#They all deeply disturb me and I need all of them lined up on my bookshelf to shove into little boxes and

[ryuseibutgayer]

I can't. Chifuyu is staring into my fucking soul, baji is lost in neverland, ran is menacing like hes waiting for a compliment about having hair, and takemichi bear looks like the only word he can comprehend is "bumblebee" cause he's been stung so much trying to steal honey for that smug little shit bear mikey

Ahhh the Haitani brother's have been added to the bear line up!!!

[writers-potion]

Storyediting Questions to Ask

As You Read the First Draft:

Are there place that surprised you as you read your first draft? - Why do you suppose that is? - Is there material there you'd like to expand?

What are the character really doing in this story? - Might they have issues you haven't explored fully yet?

Look to the places that drag. - These might be scenes where you have avoided dealing with something deeper. - What are the characters really thinking in these places? - What are their passions, frustrations, and desires?

Imagine alternative plotlines. - How might your plot be different if ti headed off on another tangent from various points in the story? - You don't have to follow them, but they might suggest other streams that can flow into the main plot.

Think About Structure:

Does you story play out naturally in three acts?

Is there an immediate disturbance to the Lead's world?

Does the first doorway of no return occur before the one-fifth mark?

Are the stakes being raised sufficiently?

Does the second doorway of no return put the Lead on the path to the climax?

Does the rhythm of the sotyr match your intent? If this is an action novel, does the plot move relentlessly forward? If this is a character-driven novel, do the scenes delve deeply enough?

Are there strongly motivated characters?

Have coincidence been established?

Is something happeing immediately at the beginning? Did you establish a person in a setting with a problem, onfronted with change or threat?

Is the timeline logical?

Is the story too predictable in terms of sequence? Should it be rearranged?

About Your Lead Character:

Is the character memorable? Compelling? Enough to carry a reader all the way through the plot?

A lead character has to jump off the page. Does yours?

Does this character avoid cliches? Is he capable of surprising us?

What's unique about the character?

Is the character's objective strong enough?

How does the character grow over the course of the story?

How does the character demonstrate inner strength?

About Your Opposition:

Is your oppositing character interesting?

Is he fully realized, not just a cardboard cutout?

Is he justified (at least in his own mind) in his actions?

Is he believable?

Is he strong as or stronger than the Lead?

About Your Story's Adhesive Nature:

Is the conflcit between the Lead and opposition crucial for both?

Why can't they just walk away? What holds them together?

About Your Scene:

Are the big scenes big enough? Surprising enough? Can you make them more original, unanticipated, and draw them out for all they are worth?

Is there enough conflict in the scenes?

What is the least memorable scene? Cut it!

What else can be cut in order to move the story relentlessly forward?

Does the climactic scene come too fast (through a writer fatigue)? Can you make it more, write it for all it's worth?

Does we need a new minor subplot to build up a saggin midsection?

About Your Minor Characters:

What is their purpose in the plot?

Are they unique and colorful?

Polishing Questions:

Are you hooking the reader from the beginning?

Are suspenseful scenes drawn out for the ultimate tension?

Can any information be delayed? This creates tension in the reader, always a good thing.

Are there enough surprises?

Are character-reaction scenes deep and interesting?

Read chapter ending for read-on prompts

Are there places you can replace describing how a character feels with actions?

Do I use visual, sensory-laden words?

For a Dialogue Read-Through:

Dialogue is almost always strengthened by cutting words within the lines.

In dialogue, be fair to both sides. Don't give one character all the good lines.

Greate dialogue surprises the reader and creates tension. View it like a game, where the players are trying to outfox each other.

Can you get more conflict into dialogue, even emong allies?

If you like my blog, buy me a coffee☕ and find me on instagram! 📸

[mommageto]

Domestic Hashira: Part 2 (Himejima x Reader)

Title: Domestic Hashira: Part 2 (Himejima x Reader)

Word Count:  1808  words

Description: (Y/n) and Gyomei navigating the unfamiliar territory of an arranged marriage. 

Warning/s: This fan fiction may contain disturbing or implied sexual content that may not be suitable or sensitive for readers. Read at your own risk. 

Part 1

. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.

The sun is veiled by haze, and the sound of bushes dancing as the freezing breeze passes by. You were sitting on a rock beside a river that flows from the feeble waterfalls. It was one of those walks you enjoyed taking with Himejima when neither of you was occupied with any activity on that day. The walk you always have with him to enjoy the nature surrounding you always ends up with exciting conversations to get to know each other better. 

As newlyweds, it seemed too far to build a relationship with a man you barely knew in the beginning. Nevertheless, you both had a mutual apprehension about starting over. Throughout the days, you and Himejima opened up to one another, starting with both your pasts, where you found comfort in each other. 

"I couldn't accept all of the things that happened that day. My parents were everything to me. It wasn't easy to lose both of them. I miss them so much," you said to Himejima while looking down on the stream of water passing through your feet. With your words, Gyomei turned to you and gently placed his large hands on your head. He rubbed your head tenderly. "(Y/n), your parents loved you deeply. They may not be here, but their memory lives on in you," he replied.

Himejima's words of affirmation have always filled your recent days with delight and a sense of security. There is something about his use of words that tells you it is precisely what you need to hear. That healed a part of you and allowed you to look forward to your future with clarity. Gyomei's line of work may be risky, but you have faith in him. 

Gyomei informed you that he will be away for a week for a mission on a farther land south, where there were incidents of demons attacking a huge village. This is the part of your relationship that you dislike the least. It is not because he is constantly putting his life on hold but because of the loneliness that comes with his absence that you have to endure.

To doubt his skills is merely an act of foolery. Himejima always trained with relentless determination. He is committed to every single thing he does, from his training to his relationship with you. Himejima ensures that he is trying his best, if not becoming better. This is a part of him that makes you admire him even more. 

As you've accomplished your social duties as a wife, you went straight home. This was the day Himejima ought to arrive. Nothing but the pure longing to reach out and be in your husband's arms is what you desire. With such haste, you went to the training area by your house. Himejima frequently goes to the training area. This is how he usually finds consolation in meditating after an extended mission. There he was, standing on his feet, and you approached the giant man from behind. 

Gyomei, a subtle shift in his massive form, tells you he knows you're there around the place. Even before you and Himejima became closer, he never failed to sense whenever you were around. He indeed did possess quality senses, and they were helpful in his relationship with you. The stone hashira has put his boulder to a halt and turned to greet you. 

With you closer to him, he pulled you in for a warm and delicate embrace. You can feel the tears in his eyes falling down. "I've missed you so much," you whisper in his ear. His arms tightened around you, offering a comforting warmth against the chill of the evening. For a moment, there were only the two of you in an intimate embrace, leaving only the soft rhythm of your heartbeats echoing in the quiet space between you.

As you slowly move away from Gyomei's grasp, you look up to him and see a delicate smile painted on his face. This offers you a bundle of joy. His hand cups your face to feel your being. "I'm so glad to be back home with you," he says. You leaned on his hand and rubbed it. You never fail to appreciate the physical love you share with Gyomei.

"I apologize for having kept you waiting."

"No, you don't have to. I'm just happy you're here with me now."

"That reminds me," he says. With a slight pause, he pulled out a rectangle-shaped box from his pocket and gave it to you. "I got you something while I was away," he continued. You opened the gift to see a sakura kanzashi. Your eyes lit up at how mesmerizing it was.

The smile on your face has doubled from what it was a while ago. You cannot help but be flattered by his gift. "I thought you were just the strongest and biggest Hashira there is," you teased him. "You never told me that you're also the sweetest Hashira." 

A gentle chuckle escaped his lips. "I may be a hashira, but I am your husband, too."

You loved every moment you shared with Gyomei. It didn't take long for your relationship with Himejima to flourish. Both of you were well respected by everyone in the Demon Slayer Corps. With your lineage as a relative of Kagaya Ubuyashiki and Gyomei's position as the leader of the hashira, people tend to be attentive whenever you and your husband are both around. The other people thought you were a beloved couple. 

After you had dinner with Himejima, he held your hand on the way to your shared bedroom. The night was still young, and both of you decided to cozy up before sleeping together. This is something you enjoy with Gyomei during the night. He's lying at your back, and you're in his arms, watching the moon's watchful gaze from your window.

The size difference between both of you has made you feel like a stuffed toy for him. Himejima does not like to admit it, but he loves your size. He perceives you as a fragile being for him to forever protect and hold. 

"Are you comfortable enough, (y/n)?" He asks you. You turned your head at him and nodded in response, only for him to plant a kiss on your forehead afterward. The way his lips filled your forehead made you feel the love of Gyomei's physical affection. 

It didn't take long for you to face him and start kissing his cheeks one by one after another. Himejima could feel your kisses all over his face. Until you reached his lips. This caused him to be surprised and stare at you for a while. The eye contact you both had was full of tension until you both gave in to the pleasure of kissing each other on the lips. 

Your body was leaning at Himejima's massive form with arms wrapped around his being, and you could feel the heat of his body pressing into you. His arms moved down from your hair, slowly reaching to your waist, feeling the moment he shared with you. It didn't take long for your hands to feel his hard and muscular form, moving your hands from his shoulder to his biceps. You can feel Gyomei's hands tighten his grip while holding your waist. This encouraged you to explore more of his built form with your hands while not holding back from the intimate union of both of your lips. 

Every part of him is bulky and muscular; you can appreciate Himejima's athletic physique as you continue caressing his body. Despite his large, hard chest, you felt the fast beat of his heart's vibration. As you were in the moment, you felt greedy for Himejima. You wanted more of him, and you needed more of Gyomei. Your left hand was supposed to feel his abdomen, but it dropped between his legs, where you felt the heat of his hot and large manhood. 

Himejima pushed you away. It took a moment for you to catch your breath. The tension, the heat, and the feeling were there, but Gyomei stopped them. For a while, you felt the sense of embarrassment creep up from your head to your toe. 'Was I pushing myself onto him?' you thought to yourself. 

This made you feel uneasy. For a woman, it is unlikely for this to happen or for you to feel this way. Numerous thoughts filled your head, and you questioned why Himejima stopped. He is your husband, and you have undergone the sacred act of marriage; you didn't understand how it felt wrong. It seems to you that Gyomei doesn't feel as 'attracted' to you as you thought.

"(Y/n)—" he uttered, but the embarrassment you felt made you not want to face your husband. 

The night felt like your first day; it was silent, and not much conversation was involved, which was different from how you fixed it to be. It also felt like a long night, as you could not put yourself to sleep. However, it felt like the stone hashira did not get to rest peacefully either. As you've noticed, Gyomei does not sleep silently. He has a deep, rumbling snore, and that is something you have observed after several nights of sleeping beside him.

The following day, you can hear the morning chirps of the birds, and the sun's rays hit a part of your room. Your eyes slowly opened to wake you up. Your hand reached out to your side to find the familiar being you slept with. Himejima's presence beside you was nowhere to be seen as you opened both your eyes. You sat down to collect yourself and saw his bed area fixed already. Thus, your brain recollects the memory of last night. You were hoping for that night to be just a nightmare. 

It was still too early in the morning. The thought of where your husband is is bothering you. 'Did he leave for a mission?' you pondered. You walked around your house to search for him. You peeked at the training area by your home, where Himejima usually does his morning meditation and training. There was no sign of him there. 

"My lady, are you looking for Himejima-sama?" You were startled by the voice of your older servant, Yoko. "Himejima-sama woke up early to train near the waterfall."

It didn't take long for you to go there and watch your husband do intense training. You can only watch from afar, as you do not want to talk to Himejima for now. The view of the stone hashira withstanding the pressure from the waterfall. With the time you spent knowing your husband, he only does intense training when he's stressed after a battle where he could've saved many lives. However, to your knowledge, something like that has not happened previously.

This story has a Part 3.

[princessbrunette]

okok line cook jj who is absolutely obsessed with the new doe eyed pretty smile waitress. she’s always so nice and patient with the crew even if they’re behind, getting yelled at ect. they flirt and she always gets all blushy and shy, and he just loves it. one day she ends up in the kitchen teary eyed and covered in coffee from an angry customer and jj just looses his shit cause his girl is obviously upset and even possibly hurt and how dare they.

this anon had my tummy hurting and everything like omg i love it sm .

he’d fall for you as soon as he’d lay eyes on you.

jj definitely didn’t have a type and his track history was living proof— however, with all the girls he’d hooked up with in the past they tended to be a little on the sassier side, confident, bites back and can handle the loud mouth that belongs to none other than the man himself— but he’d never felt deeply for any of them, happy to part ways with them when the fun was all over. you however, you were something else entirely.

it was like watching a baby deer trying to learn how to walk when you were brought into the restaurant as the new waitress hire. clearly you’d had no idea just how busy the beachside restaurant got, but you’d tried to adapt quickly. for the first few weeks you were skittish, dropping the occasional plate, tripping over extended legs from tables and forgetting a couple of orders — but surely enough the customers took a liking to you anyway. of course they did, you were adorable, polite, pretty and young — you could have set the place on fire and your manager would probably have let you off with a slap on the wrist.

jj was dead set on getting to know you, hell— he’d even consider himself your guide, befriending you and helping you out whenever he could. he’d have your order ready first everytime, greeting you with a wink that flustered you as he’d carefully hand you the plate and watch you shuffle off to find the corresponding table. he’d gently manoeuvre you out the way with hands on your hips when he needs to get behind you in the busy kitchen on chaotic shifts, smirking to himself at the way you get all doe eyed and embarrassed whenever he did it. it never took much to fluster you, and your sweetness had apparently been just what JJ had craved.

he noticed you started to come to him for everything, and it made his heart swell with pride. toeing nervously into the kitchen during a quieter shift, not many of the staff around that evening. “excuse me, jj?” he remembers your polite voice calling from behind him as he chops some bell peppers. he’s wiping his hands on his apron as he glances over his shoulder at you before turning around fully, giving you his full attention.

“yeah?” he breathes, almost silenced by how pretty you are.

“sorry to disturb you but theres some guys arguing really loud in the restaurant and i think they’re gonna fight and the security guy isn’t in today… dont really know what to do…” you shrug, clammy hands subconsciously playing with your work uniform. he could tell whatever had happened out there has made you uncomfortable, not a fan of confrontation or big scary men yelling. he’s quick to nod, tossing the dish-cloth he was about to wipe the surface with over his shoulder and placing a hand on your arm, looking down at you reassuringly.

“hey, you’re good, i’ll handle it, yeah?” he nods, brushing past you briskly and out the kitchen doors into the restaurant. it was night time, so the restaurant overlooking the beach only had a few customers dotted around eating their meals, equally disturbed by the loud quarrel the two seemingly tipsy men were having. you follow him to the door, watching him saunter out toward them without a care in the world. you liked that about jj, he wasn’t scared of nothing.

“alright ladies, pack it up. go kiss n’make up somewhere else, bein’ waaay too loud and i don’t think these people paid for dinner and a show.” he waves them off, the two men standing at their table having their argument.

“stay outta this kid, i ain’t going nowhere ‘til he gives me what he owes me!” one of them barks back, slamming his fist down on the table making you jump as the cutlery clatters. JJ doesn’t flinch in the slightest, stepping up closer.

“yeah, i wasn’t asking. you’re disturbing my waitress and quite frankly you’re pissing me off, so again, i’m gonna have to ask you to leave.” you pushed down the way ‘my waitress’ made you feel, knowing he was likely just throwing it out there without meaning.

“you think i give a fuck ‘bout how ‘ya waitress feels? we’re doing business here. why don’t you go back to the kitchen, huh?” the other man waves him off, and you see his eyes flutter in irritation a little at the mention of you. he locks his eyes on the man, oddly calm and steps closer, staring him down.

“i’m not askin’ again. leave.” JJ warns.

“or what, blondie?”

“or I beat the shit out of you and your little friend.”

you were happy your manager wasn’t in that evening, because JJ would have gotten in lots of trouble. like that one day, a few weeks later during an afternoon shift, patrons from the nearby golf course having swarmed in for their lunch. JJ had been chatting away with another cook in the kitchen at his post, laughing and swatting eachother with the dish rags when the doors swung open, making him double take when he’d clocked on that it was you. your eyes didn’t find his with a bright smile and fluttery eyelashes like they always did, in fact you didn’t look at him at all. upon further inspection, your uniform was drenched with brown liquid, assumably coffee even dripping from the ends of your hair. your bottom lip wobbled as you headed toward the cloakroom through the back.

JJ’s smile fell off his face and he chased after you, skidding to a stop infront of you as he places both hands on your shoulders.

“hey, hey what happened out there?” he speaks gently, gentler than you hear him speak with the other cooks anyway.

“some guys coffee was cold, so— so he dumped it on me. i’ll be fine, just— just need to change my clothes and go and clean up the mess out there and—” youre wiping your tears off your cheeks, mortified, and when you open your eyes again JJ’s no longer right there, the only sign of his existence being the sight of the kitchen door swinging. you curiously follow, standing in the doorway like you did last time. his eyes had scanned the room, quickly honing in on the older, sweaty Kook in an ugly polo loudly complaining about the ‘help’ with a puddle of coffee beside his table.

he didn’t think, striding over, lips pressed in a firm line. he grabs the man by his collar and yanks him with such a force out of his seat that his chair tips back and falls, skidding along the polished wooden floor. gasps ring around the restaurant, an imaginary spotlight shining on the blonde as he grips the man with white knuckles, looking down his nose at the flailing Kook struggling to get his footing.

“you think it’s okay to humiliate my waitress, huh? you think that shits all sweet? someone oughta teach you—” he’s hissing between grit teeth with a trembling voice when the security guard runs over to tear him off.

“maybank.” the officer warns with a knowing tone and JJ lets the man go, not without shoving him back by the chest first, a spiteful, quick adrenaline fuelled laugh leaving him as he did so.

“yeah, nah, we’re all good. get this asshat out of here though.” he backs off, letting the guard escort the shaken man away to the exit, probably profusely apologising on JJ’s behalf. he pants, watching him leave before looking around at the entire restaurants eyes on him, staring in shock. he scratches his cheek before holding up his hand. “hope y’all are enjoying the food.” he calls out, making eye contact with your manager who stands leaning against the bar with her arms crossed, shaking her head at him. he swears under his breath, before storming back toward the kitchen, not even glancing at you as he storms past you, knowing he’s in trouble.

he heads towards the staff cloakroom, yanking his apron off and beginning to punch the code into his locker, clearly deciding the best way to deal with this was to take off. you follow him, standing in the doorway.

“jj, you shouldn’t have done that.” you scold him softly, watching him screw up his apron and stuff it into his locker, rooting around for his stuff.

“yeah, well i did, so…” he doesn’t turn to acknowledge you, still out of breath with a noncommittal tone.

“you’re… you’re gonna get in trouble. i don’t want you to get fired.”

he suddenly turns to you when you approach at his side. “you think i want that either?” he snaps before softening, seeing the way your eyes widened in hurt confusion. “i’m sorry. i… i just don’t like how these assholes get to roam around and do what they want. they can direct all that shit towards me, i don’t care, i can take it…” he takes off his backwards hat, raking his hands through his hair. “but… but not you! they don’t get to talk to you like that. someone’s gotta show them, you know?” he rants and you soften, stepping closer.

“thank you.” is all you say, pressing your hands to his shoulders and standing on your tiptoes to press a kiss to his cheek. you offer him a small smile, before turning around and heading back toward the door. you turn before you leave, his body still twisted towards you as he watches you in awe, suddenly a lot calmer. “no one’s made me feel safe like you do, jj.” you state before heading away.

he sighs, turning back toward his locker and leaning his forehead against the cool metal, screwing his eyes shut for a moment just breathing. when he turns back around, you’re gone, replaced by the disapproving glare of your manager.

“you wanna talk about what just happened?” she tilts her head.

“well, no— but i feel like i don’t really have a choice.” he forces a fake smile. it was gonna be a long day for jj.

[bamboobooshark]

WILL GRAHAM • ❄️

Too Cold || 820 Words || P.G. Rating || Fandom: Hannibal (2013)

Author’s Note: I have another Will Graham fic in my drafts already, but I have more motivation to write this first. I’m excited to see how this post does since I recently got into Hannibal and really wanted to write something with Will. Enjoy!

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CONTENT WARNINGS: No mentions of Will’s nightmares, Will is sensory seeking but also needs cuddles, Reader can use their arms/upper body (momentary scene), Reader moves around but with no description how exactly (no mention of legs), Reader is in a romantic relationship with Will, uses of the pet name sweetheart.

The snow usually didn’t get this thick, but today you were thankful for it. The powder blanketed the ground outside so heavily that no one could go anywhere. You and Will decided to stay in and relax together. The two of you agreed to sleep in the living room on the pull out couch while the dogs slept on the floor. The fire crackled softly and dimly lit the room that was nearly sun blocked. You had brought your own individual blankets to wrap up in because Will insisted. He hated the idea of getting you drenched in his sweat just so you could cuddle him. You thought it was a fair trade; hold him in your arms and make him feel safe in exchange for something you could easily fix in the middle of the night. You didn’t like to push him, though.

You sat yourself up and rubbed the sleep from your eyes. You looked around the room and counted each of the dogs to ensure they were all here. You sighed deeply while taking in your surroundings. It was peaceful—every aspect of the moment you were in. Will slept peacefully for once, the dogs breathed deeply, the fire gave off a pinch of heat, and the snow fell heavy outside with the whipping of the wind. A soft smile crawled onto your lips. You stretched, preparing to get out of bed. You looked down at your sleeping lover and pressed a kiss to his forehead. A heartbeat later, you’re slowly dragging yourself out of the pull-out couch.

Once you get yourself steady, a few of the dogs get up to come greet you. You whisper sweet greetings and wish them each a good morning. You make your way towards the kitchen to the dog treat jar. You tap the ceramic lightly so as not to disturb Will. The last few dogs who were either sleeping or chose to stay lying down came to you. You gave each of them their gingerbread treats and sent them to go lay down once more. The house continues to stay quiet as you walk into the pantry in search of something to eat. You hum softly before grabbing a pop-tart from one of the shelves.

The springs from the pull-out bed squeak awfully, causing you to emerge from the pantry as soon as you could. You spot Will looking at you with tired eyes. “What?” you ask with a soft chuckle. He looks at you, slightly annoyed. You should know by now what he wants. “Come back. I’m cold,” he said blankly. You nod your head in agreement as you head to the bed. “You’re taking an unreasonable amount of time,” he complained to you. “I’m working on it,” you say in a sing-song voice.

The second your thighs touch the edge of the bed, Will clings his arms around your waist and pulls him toward you. You squeal and smack at his arm playfully. “Will Graham! Get your hands off of me right now!” you said as you smiled so hard your cheeks started to hurt. “I never want to let you go, though. Espically not in this sort of weather,” he told you as he pulled you so his chin lined up with your shoulder. Your entire body shivered as you felt the tip of his cold nose touch your skin. He breathed you in deeply, resulting in him becoming completely still, besides his chest rising and falling. “You soothe me so well,” he praised gently. The arms that circled your waist squeezed a bit tighter as if they might loose you. You wriggled to be closer to his chest and settled once you were. His hand slowly traced circles on your stomach. It was so quiet you could hear the soft scratching of his fingers against the fabric of your shirt.

Your silent peace is soon interrupted when Will turns to lay on his back, bringing you with him. You gasp from the shock, at a complete loss for words. Will chuckles as you take a few deep breaths. “Why would you do that?” you ask in utter confusion. “I needed your weight on top of me,” he said plainly with a shrug. You sigh in slight annoyance—but you’re always glad to provide the stimulation your lover needs if it helps him stay calm and focused. He leans forward and kisses your forehead gently. “I had to return the favor,” he whispered. You chuckle once you realize what he was referring to. You kissed him back on the cheek, and he raised his eyebrows in amusement. “I’m assuming that’s a request for another kiss,” he observed before returning it. You two continue kissing each other back and forth, keeping warm from the blushing and your bodies pressed together, safe from the snowy weather outside.

The universe is good to you today. It’s been good to you every day since you met Will.

[ladyloveandjustice]

My Favorite New Manga and Graphic Novels I Read in 2023

It's time to take a look at the comics and manga I read this year! I read  a whopping 78 manga and graphic novels in all. Here's a link to my Goodreads year in books (the manga is at the beginning, the novels start with Siren Queen) and my storygraph wrap up.

I also read 36 novels! If you want to see my favorites, check out my reviews here!

And finally, I've got the continuing manga series I've enjoyed this year here, so check that post out too!

The Magic Fish by Trung Le Nguyen

This is a tale about a first-generation Vietnamese-American boy struggling with coming out to his mother. He connects with his mother through fairytales-- she uses them to express her journey as an immigrant, and he uses them to explore his queerness and identity as a Vietnamese kid growing up in America. It's an absolutely gorgeous book full of Trung Le Nguyen's signature stunning art. The fantastical, ethereal fairy tales are weaved beautifully into the lives of the characters. The book explores how fairy tales can form connection, can express culture, can tap deeply into something real and true, and can offer tragedy and catharsis. The protagonist uses fairy tales to write his own story, and the ending is lovely and moving.

Exit Stage Left: The Snagglepuss Chronicles by Mark Russell and Mike Feehan

You may know Mark Russell from his darker, socially aware re-imagining of the Flintstones, which made quite a splash on Tumblr with this post. Well, I had pleasure of meeting him at a local convention, and I finally got his comic re-imagining of Snagglepuss, also of Hanna-Barbera. He re-imagines the titular pink puma as a closeted gay playwright in the 50's dealing with McCarthyism. It's as wild as it sounds,but also really digs into the politics of the time, the struggle of standing against oppression and how art fights through suppression and censorship. It's tragic, hopeful, poignant and full of historical references. I enjoyed it ! Definitely be cautious if you're deeply disturbed by homophobia and suicide.

The Summer Hikaru Died by Mokumokuren

A story about a teenage boy, Yoshiki, who realizes that his best friend and crush Hikaru has died and been replaced by a strange eldritch being who is imitating him. But, missing his loved one and desperate to cling to any piece of him, Yoshiki decides to keep on having a relationship with this mysterious entity. This book's horror is visceral and sublime, especially the bizarre, creepy, beautiful body horror involving the being who replaced Hikaru. It's an exploration of anxieties involving grief, relationships, and sexuality that hits just right, and the atmosphere layered with dread is top notch. I love me some messed up relationships and unknowable queer monsters, and this book delivers.

Chainsaw Man, Look Back and Goodbye Eri by Tatsuki Fujimoto

Chainsaw Man needs no introduction, but I did end up really enjoying the story of the doggy-devil boy hunting other devils. It got so tragic and intense at the end, with lots of great surreal horror imagery and darkly funny moments. I'm impressed it went so hard, though the random powers that kept piling up made what was happening hard to follow at times, especially in fights. I'm also enjoying the current weird arc starring a class-A disaster girl and the demon sharing her body.

Look Back

I really do enjoy how Fuijimoto writes messy pre-teen/teenage girls. They ring so true. The manga follows the fraught friendship between two girls as they create manga, exploring the struggle of art mixing with real relationships, and how someone keeps creating after tragedy. It's a little hard to follow at times (especially since I have to differentiate the leads based on hairstyle), but it's a good read.

Goodbye Eri

Probably my least favorite of the three, but it's a fun read- a weird ride that examines the thin line between fiction and reality in art and makes good use of Fujimoto's cinephile background and signature gaslight gatekeep girlboss characters.

Is Love the Answer? by Uta Isaki

The story follows a teenage girl, Chika, who has always struggled with not being attracted to anyone. When Chika enters college, she meets queer people all across the spectrum of asexuality, and starts exploring her own identity. As an ace, this is the best story about asexuality that I've read. It was a nuanced look at asexuality and queerness and all the variations. Chika's journey and how she found her community was moving and poignant. It's a honest, moving look at relationships and identity, and how complicated and hard to define both of those things can be. I loved the moments of Chika imagining herself as an alien to explore and cope, and how she bonded with people through magical girl shows and other geekery. My favorite new manga of the year, it really connected with me!

The Girl that Can’t Get a Girlfriend by Mieri Hiranishi

Oh girl, I've been there. This is a fun autobiographical comic about a butch4butch lesbian's struggles finding a partner in a word that favors butch/femme, and it's just an honest look at the messiness of loneliness and relationships. I also appreciate that crushing on Haruka in Sailor Moon and becoming a HaruMichi stan was the beginning the author's queer awakening because uh...same! She has taste, and is truly relatable.

Qualia the Purple: The Complete Manga Collection by Hisamitsu Ueo and Shirou Tsunashima

See my review of the light novel here for my general thoughts on the story, since it's adapted pretty faithfully. I do think the manga is overall the best experience though, because the illustrations break up the detailed explanations of quantum mechanics a bit, and it includes a bit of extra content that fleshes things out, especially withthe ending.

The Single Life: 60 year old lesbian who is single and living alone by Akiko Morishima

Just like it says on the tin, this focuses on a 60-year-old single lesbian. And definitely the shortest thing on here, since only one 30 page chapter is out.  It's a grounded story about a woman looking back on her journey to finding her identity, touching on sexism in the workplace and other challenges. It paints a portrait of a proudly gay elder who's still perfectly content being single and feels fulfilled by the life she had rather than regretting past relationships. I definitely want to see more.

Daemons of the Shadow Realm by Hiromu Arakawa

Arakawa's latest, the story is about a boy who lives in a small village with his little sister is imprisoned and has to carry out a mysterious duty...but then the village is attacked, supernatural daemons awaken, and everything he knows might be wrong. I'm enjoying this fun romp so far! It delivers an really nice plot twist right out the gate (and an excellent subversion of the usual shonen "must-protect-my-saintly-sister" narratives). It boasts Arakawa's usual fun cast and interesting world (and cool ladies). There's some slight tone and pacing issues in the first part- there's so much time spent explaining mechanics the lead doesn't really get to react to his life turning upside down. But it starts smoothing out by the second volume. I'm excited to see what's next!

Superman: Space Age by Mark Russell and Michael Allred

This is a retelling of Superman set throughout the late fifties to early eighties that has Superman interact with the political and social upheaval of the time and question his own role in things. It explored the Superman mythos through a lot of cool new angles, and has a good Lois (why yes she would break Watergate) which is how I always measure a Superman adaptation. My one complaint is, while I liked some of the things it did with Batman, the ending with the Joker was pretty weak. The ending of the overall comic will also be bizarre for anyone not uses to how weird comics can get, but I think I dug it.

#DRCL by Shin'ichi Sakamoto

A manga retelling of Dracula that focuses on Mina as the protagonist and imagines the characters at an English prep school. It adds a lot of  diversity to the characters  and has exquisite, evocative art. I'm curious where it will go and what it  intends to do with all it's changes (especially Lucy), because right now it's mostly vibes and creepiness and the direction isn't clear.

[leslutdepointedulac]

Did Nicki really love Lestat?

I feel like there's sometimes a question in this fandom as to whether or not Nicki truly loved Lestat, or if it was all a 'ruse' of sorts. Some people will say that there was no love there, either at points, or just overall. But personally, I'm inclined to disagree. The way I see it, Nicki did genuinely love Lestat, especially at the beginning of their relationship.

They knew each other as children and, to an extent, they grew up together. This already puts them in a relatively close relationship with each other. This relationship between them starts out as just a friendship, but of course this evolves into something more.

When Nicki presents Lestat with the cloak, it's him who is acting rather flirty towards Lestat, not the other way around with him leaning into him and saying

"Only the impossible can do the impossible."

A week later when they're in the room at the inn, Nicki is the one who leans in and initiates that first show of intimacy, by kissing Lestat. Granted they were drunk at the time, but Nicki doesn't give me the impression he goes around kissing just anyone, even while intoxicated. I think the fact that they were drunk was just the perfect excuse/opportunity for Nicki to act on his feelings towards Lestat.

Further down the line, when they're in Paris - and at this point have been together for several months - Lestat returns to the theatre after his 'disappearance'. One of the first things the other actors do when Lestat initially arrives, is call Nicki to tell him that Lestat is back. And once he turns up to join the others in greeting Lestat, the actors immediately part to make way for Nicki to come through. I think they all knew there was a deeper level of connection between them. They share a very long and tender moment together, which the troupe allows without disturbance. Personally, I see that hug between them as coming from a place of love, heartbreak that they had been separated, and relief that they're back together again. Yes, Nicki had previously been, and still was angry and hurt that Lestat had supposedly left him, and without any warning. Especially considering Lestat was - as far as everyone else was concerned - perfectly fine during that time, only for him to turn up out of the blue with little to no explanation as to his whereabouts. I think Nicki's anger at this was partially down to Nicki being terrified at the thought he had lost his lover, and he couldn't hold his upset in.

Skipping forward to Nicki's turning, in my opinion, his very recently experienced trauma, combined with his already fragile mental state, were both amped up x100 by said turning.

The way I see it, Nicki got overwhelmed by the recent events and his mental condition clouded his mind causing him to lash out at the one person who he loved the most. Lestat. The reasoning for him lashing out at Lestat specifically, being because he was so immensely hurt by Lestat's disappearance, with him returning acting as though nothing had happened. This understandably angered Nicki, and mixed with his strong feelings for Lestat, it all bubbled up and exploded in their faces.

I think Nicki said what he said to Lestat during their last proper interaction, because he was deeply hurt and quite frankly, he just wasn't well. I don't think he was seeing/thinking clearly, and was probably also confused by the very sudden and drastic changes in his life. This led to him taking it all out on Lestat out of a need to blame someone for everything that had happened. Lestat just so happened to be the easiest and most obvious target for Nicki to let his anger out on.

Eleni tells Lestat in her letters to him, that even the mention of his name in Nicki's presence is enough to send Nicki over the edge. But I think this was down to his mental instability, along with his lingering hurt that had festered in his mind for so many years at that point; he wasn't in his right mind and so wasn't able to give appropriate reactions to his former lover.

Before Nicki goes into the fire, he gives his violin to Eleni, with the instruction to send it to Lestat. He also says how he had originally intended to give it to him the last time they saw each other, before Lestat left Paris. In my opinion, I don't see why Nicki would've had his violin that Lestat bought him, sent to Lestat, right before taking his own life. And there is a chance that he did this with malicious intent, as a way to taunt Lestat, but in my mind, I feel as though there was some lingering care left for him. I don't know that there was any love remaining on Nicki's part, I'll be honest, but I do there was some semblance of care left in him. I don't think this is something Nicki would admit to anyone, even himself, and I also don't know that he was aware of this - that it was more of a subconscious feeling. But I still think, regardless, there was something still in Nicki that cared even just a little bit for Lestat, albeit buried beneath the darkness in his mind.

Re: Nicki's interest in the violin and his comment about wanting to 'go down' in Paris, I think his initial interest in the violin was genuine. But when people around him *cough his father cough* told him to abandon the idea, that's when it turned into a thing of spite. However, I do believe there was still an honest love for playing. Even after Nicki had gone mad, playing the violin was something he turned to as a source of familiar comfort through his dark times.

As for Paris, it was Nicki's idea in the first place for both him and Lestat to run off (although, yes, it was more of a joke when he said it.) But I think he genuinely wanted him and Lestat to get away from the village that had been suffocating them both for so many years. When Nicki said he wanted them to 'go down', I think that was also as a result of his unstable mind, and his hurt at the recent events being taken out on Lestat. There may very well have been elements of truth in what he said, but overall, I think it's just yet another example of his inability to contain his pain.

Of course, none of this excuses the way Nicki treated Lestat in the end, but I think to simply say it was all because he didn't love Lestat is missing out on taking a deeper look into the reasons why he did and said those things. To denounce the love Nicki felt for Lestat seems unfair to me given his situation.

[weaveandwood]

Weave and Woods Chapter 14: Electricity

Gale/Named Tav | Slow Burn | Fluff | Read on AO3 | Entire Work

Summary:

In the deepest hours of the night in a makeshift camp, Auroria finds sleep elusive. Unwilling to disturb Gale, she leaves to do something useful. Gale wakes up to find her gone.

She pulled back and looked at him. Even in the dim light shining from the orb, she was radiant. The first day he saw her when she pulled him out of that portal he thought she was one of the most beautiful people he had ever seen. Now, looking at her after all their trials, all their hardships so far? No one could ever hope to compare to her. She was so beautiful, yes - but also strong, courageous, and open. He never thought he could love someone as much as he loved her right now, and he knew he could never love someone this much ever again. “I thought of you,” she said with a smile.   “Of me?” He let out a laugh. That wasn’t what he was expecting to hear.

AN: A nice, sweet fluffy chapter! I hope you all enjoy it after the last two chapters of really hard, heavy stuff. Comments or reblogs are greatly appreciated, they let me know what you like!

Auroria couldn’t sleep. The night was pitch black inside the makeshift campsite, the space now an admittedly tighter fit with everyone here instead of split up. She looked over at Gale, sleeping deeply beside her. At that moment, she was thankful for her darkvision. He looked so peaceful as he slept, all the worry erased from his handsome face. The deep lines between his brows softened, a trace of a smile played on his lips. He must be having a nice dream - she wondered what it was about. She listened to the rhythmic sound of his breathing, focused on the warmth of his body next to hers, trying to will herself to fall back asleep. 

No luck. 

She thought she might as well do something useful instead of just laying around staring at the top of her tent. As gently and silently as she could, she crept out of the bedroll, thankful this time that her light movements and stealth training allowed her to easily sneak out of places. She had found it to be a very useful ability when she had too much to drink at taverns across the Sword Coast and needed to make a hasty exit from the bed of whichever person she chose to go home with that night. Now, it was useful for making sure she didn’t wake up the love of her life from a deep sleep and a pleasant dream. How things could change. 

She grabbed her sleeping tunic and leggings, silently stepping outside her tent and slipping them on. She looked around and luckily everyone else was still in their tents. Probably should have checked that before walking out of my tent naked , she laughed to herself before going into Gale’s tent, which was conveniently placed next to hers, on a mission. She looked through the stacks and stacks of books for what seemed like endless minutes before she found it on top of a pile - a small spellbook with vines embossed on it. Spells for Rangers. 

This was the book Gale always referenced when they were training together. The one that helped her learn Ensnaring Strike and Spike Growth. She had felt the tug of a desire to learn a new spell, something special. She had flipped through the book ages ago while in the Underdark when Gale had stepped out to check on the stew that was simmering for dinner and saw the spell that had now been at the back of her mind ever since - Lightning Arrow. Inspiration had come to her at that moment but she felt it was too advanced, that practicing magic was too new for her, that it was out of reach.

But now? Maybe not. 

When Gale cast lightning spells, electricity jolted through her own body at how attractive it was - so dangerous, so devastating, so destructive. He wielded it like it was second nature, the bright light shooting from his practiced hand movements at his targets, the damage immense. She shot arrows as if it was her own second nature, the feel of the bowstring against her calloused fingers, the relaxing breath to focus, all her training coming to fruition as she loosed her arrows into the hearts of her targets. It felt poetic - a combination of both of their powers. A perfect way to begin to thank him for so many things. For always having her back in battles, for seeing when she is going down dark paths, for pulling her back to the light. For helping her chip away at the roiling agony inside her, for not letting her spiteful words tear them apart. For teaching her magic again, for helping her get back in touch with that side of herself. It wasn’t enough - nothing would ever be, but it would be a start.

She went to a long room to the right of the campsite that had been discovered during a scouting mission with Shadowheart once the rest of the party arrived at the mausoleum. They had determined during this outing that this building was also the entrance to Shar’s Gauntlet - another item to add to the list of things to do, but just as important to Shadowheart as the deal with Raphael was to Astarion. And it was also a worry for the morning. She needed to focus on the task at hand.

Relying on her darkvision, she read the passage and practiced the verbal components for pronunciation. She remembered all of Gale’s teachings and centered herself, taking deep breaths to usher the lingering anxiety out of her mind. She thought of the look on his face earlier that night after they had made love and the darkness within her was held at bay by hope. The look on his face when she finally cracked every spell he helped her with. Wondered what the look on his would be when she pulled out this spell as a surprise. She drew back her arrow and made her first attempt. The arrow shot cleanly through the air, but no lightning. That’s ok, you never get it on the first try. It’s fine, you’re fine, this is a difficult spell. You got this, Ora, she thought to herself. 

The second, third, fifth, ninth tries were similar. On the tenth try, she thought she saw a few sparks of electricity surrounding the arrow, sending a surge of pride through her. She was close, she could feel it. 

She drew back the eleventh arrow. 

******

It was a sunny day in Waterdeep. He was walking along the docks toward the beach, a basket in his hand. The twinkling melody of laughter sounded to his right and he looked over. Coppery hair, golden green eyes, and a bright smile met him as she reached over to the basket and placed something in it. He moved it to his outside arm and grabbed her hand. The sun was starting to set, the gentle breeze bringing the smell of salt in from the sea. He was instantly at peace.  

Gale rolled over to his side, his arm instinctively going to wrap itself around Ora’s waist, its favorite resting place when they slept. He felt nothing but air and a cooled bedroll. He jolted awake, whispering her name. No answer - she wasn’t here. As his eyes began to adjust to the darkness, he noticed her clothes had been removed from where they had been discarded next to the bedroll. Panic started to fill his heart. Where was she?

He had never gotten dressed so quickly in his life. He grabbed his robes and didn’t bother with anything else, sliding them on over his naked body and fastening them tightly. Everyone else was fast asleep - his modesty didn’t matter right at this moment. He grabbed a small glass orb, a cracked piece of detritus that was left in the room from whoever had previously occupied this space and cast Light on it, helping to guide his way to the long hallway outside the room the party had claimed for their campsite. 

Left or right? He looked both ways, thinking to himself that if only he were a tracker he could tell which way she went with no issues. He started to turn to the left. 

There was a pull at his back, urging him to turn around. A gentle hum of magic emanating from down the hall to the right. He furrowed his brow and went to investigate, trying to avoid stepping on anything that would announce his presence. At least there won’t be a godsforsaken twig here , he thought to himself with a slight chuckle, knowing exactly how Ora would respond -  You shouldn’t be so cocky, you would be the one person to find a twig to snap deep within the halls of a mausoleum .  

He followed the feeling of magic. It was not strong like he would have expected from a foe, but it was getting more and more palpable the further he moved down the hall. He suddenly found himself wishing he had had the foresight to at least put some pants on should this be an encounter that ends with fighting. Still, he pressed onwards. What if Ora had found herself in trouble? He would never forgive himself if she came to harm just because he ran back to the tent to grab clothing. He covered the glowing orb of glass with his other hand, dimming the light as he peered into a long, windowless room and crouched to hide behind an overturned table near the entrance despite his knees’ protestations.

He heard the unmistakable sound of a bowstring being pulled but couldn’t make out the person pulling it - they were too far away, it was too dark for his eyes. He would remain hidden for now.

That’s when he saw it - a brilliant crack of energy surrounding what he now knew to be an arrow, or rather, what used to be an arrow. It quickly became a bolt of lightning as it sailed across the room, and he heard loud cheering from the archer. Wait - he recognized that cheer! Ora! She was practicing a new spell and got it on her own. Pride filled his heart as he watched the lightning arrow pierce a makeshift target…and watched as the target exploded upon impact. His pride quickly turned to horror when he realized that he was way too close to the target to escape impact with both the lightning and the destruction of the target. He threw up a quick Shield to block the majority of the blast but was still hit with a small tendril of lightning across his shin. Not enough to do major damage, but it stung like the hells. 

The cheering stopped abruptly. The orb he used to light his path had rolled away from him in the blast, giving him away as it came to a halt a couple feet away from him.  

“Who is there?” She called out. She was now so close, he hadn’t even heard her move. Gods, she was amazing. He was sure her darkvision would be able to easily pick him out of the darkness now, so he raised his hand in an awkward wave. 

“Just me,” he said. 

“Gale! What are you - why are you here? Why aren’t you wearing pants? Are you hurt?” She grabbed his orb of light and crouched down in front of him, running her hands over him, checking for injuries. Realization crossed her face, replaced quickly by guilt. “You woke up and I wasn’t there. You thought I went off alone to fight - that I was taken over with my dark thoughts again.”

She grimaced when she saw the burned skin on his leg. “And I managed to hurt you.”

“Ora it’s ok! It’s nothing really, just a little lightning. I’ll be fine - I don’t even want to use a potion for it.” He smiled, overcome by emotion as he placed both hands on her cheeks, looking into her eyes.  “I’m so proud of you. You cast a spell on your own! When this injury scars, it will be a constant reminder of your strength, your determination, your abilities, my love.”

He pulled her to him, wrapping his arms around her for a tight hug. “Your spellcasting was beautiful. Though I have to ask, as a scholar of course,” he added as a quick aside, “What do you think made this spell so much easier for you to get on your own? You haven’t been working on it outside of tonight, have you?” 

She pulled back and looked at him. Even in the dim light shining from the orb, she was radiant. The first day he saw her when she pulled him out of that portal he thought she was one of the most beautiful people he had ever seen. Now, looking at her after all their trials, all their hardships so far? No one could ever hope to compare to her. She was so beautiful, yes - but also strong, courageous, and open. He never thought he could love someone as much as he loved her right now, and he knew he could never love someone this much ever again.

“I thought of you,” she said with a smile.  

“Of me?” He let out a laugh. That wasn’t what he was expecting to hear. Spellwork took study and careful practice, clearing the mind, and focusing on the Weave itself. At least, for wizards it did. 

She laughed and poked him in the ribs playfully. “Is that so hard to believe? I am not a wizard, obviously, and I don’t get what little magic I am able to command directly from the Weave. I took everything you’ve taught me - practicing the incantations, centering myself, clearing my mind. Just as usual. It wasn’t working, just as usual. And then I thought of you, and I could feel the magic in the air around me, waiting for me to reach out and use it. The first time was weak, just a few sparks. The second time…well you saw it. And then got the brunt of it,” she laughed, leaning back into his chest, wrapping her arms around his waist.

He smiled softly at that. “Wrong place, absolutely the right time. I am so, so proud of you. I cannot overstate that. You have come so far since our conversation on that overlook all those weeks ago, before we even entered the Underdark,” he said, placing a gentle kiss on the top of her head. 

“Would you like to practice some more, or do you feel like you could get back to sleep for a few hours? Morning is still a ways away,” he asked, lacing his fingers between hers. 

“I think I’m awake for the day. I’m too excited to go to sleep now,” she smiled up at him, lightly running her thumb across his knuckles. “You should get more sleep though. I’ll go back with you to camp to help bandage your leg. I should have a salve for burns in my pack in my tent…but first, do you want to see me shoot a couple more lightning arrows?” She stood up, holding out her hand for him. 

“I would love to.” He took her outstretched hand, standing up and dusting off the rubble that had landed on him during the explosion. “From a safe distance of course,” he laughed.

[acapelladitty]

Edward Nygma/Reader - Mating Press

Summary - Edward discovers a new position he wants to try and you're more than willing to indulge him. (Also includes aftercare.)

Your knees practically touching your ears, the stretch of your limbs would be almost impossible to bear if it wasn’t for the distraction of the animated face which sat only a few inches above your own, his emerald gaze pinning you into place with a greater ease than his body ever could.

“You take my cum so well, sweetheart.” Edward growls, his surprisingly powerful thighs flexing against your own as he ruts his cock deep within your hole. It was a new position for you both, your back pressing roughly against the cheap rug which he had thrown to the floor to save you from the cold stone.

It was a double-edged sword, as the cheap fabric only served to irritate the abused flesh of your back, the skin there heated and raised from the flogger which he had spent minutes striking you with as he forced you to swallow his cock as deeply as possible.

His shock of auburn hair has fallen across his sweat-slicked features and the only thing preventing you from pushing it from the deep lines of his forehead, a result of his intense focus, is the death grip you have on his back – your fingers digging into the wiry muscle there with every punishing thrust.

The stretch of his cock is delicious as it reams you out without mercy, every inch being easily pressed inside your fluttering hole as his groin slaps against your own.

“Yes.” You whimper out, not trusting your voice to be much louder. “Yes! Please, Edward, I-” You cut yourself off as his cock brushes a spot which makes your breath catch in your throat.

“Tell me what you want.” He demands, uncaring of your pleasant distress, his hips rolling as his thumb slips up to brush against your clit. “I want to hear it.”

“Fill me up! Fuck me! Breed me like you own me, like I’m a whore.”

“Whose whore? Who owns you? Who’s the only one to fuck you like this?” Every question is punctuated by a harsh thrust, punishing and fulfilling all in one as your toes curl and your spine arches off the rug.

“Yours, Eddie! Only yours.” You scream out as his thumb drags a senseless pattern across your clit, the added sensation almost too much to bear.

His grin is smug, quickly broadening by the arousal which stutters his cock as fresh heat floods deep within your hole – his release meeting the demands you had made of him.

x-x-x-x-x

The waves of nausea which threatened your throat burned the sensitive skin which was already bruised from Edward’s earlier use as he thrust his cock within your throat – his harsh use blocking the delicate passageway as you writhed and bucked beneath him. Your hands are quick to reach for the side the bed, allowing the feeling to pass as you hang your head over the edge before falling back onto your side.

You are there less than a moment before warm arms scoop around your side to pull you within them, snatching you close to his body as Edward presses your back flush to his exposed chest. The movement is gentle, but it still ignites a shudder as the skin, still reddened and raw by his earlier use of the flogger, is once again disturbed.

“Would you like some cream?” Edward’s voice is mellow in your ear, soothing and calm and an easy anchor for you to latch on to as you suffer the comedown of your heightened activities.

You pull away enough to alleviate the discomfort of your skin and curl your feet within his own to keep that physical touch which you both craved. “Yeah.” You answer. “But only in a minute. I want to – want to stay like this. For a while.”

His hum is one of understanding and, although you can’t see him, the warmth of his hand as it settled gently on your hip is all the comfort you need.

[bigsoftmarshmallow]

Omg, i've ben super quiet cuz this monday i got SUPER sick, im talking about fever, vomiting, coughing, etc- NOW THAT IM BETTER, i have to say that part of my way of coping was to imagine some of my faves taking care of me, and since i just love asking you about ganondorf... Could you do a "How would ganondorf take care of their sick SO?" It doesnt have to be all of them, just ur fave gan would do :3

I WAS WONDERING WHERE YOU WENT-

I am so glad you are doing better hun! Sounds like you had a rough go of it. TxT *strong hug* I do the same thing when Im sickly too! Just daydreaming of being taken care of by my favorites <3

I will be happy to do all of them! If you are curious who my favorites are, its all of them, but I do have a special place for Tears of the Kingdom Ganondorf and Hyrule Warriors Ganondorf.

Demise bullied his way back into the asks again I'm sorry I couldnt stop him YOU try telling the original demon king no-

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

Wind Waker Ganondorf

Approach: Wind Waker Ganondorf would be deeply concerned but might struggle with expressing his compassion due to his pride and demeanor. He would try to take control of the situation, often in his own commanding way.

Care:

Commanding Efficiency: He’d immediately summon the best healers and medicinal experts available to tend to his SO.

Intense Focus: He’d be intensely focused on ensuring every possible remedy and treatment is utilized, leaving little to chance.

Pragmatic Comfort: Despite his often stoic demeanor, he’d offer practical comfort, like ensuring the room is at the right temperature and his SO has everything they need.

Stubborn Vigil: He’d likely stay by their side, albeit in a rather stiff manner, often pacing or checking in frequently.

Scene: Ganondorf stands by the bedside, watching as the healers administer treatments. His face is a mask of concern and frustration. "This fever must break soon. Ensure that everything is done to bring their temperature down."

Ocarina of Time Ganondorf

Approach: Ocarina of Time Ganondorf would be deeply distressed and might find it hard to mask his anxiety. He’d be fiercely protective and would insist on taking an active role in their care, driven by both love and a need to control the situation.

Care:

Intense Focus: He’d want to oversee every aspect of their care, from the medicine to the room environment.

Emotional Turmoil: His usually imposing demeanor would soften considerably, revealing his deep worry and vulnerability.

Protective Measures: He’d likely set up wards or magical barriers around the sickroom to prevent any additional disturbances.

Soothing Presence: While he might struggle to comfort them with words, he’d be there physically, often holding their hand or keeping vigil.

Scene: Ganondorf sits beside the bed, his face lined with concern. "Rest now. I will make sure nothing disturbs you. The healers have been instructed to do whatever it takes."

Twilight Princess Ganondorf

Approach: Twilight Princess Ganondorf would approach their illness with a mix of determination and a softer side not often seen. He would be both practical and surprisingly gentle.

Care:

Gentle Attention: He would be attentive to their needs, showing a more nurturing side, ensuring they are comfortable and well taken care of.

Healing Focus: He’d utilize both traditional remedies and any dark magic that could help alleviate their symptoms.

Calm Presence: His usual intimidating presence would be replaced by a calm, reassuring demeanor, as he works to ease their discomfort.

Restful Environment: He’d ensure the room is as soothing as possible, perhaps with soft lighting and calming sounds.

Scene: Ganondorf carefully adjusts the blankets, his gaze soft as he looks at his sick partner. "You should rest. I’ll handle everything. Just focus on getting better."

Hyrule Warriors Ganondorf

Approach: Hyrule Warriors Ganondorf would handle their illness with a combination of efficiency and pragmatism, while also showing a genuine concern for their well-being.

Care:

Decisive Actions: He’d quickly implement a plan for their care, coordinating with healers and gathering any necessary supplies.

Strategic Comfort: He would ensure they have everything needed to be comfortable, from the right medications to a properly arranged room.

Occasional Softness: Despite his normally stern demeanor, he’d show occasional glimpses of worry and tenderness.

Organized Vigil: He’d likely keep a detailed log of their symptoms and treatments to monitor their progress.

Scene: Ganondorf paces the room, checking on the various treatments being administered. He stops beside the bed, looking at his partner with a rare, concerned expression. "You will get through this. I’ll make sure of it."

Tears of the Kingdom Ganondorf

Approach: Tears of the Kingdom Ganondorf would be deeply invested in their recovery, driven by a mix of frustration and worry. His approach would be meticulous and attentive.

Care:

Detailed Care: He would ensure every possible remedy is used, from modern medicines to any ancient or magical treatments.

Intense Focus: His focus would be on their complete recovery, often obsessing over every detail of their care.

Compassionate Commands: While his manner might still be commanding, it would be clear he’s deeply concerned, often issuing orders with a softer edge.

Personal Attention: He’d personally attend to them as much as possible, offering both practical help and emotional support.

Scene: Ganondorf stands at the edge of the bed, his face showing rare vulnerability. "This illness will not defeat you. I will see to it personally that every measure is taken to ensure your recovery."

Demise

Approach: Demise would be highly focused on their well-being, though his approach would be driven by a mix of his intense personality and genuine concern. His manner would be a complex blend of harshness and care.

Care:

Diligent Care: He would seek out the most effective treatments, ensuring that his SO is given the best possible care.

Dominant Protection: While he might be overbearing, his actions would stem from a genuine desire to see them recover.

Dark Magic: He might use his dark powers to aid in their healing or to create a more comfortable environment, though this would be done carefully to avoid further harm.

Unwavering Vigil: He’d stay by their side, often watching over them with an intense, almost intimidating presence.

Scene: Demise stands close by the bed, his expression fierce yet concerned. "You will not succumb to this. I will see to it that you are healed, no matter the cost. Rest now; I will handle everything else."

In each case, their reactions and methods reflect their personalities, with a blend of their characteristic traits and their deep care for their significant other.

[dreamerofvalyria]

Son of Zmei | Fae AU | Nikto x F!Reader | Part 2.

Overview: Nikto confronts Mr. Petrov & Reader gets a visitor who drops some new information.

A/N: Second part babyyyyy! I’m on a roll now. Shorter than the last part, but the next one should be a bit longer. Continuation of my little Nikto fic based on the Fae AU by @ghouljams​

Warnings: Murder, Arson.

Series Masterlist: Here

CoD Masterlist: Here

Prev Part | Next Part

The man kneeling at Nikto’s feet is quivering like a leaf in the breeze, head pressed to the floor in a deeply exaggerated bow. It does little to quell the simmering rage that burns just under his skin, leaving him to huff out a plume of smoke in his agitation. Clearly, this pathetic excuse for a human doesn’t understand what kind of situation he’s in.  

“Mighty Zmei, forgive me for failing you,” the irritating cretin pleads, “allow me to try again, I can do better!”

He can’t help the growl that rumbles out of him, one of his lips curling to show off his pointed canine. “You offered a life, willingly given, in exchange for your own,” he hisses, starting to circle the human, “you think I cannot take a human if I desire one?” Petrov jumps at his sharp tone, mouth opening and closing silently.  

“O-Of course not, I-”

“You think I am a fool? You would try to deceive me? To break your word by offering the life of another who has not agreed?” His words get louder with each passing syllable, sharp teeth now on full display in a horrifying snarl.  

“Never, All Powerful Zmei! I could never hope to trick someone so wise!” the coward grovels, stinking of fear.  

The black shepherd dog snaps it’s jaws at the man’s face and the raven, perched on one of the chairs, caws angrily. The animals are growing restless at the clear disrespectful behaviour of the human, goading Nikto into action. “We have given you a chance to repay us, the deal is off.”  

It seems Petrov has some spine, for the man straightens, “merciful Zmei, to throw away the years of work I have dedicated to you, it would-it would be foolish!”

The heads of all three dark figures, man, bird and dog, all snap to glare at the human. “We are no fool!” their voices join together, speaking as one entity. Their bodies have begun to shift, twisted and drawing together, the lines between the three different creatures growing blurred. “We require your services no longer.”  

Minutes later, Nikto, the dog and the raven stand together in the street. They watch as the house belonging to Petrov burns steadily, flames casting dancing shadows across the nearby houses. The smoke does not bother them, nor the heat.  

Eventually, they turn to leave.  

The raven flies off ahead, while the man and dog walk. “Return to the female. She is oblivious, too fragile to be near so many Fae,” he spits the word in disgust.  

“Would such a weak creature be a suitable mate?” the dog replies, an exact copy of Nikto’s voice.  

He simply snorts, “we are strong enough for the two of us,” he says simply. The two part ways, Nikto to return to their home and the dog to return to his duty protecting their newest prize.  

When the sun rises, you wake with a large, furry body pressed up against you. It startles you, until you recall the events of yesterday. You had been exhausted after returning home, emotionally and physically drained from needing to walk so far back to your home after enduring such a terrifying encounter. The dog had refused to leave when you’d tried to shoo it away and, reluctantly, you decided to allow the canine into your home.  

It would be wrong for you to abandon the poor dog after it had followed you all the way back to your house. The man who owned him was a creep, but you couldn’t find it in you to leave an innocent dog out in the street where anything could happen to it.  

The dog in question wriggles about slightly to get comfortable, kicking you with big paws while whining loudly. Clearly, he was unhappy with you disturbing his rest, because he rolls over, putting his back to you with a rather dramatic sigh. It’s admittedly rather adorable, even if you don’t recall inviting the animal into your bed. The blanket you’d put on the floor for him is untouched, clearly not good enough for the massive ball of black fur.  

“You need to go home, buddy,” you mumble, stroking the animal’s silky fur. You know it’s not safe to have an unknown dog in your home at all, let alone sharing your bed, but you get the feeling you aren’t in any real danger.  

This thought is confirmed when the dog turns its head to try and nose at your fingers, offering them a small lick.  

When you finally gather the strength needed to get out of bed, the dog is more than happy to follow after you, hopping down from the mattress and onto the floor with a loud thump. It treks through the house, patiently watching while you complete your morning routine.  

You don’t have any dog food in the house, so you offer him some leftovers from your dinner a few nights ago after ensuring there isn’t anything poisonous to dogs in it. He doesn’t seem to mind the food, snapping it up at rapid speed.  

Not needing to be at work (and not planning on going back), you’re sitting comfortably on the living room couch, a warm drink in hand, while your canine companion takes up the rest of the couch. You had attempted to tell him not to climb on the cushions, not wanting dog hair shedding all over everything, but your words fell on deaf ears. So now, you sit on the furthermost cushion with the dog resting its huge head on your thigh.  

After a little bit of Googling on your phone, you believe you’ve figured out what breed the dog is. He’s huge and fluffy, clearly built for a cold climate and likely a livestock guardian dog of some kind. It took a while, but you managed to narrow it down to a Caucasian shepherd thanks to the abundance of pictures on Google Images.  

He’s sweet, but you’re not sure you’d be able to afford to feed such a huge dog, especially now you’re abandoning your job. It would be best for you to drop the dog off at the local vet. He’s probably microchipped, and if not, you’re sure they’ll be able to track the owner down. Such a huge dog is probably fairly memorable to someone who will know how to find his owner.  

You’re startled from your peaceful morning by a knocking at your door.  

The dog leaps to his feet, scampering to the front door with a snarl on his face. He starts barking, pacing back and forth. You’re a little anxious to try and get between the dog and the door, but he thankfully seems to back off once you draw close.  

When you pull the door open, you’re met by a police officer. “Good morning, miss,” the man seems anxious, glancing warily at the massive dog growling at him from behind you.  

“Hi,” you greet slowly, unsure, “is there something I can help you with?”

After confirming your identity, the man sighs softly, offering you a sympathetic smile, “I’m very sorry, but I’m here to inform you that your employer, Mister Petrov unfortunately passed away last night.” You blink at that, swallowing nervously, but the man must not notice, for he continues, “there was a fire at his apartment block.”  

“Oh... that’s horrible...” you’re not sure how to respond to that, stunned.  

Were you responsible for what happened? Was the strange, masked man, Nikto, responsible? A nervous sweat breaks out across your forehead.  

“A lawyer will be around shortly to discuss the assets afforded to you.”

“The assets?” you asks.  

“Ah, yes, it appears Mister Petrov left you some of his assets in his will, miss,” the officer smiles, oblivious to your internal battle. He offers you a brief farewell that you numbly return before leaving you once more to your own devices.  

The dog offers you a bark, nudging at your side when you continue to stare after the officer’s retreating form, snapping you out of your stupor. With a deep sigh, you step back into your home and close the door. You gently lean your head against the door, taking a moment to collect yourself.  

When you turn around, the dog is staring at you intensely.  

“What?” you ask him with a snort, as though he could actually respond to you.  

“You are a strange human,” the dog says.  

You faint on the spot.  

[kylejsugarman]

I don't ask this to be voyeuristic or anything, but do you think that Jesse was SA'd in captivity? The Nazis obviously liked to torture and humiliate him purely for sadistic reasons, I don't see them drawing a line on that. And if you also believe that, how do you think it would effect him on recovery in Alaska? I can see him developing not maybe an outright fear, but certainly an unease about being around only men.

ive had this ask in my inbox for a long time now, not because i find it offensive or anything but because i genuinely dont have a good answer for it. like do i find it realistic and definitely plausible given the onscreen and implied torture and the nazis' intensely dehumanizing treatment of jesse?? of course, and i totally understand why its such a widely accepted ""headcanon"" (i genuinely dont think ive read an aftermath fic that doesnt at least allude to sexual abuse being part of jesse's time in captivity). and for the most part this potential aspect of his enslavement is treated with gravitas and respect, at least in this corner of the "fandom", but part of me always withdraws a little when it comes to talking about this possibility because of how much of a joke it became. throughout the show, jesse is treated the same way that female characters are treated by the main male characters. he is a femme fatale, he is the helen of troy, he is the other woman. and he's maligned, abused, and uniquely exploited by the male characters for these "feminine" traits. i think for some people, this reading of his character became so prominent that they automatically presumed that jesse would be sexually terrorized by the nazis in the same way that u would assume that a vulnerable young woman kidnapped by a gang of cruel, sadistic men would be brutalized. this makes sense in the context of the story, its themes, and his characters, but some of the interpretations of this "offscreen plot point" just make me squirm. there are the people who make straight-up jokes about it, particularly about todd and his weird chummy possessiveness of jesse; these range from flat-out homophobic to just weirdly romantic, and it always sucks to see tbh. and some people don't really Joke about it and do treat it with some sobriety, but they present it as a like. Necessary component of jesse's story. like it wasn't enough that jesse was physically, emotionally, and psychologically tortured, he needed to Also be sexually tortured to fully atone for his transgressions during the show and earn his "happy" ending. there's this attitude that jesse needed to experience the absolute peak of suffering and be completely dehumanized in every sense of the word to "deserve" to escape and survive, or else he didn't "learn his lesson". people usually don't State this sentiment outright, but it is deeply implied in a lot of discussion of the presumed sexual assault and it really disturbs me. why is sexual torture, particularly sodomy (which is almost always the described method of torture), the most "dehumanizing" of the abuse catalogued and why does jesse have to pass this set rubicon of suffering to earn our sympathy and a second chance??

none of this is to say that believing or speculating that jesse was sexually abused in captivity is wrong or bad or like morally dubious at all. when push comes to shove, i think he probably was, but it's just not something that i personally want to discuss at length the same way i do his emotional or physical traumas because of personal experiences. and this being my response to ur ask is also in no way me condemning it or u for sending it: i really appreciate u asking in a respectful manner and genuinely just wanting to talk about this aspect of jesse's experience as it relates to his recovery. i think since i didnt feel comfortable answering ur questions on a character analysis level, i just used this opportunity to vent some frustrations about the overall presentation and perception of this specific thing. but for real, thanks for the ask and i hope my points here come across!!

[techramonic]

"Why do you like studying crime cases?"

For context, I study crime using psychoanalysis. An example is Columbine and other similar cases. You may think that I write to understand the narrative thoroughly. That it's a hyperfixation or an interest. That is true to an extent, but for the first time, I will be honest and go beyond the neutral nature of my writing.

I analyze and study crime cases to see humanity. As a guy who is in humanities and aspires to take up humanistic anthropology in the future, I have to understand humanity.

What is humanity? Is it the good or bad? People often focus on and idealize one side of the perspective, leading to a distorted and extreme perception shaping what their view of it is. It's either the angelic, idealized picture that humanity is only being "good", which disturbs others when there is badness, or the idealized picture of "bad", where it is destruction itself and cannot be transcended into something more than just that. Humanity in itself, objectively, is a mere concept. It's an ideology formed and constructed by our own perceptions and pragmatic approaches. What is good and bad? We are only influenced by the things we have made up and we are so entertwined with it that we cannot see past it.

To me, humanity is everything. It is complex, all-encompassing, and balanced. We have to acknowledge that while it is innately good, there is an equal opposite bad it is attached to. It is not a concept fixed on one side of the vast spectrum where you should ignore the other. To be human is to be gentle and cruel. To create and destroy. To feel emotions clawing down your veins and tear you apart; this is not monstrosity, but humanity. It is to be the digusting and to be the disgusted. We can never be one thing.

What is inhumane is the visceral reaction and actions some develop to cope with not understanding their own humanity — it is the rejection of anything that does not match our ideals of what it means to be human, leading to the belief where existence is nothing because of no belivable perception of the concept of "humanity." They don't know whether they are human because they only see the ugly, but humanity is ugly. That's the tragic reality. With beauty, there is also ugliness. You are not less human, or not human at all, for feeling your emotions so deeply. You are not evil because anger does not come from evil but from mistreatment.

What is inhumane is to dismiss human emotion and look away from people's unconventional and destructive ways of coping, reducing it to "shockingly weird" behavior that should be shunned and shamed. Dehumanizing someone for having a view is a reaction born out of the humanity that disturbs you. No one is a monster because if that were true, then everyone would be a monster. Humanity includes monstrosity. Ultimately, if we label anyone as such, we must accept that everyone embodies it, as humanity itself includes both good and bad.

You may say, "wow, that's really empathetic," and that's what you need to be to be able to understand these cases and people. Not in a way where you glorify them or justify their actions but a way where you are able to understand that their flaws are the reflection of their environments and society in itself. That their traumas explain their behavior, but that does not mean it's excusable. There's a fine line you should not blur. To understand is NOT to excuse. To understand is to put your bias aside and view the individual in all aspects – good and bad, comfortable and disturbing, human and inhumane. It is to view the true rationality of all things.

[ssreeder]

oh my god. oh my goodness fucking gracious me.

so I just have to tell you that I found your fic this morning and I fucking SPEEDED through that shit (even though it was SO long--IM NOT COMPLAINING I LOVE LONG FICS) but oh my god. oh my god

you're so talented??? first of all, like I'm on my knees wondering where all this came from. like you came up with this?? it was in your head?? and you wrote it by yourself? oh my god reSPECT

also it's so beautifully written‼️‼️ I went back and looked at the character development and the everything because good lord it was so well paced. like I was on the edge of my bed seat during every single chapter. good lord

zukka + all of ATLA is my current hyperfixation and your fic has soothed me so completely

jesus christ on a cracker do you understand how talented you are?? do you *grabs you aggressively by the shoulders and stares deeply into your eyes* DO YOU UNDERSTAND HOW INCREDIBLE AND SKILLFUL AND GORGEOUS THIS IS??? PLEASE

okay but in all seriousness, here are some of my favorite lines(mostly from the last chapter because jesus fuck I do nOT have time to scroll back through everything your wrote):

"And here he was, all these years later… not used to it. He knew he would never get used to the blood curdling scream a person made when the fire stripped their body clean and their bones were reduced to nothing but a pile of ash and a terrible smell.

No wonder the world referred to them as ash-makers."

Jesus fucking fuck. CHILLS BBY I HAD CHILLS

"Watch out for your little brother" OHOHOHO HEHEEEE

"'Your teacher will be someone who has mastered Neutral Jing. You need to find someone who waits and listens before striking. Do not worry about your old friend Aang, he isn’t buried in the ground yet!' Bumi cackled the way that he had since they were just kids.

...

'The white lotus Pai Sho piece? I don’t have a set, no one else knows how to play.'"

AHAHAH THE TOPH AND UNCLE IROH DROP IM GOING TO BE SICK

"I'll go wherever you go." KILLING MYSELF WHY ARE THEY SO SWEET

anyway that's enough from me (I feel like you should know I typed all of this while either rolling around on the floor screaming or sitting very still with a DEEPLY disturbing (so I'm told) and very somber expression on my face).

i hope you have a lovely day you gorgeous beautiful perfect human being

This is me reading your ask… dude wtf this is so nice!!!!

I AM BEING SHOULDER GRABBED WITH LOVE AND I REALLY LIKE IT AHHHHH!!! its so funny because its been so long since i wrote the first book you sent me those quotes and im like uhhhuhhh ohhh yeah mhmmmm wait i wrote that?? Haha (except the “watch out for your little brother”) cause that was twisted in a way that made me smirk.. haha that sentence meant so much!!! (I do think the bumi quote was directly from canon though so I take zero credit for that just trying to keep it canon haha)

I’m glad you like my writing enough to come scream at me. I love when people scream kind words at me I WANT TO BE SHOULDER GRABBED WITH PRAISE MORE AHHHHH!!!

thanks for this epic ask you’re fucking amazing never change

[kerrikins]

About Build & Poi's statements

I have so many thoughts and I think it will take awhile for me to sort through them and be able to put them down coherently on paper. I've felt a lot of emotions since January, perhaps the most I've ever felt in any fandom, ever. Shock, doubt, frustration, grief, rage, confusion, relief.

The statements have been posted at both Build and Poi's IGs and Twitter accounts, though I kind of assume that everyone has seen them by now. I have thoughts on what was in them and what they mean but for now I'm waiting for everything to be completely finalized.

In the meantime, though..

This applies to all sides when I say that the lines cutting through this fandom may as well be chasms at this point and I think that's horrendous and horrible in a lot of ways for a show brought to us by a company/cast of people who care about each other deeply. It's at the point where even within the various ships there are deep fractures and the literal insanity going on within ALL of the ships etc is downright disturbing. MA fans hating on BBB fans. M fans hating A fans and vice versa, and the same thing going on for BBB and Jeff & Code. Ghost shippers going to war with fans of actual pairings. All of it is nuts.

It's become clear to me that so much of the hate that's surfaced during Biu's case has been driven by what is, at its roots, shipping culture and wars among stans for the individual cast members. So much of it hasn't really been about feminism or victims at all, and yet it seems like there's so much silence about it or 'oh that's just Twitter' - it's not. I've seen it pretty much everywhere I've gone in the fandom, from Twitter to Reddit to here. And even if it is 'just Twitter' - there are still people behind those keyboards and the 'support' that's really just weird projections and using these men who are mostly incredibly kind and talented as fodder for hate and constant toxicity is... sad.

The last few months has really shaken me in terms of making me take a second look at how society and the internet have started reacting to cases of this nature. I said this earlier on twitter but I really feel like 'trust, but verify' has become 'trust and vilify' - and that is not okay. First, because it's wrong, and second because it is so incredibly detrimental to future cases like this due to the inevitable backlash.

I'm so incredibly disappointed at the lack of discussion that has existed on here, elsewhere on social media, and in the news since the initial blow up. From the phone call to the apologies to the incredibly concerning actions she took last week, none of it got the same level of coverage that the initial posts in January did and in my opinion there's a huge problem with that. Supporting victims should NOT mean 'well, we're just not going to discuss anything else that comes out'. There should be room for us to look at an issue from all angles and consider everything. There should be room for us to be able to speak up and ask questions without it being shut down as a lack of support or victim blaming. It shouldn't be wrong to just have a genuine *conversation*, and by that I mean conversation and not just poorly disguised passive aggressive jabs (and that goes for everyone).

There needs to be a true middle ground and I feel like we haven't found a way to balance that, yet. Not just the fandom or people on tumblr, but society in general.

I have more thoughts about how this entire case has gone, but those will wait.

For now I'm just relieved that we at least have this out of the way and can keep moving forward.

[wonderfulworldofmichaelford]

Psycho Analysis: Judge Claude Frollo

(WARNING! This analysis contains SPOILERS!)

The Disney Renaissance was home to some of Disney’s greatest villains. Scar, Ursula, Gaston, Jafar… The films from 1989 to 1999 all redefined what it meant to be an animated antagonist. But while there were many great villains during that time, one in particular managed to be regarded as one of the darkest and most terrifying villains in the entire Disney Animated Canon: Claude Frollo, the sinister minist—er, judge who serves as the main villain of The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

The man is heavily entwined with the more complex themes of the movie as well as a lot more cold and vicious than one might expect from the company that brought you Mickey Mouse, but what exactly is it that makes him such a great villain? Well, read on, because I try my best to explain it.

Motivation/Goals: Frollo is a horrible, bigoted prie—er, judge who wants nothing more than to totally eradicate all of the filthy Romani from Paris in the name of the Lord. Unfortunately, he ends up falling hard for one of them, Esmeralda, after watching her do a saucy dance routine. From there, Frollo is consumed by a single-minded lust for the woman that drives his actions, with his conflicted feelings on the matter leading him to blame her for giving him sinful thoughts and determining that all of Paris needs to burn because he is… well… he’s a

I get a lot of mileage out of that gif.

Performance: Tony Jay was picked specifically for this due to his memorable bit role in Beauty and the Beast, and boy does he manage to prove that that was the best decision Disney could have made. His naturally magnificent voice lends Frollo the class, dignity, and intimidation it deserves. One could even say that Dr. Lipschitz is off his shits for this one.

Final Fate: As he attempts to slice through a gargoyle and sent Quasimodo and Esmeralda tumbling to their dooms, he loses his footing and ends up clinging to his gargoyle for dear life. Said gargoyle comes alive, breaks off, and sends Frollo hurtling into a river of fire below, which ends up being a pretty spot on interpretation of his attempted one-liner: “And he shall smite the wicked and plunge them into the fiery pit!” With this in mind, it’s pretty easy to interpret what happened to him as karmic divine intervention—Whether you think it’s God Himself, the spirit of Notre Dame, or something else entirely enacting it upon him is up to interpretation, and ultimately unimportant. What matters is he didn’t go to heaven where the angels fly; he fell in a lake of fire and fried. And we definitely won’t see him again on the 4th of July.

Best Scene: It is really not even a contest here. “Hellfire” is without a doubt the greatest Disney villain song ever made (and maybe even the best villain song period) and is a prime showcase of Frollo’s internal struggles and motivations, so of course it is his best scene.

Best Quote: When finally he has Esmeralda at his mercy near the film’s end, he echoes a line from “Hellfire” and says ”Choose me or your pyre.” It’s such an unsettling line that really highlights how deep into his lustful entitlement Frollo has fallen, and what’s more these words echo the real life sentiments of certain disturbed individuals. It’s a truly timeless villain quote in that regard;there are men who would rather a woman die than not be with them, unfortunately, and Frollo is the poster child for that brand of manchild.

Final Thoughts & Score: At the start of the movie, Chopin asks, “Who is the monster, and who is the man?” in regards to Quasimodo and Frollo. While the answer is fairly obvious even just after the opening number—Frollo attempts infanticide after murdering a woman, after all—the way the movie goes about expounding in the two characters in a way that explores this question is deeply fascinating.

Frollo is an incel to put even Gaston to shame. Almost immediately after seeing Esmeralda for the first time, he begins to obsessively lust for her, but his bigotry and zealotry leads him to condemn her because he’s unable to get a grip on his emotions. He ends up being the latter extreme of the Madonna-Whore Complex, contrasting Quasimodo as the opposite extreme. It should come as no shock that Quasi picked up some negative traits from the guy who raised him, but thanks to being a supremely nice guy his incel traits manifest as venerating a caricatured ideal of Esmeralda rather than condemning. There’s a reason the end of “Heaven’s Light” segues right into the start of “Hellfire;” both men have toxic views of Esmeralda, objectifying her in opposite yet equal ways.

It is how they deal with these toxic mindsets that ultimately resolved the question posited at the start, as well as cementing Frollo as one of the darkest villains Disney has ever done. Quasimodo, while not happy at being rejected, still cares for Esmeralda and does all he can to help her, culminating in him saving her from being burned at the stake. His experiences lead to him accepting Esmeralda and Phoebus as couple gracefully, shedding away his toxic mindset. This ends up reaffirming his humanity, earning him the adoration of Paris and the end to the loneliness he’d experienced for so long; he is the man.

Frollo, on the other hand, deals with rejection by going on a racist, genocidal rampage against the Romani, setting the city ablaze simply because his perverse affections aren’t reciprocated. This culminates with him offering Esmeralda either death or to give in to his advances, and when rejected conclusively he doubles down on his murderous rampage, which ultimately leads to his doom. His inability to see Esmeralda as a complex human being instead of an object to lust after, an inability brought on by his own bigoted views, is what ultimately peeled away his humanity and revealed him as he truly was: A monster.

And Frollo is a monster in a very resonant, chilling way. In this day and age, we see people like Frollo all the time. They’re in our schools, seething when the girl they like rejects them for another; they’re on the internet, spewing misogynistic bile because they can’t get dates; they’re in our churches, preaching intolerance to their mass while desperately trying to bury their own sins; and they’re in our government, using their power to oppress and demoralize those with less power than them. “Choose me or your pyre” is the sort of attitude you see in the incels who end up on the news for committing or planning to commit atrocities.

And this is what makes it so good and cathartic to see him fall. We want people like him in real life to face the consequences of their actions, and we can only wish that said consequences are falling into a river of molten lava. It ends up being all the sweeter if you interpret his fall as being an act of God, as mentioned above.

Tony Jay apparently described his role as Frollo as his “bid for immortality,” and it’s safe to say he succeeded. He pretty much singlehandedly elevated the film he’s in so far above its flaws that it’s astounding and proved to the Disney Renaissance, all while giving us a villain song more incredible than any seen before or since. Thank God I’m doing fractions now, because this man deserves a 10.5/10. He’s not quite an 11 because I wouldn’t call Frollo one of the most important and influential villains in the vein of, say, Darth Vader, Count Orlok, or Fu Manchu, but he’s still a cut above the rest when it comes to villains. He’s easily the second most incredible antagonist Disney has ever made, and the only flaw he has is that you don’t get to personally beat his ass in Dream Drop Distance, which is especially bad since he straight up racially profiles Sora before immediately calling him a slur.