#Lies of Heroism

[t0rschlusspan1k]

A realistic depiction of violence also serves to show that even if you do survive a war, you probably won’t feel like a hero. In fact, the impact of combat can be so traumatic that the toll it takes on your mental health can end up destroying exactly what you thought you’d protect, and leave you as a mere shell of your former self that’s neither heroic, nor victorious over evil, nor death-transcending. War don't ennoble men. It turns them into dogs. What is important to remember is that in hero systems, violence and suffering can be redeemed as long as they serve a greater purpose. As Becker wrote; “What man really fears is not so much extinction, but extinction with insignificance.” And so when we’re discussing the cinematic depiction of combat and trauma, this nuance is precisely the reason why many war films stumble in their message. One popular war film that exemplifies this is Saving Private Ryan. The film opens with the invasion of Allied soldiers at Normandy. The 20 minute or so sequence, which is filmed in a realistic-looking documentary style, features graphic violence, terrified soldiers, and the overall chaos and destruction of combat. But after that, as Agnieszka Monnet explains in her essay “Is There Such a Thing as an Anti-War Film?”, the conventions of Hollywood storytelling re-emerge and ultimately frame the violence and cost of human life as heroic, and renders it all meaningful. This is most notably demonstrated as our main hero falls at the end, which could have left us wondering if the sacrifice to save Private Ryan was worth it or not. But instead, the film provides us a clear answer with its epilogue in which Ryan lives to be a good man and beloved grandfather, who remembers and honors the men who died for his sake. In doing so, we are reassured that all is well, that all the sacrifices eventually served a heroic purpose, and death has successfully been transcended to achieve greater significance. To emphasize; this doesn’t make Saving Private Ryan a bad film, but it does make it a comfortable one, and as such, it greatly detracts from its effectiveness as a true anti-war statement. In his review, David Walsh also draws attention to the film’s heroic leaders. “The implicit stance taken by the film” – he writes - “is that only the authorities in Washington concerned themselves with ideological matters, while the men in the field were unthinkingly doing the dirty work.” By looking closer at the representatives of what we could see as the film’s hero system, we indeed see that they are portrayed as righteous, rational, and deeply concerned with the suffering of soldiers and their loved ones. The point is not so much if leaders were actually like this or not, but that it doesn’t at all question the hero system that is driving the violence. The film states the sacrifices were costly, but then assures us they were laid upon the altar of freedom. And this sentiment of meaningful suffering echoes throughout the entire film, and in doing so, redeems it. What it comes down to is that despite showing the gritty reality of combat, war films can still romanticize instead of criticize if they do not question the general function of their hero systems.

— Like Stories of Old, Lies of Heroism. Redefining the Anti-War Film

[lookedinfinite]

𝗙𝗜𝗟𝗘: // tag dump: verses (1)

𝗠𝗔𝗜𝗡 𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗘: // in that moment of revelation

𝗣𝗥𝗘 𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗪: // work is the best antidote to sorrow

𝗗𝗢𝗖𝗧𝗢𝗥 𝗪𝗛𝗢: // the more bizarre / the less mysterious

𝗣𝗢𝗪𝗘𝗥𝗘𝗗: //  heroism all around us

𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗠𝗘𝗗: // your life is not your own

𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗥 𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗞: // tomorrow we disappear into the unknown

𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗥 𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗞 𝗠𝗢𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗦: // let me go leave me whole

𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗙𝗜𝗟𝗘𝗥 𝗔𝗨: // a curious constitution

𝗛𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗟: //  I'm afraid of what the answer will be

𝗟𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗚𝗘: //  these lullabies filled with lies

𝗘𝗟𝗬𝗦𝗜𝗔𝗡 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗟𝗠: //  clear your slate and wipe your conscience

[phdiism]

𝗙𝗜𝗟𝗘: // tag dump: verses (1)

[finalgirlsamwinchester]

@paellegere posting and replying to your tags bc yes! love this addition, also i have extra thoughts now.

guy who so desperately tries to find god. who wants to have faith in a higher authority to guide him out of the hole he's in. from the weight of guilt from simply existing, as the person he is. but every time he thinks he's answered his higher calling it turns out he's made the Morally Incorrect choice and his path to goodness and holiness was the road to the devil all along

[ilynpilled]

But if a character deserved better and they don't get it, then that's unsatisfying bad fiction and I deserve better than being left annoyed/upset by a story's ending.

not really. if it is thematically coherent with the rest of the story and how it approaches finding meaning in actions and it works as a tragedy as well then it is not a writing issue. i only take “deserved better” seriously if they deserved better execution/the story left glaring untapped potential. otherwise i dont buy into “good people are entitled to rewards, because that is satisfying” bc i like when art proposes that that is not how it works and also it should not be what motivates us to be “good”. true heroism lies in the desire to try even despite of this reality, so it works if the reality is actually presented in the text. a character arc being incoherent and thematically unfulfilling is a different thing, and that is not about intradiegetic “deserving”

[essycogany]

Sonic As A Villain

I don’t have a name for him, but this is my interpretation of Sonic as a villain. Here’s a hint, imagine if you noticed it, but not through his personality.

I’ve seen many interpretations of Sonic as a villain and instead of having him be a Sonic but on a bad day like Scourge. Sonic but dark and more violent like in Sonic X. Or Sonic but insane like Fleetway or Chaos Sonic, let’s have something different.

Have you ever noticed how Sonic can always manipulate a situation? He does it a bunch when he fights or interacts with people. It’s almost never in a negative way, but it does come across as a bit prideful and egotistical. Usually everything ends up going his way or has to go his way.

I believe if Sonic was ever to be a villain, he’d be a master manipulator. Funnily enough Sonic barely ever lies about things in most continuities, but at the same time is able to trick people or bend things to his will whenever he needs to. I’d like to think a villainous Sonic would be perceived as a good guy. Like standing up for Tails, but instead of moving on and letting Tails join him, Sonic manipulates Tails into beating up the bullies who bullied him.

He’d make Amy feel as if she doesn’t need to fend for herself and tell her to rely on him whenever she needs help. Or tell Knuckles to never trust anyone or ends up not inspiring him, so Knuckles stays antagonistic and untrusting. He’d inspire people to be the worst versions of themselves. Therefore creating a toxic atmosphere. Ideas like that.

This Sonic would be one who’d not care about being famous or rule over anything like a dictator. He’s like normal Sonic in a sense that he goes by his own rules, but it’d be for the worst intentions. He also takes advantage that he’s fast and uses his speed as a weapon. Destroying homes, pulling pranks, stealing, messing up the ecosystem, and all that jazz. He might save the world if it meant he didn’t have to die. But he doesn’t care if some Egg-shaped scientist is destroying the world. As long as he’s not bothering Sonic, why should he care? If he does go against Eggman or any other villains, he’d most likely kill them on the spot. Not out of heroism, but just out of spite. He doesn’t like being bothered.

When he says he doesn’t mind being the bad guy, he means it literally. He’d lack the emotional depth Sonic has and be a caricature of the “Cool guy being a jerk” trope. He doesn’t care if he’s seen as evil or not. He just likes causing mischief. No tragic backstory for him. Sonic’s the way he is because he chooses to be. That includes when he’s the bad guy.

He could act like a good guy in front of a crowd, but in reality, he’s causing the issues people believe he’s saved them from. All you gotta do with an evil version of him is turn his best/worst attributes of his personality and crank them to 100. He doesn’t have to be wild and crazy about it. He’d be just as chill and laid back as normal Sonic. Except he enjoys the chaos around him. Unlike other evil interpretations he’s the most similar to normal Sonic. And it makes things so much worse when he causes problems.

This isn’t the perfect idea, but I do like the concept of Sonic but evil in a way that almost doesn’t change his morals/personality.

[mamawasatesttube]

ok i wasnt planning on saying anything about the tim drake valentines day bullshit horrors but then i saw how that damn writer was talking about it on bsky and i need to commit an act of exploding someone violently.

screencaps courtesy of @ghostiiest; thanks gray i need to egg this man's house.

"i justified it with off-panel scenes in my head" you are a writer. you are supposed to fucking write.

the idea that the secret identity guy (tim) from the secret identity subsection (batman) of the secret identity genre (superheroes) jsut casually told someone his identity in an entirely off panel conversation because you needed to turn his first gf into a yaoi cheerleader on page is FUCKING INSANE.

also sorry but propping up timari only to shit on tim's regard for zoanne and tam, i.e. saying he would feel guilty for lying to the white girl but not so much for heroism and lies ruining his relationships with two black girls, is not a good look brendan. jesus god

[sscarletvenus]

yes suguru's plans to exterminate a vast majority of humanity is undeniably evil, but to say that he is murderous from the very start, cruel for the sake of being so, or lacks compassion or any emotional nuance is a gross disservice to his character's writing.

suguru is a case study of a romantic idealist and self-sacrificial saviour whose absurdly rigid, quixotic ideals are shattered brutally by reality intervening. the intense hatred he has for humanity is born out of, is an inverse of, the intense love he once possessesed for it. this is also why even though satoru is portrayed as brash and selfish and arrogant in the hidden inventory arc, it is suguru that turns "villainous."

suguru places his faith in the goodness of humanity, believes the duty of shamans is to protect the weak, their existence solely hinged upon saving the lives of non-sorcerers, and for that he is disappointed so tremendously, betrayed to an extent that makes it impossible for him to recover his ideals and past self.

ultimately there are also more than one reasons why satoru doesn't become "evil" : 1) "protecting humanity" was never his cause to begin with. he hardly cared about preserving human life, as is evident in his intentions to kill the cultists who cheered on riko's death, and 2) he had someone shielding his inner self : suguru. for it is suguru that tells him the duty of shamans is to protect non-shamans and the weak, suguru who asks him to sympathise with riko, suguru who persuades him to not kill meaninglessly.

satoru is indeed attached to riko, as well. he is the one who decides not to hand riko over to tengen if she wishes to return home, and tries to enliven her last days as a lucid person. it would thus not surpass one’s expectations if satoru turned to villainy post riko's demise, since he never even liked non-shamans to begin with. and yet, he doesn't. suguru protects his heart, which is a part of why he is able to steadily process his grief and anguish over riko's death.

suguru doesn't have anyone to do that for him, he is strong in his own right but not the "strongest", nobody notices how deep of an abyss his soul has sunken in, and he succumbs to the lethal loneliness, falters in this marathon of sorcery.

suguru is brimming with love and compassion: it is what drives his heroism in youth and villainy as a cult leader. he is able to protect gojo's heart but not his own. he fluctuates between two polar extremes : utter distaste of humanity Vs. a duty to protect it despite its horrors. three things serve as final nails to the metaphorical coffin : yuki's words, haibara's death, miminana's abuse. he describes imbibing curses for curse manipulation is "like eating a rag used to clean vomit". how macabre, how grotesque, how enlightening - who is he doing all this for? the humans who killed riko? it was these humans haibara died serving, these same humans violently mistreated miminana.

toji and sonoda encapsulate evil very blatantly, and aren't enough to shake suguru's belief in humanity. but the turning point is the non-shaman cultists rejoicing : suguru is thus forced to confront the banality of evil.

and suguru responds by rejecting what he once loved, embraces the darkness plaguing him. believes the only way to eradicate curses is to uproot their source : humanity. humans, for as long as they will live, will give rise to curses born out of their negative emotions. there is no one to tell him any better, or protect his self-identity. he loses himself to his own sense of empathy, his own ideals.

he isn't indifferent at all, cannot pick and choose whom he loves and doesn't. his love and hatred is collective, in both he gives his all. even amidst his hatred, he doesn't lose his love.

who does he choose to target first, once amassing enough money, power, and reputation? sonoda, the man who ordered riko's assassination. someone who lies in wait to enact vengeance does it out of love. if he was nothing more than a corrupt tyrant, he wouldn't remember the circumstances of riko's demise or care enough about them. suguru's rise as a hero and his subsequent fall as a villain has always been about love. and it seems, to me, up until his death, he prioritizes satoru over himself. doesn't see satoru as a weapon at all, or he would have directly asked satoru to join his cause. instead he poses to satoru a question, presents him with a choice - which in turn makes satoru shaken enough to question his identity, his place in the system, becoming a teacher and dedicating his all to a fitting reformist centrism from an isolated and dare i say, individualistic person such as himself, who stands on the pinnacle of power. but he wouldn't have come to such a conclusion without suguru's experiences shaping his worldview (he himself apologizes to riko during his fight with toji because rather than feeling depressed over her death, he feels the pure pleasure of the world in that moment. killing toji endows him with a sense of duty towards megumi, and riko's death but obviously impacts him, but the change from full apathy, to neutral indifference except in the case of his students, was losing suguru.)

as evil as suguru becomes, he is not a hypocrite. that he kills his own parents is to show the seriousness and conviction he has in his ideals. his code of operation is consistent, even when it turns from pro-human to pro-shaman.

reminds you of what mahito tells yuuji: does yuuji ever consider how many curses he kills? so why should mahito account for how many humans he kills? suguru geto presents us with a possible answer : someone has to care about how many shamans are killed.

you can condemn him for his use of collective punishment, but suguru is a villain!

you can criticize his killing of innocents, but jjk conveys the carefully crafted narrative of a villain who once held staunch traditional and moral ideals.

suguru is evil for proposing collective punishment, but it is incredibly consistent with how emotional he is. he is empathetic because he cares about a girl like riko, doomed by the actions of the rest of the world, forgotten in her misery. he cares and it drives him to the deepest pits of despair, where life loses all color and meaning, despite only knowing her for so long and haibara as well, he enshrines haibara in his memory, when no one other than nanami does. hardly anyone remembers riko's existence, haibara's laughing face, but he does! and for that he spends each moment sinking in the quagmire of his grief and torment. his empathy is a sword of damocles hanging over his neck! to say that he is cruel and unfeeling is to contradict the very agony that drives his (wrongful?) actions. and he is indeed wrong for externalizing this indelible pain, wanting to inflict it upon innocents. but suguru is a villain! has been set up as such!

mahito raises this question to junpei,"is the opposite of love really indifference?" to satoru, it is. but to suguru, it is hatred which is the opposite of love.

[startheskelaton]

I bet you ain’t ever seen Soundwave without his helmet before XD

In all seriousness though, I like to head cannon that Sparkplug feels more comfortable/confident with her helmet thanks to Soundwave, and that Soundwave was the one who gave Sparkplug her helmet as present.

I’m sorry to ask but are you ok with me sharing my headcannons about the one spark au?

Allow me to go on another tangent.

I realized with this AU, the main core of the story is the battle between extreme selflessness and extreme selfishness, and how they can dictate someone’s actions for both better and worse.

With Sparkplug in particular, she inherited a huge amount of heroism from Optimus Prime. She dose what she believes to be the right thing, even if it leads to her embarrassing herself because she misread a situation. She wants to make everyone happy because that’s just what she feels is natural. However she also inherited a sense of self worth from Megatron. If she believes she can do something, she will not stop until she can prove to everyone she’s capable. This also makes her extremely stubborn and prone to emotional outbursts. Even though she’s been given opportunities to thrive, she rejects them because that’s not what she wants to do. However the problem for her lies within her knowing that these parts of her are inherited from her parents. And that she is mostly defined by her parents.

Selfless: “I have a responsibility to live up to others expectations because they need to know that prime isn’t gone. If I don’t jump in when I see someone possibly getting made fun of, then I might have ignored someone in need of help. I’m gonna become stronger so my parents will feel safe enough let me become a scout”

Selfish: “I hate that people see me as a replacement, it wasn’t my choice to exist. If I don’t prove I’m a good person then everyone is gonna assume I’m evil like my dad. I don’t care if I could breeze by as a medical assistant, I’m gonna become a scout to see the world and prove everyone wrong”

So this is where the Soundwave helmet comes in.

The helmet was a gift from Soundwave to a young Sparkplug. A very prideful gift but a nice one. With it, Sparkplug developed the Shatter persona. This was essentially just her, but without the burden of responsibility and public judgement. She finds herself looking up to Soundwave a lot because for the most part, he sees her more like one of his cassettes then anything else.

So she plays it up with the persona. Because that would mean all of her personality traits were inherent to her, not given by someone else. A nice temporary escape.

[blue-drink]

Baby in the Watchtower (He is Baby pt. 2)

“Marvel!” He turned around to see an exited Flash right in his face.

He stepped back a little, “Woah, what is it?” He asked.

“Bats gave us permission to hold a little party—,” he fake-coughed, “reunion, on the Watchtower, in 3 hours.” The speedster jumped while whispering, “We are planing to connect a Switch to the presentation screen.”

“Oh, well. Have fun.” He wasn’t really sure why he was telling him that, tho.

“Aren’t you coming?” Oh, that’s why.

The Captain wondered for a moment, but his thoughts were interrupted, “Sorry, Billy. But we already made plans, remember?” That’s true; even with the signed documents, they still had to ‘move some strings’ so he was officially adopted in Fawcett’s records and completely recognized as a child of Zeus on Olympus.

His smile faltered a little, he hoped Flash didn’t see it. “Ah, sorry. I have places to go, family matters, y’know?”

For a second Flash looked disappointed, before widening his eyes and asking “Wait, you have a family? Wait, wait, that came out wrong.”

He breathed for a second before trying again, “Well, everyone in the League thought you did not have a secret identity. Because you do not hide your face, and all.”

Solomon, secretly as much of a trickster as the rest, guided him on how to respond.

“Ah, well, you weren’t wrong.”

“Wait-what?”

“Technically it’s not official yet, that’s what I’ve to take care today; and I’ve only been with them for...” “A month,” Mercury whispered in his mind; it was a lie, but it was to throw them off track. “For a month.” He lied.

“How does that even happen???” The hero asked, confused.

“Supes is eavesdropping, answer truthfully to avoid suspicion.” Hercules informed.

“I... Didn’t have a family. I was living on the streets. I’m better now, tho!” He quickly reassured before anyone could start scolding him for keeping that to himself. “I’m fine. I’m going to fix some papers to be officially part of the family.”

“You were on the streets????? And you didn’t tell us???”

He did not know how to keep talking about this, so he let Atlas take control for a bit, “I did not know any better.” It wasn’t a lie, all his foster homes were worse. That would not be how they would be interpreting.

“I found a place, they even know I’m a hero!”

“That’s... So cool buddy.” The speedster said, trying to sound positive, but grimacing all the same. “I’m so happy for you.”

“It’s true, he is happy for you getting a family, but he is sad for you having to live in the streets in the past.” Solomon decoded for him.

“Thank you!” He exclaimed happily, with seemed to make the other more uncomfortable; but his patrons family told him not to mind him, that it was ok.

“Well, see you around!” He said, turning to the Zeta tubes.

“Bye bye.” Flash said, failing to meet his excitement.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“New Marvel lore just dropped!” The speedster exclaimed, running into the room.

“Dude, the party does not start in 2 hours— I mean, the reunion—”

“I know you wanted it to throw a game party,” Batman interrupted. “What were you saying about Captain Marvel?”

“Okay, okay,” Flash jumped into his seat, “so, you remember that bet about if he does or not have a S.I. (Secret Identity)?”

“You got an answer???” Green Lantern questioned.

“I think so? Now the question is if that bet counts until last month or currently.”

“Wha-” Aquaman asked, confused.

“I invited him to the party, and he kinda looked sad for a second, and then he told me he had ‘family matters’ to attend to.”

“So he does have a S.I.! How does he keep it shut?”

“He also, kinda, implied that that was new. He said that...” He paused. “It turns out he was homeless.”

“... What?” That came from Bats, surprisingly high-pitched as well.

“He was living in the streets until a month ago. He said that technically he wasn’t a part of the family officially yet, that he was going to fix that today.”

“Sometimes I forget heroism isn’t a paid job.” Wonder Woman said, “Oh, brother.”

“Is this information confirmed in any way?” Batman asked; if the facts could be a misunderstanding, he would need to know so before putting them in the Captain’s archive.

“I was eavesdropping,” Superman admitted, “his heart rate and breathing were steady, unlike when he does pranks. And he wouldn’t lie about something like this.”

Martian Manhunter raised his hand, “sometimes I received feeling of worry about food and warm places from him, even when avoiding looking into his mind, until recently. Not exactly one month, but that could be because he is used to worrying about it.”

“Now that I think about it, maybe that’s why he doesn’t wear a mask;” Arthur said. “He didn’t have anything nor anyone, so he didn’t worry about losing anything by having his identity revealed.”

“That doesn’t explain why he didn’t tell us.” GL counter-argumented.

“His villains know. In the recordings, they seem to reference a secret identity they know; and if they knew about him being homeless, it would explain them targeting almost empty buildings. That’s probably where he was staying.” Gotham’s knight answered, “And maybe it wasn’t about us finding out about someone, but us finding out about his situation.”

“He is the type to refuse help if he thinks it comes from pity.” Diana added.

“... What now?” The situation was too unexpected, and Flash needed some hint on how to proceed.

“Now, nothing changes. He hates pity; and if he needs help, his new family will provide it for him. Treat him the same you have always treated him.” Bats answered. “If anything, make sure not to say anything that may be hurtful towards his situation.”

************************************************************************

“Oops,” Marvel said. “Double oops,” Billy responded.

“It seems the spell from that user has interfered with the transformation.” Solomon explained through Marvel.

“Well, I can see that. What do we do now?”

“Wait a sec, I’m asking Hecate.” Mercury answered this time. “Okay, that spell is still in you— our? Marvel’s system; if we try to de-transform again it could fragment us further, which is no good, and we can’t re-integrate until it’s out.”

“How long?” “At least two days.”

“Wha— I have a JL meeting! Today!”

“I’m sure we can manage,” Achilles proclaimed confidently.

“Ah-ha, sure. Because any of you know how to act like Captain Marvel.” Billy said, sarcastically.

“I have an idea.” Zeus said.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Hey, I kinda have a problem.” Receiving a text from Captain Marvel was not a common occurrence, so Batman was rightfully intrigued.

“Explain”

“I know I have to go to the meeting, I know it's important. But I kinda have to take care of one of my family members. He’s a kid and everyone is busy today, and he really loves superheroes, so if I could?”

“Doesn’t he have school?” The bat questioned. “He is homeschooled” The captain explained. “He is a really, really good kid, I promise”

He was going to regret it. “Very well, but he is your responsibility”

“Thank you so much, Mr. Batman, sir!”

He closed the chat, and opened another with Clark and Diana. “Captain Marvel will bring a child he is babysitting to the meeting, pass the word.”

Let’s hope this wouldn’t be a complete chaos.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Captain Marvel, now arriving.” “Unknown, Captain Marvel’s guess, now arriving.” The Zeta tube prompted.

“Yo, Cap,” Barry appeared in front of them, “who’s the kid?”

The child imminently peaked up, “Oh, gods. Hello, Mr. Flash, sir.”

The speedster felt déjà vu. “Hello, little guy. What’s your name?”

The kid putted, “I’m Billy, and for your information I’m eleven and a half!”

He laughed, “not so big if you are still counting the half.”

“That half is 5% of my life, or 2 years of yours.” Billy said with an almost creepy smile.

He turned to the Captain, “dude, what’s wrong with your kid?”

Marvel just smiled, “Oh, come on. He’s just playing.”

“He called me an old man!”

“First, no he didn’t. That words haven’t left his mouth.”

“He implied it!”

“Second, you implied he was a baby.”

“What a menace.” The speedster gave up. “Anyway, let’s go.”

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Is everybody here now?” Superman asked, ignoring the exited squeaks from Billy.

“Yeah, sorry, I’m late.” Marvel answered.

The meeting started; a bit boring. Passing reports, making sure everything of the JL was in order.

An hour later; they were technically done, but could not leave until Bats gave them the thumps up.

“Hey, kid, look.” Hal said, making forms with his ring. Billy praised it like he hadn’t seen it a hundred times before.

“That is SO COOL, Mr. Green Lantern, sir!” He exclaimed.

Quickly, all the members noticed the resemblance between the Captain and Billy. Which, for them, was weird. He had only been part of the family for a few months, who could the kid act so much like him? Were all people in Fawcett like this?

That was assuming he wasn’t related to Captain Marvel; but, taking into account that he had managed to hide being homeless for a year, it was possible he was Marvel’s child.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

He was searching information about the kid; of course he was, he is Batman.

William ‘Billy’ Joseph Batson, orphan at 5, disappeared from foster care at 8 and reappeared a few months ago. Was homeless, until a couple found and adopted him. ‘Jove Olympia’; he opened one of his archives, this one on Greek mythology, and ran a facial recognition program. 90% match between ‘Jove’ and one of Zeus’ statues.

The facts were clear. The Captain, C. C. Batson, pronounced dead, transformed into the god's avatar, found his son Billy running from CPS and ended up living in the streets with him to protect him.

December is specially harsh on the homeless; the Captain probably asked, begged, his patron to take his son to safety. And so he did.

[fluideli123]

I've watched the DP&W movie twice in theaters and three plus times on a pirated site, and I wanted to grant my analysis on Wade and Logan's relationship that not only respects Vanessa--because Vanessa was literally Wade's Soulmate until shit hit the fan and you can pry that fact from my cold dead hands. But also explains how Logan and Wade actually represent a a-spec experience and relationship that I feel like no one has really gotten into. Am I saying they're a-spec? No. But that doesn't mean queer relationships that are fairly normal in a-spec spaces doesn't mean they don't exist outside of them as well.

First of all, the only two reasons I believe Vanessa and Wade broke up was 1) Wade went back in time to save Vanessa and he told her after his usual routine of jokes and lies and 2) Wade finally believed he could be something more, a hero, only to be turned down by the people who are known for their heroism, leaving him lost.

I genuinely believe Vanessa had a hard time taking in that knowledge, but knowing Wade and everything they've been through she would get through that like the badass she is and work through it using her plans A-Z, as she always does. But I think to really stop that woman from continuing to start a family with Wade like she wanted to in Deadpool 2, is if Wade was no longer within the right mindset to do so.

Deadpool 1 introduced Wade as someone who believed he was a bad guy who got paid to fuck up worse guys, he refused the term hero, and the moment he even tried to reach for something selfless. An act that would hopefully spare Vanessa from the pain of cancer, it all got fucked up and he got turned into a monster. Someone he deemed even lesser than he was before. So far gone and completely removed from what he was loved for (his looks and personality, but how could his personality stand alone when he looked so ugly? As ugly as he always felt on the inside?)

So he turned to what he's always known: Tracking people down and making them pay. In his mind this only confirms that he's a monster, he isn't deserving of Vanessa, of anyone. Which is why he finds comfort in Blind Al, a woman who will only have to deal with his personality and not be able to see how ugly he actually is. Symbolism for showing only half of himself and not him in his entirety (not that he can hide it from her, she's too wise, knowledgeable, caring, and knows Wade better than he knows himself at this point.)

Eventually, he finishes his hunt and is still loved despite what had transpired. Vanessa still chose him, still loved him. So maybe despite how ugly he is, he can still be loved. This grounded him, solidified his self worth, have him such stability that he had a thriving relationship with Vanessa that they were SO ready to start a family, aspired to live that dream. Another act of selfishness. Only to, once again, be met by pain. Get his dream taken away, once again resorting to what he knows: revenge.

Wade wants to be a hero? He gets forcefully mutated. Wade wants a family? Vanessa gets killed. Both are immediately solved by death, but that self-loathing and sickening hatred towards himself do nothing to cure that same confirmation he had once thought he got over: That he wasn't a monster, he could be loved, be something else.

So of course Vanessa is who, even in death, looks him in the eyes and tells him he cares, he has always cared. He cares so deeply about the people in his life he meets who unconditionally love him for him as time passes, despite all his flaws.

Wade wants to be a hero? Colossus believes he can be. Wade wants to save the 13-year-old abused kid? Vanessa knows he can. He saves lives by sacrificing himself. He scarified his comfort to show Vanessa the full truth of his ugliness, he sacrificed his life for Russel to give him a better life. Maybe he isn't a complete monster, maybe he can believe again. He can be selfish, he can be reckless. So he goes back and saves more people. Heroes do that. They save the people they love. You don't hold the whole world on your shoulders, no, like Miles learned in ATSV you think of one person of the few people you want to fight against the world to protect. And he did just that.

With Vanessa back and a big family he can finally chase after what he wasn't meant for. Because it's only happened twice, it wouldn't happen again-

Rejection. He can't be a hero because people don't need him. He is the needy one, the one who wants to be needed, needs to be wanted. So, it's the crash. The final straw. He breaks. He breaks so hard because what the fuck is the point to trying if every time he is met with failure? Rejection? Pain? Loss? He becomes so stuck in figuring this all out he neglects his relationship with Vanessa, causing issues. They go separate ways, but still so close, because you don't just lose your best friend like that, even if you're no longer partners. They're always meant to be together one way or another.

So you have this broken man who is searching for purpose, years later still harboring this tiny flicker of hope that he can be greater. He can be great. He can be a hero.

His world is in trouble, he doesn't think twice saving it. He accepts he isn't perfect for this, not like all the big guys back in Avengers headquarters, but he can't let his loved ones die because of someone he's had a vendetta against the last two movies.

He literally fights and fights and fights to find someone to help him, Wade can't save who he loves he has to find someone else you can, anyone else.

Than a broken, desperate man walks into a bar to see another broken man who has since long given up.

The thing about Logan and Wade is that they don't need words. Wade blew himself up in order to die in the second movie, Logan drinks himself away, both knowing they can't die no matter how much they want to. How much they believe they deserve it.

So Wade sees a Wolverine who has potential, who hasn't hurt him (unlike the others, he gets hurt so much, guys) and places his faith in him without hesitation. From that moment on he has never truly doubted Logan's abilities nor his heroism, because he knew his Logan and if his world was anchored by a Logan than all Logan's are built with something he isn't. They're made to be heroes, made to be important. Yeah, they fight, but I strongly believe that's how two broken men say everything words can't possibly describe.

I mean what words could describe the way they go all out on each other, knowing the other can't die, the way Wade looks up at him, not wanting to regrow his entire body because he needs to save his world and understands Logan and has to decide to say something that'll convince him to help. Wade doesn't know if stopping the machine will completely save his world or if a new Logan will patch it up too, it's his own educated wish he passes onto Logan. Because just like Russel, he cares. He understands. He wants to help.

It's that faith, hope, and resistance and face of humor despite it all that causes Logan to stick by that dumb asses side. He lost everything, he is seeing someone like himself before he stumbled home drunk from the bar to find everyone dead. Someone who is capable of doing something he wasn't able to. He wants to help, more and more for Wade and less himself, a silent journey of healing following Wades steps everywhere they stumble into.

Because Logan was just drunk at a bar before being told he was needed to save a world, told he was the worst before being offered help anyone, getting praised over his capabilities, and than told again and again how he is able to be someone he never thought he could be. Much like Wade was and is.

Logan sees it. Wade most likely ignores it, much like anything else. He isn't very open with anyone other than Vanessa as we've learned.

So just- of course Wolverine is the honest one, of course he hits low, he sees himself and Wade and wants to hurt him. Wade wants to hurt him back, but only when he's directly attacked by his words and threats, a way of not taking shit. Logan took shit from the world and than didn't from Wade and his emotional rollercoster right. And I think without whatever happened in that Honda Odyssey things wouldn't have been the same. They needed that fight, that release, that hatred from themselves to burst into the form of someone else who could take it just as much as the other could.

Logan listens to Wade's home at the borderlands. Logan is given kindness and tough love. Logan joins. Logan begins to understand how most linger by Wade's side despite everything. He sees why. He's a force, he doesn't give up, he doesn't quit, not for others. It grants strength, though imperfect and messy.

Logan believes Wade deserves better. So he plans on sacrificing himself only for Wade to once again show how much of a Hero he wants to be and could be. Only for those two idiots to hold hands to madona and come to a mutual understanding and comfort that has Wade making room for Logan in his and Al's apartment.

And there is something so inherently a-spec about not being explicitly sexual with each other, having an understanding that goes beyond direct words and full truths. They they can hurt one another and it feels so good, so wanted and cherished. How they support one another by being fucked up and sloppy. They're wrecks and they help the other heal, do what they're too afraid to do.

What is more a-spec than two people looking at each other with adoration and trust? To be two people who cannot be placed within a single both because their relationship and meaning to one another isn't so neatly cut and within expectations? To love in a way that blood and standing side by side is a comfort? A steadying point in which everything becomes clearer with time?

They make me so fucking sick, they make me so FUCKING SICK.

[unassumingheroicdivinebeauty]

If we’re going to assess the generational background of the gang from HTTYD, think about it…

The Haddocks: Essentially the royalty of Berk, and has a long line of chieftains. Stoick exemplifies what it means to be a Haddock—strong, tough, courageous, and physically imposing. Traditionally, the Haddocks were groomed to embody these qualities and were raised to hate and kill dragons before Hiccup shifted this perspective

The Jorgensons: Known as one of Berk’s most reputable and respected clans, the Jorgensons have a stellar reputation, particularly for excelling in tribal games. Much like the Haddocks, they are recognized for their physical power and strength. Spitelout is the epitome of what it means to be a Jorgenson, setting the standard for the clan’s image.

The Hoffersons: Renowned as skilled strategists, the Hofferson name was once a mark of respect. However, it suffered a blow due to the infamous “Finn Hofferson” incident, which tarnished the family’s legacy.

The Ingermans: It’s revealed that the Ingermans have a darker history tied to dragon hunting, and as far as we know, this practice was still ongoing during the events of the franchise.

The Thorstons: Their lineage suggests they were voyagers and adventurers; probably not much for its heroism. This is supported by the fact that one of their family members is known to have traveled to the Dragons’ Edge long before the events of the series

This was until…

Hiccup and the gang came into picture and practically dismantled this whole belief system and changing it for the better by not following their ancestral patterns

Hiccup, as a Haddock, redefined the course of his lineage by uniting humans and dragons. Despite his smaller, less imposing figure compared to his ancestors, he still led his people toward a more peaceful and prosperous way of life.

Snotlout Jorgenson, raised to believe that strength was solely about domination and conquest, demonstrated that true strength also lies in serving his people and supporting his leaders. He also showed that masculinity isn’t measured by bruteness but by the compassion and loyalty he brings to those around him.

Astrid Hofferson, whose family name was once dragged down and disrespected, is now we can say is the most respected because of the hard work and determination that Astrid has done for her family. (We actually see this redemption story in an actual episode from Defenders of Berk)

Fishlegs Ingerman, once tied to a family legacy of dragon hunting, has completely broken away from that by embracing his love for dragons and redefined his family’s legacy, transforming the Ingermans into a dragon-loving clan.

Ruffnut and Tuffnut Thorstons, while still as adventurous as ever, have proven to their family and the people of Berk that they are skilled dragon riders. Their courage and heroism have probably earned them a reputation, showcasing the strength and bravery that defines their family in a new light.

I love how the franchise didn’t just focus on the change from Hiccup’s perspective but also showed the impact it had on the gang and the family clans as well 🥹

[heartepub]

to be your eyes

summary. a not-hero meets a not-monster. pairing. lee seokmin x fem!reader genre/tags. perseus/medusa retelling, fem pronouns and titles but nothing on anatomy (except for snake hair but that’s not an exclusive thing), hurt/comfort, seokmin is a romantic, hinted past s*xual ass*ult (medusa-story compliant), off-screen minor character death, body modification?, HAPPY ENDING!!!, unbeta’d wc. 3.1k suggested listening. carry you, novo amor // dust to dust, the civil wars // opaline, novo amor // keep the rain, searows

notes. full credits to this post for inspiring this retelling; at best I tweaked it to fit perseus' quest better ++ personality changes to match how I regard seokmin personally. might revisit this, but for now I just need it out of my system. feedback is appreciated and come say hi if you're inclined!

“Not a step closer.”

Seokmin would be foolish not to obey, despite not knowing where the voice speaks from. He looks only through the polished shield on his arm, never at anything that is not a reflection. The air is still, save for the faint sound of muffled hissing.

“I must admit I am quite disappointed.” The voice speaks again. “The hero who came into my cave last night, sword ready, could not even finish the deed.” He winces despite himself.

“I do not wish to kill you, Priestess.” The hissing grows ever so slightly louder.

“Lies,” the voice drops to a low growl. “There is only one hero who would dare enter when my sisters are absent. The one I have been warned about.”

Seokmin hesitates, before continuing. “I would just like to talk.” The priestess’ mocking scoff echoes around the rocks.

“Talk? Alliances? Is that how god-touched heroes fatten their pigs for slaughter, nowadays? With platitudes?” Before he can open his mouth, the voice begins to speak once more. “I will do you a favor, Lee Seokmin—” he inhales sharply as his name is called in that haunting lilt, “—I will make your task easy. You have one more chance to kill me. Light one of those candles you see in the corner of this cave and come back when it has burned all the way through. I will be asleep by then, so you will not need your shield,  though you may bring it if you wish.

“Oh, and,” the voice is suddenly much closer now. Despite his earlier spiel, the urge to run itches at his bones. “Make it quick, will you?”

He does as the voice bids; he grabs a candle, lights it with one of the braziers, and exits the temple-cave holding it. The flame is of a strange iridescence, illuminating the grey pebbles outside the entrance into something opal-like. He lets the sight wash over him as he contemplates.

Seokmin never wanted to be a hero.

More accurately, he never wanted to be the reason for any kind of bloodshed.

There was glory in heroism, to be sure. Every figure that boasts of the title is larger than life to the eyes of many; doers of deeds that were only possible for those either god-touched or god-born. He had set out on this quest in a bid to save his mother; even as he could not stand the thought of heroics, the revulsion that crawled in him at the sight of his uncle’s cruel smirk had won out. And so the bargain was born.

He was to bring the head of the gorgon, or suffer through his poor mother’s second wedding, to a man he knew she had no desire to be with.

He made it this far with a mix of dumb luck and godly assistance. Now, not only the fate of his mother rests on his shoulders, but also the expectation of the gods who had come to his aid—one of whom being the very same goddess who made you who you are now.

True to his unfitness as a hero, Seokmin indeed hesitated yesterday, at the last minute. Yet there was something in that sleeping face that made him pause.

Your hair was tightly wrapped in a turban, no snakes in sight. And with eyes closed, it was a face like any other’s. Beautiful, even. It shocked Seokmin to his core. 

This cannot be a creature so hard to kill.

So he ran away.

It was foolishness that made him come back. Foolishness, and a mix of the expectations on his shoulders, the desperation to still save his mother, and a curiosity to understand the sleeping creature that had compelled him so. The second time, his expectations were again unmet. Some of his pride had hurt at the mockery in that haunting voice, even more so because he knew it was only the truth.

Hesitation was un-hero-like. The third chance seemed almost an extension of your taunting, yet Seokmin cannot get it out of his mind that you are telling the truth. That you would let him kill you. He cannot match the serenity of that sleeping face to such a sentiment.

The candle is halfway through when he makes his decision.

He does not bring his sword the third time. 

With one hand, he holds the candle, burned three-fourths through. With the other, his shield, the polished side guiding him as he ventures again into the temple-cave. He has not even reached his destination when the voice speaks.

“You do not know how to follow instructions.”

“Priestess, do you really wish for me to kill you?”

For a moment, there is only the sound of faint hissing. Finally, the voice replies. “I am tired of living a half-life, Lee Seokmin. I would rather a quick death than a slow one, if you please.”

Deliberately, Seokmin sets down both the candle and the shield. He closes his eyes. Fishing for the band of cloth he tore from his robes, he grasps both ends and blindfolds himself.

“I would wish to talk to you, Priestess. Please. I am no hero, only a boy who bit off more than he could chew when he wanted to save his mother.”

For all the kindness that he saw in your face, there is none of that in your voice. Or even if there is, it is not the sort he recognizes. 

“I have no use for a boy who cannot understand neither instructions nor mercy. Leave and do not come back, unless you wish to die. Unlike you, I can make it quick.”

You do not think about the strange not-hero for months, until your sister urges you to the mouth of the cave.

“Please, you must tend to him. He’s god-touched, and somehow came to this temple despite the wounds on him.” You refuse to look until your other sister sighs. “His eyes are closed, for the gods’ sake.”

He’s a beautiful man, all delicate cheekbones and high-bridged nose. Yet pale; very pale. There is barely any rise and fall on his chest. Your sisters haggle and nag until you relent. You enlist their help in grinding the herbs at the mouth of the cave, some for poultices while the other for a brew to coax down his throat.

The two layers of cloth around his eyes are a preventative measure, in case he awakens. There is a reason why you never ventured out of this cave, hiding at any voice that was not your sisters’. There is a reason for why you keep your head tightly wrapped, letting the snakes breathe only when strictly necessary.

No soul, outside of those who did not abandon you, needs to be witness to your shame.

Still, you look after this beautiful man, hyperaware of the blindfolds you keep around his eyes. Your own remain downcast to be sure he will not turn to stone after all your hard work in healing his wounds. Days pass, and you begin to accompany him as he sleeps, watching the way the iridescent flame dances across his delicate features.

On particularly lonely nights, you whisper the secrets he may never remember as he wakes. The humble life that seemed to be many centuries ago. The priestess training. The service at the temple that you wish you could look back on fondly. Of the god that knew only to covet, and the curse brought down from an act that had but an illusion of consent. The curse (or gift, the goddess claimed) that had been brought upon you. An ordinary future lost forever, both from trauma and a notion of healing imposed by some other power.

Weeks pass, and he finally stirs.

“Where am I?” Your blood freezes for a moment. The voice that speaks from that mouth is instantly familiar.

“I told you not to come back unless you wanted to die, and yet here I am, tending to your wounds.” He turns his head in your direction, following your voice. His eyes still tightly sealed by the blindfold.

“Priestess?”

“I am no priestess,” you snap. “Not anymore.”

“Thank you, Priestess,” the blindfolded man persists, still painfully earnest. “I’m sorry, I did not know where else to go.”

“You foolish boy,” you sigh. “You could have gone anywhere else but the monster’s lair. Tell me, then, do you want to die?”

“No, Priestess. I don’t…” he hesitates. “I don’t know what I want outside of being a good son.”

“You are no hero, then. Only a filial boy.” Strangely enough, he chuckles.

“No, I am not,” he agrees.

“Curious,” you murmur despite yourself. Louder, you direct your instructions. “Rest. Once you are well, never come back. I do hope the former at least is not too difficult to follow.” You make to leave him, picking up your basket for a new batch of herbs for his poultice.

“For what it’s worth,” he calls after you, voice carrying across the cave despite its softness, “I was listening to your story. And I cannot and will not wish you any harm. Not after knowing it.”

You walk away without answering him, the basket clenched around your fingers tight enough to distort the weave.

It is three days after he wakes that he finally tells you why he first came.

“Your mother needs rescuing from your uncle, and he asked you to bring him my head in exchange for her freedom?”

“Yes.”

You consider it for a long moment. “I would not mind dying if it meant saving your mother.” A woman who was under the whims of another man…no, it would not be a bad thing at all. At least then, the goddess’ curse that you may only kill a man with your gaze could be put to good use.

Seokmin shakes his head, the ends of the cloth tied to his eyes swaying with the movement. “I would ask you to come with me, instead.”

“Why? So I can kill your uncle for you?”

His response is immediate and vehement. “No! I just—I feel I owe you a debt I do not know how to repay.”

You have grown used to his indecision. The reply that leaves you is as kind as you can make it. “I did not save you so you would be indebted. I saved you because my sisters pleaded your case.”

“But you saved me all the same.”

You sigh. “It is not a debt to be repaid, not-hero. What happens if you come home empty-handed?”

“I do not know. Nothing good.”

Despite his strangeness, you have grown to care for him. There is something achingly compelling about Seokmin’s earnestness, an innate kindness in his gentle smiles that makes you wish you could see the emotions dance in his eyes.

“I do not wish to see you die,” you admit.

“Priestess—” he starts.

“I told you not to call me that. That name holds nothing for me.” Though time soothes all wounds, there is still a foul taste in your mouth at the title, a persistent shiver that cools your bones.

“Er, lady?” Seokmin tries.

“I am no lady, either.” Despite yourself, heat rises to your cheeks at the title.

“I think anyone who is kind enough to tend to a foolish boy should be called lady,” he murmurs. “You could also tell me your name.”

“Oh? Have the stories not preceded me with my name?”

“That name is not yours. I mean your real one. I would not call you a monster, dear lady. No one with a heart as beautiful as yours would be one.” The words strike an unwilling chord. You look down, forcing the tears back from your eyes. Not for the first time, you wish Seokmin were a hero. Brutality would have been hurtful, but unsurprising. Tenderness is a blow no one can ready themselves for. You inhale, shakily.

“I should like to know your name,” he repeats, gentle in his ruining of your heart.

You shake your head, knowing he cannot see it. Without another word, you leave him.

Finally, the day comes when Seokmin regains his full strength. You waste no time in bringing him to the mouth of the cave, though you stop before anyone possibly on the outside can catch your gaze. Your sisters’ teasing has gotten unbearable; their latest stunt involves taking extended “trips” for increasingly implausible reasons. Even now, you are left alone, despite your insistence that all three of you send him off.

There is no use in being attached. A gift, however…

You unwrap your turban. Seokmin’s head swivels at the noise, hearing the hissing suddenly fill the space. You pluck a single snake from the mass. It wriggles in your hold.

“Hold out your hand.” He does. You grasp his wrist, placing the snake in his palm and curling his fingers around it. 

“Present her to your uncle as proof of my death. Tell him my head disintegrated, and left only this.”

Seokmin’s other hand moves, tracing the way your fingers wrap around his. Despite the callouses on his hands, his touch is devastatingly tender. 

In a different world, a lock of hair would be a romantic gift, one between courting lovers. In this one, it is a companion at best, a horror at worst.

Unbidden, tears prick at your eyes. The cave swims in your vision.

You steady your voice. “Do not look back,” you say, and untie his blindfold. “Careful now, let your eyes adjust to the light.” Your gaze is trained to the back of his head, ensuring that he does not move his neck even a little.

“Lady,” he says, his back still to you. “May I ask one final question?”

“You may.”

“This snake…are her eyes the same color as yours?”

“…Yes,” you admit.

“And she will not turn me to stone?”

“Yes.”

“Lady,” he says again, and you wish you could demand that he stop calling you that, as it ruins you a little more every time. “Would you forgive me if I ask to see your face before I go? I would ask you to close your eyes.”

Helplessly, you exhale a wet laugh. There is nothing you would refuse him now. “Very well.” You close your eyes. There is a rustle. Despite not seeing anything, you feel his gaze like a weight.

A hand, warm, touches your face, tracing your jaw, then your temples, even the bridge of your nose. Eventually, Seokmin’s thumb wipes at the tear that falls down your cheek.

“Thank you, dear lady,” he whispers. “I will remember this face, and when I look at your gift, I will imagine how you may look with your eyes open.”

Moons pass, and you try to forget about the not-hero you never really knew.

Until he returns, that is. 

Your sister only says two words. “He’s back.”

“I will not see him.” You do not move from your position, ignoring the treacherous seize of your heart.

Your other sister snorts, pulling you up forcibly. You yelp. She glares at you. “You will not turn him into stone. Trust me. Now go.”

Each step you take to the mouth of the cave feels leaden. You screw your eyes shut, relying on the walls and sheer familiarity to guide you forward. More than once, you contemplate turning around.

“Dear lady,” a voice calls, one you never thought you’d hear again. “Please do not run from me. I have blindfolded myself, so please open your eyes.”

Taking a deep breath, you begin to walk, forcing your heartbeat to remain even. He comes into sight, as heartbreakingly beautiful as he was the last time. His clothes are more tattered than before, and there are fresh scars that litter across his biceps. You ache to heal him.

“Hello,” he smiles, despite not seeing you.

“How is your mother, not-hero?”

“She is well.”

“And your uncle?”

“Dead. A snake called by your gift bit him.”

“I see. Good.”

“Good,” he echoes. You study his face; he seems to mean it. A little more a man than the boy you first tended to. “But that is not why I am here.”

Seokmin holds out a small box.

“I know your tending was no debt, my lady, and this is not meant to repay that. It is only a gift, yours no matter your answer.”

“My answer to what?”

He steps forward. You move to guide him, catching his arm right as he stumbles on a step he does not see. Seokmin breathes in, a little unsteady, before releasing you with a soft thanks. Yet he does not move farther away. He smiles again, his face not quite facing yours, unsure of your exact location. It only endears you to him more.

“I have travelled the world, dear lady, saved my family, regained my throne, made my peace with the gods, yet none have captivated my heart as you have. The voice and hands that guided me in this cave became my strength outside of it. If you are willing, I would have you as my wife.”

“You—” your voice cracks. “What man would take a wife he could not even gaze at? Whose eyes would kill? Whose name he does not know?”

“I would know your name only if you offered it, my lady. As for your other concerns…take off my blindfold,” he says softly. “I could not gaze at you even if I tried.”

It takes a while for his meaning to come to you, but when it does, you shake your head, disbelieving. That cannot be. He could not have possibly gone so far. Shaking, you do as he says.

He opens his eyelids, and you gasp.

Where his eyes should be there is nothingness. The scarring is minimal, which meant it was very intentionally removed. Seokmin fumbles for your hand before placing it very gently on the box.

“If you take my eyes, you will no longer have to worry about turning people to stone. I doubt they are as lovely as your own are, but they are yours, nonetheless. I wish for you to have the choices that they would provide, regardless of whether you accept my proposal or not.”

You carefully take the precious, precious box in one hand, and bring the other to the back of his neck, dragging him into a kiss.

Seokmin gasps, but recovers quickly. He wraps an arm around your waist, pulling you flush against him. His mouth is soft just as the weight of his body is solid. It is everything you wished being held would feel.

The kiss ends with him resting his forehead against yours. Tears track down your cheeks, and he brings a hand up to wipe them away.

“Now that is familiar,�� he hums, laughing quietly. His other hand traces up your neck, undoing your hair covering. The snakes fall down your back, slithering around his hand. He giggles as they curl playfully around his wrist.

“Is that a yes, then? Though I do hope you would not cry so much once you take my eyes for your own.” 

“Yes,” you say, and kiss him again.

[tarotofhope]

PAC: ꩜Who is jealous of you?꩜

(Please Read My Pinned post *IMPORTANT NOTE* before selecting a Pile)

Pick an Image by meditating and selecting the image you feel called to. You can be attracted towards more than 1 image. If you are not able to select maybe this reading isn't for you.

꩜Pile 1

Jealous Person -

Cards: The Devil

Astrology Oracle: Acquisition- Sun in the 2nd House in Taurus

Archetype: Hero-Heroine and their Shadow Attribute is 'Escapism and false sense of heroism.'

Your Qualities(that they are jealous of) -

Cards: The Star

Astrology Oracle: Principle- Jupiter in the 9th House in Sagittarius.

Archetype: Prince and their Light Attribute is 'Romantic charm and potential for power.'

Welcome to your reading, Pile 1. There are 2 scenarios here. For some of you, this person is an authority figure, someone who has a lot of wealth or someone who is famous or popular for their work, they've earned a lot of respect from society. They've struggled and climbed up the ladder of success. This could either be colleagues who are senior to you or someone who is a senior(either age-wise or level-wise) but also has a good reputation so they think that you're nothing compared to them and they could be like, 'Know your place, you fool!'(iykyk: I remember this from Jujutsu Kaisen when Sukuna says this to Mahito) whether they've told this to you or not, they definitely give you this feeling. They can't see you thrive, prosper and be successful. They can't see you outshine them.

For the others of you, this person could be a romantic partner/spouse or a potential suitor or someone who came up with a romantic proposal to you, who's got attached to you in a toxic way. They think you'll never find a better partner than them so they curse you for rejecting their proposal/not giving them a chance/for any misunderstandings. They try to put you down and put all the shame and blame on you, saying that you might be a playboy/playgirl, like you don't understand the meaning of love, you play with the feelings of people, you are a person of questionable character and so and so.. This person doesn't want to leave your side but also just wants to torture and harass you while for others, this person could be a stalker who could be stalking you online or offline, who's trying to get your attention and forcing you to accept them.

In the first case scenario, they are jealous of your great potential, they know you have the ability to reach their level or even go farther than them, so they try to keep you at your level by demotivating you, pushing you even more down by telling you how hard the work is or it is not going to be worth it for you in the long run and so on. I can see biases on the basis of gender/level/religion/caste too. In the second scenario, they might be jealous of you being correct from your end and choosing a partner who is suitable to your needs and compatible with you rather than them, or at least you are in the process of making the right choices for yourself and you have the potential to do so(those who are already in a relationship).

In both the above cases, they're also jealous of how luck lies on your side with Jupiter in the 9th House in Sagittarius. Also, you can notice that the jealous one is shown by the archetype Hero-Heroine, while you're shown as the archetype Prince, who has the charm and potential to become a King/Queen one day.

That's all I got for you, my dear Pile 1.

Love, light, peace and hope to you..🌸🍁🌻🌼

꩜Pile 2

Jealous Person -

Cards: The Emperor

Astrology Oracle: Concentration- Saturn in the 3rd House in Gemini

Archetype: Wounded Child and their Shadow Attribute is 'Blames all dysfunctional relationships on childhood wounds, resists moving on through forgiveness.'

Your Qualities(that they are jealous of) -

Cards: 8 of Swords clarified by The Magician

Astrology Oracle: Romance- Venus in the 2nd House in Taurus

Archetype: Engineer and their Light Attribute is 'Ability to give creative energy, a practical expression. Talent for designing resolutions to common dilemmas.'

Welcome to your reading, Pile 2. This person is either a dominating father/mother figure or a dominating romantic partner/spouse. Overly protective and possessive people they are. Whomsoever of the two you resonate with, this person has a total control and power over your mental state and emotional decisions. Things don't seem to be under your control, you're always manipulated into doing things as per their wishes, whims and fancies. You don't like this one bit but you seem very helpless to me, like you don't have another choice, atleast for sometime, you are tied and trapped with this person. I hope you get to resolve and get out of this toxic connection soon. If this is someone you can't totally cut out of your life, you can atleast try to keep your contact as much less as you can, with this person. They don't consider your well being, your needs and they think that their decisions are right for you. They are very insecure themselves with whatever they have and don't have and they don't know how to address their inner wounds so they try to take it all out on you. They're a very self pitying person. They seem confident, courageous and dominating from the outside but might be a coward from the inside. They even appear very arrogant, rude or cold. They don't want you to make the slightest mistakes, they don't want you to fall into any traps by outsiders, they try to sever your connections with other people or force you into connections which they deem fit for you. It can be very serious issues too for some of you like they decide what you eat, drink, wear, where you go, who you make friends with, keeping checks/spying on your love interests, deciding on your educational choices, career and so on. They never like to take the blame for doing all these horrible things to you, they'd always say they were being protective of you. They are jealous of what you could do, if you were never under their control, they're aware of this fact. They know if they loosen their control over you, you would leave them and go for your desired life and you'd also come out victorious. In both these scenarios(whether it's a parent or partner), they can't see you leaving their side, they might be expecting too much of you, if it's a parent, they might want you to take care of them in their old age too so they don't want you to marry and leave them(here, they are being too clingy) if it's a partner, they know you can find a better one, so they try to give you threats, to scare you, so you would stay with them. These people are aware that you're very creative and like the Magician you've got all the resources to change and make your life beautiful, they also know you have a fighting spirit and they may lose their control over your mind someday, so they always try to stay one level up. So, if you're stuck with such people, there's always a way to get out. Try and do your best.

That's all I got for you, my dear Pile 2.

Love, light, peace and hope to you..🌸🍁🌻🌼

꩜Pile 3

Jealous Person -

Cards: 4 of Wands

Astrology Oracle: Fortune- Sun in the 5th House in Leo.

Archetype: Networker and their Shadow Attribute is 'Conveys information only for personal gain. Spreads fear and falsehood.'

Your Qualities(that they are jealous of) -

Cards: The Hanged Man clarified by The World.

Astrology Oracle: Ostentation- Saturn in the 2nd House in Taurus

Archetype: Seeker and their Light Attribute is 'Thirst for wisdom and truth wherever they are.'

Welcome to your reading, Pile 3. This person could be any relative or a friend or roommate or a family member too. It can be more than one person for many of you. You guys have hidden enemies while only some are known to you. They might even put an evil eye on your hoardings and belongings. They don't like whatever you have or earned. They could be envious of your salary, your acquired wealth from your ancestors, wills, etc. They might be someone who likes to gossip and spread rumours about everyone. They like to keep their nose in everybody's business. They can't see others people's happiness. They also don't like your open-mindedness and free-spiritedness. You seem very optimistic, happy and carefree to them while they are very pessimistic or they don't count their blessings, they're not grateful enough. Some of them might even go to the extent of putting a hex on you, stripping you of your happiness, sitting back and watching you suffer, this seems just like watching drama to them, they don't have the humanity to consider putting themselves in your shoes, like what if this happened to them. They might be very insecure and ungrateful about whatever they have like even if they had all the things that you have, they won't make the best use of it and then say that you've got better than them, that you're more luckier than them. Like for example: They earn the same amount of money as you, and you spend the money on trendy fashionable clothes, but they buy different kind of cuisines with that money because they're a foodie, they'd still be jealous of you thinking that you have so much money to spend on clothes. Like in this reading, they can be jealous of your adventurous nature, they can't stand seeing you travelling here and there, enjoying life, learning about different cultures and traditions. You guys those who're reading this pile could also be show offs, so maybe that's why you attract this kind of evil eye energy, you see there's a thin line of difference between being humble with your belongings and gifts, and showing off with pride. You might not be aware if you're a show off, so rather be secretive with your things. They know that they can't have a hold on you neither can they control their actions fuelled by jealousy, so they might find other ways just from the comfort of their own homes, to steal your happiness, such as badmouthing about you behind your back, spreading false rumors about you, putting a spell on you, and so on. You need to stay grounded and you also need to observe the people around you because most of you might not be aware of who they might be.

That's all I got for you, my dear Pile 3.

Love, light, peace and hope to you..🌸🍁🌻🌼

꩜Pile 4

Jealous Person -

Cards: 4 of Pentacles

Astrology Oracle: Practicality- Moon in the 10th House in Capricorn.

Archetype: Saboteur and their Shadow Attribute is 'Induces self-destructive behaviour or the desire to undermine others.'

Your Qualities(that they are jealous of) -

Cards: 7 of Wands clarified by The High Priestess.

Astrology Oracle: Escape- Mars in the 12th House in Pisces.

Archetype: Vampire and their Light Attribute is 'Makes you aware that someone or something is draining your life force.

Welcome to your reading, Pile 4. This person is very practical, analytical in nature. They seem to make decisions based mostly or only on rational thinking and logical analysis. They might also be very materialistic and money-minded. They're also very reserved and uncompromising in nature. They might also not be flexible or adaptable in nature. Some of them might even be a miser who does not like to share their belongings with other people. I'm also getting that some of them might even be very stubborn in their religious and other beliefs and are not open to change. They might follow certain set of rules and regulations. They think only in a certain manner, they know everything that's going on in the world but wouldn't accept various possiblities, rather they're blinded by their own few imaginable possiblities which they tightly hold on to, they love to live in their own bubble where things makes sense according to them, which are acceptable to them. They're jealous of how you think outside the box, how you can be so adaptable and open minded. They just can't seem to digest it. Then they would also try to attack your uniqueness by saying that you must be mad to think differently. They'd even try to force you into doing things their way. They might bully or tease you because most of the people in the world are very materialistic, rational and logical, so it irks them when some people have a good intuition and when people follow their heart. Like for example, people being jealous of you because you're making money through your creative talents/passion but they're doing normal 9 to 5 jobs. I'm talking about people who don't want to explore their own gifts and talents but when some other person succeeds in showcasing them, they'd get jealous. Some people do get really lucky in relationships/career but these people wouldn't even want to give things a try and then complain about nature/God being bias with them. They'd tell you that life is this way or that way and whatever you're trying to do is not going to work out because it is not possible according to them. Try to stay away from such people because they'd even talk dirty behind your back and try to defame you. It really annoys them knowing that you're aware of energy vampires and you know how to protect yourselves.

That's all I got for you, my dear Pile 4.

Love, light, peace and hope to you..🌸🍁🌻🌼

꩜Pile 5

Jealous Person -

Cards: Hermit and King of Wands.

Astrology Oracle: Concentration- Saturn in the 3rd House in Gemini.

Archetype: Prostitute and their Shadow Attribute is 'Places material considerations and security above self empowerment.'

Your Qualities(that they are jealous of) -

Cards: High Priestess.

Astrology Oracle: Isolation- Saturn in the 6th House in Virgo.

Archetype: Trickster and their Light Attribute is 'Transcending convention, stuffiness and predictable behaviour.

Welcome to your reading, Pile 5. You guys might be attracted to pile 4 as well. This person could either be an old person or a person who is known for their spiritual or religious work. They can also be any kind of healers or motivational speakers. These people are mostly older than you. For some people, this is not an age factor, because Hermit represents the sign Virgo and Virgos become mature at a very young age, so, these jealous people can also be the same age as yours but have more experience than you and you both could belong to the same line of work. See, this pile has less of jealousy and more of pride for being at a peak stage especially if they're famous people or because these jealous people are spiritual/religious and mature, so it doesn't seem right to them to appear jealous, so either they hide it well or they try not to be jealous and because they're not outright jealous, their jealousy is not clearly visible on the surface. These people know you have the potential to reach where they are. These people are also known for their wisdom and experiences due to which they get to earn a lot of respect from younger people or people who have lesser knowledge than them. See, because they're older, some of them can have very traditional beliefs about everything and might hesitate to have a modern approach. These people can confront you and say that things are supposed to be a certain way, rather than being open to your ways too. You might be very unconventional for these people. Only a few of you may have a close relation or connection with such an elderly person, so they might be forcing you to fit in, according to their ways while for the others of you, these people are outsiders or distant relatives, who you can choose to not listen to. It would be really really sad to know if there are spiritual gurus, religious preachers or even teachers out there, who are jealous of their students' progress or don't want their students to succeed..😭 Some of these people could have gotten their earlier intentions of giving and healing, contaminated by this materialistic world, and became political, money-minded and a taker. They didn't learn to strike a balance between spirituality and materialism. Also with the Saturn in Gemini(which represents their energy), they're already out there speaking their mind but because both Gemini and Virgo are Mercurian signs, Virgo(which represents your energy) is also capable to do the same. With the Saturn for both of you, you both are disciplined and mature. You who are reading this pile could also see through fake and shallow people and their false intentions with the Trickster energy here.

That's all I got for you, my dear Pile 5.

Love, light, peace and hope to you..🌸🍁🌻🌼

Thank you so much for being here. I post PAC readings every Tuesday and Friday. Do love and support by reblogging, liking or following.

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[asm5129]

I know this is NOT a popular take in the RWBY FNDM but y’all…I love Jaune Arc. He’s such a refreshing, interesting male character.

He’s Ruby’s best friend, and the two of them parallel each other in such FASCINATING ways. I’m planning a full video essay on this but as some examples:

1) They both have hero complexes, obviously.

2) Ruby is a prodigy who earns her place at beacon two years early, while Jaune cheated his way in and needs to work constantly outside of his school training to be anywhere near capable of huntsmen level combat

3) Jaune’s pain is loud and disruptive, Ruby’s pain is quiet and suppressed (examining their respective expressions of pain through the lens of gender expectations is REALLY interesting)

4) Ruby inherits silver eyes, an invaluable tool in fighting Grimm. Jaune inherited a regular sword, heavily outclassed by most of his peers.

5) Ruby made her weapon but modeled it after her mentor, Jaune had a hand-me-down

6) Ruby leads by developing plans and taking action, Jaune leads by supporting his team and bolstering their strengths with his own.

I’m sure there’s more too but those parallels are why their conflicts in vol 9 work so well for me, they are partners in narrative from literally the second episode.

I also just adore the commentary on masculinity with Jaune. From day one he was deconstructing traditional ideas of masculinity and patriarchal concepts of heroism.

The way he has to learn to reject so many of the things that blockbusters with men at the center have been pushing for decades is fantastic. He tried to pursue revenge like John Wick or Iron Man and it went HORRIBLY.

He can fight when necessary but it’s not where his true strength lies and that’s SO COOL for a male character.

I dunno y’all I just think he doesn’t deserve the hate. He doesn’t butt in on other stories nearly as much as people claim—in terms of Ruby, he actually serves her story quite a bit—and he is a character worth following in and of himself.

[bluegarners]

there tends to be a kind of under estimation in regards to dick’s attitude towards his parents. they’re more often used as The Reason for his path of heroism, and that’s true enough, but it’s a very focused Reason that often fails to include the actual Loving Parents. i would argue that thomas and martha wayne get more attention in regards to their loving on bruce, and in certain time traveling corners on dick as well, but it’s rare to see that kind of respect paid to john and mary grayson. the parallels we can draw between bruce and dick pretty much end after dick is taken in. we can count: loving parents; stable family structure; only child; bright future; horrific murder of parents; witness to said murder; and plot for vengeance as the core parallels between dick and bruce. where they begin to diverge is the point in which bruce becomes the guiding mentor for dick in how to channel that sense of grief and rage (though bruce had alfred, alfred played no part in diverting bruce from his self destructive path and encouraged it)

to that end, there’s a lot of talk about martha wayne’s pearls and mary grayson’s robin, but even then talk seems to only center around dick’s hero name and never what about the history the name implies. “robin stands for hope”, okay what else? martha’s pearls symbolize the catalyst for bruce’s transformation into batman, but does mary’s robin do the same? i think not, bc going back to the divergence between bruce’s and dick’s origins, though bruce remains the defining fork in the road for dick, if dick were raised in extremely similar circumstances as bruce, bruce would have more or less fulfilled the role that alfred did for bruce- which was mainly distant but caring adult figure that served to simply agree rather than direct. a reasonable conclusion, should bruce have fulfilled such a role for dick, would have been that dick should’ve become bruce #2. obviously, dick didn’t and the reason for that lies in john and mary grayson

this may ruffle some feathers, but there is a point to be made in the difference between the wayne parents and the grayson parents. let’s do some quick if thens: if alfred was left in charge of bruce, then alfred holds some responsibility in how bruce turned out. if bruce grew up to be someone emotionally closed off, then bruce is an emotionally distant, closed off adult. if bruce is an emotionally distant, closed off adult, then it stands to reason alfred reflects the same. so, if bruce and alfred are both emotionally distant, closed off adults, then when they take in dick grayson, dick will grow up to be an emotionally distant, closed off adult. right?

well, we all know that’s not how it turned out, and all reason for such a conclusion reside solely in the short time john and mary grayson raised their son. “but bruce had about the same time with his own parents. why did he and dick turn out so different?” and again i point directly at the implied differences in the wayne’s and grayson’s child rearing! the waynes represented a very nuclear family, one that is generationally upper class and in very prominent leadership positions. tracking the assumed and typical rearing patterns for that kind of family, though it may be a foundationally loving one, it’s also one that is radically different from the type the graysons represented. power and job structure rested solely with thomas and martha; bruce had very very little to worry about or any responsibilities other than making good grades and being a generally good son. comparing such a dynamic to the graysons, the power lines begin to blur a little. john and mary are employees, not leaders or heads of anything. however, they work in an extremely team oriented and cooperative environment- their earnings depend on everyone and themselves. though a prominent act in haly’s circus, they are not a completely solo one, and even then, it is a team, FAMILY act. since his birth, dick has been raised in an environment that focuses heavily on teamwork and perseverance. he took on enormous responsibility in being a part of the flying graysons, which likely wasn’t something he was being forced to do, young as he was. taking on a JOB as young as 9 years old, one that tests his physical, mental, and emotional strength sets him drastically apart from bruce when he was the same age. but let’s go back to john and mary again

no parent on earth would ever want to put their child in such a dangerous position as performing on the trapeze. and yet, john and mary did. why? dick’s initiative and his parents’ trust and strength. if john and mary believed that they lacked in some way that could put dick in harms way, i find it impossible to believe they would have ever let dick join them. dick did not learn his strength and endurance from bruce. dick already possessed those qualities before meeting him, otherwise dick would have never become robin and joined batman so quickly. the graysons set an ENORMOUS example for dick, one that set the tone for the rest of his life. taking into account the “it takes a village” familial structure that dick was raised in while with haly, dick would have learned that the strength of individuals COMBINED is what makes a person strong. even the formation of the flying graysons relies on trust in each other, that they will be caught in the next leap and that they can do these amazing stunts without fear of failure BECAUSE of the Faith they have in each others abilities. in addition to that, an environment that encourages strength and teamwork must also encourage FAILURE. one cannot learn from perfection- only through mistakes does one grow, and dick grew EXPONENTIALLY. dick grew, at the age of 9, to PRODIGY levels of talent and acrobatics. john and mary set an example so strong and so steadfast that it fostered dick’s stone-solid character for the rest of his life, even after they were gone from it

dick would have not survived his parents’ deaths were it not for the way they had raised him. it is why dick can move on and grow from it, whereas, as we’ve seen a dozen dozen times, bruce has failed to ever move on. coddled and adored as he was, bruce never had to face a challenge that his parents wouldn’t have gladly taken care of for him. the waynes did everything for their son because they loved him enormously, and what parent in the world would force their child to do difficult things- especially at 10 years old? of course bruce never had to confront things like failure or hardship before, his circumstances in life simply wouldn’t have allowed for it, and that is why bruce was so incapable of handling his parents’ deaths. thomas and martha did not prepare bruce for difficulties in any department, whereas john and mary introduced problems AND solutions to dick very early on. the SOLUTIONS bit is what set up dick for so much success- that’s the key difference between the two. dick had both parents AND guides, while bruce just had parents

dick would not have become a light in the world while with bruce were it not for john and mary grayson and their love and dedication towards their son. the credit for dick’s achievements as a hero may fall to bruce most of the time, but even bruce recognizes that he had zero part in the formation of dick’s strength of character. dick’s continued success and perseverance has EVERYTHING to do with those first 9 years he was with john and mary, and not a single one of the innumerable tragedies dick has endured has ever been able to disavow that