#and that those flaws do not make it any less of a masterpiece

[tangyneon]

Thinking of clan leader!Gojo who cannot seem to decide if he wishes to hate his newlywed wife or adore her until the point of madness.

Clan leader!Gojo who has always abhorred the concept of marriage. He's a force of nature, a deity walking amongst the seas of mortals—he can never be bound by rules or by duties—the least of all, by some notion as archaic as that of marriage. The man simply laughs—much more of a scoff than anything else—when the elders (a handful only, whom he has left unscathed by his rage) tell him of a girl and how a wedding with her clan will assist in stabilizing the Gojo clan, maybe even the Jujutsu society, and bring a breath of fresh air into a world filled with smoke in the wake of the havoc wrecked by Sukuna.

Clan leader!Gojo who shows no response other than a derisive laugh, no matter how many times his clan elders pester him to agree to their demands, disguised poorly as requests. (Sometimes, Gojo repents he did not kill them all.) But then, The Strongest might be The Strongest but he is only a human being at the end of the day—and his fight with Sukuna has left him more scarred and tired than can be seen by one's naked eye—it is hardly a surprise then that he lowers his defenses for just one day, and the crafty old men of his clan utilize that moment to get him to bow and bend to their wishes.

Clan leader!Gojo who somehow finds himself getting married (read: lowkey forced into getting married) to you. And, pissed beyond what words can convey and extremely eager to get his freedom back, the man resolves to hate you like there's no tomorrow—so much so that, there will be no option for you except to leave him and return to your clan, lest you wilt and die in his stifling company.

Clan leader!Gojo who never sees his masterpiece of a plan fail, but as quite some things in life are destined to do, it backfires immediately—miserably, almost magically.

Clan leader!Gojo who never expects his bride to be so... un-hateable. You are dutiful, deferential and well-mannered—simply everything an elder will expect the wife of the Gojo clan head to be. It's a no-brainer why those old geezers chose you to be the leash on Gojo's neck. But, boy oh boy, isn't it too difficult to hate you even when you're a perfect symbol of all the tenets he has deemed to be his life's bane.

Clan leader!Gojo who just cannot find one flaw in you so that he can start loathing you for it. You are not cloying. You are not overbearing. He has never seen you once seem starstruck by him. Nor has he ever seen you see him as a ladder to reach some place higher. You do not even make a face or roll your eyes at any of the innumerable facets of his personality, the way many others do and have always done. You... are merely a presence, nothing more and nothing less, in the plane of Gojo's life—and no matter how much the man tries, it is awfully tough to hate someone who is doing nothing but just existing.

Clan leader!Gojo who then resolves to ignore you if he cannot make himself hate you—a goal rather easy to attain when the person one's trying to brush off is merely existing—only to realize just how wrong he's been. You are not, in fact, just existing. You, his wife of not even one half of a year, are existing and enchanting Gojo—all in the same breath. (And the worst thing is—you don't even seem to be aware of it!!)

Clan leader!Gojo who finds himself drifting towards you—no matter just how much he actively tries not to. What you are doing then is of absolutely no importance. You might be scrolling on your mobile, or reading some book, or talking with the staff, or just walking past him while humming the tune of a song from decades before either of you were born—regardless of anything and everything, he finds himself wanting to follow you, wrap his arms around you, nuzzle into you and maybe—if you do not mind—trace the curve of your neck and the line of your jaw and the flesh of your lips with his mouth—

Clan leader!Gojo who never lets such thoughts form—no, fester—for long in his mind. But even while fighting them, he knows he is waging a war he's doomed to lose—but that doesn't mean he is going to give up fighting!!

Clan leader!Gojo who, thanks to his personal emotional storm, finds himself developing a sometimes-warm-other-times-cool demeanour towards you. He has always been a touch temperamental, but in this moment, he sees himself becoming moody—something he couldn't have guessed would occur to himself—not even in tens of thousands of years. Yet—yet, yet, yet—this observation doesn't distress Gojo as much as the unruffled way you always handle his mood swings—you make his brows furrow in concern and confusion more than anything else he has ever encountered.

Clan leader!Gojo who watches you not even bat an eyelash when he does not speak with you more than a few cursory phrases for several days at end—only to burst into your quarters, one fine day, and ask a multitude of questions about your childhood, simply because he has been too curious about you to stay away for one more moment. Gojo does not catch any show of excess emotion from you even when he's leaving on a mission for nearly a week and informing you only fifteen minutes before he is to leave—you only frown for a beat, then ask him if he has packed everything properly, if you need to help him or not—and you show the same normal degree of emotions when he returns after a fortnight instead of a week, but with a new diamond necklace he spotted while he was on the trip, and he bought it because he was of the opinion it'd suit the dress you bought some time back—even in this case, you only frown once before he shows you the necklace, and you study it for a second, before accepting it with a small smile and a sentence of gratitude—and that's it. You take everything about him in stride—very literally, everything—both him choosing to sit kilometres away from you at the dining table, and him not letting you be without him, without his hand resting on your back, for even one fraction of a second, at the public events. You just are beside him; and you just let him be—unbothered if he's beside you or not; you just check if Gojo is alive, if he's alright, if he's eating well, if he's sleeping well—and that is pretty much it.

Clan leader!Gojo who wishes—from time to time (all the time), in the dead of the night (throughout the day and the night)—that his wife's concern for him was not pretty much it.

He wants more of it. He wants more of you.

Your husband, clan leader!Gojo, who would probably never admit to this but the man wants—both literally and metaphorically—all of you. Each and every inch and ounce of you.

(If only Gojo does something about this, about himself, and sends for you from your quarters, assigned by him, to his rooms—if only, if only, if only.)

© tangyneon 2025 || please don't plagiarise, translate or repost this || characters used here aren't mine || masterlist.

[moodymisty]

Hey Misty, sorry for the incoming braindump. I read a theory on reddit that the primarchs were partly made from minor gods of the Warp and that the Loyalists were gods that Big E bargained with and who went willingly, while the Traitors were gods he subjugated/tricked somehow. I thought this was really cool and had it on my mind all day. Full-on neuron activation moment. But I don't have any friends who know about 40k to talk about it with so I suppose I will leave some thoughts here :) sorry if this is annoying/unwelcome.

This focuses on the Traitors mostly because I find them very interesting.

Like, what if reader is/was a devout and beloved high-priestess/follower of one of those gods(maybe it's a steadily declining religion, even?) And so when the specific primarch in question fleetingly lays eyes on her for the first time while taking over the world she lives on, there is just this instant feeling of desire/attachment/protectiveness that they don't understand. Maybe the primarch had some kind of silent subconscious urge to go to that planet specifically, because the god has/had worshippers there and it sort of calls out to them. Like divine homesickness lol.

For the Loyalists it would be mostly wholesome and cute tbh. It'd be like they found a piece of themselves that they didn't know was missing. Very meet-cute potential.

But for the Traitors it could be soooo spicy. You get snatched by Curze and it is just a shitshow. Mood swings galore and most of the time you have no idea what you even did to trigger them(your silent prayers for mercy made something in his head feel like it was crawling) I think your take on him being really obsessive and almost desperately clingy(in the most unnerving of ways) fits super well. Whatever entity got diced up and put in the Curze soup was probably a fucking scary one.

I think Perturabo would be really scary too. Although maybe finding someone like that would soothe him somehow? You'd definitely be walking on eggshells with him (at least at first) though. Another one with mood swings. Another scary god, but less "horrific torment to cleanse you of your sins" and more of a "You lesser creatures exist for worship and labor." Maybe that's why he's so pissy, the divine part of him was used to having constant praise and offerings and now he gets almost none.

Angron would be soo tragic. His whole thing was empathy so I think whatever god he has in him/was made from might have been a much more gentle one. He's got one side of him crying out desperately to be near you and the nails raking through him on the other.

Lorgar would be hilarious tbh. A guy made from the blended up remains of a minor Warp deity constantly crowing about you being a goddess (when you were just a humble priestess before lol). It's like this comedically backwards situation, the God worshipping the acolyte. Maybe the entity he was made from was literally a deity of worship? I dunno. Kinda stumped on this one lol.

I think Mortarion would be pretty normal tbh. Might even fight against the thing in his chest that tugs him towards your presence. Slow burn city. I think whatever god he was made from very much wanted to be left alone, but wasn't particularly scary. Just a bit cold, distant, and stern. Maybe something to do with resilience in the face of suffering/adversity?

Fulgrim is pretty obvious thematically. Another one that wouldn't be too scary. Whatever divine he was made from was some kind of god of perfection/pursuits (obvs). Something you'd pray to before you tried to paint a masterpiece, or maybe even as you tried to learn any skill at all. Praying in the hopes of becoming a master at whatever trade you do. As for why it didn't go willingly, maybe it saw the creations Big E intended to make as flawed, and found being placed in such a vessel as distasteful? Might be why he's so obsessed with achieving perfection, because that part of him is viscerally digusted by his imperfections.

Bonus: Guilliman was made from some kind of deity of order. Or even a god of plenty/growth? He always seems to leave places better than they were before he got there, after all. I know a lot of people see Sanguinius or Vulkan as Konrad's opposite, but I think maybe Guilliman is closer. Guilliman feels like true order. Curze feels like chaos grasping for stability (via his obsession with executing criminals) idk.

Apologies for how long this ended up being >_< I had a lot more thoughts than I'd expected lol. I hope your weekend goes well!

This is an interesting idea! I've not heard of this theory before but given the vagueness behind Emps dealings in creating the primarchs, anything is possible

[conceptmobius]

Positivity or Negativity?

Friendly Reminder, everyone. If you don't like absolutely everything Sega or Sonic Team puts out, that's okay. You don't have to, and you won't be any less of a Sonic fan for it. I certainly don't like every single Sonic related thing that they've made, and I still consider myself a well-rounded fan of the franchise.

If anything, fussing and complaining about everything is what disqualifies you as a fan. If all you do is be negative about everything, you're just doing it because you're on autopilot. It's all you know how to do now. Nothing you say is helpful or constructive. You're not a fan at this point. You're, let's say, a grump.

For all their many, MANY flaws, even some of the worst elitists can come together to take action when they don't like something. How do you think Sonic Mania came about?

On the flip side, of course, if you gush about absolutely everything and worship the franchise, you're not a fan either; you're a consumer. You're around because you like the thing, you've always liked the thing, and you'll always like the thing as long as you always get the thing, quality be damned.

For example, I enjoyed Shadow's game on launch and still enjoy it now, but I recognize that it's not exactly a masterpiece. I also see the likes of Sonic Blast and the game.com version of Sonic Jam as among the worst of the worst. If I absolutely LOVED those games without acknowledging any of their flaws whatsoever and just mindlessly played them because I just had to have 'em, I'd be a consumer.

Toxic negativity creates grumps. Toxic positivity creates consumers. Don't be either. I hope this makes sense.

~Ryan

[ofekma]

On one hand I love Percy Jackson to bits and I dearly missed his narration.

On the other hand it feels like a lot of things in this book feel wrong *partly* due to to his narration.

Of course that Percy isn't stupid. But he THINKS he is. He thinks so lowly of himself it's actually painful and makes me want to shake him.

And he makes Annabeth looks like this perfect flawless person even when casually mentioning "oh yeah she's prideful but like. Isn't that kind of an advantage sometimes too??" because he's head over heels in love with her and has been through things no one deserves to go through with her.

There is no excuse for Grover acting the way he did tbh, but at least the reveal that he was so scared his friends will leave that might have driven him to act so irrationally managed to salvage a tiny bit his characterization. It's better than just "oh you see he just couldn't help himself because it was strawberry!".

But Percy not being able to word his anger towards him or even letting himself feel it fully? Percy blaming himself for "leaving him alone in Hecate's house" and for "not realizing how he and Annabeth's moving away would affect him" was so... Unhealthy.

And kind of infantilizing for Grover. Grover is (or should be at least) old and responsible enough to not drink something he's not allowed to, and to look after a house with two pets for a couple of hours as his friends are at school. Grover is (or should be) old and responsible enough to be able to communicate his feelings to his friends about them moving away. Percy described it as some point like he felt like they were kids again and Percy had to protect him from bullying. Like despite everything he still sees Grover as a kid who needs to be protected and not as someone who can be experienced to handle himself.

Overall I love the new books, they're as low stakes, slice of life as it can get without leaving behind the fantastical adventure element completely. It's a nice change of phase for those characters, a way to catch up with them and how they're doing without making them go through hell yet again.

I'll admit that it's been a few years since I've last read (the original) Percy Jackson. Maybe had I read it all again and compare the books I'll find even more flaws with the characterization or ideas. But as of now, I like it. It's nice. It's not any masterpiece but it's also not mindless.

Percy kept his core aspects of sarcastic humor, brilliant improvising skills at the moment of truth, undying love for his friends and pure, unfiltered empathy to everyone around him. Percy picks the difficult, scary but honorable option every single time. Percy is unbelievably brave but he feels so lost and confused over how to solve seemingly impossible problems.

I'm not sure entirely what are my thoughts about Annabeth's characterization. I do wish that the books would address everyone's trauma and get them treated tho. Otherwise it feels more like repression.

The book does have an excessive mention of peeing and farting. Tho it's not the first time a character is described like this (like Thor from the Magnus Chase series). The cuteness of. Nope just might make up for it.

It's hard to be an author, especially one with a large fanbase. People are ready to tear you apart for every mistake. And Rick Riorden does make many mistakes.

I feel like Rick Riorden might be more lenient in those new books than he was about his originals but less in an "I don't care anymore those suckers will read everything I'll write so I can write trash" and more of an "I like those characters, I want to have some fun with them and I think that my fans would want this too so I'm not as worried about those books succeeding as I was back then when I was a new author." Which... Yeah, does unfortunately show in quality but I don't want to be cynical about this man.

I don't think he should have let the frenchise die as long as he still feels like he has stories to tell in it (tho he can bother to polish them some more) and I don't think he doesn't care about his fans or work or characters or kids in general.

Some creators start off good but lose their touch or reasons for creating in the first place. Some creators weren't that good but became popular anyway. Some creators were put on a pedestal and when they couldn't meet their fan's impossible standards they got shunned. Some creators. Some creators aren't good people but their fans didn't know that because all they knew about them was their work which spoke to them.

But like, I want to believe that some creators are just good, if imperfect, people. Good if imperfect creators. And that Rick Riorden is one of them. That he's trying his best at least most of the time, that he's working on his shortcomings, that he's listening but knows that you realistically can't make everyone happy all the time and sometimes you just gotta go with your guts and do what makes YOU happy.

I want to believe in people. And in him specifically, even if it's because I'm biased.

[musical-chick-13]

Why can't people ve normal about female characters 😭😭😭

I am ALLLLLWAYS asking this.

I feel like anything I say beyond this point is just. Repeating myself, so I'm going to link to a post I made about how I personally judge a work in regard to how it handles its female characters.

here it is

Wait, apparently I do have one last thing to say upon rediscovering this post. Which is that...yes, obviously some writers mishandle their female characters because of misogyny. They don't let them do anything, or they villainize them when whatever they did wasn't comparatively that bad when stacked against the other characters' actions, or they intentionally give them less backstory/glimpses into their inner emotional world/realistic human flaws that are important to the story, or they use them to make "commentary" on how all women are shrill or unreliable or manipulative or stupid or [insert sexist descriptor here]. I'm not disputing this claim, no group of people--including artists/creators--is immune from perpetuating misogynistic ideas and behaviors.

BUT!!!! This is. My God, it is NOT the case every time. There are plenty of people out there writing interesting women who do interesting things. There are plenty of romance arcs involving women (one OR more of them!!!) that are satisfying and compelling and narratively important, actually. Everyone is going to find some duds occasionally (see: how even I couldn't manage to finish Ore.shura and my continued hatred of Cit.rus, despite those both ostensibly putting objectionable, flawed female characters center-stage. And also my uh. Highly controversial takes on a certain Toy Movie, which I promise I will actually get into at some point.) But to act like it's just...a fact of life that NO female character is going to live up to her male counterparts.............for one, that's wrong. (Go watch Crazy Ex-Girlfriend!! Go watch Doom Patrol!! Go watch The Apothecary Diaries or Search Party or Kaguya-sama: Love Is War or, LITERALLY ANY NUMBER OF THINGS.) And for another...well. You know what "because of things out of my control, a woman in a given context can never truly reach the level of a man" sounds like right.

Honestly, I think that a big part of this is the continued refusal to look at things with nuance. You know the post I linked? That was actually about Kill la Kill. The show has...some pretty egregious issues (to the point where people are always surprised when I say that I like it). There are plenty of things about it that I would change. But you know what ELSE it has? A core cast of three interesting and entertaining female characters (and one genderless piece of sentient clothing) who drive the narrative, have dynamic relationships with other characters, and have distinct personalities and ways of looking at the world. People can argue night and day about whether this is a good show (I personally happen to think it is, overall, in spite of its flaws, but I am very much only one person), but the three main girls ARE good characters. It was clear Studio Trigger cared about them and saw them as worthy of the audience's attention, sympathy, and investment. I'm not going to call it a feminist masterpiece. But it DOES do a quality job at writing interesting female characters with clear arcs and emotional complexity.

I could also make a similar case about GoT. I'll be the first to admit this show has. God, SO many problems. Not the least of which is the way it shoehorns in all sorts of nudity and violence against women for literally no reason. But all the female characters are different. They have important effects on the story, they have realistic flaws, they have different and engaging relationships with the people around them and the world at large. If you cut any of them out (aside from...probably Ros, sorry girl), the story becomes incomplete. There are pieces that won't fit together, themes that won't get full commentary or crystallization. It's completely fair to say this show isn't for you, that the flaws it has outweigh the good, that you can't stomach the way it handles certain topics. What isn't fair is to say that the women in it are shallow or one-dimensional, or to solely reduce them to one or two qualities that the viewer finds annoying. The women are better than that (the story and its themes straight-up don't make sense if they aren't). Not being willing to recognize that fact is a you problem. (<-general "you," not "you" the anon)

A piece of media can have plenty of issues (even misogynistic ones) and still have interesting women worthy of analysis and consideration in it. A piece of media can handle some topics well while handling other topics poorly. A piece of media can be too flawed for one person while giving something incredibly valuable to another. But, as always, women enter the picture and any general attempt at nuance goes out the window.

[trans-corvo]

lifelong dragon age fan but heard veilguard was more marvel cinematic universe than before - what are your thoughts?

This is hard to answer because calling something mcu is pretty vague. Do you mean like in terms of reliance on cameos? ironic quips? writing? I don't see Veilguard as any guiltier of cameos and quips than the previous games (which is to say: they are abundant). I've never considered the writing in the Dragon Age games to be masterpiece level, but I don't think this one is any worse than the others. It's a little tonally inconsistent at times, a little saccharine, kinda campy (an organization called the Shadow Dragons, really?), but again, no more than the previous games.

Honestly, the one thing that does remind me of the mcu is some of the armor sets. There's a couple that look like they're made of the same weird cheap padded leather that marvel costumes are.

There ARE criticisms to be made, but comparing it to the mcu feels buzzword-y.

In terms of differences from the previous games...

The aesthetic is far more varied and modern. Only the Grey Wardens look like something out of that sort of generic medieval fantasy look Origins had going on. It definitely feels like an extension of Inquisition's more creative design. Tevinter looks a lot like Kirkwall, but Antiva looks like 18th c. Italy. Every country/region has a unique look to it that I really like.

Combat is more action RPG than classic RPG. The thing plays like Mass Effect way more than Origins.

So far this feels like the least tonally dark of the series. It has its dark moments, but overall feels a lot cozier/safer.

Feels WAY less christian than the others

As for flaws, those mostly come down to the villains being completely flat and unmemorable (very Corypheus, but hammier), and clear signs of the game having been in development hell. You can tell that they had to retool a multiplayer game to a singleplayer one in limited time. You get these intros to new areas that look like they're ripped straight out of Destiny and certain plot items feel shoe-horned in to explain things that would make sense in a multiplayer game. There's a lot of environment reuse like in 2, but at least the areas are all packed with stuff, and you're introduced to them bit by bit (new paths unlocking) so it's not as overwhelming as Inquisition. You can't just stop and talk with your party in the hub area unless they have something to say. There's also some minor technical issues, a lot of clipping and the like.

I got a little off-track, but to answer your question: no, it doesn't feel any more 'marvel cinematic universe' to me than the previous games. I haven't finished it yet, or even gotten very far (only just got all the companions), so my opinion on everything I've said here might change, but for now, this is it.

[longeyelashedtragedy]

twenty questions for fic writers

tagged by @tetrapod7 ...i did some of them already, but not all! so i might as well answer the ones i didn't already answer!

1. how many works do you have on ao3? 155! now that i have an anonymous fic these all will get more annoying to answer, looool

2. what's your total ao3 word count? 478,822

3. what fandoms do you write for? right now i just write for "men's football rpf." i'm occasionally tempted to write for the Old Fandom again.

4. top five fics by kudos: top 5 of all time are all from a song of ice and fire days:

drabbles of ice and fire

captivated

egg baby

arya saves the day

ends and beginnings

was i the best writer of aged-up arya/jaqen AUs in the fandom? uh, yes, since 4 of those are...that, lol.

if we're just talking footy though...

shakira ex machina

doce

two hundred words to say i love you

ça c'est ma dope

hairbrush

oh ffs...removing the crossovers....

shakira ex machina

two hundred words to say i love you

hairbrush

the right kind of blue

desperate times

5. do you respond to comments? sometimes....when i don't lose track 😭 i need to be better...

6. what is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending? i answered that here!

7. what's the fic you wrote with the happiest ending? ummm...not sure. could it be 5.VII? that's a really satisfying ending. i'll go ahead and say that one.

8. do you get hate on fics? only once, and it was a very pathetic stab at armchair activism "how dare you write a fic on this problematic topic" shit. it could happen again at any time i guess.

9. do you write smut? unfortunately...i'm not very good at it and it stresses me out.

10. craziest crossover: i wrote hozier x jaqen h'ghar for my bestie long ago and posted it at like ass am in zurich airport :')

11. have you ever had a fic stolen? yes! answered here. it was this rakidric! published 3 days before we all locked down. i have not read this in a zillion years.

12. have you ever had a fic translated? also answered here!

13. have you ever co-written a fic before? answered here but also i want to cowrite with someone so very much!

14. all time favorite ship? also answered here!

15. what's a wip you want to finish but doubt you ever will? my ivantoine, "In The" :'( and others too...my post-WC modren for example. i'm wondering if Mare Liberum will ever be finished. we'll see...

16. what are your writing strengths? i think i am confident and experienced and that comes across (?) even things i wrote a while ago, that i think are "better" (more artistic, more daring) sound less experienced at the same time. my dialogue has improved so much. i think my fics have a good rhythm--varied sentence lengths, good use of repetition and parallelism, line breaks, etc. i like to think i can get people to empathize with/care about people they didn't expect. my writing helps me examine my own flaws. i am not sure what else? my bff said i describe love and loss really well <3

17. what are your writing weaknesses? i think i'm a weak writer, actually! i think my writing is shallow and always sounds the same. a lot of angsty endings, alienated characters, sounds more immature than it should. i don't know how to make porn hot (because i think strange things are hot, i guess?). truly, i've been grappling with how shallow it all sounds. i am a deep feeler (lol) but not a deep thinker at all and i think that shows.

18. thoughts on dialogue in another language? answered here

19. first fandom you wrote in? answered here!

20. favorite fic you've written? honestly--my favorites are probably still trophy boyfriend and then "chief of the armed forces" because that's just an absolute crackfic masterpiece. in footy...i probably should pick some favorites, no? let's go with dangerous, i tore off the golden branch, possible red card - violent conduct, rojo y blanco/crvena bijela, and 5.VII. i feel like some franko fics belong here but i just chose 5!

[todayisafridaynight]

Dude saying people haven't had any major complaints about rgg games after 0 is DERANGED LMAO did you conveniently forget about the response to 6 💀 most you hear about it is people disliking it... the response to 7? wasn't all that sunshine and flowers either considering the new protag and gameplay style. gaiden was also not that appreciated by quite a few people.

Also in case you forgot gaiden was written after 8...... not before...... the quality did not "go down"

Saying they hyped 8 too much as an excuse to hate on the story is also hilarious... that's on you my guy all they said it that it would be the longest game yet + a grand adventure... which... it was...

IMO Maybe you should replay the game and pay attention since stuff you complain about is... just wrong? You have the entire security company plot wrong...

It really seems like you're just viewing 7 like it was the best masterpiece ever written now that 8 has come out. Be honest dude 7's story is just as messy as you make out 8 to be

response became longer than i thought it'd be LMAO SO rest of the reponse is under the cut so i dont jumpscare anyone with a wall of text

If i made it sound as though i think titles from 0-7 were all perfect with no flaws nor complaints, then i’m happy to agree that those titles actually aren’t perfect and they do have flaws (as if i have to remind everyone anyway how i feel about Y7’s ending, but i dont think its ending is its only flaw on top of that). Highlighting 6 in its entirety is a great example of that really, as i still (rightfully lol) regularly see criticisms for 6 without needing to look for it. However, acting as though- bar 6- the rest of the rgg titles following 0 haven’t received minimal complaints is just dishonest. As i said prior, i don’t doubt that people have their issues (i remember specifically that someone criticized yagami’s character as saying it was nonexistent and that lost judgment as a whole is awkward with its characterization of its previous cast members), but compared to the likes of 1-5, it’s less common to see people’s grievances naturally; original titles following 6 were both judgment games, Y7, and gaiden, entries that i seldom see get the same treatment as pre-0 games (plot wise anyhow- i still remember when everyone was complaining about y7’s gameplay to me LOL). That’s what makes the quality of IW’s story so jarring: nearly five games in a row (again, minus 6) of satisfactory stories, and now there’s an entry whose shortcomings are glaring in comparison. Whatever ill will people had towards 0 especially back then doesn’t compare to how often 0 nowadays is put on a pedestal as one of- if not the best- title in rgg’s history (whether that title is accurate is subjective of course, but as a consensus that’s the opinion easily observable)

Gaiden being written alongside- if not mostly after- IW isnt grounds to excuse its writing. Arguably, the timeline of the games being produced could have ended up shooting IW’s writing in the foot (off the top of my head, i think of hanawa’s presence feeling less significant not just to the plot, but to kiryu compared to how we saw them in gaiden. He isn’t a major character overall of course, but kiryu’s reaction to his death felt more cold than you would’ve expected considering their established relationship). The overall warm reception gaiden received, once more, is what makes IW’s story’s shortcomings more obvious, especially when the titles were released less than three months apart.

The atmosphere leading up to IW’s release additionally didn’t help hide its storytelling quality. While i concede that yokoyama didn’t word-for-word say it would be the ‘best game’, alongside the RGG summit and yokoyama building up the hype of the game and wanting to build upon their prior successes was the start to building expectations. Particularly the quote saying that the efforts they put into Y8 compared to Y7 made the game ‘end up being about 130%’.

Alongside that quote, hiroyuki sakamoto and yoko promoted that IW was a result of ‘gritt[ing] [their] teeth… put[ting] everything we have at ryu ga gotoku studios’

in fairness, it is their job to build up hype for their products, especially when using language like ‘festival-like’ in interviews. With that anticipation however, it’s expected that we find the final product warranting these praises (and gameplay wise, it absolutely does- it’s just the story that falls flat).

even despite the team’s advertising, IW was nominated for one of the most anticipated titles at the game awards last year, and the copious amounts of early-launch reviews giving the title a clean, unanimous 10/10, 9/10, and 5/5 and dubbing it not just one of rgg’s best entries, but one of the best rpgs period was- again- doing an excellent job at making the title worth looking forward to. If the official team wasn’t calling it their best entry verbatim, then consumers were doing so, which is typically the reviews we value the most in practice. All of these in mind, there’s minimal fault on the players for walking into the game imaging they’d have an exemplary experience both gameplay and storywise.

As i previously admitted, i can accept that my memory can be spotty and i’m absolutely capable of misremembering things. However i don’t imagine i got the security plot wrong: after the tojo and omi dissolved, daigo and co set out to start their security company as they said they would. Business was fine until rumors began to spread, and despite doing ‘all they could’ they ultimately had to shut down. Im not sure what i could have missed, though i dont doubt that’s the basic rundown of the plot- a plot that, if portrayed efficiently, wouldn’t have garnered so much criticism from myself.

Rounding things off, i agree that i can let my biases guide my opinions- but that doesn’t mean it’s accurate to say y7 (and other recent entries- subtracting 6)’s flaws are comparable to IW’s storytelling. again, by no means are the other entries perfect (nor did i say they were, just that they demonstrated enjoyable stories compared to IW’s and less casual criticisms), but when comparing the quality of them to IW’s plot and characters, it’s fair to say there was a noticeable shift in quality. I still enjoy IW and i agree with the reviewers praising its gameplay, its story is the only gripe i have with it.

[mynametido]

Hola a todos!!

I wanted to make my first post on here about the desired reality that I'm currently focused on. This being my Hogwarts dr. Not Harry Potter, Hogwarts. We'll get to that in a minute. Just a note before we go any further as well, I took huge chunks out of my script when re-writing it here because it's quite lengthy, and all you guys need is the gist. Without further ado here is...

Hogwarts

[ a script ]

INTRO

“Do not pity the dead, Harry. Pity the living, and, above all those who live without love,” - Albus Dumbledore. I am a 3rd year at Hogwarts School of Wizardry, and I have plans to become a dragon-keeper/dragonologist.

WHERE I ARRIVE

I am riding the Hogwarts express on my way to the Hogwarts School of Wizardry for my first day of year 3.

Our (Fred and I) train carriage smells distinctly like coffee and vanilla beans.

ABOUT ME

Things

- Name = OR name

- 15 years old

- Birthday = February 27th

- I am a full-blood.

- I am an optimistic extrovert.

Background

- Basically long story short my parents died in a house fire when I was 7 and I've been living with my adopted family ever since I was 9.

Appearance

- I don't have a face claim because I just script that I have my desired appearance and let my subconscious fill in the rest. But I guess some unique things that I've written down are:

Food doesn't affect my health or weight.

This just makes life so much easier. No second guessing that extra cookie or unnecessary guilt/shame for "unhealthy" cravings.

I am immune to any facial blemishes, acne, hyper pigmentation, large pores, blackheads, etc. My skin is flawless in every way and is always completely clear.

I'm a little bit of a perfectionist, guys, if you haven't already figured out, but only where it counts. I don't buy into the whole idea that you have to script in flaws for your dr to be "realistic" and meaningful. My motto is, "Even if the world is burning and crashing down around me, at least I'm hot."

(My nails) are indestructible, so they never break when I don't want them to.

Don't mind me, just taking out any minor inconvenience wherever I can. 🧍🏽‍♂️

Skills

- I can sing really well.

- I am fluent in 6 languages: English, Spanish, French, Korean, and Russian + ESL. I am immune to losing fluency in any of these languages.

- I can play chess well.

- My reading pace is 20 spp (seconds per page)

I completely just made that up btw, i don't think that spp is an actual thing. 💀

- I am an amazing artist. My style is so fun. I can easily draw anything and turn it into a masterpiece.

- I can play the piano really well. I am skilled at playing by ear.

You know essentially all of your default run of the mill dark academia associations. Piano playing, chess, speaking Russian, etc etc.

SCHOOL

Academia/status

So I'll just show the first few sentences of each bullet I created because the rest is just fluff.

I get 100%'s on all my tests, assignments, assessments, etc, without fail. I literally am incapable of getting less than perfection on everything. I always get homework and tests done fast with A++ accuracy. I am an excellent student. During a test, I could close my eyes and fill in random answers, and still get full marks on every question.

900 IQ groundbreaking big brain energy with this one everyone (being sarcastic obvi). Why should I work harder when I can...well damn not work at all right?

I am so popular. Everyone absolutely loves me. I am the main character. I live the most exciting teen dream filled life. My life is so interesting and fun, it's like a literal movie. My life is like that one part of the song Art Deco. I can live in the present easily and live each day moment to moment. Everything in my life is perfect. Everyday is an adventure.

I swear I have that song on loop in my head. Lana Del Rey is our lord and savior. 🙏 ❤️

As well as having a separate living area for each house, there is also a designated study space that is outside of the school for each house. The study space is open for students 24/7.

It's such bull that in the movies and books, they have a curfew. No one cares that I'm off doing my hot girl shit hitting them books at 12 am.

Schedule

(First class starts at 8:45 and last class ends at 2:30)

◗ 　1rst period - Core class: Potions

◗ 　2nd period - Core class: Herbology

◗ 　3rd period - All school year: Study Hall (45 minutes)

◗ 　4th period - Elective: Astronomy (1rst semester)

◗ 　4th period - Elective: Transfiguration of charms (2nd semester)

◗ 　5th period - All school year: Lunch

◗ 　6th period - Elective: Divination (1rst semester)

◗ 　6th period - Elective: Care of Magical Creatures (2nd semester)

◗ 　7th period - Core class: History of Magic

◗ 　8th period - Defense Against the Dark Arts

FRIENDS/FAMILY

Family

- Adam Rabon & Lowell Rabon: Adam and Lowell, 38 and 36, are my dads. My parents have been in a loving relationship since Adam was 22 and Lowell was 20. They are in a happy and healthy relationship with each other and will be with each other until death do them part. They are both full-bloods.

- Tobi Rabon: Tobi is my younger brother by 9 years. We have a really strong sibling bond, and my parents adopted him when he was 5 about a year ago.

- Natalie Rabon: Natalie is my aunt on Adam's side. She is a half-blood.

- Aaliyah Haughton: Aaliyah is my aunt on Lowell's side. She is a full-blood.

- 🧸 Fred Weasley: Me and Fred have been friends for 7 years. My family has been longtime customers to the Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes in Diagon Alley. We live very close to the Weasley house.

Friends/Other People

- *TB* Benjamin Wadsworth

- *TB* Someone from my OR

- (Mar) Marlon Wayans

SAFETY

- I am immune from any diseases, illnesses/sicknesses, or any other health impairments (such as lice, and etc.)

- My safeword to leave and go to my OR is "Jumanji", I can't forget this safeword.

- 1 second in or = 1 year in dr

- I have a high pain tolerance.

- I can only die from old age.

- I have an infinite amount of money to spend.

- Neither do Harry Potter or he who shall not be named exist in this reality.

They can both take their raggedy petty ass drama to another reality + (disclaimer: I am not talking about Daniel Radcliffe), Harry seems like he'd be super annoying irl. Anyways, side tangent over.

- I have all my desired clothes and accessories.

- Everything in my dr tastes, looks, feels, sounds, and smells 10x better than my or.

So that's the end of the blog. If you want me to go more in-depth about different parts of my script that I left out, pm me, and we'll talk! I'm still trying to figure out Tumblr, so I don't even know if pms are a thing on here. Okay okay I'm done for now. Happy shifting everyone! ☆☆☆

[sassypotatoe1]

I'm adding this story to my myriad of sage advice for budding artists and artisans. I have like a decade and a half of formal fine art training, a little less than a decade of fiber arts training but informal, and between 3 and 5 years of various other arts and trades that I pick up as it catches my interest.

I'm not a good sculptor, though I think that's down to my using cheap air dry clay meant for children because I can't afford the artist grade, and I can definitely whittle well enough, I know how to remove material to get to my desired shape, so by all accounts I should be able to do masonry and sculpting, and I won't know if I'm actually any good until I can afford better materials.

Every time I sculpt something with my cheap children's airdry clay I get people asking me for a sculpture, and I have to tell them it's a craft that, for me, takes way too long to accurately price with the quality of materials I have. I'm not giving someone a sculpture made of paper pulp air dry clay meant for children and pricing it according to my skill and the hours worked, because they will not get value for money. I have no guarantee that the sculpture will last.

When I make clothes for myself I'm pretty lazy about it, I construct it well enough that it won't fall apart, and if I alter the pattern I don't pay attention and end up with wonky seams and strange panels. I can block patterns, I know how they work, and I love draping to bits, I just don't bother with those steps because I'm lazy as fuck.

Part of it is down to the fact that when I sew I either have to sew completely uninterrupted for at least 6 hours, or not at all, because I can't get distracted halfway through or I lose my mental calculations and geometry. So the few times I've made apparel for someone else, I did it when I had uninterrupted sewing time, and it turned out pretty much perfect. Three of the 7 times I did it in the last decade people ended up paying me more just because they loved the final product. I saw all the flaws and hours of mistakes that went into it and that I wasn't able to fix. My last client 3 years ago told me they've never seen a skirt that neatly constructed. I glowed about it for a good while.

Sketching has always been easy enough for me, I have been drawing since I could hold a crayon and understand shapes. My sketching output, 20 years into the practice, still wildly varies. I can do chuck close level hyperrealism, and I can fuck up a stylistic Mr potato head doodle. It's all down to my energy, focus, level of inspiration and hyperfixation, and desire to get an idea down accurately VS quickly.

It's for this reason that I learned very quickly on that a sketchbook is not meant to all be perfect masterpieces. Sketches are doodles to get ideas down and practice techniques, not art works. My sketch book is an amalgamation of the most disproportionate mermaids and beautifully shaded hyperpigmented hands, they're never consistent, and I feel no obligation for it to be high quality.

Painting is a different beast. I paint tiny detail by tiny detail, in Neverending layers. I don't see the finished product until months after completing it. It's a collection of specific shading and highlighting techniques and brush strokes and all the mistakes where I couldn't get the line just right or the color vibrant enough. When I paint I can't just stand back and look at my painting to see how it's going, I have to take a picture of it, send it to someone and have them respond before looking at the picture again before I can see the whole.

I frequently go back to old projects that I deemed complete at the time and redo parts of it better than before, because my art is constantly improving the more I do it, but a lot of the time I go back to an old project, fully seeing it in my mind's eye as terrible, because I can't believe I was able to do what I did when I did it, and I find that I'm much more skilled at the craft than I remember. I get flooded with the question "I did that? How?" and I have to immediately try it again to prove to myself that I'm actually skilled and it wasn't just a fluke or a possession by an ancient master of that art.

My high school art teacher always insisted that a work of art is never complete, and it contradicted everything I've been taught about not adding more to a piece after it feels complete because you'll ruin it, so I didn't believe it, and then I revisited my high school final exam piece 3 years after making it to touch it up, fix some proportion and shading issues, because I wanted to enter it into a competition. I never did because you had to have created the entire thing within that year and I'm too honest to pretend that I did.

I feverishly repainted the gold handle on the tea cup at 4am after getting back from a performance, and I woke up the next day at 2pm wondering how the fuck I managed to do that quality of work. I'm capable of it, it's not a question of skill, I just have this mental disconnect between what my skill level actually is and what I think it is, and it's much higher than what I've convinced myself of.

Your art may be better now than it was before, but you might be surprised at how good it was in the past if you revisit old pieces, and if you redo certain aspects of those pieces you'll find that you're probably better now than you thought you were. And sometimes you're lazy and don't follow the right processes, relying on a sense of experience that can be distorted, and you'll churn out something much worse than your actual skill level could make, and that's okay too. Whatever isn't perfect is inspiration for the perfect piece. Keep going, give yourself grace, try again and again and again and you will see improvement.

When I was 19 or 20, I sewed myself a wool dress for medieval re-enactments. I hated it almost as soon as I put it on. The bodice was cut wrong; the lacing was uneven; the colour was garish; the front closure was historically inaccurate; the embellishments were sewn on with terrible thread. Wearing it, I was constantly aware of its myriad flaws.

Then in my twenties I hit my adult metabolism and didn’t fit into any of my old clothes anymore. I gave my old dresses to my foster mother, who sells costumes for a living, and the green dress sold. It entered the local medieval re-enactment secondhand economy.

Every time I go to an event, someone different is wearing my green dress. It draws my eyes because it’s a lovely colour and the fabric—real wool and enough of it—moves beautifully with the wearer’s body. I never recognize it at first, because every wearer has worn it a different way; it can be mixed and matched, dressed up and down, moved around a good century of history. From ten feet away its lacing looks elegant, its embellishments beautiful gracenotes. I think: Oh my god, that dress looks beautiful. Wait a minute, that’s MY DRESS.

That dress teaches me, every time I see it, to stop looking at myself through such critical eyes. That dress doesn’t just look good, it looks better than most other dresses in its category, because I put in the time and the effort (including using pliers to force a needle through six layers of wool) to make sure it was done right.

It’s my reminder that sometimes the things I do are actually good, and if I indulge my natural tendency to criticize myself in everything, I’ll end up missing when I’m actually awesome.

[snarkformysanity]

Review: House of Earth and Blood

With the chapter breakdowns finally, finally finished, it's time for the overall review. If you've seen any of said breakdowns, you'll know my opinion of this book is, ah, not great, so if you're looking for a positive review, you're probably better off looking elsewhere. Also, this review will not be spoiler-free, so if that kind of thing bothers you, you've been warned.

TLDR - the book has flaws, but honestly, it could probably get away with most of them if it was maybe half as long as it is. Unfortunately, it's not, so yeah. D+ overall.

Firstly, the biggest and most key gripe: it is way, way too long for how much actual content there is. A lot of my subsequent negatives would be severely lessened if it just got the hell on with things, and the positives would have a lot more place to shine when they aren't drowned in so much padding. It's hard to keep track of characters and plot and such when it could be thirty chapters before something is mentioned again, and another ten (or more) before it becomes important. I reckon the book could easily have been two-thirds as long, perhaps even half, and lost nothing of value. Absolutely no excuse for it being 97 chapters + an epilogue.

What about the various components of the story? Well, let's talk about the worldbuilding, first. I'm in two minds about it. Because honestly, what's there isn't bad at all...... I feel kind of intrigued by the idea of the Asteri and the whole Roman-Empire-esque thing they've got going on, and unlike ACOTAR, I do get the sense that this is part of a bigger world, that has (some) history to it. Is it a masterpiece? God, no. But most of what's there is pretty inoffensive as something to hang a story off of. It works.

But dear, dear god does the delivery need to be improved. Holy shit. Most of the information is delivered early to us in the form of colossal (sometimes multi-page) infodumps. It's always a balancing act with fantasy worlds, deciding how much information the reader needs to understand what's going on while not making them read the entirety of the author's notes in prose form. But, uh. This book does not strike that balance, even remotely, and kinda shoots itself in the foot for it.

Because, basically, I remembered pretty much nothing about who was part of what and how it all worked after the infodumps. Nothing. I only started remembering things over half way through the book, once it had got (most) of the infodumping out of its system and started showing us its various components in context. Your reader is only going to retain so much information early on, and flooding them with worldbuilding details when they have no way of telling which ones are actually going to be important, while they're also trying to retain your character and plot setup, is just not going to happen.

It's even less likely to happen when you bring your narrative flow to a screeching halt to go on random asides about, for example, what the Pack of Devils does in town, only to kill them off a few chapters in. Why waste several paragraphs telling us what essentially amounts to "they're cops" if the specifics of what they do is going to be completely irrelevant to the story? Just tell us they're cops and move on.

But whinging about infodumps aside. The book did, on occasion, make attempts to integrate worldbuilding info more naturally, and did make attempts to give us a sense of a larger world by referencing distant places and such. I pointed out a few times in my chapter breakdowns, though, that it doesn't quite get the delivery right, with the details being either too vague or constricting to really have the desired effect. But, those are fairly minor gripes compared to the infodumping. Dear god, the infodumping.

Another major gripe I have, and this was the same in ACOTAR, is the weird fixation on "maleness" and all the associated stereotypes. There's a lot of posturing, a lot of measuring contests, a lot of possessiveness trying to masquerade as protectiveness, the whole tropey-ass shebang. Every male character is pretty much a cookie-cutter template - ripped, golden-skinned, growly, dominant. Conversely, very, very little attention is paid to "femaleness" as a concept, and any associated stereotypes there - indeed, the only time it really comes up is when it's time for the guys to start posturing. It's really gross. It's really gender-essentialist. I feel like you either love it or hate it, and if you hate it, well, tough shit, because it is just so utterly ubiquitous throughout the book. The world includes an allegedly wide spread of fantasy creatures... but they all fall into this same basic template of males = muscle-y and dominant (and scary, don't forget scary) and females = ????? kinda there I guess?????

Now, the plot. The plot was... okay. The book attempts a complex plot, and it mostly works fine. Well, fine enough for the kind of book we're talking about here - it's no A Song of Ice and Fire (no matter how much it tries to be with its attempts at grimdarkness). It would have been a lot better if the whole book had been shorter, because then we could actually keep track of its various intricacies throughout. It also could have benefited a lot from some pruning, getting rid of some of the extraneous/repetitive threads that bloat the book's middle. I do have a few more specific complaints about it, though.

Firstly, the pacing. It was kind of plodding and meandering throughout most of it. Not particularly engaging, but, I've read slower books. But the result of this is that it never really felt like it was going anywhere, building to anything specific - stuff just kinda happened and was resolved, or not, and then we moved on to the next thing. It was too contiguous to really be called episodic, but it still kinda had that feel? It made it hard to try connect the dots, because stuff just kinda happened at random until the book decided it wasn't important anymore and moved on. Oh, the kristallos might be using the sewers to get around? Enough of that, it's not important, time to talk to the merfolk. A lot of disconnected points that float around the thread of the murder investigation.

I honestly thought the book was done around about the 75% mark, after Bryce discovered Hunt doing the synth deal and learned "the truth" about Danika there. Most of the dangling threads felt like they'd been wrapped up (or at least had petered out at some point in the preceding 60+ chapters), and the things that were left (Hunt's arrest, maybe the Horn) felt more like lead-ins for next book. Then, I felt like it could have ended after Bryce went to the Comitium to try get Hunt back. Again, he was being taken to a far off place, and most of everything else was wrapped up. So why was there still 20% of the book to go?

That last 20% just felt really, really off, pacing-wise. I spent most of it sitting there wondering why we needed to watch all the random dealings of the conference through Hunt's eyes. Nothing particularly new or interesting was presented to us - it was all mostly just to highlight how much of a lolevil caricature Sandriel was and how much more enlightened the other characters were by comparison. Literally just 20% of the book of sitting with Hunt in his cell, or in the conference, while we waited for everyone else to convince Bryce she should totally get back together with him. Absolutely the worst place to put the most egregious (and boring) padding.

Secondly, and this ties into the pacing as well, is the utterly random revelation that Micah was secretly behind everything. Absolutely nothing is happening in that last 20% until Micah randomly decides it's time to leave the conference and go after Bryce, and then, worst of many plot sins the book commits, he infodumps every little twist and turn to us over far too many pages in a tropey-ass villain monologue.

(Edit: after going back and rereading my posts, apparently I did predict Micah was involved after he torched the kristallos corpse. But there was just so much god-damn padding between there and the revelation that I straight-up forgot about it. So. While it's not a completely random revelation, it might as well be, because who the fuck is going to remember anything like that with so much extraneous shit in the way?)

Half the fun with mystery/crime type stories is re-reading it to try and spot all the little clues you missed the first time around. But this book was so determined that we should see every one of it's brilliant "clues" that it pointed them all out in excruciating, action-halting detail. Seriously, Micah straight-up monologued for like 7 pages, explaining everything to us. What's the point of us rereading, then? All the clues have been explained. And I honestly disagree that most of them count as "clues", for reasons I'll get into in a bit. But what Micah ultimately suffers from is the same as most of the villains in ACOTAR - he's basically absent from the novel until it's time for the reveal that he was actually behind everything ever all along.

Thirdly, the book simply does not handle its clues very well. There's basically two kinds. The first is where things are randomly brought up with no context and then immediately dropped as the story moves on - this just makes it painfully obvious that the book only mentioned the thing to remind us it existed, which makes it painfully, painfully obvious that it's going to be important later. But the problem with this method is that we aren't really given enough context to work out why or how the thing is going to be important, so, when the reveal finally happens, we're not thinking "ohhhh, that's what it's for, that makes sense," we're thinking "uhhh, sure, that works. I guess." There's no real way for the reader to figure things out - we've just got to wait patiently for the book to deign to tell us why it keeps randomly bringing up things like Bryce's necklace or Danika's sword or the nokk tank.

It's especially underwhelming when it turns out it's "important" for something like "making sure Micah has a Bond-villain-esque trap to throw Bryce's dog in" or "explaining why the kristallos didn't attack Bryce until after she took the necklace off, even though that wasn't a mystery and it had attacked her before" or something like that. Just feels lame and self-congratulatory on the book's part.

The second kind of mishandled clue is the completely absent clue. The most egregious example of this is Hunt's betrayal. We're assured he was running around and in contact with Justinian and Viktoria about buying synth and organising another rebellion, and that he knew about the synth and Danika's role in it well before Bryce did... but even though we're inside his head for the bulk of that time we have absolutely no indication that anything even is going on, let alone what that anything might be. It's utterly, utterly cheap, and doesn't feel like a "reveal" so much as an ass-pull. A lot of Micah's alleged involvement falls under this category too, and a little bit with Bryce's things as well. If you want to make a POV character do something but don't want the audience to know about it, well... don't make them a POV character. It's really that simple. Or at least don't give them POV chapters during the time all this is allegedly going on. Cheap and amateur.

Fourth, while it's nowhere near as bad as ACOTAR was for this, the book still seems to have a weird aversion to having the plot happen on-page. Bryce was actually allowed to be involved in the plot, unlike Feyre/Nesta, which was nice (if a little contrived). But we still spent far, far too much time POV-switching away from people who are actually doing things in order to watch people who are doing nothing, or worse, watch people who are watching people do things on TV. Utterly terrible choice of POV allocation.

Okay, moving on from the plot. The characters. Hoo boy, the characters.

Let's start with our protagonist, Bryce. Honestly... for the most part, I kinda liked Bryce. She was (generally) proactive (even if it wasn't always allowed to be shown on-page), and showed she was capable throughout the book. Her depression was generally handled pretty well and believably. She had growth, even if I don't necessarily agree with the direction of that growth (mostly because it revolved around Hunt, much as the book tries to pretend otherwise). Overall, a respectable protagonist and a pleasant surprise, given my low expectations after ACOTAR.

But, Hunt. Holy shit I fucking hate this guy. Both for in-story reasons and for meta reasons. He did not endear himself to me when he was introduced by Isaiah as the baddest of baddasses to ever badass. Nothing screams "informed badass" like an entire chapter's worth of assurances before he's even done anything. Then, he endeared himself to me even less when his first POV chapter was a multi-fucking-page infodump of his trauma-conga-line of a tragic backstory. It just makes it immediately clear that book expects you to like and feel sympathy for the character, which I'll generally refuse to do on principle. Sympathy is earned, book, not instructed. Make me feel it. Don't tell me to.

The book also makes a big fuss of calling out his "alpha-hole" behaviour, but in so doing just makes it abundantly clear that it actually doesn't realise just how much of a controlling, possessive ass he really is. It only calls out behaviour that is minor and easily defensible. It completely ignores things like him overruling Bryce on whether or not she eats, or barging into her life when she's made it expressly clear she doesn't want him there, or trying to dictate when she can and cannot go for a run, or whether he'll allow her to be alone, and so on. And then there's all my usual gripes about the whole "primal dominance" shtick - it's not my cup of tea, I actually find it kinda gross, and this book has done nothing to change my mind on the matter. But that is, admittedly, a matter of personal taste.

Another major gripe I have with Hunt is how the book just will not shut up about how very badass and scary he is, and just expects us to take that on faith. This is true of many, many (many) characters and things in this book, admittedly, but it's most egregious with Hunt (and Sandriel). We're told and told and told and told and told just how awesome or intimidating or powerful or scary they are. And, if we're ever shown anything at all, it just falls so utterly flat. It's empty, pointless bragging, and it is just utterly ceaseless.

As I mentioned, Sandriel was bad for this, Pollux even worse. They show up, smirk a bit, get soundly put in their place by every other character, and then disappear or get killed. Lame af. But as I said, pretty much everything in this book suffers from this - I complain about it many, many times in my chapter breakdowns.

So, yeah, better wrap this up. Overall...... I'd probably put it at a solid D+. There's some good things here, but they just get lost in a sea of padding and bad fanfiction tropes. And it loses a lot of goodwill for Hunt and his ceaseless wangst. Remove him and the padding, and I'd happily give it a C, even with the plot blehness. But, alas. That's not the book we have.

[thexkingxofxstrikers]

Yukio Suzuki | Voice Lines

The Nature of Power

"Power isn’t taken, Ayano—it’s created. Like heat from a flame, it grows stronger when you feed it, until it consumes everything around it."

"The mistake people make is thinking power is a destination. It’s not. It’s the road, and only those willing to walk through fire can travel it."

"You can rule with love, but fear is more reliable. Love falters in uncertainty. Fear, however, thrives on it."

Justifying Cruelty as Art

"Every masterpiece requires destruction before creation, Ayano. A sculpture isn’t carved with soft words—it’s struck with a chisel until the beauty reveals itself."

"What you see as cruelty, I see as design. Every shattered piece is a stroke in a greater work, and those who suffer become part of its legacy."

"The artist’s hand must be ruthless, Ayano. A trembling hand only paints mediocrity, and I refuse to settle for anything less than perfection."

The Weakness of Nostalgia

"Nostalgia is the refuge of the weak, Ayano—a soft blanket for those too scared to face the future."

"Memories have a way of distorting themselves, turning failures into triumphs and tragedies into comforts. But I prefer the unvarnished truth."

"Clinging to the past blinds you to the possibilities ahead. That’s why I bury my past—it holds no power over me, and neither will yours."

View On Holidays

"Holidays, Ayano, are just society’s excuse for weakness. A day off to pretend your failures don’t exist."

"I spent every holiday alone as a child, watching my parents indulge themselves. It taught me that celebration is a luxury only the blind can afford."

"If you’re looking for sentimentality, you won’t find it here. The only day worth celebrating is the one where you conquer something greater than yourself."

Regrets About His Soccer Career

"I was born for the pitch, Ayano, but the gods handed me a broken heart. So I turned that brokenness into something unstoppable."

"Do I regret it? Perhaps. But regret is a luxury, and I’ve learned to forge opportunity from what I’ve lost."

"The pitch may have rejected me, but I’ve made it mine all the same. The King of Strikers is my second chance, and this time, I don’t intend to lose."

Why Betrayal is Necessary

"Trust, Ayano, is a weakness we allow ourselves to feel when we want to be hurt. Betrayal is the natural order correcting that mistake."

"Betrayal sharpens the edges of power. It cuts away the weak and leaves only those willing to wield the blade."

"Even the closest ally must eventually fall, Ayano. Not because they deserve it, but because power cannot be shared—it must be hoarded."

The Spider Lily Labyrinth’s Design

"The labyrinth is a reflection of life, Ayano—choices that lead to nowhere, paths that double back, and death waiting in every shadow."

"Each twist and turn mirrors the flaws of those who enter, forcing them to face the ugliness of their own design."

"No one survives the labyrinth because it was never meant to be escaped. It’s a graveyard dressed as a puzzle, a reminder that no one outsmarts me."

Fake Death Notifications to Players

"Grief, Ayano, is the sharpest tool in my arsenal. A well-timed lie can shatter someone far more effectively than any blade."

"Watching them break is a lesson. In that moment of despair, they reveal their true selves—who they are when the mask is stripped away."

"The beauty of it, Ayano, is they’ll never know what’s real and what’s not. That doubt will eat them alive long after the game is over."

His "Living Statues" Collection

"They say art should evoke emotion, Ayano. My statues? They capture the moment a soul breaks, frozen forever in exquisite agony."

"Every one of them was given a choice: serve willingly or serve eternally. Their silence now is their only rebellion."

"When I look at them, I don’t see victims. I see reminders of the cost of disobedience—and the perfection of my design."

Using Fear as a Tool

"Fear isn’t a weakness, Ayano. It’s a leash. Tugged just right, it keeps even the wildest beasts in line."

"A man gripped by fear will betray his own mind before he betrays me. That’s the brilliance of it—it makes them their own jailer."

"Control isn’t about power. It’s about making them terrified of what you could do, even when you do nothing at all."

The Darkest Players He’s Recruited

"The King of Strikers isn’t a game, Ayano. It’s a crucible, and only the damned are strong enough to survive."

"I don’t recruit players; I recruit their demons. The rage, the scars, the shadows—they play for me, not against me."

"Some of them are monsters, Ayano. But that’s the beauty of it—monsters make the best soldiers."

MREs and Manufactured Hunger

"Starvation sharpens the mind, Ayano. It makes them hungrier—not just for food, but for victory."

"Those rations? They’re calculated down to the calorie. Enough to keep them alive, not enough to let them feel whole."

"Hunger makes them desperate. Desperation makes them predictable. And predictable players are mine to control."

Choosing Who Lives and Dies

"It’s not a question of who deserves to live, Ayano. It’s about who serves the story best."

"Life and death are just tools in my hands. Some players inspire hope; others inspire fear. Both are equally useful."

"You think I feel guilt? No. Choosing who lives is as simple as choosing which pawn to sacrifice for the checkmate."

His Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

"A heart too strong for its own good, Ayano. Ironic, isn’t it? The one organ that should have driven me to glory now chains me to strategy instead."

"Every beat reminds me of what I could have been. But weaknesses, even this, are just raw materials for greatness."

"They called it a condition. I call it motivation. What it denied me on the field, I took everywhere else."

His Complicated Relationship with Anryu

"Anryu was more of a father than my blood ever was, but even he knew his place. Loyalty must serve power, not the other way around."

"He taught me the rules of this world, and I rewrote them. Perhaps that’s why he stays—out of fear or pride, I’ve never cared to ask."

"If he ever betrayed me, Ayano, I’d regret what I’d have to do. But power demands sacrifices, even of those we value."

Killing His Own Father

"Some call it patricide, but I call it pruning the rot. His death wasn’t personal—it was practical."

"Do you think I hesitated, Ayano? I didn’t. Weakness has no place in power, even when it wears your family’s face."

"His shadow haunted me for years, but the moment I ended him, I saw clearly. Power is the only legacy worth preserving."

How Ryota Reflects His Mistakes

"Ryota? A mirror, cracked and stained. He’s everything I could have been, had I been foolish enough to let weakness guide me."

"I see myself in him, Ayano, and that’s why I reject him. He is my failure, walking, talking, begging for acknowledgment."

"Perhaps, if I’d cared enough to shape him, he’d have been a weapon instead of a wound. But regrets are for the powerless."

Tao Seiji’s Betrayal and His Revenge

"Tao abandoned Japan, Ayano, and in doing so, he abandoned me. For that, he will watch everything he cherishes crumble."

"The King of Strikers is more than a tournament. It’s a monument to proving Tao wrong, to showing the world that his betrayal was meaningless."

"I don’t just want to beat him—I want to dismantle him, piece by piece, until there’s nothing left of his pride but ashes."

His View of the Tokyo Underground’s Purpose

"The Underground is the truth, Ayano. Strip away the neon and politeness of Tokyo, and you’re left with this—the raw, unfiltered chaos of humanity."

"I didn’t create the Underground to hide people. I created it to reveal them, to show what they’re capable of when every rule is broken."

"It’s not just a cesspit. It’s a crucible, burning away weakness and forging something stronger. Something real."

What Motivates Him to Keep Pushing Boundaries

"Complacency is the death of ambition, Ayano. If you’re not pushing, you’re already falling behind."

"Limits are lies we tell ourselves. Every time I break one, I prove that the impossible is just another word for the untried."

"It’s not about power—it’s about evolution. The moment you stop growing, you start dying, and I have no intention of dying."

Favorite Scotch Pairings

"Aged scotch, Ayano, is like power—it needs the right balance to be appreciated. Pair it with dark chocolate, and it’s perfection. Bitter and bold, just like me."

"There’s something poetic about sipping scotch with a rare steak. The rawness of the meat complements the fire in the glass."

Why He Listens to Wagner

"Wagner understood grandeur, Ayano. His music isn’t just sound—it’s a declaration of dominance, a symphony of inevitability."

"Every crescendo, every pause—it mirrors the way I move through the world. Not fast, not slow, but always in control."

"The Ride of the Valkyries? That’s not music—it’s a promise. One I intend to fulfill."

His Morning Routine and Rituals

"Mornings are sacred, Ayano. A cup of coffee, precisely brewed, and silence to plan the day’s victories. Anything less is a waste."

"Every morning, I polish my chess set. A reminder that strategy begins long before the first move."

"I don’t just wake up—I prepare. A tailored suit, a clean slate, and a list of those who will regret crossing me before the day ends."

Custom Chess Pieces from Enemies’ Teeth

"Each piece has a story, Ayano. This knight? Taken from the jaw of a man who thought he could outwit me. He was wrong."

"It’s not just a game. When I move these pieces, I remember the sacrifices that built my empire. They’re monuments to my brilliance."

"People say it’s grotesque, but art often is. And this, Ayano, is my masterpiece of control."

How He Keeps His Suits Perfectly Tailored

"A suit isn’t just clothing, Ayano—it’s armor. Every stitch, every hem, is a reflection of control, and I don’t tolerate imperfections."

"My tailor? Sworn to secrecy and paid more than most CEOs. He understands that I demand precision, not mediocrity."

"When you see me, Ayano, you see the man I’ve crafted myself to be. And my suits? They are the first brushstroke on that canvas."

The Meaning Behind His Spider Lily Lapel Pin

"The spider lily, Ayano, blooms at the edge of death. It’s not a symbol of beauty—it’s a promise of inevitability."

"Some see it as a warning. I see it as a reminder—that every step I take leads to transformation, no matter the cost."

"It’s fitting, isn’t it? A flower of graves, worn by the one who decides who fills them."

Books That Inspire His Philosophy

"Nietzsche taught me that power belongs to those who seize it. ‘God is dead,’ he said—and I am proof that he was right."

"The Art of War isn’t just a manual; it’s a masterpiece. Every battle I fight is fought on its pages before it’s fought in the world."

"Dante’s Inferno holds a special place on my shelf. Hell is not a punishment, Ayano—it’s a construct. One I’ve learned to build well."

His Love for Gourmet Cuisine

"Food is more than sustenance, Ayano. It’s an experience. A perfectly seared duck breast is a symphony of taste, a fleeting triumph."

"Caviar and champagne, or a delicate tartare—each bite reminds me that indulgence is the reward for those who conquer."

"Gourmet cuisine isn’t about hunger. It’s about mastery, about reminding yourself that the world exists to be consumed."

The Moment He Realized His Sociopathy

"It wasn’t a revelation, Ayano—it was a quiet understanding. When I saw the world crying over pain I didn’t feel, I knew I was different."

"The first time I watched someone beg for mercy and felt nothing but curiosity, I understood power in its purest form."

"Sociopathy, they call it. I call it clarity. Emotions cloud judgment; I simply see things for what they are."

What Ryota Could Have Been

"Ryota had potential, Ayano. He could have been a weapon, sharp and unstoppable. Instead, he let sentimentality dull his edge."

"I gave him the opportunity to rise above his origins. He squandered it, choosing weakness over strength."

"What could he have been? Someone worthy of my acknowledgment. But worthiness is earned, not given."

If He Ever Loved Someone

"Love, Ayano? I’ve studied it, manipulated it, used it as a tool—but I’ve never been foolish enough to feel it."

"If I ever loved, it would have to be someone as unyielding as I am. And even then, I’d crush them before they could crush me."

"Love is vulnerability, and vulnerability is a liability. My empire has no room for liabilities."

What He Feels Watching Players Break

"When a player breaks, Ayano, it’s like watching a dam collapse. The flood of their weakness is… beautiful."

"I feel nothing for their pain. What moves me is the art of it—the slow unraveling of a person until there’s nothing left."

"It’s not cruelty; it’s revelation. Breaking them reveals who they truly are, and that truth is mine to own."

First Time He Hurt Someone

"The first time I hurt someone, Ayano, it wasn’t out of anger—it was out of curiosity. I wanted to see what power felt like in my hands."

"I was a child. He was a thief. When I broke his fingers, I realized I didn’t need strength—I needed intent."

"That moment wasn’t just a lesson—it was an awakening. Pain isn’t just inflicted; it’s sculpted, and I’ve been perfecting the art ever since."

His Position in Bed

"Do you think I’d relinquish control, Ayano? I dominate. Always. Even in moments of supposed vulnerability."

"To let someone take the lead is to hand them power over you, and I don’t offer power—I take it."

"In bed, as in life, I dictate the terms. Anything less would be beneath me."

[snowmacaque]

It’s strange how relationships shift, how the balance of care and effort wavers like the tides. I think about how I’ve treated her—every word, every gesture, every thought seemingly devoted to proving my care, my respect, my love. I’ve bent myself to fit her boundaries, changed where I needed to, and offered her a version of me I’m proud of—a version that grew for her, yes, but also for myself.

And then I think of how she treats me. It’s not always neglectful or unkind; there are moments when she shines, when her warmth feels genuine, and her words feel like gifts. But those moments are fleeting, scattered between silences and actions that leave me questioning my worth in her eyes. She says things that cut deep, whether she means them to or not, and I’m left piecing myself together, wondering why someone I hold in such high regard can make me feel so small.

I’ve been unwavering, even when her actions have felt like they wavered. I’ve shown her respect, even when I’ve felt disrespected. I’ve given her my time, my energy, my heart, all while asking for so little in return—only to feel, at times, like even that little is too much to ask.

And yet, I can’t bring myself to stop caring. It’s not in my nature, not when it comes to her. I want to believe there’s a reason for the imbalance, that maybe she’s scared, or unsure, or caught in a web of others’ opinions. Maybe she doesn’t see how much she means to me, or maybe she does and doesn’t know what to do with that knowledge.

But here’s what I do know: a relationship, any relationship, cannot thrive on uneven ground. I can only give so much without feeling hollowed out. Respect cannot be one-sided, and neither can care. I deserve to feel valued, to know that my efforts aren’t just noticed but appreciated.

Still, I find myself excusing her, justifying her actions, clinging to the hope that one day she’ll see me the way I see her. It’s a painful hope, but it’s hope all the same. And maybe that’s what love is sometimes—an act of enduring faith, even when it feels like you’re the only one holding it together.

But faith cannot replace respect, and hope cannot substitute for effort. I need more than what I’ve been given. And if she’s unwilling or unable to meet me halfway, maybe I have to learn to let go—not because I love her any less, but because I owe myself more.

But what more is there? What could be greater than the way I perceive her, the way I’ve built her up in my mind and heart? She is, to me, the very essence of complexity and beauty—flawed in ways that only make her more perfect, distant in ways that make her more captivating. I see her as someone singular, irreplaceable, a masterpiece that no artist could ever hope to recreate.

Her strength, her intelligence, her sense of self—they all command admiration. And yet, it’s her contradictions that draw me in most. She’s warm and cold, open and guarded, kind but sharp. She carries an elegance that feels innate, a grace that seems untouched by effort. Even her imperfections—those tiny quirks, the moments she stumbles—feel like gifts, because they make her real.

When she speaks, I listen as though her words are rare treasures. When she laughs, it feels like the sun breaking through a storm. Even when she’s silent, she fills the air with a presence that’s impossible to ignore. I see her everywhere—in the green of the trees, in the curve of a smile, in the beauty of things that don’t even compare to her.

I’ve put her on a pedestal, and I know it. I’ve built her up into something larger than life, but it’s not just fantasy—it’s rooted in who she is, in the way she carries herself, in the way she’s made me feel, even when she’s unaware of it. She has a kind of power over me, not because she wields it intentionally, but because I’ve given it to her freely.

But here’s the truth: the way I perceive her and the way she sees herself might be entirely different. She might not recognize the qualities I so admire in her, or she might dismiss them altogether. Perhaps she doesn’t see the same value in me that I see in her, and that thought is a wound I can’t quite heal.

Still, I can’t stop seeing her as extraordinary, even when it feels like I’m the only one who does. And maybe that’s the greatest tragedy of all—that I’ve poured so much into how I perceive her, into who I believe she is, and it still might never be enough to bridge the distance between us.

What more is there? For me, there is nothing greater than her. But for her? Maybe I’m just one small part of a much larger world, a world I may never fully belong to. And as much as I try to hold on, I wonder if the very act of holding on is what keeps me from ever truly being seen.

[thousandyearphantombunker]

ah yes people who point out the misogyny and transphobia and fetishization of gay men and fandom toxicity (showing porn to minors, bullying people who dislike their preferred ships, death threats toward creators and voice actors, etc) and forced heteronormativity that fujoshi's engage in are clearly the same as the people who want to outlaw gay marriage.

(I'm chill with yaoi and it's fans but Fujoshis scare me)

Also yeah friendships are a thing and in general I like friendship. I like friends being friends (why yes I do prefer Kim and Ron and Star and Marco as friends- why does everything have to be romantic?) But I still respect people who do ship these things because unlike many Fujoshi's I don't need everyone to ship what I ship and I won't act entitled when a creator I like doesn't make my otp canon- (unless they've shown they are actually homophobic or transphobic etc and that's why the ships I like won't become canon- and then I'd just drop the media they made? Instead of acting like a psycho)

But nope. This autistic latina lesbian is clearly just an evil conservative.

Honestly I'm tired of this attitude- the whole 'everyone who criticized Steven universe were all just evil transphobic conservatives who hate immigrants and want Mexicans to mow their lawns' attitude

A lot of people who criticized su were gay or trans or black and were leftist etc

That doesn't necessarily mean that their arguments held any water (sometimes you'd hear a valid complaint but most of the time these people really just lacked media literacy) a lot of them (and I cringe when I say this) were SJWs who couldn't handle gay characters being anything less than pure and wholesome and hated the idea of nonviolence

Sometimes your own worst enemy are the people in your community who won't stop complaining/bashing other people in your community- and you need to call that shit out.

How many of us have seen a gay person go 'im gay but I'm not like those gays who are sexually active and like drag or whatever- ew' and reject almost every aspect of queer culture out of disgust because of moral purity nonsense how many of us have seen people within the autism community who go 'no autistic person is like Forrest Gump- we aren't stupid/we don't have low IQs or need diapers or need 24/7 care and blah blah'

These people are toxic and we need to call that shit out.

You are not a traitor for pointing it that people who share similar/same identities as yourself or people you share a community with are being toxic

And some of them did have very valid complaints (lots of stuff in season 1 like cool artifacts and temples etc just plain don't matter later in the series, everything being told from Steven's perspective causes massive issues, not everyone gets a satisfactory conclusion even by the time future rolls around etc)

(I'm a firm su defender BTW and will raise hell to defend that borderline masterpiece)

It's important to be critical and point out flaws within our communities. It's important to call out this shit.

It's always good when people within our communities point out toxic/abusive behaviors within our communities

I'm autistic and I will always call out people who deny the existence of people severely impaired by their autism

But it's easier to say that people who criticize your ships are homophobic and clearly evil trump supporters

It's easier to claim the gay guy who doesn't like a lot of aspects of queer culture a straight up homophobe rather than acknowledge they are probably either dealing with internalized homophobia/might even have valid complaints about the LGBTQ community (like the rampant biphobia and misogyny toward lesbians)

Its easier to call people who have autistic family members who have to be medicated to high hell and back and can't take baths by themselves ableist when they point out autism sometimes looks unaesthetic (even when they themselves are autistic)

Its easier to turn people within your own community into the 'other' or the enemy instead of acknowledging toxic aspects of your culture (whether they are criticizing the toxic aspect- like Catholics who criticize the homophobia they encounter in their community or are part of it being homophobic themselves) but it's not helpful

It's more helpful to acknowledge this shit than it is to label people who engage in the toxic bull as not actually being a part of your community- seriously wtf is this black and white thinking?

Its more helpful to be critical of your community and callout that shit (you are not a traitor for pointing out that some times gay people can be discriminatory or that many feminists are ableists) than it is to

Let the bad behaviors and issues fester out of control

You know how many trans men are uncomfortable with MLM centric fandoms because of Fujoshi's fetishizing them or acting like they are gross traps? How many gay men can also be put off by gay shit?

You know how many people are put off the rampant misogyny within fujoshi centric fandoms?

I'm not gonna criticize fujoshi's who are into rape fantasies

I'm not gonna criticize the ones who are into abuse fantasies

(we all have our kinks)

I'm gonna criticize the ones who act like people who aren't into that shit are prudes/pussies

(let me reiterate it's fine if your into these fetishes but you can't get pissy when not everyone likes it or when they criticize this stuff in stories- because while some writers know they are writing a technically problematic story that romanticizes this stuff on purpose for consenting adults to read other stories like ones aimed at kids accidentally glorify abusive relationships and rape by accident and that can mess up a kid)

I'm gonna criticize the ones who scare gay and trans men and bash female characters (because misogyny and transphobia and objectification are bad and Fujoshi's who do that shit deserve to be called out)

I'm gonna criticize the ones who show sexual content to minors and show kids unsafe media

I call out the Yuri community sometimes - shows like she ra promote a legitimately toxic couple to kids as something healthy and that's bad.

And I'm saying that as someone who is very into that shit (for adults only obviously I do not want kids getting into the shit)

You are not a traitor or evil for pointing out flaws within a community especially if it's your own

You cannot just pretend certain bad people in your community don't exist and are just made up by conservatives or ableists or whatever

His got kind of rambly but here's the tldr

Yaoi fans are cool but Fujoshis are often toxic (transphobic misogynistic etc) and we are allowed to call them out- that doesn't make us homophobes. Especially considering a lot of us are gay ourselves and proud of it

fandom antis/fujo haters 🤝 homophobic conservatives

"why do you have to make everything gay? just let men be friends"

[xjoonchildx]

y'all it's about time i put this doctorate in minism to good use, right?

these are all amazing yoongi fics by amazing authors. as with any list i put together, there's no way it's comprehensive and i'm sure i left someone out, but i'll do my best to keep it updated as stories come in!

please note that all fics listed below are 18+/mature unless otherwise indicated.

bound by obiwrites (AO3 only)

current obsession. i don't know how obi manages to write such compelling characters and relationships. i would literally read a fic that was just outtakes from fights between yoongi and OC because their dynamic is that addictive. this is a continuation of the arranged series which you guys know i'm nuts for. so, so good.

strike a chord by @snackhobi

i am weak for a delicious build-up. joy absolutely delivers that in this fic. the slow simmer of the attraction between OC and piano player yoongi (bonus app is so damned satisfying. and just wait till you get to the smut.

i'll float away by @ppersonna

a masterpiece. this fic ripped my damned heart out but in the end it was worth it. a gripping story about addiction and heartbreak and making it through to the other side. wonderful.

take one by @untaemedqueen

one of the wildest and most interesting plots i've read in a damned long time. d's idea was so damned original. a fic within a fic. i loved the way this unfolded and of course, the smut was fuego.

the mark of yun-ki by @ladyartemesia

viola is one of the most creative writers on this site. she weaves a hypnotic tale of birthright and claim in this story that makes you not want to put it down until the very last word.

dig deep by @johobi

this characterization of yoongi absolutely makes my knees weak. the tsundere vibes but at the same time hiding the softness beneath. this story is so creative and wild but then it gets so incredibly hot. truly a fantastic read.

please be naked by @floralseokjin

i said it when i reblogged it, i'll say it again. one of the best yoongi fics i've ever read. i loved the angst and the complicated feelings in this fic. i love love love pining. this was incredibly well done and the smut was absolutely scorching.

birthday girl by @btsarmy9593

one of the most original stories on this site right now. an OC with an unusual situation, a chance encounter, and the relationship that unfolds is so different and fantastic. i love this quiet, confident yoongi and this OC who is slowly coming into her own. one of e's best stories.

want a taste? by @suga-kookiemonster

i believed every single word that came out of yoongi's mouth in this fic. ashley's characterization was perfect, the OC was smart and funny and capable. i'll never look at those massage chairs at the mall the same way again.

moonlit throne by @hobidreams

this is lush and sweeping, truly engrossing. you can absolutely tell the amount of care and detail rain put into this series with the historical backdrop. it is also just a pleasure to read, so wonderfully written and so easy to get lost in each drabble.

backstage by @wwilloww

this fic was so hot it bent my mind. just idol AU yoongi blowing off a little *ahem* steam backstage. willow's writing will forever be some of my favorite and it doesn't matter if she's doing drama or smut or angst, she always delivers.

back to bed by @hesperantha

lil sold this as a sleepy smut and honestly that's the best thing about it. a soft, simmering, believable slice of heaven in between the sheets with min yoongi. sounds great, right? great.

fortuitous by @underthejoon

if you've been following me for .05 seconds you know my ultimate weakness is an arranged marriage fic. this is so wonderfully done, the way these two characters accidentally come together before being put together.

not your fairytale by @yeojaa

i will forever ever ever simp for erin's writing. the flow and the cadence are spectacular. i love how she describes the quiet moments between two people sniffing around one another and as usual, she does that beautifully in this fic. childhood friends to lovers which is a bonus, because as i've mentioned we love a delicious build-up.

a scam marriage by @xotoosweet (SFW)

again, y'a strangers being forced to marry under less than desirable circumstances, right? great. because this fic was great. OC and yoongi cook up a plan to get through a financial tough spot and as with all well-laid plans. well. you know.

blood bounty by @lemonjoonah

lemon's MIND, you guys. one of the most creative writers on this site. this retelling of anastasia is so damned captivating and interesting. i loved this yoongi, afraid of himself and afraid of missing out on something he wants so badly. beautiful.

the dinner party by @lamourche

one of the first BTS fics i ever read and it stands the test of time. i love how real these two are, how evie makes them believably flawed and damaged but still at their essence, good.

miss dial by @versigny and @cyphertrip

okay, this is just a lot of fun. an errant text, a sexy yoongi, a miscommunication and what follows is just hot and satisfying. i love yoongi's characterization in this fic.

[boardof-missingposters]

★ brahms heelshire + male lover prompt

i replace “(Y/N)” with “L”!! just a writing preference :-)

warnings: stalking, knife mention, extremely flawed mindsets, and that this is VERY long

content: brahms partner preferences, brahms male partner backstory, brahms male partner headcanons (before + after meeting)

pronouns: none mentioned, but masc reader

note: if you feel weird for being obsessed with hot fictional murders, i somewhat try to write as if i’m making a horror comedy

blue is for you, red is for brahms!!

❥ brahms partner preferences

he actually prefers taller partners (even though he’s 6’4 and jacked as fuck), but he wants to be able to look up at his partner and he sees bigger as more comforting

brahms likes dominant partners. honestly, it just makes sense. i don’t think he would like physically dominant partners (even if they’re taller) because he would want to force people to stay, but mentally, he wants to be coddled and spoiled

brahms likes reserved and more gentle mannered partners, i can’t say i see him as someone who likes sassy, bold, and confident people. he likes people who smile softly, hum him to sleep, don’t really talk while their doing something

brahms likes artistic people, he finds it neat and will try to draw too (but he’s not that good)

he likes people who can bake and cook, of course he does. he doesn’t know how to so if someone can at least make a decent meal, he’ll see it as a masterpiece

❥ male partner backstory

you, yes you, need to bare with me and take a trip to bend reality. immerse yourself into this experience and bare with me ;-)

after greta leaves, she doesn’t call the police (because i just feel like she wouldn’t), the heelshire house becomes somewhat of a local legend that becomes abandoned and people believe it’s haunted

you moved to the english village to be closer to, well to say it bluntly, get the fuck away from people

you were always in your own head, always isolating yourself, not really wanting or needing friends, but the few you have you keep close. they describe you as a quiet and kind guy, but they often worry about you and your mental health.

you’re a very tall guy (6’10, trust me) and even though you don’t want to be near people, the thought of you scaring people away makes you feel bad. you usually hunch yourself over, trying to appear less scary and intimidating to people around you. giving you a nice and short height of 6’8… sometimes.

your friends heard that you live near a infamous haunted house and practically beg you to go in and take pictures or even take something

you just say yes, because the sooner you do it, the sooner they’ll be quiet about it and it’s a bonus you’re getting out of your room.

you go there and, nothing out of the ordinary. it’s a nice house and you just take pictures of random rooms and maybe of a few trinkets you like. sometimes, hearing bangs or footsteps. those throughly creepy you out, but it is a haunted house. what did you expect?

however, these noises do make you speed up your intrusive photo shoot.

but then you come across one room. when you open the door, it creaking loudly, you jump when you find a porcelain doll sitting neatly on a bed.

you put your hand on your chest and take a few deep breaths to calm down, as you realize it’s just a doll. a very creepy doll. you walk towards it with caution, afraid at any moment it might snap its head at you.

you notice all the cracks in the porcelain, almost like it’s been broken and then put back together. you stay decently away from the doll, slowly taking a picture of it. the snap of your camera scaring you.

you can’t help but think there’s something behind those big hazel eyes and if there is in this house. maybe it won’t be too happy with someone coming in.

but your thoughts stop as you notice something neatly tucked under the mattress. something white. you slowly go to take it.

it’s a piece with neatly typed letters, at the top in all capitalized letters it read “RULES”, with ten things written below.

No guests

Never leave Brahms Alone

Save Meals in Freezer

Never Cover Brahms Face

Read a Bedtime Story

Play Loud Music

Clean the Traps

Only Malcom Brings Deliveries

Brahms is Never to Leave

Kiss Goodnight

your eyebrows furrow as you read the list, something being scribbled out on the 8th rule. banging is heard again, right above you. your body freezes.

you open your mouth slightly, but are interrupted by ringing.

you have another heart attack and snap your head towards the old styled phone. you walk over to it, the ringing pounding in your ears, it almost matching with your fast beating heart.

the phone is cold as you slowly pick it up.

“hello?”

you tried to whisper, it coming out as a shaky breath.

“leave.”

a cold, deep voice responds.

“what?”

your fear filled voice is met with silence. you keep the phone pressed to your ear, frozen, you don’t know what to do. but then, you remember the first rule. “No guests” and then the 9th rule. “Brahms is Never to Leave”.

now, something else fills you, pity. is this ghost, spirit, whatever, stuck here because they have to be? are they still following these rules after death?

“are you— brahms?”

nothing, but you keep talking, holding the phone with both hands now.

“i’m— i’m, uh, sorry for intruding, i didn’t—“

you trip over your words, fear still being your main emotion, but you want to reach out. you already have, now you just need to try again.

“i’m sorry, i am…”

you swallow the uncomfortable lump in your throat.

“but, are you— stuck here? do you need help?”

still silence. you try a different approach and your body relaxes slightly.

“are you lonely? is that why you’re still here? waiting for— someone?”

fear slowly leaves your voice, it returning to your natural soft and gentle tone.

“it must be scary— right? you must be scared and all alone? stuck here?”

static still, but you shake your head and take a deep breath.

“i understand. it’s ok— i can help you! i— think…”

you look over to the doll and slowly put the phone down, walking back over to it, you bend down to meet eye to eye with the doll. almost like it’s a real child.

“i can help you, you just need to tell me how or if i even can… being all alone, here for— a long time, it makes you scared and that makes you angry, right?”

you break your eye contact for a second and look down.

“we could be friends? yeah? i’m— L… and i’m guessing you’re brahms.”

you nod slightly and rummage in your pocket for something. a small crinkled flower you found around the house.

“i’m guessing i made you mad but… here. you think about it. i’ll be back. ok? i don’t want to hurt you… i’ll help you…”

a few more moments of silence and looking deeply into the doll’s eyes until you scurry off out the door. slightly shaken.

what you don’t see, is the man that slowly crawled out of his hiding place and slowly twirled your gift in his fingers, looking at it intently through his mask as he repeats your name softly.

end note: DID NOT MEAN TO MAKE IT THIS LONG, just got a bit carried away. plus, i wanted to give a decent backstory. i don’t know if i like it or not, but i wanted to try something else from the already being a nanny(/manny), being greta’s friend, etc— but now, my darling, it’s head-canon time B-)

❥ male lover head-canons, before meeting

he wants you to come back. he knows it’s against the rules, but you were nice…

“he’s… pretty… for a boy? can boys like boys?” type beat

he lays in his bed, whispering your name over and over

after that day, you keep coming back and you always give him a little gift. small gifts. candy, a flower, maybe a small toy. it doesn’t matter, he loves them all

he’s grown very fond of you, now leaving you little notes and this gets you excited, thinking you’re making contact with the spirit and you too grow closer

one time when you had to leave, you finally got another phone call, a child’s voice on the other end softly asking you to stay. you hesitate, actually considering it, but you promised that you would be back as soon as possible

you would tell your friends about it, them a mixture of believing and not believing, but they encourage you to keep at your ghost adventure, them seeing that it actually makes you happy and excited

he slowly starts admiring every part of you, your smile, the shape of your teeth, your laugh, your lips, your body, and even you calling out his name whenever you walk into the house

he asks you to start reading to him, kiss him goodbye, and you comply with no thought to it

one time, you accidentally fell asleep and you woke up to being neatly tucked into bed with the jacket you brought that day missing and a fee strands of your hair chopped off

“brahms, did you do this?”

“brahms… my hair?”

“brahms, please give me back my jacket.”

… no

one time you tried to bring another doll for him, but he didn’t like it (he threw a small tantrum) and you haven’t brought another one since

he likes how you smell :-)

you start to watch movies with him and his favourite is sleeping beauty.

he doesn’t know wether you’re the princess aurora to his prince phillip or the prince phillip to his princess aurora

mmmm both.

you basically share your life story with him

you realize now the closest person to you is a ghost in an abandoned house possessing a doll, but you don’t mind

you start not wanting to leave him alone, afraid at any moment you would lose him, but at the same time, you want want him to pass to an afterlife (if there is one)

❥ meeting brahms

how you two actually met: well, much like you taking a nap, brahms took a too big of risk and stayed next to you to stroke your hair and admire you. but you woke up too soon

he jumps when you open your eyes

you, who just woke up to a dirty, masked, hot, man calmly screamed and ran out the house while dodging him

he’s angry that he let himself be seen and he’s angry that you ran away from him

you don’t come back for at least 4 weeks and you haven’t been speaking with your friends, shaken by the incident

when you do finally decide to come back, you have a weapon in tow while you slowly scope out the house, but could you actually hurt someone? no matter who?

as you walk throughout the house, brahms is following right behind you, not saying anything

you eventually (and finally) turn around and you both jump

he doesn’t try to attack you when you don’t, your hands shaking

you ask who he is and he just walks towards you slowly, saying that you two have been talking for so long, how could you not know him?

oh shit.

“brahms…”

how do you react? hyperventilating and screaming at him asking if he’s been watching you all this time. how are you supposed to feel?

he tries to calm you down, but you just back away from him, realizing you were never talking to a ghost or a spirit and a man has been watching you this entire time

you try to leave, this time, him being able to grab you and begging for you to stay, telling you that he promises to be good and won’t scare you anymore

you manage to get away from him and run back home, not knowing what to do. call the cops? probably, but instead you decide to research the history behind the “heelshire’s” house and learn the backstory behind brahms.

you don’t know whether to feel scared or bad for him, has he been there the entire time? he only speaks like a child sometimes, but maybe he could be tricking you?

you need to know, like it or not, brahms has now imprinted into your life

you come back, with nothing but yourself this time and call out his name with a slight shake in your voice

he comes out, happily, but quietly exclaiming that you came back. when he tries to come closer to you, you step back but try to remain calm

after what feels like hours of silence, he asks you quietly and innocently if you two could still be friends

what do you do? he’s a murderer. but his entire life has been taken away since he was a child. hes dangerous, but helpless. he could kill you at any moment, but he’s alone.

maybe— you could help him. that’s what you always wanted to do from the beginning, so with heavy breaths you nod slowly.

end note: if you didn’t understand the warning “extremely flawed mindset” it’s this. you, my darling, are too kind. your heart is made of pure gold. brahms in your eyes is just a man who was lost since childhood and never helped. i do aim for (mostly) realism!

❥ male lover head-canons, after meeting

you can tell that, “yeah, no, this is how he actually thinks this way… i need to help him”

don’t worry, you eventually warm up to him

you practically start to take care of him whenever you come over now (which is still as soon as possible)

you tried to make him bathe or shower, but he’s fussy. one time you threatened to get a hose him down.

you manage to get him to take one shower while you wash his clothes, but he calls out for help every minute asking what he’s supposed to do

“L… L…” “Yes?” “Am I suppose to use the shampoo or conditioner first :-(“

(somewhat) clean wall man :-)

he’s also extremely picky about food and asks you constantly to get him sweets

“wait… so did you put me into to bed that one time?”

“did you cut my hair?”

“brahms, did you take my jacket?”

… no

you tell him, in the nicest way possible, that’s probably the creepiest thing to do to someone ever

he doesn’t understand and whines because you always left he just wanted to always have a piece of you

you tell him, in the nicest way possible, that’s probably the creepiest thing to say to someone ever

he still doesn’t get it

he doesn’t give you back your jacket

he still asked for kisses goodbye and you have to put your foot down on saying no and if he gets angry you tell him you won’t come for a few days

he tells you he’ll force you to say and you groan and explain that he’s really making it hard for you to like him right now, which makes him go quiet, but pout. you kiss him on the his masked cheek as a compromise, but doesn’t mean he’s happy about it (just less grumpy)

he still goes into the walls to watch you when you’re busy (doing chores for him, cooking, or just trying to breathe some fresh air), but now you know the feeling whenever he’s staring at you, you stop whatever you’re doing and call his name bluntly, which leads him to run away like nothing happened

now, when you talk to your friends, he will put his face over your phone whenever he feels you’ve been on the phone for “too long” (about 3-minutes)

your relationship is somewhat ambiguous, you knowing you care deeply for the troubled man and him being infatuated with you

your first “actual”(lips to masked lips) kiss is when he was being extra whiny and didn’t go to bed, therefore not letting you leave. so you promised this time, you’ll actually kiss his lips this time. he ran to the bed.

you start staying over sometimes, but you tell him only if he’s good which he sometimes is

he loves cuddling you, snuggling into you, and wants to be touching you in someway always

he becomes much more clingy, wanting to be by your side 24/7 and whenever you leave he gives you sad eyes. you promise you’ll be back and you always are.

you never asked him to show his face, but you are concerned that’s it uncomfortable when he sleeps

when you did first see his face, it didn’t faze you, he’s still your wall man, assuring him with affection and a real kiss. promising that he’s very handsome. making him flushed and hide in your arms.

also, no. you do not tell your friends that you are currently in a relationship with a man who lives in the walls and has been “dead” for years. they’ll call the police if you don’t, darling.