#a) the show's ending so they don't HAVE to let her survive. and we all know the duffers love it when other people are upset

[marypsue]

I'd love to hear your thoughts on S1 of ST being a tragedy! No main character dies, so I never thought of it that way before

I mean, nobody has to die for a story to be a tragedy (at least, in the modern definition. I'm pretty sure '(almost) everybody dies' is a requirement of Greek tragedies and Renaissance revenge tragedies). But also, no main character dies in season one...if you take season one as part of a series. Which it wasn't originally conceived as.

I am not going looking for copies of the original pitch bible, because I am lazy, and also I only saw them floating around this webbed site. But the show changed a lot from the initial pitch (Joyce had a Long Island accent! Lucas' parents were divorcing! Murray was there and named Terry Ives! Most of what ended up in Hopper's character originally belonged to Mr. Clarke! The original pitch bible is fascinating). And part of the original pitch was a proposal for possible sequels.

The Duffers' proposal for a possible sequel was "It's ten years later, and Eleven is dead".

So that's the setup. Everything that came after season one was made up wholecloth after season one was a hit and people wanted more, but also people loved the adorable little psychic murder child (cue the Duffers shockedpikachu.jpg) and Netflix obviously recognised it would be a bad call to make a new season without her in it. So it makes sense to take season one as a unit, as a self-contained story on its own. You can also take it as part of a whole, but it makes sense to read it first as a complete story. Especially given the thematic drift of later seasons and the way they are...I'm just going to say it, each new season is very much added-on to what came before rather than being built on foundation that the earlier season(s) laid. It is very clear there was never a planned five-season story arc from the beginning. (This isn't necessarily always a bad thing, when it comes to sequels, but it does mean it makes sense to 'read' each season as its own thing.)

Okay, now that we've established all of that. Season one has one very clear goal, one very clear stake for the characters: save Will Byers from the Upside Down. (I like this. It makes the stakes both extremely high and extremely personal, it makes it very easy to understand each character's motivation, it also keeps the stakes grounded in reality. I like this a lot.) And by the end of the season, that goal is accomplished. So at first blush, you're right, season one doesn't look like a tragedy.

But when you start to unpack it a little, you start to see just how many important things were lost along the way. It's most glaringly obvious with Mike and El, with Nancy and Barb. The whole Wheeler family is fractured down the middle, with Mike and Nancy on one side and Ted, Karen, and Holly on the other, and Karen, who's been trying so hard the whole time to be part of her children's lives and understand what's going on with them, is aware of the ever-expanding gulf between them but will never be able to cross it, and will never fully know why. Hopper's finally managed to snatch a kid out of the jaws of death, save a woman he obviously cares about from the pain of losing a child, and Joyce has finally had someone believe her, support her, trust her. But it became blindingly obvious to me on my fourth rewatch that Hopper's plan, from the moment he went to leave the middle school gym, was always to trade El for Will. And that decision (and the fact that Joyce obviously understands that he did something to get the lab to let them go after Will, but she obviously doesn't dare press him on what) has broken her trust in him, and left him with what looks like an equally heavy burden of guilt as what he was carrying before. The lab stays open. The government gets away with everything. No one will ever know the true extent of the hurt they've caused.

And in the end, none of it even saved Will. He's back. He's alive. But he's spitting slugs in the sink. He's permanently marked by the Upside Down, and by trying to hide it from his family, he's putting a crack down the centre of them, as well. They're losing Will, just as surely as they had when they thought he was dead, just without him going anywhere.

And there's still a hole in the world.

The fragile bonds of community, the things that people share in common, the way catastrophe can bring people together and bring out the very best in them, are the major thematic threads woven through season one. Human connection is the only thing that can change what seems inevitable, the only thing that can bring back what's seemingly lost forever.

And it's still not enough to protect anyone from the random tragedy of the world.

The love was there. The love mattered. The love bent the entire course of the world around itself.

And it still wasn't quite enough.

If that's not a tragedy, then I don't know what is.

[cryptosexologist]

today's jjk ep

[hellcifrogs]

Students' students AU Part 1

Part 2

Hear me out... Anko taking Sasuke under her wing right after the chunin exams!

It's very simple, Kakashi asks for her help with sealing the cursed mark and instead she takes it one step further - She starts teaching Sasuke. That way they can keep an eye on him, the last Uchiha and the one Orochimaru is after, and she can work some of her own issues and traumas and basically become an actual developed character

Anko could also keep him safe from Itachi (by not letting them meet) and kick the Sound four's asses (by finally unlocking her cursed mark's second stage) when they show up to take Sasuke. So Sasuke doesn't leave Konoha and killing Orochimaru becomes their new goal. (They team up against him and Kabuto in the future) And it can be a big and dramatic moment of freedom for both of them.

And of course I have some ideas for Naruto, Sakura and Sai as well, but for now we start with Sasuke!

I like to think Anko is a bit more of a rebel against Konoha so she wouldn't keep as many secrets from Sasuke, she would actually encourage him breaking rules and increasingly evade the system, and help guide him towards Itachi and the truth about the Uchiha massacre - she can also investigate a little on her own.

And on the topic of Itachi, he can be an actual spy! Working for the village and actually reporting back about the Akatsuki - and doing this mostly to keep Sasuke safe, since Danzou's still out there and Sasuke was his one slip up in the massacre.

I don't know if I want Itachi to survive or die in the end, but he and Sasuke will make peace before that. Also before that (and before they kill Orochimaru) Danzou's gonna put Sai on team 7 to watch Sasuke - and of course they're all gonna become bffs and join forces (maybe even with Itachi) to end Danzou <3.

[astonmartinii]

day nine: christmas on screen | carlos sainz social media au

pairing: carlos sainz x fem musician reader

what's better than being a super famous singer that's dating a formula one driver? being a super famous singer that's dating a formula one driver that is willing to dress up in silly outfits for your chirstmas special

MASTERLIST | TIP JAR

yourusername

liked by charles_leclerc, landonorris and 4,231,893 others

tagged: chappellroan & netflix

yourusername: yoohoo! i'm excited to announce my christmas special is coming to you via netflix on december sixth!

view all comments

user1: i have never been more sat, my parents are telling me it's not out yet but i am SO sat on our couch

user2: this is about to be my entire personality for the next two months

user3: TWO MONTHS? weak.

oscarpiastri: CHAPPELL???

yourusername: i know right !!!

carlossainz55: why are you here?

oscarpiastri: i may not like YOU but i like y/n and i LOVE chappell

yourusername: so true of you

carlossainz55: no. not true of you

oscarpiastri: you have a problem with me streaming your girlfriend's music? supporting her career?

yourusername: i appreciate it oscar

carlossainz55: YES.

carlossainz55: you're only doing it to bother ME

oscarpiastri: listen here buddy i've been here since the disney days just because you're an OLD MAN doesn't mean i am

yourusername: i think you guys should maybe settle this on track and not in my comments lol

carlossainz55: i'm on it

oscarpiastri: if you can get close enough next season :P

user4: carcar beef even in the offseason we're being FED

user5: can't deal with oscar reminding me that carlos will be in the williams next year

user6: but oscar is also real as fuck for being a disney girl

charles_leclerc: do you need a piano man at all?

carlossainz55: if there's going to be a ferrari driver in this special it would be ME not YOU

charles_leclerc: well you're not really a ferrari driver anymore so.... it's still open?

yourusername: charlie... it's already been filmed... how did you think we made the trailer?

charles_leclerc: oh - BORING!

user7: so that's basically confirmation that carlos will be in the special right?

user8: i mean although his only talents outside of an f1 car seem to be golf, football and liking shady tweets - he does have a face card that demands to be on tv

user9: i wouldn't put it past y/n and carlos to somehow shoehorn smooth operator in there somewhere

carlossainz55

liked by landonorris, fernandoalo_oficial and 652,494 others

tagged: yourusername

carlossainz55: making my netflix debut with my love this winter - check it out december sixth!

view all comments

user13: CONFIRMATION !!!!

user14: tbf as soon as this project was announced there was no way he wouldn't be in it in some shape or form

yourusername: it took a LOT of pleading... had to use the netflix card in the end

user15: thank you for your service

yourusername: seeing your face on a big screen? do tell me more

carlossainz55: i'm just happy you let me on the same screen as you

yourusername: but we're always on the same screen together?

landonorris: not this gatekeeping...

yourusername: i don't think you'd want to see it lando

landonorris: why wouldn't i want to see my two best friends ???

carlossainz55: IT'S NOT SUITABLE FOR YOUR EYES STOP ASKING

landonorris: IS IT YALL FUCKING???

yourusername: my lawyer said i shouldn't answer that question

user16: netflix debut? bro said drive to survive? i don't know her

user17: i mean that show is a complete farce

user18: can't wait for the three episode run all about stake and no mention of max vs george

fernandoalo_oficial: wowee chilli you have outdone yourself this time!

carlossainz55: thank you nando :) i hope you will be watching

fernandoalo_oficial: i will be sitting pretty on the sixth no worries, but only if you and y/n come to my new years bash ...

yourusername: WE WILL BE THERE

fernandoalo_oficial: loving the enthusiasm!

carlossainz55: it's because she has a huge crush on you :(

yourusername: welp can you blame me?

carlossainz55: that's a surrogate father to me i will not be agreeing with you

yourusername: snooze

user19: y/n crush on fernando? she's even more relatable

user20: this makes the whole fernando x taylor swift thing even funnier

yourusername: i won't say it was me whole told taylor about that.... buttttt

user21: queen

netflix

liked by carlossainz55, landonorris and 2,893,099 others

tagged: yourusername, obx & f1

netflix: what will you be watching this christmas break?

view all comments

user22: me and my girls will be streaming drive to survive and then will be using a nonsense christmas as a palate cleanser

user23: REAL

user24: @netflix please do better with the next season xxx

carlossainz55: a nonsense christmas. over and over again. until it's all that is in my brain and tattooed on the inside of my eyelids

yourusername: omg you do that too???

yourusername: no living soul should ever see my 'baby' folder on tiktok LOL

carlossainz55: well SNAP

user25: really yall save the tiktok edits of each other?

yourusername: ummm yeah? some of you are VERY talented

carlossainz55: also we're apart more than we're together so something must tide us over

charles_leclerc: is that why you keep looking for cameras, smizing and pouring water on yourself

yourusername: don't forget the backwards cap!

carlossainz55: i gotta give them the material to keep my girl happy

carlossainz55: also who do you think suggested the juno position...

user25: thank you for your service

landonorris: wait so that cute fanservice moment was actually just the y/nlos KARMA SUTRA ???

user26: i need a significant other who does this much just for tiktok edits

user27: is this the 21st century romance we were promised?

user28: it's the best we're getting, poetry is dead i fear

yourusername: so i wrote juno for nothing?

maxverstappen1: i will be conducting a full dexter rewatch

carlossainz55: excuse you?

maxverstappen1: well why would i watch drive to survive? i lived it and i already watched a nonsense christmas - amazing work @yourusername

yourusername: thanks max!

carlossainz55: how have yOU watched it? i haven't even watched it yet?

maxverstappen1: i wouldn't have that if i were you y/n, that guy is meant to be your biggest fan?

carlossainz55: i AM

maxverstappen1: oh and i just bribed netflix lol - they had to make up with me at some point ;)

yourusername

liked by taylorswift, landonorris and 3,834,033 others

tagged: carlossainz55

yourusername: christmas was on screen for me this year, but i get to live my hallmark romance everyday

view all comments

user30: chat do we wanna put bets on how long it takes for them to get their own btec hallmark christmas movie like taylor and travis?

user31: next christmas for sure if they're still together

user32: 'if they're still together' kill yourself

liked by carlossainz55

user33: i will be sat for their awful attempt to film the racing scenes

carlossainz55: you're my fairytale ending princess

yourusername: as if you're not the biggest prize of all

carlossainz55: nope that would be you :P

yourusername: whatever you say beautiful

carlossainz55: no i'm being so serious, you being mine is the best gift of all and one i intend to keep for life

yourusername: well it's your lucky day, i want to be yours forever too

yourusername: but the y/ln name will live on

carlossainz55: i'm ready to take yours

charles_leclerc: it's true i caught him practising a new signature with carlos y/ln

yourusername: that's so fucking hot

user34: so that ended abruptly ...

user35: do we think?

user36: yep. it's defo what we think

user37: i mean i'd also climb my boyf like a tree if he said he wanted to be my life partner and take MY last name

taylorswift: we loved your special !!! see you soon xx

yourusername: thank you mama

carlossainz55: so are we all going to the super bowl orrrrrr

yourusername: let's get through christmas first babe

carlossainz55: ACTUALLY who do i talk to about getting you the super bowl halftime show

user38: boyfriend or agent? why not both!

carlossainz55

liked by fernandoalo_oficial, landonorris and 782,309 others

tagged: yourusername

carlossainz55: thank you netflix for allowing to broadcast how hot and amazing my girlfriend is and how absolutely off limits she is

view all comments

user39: bro used a NETFLIX special to tell people to back off his girl

user40: i need a boyf like this

user41: i think i speak for most men that we don't have the budget for this

user42: i mean y/n and netflix mostly paid for the special

user41: did or did carlos not ride in on his 'sleigh' that was a WHOLE FERRARI F1 CAR ???

yourusername: i want everyone to know your mine too

yourusername: why do you think i wear so much red?

lewishamilton: right, this is my seat now you people do know this right?

yourusername: RED CAN BE FOR SPAIN TOO

yourusername: DUMBASSES PLEASE LEAVE ME ALONE TO THIRST OVER MY BOYF AND WEAR HIS COLOURS

carlossainz55: you do look otherworldly in red 🫶

yourusername: why thank you xx

yourusername: @williamsf1 any chance we can do a one off red livery - perhaps in spain pretty please

williamsf1: i don't think the social media admin has control over it

yourusername: okay i'll just dm james personally

carlossainz55: babe ???

yourusername: you look almost as good as me in red babe i'm doing it for the greater good

yourusername: @alexalbon you'd look okay too i guess?

alexalbon: i'll take it (and i'll take some tickets as well please)

user43: i love how y/n has just become the ticket plug

user44: and for both sides like why was she the one to get travis in touch with alpine but also giving charles the tickets to taylor in italy

landonorris: ugh we get it you're happy

carlossainz55: you doing okay buddy

landonorris: it's a lonely time of year and you guys aren't helping

yourusername: i have a song about this!

landonorris: what do you think has been on blast the last couple of days?

yourusername: i'll take the streams thanks buddy

f1

liked by danielricciardo, oscarpiastri and 1,209,483 others

tagged: carlossainz55, charles_leclerc, yourusername & landonorris

f1: so how do we get y/n on OUR netflix show?

view all comments

user45: i ask myself this everyday

user46: i'll deal with all the fake drive to survive drama if we get a whole episode of y/n and carlos just existing

user47: i need a y/n hot lap while we're at it as well

carlossainz55: why are you posting such sexy photos of my girlfriend 🤨

f1: ummmmmmm... all photos of her are?

carlossainz55: WRONG ANSWER

carlossainz55: ONLY I'M ALLOWED TO SAY THAT ABOUT HER

f1: i didn't even say the word ???

francocolapinto: take me to jail then

carlossainz55: ugh i don't have the time to fight all of you

francocolapinto: weak

carlossainz55: i have a tight schedule which includes driving in the car you thought you would get and loving the girl YOU WISH YOU COULD BE WITH

francocolapinto: oop

user48: bro is crazy

user49: crazy in LOVE

liked by carlossainz55

yourusername: i guess you'll just have to ask nicely

f1: carlos won't fight us if we do right?

carlossainz55: no... for now

f1: COOL PLEASE COME TO A RACE

yourusername: i can't say much, but i do look just as cute in red as i do i blue :P

user50: YES QUEEN!!!!

user51: and when we get a y/n performance at a race and then we get a juno position at a grand prix weekend...

carlossainz55: that will be my onstage debut

carlossainz55: i know how outrageously horny all you lonely f1 guys are

user52: spill

yourusername: so not just as much as you babe?

carlossainz55: well i actually get to have you sooooooo

yourusername: true :P

user53: LEAVE US ALONE

fin.

note: woah this is like the first time i've written for carlos in like a year. oh and even though this is nice to him... the guilty as sin finale will come in the new year xx

[tpwk-formula1]

lando, gluten free, red sauce, onions, chicken, gouda cheese, mozzarella, pulled pork, kale with a sprite, black tea and green tea with dessert please <3

im imagining reader working for his team and they can't stand each other but always end up in each others beds somehow, he catches her flirting w another guy and although he usually wouldn't care for some reason he gets really jealous and has to remind her he's the only one that can have her ? do w this as you wish hehe

Lee-Lee's Pizzeria Menu

gluten-free enemies to lovers red sauce rough sex onions "I saw you being a little slut" chicken "Awe, you thought I'd let you cum that easy?" gouda “Slow down? You just told me to speed up, make up your mind silly girl” mozzarella “All you ever do is bitch and complain, just fucking take it” pulled pork "God, I love when I fuck the attitude out of you" kale "I love knowing I ruined you so good you can only cum when I make you" sprite size kink black tea choking green tea doggy dessert yes served by Lando Norris

Lando x fem! reader

TW - MEAN ASF Lando, crying, choking, 2 ass slaps, creampie, ROUGH sex, honestly just all the warnings :) MDNI 18+

WC 3000+ (sorry I got really into this one!)

Y/N POV

"Lando, you have filming for Quadrant today," I remind Lando softly making him roll his eyes.

"i know my own damn schedule," Lando snapped making me roll my eyes back at him.

"Then why do you need a fucking assistant," I say while throwing my hands up in defeat.

"I don't fucking know. I thought it would be a good idea, instead, I got stuck with you," Lando snapped back making me roll my eyes and get everything together that Lando would need for the Quadrant video.

"I love to see you try and live a week without me hounding on your ass," I snap back while placing Lando's backpack by the front door so he didn't forget it while also getting his lunch together knowing he would leave without eating if I didn't do it.

"I'm a grown man, I can take care of myself," Lando snapped back making me roll my eyes.

"Okay, give me the rest of the week off. I'll be back Monday morning and if you survived then I'll quit no questions asked, but if you don't then you will learn how to respect me and not be an absolute dick to me," I tell him while pulling his food back down onto the counter no longer preparing him food.

"Deal. It's Thursday which means I only have to survive 4 days, I can manage," Lando replied back making me smile and head to the front door to leave.

"Bye, don't be scared to call when you inevitably need help," I say while exiting and heading back to my own apartment.

I spent the rest of my day relaxing and enjoying my time away from Lando knowing tomorrow was gonna be a new day and he was probably gonna call tomorrow when he realized my job wasn't useless like he always liked to claim.

It was Friday at noon and by now I would normally be with Lando planning what his next week would look like but instead, I'm laying out on a yacht with Oscar.

Oscar and I had always been close. We both started the same year and both bonded over being so young working for McLaren and further bonded when I would rant to him about how Lando was treating me.

"Hold on I'm getting a call," I sit up softly picking up my phone to see who was calling.

I showed Oscar the caller ID making both of us smirk and laugh softly.

"Couldn't even go 24 hours," Oscar mutters making me laugh a little harder before I answer the call.

"Why are you with him," Lando seethed the second I answered my phone.

"Oh, quit it Lando. Do you need me or are you just interrupting my weekend off," I snap back at him having no patience for his jealous ass.

"Get your ass back to my apartment," Lando snapped back making me roll my eyes.

"Lando if this isn't for work related issues then I will not be coming over until I am done hanging out with my friend," I reply back emphasizing the word friend.

"Y/N I swear to God if you don't get you ass to my apartment in the next hour you will lose your job," Lando said back.

"And you're gonna tell Zak what exactly? 'I want her removed from my team cause she was hanging out with Oscar and I was a jealous twat who couldn't get my dick wet.' Sounds real mature Lando Norris. I will come over later tonight," I tell him finalizing my plan before hanging up on him before he could say anything else.

"I don't understand why you won't make it official," Oscar says with a raised brow making me raise my brow mirroring his actions.

"He's inmature and doesn't know what he wants," I tell Oscar softly climbing back onto the couch so Oscar and I can continue soaking up the sun.

"I just know he's call Max to use his yacht right now to track your ass down," Oscar says with a smirk making me laugh.

"Probably," I reply honestly.

"You ever gonna put him out of his misery and become his?" Oscar asks making me think hard before answering.

"I don't know. Definitely not until he starts respecting my work," I tell Oscar softly making him nod his head.

"I think that's fair. Maybe this weekend will open his eyes to realize how much you do for him. Going above and beyond what is in your job description," Oscar replies back making me smile, happy he understands.

"Hell, I too wouldn't want to share you if you prepared my lunches, made sure I had time allotted for a break, and spent the night in my bed," Oscar says smirking at the last part making me roll my eyes.

Oscar and I had a teasing relationship closer to siblings than lovers and it was refreshing to be close with someone in this crazy life we both live.

"You're an ass for that, Piastri," I say while laughing softly.

We spent the rest of the afternoon tanning and enjoying each others calm presence before we decided to dock and head back to our individual apartments.

"Better not find out I'm gonna be an uncle in 4 to 6 weeks," Oscar says with a smirk across his face making me roll my eyes and close the door to my apartment while Oscar walks the rest of the way to his.

Lando, Oscar and I all live in the same building making it easy to have group dinners or see each other when we are getting bored or lonely.

I hadn't even been back to my own room for 5 minutes when I hear a pounding on my front door making me roll my eyes knowing it could only be one person making such a scene.

"Open the door," I hear Lando say in a sing-song voice being far more menacing than I would prefer.

"What is your damn problem," I snap when I swing open the door making Lando shove his way through the door before taking my neck into his big hands and squeezing choking me slightly while he pushes me against the door.

"I saw you being a little slut. All cuddled up with Oscar in the middle of the water," Lando says getting closer to my face and showing me just how upset he is.

"You know damn well it's not like that," I snap back getting just as angry at him.

"Do I know that though? Cause between fans spying on yall and your own snap story it looks like you were dressed into next to nothing cuddled right up to Oscar's side," Lando scoffs back squeezing my throat a bit tighter making it more difficult to breathe.

"You're ridiculous you know that," I say while gripping his wrist trying to pry his grip off of me. Lando finally releases my neck but quickly grips my hard into a death grip and yanks me through my apartment where he dumps me near the bed.

I was on the floor when Lando situates me onto my knees before he quickly pulls his pants down with his briefs leaving his hard cock to bounce freely between us.

"Don't make me fucking tell you want to do," Lando snaps when I make no move to take him into my mouth,

"You're pathetic," I mutter softly before I take Lando into my mouth. I knew he heard me when his hands were on the back of my head again pushing his whole length into my throat making me gag and instantly start to tear up.

"I'm fucking pathetic? You're the one crying on my cock less than 10 seconds after giving it to you. Bet your fucking pussy is weeping too," Lando says while holding my head in place and brutally fucking into my mouth making me repetitively take him into my mouth. Once Lando has fucked my face for a few seconds he shoves his whole length into my mouth and holding me on his cock for several seconds making me gag and cry around his cock hitting his hips trying to get away from his brutal attack.

Once Lando pulls out of my mouth I yank my head away best as possible while I gasp and cough for air.

"Not so rough," I whisper softly through my hoarse voice.

Lando just pulls me back onto his cock and starts fucking my face again. Still rough but nowhere near as rough as he had been.

“All you ever do is bitch and complain, just fucking take it,” Lando grunts while still pumping his cock into my mouth. I can feel my tears have completely soaked my cheeks and my own spit in starting to trail down the front of my neck making me look like a proper used-up whore.

"God, I love destroying you," Lando says smirking when he pulled me off his cock leaving me to heave in heavy breaths while he stared down at my ruined face.

"Look most beautiful when you're wrapped around my cock," Lando whispers with a smirk before softly biting my earlobe making me whimper at the feeling.

Lando helps me to my feet where he quickly pulls the swim suit cover I was wear off leaving me in my bikini I had been wearing. I cringed slightly when Lando was eyeing my bikini.

"Turn around," Lando says roughly making me turn in curiousity. When Lando got a view of my ass he instantly slapped it leaving a large hand print behind.

"For someone who says Oscar and you aren't more than friends you're leaving far too little for his imagination. You think sweet little Oscar could destroy your pussy even half as good as me," Lando says stepping closer to my back making me rest softly against him.

"No Lando, only you. You literally fucking ruined me for anyone else," I cry out in confession. It had been true, ever since Lando and I got involved I hadn't been able to finish with anyone but Lando. Even my trusted vibrator was now useless.

"Oh is that true?" Lando says clearly a smirk laced in his voice.

"Yes, I literally can't even make myself cum anyone," I confess in pure annoyance at the situation.

"I love knowing I ruined you so good you can only cum when I make you," Lando says while turning me back around so I can see his face.

"I hate you," I whisper back.

"That's a fucking lie and we both know it," Lando whispered back getting closer to my mouth before finishing his sentence by kissing my lips.

I whimper into the rough kiss when I feel Lando start pulling at the strings of my bikini leaving me completely bare for Lando's rough hands to continue to explore my body.

When I feel Lando's large hands grip my ass I whimper out that quickly turns into a strangled cry when he roughly lands a slap on my ass.

"That side was jealous," Lando says smirking against my lips.

Lando roughly pulls his shirt off leaving him completely naked before he roughly throws me onto the bed where I bounce a couple times before Lando is gripping onto my foot and pulling me into him where he is kneeling on the ground next to the bed.

My pussy was now at face level with Lando who wastes absolutely no time to pull my clit into his mouth and start eating me out like a starved man.

"Oh fuck Lan," I moan softly when I feel Lando slowly slip two fingers into my pussy.

"Fuck, so fucking sweet," Lando groans before standing up and towering over my body and spitting into my mouth making me gasp in shock.

"Fuck I love when you're like this," Lando groans getting back onto his knees and continuing to eat my pussy out like a starved man. When he puts his fingers back into my pussy he's not nearly as gentle this time. He quickly shoves them in finding my G-spot with no trouble and attacking it.

"Oh my god Lando," I scream out and clench around him in preparation for the orgasm I can feel building in the pit of my stomach.

"Please Lan," I moan when I can feel myself on the edge of cumming. But instead of Lando giving me permission like I thought he would he rips his fingers and mouth away ripping my orgasm away with them.

"Lando what the actual fuck," I heave sitting up slightly only to be pushed back down.

"Awe, you thought I'd let you cum that easy?" Lando says with a smirk making me want to slap him across the face. Instead I just clench my hands at my side.

"Lando please," I finally beg out when I calmed down. Lando didn't say anything he just roughly flipped me onto my stomach before he pulled me onto all fours and pushed his dick into me.

Lando gave me no time to adjust, he just quickly started fucking into my tight pussy making me whimper.

"Too big," I gasp when I finally find my voice making Lando speed up his actions on my pussy.

"You can fucking take it," Lando says snapping his hips into mine making me whimper at the hard thrusts.

Lando pulls me up by me hair so he was still fucking into me but my back was now pressed against his chest where he moves his hand from my hair to my neck and giving it a hard squeeze making my eyes tear up again from the choking.

"Close," I gasp in a stranged moan not being able to breathe fully.

"Cum on my cock," Lando roughly states making me instatly start cumming all over his cock.

"Fuck Lando," I moan through my orgasm while Lando squeezes hard on my throat completely cutting my airflow off as I'm cumming only making it that much more intense. When my orgasm ended only then did Lando release my throat making me gasp for air.

"Lando," I scream when he continues to fuck into me as I fall out of his arms and back into doggy position.

"Please Lan, it's too much," I whine losing all fight I once had in my body.

"You can take it, love," Lando tells me softly while slowing his thrusts to let me catch my breath for a second.

"So pretty all fucked out," Lando mumbles before speeding his thrusts up and continuing to fuck into my overused pussy.

"Faster," I beg when I feel another orgasm starting to build up again. This one coming in far faster and stronger than the previous one.

"Cum for me," Lando grunts when he can feel my pussy clenching for another release. I instantly cum all over his cock again barely able to hold my body up anymore. I would have completely fallen into the bed had Lando not been holding me up by the hips.

Lando continues his hard and fast thrusts even after I have come down from my orgasm making me cry out again in overstimulation.

"Slow down," I scream out only making Lando speed up.

“Slow down? You just told me to speed up, make up your mind silly girl,” Lando grunts out before sending one final thrust into my pussy before I feel his hot cum start splashing my walls letting me know Lando was cumming deep into my pussy.

"Oh Lan," I gasp and fall half onto the bed while my legs dangle over the side. When Lando was slipping out of my pussy he made sure to pull out slowly to make sure to not overstimulate me further.

"Don't leave," I gasp when I watch Lando start retreating into the bathroom making him turn around and lock eyes with me.

"I'm gonna leave you. I'm just gonna grab something to clean you up," Lando tells me softly before disappearing into my bathroom and grabbing a rag before coming back into my room and cleaning my sore pussy up softly.

"Hurts Lan," I whine when he brushes against my sensitive clit with the rough rag.

"I'm sorry," Lando mumbles sheepishly.

I feel Lando observing me while I slowly climb into bed properly getting under my covers and pulling my blanket up to my chin as I watch Lando throw on his boxers before picking up his shirt and softly placing it on me.

"Thanks," I reply softly as Lando climbs into the bed next to me.

"God, I love when I fuck the attitude out of you. Now you're sitting here all pretty and blissed out," Lando tells me softly making me smile up at him.

"I don't like the way you dismiss my work," I tell him softly finally opening up about my feelings.

"I could barely survive today, please come to work with me tomorrow," Lando says turning his body towards me so I can look at him.

"Fine, but you better start having some respect for me all the time, not just during post nut clarity," I tell him back making him blush just thinking about what just transpired between us.

"And you owe me a plan B I promised Osc he wouldn't become an uncle in 4 to 6 weeks," I tell Lando making the both of us start laughing.

"Deal, and I promise from now on I promise I'll stop being condescending and undermining you. I realized how much you really do for me. I didn't eat until dinner cause I forgot about a meeting and had no time to grab anything," Lando confesses making me smile and laugh lightly.

"Didn't even realize I was such a pain that you were feeding me too," Lando admits hiding his face in my neck due to embarrassment.

"And I wanna work on us. I wanna build a better friendship between us so one day I can make you mine," Lando says once he pulls his face from my neck.

"I would like that Lando," I admit softly before pulling his face close to mine and giving him a soft kiss.

"I wanna keep doing this though and maybe sometimes not so rough," I tell Lando making him break out into a blushing smile.

"Deal. I would love to spend my time worshipping your body," Lando tells me softly making me turn red.

[nakylvr]

Hey, can I request for Daniela Avanzini where Y/n is also a member of katseye and she’s dating dani (at this point they’re very popular) but Dani gets jealous because Y/n and Megan have been getting shipped a lot on tiktok and people make edits of them. Y/n gets a little annoyed bc she keeps telling Dani that obviously nothing is going on between her and Megan so she has nothing to worry about but Dani doesn’t wanna let it go.

I know it’s a lot lol but I love that you’re literally the only person writing katseye and I love your writing style. Thank you!

thank you so much for requesting this it was so fun! 🫶 im sorry it took a while 😓 and it lowkey went off the rails from the req im sorry

— ENVIOUS

daniela avanzini x fem!reader

warnings/tags: angst/happy ending, jealous!daniela, language, 7th member!reader, established relationship, mini argument, not proofread

main masterlist | katseye masterlist

it wasn't hard for daniela to get jealous. she could get jealous at someone merely looking at you for a second too long. but those were with people she didn't know. you figured she wouldn't get jealous over something silly like fans shipping you with megan and edits being made of you two.

you were unfortunately wrong.

it's what causes the first real argument in your relationship. you and daniela started dating right after the end of dream academy and the lineup was announced, having feelings for each other during the whole survival show and actually officially dating once it was all over. and it was great. you debuted, you went to kcon, you went on a mini asia tour, and everything was great.

you obviously knew it was easy to get daniela jealous. after debuting and getting popular there would be some celebrities that would try to talk to you or hit on you and she would suddenly appear beside you to drag you off somewhere. but you didn't think she would get jealous because of one of the members who was most definitely not into you.

the fans had grown to like you and megan as a duo, a ship even with some of the edits you've seen on tiktok. to the point where you two were one of the more popular ships in the fandom. you thought it was silly, and you would occasionally giggle at the edits because you didn't take it seriously and you thought it wasn't serious enough to worry about. until daniela saw.

she knows she shouldn't get jealous over it to the point she's essentially ignoring you. but that's just how she is. she knows she can't officially say anything cause management would go ballistic and they'd probably go on hiatus. she knows megan doesn't see you that way. but that's just how she is.

you knew something was wrong when daniela started ignoring you. and that was hard for her, you both knew that. she couldn't stand being away from you, let alone ignore you for days on end leaving you wondering what you did to cause this. so you knew something was seriously wrong then.

the girls noticed it too. the tension that had suddenly grown was odd for them all watching dani ignore you while you would stare with sad eyes trying to figure out what happened. but they couldn't do anything. daniela wouldn't budge on telling anyone anything. so everyone was left in the dark while you had to deal with how to address it.

it was late at night when all the girls were asleep that you decided to confront her on it. she was in the living room reading one of her books when you left your shared room with sophia and yoonchae, which you weren't surprised about. her eyes flickered up from the book only to look back down a second later once seeing it was you.

you slowly approach the couch before sitting down at the edge of it, keeping a distance between you two which the blonde notices. you glance over at her, letting out a sigh before speaking. "can we talk?"

"about what?" daniela responds, her eyes focused on the book but not reading anymore.

"gee i don't know, let's start at you ignoring me," you say, shaking your head and scoffing quietly.

"i'm not ignoring you." daniela's eyes stay fixated on the book, her hands gripping it more tightly in her hands.

"really? that's what you're going to say?" you look at her with furrowed eyebrows. "obviously you're ignoring me, and i don't know why. so please talk to me."

"there's nothing to talk about," daniela mutters.

your lips pursed in a thin line, your irritation starting to become greater at every word she says. without a second thought, you yank the book out of her hands and put it on the table in front of you, seeing her eyes widen as she finally looks at you.

"what the fuck, yn?"

"what the fuck?" you repeat. "what the fuck, daniela? that's what you have to say?"

when daniela's eyes meet yours for the first time in weeks, she can see the mixed emotions in them. you're angry, upset, confused. all because of her. she feels a twang of guilt rush through her at the sight.

"after ignoring me for weeks you're surprised i'm fed up with it?" you shake your head. "look, i don't know what i did, but i can't fix it unless you tell me. why have you been ignoring me?" you ask the question again.

"i'm not ignoring you."

you take a deep breath after her words, your anger starting to bubble up before you speak. "fine," you say, standing up. "if you won't tell me what's going on, then i think we should end this."

"what?" daniela's eyes go wide and her head jerks up to you when you stand, the expression on her face finally changing into something you hadn't seen, panic evident in her eyes. "you're not serious."

you just stare down at her, your arms crossed over your chest. "i am. we can't fix things if you won't say what the problem is. that's for everything. i don't even know what i did, daniela, because you won't tell me. how do i know if it's something serious or something petty like you being jealous? i don't. so yeah, i'm fucking serious," you tell her, your voice and look on your face being enough to tell her you are serious. "if you don't tell me in the next ten seconds then i can assure you this is over."

daniela feels her mouth go dry at your words. you're serious. you're serious about leaving her. she knows you're right. she knows she has to just suck it up and say it. just say it and she won't lose you. just fucking say it.

"i don't like how close you're getting with megan," she blurts out.

the words take a moment to process in your brain, and before you can even think of a response, she's continuing.

"i know she doesn't see you that way and you don't see her that way but i don't like it," she says. "i've seen all the edits, i've seen all the tweets, i mean fuck it's like how much more obvious can i be before people realize that you're with me? i know we can't officially say anything but i can't stand it. i trust you and the girls, of course i do, but what if a pr stunt happens? what if the company says you're dating some random celebrity and i-i'm left behind and you realize you don't really love me and–"

"dani, calm down." you sit down again, closer to her and cupping her face in your hands, cutting her off of her rambling. "are you really jealous over megan of all people? the clingiest girl ever? dani, there's nothing to worry about," you tell her. "it's nothing serious, you should know that. i love you, daniela. okay? even if for some random reason the company does a pr relationship i promise nothing will change between us. so please, stop worrying."

daniela slowly nods along to what you say, her eyes flickering across your face. "i'm sorry for ignoring you," she says in a quiet voice.

"it's alright," you reply, your thumb drawing circles on her cheeks. "i love you," you whisper.

"i love you too," she whispers back.

[alicentsgf]

shauna is a bad person because she was a good one and its fucking fascinating. "I didnt start out a bad person" is one of the Best lines in the show because it sums her up so succinctly and melanie lynskeys delivery is a gut punch

she naturally cares so much about people thats literally why shes like this. she was always flawed (impulsive, self-destructive, etc) but there were so many moments in season 1 where she went out of her way to be kind. its why she cant ever accept anythings her fault because deep down she feels so much of it is and if she ever acknowledges that even slightly its over. too much has happened and she cares too deeply for it to not totally fucking destroy her. she had to lie to herself to survive. its why her subconcious regularly revives the person she loved most just to say mean things to her. it is the worst punishment shauna can imagine and so thats exactly what her imagination delivers. at least then its someone else saying it. it means she can still hide from herself. pretend the punishment isnt self-inflicted. as an adult she creates her own demons. no one damaged the breaks or locked the fridge, it was always only her. she even kills the one person who helped her feel happy and free for the first time in 25 yrs just because he seemed too good to be true. ghost jackie warning her on the bridge that someone was going to get hurt was shaunas own mind creating a self-fufilling prophecy. it couldnt end well, shes not allowed to be happy (she had to make sure)

even the awful things we see shauna doing this season as a teenager, the person she's become, came about because of how much she cared. in keeping them all alive, she destroyed her entire sense of self. she emerges from it all convinced she's a terrible person now so she should just accept it. embody it. and shes so full of pain and rage that its so easy. someone needed to be okay with the worst parts of it, otherwise they didnt eat. otherwise they were vulnerable. she just cares too much. its the root of it all. it would be so easy to take extra rations (she doesn't). shes lost her child, imagined him ripped apart and eaten. (she'll cut into someone elses. rip him apart. they’re depending on her.) there's a purpose and fulfilment in the act. (she hates herself for feeling it but she needs to). shes lost everything and maybe she'd rather curl up in the snow by her babys grave and sleep. (they have to eat, she has to feed them.) they don't even thank her. she'll resent them for it later. (she still cares.) she hates them.

shauna may be be paranoid and vengeful but shes not a narcissist and shes not righteous. there's no wilderness god, no greater good, just reality. the place where they grew hungry enough to hunt each other. she wonders aloud why the hell melissa likes her, because shes aware shes unlikeable. it might not be a conscious choice but its deliberate. its a form of self-harm and its self-preservation. better to be feared and hated than pitied, at least then theres some power in what shes lost. (shes so desperate to feel powerful. she's earned it hasn't she?)

even when shes older and she tries to move on, always quick to blame others for her problems, deep down she will always feel responsible. its her fault jackie died so it has to mean something, her relationship with jeff has to be real. so she marries him out of guilt and has a child so she can continue to punish herself indefinitely. ofc it makes sense she can hug a confused old man because hes seeing his daughter instead, but she cant hold her own daughter the same way. cant love the way she wants to. (she could never let her go. she’d leave claw marks in her skin) she doesnt deserve her. cant let herself love callie like that. (she loves her anyway). because shes no good. because she knows what she could become (again) if she lost callie. she hurts people. shes a bad person and she deserves to be feel like this, to be blamed for everything, to freeze to death (because karma).

so yes shaunas a bad person. but shes not very good at it. and it wasn't pre-destined. she took on too big a burden, lost too much, and it broke her. that's what makes her tragic. most innately bad people dont spend their entire adult lives self-inflicting emotional torture.

[bucky-murdock-moans]

on the portrayal of grief and depression in daredevil: born again

so I don't think it's a secret that I am so far loving the new daredevil show. I want to preface that it's also completely fine to not like it. but I like the different approaches, the darker tone focusing more on the emotions of the human soul rather than the physicality (for now, at least) and yes, I can't write this without praising charlie cox for his acting. bite me. just like with any other medium, movies and tv shows often have a set mould in which they portray grief and depression. they tell or show us how it's supposed to be, what we are supposed to feel, the characters say the same old lines... the new direction is a lot more heavy on the show-don't-tell side and as someone who had to face grief at a young age while completely abandoned, I feel very strongly about this and I don't want to step around it without praise.

foggy neslon is the closest thing matt has ever had to a family, and the show opens up with him being violently murdered and matt's biggest fear coming alive. someone he loves, someone innocent getting hurt as collateral damage.

I love and adore foggy nelson with all my being not just in the netflix show but in the comics too. elden did an incredible job bringing him to life and showing that potential in the character that is often underestimated in the comics, too. he gave us foggy nelson filled with endless love, kindness, compassion and someone who is incredibly smart - even in the comics, matt admits that himself is more of a master of great speeches and bravado in the courtroom, while foggy is the one with an immense well of knowledge not just about the law but about specific cases that could grant them leverage. as foggy himself pointed out in s3, everybody abandoned matt in his life. his mother left the family (yes, she had ppd, but she abandoned a child nonetheless), his father did his best to raise a kid as a single dad but ultimately, he chose his pride of not willing to lose over staying alive and actually raising his son. stick abandoned matt for a lot of reasons depending on whether you look into the comics or the show. and in s3, while struggling with her own grief and anger karen was considering abandoning matt too. which is a very human emotion to feel on her side, to be fair. as for foggy, that was not gonna happen. foggy nelson loved matt murdock undonditionally. that was the single most powerful, the most priceless thing he could ever give to him. and after his death, we jump a year ahead in time and a lot of people are complaining about bad pacing but please, I am begging you to believe me when I say this was a concious choice to not give us closure the same way matt is not giving himself a chance at closure.

we see a matt murdock who is in survival mode. he moved away from hells kitchen (a palce he never imagined he could abandon), he is now at a new firm, adapting to changes and as you watch him get ready before that court hearing, it is clear to see that he is simply going through the motions. this man is on autopilot. he wants to get the thing done for the sake of being able to say he did it, he finished that task, that chore of making breakfast, getting dressed... and then you see him reaching for foggy's prayer card and you immediately clock in on how worn the edges are. he puts it in a pocket above his heart. at the end of the day, he takes it out, and the next day, picking it up again. he doesn't put it in his wallet, or a pocket permanently to carry it around passively like you would do with a photograph. it is a concious choice that he makes every day to touch it, to handle it, to not allow himself to forgive or forget. he is depressed, he is not letting himself process his own grief and it goes to show just how great of an actor charlie is to convey all that in the posture, in the body language, the way matt seems to stop dead in his tracks when met with inconveniences (sitting down, slumped over when he larns fisk running for mayor while while he ignores the smoke detector for example). we also see him (as of episode 2) abandoning his faith which happens often when people go through intense trauma. especially if religion is a big part of your identity, it's a connection that gets damaged along with your self image. just another sign that goes to show what kind of impact foggy's death had over matt. bottom line is, I love how matt is portrayed with a more high functioning depression (where even karen thinks that he is "doing well" on the outside) while on the inside, he is absolutely falling apart. grief is an extremely complex human experience that never really goes away. it is a long, hard journey that is different for everyone. and yeah, I'm not happy foggy died. I wish he didn't have to. but you could not have picked a better catalyst for matt's life to fall into nothing. and I think in a twisted way it is the most beautiful legacy you can give to foggy. that he was so incredibly, undeniably, unimaginably important and loved.

[shinynewmemories]

The exchange between Peeta and Gale in Tigris's basement used to be my least favorite scene in the entire book. I hated how it made Katniss out to be a heartless drone whose only motivation is survival. But I've been thinking about it a lot lately, and I'm now convinced I grossly misinterpreted the purpose of the passage the first times I read it. I don't think it's about Gale revealing some sage wisdom about Katniss; I think it's a revelation about how far gone Katniss and Gale's relationship truly is, and how little he understands the way she loves. AND it's about how much better Peeta understands Katniss, even in his half-hijacked state. Let me break it apart a tad to explain what I mean:

“She loves you, you know,” says Peeta. “She as good as told me after they whipped you.”

Peeta is correct on both counts. Katniss DOES love Gale, and in CF, she internally refers back to the whipping as the moment she "chose" Gale over Peeta. Peeta knew it then, and he knows it now.

“Don’t believe it,” Gale answers. “The way she kissed you in the Quarter Quell... well, she never kissed me like that.”

Correct, but it's interesting that Gale refers to THAT moment on the beach as proof that Katniss loves Peeta. Because on one hand, that WAS the first time she felt and displayed sexual desire for anyone. But on the other hand, I would argue that there was lots more evidence for Katniss's love for Peeta; "anyone paying attention" could see it. So why does Gale point to the one time things got hot and heavy between them?

“It was just part of the show,” Peeta tells him, although there’s an edge of doubt in his voice.

Incorrect, but I'll give him half credit for the "edge of doubt" in his voice.

“No, you won her over. Gave up everything for her. Maybe that’s the only way to convince her you love her.” 

Here's where Gale starts talking kinda crazy. Since when has the issue been convincing KATNISS that HE (or Peeta) loved HER? Since the end of book 1, there has never been the slightest doubt in Katniss's mind that Peeta loved her. And she's never doubted Gale's love, although she admits it caught her off guard. Does Gale actually think that if Katniss could just SEE how much he loves her, she'd have no choice but to marry him? Or does he think Katniss is holding back because he hasn't "given up everything" for her? Either way, he paints Katniss as a fundamentally untrusting and self-centered person.

Also, he implies that Katniss needs to be "won over", that she needs to be PERSUADED to love either of them... Yikes. It's like he actually believes Katniss doesn't have the emotional capabilities of falling in love all on her own.

There’s a long pause. “I should have volunteered to take your place in the first Games. Protected her then.”

Incorrect! Over to Peeta for an explanation of why that would have been a Colossally Stupid idea:

“You couldn’t,” says Peeta. “She’d never have forgiven you. You had to take care of her family. They matter more to her than her life.”

DING DING DING DING! I just picture Peeta making a ????????no??? face as Gale says he should have volunteered for him. Like?? Can you IMAGINE? Book 1 Katniss would have been screaming at Gale like "you absolute IDIOT. WHY would you throw your life and the lives of your and/or my family away. And for WHAT? MORON."

But I get it. Gale is saying this out of desperation. Because he can't say "I wish you had died in those games" (although perhaps that is how he's felt once or twice). And to be fair, if Peeta had never been in those games with Katniss, things between them now would be very... different. (shhhhh Gale doesn't have to know about the whole "this would've happened anyway" thing)

“Well, it won’t be an issue much longer. I think it’s unlikely all three of us will be alive at the end of the war. And if we are, I guess it’s Katniss’s problem. Who to choose.” Gale yawns. “We should get some sleep.”

Correct, nothing to object to here.

“Yeah.” I hear Peeta’s handcuffs slide down the support as he settles in. “I wonder how she’ll make up her mind.”

Even though Peeta is more in sync with Katniss, he doesn't presume to know how her romantic side works. Gotta respect that.

“Oh, that I do know.” I can just catch Gale’s last words through the layer of fur. “Katniss will pick whoever she thinks she can’t survive without.”

So I ask: if Gale is shown throughout this exchange to be mostly wrong about Katniss's motivations, desires, and possibly her whole personality, why would we believe he's correct about this?? I think the only conclusion is that he's NOT.

I'll end by adding Katniss's opinion about Gale's assertion:

It’s a horrible thing for Gale to say, for Peeta not to refute. Especially when every emotion I have has been taken and exploited by the Capitol or the rebels.

Katniss is DEEPLY hurt by what Gale said. And I no longer believe it's because it's the truth about HER. I think it's because it's the truth about how Gale sees her, and he sees her in a very hurtful (albeit incorrect) way.

[raymurata]

Bellara's main choice and DAV's implicit (or accidental) stance on book burning

Okay, so. Prefacing this with -- I enjoyed the game. I'd even play it again. That being said, one of its biggest flaws is trying to deliver something so morally sanitized it shies away from giving its characters (aside from Solas) and plotlines (aside from Solas's) real nuance. And in the same breath, they end up sending messages that I doubt they intended to send.

Bellara's main decision is particularly annoying to me.

First, I find her arc to be lacking -- She starts the game grieving her brother and blaming herself for his death despite not being responsible for it, then she finds Cyrian again only to grieve him again, so she's back to the start, only this time she has had the guilt removed from her because Cyrian tells her what she needs to hear, and the blame is placed on a big bad evil. Fair, fine.

But I don't like the cinematography of that scene at all. There was plenty of time for Rook and Bellara to react between Anaris grabbing Cyrian's foot and throwing him at the wall. People in Thedas have survived way worse injuries, too, and Bellara literally has healing at her disposal. Why doesn't she even try? His death is clearly plot-driven but it doesn't take her arc forward all that much? But again, that's fine. Not too bad.

But then the choice I have to make for her is whether or not to keep the archive, why? At no point in the game (please correct me if I'm wrong and missed canon information that contradicts me. That would make me way less angry!!!) do they tell us that it was Bellara using the Archive that summoned Anaris, or that it could summon him at will. As far as my interpretation goes, the Archive is, as its name says, the equivalent to a library curated by a comically self-aggrandizing jerk. At no point do we hear it share any actually dangerous lore either, do we? No blueprints for nuclear weapons...

So why does the game choose this wording:

Now, unless the Archive has powers we are unaware of, what this is saying is basically "burn the ancient elven library (it will be safe)" or "don't burn the ancient elven library (it will be dangerous)" and, for a game that is so irritatingly set on giving you only 2024-morality-board-approved goodTM and unproblematic companions and allies... Why does it tell me that burning books is the safe option, ESPECIALLY given that these books are priceless historical artefacts from a marginalized and subjugated ethinic group who have long lost their history to genocide? Like, wut?? Even if the Archive were in fact a dangerous weapon, the game shows us through the Veil Jumpers' vault that they have trained capable scholars and developed (or are developing, with Bellara spearheading it) safe tools to study and keep these artefacts. How condescending is it to tell them that they won't be able to safekeep this one? How pointless? (and her cutest armor AND best skill are locked behind that choice? outrageous lmao.)

And what pisses me off is that they had everything set up already, they just had to deliver it differently. If they told us explicitly that the archive is Anaris' phylactery and that keeping it would mean allowing Anaris to eventually come back? THEN we'd have a real danger. NOW there is a non-fascist risk to maintaining knowledge.

Or what if the only reason Cyrian is back is because Anaris brought him back? What if Cyrian's life is therefore tied to Anaris', and you had to choose between letting Anaris live (perhaps that results in him getting imprisoned in the Archive, tampering with the information in it and destroying its historical value forever, plus Anaris might one day figure out a way out) or killing Anaris for good even knowing that Cyrian will also die again if you do (but then the Dalish get to keep the archive and all the knowledge in it, and Cyrian's sacrifice is not in vain)? Or maybe... The Archive is a spirit, isn't it? Drive home the fact that being tied to that device was a cruel thing Anaris did to it, and keeping it there is just as cruel, even if it would mean giving the elves access to information. Make the wording "free the archive" really mean something here, and the player really think that the knowledge will be lost. Then maybe have it that, if she frees it, it gives her information freely and with its own interpretation of that knowledge, and THEN it leaves (so it's not forever but there is a reward for being compassionate). And if she keeps the spirit in the device, then it is always rude and it gives her information curated by Anaris' point of view, but it is available to all upcoming generations. It'd be real nice and nuanced to pit her compassion against her drive for knowledge. If this were DAO or DA2, you wouldn't make the choice FOR HER. You'd make the choice yourself because you are the leader, and if you chose to keep the spirit, you'd garner lots of negative points with Bellara (and with Emmrich) because, let's be honest, she is written as inherently more compassionate than driven, and she'd resent you making an oppressing choice even if it is well-meaning and good for her people (just like Alistair resents you killing Isolde even if he understands it was a difficult choice).

I just... So many ways it could have been an actually weighted choice, or that it could have affected your relationship with Bellara (and other companions) as Bioware RPGs were wont to do. They had a good set up, but the landing was absolutely bonkers.

[hearts-are-connected]

Dang it, I love this ship and I love the enemies to lovers trope. I get that a lot of people see them as a surrogate father and daughter relationship, but it feels like a been there/done that kinda thing.

As much as I love that trope, I'm also a little tired of it. There's only so much Last of Us style found family I take after seeing it for so many years.

The thing I love about VaultGhoul or Ghoulcy is the idea of Lucy breaking down of Cooper's walls while he helps build hers up.

Is he incredibly cruel to her and those around him in the first season? Yes, extremely

Does he need to chill out and find some of his humanity that's been buried under 200+ years of wasteland survival and bitterness? Yes

Who can bring that needed direction to his life while learning the ways of the new world she finds herself in? Lucy MacLean

I know that the canon ship of the show at this moment is Lucy and Maximus, and as much as I love him, I find the pairing obvious and kind of boring from a story telling perspective. I loved it on my first viewing, but upon re-watching the series, I wasn't as behind it as before. I see their relationship, kiss and all, as a kind of first fling for the both of them.

While it doesn't diminish the care they show one another, there's not a lot behind them as a couple. Now I know that some people might turn around to say how she and Cooper spent less time together than her and Max, but I guess the thing I look forward to is seeing what their relationship brings with the second season.

I feel like Max and Lucy will have a great friendship and I'm interested to see where the Brotherhood fits into their dynamic as well.

With Cooper though, I find his story so tragic, as it's supposed to be. He's your standard hardened survivor who only looks out for himself that's now stuck with the happy-go-lucky main character, however, she's not that character anymore by the end. She's still going to be the Lucy we love, but she's changed by the end. While not losing her compassion and some optimism, I think Cooper is going to bring out a harsher side to her as we saw when she bit off his finger.

I want to see her building up her walls and learning when to let them down. How to truly survive while still bringing her own energy to the wasteland and people around her. I want to see Cooper regaining some lost humanity while learning to truly care for another person again. To see the two of them as eventual equals in one another's eyes as they continue on their journey as reluctant allies.

I also want to say that I'm personally kind of tired of the 'age gap' argument. We have stories of teenagers falling in love with hundred year old vampires. So can we just drop the age gap thing?

As long as they're both consenting adults who understand what they're getting themselves into, who cares about an age gap.

Does it truly matter in the scheme of things when we're talking about a world with cryo-stasis and super mutants?

I personally don't think so.

I don't know if anyone will even bother reading this entire thing, and I know I went on a little long, but I wanted to write down my thoughts on the whole shipping situation with the Fallout TV show fandom at this moment.

I'm a VaultGhoul shipper and I can't wait to see where the second season takes our main trio of characters.

[fizzyapplecandy]

The one with the shy tiger

Ateez Siberian Tiger Hybrid Mingi x Fem Reader au

Genre: hybrid au, strangers to lovers, fluff, mild smut, mature language, a touch of angst, happy ending

Word count: 7k

Bonus part

In a world where hybrids started integrating with humans, Mingi is left without a home to call his own. He's been in and out of shelters, getting adopted and returned because of his nature. People loved bragging about owning a tiger, a Siberian one at that, but they didn't like taking care of him. He accepted his fate, and slowly grown into an introvert.

Until a new face showed up at his shelter, her eyes going straight to him in the packed yard. His heartbeat sped up, and he couldn't help the pull he felt towards her. It was his lucky day, because the sweet woman took him home, giving him hope again.

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Mingi has always been a bit reclusive. He liked to keep to himself in order to stay out of trouble. His nature scared away most of his fellow hybrid residents. The shelter did a good job at making him feel a part of the community, but they couldn't protect him from humans.

He's been a part of many families. The first time they took him back was because he swiped at someone with his claws. What they didn't know was that the boy tried to cut his ears with scissors. Yeah, kids can be evil sometimes. The second time was after he ate a whole beef brisket made for a dinner party. They called him greedy, and he was back at the shelter the next day. What they failed to mention was how they left him starving for days, so he had to break into the locked kitchen just to survive. Another time he was brought back because he was deemed unstable. However, the woman forgot to mention how she kept making advances at him, and he refused all the time.

Maybe it was his fault, maybe he could have been better, but in the end it didn't matter. He was back in his little room, safe from bad people. If it weren't for Wooyoung and Yunho, he would stay in his bed all day, content in his loneliness.

"Mingi, buddy, it's time for lunch."

Yunho was a persisten fellow, but his kindness showed Mingi he could be trustworthy. He was the only human who was allowed into Mingi's room. The other caretakers went up to his door before he hissed at them.

"I don't feel like eating." The tiger didn't even try to get up and out of his bed. Yunho sighed and pulled back the curtains to let the light in.

"Come on now, up you go. Today is a special day, you know that. We are hosting an open door event to try to find a home for you guys."

"This is my home." Yunho sat on the edge of his bed and pulled on the covers Mingi held above his head.

"Mingi, stop that. You've got to think positive."

"Don't want to."

"Okay, be like that. You know I would gladly take you to my house, but the caretakers aren't allowed to adopt from the shelter they work at."

Mingi pulled down his sheet to look at his friend. His eyes were full of sorrow, and he knew he was giving him a hard time.

"I know. I'm not mad, you don't have to explain it every time something goes wrong in my life. I'd be long gone if you weren't here."

Yunho pinched his arm. "Don't say stuff like that!"

He stood up and put his hands on his hips. "At the end of the day, it's your decision. It wouldn't hurt to go out in the sun for a bit, you don't have to interact with anyone."

With that, he left the room, and Mingi suddenly felt bad. He knew Yunho was looking out for him, and he didn't want to be this difficult to deal with. He was a tiger for god's sake, he had to act tougher.

He reluctantly got out of bed and put on his nicer clothes. It wouldn't matter if he wore a suit, his tail and ears were a dead giveaway of his kind. He got lucky with his eyes, they only turned golden when he was in heat. Now that he thought about it, he hasn't experienced a heat in so long, opting for suppressants. The thought of mating made him uncomfortable, because humans usually looked at him as a prize, not a true lover.

He glanced out of his window, and to his surprise, the little backyard they had was pretty full. Looking through the crowd he spotted a woman talking to Wooyoung. He was enthusiastic, waving around, his big mouth yapping about something. The woman smiled, her eyes crinkling. She looked... Soft.

As if she felt his eyes on her, she turned and looked up at his window. Mingi ducked, knocking his head on the window seal. Great. Now he had to go out with a bump on his forehead.

"God damn it. Can I have one day of peace?"

He stood up and glanced outside again. The woman wasn't with Wooyoung anymore. Maybe he creeped her out. Shame, he kind of wanted to get a closer look at her.

His feet took him downstairs, out of the door, to the backyard. He could feel the stares, people moving out of his way, whispering about his ears and tail. Mingi was the only predatory breed currently residing in this shelter. It was full of bunnies, dogs, domestic cats, with him being the outcast. Why did he listen to Yunho? He should have stayed in the damn room.

"Hey there Mingles, out and about I see?"

"Hi Woo. Yeah, I... I'm probably gonna head back up." Wooyoung smiled. "Oh no, you're not. Come on, let's take a walk." Mingi didn't have time to protest before Wooyoung took him by the hand and started walking further into the yard.

"Gosh, can you believe how many people showed up? It seems like they hit it off with many of our cat hybrids. It might be your lucky day."

"I'm not a cat, I'm a tiger."

Wooyoung shrugged. "Same thing, different packaging." Before he could argue with the statement, Wooyoung's face lit up and he speed walked towards the willow tree. There, on the bench under the swaying leaves, sat the woman he saw earlier. Mingi panicked, trying to free himself from his friend's grip.

"What are you doing? Come on Woo, let me go."

"Not today buddy." They stopped a few feet away from the girl, and she looked up in surprise.

"Hey there Y/N, meet Mingi. I think you'll hit it off just fine. Bye now!" With that, Wooyoung ran back before they had time to stop him.

"Oh... Hi there Mingi."

The tiger blushed. Nobody has ever said his name so sweetly before. Not only did she look soft, she was also soft-spoken.

"H-Hi. I'm Mingi." Way to go, dumbass.

The girl chuckled and patted the spot next to her.

"I know that. Come on, sit."

His feet had a mind of his own, and it was almost comical how fast he sat down. She smiled again and turned her body towards him. The sunlight made it look like there was a halo over her, and she looked angelic. Mingi never believed in angels, but seeing one in front of him made him change his mind.

"So, tell me about yourself Mingi. What kind of tiger are you?"

Mingi sighed, prepared for the worst. "A Siberian one." He closed his eyes, expecting her to walk away with an excuse, but to his surprise she only chuckled and let out a gasp.

"Wow. That's so cool. I think tigers are beautiful creatures. It fits you. I've never seen someone so tall and broad like you."

Mingi blinked. "You think I'm cool?"

"Of course I do. Compared to me, you are quite awesome. There's nothing special about me."

He straightened his back, almost shouting at her. "That's not true! You're really pretty! I'm sure there's lots about you that is interesting."

She could feel her cheeks heating up. "Thank you, Mingi. I appreciate it. Say... Are you looking for a home?"

He deflated a bit after her question. "Well, I... I'm not sure. I've been to a couple before, but it never turned out the way I'd hoped. I'm not exactly excited about it, I don't want to get disappointed again."

She nodded, slowly reaching over to pat his hand. It kind of felt like a bolt of electricity ran through him. The touch was barely there, but it felt different.

"If I said I was thinking about adopting someone, would you be interested? I'm... Quite lonely at home. I work a lot, so I don't have time for much else. I need a friend, and I know you guys need a home. What do you say?"

Mingi felt odd all of the sudden. He wouldn't like it if she left here with anyone else. Not that he wanted to take that chance away from the hybrids here, but it brought him unease. Was he ready to believe in another human after everything?

"I... I haven't had the best time so far, to be honest. Would you really consider taking me with you? I am a tiger, you know. I'm not a fluffy bunny, or an interactive fox. I'm... Different."

She smiled and reached over to take his hand in hers. His heartbeat sped up, and he couldn't believe how soft her hand felt.

"I don't think you're much different from me. In the end, it doesn't matter. You have your own quirks, I'm sure of it, and I'd love to see them." She let go of his hand too early for his liking and stood up.

"So what do you say Mingi? Want to go home with me today?"

His mouth opened and closed, and before he could embarrass himself further, he nodded. She reached for him, palm outstretched.

"Come on Stripes, let's go."

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"So, this is the main floor, as you can see it's an open space, and I love it for that. The paintings on the walls were some of my first works, and I take pride in them. They may look a bit silly, but hey, I've gotten better over the years."

They did look silly, Mingi thought, but they also gave the room a fresh appearance. Most of the paintings were of landscapes, flowers, and animals. He quite enjoyed them.

"Over there we have the kitchen. It's a bit of a mess, I baked this morning before I left to get you, and I hate cleaning up. We can do it together, you know, as your initiation." She smiled, and Mingi thought he would probably be up to do anything as long as she looked at him like that.

"I'm joking, you know. I'll clean up later. Now, upstairs we have three more rooms, and a bathroom. We have to share it, but don't worry. I don't take too much time, and I like cold showers more. Come on, let me show you your room!"

His room? Before he only got the closet space, or he had to sleep on a mat in the children's room. They told him it was to keep them safe, when in reality he had to deal with the rowdy kids if they woke up in the middle of the night.

They stopped in front of a door on the far left, and when Y/N opened it, he thought he was dreaming for a second.

"I didn't have time to get you decorations, only the bare necessities for now. We can go shopping tomorrow so you can personalize it. For now, there is the bed, a closet, you have more stuff in the cup-"

"Thank you."

They looked at each other and Y/N's eyes softened. Mingi's were brimming with tears, and it broke her heart thinking about his previous living situations.

"No need to thank me. Go on, take a look around. My bedroom is down the hall, just knock on the door if you ever need me. I'm huge on respecting privacy, so I won't go into your room unless I ask beforehand or you tell me. I expect the same from you. I hope that's okay?"

He nodded, stepping inside his own space. "Yeah, I understand. Don't worry, I always follow rules."

"It's not a rule. It's an understanding between us." She cleared her throat.

"But... I do have one request. Please do not enter the room opposite mine. It's my studio space, and there are many paintings and materials inside. I do commission work, and I have a small gallery in town, so that is my main source of income." She gestured around the room.

"I make a good living, and my paintings are my priority. That's how we can stay in this beautiful house. Is that alright with you?"

He nodded. "I understand. Work room - off limits."

Y/N smiled, taking his hands in hers. He'll never get enough of her touch.

"Thank you. Now, would you like to unpack while I go and warm up lunch?"

"There's not much, I'll be done in 10 minutes. And... I'd like it if you stayed with me if you can. I don't like staying in unfamiliar spaces on my own."

He held his hands up, shaking his head as if he just now realized he was asking for too much maybe.

"But you don't have to! I'll tough it out. I'm tough!"

There was a bear of silence before she started laughing.

"Oh Stripes... I'll stay with you, you big, tough guy."

He could feel his cheeks heating up. He'll never get used to the nickname. Terms of endearment weren't something people used when talking to him, or about him. It came almost naturally for Y/N, and it made him all jittery.

They sorted our Mingi's belongings, and Y/N felt a bit sad with how little he had. It seemed like he was too afraid of owning anything because he never stayed in the same place for too long. He couldn't bring everything back to the shelter, so he brought only the things he already owned. His most prized possession was a children's book. Mingi grabbed it out of his bag and touched the cover. The edges were frilled, the picture almost gone. It was one of the things his mother left him before she died.

"What's that you got there?" Y/N reached over, but it was as if something switched in Mingi.

He growled at her, eyes flashing gold, before rushing to the corner of the room.

"No!"

The atmosphere changed. Y/N held her hands up and shook her head.

"I'm not going to take it from you. I'm sorry. Here, you're as good as done. I'll go down and set the table."

She was too afraid to turn her back, so she walked backwards to the door, leaving it open as she ran out.

Mingi snapped out of it, realising what he had done. It was his first day in a new home, a home he felt comfortable in, and he already screwed up. He slid down the wall, hugging the book to his chest.

"Oh mom, what have I done?"

He closed his eyes and frowned. He had a heart time controlling his emotions, and Y/N was on the receiving end of his frustration.

Mingi didn't know how long he was lost in his thoughts. It wasn't until the light dimmed in the room, he realised it had gone dark outside. Didn't she say she was warming up... Lunch? Oh god, she was too afraid to come and get him, and he didn't even bother to go downstairs. Another mistake.

He reluctantly stood up, tucking his book under the soft pillow Y/N gave him. It was all messed up, and it was only the first day. With a sigh, he left his new room and made his way downstairs. The house was quiet, except for the TV playing some random movie on low volume. He then saw a little lump on the couch, breathing steadily. She was asleep, curled in on herself. When he got closer, he could see dried tears on her face. His heart clenched. He managed to make her cry. What an idiot. Carefully, he took the blanket thrown over the couch and draped it over her.

Mingi stood over her, admiring her beauty. Long lashes, luscious hair, puffy eyes. The redness around them was his doing, but even with that, she was like a literal angel. Slowly, he moved towards the kitchen. The table was set for one person, a little note placed on the plate.

"Lunch is in the fridge, hear it up whenever you want. Browse through the cabinets for snacks."

Even when he hurt her, she thought about him. He wished there was a hole he could crawl in and disappear. His stomach, however, thought otherwise. The hunger overtook his mind, and he slowly opened the fridge. He found a covered dish, and when he looked inside, there was a big steak along with vegetables inside. She even made him his favorite food without even knowing it. Eating stake was a luxury, and he only had it for his birthday when Yunho and Wooyoung bought it for him. The other families payed no mind that he was a hybrid with a primarily meaty diet. The vegetables on the plate meant she thought about his health as well.

Without heating it up, he grabbed the stake with his fingers and bit into it. Even though cold, it was delicious. She made it just how he liked it, on the rare side with no major spices. The groan of pleasure was unstoppable at this point.

"You know, I have lots of forks and knives, they are free to use."

Mingi almost choked on the piece he was chewing. He was so imersed in the taste, he never even herd her footsteps.

"I...Um...It's... It's delicious."

She crossed her arms, nodding. "Thank you. I asked Wooyoung about your food preferences, he said stake was your favourite." She leaned on the kitchen door. "I thought this was a special occasion, so I... You know."

He put the plate on the counter, clearing his throat.

"I can't even begin to explain how sorry I am about earlier. My instinct took over, and I lost control. If you want to send me back I..."

"Send you back?!" Mingi's eyes widened at her shout.

"Why would I send you back? I obviously did something that upset you. I guess the book is special to you. If anything, I'm sorry."

Mingi rushed towards her, and he could see her apprehensive expression. His hands held onto hers.

"You did nothing wrong. Absolutely nothing. It was as normal as it gets. The book... It was my mom's gift to me, it's the only thing I have of hers now. I'm... Protective over it."

Y/N nodded, squeezing his hands in response.

"Okay, I get it. Sorry Stripes, I won't try to touch it again. It's like my art studio, right? You respect my wishes, I respect yours."

Mingi never felt this accepted before. Anyone else would throw him out, but Y/N accepted him. He will make it his life's mission to make her happy.

"Now, do you want to continue eating with your hands, or do you want some silverware? I can make you some tea while you finish the meal."

He nodded, going back to his plate.

"That would be nice, thank you."

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"Stripes, I get what you're saying, but you can't stay in the tub for the whole day."

"But it's so hot out, I'm burning up."

Y/N sighed on the other side of the bathroom door. She knew Mingi would have a tough time in the summer, but he's been in the bathroom for over three hours.

"Mingi, I beg you, get out of the bathroom!"

"Fine! Let me suffer! I knew you had it out for me!" He's gotten so used to his nickname, he knew he was in trouble if she addressed him as 'Mingi'.

Over a month has passed since he came to live with Y/N. It's been rather eventful. He hasn't had anymore outbursts, and his room was now painted green, with a gaming chair and computer. Y/N went all out on him, wanting to make it known he was there to stay. Good thing her art shop made money, otherwise Mingi's new gaming hobby would've drained her dry.

"Oh stop it. I'm going to my studio, but if you aren't done in the next ten minutes, I'm breaking in and pulling you out by your ears! Both sets!"

Mingi gasped, crossing his arms over his broad chest. He knew she was bluffing by now, always giving out empty threats. They were almost comical, because he knew she would never do that to him.

This time, for some odd reason, he wanted her to break in and see him in all of his glory. He was well built, his muscles being a part of his nature. Not to mention he was well endowed, if he had to say so himself. Maybe she would run away from embarrassment, or maybe...

He closed his eyes, imagining her wide eyes raking over his body. Would she want to touch him? He felt his cock jump at the thought. He's had problems in the past week, his cock doing all the thinking instead of him. That was part of the reason he spent locked away in the bathroom. It was the only way for him to cool down enough to be in the same room as Y/N.

The only other problem was Y/N's need for affection. She loved scratching his ears, raking her fingers through his hair, and giving him back rubs whenever he laid his head in her lap. And he always laid his head in her lap, especially if they were watching a movie in the living room. This week, he avoided the couch as much as he could, giving the lame excuse of needing to beat his opponents in a game, using language Y/N didn't understand. She dismissed him, but he could tell she was getting suspicious.

There was banging on the door just as he tried to reach for his aching length to relieve himself.

"That's it! Out, now! I'm going to pee myself!"

"Okay, okay, I'm getting out, calm down."

He managed to grab a towel in his hurry, securing it over his hips.

"Mingi, I'm serious! Get-" The door opened in a swing.

"Okay, okay. I'm out."

Y/N couldn't move. She couldn't tear her eyes from his broad chest as he leaned one arm on the doorframe. When she managed to look up, his eyes were half closed, lips red, neck flushed. Didn't he take a cold shower?

"I...Um... Move!" She pushed him away, ducking under his arm and slamming the door shut.

"O-Okay? I'm gonna be in my room, you know, gaming."

"Yeah, yeah, you do that."

Y/N looked into the mirror, reaching for her red cheeks. She didn't know when it began, but she started admiring Mingi more and more. He was handsome, and he loved cuddling with her. It gave her a chance to enjoy his sturdy body wrapped around hers.

"Snap out of it, idiot. He's your friend."

She decided from day one that they would be friends, not owner and hybrid. Yes, on paper Mingi was hers, but she didn't want that to determine their relationship. She was able to give him a comfortable life, and in return, she got a housemate and bestie. Seemed like a good deal to her, and Mingi never complained. They haven't had any incidents since the first day, and they respected each other's boundaries.

Now, she thought she was crossing those boundaries with her filthy imagination. What would Mingi think if he knew?

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What would Y/N think if she knew?

Mingi kept beating himself up about it while lying in his bed that night. His cock kept stirring in his pants, not letting up. Her soft hair, her delicate body... His head was filled with images of her.

He couldn't take it anymore.

Slowly, he reached into his pants, having forgone underwear, he grasped his length in his big hand. He imagined her much smaller palm instead, and he just knew it would feel better. Well, this is all he could do now, so he had to make it work.

He imagined her lips, always pink and glossy, kissing his neck, cheeks, his cock... She seemed like someone who would enjoy being kissed. He'd savour every moment, chasing after her. His hand went faster, his whole body on fire.

With the image of her mouth planted around his cock, he came. His body jerked around on the bed, eyes shut tightly. He tried to keep his sounds at bay, but a soft moan left his lips. It was over too soon, and he didn't feel any better. With cum stained pants, he looked at the ceiling.

"I'm doomed."

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The atmosphere in the house changed after that night. The days were filled with secret stares, light touches, and shy smiles.

Mingi couldn't keep his hands to himself, he would always find a way to be close to her. He sprawled himself across her lap, whining every time she paused scratching his ears. It was a big contrast, and he didn't know why his mood changed so much. It was like he couldn't get enough of her.

At night, he touched himself at the thought of her, the embarrassment leaving his mind quickly.

Y/N wasn't doing any better. Although she kept her desires at bay, she enjoyed his neediness. It gave her a chance to touch him for how long she wanted. With the tension dimmed, she could later focus on her paintings, and she drew inspiration from her passion.

Everything seemed close to normal, until the doorbell rang one day. They were sprawled out on the couch as usual, and Mingi frowned as he picked up the male scent standing on the other side of the door.

"Are you expecting someone?" Y/N shrugged, standing up to see who it was.

"Not that I remember. Wait here."

Mingi nodded but stayed put. A second later he heard her scream. He was up and at the door in a second, ready to pounce.

He halted his movements when he saw Y/N wrapped around a blonde man.

"Oh my god! I can't believe it! Hongjoong, what on earth are you doing here?"

The blonde, Hongjoong it seemed, chuckled and tightened his grip around her waist.

"I came to visit my favourite little artist of course. You know I always come to you when I'm in town."

Realising there was another person with them, Hongjoong glanced at Mingi. That's when he saw the tightly shut jaw, almost golden eyes, and the angry stance he was in.

"Oh, is this your boyfriend?" Y/N detached herself from him before shaking her head.

"No, that's my Mingi. I mean... That's my hybrid Mingi. He's been with me for two months now."

She turned around and Mingi's eyes softened when they met hers. She took a step towards him, gesturing towards the blonde man.

"Mingi, this is my friend Hongjoong. He's a designer, so he travels a lot. He likes to surprise me when he's in town, as you see."

"Only because I know how much you like surprises." They laughed together, and Mingi felt like throwing up.

Y/M flapped her hands around, gesturing towards the living room. Their living room.

"Come on now Joong, make yourself at home. I'll go make us some tea. Mingi, keep him company, please."

She rushed to the kitchen, leaving the two men alone. Mingi glanced at Hongjoong again, turning around and heading towards the living room.

"Follow me." He heard him chuckle before making himself comfortable on the couch next to Mingi. Their couch.

"So, Mingi. How is it living with Y/N? Is she still covered in paint everyday?" Mingi frowned.

"How would you know?"

"Well, we lived together briefly when we studied at the same college. I was a design major, while she went for art. We had a blast living together, and our living room was always covered in paint and fabric patches."

Mingi didn't like that information one bit. Even though he knew his thoughts were irrational, he couldn't help them.

"She has her art room now. Y/N is always clean, but her clothes have stains." Hongjoong chuckled, nodding his head.

"I bet she still wears the same band shirts from back then. She didn't want to buy more clothes, only to destroy them, so I often gave her my old ones. Silly girl."

Mingi's eyes widened. She was wearing another man's clothes? While they cuddled nonetheless? That didn't sit right with him. Before he could get too lost in his thoughts, Y/N entered the room with their tea. She put down Mingi's favorite blue cup in front of him, placing the red one in front of Hongjoong.

"Three spoons of sugar for Mingi, honey and milk for Joong." The blonde idiot chuckled.

"I'm glad you still know how I like my tea."

"How can I forget? You gave me a migraine the first time I put sugar in it." They both laughed now, and Mingi felt sick.

"Come one buttercup, sit with us." Buttercup? Oh what an asshole. Mingi couldn't help but frown again.

"Buttercup?" he asked.

Y/N smiled and sat between them. A little closer to Hongjoong, Mingi noticed.

"Oh it's a stupid nickname. I was too into the Powerpuff girls, they were my comfort show throughout college. I dresses up as Buttercup for Halloween once, and he's been at it since."

"What can I say, you looked too good in your costume." She slapped him on the chest.

"Oh Joong, you flatter me too much."

Their evening went on like that, the two friends catching up, while the big bad tiger sat silently. Y/N tried to include him in the conversation, but she noticed his reluctance, so she didn't push it.

When Hongjoong finally announced he had to go, Mingi was estatic.

"Are you sure you can't stay longer? You're leaving again tomorrow, who knows when I'll see you again." They were in a tight embrace, and it didn't seem they would let go anytime soon.

"I'm sorry Buttercup, I wish I could. The fashion world needs me, and when duty calls I follow." They laughed and finally, fucking finally, they let go of eachother.

"I get it, I guess. But call me! I know we text a lot, but I want to hear your voice, you know?" Hongjoong kissed her on the cheek, and Mingi had to summon all his willpower not to pounce on him.

"I promise, I'll call more. I'm off now, before I become sentimental."

"Oh, and tell Seonghwa I said hi, and to come with you next time. I want to know how my favorite model is doing." Hongjoong smiled, waving at them from his car.

"Sure thing! He misses you, too. Bye now, love you lots!"

"Love you too!"

As soon as she closed the door and turned around, she could see a very angry Mingi.

"Who the fuck is Seonghwa now? Should I expect any other men poping around unannounced?"

Y/N's eyes widened.

"Woah, Mingi, calm down. Hongjoong is my best friend. And Seonghwa..."

"I though I was your best friend? Are you saying you're a liar?" Now she grew angry as well.

"Hey, call me anything you want, but a liar is not okay. To settle your curiosity, Hongjoong is the only person I could rely on in college and the years after that, beacuse my parents frowned upon my choice of carer. I couldn't prove to them how successful I've grown because they died along the way. So yes, he's my best friend because of that. It doesn't mean I can't have other friends."

Mingi felt like shit. He never once thought to ask her about her life, they always focused on his. She pushed past him to go up the stairs, but stopped and turned around.

"And Seonghwa is Hongjoongs boyfriend. They met when Seonghwa modeled for one of my pieces three years ago. Do you have any more questions?"

Mingi could only manage to shake his head.

"Good. I'm going to bed now, all this negativity is making my head ache. Goodnight."

She was gone before he could give any kind of response. Way to go Mingi, you nipped that right in the bud.

With a sigh, he cleaned up the living room before heading to bed. His idiotic self, and his jealousy were the only things to blame for their fight. She was so happy before he ruined it.

Mingi tried getting comfortable, but it proved impossible. He kept tossing, and turning, huffing every time he changed sides.

The worst part?

His cock was up and aching, again.

He couldn't bring himself to touch it, ashamed of himself and his actions today.

But, boy, did he want to. Her angry expression almost turned him on then and there. Maybe she was aggressive like that in bed?

He knows it's wishful thinking, but a hybrid can dream, right?

Another half an hour passed, and Mingi's had enough. He couldn't go to sleep like this, so he made up his mind. Quickly, he got out of bed and hurried down the hallway. His bare feet stopped in front of her door, and he used his keen hearing to check if she was asleep. To his surprise, there was music silently playing, and she was humming along.

He cleared his throat, gave himself a pep talk, and knocked.

Y/N opened, and his cheeks grew hot. She was in one of those band T-shirts Hongjoong mentioned, legs and feet bare. It was short, almost too short.

"Mingi?" She brought him back to reality.

"Yes?"

"Mingi, you came to me. What do you want?"

"Ah, yes." He cleared his throat again.

"I want to... You see..."

"Spit it out!"

"I'm sorry! Okay? I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me today. I mean, I kind of do, but... I'm sorry."

He hung his head, arms flat against his sides. He looked like a wet cat, not a scary tiger. Y/N crossed her arms and sighed.

"Come on in." She sat on her bed and patted the spot next to her. Mingi never went into her room. He didn't have any reason to. It was all soft, pastel, covered in pictures and books. It fit her perfectly. He stepped in, feeling almost out of place, and slowly sat next to her.

"So, do you want to explain your behaviour today? Or your behaviour in general? You've been acting all weird lately, and I never know what to do. You push me away, then you won't let me go, now you cause a scene... Are you... Not happy here anymore?"

Mingi's mood changed instantly, eyes wide, ears pin straight on his head.

"No! Why would you think that? I'm incredibly happy here. I love being here. I've never felt more at home."

"Then what? Because I'm clueless." She reached for his hand, and their fingers automatically interlocked.

Mingi knew he had to say something now, it was time. Even if it ruined everything, he could not keep silent anymore.

"I... I've been having some trouble with my feelings... Towards you. I... I think I feel for you more than a friend would. You know, tigers are pretty serious about their... Mate. And, well, I think, no, I'm sure I feel like that towards you." He took a breath before continuing.

"I know it's probably gross to you. With my ears and tail, and my mood swings. I know my eyes sometimes freak you out. I get it if you want to send me back. But I have to say I never felt like this before. You're the one Y/N. You'll always be the one."

Mingi looked at his lap, glancing at their interlocked hands. She never let go.

"Mingi... You were never gross to me. I love your fluffy ears, especially when you let me scratch them. They're as soft as your tail. And your tail always sways when you're happy. I know I did something good when I see it moving around you. Your eyes... They never freak me out, I'm just fascinated with the color. It's unique." She placed her palm on his cheek, turning him towards her.

"I feel the same as you Mingi. It's common for hybrids and humans to fall for each other. It's happened lots of times. Believe me, I've done my research as soon as I started feeling something for you." Mingi's eyes widened.

"So, we're normal? You're not kidding me? You know how sensitive I am." She chuckled.

"I wouldn't say normal, but we're okay. And no, I'm not kidding Stripes, I wouldn't do that to you."

"Then... Sorry, but I can't contain myself any longer."

She was confused. "What are you talki-"

He cut her off by pressing his lips onto hers.

Best way to shut her up, indeed.

She threw her arms around his neck, and he lifted her onto his lap. He couldn't keep his hands at bay, gripping all over her smooth tights. She let out a soft moan as he reached her ass and squeezed.

Their kiss only grew more passionate, their tongues finding each other, beginning a dance of their own. Mingi's ears were pressed flat to his head, almost signaling he was at her mercy. His tail soon wrapped around her thigh, giving her another squeeze.

She pulled away, raking her nails through his hair.

"Oh my, you're quite eager."

"So what? You'd be too if you knew the hell I've experienced these past weeks."

He stood up, her legs wrapped around him, and laid her down onto the soft mattress. She could feel his massive bulge pressing onto her pantie covered core, and she got nervous. Was it going to fit?

"Whatever do you mean, Stripes?"

He chuckled and sat up between her legs, pulling his shirt over his head. She could definitely see his cock now, and if she guessed, he didn't have any underwear on.

"You know what I mean. I haven't touched my cock this much in my whole life. The past week has been a torture."

He then pulled off her shirt, his eyes glazing over, the golden colour emerging.

"I think you have to make it up to me." She reached for his pants, slowly pulling at the strings to untie them.

"Oh, that shouldn't be a problem"

.

.

.

"Okay, I think you've had enough. Hey, that tickles!"

Mingi kept on pressing kisses to her neck, his hands wrapped tightly around her waist. After too many rounds to count, Mingi was finally satisfied. Or so she thought, because his fingers slowly travelled down her naked body.

"Hey now, what did I say? I'm tired, I'm not a hybrid like you."

"But Y/N, I just can't stop now that I've had you. Your pussy is deli-" "Okay! I got it. Let me sleep for at least an hour, I'm about to crash anyways."

He groaned, but he brought his hands back up her waist.

Mingi felt like he was in heaven. The girl of his dreams is finally in his arms, he has a warm bed to sleep in, food is made according to his preferences. All because she made it possible.

"Y/N."

"I said an hour Mingi."

"It's not that. Can you turn around please?" She slowly moved around, turning towards him, placing a hand on his sturdy chest.

"What is it?" He looked at her so lovingly, she could almost cry.

"I love you. I really, really love you." Her expression softened, and she placed a kiss on his lips.

"I really, really love you, too."

They smiled, their noses touching. A second later, Mingi was flat on his back with his favorite person straddling hip hips.

"I'll sleep later." She said.

He smirked.

She sure was the perfect woman.

.

.

.

"Oh Yunho! How nice to run into you!"

"Hey Y/N! How are you doing? How's Mingi? We wanted to let you settle in before we asked for a visit."

She smiled as she held onto her shopping basket.

"We're great actually. These past couple of months have been... Eventful, to say the least. Actually, he's right around the corner, looking at snacks of course, come say hi."

They went to another row, spotting Mingi holding two types of chips. He turned around and his eyes widened when he saw Yunho.

"Hey! Where have you been all this time?"

The boys hugged, and Yunho chuckled.

"As I've told Y/N, we wanted to let you get settled in. Wooyoung and I want to visit the two of you, catch up together." Mingi looked at Y/N and she gave him a nod.

"You're welcome anytime. Listen, we have to hurry now, Y/N friend and his boyfriend are coming to dinner, but we'll keep in touch. I'll text you."

Yunho nodded, and suddenly something came to his mind. Before he could say it, Y/N grabbed Mingi by the hand after reading a text.

"The boys are in front of the store, we should head out. It was nice seeing you Yunho, we'll set up dinner plans. Say hi to Wooyoung, he was a good match maker." Yunho watched them exchange a look, both smiling.

"Come on babe, let's go. See you soon Yunho!"

The tall boy stood and watched them go out of the aisle, hand in hand.

"Did he just call her 'babe'?

He was about to remind Mingi that he hadn't taken his heat suppressants with him, and that he might experience more intense symptoms.

However, he could tell all was taken care of, and that put a smile on his face.

Young love does that to you, he supposes.

.

.

.

Hey people! I'm thinking about making a part two of this imagine, just because I feel I could explore some other moments with them.

Comment if you would want to see a continuation of their story :)

Lots of love, X

[charmedimsure]

Hi i like to make an request for an Nam-gyu x fem player oneshot or headcanons whatever works better with you to write with - for reader join their team cause she was once a background dancer during one of thanos shows and is loyal to him but falling for the more brutal (cinnamon roll!) Nam-gyu slowly during the games?

SHADOW OF LOYALTY || nam-gyu

pairing: Nam-gyu x f!reader

summary: You get dragged onto the team of a rapper you used to dance for, but you can't complain when another team member keeps giving you that cute smile.

word count: 2.4k

warnings: guns, death, drugs, blood, squid game stuff

A/N: i've been wanting to write for nam-gyu but couldn't think of anything so ty 🙏 if you find any mistakes no you didn't <3

"Hey," a voice says behind you. You turn, seeing a girl with short hair standing there. She wears a choker, as well as a nose ring and lip ring. "Do you have a team yet?"

You smile at her, shaking your head. "No."

"We should team up," she says. "I'm Se-mi. What's your name?"

As you're about to tell her, you see a familiar head of purple hair in the crowd. The same head you've been avoiding for the past day.

You lower your face, bringing your hand up to shield yourself. "Oh, crap."

"Señorita, excuse me."

Se-mi turns around, as she hears the voice, staring at Thanos.

"Let's play the game together."

You shrink a bit, positioning yourself so Se-mi is blocking you from Thanos' view.

"Well, why should I?"

"Don't you know who he is?" one of the boys at his side asks. "He's Thanos, the rapper. I'm gonna kill half of humanity with my raps."

You turn your back to them, trying as hard as you can to keep the rapper from noticing you.

The other boy speaks up. "Hang on, a girl? We don't know what the game is."

"I, Thanos the great, will protect you."

Se-mi breathes out a laugh. "Right, Thanos. So have you got all the infinity stones?"

"Of course." You roll your eyes, knowing he's showing off his dumb nail polish. "I'm going to destroy anyone who gets in my way. Just stick with me and you'll be safe. Okay?"

"But I already asked someone to join me," Se-mi says. Your heart picks up.

"No problem. Who is it?"

Se-mi moves to the side and you turn, giving the rapper a tight-lipped smile and small wave.

"No way," Thanos says, a wide smile on his face. He comes up to you, throwing his arms around you. "Señorita! I can't believe you're here!"

"Woah!" the boy to the right of Thanos says, eyes wide. "You were one of his dancers, right?"

You nod, not quite making eye contact with the boy. You look up at the other one and find that he's staring at you, mouth parted slightly.

Both of Thanos' hands grab onto your shoulders, squeezing them. "This is gonna be awesome."

You look at Se-mi, seeing her give you an apologetic look. You just shrug. At least you have a team.

<>

"Please decide players for each mini-game."

You lean forward, looking at your team on both sides from your spot in the middle of the line. "I can do Jegi. I was good at it as a kid."

"I'm doing Jegi," Thanos says. "You do Spinning Top."

You grit your teeth, taking a deep breath. "I'm not good at Spinning Top."

"I can do Spinning Top," the boy between you and Thanos says.

You nod at him, a silent thank you. "I'll do Gong-gi."

"I can do Flying Stones," Se-mi says.

You nod and look past her to the boy sitting on the end. "Are you alright doing Ddakji?"

He nods, a smile on his face. "I was going to volunteer for it anyway."

You smile. "Great. We got this, guys."

<>

"The following players have been eliminated. Players 016, 045, 178, 189, 198, 254, 286, 341, 396, and 416."

A man on the other side of the room stands up. "We should have left! We're all going to die now! We're all going to die because of those who voted to continue!"

Another man stands. "What are you going to do now?! You think you can survive?! Look at them!"

You feel movement to the left of you and turn to see the boy next to you leaning toward Thanos.

"Can you... can you please give me one of those?"

Thanos eyes him up. "'Those'?"

"The thing you took. You're keeping them inside your cross."

You sigh. You're well aware of what Thanos keeps in his cross. He's tried to get you to take them a few times while you were working together. Thankfully, you always said no, not letting him persuade you into anything.

"I don't know what the fuck you're talking about."

"If I get nervous and lose the game, we'll all die," The boy's voice shakes. "My hands are shaking like crazy."

Thanos sighs. "Nam-su."

"It's Nam-gyu."

"Right. Nam-gyu." Thanos unzips his jacket, taking out his cross. "Do you know what this is?"

You lean closer, curious. Thanos never told you what they were, part of the reason you turned them down every time.

"Ecstasy? Ketamine?"

Thanos shakes his head. "It's a new kind. It's fucking crazy, man. You can't handle it."

"Hey." Nam-gyu rolls up his sleeve, showing Thanos the inside of his elbow. "I did all kinds of stuff when I was working at the club. I even brought you some when you came to the club."

Thanos opens his cross, taking out one of his pills. "You junkie." He hands it to Nam-gyu, who quickly pops it in his mouth. Thanos looks over Nam-gyu's shoulder, seeing you watching them. "Want one, Señorita?"

You shake your head. "I'll pass."

Nam-gyu looks at you, face falling as you give him a look of disapproval.

<>

The rounds kept going until it was your turn. The boy on the end, who you found out is named Gyeong-su, was able to flip the Ddakji on his second try, and Se-mi hit the stone perfectly on her first attempt.

You walk to the next mini-game, the one you're doing. You take the pieces off the table, crouching as the guard puts the table on the floor. You scatter the pieces onto the table.

Blue. Green. Yellow. Red. Purple. Good.

Purple. Yellow and green. Red and blue...

You deflate as the blue piece falls out of your grasp and onto the track.

"Seriously?!" Thanos yells. "Pick it up and do it right this time!"

You shoot a glare at him. He might not realize it, but his demeaning comments are certainly not helping.

Nam-gyu picks up the fallen piece, handing it to you. "You were so close, you can do it."

You take the piece and nod, once again focusing back on the game.

Red. Yellow. Blue. Green. Purple. Good.

Green. Yellow and blue. Red and purple. Good.

Yellow. Red, blue, purple. Green. Good.

Purple. Green, blue, red, yellow. Good.

Back of hand. Good.

You take a deep breath before tossing the pieces up, quickly grabbing them out of the air.

The pink guard puts their arms up in a circle.

"Pass."

You smile as Nam-gyu shakes you in happiness. The guard takes the small table away from you and you advance to the next mini-game.

The pink guard hands Nam-gyu the top and the string. You watch as he wraps the string. You had been nervous when he took Thanos' pill, but you have to give it to him, his control over the string is flawless.

He pulls his hand back and throws it. You smile as it spins in front of you.

"Pass."

You all celebrate before moving to the final mini-game. Thanos takes the Jegi, pushing the guard out of the way. He throws it into the air.

One kick. Two kicks. Three kicks. Four kicks.

The Jegi falls to the ground.

You huff as Thanos picks it up and throws it again.

One kick. Two kicks. Three kicks.

The toy hits the ground once again.

You can't help but roll your eyes. You would have gotten it by now had he let you play Jegi. Your high score as a kid was 27 kicks in a row. You look at the clock. You still have a minute left. Good.

Thanos lets out a yell of frustration, picking up the Jegi and throwing it.

One kick. Two kicks. Three kicks. Four kicks. Five kicks.

"Pass."

Your team jumps up and down in celebration before regaining composure. You cross the finish line with 29 seconds to spare.

You and Se-mi turn to each other, hugging as you all celebrate. You turn to Nam-gyu, who is already smiling down at you. You smile back and high-five him. At the end of the line, Thanos jumps up and down, nearly knocking you all over.

You put your arms out to steady Nam-gyu and he thanks you as the guards come over to remove the bindings from your ankles.

<>

You watch as five more people walk into the room.

"Hey," you hear a voice next to you and turn to see Nam-gyu. "How many do you think are left?"

You take a quick look around. "Maybe 200?"

"Shit," he sighs. "That's way too many."

You shrug. "I like that there's more people here." Nam-gyu gives you a confused look. "There's safety in numbers."

Thanos raises both of his arms. "Stop talking." He points at you. "How old are you again?"

You roll your eyes. "28."

"So you were born in 1996," he turns to Gyeong-su. "How old are you?"

"Born in 1998."

He turns to Se-mi. "You?"

"Born in 1996."

He thinks for a moment. "It's settled. Gyeong-su is the youngest, and the girls are the oldest." He turns to Nam-gyu. "Nam-su, you were born in 1997, right?"

"It's Nam-gyu."

"Right, Nam-gyu. Is that right?"

Nam-gyu nods.

Thanos points at you while still looking at Nam-gyu. "Hey, call her noona since she's older."

Nam-gyu chuckles. You feel a small smile pull on your lips at the sound.

Soon, the pink guards come into the room, announcing that 110 players had been eliminated in the second game. They bring out the machine for voting and everyone moves to the center.

"You're voting to stay, right noona?" Nam-gyu asks you.

You breathe out a laugh. "Yeah, but this is probably the last time." You smile at him, lightly hitting his shoulder. "And don't call me noona. I'm younger than you, just don't tell Thanos, Nam-su."

He frowns when you call him the wrong name, opening his mouth to correct you but stopping when he sees the teasing smirk on your face. He chuckles again, nodding his head.

<>

Nam-gyu watches as Thanos opens his cross, taking out a pill and popping it into his mouth. He takes a step in his direction, about to ask for one. He stops when he sees you out of the corner of his eye talking to Se-mi, laughing at something the girl is saying. With a sigh, Nam-gyu turns away from Thanos, instead moving to Gyeong-su.

You're all brought into a new room. There are doors lining the walls and a big platform in the middle of the room that looks like a carousel without any horses.

"Welcome to your third game. The game you will be playing is Mingle. Let me repeat. The game you will be playing is Mingle."

"Hey," Thanos says, clearly high off his ass. He turns to your group. "We'll be mingling together. Doesn't that sound like so much fun?"

You all get onto the platform and it begins spinning, a children's song playing over the speakers. The first round is ten, and you find another group of five players, getting into the room safely with ten seconds to spare.

You come out again, once again getting onto the platform. The music stops and the voice calls out four.

Thanos looks between you, Se-mi, and Gyeong-su before stopping on the last one.

"Please," the boy pleads.

"Gyeong-su, you're out!" Thanos kicks the boy to the ground. "Let's go!"

Nam-gyu stands there for a moment staring at Gyeong-su before he feels someone grab a hold of his sleeve, tugging him along after the group. He gets in the room and the door locks, you letting go of him. Nam-gyu tries to look out the slot for Gyeong-su but you pull him away. It's best if he doesn't see it.

"Wait!" Thanos holds his arms up. He points toward all of you. "Where did you leave my boy Gyeong-su?"

You give him an incredulous look, jumping when the sounds of gunfire starts.

Thanos brings his hands to his head before running towards the door and looking out the slot. "Fuck! Gyeong-su!"

You and Se-mi look at each other, both of you thinking the same thing. Thanos would have done that to any of you. He can't be trusted. Especially when he's high.

You're released and you go back to the platform. When the music stops this time, the voice announces three people to a room.

Thanos stands and looks between you and Se-mi. "Who should we take? Rock, paper, scissors!"

Se-mi turns to you, holding her hand out. "Come with me."

You nod, taking her hand. "We'll find one more, you guys do the same."

Nam-gyu nods, grabbing Thanos by his jacket and pulling him along.

Se-mi and you manage to find one more person and get into a room on time. When you come out, you look around for the boys. You see the familiar head of purple hair and smile when you spot Nam-gyu next to him.

They run up to you. You smile at Nam-gyu. "Glad you made it."

He smiles back. "Me too."

The next round is six, so you find two other players and make it to a room. When you're let out, it is announced that this will be the final round.

"Two."

Se-mi goes to reach for you, but she's pulled away by Thanos as he sprints toward one of the rooms. Nam-gyu watches as Thanos runs away, a look of betrayal adorning his face.

You quickly turn, grabbing Nam-gyu's hand and taking off toward a green door. You're able to get there before anyone else and close the door behind you, pushing your weight against it to keep anyone else from getting in.

The lock clicks and you sigh in relief, moving away from the door. You turn to Nam-gyu. "Are you alright?"

"He left me," he says, a faraway look on his face. "I've been nothing but loyal to him, and he just left me there."

You sigh, walking to him and rubbing his arm. "Nam-gyu, Thanos isn't a good person. He can't even remember your name. A person like that doesn't deserve the loyalty you're showing him."

He keeps looking at the door as the gunshots go off. He turns to you, looking at you for a few moments before wrapping his arms around you and pulling you into his chest. "Thank you. Thank you for not leaving me."

You hug him back. "I'm not gonna leave you, Nam-gyu."

He sniffles. "I won't leave you either."

You pull back and see his smile. You can't help but think it's kind of cute, making you smile back at the boy, a warm feeling in your face.

Squid Game Tags: @thebiggestigurosimp @vvnbxz @lov3yy @miltzzy @l5byrinth @come-as-you-are-111 @starkeyszn @learninglinesintherainn @galactict3a @sawlover353 @jspidey5

lmk if you want to be added to the taglist

[xtreme-shipper]

Just Don't Give Up

Azriel (ACOTAR) x FReader (Human)

WC: 1.5K (Oneshot)

Summary: When it all becomes too much to keep going, our favorite Shadowsinger shows up just in time.

Warnings: Mentions of (and attempt at) suicide, angsty, I think, canon divergent, not proofread, lol, hurt/comfort, English is not my first language. Let me know if I should add anything <3

N/A: Hi! This is my first ACOTAR fanfic, so constructive criticism is really appreciated :) It's been a while since I've written fanfiction, but recently, I've been obsessed with Az, so here we are.

✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦

The night sky was blinding in the best way possible. Another year had passed, and you could see from the distance how your friends were celebrating another Starfall, a drunken joy filling the air, their voices full of excitement. The preparations started early this year, and the night court went all the way in, with concerts throughout the city and free drinks for all its citizens. You could tell the party would go on until sunrise and wondered, not for the first time tonight, why weren’t you down there with them?

“Is everything alright?” Az had asked you earlier that day. You nodded, smiling brightly at him.

“Just had a long night.” He nodded, not fully convinced, but he didn’t push the subject, which you were grateful for. You didn’t need to ruin the mood because of your problems.

 Nightmares from under the mountain still plagued your sleep, making it almost impossible to get any rest, and it was starting to show. The things that you had to see while not being able to do anything haunted your every second.

You didn't expect to survive when you escaped from the human lands, but Rhys found you not long after you crossed the border. He wanted you to turn around, warning you that Prythian wasn’t safe, but the alternative—going back to town—was not an option; anything would be better than that, even certain death. So you stubbornly refused to, claiming you knew how to take care of yourself. The problem was that one of Amarantha’s minions watched the interaction and wanted you for its own entertainment, so Rhys had to pretend that he had taken a liking to you and wanted you as his pet.

Word got to Amarantha, and she wasn’t particularly happy with her plaything taking a liking to someone else, so she punished him while you watched, unable to do anything. Useless.

After that first time, Amarantha decided it was a fun idea to have his “beloved” pet watch the suffering she had caused. So, every time you did anything she deemed disrespectful (which was basically everything), a torture session would take place. You couldn’t help but think that if you had just stayed where you belonged, Rhys wouldn’t have suffered as much as he did. It was your fault, even when he insisted that it wasn’t.

Shaking your head, you try to get rid of the memories.

You turn your eyes to the stars, the same ones you prayed to every night. Always the same wish without any answer from them and wonder, like you so often do, whether you should still be here.

The inner circle had never treated you as less or excluded you from anything. They were your support when no one else would lend a helping hand, and with the years, they became your family, yet even now, you still feel like an outsider. You weren’t Illyrian like Rhys, Cassian, and Azriel. Heck, you weren’t even Fae to begin with. You ended up being in the way most of the time.

You took your jacket off, letting the cold breeze hug your bare arms, where scars of silent battles painted them. A shiver ran down your spine as you stepped closer to the edge of the building.

In the human lands, your family never cared for you, and even when you left, no one mourned your “death”. Here in Velaris, you had people looking out for you, yet you felt like you didn’t quite fit in.

Would they notice? Would they care if you just… disappeared? Fae's lives were so endless that compared to them, humans’ existence must seem… insignificant.

Another step. You had slipped from the party when it all became too much. Your feet were moving on their own accord. Another shiver, another step. They would probably mourn for a while but then move on. You could stop the nightmares and the pain, and they could move on; Rhys wouldn’t have a living reminder of every time he was abused and had to endure the shame. Or when he was beaten, and you had to patch him up with your scarce medical knowledge.

Az and Cass could stop pretending that you didn’t cause their brother more suffering. That your recklessness didn’t make things worse. That they didn’t believe you weren’t brave enough to help him.

You are standing on the border of the building now, eyes fixed on the stars above, “Please,” you whispered. “Please.” You weren’t sure what you were asking for any more. Relieve from the pain, the guilt? Maybe you didn’t need an answer from the stars to fulfill that. You could hear the music all the way up here, a serene tune drowning the rest of the noise. You start walking on the edge, arms stretched wide to give yourself a bit more balance. One step, then another.

Letting go… should you… just one step…

A cold grip settles on your ankle and another on your wrist, pulling you carefully away from the border while a sad smile paints your lips.

You were used to Az’s shadows clinging to you from time to time, so you welcomed the touch but didn’t budge. You knew their master was standing a couple of steps behind you. “You know, you aren’t very sneaky for a spymaster.”

“I was looking for you.” His voice wasn’t more than a whisper. “I was worried since you left so early.”

“I’m fine” was all you said. A lie you had perfected over time.

He led out a humorless laugh. “You don’t seem fine.” You hear his steps, careful but loud, so you know he is getting closer. “Can you please step away, Sunshine?” You tense at the use of your nickname. So familiar by now, yet so unfitting.

“It’s fine, Az. I’m just admiring the night sky.” You can feel him right behind, you know. “It’s a beautiful sight.”

“Y/N… why are you here?” You knew he meant at the rooftop, but your mind couldn’t help going to a darker place.

You take a moment to answer, weighing your options. After a couple of silent minutes, you decide to be honest. “Did you know…” You pause for a second to try to stabilize your breathing. “That I was not only responsible for treating the High Lord's wounds? I was also tasked to inflict them.” You choke at your words, your throat feeling like it's closing, and it’s getting hard to breathe, but you push the words out anyway. “I am responsible for every scar that never fully healed, for every messed-up nightmare he has at night. I can still feel the way his muscles tensed every time I inflicted pain.” The world was spinning before your eyes, and the words were coming out in short breaths. You were gasping for air, struggling to get any inside your lungs, but still, the words wouldn’t stop coming out of your mouth.

“I’m the reason he suffered. If I hadn’t been there that day, or maybe if I had put up with my life at the… maybe he wouldn’t… he saw his… and I couldn’t… anything…” you close your eyes again. “How am I supposed to live here and accept all his help and love whe—”

A strong hand grabs you by your waist, interrupting your words and yanking you away from your doom. “It wasn’t your fault.” Az’s whisper came breathless, and his arms, though firmly hugging you, were shaking.

Tears were running down your face, staining his shirt. A protective wing wrapped around you, offering shelter. Giving you a protection you didn’t deserve. “I need the guilt to stop, Az. I’m a broken reminder of his pain, and selfishly, I can’t take it anymore.” You felt so tiny, so… shattered, fragments of yourself falling to the floor with every tear shed. He was silent for a moment, trying to hold you together while you crumbled.

Then his words reach your ears. “He once told me you remind him of his sister, you know?” One of his hands starts caressing your hair while the other firmly supports you against his body. “That your bad jokes to lighten the dreary mood and your constant presence were some of the things that kept him from giving up. That thanks to you, he was able to survive long enough to find his mate.” A loud sob shakes your entire body, hands fisting his shirt as you grab onto him for dear life. “Do you know why I call you ‘Sunshine’?” Az pauses, so you shake your head in response. “Rhys had been suffering long before you got there, and when he told us how you gave him hope, even when you yourself were silently breaking apart, how you would sing to him and brighten the mood with your warm voice, I knew. I knew you were like the sun he had been deprived of for so long. You saved my brother in the way that mattered the most. You were his light, and ever since you started living with us, you became my light, too.”

You were speechless at his words; raising your head from his chest, you looked into those beautiful hazel eyes and found nothing but tenderness. “You are my light, and I’m sorry it took so long for me to say it, Sunshine.” He places a kiss on your forehead. “I won’t say it will be easy, but I promise to be here with you. We will get through this. I promise, ok?” You nod as his grip tightens. “Just don’t give up, Sunshine.”

[bwat5-blog]

Vi's Ending

**Spoilers for all of Arcane**

I have written about and discussed Vi in significant detail. However it was pointed out to me recently that her ending is worth its own detailed discussion and I completely agree. For those who have been sticking with me on these, you already know Vi is my favorite character. She means a lot to me, as she does to many of you for various reasons. So before we dive in let me say this:

Vi is NOT the Jinx

Vi is NOT a bad sister

Vi did NOT get Jinx killed

I have written in great detail defending and explaining each of these points, and because of that I will not detail those here. But if you are interested I'd love for you to check out my other posts and share your thoughts! Ultimately I am just another fan, and I am really enjoying celebrating the achievement in story telling this show has become, and its legendary characters.

The End:

At the end of this story, we find Violet, sitting alone, drinking, humming powder's song from the very first moments of the show. She appears deeply in thought and is curled up on herself, only opening up when her beloved Caitlyn joins her. They share a tender moment where Caitlyn asks her if she is still in this fight, to which Vi responds "I am the dirt under your nails cupcake, nothings gonna clean me out" and lays her head on Caitlyn's shoulder allowing herself to relax as Caitlyn smiles softly looking into the fire. This seems to be our last look at the couple outside of the game if Riot is to be believed (money talks people, keep these characters popular and they may listen!), and it has understandably sparked reactions across the board. For myself, I found it bittersweet. Beautiful and hopeful in many ways, but recognizing the weight of what they have survived, and validating the healing they still need. I view it as Vi finally being on the road to peace, just not quite there yet.

The Heart of Zaun:

I have extensively detailed who Vi is in other posts and therefore will spare you the diatribe here. But to properly appreciate and understand why her ending was so meaningful we do have to understand who she is.

"You've got a good heart. Don't ever lose it, no matter how the world tries to break you"- Vander

Vi is not perfect. She impatient, quick to anger, stubborn beyond belief and impulsive. But these are things born of the dark and angry world she has been forced to survive in all her life. At her core, who is she really?

A Daughter

A Sister

A Warrior

A Guardian

What Vi proves time and time again throughout this story is that she is fiercely loyal, loving, and true. She is tough as nails and brave sure. But we also get these beautiful moments of fragility. Moments where her love, her fear and her hope bleed through the mask she keeps up showing us who she is beneath. Other lessons from Vander plays a major role in who she becomes as well:

"When people look up to you, you don't get to be selfish"

"Who are you willing to lose?"

-- Vander

Vi was already trying to care for the kids around her, and had at a young age been through so much trauma and loss. But as any teenager would, she still displayed a lack of understanding about the potential broader consequences of their actions. After her talks with Vander, almost every decision she makes she is trying to protect those she loves, or trying to atone when she feels she has fallen short. Her own happiness becomes her last priority in almost every situation. And her journey to overcome this, to learn that its okay for her to know tenderness, and peace, and love and that those things don't make her unworthy. This is Vi's inner journey.

She deserves the things she fights so hard to give the people she loves. I meant to re-blog it and hope I did, but another user pointed out something I have never considered. When she and Vander are talking on the bridge, and he gives here these lessons, what does she say is the reason she wants to fight? - that she grew up knowing she was less than, but she wants more for her little sister and will bleed to do it. Even at that young age, before experiencing so much of the pain she goes through, she doesn't see herself as deserving of that same defense as everyone else in her life... She believes is meant to be the shield, and never the shielded.. An inspiring and heroic notion on paper, heartbreaking to recognize in a teenage girl who is only just beginning in life.

Back To The End:

Okay, with that refresher lets return to Vi's ending. We see this beautiful, tender moment between Vi and the woman she loves. And sure, on the surface of the moment alone it appears your standard happy ending. Safe, warm, and in the company of the woman she loves. These are all undoubtedly good things. But context matters. No decision in this show, no plot point, no animation, no detail is accidental. So we need to account for the following factors:

They have just survived a truly terrifying battle which no matter the result in terms of life and death ,would be deeply traumatizing

She and the woman she loves have made it through together its true (thank god). On a purely physical level, Caitlyn's heroic willingness to sacrifice a part of her own body to achieve victory has left her forever changed. And Vi's body has become a tapestry of scars from a life time of sacrifice and struggle

Caitlyn and Vi's reconciliation is a controversial topic in the fandom. I feel that it was justified in terms of us being given the necessary pieces to believe it, but rushed (the whole season was). Like if I asked a student to show me his work on a math equation, he got the correct answer, but he could only show me the beginning of each step he took to solve it. Correct, but incomplete. All of that to say this, their scene in the jail cell was beautiful, and it was full of meaning far more than the spicy quality (although god damn who are we kidding), but we are talking about months of time apart, with both of them living through an extremely dark period, all precipitated by an extremely traumatic "breakup". I don't think it's unreasonable to assume they have more to work through and heal from regarding this issue, although thankfully their love for each other remains strong.

The death toll of this battle is seemingly enormous although we are not given an exact number. The impact of this is obvious. And although I agree his character was not perfectly utilized, I saw Loris as the face of the countless faceless citizens of Piltover and Zaun who died in this conflict. His death right in front of Vi happening so quickly, and brutally.

Vander.. Vi had to watch her adopted father die not once, not twice, but three times. The first time after saving her life, the second time after they seemed so close to saving his, and the third time with him very nearly killing her. I'm not a mental health professional but I don't think I need to be in order to suggest this may leave lasting emotional and mental scars on her

Jinx. Vi's crusade for her sister's soul begins the moment she steps out of Stillwater with Caitlyn. The relationship between Vi and Jinx is far too complex and detailed to cover in a bullet point like this, and is one of the pillars upon which this show came to be. I'm not getting into fault or blame or any of that right now, because what it comes down to is this. Vi loves Jinx and fought so.. so hard to BE her sister again. And finally, right at the end when it seems like they are finally going to be okay, she loses Jinx. again (not dead but Vi doesn't know that). And why? because Vi breaks at the sight at the sight of Vander's body and Jinx sacrifices herself to save her. Vi's breakdown is heartbreaking. It its understandable, its realistic, its painful and its human.. But after a life time punishing herself for how she feels she failed her sister.. it hurts to admit the truth that as things stand now, Vi will probably carry the guilt of Jinx's death for the rest of her life.

I know that is all so bleak, and so heavy. And it hurts because you want to see Vi happy. We want to see her and Jinx living as sisters catching up on the time that was stolen from them. We want to see a world where she and Caitlyn are energetic and happy and healed. We want to see Vi in some way acknowledge that in the end, Jinx's sacrifice was not because Vi failed her. It was because Jinx saw that her sister who had always loved and believed in her, needed her this time. That the woman who had always stood for those she loved needed someone to stand for her. So Jinx became the shield Vi never believed she deserved.

That Vi is a bad-ass is never in dispute. We see her fight countless times in defense of those she loves, and do so quite well. Her journey is not to find her strength. It is to recognize that she is worth more than that. She deserves more. And our hope for her is born of the changes we see. As her relationship with Caitlyn evolves, and she sees her belief in her sister finally validated, She comes to understand she has more to offer than the strength of her arms.

Her relationship with Caitlyn: Their love story is so amazing, and complex, and layered. It is far too much to cover as a bullet point in another post like this and I do intend to deep-dive it soon. But in terms of this discussion, I want to stay this. That Vi and Caitlyn have their ups and downs is obvious. Its not that every moment of their time together is an unending parade of joy and romance, that would be not only bad story telling but not realistic. But the best romantic partners are those people who can fall into the flames together and walk out not untouched, but re-forged into something stronger. These two women are a great example of this. There are many important moments in their relationship that greatly effect Vi, but I am going to focus on just one:

Caitlyn Finds Vi in Jinx's Cell:

As I mentioned previously, this scene is so important for so many reasons. For our purposes, we need to remember what leads up to it. Vi immediately goes to rescue Jinx after confronting Caitlyn over her imprisonment, only for Jinx to stun her and leave her in the cell herself (there is so much context and meaning here in terms of Jinx and Vi/Jinx but we are focusing on Caitlyn right now). Then Caitlyn finds her. Alone. In the cell of the woman who killed her mother. Now there are a lot of ways this could go and Vi is clearly expecting the worst. She laments that she always chooses wrong trusting and believing in Jinx, and that this time its cost her everything. Her sister is gone. She assumes Caitlyn will be enraged, and not to mention she is in this incredibly vulnerable state, in a jail cell, after surviving seven years of false imprisonment that started when she was still in her teens. But it doesn't go how she expects.

"Sorry to say, you've grown a bit predictable"

Vi believes that this part of her, this emotional, trusting, vulnerable part of her is always wrong. But Caitlyn reveals just how much she knows that part of Vi. And not only knows, but accepts it, predicted it, and even stepped in to help the woman she loves, putting aside her own hate and bitterness. Its a powerful moment. It shows Vi just how much she is worth to Caitlyn, and it has nothing to do with her fists. Just her heart. And Vi's response to this revelation shows us maybe the first time in the entire story, where given this tiny seed of evidence that she may deserve to be happy, she chooses to let herself be. Right there in that cell with Caitlyn.

Her Relationship With Jinx:

Like Caitlyn, this relationship could only be explored properly through it's own deep dive. So again, I am going to focus on a single moment between these two as evidence of Vi hard earned affirmation of her refusal to quit on those she loves. When Vi goes to break Jinx out of jail, Jinx stuns her and escapes instead, leaving her locked inside. As Vi panics for her sister, Jinx walks away, pleading with Vi to let herself be happy, and to stop looking for her. This of course leads to the incident we just mentioned in which Vi claims she always chooses wrong in trusting her sister. "I really thought she'd help" Vi says to Caitlyn about her sister when Cait arrives. And how does her belief in her sister shake out? Jinx rides in on a war balloon at the head of an under city army, and saves the day... and then later on, saves Vi's very life at what seems to be (We know better) the expense of her own. Vi was right about her sister all along.. its just that some lessons are hard won indeed..

Conclusion:

Vi is an amazing character who has quite frankly, earned her rest. And that's what the end of the show is sharing with us. Vi is warrior. She has fought, and bled, and lost so much, but she has endured. Through her two most important relationships in her life she has found the road to the recovery from the many, many wounds her existence has left on her, and they are still wounds that need healing. There is grief, and pain, and guilt still dwelling in her. But we have seen the seeds of her self-worth beginning to bloom and it is in them that we place our hope for Vi. Because she has an inkling that what Vander told her, the same thing the woman she loves noticed within hours of of meeting her, and the same reason Jinx knew Vi would never give up on her, has always been a far greater power than her ability to do violence.

[anpanman95]

Is anyone else feeling like a clown for expecting a whole entire episode of mushy love and happiness? No? Just me? Okay.

Let's dissect every incredible part of this trailer to forget the fact there is no IQIYI logo nor an online link in it for international fans to watch it because I will probably cry myself to sleep.

We have a proposal WITH THE FAMILY. And my man Jack brought Joke FLOWERS and all I just know it's gonna be like an unexpected surprise and I CAN'T WAIT FOR IT. Also the color scheme???? BRILLIANT.

Is Jack asking for Sr. Suthi's blessing? If that's the case I will be ONLY TEARS during this. I'm a sucker for "take care of my lovely son please don't hurt him" trope I don't even know how am I going to survive this. ALSO TOI TING IS THERE DID THEY ACTUALLY ADOPT HER???

I love Jack's bedroom but I do hope they improve their love nest they deserve the sturdiest bed you know? Or maybe not...A mattress does make a lot less noise, you know? sorry I'll stop

Here's where my questions being. I know they probably get married at the end of the episode, but this part is giving "we're on our honeymoon and they rudely interrupted us now we have to put this on hold and go save the world again" Also LOOK AT THEM THEY LOOK GORGEOUS. Joke that is the most Mark-coded T-shirt you have ever worn he'd be proud.

GOD THE SUITS. BONZ??? HELLO??? JOKE WEARING THAT ICONIC WHITE SUIT AND RED BOW FROM THE PILOT??? IM NOT GOING TO SURVIVE THIS.

I KNEW IT. I KNEW THEY SHOULD HAVE KILLED THIS BITCH

It's giving don't touch my fiance and I'm delighted to witness it.

BONZ is looking FINEEEEEEEEEEEE

I don't even need to comment on this one cause no one is fucking surprised but I'm devouring this shit. They don't give a fuck they truly don't and I love them for it. Also they look DIVINE.

It seems we'll get good mushy love content and I'm just hoping it's not so short lived. We'll get to see them in action again after being a couple for a while, probably, and I'm DYING to see how their relationship improved.

They are the type to do PDA, that much is clear, and I'm loving this switching in dynamics. Their love language is killing me: Jack is cute and somewhat 'cheesy', and Joke is a bit more aggressive in his love showing. Ugh, the bear hugs? The head kisses? The hand holding? I feel like I'm starved for them to be affectionate with each other PLEASE I CAN'T TAKE THIS.

I don't even know what's even going on cause I don't know any Thai and us international fans will probably have to wait before watching this.

I hope that's not the case cause I've been DYING on this wait for this episode and I don't want to prolong it any longer.

BUT either way I'm very happy with this

IM SEATED.

BRING IT ON GAYS.