile, a small smile had formed on Armando’s lips. His saviour was coming.

You didn’t often kill people, moreover choosing to steal blood bags from the hospital you worked at and rarely harming a human. When Armando was in danger though, it was a completely different story. No one who dared lay a finger on him stayed alive long enough to regret ever touching the one person you loved more than anything.

Armando rarely used that to his advantage, usually using his own skills to defend himself if needed, but in situations like these, it was very useful to have a girlfriend who could hear your heartbeat a hundred miles away. You also tended to stay in the area of their mission, just as an extra precaution.

The sounds of destruction were coming closer and closer and Mike was slowly starting to panick too. Whatever was coming wasn’t anything good, and it seemed like it was coming for them next. He didn’t want to die here. He also didn’t want Marcus and his son to die here next to him due to some kind of psychopath targeting the wrong gang at the wrong time.

But he guessed wishes didn’t always come true.

The door was busted down, revealing a person biting into the neck of what seemed to be a gangster guarding the three men. Another gangster tried to punch the figure in the face, but his shoulder was quickly dislocated and his neck was bitten into as well. Dropping to the floor next to his companion shortly after, the men’s attention now focused solely on the figure they couldn’t see properly before.

You lifted your head and gave them perfect view of your fangs glistening with blood in the light streaming in from the outside. The red liquid was dripping down your chin, staining your clothes and the ground beneath you. Your pupils were dilated, high off the rush fresh blood granted you. A knife was sitting in your hand, stained in the crimson colour you loved so much. You looked like the monsters mothers warned their young children about and fathers looked under beds and in closets for.

Marcus couldn’t contain a terrified shriek, when out of nowhere another gangster threw herself at you, trying to stab you with a dagger she had hidden in her shoe. Deciding you had had enough, your hand reached inside her chest, and returned with her still beating heart sitting perfectly on it.

The girl looked at her heart and the hole in her chest with big, terror-filled eyes. She couldn’t even whimper before slumping down the nearest wall and losing her life.

Throwing her heart next to her lifeless body, you stepped over her, turning to look at the three men held captive.

“Hey guys. Need some help?” you asked evenly, scanning the faces until you found who you were looking for. Crouching down next to him, you inspected his face, arms, and any visible part of him to see if you could make out any injuries.

“Are you okay? Did those bastards hurt you? I swear I’ll find a way to bring them back to life just to kill them more painfully this time around,” you muttered with a tight voice while undoing the ropes wrapped around Armando’s wrists and ankles.

“No, mama, estoy bien. They didn’t get a chance to, because mi hermosa novia was too quick for them to even think about it,” the smooth man praised you, knowing it always made you feel better. Praise was something you loved to hear, especially coming from him.

While the two of you were having your sweet moment, Marcus and Mike were having trouble comprehending what exactly had just happened. In all the years they had worked together they had never been quiet for as long as they were now. Their speechlessnes was partly due to the fact that Armando seemed to know you very well and partly due to the mess you had left behind.

The brutality of the deaths of the gangsters shocked the two detectives. They had seen a lot in their careers, but this was a whole new level of freak that they didn’t know how to deal with. Especially Marcus had to breathe through his mouth, because the stench was deadly. The smell of corpses wasn’t something that ever got easier to smell, even after more than 25 years on the force.

After finally freeing Armando, the two of you went over to his two teammates to free them from their ropes too. Armando went to his father and you went to Marcus.

“Nah, don’t you touch me! I have a wife and kids! If you drink my blood or whatever you and your father Dracula do, she’s gonna kill you, I swear!” Marcus shouted, trying to lean away as far as possible from you.

“Relax, I won’t hurt you,” you promised, having to suppress your laughter at his comment. You had to admit it wasn’t as bad as what others have said when they found out what you were. Granted, they usually didn’t have time to say anything much, because the next thing they saw after your fangs was either heaven or hell, but still.

Freeing the detectives as well, the four of you started to make your way out of the bulding, with Mike leading the way, Marcus watching his six and Armando and you following behind them.

Before stepping into the hallway though, Armando grabbed your arm and spun you around to face him. After looking in your eyes for one magnetic moment, he leaned down and kissed you passionately. Borderline making out with you next to the people you had killed for him. The two of you were certainly meant to find each other, since neither of you minded.

Translations:

las fuerzas del orden - the law enforcement

estoy bien - I’m fine

mi hermosa novia - my beautiful girlfriend

[ihrtsevyn]

HOW TO GET THE GIRL: A LOVERS GUIDE

CHAPTER EIGHT: making progress...(726)

WARNINGS: none :)

◃ previous ep. ⊹ masterlist ⊹ next ▹

The next few days went by much faster than anticipated and you found yourself perched in front of the double doors of the school library. You raised your phone to your face watching as another 5 minutes went past.

You and Riki had a brief conversation the night before planning out the time and place of your first study session.

An agonizing 30 minutes went past before you finally decided to enter the library, it was quiet and nearly empty as you looked around to find a comfortable spot to set up.

You didn't want to lack faith in Riki but your expectations of him coming to any of your tutor sessions were quite low. Because of his position as star player on the school's basketball team, he was able to easily wiggle himself out of academic trouble without any harsh punishments and barely a slap on the wrist. You couldn't help but envy him a little because of it.

While pouting at the thought of the unfair treatment, your mind couldn't help but wander to him. His quiet charm, his tall, muscular but slim figure, his alluring goofy smile, and contagious laugh..

An unknowing smile reached your lips as you fiddled with the loose thread of your cardigan. You were so lost in your thoughts that you had failed to notice the approaching figure of the boy you were daydreaming about.

The thud of his backpack slamming onto the table startled you from your fantasies as your eyes looked up to meet the worried gaze of Riki.

"I'm really sorry." he quietly muttered out, lowering himself into an apologetic bow. You opened your mouth to refute his apology but was soon cut-off by his insistent rambles.

"I got stuck at the convenience store, I-um wanted to get you a drink and something to snack on but I didn't know what you liked." He reached into his bookbag before pulling out a strawberry cream soda and a chocolate bar.

Your confused and slightly startled expression softened into a grateful one as you reached out for the treats and placed them in your own bag. "There was also this really long line and-"

"Riki, it's fine." You softly interjected, putting a halt to his jumbled mutters. "Thank you, I really appreciate it." you continued with a gentle smile before gesturing to the seat across you.

He hesitantly nodded in acknowledgment before sitting down. Your eyes hadn't left his figure since you were made aware of his presence but now that he was directly in front of you and less jittery you were able to take in more of his appearance.

His chest was heaving in heavy breaths while beads of sweat gathered at his forehead. "Riki, did you— did you run here?" You asked slightly exasperated, knowing that the closest convenience store to the school was a mere 10 to 15 minute walk.

"Is it that obvious?" He asks, a weak attempt of a laugh escaped as he grabbed the rest of his needed supplies.

"Riki, you didn't have to do that. And you could've texted me to let me know you'd be a bit late."

"I know I didn't have to, I just wanted to." He responded while flipping through his notebook. "And I was going to text you but I didn't want to spoil the surprise so I decided against it." he added on, his eyes briefly leaving the blank page of his notebook to connect with yours.

You froze for a moment. You felt trapped by his gaze until you suddenly remembered the impassive act you were supposed to be playing up. Funnily enough, you had already failed when you started daydreaming about him but your ego refused to let him get off as easy as he was used to.

You cleared your throat before lowering your head to your books. "Let's start at page 56." You quickly suggested, The lingering stare from the boy sitting across you went unnoticed as you tried your hardest to shift your focus onto the task at hand.

Riki mentally gave himself a pat on the back at your expression, being a mix of shocked and fondness at his simple yet thoughtful gesture.

"Making progress." he thought to himself before looking down at his own book, failing to conceal the growing smile on his face with his fist.

TAGLIST: @sakiimeo @sakuxxi @ilyjxdz @artstaeh @rosas-in-the-garden @k1ttylvr @stilesks @enhagvrl @yourssincerely-mimi @rizzanna-soda @saursoob @haechansbbg @nishislcve @winuvs @kyrojackson @suhiiiies-blog @rikisgeef @soobs-things @jumigurumino @ssukiyakii @baribaaari @eleanorheartschishiya @rikibun @seunghancore @wonik1ss @sheepgardenbahhhh @rksbae @lukesboo @moomis @luvvvash @conwunder @yvjw @bunnbam

[nym-wibbly]

Tee hee. Chuck is God. <3 It reads like a retcon rather than a plan, despite the oddness of Chuck-the-prophet's role in things, but it's the missing thread that pulls all the others together very tidily. Love it. They're not so much breaking the fourth wall as giving up on it entirely.

So... when the Winchesters et al find out they've been the protagonists in Chuck's ongoing self-insert fanfic epic (no beta we die like the Winchesters haha lolz), repeatedly killing and dying and bleeding and losing each other for the sake of his art, do they get even? Death of the author indeed. Hallelujah! But not too soon because Rob Benedict, pls thx.

And now I know why the archangels are all so messed up and/or immature, and why the lower angels all seem like lost sheep following each other in frantic circles with the exception of Castiel, who drank a liquor store and got past the abandonment all in one go so he could look for something/someone worth fighting for and believing in.

Supernatural just went all-in for keeps on the theme of neglectful fathers, shrink-wrapping the absentee-father God who's had the angelic panties in a bunch since S4 into a form we're capable of relating to as a simple parent figure. The dad who wasn't there, the dad who got bored and left to suit himself, and watched from afar as his kids self-destructed. Metatron, who's been nothing but a self-serving ass until this ep, just viscerally and vulnerably longing for another moment in the presence of the Light, while most of his siblings didn't even get that much. Retcon that onto Gabriel and Lucifer - yowch! Chuck is the dad with the tacky Best Dad mug, which he gave himself, at his elbow as he writes a permanent, living hell of hurt/comfort/angst for his kids — and plays favourites. Eesh. Chuck makes John Winchester look good in the parenting department.

Which... I mean, speaking as a writer, the simplest counterbalance for that plotline is to show one or more of the protagonists (or even the more sympathetic antagonists) being a good parent, the hard way. Present and loving no matter what. Hmm! The morality of self-serving v. self-sacrifice played out on the family spectrum. Omnia vincit amor. To love another person is to see the face of G*d. Yiss.

[sheeple]

Lady Strong | Part 3

PHOTO NOT MINE. THIS IS ALL FICTION. Genre(s): Strong!reader / Angst? Fandom(s): House of the Dragon (TV series) Pairing(s): Aemond Targaryan x Strong!reader / Jacaerys Velaryon x Strong!reader (platonic/siblings) Summary: It's not easy being a Strong; with a mother who committed suicide, a father who sired three children out of wedlock and then died for it, and a creepy uncle who has nefarious plans for his niece, it's hard to find people who truly mean the best for you. Luckily there are your brothers and your fiance... right? Warning(s): Oof lads this is a sad one / murder / not good anger management / foul words? / It’s eps 10 so hold on lads A/n: Not me trying to make this a two-parter💀 also did I use some input of the comments I got? Who knows🤷🏻‍♀️ [Masterlist] [Mini masterlist] [Part One] [Part Two]

No words leave your lips as you watch the Queen before locking eyes with your family across the table. Jace jumps up from his seat, fuming. You shake your head subtly to make him stop, but it is no use.

"Who has decided this?"

"Jace!", his mother scolds him, a stern look on her face.

Prince Aemond also raises from his seat. "My mother, the Queen, and Lord Strong, Lady Strong's ward."

You turn towards Prince Aemond. Did he know? For how long did he know what your uncle was conspiring? 

You rise from your chair, making both princes look at you. "I must apologise for Prince Jacaerys, my Queen. I'll be a good wife to your son. If I may be excused?"

With one final bow, you walk out of the banquet hall. A heavy feeling slowly grows in your chest. Is this how your mother felt when her engagement was announced to your father? Did they know growing up that they would be engaged, or were they also thrown into the deep?

Once you finally reach your room, you collapse on your bed, laying on the silks as you peer up at the top of the canopy. 

Your peace is soon disturbed by Jace barging into your room and slamming the door. He angrily starts to pace in front of the fireplace, his hands on his waist as he mutters to himself.

"Hello to you too, Jace", you sigh but stay put on the bed. He stops to look at you, huffs a couple of times and continues pacing.

"They can't do this! He's... insufferable! And cruel!"

"Have you even talked to him since Laena Valeryon's funeral?", you challenge him.

Jace stops in his warpath, his silhouette illuminated from behind by the fire but his confused expression is very clear. "Why are you defending him? They're forcing you into this marriage to make you spy on us."

That makes you sit up and raise an eyebrow. "Who said that?"

"Mother for sure will put a stop to this─"

"She won't." You get up from the bed and walk towards him. "Because she ─ like me ─ knows this is the best option. Yes, it is an arranged marriage. But your own got announced too today! It's the same, Jacaerys, and you know it."

That makes him shut up. He swallows and turns his head to the side, looking at nothing in particular. 

"I'm sure he's a good man, Jace." 

Jace gives you a look, and you return it. "How do you know?", he fires back, "you haven't talked to him too since! He could be a rapist for all we know."

"He's not Aegon", you hiss.

"No, we don't need another trying to claim the throne", he hisses back.

"I took a knife for him."

"And one for Luke!"

You shake your head and turn around, massaging your temples as you feel a headache brewing. "Please Jace... can we continue this tomorrow? I already lost my appetite. I don't want to lose my sleep too."

Jace, for once this entire time, get's reasonable and makes to leave my room. "Do you want me to extinguish the fire?", he asks, standing in the doorway.

You shake your head, "I'll do that myself." 

Jace nods and closes the door behind him. As soon as Jace's footsteps are no longer heard, the first vase flies through your room. 

A yell escapes from your lips as you trash the bedroom, taking out your anger on the furniture and decoration. You are so angry it hurts. Deep from within anger burns through your fingertips and out as you throw another candle against a wall. 

Blood spills out of your hands as you watch the fire crackle in the fireplace, your chest raising up and down, straining against your stays.

Your anger soon replaces with sadness. You let yourself drop to the ground, covering your mouth as you sob uncontrollably.

Your father said to always look strong, and be the exact person they expect you to be from your house. Never show weakness in front of the eyes of the court. He knew how ruthless they could be and when shown just one grain of insecurity or weakness, they would latch onto it and tear you apart.

And you've stayed strong, all those years. You've endured being burned, stabbed, sliced, and loneliness at Herrenhal. Never truly feeling at home anywhere. 

Haven't you given enough?

How could they? How could Larys do this to you? You knew that he didn't love you, but selling you off to the one who's vocal about your brothers' true birthright and his wish to maim Lucerys. 

And now you're going to marry that man. Are they going to expect you to switch your loyalties? You've never really cared for Rhaenyra. Feeling indifferent about her was the best option. But your brothers...

You would do anything for them. You know if their mother doesn't become queen, they're going to be killed. And you don't know how you would handle the death of either of them.

Without realizing it, you fall asleep in the middle of the trashed room. Throughout the night, the fire has extinguished itself, the coals still smouldering once you get woken up by a servant. A gasp leaves her lips at the state of the room and of you.

She quickly ushers you into a chair that somehow survived your rampage. She puts some ointment on your hands, binding them before putting you in a beautiful dress.

The Princess and Prince decided to leave the capital to bring their children home before returning to stay with the King.

Luke and Joffrey hug you tearfully, knowing it will be a long time before they see you again. 

Princess Rhaenyra looks at you worried. "Please know that you may not be of my blood, but I consider you to be my daughter. Pay no mind to Lord Vaemond's words."

You send her a small smile. "I know, my Princess. And I am grateful for the kindness you've shown me all these years. Even if I may not have shown it at all times."

She gives you a smile back and caresses your cheek before making room for her eldest son to say goodbye.

Jace's eyes zero in on your bandaged hands and he narrows them, "you have to stop hurting yourself for others. You're not a martyr."

"I do not", you hiss at him silently, making sure nobody sees it.

"Mother has assigned Ser Erryk Cargsyll as your personal guard", he whispers as he hugs you tightly. "She knows something isn't right. Starting with that cunt watching you."

You turn around and see Aemond observing the departure. 

Jace mounts Vermax and holds for one last time your hand before pushing off of the ground, tears in your eyes. You know a storm is brewing between the Greens and the Black, and you're right in between it all.

As soon as the ships leave the port, Aemond makes his way next to you, watching as you wave them off in hope of a good journey.

"I was hoping we could take a stroll through the gardens. Catch up after so many years apart."

What a delight.

You nod and the both of you walk next to each other in silence. He has his hands clasped behind his back while you fiddle with the hems of your sleeves. 

Ser Erryk watches the prince with hawk's eyes as he stands at the entrance of the garden, his hand on his sword in case the Prince dares to do something foolish. But you doubt that.

"Tell me, Lady Strong, what is Harrenhal like?"

You look up at the Prince in search of something on his face. But what? That he's jesting you? For cruelty?

"It's barren after the fire. But it's almost rebuilt. In my honest opinion, it's bland. Most of the heirlooms and the personal belongings of my family have disappeared."

He hums. "And do you miss your mother? I assume you left her behind travelling here."

He- he can't be serious, right? How does he not know?

"She's dead, your Highness."

The Prince stops in his tracks, a few steps behind you. "I apologise, I didn't know. How did she die?"

Well, if he wants the know you, that is a surefire way to do it. "She took her life jumping from the highest tower in Harrenhal when I was still a small child." 

Surprisingly, Prince Aemond reaches for your hands, clasping them in his. A single hand of his dwarfs your own but the two of them engulf yours. 

"You must have been terribly alone, all those years at Harrenhal."

What... is he doing? 

Smiling uncomfortably, you pull your hands away. "I've had my family. It seems like your relationship with the Queen is very close, your Highness."

Smooth, changing the subject.

Aemond nods. "Yes. To be fair, I was never close to my father as a child. He was always busy being king, and turning a blind eye to the antics of his eldest daughter." He glances at you to gauge your reaction. Of course, he would take a dig at the parentage of your brothers. That's how he lost an eye in the first place

Choosing to ignore the comment, you say nothing. It's better to keep quiet than say something you would regret. 

"You've grown wise over the years. And even more beautiful than we were children. The years have done you well."

The comment makes you produce the most unflattering noise a lady can make, at least that is what your septa told you; a snort. 

It makes the Prince smile on his own as he watches you laugh. "Am I not speaking the truth?"

"I would hardly call myself beautiful, my Prince. I've been told that scars can be most unflattering."

"Scars are battles you've fought. Fights you won, and duels you lost. They are something you are to be proud of." He reaches out a hand and touches the scar on your collarbone, just like the day before. Only this time, you don't pull away.

His hand travels down, grabbing your hand. He starts to loosen the bandages and grazes the wounds that you inflicted on yourself. A hiss escapes your lips as it is a sore spot.

As you are fixated on Aemond holding your hand, you don't notice his other one reaching up at your face. He caresses the scar that runs through your top lip. It's the scar you got for him, defending him from the Strong bastards that faithful night. Defending him from your own brothers.

Your breath hitches. His hands are hot, scorching against your skin. The intimate moment lights up a fire within you, low in your belly. A fire you've never felt before. 

The rather intimate moment gets interrupted by a servant fetching the Prince at the request of the Queen. He hums, his eyes still focused on you.

"You've won all your battles, my Lady Strong", he whispers, pulling his hands off of you, but not before rebadging your hand. He presses a kiss on the palm of your hand and goes after the servant.

Your breathing is harsh while your heart runs a thousand miles an hour. What the fuck just happened? Since when is Aemond Targaryen so affectionate? To anyone? Was this whole marriage his doing, and not that of your uncle and the Queen?

Glancing at Erryk, you give him an apologetic look before you make your way out of the garden and towards the library, not knowing what else to do until dinner.

And dinner does not come fast. And it passes slowly. Aemond has asked you to join him in his chambers. You know you can't decline, he's a prince after all. 

Getting into bed quite late and your belly full of good food and Dornish wine, you sleep through the commotion early in the morning.

The King has died.

Only when a servant girl comes to dress you up quickly because your presence is wanted by the Queen, you do notice something's wrong.

Everybody is on edge and looking sombre, their eyes downcast. The banners have changed from their normal red colour to black. 

Once you enter the Queen's quarters, you see her with a distressed look on her face. You curtsey.

"My dear (Y/n). Take a seat."

You cautiously take place next to her on the two-seater, your hands clasped in your lap. 

She sighs once, "now you're betrothed to my son, you're expected to have your alliance with the Greens. Can I count on you?"

The question baffles you. Where your alliance lay was never an issue. Nobody ever expected you to choose a side.

"I... I don't understand, my Queen."

Queen Alicent stands up from the couch, towering over you. "The King has died in his sleep. His dying wish was for Aegon to ascend the throne. He is the true heir."

This makes you stand up yourself. "With all due respect, your Majesty. But Princess Rhaenyra was named heir of the iron throne almost twenty years, and in all those years the King never wavered from his choice to place his oldest daughter as heir."

She turns around with a disappointed look on her face. "Alright. Lock her up and don't let her out before she changes her mind."

Two guards who were stationed at the door grab both an arm and drag you out of the Queen's chambers. You thrash and squirm, anything to get out of their iron-like grip.

You make eye contact with Erryk, in hope that he will save you. But he shakes subtly his head. Like he wants to say not yet.

The guards throw you in your room and lock the door. Screaming and banging on the door until your voice is hoarse does nothing, you've discovered. Trying to pry open the lock also does nothing.

Only after you've given up, the lock rattles and Ser Erryk steps through the door dressed in a black cloak and also holding one. 

"We have to leave, now." He throws the cloak at you and without thinking, you do what he says. He opens a secret passage in a wall and leads you through the inner workings of the castle, sneaking past white cloaks and to the stables.

He pushes a satchel in your hands. You peak inside and it's King Viserys' crown. "Whatever you do, keep it secure. If you follow the winding road to the north, you'll be at Dragonstone in one and a half days through the western shortcut. Ride fast and be safe."

With those words, you depart from King's Landing at full speed on horseback, only stopping at night to rest but further continuing on.

Once Dragonstone finally comes into view, you jump off the horse and run the last few steps up the bridge. What you're met with is a funeral for what looks like a baby.

Trying to control your breathing, you make your way to Princess Rhaenyra, now Queen Rhaenyra. You pull the crown out of the satchel and kneel down, holding the crown up.

"I, Lady (Y/n) Strong, daughter of Harwin Strong of house Strong and Deranna Florent of house Florent, pledge my allegiance to Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen, the first of her name, the Queen of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men."

Prince Daemon walks up to you and takes the crown from your hands, studying it. He turns around and places the crown on the rightful Queen's head and kneels down. Soon everybody follows as they pledge their loyalty to the Black Queen.

Soon, everybody makes the council room ready for the first Black Council, Jace pulls you aside into a hug.

"How did you escape? I thought they would surely lock you up."

"They did, but Ser Erryk helped me escape and bring the crown."

Jace lets out a sigh. "Thank the Gods you're safe. I couldn't sleep at the thought of you being with the usurpers."

Smiling at him, you squeeze his hand. "They haven't harmed me. But Queen Alicent made me swear my loyalty to Aegon. I didn't, and that's why they locked me up in my room."

As the council is summoned, Jace and Luke keep you close to them out of protection. Most of the things being discussed, you don't understand, but once they bring up the alliances and Jace says the Queen should send him and Luke. 

Stepping up, you open your mouth. "Please, my Queen, send me with them. I may not be of royal blood, like your sons, but I would like to do my part. If you allow me."

Jace gives you a stern look, obviously not agreeing with you.

Before the Queen can agree or disagree, Luke speaks up. "She can join me, mother. Arrax is big enough for the two of us."

After a moment of thinking, she agrees. Once you receive the letters, you make your way outside. The Queen has borrowed you some of her old dragon riding gear.

Before you depart with Luke, she pulls you aside. "Before you and your father left for Harrenhal, he asked me to look after you if he came to die. I know I haven't always honoured my promise the best I could. Please, be careful out there. I know Alicent has sent her children to get alliances." She gives you a piercing look that makes you nod your head dutifully.

The flight to Storm's End is windy and thunder rumbles in the sky. Once you've arrived, the sharp wind whips through your bones. Luke helps you off Arrax but you stop both in your tracks once you see Vhagar in the distance.

"I am Prince Lucerys Velaryon", begins Luke bravely, stopping in front of the guards. "I bring a message to Lord Borros from the Queen."

The guards nod and turn around, a motion for you to follow them. You grab his hand and squeeze it in reassurance before walking after him in the hall.

Luke approaches Lord Borros, who sits on his throne-like chair at the end of a long hall. Three women stand to the right of him, which you presume are his daughters. To the left stands Aemond, his back turned towards the others as he converses softly with another woman. He glances at the both of you, his eyes keeping trained on you. His jaw is ticked and his single eye is harsh.

A knight announces our arrival as Luke goes to stand in the middle of the hall.

Aemond turns fully, and Luke looks at him almost scared. The white-haired man smirks.

Luke turns back towards the lord on his throne. "Lord Borros... I brought you a message from my mother... the Queen."

Lord Borros does not look amused. "Yet earlier this day, I received an envoy from the King. Which is it? King or Queen? The House of the Dragon does not seem to know who rules it." He laughs, but it's condescending. "What is your mother's message?"

Luke holds out the rolled-up scroll for a guard to take and bring to the Lord. The Lord demands a maester, who reads the written message. He whispers it in the Lord's ear.

The Lord looks pissed. "Remind me of my father's oath? King Aegon at least came with an offer: my sword and banners for a marriage pact. The firstborn of Prince Aemond will marry one of my daughter's descendants. Isn't that right, Lady Strong?"

As suddenly the attention is on you, you still. How dare he, sell my potential babe off to the highest bidder.

"If I do as your mother bids, which one of my daughters will you wed? Boy?"

Without any hesitance, Luke answers, "my lord, I am not free to marry. I'm already betrothed." He looks at Aemond, who still has a smug look on his face. He knows he has won this round.

"So you come with empty hands. Go home, pup. And tell your mother that the Lord of Storm's End is not some dog that she can whistle up at need to set against her foes."

With a raised chin and taking the harsh words of the Lord like a true Prince. "I shall take your answer to the Queen, my lord."

He turns around and looks at your proud face, he subtly grabs your hands in search of a supporting lifeline. He's just a boy, after all.

But Aemond's, "wait, my Lord Strong", makes you both stop in your tracks.

Walking back, you're ready for the conflict to come.

"Did you really think that you could just fly about the realm, trying to steal my brother's throne at no cost?"

Sending a cautious look towards Aemond. "My Prince..."

"I will not fight you. I came as a messenger, not a warrior."

"A fight would be little challenge. No." He reaches up and removes his eyepatch, revealing a sapphire in place of the eyeball he lost. "I want you to put out your eye. That's the least you could do after mutilating me and your sister."

Aemond looks at you now with both of his eyes uncovered, a dangerous gleam in them. This is not the same boy from all those years back you spent in the capital with, who would sit next to you as you both would read. This is not the same man that showed you his tender side in the gardens.

This is a man out for revenge. For blood.

"One is enough. I would not blind you."

"He owes you nothing", you say, standing between Luke and Aemond and pointing the dagger he just threw towards the young prince.

An amused smile grows on his face. "Hm, how brave it is to step in front of your baby brother, Lady Strong. But this is between him and me."

Tightening your grip around the handle, you raise it. "Don't forget, Aemond, I took a blade for you that night. We both are 'mutilated', as you call it. But only one is out for revenge."

As Luke declines behind you, Aemond advances and grabs the hand that holds the blade and holds it up to your neck.

"Than you are craven as well as a traitor, Lord Strong. Give me your eye or your sister dies!", he bellows, pushing the blade so harshly against your skin that it cuts. 

Having enough, you launch your feet backwards and kick him in the nuts. Aemond folds double and you see your escape.

"Luke! Run!", you yell, grabbing his arm and pulling him away.

As you both mouth Arrax, Aemond comes sprinting after you, sword in his hand and rage in his eyes. He himself jumps up on Vhagar.

It has started to storm in the meantime you have been inside, Arrax restless. Luke speaks High Valerian to the dragon before taking off. 

Wrapping your arms tightly around the boy's waist, he looks wildly around him, in search of the large dragon. But it's hard to see anything due to the rain.

Out of nowhere, the largest she-dragon appears, flying above you. She attacks, snapping at the both of you as Aemond's laughter is heard through the clouds. Arrax can barely dodge them. 

A chase starts and Luke sends Arrax down, towards the water. Vhagar is hot on your heels.

Luke sees a cliffside and flies towards it, in the hope of losing Aemond there. It seems to work for a while, as Vhagar is too big for the cracks.

Out of nothing, Arrax turns around and attacks Vhagar. The elder dragon roars angrily, setting in the chase again, this time of her own will.

"The clouds, Luke! Get above the clouds!", you yell, trying to get above the thunder and lightning.

The dragon obeys and you both hold on for dear life as Arrax does his best to gain control over the ancient dragon out to get him.

Finally breaching the clouds, you let out a breath of relief. "Do you see him?"

Luke shakes his head, looking wildly around to spot the dragon. 

Vhagar jumps out of the clouds, her beak open and ready to devour. In his final effort, Luke pushes you off Arrax. As you fall, you watch how Vhagar devours Luke and Arrax, the wings of the beast falling down with you.

You scream, plunging quickly to your death. Arrax's blood hits you in your face as a wing crash against you.

Crashing into the sea, you took your final gasp of air before your lungs fill up with salt water. You try to fight the violent waters, but it was helpless. There was no way you know what is up and what is down.

As you lay helplessly in the last moments of consciousness, accepting your fate, a dark figure enters the water and swims towards you. White hair spread around like a halo, you feel how the person grabs your waist and pulls you up to the surface. Or at least, that is what you think it is doing. For all you care, it could be a siren.

Before your face hits the surface, you close your eyes and let death welcome you.

Taglist: @jeyramarie​ |  @fuckinglittlekitten​ | @neenieweenie​ | @myspotofcraziness​ | @tired-ninfa​ | @yoshiplushie​ | @percyjacksonspeen​ | @lol-im-done​ | @manitskatrina​​ | @myspotofcraziness​​ | @caspianobsessed | @hawsx3 | @green-lxght | @literischdegree99

[rocketturtle4]

So I started Not Me... (IT'S SO GOOD)

(@wen-kexing-apologist It took longer than planned but I have begun)

I am watching SLOW with people in rather different timezones from me and I had planned to wait till after OF (cause how much First can I cope with yk) but then @anon451 sent me this gif...

...and did I really have a choice?

I just finished Ep 5, I watched Ep 1 three weeks ago, waiting is torturous but I am excercising patience.

SO while I have been thoroughly distracted by how much I am enjoying this show (It's so ENGAGING), have some notes so far.

THOUGHTS

...uuuuuuuhhhhhhhhh

Why is everyone so pretty in this show for reals????

ANYWAY

Oh My God I LOVE IT SO MUCH

Young boy seperated from half his family takes on his twin brothers persona to find out who tried to have him murdered honestly DOES NOT sound like my thing...and yet...

...I'm starting to think I'm wrong about what my thing is.

Young man goes on journey of self-discovery and exploration where he is exposed to his own privellege and confronts both the extremism that it can forge but also his own self and views and how he is benefiting from the system and how he can fight it...(from the outside? from within?). Told through his own thoughts, his growing relationships with the "friends" of his twin brother and the contrasting conversations with said friends and his father...

I JUST LOVE IT SO MUCH OKAY

AND we have this story explored in a different thread of "rebelling from within" in our newly discovered cop/artist storyline, cannot wait for that to pan out more!!

(Hey Gawin is totally in this picture okay??)

I never really thought friends were the one's who beat Black up so if that ends up being the case I WILL be shocked

EP 5

This ep however I started to feel uneasy about Todd...

(OMG seriously what's with the PRETTY did they put something in everyone's water??)

We got two different convos which seemed a bit more interogatery than I'd like, maybe he just really wants to know who hurt Black, or maybe he's using White to figure out what the friends are up too...

He IS being presented as very rich and privilegedin this show, in ways that the show is making a point of pointing out problems with (mostly in regard to Black/White's privilege but this also applies to our very rich Todd I would think...)

So is Todd being a good friend?

...idk

Is he Blacks emergency contact? I mean he must be if the hospital called him? or was he there for the beat down and then took Black to the hospital and that's why he was there?

What about the mum, what happened with her? Does she know Black nearly died? (discussed more in a mo)

Todd was the one the hospital called when Black nearly flatlined...

Also the beat down happening so soon after White arriving from Russia...did Todd know he had returned?

Also the ENTIRE car convo felt weird

W: Have you talked to my mum? She might be able to help

T: I reached out, she said she would leave it to the authorities. She wan't no involvement

(How bad was this falling out? Does she know White's back?...or is Tod lying??)

W: Todd, should I go see her?

T: You can but I don't think it'll help. The fight between Black and her was huge. It was so bad they decided to cut each other off. You know that Black got involved in some unlawful business, and your mother is a judge. They're on different sides.

(Todd casually starts prying for more info without pause...(left out B's answers))

T: When you said you'd quit, what did those guys say?

T: Do they want to keep going?

T: Do you know what they're next move is? Is it about Tawi?

T: If you're to do something you must learn all about their plan, it's too risky otherwise

T: Are you going to stop them?

It...it just feels like a lot, although given the nuance of the show so far I don't necessarily think they'll go with Rich = Bad so maybe I am reading too much into this.

I certainly WANT him to only be motivated by helping Black and White get to the bottom of whatever is going on.

I mean obvious answer is Tawi sent people to beat up Black, but why Black specifically? did they know he was the ring leader? Have our gang damaged Tawi's properties before?

We also have Eugene the girlfriend, who Eugene thought Black had broken up with...

Plus whatever maybe feelings are going on/have been going on here

(So is White's theory that Eugene made that but never gave it right...or did Black actually give it to Eugene??)

(Also I know they won't but can I at least get one kiss?? Look at this chemistry ugh please please??)

Although this IS working for me too, which I was a bit worried about, OffGun are not really a couple I've responded too before. But I am enjoying their dynamic in this a lot

Summary

I love the visuals, I love the characters, I love the story, I love the growth, (I keep getting distracted...)

Can't wait till next time!!

@plantsarepeopletoo @shouldiusemyname

Don't know when the next update will be...let me know if you want/don't want to be tagged!

Also I know I asked questions but I don't want answers!!

[cato616]

PREDICTABLE FEELING (part three)

kendall roy x fem! reader

I'm planning to write another succession fic so yeyy im excited; it's more general, kendall, roman and shiv. So probably there will be something about it these week I hope.

note: I tried to make this ep the smutty one but I got carried away for something else,, so sorry you will have to wait for the next one I think 💀

summary: kendall suggested you should stay for the night after the party, but for that you'd have to tolerate the event before it's finished, and perhaps that could take a bad turn

parts: pt.1 // pt.2 /// pt.4

content/warning: jealousy again, more alcoholism, emotional angst?

I'll see you later ken

You thought. Kept you excited, you are a pretty anxious person, can't wait all night to be alone with him again, but unfortunately you would have to play alone for today, pretending to hear what your co-workers been doing while having your mind elsewhere.

You've been walking around the place, trying to distract yourself, and see if you could spot kendall somewhere. Went from room to room, as you felt he was ignoring you, but you weren't trying to be a stalker, just, wanting to find out what was wrong, and you are an incredible observer to do that.

You finally spotted kendall, right at the corner of the bar, pretty well hidden you could say. However you noticed he was talking with just the one. you gotta be kidding me. His ex was having a fun conversation with the man, as it appeared; lots of smiling here and then, grinning ear to ear, you didn't have to be a pro at observing corporal language to understand that they were flirting. You felt a little disappointed, his ego was bigger than you thought, he must've feel so great when successfully seduced the desperate assistant, to then going after the ex, and feel like the greatest man in the world; you were not having that.

As you were watching them, kendall eyes glimpsed at your presence in the distance, staring at him from a far. You immediately looked the other way, it wasn't intentional, to make yourself look like lurker, you didn't want to him to catch you like that, the rejected lover, who didn't even get to base one with the man, so damn ridiculous. You got out of the room quickly as you could, and decided to leave the flat to then leave to yours.

In kendall's perspective, when he caught you looking, he knew he was kind of busted, and as soon as you started to leave the room, seeming a little heartbroken, he tried to chase you down, but unfortunately he lost you, since you were already gone. He could've follow you down, but he gave up, feeling so stupid for his own actions. Felt he had it all under control.

He was beat, didn't feel all the party vibes at the moment, so he went straight to his bed, feeling a little broken. Roman caught him going away, in a way that feels suspicious. "wow, the party man it's leaving his own party, what you have there? some fresh lines waiting for you?" As always roman being so charming. "just- just leave it man okay? not today." Kendall was done with himself he couldn't keep hearing roman's daily teasing. "woah, um you okay bro? I mean I don't wanna get into it all but-." Ken chuckles mid conversation. "yeah, of course you don't." he lays down on his bed, and put his hand over his front head, as he would have q terrible headache. "I messed up, rome." As he exhales out of exhaustion and confesses. "you fucking it up? not a surprise honestly." Kendall continued not caring a bit what roman's being saying, as he's used of it. "You warned me, I suppose, and I didn't listen." Roman stayed put, deciphering what could be kendall talking about, and then it hit him. "oh my god, her?" Fully surprised by the situation but overly amused by his confession, kendall nodded to his question. Roman starts laughing. "I gotta tell someone, shiv! she's gonna love this-" Shiv magically appears right after roman talked about her. "uuh, what's going on? I saw you and roman coming in here, what happened?" Shiv sees both kendall, looking like a sad puppy, and roman, who was about to burst with laughter. "guess who was gonna get bent over today by the world champion here?" Roman was so excited to let shiv know the most humiliating news for kendall. "roman I don't wanna know what kendall's up to, sincerely, but... her? your...?" intending to be you. Ken again nodded. "yeah... (sighs) you're correct." Shiv put her hand over her mouth, to contain any loud laughter that could come out of her to try to be civilized about this. "oh, ken..." slightly chuckles but instantly it wears off. "it hasn't been a day yet... and you already fucked it?" Shiv still seemed a little unserious, but the question was genuine. "what happened?" Shiv calmly asks, as she gently sits down on the bed, next to kendall; Kendall does the same and lifted his way up, to have him now sitting next to shiv. Roman rolled his eyes, the warm heart to heart moments weren't his style, but he kept quiet, and sat down too, on the other side of the bed. Then kendall started to tell about it. "I promised, well, kind of... to meet up with her, later on, but I got distracted with..." Kendall pauses but shiv understood it. "oh her?" Talking about kendall's ex in an obvious matter. "yeah, she's here too... and it was wrong, I betrayed someone, once more." Ken closes his eyes, feeling remorseful, and shiv tries to cheer him up after having eye contact with roman, both seeing kendall, feeling worried. "now dude, I know she's very shy and stuff, but we're adults, and shit can happen, you couldn't help it ken..." Kendall turn his head to shiv slowly. "when you're an adult it doesn't mean you can't be a good and decent person, shiv, but maybe you didn't know that." Shiv attitude changes right after kendall's attack after her. "woah, okay, first of all, you can't come up me like that-" both of them start fighting each other, on voice on top of the other, while roman was watching the whole thing, on silence but annoyed by it all. "okay, okay! you guys..." kendall and shiv looked straight at roman. "you starting to sound just like mommy and daddy." Roman starts fake crying and then stopped his teasing to have his middle finger shown to them, as usual. "bye bye, you morons." Roman closed the door and leaves kendall and shiv still together. Shiv tries to focus back on, looks at ken, seeming hot-tempered. "if you think... that the girl is going to be a liability, then she shouldn't be working for us any longer." She walks away from the bedroom and leaves. Kendall is now alone again, with his thoughts.

As for you, just have arrived to your place, not trying to think about all that mess from earlier, you were alone as well with your thoughts, thinking how any of this was a good idea, playing around like this with your job on the line, yes, it does pay really well, but if something like this was already troubling your mental health, perhaps it's not really that worth it. You were decided, you took out your phone, but then stopped for a second, started to reflect, maybe you were making a decision too quickly out of just jealousy, that you'll probably regret after. You tried to calm yourself, breathe in and out, everything will be fine, and you will need to keep kendall out of your mind and start looking somewhere else-

Your phone starts buzzing, and who could it be, it's Kendall luckily. You were just reflecting about your life because of Kendall and then starts calling you out of nowhere just when you had your phone on your hands. are there cameras here? You started to get paranoid just a tiny bit. You determinedly hit the answer button, ready to have a conversation. "hello Kendall." pretty unbothered. "oh hey... I think we need to-" You didn't give him a chance to even start it. "this is how it's gonna go, I stay as your assistant, or even someone elses? roman, tom, anyone... but that's all I'll ever be here, I won't be a little toy for you to play around, and for so long..." You feel like starting to break a little. "we've been friends for so many years, and you treat me like this... I should be quitting actually, but I won't have it... now that I think about it, you really are deserving of your name, kendall roy." You hear nothing but his silence on the other side, but hoping actually he would say something, however you knew he wouldn't, and let you be more infuriated by it. "tomorrow, ill be back, and everything will be back to normal, but you get to be the kendall roy you were always meant to be.

Right after you hung up, you thought that maybe you went a little too far; if they decide to fire you, it's probably for the better, but if not, you get on with your life, doing what you always have been doing, being an assistant.

After hunging up on Kendall, he was nothing but devastated, couldn't believe he can't even hold onto someone he cares about on just day one. He was believing that everything he does, touch, etc. tends to fail for him. Flirting with his ex, was a mistake, and in vain, she wouldn't get back with him, ever. He was fighting loneliness at the moment, but you, you were used to it, you had yourself and you thought that was enough; on the contrary, kendall was just getting started, couldn't bare the fact he was that close on having you later that night, since he can't keep it in his pants, ruined it.

He went straight to bed, party was over, but you didn't want to sleep just yet, there was something else you needed to do first. You grabbed your phone and started writing.

Sorry to bother you Mr roy, but I wanted to discuss something with you, maybe about a transfer. I'll be glad if you get to answer this, if not, I'll be there trying to contact you more often to get this matter to your attention. I'll be patiently waiting for your reply. Thank you.

Good night, roman.

You sent the e-mail, and went to sleep right after it. You thought you'd be sleeping horribly, not only because of the whole Kendall thing, but also thinking about working for roman would leave you apprehensive, but turns out, you're sleeping like an angel.

Roman was heading to his place after the party. He was sitting at the back of the range rover, when suddenly his phone buzzed. "g-mail? who the fuck sends e-mails nowadays?... and who is-..." Roman's eyes opened wide when he read the username and as he started to read the mail as well. "holy shit, oh my god, Kendall is going to absolutely love this, fuck yeah." Roman wasted no time and got to it, wrote you back very quickly. He was more than happy with your decision, as he put back his phone back in his pocket, and kept on smiling. "tomorrow will be a fucking interesting day"

and it will be.

continue.

[luthienmpl]

I'm so sorry pls ignore me if I get annoying I'll just leave some annotations (I was completely normal when I watched LiT but then Century of Love got me with the brainrot and then youtube started suggesting me things and I was like "wait, they're.... they're Thai Haobin? oh.... ok...." and now I'm just hopeless. ;___;)

wait, enlistment?? huh i did not know thailand also did that… is it the same as skorea?

not everyone has to go, they do a public muster in the villages/districts and the eligible guys have to draw from a lottery. If the card is black, you get to stay home, if it's red you're shit out of luck. Daou was unlucky that day. He had to take part in about 3 months of basic training but afterwards only had to come in occasionally for events and camps and stuff. His official enlistment is actually only about to end this month, he's been growing out the buzzcut lately. (he was wearing a wig in Love in Translation. They made him do promo with it on 😫)

"pentor looks SO FAMILIAR and i can't figure out why??? ;A; is he in something else??"

You like FortPeat? Well 😌

He also will be competing in a new Kpop survival show called Starlight Boys on IQIYI soon if that's your thing. Speaking of if that's your thing, the entirety of LazIcon is subbed on Bilibili.

Diamond their maknae very recently dropped a solo single:

On Daou's background: his parents ran a Chinese opera house so he's been singing since he was a kid (and it certainly seems to run in the family). He was in a music club during uni and used to make most of his income by singing in bars. He tried twice to get a spot on Chinese survival shows and spent about 4 months (I think? someone cmiiw) getting some training while he was there, but both shows fell through due to Covid.

My personal favorite of his:

On their honorifics: Offroad mostly calls him P'Ou (that's his original name, he became Da-Ou because there were two more Ous competing in LazIcon) with the occasional Ter thrown in. Daou fluctuates mostly between nong, nuu, and Offroad/Road.

Maybe don't call them phi-nong though. At least not on twitter where Daou can see (he sees everything, man has never touched grass in his life)

When referring to each other they mostly resort to the English "partner". Which, ngl, every time they do I think of this:

and I'd really love to hear the opinion of a native Thai speaker about it at some point.

cries* what is this... poolside actual love confession proposal with rings and pLANNING to commemorate their.. working.. relationship!?!? i'm??

Daou lost his ring back in late June, it yeeted itself off his finger during a stage performance and they couldn't find it afterwards (there's video clips of it going flying). No worries though, Offroad got him a new one the day before the Century of Love final.

Daou was happy about it I guess? 🤷‍♀️

wait both their shows are comphet the series? xDDDD they just swapped who was suffering from it.

they both get over it by ep 5 if that helps any. and while Century of Love definitely has more than enough angst, being a lakorn and all, there's also plenty of fun to be had.

also it's. uh. it's The One With The Fox.

If that helps any. 👀

oh oh my gosh they have auntie fans too??? how adorableeeee!!!?!

@btwinlines has some great (spoiler warning in-depth discussion of Century of Love with screenshots and gifs)posts about that (this one is save) particular topic

now.... how much do i care about looking delulu in public. hm. eh, fuck it.

this is either zero attempt at being subtle or the best cp marketing i've seen in my life wow

I couldn't find the relevant clip as its own video on youtube and i'm too dumb to embed tiktok correctly so just watch the interview bit that starts at 0:50 pls

Daou with his whole chest: "Koojin is a slur actually"

I'm just. I'm just gonna go now. Sorry again.

an introduction to daouoffroad: a record (mostly for me)

so, the lovely @luthienmpl was very kind and gave me a daouoffroad starter pack so i'm gonna learn about them!

i adore finding out about something this way because it's like someone shared their love of The Thing with me! how lovely! how lucky to catch a glimpse of how much joy The Thing gives someone else!!

this is literally just random stream of consciousness thoughts as i watch the videos so i'll spare anyone who isn't interested and put it under a cut.

oh my god they met as contestants on a survival boyband show wtf!? what kind of fanfic kdrama au start is this already!?

ok damn but daou's runs tho :O <3

nooooooo offroad is crying and thanking daou for his support how dARE YOU TOY WITH MY HEART LIKE THIS!? ;A;

ohmygosh is that the actress who plays P'Joy in LITA??? <3

fuck, the pressing the face into the tummy of the one standing thing. why is that so cute. ugh D:<

waitwaitWAIT is that a thing? do directors just... write stories/shows for couples who have good chemistry whatttt?? is this like a thai ent industry staple? (oh i guess mame kind of did that with fortpeat/mutrak) that's so funny omg. xDDD

laz1 is so kpop styled :O and i must add Last Kiss to my playlist imMEDIATELY its such a pretty song?? <3333

thiS BRIDGE i AM FEELING IT!?!?! DAOU WHAT IS THAT RIFF!?!??! HOLY SHIT THAT WAS SUCH A SMOOTH TRANSITION UP TO THE HIGH NOTE!? *O* <3

(was daou already an established singer before or something?? boy has pIPES!)

*faintly* d-did he try to... bite... the cat's... paw??

/SCREAMS nO THE HARMONIES yeah ok i'm a fan weLP THA TWAS QUICK

(i'm such a sucker for vocal line groups ugh dammit TwT)

wait, enlistment?? huh i did not know thailand also did that... is it the same as skorea?

oh-- oh my god he sent flowers? through his sister?? *whispers* that's so sweet ;u;

goodness, offroad literally running and jumping into daou's arms while daou is still in military fatigues-- guys this is either zero attempt at being subtle or the best cp marketing i've seen in my life wow

awww did offroad bring his graduation gown to the event just so he could get pics with daou?? that's so cute! ;A;

okAY SIR?? SIR NO the sleeping right pressed up to offroad as he pretends to snore but like daou is just paSSED OUT HALF ON TOP OF HIm NO SIR NO I CANNOT HANDLE THIS NOPE BYE

(the cut right as daou reaches up to shut offroad up had me cracking up tho, they've got a wicked sense of humour i really like them)

ahahahah the members playing along is really cute!! poor daou has to be relegated to the "jealous bf" -- this is SO interesting to watch coming out of old kpop fandom and kpop skinship to this xD like... i am enLIGHTEND *O*

*cries* what is this... poolside actual love confession proposal with rings and pLANNING to commemorate their.. working.. relationship!?!? i'm??? they are so LOUD wtf-- i'm not... used to this... !?! *incoherent noises*

sidebar: i'm struggling to get a handle on their honorifics... are they phi/nong? but sometimes dauo sounds like he's using mueng/guu when he addresses offroad directly?

ljsdfjsLfj THE FACE. IN THE TUMMY. ITS BACK <3

OH FUCK OFFROAD WITH THE ASH HAIR. *O* YEAH YEAH OKOKOK i'M NORMAL ABOUT THIS!!!!

oh oh NO did daou just push offroad to the inside of the road so he's on the outside like that's--t hat's so boyfriend coded wtf

bahahaHAHAH is offroad going on about the bracelet because now daou *has* to buy one for him? xD what a smart cookie. xDDD

wAIT DID IT WORK!? PAHAHA--

other thoughts:

pentor looks SO FAMILIAR and i can't figure out why??? ;A; is he in something else?? i'm so confused but i think i love him already WHAT AN ADORABLE DIMPLED BOI *O*

i know you included the Whats The Matter? MV but I'm sorry I'm going to live in Last Kiss for like the next 5 days especially thAT BRIDGE WTF <3

the acoustic/live version is so PRETTY omg ;A; that 3 part harmony in the first chorus *chefs kiss*

sOMEONE is doing like a really high harmony in the pre-chorus and its so thin and wispy and pRETTY ahhh <3

although also ngl i think daou needs maybe some more vocal training he sounds quite strained sometimes... and he's got a lot of tension in his throat but good GOD his range!! he's SO talented wtf; ALSO their youngest member has SUCH a nice tone UGH <33333

their 2 shows:

ok love in translation actually sounds like exactly my cup of tea hahahah it looks so cute <3 and potentially heartbreaking but like not TOO heartbreaking

century of love... yeah ok i'm gonna put that on my list of things to get to when i'm in the right headspace for that kind of angst but what an interesting concept!! its like comphet, the series. xD

wait both their shows are comphet the series? xDDDD they just swapped who was suffering from it.

hoboy they are SO LOUD already from the beginning wtf

(sidenote but I would KILL for fortpeat to go on something like this cAN YOU IMAGINE the sHINANIGANS!! peat being so happy at all the food. fort's teasing. ugh. where can i start a petition ya'll)

the heIGHT DIFFERENCE am i'm feeling some type of way about it, yes yes i am

bAHAHAH the mandatory piggyback ride that they actually just SAY is boyfriend material i'm-- i'm not use do this lack of wink wink nudge nudge skinship approach in my boyband duos like?? *confused noises pt 2*

oh oh my gosh they have auntie fans too??? how adorableeeee!!!?! damn offroad sounds so soft in southern dialect idk whats going on my ears are blessed *u* <3

I don't know why but daou's "Try traditional snack!" made me crack up xDDDD

i have just realised what a mistake it was to start this on an empty stomach T___T that all looks SO GOOD wtf

lol that poor lady with the corgi's just wanted to go on her way and she got way-landed by these insane boys xDD

wft the nUZZING INTO THE NECK THING. IT S STILL. SO MUCH. IHAVE FEELIGNS ABOUT THIS MOMENT Tu T <3

guYS-- GUYS you said you both paid half... so you don't... you don't still need to do the cheek kisse-- oh nevermind you did them already ok then

i mean ok but for real tho the amount of times offroad just cracks up at somethign random daou does is genuinely really sweet?? like they seem to really have this wavelength that is just their own *u*

[thatsalrightprettymama]

Should've Known You'd Bring Me Heartache

A/N: @smbonilla2002 I finally finished it, but here's your fic request! I hope you enjoy and it's the angst you wanted. This is pure angst, no fluff, no comfort, just hurt 😂. I can't believe that people actually like my little fanfic stories, especially enough to request something lol. I can't believe the response I got on ALADATPO, and I'm also realizing that due to using lyrics from songs I listen to while writing, or the song the fics about, I'm making Fall Out Boy length titles lol 😂🤣. I got the title of this fic from the song "Almost Lover" by A Fine Frenzy I really hope you all enjoy this fic as well. Constructive criticism is always welcomed, and while it's not proofread I did slightly edit it using Word's editor setting lol. I apologize for any mistakes.

Warning: Angst, cussing?

Word Count:3.1K

 In the tightest red dress, you owned you walked into Club Handy with one simple mission, you were going to drown your heartache or drink till you blacked out; you didn’t care which one happened first. As your heels stalked onto the main floor you shoot BB a smile, waving when he nods in your direction. You quickly make a B- Line to the bar, smiling at the familiar bartender Sammy. “Well, well, well, look what the cat dragged in! I ain’t seen you in a minute doll, how’ve you been?” He asks with a smile as you pull a stool out to sit on. “I’ve been better, and I’m sure I’ve been worse.” You answer lightly keeping your smile, refusing to think anything other than your personal mission. “I’ve missed you Sammy, but I’ve missed your old-fashions a bit more.” You quip with a smile as he chortles and nods. “Alright then missy, I’ll get ya one served up. “He tells you as he grabs a glass, you smile and watch him make your drink before sliding it to you.

Taking it, you sweetly thank him before turning around to watch the crowd as you start on your first drink. You sip down your drink, ignoring the burn as you watch the sea of people dance and twirl. It’s not long before you finish that drink and turn to ask Sammy for another one. By the time you finish your third drink you decided that you’re gonna add having fun to your mission. Catching the eye of a tall blonde, brown-eyed boy, you decided to go over and ask for a dance. He looked the total opposite of Elvis, and when you started to dance with him you realized he was the opposite of Elvis in a lot of things besides just looks. He didn’t have much rhythm, stepping on your toes a few times as you two danced. His attempt at smooth lines sounding cheesy, but he was a bit cute, and you wanted fun. After a few songs you drag him to the bar as you two get some more drinks.

You teasingly flirt with the young man as you two take a pause to drink before he drags you back onto the dancefloor when you finish your drink. After a bit though, you drunkenly get bored of him and also a bit tired of having your dogs stepped on, you shake him in the crowd and go back for another drink. Unaware that from his corner B.B.’s been keeping an eye on you the whole night. Biting his lip he watches you at the bar, wandering how drunk you planned on getting that night. He glances at the clock and decides if he doesn’t see chill out soon, he was gonna call EP. He was terrified that you were gonna find yourself trouble getting this drunk alone.  You smile gratefully at Sammy as he hands you your drink, turning to watch the crowd again as you drink. Sipping you fully enjoy your buzz as the alcohol makes you feel happier than you had in weeks, warm and flushed. With a dopey smile you watch the crowd as you quickly finish your drink, raising you glass to signal another you sway to the music as you resume watching the crowd.

As you sway to the beat you catch the eye of another guy. You basically begin a routine as the night drags. You’ll find a guy to keep your drunken attention span for a few dances, and then go back to the bar for another drink and to search for the new one. You continue it for a few more hours, consuming more drinks as you let the alcohol start to take every care away, and let’s warm fuzzy buzz take over your mind.  Though still unknown to you B.B. watches from his corner, the worry in his gut get worse as the clock ticks by.  B.B. had seen you cut loose in Club Handy before, but never like this. This wasn’t you; he couldn’t help but think as you twirled around with guy after guy, and down drink after drink. Though his gut drops as he sees the man you were dancing with a few moments ago follow you to the bar and grab your shoulder.  In that instant he decides the night’s went on long enough for you, he needs to call EP.  As he excuses himself from the table, he stalks across Club Handy toward the phone he knew Mama Thornton had in the back.

You’re waiting for your next drink when you feel a hand grab your shoulder, “You think you can just tease me without giving me anything.” The angry drunken man tells you as you turn, easily lighting your anger in your drunken state. “I think I can have fun and not owe you or any man a damn thing.” You bite at the man, getting Sammy’s attention from his spot down the bar. “Listen you little tease, I bought you a drink, I danced with your drunk ass, and I deserve something for my trouble,” He sleazily tells you, his nostrils flaring with his temper. Your drunkenly wonder why you danced with a man so ugly before you tell him hotly, “You ain’t special. You’re just another jack to play with. Obviously a dull one if I ain’t takin’ ya home.” You watch as a snarl flashes upon his face as he spits out. “You little teasin’ whore!” In your drunken state, you raise your hand and slap the man across the face without thinking.

As the man raises his arm, Sammy seemingly comes out of nowhere saving you as he grabs the guy from behind. Drawing more attention to your confrontation as he tells him, “No one talks to Lil Birdie like that, or tries to touch her. You’re night at Club Handy’s over.” The man tries to get out of his hold as Sammy leads him out of the club. As your chest hammers, and you feel yourself get hot from the alcohol and attention, you hear Sammy tell him, “Stop, fightin’ or you’ll be banned. Leave.” You jump out of your skin when you feel another hand on your shoulder. Turning your head, your gut drops when you see B.B., one of Elvis’s best friends. “Lil Birdie, I think you need to follow me in the back room and have some water.” He tells you firmly, and while his words might sound like he’s suggesting it, but his tone is commanding it. Biting your lip, you allow the familiar man led you to Mama Thornton’s office.

Drunkenly following him, you try your best to ignore the stares as you start to realize how much of a full you’ve made of yourself.  Thankfully it’s not long before you two reach the door of the back office, it’s thickly quiet as B.B. leads you into the room. Hanging your head, you wobbly go to the couch and sit as he pours you a glass of water. “Thank you.” You smally tell him as he hands you the glass, missing the sad look in the man’s eyes as he looks at you. “Lil Birdie, what the hell was all that?” B.B. softly asks, breaking the silence after you’ve taken a few sips of water. “I ain’t ever seen you like that.”  He comments as you bite your lip, alcohol in your system allowing your emotions to easily build up. “Me makin’ a fool outta myself.” You answer dejectedly, still refusing to meet his gaze as he secretly keeps you in the office for the ride, he’s called you.

“Little birdie, I know all that was more than just being a drunken fool.” He tells you as he sits in the chair in front of you, your emotions bubbling more under your skin as you sit there. “I just wanted one-night B.B., one night where I was Lil Birdie again. That I was myself again and having fun. “You thickly answer as you stare at your water, feeling your throat tighten. “I wanted one night where I wasn’t thinking about my heart ache, one night where I wasn’t feeling sorry for myself, or wondering why I’m not enough.”  You drunkenly admit, opening up to him as you felt your eyes begin to sting. You take another sip of water as you lean back into the couch. “You know what the fucked-up part is?” You ask him rhetorically as you lean your head back against the back of the couch. “That no matter how many men I danced with, eventually I’d start thinking about how despite it being what I wanted when I approached em’, that they weren’t Elvis.” You tell him as you stare up at the ceiling, unable to stop the tears welling up in your eyes as B.B. watched the scene with a kicked gut, while he was right to call someone for you, maybe he shouldn’t have called EP.

“Oh Birdie. I’m sorry your hurtin’ like this, but you can’t fix it by getting drunk and starting bar fights.” He tells you softly, attempting to lighten the mood slightly with his joke as he gets up to sit beside you. “All that’s gonna do is lead to more trouble and pain.” He tells you wisely as lift your head up, and seeing the friendly caring eyes of B.B. “I know, I know B.B. but I’m just so tired of feeling this hurt.” You brokenly admit as your mascara smears from your tears. “It’s been four months B.B. and I still feel the same since the moment he ripped my heart out of me.”  You confess as you lean your head against his shoulder, looking for any type of comfort. “I just don’t know what to do B.B., I can’t seem to move on from him.” You brokenly admit as he wraps a comforting arm around you, unknown to you that Elvis had just arrived outside the club, confused and worried over B.B.’s call still.

“I can’t escape him either, he haunts me everywhere.” You continue to tearfully admit as your mascara runs down your face. “He’s everywhere B.B.! I can’t listen to the radio, watch tv, or hell even walk downtown without seeing or hearing him!” You tearfully exclaim as he continues to try to comfort you, hoping you let it all out before EP gets here. Though a part of him wants EP to see this, while he was Elvis’s friend first, he grew to care for you like a little sister as he got to know you, and he didn’t like seeing you so hurt. As Elvis walks into the club, He waves at Sammy and quickly makes his way to the familiar office room when he sees Sammy throw his head toward that direction. “It’s hard to forget Elvis Presley when the whole world’s obsessed over his poison.” He hears you thickly say, the alcohol making your words start to slur some. As Elvis turns the corner, he feels his chest squeeze at the sight of you against B.B. with red eyes and smeared make-up.

While you were too into your feelings, and the alcohol dulling your senses some, you don’t hear Elvis’s steps. Unaware of the man at the doorway you continue to cry to B.B. , “Cause one thing this pain’s made me realize B.B. Is that he is poison. A slow one, but still deadly. “You start your drunken and heartbroken monologue, still unaware of Elvis at the door watching and listening to your every word. “He consumes you completely. He seeps into your mind, body, and soul with his sweet words and his false hopes. He makes you feel like you’re his only one, and you believe it. He makes you feel that all those songs were right about love, and he makes you believe love is true. He makes you believe that you are beautiful, and you believe that lie too.  The whole time you’re getting caught up in him, he’s rotting you from the inside out with all those pretty lies. “You cry to B.B. as he squeezes you closer to him as the sobs start to break free.

The whole time at the doorway Elvis felt his heart fall to pieces hearing your words and hearing the pure pain in your voice. Ironically, he never wanted to hurt you, but while you deserved the world, he could now give you with his career shooting off, you deserved to have someone there and not keeping you waiting; or at least that’s what he thought. Watching you shove your smeared face into B.B.’s shoulder and hearing your sobs, maybe his Mama was right, and he was a damned fool for letting you go. Though he's pulled out of his thoughts as he watched you lift your head up and finally see him. His heart feels like shattered glass when he sees your red pain-filled eyes glance at him, before drunken anger flashes through them.

“What the fuck are you doing here?” You spit as you wipe your eyes, the sight of him not only hurting you more but also pissing you off in your drunken state. You pull yourself out of B.B.’s arms and slide to the corner of the couch as you shoot him a hurt and angry look while asking, “Did you call him? What you thought it’d be entertaining to get me to talk about how broken I am, just to break me more?” Your words eating away at both men as you hug yourself. “I thought you were being MY friend.” You spit at B.B. as he bites his lip and dips his head. “Lil birdie, I- “B.B. goes to say before you angrily interrupt him. “No, you let me cry my pain out to you, knowing that the cause of it was coming.” You spit as more hurt bubbles with your anger.

“Listen Y/N, don’t be mad at B.B., he was being your friend when he- “Elvis softly tries to tell you, trying to ignore the painful sting digging into his chest from the scene. “No! You don’t get to take up for him! You don’t get to come in and play hero like your Captain Fucking Marvel boy, when you’re the reason I’m like this!” You drunkenly yell at Elvis as you get up, tears sliding from your eyes again as the emotional storm buzzes through your veins with the alcohol. Stumbling you get up off the couch, as you look at Elvis with a fire in your eyes. All your pain from the last three months squeezing your chest and lighting an anger in you as you finally see the man you’ve cried yourself to sleep over for the past four months stand in your view. “If I knew you were just sickly-sweet poison instead of the sweet honey you presented yourself as, I would’ve never fucking said yes to going to that carnival. “You spit at him, your words hitting him like razors as he sees the pain behind the anger in your eyes.

“I would have never said yes, I would never feel the hole in my chest, and I would never made the biggest regret in my life. Loving you.” You continue to spit at Elvis as he stands, biting his plump lip as you shatter his heart more. It wasn’t supposed to be like this, you were supposed to have moved onto some other Jack that could be there and give you everything you deserve, he wasn’t supposed to see you and feel his bones ache with regret and guilt. His blue eyes watch as you stumble closer to him, and a small part of him thinks even with red puffy eyes and smeared mascara you still looked beautiful. “I don’t care if B.B. called you to get me, but I sure as hell ain’t leaving with you. “You angrily tell him as you stand in front of him at the door. Willing yourself not to think about how beautiful his eyes looked, or how nice his arms would feel around you instead of at his side. “Y/N, it’s drunk and it’s late. Just let me take you home, and you never have to see me again.” Elvis tells you after swallowing a lump, his deep voice thick with emotion as he stares at you, seeing the mess he’s made.

Despite your anger and hurt a small voice tells you that they’re right just go and end this horrible night and go back to the pity party that’s become your life again tomorrow. You ignore the voice and shake your head. “No, you don’t get to waltz in and out of my life like it’s easy just cause you’re Elvis Presley.” You spit at him as you look into his blue sad eyes. “I don’t care how late it is, or how drunk I am. I’m not getting in a car with you.” You tell him angrily as you try to push past him, biting your lip when you feel his large hand gently grasp your shoulder. His hand leaving a burning ache on your skin before you shrug it off you. “Don’t touch me.” You spit as his hand falls from your shoulder as you stare at the wall, refusing to turn back as the night finally starts to take its toll and wear you down. “I’ll find a taxi or walk home, either way I’m not getting in that car with you Elvis, and I mean it.” You spit as you try to hold onto your anger instead of letting your pain bubble over like it wants to. “I hate you Elvis Presley, and I wish I never met you.” You angerly spit the lie out to the man behind you before you start to drunkenly stalk across the floor and toward the exit, not looking back and missing the crushed look that appears on Elvis’s face as he watches you walk away.  As your words crush what was left of his heart, he watches you leave as tears blur his vision before you slip out of the doors. “What did I do B.B.? “Elvis brokenly asks as he watches the doors you just slipped out of, your words ringing in his head as B.B. quietly walks up behind him and comfortably pats his friend’s shoulder. “You broke two hearts it seems, and clipped Little Birdie’s wings.” B.B. tells him softly as he stares at the doors with him while you drunkenly walk the sidewalks home, hugging yourself as tears smear the mascara more down your face.

[mentalpolaroids]

hellooo, i have a request to make and you don’t have to write it ! it’s just an idea i’ve had on hold for a while but i can’t seem to write it, so i thought of giving it to u because ur one of my fave writers 🙈

jj maybank x reader based on ep 4 where rafe and barry goes to the chateau, and barry says he’ll look inside as rafe looks outside. sarah, john b and jj hides in the trees, and they momentarily forgot that you were inside grabbing more beers. barry finds u and u can do whatever next <33

The calm after the chaos

[gif creds @deenasjohnson]

JJ Maybank x female!Reader

Warnings: swearing, (gets steamy at the end)

Ok, uh, thank you @pogueslandia for trusting me with this one, and, hello? One of your favorite writers?? AN HONOR, thank you 🥺❤ I hope I did this justice 😌

“Alright, I’m gonna go use the bathroom and then I’ll bring more beers with me from the fridge, I told you dumbasses to bring out all of them.”

“You’re the best, babe!” JJ called out as he watched the girl step out of the hot tub, wrap herself in a towel and head inside. He had to avert his eyes quickly to not give away his lovesick expression every time she was under his gaze.

“Yeah, I am!” she winked at him while looking over her shoulder.

As soon as her figure disappeared into the darkness inside the chateau, John B, over his friends laughing, heard another sound that didn’t match their environment at that moment.

“Wait, what was that?” the freckled boy interrupted JJ’s talking.

“Your chicken?” the blonde answered, rather obviously.

“No, I heard a car door.”

That made the three of them look around trying to spot said car, but the lights illuminating the yard made the surroundings outside of it seem darker, which made it difficult to see anything besides pitch black.

..

After putting on a shirt she was sure belonged to JJ, she went to grab the two packs of beers she promised to take outside, however, as she moved around the mess that was the chateau carefully to not hit any furniture or step on something, she noticed the silence coming from outside. She looked through the window to try and spot the Pogues, but there was no sight of them. What the hell are they planning now? she thought, assuming they were pranking her, again. A creak coming from the back of the house startled her, making her look around the area, waiting for either JJ or John B to jump out and attempt to scare her. She waited a few seconds, a rush of adrenaline keeping her alert. She felt proud of herself for finally dodging a scare.

“Guys, it’s not worth it!” she said, her voice sounding louder due to the emptiness and quietness of the chateau.

She waited a few seconds, expecting for one of them to show himself and laugh it off with her, but the person who did, indeed, show himself wasn’t either of the Pogues. It was Barry.

“What isn’t worth it, sweet cheeks?” the unsettling playful tone of his voice made her take a step back, confusion taking over her features and fear consuming her system, “You here alone, baby?” he asked, looking around the area while walking towards her, as if he owned the place. Her body was against the wall after taking the remaining steps until she couldn’t step back anymore. She was trapped.

“Yo, I’m talking to you, mind answering me?” Barry locked eyes with her and smirked at her panicked state, “I’m gonna ask again,” the dealer held her chin in his fingers, lifting her face to study her delicate features, “are you here alone?”

She nodded, without thinking. It was only after her gesture that she realized why she couldn’t spot anyone outside, they probably saw Barry arrive and either hid or ran away. Thanks for forgetting about me, assholes.

“What do you want?” after taking a deep shaking breath, she was finally able to speak.

“Oh I’m just looking for that John B friend of yours.” Barry released her face and looked behind her through the window, spotting Rafe looking around, “You wouldn’t happen to know where his ass is, would ya?”

She shook her head, not meeting his eye, which was probably a mistake. She was known for being a good liar, but not under stressful situations. Her nervousness and lack of confidence in her unspoken answer was enough to frustrate Barry, who grabbed her forearm and brought her close to him.

“I wouldn’t lie now, ok? I don’t really have time for games.”

“I don’t know where he is.” this time, she looked him in the eye, “Like I said, I’m here alone. I don’t know where he is.”

The dealer smirked again, releasing the tightness of his grip on her arm a bit but still strong enough to drag her with him.

“Well then, we’re gonna keep you some company, sweet cheeks.”

“Fuck.” JJ very hushly whispered, remembering the girl missing from where he, John B and Sarah hid in the tree. John B heard his friend and signed for him to be quiet, lifting a finger to his lips.

“Hey, Rafe, look who I found.” Barry’s voice made the three Pogues look down to see the dealer with (Y/N) in tow, looking terrified at the sight of the Cameron boy. Rafe chuckled at the sight of her.

“The Pogue princess, a pleasure to see you.”

She rolled her eyes, the annoyance at his words overcoming her fear of his presence. That exchange of emotions didn’t last long though, right after she noticed the gun in his hand.

“You guys can go, there’s no one else here.”

She wasn’t exactly lying, or so she thought, she just wanted to get rid of them.

“We’ll be the judges of that.” Rafe commented, going back to look around the yard. (Y/N) was following his every move, apprehensive about having him out of her sight. She didn’t know what he would be capable of doing with the gun if she wasn’t paying attention.

Rafe stood in front of the tree with the John B memorial carved on it. Barry moved to stand behind him.

“P4L.” he read, in a mocking tone.

“Well, shit.” Rafe laughed, looking back at him.

“Your sister’s a Pogue for life, huh? Who would’ve thought?”

At that comment, the Cameron boy went silent. His figure was tense as he fidgeted a bit, his eyes on the carved letters.

“Shit!”

His shout made her entire body tremble in fear, a hand flying to her mouth as if it would help her silence her heavy breathing.

“Alright, chill.”

Barry’s words were ignored as Rafe lifted the gun and shot at the tree multiple times, the loud shots violently echoing over the yard. (Y/N)’s first instinct was to cover her ears at the noise as she took a few steps back.

“Hey! Chill, bro, shit! You’re gonna get our asses busted, dawg!”

The dealer held Rafe by his collar to stop him, agitated that they would catch any attention from other people potentially passing nearby. Barry started to lead Rafe back to wherever they had come from but not before turning to the frightened girl.

“You better keep your pretty mouth shut about this, you hear me?”

And before she could even process an answer in her brain, the two men were gone, leaving her in a shaking mess as she sat down on the grass. She took another deep breath that came out shaky, her head in her hands as she rested her elbows on her knees. What the fuck just happened?

A thud close to where she stood almost made her lose her mind, ready to fight this time, tired of getting scared. A mixture of relief and anger washed over her as she saw JJ walking towards her and John B helping Sarah getting down from the tree.

“What the fuck?” she mumbled.

“Hey, you ok?” JJ asked, eyes still widened at the scene they all just experienced, as he laid out his hands in order to help (Y/N) up. She accepted his help, still processing everything. As soon as she was back on her feet, the blonde boy pulled her into him, hugging her tightly, one hand around her waist and the other on the back of her head. He could feel her body shaking and he cursed himself for forgetting about her.

“(Y/N/N)?”

JJ leaned away a bit to take a look at the girl, her eyes still holding disbelief in them.

“What the actual fuck? Couldn’t you guys have at least warned me or something?”

“And give us away?” John B, asked, trying to reason out her question. She scoffed.

“Yeah, thanks for being a team player.”

“Sorry, we panicked.” Sarah tried to relieve the heavy tension and approached her, hoping the Pogue girl would allow her to embrace her.

Sarah was as shaken up as (Y/N), seeing her brother again and in such a rageful state really bothered her. Accepting the hug, (Y/N) felt sorry for the Cameron girl, her brother still being a hard topic for her to even think about.

“You ok?” she asked Sarah, who nodded against her shoulder.

“Hey, uh,” John B started, trying to break the tension, “we should go back to those beers, yeah?”

The two girls let go of each other, (Y/N) rolled her eyes and Sarah shook her head, both amused at the boy’s attempt of lighting up the mood. As they made their way to the chateau, JJ threw his arm around (Y/N)’s shoulders and she circled his waist with both her arms, lazily holding her hands against his hip.

“I’m sorry I forgot about you.” he tried to joke, but it was noticeable he really did feel bad for forgetting she had gone inside the chateau and even worse for letting her in possible danger.

“Don’t be. I guess we all just panicked and didn’t know what to do. It’s fine, we’re all ok and that’s what matters.”

JJ smiled lovingly at her. Her empathy was one of the reason’s the blonde boy liked her so much. Her ability to listen and understand his thoughts with no judgement had helped him more than he was willing to admit, but he was forever grateful for her, something he also wasn’t willing to admit because of his insecurity in committing to anything more than not-so-innocent flirting and sneaky touches. They had an agreement: let the wave flow, we’ll get to shore when we’re ready. And it worked for them.

“Can’t believe Kie and Pope missed the show.” JJ commented as they entered the chateau and made themselves comfortable on the couch.

“Oh, I think they won’t mind, I’m sure they’re making their own show.” the girl next to him responded, earning a laugh from the others who quickly caught the meaning of her words.

After a few minutes of comfortable silence, the four friends just enjoying the much needed quietness after the earlier events, Sarah mumbled, trying not to disturb the calming environment, “I’m so tired.”

“Yeah, let’s get some z’s.” John B agreed and got up, helping Sarah to tag along.

“Goodnight, guys.”

“Goodnight you two, don’t go making your own show too, alright?” John B joked, pointing at JJ.

“No promises, man.” he joked back, only to get a slap on the chest from (Y/N).

After the door to John B’s room was closed, the silence from before settled again, this time feeling more intimate, seeing as it was just (Y/N) and JJ now. His arm was still around her shoulders, his other hand softly running up and down her leg that was resting over his.

“Are you tired?” JJ asked her, squeezing her tight gently.

“Not really. You?”

“Nah.”

She stared at his profile and smiled. She wouldn’t mind staring at him every single minute, every single day, forever. She could never grow tired of studying his features, feeling lucky she could look at them from up close. She was constantly thinking about kissing those lips, and even though that had distracted her on so many important occasions, she didn’t regret it, in fact, she didn’t want to stop thinking about it. Not until she could taste them. If she only knew how bad JJ wanted to do that too. He hadn't even tasted her yet and he was sure he was already addicted to her. Weed had nothing on her, not even the after effect of lightness.

“You enjoying the view?” his voice brought her back to reality.

“A lot.”

He turned his head, meeting her eyes, and the timid smile on his lips made her chuckle. She poked one of his dimples making his smile widen.

“You’re a hell of a view too.”

“I think you’ve told me that once. You were drunk.”

“I didn’t lie, though.” he brought her hand up and kissed her palm, then rested it back on his cheek, “Also, this” he tugged at the shirt she was wearing, that belonged to him, and pulled her closer, making their noses rub for a moment, “looks really fucking good on you.” his hushed voice made a shiver run down her spine and she had to bite her lip to contain the biggest smile.

She let the hand on his cheek slide down to his chest and, with one last glance at his eyes, that stared back at her with such adoration and lust, she fisted his own shirt and pulled him into her, closing the short distance between them and finally making their lips collide. The room started to grow hotter, or so it seemed, as the kiss got more and more intense. Needy. (Y/N)’s hand tangled in JJ’s soft blonde locks, his rough hands softly but hungrily holding her as close to him as possible. They’ve waited so long for that moment, the one where they stripped themselves out of their insecurities and doubts and allowed themselves to just feel. Feel each other.

With an uncontrollable moan from him caused by a light pull of his hair, JJ held her waist, along with her tight still resting over his legs, to pull her up so she could sit on his lap, straddling him. The position only made their hunger for each other increase, the proximity and intimacy driving them crazy. The way they held each other, the way their hands moved around unexplored skin and the way they would switch between rough and slow kisses, showed how they couldn’t last a day without the presence of one another. They needed each other to stay sane and, memories from earlier, (Y/N) not spotting JJ and thinking he had left, and JJ seeing her so terrified, reminded them of that.

“Can I take this off?” he asked, not daring putting an inch of space between their mouths.

“I thought you liked it on me.” she teased, tracing his jawline with her finger.

“I do. But it’s kinda in the way right now.” he kissed her chin and moved the following kisses down her neck, his voice coming out in almost an inaudible whisper while tracing the kisses back up, to her cheek, “Need you.”

And that was all she needed to give herself completely to him, allowing him to remove the piece of clothing from her, facilitating his grip on her. A grip that screamed that he didn’t want to ever let her go. His shirt followed not long after, and before he could untie her bikini top, she interrupted him with a bite on his bottom lip.

“We should move this show to the bedroom.”

[watchmegetobsessed]

The Hottest Avenger - Bucky Barnes

a/n: im warning you, i will probably not stop for a while with the bucky fics so... brace yourselves lol! also i wrote this before ep 5 came out so its placed in that time

pairing: Bucky X Reader

warnings: TFATWS spoiler, some violence? nothing extreme

word count: 1.8k

summary: Being locked together with Sam and Bucky brings the worst out of you, picking on each other constantly. Following an arguement Bucky accidentally calls you his girlfriend in front of Sam when your relationship was supposed to be a secret.

masterlist

“Did you fucking eat the last dumpling?” you accuse Sam, holding up the empty takeout box where you thought were one more dumpling, one you’ve saved for yourself, but now it’s gone as Sam is eyeing you with his mouth full.

“Thought it was mine,” he mumbles, his words barely understandable from all the food in his mouth.

Taking a deep breath you’re trying not to jump at his throat right then and there. You’ve been locked up together all damn day in the trashy apartment across the street from the building where’s Zemo supposed to be hiding. Sharon had a tip about a possible place where he might be found, but you’ve been waiting to no avail for now. You’ve been growing stressed and impatient. You lost track of Karli and her people and now you can’t seem to find Zemo either. If it wasn’t for the Dora Milaje, you wouldn’t bother to be so after the asshole, but Bucky said if Ayo finds him first, he is dead and every useful information he holds goes to the grave with him so now you are forced to look for him. One failed mission has been following the other these days, that incompetent dickhead John is on the loose too after murdering that man in front of civilians and you feel like control has slipped out of your grip a long time ago. Now you’re stuck with Sam and Bucky in this crappy place, waiting by the window, watching out for Zemo and on top of everything… Sam ate your last dumpling.

Just when you’re about to snap at him, you feel a strong grip on your shoulder. You don’t have to look up to know it’s Bucky right behind you, but not just because he is the only other person in the room beside you and Sam, but also because you know his touch probably more than anyone. Only that most of the times it’s not your shoulder he is gripping…

It’s been going on for a long time between the two of you. Started with just some innocent flirting and you never thought it would grow into something more significant, but it did. And now you are officially in a relationship with none other than the Winter Soldier, only that no one else knows about it and you plan to keep it that way. You don’t need the teasing and jokes and the Avengers are known to be dicks sometimes, especially Sam.

Glancing up your eyes meet Bucky’s blue irises and he sends you a look that says “just let it go”, and though every fiber in you wants to whoop Sam’s ass, you let it slip.

“Don’t tell me you’re gonna get mad about a dumpling,” Sam chuckles as he chews on the food that you should be enjoying right now.

“I can get mad about whatever I want to,” you growl back, growing quite irritated of him at this point.

“Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed,” he huffs under his breath, clearly not as bothered as he should be. Before you could do any harm in him, you leave your spot by the window, needing a breather from… well, from him.

“Hey, it’s still your turn!” he calls after you.

“I need a break,” you growl back.

“Get your ass back here, we agreed to switch every two hours!”

“Sam! I’m walking out because I’m way too tempted to punch you in the face right now!” you snap at him, losing your patience. He rises from his seat with a hard expression, not quite a fan of the way you just talked to him, but you couldn’t care less.

“You think you could actually throw one? Because last time we fought you couldn’t really get a hold of me,” he narrows his eyes at you, coming to stand tall in front of you, trying to intimidate you with how much taller and stronger he might be, but you both know you’re a better fighter.

“It’s easy to talk with your fancy tech stuff. Why don’t we see who wins in a simple battle?” you challenge him with faked boredom.

“Guys, stop. We should be looking out for Zemo, not tearing each other apart,” Bucky tries to end the staring contest, sticking his metal arm between the two of you in case any of you decides to launch at the other one.

“Then tell her to stop bitching!” Sam nods in your way.

“I’m not bitching, I’m just fed up with your bullshit!” you spat back at him, leaning closer, your chest coming in contact with Bucky’s extended arm.

“Don’t talk to her like that, Sam,” Bucky warns him, but Sam snorts dryly.

“Don’t tell me you are taking her side, she is throwing a fit for a fucking dumpling!”

“I’m not taking sides, just trying to settle this stupid disagreement here,” he defends himself and you roll your eyes.

“You can’t tell me she is not overreacting it, Buck!” Sam laughs in disbelief, taking a step back, dropping the act that he wants to fight you. He probably knows he would come out as a ridiculous loser. “This is fucking insane, I’m not in the mood to deal with your shit, Y/N,” he shakes his head.

“Hey!” Bucky snaps at him. “Don’t talk to my girlfriend like that, okay?!”

“I’m just—wait, what?!” Sam’s eyes widen and you freeze too.

Your dumbass boyfriend didn’t just out the two of you, did he? What else is about to come?! Sam’s shock turns into a cocky grin as his eyes shift between you and Bucky.

“You guys… you guys are fucking?” he asks with a delightful laugh and you close your eyes sighing, already tired of his shit.

“That’s not—We’re not fucking, I mean… It’s not like that,” Bucky stutters, but it’s just making it worse. He looks at you with terror in his eyes, but you are way too drained to deal with it the right way.

“Yes, we are fucking! And we are in a mature adult relationship! Get yourself over it!” you bark at Sam before turning around and walking out.

You faintly hear the two men talk inside, but you don’t make out the words. You don’t go too far, sitting on the steps leading up to the third floor. Soon enough you hear the door of the apartment open with a creak and a moment later Bucky shows up in your sight. He sits beside you, remaining silent for a little before speaking up.

“Sorry for running my mouth,” he mumbles, his head hanging low.

“It’s… fine,” you breathe out. Bucky fidgets with his fingers and you know he wants to touch you in any kind of way as a reassurance that it really is fine. You don’t want to hold a grudge, it was an accident, you’re just a little bummed it’s not gonna be just the two of you anymore. Reaching out you take his hand, the real one that’s flesh and meat and you lace your fingers together as he peeks at you, still reserved and hesitant.

“Is it really fine or are you just bottling it up?”

“It really is fine,” you chuckle softly and leaning closer you kiss his scruffy cheek. “The only reason I wanted to keep it a secret is because you know how vickery the guys can get. I just didn’t want them to pick on us.”

“They do it because they are just jealous,” he smirks playfully, his shoulder bumping against yours.

“Yeah? Of what?” A soft chuckle slips through your lips.

“That I scored the hottest Avenger,” he replies smugly and you can’t help but laugh with your head snapping back.

“I didn’t know you were fucking Thor!” you retort and immediately see his smirk vanish from his lips as he stares back at you, not enjoying your joke as much as you are.

“Thor? Really? Not this shit again, Y/N,” he narrows his eyes at you. Back when you were just skirting around each other, you loved pulling his leg, joking about how much you are into the hottest Avenger, aka Thor. He never appreciated it, usually earned you a tight-lipped smile before he mumbled “Tarzan’s got nothing on me” before walking away, leaving you laughing like a hyena.

“Come on, you know I’m more into super soldiers,” you grin, leaning closer as he pepper his sharp jawline with more small kisses.

“You know, it’s not the best thing to say to your boyfriend when there are now about eight more super soldiers running around,” he huffs.

“But none of them has a metal arm,” you point out, finally making him laugh.

“So that’s your kink? A vibranium arm?” he asks with faked shock and you curl your arms around his bicep, resting your chin on his shoulder.

“How haven’t you realized yet?” you chuckle. Bucky turns his head until his lips can capture yours in a sweet, lighthearted kiss that makes you forget about everything that’s been clouding over your mind these past days. All the failures, the mistakes and chaos fades into nothing, because you have him and he has you.

Walking back into the apartment Sam stares back at you, neither of you entirely sure how to act after what just happened. He then grabs his phone from the dusty table before holding it up.

“I could order some extra dumplings,” he offers and you crack a smile shaking your head. This was his peace offering, both of you knows he won’t straight up apologize for the way he talked, but this is already more than what you were expecting from him. Bucky must have had a few words with him before joining you outside.

“It’s all good.”

The three of you get back to work, taking your previous spots, returning to the task on hand as silence falls on the room once again. You catch Sam glancing at you and the Bucky and you can tell he is about to make a snarky comment on your relationship. And just as he is about to open his big mouth, Bucky moves to silence him, but you’re faster. With a simple move you throw Sam to the ground, keeping him down with your hand wrapped around his neck.

“Don’t even think about teasing, understood?” you hiss at him as he gasps for air, his hands wrapping around your wrist as he tries to fight you off, but you hold him a second longer to emphasize the importance of your words. Then you finally let go of him and he coughs for air, fixing him up from the floor as you simply walk back to your spot by the window.

“Hottest Avenger, huh?” he breathes out, revealing that he heard what you talked about out on the stairs. “More like the Avenger with the most anger issues…”

You just grin, glancing over at your boyfriend who is now standing with his arms crossed over his chest, not even bothered by his friend’s struggles on the floor as he smirks back at you, nodding proudly as if he was saying: “That’s my girl.”

Thank you for reading, please like and reblog if you enjoyed it!

[jemmo]

the bedroom pas de deux // ep 11

i kinda dropped my whole comparison of the romeo and juliet ballet to bad buddy bc i dont have a full version of the ballet to watch and bc i was wallowing in my emotions so much that it was kinda above my mental capacity. but there had always been another pas de deux thats available on the royal opera house youtube channel that i was waiting and waiting to do a comparison for, that being the bedroom pas de deux. and i was waiting bc i wasn’t even sure if there was gonna be a good point for comparison in bad buddy. the bedroom pas de deux is the last time romeo and juliet see each other, before all hell breaks loose and murders happen and you know the rest. this is their final and most intimate moment together, and i wasn’t sure where the plot of bad buddy was headed so i wasn’t sure if we’d get something akin to this.

but i should’ve known better. p’aof is clearly sticking to his shakespearian parallels, and as soon as pat said ‘lets get away from here’ i had a suspicion that finally the episode to mirror the bedroom pas de deux was upon us, and by god i was right. 

first off, we have to talk about the title, the bedroom pas de deux. we all know what goes down in ep 11 3/4 so there’s obvious parallels there that link these points in their respective stories. just as a side note, i find this interesting going forward for predictions as a lot happens after this in romeo and juliet, a lot a lot of drama, but we only have 1 ep left for bad buddy. obviously bad buddy isn’t a direct retelling and points that parallel have been out of order and inconsistent so far in my reading of a comparison, but hey its worth pointing out and thinking about in these long says wait. anyway, these scenes both in the ballet and the show are about the characters being intimate sexually and that after glow that follows. in romeo and juliet, this is more by the book, as in they’ve gotten married in secret and are making love for the first time, and with the youth and innocence of the characters there’s that classic air of the ‘loss of virginity’. as bad buddy is more modern, this has less of a focus. first off, its not said definitely either way whether pat and pran have been intimate prior to this or not, in any capacity, and that brings in the argument of what is virginity and when is it lost, through what acts?? 

but thats me getting side tracked; what i want to mention more so is all the marriage talk thats been happening over the past 2 eps. we get a mock proposal on the stairs and then the words are dropped again and again through ep 10. its as if, by playing with the idea, they go through the motions of a marriage, but obviously this discussion is something that has to stay fictional and fantastical due to the legality of gay marriage. we get some branching from the classic narrative as pat and pran’s parents find out, whereas romeo and juliet’s families never find out about their relationship, but then we’re back to a honeymoon phase. and while romeo and juliet can only have that one night of intimacy and the morning after as their honeymoon, this gets extended for pat and pran through their temporary escape. and i like this bc, compared to the original narrative, which is very much a stolen moment of passion, with lower stakes as they don’t know what is ahead and have no plans to part, pat and pran are dealing with a lot more. they’ve come here in the aftermath of a fallout, and with the looming and ever-growing threat of separation. its all there, in the front of their minds, and so they need more time, they need an actual honeymoon that extends beyond an evening of intimacy and a stolen morning before parting. and thats why, for this pas de deux, you can make more direct parallels to the morning after scenes in bad buddy, but also more generally see this pas de deux as the episode as a whole, bc both are the extent of the honeymoon they get, and therefore share similar emotions.

now comes the bit where i talk about the dancing even though i have no clue what i’m talking about but here i go. 

(here’s the video of the pas de deux btw)

the world spins

what i first registered upon watching this pas de deux with fresh eyes was that there’s a lot of spinning. a lot. a lot of the partner work is spins, moves are entered into with spins, lifts are spins. and i think this very well reflects this moment of loss and confusion for pat and pran, the fact that the world seems to be spinning too fast, things are happening too quickly and they can’t keep up, and all they want is a moment of respite, which they find in each other. i’ve picked out some of my favourite spin moments here. 

this one i love for its changes in direction, how the spin starts facing away before juliet spins in to face romeo, then spins away to look outwards before spinning back in to be lifted in romeo’s embrace. you can follow how the directions represent that exact push and pull between what they want, being together, and what the world wants, for them to be apart. and way they spin into each other and back out and then in again is also matched in their eyeline, looking at each other, then looking out into the world, and then in the lift there’s almost this merging of the two. juliet looks up into the sky, but to look up she has to look at romeo too, and similarly romeo looks up while also glancing at juliet. its as though the final lift is a wish for the world they’re looking out to to have each other in it. they spin lost in despair and confusion and look to the sky praying it will provide some kind of hope that out there somewhere is a world with the other in it, that its not one or the other. and yet at the same, that wish is also an acknowledgement of the facts, something that pat very much had to go through this ep. by wishing for a future with pran in it, pats also admitting that the future he knows is coming doesnt have pran. thats why when asked what he wants to do after graduation he says take over the family business. he’s known all along, its always been in the back of his mind that this cant be serious, its a pipe dream to try and commit to this. and so he sees pran and he sees the world and he looks to the sky thinking why cant it be simple? how can the two exist at the same time and yet seem to repel each other like oil and water? and when the push and pull is over, where are they gonna end up? when the world stops spinning, where will they land?

this spin i love for how erratic it is. i talked in previous comparisons to the ballet about the bourrée, and about how a bourrée backwards is a motif for juliet throughout the ballet, showing both her obedience and rejection of the expectations put on her by her family. and i find it so interesting here that we get a hint of that bourrée. its the only time we see it in the pas de deux, and its such a fleeting moment that you almost miss it, but those small movements of the feet are there. but here they’re much slower, and they’re moving forward. juliet’s  bourrée is most predominantly backwards, her running away from both paris, bc she doesn’t want to be with him, doesn’t want the life set out for her by her parents, and from romeo, bc she subconciously knows that she should distance herself, they shouldnt be together. the forward movement here also speaks of subconcious control which very much fits pran, this time the messages his parents have drilled into her telling him to run away, move forward, go to them, some nebulous space off stage where pat isn’t. he starts running away from pat but slows into this bourrée that speaks of his weak and defeated retreat to what he’s been told is right, only for pat to grip his shoulders and send him spinning into his arms. its a spin of such speed that speaks of how completely dizzy pran feels, how things have been turned upside down, how him rejecting familial expectations has sent him spiralling down an unknown path. but the path ultimately leads to pat, he catches him in his arms and rights him on his own two feet, grounding him in that moment, telling him it might feel like the world is spinning, but i’ll hold onto you, i’ll control the chaos as much as i can. so much may be uncertain, but us in this moment is still and calm and true, and that helps the dizziness fade. 

this final moment is just one of my faves in the pas de deux, and i put it here bc of how it contrasts the speed and chaos of the spins above and many of the spins we see in the piece. its a repeated move thats almost like romeo teaching juliet how to walk again, and i see this very much in pat and pran’s escape, where pran has just broken into a million pieces on the rooftop and by getting away, pat is finding away to put those pieces back together, bringing life back into pran when he thought he’d lost it all, showing pran that when he reaches the end of his tether, he can still put one foot in front of the other and move forward. and the spin is slower and simple, just a single turn that says the world turns on its axis just like i keep on living, an inevitability of life. and when you cant take it anymore, wish it would all stop, i’ll be there to slow the turn of the earth, hold you and keep you steady and guide you forward. 

the weight of the world

there is also a motif of exhaustion in the piece, which we see through moments where juliet becomes deadweight in romeo’s arms, very reflective of pran’s exhaustion after breaking down and admitting he cant cope with it all anymore. he is well and truly at his breaking point, and in these moments, if it wasn’t for pat holding him, keeping him upright, he’d break down. 

but these moments also speak of trust, again something we see when pran falls apart in pat’s arms. there’s trust there that pat will hold him, he trusts him enough to be this open and exposed around him, let his emotions be that raw and trusts that pat will handle them with care, handle him with care, not let him fall. its reflected in the movement, the way that juliet lets all strength leave her body, lets herself become truly weak, so that only romeo’s arm around her waist keeps her up. bc its only by letting go so fully that you can truly feel the strength of the other person holding you up. its when you’re at your weakest that you are hit with the the indisputable proof of just how strong someone can be for you. you let everything go and yet a single arm can keep you from falling. in the same way, by breaking down so fully, pran gets to see the simplicity in how pat takes care of him. and for pat, he’s not at his strongest in that moment either, he’s breaking down too. but by offering a shoulder to cry on, a hand to hold, an arm to keep pran upright, he can keep him from breaking even when he’s threatening to break himself. he doesn’t need to keep himself composed, bc the simplest of gestures can offer all the solace pran needs. it’s just an arm, and yet it keeps the both of them upright, and together. 

i especially love the progression of this move. the united hands held together in the air is a repetition of the move before, and speaks of how in the midst of loss and confusion, they gravitate towards and can ground themselves in each other. they are the thing tethering each other to the moment, even when thinks spin out of control, even as exhaustion creeps in, even when they feel lethargic and weak, its that uniting action at the start that gives them the trust in each other to fall apart in the others arms. 

this final example i find especially poignant, bc i think its reflective of a trend in pat and pran’s story whereby when they’re at their highest, they fall down to their lowest. we’ve seen it time and time again; the christmas concert, the curtain falling, running into pat’s dad. all these moments where they were at their happiest being brought crashing down. you can see it here with romeo lifting juliet, bc the lift makes it so juliet is faced with the world, she looks out. oftentimes its when pat and pran reach the heights of their happiness that they are most brutally faced with the reality of the world, so when romeo lifts juliet with strength and joy, only for her to be faced with the harsh truths of the world, thats what causes her to break, and she tumbles back down into romeo’s arms as deadweight, as if in that moment truly defeated by the world she saw. pat and pran have had these experiences before. its in the small moments, like when they talk about wanting to eat hotpot together. its said in a moment of happiness, and its born from wanting joy, but it brings to light everything they can’t have and just like that the moment dissolves into cruel pain. 

i say all this bc i think the best example of this we get in ep 11. pat is dreaming of a life they could forge here, he’s trying to make it happen, he’s trying to lift pran into that world where they can be together. but when pran sees it, all he can see is whats not there, namely his family, and the difficulties of the situation. thats just pran, he was born a dreamer and forced to be a realist. and seeing all the harshness of it, being lifted into pat’s world of dreams but only seeing impossibility, it defeats him. he cant live in that world, and then pat has to see pran’s lifeless body and know that’s what he could become if he tried to pursue that life. pran has his own wants and dreams and he shouldn’t have to sacrifice them for their relationship to work, hence why they ultimately go home, bc pat sees that pran wants more, and staying there would only limit him, and he doesnt want that. doesnt want to see the life and glow of aspiration slowly leave pran as he lives their simple life. pran has had to sacrifice too much to sacrifice his dreams too, and pat doesn’t want him do that for him.

mirror images

throughout the piece, which predominantly has a lot of flow and and ease, are moments of rigidness, where the dancers pose stiffly in position. this is very likely me reaching, but i love how these moments tell a small story, namely the story of pat and pran coming to terms that separation is nigh, and that they must trust that the other has the strength to stand alone so that they can be united once again. 

in this first pose, both romeo and juliet are reaching forward, each of their arms mirroring the others. this makes me think of pat saying ‘you fight alongside me’, bc here they are together, reaching towards the same thing, wanting the same world, one where they are together, bodies matched in their pursuit of that future. and also note that they are reaching forward, very much trying to go on, move on from the past that has subjected them to so much hurt. this is very much like the start of the ep where they’re united in their want for escape, they’re on the same page at this point, that page being we need to get away. 

the second time we see this posture, its romeo leaning juliet into position. here, its not about them being together, its about romeo seeing that juliet can hold her own. it makes me think of all the times in the episode where pat is just looking at pran without him knowing, looking at pran looking wistfully at the guitar, looking at pran walking towards the dinner table and cherishing the moment of them being able to simply exist together, looking at pran as he looks out to the ocean and thinks of his mom and sees that he’s worrying about her. pat is continually trying to gauge where pran is at, how he’s coping, how he’s feeling, what’s on his mind. and here, romeo looks at juliet assuming this position and sees that she can do it, she can hold her own, she is strong enough. bc this episode was all about pat and pran reaffirming their relationship and strengthening it so that it can withstand whatever will come. so when romeo places juliet like this, its him seeing that she doesnt need all his strength to be in that position. pran has enough fight in him now, he doesn’t need pat to fight for them alone, he can do it too, he can hold his own. just hold him there and he’ll still be reaching forward, still trying to pursue that future where they’re together. even when he’s alone, he’ll still be reaching for it.

but then we get this reversal of the first pose, where romeo is still reaching forward, but juliet is reaching behind. bc this is where they get to, a point where they are at odds, a point where pat is still very much trying to pursue that dream life of him and pran, together, in peace, and happy. but pran feels himself being pulled back, hears the voices niggling in his head telling him he has to go home, it wont work, they cant do that. he cant sacrifice his whole life that fully, and even if he shouldnt, he still cares. still cares for his parents, worries about them, loves them. the familial bond is pulling him back while pat is pushing forward, and that is where the dream starts to break, bc they aren’t dreaming together anymore. pat is up in the clouds while pran has fallen back to reality, and they cant stay isolated in those worlds without the other. they need to decide, forwards or backwards, where are they going, bc they have to go together. 

and we see that togetherness in this final move where they match each other, romeo placing juliets foot in front of his and juliet moving her other to mirror his stance. it speaks of both pat and pran reaching a point together, both meeting each other to be united. its not pat forcing pran to match him or vice versa, its them matching one another, assuming the same position through both their efforts. its not one sacrificing and the other not, its them both sacrificing something to be in this fight together. and then romeo reaches to the sky, bc he still feels the pull of that faraway dream, but juliet pulls his arm down into an embrace, as if to say ‘dont dream of the future when its not certain. dont wish for a world we cant have. just hold me now, in this moment, let us be together and treasure it. let us live in this perfect present before its lost’. thats what we see on pat and pran’s final night, them coming to accept whats ahead, but saying this final night shall be ours, and we will live it without sadness or fear or bitterness. we will not regret wasting time on dreaming, bc this moment with you is a dream. no more reaching, no more wishing, no more strength, just us and now, thats enough. 

the world creeps in

i did a watch of this pas de deux just following romeo’s eyeline, and i found it fascinating. bc its always on juliet. he is constantly looking at her, or when he cant, looking in the direction she is. and this is so pat. pran is at the centre of his world and he just cant take his eyes off him, cant pull himself away, cant see anything past him. and after everything thats happened, all the external forces creeping in, he wants a world that is just pran, nothing else. he wants a world where he can just look at the man he loves and pretend nothing else exists. and thats what he starts out doing, he focuses on pran. he’s seen him break down and keeps himself so attuned to him so he knows how hes doing, if he’s ok, if he is feeling better. there’s so much shit going on but pran is and will always be his number one priority. but the more he looks at pran, the more he sees pran looking out, conscious of the world, and it makes it harder and harder for him to ignore it. when he sees pran thinking about all this stuff, it becomes more impossible for him not to think about it too. and thats when we get this moment. 

romeo’s eyeline - on juliet until moment where they open up to and face the world and then becomes more conscious of environment (whereas juliet more constantly conscious)

its very much a turning point. they spin and look out to the world and open up, offer themselves to it, bare their souls, say this is what we are. we see you world, we know the reality of whats out there, but what more can we do than give ourselves to you, together and united in the honesty of our relationship. they face a cruel world, they see it and admit what it is, and it terrifies them, makes them recoil, turn to each other for comfort, bc its too hard to face. i love this moment, bc unlike a lot of male ballet, this pas de deux doesnt really contain any what i call ‘presentation moments’ for romeo, where he’s showing off to the audience. there’s only this. and it creates such an intimate mood for the whole piece, which is why this move feels so alien. it contributes to that expectation people have of pat and pran to present, to act, to play their roles. to be the perfect dancers, but all they want is to hold each other. they dont want to play that part, they just want each other. and this is not a dance for us, for the outside world, its a dance for them, a chance to be together.

and after this, romeo has a lot more moments where he too is looking outwards, away from juliet, by himself. he feels the world creeping in, he can no longer ignore it. reality is approaching, and he feels time slipping away, knows how much he must treasure now bc tomorrow is looming ever closer. he too has moments where he runs away, he too has moments where he looks out at the unfair world in defeat, pat tried to stay strong and positive for pran, but he slowly cracks, we see the veneer of hope fade as he too faces reality. we see him cry more, we see him pursuing comfort from pran. he’s slowly falling back to earth, where the world cant be just pran, and he has to find a way to deal with that. 

a promise

i love this final move. if you wont watch the whole thing or if you dont care about any of this shit, at least appreciate this final move. its beautiful, and is the perfect physical metaphor for what pat and pran are going through. its repeated twice. juliet crumbles to the floor weak and defeated, but romeo lifts her and rights her on her foot, just like pran falls apart in pats arms and pat grounds him, holds him at his weakest and coaxes him back to life, shows him how to stand tall and strong again. and then theres this move of strength where they push away from each other. this is pat and pran having to be strong in their separation, having to push against the gravity that pulls them together with all their strength, stretch as far apart as their bodies will let them. bc they may be apart, but there’s still a point of contact in the hands. it may not be physical for pat and pran, but they will always be holding onto each other, and that will always bring them strength when they’re apart. and its through that strength, that push, that opposition of what drags them together, that when the time is right, they can let go, they can release hands, stop holding on, not have to be strong anymore. and they will fall back together. the gravity will pull them together again. they will fall into each others arms as they were always predestined to. when juliet lets go and lets herself fall, romeo will be there to catch her. and when pran doesn’t have to pull away anymore, he can be caught by pat like its second nature, like thats where he’s always belonged, bc it was inevitable that no matter how long it took, thats where they were always going to end up.

and i love that they repeat it. its like first they’re testing if this will work, if this way forward will lead to the future they want. then they do it again, reaffirm that they can do this, they have the strength to part. and the final time, right at the end of the piece, you see romeo right juliet on her foot. and instead of before, where she fell into his arms, as if to say not yet, i cant do it yet, im not ready to leave you, this time, she looks at romeo in position, shaking her head as if to say no, i dont think i can, i cant leave, this isnt right, this isnt what i want, but she ultimately leaves. romeo lets go, and for a moment she is suspended on pointe, feeling the absolute emptiness and unbalance of not being held, and yet she stays upright, she can hold it, she can do it, and so she leaves. i love this so so much. i love that subtle shake of the head that says i dont want to go. its the exact mood of pat and pran standing outside of their houses, knowing what they have to do, having decided the way ahead, and still thinking no, i dont want it. its like theyve gone over and over the moment in their heads, but stood there, apart, the future waiting for them inside, it kinda breaks them that theyve ran and ran until they cant run anymore. there’s nowhere else to turn to. all they can do is face it. and they hate it, but they leave. and the pas de deux, the honeymoon, ends. 

if you’ve got to the end of this, congrats. i dont know is this makes any sense i feel like an emotional sponge getting rung dry at this point. i just wanted to ramble, but words have been escaping me this week, so i needed to channel my feeling somehow, and this framing of the ballet has just helped me get something out, even if its messy and incoherent. but yeah tl;dr is this pas de deux is ep 11 and its beautiful and im emo. enjoy. 

[popculturebuffet]

Daria Tom Arc Retrospective Part 1: “I Kissed Your Boyfriend”, a look at Jane’s Addition, I Loathe a Parade, Fire!, Dye! Dye! My Darling! and some assorted Tom Bits

Hello all you happy people and welcome to my look at a true classic of animation.. and the arc that continues to divide anyone whose seen it to this day.. and where I came into the franchise over 12 years ago. It’s an arc i’ve wanted to talk about since I started this blog, paticuarlly the movie Is It Fall Yet? and this year I finally had the room in the summer for it. So i’ts time to talk about some heartbreakingly brilliant television and a fandom breakingly contriversal kiss along with the greatest multi media project of all time, the glory of jake morgendorfer, parade floats that sadly don’t include daffy duck’s faviorite mode of transportation, cyber stalking played off as wacky comedy because late 2000′s, and one of the most crushing half hours of tv ever penned. Join me won’t you?

                             This is Just Where I Came In

So before we can talk about Daria we have to talk about why this arc in paticular means a lot to me. See back in the late 2000′s I got into Daria in a very late 2000′s way: Via a fansite and reviews on said site. See back then it wasn’t exactly easy to find shows that weren’t avaliable through legit means online and the show had yet to be released in full on dvd. So instead of finding it via watching episodes, I found out about the show via tv tropes, then glommed onto the historic Daria Touchstone Outpost Daria. While the site sadly went down in 2013 a rebirthed version with all the old content is avaliable RIGHT HERE. Worth a look.

So naturally when I was able to actually find some of the show on dvd I exploded with glee. At my local FYE I found the dvd for the film “Is it Fall Yet?”. It’d also be where I later got the dvd for “Is it College Yet?” the series finale movie we’ll be taking a look at sometime in the future. So it was through “Fire!” that I was introduced to this great toon and the following masterwork of an ep, Dye Dye My Darling! and the stellar movie.. with the terrible Allison plot we’ll get to next time that has aged like fine cheese hit with a croquet mallet into a flock of seagulls. 

It’s a show near and dear to my heart that despite having ended twenty years ago, still feels incredibly relevant. But for those of you reading this who have no idea what Daria is..

Here’s a quick refresher to catch us up to where our story begins

                   Surviving Stupidity on Sarcasm (And Pizza)

Created by Glenn Eichler and Susan Lewis, Daria is the story of Daria Morgendorfer, who began her life as a supporting character on beavis and butthead, serving as a sarcastic foil to the two loveable dipshits for most of the shows run. 

So naturally with the show coming to a close soon, MTV wanted to cash in and to get that sweet sweet female demographic, so they approached Eichler , B and B’s series editor to make a pilot, they bought it and Mike Judge agreed as long as Beavis and Butthead were kept out of it which MTV agreed to.. then planned to jam them in there should the show not be a hit. 

Thankfully that didn’t happen as Daria quickly became a hit and for good reason as Glenn clearly got how to make a good spinoff: He kept Beavis and Butthead’s social satire but wisely reframed it in a new package to fit a diffrnet protaganist: instead of two idiots constantly stumbling into adults who were way too trusting and tolerant of their BS and showing just how ludcrious society is that way, Daria instead followed a character who very well knows everything sucks and will gladly snark about it and is instead often forced into said nonsense by school, parents or bribed into it. It also takes a diffrent approach to the supporting cast: while many of them are foils to daria like b and b’s cast are to them, their strong enough to support their own subplots which sometimes are the best part of an episode> It’s a show that rightfully gets how to make adult comedy: it’s in the characters and setups and while you can go places kids show can’t, you use those well instead of just screaming I’M AN ADULT LOOK AT ALL THE SEX I CAN WRITE. It’s why the show holds up so well despite being late 90′s/early 2000′s as hell:it’s clever, hilaroius and well characterized and it’s worth your time if you haven’t seen it.

As for what the shows about, it follows Daria and her family: workaholic lawyer Helen who tries to push her daughter out of her shell with predicable results, equally workaholic deeply traumtized manchild Jake who is a geninely loving father who also happens to scream dammit a lot and is geninely frustrated at the world, and Quinn, Daria’s sister who dosen’t want anyone to know that fact and is her opposite: while daria is intellegent and is a outsider by choice Quinn only wants to fit in, go on dates, and wear cute clothes. 

The family moves to Lawndale where Daria thankfully finds a fellow bastion of snark in a sea of idiots: Jane Lane. Jane like daria is deatached, loves horror movies and mocking th eworld around her, but is a diffrent type of outcast, a painter who is a bit more socially savy and is a bit more willing to get out in the world than daria. 

The two spend their days dealing with the high school hurricane around them: Greedy, selfish asshole and average school Principal Li, constantly stressed out teacher Mr. DiMartino who ACCENTS every OTHER world WITH rage FOR valid REASONS given the IDIOTS he has to PUT UP WITH, Mr. O’Neil, Daria’s overly optmistic teacher who unlike her previous overly optmistic teacher is oddly selfish, out of it and tries badly to reach his students positivley despite ti working never times. Their class includes Kevin, the kind and personable but completely braindead QB , as he’ll tell you, Brittany, his cheerleader girlfriend whose also kind and also kind of stupid, Upchuck, a sleazy nerd no one tolerates, Jody, a bright young overachiver, one of the only black kids in the class , and someone whose both popular but also bright and aware of things, and thus is one of Daria’s only real friends outside of Jane, her boyfriend Mack who isn’t given that much promience given his va’s keep switching. We also have the Fashion Club, Quinn’s friends which consist of Alpha Bitch and Rival Sandi, loveable anxiety ball Stacy and spacy moron Tiffani, as well as Joey, Jeffy or Jamey, three interchangable boy band rejects who go out with Quinn reguarly and do her bidding. 

Finally we have Trent,  Jane’s brother and one of the best characters in the show, a spacy moron who fronts the band Mistik Spiral (their thinking of changing the name), is constantly late to rehersal, talks slow and drawn out, sleeps a lot and is still the only one in Jane’s large family she can actually count on. 

Trent is important to this as up to our first episode here today, he was Daria’s crush, something she regretted as while he’s a cool indie guy, she constantly is nervous and embarassed around him and incidents like getting a rash because of her crush and getting a piercing because he said he’d like it really bother her. Thankfully despite being a legal adult it’s fiarly clear Trent isn’t intrested, but does see Daria as anothe rsister, likely not saying as much in the first three seasons as he dosen’t want to hurt her feelings. This started to fall apart with the episode Lane Miserables, where Daria imagines a future with Trent and realizes they just arne’t compatable. Granted the crush resurfaces at the end but it was clear the cracks in the crush fantasy were starting to form... and this is where they crumble.. and where Daria’s first actual love intrest comes in. After avoiding thrusting our main character into romance for most of the series the creators decided she needed to date, but realized Daria wouldn’t really seek a guy out. He’d have to be someone she knows.. so they made it intresting by making said guy START as Jane’s boyfriend first. And fans were not pleased. Which I get with The Daria and Jane shippers; the two have great chemistry and thus our story begins...

                                           Jane’s Addition

It’s project time again and this time Mr. O’Neil is trying to reach the kids which for once dosen’t end in tears specifically his, but is an actually GOOD idea: A multimedia project. Naturally Daria and Jane partner up: Jane’s grades need a liver transplant and Daria dosen’t like interacting with anyone else so it works. 

So to encourage Daria’s crush on trent for whatever reason, torment, bordeom, a love of statutory, Jane suggests dragging him into this and the two go to Mystik Spiral perform. They naturally sing a song with the chorus “Hey mr normal, it was you!” 

Jane ends up meeting Tom, a rich kid who nonetheless has the right amount of sarcastic wit and the late 2003 look to charm her. Though we won’t see said sarcastic wit for a bit as the episode frames him well: At first we don’t get to really KNOW tom, we just see him looking at Jane sideways party on tilt, and they end up going off together. We see him from Daria’s perspective: as this guy on her perphriy whose invading her comfy life: hanging with her best friend, snarking at everything and having one person she can count on to always be there. The show’s explored Daria being Janeless in the past: Season 2′s See Jane Run had Jane become part of the track team and Daria struggle at her best friend being gone a lot. But that was a one off thing.. this... is more permant and Daria reacts with hostility and bailing. She DOES get trent to agree to the project, but she goes home right after and when Tom shows up the next day when she goes to talk to Jane, she leaves again and we find out Jane ends up being busy most of the week: Jane gets her part done.. but days after Daria got her script done and everything ready. Trent of course is nowhere having anything because it was a terrible idea to include him. I mean he is the best, but he’s also Trent. The fact he’s survived this long is a minor miracle. 

So the two have a night as usual planned, with Tom busy with his friends we never meet and i’m convicned don’t actually exist. Case in point he shows up to Pizza and Daria is pissy about it despite him trying to be nice. Granted tom’s reaction to her sarcasm is to storm off after a while, and while he’s right to call Daria out, leaving.. isn’t going to fix this. Neither of them are being at all mature but it’s Daria who gets all the blame. 

Naturally Jane calls Daria on it the next day, and to the shows credit Daria ISN’T being at all resonable. It also shows off something I like about the show especially as it goes on: Daria.. isn’t infallible. She’s often right in her criticsim of the world.. but the show often takes time to poke holes in how far sarcastically holding everything but maybe one person at arms length is going to get her. Just up to this point in the series we’ve had the various trent episodes show us she’ suspetable to a hopeless crush on someone too old and too irresponsible for her as any teen who isn’t ace, Monster had her ALMOST crush Quinn with a documentary before realizing just how much harm that would do her sister and that it was a step too far, Write Where It Hurts shows her being so cyncial even in her writing makes it hard to actually write at times, and by being more hopefull.. she writes something wonderful: a calm happy future for her and her family, and the Misery Chick has daria and jane wishing someone dead sarcastically.. actually happen and her dour front making it seem like she isn’t phased to Jane. She is and simply dosen’t want to treat the guy like a hero as he was indeed an asshole and even if it was sad he died, he still shoudln’t be glorified just because he’ sa corpse. Daria being a three dimensional character allowed to make mistakes while still being one step ahead of most people in her life is what makes the show for me. It disects her edgy, late 90′s cynisim while still acknoleding she has a point at times.

As for this situation, Daria is sympathetic as she is wrong: You get where she’s coming from especially given her speech later in Dye Dye My Darling!

“Because I moved to this town and I immediately knew i’d be a total outcast, and in the one moment of good luck in my entire life I met another outcast I could be friends with and not feel completely alone, and then you came along and screwed the whole thing up!” 

She tries to push tom out of things.. because she NEEDS Jane. She’s her support system, the one person who truly gets her in the whole world. Her parents love her, but often struggle to understand her, and Quinn is... Quinn.  Her only other friends are Jodi who while someone who she truly respects is isn’t really on her wavelength being someone who fits in more and tries harder and somehow Brittany and Kevin, who are more loose aquantices with one braincell between them. And of course Quinn is Quinn, so no sisterly help.  They all care about her, but only Jane GETS her and dosen’t judge her for being herself. The only times Jane ever calls out daria is when daria really has stepped out of line. So it’s understandable that when someone else shows up that takes up all Jane’s time and leaves Daria basically alone, she lashes out at him. It’s understandable. 

What it’s not.. is fair. Jane should be able to have boyfriends and since her and Daria sadly aren’t happening , at least until any revivials, Daria simply needs to adjust to this new reality. And ultimately the only thing that gets her to confront it.. is said reality pulling up to her. Tom pulls up in his old junker, a bit of rebellion against his parents as we’ll find out and has an honest talk with Daria. Daria feels she’s being replaced.. and Tom makes it clear no she is’nt. Jane talks about her all the time, and she’s still important to her. But Tom makes the same point I did: Daria can’t and really shoudln’t stop this and a point I did’nt: he’s not the bad guy. He’s just a guy and a charming one too: he’s cyncial like our heroes, and is kind enough to make this effort because he WANTS this relationshp to work and to be with jane means beign welcomed by her only friend. 

And so Daria does. Granted this only lasts the end of the episode.. but when Tom shows up... she welcomes him. Granted Jane isn’t happy they have in jokes, but she is happy their getting along. This... won’t last long. 

As for the project, our heroes do pass with the wonderful lifecycle of a high school student, which is truly hilarious.. as is frankly most dialogue in this episode, but as a reviewer I gotta gloss over that. It maps it to the stages of grief with anger just being them getting some dialouge from poor Mr. DiMartino and acceptance being college acceptance. The other videos are also a treat, from Brittnay and Kevin’s crudely drawn hilariously half assed video on school spirit and the utter glory that is Upchuck’s assignment that makes me want to worship him as some sort of god before slapping myself upon remembering it’s upchuck. 

All in all the episode is excellent and deftly sets up the story arc. And Tom wouldn’t go away either: he’s in a good chunk of season 4 to the point I did watch most of his apperances, though I remembered his apperances in a tree grows in lawndale and psycho therapy well enough I didn’t have to. While i’ll only be focusing on the four biggest eps in depth, I’d be remiss if I didn’t cover

                                                    Some Assorted Tom Bits

Partners Compliant starts the season off with Daria back on not being really happy about Tom, though she accepts it it dosen’t mean she’s on board with him in her life and it leads to Daria and Jane having diffrent partners, Jane being stuck with Brittany and Daria partnering with Jodi and learning a lesson from it about her own hubris. Honestly I could and shoudl do a Jodi article. She’s the best. 

A Tree Grows in Lawndale has Tom save the day by suggesting Kevin become a motivational speaker. I love that my job is writing sentences like that. 

Psycho Therapy has one of Tom’s best apperances as Jane sets up a 24 hour web cam as an art experiment and dosen’t tell him. So he shakes it for the camera unaware he’s being tapped and understandably pissed when he finds out as his girlfriend you know, didn’t tell him.  Gee I can’t imagine why they have relationship issues later. The punchline is also great as Tom calms down.. till he starts getting fanmail.. from inmates. 

Finally we have Mart of Darkness, where tom accidently eats some Gummi bears Jane had sorted for a project. So Jane goes to get some from the new big box store while tom goes to do the same and ends up saddled with Jesse and Trent. It’s one of the few times Tom gets to do something besides be a love intrest and it is great. Sure it’s jane adjacent, he’s going there to make up for his mistake, but it’s fun seeing someone else have to play only sane man with these two doofuses and Tom is a lot less patient with them. It also underlines the issues that are forming in their relationships: Jane is into her art and tends to fly off at tom for it, and while Tom is understanding he really dosen’t fit in her world at times. Granted these last two take place after our next ep

                                                     I Loathe a Parade

This ep starts simply enough; Jake is out of TP, Helen and Quinn have left, so it’s up to Daria to get him some in 15 minutes for a bribe. Which would be an easy enough task... if it wasn’t also the homecoming parade, something I relate to as not only is said parade right down the street next to my house, but I live next to mainstreet, where the local fair happens once a year and thus makes traffic, even if I can’t drive I stil lhave to get places, and walking around a living nightmare. So Daria having to naviigate similar nightmares speaks to me. 

She runs into Jane whose taking Photos for her own amusment and trying to find tom. Naturally all the usual players are here and ‘tis part of why I spotlighted them, the other being they all have their own plots in the movie: Kevin is on the homecoming float with some.. pagent girl, I don’t know, which pisses brittany off, not helped by Kevin’s skeezy behavior in one of his less sympathetic apperances.. I mean he’s not creepy but he does end up putting his hand on her butt without presumibly asking and you know WHILE HIS GIRLFRIEND IS DIRECTLY BEHIND THEM., Mrs Li is trying to prevent a lawsuit, Quinn has a float with the fashion club who balk at one point when the parade stops and Upchuck of course has a bachelor’s club car with two dolls in the back and hits on our heroine. We also get a nice tiny subplot with Jodi and Mack, as Jodie and Mack are elected homecoming king and queen.. and both are ENTIRELY and annoingly aware it’s a stunt by the school to try and prove how woke they are. I do like how the show tackles racial issues with Jodie while not making it her entire character: there’s more to her than being black but her race and how it effects her isn’t ignored either. And the solution is heartwarming: Jodie almost gets off.. but notices a young black girl waving at her and gets back on. It’s geninely sweet. 

The main bulk though is Daria trying to navigate this madhouse and instead finding Tad Gupty, a kid she babysitted/deprogrammed in season 1 whose lost. It also shows Daria’s character: She may be annoyed by the inconvience and lost of bribe but she dosen’t take it out on Tad and does her best to find either his parents or an officer. She may be cynical, detached and constantly done with this shit... but when an innocent kid needs her, she helps. 

She ends up finding Tom who was at the wrong drugstore and teams up with Daria both out of the kindness of his heart and to find Jane. The two end up bonding as they’ve read similar books, have similar natures and Tom shows his own nature, a bit more outgoing than either of his girlfriends, and a bit more proactive, deciding to get on a float to look and taking tad with him, wtih Daria getting on once the child begs her not to leave him. 

Said float ends up being the Fashion Clubs and they just so happened to be looking for someone to make over. Daria has to blackmail quinn to get out of it and while our dynamic duo can’t find the gupty’s, they do manage to loose Tad once they get back to ground. Things only get worse when they run into lawndale’s obnoxious mascot, some dope in a lion costume who won’t leave Daria the hell alone till Tom gets him to step off and later overheats, with daria pulling the mask off to reveal Mr. O’Neil. And he woudl’ve gotten away with it too if it weren’t for thos meddling kids. Soon after the guptys show off as it turns out Tad found his parents who are greatful and Daria gives a rare genuine smile and talks with Tom a bit, the two really hitting it off.. almost a bit TOO well. Jane naturally shows up and both look at each other as they seperate.. with both clearly conflicted about what they both now realize they might feel. It does feel a bit fast on that part, but otherwise I loathe a parade is a solid episode. Also if you were curious the Brittany subplot ends with her getting mad and storming off and the parade ending in disaster, while Upchuck gets beaten up by the police. So at least Daria gets that, even if her dad dosen’t get TP for his bunghole. 

                                                     Fire!

And now we’ve come to the hard part of this. And not in terms of quality: unlike the last time I spotlighted a tom with my Tom Lucitor retrospective, the episodes here are excellent and the breakdown of a relationship well handled versus 

But it dosen’t make it easier to watch. Honestly it reminds me of a late season episode of Tuca and Bertie: there’s still a joke or two here or there but the pressure that’s built up all season is about to explode, but isn’t QUITE there yet. It dosen’t help that the comedy b-plot meant to help ease said tension is not really funny but instead deeply disturbing. 

The episode follows the morgendorfers as the inevtible happens: Jake nearly burns the house down trying to make himself some warm milk. Look I love the guy but the fact it took four seasons for the house to nearly burn down is a miracle, as is the fact he didn’t pour gasoline on the fire to put it out. 

Helen is pissed about this but thankfully Jake’s connections from work get them a nice hotel. And while Helen and Jake get to be happy and relax, for once, Daria is stuck in hell aka other people aka her sister. Ten minutes with her is all it takes for Daria to pack up and head for Janes and all it takes for Quinn to not squeal is Daria almost talking to her friends on the phone. 

So getting this terrible b-plot out of the way a bellhop at the hotel romances quinn, giving her complemntary stuff and Quinn loves a boy whose attractive and gives her stuff. Sandy brings up the idea he’s a creepy stalker.. and turns out to be right hence why this isn’t all that entertaning. If you don’t know the twist it’s just a stretch of quinn and the fashion club, who I do find entertaining but just don’t get anything funny to do in this subplot, and the “Joke” that a guy was stalking her is just.. creeepy. The actual joke that Quinn is more upset the guy was a computer geek than you know STALKING HER is kind of funny but this was obviously written in an age when stalking was taken way less seriously and it shows. 

Thus the main plot is that much more tense: See when Daria calls Jane and Tom are having issues: their just not really meshing, something that was hinted at earlier but now painfully comes to the fore: While Tom clearly dosen’t mind the splatterfests jane enjoys, his attempt to have them see an art house film goes nowhere. Tom just has some diffrent intrests.. ones Daria shares as she recommends the film, and the fact the two are talking irks Jane. 

It dosen’t get better as Jane procedes to get passive agressive as heck, telling Daria she could contact Jane thorugh tom which is a rather red flag and then working on her art rather than enjoying that her friend is here, passive agressively working the drill. She only gets angrier when Tom shows up but since Jane’s busy he goes to talk to Daria, and they talk.. for hours about litreature and stuff. Look if you want to know how many times an x-man died or about the red planet Arakko, i’m your guy. I’m not into classic literature so outside of knowing about the Prince, the book Daria was reading, i’m out of my element here. Jane gets pissy again. And Tom and Daria DO have genuine chemistry. While jane and tom had some i’ts clear the two ar ejust way more comfortable than Jane and Tom were and click better: their both bookworms, they both have overacheving families, and their both outsiders just for being themselves, tom for not wanting to over endulge in his riches and Daria for being well. .Daria. As much as the fandom HATES this paring.. I think it works to a degree. The two do work together. How it happened is more questionable, and there are issues with Tom’s character i’ll get into, but you can see why Daria likes this guy once she lets him in.. and why Jane is loosing her shit

Daria eventually confronts her, it being her turn and Jane reveals she’s jealous, that it’s been hard with Tom and Daria makes it harder by things being so .. easy with the two of them... and concedes it’s not their fault. But while Daria dosen’t THINK she has feelings for her best friends boyfriend, Trent points out Tom.. probably does “guys can tell when guys are into a girl”.... which is macho bs in how he phrases it but as oblivious as Trent can be I DO think when it comes to relationships he knows what he’s talking about. He has an on and off one and in these episodes is a geninely good friend and council to both girls. And he can play the guitar pretty well and as we’ll see in the movie can write a REALLY good song on occasion, so he has some talent he just dosen’t have drive or common sense. 

So the episode ends with Daria’s angry parents picking her up, and Daria starring whistful. Anjd now we’re going from it boiling up.. to boiling over... but first I nearly forgot to mention Stacey had a cowboy hat this episode. It’s both early 2000′s as hell, I also saw them on sex and the city on occasin, and delightful. To the pain!

                                                 Dye! Dye! My Darling!

So we’ve come to this. The kiss that made a fanbase go nuts, changed the show forever for a second time and is still divisive to this day. We’ve also come to the second best episode of Daria, the only one topping it in my eyes being the final episode (Not the finale, that’d be the movie), Boxing Daria. It’s painful, tense and amazingly acted and animated. Despite the shows stylized animation not being one for heavy expression, the expressoins here and the acting, esecpailly from Tracy Grandstaff, is phenominal. 

So we open with Jane at the Zoo starring at a tiger

Turns out she’s planning to paint tiger stripes in her hair, the lady or the tiger, and wants Daria to do it. And this is where the deep episode long discomfort starts. Unlike last time there’s no attempts at levity via wacky cyber stalking.  There’s no real break. It’s just one long slow motion sprial of pain. This is a bojack penultimate episode level of emotional agony.. and i’ts just as quality. 

See Jane wants Daria to dye her hair and while Daria tries to quip her way through it she also repeadtly tries to back out, pointing out she has no idea what she’s doing, she dosen’t want to do this and Jane being passive agressive any time daria DOSEN’T want to help. It boils over in the actual application as Jane accuses Daria of trying to steal tom passive agressively.. then when Daria, SHOCKINGLY botches the job because she has no idea what she’s doing and said repeadtly she didn’t think she could do this, just outright accuses her and throws her out, not going to school the next day. 

And then.. it happens. Cue the proper music

Tom pulls up wanting to talk things over, and Daria gets in the car while the audience, both those watching this for the first time and those of us who know all too well what’s about to happen scream no at the screen like Tom’s a slasher in a horror film and Daria is his unsuspecting victim.

The two talk, with Tom at his wits end with Jane, and Daria giving the rant from above, mad that some guy has driven a wedge between her and her friend, while Tom rightly points out he just went out with a girl, though she was cool and it didn’t work out. The two agree they aren’t attracted to each other, huff off with a fine.. .and then... 

It’s an incredibly well done moment: from Tom impuslively deciding to kiss her from it being clear she reciporcates.. to the second kiss where both fully let it sink in how fucked this is. And the reason this works so well, especially when certain other shows have tried and failed at a plot like this is the show never once forgets how fucked up this is: Ther’es clear passion there but the second that’s over just pure guilt, pain and shellshock.l And tom’s “I liked it too” and daria’s rare, impassioned dammits just undersell it: He liked it.. but his tone shows just how bad the timing was while Daria is pissed off in a way we rarely see her and runs out afraid. And she can’t get anyone to help: Quinn just dimisses out of hand she’d do the same and Helen is busy with work. In the end all Daria has going in to telling jane is pure guilt

The scene where she tells her.. is also just pure hurt. Daria looks miserable, guilty, and broken, and it’s clear from minute one she’s going to tell her friend.. it’s just a question of how and when Jane finally notices how upset she is we get one of the best deliveres in the series “I kissed your boyfriend, I kissed tom”. Daria makes no justifactions, no excuses.. and  compared to other cheating storylines tha’ts why I like it. It makes the lead sympathetic, daria really is confused by these emotion.. but it dosen’t undercut what she did and neither did she. Daria destroyed her friendship and knows it and all she can painfully do is cry “I’m sorry, i’m sorry” at jane and then run off. 

The resulting confrontation with Tom is no less painful with Jane opening up with a “Hi.. go to hell” before lighting hitting tom who more than deserves it and once her anger subsides a little she ends her rant with “How could you! How could she!” and tom admits it was an accident.. but it was wrong. 

The two then have a more emotional breakup on the swings, with Tom admitting things weren’t working and Jane forced to admit it to, and Jane making it clear she’s intending to end her friendship with Daria. And again to his credit tom points out both how much they need each other and how Janes anger at being possible third wheel is hypcoritical given she asked the same of her. It’s not exactly the same but points for effort

The ending is still soul crushing though: Daria and Jane talk and while Daria both apologizes and has no intention of dating tom it’s clear their friendship is on life support at best as Jane leaves.. and Daria gets a call from tom. It’s painful and while the ending music isn’t bad, the origianl ed music which I looke dup after hearing about it on tv tropes... god

God I love cake and this.. just perfectly accentuates the ep. 

This ep is damn near perfect, painful and an excellent cliffhanger.. and sadly where we leave off for a few weeks. But prepare because in two weeks we look at the followup, what this was building toward as we as the question “Is it Fall Yet?”. Hope I see you there, thanks for reading, follow me for more and considering joining my patreon campaign

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[zodiyack]

Light-Stick

Requested by @psychkunox​: (Been so long since I requested other than Peaky) But can you do a Supernatural one, Dean x Reader insp to the ep "Regarding Dean."

Pairing: Dean Winchester x Female!Reader

Warnings: Swearing, fluff?, tired/probably poor writing

Words: 1,218

Summary: (See Request?)

Note: So, if you couldn’t tell by the title, this revolves mainly around the scene wherein Sam and Dean are at the motel. Sorry if this sucks :\

Taglist: @matth1w​, @redspaceace-writes​, @fandom-puff​, @darling-i-read-it​, @simonsbluee​, @sebastianstanslefteyebrow​, @psychkunox​,

Masterlist | Supernatural Masterlist

The phone rang, vibrating the table with it. “Unknown Caller”. Sam looked away from his laptop and picked up the phone without hesitation. Y/n watched from the seat across, taking slow sips of her morning drink of choice. “Hello?”

“...Sam?”

Upon hearing his brother’s voice, his shoulders hunched and his empty hand came up, an “are-you-shitting-me” type of attitude immediately replacing his calmed expression. “Dude! Where the hell have you been?” At Sam’s sudden change of tone, along with his question, Y/n widened her eyes and tilted her head, no longer half asleep.

“Uhhh I’m not really sure about that.”

“Well- where are you now?”

“Um, not really sure about that either.... I um... Oh!” Dean laughed on the other end, “I’m starvin’. How you feel about waffles?”

Sam’s face morphed with confusion, drawing Y/n’s interest even more. He muttered a bit, struggling to form a word before he picked one, “What?”

“Dumb question. Right. What psycho doesn’t love waffles? I mean they’re fluffy with little pockets full of syrup you just cover ‘em with whip cream, right? Anyway, meet me at Waldo’s, alright?”

Sam could barely think of something to say with the amount of time given to him. Dean hung up leaving Sam thinking 100 miles per second. Y/n made eye contact with her boyfriend’s brother, raising a brow as to ask for the story.

“Was that Dean?”

“Mhm.”

“Where was he?”

He shrugged. “Don’t know.”

“Did he not tell you?”

“No, actually, he doesn’t even know. He said to meet him at Waldo’s for waffles and then hung up.”

Y/n paused, scrunching her brows together in thought. Then she nodded with a shrug, “Sounds like Dean to me.”

Dean met Sam’s eyes as he walked into the building. “Hey...” he drawled. The first thing he did as the two sat down was sigh and tap his head, “You brought my girlfriend but did you bring any of the uh-” Sam took the bottle of pills out of his pocket and shook it, like an owner would a dog treat to their eager pup. “Yes!”

“Sounded like you could use it.”

“Oh man,” Dean whispered as he opened the bottle.

“Rough night?” Y/n’s eyes followed her boyfriend’s every movement. Dean after drinking, whether it be drunk or hungover, never ceased to entertain her. Dean shook his head.

“Rough morning.” He poured some into his hand, using his coffee to wash down the pills rather than water. 

Sam watched with amusement as well, chuckling a little. “What happened? I mean, you just went out to get some food.”

Dean raised his free hand to emphasize his shrug as he set the mug down. “I dunno.”

“What does that mean?”

“I- I guess I blacked out... And judging from this hangover,” he nodded his head, “it was epic.”

Sam looked to Y/n for context, however, all he got was a raise of her shoulders. She hadn’t been with him last night, so there was no way she was involved with his drunken state.

“Well, we tried to call you-”

“Oh.” Dean held up his broken phone, making Sam sigh and Y/n look down in disappointment. “Not sure how that happened.”

“Great. Alright, well I’ll text mom and make sure she knows you’re going with me in case of emergency and Cas, in case he tracks down Kelly.”

Dean slowed his chewing down as his brows furrowed, tilting his head to meet Sam’s eyes. Sam raised his brows in response. “The- mother of Lucifer’s love child?”

“Right. Right. Yes, the, devil-baby-mama drama... Heh, say that five times fast. Devil-baby-mama drama.”

Once again, Sam sighed at his brother’s antics, though, Y/n couldn’t help but giggle a bit. He shoved his phone back into his pocket, “Alright, Dean, you know, uh, you’ve had a good run, but uh, maybe let’s pump the brakes a little bit. I mean you’re not twenty anymore...”

Dean froze, staring at his brother. Amusement was nowhere to be seen on his face, which was quite rare. “Okay, one, the Rat Pack partied till the day they died and b, I can still kick your ass.”

“Finish your waffles, tough guy. I’m sure you have some work to do.” Y/n snickered. “I’ve gotta go. I’ll catch up with you guys later. Call me if you need me, okay?” She raised her brows as she waited for Dean to nod, then pressed a kiss to his forehead and walked out the door, waving goodbye to the brothers.

“Hey... I came as soon as I could-” Y/n opened the door and stepped into the room, closing it behind her.

“Thank you- I-”

“My girlfriend? Really Sammy?”

He ignored his brother, whispering as quietly but frantically as he could.“Dean’s been acting weird.”

“Like Dean weird? Or...”

“No no, Dean has not been acting weird, Dean has been acting like Dean.” The man in question interjected, waving his finger around.

Sam spun back around to face Y/n, pointing to Dean. “Don’t listen to him.”

“Didn’t plan on it. ...Why is there a sticky note with the word lamp on the lamp?”

“Because Dean called it-”

“A lamp.”

“A light stick.” Sam glared at Dean.

Y/n covered her mouth, attempting to keep it contained, but to no avail; laughter poured from her lips uncontrollably. Dean seemed to find offence in it.

“Why the hell are you laughing?”

“I’m sorry bub, but... can you blame me? ‘Light stick’. Sounds like some holy shit if you ask me. Or maybe Starwars. Lightsaber?”

Sam squinted at her in confusion. He shook his head. “Not the point- listen, do you think we can do anything?”

“I’m not sure...”

“I’ll call someone, give me a minute.” Sam walked over to the other side of the room and began to pace.

The voice on the other end was inaudible to Dean and Y/n, but Sam filled in the most he could with his responses.

“Yeah, well, we need your help Rowena.”

“C’mon man, Rowena? I mean- tch- Hey!” Dean bent over into the mini-fridge, pulling out two little bottles of- “Tiny vodkas! Score!” He smiled and shook the bottles with a chuckle.

“This is serious. Look- I think Dean’s been hexed, okay? He- he’s been forgetting things... He’s not drunk!”

Dean held the empty ice-container in his arm, the lid in his other hand. “We need ice.”

Sam turned to Dean’s voice, then turned his head back around and shook his head, holding up a finger, an unspoken “one minute please”.

Y/n chortled as Dean continued to silently gesture with the lid to the container.

“What? ...I don’t know? Uh- And I’m not checking either! ....How do I break it? ...Got it.” Sam hung up, spinning back around to face the two, “Alright so- ...Dean?”

Y/n lifted her head from the lamp, her fingers toying with the sticky note. “Huh?”

“Where’d he go?”

“I- I don’t know...”

They looked toward the door, opened ajar just slightly, then back to each other. “Dean!?” Sam raced out the door.

Y/n looked back to the lamp and the yellow note between her fingers. She chuckled, remembering what Dean said. “Light stick.” More chuckles rang out before Sam’s voice brought her back to reality.

“Y/n! C’mon!”

“Right, sorry!” She raced out the door, following behind. “...Light-stick...Never calling another lamp a ‘lamp’ again.”

[nct-oli]

IPYTM EP 4

I just feel like saying all of my IPYTM ep 4 thoughts now that I watched the episode, before I read any other posts on here. Raw thoughts minutes after closing the episode.

I feel like I need to say this first. I do not agree with Oh reading Teh’s logbook and invading his privacy, but I do appreciate that he told him later that he did. I also do not like the hitting Teh with the bouquet. Okay, just wanted to get that out of the way.

TEH (AND JAI)

I’m still mad at Teh. I do not forgive him. But I do want to say that Jai is a piece of shit for manipulating Teh the way he did. This episode made it so clear to me how Jai used what Teh wrote in that logbook to his gain, recognizing how vulnerable Teh was and seeing how weak his relationship with Oh-Aew had gotten and using that to his benefit.

Now honestly, I can’t tell if that truly was his plan from the start or if he saw the way Teh had fallen for him and what happened with Oh and decided to say that it was never real in an attempt to stop it as soon as possible.

Regardless, if he was a good friend as well as a good director, Jai would never have used Teh’s broken relationship the way he did. He could have tried to help Teh rekindle things with Oh, work through some of his fears and anxieties that were keeping him from feeling close to his boyfriend. That very likely could have solved both problems–Teh’s relationship issues and his acting barrier–but instead, Jai manipulated Teh’s feelings.

However, I’m not letting Teh off that easily either. There was a moment when I actually did feel a little bad for him, when I started to recognize how Jai was using him and playing with his feelings. And when Teh and Oh started doing a little better, I allowed myself to think that maybe they could figure it out with more communication.

But no, Teh wandered off at the after party to see Jai, and any tiny flicker of forgiveness I felt went out the door. The way he showed no genuine guilt or shame with Oh too made me honestly sick. Like Oh said, did he think he was stupid? Did Teh think he was being subtle? It gave me secondhand embarrassment to see him believe he was being anything except disgustingly obvious about what was going on.

And then for him to call Jai the Fang to his Akin, with his too-forgiving boyfriend sitting in the other room?? Again, do you have no shame, Teh???

Also, the way Jai and Teh both gaslit Oh-Aew, trying to make him think he was overreacting and overthinking when both of them knew Teh’s feelings were not just the result of his great acting. That the kiss was never just an exercise (at least from Teh’s side, which is the side that mattered most). Watching them both lie to Oh’s face like that lit a rage fire within me.

Now, the scene of Oh-Aew and Teh singing on stage and the music going quiet as Teh’s attention drifted from Oh to Jai was heartbreaking in a really good way. I’m so proud of Oh-Aew for finally deciding that moment was enough, that Teh deserved no more chances, and that he needed to walk away. I’m so proud of him for choosing himself.

I appreciate Teh’s roommate. I don’t have the sympathy in me at this very moment so soon after the episode to wish Teh such kindness, but I’m sure tomorrow morning I’ll be a little more open to him having the emotional support I know deep down he needs. So I’m glad he has his roommate extending a hand.

And it was incredibly sad to watch Teh realize how he’d isolated himself to the extreme all for this one dream, maybe forgetting along the way to dream about his relationship with Oh-Aew, his long term friendships, etc. All of the other dreams you can and should have as well. I think he started to realize everything he’d given up for acting and how less glamorous and fun it really was now that he was here.

And that hit him even more when he got casted and potentially signed, only to face the reality that it also meant erasing the digital footprint of his relationship with Oh, one of the few things he still had left. This life he had envisioned kept getting less and less glamorous by the second.

I’m not saying I want him to give up on his dream of acting, but I do hope that everything that has happened is his much needed wake up call. That he finds more empathy for the people he judged for drifting from acting, for the people he pushed away for not trying hard enough. I hope he sees how selfish and ignorant his actions and his words have been over the past few years and that he takes this as a starting point for a more understanding and accepting outlook on not just his own life but the lives of those around him.

And I do hope he heals one day. Or, well, I will hope for that tomorrow. Tonight I’m still mad at him.

OH-AEW

Now on to Oh. As I said before, I don’t condone the invasion of Teh’s privacy or hitting him with the bouquet. But otherwise, I really am proud of Oh-Aew. Do I think he handled everything perfectly? No. In an ideal world, I would have liked him to confront Teh sooner so he could have given him the opportunity to be honest early on.

But given everything, I think Oh’s level of compassion and his willingness to try to understand are more than most people are willing to give in his shoes. I genuinely do respect how level-headed he went about it. I wish he had been better rewarded for his grace, and instead he got a boyfriend who lied and continued to go behind his back even after Oh had given him an undeserved second chance.

But what I am most proud of is how Oh-Aew handled breaking up with Teh. Telling Teh that he was hurt and asking him to have pity on him. Oh chose himself again, more permanently. In that moment, he understood that Teh’s apology did not warrant forgiveness and that he was allowed to stay hurt, to stay angry, to stay unwilling to take Teh back.

Oh was vulnerable and still stayed firm in his decision to respect himself anyway, to trust his feelings and prioritize his healing. Teh was there crying before him, and he still understood that he had no responsibility to fix Teh’s pain. That the pain Teh was feeling was pain he had inflicted on himself.

You can see in the way he turned back to look at Teh leave and then the way he sobbed afterwards that it took all of his strength to not give in moments earlier. How easy it would have been for him to take comfort in the familiarity of Teh’s embrace once again, to give him that second chance and hope for the best. I wouldn’t have blamed him if he did; it’s hard to give up someone who once made you feel safe. Who once felt like home.

But I am so proud of him for choosing himself anyway. For knowing that, however hard it was in that moment to let go, it would have been even harder to live every day sacrificing his mental and emotional security for a relationship he knew would never feel the same. For a man he could never fully trust again.

Oh-Aew has grown so much.

OH’S FRIENDS

Also, Oh has the cutest, sweetest friends in the world. This was my favorite scene in the entire episode. I’m so glad he found his group and that they love him so much.

The contrast between Teh and Oh-Aew throughout this season and especially in this episode has been really apparent as they’ve drifted apart. And I think this scene really highlighted that. Teh verbally acknowledged how he had no one to turn to anymore, how he’d ruined his relationships with everyone over time, meanwhile Oh was surrounded by people ready to love him and take care of him until he was better.

Oh’s honesty with himself and the people around him resulted in a community of friends supporting him as his authentic self, while Teh’s lies to himself and the people around him resulted in solitude.

It’s tragic for him, really.

EP 5?

Honestly, I have no idea what will happen with episode 5. At this point, I want Oh-Aew to find happiness away from Teh and for Teh to fix his insecurities on his own. I don’t want them together.

Maybe one day they’ll find each other again. I don’t know. But after this season’s storyline has unfolded, I think Oh deserves better. And I don’t think they make sense anymore.

AND BECAUSE IT NEEDS TO BE SAID

Oh-Aew dying his hair from red to black again? Yeah. He is Teh’s red no more.

[19cb97]

CB's Room 🐺 Ep. 41

Genre: SMUT(ish?), Camboy!Chan

Warnings: shitty writing 100/10, dirty talk kinda, handjob, daddy kink debatable tho, mentions of a blowjob??? I don't know how warnings work sorry,,,

A/N: its SUNNYS BDAY HAPPY BDAY BABY I LOVE YOU SO MUCH IM SORRRY I SUCK AT WRITING THOUGH @starrychannies MUAH

A/N 2: I tried to add the read more three times but my computer won't save the editions please bear with me until I wake up 🤩

A/N 3: hehe i fixed it

(I don't remember who owns the gif sorry sighs)

CB97 is now ONLINE.

"...and I guess that's how I ended up producing music." The boy finished his rant with a cute smile before biting his lip and moaning softly, the pace of his hand going down a little as he rolled his chair closer to the computer, trying to catch on another comment.

You see, for anyone who didn't know how "Chan's Room" worked, it would have been weird seeing the boy talk about his passion for ten minutes straight while jerking off, but for his loyal subscribers shows like this one were the most special. The feeling of intimacy between those who watched him and himself caused him a different kind of excitement.

"Hm... You guys have any more- ¿Am I coming soon? Nah, not yet, don't think so. Just edging at the moment. Anyway, ¿Have any more questions?". Chan had been live for about half an hour now, the head of his cock giving it away as it became redder and redder each minute that went through. "Doesn't it hurt?" some asked, and yes. Of course it hurt, "But that's just part of the fun" Chan would answer.

As much as he understood why some viewers wanted him to end already, it was not on his plans to do so... yet. He wanted to have some fun, maybe tease his subscribers before allowing everyone to cum with him.

Chan loved talking to his followers, anyway, be it about sex, life, space or whatever, and as long as there were no private questions about his personal life, he was fine with answering pretty much anything.

Reading through his comments, he answered a few he found fitting. "How big is it?" Someone said. Chan laughed and winked before answering "Come over and find out.". That way he went on a few minutes until a question caught his attention.

Chan's hand pressed around his cock a little harder, eliciting a moan to slip past his lips once he re read it.

"Wha- What's been my best sex experience...?" He read, stuttering slightly, as he bit his bottom lip, a shaky breath making its way out when his hand moved slower along his shaft. "Well... thats a good one..." The boy chuckled and rolled his chair back once again, letting his viewers have a full view of his naked body. "Uh... There was a girl back in the day... Man, she was one fo a kind..." A breathy laugh found it's way past the boy's lips and his hand halted its movements. "I don't know if I should tell you this... but I'll do anyway, so let's keep it a secret, yeah? Be good and keep this secret for me..." Chan said as a smile creeped onto his face. He took a deep breath before beginning his story.

"So, this girl, we'll just call her... Petal." The young boy gripped his dick from the base while his other hand started rubbing at the tip with his palm, a sigh resonating in the room right before he continued speaking.

"Petal was good, too good for her own sake. She always knew exactly which buttons to press and she had me mad crazy, head over heels for her." The boy bit his lip, his cock twitching in his hand at the memories. "My best experience was definitely with Petal. We were out supposed to just have dinner, yknow? Haven't seen each other in a while... But then I feel how she's touching my leg under the table, and a second later she's also under it undoing my pants..." Chan sighed again, his fist now focusing on the head of his dick as his story went on. "Just imagine, there I was trying to keep my cool, ordering the food, while my babygirl was under the table sucking me off. She was usually really well behaved, and I never found out what went through her head that night, but it was great. Not long after I took her with me to the bathroom and fucked the audacity out of her, if course, I had her bend over all prettily for me, we almost got caught, even... Fuck, she was just stunning. That night was out of this world, guys... Out of this world..."

A loud moan made it past the boys lips, just recalling that night was enough to help him end most times and right now wasn't the exception. Resting his whole weight on the backrest of the chair, Chan's grip tightened around his hard cock and he started jerking off again, while his now free hand started playing softly on his balls. His closed eyes and slightly parted lips making him look angelic, contrary to what the rest of his body gave away. His hair was all messy, some locks already sticking to his forehead due to the sweat, and his cheeks were flushed a pretty red alongside his ears, chest and dick.

It was a sight to behold, and his viewers didn't hold back on letting him know this.

"Daddy looks so pretty" said some, "I can see you throbbing!" said others.

His laborated breathing gave away just how close to release he was as his hand started moving as fast as possible. Rolling a little closer to his computer as to give his viewers a better look, Chan spoke again.

"Fuck angel, daddy's gonna cum so good... So so good..." He finally opened his eyes again looking directly at the camera, a silent reminder of who was in charge "Am gonna cum for you and you're going to take it as the good dirty slut you are. You're gonna take all of it and thank me for it, is that clear? Now cum with me baby, let go..." He spoke sternly but agitated, and after just a few more seconds the boy's hand and chest was painted on white stripes.

Everything went quiet for a second, and then plenty of "Thank you's" and tips started rolling into the chat.

Chan smiled as he watched his computer screen and whirled slightly on his chair. After a few more minutes, he finally said his good byes, and with a last thank you, ended his live.

CB97 is now OFFLINE.