#Which is true? Each one is true to the run it’s in

[alwaysobsessed777]

Based this request off the pictures of Nika flexing at the top of your profile, plus the pictures she’s posted working out and then that video of her doing leg exercises and her quads looking insane- Nika’s girlfriend just being a simp for Nika and how strong, hot and beautiful she is but also being funny and telling her that Paige has bigger muscles than her now (which honestly might be true lol)

2 HANDS - N.M.

I honestly think I write for nika the best....idk what that's about

Back at the shared dorm rooms of the UConn women's basketball team, I laid on the couch waiting for my girlfriend to come back. None of the team really cared that was constantly around. Honestly, they probably enjoyed the fact that when I was around, Nika wasn't getting on to them about something.

My phone was starting to become boring, but at the last second, a edit of Nika popped up. The edit flowing with whatever song was trending on tiktok at the moment. The clips showing Nika frustrated or just looking fine.

As the video played over and over again, the sound of keys jiggling into the keyhole made me jump up. The door opening in a second.

"I mea-Babe....you okay?" Nika stopped mid conversation to ask me, my nervous state more obvious than I'd like. Her strides quick and determined as she made her way to me. Her hands holding my arms as she looked me in the eyes.

"uh...yeah...yep," I could hear the faint sound of the music playing over and over again in the back. My nerved sky rocketing as Nika grabbed my phone.

"holy shit..." her eyes seemed to light up a little, "you were watching edits of me."

Paige snickered, "she couldn't help herself, thinking of you at the gym and everything, twin!"

Heat rose to my cheeks, "I...i wasn't watching edits. It just so happened to come on as you came home." Paige mention of the gym made my thoughts run back to what Nika looked like there. Sweating, muscles popping, a shiver ran down my spine.

"Sure, bebo." She rolled her eyes, handing me my phone back. "Couldn't help but think of these bad boys, huh?" As she flexed her arms, I couldn't help but bite my lip.

"put those awayyyy... don't wanna scare me off, do ya?" Her airy chuckle made my nerves settled a little, "but..."

An eyebrow raised as Nika looked at me, "but what?"

"I do think Paige is starting to get bigger....but who knows," a smirk rested on my lips, watching my girlfriend's face drop. She called the blonde back into the room.

"Paige! Get your ass in here!" A second passed before the blonde walked in, shorts and a sports bra the only thing covering her body. "Tell my girlfriend that I've got bigger muscles than you."

"what?!? No!" She waved her hand, shooing the girl off, "she's obviously knows what she's talking about."

Dumbfounded, Nika gave me a look, "babe...do you really think her muscles are bigger than mine?"

I shake my head, watching the girl's smile return. With one swift motion, she picked me up, walking us to her room. "Nika!"

"hmm?"

"put me down!"

"once I get you to my room, than I'll put you down," the smirk was huge, and undeniably doing something to me.

I rolled my eyes, waiting for the girl to put me down on her bed. She placed me down, standing back up to throw her shirt off her body. You would think this would go somewhere else, but it didn't go there. She started flexing, wiggling her brows down at me.

"Paige wouldn't have been able to carry you...she got fake muscles. I got the real ones, " I snicker.

"baby, I was just joking," she sighed, I stood up and wrapped my arms around her torso, "you're the strongest, sexiest woman I've ever seen. Is that better?"

She laughed, "Maybe not ask if that's better....but it definitely sounds good you calling me sexy."

We stood there for a minute, in each other's arms. I couldn't deny the fact that I was into the girl, possibly in love, but I didn't wanna be the first to say it. I didn't wanna sound dumb...but to my surprise, I wouldn't have to wait much longer.

"I love you...ya know?" Nika sounded uncertain, careful with her words. A smiled stretched across my face.

"I love you too...ya know," I leaned up to kiss her lips, "you and those gigantic muscles you have."

"you're so unserious," shaking her head, a small laugh came out.

"yeah yeah.... that's nothing knew."

[rivalswrites]

Valentine's special 2/4

Before you read, please be warned that I'm writing based on my impressions of them not only in the game (though it's the biggest inspiration), but some of them with the movies/shows in mind too.

Summery: giving everyone on the Marvel Rivals roster a kiss (with plot!!)

Valentine's Masterlist

Underage characters and animal characters will be platonic (there will be a reminder for each one)

Characters included: Bruce/Hulk, Invisible Woman, Iron fist, Jeff the Shark, Loki, Luna Snow, Magik, Magneto, Mantis

“You are just the cutest thing ever” Bruce said, holding your head in his hands while sitting on the couch. He had you sitting in-between his legs, which were laying all across said couch, enjoying the warmth of your body laying on top of his.

Usually he wouldn't be so affectionate, worried about… other variables of his, but tonight was different. Tonight Bruce was tired, and all he wanted to do was be with you- even if it meant he'd probably fall asleep on the couch and get back pain in the morning.

“And you're so handsome” you said back, smiling up at him. Your arms were around his waist and you cuddled on top of him. “All of you” was added after.

Bruce let out an amused ‘hmf’ and you could see a soft blush on his cheeks if you squint hard enough. “All of me? Even the big green pea?” That got a laugh out of you.

“Yeah, even the hulk” you mutter out as a reply, laying your head on his chest and humming in content. His hands moved from your face to your back, drawing patterns, and probably equations too, on your back lightly.

Silence reigned over the living room, it would almost be deafening if it weren't for Bruce’s heart beating into your ear where it laid. “Love all of it” was let out in barely a whisper. His hands stopped tracing their patterns, instead grabbing onto your shirt in fistfulls, “can't say stuff like that” he murmured, laying his head back to barely touch the arm of the couch.

“But it's true.” Your elbows pushed you up to try and see his face, “I do love all of you, I don't care if it's you or Hulk.”

When his head came back up to a regular position, his entire face was flushed. “Don't just go saying things like that,” his eyes closed and his face looked so adorable when he was flustered like this “gonna get a heart attack.”

“You of all people know that's not how you get a heart attack.” You whispered while leaning up to meet his face.

He was surprised by the kiss, but not unwelcoming of it. His arms tightened their hold and his fists scrunched up your shirt, trying to pull you closer as he pushed against the kiss to deepen it.

The two of you laid in bed giggling together, it was still early morning but you bother were definitely supposed to be up and running for the day by now. Instead of being responsible adults the two of you stayed under the sheets and made jokes to each other, the early morning fog making everything a tad more funnier than it should be.

“You're ridiculous” Susan said, her head resting on your chest while holding in her laughter horribly. “I'm serious! He really did say that.” You replied, an arm waving in the air as the other one sat entangled with her hair.

After you said that she laughed some more, moving her head back to let it all out. God she was gorgeous like this, in the lighting that perfectly framed everything.

You laughed along too, but eventually it died down to deep breaths to catch both your breaths. Holding each other in a tender embrace, you let out a deep yawn. “Guess we should get up and be productive people, hm?” You said and pulled her closer.

“Yeah, maybe” she replied, pulling you just as close.

Neither of you had any intention of letting go to get up, but you both knew it had to happen eventually. Susan deeply sighed before pulling her arm out from under you and perching herself up. “There's only one way to start the day perfectly.” She said, smiling at you.

“And what's that, my love?” You asked, your hand in her hair moving to push it out of her face. “This” she said before lounging at you.

She practically tackled you with all her force, laying on top of you as she smothered your face in kisses. “Susan!” You said with a shout, laughing and grabbing onto her waist as she continued her attack. She pulled back and smirked, “what, can't handle it?” she said with a giggle. “Oh, I can handle it, can you?” You said before grabbing her face with both your hands and pulling her back in for a passionate kiss.

Lin was met with a bunch of flower in his face the moment he opened his bedroom door, eyes going from them to you multiple times as he processed what was happening.

You had a big smile on your face, holding up the single flower for him. After taking a moment, he smiled back and took the flower from your hand and examined it on his own. “What's this?” He asked, looking up at you with pure curiosity. “A flower” you replied with a proud tone.

“Well obviously, what's it for?” His tone was playful, not at all taken back by the dumb response you had given him. “For you!” Again you gave a vague reply.

He was used to your vague replies, and even found them funny, but his curiosity begged for a real answer- so he pressured more questions. “Where'd you get it?” “Nature” “did it cost anything?” “I paid with my love for you” “why today?” “Why not?” It went on and on, like a game of cat and mouse, except he had no way of winning this one.

There was only one thing to do, pull out the big guns.

“I'll give you a kiss if you actually tell me.” In an instant he saw your eyes light up, immediately making eye contact with him as you spoke.

“I found it in someone's front lawn on my way here, I thought it was cute and wanted you to have it.” Straight forward, “I believe you owe me a reward for being so honest.” and humble.

He laughed, looking back down at the flower, “I do, don't I?” Lin pulled you in by the waist and dipped his head down, capturing you in a soft kiss full of love- as they always were with him. When he pulled back he observed your star struck face with a smile. “Thank you for the flower, baby. But maybe don't go stealing from random neighborhoods next time.”

(Platonic)

The little shark had wanted to play outside, and as the self-designated caretaker of the little guy you were the one to take him outside. You sat on the porch stairs and watched as he ran around chasing everything- literally. His tail? Chased. That butterfly? Chased. The wind? Chased.

Jeff never ceased to amaze you on how much curiosity one creature could have- he was adorable.

You had spent maybe an hour outside by now, resting your head on your palm and watching Jeff explore a yard he's seen a million times before. By now you were getting hungry, and you sure Jeff was a little too, so you started thinking of lunch. Sandwiches sounded good, and they were simple to make, quick and easy so the little guy didn't have to wait.

Jeff easily noticed when you stood up, stopping his playtime and trotting over to you to see what was up. His face looked up at you with what you thought was a cute smile and big beady eyes. “Ah, Jeff you're so cute” you praised, crouching down to scratch the underside of his chin. He enjoyed this, letting out a cute noise and letting his tail wag. “How's about some lunch? You hungry?” The question easily peaked his interest, turning in circles to show it.

He easily followed you inside, even pushing the door closed after- something he had learned himself somehow, thank goodness he doesn't know how to open doors… right?

The kitchen was empty and made it easy for you to take your time and whatever you wanted from the fridge or cabinets. You settled on some sort of meat you found in the fridge (ham? Maybe turkey?) since it looked fine and passed your smell test- Jeff's too, but he ate anything so smell didn't really matter.

After making the sandwiches, five in total, you sat on the floor and pushed the plate with four of them towards Jeff, taking one for yourself to have. “Enjoy little buddy” you said as you watched the little shark absolutely devour them, taking the late with them. Glad you used a paper plate.

While you were eating yours Jeff came up and laid on your legs, pushing up against your hand that sat on your thigh. Deciding you could always make more, you tossed the rest of your sandwich- which was less than half- and watched as he scrambled to catch it. “You're adorable.” You muttered as he came back to you with a large smile that showed off all his teeth.

He let out the most adorable sound as he jumped onto your lap and licked your face, leaving an uncomfortable trail of shark saliva. “Thanks buddy” you said, using the bottom of your shirt to wipe off what you could.

Honestly it shouldn't be a surprise to you, coming home to find him bathing in rose petals and bubbles. He was a man who liked to be pampered, by others or herself didn't really matter.

“Be a dear and wash my hair for me, hm?” He slurred out, using a charming smile to coerce you into following his question- though he really didn't need to, you would've done it if he had ordered you too. Kneeling down you roll up your sleeves and grab the cup sitting on the edge.

Loki closed her eyes and sighed in bliss as the water washed over his head, relaxing into the water even more when your hands started to brush through his hair. “So good to me” he muttered.

“I try” you replied, rubbing the luxurious shampoo onto his scalp and down her long hair. Your fingers scratched at her scalp and that definitely got a satisfied reaction from her- seeing as he kept leaning his head into your hands, you happily obliged and applied more pressure onto her head. The deep exhale of his breath was a show of satisfaction.

It continued on like this, a cycle of singing his hair and applying hair products of all kinds- he insisted you used them all, to make sure her hair glowed. She still wanted to lay in the water, after you were done, so you started to stand up to give her space and alone time. Her hand rushed up and grabbed yours, water splashing out of the tub at how quick he was “stay,” her tone was demanding, but also quiet, “please.”

It was rare for him to ask such things of you, so you did. You took a towel and set it in the ground before sitting on it, your arm leaning on the tub. Quickly she took the opportunity to lay her head on your arm, a hand of his coming up to rest on your wrist- her pinky was outstretched to interlock with yours.

The both of you sat like that in silence for what could've been 5 minutes to an hour, it didn't seem like either of you cared which one it was.

His head would readjust sometimes, until eventually it was up on your shoulder and she had to hunch over to stay comfortable.

“The water is cold” the silence was broken by his comment. Unsure of what she wanted as a reply you went with the safest option, “want me to rerun the bath for you? Make it warm again, my love?” “No” his reply was quick, hand on your wrist tightening its grip. “Alright” was your reply, a quiet one as the silence set in once more.

You looked over to her, cheek resting on his wet hair with a smile. Your hand came up to rest on their head, thumb rubbing up against their cheek in comfort. It was all he needed to raise his head and look up at you- leaning into your palm.

It was too hard to resist, you couldn't help it when she looked at you with those eyes- vulnerability showed in them, something only you were allowed to see. So even so slightly you leaned in and pressed a kiss against Loki’s own lips; enjoying how soft they've always been compared to your most likely chapped ones.

It was late at night and you were in the dining room, sitting with two bowls in front of you- even though it was just you. This had been like the fifth time you'd checked the time, but you waited patiently, you knew she was a busy person.

The front door keypad sounded and went off after the correct code was put in before the door opened and closed soon after; which still didn't stop the cold breeze of outside meeting your face briefly. You could hear her, her shiver from the outside as she took her shoes off and put them in the shoe rack, replacing them with the bunny slippers you had gotten her ages ago.

“Oh,” she mutters, leaving the entry hallway to get a peek at you “I didn't realize you'd be awake still.” Seol looked guilty, reaching up to scratch at her hair nervously.

“Wanted to wait for you, should I not have?” You asked, turning in your chair to look directly at her. “No- No!” She shouted, “I mean- I don't mind it, you staying up for me.” her corrections on her reply were quick and worried.

She comes and pulls the chair next to you out, to sit in, and faces you like you do her; your legs interlock. “I'm sorry I'm always so late.” Her hand comes up to rest on your bicep, rubbing up and down in comfort. “It's alright, I know you're busy” you muttered in reply, taking her hand on you and holding it in yours. “You could make it up, though.” That caught her interest.

“Oh? How's that, my love?” Her face cracked a smile, if she knew you- which she did- she knew where this was going.

You didn't verbally reply, simply reaching up and pointing to your lips with a smile. Seol’s smile got brighter with your movement, raising her hands to cup your face. “I can't deny you.” She said before tugging you close and bumping faces with you with a laugh. Eventually her lips met yours and her laughs turned into little giggles instead; you even let out a few of your own.

The kiss was apologetic and sweet. She was busy a lot, you knew what you signed up for.

“Why do you care so much?” She sighed, laying her head on the foot of the bed as she laid on her stomach, “it's a shirt! Just pick one, baby, not that hard.”

Illyana wasn't one for fashion, despite looking good in everything, so when you propositioned her to pick your shirt because you couldn't decide she started complaining- nicely because it was you. “C'mon Illy- I can't decide!” You said back, holding up like three different shirts “That's why I'm asking you!”

This obviously wasn't going anywhere, as it always did when you asked her to help you with your wardrobe choices. “Why don't you wear that one shirt, the one I like?” She replied, rolling onto her back and turning her neck to glare at you from upside-down.

“It's dirty, I don't want to smell bad when I go out.” You said on the bed next to her and tossed the shirts onto her legs. “Hey!” She scoffed playfully, not actually bothered by it.

“Hey” you replied, leaving down to rest your hands on her stomach as she adjusted her head to look up at you. “Why don't you just stay inside today, then you don't have to pick out a shirt.” She suggested, raising her eyebrows in a silly manner while smirking at you.

“I'm not gonna walk around shirtless all day at home, you sucker.” You grabbed into her nose and shook her head playfully. Her hands raised to meet yours, tugging it off of her and smiling up at you. Her hands brought yours back down to rest on her stomach.

Quiet washed over the two of you, leaving both to just look at each other with smiles. “You could wear one of my shirts.” She offered, cutting through the silence. Pretending to think you looked up, “You do have some nice ones…”

“Alright, one of yours it is.” You pat her stomach and she laughs. “See? Not so hard after all,” Illyana reached up and grabbed your face. “I deserve a reward for being so helpful.”

With no complaints you listened to her suggestion, leaning down and giving her a sweet kiss. Her hands tangled with your hair and tugged slightly, always having to be in control in some way.

Somehow it was a quiet evening, for everyone. You sat on the couch with Erik, holding onto his arm and practicing melding into his side. “You're so warm” you told him earlier when he questioned it, but quickly left it alone with your answer being satisfactory.

He was reading a book, something random he found in the Baxter Buildings extensive library- it was probably something science related, maybe philosophical, but you didn't pay attention or care enough.

Your head rested on his muscular shoulder, not the most comfortable pillow but a favorite. He never showed it, but he loved when you cuddled up to him, you knew imso because he'd always make space for you to do so. Willingly he would move his arm to just the right position to where your arms could easily wrap around it so you could hold him. What a sweetheart.

Erik would let it occasional hums, something he unconsciously did when he was satisfied with his environment- when you were there.

“Please, my dear, stop staring at me.” He cut through the silence, but didn't look up from his book. “I don't know what you're talking about.” You said, feigning stupidity at him obviously catching you in the act of ogling over him. “You are right, I should not assume that you were staring at me when I can very obviously feel your eyes on me” Erik replied sarcastically, putting an ear on the page he was reading so he could close the book and put it aside- finally looking at you with a light smile.

“Exactly,” you agree, playing along “assuming things never work out well.” The both of you chuckle and smile at each other, leaning in more- if that was even possible.

“You are so right, my dear, as always.” his eyes were gentle, for a man that had gone through everything he has. “I always am,” you said back, thumbing at his shoulder gently.

His hand comes up to cup your cheek, rubbing his thumb across it before running back and playing with the ends of your hair. His touch was so gentle, like you were the most precious thing in the world; because you were, to him you were.

Without another word needed between either of you, you moved to sit up more and leaned up to give him a kiss. He gladly returned it, using his hand in your hair to tug you closer, giving all of his love and attention to you.

“I can feel your love for me.” She said, thumbing at your hands that rested around her. You both laid in bed, her back to your chest as the moonlight passed through the curtains of your room. “Well I sure hope you can,” you replied, pushing her up against you more “make sure you get all of it.”

Mantis laughed at your comment, turning her head to see you and in turn show you her smile. “I certainly am.” She replied with a giggle.

You leaned your head down and nuzzled into her cheek, pushing yours against her like a cat. “Good, it's all meant just for you.” Her smile widened. Mantis pushed against the bed and turned around so she could wrap her arms around you like you were with her. The room became quiet again, besides your breathing, and you both just looked into the others eyes; full of love they were.

Leaning down you pressed a quick kiss against her nose, pulling back with a smile as blush dusted her cheeks a little. In turn she leaned up and pressed a kiss against your chin, and the game was on. The both of you took turns pressing kisses against the others face, it felt like enough time had passed to where every inch of both your faces was covered in kisses.

“I win.” You said, leaning down and capturing her lips before she could ask what you meant. She didn't complain, her hands raising to rest under your sleep shirt and pulling you closer.

When you pulled away it took a moment for the both of you to catch your breath, but she was quicker. “I didn't know this was a game, I think there needs to be a rematch.”

[dustorange]

This is a critical & discerning point you are making! Nightwing #100, and other Rebirth-era comics (and also that earlier Injustice comic where Dick is Deadman), but mostly this specific panel from TT’s run, was exactly what the original post was kinda subtweeting. It’s just such a departure from preboot and even N52 Bruce&Dick relationship, where everything felt so much richer and topsy-turvy. Part of the enamoring part of the relationship was the possessive, jealous, urgent, strained, almost articulated but not quite exactly articulated parameters of it. Every label fit sort of wrong: Every label sort of fails for the depth of the relationship. So it’s as much metatextual as it is like intratextual and diegetic for Dick, and to a lesser extent Bruce: What ARE THEY????? Dick has other parents, and Dick has other (though lesser) teachers and mentors, and Dick has other quasi-brothers, and Dick most certainly has other best friends—so where does that leave his sort of totally sui generis relationship with Bruce, which precedes much of that, is in many ways more important than all of that? I think Dad-Son got settled on as How To Define The Relationship because it’s a straightforward way to “Respect” Bruce’s primacy in the DC world (alpha-male, patriarch, authority figure). Of course it is also their relationship! They are like a father and son—and not just “like,” they are a father and son. But they’re also not exactly that at all. And they’re also so many other things. The Batman & Robin dynamic, for every different matchup of characters, is a totally one-of-a-kind relationship. And Dick and Bruce especially lean toward the best friend/brother side of the spectrum really hard, such that they’re pretty much equals.

Part of the reason the Dad-Sonism didn’t get leaned into before was probably the hesitancy to lean thematically into Family for Batman, lest he look Old, but like having those guardrails, those You Cannot Say Thises, like made the relationship so much like more innovative and special and rare and rich and deep and interesting. Such that TT delivering on the explicit “Dad”—MUCH LESS EMBEDDING THAT “DAD” INSIDE ANOTHER HERETOFORE RARELY AND ONLY VERY PRECIOUS AND PRECARIOUSLY SAID THING, “I LOVE YOU”—feels too easy and flat and like disappointing. It makes it feel much less big and one-of-a-kind. And frankly it rubs away a lot of the patina that made the Bruce-Dick relationship so compelling. Not that an I Love You Dad from Dick to Bruce couldn’t ever be done. But also specifically in there context of a run from someone, TT, who obviously sincerely personally and deeply loves Nightwing and who received A LOT OF WILD AND UNWARRANTED CRUELTY but who also didn’t stick the landing, frankly, on the depths and catches and snags of Dick’s character, it feels like a clumsy, sort of unbright unrich and unchallenging presentation of something madly cool, tormented, and complex. Thats sort of aside from another point which is that stating something so flatly as this snaps closed the cool narrativological inside-the-text YEARNING for the relationship to be exactly that way because it’s like well, now they have it. It’s so tough because they DO LOVE EACH OTHER SO MUCH and they ARE A SON AND A DAD. So it’s all true, and yet: That can’t be how it works. So the line is like cheap and not very touching or captivating, the way it’s intended to be. And it feels like just sort of the latest branch we’re hitting on the fall down from the top of the tree in terms of DG’s recent characterization free fall from someone genuinely organically respected as a leader to someone sort of plasticky and comic-reliefy and told-not-shown as a leader such that it feels like a lot of the Magic and History and like functional storytelling emotional Core is gone from what he is now, when compared with preboot and even pre-Rebirth stuff

Something critical is that probably the real dick grayson would absolutely never ever casually call BW Dad to his face, and truthfully even post-adoption in GK#17 the father-son thing is only like 49% of the Bruce & Dick rs although dick absolutely does lasso bruce into conversations as in “oh my dad does the same thing!” when hes having conversations w total strangers faraway from anywhere on the eastern seaboard where word could never get back and associations could not be made BUT WITH ALL OF IT SAID THAT DICK WOULD NEVER CALL BRUCE DAD TO HIS FACE, in Bruce’s like deepest, most potent fantasies, like daydreams and nightdreams and also canonically that issue where bruce is in that feartoxin dreamscape world in Batman/superman #65 where his parents are alive and bruce is romantically stable and dick is his son, Dick absolutely, and invariably, calls him Dad. But that element absolutely isnt on the table in the real world at all. It isnt even that Bruce Wants That—he doesn’t want a change to the very precarious working current order, not even a very small one bc its very precious & risk aversion reasons—but it’s also like a satisfying recognition of some real under-the-surface order in the world that bruce perceives but which just isnt in play in the real world. But it is something explicit and certain in Bruce’s head and something that Bruce is aware of. And sometimes he like closes his eyes and thinks of it or something.

[craziertogether]

mike fell for will first.

it’s a bold statement to make but i stand by it.

i firmly believe that mike fell for will first and realized it was wrong first. as bylers we talk a lot about how mike had mountains of queer coding and was “gayer” than will in previous seasons. which i think this is why the GA tends to think that will liking mike is fanservice or doomed to fail because they only saw the confession in the van scene. (apart from lacking media literacy) i genuinely think mike had always seen will as special to him, genuinely as like the light of his life, and while society/his family conditioned him to internalize his feelings, his own lack of self worth pushed him to hide his true self (but will later push him towards will). i think the biggest indicator to mike that his feelings could never be expressed was when his own father stated “see what happens mike?” yes it could’ve been seen as a half assed ignorant comment or a warning to mike but i think mike actually interpreted it as, “will being queer was the reason for his demise”. not only the demise of death but mixed with the downfall of how society viewed will as an individual. mike was already apart of the outcasts and not well liked, but mixing that with how no one even really mourned will, now that really scared mike.

so how does this all play into my claim? mike was in love with will when he died. part of him died that day with will. that was a good reason of why he didn’t hesitate to jump off the edge (yes for dustin but there’s more to it than that). thus, when a nearly impossible possibility that will was alive came to be, mike jumped at the chance. yes, because he loved will. but more so he had found his self worth back. it’s why we see his drive to repair his “relationships” dustin, lucas, and el, all of them now working together for the sole purpose of finding will (and yes keeping el safe). it’s why i believe he is no longer hesitant to show his full devotion to will at the end of season one, by being the first to run to will when he wakes up and why he chooses will repeatedly during season 2. he loved will all along, he loved that will gave him strength and self worth again. (something i might add he never felt with el, he ALWAYS felt weak and inferior and with el it only magnified that when we see how she has powers and could save people something he doesn’t think he can do.) as social pressures kept rising, it all pushed him to fall back onto heteronormativity. and yet, even in his peak “straight bro” era. his love for will outweighs that, he chooses will through the storm that is season three and why he biked miles through the storm after the rain fight (bane of my existence btw). i don’t think it’s because he started to recognize his feelings for will in season 3 which prompted his obsession with el, i believe he always did know about them, from the start. and it’s why he continues to go back to will even when he does everything in his power to keep up his facade, he still knows that it’s will that he will always choose. so by season 4, when mike’s back to his bs and forcing his attraction to el. we see it completely fail, over and over he incriminates himself and finds himself going back to will. again you ask why? because will has shown him what he has always needed, someone who sees his worth and is willing to stay with him even when he doesn’t see his purpose anymore. will empowers mike, not because will is weak and needs a savior because they just fit together and do that for each other. it’s the same reason will finds his own strength to confess (though with a cover) to mike. will finds his voice through mike, mike finds his strength and purpose through will. everything they need (emotionally), they find just that in the other.

[xyfleurian]

✦ ˑ ִֶ 𓂃⊹ a not-so alcohol free beach day

Chosen Pairing : Caitlyn Kiramman x Vi

CaitVi Week Day 4 Prompt : Beach Episode

Word Count : 1,210 words || ao3 link

Ficlet Song : alcohol free - twice

“Vi, trust me. You need sunscreen,” Caitlyn insists, while Vi had consistently avoided all of her attempts to put even a little dab of sunscreen of Vi's skin.

“Cupcake, I'll be fine! Besides, it's already past noon. I'm sure the sun's rays is not as strong as it was earlier,” Vi reassures, while Caitlyn simply sighs and gestures for her to go.

Vi excitedly runs to the coast, throwing a beach ball toward Jayce's head as she feels the sea through her toes. The two were drastically different in their own rights, but at the same time pretty similar in how they acted around each other. They bickered like siblings, and all that their partners could do were shake their heads and sigh. It was as if they lost all intelligence when together, making them somehow inseparable.

Often times, the people around them would think that they bond over the fact that they lose brain cells around each other. Which is partially true to an extent.

“Pass me the sunscreen, Caity. Leave those puppies on their own, they'll come back once they get sunburned,” Jinx snickers as Caitlyn handed her the bottle of sunscreen.

“I still cannot comprehend how Viktor handles that hunk of junk.”

“Eh, it's quite simple. I don't,” Viktor adds while laid on his sunbed, sipping on his piña colada.

Caitlyn laughs, as she herself sits down and puts on sunscreen. Her eyes watch as Jinx runs toward the water with a blue floatie, slipping in between the bickering duo of Vi and Jayce. The girl was chaotic, a contrast to the young girl she had taken under her care. The said girl, Isha, taps Caitlyn's shoulder while gesturing that she wants the sunscreen.

Caitlyn smiles and attempts to help, but Isha insisted that she does it on her own and so, Caitlyn lets her. The two later head to the beach, leaving Viktor relaxing under the sun with a cocktail in hand. Mel and Sevika would later emerge from their own cottage, the two women heading to the bar before anything else. It seemed like the day ahead of them was a promising one, and one that they would enjoy thoroughly.

—

The sun had set when everyone returned back on land, both Jayce and Vi suffering sunburns on each of their shoulders as they walked to the open door karaoke and dinner area. Caitlyn was the first to leave the water, then it was Jinx who had Isha with her, until everyone else had left as well. Mel and Caitlyn were currently lounging in front of Mel's cottage while the others were enthralled with videoke machine that the resort provided.

“Jayce, quit hogging the karaoke! Next song's mine!” Vi yells, while a tipsy Jayce tries to dodge all her attempts to steal the mic.

“Wait, you're gonna sing Candy Pop?” Jinx asks, and Isha immediately lights up at the mention of the song.

The girl was a once, thanks to Caitlyn who introduced the kid to k-pop girl groups. At first it was only watching music videos, especially Heartshaker, until Isha had started collecting photo cards of Sana that Jinx had to buy her photocard sleeves and a binder. So much for adopting a collector kid.

Vi had eventually gotten hold of the mic, she forbade herself from drinking tonight so Jayce who already had a few shots was no match for an energetic her, even if she had sunburns that were sore and had cooling cream all over them.

“Yes, yes I am. You hear that, cupcake? I'm singing Twice songs for you!”

Caitlyn looks at her from outside Mel's cottage, smiling at her direction when the song's instrumental finally played. Vi sang the lyrics correctly, which was quite surprising since she rarely listened to these type of songs, while Isha danced to her singing. Jinx was recording while Viktor, Jayce, and Sevika were huddled over a corner playing cards. Jayce was losing, and he didn't understand why.

“Dork,” Caitlyn whispers, her fingers circling around the shot glass, debating whether she should do it. Mel herself already took a shot of pure gin, and the two women were unsure on how they had gotten to this point.

“Are you going to take the shot or should I?” Mel asks, and Caitlyn rolls her eyes before taking the shot.

Caitlyn scrunches her face at the strength of the drink, and immediately feels the effects of it. She shrugs it off, looking back to Vi who winked at her. Vi had always been a charmer, but now, the effects of the alcohol only made her more alluring.

—

Vi had found Caitlyn seated on their rented room's floor as she opened the door, the latter's head rested on the edge of their bed. Jinx was sitting right beside her, and Vi had immediately understood what was happening. Caitlyn was drunk, absolutely drunk to the core. And Vi was enjoying herself while Caitlyn had played around with liquor.

“Alright, who gave cupcake the booze?”

Vi asks, and Isha immediately points to the other cottage. She looks at Jinx with a raised eyebrow, and Jinx immediately gasps in mock offense. The two seemed to have communicated with gestures until Jinx finally spoke up to defend herself.

“In my defense, Caitycat was already drinking with Goldie when me and Sha came here. You saw it! She was already drunk when she came in walking around zigzaggy!” Jinx explains, and Isha nods in agreement.

Vi sighs, gently tapping Caitlyn's shoulder, as the woman looks up and dazedly stares at her. Caitlyn raised her finger booping Vi's nose before giggling, pulling Vi down to sit with her. Jinx covers Isha eyes, telling her to look away while Isha tried to peek through between Jinx's fingers. Either way, the two were watching a lesbian romcom unfurl right in front of them as they moved to their side of the room.

“You look like my girlfriend,” Caitlyn says, poking Vi's face with her fingertips.

“Do I really?” Vi asks, and Caitlyn nods in agreement, reaching out to pat Vi on the shoulder. The contact made Vi hiss, since her sunburn would still take a while to heal and Caitlyn didn't fail to notice it.

“Sorry, did that hurt? Huh... Did my hand burn you? Oh my god, the gin made my hand burn you,” Caitlyn babbles causing Jinx to laugh hysterically on her and Isha's bed.

“Cupcake, you didn't burn me. The sun did.”

“The sun did...? Oh right! You didn't put sunscreen on. What did I tell you, hm? You should've listened to me,” Caitlyn slurs, gesturing with her hands as she yawns and lays her head on Vi's shoulder.

“I got it, I got it. Next time I will. Geez, look at you. You told me not to drink and you turn around and get drunk yourself,” Vi mumbles.

Caitlyn had tried to reply, but Vi had shushed her which resulted her being whiny. Jinx, on the other hand, was recording the entire exchange which made it clear she was using it as ammo against Caitlyn when she wakes up with a bad headache in the morning. Vi just hopes Caitlyn doesn't secretly down another shot of gin while she's distracted again.

[excusemyobsessions]

Just say so.

Rafayel x MC/You

Scenario: Rafayel likes to talk your ears off but sometimes you just want him to get straight to the point. (600 words)

Warning: use of pet names (babe/baby)

Rafayel was beating around the bush again.

Reclined on his sofa in his studio, one hand draped over the cushion on which he rested his head. He was holding his phone barely high enough for you to see his face and his collarbone peeking through the first few opened buttons of his white shirt. You were video calling.

There was a hint of blue paint smeared across his jaw which he hadn’t bothered cleaning away, dusk purple locks slightly tousled, as if he’d been running his hands through his hair too many times.

He’d been going on for a while now, talking your ears off, as if he’d been keeping that in all day and was finally, finally able to tell you every single thought that went through his head while you were busy at work.

“You remember that flock of seagulls which always passes by, right? Right so, one of them told me about the fight. Mind you! They were two young crabs, very tiny. So, imagine the tiny pincers and they were going at each other which is kinda cute but super unnecessary because there were literally two shells! But they were going at it for a single one.”

You found yourself sinking deeper into the sofa cushions, stretching your legs out, tired after a long day.

You’d resorted to letting Rafayel go on, too tired to be enthusiastic about his ramblings, and yet drowning in how endearing this man was. You responded to him with little hums and ahs, encouraging him to keep going.

And he did.

“And! They told me the rock pool nearby was full of newcoming sea stars. The anemones were not happy about it at all because apparently the sea stars are super flashy. One of them is bright red which, if it is true, is pretty flashy.”

He lifted his hand and lazily ran his fingers through his hair, pushing it away from his pretty stormy ocean eyes.

“But I haven’t gone out to see them myself yet. I do wonder if they’re really that flashy because okay, they’re red but there’s a lot of shades of red. What if the anemones are just being dramatic? Also, it’s really fresh coming from creatures which look like flowers and decorate themselves in all sorts of colors to call another creature flashy.”

You couldn’t help the little chuckle that escaped you. Dramatic and fresh, huh?

“Also, the sun will set very soon and they said it’ll be gorgeous today. It’s meant to be pink today, you know, like the color of that dress we bought together. And…”

You sighed.

“Babe,” you called.

“...the weather isn’t even that bad for winter, it was rather nice today. It’ll probably be really pleasant tonight as well.”

“Raf,” you tried again.

“Oh, and there’s a new restaurant nearby and they said it looked rather nice and the food looked tasty as well.”

“Rafayel,” you called firmly, a bit louder now.

The pretty yapper on the other end of the line blinked his slightly widened eyes, halting his rambling.

“Oh… yes?”

You sat up straight.

“Baby, if you want to go out to the beach and have dinner together just say so,” you told him, suppressing the need to laugh.

Especially when even through the phone screen you could see his ears turn a deep red. He stuttered.

“Go get ready, I’ll be there in 30. Wear something nice,” you told him, already standing up. “Not that you don’t always look nice.”

“O-okay!” he answered.

Last thing you saw was him scrambling off the sofa before the call ended.

[manias-wordcount]

Maybe Skyward Sword Link and a Autistic reader from the real world who has nights where she kinda gets this who "I’m Dreaming" mindset, which gets worse after Link proposes cause it’s to good to be true, and Link shows her it’s real, physically? Like… smut? This is my first smut request…

This Little Dream of Yours (SS! Link x Reader)

𝗔/𝗡: 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗴𝗼! 𝗵𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗲𝗻𝗷𝗼𝘆!

𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚!! 𝘀𝗺𝘂𝘁, 𝘃𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝗲𝘅

𝙒𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚? ⇒ 𝙈𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙩

𝙟𝙤𝙞𝙣 𝙢𝙮 𝙙𝙞𝙨𝙘𝙤𝙧𝙙 𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙚𝙧?

𝙗𝙪𝙮 𝙢𝙚 𝙖 𝙘𝙤𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙚?

Maybe you’re selfish for this, but it always felt like nothing was ever enough.

Even though you go to sleep and rise from bed over and over and over again, just to awake to the same setting each and every time? It doesn’t feel like enough. Even though you’ve felt the pain from wounds and utter peace from the feeling of soft grass beneath your feet and the sun’s rays against your skin? It doesn’t feel like enough. Even though you must have spent countless hours by now, hand in hand with your fiance or cuddled up in each other’s arms? It doesn’t feel like enough. Even though the shiny little ring with a stone that is deceptively heavier than it looks being wrapped tight around your ring finger shines so brightly that it might one day blind you? It doesn’t feel like enough. Nothing ever feels like enough.

It’s all too good. It’s all too perfect. Meeting your favorite character so quickly after waking up in this world. Your favorite character who insists that you stay by his side for your protection. Your favorite character who starts to slowly, slowly fall in love with you just as you did all those years ago when you first encountered this character. And somewhere in there always comes a little bit of action. Just a little bit of adventure. A little bit of danger just for the thrill. But things always end up perfect. Things always end up alright. Things always end up exactly how you dreamed it would be.

And nothing ever feels like it’s enough to convince you that what you see is real. That what you feel is real. That everything around you and before is something that will still exist no matter how many times you blink or go to sleep or turn around. Nothing ever feels like it’s enough. Not the grass you feel while running barefoot in the field. Not the sunlight that brushes against your skin during mid-afternoon naps. Not the water that you dip your toes into to disrupt your fiance’s chance of catching that fish he had his eye on. Not even the occasional nick from the knife you would get whenever you’re not careful enough while cooking dinner. Nothing ever feels like it’s enough. Nothing ever feels real enough. 

But this? This…?

Oh- oh…Link!”

This feels close enough.

“I know, I know…” You hear your fiance’s murmur right next to your ear almost as immediately as you begin to cry out. His voice is low and soft and just a little bit heavy, and his words are accompanied by a few short kisses pressed on the spot right behind your ear. He’s still trying to get you to relax. Still trying to get you to breathe and open up for him. He must have been working at for what feels like hours. But it’s impossible. It feels impossible because this is the first time that he- that anyone has ever been inside of you like this and no one told that it was going to feel like this. This big. This tight. “...but I can’t get anywhere if you keep squeezing around me like this, sweetheart.”

This good.

If you had to guess, Link must be only around halfway inside of you. His cock feels thick and heavy and almost mean as it buries its way inside of you. The initial stretch of his pushing his cock between your lower lips had you crying out and your eyes rolling toward the back of your head. It was only his steady heartbeat and his calm words of encouragement that urged you to keep going. Because you wanted to feel him. You wanted to feel this. You wanted to indulge in this dream for as long as possible. You wanted to keep taking and taking and taking before it all gets taken from you. Before you have to wake up.

But the longer you lay here, letting your desperate, whiny pants mix with Link’s rough, labored breaths you begin to let yourself think that this might be…this might be real. 

But it’s hard. It’s hard to keep trying to convince yourself that. It’s hard because despite being faced with a sensation that you’ve never felt before- a sensation that is so mind-numbingly good that your mind feels like a huge, huge mess- everything is just too good. Too good to be true. Too good not to be a dream.

He’s too good not to be a dream.

From the moment you met him after waking up in a strange world, he was nothing except kind and doting towards you. He found your confusion and your mannerisms endearing. He found you pretty, and he expressed it time and time again. And when he explained that his desire to be around you was more selfish than he initially wanted to admit, you really swore you must have hit the jackpot of all dreams. Because never in your life had you met a man who would look at you so gently. Never in your life had you met a man who wanted nothing more than to protect and look after you all while letting you explore his world on your own time.

And never in your entire life have you met a man who stopped at nothing to make you feel good in ways you’ve never had before.

Because in between all the moments where he had his head in between your thighs, he let you get very acquainted with his dick. He let you ask all the questions you could have ever wanted. He let you touch and squeeze and hold and practically everything else you wanted to do just to get you comfortable with him. But he also told you not to worry about the size, that he’ll take care of making it fit. All you had to do was hold on to him as tight as you could and let him know when things got tough. All you had to do was just keep breathing and keep letting him show how much he loved you- how much he cared for you. And how he real that all this- that he is. No matter how much you think otherwise. No matter how hard you think that this is all just a dream.

But now you’re lying here on your back, legs wrapped around his waist and fingernails digging into his back, wondering how in the hell that thing between his legs was supposed to fit all the way inside of you. But you were also wondering how you ended up so lucky. How you ended up so fortunate. 

And how this dream of yours could feel so, so real.

[secriden]

Oh damn, I haven't been able to get on tumblr for like 2 weeks+ and I've barely even processed Episode 11 let alone 12, but thank you for the shoutout!!

I honestly think this is such a lovely and insightful reply and one of the things I became obsessed with before the show even started is the way Fadel and Style were clearly designed to fit together "like missing puzzle pieces" (<- a phrase I used in my first ever meta post about Style, before episode 1 even dropped and all we had was the character interview video), and I think this reply captures some of the most essential aspects of this.

What you say about Style seeing Fadel is so fucking true, and also so fucking important because Fadel is the one character who does not get anyone's understanding at the start/early parts of the show. Bison already has Fadel who takes care of him and tries his best to accomodate Bison's wishes despite the danger to their identity; Kant has Babe as a semi-confident of sorts, who he can talk to even if he can't fully tell Babe all the details; Style has his dad, Kant, and a whole neighbourhood of aunties and uncles and friends (which we see glimpses/references to throughout the series in dialogue or context); hell even Keen has a boyfriend who doesn't know about his whole ~side gig as a hitman information gatherer~ but clearly loves and supports and isn't overly phased even when he's held at gunpoint. But what does Fadel get?? Fadel has no one but a "mother" who used him, who never really loved him, and an ex who (Fadel thought) left him when he found out about Fadel's true darkness.

And what I have kept coming back to, over and over and over again, and what I find so incredibly compelling about their relationship is the way Style chooses to love Fadel. There's something so special about the character who starts out knowing the least, the character who is the most narratively vulnerable and ignorant, and the one most victimised by the context, also being the one who remains unflinchingly loyal, even as each new piece of information about Fadel is revealed. Style chooses to love Fadel and it's a choice he makes over and over despite Fadel's early harsh treatment of him, despite Fadel genuinely hurting his feelings after sleeping with Style and tossing him aside, despite Kant revealing Fadel to be a murderer, despite Fadel turning on him and holding him at gunpoint, despite Fadel needing to "finish" his one last job after Style pleads with him to walk away, despite Fadel choosing jail and separation rather than going on the run and dooming Style to five years of loneliness and longing -- STYLE FUCKING CHOOSES FADEL. (Like, I'm not saying that Style didn't have his own hand in their tumultuous relationship; but my point is that loving Fadel was never the easy route and Style walked that path without ever looking back).

And I think there's something so much more compelling about a love that comes by choice rather than "helpless" and fleeting emotion. Style's love for Fadel is intentional and we see the evidence of that in the way he sacrifices so much for Fadel in episode 12. (The whole buying the Heart Burger back for Fadel?? The way it's done?? I could make a whole post about the way Style not only does it but does it RIGHT. *sobs*)

And on a similar vein, the way Fadel dismantles his own walls to let Style in is so fucking incredible. The way he does this in such an intentional way despite his own fears and past hurts when it comes to love. (Nope, still not shutting up about Fadel getting himself drunk to lay himself bare for Style. Sorry not sorry.) The way Fadel continues to be very upfront about where he's at with Style afterwards, the way he explicitly tells Style all his reservations and reasons for doubting Style once the truth is revealed. The way he so clearly wants Style to know the full extent of his darkness and depression and hopelessness, and hell the way he keeps trying to let Style go. Because love also means wanting better for the person you cherish and Fadel would rent his own heart to shreds again, would return to that darkness if that was what Style wanted.

Their love is so grounded and evidenced in real actions and sacrifice and care and it boggles the mind how anyone could think they don't love each other.

As characters, they truly, for me, stand out as one of the most intensely interesting and compelling relationships I've encountered in a while. They were intentionally designed to be difficult to come together, made to clash and rub up against each other and bring out the worse in each other; but in doing so, found honesty and truth and that makes their love all the more real to me.

As for JoongDunk's portrayal of these characters -- listen, there's always going to be differences in opinion and preferences, but here are my general thoughts:

There are some instances of Dunk as Style that didn't fully land for me (eg. the crying scene in the car bed cuz they tried to balance comedy and drama and succeeded at neither; or the kissing in episode 12 when Fadel and Style are in bed and Dunk for some bizarre reason maintains like a foot of distance between their bodies) but others that I think were fucking incredible (eg. Style pressing worshipful hands and kisses on Fadel's body in his bed in episode 5; the opening scene in episode 6 when Style looks up at Fadel with frank wonder and open invitation; the look of tragic acceptance as Style thinks he's saying goodbye to Fadel after the rock concert; the look of acceptance and understanding when Fadel turns away from Style's kiss in the bathtub scenes -- I could go on). I think Dunk was incredible when it came to the emotionally fraught moments with Fadel and his breakdown at the end of episode 11 was an undeniable example of how well he can communicate both the intense and subtle emotions of his characters. The comedy aspects were over the top and loud, but that was also an intentional character choice that I have no issues with and never did from the beginning. Style is who he is, unabashedly and without reservation, and I loved that from the beginning.

And I think the transformation Joong went through as Fadel was also very beautiful to watch. We are intentionally shown Fadel as being cold and clinical in the early parts of the show and then as each new aspect of his character is peeled back, Joong allows the softness inside to bleed into the way he holds Fadel too. The harshness comes back when Fadel finds out about Style's betrayal, but Joong changes how he portrays Fadel and allows the inner agony and vulnerability to bleed through like Fadel's facade is cracking. I said in another post after episode 9 that I'm so grateful that the show gave Fadel the space to journey into accepting Style back, and this still holds true even until episode 12. Joong was incredibly nuanced as Fadel and ALL OF IT was wrapped up in Style and how being loved by Style and loving him changes Fadel.

But am I surprised that not everyone sees this? Not really. Watching SIMM and then seeing all the hate and low ratings about it online has made me convinced that some people simply don't watch things the way I do and that's... disappointing but there's nothing I can do about it except write posts that hopefully resonate with other people so that I can, at the very least, gather the people who DO appreciate it and love them for what they are good at together into my little corner of the internet. <3

why u like fadelstyle so much? the show ended and i still don't feel like theres love between them, same with all jd couples they don't seem like a couple at all

oh man how to answer this in a way that will do fadelstyle justice? I think @secriden and @bentnotbroken1fanfiction have much better, very in depth analysis of them as a pair and their wonderful dynamic.

but for me personally? simply, it's a type of love that I'm looking for. my personality is very similar to fadel's, the way style always goes out of his way to understand him and push back against all of fadels attempts to push him away - it really warms my heart.

they see each other, do you understand? style guesses that fadel could be a hitman, even if it was just a joke - style always saw him for who fadel is and fadel has been in wanting for that devotion, fadel has been aching to just be held and be able to fall apart - when fadel goes to prison style keeps his dream alive. fadel finally found someone who can understand how much he's had to give, how much he's always had to put himself second, someone who appreciates fully when fadel does it for him - I think style is the only person who's ever even attempted to feel the extent of fadel's sacrifice let alone tell him that he's deserving of the same and then go out and do it.

joongdunk have so subliminally portrayed that growing trust between them, that lived through all of fadel's anger at being betrayed, all of style's fear of fadel's dangerous life. they've just done so well to show what it means to slowly make space for each other, to fall in love through a gradual understanding of each other, I really felt that no matter what happened between them no matter how angry they were or how much distance there was between them every episode fadel and style loved each other more than the last.

fadel and style's romance is one of my favorite couple dynamics period I'm sorry you didn't feel it and even though we are allowed to interpret shows differently and like different things its a pity that I have no way to make you experience the beauty with which they touched my heart.

[basilpaste]

oh i literally never posted my osis skills, huh? here are all of isas skills in osis btw.

Skills [Of Stitches In Sequence]

[Default at Level 45]

SMASH!!! - Deals Rock damage to one enemy. [1 turn]

KABOOM!!! - Deals Rock damage to all enemies. [2 turns]

COME ON!!! - Boosts all friend's DEFENSE. [3 turns]

YOUR TURN!!! - Give your turn to a friend, boosting their ATTACK and CRIT chance. [1 turn]

[By Level Up]

SO WEAK!!! - Lowers one enemy's ATTACK. [3 turns] (Level 48)

CURE!!! - Heal 30% of a friend's HP and boost their DEFENSE. [2 turns] (Level 52)

SLASH!!! - Deals weak Scissors damage to one enemy twice. Chance of giving two JACKPOT points. [2 turns] (Level 56)

SHRED!!! - Deals weak Paper damage to one enemy twice. Chance of giving two JACKPOT points. [2 turns] (Level 62)

BACK TO IT! - Lowers all of a friend's Craft Skill Cooldowns by 3 and boosts their ATTACK. [4 turns] (Level 66)

Cut! - Deals big Scissors damage to one enemy twice. Chance of giving two JACKPOT points. [2 turns] (Level 72. Replaces SLASH!!!)

Tear! - Deals big Paper damage to one enemy twice. Chance of giving two JACKPOT points. [2 turns] (Level 80. Replaces SHRED!!!)

[Story]

I'll Protect You! - Boost all friend's DEFENSE and ATTACK, boost your own ATTACK SPEED. [5 turns] (Only accessible upon completing all Friendquests in a loop.)

stitch in time. - Deals big Rock damage to all enemies. Doesn't give a JACKPOT point. Always does CRITICAL damage. [4 turns] (Start of Act 4)

change is destruction. - Sacrifices some HP to do additional damage next turn. [3 turns] (Upon entering the House, Act 5)

[Act 5]

rock. - Deals big Rock damage to one enemy. [None] (Act 5)

paper. - Deals big Paper damage to one enemy. [None] (Act 5)

scissors. - Deals big Scissors damage to one enemy. [None] (Act 5)

buff. - Boosts ATTACK, DEFENSE, and ATTACK SPEED. [5 turns] (Act 5)

debuff. - Lowers an enemy's ATTACK, DEFENSE, and ATTACK SPEED. [5 turns] (Act 5)

heal. - Heal. [3 turns] (Act 5)

heres some extra waffling under the cut also:

its mostly about the story skills im gonna be honest.

if osis were a fangame in my beautiful mind ill protect you would get less effective by some percent chance with each family run. completing the friendquests without skipping through anything would be like. a .05% decrease and skipping through dialogue would decrease it by .1%. is that balanced poorly? maybe. i dont know how often most people do the friendquests in their playthroughs.

but the thought process is that isa is the Emotions Guy and he does genuinely get a lot out of helping his friends but as that helps gets more and more fake what he gets out of it is less and less effective.

stitch in time is really just isas just attack. is a skill that always does crit damage WAY too busted for isa to have? yes. which is why its cooldown is longer than just attack. it was originally just called 'attack.' but i think it was ocean that mentioned how 'a stitch in time' was a good attack name for osisa? and it was its true.

change is destruction is prettyyyyy new? but its supposed to mirror ill protect you. instead of being a skill meant to protect his friends, its a skill that puts isabeau in a more physically vulnerable position when hes already at his worst. the skill isnt announced by loop since isa already did a. real good job cutting that tie, but he does reference it himself.

the skill takes a random percent of isas current health (probably not more than half. or 75% maybe), and adds however much he lost to the damage done with his next attack.

as for the non story skills: generally they mirror how siffrins skills work, but with some fun adjustments for isas personality and also balancing. skills hit twice but because of that they dont always give two jackpot points. the skill names get less and less enthusiastic with time, too !!! yay !!!!!!!!!

[biblical-chronicles]

Helping hand

_____________________________________

where Guigsy helps you with a bassline.

_____________________________________

The studio was as lively as ever, a constant hum of activity from different rooms bleeding into the halls. You were used to it by now, having spent enough time in these walls, running into the same faces. The Gallaghers were always lingering, whether it was Liam pacing the halls, chatting absolute nonsense at whoever would listen, or Noel deep in his own world, obsessing over some mix.

You got on with them well enough, Noel gave you the occasional nod of approval when he overheard your playing, and Liam, true to form, was always running his mouth about something. But there was one person you kept noticing, over and over again, yet had barely exchanged more than a few words with. That being Paul, or rather Guigsy.

He was always there, somewhere in the background, quietly getting on with it while the chaos of Oasis raged around him. If he wasn’t in the studio laying down bass, he was outside having a smoke, hands tucked into his jacket pockets, expression unreadable. You’d never seen him making a fuss or jumping into the Gallaghers' endless scraps, he seemed content to just be there, and for some reason, that made you curious.

But Guigsy never really spoke to you. Sure, he was friendly in passing—he’d give you a little nod if you caught each other’s eye, maybe even a “Y’alright?” if he was feeling particularly social. But that was it. No long conversations, no banter, just a quiet presence.

Which was why it felt almost strange to be standing outside his studio now, hesitating before knocking.

You had been working on a track for hours, everything flowing fine except for one stubborn bit. The bassline. No matter how hard you tried, it just wasn’t clicking. You weren’t a bassist, and while you could mess about enough to lay down a simple groove, this particular section needed something better. Something tighter. And Guigsy… well, he was the only bassist in the building you actually knew.

Taking a deep breath, you knocked.

It took a second before the door swung open, and there he was, looking mildly surprised to see you. His knit was slightly oversized, sleeves pulled over his hands, and he had that usual soft expression—though his brows did raise just slightly.

“…Alright?”

You shifted on your feet. “Hey. Uh—I know this is kinda out of nowhere, but… d’you reckon you could help me out with something?”

Guigsy blinked. “…Me?”

“Yeah,” you nodded. “I need a bassline sorted, and I’m… well, proper shite at bass. Figured you might be the man for the job.”

For a moment, he just looked at you, unreadable as ever. Then, without much of a fuss, he shrugged and stepped aside, letting you in.

His studio was dimly lit, smelling faintly of cigarettes and something else—coffee, maybe. A few empty mugs sat abandoned on a side table, and his bass was resting on a stand in the corner, looking well-worn but well-loved.

“Alright,” he muttered, settling into his chair. “Let’s ‘ear it then.”

You played him the section, explaining what you were aiming for, where it wasn’t working. He listened without interrupting, his gaze steady, nodding along every now and then.

When you finished, he leaned forward, picking up his bass. “Yeah, alright,” he mumbled, fingers already idly testing a few notes. “Can prob’ly sort summat.”

You sat back, watching as he found the groove almost immediately, fingers plucking the strings with effortless precision. He didn’t overthink it, didn’t question himself—just felt it out. And as soon as he locked in, you knew.

It was perfect.

“Oh, yes, that’s it!” you grinned, the frustration of the past few hours melting away. “Can you record that?”

Guigsy just nodded, going through the motions without any grand declarations, no ego about it. He played it again, solid as ever, and within minutes, the track was sorted.

You exhaled, relief washing over you. “God, I could kiss you.”

You meant it as a figure of speech, but before you could even process what you’d said, you found yourself acting on pure impulse, arms wrapping around him in an excited hug.

It was only when you pulled back, catching the slight stiffness in his posture, that you realized what you’d done.

“Oh—shit, sorry,” you said quickly, stepping back. “Didn’t mean to—”

“S’alright.”

He said it quiet, almost like it didn’t cost him anything at all. But when you actually looked at him, you noticed the subtle flush creeping up his neck, the way his fingers curled slightly against his bass like he didn’t know what to do with them.

You hadn’t seen Guigsy flustered before. It was oddly endearing.

There was a pause. He was still sitting, and you were still standing close, your knee just barely brushing his. His eyes flicked to yours, then away, then back again.

You weren’t sure who moved first, but suddenly the space between you was closing. It was slow, hesitant, like you both had the same thought at the exact same time but weren’t sure if you were actually about to go through with it. Your eyes flickered between his, searching for any sign of hesitation, but he didn’t move away. Neither did you. And then—just like that—it happened. A kiss. Soft, barely there, but real. His lips were slightly chapped, his breath warm, his hand hovering just over your wrist as if unsure whether he should touch you properly.

When you pulled back, his eyes were wide, like even he couldn’t quite believe it had happened. You swallowed, your heartbeat pounding in your ears. “…Was that—?”

Guigsy exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck, looking almost dazed. “…Yeah.” There was a pause, a beat of silence stretching between you, before the corners of his lips twitched into the faintest smirk. He glanced at his bass, then back at you. “Guess that’s the best payment I’ve ever had for playin’ a couple o’ notes.”

You let out a laugh, shoving his shoulder lightly. “Piss off.” But your smile lingered. And so did his.

_____________________________________

know I said I'd take a break but I just felt bad for putting the guigs requests off so here ya go tried me best love x

tomorrow I'll be back on gallagherposting

[sorenphelps]

🦕 emergency🦖

a comic with very sloppy colouring which happens right after this ficlet, and right before this one, both written by @goldenlionprince for The Bodyguard AU. I originally wanted to add a second page, but it's mostly dialogue, so I attempted to write it instead. It's about 500 words, and should be read after the above comic page. Thanks for the beta @neverenoughmarauders. Also tagging @lovelymasks & @diamondmeadow.

“It is real and I just can't keep it under control anymore, okay? Yesterday he kissed me and I let him! I should be focused on his safety, but I... If he hadn't stopped I don't think I would have... I mean, I slept with my gun out of reach, damnit! What if someone attacked us?! And it's not just that I'm overworked and underfucked, it’s more like I actually... I want a relationship?... But I can't... You know me, I'm just not cut out for this, I shouldn’t...” Sirius says desperately without taking a single breath.  Remus is still a little angry at him for making him so worried and rush to the museum, but his friend asks for his help so he will try his best. Sirius looks quite concerned after all. “Okay, take a breath and calm down. You know that having emotions is normal human behaviour, right? And contrary to popular belief, you are also just a mere human.” “Oh yeah, thank you for reminding me that he’s way out of my league!” Sirius snaps at him. “Oh, come on, we all know that’s not true!” Remus snaps back. “If you are so worried about your feelings, maybe you should just find yourself a hobby instead? Ever thought about doing pottery?”  Remus knows he’s acting like a little shit, but you can’t deny a man his pleasures. Plus it is sure to anger Sirius. Ironically, anger can clear his mind better than logical reasoning in stressful situations. “That is precisely all I am doing! Come on, Remus, haven’t you paid any attention to what I’ve been saying?!”  Sirius runs his fingers through his hair nervously, notices the familiarity of the movement, and again, starts thinking about James. He really is a goner. He lets out a frustrated grunt. “Look, I’m sorry for using the dino code, but I really need your help.” “All right. How can I help you though? If you want an emotional support plushie, I’m afraid you have to buy that yourself, but I promise I won’t tell the cashier that it is not actually a gift for your imaginary 5-years-old nephew. I can’t really make you fall out of love, but I can make you another emergency package with some books about love and a few packs of condoms. I can also talk you through it, or just silently let you figure it out yourself, while we look at some fossils. Or you can come home with me and help me finish folding the laundry.” “That's what you had to abandon? Wow, Lupin, I almost felt bad for a moment for interrupting your schedule of very important tasks with my problem.”  He looks a little less stressed, but it only lasts until they cover the possibility of a relationship again. “I really want this, Remus, but… How do I not fuck this up so badly that he ends up running away to marry my cousin?!..” “Don’t be dramatic, you already ran out of available cousins to marry.” “Marry my brother then…” “Don’t be ridiculous, they haven't even spoken a word to each other, besides the only thing they have in common is you… Calm down, and use that big brain of yours to figure out what you really want. Then we can think about how to make that happen, okay?”

[malbecmusings]

While I've been wrong many times on many fronts, and will be wrong many more, I'm not in error here.

God love you, but you're making the very self-righteous human error so many in the church make. You've anointed yourself as both prophet and judge while attempting to usurp the perfect, holy, merciful authority of Christ.

We are called to judge; it's not a sinful act until that judgment becomes hypocritical (Matthew 7:1-5), harsh and unmerciful (James 2:13), rooted in self-righteousness (Romans 2:1-3), and where you claim ultimate moral authority (James 4:11-12). At that point, the one we're at now, you're as much in danger of excommunication from heaven as you claim ever other sinner is.

We've never met. You don't know my heart. You don't know my relationship with God. You don't know my struggle with sin, of any kind. You incorrectly presume, however, to know all of the above. Despite that lack of information, you pass judgment and condemn in a manner that runs absolutely contrary to God's word. Thus my warning to tread lightly.

You see, I didn't claim to be sinless. My claim was, and remains, that we're all sinners, from birth. Those who seek God, who place their faith in Him, no matter what they struggle with, how hard they struggle, or how often they fall, are not now, nor will ever be outside God's immeasurable grace. If that were true, none of us would ever see heaven.

If you believe those who earnestly seek God, who put their faith in him and his promise of salvation through faith, even as they struggle with any sin, will ever be outside God's grace, then all its can say is we must not know the same book or its holy author.

Paul speaks directly to this: Romans 7:18-25: For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.

You would seemingly declare Paul outside of God's grace. What of Peter's denial of Christ? Does that very human failing also place him outside the mercy of God? No, it does not. We know this because, cue the music, the bible tells us so.

As believers, we are all simply walking each other home. I’m of the opinion one of the most dangerous beliefs we can hold is that our sins won't keep us from the kingdom of heaven while other's sins will. I also believe a lot of people are going to have the hell scared into them when they discover which elevator they're directed to on judgment day because of that belief.

By all means, continue your evangelism. It's a beautiful mission, but be mindful of condemning hearts you know nothing about. May the peace of Christ be with you.

What does god say about lgbt stuff? Is it really a sin?

It really is.

Any sexual expression other than between a man and his wife is sinful. Adultery, heterosexual and homosexual sex outside of marriage, use of pornography, pedophilia, and every other aberrant sexual practice is an abuse of the body's capacity for sex and a desecration of God's image (which all humans bear).

I wrote a post all about this years ago, check it out. Be blessed!

[specialagentartemis]

Ngl I do not take any arguments of “um this comic book character IS ACTUALLY—“ seriously. Comic book superheroes have been written a lot of different and incompatible ways by a lot of different and ideologically incompatible writers. Thing A is true in some runs, thing B is true in others, thing C is true in some movie versions, debating which one is the Real True Authentic one seems really pointless.

You can argue that you think that Thing A is better, more interesting, a more honest portrayal of what the superhero is all about, and that Thing B is missing the point and making a lazy or regressive choice, or that in the very first comics Thing A was true and here’s how it’s been included or not included ever since, and how Movie X did good things with that theme while Movie Y subsumed it to something else… but you are arguing about the real true truth of superhero comics, a medium that is RATHER FAMOUS for its retcons and inconsistencies and reboots and multiverses. “Which of these is the REAL TRUE essence of this character” is something that is just not capable of being answered.

[hyohaehyuk]

Jacob (in the 1st video): "it's like you kind of, by watching this show you're sort of living out maybe like things that you didn't know- you- thought-," *looks at sam*, "i mean i'm just exposing myself..."

Screenshots from Man About Town magazine, Jacob Anderson and Sam Reid's Reddit AMA answers, NME - Jacob Anderson: “‘Game Of Thrones’ never really felt like a big deal to me”, vmagazine - Acting up with Jacob Anderson and Vanityfair - Jacob Anderson Loves Doing “Insane” Things on Interview With the Vampire

Videos from DISH Studio and IWTV 1x03 podcast (info compilation via lovesjar)

There he goes again… is it the murder and blood drinking or the gay sex?! which one it is, Jacob? 🤭

[bitchthefuck1]

you know what, I actually will talk about this because it's bothering me. The issue with focussing so heavily on syd and carmy's potential for a romantic relationship isn't that there's something inherently unintellectual about romance or whatever, it's that a lot of people seem incapable of doing that without immediately flattening the story and ignoring or intentionally misreading any and all nuance for the sake of that romance. Every scene suddenly becomes about how it impacts their relationship, every analysis is done through a romantic lens, every frame or line of dialogue becomes about finding some easter egg or hint that "proves" these people should start dating. Their dynamic is absolutely a fundamental part of this show, but if you can only see it as a will-they-won't-they, you miss so much of what the story is actually trying to say with these two.

There are good versions of this story where their relationship is romantic and there are good versions of this story where it isn't, but as soon as you decide them being together is "the point," you lose the ability to actually judge the story for what it is, not what you want it to be.

[tackrusso]

show tempe gang crossover with the morris islanders would actually have been the best episode of bones ever. btw