#I wanted to include more but I got stuck on the endearment of love vs saying love

[therabbitthatpostthings]

Learning Czech for my Arcane fics. Russian for the YOI fics. Spanish for the Voltron fics and French just cause. Call me Mr. Worldwide. In all seriousness, half the languages I’m learning are just because I’m tired of looking for shows with subtitles.

Hurt/Comfort, slight ooc, thinly veiled venting session

(Masterpost)

✒︎⋆✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧⋆✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧⋆𖡼𖤣⋆ 𖥧𖡼𓋼𖤣𖥧𓋼𓍊⋆✩₊˚

“Um, Councilman Talis?” Her meek voice echoed off the laboratory walls. It was a stormy afternoon. The crackling lighting illuminated the walls. The room was grand, dark and quiet. The door creaked behind as she approached the work bench. “C-Councilman…”

“He’s gone.” A voice cut through. She turned over to find the other scientist hunched over his desk.

“Oh, I was actually looking for you Mr.Viktor..sir…”

He did not look up. “Yes, what is it?”

“Um, Assistant (L/N) is still in the greenhouse. I’m heading home and I was hoping you could check on them at some point.”

That caught his attention. You had today off, that’s what you told him at least. Viktor sat up, bones cracking into place as he stretched. “Yes, thank you. I will go to them before I leave today.”

She sighed in relief, “Thank you so much! It’s been a stressful week for us all.”

“Did something happen at the hearing?” He asked before she could leave the room.

Worry built up in her silence. Concern in her voice she asked, “Were you not informed?”

✒︎⋆✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧⋆✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧⋆𖡼𖤣⋆ 𖥧𖡼𓋼𖤣𖥧𓋼𓍊⋆✩₊˚

It’s such a shitty day for rain. You spent the last five hours cleaning the greenhouse, taking notes on fungal growth and angrily writing sticky notes for your morning shift colleagues. Notes you didn’t have to write since you would most likely be back here to do more work anyway but, maybe the thought of you not coming in would evoke some sort of productive reaction.

Some called it unnecessary. But they weren't botanists. They didn’t work at Piltover Academy. They weren’t on the cornerstone of something revolutionary.

You were. Well, you were.

It was a bitter feeling to wash down but you did nonetheless. You pushed aside the negative thoughts when you heard footsteps coming towards you.

“You’re not supposed to be here,” Viktor said.

You spared him a glance before going back to your sticky notes. “Funny, I was gonna say the same thing.”

He took a few steps, towering over your crouching body. He eyed the myriad of colorful notes lining each individual planter and pot. “Why didn’t you tell me you came in?”

“Did it matter? I thought I’d be done by now but of course! No one does their job but me around here.” Your dismissive tone didn’t do much to sway him. He still stood behind you, watching you work. “Who told you I was here?”

“That’s not important-”

“It was Reecee wasn’t it.” You groaned.

“It doesn’t matter who told me. You’re here and you're upset.” He stated.

You scoffed, “I am not.”

“(Y/N).”

Of course you couldn’t hide your destestion from one of Piltover’s Finest, much less your boyfriend.

“Tell me what happened.” He urged.

“Didn’t Reecee tell you?”

“She said you had a meeting.”

“A meeting?” You said with a disparaging smile. “I had the meeting today.”

Viktor was well aware of “the meeting”. You had spoken about it at length ever since you were students. This was your Hextech. Your years of studying and research to get this meeting. Yet here you were, hunched over little sprouts on a cold rainy day.

You had a pained smile as you turned to face Viktor. “They didn’t even care. Years. Years of testing soil in the Undercity to clean the air, and they didn’t. Even. Care.”

Your voice was shaking. Your smile was dropping. Tears built up in your eyes. You could hear the committee’s voice clear as day.

“It’s just not viable.”

“We don’t have a large enough…overview of the Undercity’s layout.”

“The experiment could damage the already established ecosystem.”

Like they gave a shit about the ecosystem. Like they gave a shit about the Undercity!

“I was so desperate that I even said you and Jayce would back me up! It didn’t matter. They didn’t care! You know who did get a meeting with the higher council?! Ian-fucking-Rottmeiser!” You launched the notepad against the greenhouse wall, the looser notes flying up in the air. Truthfully, Rottmeiser wasn’t undeserving. In fact he worked hard on his proposal to integrate more plant life into Piltover. But that was just it. Piltover. He wants to help Piltover. They all want to help Piltover. It’s always Piltover.

“So now I’m here, doing my job. Cause that’s all I’m good for I guess! Just another Lab Assistant.”

Viktor pulled you into his arms. Your hand bunched around his sweater as the tear overtook you.

“It’s okay miláčku,” Viktor’s soothing hand rubbed your back.

“I don’t understand…I worked so hard…why not me…” You cried. From the moment you were born you were unlucky. Anyone born in the Undercity was unlucky. Your father was unlucky and drank contaminated water. The rest of you survived until your mother died on the Bridge of Progress. That just left you, on the other side of the bridge, separated from your remaining family in Piltover. And you studied everyday. You made it into the Academy, you climbed the ranks. Not a day went by without you working towards your goal. To improve lives, to save people! You spent week after week with your siblings, collecting samples in the Undercity. Risking your lives, sneaking in and out of Piltover, all to this meeting. And they didn’t care.

“How am I supposed to face them again?! I failed Viktor! I’m a failure!”

Still Viktor held onto you. Painful wails left you until your throat was raw. You unclench your fist as you relax against him. Shoulders slouching in defeat and Viktor’s warm hand never leaving you.

You sighed with a tired rasp in your voice. “I just wanted to do something right. To know it was worth all I had lost. I should’ve stayed in the Undercity.”

“Miláčku, look at me.” Viktor’s soft hands cupped your face. He gently lifted your head, his thumb wiping stray tears away. “You are exactly where you need to be right now. You are not a waste.”

“I failed Viktor..”

“No you didn’t. You did what you set out to do. You won, they lost. And when Hextech helps advance organic life and biodiversity, they will all be looking up to you.” His reassuring smile helped ease the pain. No one in Piltover could truly understand you like Viktor did. No one in Piltover lived through what you did except for Viktor. From the day you two met you promised you would rise above whatever was thought of you.

“You would do that for me?” You cooed softly.

He pressed a soft kiss against your temple, “I can’t trust any other botanist but you.”

Viktor stayed close by as you closed up for the day. You begrudgingly agreed to taking the next two days off (which your boss suggested anyway). Mostly because that meant you got to keep Viktor with you for two days as well. A bolt of lightning illuminated the sky on your departure down the wet streets of Piltover. After a crowded tram ride you both huddled inside of your apartment. You both melt into the soft couch cushions. Viktor’s head on your shoulder, his hand intertwined in yours, soft kisses pressed into your neck with sweet words in his native tongue. You felt your worries slip away as you nodded off. Viktor took notice and shifted your body to rest against his chest.

“Goodnight, my love.”

[evercelle]

sits down... i'd love to hear more of your xv thoughts.... like just gushing abt them (which i do all the time lmao) or hcs/theories/etc.... i *adore* your xv content and it was one of the things that got me into the ship anyway sfkljf i hope ur having a good day!!

oho i'm stuck in a car for a few hours so why not!! hmm i don't have theories bc mhy will starve us to death before giving us more xv crumbs, so have some hcs instead:

venti figures out xiao's feelings before xiao does, but he'll wait patiently for xiao to come to terms with it first (it takes a long, looong time)

i love media that deals with xiao reconciling the image of regal calm barbatos in his head prior to meeting him again vs. mischievous gremlin venti as he actually is (and falling in love anyway!!)

this is just as well bc if xiao had to behold venti in his fun and flirty archon outfit he might spontaneously combust

getting to know xiao is like befriending a feral cat. a cat that hisses at you from the roof of wangshu inn but once he comes around he will slink silently into venti's lap and purr

even if they got involved i don't think venti would stop wandering teyvat, but i don't really think long absences are the same problem for functionally immortal creatures. especially since both of them can teleport. they can have long distance phone calls thru the wind

my favorite flavor of semi/established xv is xiao who wants to eat venti alive and is absolutely mortified by that feeling + venti delightedly trying to goad xiao into putting some bite into all the bark

spicy hcs: i like switch, but also: venti is still topping from the bottom lol. venti teaching xiao about emotional AND physical intimacy is 🔥🌶️!! lastly once he gets into it xiao bites A Lot. fortunately venti's bard clothes cover him basically head to toe, eh

lots of character voicelines about venti from other charas are (light-hearted!!!) rude, so part of the appeal to xv is that i think xiao is somebody who'd be unreservedly glad to see venti when he visits (vs other ancient friends who are affectionate but often annoyed with him). esp since venti immerses himself among mortals more than any other eternal being, it'd be nice to have a friend/lover who can be a constant through the centuries of loving and letting go of other friends...

that said, exasperated laconic xiao either indulging/being dragged into or having to collect venti from his antics is always Very Funny

venti is the type that uses endearments casually and often; xiao expresses affection indirectly (primarily by acts of service, gradually by touch/gesture)

cuddles and or shenanigans are nice but the favorite thing to do is duet together 🎵

i drew but never finished a modern AU comic feat. venti running into friends outside a cafe with like a huge sugary drink and they go "haha a venti for venti huh" and he's like "??? this is xiao's lol" btwn the two of them xiao is the picky eater with the huge sweet tooth

i love how xv fandom collectively decided that any AU featuring venti as a musician of any kind must necessarily include xiao simping hard for his 🎵... feels right

[wonderfulworldofmichaelford]

Goku vs. Superman. Freddy vs. Jason. Roe vs. Wade. For all of time, humans have pitted powerful forces against each other in theoretical fights try and determine who the superior character is, but nowhere before 2021 has there ever been a universe containing two characters as powerful as the DCEU. You see, with the release of James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad, we now have what may very well be the single most powerful man in superhero cinema…

TDK, The Detachable Kid.

But before that, in David Ayer’s Suicide Squad, we were introduced to another man who might be his match, or perhaps even his superior…

Slipknot.

Tonight, we will look at these two superhuman titans and determine who would win in a battle. Will it be TDK, or will it be Slipknot? Let’s find out.

ORIGINS

Both characters come from rather humble beginnings. TDK is far easier to summarize, since the inspiration for the character is a joke. Arms-Fall-Off Boy, as he was originally called, hailed from the 30th century and tried out for the Legion of Super-Heroes… and was promptly rejected, because his power is to detach his arms and use them as blunt weapons, which sucks shit.

Slipknot, meanwhile, has a bit more of an impressive legacy. The character was able to take on Firestorm and later was a member of the Suicide Squad, where Boomerang decided to use him to test if the bombs on them were real. They were, and Slipknot lost an arm.

As you can see, neither of these characters have the most amazing origins, but that’s what movies about the Suicide Squad are for! You take obscure, C-list villains and turn them into champions! For this, though, the point has to go to Slipknot, due to his more illustrious career which includes being the namesake for a metal band and also because he wasn’t created by a raging pedophile.

POWERS

The reason these two are so incredible is because of their amazing metahuman abilities.

TDK has the incredible ability to detach his arms and slowly float them over to his enemies, after which he can gently slap them or manhandle their weapons. It’s such an incredible ability that apparently TDK is famous enough that Waller’s staff questions how he’s never worked with Harley before. Now, this ability may seem rather underpowered at first glance, but it has a myriad of uses! He could use it to grab things off of very high shelves, he could use it to reach items from long distances, he could send your arms across the club to smack a girl’s ass and cause her to smack the guy next to her which causes a chain reaction that leads to the entire club turning into an all-out brawl… the possibilities are truly endless here, and with no confirmed range, TDK could potentially send his arms all around the world to pat himself on the back for a job well done!

Slipknot, on the other hand, has the power to climb anything, as Rick Flag points out. This is perhaps one of the most broken powers in all of existence. Think about it. Say he’s fighting Superman, but has no kryptonite to beat him. He could just pull out his rope, climb on up to Krypton, and get some. Or perhaps he’s stuck in Hell after dying horribly because Captain Boomerang is a cunt? Well, Kratos can eat his heart out, because Slipknot is about to make climbing out of Hell look easy! I think it’s safe to say Slipknot wins this round, because he can do everything TDK can and more.

PERSONALITY

Both of them have extremely limited screentime, but they of course manage to steal the show with what little time they have. Still, there is a clear winner in the personality department here, and that is TDK. The man comes across as a really nice guy, although he does not know the difference between a dog and a weasel, which is pretty lame. He’s also extremely proud, but not in a negative way; he has an utter unwavering faith in his miraculous superpower, as can be seen by his determined look as he says farewell to arms to save his Squadmates from Blackguard’s betrayal. The man loves what he can do, and loves to help, which helps make him all the more endearing and his final fate all the more tragic.

Slipknot, on the other hand, is established from the word go as an asshole and a misogynist. No one likes assholes and misogynists. As cool and amazing as his powers are, it’s really hard to feel bad when his head goes boom.

DEATHS

Of course, both of these guys had to die, because if either of them lived long past their introductions, the movies would be significantly shorter due to their skills. Slipknot could have just climbed up to Waller and got her out of the city and then climbed up to the Enchantress's big sky laser thing and turned it off, while TDK could have just floated his arms to poke Starro’s eye out from a safe distance. No one wants a short film about the Suicide Squad, so these guys have to go.

TDK’s death is a lot sadder. As part of the Squad A massacre, his arms get riddled with bullets, leading to him writhing and screaming on the ground as he bleeds out from his wounds. No joke, it’s honestly pretty sad, especially because of how endearing he makes himself in his short time in the film.

Slipknot, on the other hand, establishes himself as an asshole (misogynist) and an idiot (listens to Captain Boomerang, who is a coward, a liar, and a Brony). He immediately tries to flee and gets his head blown up, and the effect is just terrible. Sorry Slipknot, but point goes to TDK here.

Still, both of them could easily survive their demises. TDK is shown to be in critical condition and is never confirmed dead, so it’s pretty easy to believe he was simply able to float his wounded arms over to a first aid kit and heal himself before hiding for the rest of the film. Meanwhile, Slipknot may have actually died, but he can still climb his way out of Hell with his powers. Ultimately though, TDK still comes out on top, because there is a chance, no matter how slim, that he could actually have survived.

VERDICT

It really comes as no surprise that in terms of character, these two are pretty evenly matched. TDK has the personality and the more tragic demise, while Slipknot is more powerful and comes from a better place in the comics (especially because he wasn’t created by someone who wants to fuck kids). But if they were to actually battle, who would win?

Slipknot could certainly try to climb his way out of the fight, but TDK could send his arms after him. No matter how far Slipknot climbs, TDK’s arms could follow, not to mention they could pull the rope or even cut it down, sending Slipknot into freefall. Of course, Slipknot could simply climb up TDK’s arms and then head straight for a direct hit to TDK. When using his power, it is sad to say that poor TDK is rather ‘armless, and he wouldn’t be able to fight back much. Ultimately, it really does boil down to which guy is more quick on the draw with their power.

Let me know which of these two studs you think would win in a fight! I know it’s really hard to decide considering how amazing these two are, but there must be a definitive answer out there.

[lemonsandstrawberries]

Hashtag: RelationshipGoals

fandom: Stony (Steve x Tony)

summary: Steve is being forced into getting a Twitter accounts and logs into Tony’s for inspiration - one mistake later, he finds more than he asked for. Meaning, his boyfriend has a tickle kink and Steve has a lot of thinking to do. 

length: 5 468

a/n: Happy Friday 13th! *throws confetti* To celebrate I am posting a fic that contains one of the biggest fears for people with tickle kink - someone finding out when you are not ready to tell them. It has a happy ending, promise! Hope you all will enjoy this fic, feedback, reblogs and likes are appreciated and needed! fic inspired by this prompt. 

—————

Hashtag: RelationshipGoals

Long story short - Steve was getting a Twitter account.

Long story long...

It all started with a certain PR meeting held for the Avengers team, just this time, it was Steve vs the whole PR team. The problem was simple - Steve didn't like social media and didn't have an account on any of the numerous websites and apps. Fighting with aliens, planning new missions, schooling SHIELD agents - those were the zones he felt comfortable in. Some thought that the hidden reason behind the hostility towards social media was, that Steve, born in the 1920s, had a problem with using modern technology. Some called it endearing, some pathetic, the truth was, that Steve fairly quickly mastered each piece of technology he was given, skillfully using any given device. After all, he wasn't dense. Many apps were quite useful, some just plain entertaining, and it required a lot of navigating, but he managed to find some favorites. Just when it came to social media… Steve didn't feel like sharing his private life with unknown faces. Call him old-fashioned, but he liked having direct contact with people and as much as he liked to take a stop during his random walks in the city to talk with people who called themselves his fans, it quickly became too overwhelming. He wasn't good at such things and always thought he was too awkward and not what people expected. Steve didn't like that kind of pressure and didn't like the almost weekly notices from the PR team that he needed to make himself more 'accessible'. By no means, he was expected to stop and talk to everyone who ever called him or share mission details with strangers, but he needed to create a more public persona for Captain America and Steve Rogers.

Hence, Steve was encouraged to take a plunge into the world of social media. 

And he really, really, really didn't want to do that.

One - it was pretty tedious to keep up with everything. Tony eagerly showed him all social accounts he had - Twitter, Instagram, Facebook profile, Youtube, and it all just gave him a headache as Tony chattered which media was good for what and gladly showed him his own Instagram page (mostly workshop photos and meals Steve had prepared for him, which was kinda sweet) and if Steve became slightly interested in that, his interest dropped after hearing about filters and tags. Too much work. 

Second - he didn't have time to keep his theoretical accounts active and post new content regularly. Or more, he didn't want to make time, preferring to spend it on reading or training or hanging out with Tony or anything else, really. He had been gently suggested, that some celebrities (Steve's eyes widened a little after hearing that - was he a celebrity?) hire someone else to run their social media accounts. Steve shook his head at the proposition, knowing that none of his teammates did that and so he shouldn't either, not mentioning that everything posted wouldn't be sincere.

Third - Steve considered himself not an interesting person. He didn't have Tony's charisma, who, of course, had the biggest social media following ever, Thor's flair, which made his Youtube channel where he tasted food sent to him from all over the world by his viewers a huge success or Clint's humor, whose Internet activity limited to commenting on funny animal photos and home videos and people loved him. Even Bruce, seemingly even more awkward and distant when it came to dealing with a privacy-invading crowd, was doing great, kindling the interest of young kids in science with a series of easy to repeat experiments at home and railing about the importance of protecting and preserving the environment. Even Natasha didn't have a problem, her social media accounts full of useful self-defense tips for everyone who needed to feel safer. Steve just couldn't find anything in himself he would like to share with the world. He liked to keep his art private, his relationship private, and his whole life private. 

It should be the ending statement.

It wasn't.

And so Steve, feeling scolded, got back to his and Tony's shared floor, planning to hide, except that he was assigned a very simple task for the week.

Get a Twitter account.

Steve sat heavily on the couch, putting elbows on his knees and palms around his cheeks, definitely not pouting. Why on Earth did he need a Twitter account? Wasn't it enough that from time to time he appeared on Tony's account, being the supportive boyfriend, and allowing Tony share the photos of their date nights or even the short movies from Steve's training when Tony was proudly showing off Steve's impressive physique and using those damn filters and making small stars and glitter swirl around him. 

Speaking of Tony, he could use his boyfriend's advice... Steve checked his phone and knew that Tony was still stuck in a business meeting, and won't be back for an hour or so and as much as he wanted to not think about the Twitter issue it kept coming back to him. What was he supposed to write on Twitter? Something that wouldn't give too much about him, but would be safe and entertaining. He needed inspiration. Maybe a walk would clear his mind but as Steve was getting up, he noticed Tony's tablet laying at the edge of the coffee table. 

Well... Tony wouldn't mind if he took a peak, right? Granted, he never used Tony's tablet before without his boyfriend’s permission. It felt too personal and barging on privacy and it was almost a silent agreement between them that Steve won't touch Tony's electronic devices and Tony won't look through Steve's sketchbooks without prior agreement. But it was different, right? Tony's Twitter account was out there, for everyone, so it didn't matter if Steve would install the app on his phone and check the account, or go to the source and look through Tony's account. It might even help him to understand better how the app was working. 

Steve took the tablet and unlocked it, searching for the Twitter app. Letter T on a blue background. Steve pressed it and skimmed over the screen, looking at the design of the app. Huh, it looked very different from the account owner's point of view. He scrolled down the screen, seeing a lot of text, too much text because wasn't there a limit of signs per tweet? Further, into the app, Steve saw more of things he didn't recognize, didn't see any posts from other Avengers, instead of images and gifs and -

"Woah," Steve gaped, taking in what he was seeing. He quickly scrolled up, his face becoming heated, unsure what he just saw. For a minute, he turned the tablet in his hands, trying to decide if it really belonged to Tony and not someone else, but who else would have a hot red and gold cover, resembling the design of the Iron Man suit. It had to be Tony's tablet, which meant...

Those posts were Tony's. That account was Tony's. Tony had two Twitter accounts? Steve looked back, just now noticing that it wasn't Twitter after all. At the top of the screen on a background of dark blue in white letters was written Tumblr. Steve didn't hear of the app, it wasn't listed as one of the most popular ones for celebrities and that's probably why Tony used it for -

Steve wasn't exactly sure for what. For something secretive. Something he wanted to hide. Things he didn't admit even to Steve. 

Cautiously, Steve scrolled down again, trying to keep an open mind and be more cautious. He wasn't a prude, he knew that people had different kinks and it was completely normal. Heck, he and Tony had a very healthy sex and intimate life and the sight of Tony tied down for their playtime always made Steve's blood boil with lust and desire and they did indulge in some kinks, Steve current favorite one included spanking Tony's bouncy ass and watch it jiggle and the skin turn red. Tony had no problems with sharing his kinky fantasies and Steve was always willing to give it a go, sometimes proposing things on his own, like wax play, which wasn't only sexy but also artistic - Tony's body colored with drips of different colored wax was a beautiful sight. This... This was something different, Steve didn't think to consider. 

There were pictures, that without context seemed innocent, like an array of feathers on a pillow. Some were less subtle and showed a part of sucked in stomach, escaping from a coming closer feather duster. The gifs were the most intriguing - a tied up, blindfolded man, laughing and squirming, while a different man was...

Tickling him?

Steve's brow furrowed as he watched the gif, frame by frame. There was no doubt that it was tickling, fingers gliding over tied man's armpits and sides. Steve expected this to be a prelude, something more to follow, but it was all. Tickling was the main point. Steve blushed when he realized that if there were gifs, there had to be a video and who knew how long it was. How many minutes would it take to bring someone to the brink of hysterics, to make them crumble, but at the same time make it pleasurable? People were not forced into filming porn and following that principle, there were not forced into filming tickle kink videos.

And that being said... 

"Huh..." Steve mused out, bits of information falling into one picture. They never discussed it, but in the back of his head, Steve had this thought that Tony enjoyed being tickled, or at least didn't mind terribly. The way he squirmed between Steve's tickling hands but didn't try to run away. How he laughed and screamed for mercy whenever Steve targeted a sensitive spot and always seemed a bit disappointed when the tickling ended but masked it with a smile and complaints of being assaulted. Sometimes, Steve just felt provoked into tickling his boyfriend, like that one time, Tony had taken his sketchbook and hid away, refusing to say where he hid it and Steve had to tickle the information out of him until Tony was absolutely incoherent from laughter and breathless. 

That was cute. All those shared tickle moments were cute, but Steve never thought that they could be... hot. And intimate. He looked back at the gif, at the way the tickled man arched and bucked, but was not able to escape the ticklish strokes delivered over his skin. What if Tony was the one tied and spread in the chair and Steve was the one standing behind, dotting his fingertips over the bare torso, having that sense of power and control, enjoying the ticklish tremble of the bothered skin. It became a tempting image in his head. 

'Guuuuys, I don't know what to do.'

Steve's eyes caught on some text among the images and gifs. A separate post.

'I still can't tell my bf that I like being tickled. I just can't! There is this block in my head -'

Steve read the text, feeling that he might know the author. 

'I even did that thing you recommended with hiding his stuff away -'

Definitely knew the author. At the top of the post, he saw a name, probably the username and clicked on it. Blue background color, and image of feathers and the username in white bold font. The Spare Parts Man.

That was one major hint...

Steve scrolled down this page, seeing more text and images of people being tickled, some like, a gif that was of a zoomed in stomach, the belly button tickled by a tip of the feather, signed with a 'omg, goals', whatever that meant. Steve tried to search for the text he saw on the previous page, but couldn't find it anymore, instead saw more posts, where people seemed to be interacting with the author.

'Hi, SP! I was the one who sent you the asks with hiding your BF's stuff -'

'I am sure your BF will understand, from what you said, you are dating for a long time -'

'You still didn't tell him??? What are you waiting for, GO GO GO!'

Steve pursed his lips together, feeling upset that Tony was so willing to share with strangers, but not with him. This whole site seemed so secretive, and while Steve felt a bit betrayed, he started to think about things from Tony's perspective. Tickling wasn't a mainstream kink. Bondage, spanking, food play - all the things they had tried seemed to be more acceptable in the sex world while tickling... Some people enjoyed it, some hated it. Steve was somewhere in between. It could be a fun thing among loved ones, but could quickly become overwhelming and unbearable. Steve didn't think about it earlier, but he really liked tickling Tony. He loved the way his body twitched, the sound of his laughter, and the feeling of closeness and trust in the action. For Steve it was fun. For Tony, it had to run much deeper, forming stronger connections than it did for Steve. 

'I don't want to lose him. What if he thinks I am a freak?'

No, Steve would never think that. Tony was the great love of his life and Steve accepted him on every level. 

"Oh, babe..." Steve sighed softly, reading more posts, some screaming nervousness as Tony was pouring his heart out, feeling miserable with his inability to tell Steve the truth, some so heartwarming and oozing happiness when Tony was describing Steve's last tickle attacks and how incredibly good and completed it made Tony feel. 

That. Steve wanted to make Tony feel like that every day. Satiated and fulfilled and safe. 

No more secrets. 

Carried on the moment, Steve pressed on an icon with a pencil and began to write. 

***

Tony was bored. So, so bored. He caught a glimpse of Pepper sending him a scolding look and straightened up in his seat, pretending to pay attention. He just wanted to go back home and curl up next to Steve, feeling Steve's fingers stroking his hair and maybe, if he got lucky, Steve would rub his belly, using just enough pressure to make him smile and feel like melting. He started to smile at the thought and Pepper sent him a confused look. Uh oh. He better control himself. Tony grinned sheepishly at Pepper and set his face in a schooled, thoughtful look, trying to focus his attention on the meeting. Just half an hour more... It was all ending statements, so it was nothing bad if he decided to check his social media, right? Cautiously, Tony took out his phone and unlocked the screen, keeping the phone under the table. A new tasting video from Thor, with a package of sweets sent from the Netherlands. Tony made a mental note to drop later to Thor's floor and ask if he had any stroopwafels left to share because they were amazing with black coffee. Clint commenting on funny cats videos, Tony added it to his watch later list. As usual, his own social media were bursting with notifications, people raving over Iron Man and asking for more videos of Steve training routine, which, Tony couldn't blame them, the sight of his boyfriend working out was heaven. He even decided to check his Tumblr, curious if anyone sent him some more tips or maybe just left him a nice message -

Oh, that was weird. Usually, he had maybe two or three messages, some reblogs, and a few comments. This time, his app was bursting with notifications and Tony didn't post anything that could cause such a commotion in the last days.

'WHAT. WHAT????"

'Nooooooo... Please don't break up with him! He loves you so much!'

"The hell, dude! You invaded your bf's privacy like that?? You're the worst!"

Tony didn't understand anything. Maybe he clicked and shared something by accident. There was a slight possibility that his account was hacked. Maybe -

Maybe it was way, way worse. 

There was a new text post on his main, one he didn't write.

'Hi, this is Spare Part Man's boyfriend. I found this account by accident and me and my boyfriend have a lot to talk about once I see him.'

No. No, no, no.

"Tony? Tony, are you okay?!"

Tony didn't realize he started to hyperventilate until Pepper's voice brought him back. Everyone was staring at him and Tony felt like vomiting.

"I am fine," Tony said, not meaning it, his voice coming out squeaky. "Can we - excuse me, I have to go," Tony rambled out, sending a sorry look in Pepper's direction and trying to walk out of the conference room as calmly as possible. It felt like the whole world was spinning around him, making him feel nauseous. Tony stumbled to the window and pressed his face against the cool glass, trying to soothe his heated skin and get his thoughts back in order.

It wasn't supposed to happen. Not like this. Maybe it was never supposed to happen, staying as his hidden fantasy and dark secret. What if he deleted the account, right here, right now, would he be able to convince Steve that it never existed? 

No. Steve wouldn't fall for it. And Tony felt so stupid for creating that account in the first place, but he needed a place to vent. He didn't plan on socializing, sharing his life, just get the urges out and move on. He just... Wanted to feel accepted. Find people who thought the same as he did. Not feel so alone.

And he would end alone because Steve definitely was going to dump him.

***

"I am back!"

Tony was a genius. He had numerous diplomas to prove it. Yet, he decided that the best thing to do would be to march into his and Steve's shared floor, acting like nothing ever happened. Maybe if he managed to keep his cool he could put this whole Tumblr thing as a social study. Just a research on kinks. No biggie. He could do this.

"Tony, come to the bedroom for a second!"

Somehow hearing Steve's voice made this situation very real and not like Tony imagined it. He couldn't say anything from the tone of Steve's voice, it was neutral, not angry, but also wasn't the cheerful, loving one Steve had towards him. On usual days, Steve would come to him, resembling an excited puppy and lick his face - kiss, Tony meant kiss, and then they would sit on the couch and share their day. Their bedroom was a private, closed space and once Tony set his foot there, there was no way back. 

Feeling a nervous twist in his stomach, Tony peeked into the bedroom, just to feel if the situation was as bad as he feared. Steve was on the bed, forehead creased in thought, and was looking at the space in front of him until he spotted Tony from the corner of his eyes.

"Tony - " Steve started, sitting up straight, pulling shoulders back.

"No, Steve, I - " Tony walked into the bedroom, trying to make his voice strong. Just remember what he had planned and it would be fine. "I want to talk first, okay?" 

Steve blinked and frowned lightly, but kept his lips tight. Alright, if Tony insisted.

"Okay," Tony nodded, trying to give himself some courage and began to pace around the room. "I know you found my Tumblr account," he said the obvious, struggling to keep his voice firm. "And - and it was not true, you know that, right? I just - research - an experiment to - ahh," Tony quickly got lost in his words, noticing Steve's look changing to a confused one. "I - ah, fuck, fuck, fuck - " Tony couldn't get any coherent words out and stopped and hid his face in hands. He continued to quietly curse, not knowing how to get out of this mess and not lose everything. 

"Babe..."

Tony almost jumped away, when Steve came closer and wrapped arms around him. After a moment of hesitation, Tony buried himself into his soldier's arms, his face pressed against Steve's neck. Probably the last hug he would receive from Steve. This whole thing won't make Avengers stuff awkward at all. What if Steve would quit the team? Tony couldn't imagine not being able to see Steve anymore. He needed him. He would change, he would do better. Steve couldn't break up with him. 

"Of course that I am not breaking up with you," Steve said suddenly, and Tony winced, not realizing he said it out loud. "Is that what you thought?" Steve asked, sounding shocked. Reluctantly, Tony nodded. Somehow he was used to being rejected and walking away from problems was one of the things he did and expected the same happen to him. 

"God, Tony," Steve said in an exasperated huff, not believing how quickly this whole thing could escalate in Tony's mind. Then again, he should know, because Tony did think too much and sometimes didn't stop his thoughts on time, letting them drag him deeper and deeper. "Tony, I am not breaking up with you," Steve said again, just to make sure the words sunk in his boyfriend's head. "And I am sorry," Steve gently put his thumb and forefinger under Tony's chin, encouraging him to eye contact. 'Sorry you turned out to be messed up in the head,' Tony finished in his mind, looking into Steve's blue eyes. 

"I am sorry for barging into your space when you didn't feel ready to share yet," Steve said, closing the distance between them and leaning his forehead against Tony's.

What?

Tony didn't reply, just stared, his brown eyes widening. Steve was... apologizing to him? Not the other way around?

"I read some of your blog," Steve said and Tony panicked again, Steve holding him closer when he felt brunet's body tense, "and I understand how hard it is for you to talk about it and how important it is for you. I really do. If anything, I am... a bit disappointed you didn't tell me. Why didn't you?"

Tony's mouth twisted into a scowl. He was disappointed with himself too, but it was hard. Harder than admitting that he liked being pinned down by Steve, or spanked, as it all seemed... simpler. It was obvious why people who enjoyed it were turned on by it. Tickling wasn't easy to explain. 

"I wanted to," Tony finally spoke, his voice coming out quiet, "I didn't know how," this wasn't a good answer. Tony closed his eyes, not able to look at Steve. "I was embarrassed, I guess."

"Hmmm," Steve hummed in understanding, waiting for Tony to continue, but he didn't say anything more. Tony had no problems with voicing out his needs on his site, but face to face with Steve, he was fumbling and struggling for words. Anonymity gave him a sense of control which was being stripped away from him, layer by layer. Maybe with time, Tony would open more, and it was on Steve's side to nurture that vulnerable mindset until Tony would feel strong enough and confident to voice out his true needs. 

"Then... can you tell me why you like it?" Steve tried, sounding gentle and not judgmental. Keeping an open mind was the key here.

"I don't know," Tony said quickly, sounding defensive. He didn't mean to, but it was stranger than him. He didn't want Steve to judge him, to think less of him, but... It was Steve. Steve who was always so understanding and didn't laugh at him and did his best to keep Tony feel accepted. It won't work if Steve would be the only one willing to share. "I guess," Tony corrected himself, trying to be more open, "I like the trust in it. And closeness," he said, tugging on Steve's clothes and hiding more into his boyfriend, "and, uh, it feels good."

"Feels good?"

"Yeah," Tony admitted, burying his heated face deeper into Steve's neck. "Feels really good. Especially when you are the one ti - doing it."

"Oh," Steve said, carding his fingers through the short hair on the back of Tony's head. Tony shivered, just slightly, from the light touch, smiling against Steve's skin and Steve felt an urge to touch him all over. This time differently, more aware and more intimate, paying closer attention to the reactions. "So... you wanna do it?"

"Do what?"

"You know what."

Tony moved away from Steve, showing a confused face. That kinda felt like mocking him, but Steve's face was honest. And it would certainly change the mood and make Tony feel better about this whole day. "I don't know," Tony said, just to be safe, "do you want to do it?"

"Heck yeah."

"What? You do?" Tony asked, his mouth falling agape at the enthusiasm. 

"Sure. You like it and I like tickling you too. It's a win-win, right?"

Tony started to smile in relief. It was really happening. Steve accepted one of Tony's darkest secrets and even wanted to take part in it. Tony could barely wrap his mind around it, already feeling excited and giddy.

"So?" Steve asked again, eyes sparkling, waiting for permission from his boyfriend.

"If you keep asking, it takes the surprise factor AWAAHHAHA!" Tony's newly found boost of confidence was efficiently cut off when Steve latched hands to his sides and squeezed repeatedly. Tony doubled over in laughter and squirmed away, watching with a pounding heart as Steve followed him, smiling beautifully mischievous. "No, no, no, wait, Steve! STEHEVE!" Tony screeched in laughter when Steve ran forward, pushing Tony on the bed, and falling with him. "ACK! STE - hahaha! Waaait!" Tony wailed when fingers were going up and down his body tickling intensely. When Tony became pink in the face and a little breathless, Steve stopped, leaning in and kissing Tony's smiling lips.

"I love you, babe," Steve whispered, looking at his lover.

"I love you too," Tony answered, his heart hammering from the ticklish rush and all love he had for Steve. 

"Are we good?"

"We are good," Tony assured, still not believing that everything turned out so great. 

"Good," Steve smiled, and just now Tony realized that somehow both of his wrists were in soldier's hold and Steve easily pinned his hands above his head, leaving his torso exposed. "Because now," Steve said, sitting on Tony's thighs and slowly sliding his free hand under Tony's shirt. "I want to test every ticklish spot on you."

"Oh fuhahahck - " Tony wriggled uselessly, his stomach sinking in when Steve gently ran fingertips over the soft skin. "Steve, Steve, pleaheehehehese!"

"This is just your tummy and you already are so ticklish. It is a very promising start."

"Ahhahaha!"

"Oh, is this rib ticklish? How about this one? And this one?"

"GAAA HAHAHA!"

"Oh look, the higher I go, the more you laugh. Sooo, this means that when I do this -"

"PFF HAHAHAHA!"

"That's one ticklish armpit you have, babe! Let's find out if the other one is as ticklish -"

Steve was grinning, watching Tony crumbling and laughing, coming apart under his fingers. Steve was right, it was a win-win for both of them.

***

"You should write on your Tumblr."

"Huh?"

"You should," Steve repeated, rolling on completely naked Tony and kissing his lips, "write on your," a kiss on the chin, "Tumblr," Steve finished, blowing a raspberry into Tony's neck.

"HAAHAHA! Stoooop," Tony tried to swat Steve away, feeling too blissful to move. Of course that a long, intimate tickle session changed into an amazing make out. It was incredible how the tickle foreplay increased their appetite and how wonderfully responsive Tony became. 

Steve laughed and rolled on his side, looking at Tony with adoration. Laughing made Tony ten times more attractive in Steve's eyes, and Tony was off the scale to start with. 

"I am serious, babe," Steve tried again, gently poking his finger all over Tony's bare belly, making him squeak funnily and curl up, "write on your Tumblr. Everyone has to be worried."

"Ah hahaha... Ohkahay!" Tony agreed, shielding his stomach with one hand and using the other one to reach for his phone. "Uhh... Should I update and delete it?" Tony asked. With everything working out so great, there was no reason for him to keep that account. No more secret lusting, when he had it all in real life.

"If you want to," Steve said truthfully, "or maybe you can keep it for a bit longer because I might need some inspiration on how to take you apart."

"Ahhh, not sure if I want to give you access to that sort of power," Tony teased, opening the app. "Huh, people kinda hate you."

Steve shrugged, understanding that what he wrote, did sound menacing, even if it wasn't his intention. "Just write that we are fine and your boyfriend plans on fulfilling your each and every one tickle fantasy."

"You do?" Tony asked, voice trembling with excitement.

"All of them, babe," Steve assured, smiling broadly. He had remembered some of the things he read and gifs he saw, and could easily imagine Tony on the receiving end. 

Looking enthusiastic, Tony got to writing. Soon, Steve got up and leaned over Tony's shoulder, looking at the screen.

'Hi, guys. Sorry for the sudden silence but as you saw we had a situation here. It is all good now, me and BF talked, and he turned to be all sweet about it, not bragging, I just had my first tickle session and it was amazing! So, I just wanted to give you an update, that I am fine. More than fine. My BF said that I can keep this Tumblr if I want to and he will even use it as an inspiration, so aaaah, can't wait. Just don't give him any ideas! I am gonna talk to you all soon, but for now, I and my BF have plans. See you later!'

After the post got published, Tony and Steve didn't have to wait for a reaction.

'AAAAH! I AM SO GLAD EVERYTHING IS FINE! YOU BOYS HAVE FUN NOW!'

'Awesome, couple goals.'

'That's great, dude, but I hope your BF apologized.'

"That's the one that doesn't like me, right?" Steve squinted his eyes, pointing at the last comment. Tony laughed and nosed Steve's cheek playfully.

"It is okay, I like you," he smiled. "Do you want to have a nickname? That will make it much easier for me to write when you are involved."

"Um, sure," Steve said, not entirely sold on the idea, but not wanting to shot Tony's idea down. "You call yourself Spare Parts Man, right?" Steve asked and Tony nodded. "Soooo... How about you call me Iron Man?"

Tony's smile dropped in surprise, and he laughed mockingly. "Seriously, dude?"

"Hey, the darkest place is under the candle," Steve said, sounding defensive.

"Fine," Tony agreed, rolling his eyes dramatically. He reblogged the post and added an update.

'BF wants you to call him Iron Man. I know, lame.'

"Ack!" Tony almost dropped his phone when Steve scoldingly pinched his side. Soon the first comments came.

'Ah you sound like a superhero couple, how cute!'

'I am shipping you both. #relationshipgoals'

'Wow, your BF is not very creative, isn't he? But fine, let it be IRON MAN.'

"Write to this one that I don't like them either," Steve hissed, looking at the last comment. 

Tony laughed and turned to Steve, pressing their lips together in a kiss. Long and sweet. The kind of kiss that was the perfect happy ending to a tickle kink coming out story.

"Oh, interesting!" Steve suddenly said, ending the kiss too soon and looking at one of the comments, smiling wickedly. 

"What is int - noooooo!" Tony wailed, understanding the reason behind the smile. It was stronger than him and Tony started to panic. "It is a lie, Steve! Don't believe the lieeee no no aaah HELP!"

Steve laughed, wrestling Tony down and pinning his hands once again. If Tony was already getting this worked up, there was no way Steve would back up.

"No, please!" Tony giggled, kicking his legs, trying to wriggle away, as Steve's menacingly moving fingers were getting closer and closer. "I cahahahan't!"

Somehow, Steve didn't believe him. Instead, he believed the comment.

'Hey, this is for Iron Man - I am sure you know already, that SP's stomach is really ticklish, but did you try tickling his belly button specifically? From what SP writes it is a very ticklish outie. Have fun!'

When Steve pressed his finger over Tony's outie delicately and Tony burst into giggling, almost maniacal laughter, Steve was in heaven. It was settled, Tony was keeping his blog for further tips for Steve. 

[dyketectivecomics]

ALRIGHT, Suicide Squad (2021) Initial Thoughts!

(under a cut and Obvious Spoiler Warning! turn Back if You Dont Want To Be Spoiled)

okay overall i absolutely loved the movie! i can def see myself regularly revisiting this one & i'm excited to watch it again! original plan was to stream it w/ my dad but I ended up streaming at a friends house instead and that helped paint the experience a tad differently bc we're both annoying so we were commentating the entire time fjdakl;

The plot is VERY solid and very strong/tightly threaded. Something that I enjoyed w/ BoP ofc was that non-linear narrative, so coming back to something that kept the timeline very clear w/ only a couple sidetracks to catch up w/ other characters or to bring the audience back up to speed was *chefs kiss*. I was half expecting the initial beach sequence to be a Tone-setter for the audience & for a smash-cut the mission proper/as a "here's what a Mission Gone Wrong Looks Like" and was pleasantly surprised when it was very much Part Of the Current Mission!!! they really rolled out strong and then kept that momentum going!

Getting right away into spoiler territory now (again, srsly, you've had your chance to turn back lmao) I was a LITTLE surprised to see Boomerang as one of the casualties right at the start fdjlka; could be bc i do still have the '87 run on the brain, and Boomer feels like one of the Main Stays to me now?

God tho, having 90% of Who you Think are going to be part of the team get taken out so quick and brutally? Varying the deaths from recklessness to attempted desertion & the consequences spelled out so quickly just!!!! We'd been told over and over how Gunn wanted to pay homage to war films and it def shows! Both in that scene, and esp while the Squad is attacking Jotunheim (there were several moments that even my friend mac made some comments, pointing out lighting/camera decisions that just *chefs kiss* it rlly shows Vision)

There's so much I want to gush abt and my hearts rlly full for! The fight sequences! The soundtrack and score and SOUND DESIGN ESP!!! fading songs in & out and making most of them diegetic!!!! Or hell, the transitions being so fun & placed within the environments/scenes themselves!!! all these things that feel like homage to the Medium of Comics, while also being enhanced by the medium film!

To transition over to the plot itself again & esp to focus in on the characters:

Everyone had rlly solid arcs!!! They took that time to let some key players bond! Cleo & Robert's surrogate dad n daughter thing and Cleo & Nanaue's friendship esp being endearing to me ahh! contrast that against Chris vs Robert's rivalry set-up and confrontation pay-off!!! I loved that they did include a Twist of Peacemaker working a submission for Waller in the midst of the Main Objective bc while I don't 100% love that they've stuck w/ Waller seeing the Squad as Expendable (bc that damn well wasn't the OG squad but c'est la vie), Waller having a contingency/secret objective absolutely tracks with her character.

while we're on slight negatives, I did feel very disappointed by Polka-Dot Man not having... closure. I was kind of hoping that he would be our Floyd/Werner stand-in, as a character who gets to move past his suicide wish... And I suppose for a brief moment, he had but... It was still a little sad to see the moment undercut (but I can appreciate that others will like the Joke in that Gallows Humor sense). Just made me personally a lil sad to see *shrug*

To circle back around to '87 Squad comparisons, I really loved seeing more of the support team and even seeing some of those familiar names (Flo!!! Briscoe!!!), and the fact that they got to help at key points just!!! I can't remember the 2016 film as much (its been ages since I thought abt it and I don't remember ever rewatching it after the initial time tbh), but i vaguely remember Waller Disposing of her support team there and... idk, it felt cathartic to see more of them here and for them to feel like a weird coworking unit & even to see them go against her and give the Squad their help when they Knew it was the Right thing to do like!!!!

Again, I dont remember much of the first film, except that it felt like a passable popcorn movie. But this? This felt like something more. More cohesion btwn the characters, more synergy with what the director & cast wanted to bring and what WB was finally willing to let them do, more of what fans like me want to see from superhero movies.

Something that takes care to look at the source, give those gentle nods and acknowledgements, and still come out w/ something that feels Fresh and New. DC movies feel like they've been on a bit of an upswing, and I rlly do hope they keep that going.

[kareofbears]

i love ryuji and you can’t change my mind.

im sorry i just can’t stop thinking about the ryuji hate I got and i feel the need to explain myself as to why i love ryuji so much despite the fact that, yeah, he is problematic--of course i know hes problematic. people who choose to ignore canon are valid and its ok to do that, i mean, that’s what fandoms are for (fandoms are made to take what you like about something and make it your own--i do it literally every time i write a fanfic, it’s normal, you all know this). but for now, yeah, im focusing on canon ryuji. he is not perfect--by far, id say he is the second most problematic character in the main cast. he is rude, he is so perverted, he doesn’t understand when to stop being (frankly) an asshole. he can’t take a hint, he’s vulgar to the point where he makes people around him uncomfortable. but i love him, because his good overrides his bad. you all know it by now--he’s kind, loyal to a fault, an idiot but in a really really endearing way, he’s honest, he’s headstrong, he’d do anything to protect his friends (fight harus fiance, almost get hit by a car for makoto, stand with Ann when she thought yusuke was dangerous, yell at shido because he found out hes the one who made akira go on probation, the list goes on). 

So, why did atlus make him problematic? two possible reasons, i could be wrong but this is just what i think. 

1) because Atlus wants to make a character who isnt perfect. correct me if im wrong, but there are little to no characters in the entire game who is part of the main cast and is flawed. seriously. everyone is pretty much a saint after they get past their initial entry arch. atulus wanted to make a character that felt more realistic, that felt whole and real--someone who isn’t as cookie-cutter good guy as the rest of them (this is NOT a bash to all the other characters in the game in ANY WAY i love all of them as they are all my children). It’s interesting to have someone to play off the rest of the group’s dynamic by having someone who is different from them. variety is the spice of life, and clearly thats what atlus is going for here. I havent play persona 4 myself but apparently the characters there are a lot more interesting yet very hit-or-miss as all of them have their own distinct and loud (apparently sometimes overwhelming--not in a good way) personality and one of the biggest complaints about persona 5 (which i dont agree with, but bringing it up for the sake of argument) is that the characters all feel very mild in the sense that they wanted them to all be likeable--hence, brash characters wouldn’t fit that because brash characters are sometimes too intense to be considered likeable. again, i dont agree, but maybe this is why they wanted to add a character that doesn’t conform to that “you have to be likeable type.” 

2) because atlus struggles with what is funny vs what is offensive. this is not a new statement. if youve been in the p5 fandom for long enough im sure youve seen a post somewhere about this but THIS is my take on it. atlus excels at story writing, and is really good at well timed humour (i mean, we ALL have a favorite p5 one-liner, mine is “ryuji, go piss off the police” but i digress). however, in its attempt to bring in comedic relief to break up the monotony in the story, they tend to just use ryuji. this is probably (in my opinion) p5′s biggest flaws. they have so many other characters to utilize and experiment with in terms of comedic situations (which they have done and succeeded plenty of times), but sometimes the cracks reveal themselves and they end up just using the “vulgar boy” for a couple of laughs. we’ve all probably watched anime, seen how blatantly sexist it is and how sexualized they make their female characters (too many examples come to mind), and unfortunately, p5 is no exception and has given that roll of “the creep” to ryuji because it was the easy way out. Morgana is too, sometimes, but definitely definitely not to the extent of ryuji. 

to clarify, this post is not saying that we should allow ryuji to be this asshole--fuck no! we should try and understand why he is, definitely, but we should never excuse this behaviour. it’s simply the case of loving this character and breaking them open to try and understand why they are who they are. 

i love this boy (obviously), he is my favorite persona 5 character by far, but he is problematic, and that is okay. learn to digest his fuck ups, understand what he’s doing is wrong, and move on. make art, write fanfictions, create gifsets--because what you take from the characters is what they boil down to; that’s the point of fandom, after all. 

dont let anyone take away this character from you, especially now, because for many people (including myself), persona 5 and its characters are the only thing keeping them afloat during this really fucked up time of pandemics and being stuck at home. 

[amostimprobabledream]

My thoughts on Peaky Blinders...

Now I’ve finished Season Five, I wanted to get out my thoughts/ideas/opinions regarding the show. So strap in! - So first of all, the fucking cinematopgraphy in this series is gorgeous. You could take almost any scene and it looks like a painting. The lighting, the way it’s staged, it’s all just so visually pleasing to look at. My inner film student was just sighing dreamily at the shot composition. There’s a shot of John, Arthur and Tommy walking somewhere and you could fucking frame it and put it in your wall. - CILLIAN MURPHY, CILLIAN MURPHY, CILLIAN MURPHY. I mean, I always knew he was a good actor and also a pretty one, I think the role I remember him best in is Batman Begins, but holy shit, I never realised how hot he is until like two months ago. I know he apparently hates his Tommy haircut, but good lord, he can pull it off. The cheekbones! The eyes! The eyelashes! The sexy voice! Needless to say I saw him and immediately developed the biggest fucking crush. Apparently when I talk about Tommy to people my face goes pink. Thank you so much, show, for enlightening me to this human. Tommy is such a fantastic character, and I do wonder if another actor could pull him off quite as well. So much debate over his actions, motives, mindset, etc. I could probably write essays about the complexities of Tommy, but I won’t because this is a long-ass post anyway. He’s such a boss and I would die for him. - I actually really like Arthur??? So the very first clip of PB I ever saw was accidental, when I happened to turn the TV on and the Blinders were taking over the Eden Club and Arthur was glassing a guy in the face. I thought, “Oh, he’s probably like the dangerous thug character everyone is scared of.” (I didn’t know he’s Tommy’s brother at the time.) But actually he’s kind of endearing despite being the Shelby’s pitbull? Idk, the concept of the “failure” elder brother, how Arthur is the character the verbalises PTSD the most out of everyone, how one minute he can be lashing out like a rabid bear and then sobbing like a kid the next... I’m always like, “Oh, Arthur,” because you can see he wants to be a better person, but he just...doesn’t know how. - JOOOHN. I miss him! And it’s weird because in the early parts of the Season John doesn’t DO much but tag around after Tommy and Arthur, but his marriage to Esme is actually So Good and again, he’s actually kind of a softboi under the hard gangster act. (Also his “Do THIS, John, Do THAT, John, KILL YOUR FOOKIN’ TEACHER, JOHN!” is so fucking good.) He kind of provides a lightness when contrasted to Tommy and Arthur that I really do miss, because the last two Seasons have been very grim and I think John’s absence has something to do with it. I liked Esme too, even if she’s a stroppy bitch, her love for John but resentment of her role in the family and also she’s HELLA PRETTY. I’m sad her character has gone for now, but at least she wasn’t killed off. - I also love Ada a lot - I was really shocked when I read that Sophie Rundle hasn’t been acting all that long before she got the part in PB, because honestly she’s very good! And her concept again is a fun one - the only girl in a family of violent gangster boys. (Or as Freddy puts it, “The only princess”, which she is.) Having said that, I’m not sure how I feel about Ada’s character arc over the course of the season. In One she came off as kind of childish and still sort of stuck in her Rebellious Teen phase, then she became a mother and Freddie died, then in Season Two she’s trying to distance herself from the family and go legit, then in Season Four and Five she’s helping run the business and taking money from Tommy. Idk, I wish she’d play a more major role like her brothers because her motivations seem to change based on what the screenwriter wants, not what feels natural for her. Plus it annoys me that Ada blamed Ben Younger’s death on Tommy, but Tommy gets a lot of blame for things that aren’t his fault so I guess he’s used to it. Still, Ada is still a lot of fun when she does get to play a big role and gets some great lines later on. “Tommy Shelby is going to stop a revolution with his cock.” - POLLY, MY QUEEN! Easily the best woman on the show (sorry, Ada) and such a fucking badass. She’s definitely the voice of reason within the family and conflicting loyalty is a really interesting theme that gets explored with her, between her arguing nephews and niece, between her family or whether she wants to marry again and leave, her relationship with Michael, it’s all so great. Helen McRory is such a brilliant addition to the show. Also I love that Polly kinda represents women taking over after all the men went away to war and now they’re back, but the women aren’t just going to creep back into the house - World War One changed the workplace forever for women and I think Polly being the second in command after Tommy reflects that really well. - I think overall my favourite seasons have been Seasons One, Two and Four, I tend to find I get a bit bored in Peaky Blinders whenever it gets especially heavy on politics like in Season Three and Five and I admittedly kind of miss the simplicity of the early days of the show when it was about horse-racing, but the Changretta vs Shelby feud was genuinely really gripping and Adrien Brody was also Very Good. (I mean, I couldn’t take him seriously because of Brodyquest, but I like him a lot.) - I HATE GRACE. There, I said it. And honestly I have SO MUCH to say on why I hate her and also why I think she is the epitome of bad writing that has happened on this show that I might as well save it for a whole nother post, but Tommy and Grace’s relationship always felt so unnatural and forced to me, like they are in love because the screenwriter said so - Grace is the only woman Tommy knows who isn’t related to him and also because it pisses off Campbell. Like, she was tolerable if highly irritating in Season One, but then Two came along and she just got worse and worse. She’s annoyingly convinced she’s better than everyone else, pulls off a LOT of questionable shit that NO-ONE except Polly ever pulls her up on and Tommy repeatedly pining over a woman who lied to him and betrayed him makes no goddamn sense. I wish Stephen Knight would just let him get over her, because her showing up over and over again in the show after the bitch died two Seasons ago is so infuriating I want to throw my remote at the TV. The best bit of Season Three was someone finally putting a bullet in her, honestly. /rant - On that note, I really wish that they’d use May properly. She was introduced in Season Two and honestly her chemistry with Tommy is about a thousand times more believable than anything he had with Guuuhrayce and also May doesn’t consistently talk in that annoying, breathy voice and also she doesn’t shamelessly manipulate Tommy constantly. It’s too bad Stephen Knight couldn’t get Charlotte Riley back for Season Three owing to her pregnancy, because I think the trajectory of the show would have been very different. But her scene where she spoke about her husband and tried to hide that she was crying? So good. The fucking Face Tommy gives her when she asks for a mixer in her gin? Priceless. Agh - May’s been chronically underused in the show but she keeps getting mentioned every now and then, so I’m hoping there are plans for her to come back in Season Six. I really like her and I honestly think Tommy/May has been the best relationship he’s had, because it’s the only one that’s felt A) Natural and B) Equal. - Lizzie Stark. Okay, so I have mixed feelings about Lizzie. I liked her in Seasons One and Two, because she was this down-on-her-luck woman who was treated like crap by everyone, but she wasn’t wholly without her own flaws or personality - she did lie to John and Tommy did act in his brother’s best interests to tell him the truth. The scenes she had with Tommy in Season Two when he promotes her to his secretary were honestly very cute and my heart broke for her when that solider nearly (?) raped her in Season Two and she cried in John’s arms. But over time she’s started to irritate me. I know that people feel bad for her because Tommy honestly does treat her badly at times, though other times she’s also one of the few people he’s nice to, their relationship is complicated. But truthfully I don’t see Tommy/Lizzie every working out properly because Lizzie was a whore. She’s always been Tommy’s inferior and while I do think he cares for her, she never seems to think it’s enough. He doesn’t love her enough and she’s never satisfied with it and she’s always resentful of him. But you can’t FORCE someone to love you and it’s interesting that the minute she learned she was pregnant, you could see her thinking of how to make this work. She pulled the Baby Trap on him just like Grace did and got married like she wanted, but Tommy still doesn’t truly see her as his equal. And honestly, I don’t think she’s smart enough for him. Add that to Lizzie being EXTREMELY petty to other women (including her being really rude to May and slut-shaming her - bit rich from you, isn’t it, Lizzie?), and I don’t think they have a healthy relationship. I do like little Ruby a lot (way more than Charles, who is a spoiled brat because he’s Grace’s son and has a martyred dead mummy), but honestly I don’t see Tommy/Lizzie working out. I just hope that she doesn’t leave and take Ruby, I think it’d break Tommy to have his daughter taken away from him. - Alfie Solomons. So...I have to confess I have mixed feelings about Alfie. I liked him in Season Two because he’s batshit crazy, Tom Hardy is clearly having the time of his life and it’s refreshing to have a rival to Tommy who isn’t cartoonishly evil like Billy Kimber or Sabini. He ties into Season Two very well and yeah, I can see why he’s so popular. Also he’s pretty attractive, so that always helps. But. Alfie is starting to come across a bit like a creator’s pet to me. He consistently betrays Tommy every goddamn Season and while I know the fandom love to joke about this, it’s pretty inexplicable that Tommy would bother to continue to do business with him after being burned so many times and now it turns out he’s alive. Why? Why bring Alfie back? I feel like he was brought back because he’s a fan favourite and to add another suspect to who betrayed Tommy. I don’t hate Alfie at all, but I am starting to wish he’d face actual consequences for his actions, considering every Peaky Blinders character who fucks with the Peaky Blinders tend to suffer horribly for it, but not Alfie...for some reason. - Michael. Okay so Michael’s actor is pretty damn good and I thought it was cute that he and John’s actors are actually brother irl - you can see the resemblance. And honestly bringing back Polly’s missing kids was a really clever idea because there’s a family tie, but one that isn’t so strong you can always be sure of where his loyalties lie. His subplot with Father Hughes in Season Three was both very sad and very well done - I was cheering him on the whole way. But Season Five has made my opinion of Michael take a dramatic nosedive. He’s gone from sorta-sympathetic to an entitled brat almost overnight. I get he’s probably salty about being banished to America by Tommy in Season Four, but where has this sudden desire to rule the company come from? How did he meet Gina? Is he lying about Gina being pregnant because he figured it’d win him sympathy? I don’t know. He’s changed so drastically, and when Polly gave him that slap, I think she was doing what everyone wanted to. It’s too bad they just wrote Anna off as being dead, though, Michael having a sister and Polly a daughter would have been interesting. - The music?? Is so good?? I love it! Especially the themesong, obviously, but so much of it is always ON POINT. It makes me wanna buy the entire soundtrack. - Unpopular opinion, but I think Campbell was the best antagonist of the show, mainly because he was a vile person but still believable and had the best dynamic with Tommy.  - Season Five was honestly kind of hit-and-miss for me, it seemed like a lot of people are pissed at Tommy for fairly silly reasons in the beginning and I just didn’t find the political subplot all that interesting...but I still will definitely tune into Season Six. (Also these are all just opinions, so please don’t send me hate if you don’t like something I’ve said. Ain’t nobody got time for that.)

[mysticdragon3md3]

I tried to limit my choices to my MOST current fandoms/obsessions, otherwise, I’d never be able to decide.  

Whenever Good Smile posts these "surveys for fun", I can't help but think they're trying to gauge which figures they should make next.   In that case SCHOOL UNIFORM PERSONA 5 NENDOROIDS!!!  AND PHANTOM THIEF FUTABA SAKURA NENDOROID!  And yes, I want Nendoroids for “My Next Life as a Villainess”, but my wallet doesn’t!  ;o;!   Hopefully, listing Akira Kurusu on a Good Smile Company survey like this will ensure he'll get more figures.  I'm actually not sure if I'd consider him my husbando.  I just want more figures, especially Nendoroids.  lol  

Best Boy / Best Girl: I hate choosing just one.  But if I go with my most recent favorites, it'll help narrow things down.   Ryuji Sakamoto / Maria Campbell Ryuji Sakamoto / Catarina Claes LOL  it's been a long time since I loved a super genki gutsy girl like Catarina.  Maybe not since Lina Inverse!  lol  There have been a lot of kuudere queens since Lina.  lol  Though...I guess if you count Rukia's sillier moments, maybe she can be pretty genki and enthusiastic?   . Waifu / Husbando:   Maria Campbell / Akira Kurusu I wasn't expecting to separate Best Boy/Girl from Husbando/Waifu.  o.o?  Once again, I'll go with my latest fandoms, just to make it easier.  But Akira?  Husbando material???  I guess?...  He is really cool.  He just doesn't cause those stupid zoned-out warm smiles to spread across your face, the way Ryuji Sakamoto does.  But that's why I choose Ryuji as Best Boy.  Though I guess I'm constantly swooning over how goddamned pretty Akira is.  How did Soejima design such a goddmaned pretty bishounen?!  Damn it!  But if we're talking about crushes, I can be absolutely sure about Maria.  I'm a sucker for ingenue.  She definitely causes those doki doki, forget-to-breath, then sigh stupidly moments.  *___* If I was still as obsessed with DateSana as I used to be, I probably would have chosen one of them.  Probably Yukimura.  He's the most perfect cinnamon roll to have ever cinnamon rolled!  ...But that's not the series I'm obsessed with right now.  .....Though, I've always liked Mido Ban.  He's both silly and cool.  ^.^  I'll try looking through my old #husbando Tumblr posts.   (https://mysticdragon3md3.tumblr.com/post/156909097412/rightstufanime-in-celebration-of-valentines) (https://mysticdragon3md3.tumblr.com/post/125329019812/this-was-supposed-to-be-a-chart-of-characters-i) (https://mysticdragon3md3.tumblr.com/post/125373206597/the-other-day-i-made-a-chart-of-my-favorite) Seems like I was just using the word "husbando" for my favorite characters, and not for characters I was crushing on.  Well, this is going to make it akward to put merely a "favorite character" next to "Maria Campbell" who makes me swoon.   I think the problem is that since I grew up very anti-girlygirl and am still in the process of getting over that, I have some kind of mental block vs admitting if I have a crush on a male character.  And I have such low self esteem, that I can't "see" myself with anyone.  Whereas with waifu, there's no stigma in my psyche, so I can just unabashedly admit when I'm drooling over a girl and just stupid in love.  So if I have to think of a male character that makes me feel the same as an ingenue like Maria Campbell, then it'd have to be someone that I just stupidly smile and sigh in the presence of, especially when they smile or whenever they talk, someone for whom I always want to protect their happiness and rain adoration onto...  The funny thing is that when I compare (https://mysticdragon3md3.tumblr.com/post/125329019812/this-was-supposed-to-be-a-chart-of-characters-i) vs (https://mysticdragon3md3.tumblr.com/post/125373206597/the-other-day-i-made-a-chart-of-my-favorite), there are a lot of favorite characters who I think are the coolest and I respect the most, but I'm not a drooling crushing idiot, over everything they say.  Actually, the characters in the more expanded list (https://mysticdragon3md3.tumblr.com/post/125329019812/this-was-supposed-to-be-a-chart-of-characters-i), who are more like secondary favorite characters, better fit that reaction from me.  Like Makoto Tachibana.  He's like an ingenue shojo stuck in a boy's body.  Everything he says and does is precious.  Yet, as much as I like him, he didn't make the cut into my narrower list of favorite characters (https://mysticdragon3md3.tumblr.com/post/125373206597/the-other-day-i-made-a-chart-of-my-favorite). If I stick to current fandoms and choose Akira Kurusu as husbando, that would explain why I tend to be jealous over him.  Ryuji, I can ship with Ann or entertain other people's ship art with Ryuji, even though I prefer Ryuji with Akira.  But if I catch even a glimpse of anyone besides Ryuji with Akira, I click away from the entire website!  Like a voice in my head will not tolerate anyone with Akira who isn't Ryuji!  ^^;;;;;;;  Maybe that's a sign that Akira is my husbando.  ...Am I saying jealousy can be equated to the adoration I feel for ingenues like Maria Campbell?!?  That doesn't sound right.     Y'know what?  If I don't have an answer for husbando, then I just don't have an answer for husbando.   . Must see arc:   omg  I don't know.  Are we talking about just anime?  I guess if I added manga, it would just make the indecision harder on myself.  x_x;  I guess I always did like that last arc in Code Geass enough to re-watch it a zillion times.   Emperor Lelouch story arc (Code Geass) . Best anime OP/ED:   If we're going with current obsessions, lately a day hardly goes by without the Carole & Tuesday opening theme going through my head.  Though I do love anything by Asian Kung Fu Generation and T.M.Revolution/Abingdon Boys School/Takanori Nishikawa.  His Kamen Rider Zero One opening theme is amazing!  *u*  And I really love the themes from Fullmetal Alchemist's "Rewrite" opening theme from Asian Kung Fu Generation.  But L'Arc En Ciel's opening theme for FMA was also amazing...  And I love Yui; she's done a lot of anime themes...  See, this is why I said to limit myself to current obsessions.  So, "Kiss Me" by Nai Br. XX and Celeina Ann.   As for ending theme...?  I've always loved the ending theme for the Devil May Cry anime.  I had my eye on Oikawa Rin ever since she did the insert song "She Said" for the live action movie Kamikaze Girls. And I think she's done some Mamoru Hosoda movies too---Wait.  That was Hanako Oku.  Her music is good too!  *o*   I wonder if I could just pick one song instead of 1 opening theme AND 1 ending theme.  I'm too indecisive for 2 songs.   Well, since I'm limiting myself to only my most current fandoms, then I wouldn't have to check too many songs.  Haikyuu to the Top has a good ending theme.  I think Dr. Stone had a good one too.  And since I'm now watching My Next Life as a Villainess, I can add that to the candidates.   Dr. Stone's ending theme is good, but it's not as invigorating as Haikyuu season 4's.  At least to me. Naw, MNLAAV's ED is kind of typical.  Haikyuu s4's ED really grabs me.  "Kessen Spirit" (Haikyuu to the Top) . Best weapon:   ??????????????????  Should I include magical powers too??????  I've always liked swords.  So, magic sword?  Or am I supposed to be specific?  Like a specific mecha or specific Persona?  Should I include skills?  Like Hinata Shoyo's athleticism?  Should the answer be metaphysical, like how Love motivated Homura Akemi to re-make the universe?  But maybe "best weapon" is necessarily the most powerful.  Should it be the tool that enables the most good? A metaphysical tool that does good has got to be a Shonen protagonist's determination.  Y'know what I've always liked?  The innovation in Ranma Saotome's martial arts skill.  Someone online commented a LONG time ago, that Ranma can pretty much learn any martial arts technique, even really difficult ones, sometimes overnight or in a week.  And during a lot of his duels, he often has to throw out whatever technique he trained for, specifically to use against that opponent, and come up with something on the fly.  And that impromptu fighting technique usually works!  So is the best weapon a "sharp mind"?  Maybe I should just say "magical swords" to be simple and humorous.  It'd be really cool if I could think of something specific as my favorite.  Y'know what?  It's already 12:57 AM 5/16/2020.  I'm gonna go with "a sharp mind".  It was what made Nabiki Tendo dominate every situation, it's a key component to Lelouch vi Britannia whom I love so much.  ...a sharp mind & martial arts...  Now that I'm filling it out, maybe I should just pick a personal favorite weapon, vs "the best".  How about Natsume Takashi's compassion?  "magic sword, sharp mind, Shonen protagonist's determination".  Titual character plot armor?  lol   "Shonen protagonist's determination; Shojo protagonist's compassion" . Best mecha: I've never really been into mecha.  Even when I was obsessed with Magic Knight Rayearth, I still wasn't that interested in their mecha.  I usually always say "Deathscythe Hell" is my favorite mecha, because even though I'm not into that much mecha anime, I used to be into Gundam Wing, Duo was my favorite, his mecha was really distinct with its scythe, and his emotional connection with it was very endearing.  But Code Geass is one of my favorite anime now.  Gurren is cool, becasue Kallen Kozuki is cool and they've both been through a lot together.  But I feel like I should say Shinkiro is best mecha, since I love Lelouch.  Earlier today, Bluefin revealed a new figurine for the Shinkiro and my jaw dropped.  Maybe I should say Shinkiro?  But I don't really know even the specifics of Shinkiro? Maybe that's not a requirement.  Maybe I should just put anything, since I'm not a mecha expert.  Maybe I should go "classic" with Escaflowne?  Naw, that's a copout, not my personal answer.  The problem with choosing the Guren or Shinkiro is that I'm not so much favoring the mecha, as much as I am the pilot.  But the question is about the mecha.  In terms of capabilities, Shinkiro's calculating abilities might be more amazing, but only Lelouch specifically can use it.  But that ability can be used for both calculating defense and attacks... And the lazer dispersing gem on the Shinkiro is pretty cool too.  I guess I like the aesthetics of Shinkiro better than Guren.  But Guren's Radiant Waver Surger arm has turned the tide of so many battles, I can't help but be emotionally attached to that capability too. And should I say "Guren", "Guren Mark II", or "Guren Seiten" is best?  I love Guren Seiten's wings.  Y'know what?  I'm just gonna put both.  "Guren Seiten / Shinkiro"

[mcspirkholidayfest]

2016 FEST HAS ENDED...

But fear not, McSpirk fans, for your moderators are already making plans to bring you a 2017 Fest. Stay tuned to our blog for news of upcoming rounds, reminders of - and any changes on - how to participate, and a few announcements concerning exciting new features!

In the meantime, please take a moment to give a round of applause (and a kind word!) to all our Creators of 2016, to whom we owe many thanks for gifting us with McSpirk fanfiction, fanart, and fanmixes throughout the year.  In case you missed some of the amazing works from the final round, Christmas and New Year’s, or the handful of back-filled Previous Round prompts, see below the cut to catch up.

Fanmix

Prompt:  There’s a good chance that the Enterprise won’t make it back to any Federation planet, outpost, or starbase for the holidays. Worse yet, subspace communications are down so no one can contact their loved ones off ship. Cue the Captain trying to raise the spirits of his crew with his handy boyfriends at his side to help.

Fill: cheery christmas by @movingplant

Art

Prompt:  Kid!AU. Amanda, Sarek, and a young Spock are on Earth during the Christmas season because Sarek has some Ambassador duties to attend to. Amanda would like to expose Spock to some of her human holiday traditions including being charitable. She brings Spock to the Christmas party thrown by the local hospital for the young children that will be stuck there for the holidays. Amanda used to do volunteer work there and has stayed in touch with some of the staff which included one David McCoy. David McCoy brings his young son Leonard Horatio to the Christmas party because some of his patients are among these kids. David and Amanda introduce the boys to each other and leave them to hang out together. And yes one of the sick kids is a young Jimmy Kirk.

Fill: Fanart by @sofluffygonnadieeee

--

Prompt:  Jim is trying to decorate the USS Enterprise “Christmas Vacation” style (i.e. National Lampoon movie). He puts holiday lights and other Christmas decoration articles everywhere. The crew soon begins to join him, except for Spock and Bones. They find his actions illogical (Spock) or “completely bonkers” (Bones), but nonetheless endearing. Although as the situation gets out of hand, Bones and Spock have to find a way to stop the others.

Fills: Fanart by @sleepymccoy with Bonus Art here

--

Prompt:  Startfleet’s annual New Year’s party or a New Year’s party of some kind. Kirk encourages Jaylah to try champagne. Spock gets mildly drunk on chocolate. Bones and Spock each kissing one of Kirk’s cheeks when the countdown ends.

Fill: Fanart by @kaztial-does-art

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Prompt:   It’s the attack of the ugly sweaters!  Jim buys one for each boyfriend, and Leonard and Spock can’t say no.  Bonus points if Jim bought them matching sets, including mittens, hats, and scarves.

Fill: Fanart by @boomdeyadah

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Prompt:  (AOS) Spock reminisces about Christmas celebrations with Amanda on Vulcan/Earth. Jim and Bones decide to help him celebrate this year just like with his mom. They contact Sarek to find out if any of Spock’s christmas stuff is still around (like his stocking) and to also invite Sarek to come celebrate with them.

Fill: Fanart by @cocoamocha

Fanfiction

Prompt:   Spock vs. McCoy and/or Kirk, who are armed with mistletoe and/or the idea that you have to kiss someone at midnight on New Years’ Eve.  AOS or TOS.  Put your own spin on it.  Is Spock eager?  Is he unwilling?  Does he want to pretend he’s unwilling, but he’s actually curious?  Can they even tell how he feels about it all?  Is he manipulating McCoy right into his arms while pretending to be uninterested in anybody but Kirk?  Does Kirk know how Spock feels about McCoy?  Does Spock retaliate against them both with Vulcan traditions of his own?  Are the traditions real, or did he invent them just to mess with his friends?   Maybe Jim’s a sneaky puppetmaster pulling both Spock’s and McCoy’s strings… with the goal of getting them both right where he wants them.  Basically just manipulative scheming holiday triumvirate action with some first-time smooches (and possibly more) at stake.  X-D

Fill: Fanfic by @regulationblues

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Prompt:   It’s almost Christmas, but things look less than rosy on the USS Enterprise. Some weird mission, a mysterious plague, victims - not many, but still victims - before the CMO can come up with a cure. Jim doesn’t take it well and takes it out on Bones, much like with Spock’s blindness - hard words are exchanged. Nothing new but this time, something really got under Leonard’s skin - some of his Captain and lover’s accusations really broke something. On the next mission, down to a snowy, quiet uncharted planet Bones goes with the team but something is amiss. Kirk coughs awkwardly, reaching out. Spock a silently disapproving shadow looming over his shoulder. “Bones, you… I didn’t think you would agree to come, after all that mess.” Bones smiles a weak smile, a defeated smile. “Of course I agreed, Jim,” he says softly, “I will still follow you to the end of the universe and back, ten thousand times. But as your doctor - and your doctor only. I don’t think my heart can take being with someone for whom I’ll never be enough again.” Then he steps in the transporter, beams away, Captain and First Officer losing each a beat at his back. Five hours later, McCoy goes missing on the planet…

Fill: Fanfic by @greensarek

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Prompt:  Jim tries to teach his boyfriends how to ice skate. One of them is a natural. The other…really isn’t.

Fill: Fanfic by @waywardconsultingtimelady

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Prompt:  Spock and Bones get stranded in the middle of a snowstorm. Spock has to try to keep Bones from succumbing to hypothermia while Jim slowly loses his mind trying to find them both

Fill: Fanfic by @captainsandraclassof2029

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Prompt:   Coffeeshop AU! Jim is a barista near a popular science academy. All year, he’s watched two professors come in, grade together, and talk quietly. They’re Jim’s favorite customers, always patient enough for a little chat before their coffees and generous with tips. For Christmas, he’s determined to play cupid for the pair. Little does he know they’re already a couple and equally infatuated with him.

Fill: Fanfic by @drmcbones

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Prompt:   After Bones is kidnapped by a figure from Kirk’s past, he and Spock must deal with how exactly they are going to get their boyfriend back in time for dinner. Modern Cop AU

Fill: Fanfic by @goldberryintherushes

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Prompt:  Leonard has a date for the crewmen’s Christmas party. He’s kind of happy about that because he wasn’t looking forward to going by himself again. Strange thing is, though, he’s getting mixed reactions as people find out - especially when they automatically assume his date is either the Captain, the First Officer, or both and he has to correct them. Even worse, Jim and Spock suddenly seem intent on making certain he is too busy with work to go to the party. Why, Leonard wonders, can’t he catch a break? Bonus points if the date is one of Leonard’s staff who is hardly surprised to be accosted by an unhappy captain and Vulcan when the news breaks.

Fill: Fanfic by @starfleetdicks

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Prompt: My mom’s friends celebrate both Christmas and New Years Eve on New Year’s Eve. Anyway everyone brings presents and the presents are put into a bag. Someone wears a Santa hat and holds the bag. Someone else spins a bottle, who the bottle lands on gets to take a present out of the bag. Also they can trade presents with someone else. The trio hosting the above ‘spin the bottle to pick a present’ thing for the crew. The New Years part doesn’t have to be included, if it is that’s nice but I’m more concerned about the present part. Extra points if it’s Kirk’s idea and Bones grumbles about wearing the hat. I’m fine with TOS or AOS or a crossover of the two.

Fill: Fanfic by @tildytwo

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Prompt:  Bones ends up cursed somehow on Christmas day, and is told that he has to receive true love’s kiss by New Year’s or he’ll die. He thinks this is impossible, because he’s already in love, but neither Jim nor Spock will ever love him back. Rather than freaking out and trying to fight his fate or force love where it doesn’t exist, Bones just decides to make the most of the last few days he has with Jim and Spock, without telling them anything. They stay up together to usher in the new year. Spock and Jim are happy, and Bones is happy just being with them one last time. And then Bones collapses…

Fill: Fanfic by @iwillstaywiththemforever

Special: Previous Round Fills

Prompt:   The triumvirate take Joanna trick or treating. Special appearances by Ben, Sulu, and Demora for hella bonus points but not required.

Fill: Fanart by @waywardconsultingtimelady

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Prompt:  Vampires/werewolves are real. And OF COURSE Jim Kirk is one.

Fill: Fanfic by @starfleetdicks​

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Prompt:  Okay, basically I need a fic with Spock and Jim taking care of a recovering Bones after the usual mission-gone-downhill-and-selfless-heroism routine - all drenched in Halloween-y feels. The boys being stuck in some gloomy planet full of weird stuff, the trio going on shoreleave in a Autumn-y lodge to make Len rest and finding trouble, ghosts hunting the Enterprise, it’s all good really, as long as there is a lot of overprotective Captain and First Officer, cuddles and loved Bones. Extra point for hurt/comfort details, of course.

Fill: Fanfic by @drmcbones​

[scifimagpie]

Dungeons and Representation: How a Podcast Did Good

Hello hello!

So anyone who follows me on Twitter - or anywhere, really - has probably noticed that I am majorly into podcasts. I've alluded to my love of tabletop RPGs on more than a few occasions, and as a fledgling DM (Dungeon Master - the non-BDSM kind, though there's a surprisingly large overlap between the two communities...) I like to take inspiration from the best.

Before I explore today's topic in detail, a few recommendations - in no particular order, Critical Hit, How We Roll, One Shot, Campaign, The Adventure Zone, and Dungeons and Randomness are all funny and wonderful programs that showcase both inclusive gaming (on and off the table, for the most part) and really, really good storytelling. Writers and geeks should check them out. Don't worry about the rules; these podcasts are almost all story-focused, so it doesn't get too mathy and crunchy.

With those recs out of the way, I'd like to focus on D&R in particular. Having recently completed its 200th episode, the four (!) groups sat down with the DM, Jason Massey to talk about their experiences.

What happened 

Now, two hundred episodes of anything is a trip, but I'm a binge-listener and a completionist, so it wasn't a big deal for me. However, the beginning of the series was pretty rocky. The first group to form, known as Group 1, was an all-male group of friends who'd met through the wrestling fandom. There are a lot of wrestling fans who also play D&D, for some reason, so that's not a problem - but the group dynamics were.

Beleagured DM Jason and hapless party leader Rob Wiesehan, playing tiefling warlock Malchus Grimnas, then spent about fifty episodes trying to rein in the murderous and careless shenanigans of this initial group. It's honestly a fascinating tour through toxic masculinity - players screw, rob, and murder their way across the land of Theria, and as Jason's worldbuilding becomes increasingly intricate and rich, most of the players enjoy being dicks more than they do abiding by the social contracts of D&D, to quote Rob.

What social contract? 

Here's the thing about Dungeons and Dragons and most other roleplaying games - it's pretty essential, as Rob explained, that the other members of your party are trustworthy enough to not murder you in your sleep, screw you out of things like healing potions, share resources, and fight on your side during battles - and not, say, engage in player vs player combat or act in needlessly antagonistic ways. Interestingly, a couple of the early players from the group seemed genuinely baffled about why it might be a bad idea to act like dicks and fight people who are supposed to be on their side.

Now, group dynamics are an inevitable part of human interaction. We're social animals, and that means we're liable to be jerks and conflict with each other, but it's totally possible to ride out those painful spasms and create a lasting D&D group. Sometimes people leave, which is why inviting a few more people than you think necessary is often prudent. But it's a very important and basic part of this system, and most systems, that you do not screw over the people who are on your side.

The fact that multiple players in Group 1 just didn't understand this is fascinating, and honestly, only seems to have happened because it was an all-dude group. Broish humour is fine, but ripping on each other, jockeying for leadership, and being unnecessarily and often destructively subversive often led to doom and disorganization.

Have some eye bleach: fan art of characters from the Adventure Zone, in Halloween costumes as *other* characters from The Adventure Zone - who are also lesbians. This picture has lesbians ^2. You're welcome. 

When it got better

Perhaps because of Jason's expert implementation of consequences in the storylines, to an extent that many traditional creators should follow, the actions of many Group 1 members caught up with them. It seems that murdering, betraying, and robbing people willy-nilly is kind of not great. While the other groups and players sometimes made ethically questionable choices in the storyline, they always weighed them carefully. Una Anhelada, a gutsy devil-may-care paladin played by Izzy Chadwick, often spearheaded these - but her seeming recklessness and impulsive nature still included concern, empathy, and care for both her party members and fellow players.

As time went on, the DM added more groups, each of which went through their own growing pains.  Holding auditions for new players meant screening and better integration of people, something important for a show, and interestingly, also brought a flood of lady players, as well as at least one non-binary and later trans male player. Not everyone there was white, either, which is a silent problem besetting many D&D games, but a welcome change here. Among the new blood was Brienne Marie, a delightful pixie of a person with a filthy sense of humour and a sparkling laugh. Quickly becoming Jason's platonic soulmate, her addition to the cast marks a sharp change in the show's style - very much for its benefit.

This isn't to say that GIRLS ARE ALWAYS BETTER, because a few of the new lady inductees were pretty irritating - and left quickly - but the most destructive players in the game were definitely all men. Their behaviour patterns had a lot in common, too - a determination to have their desires and goals met, often at the expense of the party; a refusal to accommodate others' needs and priorities, and toddler-like tantrums and antics when their requests were denied.

Back to Group 1 

Group 1 went from being the primary party in the setting to an exception.As the other two, then three, then four (! counting a bonus group made of existing players) groups quarreled and debated and resolved conflicts in satisfying and interesting ways, Group 1 remained somewhat stuck in the past. When party members finally began to murder each other, in a culmination of the rivalries and toxic dynamics, virtually only Malchus remained. Because the players either selfishly focused on their own gimmicks and jokes or sabotaged each other, often both, Malchus (and Rob, his player) were exceptional. As the group reformed once, then twice, it gained lady members and non-toxic male members - and underwent a drastic transformation.

Even as Malchus grappled with the impact of his actions, the group would discuss their decisions carefully and cautiously. Not exploiting others, picking up a dorky and endearing young NPC wizard-fighter (who subverts the trope of that combo brilliantly), and helping each other in heartwarming ways, Group 1 became radically different from its roots.

But Not All Men 

The thing is, men don't have to suck. Male and female players can both participate in toxic masculinity, but focusing on sharing the spotlight, resolving conflicts without in-character violence, not plotting and planning about other player characters behind their backs - and out of character - and above all, just not being awful dicks to each other, will all result in much better table experiences. It's fine to create evil or morally ambiguous, selfish characters. But it's vitally important and mandatory for people to keep their character personas and grudges separate from in-person dynamics, and to settle table conflicts as soon as they happen.

D&D is easy to get invested in. The shared storytelling, improv with dice, and creating a world are intoxicating and empowering. Add in the capacity to be something impossible or better than one is in the real world, and you have a heady brew - but it's easy to get emotionally invested in one's persona and the storyline. When everyone's invested, and at least somewhat working together, it's a hit of pure magic. But even if the characters are planning to double-cross each other, players at the table have to use boundaries and not harm each other.

Failing to do this results in Reservoir Dogs - like chains of revenge and can absolutely ruin friendships forever, because of the basic lack of respect they represent. But working with the other players and keeping in-character conflicts and rivalries separate from real life makes sure everyone at the table can walk away with a spring in their step and an easy mind.

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