#REINFORCEMENT INCOMING

[silverfootsieamphibian]

Helldiver 2 alias Freedom Simulator

[hedgewitchnecromancer]

how do i explain to my parents that there’s a difference between i have no active plans today and im actively looking for work to do like im sitting here on the couch eating breakfast at 11 you don’t need to tell me i need to do scholarships with my time i didn’t ask for that

[prophecyofgray]

my favorite part about being a tutor is that i get to say "i'm the tutorer!" and then tutor all over the place

[heedular]

.

[kingofmyborrowedheart]

hey! random q but are you american? i keep seeing your debit card struggles and is there a reason you don't use a credit card instead? it's usually a better option because you get protection against fraudulent use

I am! I unfortunately can’t get a credit card because I don’t have any income or way to prove I could be able to make monthly payments for one (like showing I pay other bills like a phone bill or something) so no bank is going to allow me to open up a line of credit :/

[gothhabiba]

Genocide and occupation target all aspects of life, in addition to destroying life itself. The state of education and employment in Gaza is dire, with schools and universities being targeted for shelling, and internet connectivity very hard to come by.

Isnad (Arabic for "support" or "help") is an initiative that is providing 30 students (15 men and 15 women) with a place to study. The organiser, Mahmoud (@ma7moudgaza2) has gotten reinforced cables installed to improve Wifi connectivity in the building.

This is an extremely important service for these students, especially as we're in the middle of finals season. These students need your help in order to be able to graduate, earn an income, and begin rebuilding their lives.

Isnad is soon expected to pay May's rent, and we are far short of our goal. The Chuffed campaign needs to reach $5,000 by April 30th!

$726 / $2,000 by April 30

[capitalism-is-a-psychopathy]

Billionaires destroy more than they create

In a land often championed for its economic opportunity and equality, the American Dream promises that anyone who works hard can rise to prosperity. But for many in today’s middle and lower economic classes, that dream is fading, shadowed by a reality that feels increasingly rigged. At the heart of this issue lies a stark and glaring imbalance: billionaires, a minuscule fraction of the population, wield a staggering concentration of wealth and influence. This is not just an issue of economics but one that touches the foundations of democracy and fairness.

Imagine the economy as a massive machine, built to churn wealth throughout society. In an ideal world, this wealth would cycle effectively, where each part contributes and benefits in turn. But as billionaires amass wealth at unprecedented levels, this machine has come to function more like a funnel, siphoning resources from the broader society and concentrating them at the very top. This dynamic, driven by complex financial structures and tax strategies, isn’t merely an accumulation of personal fortunes but a systematic extraction from the economic potential of others. The capital that could have flowed through wages, education, and public infrastructure is often diverted into private bank accounts and shell companies, rarely benefiting the people who drive and build the economy day by day.

As wealth accumulates at the top, so too does political influence. Billionaires, with vast financial resources, can fund political campaigns, lobbyists, and entire networks of think tanks dedicated to shaping policy. Through these channels, they push for tax policies, regulations, and trade agreements that benefit the ultra-wealthy at the expense of middle- and lower-income families. Politicians, indebted to these donors, increasingly look to billionaire interests rather than to constituents’ needs. This creates a disturbing feedback loop: billionaires influence politics to further policies that reinforce their own wealth and power, leaving the broader populace with dwindling opportunities to influence their own government.

This concentrated power extends far beyond campaign finance and lobbying. With ownership over significant segments of media networks, billionaires control the narratives that millions consume daily. Through these media outlets, they shape public opinion, diverting attention from policies that would challenge wealth accumulation and pushing narratives that frame the ultra-wealthy as essential “job creators” or “innovators” rather than acknowledging their role in widening economic divides. Issues that might threaten their economic stranglehold are often buried, while others, that create division and distract, are amplified.

For the middle and lower classes, this confluence of wealth, media, and political power has a real impact. Stagnant wages, diminishing job security, and rising costs of living aren’t natural outcomes of a complex economy—they’re symptoms of a system shaped to benefit those at the top. Policies that could lift working-class Americans, like raising the minimum wage, universal healthcare, or better labor protections, are often stifled in legislative deadlock, thanks in part to the political influence of the ultra-wealthy who stand to lose from them.

So, as this cycle continues, the gap between billionaires and everyone else widens. The billions accumulated at the top no longer signify mere success but a barrier to mobility for everyone else. The middle and lower classes find themselves carrying the economic burdens, often working harder for less. Meanwhile, billionaires remain insulated, living in a different economic reality, one far removed from the struggles of the average American. This isn’t just an economic imbalance but a distortion of democracy itself, as the machinery of power and influence is pulled further from the reach of ordinary citizens and held more tightly by those whose interests rarely align with theirs.

Without addressing this imbalance, the promise of opportunity, the cornerstone of the American Dream, becomes less attainable with each passing year, not just for the lower and middle classes but for the nation’s future as a whole.

Addressing their manipulation

Billionaires and their advocates often employ a familiar set of narratives to justify their wealth and the structures that enable it. These arguments, framed in terms of the free market, capitalism, or fear of socialism, are not only misleading but often serve to distract from the deeper systemic issues at play. Below is a breakdown of these claims and the counterarguments that expose their flaws:

1. “It’s Just the Free Market at Work”

The myth of the “free market” implies that billionaires achieve their wealth purely through talent, innovation, and competition in a market where everyone has equal opportunity. But in reality, the U.S. economy is far from a genuinely “free” market.

Counterpoints:

• Government Subsidies and Tax Breaks: Many billionaires’ businesses rely heavily on taxpayer-funded subsidies, special tax breaks, and other forms of government assistance. Large corporations frequently lobby for policies that grant them tax advantages, including offshore loopholes and capital gains tax breaks. This creates an environment where they aren’t competing on equal ground but rather with significant state support, distorting the market in their favor.

• Anti-Competitive Practices: Many large corporations, especially in tech and finance, engage in monopolistic behavior, buying out competitors or using aggressive tactics to drive them out of the market. This concentration of power stifles competition, contradicting the notion of a “free” market where anyone can succeed if they work hard.

• Inherited Wealth and Privilege: A significant portion of billionaire wealth is inherited rather than self-made. Generational wealth compounds, giving the ultra-wealthy an enormous head start over those without similar family resources. This challenges the idea that wealth accumulation is simply the product of individual merit or a fair market.

2. “This Is What Capitalism Is Supposed to Look Like”

The argument here suggests that capitalism is an inherently competitive system, where the most successful rise to the top, benefiting everyone through innovation and job creation. This narrative hinges on the idea of “trickle-down economics,” where the wealth of the richest eventually spreads throughout society.

Counterpoints:

• Trickle-Down Economics Doesn’t Work: Decades of evidence show that wealth rarely “trickles down” to the rest of society in any meaningful way. Income inequality has only widened, with wages stagnating for most workers while billionaire wealth has soared. Billionaires tend to reinvest wealth in ways that concentrate their holdings, like in stocks, rather than in ways that benefit the broader economy.

• Wealth Extraction, Not Wealth Creation: Many billionaires achieve and maintain their fortunes through rent-seeking behavior—extracting wealth from existing resources rather than creating new value. Hedge funds, private equity, and real estate empires often profit by cutting costs (like labor) rather than by innovating or producing new goods and services. This dynamic benefits investors but hurts workers and consumers.

• Capitalism Can Take Other Forms: The capitalism practiced in the U.S. today, sometimes called “neoliberal capitalism,” focuses on minimal regulation, tax cuts for the wealthy, and privatization. However, other countries demonstrate that capitalism can function with stronger social safety nets, wealth redistribution policies, and tighter regulations on corporate power. Nordic countries, for example, balance capitalism with robust welfare systems, ensuring a more equitable distribution of wealth and services.

3. “Without Billionaires, There Would Be No Innovation or Job Creation”

A popular myth is that billionaires are essential “job creators” and “innovators” whose wealth ultimately benefits society by funding new businesses and creating employment. This claim positions billionaires as indispensable to economic growth.

Counterpoints:

• Public Funding Fuels Innovation: Many of the biggest technological advances, including the internet, GPS, and medical breakthroughs, were developed with public funding rather than billionaire investments. Government research grants and subsidies often lay the groundwork for major innovations that billionaires later profit from. In other words, society bears much of the financial risk, while billionaires reap the rewards.

• Small Businesses Create Most Jobs: Small businesses, not billionaires or large corporations, are responsible for most job creation in the United States. Big corporations often eliminate jobs through automation, outsourcing, or consolidation. They may employ a large workforce, but they also tend to exploit workers through low wages, precarious employment, and cost-cutting measures.

• Billionaires Accumulate Wealth Through Wealth, Not Innovation: Many billionaires maintain their wealth not by creating jobs or innovating but by using their existing capital to generate more wealth, often through financial instruments that have little to do with actual economic productivity. Stock buybacks, dividends, and passive investments grow their fortunes without necessarily contributing to broader economic prosperity.

4. “Any Alternative Is Socialism or Communism”

When calls arise for higher taxes on the wealthy, stricter regulations, or broader social programs, the response is often to invoke the fear of “socialism” or “communism.” This argument seeks to paint any attempt at wealth redistribution or regulation as a slippery slope toward total government control.

Counterpoints:

• Social Safety Nets and Regulations Are Not Socialism: Social safety nets, progressive taxation, and regulations do not equate to socialism or communism; they’re features of a balanced capitalist system that seeks to prevent extreme inequality and protect public welfare. Countries like Germany, Canada, and Denmark combine regulated capitalism with strong social programs, resulting in healthier economies and greater well-being for citizens without abandoning capitalism.

• Inequality Threatens Capitalism: Growing inequality and economic instability can undermine the foundations of capitalism. A healthy capitalist economy requires a strong middle class with buying power, which excessive wealth concentration undermines. Reforms like progressive taxation, labor protections, and universal healthcare aren’t a rejection of capitalism but rather a means of stabilizing it.

• Historical Success of Mixed Economies: Many of the most successful and prosperous countries practice a mixed economy, where capitalism coexists with social policies that promote equality. The U.S. itself has employed a mixed economy model in the past, particularly after the New Deal, which implemented social safety nets, labor protections, and financial regulations that led to a period of unprecedented growth and prosperity for the middle class.

5. “They Earned It Fair and Square”

Finally, the idea persists that billionaires deserve their wealth because they “earned” it. This argument suggests that any policy aiming to redistribute wealth is fundamentally unfair, penalizing those who worked hard to succeed.

Counterpoints:

• Systemic Advantages and Wealth Hoarding: As previously mentioned, many billionaires begin with advantages—like family wealth or elite educational opportunities—that aren’t available to most people. Additionally, billionaires often employ complex strategies to avoid taxes, lobby for favorable regulations, and capitalize on government subsidies. These factors mean they haven’t earned wealth solely through hard work or merit.

• Billionaires Didn’t Build Alone: No billionaire operates in isolation; they rely on infrastructure, public education, and the work of thousands or millions of employees. A CEO’s wealth is made possible by a web of collective contributions, yet that wealth is rarely shared equitably. While billionaires might be rewarded for their role, their fortune is far from the result of individual effort alone.

In short, these narratives around billionaires often mask a more uncomfortable truth: today’s system is structured in ways that favor the ultra-wealthy at the expense of the broader population. Economic reform, rather than a threat to capitalism, is a necessary step to ensure a more just, equitable society where wealth accumulation doesn’t depend on privilege, influence, or systemic manipulation.

Making a change

Addressing the economic imbalance and the unchecked power of the ultra-wealthy presents a unique challenge, especially given the intense political polarization in the United States. For the middle and lower classes to push back effectively, they will need to build a coalition that transcends party lines and focuses on shared economic interests rather than divisive rhetoric.

1. Build Awareness Through Shared Issues, Not Ideology

The rhetoric around “free markets” and “socialism” often obscures real issues of economic struggle that affect both conservative and progressive working- and middle-class citizens alike. Instead of framing the issue in ideological terms, framing it in terms of tangible, shared grievances can help bridge the divide:

• Focus on Economic Inequality: Income stagnation, unaffordable healthcare, and housing insecurity are felt across the political spectrum. By shifting the narrative from “class warfare” to “economic fairness,” advocates can sidestep partisan language and emphasize the shared experience of economic struggle.

• Highlight the Impact of Corporate Power on Local Communities: Framing issues around how large corporations hurt small, local businesses can resonate strongly with both sides of the political spectrum. This approach often taps into conservative values around community and self-reliance, while also aligning with progressive critiques of corporate overreach.

2. Organize Around Labor Rights and Worker Protections

Historically, unions have been instrumental in improving working conditions and advocating for fair wages, and labor movements transcend political divisions. Many Americans—left, right, and center���share concerns about the erosion of workers’ rights, stagnant wages, and the declining influence of the average worker.

• Expand Union Participation and Labor Movements: Reinvigorating unions and expanding labor protections could give workers a stronger collective voice. New labor movements that focus on economic rights without overtly partisan language could attract support across the political spectrum, particularly when they champion issues like fair wages, workplace safety, and job security.

• Support Worker Cooperatives and Employee-Owned Businesses: Promoting models like worker cooperatives or employee-owned businesses can offer a compelling alternative to the current structure of corporate ownership without resorting to divisive rhetoric. These models prioritize local control and shared economic benefits, appealing to values of self-sufficiency and fairness.

3. Pressure Politicians on Key Economic Policies

A key to bridging the partisan gap is to focus on policies that benefit the broader populace rather than framing them as part of any ideological agenda. The majority of Americans, regardless of political affiliation, support policies like fair taxation, healthcare reform, and increased access to education when framed in terms of fairness and opportunity.

• Promote Tax Reform as “Fairness,” Not Redistribution: Instead of advocating for “redistribution,” proponents can push for tax policies that ensure everyone pays their fair share. Policies like a wealth tax or higher taxes on capital gains can be framed as holding the ultra-wealthy accountable rather than demonizing them, a stance that resonates with people who value fairness and personal responsibility.

• Advocate for Antitrust Legislation: Pushing for stronger antitrust laws to break up monopolies and prevent anti-competitive practices can appeal to both sides. For conservatives, this aligns with the values of market competition; for progressives, it aligns with corporate accountability and consumer protection.

4. Engage in Alternative Media and Independent Journalism

The ultra-wealthy often own or influence major media outlets, which can shape public opinion in ways that protect their interests. For the middle and lower classes to gain a clearer view of economic issues, alternative media sources and independent journalism that aren’t beholden to billionaire interests are crucial.

• Support Independent News Outlets: A growing number of independent news organizations are dedicated to in-depth economic reporting without catering to corporate interests. Supporting these outlets allows individuals to access a range of perspectives that help reveal the true impact of policies on ordinary people.

• Utilize Social Media Responsibly to Build Cross-Party Awareness: Social media, while often a divisive force, can also be used to spread information about economic injustice. When used responsibly to share facts, case studies, and stories of economic hardship, it can cut through the rhetoric and provide people across the political spectrum with a shared understanding of the issues.

5. Prioritize Voting Reform and Campaign Finance Reform

Money in politics is one of the core reasons why economic policies favor the wealthy. Bipartisan support for reducing corporate influence in politics is possible, especially when the focus is on fairness, transparency, and accountability in government.

• Promote Campaign Finance Reform as an Anti-Corruption Effort: Campaign finance reform, which seeks to limit the influence of wealthy donors and corporations on elections, can appeal to conservatives and liberals alike who are frustrated with the influence of money in politics. Instead of framing it as an anti-capitalist measure, framing it as an anti-corruption measure can attract broader support.

• Support Voting Reforms for a More Representative Democracy: Reforms like ranked-choice voting, ending gerrymandering, and preventing voter suppression can help create a political environment that more accurately represents the will of the people rather than special interests. By creating a more representative democracy, policies that reflect the economic needs of the middle and lower classes have a better chance of being enacted.

6. Create Cross-Partisan Grassroots Coalitions Focused on Economic Issues

Many grassroots organizations are focused on economic justice, but they tend to align themselves with one side of the political spectrum, often losing potential support in the process. Building cross-partisan coalitions that emphasize shared economic challenges rather than ideological differences could foster stronger, more united advocacy for middle- and working-class issues.

• Organize Around Issues, Not Parties: Groups like the Poor People’s Campaign, which focuses on poverty and economic justice, have successfully united people across political lines around issues that transcend party loyalty. This approach allows people to focus on their shared struggles, making the movement harder for politicians to ignore.

• Build Community-Level Alliances: Many economic issues are felt acutely at the local level. By focusing on community-level initiatives that address healthcare, affordable housing, and education, people can create practical, on-the-ground solutions that don’t require alignment with national politics. These local successes can serve as models for broader change.

7. Emphasize Civic Education on Economic Policies

Finally, bridging the gap will require education and awareness. Many people accept billionaire-fueled rhetoric because they lack exposure to alternative perspectives. Civic education efforts that focus on teaching economic principles, tax policy, and the influence of corporate power can empower people to understand the real impacts of current policies on their lives.

• Create Accessible Educational Resources: Podcasts, documentaries, workshops, and community discussions can all serve as tools for demystifying economic issues. When people have a clearer understanding of how things like tax policies and wage laws work, they are better equipped to make informed decisions.

• Promote Financial Literacy and Empower Individuals: Financial literacy programs that help individuals understand budgeting, credit, and investments empower people to navigate the economy more effectively. While this doesn’t directly address systemic issues, it gives individuals a greater understanding of the forces shaping their lives and can be a first step toward broader engagement.

By approaching these issues with a focus on shared struggles, fairness, and practical solutions, the middle and lower classes can work together to build a movement that transcends political divides. This movement can challenge the status quo without becoming mired in divisive ideological battles. The real strength of such an effort lies in its ability to unite ordinary people around a common vision for a fairer, more just economic system—one that serves all citizens, not just the wealthiest few.

[unavailableapple]

Like…DOES patriarchy hurt men though? There certain ways that it does but I feel like a lot of people insist it hurts men MORE. And uh…does it though?

-They have to be the breadwinner. Except they don’t…most households in the United States are two-income. It’s very difficult to have a one-income household in the modern climate of the economy. And women who still work as much as their husbands also have to come home and cook, clean, care for children, do laundry, etc.

-They aren’t allowed to dress fun. Except they are? Harry Styles gets on the cover of magazines for wearing an ugly dress. Movies like Wicked repeatedly show men in skirts. Social media is full of men wearing makeup and cute outfits and heels. I feel it’s become pretty normalized now for men to dress how they like. It’s just also normalized for them to dress comfortably, whereas I get a ridiculous amount of pushback for wearing pants, no makeup, not shaving my legs, and having short hair.

-They aren’t allowed to show emotions. Except they are? How many times has a video gone viral of a man crying because he loves his kids. All television, movies, books, etc are ever about is men’s feelings. Philosophy pretty much boils down to “men are sad”. The male loneliness epidemic is all I ever hear about…

-Men aren’t allowed to be gay. Neither are women???? I keep seeing this idea that women have an easier time being gay because they’re fetishized so much, whereas gay men are just treated as gross and weird. Sorry but like…no. Being treated like a porn search is not acceptance.

When men do experience hatred for being gay, wearing pink, or crying it’s literally because those things are womanly. Having sex with men is associated with women (that’s why “it’s not gay if you top”), pink is the “girl” color, crying is “feminine” aka WEAK. It all just reinforces the same thing: ‘woman’ is the worst thing to be.

But men are the victims here?

[gksweetdreams]

Caught in a Web

Sinister Mark x Reader

Here’s part 2 I felt really inspired and kind of fell in love when writing and creating it so I hope you enjoy it and I hope you like the way this story is moving along :)

The world was chaos. Different variants of Mark Grayson were tearing each other apart, destroying the cities and killing innocents. Some of the Marks were heroes, some villains—others barely more than mindless beasts. But Sinister Mark? He stood still; eyes still locked onto her.

Y/N had fought many threats before like gangs and alien invaders—but something about him unsettled her. He wasn’t like the other Marks, blinded by rage or loyalty to the Viltrumite empire. No, there was something else behind those eyes.

A memory.

And love...

She fired a web to the side of a crumbling skyscraper and swung away, her senses screaming to put distance between them. She didn’t trust that look he was giving her—the kind that made her spidey senses go off and give her a headache.

The kind of look where it felt like she belonged to someone she had never even met.

But Sinister Mark wasn’t about to let her go so easily.

In an instant, he was right beside her in the air, flying. His cape blowing behind him, and despite the destruction around them, he looked almost… calm… too calm

“Running already?” His voice was smooth, teasing. “You’ve fought aliens before, haven’t you? You don’t strike me as the type to back down.”

Y/N didn’t say anything, and he continued

“My Y/N always faced issues head on… maybe that’s why she died” 

Y/N twisted mid-air, firing another web toward him. But this time, she reinforced it with electricity, her version of a venom blast.

Sinister Mark caught it—again—but this time, the energy crackled up his arm, his jaw clenching from the pain. Yet instead of anger, a smirk played on his lips.

“There she is.”

Y/N’s stomach twisted. Why did it sound like he knew her? She hated it…

“Alright, buddy, listen,” she said, flipping onto a nearby rooftop annoyed. “I don’t know what kind of tragic backstory you’ve got, but I am not her.”

Sinister Mark landed with a soft thud; arms crossed over his chest. “I know.”

That caught her off guard. Not expecting him to just agree.

“I know you’re not my Y/N,” he continued, stepping closer. “She’s gone. I lost her. And before you ask—no, I wasn’t the one who killed her.” His fists clenched slightly. “But I should have stopped it.”

Y/N’s spider-sense tingled—not from danger, but from something else. He wasn’t lying. His pain was real.

For a brief second, her mind flickered to her own Mark—her version of Invincible, the one she fought beside. Would she be standing here, looking at him in another life, if things had gone differently?

She shook the thought away.

“Look, I get it,” she said, keeping her distance. “Loss changes people. But don’t mistake me for a second chance.”

Sinister Mark exhaled through his nose, almost like a laugh. “Who said I was?”

Another scream could be heard leaving no time for Y/N to respond. One of the more savage Marks—scarred and monstrous—ripped through the battlefield below, his bloodstained eyes locked onto hers from the distance.

Sinister Mark’s expression darkened.

“Get behind me,” he ordered.

Y/N scoffed. “Yeah, no. I can handle myself.”

“I know you can.” His gaze flicked to her web-shooters, the subtle twitch of her fingers, the way her body tensed. She was already calculating a hundred ways to take down the incoming threat. And he found himself... fascinated. It was strange to him how this Y/N and his Y/N were so similar but yet so different.

Then the monstrous Mark variant lunged.

Y/N moved first, flipping into the air, dodging a powerful punch that shattered the rooftop. She fired a web at his face, pulling herself toward him to deliver a venom-charged punch—only for him to catch her mid-air.

Her breath hitched as she felt his grip tighten.

Before she could react, a blur tore through the sky.

Sinister Mark hit him like a meteor.

The monstrous variant barely had time to register what happened before Sinister Mark grabbed his head and slammed him through the rooftop, sending them both crashing into the streets below.

Dust and debris filled the air.

Y/N landed gracefully on the edge of the destruction swiping her hand left to right to move the smoke they both caused, heart pounding.

Sinister Mark stood over the now-dead variant; his fist still embedded in the pavement. Blood dripped from his knuckles—none of it his own.

He flew back to her, the expression unreadable.

Y/N crossed her arms. “I had that.” Trying not to act like that didn’t just give her the scare of a life time.

Sinister Mark wiped the blood from his knuckles. “I know.”

She narrowed her eyes. “Then why step in?”

His lips quirked up into a smirk. “Because I wanted to.”

A beat of silence passed between them, heavy with something neither wanted to name.

Then he took a step toward her.

Y/N tensed but didn’t move.

“I won’t pretend you’re her,” he said, voice quieter now. “But you are... something. And I don’t ignore things that make me feel alive.”

She swallowed.

“Careful,” she murmured. “You might start sounding like a hero.”

Sinister Mark chuckled. “Unlikely.”

Above them, the sky continued to crackle with energy. The war between variants wasn’t over yet.

But for the first time since arriving in this reality, Sinister Mark wasn’t just looking for a fight.

He had found something far more dangerous. Something that made his heartbeat again…

Something he wasn’t sure he could walk away from…

And Y/N didn’t know what to think.

Thank you for all the love and support!! It truly amazed me, and I am really happy everyone liked part 1. Sorry once again for the grammar and I hope everyone enjoys this story as much as I like writing it :)

← Previous Part | Next Part →

[itwillbethescarletwitch]

Symbiotic Attraction

Eddie Brock x Fem!Stark!Reader

requested by @hardyshardfangurl

Eddie Brock didn’t know why he was wearing a button-down. He hadn’t ironed anything since 2018. Venom definitely didn’t approve.

“We are not corporate slaves, Eddie. This smells like sadness and dry cleaning.”

“Shut up,” Eddie muttered under his breath, checking his reflection in the polished glass doors of Stark Tower. “This is a real opportunity. She’s offering interviews. We need income that doesn’t come with blood or… slime.”

“Slime is profitable.”

The elevator whooshed him up 87 floors before opening into what looked like a spaceship masquerading as an office.

Y/N Stark was already there. Sitting on the edge of a floating conference table, dark lipstick, eyes sharp, expression unreadable. She was wearing Stark-level elegance and Stark-level sarcasm, and Eddie felt exactly like a guy who wasn’t supposed to be in the room.

“Eddie Brock,” she said, standing and walking toward him, heels echoing with precision. “Disgraced journalist. Amateur boxer. Alien host.”

Eddie gave her a crooked smile. “Wow. You’ve really done your stalking.”

“I do my research,” she replied. “Including on your… passenger.”

She tilted her head, amused. “I want to meet him.”

Eddie blinked. “You—you want to what?”

“Venom,” she said, as if tasting the name. “Come out and say hello.”

Venom’s head slowly emerged from Eddie’s shoulder, grinning.

“HELLO, PRETTY LADY.”

Eddie looked mortified. “Dude—”

Y/N arched a brow. “That’s Ms. Stark to you, teeth-for-brains.”

Venom purred. “SHE IS SPICY. I LIKE HER. CAN I EAT SOMEONE FOR HER?”

“No, you may not,” Eddie snapped.

Y/N turned away, walking toward a digital display wall with blueprints and energy signatures scrolling across it. “Relax. I’m not here to cage you. In fact, I’m offering you a job.”

Eddie stared. “Wait. What?”

“You’re chaotic, unfiltered, and half-alien,” she said. “I need someone to go places I can’t be seen. There’s tech being stolen. Biological weapons. People who think the Stark name died with my father.”

Venom tilted his head. “Are we allowed to bite them?”

Y/N gave a wicked little smile. “Only if I say so.”

Eddie blinked. “…Is this a job interview or a marriage proposal?”

Y/N turned to him, calm as ever. “I don’t mix business and pleasure, Brock.”

Venom: “We would.”

Eddie groaned into his hands. “Oh my god, I hate you so much.”

Y/N handed him a Stark ID badge. “You start Monday.”

———

Eddie Brock didn’t know what he expected from his first day at Stark Industries, but it definitely wasn’t a titanium badge, a biometric scanner that asked for his “preferred tongue,” or a swarm of lab techs sprinting out of the breakroom screaming:

“IT ATE MY LUNCH!”

Eddie pinched the bridge of his nose. “Venom.”

“IT HAD PICKLES. WE LIKE PICKLES.”

“Cool. You couldn’t have asked?”

“WE ARE ABOVE ASKING. WE ARE A GOD.”

“You’re a parasite in a hoodie.”

“PARASITE? RUDE.”

The elevator opened with a soft chime and revealed Y/N Stark in a blood-red suit and combat boots, holding a StarkPad and not looking up.

“You’re late,” she said, breezing past him into the secure lab.

“I was interrogating the morality of lunch theft with a space goo inside my brain.”

She glanced over her shoulder. “And losing, clearly.”

“Yeah, well, he had the high ground. And teeth.”

Inside the lab, dozens of prototypes hovered in display fields—some Stark, some clearly not. Alien alloys. Symbiote-reactive gel. Something pulsing faintly behind reinforced glass that made Venom growl low in Eddie’s throat.

Y/N noticed.

“Good. You feel that. You’re here because I need someone who knows that kind of energy. There’s been a breach in Sector 5. Someone’s using symbiote residue to corrupt biotech.” She paused. “I figured your freeloading roommate might be useful.”

“YOU FLATTER US, SPARKLES.”

“WE LIKE YOUR FIRE. YOU WOULD MAKE AN EXCELLENT HOST.”

Y/N didn’t even flinch. “Tempting. But I already have an alien inside me.”

Eddie blinked. “Wait, what?”

“I meant trauma, Brock.”

“WE REALLY LIKE HER.”

Y/N turned, handing Eddie a holo-slate. “Your mission: infiltrate the auction tomorrow night. Black market biotech. My sources say the stolen Stark tech’s going up for sale. I want you in the room. Venom keeps you alive. I’ll be watching your feed.”

“Do I get backup?”

“You get a suit.”

Eddie raised a brow. “Like… a suit suit? Or, like, an Iron Man kind of deal?”

Y/N smirked. “Try it on and find out.”

She pressed a button and a section of the floor opened to reveal a matte black Stark-tactical suit with deep violet lining—symbiote compatible, according to the glowing specs.

“THIS IS SEXY.”

Eddie looked at Y/N. “Is this flirting or foreplay?”

Y/N leaned in, stopping inches from his face.

“When I flirt,” she said softly, “you’ll need oxygen.”

She turned and walked out like the devil in lipstick, leaving Eddie standing there, suit in hand, pulse thundering.

“WE ARE SO INTO HER.”

Eddie: “Yeah… that might be a problem.”

———

Eddie Brock tugged at the collar of his Stark-issued stealth suit, already regretting everything. It hugged in all the wrong places—and the right ones—and he was sweating bullets under the neon lights of a high-rise auction disguised as a tech startup launch.

Y/N Stark’s voice purred in his comm:

“Quit fidgeting, Brock. You look like you’re about to pass out, not infiltrate an illegal biotech exchange.”

“I’m wearing a suit made of nanotech and bad decisions.”

“WE LIKE IT. IT SMELLS EXPENSIVE.”

“You don’t have a nose.”

“WE DO NOW. THANK YOU, LAVENDER FABRIC SPRAY.”

Eddie stifled a groan as he walked into the crowd. The auction was buried behind layers of fake handshakes and PR smiles, but the backroom was the real show. He flashed the badge Y/N had hacked for him, and a steel door slid open, revealing a sea of wealthy criminals sipping cocktails over stolen tech.

And right there—center stage—a black glass case.

Inside? Stark Tech.

Symbiote-reactive, bio-adaptive processors. Stuff that didn’t belong outside Y/N’s private vault.

Y/N’s voice turned sharp. “That processor’s mine. Get it out before it ends up in a missile or someone’s spinal cord.”

Eddie moved toward the platform.

A figure stepped in front of him. Slick suit. Sleazier grin.

“Don’t recognize you,” the man said. “You from Madripoor?”

“Uh-huh,” Eddie said, lying through his teeth. “Freelance…biotech consultant.”

“Funny. You look like a guy with a criminal record and an alien problem.”

“MAY WE EAT HIM NOW?”

“Shut up,” Eddie hissed under his breath.

The man’s eyes narrowed. “What did you just say?”

“Gas,” Eddie said. “I have… IBS. Real bad.”

“WE COULD VOMIT ON HIM TO SEAL THE LIE.”

Y/N’s laughter came through the earpiece like warm silk. “You are so bad at undercover.”

“I’m not exactly Bond here, Stark!”

The man started reaching for his side holster.

“HE IS REACHING. WE DO NOT LIKE THAT.”

“Yeah, yeah, I see it—”

Before things exploded, Venom burst from Eddie’s back like a pissed-off shadow. A tendril slapped the man’s weapon away and launched him into a wall with a satisfying crunch.

“TARGET NEUTRALIZED. FUN LEVEL: 6 OUT OF 10.”

Screams erupted. Security surged forward.

Eddie turned and ran.

“Exit plan?” he shouted into the comm.

“Window. North hallway. Jump.”

“That’s not a plan, that’s a death wish!”

“WE LOVE JUMPING.”

Venom erupted fully now, wrapping around Eddie and launching them through the hallway. Bullets pinged off the suit as they crashed through the window, glass shattering into the neon night.

They landed hard on a rooftop. Eddie rolled, groaning, as Venom retracted just enough for him to breathe.

Then she was there.

Y/N, standing across the rooftop, wind whipping through her hair, one hand in her coat pocket like this was just a Tuesday night.

“You’re late,” she said again.

Eddie dragged himself upright. “You really like saying that.”

“I really like seeing you sweat.”

“SHE IS FLIRTING AGAIN. DO THE THING.”

“What thing?!”

“KISS HER.”

Eddie turned beet red. “No. Absolutely not.”

Y/N took a step closer, eyes locked on his.

“Tell your plus-one if he keeps making kissy noises in your head, I’ll blast him with a sonic cannon.”

“…WE WILL BEHAVE.”

She smirked.

Then she reached into her coat, pulled out a thermos, and tossed it at him.

“Chamomile. For your nerves,” she said. “You’ve earned it.”

Eddie caught it, dumbfounded.

“You brought me tea?”

“I’m not a monster, Brock.”

He cracked a smile. “You’re something else, Stark.”

Y/N gave him one last look, then turned and walked toward the edge of the roof, disappearing into the dark with nothing but the scent of ozone and confidence.

“WE SHOULD HAVE KISSED HER.”

“I’m working on it, alright?”

———

Eddie was starting to think this whole mission was a bad idea. Not because of the top-secret blacksite, or the bio-mutated symbiotes screaming like sirens in the walls—but because Y/N Stark, standing beside him in all-black tactical gear, had just whispered in his ear:

“Follow my lead. And stop looking like you’re two seconds from spontaneous combustion.”

“I am combusting. You wore eyeliner.”

Y/N gave him a sidelong glance. “Focus, Brock. Or I’ll tell Venom what you really said about pineapple pizza.”

“HE SAID IT WAS DELICIOUS. BETRAYAL.”

Eddie hissed under his breath. “Snitch.”

They were walking through the Lazarus Facility, an offshore lab posing as a hydroelectric research site. Underneath the clean, tech-filled surface was a horror show: mutated proto-symbiotes locked in cryotubes. Tech that looked Stark-made. Screams that didn’t sound human.

Y/N moved with purpose. In this environment, she was untouchable—elegant, lethal, all fire and calculation. She hacked into a secured vault with two fingers and a deadpan look.

“You’re too good at this,” Eddie muttered.

“I built half this security, remember?”

“SHE IS BRILLIANT. LET’S PUT HER IN OUR MOUTH.”

Eddie: “No. Not the time.”

They reached the central chamber—dark, humming, lined with tanks full of twitching things that might’ve once been symbiotes.

Eddie stopped. Venom growled.

“THEY ARE WRONG. IMPURE. THIS IS BLASPHEMY.”

“Y/N,” Eddie said, tension crawling up his spine, “these things are… aware.”

One of the pods cracked.

A creature lunged inside its tank—humanoid, glitching with raw data, its face flickering between different Stark team profiles.

It looked almost like Eddie.

Then it whispered: “Host… not compatible…”

Y/N’s face went pale.

“Someone’s feeding them genetic data. My files. Your scans. They’re building hybrids that learn.”

Then a voice echoed overhead:

“Welcome back, Stark.”

A figure stepped out onto the catwalk. Slim. Smirking. Wearing a prototype symbiote suit with a corrupted arc reactor embedded in the chest.

“You left me behind,” they said. “Now I’m rewriting evolution.”

Y/N’s eyes went cold. “Jackson.”

Jackson Carter. Former Stark intern. Left behind during the Sokovia evacuation. Everyone thought he was dead.

He wasn’t.

He’d been growing. Fusing. Twisting.

Eddie stepped forward.

“You need to shut this down before these things start multiplying.”

Jackson laughed. “It’s too late. The Lazarus strain is self-replicating. Soon there’ll be thousands. And they’ll all obey me.”

“YOU DISGUST US. LET US BITE HIS FACE.”

Jackson launched himself at them—symbiote limbs lashing out. Eddie and Venom merged in one fluid snarl, catching a strike before it could impale Y/N.

The lab erupted in chaos.

Tanks shattered. Creatures shrieked. Y/N fired off pulse blasts while Eddie fought a trio of goo-hybrids crawling on the ceiling.

“LEFT! LEFT! PUNCH THAT ONE’S SPLEEN!”

“I don’t think they have spleens!”

“THEN GUESS! HIT EVERYTHING!”

The chamber was collapsing. Alarms blared. Lightning cracked from an exposed reactor.

Y/N slid beside Eddie, breathing hard. “Blow the core. We end this now.”

He stared at her. “You’ll be caught in the blast—”

“I’ve got a way out. Do you?”

He gritted his teeth. “You better.”

Venom launched them both toward the central reactor. Y/N hacked while Eddie held the creatures off. Sparks rained like fire. One claw came too close—Y/N gasped—

Eddie moved before thinking. Took the hit. Hit the floor hard.

Blood. Pain. Blurred vision.

Y/N screamed something he couldn’t hear.

Then her face hovered over his. She was touching his face, eyes full of panic and fury.

“You idiot,” she whispered. “You jumped in front of me.”

“Yeah,” he said weakly. “Stupid… heroic stuff.”

“WE HATE THIS. TOO MUCH BLEEDING.”

Y/N pressed a patch to his side. “Hold still.”

“Are we gonna die?” Eddie muttered.

“Not tonight.”

She activated the failsafe. The reactor detonated in a white-hot blast of light—

—and the world vanished.

⸻

☁️ Later – Quinjet, En Route to NYC

Eddie blinked awake. Pain in his side. Warm blanket. The scent of antiseptic…and vanilla?

Y/N was sitting beside him, hair messy, bruised but alive.

“You’re awake.”

He tried to smirk. “Wasn’t gonna die before our first kiss.”

She rolled her eyes—but her hand slid over his.

“Don’t push your luck, Brock.”

“KISS. NOW. DO IT. DOOOO—”

Y/N leaned down and kissed him, soft, warm, with just enough pressure to shut Venom up.

It worked.

“…OH. OH. THAT WAS… NICE.”

Eddie blinked. “Are you okay?”

Y/N smiled. “Ask me again when you’re shirtless and conscious.”

He groaned.

“I’m never gonna survive you, am I?”

Y/N kissed his forehead.

“Nope.”

———

“You realize this looks like a date, right?” Eddie muttered as he followed Y/N Stark into the rooftop restaurant overlooking Manhattan.

“It’s not a date,” she replied, gliding through the room like she owned the place—which, technically, she did. “It’s a post-mission debrief. Over overpriced pasta. With wine. And me in a dress.”

She was in a dress. A black satin number that made Eddie’s brain short-circuit. He was in a pressed shirt and jacket he hadn’t worn since his last court summons. Venom had preened in the mirror for fifteen minutes.

“WE LOOK DELICIOUS. THE WAITRESS IS STARING. SHE SMELLS LIKE CUCUMBER SOAP.”

“Stop talking about people’s soap,” Eddie whispered under his breath.

Y/N glanced over her shoulder, amused. “Venom narrating your inner monologue again?”

“He thinks the waitress wants to eat us.”

She slid into their private booth. “She’d have to get in line.”

“WE LIKE HER.”

Eddie sat across from her, trying not to squirm as she handed him the wine menu like this was totally normal and not a giant public Are We Or Aren’t We event.

“Let’s talk Lazarus,” she said, sipping her wine with casual grace. “We neutralized the clones, Jackson’s in containment, and Stark Industries is officially wiping the Lazarus tech off the grid.”

“Great. So why am I here?”

She tilted her head. “Maybe I wanted to see if you can sit through one dinner without punching someone.”

Eddie leaned forward. “You sure this isn’t a date?”

She smirked. “Does it feel like one?”

Pause. Beat.

Too much eye contact. Not enough breathing.

“IT FEELS LIKE SOMETHING. WE HAVE IDEAS.”

The waiter appeared like a ghost, breaking the tension. “Anything to start?”

Y/N barely looked up. “Two Negronis. Truffle gnocchi. Extra bread.”

Eddie blinked. “Did you just order for me?”

“You trust me with global weapons contracts but not carbs?”

Fair.

Dinner arrived. They bantered through the meal—flirting disguised as arguments, compliments buried under sarcasm. Y/N licked sauce off her thumb and Eddie momentarily forgot his own name.

Across the room, someone took a picture.

Eddie stiffened. “We’re being watched.”

Y/N didn’t even look. “Let them. Everyone thinks we hate each other. This’ll confuse the hell out of them.”

“WE SHOULD WAVE. AND THEN LICK HER.”

“No licking!”

She raised a brow. “Excuse me?”

“Not you. Him. Sorry. Symbiote nonsense.”

The photo-taker approached. Guy in a blazer, too confident.

“Y/N Stark?” he asked. “Can I get a photo with you?”

Eddie tried to stay calm, but the guy was lingering. Way too close.

Y/N smiled politely. “I’m off the clock.”

Blazer Guy ignored her tone. “Just a quick one—”

Eddie stood. “She said no.”

The man scoffed. “Who the hell are you?”

“WE ARE PROTECTION. BACK OFF.”

Venom flared out of Eddie’s shoulder just enough to flash teeth. The guy practically tripped over himself backing up.

The restaurant went quiet for half a second.

Y/N sipped her wine like nothing happened. “You couldn’t go one dinner, could you?”

Eddie sat back down, flushed. “He was harassing you.”

She tilted her head, softer now. “And you defended me.”

Beat.

Then she smiled, slow and real. “Maybe it is a date.”

Eddie’s heart stopped.

“KISS HER. ON THE MOUTH. NOW. DO IT.”

Instead, he grinned. “So what happens after this strictly professional dinner?”

Y/N leaned forward, eyes gleaming. “We go back to the Tower. I brief Pepper. You ice your ribs. Then maybe—if you ask nicely—I’ll let you touch my tech vault.”

Eddie blinked. “Is that a metaphor?”

She smirked.

“Guess you’ll find out.”

———

Y/N walked out of the debrief room, her heels quiet against Stark Tower’s polished floors. The lights had dimmed for the night, casting long shadows through the glass corridors. She was bone-tired. Her braid was slipping. Her brain was buzzing with everything Pepper had just grilled her on.

And she definitely wasn’t thinking about Eddie.

Definitely not.

Except—

Except there was a voice from the hallway.

“Hey.”

She turned, and he was there. Half-lit by the corridor glow, still in the button-down from dinner, jacket slung over his shoulder like he didn’t know what to do with his hands. Eddie Brock looked like he wanted to say five things and didn’t know how to say any of them.

“Didn’t think you were still here,” she said, calm but curious.

He scratched the back of his neck. “Yeah. I, uh… I was gonna leave.”

“But?”

He looked around. Took a step closer.

“But Venom yelled at me for twenty straight minutes and now I think I’m legally required to talk to you.”

“TELL HER YOU LOVE HER. NOW. DO IT. SPIT IT OUT, YOU USELESS MEAT SACK.”

Y/N raised an eyebrow. “Oh? You and your plus-one had a heart-to-heart?”

“She called it an intervention.”

“YES. BECAUSE YOU ARE PATHETIC. LOOK AT HER. SHE IS SHINY AND POWERFUL. PERFECT FOR NESTING.”

“Nesting?” Y/N echoed, blinking.

Eddie groaned. “Ignore that part.”

There was a pause.

He stepped closer. Not touching, not yet, but just inside that dangerous space where the air between them felt electric.

“I’m not good at this,” Eddie said quietly. “Any of this. The hero stuff. The team stuff. The dinner-that’s-not-a-date-but-definitely-was kind of stuff.”

Her lips twitched. “You’re better at it than you think.”

He looked at her like he was seeing the whole galaxy in one person.

“You scare the hell out of me,” he admitted.

“And yet, here you are.”

“Yeah.” His voice dropped. “Because I can’t stop thinking about you. You’re in my head and in my space and somehow Venom likes you more than he likes me, which is insane.”

“BECAUSE SHE IS SUPERIOR. WE WANT HER TO BE OUR QUEEN. MAKE HER PANCAKES. HOLD HER HAND. LICK HER FACE.”

Eddie winced. “Please don’t do any of those things.”

Y/N’s expression softened. “You’re overthinking it.”

“Yeah,” he said, breathless. “But I do that. A lot.”

And then—finally—he closed the gap.

One hand on her waist, the other brushing her cheek like he was still scared she might disappear if he held on too tight.

Y/N didn’t disappear.

She kissed him like she’d been waiting exactly this long for him to snap out of it.

It was slow and searching and everything Eddie had been afraid to want.

“YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS.”

Venom’s voice echoed in his head like a triumphant battle cry. Eddie could swear he felt the symbiote purr.

When they pulled back, Y/N rested her forehead against his.

“That was… overdue,” she whispered.

“Yeah,” he said. “And also maybe the beginning of a terrible idea.”

Y/N grinned. “The best ones always are.”

[lesmana-enterprise-ltd]

Lesmana Enterprise and Willow Creek: Takeover Talks or Just a Round of Golf?

By Business Simsider SimNation

San Myshuno—The markets are abuzz with speculation after Kieran Lesmana, CEO of Lesmana Enterprise, was spotted on the greens of Willow Creek Country Club alongside wife Seo Yeon Kim, Mayor Harlan Scott and West Simnation State Senator Albert Fryer. While a golf game might seem like a harmless pastime for the billionaire mogul, industry insiders and market analysts believe this meeting may signal something far more significant: a potential Lesmana-backed corporate expansion into Willow Creek.

Lesmana Enterprise, one of the most powerful conglomerates in SimNation, has long been known for its strategic urban developments and high-profile acquisitions. While no official statements have been made, Lesmana Enterprise's stock (LSMN) saw a sharp uptick (+0,65%) following the weekend outing, as whispers of a possible real estate play in Willow Creek spread through financial circles.

A Deal Behind Closed Doors?

While there has been no public disclosure of a purchase or formal agreement, sources close to the matter suggest that a deal may have already been struck behind the scenes. Analysts point to Lesmana’s pattern of discreet negotiations before major corporate expansions. The lack of any official denial from city officials or Lesmana representatives has only fueled further speculation.

“It wouldn’t be the first time we’ve seen a major player move in before the public catches wind of it,” said investment strategist Helen Feng. “If Lesmana Enterprise is involved, you can expect high-value real estate shifts, rezoning efforts, and possibly a large-scale redevelopment project.”

Willow Creek Residents in the Dark

On the ground in Willow Creek, however, locals seem unaware of any such plans. When asked about the rumored deal, longtime residents expressed confusion. “I haven’t heard anything about that,” said Eliza Pancakes, who has lived in Willow Creek for over a decade. “But if Lesmana’s getting involved, I just hope they don’t push people out.”

Concerns over corporate takeovers and gentrification are not new. Lesmana Enterprise’s past projects have been praised for their modern infrastructure but have also drawn criticism for displacing lower-income communities, such as the landed house projects in San Myshuno's spice market borough. If the speculation turns out to be true, questions will arise over what this could mean for Willow Creek’s future.

Adding Fuel to the Fire

As if the speculation wasn’t enough, Seo Yeon Kim, ex member of the famed S-pop girl group Lumina, now wife of Kieran Lesmana, unintentionally added more fuel to the online debate with a recent Simstagram story. Posting a casual selfie followed by videos of her day on the greens, she subtly reminded followers that Senator Fryer and Mayor Scott has been a longtime family friend of the Lesmanas.

This seemingly innocuous post has ignited heated discussions online. Some argue that her presence simply reinforces the existing ties between the Lesmanas and political figures, dismissing the golf outing as a routine social event. Others, however, see it as an undeniable hint that she—whether directly or indirectly—plays a role in shaping the rumored deal.

“If it was just a friendly game, why post about it now?” one user speculated on SimNation Finance Forum. “She knows what she’s doing. This isn’t just golf—it’s strategy.”

Stay tuned as Business Simsider SimNation continues to follow this developing story.

[lowytavis]

i promised malek - garrick tavis x reader

warning: angst, violence, fluff at the end

Garrick Tavis tightened his grip on his sword, his breath ragged as blood dripped from the gash on his forehead.

The ambush had come swift and brutal, cutting them off from reinforcements, leaving only him and (Y/N) against impossible odds.

The air was thick with the scent of iron and smoke, the once-proud banners of King Aaric Graycastle now trampled in the dirt.

Garrick staggered, using his shield to block an incoming strike, but his body was slow, exhaustion clawing at him.

He stole a glance at (Y/N), equally battered, her face pale with blood loss.

They were both barely standing.

“We’re not making it out of this, are we?” (Y/N) murmured, voice hoarse.

Garrick let out a bitter chuckle, spitting blood to the side.

“Not looking good.”

Another enemy lunged, and Garrick moved on instinct, striking out with what little strength he had left.

His vision blurred. His limbs felt heavier. He wasn’t sure if it was his own blood or (Y/N)’s soaking the ground beneath them.

“You still with me?” he asked through gritted teeth.

(Y/N) gave a weak nod, raising her weapon. “To the end.”

And then the enemy surged forward once more.

Garricks POV

I woke up.

Or at least, I think I did.

My eyelids felt like stone, barely parting as I fought to pull myself back to consciousness. My body ached, every breath a struggle, and something heavy pressed against my side.

(YN).

I swallowed, my throat raw. “Hey, (YN),” I rasped. “Get up.”

No movement.

My pulse spiked.

I couldn’t even tell if she was breathing.

The town around us was in ruins.

I forced myself to move, teeth gritted against the pain.

My fingers trembled as I reached for (YN), pressing against her throat, desperate for any sign of life.

"You cannot leave me like this," I muttered, my voice barely more than a breath as I pulled her closer.

My arms shook, whether from exhaustion or fear, I wasn’t sure.

Then—movement. A shallow inhale. A tremor against my chest.

“I told Malek about us,” she whimpered. Her voice was so faint I almost thought I imagined it.

Her eyes fluttered open—at least, one did. The other was swollen, dark and bloodied, and I knew then she might lose it.

But she was alive.

For now.

“What?” My voice was hoarse, rough with disbelief.

She tried to grin, though it came with a wet, sickening gurgle as blood pooled at the corner of her mouth.

“Malek said he’s not ready for us.”

She coughed, a broken sound. “We’re menaces.”

Her attempt at humor was weak, but it was her. It was her.

I exhaled sharply, pressing my forehead to hers. "Damn right we are."

But there was no victory here, only bodies and silence. I had no idea if help was coming.

If there even was help left to come.

I tightened my grip around her, determination steeling my spine.

"You’re not dying today, (YN)."

She let out a ragged chuckle. "I’ll hold you to that."

And so I held her, praying I wouldn’t have to break my word.

later

We woke up in the infirmary.

Took you long enough,” (YN) stated the moment my eyes fully opened.

She smiled, but there was an eyepatch covering one of her eyes.

My stomach twisted.

"Yeah, it's gone," she said, noticing my stare.

There was sadness in her voice, but then she smirked.

"Guess I’m only half as hot now as I used to be.

I huffed a breath, shaking my head. "You’re impossible."

“Scoot over,” she said.

And I did.

We’d always been just friends, but there was no denying the chemistry between us. It had been there for years, unspoken, ignored—but now, with death so close behind us, it felt impossible to push aside.

"You said something about speaking to Malek?" I muttered, watching her closely.

She sighed.

“Yeah. I feel like I died—I could’ve sworn I saw him. And you know what he did?” Her lips pressed together. “He rejected us. Said there’s something unspoken between us.”

I inhaled sharply. My pulse quickened.

There is.

“(YN)?”

My voice was quieter now, cautious.

“You know I feel more than friendship, right?”

She didn’t hesitate.

“I do, Garrick.”

Her fingers brushed against mine, warm despite everything.

“But… same here.”

She scooted even closer, curling into my side, her hand slipping into mine like it belonged there.

I exhaled slowly, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

Maybe Malek had seen something before we did.

Maybe death had forced us to stop pretending.

But in this moment, lying here with her, I knew one thing for certain.

I wasn’t letting go.

[galaxy-stardust]

Simon Ghost Riley x you

Gift from Simon 🐾

Part 3

The days passed too quickly. It always felt like time slipped through your fingers whenever Simon was home. Before you knew it, he was standing in the hallway, his duffle bag slung over his shoulder, Shadow sitting obediently by your feet. She had grown surprisingly disciplined with Simon’s training, though you knew her progress was also thanks to the bond you’d been building with her.

Simon crouched down, scratching behind Shadow’s ears. “You take care of her, yeah?” he said to the puppy, who wagged her tail in response.

“She’s not the one you need to worry about,” you said softly, your arms crossed as you tried to keep your emotions in check.

Simon stood, his dark eyes locking onto yours. He reached out, his gloved hand brushing your cheek. “You’ll be fine, love. You’re stronger than you think.”

You swallowed hard, nodding. “I just wish you didn’t have to go.”

“I know,” he murmured, leaning down to press a kiss to your forehead. “But I’ll call when I can. And I’ll come back to you.”

With one last lingering look, he turned and walked out the door, leaving the apartment feeling colder and emptier than it had in weeks.

The first few days were the hardest. Shadow sensed your unease, staying close to you wherever you went. She’d curl up at your feet while you worked and nudge you with her nose when you seemed particularly down.

Late one night, as you sat on the couch scrolling through your phone, it buzzed with a new message.

Simon: Still awake, love?

Your heart leapt at the sight of his name. You quickly typed back.

You: Yeah. Couldn’t sleep. Are you okay?

There was a pause before his reply.

Simon: I’m fine. Long day, but I needed to hear from you.

You: I miss you.

Simon: I miss you too. Tell me about your day. How’s Shadow?

You smiled, glancing at the puppy snoozing beside you.

You: She’s doing great. She’s learned “stay” and “come” without treats now. But she keeps trying to steal my socks.

Simon: Smart girl. She’s keeping you on your toes.

You: She’s doing her best to fill the void you left.

The typing indicator blinked for a moment before his response came through.

Simon: I’m sorry I have to leave, love. You mean the world to me.

Your chest tightened, and you hesitated before typing back.

You: I know. Just come back to me in one piece, okay?

Simon: Always. Get some rest, yeah? I’ll call when I can.

Weeks passed, and Shadow grew more confident and skilled. You worked with her daily, reinforcing the commands Simon had taught her and adding new ones. She’d gone from a clumsy, playful puppy to a well-trained companion, though her mischievous streak still peeked through.

One evening, as you sat on the floor playing tug-of-war with Shadow, your phone buzzed with an incoming call. You scrambled to answer it, your heart racing when you saw Simon’s name.

“Hey,” you said, trying to keep your voice steady.

“Hey, love,” Simon’s deep voice rumbled through the phone. “How’re you holding up?”

“I’m okay. Just tired. Shadow’s been keeping me busy.”

“I’ll bet. She giving you trouble?”

“Only when she’s stealing my socks,” you said with a small laugh.

Simon chuckled. “She’s got good taste, then.”

There was a pause, the kind that felt heavy with unspoken words. Finally, you broke the silence. “How are you? Are you safe?”

“I’m fine,” he said, his voice softening. “Just tired like you. Long days, but thinking about you helps.”

Your cheeks flushed, and you bit your lip. “What do you think about?”

“You, in our bed. Curled up with Shadow. Or the way you look in the morning, hair all messy, wearing my shirt.” His voice dropped lower, sending a shiver down your spine. “I miss touching you, holding you. I miss your laugh, your smile… everything.”

Your breath hitched. “Simon…”

“I’ll be home soon,” he said, his tone filled with quiet promise. “And when I am, I’m not letting you out of my sight.”

You smiled through the tears that pricked your eyes. “I’ll hold you to that.”

The next few weeks flew by as you focused on work and Shadow’s training. She’d grown noticeably larger, her once floppy ears now standing tall. She was fiercely loyal, sticking to your side during walks and alerting you to any strange sounds in the apartment.

One evening, as you prepared dinner, Shadow suddenly perked up, her tail wagging furiously as she ran to the door. You frowned, wiping your hands on a towel before following her.

The knock on the door made your heart leap. You rushed to open it, and there he was—Simon, his duffle bag at his feet, Shadow practically vibrating with excitement as she jumped up to greet him.

“Hey, love,” he said, his voice warm and tired.

You threw your arms around him, burying your face in his chest. “You’re home.”

“I told you I’d come back,” he murmured, holding you tightly.

Shadow barked happily at your feet, and Simon chuckled. “Missed me too, did you, girl?”

You pulled back just enough to look at him, your hands still gripping his jacket. “You’re staying for a while this time, right?”

“For as long as I can,” he promised, his dark eyes soft as they met yours.

In that moment, with Simon back and Shadow by your side, the loneliness that had haunted you disappeared. For now, you were whole again.

[vakuzz]

my favorite type of mizi

yap session incoming

the new comic easily made mizi my favorite character

ive always loved mizi but didnt try and think past her go lucky attitude - my ass was so fooled

when i saw her response to the blatant disrespect the mole guy was giving her it felt prettyy personal and i love the way vivinos portrays her struggles. especially the little details like her collar being red when till mentions he likes her cause shes pretty

i also just tend to like more unhinged characters

i also love the mizisua scene we got (not just because i love toxic yuri) but because it shows a raw side of their relationship

i kept seeing some people in the fandom claiming mizisua is healthy (which it is NOT, it has NEVER been healthy idk where ppl got it from) and this chapter just reinforced the unhealthiness of their relationship (like all alnst ships)

it showed a new side of sua we had never seen before — her SHOWING bitterness to mizi directly (instead of keeping it in her head) and mizi acting out in response to it

their relationship was already deep but i personally feels like it adds some nuance to it

[ssriuser]

unironically if people like kyle rittenhouse and daniel penny are able to walk free i see no reason why luigi mangione shouldn’t be able to walk free either. the united states has zero problems with vigilantism when it’s targeted towards poor people, black people, protesters, etc and reinforces a right wing agenda

not to mention everyday the us government wakes up and decides to play the judge, jury, and executioner towards palestinians with absolutely no consequences

and let us not forget our incoming president is a rapist convicted of multiple felonies

tired of this bullshit sentiment that’s there’s no place for violence in the us. the united states loves violence as long as it not committed towards rich people

[grasshopperdoingdogpaddle]

The monks' journey is all about mastering their element powers and honing their skill with it. But the biggest, most ancient opponents they're up against are built to counter that very ability.

Each of the big three Heylin villains can shake off the dragons-in-training's elemental attacks. And they have very different ways of doing it.

Wuya just tanks the attacks.

Frozen in ice, blasted by fire, crushed under earth. At her full power, they can't even scratch her. She doesn't have to waste any effort. Unflinching, with a mockin smile even, she takes the full brunt of all their best attacks and walks it off, unscathed.

It reinforces that, when she's not sealed or nerfed in some way, Wuya is the strongest living thing in the verse, in a league of her own.

Hannibal blocks them.

Neutralizes it somehow before it can reach him, as it through some sort of force field.

The fact that he makes the effort shows he doesn't want to or can't actually weather the attacks if that hit, but he has his ways of stopping it. And like most of his plans, Hannibal's not clear about his methods. Whether it's a trick or ability or something tied to the Yin-Yang realm, he keeps it to himself.

Chase harnesses and redirects the energy and flow of the attacks and turns it back against his opponents.

It's Chase's whole modus operandi. It's the exact lesson Chase teaches to Omi: turn your opponent's strength against them.

It reflect their general modus operandi, not just in magical matters, but also in the way they handle their plans in hand-to-hand combat.

While blocking like Hannibal aims to completely stop an incoming attack, redirecting like Chase aims to subtly alter the attack's trajectory or force to create an opening for a counter-attack or maneuver.

Blocking is a more direct and forceful defense. Redirecting relies on manipulation and timing to disrupt the opponent's attack. It's one of the biggest differences between how Hannibal does things and how Chase does things.

Meanwhile Wuya is so powerful that she can rely on the classic Sun Tzu style of winning without fighting.