#There's so much between them that we don't see and I'm deeply fascinated by it

[lenorenevermore99]

Why 457 is actually valid af and not just a "joke" ship

I wanna start this by saying that I'm in no way, shape or form convinced 457 is canon nor I think there will be anything remotely romantic between the two of them in season 3. But people seem to think it's just a joke inside the fandom, while actually, their dynamic is pretty fucking valid and I want to analyze that in this post.

One of the most discussed things (if not the most) when it comes to this ship is the stares.

Some think this is the stare of love, others think In-ho just enjoys seeing him suffer. Well, let me tell you it is neither.

But before we delve into the way In-ho stares at Gi-hun, we first have to go back to talk about Hwang In-ho as a character.

As we know, Hwang In-ho is the Winner of the 2015 Squid Game. He went into the games so he could have the money to treat his sick, pregnant wife, much like Gi-hun who did the same for his sick mother. Both of them won the game, but both of them were too late to save the person they loved from a sad fate.

This lead to In-ho becoming the Frontman. We don't know exactly what happened in the timeframe between him winning and him becoming the Frontman, but we can safely assume that after loosing his wife, In-ho lost faith in humanity. The games have destroyed him, they turned him into the villain he is today.

And the thing is, when he looks at Gi-hun, he sees his past self in him. This was confirmed by both Lee Byung Hun (In-ho's actor) and the director of the show himself.

Or to be more precise, he sees his past self. He sees who he was before the games changed him. And this is what led to his fascination and obsession with Gi-hun, because here's the thing; the games traumatized Gi-hun, but they didn't break his faith and hope in humanity, like they did with In-ho himself.

And this is the thing that, in my view, both fascinates and deeply angers In-ho. Deep inside, subconsciously, he is thinking, "Why were YOU able to retain your hope in humanity? Why were you able to remain a good person when I couldn't?"

In-ho was genuine when he told Gi-hun he wished he'd try to be happy after winning (or to better say, surviving) the games. I find it especially interesting when he tells him "Just pretend it was all a dream."

In-ho wishes he could pretend it was all a dream, but he couldn't. Think about it: he's a billionaire, but he lives in a shitty, small apartment. He doesn't talk to his mother, he doesn't talk to his brother, he doesn't even go visit his wife at the cemetery. Pardon me for borrowing the phrase from The Hunger Games, but he's not living the life of a victor. whether it's because he feels guilty or something else, I guess we'll find out in the next season, but that's not the point. The point is, that In-ho wants Gi-hun to do what he wasn't able to do after he won. He wants him to be happy because he sees himself in Gi-hun.

This is the most important point in this post.

Now I wanna focus on these moments. During the second game, during mingle, and during the lights-out massacre, we see Gi-hun being absolutely destroyed over the players that were killed. He's undoubtedly blaming himself for it. And here we see In-ho staring at him, not with the look of love, not with joy at his suffering, but with sorrow. He's sad for Gi-hun, because he could have spared himself further suffering if he didn't stubbornly decide to go back into the games.

What In-ho is thinking right here, in my view, is; "See? There is no hope. There is nothing you can do. Stop torturing yourself, just give it up already. How much more pain do you have to go through before you give up? Accept you can do nothing and go on with your life. Try to be happy."

Now you might be asking, okay, but what does that have to do with romantic love?

Well let me tell you that these feelings I just described can easily and quickly turn into love.

Many philosophers over the centuries have come to the same conclusion; we see part of ourselves in the people we fall in love with.

"The Front Man believes that Gi-hun is wrong in his way of thinking, but perhaps, he reflects on himself through Gi-hun. He does want to destroy Gi-hun's belief. I felt that a small part of him, unknowingly, might be hoping for Gi-hun's thoughts to be right. And rooting for him in some way."

These words Lee Byung Hun said about In-ho, makes me think of Jacques Lacan's theory in particular (which is a rather complex topic and I will try to summarize as shortly and as simply as I can).

For Lacan, love, at least in the beginning, is essentially a form of narcissism. When we fall in love, we're also falling in love with ourselves. We see ourselves in the other person, but we also see in the other what we subconsciously think we are lacking in ourselves. Which doesn't mean the other person will fix us because, at least according to Lacan, this lack is something that can never actually be "fixed".

And I think that's exactly was is happening with In-ho. He sees in Gi-hun what he's lacking in himself. They were traumatized the same way, but reacted in two completely different manners. In-ho became cruel and disillusioned with humanity, while Gi-hun still believes in humanity and wants to save everyone.

I know that this way, 457 seems like a one-sided kind of love, but that's honestly my personal interpretation of the ship. I think Gi-hun could have fallen for Young-il, for the person In-ho was before the games, if they had more time. But the Frontman In-ho? The person he became after becoming the Frontman? There's no way.

Not all loves are meant to happen, not all lovers get to be lovers. Some are meant to just leave us wondering what could have been. Which is what makes transformative works so fun and interesting! From the canonverse toxic fics to the wholesome alternative universe flower shop fics, I think their dynamic is valid as fuck.

I rest my case.

[onlydylanobrien]

New still of Dylan O'Brien as Rocky/ Roman and James Sweeney as Dennis in "Twinless". (2025)

📷©: ew.com

First look at Dylan O’Brien’s Twinless, a Sundance contender that takes inspiration from the Olsen twins

"That visceral moment of 'you look just like me' is imprinted in my formative memories," says writer-director James Sweeney.

Nineties kids are kind of obsessed with twins. And for good reason — we grew up with the Olsen twins, the remake of The Parent Trap, and Sister, Sister.

Writer-director James Sweeney takes that obsession to the next level with Twinless, his sophomore feature that will have its world premiere on Jan. 23 at the Sundance Film Festival. Entertainment Weekly has your exclusive first look at the film, in which Sweeney costars alongside Dylan O'Brien.

"I grew up in a generation that idolized twins," Sweeney tells EW. "It was very much in my zeitgeist. It was a manifestation of the perfect best friend, somebody you could share everything with. As a military brat hopping around, that was something I really craved. When I told my stepmom about what the film was, she was like, 'Oh, you used to beg me for a twin, and I had to explain to you that I can't make that happen.'"

That early fascination is evident in Twinless, which even features a scene with a character watching the Olsen twins' film It Takes Two. "That was definitely my fantasy," Sweeney says of the 1995 film. "It's like, 'Oh, one day I'll just magically run into my identical twin.' Even though they're actually not twins, they're just lookalikes. But that visceral moment of 'You look just like me' is imprinted in my formative memories."

As for Twinless, the film tells the story of a twin, Roman (O'Brien), who loses his brother, Rocky (also O'Brien), and feels like he's lost half of himself. After Rocky dies, Roman decides to stay in Rocky's Portland, OR apartment as he navigates his grief. While attending a support group for twin loss, he befriends Dennis (Sweeney), a fellow lost soul — and the two find solace in each other, forming an unlikely bromance.

"Roman and Dennis get along so well because they're both bringing their respective baggage and grief and traumas to the table," Sweeney says. "They bond and complement each other."

Sweeney is not a twin, but he did base his script on the existence of twin bereavement support groups. Though, out of respect for all involved, he didn't attend one of their meetings. "I thought it would be too much to attend," he explains. "I did order a book from their website, because I did research and read some books written by twin psychologists. One was called Alone in the Mirror, which touches on twin loss. It was written by the co-founder of the support group, and I paid $25 and they never sent me a book."

Even without that book (he tried!), Sweeney was fascinated by the psychology of twins and how that unique bond differs from those of siblings who are not twins. "I would say being a twin isn't a monolithic experience, so there's so many variations," Sweeney notes. "It also has a lot to do with how the parents reared their children and whether or not they encouraged or discouraged individuality between the twins. But there's a lot of studies done on twins because they see them as the perfect specimen."

Explorating what it means to be (and lose) a twin first attracted O'Brien to the project. Sweeney wrote the first draft in 2015, and O'Brien has been attached since 2020. But the script grabbed the actor from the moment it popped up in his inbox alongside several others his manager sent his way.

"I'm fascinated by it in terms of it being something so unique on this earth," O'Brien says of the twin dynamic. "That is one of those things that really, unless you experience it, you can't understand. Twinless support groups exist because it is a very specific loss and trauma that you need support with — losing a connectivity that us normies can't ever quite understand. That deeply resonated with me, even though I don't have a twin. I found it to be a really compelling and heart-wrenching center to this story. This tragically poignant tale of this kid losing his other half."

That, along with his love for his character, propelled O'Brien to stick with the project these last five years while the film searched for funding and postponed production in the wake of the 2023 Hollywood strikes. "It was a gut thing for me," O'Brien reflects. "I remember falling in love with Roman immediately. I read a character, and either I have that soul in me or not. Roman's somebody I know really deep down."

Sweeney was incredibly moved by O'Brien's dedication and enthusiasm for the project, a quality that was evident from their first meeting. "When I first met Dylan over Zoom, he really took ownership over the role in a way that I had never experienced with an actor," Sweeney says. "He basically said, 'I see you. I see your voice. I understand this character and his every emotion.' That gave me a lot of confidence."

For both O'Brien and Sweeney, getting to make this movie entirely on their terms was a creative reward unto itself. "The script was so fantastic and dialed in from the time I first read it," O'Brien notes. "I authentically connected to it all. It was one of those wonderful creative experiences."

But now they get to share it with the world, beginning in the U.S. Dramatic Competition at the Sundance Film Festival. Still, Sweeney says anything from here on is a cherry on top of his twin sundae.

"This was an instance where I had optimal creative control and a wonderful team championing me to do exactly the movie I wanted to make," he concludes. "I know that's a rare gift. I'm super excited for people to see the film and to find its audience. But as far as I'm concerned, I'm already content."

[on-a-lucky-tide]

Hi Lovely, just dropping by to say that you can totally decline weigh ins if not extremely necessary. You're a fantastic writer, you've got excellent music taste and clearly are funny at hell. Plus you can probably lift every twat nurse who tuts and scoffs at you, they shouldn't every judge you.

If you're up for it, I'd die for some NikPrice in a proper sex shop (Not a gag/gimmick one) or maybe a lil NikPrice who want to bring in a certain delightfully sassy sergeant to their dynamic.

Head up, we are all here to support you!

😊

Thank you for this, Selkie. It was a massive boost going in. So, Nikprice in a sex shop, eh? Well, obviously I had to visit Prowler to, uh, check it still looks the same as the last time I visited. Here we go...

Nik and John visit ProwlerRED in Soho as Nik helps John take those first tentative steps in exploring his sexuality.

cw: fetishwear, inexperienced and nervous sub, teasing Nikolai.

Price stood opposite the shop and stared at the giant white paw on the black banner between the ground and first floor, his hands buried deep in the pockets of his coat, his beanie pulled low around his ears to disguise the hot flush colouring them a deep red.

They stood at the crossroads. Passersby dipped into the gutter to get around them on their way down Old Compton Street and Price stepped back a little further as a cyclist hopped the pavement, swerving a stationary taxi that was blocked from turning into Dean Street. Price's eyes would make it to the window eventually, but first he needed to get over the road.

"We should go in," Nik said, exhaling the last breath of cigarette smoke as he ground it out under his boot. This had been his idea. He had spotted Price eyeing up some of the leathermen at the bar the previous evening, and teased his interest out of him under the duvet of their exorbitantly expensive hotel bed. It was hard to keep secrets from Nik when his hands and mouth were on ya... Some kinda witchcraft.

Price knew what leathermen were. It was impossible not to when your old man had been both a sergeant in the armed forces and a keen biker. It was a joining of the two things together; the latent homoeroticism of a career and a hobby that had been, at the time, completely male dominated. His old man had been predictably foul in his judgements of his fellow soldiers, but Price had been fascinated. He'd avoided looking too deeply at why he found them so--

Price was... he was interested, alright? Something about the way that the leather looked on a man's body; the harnesses, the jackets, the jock straps. He didn't much care for the caps or the police shirts. If he wanted to wear a cap, he'd give in to Mac's relentless naggin' and get promoted, you know, wear a cap that came with a bloody salary increase, and Peelers weren't exactly high in his esteem.

It was the smell and the texture of the leather against sweat, the slide of it across hard and soft curves as leashes and harnesses shifted, the sound of belts snapping together, watching the dominant partner haul their willing subordinate around and the responding trust. The relief and pleasure on faces that weren't covered by masks, moans muffled by gags. That looked good. Real good.

Imagining Nik's hand wound through a--

Price swallowed.

"John?"

"Hold up, I'm gettin' there. Don't rush me." Price bristled, shoulders rising up around his ears. He didn't even need to look at Nik to know what his face was doin'; Price could feel his grin like atmospheric pressure and it rankled him. "This ain't funny, Nik."

"It is funny," Nik said, arms folded across his big chest, open palm tapping his own elbow. "This is not live fire fight or hostage situation. You need to relax."

"I'm perfectly relaxed," Price said, immediately dropping his shoulders and sniffing when Nik raised his eyebrow. He bounced on his toes and coughed, aiming for nonchalant, but knew his eyes were wider than a rabbit's gazing into oncoming headlights. "See, fine."

"It is just a shop."

"I can see that."

"The owner is half your size."

"Oh yeah? You well acquainted?"

"Fairly."

"Course y'are." Price's cheeks reddened and he scrubbed a hand through his beard. "Alright. Ground rules. Nothin' that's sharp or... Let's just stick to the harness."

Nik hummed and started crossing the road. Price tried to grab his arm to get at least some verbal agreement, but Nik had already skipped up the opposite curb and was looking through the window. Price waited for a black cab to pass and then jogged over to stand at his side. He could see himself in the reflection of the window, hunkered low. "Is that a leather pig mask?"

"Da," Nik said, examining a full body harness with a metal cock ring at the groin. Price hazarded a glance at what had Nik so interested and his heart skipped a beat, his fingers curling into fists inside his pockets . Nik tapped his elbow. "Come." Price let Nik take his elbow and drag him through the door on the corner of the building, his breath held for... fuck knows what reason.

The first thing that hit him was the smell. The same smell as the bar the evening before, except without the added layer of sweat that had made his mouth water. It was sharp, clean. Behind the mannequins in the window were two railings of leather harnesses, and along the walls were racks of leather shirts and trousers. Fairly... innocuous, really. It could have been a biker's shop if it had helmets instead of masks, and less lube on the shelves.

"Hey," called a faintly accented voice from behind the counter, Price would guess Polish but Nik would get a better read. "Let me know if you need anything." She had enough metal in her mouth that kissing her would risk a stab wound, and Price found himself counting the studs when Nik cleared his throat.

"Da, thank you, we may need help with sizing."

She shrugged. "The best thing to do is try 'em on. There's a changing room round the corner," she jutted her thumb over her shoulder, "and two downstairs with the toys and bondage. Just no underwear, yeah?" With that, she turned back to untangling the pile of leather paraphernalia and hangers on the counter.

Nik seemed distracted by something on the far wall, so Price took the opportunity to examine the shelves behind the shop assistant. Aromas. A fair number of them, in fact. Price had seen a few of the lads holding them at the bar, but googling "aroma" and "disk cleaner" had yielded completely innocuous Amazon searches.

"You will not need those, solnyshko," Nik called, so Price continued to tentatively explore, hands still stuffed deep in his pockets.

His gaze wandered to a pile of flyers at the edge of the counter. "Boot blacking," Price murmured. "Is that what I think it is?"

"Da," Nik said softly, appearing at his shoulder with two harnesses in his hand. "It is a kink, but also good for repairing tired equipment."

"Fuckin 'ell, gettin' the troopers to buff their boots proper is like pullin' teeth, and these lot do it for jollies? Is he... Is he lickin' it?"

Nik chuckled and took the flyer out of Price's hand, stroking a finger over the bristles on Price's chin before twining their fingers together. "Perhaps if you put on a jock strap and licked their boots they might be more, hmm, proactive, no?"

"I'll run it by brass," Price said with a wry smirk, letting Nik pull him down the narrow staircase to the basement level.

His eyes blew wide once they'd adjusted to the dim lighting. Now that was what he had actually expected when Nik had said "fetish shop". The walls were crammed with an assortment of delightful looking torture devices from whips to gags to masks that covered everything but the mouth. There was a rack of staggeringly big silicone cocks, and Price felt the heat creeping back up his neck again at how bloody real some of them looked. And big. So fuckin' big.

He was so out of his bloody depth here.

The display case to the right of the stairs as they reached the bottom was filled with the weirdest collection of dildos he had ever seen in his life. He stooped down, hands on his knees, and peered inside. "Fuck me, that one's thicker than my thigh. Nik, there's no... Nik, come here. There's no way that fits. What the fuck is that meant to be?" He pressed his fingertip to the glass at what looked like a tentacle with little nodules all over it.

"John, here." Nik beckoned him over and Price sidled over to stand at his side, casting one final alarmed look into the display case. On the wall, there was an array of cuffs and collars, all with slightly different fastenings, studs and coloured linings. Nik took one of Price's hands and placed it on the nearest pair of cuffs, pressing against Price's back, his chin on his shoulder, palm on his belly to keep him close. "Choose."

"I thought we said just the harness..." Price murmured, but he could barely hear the words leave his own mouth, too fixated on the feel and smell of expensive leather. His toes curled in his boots as he pressed his fingers inside the circle of a cuff, slipping out the other side to nudge one of the metal links and stroke around the smooth edge of the buckle.

These weren't the laughably flimsy handcuffs Price had used previously in his, admittedly, limited sex life. The kind where the plastic broke through the cheap fur and cut your skin if you pulled too hard. Tokenisitic in their restraint. These were sturdy, unyielding; they would be completely unbreakable, even by a body like his. The thought of Nik securing Price's wrists to the headboard, working his hands down his body, made Price's damn prick twitch.

Nik nuzzled the side of his neck, bringing him back to the present, and he picked up a solid black pair like the ones he had seen on a man last night. They had a single silver loop each and a thick buckle. The leather was stiff, clean and unblemished, and Price flexed them a little in his palms. "Uh, these." His reward was a soft kiss just beneath his ear, and Nik reached a little higher to pluck the matching collar from the top row of hooks.

"Try them on, with your shirt off," Nik said. "I will wait here. Take your time." He placed the harness in Price's hands and nudged him towards the narrow changing cubicle. Price hesitated, glancing back up at the stairs and then into the shop proper. Nik placed a palm at the small of his back and pressed his nose to the side of Price's face. "It is fine. I will not allow anyone to see."

"Right, yeah..." Price ducked beneath a silk sash hanging from the railing as Nik nudged him forward. He figured if people were down here looking for a birch to take stripes out of them, seeing some battered old soldier in a leather harness wouldn't faze them too much. And that's what he told himself as he yanked the curtain across and shucked his shirt over his head.

The harness seemed to have more buckles than entirely necessary at first inspection, and he turned it over and over in his hands, checking the model on the label to work out how it should sit. It was sturdy, with silver studs and thick metal, and he felt that same throb of arousal as he handled it.

"John, is ok?"

"Yeah, yeah, fine, jus'... workin' it out."

In the end, Price pulled open one of the side buckles and ducked into it. The leather was chill on his skin and his nipples pulled tight as he sat the straps just above them. Once he'd fastened the buckle back in place, he glanced into the mirror through his eyebrows, hesitant.

The yellowing bruise on his ribs from the last op was beginning to fade, the scrapes all but healed into thin pink lines, and he had the usual litany of scars he was used to seeing by now.

He looked... good.

It sat well around his shoulders, framing the furred curves of his chest by sitting just above the line of his nipples, the silver d-ring between his tits. The straps beneath his arms sat just above his obliques, following the line of muscle comfortably.

Fuck, it made him look... made him look broad, strong, with his jeans belted at his narrow hips, his operation-ready athletic physique well-complemented, and he stood up a little straighter, jutting his chin. He'd expected to feel like a dog, maybe a bit demeaned, but when he flexed into the leather, heard the stiff straps creak a bit, he felt fuckin' powerful.

Next were the cuffs. He wrapped them around each wrist, turning them around until the silver rings sat on the top and the buckles beneath. The lining was slightly padded, lending to a snug fit.

"How does it feel?" Nik asked, close to the curtain.

"Yeah, s'nice. Like, uh, it fits well."

Price grabbed the collar and then pushed the curtain aside a bit, his eyes fixed on the floor as he felt the heat creeping up his neck again. He heard Nik's breath catch and then a soft curse whispered in awestruck Russian.

"Not bad, right?" Price asked, trying for cocksure but coming out shy.

Nik said nothing. He took the collar from Price's hand and wrapped it carefully around his neck, using his forefinger to stop the leather biting as he threaded the strap through. The moment it pulled tight enough for Price to feel it, he let out a soft gasp, his hands lifting to latch onto Nik's wrist, a sudden panic beating a little harder in his chest.

"Easy, solnyshko," Nik said gently, leaning in to kiss him. Price's grip relaxed, and he drew in a shaky breath. Nik took his hands. "Here, let me show you how it would feel with your wrists secure. If you feel unsafe, you must tell me, da?"

"Is... Is anyone down here?"

"Nyet. We are alone."

"Ye-yeah, right... Yeah." Price swallowed as Nik moved his arms behind his back, lifting each wrist until he could attach the cuffs to the d-ring at the back of the harness. When Nik was done, he stepped back, his broad shoulders blocking out the rest of the shop as he appraised the man before him.

"Krasivyy..." Nik said, reaching to lift Price's chin from where it was tilted down. John kept his head up as Nik's hands roamed his body, following the line of the leather straps over his clavicles to his upper chest, leaving goosebumps of pleasure in his wake.

Price watched Nik's eyes darken with desire and felt like the hottest piece of arse this side of the Thames; he flexed cheekily into the straps and Nik's lips twitched. The control in this wasn't so clear cut, was it? Price had assumed he'd be the one under the boot, but watching Nik's reaction made it clear he had more power than he'd assumed. Nik was enraptured, his arousal clear in the heated caress of his palms and fingers.

Price wanted to lean into his hands, arch like a damn cat. His stomach pulled tight as Nik stroked just above his nipples, following the line of the harness beneath his arms and making him flex and shiver. It was too much, too sensitive, and he let out a soft, strangled noise, squirming as heat gathered in his hips. He couldn't stop Nik from touching him, couldn't push his hands away, and that made his blood run south, hot and urgent. "Mm, Nik... Please... I..."

"You are... breath taking like this," Nik said, lifting a hand to hook the collar and draw Price to him. The experience of being drawn to Nik's chest like that, having to trust those strong arms would catch him, made Price groan softly. He buried his face into Nik's neck, arching only when Nik's hands swept down his back, gently stroking the burn scars at the base before dropping lower to squeeze his arse. "If I could, I would have you here."

"Fuck," Price breathed, grinding forward to feel the hard line of Nik's cock. "Guess we're buyin' this then..."

"Da, and one or two other things."

"Nik."

"Nothing sharp. Nothing to hurt you, John. I promise."

"You could never hurt me." Price had never been so certain of anything in his life.

Nik took the back of the harness and pulled Price away from him, lifting his chin so their eyes met. "This is important. So listen," Nik said. "Sometimes hurt is not physical pain in this. It can be feeling unsafe, it can be feeling too overwhelmed. I may push too far, and you must be honest with me."

Nik looked so serious and Price could only nod, the corners of his eyes crinkling with affection. Fuck, Nik cared about him so fuckin' much and it made Price's heart feel all kinds of warm. "So, what... We, uh, we need safe words and the like?" He flashed a lopsided grin and Nik kissed him on the forehead with a low chuckle.

"Da. We will discuss. Now, get dressed. I wish to get you back to the hotel."

"Yes, sir."

"John..."

"Sorry, couldn't help it."

"If you wish to call me sir in our bedroom, then I would not be opposed."

"Bet you fuckin' wouldn't..."

"I see you are going to be, what to say... a brat." Nik swatted Price's arse before he undid the cuffs from the back of the harness and drew the curtain across.

Price almost felt sad about taking the harness off, savouring the phantom sensation of it on his skin even when he pulled his t-shirt and coat back on. He lingered in the cubicle, squeezing his prick through his jeans with a grimace, and only re-emerged once it had calmed enough to be bloody discreet.

Nik was waiting at the bottom of the stairs. He was holding a coil of rope, a leash and what looked to be an anal toy of some kind. "It is remote control," Nik said with a roguish little smirk when he saw Price looking, before jogging up the stairs.

"Bloody 'ell," Price breathed, following behind him.

Nik flashed the plastic and purchased the lot, despite Price fumbling through his coat for his wallet. "This is treat for me," Nik said when Price glared at him, plucking the opaque black bags from the counter.

"'M worried what I've unleashed here," Price replied once Nik had thanked the assistant and they were heading for the door.

"Ah, I believe it is I that have leashed you, no?"

"Ha-fucking-ha, corny bastard."

Nik grabbed John's hand and looked far too proud of himself, his smile so bright and handsome that Price's heart felt light. He didn't let go of Price's hand as they strolled back towards the station, and Price felt his heart swell as he glanced down at their intertwined fingers, his lower lip between his teeth.

Today was a day of firsts: his first visit to a bloody sex shop, and the first time in his life he had ever held a lover's hand, head up, chest out, as he walked down the street. When in London, eh?

[iamnmbr3]

I'm going to get a bit dramatic so bear with me!

i really think one of the biggest(maybe biggest) reason that drarry is vastly shipped is because they literally have their own aesthetics and style

Trust (comfort) the weird trust they have for each other despite every bitter thing going on between them and is hugely reflected on wandlore. And the fact that they aren't one of people they fear in the slightest i daresay

Saving each other the thing that basically dumbledore said about connection between wizards who save each other and sometimes is really not beneficial for them to save the other but they do it so i really want to give it to them that they don't actually hate each other. Never. It's just petty and immature and wrong type of anger but never actual hatred from neither side.

two sides of the same coin aaaah foils as lovers do NOT get me started on this one iykyk

Nostalgia like my GOODNESS!!!! How much time they spent together, How much they're in each other's childhoods and memories, even little ones, even as background. That's why we immediately connect emotionally with fanfics the moment they show feelings and longing for each other. Because we have a good idea of their journey and raw, complicated emotions between them and the fact that they never actually hated each other. Never. Possibly enemies or rivals, but never nothing. Certainly important enough to influence each other and care to be better and more impressive in front of each other. Like close enough but too far. Almost star-crossed friends. Or star-crossed everything...

Tension the charged emotion and challenge and excitement in their dynamic is unreal. All stares across great hall or shouts in quidditch pitch or conversations in classes.

I DEEPLY need a canon universe in which drarry is canon *goes to cry*

Love to hear your thoughts!

OH ABSOLUTELY!!! This ship is truly so special and fascinating and full of depth and potential as you've so eloquently described here. (Though what are you talking about? It's totally canon in the books lolol.) The way they just always save each other and never fear each other even though they have every reason to is SO special and interesting to me and a tremendously unique dynamic; you don't usually see that with the typical 'enemies/rivals to lovers' ships.

[nothorses]

https://www.tumblr.com/rq-lif3styl3s/752949689078431744/bahhahahagaggag

Yeah okay, I've got juice in the tank for this one.

So, for anyone who doesn't wanna click links from anons, this is a link to a post about "transracial" and "trans-abled" people. Specifically, this post is arguig that transracial and transabled people Are Valid.

I mostly see people dismiss these ideas as obviously wrong and shitty rather than actually engaging with them, and like, fair. But I have the energy right now, so fuck it. Let's learn!

The thesis of this post is "gender, race, and ability are all basically the same, so being trans-gender/racial/abled is all the same." I think this demonstrates a fundamental lack of understanding of all of these concepts, and frankly, I think this is a deeply incurious way of thinking.

This person clearly has at least a surface-level understanding of transgender theory, and they've gone ahead and applied that understanding to everything else without doing any deeper thinking or learning. That sucks. Gender, race, and dis/ability status are all very much social constructs on which systems of oppression are based, but these are social constructs with very different histories and frameworks.

For example: pretty much every culture has had some concept of "gender"- most of them resembling the "male/female" binary we're familiar with today- since time immemorial. Gender roles are fluid with time and culture, and trans identities (and even culturally-sanctioned gender roles/terms) have also been present as long as gender itself has. Gender in various cultures has not always been a construct on which systems of oppression are based, nor is that system of oppression always a patriarchy.

"Race", by contrast, is a concept that sprung up in the 17th century as a justification for colonization and slavery.

Another example: "Disability" is a more modern term, mostly referring to a system of power and one's position in it. There have always been disabled people, but they haven't always been thought of as disabled, and a lot of things we consider "disabilities" in our present culture weren't always thought of as disabling (i.e. pathologized). A lot of things that are disabling are also not thought of as "real disabilities", and a lot of people who are disabled don't think of themselves- and thus are not thought of- as "disabled". It's fluid in a very different way than gender is fluid.

Racial identity is also fluid for very different reasons than the others: a lot of the reasons someone might experience fluidity in their racial identity have to do with their context, and their individual relationship to white supremacist power and oppression.

I don't think there's anything wrong with acknowledging or exploring the overlap between these things; I personally am super interested in the overlap between cissexism and ableism, and I've explored it a lot in the last couple of years of schooling! Medicalization and pathologization, medical needs and gatekeeping, the understanding of bodies as "natural" and "pure" vs. "unnatural" and "disfigured"- it's all fascinating.

But learning more reveals a lot of differences between gender and transgender folks- things that are entangled with power, but do and have existed separate of power- versus race and disability, which describe relationships to systems of power on a very fundamental level.

It's a mistake to ignore the differences like this, and it reveals more ignorance than anything. Learn about the histories, complexities, studied frameworks, and lived experiences of trans people, disabled people, and people of color! Learn about what makes us similar, and what makes us different! Learn about the issues unique to each of us, and the conversations we're having about theory and systems of oppression!

I'm here for the inclusive mindset, and also, like, there's a reason people treat these things differently. Please learn.

[thewalrusespublicist]

Hi! Your blog is so well-researched and thorough, going through your tags is a delight. I’ve been going through a rabbit hole reading about John and Yoko in the late seventies, and I’m morbidly fascinated but it’s so sad. You make me want to read Dakota Days, but I’m afraid it’s going to be really depressing.

Do you think John’s journals (1975-1980) will ever come out, assuming they haven’t been destroyed?

Because I feel that the best piece of evidence we have that all was not well during John’s househusband phase is that the Estate has chosen not to publish them. Not that I think that there’s anything wildly scandalous in them: in fact, they’re probably pretty boring. I just think it will paint the portrait of a deeply depressed man, paralyzed by his mental illness and pathologically jealous of other pop/rock stars (Paul). It’s not positive for the Estate, and it’s not positive for Paul, because it will make people question once again if John even liked him. Given all that, I can’t think of a good reason for Sean to publish them, except for money, lol.

But if he does, I can totally see it becoming a watershed moment in the fandom. It’s an extreme comparaison, but bear with me: I remember when I was in university and Heidegger’s black book was published. All of a sudden everyone was like did you KNOW he was wildly antisemitic?? And like, yeah. We already knew he had a card in the nazi party. But his stans could always rationalize it in a way that becomes very hard to do when it comes in the words of the man himself. Ironically, considering the mild nature of the material, I can see his journal striking a worse blow to John’s reputation than Goldman’s book, or May’s, or John Green’s or Seaman’s.

Hi anon!

Thank you so much for your lovely message!

Late 70s and John and Yoko is endlessly fascinating. They're almost like a gothic tale mixed with absurdist satire served with a side of good old-fashioned dysfunction. John's whole existence at that time seems akin to a 1970s remake of The Yellow Wallpaper and its crazy to see how the gap between reality and PR started to widen as the decade wore on. On that note, I would highly recommend Dakota Days. True, you are being taken round on a journey by a con-man guide who does everything to lure you into his perspective as well as twist events to frame himself as the ultimate truth-sayer and voice of reason. Nevertheless, the picture he paints to me is so consistent with their characters in the 70s that it seems at worst a bang on parody of their true personalities and I believe the skeleton of his narrative is accurate.

On the diaries, I do believe that at least some copies or illegal copies are still out there in the world. Whether the originals have been destroyed ... I don't think so BUT, they are probably locked in a safe in the heart of the Dakota at this point considering they got nicked twice (like how, how??). I also believe that the manuscript for Peter Dogget's book will still exist somewhere (even if it's just on Dogget's laptop) and will probably be published at some point/things will leak out about it.

As for how I feel about the contents and them getting released, I'm conflicted on near every level. I get your comparison totally. From what we know of the contents, whilst some passages seems to have contained endearing elements of love, self-improvement and self-reflection, a lot of it seems to be dripping in self-absorption, delusion, lust, paranoia, narcissism and petty, jealous thoughts towards others. And it's disappointing, there's no other word for it; mundanely, day-to-day, deep bone disappointing. It's hard not to feel an exhausted disappointment when Robert Rosen talk about John wanting Yoko to get back at Paul by buying a really nice cow. It's hard not to feel disgust over John allegedly gloating over Paul's arrest. From the sounds of it the diaries go further than showing a human being with flaws: they show a pretty awful, weak individual. (To be clear I'm not saying that's who John was, just what the diaries apparently present.)

Therein lies one of the ethical problem with releasing the diaries because is that really fair? If you really think about it, most people have passing unpleasant thoughts and for a lot of people a diary is a form of venting where they only write about a fraction of their actual thoughts and feelings down and often their most anti-social ones. Is it fair to judge John on probably his most base and aggressive thoughts and impulses; impulses that are likely being fueled by severe, untreated mental illness and an abusive dynamic?

The whole private venting aspect also leads on to the other question of is it fair that anyone should even be seeing the diaries as John never intended unedited publication? In any normal circumstance I would say absolutely not, these are private thoughts that should be kept private. The unique issue with these circumstances though is that this isn't just anyone, this is John from JohnandYoko, the couple who presented their lives as a glass case to look in, who taped their own therapy sessions and miscarriages for public consumption and who most significantly presented themselves as an aspirational marriage. It's exhibitionism but significantly, it's artificial exhibitionism with the faux candidness and lack of boundaries being a smokescreen for the actual dynamic and what was going on.

It’s a bit of an ethical quandary, how far is reasonable when it comes to refuting a lie? If we are invited and encouraged to see an intensely intricate albeit false view of their relationship, should we also feel entitled to the real deal? Or should we just accept the inaccurate PR about the couple as that is what his widow wishes to present, even if we know that it isn't entirely true? Should we be okay with attempts to refute the established narrative being sued out of existence on feeble legal grounds and occasionally by illegal means? The recent David Sheff Yoko bio apparently still perpetuates the idea that John's life did not have happiness nor meaning before Yoko. Is a claim that controversial and arguably demeaning to John's life and work pre-Yoko fair to have out without any allowed pushback? Crucially, would the diaries be kept from publication if they were mostly positive as you raised? (I think no, and that's part of the problem.) If you disagree with the idea that the Lennon estate narrative should go unchallenged, does it justify using the personal and private ramblings of a long deceased man who can't consent to support the argument? Like you said, we know enough to know that the diaries are the smoking gun that all was really not well in the depths of the Dakota and that the PR of the blissful latter half of the 70s was a fantasy. Is it just enough to know that the diaries exist and their outline, do we really need to hear any greater detail? These are questions I wrestle with and don't have any solid answers to, save the gut instinct that Dogget’s work should not have been blocked given the situation John’s legacy is in.

In any case I think handling and discussing the diaries would require nuance, care and a level of emotional detachment that I think would be difficult for nearly anyone interested to achieve. If they ever do get released, I can't imagine the backlash to the contents being anything but seismic.

(Adding to all this is, if the diaries are released in full, I really hope it's, NOT in Paul's lifetime. He seems to have finally got to a good place with John's memory post-Get Back. The last thing he ((or anyone)) needs to see are literal novels worth of their best friend's mental illness induced obsessive rants about them. It would be heartbreaking and disturbing and just cruel at this point in his life.)

[anotherspookyarchivist]

Stan in a Can is rendering me apart. I love a good psychological horror and loss of humanity. I know the au is meant to be static so that things stay bad for Stan, but I DO love to see Ford suffer deeply from his own hubris. I'm imagining Stan finally getting some sort of communication/vessel, (maybe from Fiddleford as a surprise 'gift' to Ford, without his knowledge? I can't see Ford doing it) and Ford is forced to confront that the can was endless torture and he's killed his brother in all the ways that matter

Hello! I'm glad to hear that Stan in a Can is hitting the right spots. It really is a horrible form of existence, a haunting thought. And I do hear you. There is something deeply fascinating about a Ford that has to live with his own guilt.

If Fiddleford were to learn about the can, and realise its purpose, he'd probably try his best to help Stanley. (The relationship between Ford and Fidds here is pretty rocky, neither of them trusting the other fully. It's my personal headcanon why ABW! Fidds immediately knew that canon! Ford wasn't "his" Ford.) My quick thoughts regarding some non static routes under the cut:

A kind Fidds would try to break the can and free Stan as soon as he'd learned about it. He'd recognise it as the horror that it was and wouldn't even attempt anything else - also it's too risky. He's on team "let that man die for real please." It wouldn't succeed, naturally. I can't imagine Stanford leaving his brother in an unsafe space. Thus, another fight between the scientists would break out - Fidds might attempt to reason with Ford, but at some point there's not much else he can do. For both of them it'd be final. They've broken each other's trust AGAIN. I do like the thought of Fidds actually getting a vessel/communication system going, but I think it wouldn't be easy for him to even reach Stanley after that conversation with Ford. And while I can't see Ford providing Stanley with the ability to communicate long term; I do think it'd be his hubris to think he could just "check" in on Stanley, and be proven right in his assumptions that everything is fine. It's only short term to see how Stanley is faring, something to 'read' the can, basically. (Just tell Stanley afterwards that it was a prototype and it's malfunctioned.)

Funnily enough, that would be the communication model itself. It's not like Stan has a mouth in there. If Ford had cared more about the whole setup, he'd had it done rather quickly! (Think Project Mentem). Stanley can hear him, so his thoughts would basically react to Ford and they'd be able to converse. Ford just never cared to do this. And there I can see two 'main' ways this would go. Version A) Stan hasn't lost himself yet, and he's still trying to appease his brother. The 'dialogue' would switch between 'normal' beats that follow Ford's conversation, and a constant string of "let me die" that Stanley can't hide. Because it's the first time Stanley was being heard and he just WANTS out. He doesn't want to tell this to Ford, he likes Ford. Ford loves him, but he can't stop the thoughts. - Leaving Ford deeply upset and angry, because he'd done his best to look after Stan. He's glad that Stan is trying to follow Ford's guidance, but WHY does he keep wishing for death! He's not even realising that he's doing it. This doesn't make any sense! It would take Ford a while to realise that he was at fault here. (The Denial is strong) Here, Ford's characterisation also matters a lot more. Personally in ABW! I don't see him respect Stan all that much. The question would therefore be, would this actually be enough for him to change his ways? In a dark horror story? No. He would flop back into anger and dismissal, his behaviour towards Stan barely improving, because he was in the right! Stanley is too stubborn to understand, doesn't get why Ford is doing it in the first place! But.. I could see this work out as a potential redemption story as well. If we argue that this was enough for Ford to FINALLY realise that his actions really weren't that good? It'd be a "it's not too late" redemption story where Ford would have to try his hardest to ensure that he wouldn't lose Stan for real. It'd be a "Frankenstan gone wrong" story, because Ford still wouldn't be able to let go of Stan. He'd try his best to make things better, he'd give him a vessel... he'd better himself... but sometimes it might be a tad late. And Stan has been changed by the events. (And also Ford would struggle to let Stan out of his sight. He fears rejection, he knows he deserves rejection! But Stan can't reject him or it'd ruin Ford!) It'd be rough. Stanley might have a chance to heal, but it wouldn't be easy. (Stanley might not even be able to disagree with Ford, Ford's been his whole world for so long and Ford was right, wasn't he? He knows he wasn't but also he was? Being a person is hard) - We would need a kind Fidds back for sure, because Stan should NOT be staying with Ford. Version B) Stan isn't holding on at all. His thoughts are gibberish, a mix of numbers and "Yes Ford, you're right" and "Thank you for looking after me, Ford" - but nothing that actually resembles Stan. He's not answering questions. He's not really noticing that Ford IS talking to him. And I think this version of events would hit Ford more quickly. Because it's what he wanted. He wanted a brother dependent on him. He wanted to ensure that Stan would stay... but not like this. There is barely anything left! That's not... not supposed to happen? He'd switch between blaming Stan for being unable to hold on and himself for having created the situation in the first place. This is were he'd monologue for hours. Write journal entries about his guilt, the many questions about atonement and how anyone could ever forgive him... (and he does nothing about it. It's the Victor Frankenstein type of wallowing in guilt for 90% of the time without actually doing much about it). It'd be sad hours with Ford; He would not being able to let go of Stan. He'd leave the 'communication' system on, to hear his brother's thoughts as jangled as they are and just stay miserable).

[cbrownjc]

So it really seems like Armand is Alice - or Daniel's lost memories of Armand have been conflated with his memories of Alice, or something. I'd be really interested to know your thoughts on how much Louis knows? We see malicious triumph from him but (I think) not really an awareness that this specific memory has heavy shades of Armand in it, more like he was happy to weaponise any terrible memory of Daniel's that came to hand.

But how could Louis not know? If Armand and Daniel were together in the past I bet Louis knew about it and probably still does?

(Also your Tumblr is amazing and fascinating and ILU)

Hello! I'm glad you like my Tumblr and thank you for the amazingly kind words! *hugs* 💕

So, Armand & Daniel and Louis. Now, my gut feeling at the moment is that Louis knows a lot about what happened between Armand and Daniel. But possibly not everything.

Or, more directly, I do think it's possible that Louis doesn't fully know how serious it really got between Armand and Daniel; that Armand and Daniel actually truly, deeply, and sincerely fell in love with each other. I may be wrong about that (as I've only had a chance to watch the episode once so far), but there are some little things that are making me think that for now.

The main reason is that we now have an answer for why Louis has called Daniel "our boy" before. (Which he hasn't done this season yet, but I'm sure it's coming.) IMO the reason was indirectly revealed in the scene when Real Rashid brought out the pictures . . . and what Louis and Armand both said about who some of the pictures were of: which is that they were pictures of young human men that were kept with Louis and Armand -- in their company -- for a period of time.

These two -- Louis and Armand -- would basically add a third into their relationship at one time or another. And that they did so a LOT more than once. And that it was something that was always initiated by Louis -- probably because it was something that was Louis' idea to do in the first place, back when they first did so with whomever the first young man they pulled in was.

We don't know how long these young men were kept with them, but I don't think it's wrong to guess that some were kept for rather long periods. It was Louis who would draw these young men into them . . . then some would be drained dry at some point if they weren't just let go.

And Daniel was basically set to be the next in the long line of young men that Louis and Armand would do this with. That is what was initially happening that night at Polynesian Mary's. With Louis, once again, being the one to draw the young man -- in this case, Daniel -- in.

But what made everything different this time -- and what made Daniel different from all the young men that had come before him wrt this -- was that first interview. And I think Assad hinted in an interview during the press tour as to why Armand steps in and saves Daniel's life when Louis attacks Daniel. And that reason is that during that interview, Daniel is able to understand and connect with Louis in a way that Armand hasn't been able to during all their years together. And so becomes fascinated by Daniel because of that.

And I don't think I'm guessing that Armand never became fascinated in such a way with any of the other young men that Louis lured into a triad with them. (Or, if Armand ever did, it was a very fleeting thing).

So, I think in this instance, the third that was lured in by Louis actually ended up fully capturing Armand's attention and, eventually, his heart. And while, as with all the other young men they had done this with before, Daniel was very much "our boy" for both him and Armand in Louis' eyes . . . there were deeper emotions that were growing between Armand and Daniel during that time that Louis just didn't really see -- or that maybe Armand kept Louis from seeing.

Because remember, Armand is much more skilled at the Mind Gift than Louis is. And Louis, very possibly, might have still been under the veil that -- in the books -- his mind gets clouded over by Armand after they first leave Paris.

So there are many reasons Louis may not have fully noticed everything that was happening between Armand and Daniel during however long Daniel was with them. (And, IMO, it is very much looking like it was at least 12 years, which was the length of the whole Devil's Minion saga -- before Daniel was finally turned -- in the book QotD).

Louis knows some things I feel sure of. Like, Louis knows Armand and Daniel had sex because . . . yeah. Armand and Louis weren't just pulling in young human men to be a third with them to play cards or something. 😏 But I'm not sure that Louis knows about the full emotional depth (and heartbreak) of everything that went down between Armand and Daniel.

So yeah, Louis knows about Armand & Daniel -- because he was the one to draw Daniel in to be a third with him and Armand in the first place. But I don't think Louis knows just how deeply and emotionally serious it really got between them. And maybe it's mostly because Armand just kept that part of it from Louis.

As to the Alice = Armand thing and if Louis knows that. . . again I'm not sure. It is one reason I kind of still sort of lean toward the idea that Alice is a real person, but many things about her have been merged with Armand in Daniel's mind. And Louis doesn't actually know which is which.

However . . . Louis could very well know how serious it got between Armand and Daniel, and that Alice isn't real and just really is Armand; and Louis just did what he did -- emotionally going in on Daniel like that -- because Louis really just wanted to hurt Daniel in that way because Daniel had hurt him in the same way just by asking about Lestat like that. Louis does have a very sadistic streak in him, I think that has been very well-established. And it would just be the simplest answer too for it all as well.

[grammarpedant]

Crashes in here, hi this is my main blog and I just saw the tags you left on my art of Miki and the CombatBot and I'm going just a little insane over them. I've been thinking of a fic from Miki's POV for Rogue Protocol for a while and while I don't think I have the skill to pull that off I am SO EXCITED to see that someone else has had the same thought!!! Urg... I just love Miki so so much and seeing how the events unfold from its POV would be so interesting.

I think I gotta go draw Miki some more now hehe. Good luck with writing!!

(the Miki art in question)

Hehe, right? Miki is SUCH a character full of so many hidden depths and surprises, greatest of all is that it's also exactly what it looks like on the surface, in full sincerity: a sweet, kind person of a bot that cared very deeply about its friends and wanted to be able to count Murderbot among them. It also deliberately obfuscates the truth from Murderbot and from Don Abene alike on multiple occasions, it seems to sense what MB means and feels through the feed almost better than MB itself, it's a science bot with visual magnification abilities beyond MB's, when it's stressed and pressed for time it stops trying to talk like a human and goes back to its native code language; Miki has in-jokes with its human friends, but I never had a friend like me. And that's just random stuff I pulled from skimming the book looking for something else! Miki is just such a fascinating character!!

And in this fandom we just LOVE our outsider POVs, haha. I'm sure others have done or tried to do Miki POV of the book before, but I'm gonna use this moment as an opportunity to gush about the thing I want to write- I left the tags that I did because what came to me first was the bit leading up to the same scene you've depicted, the tragic beauty of Miki choosing the trajectory that it did. I have a heartwrenching final scene of Miki's POV in those moments that I absolutely cannot show anyone, not least because the scene simply will not hit as hard as it could unless I actually lay the groundwork that would give it a real punch.

Miki would be about (is about) self-determination, right, obviously. But the Miki POV I want to write would also be about a character caught between connection and alienation, a bot among humans and all that entails. —People love and protect Miki, yes, but do they understand it? Don Abene loved it, and Miki loved her too, and what about all the times they struggled to understand each other? The work that it takes to overcome miscommunication? How does Miki feel, knowing that there are some experiences it just cannot share with its human friends, nor they with it? Do they understand each other regardless? Does anybody ever really understand another person? —Miki has a way of talking that's a little clipped and which may seem "childish" to a reader at first glance; given that in times of stress it defaults back to a nonverbal-to-humans mode of bot communication, might we draw parallels between it and the semiverbal disabled experience? —For perhaps the first time in its life Miki met someone who could understand it reflexively, instinctively, empathize with its machinic experiences almost effortlessly. How does it understand this person's refusal to accept the vulnerability of connection? Does Miki understand Murderbot, and if so how much? In what ways?

Those are the themes I'd want to pull at, and to do so I'd use the motifs of Miki's scientific research function. Its literal ability to perceive the world differently from both humans and from MB, its framing of the world through numbers and measurement and factoids and analysis that is nevertheless beautiful to it, even when it struggles to put that beauty to human words. Names. Identity. Choice and free will. Emotion and connection. What Miki was thinking when it looked at MB's camera at the nebula storm and said, Pretty! The jokes and media and little moments it shares with Don Abene. The love and happiness that made it so secure in itself. If I could just get through the groundwork of it all... it would be beautiful. At least as beautiful as the art you drew.

Anyway, I hope you keep drawing Miki, friend! The art you did has already inspired me a bit more 🥰

[glitter-stained]

We need to address something I don't see coming up enough in the fanon vs canon conversation about Jason vs Dick being tim's Robin. We talk about how the size of the hero worship for Dick, the victim blaming, how Jason was like this shadow/threat looming over tim, how everyone starting with Bruce and Alfred disrespected his memory to use as a cautionary tale so the image tim had of Jason wasn't accurate, and again the amount of victim blaming that was so fucked up, and how there was also this idea that this is still a dead child which implies some very martyrish form of "well you have to honour his legacy and aim to be as good as him and save the people he cared about because he's fucking dead" and I think that that canon fucked up parasocial relationship between tim and Jason has the potential to be so interesting (they deserved so much more than the titan tower fight for real it could have been fascinating exploring that). All of this can be interesting and it can be deep and angsty and so good.

But!

But.

Hear me out:

The real thing that's missing from this discourse, once we've acknowledged the worth and reality of canon, is that (even without the very woopified emo tim representation), fanfics about how Jason was tim's hero and tim's Robin would send early Robin tim, at least, into such a rage. I'm not saying there's no nuance or he just hates Jason and nothing else. But some versions of early tim specifically I think would feel such a deep rage at the implication that Jaybin was his favourite Robin and he only loved and idolized him, and I think that version of tim at least deserves it. Like, if I could make him read all of these fanfics and he has to and can't zone out I would do it, make it a lesson about victim-blaming (also the misogyny in some runs). Like isn't it nice to imagine? I think it's deeply funny, and I understand some people get upset about it because like they feel canon is more interesting but, if it's in fanfic, I think it's hilarious. I think we should just submit characters who do stuff that piss us off to that actually, write things about them that would infuriate them. Oh Jason taunts and laughs about the possibility of Dick dying in Chemo ? Fuck you, now you're scared and on the run from your family because they're crime lord killers and killing is bad and you're a soft boy who drinks honey lavender lattes. tim victim-blames Robin? Bam, you have hero worship now. Batman is always the center of the narrative and comics and it's always about him to the point it's really annoying and downplays the potential of other characters? Say goodbye to your dialogue lines buddy, you get one hug at the end if i'm feeling generous. Nobody is free from the magic wand of doom and the power of "it would be so fucking funny". This power is driving me insane. Let it consume you in the name of catharsis.

[taekooktimeline]

Between February 14-27, 2023 (photos taken around February 20-21, 2023); July 21, 2024 (posted) -

Tae shared some fantastic photos on his Instagram stories, including two with Jungkook. According to Tae's post, he was missing Jungkook so much that he reached out to him and asked him to join him in Hawaii. Not surprisingly, Jungkook immediately took a 9-hour flight from Korea to be with Tae. This shows the depth of their romantic relationship and gives us a glimpse into their private lives, which we don't often get to see. This private trip would have remained unknown to us if they hadn't chosen to share it. It's fascinating to see this side of their relationship beyond what is publicly advertised or documented. The first photo Tae posted showed him writing, "Jungkook-ah, I'm in Hawaii right now, come here / come quickly, I miss you. This guy kekeke he took the plane / got on the plane and came right away." It's really heartwarming to see Jungkook's immediate response to Tae's longing as he hopped on a 9-hour flight to be with Tae privately. This is such a beautiful and genuine display of their affection for each other.

translation -

Tae wrote on the second photo - “He’s so pretty, I’m dying / I could die,” and put that adorable comment directly on Jk out of every place he could’ve put it in the photo. And Jk’s firm neck grip!

translation - 

Another translation of both photos (seriously, how romantic is Jk to hop on a plane when Tae says he misses him😭) -

I’m not a native Korean speaker, so unfortunately, I may miss some of the language’s nuances. However, a few people on SM have said that Tae’s phrase “so pretty I could die” carries specific connotations, specifically a strong declaration, “I love him so much/ I love him to death,” and it’s not typically used in common settings. Essentially, what he wrote can simultaneously mean that JK’s beauty overwhelms him and that he loves him deeply, without boundaries.

However, with that being said, I also want to acknowledge some Korean speakers have cautioned this is a stretch to read too much into this. I hesitated but decided to share the below perspective because I know some will wonder why I didn’t include it. Ultimately, you can decide how to interpret what Tae wrote. For me, personally, I’m going to defer to the translation given by those translator accounts I trust, which is “so pretty I could die.” I don’t think it needs to be interpreted more heavily. It’s a beautiful, candid moment that Taekook chose to share with us, which I’m so grateful for. At the end of the day, the photos themselves make a powerful statement, and that’s what truly matters.

https://x.com/kookaayu613/status/1815683347924107380?s=46&t=StSwHjW0_Domk_lHUFMaCg

CTTO for the above SS

The tracksuit photo Tae shared was when Taekook went skydiving at Kauai Skydiving, which you can find more information about at the link below - 

https://x.com/btsmap_1/status/1814924850483347608?s=46&t=StSwHjW0_Domk_lHUFMaCg 

During “Seven” promos, Jk hinted at skydiving with Tae in his Spotify interview -

https://x.com/jk_97oqol/status/1814922271875870778?s=46&t=StSwHjW0_Domk_lHUFMaCg 

And how cute is this? Sure, you can eat Hawaiian pizza just about anywhere. But it seems Jk was hinting about his trip to twice reference Hawaiian pizza (and the second time he referenced it was when Tae came to support him during “Seven” promos during Inkigayo, and Jk played with his Chanel ring and hinted at living with Tae during the live).

https://x.com/moni_vook/status/1815830528869998931?s=46&t=StSwHjW0_Domk_lHUFMaCg  Recap of Inkigayo live - https://www.tumblr.com/taekooktimeline2023/724666248895545344 

So many of us have said Tae’s Type 1 photobook has photos that radiate intimacy. They have a sense of vulnerability, rawness and openness to them.  His posts today confirm Jk took some of his photos (the below doesn’t encompass all that are speculated to be taken by Jk ) - 

CTTO

Tae also posted to his IG these below photos (among other photos) from Type 1. I can’t help but think even more these specific photos were taken by Jk, especially now that it’s confirmed he was there. They have an indescribable quality to them that radiates a moment in time being captured by someone who adores the muse. Of course, this is just my opinion so please decide as you like.  

CTTO

Mujin, Tae’s hairstylist, was spotted at Party City with the balloons - 

Both Tae’s and JK’s managers accompanied them, surely to help ensure their privacy and safety on their vacation. 

K media went wild over Tae’s posts - 

Fun facts, Jk’s outfits info:

The first is: Paradise Found -  Mens Jungle Bird Tom Selleck Magnum PI Rayon Shirt (Green Leaves Blue)

The second is: Supreme × Emilio Pucci collaboration

https://x.com/archivekukk/status/1814918682021364084?=46&t=StSwHjW0_Domk_lHUFMaCg

And in the skydiving photo, Tae is wearing Jk’s sweater!

https://x.com/keeponlovingv2/status/1814910057160847675?s=46&t=StSwHjW0_Domk_lHUFMaCg 

Interestingly, Tae had shared these songs on IG that same month Taekook were in Hawaii  -

And this trip occurred around the time Jk sang “To Find You” three times on live. 

https://x.com/angel_hemaya/status/1813552618704429159?s=46&t=StSwHjW0_Domk_lHUFMaCg  Raw - https://weverse.io/bts/live/2-114998351  (9:34-18:04)

Lyrics -

[multi-fandoms-posts]

Between Mission and Seduction

X Men Masterlist

It's a beautiful, sunny morning as the X-Men team sets off on their next mission. The atmosphere is tense, as it's a delicate operation ahead. Charles Xavier, Erik Lehnsherr, and Y/N are sitting in the cockpit of the jet, while the other X-Men, including Jean, Scott, Logan, and Storm, have taken seats in the back.

"Okay, team," Charles begins calmly and focused. "Our target is a secret government facility where they are presumably conducting experiments on mutants. We need to be cautious."

"Pff, what nonsense," Logan mutters from one of the back seats, arms crossed. "When has it ever been easy?"

Erik, standing next to Charles, frowns and adds, "This time we really need to make sure no one gets left behind. The security will be extreme. They know we're coming."

Y/N sits quietly in their seat, looking at Charles and Erik with a mischievous smile. "Oh, don't worry, my focus is elsewhere. But sometimes distraction can be quite useful, right?"

Charles raises an eyebrow, trying not to react to the comment. Erik glances at Y/N with a thin smile. "Now is not the time for your games, love."

"Oh, really?" Y/N leans back casually as the jet speeds through the clouds. "You seem a bit nervous, Erik. But don’t worry, I'll be happy to help you relax later..."

Charles clears his throat and tries to refocus on the mission. "Y/N... it would be helpful if you could support us a little right now instead of..."

"...instead of completely distracting us," Erik adds dryly, his eyes still on the controls.

Y/N grins innocently. "But I am supporting you! After all, I'm here to make sure you both stay sharp outside the battlefield too. You know how important it is to stay focused... even if one looks so tempting."

Jean, sitting in the back with the others, tries to stifle a giggle. "Is it just me, or is it getting very... hot in here?"

Logan grins broadly. "I wouldn’t have missed it. I find it damn amusing how the two most powerful mutants in the world are thrown off by a single comment."

Storm shakes her head, but also tries to suppress a smile. "Focus on the mission, everyone. We're almost there."

Charles, his brow now slightly furrowed, closes his eyes briefly to collect himself. "Y/N, really... you're not making it easier for us to stay focused."

"Oh, but Charles," Y/N says with an innocent smile, "I thought you loved challenges."

Erik mutters under his breath and reaches out to check some metal parts in the jet to calm his nerves. "You know exactly what you're doing, Y/N."

"And you know exactly how much fun it is to see you like this, Erik," Y/N whispers in a seductive tone.

As the jet finally lands and the team heads to the ground, the tension is palpable. The facility is before them, well-secured and surrounded by guards. Charles and Erik strive to maintain their professionalism, but Y/N's comments still hang in the air.

"Alright, team," Charles says with a hint of tension in his voice. "We'll split up. Erik and I will handle the guards on the right side. Y/N, you... just stay close to us."

Y/N grins and positions herself between them. "Oh, I'll definitely stay with you both. After all, you're so... protective."

Erik sighs deeply and uses his magnetic powers to keep the guards' weapons at bay. "Y/N, please..."

"What? I'm completely on it!"

Scott, observing from a distance, speaks quietly to Jean. "Is it always like this?"

Jean nods. "This is nothing new. But it’s always fascinating to see how easily they get thrown off."

The team cautiously moves through the facility, bypassing the first guards who are effortlessly disarmed by Erik. Suddenly, a loud crash erupts as a hidden energy weapon activates and fires at the team. Before anyone can react, Y/N is struck by an invisible force and slammed against a nearby wall.

"Y/N!" Charles calls out immediately and sprints as fast as he can towards her.

Erik follows closely behind, both with panicked looks in their eyes. Y/N lies dazed against the wall for a moment before lifting her head and looking at them with a grin. "Too bad… I was hoping you'd slam me against the wall."

Erik comes to a sudden halt, staring at her with a mix of astonishment and affection. "Really, Y/N? Now?"

Charles, standing beside Erik and checking Y/N's injuries, shakes his head slightly but can’t suppress a smile. "You seem fine if you're still able to make such comments."

"Oh, I'm perfectly fine." Y/N dusts off her clothes casually and gets up. "But I could use a little… attention after the mission."

Jean, who has been watching from a distance, can no longer hold back her laughter. "I have to say, this is really incredible. The two most powerful mutants in the world, and Y/N is playing with them like they’re puppets."

Scott shakes his head in disbelief. "I don't think I'll ever be able to look at Charles and Erik the same way again."

Logan grins widely. "I like it. It shows that even the great ones aren’t invincible."

"Focus, Guys," Storm says seriously, though she too is trying to suppress her smile. "We have a mission to complete."

Charles sighs quietly and looks at Erik, who rolls his eyes but still wears a small smile. "Come on, Y/N," Erik says, "let's finish this up. We'll talk later." Y/N winks at him. "I'm looking forward to it."

As the team continues to search the facility, Charles and Erik manage to keep the opponents at bay, but they keep exchanging glances whenever Y/N dives into dangerous situations without a word.

"I think I need a little backup," Y/N says, winking at Erik as she knocks a guard to the ground. "Or should I save you both?"

Erik gives her an exasperated look, though there's also a hint of affection in it. "You know very well you don't need to save us. But I appreciate the effort."

Charles, focusing on monitoring the enemies' thoughts, takes a deep breath. "Let's finish this quickly before more... distractions come up."

At the end of the mission, as the team returns victorious and exhausted, Logan gives one last look at the trio. "That was the funniest thing I’ve seen in a long time."

Y/N stretches and looks satisfied. "Well, you know what they say, a little fun is a must."

Charles and Erik, both with a mix of frustration and affection in their eyes, exchange a long glance. They know full well that Y/N will continue to present such challenges, but somehow, they wouldn’t have it any other way.

[rosemallowss]

some thoughts

Obviously, people have probably analyzed the hell out of this poem already, or it's incredibly obvious, but I just cannot get over the parallels between Bill Cipher and Stanley here so here are my ramblings for myself when I originally read the poem.

As we learn more of Bill's backstory, the hatred he has for Stan goes deeper, not just because Bill is upset that a "lower life form" has defeated him, but because he's deeply envious that the both of them "always dragged his family down", "couldn't outrun life's regrets", and yet only one of them got a happy ending: reunited with a family who loves him despite his mistakes, able to reverse one of his own deepest regrets, ie. pushing Ford through the portal after just getting him back. Bill likely always dragged his family down with his ability to see the third dimension, as the book and website implies that no one in Euclydia were exactly fond of his abilities, nor did they take him seriously, and they tried to quell his power. (He's basically like Viktor from The Umbrella Academy, but I digress I have not seen the new season). "One mistake, disowned, denied", their paths differ here, but Stan's mistake- ruining Ford's school project accidentally, and Bill's- massacring an entire dimension in the process of attempting to get them all to see what he sees.

We know Stanley's whole life of hiding and changing his identity. Bill goes to "reinvent, retry, reload" throughout dimensions.

"A girdle, eyepatch, fathers fez, / 'I'm a new man!' so he says,": With new info from the website, we can also guess that Bill's top hat, where he keeps the molecules of Euclydia in, once belonged to his father. They both "couldn't outrun life's regrets," and both are con mans in their own right of course, Bill is sketchy and makes deals to manipulate people. He’s a new man once he takes his dad’s top hat!

"When you've lost track of your lies / When the poison starts to rise / When the walls are closing in / When its clear you cannot win / When your actions make it worse / When they see you as a curse," sheesh, Bill is really projecting here. Even his lies are lies. It's funny how Bill really sees himself in both of the Stan twins. With Stanley he seems to project what he hates most about himself onto him in terms of mistakes, failures, and permanently altering his and his loved ones' lives forever, again showing why he despises Stan the most. Despite all of that, Stan got the life that Bill couldn't get back. With Ford, they both have a genetic abnormality, and level of genius and personality that no one else could relate to, making them both outcasts.

"You think you left the past behind / But trust me / I'm still on your mind." By the way, if Bill was still in his mind while his memories were getting erased, and Stan is getting those memories back, that implies that Bill can reform whole again, right? But anyway, these last few lines don't seem to apply to Stan as much as it does to Bill. His dead universe is always on his mind no matter what. Bill's story is so fascinating to me. He's been my favorite villain since I was eleven, so to expand upon him feels awesome. Book of Bill coming out has made me feel like a giddy little kid again who was screaming when she found out that there was a secret flashing of an image once the GF intro ended.

Stanley Pines, the conman clown,

Always dragged his family down.

One mistake, disowned, denied,

Only thing to do was hide.

One way out: the open road.

Reinvent, retry, reload.

A girdle, eyepatch, fathers fez,

"I'm a new man!" so he says

Couldn't outrun life's regrets,

Just kept placing bigger bets.

Changed his haircut, switched hotels-

Truth is just whatever sells.

When you've lost track of your lies,

When the poison starts to rise,

When the walls are closing in,

When its clear you cannot win,

When your actions make it worse,

When they see you as a curse,

Give the wheel one last spin,

Take your chips and go all in,

And Lucky Stan- the roll's on black,

He got his life and family back.

His big break, it finally came,

Redemption from a life of shame.

You really think you won the day.

You packed your bags and sailed away.

You think you left the past behind.

But trust me

I'm still on your mind.

[wholoveseggs]

I know so many people are Hayley and Elijah shippers, and I don't know where you stand, but I loved Elijah and Gia the most. She not only matched him with wit and sarcasm, but I felt like she was able to get him to let loose and be more himself. Just my opinion.

I have a lottttt to say about Elijah's lovers, so I'm going to make a list and rank them, from least favorite to my number one favorite. (I left out Tatia because we don't know anything about her...)

{6} Antoinette

At first, I liked her. She brought something refreshing to Elijah's brainless lobotomized state. She’s classy, shares his refined tastes, and has this calm, collected demeanor that seems like a perfect match for him. Plus, she’s absolutely gorgeous. But then, her personal philosophy on vampires started showing, and it was all downhill. The whole "purity of the night" nonsense, the way she looks down on humans as nothing but food (fuck that). She claimed she wasn’t like her Nazi vampire family, but her actions proved otherwise. She still practiced their old prejudices and wrapped them in a veneer of elegance to make them seem acceptable. Worst of all, she manipulated Elijah. SHE KNEW WHO HE WAS THE WHOLE FUCKING TIME DIDN'T TELL HIM.

AND!!! Used it all to her advantage. She didn’t love him for who he was; she loved the blank slate he became. So yeah, fuck her, her toxic ideology, and everything she represents.

{5} Celeste

She’s fascinating and so much fun to watch. From the few crumbs we get of their relationship, it’s clear Elijah loved her deeply. Her death broke him, and you can feel the weight of that grief centuries later. But her revenge? Oh, her revenge was everything. The centuries-long scheme, the meticulous planning, the twisted way she channeled her love into hate. It’s such a good trope, and they executed it perfectly. Rewatching the first season, knowing that Sabine was Celeste all along makes it even better. The layers of their history, their unspoken connection, the tensionnnn… it’s all so good. And then there’s the ending. When he kills her, it’s devastating, satisfying, and somehow hot? (I'm unwell)

{4} Katherine Pierce

I enjoy their backstory so much. The flashbacks of Elijah and Katherine in TVD are adorable. Those scenes are filled with charm and chemistry, and you can tell Elijah truly saw her as more than just another doppelganger. He admired her fire, her resilience, and her ability to survive even in the face of unimaginable odds. There’s this undeniable magnetism between them, and their early relationship feels so genuine and heartfelt.

But unfortunately, their present-day relationship just doesn’t hold up. Maybe if we’d gotten more of it, I’d feel differently, but I can’t see them working long-term. The baggage between them is just too heavy. Elijah is eternally tied to Klaus, and Katherine has spent centuries being deeply traumatized by him. The pain and resentment she harbors toward Klaus make it impossible for her to fully trust Elijah, and Elijah being the honorable, ever-loyal brother, can never truly separate himself from Klaus. It’s a recipe for disaster.

Beyond that, Katherine’s paranoia, lies, and manipulative tendencies create even more barriers. Elijah values honesty and loyalty above all else, and while Katherine is capable of great love, her survival instincts will always come first. It’s not that she doesn’t love Elijah (I think she does, in her own way) but she’s too guarded and self-serving to let that love flourish. And Elijah, in turn, can never fully let go of his doubts about her.

It’s sad because there’s so much potential there, but the emotional wounds on both sides run too deep. Still, the sexual tension is insane, we’re talking 500 years of pent-up frustration here. Elijah would go until Katherine tapped out. Except, let’s be real…Katherine never taps out. They would’ve burned the world down in the best way, but passion can’t fix their underlying issues.

Their relationship is tragic because it’s built on what could have been.. rather than what actually is. But there is too much pain, too much mistrust, and too many unhealed wounds for them to truly work.

{3} Aya Al-Rashid

THE MISSED OPPORTUNITY OF THIS RELATIONSHIP WILL HAUNT ME FOREVER.

First of all, I love her. She’s so cool, so badass, so unapologetically ambitious, and so fucking stupidly gorgeous. Every second she’s on screen, she commands attention. The few clues we get about her and Elijah’s past relationship are SO interesting. I think their attraction to each other (beyond the obvious chemistry) stems from their shared ideologies. Aya is the only woman on this list to truly match his intelligence and his vision.

They didn’t just connect physically or emotionally; they connected intellectually. I think they fell for each other over this shared, almost idealistic belief that they could shape the world into something better. Sure, it was a fool’s errand (they were playing gods in a world that thrives on chaos) but their belief in that dream was admirable. And Aya adored him for it. She didn’t just love Elijah; she believed in him, in their shared vision, in what they could accomplish together.

And then he betrayed her. Elijah turned his back on everything they believed in, and it destroyed their relationship. Everything goes to shit after that and their love twists into bitterness and resentment. They end up on opposite sides, trying to kill each other, and it’s just such a tragic mess. There’s this constant tension between them that feels like it’s one step away from either a declaration of love or a blade to the throat. It’s raw, it’s dramatic, it’s the epitome of ‘what could have been.’

I also think her unwavering ambition and refusal to back down made her one of the most compelling women in Elijah’s life. She wasn’t content to follow his lead or play a supportive role. She was his equal, his partner… and that’s exactly why his betrayal cut so deeply for her, and why his regret feels so palpable. Their story could’ve been a fascinating exploration of love, betrayal, and the clash between idealism and reality, but we got just enough to see how incredible they could’ve been.

The missed opportunity of Aya and Elijah will forever make me scream into the void.

Oh Giaaaaa, sweet, beautiful, perfect Gia!!!!!! My only complaint about her relationship with Elijah is that it was cut way too short. It was the beginning of a great romance. She's the only one of his romantic interests to not want anything from him… not his power, not his influence, not even his protection. She loved him for exactly who he is. That’s so rare in Elijah’s life, where everyone else seems to need him to be something for them.

{2} Gia

I adore her so much. She was such a good, pure person, but not in an annoying way, she had an edge to her that made her feel real. I really enjoyed their mutual love of music and how they communicated through it. Those moments between them felt intimate and natural, like something Elijah truly needed to pull him out of the chaos of his life. It’s also worth noting that she didn’t tiptoe around him or treat him like he was above her. She teased him, challenged him, and didn’t let his whole ‘stoic nobleman act’ intimidate her. She made him feel human, something I think he desperately craved but rarely allowed himself to experience.

She was the opposite of him in so many ways, and yet she gave him what he needed most: an escape from all the darkness. I loved how he cared for her too. You could tell she brought out a softer, freer side of him, even if it was brief. I was rooting so hard for them. And her death? So shocking and so fucked up. It was a senseless, cruel loss that still makes me mad. Elijah should have stayed mad at Klaus for longer over it. Honestly, that deserved a real, lasting rift between them. What Klaus did wasn’t just unforgivable….it was a reminder that, no matter how much Elijah sacrifices for his family, Klaus will always rip away the things that bring him happiness.

(Note: I've never been able to decide between Gia or Hayley, so I'm going to go with the woman Elijah would choose.... And we allllll know who that is...)

{1} Hayley

I've seen a few posts saying they have nothing in common, but I completely disagree. They're both fiercely loyal and protective of their family, they're both very sarcastic, and they're both incredibly selfless. (Sometimes to a fault). They share this inner strength, this unshakable moral core that makes them perfect equals. Hayley isn’t intimidated by Elijah’s formality or his calculated nature, and Elijah respects Hayley’s independence and fiery personality. They challenge each other in the best ways.

And let’s talk about how she brings out the best in him. Hayley amplifies all his most admirable traits (his self-control, his honor, his loyalty) but also gives him something he’s never truly had: someone to fight for him. And Elijah gives her what she’s always needed: unwavering protection and support… the kind she never received growing up as a orphan. He respects her agency and defends her fiercely, often putting her safety and happiness above everything else. The way he looks at her… like she’s his entire world… is just *chef’s kiss*.

Their love was so beautiful, pure, and genuine. It wasn’t riddled with manipulation, lies, or selfishness. The only thing that kept them apart was outside interference (*cough* Mr. Niklaus Mikaelson *cough*), not interpersonal conflict. That’s rare in Elijah’s love life, where external drama and loyalty to his family usually ruin everything. But Hayley managed to become both for him. His heart and his family. She’s the only person in his one thousand years who did that, and it’s why I believe he loved her the most.

Her death (and his role in it) was absolutely devastating. The guilt and heartbreak shattered him. She wasn’t just someone he loved; she was his hope, his redemption, and losing her left him broken in a way he never recovered from. Their love story is one of the most tragic yet beautiful parts of the show.

[redlightspellsdaanger]

Thierry and Nicolas - and Martijn.

Need to write this down to organise my thoughts because I'm seriously fascinated with the dynamics between Thierry and his co-drivers.

Yes, he clearly has a very good relationship with Martijn and they work. But whenever he is asked about him - and in these interviews people tend to pile on the praise even if it's not quite like that - it feels he is almost going out of his way to sound as detached as possible ("you don't have to be friends", "we already end up spending so much time together, so it's best to not mix personal time", etc). It is almost cold. If you didn't see the way they interact you would think they don't mean much to each other.

Which takes us to Le Divorce, as he called it himself - with Nicolas Gilsoul.

The facts are known. Surprise parting only a mere days before the start of the season, both saying it was the other's decision and none of them going into details. Speculation: contractual reasons aka money. (in a very interesting podcast dated January this year Thierry actually said the confidence wasn't there anymore and he alluded to important changes in Nicolas' personal life that had an impact also in their work)

This split could have blown up in the media in a different way but none of them was really pointing fingers in public. To me it came across not as hard feelings - but hurt feelings on both sides.

One looks at how Martijn speaks about Thierry and you can clearly tell he sees him as the boss. My perception from the interaction with Nicolas was completely different. They seemed equals and level in every way.

They joked they were like Yin and Yang, that they complemented each other (N the funnier one, T the more serious; T the less affected by pressure, N would take a few days to turn the page, etc).

But in the middle of it all, you could tell they were extremely close.

With Martijn, instead they highlight how similar they are. In terms of approach, how seriously they take the job. And we have to remember that Martijn is a ray of sunshine but he sat down in the car with Thierry, zero testing together and no shakedown, and drove to a podium in Monte Carlo. He is not there to play.

People get more experienced with age, been there, done that. It's entirely possible Thierry has also changed overtime, older and more seasoned, responsabilities, a lot of pressure and time running out to win.

I can't help but think that the situation with Nicolas marked him deeply.

He doesn't want to be closer to Martijn. Professional aspect aside, he just wants someone who he is at peace with and clicks the same way he does, that they are in synch and that above all, requires no effort. He does not want to have friendship or emotions in the middle because it will make it harder if things go wrong at the job they have to do - he literally said this.

Relationships also work like that. You break-up from a very intense relationship, with incredible highs and devastating lows, and next thing you want is just something...simple.

Funnily enough, T+N remind me of Brocedes in a way. Except that Brocedes is a Hollywood story (full of pettiness, big words, high stakes, a lot of drama) while T+N is an European tale. Understated, lurking in the depths, hurt feelings but no fireworks. Two people who probably didn't stop liking each other but could not continue together.

There's so much I have missed, so this perception I have of the situation could be completely off the mark! It's a work in progress.

If anyone who reads this wants to share their own opinions ideas, I'm all ears!

This is the podcast from January which is quite insightful, on You Tube.

[perotovar]

hey sweeties!! kel and i put a list together of all the submissions we got for our event and split them into two masterlists of fics for you all to read and enjoy! this is my part of the list, so if you don't see yours give @beskarandblasters 's list >here< a look and see if that's where your fic/submission ended up!

we can't thank you enough for submitting and helping us give a voice to the smaller writers of the fandom ♥ oh, and for any multi chapter fics/series, we only read the first chapters to make it fair!

please make sure to read each fic's warnings carefully and happy reading! ♥

@iamskyereads - Compulsion (Ezra x ofc!Beatrice)

i can't even begin to describe how much i love this fic already. it's so smart and the worldbuilding?? incredible!! it feels like a sequel to the film, or like it could easily take place in the same universe. just brilliant. and ezra's voice is so clear here, i could hear him saying every word. and the oc, beatrice, is fascinating already, i can't wait to see where it goes!

@all-the-way-down-here - This Is Why We Fight (Dieter x nb!oc!Bell)

i love the start of this. both dieter and bell have excellent characterization and the conversations being had by every character feel so real and are so important. bell's group of friends all sound like friends i would have, and i would love to hang out with them. i love the direction this is going!

@linzels-blog - Delta Palms Tropical Resort (Frankie x f!reader)

ahh what a delightful little fic! it feels very much like an early 2000s rom com and i mean that in the best way! very cute and i love the vibes. everyone's characterization is great and i can't wait to sink my teeth into the rest of it!

@elvenmother - Context and Perspective (Marcus M x f!reader)

completely obsessed with this concept. i love a good enemies to lovers and this is such an awesome way to do it! i always see marcus m fics featuring someone without superpowers, but to have a character that's just as powerful as him? sign me up!

@kedsandtubesocks - In the Dead of the Night (Din x f!reader)

one of my absolute favorite din fics. the worldbuilding and din's creature form is incredible. i love a horror au that's flipped on its head. i also love the "creature is also the hunter" trope and this does that incredibly well. the atmosphere is off the charts.

@ghostofaboy - Rock Bottom (Frankie x original male characters)

god, i don't even know where to begin with this story. it's so raw and visceral and i can't say enough how much i enjoy it. i love reading something new and especially if it's coming from a male perspective. this is, unfortunately, something i could see frankie getting up to. frankie is such a deeply tragic character and this fic does that justice in a dark, but really intriguing way.

@ishabull - The Way We Were Drawn (Marcus P x f!reader)

ohh this is such a sweet fic. i love the imagery painted and the dynamic between marcus and reader is so sweet!

@secretelephanttattoo - Headshots (Marcus P x f!reader)

this fic is beyond sweet and so dreamy. the ideal scenario for anyone, in my humble opinion. who wouldn't want to take pictures of handsome fbi agents and then fall in love with said agent?

@lesbianhotch - you walk by and i fall to pieces (Frankie x f!reader)

THIS WAS THE CUTEST DAMN THING. i love me a nervous frankie (hello, have you read my fic lmao) and this was by far one of the cutest. i'm obsessed with reader's confidence and i just know those two are gonna be menaces once they're together. throw in some patsy cline and i am a goner. this is going on the reread list for sure.

@insomniamamma - Remain Nameless (Ezra & Cee w/ gn!reader)

ok, this one actually made me cry. i'm not sure if it's my own sleep-deprived ass that caused it but this is probably one of the most beautiful but sad fics i've read in a long time. i mean all of this in the best way because i don't normally get emotional from fics. prospect as a movie makes me emotional, though, so it doesn't surprise me that this did as well. it's such an incredible missing scene that i can, unfortunately, see absolutely happening. have some tissues nearby.

@sweetercalypso - Unlikely Friends (Joel x gn!reader)

this fic is one of my absolute favorite fics for joel. a big reason for that is i have a cat named tilly. and imagining joel reluctantly and grumpily cuddling with my tilly makes me emotional, ok??

@softstarlite - The Casualty of Love (Javi P x f!reader)

very cute! i love the awkward tension around not seeing someone for so long and there being a huge glow up maturity-wise from one of them! seeing someone in a new light is always a strange thing and i love the start to these two and their journey!

@julesonrecord - Shots (Jack x f!reader/oc)

probably one of the best post-movie fics i've ever read for jack. the way jack's trauma and therapy is handled is so fucking brilliant and tonic is one of the best fucking characters, god. eva is written so well and i just. i can't recommend this fic enough. if you like jack, hell even if you don't, give this fic a shot. i promise you'll come out of it liking it.

@coulsons-fullmetal-cellist - The Audition (Dieter x f!reader)

goddd this was so cute! dieter's insecurities don't come up very often and i absolutely love what a match he and reader make. she's so sweet with him and takes such good care of him. and he loves her so much and i love them ok

@max--phillips - A Little Lipstick Never Hurts (Max P x f!reader)

this is one of the best explorations into kink that i've ever read. it's so respectful and hot as fuck. completely obsessed with this take on max as a character and i can't get enough of the dynamic between him, reader, (and eventually dieter). it may not be everyone's cup of tea, but i highly encourage you to give it a try. max gets some well deserved lessons taught, and who doesn't love that?

@coastielaceispunk - The Gift of Lingerie (Max L x f!reader)

god, this was so fucking hot. i'm so here for a mentally healed maxwell in a healthy marriage with a fulfilling sex life lol the little bit of teasing on both their parts was beyond sexy and i loved how equal everything felt. ugh, will be rereading this one for sure.

@lotrefcp - Hidden Away (Javi P x f!reader)

i'm obsessed with a no nonsense reader with just as much attitude/sass as javi does lol i just kept reading going GET HIS ASS. an excellent start to a universe i'm excited to sink my teeth into!

@beefrobeefcal - On the Waterfront (Frankie x f!reader)

oh, this is dark. i love the vibes immediately. i've had a weird fascination with the mafia for most of my life and this has that air about it. a dark, chubby mob boss!frankie is right up my alley for sure. i love that he's still frankie tho. sensible, practical, but with an edge. mind the warnings.

@flightlessangelwings - La Estrella de Mi Vida (Javi G x f!reader)

ahhh so romantic and so tragic!! i swear, it's impossible to make javi unappealing but this fic is just so sweet and manages to make me love him even more (somehow). but i love the added drama and tension from outside forces!! i need to read the rest of it asap!

@littlemisspascal - Rockford & Roan (Tim x f!reader)

my god, i love this?? i'm not usually one for superpowers/soulmate au's but i'm in love with the practicality of this? it feels otherworldly without being too much and it's very grounded. i love the reader and the way tim is written is so believable. i love that we as a fandom have created such a visceral image of this character from only a minute's worth of footage!

@something-tofightfor & @the-blind-assassin-12 - Aphelion (Oberyn x Ellaria & f!reader)

goddd the imagery painted in this one. so heartbreaking. absolutely breathtaking. i'm a slut for vampires and i'm a slut for oberyn/ellaria. this is absolutely something i will be reading the rest of lol

@bluestar22x - The Rockford Files (Tim x f!reader)

ok this is insanely good. one of my favorite books of all time is "red dragon" by thomas harris and i felt like i was reading that again while i read this. the details of the case and the cadence of everything was top notch. obsessed with the psychic element thrown in there and i'm beyond excited to see where tim and psy end up next!

bonus:

@sweetenerobert - Fiction vs Reality (Tommy Miller x m!reader)

ohhhh my god. you give me a bisexual tattoo artist tommy miller with stretched ears and i'm supposed to be normal about it??? UNLIKELY. i am extremely tempted to edit this into reality ngl but my god. this was so fucking hot lmao