#also my writing doesn't have run on sentences like this I promise

[bethanydelleman]

I just wrote a fan fiction because a character I liked got too depressed and I needed to save them sooner than canon, so yes, I write for personal gratification/because I cannot stop myself, but I share my writing because I hope to bring someone else some enjoyment and if no one tells authors that they are doing that, they won't stop writing (hopefully), but they will stop sharing

[writingwithcolor]

Avoiding the white savior of the kingdom

@ceo-of-angst asked:

Okay so I'm writing a fantasy series. There's two main kingdoms though there is a third but that one doesn't have to do anything with this ask. Both of them are likely as big as a continent each so there are different climates everywhere, therefore there's a lot of diversity even within one country. The issues mostly is between the two kingdoms nationality wise, as there's a war. The prince of one of the kingdoms kills his older brother to gain the throne. This is where the issue starts. They have a younger (half)sister who ends up leading a revolution bc of her brother's bad rule (famine, war, dictatorship and incantation or sentence to fight to the death in war to anyone who doesn't obbey the government etc), she's white, she's helped by my main cast who are all poc (one of them also from nobility) from the other kingdom and I don't want to accidently make it a white savior She's not my main character though if anything we only see into her pov bc of a difference between kingdoms in book 2. Most of the pov is on my main cast so I don't know how this could pay out.

Add diversity to the kingdom

There is a simple solution: don’t make one kingdom all-white or all-BIPOC. Add in diversity and mixed race. You seem to already be doing that, and it’s not an issue of race but rather tyranny. White saviorism is when only a white character can solve a problem for BIPOC and they’re seen as the hero. If it’s a team effort, where your protagonist is fallible but well-intentioned, you should be fine. -Jaya

Questions to ask yourself

This critique got levied at Tamora Pierce’s Trickster series, and it’s a pretty valid critique of the books—every time you have a white person as a figurehead of an otherwise-diverse movement, you’re going to start getting into why this white person, and why then?

It’s especially salient if you have the person come into an already-established rebellion movement. Is her involvement the thing that gets the privilege necessary to make the movement valid? What about her makes her the ideal top person in the organization?

Why is she white?

My first question is: why is she white? Is it related to colorism and classism? If yes, then why are you automatically making the leading group white if there’s so much diversity and so many other groups can trend extremely pale?

Why are the kingdoms so big?

My second question is: why are the kingdoms so big? It’s actually frighteningly hard to run a continent-sized country. If you’re attempting to make these single groups so big simply for ease of worldbuilding, and for diversity’s sake, know that a country does not have to be large to contain a multitude of groups. You are allowed to have political rivalry in a small area and still maintain diversity within it.

How much privilege is she willing to give up?

My third question is: how much privilege is she willing to give up? Is she trying to take the throne for herself, or is she trying to destroy all of the structures that gave her status in the first place? Because that question will determine how willing the PoC around her are going to be. Why would they support a ruler if they’ve been subjugated by that family, with no real promise she’s going to be any different once she gets in power?

On the flipside, why would she be willing to give up any of her privilege in the name of removing her brother from the throne, and what stops her from going off the deep end once she has the ability to control others?

It’s likely doable to make this situation read as less of a white saviour, but in order to do that you’ll likely need to wask yourself a lot of hard questions about your motives and the character arc you want to have with her.

People may see a white savior, regardless

And you’ll also have to ask yourself if you’ll be comfortable with never really being able to avoid some people calling this a white saviour plot. Even if you do “everything right” and follow every bit of advice you can, there’s always going to be some people who aren’t too thrilled that the person saving everyone is white.

So examine your motives, really nail down what you’re trying to show with this, and come to terms with not making everyone happy no matter what you do.

~Mod Lesya

[lostpiewrites]

Sounds like U&Me 🩷

Ft : Yukimiya Kenyu from blue lock

a/n : my handsome king yuki... it's his birthday so i wanted to write sth for him. Happy birthday our dear yuki-meow. It has been shorter compared to my other works so i am upset but here we go...(art credits unknown. also i LOVE that pic because i am using the exact same glasses)

Synopsis : when you ship two characters.

You didn't know it would come to this. Your laptop on your bed , snacks all over you , leaning back to the headboard and watching a stupid show. It was supposed to be a stupid anime... Where you would just watch a single episode for fun while eating and never continue again. But here you are , already addicted that you have dedicated your whole day to it. You were supposed to go out and reward yourself with a date with your bf for the weekend , but you invited him to your home instead because you couldn't stop watching.

The male lead was too cute for your heart to handle , same went for the female lead. And them together , with their little adorably awkward teenage love story was what got you hooked on to the show.

About 30 mins later , you heard some key jingling. Then your beloved bf entered your house. Hearing footsteps , also because of being charged by love-electricity from the show you watched , you rushed to the front door and jumped into his arms.

"Yukiiii babee , i missed you."

He had shopping bags in his hand. So when you launched yourself on top of him in a sudden, he didn't have time to hold you because gravity was unforgiving. You guys ended up on the floor with you on top of him , shopping bags flying away somewhere near the entrance. He laughed while sitting up straight and helping you up on your feet.

"Heyy calm down you little monster. You wouldn't want our midnight snack run to spill all over the floor right ?"

After getting up, he went to wash his hands and you took the snacks into your bedroom. Then settled into your bed , continuing the show you left open. After a few moments , he came back to your side , snuggling beside you and wrapping his arms around your waist. With an unimpressed voice , one eyebrow raised and poking your side, he asks :

"So now you have to tell me , is this the thing my date has been replaced with ? Hmm ? What is it anyways ?"

You giggle as it feels ticklish and squirm away from his finger to the side.

"Heyyyyy , i promise you didn't get "replaced". Here you are , still with me. And i am pretty sure we can count it as a date. And besides , i promise the show will be worth it. Listen , so we have a soccer player male lead and a topper student female lead. It's a high school classic but the actors are looking SO DAMN WELL together."

He listens to you while side-eyeing the laptop and judging your whole existence , making you chuckle in the middle of your sentences. But you try your best to convince him. Telling him how you have been watching it all day today , how it got you addicted , how you ship the two characters , how cringily cute the main characters were. And he sits there cuddling with you and listening you yapping about it happily. After a while he can't help the fond smile and adoring gaze ornamenting his handsome face.

"You look too cute when you are excited about sth. You blink rapidly and talk fast like a toddler. And as for that two leads you "love" , sounds like u&me doesn't it ?"

You look at him with a blush on your face , wondering how in the hell did he manage to steal your heart and make your stomach do the flip YET AGAIN. You sink into his arms and click the play button for the show to continue. With him beside you watching your latest show obsession , you feel guilty but of proud of yourself that you canceled your date and invited him to your house instead.

[ae-azile]

Fadel/Style "One-Shot" (or probably longer 🙄) Idea

Impulsive one-shot idea that I should not start because I am that person with 59496492 WIPs. But here is the general idea:

Three years into Fadel's and Bison's sentence, their relationships with Style and Kant are still surprisingly strong. Style and Kant visit every Wednesday, volunteer on Saturdays and Sundays, and write and send packages so often that they rarely come back to their cell empty handed when the mail arrives. It's hard, but they are past the halfway point and this is finally starting to feel doable.

And then - on visiting day - Style doesn't show up. Fadel doesn't get called back to the visitation room like he always does. Bison does, but Fadel is left alone. He tries his best to not be upset. He has told Style countless times he does not have to come every single visiting day, especially now that he's volunteering. But it's the first day he has ever missed and he never even gave Fadel a head's up. When Bison comes back, he just says that Kant told him Style isn't feeling well and that he's very sorry he couldn't be here. That worries Fadel enough and makes him feel guilty. He spends the rest of the week beating himself up over not being able to tend to Style while he gets over a virus. He's hoping that Style will call. That way, Fadel can let him know to just take it easy until he is completely better and to not feel guilty if he can't visit until that happens.

But he doesn't call. When Fadel gets a turn with the phone, Style doesn't answer. He tries again the following day with the same result. He tries not to assume the worst. Style is sick, so maybe he just isn't up for talking. He just wishes Style would tell him that, even if it is croaked out and they aren't on the phone for more than thirty seconds. Fadel would take it, because he is now jumping to other conclusions.

Maybe Style met someone else. Fadel always told him he could and that he would understand. That always resulted in Style throwing a fit and calling and writing even more, just to tell Fadel off for undermining his love and devotion. Sometimes, Fadel will get multiple letters in one day when Style is riled up like that. He finally got to a point where he understands that Style isn't going anywhere.

But if he isn't answering Fadel's calls, maybe that has changed.

When Saturday comes along and Kant arrives to volunteer, Style is nowhere in sight. Since he can't talk to Style, he corners Kant. He does his best to be reasonable. He even tells Kant he won't be mad if Style found someone else. He just needs to know so he isn't left wondering.

Kant doesn't tell him much of anything. All he does is look at Fadel sadly and hand him a letter. As soon as Fadel finds a private area so he can read it and not become targeted if he bursts into tears, he's glad that he did. It's a single page, just one, long paragraph. He's used to Style writing at least three pages front and back. But he still gets his point across.

I was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia last week. Same as my ma. My 5 year survival rate is about 30%. I am in the hospital now, but I will come back as soon as I am out if you still want to see me. If you don't, I completely understand. I'm sorry I'm not telling you in person, and I'm sorry I didn't answer the phone. It just isn't looking good, and I didn't know how to say it without trying to make light of it. That pisses Pa off, and I figured it would piss you off too. I don't know when I will be discharged. I also don't know when I will lose my hair. Probably soon. Fuck. I don't know if I can pull it off. Whatever. My sex appeal had a good run. Kant can give you updates on that and everything else if you get curious. Again, I understand that you probably don't want to be a part of this. Just write, tell Kant, or give me a call. As long as I am awake, I promise to answer this time. I've been sleeping a lot, but I told Pa to watch my phone Saturday and Sunday in case you do call so he can wake me up.

I love you,

Style

Or...

Style gets diagnosed with cancer while Fadel is in prison and has a bleak prognosis. Fadel feels like his world is completely falling apart as he becomes more and more desperate to find a solution.

I hate it when I get one-shot ideas, especially depressing ones like this LOL. And also, idk if I could make this work as a one-shot. It will probably be very angst heavy if I ever do start it, and I have several KinnPorsche fics I need to get back to. But if anyone is interested in seeing where this could lead, feel free to let me know!

[larluce]

Rules: you will be given a word. Then you share one sentence/excerpt from your wip(s) that starts with each letter of your word!

I was given the word TIME by @tansyuduri . Thank you SO much for the tag! ❤️

The first one is a fragment of the next chapter of my fic From the Grave to the Craddle

The second one, a fragment of the next chapter of my fic Protecting the Dragonlord's Son

The third one, a very future scene that will happen on my Merlin as Arthur's familiar/Arthur's shapeshifter falcon AU

And the fourth one, a scene from Arthur and Merlin travel back in time without knowing the other is from the future too AU that will appear once is fic (Yes I'm working on that too) , which I'm co-writing with @evadne01 and @rubinaitoart by the way!

- T -

The wooden dummy falls to the ground, the sound of the impact muffled by the grass. Arthur gasps, sweat running down his forehead and nose. He's exhausted, he had to defeat ten 'bandits' today, but the adrenaline is still strong in his veins, so he doesn't abandon his defensive stance. He's sure this is the last one, but there was always the possibility that he had miscounted or that his master had added more hidden dummies to take him by surprise.

“Boo!” a voice shouts behind him and Arthur turns quickly, almost dropping the handle of his sword, startled. Those electrifying blue eyes he knows so well look at him mischievously accompanied by a big smile worthy of someone very pleased with himself.

“By the gods, Merlin!” exclaims Arthur. “One of these days I'm going to stab you by accident if you keep doing that.”

“With a wooden sword?” Merlin looks at him with a raised eyebrow. Arthur looks at his sword.

“It's more dangerous than it looks,” the blond defends his trusty weapon, stubborn and proud as only a fourteen-year-old can be.

Besides, I'll soon have a real one, Arthur thinks with excitement, Emrys promised me.

“Your reflexes have improved, Arthur, good job,” as if he had summoned him with his thoughts, his mentor emerges from the shadows. He has a slight smile on his face, just a hint of a smile, and yet it is the widest smile he has seen in years. “Merlin, what did I tell you about butting in on your partner's training?” the old man scolds his other pupil.

“Oh, but he was done!” Merlin retorts, but when he sees that his master does not take his disapproving look away, he sighs. “I'm sorry, I won't do it again.” Emrys just shakes his head.

“Help Arthur out of his armor and we’ll start your training,” the old man turns around and, with a movement of his hand, makes the wooden and straw dolls scattered on the floor stand up, as if they had a life of their own, and follow him in a row behind him, marching.

“You see that?!” exclaims the twelve-year-old warlock, between impressed and irritated, pointing in the direction his mentor went with the fake bandits. “He didn’t even use a spell or anything. He just…” he imitates the movement with his hand in an exaggerated manner. “That!”

“You can also move things without casting any spells, Merlin,” says Arthur as if it were no big deal, while trying to undo the straps of the armguard. “Ow!” he complains when his friend removes the shoulder pad with his arm in the wrong position.

“Don't move,” Merlin warns. “Moving objects is one thing, Arthur, animating them is another. Even with spells it’s hard to achieve-Stop moving!”

- I -

“I’m fine now. Really.”

Arthur stares at his servant’s face for a few seconds to make sure he’s not lying. Merlin knows this, so he holds his gaze, even though he feels self-conscious at the intensity in the prince’s eyes. He understands that after so many lies Arthur doesn’t believe him right away and that they have to rebuild the trust between them.

Merlin understands that, but… Is it necessary that Arthur looks at him straight in the eyes like that?

“Very well,” the prince finally agrees. “Since we have that settled. We need to talk about the dragon.”

“Oh…” Merlin gets nervous again. “Can’t we start with something else?”

The young warlock doesn’t feel comfortable talking about the dragon right now. Not when the worst mistakes he’s made are related to it.

“No, Merlin,” Arthur says in a tone that almost sounds apologetic. “We have to start with this. My father is going to question you about the dragon.”

“What?!” Merlin screams in panic. What does he mean Uther is going to interrogate him again? He barely survived the first interrogation!

Noticing his distress, Arthur quickly grabs his arm with one hand. Merlin is puzzled for a moment. Does he think he's going to run away?

“It's just a routine investigation,” the prince reassures him, and the hand on his arm begins to gently caress him with his thumb. “You were the last to interact with the dragon and the dragonlord, so he wants to know if you have any information that could help stop them.”

Merlin looks away and blushes helplessly. It's absurd, it's not like it was the first time Arthur grabbed his arm or held him this close, but it was always rough and in a camaraderie-like manner. This… this feels more intimate somehow. It's…

As his anxious hands begin to play with the sheet he remembers that he's sitting on Arthur's bed. Right, Arthur has sat him on his bed! Since when does he do that?

“Merlin?” the prince snaps his fingers, bringing his servant out of his thoughts.

- M -

Much to his dismay, Carleon realises how doomed his nephew actually is.

It was no secret that the King of Camelot was a falcon lover, especially merlins. They were the national bird par excellence and their hunting was forbidden throughout Camelot kingdom. He's been informed its King has 6 pet merlins, 1 that turned out to be a magical creature and 5 common merlins that he has entrusted to his most trusted knights and they are better trained than any domesticated bird ever seen in all Albion. Everyone knows that Arthur Pendragon loves those merlins with his life.

And his nephew, his nephew had...

Arthur: (barely contained rage) He shot him with an arrow that went through his wing and chest. (His voice breaks a bit) He was just two years old.

Carleon: I'm sure my nephew didn't mean to... I mean, I don't think he knew it was one of your merlins. He's still not aware of all the new customs of your kingdom. Where we come from, bird hunting is very common-

Arthur: In other words, he didn't even want to kill my merlin in an act of defense or attack, but just for the fun of it.

Carleon: You have to understand. He's young, immature.

Arthur: We're the same age. Are you implying that I'm not mature enough to be king?

Carleon: ...

Arthur: Of course you are. That's why you keep sending raiders to my borders. That's why you haven't wanted to sign a peace treaty or negotiate with me in my nearly two years of reign. You think me incompetent, an easy target, and what word did you use? Immature.

Carleon: Well, you risking your kingdom to go to war with another just because your bird pet was shot doesn't exactly help my image of you.

Arthur: (pauses dangerously, and says in a low voice) "just because your bird pet was shot." (Repeats, raising his voice, furious) Just because your bird pet was shot!

Carleon: We have several falcons in Gwynedd too, I'm sure we can come to an agreement-

Arthur: Blizzard.

Carleon: ... Pardon?

Arthur: My merlin, the one your nephew injured, is called Blizzard. I took care of him since he was an egg, I saw him hatch, I fed him myself, I saw him grow, molt his feathers, he was the first of my merlins to learn to fly. My merlins were one of the few joys and comforts I had after my father passed away and my home was almost burned to the ground, King Carleon. My merlins are not my pets, they are my children and you are offering to replace him?

Carleon: (shocked) No... I mean...

Arthur: Well, I'll give you the same solution. You replace your nephew.

Carleon: (furious and offended) You little brat-

Arthur: Be careful with your words, I think you forget that I still have your prince's life in my hands.

Carleon: (sighs to calm down) If you kill him there will be war. Be reasonable.

Arthur: I tried to be reasonable with you several times in the past and you rejected each opportunity. Don't call me unreasonable now. Your prince committed a crime in my kingdom. If it had been anyone else, the sentence would have been the same. I'm just enforcing the law, it's not my fault that the prince wasn't aware of the laws of the lands he was trying to steal from me. Besides, weren't you looking for the perfect excuse to go to war with me? Well, here it is. Aren't you happy?

Carleon: (threatening) If you execute him, I'll have no mercy when these lands are mine.

Arthur: I admire your optimism, as if Camelot's army wasn't as strong and large as yours. But guess what? Even if you left a river of blood in your wake, nothing, absolutely nothing, will bring you back your beloved nephew.

Carleon: ....

Arthur: (laughs humorlessly, his eyes glazed over) It hurts, doesn't it? You won't see your nephew again and I won't see my Blizzard again. Nothing will bring him back to me.

Carleon: (sighs) Alright, I underestimated you and I was greedy and for that I ask for your forgiveness. I'm willing to negotiate now.

Arthur: I don't want to negotiate. I want justice.

- E -

Everyone eyes are on the sapling now. Horrible realization in their eyes. Gwen gasps and covers her mouth, her eyes watering. Leon pales so much it's almost funny. Percival, who seems dead inside, hardly responsive, opens his eyes wide as the only reaction to the news. Gaius… Gaius already suspected, of course, but it doesn't make him look less devasted.

Gwen: Why? Why would they…?

Arthur: They wanted to punish him. Something about him doing more wrongs than rights with his power, I don't know. (Thinks) And honestly I don't care. Who are they to decide? What right do they have?

Gaius: Rather Merlin wronged them. They’ve meddled in Camelot’s affairs twice before. Lady Sofia and Lord Aulfric. Princess Elena. Merlin stopped them every time.

Arthur: (Thinking) Nobody thought to tell me any of this until now? (Bitterly) So it was personal?

Gaius: I… wouldn't be able to tell.

Arthur: (about to lash out) You knew that and you thought going for them for help was the best idea?!

Gaius: I…

Gwen: (scolds) Arthur! (rests her hand against his arm, and both Leon and Percival bow their heads a little.) I know you're hurt. We are all hurting. But don’t You dare blame Gaius for this. Don't You dare!

Arthur: (composes himself) You’re right. My apologies, Gaius. You are not at fault, lets focus in what we can do to get him back to normal.

....

That would be all.

The word I choose is LATE.

I tag: @evadne01 , @rubinaitoart , @theroundbartable , @ramblings-of-a-chaotic-neutral .

[dropthedemiurge]

Some language comments for Gray Shelter [Episode 5], just like I promised!

"Do whatever/however you want to. (literally: 'Do it the way your heart desires') You do things how you want to anyway."

"I'm sorry" - the translation is correct, it's just it's funny how Yoondae's level of apology to his friend he just lashed out at last time + he wants to ask him for HELP, and all he says is: 미안 (mian). The most informal and short way of apologizing possible. He's so teenager-minded still.

Even when he asks "Can I leave my stuff in your dad's warehouse?" it comes out grammatically more of a demand, like 'Let me do that'. Yoondae is talking like someone who has a lot of walls and doesn't reach out to people, he doesn't talk kindly but he's honest and straightforward and he cries easily but he's very angry about it.

I especially love his facial expression, even when he's at his most miserable, he'll make it everyone else's problem, as if being pitiful is the worst thing that could happen to him. "I have no one else I could ask for help but you >:(("

Fun fact about Korean's sentence structure, when you quote someone or express your thoughts, you put your sentence this way: "quoted phrase" and then + "that's what they said/what i thought/etc". So oftentimes, I see Kdramas use that trick when characters say a phrase... and then take it back with "that's someone else's thoughts" or "that's what you thought I'd say, right? LMAO". It's funny how the translators' way of transferring this was using the word "Sike!" xD

"It wasn't a mistake to me." "If it wasn't a mistake, then [what]? Since you started talking [about it], let me ask you. So what if it wasn't a mistake? What do you want to achieve with me?" "Can I do anything about it? In the past or now, you're the one who runs away and avoids me. I asked you, can I make a decision (do I have any choices)?" "You made the move but you want me to decide? Fine, then. Let sleep together once and end it once and for all. Go wash up first. I don't have time, I only left office for a short time."

The way they both care about each other but their dialogues and words are very sharp and bitter almost all the time, especially here, aaaah. That's the contrast that hooked me for all these 5 episodes. Soohyuk doesn't swear but he's talking to Yoondae very harshly and emotionless here, and for Yoondae harsh talk is the default, it's like Soohyuk is lowering his manners to talk on his level, to provoke him (or maybe that's also how he distances himself from the discovery that Yoondae has feelings for him).

And Yoondae is holding back his frustration and tears, but he understands the way such words were aimed to hurt him, so instead of lashing out back at Soohyuk, as he probably wants him to, he swallows and unusually calmly, almost softly says: "Let's talk when you can be honest. Because I will shut up and wait for you."

And it makes Soohyuk stand there in shock and contemplate.

I'll add next scenes in READ MORE since this post is getting long!

Here's the moment when the boss asks their youngest employee to write something more 'trendy' for their marketing text xD It's very true that trends in Korea come and go very quickly, they also love to invent new terms and phrases all the time. Like "MZ slang", there are many phrases, and the one trendy phrase the boss uses as the example is 킹받네 (king-pad-nae) which literally written as 'receive the king' but means "I got angry" - but with a teasing/playful subtext, like friends could say each other 'ah you're so cute, it makes me angry'.

If I'm not wrong, this phrase was widely used like 1-2 years ago and not really in its trendy peak as well right now but kudos to boss to even learning it xD And it's funny how translator chose to (I assume) use "[living in my head] rent-free" phrase as a substitute. Another fun fact, they ended up using some trendy lingo in their ad that translator gave us as "no cap!" but that part of phone msg was so blurry, I couldn't see which exact Korean phrase they ended up using x)

"Hyung, if you have any ask for help, say so. For you, 2 million... No, I'll try to give you until 3 million won in any way."

Can I just say that we had this character for one moment and I'm so not ready to let him go, I want Jeongwan to have his own storyline and everything and he's too sweet and also caring for strangers/his colleagues, and so he stole the spotlight for me xD

Yoondae said there's no food at home. But also, as you can see, there is: beer, water, rice that you can cook in the microwave, kimchi for a side dish and some other microwaved food. According to my Korean friends, typical Korean person (poor like student) can survive if they have rice, kimchi and also ramyeon. That's their the most basic food. Just a fun fact. xD

Also he was on his third can of beer, and he already made a drunken longing call on the verge of tears to Soohyuk, lying about being hurt and bringing trouble just so he'd return home. "Is that okay with you?" - just shoot me, please. :')

"I called [the cleaning service/you] to tell you to stop it [sleeping outside of home]" "Let's have that dinner [that I promised you] today. Wait for me."

After days, Yoondae was ready to give up, he "tricked" Soohyuk to return home just so he could tell him he'll move out and stop pushing any talk. And then, Soohyuk brought up the dinner (the feelings) that he kept avoiding. No wonder Yoondae looked so struck and confused. It just gave him his hopes back (and viewers too, but we probably should've known better with this kind of series haha)

Interesting cultural context: they are getting samgyeopsal - grilled meat, chosen by Soohyuk because Yoongdae said there wasn't anything he wanted to eat. And usually, the youngest one has to set the cutlery and grill meat, out of respect for the seniors. And here we see that Soohyuk is the one choosing the place, menu and even grilling the meat and pouring soju for Yoondae.

Once again, it shows that despite Yoondae's emotions and pleads, he is not mature enough, he is not ready to focus on other people. We know he can't plan his own future, he doesn't know what to do, and we see where their relationship stands now - Yoondae is still more of a burden than an equal partner to Soohyuk, and Soohyuk is more of a parent.

Even when they drink soju (in Korean drinking etiquette usually you don't drink alone, you toast together and drink together), notice how they don't even clink their glasses together, then Soohyuk is the only one drinking and Yoondae wants to follow him but puts the glass back. He's taking a shot later, when Soohyuk grills the meat again. They are totally unsynchronized at this point of their lives, and it's painful to watch.

"I said he [my father] was dead because that's the truth/reality for me. There was no other [hidden] meaning. I didn't plan to lie to you."

"I moved out completely. If I don't organize my life starting from doing this, then I don't think I'll be able to live like all the other [normal] people."

The fact that Yoondae started thinking about improving his life (the word 'organizing'), immediately made Soohyuk stop in surprise. So he started asking what does the normal life like others mean to him, hopeful to find that equal adult footing from Yoondae... but Yoondae's thoughts stopped there. And Soohyuk offered his own goal and life meaning: "to have a place to go back to, that's enough for me".

Here's when Yoondae thoughtfully agreed with him: "It's important to have a home", and took the meat tongs from Soohyuk, saying how high-maintenance he is. Yoondae embraced that realization, he took the responsibility (even a small cultural gesture) and even though Yoondae nagged him, Soohyuk smirked. Because it wasn't a completely hopeless situation. And Yoondae proved it, by saying how eating like this and going home together is his normal life as well. (and yet they were still unsynchronized until the very end! we can't have happy ending yet)

AND HERE IS WHERE I HAVE TO MAKE A SECOND POST! Because tumblr only allows 30 images in one, and I can't stop screenshotting the last conversation so I'm going to make another post that you can find in 'gray shelter comments' or 'dropthemeta' tags (upd. or here's the link to the post!)^^

[lovelyhan]

SVT HARD HOUR

Maybe a SVT member and their partner are in a relationship where the rest of the members (and the world) thinks the SVT member is the lead in the relationship but in reality their partner is.

Like it’s really important for him to be seen as the lead so she let’s him be seen as it.

Partner is normally really relaxed about the teasing but one day he takes it too far where she whispered that if he keeps this up, he not gonna like where it’s heading.

He keeps pushing so the members learn who is really the lead.

Hahaha this was a lot more detailed then what I meant. I don’t really have a member in mind. I am gonna be happy with whoever you choose.

Sooo, have fun writing ✍️

@hwanghyunjinenthusiast also asked: Because I love you <3 Also going to try to switch it up lol.

Consider edging Mingyu. You know he'd get all whiney and desperately try to buck his hips up into you when you stay completely still on top of him. Massive hands needily grabbing at your hips. In an attempt to steady himself or encourage you to move, you're not sure.

It'd be so cute how teary-eyed he'd be. His big cock twitching inside of you incessantly but, he'd try his best to hold on. Because he wants to be good for you.

NEEDY — MINGYU

surprise surprise <3 i'm sifting through my inbox for old requests that have been gathering dust since may!! i've been missing mingyu a lot these days so here's a quick drabble :3c

tags: f!reader, sub!mingyu, smut (MINORS DNI)

"is it really such a big deal for you to be the one that calls the shots, gyu?"

a whine is caught in the back of your boyfriend's throat as you drag your finger across the swell of his adam's apple, pinning him in place with a disgruntled stare.

mingyu knows he's been a little...over the top today — making a show of bossing you around just to fool his friends into thinking he's the one that runs this relationship, or whatever bullshit patriarchal nonsense he's got brewing inside his head. normally, you would've played along with his need to be seen as anyone but the big pouty man-puppy he actually is.

however, after making a snide comment that made every one of the boys stare at you warily as if waiting for a violent reaction, you decide that you've had enough of mingyu's big scary dom roleplay.

"i'm better off making dinner for you in the kitchen, huh?" you narrow your eyes, forcing mingyu's chin up as you clench around his aching cock. "now what made you think that, gyu? did you really mean what you said? because i'll be really upset if you did."

"n-no, baby, i was just fooling around," mingyu pleads, large hands digging into your hips as he forces himself not to buck up into the warmth of your cunt. "you know the guys tease me enough as it is, so i was just trying to —"

"be a sexist little shit to your girlfriend?" you finish the rest of the sentence with a disappointed huff. "i know you were just trying to get the guys off your back, but i expected more from you, gyu.

"after all, we both know just how needy you are when i'm the one calling the shots."

he sniffles, tears glistening in his eyes. it's almost adorable. "i'm sorry, baby, i —"

the noise that rumbles in his chest is caught between a groan and a whimper when you lift yourself up on his lap before slamming back down with more force than you typically do. despite the frustration rolling off of you in waves, your boyfriend's big cock still does the job in stemming your irritation from his earlier antics, and with how eager mingyu is to be good for you, you suppose you can forgive him.

that doesn't mean you'll make things any easier for him though.

"if you're really sorry, you'll sit there like a good boy while i get myself off," you coo before establishing a languid pace — riding your boyfriend as you press your foreheads together while you drill every word into his head. "my puppy can do something as simple as that, right?"

"yes. i promise — i promise i'll be good," mingyu mewls adorably, the muscles of his thighs tensing from the sheer effort he's exerting to stay still. "f-fuck, your pussy's so warm, baby."

"i didn't give you permission to start running your mouth, now did i?"

it's hard to miss how his cock twitches inside you — clearly enjoying the way you put him in his place no matter how much he tells his friends otherwise. you simper before leaning down to nip at his lobe, purposely moaning into his ear as you repeatedly slam your hips back down on his.

"i'd tell you that your huge cock is all you're good for but i won't. you know why, gyu?" you whisper as you try not to lose yourself to the delicious stretch of his girth. "that's because i fucking love you. so i suggest — ah, fuck — for you to choose your words carefully next time. got it, puppy?"

despite sounding more and more breathless with each passing second, mingyu thinks it's hot that you're lecturing him while you fuck him into incoherence. he decides then and there that he doesn't give a shit if his friends find out how submissive he actually is — both in the bedroom and your relationship in general.

your big, beefy boyfriend is powerless against you after all.

"'m so close," mingyu sighs as you start kissing down his neck, nimble fingers gliding across his nipples for added stimulus. "wanna cum inside you, baby... can i?"

you don't respond right away — too caught up in chasing after your own pleasure to give him another thought. but mingyu doesn't mind because fuck. you look so sexy like this, tits bouncing with every downward stroke as his big cock batters your cunt.

but just when he's about to feel his orgasm boil over, you lift yourself off your boyfriend's cock. this earns you a desperate whine in protest from mingyu which you promptly shut up by tipping him backwards, forcing him flat on his back before positioning your sopping pussy over his face.

"you think you deserve it after that stunt you pulled?" you chuckle darkly, delighting in the way mingyu's big arms automatically wrap themselves around your thighs to hold you in place. "make me come on your face first, puppy. then i'll think about whether or not i want you to finish inside me tonight."

you'll let him. you'll always let him.

but the fun thing about being with mingyu is that he never really backs down from a challenge.

[dykeomania]

ellie williams deserves to go to a pride parade,

a run-on-sentence-ramble it's corny liiike i'm not even writing i'm just daydreaming and giggling oh my god i love queer joy we oooouuutsssiiiiiiiiiideeeee

and to wear the ugliest fucking adam-sandler-ass-outfit that the world has literally ever seen. i'm talking like.. reebok club c's. nike socks, rolled all the way up. oakley sunglasses on her head that she stole from that one abby bitch who rows crew. jorts, with a carabiner, looped on her outermost left belt buckle (a big ass contradiction if ykwim because mind you, she's also wearing an oversized ass t-shirt that reads in the largest lettering known to man: quote, I LET FEMMES TOP ME!, end quote). she deserves to be grumpy while riley takes forever to get ready (she's like almost done, she's just doing her edges) and to vehemently protest against cat who promises that she won't draw a dick on ellie's face but that she just really really wants to put glitter on her cheeks 'cause she thinks it'll look cute. she deserves to have her eyes light up at the sight of her lover, and sit up straighter from the comfort of her manspread once she realizes that she's coming this way. deserves to reel her in by her matching carabiner (also on the left side -- someone's llyiiinnnggg), and tell her that she looks cute. deserves to grin up at her and coyly ask her if she looks stupid. deserves to have her face cupped, her nose softly nudged against, and to have a small ..mmnnn..nnyyyeah murmured against her lips. deserves to tell her lover to shut the fuck up through a snicker and to -- amidst the disgust of the audience behind y'all -- take a second to just swim in the remnants of jello shots left behind on each other's tongues -- the ones you both took earlier (at like.. 11?am?) that left hers, red, and yours, orange.

she deserves to be the first one of your group to begin walking backwards down the beginning of the parade. nevermind the seemingly infinite spawn of white gay twinks and fashion choices that are somehow.. worse! than hers -- she's facing her friends. she's giving them a look. her arm is outstretched, and her hand is holding that of her girl's who she thinks, this time, she might actually really love. she deserves to hold some $5 lemonade above her head while annoyingly shuffling her shoulders to rain on me by lady gaga, and to be clowned (mercilessly) because 1) she's catching no beat, not one and 2) i thought you didn't even wanna come, what happened? deserves to shrug her shoulders at y'all because.. well, she doesn't know. there's something about it all -- being outside, being surrounded by the energy and screams of pure happiness down the streets -- like maaaybbeee.. it warrants a change of heart. she deserves to struggle to twirl her girl over and underneath her shoulder. deserves to kiss the question clean off your cheek, and to have her chuckles blend in with your giggles while she grits the lyrics, off-key as ever and this time, directly in your ear.

she deserves to make the hike all the way to the greenery that holds drag shows, free stickers, face painting, educational pamphlets on lgbtq+ sex education, free food, outnumbered preachers, fucking larpers?!, you name it -- deserves it all. deserves to venture towards it with something cheshire on her face. with her friends by her side, and her girl against her ribcage. deserves to wonder why she is so fucking into it now. maybe she's just tipsy, or sundrunk. maybe it's the exhaust in the air, or the vibes in the streets, whatever. but honestly? maybe she's smiling so fucking hard because this is just, plain and simple, right where she's supposed to be.

:)

[insufferableprotagonistpoll]

Round 1

Propaganda why Dr. Heinrich Faust is insufferable:

"Dude is an old disgruntled man that does nothing but complain. He gets the coolest sidekick (Mephisto) who grants him the power of looking hot and young again and what does Faust do with that power ?

-- no suspense here we all read the play. He seduces an underage girl (Gretchen), impregnates her then fucks off to party with a bunch of witches for 9 months, after wich Gretchen is sentenced to death for killing the resulting infant after you know....BEING A SHELTERED YOUNG WOMAN NOT REALLY KNOWING WTF TO DO WITH A NEWBORN.

And then Faust cries to her about it in prison.

Faust sucks. "

"INSANE over him being submitted and SURE i'll go along with it. He is supposed to be insufferable, clearly. Which REALLY starts in the Gretchentragödie. Where he (middle aged scholar) tries to get with a 14yr old girl (and manages to) and kills like her whole family. The reason this is extra infuriating is because in the first part of the drama he's actually quite relatable. Whining about how he has nothing to live for and how he studied everything there was at the time and he STILL doesn't get what the world's really about. He also recognizes that nature and culture have a lot to offer instead. So what does he do when a demon promises him a fulfilled life in a deal? Of course he decides to groom a 14yr old. Cool writing, there's a reason it's a classic. But yeah, he's Supposed to suck and be infuriating. He acts like a little BITCH towards mephisto, the demon, asks him for shit all the time, like a toddler. In my opinion, gay sex would have fixed him. If a demon told me he'd give me anything to make life worth my time i know who I would bang instead of the 14yr old. Not only does he wanna be with her but he's so BAD at it too. Failure of a man. You WILL want to punch him"

"Rarely have I ever loathed a character as much as Faust.

He starts relatable enough, wanting to know more than possible and stuff, but he is incapable of accepting a no. Desperation and hubris are fun, don't get me wrong, but he is so incredibly annoying about it.

My main issue is his obsession with Gretchen though. Like. My guy gets deaged into youth and needs to fuck the first girl he sees. Buddy, she's, like, 16 At Most (probably 14 actually but I don't remember). You're literally an old fuck of a professor. And like, you literally keep calling her a child and ignoring all her concerns and her values! The only times you agree with her are to placate her so you can still get in her pants!!

And like. He literally admits this outright. He literally says he doesn't care what happens to her as long as he gets what he wants. He manipulated a teenage girl into accidentally murdering her mother during their first time. Then he leaves her alone! She's pregnant, that's a death sentence!

And AFTER the fever dream of Walpurgis Night or whatever he's like "ohhhh I love you so much please run away with me and abandon all your values again" LITERALLY SHUT THE FUCK UP THIS IS YOUR FAULT.

YOU LITERALLY HAVE A LIFE TIME OF EXPERIENCE YOU KNEW EXACTLY WHAT YOU WERE DOING AT ALL TIMES YOU'RE A MISERABLE ARSEHOLE WHO KILLED HER AND SOMEHOW YOU STILL DON'T RESPECT HER AS LIKE A HUMAN????

Like even for the time! That's fucked up! Even in the fucking context of Goethe's time that is messed up!!

Anyway I haven't yet gotten to read the second book but I'll do it literally just to watch Faust die. I need him to die so badly. He's such a horny, selfish, holier-than-thou bastard who thinks he's better than everyone because he's do "big picture" and "studied all fields of science" and then acts Like That. I'm chewing on his remains. I hope he suffers forever.

Like. You could have done anything. But instead you manipulated a teenage girl (and like, literally, not the tumblr usage) just to sleep with her, doomed her for your own pleasure and then had the gall to throw a fit and make her death all about yourself, and still didn't acknowledge her as a person even once. I hope you choke on your ego, Dr. Heinrich Faust."

Propaganda why Victor Frankenstein is insufferable:

"Victor Frankenstein is so pathetic not even tumblr could love him. The best parts of Frankenstein are the ones where your blessedly saved from being in his whiny, self deprecating, self centered pov. He’s so conceited that when his creation tells him directly “In revenge for killing the wife you were making for me I’m going to kill YOUR wife to see how YOU like it!”, Victor Frankenstein thinks that the creation is going to kill him and *only* him. (A decision And on top of it, he’s a shitty dad. Truly the worst.c

"this fucker has zero self awareness, which could maybe be fun to read about! except that 3/4 of the book consists of him constantly woe-is-me-ing about his own mistakes and how he shouldn't be responsible for any of his own actions."

"He's not irredeemable, but his refusal to take accountability til it's too late is irritating"

"The man has never one in his life taken responsibility for his own actions. He's always surprised when the things he does have consequences for him and the people around him.

"It's not my fault I spent months grave robbing for spare body parts, sewing them together, and giving life to the results. How could I have ever predicted that that creature wouldn't look quite right? How could I have known that it was wildly irresponsible to abandon the grown man sized newborn that I created?"

Man acts like he is a completely innocent victim when, in reality he's the cause of every one of the problems in the book."

[larkral]

Oh hello again! Twice in one week? I KNOW! Thanks for the tags @imagineacoolusername @orange-peony @thewholelemon @wellbelesbian @mooncello

@run-for-chamo-miles @roomwithanopenfire and @monbons !!! Such an active week. I love it! Excited to read the COBB stuff that's coming out, and VERY enticed by many snippets and arts being posted right now!

So, this week has been a lot, BUT I did some crafting AND I started writing my Firstprince Soulmate BS. It is now over a thousand words? I don't know. My brain works in mysterious ways. My crafting is making a lampshade. I don't know, because I am very particular about what I like? Steps one and two of about a thousand steps on the current project I'm working on, but that's more than zero!

I've also done some work on Simon's two mums this week, though not quite as much as the Firstprince soulmates. So. Have six sentences of each:

Finally (already, always):

At lunch, after I sit down, Baz sits opposite me. He grits his teeth.  "Thank you," he says. Then into his water glass, he mutters, "Sorry." "Yeah," is all I can get out.  Penny sits down and doesn't say anything about it.

First Prince Soulmates BS:

 "Sorry, I'm only used to dressing like this at fundraising galas for the British Ornithological Society." "Of course," Alex volleys back, "The natural habitat of duck jokes." She laughs again, the column of her neck elongating as her head tilts back in delight, and Alex wonders if there might be at least one upside to having to attend The Royal Wedding.  He wonders if there's any way he can ask her if she intends to continue studying the annual coloration changes in the Gadwall remicle as they relate to anatidae seasonal monogamy and whether she thinks there's really an evolutionary path by which that's related to the wrist banding mark in humans. You know, without revealing himself as both a soulmate freak and a duck sex freak. There definitely isn't.

I promise there's a good explanation for why I've made Alex someone who knows all about duck sex, even though it may never appear on screen.

Tags under the cut!

I don't know who to tag for firstprince other than the folks I've already tagged for first prince and @kiwiana-writes, so consider yourself tagged in if you're a firstprince Six Sentence Sunday person.

Also tagging my usual Simon Snow crew: @stitchyqueer @confused-bi-queer @raenestee @facewithoutheart @whogaveyoupermission

@cutestkilla @hushed-chorus @sillyunicorn @you-remind-me-of-the-babe @basiltonbutliketheherb

@ileadacharmedlife @asocialpessimist @bookish-bogwitch @aristocratic-otter @captain-aralias

@petedavidsonscock @artsyunderstudy @carryonvisinata @takenabackbytuesdays @martsonmars

@nausikaaa @nightimedreamersghost @chen-chen-chen-again-chen @ionlydrinkhotwater @that-disabled-princess

@shrekgogurt  @palimpsessed @fatalfangirl​ @blackberrysummerblog​ @valeffelees

@j-nipper-95 @youarenevertooold @emeryhall @run-for-chamo-miles @talentpiper11

[winxanity-ii]

✦ 𝐏𝐒𝐀: 𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐈𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐬, 𝐑𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 ✦

I love when people are excited about my work. I really do. The fact that someone wants to share a thought, headcanon, or random idea with me because they believe in my writing? That means the world.

That being said—I do not take full story or book-length requests. Especially not ones that come with deep plots, backstories, power systems, and expectations for credit or accuracy. That's not how I work, and I want to be honest with that upfront so no one feels misled.

Here's why:

• My creative process doesn't work like that.

I'm already juggling multiple storylines and characters in my head at all times. I don't write from blueprints—I write from sparks. Give me one sentence, one emotion, one moment—and I'll build a world around it. But I don't write based on outlines someone else gives me. Not because I don't appreciate the idea, but because that kind of story no longer feels like mine.

• I change things. Like… a lot.

If you give me a premise, I will twist it, flip it, and transform it until it's something else entirely. A perfect example is Godly Things. It started with a single line: "What if Apollo accidentally created his own self-fulfilling prophecy?" That was it. One idea. And now? It's evolved into a multi-layered, myth-based epic with politics, trauma, romance, and divine war. That's just how I create.

• There's a line between inspiration and expectation.

Sharing a cool headcanon or what-if scenario is fun. But sending full plots, expecting me to stay true to them, and asking for credit crosses into a territory that makes writing feel pressured—not joyful.

So let me make this clear for everyone:

I am not accepting book-length ideas or co-writing pitches.

One-shots, moodboards, or "what if..." suggestion?

Sure. That's fun.

But I will never write someone else's full story.

Please don't take this personally—it's not a jab at anyone. It's about protecting my creative energy and making sure the stories I tell feel true to me.

Thanks for understanding, and for always supporting the wild ideas that do come to life.

— Xani

EDIT [05/12/2025]:

I posted in ch.55 a/n but imma paste it here as well. but like i said above, in the PSA:

I promise, I didn't just wake up one day and write Godly Things fully formed. my first works on here were… HORRIBLE AS FUCK!! lololo:

(info before reading: this was a fic I made at 12 💀 after reading James Patterson 'Maximum Ride' series, it was named 'Windless' and since I was also obsessed with BTS at the time it/this was a fem!reader x Jungkook with hints of various)

Blurb:

00 |

⊱ ── ⊰

"Code red!"

"Code red!"

"Subject S-04 has escaped the premisses!!" A robotic voice says over the intercom, causing you to cover your ears due to the loudness.

"I repeat, subject S-04 has escaped the premisses!!" The voice screeches on the intercom.

Your heart thumps against your chest as you run down the white hallway.

Everywhere you turn, it seemed as if you started right back at step one. Each hallway identical to the last, with red alarms blazing above you.

"Get her! She couldn't have gone far!!!"

Hearing this, you push yourself father than you've ever did before.

You stop, pushing yourself against the wall as soon as you meet a dead end. Panic fills your entire being at the thought of getting caught.

Your heart races as the sound of thundering footsteps comes closer. Having no where to turn, you fall down onto your knees in a surrendering position, ready to give yourself up without a fight.

"Come on [Y/N]! Let's go!" A voice screams out, roughly grabbing you by the shoulder.

A breath of relief tumbles pass your trembling lips when your eyes land on your captor.

"Taehyung," You nearly cry out, so happy that he made it out safely.

His hard eyes soften just a little bit once it lands on you.

"Come on [Y/N] we don't have time to waste, we have to meet the others at the spot." He says, quickly pushing you up a flight of steps as the sounds of yells and gunshots fill the air.

Just as you turn around the corner, Taehyung nearly misses getting hit by an array of bullets.

"There's two of them on the twelfth floor! They're trying to get to the rooftop! Block off all possible exits!" One of the soldiers radio as soon as the both of you come into view.

"Roger that." A grumbled voice replies through the walkie talkies.

You shiver as a dangerously low growl pass through Taehyung's lips.

Your eyes grow large as his usually light brown, doe ones begins turning pitch black.

In a flash, he un-arms the group of soldiers, killing them execution style with their own weapons, without a single remorse.

"All exits closed. Backup is being sent to the twelfth floor to detain fugitives." A disoriented voice crackles out through the device on one of the soldier's body.

The heavy footsteps of Army boots echoes against the walls the longer the both if you stay in place.

"Let's go." Taehyung spits out, walking through the pile of dead bodies as if they were nothing.

The two of you continue your journey towards the rooftop. Just as you reach the door, a series of loaded guns stops you in your tracks.

"Put your hands on top of your head, and freeze." A soldiers orders, surrounding the both of you in red dots.

Shaking, you do exactly as they say, only to tense up once you notice Taehyung not.

"I said get on your knees with your hands behind your head." The soldier spits out, fed up with Taehyung's resistance.

"I'm not about to do shit." Taehyung lazily says, as if he didn't have multiple guns pointed at him all at once.

"If you don't do what I have ordered in the next ten minutes, you will be shot." The soldier yells, spit flying out of his mouth, angry at Taehyung's resistance.

When Taehyung refuses to do what was told one of the men shots a stray bullet your way, scarily missing your head. A whimper falls from your lips as it skims past your ear, grazing it.

"I said drop onto your motherfucking knees, or your friend gets one right through her fucking head." The soldier yells out, sure enough moving the laser right between your eyebrows, directly on your forehead.

A low, inaudible growl pass between Taehyung's lips.

Taehyung slowly moves and drops onto his knees, hands behind his head

"When I say go, I need you to go through the window that's to the left of the guards." Taehyung mumbles to you underneath your breath.

Wide-eyed, you look over only to see that there was indeed a window.

"B-but what about you?" You ask him, tears beginning to cloud your vision.

"Don't worry about me [Y/N]. My only priority is getting you out of here and to Jungkook in one piece." Taehyung mumbles out as the soldiers creep closer and closer.

"Now when the time comes. You need to do exactly what I told you [Y/N]. Do you understand?" Taehyung asks, his eyes turning pitch black once again.

You fail to answer, wanting nothing more then to just jump into his arms and never let go.

"Do you understand?" Taehyung growls out when he doesn't receive and answer.

"Y-yes." You say bowing your head in defeat.

"Good." And that was all he said before all hell broke lose.

As soon as the first guards came close enough to reach you, Taehyung breaks his neck in seconds. The rest of the guards still in shock, not expecting it to happen.

"[Y/N]! Run!" Taehyung screams, breaking the trance everyone was in. A second later, bullets fly everywhere as you bound towards the window.

Just as you bust through the glass, you take one more look behind you, and your heart nearly leaps out of your chest when you do.

Taehyung fighting off the throng of soldiers that's surrounding him. One stab him in the shoulder with a silver knife, but he rips out his throat with his bear-hands as if he was nothing.

Taehyung makes eye-contact with you for a split second, making it his downfall. Taehyung eyes widen once he realized his mistake of getting off track, but it's too late because a solider behind him stabs him in the neck with a needle.

A tear fall down your face as he stumbles around, unable to fight off the remaining soldiers tackling him to the ground. Shots ring out just as you throw yourself through the glass window.

You shelter your face. For a moment you feel at peace as your body falls down towards Earth.

Your wide, black wings rip out from beneath your back just as you're about to hit concrete ground, lifting you up into the air.

With a small smile on your face, you welcome them back as the wind whizzes through your wings, ruffling up your feathers in a way that brings comfort.

You fly into the night sky, the only thing on your mind is reaching Jungkook and the rest of your family.

Ahhhhhh!!! Y'all don't bully me too hard fr. I swear I was literally convulsing in my bed from secondhand embarrassment 😭😭 but yeah this was baby-writer me in all her chaotic glory. and the only reason I didn't continue past chapter 7 (which is a mess, like genuinely what was I doing 😭) is because I hadn't figured out how to manage my writing energy yet. I burnt myself out. BUT. even now, I still love it. It was my first real attempt—and though it's so fucking horrible and cringey to me now, I love how far I've come since then. anyways, I subjected y'all to that little time capsule of horror just to say: we ALL start somewhere. reading has always been my obsession—it was my comfort, my escape, my main fixation for years. writing came later, and when I finally gave it a try, I quickly realized I wasn't some natural-born prodigy or anything 💀. I wasn't the best, not by a long shot. but it was something. It was mine. and that was enough to keep going. so if you've got something in your head or heart—even if it feels messy or unworthy—just start. because the truth is, nobody writes a masterpiece on their first try. what matters is that you begin. that you make something that's yours. 💗

[wingsoverlagos]

Lewisohn's Little Mysteries

I should be posting the next piece dissecting the Mark Lewisohn/Kim Bennett/Parlophone contract saga--it's in the works, I promise! @mythserene and I are typing and scheming and typing some more--but most of my time has been put towards checking a zillion citations, and I wanted to share a little something before my next proper piece. The zillion-checked-citations will hopefully be available in some form soon; enjoy this as a snack to hold you over 'til dinner.

As we know, Mark Lewisohn likes to bust a myth, tear down our preconceived notions, and shed light into the murky corners of Beatles history (source: Mark Lewisohn.) But there's another pattern I've noticed while checking his citations: he likes to inject a little ambiguity every now and then where perfect clarity is possible.

I've run across a few cases of this--I'll try to dig those out and add them later--but I was struck by this example from The Best of Fellas (2002), Spencer Leigh's biography of Bob Wooler. Lewisohn sets up a little mystery, writes that there's something we simply don't know--all the while, the source is perfectly clear.

Tune In 18-46 vs. Leigh 2002 p.147

This section discusses the Beatles' plans to not pay Allan Williams a percentage for their second string of gigs in Hamburg. From Tune In:

Paul tells Bob Wooler they won't be paying Allan Williams commission; Paul adds that he suspects Wooler will tell Williams, as the two are friends. Wooler agrees--yep, he's going to tell Williams. Then Lewisohn introduces his petite paranthetical mystery: "(It isn't clear if or when Wooler did, however.)"

Now, from The Best of Fellas (this, like much of the book, is told through a quote by Bob Wooler himself):

To quote Wooler, "I did tell Allan and he was fuming about this." If you're struggling with the subtlety and intricacy of this quote (hi, Mark!), I'll reiterate the key phrase: "I did tell Allan." Sure, he doesn't give an exact date or anything, but from the general context, we can assume it occurred around the same time.

Why? Why does he do this? He had to actively write out that it "wasn't clear" if Bob told Allan about the Beatles' financial scheme. It would have been simpler (and more correct) to not write that. This is very strange behavior! Though I have a better understanding of Lewisohn than when I started, I still don't get why he does things like this--why introduce this ambiguity to the record when the answer is in your source, in the very same paragraph?

Also strange: that bracketed "to me" at the start of the quote. “Paul said [to me], ‘I suppose you’re going to tell your mate…’” Using brackets to clarify ambiguity in a quote is fine, but where is the ambiguity here? If someone says, “Paul said, ‘You’re going to…’” it is understood that Paul is talking to the speaker. Lewisohn even says, in the sentence before the quote, “Bob Wooler later related how Paul told him that…” There isn’t a shred of ambiguity here. Don’t amend a quote if you don’t have to! Let the words speak for themselves!

Sources:

Leigh S. 2002. The Best Of Fellas: The Story of Bob Wooler, Liverpool’s First D.J. Liverpool: Drivegreen Publications Ltd. 264p. Accessed online 2024 Apr 23. Available from: https://archive.org/details/bestoffellasstor0000leig/mode/2up

Lewisohn M. 2013. The Beatles: All These Years Vol. 1: Tune In. New York (NY): Crown Archetype. [ebook]

[bigbraidenergy]

sentence starters: across the universe

a part i gift to @tragedynoir for the 2024 gift exchange <3

i chose this movie for sentence starters, because i liked the vibes of it based off of your sun anke character, as well as her friend played by ashley moore! i obviously don't know the muses well, and the description was somewhat vague, buuuut... between her struggling with her sense of self, her dog-eat-dog mentality, her being an artist, seeking validation/etc, and the best friend being a bubbly actress, there's just a lot of themes there that reminded me of the movie. i suppose the movie has also been on my mind lately with some themes being on-point for irl issues as well. i hope you enjoy!

I can't have no one screwing up my beauty sleep before 2:00 PM.

What you do defines who you are.

Music's the only thing that makes sense anymore. Play it loud enough, it keeps the demons at bay.

I understand you need to get away.

I can't pretend like it didn't happen.

This was just a crappy wall, and now it's a work of art.

Time is not on our hands. Time is slipping through them.

If nobody's everybody, then someone can be anybody, right?

(about a sketch) Hey, you didn't get my left nipple right.

Well, I was drawing from a distance. I couldn't see it properly.

We're in the middle of a revolution!

What are you doing — doodles, and cartoons?!

You don't think it's worth trying?!

We all wanna change the world.

Don't you know it's gonna be all right?

I've never seen [her/him/them] like that…

Why did you stop writing?

It all seems a bit unreal.

They should be radical. You should be radical. We should all be radical.

Everything's really okay, I promise...

Well... everything below my neck works fine, anyway.

All you need is love.

the rest are under the cut!

I told myself, "When I'm 64, I'll be long gone from this place." But I'm still here.

You're gonna miss this place.

I sometimes feel you're not telling me everything.

I'll be back before you know it.

You need a break from me? Is that what this is?

While I'm away, I'll write home every day and send all my loving to you.

No such professor here. Listen, I've pissed off every professor in Princeton, and they're not one of them.

I believe I'm your [son/daughter/child].

Did [she/he/they] find someone else?

There were a few hopefuls over the years. I think I scared them off.

Look, I didn't come here to derail your life.

Fifteen bucks says you miss this shot. Fifty says your [sibling] still marries me.

You're wanted by the cops, eh? FBI?

You know, it looks to me as though you're the one on the run.

What would they have done if they caught you?

I'm never having children. Think about it, it's pure narcissism. I mean, people putting out little carbon copies of themselves, going: "Oh, doesn't he have his father's eyes? Doesn't he have his mother's lips?" It's… It's disgusting.

Is that fashionable? Your haircut? Or... lack of one.

Goddamn it! Be serious, for once!

What do you actually intend to do with your life? Why is it always about, "What will you do? What will you do? What will he do? Oh, my God, what will he do?" Why isn't the issue here who I am?

What you do defines who you are.

Sorry you had to sit through that.

My education is rarely a topic of conversation.

Turns out [he/she/they're] just a working stiff like myself.

I've spent half my life trying to hate [her/him/them].

I never realized I had it so easy. I mean... we're so... normal.

Goddamn it! It's like this every time I come home!

What the hell do they talk about when I'm not here?

He's a sailor on leave. He needs a bar, a brawl, and a brothel.

If I don't go back to college I'll do what any irresponsible, unmotivated dropout would do: go to New York. Like, tonight.

I can't have no one screwing up my beauty sleep before 2:00 PM.

You have a good memory for faces? There's no mirror in your bathroom.

What the hell are you doing, man?

I write my own songs. I got 20 in a notebook... another 10 in my head.

Music's the only thing that makes sense anymore. Play it loud enough, it keeps the demons at bay.

I understand you need to get away.

You don't have to talk about this.

I can't pretend like it didn't happen.

They were the first person I knew to die. I'd never even been to a funeral before.

This was just a crappy wall, and now it's a work of art.

I saw you at the peace march. I was moved by your speech.

You're up before 2 and looking wicked cool. Who's it for?

Time is not on our hands. Time is slipping through them.

No point butting your heads bucking the system.

Never knock the way another cat swings.

"I am me as you are he as you are me and we are all together."

If nobody's everybody, then someone can be anybody, right

(about a sketch) Hey, you didn't get my left nipple right.

Well, I was drawing from a distance. I couldn't see it properly.

Why were you so rude before? It wouldn't kill you to talk to [her/him/them].

We're in the middle of a revolution!

What are you doing — doodles, and cartoons?!

I would lie down in front of a tank if it would stop this war and bring [name] home!

You don't think it's worth trying?!

Maybe when bombs start going off here, people will listen.

We all wanna change the world.

I can't do this right now.

Don't you know it's gonna be all right?

I've never seen [her/him/them] like that...

Get this clown out of here! Now!

What is the matter with you? Why would you do that?

I'm sick and tired of violence.

Why did you stop writing?

It all seems a bit unreal.

Is this real enough for you?

They should be radical. You should be radical. We should all be radical.

This war just keeps going on and on and nobody's listening!

Everything's really okay, I promise...

Well… everything below my neck works fine, anyway.

I don't understand what the problem is.

Get your hands off me!

There's nothing you can do that can't be done.

There's no one to save who can't be saved.

All you need is love.

[eli-writes-sometimes]

Finding the Write Time - "Are you sure that's even possible?"

I'm taking part in @did-i-do-this-write's monthly writing challenge, Finding the Write Time!

This month, the prompt is "Are you sure that's even possible?", and I managed to plan and write this story in about 30 minutes!

I really enjoyed this, and I manged to get a story down about Kai, Ash and Carmilla watching Doctor Who and the backstory for Kai's sonic screwdriver!

"What do you mean, it's wrong?"

Carmilla shrugs.

"It just is - that's not what things looked like back then, trust me, I remember!"

I furrow my brows as I look from her to the screen and back - Donna Noble is running around the streets of Pompeii with the Doctor, and Carmilla has just spent the last few minutes criticising the show's interpretation of a city that burnt to ash thousands of years ago.

I have no idea if she's joking.

"Okay, vampire, very funny..." I mutter, and turn back to the screen before her intense red eyes burn a hole right through my face.

"Can we just watch it? I want to see the TARDIS burn in the volcano!" Ash giggles as she turns the volume up and snuggles into Carmilla's shoulder on the couch.

Third wheeling to a vampire. This is new.

A minute or so later, a familiar staple of the show I love so much comes on screen - the sonic screwdriver.

"What's that?" Carmilla asks, looking at the blue and silver marvel of engineering. Sometimes I forget that not everyone knows the show inside out like I do. "It- it's basically like some kind of advanced Gallifreyan - that's the planet he's from, he's an alien - technology. It can basically do anything, open doors, hack computers, reverse polarity of- stuff- I dunno, it's his magic tech stick basically. It doesn't do wood, though. That's clear."

Ash, who up until this point has been nodding silently, pipes up.

"Could you build it?" "What?" The question takes me by surprise. "Well, you're the tech one, aren't you? Do you think that you could build that?" She points at the screen.

"Are you sure that's even possible?" Carmilla tilts her head to the side. "I- I think I could..." I trail off, my mind already starting to run with the idea.

If you make it so it can transmit wireless signals... and then add in compatability with the automatic doors in the Lair... and see if you can get a small speaker in for the sonic bit... oh, you might be onto something here, Allen...

"Give me a second."

I fly up from the couch and up to one of the higher platforms, the one where I keep my "passion projects" - also known as the movie science I've managed to build in real life - and grab a roll of paper and some pencils.

Soaring back down, I hurriedly begin sketching as Ash hits play again, and I try to capture the exact shape and size of the screwdriver whenever it's on screen.

By the time that the episode's ended, I barely have time to ask what Ash and Carmilla thought of it before I show them all the sketches and plans that I've been making while the show was on.

It's only when I see her small smirk that I realise that Ash might have been joking.

"W- were you being serious?" I ask in a small voice. "Sure! You've got the idea now, haven't you?" Her smile seems to become more genuine, and I breathe a small sigh of relief.

"You gonna do it, then?" Carmilla nudges me with a lot more strength than I would have thought - oh right, vampire - and I shrug. "Not like I've got much better to do."

"You could do your actual job-" Ash starts, but she can't get through the sentence with a straight face. "Not a chance. Now, do you think I'd be able to get into the Engineering building this late at night?"

She smirks, and takes a deep breath.

"If you manage to build an actual functioning sonic screwdriver, I will make the biggest campfire that you've ever seen in your life, and that is a promise." 

I grin.

"You're on."

[annymation]

I have a small request for you: you can write a farewell scene for the star!Asha and the human!Aster (which takes place after defeating the villains as in KOW) and the scene where our lovers reunite and star!Asha becomes human? I'm sorry to bother you with such a huge number of questions about this au, I just fell in love with it and would like to know the differences between KOW and KOW-role reversal. P.S. I will ask more questions about role swap au, but later. And by the way, thanks for the scene in the house, now I'm going to have a good dream.

I'd love to get more asks about the role-reversal AU because I've fell in love with them too, Star!Asha being a bubbly sunshine child and Aster being more mature but also a huge dork is so cute (Talking like that is almost like they weren't my idea lmao) so please feel free to ask more, though I may take a while to answer since, well, writing takes time lol

So let's see how their goodbye scene would go:

"... I must leave now" Asha voice cracked, her smile remained despite her eyes clearly welling with with tears threatening to fall.

"... Leave?" Aster watches as her star dust floats up to the sky, slowly making Asha disappear more and more... He understands what the star means, but he doesn't understand why now. "W-why now? We just WON! You should stay at least for us to celebrate..." Aster tries to convince her, but one look on her face and he can tell that's not her decision to make, she's just as heartbroken as him "... You don't have a choice, do you? Now that my wish is granted..."

Asha just nods her head "Yes" slowly

Aster looks down for a moment, til he get's an idea and his smile returns "... Hey! But that's okay! I can just wish upon you again! So you'll come back-"

"I won't be allowed to come down here again." Asha blurted out the bad news quickly like she's ripping off a bandaid, maybe if she says quickly it will hurt less... That doesn't work.

Aster's hopeful smile disappears "Wh- What!? Why not?"

"I didn't do things like I was supposed to... I was seen by other people, I helped you WAY more than any star is supposed to... I fell in love." She explained, looking at Aster in the eyes, becoming more and more transparent by the second "I'm sorry I didn't tell you before... I didn't want you to be upset." A single tear runs down her face.

"That's not fair!" Aster wailed, trying to hold her shoulders but his hand went right through her "You helped me grant my wish and now you get punished for it? That makes no sense!" He yells, not angry at Asha but at the world itself that apparently just won't let him have one happy moment.

A few people from the crowd finally notice what's going on with Asha, including Aster's friends, who quickly approach the two. They already knew this was coming since Asha told them back in the forest.

Asha agrees that it's unfair, but rules are rules "I know... But we'll always remember our time together, won't we? And we got to make the most of it in so little time" Asha tried to see the bright side, although they both know that no time in the world would be enough for them.

Aster's eyes were already flooded with tears "I... I can't lose you... Not again... There's so much I wanted to show you, so much I wanted to tell you..." Their voice is trembling, their arms wrapped around him, as if to give himself a hug.

Asha is just sketch lines now, she tries to dry Aster's tears, but the tears go right though her hand, she's translucent now and can't interact with anything. She frowns knowing that he can't physically comfort him anymore, now her body is more in the sky than on land. She doesn't have much time left, so she rushes to give him her last words of reassurance "You could never lose me... You can talk to me every night and I'll listen... I know it won't be the same thing but... I promise I'll always be by your side"

A hopeful smile grows on the boy's face "... Even if I can't see you." Aster finishes the sentence, his eyes glistening with tears.

"Heh... That's right-"

Aster goes in to kiss her. And before Asha can even react... She vanished, turning into star dust and floating back to the sky.

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

Now them reuniting:

"I better be going now... Wouldn't want to stay here chatting till morning like last time heheh" Aster chuckled while leaving the tree branch "Oh yeah! I almost forgot, happy birthday!... Uuh I don't know if stars even celebrate birthdays but either way, I hope you had a good one heh" Aster says rather awkwardly while looking up at the sky, looking for Asha

But he suddenly realizes her star is no longer in the sky. His eyes squint as he keeps looking for it, till he hears a familiar giggle coming from the tree

"Hihih I wish we did, but nope! Birthdays are just a human thing"

Aster turns to look up at the tree branch. And there she is, Asha is sitting on the tree, kicking her feet back and forth as her golden hair and flowy cape dance in the wind like soft waves. Her radiant smile outshines all the stars above them.

The boy below is speechless, his mouth opening and shutting again like a fish out of water, unable to form a coherent sentence. He almost forgot how spellbindingly gorgeous she was after these few weeks apart, and seeing her again makes the boy completely lose his senses.

(This paragraph in a nutshell: Aster.exe stopped working)

Asha giggles as she jumps down from the tree, falling right on Aster. She embraces him, and thus the two of them are now laying down on the soft grass

Aster returns the hug, not sure if this is real or just a dream, it sure feels like one. He laughs along with her as he asks “YOU’RE BACK?!?”

“Sure aaaam🎶” Asha singsongs cheerfully “Did ya miss me? Hihih” She teases, knowing full well he did, and so did she

“More than anything” they replied, sitting up as he gazed upon her in absolute awe “b-but HOW?? Did the stars let you stay on earth??”

“Well, yes, but to do that, first I need to do one little thing…”

…

And then Asha sings her little “This Wish (reprise)” and kisses Aster, thus turning herself into a human

The goodbye half was pretty much the same thing that happened in the original, since I didn’t know how to make it any different.

But when they reunite though, we get to see how no matter the universe, Aster is always… A dork

Like in KOW Aster plays it cool when he gets back to earth and surprises Asha, he’s laying on the tree making a cool pose, trying to look kinda mysterious, when literally all he wants is to go there and hug her. Meanwhile in this AU human Aster just… Malfunctions when he sees Asha’s beauty, like a dork

And no matter the universe Asha is just adorable, human Asha quickly ran to give Aster a hug, while star Asha ALSO immediately went for a hug and being all cute about it

In conclusion, Asha is adorable, Aster is a dork, together they’re Adorkable.

[iamquiantrelle]

Just finished chapter 8🥺 girl you made my heart burst in this chapter it was so sweet and swoon worthy🥺😭 i dunno where to start for real, the bed scene? it was so sweet it was like they lived in their own little cocoon and the way Lew can't keep his hands off of her or can't stop kissing her? and when he said this "I don't give a damn how it looks. Not anymore."??? he's so gone for her; he just wants everyone to know she's HIS and show her off since they crossed the line and went deep. Also, one thing i adore about them is how they literally finish each other's thoughts and sentences sometimes like when he was interpreting how Corsaro's not being the mole. She immediately understood what he meant and finished off his exact thought?? and he also does this from time to time my babies are so aligned they understand each other with barely any effort that connection between them is off the charts, they literally complement each other's personalities which is why they're slowly falling so hard for each other😩😭 and i have to say Paolo being lowkey a fan of them is so adorable like i love him so much he's just like us atp!!❤️😂

Lastly, to my two favorite scenes in this chapter, first the interrogation part... i love how he didn't forbid her from going there with them even though he knew exactly that she was gonna see how he operates with the enemy and she didn't even hide herself from it proud of my girl!!🥺 the way he made sure to let her know that he doesn't get off on violence even with the enemy but it's just a necessary tool to get what he needs and wants from them >>> and god when he knew Suarez exact commends i know he saw fucking RED he was ready to fully snap just of the thought of that prick laying a finger on her head like that's HIS WOMAN AND ONLY HIS and when they were left alone he was unapologetically himself and didn't hide from her and the way both of them promised to protect each other at any cost they were both so vulnerable and weak in this moment and just for each other not anyone else but one thing im sure of when she said "Just like I won't let him hurt you either." i know this is his first time hearing it from someone i know he fell even harder for her just like his mother said she didn't run and that she's everything he needs whether he realizes it or not yet which im sure he does she's becoming his backbone just like he's hers my lovesss😭❤️. He's melting my heart too much deep down he's actually scared of her changing her mind about them, the way he kept asking her if she has any regrets about them through the chapter he so loves her and the "Maybe we're rubbing off on each other," agghhhh yes you are yes you areee you two are soulmates!!! and finally the little scene on the chair again you writing them acting so domestically is so adorable they were talking like any normal couple with no care not like they have a freaking psycho after them and sharing little younger stories about themselves while teasing each other back and forth ugghhhh it was so freaking sweet they act like a couple that's been together for 10 years it suits them well😭❤️ and that kiss at the end? Lew so wanted to lose himself in her yet he managed to keep his control just so that she doesn't have any regrets or feel pressured to give him something and most importantly his insistence on making their first time so special for her like that's A MANNNNN. For real each chapter is just them realizing how both of them need the other one it's like both had a missing piece in their lives and they're finding it within each other🥺❤️

Thank you for the lovely emotional chapter can't wait to hop on the next two!! and so sorry for the loonggg essay❤️😂

First of all—never apologize for an essay like this, are you kidding?! I ate up every single word😭❤️ you get them. You really do.

That bed scene?? I melted writing it. Like, they were in their own little world, no outside noise, just warmth and touch and trust. And YES, Lew is fully gone. That man’s past the point of hiding it—he wants everyone to know she's his, and that line? "I don't give a damn how it looks"? That was him saying I choose her. Period.

I’m obsessed that you caught the way they finish each other’s thoughts too—it's their thing without them even realizing it. They're so in sync, it’s wild.

The interrogation scene—thank you for loving that. It meant a lot for her to show up and not flinch, and for him to let her be there. No coddling. Just mutual respect.

The scene after that was so vulnerable for both of them and you’re so right—that moment when she promised to protect him too? That hit him different.

You summed it up perfectly. every chapter is them realizing they’ve been waiting for each other all along. Thank you for reading so deeply and seeing everything I hoped people would feel. Now go enjoy the next two!! I can't wait to hear what you think 😭❤️