#I've probably said this a bunch of time but it upset me a lot :((

[friendsdontlieokay]

I love Mike and Dustin, no questions asked but them not attending Lucas' game and choosing Erica, Lucas' sister, as a sub for the campaign was a really messed up thing to do, I'm sorry.

It's the way Lucas was so happy that he's finally getting appreciated like he wanted to and his friends just not being there even when he so dearly asked them to, and worst of all it's the way his smile drops after seeing the group cheering on their win without him, but with his sister that gets me everytime. Like he was so happy and then the people who he was supposed to share his happiness with just weren't there, that sucks man!

They didn't even try their best to convince Eddie even when Lucas requested them to come to his game. It's not just the championship game, he wanted to join Eddie's campaign too but he had to move on with a 'it is what it is' sorta thing

[jayybugg]

drunken confessions

Theodore Nott x FemRavenclaw!Reader

Summary: Theo drinks a little bit more than he should....

Warnings: Drinking, No use of Y/N, Only mentions being in Ravenclaw once, and very cute???

Word Count: 1.6K

Note: Long time no see, my loves! I took a really long hiatus abruptly because life was kicking my ass badly. I decided that my first fic back should be a Theo fluff because who would I be if I didn't give this boy all of my attention? I hope you guys all enjoy it.

Banners by @cafekitsune

Music boomed through the Slytherin common room as you tried to navigate the sweaty bodies and screaming teens. You were trying to find Theodore, the person who had invited you. It was a celebratory party for Slytherin winning the quidditch game against Hufflepuff. You were in the Ravenclaw house but are good friends with many people in Slytherin.

"Oy," Draco pulled you to the side, "Looking for Theo?"

"Yeah, you've seen him?" you asked, gripping his arm so no one could separate you both. Draco nodded, pulling you to a separate room where Pansy, Daphne, Blaise, Enzo, Mattheo, and Theo sat.

"Finally, you're here." Daphne pulled you in for a hug, whispering in your ear, "Drunk pants over there have been asking about you for the past hour."

You glanced over at Theo, who was very drunk. "He never drinks this much." You whispered back to Daphne. She shrugged. "He caught the stitch. Winner of the game tonight."

You nodded, walking over to Theo and sitting next to him. He immediately grinned and wrapped his arms around your waist. "I've been waiting for you all night," Theo said, speaking slowly so his words didn't get slurred.

"I'm sorry. Why'd you drink so much without me?" You asked, tapping softly on his wrist. "I didn't mean to." Theo said, "Won the game, so people had given me a bunch of drinks."

You nodded, allowing Theo to go back to being the life of the party. Enzo sat down next to you, to keep you company as the party continued.

"So, what's your excuse for not being at the game tonight?" Enzo asked.

"That project for Transfiguration. My partner is an idiot who waited last minute to do his part, so I had to help him. I feel bad for missing it." You said, taking a sip of your water.

"Theo was upset that you weren't there. Probably what motivated him to win the game. That boy is obsessed with you," Enzo said, nudging you. You cleared your throat, feeling a sudden sense of nervousness. "We're just friends, Enzo."

"For now." Enzo wiggled his eyebrows. You laughed at him, rolling your eyes.

Did you like Theo? Yeah, but you didn't think he would like you back. He had a lot of girls on him and he could choose any of them. You were so wrapped in your mind and your conversation that you didn't notice that Theo had wandered off until you heard your name being called.

"Take Theo back to his dorm, please!" Blaise pleaded as he and Mattheo held a nearly blacked-out Theo up. You hopped up, grabbing Theo from them.

"Oh, hey, pretty girl." Theo drunkenly grinned at you. You smiled back. "You should've stopped drinking, Teddy."

"Really should've." Mattheo agreed. "You know where his dorm is. Don't worry about cleaning up down here, we got it."

You nodded, saying your goodbyes to everyone before walking upstairs to Theo's room.

"Pretty girl." Theo dragged out the pet name. "Your hair is so soft."

"Thanks, Teddy." You opened the door to his room, switched on the lights, and put him on the bed.

"Come on, let's get you in pajamas." You tapped his nose lightly, making him smile at you.

"You're so pretty, pretty girl. That's why I call you 'pretty girl' because you're so fucking pretty. Sometimes I think you're otherworldly because of it," Theo gushed, falling back on his bed. You felt your heartbeat pick up as the compliments flowed from Theo's mouth.

"Thank you, Theo. Here, put this shirt on." You handed the shirt to Theo, who shook his head no. "I like to be shirtless."

Theo pulled his shirt over his head and threw it in the hamper. You tried your best not to stare at his chest before handing him a pair of pants.

"You're taking good care of me, pretty girl. I wish you could always take care of me. Merlin, I love you so much." Theo spoke again. You felt your eyes widen as you looked at him. "What?" You said softly.

"I love you like I'm so in love with you. I just want to be with you all the time." Theo continued. You cleared your throat, pushing him under the covers. Theo was clearly saying anything to you because he was drunk. If Pansy or Daphne were here, he would probably say the same thing. You forced yourself to repeat that to yourself repeatedly so you could believe it.

"Get some sleep, Theo, goodnight." You switched off his light as you swung his door open. "Goodnight, my pretty girl. I love you." Theo said.

You quickly shut the door, taking a deep breath to calm yourself. You didn't know how to interpret what had just happened. Theo admitted to being in love with you. Or did he? He was drunk, so he probably wasn't serious. Yeah, he was drunk. You took a deep breath before making your way back downstairs.

Mattheo saw you hurry down the stairs and raised his eyebrow at you, "You good? Is Theo okay?"

"Yeah, he's fine. I'm just gonna go back to my dorm," You said. Mattheo eyed you, "What happened?"

"What? Why would anything happen?" You asked, diverting your eyes anywhere but to Mattheo's.

"..."

You sighed, glancing down at your feet, "Theo said he was in love with me."

The room froze as everyone turned their heads to look at you. Suddenly, you felt tiny. "What? Why are you guys staring at me like that?" You asked.

"Nothing! It's just...." Daphne glanced at everyone, "We didn't expect Theo to confess that when he was drunk."

"Yeah, I had galleons on an angry confession followed by an angry, passionate kiss," Draco said, causing Pansy to hit him in the arm.

You blinked. Confess? Confess as in.... he's been holding this in for a long time?

"Wait, so he's telling the truth, and you all knew it?" You asked. Everyone made noises in agreement.

"I mean, everyone can see how head over heels he is for you. You were the only one denying it." Blaise said. Your face felt hot, and you shook your head, "I'm going to my dorm."

Everyone laughed, bidding you goodbye.

Theo woke up the next day with a terrible headache.

"Ahh, there's our champion." Blaise's teasing voice caused Theo to groan.

"Why would I ever drink that much?" Theo asked, mainly to himself. Enzo laughed, setting a cup of water and some medicine on Theo's bedside. "I don't know, but it was quite entertaining to see you get taken care of by your pretty girl." Enzo's voice was teasing and light.

Theo's face immediately heated at the idea of acting like a fool in front of you. "Did I do something stupid in front of her?"

Blaise and Enzo shared a look before shrugging. Theo looked at both of them. "What? What did I do? Oh, Merlin, tell me I didn't embarrass myself."

"I wouldn't say you embarrassed yourself," Blaise said.

"But sober Theo definitely wouldn't have confessed to her that he's in love with her," Enzo said.

It took Theo a moment to realize what Enzo had said before his face turned completely red in shame and embarrassment.

"I told her I was in love with her?" Theo groaned loudly. That was not how he pictured confessing to you. Well, he never pictured confessing his feelings to you because he was scared and had no intentions of doing it.

"It's a good thing, don't you think? I mean, she finally knows." Blaise said, "Although she might need some convincing because she thinks you only said it because you were drunk and probably didn't mean it."

Theo hopped out of his bed, finding the nearest t-shirt before slipping on his shoes. He had already confessed how he felt and if it's already out there, there's no point in hiding it.

Theo spirited to your dorm, not muttering a good morning to anyone as he pushed past them. Finally, he got to your dorm and banged on it until he heard your feet shuffling.

"Teddy?" You asked groggily before focusing your eyes on the out-of-breath and frizzled Theo in front of you, "What the hell happened to you?"

"I meant it."

"What?"

There was silence between you two. He knew you knew what he was talking about, so it didn't take long for realization to take over your face.

"I meant it." Theo repeated himself, "Every word I said last night while I was sloppy drunk was true."

"I have been trying to work up the courage to say something about it for the last year or so. Granted, I didn't think it would be while I was drunk."

"How long?" You tilted your head to the side, with a hint of amusement gracing your face.

Theo's face flushed pink, as he knew you were teasing him, as well as being genuinely curious. "Since first year. When I saw you on the train to school."

"You didn't even speak to me until third year."

"I was nervous." Theo let out a breath. "I watched you, though."

You held back a laugh as Theo immediately turned even more red. "That was creepy. I didn't mean it like that! I just— we've shared a lot of classes and— I'm going to shut up."

You stood on your tippy toes, kissing Theo's flushed cheeks. "I've had a crush on you since second year."

"Really?"

You nodded, smiling. "So what now?"

"Um, will you go on a date with me? Maybe next weekend after the quidditch game?" Theo asked, feeling more nervous than ever.

"I would love to, " you smiled. And I won't miss this game, I promise."

"I'm holding you to that." Theo smiled back.

You gave Theo another kiss on the cheek. "It's still early. I'll see you later, okay?"

Theo nodded, and you smiled, closing your door. Theo stayed there for a few more seconds until he realized he probably looked crazy for just smiling at your door.

Who knew getting drunk had some perks?

[wisteriaphobia]

Alright time to come out, not out of the closet, but I am Nat (Or Lilnatx) . I wanted to come here and share my story or fairy tales if you don't like me. I was a part of “clique 1”

Not to use my age like a pokemon card but I am 15, and I don't care what you have to say to me personally but I'm sick and tired of my name being dragged through the mud and being used as a scapegoat. But I have lots of pent up anger that I didn't have the privilege of saying.

April 3rd was the day I was banned from nevermore, with no proof. Like at all, I'm still bamboozled and scratching my head like a monkey on what was actually on me and my friends. We were accused of “shit talking” and I have yet to see the shit that we have allegedly talked about.

And honestly? Even if I did shit talk people, why… in a conversation about a predator … does that matter? I'm exhausted with how Red always fights with teenagers (like me) and other friends of mine. It's so despicable that the minions might just leave Gru for her instead. I was in gym class when I got banned and honestly? I would rather get banned 10 more times than do another plank for 2 minutes while seeing my P.E teacher's bald head.

My crimes that I did publicly (in the screenshot that red posted) is me being.. not fucking involved? Right before I got banned I was staying away from people that I previously did not enjoy and in fact I tried my best to not interact with them directly. At one point I had many members blocked on my discord because I was tired of being the villain.

Yet here I am in the year of our lord July of 2024 and people are still referring to my friends as “nats clique” like I said earlier im 15, quince. I have little power over my friends' actions , especially if they're an adult. I can barely get Laci to join me on Minecraft let alone make her collaborate on some high tech scheme, what is this shit? Oceans 11?

I find it petty that red refers to my friends as a “clique” we're a friend group, and the definition of a clique requires a group that's hard to get into. The server (until now) was open, you could pull up to Jinx's profile like a McDonald's drive through and get an invite. Our friend group was constantly expanding and if you personally felt like you were scared to talk to us, I'm sorry that you never experienced the poop closet jokes.

Red being paranoid about what a bunch of teenagers were maybe saying behind her back to deflect about crimson is quite irresponsible I do say so myself. So please Red! With a cherry on top! Show me what I did to you. What sin have I committed on your ego that should banish me to hell. Because I sure as hell don't know what I've done, (and you can quote this) you probably don't know what I've done either, because you made it all up.

Unfortunately I have no screenshots to give, because my phone storage is ass. But you can hit up any of the members of my clique for proof regarding my innocence. I promise I'm not an evil bitch who wants to ban you (not evil not evil no I'm the least evil person I know)

I'm sorry if this response upsets you, but if a 15 year old girl who ships who chicks bothers you so much. Imagine how I feel, imagine now so many people who once looked up to you feel. Everyone in your post looked up to you once as a role model, and have had panic attacks and stress because (allegedly) you harmed them with your cruel words. You can think it's your fault or not that's not my problem.. but for someone who wants evidence and proof 24/7 you sure like to not give out proof of anyone else.

P.S if you were anyone who gave red evidence of my wrong doings, can I see them? Cause I don't know what I have done.

P.P.S I'm not a man, and I write fanfiction of lesbian vampires.

P.P.P.S this is so not sigma that I gotta make this response

[shyywriter]

Playdate Trouble

Fandom - Five Nights at Freddy's (Security Breach)

Summary: Moon notices that Sun isn't quite himself. So, he decides to take matters into his own hands and tries to cheer him up.

Note: This is my first ever tickle fic, (so forgive me if it's not that great), and I've decided to write it about two of my favorite characters, ever. Sundrop and Moondrop from Security Breach. I've read a bunch of fics, of these two, and they've all been adorable. So, here's my attempt at it.

It was after hours, in the Pizzaplex, which meant that all of the animatronics were off, doing their own thing. They were all pretty grateful for this allowed free time, especially the Glamrocks, since performing for their guests, all day, could be pretty tiring. The only one who really wished that the day could last forever was Sunnydrop. The Daytime Daycare Attendant is quite boisterous and full of energy, so it was always sad, for him, to see the children go, and the daycare close. After hours was, probably, Sun's least favorite time of day, especially when everyone else was busy, and he had no one to play with. Moon, usually, likes to wander off, on his own. And, Eclipse takes this time to tidy things up, in their secret little room, behind the castle balcony. Not to mention, the Glamrocks would also be busy with their own things.

Right now, Sun was simply sitting on a bean bag, with his head in his hands, and a grumpy expression, on his faceplate. He was bored, and couldn't think of anything fun to do. He could go for a dive in the ball pit, or make some new puppets in Arts and Crafts. But, Sun has already done these things, a zillion times, and he wasn't quite in the mood for any of them. Just when Sun was starting to consider just heading over to his charge station, to power down for the night, he heard a deep, raspy chuckle, echo through the daycare. He looked up to see his twin, Moondrop, swimming through the air, on his wire. Sun sighed, sadly, as he watched his brother fly around, high up in the air. It looked like a lot of fun, and he always wanted to try it. But, the staff would never allow it since Sun was clumsy, and could often get, a little, carried away. They didn't want to risk him falling off, and getting hurt or damaged, badly.

Meanwhile, Moon had noticed Sun, sitting there, and decided to go and greet him. He lowered down and, once Moon reached the ground, his wire disconnected from his back loop and retracted back into the ceiling, leaving Moondrop free to walk around, on his own. Moon tiptoes over to Sun, with his wide grin, as he waves to him. "Hello, Sunny. Oh. Why so blue?", he said as he took notice of the Sun's grumpy look. Sun continues to sit there, hunched over with his head in his hands, as he looked down at the floor. "Oh, it's nothing." Moondrop tilted his head as he stared at Sun, his grin never faltering. It was clear to him that Sun wasn't feeling like, usually, cheery self, right now. It was, actually, quite odd to see him acting like this. Moon then steps in front of Sun, crouching down to look him, face to face. "Are you upset with me?" Sun's eyes go wide at the question, and he sits up, shaking his head, while looking at Moon, now. "No, of course not! I'm not upset at anybody. I'm just so...bored!"

Moon blinked as he stared at Sun. "Bored?" Sun sighs as he leans back in the beanbag chair, resting his cheek on his fist, as he looked off to the side. "Yeah, bored. There's never anything to do, when all the little sunshines go home. No one to play with." Moondrop looked down, in thought. Does this happen, often? Does Sun always get this way, when the Pizzaplex closes. Now, Moon was starting to feel, a bit, guilty. He would always go off on his own, not actually spending that much time with his brother. He never knew that Sun was this lonely. Moon then sat down next to Sun, looking over at him, with a sad grin. "Well. I could play with you. If that's what you want." Sun turned to look at Moon, with a surprised expression. But then, he frowned before looking back away. "No, no. That's okay, Moony. I know that you'd rather do something else." Sun didn't want his brother to feel obligated to do this, if he really didn't want to. After all, Moon didn't always like doing the same things that Sun did. And, who was he to force his brother out of his comfort zone. Moondrop frowned, as well, as he put his hand on Sundrop's shoulder. "But, I DO want to play with you." Sun didn't even respond as he continued to sit there, looking down, sadly. Moon started to look worried as he stared at Sun. He didn't like seeing Sun, this way. He had to think of something to put a smile back on Sun's face.

Moon thought to himself, trying to come up with something fun that they could do, together. "We could play hide and seek", he said, turning to Sun with a hopeful look. Sun, however, didn't seem excited by that idea, at all. "I don't really feel like playing hide and seek, right now." Moon frowned, trying to think of something else. "We could...visit Gator Golf. Monty loves to teach golf." Sun still showed no signs of excitement. "I'm not in the mood for golf, either. Besides, Monty's busy polishing is golf clubs." Moon huffed to himself, determined to find something that would spark Sun's interest. He looked down, on the floor, when he suddenly spotted something, out of the corner of his eye. It was a pink, fluffy, feather, simply just sitting there on the floor. It must have come from Arts and Crafts. Moon picked up the feather, eyeing it, with a raised eyebrow. He looked, back and forth, between the Sun and the feather, before an idea pops into his head, causing him to perk up. Moon then smiled, deviously, as he glanced over at Sun, speaking in a sing-song voice. "Oh, Sunny~" Sun hadn't even noticed the feather that Moon was holding, yet, since he was still faced the other way. "Hm?" Moon took this to his advantage as he, sneakily, scooted closer to Sun, still grinning, mischievously. "I know something we can do. Something very fun~"

Sun, still not bothering to look over at Moon, continues to sit there, sadly, not sounding too enthusiastic. "Oh, yeah? What's that?" Moondrop's evil grin widens as he approaches Sun, getting closer. "It's called..." Then, once the opportunity was there, Moon grabbed Sun, causing him to let out a startled yelp, before he uses one hand to raise Sun's arms above his head. "The Tickle Sunny Game." Then, before Sun could process what was happening, he jumps and squeals, upon feeling Moon start to tickle under his arm, with the feather. Sun, immediately, bursts into laughter and giggles, as he kicks and squirms around, trying to free his arms. "AAH! AAHAHAHAHAHAHA! WAIT, WAHAHAHAIT! MOHOHOHOHOONY!" Moondrop chuckles, deviously, as he wiggles the feather around in Sun's underarm, making sure to get at all of those sensitive wires. "Oh, look at that. You're smiling, again." Sundrop continues to buck and writhe around, squealing and laughing from the feather's soft touch. "EEK! AAAHAHAHAHAHAHA! NOHO, STOHOHOHOOP! THAT-THAHAHAT TIHICKEHEHEHEHELS!"

Moon smirks as he watches Sun wiggle and giggle underneath the feather. He feels a sense of pride wash over him, finally getting Sunny out of his funk of being bored and sad. "It does? Really?", Moon teases, as he trails the feather down to Sun's side. He then starts to wiggle the feather on that spot, hoping to get a similar reaction. "What about here? Does it tickle, here, too?" Sun lets out another squeal as his laughter goes up, a pitch. It tickled even worse, actually. But, there was nothing he could do about it, with his brother holding his arms up.

"OH, NOOOHOHOHO! NOHOHOHOT THEHEHEHERE! MOHOHOONY, PLEHEHEHEHEEEASE!"

Sun, honestly, couldn't believe how ticklish he was. He knew that he was programed with advanced emotions and sensitivity, as a means of being able to connect with the children. But, he didn't know that meant he would also be unbearably ticklish. Moon giggles along with Sun, enjoying the sound of his laughter. He doesn't let up, one bit, and continues his ticklish onslaught, not stopping until he's gotten Sunnydrop back to his bright and happy self. "Hehehe! What's the matter, Sunny? Aren't you having fun, yet? Tickle, tickle, tickle~"

The teasing only makes Sun laugh harder, as he tries to squirm out of the feather's reach, while still tugging at his arms. However, it was no use, as Moon was constantly following Sun's movements, with the feather. "OHOHOHO! PLEHEHEHEHEASE, STOHOHOHOP! THIS ISN'T FUHUHUHUHUN! THIS IS TOHOHORTUHUHURE!" Moon lets out an amused chuckle. It was obvious that Sun was fibbing. It was clear, as day, that Sun was enjoying himself. "Torture? Don't be silly. You're loving this." Moon then decides to tease Sun, a bit, slowly dragging the feather towards his belly. Sunny let's out more, high-pitched, giggles, unable to help the giddiness welling up, inside him. He watches, with a nervous grin, as the feather travels, closer and closer, to his tummy. Moondrop grins, evilly, as he continues to drag the feather, at a, painfully, slow pace. He then pauses right at Sun's belly, building up the anticipation...before he, suddenly, drops the feather and instead uses his fingers to tickle Sun's belly, relentlessly. Sun, practically, shrieks before he bursts into a fit of uncontrollable cackles. He definitely wasn't expecting that, and was not, at all, prepared for it.

"AAAAHHAHAAAHAHAHAHAA! NOHOHOHOHO! YOHOU BIHIHIHIG BUHUHUHULLY!" Moondrop chuckles, mischievously, as he skitters his fingers all over Sundrop's tummy, making it twitch and squirm. "Oh, I'm a bully, am I? Well, maybe, I shouldn't stop, then. Kitchy, Kitchy, Koo~" Sun continues to squeal and cackle, his heart out, as Moondrop continues to torment his poor, ticklish, belly. Moon then pokes at Sun's tummy dent, trying to find out what spots will get the best reactions. Sun yelps, in response, as he let's out a roar of funny laughter.

"KHKKKEEEHEHEHEHE! AHA-NAAHAAHAHAHAHAHA! *SNORT*"

Moon pauses at the noise he just heard. Did Sunny just? Moon smirks at Sun, with a raised eyebrow, before he pokes at his tummy dent, again. "What was that? Are you a piggy, now? Well, no wonder you like to squeal."

Sun continues to cackle and snort, absolutely hysterical. He can feel his systems heating up, as Moondrop continues to torment his tummy and dent. As much as he was having fun, he couldn't take much more. So, he decided to call it quits.

"NOHOHO! *SNORT* MOONY, STAHAHAP IHIHIT! HEHE-*SNORT*-HEHEHOHOKAY! OHOHOKAY, YOU WIN! IHIHI GIVE UHUHUHUP! *SNORT* UNCLE, UHUHUHUNCLHLHLHLE! *SNORT*"

Moondrop grins, victoriously, as he giggles at Sun's attempt to surrender. "Hmmm. Oh, alright." After giving his belly one last tickle, for good measure, Moon, finally, lets Sun go. Sun slumps over, on the beanbag chair, going limp, as he let's out a sigh of relief. He pants and wheezes, trying to catch his breath, still giggling, a bit. Moondrop grins down at his exhausted brother, as he watches him catch his breath. Now, THIS was the Sunny he knew and loved. Smiling and giggling, without a care in the world. Moon smiles as he pats Sun, on the head. "There. Now, wasn't that fun?" Sun, barely, managed to sit back up, still trying to recover from that tickle attack. His smile never left, as he turned to look at Moon. He felt a lot better, now. In fact, he couldn't even remember what he was sad about. "Oho, my goodness. I think my systems are crashing." After he, finally, managed to recover, Sun smiles, warmly, at Moon. He seems grateful for that "bonding time" they had just gotten to spend, with each other. "Thanks, Moony. That really was a fun game!" Moondrop grins, softly, at his brother. He then, suddenly, yawns, feeling himself start to feel drowsy. "You're welcome." Sundrop yawns, as well, also feeling pretty drained. The two animatronics then lay down, with each other, on the beanbags. They smile as they let themselves relax, feeling peaceful. Though, before they let themselves rest, Sun looks over at Moon, with a sheepish grin on his face. "Hey, Moony?" Moon, who's starting to go into rest mode, shifts his head towards Sun's. "Yes, Sunny?" Sun smiles, shyly, as he continues to look over at Moon. "Do you think we could...play that game, more often?" Moondrop chuckles and smiles, sleepily, as he rests his head against Sundrop's. "We can play, whenever you want." Sundrop smiles as he rests his head, as well. The two of them, both, close their eyes, as they go into rest mode, feeling happy and contented. Long story short, after discovering his new, favorite game, after hours had, actually, became Sunnydrop's favorite time of day. And, Moondrop's, too.

[svltzmans]

boxer! hope mikaelson headcanons

a/n: i've been thinking about this hc for weeks guys i'm in love!

warnings: nsfw content (18+), mention of minor violence/injury, as always not edited just a bunch of thoughts

boxing is one of hope's favorite ways to exercise, and also one of her coping methods when she gets upset or angry

most of the time, hope uses a punching bag for her workouts

(something she knows won't get tired)

she boxes until her fingers blister, and her hands are too sore to continue

when hope works out, she pushes herself as hard as she can

and she doesn't mind getting a few badass injuries in the process

hope has definitely broken a few boxing bags, not realizing her own strength

she gets so enthralled with her punches that she doesn't think about it

she'd be an hour or so into her workout session, and the bag would just fly off the chain holding it up

the first time this happened, she just stared at it for a minute and burst out laughing

hope also sometimes likes to spar, and she'll usually get another supernatural to train with her

but one day you'd ask her if she wanted to spar with you

and she's honestly shocked, because you had never shown any interest in boxing before

she'd absolutely agree to train you

but not before teasing you a little

"i'm gonna go easy on you baby, don't worry"

she'd help you wrap your hands to protect them from getting blistered

she'd be super homoerotic about it, of course

"such pretty hands, baby. gonna show me how you use 'em?"

she'd let you pick out a pair of her gloves to borrow

(but you'd end up keeping them)

hope would start by having you punch the bag so that she could "see your skills"

but she actually just wants to watch you

because she thinks it's so hot that you're doing this with her

hope knew you were strong

but she didn't know you were that strong

she's in awe of your every move, watching you (seemingly effortlessly) throw punches

eventually she can't help herself and starts shouting praise your way

"there you go baby, that's it"

"such a strong girl, you're doing amazing"

"beat the shit out of that thing, pretty girl"

hope is too focused on you to notice that the chain holding the bag to the ceiling is starting to weaken

and eventually, the bag flies off and across the room

"oh shit!" you'd yell, thinking you'd owe the salvatore school a new punching bag

"damn love, you're too strong for the bag."

hope manages to fix the bag, hooking it back onto the ceiling

"think you're ready for me?" hope says, wrapping her own hands

"bring it on."

you and hope would start sparring, dancing around each other

and it would be almost impossible for you to focus, seeing the passion and intensity in hope's eyes

hope wasn't lying when she said she would go easy

her hits are gentle enough that they're not the slightest bit painful

she'd stop to check in a lot, double checking that she's not being too rough

and you'd do the same, even though she always had the same response

"i like it rough."

while trying to dodge a hit, hope loses her footing and lands on the gym floor below her

laughing, she pretends to collapse and just stays on the ground

instinctively, you'd straddle her, hovering above her

"knockout," you'd taunt, finally leaning in to kiss her

"seeing you about to beat me up is pretty hot," hope would mutter between kisses

"there's more where that came from," you'd say, pretending to throw a punch jokingly

you'd lay down next to hope, both of you staring at the ceiling

you'd just enjoy each other's company for a while

and hope would help you take off your hand wraps and gloves

(and probably kiss your hands because duh, she's a romantic)

i need to box with hope rn and exercise with her more after iykwim lmao

[thecoolerliauditore]

I remember last year finally watching Pearl and Scott's last life and. I think I experienced... the same thing that people who dislike FH did in 3L but with Pearl? I was encouraged to watch it by a friend because they said that gaslight gatekeep girlboss was super wholesome and loyal to each other, and that Scott even turned red rather than hurt either of them. But when I watched it, idk it wasn't as bad as I've seen some people describe FH but I was just struck by how often Scott calls Pearl insane or crazy or unhinged just for... existing? Playing the game? Being just a little bit silly sometimes no more than anyone else? He acted like she was a wild animal he had to reign in even though she didn't do anything crazier than what he did. Sometimes he would just randomly call her insane it felt like. It made me finally understand what people meant by those words being ableist with how often he threw them around! It got really uncomfortable!

I got sold GGG as a very cute wholesome winners POV, and I guess compared to everyone else in LL it was, but only if you compare it to other LL teams. People said he was suddenly mean to Pearl in DL, but he mostly repeated a lot of the things he already said about her in LL! I was expecting there to be some shift in how he treated her. Makes me scared to watch Jimmy and Scott's 3L POV if this is what people consider Scott being wholesome!

FASCINATING. this might be my cue to go rewatch GGG Last Life.

I'll be very open and say it's been a fair amount of time since I've sat down to rewatch LL, so I might be looking back at Scott and Pearls relationship with rose tinted glasses -- I spoke a little bit on the soft manipulation that existed between them still, like when Scott yelled at Pearl to kill Joel, but my impression of them is fairly wholesome. Then again I watched LL first and didn't have the context from 3L so the first time I watched their POV it was just. Haha funny blue man cute accent.

So take the rest of this with a grain of salt, at this point I'm fully prepared to say something like "Scott never hit Pearl" and someone will link me their equivalent of the sugar cane scene from 3L lmao.

So I can offer up some semblance of an explanation, if that helps at all to explain the perception gap. One thing is like you said, they were wholesome in comparison to the rest of the teams in LL, which I'd argue were the most disastrous in the series with the damage the "reds can't team with non-reds" rule did to them.

3L teams were also pretty bad, but when you went to compare FH to other teams you had other duos like DD and Renchantyn that had their own issues but served as a very solid point of reference for how they seemed to genuinely respect their partners. Thinking about the clip where Grian and Scott leave Scar and Jimmy to pull the lever on exploding Monopoly Mountain and Grian is trying his best to say he's worried for Scar through gritted teeth because he's Grian and Scotts just like. Well Jimmys probably gonna screw this one up 🙄 A very one to one comparison point presented directly for the viewer.

Scott and Pearl, on the other hand, were the only duo in LL amongst a bunch of massive teams that were falling apart all around them. It gave them this "us against the world" feeling, so to speak.

Maybe if Team BEST was more honest about being Teams BE and ST then we would've had a better comparison point and Scott and Pearl would've seemed way more insane, but then again I've had people vague to me that LL Ethubs is their 3L FH so I'm biting my tongue on this one.

Another thing that I think is more poignant is the factor of hindsight. Scott calling Pearl insane Now is horrifying because of what he did in DL and his calling her that being very much more serious.

In LL Pearl really didn't have any baggage attached to the word "insane" afaik? Unless she got upset at him and I've just forgotten cus it's been too long which is a very likely possibility.

So at the time it just seemed like. Pearl being Pearl and Scott gripping his head in stress and going aughhhhhhhhh ahhhhhh. Which is like. Fine at least to me. Her antics made his blood pressure go but he still went along with them more often than not and stuck by her side.

"She didn't do anything crazier than he did" is SUPER true btw LL Scott is a menace but I also must point out this is a point in hypocrisy but also a point in Pearls personality rubbing off on Scott that season. He was always a crazy arsonist but now he's a crazy arsonist without the angst.

Like the POV is haunting to me now that I have the context of DL and beyond and Scott being serious about the "insane" thing but before I got that context it really did just look like. Pearl being some sort of animal that has wandered into Scott's base and started gnawing at the curtains and Scott trying to scare her away with a broom yelling at the top of his lungs YOURE INSANE. YOURE INSANE. But also the creature if it leaves will Take All of His Lives Away so he has to learn to live with her and through her learn to be a little more chill. Which is the main appeal of that POV, to me at least.

compare say. The part in LL where Pearl steals one of Scars crystals and is genuinely being silly and antagonistic by running around giggling. And Scott's thrown his hands up and going "I DONT APPROVE THIS BUT IM NOT HER BOSS DONT LOOK AT ME". To Episode 2 of WL where Pearl is like? A little bit cheeky to Gem and Gem literally scolds Scott for not "controlling" her well enough and Scott apologises and promises he'll do better. <- ?????? Everything I type out this interaction I have to remind myself it's real btw like what.

and I must say they do have a lot of really genuinely cute moments that season that might be blinding me shoujo sparkle style to the horrors. Like their staring into each others eyes ritual thing for boogeyman assignments, for example. Compare that to the um. Axe crits.

ANYWAY. fascinating insight. To rewatch Pearls POV I go (<- clown makeup is locked and loaded)

[gotham-daydreams]

i’ve been rereading your not [] series and WOWOWOWOWOW i love it sm. the writing? mwah chefs kiss 🤌🏽 the soul crushing loneliness is felt throughout the whole series and as the reader i can really feel every single emotion y/n goes through while reading it’s amazing. i’m excited for part three to see how it all goes down most importantly y/n’s reaction. i can only imagine the intense anger they’ll probably have after getting taken back to the manor. they’ll be angry cuz of the kidnapping thing but also it took them going missing for their family to acknowledge them. that’s a whole different type of anger and frustration. trying practically all your life to get your family’s attention, to them notice your there, all for it to be vain but the moment you’re gone and don’t exist, just like they’ve been treating your whole life, suddenly they notice. they felt guilty after realizing the damage they’ve done to you and just NOW they want to fix even though you’ll probably be carrying the trauma of the neglect for life so what’s the point of trying to fix it now? especially at this big age? the anger y/n must feel at this is insane. there’s also the fact that if y/n *does* want to give in to the sudden affection there’s that fear they’ll just leave again. they get kidnapped, imprison in what was their once home with high security, are being bomb with a bunch of love from their family they’ve never received before and then suddenly it’s gone, all their left with is just their freedom being taken away. y/n most likely feels intense anger, maybe even hatred, at their current actions but also fear of their future ones. it’s the perfect soup of angst and mannnn i’m eating it up.

sorry for the ramble i just wanted to let out my thoughts on your series but to sum it up i LOOVE your series and i’m patiently waiting for your next chapter to continue to see what of y/n’s fate becomes 🫶🏽

I'm so glad you're enjoying the series!!! And oh my god I love your interpretation as well!!!

As I've kind of stated/hinted at through various posts (I promise a masterlist will be made soon because there is a lot of things now that are piling up-), I don't really tend for Y/n in the "Not [ ]" series to get kidnapped just yet (not in part 3 anyways), but I think we all know that it's bound to happen considering things. And it will!

Honestly, I think a lot of people are kind of overestimating how 'loud' Y/n's anger, frustration, hurt, and pain will be in part 3, and it does make me a little worried about the reception of it. However, depending on one's interpretation, what the reader does instead can make the angst that much heavier. Because, well. They don't get that 'relief' that can sometimes come with shouting out your problems to the world- especially to the person that caused you such pain for such a long time, as it is also kind of acts like an unmistakable "hey!!! i'm fucked up and it's all your fault!!! i'll never forgive you for this and want nothing to do with you!!!" message. Though it is a mix within itself.

However, you are right, honestly!

Y/n in the start of the "Not [ ]" series is upset enough. Not only towards the family, but all the time they feel like they've wasted to try and just have a chance to just... get something they never had. All they wanted was a relationship, some kind of connection with anyone in the family besides Alfred, anything. Which is also mentioned in "Not Tonight" as there is that repeating theme/mention of Y/n doing too much but receiving so little, if not, nothing at all, for their efforts.

So just knowing that — as you've said — it basically took them essentially 'giving up' and being gone for months, for the Batfam to notice them? To try and even attempt to give not even half of what the reader had tried to before? Yet was rejected at every twist and turn? Up until this point?

Yeah, no. Y/n is plenty pissed, and incredibly hurt. Among other things as it's just... too little too late. Way too late.

Yet why I also say that I feel as if others overestimate how Y/n is going to express their anger, and how loud about it they're going to be, is because... well- this is a small kind of character spoiler, I guess, but they feel so detached from the family that the very thought of the Batfam even looking for them, is unfathomable. They don't realize at first how the Batfam is looking for them (despite the obvious signs), because it's never happened before, not even on accident.

They never got saved when they got into fights. They never got help when shit got tough. They were never heard, seen or even acknowledged in the house besides Alfred unless they initiated the 'conversation'. Why would they think that anyone who's acted to them like that, and wouldn't even let them exist in their space for a few minutes, go out searching for them? To put in even the smallest effort towards finding them — and because they were worried for Y/n's health no less — and not because they were the absolute last resort? They wouldn't. They don't.

It's a part of why part 3 goes the way it does, but again-its a part. The other pieces make it bad as well. Though that's all the spoilers I'm willing to give on that, which will go more indepth in part 3 itself (hopefully).

Basically, Y/n is a mess. Everyone is in a way, and that's what makes everything go to hell.

Y/n is angry, yes, but it starts quiet before it gets loud. Along with everything else.

So if and when Y/n does get kidnapped... hm.

I did say in a previous ask that depending on how it goes that Y/n would fight back if they're able to and such depending on how the kidnapping itself goes. And though I won't say much on Y/n's reaction in case it does go into future parts if more than 4 are made, I will say that you're right to assume that Y/n is incredibly pissed. You're also right on the whole idea with them being worried about the family basically neglecting them all over again, when everything is said and done. And that's great!

It's a mix. A whole push-and-pull deal where, yeah, even if more shit hits the fan- their own trauma will, in a way, protect them as well as make their life more miserable than it already is. Y/n'll probably never be able to naturally get close with the Batfam, not without 'help' anyway.

But these are yanderes. Their definition of 'help' is a little... twisted.

Though, yeah! And don't worry about rambling- I clearly do the same seeing as I think this whole post is almost just as long as what you wrote. So it's fine! If anything I really did enjoy reading it! Seeing all these different interpretations, and thoughts about the series and other things is incredibly interesting and I love it a lot! Especially with Part 3 on the rise.

[zannenilsson]

AITA for using a lookalike of my son's activist girlfriend to incite a small uprising so I could stop my employees from organizing?

I (53M) am a hardworking business executive and single father. I had to raise my son (21M) alone after his mother died giving birth to him. Admittedly I kind of threw myself into work after my wife died so I wasn't there a lot when he was growing up, but I used the money I made to make sure he got everything he needed to thrive. I take care of all his expenses so he doesn't have to work all the time the way I do, so he just hangs out with his friends all day.

Now, my son never asks questions about how I actually make all this money; he's well-educated but has never been really curious. So I was very confused when he burst into my office the other day totally freaking out and crying and asking about my employees' working conditions. Once he calmed down I found out that he saw an industrial accident - which I hadn't even been told about - caused by one of my workers' negligence.

Naturally I was confused because he's never been to the machine rooms where my low-level employees work, and when I pressed him he said he was looking for "this cute activist worker girl" who he saw while hanging out with his friends. And I don't know what she said to him that made such a big impression - knowing him she was probably just very attractive - but he kept talking about how he had to find her and help her make things better for my workers because they were really just like him.

I tried to explain that no, he was not "just like" one of the unwashed and uneducated workers in my machine rooms, and that they were where they belonged, just like him. For some reason this upset him even more and he ran out of my office again. He disappeared for a while after that.

Meanwhile, I finally got more details about the accident and found out a bunch of the dead workers had these weird identical sketches on pieces of paper in their pockets. My foreman had no idea what they were, so I consulted my Former Close Friend (51M) about it. (We had a falling out over my late wife before my son was born, long story, but I pay his bills because he's the smartest person I know and in exchange he helps me out with unsolvable problems.)

Long story short, turns out the sketches were maps of the city's old catacombs system. FCF showed me that my workers have been using them to illegally gather there after their shifts and listen to the same activist girl my son was obsessed with (19?F) give these weird sermons about how some rich person will help them peacefully organize and improve their living and working conditions.

As I've already said, I provide the best working conditions I can for my employees. I also provide them all with free housing. Yes, the housing is underground, but it's safe, clean, and easily accessible - in other words, much better than the upper-city slums they and their families would probably live in otherwise. So not only was this girl making them ungrateful for everything I'd given them, but she was clearly manipulating my son to help her do it.

Admittedly I'm not proud of what happened next, but I was angry and scared for my son. So I asked FCF to help me swap the girl with an advanced lifelike robot he'd built (long story, don't ask), show my son how duplicitous she really was, and lead the workers into the violent uprising they clearly wanted so I could remove that element from my workforce once and for all. FCF agreed and took care of everything.

Once we got the robot girl in place everything started going downhill for some reason. My son suddenly reappeared, saw me with her, had a nervous breakdown which I hired doctors to see him through, then he disappeared again. I tried to follow up with FCF to see what the robot's progress has been but he seems to be avoiding me. The uprising seems to be going as planned since the power in the whole city just went out, but without any intel I can't stop it. And now suddenly the man I hired to find my son turned up to say my son's been sucked into the uprising somehow and it's spiralling out of control. When I asked if my son was okay, he said a lot of people will be asking me the same question about their sons tomorrow, implying that this whole thing is MY fault.

So I have to know: AITA?

UPDATE: I finally tracked down FCF and overheard him telling the activist girl (who he kidnapped, for some reason?) that the robot is actually carrying out some secret revenge plan he had against me, which apparently involves DESTROYING THE ENTIRE CITY and KILLING MY SON. So I broke in, let the girl out, and beat him to death. I'm going to fix this.

UPDATE 2: The robot has been neutralized, but the workers' city flooded in the uprising and the workers are pissed.

UPDATE 3: The good news is, I found my son. The bad news is, FCF isn't dead and is now FIGHTING MY SON ON TOP OF THE CATHEDRAL. HELP.

FINAL UPDATE: FCF is dead. My son is okay and helped me reconcile with the workers, who seem to think it was all the robot's fault. Thank you to everyone who responded to this and helped me realize I'm NTA, and it was in fact FCF who was TA.

[rollypoliesonarock]

No one asked, but here's a vest tour! I've added a bunch since I last talked about it here, so here's the update!

Here's the full front and back

Most of this I made myself. The patches were mostly made by hand embroidery (anything machine done was probably given to me as a gift), with the exception of a couple that were just markers on white fabric.

Under the decorative patches is also a layer of random fabric patches, mostly from leftover projects scrap fabric, or old clothes I didn't know what to do with.

There's also some random paint splashes in green and red, and a ton of pop tabs and safety pins thrown around in empty spaces.

The pins I made were made from painted bottle caps, and held on with a pop tab and safety pin combo, with the edges of the bottle cap bent to hold it in place

The vest itself I got from a family member's friend, and said family member didn't want it. So she gave it to me to put patches on. I used it as a formal jacket for a year, but I didn't like how the sleeves felt, so I cut them off and ended up putting patches on it anyway. I've been working on this vest since last January, but many of the patches and stuff were transferred from my old jacket that I have other plans for, but that's for a different post.

Inside, plus the snack pouch

so much white embroidery floss, I'm surprised I'm still able to scrape up some in my embroidery floss drawer

Front top left (from the perspective of someone looking at me)

Gay frog pin is the only pin I own I paid for, I found all the rest for free from various events and also the library likes giving people free pins

Front top right

Got the Vulpix pin from some random lady at the empanada restaurant because she liked my nerdy jacket. A few months ago I reconnected with an old friend, who recognized the art style. So that's kinda neat

Front bottom left

I used to have the heart/brain patch sewn on an older jacket (that is no longer with us). I am never attempting to stick a needle through that thing again. Easily my most painful patch I own. Also a little keychain ring so I can clip stuff to my vest

Front bottom right

The worm's name is wormy, named by my friend who loves him. Wormy has been through a lot, and before finding a safe home on my vest, rotated between being a room decoration and a cat toy

The hotelier patch (the house on the pocket) is probably my favorite music based patch I've made. I spent way too much time on it, but I think it turned out nice in the end!

Back top

the trans flag section in the center is my favorite part. The peace was never an option patch is usually peoples favorite, and I get compliments on it regularly. It's hard to see, but the patch at the bottom left of the flag is the chemical formula for testosterone

Back bottom left

The QR code is a Rick roll, and also fully functional. When I made it, a picture of it was floating around between my friends between various group chats. I had one friend who tried to go to lengths to avoid getting tricked, until one of his friends sent him the picture, and he actually scanned it before realizing it's the QR code on my back. He was (jokingly) upset at me the next day. I want to make another qr code to a song I like more, but that one took longer than most my other patches do, so I'm not sure it's worth it.

Back bottom right

The Kos-mos patch (blue haired girl on left) is my favorite non music patch on here. It just feels like one of my most well made patches. Not much to say here, I just like the patch a lot

So yeah, that's my vest. No clue how many patches are actually on this, or how many hours I've put into this thing already, but it's probably a high number whatever it is.

If this gets at least 0.5 notes Ill talk about my other patch stuff, of which I've got a lot of.

[sexygaywizard]

Maybe this is a lil parasocial but I was wondering if maybe u could weigh in as a white person that DOES have background knowledge and an interest in hip hop but I was tryna explain to my white friend the Kendrick Drake beef (I'm more African than I am American, so I don't rlly have a strong connection with the black community and am very slowly easing myself into listening to rap bc for the longest time I didn't understand it) and she said "This is the best diss I've ever heard, and I've heard a lot" and I was like ? And she was referring to the diss tracks that were popular on YouTube from 2016-2018 and I was AGHAST like. /Never say something so white in my presence again/ and she got upset because I called her white (derogatory). She's gotten upset abt being called white before but previously it was very joking (that time I dropped it and said I wouldn't call her white again bc it wasn't worth fighting over) and this time I wasn't even joking bc how you gonna compare Kendrick Lamar to boyinaband, ksi, idubbz, or god forbid Jake Paul. But she's upset with me because she feels like it reduces her to her Whiteness

Lmaoooo babes you're fine she needs to have a better sense of humor about herself. If a white person gets horrifically offended by someone telling them they're white like. Get over yourself lol. She's just sensitive and not cool which is normal for white people, it just means she probably hasn't spent a lot of time in spaces that are predominantly non-white. Obviously Kendrick Lamar is better than a bunch of YouTubers who aren't even real rappers, he has a fucking Pulitzer lmao. Honestly the idea of somebody who's only heard Epic Rap Battles of History listening to the Kendrick Lamar diss and being like, "wow this is really good" is like so fucking funny to me it's hard to believe it's real. And it's very white. Anyways, the problem is not the comparison the problem is that she's white and sensitive.

[is-this-yuri]

so, as previously mentioned, my car's alignment is fucked. as i was settling down to sleep last night a cop approached me and told me i had to move along and couldn't sleep in the lot i'd been in. this is pretty normal, and usually cops are pretty chill about it as long as i don't get mad. but i told him it probably wasnt a good idea for me to move until the road conditions were better since i'd be slipping and sliding all over the place. he just said i couldn't stay where i was.

so, sure enough, i slipped and slid right into a guard rail while i was trying to move, and now my front axel is looking pretty bad. of course i had to drive on it a little bit too which probably damaged it even more.

the shop gave me $100 as a conservative estimate for alignment, but if they end up needing to order parts that price will go up. i've gotten a couple pretty big donations and a bunch of smaller ones, most of which went toward gas (which i have plenty of) and some extra clothes for myself. i'm super grateful for that since it's kept me warm through all this snow, and i'm not expecting any more huge donations like the couple i got, but i do need some help with this.

i'll ask my dad if he can pay for any part of it, but he's most likely going to say no. he's retired and has medical bills and rent to take care of. just getting my car running was a massive expense for him and that happened only earlier this month. he was pretty upset about it and his wife refused to talk to him for a couple days after, so again most likely the answer is gonna be no.

so yeah. i'm posting this link again. i've set a tentative goal for $100 but i'm probably going to need a bit more. i know it's asking a lot, but living in a car that can't move is very dangerous for me. if it gets impounded because i've left it in one spot for too long, i'll straight up be without shelter. that exact thing almost happened last time i lived in it and i had to scramble to get my car towed away to a safe spot. if you're able to give anything, please, anything will help.

[bengiyo]

I am curious for your perspective on the way the OF creators are interacting with fans and have even admitted to editing the show based on fan reactions. It strikes me as an unusual level of interaction and capitulation, though of course TV is a live medium that is nearly always responsive to reactions to some extent. My preference is for a lot less of this kind of thing, but I know you have experience with direct interaction with media creators and have found it enhances your experience sometimes. What do you make of how these dynamics are showing up in OF and the effect it’s having on the show?

TV and Critic Background

So, I am actually the worst person to talk to if you think the creators should be quiet about their work, because I really enjoy talking to directors, producers, actors, cinematographers, and especially editors about their work. I often go to film festivals just to talk to the creators about their processes.

I've also been in the TV space a really long time, and I am used to this kind of behavior. I don't think a lot of folks who are in BL are used to being in the process of TV itself, and I think a lot of people have let the Netflix binge model inform the way they view TV. TV is not like movies. When you get a movie, you are seeing the end product of filming, editing, test screenings, re-edits, etc. TV is usually only an episode or two ahead of the viewers.

It's extremely normal for a show to respond to feedback when characters test well. The 100 did this with Jasper. He was supposed to die in the pilot when that spear entered his chest, but he tested well with audiences so they revived him.

Fun Fact: This is why Kiseki: Dear to Me didn't just move their release schedule up when episode 8 was leaked early. They probably weren't finished assembling episode 9.

I followed Sense8 through its entire development process all the way from rumors and then J. Michael Stracynski's posts about it, to the things Lana and Lily said about it, to the commentary from the cast.

I have a special hatred for Rick Behrman over Star Trek.

I absolutely hate Russel T. Davies because of Cucumber.

I bailed on Supernatural because of the way the writers condescended to us at comicon after killing Kevin.

I know some fans are upset about the idea that scenes they wanted to see got cut, but I was there for Noah Galvin opening his fucking mouth to talk shit about other actors at ABC who were playing beloved gay characters and that subsequently getting The Real O'Neals canceled. The show had a very short second season and I feel forever salty about that.

What does this mean for Jojo and Ninew and Den?

I actually think Jojo, Den, and Ninew are fine. I don't think they usually poopoo on valid reads from what I've seen, and mostly they're having fun with the fans, too. I just don't think people are used to the creators being so honest about how feedback affects the editing process.

I think this is the first time we've had a big show in a while where the creator was fairly active on socials about the show. Aof and Au are usually pretty quiet when their shows are airing, and only give small tidbits while they show is airing. Jojo is silly and likes to play with fans. Den is feisty and has a gay agenda to pursue.

Truly, I don't think Jojo and friends are that bad about anything with this show, because they're mostly just laughing and stating things that are obvious to people who pay attention to how the sausage is made.

Shipping

That being said, the biggest struggle OF is having is shipping. The FK girlies are so loud and their heavy breathing has likely influenced the way Jojo and friends decided to write Ray. The FB girlies are so into them that it's made Jojo and them dial back some of their Top content because the audience hates him so much. Only Boston and Nick feel like they've made it through the shipping gamut intact because Neo and Mark aren't bringing a bunch of preexisting shippers to the table.

Coming off of episode 10, you can see this plainly with the nasty4nasty dynamic with Boston and Nick. The emotional core of their dynamic feels true, even down to the way their moments in the store mirror their first interactions again. Boston came in for service about his phone and intentionally showed Nick something on it.

I don't think Jojo has ever had to work with multiple acting pairs that were big branded pairs prior to this, and this is only his second time really dealing with that. With Never Let Me Go, Pond and Phuwin weren't that big yet, and he wasn't threatening their ship with anything complicated. OF is challenging for people who just watch BL as fap material and have to deal with their faves not being easy people to parse.

As usual, we go back to that post that goes around all the time, thought I think the OP deleted it:

"Never ever be normal about fictional characters but please GOD be normal about the people who play them, I am begging you" -tumblr user mantorokk-writes

[desultory-novice]

Suggested Listening: Re_Birthday (lyrics)

-

I don't really mind the quiet...

Especially in my head. It's been...kind busy there for a while. 

I never bothered to count how many there were. More numbers were good. That was all. Or so we believed. But looking back, it was pretty miserable. Like on bad blizzard days, when they'd pack everyone into one room? It was that, only they never let you back out.

If there's one thing I'm tired of, it's how dark it is. See, we don't "see" things the way other species do. Yeah, I know: giant eyeball. But that was like...our brain. What we saw was the form of things. Their composition. But we didn't see light. We didn't see color. 

I think...that was on purpose.

Because, and I know this from experience, when you're trapped in complete darkness for long enough, you'll listen to anyone who provides you with even the faintest hope of things changing.

I spent way too long listening, unaware or more likely, uncaring that I was only dragging more voices into the same morass I was mired in.

But that's all over.

Someone stopped it. Came in like a star on the spring breeze and brought light and hope and dreams back to the world. And the voices have all faded. The others, they've been freed, I think. 

I don't know for sure because, well, I'm still here.

...But I think I might be the only one here now. I don't know if it's because I was their "favorite," or because my sins were worse than most, or if there's some other reason I'm still around.

I can guess what you're thinking about now, but it's okay.

I don't want you to cry over me, because I've come to terms with the fact that I'm not getting out. I thought it was that damn collar that started it. But, now that I've got all this time to myself to think, I'm pretty sure...I've been trapped for way longer than that.

Maybe the darkness is just who I am? 

You see, sometime back, I learned that a long time ago, when Earth still used a bunch of different languages, my name had a slightly different meaning that the one it has now.

One guess what that was.

...So, yeah...

That's why it's okay that I'm still here. And I'll be fine, even with the things I said. Listen, if me taking in all the darkness means that you're left with nothing but light, then I've done my job right.

Miss you, though.

And sorry I scared you last time we met. I kinda hope you never figured out that was me, but I think you probably did, after a while.

I won't be upset if you're mad at me for that. Or for lying to you about, well, a lot of stuff. For hiding what was going on with me.

I've got some other stuff I should apologize for too, but...I'd feel better if you never had to hear about those... Heh. Guess I'm taking more than a few secrets with me to my "grave." 

...Sorry if calling it that sounds depressing.

It's a pretty poor excuse for a grave too. It's got the "laying still in the dark" part down, but come on. I know I wasn't THAT great of a guy, but aren't graves supposed to come with fl...

"Pfffpht!"

...Suddenly... ...Miraculously... ...It wasn't all darkness anymore.

There were bright blues and purples and yellows and whites. Raining down on me where I slept from what had to have been heaven. They fell and they fell and they fell until I was practically drowning in them.

...Forget-me-nots.

"Okay, now you're overdoing it, silly girl."

-

Thank you for the inspiration, @driftwoodmfb

[farfromsugafanfic]

Rebound | Chapter Two: Offensive Foul

Genre: College AU, Basketball Captain!Yoongi, Basketball Captain!Reader, Idiots to Lovers, slight Rivals to Lovers, Hurt/Comfort

Pairing: Yoongi/Reader

Rating: M

Chapter Warnings: short chapter lol, public sex, discussed cheating, smut

Synopsis: You and Yoongi always catch each other on the rebound.

Previous | Series Masterlist | Next

Yoongi kicked the door shut and reached over to lock it in one swift motion. You managed to reach into your desk drawer where you kept a box of condoms. Normally, you gave them out to the girls on the team when they headed out on dates after practice, rarely did they ever come in handy for your own escapades.

"Yoongi..." you said, breathlessly, bunching up the bottom of his shirt in your hand, exposing the very slightest of his toned stomach. If you hadn't been sitting, you were sure your knees would've gone weak beneath you. "What about Ji-yoo?"

"What about her?" he asked, his mouth moving from your neck. He took off his shirt and tossed it aside. You nearly lost all the breath in your lungs as he made quick work of your shirt next, pulling it over your head and throwing it out of your sight. You were wearing just a plain sports bra, but Yoongi didn't seem to care, his lips attaching to your chest.

"Sh-She's probably waiting for you and she's your girlfriend." Despite your reservations, you slipped off your shorts and wrapped your legs around Yoongi's hips, feeling him against you. At this point, you needed him and even if you were betraying someone on your team, you weren't sure anything or anyone could stop you.

"She already left," he said. The words were all you needed to press your lips to his and grind against him. The friction was driving you crazy and you knew Yoongi was also eager to satiate the need.

It wasn't long before the rest of your clothes were on the ground and Yoongi was fucking you on your desk. You bit your lip trying to hold back the moans that threatened to spill from your lips. The top of your head brushed against the closed blinds and your hands roamed from Yoongi's hair and down his bare chest.

"Did you think about this a lot?" you asked, the tension building up in your stomach.

"All the fucking time," Yoongi said, his voice just more than a grunt. "You feel just like I imagined."

That sent you over the edge and you felt your orgasm pass through your body. Yoongi reached his just after and you fell against his chest, sweaty and out of breath.

Yoongi's hand came to rest momentarily behind your head before he pulled away and began collecting the clothes thrown around the room.

He handed you yours as he pulled on his boxers and shorts. You dressed, not saying a word, a wave of guilt suddenly washing over you. Yoongi had a girlfriend. A girlfriend who played on your team. You had no idea how you were going to face the girl the next day at practice.

"Yoongi," you said, trying to hide the fact you wanted to cry again. Normally, you weren't a crier, but something about the boy getting dressed in front of you made you let the barriers. "Ji-yoo is..."

"Not going to find out about this," he said.

You sighed and got off the desk and pulled on your clothes. Once you were both dressed, you glanced up at him and his face was oddly calm, his eyes studying you. You looked away quickly and crossed your arms.

He sighed and walked towards you, placing his hands on your shoulders. "Hey, don't start feeling guilty on me now. We've already taken this too far. I've already cheated."

The word sounded so harsh it sent a pang through your chest. You felt tears prick at your eyes, knowing this was partially your fault. You'd been upset and even if you didn't admit it, you were looking for comfort.

"I'll break up with her if you want," he said quietly. His right hand left your shoulder and intertwined itself with yours, but you quickly pulled away.

"No," you said. "I don't want you to hurt her. She's a sweet girl and she doesn't deserve this." The tears began to pour even though it was the last thing you wanted.

"Don't worry about Ji-yoo," Yoongi said, pulling you into a hug. "She's my problem. You didn't do anything wrong, Y/N."

"I gave you consent, Yoongi. I-I wanted it."

"Shhh," he said, pushing your hair back and kissing your hairline softly. The kiss was so chaste you hardly believed this was the same man you'd just had sex with. "Did you drive today?"

You shook your head. You hardly drove to practice anymore since you lived just a short bus ride away. Your roommates always told you it was dangerous to take the bus home by yourself so late, but you sometimes enjoyed the dark and quiet bus ride, allowing you to collect your thoughts.

"Come on, I'll drive you home."

You didn't argue knowing—this time—that it would be pointless. You gathered your things and followed Yoongi out to his car.

The drive was short, but the exhaustion hit you almost immediately. Your eyelids drooped as you listened to Yoongi hum along to some random rap album.

"Y/N," Yoongi whispered, softly rubbing his thumb over your knuckles. "We're here."

You opened your eyes and nodded. You muttered a quick thanks and opened the car door and grabbed your duffel bag.

"Wait, Y/N," Yoongi said. "Don't worry too much about today, I don't expect anything from you. We can pretend it never happened if you want—"

"Yoongi, it's okay. We don't need to discuss this. Just go home, okay?"

Yoongi swallowed and nodded. "Goodnight Y/N."

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[magicalyaku]

Ok ok, let's get back on track. Work was draining these past weeks, but I'm on vacation now, so time to catch up! June was the month of the library books. I put a bunch on hold in April and May and they all came in at the same time. And after up to 10 weeks of waiting I was not about to push a single one back further, so I had to work a bit there. 8D Also, according to my list I've read 51 books in the first 6 months of the year. I seem to remember wanting to read less this year? Yeah. Not going well.

Gwen & Art are Not in Love (Lex Croucher): I read it in the very first days of June, which was basically an eternity ago, so my memory is a bit wonky. I do remember I had lots of fun! It was funny and sweet with a solid story and serious times when needed, nice characters, good adventure. The female lead did not get on my nerves! There was a cat! And a girl with a (legendary) sword! I think, though, it's a bit unfair that both boys ended up with permanent bodily harm while the girls got away scratchfree … Go read it!!

Thief in the Night (KJ Charles): I didn't know anything about this other than the summary when I put it on my waitlist in the library. After 10 weeks it finally came in and my first thought was "Is it broken?!" because it's only about 100 pages! It is a full story, mind you, I was just so suprised by it (and because I waited for so long!). It's a companion story to The Gentle Art of Fortune Hunting, featuring the brother of the protagonists of that one. It's pretty cute. Super short, but just the right length for a simple story. We can have a simple story once in a while. I had a good time reading this.

The Gentle Art of Fortune Hunting (KJ Charles): I borrowed this right after Thief in the Night. This is a full-length novel, so it has a lot more time to dive into characters and intricacies. It's nice. Like not groundbreaking, but very enjoyable. There's this thing about (pseudo-historic) British aristocracy that just calls for mocking them. I liked a lot how the climax and ending played out!

Flowerheart (Catherine Bakewell): Now this was another difficult book for me. I thought with time I'd get a little more chill with YA fantasy heroines. Seems I'm not there yet. The heroine here has these whiny self-pitying phases that really annoyed me. She's like "Oh maybe he never liked me in the first place" just because the guy didn't want her help at one thing. But: 1) He was her very close childhood friend, that was not a lie. 2) She has like one day of training in and can't control her magic, so her help would be … probably no help at all. And 3) when he told her before that he needs her on the weekends she said no, she can't … So why is she getting upset?! I hate characters like this. /D But thankfully, this is only half of the time, the other half she's pretty ok (the guy as well) and I actually found myself liking the book. The romance is acceptable and it does have some nice imagery going on with all the flower magic and stuff.

Sounds Fake But Okay (Sarah Costello & Kayla Kaszyca): My one non-fiction book of the year. :D It's about seeing the world from the perspectives of a_spec people. Like taking apart all that amatonormativity and all these ideas about romance and family and stuff that most of our world sees as right and normal. So it's not just a "let me tell you what aromanticism and asexuality are"-book but dives a bit deeper. I found it insightful. I think, both a_spec and allo people can take something away from reading this. Challenging our social constructs in thought at least can't hurt after all. Regarding the ebook library edition I read I didn't quite like the layout as the incorporated community quotes where not well marked and I stumbled over them a few times before realising it's another quote. That's probably no issue in the paper version though. I also struggled to tell the authors Sarah and Kayla apart. They introduce themselves and their stories in the beginning but I immediately jumbled them up ...

Captive Prince Trilogy (C.S. Pacat): I borrowed the English edition from the library … and didn't want to return it! Which is stupid because I own the German version in paper. But that kinda sums up how I feel about these books. Captive Prince was not the very first gay fantasy book I read almost two years ago but the first one I liked. (The actual first was Rowan & Ash by Christian Händel which had a terribly selfish love interest and shied away from all the important conflict. (And yeah, long before that I did read The Raven Cycle but I picked that one up for the Ley lines and the no-kiss-promise. The gay was just a pleasant surprise, so I don't count it.)) Which is funny, because especially the beginning is so filthy! I remember being quite put off by this the first time around, but apparently it was intriguing enough to continue reading. I like the incredible slow-burn of Damen's and Laurent's relationship. The slow building of trust in a surrounding where trust is so rare. How shit happens between them and they have to sort it out on page before progressing. How you only catch glimpes of Laurent's true self for a long time. I like it when authors feel smart through their writing and writing Laurent's and the Regent's intrigues and all the different settings with war strategies etc. sure does feel smart to me. I like the slow-burn in stories as well when things start at some point and only get important much later and all weaves together beautifully. It's so rewarding. Look, where we started - look, how far we've come! Hah. u3u

Riley Weaver Needs a Date for the Gaybutante Society (Jason June): For the end of the month I went for something light and funny. Of all the authors I read last year F.T. Lukens and Jason June stuck with me the most. Lukens for the cozy charming fantasy and June for the slightly silly noisy onea. Riley Weaver is no exception to that. It does have a serious undertone and message, though, but due to the framework of the story it manages to never feel dull or preachy.

I also tried to read Dragonfall by L.R. Lam, but gave up after just 50 pages. I can't even say if it's good or bad, because I don't know. I couldn't stand the viewpoints. Like, there's three people. The first one is a 1st person narrator, who refers to the second person as You, but in the narration, not dialogue! That put me off so much. It was so … icky! The second person narrates 1st person as well. If there's another "you" I don't know because I didn't make it to the point where they meet for real. And then the third person comes along and … it's 3rd person?! And I screamed! God, I hate that. I mean, it can work and I have read books that I like with inconsistent viewpoints but there was nothing here for which I was willing to endure. To be fair, I don't like dragons in the first place, so maybe we never were a good match from the start. :'D

That's it for June!

[o-uncle-newt]

Cabin Pressure Advent Day 12: Limerick

LIIIIIMMMMEEERRRRIIICCCCKKKK!

OK so full disclosure, I wrote this yesterday. The two reasons are a) I knew I'd be busy today with no time to do it and b) after Kuala Lumpur I needed to get in a listen of my third favorite Cabin Pressure episode to remind myself what I love so much about this show. It was a Good Decision.

I mean, what is there to say that hasn't already been said by so many? It's hilariously funny, beautifully constructed, full of great character moments, and gives us a game of 20 Questions to play alongside of. (Though I WILL admit, the visual of a game of charades to try to convey/guess what's in the box... does definitely tickle me lol.) There are so many different moving pieces and they all slot in together SO WELL.

I said in a previous post that Limerick is the episode I listen to when I'm feeling lonely. (Incidentally, it's also probably the episode I've listened to the most, period. I wish there was a way to figure out how many times, because I wouldn't be surprised if it's 100+.) I decided that while listening this time I'd try to bear that in mind, and see what it is about the episode that just works for those moments. And I think that there are a bunch of different things that all work together-

For one thing, and this almost doesn't need to be said, but it's just... really funny! And listening to funny things is just generally a great way to feel better about things. Pretty self-explanatory.

It's also the episode that, more than any other, is us basically eavesdropping on a bunch of people talking to each other and hanging out. It's in real time, as though we're just listening in on the satcom or whatever, and there's something nice, when you're alone, about listening in on others, especially others who you've come to love, having a nice time.

More than that, loneliness is a bit of a theme in this episode. Martin and Carolyn admit that they're lonely in their personal lives, and Douglas, after initially lying through his teeth about it, admits that he's newly alone as well, after being betrayed by a wife who he loved (I'm still not over the brown sauce thing). For one thing, when you're lonely, hearing other people say they're lonely is always nice; for another, knowing that Martin and Carolyn, at least, will end up meeting people who make them happy is a nice booster.

And for a third thing... well, it plays into what I've been saying about how so much of what I love about this show is how characters become closer through showing vulnerability. Feeling alone can be (almost tautologically) isolating, and admitting it to other people can take a lot of courage, especially when it's tied up in other related insecurities. Martin's loneliness is tied in, in his mind at least, with his not being a "real" paid airline pilot; Carolyn's is admitted to despite her wanting to project that feeling of control and fulfillment that running her own business gives her; and Douglas's... well, it's basically a semi-deconstruction of a mythos. Being left is bad enough, but being cheated on... especially for someone who said back in Fitton that he and Helena were united by a shared belief that he is terrific, this is a pretty big sea change to admit to having happened. And it's a big thing for him to admit he's upset about, and to accept condolences about from Martin; he moves past that part pretty quickly by making jokes about tai chi, but he's much less bitter than he was back in Gdansk, when it was a lot fresher and he felt a lot more unbalanced. An episode where Douglas is vulnerable will always be an interesting episode- and one that really symbolizes that they're becoming inextricably connected.

(I'll also add parenthetically that the flight being one that carries horse sperm from one end of the world to the other is an interesting symbolism for loneliness and lack of connection... and leave it there because, like Arthur, thinking about it too long mildly grosses me out lol.)

Anyway, so much else to say about it but I won't belabor the point- just to say.... this episode, like Gdansk, has been so incredibly important to me for so long that it's almost hard to even try to break it down into elements. And I'll take this moment to thank John Finnemore for having written it.

Tomorrow (so to speak)... Molokai!