#and david's like wtf you good

[allfor-thegames]

how do you think kevin told wymack he was his father? bc with all kevin's grace and eloquence, i truly imagine he walked into wymack's office, sat there in silence for a whole minute staring at his coach and when wymack was finally like "do you want something why tf are you in here staring at me?" kevin just said "you're my father. and we need to tell the press btw."

[psychomusic]

induced to me by my contemporary art exam AND a rewatch of rebels after years that. got me into sabezra unexpectedly AND i updated krita and there were many new brushes i wanted to try

refs (IF U CAN PLS HELP ME FIND THE ORIGINAL COSPLAYERS i can't find anything EDIT: found them!! they're starwars_irl on insta and @rebelartistwren / lionesscosplay on insta. thank you guys <3) and ✨colored version✨ under the cut

i can't find themmmmm I've been looking for 2 days but all i found were uncredited reposts

anyway they look amazing

i really wanted to try greyscaling but I'm not sure it looks good. idk. + while i was making it i was listening to i love you by fontaines d.c. (GREAT SONG FROM A GREAT UNDERRATED BAND) and. the grey fit into that mood much better

also two versions without the sketch lines. where ezra looks happier even if they're uglier

[tubelight-404]

FIRST TIME GIVES INEFFABLE HUSBANDS VIBES AND I DONT THINK I CAN HANDLE IT 😭😭😭

[evil-bean]

How amusing is it that a bunch of GO fans freaked out at a bit of PR talk by DT lmao

I guess most of them are too young to remember the DW days when he could PR his way out of saying anything of substance in interviews like the snake he was fated to become

[asidian]

A little heartbroken by the news, not going to lie.

But I'm going to keep creating for this fandom, because the characters have made a place in my heart, and I suspect they'll stay there for a good long while. This show and the fandom have been such a joy to partake in during a really rough time in my life, and I appreciate that more than I can say. I appreciate all of you who make the fandom what it is, too.

I guess in the end, Season 2 gets to be whatever we make it. So you know what? Let's all share our Season 2s. Nobody's going to stop us or tell us we're wrong.

So here we go. The Season 2 in my heart, in no particular order:

Desire shows up and puts Charles Rowland through the absolute wringer. He is losing his entire mind, he wants Edwin so bad. This boy has 17 different crises and finally a realization that he has been head over heels for some decades and he is just an idiot, actually

Payneland confession and a first kiss

They get Niko back from the Neitherlands. She's some flavor of undead, and she is having a grand old time, actually

Jenny sets up a butcher shop in London and goes on a date that doesn't try to kill her. With the Night Nurse

Crystal has a corruption arc with David buried in her soul-tree soil and at first they don't realize what's going on, but in the end the boys find a way to go into her heart-space and help her resolve the problem

The boys dance on-screen with some of those skeleton choreography dances

Mick mysteriously also has a shop in London. It straddles time-space and also realms. The characters are all ????? but no one ever figures out wtf is going on with that

Tragic Mick saves the day like a big damn hero with a bazooka like in the comics

The Cat King is around, generally being his trickster self, causing problems for funsies. He dies again and comes back as a fluffy white cat with glam white fur clothes

Charles gets kidnapped somewhere and Edwin has to go and save him. It's very dramatic and parallels S1 Ep7

Monty makes a showing in crow form. He has so many cute bird mannerisms. He gets fluffy in the London cold

The boys return to St. Hilarion's. They find their respective remains and come to terms with their deaths. They decide that, however tragic their deaths were, it led them to the only place they'd want to be: together

Crystal and Niko lay the boys to rest side by side, under the same headstone

[imperfectcourt]

Despite having more teammates, Neil still regularly plays full games bc he knows he can and likes to. Wymack let's him bc it's one of the only sure-fire ways to get that boy worn out enough to chill. His stamina is out of this world by the time he goes pro and his team doesn't know how to handle him bc pros have way bigger teams and there's no way a rookie is going to get that much play time (not to mention, you just don't do full games that's ridiculous)

But like

What are they supposed to DO with him

He runs circles around them at practice despite being there long before and after official times. He's been caught multiple times by himself late at night. And when he's not on the court, he's on the bench running his mouth.

His coach reaches out to the coach of another team, one he thinks might be able to give some advice. But Kevin's coach just says "oh god i was going to call and ask YOU wtf to do he's going to decimate my team"

They conference in a third coach who is not much help bc the only thing David Wymack says after laughing himself breathless is "good fucking luck" and he hangs up

[lookitseddie]

mentioning gabe's road safety habits, the buzzing (my jaw dropped when i realized it was both the phone AND 'the wasps'), asher's mourning, asher helping with the calls, tank trying so hard to do things right, milo stitching them up, their argument, "You'll care about this one.".............

And All That Follows (ch. 2)

aka: Put Your Ear Up to My Wall, Mistake My Heart for A Drumbeat

David fights to keep everything quiet, Asher takes on a new role, and Milo finds Tank (for better or worse).

Ch. 1 // ao3 // 4.6k words

(TW: death, car accident, grief, implied/referenced self-harm, vomiting, gore/blood, violence)

EDIT: new title (formerly known as The Fall of an Alpha, but i hated that name so i chose a new one)

————————————————

Sept 3. 2017, 11:52 pm

buzz buzz buzz…buzz buzz buzz…

David’s phone started vibrating as soon as he pulled away from the morgue. He’d placed it in his backseat—a habit Gabe had instilled in him years ago so he’d never be tempted to text and drive.

He ignored the buzzing, willing the rain battering against his car to drown out the sound. It worked; his phone eventually went silent, and David’s full attention was brought back to the barely visible road he was traversing.

buzz buzz buzz…buzz buzz buzz…

Another call. He contemplated pulling over, but Gabe’s voice hummed in his head: Patience. Not everything needs an answer right away. He decided against it. Whoever was calling would realize he wasn’t available and leave a message. 

The call ended.

buzz buzz buzz…buzz buzz buzz…

It started again. And again. And again. And again. As soon as a call ended, another began. He could feel them in his skull, like the buzzing was coming from his brain. Like his head was a freshly shaken wasp nest.

The wasps traveled down into his gut, twisting and tightening his intestines. They kept traveling, moving to his extremities. His hands went numb. Then his feet. He couldn’t feel the steering wheel. Or the gas pedal. Or the brakes. His vision began to tunnel.

No. He didn’t have time for this. He had a job to do. He needed to focus. He needed to get back to his apartment safely. He needed to get the key. He needed to go to his dad’s house. He needed to get into his study. He needed to throw up.

David found himself pulled off on the side of the road, doubled over in the rain, emptying his stomach into a bush. How embarrassing, throwing up like a little kid. That’s enough, he thought to himself, get it together. He stood up straight, but the movement was too quick and he found himself doubled over again.

Everything in him burned as it came up. It stung. 

Retreating back to his car, David quickly checked his phone. Missed calls, voice messages, and texts from various pack members flooded his screen. Someone must have found out what happened. None of them seemed urgent—nor from Asher or Milo—so he put his phone on ‘do not disturb’ and returned it to its place in the back seat.

When he sat down behind the wheel, the wasps were gone. David started the car again and continued back home.

————————————————

Asher cradled his phone, rocking gently in an effort to appease his bawling body. He told himself he had until Milo texted with an update. Then he would pull himself together. His abdomen ached as wave after wave of mourning slammed into him.

He mourned for Gabe. The officer had said he’d died at the scene, but had it been instant? Had he suffered? Did he know he was dying? Did he try to move his legs only to realize he was paralyzed from the waist down? The neck down? Did he frantically gasp for breath as his lungs slowly, agonizingly filled with blood? Had he tried desperately to pry his arm from where it was pinned to reach his phone and call his son just one more time?

He mourned for his pack. Gabe was the founder. They’d never been without him. Would they survive? Would they break into dissension? Crumble apart without leadership? Asher had heard of the devastation past packs had gone through following the death of an alpha or a founder. Gabe had been both. And the pack didn’t even know he was gone. David had said he’d tell them tomorrow at the meeting, but was that the best way?

He mourned for David. David, whose family was already so small. Who already struggled to feel and show his emotions. Asher had seen the initial impacts of this loss. Cold. Detached. Devoid. Would David recover? Was this a wound he could ever heal from? Was he in pain? Asher assumed so, but if David was, he hadn’t shown it. Was he putting on a front, a wall he wouldn’t let anyone see behind? Or was he numb? Was that worrying David? Did he feel guilty he wasn’t feeling anything for his dad’s dea—

buzz buzz

Asher jumped at the vibration in his hands. He rose from the floor and stumbled over to the couch, wiping his face with his shirt. Milo had texted:

At Tank’s place, door was left open

Asher’s stomach dropped. His fingers were a messy flurry as he texted back:

shit

txt updts

or call

davids not bakc

He waited for a reply.

————————————————

Milo pulled into the parking lot of Tank’s apartment complex. He’d past the site of Gabe’s crash on the way, scanning for a glimpse of Tank or their bike. Thankfully, he’d found neither.

But he saw Gabe’s car, and that alone almost sent him into a spiral. No wonder Tank had sounded so wrecked; the driver’s side had crumpled like paper.

As he raced through the parking lot, Milo caught a glimpse of Tank’s motorcycle parked in a large puddle to his right. He’d been right; they’d come back here. Thank god.

Once at the entrance to Tank’s building, he pressed the buzzer for their door and waited. Nothing. He pressed it again. When he was met with the same result, he started pressing every button, hoping someone would let him in. Eventually the door unlocked, and he pushed through.

Milo bounded up the stairwell to Tank’s apartment, slipping and catching himself several times on the rain-slick steps. His throat tightened when he turned a corner and spotted their door at the end of the hall, slightly ajar.

As he walked towards it, he texted Asher:

At Tank’s place, door was left open

After a few moments, his phone buzzed with a series of replies:

shit

txt updts

or call

davids not bakc

When he reached their door, Milo pushed it open further and crept into the apartment. The curtains were all drawn and the lights were off, but Milo could slightly make out a series of objects on the floor. He felt around for a switch and flicked on a light.

All the cupboards and drawers in the kitchen were open and empty, silverware and broken dishes littering the floor of Tank’s tiny studio. Milo could practically track Tank’s movements, following the dents along the wall where they had hurled each cup and plate and fork and knife.

Then his eyes landed on blood—a piece of broken glass on the floor, glistening crimson along its sharp edge. Milo trailed the fat red drops to the closed bathroom door. The sight and faint smell of Tank’s blood made his head spin.

“Tank?” he called out.

A smear of blood glinted on the door handle. He gave two soft knocks. “Tank, please,” he tried again, “I know you’re in there.”

A wretched voice answered from the other side of the door, “Go away.”

He ignored them and tried the handle, grimacing at the slick feeling of fresh blood on his hand. Luckily, they’d left it unlocked.

Pushing the door open, Milo peered inside the dark bathroom. Tank was a huddled mass in the corner of their shower, head buried in their arms.

“I said go away, Miles!” they shouted, raising their head just enough to glare at him over their arms, eyes glinting with fury.

Milo flinched but didn’t leave. Crouching down, he spoke in as calm of a tone as he could muster, “Where’re you hurt, Tank?”

“Get. Out.”

“I’m not gonna do that,” Milo replied, “Can I turn on the light?”

“No,” they snapped.

“Okay." Milo took out his phone and turned on his flashlight instead. He tried to ignore the trail of blood leading to Tank as he opened up their mirror cabinet, then the one under their sink.

“What’re you doing?”

“Looking for your first aid kit.”

“I don’t have a first aid kit,” they sneered.

Milo shined his light at Tank, who shrunk against it, burying their head again in their arms. They were soaking wet from the rain and shaking terribly. He cast the light away from them.

“Just leave!” they moaned.

“No. You’re injured, and since you have nothing to treat it with, I’m taking you back to Ash and David’s,” he retorted.

A snarl gurgled up from deep in Tank’s chest as Milo approached.

“You can growl at me all you want, I don’t give a damn.”

The snarl grew louder the closer he got. But once he kneeled down in front of them, it began to change, breaking up and losing its bite.

“I know,” he whispered, tears welling in his eyes as Tank began to cry, “I know, Tank.”

He placed a tentative hand on their arm. They trembled under his touch, but didn’t pull away.��

“Just come with me, please. You don’t have to talk about it. You can be as angry as you want. I don’t care. I just want to make sure you’re safe,” Milo said as he set his phone down, flashlight to the floor.

“I-I am,” they lied, their sobs warping their words. 

“You’re bleeding from somewhere, I saw the blood in the kitchen and in here. So no, you’re not,” Milo countered. 

“…it’s n-n-not b-bad,” Tank lied again. 

“Can I see?”

Tank hesitated, then raised their head. Milo couldn’t make much out. He flipped his phone around, so the light pointed up at the ceiling.

He choked down a gasp at the sight of Tank’s face. The gash just under their left eye was deep, blood still pumping out slowly, drenching their cheek and dripping down their neck. It was in their hair, on their clothes, on their hands.

“Not that bad, my ass,” Milo muttered, “Tank, this needs a healer.”

“No. No healers,” they choked out, tears leaving trails in their blood.

Milo knew accepting any sort of medical help was difficult for Tank. They never talked about it, but he assumed there was some sort of trauma or pride or fear stopping them. He was trying to be understanding, he really was, but it was all too much. It was late, he was spent, Tank was bleeding, and Gabe was dead.

“Fine,” Milo spat, “You either go back to Ash and David’s and let me sew it up, cause it’s going to need stitches, or I stay here and call a damn healer. Your fucking choice.”

That shut them up. Their sobs subsided and they glared with all the fury left in their trembling body before muttering, “Okay. I’ll go with you.”

————————————————

At the sound of the front door opening, Asher sprang up and raced to the hall. "Tank?"

David stood in the doorway, rainwater dripping like tears from his lashes. He looked as stoic as before, but now a sickly tinge covered his features. 

"David," Asher breathed, "Was it...was it him?"

"Yes," he muttered, walking inside and shutting the door, "What happened?"

"What d'you mean?"

"You thought I was Tank." David stopped in front of him. 

"I just uh...hoped..."

“What happened?” David repeated, his voice low and tense. He didn’t have the time nor energy for hesitation. His stare bored into Asher, demanding an answer.

"T-Tank saw Gabe's car," Asher spluttered. David's eyes widened. "They called Milo when they saw it. He had to tell them what happened, he—we couldn’t lie to them. Milo went to their place. He texted me when he got there but he hasn’t updated since.”

Of course. Of course they couldn’t have just waited to tell anyone until David got back. Or until tomorrow, like he told them. David pulled out his phone, turning off ‘do not disturb’. There were more missed calls and texts, but none from Milo or Tank. He pulled up Milo’s contact and called him. 

“Hello?” Milo’s voice oozed with trepidation. 

David’s was dry and sharp. “Is Tank ok?”

“…yes. We’re heading to my car now, we’ll meet you back at your place.”

“Are they hurt?”

buzz buzz buzz…buzz buzz buzz…

David started getting another call. He ignored it. 

“Um…” David could tell Milo was choosing his words carefully, but for David’s sake or Tank’s he didn’t know. “Yes, but it’ll be ok.”

David gripped his phone tighter, but kept his rising worry out of his tone. He needed to stay level, anything less would just be detrimental to everyone’s safety.

buzz buzz buzz…buzz buzz buzz…

“Take them to a healer.”

David heard Asher mutter ‘fuck’ behind him. There was a long pause on Milo’s end, filled only with the sound of rain and Milo’s breathing as he walked. 

“Milo.”

Finally, he replied, “We’ll be at your place soon.” And with that, Milo hung up.

buzz buzz buzz…buzz buzz buzz…

The buzzing in David’s head started again, echoing those from his phone. He stuffed his phone back into his pocket as he stormed past a bewildered Asher and into his bedroom. 

buzz buzz buzz…buzz buzz buzz…

“David? David, what did Milo say? Is Tank ok?” Asher called out as he followed, making the wasps in David’s head angrier. He watched David tear through the drawers of his desk, searching for what, Asher didn’t know. 

buzz buzz buzz…buzz buzz buzz…

Asher called his name several more times before David seemed to hear him. He whipped his head around.

“Is Tank hurt?”

buzz buzz buzz…buzz buzz buzz…

“Yes,” David replied before continuing his search, “But Milo says it’s fine, so I’m hoping it’s not too bad. They won’t go to a healer, no surprise there, so they’re coming back here.”

buzz buzz buzz…buzz buzz buzz… 

“Who is calling you?”

David finally found what he was looking for; he pulled out the key and clipped it onto his key ring. “The pack. Someone must have found out. Maybe the wreck was on the news or someone saw it like Tank did. They’ve been calling since I left the morgue.”

David pushed past Asher again and started heading towards the front door. He fought back the wasps in his head. 

buzz buzz buzz…buzz buzz buzz… 

“Are you going to answer?” Asher asked as he followed. 

buzz buzz buzz…buzz buzz buzz…

“No.”

buzz buzz buzz…buzz buzz buzz…

“Why not?”

buzz buzz buzz…buzz buzz buzz…

He opened the front door. “I’ll talk to them tomorrow,” buzz buzz buzz…buzz buzz buzz… “At the pack meeting.”

“David they can’t wait that long,” buzz buzz buzz…buzz buzz buzz… “They already know. Or they’ve at least heard rumors. You need to talk to them.”

“Well, I don’t have the time!” buzz buzz buzz…buzz buzz buzz… “I’ve got to get to my dad’s house and figure all this shit out,” David growled. The wasps were winning; he was starting to lose focus. He turned to leave. 

buzz buzz buzz…buzz buzz buzz…

“Then let me do it.”

David paused. 

buzz buzz buzz…buzz buzz buzz…

“What?” he asked over his shoulder. 

buzz buzz buzz…buzz buzz buzz…

Asher’s voice took on an edge David had never heard from him before, “Let me go with you and answer the calls,” buzz buzz buzz…buzz buzz buzz…“I’ll still be near, so you can get to your phone if you need to. But this way, you won’t be distracted, and the pack won’t be left in the dark all night.”

buzz buzz buzz…buzz buzz buzz…

David wanted to say no. Having Asher near right now felt like a liability. But he was right. buzz buzz buzz…buzz buzz buzz…The pack already knew, and keeping them in the dark was only going to incite panic. That and David needed the buzzing to stop, both from his phone and his head. 

buzz buzz buzz…buzz buzz buzz…

David unlocked his phone and handed it to Asher. 

————————————————

“Hey, can you see who just texted me?” Milo asked, keeping his eyes fixed on the road. 

Tank wiped their hands as well as they could on their jeans before picking up Milo’s phone. 

goin w david 2 gabes

key undr mat

b back l8r

“It’s Ash,” they reported, “He’s going to Gabe’s place with David? He said the key is under the mat and they’ll be back later.”

“Why’re they—nevermind. Can you text him back and let him know we’re almost to his place and also ask if David has a suturing kit? Password’s 0209.”

Almost to ur place, u got a suture kit?

tank???

The one and only, how’d u know?

u txt dif

y do u hav milos phone

He’s driving

oh rite

r u ok

Im fine, suture kit?

david says in bthrm

Gotcha

y do u need it

Dont worry bout it

————————————————

“…yeah Kelsey, it’s true…I know…we don’t know that yet…yes, tomorrow morning at 11…okay…hey, you text me if you need anything…okay…okay, I’ll see you tomorrow, try and get some rest…I will…bye K.” 

Asher ended the call and trotted after David, who was already unlocking Gabe’s front door. He rubbed his eyes in the brief moment of silence before David’s phone started buzzing again. 

“Hey, Mika…yeah, it was a car crash…”

David was stuck in the doorway. The foyer loomed before him, both nauseatingly familiar and eerily alien. His childhood home was now as much a husk as his father was. It made the wasps in David’s stomach writhe. 

Asher was staring at him, David could feel it. So, he took a step inside. Then another. And another. It almost felt like trespassing. 

There was a David who used to live here. Who at seven years old had learned the virtue of honesty when he admitted to breaking the kitchen window. Whose first loose tooth was yanked out by a string attached to the front door. Who used to visit every week after he moved out. Who mended the roof and repainted the baseboards. Who spent countless hours listening to his father’s stories by the fireplace.  

That was not this David, the David treading across the floorboards like a thief. 

He reached his father’s study and unlocked it with the key he’d retrieved earlier. Asher ended his call and said, “I’ll be in the living room. Let me know if you need anything.”

David nodded and walked into the study, closing the door behind him. 

It smelled like him: rosemary, leather, and something distinctly Gabe. The scent should’ve been comforting, but it just stirred the wasps up, making him lightheaded as they whirled.

David switched on the desk lamp. Everything was just as he remembered:

Books lined the walls, organized alphabetically by last name. Stacks of paper sat neatly on the outskirts of the desk’s surface, leaving the middle open for work. A lumpy mug David had made in high school held a collection of pens and pencils. 

David walked around the desk. Three picture frames adorned the polished oak. The first held a pack photo from the previous year’s Solstice. The second held a candid of David’s mother, sticking her tongue out at the camera as she ran through a yard sprinkler. The third held a picture of Gabe and David on their most recent camping trip, their faces wild and beaming. 

On the back of Gabe’s chair hung his jacket. David felt the black leather—soft with use and dedicated upkeep. 

The wasps were stinging his eyes; David pressed his fingers into them, seeing sparks as he crushed the bugs behind his eyelids. He collapsed into the seat and focused on his breathing, forcing the wasps in his chest to move in an orderly fashion. Not here. Not yet. He had a job to do. 

David opened the largest drawer of the desk and began to gather what he needed. 

————————————————

"Shit, Tank, this looks really bad.”

Milo sat back on his heels; the cold of the tile seeped through his pants and into his skin. Tank stayed still in their position on the bathroom floor as Milo leaned in again, holding the needle tight in his hand.

After a moment, he leaned back again, exclaiming, "Fuck, I don't know how to sew stitches! I mean, my mom taught me to sew but skin is so fucking different than fabric. It moves and bleeds and-and, for fuck's sake, it's your face, can we please get a healer?"

Tank scowled but didn't reply, biting the inside of their cheek to keep from snapping.

"Alright, fine. Okay. But I'm gonna have to go slow. I don't know what I'm doing and, again, this is your face," Milo warned them.

"Just let me do it, then," Tank muttered. 

He dismissed the offer, "No, you've got your shaky hand."

"I can use the other."

"No, cause that's not your dominant hand. You've got to do this with your dominant hand, and that's your shaky hand. You're gonna scar real bad if you—”

"I don't care about scars."

"You'll care about this one."

"I have other scars on my face, I really don't care."

"You'll care about this one."

Tank looked away, the weight of the night and how they got there in the first place pulling them back down into silence. Seeing he’d won, for now, Milo breathed deep and tilted Tank’s head up slightly with one hand. He held the needle close to their cheek, whispering, "Okay. I'm gonna start."

Tank winced as the needle pierced their skin, and Milo almost called the whole thing off. But he kept going, and they quickly stopped wincing.

Milo was laser focused, doing his best to keep the stitches small and tidy. But when he was about halfway done, a tear rolled down into the gash, stirring Milo from his concentrated state. He used a gentle thumb to brush away the tears on Tank's cheeks.

"I'm not crying cause it hurts," Tank whispered, "It doesn't hurt."

"I know," Milo murmured, "...almost done."

Despite the circumstances, a sort of morbid satisfaction stirred in Milo at the sight of the bloody rift closing under his hand. It felt good, felt right, to be pulling something back together when everything was falling apart. 

When he finished the last stitch, Milo placed a large bandaid over the gash. Tank stared down at their hands while Milo put away the suturing kit. 

As he began scrubbing the dried blood off his hands in the sink, Tank explained:

“I didn’t mean to do this, you know.”

Milo stayed quiet, giving Tank the space to talk more if they wanted. But the silence just made them feel more pressured to defend themself.

“Well, I did mean to throw that glass, I just, I didn’t mean for it to throw itself back at me,” they clarified.”

“Okay,” Milo said. His tone came out of his mouth light, but fell heavy on Tank’s ears. 

“I wasn’t trying to draw attention to myself,” Tank asserted, their anxiety rising.

“Okay,” Milo repeated. The discussion didn’t need to go any further. He didn’t even know why it was happening in the first place. 

Tank blinked tears from their eyes. “I wouldn’t do that. I wouldn’t purposely pull everyone’s attention from Gabe.”

Milo turned around and leaned against the sink, trying to defuse them, “I believe you, Tank. I know you. You would’ve let yourself bleed out in that shower before ever coming to me or anyone else for help. Especially tonight.”

“You say that like it’s a bad thing.”

“Of course it’s a bad thing, Tank!” Milo threw his hands up, gripping tightly onto his braids.

“How is that a bad thing?!?”

“Because you can’t—I just—ugh, I can’t have this conversation right now. I need…I don’t know what I need, but it’s not any more of this,” Milo shot. 

Tank’s face twitched from the blow. They staggered to their feet. “Fine. Then I’ll leave.”

“What? Tank, no—”

“You stitched me up. Thanks. Now I’m leaving.” They threw open the bathroom door. 

Milo followed them down the hall, grumbling, “Tank, you don’t even have a ride.”

“I’ll walk.”

He rolled his eyes. They were being ridiculous.  “That’ll take you forever, especially in this weather.”

Tank whipped around, hissing, “I don’t give a fuck. You don’t need me here, you said it yourself.”

“I didn’t mean it that way.”

“Well it sure did fucking sound like it.”

They stormed towards the door, but Milo slipped in front of them and blocked their path. 

“I just meant I don’t need to talk about that anymore!” he exclaimed, gesturing to Tank’s cheek, “We can talk about Gabe. We can talk about how we feel. We can talk about the future and the pack and what this all means going forward. Or we could not talk at all! But I don’t want to talk about shit that’s already happened. I don’t want to talk about shit that didn’t even happen in the first place. That’s not productive.”

“I don’t care about being productive,” they spat. 

“But you care about David, right? If you won’t stay for yourself or for me, stay for him.”

“He’s not even here.”

“But he’ll be back. And you know how he gets; he’s going to need us.”

“He doesn’t need me.”

“Yes, he does,” he groaned. 

Milo’s phone began to vibrate. 

Tank cried out, “No, he doesn’t! He doesn’t need my mess on top of everything else going on.”

As Milo dug his phone out of his pocket, Tank shoved past him and raced out the front door. 

Milo’s heart stuttered at the name on his screen. He rushed to the open door, yelling into the storm, “Tank, stop! Tank, please come back! Tank!”

Tears welling in his eyes, he leaned his weight against the door frame and answered the call. 

“Mom?….yeah, it’s true. Gabe’s dead.”

Wails erupted through his phone, scraping Milo hollow. 

————————————————

David found everything in under ten minutes—unsurprisingly, given how organized Gabe was and how pressed David was to leave. 

When he’d gathered the last of what he needed, he locked the study and walked into the living room. Asher was pacing, on another call of what seemed an endless barrage. He glanced at David and was summoned by a jerk of the latter’s head. 

The two left the house and drove back home, Asher answering calls and texts the whole way back. When they reentered their apartment, they heard Milo’s voice trickling down the hallway:

“Yeah, I know…no, but I’m sure we’ll find out more tomorrow…Oh, David and Ash are back. I’m gonna talk to them and then head over…no the rain has died down, I’ll be fine…yeah…okay, I will, I promise…okay, see you soon…I love you too, ma.”

He looked up at David and Asher. 

“Is Tank okay?” Asher asked. 

“Huh?” Milo replied in a daze. 

“They had to get stitches?”

“Oh right…um, yeah they fell on their way to their apartment after they saw the crash. The rain made their stairwell slippery and they busted their face open. But I stitched them up, best I could,” Milo lied. 

Asher nodded before getting another call. He answered, walking away into the kitchen. 

“Where are they now?” David asked, clutching a  handful of manila folders, a briefcase, and a familiar jacket. 

“They uh,” Milo looked away, “They left.”

The buzzing picked back up in David’s head. “Left?”

“…we got into a fight.”

David breathed out slowly, muttering under his breath, “Tank.”

“No, no, it’s my fault! I was distracted, I wasn’t careful with my words, I wasn’t listening to them. They left, I don’t know where, and I was gonna chase after them but then my mom called and…” Milo wiped the back of his hand across his face. 

The sight of Milo’s tear-streaked cheeks turned the hum in David’s head into a cacophony. 

“I think I’m gonna stay at hers tonight,” Milo croaked as he gathered his things, “She’s really upset.”

“Of course,” David replied, internally cursing that he couldn’t bring himself to say more. 

“I um, I’ll be at the meeting tomorrow. I’ll text Ash for the details,” Milo babbled. He stopped by the front door. “David. If you need anything, you text me. Or call me. You hear?”

“I hear,” David lied, the buzzing in his head drowning everything out.

[anniflamma]

Okay… I’m going to rant about a book that I read a while ago.... And I can’t deny it anymore… it was a bad book.

The Passion of Sergius and Bacchus by David Reddish. It’s a romantic retelling of the Christian saints Sergius and Bacchus.

To tell the story briefly about these saints, Sergius and Bacchus were third-century Roman soldiers and Christian martyrs. The oldest record of their martyrdom describes them as erastai (Greek for “lovers”). Scholars believe they may have been united in the rite of adelphopoiesis, a kind of early Christian same-sex union. When their Christian faith became known, after they refused to attend sacrifices to Zeus, Sergius and Bacchus were arrested and paraded through the streets in women’s clothing in an unsuccessful effort to humiliate them. The reason it failed was that the duo didn’t feel humiliated being dressed as women. After that they were both executed. Bacchus was beaten to death and Sergius was forced to walk in inward-iron-spiked metal shoes to another town and there was executed.

So, of course, when I found out there was a book retelling about them, I bought it immediately and obviously ignored the negative reviews. I read it with rose-tinted glasses on and loved it! Sure, I could see some red flags, but I ignored them, and to be honest, there are some parts of the book that is very good.

But here’s the problem with it: Reddish’s way of portraying women is… very questionable. For example, there are only two named female characters in the book. Only two. The first one is Helen, whose personality traits are that she’s pregnant and stupid. Im not kidding. Not that she actually does anything dumb, the narrative just tells us she’s stupid. She don't do anything, like she takes parts in some conversations with the other male characters but other than that, nothing. But the book itself and the maincharacters acts like she is the most dumb person there is. Later in the book, she dies, motivating another male character to make irrational decisions out of grief. Her only purpose is to serve as a plot device when she dies.....

The second named female character is Miriam (I remember right...), and she’s a homophobe. She does have a small arc where she recognizes she’s wrong, the next chapter she’s back to being homophobic again, and the narrative nor other characters doesn’t acknowledge her regression.

Trigger warning for the topic of rape.

Then there’s another female character who appears in the book. She doesn’t have a name. She’s basically just a narrative device to show that Sergius is a good person. There’s a scene where Sergius finds a group of Roman men raping a 14-year-old girl. He kills them and saves her. He doesn’t speak to her, she have no speaking lines, and then… Sergius just leaves and continues with whatever he was doing before. The plot moves on, and it’s never mentioned again....This entire scene happens in less than one page. At first, I thought it would come back to bite Sergius, you know, because he just killed four Roman men.... but nope! It was just there to show that Sergius thinks rape is bad and that he’s a skilled fighter who can take down four men at once. That’s all. Wtf?

This is why I hate stories that use rape as a tool to make a male character look good...

And then there’s the moment when Sergius and Bacchus were forced to be dressed in women’s clothing… In this retelling book, it’s portrayed as deeply shameful. Sergius has a long inner monologue about how awful he feels seeing Bacchus in women’s clothing, blah blah blah.

Like… this book shits on every single female character it has, and when it reaches the part where, in the original story, the men proudly embrace being “Brides of Christ,” it does the exact opposite. Yet Sergius is described as empathetic toward women’s suffering, that guy have inner monologues about how much he thinks that women should be treated better but at the same time he’d rather be physically tortured than wear women’s clothing.... And Sergius nor the narrative never questions why Sergius feel that way.... Talk about the irony... a modern retelling of an ancient story about two men who proudly embrace becoming "Brides of Christ" which leads to their death, yet in this version, it’s portrayed as something shameful.

How do you, as an author, take an old story from the freaking third century and potray it like this? There is no women in the legend so all these female characters are made up by the author... I can't help it but it feels like this author just simply don't like women... I really wanted to like this book... but once you see it without the redtinded glasses... it's really hard for me to recommend it... Stay away guys.

[allfortheslay25]

Hi. I love your art, and your story's off of them. I was wondering if you could go a little more in depth with Warren and Milo.

Sure! I’ll just cover their first meeting/impressions of one another. Also sorry it’s just a wip instead of the full line art, I started classes again and have found little time to squeeze in finished projects

First off, Milo was meant to stay with Wymack during the summer before his semester started at palmetto. Milo would be an assistant coach for a bit as he was not yet cleared to play full scrimmages with the team just yet. Wymack had not told the team and was planning to as soon as Milo’s plane landed. However, Milo booked an early and fast flight, eager to surprise his family (Wymack, Abby, Betsy, and Sarah aka Abby and David’s adopted daughter)

Milo didn’t have a key yet so he picked the lock of Wymack’s apartment and snuck inside, unknowing of the foxes already inside. Warren, who is very protective of Wymack, Abby, and Betsy, broke Milo’s nose upon entry. He didn’t give Milo a chance to explain since Warren has been conditioned to deal with everything with violence. He chased Milo, grabbing for him and swinging as the boy tried to escape. Milo had been trained by Matt to box, by Renee to wield a knife, and has the instinct to cause pain from his bloodline but his hearts too big to purposely hurt someone

Warren chased him into the hallway, tackling Milo and turning him around to hit him again when Wymack appeared, asking Warren wtf he was doing.

Wymack then explained that Milo would be staying with him and dropping by practices to help the team. Warren fumbled to apologize but after the craziness that was the encounter, he realized Milo was reallly pretty and so Warren was too shy to say anything else to him.

On Milo’s side of things, he was too busy reeling in his rage at being attacked to notice. Milo reminded himself to be nice and open to the foxes and attend his therapy with Bee every day.

Throughout the summer, Warren began to fall for Milo. He was his type after all; tall, cute smile, kind and friendly personality, intelligent and passionate. Plus he was amazing at exy. Warren got to be up and close with Milo during a scrimmage once (when Milo was giving the backliners a tip or two) and his talent and fierceness was the nail in the coffin for Warren.

On Milo’s side, he focused on exy and tried to get the foxes to bond so their teamwork would improve. He didn’t genuinely think of Warren often unless it was part of the team lol.

However, as soon as the semester began, Milo was officially introduced to the team as Emilio Isaiah Minyard-Josten. Warren’s crush crashed and burned when he realized this was the son of his favorite exy player, Neil Josten.

Warren, not knowing what to do with his feelings and discomfort at being close to Milo, began to accidentally bully him. He’d be too rough during practice, try to push him away (literally) and end up hurting him because Warren doesn’t know how to be gentle. He’s not very good at English which shows up more when he’s flustered so he’d be meaner than he intends.

On Milos side, he was confused and put off by warrens attitude. He wanted everyone to like him but every time he was nice, it only resulted in Warren clipping him in the ankle with his racquet or a hiss to leave him alone. Milo decided to respect warrens boundaries and give him the space he wanted. The only time they were ever close was on the court when the two would ignore everyone’s existence to push the other until one of them came out with the victory. Being that they were the teams most versatile players, they often practiced against each other

Sometime in Milo’s first week, he took his foxes out to Eden’s for bonding (he had never gone himself but his family had a reputation there and thus Milo had free entry) Milo made sure everyone had fun but was safe and eventually found Chris and Ash bothering Warren outside.

Warren was being pressured to try a smoke but he’d always thought it was a dumb habit. Until Milo chased away Chris and Ash, joining Warren outside for a civilized conversation, in which Milo inhaled the second hand smoke wistfully and said the smell reminded him of simpler times. (Referring to his five years of childhood at palmetto since andreil quit smoking after they graduated) Milo went back inside and Warren finished the cigarette. If he suddenly picked up a smoking habit, well that was his business.

Overall, Warren deals with his one sided crush on Milo. He’s too attracted to him to be his friend without guilt but he admires Neil Josten so much he refuses to make a move on Milo in fear that everyone will think it’s just a creepy fan move.

Milo is completely blind to Warren’s existence most days. He isn’t his friend and Milo has enough on his plate along with two people he actually has semi crushes on; Captain Jackie (a platonic crush) and Jay (a one sided crush since Jay finds Milo too young)

But Milo also has five more years to become close with Warren :)

[ll7esxs]

꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶ ๋ ࣭ ⭑꒷꒦꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶ ๋ ࣭ ⭑꒷꒦꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶ ๋ ࣭ ⭑꒷꒦꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶ ๋ ࣭ ⭑꒷꒦꒷꒦︶

꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶ ๋ ࣭ ⭑꒷꒦꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶ ๋ ࣭ ⭑꒷꒦꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶ ๋ ࣭ ⭑꒷꒦꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶ ๋ ࣭ ⭑꒷꒦꒷꒦︶

The first "I love you" in the relationship [requested]

characters: Logan walker, Hesh walker, Keegan russ, kick

notes: SFW content, kinda chessy for me since i love angst more than this shit but whatever man whatever this fandom wants

Logan walker:

yeah you are the first who is going to say it don't argue with me.

Logan struggles with words and would never rush into saying it.

tbh i think logan has never had partners in his life :(, he kept training not knowing anything about love.

sometimes i think hesh is the one who couraged him to date and elias too, telling him that he has been more than 30 years serving for this country and even though.

elias controlled and balanced the love and working with his mother.

It happens A late-night moment at home, when he’s quiet but seems lost in thought.

I think when you have been dating for months? like more than 8 months.

You’re curled up against Logan, watching, but he’s barely paying attention. His mind is elsewhere—probably thinking about a mission he can’t talk about.

You run your fingers through his hair, massaging his scalp gently. He sighs closing his eyes, leaning into your touch and getting out of the blurred world he was in.

"I love you, you know that?" you said lifting your head up to look at him.

Logan freezes,oh boy even his body tensing slightly against you, you can feel that already.

Logan’s eyes widen slightly, like he wasn’t expecting it—even though he’s felt it for a while.

He takes a deep breath, trying to find the right words but failing.

Instead of answering right away, he gently pulls you into his arms, holding you tighter than usual. After a short pause, he finally murmurs, “…I love you too.” which made you smile into his arm, you were proud of that to let this sweet boy speak of his feeling.

Later, he shows it rather than says it—staying close, kissing you, covering you in blanket when he thinks you're asleep, and making sure you’re always safe.

because words aren’t enough, but he hopes you can feel it.

Hesh walker:

he will say it first, But he blurts it out impulsively.

hesh is the one with partners but i see he had 3 or 2? and they weren't that serious they didn't reach that level with him.

but since he is a grown ass man (28) he found you

going out with him for classic dates.

It happenes in a playful moments while teasing each other.

in the kitchen, you kept arguing playfully talking back to him gahly! he thinks to himself how did i get with a woman like this.

"god you're impossible...I love you" he said with a soft shrug hands on his hips looking down smiling.

he said it without thinking, The moment he realizes what he just said, he freezes, eyebrows raising slightly like "Well… guess that’s out now."

and you had butterflies and bugs in your stomach like hello? did this handsome just tell me that??

"oh my god david?!" you said with a happy chuckle, heart already out of your chest "you just said this!!".

you wanted to step closer to him, He watches your reaction closely, trying to act all cool and confident but is secretly panicking inside.

you shaking your head while holding his face, which lead him to hold both your arms. "I love you too!"

his grin turns soft, and he pulls you in for a tight hug, whispering, "Good. ‘Cause I’m not going anywhere."

totally forgetting about the baking yall been making out. (wtf did i just type)

Keegan russ:

bro why is it so hard to write keegan, like this man is a hella mystery.

you are the one who said it sorry, cuz Keegan is way too guarded to say it first.

why i think he thought about his job first before you like he hates it if you are involved with someone like him, what if something danger happened to you because of him?he is way too cautious.

but because of those damn eyes of yours the weakest thing he will do is keeping you with him.

how did it happenes? late night walking, this man adores these times secretly especially after he has been with ya.

i think he ended up with a talk active partner? but no that much, he is just a listener and a talker sometimes.

you like it when he talks, his creative words and the sarcasm he is using making you say unbelievable about him.

He had insisted on walking you home—not out of obligation, but because it was simply in his nature.

When you reached your doorstep, you turned, your fingers curling around the doorknob. The soft glow of the porch light cast sharp shadows across his face, accentuating the sharp angles of his jaw, the glint of something unreadable in his eyes. (lord have mercy i got too much in details)

“Well, kid," his deep voice rumbled through the quiet, rough yet familiar, "guess I’ll see you around.”

You nodded, a small smile tugging at your lips, warmth flickering in your chest at the easy finality in his tone. He turned, hands tucked into his pockets, ready to disappear into the night like he always did. (bro is batman but he never tell you that)

“Keegan?” The name left your lips before you could think twice, barely above a whisper, but it was enough to make him stop.

His shoulders stiffened for the briefest moment before he turned back to you, his lightened gaze steady.

You didn’t wait any longer—you just walked up to him, arms wrapping around his neck. His eyes met yours, and God, it was so hard to be honest while looking into them. It seemed just as hard for him.

He was stunned, motionless, but his gaze remained stoic, unreadable.

“I love you,” you murmured, like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

He took a moment, then let out a stiff chuckle. “Must be the champain messing with your little head.”

“Shut up. I said it… I love you.” The second time, your voice was firmer. That’s when his eyes softened, a rare smile tugging at his lips—your first time seeing him like this. Gentle.

For a long time, he doesn’t speak. The silence stretches, heavy—almost unbearable.

Then, finally, he whispers—so quiet you almost miss it.

His fingers close over yours, grip tightening as if grounding himself in the moment.

He exhales, then presses a lingering kiss to your knuckles, the warmth of it seeping into your skin.

“…I love you too.”

Then he went to the shadows of the streets and after that time, you never see him again...

im joking bye.

Kick:

Kick is always aware—sharp, cautious, both in his military work and personal life. Nothing slips past him.

He never talks about his partner. He’s a ghost, a skillful one. Never caught, never seen unless he wants to be. Have you seen the kill list? He’s needed, and yet the feds can’t find him.

He doesn’t have trust issues, not exactly—but he’s careful. Always watching, always a step ahead. Especially when it comes to his relationships.

He even hesitated to date you, afraid you’d get hurt because of his work—afraid that if anything happened, he’d never forgive himself. Not even in death.

But he went for it anyway. Because he knew how to protect you. He kept you far from enemies, tracked every possible threat—all without you even knowing. He was secretive like that.

Man fuck the enemies he thought, he is in his 30s and we live one time why don't just have a partner in ur life?.

Not even the gang knew he had a partner. Only Merrick, who one day casually let it slip in front of him—like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

So he said it it just slips out casually not knowing the effect he will do on ya.

He said it during a random completely unromantic moment.

He doesn’t even realize what he said until your eyes widen. "Oh, damn. Did I just say that?"

You shrugged, still shocked. “Uhm… yeah, you did!” You shook your head, trying to process it.

He tried to play it off, acting like it was no big deal. “Well, yeah, of course I love you. Have you seen yourself?”

You couldn’t find the words. Your eyes softened as you looked at him, still stunned, heart pounding in your chest.

But when he saw you getting emotional, the act dropped. He smiled—small, genuine—and muttered, “Alright… yeah. I love you. For real.”

And later, he proved it. Small, silent acts of devotion—fixing things for you without being asked, making sure your coffee was just right, staying up just to watch you sleep peacefully.

[isagrimorie]

[initial reactions] Superman 2025

Maybe hope is punk. 

I already posted my non-spoiler reactions earlier I’m going to add a little more. 

(Before anything else, I wanted to say that Superman 2025 has both a mid-credit and a post-credit scenes. They’re not plot relevant to a new movie, but it is fun little world building and relationship building bites.)

things i really liked (non-spoiler version) 

I really enjoyed how lived in this DCU is, this is a world that is already used to having the fantastic walk among them and almost have the fantastic be something mundane. Superheroes walk amongst them and eat in diners next to the populace. 

This isn’t like where the world is just getting used to the idea of super powered people, this is a populace that grew up with the reality of gods and monsters. This is something the MCU has been very inconsistent with world building wise. 

The movie is set in Metropolis. Do you know how much time I’ve waited for a Liveaction Clark Kent/Superman to start operating and living in Metropolis and not Smallville? A Damned Long Time. Smallville, the Metropolis years almost got there but Not really, since Clark wasn’t Superman yet and the next we see Tom Welling’s Clark he returned to Smallville and GAVE UP HIS POWERS, WTF. 

And then, I gave Superman and Lois a chance, I’ve mellowed on Hoechlin… kind of, like I get that he does a good Superman and a better Clark but Elizabeth Tulloch’s Lois was the winner there. But you know what S&L did? THEY MOVED TO SMALLVILLE. 

It took ten years to get Smallville Clark out of Smallville and it took until 2025 for us to finally have a Clark/Superman living and operating in Metropolis. I’VE WAITED A LONG TIME FOR THIS. 

LOIS LANE. Hands down I think Rachel Brosnahan has jumped to the top of my favorite movie Lois Lanes. She is Lois from the first moment she walked on screen to the last. A punk to her very core, inquisitive and brave. 

Nicholas Hoult is now my second favorite Lex Luthor. I also liked the Luthor on Superman and Lois. Unfortunately, I didn’t stick around with CW Supergirl to get to Lex Luthor version, who is apparently really good too. But Hoult’s Lex is the embodiment of Lex. The Hater, petty Lex. I can also see the influences from Michael Rosenbaum Lex, which Hoult said he took inspiration from. 

In fact both Nicholas Hoult and David Corenswet admitted their first exposure to Superman was through Smallville, and this is why it is important for Superman to always have some TV presence. They’re the gateway to Superman. 

I loved the music and the various riffs of the John Williams Superman march. But I also get why people wish David Corenswet’s Superman had a new Superman theme for himself. 

I may not be the greatest fan of Hans Zimmerman’s Superman theme but I also appreciate what it did for Cavill’s Superman. 

Mr. Terrific is amazing. It’s such a Take That to how that one X-Men movie screwed up with Edi Gathegi’s Darwin character. He was so much fun to watch! 

Guy Gardner and Hawkgirl were also fun, unfortunately, I think Hawkgirl was a little underserved. 

things that could be improved

I mentioned that this is an awesome comic book movie and it is and leans into it and all the best ways but also, it kind of feels like an episodic movie ripped out from a season of Superman: the Animated Series, or even of My Adventures of Superman, which I tell you is more and more like it. But it jarringly feels like it was edited like one too. It didn’t toss me out of the immersion, it’s just that some of the transitions felt noticeable. 

Anyway New Rockstars said that this Superman is Gunn’s best movie to date and that’s where I went. Oh hey, easy there, pardner. Gunn’s best movie made? I don’t share the sentiment. I would put Superman 2025 as something on the level of Guardians of  the Galaxy Vol. 1. A fun, romp of a movie but not the best. Let Gunn work up to that title first. 

In terms of cinematography this movie has its moments but if you liked the grand scope and epic shots and the quiet moments Snyder brought into Man of Steel* which I also really liked, loved even, the comic book-ness might not be your cup of tea, visually and tonally speaking and that’s okay. 

*(I have big issues with some other things in MoS but that’s not what we’re talking about).

I’ll be talking about the plot 

SPOILERS BELOW

One of the frequent criticisms I saw was that James Gunn just stole the plot from Batman v Superman. I rolled my eyes at that point and continue too because having rewatched Smallville, My Adventures of Superman, and some episodes of Superman & Lois its just inevitable that the question of Superman over stepping and being questioned on his sincerity will be brought up. 

In fact, some podcasts are kind of tired with this plot, and I get it. But Gunn did not steal this plot from Batman v Superman. In fact, this plot is more similar to Smallville’s Hero Registration Act arc than anything else. 

This Superman wears his heart on his sleeve, he’s only been operating as Superman for three years. He is still a rookie hero. He makes rookie mistakes and trusts too willingly, something that frustrates Lois to no end. 

But this Clark has also kind of distanced himself from his parents, he hasn’t visited the farm in a while. I think it’s because he thought he found his place in his Fortress of Solitude and having Jor-El and Lara’s message to him played on repeat. He’s lonely and latched on to this piece of his heritage. 

Sidenote: I love that Lara is included in this message because a lot of the time, Lara is forgotten and hardly mentioned to Clark. 

This Clark is also a little cocky, especially with how he thought Lois interviewing Superman meant that Lois would give him softball questions. LOL. Clark, you dumbass. 

Lois doesn’t know what a softball question even is. She doesn’t write fluff pieces. Clark mentions how he’s media trained but he only said that because the doofus has been interviewing himself. Something Lois pokes at several times. 

Lois pointedly asked him several times about how he interfered in a war. Clark gets riled up and agitated because, guess what? He wasn’t media trained. He isn’t used to someone questioning him. 

I love that this causes friction between Lois and Clark, because it should. Lois isn’t gonna handle Clark with kid gloves just because they were in a relationship. I love that it’s something on both their minds and Clark apologized how poorly he handled it. 

The main thing threat of the movie though is very much Lex Luthor. So far he is the BEST cinematic Lex Luthor. Hands down, no question. The Haterism from Lex floweth free. Every single thing that can go wrong on Superman’s life, he will try to accomplish. 

Caught in the crossfire are the other metahuman heroes like Guy Gardner, Mr. Terrific, and Hawkgirl, and Metamorpho and the various Humans like Rick Flag Sr., Near the end of the movie, the other DOD person with Flag Sr., pointed out that the metahumans have just gone and interfered in another sticky international matter again without oversight. And this feels like it’s a larger issue that might cross all the other DCU movies and shows. 

As I’ve said earlier, I love how active Lois is in this movie. She doesn’t stop, and she’s always thinking and she’s trying to figure out her own feelings for Clark Kent. She can smell a scam a mile away and she’s always questioning. But even as she’s questioning her relationship with Clark (because of her own misgivings and her own self doubt about how bad she is with relationships). 

Then Lex invades the fortress of solitude and takes a recording of Clark’s parents that had the first half containing how much they loved him. The second part of the recording was damaged but then somehow ‘retrieved’ by the Engineer, it claimed that both Jor-El and Lara wanted their son to rule over Earth and have a harem of women and have lots of children. 

I am still skeptical at this message, even as many people profess is genuine. I feel the next movie will have a twist in it that will say, no that’s not what it says. 

So Lex leaks the message to all the news outlets and does an interview himself. Clark is so shook but also realized that Lex invaded the FoS and arrives to find his robots destroyed and Krypto, missing. 

TLDR. Everything goes down and Clark as Superman allows himself to be arrested and he’s instantly brought somewhere else where other metahuman like him are imprisoned. There’s a lot that went down there that when he escapes with the help of Metamorpho, Mr Terrific and Lois. Clark is shaken and overwhelmed, and Lois brings Clark to Smallville to recuperate.

(Before this, Lois reveals to Clark she was a punk kid growing up, and Clark claims he also liked punk stuff. Lois retorts a heart on sleeve guy like him can’t be punk. Clark returns that maybe being hopeful and open hearted is punk).

This is where Lois realizes that while she knows Clark the reporter and Superman the invincible hero, this is the first time Lois saw him as Clark. Clark who grew-up and had parents.

A Clark who listened to pop rock bands he claims are punk but Lois claims aren’t. As I suspected in a trailer shot of Lois looking at Clark being tended to by Jonathan and Martha Kent, this plays a big part where Lois solidifies what she feels for Clark.

The next morning Clark wakes up with Krypto resting on his chest with the sun on his face but he’s far from refreshed. 

And this is a scene in the Kent farm that I wish had more time to cook, because honestly I also wanted more Martha Kent. She’s supportive and no nonsense but I wish there was more there, there you know? 

While I did give kudos to Gunn bringing in Lara, I have to say the moms are under served. Even Pa Kent is too. This is where the weakness of the format comes in because Superman 2025 even though is the best comic book movie Superman… it also feels like its an episode lifted from a Superman TV show or comic book issue. We’re landed in media res, into a week into Superman’s life. And it is frustrating because I wanted more, more time, more everything. 

Pa Kent essentially tells him, who he is and wants to do doesn’t depend on what his parents tell him. It depends on what Clark chooses to do. 

The beauty of having the Justice Society League Gang is that Clark has someone to call for back-up to help when he has to do something else. This is how Superman’s able to handle the catastrophic dimensional rift that opened in Metropolis and discover who Ultraman was, who if you know the speculation wasn’t a surprise was a mindless clone of Clark. Krypto help defeat Ultraman and tossed into a blackhole (who I bet will become Bizarro or Doomsday) 

In the end, Clark as Superman was able to bring about his thesis statement: He is flawed and Human and he screws up and growing up Human, being Human is his greatest strength. He may have been born a Kryptonian but he’s also very much Human. 

Lois writes or has her article transcribe via Jimmy and releases her damning report about Lex Luthor just in time, spreading the word about the truth of Luthor’s crimes. It is quaint now and harkens to a different time where the truth can be a catalyst for change. The third act Lois doesn’t have a lot to do, unfortunately and what she does happens on screen while piloting Mr Terrific’s ship, flying what is essentially the Daily Planet’s senior staff. 

This ends in a stare down between a defeated Lex and an empowered Superman. Lois and Superman meet in the streets, after Lex is arrested. Superman tells Lois that he would like to give an interview to Lois, they enter a building with no one in it and Clark sweeps Lois into an epic kiss. 

Before the movie ends, Kara sweeps into the Fortress of Solitude to get ‘her dog’, it turns out that Krypto is Kara’s. She’s clearly drunk and is a mess, and they fly away. Earlier when Lex abducted Krypto and Clark’s expending effort to search for him, Lois asked him why all this effort for his dog. 

And then Clark tells Lois that Krypto might be all alone out there and scared and its clear he projected his feelings on to Krypto but also, its clear Clark was also talking about his cousin, Kara. 

Who is also all alone now, and maybe afraid, and maybe even a lot angrier than he is for losing a planet he has no memory of. 

The movie then ends with Clark watching videos of his parents but this time what’s projected is a video of his Earth Parents, signaling that he’s reconnected with his Human roots. 

In terms of cinematography there are lovely moments and points here but a controversial opinion: I think that this is on par with Guardians of the Galaxy vol 1 which is fun and nice but had room to cook and grow. But also, I think what will happen is that Fantastic Four: first steps will come out as a more polished movie than Superman 2025. And that’s okay. 

[demelzathemer]

I'm watching the Doom Patrol episode for the first time ever and LOSING MY MIND, why didn't anyone tell me this is GOOD??? It's written by Steve Yockey and it SHOWS because the dialogue is absolutely the same as in the netflix series

Crystal is so catty and Edwin is fed up with people while Charles mediates, they're the same characters just played by different people?? I'm gonna add some shitty screensnaps here to yell about it

Obviously spoilers if you care about that;

Crystal <3 She looks closer to her comicbook self but has the same amount of sass as her netflix self

I swear I'm so normal about this bit of dialogue. Crystal telling Edwin Charles will protect him (with a baseball bat, mind you, they're in the States!) and their responses, I wish I could see Jayden and George act this part.

(I can hear "I'd do it anyway, won't I?" in Jayden's voice... weeps)

Edwin sassing out little girls again??? I lost it with the pose and voice

WEAK FOR THOSE BIG BROWN EYES

(Jayden's voice again. I know you hear it)

He should've been allowed to drape himself over Edwin like this too. Why would Netflix do this to me

"Love this." EDWIN??? He's way too happy that they're gonna smack their client with a shovel.

And CHARLES (pulls it out without anyone asking, he knows what's going to happen next) HANDS IT TO CRYSTAL so she can be the one doing the smacking???

And she's way too eager as well. What is happening here. Though I love how seamlessly they work as a trio now. Even if it's for the purpose of knocking out their unsuspecting client

"The price to open the door to afterlife is pain, and I'm the only one who can do it."

With the door handle being a BABYDOLL HEAD. With HELL FLAHBACKS. What the actual fuck?

I thought the doll spider was netflix original character??

And Charles immediately being "you don't have to do it, we can find another way in" I might be crying

Charles is afraid of water??? That's CANON?? It has to be, nothing has been changed about the characters so far!

Charles (with red-rimmed eyes): "I'm not scared! Just so you know."

Edwin (lying to make Charles feel better): "We know."

They're so in love. But what do you mean with "I'll make sure he's fine"? What are you gonna do, Edwin? Hold his hand on the boat ride? (They didn't show that part, so that's probably what happened.)

They had ONE episode and they still had to make sure that we know Edwin's gay.

I'm OBSESSED with this line and this repressed version of Edwin, I don't have the words right now but I read someone's brilliant analysis about it. (Pls link if you find it)

"I used to think that, too. But it's not 1916 anymore, you know?"

"Well, I'm not like you. But thanks for the concern."

Edwin, oh my god that is so sad. What makes you think you don't deserve happiness? I need to study him under a microscope

...Then STRAIGHT INTO death flashbacks??? They didn't leave anything out, watching this one episode spoils 7 out of 8 episodes of the netflix series?!

"She's good." Edwin appreciates Crystal! I love that they genuinely are a trio here and the boys know about her quirks like they know each other

Also David lore is unchanged too and Crystal bonding with Dorothy was so sweet

...THE NIGHT NURSE IS HERE TOO?? I thought she was a netflix original character too (Cat King, Tragic Mick and Jenny are, at least?)

AND SHE'S RUTH CONNEL??? ALSO WTF JUST HAPPENED

Her character is pretty different alright, and played very differently by the same actress??? And Charles just WENT FOR IT unprovoked?! Do they know about her in this universe, is she like a monster that's actively hunting them down and can be alerted by killing(?) I literally don't know anymore this is crazy

(Edwin was so cute jumping up and cheering lol. A bit jarring how much more he curses here though)

This is actually an insane episode, the trio with their huge amount of lore just drop in in the middle of already established group of characters and their lore and then, they're never seen again after this??

And they had flashbacks to both of their deaths without explaining ANYTHING about what the hell was that. Just five seconds of "being chased and covered in blood", teasing something about their relationship, Crystal dropping her goal of beating her missing memories out of a demon, no conclusion of wtf was "spider-face lady" aka the Night Nurse, etc etc. They needed their own show really badly huh

So netflix hurry up and give us a second season! After seeing this I'm blown away by the execution of Dead Boy Detectives and how Jayden and George really brought the characters to life. I'm so thankful we have that. Their chemistry really is what makes the show.

[cage-an-angel]

Chat i may have created two whole new MU ocs lmao hehe hahajawbosheowh

p.s, in case some of my mutuals doesn't know, my main blog is @mokahani-bnuuy so if you see that blog liking your posts that's me lol

NOTE: MOONLIGHT UNIVERSITY (MU) IS MADE BY HAYATI-GACHA ON TUMBLR

Them, the pretty duo. The most in-sync idiots ever, t h e friends

(farah without her hat is cursed omg)

An outgoing and social girl who takes every chance to decorate something. Her creativity has no bounds, and she has since created a myriad of art pieces in various forms― be it paintings, songs, literature, or sculpture. Any material she has access to is a medium for her mind.

Farah harbors a great deal of energy, her only way to let it out is through socialization. She has made countless of friends and had never forgotten a thing about any of them.

here we go 🔥🔥

Hayati: Considers Hayati to be the coolest person in the whole school, probably her big fan.

Kyle: Very close friends, once they both start talking to each other it's going to continue for the next 6 hours

David: Thinks he's just a chill guy, David also reminds Farah of her little brother.

Seiki: Thinks he's an interesting guy, but they don't interact much. Farah had tried to get closer to him and to no avail. She figures he didn't want to be bothered and left him alone.

Chloe: Although Farah dislikes her attitude, she can't help but admire Chloe a bit.

Samuel: Due to her large range of friends and acquaintances, Farah has heard stories of Samuel and his personality from multiple people, mostly his exes. She's quite wary of him as a result.

Phil: She thinks he's just a fun guy on campus (oh farah...)

Melissa: They're not very close, but she has interacted with Melissa. She thinks she's a cute girl with good tastes. (oh...farah....)

A transfer student and a sweet person with the face of a playboy, at least from what he's been told. Aidan has always been popular with his looks and personality, his athletic skills only boosts that. Though he has many admirers, he also had many envious spectators.

During Aidan's time in his former high school, several forged rumors were spread among the students; how he had corrupted club funds as the student council's treasurer, been a delinquent in middle school, and how he threatened two students. It was only after he was expelled that the rumors were revealed to be false.

While he may not look like it at first glance, Aidan is a lovely and helpful person to have around. He often spends his time playing volleyball, his skills had helped his middle school team win multiple awards, and they suffered a hit when their ace was gone.

chat this post is so long wtf 🥀❔❔

Hayati: Admires her responsibility and diligence, he doesn't see her very often, but he makes sure to greet her when he does.

David: Reminds him of Farah's younger brother, who he also thinks of his own sibling. Aidan thinks David is cute in a way.

Kyle: Very close friends, usually dragged along by Kyle and Farah to whatever shenanigan they came up that day.

Seiki: Reminds him of the quiet mysterious kids in middle school, he doesn't think of him much.

Chloe: He just hates bullies and people with her personality in general. He's stood up for a few of Chloe's victims. (and now he and Chloe have BEEF 🔥🔥 )

Samuel: Hates how he treats girls with his attitude, thinks Samuel needs a lesson or two.

Phil: He's heard a story of him here and there, he doesn't think Phil is too trustworthy.

Melissa: Doesn't know her much, they only follow each other on social media.

HAHAHAHA IT'S DONE!!! IT'S DONE!!!

BUT!!! HAVE A BONUS!!!!! AAAAAOHEIZ3HZIH3JSIE

―――――――――*°―――☆―――°*―――――――

TEMPLATE BY @n3no-n3o-neur0n hey hey you should use it too it's cool 😏😏🔥🔥

Links to get to know her ocs!!

Bianchella: intro relationship chart

Xiao (name used to be Mao): intro relationship chart

[shadow-0-8]

so, I’ve been dead. Or whatever. I’ve been living in the shadows. Mainly because I’ve started playing RDR2(wtf is Dutch’s plan?) and I feel like I’m cheating on the cod community, and just cause I was busy. (It was my bday not to long ago ✨💅)

Anyways, have some HC’s cause I’m out of energy, but I feel bad not posting, idk.

(random but:) Cod folk, and activities they did as kids, but leaving some out cause, idk

Gaz: he gives such boyscout vibes, are there British boyscouts? He was definitely one of the best one, sold the most popcorn and shit Price: probably fishing with his dad, or an uncle, and whatever male figure definitely smoked a cigar

Kate: she gives the vibes of someone who was forced to go to church as a kid, and thought it was bs, so probably church camp of some sort, she’s really good at braiding now

Graves: he seems like he probably did some sort of like military camp at some point as a kid, his parents probably couldn’t stand him all summer(who could), so maybe that, or again, Boy Scout or a summer camp. (I got sent to one up in Illinois as a kid *shudders*)

Soap: probably swimming at a local lake, definitely not in a supervised manner either. He probably went with a couple of boys, and they’d swim when it was freezing, because it was funny.

Hesh & Logan: definitely built forts in the woods, or went camping. Elise has always been preparing them 🙂‍↕️

Adler: evil shit. He definitely burnt ants with a magnifying glass as a child, but not in a bully way, in a like, really creepy kid in the back of your class you don’t talk to, and even the teacher is scared of kind of way. Or maybe he was charming in a way that’s just a bit too nice, either is feasible

David Mason: got yelled at by Woods.

Woods(he’s never been young): yelled at David

[pealeii]

les mis us tour on november 21, 2024 !!

javert (nick rehberger) said “no 😒” so snootily

the valjean (nick cartell) was INCREDIBLE. his “FLIIIGHT” note in the prologue was an inSANE high belt. and he did it while twirling around?? like WOAH.

the bishop (randy jeter) said “my friend :) you left so early” so gently

the factory girl who fought fantine was genuinely great??? like when she said “sleeping around” she made a little gesture and got all up in her face about it

before fantine died, valjean and her hugged 🥺

the thernadiers were GREAT. we had a panel with the actor of marius (jake david smith) and thernadier (matt crowle) and thernadier said he had a newer take on the character that he described as more of a jester, and you could tell! he really leaned into the physicality. i liked it

when madame did the sign of the cross thernadier just like. flopped his hands vaguely around

stars was fucking incredible. like WHAT. such a stoic javert…and a RICH voice. absolutely gorgeous rendition

javert and gavroche had this little moment after javert cleared everyone away where they just looked at each other like “ok……..respect.”

KYLE ADAMS GRANTAIRE IS BETTER THAN I COULD EVER IMAGINE

during red&black grantaire kissed combeferre on the head and later sat on his lap. he was also just SO CUNTYY. he crossed his legs in the most CUNTY way and just traipsed around and messed around with people and SERVED

when grantaire said “let’s give them a a screwing they’ll never forget” he empasized screwing like “let’s give them a screwing 😏💅 they’ll never forget”

ALSO!!!!! his and gavroche’s friendship was amazing !!!! like they would hug all the time 🥺🥺🥺 they had so many little moments. after grantaire’s verse in drink with me gavroche came over and hugged him on the legss!!! 💔💔😫😫 and when gavroche died (holy shit) grantaire ran over and hugged him and tried to wake him like WTFFF 💥💥💥💥💔💔💔

OKAYYY OH MY GOSH eponine (mya rena hunter) was amazing!!!!!!!! her on my own gave me CHILLS WOAHAHAH SHE WAS INCREDIBLE!!

AND MARIUS AND COSETTE WERE SO SWEET <3333 THEYRE DYNAMIC WAS EVERYTHING. like the cosette (delaney guyer) was SO short it was adorable. also her voice was naturally high and i really enjoyed it

marius was great. when he said “marius pontmercy” in heart full of love he bowed to cosette so goofily 😂

ALSO A LITTLE FALL OF RAIN!!!!!!!!!!! WTF!!! It was done so intimately—marius and eponine were so close to each other in their own corner and the whole stage was dim except a spotlight on them, and they sang so softly to each other it was like you were leaning into this conversation between just the two of them it was 💔💔💔💔💔💔😭😭😭😭

also during that song at one point gavroche tried to come over but grantaire pulled him back

and bring him home holy shiT. he started so quiet and gentle, but then his voice just SOARED as he got into it. just WOAH.

also!! when valjean read marius’ letter he stopped at the “well” when marius is writing about how cosette loves him as well. so like “love me as…well 🤨” SOO funny. bc he’s always so *valjean* and serious yknow but that break was so good

JAVERT’S SOLILOQUY. HOLY SHIT. he did my FAV thing of screaming the first two lines which 10000/10💥💥💥💥💥💥 and when he jumped, the set just like UNRAVELED around him (like how he himself was unraveling!!!) and he stayed suspended in midair while being moved back

at the end when valjean dies, he had the same candlesticks that the bishop gave him set up!!

[low-budget-korra]

We need to talk about The Last of Us S2

Because what the actual fuck?

Let’s break it down, because there’s just too much bad stuff to talk about.

1 - What’s the theme of this second season?

In the game, everything revolves around revenge and obsession. In the show…? Ellie watched her father get brutally murdered, and not long after, she’s all like 😃😄 as if nothing ever happened.

All signs point to the Nora scene being in the next episode. But what build-up have they given the audience to buy into what Ellie is capable of doing? None. In the game, that scene marks the peak of Ellie’s loss of humanity. In the show, it could serve as the starting point—but unless you buy into that psychologist’s take that Ellie is a sadist who was born bad and is beyond saving—there’s no setup, no groundwork that justifies Ellie torturing and killing Nora. In the previous episode, Ellie acted like she was on a romantic road trip, not a vengeance-fueled journey.

And part of this is why...

2 - Bella Ramsey is NOT the Ellie from Part II

I know her fans will hate me for this, but it’s the truth. And based on some of her comments about last episode’s, it’s pretty clear she doesn’t understand Ellie’s arc this season and is still acting like it’s S1 Ellie.

“But game Ellie also cracks jokes”—yeah, she does. But there’s an aura of melancholy, sadness, and grief around her.

A classic example is the Take On Me scene, where Ellie sings more to herself than to Dina, her voice cracking at times, feeling the weight of the lyrics. Sure, it’s still a romantic moment, but Ellie is different. Her jokes, her interactions with Dina, they’re not the same as they were before Joel’s death. There’s a heavy sorrow surrounding her.It’s not something she says like, “Wow, I’m so sad,” or “Damn, I’m pissed.” It’s something you feel just by looking at her.

And Bella isn’t good at conveying those subtleties, because she’s not a physically expressive actress. In the show, the Take On Me was just a straightforward romantic scene—there was no emotional layering at all.

And if it’s going to be hard to buy Ellie suddenly torturing Nora, it’s largely because Bella—not only misunderstanding the character— but also simply can’t portray those subtle feelings of grief, melancholy, and growing obsession. And s2 Ellie needed an actress who would nail that. I hate to say it but Kaitlyn Dever and Cailee Speaney do this pretty well. Sophie Thatcher too, as she says a lot only with her expression in Heretic

Oh and this doesn't make Bella a bad actress, she still young and can grow and get better.

3 - The show has no continuity

Especially with Ellie. They forget the show’s own canon. At the start, Ellie still acts like a 14-year-old pre-David-trauma, even though by the S1 finale, she was already a changed person.

Then Joel dies—we see how that affects her. Only for the show to pretend right after that nothing happened and she’s totally fine.

"But it’s been three months”—it could be three years and she still wouldn’t be over what happened. Trauma—especially something as intense as what Ellie experienced—doesn’t just vanish overnight. And anyone who thinks it does is lucky enough to have never lived through anything like it.

4 - Tommy? Jesse?

Especially Tommy wtf. Okayz makes sense in the canon on the show but still, it sucks he's not in Seattle

5 - Sadly, this poor work is going to be rewarded

It’s HBO, after all. It’ll get a ton of nominations and probably win a bunch. Game of Thrones, for example, won an Emmy for Best Drama for its worst season. And it’s really depressing, because it sucks to see poorly executed work get celebrated.