#Simple yet endearing :D

[milkamel]

Something cute with Killer being cozy and Cross being hopelessly in love 💜❤️ Just a small art that I didn't put too much effort into but it's still cute :D

Killer belongs to rahafwabas Cross belongs to jakei

[the-one-and-only-elita]

One thing that I absolutely love about TFOne's writing is that it manages to avoid a lot of the heavier criticism I've seen regarding MegOp's hero/villain dynamic over the years (trust me, the mid-2010s TF discourse was crazy)

*Spoilers Below*

First of all, the narrative benefits so much from the main 4 cast members all being a part of the same exploited mining class. So many takes on MegOp have Orion being of a higher status (an archivist, a cop, etc) while Megatron is much lower down on the social latter (a miner, a gladiator, often in the context of being a slave).

I've seen many people be put off by this, because it feels as if Megs is being villianized for being rightfully angry at the system that deeply harmed and exploited him, while Orion/Optimus is praised for taking a more pacifistic stance despite him not suffering as much from or in some ways even benefiting from the system he claims to oppose. I don't find their dynamic to be as simple as that, and I do find these takes to be a bit reductive, but I do very much see where they are coming from.

I am definitely one of those people who's very frustrated with the way pacifism is hailed as the one true path of morality, and the inherent implication that taking any sort of revenge on the people who abused/exploited you makes you just as bad as them. Also, Marvel's particular brand of demonizing any form of radical political action, despite the system clearly being broken and corrupt, but being completely unwilling to offer any other alternatives to meaningfully change things for the better.

When looking at what I described above its pretty easy to see how a lot of versions of MegOp's hero/villain dynamic unfortunately fits into that trope. Bringing it back to TFOne, you can see how Op and Meg coming from the same political/social status subverts this. The existence of Elita and Bee only further illustrates that out of the 4 people of the mining class who were all deceived, exploited, and literally mutilated in the same way it is only D-16 that completely loses himself to his rage, even to the point where he loses compassion for his own companions and disregarding the safety of the other miners (when he decides to "tears everything down" and Elita exclaims he's going to "kill everyone").

What I think I love most about the characterization in TFOne is that Orion is the radical one. Not only that, but he is praised by Elita and by extension the narrative for it. He is constantly challenging authority, and is the first to have the suspicion that their society is structured in an unjust way.

Meanwhile D-16, to be frank, is kind of a bootlicker. He fully believed in the system and that Sentinal Prime, as someone with power, had the right to decided "what was best" for those who are weaker/lesser (I wish I had the specific quote from D-16 to support this, but the movie's still in theaters). It illustrate that D-16 already held certain fascistic ideals, and that he and Orion already have fundamentally opposing moral/political values, it simply hasn't been of any consequence yet. It shows that their eventual falling out was inevitable, even if they had decided to rebuild Cybertron together.

It should also be noted that D-16's feelings of anger and betrayal do not necessarily have anything to do with the unjust system itself, but that said unjust system was predicated on a lie. Hence his fixation on deception in the post-credits scene and him naming his faction the Decepticons. Meanwhile, when Orion learns the truth he's just sort of like "yeah, I always kinda knew something was up" because again, he understood on some level that their system was predicated on injustice.

Even D-16's obsession with Megatronus Prime, while initially an endearing aspect of his character, is also an indicator of the questionably large amount of value he puts on one's strength. It foreshadows the "might makes right" ideology that the decepticons follow, and is a key part of their ideological characterization across continuities.

Instead of the narrative we often see in Transformers media were Optimus is idolized by the narrative for being more moderate and Megatron is villiainized for being radical (or so people often claim), it is instead Optimus who is rewarded and praised by the narrative for being radical, and Megatron who is villainized and punished by the narrative for holding potentially fascistic values.

I do agree with some criticism I've seen that the whole thing with killing Sentinel and D-16's final turn into villainy felt a bit rushed and more than a little cliche, but I also understand it both had a limited runtime and that it is ultimately a family film meant to be accessible to children. More importantly though, I think the movie set the groundwork early on that, no matter how this final act played out, D-16 was always going to turn to darkness, and Orion would not have been able to stop him.

Its perfectly tragic, the way all MegOp should be, while also feeling really well thought out from a thematic standpoint. I love it.

[taliseby]

Say My Name

Terms of endearment/petnames for their GF

Inc. Luffy, Zoro, Sanji, Law, Kid, Ace, Sabo. Implied Chubby!Fem!Reader

Warnings/Content: Nothin! Fluff/sfw. Uses of feminine names (Princess, pretty girl, woman, etc)

Monkey D. Luffy

Your name/nickname he's given you: Pretty self explanatory, luffy is a simple guy and usually just resorts to using your name or a nickname. He gives everyone nicknames, it's his thing. Most of all though, he loves your name. He'll use it more than anything else. 

Baby: Simple, classic, and easy to remember. Probably the one he uses secondary. Mostly to get out of trouble or softened you up for something. You'll know he's feeling lovey when he gives you a sweet “Babyyyy~” and a gummy smile. 

Peaches: This one is a rarity and it's effect is just as delicate. He definitely doesn't use it often and it tends to only come out when he's worried about you or you guys are alone. He just thinks you're sweet as a peach and thinks the name fits you well. “Come on, peaches, get up!”

Roronoa Zoro

Your name: Also a big user of just your first name. Sometimes it can seem cold or even distant, but the truth is that he likes your name more than any term of endearment. It suits you and makes his heart race when he hears someone else say it. When others say your name, his head immediately pivots to see what is being said. 

Woman: Yep…unfortunately. This is a common word in his vocabulary for you. No matter how many times you scold or hit him for it, he won't stop using it. Mainly when he's annoyed or needs your attention quick. He likes the scowl you send his way when he uses it. “Woman, let's check out the bar.” “Come on, woman.” “Woman.” 

Pretty/Pretty girl: Oh ain't he sweet. Only really uses this in privet settings. He's already not big on pda or anything like that so you'll only hear this when you're alone. Explanation? He thinks you're pretty. In fact, you're the prettiest woman he's ever met and he wants you to know that. You're his pretty girl and you deserve the world. “Oh, come on, pretty girl. You know I didn't mean it.” “So sweet to me, aren't you, pretty?”

Vinsmoke Sanji

Darling: Now, this man has a treasure trove of petnames for you. He's constantly switching it up and using ones to see what you like most. But Darling is dear to his heart. His darling.~ He loves it so much because it sounds so nice and makes his heart flutter remembering that he finally got the girl. 

Princess: You're his princess through and through. The one he protects and acts like a knight in shining armor for. This one is used a bit more casually than the others, usually just naturally slipping off his tongue. Honestly, probably his go to just because it's simple and yet elegant. It describes perfectly how he sees you. “Princesssssss! Is there anything you need? Can I get you anything?” 

Sweet pea: Not too common but definitely an attention grabber. Mostly uses this when you help him cook or you're attention is elsewhere. He'll throw you a little “Hey, sweet pea?” And melts when you respond. 

Angel: Feels also self explanatory. You aren't JUST his princess, you're his angel. I mean, you picked him of all people to love, that much make you an angel.

Trafalgar D. Water Law

Your name: Another victim of name dropping. Mostly just when you are around others because God forbid anyone knows he's capable of love. He's just a privet guy and prefers to leave the softer, lovey names for when it's just you together. 

Brat (affectionately): Usually when he feels you aren't listening. He'll pinch the bridge of his nose and call you a brat while trying to stave off a headache and a smile. Also uses it when he'd scolding you. 

Babe: Simple and nice. He uses it more casually, often if you're helping him with work. 

My heart: Okay, I know this one is really common but it just suits him so well! Only said in the dim hours of the night, when he thinks you're asleep. Every time he says it he feels so vulnerable, even if you can't hear him. The sweet name mumbles into the skin of your temple before he's drifting off to sleep.

Eustass “Captain” Kid

Lass: OKAY HEAR ME OUT!! This specific nickname went away after a while. Mostly used condescendingly but occasionally with concern if you got hurt. Once he was more comfortable with you he definitely switched things up. Ex. “Bring the lass here!” “Come on, lass. Lighten up a bit, would ya?” “I’m sorry, lass, do you need a bandaid?” 

Babe/Baby: Pretty interchangeable for him. His most common term of endearment for you because it's the least embarrassing for him to say. He may be a cocky bastard, but he's so embarrassed about being open about your relationship. He IS open about it, but it never fails to leave a dusting of pink on his cheeks. 

Brat: Used just as much as babe/baby because to him it means the same thing. “Come here, brat.” “What did you say, brat??” “You're lucky you're cute, brat.” “...love you too…brat.”

Portgas D. Ace

Babe: Go to. It's the most common name he's heard others use, so he kind of just adopted it when you started dating. Honestly, he kind of loves using it too. Getting to call you his babe just makes him feel warm (and not from his devil fruit.)

Cutie: He likes how flustered it gets you. Calling you cutie makes that heat rise to your cheeks and he just adores it. Loves cupping your face in his hands and feeling the warmth of your cheeks as he coos the name. “Aww, cutie, are you flustered?” 

Firefly/Hotstuff/firecracker/etc: Man thinks he's funny. He also loves using silly references to his devil fruit because it makes you smile.

“Revolutionary” Sabo

Love/My love: You're his love. His heart. The apple of his eye. This endearment just comes so naturally to him that it's what he uses most. He often lowers his voice when he says it, meant for your attention alone. “My love, can I have a moment?” “Thank you for the help, love.” Could you hold my hat, love?” 

Pretty girl: Another user of the sweet name. Like Zoro, he really just thinks you're pretty. He'll kiss you on the cheek or shoulder and smile at you while saying the term of endearment in a sweet tone. “Sorry I was gone so long, pretty girl. I missed you.” 

Your name: Another common user of your name. He just loves saying your name. Honestly see him as the type to say something like “My (name)” just because you are his. His love, his pretty girl, his.

[sheyfu]

in sleepless nights, i find solitude in you

FEATURING itoshi sae, itoshi rin, oliver aiku, chigiri hyoma, mikage reo, nagi seishiro, and shoei barou

CW oliver aiku

SYNOPSIS what they like to do on sleepless nights with you

NOTE these are hcs and are not reflective of their characters!

⋆˚✿˖° itoshi sae - hearing you talk about your day

- a mundane, yet intimate moment between you two - he finds it so endearing when you talk about your day and get so passionate about it too - he just loves hearing your voice; the way you speak, the way your voice just sliiightly raises when you’re telling him about some person you abhor (big boy word), and the way you ask him for his thoughts on something you’re yapping about makes him feel like the luckiest guy in the whole world - you both end up not sleeping D: but it’s okay, he’s not complaining because it’s you

⋆˚✿˖° itoshi rin - binge watching horror movies

- you hate him for this. - but at the same time, you love it because he holds you close to him - he knows you’re scared, especially when it’s ass o’clock in the evening (more like morning) and your room’s only source of light is the television. so he holds you tight :D - he has the urge to make fun of you because you’re oh so scared, but he stops himself from doing so because he loves holding you close

⋆˚✿˖° oliver aiku - holding you close to him (in his words, spooning)

- surprisingly, he’s not horny  - i guess bc of practice, he’s tired and he just wants to de-stress and go on about his night without tiring himself out more, you included (LMAO NOT ME SPEAKING LIKE IM GANG W GREEN GALLAGHER) - so he holds you close :D  - and its not like the hold you close and talk about stuff type either - literally the hold you close and sit in silence type with occasional kisses from him :D 

⋆˚✿˖° chigiri hyoma - gossip (okay so some of you probably don't tolerate gossip but gossip culture has been SUUUUCH a big part of my life that i cant help but associate it w chigiri im so sorry you can bitch slap me for this LMAOAOAO ANWYAYS)

- he loves gossiping. he usually has THE ggoat (greatest gossip of all time) - this usually ranges from people he works closely with, or people he knows but that person doesn't know him but for some reason the news reached him LMAOAAOA  - for some reason, he also has visual references??? like if theyre related to texting he has screenshots of their convo???? if irl, he has pictures????? YOU DONT KNOW HOW HE GETS THOSE 😭😭 (based this hc off my friend who has everything for some reason 😭😭) - and most of the time theyre literally so mind-boggling you have to stop him and walk around the room to calm your beating heart down - he also loves using a soundboard while doing so LMOAOAOAO

⋆˚✿˖° mikage reo - slow dancing

- ah yes. the typical rich boy activities. - but like even if he wasnt born in that class (GANG DONT TWIST MY WORDS IM NOT A CLASSIST WLANSISOS), he'd most likely still love doing this (idk theres smth about him that js makes me think he would love dancing) - in the kitchen, dimmed lights, his hands on your waist, yours on his shoulders, herb alpert playing in the background, and his lips on your forehead  - im leaving it at that :))

⋆˚✿˖° nagi seishiro - playing roblox

- typical nagi.  - what roblox games you ask? dress to impress. - he likes playing simple games at night. and those simple games dont include dress to impress :)) - buuuut. he still plays it because the satisfaction he gets from beating 12 year olds outweigh the stress he gets from said 12 year olds - he loves to duo with you - literally caseoh just more nonchalant - he also likes to play those 2 player tycoons :DD

⋆˚✿˖° shoei barou - baking

- his love language is quality time  - and what’s more quality than baking time >:D - hes not someone for consuming sugar at ass o’clock. but he’ll tolerate it bc it makes you happy :DD  - he has those #probakingskillz bc he used to bake TONS of stuff with and for his sisters (HE ALSO BAKES THEIR GIRL SCOUT COOKIES GRAHHHHHHHH) - you also make him wear those silly pink frilly aprons (you have matching aprons but instead of yours being pink and frilly its literally the opposite) 

© sheyfu on tumblr

[s4toryuu]

please watch me | xavier — shen xinghui

kinktober day 12 — reqs open! (no restrictions)

tags: voyeurism/exhibitionism, masturbation, eventual mutual masturbation, sex pollen trope but it’s protocores (on xavier’s part), hella dirty talk, shy but desperate !xavier, a little humiliation kink, whiny!xavier, sub!xavier, kinda very dom!reader, afab!reader, handjob, talking kink (?), xavier begs, a little cunnilingus at the end… that’s about it I think…

a/n: this was pure smut :D it’s ovulation week :D

xavier calls your name as he enters your apartment unannounced. you yelp out from the sofa and stick your head up from your laying position to view the door.

“hi, xav!” you beam at him. he walks to you and crashed onto you over the back of the sofa, not even bothering to walk around it. you giggle. “um, I missed you too?”

xavier groans. “today was so… hmp…” he huffs, complaints unable to escape from his lips. you figure it could be a old habit from his royal status back home. he buries his head into your chest, going a little low into the valley of your breasts. but you find it adorable.

“aww, did someone have a tough day hunting?” you caress his hair. he nods and he scoots up to bury his face into your jaw. it tickles.

“you…” he breathes. “smell so good…” he kisses where his lips reach your neck.

“that tickles.” you giggle at the sensation. he groans breathily, moving to press his chest against yours and look up at you.

“why do you smell so good..?” he asks, looking up at you. there’s a glaze over his eyes. it looks familiar.

“do I?” you’re genuinely confused, as nothing about your fragrance products or soaps have changed. xavier leans down to sniff your neck again, this time a quiet whine escaping his lips. you grab his face to look at his eyes. “did you encounter a weird protocore again?”

xavier doesn’t respond and instead stares at your lips. you figure that he did encounter a weird protocore. he starts breathing faster and you notice him swallow thickly. “i think.. I need you right now.” he states, staring at your lips.

“what?”

“I, um.. yeah. I was warned about special protocores… um, I’m sorry… I had the most contact with it.” he rambles. “I feel… sensitive.” he pulls away from you.

you’re taken aback, as he’s usually composed regarding this manner. “xavier…”

“I’m sorry.. but could you… do me a favor?” he asks timidly. his cheeks are a deep red and it spreads to his ears. you feel their warmth.

“sure.” you say softly. he’s on top of you, supporting himself to look up at you with his palms at your sides.

“could you just,” he looks away. “just… watch me?” he blurts out timidly. his shyness reaches you and you feel your face warm up.

“watch you?” you swallow thickly. “watch you do what?” you know what he means, but you decide this situation is amusing.

frankly you find it incredibly erotic; his shy plead for something as simple as watching him masturbate. xavier has quite the dual demeanor, in bed and everyday. for some reason right now he’s a mixture of both, which you find endearing and extremely entertaining.

xavier bites his lip. you can tell he’s trying to avoid saying what he wants explicitly. “I’m feeling a little… excited? I want you to watch me.. take.. care of it…” his face is flushed deeply now. you’re not satisfied with his answer.

“take care of what, xavier?” your fun starts here and you try to hide your smirk.

“please.” he interrupts you. “please watch me masturbate.” he looks up at you and his eyes are glassy. you smile, deciding between working him up more or letting him have it.

you decide the former. “and how are you gonna do that?”

xavier frowns and groans. he can’t believe it’s gone to this point, yet the heat in his stomach is an undeniable indicator of his arousal. “please, y/n… i need you to watch me touch my.. cock… I can’t bear it anymore…”

you smirk. “sure, baby.”

xavier wastes no time as he quickly gets up and unbuckles his weapon straps from his thighs followed by pulling his pants off. you push yourself up to sit up against your sofa’s armrest, with your legs still laid in front of you. you watch him intently. he leaves his boxers on and stands in front of you. you look up at him and his eyebrows are knitted upwards. you want to scoff. you realize he wants your approval.

you look down to his crotch. his dick strains against his boxers and you watch it twitch. “you’re so hard, aren’t you?” he nods quickly. “and all you’re asking is for me to watch you? how dirty…” you tease. xavier whines and palms himself. “you can take it off.”

he pulls his boxers down and his hard cock springs out. it bounces and hits his stomach. the tip is pink and swollen, twitching every now and then. his pubic hair is neatly trimmed, but not too short. he pulls the boxers under his balls and he walks closer to you. you hear his heavy breathing and you look up to him.

“fuck, you’re so cute, you know that? just wanting me to watch you touch your cock…” you drift your attention back to his hard member. “are you gonna make yourself cum? is that what you want? you want me to watch you make yourself feel good?”

xavier sighs. “yes—” he finally grabs his cock and starts stroking. he circles his tip with his thumb. you scoff at this, finding it so erotically endearing.

“yeah… fuck…” you mutter to yourself as you watch him stroke his cock. “is this how you touch yourself when you’re alone?”

xavier moans. “yes… I think about you..“

“you think about me?” you smile and he strokes himself faster. “mm,” you hum in approval. “good…”

“hah.. I.. yeah.. please watch me.” he looks up and closes his eyes, seemingly ridiculously turned on by the situation. he walks closer, his shins now touching the couch. his cock inches away from your face.

you give into the stir inside your own stomach, needing to relieve the pressure accumulated in the upper part of your cunt. you press your hand against yourself. “you’re so frustrated, aren’t you? do you feel good like this?”

“yes…” he whines again. “mmhm… I like it when you watch me… I like it so much…” he pants and he looks down again, to see you rubbing yourself outside your clothes. “are you.. do you enjoy this?”

“yes.”

“p-please… let me see you.. I want to see you…” xavier softly groans into the air as you keep your eyes on his cock.

“tell me what you want to see. use your words, baby.” you press yourself harder and he slows his hand.

“y/n.. I want to see your pussy… is your clit swollen from watching me? I want to see it, please…” you watch his hand grip himself tighter at the base. you curse and strip your bottoms, not even noticing the long string of your slick until it bends and lands on your knee from the long stretch. xavier curses.

he bends down to pull your knee and spin you to sit properly. you close your legs instinctively, and he kneels in front of you.

“y/n, please…” his eyes are still impossibly glassy and the flush from his face has dripped down to his chest. his neck is satin from a slight sweat. you let him part your knees. he kneels in front of you, staring at your pussy. his cock is on display as he leans back on his heels.

you look down to your own core. it’s glazed with your wetness; and it tickles as it runs down to your perineum and you clench your cunt to relieve some pressure.

“you’re so wet.. agh..” xavier strokes himself again, eyebrows still furrowed, staring at your cunt. “fuck…” he leans closer to your heat, then looking up at you. “you smell so good…” he twists his fist at his tip, now wet with precum. “aughnn, y/n… I feel so good…” he leans on his heels again, cock and thighs on display for you.

you watch him become entranced with your body. youve never seen him like this, and your shock comes from an intense arousal. he’s so desperate and whiny, truly hypnotized by your body…

you bring three fingers down to your entrance and coat it with yourself. you pull your fingers apart in front of xavier’s face, and he cries out a moan. “open.” you say and xavier opens his mouth. “so obedient…” you chuckle and xavier wraps his lips around your fingers. “oh… you’re so—good.” you pull it out and it’s clean apart from xavier’s spit. you curse under your breath as you admire it.

you can’t help but lick it off too, placing your fingers in your mouth as you taste the mixture of your wetness and xavier’s saliva before rubbing your clit…

“oh.. i’m gonna cum, y/n. I’m gonna cum…” xavier pants. he looks up at you with pleading eyes.

you rub yourself faster, slipping your other hand in your shirt to play with your nipples. you prop one leg up and focus on your clit, enjoying the audience and the view. “yeah? you liked this that much? are you gonna cum for me, xavier?” you pant out as you chase your own high.

xavier nods messily. he shuts his eyes and strokes himself fast before grabbing your hand and licking your fingers. he looks up at you as he sucks your slick off again, still stroking his leaky cock with the other hand. he’s whining into your digits before nibbling on a fingertip. “mmghm..!” he moans into your finger and tries to keep his eyes open.

his eyebrows twitch and you feel warmth spurt on your inner thigh and knee… “oh… hah.. you’re cumming so much, aren’t you? mm..” you watch his cock pulse and twitch as he uses his grip on your hand for leverage. his cum is a perfect viscosity; leaking out generously after his initial shots.

“mhm…” he moans shakily. he tries to catch his breath, but you grasp your hand away and move it back to rub your clit. you focus it on the underside, rubbing it side to side.

“xavier…” you moan his name and he watches you again. “angh… I’m gonna cum too…”

“yes… please. make yourself cum.. I want to see you cum too…” he says so obediently that you feel almost aggressive. you push the back of his head to direct his face into your pussy. he instinctively licks and laps at your soaking cunt and you cum when he sucks your clit gently.

your orgasm washes over you like a wave, moaning into the air as xavier grabs your thighs to keep himself between your legs. he licks up all of your juices and your legs shake. you mutter curses as you relax into the sofa. you push xavier’s head away to prevent overstimulation. he wipes off your click from his chin with the back of his hand.

you catch your breaths and he sits next to you.

“what the hell was that protocore..?” you whisper jokingly.

—

rb for more sub xavier

not really proofread… but hope you enjoyed! my reqs are open teehee

[yingdu-lover]

"I am not an accessory...I want freedom!" : Li Haolin's critique of the comphet media expectations, toxic entertainment industry and deconstruction of 'heroism' in To Be Bero X episode 2

Disclaimer : There are two more episodes left, and things will go haywire beyond our expectations; interpretations will change. However, I do believe that the core message should not change; the vision Li Haolin has, and I hope people who have watched his previous works recognize this. Li Haolin did say that the core theme remains the same in all To Be Hero works. May I have the pleasure of reminding you that Link Click was previously named 'To Be Hero: Photo'? Yeah. That being said, I should start my yapping.

Note : If you are a Link Clicker and have gone through all the stages of emotional peculiarities when Yingdu was airing, you may have noticed, with a critical lens, that Yingdu was very vocal about the nuances and politics of the entertainment industry. The recurring dialectic between (heteropatriarchal) capitalist consumerism and subversive counter-narratives really makes me happy; it affirms that Li Haolin is a political artist.

TBHX had a massive worldwide release; of course, it is aimed at an international audience, but I am sure that releasing TBHX a short period after Yingdu's completion was something Li Haolin did purposefully. Probably, it was a deliberate nod to avid Link Click fans to keep thinking intertextually. I took that as a sign.

Link Click and To Be Hero : Photo

(If you wish to skip this section, you can, but you won't be able to understand much when I actually start talking about To Be Hero X. I will draw ample comparisons with these discussions.)

Link Click, especially Yingdu, really deconstructs the concept and construction of 'Hero' and their identity. To quote Li Haolin: Tbhx is not your usual superhero story. It is fundamentally deconstructing the typical popular narratives.

To summarise, Link Click has/shows/raises questions about

1. explicit references to the concept of 'Hero'

2. how heteronormative masculinist capitalism forges the figure of 'Hero'

3. the question of agency : The dichotomy between public and private

4. narrative identity : hero, villain or is it a blur?

5. the 'soft' power of artistic hierarchy : genre and gender

6. the politics of ordinariness in popular culture (the communist propaganda :D)

[Of course, a lot of introductory yapping is about Link Click! It's important! So I am not stopping]

1. explicit references to the concept of 'Hero'

Starting with the 'Hero' (Hero with a capital H) theme, I think the first time we were introduced to Power Rangers-type heroes in Link Click was in the Doudou episode. Oh my God, this was the only episode that really stressed me out. Anyway, the Doudou story hits so hard because it is painfully realistic; it weaves simple yet endearing love with guilt, escapism, patience, helplessness, brutal honesty, and the acceptance of vulnerability, creating an alternative form of 'heroism' that is both funny and poignant at the same time. It is truly one of the most powerful episodes in the entire season 1.

Season 2's 'hero' discourse is more nuanced, so I'll discuss it while addressing the fifth point. It continues in Yingdu.

Ah, Yingdu. Cheng Xiaoshi's studio was called 'Hero Photo Studio' (ah) before Lu Guang moved in (actually- no, 'Hero' was replaced with 'Time' after they returned from Yingdu and Cheng Xiaoshi kept the promise he made with his maa)

Cheng Xiaoshi exclaiming : am I a hero in a freaking donghua-?! (ah.)

And those lines from The Eye full version :

No matter how hard we looked in the lost and found We never could shine the moonlight underground To the point where we got sick of pretending like we are saviors Till we learn to carry on

Heroes and their savior complex: What is a hero if he does not save people? Useless, right? Heroes are built on narratives. There needs to be a villain to blame, victims to be saved, and most importantly, people to identify the hero as a hero and give the final verdict. What happens when even one parameter is missing?

It's quite amazing how Lu Guang is highlighting his fragility. He does pretend, and he has to be adamant and quite delulu in order to continue his task, or he will collapse.

The interesting thing is that there is an utterance of 'we' rather than 'I.' So, is Cheng Xiaoshi cognizant of this? Something is amiss. It beautifully haunts. It's not just a recollection of the past or their shared suffering and understanding of the world, but rather a sense of final submission on Lu Guang's part.

2. how heteronormative masculinist capitalism forges the figure of 'Hero'

'Heroism' is a fundamentally masculinist construction. Even the term 'virtue,' which has taken on a moral connotation in modern vocabulary, is actually associated with virility/vir (the Latin word for 'man'). Historically, justice, reason, and virtue—the three most basic tenets of heroism—were reserved for (and believed to be possessed only by) exclusively able-bodied men. Women are bestial, devoid of reason, driven by excessive passion, and therefore can never be eligible for the role of a 'Hero.' Even in recent years, the trend is that a female character has to renounce some (or all) parts of her femininity to access aggressive masculinity. Moreover, she can almost never exist without being a shadow to her male counterpart(s). In short, humanist 'Heroism' is predominantly masculine. Female characters must follow a norm to be considered a 'Hero'; they can't topple a system. The fixed binary positions of hero/heroine are heteronormative constructs. Ever wondered why, when a 'heroine' saves a 'Hero' (let's assume both are able-bodied, of equal caliber), it's considered very 'subversive'? It should just be another story of saving people, right? But...It is the normative story that sells. It sells, and that's what matters to capitalism. An alternative story of heroism will remain alternative and special (you know those companies that hire disabled people, queer people, and Black people as a form of tokenism? Then they sack them first without any legible reason or notice). A cluster of 'heroes' will never be able to compete with the 'Hero' (hero with a capital H).

Now, what kind of 'hero' is Qiao Ling?

Honestly speaking, she has been saving Shiguang's ass since the beginning of season 1. Whether it is financial help, legal help, paying hospital bills, paying their bail, or confronting difficult opponents, Qiao Ling hardly backs down. She takes risks; she is overprotective of Shiguang, but since her 'heroism' is so subtle and there is a lack of an audience to identify her as a hero, her 'heroism' goes unnoticed for the most part.

3. the question of agency : The dichotomy between public and private

I discussed a hell lot about it in my analysis of Xia Fei's character before. A few excerpts-

He (Xia Fei) is smart enough to know he is being exploited (and tbh the theme of surveillance and making him the 'morbid' object of gaze, I say morbid because in the last scene of his pv, it's a dead shot, his eyes look so dead, the camera's battery is dead. But yk what remains? his face card. The like button continually popping with likes made me very uncomfortable.

and

Also Xia Fei's story talks about another important theme of the donghua; photo! How photos taken in private spheres are meant to preserve memories of the loved ones, loved encounters. How you capture someone you love in that still image, alive with the emotion you associate with them, giving it an afterlife. The photo becomes the literal and metaphorical medium through which Lu Guang can rewrite history. Forget-me-not, remembrance. It empowers him.

-

On the contrary, for Xia Fei, it is the panopticon seizing his life and rendering it absurd. The emotive power and affect for lu guang changes into viscous institutionalised power politics for Xia Fei. Brilliant! 😭

Xia Fei is surrounded by cameras and it's the play of fate that it continues even to his private life (while befriending Shiguang)

The most perfect focus Wandering between gazes

-

Wherever there's a good position, I'll offer a smile To the lights, I lend this beautiful body To stand in the center

-

No need to guess, this complete disguise The crowd will eventually forget this mask It doesn't matter if the great fire extinguishes the truth Who will it be, perfectly concealed The stolen gaze Yeah, I know I gotta run Yeah, fake a smile in calm

It's a public performance and an elaborate enterprise of concealing the truth; the more you can hide yourself and present what the viewers want, the more success comes to your plate. But very dangerously, when the mask starts to replace your real face, you don't even process it in the beginning, but when it's realized, it's actually too late.

4. narrative identity : hero, villain or is it a blur?

Let alone heroes, villains, or contradictions, all of us are a cluster of fragmented or gap narratives trying to make sense of each other's existence. The reason we resonate with others is that some of our own narratives click with theirs. Our narratives have gaps, and we fill those gaps with what we want to believe. The way we perceive others, forge relationships with others, or even ourselves fills in the gaps in the storytelling. That's how we become complex human beings. Objectively, we are on a perpetual stage of liminality, but to make it easier for our subjectivity, we appropriate narratives according to our ease and taste.

A few months ago, I would easily lose my calm over the 'Is Lu Guang evil?' debate. Now, I feel that it is actually important. Lu Guang himself doesn't identify as a 'Hero.' The problematization of Lu Guang's stance as a 'Hero' is important. Remember the fable-esque story of the forest fire that began featuring in S2 and continued in Yingdu? Who was the culprit? Who was the hero? We may NEVER know. When you are searching for the absolute truth, after a point in time, you realize that absolute truth has no practical value. If you have watched Akira Kurosawa's Rashomon (I strongly recommend this movie; please watch it), you know how people choose a narrative for their own convenience and continue their lives with it, however contradictory they might be from each other. This is what really happens in our daily lives. The problem arises when one narrative is weaponized by a certain group and preached as the grand narrative, and the people who believe in alternative narratives become victims of persecution.

The similar story follows in creating the figures of a 'Hero' or a 'villain.' Until now, Xia Fei and Lu Guang's characters have subverted those horizons of expectations the most in the Link Click universe.

5. the 'soft' power of artistic hierarchy : genre and gender

First, I would like to mention a few lines from Virginia Woolf's A Room of One's Own

Speaking crudely, football and sport are 'important'; the worship of fashion, the buying of clothes 'trivial'. And these values are inevitably transferred from life to fiction. This is an important book, the critic assumes, because it deals with war. This is an insignificant book because it deals with the feelings of women in a drawing room.

Sadly, there will be even a tiny residual of internalized misogyny even when we grow up. It's hard to deal with and that's why it's very important to point out. Romance and shipping is for feminine minds, therefore 'trivial' as a genre. War narratives and heroic battles talk about 'serious' topics, therefore it has an actual 'plot.'

Firstly,

the notion of heroism is inextricably linked with patriotism. In modern-day popular narratives, we may not see the blatant nationalism, but there always remains an echo of 'sacrificing for our own people.' Who are these people? Heroism can't exist if there is no distinction between 'us' and the 'other.' Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori. (Very rough translation: It is one's sweet duty to die for his fatherland/country.)

Heroic narratives are war narratives. If you change the perspective, your hero becomes a villain. We always like to see ourselves at the end of suffering as people who have been wronged; injustice has been thwarted against us, and it's our hero's duty to save us.

I know this is more relevant to tbhx, but if you look closely, Link Click implicitly builds upon this: the hierarchy of gendered genres.

Also, Lu Guang's commentary on art, fiction, and philosophy was much more than just shits and giggles. He equates Shakespeare with donghua and manhua; all of these are forms of popular art with different modes of presenting philosophy. Donning a mask and playing a character from Shakespeare's play and cosplaying as a donghua or manhua character are not that different. Lu Guang questions the hierarchy of high culture and low culture. He writes his diary in Latin and Mandarin; he is undoubtedly a fierce scholar. He respects alternative belief systems such as Tarot cards, traditional Chinese medicine; indigenous or pagan forms of knowledge that are often looked down upon by modern Western scientific disciplines (I will write a separate post on this). The crux of my discussion is that Lu Guang continuously identifies the various forms of hierarchy in social beliefs and art and questions their validity. It's a form of soft power that no one bats an eye at, but many do not realize that it shapes how they process information. It is very much linked to the gendered hierarchy, as misogyny and the exclusion of women are very pervasive. And this brings to our last point : the question of power.

6. the politics of ordinariness in popular culture (the communist propaganda :D)

Lmao. Did I say communist propaganda? wth sure.

I will start my combined discussion from here.

Heroes are these big, big people with big, big superpowers-very flashy, very cute, and very demure. Can ordinary people afford to be a hero? It's not a new question, but I can't remember anyone who has dealt with this topic the way Li Haolin has.

I have talked about this before. This genre reflects Li Haolin's vision in his various works. Take, for example, an episode from To Be Hero: Leaf, where little children are playing on the midnight streets, where all the adults have gone for a factory strike. There is a HUGE focus on ordinary people. The reason I remember Eisenstein's Battleship Potemkin's Odessa Steps sequence is not because it was a government-funded Russian film to preach communism, but because it showed how to decentralize your focus from grand narratives in artistic representation (for example: navy mutiny and soldiers fighting) and strike the audience with alternative, lesser important narratives (normal people suffering from the war). Digressing from the crime-suspense plot and delving deep into Emma's experience, weaving the Shiguang story with hers in 'Keep in Mind' was not truly a necessity plot-wise, but Haolin felt compelled to do so. To the person who mentioned in their post: 'link click' centers around two young boys who are struggling to pay their debt. I will forever be indebted to you. It's all there, but we need to identify it.

Now that I have discussed all of that, let's dive back into To Be Hero X. Just a list so that I don't forget things,

1. Moon and her plight : Idol culture and how relationship rumours affect female idols' public reputation

2. how corporate dehumanizes people

3. Private queer lives and politics in entertainment industry: Wreck and Nice's relationship as a twofold critique on the audience.

So, Moon.

Can you imagine how disturbing it is to be romantically associated with a person just because you signed a contract with a company? For three years, her main identity was someone's girlfriend, whom she didn't even love. She used to be a travel vlogger, a woman who constantly travels and archives different experiences. If you are into the earliest feminist discourses, women traveling is a frequent topic. From Mary Wollstonecraft to Virginia Woolf - everybody acknowledges that. From THAT, she became someone's girlfriend. The sheer humiliation. The most heartbreaking part is that it is the people's expectations which curbed her teleportation powers; it can only open to Nice's side. Moon can't leave Nice. But is Nice bound to her? I don't think there were any suggestions like that.

If you have already guessed it, then congratulations! You are right; Moon's experience as a female idol is actually a microcosmic representation of how women are treated in a heteropatriarchal society.

When they were hatching the plan to 'free' Moon, Lin Ling said :

'Since Nice is a perfect husband, you can't say no to his proposal.'

Of course! If a man is handsome, virtuous, a respectable 'Hero', and the people love to see the heroine as the Hero's partner, how dare the heroine refuse this proposal? The Moon's consent does not matter. It would be a narrative so audacious and absurd that it would not sell. Champagne problems, ha?

And that woman who constantly speaks corporate said: "We have locked them in the same room for a whole month without any other engagement. Of course, they will grow feelings for each other." Ah, fuck-ass logic. Before you jump on me saying, 'But oh, what about the propinquity effect?' and shit, it is a very heteronormative notion to assume that a man and a woman will always develop romantic feelings for each other. Many people (me, I am the many people) headcanon that Moon is queer, aro-ace, and a strong independent woman—I second all of these, but my point is Moon doesn't need a thesis paper on her sexual preference or romantic orientation to reject Nice or Nice's substitute. Again, Lin Ling is Nice's substitute! Imagine the horror: you are shipped with a man you don't love, and people want you to marry him. Then the fucking company doesn't even have the basic courtesy to inform you that that man died, and now you are playing the same game with a substitute! It's a double violation of Moon's dignity. So, Moon is just a mindless idk animal? You throw a man assigned to be her husband or his decoy WITHOUT her consent and EXPECT her to fall in love with him? I mean, Moon would eventually know about Lin Ling's identity...wha-what was the point of excluding her from the discussion and keeping her in the dark? If it was just work, then why wasn't she consulted before the step was taken? She is the central figure, and she has no say in any of the mayhem unfolding.

Moon could be a sorted woman totally comfortable with her heterosexuality and still say no to Nice, even if he is the last surviving man on Earth. She just doesn't like him; it's that simple. That should be the end of the debate. However, people are not ready to accept that. The audience of the 'To Be Hero X' world and the real audience of 'To Be Hero X' donghua both should question themselves: is it okay to still enforce a relationship between them when the woman clearly expresses her sheer irritation at this fake relationship?

And that staged marriage plot! A perfect woman can either be a wife or a dead wife. Part of the reason Lin Ling cries while holding Moon during Moon's 'death' scene is that Moon has to metaphorically and literally die and withdraw herself from the narrative in order to chase the freedom she deserves. She can't exist with her individuality and agency in this world; capitalism and heteronormativity will not allow that.

Also, Moon's mock attempt at suicide is not funny. If I remember correctly, Li Haolin said in the Link Click art book interview that Liu Siwen and his girlfriend's story was something he actually took from a real-life story from a newspaper. Contrary to the happy ending in episode 5.5, the girl actually ended her life.

Another thing I want to mention is Moon from Lin Ling's perspective. In that interview, Lin Ling said

: Moon is not my girlfriend, she is my goddess.

It is not a typical 'romantic' declaration. Lin Ling acknowledges his position and accepts the fact that he will never be able to reach an equal position with Xiao Yueqing. That's why Yueqing is an inspiration to be admired from afar. And do you know why he accepts this? Because he respects Xiao Yueqing. During their one month together, Lin Ling realized that she never loved Nice to begin with. Lin Ling was the person she learned to be a bit softer. "Lin Ling is a much better name," she said. There is no possibility of assuming a relationship (which, honestly, most men don't even pay heed to. If I love you, I will be eligible to be with you, I will make you fall for me, and then how will you be able to say no to me? This is the general logic. Annoy, cross boundaries, violate personal space, and then coerce the woman into falling in love with you because YOUR love is so pure, omg) when the other party doesn't reciprocate. Lin Ling can still love her, but the love will not be actualized. I think Lin Ling was really upset when he learned that Yuqqing was forced to be in a fake relationship with Nice. He didn't want to hurt her more. The idol-fan relationship was fine, but in my opinion, Lin Ling did see her as more than an idol. His simple efforts to make things better for Xiao Yueqing without the illogical hope that 'if I do this, she will fall in love with me' make their relationship very humane. There might be a desire to be with her, but it never becomes the determining motive. I think Lin Ling would say this to Xiao Yueqing: Ti voglio bene. The literal translation of this Italian phrase is 'I want good for you,' which feels more impactful to me than its allegedly more intense romantic cousin.

Whatever the nature of the feelings Lin Ling had for Xiao Yueqing, if more people had this kind of feeling for others in our world, the world would be a much better place than it is today.

I love Li Haolin for how he tries to liberate heterosexual relationships from heteronormative constraints. In a sense, he introduces a splash of queerness into those relationships. Haolin's hetero couples are couples not merely because they share the same room as a boy and a girl. He portrays heterosocial relationships in a beautiful way. There is room to explore and form different kinds of human bonding. If things were normal, maybe Moon would form a really good friendship with Lin Ling. I feel that Lin Ling is the best interpreter of Moon as a human in tbhx.

2. how corporate dehumanizes people

Moon clearly has a more marginalized space in the dynamic, but how does one process power and position thrown towards them without their full control? Nice's character makes us ponder over this. Power and privilege come with a price. For Moon, she still had room to be subversive because things were clearly not working in her favor. What excuse does Nice have in this regard? It's much more complex. His death was so comical and absurd that until a new character is introduced in the second episode, we don't even feel that a real person has died. THAT is the power of perspective and storytelling. Lin Ling didn't quite process what he saw and perhaps didn't feel the need to bother. And Moon... yes, Moon had her reasons and irritation towards Nice, but it was really appalling to see that she did not even feel a little sad about Nice's death. How bitter must her workplace be? How much does capitalism isolate people to the point where fellow sufferers do not even bat an eye at each other? I am not blaming Moon, but I am asking you to consider the horrifying simplicity in this admission: so what if he died? You arranged for another one? Well, I felt chills. Imagine, one day you die, and then, very unfortunately, you didn't actually die and return to see a clone of yourself performing better than you probably could have done. Corporate not only dehumanizes people but makes people dehumanize each other and that's how it thrives.

Next, I would ask you to remember or re-read the third discussion; the question of agency : The dichotomy between public and private. Just replace Xia Fei with Nice. Heck, listen to Xia Fei's character song and if that doesn't make you remember Nice-

fake a smile in calm

3. Private queer lives and politics in the entertainment industry: Wreck and Nice's relationship as a twofold critique on the audience.

*sighs*.

I thought Haolin would just tease us with a iykyk rivals-enemies to lovers trope between a hero and a villain. Like, people who want to ship, ship. I really didn't expect him to pick shiguang, reverse the colour scheme and maintain the trauma and go : did you like my doomed yaoi?! 😃 man-

Haolin's obsession with widows needs to be studied. He pulled the similar string thrice in Yingdu and it's just the second episode in tbhx. Chill, man.

Back to analysis...what should I say? Let's assume you are Wreck.

you look at him like this. You wanted to be a hero with Nice together. So, for Wreck, to be a hero really meant to be with Nice.

Then one day, a script shattered everything. He became a hero, you became his villain, a literal stepping stone for him, so that his trust value increases.

The flashback suggests that Nice would frequently visit Wreck's house, probably the only place he could call 'home.' Nice would let his imperfect but real, unguarded self liberate in front of him.

And then suddenly, one day, he calls Moon his 'goddess.' You text him, call him, and send letters, but he doesn't reply. You shared a private life beyond the gaze of the camera and the prompt of scripts with him, and the company doesn't feel the need to inform you of his death. You reached there for the much-awaited encounter because nothing makes sense to you. The moment he speaks, a world shatters in your heart; he doesn't seem like your Nice. Still, you urge him to speak, almost pleadingly, because nothing makes sense and you hold onto that one tiny belief that things are still okay; maybe it's just a play. Then the illusion breaks. You can't tolerate it anymore and implore the imposter to speak the truth. He says that Nice committed suicide. He died.

People will remember Moon as an individual and someone who had an emotional dynamic with Lin Ling. But Wreck makes us mourn for the original Nice who died.

I don't know if Wreck knew that Nice was capable of doing something like that. He had already begun to cry, and when he heard the truth, he didn't even say things like, 'It can't be possible,' or 'How can it be possible?' Probably, it was more than possible, and that's why he was so tortured and disturbed. Wreck fell to his death with a smile, thinking that perhaps he might finally be able to be together with Nice peacefully.

Now, after everything, people will come and say: 'Ah, they were best friends.' Sure, they were. And that doesn't sit mutually exclusive to being lovers. What I feel is that it is a very conscious narrative within the narrative that Haolin deliberately put forth to unfold the compulsory heterosexuality and queer erasure in the viewership. Fans in the tbhx world forgot Wreck and didn't bother to understand what made him a villain. If tbhx donghua fans do the same after knowing the other perspectives, it's really... just, um, disappointing. You are proving Haolin's point, and you are the type of fans being criticized in the show. If Wreck were a female villain, my god.

I mean, yeah, I am kind of tired of 'proving' that they were lovers. It's the basic lack of media literacy.

I HAVE YAPPED TOO MUCH HELLO

did moon really survive? we don't know. did nice really die? we don't know. did wreck really die? i don't know. did LIN LING REALLY survive? I DON'T KNOW.

But I don't think those will totally topple these reflections.

Special note :

hello, today is this head emptu's birthday. please give him blessings and pray that he does not bite through the longevity noodles. He has a wife at home. and a sister. please. He has a family.

[divinit3a]

thing au drabble for @magspieart :o)

word count: 1513 jack-of-all trades YN, corrupted research drone Sun cw: fear, "living" circuitry/wires

PS- check out their lovely artwork&ideas >:D

The nights here are pitch black. 

Like dwelling beneath the surface of the Earth’s crust, hidden away in cave systems. The notion sounds comforting at this point. To be isolated far from mankind without a care in the world.

You blink through fatigue and sleep deprivation. Muscles strung like a bowstring, taut with stress and ready to snap apart. 

Yawning as you mix together an elixir of instant coffee and boiled water into a blackened sludge. The sludge swirls around in your thermos. You stare into it, as if a magical answer would appear from the ether within and answer your countless questions. 

The meager light of your head lamp, fastened to your snowcap, barely ignites parts of the impromptu research station. You don’t bother wasting the power reserves on your late night excursions anymore. 

You find it hard to sleep. Difficult to dispel the images from your mind. Of the injuries you saw on others. Unnatural. Unholy. 

The rest of your crew chalked it up to an unlucky streak. It was best to not let paranoia fester in close quarters like this. With a storm raging overhead, the helicopter couldn’t be called until it subsides. And after the first of your crew was picked off… well, there is only so much stress a human mind can take before–

You startle when you turn the corner.

A towering figure stands there. Your eyes travel up, and up. Blinking rapidly to accommodate the jarring dilation of your pupils, as the overhead lights burn an afterimage into your retinas.

It’s Sun. 

You relax your shoulders. It’s odd to see the research drone out this late. The night time patrols are handled by its security counterpart, Moon.

But it has been more active lately, perhaps on high alert from the emergency status of your team. The blinking of a radio in the helm that is constantly relaying out an “SOS” into an uncaring, unlistening void.

The fate of your injured coworker is still uncertain. They are resting in the infirmary. They said they were attacked by some sort of wild animal; but you cant imagine what sort of fauna around here could do such damage, yet leave them alive...

The drone stares at you for a while. Most of your crew find it unnerving. A corporate, friendly design. A model that was once considered cutting-edge and sleek is now more of a hindrance and a pack mule for the company. Almost lost to time and disrepair, until you started taking them on as a personal project to rejuvenate and remove from the chopping block of becoming obsolete.

The upgrades have landed the model a ‘new’ job: act as a wall of metal set about to do menial tasks. To monitor the station and keep the research on track. Yet you've always been endeared toward its rigid personality.

"Hi Sun," you greet it with a dip to your head.

Expecting that to be the end of the brief encounter, you try to walk past it, but the mechanical creature stands stagnant in your path. Unmoving. The hollowed-out grin seems to stretch wider in your presence. You blink, imagining two pinholes, two dots of light in its mouth, but that would be— "E-evening, researcher," the robotic hum of an automated response churns through its circuitry. You find your concern taking a backseat, enjoying its simple yet effective pleasantry procedures.

“Evening,” you return the greeting. Sun’s posture never relaxes, mechanisms stiff with weathering. Yet its face plate swivels on its neck hinge, keeping a monitor on your every movement to shuffle past the robot.

Before turning the bend of the hallway, you pause.

There's a nagging thought inside your head that just won't leave. Maybe it's the paranoia bred from lack of sleep – of feeling like someone in this station could be a murderer. A screw loose that shatters the whole facade of being somewhere safe, surrounded by well-equipped professionals. 

No, that would mean admitting that even now, your life is in danger. Leaning in to the certainty of a predictable machine, where your faith in mankind has been tested.

All that fear winds up tight until it becomes an uncomfortable knot in your chest. So, you seek to take on a task that is familiar. Reassuring. 

It will keep your mind from wandering – worse yet, spiraling, at least for the rest of the night.

"Actually, Sun—care for an early maintenance check up?" You call out to the drone.

Its face jolts on a rotation to mime a head tilt. The cracking sound it makes reminds you of a neck snapping. "Soundsounds just peachy, friend! Lead the way!" The jovial voicebank continues, a sway to its arms that is cartoonishly friendly. You admire the gusto while the world is otherwise so bleak. 

Sun marches after you. A slight drag to its left leg. The metal is torn into, panels hanging off the hinges. 

You take note of the detail for later. 

The two of you walk to a smaller offset of the lab: the mechanic’s room. You are a jack-of-all-trades, a hire put on to keep an eye on company tech. Such as the assistant drone across from you.

Sun sits down on your work bench. The mechanical being leans forward, the expanse of its back on view. You feel around the planes of curved metal, fingertips knowing where the latch is that opens up the entire panel. 

The panels open with a groan. With strong resistance. A snapping noise like vines torn apart. Far beyond what you’d mark down as a need to have hinges oiled, almost as if an opposing force was trying to hold it together. To keep them whole.

"I'm going to power you down now," You instruct. Sun's eyes flash a burning white glow. Then in a flicker, dim to their regular intensity. "Y-you got it, researcher!" The lines exalt from their circuitry. Complacent. Yet something curls into its wires, a frantic and fleeting moment of panic that suddenly expires in a supernova the moment you are reaching in and turning off their systems.

The switch is easy to access. Though it parts with difficulty.

The sounds of their internal workings still. The fans stop. The coolant ceases pumping. Electricity stuck without an outlet. Frozen.

You fall into the lull of the routine maintenance check. Dutifully testing wires, cleaning out stubborn gunk that clogs up their delicate machinery. You frown at a particularly stubborn batch of gristle. You lean closer to allow your headlamp to illuminate the situation, but find that–

"Ow," you utter. The small shock to your finger feels insignificant. A faulty wire. You hadn’t been able to check over their systems as frequently, not on this research mission. Perhaps it had put a strain on their foundation, caused a few glitches and bugs that you’d normally catch well in advance.

You move to retreat. But you freeze up. Eyes widening at the sight before you.

The wire matrix pulses. A hypnotic array of neurons sparking and activating. An expanse of circuitry interconnecting and linking. The lights flash once, twice. 

Rippling throughout the dense machinery like a wall of flesh—sentient, breathing, cascading. 

You panic. Rush to turn the assistant's system back on. To stop this horrid hallucination and ground yourself back into reality, because this can’t be real–

You find that you don't need to flip the switch.

Sun powers back on without prompting. The twisting innards interlock with the lines of electricity, completing the system. Routing electricity through like a nervous system. 

You jump back as his hull shuts close in a rapid motion.

Fast, like it had tried to snap down swift enough to decapitate you.

Sun rises to stand before you.

Moving so swift, with such fluidity, that the drone is hardly recognizable from the clunky machinery you’ve grown accustom to. 

Like it is alive, breathing, and not–

"D-don't dont do that again," ‘friend.’ Your breath catches in your throat. Its grip on your wrist is so tight that your muscles spasm and you drop the screwdriver held tight in your fists with a clatter.

“I d-don’t like being shut,” ‘off,’  Sun says. The faceplate swivels and dangles on its flimsy hinge. Within its mouth, shadows ripple and seep out. Reaching toward you. Wisps of claws and unearthly matter that caresses across your face. Cold, bitterly cold. 

Your mind stops working. 

‘so dark.’ The shadows murmur, like a chime lost on the breeze. The temperature of the room keeps plummeting until your breath is crystalizing in the air. Every panicked, hushed wheeze. As your lungs shudder, your body pumps out adrenaline, yet you are stuck in place.

"Good," 'good,' it utters. Synthetic voice blending with a whispering shush. Almost natural like breathing, an exhale that speaks alongside its record-like voice.

Alarm flashes through you. 

You need to tell the others. 

You need to check in on your coworker in the infirmary—you need to, to—

pass out — expecting a thud of your head hitting concrete, only to be caught. Enveloped in arms made of metal and unreal, wispy sinew alike.

[ink-perfect]

thinking about...

luffy and the way he is unapologetically full of love. living in an era that craves being detached and playing hard to get, he's a breath of fresh air - so uncomplicated, pure, and just. real.

he has that kind of charisma that can be charmed to lead a fleet, hypnotise a tyrant, or win over an island in a second flat. but the thing is, he doesn't care about any of that. he's not wanting to be cool or a player or anything of that sort; he's just monkey d. luffy, future king of the pirates.

this is a man who would hug you in the middle of a thousand people with absolutely no thought or care, grinning that big goofy grin of his, eyes sparkling with that childlike glee he can always seem to have, because he saw you across the deck. he doesn't do subtlety, he doesn't play games. he's an open book, loud and honest; when he loves, he loves with his whole chest - a hurricane of laughter, a whirlwind of warmth. in a world that has blurred the lines between love and lazy, luffy wears his heart on his sleeve, and it is so damn endearing.

and if there's one thing he sees other than meat, it's you. he sees you everywhere, even in himself: in the sparkle of his eyes at the tone of your voice, or how he will stop mid-bite (a big deal for luffy) just to listen to you talk.

he will let you cry on his shoulder, even when he doesn't know what to say, because sometimes, he understands it's enough to just be there.

he's one of those guys who's always chasing adventure, always running toward the horizon, yet without you even realising it, he had been bringing you along this endless journey, his hand clasping yours. you are sewn into the tapestry of his dreams, tucked between the discovery of the one piece and the thrill of the next battle. not to woo or prove anything to you, but more so because you have become as integral to him as the sea breeze at his back or the open expanse of ocean before him - freedom he holds so dear.

for luffy, love isn't about dramatic gestures or sweet words, though he does make a point of doing those for you as well.

it's more in the way he reaches out and snatches your hand up, yanking you off after him toward some mad new adventure without any afterthoughts. in the way he laughs with you into the dead of night or always manages to keep a place open beside him at banquet even when the food's all but gone (because of him, of course).

it's in the silent promise of his loyalty, as unwavering and steadfast as tides pushing his ship toward unknown shores.

and the crew? they, too, see this, no matter how observant they are. zoro, blind to everything but his training, and nami, with eyes that just always know, both notice the beauty of your connection to the same degree despite their disparity in intuition. they see how instinctively you two move toward each other, faces lighting up before a single word is even exchanged. even sanji has stopped teasing, not because he's run out of one-liners, but because he's actually, surprisingly, impressed at the sheer power of your love. usopp sometimes seriously wants to take notes for kaya after seeing just how enamoured the two of you are by each other.

and that is what it's all about: it is all so real with luffy: no games, no masks, no holding back. all or nothing, and with you, it's all. even during the filler episodes of your life, he is still there, soaking your presence like the sun seeping through sails.

to be loved by luffy means to be taken along in his world, the joy he feels is your own, the laughter yours mingled with his, carried off on sea breeze. it means knowing that no matter where the grand line may take you, or what dangers may come your way, there's always that simple, sincere smile waiting to greet you on the other side of the storm. and somehow, it will always be enough.

── ౨ৎ masterlist

[ghostlynightpanda]

Haii!! It's the anonie that requested the jewelry Ranpo fic :D!!! I love your writing style and everything so much, I adore it!! Is it OK if I request another Ranpo x masc girl!reader (like tomboy reader) fic? IMAGINE this. You work in the ADA and had a crush on Ranpo, you've tried many times to flirt and give him the hint, but he seemed oblivious to all of it, you wondered if he did it on purpose because he was disinterested and it kinda make you sad but you still try again anyways. One day, Ranpo introduced the ADA to one of his new friend who is Minoura's assistant. Everyone like her and you talk to her a few times. But then you noticed Ranpo laughing alot at her jokes, or that he also litsens to her very intently as if he's interested . That made you wondered, did he like her? Now THAT genuinely fucked you up. How did she manage to catch Ranpo's attention so quick? What did she do to make THE Ranpo enjoy her presence? What did SHE have but YOU don't? Then you came into a conclusion, maybe it's her looks. She's so feminine, outside of work she always wear lighy colored sundresses, pink rosy lips and high heels, her hair are always curled and neatly put. And you? You perfered the casuals, black and red centered palette, big tees and baggy pants, throw in a few chains and necklaces and leather jackets every now and then. Maybe it's that? Maybe Rsnpo liked girly girls? So from then, Ranpo noticed that you started to change. Its subtle, but it always catched his eyes. How you changed your usual deep red lipstick to a more pinky one, how you stopped wearing big tees and now they're crop tops, all that. You hoped I'd catch Ranpo's attention and that he might understand your hint more now that you're "his type". But then one day, he suddenly came up to you and confront you about what youvr been doing. And after going back and forth, you confessed your intentions with an annoyed yet embarrassed pout. Ranpo just blinks up at you and said "Oh HER? oh no I'm just pretending because that's Minoura's DAUGHTER. He'd be even angrier if u treated her like how I usually treat him. Oh and for the record? I love your fashion sense, you make me wanna smooch you up!" And your whole shattered (the ending can also include reader's regret for having to buy all the girly stuff just for Rsnpo to like the way you are, so angrily you teased Ranpo into telling him to buy clothes you think would look good on him to make up for the money you spent for his approval >:3!!!) -🍮 (this will be my anonie signout now, hihi!)

Detective, Notice Me

synopsis: You tried everything to catch Ranpo’s attention—even changing yourself—only to find out he liked you best when you were just you.

content/warnings: Ranpo Edogawa x reader, fluff, -2.251 words

The Armed Detective Agency’s office was bustling with the usual chaos—phones ringing, footsteps echoing, papers rustling—but in the middle of it all, your eyes always found the same spot. Ranpo Edogawa, the brilliant detective with a knack for solving mysteries that left everyone else stumped. His sharp mind was intimidating, but his carefree attitude and casual smirk made him strangely endearing.

You’ve had a crush on him for as long as you can remember. Maybe it’s his cocky smile or the way he casually solves mysteries that leave everyone else baffled. Whatever it is, you can’t help but be drawn to him.

You’ve tried—so many times—to catch his attention. You drop hints, hoping he’ll pick up on them: offering him coffee with a little extra warmth in your smile, laughing a bit too loudly at his jokes, finding excuses to linger nearby when he’s working on a case. Sometimes you think you’re subtle; other times, you’re embarrassingly obvious.

Like today. 

You slip on a new chain necklace you bought recently, one with a small silver charm that you thought Ranpo might like—something edgy but simple, much like your usual style. It rests cool against your skin beneath your favorite black oversized tee, which you’ve paired with worn-in jeans and a leather jacket tossed over your chair. You always prefer black and red—it feels like you, even if it’s not what Ranpo expects.

You carefully swipe on a new dark red lip gloss, the shade deep and bold. Maybe this time, it’ll catch his eye.

But no.

Ranpo’s completely oblivious. Or maybe he’s just ignoring you, and that thought makes your chest tighten. Whenever you try to flirt or give him a hint, he either flashes you that infuriating, smug smirk or tilts his head like he’s genuinely confused, saying, “Huh? What was that?” as if you spoke a foreign language.

You wonder if he really just doesn’t care.

Still, you keep trying. Because what’s the point of having feelings if you don’t at least try to make him notice you?

He’s always so wrapped up in his cases, so confident in his own mind, but sometimes you swear you catch his eyes lingering on you—just for a moment—before he quickly looks away.

You want to be more than just background noise in his brilliant world. You want him to see you.

It was just another morning at the ADA when Ranpo strolled in with someone new.

“Everyone, this is Minoura’s assistant. She’ll be helping out around here for a while,” he said, popping a lollipop into his mouth mid-sentence. “Play nice.”

You glance up from your desk and immediately take in the woman beside him. She’s... pretty. No—stunning, in that soft, effortless way. She’s wearing a pale yellow sundress that sways lightly as she walks, paired with delicate heels that somehow don’t slow her down. Her hair is curled in loose waves, glossy and pinned just right. Her lips are a soft, rosy pink, and her smile lights up the room.

She looks like she walked out of a lifestyle magazine.

You sit back in your chair, absentmindedly fiddling with one of the rings hanging from your chain necklace as you observe. Everyone seems to take to her quickly—Atsushi’s already offering her a cup of tea, Kunikida’s explaining case protocols, even Yosano compliments her dress.

Ranpo stands beside her, arms crossed casually, a content smile on his face as he watches the room accept her without hesitation.

You try not to overthink it.

You talk to her a few times over the next few days. She’s nice. Charming. Honestly hard to dislike. And you hate that. You hate that she’s actually... good. Because at first, you assumed it’d be easy to roll your eyes and move on. But she’s sweet, warm-hearted, and genuinely smart.

And worst of all? Ranpo seems to like her.

You start noticing things.

How he laughs easily around her, head thrown back, the sound genuine. How he listens to her when she talks, his expression unusually attentive. How he makes jokes just to see her giggle, even sharing snacks without a single sarcastic remark.

That… genuinely messes with your head.

Because how did she manage to catch Ranpo’s attention so quickly? What did she do to make him enjoy her presence so much? You’ve spent months trying to earn even a fraction of that closeness, and she walked in and got it all in a week.

And you? You’re still wearing your favorite black nail polish, still slipping on your usual leather jacket, still adding silver accents to your layered necklaces like it matters. You stare at your reflection in the bathroom mirror one day, tracing the outline of your deep red lip gloss with your finger.

Maybe it’s not your personality. Maybe it’s not your effort.

Maybe it’s your look.

She’s soft, feminine, graceful. She floats when she walks. Outside of work, she wears pastel skirts and hair ribbons. She looks like she belongs in a warm breeze and the scent of cherry blossoms.

You? You like big shirts and combat boots. Black and red are your comfort colors. You wear rings like armor, and your eyeliner is as sharp as your tongue when you're annoyed. Chains, zippers, leather, denim—it’s all part of you. You’ve always thought you looked cool.

But maybe Ranpo doesn’t want cool.

Maybe he wants soft.

Maybe that’s why he never noticed you.

You lean back against the sink, your arms folded tightly across your chest as a bitter thought hits you.

If I looked like her, would he have already liked me back?

You left the agency that day with your headphones on, volume up, and your hands shoved deep in your jacket pockets. The sky had started to shift toward evening, painted in shades of orange and lavender, but you hardly noticed. Your head was too full.

Every time you closed your eyes, you saw her. Heard her. That bright laugh, the way Ranpo’s eyes crinkled when he listened to her speak. You could still see how he leaned toward her slightly, just enough to make your stomach twist.

You didn’t want to compare yourself. But you couldn’t help it.

As you crossed the street toward your apartment, something caught your eye.

A boutique. One you usually passed without a second thought. This time, though, something in the window made you stop.

A mannequin stood confidently behind the glass, dressed in a sleek black crop top with a heart-shaped neckline and delicate lace edging. It was still your color—black, safe, familiar—but the cut was undeniably feminine. Soft. Curved. Pretty.

The kind of thing she’d wear. The kind of thing you imagined Ranpo noticing.

You stood there for a while, chewing the inside of your cheek, before muttering, “Screw it,” and walking inside.

You told yourself you’d just try one thing. Just this one stupid crop top. But somehow, you left with a small paper bag filled with it, plus a few more pieces: a lighter pink lip tint, a silver anklet with a charm, and a pair of high-waisted skinny jeans you were already second-guessing.

The next morning, you stared at yourself in the mirror, frowning. The crop top hugged your figure in a way your oversized shirts never did. It didn’t feel like you, but it didn’t look bad either. You slipped on your usual chain necklace, letting it rest just above the neckline like some attempt at a compromise. One foot in your world, one in hers.

You stepped into the ADA that day expecting no one to notice.

But Ranpo’s eyes caught you immediately.

He didn’t say anything, but his gaze lingered longer than usual. You caught it. You felt it.

That was all it took.

It became a slow unraveling from there.

Each day, you added something new—a tighter shirt, a more pastel tone, a softer gloss. Skinny jeans one day, a blush-colored nail polish the next. The reds and blacks in your wardrobe began to fade into pinks and creams. Your necklaces thinned. Your boots were replaced with flats. Your eyeliner softened, your lashes curled. You even bought a floral perfume.

You hated how awkward you felt in all of it. Like wearing someone else’s skin. Like you'd taken off armor and replaced it with silk you didn’t know how to carry.

But you kept doing it.

Because Ranpo started to look.

He still hadn’t said anything, but he noticed. You’d catch him glancing, eyes darting briefly from your lips to your clothes before going back to his usual lollipop or snack.

It wasn’t a lot—but it was more than before. And that was enough to keep you going.

Even if you didn’t quite recognize yourself anymore.

—

The mission was quick—just a low-stakes investigation that didn’t require the whole agency. You and Ranpo were paired up, walking side by side as the evening set in around Yokohama. The breeze was soft, tugging at your new, thinner top—cream-colored. Your lip gloss tasted like strawberries, and your hair was pinned back the way you’d seen her do it last week.

Ranpo had been unusually quiet since the case wrapped up.

No smug remarks. No teasing. Just occasional glances that flickered toward you and then away again, like he was working something out in his head.

You were trying not to let it get to you. Trying to keep your posture relaxed, your steps casual. You’d worn this outfit thinking he might compliment you. He hadn’t.

Finally, when the sidewalk thinned and the two of you were walking shoulder to shoulder, he spoke.

“…Hey.”

You turned, raising an eyebrow. “What?”

Ranpo was looking at you. Really looking. Not just his usual lazy glance, but with that unsettlingly sharp gaze he used when he was reading people like puzzles. And right now, that gaze was pinned on you.

“What’s up with you lately?” he asked plainly.

You blinked. “What do you mean?”

He waved a finger vaguely at your outfit. “This. The makeup. The clothes. You don’t look like you. You look like… someone else.”

You swallowed hard, already feeling your shoulders tighten.

“I just… felt like changing things up,” you muttered, eyes forward again.

“Yeah, no. Try again,” Ranpo said, chewing the stick of his now-finished lollipop. “You liked the way you used to dress. And, not to sound like Kunikida, but you don’t exactly strike me as the sundress-and-lip-gloss type.”

Your jaw clenched. “So what? It’s a crime to want to try something different?”

He stopped walking. “Not a crime,” he said slowly, “but you’re not doing this for you. You’re doing it for someone else. And I think I know who.”

You turned to face him fully, irritation bubbling up now. “You think you’ve got it all figured out, don’t you, Detective?”

Ranpo shrugged. “I do, actually. You’ve been acting weird ever since Minoura’s assistant showed up.”

You folded your arms, voice tight. “So what if I have?”

He tilted his head, that usual smirk replaced by something unreadable. “You think I like her, don’t you?”

You didn’t answer. Your silence said enough.

Ranpo blinked, then exhaled through his nose like he couldn’t believe he was about to explain this.

“I’ve just been pretending to be nice because she’s Minoura’s daughter. He’s already touchy about how I treat him—can you imagine the tantrum if I ignored her the way I ignore him?”

You stared at him. “You’re kidding.”

“Nope.” He popped another lollipop into his mouth. “Honestly, I thought you knew. You’re smarter than this.”

You didn’t know what to say. Your stomach twisted with equal parts embarrassment and relief. Your heart was thudding so loud it drowned out the city.

Ranpo squinted at you. “You seriously thought I liked her over you? When you’re over here wearing chains and red lipstick and stomping around in leather like you’re gonna murder someone with your eyeliner? I love that.”

You blinked. “…What?”

He gave you a playful grin, stepping a little closer. “I love your fashion sense. I’ve been wanting to smooch you for, like, weeks. But you started changing all that, and I got confused. Thought maybe you were the one who wasn’t interested anymore.”

You felt your face burn. All that effort. All the awkward outfits. All the money wasted on makeup you didn’t even like wearing—and he had liked you all along?

You groaned, slapping a hand to your forehead. “You idiot! Do you know how much I spent trying to become your type?!”

Ranpo snorted. “And you thought I wanted someone who looks like they stepped out of a fashion blog?”

“Well, you sure acted like it!”

He looked entirely too pleased with himself now. “To be fair, you do look cute in crop tops. But I liked you better when you looked like you could beat me up in an alley.”

You let out a frustrated sigh, tugging at your top with a grimace. “I regret everything.”

He grinned. “Then let me make it up to you.”

You raised a brow. “Oh yeah? How?”

Ranpo leaned in just enough to be dangerous. “You spent money changing your whole wardrobe for me. I’ll let you pick out one outfit for me. Your style. Chains and all.”

“…Even leather?”

“If it means you’ll finally stop pouting and maybe kiss me? I’ll wear leather pants. No complaints.”

You couldn’t help the grin that broke through.

“Deal.”

Masterlist

[fourth-wing-stories]

Love blooms

@starlight-in-the-streets I ship you with Sawyer!

The sun was low on the horizon, casting a warm, golden light over the garden you´d cultivated outside the walls of Basgiath. You knelt in the soil, hands gently cradling a small sprout as you coaxed its leaves toward the fading light. This hidden garden was your sanctuary, a place where you could escape the chaos of the Riders Quadrant, away from the noise and the tension. Here, among the plants, everything felt peaceful.

“Figured I’d find you here.”

You jumped slightly at the voice, recognizing it instantly. Sawyer stood at the edge of your garden, his relaxed posture and easy smile somehow managing to ease your nerves.

“I didn’t mean to startle you,” he said with a chuckle, his eyes soft as they watched you return to tending your plants. “You’re always in your element out here.”

You smiled, brushing the dirt from your hands. “I guess I just prefer the company of plants sometimes. They’re quiet, patient. They don’t expect anything from me.”

Sawyer stepped closer, his boots crunching softly against the gravel. “I don’t expect anything from you either, you know.”

You looked up at him, cheeks warming at his words. Sawyer was always gentle, always careful, but there was something different in his tone today. He crouched down beside you, watching as you smoothed the earth around one of the small shoots.

“Your plants look healthy,” he observed, the compliment genuine.

You smiled again, a little bashful. “Thanks. They take time and care, but it’s worth it. It’s calming.”

He nodded, watching you in that quiet way he always did, as though he could see deeper than most people. After a moment, he broke the silence, his voice softer. “I like that about you. You care about the small things. Most people overlook them.”

You glanced at him, surprised by the sincerity in his voice. “Well… it’s the little things that make life beautiful, right?”

Sawyer’s gaze lingered on you, the intensity in his brown eyes stirring something inside you. “Yeah,” he said softly. “Like you.”

The words caught you off guard, and for a moment, the world around you seemed to still. The air was cool, and yet warmth bloomed in your chest as his hand brushed against yours, a simple, gentle touch, but it was enough to send your heart racing.

You opened your mouth to say something, but before you could find the words, Sawyer spoke again. “You’ve been spending so much time here lately… you’ve barely had a break.” He gestured to the small satchel he had slung over his shoulder. “I brought us some food, if you want to take a break. I could use the company.”

There was something endearing about how he asked, as though he wasn’t sure if you’d accept. But there was no way you could say no. Not to him.

You nodded, smiling softly. “Yeah, I’d like that.”

And so, you sat together in the garden, the quiet of the evening settling around you, as comfortable as the warmth between you and Sawyer. With him beside you, it felt like maybe the little things weren’t so little after all.

[licorice-tea]

Could I Be Loved By You? Pt. 2

Pairing: Monkey D. Luffy x reader, Usopp x reader, Nami x reader (separate)

Content: some suggestive jokes in usopp’s part, just general silliness besides that!

Word Count: 0.9k (total)

A/N: first time writing for all three of these characters- say whatttt! usopp’s part is my fave, but i love all of them!!! also if you check my master list for more content or anything, just know that im working on making it looks more aesthetically pleasing (it’s a mess right now😓) anyway thanks for reading and enjoy <3

Part 1

What happens when you ask them; “Do you think we’re together in every universe?”

Nami - 0.2k

With a singsongy voice, you announce your presence to Nami. “Babe!”

“Y/n!” She responds in a similar cadence. However, she doesn’t look up from drawing her map.

You round her desk so that you’re standing behind it, and she finishes off a line before setting down her pen. “What’s up?”

“I have a question for you.”

“Mhm…?”

“Ok. Don’t laugh.”

“I won’t laugh at you, babe.” Well, she might, but only out of endearment.

“So… Um, do you think that we would be together in every universe?”

Her lips, once pressed together in a resting expression, curve upwards. The shake of her shoulders is an unmistakable sign of held back laughter, which is only solidified by her hand covering her mouth.

“Hey! You said you wouldn’t laugh!” But in all fairness, you’re smiling too. It’s a silly sort of question.

“I’m not, I’m not!” She defends herself through giggles, then clears her throat.

“So, do you think so or not?”

Nami taps her chin with a smirk. “Yes. Yes I do.” The faintest blush colors her cheeks, though she’s much too proud to ever admit to being flustered by the idea. To think; you want to be with her just as badly as she does you, in any every lifetime or world where the two of you coexist. It’s enough to make even her swoon.

“Awww, so you do love me!” You tease. Your next course of action is to run out the door before she can (lovingly) hurl a book at you.

Monkey D. Luffy - 0.3k

You and Luffy are the last crewmates left at the table. Neither of you were late to dinner, nor were you ever. No, you had arrived to the dining room on time (even a little early), but he is still on his 3rd main course. Meanwhile, you are a slow eater. It’s no bother, though; you’d take almost any opportunity to spend time alone with Luffy.

With a soft smile, you tilt your head as you watch your boyfriend and captain stuff his face.

He pauses, noticing your staring. “What? Something on my face?” He licks his lips.

You shake your head. “I was just thinking.”

“Oh, ‘bout what?”

“Do you think we’re like this in every universe?”

“Like what? Still hungry? I know I am!”

“No,” you giggle, “I mean like… in love. A couple.”

This time, Luffy is the one to giggle at your curiosity. “What a weird question, y/n.” He cracks his blinding grin at you. “Of course we are.”

Luffy proceeds to stretch one arm around the back of your chair and pulls it closer to his. The proximity allows you to lay your head on his shoulder, and now everything feels right with the world…

Still, the “what if” scenario runs rampant in your imagination. “But if there is a world where we aren’t-“

“Just means we haven’t met yet.”

“… Hm. I guess you’re right.”

“Yeah, and I found you this time, right? So, I always will.” He says it all like it’s some simple, known truth. As if there are no doubts in his mind- nor should there be in yours- that you’re meant to be together. It’s not surprising though, given Luffy’s view on his own destiny. Naturally, yours is part of his, and vice versa.

With a simper, you swipe your thumb over the corner of his lips to brush away a crumb. “Or maybe I’ll find you.”

Usopp - 0.4k

You and Usopp like to play this sort of game where you ask each other questions. Sometimes they’re deep and introspective, others silly and random. It’s not really a game, per say, but… Well, it’s a fun little thing for when you’ve exhausted other topics of conversation or both of you are bored of other, cleverer topics.

“Ok, favorite temperature?”

“Favorite temperature? That's so specific!”

He chuckles. “Thats the point, baby.”

You hum in agreement before responding. “True… 74 degrees.”

“Celsius, or fahrenheit?”

“…Usopp.” You deadpan. “74 degree celsius would be, like…”

“Around 165 degrees fahrenheit.” He grins proudly. How some people, such as your boyfriend, are such naturals at mental math, you would never understand.

“Hmph… if you say so. But, yeah, why would I say my favorite temperature is 165 degrees fahrenheit?”

Usopp shrugs, “I wouldn’t put it past you; I know you like things hot.”

You’re too caught up in the way he leans toward you teasingly to notice his arms snaking around your waist. Without warning, he pulls you close to his chest. You shriek as Usopp spins you around, but your arms remain looped around his shoulders even after he sets you down.

“That was a dirty trick.”

“I think you enjoyed it.”

And you did, so you just smile and accept defeat. It’s your turn to ask a question now. “Do you think we’d be together in every universe?”

His smile falters. “I… Well, I don’t know.”

“…Oh.”

“I want to be, of course, I just…”

“Just what?”

“You have so many choices, y/n. Who’s to say you’d always choose me? I definitely wouldn’t blame you if you didn’t, in this hypothetical alternate-“

Your lips stop his from moving with a forceful kiss. They linger there, just for a few moments, before you pull back less than an inch away. “Don’t talk like that.”

“Sorry.”

“And don’t apologize. I’d always choose you, Usopp, no matter what.”

His confidence grows back, along with his smile. “Then yes,” Usopp places another small peck to your lips and pulls away to gauge your reaction, “I think we would be together in every universe.”

Your eyes seem to shine with some emotion that could only be described as love. “Just what I wanted to hear.”

[hisui-dreamer]

hi hi!!! i hope you're doing well :D !!! i really really love how you write the octatrio (ESPECIALLY AZUL BC BIAS YK) and i was wondering if i could request some headcanons for the octatrio with a s/o that has an acts of service love language? no pressure ofc, you're never obligated to write anything <3 thank you for all the lovely writing you're shared so far!!! i am in loves w the way you portray azul btw have i gushed abt your characterization enough yet WHAHWHAHWA <333

at your service

Characters: Octavinelle (Azul, Jade, Floyd)

Synopsis: how he is with an acts of service lover

Tags: fluff, fish shenanigans, bot proofread

Word count: 885

Notes: @azulashengrottospiano auburnn! here's your very belated wedding gift! congrats on becoming mrs. ashengrotto <3 i hope you like it!

Masterlist

let's be real, he is too dense to know you're showing affection

he's like playing 4D chess in his head thinking about why you keep helping him with tasks???

do you want something from him?? he will pay you handsomely?

wait you don't want pay??? seriously he's tries so hard to think about how you might benefit from helping him, but this octopus never considers you're doing it out of affection

he keeps finding ways to repay you or see if there's a contract you're working under

it's only until one of the tweels point out that you seem to be in love with him, that the realisation hits him like a cauldron to the head

after that, he starts returning your affections by helping you with anything you might need, tutoring, miscellaneous duties Crowley threw your way, etc., or just throwing gifts at your direction

he'll walk into his office ready for another day of work only to find that you've already sorted out most of the paperwork for him

there's a lovestruck smile on his face as he plans what he could do in return or get you as a gift

he finds it so odd that he'd do anything for you, and not expect you to do anything in return

oh how far the businesses man has fallen

Azul's voice, soft and sincere, carries a touch of gratitude as he addresses you. "Angelfish, I am truly grateful for your help with the mountain of paperwork," he says. A smile, warm and affectionate, dances upon his lips as he continues, his voice infused with a hint of excitement. "As a token of my gratitude, would you like to join me for dinner tonight? It's on me," he offers.

jade's a bit confused when you start offering your help to him, but it doesn't take long for him to understand you're doing it out of affection

he might feel a bit obliged to return the favour, so sometimes he'll refuse your help

but he can't deny how endearing it is when you offer to take care of his mushrooms when he's too busy at work

or when you join him on hikes to help him find whatever mushroom is in season

he's very much used to taking care of people around him, with him basically acting as a secretary to Azul, and always having to act as the more reasonable twin in comparison to Floyd

you make him feel seen in a way and he finds himself smiling unconsciously when he sees you trying to help him in whatever way you can

he finds himself wanting to rely on you more, while also reaching out to you in concern when he sees you're struggling with something

he's so glad to be offering his services to you

sometimes you take up shifts in the Mostro Lounge when Jade's also working to alleviate some of the work on his shoulders

it's not obvious to others, but he works more efficiently and there's a slight smile on his face

he loves the simple connection the two of you have, having a great dynamic that plays off great when working together

"We make quite a nice pair, don't we?" Jade's voice comes from behind. You turn to see him, a gentle smile on his face that feels more genuine thank the usual he shows. "It's always a joy when I'm working alongside you. Thank you so much for offering your assistance," he says, before reaching for your hand and placing a kiss on it, his eyes piercing and never looking away from yours.

this eel loves that you're offering to do work for him!

most of the time he's doing his duties purely out of obligation and complaining the whole while

so if you offer to do it for him, he'll be elated and run off to do whatever he's in the mood for

definitely takes your willingness to help him for granted and starts asking you to do his work for him

jade will tell him not to be too spoiled with his demands though

and if he sees you're overworked or upset while working he'll whisk you away from whatever is hurting you

wraps his arms around you and squeezes you, apologising that he's been too irresponsible

his affection for you grows so unexpectedly, but with you were always there for him, willing to lend him a hand, he found himself always in a good mood when you were around

he'll return your affection with lots of squeezes, random gifts that reminded him of you, and he's always willing to help you if you need a hand

this eel can be very efficient when he's determined and motivated, so you'll see the best of him when he's actually doing tasks for you

"Shrimpy!" Floyd exclaims as he catches sight of you. He envelopes you in his arms, squeezing gently while mushing his cheek into the top of you head. "I'm sorry I gave you so much work," he murmurs softly, his voice laced with sincerity and regret. In a swift motion, he lifts you effortlessly off the ground, cradling you in his arms as if you were the most precious treasure in the world. "Let's ditch work and go on a date!"

Masterlist

if you liked this post, don't forget to reblog!

[shootingstar3]

Max Caulfield x insomniac reader

gender neutral reader :D short story fluff and sfw

You had unbearable insomnia keeping you up at night, preventing you from getting shut-eye. Therefore, it caused you to preoccupy yourself with other tasks.

At 3 in the morning, tossing and turning, unable to acquire some rest, you grab your phone from the bedside table with the goal to aimlessly scroll until your body forces itself into sleep.

Your girlfriend, Max Caulfield, places her hand on your shoulder as she looks over at you. "Another restless night?" she asks, a small pleasant smile on her beautiful face. Her voice is velvety and calm, welcoming a feeling of comfort. You look up at her, a smile of your own on your face as you admire her, like always. "Yeah," you reply, looking at her affectionately.

You find every single feature of hers endearing. You could stare at her day and night without boredom striking you. Her soft features carry a wave of calmness and adoration into your heart. The expressive eyes she owns bring upon you a plethora of emotions.

You turn your phone off, placing it back on the bedside table, and turn around to face her. The moonlight is the only source of light illuminating through the window. Max places her soft hand on yours as she takes in your features, admiring them. Both of you enjoy each other's presence for a while before she speaks, "We can listen to music or watch a movie, or we could just stare at the ceiling together." She makes many suggestions for you to choose from, hoping that one of them would put you to sleep, as she cares deeply about your well-being and always wants you to get a good night's sleep. You frown slightly at her suggestions. Max has to get up in the early morning for an important class she can’t miss, and you don’t like the idea of her staying up late with you just so you wouldn’t be on your lonesome battling the great evil, insomnia.

"Hey, you have an early class tomorrow…get some sleep." Your voice is gentle yet has a hint of sternness to it. You don’t like it when she sacrifices important tasks just to be by your side. She gives you a warm smile and shakes her head. "Nope, sorry, staying by your side tonight." Regardless of how mad you want to be, her radiance combined with the tenderness of her voice makes you lose all simple anger you had over this situation. Damn...how selfless You think to yourself a big grin covering your face.

She leans over you to reach her phone placed next to yours on the bedside table with some wired headphones. "What’re we gonna listen to?" you ask, smiling at her actions. She ponders your question for a moment before answering, "How about some Adrianne Lenker, Jim Croce or Mojave?" she says, plugging in the headphones. "Yeah, okay, that’s perfect, baby." An enormous, endearing smile on her face at the nickname you called her.

You both share the headphones, being close to one another, finding solitude in each other’s aura. She holds you close as calming music plays in your ear. Not long after, Max is deep asleep, wrapped around you, softly breathing. You close your eyes placing a caring soft kiss on her forehead. Content with the moment, as you slowly manage to drift off into a deep slumber.

A/N: Thank you for reading loveliesssss ˚ʚ♡ɞ˚ hope you enjoyed...if you did drop a request i will be more than happy to write something have a wonderful day and thank you for reading. ( ˘ ³˘)♥︎

/)/) ( . .) ( づ♡ TAKE THIS HEART!!!

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[call-me-kermit]

Nicknames

EDITED CAUSE I FORGOT TYR! oops🫢

Genre: Headcanons

Warnings: None

Summary: Your nick(pet)names for each other!

≫ ────── ≪•◦ ❈ ◦•≫ ────── ≪

Kratos

Kratos doesn't do nicknames..

But every now and then, when you guys are alone and he's holding you, he'll call you “My Love”.

Other then that, he just loves your name.

However you have about a thousand nicknames for him.

Only a few nicknames stick around for a while.

Like; Love, Old Man, & Handsom.

Some of them are one hit wonders.

Mostly things related to recent events.

Most most of the nicknames flop.

All of them confuse the hell out of anyone who's recently met you too.

Calling him things like; cutie patootie, snookums, Pumpkin pie, Cuddle bear, softy, Cuddle butt, sweetie, sugar, love muffin, etc.

Noobody understands how any of them apply to the man your talking to, but their to intimidated to ask.

Kratos doesn't mind them; he’ll never say it, but he thinks they’re sweet.

Atreus thinks they are hilarious!

Mimir will totally tease him for them..

Atreus

Atreus would likely only ever call you an abbreviated version of your name.

But also one or two that comes up every now and then to tease you. 

Most likely related to an animal you resemble characteristically or physically.

You'd call him Tre, or cutie.

Whenever ‘Cutie’ comes out he blushes like crazy.

Even if he's heard it a thousand and one times.

Mimir

He's old-fashioned, so simple and sweet works for him!

He'd call you, Dear(my dear), Lovely, Honey.

And if nobody else is around: Sexy.

You'd keep it just as simple with him; sweetie, honey, hubby.

Or if your mad at him… ✨Bowlingball✨

Freya

She's not really ever put effort into giving you a nickname.

You don't think she's ever called you anything but your name, actually.

Yet you've called her, my love, beautiful, dove, & honey.

They never failed to make her smile.

And it’s not even the nickname, it's the look in your eyes when you say them.

So genuine and sweet she can't help it.

Sindri

This man is awful at nicknames!

He has never settled on one he likes for you.

Every time he tries a new one out he thinks it's horrible says it out loud and goes right back to the drawing board.

You don't think they are that bad.

You almost always call him Sin, or Sweetie.

‘Sweetie’- especially when you got that love-sick look in your eye- makes his knees weak.

They completely buckled the first time to said it.

Brok

Doesn't matter who’s around, if he's not calling you by your name, it's Hot Stuff.

You'd just call him Baby, or Brokie.

He loves ‘Brokie’, but he groans and complains when you say it cause it's of the teasing he gets from Sindri and the others.

He'll tell you, “Come up with something else!”

But you never will, and he's secretly grateful.

He just likes how cute you look when you greet him saying, “Hello, Brokie.”

Heimdall

Yeah.. He definitely doesn't do nicknames.

He has none for you.

The few times you've called him by a nickname(like Honey, sweetie, cutie) he just gives you side eye.

But he lets it slide cause he knows when you do it you're just teasing him.

Plus he enjoys your laugh when he gives you that look.

You don't dare to do that in front of others.

Tyr (sorry I forgot lol)

Tyr adores your little names for him.

Despite cranking your neck to meet his eyes, you call him nicknames that don't apply to his size.

Names like, Baby(often telling him “You're just a little baby.” All cute like.)

Calling him Tiny, Cuite, and to tease him Little Guy.

He thinks it's as funny as it is endearing.

In return he calls you Big Girl/Boy.

He loves the way it catches you off guard every time, makes him chuckle when your face goes red.

But in reality, he typically will address you as Love or Lovely.

“Hello, my Love.”

“You look wonderful today, Lovely.”

It's to the point where someone thought that was your name for a short while.

The irritation on Tyr’s face when they called you that by mistake. . .

“They didn't mean it, little guy.”

He just groaned and smile down at his Lovely.

≫ ────── ≪•◦ ❈ ◦•≫ ────── ≪

I’m itching to write, but I'm running out of ideas! Someone give me ideas for oneshots, headcannons, something! Before I lose all motivation!

Kay, thanks, byyyeee!

Not proofread!

•Kermitts Masterlist•

[ixiot-ghostrebel]

My next brainrot what if there was a aeon representing fear like evryone kn universe dears this aeon so much to point of refusing saying thier name only calling the aeon by nicknames and the only ones who call the aeon of fear like just another aeon are the pepole who walks on path of fear and reader is one of them before they gets on path of fear they were terifited of the aeon to but one day they understands that fear is needed becose withote it humanity wodul be doomed

As for reader personality they are more stoic to terrifying point but when helping pepole with thier fears or phobia they are very gentel and friendly

As for charaters

Selle

Asta

Natasha

@Zardas75 you are literally the sole reason why my blog is even alive at this point. I need more ppl to enter in some requests fr 😭 my motivation dies on me too quickly 😔

Btw, I'm mainly going to just focus on the fact that Reader follows the Path of Fear than the Aeon of Fear in general if that's okay with you.

Path of Fear!Reader With Stelle, Asta, and Natasha!

Stelle

Color yourself surprised: She saw right through your stoic and terrifying point.

How, you might ask? Well, the story's very simple: She was out searching for trash cans, and stumbled upon you with some random stranger she doesn't know, trying to coax them because (to her horror), they were afraid of trash monsters.

Okay, first of all—how dare this stranger! If Stelle wasn't digging in another trash can at the point, she would bonk the living daylights out of them. And you looked cool, so she didn't give into her murder tendencies.

The moment you and she interacted, Stelle was caught a little off at how stoic and terrifying you were trying to be—but come on, she's not afraid of you no matter how hard she tries.

Sorry, but after being stabbed with a giant ice lance thing through her chest, someone glaring holes into her isn't going to scare Stelle off. Besides, she's seen the other side of you while hunting down trash cans. If anything, her...unique quirkiness and traits kind of scare you.

"Stop digging in the trash cans." "I FOUND TREASURE!" "...You are so annoying." "Okay :D"

Safe to say though, you aren't getting rid of Stelle so easily.

Asta

She meets you when several scientists on the Herta's Space Station starts to become very pale, some even running off in the opposite direction they were walking towards. She turns around, and bam—she's also a little terrified to see you.

Even the way you walk was enough for her to drop her precious telescope she carries along with her.

Were you not with the Astral Express Crew, she thought you might have been a new recruit for the Stellaron Hunters or something. You were terrifying!

Yet something about you was very endearing as well. It only amplifies more when Asta catches you taking care of a scientist and their phobia. She almost envies the attention from your soft side.

She tries her best to steel her own nerves as she tries to get to know you better—it's obvious that, despite that stoic and cold facade you have, you were someone of a kind heart and of pure intentions.

"The stars....they're all just a lie, in one world." (did you catch the reference? 👀) "W-well, I assure you, they aren't here! If anything, uhm—they're much more fascinating here at the station!" "Hm. You're about to drop your telescope thing." "R-right! Ah, shoot—uh, sorry!"

Yeah, she's still failing. You're terrifying yet fine as hell.

Natasha

The moment she sees some of her patients pale and a few children cry and running off to hide, she thought some rogue or criminal entered her infirmary.

Turns out, it was just you. You were as terrifying as you were beautiful. If she didn't know better, Natasha would've said she mighy have gotten a heart attack just simply glancing at you.

She tries her best to be polite to you despite her fear of you, and Natasha really adores your soft side when she catches how you help children overcome their fears.

"A-Ah, Y/N! I didn't see you there. How can I helo you?" "I got stabbed in the arm." "Alright, don't worry—I'll be sure to...check up on it."

Whenever you arrive to the infirmary, be it injuries or other reasons, Natasha fumbles on her own words. The question is if it's out of fear or romantic attraction 👀

Ghost Rebel Side Notes: I am so sorry that this took longer than needed! I was caught up in a lot of IRL events, and couldn't finish thid earlier than I wanted it to.

Please, feel free to send requests to me! I honestly need them—the sagau genshin series I'm working on is dying due to my lack of motivation :')

✦ Check out The Ghost Rebel’s Blog Description & Info Page to See if Their Mailbox is Open! ✦

[kneelingshadowsalome]

I promised, promised myself that I wouldn’t read the Roman König x Fee fic until it was completed because I knew i would get absolutely drawn in, wrapped up in your exquisite prose, then get addicted and suffer from withdrawals. Unneeded to say I broke said promise and welp here I am 🤡

Thing that surprised me was how quickly he endeared himself to me? A cock swinging village massacring brute that I was FULLY prepared to hate had me sighing by then end of chapter 3 with the “you care about my head?” ✋😩 YES I worry for your stupid head you adorable monster.

It’s uncanny how similarly Fee and I felt as the plot progressed. I know this is a self insert and though I made an OC for fee, you were able to capture the feeling of hate to curiousity to distrust to budding emotions on the readers side so beautifully and in only three chapters?? What sorcery is this?? I could go on and on about how I’m just… in awe of your writing skills.

It’s the small things too. The effort he went through to understand Fee, learning her language like he desperately wants to be a part of her. It’s just his delight in the simple things like having a woman and buying her pretty things. I AM GOING TO GNAW OFF MY ARM THIS IS SO GOOD!! I don’t know if you’ve watched HBOs Rome, but they remind me of Pullo and Eirene so much! Like you can’t tell me König doesn’t fit that goofy brawdy soldier who’s only hobbies are drinking and fucking and fighting to a T!

Then it got me thinking…. If König is Pullo then Simon is Vorenus. He has that straight laced, no bs aura about him. Now I’m imagining them both in this universe and please excuse me while I melt in a puddle 🫠

This is perhaps the best piece of fiction I’ve read in a while. I can’t wait for part 4, I have no doubt it will be wonderful as usual. Please accept my maladaptive daydream interpretation of Fee (first she was supposed to be a wood nymph, then the earth goddess then a fairy queen?? I’m not sure anymore. There was so much great imagery couldn’t settle on one. Your honor, we lost the plot.)

Oh my goodness OH MY GOODNESS ❤️❤️❤️

You shower me with praise and I’m over here like aaahh... for me? 🥺❤️

And yes I’ve watched Rome like four times at least! Every time I watch it just gets better, the producers and crew really outdid themselves with all the details in that series. I consider it one of the best TV shows ever made and excuse me but you opened a Pandora’s box here, I'm just so pleased you brought this up...

It took so much time for Pullo to grow on me, I was so frustrated with his character but when he killed Eirene’s man because he was so in love with her and was just like: “Oh there's something in the way of our love? Oh well. *there*, solved.” Gosh I was IN LOVE. I’m sorry, I’m a horrible person, but I fell in love with Pullo right that second. And yeah König is kinda like Pullo in that sense! Eirene wails at the corpse of her ex-lover and Pullo is just like “Um, yeah nasty business but… why are you crying? Oh, oh yeah, oops. But hey, we could be together? Oh, you don’t want me? Damn. How come?” I wanted to shake and kiss him for being so dumb and adorable.

And Ghost is Vorenus YES, you get it 100 %! And the tragic love story of Vorenus & Niobe, oh god, took me about a month to get over it. And Vorenus being under the protection of Mars first and then literally becoming Pluto, the Lord of the Underworld… The mythology nerd in me is swooning over here. The only thing about Vorenus that's slightly König coded to me was when Pullo had to explain to him what a clitoris is, and Vorenus is like “How do you know this about my wife?!?!” and almost kills him :D That’s so so Roman!König.

But AHHH let me squeal about your maladaptive daydream adaption next: she’s the most gorgeous Fee ever, so lovely and feminine and yet, strong and possessing that earthly power in her. I love the color of her dress too!! There’s a lot of earth & water elements linked to Fee so that color (green to turquoise?) is the most perfect combination of earth and sea, while König is more like fire & air, coming from the mountains and slow to anger but when the fire rises, no one is safe...

This was so lovely, thank you so much! I hope you enjoy the rest of the story 🩷💋