#also angela is so hot here???? its the passion i think

[fansonfansonfansonfans]

AOAOAOA Ep 121: For decades, the legendary daytime talk show "The View" has been home to iconic hosts from all sides of the political spectrum engaging in heated debate . But you may not have heard of "The Look", a similar show hosted by three opinionated women and one absolutely ancient one.

[mrfrogz]

Rubble (Genji x Reader)

Hey guys! This is my first ever oneshot on Tumblr so I'm nervous and excited lol. I'm used to Wattpad and Ao3(for people who know I actually started on Wit LOL) so I apologize if the formatting is a bit weird/off. I hope you enjoy! (Also I wrote this a long time ago before McCree's name was changed) This was first uploaded on my Ao3, so if you enjoy consider checking me out here

As the aircraft was slowly making its approach to the ground, you grew more and more nervous. Biting your fingernails, you glanced around at the heroes who you happened to befriend. There was Zenyatta, you and him didn't talk much but he seemed very calm and collected in battle. Then Mercy, or Angela as she was most commonly called, was always a wonderful person to talk to however whenever she was treating a patient you knew to never disturb her. Next there was McCree, he had a much more "rough n' tough" exterior but whenever you guys were off duty he was a bit of a charmer, though you never fell for it. Orisa followed you around a lot, mostly because she was programmed to protect others but she also genuinely enjoyed your company, or at least, you thought it was genuine. It's hard to tell with robots.

Now there was Sigma, a bit of a newer addition to the crew but he was a strong fighter and an interesting person to be around. Despite his seemingly split personalities, you two have managed to have very pleasant conversations when everyone else is asleep. Finally..Genji. Genji was the hero everyone strived to be, or that's how you saw him. He was fun and goofy whenever you guys were off the job yet calculated and passionate when in the midst of a fight, but one trait persisted on and off the battlefield: his flirty-ness. McCree was a charmer, more "old fashioned" in his wits but Genji was a lot more audacious and up-front in his advances. Unfortunately, time doesn't stop for your daydreams so by the time you got to thinking about Genji the aircraft came to a particularly rough landing, jostling you around where you so happen to fall onto none other than: the cyborg ninja himself. It took you a second to fully realize what happened, as you were so busy in thought you disconnected from the outside world. That was, until you heard Genji's robotic yet endearing voice emit from behind the mask.

"Y/N, I know you're falling for me but you don't have to be so literal about it~" He teased, holding you up so you wouldn't hit the floor. Your face went hot, you still haven't quite gotten used to his banter yet. You quickly stood up properly, removing your arms from his hands. He chuckled spotting your reaction, he had a habit of doing that. "Relax Y/N, you know I'm just teasing."

That was true, but you still couldn't help but wonder..'No, now is not the time Y/N, you're about to go into battle for f×cks sake.' You put on a smile, shaking your head lightly in a playful manner. "Really Genji? Do you ever stop?"

"No Y/N, no he does not." The cowboy spoke up, chuckling lightly as he flicked his cigar, sending light sparks on the floor. "He won't stop talking 'bout ya eithe-"

"Jesse! What did I tell you about the smoking?!" Angela spoke up, quite literally a guardian angel in this moment as she distracted McCree from spilling all of Genji's secrets. The two went on to bicker, however the aircraft broke out in silence when the doors started to open slowly. You took a deep breath, knowing that this could possibly be your last mission. Though this was the case with every mission. Hanamura…Where Genji grew up. It was truly beautiful. Y'know..despite the smoke and fire from a battle that seemingly had already begun. After another deep breath, you and your team jumped off the aircraft. As you jumped, you looked over and made eye contact with Genji. He seemed to smile, giving you a thumbs up for good luck.

You were grateful your team was victorious. You were terrified of what could go wrong, of the people they could harm. Luckily, everybody was safe. Well, everybody but you. Currently, you were buried underneath the rubble, a wound on your head and you were 90% sure you broke your foot or perhaps your whole leg. You had tried calling out for your teammates, but the oxygen was getting thin. You weren't even panicking, because you knew your team had won the battle. That's all that mattered. That everyone else was safe. You closed your eyes, blood dripping down from the wound in your head. You let out a sigh, and everything stopped. Things went black, you felt numb. You were sure this was it. Until you heard a voice that was all too familiar.

"Y/N!!" The cyborg ran towards you in full distress. Fighting the calming blackness that over took you, you opened your eyes.

After coughing, you called out. "Genji…I-I'm here.." It was soft, and you weren't even sure if he could hear you. Hearing how panicked Genji was, was enough reason for you to keep fighting. He ran over to you, his enhanced robot hearing helping him greatly.

"Y/N!" He called out once more. "Y/N I'm here." He kept muttering random words, thanking the heavens you were alive, saying how stupid you were to go on your own, and then scolding himself because he was just so happy you were still here. He did all that as he moved the rubble off of you with ease. Genji relaxed greatly when he finally saw your face. Gently, he picked you up. You shuddered a bit against the cold metallic suit but quickly relaxed, your strength being all gone. "You're safe, Y/N. I promise, nothing bad will happen to you again." You nodded your head gently before closing your eyes once more, grateful for your savior.

When you finally awoke, the hiss of metal disconnecting was the first thing you heard. You stirred a little as you slowly gained back all your senses. You were laying on some kind of bed, and you were holding someone's hand. You could immediately tell who's it was though, the metallic fingers gently caressing your knuckles. You couldn't help the smile that etched on your face. You also felt some tubes run through your arm. 'Must be an IV..' Regarding your leg, it already had a cast on it and was elevated. Angela must have cared for you. After a moment, slowly, you opened your eyes while turning to look at Genji. You were a bit surprised though, when you saw he had taken his mask off. His face was scar ridden, but that never made him less attractive to you. Really you only saw him like this when he was injured, or sleeping. He was looking down, tears in his eyes. You tried reaching your other hand out to cup his face but he was a bit too far away. "Genji..C'mere.." You said softly. He immediately shot up, looking at you. The tears finally fell and he squeezed your hand.

"Y/N!! You're okay!" He smiled, tears still coming down. He leaned forward, planting a gentle kiss to your hand that he was holding. The action made you flush, yet you continued to look at the ninja in front of you. You gently cupped his face in your other hand. You couldn't tell if it was because you were weak or if you had just grown more confident, but you weren't as shy as normal. "Y/N, I am so so so sorry for letting anything bad happen to you. I promise I'll protect you now, with all my being." You smiled sadly, you didn't like the fact that Genji blamed himself and yet you were grateful for his future protection.

"Genji, none of this is your fault. I wandered off on my own, it's alright. I'm safe now with you." You rubbed your thumb softly against his rough cheek. He kissed the side of your hand that was cupping his face, and yet again you flushed. He's never done anything like that; he's never kissed any part of you before. So, a part of you couldn't help but wonder why he did it. Was it just from a place of protectiveness? Or did he truly have feelings for you? "What's important is that everyone else is safe, we saved the city." You spoke up after a moment.

The cyborg merely chuckled weakly, giving your hand yet another kiss. "Y/N, I would let a thousand cities burn to the ground as long as you were safe." He smiled softly, looking at your flustered face. "Sure it's great that we saved everyone…But if you weren't okay, I couldn't live with myself." He explained, but it seemed like he was holding himself back from…what? His cold knuckles rubbed against yours, giving you butterflies.

You smiled as well, and squeezed Genji's hand softly. "Hey..Don't worry about that." You coughed, your torso raising from the bed with the movement. The cyborg's face immediately filled with worry. "I'm safe, you're safe..the people are safe." You reassured him, laying back against the slightly elevated hospital bed.

"Yes but-" He started, but then sooner than he had started, gave up. He shook his head, and with his free hand grabbed the missing part to his helmet. "Get some rest, Y/N. I'll be back, I have some paperwork Jack needs me to fill."

I roll my eyes at the mention, but understand regardless. "Go ahead, I know how strict he can be." You gave a weak chuckle and the ninja before you slowly let go of your hand, as if it pained him to do so. You closed your eyes, falling asleep to the soft hiss of Genji's metallic helmet connecting.

After an hour or so, you woke up to the sound of the door opening. "Genji? Is that you?" You called out quietly, head still feeling groggy from your nap. You heard a feminine laugh, and immediately recognized it as Angela's. You slowly opened your eyes and watched as she put her rubber gloves on.

"Sorry to disappoint, but no, it's not Genji. Just your resident doctor." She smiled, walking over the to monitor you were connected to, looking it over.

You blushed lightly and shook your head. "I didn't mean to look disappointed, he just…said he'll be back." You said, feeling a bit stupid for expecting him to be back this soon. "He's probably busy still.." You mumbled, trying to make yourself feel better.

Angela looked down on you and checked your head wound, smiling softly. "Don't worry Y/N, he'll be back. Jack is..upset that he ran off to find you." You tilted your head a bit. "No- No don't do that please, I need to make sure your wound isn't infected." You moved your head back, but still had many questions.

"I don't understand, why would Jack be upset at that? Doesn't he always want to save as many people as possible?" You asked, confused. You saw Angela take a deep breath out of the corner of your eye before she seemingly made up her mind.

"When we couldn't find you, we all assumed you were dead. We were given direct orders to report straight back, as there was word that there was an emergency somewhere else. Luckily some other agents were free so they got there in time, but Genji insisted on staying and looking for you. We were all heartbroken, really, but Genji…He really didn't seem like he'd live without you." She confessed, turning back to her counter with medical supplies. "Young love, right?" She joked, trying to lighten the mood.

You were stunned, and didn't say a word. 'Young love?' You thought. 'Does he..really care about me like that?' You asked yourself, thinking it was way too good to be true. But how could you ignore the obvious signs any longer? As you were overthinking your crush on the cyborg, Angela had some good news.

"You should be able to leave tomorrow. Of course you won't be able to walk, and you can't go on any missions with us, but you won't be confined to this 'hospital' for long." She smiled. "Genji has already volunteered to be your personal nurse, seems to think he can do a better job than me, but I'm sure you'll be fine on your own. We all know you're a fighter, Y/N."

You thanked her and appreciated the compliments, but you were obviously preoccupied. By mere coincidence, someone knocked on the door about five minutes after Angela knocked. "Come in!" You called, flicking through the channels of the T.V in the room. Genji emerged from the door, holding a small bouquet of flowers. You smiled seeing him, along with the nice gift. "Aww Genji, you didn't have to." You said.

His robotic chuckle emerged from the mask, and he closed the door behind him. "I've wanted to give them to you for a while, actually. So yes, it was very necessary." You couldn't see him, but from his tone of voice you can tell that he smiled. He sat back down on the chair next to your bed, putting the flowers on a nearby table. You two sat in silence for a bit before you spoke up.

"Genji..You've been really sweet to me today. First with saving me-" You started.

"Technically that was yesterday." He chimed in.

You rolled your eyes with a smile. "Oh hush, you know what I mean. What I'm trying to say- Or ask, rather is…Do you..have feelings for me? Maybe I'm reading this all wrong but you kept kissing my hands and got me flowers and-" You started going on a nervous ramble, hoping that something made sense and if you were wrong Genji didn't hate you. You were so nervous, in fact, that you didn't hear his helmet disconnect. In a moment's notice, Genji was mere inches from your face.

He smiled, and nodded his head. One of his hands grabbed your own, while the other tucked your hair behind your ear. "Of course I do, Y/N. How could I not? I really do care for you, and want to have a relationship with you." He kissed your forehead softly. "I'm sorry I waited this long to tell you, I just didn't want to ruin things. I thought maybe you had someone else.."

At that you chuckled, and shook your head. "No, Genji, nobody else. Nobody else but you." You leaned your face closer to the other, neither of you connecting your lips yet.

"May I kiss you?" Genji asked, voice a whisper as if he's scared that he'll ruin the mood.

"Of course you may." You answered, and just melted feeling Genji's lips on yours. There were a few scars around his mouth, but you knew that and it felt surprisingly nice. It was like a perfect moment, one that the two of you were dreaming about forever. After a moment you pulled away, wrapping your arms around Genji. "I love you, so much Genji." You admitted with the biggest smile on your face.

"I love you too, Y/N." He said, with an equally big smile on his face.

[knives-out20]

The Impact Of The Intergalactic - David Bowie Opinion Essay - by Beck S.

This is an essay I wrote about the span of David Bowie's career. I wrote it for a summer school course I took last year (August 2021) for a course called History of Rock & Roll.

My teacher gave nice feedback after he marked it, talking about how it was an "Excellent paper. It charts Bowie's progress throughout his career well, and includes significant detail. I could really feel the passion you have about him throughout. In fact, there is *too much* detail! The paper was supposed to be 3 pages max, double-spaced. Still, this is a good problem to have; better too much than too little."

So...enjoy!!

From his early works like Hunky Dory, to Black Tie White Noise in the 1990’s and stretching over to Blackstar as his final album, David Bowie has rarely had a bad album or song- in my opinion. His career has had ups and downs, his musical creations ranging in the way he would pitch his voice and what instruments he would use, the people he would produce with, and the wild things he would say. Charting David Bowie’s development over time is in fact an interesting journey.

Early on in his dreamy career, Bowie would have done nearly anything- or in fact, anyone- to grow in the music world. Hopping from band to band (like The Velvet Underground), producer to producer, doing whatever he could do to get ‘in’ in the industry. His early albums weren’t taken very highly in their times- especially with the ‘man-dress’ he wore on the British release of his The Man Who Sold The World album. Although, this dress was only the start of the androgynous appearance he would soon be known for, over the course of his 5-decade-spanning career.

The 1970’s were strange, to say the least. He married Angela Bowie at the start of the decade, then welcomed their son Duncan Zowie Haywood Jones a year later. Bowie went on to be hopped up on cocaine. David donned the look of one of his famous personas, The Thin White Duke. The same persona with slicked-back ginger hair, a white button-up under a black waistcoat and paired with black dress pants. The same Duke who called Adolf Hitler one of the first ‘rock stars’ and gave off a lot of faschist energy. He said many statements he’d later apologize for and grow as a better man from, which is good- it’s better than standing by then, or even backing himself up and supporting them. David Bowie called that period the darkest days of his life, and blamed the crazy statements on his horrid addiction and deteriorating mental state. The late 1970’s were more favorable, seeing as it gave the world what was dubbed the Berlin Trilogy alongside Brian Eno and David’s personal friend, Iggy Pop. Made up of three of his albums: Low and Heroes (both in 1977) and Lodger (1978). He moved from Los Angeles to Switzerland, then to Berlin as a further decision to escape his addiction (the reason he moved away from LA in the first place). It was in Berlin, of course, where he wrote his famous song Heroes, about two lovers, one from East Berlin and one from West.

Speaking of Berlin, David Bowie performed near the west of the Berlin Wall in 1987; he played so loud that crowds gathered on the east to listen. At this time, Bowie had no idea he would be the beginning of the city’s soon-coming unifying. After his death in 2016, the German government thanked him for bringing the wall down and unifying a divided Germany.

Music isn’t all he is known for, though it is a majority. He also starred in movies from time to time. Being the titular man in The Man Who Fell To Earth in 1976, Jareth the moody goblin king in Jim Henson’s 1986 Labyrinth film (what is most likely his most famous role), Monte the barman in the 1991 movie The Linguini Incident, cameoing as himself in Zoolander (2001), Nikola Tesla in the 2006 movie The Prestige, and even Lord Royal Highness in Spongebob Squarepants’ Atlantis Squarepantis in 2007, among a few others. David Bowie dabbled in the art of acting, and was not that bad at it. He was good enough to gain a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, too. Sometimes it bends my mind that my first introduction to my all-time favourite musician was in a Spongebob Squarepants movie, back before I knew who he was, but David Bowie was never one to shy away from foreshadowing. At least one song from many of his albums would hint at the direction he’d go in for his next release. For example, his track Queen Bitch on Hunky Dory foreshadowed his soon-coming Ziggy Stardust. And the Diamond Dogs track 1984 actually hinted at the Philadelphian soul of Young Americans, which is a more famous song of his, which he went on to perform on The Cher Show with its host.

The 1990’s were certainly an experimental time for David Bowie. But to my knowledge, I think the 1990’s was a time for everyone. He married supermodel Iman some days after performing at the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert, and released the album I named earlier, Black Tie White Noise. It is known to have had a prominent use of electronic instruments, as was his other 1990’s album, Earthling. The early 1990’s greeted David’s first real band since the Spiders From Mars, dubbed Tin Machine. They recorded three guitar-driven albums which received mixed reviews from the masses, but Bowie looks back at this period- as do I- with a certain fondness; “a glorious disaster” he called it, when talking to journalist Mick Brown. Tin Machine is a period I don’t listen to often, compared to his solo stuff, but I don’t press the skip button when it comes on.

Alas, the starman’s career drew to a close as the 2000s rolled in. David Bowie greeted the 2000’s with the birth of his and Iman’s daughter, the beautiful Alexandria Zahra Jones. After suffering a- strange, as it were- heart attack symptoms mid-song during a concert in 2004, he took a hiatus from his career. I say strange because given what I know, he was trying his best to stay healthy at the time. According to my special Rolling Stone edition magazine about David Bowie (released at the start of this year), he was on tour and performing in a really hot arena. But Bowie was sober, and had quit smoking. He was taking medication to lower his cholesterol, and worked out with a trainer. Bowie looked great, and yet he felt a pain in his shoulder and chest, along with a shortness for breath. A bodyguard rushed onstage to usher Bowie off of it, cutting the concert short. He only performed live once or twice after that point, but was set on never going live ever again. And he kept his word on that, unfortunately but also fortunately. Unfortunately, because David Bowie live would have been quite the experience- I wouldn’t know, personally. But fortunately, because I do not believe anyone needs a repeat of the 2004 Reality scare.

I am actually not too fond of speaking of his final years. Nobody really likes to speak of the last years of their idols’ life before their death, so it’s no surprise. Blackstar was David Bowie’s 25th and final album, recorded entirely in secret in New York alongside his long-time producer, Tony Visconti. The album's central theme lyrically is mortality, and seeing as Bowie was undergoing chemotherapy for his cancer at the time, I see it as his way of coping with his incoming death. His producer Tony Visconti called him a ‘canny bastard’, when he realized Bowie was essentially writing a farewell album. Every song on the album is what is considered a swan song, a swan song in question being a phrase for a final gesture of some sort before retirement or death. In this case, death. Over the course of recording the album, David Bowie’s chemotherapy had actually been working and he had an eerie optimism while recording. But by the time they shot the two music videos Blackstar and Lazarus, where he showed off the definite passage of time and cruelty of chemotherapy through sparse and gray hair with sagging skin, he knew his condition was terminal and that this would be a battle he would lose. Blackstar wasn’t the first album to have been made by a musician succumbing to a fatal illness, but in my opinion it is in fact the most beautiful. It’s jazzy, and elegant, showing how at peace he had become with dying.

Blackstar the album was released on January 8th, 2016. Also known as David Bowie’s 69th birthday. Two days later, David Bowie died at his Lafayette Street home on January 10th after living with liver cancer for up to 18 months. Beforehand, he had let it be known he did not want a funeral nor a burial, but rather that his body be cremated and the ashes to be scattered in Bali by his loved ones. His wish was received, and planet Earth was very much bluer and quieter without his colour and wonderful noise.

As I said earlier on, David Bowie’s career came with ups and downs. His mysteriously close relationship with Mick Jagger, his cross with famous underage groupie Lori Maddox, the births of his two talented children, his faschist bender in the 70’s, and final bang of Blackstar in his final year on earth. Through the highs and lows, his career and his music meant a lot to the quote-unquote misfits and freaks of the world, myself included. David Bowie turned and faced the strange, shouted “you’re not alone!” To those who felt the loneliest, he surely spent his career helping those who needed to be themselves, feel more freer and braver in doing so, no matter what they may be when they are themselves. He never went boring, he never went stale, he sang what he wanted and dressed how he pleased, and kept to his word on how much more to life there is when you’re just that; yourself. A year after David Bowie’s untimely passing, his son Duncan Jones accepted an award for British album of the year that was won by Blackstar at the 37th annual Brit Awards. When he accepted it, he made a speech about his father that I will leave here, and never forget. Seeing as it perfectly encapsulates David Bowie’ legacy, and the true meaning of his extraordinary career.

“I lost my dad last year, but I also became a dad. And, uhm, I was spending a lot of time- after getting over the shock- of trying to work out what would I want my son to know about his granddad? And I think it would be the same thing that most of my dad's fans have taken over the last 50 years. That he’s always been there supporting people who think they’re a little bit weird or a little bit strange, a little bit different, and he’s always been there for them. So...this award is for all the kooks, and all the people who make the kooks. Thanks, Brits, and thanks to his fans.” - Duncan Z. H. Jones (February 22 2017, at The O2 Arena in London.)

[ibtk]

Book Review: THE ANIMALS IN THAT COUNTRY by Laura Jean McKay (2020)

(Full disclosure: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through Edelweiss and Library Thing's Early Reviewers program. Content warning for violence, including that against animals. Caution: this review contains a spoiler in the form of an excerpt.)

'Well, I’ve got a secret for you, Miss Kimberly Russo.' She digs her sharp little nails into my skin. ‘What is it?’ ‘This flu means people can talk to animals.’ Her head shoots up. ‘I want the flu, Granny. Don’t you?’ ‘Grown-ups don’t wish they had diseases, and neither should you.’ ‘But don’t you?’ Outside, Wallamina and Princess Pie are nose and beak to the sliding door, trying to press their way through. Eyes shining. ‘Course I bloody do.’

I can see the wild in her. She looks and acts like any dog. Plays, wags, stares into my eyes with her baby browns; does chasey, catch, begs for biscuits. Then the dusk comes and she lifts her neck and howls the saddest song in all the world, and there’s that wild. Dingo, owl, night thing — that sound is a warning. Loneliest you’ll hear. Wraps around your face, your sleep, your dreams. She’s saying: ‘Hey, hey. There’s something coming.’ The rangers here are always telling me, don’t talk like that. They say how dingoes are just establishing territory, checking on their pack. Dingo admin. But stand on the hot road that runs from the gift shop to the enclosures, and listen to the dingo in her cage call out to the packs on the other side of the fence. Tell me that’s not special. Tell me she doesn’t know something about the world that you and me haven’t ever thought of.

Jean Bennett isn't you're typical grandma - unless you're picturing Gemma Teller Morrow, that is. Jean drinks, smokes, swears, and sleeps around, usually all at the same time, and occasionally with her gay and committed coworker, Andy. She's got a tiger tattooed on her boob, and a dingo named Sue imprinted on her heart.

A lowly guide who dreams of becoming a ranger, Jean works at an Australian wildlife park, run by her son's ex-girlfriend Angela and owned by Angela's father. Jean and her husband Graham landed there years ago, after bouncing around the world for a while. Eventually Graham left Jean to shack up with another woman; their only child, Lee, jumped ship too, but not before hooking up with - and impregnating - Angela. Now Ange mostly keeps Jean around for the free child care (and maybe also because Ange feels sorry for her).

As for Jean, she stays stuck in this weird, awkward morass for her granddaughter Kimberley - one of the few people she can tolerate, let alone love. Jean prefers animals of the nonhuman variety, and the Park's residents/captives are her found family. She has a special place in her cockles for Sue, a dingo mix who she helped rescue as a wee little pup.

Jean's precarious life is already teetering on the edge of chaos when THE FLU arrives - first in southern Australia, then at the Park's gates, thanks to none other than an infected Lee, as charming as he is irresponsible.

Zoanthropathy (from Greek: zóo, “animal”, anthroponis, “human”, pathy, “disorder”), aka zooflu, otherwise known as "the talking animal disease," allow humans to understand and communicate with other animals:

'The strain known as zoanthropathy affects cognition in humans, and it is believed that enhanced communication between humans and nonhuman animals is possible. Zoanthropathy is hosted and spread by humans. [...] The disease is very high in morbidity and very low in mortality. Infected humans appear able to communicate (encode) and translate (decode) previously unrecognisable non-verbal communications via major senses such as sight, smell, taste, touch, and sound with nonhuman animals.'

When Lee runs off with Kimberley - to commune with the whales on the southern coast - Jean embarks on a cross-country road trip to find them. Riding shotgun is Sue, whose keen nose points the way to Tomorrow (Tomorrow being Sue's conceptualization of Kimberley. Jean is Yesterday, and Lee is Never There. Scathing, yet accurate.)

As with most potentially animal-friendly tales, I was equally nervous and excited to dive into THE ANIMALS IN THAT COUNTRY. As it is, the book both thrilled and disappointed me; I almost feel like it deserves two separate ratings, one for the idea and actualization of the dystopian zooflu future - which is breathtaking - and another for the human-centered plot that propels the audience's journey into this world - which is decidedly less so.

Let's start with the zooflu. It seems like it would be awesome to be able to talk to animals, right? Think again. I mean, really turn the idea over in your head, sit with the superpower, and try to envision what this might entail. Given that most of the nonhumans we encounter on the daily are exploited, oppressed, or otherwise negatively impacted by humans -

be it the 25 million farmed animals we create, torture, and kill for food every year in the US alone; the "wildlife" (read: free-living animals) we displace, starve, and kill through habitat loss; the dogs and cats we buy, neglect, and then abandon at shelters; or the animals we unintentionally hit with our cars (or the bugs we trod on just walking down the street); etc. x infinity

- we are weapons of mass destruction. To most of our nonhuman kin (and sometimes our fellow humans, too). Instead of words of wisdom and messages of hope, we'd be more likely to hear cries of terror. Confusion. Pain and agony. Hellfire, everywhere. Created and fueled by us and our own.

Heck, I'm not even sure it would be beneficial to always know exactly what our beloved, nonhuman family members are thinking. I have a fifteen-year-old dog named Finn who's going deaf and blind and battling dementia. More often than not, I suspect that being privy to his innermost thoughts would freak me the fuck out. Not to mention break my damn heart.

And then there's the mode of communication: not just just verbal, as we're used to, but all-encompassing: "sight, smell, taste, touch, and sound." Think pheromones, sound waves, scratches and ticks. The beating of countless tiny wings, all bombarding your brain and trying to tell you something. That kind of thing, coming at you uninvited and from all directions, is apt to drive a person mad. And it does, as evidenced by zooflu sufferers who stuff their orifices with whatever's handy to block incoming stimuli - or, at the more extreme end, the pseudo-religious trepanners who invite strangers to drill holes in their skulls in a misguided attempt to relieve the pressure.

Talking to animals sounds like the stuff of dreams - but in McKay's hands, it's a nightmare.

And a pretty trippy one, at that: fittingly, the incoming messages that Jean's left to decode aren't quite what you'd call straightforward. There's a lot of translation required, and Google hasn't yet caught up:

I’m reading her body like some language I barely remember from a high school textbook. Bonjour madame, connaissez-vous le chemin de la gare? Let’s go to the station. Or, where the hell is the supermarket? I can parrot the words, but the meaning is in scraps.

Copies of this book should be sold with a sheet of acid, or maybe some edibles. I kid, but also not.

If, like me, you assumed that increased understanding and compassion would surely spring forth from this newfound ability to communicate with nonhuman animals, you'd be wrong. While some people do indeed embrace the flu, many others lash out: animal-free zones are established, and hungry citizens start hunting former pets, since they make for easy prey (apparently they've never heard of fruits and veggies?).

There's one especially excruciating scene that I don't think I'll ever be able to forget. Jean takes refuge in a makeshift church, only to catch a glimpse of how the missionaries make their sausage (stew):

A small fluffy dog has pelted out a kitchen door, thin bit of twine tangled around its legs, body blonde fire, screaming, Hello. Please. Please bite its soft. Quick. Help me. I jump up, calling the poor little bugger, but the parishioners shriek louder, climbing on their chairs like that dog is the snake from the garden of Eden. The woman rushes for her daughter and hauls her by an arm out of the room. It’s funny, for a second, until the laugh dies in my throat. The little dog, too tangled in the twine to move, slumps panting in the aisle. It’s not just m e. Where’s other me. She’s still — The god-botherers are faster than me. They grab that dog with WWF wrestling passion, using real lumps of wood, real knives. The little dog has enough time to issue a thick whiff of terror from its undercarriage, Help her, before they’ve slit it ear to ear right there in the pulpit. There was no blood with Lee. He didn’t even look that drowned. He might have come alive any moment. He might be alive right now in his grave. This little dog, though, is bleeding out on the beige carpet. The door to the kitchen is open. Matthew the soup cook leans on the jamb, then turns back. A fluffy tail on a chopping board. The steaming pots. Pain like a stab to my guts — he stirs a soup very much like the one he was serving up in the park.

Of course, this scene is so repulsive to most of us - Jean included - only because the animal being killed and consumed is designated for "companionship" instead of "food," at least in this particular culture. Chances are you've known and loved a dog or two yourself - and so the doomed beast transforms from a something to a someone. Not an unfeeling object to be used and discarded at will, but a sentient creature with her own feelings, desires, and loved ones. Had it been a chicken or pig, the result wouldn't be quite so horrifying; Jean herself eats meat, and justifies doing so, on several occasions.

Yet an earlier scene - in which Jean comes upon an abandoned tractor trailer truck packed with pigs destined for slaughter - will hopefully challenge readers to expand their circle of compassion:

I’ve seen battery hogs before — of course I have. But not out and about. Not staggering around and trying to walk, calling to whatever they think is ‘more’. Glazed eyes that strain like they’ve never seen sunlight. Skin stretched over bodies fed to the point of bursting — something between swine and meat. Saw some animal liberationists on the street in the city one time, saying factory farms were the same as Nazi camps. I called them bloody racists too. The pigs clatter past me down the ramp, fucked-up eyes on the road ahead, calling, Hello is it more. Those animal nutters were wrong, but not in the way I thought. It’s not the same as the Nazis: that was us doing to us. What’s this? [...] A hurt sow sits on her haunches, then lies down on the verge, panting unevenly under the slathering sun. Another weaves blindly over the asphalt toward her, flies spinning around her head. They push their noses into each other. Send me a postcard, the sick one says. Postcard, indeed. What the fuck. I watch more closely. The meaning bright off that tight skin. All the little bits saying, Leave me, and, I’ll hear about it, and, Don’t you see it. Move on. There’s more. The ones that can walk stretch their legs, for, More, more, more. I stand at the top of the truck ramp watching them break into a group trot toward the next paddock. Skin rippling. Hooves carolling. Know that heart-in-your-mouth run. Know exactly what ‘more’ is. I’ve seen it in Lee and I’ve had it too, at times. These pigs are half dead, they’re stumbling around, blind, mad, and fucking hopeful.

Even if many of the characters in this book resist the humanity clearly evident in nonhuman animals, I hope that readers will hold these passages close - especially at the dinner table.

Sue, our main nonhuman protagonist, is a fascinating character; like many of the semi-domesticated animals in the park, McKay paints her as a series of conflicting impulses: safety or freedom. Hunger or satiation. Dingoes or humans. She is fiercely loyal, much to her own detriment. She has wants and needs of her own, and she's often satisfied to set them aside for the good of her (adopted) pack.

And I guess that brings me to the second half of this review: the humans, most of whom are awful. Jean, exponentially so.

Initially I thought that Jean would be my people: she's a hard-drinking, mold-breaking badass broad who gets on better with animals than people. She has a mini-rescue in her backyard where she keeps some of the park's doomed relinquishments. (The public treats the park like a rehab facility when in fact it's in the business of entertainment - old, sick, injured, and "common" animals are routinely killed.) She and Kimberley spend their afternoons together designing the animal rescue they hope to build one day.

But Jean is kind of a terrible person. To call her a misanthrope is half the story: she's also senselessly mean and cruel, especially when drunk, hungover, or frustrated (in other words, 90% of the time). I don't fault Jean for her substance abuse problem - alcoholism is a mental health issue and should be treated as such - but nor is it an excuse for being such an asshole. (There's even a scene where she trolls people discussing the zooflu online, like a fucking American redhat.) She's shit to everyone around her, except for Kimberley and Lee (Lee, who could use a good ass-kicking).

And then there's Sue: Sue, who followed Jean across the damn country when she should have been settling into a dingo pack of her own. Sue, who found Kimberley and saved Jean's life. Sue, who is nothing but good and true and trustworthy. Sue, who Jean assaults on multiple occasions: kicking her in the ribs, binding her with rope to prevent her escape, and even trying to shoot her (with a gun that's thankfully empty of bullets). At one point, she "forgives" Sue for saving her life - as if Sue's the one who needs forgiveness!

Despite the abuse, Sue continues to stick by Jean's side, which galled me endlessly. Towards the end of the story, following the attempted murder, Sue gets revenge of a sort, dominating a delirious Jean and forcing her subservience. However, the book ends shortly thereafter, cutting any sense of satisfaction far too short.

I really felt cheated with Jean: I thought she might be my avatar in this world - but she's just another terrible human who doesn't deserve the company of animals.

Likewise, the whole subplot involving Kimberley's parentage is way over the top dramatic and unnecessary; it seemed like we were being plucked from a dystopia and dropped into a soap opera for a minute there. Just, gross. So yeah, there are definitely some aspects of the book that I appreciated more than others. THE ANIMALS IN THAT COUNTRY may be imperfect - but I'd still wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone looking to explore our relationship to nonhuman animals in a dystopian setting.

[kindajared]

Naomi Bianco (My OC)

AH IM NERVOUS BUT HERE SHE BE

Name: Naomi Bianco

Age: 22

Gender: F

Nationality: Italian

Height: 5’4’’ (163 cm)

Weight: 115 Ibs

Eyes: Bright Green

Hair: Black (Long and straight, thick)

DOB: January 5th, 1979

POB: Venezia, Italy

Family: Angela and Mario (Mother and father) (Alive?), Leo and Americo (Brothers 3 and 1 year(s) younger) (Deceased)

Occupation: Assassin

Stand: Slipknot

Ability: Ropes. They can constrict and tie down anything, they can also manifest inside people. Senses by even the slightest movements when the target can’t be seen. 1-8 M

Power: B Speed: B Range: C Staying: B Precision: B Learning: C

Likes: Warm Weather, Energy Drinks, Strawberries, Hot Chocolate

Dislikes: Thunder, Coffee, Bugs, Vegetables (Baby)

Strengths: Physically strong, levelheaded, intelligent, caring

Weaknesses: Reckless, clumsy, irritable, picky

Movies: Hellraiser and Blood Simple

Music: Tool and Motley Crüe

Attire: Black Wedges- Black, latex, pants (Low riding)- silver chain belt- loose fitting, black, tank top- thick, white, suspenders-thin leather jacket with faux fur on its hood.

Jewelry: Thick, black, choker- black arm bands,

piercings: -all lobe and cartilage piercings.

Tattoos: Bothers’ initials behind her ears-Hexagram on her left hip

Scars: 6 inch thick scar on her upper back from a mugging-one 3 inch thin scar between her thigh from an attempted r*pe

MNottable personality traits: Extroverted, Sarcastic, Humorous, Heart of Gold, Crude, Flirty

The way she treats you usually depends on her first impression. If she’s turned off, she may not be interested in getting to know you, if it’s the other way around, she’ll want to become fast friends.

She’s drawn to people who are similar to her- Rowdy and Funny. Not much of a filter, very friendly most times if you give off the right vibe. She’s really good at identifying the kind of person you are based on your demeanor. She does like to take chanced- approaching people she normally wouldn’t, curious.

She doesn’t usually judge people by looks, but if it’s something drastic. She certainly will.

She’s extremely flirty and will absolutely come and say hello if she finds you attractive, though she also knows how to play it cool. If it’s the other way around, she’ll act as she would with anyone else, approaching her won’t bother her, unless they don’t back off after she tells them to. It also depends on the way they treat her. You better use the right tone.

She’s a little intimidating looking when she’s not smiling, but when she curls her lips into a smile, you can tell that she’s most likely sweet- though be wary- she acts roughly some of the time.

She absolutely does not get along with everyone. She tries not to be too particular, but she can be. She’s a picker and a chooser.

She doesn’t show her emotions often- refuses to cry or open up to people-unless you get her drunk. She will open up if you get close enough to her, but tears will eventually fall if you bring up her brothers.

If you ask her about the tattoos behind her ears, she’ll tell you what they are, but will be hesitant to tell you the backstory behind them A.B. and L.B. for Americo and Leo Bianco

Backstory:

Born to her mother and father, Angela and Mario Bianco. She had a very happy childhood, lots of friends, a small family, good education and middle class.

It all fell apart when she was 16. Her brother, Leo, was hit by a car, snapping his neck and crushing his body. He died instantly on impact. The driver sped off and she and Americo saw the entire thing happen before their eyes.

This was when their parents disappeared, leaving her and her brother to find their own way, managing to find places to stay as they aged.

She manifested her stand soon after. The rage inside her took its toll and she swore to herself that she’d find the driver, though there was no evidence on who it may have been.

And then came the age of 19. She planned to attend school to become a mortician and worked a summer job at a night club, bartending.

To her dismay, Leo had begun dealing drugs after Americo’s death, craving money and anything that could take his mind off of it. He got away with it for 4 years before Passione finally got to him when he began to sell more than he bargained for, becoming a top seller.

Naomi and her brother had been living together in an apartment in central Venenzia. A prime location for the both of them to do as they pleased. Naomi made good money doing what she did, and Leo did the same.

Then came the day when the rest of her world came crashing down.

It was around 11 at night and there was a knock at the door, which she answered, quickly being pushed to the side by a man she didn’t recognize. He barged into the living room, approaching Leo and shooting him in the chest, straight through the heart. Naomi was shocked and enraged, letting her stand ‘Slipknot’ do it’ work.

She manifested ropes inside of his body, slowly constricting all of his vital organs until his body shut down. His gun was useless, as he was bound by his neck and arms. He died a slow and painful death.

Naomi rushed to Leo’s side, barely having time to say goodbye to hear dear brother. Her world was now shattered, and she no longer cared for anything or anyone except for finding out who did this.

She was able to hack the strange man’s phone, finding out Passione were the ones that ordered the man to kill her brother. She was at a loss. She couldn’t fight the Mafia…what was she to do?

Word eventually got out that this strange man had been killed and Naomi ran, though not far. She quit her job and found a new place to stay on the outskirts of Venezia. She simply couldn’t leave her home.

She managed to stay on the run for 3 years (I know it’s ridiculous) until she was found….walking home from hernew job, another bartending job at a smaller facility. She was apprehended on her walk home, confined and helpless, threatened by other Mafioso. She refused to surrender; she wouldn’t let herself die…though she had to give in…she had to let go.

Passione had caught her and that was the end of that, but their plan was not to kill her…but to use her. She had a powerful stand, not to mention she had evaded them for 3 whole years. She was then assigned to La Squadra Esecuzioni.

La Squadra:

Her relationship with the squad is rather Chaotic. As you can imagine, she has a hard time getting along with all of them. She’s the only female, so as expected, they do indeed want to get along with her for various reasons.

She gets along best with Proscuitto. He’s like the big brother she never had and wanted. Though the two of them are very different, they just work. Though she’s a little too affectionate towards him for his tastes, but he cares for her.

Next is Pesci. She simply doesn’t have anything to hold against him. She actually takes care of him as sort of a big sister. He’s sensitive and she feels sort of sorry for him.

Her and Melone get along well. She really enjoys being around him and his personality. They are probably the most similar out of all the squad. She’s very touchy feely with him and he doesn’t mind one bit.

And here comes Illuso. They weren’t fans of each other at first, getting ticked off at little things the other did. They eventually got over their silly rivalry by suggestion from the others.

Her and Formaggio…aren’t exactly friends. They fight over money and how sloppy one another is. They are usually teamed up together, working well oddly enough. She thinks Risotto teams her up with him to torture her.

Her and Ghiacco have a love/hate relationship. They glare and scoff at each other, fighting over money, and yet whenever Ghiaccio is having any sort of break down, she can’t help but hug him. She holds him while hushing him, “Shhh, shut the fuck up.”

Naomi and Gelato and Sorbet get along swimmingly. They may be a little wacky and unstable, but she loves their company.

Her and Risotto aren’t friends, but there’s a tension between them. Sexual? She can’t quite tell. She hates that he’s the Capo. She thinks Proscuitto is much more worthy than he is. Risotto is always rather kind to her, which is irritating since she doesn’t want to like him, but she’s got a crush. Who wouldn’t?

(I found THIS and it’s as close as it’s gonna get to what she looks like!) This photo is the avatar of a channel on YT called Tulio Berzerker!

[purplesurveys]

1106

survey by mickey-mouse

Who was the last person you couldn't take your eyes off of? I haven’t been feeling that way towards anyone, be it from real life or someone on the internet or a celebrity, for a while.

Do you drink the milk from the bowl after you eat all the cereal? I’ll try to drink some of it, since I do think milk tastes nice haha, but I keep it in moderation so that my stomach won’t end up being too upset.

Have you ever kissed anybody accidentally? Oh wow, how does this even happen? Hahaha but no I haven’t.

Who was the first person to wish you a Merry Christmas last year? Most likely a family member. My friends and I usually greet each other late into the evening.

Do you think it'll be the same person this year? It will probably be family again, yeah. I just can’t tell which one would be first.

Is your display picture in black and white? None of my profile photos on all social media are.

Do you know anybody who has had an online relationship? I don’t think so. I have some friends who met their SOs through dating apps, but I think all of them have since seen each other in person. I’m not sure I know of anyone whose relationship has been entirely online/virtual so far.

What food are you always in the mood for? No matter how full I am, I will always take a slice of pizza or two if it’s ever served at a table. That or chicken wings or spicy tuna salad.

When was the last time you played Guitar Hero? Safe to say more than a decade ago. I had always preferred Rock Band since I found it more fun that switching instruments was a main part of its gameplay, whereas you were stuck with the guitar on Guitar Hero.

What friend could buy clothes for you and not have to worry what they bought? Angela. We have nearly the same sense of style and we find the same things cute, so if I ever had to make a friend control my wardrobe for the day I will likely trust her the most.

1 thing that your guy best friend doesn't like about you: I don’t have a guy best friend. Hans is my closest friend of the opposite sex; while I don’t think he dislikes anything about me, I’m sure he thinks I’ve acted dumb about love and relationships many times before. Which is fine, we’re very honest and blunt about those things and I actually appreciate it when he gets brutally honest with me.

How about your girl best friend? Again, I don’t know if Angela doesn’t like a certain trait of mine but she’s well aware of my past stupid decisions i.e. staying in a harmful relationship.

Do you loan your friends money? No, but I’m ready to lend to my closest friends should they ever be in need.

Are Lucky Charms really magically delicious? I dunno, I’ve never tried.

When was the last time you had Lucky Charms anyway? See above.

Who is the last person you called long distance? I don’t do video calls with friends living in other countries, mainly because I’ve grown apart from them haha. My mom will sometimes start calls with relatives living abroad though; I believe the most recent one was a group video call with my dad’s side of the family, which included an uncle who lives in New York.

Do you sleep with a nightlight? No; I would find this too distracting and bright.

Is Lil Wayne really the best rapper alive? I never thought he was one of the best to begin with. Some of the songs he’s featured in are fine but I don’t like his slurred style of rapping very much.

What is the first text in your inbox? Like...the very first one in my inbox? I scrolled all the way down and it’s from Frances - an orgmate who has since disappeared off the face of the earth and blocked all her friends on social media lmao - asking about an org-related thing three years ago. Wherever she is, I hope she’s doing okay.

Are you taller than your siblings? I am the eldest yet smallest child in the family. My relatives get a kick out of it, which is fine because I do too HAHA

What are the first letters of your friends first names on your top 8? Myspace? Was never active on it.

When was the last time you almost cried from laughing? I can’t pinpoint an exact moment for you but this happens a lot when I watch 2 Days 1 Night, so this has probs happened recently.

Do you have “photoshoots” with your friends/family members? Not with me as the subject – I’m very camera shy and turn into an awkward stick once I’m asked to pose. But I love taking photos of loved ones, especially an SO.

Are you generous? To a fault.

Are you excited for Thanksgiving this year? I don’t celebrate that.

Are you excited for Thanksgiving ANY year? Yeah, I still don’t celebrate that.

Any plans for the weekend? I had plans to start a new series and spend a lazy day watching YouTube videos, but we haven’t had internet all day today and it’s felt quite deflating to have the first day of my weekend taken away from me. I’ve been running on data which is...fine, I guess, but I can’t use too much if I don’t want to keep paying for it. That said I’ve only been able to do surveys and stream music today. For tomorrow, I wanna go to a coffee shop and perhaps even treat myself to ramen because I’ve been craving.

Do you lay your clothes out the day before? Before Covid happened I planned out my clothes the night before, but I didn’t lay them out.

Who was the last person you bought a gift for? Andi; got them a dress and a skirt.

What was the last song you had stuck in your head? My Limb has been repeatedly playing in my head all day.

Are you ignoring anybody currently? Not ignoring, more of I’ve already given up on them.

Do you curse at your parents in a different language? I don’t curse at my parents in any language, lmfao.

Do you get the mailman a Christmas gift every year? We don’t have mailmen, buuuuut the maintenance staff in my village (trash collectors, security guards, those in charge of trimming the grass, etc) will usually hand each household an envelope in time for Christmas. My family and I help them out and place a certain amount in all envelopes.

Are you afraid of lizards? They are very common visitors in homes here so no I’m mostly not. They move very fast and get freaked out when they see humans though, so sometimes I’ll be shocked by them suddenly scurrying away.

How legible is your signature? I don’t make it legible at all so that it’s difficult to replicate. I actually get a lot of comments on it because my signature is mostly a lazy scribble and I don’t actually spell out any part of my name, which exactly fulfills my goal of making it hard to copy.

Do you think anybody else has a bedroom EXACTLY like yours? I actually live in a neighborhood where the houses are the same models, so I can confidently tell you that there are around 10-20 bedrooms that look similar to mine. But as for being styled and furnished exactly like mine, I doubt it.

How hot are your neighbors? Lol uh I don’t pay attention to this particular trait. All my neighbors are your typical suburban families with young kids, anyway.

Do you have pictures of clouds on your cell phone? A lot. I like looking up at the sky from time to time.

Do you send compliments through text message? Sure, when it’s appropriate and only with close friends.

Do/did your high school theme colors match? I never thought they didn’t go well together, that much I can say.

Do you own any Nike shoes? Several.

Have you ever rode in a VW Bug? Never.

How about a Mini Cooper? Never have, would absolutely love to.

What was the last fast food place you got food from? Yellow Cab. I got two pizzas and pasta for my family.

When you invite people to your house do you usually hang out in your room? I never invite people to my house because it’s too far compared to where most of my friends live, and it would only be a big hassle for everyone. As for my room, the only people who’ve been in it are Gabie and Angela/Hans, the latter only once.

Have you ever seen your crush/current bf/gf cry? I don’t have any of these.

Do you own any Spongebob merchandise? I’m pretty sure we have a Patrick plushie we continue to keep around.

Do you have any food traditions with any of your friends? My orgmates and I frequented a certain bar near our university; we went there whether it was to celebrate the end of an exam-filled week, or if we simply wanted to spend an ordinary Thursday with a few drinks. A few months ago they were in danger of closing because of the pandemic, but I hope life has been kinder to them recently.

Do you like Gwen Stefani? Erm, not particularly. Some songs of her I like, but I’m not a passionate fan.

Do you know anybody with a thick Jamaican accent? No.

Are you closer to your mom’s side of the family or your dad’s? Mom’s. Aside from being able to see them more often, our humor is also similar.

Have you ever been to a haunted house? I’ve stared at one, but never gone inside haha.

Yes or no: red eyeliner? Do whatever you want with your face and makeup, man.

Yes or no: red lipstick? ^ Still applies.

Would you ever own a pet black widow spider? No.

Do you wear holiday themed clothing? I don’t think I own any, so no.

At 6:00 tomorrow night where do you think you’ll be? On my way home, or preparing to head home, I hope.

Is it night or day right now? Evening.

What time did you get up today? Like 5:30. I fell asleep on the rooftop and got to see the pretty sunrise and the sky gradually change colors :)

[nekokoaa]

Wolves Among Us - Bakugo x Reader (VIII)

Series Warning: Fantasy AU, Fluff, NSFW

(Chapter VIII/XX) New Mini Series! (((ALL CHAPTERS ARE IN MY MASTERLIST)))

Hey guuuuuuuuys! Here’s the next chapter to WAU!! Yesss so excited!! I hope you guys enjoy!!

Taglist:

@freedom-for-bum @reallyfuckingangrylatina @risarisarisaa @ashherssss @mels-heart @xa-dia @shanty-lol @amkxh @chims-kookies @fantasticapple

Inspired by The Company of Wolves by Angela Carter

VIII:

On the second night with Katsuki’s pack, the perfect moon was eastward to the mountains that stood like silhouettes against the dark navy skies. A swirl of stars peeked behind the leisurely clouds, riding along the skies like a brush upon a canvas. A wonder was happening among them, but it only lasted for a moment. A streak of light had torn through the stagnant stars before it faded into the dark, if eyes had discovered the phenomenon, many would have wished for their desires and hoped it would come true in the near future. Unfortunately, you weren’t there to witness the event like many others who were slumbering in their caves. You were between the arms of Katsuki, huddled up against his chest as you slept soundly. Your legs were tangled with his under the cozy covers you were sharing with him. You were taking up most of the sheep wool cloth under you once again and Katsuki’s body was clinging to the bare edges of the cloth. He wasn’t aware of it as he was deep in his sleep. It took a lot to wake Katsuki up, normally, one would have to shake him awake constantly until he recovered from his stages of sleep. The only time where he would wake up instantly would be because of his senses, but even that wasn’t common.

As for you, you were quite the opposite. Unless you were extremely exhausted, any simple sound would stir you awake momentarily before slipping back into your slumber. Even when Katsuki would shift slightly, you would wake up, moving along with him before settling back into your sleep. So, it wasn’t a surprise that you were stirred out of your sleep when an unidentified sound entered your ears. With a groan, you rubbed your tired eyes while you picked up your head. The covers around your body had slipped to your hips.

“What is that…?” You asked yourself and glanced at the hanging cloth that separated the hallway from the room. You heard a faint sound that felt like it came from the room across the hall. It sounded like someone was in pain, growls and sometimes squeals could be heard. The cloth muffled the sound, but it still worried you to no end. At first, you were going to check it out yourself, but you remembered how the pack treated you yesterday and it discouraged you. So, you decided on the next best thing.

“K-Katsuki?” You shook him lightly on his shoulder, your voice no higher than a whisper. Katsuki didn’t budge. “Katsuki.” You continued to shake him a bit rougher this time but still, there was no reaction from him. You released a heavy sigh, stood up on your knees, and placed both hands on his arm and without further ado, you shook him with all of your might. Even then, he still didn’t wake up right away but was gradually lifted from his sleeping spell.

“Hmm? W-Wha…?” He groaned. Instantly, that calm appearance you grew to know whenever he was asleep was replaced with furrowed brows and a scowl. You saw his pupils, surrounded by crimson, adjust to the dim lighting of the candles in the room, from slits to slight dilation.

“Katsuki, please. I think someone needs help.” You told him as he sat up, a little frustrated that he was woken up from his slumber. You felt bad for it, but you knew Katsuki would be the best person to do something about this issue.

“What? What are you talking about…?” He ran a hand through his spiky hair. It was a little bit uneven from laying on one side of his body for a long period of time. He was already moving himself onto the cloth under you, perhaps not wanting to sit on the cold flooring of the cave any longer.

“Don’t you hear that? Someone’s in pain… I think you should go check on them.” Katsuki sighed softly when he saw that frown on your lips as you stared at him. The last time he saw you this worried was when those hunters attacked him. Before his vision faded into darkness, he saw you hovering over him while you screamed his name. It was definitely a sight he never wanted to see again, just thinking about it made his blood boil. So Katsuki closed his eyes, unable to look at your face, and carefully focused on the sounds beyond the room. You watched as his ears twitched as every individual hum, thud, squeak, resonated along with the soft breathing of your nose and the casual shifting you would do as you anxiously waited for a response. Immediately, Katsuki was able to identify the sounds and you saw his eyebrows raised slightly as his eyes met with yours.

“If that’s what you wanted…” He brought a hand to the back of his neck. Just for a moment his eyes left you and returned with vigor, like a soft flame was lit within them. “You should’ve just asked me before we went to bed.”

You blinked. “Wait—What?”

You saw his tail casually moving. You couldn’t tell if it was for excitement or something else. “You wanna mate, right? Just like them?”

“M-Mate? You mean like…?” You gulped, and a wide smirk tore into Katsuki’s face, his large fangs looked orange in the glow of the candles.

“Yeah—what, did you actually think someone was in pain?”

“Ah—Well—I don’t know. It sounds kind of different…” He laughed loudly at your stutters. The growls and squeals from the other room ceased, and you shushed Katsuki, afraid that he interrupted the intimate moment. Oh, you so wanted to die from embarrassment. The heat was steadily making its way to your cheeks, neck, and ears and the snickers from Katsuki just made you want to dig yourself into a ditch.

“Wolves like to do it when there’s a full moon so it’s not a surprise that those two are getting it on.” Katsuki said once he regained his composure. He still had this smirk on his face as he looked at you.

“Why?”

He shrugged. “Uh, there’s this dumb tradition that it’s based on but—”

“Oh, what’s the tradition?” You instantly perked up and it made Katsuki sigh.

“You really want to hear it?”

“Yeah, of course!” Katsuki stared briefly at your large smile before he let out another sigh. He honestly wanted to go back to sleep but you looked so excited about this that he had no choice but to indulge you.

“Alright, here, come closer.” He moved to lay down on his side and motioned with his hand for you to join him. You didn’t hesitate and with a smile, you joined him under the covers. The heavy sheep wool was squashed under your bodies, the warmth of his arms that encircled your waist instantly felt as if summer had arrived. If it weren’t for your arms between your bodies, your chest would’ve been crushed against his, but your hands had all the glory of feeling the shape of his chiseled pecs through the thin fabric of his top. As he looked at you, his eyes were like two flames of fire that burned strongly in the orange glow of the room, yet it held the softness of the stained-red petals of fire lilies. You became lost in them as you so often did. How could you not as they bored into your soul with such passion.

“I told you about Fenrir, right? Our ancestor?” His voice was low, it sounded more like a rumble than a whisper. “Well, he’s basically the guy who started it all. We’re not exactly sure how he came to be, there are many origin tales that I don’t feel like explaining… but Fenrir was a pure wolf. One day, he met a human woman who saved his life and he ended up falling in love with her. They say the first night they mated was under a full moon and the night when the first werewolf was born was also under a full moon.”

“Werewolf?”

“The correct word for what we are, but humans like to call us wolves. Sometimes we even catch ourselves using that word too.”

“Is calling you guys wolves offensive?”

“Not really. It’s what we are anyway.”

“So, werewolves have human in their genes…?”

“Yeah, it’s the reason why we look similar to humans or why we can mate with you guys, the only difference is that we have a lot of wolf qualities because of Fenrir.”

Your eyes were drawn to his ears and fangs. “That makes a lot of sense.”

“Yeah. So that’s why everyone wants to fuck under the full moon because they’re basically reenacting that legend.” Whatever heat you felt from his eyes before had shimmered down. They were relaxed, half lidded as it looked like he was waiting for you to say something. But all he got in return was silence and he shut his eyes to the soft warmth of your body instead. He was getting tired again and your presence was a sweet lullaby luring him to sleep.

“So… when we…” You started.

The glow of his eyes returned. “I don’t really care about those damn legends. Whenever it happens, it happens, but… I know when the full moon comes, I feel different. I can’t explain it but… it’s probably because I’m a direct descendant from him.”

“You still feel like Katsuki to me.” You laid your hand on his cheek and he held on to the wrist of that hand. “You may be a direct descendant but that doesn’t mean you’re him.”

“I don’t know.” You felt him shrug and his cheeks were being pushed up by the smirk of his lips, tired yet full of mischief. “I do have my own human woman.”

“That you have not claimed as yours.”

“Yet. One of these full moons should do it, right?”

Your cheeks grew hot, but you tried your best not to appear shaken. “Remind me to not share a room with you during a full moon then.”

“I will not.” Katsuki shut his eyes again, letting go of your wrist and snuggling closer to you until his face was against the top of your head and buried in your hair.

You huffed softly. “My father was right, men are wolves.”

“Only to those they love…” was the last you heard of Katsuki. Which you thought was quite unfair because his words left you startled. You have never heard the word love from him before and you weren’t even sure if he thought of you that deeply. You softly called his name to confirm his feelings, but he already returned to the world of sleep.

You sighed, knowing you would be unable to sleep with your thoughts rattling within your head.

When morning arrived, you woke up from your three hours of sleep to Katsuki putting on a new long sleeve top. The brief sight of a shirtless Katsuki was amazing to wake up to. Time slowed as you admired the muscles of his back and shoulders, watching them contract and expand when he pulled the thin fabric over his head and body. You could tell he just took a bath because the spikes of his hair were drooping towards the ground and droplets of water fell periodically on his shoulders. Sadly, the show didn’t last as Katsuki turned around and greeted you with his short “Hey” when he sensed you were awake. He always knew when you were awake, and you found it a little creepy at first, but you had grown used to it. Pretending to be asleep was something that would never work on him.

“How can you tell if I’m awake or not?” You asked, and he smirked. Every time you asked him about anything that involved his senses, he always looked smug.

“Cause your breathing pattern changes.” He spoke like it was obvious.

He looked like he was waiting for more questions, but you swiftly changed the subject to avoid stroking his ego. The subject changed into the agenda for this morning and Katsuki explained he wanted to get you settled down and formally introduce you to his pack. He understood the hostility between you and his pack but most of it was because his pack didn’t understand why a human woman was living among them. So, he believed letting the pack know what was going on would loosen the tension.

You were nervous. You didn’t want to go through what you experienced yesterday again but Katsuki assured you that everything would turn out okay. You simply just had to believe him.

But before introductions, you had to freshen up a bit and change your clothes that suited more of his pack’s culture. That’s when Katsuki had introduced you to one of his friends.

“Hey, Roundface.” Was his nickname for her when he called her as she was talking to a group of wolves in the courtyard. The courtyard was an area next to the large crater where the cave entrances were. Wolves loved to linger around this area as they waited for the day to past by. Katsuki explained before that it was also a place where they held their rituals. He didn’t specify what those rituals are, but it sure left you curious about them.

When “Roundface” turned around to face Katsuki, her expression was flat. She didn’t look too amused by her nickname, in fact, her face was only slightly rounded with pink filling in her cheeks, so she didn’t think her nickname was quite accurate.

“What is it?” Although, her voice didn’t show her lack of amusement. She was genuinely curious as to why Katsuki approached her.

“I want you to show ____ around. Get her settled in and some new clothes.” Katsuki placed a hand on your shoulder, bringing her attention to you. She blinked at you for a bit and then at Katsuki.

“Wouldn’t it be better if you do it?”

“I don’t think I can follow her in the bath.” He glanced at you. “Unless you want me to.”

“I don’t.” You quickly said.

“See? I’m going to gather everyone here in the afternoon so just bring her back here no later than that.”

She sighed softly at his words. “You better not be thinking of doing anything stupid. Did you let our leader know about this?”

“The old hag doesn’t need to know shit. She’ll find out when everyone else does.” Something about what “Roundface” said had irked Katsuki. Whenever his mother was mentioned, it always felt like his mood went sour. You knew their relationship wasn’t the best, but you didn’t think it was so serious to where a single mention could make Katsuki look like that.

“Alright… But if she gets angry at me, I’m putting the blame on you.”

“Hey…” Your cheeks grew warm when Katsuki’s face was suddenly just a mere inch from your own. He had pushed his forehead against yours, the tip of your noses barely touched as he softly gazed into your eyes. When he spoke, you felt his breath hit your lips with every syllable. “I’ll see you later.”

“Hm-mm.” You nodded, not even capable of forming words at that moment. He pulled away after that and swiftly turned around, leaving you alone with “Roundface”. You stared at his departing back that was covered by his usual fur cape. Your eyes were gentle as you brought a hand to touch your forehead. Such a simple gesture from him was enough to have you in a complete trance. Katsuki had done that to you a few times whenever he was leaving to do something. And you have seen a few wolves do it around the area, ones that look like they were in a romantic relationship, so you assumed it was the wolves’ way of showing affection when leaving.

Little did you know, Roundface’s cheeks were redder than usual, seeing such an intimate moment had startled her as she wasn’t used to seeing Katsuki being affectionate. He was always so angry and stubborn and sure, he had his few share of women who would blab about being with him to incite jealousy, but he never once showed that he was serious with them. Katsuki’s relationship with you felt different to her.

Once Katsuki was gone, Roundface formally introduced herself as Ochako. She was a friend of Katsuki’s, not really a close one, but from time to time they would help each other if needed. Other than Eijirou and Mitsuki, she’s the first wolf of the tribe to treat you like you weren’t an enemy. When she talked to you, she always had a smile on her face and she listened with excitement whenever you were talking about yourself. She was especially interested when you explained how you and Katsuki met. She commented on it being fate and you couldn’t help but blush because of it.

From the time you spent with Ochako, it felt as if you’ve known her for years. You bonded over the simplest things, even giving each other advice on some troubles. She taught you about the daily lives of the pack. Wolves usually get up a little bit after dawn to do their duties. The men would go on the morning hunt and wouldn’t return until noon. The women stayed behind to clean around the dens and prepare meals for the pack and if the children were old enough they would assist the women in their duties or accompany the men on their morning hunt.

It didn’t matter what gender the child was because the wolves thought it was necessary for children to understand the importance of both roles when growing up because if there was ever a time they would leave the pack, they would be able to survive on their own. During the afternoons, the wolves would usually rest or play games with each other until dinner time. It was such a simple, peaceful life, similar to how people in your town lived. There wasn’t much of a difference between lifestyles and yet the two species wanted to kill each other. You didn’t know if your presence would do anything to mend the chaos between them, but you knew you wanted to try. It was all you can do.

The afternoon came faster than you realized. Katsuki had already gathered up the entire pack in the courtyard and hundreds of wolves swarmed the area, curious as to why their leader’s son had called for them. Mitsuki, too, was standing to the side, watching with a scowl fixed on her face. A crimson glare directed towards her son who stood not too far away from her in front of their people. You could tell by her body language that she was taken by surprise at the sudden assembly. Katsuki didn’t warn her about it or tell her what it was about and for the leader not to know what it happening to her own people, it upset her. She made a promised to herself to drag Katsuki by the ear into the nearest cave after the gathering and strangle him.

You could feel the anger radiating from Mitsuki. She didn’t lift her gaze towards your direction. Unfortunately, you were standing right next to Katsuki who you knew was the source of all her anger. You had no choice but to feel the pressure of her gaze even though it wasn’t for you. Katsuki, on the other hand, was used to this. He ignored her like she wasn’t in the room and waited for the wolves to settle before speaking. He projected his voice as loud as he could, earning the attention of his people.

“I have an announcement.” He simply said. You watched as their faces grew uncomfortable the second you felt Katsuki’s hand on your shoulder. You began to twiddle your thumbs and your gaze was glued to the floor as you waited for Katsuki’s next words. An introduction should be easy, but you had no clue as to why you felt so nervous. It could be because you were in front of a group of wolves that weren’t fond of you, but this was your chance to finally change any wrong image they had of you. You believed that once Katsuki put in a good word for you, that the pack would be more willing to get to know you. You were different from the other humans, all you had to do was prove it.

You took a deep breath and returned your eyes to the sea of wolves in front of you. You felt the hand on your shoulder give a light squeeze and you glanced at Katsuki only to find him staring right into the crowd. You didn’t expect the words that left him, and neither did his people. The sound of your gasp couldn’t be muffled by your hands that flew to cover it.

“We’re getting married.” With a straight face, Katsuki loudly spoke, and all at once, the area grew sour.

[gothamloveforever]

This is the second article that Film Daily has published about Gotham.

Gotham is an innovative show based on DC Comics characters and produced by Warner Bros. Television. The Batman origin narrative helped us, as rapt viewers understand how our favorite heroes (Batman) and villains (The Joker, Penguin) came to be the way they are. It also cast a light on just how Gotham City became the wretched crime-filled cesspool we all know & love.

Despite general network issues (the old “being moved to a much worse timeslot” thing), Gotham’s fanbase managed to rally Fox into renewing the show for a fifth and final season – a whopping two seasons short of what the fanbase were promised.

Gotham certainly doesn’t have a shortage of fans or viewers but Fox, like many networks before, has been using the outdated Neilsen rating system to make decisions about shows’ popularity. Let’s be serious: who under the age of 70 actually watches live TV anymore?

Just because an episode gets a viewing figure below that of a series premiere or finale, that doesn’t mean the viewership has fallen considerably. Networks now have a responsibility to establish a dialogue with streaming platforms to consolidate more accurate figures and finally find out for themselves which are the best performers.

Because Gotham is a Warner Bros. production, not a Fox property, sadly the show was less lucrative and more expendable for the network. The show being packaged with the hot mess Lethal Weapon for advertising partnerships also didn’t do the show any favors.

We’ve got plenty of ideas on how Gotham could be saved, but today we’re focusing on what the fans think of the show. TV execs: prick up your ears. Don’t you want to help this incredibly passionate fandom with a continuation of the stories that they love? We would . . . .

These tweets have been edited and condensed for clarity. Join the campaign to #SaveGotham over on Twitter. (Tweets by Fans, under the cut.

Beatriz‏

“Gotham lost about 54 episodes of content, the character development and storylines were lost due to that, some characters had to be killed, others didn’t have the screen time they deserved. We fans were not happy about it.”

Bandi

“People say that Gotham doesn’t need saving because it’s getting an ending. This is true, but the ending we’re getting isn’t the planned one. The writers had plans for 7 seasons. That’s a lot of story left! We got 4.5 instead.”

#SaveGotham | #Gotham spoilers‏

“Gotham is such an original show. It the closest thing we got to a live action adaption of the Batman origin story universe and it’s so good!”

catherine haverty‏

“Gotham is The Coolest Show.”

Angela #SAVEGOTHAM‏

“This show has been mishandled for so many years by the network. Not only was there so little promotion,the use of a outdated & inaccurate rating system(Nielsen),but there was so much drama that went on with Warner Brothers & Fox. All this played a part in getting Gotham cancelled.”

#Gotham | Thursdays 8PM on FOX‏

“Gotham inspires such devotion! The fandom has been holding daily Power Hours on Twitter for an entire year, as of May; advocating for Gotham, writing letters and emails; utilizing other forms of social media. It’s all a labor of love! #SaveGotham”

#SaveGotham!‏

“Gotham is an exciting, daring sort of show with characters that no other show quite has. For lack of better explanation, Barbara Kean said it best on the show: It’s Gotham, baby. We’ve all got flair!”

Liz  ‏

“Gotham is a show that truly deserves more than is has received. For years we’ve watched the early lives of beloved characters in the Batman universe grow into who we know they’ll become. Each of these characters are played by actors that pour their soul into their work.”

Mr. Millicent Cordelia‏

“Gotham’s provided a fresh take on the Batman mythos, created original characters of lasting merit, and re-worked minor comic characters to have major impact. #SaveGotham”

James Rankin‏

“For years, peeps have been denied a Batman TV show. Gotham was never that, but it had the makings of revealing all of the back stories. “

λουισα‏

“This show deserves better. The acting is incredible, the writing never cease to surprise, the atmosphere of the show is powerful, the fights are good, the costumes are great! It’s one of the best if not DC TV’s best show and it didn’t deserve to end like this.”

Gothambatcatfanspain‏

“We want to see development of the characters with the same actors. We love the cast, they deserve to continue.”

Svetlana‏

“Gotham is such an interesting show. I want this show  to continue, I’m not ready to say goodbye to my favourite characters.”

#Gotham spoilers here | #SaveGotham‏

“Not giving the seven seasons they were contracted for…That’s unfair.”

Kate O’Riley Cosplay

“Fox and Warner Brothers were constantly fighting over  because one owns the right to the characters and the other was broadcasting it and they all wanted the most  out of it .”

Mr. Millicent Cordelia‏

“I never imagined Oswald Cobblepot as the most compelling character in the Bat-verse, but Robin Lord Taylor has brought him to life in such a way as to make him endearing, charismatic, terrifying, and endlessly fascinating.”

Destiny‏

“Gotham is a show that’s been pushed aside by the network one to many times and it needs to have a full story without cutting massive plot lines out, it’s insulting to the fans not to finish it off properly! #SaveGotham”

DONT LET GOTHAM END!! #SAVEGOTHAM‏

“Gotham has some of the most wonderful story telling and some amazing villains out there. Some great action too and I would love for it to continue its 7 season run like it was supposed to.”

MORDRED LLEWELYN JONES‏

“Gotham fully embraces everything that DC can offer in a way that films & even comics fail to do. The violence, grief, dark humour, love, struggle, psychology, charisma etc. It paints a beautiful picture & showcases just how much DC is capable of in a way which nothing else has.”

#Gotham | Thursdays 8PM on FOX‏

“Gotham’s production values, art direction, and cinematography are of a quality so high which is very unusual for TV. It rivals the quality that’s usually reserved for films.”

Ellen Sunden

“Gotham is a cleverly written and brilliantly acted show with top notch special effects and wardrobe designs.”

“Gotham’s Season 5 has an ultra-impressive 100% on Rotten Tomatoes…a score reserved only for the best of the best in film and TV shows!”

#SaveGotham | #Gotham spoilers‏

“Gotham is totally different from the other DCTV shows as it’s an origin story for characters of the Batman universe. It’s original, dark, funny, esgy, action-packed with some humor, exactly like the comic books. The cast is big and very talented especially Bruce and Selina.”

Tam Loves Kris

“Gotham is a home to so many quality characters that are played by a wonderful cast of people. The fans know what they want and we hope for what is right. #SaveGotham”

Angela #SAVEGOTHAM‏

“Gotham was treated unfairly, so fans have been campaigning to #SaveGotham, tweeting every single day for 10 months. We’re missing 2.5 seasons and we hope to recover them someday. The talent on this show is extraordinary to watch and hope a network can pick up the show ”

nicolle | GOTHAM SPOILERS‏

“This show is so unique and creative.”

Eoghan  

“I believe it should be saved as there’s many more more stories to tell. Giving more development to Jeremiah, seeing Bruce as Batman and everyone in their future roles. I feel like Gotham is the perfect combination of The Dark Knight Trilogy And the 60’s Batman TV show. It’s great.”

#SaveGotham!‏

“Gotham is a creative take on traditional comic stories. The actors who portray their characters do so with passion and individually bring fresh, unique takes to the characters they obviously care so much about.”

shane   nygmobs endgame now‏

“Gotham’s latest season currently scores 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. It’s a unique take on the Batman mythos that’s embraced the exploration and development of these iconic characters in a prequel, which has never been done before. And yet, there is still so much left to delve into.”

E. Nygma‏

“There hasn’t been a live action Batman TV series since 1966. Put aside the format of the original series. It was revolutionary and could easily fit in today’s market! Gotham may be a prequel show, but it’s absolutely a continuation of the original series! Let it go on!”

ᔕIEᖇᖇᗩ // Gᴏᴛ Hᴀᴍ?‏

“Gotham is one of the reasons I am still here today. The cast and the fans have helped me through so much. I used to be afraid to show my love for superhero’s but bc of this show I am happy to express it. One of the best tv series there is today. And that does not deserve to go.”

lee‏

“Speaking as a lifelong Batman/DC fan Gotham has put its own unique spin on the franchise that has brought new life to the franchise and new fans. The fans want the show to continue. The creators want it. The actors want it. Gotham deserves a second chance.”

ulia‏

“This show is outstanding and it’s absolutely incomprehensible how this show was cancelled.”

Kathryn   ‏

“Gotham is the only modern Batman interpretation with constantly increasing ratings, an amazing cast and memorable characters. There isnt a single character thats lacks personality.”

Space_Invader/Spoilers!‏

“Gotham is unique in every way and you can tell the people that work on it, cast and crew, love working on it. It’s in every detail of the show, in every interview they do. The deserve to grow even more.”

KatsaysNo| Gothamit‏

“Gotham has a beautiful cast and great story arcs that can still be extended, so many characters that are fleshed out and amazing to see on tv!”

Beverly‏

“At this point, Gotham would be better off on a network or streaming channel that will give it the freedom to keep making the episodes that keeps fans so loyal. Each season has gotten better. Who knows what could happen if it continues.”

Aurea‏

“I love Gotham! well-acted, visually appealing show.”

Shae Anderson

“We need to #SaveGotham because the retelling of these stories that we are so familiar with has been done so beautifully.”

simplyandsanely‏

“I’m not going to lie: I started watching #Gotham just to see what they were going to do with the Joker. But as time went on, I grew to love this show that’s helped grow so many characters in such a unique way.”

☆ sam‏

“No one has ever done a story about young Bruce Wayne growing up, no one has ever seen the backstories of villains. The characters are amazing, the actors are amazing, the fans are worldwide and so extremely passionate about this show #SaveGotham”

ρнσєиιx  ‏

“Gotham went down in viewership because of the networks handling.”

charlie sora | #SaveGotham‏

“We were originally promised 7 seasons. In 2 weeks we will reach the most anticipated moment of the whole series, the arrival of Joker and Batman. But we will only have a 45 minute episode to see this happen which is extremely sad for fans.”

“We still haven’t explored major characters. This is extremely sad considering how well the writers have done.”

Brooke Brown‏

“This show just keeps getting better and better. Gotham just has so much potential that was completely wasted on Fox.”

Ana‏

“Gotham quite literally breathed new life into me with its inspiring characters and plots. The takes on the familiar Batman characters  are unique and interesting, the cast is superb, and this show has a lot more stories to tell – and fans who want to see them

#SaveGotham”

Anders‏

“Gotham’s a great drama show with dark humor & amazing visual. Plus it’s great to see several lgbt+ characters in the main cast.”

Mirela‏

“I think there are many reasons why the show shouldn’t end yet and I’m sure a lot of fans have already pointed it out before.”

Scheming Minor‏

“As a lifelong Batman fan, Gotham has meant new beginnings and creative new ways to wind the mythos of Batman’s beginnings and before. It’s hard to pick where to start, but this show make me jump back into the Batman fandom after watching from S1.”

Mariah Sturtevant‏

“The cast and crew both are absolutely amazing! Everything from set to costume to music to characters is breathtaking and it makes the show truly immersive. We care about the characters because the actors make them real. That’s why it should be saved.”

Sadame21‏

“It does not deserve to end this way, at least someone make Penguin a spinoff please!”

James Gordon’s Stan‏

“It’s a show filled with mystery, interesting topics, and many characters were under developed because of this cancelling.”

Batmanfan935‏

“It is the perfect take on the Batman universe.”

Reah #SAVEGOTHAM‏

“The style is dramatic, edgy, and thrilling in it’s exposition for a new age in the Batman timeline. We’re still starving for more. #SaveGotham”

[kimtaetae16ii]

Part 2 (a/n : sorry late haha! Idk how to make the link in one post so tht it'll make u easier to read)

[Monday : 7:45 a.m.]

Hollyyy cowww!  You were still sleepy at that time because for actually you only got 2½ hours of sleep.

In that morning, all of your family had warmth breakfast to fill the stomach for long journey. It took 3 hours to go back to your home.

The fried chicken in the middle of dining table looked so good but you were still sleepy. The crunchy outside really killed you. Without being hesitated, you took the friend hot crunchy drumsticks then bite it.

"Hmph.. So delicious! " eyes closed as you were trying to feel the moment.

After having one drumstick, you took wings part after that. After that, you took the breast part.

"Miss Park, you want more? " the maid asked you.

"Sure!  I would love to eat more. You such great chef." The maid just smiled while you put half strawberry AND chocolate jam on the bread and served into your mouth.

"Jeannie, can you please behave yourself?" Mama suddenly appeared.

"Just let her eat. You serve less food to your children!

Eat some more, honey~"

Nana push the bowl of mushroom soup to you.

"Hehe I eat too much don't I? Hahahahahaha" you laughed so hard while being watched by your parents.

Your behavior changed lately.

"Here your fried chicken, miss Park." The maids served you several parts of chicken for you.

"Wahh!  Thank youuu. Get me cheese sauce, please."

I think having second round will make me full until tomorrow.

Hopefully.

"15 minutes more." Mama said while looked into her watch.

"Chill, Ma. Nana is feeding me right now. Hehe" you teared the chicken wings looked at your nana who was smiling then you continue to eat until all of the foods in the table clear and clean.

[Monday 17:15 p.m.]

You went to jog with your little sister and your mother at the nearest parks in your resident area.

The air is so fresh as the goverment would like to make sure the resident will always get clean environment.

After long walks, we sat at the branch under the shady trees. The day also being windy. The breeze that touched your skin was so ease.

"Jeannie, I have something to say." Your mother speak up.

"What?"

"About your Nana, please assured her saying that you would stay at home instead of her house.

Second, I would feel honoured if you would continue her business it just that, you're still young. You're 18. So, I don't allow you to do that.

Third, I arranged you to enter the Harvard."

You were shocked plus surprise at her last words. Your heart broke into million pieces.

"Ma! I do no want to go that far. Why don't you ask me and tell me about that!?"

"I'm doing this for your future."

Your mother professionally answer you while you were burning inside.

"My future?? Ma, this isn't correct. You don't think about my emotion! I can't go that far because I cannot deal with my emotion! I'm scared of getting bullied." Your tears came out in your eyes.

"You will not getting bullied because your uncle and aunt are teaching there." She still assured you to say yes on her 'arrangement' for your future.

"Suck with what they did there, Ma! It's not 100% guaranteed I would be save there!

No means no.

I'm going home!"

You stand and just straight away going home. No turning to see what happened at the backside. You just cannot deal with tour emotion also in the same time to understand what is your mother's purpose on doing that. That ain't fair for you.

Jane walked to your mother then her small hands in your mother's hands.

"Ma, are you crying?" She saw your mother was facing down. Then, she like wipe something from her eyes.

"No, I'm not crying. The wind brought small dust into my eyes." She smile to Jane.

"Okayy."

"Let's have another walk then we're going home."

"But I want udon at the family mart! " she pouted cutely.

Your mother laughed and buy her attention.

"Okay, we will go to family mart after this." Then they went to walk for another round.

It just that

You had no idea from what your mother told you.

You scared.

Your unknown relationship would broke just like that just because you've been sent to America to further your study.

You scared Haechan would be sad.

Of course your mother would be sad more when you go against her.

You were still young to understand what is the best for you to deal with the cruel world now. It cannot be deal anymore. Cruel forever would be cruel.

_________________________________________

[Friday, 11:00 p.m.]

"Jeannie, we will go to Japan for 3 days only. We bring Jane with us. You just take care with yourself." Your mother said while kissed on the top of your head.

You didn't know how to react.

"Okay. But, buy me bunch of chocolates." You smile a little then they got into the car.

You wave your hands in the air as the car already exit from your house area.

I don't fucking mind for being left alone unless they will buy me something as the return.

That's the concept. It just, you want to eat or get any things from the other country as the collection and for gaining your experience.

You went into your house. Then got into the TV room to watch some horror movies.

But before that, you went into the kitchen to grab some foods as you were being hungry so bad.

You texted Haechan to come over to your house as your parents were not at home for three days.

Babe, would you come over here? Sleep with me?

I was left alone.

Sent at 11:25 p.m.

Not for long second you received message.

Oww, sweetheart. I can't as my parents still awake. How about you come over here?

I've been miss you so bad.

Sent at 11:26 p.m.

You pouted.

Lemme think.

Okay then.

Sent at 1:27 p.m.

You put it back into the cabinet but only Oreo chocolate bars of Hershey you bring along.

-

[11:15 p.m.]

You texted him that you already be at the main door of that house. His house is very huge.

Then, the door being opened and made your heart fluttered as you saw his cute face.

Both of you hugged each other then, you pecked his lips.

"You made it." He said with the giggles came after it.

"Yeah~" I said then he put his hands around my waist and heading to his bedroom.

After we just get in there, he threw me onto his bed then, he crawled the bed to be on top of me. "Kyaa~ Lee Donghyuck, what are you doing ?" You tried to push him away. At that moment, everything seems slow down. He came near your little by little then, you guys lips collided znd the passion BOOM !

you never felt that kind of feelings, that kind of experience before that make you felt satisfied with it. His hips was between your legs at that moment and made you guys felt want to feel each other but Haechan is smart enough to protect his princess and the queen will be.

He knew the limit so he was the one who broke the kiss and kiss the top of your head.

"Done, sweetheart. Let's watch a movie then we'll cuddle then we'll go to sleep okay."

"okay, "

Then, he took out his 13inch-MacBook Air. He tapped on Netflix in his laptop then there it served.

He searched for romantic miviebthen you saw the 3rd season of fifty shades. You suggested him to click on it.

"Are you sure about this, sweetheart?"

You smiled in shyness and nodded my head. "I just want to watch it with you."

He giggle at the way you were being cute.

"Okay then."

The movie begin.

At beginning.

There's nothing such things happened yet so like you guys admired them as being such lovely couple.

Climax

Then there's happened. The way Mr.Grey lifted, spanked Anna's butt and so on make you felt turned on.

The way Mr.Gray put the balls in her pussy and told her to stay calm during the party make you already felt wet because you liked feel how the balls got into your hole.

And they got married was the great things for you cus you liked it so much and what happened after that.

You could not stay calm at all. Haechan felt your hands squeezed his arm that you hugged. He knew you wanted that so bad.

Ending

Anna got into planned accident by her husband's enemy and that what make your heart throbbed.

After she awoke, and everything went well. They got a son also Anna is pregnant for their second child was the satisfied things that all the fans of shades darker wanted.

"Finally it met its end." You did long sighed as you just felt tired. Yeah like be with gadget for long time can make your body being weak. That's why people said do not use the gadget for more than four hours.

You guys were making the bed to get comfortable condition and about to sleep while cuddling with each other.

"Babe" he snapped out of something after you called him.

"Yeah, sweetheart" he faced you and wrapped his arm around your waist.

"What is in cuddle?" You looked into his eyes.

He lifted his one eyebrow meant that he didn't get what you want to convey it.

"I mean, what people do when they are cuddling. When ppl say cuddling, I will automatically thinking that they are tickling each other. So like, yeah?  It is?"

He hummed for a seconds.

"Yeah, that's correct. Why?" while brushing yoir hair to the back.

"Nothing. Also like, when i watch The Babadook with Angela and Teressa and Dahlia, the mother been using some vibrate thing. What is that?"

You kept asking him because you were still wondering what it is.

He gulped before to speak.

"That's vibrator. You can search it on Google." he said playing with your smooth back.

You turned on your phone then went to safari and searched for it. You surprised and oo-ed so big.

"Oh my it's disgustin!"

"It is?" He asked you back. While without you knowing the close the distant between you two. You can felt his hips touching your hips too.

"It is. I would never not to have that. Such disgusting things."

"Sweetheart, look at me." The moment you put your phone down, his nose met yours.

"Watching such movies also disgusting. So what about we try it out and feel it's gonna felt." He said in such low-romantic voice. The husky voice.

"Try what?" You cupped his cheeks.

"Let me show you."

And that night, you guys had shared everything related to your body. Your body connected to him. And also that's the new experience that you got.

His hot skin touch yours. His body's scent would never make you disappoint. You gave your everything to him.

[mazojo]

Let’s Play

Sooo if you saw some of my previous posts, you know I've kinda gotten into webtoons and I binge-read another one called Let’s Play and I Looveeee. I will do a spoiler-ish review as of the chapters that have come out so far and and all the images and stuff included are from Mongie, the author of this baby.

Plot

So the plot basically revolves around Sam, who works for her fathers company coding and working on programming but her true passion is creating video games, more specially indie games. She creates this game called Ruminate and its all fine and dandy until super famous youtube Marshall Law plays it and jokingly says it kinda sucks so people and trolls go leave hate on her account so her developer score in this indie publishing website is almost 0.

Sam is disappointed nay this turn of events and tries contacting the company to help her score as its flawed but unfortunately nothing happens. Then we find out super Marshall Law is moving next door to Sam and she flops. He then later realizes how he messed up and as they start becoming friends (slowly but surely!) he is fixed on making it up to her becouse he is a cinnamon roll. There are also other characters involved, from Sam’s gaming crew which is hilarious, to her super hot and sexual tension boss, Charles who is trying to help her grow as a person and as a worker and we also have Lincoln which kinda has a crush in Sam and they’ve been friends for quite a while as Sam helped him overcome his dads death. 

The story is funny and filled with great moments, treating also mental health topics and the struggles of Sam discovering she may or may not have feelings for the hotties mentioned above ^^.

Characters

As I did with my Kiznaivers and I Love Yoo reviews, ill list the characters from my favourite to my least (I love them all so it sounds so bad to say the least!) including a song that reminds me of them. I won't list them all as their are many as you can see in the picture above but definitely the main ones <33

Sam

Angels - Owl City

Sam. is. such. a. mood. Like honestly, if you ever wish to know me and who I am as a person and how I work, read this and I am the literal reincarnation of Sam loll. She is very nerdy and suffers from anxiety, sometimes leading her to have asthma attacks. She really cares about those close to her and although she is quite shy and introverted, doesn't doubt the chance to jump in when someone she cares about is in danger. I have no words to describe her but I think I’ve found my long lost drawing form character.

Marshall

Lucky - Britney Spears

Yes, I choose a Britney Spears song for him, is it amazing? Y e s, do I regret it? N o p e. Marshall is just adorableeee. Like he is the literal reincarnation of a puppy and he is much more complex than what it seems? Yeah he’s got this bubbly exterior to himself but deep down he is dealing with depression and anxiety but hides it from anyone, to the point of literally breaking down. He is trying his best at making everyone happy and likes video games and ahhhh ??? I Stan Marshall.

Lincoln

Livin’ on a Prayer - Bon Jovi

Lincoln the embodiment of the dad friend, there I said it. He has such a pure soul and heart and protective aura around those he loves and he is so soft??? He struggled with his dads death and takes care of his brother (which makes a part of the guild Sam is with). He is a little oblivious but other than that Link must be protected at all cost and hopefully finds happiness at the end of the comic becouse if he doesn't I will riot.

Charles

Rude - MAGIC!

Charles is your typical cold but sexy filled with sexual tension moments boss character. He is Sam’s boss and what I love most about Charles is how he wants others to succeed, pushing them their limits to reach their full potential, something I think its quite admirable. Honestly in comparison to the other two boys I haven't connected much with Charles but I still really like his character and hopefully we are able to see more of him in the future!

Monika

Power - Little Mix

The image pretty much describes Monika lol. I decided to include her becouse although she is kindaaaa the antagonist, I feel like she isn't really that bad and honestly, her character is quite compelling. She is Marshall’s girlfriend and a beauty guru, so half of the time she talks about makeup-is things I quite honestly dont understand lolll. However she really cares about those near her and (cues alpha female aura) does her best to protect Marshall becouse she really does likes him, but due to the fame and their worlds they both manage, it makes things complicated at times. I hope she doesn't turn evil or something like that becouse I truly think she is good (or at least up till now) and hopefully she gets a happy ending too ~.

Ships

Sam x Marshall 

This was actually so hard to choose! Because I honestly ship Sam with Lincoln just as much but there’s just something about this couple that I just gahhh! They have this chemistry working over them and they complement each other so well too! Like Sam is very perceptive and a good listener while Marshall just fakes a smile every time and I believe she will be the one to notice something is wrong first <33 

Sam x Lincoln

AHhHHH I love Link so much?? And how he protects Sam and cares about her is so freaking adorable? I think their mutual support and understanding is what makes it one of the best and Sam clearly has some mixed feelings about him that she repressed for a while in order not to tarnish their friendship but now she knows that he likes her so ??? I hope Link and Sam end happy because they both have to be p r o t e c t e d.

Sam x Charles

As I mentioned before, I don't think I can compare Marshall and Link’s relationship to the one with Charles considering they have had more time together, I believe in the next chapters we will get to see their relationship increase. He is very protective and does whats best for Sam and they have this tension around them which gets Sam all flustered and its really cute. Its not my main ship but I’ll wait and see how things progress in the future.

Monika x Marshall

Okay so this is not one of the main ships and people often don't like this couple but I thought it was important to mention! As I said before, I think Monika is quite a complex character and they are both dealing with their own worlds and problems which may make it hard for the relationship to work and not seem toxic. Still, they both care deeply about the other and I know in the end, they would want to see the other happy soooo we’ll see how it ends ^^

Final Thoughts

I absolutely adoree this Webtoon! I’ll try to review the chapters as they go out like I love yoo giving my impressions and what nots. Here are some theories that I think may happen in future chapters too;

- I don't think I mentioned it but Marshall is really good at drawing and its kinda his passion but he hides it from everyone due to fearing failure. I think Sam in one way or another will encourage him to pursue his dream eventually drawing them closer, and as she needs an artist to help her with her next game, I am guessing Marshall will be perfect for that spot :333

- Charles will definitely appear more I think, most of the “romantic” moments have been with Link followed by Marshall leaving the Charles Stans in need of their baby <33

- I think Angela (one of Sam’s guild member and friend) likes Link?? I didn't talk about her much but in one of the latest chapters she gets flustered by him and I am not really sure? I'll definitely be on the look for that.

[solarbird]

Old Soldiers, Chapter 19: the only way out is through

This chapter is worksafe. [AO3 link]

Angela Ziegler looked over the boxed-up contents of her laboratory, everything safely put away, new access codes on the doors and cases. The last round of prepared auto-aid kits - capable of handling most of the sorts of injuries an Overwatch agent was likely to encounter in the field - were neatly stacked on the cart outside her office, ready for transport up the elevator and across to the Lunar embassy.

She picked up her bag and backpack, and grasped the cart's handle, making her way to the elevator, then up, to the courtyard, where Fareeha and Winston waited for her, at the line marking the boundary between Swiss and Lunar territories.

"One last time, Angela," the scientist said, "Are you sure about this?"

The doctor nodded, firmly. "I care about this project as much as you do, Winston. We are needed, and... we need her. If this is what is necessary to repair the damage I caused, so be it."

"Then... thank you. And good luck." The ambassador took the cart from his friend, and wheeled it aside, well into Lunar territory.

"You look very much like you need a hug. I know I do," Fareeha said.

"Yes, I do. But - think of it as just another mission. We have been apart before."

"Not like this."

"It's just Lena, liebchen. She's not so frightening as all that."

"But it's not just her. It's all of Talon, and you are going into the heart of it."

"I know. But I should not be gone for so very long." The two embraced, kissing both fiercely and tenderly, before Angela broke away and stepped back to the Swiss side of the line. "They want no one else in the courtyard, so..."

"Come back to me," said the rocketeer, as she stepped back, into the Lunar Embassy's entryway.

"I will."

The courtyard now clear, the doctor pulled a violet hexagonal device from her bag, and placed it on the ground in front of her. "The beacon comes in two parts. I don't know why, but I know they will respond quickly," she said quietly, knowing her wife could still hear her nonetheless. Then, from a small, round, metal box, she extracted a smaller, round, black device, clicked its power cell into place, and depressed the top button until it beeped, twice. "That's all there is to it." She looked up, looking for a ship. "See you when I see..."

And then she vanished.

-----

"I was not expecting that," said Winston, from inside the building. "But we have the promised proof of life." He threw the image up on the wall of the conference room - Mercy, in a small, featureless cabin, holding up a padd with the latest news headlines as of half an hour before. Mei-Ling let out a big breath. "Thank goodness!"

Gabriel almost let himself laugh a bit. "Talon has a top-level software and hardware hacker - I don't know her real name, but she's head of the Sombra collective, the one behind that hacking spree last year. That teleporter trick has to be her work."

Hana flipped the image showing Angela's disappearance onto her personal padd, examining it curiously, as Winston said, "An extraordinarily powerful tool, regardless."

"I wasn't worried," said Fareeha. "Not any more than I already had been. If Talon had wanted to kill her for what she did, they'd've already done it." Or, she thought, at least, tried. "They wouldn't hide behind special effects."

Winston shook his head, no. "I wouldn't've cooperated - ever - if I was afraid of anything like that. Widowmaker is very strange, in some ways, but she is also very rational." And still Amélie, he thought, but could not say. "There are confidences I'm keeping, but it comes down to one thing: they trusted us, and we blew it, and now we have to trust them."

Fareeha nodded in agreement. "Exactly."

"So what are you worried about, Ree?" asked Gabriel.

The rocketeer's expression grew sober. "I worry about... what Angela might decide she needs to do."

-----

Doctor Ziegler felt herself being led off the small transport ship. She'd been blindfolded since the photograph, but felt now the heat of what she suspected was a Mediterranean sun. "Are we there?" she asked the pilot, a woman she did not know by sight, and who did not identify herself.

"Yes," she heard the unnamed woman reply, the one who had blindfolded her, the one with the Talon patch on her shoulder. "The way forward is flat. Follow my lead and the direction of my voice, please."

The doctor stepped carefully along a hard-surfaced walkway. It sounded like concrete, but could've been stone, or anything like it, really. She heard the sounds of seagulls, nearby, and sandpipers, in the distance. "When may I remove the blindfold?" she asked, nervously, when she suddenly felt the sun fall away from her skin with a last pair of steps, and she stopped, at a half-height metal gate. Behind her, she heard a door close.

"Now," said the pilot. "Here, I'll do it," and she removed the cloth.

After the blindfold, even the inside seemed bright, bright like midday. Behind her, a grey metal door sat framed in a small concrete entry leading back, presumably, to the aircraft. Directly before her, the gate, unlocked. And ahead, a stairwell down.

"Don't worry," said the pilot, "it's quite safe. Please proceed."

Through concealed camera feeds, Venom and Widowmaker watched Dr. Ziegler walk down the cement stairs. Everything was being recorded, of course. Perhaps they couldn't entirely trust Angela Ziegler on her word alone, but having just a bit of leverage changed the situation entirely. And if proof of active cooperation with a globally-notorious terrorist organisation didn't count as leverage, well - what would?

"I'm surprised she went along with this, honestly," the teleporter said. "But I'm glad she did."

"I am, as well," said the spider. "But I am... less surprised than you, given what I remember, and all you've said. I do not think she is as much of a rationalist as she likes to believe."

"Wot," she said, a small smile quirking up on one side. "You sayin' she's doin' all this just 'cause she's fallen for me?"

"No," her wife replied, "but... that is part of it. She has strong emotions."

"She's married! And - the doc? Strong emotions? You serious?"

"The first," smirked the spider, "I do not think has to matter so much. And the second... I suspected, even in the old days, but is it not obvious now? Everything she's done screams it. Particularly at the end - she didn't even try to triage you, she just swept in like a goddess and rebuilt your body." Her smirk relaxed into a smile, almost sympathetic. "As one who controls her own passions tightly, I recognise it in another. It is part of why I am not so angry at her... poor decision-making."

"F'real?"

"Oh, yes. Seeing her again, even if in video - it is enough to confirm it. She may hide it from you, and from her current friends - but not from me."

Venom shook her head, and grinned a little. "Y'know... knowin' that... I almost wish it was returned."

"I have always found her quite attractive. And I suspect she is an absolute beast in bed."

"Oh, now, don't you start."

Widowmaker laughed. "Do not worry, cherie, we were only friends - if close ones. And... one time, perhaps a little bit more. I think I will remind her of it." She squeezed her wife's hand. "But it was not serious. I have already fallen, I have no need to fall again."

"I wouldn't mind tho'. As long as y'always came home."

Amélie leaned over and kissed Lena. "J'adore."

"Aw," said the junior assassin, blushing just a little. "I love you too."

-----

Dr. Ziegler walked ahead of the Talon agent, down the well-lit stairwell, once her eyes adjusted to the light. A storey down, and then an elevator with an access pad and locks, and then a hallway, empty of people, at the end of which stood two metal doors, the left of which lead to a comfortably-appointed room, with a set of wooden french doors on the far wall, a couch, a large, round, wooden table, a set of chairs, and an older, Sicilian woman, accompanied by a younger man with a broad, pleasant smile.

"Doctor Ziegler!" said the grey-haired woman, motioning to a chair, as the pilot disappeared quietly back out to the hallway. "It is an honour. Please, sit down. Would you like anything to drink?"

"Some water would be lovely," said the Swiss woman, as she sat. The older woman nodded to her companion, who scooted over for a bottle of water, and two cups of hot tea, from the sidebar.

"I am Dr. Geanna Mariani, and this is my nurse assistant, Taviano Bonsignore. And it is a pleasure, finally, to meet you."

"I suspect I am familiar with your work?"

"More than you should be, I think? But yes."

"Not actually so, but what I know of it is miraculous," Dr. Ziegler said, sincerely. "You have been described to me as a fan of mine - I am, I think, an admirer of yours. But... amongst other tasks, I have a data delivery to make. Will anyone else be attending?"

"Ah, I'm flattered. Thank you. Yes, and they should be here any moment," she said, as the second set of doors opened, and Venom and Widowmaker - both in full Talon field gear - stepped out. "Ah, there you are!"

"Venom," said the Overwatch doctor, nodding, carefully neutral, getting a small but polite smile in return. "Widowmaker," she said, nodding again, a little wary despite herself.

The senior assassin smiled. "It has been a long time, Doctor Ziegler, has it not? Perhaps too long." She reached out her hand to the Swiss woman, who offered her own only to find her fingers brought to cool, blue kips, and gently kissed. "But there is no need to be so formal. Surely, Angela, you have not forgotten Tripoli."

She remembers, thought the doctor, relief cascading through her. It is you. It was always you, the whole time. I knew it. "Of course I haven't," she whispered, smiling, and kissing that cool blue hand, in turn. "It truly is wonderful to see you again in person... Amélie."

[movieswithkevin27]

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Writer/director Martin McDonagh is back this year with his third feature-length film, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. Continuing two trends from last year- examination of grief with a comedic touch (Manchester-by-the-Sea) and featuring a dying small-town sheriff who is determined to find who committed a gruesome rape (Nocturnal Animals) - the film is set in Ebbing, Missouri and features a grieving mother, Mildred Hayes (Frances McDormand), who buys three billboards just outside of town questioning why the police have yet to make an arrest in the brutal rape and murder-by-burning of her daughter Angela a few months prior. A surprisingly funny and predictably heavy film, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri has been championed as a Best Picture favorite ever since its debut at the Venice International Film Festival in September. In having finally watched the film, it is easy to see why it has become so beloved to so many, however, it is certainly not without its flaws. A timely film, Three Billboards is a terrifically acted, strongly written, and tonally sound film that has some preachy themes, struggles in “loud” emotional moments, and demonstrates an over-reliance on vulgarity in its dialogue. In spite of these flaws, however, Three Billboards is a strong work that continues McDonagh’s string of good films at the beginning of his film directing career.

Thematically, the film is quite strong as a whole and offers up a bevy of opinions and ideas regarding modern issues in society. One such issue concerns the police. While the film has a lot of criticism about the police, one thing that the film smartly develops is the way in which police do care. Their jobs are challenging, the people they encounter are frustrating, but there are good cops out there who care passionately about the job. Though Sheriff Bill Willoughby (Woody Harrelson) and Officer Jason Dixon (Sam Rockwell) must go through greatly outlined and developed character arcs to reach a spot in their lives where they are no so off-putting and rough on the edges, McDonagh shows the way in which they care. In a letter to Mildred, Willoughby expresses his desires and hopes to find who raped and killed Angela, following up a prior conversation with her where he expressed his own frustration and anger regarding the case, centering around his own inability to solve the case. Though he laments about the lack of any leads with no DNA matches to those who raped her, he demonstrates remorse and regrets regarding the fact that this case’s trail has gone cold. For Dixon, he is a deeply flawed character but as the police station burns with just him in it, he grabs one case file - the file for the Angela Hayes murder - and tucks it under his shirt as he runs through the burning front door of the station. For Dixon and every other officer in the Ebbing police department, this is the only case that matters. They could concern themselves with assaults on dentists who had it coming or in the litany of small misdemeanors that occur in the town, but they are instead absorbed by the Hayes case and their desire to solve it against all opposition. Demonstrating this passion, empathy, and love for solving crimes and bringing criminals to justice, McDonagh smartly demonstrates how the police are not the enemies. There are bad ones out there who bend the law - even Willoughby and Dixon are guilty of this in the film - but there are officers out there who will fight tooth-and-nail for justice to be done.

It is the maturity and rather “gray” worldview offered by this theme that makes one of Three Billboards’ major flaws so frustrating. This flaw is a rather juvenile and simplistic take on racism, police brutality, homophobia, or any other hot button issue that McDonagh can get his hands on. This film is as liberally-inclined as many Hollywood films so it is no surprise that the film wishes to raise awareness to police brutality, especially when it comes to minorities. However, the film approaches this theme by having characters shout comments at the cops questioning why they would try to beat them or arrest them when they are not black as well as comments by Mildred about how the cops would rather arrest and rough up some black folks instead of finding her daughter’s killer. These on-the-nose bits of preachiness do more than represent the films political leanings, as they also manage to detract from the overall maturity of the film. These moments, in a film often defined emotionally by its more quiet and somber scenes, feel wholly artificial, hamfisted, and forced as McDonagh tries to further politicize the film beyond its other, better handled, real-life parallels. The issue with the approach to racism in the film further worsens through the racism of Dixon. A staunch but reserved racist from the very beginning, McDonagh shows Dixon read a letter from Willoughby urging him to love instead of hate if he wants to become a better cop, which - alongside an encounter with a white kid in the hospital - completely changes his demeanor and makes him give up hating blacks and others. This change feels rather unearned and McDonagh would have been better served keeping Dixon as a work-in-progress character with major character flaws rather than one who is mostly redeemed and no longer has active issues with the single black character in the film.

Unfortunately, the film’s thematic immaturity is further exemplified by the film’s reliance on vulgarity in average conversations or for comedic effect. A great example of “quality over quantity” or “the law of diminishing returns”, Three Billboards’ reliance on four-letter words is one that is quite funny at times and, often times, perfectly placed in a scene to elicit the greatest laugh. However, McDonagh exercises no caution here, instead distractingly and annoyingly littering every sentence with “fuck” or “cunt”. The words lose their impact and the dialogue winds up feeling like it is trying too hard to be edgy. The worst of this comes as Mildred tells off a Priest who tries to get her to take down the billboards. Comparing Priests to members of the bloods or crips due to their culpability in the crimes of their fellow “gang members”, Mildred’s expletive-laced and internet atheist inspired rant at the Priest is as cringe-inducing as Colin Firth’s “hail Satan” speech in a church in Kingsman: The Secret Service. The scene is saved in the end by Robbie (Lucas Hedges), Mildred’s son, awkwardly thanking the Priest for visiting while holding back laughter. For a film that can be so mature and smart at times, McDonagh’s over-reliance on vulgarity and the aforementioned reliance on bombastic and preachy representations of modern issues only serves to severely hamper what could have been a truly great film.

This greatness is often represented in quieter moments. In this area, three scenes come to mind and each resonate to a great degree. The first comes as Mildred thinks of daughter Angela (Kathryn Newton). Opening her bedroom door and walking in, McDonagh cuts to a flashback. This is the only flashback in the film and also the only time Angela is ever shown, instead of simply being referenced or having the spot where she was burned in the grass shown. An expertly used flashback - and a credit to McDonagh for not littering the film with flashbacks and scenes with Angela, instead demonstrating the possible greatness of “quality over quantity” that the script often lacked - the scene shows the final conversation between Angela and Mildred. Fighting about Angela not being able to borrow the car that night only for Mildred to call her out for smoking pot and then Angela following up by bringing up how their estranged father Charlie (John Hawkes) told her that Mildred once drove drunk with the kids in the car, the tension in the scene escalates until it hits a point where it causes one’s stomach to sink. In the last encounter these two have, not only are they fighting, but Angela tries to guilt her mother into letting her have the car by storming out the door and saying, “Well I hope I get raped,” only for Mildred to respond that she too hopes Angela gets raped. It is a stupid fight, one with insults and statements said out of anger and without reason, but it is the final moment the two ever had together. Cutting back to Mildred sitting on Angela’s bad and crying over the memory, this sequence is a triumphant moment of the film that terrifically explores Mildred’s regrets in her raising of Angela and in things she said to her (beyond this one scene), highlighting one of the hardest parts of grief: forgiving oneself for all of the bad things we said to the deceased.

The second scene that similarly represents the film’s quiet brilliance comes as Mildred is arrested for assaulting the dentist. As Chief Willoughby interrogates her, he accidentally coughs blood on her due to his worsening pancreatic cancer. Panic-stricken with Harrelson tremendously demonstrating the confused anguish, pain, and embarrassment of the moment for Willoughby, the scene is one that both reinforces the fact that Willoughby does not have long to live but also a stark reminder of his humanity. The scene, one in which Willoughby forcefully interrogates Mildred and expresses his anger about the signs, ends with the audience greatly empathizing with Willoughby’s plight. Quite easily, McDonagh could have gone in a direction that further antagonized the cops, but here, he uses this scene to flip a switch in the film and instead opt to focus on creating sympathy for the troubles faced by the cops as they balance their own real life issues with their professional obligations. Finally, the third scene comes as Mildred and Officer Dixon sit on the swing-set and speak about the case. One of the most human scenes for Dixon, the moment is one of the more hopeful ones in the film as he believes he may have found the man who raped and killed Angela. Standing there with scars from his fight with the man and burns all over his face from when the station burned, the scene is one that soars due to Rockwell and McDormand. Understated, reserved, and quietly connected, the pair make what could have been a scene that had a grandiose display of emotion and compassion into one that was a reserved, honest, and silently hopeful one.

At the center of Three Billboards is a theme of love being greater than hate. While this may be cliche, McDonagh not only uses it smartly through the on-the-nose letter from Willoughby to Dixon or a touching moment with Red (Caleb Landry Jones) in the hospital that urges Dixon to love others in order to become a better cop, but also uses it as the light at the end of the tunnel in the case of Angela Hayes. Once Dixon opens himself up to love, he does become a better cop and comes close to breaking the case wide open when he overhears a conversation in the bar. Yet, more importantly, this theme is a desperate plea from McDonagh to the world around him to give up their hate and to end outrage culture, instead favoring love and understanding. In the film, this is exemplified in the response to the billboards. In a real-life parallel to recent protests such as the kneeling in the NFL or a litany of prior protests in America, McDonagh shows the way in which the town misinterprets the billboards put up by Mildred. As she questions why Willoughby has made no arrests, the town assumes she is attacking the police and respond with great violence and hatred, both for her and son Robbie. Willoughby, however, has no issue with the sign and finds the outrage to be quite funny. This parallel to real life protests that are often called anti-military or un-American by those ready to be outraged about any expression of an idea they disagree with shows the way in which a message is lost in the outrage. The town is so focused on believing the billboards attack the police and that Mildred hates a cancer-stricken sheriff that they forget the purpose of the billboards is to keep the rape and murder of Angela in the news cycle. For McDonagh, by having Dixon re-focus on the case instead of the billboards in the end, shows the progression society needs to take. Instead of responding by hate because one finds the way in which a message is communicated to be wrong, it is important to practice love and empathy by focusing on why the message is being communicated in the first place.

In exploring grief, Three Billboards smartly focuses not on grief itself but on empathy and unity. This is a film that wishes to end the divide that exists in our country through its strong political messaging, with grief being one way in which it seeks to accomplish this goal. For the world of the film, McDonagh smartly focuses upon imperfect characters. Mildred is a bad mom, is weirded out by “midgets”, and an even attacks the police station. Willoughby, in a brief reference, is alluded to have beaten up a prisoner before. Dixon is an unabashed racist. These are entirely gray people. However, through Mildred’s loss of her daughter and her being abused by ex-husband Charlie, Willoughby’s cancer and the touching time spent with his family, and Dixon losing his father and enduring the bullying of the town because he moved into his mom’s house to keep her company, the audience sees both sides to them and feels empathy for each. These are people on different sides of issues, who hate one another for what they represent or who simply hate other people, and yet they are all united by one thing: grief. It is the only commonality in the human experience and one that forms bonds between all who lose somebody they love. For McDonagh and Three Billboards, there are some moments dedicated to exploring this feeling, but it is a far different film than Manchester by the Sea. It is not nearly as heavy or suffocatingly sad, rather it is a film about unity. Its real-life parallels, its politically-based themes, and more, all set the groundwork for this message of unity. At the end of the day, we have all lost someone. We are all human. If we work together to overcome that which pains us, then we will be more united and a happier species. Though a bit cheesy on the surface, McDonagh approaches this idea with such earnestness, honesty, and authenticity in expressing grief, overcoming hate, and embracing love and unity, that Three Billboards winds up being nothing but powerful.

Nonetheless, grief in terms of the overwhelming feeling of sadness is certainly a major element of this film. One parallel the film does draw is to Nicolas Roeg’s Don’t Look Now. As Dixon sits on the couch with his mom (Sandy Martin), she comments on how she likes Donald Sutherland and is watching the movie where his kid dies. Though I am no expert on Sutherland’s entire filmography, Don’t Look Now certainly fits the bill due to McDonagh’s previous allusions to the film in In Bruges. However, Ordinary People is certainly another candidate for this, but his hair was nowhere near as great in that film as it was in Don’t Look Now, which is what Dixon’s mom claims to love about him so much. Nonetheless, in Don’t Look Now, Sutherland’s daughter drowns in a pool and, though he tries to overcome her loss by going to work in Venice, he is still overcome by grief and haunting visions of what appears to be his daughter running around in Venice. Akin to the rivers and roads of Venice, the billboards of Ebbing become a pumping heart of this town, attracting criticism and putting Mildred in danger of facing violence akin to how Sutherland’s actions in Venice put him in a position of great danger. Both of their inabilities to handle the loss of their daughter, their denial, and their rage at what allowed it to occur, lead both to spiral into a terrifying descent of loathing, anger, and regret, that threatens to harm both of them severely.

As with In Bruges and Seven Psychopaths, Three Billboards is often an outrageously funny film that finds comedy through the juxtaposition of horror and tragedy, the use of unexpected curse words, and the excellent comedic performances from McDormand, Harrelson, and Rockwell. For the latter, each have great delivery and timing of their witty one-liners with McDonagh relying upon them to bring his witty and smart script to vibrant life instead of relying on any visual gags. This is a comedy that is purely about wit and banter with the film benefitting greatly from this quality, become incredibly quotable. For the former, McDonagh often finds comedy in the juxtaposition of horror and tragedy in scenes such as the firebombing of the police station. As Mildred launches molotov cocktails at the police station with nobody but Dixon inside, McDonagh cuts from the rage and anger of Mildred to the quiet happiness of Dixon as he reads the letter left for him by Willoughby as Harrelson’s gentle narration further adds to the comedy. Unaware of what is going on, this dramatic irony and the way in which McDonagh cross-cuts between the anger and the love of this moment leads to it being one of the funniest scenes in the film, also standing as one of the few visual gags that McDonagh does include.

This balance that McDonagh strikes in that scene is often a compliment due to the editing, which prevents the film from ever becoming tonally jumbled. Instead, this is a film that balances the anger, the hope, the grief, the sadness, the joy, and the comedy, with great ease. Moving by at a real life pace over the course of the film, Three Billboards shows the pain and joy that can come at any moment in life with no one scene defined solely by one emotion, instead often representing extremes as McDonagh finds the comedy in tragedy and the tragedy in comedy. The editing helps this out to a great degree as the film never goes too much in one direction, instead often offering moments and scenes that cancel one another out and leave the film’s mood rather neutral. This is not a film that seeks to beat the audience into sadness, but rather one that attempts to capture the way in which sadness is not just all down or all up, but rather a series of ups and downs that ultimately come together to define a person’s life. Allowing the down to overcome the up is the problem the characters encounter, but it is not one that McDonagh allows the film to face. Instead, it tries to show each in equal measure and is quite successful in keeping the film realistic and tonally coherent.

In other, smaller elements, Three Billboards is a film that is not quite as noteworthy for its cinematography as it is for its script. However, the long shot of Mildred trying to put out the billboards when they are on fire is gorgeously framed with the bright orange flames contrasting perfectly with the darkness of the night. Similarly, the shots of these bright red billboards against the quiet green serenity of the surrounding forest is a great use of color to make an impact, which is likely Mildred the character’s intent and McDonagh’s as well. In terms of negative moments in the film, there is a scene where Mildred is cornered in her store by a creepy guy saying he did not rape Angela while she was on fire but wishes he had. This scene feels very forced and unrealistic compared to the rest of the film, instead being an addition of forced tension rather than the organic drama that McDonagh had been creating for much of the film. Considering how straight-forward and honest the rest of the film is, this scene is a real downer to reflect on in context as it did nothing but use some cheap foreshadowing to a later encounter while creating a cheap and disposable bad guy in the process.

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri is a film that is not so much about grief as it is one about hope. Hope for a better future, one in which the world is united and realizes the other side is human. Grief unites us all, hence why McDonagh uses it as an entry point to this tale of human unity, but it is not the only issue focused upon in the film. A beautifully written, smart, funny, and entirely resonant film that comes as a message of unity in a period of such division in the United States, Three Billboards is an incredibly important film. However, with a lazy reliance upon vulgarity for humor and the obnoxious preaching of messages at times, the film winds up not being as strong of a final product as it could have been, but it nonetheless strikes many of the right chords and walks the tight-rope between tragedy and comedy like only Martin McDonagh can.

[theshouldbequeen]

Familiarity

Title: Familiarity 

Fandom: Overwatch

Pairing: Mercymaker

Rating: Teen

Warnings: None, unless you count a little angst? 

Word Count: 2,167 

Summary: Mercy goes out for a walk, a tad nostalgic, when she runs into someone familiar. 

The rest is under the cut. 

The holidays were always a bittersweet time for Angela Ziegler. She remembered her family she had lost in Switzerland and the family she had gained in Overwatch. The family she had found had its ups and its downs and it certainly wasn’t perfect, but she loved them regardless. Angela was not related to them by blood and they say blood was thicker than water, but water runs deeper.

Tonight as she walked through the quiet French town by herself, her boots crunching through the freshly fallen snow, she thought about both of her families. It was just her and the night, quiet and silent with a dark grey sky promising more snow. Though it was cold, Angela had always felt rather warm and cozy on these nights. Perhaps it was her love for the snow and the cold, or really, those she surrounded herself with.

She remembered one particular snowy night back in Switzerland with her parents. It had been snowing all day and for most of the night. The blizzard had knocked the power out and tiny Angela Ziegler sat on the couch, drinking hot cocoa and watching the accumulation of snow increase inch by inch. The only illumination had been the candles her mother had lit. Her mother and father had joined her by the window and together they sat in silence.

Angela remembered the warmth from the family she had found in Overwatch, as problematic as it was, but no family, blood related or not was free from conflict. Despite all the issues Angela had with it she did enjoy spending the holidays with Jack, Gabriel, and Reinhardt, with Ana and Fareeha. With…Amelie.

She stopped in her tracks.

Now there was a name she had not thought about in a long time…

Of course, there were the occasional dreams and drunken memories…

Amelie Lacroix…

She leaned against the gate of her destination and thought about the wife of an ex Overwatch agent, now dead, by Amelie’s own hand.

She remembered that snowy night on Christmas Eve, the Overwatch HQ was as loud and festive as ever. Gabriel had been singing loudly while wearing a Santa hat and holding a tray of fresh baked cookies. He was trying to get Jack to join in, who grumbled out a few words of the song, with his arms crossed over the ugly sweater Gabe had made for him.

Fareeha, twelve, and a bit of an unruly smart mouth, was right there yelling and singing along with Gabriel. Angela thought maybe they were having a contest as to who could belt out Feliz Navidad the loudest. Her bet was on Fareeha…

Thinking back on it now, Angela could picture Ana’s murderous face perfectly. Her dark eyes had been all for Gabriel and Angela was thankful she was never at the end of Ana’s anger. Now it made her laugh. She missed these times the most. Overwatch nowadays was like a nostalgic wound, ripped open and rubbed raw with salt.

Reinardt was also equally as loud or louder than Fareeha. Lena was off to the side, knocking back some spiked egg nog and slurring her words. McCree was right there with her and Angela hoped the two wouldn’t be too sick tomorrow morning.

She chose this moment of distraction to slip away and head outside for a breath of fresh air. She went out there without wearing a jacket having always been a fan of the cold.

It was quiet and peaceful out here, a different scene from the one inside.

A small reprieve from the chaos.

“Bit cold out here, isn’t it, cherie?”

Angela looked up to find Amelie leaning against the wall dressed immaculately in dark blue jeans and a long sleeved black turtleneck with the sleeves rolled up. She held a cigarette in between two long elegant fingers. Her long black hair was tied back into a neat ponytail, every hair in place.

“Smoking is very bad for you, you know…” Angela informed the other woman.

Amelie snorted and took a long drag on her cigarette, “I didn’t know you were so concerned about my health, doctor.” She responded with amusement.

“Of course I am. We’re friends, are we not?”

Amelie smiled at Angela, stubbed the cigarette out and flicked it away. “For you, Angela, I would do anything.”

Her words made Angela blush. She crossed her arms over her chest and leaned against the wall. She didn’t know why those words made her so…flustered. But they did. She had to give herself a minute to look up at the sky, light because of the snow. It was a mix of purples, blues, and grays, Mercy could not put into words the beauty of it. She loved the headquarters being in her own country, never once missing out on these glorious snowstorms. At that moment she wished to be cuddled up with someone underneath a large blanket, eating terrible junk food and watching movies.

She closed her eyes and allowed the snowflakes to kiss her skin. The world around them was quiet and just for a second she was able to forget about the war torn world. Just for a second she was at peace.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” She had opened her eyes to look over at Amelie in this quiet swirling world.

“Very beautiful,” Amelia pushed herself away from the wall and moved closer to Angela.

Angela’s stomach swooped and her heart skipped a beat. She flicked her eyes away from the other woman.

She flicked her eyes back to her.

Amelie was not looking at her but up at the sky, marveling at the snow.

The snow was falling faster now with a larger quantity of snowflakes then there had been before.  

Snow collected in Amelie’s hair and Angela moved on reflex to remove it.

She brushed her hand through the other woman’s hair, her attention intent on getting all the snow out. Amelie had such beautiful dark hair. It was as smooth as silk.

They stood there like that for a long time.

Amelie skimmed her fingers across Angela’s cheek and she shivered. She moved closer and Angela met her halfway.

Their lips touched and Angela felt weightless. Amelie wrapped her arms around her. Her lips were soft, as soft as her hair, and she thought she might pass out.

“Of all the memories it had to be that one.” Angela murmured to herself, coming out of her reverie.  

“What one, hm, cherie?”

Angela jumped, dropping the bouquet of flowers she had brought with her to lay at Gerald’s grave, out of respect to Amelie. She whirled around to see Amelie, a completely different person now with purple skin and gold eyes, standing there with an odd expression on her face.

Widowmaker.

Or Amelie.

She was dressed in all black though it seemed she didn’t go anywhere without the visor nowadays.

Of course she would be dressed in black, Angela thought to herself. They had both come here to visit the dead, but for not the same reasons. Perhaps in the back of Angela’s mind, she knew this was where she could talk to Widowmaker, to get a sense of her without running into her on the battlefield.

“Bit cold out, isn’t it, Angela…?”

“Oh Amelie,” she heard herself say unexpectedly. She reached out but the woman who used to be Amelie was fast; she grabbed Angela’s wrist and slammed her up against the cemetery wall. Her reflexes were swift.

Angela was still shocked, riveted by the sight of her. She was so different, yet, in a way, still the same woman she had known years ago. She was still Amelie to her. This was her friend, after all. The woman she had loved. Hell, the woman she still loved.

The tall, purple skinned woman let go of Angela’s wrist after a moment of bated breath. She searched her face, having seen it numerous times on the battlefield. Long ago she had looked upon that smiling and laughing, sometimes smirking face as Amelie would go down on her.

Her cheeks reddened and it wasn’t due to the cold.

It was just them on this lonely, bone cold winter night. Emotions Angela had been holding in for so long were eating away at her, chewing and clawing their way out.

She reached out and touched Widowmaker’s face. “Oh, Amelie.” Angela whispered again. It was the only thing she could say right now.

Widowmaker didn’t back up or push her away.

Instead, and this surprised Angela, Widowmaker pushed the snow off of her hair and leaned in for a kiss.

It was the last thing Angela had expected from the other woman.

Her lips were cold but the passion in her hands on her waist and the way she kissed her was warm and electrifying.

The chilliness of Amelie’s lips made Angela wake up, they made her come alive.

Angela’s hands were in Amelie’s smooth hair. Their bodies pressed up against each other. She felt the heat, the need, and she was sure she would pass out from it all.

It was an all too familiar feeling, one she had not felt in ages. She wanted the other woman, wanted her so desperately Angela thought she might combust.

Angela dragged her hands through her hair and over her back.

“How long?” She heard herself say when Amelie had broken the kiss and moved on to her neck.

“Mmm,” was the spider’s answer. “You saw me the other day, ma petite.”

“That was different, you had your sniper rifle aimed at me.”

Amelie laughed and bit Angela, a soft nip that wouldn’t break skin or actually hurt her, but definitely enough to leave a mark.

“No different now.”

She snorted, “Shut up and kiss me.”

Widowmaker was all too willing to comply.

Their lips were explorative as well as their hands. They left each other no spot untouched despite the clothing that acted as a wall. Angela always enjoyed that barrier. It was tantalizing and it made the act that more enjoyable, more satisfying.

Widowmaker, no Amelie, Amelie’s touch was tender and slow as Angela had once remembered of secretive nights spent with the woman. It was always Amelie sneaking away in the early hours of the morning, before Jack Morrison was even up for his morning swim in the facility’s pool.

No matter how much the woman had changed Angela knew Amelie was in there somewhere whether she was aware of the woman she had become, Angela did not know. She didn’t think Widowmaker was as cold and emotionless as she presented herself to be. She knew Amelie Lacroix.

Everything they had shared from then to now was presented in their kisses. Amelie moved her hands down to grasp Angela’s hips. She gasped and bit down on Widowmaker’s lip.

“Merde”, Widow moaned and squeezed her ass in response.

“Mien Gott,” Angela whispered, breaking the kiss. “Pl-please.”

“Please what?” Widowmaker hummed wickedly.

“Maybe we should go somewhere…” Angela appealed breathlessly, her cheeks red, but if it was due to the cold or the kissing, one couldn’t tell.

Amelie laughed and kissed her neck, “I must go, ma cherie.”  

“What? Why?” The words spilled out of her mouth before she could stop herself. She couldn’t hide her surprised disappointment.

Amelie chuckled lightly, amused, “We will see each other again.”

“Yeah, on the battlefield. On missions to stop you and Talon.”

Amelie smiled and brushed her cold fingers over the scars on Angela’s face. “Maybe not. I could always swing in for a visit.”

Angela rolled her eyes in response. “You’re as bad as Fareeha sometimes.” But her heart sung.

She smoothed Angela’s hair back and kissed her forehead. “I will see you again, mon ange.”

The term made her smile. She was hugging her before she could make her escape. “I will make sure of that.”

Widowmaker had frozen as if the two had not just shared a very passionate moment with each other. She stood quite still in Angela’s arms and for a split second she thought maybe Widow might actually kill her.

There was a tense but very brief moment where neither moved. Mercy still had her arms around Widow who stood there with her arms at her side.  

“Yes you will.” Widowmaker finally answered while tracing her finger over the scars on Mercy’s face again. It made her shiver, by all things holy, it stirred something inside of her.

“See you soon, cherie.” Widowmaker said and used her grappling hook to disappear dramatically into the snowy night.

Angela sighed, forgetting why she had come here and set off back to her hotel room leaving behind the dropped bouquet of roses. Somewhere in the darkness a red colored visor followed her until she was safe and sound in her room. She thought she heard her name whispered when she had opened the window before she jumping into bed. It was comforting and she found it was a lot easier falling asleep that night.

[neonnoodledragon]

The night owl and sparrow

Summary:

Angela finally has the chance to sleep early. But she was having trouble of doing so. Genji tries to help. (Warning: there’s smut.)

Notes:

First smut fanfic in English. Plz forgive if there's any grammar error... This has been written a long time ago. Thanks for reading it. Okay. Now I can throw myself into the trash can.

It has been months that they have both slept in the same quarter. Usually Genji will wait for Angela to finish her work then they’ll both go to sleep on Angela’s bed. Tonight, however, Angela has the chance to sleep early. There weren’t many missions recently, so no large portions of paperwork were piling up on their desks.

       The lights and computer were off. They took this opportunity to recover some of the uncountable hours of shut eye Angela had missed. But Angela keeps tossing and turning constantly under the covers. She tilts her body to the left. Observing her cyborg boyfriend with his armor off, only wearing a pair of dark blue boxers. She looks at the neon green circles dimly glowing through the sheets, she listens to the whirring sound of machinery and his rhythmic breathing. Feeling jealous to see that he could fall asleep that easily. Turning her body to the right to face her desk and look at the clock on it. 11:55PM. Why can’t I sleep! She turns to the left again, and notices that a pair of brown eyes were sharing at her.

“Can’t sleep, Angela?” Genji uses his right arm to cushion his head. Using his left hand to gently move the blonde stray locks aside from her forehead. A sigh escaped from Angela’s mouth. “You can’t sleep either?”

“Well, something kept moving. And I’ve received two or three kicks from it.” Angela’s cheeks flushes with embarrassment. Genji lets out a few soft chuckles before kissing her on the forehead and wrapping his arm around her waist.

“-sigh- Years I never had the chance to sleep this early. And now here I am becoming the bed bug that was bugging you in your sleep.”

“I did not say that.” He puts his hand on her hair and strokes it. Genji pushes away the sheets on him and got off the bed. Stretched a bit then heads to the door.

“Where’re you going?” Said Angela, still lying on the left side of her body, slightly tilting her head to an angle to see him exiting the room. “I’ll be right back in a few minutes.” The door squeaks as he closes it. Angela stretches her entire body on the bed. Lazily tosses her arms across the mattress.

A few minutes later, the ninja returned to the room. The light from the hallway crept in as he opens the door, making the doctor more visible to be seen in the dark quarter. He tries to hold in his smirk that was triggered by the sight of the tired figure. Her right arm hanging on the edge of the bed, the left one covering her eyes with some blonde streaks beneath it, the left leg buckled, and the other one straight. Poor thing, completely defeated by the afternoon coffee she had today. He turns on the lamp on the side table next to the bed, lighting the darkness with a warm glow of yellow. Angela sat up at the edge of the bed as her cyborg boyfriend offered her a warm cup of milk in his hands. “Thanks, Genji.” Taking a sip of the milk. Her taste buds detected something sweet in it. She glances at him, then the cup, then back to him again.

“Honey?” She tilted her head a bit.

“Yes, my angel?” Angela giggled and playfully hit his synthetic bicep. Got teased by the cyborg again. Genji sat next to her. “Not sure if this really works, but I hope it’ll help you sleep better.” There were a few seconds of silence.

“Maybe it’s the afternoon coffee that kept me awake.”

“Not to mention the two black ones you drank in the morning.” Genji laid his upper body down on the bed. Pillowed his head with his crossed arms.

“Well you gave me the second one after I finished my first.”

“You could have told me.”

“It was a rarity to see you without your visor in public. It’s hard to decline a guy with such a pair of charming eyes and a radiant smile.” Angela took another sip from her cup.

“You didn’t look entirely awaken back then. I was afraid that you won’t be able to handle the energetic Tracer that was giving big hugs to everyone this morning.”

“And I was afraid that I won’t be able to stay up late to work on the paperwork assigned by Winston. That’s why I had my third cup. Who knew that there weren’t be any today?”

“Ah, Angie. Always a hard worker. Despite your effort, even a person who has a lot of knowledge about health care should also watch their own health.” He gently stroked her back with his right hand. “I think that I’m used to stay up ‘till 2:00AM.” Angela stared in her almost empty cup.

Genji sat up. Starting to massage her shoulders and neck. Angela let out a sigh of relaxation.” Your body is a bit tense. Let me help you with that.” His expert hands press at every right spot to loosen up the stiff muscles. Her eyelids relaxes and covers up her vision. “Mm... That feels good.” Fearing that the cup might fall from her hands, Genji took it away and placed it on the table.

“You know? We haven’t spent much time together lately.” He moves his hands to work on her back. “I apologize. Work had kept me busy.” She let out another sigh of relaxation. “Feeling better yet, my angel?” Her eyes opened, noticing that her bra was unhooked, hanging loosely on her shoulders. “Let me help you to get rid of the extra caffeine.” The smooth, cool synthetic hand had snaked its way underneath her shirt to cup the bottom of Angela's breast. Tenderly squeezing it and catching the pink nub between his rubber texture fingers. She gradually tilts her head higher, his warm breath tickling her neck. She gasps and moans on every squeeze. His other hand found its way to the other one. Genji releases them after every squeeze. Letting them slide down from his palms, feeling them bounce a little bit. "Mm... How long haven't we done it?" Her eyes were almost closed. Moving aside the blonde hair, Genji's gentle lips starts to plant kisses on her shoulder blade, tracing back up to the side of her neck. His thumbs rubbing in a circular motion near her sensitive nipples. “If you can't remember, then it has been too long..." He whispered into her ear.

Angela swiftly turns her face to Genji, snatching the soft lips with hers. One hand holding his scarred face, the other one messing his spiky, black hair. The ninja waste no time to place the doctor down on her back. Her legs were lifted to the bed, shorts pulled down and thrown to the ground, smoothly rubbing her inner thighs as he spread them apart. His hands lifted her top and bra, exposing her soft, ample breasts to meet the cold air. Genji places himself on top of the gasping lady, supporting himself with his forearms with Angela in the middle. Their eyes shine as they met, ocean blue to copper brown. They hunger for the passionate love they had postponed a long time ago.

“You are so beautiful.”

She grabs his shoulders and pulls him in for a needy kiss. Genji’s cybernetic hand held her breast as the other one ran down to rub her clit with her panties in between. Her moans of pleasure broke their kiss, Genji head down to suck at the pink nipple, gently nibbling it with his teeth and teasing it by licking the tip with his warm, soft tongue. Her moans grew longer as the friction was getting to her, Genji could tell as he felt a damp spot was forming on her underwear with his palm.

“Ah…Mein gott…Your inner playboy must have been waiting for a long time, hasn’t it?”

“You think? You owe him big time.”

Angela yelped as Genji rips her panties off, inserting his index and middle finger into her wet slit. He hit all the right spots, making her back arch and gasping for air as a wave of pleasure washes her nerves. The fingers curl up inside and found her sweet spot. She releases an awful big amount of her juice, her body sparking with excitement, fingers gripping the sheets, her moans were no longer modest.

His fingers felt her inside walls closing, knowing that she’s close. He withdrew his fingers out. The two digits coated and dripping with her juice. He let his panting lover catch her breath before he places his erected cock onto her wet, welcoming entrance.

Genji fully thrusts in her, pulling almost all his length out but then slamming it back in. He grips on to her hips and rocks it with his. The escalating moans of his lover’s voice sounds so beautiful, the sound of his lover’s pleasure and excitement was music to his ears. “Oh…Mein gott! G-Genji! I’m so close… I… I’m gonna cum…” Her nerves have set on fire, heat pooling in her body, washing with pleasure one wave following to another, her mind went blank, unable to think.

“Ugh, Angela…” His low growls surfaces as his orgasm was also about to come. His thrusts gotten harder, faster, rougher every time he pushes and pulls. Sharply sucks the air through his gritting teeth.

“Oh! Genji!” Angela’s eyes squeezed shut as her climax struck, turning her muscle into jello, indulging in the ecstasy that was burning in her whole body. “Ugh! Angela… Angela…” The tightness in her made Genji’s cock twitch and spilling his hot juices. They both huffed and puffed after the thrilling ride. He thrusts a few more times, then slowly pulls out his cock.

Genji gets off of Angela, lying beside her and pulls the sheets to tuck his angel and himself in, not wanting her to get cold. He looks at her face. Her eyes are still closed but now relaxed. She is finally relaxed. Angela cuddles her boyfriend, drifting into sleep. Genji raps his arm around her. Giving her a kiss on her head.

“Sweet dreams, my angel.”

[deathtouch]

⋆ femfeb day 5 // my femfeb masterpost ⋆ xposted to ao3 ⋆ mei/symmetra // 3k // general audience ⋆ adventure, holding hands, kissing ⋆ mei and satya scale a cliffside to retrieve some valuable data (thanks to @5idestuff for the suggestion!!)

To The Top

“It’s a little scary.” Mei said softly. “Like a ghost story.”

Lena burst into a sharp fit of laughter. “Mei-Ling! That’s not a ghost story!”

Satya was glad they were facing each other and speaking to one another. She was a few seats down from them at the table and from her vantage point she could listen to the conversation unfold perfectly without necessarily needing to be part of it. She liked listening to Mei speak. Her voice was gentle and sweet.

Though Mei often spoke about her work, it wasn’t a constant stream of climatology. Some other teammates could use a lesson in diverse topics of conversation. It was nice when Mei brought up the things she was passionate about, though. The timbre of her voice changed. It was like a little buzz of excitement running through her. Satya could sense it when it happened. It was charming to see her get lost in the intricacies of her profession.

“A little!” She insisted, not backing down in the face of Lena’s laughter. “Think of all the research that could be sitting up there, just waiting for someone to find it. The work site might be abandoned, but the work itself shouldn’t be lost.”

Mei had regaled them with the tale of a nearby research facility located on one of the many islands that dotted Ilios’ shores. Apparently years back there had been a team of researchers busily collecting weather pattern data when a tsunami crashed through. Boats were wrecked, lives were lost, and a great rock structure that had been standing on the little island for years had crumbled away in the relentless waves. Now the half wrecked research site sat atop a lonely peak with no path up.

Mei had gone out for a long walk along the harbor just last night to look for the island in the distance. It was clear how badly she wanted to go. From Satya’s understanding there really was no way to scale the rocky hillside that the research facility was located on. Even if Mei was an experienced mountain climber, which she wasn't, it was still dangerous terrain. It’s not like there was a magic set of stairs that could take her straight to the top… not yet, at least.

“You’re right.” Satya spoke up.

Mei and Lena both glanced at her. They had probably forgotten she was there at all with how quiet she’d been until now.

“I would be happy to accompany you in order to retrieve the data.” She added, straightening her back a little as she spoke.

Mei blinked at her for a second before smiling sadly. “There’s no way up the hillside.” She said.

Satya offered up her open palm. The tech of her arm whirred as she created a perfect model of a staircase in glowing blue hard-light. It was tiny in comparison to what they would need to climb an island peak, but it was a clear indication of what she had in mind. In truth a set of stairs might not even work, and she would have to build something else to help create a path up to the research facility. It was worth it to try, though. Wasn’t it?

Mei gasped. “Satya!” She rose from her chair and bounded towards Satya in big strides. At once her arms were around Satya’s slender shoulders, pulling her in for a hug. “You’re brilliant!” +++

Satya regretted her decision not to bring sunglasses. The mid-morning sun was sparkling over the cool blue ocean. Everywhere she looked bright light glinted up at her. Even Mei herself was a glitter of light, in a completely different way. She didn’t have much in the way of warm weather clothing. She looked a little silly in her blue pants and pale tank top. Satya herself had opted for athletic leggings and a nice tunic, a switch up from her usual sari. They certainly didn’t look like two women about to scale a dangerous island cliff but that was precisely what they intended to do.

Their team knew where they were headed. Lena offered to follow them to the shore and watch for them across the water. Mei and Satya decided against it. They didn’t know how long it would take to reach the summit and it was unnecessary to keep someone waiting for them. If they needed help they would contact the base. Angela packed up a medkit for them, just in case of an accident, and sent them off with plenty of warnings about being safe.

A fisherman down at the harbor offered to take them over to the island in his boat. He didn’t even ask for anything in return. He had nets to check in that area and he was happy to ferry them along. It took some of circling of the small island before he found a good place to dock the boat. There were some craggy rocks to navigate in the water but eventually they found a flat topped rock that the fisherman could pull up to. Satya held Mei’s hand and helped her step atop the rock. It was just big enough for the two of them and when Mei had her footing she helped Satya up as well. They waved the fisherman off with their thanks and both turned to stare at the rising peak. It wasn’t so tall, maybe six or seven stories at its highest. The island itself was about as big around as a soccer pitch or two. Up at the very top a precarious looking building, no bigger than a one room house, sat among the ridged peaks of rock.

It was easy to see which parts of island had been knocked away by the tsunami. Satya could imagine a slope with natural footholds to climb, making it a pleasure hike up to the top building and then back down to the sea. It must have been easy to come and go to the research center. Now it would be a challenge. A challenge she was happy to face. She took in the entire shape of the rising landmass with a critical eye, looking for the best places to ascend.

The very first thing she did was create a footbridge with a wave of her fingers. It connected the flat topped rock they stood on to the base of the island. It was a simple, glowing blue plank. She could have finessed something architecturally beautiful, a miniature version of the Golden Gate or Sydney Harbor bridge. She didn’t bother. It would take a little longer, require more effort, and needed more concentration. Getting to the top was their goal, not creating art.

Satya held Mei’s hand and they walked across together, helping one another to balance. The hard-light tech was sturdy and stable under their feet. If they fell here, it would only mean a dip in the water. Not pleasant, no, but not fatal. It was when they started climbing up high that they would need to be especially careful. At the end of the bridge Satya squinted around, trying to find the next place to step. If they could find a stable rock with a good platform surface, she wouldn’t even need to create a foothold for them. It not, she would improvise.

“This way.” Mei said happily, cherry picking her steps as she found a path among the rocks. +++

Mei didn’t seem particularly athletic. She was a scientist after all. Not to mention she had a thick layer of adorable fat that likely kept her warm in all the frozen places she used to travel to for research. That being said, she held her own. In battle she could keep step with even the fastest member of Overwatch. She never lagged behind or held anyone up. She often used ice walls to elevate herself to dangerous rooftops and she never seemed to have trouble navigating those. Satya knew she wasn’t weak or inept. Seeing her fearlessly lead the way up a mountain side was incredible though. Mei was always surprising her in little ways.

Satya actually enjoyed the work of it herself. It was a fantastic mental exercise. It reminded her of some of the harder training she’d been put through back at Vishkar. None of the simulated tests or civil engineering she’d done under the watchful eyes of her instructors were quite as complicated or complex as this. It was hard, but rewarding. Every time she looked back and saw how high they were climbing, Satya felt even more proud of herself. Blue chunks of hard light dotted the cliff side. Some parts were bluer than others. They often found natural stepping places which made their patchwork path all the more interesting.

The sun was hot overhead but neither of them minded. Their minds were busy elsewhere. Mei’s dark bangs were sticking to her forehead but she didn’t seem to notice. If Satya wasn’t using her hands to create a new bridge or platform to walk on, she was holding onto Mei. They had no illusions about their safety. They took their time, slowly making their way, careful not to miss a step or fall.

They were close to reaching their goal. The building was more near than ever. The terrain actually seemed a little more stable up near the top of the peak. There were still sharp spires of rock that jutted towards the sky but there was also plenty of flat surface at the top of the ridge too. Enough flat surface for a building to be built up here, and enough for Mei and Satya to walk with a little ease.

Even with the ground steady they held on to one another, hand in hand. +++

The little research building was made of wood. It reminded Satya of the squat life guard offices she had seen built on wooden stilts that dotted the shorelines in America. There was no wooden stilt frame here, but the texture of the wood was the same. The outer walls had been battered by wind and rain and maybe even lapped at by especially large waves. The paint had chipped away. This place certainly was abandoned.

Sun bleached tech sat on the flat roof of the structure. Little satellite dishes pointed in different directions, a massive circular Doppler radar, other things Satya couldn't properly recognize. Some of the tech seemed to be holding up better than others.

Mei went for the front door. It was locked, but the wood frame was rotten and moldering. All it took was a good push and the frame splintered open. There were no windows to the structure and so when the door fell open, it showed a single room of darkness.

'It's a little scary,' Mei had said at the table the other night. 'Like a ghost story'. Well, she was right. Either she wasn't afraid of ghosts or she really wanted that data because she entered fearlessly. Satya followed.

Being out of the sun provided an instant coolness. It took a long moment for her eyes to adjust to the dim light of the room. It was musty and stank of rotting wood inside but it bearable. The one room building was surprisingly cramped inside, packed full to the brim with different computers and monitoring equipment. All of it was decades old, it would be a miracle if any of it still worked.

"All this stuff." Mei said sadly. "Just left behind."

She went to a nearby computer and tried to switch it on. It didn't work. Her disappointment was so palpable it made Satya's heart ache.

Satya glanced around in the darkened room. She spotted a generator in a back corner on the bottom rung for a sturdy metal shelving unit. She went over to it and knelt down curiously. It took a moment for her to make sense of the controls but she found out how to turn it on easily enough. As soon as she did the room came to life, computers turning on, screens lighting up, different monitoring equipment whirring.

Mei lit up. "Ah! Satya! Thank you!" Her glasses began to glow with the light of the screen in front of her. She made an excited noise and began clacking away at the keyboard as soon as the computer had finished booting up.

Satya went to stand by her side. She too peered at the screen. The operating system was foreign ancient to her. Mei seemed to be in the same boat. She clicked around somewhat cluelessly. She didn't seem to know what she was doing or what she was looking for.

It was only a lucky guess but Satya pointed to a curious looking icon on the screen. "Try this." She suggested.

Mei clicked on it.

Different windows began to populate, one after the other after the other. They were marked with dates and times in the upper corner. The rest of the information was a mess to Satya. Mei, however, cried out with delight.

"It's here!" She said happily. "It's all here!"

Before she could stop herself she turned to Satya and grabbed her by the cheeks. Mei pulled her in close and planted a kiss right on her mouth. It was full of excitement and gratefulness. A congratulations and a thank you at the same time. Mei didn't even seem to notice what she'd done. She went right back to the computer, clicking through the unearthed data. She babbled on about how long the equipment had gone on recording after the tsunami, how long the generator must have lasted before kicking it, how much information they had.

Satya blinked slow, the words washing over her. She still could taste Mei's lips, rich and delicious like cherries. She couldn't believe that had just happened. Her heart was thudding happily her chest. She wished they were still outside because then she could blame the hot sun for the way her face flushed.

Satya watched as Mei stuck a trusty thumb drive into the port and began copying the information she wanted. She was buzzing with excitement, a glitter of energy in the dark of the room. She was so beautiful when it came to the thing she was most passionate about. +++

The trip down the hillside was a little quicker than going up. They didn't need to carve of create a path out of the rocks, they need only retrace their footsteps. This was a little easier said than done. In the places where there were no hard-light bridges or footholds they had to refind natural stepping places.

Mei was a bundle of energy. She had checked every computer and every device for any information they could find before leaving. They probably spent more time in that stuffy little room than they had climbing to get up there. Satya wasn't complaining, though. It had been nice to retire from the hot sun for a little while.

Their fisherman friend had seen them making their way back down the side of the island peak. He had sailed over to meet them when they finally reached sea level. His little boat was filled with his catch for the day. Satya tried not to be too obvious about holding her nose but the smell wasn't particularly nice. Mei beamed and regaled the fisherman with the heroic story of their ascent. She talked about starting up the computer like it was uncovering a treasure chest. It made the short trip to the harbor bearable to hear her happy speaking voice.

Back at the base she scurried off to find Winston. She had hopes that he could help parse through the raw data she had found. Satya wished her good luck before departing to find a shower.

It was almost three days until she saw Mei again. By then the entire team had heard the fantastic story of their adventure. It probably sounded much more exciting than it actually had been. Mei had a way of talking about these things and becoming utterly captivating with her storytelling. Either that, or Satya was just easily captivated by Mei. It was hard to tell.

Everyone around the base was talking about it. Mei had managed to sweep them up in the whirlwind of her excitement. Everyone was curious about what the uncovered data could mean and how it would help working scientists today. It was all anyone seemed to be thinking about.  Everyone except for Satya. She was curious too, no doubt, but there was one part of a Mei's story she had left out; their kiss. Satya couldn't stop thinking about it; those warm hands on her cheek, the taste of cherries, over before it began. She wondered if Mei even remembered doing it.

They ran into each other again in the hallway. Mei was clearly on her way back from Winston's unofficial office, where she had been squirreled away working tirelessly. She didn't look tired though. She was still buzzing with excitement.

"Satya!" Mei stopped in her tracks. "Oh, I'm so glad to see you."

Satya stopped too, standing in front of Mei. She tucked a long strand of her hair behind her ear, not quite sure what to say.

"I, uh-" a slight blush crossed Mei's face. "I wanted to tell you; I don't know what I would have done without your assistance. Not only did you help me reach the research facility but you knew to turn on the generator and where to click for information."

"Oh." Satya considered for a moment. "It was nothing."

"No!" Mei insisted. "It wasn't nothing. You've done so much for me. I don't know how to thank you."

Satya didn't know either. She didn't feel like she needed any thanks. Making Mei happy, seeing her beam with pride and buzz with excitement was enough. She couldn't think of anything more she wanted. Well, except... maybe...

"How about another kiss?" Satya suggested innocently.

Mei looked up at her, the blush on her face burning brighter.

"If you'd like, that is." Satya quickly added.

Mei's words seem to stick in her throat. Instead she nodded her head gently up and down. Excitement blossomed in Satya's chest. She waited a beat before leaning in and gently pressing their lips together. Mei stood up on the tips of her toes to kiss back. Her lips were just as soft as before, and they still tasted sweet like cherries. There was no urgency now. No underlying messages or themes. Just a kiss, simple and sweet and gentle.

When Satya pulled away her heart was beating faster. Mei's eyes fluttered open and she smiled. "I've been thinking of kissing you ever since it last happened." She admitted sheepishly. "Would you allow me to take you to dinner too? As a thank you?"

Satya smiled and shook her head. "No. But you can take me out to dinner as a date."

That was a much better idea.

[gkangchs]

Sims Short Story

Prompt: “Write a Sims story. Randomize new characters until you find one you like. Make note of their eye colors and outfits. Clearly point out how quickly they move on romantically.”

In such small towns like SimTown, Kyle Mason had trouble maintaining his own privacy. Figured, since there were only 18 adults and 7 children, mostly infants, that was why he found it difficult to find a female companion. Not only were all the girls taken, but they also had their own kids. He knew what it was like to be the child in the wrecked home, so he stayed away from the MILFs.

But then Angela Peters came to town. She always had a black fedora on her gorgeous auburn hair. He had first laid eyes on her at Sophie’s Café where he had originally intended on finally making progress on his novel. She hadn’t been meeting anyone specific; just getting a taste of all the places in SimTown so she could pinpoint all her favorites as soon as possible.

The moment they locked eyes, Kyle was mesmerized by her radiance. He didn’t know what it was, but something about her just glowed. He didn’t want to let go of his gaze, even if it was just one look rather than a longing embrace before a last goodbye. His heart told him to approach her while she was seated, minding her own business, reading the day’s paper.

She prefers paper, he’d thought. I think I’m already in love…

He turned on his Midwestern charm and said, “I know all the ladies here in SimTown and I gotta say: I must have missed you on the roster.” Kyle flashed his most attractive smirk and continued, “So what’s your name?”

With a blush, the red-headed beauty answered, “Angela. Peters. Angela Peters.”

“Pleasure,” said Kyle as he shook her hand and introduced himself.

Then, all of a sudden, she said, “The pleasure will be all mine if you wanna make out.”

“Here? In public?”

“Why not?”

“Okay!”

So she stood up, wrapped her tiny arms around his neck, and stuck her tongue down his throat. As unorthodox as this was to him, Kyle had nothing to complain about. The new girl was hot and he wanted her.

After a minute, they decided it was enough, but then, as if by rote, they leaned in for another 60-second make-out session. Whatever was going on, he didn’t want it to end. Stranger or not, this ANGEL was the girl of his dreams. Attractive, good kisser…after all, what else could a guy ask for, huh?

It took several more rounds of the irresistible PDA until Angela realized that she wanted even more. And it couldn’t wait. She flashed off her entire outfit, causing him to join her in virtual nudity. They finally came together in harmony and did the “WooHoo” for a good five minutes. It was official: he was crazy about Angela Peters and was falling more and more in love with each moment.

As a matter of fact, he was already considering asking her to marry him. He just happened to have a fresh RingPop in his pocket. Kyle felt in his heart that this was the perfect time to “RingPop” the question right then and there. So, after WooHooing several more times in public, he got down on one knee and asked, “Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

Angela’s pending decision seemed to take hours, especially since her face made it seem like their future was in complete limbo. Still, she made her final choice and shook her head. Without any regard to his emotions, Angela jumped in celebration as Kyle stood back up with his shoulders slouched and heart broken. It just didn’t make sense; she obviously had feelings for him or else she wouldn’t have WooHooed him as much as she did.

So he tried again. He felt as if his body was being called to Simdora Jewelry. Once he found the most expensive diamond ring, he returned to Sophie’s, calling it fate if his soulmate was still at their table by the time he arrived. He opened the door and there she was: his bride.

Once again, he got down on one knee—his OTHER knee, in case that helped—and said, “Angie, I went five miles down to the best jewelry store in town and got you the most expensive ring they had in stock. Nothing compares to its unique features, even though literally every other female Sim has this exact ring since their partners were too insecure about their manhoods, but yes. Nothing compares, which perfectly embodies you: nobody can match your Simality, my hazel-eyed angel. You’re too one-of-a-kind to be replicated. Will you please be my wife?”

Angela took the ring and stared at it. She certainly did feel a strong connection to it. And him. But there was one last test he had to pass: “How much was this ring?”

“20 LP,” Kyle answered honestly. “It’s the eternity ring, because I want us to be one unit forever.”

Suddenly, she let out a sob and nodded. She screamed, “Yes! Yes! Yes!” He rammed his lips against hers and they shared a celebratory leap into the air.

He then invited her over to his Hallway House, asked her to move in, quickly changed her name from Peters to Mason, and continued the celebration by WooHooing in his pink bed. Angela forgot to consider how different it was going to be with him, in an actual bed. In her experience, it was never as good standing up. For Kyle’s case, it had the opposite effect. But she really wanted to marry this guy, regardless of how good or bad he was in the bedroom. She was dangerously close to being an hour old, so she needed to lower her personal standards.

So much passionate WooHooing later, they were finally ready to wed. After getting fully dressed in their street clothes, the couple stood up and joined hands. Once they had exchanged vows and promised to be together forever, they shared a slow kiss and leapt for joy.

No babies yet though. They didn’t feel the need to rush things. They weren’t that crazy, so they both went about their way: she returned to Sophie’s while he went on the home computer to finish his story with a nice cup of coffee.

Before Angela left, however, she said, “Oh, by the way, I have a 6-year-old daughter.”