#also if you see me being normal about washington that means it's not me.

[a1exkra1ie]

Me about to start rabid posting about rvb then remembering that to any onlooker im posting about. US states.

[iveleftitwithyou]

casual | paul lahote x reader smut

NSFW | 18+ | minors DNI | word count: 2.38k

warnings: smut, dom!paul, slight angst, mention of fighting, i think that's it?

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i asked you guys if i should post this now or incorporate it into ruderal, and the result was overwhelmingly to post it now, so here it is with some plot adjustments! i've been OBSESSED with this song by chappell roan and knew i needed to make it into an imagine, although this song is probably about a woman lol. highly recommend listening to the song as you read this. this is my first time EVER writing smut so i hope its not too bad - as always, let me know what you think :)

ALSO this is in an alternate timeline where the guys are all like 21+ and so is y/n :)

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Paul’s hand lingered on your thigh as he drove the winding road back to Forks, his thumb rubbing small circles on your outer leg. the radio hummed with a song you couldn’t manage to pay attention to, instead focusing your gaze on the motion of his finger on your bare thigh. while you assumed the gesture was meant to comfort you, it did a lot more than that. you hoped that the darkness would obscure Paul’s peripheral vision enough for him to not realize you were ogling his muscular arms and unusually large hands. his veins protruded in a way that drove you crazy for some reason, and as much as you were still upset with him, you couldn’t help the rush of hormones that flooded at the sight.

Embry had made some stupid joke about you at the bonfire at Emily's that night, a common occurrence when you hung out with the pack. he didn’t mean anything by it, you joked around with each other like that all the time, but Paul had been extra sensitive for the last few weeks as he spent more hours on patrol. Victoria’s looming presence and the mystery murders happening around Washington meant the reservation needed increased protection, and the men in the pack had to step up. Embry’s comment led to a fight where the pair both phased, snarling and snapping until they both came to their senses and things went back to normal. you hated when Paul shifted because of you, even if it was just indirectly your fault like it was tonight. 

you two were meant to be casual, despite Paul having imprinted on you, as you had just gotten out of a long-term relationship and weren’t ready to commit to someone again. you’d been seeing each other casually for months, hanging out, and getting to know each other better. as much as you were hesitant to let him into your life completely, you couldn’t deny your attraction to Paul. he’d been nothing but a gentleman thus far, bringing you flowers on dates, opening doors for you, and following your boundaries to a T, terrified to mess anything up with you. of course, his physical form was unlike anything you’d ever seen - you were lucky that he preferred to hang out without a shirt on. things had gotten hot and heavy between you two a few times but hadn’t gone farther than some very intense making out. though, the way Paul’s hand touched you now was enough for you to throw those boundaries out the window; you wanted him - no, needed him.

you focused your eyes back on the road in front of you, only being able to see as far as the truck’s dim headlights illuminated. breathe in, breathe out, you reminded yourself, trying to calm down the butterflies in your stomach. you were unsuccessful, and it didn’t help that Paul’s hand was inching closer and closer to your hips.

suddenly, his hand snaked further inward and his grip tightened, engulfing your inner thigh. your breath hitched, and you unsuccessfully tried to mask it as a cough. you saw Paul smirk out of the corner of your eye, but he didn’t look over at you. 

you once again reminded yourself to breathe as the ache between your legs became more apparent. his hand loosened its grip and continued its journey towards your core. half of you thought about stopping him purely as punishment for fighting with Embry, but the much louder other half wouldn’t dream of it right now.

you couldn’t help but let out a small groan as his hand finally reached your jean shorts, his fingers tracing the seam that ran between your legs. the slight pressure he applied drove you absolutely crazy as you wished for more friction.

the sound that escaped your lips seemed to do something to Paul as he let out a breathy groan of his own. “alright, that’s it,” he mumbled, turning the wheel toward the side of the road. he must have known exactly where you were because he easily pulled the truck behind a set of bushes that obscured most of it from the road. any passerbys, which were few and far between at this time of night anyway, wouldn’t notice the vehicle.

almost as soon as he slammed the gear shift into park, his lips were on yours. he kissed you with a passion you’d never felt before. you melted into his lips, reminding yourself for the third time that night that if you didn’t start breathing, you would pass out. he gripped the back of your head, tangling his fingers in your hair as you continued to make out. his other hand traveled down your arm, to your hip, and unbuckled the seatbelt you’d been wearing. in one swift, but slightly awkward motion, he disconnected your lips for a brief moment and grabbed each side of your hips, pulling you across the center console onto his lap. you were careful not to lean too far and hit the horn with your back as you settled onto him, silently thanking Paul for owning such a spacious truck. your knees settled on either side of his legs. 

as you sat down on his lap, you brushed his hardening length with the same seam of your shorts his hand was just on, eliciting a quiet moan from both of you. impatient, Paul once again gripped your scalp and slammed your lips together. you allowed your hands to slip underneath the hem of his shirt, feeling the outline of the muscles on his bare abdomen. this feeling, combined with the warmth radiating from his bare skin, drove you insane. 

“take- it- off-” you mumbled in between kisses, tugging the hem upwards. you were unsure of where the forwardness came from, but you didn’t stop long enough to be embarrassed. 

“you don’t get to tell me what to do,” he snarked half-jokingly but obliged.

the moonlight streaming in from the windshield was just enough for you to be able to see the outline of his pecs and abs, and you really couldn’t help but stare.

“like what you see?” he chuckled, noticing your eyes widening at his physique.

you nodded, unable to form words, instead opting to smash your lips back together with all of the strength you could muster. you’d had enough of looking flustered - you wanted to take initiative.

you raised your hips again, pushing your abdomen against Paul's and lowering yourself onto his member. you rocked your hips back and forth as he moved his lips down your cheek, then your jaw, and eventually to your neck. the friction as you continued to grind against him elicited a low growl against your neck as his lips attached to your skin. you moaned embarrassingly loudly as he sucked at the delicate skin, but you couldn’t find it in yourself to be sheepish. in fact, the only emotion surging through your body right now was pure desire for the god-like man leaving a series of hickeys on your neck.

“Paul, that’s gonna leave a mark,” you whined. you knew you’d regret letting him do it in the morning but right now you wanted nothing more than for him to mark you as his. you wanted to be his.

“don’t want anyone else getting any ideas. you’re all mine,” he retorted, lifting his head up to look you in the eyes. his were almost completely black with lust. “say it.” he commanded, holding your jaw tightly in his hand. “say you’re mine.”

“i’m all yours, Paul” you panted, your hips continuing to move back and forth on Paul’s lap as you stared into his dark eyes. despite your relationship still being undefined, truer words had never been spoken.

“good girl. now shut the fuck up and get back in the passenger seat.” his harsh words did nothing to discourage you from obeying as you scrambled to sit back where you were a few minutes prior. this was a side of Paul you had only seen when he was angry: dark, commanding, dominating. usually, you would have to try to calm him down when he got like this, but right now, you were very much enjoying him telling you what to do. you already missed the warmth of his body on yours as you climbed back over to the other seat, but you instinctually knew better than to voice your complaints right now.

Paul leaned across the console, reaching his hand between your knees and under the seat to move it back as far as it would go. once he was satisfied with that, he reached across your lap and pulled the reclining handle, his other hand helping to lower the seat back slowly so you weren’t sent flying backward.

“scooch back” he ordered again, and you moved your hips backward on the seat, supporting yourself with your elbows on the very edge of the seat near the headrest.

you were confused as he opened the driver-side door and hopped out of the truck. you watched as he opened the passenger-side door, it becoming clear now what his plan was. you pulled your knees towards your chest as he climbed back in, kneeling on the floor mat in front of you. god damn, this truck was spacious, and you were incredibly grateful for that right now.

his large hands fumbled to unbutton your shorts. he pulled the zipper down and you lifted your hips, followed by your legs, so he could slide them off. not wanting to wait another second, he pulled your underwear to the side and connected his thumb to your clit. you let out a loud gasp at the sensation and he chuckled proudly, knowing how good he was making you feel. Paul rubbed small, tight circles on the sensitive nub for a few seconds before you felt a finger dip into your wet folds. a guttural moan escaped your throat as you finally got the sensation you had been waiting for since his hand had rested on your thigh earlier in the night.

he added a second finger shortly after and continued to pump in and out of your heat, his thumb continuing its circular motions on your clit. you could feel your orgasm building inside of your core, and it was almost euphoric knowing it was Paul making you feel like this.

“Paul, i’m gonna-” you moaned, getting close to the edge. “what the fuck?” he’d removed his fingers altogether upon hearing this and you were not happy about it. 

“patience, princess.” he chuckled, making eye contact with you once again as he raised his fingers to his mouth to taste you on them. you were still pissed at him for teasing you like that, but the sound he made as he licked your wetness off himself almost made it worth it. almost.

“let’s take these off, shall we? or should i rip them off?” his fingers slipped under the waistband of your underwear.

“don’t you dare,” the one rational brain cell you had left replied, lifting your hips for him to slide them off like he did the shorts. you liked this pair. Paul held your hips back down as he spread your legs open, leaning his torso over the seat until you could feel his breath between your legs, amplified by the wetness that had come with the teasing.

“god, you look so fucking good” he took a second to admire the sight before him before he groaned lustfully and connected his tongue to your cunt. he made quick work of finding all the right spots to hit, causing your legs to tremble and your eyes to roll back in your head. at this rate, you wouldn’t last long, but you never wanted this moment to end.

“oh, fuck,” you moaned as he continued to circle the sensitive nub with his tongue. you had never felt this connected to someone before, not any of your exes. no one had ever made you feel as good as Paul was in this moment. as he continued the motions of his tongue, you realized Paul was perfect for you in every way, including this one. it was like pre-nut clarity.

you felt the pressure building up again, somehow even stronger than last time, unable to contain your moans. “fuck, Paul, i’m gonna cum” you groaned, arching your back against the seat as Paul continued to hold your hips down harshly against it. you figured there would be bruises there tomorrow, and the thought of him marking you up even more only exacerbated your growing orgasm.

“cum for me, princess” Paul mumbled against your clit, giving you permission to let go. it only took a couple more swipes for you to come completely unglued against his mouth.

Paul gradually slowed down his motions, guiding you through your orgasm as your hips attempted to buck against his face, craving the stimulation. eventually, your brain started to function again, and the first thing you thought was that that was definitely the best orgasm you’d ever had. you couldn’t tell Paul that, though - it would boost his ego way too much, and he already had a huge one to begin with. the second thought that went through your head was that you were ready for Paul to be your boyfriend. no man could eat you out that good and get away from you.

he admired his work as you panted in front of him, a smirk of pride on his face. he loved knowing he was the one who made you feel so good. he raised himself up on his knees to hover over you, one arm resting on the seat to support himself as the other snaked behind your back to pull you to his chest. you wrapped your arms around his back, settling your face in the crook of his neck. your breaths were soon in time with each other, basking in the body heat radiating from the both of you.

you could have stayed like that forever, but after a few minutes, Paul pulled back slightly to look you in the eyes. he seemed deep in thought before he smiled and opened his mouth to ask you a simple question: “is it casual now?”

------

part 2 here :)

[jtl-fics]

Fluent Freshman - Part 08

PREVIOUS

FF knows that it might be possible to get a new flight and that the excuse of “Oh I found a flight so I could go spend the holiday with my Gran” would probably be unassailable even tot he great unknown of Andrew Minyard’s displeasure (FF has not yet figured out when the pin will drop and Andrew will come at him. The man is a stone wall but FF knows that Andrew doesn’t like him and that knowledge is confirmed every time Andrew and Captain Neil come into Nicky’s dorm and find FF there hanging out with Nicky and he sees both Andrew and Captain Neil frown at him.)

It’s just that it takes 7-10 business days for him to build up the nerve to have to call someone and deal with customer service and it would take more bravery than he currently has to press forward and actually get a flight that would WORK. He has a very limited window for when he can get to Washington. HIs Gran had called a friend to borrow a car to pick him up and that was only available during a 6 hour window on his arrival date.

He COULD get a taxi to his Gran’s house but… (“What if I get kidnapped, what if I get trafficked, how do I tell a normal taxi from a taxi that will take me to a place where I’ll wake up in an ice bath and down a kidney, what if the taxi driver doesn’t like me, what if the taxi driver wants to talk, I don’t have anything interesting to say! What if he says mean things about me in his native language on the phone and I have to pretend that I don’t know what he’s SAYING?)… he’d probably die during the hour long ride from the anxiety.

He tells his Gran and she promises to get a pie out to him A.S.A.P.

It almost makes him feel better until he remembers what he had agreed to when Andrew came at him at his WEAKEST MOMENT to get him to agree to spend an entire four days at the house in Columbia he has HEARD stories about.

FF, laying face down on the floor in Nicky’s dorm as Nicky pats his back: Nicky next time you see me about to agree to something that will result in me getting killed I NEED you to run up and just punch me in the jaw. I’m begging you. You know I’m a disaster.

Nicky thinking about how Andrew has gotten weirdly protective of FF since the whole step brother incident: I need you to understand that that will result in ME being killed which I am not a big fan of.

FF misunderstanding: My grandma’s not THAT strong Nicky. At most grandmothers from across the country will frown disapprovingly at you.

Nicky thinking about all the little old ladies who dote on FF for inexplicable reasons and how some of them know he’s FF’s friend and give Nicky the grandma experience he had lacked growing up: Somehow that’s even worse than what I was thinking :(

***

Nicky coming to check on FF hours later: Are…are you watching the Saw movies?

FF taking copious notes: I need to prepare myself to survive Columbia. Do you have a basement or will Andrew be moving me to a secondary location?

Nicky walking over and shutting off the TV: I think it’s time to go to bed champ.

FF: If I don’t sleep then Andrew can’t drag me to a secondary location. I bought a 20 pack of five hour energy because that is the most the CVS would sell me.

Nicky: They cut you off??

FF: Yeah the manager there said he’d sell it as a ‘favor’ to a ‘loyal customer’ but to destroy my receipt and I had to buy in cash in case I die from a heart attack so it’s not linked to them. So if I play my cards right I have around 4 days of energy right here. I have looked up all the foods that can make you sleepy and will be avoiding them to stack the deck.

Nicky guiding FF towards his bedroom: Y’know that includes turkey. Also those five hour energy shots will be murder on your tummy. :(

FF: I am willing to make some sacrifices so I can live to see 19 Nicky. Also I figure I can just drink an entire bottle of Pepto per bottle of five hour energy resulting in a net neutral situation in my stomach.

Nicky tucking FF into bed carefully: Or result in you going to the hospital for an overdose get some sleep Smith. Andrew is not planning on killing you.

FF already falling asleep because his stress energy is running out: You have no idea how much he dislikes me and how much pepto my body can handle but you’re right about going to sleep. I’ll need my strength to power through the reverse bear trap let alone a laser collar.

***

2 of Grandma Smith’s apple pies arrive in the early afternoon of Thanksgiving via a little old lady turning up at Abby’s house who is a friend of a friend of a friend of a friend of a friend of a friend of Grandma Smith. The Foxes take a moment to marvel that somehow it is still warm despite apparently having been Granny expressed across the country despite the storm.

The delivering old lady pinches FF’s cheek and says not to be too disheartened and that his Grandma loves him and will see him for Christmas Break for SURE. She hands him a little note his Gran sent with the pies and he pointedly does not read it there.

This would make FF happy if he hadn’t been swearing up down left and right that he didn’t TALK to his grandma to Andrew whose eyes he can FEEL on him.

He manages a “THANKS.” In a perfectly normal tone. He has no memory that he already told Andrew and Captain Neil that he was spending the holiday with his grandma since he had blue screened at the offer last time and had rebooted in safe mode to power walk away from the situation.

“Your grandma is really nice.” Captain Neil says. “Those pies look good.”

FF, his anxiety momentarily overridden by a soul-deep love for his grandma, “My gran is the BEST and so are her pies.” And then he hears what he has said and walks back into Abby’s house to set out one pie for everyone else and goes and stress eats the second one on the living room couch after he promised Abby he’d clean up any mess.

He wonders if he’ll make it to Christmas Break as he sees Kevin Day staring at him in abject horror while Andrew stares straight at him.

Even with the attention on him he decides to check the note the other granny had given him from his Gran. It is in her native polish so he feels his shoulders relax since no one would be able to read it.

‘For my little Chicken, this isn’t your last meal like you texted me. I know you will be fine. I am thankful for you in my life every day.’

He tucks the note in his pocket and feels a little better.

NEXT

Per your requests:

@i-have-three-feelings @blep-23 @dreamerking27 @andreilsmyreligion @belodensetdust @rainbowpineapplebottle @yarn-ace @iwouldlikesometea @lily-s-world @obscureshipsandchips @booklover242 @whataboutmyfries @sahturnos

[anghraine]

Erin Reed of "Erin in the Morning" heard from various movers and shakers in the Democratic Party about the two Congressmen and various pundits saying the real culprit here is ... trans rights. She also compiled quotes from a few other influential Democrats quoted elsewhere as well. I thought it might be worthwhile to share while so many people are justifiably terrified, so here's the link to her newsletter, and some of the quotes in question—

Senator Ron Wyden (D-Oregon):

In the 1990s I became the first Senate candidate to support gay marriage. After the 2004 election a lot of pundits said it was time for Democrats to stop standing up for gay people. They were wrong, and history showed we could stand up for what’s right and still win elections. This is not the time to abandon our values and principles, we must double down and fight for what is just and right – and that includes making sure that transgender people can live their lives without fear of discrimination. Our coalition is made stronger when we fight for all people and refuse to scapegoat vulnerable people.

A spokesperson for Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont):

The Senator will continue to stand up for the rights and personal freedoms of all Vermonters, including trans and LGBTQ Vermonters. The Democratic party fights to level the playing field—whether that’s creating jobs and lowering costs, protecting rights and personal freedoms, or making it easier to access health care. What news pundits say won’t change our core values.

Senator Alex Padilla (D-California):

Now more than ever, I remain committed to supporting the LGBTQ+ community and ensuring that trans people are treated with dignity and respect. The fight to defend the rights and freedoms of trans individuals continues, regardless of who occupies the White House.

Andy Beshear, governor of Kentucky:

None of this means we abandon important values and principles. As governor, I have vetoed numerous anti-L.G.B.T.Q. and anti-choice bills, yet I still beat Mr. Trump’s handpicked candidate last fall. [...] Earning trust and showing people you care about them also requires that we talk to people like normal human beings. And that we are not afraid to share our “why.” For me, my why is my faith, and I share it proudly. I vetoed anti-L.G.B.T.Q. legislation last year because I believe all children are children of God. And whether people agree with my decision, they know why I’m making it. They know where I am coming from. So while others are talking about political strategy and messaging, the way forward is really about focus and about action.

Senator Patty Murray (D-Washington):

Democrats absolutely do not need to sacrifice trans people’s rights—or anyone else’s rights for that matter—to win elections. Most Americans believe in freedom, including the freedom to make your own health care decisions and live your life as you see fit. Frankly, the GOP’s intense focus on attacking the freedoms of such a tiny segment of the American population is nothing short of disturbing and no doubt deeply unproductive given the wide range of serious challenges facing our country.

Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-Illinois):

Unlike political pundits, my duty as a United States Senator, my literal oath of office, is to support and defend the Constitution—and one of the most important constitutional principles is equal protection under the law. Election results have no bearing on that sacred oath, nor the reality that our nation was founded on the ideal that every individual is endowed with the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Denying Americans basic freedoms because of who they love or who they are is a betrayal of our founding ideals, period.

Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon):

Every American deserves the freedom to fully participate in every aspect of our national life. No one should ever be excluded from this vision. As MAGA extremists continue their attacks on members of the LGBTQ+ community to score cheap political points, I will push to end discrimination and expand freedom for all.

[doueverwonder]

me: man I have no motivation to write :\

me, sees this post by @welcome-under-the-table: wow I have the worst idea known to man.

anyway I wrote a really cracky technically nsfw fic, there's nothing explicit but I'm still kindly requesting minors stay away. All but like I think 2 states are mentioned? Have fun, I wrote this in an hour and a half.

(also shant if you want me to untag you or even delete this all together just let me know haha)

~~~~~

The all state meetings were a bit more rare than region, belt, or any other assorted states meeting. By consequence they usually had afterparties, they started off normal enough but always spiraled into something ridiculous. This time it was playing ‘never-have-I-ever’, it started tame enough, most states targeting others with specific instances; but once the floodgates opened there was no stopping it. 

With so many people playing it took awhile to get around the circle, but everyone was on their third never-have-I-ever and it had come back around to North Dakota. “Never have I everrr…um” they stopped looking around the room trying to figure out something that hadn’t been said yet, targeting specific states wasn’t really fun anymore, far more fun was saying the most outlandish things and by proxy getting states to admit to things they wouldn’t otherwise. Their eyes settled on Virginia just long enough to come up with one, “Oh! Never have I ever slept with all of the original thirteen” 

Most questions like this were met with plenty of laughter, a state or two trying to discreetly take the shot to stay unnoticed, this one however was a long silence, most of the laughter coming from the thirteen. 

No one had taken one yet when Oregon raised his hand, “Like all in one night or different instances” 

North Dakota thought about it for a second, “Either works” 

Despite the clarification question there was another long silence, they would have moved on if the thirteen weren’t still trying to stifle laughter, like they knew something no one else did and didn’t want anyone to know. 

“God, you’re all so bad at this” Nevada was the first to take a shot, she grinned widely “Massachusetts ego IS compensating by the way” then mouthed something, her fingers pinched together. This finally spurred more laughter from everyone, except Mass, whose face was quickly turning an unhealthy shade of red. 

Florida threw a shot back, before adding loudly “So is Jerseys!” 

Another wave of laughter, halfway through it California took the next one, but promptly launched into a lecture: “The obsession with size is really silly. I mean, at the very least it's an unfair standard–”

“Who was the best fuck Cal?” someone–no one really paid attention to who–interrupted. 

California answered the question without pause, “New York, but as I was saying–” 

The assortment of laughter, whistles, and jokes that followed drowned out whatever he was going to say next. New York wouldn’t have heard anyway, too busy being smug towards Massachusetts and New Jersey. Once most of the chatter died down, and California accepted he wasn’t going to be able to finish his speech everyone seemed ready to move onto the next question, some quite anxiously. 

“Now hold on,” North Carolina interrupted before South Dakota was even able to come up with a new question, “I don’t think we’re done with that one yet” 

It got quiet again, no one else willing yet to admit it. Not before someone else did. “C’mon y’all,” South Carolina added, “Game ain’t no fun if you don’t answer truthfully” 

Texas made sure to find each of the thirteen and look them in the eyes personally before declaring “All y’all are whores” and taking a shot. 

“Fuck it” Washington took the next one, Montana shrugging and falling in line taking the next as well as handing one to Wyoming, who dropped his head shaking it for a moment before downing it. At the very least guilty by omission. 

“Seven?!” North Dakota seemed overly excited, “what's the most out with one question so far?” 

“Oh we aren’t done yet” Pennsylvania was the next of the thirteen to speak. 

Now at least that the ball was rolling it was easier for people to come out with it, Ohio sticking his tongue out at Pennsylvania before taking his, Illinois did as well, then the most surprising–at least yet–Indiana added to the conversation; “I don’t like that we all didn’t just do this when the question was asked and instead are doing this individual humiliation thing” then took his. 

Tennessee held his up to Kentucky to cheers, except Kentucky put his hands up; “Be a cold day in hell before you get me in bed with Virginia” 

This unfortunately was overheard by Mississippi who was mid-admission-of-guilt-drink and laughed hard enough to get it up his nose. 

Alabama did his best to stifle his laughter when asking, “You alright?” 

Mississippi was leaned over, trying to hide from everyone watching him and also combat the absolutely horrid burning sensation; “I just admitted to getting gangbanged and have vodka up my nose, I’m just dandy” 

Alabama rolled his eyes at the sarcasm, and took a drink hoping Mississippi’s unfortunate predicament would distract everyone from him. There was a clink as Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota cheered before all drinking. Little did anyone know they had prepared for this exact scenario while on one of their fishing trips, you run out of stuff to talk about eventually, and they had decided they would go down together if it ever came up. 

North Dakota did another count, “That’s 17… how many states have you all slept with?” 

“Thirty-Two” New Hampshire answered casually, “And I think the better statement would be ‘how many states have slept with all of us?’” 

Vermont was sitting snuggled up next to New Hampshire, having been the actual first to drink, no one was watching though so only Hamp had noticed; “I don’t think the wording matters too much” 

“It absolutely does V” 

Nebraska took the next drink, sitting not far from the two “Now is certainly a time to act like an old married couple. We’re talking about your husbands affairs Vermont,” 

“It’s not an affair if I know about them” Vermont winked, making New Hampshire’s blush harder to hide and enticing a couple laughs from people close enough to hear. 

Speaking of affairs, “It was before I met Illithiya” Utah felt the need to announce before taking a drink… it wasn’t even alcohol, Utah was still sitting on this funny line where he would break some rules but not others. So he was just drinking soda water, and instead of ‘play until you're too drunk’ he had ten then was out. 

Colorado raised his hand, “What if you don’t entirely remember you have, like you’re pretty sure but also–” 

“You have” all of the thirteen answered in sync, giving each other looks over having all answered at once. 

“Oh! Sick” Colorado took a shot. New Mexico tried not to roll his eyes too hard, he had spent the last ten minutes watching Coco try to count to thirteen and fail miserably, it was almost sad regardless of how drunk one was. He and Arizona had been so entranced by it they had to be reminded there was still a question to answer. Of course like everyone before they both took a shot.

Oklahoma tried to discreetly take a drink, Texas noticed and started laughing. “Oh hush! Y’ain’t no better than me!” 

“Sure I am,” Texas answered, “I topped more than you did” 

“Oh bless your heart” Georgia smiled pitifully at Texas, “I think your memories are goin’ bad” 

Texas went red all the way to his ears, while Oklahoma fell off the couch from laughing so hard. 

Florida had been having fun watching the chaos unfold as everyone admitted to it, he had a sneaking feeling it was way more than anyone could have guessed but this was wonderful. 

“C’mon Loui, everyone else is going your turn I know you’ve–”

“Not Mass” Louisiana countered, “That’s my brothers brother, couldn’t do that to Maine” 

“Thanks?” Maine asked, though he sounded confused, honestly he had never really thought about if he would mind Loui and Mass being romantically or… he shivered, otherly, involved with each other. He appreciated the sentiment though. 

Oregon despite being the one to have asked the question that finally spurred people answering hadn’t drank yet himself. All his neighbors had except for the one whos opinion he cared about most; 

“Have you done it?” Idaho asked, looking over the thirteen in the same way most states had in the past couple minutes. 

“Have you?” Oregon asked without answering. They both just looked at each other for a long moment, then laughed and both drank. 

“This is crazy!” North Dakota said to South, “I didn’t think this many people would have to drink over this one” 

“Yeah… crazy,” South answered, looking at his drink. He didn’t really care if North knew about it, what he did care about was the fact that North hadn’t and in drinking he was technically admitting defeat. It wouldn’t be as bad if anyone else had asked the question. He was faced with a horrible decision, cheat or admit defeat to his twin… yeah he was going to cheat. “Good thing I’ve never done it” 

“Like you could dream of getting that many people to like you!” North joked, South looked him directly in the eyes and drank. 

“Welp, I feel left out” Iowa stated watching almost all his neighbors admit to it, right after he took not one, but two shots, mumbling about how he wasn’t going to admit to it but now that everyone else was he felt like he had to. 

Missouri, Arkansas, and Kansas were the only three left; everyone else had either denied it or drank. They were the holdout. Missouri was the first of the three to cave, admitting to have slept with all of them but heavily noting it was not in one night. 

Maryland tried not the laugh, “Y’all everyone knows the number, and you two are the only ones left” 

Both seemed to realize this at the same time and both sheepishly took a shot; “I kept my dignity longest though” Arkansas looked for some sort of victory, counting the fact that he set his glass down after Kansas as a win. 

“I guess I’m the only one left” Everyone jumped a bit having entirely forgotten Alaska was there, he took a swig out of a flask, no one was entirely sure what was in it but he had been using it the whole game so far. “That’s 32” 

North Dakota just sat there in absolute shock, they had expected to get two or three out with this question, not over half the states. “What is up with this anyway?” 

Virginia smiled, joking “Didn’t you hear? Ain’t a real state til you’ve slept with all the thirteen”

[queerfortress2]

GYAWD.....UR TRANSMASC!READER X SNIPER/MEDIC WAS SO WONDERFUL.....

if yew don't mind, id LOVE to see a soldier x a male reader, ANY demographic, any headcanons, I just.....i love the man so bad ｡⁠:ﾟ⁠(⁠;⁠´O⁠`⁠;⁠)💛💛

-✴️

heheh thank ya kindly ✴️ anon, also THANK YOU MORE MASCULINE READERS… i love writing them— mod engie

MALE!READER X SOLDIER

soldier 100% had issues at first. like, he is all about fulfilling the American Dream ™️. Why would he go for anything else? the moment *you* seemed more appealing than a housewife in the suburbs is when he started folding.

you entertained his crazy ideas and diligently followed his word as a commander. what else was he supposed to do? NOT like you? yeah okay. you being one of the only people who took him seriously is what had his heart beating. and he didn’t understand why.

maybe it was an ego thing? he tried to excuse it as that for awhile, but he found it hard to even be angry at you unlike the rest of his ‘soldiers’ (mercenaries). infact, he found himself to be around you much more often, giving a dumb smile as he does it. hes harsher on himself about it, more than you expect.

going to be honest? i think that might be the extent of it. soon enough he just reaches to his limit and gives up the rules. surely someone told him george washington is rumoured to have slept with a man and he immediately got over it.

me and my boyfriend, like the founder of our country intended it

i think hes outwardly affectionate once he gets over it! mostly because, LOOK AT MY SICK BOYFRIEND! hes AMAZING and BETTER THAN YOU

i think despite this he could also still be very bromancy. like. what do you mean making out isn’t normal dude things?? yes it is. im straight with a boyfriend (denial)

please teach him it’s okay to be a little gay guys

[fastcardotmp3]

🌻august bookshelf🌻

july recs | recs tag

I really enjoyed putting together a little fic rec list at the end of last month and decided to do it again!

🌻driving in your car by @kkpwnall - when I say the ultimate pining Steddie fic I MEAN IT. the use of the car as this sort of central, grounding force within Steve's world and the way the testing of his tether to Hawkins and the people in it plays out here is stunning, not to mention the HANDS and the ronance going on stage left and the complete and utter tenderness lying just beneath the surface. perfection I am swallowing it whole

🌻clueless by @gothbat99 - such a lovely short & sweet slice of life in the summer after they win the war, it feels SO important in its simplicity that Nancy and Robin are getting to behave like young people, all free and hopeful and discovering how to want/ be wanted. made my heart so big and warm in only 1k words like THAT !!! is so impressive, so worth your time, will make your day better guaranteed

🌻Faces Freedom with a Little Fear by @fragilecapric0rnn - literally Steve family-centric character study of all time, come swoon over big sister JJ Harrington and watch as her presence in his life creates a fullness and richness of growth and self-realization LIKE. I could bask in this world for the rest of forever and never get tired of its sincerity and depth and siblingisms, what a heart-squeezing delight from start to finish

🌻haunted hawkins by @hellsfireclub - starts with the brilliant premise of "what if it's not just Hawkins?" and RUNS with it, giving not just beautiful ruminations on both Nancy and Robin as they start a journey towards figuring out just how far the paranormal spreads and also a journey towards mutual self discovery and (: lesbianism (: READ THIS FIC.

🌻then I see you, you're walking 'cross the campus by stellarpoint (@heybluechild) - a lovely little peek at Steve and Nancy's friendship coming back together after they've come into their own a little bit and Nancy being so, so brave in coming out to him. truly this made my heart so big and full and warm i am carrying them gently in the palms of my hands

🌻this must be the place by @judasofsuburbia - JARGYLE CAMPING. the tenderness of this, the peace offered to Jonathan when he hasn't ever really known such a thing, the way they just sort of slot together and find and choose and become each other?? it's got me all soft in the heart and THAT'S NOT SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN. illegal actually. I'm weak in the knees :((

🌻Young, Scrappy, & Hungry by @fragilecapric0rnn - politics ronance rivals to lovers WHAT MORE DO YOU WANT ME TO SAY?? perfect dynamics already and I can't wait to see where these girls go. the characterizations of them is so REAL despite the very different world of Washington they've been dropped into and my lesbian, TWW-loving ass is feeling soooo normal about them SO normal don't worry about it

🌻The Warmth Pulls by TheDeathsWish - I'm not fully caught up on this one yet, but it is genuinely one of the most unique AUs I've come across so I have to mention it here. It's still 1986 and it's still Hawkins, but the sci-fi overlay is switched out for more purely fantasy elements, including some very cool and beautifully revealed eccentricities and abilities of the characters. Steddie but also so hugely dependent on the ensemble of it all, which you know I eat up, I'm excited to keep working my way through this one!

P.S. if you read and enjoy any of these, please remember to tip your writers in kudos and comments!💛

[secularprolifeconspectus]

Why are you against women? :/ I mean being pro life is actually just pro-forced birth

Normally I would just delete asks like this, but since you're not anon I know you'll get a notification, and I want you to SEE why I understand elective feticide to be a human rights violation. I want you to see why I think abortion is forced stillbirth. Let's see if Tumblr lets me keep up this "medical information". Let's start with the most commonly killed babies, from gestational week 4 to week 15 (6 wks - 17 wks since last missed period.) These are actual victims of abortion, miscarriage, and ectopic pregnancy. Also, s/o to flower.fetus on IG for most of these.

And then, there's Christopher X, who was likely born alive after an intact dilation & evacuation abortion at 32+ weeks at Washington Surgi-Clinic in Washington, DC, and left to die.

And there's Phoenix, who was likely born alive after an intact dilation & evacuation abortion at 26+ weeks at Washington Surgi-Clinic in Washington, DC, and left to drown in their own amniotic fluids.

S/o to Mark Story for these photographs.

You can't protect older babies like Phoenix and Christopher X from being illegally murdered unless you protect their preborn siblings from being legally slaughtered too. They are victims of the same violent system. Abortion is always suffocation, poisoning, or dismemberment. It truly is forcing human beings to be born dead. And I think all humans are full and equal people to ourselves, regardless of their age or ability. I understand embryos to be actual children; they are real and literal babies.

Yes, this means that women must gestate and birth their babies rather than kill them. They have at minimum a fiduciary obligation to provide protection and developmentally-appropriate care for their children, even with their bodies, even in the womb, until that responsibility can be passed to someone else. They may not reject this duty by betraying their kids (whose dependence is not a violation), by deliberately doing violence to them. That is wrong. And that is why, even as a bisexual woman, I am against elective abortion.

No surprise, someone didn't read the FAQs. If you want a carefully worded response, read this. I've also made multiple posts in the past few months about how pro-life can be pro-woman — I assume you know how to scroll?

[dan-whoell]

what are some phancoded songs?

@fryday has covered this a ton recently, but some I doubt anyone else will say:

How Far This Can Go by Bowling for Soup. The chorus??

Let’s take it fast to slow Hold our breath and jump into whatever this is Grab a coat and let it all rain down If we never stop believing, it’s gonna be alright But if we don’t try, we may never know How far this can go

It's very early days, but also every adventure they've had??? Like even as recent as resurrecting the gaming channel, if they hadn't taken the chance on doing that we might not be in the middle of whatever the phagenda is now. I also think about Dan being 18 and still not having coming to terms with his own sexuality, but still jumping into whatever was going to happen with Phil.

By the time the curtain's falling There'll be standing under and screaming out our names Can’t you hear the future calling Will go all the way and never be the same, yeah

I mean. Self explanatory. Makes me cry to think about everything they've built. And I love the love the audience has for them. I can't think about it too long or I end up a pile of goo.

Come Monday by Jimmy Buffett. I grew up listening to this man, I've done a list of some favorites. But this one specifically gives me dnp vibes.

Come Monday, it'll be all right Come Monday, I'll be holding you tight I spent four lonely days in a brown L.A. haze And I just want you back by my side

Again, I think about them in the early days, hanging on every visit and always trying to get back to their bubble together. But also Dan on tour. I wish I could remember who it was that made a post about why now as far as a potential rebrand/launching so hard into joint content again, and the tldr was after wad, Dan coming back and and being like 'Okay. I've done it solo, and I've realized I don't want to do this without you.' And that's the same vibes I get with this song. Being away from each other sucks, and I just want you back by my side.

I can't help it, honey You're that much a part of me now Remember that night in Montana when We said there'd be no room for doubt?

You know. Their lives are so intertwined. Phil literally said our life. They own a house together. They have their own fucking language. They know each other so well. I've said it before but although I don't believe in soulmates, they are the exception to the rule. As for the second half... I mean. Early days. Jump in. See how far this can go.

I hope you're enjoyin' the scenery I know that it's pretty up there We can go hiking on Tuesday With you I'd walk anywhere

It's the idea that everything they've done for 15 years, and everything they will do, they'll do it together. In the sense of a joint endeavour, or just supporting one another in solo projects. Them doing shit they'd never normally do on their own, but they have their soulmate by their side so how bad could it be?

(This one is depressing so apologies in advance)

Haunted by Spanish Love Songs. Sort of a Phil perspective on Dan's struggle with depression.

You're not haunted You just miss everything You're not a cautionary tale So don't you vanish on me

And you're not haunted It's just the devil in your skin It'll be this bleak forever But it is a way to live You're not alone You just miss everything When you're feeling like a ghost Would you come haunt me? Please come haunt me

I'm not gonna say a lot here, but I know what it's like to love someone so fiercely and be heartbroken that they cannot see themselves for who they are. I've also been the person who can't see it. I think a lot about Phil always being there for Dan, and I'd love to hear him talk about the experience of love in those situations. (And if he never does I totally get it, it's private and it's not really our business. Just from a relatability standpoint.)

This is in the same vein but Washington Square Park by The Wonder Years, specifically this:

She said, “I let this slide when we were younger You know you don’t have to write like this The whole world’s full of losers If you get a chance to win, (you should) take it!”

Like. Phil always trying to get Dan in colors. Dan face down on the floor and Phil being there to pick him up and distract him. I love a love song as much as the next guy but this is my bread and butter.

To end on a happier-ish note, Love Will Keep Us Alive by The Eagles.

I was standing, all alone against the world outside You were searching for a place to hide Lost and lonely, now you've given me the will to survive When we're hungry, love will keep us alive

Early days??? Phil being the first person that made Dan feel safe??

Don't you worry Sometimes you've just got to let it ride The world is changing Right before your eyes

Coming out??? Meeting so many queer fans on tour and that being a push to come out themselves?? HELLO??

Now I've found you There's no more emptiness inside When we're hungry, love will keep us alive

I think about the state of things now, how fucking happy they've been since coming back. How different it feels from when they started. There's always been laughs, always been fun, but there is so much joy now. I'm sure I've said it but personally my heart feels so fucking full when I see how far they've come. When I see what they've built for themselves.

Anyway I could go on and on about songs that make me think about dnp, especially stuff that's not top 40's pop or is 30+ years old, but I think I've yapped enough on this particular post.

[solarbird]

The long arc of Boomer politics, of resistance, and what Millennials & Zoomers can win starting now

Yesterday, I wrote – mostly to GenX, but also to Millennials and Zoomers – about holding the line one more time. In that post, I talked a little about how some of us have been doing that job this long in order to keep some semblance of a Republic until the cavalry – in the form of a group larger than the Baby Boom – could show up, and still have the tools to take power peacefully, and in a timely fashion.

Today I’m writing for Millennials and for Zoomers. I’m going to expand on yesterday, talk about history, talk about why politics have been as they’ve been in ways you maybe haven’t heard before, and I’m going to talk about the massive opportunity you have now to change this fucking game.

But I have to talk about history first. There’s context, and you need it.

Most of you reading this have never seen actual Generation X politics. Unless you’re from Seattle, or the greater Seattle area, you definitely never have. You’ve only seen Baby Boom politics. What you’re seeing now is still Baby Boom politics, the underlying dynamic unchanging and now crystalised, ritualised, and radicalised over the decades since they took power.

That’s happened in part because the Baby Boom never wanted to talk to anyone else, and didn’t have to. They had a saying – “don’t trust anyone over 30” – that inverted and became “don’t trust anyone under 30″ the moment they hit their 30s. As a group, they’ve despised everyone younger than them my entire life, writing early on that GenX was either “a generation of Darwinesque hyper-predators” (fun stuff if you’re 12) or “useless lazy slackers incapable of achievement” from the very beginning. Most of the time it manifests as simply being locked out and ignored, but I’ve had that raw generational contempt thrown directly at me, more than once – even here in Seattle.

But the thing about Seattle is… we outnumber them here. It’s the only place in the US where we outnumber them. They’ve had to deal with other people, whether they liked it or not. Because of that, they couldn’t really lock into that inward-facing self-reinforcing spiral. They had reality checks and external feedback they had to grapple with, and so… their politics stayed way, way more normal.

So if you want to know what Generation X politics would’ve looked like in a more traditional American pattern, where each generation is larger than the previous – hi. It’s in Seattle, and to a lesser degree Washington State. We’re willing to elect socialists who call themselves socialists and actually have something like a centre-left, and it’s not just downtown.

I mean, there are reasons that Donald Trump didn’t win the white vote here, and this is a big part of it. According to exit polling at the time, he didn’t get the non-college-educated white male majority here in 2016. It was close! But even with the dry side of the state involved – a lot of which is rabidly christofascist – Donald Trump didn’t even win non-college-educated white men, his core, statewide in 2016.

(It’s also a factor in why the Battle of Seattle could happen, I am just saying. I was there.)

But outside Seattle, and outside Washington State, you’re generally looking at Boomer politics. And I think Generation X has always kinda known that was going to happen, in that we were never going to have a turn at power. Certainly not at the national scale.

Some of us, in fact, have not just known that but have also understood it, which is a different thing. I spent enough time east for school, I could see what was coming and how it was going to play out, and how it was going to be such a long, long war for the Republic – and largely, an effort just to hold. To be a backstop. A centre-left line to keep civil society and elections until someone bigger than them could finally come along.

The fact that we even managed to win on a few fronts – queers, I’m looking at us, but not just us – that was amazing. And also outliers, let’s not kid ourselves. But I’ll take those victories and celebrate them.

So when everything looks so rigid and hopeless and stale, and when you’re seeing “elections don’t fix it, everything just gets worse,” that’s why it looks that way, even when it isn’t actually like that.

Because thanks to their sheer size, their sheer numbers, the Boom just plain outmassed everyone else since like 1980 and everyone’s had to play by their rules all this time.

We could win a round here and there, and even make some real progress in narrow but important areas. But we couldn’t change the game. Hence our fight to keep a civil society not in the politeness sense but in the sense of functional institutions sense, and the fight to keep elections not in the “technically there are elections” sense but in the “elections that can have outcomes Republicans don’t like” sense.

We are at the very tail end of that war now. We have almost won a war most people haven’t even been aware that we’ve been fighting.

2024 is the last best shot they have. They want to keep power, because of course they do. They grabbed it early – skipping ahead of the Silent generation – and haven’t talked to anyone else about power since, just like so many of them never talked to anyone outside their cohort they didn’t have to. But this year is pretty much the end of their dominance unless they can rig everything to keep the appearance of power until they actually die, and they know it.

And by “they know it,” I mean, I actually heard Boomer rightists saying things to that effect in 2016, amongst themselves.

That’s why everything changes after this election, but not during this election. 2024 is the tipping point. Still the old rules, but hopefully the end of them.

If we win – and we will win if we fight – it’ll be because Millennials and Zoomers stepped in and said “that’s enough, grampa.” And everyone who actually works and understands politics will know it.

And since everyone will know it, everything – EVERYTHING – will start to re-orient itself around you. Around Millennials and around Zoomers. It won’t be all at once, but it will absolutely happen.

As long as you keep showing up, as long as you start doing the work, every mechanic of power, every political interest group, every big money, every piece of the machine will start to turn towards you. Because whatever else may be true, the professionals know where the power lies, and it’ll lie with you.

Not us, not GenX. We have a voice in Cascadia, and I love my country-not-a-country bioregion, but that’s the only place we get one. The power brokers will skip us, like they always have. They’ve never figured out how to market to GenX, they thought they were going to “own” Millennials (literal quote there on ‘own’ btw), and they have no idea at all what to do with Zoomers and I thank the gods for it.

It’ll be you, Millennials and Zoomers. You. You will be the ones everyone cares about, as the new power centre of politics. The Baby Boom will try to grab power back, but as long as you keep showing up, they won’t pull it off. In practical terms, it’ll be over.

If we win. Which we will, if we fight and fight together.

But for this election, we’re still under the old rules. The Baby Boom rules, the Baby Boom politics, the Baby Boom control. That’s why I’m praying this can be GenX’s last hurrah as a resistance force, and that’s why I write so much about holding the goddamn line once again, just like so many of us – not all of us, but so many – have done our entire lives.

One more time, no matter how much you hate having to pick between two doddering old monsters…

…we gotta hold the line. We gotta hold the line for your sake, and for our own. Just like we always have.

But after that?

After that, as long as you keep showing up…

…it’ll be all about you.

You’re so close to being able to start taking power and setting the agenda. After all these years, it’s finally the time when you can actually start to do it.

But you gotta help us hold the line in ’24, first. We gotta hold again one, last time, the old way.

And then it’ll be yours.

If you’re willing to take it.

Are you ready?

110 days remain.

-----

[extended commentary and a lot of replies at source]

[captainhuggys]

Yall ever mourn the end of a relationship before it actually ends?

I know this isn’t my normal hockey related rant but it’s 3 am and this shit is sitting so heavy on my chest I need to talk about it.

But like I genuinely truly believe my relationship with my boyfriend is ending soon. And not even in a he’s breaking up with me type of way.

Like we’ve been rocky for a little bit, and like yknow that’s to be expected, it’s how things go sometimes couples fight.

But getting bitched at today for driving MY OWN car to Tampa (which is like an hour and 15 ish from my house) was wild. Using gas I pay for with MY OWN money, to go to a hockey game is apparently so bad.

Not to mention the fact that he hates hockey. Like at first I thought he just didn’t follow it which like okay fine whatever we don’t have to like all the same things, but blatantly shit talking it to my face when I’m doing my happy rambles about it? Wild.

My mom is buying me tickets to the rangers bolts game in December for Christmas, like that’s her gift to me. And like I was excited, talking about it and whatever, and he just shut me down like being so rude and nasty about it.

Blatantly just disregards how much I genuinely care about the sport. Like I can fight the puck bunny allegations easily considering I’ve watched hockey since I was a kid. Like the whole reason I got into it was because my mom’s best friend was really into hockey and would bring us to games.

Me liking hockey is me honoring her memory and enjoying a thing that her and I enjoyed together before she passed. It holds a sentimental meaning in my heart, and I can explain every single rule (except goalie interference bc god knows what is and isn’t considered interference), pks, pps, +/- and how it’s calculated, like I can explain the sport.

I don’t just watch it because hot men, that’s just an added bonus tbh. Like I’ve always wanted a fucking sports journalism degree, I’ve wanted to be a woman in sports journalism for a very long time now.

And ig for him to just throw it back in my face and just make me feel like shit for enjoying a sport or having a dream revolving around sports is wild.

Like I can look past him not liking hockey if it weren’t for him just blatantly throwing it in my face how much he hates it. Complains anytime I watch a game at home, complains anytime I go in person to a game.

I’m going to Washington next month to attend a game bolts vs kraken and he got all shitty about it like “why are you spending money on these plane tickets” blah blah blah. Bitch I’ll be gone for a fucking weekend…. I’m also seeing my family? Like it just pisses me off, and the minute my lease is up I’m cutting shit off because I can’t keep doing this shit, I can’t keep myself in this relationship.

Anyways end of my shitty rant. I’m gonna go watch Luke Hughes edits and cry 🫡😌

[stevetonyweekly]

SteveTony Weekly - August 27th

Hey all! I’m feeling under the weather this week so even though you’re owed a long list this week--it’s not. I’m sorry. I’ll do better soon. 

~*~ 

Memory Lane by itsallAvengers

Suddenly, he's soaking - someone just threw a fucking water bomb or something, and it's not a big deal, it shouldn't be a big deal-

But for some reason, it is.

Toasted Buns by copperbadge, scifigrl47

After seeing Tony naked and tanned -- all over -- in a decontamination shower, Steve realizes he may be in trouble. Tony, meanwhile, is definitely in trouble over those tabloid pictures of him sunbathing nude. The solution is clearly a tropical island getaway.

Tenth Time Lucky by itsallAvengers

Steve just wants to propose to Tony.

If only he didn't keep getting fucking interrupted-

I Am One With What I Am by Kiyaar 

After the mess in Washington, Steve and Tony try to carve out a little life for themselves, a place to heal, out of the spotlight.

If only the original Tony’s shadow wasn't permanently between them.

Throw a Little Hot Rod Red in There by FestiveFerret, SirSapling

Tony Stark was pretty sure that the absolute worst time to get asked out by an incredibly talented, good-looking artist, who likes to paint - and defend - Iron Man, is when he's dying of palladium poisoning.

Vice Versa by AvocadoLove

During an alien invasion, Tony is transported to an alternate universe where Steve is Iron Man and he is Captain America.

Also, Captain Stark and CEO Steve Rogers are together on the sly. Awkward.

I Wanted It To Be You by complicationstoo 

After Civil War, Tony and Steve are both a bit of a mess. Guilt and loneliness threaten to break them both, but each find comfort in the emails of strangers they meet online. Tony writes to Sal, and Steve writes to Thomas, and neither of them have a clue who's actually on the other side.

Antoshka by LokasennaHiddleston

Tony does not know what to make of the Winter Soldier's story. For Steve's sake, he's trying to help. For Steve's sake, he's trying to find Bucky Barnes and bring him back. But when an Avengers raid on a Hydra base leads to an unexpected discovery, Tony will find that Bucky Barnes may just be more than just his lover's best friend.

Mental note: Scrap all footage of him hitting on Natasha. That's just awkward.

Through A Lens by itsallAvengers

"Okay- so this is the first option- I've got to go to this huge family meal in a few weeks, and so I'm looking for a shirt that just screams 'I am the family disappointment', you know? Does the bright pink work, do you think?"

Steve shrugged. "Uhh, well, I'd say pink probably would? It's hard to say, I mean, I'm colour-blind, maybe you need Natasha's input. Hell, Clint's always good with 'family disappointment' fashion, shall I grab him-"

"Wait," Tony cut him off, face completely blank and shirt half way off his body. "You're... you're fucking with me, right?"

"Huh? I mean, Clint's family is fucked up on a normal day, so it's not really-"

"No, not that, the other thing. The colour-blind thing," Tony said, stepping out of the changing room with his shirt still hanging around his neck in order to grab Steve's arms. "Please, please God tell me that I haven't spent the last two years of my life assuming you could see colour. Please."

If you like Piña Coladas... by itsallAvengers 

After being essentially blackmailed onto a first-class cruise by Bucky under the guise of 'taking a vacation' and 'getting some well-earned rest' or whatever stupid bullshit it was that his dumb best friend told him, Steve Rogers ends up alone, on a boat heading to the Caribbean. He gets on expecting to hate it.

He does.

There is one good thing about the trip, though.

patchwork people by itsallAvengers

It was a pretty well-known fact that Tony Stark had control issues.

It was far less well-known why, though.

Our rain-washed histories (don't need to be told) by sirona

Dumped by SHIELD into the real world of the 21st Century, Steve must learn how to live a normal life again, and rediscover the things that make it worth embracing.

Science and Progress (do not speak as loud as my heart) by sirona

Steve's body is not the only thing affected by the Super Soldier Serum.

I wanna hold your hand by sirona

No one understands what it's like growing up rich and yet more alone than anyone should be able to stand - except for people who grew up just like you, that is. In which Tony Stark goes to Oxford University and meets people and makes enemies and makes friends and changes people's minds and falls in love - amongst other tales of mishap and adventure.

you can call me babe for the weekend by complicationstoo 

Tony left his small town for Los Angeles after high school, leaving behind everything to pursue his dream. Ten years later, he comes back for the first time and finds that some things are impossible to let go of.

Brave New World by valdomarx for enkiduu

Captain Hydra, the Avengers' long-time foe, and Iron Man, the mysterious masked Avenger, find themselves transported to a strange alien planet. The place is beautiful, but it's also apparently sentient and has taken a perverse interest in them.

Steve agrees to a truce with Iron Man for now, at least until he finds his time to strike.

That is, if the trees don't get them first.

Good For You by youcancallmearrow 

Steve doesn't understand why Tony dates people who treat him poorly. Tony doesn't understand why Steve cares.

The rest is bad choices, good choices, rehab, milkshakes, paintball, YouTube videos, couples therapy and learning to put the past in the past.

Or: How Tony finds his happy ending.

but come ye back by Red (S_Hylor)

When the night is cold and the sky is open, Tony goes to talk to the past Sheriff of Timely.

your ivy grows by complicationstoo 

Tony has been trapped in an arranged marriage for years, isolated and withering under Ty's heavy hand. Until one night at a bar in Brooklyn changes everything.

It Had To Be You (Wonderful You) by tinystark616

During a party in Avengers Tower, Steve confesses to Tony that he's never slept with anyone.

[braveclementine]

Introductions

Warnings: None

Copyright: I do not own any Twilight characters or locations. I do own Davina Mikelson and Marcel. I also own the backstory for my OC. I do not condone any copying of this.

Davina P.O.V.

I looked up at the small, light pink Victorian house that stood in front of me. It looked rather large from the front, what with the. . . gazebo. . .looking thing. . . I don't know what it's called- house attachment to the side and the tower where my bedroom resided, but in reality, it was very small on the inside. It didn't extend very far back.

It was probably the one day out of the year that it wasn't raining in Forks, and for that I was grateful. The sunlight made the house look even more welcoming, the light shining through the glass of the windows.

I didn't really dread the house, though it had been some years since I had been here. More than ten.

Forks, Washington. Named after a common eating utensil. Population- not enough for people not to notice me.

Not that people wouldn't have noticed me anyways.

For one thing, my name was Davina Michaelson. And the only thing I could say about it was that I was glad my last name wasn't spelled Mikelson, because the teasing was bad enough already.

My mother had been ecstatic when she married my father. She had been determined to name me Elijah or Kol or Niklaus or Rebekah when I was born. She was a huge Vampire Diary fan and as a consequence, so was I. Luckily, I got named Davina instead because of my dark brown, almost black, hair and being a girl.

For another thing, I was a complete geek. My favorite things to say were lines from Harry Potter, when conversing about politics I quoted Tom MacDonald, and whenever someone asked if I knew an interesting fact, it was always about animals and usually something sexual.

Did you know that if Female Ferrets don't have sex when they go into heat they die?

I couldn't read enough books. Kane Chronicles, Percy Jackson, Spirit Animals, Red Queen, Hunger Games, Maze Runner, anything fictional, fantasy, and mystical.

Not to mention, reading said books had given me a non-existent romantic life as all of my standards had been lifted by Severus Snape, Lucius Malfoy, Remus Lupin, Sirius Black, Elijah Mikelson (basically all the Mikelsons minus Finn), Damon Salvatore, Alaric Saltzman, Enzo, Marcel, Newt, Minho, Gale, etc.

And then, there's my favorite app- Wattpad.

Sorry, I get it, it's a notorious fanfiction app, but still, that's why I read it. It's basically the only way for me to feel like an actual character in Harry Potter marrying Severus Snape or The Originals marrying Damon Salvatore.

AND SMUT! Except I really hate authors that rob you of reading that juicy part of the book. I mean, if you're going to put the mature label on your book, you might as well write in deep detail, right?

Basically I was on Wattpad 24-7.

But I mean, there's something about older men that's absolutely. . . enticing. Of course, completely illegal but you know, Hollywood made all the older guys hot so we're all fucked up.

Anyways, what was I saying?

Oh right, yes, sticking out in Forks.

So let's see, girl who moved away and came back, nineteen year old going to high school, complete geek. . . missing anything?

My looks I guess.

I'm average. Not slender, not fat. Not extremely beautiful, not entirely ugly either. Average. Someone who normally could've blended in if she had lived here her entire life. Plus I had green and blue streaks in my hair, and I couldn't imagine anyone else in this town having streaks. Not that I had many streaks, and with my dark hair, they barely stood out.

Any more details?

Heart shaped face, doe eyes, brown eyes that matched my hair, not extremely pale skin, but not overly tan either considering I had moved here from Kentucky. Slap in the mild ADHD and OCD and you have me!

Mild meaning I'm not overly ADHD or OCD, mild enough that most people don't notice it if they don't know me well, and even if they do, I'm pretty good at hiding it.

So, what exactly brought me to Forks?

Hmm, good question, be sorry you asked.

I had lived in Forks as a young girl, my best friend being Sam Uley- should see how he's doing now that I'm here- and my parents lived here for a while.

Dad had been in the military and we'd resided in Forks for a few years while he was on leave with his new son- who had the unfortunate luck of being called Kol. I think mom found it funny. Davina and Kol. Now that I've watched the show, I think it's rather disturbing.

But when I was about eight, we moved away to Fort Knox, Kentucky. For the majority of my life, I lived on the base. So I was well trained in martial arts, military tactics, and how to use different guns. I mean, not like they actually taught me, but when I got bored of school, I left, and would sneak into the training room, crouching down in a corner, behind a blind spot of a camera, and look out through the mats.

Mom had signed me up for Tae Kwon Do and Gymnastics when I asked. Everything else I learned from sneaking around and spying.

Anyways, when I turned seventeen, there was a big. . . to-do in the camp. Someone betrayed the soldiers and the camp was destroyed. My parents and brother died. I was one of the very few survivors.

School was put to a stop, I was shifted into foster care while I waited for some relative to come and get me. No relatives showed, I spent year eighteen working and saving money to buy a plane ticket- not even a car- so that I could get here, to Forks, where our home was.

And once I was in Forks, I had access to all the money that mom and dad left me in their will so that was fantastic. I'd still have to work though if I wanted to keep the house.

But it also meant that I could go back to school and get my high school diploma. . . how embarrassing. But no one had to know. No one was going to know.

I carefully fit the bronze key into the locked door, giving it a turn, and then pushing in, turning it. I had never been good with keys and locks, and this house was old.

Luckily, it gave and the door opened. I wrinkled my nose. Well, I was going to have to open all the windows and let the breeze in.

I set the suitcases down by the door, inside, flipping the light switch on. It took a minute for the lights to respond before the house lit up.

I moved around the house, opening all the windows- the ones that would open at least- before moving back downstairs to take care of the furniture.

When we'd left, we'd covered all the furniture with plastic. Now, I took a pocket knife- one I had carved myself with my limited artistic ability- and started working on undoing the plastic carefully, releasing the furniture from its suffocation.

Then there was the cleaning, washing windows, wiping down counters, sweeping the wooden floors, vacuuming the carpeted floors, taking out dishes to wash and then put back away, and unpack my suitcases before finally declaring myself done for the day.

I closed all the windows- just in time as the rain decided it wanted to greet me too- and then headed upstairs, flopped on the bed, and fell asleep without even bothering to look around.

[When you look up circular bedrooms to help get inspiration and they just show you circular beds instead  😑 ]

I woke up, stretching, trying to remember what day it was and if I had anything important I was supposed to be doing. I slid out of bed, taking a look around the slightly familiar bedroom. My bed was built into the wall, and there were two of them as mom had been expecting twins with me- the other not making it.

Across from the beds was my desk, white, clean so far as I hadn't had a chance to do any homework there, along with a pink chair. The bean bag was in the middle of the room, my purse hanging on the door handle.

Adjacent to the beds, across from the window of the tower, was my closet. Because of the circular shape of the room, it was a walk in closet. Shirts and pants hung on one side, bathing suits, dresses, and seasonal clothes were on the other side. I had about three pairs of shoes- sneakers, combat boots, and one pair of heels that were probably too small for me.

By the closet doors was a small bookcase, holding only my favorite books. Hanging above the bookcase was a Harry Potter calendar for eleven years ago. I would have to get a new one.

(minus all the shoes)

I pulled out my phone to check what day it was and sighed in disappointment.

The day I got to start school.

Wonderful.

Grumbling, I headed to the closet, pulling on skinny, light-blue jeans, a long-sleeved olive-green shirt, and my black combat boots. I also grabbed the leather jacket, sliding it over my arms. I grabbed my old backpack, a Hufflepuff themed one with all sorts of pins from every world possible, slinging it over my shoulder and heading downstairs.

As I had no food in the house, my main priority for now was figuring out how I was going to get to school.

I really needed a car.

On a habit whim, I grabbed one of my books, shoving it into my bag, making my way out the front door.

The rain was holding off, but the sky was gray, the air was moist, and I just knew it was going to at least drizzle.

So I grabbed my blue butterfly decorated umbrella too.

My stomach growled with protests as I locked the door, making my way down the empty driveway and then I paused, glancing at the garage. Oh dear.

Hesitantly, both hopeful and not hopeful, I pushed the garage door up. My heart sank and soared at the same time.

I was wrong- I did have a vehicle.

Dad's old Harley Motorcycle sat in the garage. It was a beautiful machine that I had always loved as a kid and my mom had detested calling it 'a death trap'. It was a beautiful shiny teal colour with two large silver containers on the sides that held whatever you wanted to put in there. It would fit two people on the black leather seats.

The good part about the motorcycle was that I now have a vehicle to get myself back and forth to school. The bad part was the 24-7-365 schedule for rain.

I pursed my lips. I could walk or I could ride the motorcycle and put a tarp over it during the day to keep it dry. I could also stash sets of dry clothes in the carriers so that if I had to change my clothes, I could. My bag could easily go in the other one. Along with the umbrella and anything else I needed, which was never much.

I started to grin, feeling lighter now that all of my problems were starting to disappear.

Oh, today was going to be fun.

[thenasoneshots]

Lee Oneshot - "Get Away From My Sister!"

Requested?: No

Prompt: None

Type of oneshot: ig fluff?

Timing: Modern AU

Reader's Relations: John’s Sister (who is also best friends with the Schuylers)

Warnings: None? (John being a very protective older brother)

Other notes: This includes Elams shipping (because I ship it. Don’t judge me)

------------------------------

“So…. have you got a date to prom yet, (Y/n)?”

I shook my head, trying to ignore my face turning red, “I already told you several times, Peggy; No. I don’t, and I don’t think anyone will ask me. No one is going to when John’s staring over my shoulder at the guy.” I lied, knowing that none of my friends, and especially John, would disapprove of who I’d said I was going with… The truth was that I’d been dating Charles Lee for the past few months behind my brother’s back, knowing that the two of them didn’t get along, well that was an understatement, John hated Charles after he’d said something rude to Mr Washington’s face, but in my opinion, he was just a little bean who needed love. Before any of the three sisters could reply, my phone pinged. I pulled it out of my pocket and looked to see a message from John, causing me to roll my eyes, ‘You got a date yet?’

I just scoffed and looked up to where John and his friends were sitting at a table on the other side of the lunch hall, seeing him smiling at me. I rolled my eyes again and returned to my phone, ‘Yes. At least I’m doing better than you. Tell Alex now, or I’ll do it for you.’

I could see the colour draining from his face as I stood up on the table (It was attached to the floor, the reader is perfectly safe up on it), “HEY ALEX!”

At that point, I now have everyone’s eyes on me and I smirked, “JOHN’S GOT A MASSIVE CRUSH ON YOU!” I jumped off the table after taking a quick look at both boys’ bright red faces, and grabbed my phone, dashing out of the lunch hall, knowing I was going to get an earful when we got home. I ran down the hall, wanting to get to my next class, knowing the teacher would let me sit in the classroom, as long as I was quiet, which I normally was. However, I bumped into someone, “Hey, watch where- Hi, (Y/n).”

“Hi, Charles,” I replied, pecking his lips before pulling him along with me to our English classroom and knocking on the door. Once I was allowed entry, I opened the door and pulled Charles in with me.

“Hello, (Y/n). I take it you want to spend the rest of your lunch in here?”

I nodded, “Yeah. I hope that’s okay. I just don’t want to face my brother right now.”

“Fair enough. I won’t impose and ask why, as long as you two are quiet.”

I nodded and sat down in my normal seat, pulling Charles next to me, “Sorry for randomly dragging you off, I just didn’t want John to find us. I may or may not have done something stupid in the lunch hall… I jumped up on the table and shouted to everyone in there that John had a crush on Alex. I’m just sick of him pining after the gremlin, just get on with it and confess already… Oh shit, I probably made Eliza uncomfortable too. I mean, she’s dating Alex, how’s she goin to feel? I’m such a shit sister…” I muttered quietly enough so that our teacher couldn’t hear me swearing.

“You’re not, (Y/n). Hamilton should know the truth. Then he can decide what to do, better than you having to put up with your brother sulking for the rest of his life because he couldn’t get the courage to confess.”

“You’re right, Charles.”

MEANWHILE - JOHN’S POV (Just after you ran out)

I sat there, my face bright red as I tried to avoid eye contact with Alex. Knowing he wouldn’t want to be friends with me anymore…

“Look, Alex, I’m sorry. (Y/n) doesn’t know what she’s talking about. I promise you I don’t have any romantic interest in you. Sorry if what she said made you uncomfortable. I-”

“John, don’t lie to me. I’ve known for ages. I was just waiting for you to say something yourself.”

“WHAT?! I-I… I should go,” I muttered the last statement, standing up and going to walk out of the lunch hall, until I felt a hand grab my wrist, “Where are you going?”

“Away from you, Alexander, please let me go,” I muttered, trying not to show my friends I was crying, and pulled my arm from his grasp and ran out, not caring about the stares I was getting.

-------------------------

“John? There you are.”

“Just leave me alone. I deserve it.”

That’s when I saw a familiar blue dress enter my small field of vision, and I froze up, “ELIZA! Shit, I’m so sorry! Please don’t hate me. I know you and Alex are dating, that’s why I kept it to myself. Honestly, I’m trying to get over it. I-” She shut me up with a kiss and I froze, incredibly confused, “D-did you- Just… I-What?!”

“Alex and I have been talking, John, and well, Alex admitted he’s bisexual, and that he’s in love with you too, and the truth is, I am too.”

“WHAT?!”

Eliza just giggled, sitting down on th bench next to me, “It’s true, John. Now, I think you should go and find your sister and thank her before she starts avoiding you because she thinks you hate her.

--------------------------------- YOUR POV

“You look amazing, (Y/n). Makes me not want to share you.”

“Thanks for the compliment, Charles. Don’t worry, I’m only yours.”

That made his face turn red and he turned his attention to the drink in his hand, bringing it up to his mouth in an attempt to cover the blush, causing me to giggle, “You’re adorable, Charles.”

He smiled at me and placed a hand on my cheek, leaning down and pecking me on the lips.

JOHN’S POV

“John… mon ami, you might want to look at this…”

“What is it, Laf? I’m trying to fin-What the Hell is he doing to her?!” I replied, interrupting myself the minute I saw Lee making (Y/n) laugh. He placed a hand on her cheek and leaned down, kissing her, making my blood boil, “What the HELL is he doing, and why isn’t she stopping him?! Laf, hold me back before I fuck his face up!”

“Mon ami, stop. You cannot control the power of love.”

“WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?”

“Well… mon ami, don’t hate me for being the one to tell you this, but they’ve been dating for the past six months.”

“Why didn’t she tell me?!”

“Probably cause of your reaction, John,” Alex piped in, wrapping his arms around my neck from behind and kissing my cheek, “(Y/n) looks up to you like you’re a god. She puts her relationship with you above everything else, she wouldn’t want you to never talk to her again because of who her boyfriend is.”

“How are you always right, Alex?”

“I do not know, John. But you might want to let her know before she runs off and secretly gets married to him or something.”

I sighed and nodded, knowing Alex was right and walked over calmly to where (Y/n) was standing with Lee.

YOUR POV

“Oh shit, Charles, you might want to run…” I muttered, seeing John walking over out of the corner of my eye.

“I’ve already seen, (Y/n). No point in trying to run, Lee,” John spoke, causing both me and Charles to gulp and for him to remove his arm from my waist. John continued, “I know we do not get on very well, Lee, however, I was informed that you two have been dating for the past six months and (Y/n), you are my sister, I’d always put your happiness over a petty argument. So for your sake, I will try to get along with Lee.”

I smiled widely and hugged him, “So… you’re not mad about the whole lunch hall situation yesterday?”

“Oh…” was all John said, his face turning bright red, “Well... Thanks to your shtick yesterday, I now have a wonderful boyfriend and girlfriend. Thank you, (Y/n).”

“What are little sisters for? I wouldn’t have done what I did if I knew the two of them didn’t like you back,” I replied, hugging him, Now go and have fun with your partners!”

John nodded and walked back over to where Alex and Eliza were, Laf being off dancing with Angelica, and Peggy with Hercules, leaving me with Charles. Not that I was complaining, “I love you.”

“I love you too, (Y/n). Glad your brother didn’t murder me.”

I just giggled and kissed him, “So am I, Charlie, so am I.”

------------------------------END OF ONESHOT

Hehe. Another one. I love Lee so much. And Seabury… I NEED MORE ONESHOTS OF THEM. IF ANYONE KNOWS ANY GOOD LEE OR SEABURY X READER ONESHOTS PLEASE SEND THEM TO ME IN THE COMMENTS.

[tomboyjessie13]

Empty room - Speedwagon Foundation HQ, Washington DC 2011

SPW Agent: *Sitting by the desk with a tape recorder and folders* ...*Hears the door opening, he turns around to see a 41-year-old Irish American woman coming in* Ah, Mrs. Tachibana, welcome.

Medea: *Walks to the desk* Hello there, it's a "preasure" to meet you. 

SPW Agent: "Preasure"? Don't you mean "pleasure"?

Medea: Oh *chuckle*, you'll have to forgive me, I haven't lived in America in 23 years that I kind of developed an accent. 

SPW Agent: So I've noticed. Anyways, *gestures to chair* please take a seat.

Medea: Of course. *Sits down*

SPW Agent: *Turns on recorder* So, Mrs. Tachibana, where do you live nowadays?

Medea: ...Well, for the last 22 years I lived in Morioh, a small seaside town in S City, Japan. Your boys have been there 12 years ago during the whole... *circulates hands* "Akira incident". 

SPW Agent: That's right, we have been there before... So, what do you do for a living?

Medea: Oh same ol', same ol', I've spent most of my time there as a high school teacher, I teach world history to first year high schoolers. I live with my husband, sister-in-law, mother-in-law, and *stops*........

SPW Agent: ...You also have a daughter to, right?

Medea: ........*Frowns* So you've already heard about what happened?........ *Puts her head in her hands, sighing sadly* What happened to Noriko, it's my fault... I just want to spend the rest of my days living a normal life, I never thought that my past sins would catch up to me... and what's worst; my little girl... she got caught up in it. *Sniffles*

SPW Agent: *Gives her a box of tissues* By one of DIO's Agents?

Medea: Yes... *Blows nose* Ironic isn't it? I never agreed on the idea of Noriko working in the Idol Industry and tried to steer her to a more... "safer"...career path, but not like this, I never thought that "he" be the one to ruin it for her by framing her of arson.

SPW Agent: Don't worry, we all know she's innocent.

Medea: *Aggravated* But what about everyone else in Japan? They don't know what really happened! If it ends like this, Noriko would be known as a criminal like how I-*stops*...I-...I'm sorry for yelling, it's just that...

SPW Agent: I understand how you feel...we'll think of something.

Medea: I know...

SPW Agent: Speaking of being a criminal, you still remember your time as one of DIO's Agents, right?

Medea: ........I... I be better off not remembering that I'd ever worked for DIO at all, but here I am still reliving it after all these years... I remember it all like it was yesterday, if I didn't, I wouldn't have told you about what happened to my daughter.

SPW Agent: That's why we're here, we're still learning more about DIO and his criminal organization, and we wanted to get an insider's perspective of it. 

Medea: *Raising eyebrow* Oh really? 

SPW Agent: You mentioned how you lived in Japan for 22 years despite being away from America for 23 years. I can assume that the first year was spent in Egypt with DIO and his Agents, right? 

Medea: ...That's correct.

SPW Agent: We wanted to know how you spent your 1st year there. You don't have to tell us any secrets DIO has, we already know that's he's been hiding them from everyone anyway, we just wanted to know what your experiences with him are like and what led you to pursuing Mr. Joestar and Dr. Kujo.

Medea: ...That's it huh?... Very well, I'll come clean, but this is the last time I want revisit this.

SPW Agent: ...I understand, but keep in mind that we don't have enough time here so give me as much as you can before our session ends for the day.

Medea: Noted. *Clears throat*...It all started on December 8th, 1987...when I committed my very first deadly sin after I found out my ex, Jason Lennon, had cheated on me...*Starts recounting the day her life changed forever and so forth*

- Medea being sent to America's Speedwagon Foundation to explain her side of the story with DIO, this would lead to the events of "Medea and the Agents of DIO" being told via flashbacks. Loosely inspired by Persona 5

(Honestly this would've been done days earlier had it not been for my raging toothache, it's hard to get creative or get any sleep when your mouth's in agony)

[theconstitutionisgayculture]

The far cry 5 confused me, like ever played Assassin Creed 3? Like they did a good job showing the difference between American ideals vs what Congress did.

Like they outed George Washington historical orders to burn down native villages during the Seven Years War and how Congress screwed over the natives after the revolution

But like there was a subset of side quests called the Homestead missions, that showed the American dream. People from different walks of life coming together to make something different, something better, second chances and such.

And journalists was surprised that the normal town folks wasn’t racist to you if your character was non white? I mean, they would be weary of you regardless of race or gender as you are a Marshall so still an outside. Also one of the first marketing for 5 had a black priest show he getting armed to protect his town from the cult

But…the game humanized American townsfolk better than Hollywood been doing for the past decade.

Like a parade of American gun control…despite a French Canadian company executing our ideas better our own entertainment industry.

When you have a chance can you answer this anon? I’m a black American and I thought they did it well.

I've played Assassin's Creed 3 and I didn't really like it, but AC3 really doesn't have anything to do with my point about Far Cry 5 other than providing more evidence of Ubisoft's political leanings.

Ubisoft is a French company run and staffed by mostly left wing people. When they make political statements in their work, those statements are always pushing the left wing side of an issue. Far Cry 5 is very clearly supposed to be a game making fun of rural, religious life and American gun culture. They have two different characters who are large parts of the story who exist solely to make fun of Southern Americans, one of whom is a blatant MAGA stand in. The other is that character's son, a stereotypical stupid redneck who only gets some character development beyond that when he starts going against his father's beliefs. The bad guys are all white and religious and mostly male, while the good guys are multicultural with a lot of female characters. The main character is a federal Marshall and it's that main character who is the catalyst for the good guys finally pushing back the cult. It's not too difficult to see the message there being something along the lines of "rural prepper types who pride themselves on being self-sufficient need the government's help to protect themselves". The intent with Far Cry 5 was very clearly, at least in part, to mock "right wing" ideals and American rural culture.

But what they actually ended up doing was writing a love letter to those ideals and that culture. They ended up portraying most rural folk as accepting and competent people who just want to be left alone to live their lives, and who will do the right thing when they come up against a difficult situation. They ended up illustrating why the second amendment is so important by showing how an armed populace is necessary for fighting against tyranny when the police/government/etc can't, or won't. And yes this tyranny was a cult and not the government, but the point still stands. The fact that Ubisoft ended up "executing our ideas better our own entertainment industry" was by accident because they really don't understand the issues they're commenting on. They're a bunch of left wing French people who have never experienced rural American right wing culture trying to portray that culture from within their own left wing echo chamber, while also needing to tone down the political commentary to sell a video game to the very people they're trying to mock. But even the mockery that does get through ends up backfiring when the metanarrative overrides the written narrative. They focus so hard on making their bad guys out to be right wing religious nuts that they don't realize they're making their good guys out to be a much more numerous population of normal right leaning people fighting back against the extremism on "their" side.