#anyway this song's romantic but like - one of those love songs of betrayal :[[ and it makes me so fuckinggn emotional liKE

[jils-things]

aaoughh ... rolls arounndddd i have this one song ive been playing nonstop and i keep thinkignng about nort.onfjhfhfjhhgf uee uee...... ueueue im so . !!!!!!!!

[psychelis-new]

pick a pile: "Your manifestations: at what stage are they?"

take a breath and choose the photo or number that calls you the most to find out where you are in your manifestation path and when you may be able to see them in the 3d. reminder that the message may not refer to ALL of your manifestationns at the same time: the message may address to the most important to you atm or in general for your growth/self. try to adapt according on your guts/intuitive feeling.

don’t take the reading too seriously. only take what resonates with you and leave the rest. if you're not called by any pile, let this reading slid as it may not hold messages for you. if you're called by more than one pile, there may be messages in each of those piles. remember that is a general reading and some things may not resonate with you. energies can change and readings are based on present ones (as you read); you're always in charge of your life.

(photos found on unsplash)

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1 2 3

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pile 1

Pile 1 you're probably trying to manifest different things (either each one of you have many wishes/manifestations going on or that's the general energy of the pile as someone may be for example manifesting a job, someone else love...). I think there are at least 3 big manifestations or groups though (but more likely each of you may have 3 manifestations going on or sth like that). It may be that a couple of these dreams are put on hold from the Universe in order to make you ready through more experience but another one may even be manifesting suddenly. And I think it could be the one you probably care the most about and are working the hardest to reach. Or the one you deserve the most atm and for many could be *new* connections (not just romantic love but also work connections and friends -in particular). So yeah maybe right now you cannot see anything but you're asked to keep working diligently and with determination, to take charge of what are your possibilities and powers and use them. It may even manifest kinda soon but the choice depends on you too. Try to not worry too much if you cannot see results or signs in the 3d yet or constantly, be bold and keep going.

I think following the moon phases can help you, maybe you're called to meditate to manifest under the moonlight or use moonstones too; or ask the moon for guidance. Not sure if the upcoming lunar eclipse will enhance your chances but it may be worth trying. Your glass is full now so don't worry, let your guards down (if you insecurities are connected with a lack of trust or anything like that; probably your heart chakra still needs some healing still or to be more open after an old wound you had to experience -you probably had to deal with some sort of betrayal/judgement, I'm sorry you didn't deserve it at all) and take a leap. It's up to you, work on ending your worries and don't let them make you give up on your hopes cause I do feel sometimes an hurt side of you may give a lot of importance to any slightly negative "feedback/event" happening and make you want to retreat and give up. Please don't. Accept what has been (you cannot change the past), nurture yourself but remind yourself that you can change your future if you let yourself try: you're different from the person you were and so are the people you're gonna meet or are around you already. You can survive anyway and Universe is on your side too (one by one you'll manifest whatever you want, you just need to start the process, even if you feel like you're not ready to -you are, trust your guts not your fears). Let others in, let others see you.

song: hold on | the internet

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pile 2

Hi pile 2, you probably are focusing and meditating a lot to manifest your wishes. You probably follow groups about manifestations or have a manifestation/meditation group in which you all pray together or follow guided manifestations meditations. Maybe you have chants you repeat or something like that. I see you as very committed to your manifestation process. And you don't seem alone in this: maybe your Guides are supporting you and giving you even more power or guidance, maybe they give you ideas through dreams or something or send you to the right readings (make them appear in front of you) that can help you find infos on how to manifest. Your devotion is probably caused by the fact that you really want to change something in your life, maybe an old hurting cycle you've been in for too long. And you will be able to ofc. Keep focusing on your inner knowledge but also on what you can learn from the outside, maybe from more knowledgeable spiritual guides or people you can find (or are sent to). You'll be able to balance your probably kinda negative past with an equally good positive future (if not more). For now things are hidden, especially the timing of your success, but know that your efforts are seen and supported and things will change as you need and deserve.

I think some of you should change a little how much time they spend on their manifestations: it's not about it, it's not about how much dedication you show. The Universe knows of your needs the moment you send them out of you, so let them go. Let your prayers go too. The moment you ask with good intention for something, you'll get your answer. To keep insisting on asking the same thing in as many different ways as you can find online or in books, it won't make things faster or better. Try to relax a little and not stress over your manifestations. Attract them fastly by letting them go too.

song: indipendent love song | scarlet

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pile 3

Hey pile 3, you're going to experience something new pretty soon. A new spring/start. It could be love for some of you but not necessarily: it could be also something you love, like a passion of yours transforming in a job or finding the job of your dreams... You're surrounded by a lot of warmth and kindness and probably you like to give these away too: you're gonna get them back as well. Keep following your intution as it is guiding you towards your manifestations too (and not just vice versa). I think things in your life may be changing a lot soon, like almost 180° change and you're called to be welcoming of this change even if it may feel scary at first (cause you're not used to something so different from your present life, and that's okay). You may be getting a good news soon, or you may be travelling or get into a new partnership (for many romantic, for others in work or school). All in all, you're gonna be very happy in this new position, even if again at first you may start developing insecurities and fears (and maybe you have a few already now and then just by imagining yourself in there) but that's normal: give yourself time to get acquainted with a new reality and just let go of control and enjoy every step of it.

I think some of you may have control or perfectionism (self worth insecurities) issues or something like that. You're called to have a talk with yourself and realize where these fears and insecurities come from and remember: you can only control yourself and perfectionism doesn't exist. Do not hold such high standards for you (even if it comes from a trauma you had to experience as in you having to overwork in order to get praise or recognition -sorry about it, know that you're worthy no matter what you were made to believe), you can try your best and make mistakes: the mistakes/failures of today are never the ones of tomorrow. You grow experience everyday also thanks to what goes wrong. Be positive and take care of you. You're worth of whatever you're wishing for and going to get, do not let your fears take it away from you.

song: miss perfect | abs, nodesha

[welp-back-on-my-bs]

Mmmmm Silvio rant time- because bday-

Fuck I love this man- his story is so good to like- wtf-

He starts out as a total price of shit, a snobbish bitch who is literally everything we hate about capitalism. First impression makes me think of Daughter of Evil and the princess in that song. That's the impression that the king wants Silvio to give off and what he has of Silvio (a spoiled brat who is just an asshole but good at buisness).

But that's what he was groomed into becoming by his parents. Going trough his story we get a bit of a better picture of Silvio, the actual one. He is very kind and believes in people, doing what he can to make them succeed in life(what he does with thr baker and what he tried to do with Rio). He is stubborn as all fucking hell and dosent really open up about his feelings easily. He is loyal to a fault, his loyalty may at first appear to be to his father, but the fact that he insults and belittles him at every opportunity shows otherwise. His true loyalty is to the people of Bennonite, their futures, to Rio, and eventually Emma if his route is chosen.

The first thing we see of Silvio is him haveing pushed a woman away after sex and then drinking. He drinks, alot. It may be a cultural thing, but I think it's also a repression thing. He is addicted to alcohol and sex to hide any bit of weakness.

His distain towards women is a clear factor that his parents put a very negative perception of women into his head. Basically every negative thing he has said about women, that's his father talking about his mother. Or him talking about his mother.

Now- for the Dalmation symbolism. I think the princes chose their crest around the age of 12 so that their personality has mainly formed and whatnot. So, Silvio choseing Dalmation works well (and I think makes his bond with Rio all the better because Rio also chose a dog).

For the physical symbolism, Dalmatians have a white coat with black spots on it. This shows Silvio is good at heart but has been trough and done bad things. That won't go away, but he is still a good person all the same.

Dalmations (like alot of dogs) were bred for hunting. So Silvio being sent out to do the trades, being the Bennonite representative, etc. Is his father putting him to use and sending him out for the hunt foe whatever reason he has that time. (To hopefully get him killed too)

Intelligence, loyalty, courage, determination, strength, and adaptability. Those are all things dalmations are known for and very easily apply to Silvio aswell.

This man is very intelligent, I mean, he is a merchant. I would pur him just below Gilbert and Chealver when it comes to intelligence. It probably wasn't ingrained into him, but he picked up differnt things while doing the kings errands.

I already did loyalty-

Determination... ❤️. Anyways- that determination is heavily linked towards his stubbornness. In his Romantic route, he comes up with a plan to make a four way alliance between the kingdoms. The king ends up pissed, but he knew that, he knew the conciquences and did it anyways. He dosent wish for those he travels with to end up dead. That's his number one rule. Don't. Die.

Courage is also quite the thing, I mean, he does often backtalk the king. Even gets the courage to go trough with his betrayal towards his father because of the change of loyalties.

Strength is probably not his strongest suit. But he is still very strong. He isn't apart of the military, but he has been able to fight off pirates and multiple of them at once. He could probably bring Gilbert out into a draw in a physical fight. But he isn't the strongest emotionally. He hides what he actually feels, pretends that he dosent care about the ones he cherishes the most, dosent cry when he needs to. He can't do it. But he can do it for things that will show in the long term, he wants to help Rio become what he sees as strong, so that he won't have to be hurt. He helps Emma be able to express herself freely instead of being happy 24/7. He supports those who wouldn't have the money to chase their dreams.

Adaptability is a strong suit for him. He may also lose out to Gilbert in this area, but that dosent matter. He adapts quickly into the situation with Emma since Gilbert was the one to figure out first she was Belle, so one less job for him to do. He proposes a tight deal on the first draft and makes extra so that Obsidian would agree aswell over the original plan. Makes sure that the two people he cares about the most is away from the shithead of a king.

All in all, Silvio is a good boyo and I love him alot-

[neengareadynaaready]

Jailer (2023) Spoiler Review

If you like pure mass entertainment and a group of veteran actors kicking ass, you'll love Jailer.

I saw Rajni's Petta a while back and while I enjoyed some parts of it, I was largely frustrated towards the end. I also saw Nelson's (the director) Beast, and while it had a straightforward premise, some parts of it were eyebrow-raising (I still love the hallway shooting scene with Vijay, though, that was just hella cool even if it didn't make sense). So, when they announced a Nelson and Rajinikanth collaboration, I wasn't sure if I should bother watching.

I'm glad I watched it though. For one, the story isn't all over the place. The revenge angle and heist subplot made sense together.

The flashback revealing Rajini's days as a hard-core warden aka Jailer was pretty nice. I liked that his hair style looked like the one in his older movies. However, I really don't understand why the inmates liked him or became loyal to him. It was never showed what he did to make them turn over a new leaf. They just said he helped them, but we mainly saw him being extremely violent.

Okay, this is part where I reveal that I saw Jailer a day after I saw Jawan. I couldn't help comparing the action in both movies because the action in Jailer is so violent! I'm not complaining or cringing. I actually liked the over-the-top violence lmao. It's just that I was like "Oh, right, this is one of things I was waiting for in Jawan -- hyperviolence!" LMAO.

Anyway, I do love that the former inmates that helped him were veteran action stars from Kannada, Malayalam, and Hindi cinema: Shiva Rajkumar, Mohanlal and Jackie Shroff respectively. Bruh, I had goosebumps when Shiva R stepped into the house to protect Muthu's family while the Hukum song played!

Next, let's talk about the songs and bgm. "Hukum" really is such a banger of a song. And the style that they do, where they insert bits of the song's melody into cool scenes that build up and lead to the FULL SONG or at least CHORUS is such a great style because it makes you so hyped for the next badass scene!

Now, the family -- I honestly thought Rajni and Ramya Krishnan would have more romantic moments together since this is their reunion. Like, yes, they're grandparents now, but so what? It's always nice to see older people still doing romantic stuff with each other y'know.

Anyway, that twist with his son! I didn't expect them to go all the way with the betrayal but wow. It was really sad, but I liked that they went for that gut-wrenching story, too. Rajini is not much of a dramatic actor, but his performance was good for what the script called for. Also, his partnership with Yogi Babu was funny and nice. Also, those bald sharp-shooter guys! Their costume changes! That was so hilarious! And Varman's henchmen! The random funny characters and elements are really such a fun part of the mass experience.

All in all, Jailer is a really enjoyable movie for the whole family (if your kids are old enough to not be so desensitized to violence I guess).

[shikai-the-storyteller]

I've seen people saying Rubius never loved Vegetta and that Vegetta "finally has someone who loves him" and it's driving me insane, I don't even know much abt Karmaland but I know he loved Vegetta pls what is this misinformation </3

The easy explanation is they didn't watch Karmaland.

That's literally all it comes down to.

Everyone who's seen Karmaland, whether it's K5 or K4, know Rubius and Vegetta love each other. Hell even Roier, who was a fan before he was a streamer, knows this (hence the nod to Rubegetta in his presentation).

However, lots of people, particularly non-Spanish fans, haven't seen Karmaland, so they only know about incidents like the wedding second or third-hand. What people don't talk about is the aftermath of the wedding. The wedding didn't happen at the end of the series. Things between Rubius and Vegetta didn't end in tears and anger and betrayal. In fact, it happened (relatively) in the middle of K4. While there were undeniably hurt feelings, that wasn't the end of their friendship, or their relationship. They had many more happy, sweet, heartfelt moments, but people like angst so that's usually what gets talked about more.

Glay has a thread with translations of Rubegetta moments from Karmaland 4, which I highly recommend perusing if anyone's interested in learning more about their relationship. Like you said, there is unfortunately a lot of misinformation about them (and Rubius in particular). As I said it in a previous post, those two aren't toxic, they just need some therapy and need to learn how to communicate better. Rubius needs to learn how to let people get close to his heart without fearing they'll hurt him, and Vegetta needs to learn how to communicate his thoughts and feelings better.

But at the end of the day, this is an entirely different server. Technically nobody's past relationships should matter, but ripples of the past clearly still carry over. Friends in previous worlds are still friends in this one (ex: Roier and Mariana), and many relationships, both romantic and familial, carried over too (ex: Wil being Phil's son, whatever the hell's going on between Q and Luzu and Q and Wil, etc). The moment he saw Rubius, Vegetta gave him a kiss, and Rubius declared Vegetta as his one love in the song he sang for Vegetta's birthday, so it's clear that the love they had is still there. Whether Rubegetta is your thing or not, that fact remains.

Anyways, I'm always gonna be a Rubegetta fan, but I respect other folks' opinions so long as they don't try and spread misinformation or purposefully paint a character in a bad light for the sake of a ship.

I also want to take this opportunity to say I don't really care about shipping discourse. I think it's fun to discuss and analyze things, but I can't stand toxic fans who harass real people over fictional relationships. I'm very salty that so many Foo/getta shippers harassed Rubius so much that he hasn't logged on for an entire month, so if I seem a bit " :/ " towards that pair, it's solely because of toxic fans and not because of the cubitos, CCs, or regular fans. We're all here to enjoy goofy block man roleplay, everyone just needs to remember that and chill out.

[dumbviolet]

The castle of imagination that fell apart

Its always the good moments of a relationship that haunts you at random points of time. Because after all those people who congratulate you on your breakup and those who help you feel that it was the correct decision mostly were not present when you shared the happy moments with your ex partner.

The moments where you can still remember the sound of both of you giggling at stupid stuff, when all the cringe stuff felt cute, when he folded your long pants so you don't fall coming down from stairs, when he got his own shoes for you and carried your heels so you can walk comfortably, when he always found a way to hold your hand even when everyone was looking, when he sang songs for you. So you thought it was safe to assume that he did liked you truly! Funny right?

          But at the same time as you are reminiscing those joyous intimate moments the rage starts rising. It reminds you of the desolate promises made by that person which were never fulfilled. The betrayal when you realised that the whole time those songs were about someone else really close to you. The resentment of being disrespected by the same person for some another woman weighed heavier than the significance or mere existence of those few good moments of the relationship where most of those were fake anyways.

        But that little girl that little brat of a hopeless romantic didn't had any idea about this show, she just knew that her feelings and whatever she did was real and true. The most pathetic part of this you ask? The most pathetic thing is despite of all the rage and hurt and the logistics your heart still dares to miss all those moments. Don't get me wrong. I know we hate that person. But what we miss is how special that person made us feel,how we felt like the day couldn't get any better, how we wished that we could live in that moment forever, the image that we made of that person or how we wanted that person to be. What we had imagined with that person, all the firsts we shared with that person, how we wished to grow with that person, how that person made us feel safe and loved at one time.

            So.... Even if we move on and get over anyone, as the castle of imagination that we built in that relationship continues to break apart and wither away. It still hurts a little and trickles down the cheek in the form of a tear and the hurt resurfaces as trust issues and difficulty or very low to no willingness to indulge into any of such relationships again.

        However, this doesn't means you are not allowed to love again. Eventho the hopeless romantic in you momentarily disappears due to the hurt and disappointment it doesn't means that it will never make a comeback again. And whilst it is gone you can work on making yourself more capable and rather loving yourself more and paying attention on healing yourself rather than blaming the world and wasting your energy.

Someday,

someone will come into your life and will love you the way you've always wanted. Until then be that 'someone' for yourself.

[septembersghost]

when you said people who say weird shit maybe haven't experienced the devastating friendship betrayal, I also wonder if maybe they haven't had the intensely toxic straight girl bffs situation. I am straight and I can't understand queer experiences obviously, but I do know the toxic straight girl bond and it can be straight up crazytown. Wanting to do everything together, thinking she's the coolest person ever while people around you go, "uhhhh, is she, though?," having a weird intense bond, then massively horrendously falling out and it's so bad you feel like you'll die as much as you do from any breakup. That's such basic teen/early twenties stuff, and that's what happened with T&K, only she also betrayed her not only in a personally horrible way but in a professional one too. idk how you can listen to, "guilty guilty reaching out the sea you put between you and me, but it's fake and oh so unnecessary," and "the words of a sister come back in whispers that prove she was not in fact what she seemed, not a twin from your dreams, she's a crook who was caught," and not get it. Unless you haven't known that pain!

that's exactly what i mean, yes, because i have also been there - i've had a couple of massively painful, devastating friendship betrayals, the longest one and the one i reference more often was with a guy, but i had a similar dynamic with a girl too. she was straight as a board and there was nothing else going on there, but we clicked immediately and spent every moment outside of class together, we shared all our similar interests, we sang together, we daydreamed about future college life together, and we had this strange, toxic codependent dynamic that of course i deluded myself into thinking was special and normal and fine until it imploded. we were mirroring each other in mannerisms and speech patterns, matching colors, equating ourselves to glinda and elphie (lol that should've been the telltale sign of doom right there, and ironically it was a boy she was obsessed with and who she convinced herself was gravitating towards me and that i was trying to "steal" that destroyed our relationship with her paranoia and her demand that he and i couldn't be/were not "allowed" to be friends. ultimately he wanted to be close to me because he was worried about my health, and also he was gay. so! good for him! we stayed in touch for a while, he's a lovely man. she married the first guy she met after all this. anyway!). this is the very abridged version, but it was a huge mess, much crying and fighting and angry phone calls and cold shoulders resulted, then i found out she was jealous and competitive with me behind my back, and she ousted me from the whole group. and i referred to her as the sister i never had. oops. girl friendships, especially in those age ranges, can be intense and formative and unhinged, and losing them feels crushing. heartbreak over friendship loss is deeply acute and tangible for me in taylor's music, even the songs that she wrote as romantic. i totally get what you mean.

[egirlbutternubs]

Denji

Oooooh fuck yeah i was hoping someone would send this!!!

Favorite thing about them -

his personality!! I adore just about every aspect of his character and he's gotta be one of my favorite protaganists ever! I think what draws me to him is the way he doesnt hide anything about himself, and how that's just as likely to lead to comedic moments as it is heartwarming emotional ones

Least favorite thing about them -

I know this kind of contradicts what i just said, but his gullibility and inability to question obviously suspicious things around him get pretty ridiculous. I get it's important to his character, but there's some points (especially in part two) where it just doesnt make any sense

Favorite line

Ok my actual answer is probably this

This poor kid has been through so much ;-; no one's ever been willing to show him romantic affection as far as he knows but he keeps on trying anyway. Anime & manga characters shrugging off mortal wounds the way denji does is basically industry standard, but the way he's always willing to try again and again after heartbreak and betrayal is what makes denji so special to me

brOTP -

Power!

I love these two so much ;-;

OTP

Asa, 1/2 because theyd genuinely be cute together and 1/2 because all of their interactions so far have been hilarious

nOTP

Makima, but i do wanna make it clear that this doesnt come from a place of outright hating her. Even Denji, the one who the most victimized by her behaviour, is reluctant to kill her in the end.

Like, this line is pretty inherently funny but it's important for understanding that denji is simply never going to be able to hate makima since outside of their unhealthy power dynamic, the only thing seperating them is an idealogical disagreement

The reason Denji's story clicks with so many people is because it's a story about how you can still hold positive feelings for those who have wronged you, and how accepting that part of yourself is essential to recovering from trauma. With that in mind, I don't think it's fair to just unambiguosly condemn makima.

Random headcanon!

Aki had to tie his tie for him since there's no way in hell he knew how to do that on his own. Though after the gun devil he wore clip on ties for months since it took him forever to get the hang of it

Unpopular opinion?

He's a good boy!!!!

Song I associate with them

Gonna have to get back to you on that one

Favorite picture of them

[razorsadness]

excerpts from “Beyond blood brothers: queer Bruce Springsteen” by Rosalie Zdzienicka Fanshel

This supposedly comprehensive narrative paints rock as an inevitably masculine, naturally heterosexual art form, no questions asked.

The History of Rock ‘N’ Roll’s narrow telling of rock’s story marginalises an important legacy of queer voices and...the queer voice of an artist touted as the poster child of masculine heterosexuality in rock ‘n’ roll for nearly four decades. Far from exclusively glorifying heterosexuality and embodying an uncritical, uncomplicated form of popular masculinity...Bruce Springsteen’s...music and performance returns again and again to themes of deep love between men, love that frequently occupies the liminal space between brother and lover, a romantic ‘darkness on the edge of town.’

Springsteen uses neutrality in second-person address as one of his most common rhetorical tools, singing to numerous darlings and babies of undefined gender. Furthermore...he relies heavily on ‘nam[ing] his beloveds in a most ambiguous fashion’ so that we hear of Rickys, Sandys, Bobbys, Terrys, Frankies, and practically an entire host of Angels.

‘To whom are Springsteen’s poetically professed passions directed anyway? What gender are all those beloveds who he christens so indeterminately?’

The ‘Backstreets’ lyrics are strictly gender neutral. Beyond the scope of pronouns, however, I argue in favor of reading the song as the story of betrayal between male lovers based on the overall content of the lyrics. Springsteen takes up iconic ‘masculine’ themes in this song that he explores in many others.

It is the overtly male landscape of ‘Backstreets’ that leads many to interpret the narrator and Terry as two male friends. But just what is the nature of this friendship? What makes their lives together so forbidden that they must hide on the backstreets? Lines like ‘Sleeping in that old abandoned beach house’ and ‘With a love so hard and filled with defeat’ suggest a romantic liminality in the characters’ relationship. The language is quite emotionally charged for a strictly platonic friendship.

Regardless of any particular listener’s own gendering of ‘Backstreet’s’ Terry, the fact that Springsteen himself has refused to definitively say one way or the other is in itself a queering of the character.

Springsteen...essentially links a photo of himself gazing lovingly at his male friend with the romantic feeling of such lyrics as ‘Laying here in the dark you are like an angel on my chest / Just another tramp of hearts crying tears of faithlessness.’

Among Springsteen’s new influences was Walt Whitman...Springsteen mirrored the significance of homosociality and homoeroticism inherent in Whitman’s vision. Whitman spoke extensively in terms both spiritual and sexual about his feelings for his fellow ‘brothers,’ which he distilled into the concept of ‘adhesive love.’

Throughout the epic poetry collection Leaves of Grass, written between the 1850s and 1890s, Whitman interweaves his views of the United States with his love for its men. Many Springsteen songs read like Whitmanian portraits of the American moral landscape, not a few sharing Whitman’s erotic language to describe his feelings for his brothers.

Springsteen’s lyrical use of the term ‘brother,’ for example, as often as not has direct - or at least highly suggestive - eroticism attached to it. ... ‘This Hard Land’ describes a romantic bond forget between two men as the idyllic escape from the dreariness of contemporary America.

The protagonists express their love freely and naturally in the open air with a soul kiss...based on what Whitman would call ‘a love more precious than money.’ ...they recommit themselves to disseminating this love along the open road.

When people think back on their closest friends...those friendships always go hand in hand with the music and all the strong feelings that the music brought, feelings which were even stronger if you shared them with somebody.

For Springsteen, the feelings for a close male friend could, at least under the influence of rock ‘n’ roll, grow intense enough to include kissing as you rode off into the sunset.

...the performances that culminate in Bruce and Clarence’s passionate kiss are those of songs about the fantasy of escaping together... Springsteen’s slide across the stage to meet Clemons’s waiting lips is a climactic corporeal embodiment of the lyrics he sings. But with the subversion of gender from the abstract woman of the storyline to Clemons’s very real person, is Springsteen not so subtly indicating just whose ‘velvet rims’ he wants to wrap his legs around, who he really wants to climb into his car as he ‘pulls out of here to win?’

Stevie is positively fruity: from his theatrical facial expressions to the flamboyant clothes and the steadfast frilly do-rag he adopted in the early 1980s, Van Zandt reminds us of the carnivalesque origins of Springsteen’s music. Both his appearance and role in singing duets with Springsteen arguably brought a feminine element to E Street long before Patti Scialfa joined the band.

At a time when glam rock and disco spectacularly highlighted the performative nature of gender and worked to disrupt the gender and sexual binaries of male/female, gay/straight, the press turned to Springsteen as a saviour of rock’s values of hegemonic masculinity. (Ironically, the content of Springsteen’s music indicated a far more serious exploration of queer desire than that of many of the most flamboyant cross-dressers. Hubbs points out that the ‘“gender bender” poses’ of many rock stars contrast with ‘their shrill claims of heterosexuality and “real” manhood, [and thus show] a willingness to cash in on the style of gender transgression while disclaiming associations with any deeper substance.’ One would never look at the Rolling Stones, for example, and say that those five men were expressing love for one another, even as Mick Jagger used transvestism as an ongoing performative act.)

Springsteen’s hypermasculinity appears to be as much a performance as glam rock’s gender ambiguity. Before Springsteen’s self-conscious buffing of both his physical body and musical voice into an American working-class hero, his appearance was a cross between greaser, surfer and hippie... The result was a skinny, unkempt, and rather pretty kind of rebellion.

...viewed through a queer lens, Springsteen’s later hypermasculine image also looks awfully gay.

The imagery of the...album cover is available also for a different reading in which the codes of gay subcultural identification can be surreptitiously recuperated here: certainly, the hanky (of gay ‘hanky codes’) has been replaced by a cap, and yet the fixation on the back pocket and the perfectly curved male arse would seem to suggest that the potentiality of a queer reading has not been fully eschewed.

Springsteen precludes definitive determination of sexual preference, mooting a fundamental constraint whereby our culture knows us and names us. Such mooting matters not just because inquiring minds want to know, but because undermining this constraint calls into question conventional representations of love and traditional musical constructions of desire.

Bruce Springsteen’s sexual and gender ambiguity is not only a challenge, it is an invitation... ‘The best records (the ones that give us the most pleasure) are the ones that allow an ambiguity of response, letting us be both the subject and object of the singers’ needs (regardless of their or our gender).’

For Springsteen’s LGBT audience...his queer music is pure pleasure. While one may hope for the day that Springsteen will play ‘My Lover Man’ onstage, the songs with liminal romantic desires no less indicate that our musical hero is a sexual ‘tramp like us.’ As Nadine Hubbs writes, ‘Ambiguity is not particularly confusing to queer subjects to whom its utility and indeed necessity are intimately known.’

[che-chennya]

Malleus as a fellow player of Tomodachi Life is preparing Malleus-Mii to confess his feelings for Y/N-Mii, what would it be the worst that could happen?

Tagging @wolken-himmel​ and @infra-jaded​ because from the first one, I got inspirated by her writing and the second one was the one who proposed the original idea. 

Blame me if you find it hilarious, but I had to. 

The moment had come. Malleus knew as his saw in his borrowed Nintendo 3DS saw a heart icon on the apartment of Malleus-Mii, apparently his Mii was in love with someone, mostly because it seemed like that. He touched the screen with his DS pencil and enter. Suddenly, his mini representation seems to have a problem, but there was no problem that Malleus, the creator of Gao Gao Island, couldn’t solve. So, he touched again the screen to know what exactly to do.

“I have felling for Y/N. I’ve got to tell Y/N”

— How scandalous — Malleus thought as he turned a little bit red, it seems that Malleus-Mii was a loyal representation of himself in that game. He tapped the option “I’ll help you” since he’ll support his Mii to have the courage to confess to his beloved Y/N.

“How should I tell Y/N?”

Seeing the options of how he could act to court Y/N. There were some of them which called his attention: Be traditional, be romantic, give a gift, sing a song, and others. It was time to think carefully which it would be the best option among them to Malleus-Mii court Y/N-Mii. Of course, he could serenade Y/N with a violin, but for the moment he only saw a guitar, and he didn’t even know if we could use it during the confession, so singing wasn’t an option. Giving a gift could’ve been a great option, but he wouldn’t be able to express all his feelings for Y/N if he didn’t have the right item in the game. Then, he decided to not pick that choice. Now, Malleus surely understand Malleus Mii in the game, it was a tough moment that would cause anyone to be, at least, slightly nervous. Then the traditional way or the romantic one was the final dispute at this moment. From these two options, he selected the traditional way, because he strongly believed Malleus-Mii wouldn’t dare to act out of his imagination. So, he proceeded to continue after thinking hard.

“Where should I tell Y/N?”

This was another question that could have been tricky, but he had already an idea. The season in Gao Gao Island was in summer, so maybe he could take advantage of the environment to confess. Even though the park was also a good place to tell his true feelings, he preferred the beach. After putting his mind on it, he tapped the screen again.

“Should I get changed first?”

Checking his Mii clothes, he couldn’t say he didn’t look appropriate to confess. Well, at least his Mii, because the real Malleus was playing in his pyjamas. Asking some advice might be the proper thing to do, but he heard from Silver that Lilia was participating in an event in his online game, and he didn’t want to interrupt his game session for this matter. So, when he went change in his dorm clothes with magic, he asked Sebek. However, his answer wasn’t that helpful at first.

— YOU WILL LOOK GREAT IN ANY COLOR CLOTHES WAKA-SAMA — he shouted unconsciously as he saw all the possible options of clothes in the game. Malleus, for all the time he had spent with his loyal servant, is used to Sebek’s way of talking. In fact, Sebek was passionate regarding the main colour of his Mii clothes. To sum up, what happened there, Sebek recommends dark green and black clothes, since those colours were the characteristic of him and the dorm, it fit him nicely, to say the least.

Now again, the ultimate moment had come, Malleus was watching with his full attention to the scenery, the dark night with the moon and the stars making some company to the ocean, who was reflecting the two Mii. Anyone who could see Malleus at this moment would think he is obviously excited about this event, it might reveal a bright future for this two, and if destiny happens to support his real feelings, the real Malleus and Y/N might start courting.

“I’ve had my heart set on you since the moment I first saw you…will you go out with me?”

Malleus heart was beating faster in a couple of seconds. It is short, but it was completely honest at the same time, Malleus like how brief his mini representation was to be a little vulnerable towards his feelings. Malleus-Mii finally said it to Y/N-Mii, who didn’t beam at an instant. Malleus now was wondering why Y/N-Mii didn’t answer until he heard something weird.

“Wait” an unexpected voice pop out and enter the confession scenario, a piece of dramatic music turned on when his face was revealed. It was the stalker hunter who knew no limits of privacy. However, Malleus didn’t know why Rook-Mii was there.

— What — Malleus was speechless regarding the turned off events. His Mii was standing somewhere over the place as he walked towards the two Mii. As Rook-Mii makes it to his point, he said “I love you too”.

“No, I love you more” And Malleus-Mii defend from that accusation as the real one was cheering for his mini representation. He didn’t expect that when a Mii confess to another Mii, there would be an interruption. — In other words, this means that Y/N-Mii must choose— Malleus softly said to himself while he was worried about not being the one Y/N-Mii choose. He was about to face it, that Y/N-Mii will choose now, but he saw that the three of them, turn their head looking at the ocean and he hears again another noise.

“Wait” a Lilia-Mii revealed himself bumping out of the ocean and the little dramatic music replayed. — WHAT, LILIA WHAT ARE YOU DOING THERE? — Malleus shouted in his internal thoughts, he was more surprised that his father Mii was interested in Y/N-Mii, when in real life, he was the one who only knew his feelings towards Y/N. Could it be that Lilia was repressing himself to not feel anything like that so Malleus could have an opportunity? Malleus didn’t know. But this was like a betrayal, why didn’t he tell Malleus something? Anyway, Lilia-Mii went out of the ocean and ran direct towards the crow of people to say. “I love you the most”

Both Mii denied those words. And Malleus was doing the same thing, it was obvious that Malleus-Mii had the strongest feelings among all of them, they were the first Mii in Gao Gao Island. They know each other for more time than Lilia-Mii and Rook-Mii, they had shared more moments together.

“Y/N who do you choose?” He didn’t pay attention to who ask, but his heart had become more anxious when he now realizes that one of them might be the lucky one.

“I’m glad you feel the same way, Lilia” Y/N-Mii smiled directly to Lilia, being the only one standing while Rook-Mii and Malleus-Mii felt on their knees. He got rejected, his Mii got rejected by Y/N-Mii.

While Malleus has in his own world of thoughts on why he got rejected by Y/N, if everything was perfect between them to him, a noisy sound brings him back to his borrowed Nintendo 3DS. Malleus-Mii was crying on the floor of his apartment while he said “I got rejected”

— I’m sorry I failed you, Malleus-Mii— He truly felt pity towards his mini self, because he had expected a match between them. However, reality proves him otherwise. Not everyone can predict what it could happen, and it might be time to move on and feel happy that Lilia-Mii is the one who already conquered Y/N-Mii heart, but he suddenly remembers one thing. He didn’t save that action.

Yeah, no one will know that happened in the game, no one had seen the first option and that his Malleus-Mii wasn’t successful in his confession. No one will know that he restarted that file. At least, not Y/N. However, today wasn’t the day to do it, he needs to recover from this intense battle to Malleus-Mii confess Y/N-Mii while eating some ice cream to lighten his mood. He might figurate out how to make Malleus-Mii court Y/N-Mii better and max out their relationship but for now, he will take a break.

[chosetherose]

Submission:

Mr Perfectly Fine

So I've seen a lot of theories about Mr Perfectly Fine. I think we all have. The official narrative is that it's another song "about" Joe J*nas. Gaylors think it's about Taymily. I've even seen the argument that "Mr Always Wins" is Taylor throwing shade at current beard Joe Aly*n. (Which I can definitely see, tbh. This is Miss "and you poke that bear, Taylor Kloss come out" TS we're talking about. She's no stranger to sneaky wordplay.) 

But I was listening today and another idea hit me, which I haven't seen anyone talk about so far. 

I wonder if Mr Perfectly Fine is a song about Scott B*rchetta? Specifically, about the Fearless era, when Taylor was "encouraged" to let Emily go for the sake of her career. We can all guess who would have been behind the encouraging. 

Obviously MPF is like most of the vault tracks on Fearless TV. It's been reworked from Taylor's current point of view, so I wouldn't be surprised if she's angry about more than just the Taymily situation when she sings it now. But it does really fit for that. All you really have to do is change the lyric "I've been Miss Misery since your goodbye" to "I've been Miss Misery since HER goodbye" and boom, you have a song in which "he" isn't the lover but the outside influence who was instrumental  in breaking Taylor's heart. If you've ever read Jane Austen's Persuasion, just imagine Taylor as Anne, Emily (and her other girlfriends) as Captain Wentworth, and Scott as Lady Russell, who talked Taylor out of the match for the sake of her future. 

Verse 1:

Mr. "Perfect face" Mr. "Here to stay"

Mr. "Looked me in the eye and told me you would never go away"

Everything was right Mr. "I've been waitin' for you all my life" Mr. "Every single day until the end, I will be by your side"

This all seems like romantic imagery, but it could also be metaphorical. We all know that Scott and Taylor seemed like a match made in (business) heaven at first. Taylor has talked about how Scott took a chance on her. Scott talked about seeing something unique and special in Taylor, and throwing everything behind her. We all know Taylor basically made Big Machine. It's easy to imagine Scott telling a young Taylor she had the perfect face for country. It's easy to imagine him telling her he was in it for the long haul, willing to promote and develop her as an artist even if it took a while for her to break through. It's easy to imagine both of them thinking their meeting was fate - a perfect partnership that would last her entire career. 

Then comes the pre-chorus and the chorus. 

But that was when I got to know Mr. "Change of heart" Mr. "Leaves me all alone," I fall apart It takes everything in me just to get up each day But it's wonderful to see that you're okay [Chorus] Hello, Mr. "Perfectly fine" How's your heart after breakin' mine? Mr. "Always at the right place at the right time," baby Hello, Mr. "Casually cruel" Mr. "Everything revolves around you" I've been Miss Misery since your goodbye And you're Mr. "Perfectly fine"

We know that Taylor and Emily were together for nearly two years before the break up, and it seems like the break up was directly related to Taylor's increasing success. In this situation, it's not hard to imagine Scott as "Mr Change of Heart" - someone who initially encouraged a private (closeted) relationship, but then changed his mind and decided even that was too dangerous. Taylor was better off alone. She was only a teenager, after all. She had years ahead of her to fall in love again. Maybe this girl thing was just a phase anyway. She was too young to throw away the opportunity of a lifetime. "Mr Casually Cruel" is, of course, a reference to All Too Well's "so casually cruel in the name of being honest". It evokes the same feelings here. It's belittling, from someone who thinks they're older and wiser. It's easy to imagine Emily repeating some of these statements back to Taylor later, claiming they come from the same place of greater maturity. You can see how Taylor came to feel no-one was on her side, when she sings about the Taymily break up in Bye Bye Baby. 

And Scott would be "perfectly fine" after breaking Taylor's heart. Because he's not hurting. He's not part of the loss. I've always thought some of the descriptions Taylor uses for "Emily" in MPF seem overly harsh, and don't tally with her attitude in other songs. But they absolutely fit for 31 year old Taylor looking back at Scott's actions through an adult lens. Angry that he had such influence over her. Angry that he was so dismissive of her feelings, but mined them for a profit. Now she sees it all differently. She feels it was all about him, all about the impact her stardom would have on his label, and he didn't really care about her feelings at all. 

[Verse 2] Mr. "Never told me why" Mr. "Never had to see me cry" Mr. "Insincere apology so he doesn't look like the bad guy" He goes about his day Forgets he ever even heard my name Well, I thought you might be different than the rest, I guess you're all the same

Pre-Chorus] 'Cause I hear he's got his arm 'round a brand-new girl I've been pickin' up my heart, he's been pickin' up her And I never got past what you put me through But it's wonderful to see that it never fazed you

Here is where I think Taylor starts to conflate the past and present. She goes from talking about Scott's first betrayal to his last and worst one. Selling her masters to Sc**ter Braun. Never had to see her cry? No explanation for the betrayal? Insincere apology? Attempts to sign new artists to replace Taylor at Big Machine? Apparent indifference to something Taylor still hasn't got over? All of this checks out for Scott and the masters situation. Especially the line about thinking he was "different than the rest" only to find out "you're all the same". She thought Scott was like a father to her, but when it came down to it he was as greedy and self-serving as Sc**ter. 

She doubles down on this in Verse 3 and the bridge. 

[Verse 3] So dignified in your well-pressed suit So strategized, all the eyes on you Sashay your way to your seat It's the best seat, in the best room Oh, he's so smug, Mr. "Always wins" So far above me in every sense So far above feeling anything [Bridge] And it's really such a shame It's such a shame 'Cause I was Miss "Here to stay" Now I'm Miss "Gonna be alright someday" And someday maybe you'll miss me But by then, you'll be Mr. "Too late"

This is absolutely about a business man. It never fit for Taymily or Joe J*nas. It doesn't fit JA either. ("All eyes on you"? "The best seat in the best room"? "Always wins"? In his dreams!) JA wishes he'd made as much out of Taylor as Scott did. It's like the Mean Girls quote "I like, invented her!" That's what Taylor did for Scott. She put him on the map.

(Just like she's doing right now for JA. Bearding like Scott taught her all those years ago. I think the "always wins" / "alwyn" soundbite is another way of saying they're all the same to her, these men using her for their careers. She doesn't trust JA any more than she trusts Scott. The comparison is pretty revealing about her real feelings regarding JA. Pretty damning.) 

The final lines say it all. Taylor would have stayed with Big Machine if they'd been more supportive of her as a person and as an artist. They could have had it all. All the success she's experiencing now, Scott could have been a part of. But he chose another road, and Taylor was left trying to process it in her songs. Trying to claw back the rights to her work by rerecording her albums. And now all that's left is for Scott to miss what he lost - far, far too late to ever get it back. 

- ❄️🥀

(P.S: You're welcome, Lucky One!) 

[allegra-writes]

I’ve been meaning to write this since I first found your Hopeless Romantic series, and with the newest chapter I just absolutely have to tell you how deeply this story has shaken me to the core.

Billy as Jigsaw was always meant to be problematic but you’ve written him into a story where he isn’t the villain in quotes but something more. Beloved monster comes to mind, and yet I feel that the goal of the story wasn’t to romanticize the monster in him — rather have us question the whole dynamic of love (or what we think is love) and monsters (or what we think are monsters.)

Your story plays the fine balance between questionable motivations and unquestionable passions… and I like how it lets the reader decide which side to take. Billy isn’t sainted or sanitized, Y/N’s inner turmoil about him isn’t blind to his crimes and in fact holds him accountable; but she also sees him for more than the atrocities he’s committed. If she loves him, she isn’t being a fool; but the writing won’t explain that easily away. Your story goads the reader into thinking of how much knowing the fractured fraction of the man weighs against the beast he’s become.

I am utterly riveted by this series which also breaks my heart with lines like, “You feel like fucking Valhalla.” The betrayal is raw, and yet so is hope.

Will be eagerly, eagerly awaiting the next chapter. Cheers and all the very best to you.

I had tears in my eyes while reading this because this is exactly what I wanted to transmit, almost word by word. One of the reasons I fell in love with darkfic, or rather, the darkfic community here on Tumblr, is that, contrary than popular belief, they don't romanticised their villains. Them being hot doesn't diminish their crimes, if anything, it only makes them more terrible. Because beauty and charm is another weapon they know exactly how to wield.

No, they're very much villains, they're evil, their monsters. But in a more human way, they're not caricatures of everything wicked that you can't relate to or relate them to real people in the real world. They're scarier because we know them, we have met them, in the news or some of us even had the misfortune of crossing paths with them. But exactly because of that, because they're human, they are not only the monstrous acts they commit. Am I saying they are redeemable? Am I saying they deserve to be saved? No.

I am saying that, when you get too close to them, sometimes, just sometimes, it's difficult to remember the terrible acts they committed, because that's not everything they do.

Billy Russo is a Narcissist. Almost a textbook one in the show. And well, I happen to have some experience with those in real life. Narcissists can be oh so charming, so dotting, so manipulative... I'm not even saying their feelings aren't genuine, but they definitely know how to use them to their advantage. Billy probably could and would give the Reader the life he promises her, doing everything to make her happy and spoiling her rotten, all the better to tie her to him. A narcissist wants nothing more than being the only source of happiness in your life, your stability, your provider. It's all part of the trap, so you never leave them, so if one day you do, you find yourself alone in the world with no choice but to crawl back to them. There is a line that David Bowie says in the movie Labyrinth, "Fear me, love me, do as I say, and I will be your slave" that's exactly what a narcissist is and that was my main inspiration for this Billy's dynamic with the Reader.

Now, she isn't the usual preferred victim of a narcissist: She is experienced, fiercely independent, with iron strong connections and relationships in her life, with some psychology training, as a nurse or as an army medical personnel I let that to the readers' imaginations, so, on an intellectual level, she kind of can see Billy's MO. Does it stop her from walking straight into his trap? Well...

How many times do we know someone we're attracted to is problematic yet we ignore the warnings? How many times do we see the red flags and walk straight through them? How many times do we know the person we're falling for could probably annihilate us... But we go for it anyway? Maybe you're smarter or have better survival instincts than me. But if you're anything like me, or Halsey (just read the lyrics to "Graveyard"), or Taylor Swift (read what she has to say about her song "Treacherous") or Leigh Bardugho (her whole grisha trilogy), chances are you will look at the red flags and wave them as you pass them by at least once in your life. Some people are mad at Leigh because in her book "Shadow and Bone" there wasn't a big villain reveal for the Darkling: Her Alina never trust the Darkling so she wasn't surprised when he turned out to be the villain. Yet that didn't stop her, in the meantime, to start a relationship with him. That for me was the most realistic part of her characterization.

But she did fail in making the Darkling little more than a stereotyped, caricature villain, and that's exactly the template I used on what to avoid with this Billy.

Does this mean this story is a cautionary tale? Hardly. What I'm trying to avoid is exactly what she did at lecturing the readers. I would love my readers to take a message out of his series, tho, and that message is that they're not being judged and they are NOT ALONE, wether they've had some experience with real life narcissistic people or are just going through this journey with Y/N and feel as conflicted as her.

Thank you so much for sending this thoughtful ask, if this series totally flops, it would still be worth it to know it reached one person in this way💖💖💖

[fallinfl0wers]

May request prompt

"Even if we're far apart, I'll keep singing for you with all my love." Unbalance Shadow - ZOOL

For Haruka from i7 please?

7. “Even if we’re far apart, I’ll keep singing for you with all my love.” Unbalance Shadow - ZOOL from the lyric prompt list! thank you for your request!! i love haruka so so so much, he's my favorite character in i7! >< also! i'm trying a slightly new format that i'll be aplying to my future posts! i'll also start editing the old ones just beause,, yeah i think it looks cute. the colored letters aren't part of the format, but i felt like they fit here so lol on a slightly sadder note, the first draft of this got deleted on accident and i had been sulking about it for a while but lol here we are warnings: gn reader, light hurt/comfort, fluff, long-distance relationships, set sometime in the future of i7's story, though this is pretty much fluff without plot,,, word count: 1623 words

"Up next are Natsume-san and Isumi-san, three minutes!" the voice of a staff member makes him look up from the screen of his phone, where he had been aimlessly scrolling down on his SNS while the hairstylists did his hair.

"Yeah, understood." He answers, putting his phone down on the table as a makeup artist retouches his makeup.

The young idol then walked alongside his unitmate to enter the dark stage, adjusting his in-ear monitor as he sat down on the chair preppared for him beforehand, surrounded by the expectant, excited whispers of the audience who waved their lightsticks in support for their favorite idols. Scanning the audience with his eyes, he clutched his microphone.

The spotlights landed on the two idols as the music started to play and they could hear the cheering of their fans before they quieted down, in order to hear their singing.

"I wandered, lost in my loneliness like a desert without roads."

Haruka Isumi didn't need anyone at his side to be the best, everyone will just drop him the moment the next shiny, newest toy appears in front of them. At least, that's what his experience had taught him.

"There, a single, tiny flower became the melody of love."

Then everything happened. ZOOL happened. But more importantly, you happened.

He, who didn't care for almost anything anymore, became infatuated with you. He fell in love with you, who always looked at him and appreciated him, you, who always supported him and never laughed at him.

"My tears suddenly fell, shaking the green leaves."

You, who helped him through each and every one of his worst moments and were there to laugh with him during his best moments, you, who were both his best friend and his dear, dear lover.

"Wow, 'the weaker you become...'"

You, who always supported him on his dreams and were the first one to congratulate him on everything he achieved.

You, who he was now supporting as you walked to your own dreams.

You, who were walking towards your dreams, far, far away from him.

"(So, don't look back)."

"'...the kinder...'"

You, who he hoped woke up earlier than usual today just to see him singing live even if it was through a computer.

"(Sharing, big love)."

"'...you'll become.' Your gentle warmth taught me that."

You, who taught him everything he knew about romantic love, who showed him that there was more to people than hatred and betrayal. So warm and gentle, you always made him feel like he belonged somewhere.

But you're not next to him, not anymore. Not physically, at least.

But, that's alright. It hurts, it hurts so much and it makes him anxious constantly even if he'd never admit it out loud. But that's alright.

"Like the falling rain, we are not alone."

That's alright, even if it hurts and it brings scary, unwanted thoughts into his mind, it's alright. It's alright, because he knows you're doing what you love just like he is.

And it's alright, because he's not the weak, arrogant crybaby he was when you met. He's stronger now, he has grown up, he's mature. He can handle this. He can keep this going. He can support you without crying every night for your absence.

"Beneath this wide sky, even if you're on the other side of the world, I'm thinking--"

"--of you again today."

It's alright, because he knows you've grown up as well, he knows neither of you is a stupid, oh so stupid and inexperienced highschooler like when you first met. He knows, you both can be stronger than this distance.

"(Unbalance, Unbalance)."

"Look, the crescent moon is beautiful, isn't it?"

He knows this, and still...

He can't help but get worried, sometimes.

"(Unbalance, Unbalance)."

"I want to envelop everything..."

He can't help but worry that you'll get tired of this. Tired of him always being busy, of your schedules never matching, of how he still has to keep you as a secret to protect you from the tabloids and his crazed fans. Worry that you might find someone who has less trouble giving affection, someone who can love you better than him.

Though all his worries wash away, everytime you send him a picture of his newest merchandise that just arrived to your apartment and a cute stamp through RabbitChat at ungodly hours for him, followed by the usual voice note saying 'i love you'.

He knows you have your own fears about it all, as well. But he's told you, over and over again, without ever feeling annoyed, that he only has eyes for you, no matter how many pretty actresses and idols try to snatch him away, the only person he loves in that way is you and only you.

There has never been anyone else but you inside his heart.

You're the only one Haruka wants to spend his whole life with, the only one who can fully understand him and love him.

"...Just as the gentle wind loves the sea..."

And no matter how longer you may have to be apart, how many people you both will meet and how many worries there will be in between before you can next meet again, he wants to and will make sure to remind you daily that he loves you and will love you until he takes his last breath.

"Even if we're far apart, I'll keep singing for you with all my love."

He lifts his gaze to look at the camera with a content sparkle hidden in his eyes, once his next line comes around.

"I wish you--"

("I got a scholarship to finish my college studies overseas, Haruka!" You told him a couple years ago.)

"--happiness."

("I'll be here waiting for you to comeback when you're ready." He called your name that night at the airport, hugging you close before you took off.)

"This seed of happiness that I touched exists to protect the person I love."

("It must be hard for you, isn't it? You don't need to call me every day if you're too tired to do it. I can wait for as long as you need.")

"Our words dissolve in the twilight."

("Nonsense! I... am, tired, but! You must be tired too, right? Get some rest, I'll hang up if you promise you're going to rest too!")

"That seed of happiness that you touched reaches out to someone I don't know."

("I saw that selfie you posted with those two from ainana, I'm so happy to see you really have friends!" "Why did you even doubt that?!" "I worry about you, since I can't see you everyday and all that...")

"Because the circle of love that connects us lights up tomorrow."

("I miss you." "I know, I miss you too." "Let's try to meet during my summer break?" "I already told you, didn't I? I can wait for as long as you need, dummy.")

"Look, it has started to rain."

("Isn't it almost midnight there? Go to sleep." "But I wanna talk more with you..." "You're so hopeless... Go on, sleep, I'm not going anywhere until you sleep." "Hehehe, can I get a lullaby from you before I sleep?" "There's no helping it, right? You really get needy when it's late at night." "But you love anyway, so it works out...~")

"I want to envelop everything, Shadow."

("...Yeah, I love you.")

"Today's live was amazing, Haruka!" Your voice tells him through the phone while he layed down on his bed, late at night in his timezone. "Everyone was so cool, but you were the coolest! The whole time you were on screen I was all like 'Yes this is my boyfriend just look at him go he's so amazing!!!'"

He chuckled at your words, a loving gaze softening his gaze while he listened to your voice.

"I know, right? Praise me more, praise me more~ But only after you tell me, did you sleep early yesterday to wake up early today?"

"I totally did! I wouldn't miss one of your shows if I can help it!"

Though most of the times you couldn't.

He still felt his heartbeat race up at your support.

"You're so cute, did you know that?"

"Eh-? Why tell me that all of a sudden?!"

"Because..." He yawned. "I want to." You went silent for a second, before speaking again.

"You're tired, aren't you? You should go to sleep..."

"No... wanna talk to you more..."

He can already hear your tender smile just from your words alone.

"Go ahead, Haruka. You did well today, you deserve some rest."

"Do I get a lullaby from you to sleep?"

You chuckled.

"Yeah, of course. You are so needy when it's late at night..."

"Like you're one to talk."

"I know, I know."

He smiles, hearing you giggle through the phone.

"I wish I could hold you until you fell asleep right now... But since I can, you'll have to do with me singing my new favorite song for you~"

"'s okay, I like your voice. I'd listen to your voice the whole day if you wanted me to."

"Then... I'll start..." You cleared your throat, and he couldn't help but smile to himself again when he heard the lyrics of his duet song with Minami.

You're not a singer like he is, and you of course haven't trained your voice for as long as he has, he knows that and he still loves the sound of your singing voice.

He drifts off to sleep with your voice as his lullaby, and he knows you both hold true to the lyrics for as long as you need to.

"Even if we're far apart, I'll keep singing for you with all my love...~"

[berlynn-wohl]

I love that like you said Sir Loren's Song doesn't insist on pointlessly tearing the couple apart for narrative tension. Do you have any recommendations for other stories like that?

[re: this post]

This is a bit of a tricky one, because it depends on how you define "couple" (that is, whether we are talking only about solidly canon romantic relationships, or whether close friendships that are widely interpreted as romantic count) and how you define being "torn apart" (that is, a physical separation that does not necessarily compromise the relationship vs. real or perceived discord that occurs within the relationship itself).

So some examples of how these two things can play out are:

In Welcome to Night Vale, Cecil and Carlos are separated after they start dating, while Carlos wanders in the Desert Otherworld. Cecil experiences it as one year, Carlos as ten. But during that time, they maintain a long-distance relationship, and afterward they get married, and while I stopped listening to the show in 2020, I am not aware of there ever being any serious difficulties within the relationship.

Han and Leia used to be a similar situation (I was a Star Wars fan in the 90s, when the post-ROTJ timeline was made up entirely of books which are now considered completely non-canonical). It was a bumpy road for them to become an established couple, and they did endure separations for the duration of many missions -- and of course between ESB and ROTJ -- but in the EU/Legends books, I do not recall their having serious conflicts within their relationship. The Force Awakens changed that narrative, of course.

Frodo and Sam were briefly driven apart by Gollum, because of a perceived betrayal, but they amicably separated after that for a much, much longer time when Frodo sailed for the Undying Lands. (Legolas and Gimli, on the other hand? That lasted 'til the very end -- those rascals snuck into Valinor together!)

Couples from Achilles & Patroclus all the way to Solid Snake & Otacon became inseparable and intensely devoted after first meeting, but their relationships end with a premature death. Whether these deaths happen for the purposes of "narrative tension" varies -- for Achilles & Patroclus yes, for Snake & Otacon, not so much, since the main Metal Gear narrative (Revengeance who?) essentially ended before he could have an on-screen death.

Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson tend to have their companionship disrupted by Watson's various and sundry marriages, but in ACD they never have a proper falling-out (that I can recall), and His Last Bow illustrates that their friendship and working relationship remained strong, if not truly unbroken, even at the end of their lives.

Although I never gave it a lot of thought until recently, I guess there's a reason why "Happily ever after" is consigned mostly to fairy tales -- it seems like the breaking or straining of a romantic link is just an irresistible narrative tool.

Anyway, I'm sure there are recs to be had that I am just not aware of, so I'll leave this here for other folks to reblog/reply with their suggestions.

[writeroutoftime]

godmother

pairing: jaskier x fem!reader (combination of two requests)

summary: after geralt yells at jaskier to get lost, jaskier stumbles across you and wants to build a life with you. what happens when an unexpected visitor eventually shows up? 

warnings: none 

words: 1.9k

a/n: as it states above, this is a combination of two requests, and I hope the requesters don’t mind. also, apologizes because one of the request was for christmas, which I then wanted to get out for new years, but here we are 3 weeks later! by late then never, I guess. anyway, please enjoy, let me know what you think, and have a lovely day! 

oOoOo

Words had the power to cut and sting, and Jaskier knew that better than anyone. Though he had become accustomed to the occasional negative comment about one of his songs, those words had little effect on him seeing as they came from people who meant nothing to him. However, when Geralt snarled those infamous words ‘If life could give me one blessing, it would be to take you off my hands,’ Jaskier felt as though he had been cut open with a sword. With the little courage he could muster up, Jaskier took a final look at Geralt before going off on his own. 

Just as words have the power to harm, however, they also have the power to heal wounds and offer protection from the danger and cruelty of the world. Jaskier learned that from you when you had taken interest in him the night he felt everything had fallen apart. 

“Now, what’s a handsome bard like yourself doing moping around on a night like this?” you asked him, as you slid him another pint from behind the bar. 

“Wallowing in the pits of betrayal.” Jaskier responded into his mug, taking a long gulp.

A small hum of understanding was your response as you took a moment to gaze at the bard. Being a bartender meant you had seen it all in your patrons from those at their lowest to those ready to shout their achievements to the mountaintops. “Romantic troubles?” you guessed. 

“I wish.” Jaskier said after he let out a clipped chuckle. “No, uh, I was informed by a friend that it would be his greatest wish to be rid of me in his life.” he explained.

You winced at Jaskier’s explanation and rested your hand a top of his, followed by a soft squeeze. “I’m sure anyone would be lucky to have you in their life.”

It was those words, and similar ones in the weeks that followed, that slowly began to mend the tear in Jaskier’s heart, and he felt so connected to you. Throughout the night, you stayed near Jaskier as often as possible and conversation flowed so easily, it was though it was destiny that he had stumbled into that bar. By the end of the night, promises were made to see each other again, and you left Jaskier with a chaste kiss on his cheek.

Weeks flew by, and it wasn’t long before Jaskier found himself in love. While he had claimed to be in love many, many, times in the past, he could tell this was different. You lifted him up, stood by his side, and made him want to become a better person. With a declaration of love one night, and returned feelings from your end, Jaskier proposed the two of you get married. It might have been the most irrational thing to do, but you agreed in a heartbeat because the bard that you loved forever changed your life.

The ceremony wasn’t large at all – just you, Jaskier, and an officiant. Later in the evening, you stayed in your small apartment, but discussed your hopes and plans for the future. The topic of where to ‘settle down’ quickly came up.

“Let’s move far away from here.” you stated, wistfully. “Get a fresh start somewhere and leave everything horrid behind us.” you said, thinking back on all you had been through. The town you currently lived in never truly felt like a home to you, it was simply a place you worked and lived. It wasn’t until Jaskier came into the picture that you understood what home felt like.

“A fresh start.” he repeated, arms wrapped around your form. “I like it. We could move anywhere we want!” he cried dramatically and leapt onto his feet on the bed. “We could go live in the highest mountains or the deepest forests.” he promised with an outstretched arm to pull you up with him as you giggled. “Where would my dearest queen like to go?” he asked you, staring into your eyes.

“Anywhere you are, my love.” you spoke sincerely, and molded your body against Jaskier’s for the nth time that night, fantasies of starting a new life together filling your mind.

oOoOo

Not long after your marriage, you and Jaskier began to seriously look into new places to move. Although the topic of simply traveling the world and living in whatever tent or inn you stumbled upon, both of you agreed it sounded more appealing to settle down in a cozy village. Small enough to have your privacy, but also close to a city, in case you wanted to have an adventure or two. 

A year or so into your marriage, fate had blessed the two of you with a child. Despite the nerves and hesitations you had, both you and Jaskier were over the moon. Preparations were made to accommodate your expanding family, and it seemed as though thing couldn’t get better. Though Jaskier showed his excitement through his words and actions, you knew that there was still something that bothered him.

It wasn’t something that he had directly brought up to you, but there had been more than one occasion when you caught him gazing out the window and absentmindedly strumming his lute. Sometimes he would simply hum a random tune, but others you could recognize the chords and lyrics to the ever famous ‘Toss a Coin to Your Witcher.’ When that happened, your heart would clench for your husband because you knew the abrupt and hurtful dismal from Geralt’s life all those years ago still haunted him.

One evening, you curled into Jaskier’s side, as best as you could with your stomach, and rested your head against his shoulder. “Why don’t you try and get into contact with him, love?” you asked, not needing to clarify who you were talking about.

Jaskier tensed under you and continued to stare out the window. “We came out here for a fresh start. Besides, I’m sure that he is more than happy with his life now.” Jaskier mumbled, and you could tell he didn’t want to speak any more on the subject.

While it may have been the end of the conversation that night, it was certainly not the end of the thought in your mind. After that night, you began to listen more closely to what the villagers were saying and if there had been any sightings of a Witcher recently. It took many weeks, and during that time, Jaskier began to become his happier self as the days lessened until you would welcome your first child into the world.

It wasn’t until one afternoon, about a month before you were due, you overheard that infamous Geralt of Rivia had come to a village just two towns over to take care of a monster. Hurriedly, you composed a letter for the Witcher, explaining who you were to Jaskier and urging him to visit his old friend to clear the air, leaving your address at the end. Once written, you paid a local merchant, on his way to make a delivery, a small fee to quickly deliver the letter to Geralt. As you watched the merchant ride away, you realized that there was nothing more that you could do.

The letter, however, was soon pushed from your mind because your daughter decided to make her appearance into the world a bit early. After lots of pain, crying, and swearing, you were finally able to hold your daughter in your arms and fall in love with her instantaneously. Of course, your and Jaskier’s lives changed the moment she was born, but you wouldn’t trade your family for anything in the world. 

Then, a few weeks after your daughter was born, you, her, and Jaskier were simply enjoying time together when there was a knock on the door. Confused, you turned to Jaskier who only mirrored your expression. Standing up, you passed your daughter to Jaskier and moved to open the door. Upon doing so, you were greeted by a tall man with white hair, and striking amber eyes, accompanied by a woman and a young girl behind him.

Frozen, you stared in shock as you realized that this was Geralt. Flashes of the letter you had sent weeks ago ran through your mind as you realized that Geralt had truly read and obviously responded to your letter – and Jaskier still didn’t know.

Just as that thought ran across your mind, Jaskier called out from the kitchen. “y/n? Love, who’s at the door?” he asked, and you could hear his footsteps approach.

Suddenly, Jaskier was behind you and his breath hitched as you looked up at the man that he hadn’t seen in over a year. The man, that last time he had been with him, told him that he never wanted to see Jaskier again. Time froze as the two men seemingly had a silent conversation and you slowly moved your hand to rest on Jaskier’s shoulder reassuringly.

Finally, you broke the silence. “Hi, obviously we weren’t expecting you, but please, come in.” you said, ushering your guests inside, closing the door behind you.

As you directed them towards the living room you could feel Jaskier’s eyes on you. Turning to look at your husband, you pulled him aside. “Look, maybe I overstepped some boundaries,” you quickly began. “but you need this. Even if you don’t want to admit it, the two of you obviously have a lot to work out. Now’s your chance before you have something else to regret.” you told him softly as you took your daughters in your arms.

After brief, albeit, awkward introductions were made, you knew Jaskier and Geralt needed to have a moment alone. “Yennefer, Ciri, would you like some tea or something to eat?” you asked. “Follow me to the kitchen.” you said, knowing that even if they weren’t hungry, they also knew the two men needed space to talk.

The three of you waited in the kitchen, and you prayed there would be no raised voices or shattered objects. Yennefer noticed your discomfort and placed a hand on your shoulder. “Geralt needs this just as much as Jaskier.” she said softly, and you thanked her.

“What’s her name?” Ciri spoke up curiously, eyeing your daughter.

A smile graced your lips at the girl’s question. “Her name is, y/d/n.” you answered. “Would you like to hold her?”

Ciri nodded quickly and you laid your baby within her waiting arms. Your daughter smiled up at Ciri, who offered a smile in return. Watching the interaction warmed your heart, and you could tell it warmed Yen’s by the look in her eyes. She was next to hold your daughter and as the three of you began to chat, you hoped they would be able to become part of your life. 

Eventually, the three of you decided Jaskier and Geralt must have had enough time to talk, and when you walked out of the kitchen, you caught the end of Jaskier and Geralt hugging – probably forced upon the witcher by Jaskier – and your heart warmed at the sight. “Everything, alright?” you called out, hesitantly.

Geralt nodded and looked down at Jaskier.

“It is.” he answered honestly. “And I know how he can make it up to me. I hereby officially declare you godmother of my daughter.” Jaskier announced proudly. 

“I think you mean godfather.” Ciri spoke up, though it came out more like a question.

Jaskier simply smirked at Geralt’s roll of his eyes. “I know what I said.” 

Despite your husband’s seriousness at the request, you couldn’t help but laugh knowing that all was truly well. And true to his word, Geralt took on the job of y/d/n’s godmother and your little family grew by three more people that day. 

oOoOo

tagging: @bravelittlesunflower​ (I wasn’t sure if you still wanted to be tagged, but I did so anyway) 

[self-indulgence-in-fiction]

Okay so. This like a shamelessly obsession fueled side blog where I reblog fics I like and hope others will too. I haven't posted much original content here but I feel like @something-tofightfor and @its-my-little-dumpster-fire deserve special thanks right now because

I've been watching a lot of older ben stuff recently and his characters all have such ??? sad ??? endings?

Spoilerly stuff below ----

Character by Character

John: abandoned and divorced by father and wife and about to potentially lose the family estate

Dorian: led astray by someone he thought was a friend, he reclaims his soul i guess but he burns alive doing it. I've never read the book so I don't know if that last scene is really supposed to convey a measure of redemption or not

Caspian: becomes a king at a very young age, loses his father, then Peter and Susan then Edmund and Lucy after becoming like family with them. He is literally confronted with the choice to cross the boundary of death at the end of dawn treader

Ryan: the movie assumes he starts to settle down or finds another person to call home at the end but that song, well, it doesn't come from a place that has never known some really hard and alone times

Josh: the trailer is so bad I'm never going to watch locked in but the premise seems to be he caused an accident that put his daughter in a coma and then he thinks he might he going crazy hearing her voice. So again. Sad and distressing

Sam adams: reckless and angry and careless and ready to tear the world down but comes to the realization his talent for oration can help the revolution as much as his fists. Although he's still not steady this is arguably one of the happier endings. The scene where he stands like a dare on the deck of that ship puts my heart in my throat and has "standing point blank in front of a pistol with full knowledge of my own mortality" energy even if the range isn't point blank

Nic: literally dead by the end, loses his father and his girlfriend. his brother enters the one world nic didn't want him to have anything to do with. Also he's so deluded with the idea of belonging to something fraternal and powerful throughout the film. The scene where he burns the card in his hand makes my heart hurt too because hand burns are painful and cruel

Benjamin: this is also supposed to be a happy ending but the show leaves so many loose ends it makes me worry the environment of julia's family is going to just let him keep lying and manipulating without being sure of love as a moderating force for that part of his personality. And also he went to jail off screen as a younger man for something he didn't do. Also he has a panic attack on the bedroom floor that's never addressed. He just feels fragile and that just makes me feel defensive and protective.

Logan: one of the worst fates by far even though the "poor little rich boy" thing makes Logan hard to empathize with at the beginning I'm starting to think Ben could play almost anyone and I'd empathize with them. Anyways Logan ends up dehydrated for days in the desert, abandoned by father and sister, gaslighted by william, and ultimately succumbs to drug addiction. Then the (big spoiler) Forge takes on his face and voice and some weird echo of his personality in what would have been a personal hell for Logan - always trying to figure out if there was another path or lifetime in which his father didn't abandon him. And guess what, turns out everything "always ends up here" at the point where Logan is drowning and his father turns away anyways

Billy: selfish and greedy though he is, the glimpses we get of his past makes those character traits make sense and also read like defensive mechanisms as much as anything else. And those traits would be forgivable except his fatal flaw is? I'd say pride except he's bowed down to a man like Rawlins. He can't bend long enough to explain to Frank what his part in the carousel murders was. He supposedly didn't think that the ambush would kill the rest of the Castles, so he feels guilty and the part he did play hurts him enough he avoids thinking about it beyond the mantra that it wasn't him behind the guns. I get the sense that Billy is mad at Frank because Frank knows Billy's capable of terrible things but neither of them thought he'd ever be complicit in Maria and the kids' death. Billy doesn't want Frank to believe he's that kind of bad but he also isn't willing to reach back and make amends. They know one another too well to be anything less than infuriated at the others' pretenses. Punisher s1 feels like a little like if King Lear's Edmund and Edgar got a betrayal tragedy all to themselves; and then punisher 2 is painful because the score should be settled except the last fight shattered all Billy's already crooked pieces and the picture he puts back together from them is somehow both younger and more solidified and committed to following a betrayal to its logical conclusion than even s1. He's more wicked in s2 but also somehow raw for it. No more polish no more of anyone except himself. Except he doesn't know who he is so that's a fun acid trip

And the newest ben guy, Aleksander. He's just so Lonely. He's nearly immortal and finally running out of resources at one of the peaks of a war hundreds of years long. He's also manipulative and sort of casually dismissive and cold but this also makes sense in context. But he's also sweet and has this really bent righteous streak that's oddly on brand

anyways NO WONDER I'VE BEEN MEDIA INDUCED SAD FOR LIKE THREE WEEKS AND BINGE READING ANYTHING THESE TWO WONDERFUL WRITERS HAVE WRITTEN TO TRY AND FIX THAT

They both have an amazing grasp of character and know how to write slow burn like pros. They also both really nice. Go check out their stuff and leave some likes!!

As much as I love ben's complicated characters, I think he's right. It may be time for a sweeter palate cleanser. Something that's not going to leave me feeling like my heart is cracked. Again. It doesn't have to be a romance or anything and honestly I'm a little romanced-out as far as movies go. Id just like One Thing without a romantic subplot. And just something with a little gentler of a resolution possibly. Although I'm going to he grateful whatever new content we end up getting from him 🙏🏼