#and their relationship with each other is so complex and fascinating m

[cece693]

You Can't Outrun Fate (Hannibal Lecter x Male! Reader)

This came to me in a dream :) Well, a mix of dream and me seeking out alternative timelines in the Hannibal show. Hope you enjoy.

tags: posessiveness, slight jealousy, heartbreak, sad male reader, misunderstandings, m/n leaves Hannibal, but when does Hannibal allow something of his to escape his control, kidnapping

Hannibal Lecter was a drug, a highly addictive one at that. His charm, words, and actions ensnared you in his web until it was too late. This drug left you with nothing and no one, except him. M/N knew this all too well; he could hardly remember his old life before the murderer waltzed in and deemed him worthy of seeing past his multiple facades and joining his side. It had been years since that day, and M/N didn’t regret it. Like a blooming rose, M/N eagerly soaked up any attention Hannibal gave him. But nothing good lasts forever.

Hannibal was a man who thrived on adrenaline and enjoyed being challenged. What better challenge than finding Will Graham, a man harboring darkness which he tried hard to mask behind this front of normality? For the first time since M/N, someone had forced their way into Hannibal’s mind palace and made a home there.

M/N had known since the beginning of their relationship that it wouldn’t be long before Hannibal grew bored of him. Hannibal detested routine more than he detested rudeness—being chained to M/N without the ability to indulge in others was unbearable for him. M/N was foolish to think he would be enough to satiate the monster within Hannibal. Will Graham became the perfect canvas for Hannibal to mold into his equal, leaving M/N in the dust.

It began innocently enough with Hannibal bringing the detective into their conversations, making off-handed comments about Will’s unique gift. His fascination grew, and soon enough, Hannibal was deserting M/N at their home without a note or message, prioritizing Will’s 7:30 pm sessions.

At first, M/N tried to rationalize it. He told himself it was fine to see Hannibal off, knowing he would return soon. But then those therapy sessions started blending into real life, with Hannibal spending more and more time trailing behind Will like a shadow. 

M/N knew it was over. He had been replaced. Hannibal's absence became more frequent, his excuses more transparent. Their relationship took a toll with both men unable to stand within the same room, their love replaced by a cold void. M/N felt a complex mix of emotions—pain, jealousy, and a deep sense of loss. He couldn't bring himself to hate Will. 

If he weren’t so hopelessly in love with Hannibal, M/N might have pursued the detective too—he was interesting and handsome, a combination so rarely found in one person. In another universe, under different circumstances, perhaps they could have been friends, or even more. But in this life, Will was the catalyst for his heartbreak, the new obsession that had stolen Hannibal’s affection. 

M/N and Hannibal had been avoiding the inevitable, so one day when M/N knew Hannibal would be busy, he packed his bags and took off. It was a hard decision but M/N knew it was the correct one. It wasn’t as if the murderer would miss him, the past weeks spent in solitude was enough to tell M/N he wasn’t needed. Perhaps Hannibal was already organizing a dinner party to celebrate his departure, aiming to introduce Will into his life. He had overstayed his welcome. 

The initial months were challenging; detoxing from Hannibal was painful. Everywhere he looked, M/N couldn’t help but think of the man. Hannibal’s presence was ever-permanent in M/N's life, an inescapable shadow haunting his every step. The familiar scents, the echoes of their conversations, the ghost of Hannibal’s touch—everything served as a cruel reminder of what he had lost. M/N found himself drifting through each day in a haze, battling the overwhelming urge to return, to feel that addictive rush once more. But he owed Hannibal at least that much, a chance to restart with the partner of his dreams. 

And when memories became too much to bear, M/N would depart once more. America, Britain, Ireland, Spain. Beautiful sights but it didn’t ease his emptiness. He’d even begun to bring partners to bed, hoping they’ll become his new addiction, but nothing. Perhaps this was M/N’s punishment: unable to move on and inevitably tied to Hannibal forever. Or perhaps this was fate. 

Fate. 

Such a funny thing—luck, destiny, karma, however you wanted to call it. Almost a year had passed since M/N left America when news reached him about the death of Will Graham. The incident was attributed to the Chesapeake Ripper, a detective who had been too close to uncovering the killer’s identity. The revelation left M/N shocked and unsettled. If it was Hannibal who disposed of Will and not a copycat, the question lingered: Why? What had driven Hannibal to eliminate someone he had once found so intriguing, someone whom he viewed as an equal? 

Rushing to his apartment, M/N locked the door behind him. If Hannibal had killed Will, what guaranteed M/N he wouldn’t kill him next? Panic surged through him as he leaned against the door, trying to catch his breath. His mind raced with thoughts of escape, but it was already too late. His nose wasn’t quick enough to detect the familiar scent of cologne before strong arms seized him and spun him around.

M/N froze, the blood draining from his face as he found himself face to face with Hannibal. But this wasn’t the man whom M/N remembered—his hair was longer and unstyled, falling into his eyes, and his clothing consisted of a simple black jacket and slacks rather than his usual three-piece suit.

"Hannibal." M/N managed to gasp, his voice trembling with a mix of fear and disbelief.

Hannibal's eyes bore into him. There was a wildness in his gaze, a hint of the unrestrained fury simmering beneath the surface. He looked like a man who had been through hell and emerged on the other side, more dangerous and unpredictable than ever. He still commanded attention, but now there was a dangerous demeanor he wore, as if he was on the verge of being Hannibal and whatever monster he’d tucked away.

“M/N.” Hannibal whispered back, his voice deceptively calm. “I didn’t think you would be so foolish as to run from me.” The back of his hand grazed his cheek when it harshly gripped his chin, forcing their eyes to lock. M/N couldn’t look away nor did he want to. Hannibal’s eyes were a tempest of emotions—anger, betrayal, hurt, but above all, love.

"I...I had to leave," M/N reasoned, his voice coming out steady despite the churning inside his stomach. “You know why.” All he received was a cold, hard glare from Hannibal. 

"Do I?" he said softly, his tone laced with a dangerous edge. "You left without a word, abandoning everything we had built together.” Hannibal took a step closer, his presence overwhelming. M/N could feel Hannibal’s warmth, and a part of him wanted to close the distance, but fear paralyzed him. "When you left, everything lost its meaning. Life became a dreary monotone."

“You made that choice.” M/N couldn’t help but hiss, not being able to contain his anger and sadness. “You paraded Will like some sort of prize, leaving me in the dust. How do you think I felt when the man I loved began to seek someone else?” Pushing Hannibal away, M/N remained standing, wanting to get everything off his shoulders. “You were the one who abandoned whatever we’ve built, not me.”

Hannibal’s expression softened. “I never meant to hurt you, M/N.” he said, his voice tinged with regret. “Will was a distraction, a fleeting curiosity. But you...you are irreplaceable.”

M/N scoffed at the man’s words. “It’s been a year, Hannibal. If I’m really irreplaceable as you claim, why didn’t you come sooner? You’re just now seeking me out after Will’s gone from the picture. Admit it, you want your play thing back.”

“You’re nothing of the sort, M/N.”

“Shut up!” M/N barked, his voice filled with desperation. “Just leave me alone, Hannibal. Go.” But his words fell on deaf ears. Cornered against the wall, M/N struggled as Hannibal grabbed his body and pressed a towel against the bottom of his face. Chloroform. 

M/N fought against the overwhelming dizziness that crept over him, his limbs growing heavy as the world began to blur. He could feel Hannibal’s fingers gently running through the back of his head, a gesture that was both tender and chilling. Hannibal spoke the final words M/N would hear before darkness enveloped him. “I’m sorry, but I can’t lose you again.”

[polutrope]

Ambarussa Appreciation

I have said before that I think Amrod and Amras have much untapped imaginative potential. But that's not to say there are no intrepid creators who have done marvellous work with the sixth and seventh sons of Fëanor. Here are some of them! Feel free to reblog this with additions of your own.

Fics

A Kind of Mercy by @aipilosse (T, 0.8k). Amras & Amrod. A haunting character study.

truth in a mirror by athenakarthagonensis (E, 4.4k). Amrod/OMC. Stunning prose and a dangerous lightly-toasted Amrod. The unique Green-elf POV is excellent.

The White Tower by Anna_Wing (not rated, 11.2k). Post-canon Elwing-focused fic (fascinating worldbuilding and musings on the nature of the Oath), but interesting and refreshing to see her interacting with the 'forgotten' Kinslayers.

Who By Fire by me (M, 4.9k). Amrod/Fingolfin. Two grief-raw souls connect at Mithrim. Lightly-toasted Amrod. cw: past attempted suicide, mental instability, injury, animal death.

The Same Blood by me (T, 1k). Amras and Amrod's relationship feels the strain of what they have been through. Follow-up to the previous fic.

as a mist of light, chapter 12 by @swanmaids (T, ficlet). Amras finds a way to cope after the fire. Crispy Amrod. cw: self harm.

We Shared Everything by @cuarthol (M, 2.2k). Amras and Amrod shared everything, until they didn't. Crispy Amrod. Fantastic use of first person (plural and singular).

Dénouement by @sallysavestheday (G, 0.9k). Amrod/Aredhel, post-canon. Two people who were killed by people they love find understanding in each other. Crispy Amrod.

A Name by @skyeventide (G, 1k). Beautiful and impactful musings on identity, pulling from the convoluted and complex names associated with these two. Lightly-toasted Amrod.

The Seven Trials of Fingon the Valiant, chapter 6 by me and @melestasflight (T, ~2k). Something lighter! The twins seduce Fingon.

Art

There is actually a pretty rich array of fanart of Amrod and Amras. Here are just a few of my favourites.

Amras and Amrod by @wisesnail

Amras and Amrod by @welcomingdisaster

Amrod threatens Elrond and Elros by @runawaymun, a chilling commission for my fic And Love Grew

Amrod by @myceliumelium

Amras and Maedhros by @redbootsindoriath

Amrod by @tabukomi

Ambarussa by @thelien-art

Ambarussa by @spvce-oddity

Maedhros, Celegorm, Amrod, Amras by @albuum

Any finally some HoMe quotes about the twins, who get so little in the published Silm.

325 [525] Torment fell upon Maidros and his brethren, because of their unfulfilled oath. Damrod and Díriel resolved to win the Silmaril, if Eärendel would not give it up willingly. […] 329 [529] Here Damrod and Díriel ravaged Sirion, and were slain. Maidros and Maglor were there, but they were sick at heart.  From 'The Later Annals of Beleriand' in The Lost Road

"The two twins were both red-haired. Nerdanel gave them both the name Ambarussa - for they were much alike and remained so while they lived. When Fëanor begged that their names should at least be different Nerdanel looked strange, and after a while said: 'Then let one be called [Ambarto >] Umbarto, but which, time will decide."

"The twins called each other Ambarussa. The name Ambarto/Umbarto was used by [?no one]. The twins remained alike, but the elder grew darker in hair, and was more dear to his father. After childhood they [?were not to be] confused…" From 'The Shibboleth of Fëanor' in The Peoples of Middle-earth

[zapreportsblog]

❝control❞

✭ pairing : billy loomis x male reader x stu macher

✭ fandom : slashers

✭ summary : billy was so use to be in control in his relationship with stu that when they got with (m/n) he isn’t sure how to act now that he’s no longer the one in charge

✭ authors note : this was requested by @kai-wifey in my inbox

✭ slashers masterlist

Billy Loomis had always been a controlling force in his relationship with Stu Macher. As the two of them embarked on a twisted journey as Ghostface, Billy relished in his power to plan the kills, manipulate their victims, and orchestrate their every move. He reveled in the dominance he held over Stu and the thrill it brought them both.

But everything changed when they met (M/N), a slightly older figure who exuded a commanding presence that demanded attention. (M/N) was in college, while Billy and Stu were still seniors in high school. From the moment they laid eyes upon each other, a shift in dynamics occurred.

(M/N) radiated dominance, but in a way that felt different from Billy's controlling nature. While Billy planned their dates and hangouts, (M/N) took charge of their safety and well-being. He picked them up in his car, a symbol of his independence and responsibility. His job and maturity added an air of stability to their relationship.

Billy was initially resistant to relinquishing control, but as he observed (M/N)'s actions, he began to see the value in his approach. When Billy suggested a restaurant, (M/N) would veto the choice if it posed a risk to Stu's allergies or if it could attract unwanted attention. Similarly, when Billy and Stu were about to embark on another killing spree, (M/N) would step in and advise against it when the police presence was heightened, prioritizing their safety over their twisted desires.

The introduction of (M/N) into their lives gave Billy a new perspective on the dynamics of power and control. He realized that his dominance could be balanced with consideration for their well-being and safety. It was a revelation that both fascinated and challenged him.

As their relationship deepened, Billy found himself drawn to (M/N)'s subtle dominance. It was not about exerting control for control's sake, but rather about ensuring their happiness and safety. There was a sense of trust and respect that permeated their interactions, and it ignited a new desire within Billy.

In the midst of their twisted love triangle, (M/N) became the stabilizing force, offering guidance and wisdom that both Billy and Stu craved. He became their anchor, reminding them of the consequences of their actions and urging them to consider the bigger picture.

As the three of them navigated their complex relationship, boundaries were established, and trust grew. Billy discovered that dominance did not always equate to control, and that surrendering some of his power could lead to a more balanced and fulfilling connection.

In the darkness of their twisted desires, a new understanding began to emerge. Billy, Stu, and (M/N) found solace in each other's company, embracing the complexities of their relationship and the unique dynamics it brought. Together, they delved deeper into the twisted world they had created, exploring the boundaries of dominance, control, and the depths of their desires.

Little did they know, this love triangle would push them to their limits, challenging their understanding of power and control. As their twisted journey continued, the lines between dominance, submission, and love would blur, leading them down a path that none of them could have anticipated.

Tension hung heavy in the air as Billy Loomis confronted Stu Macher about their plans for the night. Billy's desire to go out killing as Ghostface clashed with Stu's hesitation, fueled by (M/N)'s firm instructions to abstain from killing for a week. The argument escalated quickly, with Billy's voice rising in anger while Stu remained silent, unable to find the words to defend his position.

As the heated exchange played out, the front door swung open, and (M/N) stepped into the chaotic scene. His eyes surveyed the room, taking in the anger etched across Billy's face and Stu's silent distress. (M/N) remained calm, his presence exuding a quiet authority that demanded attention.

"Enough, Billy," (M/N) spoke with a firm yet composed voice. "Stop yelling."

Billy's rage momentarily overshadowed any regard for (M/N)'s words. But as (M/N) approached, his calm demeanor gave way to a display of his own dominance. In a swift and unexpected move, (M/N) pinned Billy against the wall, his strength palpable as he held him in place.

"Now I'll only ask you one last time, stop yelling," (M/N) stated, his tone laced with a commanding authority that left no room for defiance.

Billy's anger dissipated, replaced by a mixture of surprise and fascination. He had seen dominance in various forms, but (M/N)'s display was different. It was a subtle assertion of control, a reminder that Billy's dominance had limits and boundaries.

Recognizing the shift in power, Billy complied, his voice reduced to a mere whisper. (M/N) released his grip, and as Billy's feet met the ground, (M/N) leaned in, placing a gentle kiss on his forehead. It was a gesture both affectionate and possessive, a reminder of their connection and the consequences of pushing the boundaries.

Turning his attention to Stu, (M/N) approached him with a softness that contrasted with the earlier confrontation. He gave Stu a reassuring forehead kiss, his touch conveying a sense of understanding and support. "Are you alright?" he asked, his voice filled with genuine concern.

Stu nodded silently, his eyes meeting (M/N)'s with a mix of gratitude and relief. In that moment, he felt seen and cared for, his concerns validated and understood.

With the tension diffused, the three of them gathered around the dinner table. (M/N) had prepared a meal, a gesture of love and reconciliation. As they sat together, the atmosphere shifted, the lingering anger replaced by a renewed sense of unity.

In the presence of (M/N)'s calm yet commanding energy, Billy and Stu began to understand the importance of boundaries and respect within their twisted dynamic. They recognized that dominance could be wielded not only for control, but also for guidance and protection.

As they shared the meal, a newfound understanding settled over them. They were reminded that their desires could coexist with (M/N)'s guidance, that their twisted journey could be navigated with a balance of dominance, submission, and love.

In this shared moment, their connection deepened, and the boundaries of their relationship began to evolve. They learned that true power lay not only in dominance but also in the ability to listen, to yield, and to trust in the guidance of a partner who understood the complexities of their desires.

With each bite and every shared glance, they were reminded of the delicate dance they were engaged in—a dance of dominance, desire, and the undeniable bond that held them together. And as they savored the meal prepared by (M/N)'s skilled hands, they knew that their twisted love triangle had the potential to transform into something beautifully intricate and uniquely their own.

[raisinchallah]

you know i am really fascinated by the gabrielle/joxer and xena/ares fans with huge victim complexes because its such a beautiful illustration of how getting straightbaited turns straight people completely insane and could not survive one day experiencing the daily life of a queerbait enjoyer like they sometimes seem really offended they even have to defend their position and that in many ways especially the gabrielle/joxer side they have less evidence for their favorite relationships canonicity than the femslashers they have declared war with like theyre totally off kilter unsure how to cope with this like change in the balance of fandom power and that gay people run the show in the xena fandom my impression as of now is that joxer/gabrielle fans have the biggest victim complex as they are also regularly mocked in the show and i think even regular straight people find it kind of cringe so its niche within that space but xena/ares fans are like in many ways regular m/f fans and their victim complex is mostly about how they wish women could be strong and powerful without being gay and that this also constitutes oppression to be assumed to be gay for being strong and a woman and both feel they must stand strong against big subtext tho in many ways and some whoosh articles say this and try to make peace amongst the sides that actually all of these relationships constitute subtext and that everyone is feeding off the same subtext scraps with nothing entirely confirmed beyond one sided feelings from men towards women adn that xena and gabrielle love each other but again this illustrates how straight people turn insane if they do not get what they want..

[annoyinglandmagazine]

❤&🧡

Thanks for the ask:

❤️ Favourite ship: I’d have to say Haleth and Caranthir. I know, I know, they interacted like once and it wasn’t even particularly positive but I love them both and I think they’re cute. Male elf/ woman ships are an obsession of mine and they also, despite being one of my only serious f/m ships in this fandom, manage to give such butch/ femme lesbian vibes. Seriously off the charts. Also Caranthir is probably my fave out of the entire thing and I want him to be happy. I see them as having a less star crossed lovers thing going on because at the core these are pragmatic people, they don’t have time for all that dramatic one true love nonsense. I’d say it’s more a kind of grudging respect thing at first but after a while they start to relax around each other and just sort of click and they develop light hearted banter and seek out each other’s company. And once they get together they don’t see each other all that regularly but they maintain a very honest and affectionate relationship throughout their lives. Caranthir maybe snaps inside that bit further once he discovers that she isn’t there anymore and that’s why she’s taken so long to reply to his letters.

🧡 Favourite friendship: Ooh this is tricky but I do love Elrond and Celebrimbor. I know that’s sort of a familial relationship but most people are related in the Silm so it limits options a bit. I just find the similarities and differences in their upbringings and views on their families absolutely fascinating, both witnessing kinslayings while young and getting raised by the Feanorian’s but in very different circumstances and dealing with it in their own way. I just feel like there’s a lot of potential for a really interesting dynamic and so much trauma to explore. I feel like Celebrimbor sort of takes Elrond under his wing a bit when he’s younger and there’s definitely a very long and complex bond there. Also the possible deterioration of that relationship with the arrival of Annatar and subsequent tensions, then all that with Galadriel someone Elrond and Gil Galad were almost certainly in close contact with, somehow makes Elrond seeing Celebrimbor on the banner even angstier.

[fahye]

(1/?) Freya!!!!! I apologise in advance, this ask is going to be all over the place. Since I discovered your ao3 profile many, many years ago, you've been one of those auto-read authors for me, the kind you follow blindly and faithfully into fandoms you've never heard of, and crucially, the kind who always, always deliver. I must have read your capri ficS fifty times EACH, i revisit them like every six months, they're so good (ALSO!! Those fic are the reason I discovered the capri trilogy, SO THANK YOU FOR THAT!!!) ANYWAY!! That is to say, when you announced that you were publishing your first original novel, I was SO excited. And AML did not disappoint, it had everything that made me fall in love with your writing in the first place, fascinating world building, and characters i want to kiss on the forehead and tuck into my pockets (AND MAGICAL HOUSES!!!! Bestest of tropes). I read it around the time it came out and I couldn't wait for the sequel. And then I learned what the sequel was actually going to be about and ART immediately became my most anticipated book of the year. Every tidbit you divulged made me go to goodreads and stare at the publication date for full minutes like sheer longing was going to magically make it sooner.

(2/3 now I think) Magical murder mystery! Sapphics!!! ON BOATS!!! It sounded like it was going to be the book of dreams. AND IT WAS!!!!!! It was sooooo gooood. I loved everything about it: the plot (delightful, delightful, and delightful. A VALISE FULL OF PORNOGRAPHY!!! WILD ANIMALS RUNNING AMOK!! A FAKE REAL SEANCE!!! God, just thinking about it makes me so happy), the characters (i loved everyone so dearly!!! Even the background characters were painted so vividly and charmingly, and of course the orgy quartet HAS MY WHOLE HEART!!! Both individually and together. Special mentions go to Lord Hawthorn, the aristocratic asshole of my heart, AND MAUDIE!!!! She was so complex and wonderul, and I just saw you one post where you described her as a lesbian miles vorkosigan, which????!?!?!?! I'D NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT IT LIKE THAT BUT YES ABSOLUTELY, my most beloved brilliant disaster generals… AND OH, SHE'S EVEN ON A BOAT, SO "ADMIRAL" IS FITTING), and of course the prose… genuinely so astonishingly, consistently beautiful. I can't think of any other books where sentences regularly make me stop to marvel at how gorgeously crafted and evocative they are, at the cleverness of the pictures they paint, without taking me out of the story. And the consistent music imagery throughout the book, a connecting thread in both povs!!! I hope we get to see the girls at Spinet House in book three. And the sex scenes of course… you are a master!!!! So sexy and lush, and such excellent character studies at the same time, I am in awe. Also, so happy to see excellent, explicit wlw smut!!!! Not enough of it out there!!! Which of course brings me to the relationships…. AHHHHH SO GOOD. SO GOOD!! The joy and discovery and tension and building trust of Maud and Violet, the excellent dynamics of the quartet, but also Maud and Hawthorn, UNEXPECTEDLY MAYBE MY FAVORITE DUO, and omg, the way you depict even "off page" relationships, ie maud and edwin, maud and robin, robin and edwin… so much feeling and tenderness and care!!!! You don't need to be told that they love each other, it comes across so, so clearly. ALSO (last one I promise) FORSYTHIA CLUB BACKSTORY!!! Flora and Beth crushed my heart underfoot) 

(3/3) ANYWAY ALL OF THIS TO SAY…. ART was so much FUN!!!!! A treat from beginning to end, one of my fave reads this year. AND A POWER UNBOUND IS ALREADY MY MOST ANTICIPATED BOOK OF NEXT YEAR, which… is going to be thought, given that it's a whole 12 months away, womp womp. I can't wait to get more of lord hawthorn (who i hoped would be a future book protag on very first appearance in aml!!!), i want to pry him open like a clam and peer into his brain, and of alan ross, and of their DELICIOUS dynamic… also looking forward to learning more about elsie alston and to see the whole gang interact, magical houses included!!! Anyway, that is all, I apologise for the insane amount of capslock and exclamation points, I just wanted to make sure my appreciation got across, I LOVE THE LAST BINDING THANK YOU FOR WRITING THIS WONDERFUL SERIES, I WISH YOU MUCH JOY IN WRITING AND I CAN'T WAIT RO SEE WHAT YOU DO NEXT!!

anon I am so sorry I had to Read More your message because in the depths of my soul I want to frame it, decoupage it, enclose it in enamel with little flecks of gold leaf, shove it in the face of everyone who visits my house, etc. 

this is like when you open a ‘someone left a comment’ email from ao3 and your face does a weird :DDDDDDDD thing with each subsequent scroll-down you have to do to read the whole thing. thank you?? you’re so lovely and this message filled me with joy.

and I can say with full confidence that the theme of music continues in book 3, and that I have shoved my knife RIGHT into the clam-shell hinges of lord hawthorn for you all.

thank you again! I hope 2023 brings you many enjoyable things, and that my book is one of them.

[stevie-petey]

"Truly, it was inevitable. He’s too much like you, your wounds a matching pair, and you never stood a chance against the inevitability. He’s an extension of you now, you can no longer deny this."

omgggg they are sooooo going to fall in love.....they are sooo connected to each other........wounds a matching pair....yeah that's them choosing each other baby!!!!

"The moment between you two is intimate; everyone around you looks away. Nancy stares down at her feet while Steve clenches his jaw."

this is soooo cray to me, because i feel like this whole moment captures the four of them so well. in every other universe that's not this one, it really is big and bee, and steve and nancy soulmatism hours. it's just this one where nancy and johnathan choose each other and steve and bug choose each other. love love the dynamic between feeling the string of fate connect you to a person yet choosing someone else because it's what you both want......in a way it's more powerful than any string of fate can be.

also the part where she kisses johnathan's cheek to savour it knowing its one of the last times..........hmmm........this is what heartbreak feels like.......but then holding steve in the kitchen immediately after........m you really built the parallels there......

i am so fascinated by the fact that bug is caught up in the survivor's guilt trip of the century about will while at the same time nancy is drinking her own fun cocktail of guilt for cheating and the burden of knowing she possibly came between bug and johnathan in a strange way, and feels that resentment against bug for seemingly not having to carry that burden?? like obvs bug has her faults but it's so interesting watching bug overemphasize her guilt and role in will's predicament in an honestly unpredictable situation while nancy feels anger and resentment at bug for being not-as-at-fault in their relationship troubles of the lover's quadrilateral (good indie band name btw)......like......bug and nancy you two are more alike than either of you would like to admit!!! especially with what bug revealed last episode about striving to be kind because she felt like she was cruel after their dad left and thus is always trying to make up for it because she's so scared to be like their dad, while nancy saw the loveless marriage of their parents and turned it into a streak of emotional caution and restraint and independence, is all just so.....like the iverts of each other??? so it just makes sense why steve and johnathan would be caught up in both of them so much....bug feels jealousy over johnathan choosing nancy and admiring that emotional independence while nancy in turn resenting the guilt she feels for not being a "good" gf to steve and craving the emotional vulnerability that makes people gravitate towards bug as she struggles with her own complications, complexities and the fact that she isn't as outwardly....idk i guess perfect-seeming when she compares herself to bug.....which is funny given that that's how bug felt about nancy when comparing nancy's badassery and intelligence in s1........like.......girls........i hate to tell ya, you guys are very good mirrors of each other! and are really reflecting a lot of the same fears back at each other and projecting the same light over and over again!! honest to god i see another universe where nancy and bug are together, the same way there's a universe where steve and nancy/bug and johnathan are together...........like.........they've got that lesbian parallels and have that toxic feelings-that-in-hs-you-could-only-describe-as-jealousy-that-tears-you-both-apart-later-you-realise-was-desire that breaks your heart in high school and you don't understand why until years later you wake up and go "oh! that was my first love! that's why i felt that glow emanating from their very being and felt they were perfect and above all reproach and better than me and had what i can only describe as a gaping hole in my chest anytime they were in a romantic or sexual relationship with anyone who wasn't me!"

also, i just wanted to add about the ending tent scene where bug is trying to bring will back......i will admit that with recent stuff, i don't really care for will all that much, but genuinely, seeing the deep connections between bug and the rest of the byers family.....will being her little bee.....so cute they really are her family!!! in another life she would have been joyce's daughter in law!!! obvs family is so much more than like certificates and paper documents but idk you can just tell how much they are meant to be in each other's lives. and omg el is back!! yay!!!

oh nancy and bug 100% in another universe are gfs because they foil SO well :(((( youre correct about everything, every little detail is right and it PAINS me.

and nancys guilt paralleling bugs :(( my girls deserve the world and they NEED to have a conversation about how much they admire the other. it would do them both so much good ugh (it will come, trust)

and i love the idea of fate and how we can choose to go against it, and i think it incorporates well into the story in respect to the relationships. fate destined nancy/steve and bug/jon and YET ,,, theyre choosing someone else. they have to choose someone else. and its so beautiful so me <3

[ihateyukanda]

answer whatever 3 questions you want to answer from the ask game ^_^

HAIIIII alright 3 questions!

Question 1: Outside of any incest/pedo ships, Yu/llen. Never understood it. Never will understand it. They never had any chemistry outside of like. A slowly developing friendship? I especially don't understand people shipping it pre-Alma Karma arc because like they barely even liked each other back then. Also it's very boring in terms of ship tropes, just edgy guy x cinnamon roll and white hair x black hair. It feels like people wanted their trope yaoi rather than the actual dynamic these two have. Also there's too much of it in the Yulma tag and it pisses me off.

Question 2: Basically any ship that isn't Yulma I'm so sorry I'm really boring that way ！Σ(×_×;)! I really think DGM has some really fascinating platonic relationships that deserve a lot more attention than they get (Komui and Lenalee especially) and I find most ships to be a distraction from that. Maybe if their fics were set postcanon but the question is if anyone's surviving long enough postcanon for that. Putting my bets on Lenalee and Lavi surviving and Yuu and Allen dying. Not ready for it.

Question 14: Tbh since the fandom is so quiet there isn't really much for me to say but I guess the usual thing about shipping and character misinterpretation. People focus too much on ships and the tropes they associate with them sometimes instead of the actual characters. However, I think the fandom has vastly improved as now we don't see Lenalee hate for getting in the way of an M/M ship and are more willing to explore her complexities (can you tell I love Lenalee. I love Lenalee.)

[bsd-fan]

Dazai, Chuuya, humanity and the mafia part 0.5: Foils

I wanted to do this analysis properly but the truth is that I simply don´t have the time for it, and there are so many things I want to /scream/ about soukoku. So this half-assed analysis will have to do (I swear there is thought behind all of this, this still will be insanely long and will contain spoilers from the manga and lightnovels). I also want to point out that as much as I love soukoku as a ship, most of this won´t be about them in a romantic way.  Also, English is not my first language so this probably will have some mistakes, I apologize for them. 

Now, I love soukoku but I most often than not find myself in disagreement with the way the fandom perceives them. At first I wanted to do this about their relationship exclusively but then it hit me that my real problem with the fandom´s perception (this includes soukoku stans and skk antis)  is the tendency for making the characters all about soukoku. Because /that´s/ the real problem. Soukoku is a relationship formed by two incredibly complex and amazingly writen characters that when together make something even better. If we want to understand soukoku, then we need to understand the /individual/ characters first and then the relationship, never the opposite. We can´t try to understand the individuals from the relationship. That just doesn´t make sense. Some of the worse takes I´ve heard comes from this idea. Takes that go from “Chuuya is Dazai´s reason for living” to “Dazai doesn´t give a damn about chuuya because he left him” comes from this kind of thought. That´s the reason I´m gonna start by analyzing the characters /individually/ first.

Once I found someone asking why Dazai and chuuya are considered opposites by the fandom. At first, it seemed obvious, their personalities are constantly clashing, their life philosophies are completely different, and in the great scheme of things they don´t really share values or ideas, damn, even the colors used to represent them are opposites but then I really stop to think about it and I realized all of this differences ironically came from the same place. And this is fascinating because at the end, the reason they are consider opposites isn´t for all of their differences, it´s for the only thing they have in common. I´m gonna explain myself, every single character in bsd is built around something, there is a core in each of their characterizations and that is the defining thing for them. They develop as characters thanks to that. 

“people live to save themselves” We can understand most of the characters in bsd using that quote. They have something that keeps pushing them, something they look for, something they will live and kill for and that´s their core. And...Dazai and Chuuya have exactly the same core. The main conflict for both of their characters is their inability to recognize themselves as human beings and the desperate need to find their humanity despite that. Going from that, the natural thing would be for them to be the most similar, right? I mean, they have exactly the same goal but the thing is that they decide to takle the problem in completely /different/ ways and /that´s/ what makes them opposites. In bsd we can trace parallelisms between almost every single character. I can trace parallelisms between Dazai and yosano, ranpo, oda, kunikida, nikolai and the list goes and goes (not mentioning fyodor because he actually /is/ a narrative foil) and the same thing happens with chuuya and half of the characters but even with all of that I wouldn´t consider them opposites, just different. But Dazai and chuuya? They are essentially the mirror image of the other and I´m not saying this in a romantic kind of way but in an objective one. Narratively speaking they share the most fundamental piece of their characterizations but even when they want the same thing, even with the same problem, they act in completely different ways and that´s because the root of the problem is different and the way they experiment it is also different. So, yes they are essentially two different sides of the same coin and it´s frankly fascinating to analyze them and the way they interact. 

I´m gonna start by analyzing Dazai.

[sophia-sol]

Island of Ghosts, by Gillian Bradshaw

I first heard about this book from sholio years ago, and I'm glad it rang a bell when I stumbled across it in a used bookstore! I picked it up, and it is GREAT.

This is a historical fiction book set in Roman Britain, which is a time/place I've only ever seen get attention from Rosemary Sutcliff, so it was honestly a little bit disconcerting - I kept expecting it to be more Sutcliffy than it was! But Bradshaw has different interests and different prose styles than Sutcliff. (Some better, some worse, some just different without judgement!)

The ongoing Sutcliff reminders did make me worried going in about emotional devastation, but that's not what Bradshaw wants to write about, and you know what, I'm here for that, much though I love having Sutcliff rip my heart out. Also Bradshaw is interested in her female characters actually having their own names and identities and goals and drives apart from the men in their lives, which I am ALSO here for. (even the fridged wife,Tirgatao, gets brought up often enough and with enough specificity that she felt like a real person!) I missed Sutcliff's nature porn though!

Anyway, Island of Ghosts is about a bunch of Sarmatian warriors who were defeated by the Romans and get sent to Britain to supplement the Roman troups in keeping back the British barbarians at Hadrian's Wall. The main character, Ariantes, is a prince and a leader among the Sarmatians, but despite the warrior culture of his people he has become sick of war. As well, he is caught in a difficult situation between remaining as Sarmatian as he can, and needing to learn how to interact with and ingratiate himself with the Romans in order to better agitate for good treatment of his men - which then leads him to be seen as a Romanizer by some other Sarmatians.

It's a book where the central conflict, then, is about identity and what it means, and how much you can or should change your identity when circumstances change. This is present among the Sarmatians, but it's also a recurring theme with various secondary characters who are of a British background and are to a greater or lesser degree assimilated into Romanness as well. And is there such a thing as a pan-British identity, rather than specific tribes being important? And is one's identity as a not-a-Roman sufficient to make people allies?

All of this is fascinating and wonderful, and I love the complexity with which Bradshaw addresses these questions.

There is an actual plot as well, not just questions of identity, but it's not the kind of book that's interested in maintaining the reader's sense of tension by withholding information from the reader. It's obvious from fairly early on who the main antagonist is, and it's more about how the issues will get addressed.

I am a little annoyed though about Aurelia Bodica being the Designated Evil Person to the degree that she's an animal abuser and baby killer. She can be self-centred and ambitious and cruel without adding those kinds of short-hands to make her extra-hateable!!

I do love though how so many characters beyond the protagonist are allowed to have things that really really matter to them, even though they aren't of any importance or interest to the POV character. And they have delightful complexity too that makes them feel real! And not everybody who's an ally of Ariantes likes him at first (or even necessarily ever). Facilis and Longus are both so great!

The other thing to talk about is the romance arc. It's rather too love at first sight for my tastes really, but honestly this works far better for me than love at first sight usually does, given the particulars of the situation and the people involved! I can see why this is how these particular characters might actually feel! Also, after this, they end up having to have multiple ongoing conversations with each other about the issues and concerns that arise in their relationship, especially due to the cross-cultural nature of it, and how much work it still does take to understand each other despite the bond they have. So overall I'm here for it!

I also love the note the book ends on, a bittersweet refocusing on the ways that life continues to suck even as Ariantes has succeeded wildly in all he's been attempting to do over the course of the book. He wants a world without hatred, but that is impossible, but there IS still joy to be had in the world he lives in.

Overall an excellent read! And now I have a list of other Gillian Bradshaw books to seek out as I have the opportunity.

[thetypedwriter]

The Atlas Six Book Review

The Atlas Six Book Review by Olivie Blake 

This book rocked. 

It wasn’t a perfect book but it was pretty close, or rather, closer than any book that I’ve read in months. 

The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake is a mysterious fantasy featuring dark academia, imminent murder, and complex characters and their intrinsic relationships to each other. I love almost everything about it.

Dark Academia is a favorite trope of mine ever since reading M. L. Rio’s If We Were Villains and Blake’s novel handles it with a chef’s kiss. Six powerful medians (aka magicians) are selected by the elite secret Society in order to become initiates. 

For a year they will train under the Society’s Caretaker, Atlas Blakely and his assistant, Dalton Ellery, in order to pass Initiation and gain full access to the Society’s archives. 

In this case, the Society’s archives are the knowledge starting with the Library of Alexandria and culminating in thousands of years worth of information gathered by the world’s upper echelon of intellectuals. 

Each protagonist has some motivation for wanting access to these records, whether to save their hybrid-human friend from a dismal existence, finding a cure for a degenerative disease, or even simpler motivations like hunger and ambition. 

While all these aspects in of themselves are fascinating—a secret society, the mythical Library of Alexandria, knowledge beyond your wildest dreams, etc, it was the characters and their connections that really drew me into this novel and held me in its clutches. That and the added plot that one of them will have to die in order for the five other chosen medians to be initiated. 

What starts as a seemingly harmless one-year program slowly devolves until each character, for one reason or another, is willing to kill someone else in order to stay. Dun dun dun. 

When I first started reading and learned that there were six protagonists, I was skeptical, especially as Blake switches POV’s between all of them. In my experience, switching POV’s beyond four people is usually a disaster for most authors as the characters lack development and pages. 

However, Blake does a seamless job of incorporating her characters well, along with their motivations, development, and relationships from being too shafted from one chapter to the next. It’s incredible when you actually consider the book’s length and what she was able to accomplish with six different main characters. 

All of them felt like they got even amounts of focus, and while I did naturally like some more than others, I found to my immense surprise that I didn’t dislike any of them. Blake does a fantastic job of making each character important to the plot as a whole and does well to ensure that each character changes and grows at an understandable rate. 

I’ve been pretty vague about specifics up to this point, so please read with caution onwards. If you don’t want spoilers, you can stop here. 

My favorite characters ended up being Callum, Parisa, and Tristan. Callum I found fascinating—his power, his simultaneously nihilistic and hedonistic view on living, his understanding of emotions and yet lack thereof. He’s a powerful ticking time bomb and all the characters know it, including Callum himself. I found his self-awareness to be addicting and his manipulative tendencies a massive influence on every other character. 

Parisa I liked almost immediately. She’s confident, sly, clever, powerful, and calculating. She knows what she wants and she doesn’t hesitate to go after it. That being said, she’s not heartless. In an encounter with Callum, she finds herself shaken after he murders an intruder. I liked the dichotomy of Parisa, her entanglement with Dalton, and her cutthroat methods to achieve her desires. 

Tristan was my favorite dark horse character. He’s tragic, but interesting. His lack of knowledge about his own power makes him either weak or unbelievably strong—both of which have intriguing implications for the story. I liked his emotional turmoil, his pessimism, and his complex relations with most major players in the story, including Parisa and Callum. More than any other character, I’m excited to see Tristan in Blake’s sequel The Atlas Paradox. 

The other three characters were interesting in their own right, but I didn’t care for them as much. Reina seems to be the most straightforward character, for better or worse, Nico I found to be annoyingly altruistic, and Libby was just annoying. 

I understand that Libby is supposed to be irritating, but I think Blake was almost too effective in making her so. She’s a great comparison character in that she doesn’t see her own value, constantly questions herself, and secretes meekness compared to the others who are confident and self-aware of their powers, but her schtick got old to me very fast. 

Because Blake set Libby up as this stuttering vexation for the others, it was hard for me to believe that the others liked her, especially given their own self-assurant personalities. Nico and Libbby make sense because of their past history. Parisa and Tristan, however, I had a harder time getting behind, Tristan especially. 

Why was he so attached to Libby? To the point that he wondered if he was in love with her? It was a little baffling. Blake does provide some reasoning, being that Libby is powerful, but with that reasoning Tristan could be in love with any of the initiates, so the logic falls a little flat. 

Regardless, that criticism is a small thorn in an otherwise beautiful rose garden. 

An interesting thing Blake chose to do was to showcase very little of what the characters were actually learning from their classes. From my understanding, they had classes daily or weekly, but were otherwise free to read and study in peace. I both liked and disliked this choice. 

On the one hand, the class discussion and subject matter were actually very high-level, often discussing physics, chemistry, and psychology. I both liked how advanced and sophisticated these conversations were compared to the juvenile drivel that YA novels spit out, but at the same time most of it intentionally went over my head. 

It was interesting to me that Blake chose to omit so much of their academics, and while I don’t necessarily disagree, it would have fleshed out the world more to see bigger moments in the characters’ day-to-day-lives. 

That being said, the driving force of my interest, and seemingly the book, were the character relations themselves. I want more. Some of them came across a tad rushed— like since when are Nico and Parisa friends?—but for the most part, the reader can fill in the blanks and make realistic assumptions that certain relationships blossomed. 

However, it still would have been nice to see those progressions, even tiny moments of them, regardless if it inevitably made the book longer. 

The last point I’ll mention is Ezra. The surprise to me at the end was indeed just that: surprising. I didn’t think Ezra would be as important as he became and I loved the reveal overall of Atlas Blakely being the villain—if that actually is true. We shall have to see. 

However, an earlier chapter of Ezra speaking to an unnamed character, only to find out on the last page of the chapter that it’s actually Atlas, was disappointing to me. Not only did it reveal earlier that Ezra was more important than he seemed and not who he seemed, but it deflated some of the tension that the ending otherwise could have had. 

I didn’t get the point of the chapter at all, especially as Ezra essentially espouses some philosophical quandaries about power that largely (and verbosely) goes over the reader’s head. 

Those small criticisms aside, this book was tremendously impressive. The fantasy elements of magic, the myriad abilities, the complex characters, their intertwining bonds, and an unraveling plot of uncertain mysteries where deciding who to trust might be the deadliest decision of all. 

Recommendation: Dark academia now owns my whole heart. This book has everything you want and does it well: an interesting setting that includes the legendary Library of Alexandria, a perplexing plot that beckons me to read more, versatile writing that entices me to think deeply about a multitude of subjects, and labyrinthine characters that I crave more and more.

Score: 9/10

[words-after-midnight]

Get to know me tag

tagged by: @catchingbigfish, thank you! <3 It's NEVER a bother to be tagged in these, btw. :)

tagging: @frostedlemonwriter, @late-to-the-fandom, @rsdan, @angelsofprey, @novel-emma, @nanashi23

three ships: I'm not much of a fandom person in general, to be honest, so I'll just talk about relationships I enjoyed/am enjoying from recent reads. The relationship between Paul and Julian from These Violent Delights (M. Nemerever) is fascinating, though I won't call it a ship because I know it's going to turn abusive. I absolutely loved the complex twin relationship between protagonist Rob and her sister Jack in Sundial (C. Ward), which was easily the best/most compelling part of that book for me. I also adored the relationship between two characters in a book I beta read for an irl friend semi-recently.

first ship: I feel like I answered something for this the last time I did this tag game but I am drawing a blank, haha.

last song i listened to: "Nine Pin" by Kaia Kater

last movie i watched: Cast Away (rewatch)

currently reading: These Violent Delights by Micah Nemerever, recommended to me as a comp for Life in Black and White by @rsdan (who was right, btw, it's an excellent comp).

currently watching: Nothing other than random Youtube videos and tiktoks, tbh (my boyfriend and roommate and I compulsively send each other tiktoks, lol). I've been very focused on writing, reading, and Adult Responsibilities.

currently consuming: Black coffee

currently craving: CAKE

[nevaehkallon]

We have a lot to learn from trees

In Suzanne Simard's TED Talk, I learned about how trees communicate underground through a network of fungi called mycorrhizae. It amazed me how these connections allow trees to share nutrients, water, and even information. Understanding how forests function as interconnected communities changed my perspective on nature. I enjoyed learning about the complexity of tree relationships and how they support each other, especially in times of stress or competition. Simard's research made me appreciate the importance of biodiversity in forests and the need to preserve these ecosystems. The talk left me with a deeper respect for the intricate web of life in forests and the fascinating ways in which trees communicate and cooperate.

From trees, we can learn about the power of cooperation and sharing resources for mutual benefit. They teach us patience, as they grow slowly over time, yet create long-lasting impacts. Trees also remind us of the importance of interconnectedness and community support. Their resilience in adapting to changing environments can inspire us to persevere through challenges. Trees demonstrate the value of sustainability and conserving resources for future generations. Observing their ability to thrive in diverse conditions encourages us to embrace diversity and adaptability in our own lives. Overall, trees serve as wise teachers, offering lessons in resilience, cooperation, and harmony with nature.

Trees have become more prominent in human consciousness because people are realizing their crucial role in the environment. As awareness of climate change grows, trees symbolize hope for a sustainable future, combating deforestation and carbon emissions. In pop culture, shows like Ted Lasso use trees as metaphors for growth, resilience, and community, resonating with audiences seeking uplifting narratives. The calming presence of trees offers comfort in urban landscapes, promoting mental well-being. Overall, trees have entered human consciousness as symbols of environmental interconnectedness and resilience, reflecting our evolving relationship with nature.

“The forest was like the Internet too—the world wide web. But instead of computers linked by wires or radio waves, these trees were connected by mycorrhizal fungi.”—Suzanne Simard, Finding the Mother Tree

This quote resonates with me because it describes the interconnectedness of nature, mirroring the network of the Internet. It captures the idea that just like how computers communicate through wires or radio waves, trees communicate through their roots and fungal networks. The comparison helps me to understand the forest as a complex web of relationships and interactions. It highlights the importance of understanding and respecting nature's interconnected systems. The quote evokes a sense of wonder at the hidden depths of the world. It encourages me to appreciate the complexity and intelligence of ecosystems and inspires me to learn more about how forests function and the role of symbiotic relationships within them.

There was a tree in my front yard growing up that was truly a large part of my childhood. My sister and I spent countless afternoons climbing its branches and  playing hide and seek among its leaves with our friends. One of the most magical aspects of that tree was the birds. From our second story window, we had a perfect view of their nests and the stages of their lives. We watched as eggs appeared, hatched into tiny babies, and eventually grew strong enough to take flight. It was incredible to witness this cycle of life unfold right before our eyes. Those experiences had a large impact on me. They connected me to nature in a deeper way. That tree taught me patience and reminded me that there's so much beauty and fascination in the world if we take the time to observe and appreciate it. This tree is a reminder to cherish the small moments and the wonders of the natural world that surround us every day. Even though I've moved away from that house, the memories of that tree will always stay with me.

During my digital detox experience, I did actually notice a shift in my awareness of trees. Without the constant distraction of my phone, I became more attuned to the world around me. I started to notice the details of trees more like the textures of their bark, the patterns of their leaves, and the sway of their branches in the wind. I was able to allow muself to appreciate the beauty and presence of trees the way I had as a child. Spending time outdoors and away from digital devices heightened my senses and brought a sense of calm. I found myself drawn to the peacefulness. This experience deepened my connection with nature again and reinforced the importance of unplugging from technology to truly immerse oneself in the simple yet amazing wonders of the natural world.

[abenvs3000w23]

Pheromones: Nature's Secret Language

Like many of you, I found this blog prompt to be intimidating. Since a lot of us are in our undergraduate degree majoring in a science, we have learned a considerable amount about nature. I am in awe of how complex and stunning nature is daily. This feeling often arises when I observe something beautiful in the outdoors. Instead of focusing on one of the many visual things that make me love nature, I made this post about something you can’t see with the human eye, the secret language of pheromones.

Last semester I took a course called “Natural Chemicals in the Environment” (the course code is ENVS*3040 if you are interested). I took the course as I felt many of my classes were going over similar topics, and I found it hard to stay interested in topics I had already learned. When I read the description for this course, I didn't know any of the material being covered, which grabbed my attention. This course opened my eyes to a huge part of nature that was unknown to me. For those of you that don’t know what semiochemicals are, I think you will find them as interesting as I have. Semiochemicals are naturally occurring chemicals that, when released, mediate interactions between species (Sonenshine, 1985). Specifically, the semiochemical type that interests me most is pheromones. In this blog post, we will explore the fascinating roles of pheromones in the natural world.

Pheromones are semiochemicals that mediate intra-specific interactions (interactions between the same species) (El-Shafie & Faleiro, 2017). When an individual receives the signal from the pheromone, it causes them to exhibit a particular behaviour. These signals can communicate many messages from a distance (Sonenshine, 1985). They can notify the presence of predators to communicate danger, attract mates, mark territory, and even lead individuals to a particular source. An example is how ants use pheromones to make a trail out of chemicals to lead between their nest and a food source (Chalissery et al., 2019). This allows other ants to follow the trail and locate food.

The most interesting part is that this ‘community of communication’ is entirely invisible to all other species (Sonenshine, 1985). Each species has methods to maintain the specificity of the chemical release so that only their species can receive the message. Even closely related species have mechanisms to only notify individuals of their species. This is particularly important to maintain reproductive isolation (Sonenshine, 1985). For example, closely related moth species have different times when they release sex pheromones to prevent interbreeding (Jeremy & Ring, 2016). 

Overall the secret world of pheromones is an amazing aspect of nature that allows communication between species in ways entirely invisible to us. Although we know a lot about nature, there is always more to learn, and I am consistently amazed by the beauty of the complexity of our environment. Interpreting the complexity of pheromones allows us to acknowledge the many complicated relationships within nature and see ourselves as species of a larger ecosystem (Beck et al., 2018). I hope that by providing this information, you can better appreciate the beauty and complexity of diversity in nature and understand our part in protecting it (Beck et al., 2018).

Learning about something so discrete makes me think: what other amazing discoveries await us in the future?

References

Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2018). Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage for A Better World. Sagamore Publishing 

Chalissery, J. M., Renyard, A., Gries, R., Hoefele, D., Alamsetti, S. K., & Gries, G. (2019). Ants Sense, and Follow, Trail Pheromones of Ant Community Members. Insects, 10(11), 383. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects10110383

El-Shafie, H. A. F., & Faleiro, J. R. (2017). Semiochemicals and Their Potential Use in Pest Management. Biological Control of Pest and Vector Insects. doi: 10.5772/66463

Jeremy D. A., & Ring T. C. (2016). Pheromone Communication in Moths : Evolution, Behavior, and Application. University of California Press.Sonenshine, D. E. (1985). Pheromones and Other Semiochemicals of the Acari. Annual Review of Entomology, 30(1), 1–28. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.en.30.010185.000245

The New York Times. (2016, March 24). How Ants Get a Taste for the Trail [Video]. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/video/science/100000006261057/how-ants-get-a-taste-for-the-trail.html

[armageddon-generation]

Might be over-doing it a bit but I feel some of the best izuocha fanfic is criminally underrated:

Multi-Chapter:

To Catch a Bunny (E)

Izuku Midoriya is the Emerald Rabbit, a quirkless young man who still managed to become an infamous underworld kingpin everyone fears. Everyone except Pro-Hero Uravity. To her he’s not a fearsome villain. He’s her little Bunny. And she will make him melt.

You know how the best fights in MHA are the stepping-stones of character arcs? The fights are conversations the characters grow and learn from. That’s how this fic treats sex. It’s always an instrument for character growth. The longing. The angst. Every interaction is loaded with so much tension and unspoken complexity. Just the epitome of Ochako being Izuku’s hero.

Laws of thermodynamics (T)

Izuku Midoriya and Ochako Uraraka have an infinite amount of love for each other. They are married by 19, parents by 21. And divorced by 26. Nana Midoriya tells herself this is not her fault. She does not believe it.

Angsty break up fic from their daughter’s POV as she grows up. It’s inspired by the author’s personal experiences and feels very real and raw, with an equal focus on Izuku and Ochako’s flaws. The way they continue to orbit and silently long for each other is so beautifully bittersweet. Very special: It tore my heart out and showed it to me, but at the same time I cannot describe the catharsis it gave me.

Building a Murder (M)

Assassins and Heroes don’t mix on principle. This makes things very awkward when Midoriya Izuku, AKA Pro Hero Aegis, arrives on Ochako’s jobsite to investigate a dead body she may or may not have put there herself.

Fascinating alternate takes on the cast- particularly Ejiro & Mina. Rveals about this darker timeline are compelling & well-paced. Angsty & violent, but the romance is heartfelt, tentative, and delicate. I cannot understate how exceptional the character writing is here. Izuku and Ochako are so layered, and assassin!Ochako’s POV is so immersive with all the specific details sprinkled in. Bonus points for great use of Lad Nagant

Bright as the Sun (M)

Pro-Hero Uravity is assigned to bodyguard reclusive quirkless inventor Izuku Midoriya

A great mediation on coping with trauma, and it goes full-on dealing with quirkless discrimination. Walking disaster Izuku is my favorite. Dysfunctional, completely absorbed in his work, forgetting to eat and sleep. This just epitomizes what Izuocha should be to me; Ochako teaches Izuku how to live while he inspires her heroic spirit. They complete each other.

The Distance Between Us (T)

Izuku Midoriya meets his soulmate, Ochako Uraraka, at the Provisional Hero License Exam. There's just one problem: Ochako Uraraka goes to Shiketsu High School.

Soulmarks are particularly interesting with izuocha because meta-textually, as the female lead, Ochako is ‘predestined’ to be with Izuku- it's the stereotypical thing she ‘should’ do. This gimmick gives her lots of agency, and Ochako not attending UA hones their relationship to its bare essentials. It does a great job showing how much Izuku needs her. Bonus points for lots of Carmie.

I’m Feeling Heavier (Despite my Hollow Soul) (E)

Winning the war cost Izuku his dream. Isolated, depowered, and struggling with chronic pain, he quietly watches as the world leaves him behind. Until his hero arrives to help him pick up the broken pieces of himself.

Life-affirming hurt-comfort that really drills down into the after-effects of the war and Izuku's Many Issues. Lots of rich character development as the two of them lean on each other. Sweet & understated and very grounded.

One-shots

Snowed In (G) & First, Do No Harm (T)

A very sweet getting-together fic & an incredible sorta-sick fic that writes their relationship as this fascinating co-dependent spiral. There’s a sort of weariness here, casual intimacy juxtaposed with unspoken longin, that works s well. An excellent, contemplative character-study.

Photographs (E)

20 year old Number One Hero Izuku Midoriya has finally found the courage to confess his feelings to his childhood best friend, 27 year-old widower and single mother, Ochako Uraraka.

This sounds weird (and it addresses that) but what could’ve come off as sleazy and tacky is instead handled really delicately. The logline for a porno transforms into a sincere and touching love-story. Izuku being the one besotted with Ochako is a fascinating, heartwarming role-reversal. There’s such a bittersweet longing here, between Izuku’s pining and the complication of Ochako’s dead husband. The definition of ‘right person at the wrong time.’

Proud of you, always (G)

Pro Hero Ochako & Quirkless husband Izuku

Just a Bite is All You Need (T)

It all starts with a Lonely Lady Hades, a Hopeful Lord Persephone, and the feeling that one needs a friend that the other is quite happy to be.

A clever, insightful & sweet retelling of the Greek myth. A tired story with the cobwebs shaken off

A Ceiling of Stars to Guide Me Home to You (G)

Really well-characterised fluff: Izuku’s POV of Ochako is well-developed without falling back on romantic clichés, and she comes off as dynamic & layered.

Why Do You Feel So Close (But You’re Oh So Far Away?) (T)

Spoilers for after the first cour of Season 6- but this is excellent angst & nuanced character work for Ochako

I'm cheating bc these are mine, but:

Melt For You

On a stakeout together during their final summer at UA, Izuku and Ochako wrestle with the forces pulling them apart as graduation approaches.

Up, Up and How the Fuck Do you Fly This Thing?!

Spoliers for up to the first cour of Season 5

can the BNHA / MHA fandom drop some good cute izuocha fics or your favorite writers?? i just started watching

[ntenvs3000w24]

09: Most amazing thing about nature:

As a biological science major, I may be slightly prejudiced in saying that evolution and the concept of genetic inheritance are among the most fascinating aspects of nature. As my knowledge of genetics and evolution improves, so does my urge to learn more about it. 

Genetic variety refers to variance within a population (Hughes et al. 2008), which is often used to describe multicellular animals, but unicellular species can also experience it. Genetic variety occurs when the DNA sequences within an individual's genome differ. It is what makes each individual unique.  The way you and your sibling differ while having the same parents is an excellent example of genetic variety. Genetic diversity can occur in a variety of ways, and when viewed through the lens of evolution, it often promotes genes that benefit the organism's survival. Natural selection, a type of evolutionary mechanism, frequently causes certain genes to become more abundant. The genes that generate characteristics that are helpful to an animal's survival will naturally become more apparent as those that lack them are more vulnerable in their environment (Milot et al. 2011). Mating amongst those who possess the features will grow more prevalent over time, resulting in an increase in the number of offspring with this variant.

Genetic inheritance is another topic that becomes increasingly fascinating as you learn more about it. Offspring usually inherit a combination of DNA from both their mother and father, resulting in genetics that are distinct from others (Heyningen & Yeyati, 2004). It's fascinating to discover which features you can acquire from both parents, as well as which genes are represented. Just because someone has a gene does not guarantee that they will exhibit the feature it encodes; they may simply be carriers. This is due to a variety of factors, including the different methods of inheritance. For instance, some siblings may appear to be opposite one another.  My sister and I, for example, have some very different traits. I am very tall, with curly hair and dark features, whilst my sister is much shorter and has more fair appearances despite the fact that we share the same parents. In contrast, some siblings may feel as if they all look quite similar, despite the fact that they are not identical twins. This might reveal which features from the father or mother are dominant over the other. The human body and the science of genetics are not yet fully understood, so the seemingly limitless quantity of information we will discover in the future excites me and entices me to learn more.

Furthermore, the study of genetics becomes quite interesting when you consider the studies that may be carried out to learn about certain diseases and disorders, particularly in twins. We can learn a lot from studies on twins, particularly monozygotic twins. When we say twins are monozygotic, we mean that they both came from the same ovum rather than two different ones, therefore their DNA is identical. We can identify whether certain illnesses are caused by genetic or environmental factors. Because the genetic composition of monozygotic twins is identical, if one develops an illness or trait, the other is expected to as well. However, when we consider the impact of environmental circumstances, this may not always be true. If just one twin develops the characteristic or sickness, it is more likely that it is caused by an environmental influence. Have you ever heard of the use of monozygotic twins in genetic studies, and if so, what was the purpose of the study?

In my perspective, the study of genetics, particularly human genetics, is intriguing because it allows us to learn about the complexities of the cause and effect relationships within the human genome. Genetics also has a significant impact on animals and plants, and it is a rapidly expanding field. What we can learn about humans, plants, and animals inspires me to want to study more. 

References:

Hughes, A.R., Inouye, B.D., Johnson, M.T.T.J., et al. (2008). Ecological consequences of genetic diversity. Review and Synthesis. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1461-0248.2008.01179.x

Milot, E., Mayer, F.M., Nussey, D.H., et al. (2011). Evidence for evolution in response to natural selection in a contemporary human population. PNAS. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1104210108

Heyningen, V.H.,  Yeyati, P.L. (2004). Mechanisms of non-Mendelian inheritance in genetic disease. Human Molecular Genetics. https://doi.org/10.1093/hmg/ddh254

Zwijnenburg, P.J.G, Meijers-Heijboer, H., Boomsma, D.I. (2010). Identical but not the same: The value of discordant monozygotic twins in genetic research. AJMG Part B: Neuropsychiatric Genetics. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajmg.b.31091