#and i love this entire episode but i must say that without a doubt there is one line that stands above the rest

[margindoodles2407]

YOU

YOU GET IT

The thing about me is I will, at any point of the day, stop whatever I'm doing to drawl, "Ooooh, meteor shower" in Hevy's voice.

[iamnotoriginalphil]

First of all your writing is amazing!!! Second of all hope you are having a good year so far! I was thinking for a request maybe reader x Rebecca Welton based on the line If lies keep falling from your lips then I’m out the door” where it’s the episode Keeley confronts her about the picture. Rebecca and reader ended up starting dating after the night in Liverpool, ends up finding out about Rebecca’s whole plan for the club and confronts her too where Rebecca tries to defend herself but reader isn’t having none of it wants to know why she was doing this, if what they have going on is just part of her plan to get back at Rupert since reader used to work under Rupert and he tried to make advances on her in the passed. With a Happy ending

Sweet Little Lies (Rebecca Welton x f!Reader)

Words: 2k

Warnings: swearing, lying, talking about Rupert

You’d known it was too good to be true. Of course it was. Why would a woman like Rebecca Welton ever be interested in someone like you? With her elegance and her poise, she was easily the most impressive woman you’d ever met, and without a doubt the most beautiful. You’d always thought so.

You were standing outside her office door, pacing backwards and forwards, trying to build up the courage to go inside. You hadn’t expected Higgins to break down after finding a stress rash creeping down his arm and you certainly hadn’t expected him to spill the beans about Rebecca’s plans. Admittedly, he’d thought you already knew, that you were in on your girlfriend’s plan, and felt worse upon realising you weren’t. But that still left you deciding how to bring it up with her.

You froze as the door was pulled open from the other side. Rebecca took a half step out before freezing when her eyes landed on you. You felt your eyes widening, the issue coming to a head before you felt ready.

“What are you-?” she began to ask before stopping herself.

“We need to talk,” you said.

“Uh oh,” she said, a brittle smile appearing on her face, “are you about to break up with me?”

You took a step towards her, finding her hand with yours. You stepped around her, ignoring the way just the touch of her palm against yours made you feel more grounded. And also made the butterflies in your stomach turn into a tornado.

You guided her back into her own office, closing the door to keep from being interrupted. Worry was etching itself on Rebecca’s face, eyes flicking over your expression as if trying to figure out what you were going to say. You weren’t sure what your face was doing but you thought it must have been grim. She was slow to sit on her sofa, hesitant when you didn’t join her.

“What’s going on, love?” she asked.

Having her blue eyes staring up at you weren’t making it easier for you. The amount of worry, and the fear you could see hiding behind that worry made you want to reassure her. You hated being the cause of her distress but you had to talk to her. You had to get to the bottom of it all. Because if you didn’t, when she revealed that she’d never actually wanted you, it would crush you.

“I’ve been talking to Higgins,” you said, “or I guess it would be more accurate to say Higgins talked to me.”

“That’s never a good start to a conversation,” she said, with one of those uncomfortable laughs that let you know that she didn’t like where the conversation was going.

“He told me about your plan,” you said, “about destroying Richmond and taking everything Rupert loved. He thought I already knew since I’m, you know, in a relationship with you.”

“Oh,” was the only reply you got.

“You’ve been lying to me this entire time, Rebecca.”

It sounded harsh to your ears and from the way she almost reeled back as if slapped it was clear it sounded harsh to her as well. But it was the truth. You had to remind yourself of that or else you’d find yourself apologising and begging for her forgiveness. You were in the right. You knew you were.

“I didn’t lie to you.” Her voice was so small.

“You didn’t tell me the truth,” you countered.

Your hurt was turning into anger and you were scared about what was going to happen. If she kept denying it, or minimising it you weren’t sure what you were going to do. You needed to hear her say it, just once, so you could know. If she couldn’t admit it, then you weren’t sure you could trust her about anything else.

“I thought you would hate me if you knew,” she said, shoulders slumping.

“If you can’t be honest with me, that’s going to be worse. I don’t care about you trying to get back at Rupert for fucking you over. I care that the way you’re doing it is hurting other people,” you said.

“The team will be fine. No one will blame them,” she said.

“They’ll blame Ted and he doesn’t deserve it. You know he doesn’t. He’s a good person,” you said, “and I know you set up Keeley so don’t even pretend. Is everyone else just collateral damage? Is it worth all of our pain?”

“Everyone else will recover. They can come back from this. I just want to destroy the club,” she said.

“Then I can’t stay,” you said.

“What?”

Those large eyes looked at you, a sense of panic beginning to overtake her expression. The worry and the fear were gone, slipping away in the face of your statement. You waited, needing to hear her response before you could move on.

“What do you mean you can’t stay?” she asked.

“Well, if I’m all just part of this plan to get back at Rupert, and this entire relationship has been a lie, then I won’t be putting myself through dealing with the indignity of staying in this relationship,” you said, ignoring the way just the words coming from you made it feel as if you were cleaving your own heart in two.

“You weren’t… you were never… I didn’t plan for you,” she said, seemingly not able to come up with the right words. You weren’t sure there were right words to come back from this.

“Of course I was. You got what Rupert could never have. Surely that will make him sting just a bit,” you said with a shrug, trying to make it sound casual, like you didn’t care, like your heart wasn’t being torn to shreds.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said, “darling, our relationship was never part of my plan. It was unexpected. Wonderful, the most wonderful thing to come out of all of this, but I couldn’t have planned for falling in love with you.”

You felt your breath leave you.

“Don’t you… how dare you try and sweep this all under the rug by saying you love me for the first time?”

All attempts at remaining calm were all out the window. There was no calm in the face of what she was doing to you.

“I’m not trying to sweep the things I’ve actually done under the rug, but you’re not one of those things. You were never meant to be part of this whole fucking mess. I don’t know why you even would be. It’s not like he was in love with you,” she said.

“No but he tried to get off with me,” burst from you. You’d never told her because you never thought it was relevant. Only now it really felt like it was, especially if she’d known all along.

“What the fuck are you talking about?” It was the first sense you got that she was getting angry.

“Back when he owned the club. He would hit on me all the time. He made it very clear he wanted a shag, and I made it very clear I didn’t want that but he kept trying to change my mind,” you said, “but you knew that because now I’ve shagged you when I wouldn’t shag him. Just another up yours to him.”

“Darling, I had no idea.” Anger was mingling with sadness, pity perhaps in the mix too. “I wish I’d known.”

“Don’t pretend you didn’t,” you said, only your conviction felt shaky.

“You think I would sit idly by if he was harassing you?” she demanding, finally standing up, the anger getting to her. You’d always loved the way she towered over you, and even in her anger you weren’t worried it would be turned on you. You had that much faith in her, even if the rest of it had been rocked by the revelation.

“ I don’t…” You looked up into her thunderously angry face, “no, I don’t think you would.”

“Of course I bloody wouldn’t,” she said, but she seemed to calm at your words.

“So I really wasn’t part of your plan to back at Rupert?” you asked.

“No.” She brought both hands up to cup your cheeks in her warm palms, “you’ve been a wonderful surprise. The best thing to come out of this whole fucking mess.”

You looked up at her, feeling a flush of warmth for her. She hadn’t lied about your relationship. That had all been real.

“You have to tell Ted,” you said, “no more lies. If you keep lying to everyone then I can’t do this anymore.”

“I know. Of course. I was on my way to tell him when I found you,” she said.

“Good because I know you’re better than this. You’re better than your pain,” you said.

With both hands still on your cheeks, she tilted your face up towards her. She was slow as she approached, giving you plenty of time to move away but you didn’t. You couldn’t. She’d enchanted you, body and soul, and you were under her spell. The brush of lips was soft, still giving you enough time to pull away but you didn’t. If anything, you pressed closer, your arms curling around her body.

She was slow to draw back and when she did you whimpered. You never wanted to stop kissing her once you’d started. She was gentle as she pushed some hair behind your ear, blue eyes twinkling, lips curling up at the corner.

“You’re so lovely,” she whispered.

“Did you tell me you love me?” you asked, the thought finally penetrating through the fog of your heartbreak now it had stopped.

“I suppose I did.” Her smile faltered for a moment before stretching a little further.

“Did you mean it?”

She seemed to soften before you, a glow lighting her up from the inside out. You found yourself leaning closer, never able to fight against your impulse to fall into her. Her thumb brushed along your cheekbone.

“I did,” she said, voice soft, almost reverent in her confession.

“Say it again,” you requested.

“I love you,” she said, a little louder than before.

“Again.”

“I love you.”

You gazed up at her, feeling the intensity of the moment. Your heart was pounding and your skin was buzzing and all you wanted to do was melt into her. The first time you’d seen her, walking through the halls on Rupert’s arm, you’d felt yourself fall for her. Every day since it had only grown stronger. You still reeled from from the fact that she seemed to want you too.

“I love you too,” you whispered.

Her face split open in pure sunlight. Her smile widened and the joy was practically rolling off her. She pulled you in, kissing you without restraint. You were grinning into the kiss, not even caring when your teeth clashed together. She was laughing into your mouth and you found yourself following suit, until your cheek was pressed to hers and you were revelling in the moment.

It was an unexpected end to your conversation.

“You should go speak to Ted,” you murmured once the laughter had died down and you didn’t feel as if your heart was going to run away from you.

“Can’t we just stay here for a moment longer?” she asked.

“It’s time, Rebecca,” you said, “you have to tell him.”

“What if he hates me?” she asked.

“It’s Ted. I’m not sure he knows how to hate anyone,” you replied.

She paused a moment before her shoulders slumped again.

“Fuck, you’re right. I know you’re right. The bastard will forgive me,” she said, sounding unhappy about it.

“And afterwards, we can go home and watch Wizard of Oz and eat garlic bread,” you said.

“God I love you,” she said, pulling you into another kiss.

“Go on. Stop trying to distract me,” you said, tapping her on the arse.

The smile she flashed you over her shoulder as she left her office had you needing to suppress your own smile. Yeah, you loved that woman.

[miraculouslbcnreactions]

WerePapas Flashback Salt Part Two

Yesterday we discussed the first flashback in this episode, today let's talk about flashback two!

Flashback two comes at the end of the episode and features Gabriel and Nathalie arriving home from a trip to try to find a cure for Emilie. The fact that these trips occurred has always been a personal headcanon, so I like this lore, but that's the only positive thing I can say. From a story perspective, this flashback should have been cut. Gabriel is dead! His relationship with Adrien is over! The time to develop their backstory was when Gabriel was alive and an active character! Why are you padding the run time with this crap now? And why do it in an episode that's bloated as hell?

Of course, the point of this flashback isn't Gabriel and Adrien's relationship. It's about Nathalie, Adrien, and also Emilie for some reason. The flashback ends with Nathalie comforting Adrien while Emilie looks on from above, pleased by the relationship, giving her silent seal of approval to Nathalie being Adrien's new mother:

Nathalie: Once your mother is healed, your father will stay here with both of you… forever. (Adrien is still upset. Nathalie hesitantly puts her hand on his chin to cheer him up. Émilie watches them from above in her wheelchair, a gentle smile on her face. She goes back into her room, closing the door)

There are a lot of reasons this is pointless, so let's just go through those.

Reason One: Emilie's approval doesn't matter

Emilie is not a character that the audience has come to know and love. She's been a non-entity for the entire show so I doubt if anyone would have thought to ask what Emilie wanted without the episode prompting us to ask. Even with the prompt, I don't care! Emilie is dead! Her opinions do not matter especially since Nathalie clearly never took Emilie's opinion to heart:

Nathalie: I'm not part of the family. Marinette: What?! Does Lord Graham know you're practically Adrien's mom now? Nathalie: I… could never replace Adrien's mother.

Even though Emilie was pretty clear about her approval in those instructional videos that Nathalie was obsessed with back in season five:

Emilie: (from the video recording) Don't be sad, Nathalie... You must continue to be happy, even though I'm no longer here. As long as there's love, it is possible. Adrien will be well-surrounded. He'll have you, Nathalie, and he'll have his father if Gabriel agrees to give up on his madness... and on me. Adrien... will have all the love he needs to be happy.

So we the audience already knew that Emilie approved of Nathalie and Nathalie was canonically told about this already, so why did we need to rehash this topic? It would be one thing if Emilie's words swayed Nathalie during this episode, but they don't. No one in the episode discusses Emilie's thoughts on the matter and the only people who get to see the silent seal of approval moment are the audience members. It's so freaking pointless!

Since Emilie and Nathalie's relationship is never actually used for anything, Emilie has no reason to be in this episode. Nathalie and Adrien's feelings about mama Nathalie are the only feelings that matter and should have been the episode's focus. As is, Adrien's feelings are somewhat addressed but we are never told what is holding Nathalie back or what changes her mind. Is it grief? A general distaste for motherhood? What? I legitimately want to know! Why doesn't she think she's part of the family and what changes her mind? As is, it's really not clear!

Marinette:(Walks over to the door. Opens it and drags Nathalie inside) I'm still just a teenager, Nathalie, and I'm only Adrien's girlfriend and I can't decide for him or stop his grandparents from fighting for his custody, but you are an adult and more importantly, you're the one who's been taking care of him since his parents disappeared. If there's one thing I know for sure, it's that to Adrien, you're like a mother now. (Adrien stands up with a smile) Nathalie: Adrien is not my son. I have no rights. Gabrielle: Like Jagged once said, "You is the one who loves him, so you is mom". Johnny: Did he really say that? Gabrielle: If he didn't, then he should. (Adrien walks up to Nathalie) Nathalie: Is this really what you want? Adrien: (Hugs Nathalie) My life is here in Paris, with Marinette, my friends and you. (Finally, Nathalie hugs him back. The Gorilla tears up as he watches them from outside)

Because Nathalie's feelings aren't really dug into, this arguably comes across like Nathalie doesn't actually want to be Adrien's mother, but is going with it because it will make Adrien happy. This episode would have been so much better if Nathalie was fighting for Adrien because she wanted this and knew that Emilie agreed, but Emilie's parents needed to be convinced of that. Then Johnny's claim that Nathalie loves Adrien would have actual weight. As is, I'm not sure why he thinks that. Nathalie does nothing all that loving in this episode.

Another idea would be to have Nathalie's hesitance come from the fact that she's lying to Adrien about his parents and also keeping the whole sentimonster thing from him. From a narrative perspective, it makes way more sense for Nathalie to be the one who is the source of those lies and secrets since she actually knows the whole story while Marinette knows almost nothing. The audience is better informed than she is!

Plus Nathalie played a major role in making everything happen and actually liked the Agrestes, giving her a much stronger motivation for these lies than Marinette who was on the good side and hated Gabriel's guts! This entire liar Marinette plot is yet another example of the Marinette obsession hurting the story. Let other characters get some focus and be a source of problems!!!

Of course, the only way to resolve that issue is to actually be honest with Adrien and that's just not happening. The fact that he picks Nathalie without knowing everything really bothers me. Does anyone believe that he'd want Nathalie in a position of power over him if he knew the truth?

Reason Two: The Nathalie Retcon

This is probably the worst instance of the writers trying to make redeemed Nathalie work because they're now saying that she always loved and cared for Adrien. In season five, it read more like new behavior spawning from her supposed change of heart. I didn't think that new behavior was properly developed, but it could have been so I can understand people giving it a pass because they like the idea of a good Nathalie. But saying that this is just who Nathalie always was?

Fuck. Off.

To be fair, I guess she has always protected Adrien from his father, putting her honorary son's safety above his father's wants:

Hawk Moth: (from phone) Nathalie? Nathalie! Nathalie: (on phone) It's Adrien. Your son... he's... he's Cat Noir.

And she was always incensed when Gabriel put Adrien at risk, demanding he never do that again with the same passion she usually reserved for blindly supporting Gabriel:

Nathalie:(on call) Sir, you took a big risk today, especially regarding Adrien. Gabriel: If only I could tell Adrien why I'm doing this. (looks at the picture of Émilie Agreste) He would understand.

And of course we can't forget all her hard work to make Paris a safe and happy place for her honorary son to live in! All those scenes of her reminding Gabriel to not attack Adrien's friends, school, and fans were so heartwarming! I guess she really is the mother of the year! (That was all sarcasm, btw)

My cynical brain sees this tender moment between Nathalie and young Adrien and thinks, "Of course the writers had to add this. They couldn't flash back to something in the actual show because - outside of a few moments in season five - Nathalie has mostly been neutral or horrible to Adrien so the writers have to try to make people forget the character they actually wrote and replace her with this one that's popular in fanfic! Why did they write her so evil if the goal was always to make her Adrien's new mom? Oh, right, it wasn't. This is a retcon because they decided to not revive Emilie at the ninth hour!"

You had five season to make fetch happen. You didn't. Own that and give her a proper redemption.

Reason Three: The flashback doesn't actually make Nathalie a good mom

Both flashbacks seem to imply that Gabriel was a bad dad because he was too focused on finding a cure for Emilie. They also directly state that Nathalie was by Gabriel's side for the entirety of that quest:

Adrien: Does that mean that daddy doesn't love me? Émilie: Why would you say that? Adrien: Because we never see daddy. He's never here. Émilie: (Puts her hand on her son's chin.) No, no, it's just that daddy travels a lot. He goes around the world with Nathalie looking for important things. One day, they'll find them and I'll get better, then we'll all stay home. Together.

Hey, writers, if Gabriel's actions were bad then so were Nathalie's! Her taking a moment to comfort Adrien is surface level effort at best! It is not meaningful parenting! If you want her to be a good mom, then show her forcing Gabriel to spend time with his son! Have her take over research so Gabriel can go to dinner with the family! Something, anything, to meaningful improve Adrien's life!!!

As is, this scene is perfectly in line with the ultimately meaningless things she did in season five like her undoing Gabriel's worst senticommands while also doing nothing to stop Gabriel from issuing the same commands in the future! None of that actually makes Adrien's life better! You are not solving his actual issues! This is like wrapping up a fatal wound to slow the bleeding and leaving the person to the hands of fate. I'll admit that you did something, but that person has not been saved. You need to get them to a doctor for a blood transfusion ASAP!

Then again, I'm not 100% sure if the message of this episode even was that Gabriel was bad. These writers are terrible at presenting Gabriel in a way that conveys the message that they actually want to convey so the message may very well have been "Emilie's sickness hurt this wonderful family" and not "Gabriel = Bad." Either way, this flashback was pointless.

Final Verdict

Much like flashback one, this isn't a terrible scene, but it does nothing to make the episode work. Emilie's opinions and wants do not come into play outside of the flashbacks so her opinions and wants should not have been addressed in this episode. Same goes for Gabriel playing Indiana Jones. Why bring that up in an episode that has nothing to do with him?

All of that is extra true because the episode is a bloated, unfocused mess that desperately needed a longer run time. The two minutes or so that went to these flashbacks should have gone to fleshing out the episode's actual plot OR the episode's plot should have been reworked so that Emilie and/or Gabriel's quest actually mattered outside of the flashbacks.

As is, just take the two minutes the flashbacks ate up and use them to let Ladybug have a mini freak-out before smashing the rings! Or use them to let the akuma make it back up to the boxing ring, forcing Ladybug to smash the rings! Or let Nathalie have a good mom moment in the main episode to show that she actually IS the best choice for Adrien's new guardian! Or even just show us why Nathalie feels inferior to Emilie! Is it something specific to Emilie, grief, the ongoing lies, or just a general concern about being a mother? You know, things that meaningfully improve the episode? When you're dealing with complex plots and emotions in super limited run times, every second counts.

I'll also note that the flashbacks imply that Gabriel wasn't around much and that Adrien thought his father didn't love him, but that is yet another massive retcon and plot hole so I'm actually going to save that for another post about the timeline of Emilie's illness. The timeline breakdown will post tomorrow.

[lune-moon-nuit]

What if Will has a coming out scene to Lucas, Dustin and Mike? I feel like that would interesting. I feel like Lucas and Dustin could possible have already guessed that Will was gay or like in retrospect it fits. Mike would obviously be shocked. He definitely doesn’t think Will is gay. I don’t think he’d have any reason to. I think Mike was so preoccupied with his own sexuality and keeping it hidden that he just didn’t think anybody could be like him let alone the one person he likes. So busy keeping anything from getting too romantic on his side when it came to interacting with Will that he didn’t notice all the hints that Will might’ve been throwing his way. Maybe Will coming out could possible inch Mike a little closer for his own coming out. Maybe he comes out to Will. Then with them both out and going on this supernatural plot uncovering adventure together we could see them leaning more comfortably into the romantic side of things. Where they aren’t shying away from those feelings that have been brewing inside.

I'm not entirely sure that Dustin and Lucas have figured it out. Aside from the bullying by Lonnie and the school bullies, there’s nothing that objectively ties Will to homosexuality. He doesn’t seem interested in girls and has never dated one, but honestly, at 12-15 years old, that’s the case for the majority of boys his age. The only reason Will is perceived as gay in the eyes of Lonnie and the bullies is because he’s a sensitive child. And that’s literally just prejudice based on gender stereotypes—because, to them, being sensitive and showing emotions equals weakness, which equals being like a woman, and therefore, if you’re a boy and you’re sensitive, you must be gay.

As Will has grown up, he hasn’t exhibited anything beyond that regarding his sexual attraction—whether it be through his clothing style, the way he speaks, or his interests. When you look at Will from an objective standpoint, without being blinded by misogynistic and homophobic biases, he’s just an introverted and artistic boy who has been drawing since childhood and later took up painting. And the only reason we perceive his homosexuality is through his love for Mike—because we see things from his point of view.

Aside from Jonathan, who directly witnessed Will and Mike’s dynamic multiple times in Season 4 (which is why the van scene was literally confirmation for him of everything he had observed since Mike arrived in California in Episode 2), no one has actually seen Will exhibit openly "gay" behavior or display obvious romantic feelings for Mike—including Dustin and Lucas. So, I really don’t think they’ve figured it out—or if they do, it will likely happen in Season 5, as Mike and Will will find it increasingly difficult to hide their feelings for each other when they’re in the same room. That would certainly make for a very interesting scene, but I honestly have no idea how to imagine it in a realistic way.

Because, even though they’ve been outcasts their whole lives—first as children and now as teenagers—it doesn’t change the fact that they grew up in a society that instilled heteronormativity in them. Take Lucas, for example—he immediately assumed Mike had a crush on El in Season 1. So, even when you're the most open-minded person in the world, you can still have automatic thoughts that need to be deconstructed. And maybe, if Will comes out, their initial reaction could be awkward—unintentionally—before they correct themselves afterward? It’s really hard to say, and even harder to put ourselves in the shoes of teenagers who have spent their entire lives in a society that has depicted homosexuality not only as a sin and a vice but also quite literally as a sign of death and disease during the AIDS crisis.

I have no doubt that they love Will and will support him, but let’s not forget that Steve’s reaction to Robin was the exception to the rule at that time—it’s not that easy, even with people as safe as Dustin and Lucas. As for Mike, I believe he feels it unconsciously but refuses to acknowledge it—just as he refuses to acknowledge his own feelings. Because… ever since Season 2, when they’re together and having their moments—even in Season 4, like the two bedroom scenes—the chemistry and connection are so palpable that you know, you just know that the other person knows. I mean, anyone who has shared a deep emotional connection accompanied by romantic feelings or mutual sexual tension with someone will understand what I mean.

Mike and Will are not stupid—they feel their connection, but because the external stakes are too high, combined with their inability to communicate, they don’t understand each other enough to believe that their feelings are mutual. I’m not sure if I’m being clear… For example, I think Mike did understand—or at least suspected—that Will was talking about him in the van scene. But when Will insisted that Mike declare his love for El to save her, specifically mentioning "you are the heart," Mike convinced himself: "Oh, so he really was talking about El… so those weren’t Will’s own feelings in the van. Okay." And misunderstandings like this have defined their relationship since Season 3, but especially throughout Season 4.

I also believe that, deep down, Mike senses that his feelings for Will are reciprocated—but admitting that would mean also admitting his own feelings, which would, in turn, bring everything else into play: being a gay teenager in the 1980s, in a rural American town, in the middle of the AIDS crisis, with parents who voted for Reagan, a deeply conservative president. I’m not sure if they’ll have an actual coming out—maybe Mike could have a scene with Nancy that parallels Will and Jonathan—but what is certain is that Mike and Will will have that scene, the one where the truth finally comes out, and it will be the catharsis for all these years of repressed, hidden feelings that have caused so many misunderstandings between them.

Don't hesitate to share me your opinions, I would be curious in case I didn't analyzed well the characters

[bird-inacage]

Only Friends: Episode 6 Preview (Mew VS Ray)

Jesus Christ, the pain train will keep on chugging full steam ahead next week when it comes to Ray/Sand. Ray gets in an altercation with Mew (over Top), who proceeds to punch Ray in the face out of frustration. My jaw dropped to the floor.

There's an earlier clip where Ray is speaking to Boston and it sounds like Ray either finds out about the affair, or that Boston/Top have history. I have a feeling it's likely the latter, because Ray would be far angrier at Boston if he found about the affair. (As well as the fact we get another blow-up later between Boston and the entire group when this is revealed). Besides, knowing they had history is enough ammunition for Ray to believe that Top is untrustworthy and not deserving of Mew.

So Ray decides to approach Mew about it, probably in an attempt to warn him to distance himself from Top. However at this point, Mew's pretty loved up. Considering Ray's recent indiscretion and the fact he causes a scene (making this seem like drunken, rowdy behaviour), Mew ultimately defends and sides with Top, and sends Ray flying in the process. Ray hits the stage hard. Mew was not going easy in the slightest which left me speechless.

(*Has Mew become evil!Mew now that he doesn't wear glasses??)

Sand is also at the scene during this confrontation, and helps Ray up when he gets hit. Immediately after this is where Ray and Sand then also have their argument. This string of events makes a LOT more sense now, considering Ray's reaction.

Ray must be incredibly heartbroken and utterly devastated. He probably never thought that Mew - the person who saved his life - would one day be capable of hurting him instead (and all in a bid to defend another man - a giant, red flag of a man).

Then Sand decides to top that off with "Can you stop thinking about something else for a second? Focus on me for once, will you?" perhaps not fully realising that this is THE ABSOLUTE WORST time to ask that question. I love you Sand, but this is really not the time to make this about you. I know you're still upset from this week's episode, but please give your boyfriend a moment's respite.

This results in Ray exploding in his face, shoving Sand to the ground and storming off.

Ray's in an exceptionally heightened and raw state of mind in this scene. What he says to Sand is going to come out incredibly harshly, and he's not going to be thinking straight to consider Sand's feelings.

However, once he cools down, he's going to seriously regret it. Especially in immediate succession to hurting Sand just recently.

The aftermath is what I'm really concerned about. From Sand's perspective, everything that transpires 100% confirms Boston's bombshell, without a question of a doubt, that Ray does love Mew.

Both Ray and Sand will be in a very poor mental state after next week's episode, and I hope to god they're going to be okay.

Also - Ray should NOT be driving himself home when he's like this.

[spiegelgestalt]

Vi stands for Violence

One of the more ironic things in Arcane is that Vi is running around everywhere judging because they are violent and mean and idk not good enough and she’s arguably one of the most violent characters and without a doubt one of the most destabilizing forces in the entire show. (Sorry Vi fans – I say this with love but homegirl is really kind of terrible).  And the reason for that is that Vi kinda wants to be a hero in the traditional sense. She wants to do everything on her own. She wants to defeat the bad guy. She wants to save the damsel in distress. And she wants everything to be black and white.  In a lot of shows she would have thrived. But she is sadly in a show which looks you straight in the eye and says: Wow you managed to beat Sevika up. Awesome! And now? How did this help anyone? Here the damsel in distress you were trying to save is beating you over the head with a stick. Such a nice Saloon western stand off and nothing changed. No one cheered. The day wasn’t saved.

Deeper analysis under the cut

Vi’s original sin is being unwilling to see the perspective of others. She’s the oldest. She knows best. You can see that in arc 1 in season 1. Milo was correct: powder wasn’t ready. Powder messed up. Vi didn’t want to hear it because she loves Powder and that’s why Powder isn’t allowed to be criticized until Vi explodes on her in the end of the third episode. And theres something interesting about the fact that Vi apparently can’t think of Powder as a flawed person – either all she does is understandable and excusable or she’s a terrible Jinx who needs to be punished/stopped/killed. And you see the signs early on. In the “enemy music video” you see Vi screaming at Powder and shoving her, you see it at the end of episode 3, and you now see it in action in arc 1 of season 2 – Jinx doesn’t have the attitude that Vi thinks Powder should have (i.e. siding with the enforcers/Piltover against Silco - why would she do that?; accepting Vi and being grateful that she’s back) Vi trys to pick up the status quo before Vanders death. Jinx wont let her. Jinx wants to have a conversation. Both her elaborate traps remind you of the past and they remind you of the fact that Vanders death happened. Vi sees them as slights against herself and not as conversation starters. Because that’s not something she wants to think about (and notice that her mind goes immediately to her abusive behavior; because those challenge her self concept as the hero of the story). She doesn't want to admit that Powder = Jinx = Powder. Because that would mean to accept shades of grey. It would mean letting go of her anger (or at least accepting her anger) and accept that stuff changed things are complicated and people are flawed.

And she does the same thing everywhere else:  Silco caused Vanders death – ergo Silco is the cause of all evil: he’s the cause for change, for drugs, for powder being weird, for Zaun not being what it once was, for her not having a place to come home to etc. etc. I

It's even more evident with Sevika. Many have noted that Sevika hasn't actually betrayed Vander but has acted in Zauns best interest. But Vi doesn't want to even think about it that way. Sevika's to blame for Vanders death. As is Silco. (as is Powder) I dare anyone to look me in the eye and tell me that Vi accomplished anything by fighting Sevika. That was pure lust for vengeance. Especially the second time. But she messes up the most with Jinx. I find it fascinating that after Sevika is defeated and Silco is gone all of Vis anger concentrates on Jinx who refuses to become her precious treasure who needs to be protected- ergo Powder must be dead. And I’d argue that Vi is in search of a Damsel in distress and she isn’t finding anyone. Ekko is the leader Vi wants to be, Caitlyn is becoming more dangerous to Zaun by the day (and refuses Vis council) and Jinx is Jinx. Add some real resentment over Vanders death that Vi hasn’t worked through yet and it kinda makes Vis action make sense. Especially when there’s a cute blonde enforcer who admires what Vi’s doing and thinks it’s heroic and great she beat up all the bad guys in Zaun.

And one more thing. Vis attachment to Caitlyn is very similar to Powders attachment to Silco (-the sexual attraction of course). Bear with me here: who’s the first person who showed Powder kindness after the disaster: Silco. Who’s the first person who showed Vi kindness: Caitlyn. Both are charismatic leaders and both are very close to the people who destroyed their families. Vi and Jinx are more similar than you might think.

[moirindeclermont]

Bridgerton folks, you asked... There it is. Daddy!Colin in all his glory.

While I can't predict exactly where this fic is going to go (as I write on the spot) the premise in this case is that consent is assumed where not explicitly stated. Also, I'd like to be more psychological than physical, bit that's more for the characters to develop the story in the way it needs to be told. I'm merely a vessel.

Title is to be defined but I accept suggestions. Have fun!! 🥵 😈 🫠

---

Second Episode | Third Episode | Fourth Episode | Fifth Episode | Sixth Episode

---

"Why?"

Well, that was the crux of the problem.

Why did Pen asked her boyfriend and long time friend Colin Bridgerton to try "the daddy thing" as she presented it to him?

Knowing that honesty must be the requisite if this was going to turn into reality, she decided to go for total vulnerability.

"Because I need this. Because there is no one I love more than you and you're the only one with whom I can think of letting go like that."

That last bit got into Colin.

He want sure of the whole thing, but if it was something she needed, he would give it a try, for her.

"I'm willing to try. I have some research to do."

Pen smiled so bright for him that his knees almost dropped. Yeah, that was the right choice.

"Oh, I can do research for you," she offered him, but it wasn't the point of all of this for him to take care of her?

He got closer to her personal space. "Don't worry baby, I'll do my own research. If I think I need some help or some questions, I'll ask."

Pen melted in his arms - kissed him deeply and it was worth a try just for the way she hugged him after that talk, as if just talking about it made her feel better.

Thing is, the more Colin got into it, researching and reading, the more he wanted to try. He still wasnt so sure of "Daddy" was going to be cringe or hot, but the idea of Pen trusting him that much.. that was extremely erotic for him.

They talked a bit about it some more. They decided on a safe word "plant" and that he would call her "babygirl" when he wanted to start a scene.

Pen was being teased and she knew it. They talked and talked and talked with Colin. Everything was set up, they had a procedure for the aftercare (even if she doubt that she would go that deep on their first session) and now it was just a question of waiting. She was never good at waiting.

She didn't want to start this adventure with some brat behavior, but as the day passed it was clear that Colin was not waiting out of fear or insecurity.

He was waiting just to drive her mad.

Pen knew he would be good at it.

It was on the verge of begging him, when after a particular stressful night, she was close molaining with Colin about everything and it was madness how tired she was of even thinking, when she head him saying "come here, babygirl".

Holy fucking shit.

She turned to see him and he was on the sofa, his legs opened. A cushion on the floor.

Did she already said Holy fucking shit?

She moved towards him, knellingon the cushion without instructions. He seemed pleased at that.

"Such a good girl for me," as Colin tilted her chin to kiss her. She was already trembling.

"Unzip me and take me in your mouth."

She looked at him agape, as she could not believe what she was hearing. She took a moment too long to follow his instructions.

"Are you my good girl?"

At that she could only nod. "Then, do as I say."

She thought he was good. But Colin was shooting for the stars.

His entire demeanor was confident and sexy. He embodied security and she knew she was safe in his hands.

She had yet to move though. He looked at her with such intensity that her heart skipped a beat.

"Do not test me, babygirl"

And she shook her head. Pen didn't want to test him.

"Words, love."

"No, I don't want to test you"

"I don't want to test you..."

A lightbulb in her head.

"I don't want to test you, Daddy"

Tbc

[alipeeps]

A Moment But Forever - Episode 33

I still want to know how Hannv (cos it must be her to told Zhi Dai where to look, right?) knows where they are...

Fuck "keeping watch" over that miserable old fucker, he needs to die, asap.

Whoops there's your little lie about how you escaped the city exposed, not that Yuanzhong didn't already know the truth...

Ooooohh Tanyin, pleeeeeease tell me that that was you noticing Zhi Dai's reaction and that you realise Hannv has gotten to her too...

Hahahaaa Curly calling Tanghua a crybaby and embarrassing him in front of his new friends! 😂😂

Ohhh Zhi Dai is looking even more guilty/conflicted. She has totally been told to kill him, hasn't she? And whilst I'd like to think that she wouldn't do it purely to save herself, her sense of responsibility to her people will be putting a lot of pressure on her not to leave Yandu without a city lord...

Honestly though, girl, they could find someone else. It's not like it HAS to be someone of your family. And all the fine speeches you made (including to your brother) about taking responsibility for your choices and the ends not justifying the means will mean bupkiss if you allow yourself to be pressured into murdering an innocent man.

Qianlin you are wilfully blind if you doubt that she likes him. You fucking lived with them for a few days.

Yeah that's not why Zhi Dai looked awkwardly at Tanyin and Tanyin (hopefully... pleeeeease!) knows it.

Ugh girl, and if the reason you do go through with this shit is as asinine and selfish as not wanting your crush to see you old, you will be no fucking better than your brother...

What the WHAT? Did... did Hannv just fucking possess Zhi Dai?!!

Tanghua be like, oh you wanted to destroy the world for reals? Dude, who hasn't wanted to?

Tanghua sweetie, I appreciate that you also hated Dingxu for what he was doing to Yuanzhong but maybe if you had had the courage of your convictions and done half of what you just said - because you could have done that... cos you weren't locked up and your power sealed - this could have been a very different story...

Did... did Tanghua just say he would stand by Yuanzhong no matter what... even if he did decide to destroy the world?

Yeah you hit the nail on the head there, Yandu IS a giant Linglong house and she did create it. (But she is also a god).

Ugh both of them have got people casting doubt on the other and asking them if this marriage is really a good idea.

Oh damn that's kinda sweet... but also pretty sad. I mean it's totally understandable why but he really is basing his entire happiness and sense of self worth around Tanyin. He's glad he didn't go too far and kill people/let people die, not because it would have been wrong to do so, but because Tanyin wouldn't have loved him if he did. That's a pretty tenuous thread to have holding you back from committing atrocities... and if he were to lose her for any reason....

Oh god damn... he thinks the hellish, abusive life he has lived through was trials from heaven to make him worthy of the gift that is Tanyin. My poor sweet fucked up man...

And his insistence that he must keep her and no-one can take her from him... is not ominous at all...

Oh fuck me Tanghua that is tempting fate in all the worst ways...

Oh anyone who makes trouble for him you'll fight them with your life, will you, Tanghua? What about when it's your fucking possessed girlfriend? Will you fight her with your life?

Ohhh what's going on this is creepy AF... A knock on the door and now he's slowly swaying down the path. Is he injured? Possessed? He certainly doesn't look right.

So he did already know she was a goddess. But now Hannv-possessed Zhi Dai is going to make him believe Tanyin is only with him to get the Divine Left Hand back from him...

Hey, random thought that I have expressed earlier but it has popped up again - where the fuck are the weapon spirits? They absorbed back into the weapon during the fight in Yandu but is that it? Are they gone for good? Or can they reappear? Does Yuanzhong need to will it to happen? (They are his friends aren't they... why wouldn't he want them at the wedding?)

So she tells him that Tanyin doesn't love him, she is just waiting for his death. And of course she had never SAID she loves him, because she can't because of the Spiritual Heart Vow (cos despite the fact that she very clearly HAS fallen in love with him, I can only assume the curse only kicks in if she says it).

Damn, Hannv is cold. She hasn't even got the guts to use her puppet to fucking stab him and kill him, she'd rather hurt him, break his damn heart, and then stand back and watch the aftermath.

I thought she was just spinning a story about what she saw in the well.. but what if... she did see all that she said... but that it would not be with her?

(On a an entirely practical note... Curly lives in a hidden house in the middle of nowhere... where did the get all the wedding decorations, let alone the wedding gowns?)

Betcha he's out by the fucking pear tree...

Demonising because her love for him was the only thing he had to cling onto...

Are we ever going to get an actual explanation of wtf is going on with the demon possessing Taihe and was he and Hannv's "grand plan" is?

Oh yes she fucking is the enemy you fool.

What is that that is glowing? Is it the half piece of her jade token?

(OOOOh randomly... does he *know* that the goddess he prayed to as a kid and who manifested to him was Wushuang? i.e. Tanyin?)

Oh that is NOT good music to be playing while she runs to find him, holy shit. That's the kind of music that usually plays over a character dying in their lover's arms...

Whyyyy had he got the cdrama-standard pale lips of ill health going on?

He still looks at her with such fondness... even when he thinks she has been lying to him all along...

Shitttt what if he asks her to tell him she loves him? She won't be able to and that will confirm all his suspicions...

But again, wouldn't this count as revealing her identity and trigger the Spiritual Heart Vow? Or does it not count because she didn't reveal it, she is only confirming what he already knows? Honestly this whole Spiritual Heart Vow thing has been super unevenly applied...

And the sad thing is, he's convinced himself of that... that he's never been a good person.

He doesn't feel he is worthy of her, worthy of anything.

Ugh my poor poor boy...

As I predicted... she can't say it. And that just confirms to him that she doesn't love him and never did.

Uuuh the way this is going I can see him cutting off the hand to save her the trouble of spending her life waiting for him to die (and I have a vague recollection of seeing a brief glimpse of something like that happening in the montage of the end credits?)

Thaaaaaat's why the Pale Lips of Ill Health... so where is all the blood coming from? Has he stabbed himself somewhere so he can die?

Yup, there goes the hand!!

Aaaand is that cloud formation going to lead the War Demons to where the - now badly injured and magical weapon-less Yuanzhong is?

Another random thought... how even is Tanyin supposed to get the Divine Hand back to the heavenly realm with her divine bone gone and the asenscion platform blocked?

Is... is he dead then?

That seems a little premature with 3 eps still to go?

What's creating the barrier? Tanyin? Or the Divine Hand?

Please tell me she's gonna take that Divine Hand and use it to kick Hannv's fucking ass?

Is that the Sea of Flux?

Did she just put the Divine Hand on her left hand? God, I hope so. I hope she refuses to hand the weapon over and instead uses it to wipe the floor with Hannv.

WHAT THE FUCK?!!!

Hannv has been acting under their orders?!!

Oh FUCK these assholes. And Hannv was interfering long before he even tried to put his plan into action so that's bullshit too. And are they also ok with Mr Loong fighting for his life inside Hannv's tapestry?

OKay so the fuckheads in Divination Hall are, predictably, just as blind and cruel and supercilious as the Youhu Elders. That absolutely tracks for this drama where absolutely everybody but the main couple and their group of friends are unredeemably horrific.

Tell em how she had the War Demons possess you. Is that slander too?

I thought these primordial fuckers were supposed to have set aside emotion and grievance? Sure doesn't look like they have right now.

Tell up to stick their divine bone up their holier-than-thou asses, Tanyin.

(Honestly though as this point it would fucking serve them right to let Hannv revive Taihe and find out for themselves that he's the fucking demon lord...)

Condescending god-asshole: The Divine Realm will not forget your contributions.

Tanyin: The Divine Realm can kiss my ass!

Yeah she makes a good point, these gods are not living up to their reputation. Are they infected too? Or is this Hannv's doing?

Fucking bitch it was all Hannv's illusion!

Fucking hell, she has trapped the real gods of Divination Hall too. She is off the fucking rails!

Why the ever-loving FUCK would you even dream that she would still regard you as her sister, Hannv? After all you've done to her!

FUUUUUCK. There's still 3 episodes to go! It can't possibly take 3 episodes to wrap up this confrontation so what the fuck else is going to happen?

So many questions. Is Yuanzhong dead? What the fuck happened to the weapon spirits? What is Hannv and the Demon Lord's grand plan? And most of all whyyyyyyy is she doing all of this? It's not to save Taihe cos we already know his spirit was dissipated and now his body is too.

[kranagok0]

This series premiered last year and I just finished it last week. And in truth, I should have seen it the same day it came out. Because, in my personal rating, this enters the top 10 of my favorite series.

I loved how they designed the characters. I loved the colors they used for each scene.... But not so much I love the protagonist and her multiple clothes

This series, without a doubt, gave its best with Jentry's clothing in each episode, it simply matched the episode. Let's use as an example the chapter where they go to a fair and she dresses like a cowgirl. I love every costume the characters wear, and without a doubt I really liked the fact that Jentry changes his clothes every episode.

Another thing I loved were the ghosts/creatures/monsters/mythological beings of Chinese culture. They were wonderful. A job well done in my opinion.

The series in terms of characters is by far a very valuable gem. I would like to say the same about the plot.

First of all, I loved the plot. The only thing I see as bad is that I felt that some things were too short. They were literally able to release more seasons to talk about certain topics. Kit got to have an entire episode about what her past was like instead of a few flashbacks, as did Cheng about what her life was like before her daughter fell ill.

And that's not all, there are also things that were not investigated at all. Just look at Michael, the boy had practically incredible powers, seeing the future must be something both good and bad, very bad above all. And who did I inherit that from? It is never explained to us well what his parents knew about these powers or at least any suspicion. Seeing the marks on his eyes, it seems that they were from some kind of tribal magic with techniques based on voodoo. I'm not going to go into depth because then I'll make this too long.

There is another thing. A small, small and tiny detail, almost unimportant.........

The Hell..... We saw how in the last chapters some beings who guarded the prison of condemned souls were, well.... They performed an exorcism on them, I don't know how to say it without it sounding like a spiritual homicide. They literally left a prison full of souls unsupervised and unsafe. There are no longer guards. How will this proceed? It is not known, there is basically no one to prevent the entry and exit of the place (except for the mental traps that wait there) which gives almost a free pass to the spirits to enter and leave.

There's more I want to talk about but I guess this is it for now.

[cienie-isengardu]

Iroh's "I looked away"

“The Storm” [s01e12] provided us a great insight into Zuko’s character, one that undoubtedly helps to understand his motives and anger but also how Ozai’s physical and psychological abuse influenced the banished prince. There are plenty of things to talk about, many little details that build layers of a complicated relationship between Zuko and his father, uncle, or even his crew and how perception of Zuko changes once we learn the truth behind the scar. But the episode also shows us a great deal of insight into Iroh’s character and though I do love how “The Storm” challenged our perception of those characters, rewatching ALTA makes Iroh’s “I looked away” much more devastating to me. 

Because it is not just about his guilt over abuse Zuko was forced to endure. A guilt that won’t disappear no matter if he could or couldn’t do anything to prevent it, but… Iroh truly looked away from Fire Nation as a whole, didn’t he? Understandably, he was grief-struck after Lu Ten’s death and he did not fight back Ozai for the throne, as I suspect he either did not care anymore for it or did not want a civil war to destroy Fire Nation from inside. But he still was The Dragon of West, a very respected general and powerful political figure that others weren’t willing to openly challenge, including Ozai himself.

And no, I’m not wondering why Iroh did not interference with Agni Kai before Zuko’s face was burned to “teach him respect” but about the fact that he did not say anything at all against using the division of new recruits as a bait - and from the episode alone, we know he agreed with Zuko on that matter. It wasn't the right strategy - even if it has merit from a military standpoint, it definitely wasn’t moral or good for Fire Nation’s wellbeing. Beside Zuko, who openly challenged the strategy and called it betrayal, the only person that questioned it at all was an old unnamed general (“But the 41st is entirely new recruits. How do you expect them to defeat a powerful Earth Kingdom battalion?) while Iroh simply kept quiet and this detail makes me think the “I looked away” is as much about Iroh looking away from Ozai’s cruel abuse toward Zuko as about Iroh’s passivity during the war meeting, and in greater scheme, Fire Nation’s politics. I doubt Iroh could change Ozai’s mind and sure, I do not have an idea how the relationship between Fire Lord and ex-Crown Prince looked like, but the point is, Iroh did not even try to question the strategy and choose to sit quietly and dunno, it makes me wonder, did Iroh give up at this point of his life? Was he so afraid of the consequences for speaking his mind that he allowed Ozai and Fire Lord’s court to subdue him so much? Because if he did, his words to Zuko “[...] But you must promise not to speak. Those old folks are a bit sensitive, you know?” is as much warning to Zuko as to himself. 

Iroh said to the crew that Zuko was right but it wasn’t his place to criticize the strategy, but who else was supposed to speak against this plan, if Iroh himself chose to stay quiet on the matter? If all generals - then and three years later - didn’t have any respect for life, whatever for their own subjects or civilians of other nations? And I think this is what truly kills me about this situation, that 13 years old boy had courage to speak against this dehumanization of Fire Nation’s citizens when Iroh, our good uncle Iroh, kept quiet and looked away again and again from what was happening until he couldn’t do that anymore because too great damage was already done.

(And isn’t it ironic that Iroh gave little Zuko a knife with the description never give up without a fight - words Zuko adapted as his life motto - but Iroh himself gave up? First at Ba Sing Sai, after Lu Ten’s death, now here during a war meeting and maybe, just maybe it is Zuko that unexpectedly pushed him back on the right track to actually do something, to make a choice and fight for what he believed was right instead of passively watching all the abuse done to an innocent child and young soldiers serving loyalty to their country. Was Iroh already a White Lotus then or did the travel with Zuko give him an opportunity to join it because he couldn’t anymore look away from how messed up Fire Nation became?)

[nabi-unveiled]

you gave sum criticsm of the finale. you didn't do that in your other meta. why the hate? its a beautiful show

Hello anonymous.

I'm going to assume that you are talking about my criticisms of the finale of When It Rains. After all, I doubt anyone cares enough about my hatred of the bloody bear in Sangmin Dinnaew to send me a message. (Note: In case this is about the bloody bear - it was fine for the abuse arc. I just didn't like it for the reunion.)

In case you didn't see it, I did make a post about all of the good things in the finale of When It Rains too. It's hard for me to fathom someone would believe I "hate" When It Rains. You don't invest extensive amounts of time in treasure hunts/deep dives and writing meta for shows you hate. Time is too precious for that.

In fact, I'm much more likely to write criticisms up for something I'm enjoying. Let's consider Ossan's Love. I never write about it at all even though I watch it. I didn't like the original. I haven't jived with the Thai version. It's not for me.

Posting takes time. I didn't start writing anything about Perfect 10 Liners until the Yotha/Gun arc. I enjoy that arc and pairing, but I still wrote a criticism post about the dialogue in ep 15. I say it a lot, but you can like something and still criticize it.

That said - saying I had never wrote any criticisms previously for When It Rains is a very fair point. I didn't. It wasn't because I didn't have them. I had chose to ignore them. I had decided they didn't matter TO ME. After all, I watch shows for my own entertainment. Writing on Tumblr is for myself as well. I'm selfish that way.

Translation issues can always play a role, but there's a line of dialogue in episode 1 that I still don't understand. Some of Kaori's dialogue is also a bit wonky. There were blocking/positioning issues during the sex scene in episode 5. As @lurkingshan has pointed out, there ARE pacing issues in earlier episodes.

Most notably imo, ep 5 should've been two different episodes to allow us to process that they spent an entire weekend together, the shifting of their feelings, what happened in the days after the hotel, etc. creating more of a build up before the discovery. It's unlikely that Hagiwara spent one night away and Kaori decided to check his phone. We KNOW there were other things in between about Hagiwara's behavior that must have changed. We just didn't see it.

To be clear, the restrained way the sex scene was filmed was a choice. That was a misstep or even a crime for many people. Unlike many, I'm okay with that choice. NC scenes are great, but I didn't need explicit scenes for this show. I do wish we had more of the morning after or the clip of Sei in bed with Hagiwara earlier. I didn't NEED it, but I definitely would've LIKED it.

These are just a few things I noticed. So why hadn't I said anything? Simply because I didn't WANT to focus on those things. If I let my brain dwell on every stumble and misstep I notice in a show, I'd never be able to enjoy anything. I notice a lot. I'm a perfectionist in my own work. I choose to ignore a lot in dramaland just like I choose not to proofread most of Tumblr writings.

Unless it's a crime, I'm either going to let it go or make a joke post about it. With When It Rains, I didn't do joke posts. It's not that type of show or energy. I was having much more fun doing deep dives on the symbols and finding callbacks than I would ever have making a criticism post.

More importantly, I was (and still am) IN MY FEELS about Sei/Hagiwara. I'm already feeling a bit bereft about not having them on my screen this week. That's a very unusual feeling for me.

I deeply relate to BOTH of these characters in ways that I can't possibly explain without too much personal exposition. I recognize myself in so much of this show. I'm not talking about the cheating. I'm talking about the masking, the avoidance, the mismatched desires, the feeling trapped. The STUPID FUCKING SWAMP of libido.

So I'm glad you enjoyed it. I did too. In a BL first for me, I plan on watching it with someone in real life. I'm predicting they throw something during the Fujisawa scene in the finale.

[thursdayinspace]

Tell me all your Requiem thoughts please

All of them would amount to quite an essay because I have a lot of (mostly positive) feelings about it, but I assume this is about my tags saying I have conflicting feelings about the scene in that motel room bed where Mulder tells Scully that there has to be an end and that she should go home. So I will happily talk about that!

I want to preface this by saying that I absolutely love their dynamic throughout the episode. And I love that moment when she comes to him feeling sick and he lays down on the bed with her and holds her and tells her there's more for her, that he wants her to have more. He wants her to be happy. There is so much love between them there, and it's so strong and so gentle at the same time, it's one of the most moving and beautiful moments between them without a doubt and I love it and it never fails to make me cry.

But. I still have very ambivalent feelings about the whole arc with Scully wanting to be a mother. NOT with the motel room scene (I love that one), but specifically with the arc. These feelings have nothing to do with the show or the characters specifically, and it's not an issue I had with it when it aired, but rather something that's only begun bothering me recently. I just sometimes wish that they hadn't introduced it at all, or done it better. For the simple reason that not all women want to be mothers, or they decide against it for other reasons -- like feeling passionate about their work and making that their priority, which is a perfectly valid reason to decide against something you might want very badly otherwise. And sometimes it doesn't sit quite right with me, especially in light of CC's general take on women, that eventually Scully simply has to want to have a child. I may be wrong about this and this might be the most unpopular opinion ever, and that's fine, but it reads to me a bit like "she must want this because she is a woman and women want kids."

The way it's written, it makes absolute sense for Mulder to tell her that there has to be an end, that he wants her to have everything she wishes for. I just sometimes wish for a version of events where we had seen her more conflicted about it. Where she could have made it clear in the moment that if it came to a choice between that dream and their mission, she'd choose to continue their work, with him. I also wish for a version of events where Mulder could have admitted that having a family is his dream as much as it is hers, because why does it have to be the woman who wants a family while the man wants to keep saving the world? (Just as a personal aside, I have friends who are right now getting divorced because he wants kids and she doesn't. It just rubs me the wrong way sometimes when the wish for a family is the woman's job.)

BUT! I know that Mulder and Scully are not in the same place emotionally about their work. Mulder has been committed to it pretty much his entire life. It's never been just a job for him. It always has to come first, and whatever dreams he may also have, he cannot give up the quest for the truth. Scully believes in the work too, it's important to her, she has suffered so much because of it and never stopped going. That says everything we need to know about how important it is to her. She doesn't want to give it up. It's been more than a job for her too for a long time. Her wish for a child is never about not being committed to what they do. And I think it becomes clear enough over time that Mulder does indeed want the same things she does, it's just more between the lines, less obvious. I do believe that under different circumstances, they would have decided to have a family together -- we see more to that effect later on in season 8 and at the end of season 9, not to mention in the revival. Which is why my issues with all of it are more about the way the story is handled, and less about it existing in the first place.

One more But: I do like the fact that a woman who loves her work and is fully committed to it can still want to be a mother. Both things can be true. And that can lead to great personal conflict. And that is a very interesting thing to explore. I just also feel like that is exactly what they didn't do. They sort of just stop at "she wants this one thing and also this other thing." She wants to keep fighting and searching for truths and she wants a kid, but what that would mean for her future is something that is never really properly addressed. It's never properly addressed what it does to her feelings, being torn between two things that mean so much to her. But that would have been really interesting to see. What does she actually want? What is going on in her heart and her soul?

Still, that scene, Requiem as a whole, is still very well done, in my opinion. Within the context of the story they're telling, that scene with them curled up in bed together is beautiful. It's as close to a declaration of love as we get at that point. And he's talking about her health as much as about her wish for a child. He's telling her that her happiness and safety is more important to him than anything else in the world. Her reaction is to hold onto his hand and touch her lips to it -- she doesn't want to go. He means as much to her as she means to him. His happiness and safety come first for her too. And I think they both know in that moment that she would never do what he's suggesting. I don't think she'd ever leave and let him continue on his own. He says "There's so much more you need to do with your life. There's so much more than this." But what is "more?"

Long story short: I love the scene in the motel room. I love the love between them and the tenderness of that moment. But I wish CC had been better at writing women, and had taken more time throughout all the episodes that address this to flesh out that part of the story, both for Scully and for Mulder.

Please, feel absolutely free to disagree with me, I never mind discussing these things or even being convinced otherwise. This is just my take on it.

[hausofmamadas]

Plastic Gangster | Anatoly Givenchy Romanov

(He is modern man but don’t even think about trying to play tickle fuck with him bc he is serious man too)

The Gentleman, Episode 3 - Where’s My Weed At?

∴

So, remember how I actually despised this tiny, angry little mess of a man until I’d lain eye on his alter ego. Well comrades, this is that alter ego.

And what exactly is it about this scene that turned me around so drastically? where literally like if my body were a car, my brain’s grabbing the steering wheel and pistol whipping it, full 180 in the opposite direction as fast as Tam’s pitching that McLaren around the parking lot ?

OHHHH I don't know.... could it be the over-the-top, Boris-and-Natasha, his-and-hers Russian accents? Could it be the fact that they clearly do it against Eddie's explicit instructions? that he prob recited like a drill sergeant in the car no doubt, to avoid another I-just-killed-someone-E-I-E-I-O!!!!! on the way there ORRR could it be the fact that for whatever reason the shit seems to work? bc like somehow it does work, and in a way that Eddie's strategy was super .... not, at least in terms of getting them into the building.

Idk if Mama Mercy was so put off by the accents, she just wanted to get the sale over with, or if she heard the words, "Little Leopard Lady” and/or “FUCK. money” come out of ‘Anatoly's’ mouth, and decided that only someone with more money than God would say some edge-lord shit like that out loud. Whatever it is? It fucking works. Mercy caves. Okay and she was stone-walling tf out of Eddie who's wildly capable of doing pretty much anything and everything else except this. But for Anatoly it’s red carpet, the whole PIA pain-in-the-ass VIP treatment.

And I think the reason this success is so remarkable is bc at this point, the stakes are high, and yet the bar for Freddie is so low, it might as well be the core of the earth. Like he's managed to fuck things up so consistently and with such catastrophic results, if there was a drunk, coke-sniffing, constantly-crying version of the Tasmanian devil, Fredward would be Her, okay. But this is one thing he does correctly, the first thing in the entire show (this is ep 3 of 7, for reference), the first moment when he shows a modicum of value besides being hilarious for reasons that are usually-but-not-always accidental to the scooby gang as it were.

And honestly?? it kinda makes sense that, in this case, he comes thru in a way Eddie can't. Bc what the actual fuck has Fredward Horniman been doing all his life, if not bullshitting bouncers and promoters, charming them enough so they lift up those red, velvet ropes to exclusive (read: pretentious) underground clubs, boxing matches, raves, bath houses, key parties bc no one will convince me he and Tam don't love a good key party once in a while. No one will, it just won't happen like Freddie has CONMAN written all over him, doesn't he? Not necessarily like good? con-man? okay he's no Madoff, right but good enough that he can make you think for a split second, if you really tilt your head and squint your eyes, that this person must be telling the truth.

Bc only someone telling the truth would feel comfortable acting that fucking unbelievable.

Like who would look this woman in the face and say without an ounce of irony, “listen, in my life funny little lady, if you are not safe…. You are DED” I mean the only thing missing is him dragging his finger across his neck, all miming a guillotine. FREDDIE. FREDDIE FUCKING HORNIMAN, THATS WHO.

Beautifultropicalfish Edwina makes the mistake of trying to sell a believable story, a lie grounded in too much reality, when it's clear that the clientele for Mama Mercy prob consists of like eccentric arms-dealers and kooky billionaires ppl with some really sus, really weird, uniquely terrifying ‘hobbies’ that none of us ever want to know about but that will inevitably be the subject of a true-crime doc on HBO someday. Like this woman speaks to the most mind-blowingly ridiculous men on the daily.

And is Eddie over here with his sexy professor cardigan and sexy look-im-such-a-bookworm glasses, rolling up to negotiate on behalf of some white-collar-crime, new-money, C-suite, tech exec with ‘only’ a seven-figure salary, when really he needs to be coming at this with more of that oil tycoon, crimes-against-humanity, Fuck-You-Money energy that Freddie's serving.

Eddie also just can’t seem to suppress the Narc vibes that are seeping from his pores and tbh it’s actually what makes him such a great gangster but not a great con man. Bc Mercy sniffs him out p much every time he speaks, like so👆

Now, it's unclear if Freddie enacts Operation!BorisandNatasha in response to Eddie's evident flailing or if he planned to do it the entire time but either way, you cannot tell me he's not responsible for them being able to get into the chop shop to test drive that car. Bc again, it’s not enough to just walk into this place and act like you belong there. In this case, acting like you belong has to be: giving a ruthless, machete-wielding murderer a cute nickname like “little leopard lady,” claiming that she “laaaavs” when you call her that even tho she seems less than enthused, pitching a fit about wanting something less “poof-poof,” and “more sexier,” and spitting general bars like, “don’t play tickle fuck with me, lady” BC WHO TF SAYS SHIT LIKE THAT UNLESS YOU HAVE MORE MONEY THAN GOD AND HEAVEN AND ALL THE COSMOS

And bc it's not entirely clear whether or not Freddie decided to do this on the fly, I feel liek it’s one of those choose-your-own adventures situations. So I, for one, choose to believe that this was a plan deployed in the face of Eddie's plan not working, and for all of his flaws, Freddie is savvy enough to know how to bullshit someone to get his foot in the door. Bc I firmly believe he can be competent juuuuuuust long enough and lbr probly only long enough to do that.

I mean cmon look at Mercy👇you know she thinks he’s a lil funny

And as if the above display of uncharacteristic competence wasn’t enough, I’m more endeared to Freddie bc of how crazy he is about his wife. And why tf wouldn’t he be when she’s clearly way too cool for him which he seems to be vaguely aware of just casual busting out these moves ripped straight from from stunt choreography of like the fucking Italian Job or something and for like exactly no???????reason????whatsoever?????

Which brings me to the next point bc can we talk for a bajillion yrs about Tamzin is out-of-fucking-nowhere an incredible stunt!driver/renaissance!woman??? and they drop that on us and move on like I'm not asking a bajillion questions like whywhenandhow’d she learn to do this????

Like???? was she once, in her early 20s, engaged to an F1 racecar driver who taught her all the Ways of the Track before he tragically died in an accident, and in her grief, sought solace in a boy named Freddie, whomst she met at a race once, and then later married??? Was she a stunt double who worked on hollywood sets, appearing in some of the most critically lauded, well-known movies, before she settled down and married an aristocrat for his money, a boy named Freddie, whomst she met once at an afterparty, and then despite his lack of wealth bc she was in way too deep at that point and made the fatal mistake of actually falling in love later married??? Is she the long, lost daughter of legendary stunt performer, daredevil himself, Evel Kneivel who taught her everything she needed to know about her birthright before shipping her off to boarding school in the UK when she was just a lass, and then grew up and was charmed by a boy named Freddie, whomst she met when her all-girl’s high school or secondary school whatever tf they call it was paired up with his all-boys high school at a cotillion, and then later married???

I NEED ANSWERS, RICHIE. COUGH UP SOME ANSWERS, MAN. OR DON'T, BUT BRING TAM BACK, WE NEED MORE TAM IN S2, IT'S OFFICIALLY A MANDATE.

taglist: @drabbles-mc, @narcolini, @bellinitini, @ashlingiswriting, @when-did-this-become-difficult, @noctuabunda

[selfdestructivecat]

I’ve seen quite a few posts in response to Thomas’ recent video, specifically his year in review. In this video, he discusses the setbacks he’s faced the past few years — such as the quarantine, Joan’s departure, and his own personal doubts and insecurities — and how they impacted the production of Sanders Sides.

And I truly sympathize with him. No, seriously! It’s already difficult to create something this big almost entirely on your own, but I’m sure this year only made things even more difficult. I know I’ve definitely felt insecure to the point of feeling sick when it came to things I created, so I can empathize with the enormous amount pressure he must be feeling.

However, many posts I’ve seen following this video are saying things along the lines of “If people still criticize Thomas after this video, then I’m going to lose it” or “Not that people who criticize Thomas even care, but Thomas really struggled this year. I’m with him all the way!”, or even “I bet SaSi critics will still demand the finale even after this. I doubt they’ll even watch the video!”

I want to clarify that this is obviously not everyone who doesn’t like ts criticism. People who block criticism blogs and/or the tag, who ignore criticism in general, or who feel upset when they see criticism of something they love: this is not about you. You are absolutely valid and entitled to feeling the way you do, and I hope you have a lovely day. Feel free to block me if that would be good for your mental health. Please take care of yourself. /gen

But to those vocally condemning ts critics, I want to make several things clear.

First of all, you are lumping everyone who criticizes the show in with people who demand the finale with no regard for Thomas’ well-being, for the well-being of his crew, and for basic common sense. While many people are upset that the finale isn’t out yet, we aren’t specifically mad that we don’t have a completed video to watch; rather, we are frustrated with what this says about the SaSi crew, their work ethic, and how they treat fans of the show.

We aren’t upset that we can’t watch the finale right now. We are upset that we’ve gotten very few updates about the show during this period between canon episodes. This video provided wonderful insight into why the finale has been delayed, and we would have loved something like this years ago. Obviously it didn’t have to be a 20 minute video, but maybe a Twitter thread? Something small that made us feel heard?

Hell, even announcing an official hiatus would have satisfied the vast majority of critics (myself included), instead of throwing SaSi into this limbo of “Oh it’s going to be finished this year, we promise- oh whoops, never mind! Next year for sure!” It’s been a constant chain of broken promises, and we were more than happy to give the crew some grace the first few times, but after a while, a repeated mistake becomes a pattern. And this pattern is not pretty.

We are upset that the crew seems incredibly disorganized (going back to the lack of updates, and of course taking into account how we haven’t gotten even a single part of the finale in five years), which could affect the quality of this series we all love so dearly. beauty-and-passion has spoken about this a lot (and is a lot more eloquent than me lmao, please go check out their stuff!) The most recent Christmas video seems to demonstrate that the series may be on the right track, and I will admit I was wrong in regards to this video, but the Inside Out video is a mess in so many ways. Even if this doesn’t prove a decline in quality, it certainly indicates a lack of consistency, which can be just as damning for a series.

We are upset that, while SaSi is in this limbo, Thomas seems to have been focusing on his other projects without telling us about this change in priority. He is welcome to pursue other projects, obviously. I’m thrilled that he is having fun with Roleslaying with Roman and My Roommate is Hades. But these new projects have come at the cost of Sanders Sides content, which also points towards a lack of organization. Some clarity towards which projects Thomas chooses to focus on would have been wonderful and greatly appreciated, so that we know not to expect something we won’t receive. And hey, maybe if we knew not to expect SaSi content until much later, maybe we wouldn’t have been constantly asking why we weren’t receiving SaSi content?

(And this is not an excuse for aggressively demanding content, obviously. But I feel like people who are confused and frustrated at not receiving something promised to them are justified in these feelings.)

And maybe we’re jumping to conclusions in many regards. I won’t pretend that we are prophets who can peer into Thomas’ mind and know what he’s thinking and feeling at all times. But it’s pretty damn difficult to say that NONE of the above could suggest that Sanders Sides isn’t held in the same regard as it once was. Hell, Thomas even admits in the video that he doesn’t feel as connected with these characters as he once did.

Second, many people attacking critics are also quick to drag their character. We are impatient, greedy, selfish, and cruel. We don’t care about Thomas; we only care about the end product! More Sanders Sides at any cost! We don’t like critical thinking, since we obviously didn’t watch the video; we only want to find mean things to say about Thomas and the show! We don’t like engaging in civil debate with our fellow Fanders who may disagree with our opinions; we only want to make other people feel bad, and to make others hate the show, too!

Well, guess what? You’re doing to us exactly what you think we’re doing to Thomas: you’re assuming the absolute worst of us and looking for any reason to drag us down.

We are critics. We analyze media (media that we love, mind you) and we acknowledge that it isn’t perfect, that the creators aren’t perfect, and we point it out. But we still love it anyway, because to truly love something is to love it with its flaws, to know that it could be better, to brainstorm how it could reach its true potential, and to keep doing so because you believe in this potential.

We aren’t trying to take away the joy you feel from Sanders Sides. So please don’t try to take away ours.

[my2centsonthat]

SOMETHING OLD

I have been streaming 24 on Hulu, mostly for background noise... or when I'm stuck in between other shows.

This show brings back a lot of memories for me. I usedbto watch it with my oldest son when he was still living at home.

The show stars Kiefer Sutherland, who could ask me to live with him in a cardboard box under an interstate and I would say "let's go!"

Sutherland plays the role of a counter-terrorist federal agent by the name of JACK BAUER. Bauer, the head of an elite team of agents, spends each day (every season is one day, 24 consecutive hours) attempting to uncover, divert, and stop various terrorist acts against the nation.

If you watch the first season, it will definitely leave you wanting more. The second season seems to be the conclusion of the story that began in season 1. I don't like giving away the story...especially in a show (or seasons that i declare a must-watch).

Season 3 brings about a whole different vibe. Although Sutherland is still a very vital role, this season seems to take a dive into a few other characters on the show, including Tony, (played by Carlos Bernard) Michelle (Reiko Aylesworth) who is married to Tony in this season, and Kim Bauer, Jack's daughter played by Elisha Cuthbert.

I found this particular season more difficult to binge straight through and actually spent several weeks to get through it.

When season 4 began, I struggled to even make it through the first episode and have not gone back.

I have to admit, I knew there was at least 4 seasons of the show but hadn't realized that it actually has 9 seasons. Since I have not even made it through episode 1 of season 4, I definitely can't tell you anything about the remainder of the series.

Perhaps when I have run out of everything else to binge, I may go back and try again.

I will say, without a doubt, that seasons 1 and 2 are a must-watch by me. Season 3 is a "ok for background noise" ...

If you have watched the entire series, I'd love to hear your take.

That's my 2 cents on an oldie but with Kiefer Sutherland in it, it's a goodie!

[confundida25]

My hero academia and the Straight agenda

Ok, listen

I have seen a lot of Anime, I had seen Anime for more than 20 years, I hear all the excuses for the poorly written female characters in shonen, all the stupid contrived ways the protagonist and his lame love interest get together in the last second of the last episode because this is a shonen this is not a shojo we don’t have time for silly little romance plots discourse. How it is not that the protagonist is gay, is just that romance is not his priority, and let me tell you that excuse doesn’t work with my Hero academia.

In My Hero Academia, we follow a bunch of teenage kids in their first year of high school, which is a coming-of-age history. 7 seasons and more than 140 episodes, now, I have not read the manga this is only an analysis of the anime.

Now, in the class 1-A, we have 20 students, 6 girls and 12 boys. Did all these girls and boys have a romantic storyline? No of course not that would be insane.

BUT all of them in some way or another talk or act in their view of romance, lets discuss about it, i have nothing better to do with my life and this show is living rent free in my head.

First, the girls, we have, along the seasons multiple times of the girls talking about crushes, about boys, who the cute boys are, we usually see them gossip and whispering about it, hell we have an entire subplot of our only female villain been crazy about her romantic feeling, almost as if this show were written for a middle age man who hasn’t never touch the female experience, but that is beside the point. We can tell without a doubt that at least: Ashido, the invisible girl, and Uraraka like and want male attention, I´M NOT SAYING THAT THEY WANT TO BE HARRAS, I'm saying that they pretty much like things like a boy telling them they look pretty in a nice dress, ok? Are we OK?

Now the boys, Mineta is a caricature of what a teenage boy is, I must say I remember being in middle school and hearing some of the boys be gross about the girls and plan elaborate ruses to harras them, sadly that happened, I also worked as a high school teacher for a few years and there are boys (and even men) who are like him, so yea that.

Besides Mineta, who other boys crave female attention? (in not a creepy way)

Kaminari is mostly the usual Mineta companion in his shenanigans a long with Sero.

Among them we have Tokoyami, he never participates in the russes of the others BUT when they go and examine all class 1A rooms, he along with the Octopus (I don’t remember his name sorry) says that the girl's rooms are “A forbidden paradise” and they are excited to be allowed to see them. Again, pretty standard teenage boy behavior, the girls are equally excited to take a peak in the boy's rooms. Tokoyami also comments in how, when he is carrying Jiro into the battlefield that her but is doing stuff to him, so please stay still to which she responds that he is a stupid boy or something like that, I saw it in Japanese with subtitles in Spanish please don’t fight me.

We also have Izuku.

Izuku Midoriya is a shy teenage boy, he reacts in panic and immediately flushes and stutters when a girl or a woman shows him any affection, we saw this with Uraraka, with Toga, with the girl from the first move, etc, he likes female attention, he thing about the female attention as something positive and desirable

Iida is a strange case, he never said anything explicit about the girls, and he never participates with his classmates in any elaborate ruses because he is the class president and in general a very strict dude, BUT we have that weird exchange when he goes with Midorya to visit Hatsume and make a super weird comment about Hatsume boobs. Like, honestly I don´t know what the hell was that.

Sugarman likes to bake and is more than happy to give pastries to all the girls and feels overwhelmingly good by their response. He seems like a nice dude.

We have explicit confirmation with  Kaminari and Kirishima, they are explicit in their feelings, Kaminari has a crush on Jiro and Kirishima with Ashido.

I'm not saying all these characters are straight, they could be bi, but in the text, in the actuall Text of the show, all of them at least want the opposite sex's positive attention.

Who is left?

The guy that talks to animals, tailman, Aoyama, Todoroki and Bakugo.

Todoroki is a special case because he has his issues, he doesn’t respond like others to social clues, you can read his interaction and admiration toward Momo as romantic or you cannot, I think is pretty ambiguous and we cannot with all true said that he likes girls. He likes positive attention in general, he likes people and taking care of his own business.

So ok, the guy who talks with animals is a shy introverted kiddo, and tailman I don’t know if I´m misremembering but I'm pretty sure that he joined their classmate to ogg the girls during the sports festival when Mineta and company trick them to dress as cheerleaders, I could be wrong.

Aoyama is mostly explicitly gay, or you know, the most explicit gay a shonen anime could be.

But they are minor characters (except Todoroki), is understandable that we are not sure what is their deal, again they are 20 1A students and like a trillion other characters.

But Bakugo Katsuki is not a minor character. He is pretty much a co-protagonist. And we never. Ever. Watch him wanting female attention in any way, nop, zero, nothing. So, it must be delivered.

And this is not me being delusional and claiming Bakudeku is real, this is me confronting the facts.

Bakugo's group of friends are the boys, the bros, Kaminari, Kirishima, and Sero, and he never join them in anything related to the girls.

His interactions with women are few, first, his battle against Uraraka in the sports festival, now, Kaminari also fights a girl and he slips a comment about how pretty his opponent is, Bakugo never comments on Uraraka´s body, he has the opportunity, he doesn’t.

We see him concentrate in the fight, he doesn’t want to lose, not because he doesn’t want to lose to a girl but because he doesn’t want to lose to anybody, he goes hard on her and the audience buuuu him, even his friends call him out in his behavior, to which he responded that Uraraka was not weak, he must take the fight seriously, I know I know Feminist icon Bakugo Katsuki (I'm joking).

We have another interaction with that girl from the other school, the sexy lady that creates illusions that were part of the group of people who fail the test for the provisional license. She pretty much flirts with Bakugo and he pretty much ignores her.

Bakugo is a character who wants fame, he wants power and glory and money, when he is being a brat in the first episode he rants about how he is going to be the number one hero and he is going to be rich and famous, he wants all those significant of success.

He never talks about women in those fantasies.

Girls pretty much don’t matter to him.

But does he ever crave Male attention?

Yes, he does, he likes it when his minions follow him around and obey his orders, he is tormented by Izuku's admiration, he wants all might attention.

I'm not saying that his friendship with the Bakugo squad is not genuine or that he had a crush on All Mighty (he totally had one when he was little and grew out of it but that is my headcanon), im saying that he had no female friends, he doesn’t want or need or crave female attention, his necessity to be the best comes from himself and other men.

So, there is nothing in the text that suggests that Bakugo Katsuki is a straight boy, yeah I know, I also had read the ton of Bakugoxfemalereader works floating around, they are good and fun, but they are an extrapolation of the character.

Nothing in the text ever suggests that Bakugo Katsuki likes girls and that is fact