#as someone who likes shows & movies in theory but struggles to actually watch them one of my goals for sckl was for it to have a little bit

[griddlebait]

I just finished Crimson and Clover (over and over), and I'm very nearly at a loss for words on my adoration for this chapter.

You've *clearly* used some sort of dark alchemy at chapter's end to transform a block of words into an hour long episode of prestige lesbian television drama inside my mind. It was the final look at the mixtape that did it, I'm certain. Very well done

thank you so much! i really appreciate hearing this - there's a lot of moments in sckl i try to give a somewhat "cinematic" feeling and that chapter was definitely one of them

[libraincarnate]

astrology notes: 19 ☼𓂃𓃗𓂃

quick note: i'm absolutely not an astrologer. these are just a collection of some observations, thoughts, theories, and personal experiences based on astrology. with that being said, i'm still learning along the way & i may come back to edit this post to make corrections. above all this is just for fun. lastly, keep in mind that i’m not reading your birth chart and i know nothing about you. these are just some possibilities that may or may not apply to you. enjoy!

˚♡₊ pisces & them not knowing if something they remembered was from one of their day dreams or an actual dream they had.

˚♡₊ moon or chiron in the 2nd house can indicate an emotional eater. they can be someone who eats for comfort or just because they're bored.

˚♡₊ virgos are known to be judgmental towards other people & things but they’re judgmental towards themselves as well, being that they typically struggle with perfectionism. for this reason, they probably cringe at themselves and the things they’ve done quite often. they can be quite regretful and hard on themselves when they make a mistake. but virgo, you guys are imperfect just like everyone else who has lived and died. and although it may be easier said than done, breathe, live, and just be. try to view as your mistakes as an opportunity to learn & improve.

˚♡₊ asteroid juno (3) in 4th the house can make people think you’re the type to bring home to meet their mom/family. 

˚♡₊ uranus in the 2nd, 5th, 8th, and 11th house can cause the native to feel frustrated and experience disturbance in those areas of life that are represented by those aforementioned houses. that’s because uranus is a planet that represents constant change and unpredictability & those houses are fixed houses that represent exactly what the name suggests, it’s fixed, it desires stability and regularity.

˚♡₊ capricorns are known to be controlling/bossy but aquarius tends to have those characteristics too. i’ve often seen it happen with their friends, like they can be the leader of the group and tell people what to do or they make decisions for others. i guess it’s the saturn influence since we know that cap is ruled by saturn & aquarius is traditionally ruled by saturn too.

˚♡₊ those with gemini moon are the type to laugh at themselves while they’re crying. and if they’re not, then they’re definitely going through it because it’s often hard for them to take themselves seriously like gemini risings, but in this case it’s more focused on their emotions.

˚♡₊ those with their venus aspecting saturn could be the type that always has a loved one/former loved one, like an ex, coming back even if it’s 6 years later. the person that tries to come back may realize what they had a little too late, they may realize that the loyalty & love you gave them was one of a kind and it’s hard for them to find that same or similar level of stability and commitment elsewhere.

˚♡₊ scorpio risings are lowkey mad funny because of their gemini in the 8th house, but especially if they have planets like sun, mercury, or moon there. & because it’s in the 8th house, it’s not something that many people know about them except for those that are close to them or those they have 8th house synastry with.

^ but when it comes to those with a gem rising or gemini in the 10th house, everyone thinks/knows they’re funny. 

˚♡₊ uranus dominants or those with uranus in aspect to mercury/neptune may really enjoy reading/watching sci-fi & dystopian books/movies or tv shows.

˚♡₊ taurus moons are typically blessed with the ability to remain calm & grounded but their emotions can be a bit stubborn and linger for a while. it may take some time for them to get over a breakup or separation from someone they really love.

˚♡₊ those with chiron, pluto, or mercury retrograde in the 5th house or 10th house could have stage fright. they may dislike doing presentations in school or at work. if they have to do something in the presence of others they’d rather it be in a group. but even if they are in a group, like a small choir, they’d prefer to stand in the back or behind others.

˚♡₊ the house where aries or mars falls in your chart can show you the type of men you usually attract:

in the 1st house, if you’re a girl you may attract men who you’d describe as the male version of you, or men who are childish or younger than you.

in the 3rd house it could be your classmates, those in your neighborhood, or those that you see as more of a brother, even if they’re not related to you. for this reason, you may be quick to friend zone them.

in the 6th house it could be the men at your place of work who are always hitting on you or trying to flirt. or men that have an unexplainable desire to take care of you, they may see you as a damsel in distress.

in the 10th house it could be older men who are already established or successful. maybe you easily attract sugar daddies or men that just want to provide for you whether that be money, opportunities, or guidance.

in the 11th house your male friends may be the ones crushing on you or you attract men from all walks of life, meaning you might be "everyone's" type. even if you're not the type that some of these men may usually go for, they could be willing to ignore that when it comes to you.

in the 12th house you may have a lot of secret admirers and men that often day dream about you but won't tell you.

the attraction could be stronger or more noticeable with mars making aspects to planets/asteroids like venus or eros or with venus or eros also in aries. & due to the characteristics of mars, these men may find you intimidating and they could be a bit scared to approach you at first, or they could come on to you a bit aggressively, or they just try too hard to get your attention.

if you read this until the end i hope you enjoyed it & thank you so much for reading. ♥︎♥︎♥︎, those hearts are for you.

[moghedien]

obviously there are a bunch of issues with the MCU and I'm not gonna sit here and try to convince everyone that MCU movies are cinema or whatever so don't get what I'm gonna say twisted. I do find their kinda mainstay in cultural media and the dominance they had to be interesting, especially now in an era where the MCU is undeniably falling off and struggling. just as like a cultural analysis I find that interesting and everyone has their opinions of why it happened.

my opinion/theory on why the MCU just crashed is because they sort of forgot what it means to be telling a comic book story, especially a marvel comic book story. Because I've read thousands of issues of various marvel series at this point, across tons of different eras and events, and the thing that makes them last (which is also a thing that drives me personally crazy and I hate so much) is that the status quo doesn't really change. Or when it does, it lasts for a few arcs or years at most and then gets reverted back to the norm eventually. Like the fact that everything is pointless and nothing is a risk is something I loathe, but it is admittedly what keeps them going. If someone just got into comics, they can pick up a modern issue and expect to find Spider-man or Captain America or whoever. They may be introduced to new characters, but the big ones will show up eventually.

And after the last Avengers movie, like half of the mainstay cast are just gone. Which as someone who likes good stories, I think is a good opportunity (which is arguably being wasted but idk I haven't watched any MCU thing in years) to actually shake things up and develop characters that mainstream people are less familiar with and give them a chance to shine and tell interesting stories. But that's not why people like marvel comics.

People like marvel comics because if they want to read about Iron Man, they can pick up any random issue about Iron Man and it will most likely be the Iron Man they know. People like the status quo, and Marvel has never been high literature and has always basically been pulp storytelling, and it gave people status quo and familiarity. And I think Marvel Studios figured this out waaayyy too late.

Because if Marvel actually understood what people like about the comics, they would have embraced recasting major roles from the start. They wouldn't have tied characters' identities so strongly to their actors and would have made it clear that characters can and will continue on with different faces. There is no reason why Tony Stark needs to be RDJ or Steve Rogers needs to be Chris Evans. They would have had plans to not write these characters out of existance the second actors wanted to exit or died or were fired or any of the various reason why actors are no longer involved with the MCU. Hell they had precedent. They didn't have a problem replacing Terrence Howard with Don Cheadle, who are very different looking people who give very different performances, but we know why they felt ok with that recasting but won't recast any of their boys named Chris...

Anyway it seems like they realized that general audiences don't actually like change if its permanent and are learning the wrong lessons with the Doom casting nonsense and the fact that they seem to keep changing what the new story is to fit what they think audiences want.

I'm fine with the MCU dying off and its probably better for media that it does, but again I'm just kinda interested in the fumble from like an objective standpoint because it seemed like they just locked themselves into eventual failure in such a stupid way. Like they could have told the same safe representative Avengers storylines for decades and wouldn't have a meltdown every time an actor in a major role needed to be removed from production if they just accepted that people would be recast as needed. It would be worse for actors and it would be worse for movies in general probably, but it would have kept the MCU churning out pulp like the comics do to this day. But now people are realizing its not just pulp but pulp they don't want and its gonna kill the MCU eventually.

[satureja13]

As a story teller, what advice would you give to fellow Simmers who want to start a story but struggle?

For example: How did you start story telling and which obstacles did you have to shove out of the way to finally start? What made it easier for you to put yourself out there? Did you gain any personal rewards/benefits by telling your stories? How do you set up a story post? Pics first or plotting the episode? Where do you find inspiration? What did you wish you knew earlier? Or anything else that comes to your mind that could be of any help. I see quite a lot of posts from struggling future story tellers and I thought it would be nice to collect a few tips.

Questions are very welcome too!

(My answers below the cut)

How to actually start:

I do read quite a lot and also watch series and movies - and what really turns me off is an infodump at the beginning. So I try to avoid that. And that also makes it easy to start. All the lore and background stories can happen later and you don't have to plot that out before you start. (Our current story started as a playtest and hundreds of episodes later, we have a lore as deep as the Mariana Trench ö.Ö') So don't let it stop you. It all evolves over time, when you ask yourself: Why did x have to move and go to a new school? Why is y restraining himself to hit on the cute guy? Why is z so annoyed of y and why is he the only one who thinks like this? How do they cope with stuff that happens to them? Why does x react in another way than y on the same event? ... There is a plot behind literally everything if you just take your time and look closely. Like a three year old child: "Why do we eat cute animals?" ö.ö' Showing your character's feelings and why they are who they are also helps you and the reader to form a connection to them. It never ceases to amaze me when story tellers are able to create characters that grow on you even though they are annoying and vulnerable and have flaws. (Like Terry Pratchett for example, or the characters in The Big Bang Theory.)

Which obstacles did you have to shove out of the way to finally start? I have a few obstacles to overcome putting my stories out there. ADHD often keeps me from concentrating and getting things done. It's hard to stick with something when you're distracted all the time. And I have a weird way of thinking. I'm also autistic and writing about feelings and how others think and stuff, is so, so hard for me. My stories are weird because of all of that and I know it. But I think they are quite unique and fun because of that and I wouldn't want it any other way :3 Plus my english isn't very good. Writing in a different language is quite an obstacle to overcome ö.Ö' But I can't write anything in my native language, I even take my notes in english. I have no idea why. Just sounds wrong to me.

What made it easier for me? - starting slowly I started this tumblr over ten years ago to post about my builds. Only a few people saw and liked my stuff so I got bolder and also shared gameplay pics and, after a while, a few stories. - passion I love my Sims, I think that helps a lot. After all these years, I'm still eager to see what they are up to and to tell about their shenanigans and adventures. - keeping expectations low Of you and your audience. It does not have to be perfect and not everyone will like what you do. That's just a fact. You'll get better at your own pace. I think tumblr is the perfect place to start a story, because if someone doesn't like your stuff, they don't have to follow you. - it's an outlet for my creativity. My ADHD brain is running on warp speed. Sitting down and putting some of these ideas and thoughts in a shape and make them real is relieving for me - and exciting! What rewards/benefits did/do I gain? - learning new stuff: I'm still learning english and just a few days ago, I shed tears of joy because I could finally understand an american series without subtitles! Also Photo editing. I kept looking for better ways to edit my screenshots and I learned so much! My Sims even inspired me to craft some stuff in RL ^^' - changing my point of view Telling about 6 different charcters is quite a challenge. Things that happen to them affect them in different ways and they have their own way to cope with stuff. They helped my autistic me a lot to make me see what's going on with people around me and to understand them.

- healing Seeing how the characters in my story cope with hardships and following them through difficult times helped me a lot. I could never express how glad and grateful I am I started all this. But I am. - fun I'm having fun doing what I do. And I think that's the motor that runs this whole thing. I think the readers can feel if you're commited to what you do.

How do I set up a story post? I have a rough idea where the story is going and what's supposed to happen next. Then I go ingame and take the screenshots, my Sims add a few ideas themselves - and I go with it. I write the post around the screenshots and what happened ingame. Like this, it's still surprising and thrilling - even for me, the story teller.

Where do I find inspiration? My brain goes without filters and I need a lot of time to get back on track after challenging days. But this sponge in my head also soaks up so many ideas! I get inspired by anything. Music, series, things I see... Sometimes, that sponge gets squished and I get to see glimpsesof future episodes and I just think 'whoa!' and take notes.

What advice can I give? Use the things that keep you from starting to your advantage - to make your story special and unique. Don't worry too much. Other people don't see things as serious as you might think. Write for your own healing and growth. There are mutuals who will like what you have to tell. You don't have to please everybody. Read others' stories, watch movies/series you like and note what you liked or disliked. That gives you a rough direction of where your story could go (that was a great advice from youtuber Grayson Taylor, link is below).

What I wish I knew earlier? That there are great youtube channels for writers! I know, that's kind of obvious, but I don't feel like a writer. I barely managed to finish school. And I thought those channels might be too sophisticated and dry, you know? But there are aweome ones. Like Grayson Taylor (who is an author) and Bookfox, (who is editor and author), for example.

You'll never know where it leads. Our current story started when I made four of my favourite adult Sims teenagers to check out the Highschool Years pack. That was ~ 2 1/2 years ago - and I hated school from the bottom of my heart, so I was very sure this wouldn't take long and we could go back to our ongoing story (spoiler: we didn't...). And: the first chapters the Boys spent at school were truely healing for me. I didn't plan anything of it ^^'

Don't be afraid. I'm here on tumblr for over ten years and I never got any hate on my stories or the other stuff I post. Though, I turned anon off. You decide what you see on your dash, that's the great thing here on tumblr. You just get as much drama as you invite in. For me, tumblr is my save place and I still say this is one of the best communities I've ever been part of (on and off line). Thank you <3

[anantaru]

so guys 🙋🏻‍♀️🌸 i have finished the entire new quest at last and omg 👼🏼 like this was outstanding!! you see, what i really enjoy about star rail is that it gives me similar vibes to hi3 in terms of the darkness in the plot, since hi3 is my favorite hoyo game i always love seeing stuff from it or just similar instances. SO YOU KNOW FOR A FACT I WAS SO HYPED WHEN ACHERON SHOWED UP 🤺 especially with the hi3 story with kiana as the mc being over and although i still love hi3 the most, kiana, mei and bronya, that trio, they were all the best characters together AAAARGHHH I SWEAR AND JUST THE ENTIRE STORY LINE WAS SOOO GOOD, I miss them all together as a trio and especially kiana, the best hoyo MC FOR LIFE. 🙋🏻‍♀️🩷

also 🤠 ^^ that frame with sunday and dr ratio like 😙😙 WAS SO FUNNY I HAD TO SS IT. 🤺

the amount of cutscenes we got to see again was so fun, it felt like watching a movie slowly unfold while you got to be a part of it 🩷 you can tell that hoyoverse gets better and better with each update on whatever game and that the cutscenes are always so well done (i always liked them but the constant upgrades ??? insane) 🙏🏻

+ the acheron one shotting aventurine lmao 🧎🏻‍♀️ it was my favorite though ngl HAHA 🙋🏻‍♀️🩷 no matter how much i like aventurine as a character, MEI OMG MEEEIIIIII 👹🩷 SHE WILL FOREVER BE MY LOVE LIKE I KNOW ITS ACHERON BUT YOU GET WHAT I MEAN !!!!! 🙇🏻‍♀️ LIKE THE CUTSCENE WITH HER HORNS OH MY GOOOD THE NOSTALGIA LIKE YES GO OFF SHOW THEM

also guys, idk but aventurine's boss fight, 🤠 i personally expected more like it was so easy to beat ?! I THOUGHT I WOULD STRUGGLE BUT HE DIED PRETTY QUICKLY BUT ITS FINE, I STILL LIKE HIS CHARACTER 🌸🙋🏻‍♀️. + i was happy hoyoverse showed us his backstory and took their time to flash it out and not gloss over it in idk one/two scenes, but they really took their time with it which was amazing 🩷

also jade looks so cool as well! the design is very pretty and i can't wait to see diamond too, or the rest of the ten stonehearts but they're hyping diamond up so much like another emanator?? yes please, i'm all in🧎🏻‍♀️🩷

this entire quest gave me movie vibes, you were on edge the entire time and even during side quests you had to take, it was still very intense. it actually took me quite a bit to finish it of course since i'm someone who doesn't skip dialog, but it was so worth it and the best way to relax after a long day of moving my body 🩷 just laying in bed, playing while drinking tea!!

what i wanted to say too, guys honestly sunday is not okay HAHAHAHAHAHAH 🌝 I MEAN LIKE you guys🧎🏻‍♀️, that shiver in his voice at times and you can tell he low-key doesn't even know how to handle all of that either, of course, for one he looks like everything is accounted for while in the other, he sounds like he's losing his mind and can we blame him ???? when he went "why did you kill her" and lowkey cussed gallagher out i was like damn 🤠 okay 😏 HAHA + i'm somebody that doesn't think too much about theories, instead i love eagerly waiting for the next patch!! so i'm excited for what's coming 🩷 + robin's song slaps.

last but not least 🤺 you see, gallagher wasn't really somebody i was very interested in, but damn the second he turned dangerous and spicy i went oh my oh hey what's up ?? 😏 giggles HAHA LIKE WHAT IS IT ABOUT MEN WHO ARE JUST SUDDENLY EVIL AND IDK MAYBE HE ISNT COMPLETELY RIGHT AAAAAA OOOOO UUUU WWWWW AAAAA but anyways, 🌸 the last cutscene low-key hurt me like what do you mean sunday gets off screened while i was saving up for him for what? 👹 ever since fuxuan like how can you do this to me + no way they're dead dead 🤠because the last conversation aventurine had with acheron was very important to the next patch i'm pretty sure! 🩷

all in all guys!! 🩷 this quest was beautifully done, it had a lot of hard, dark stuff and it reminded me a lot of hi3, that's why i give it a 10/10, very well done. 🌸🩷

[bandydear]

I’ve been reading your tlgbf tlgbl fic, and am absolutely obsessed!! Where did you get the inspirations for dyke Jackie? I love how you’ve written her and her queerness

So, I prescribe to the theory that Jackie had some inclinations about her homosexuality out there in the wild and that's why she's parading around in sweater vests and limp wrists. That the high femme presentation we see in the pilot is more of a gender and social performance than who she is. And, I explored the people pleaser elements that lingered behind in that.

She compliments Nat in the Pilot that she admires how true to herself Natalie is which means that Jackie is not true to herself. She feels the pressure of expectation and lives within that expectation instead of her truth. We are never given a "truth that could crash an airplane" from Jackie. What she says is that she used to sneak downstairs and watch The Color of Night so she could pause it at Bruce Willis's wang.

For research for the fic, I watched Color of Night (the shit I do for art...). Bruce Willis's flaccid dong is there for like, five frames. And, it's not impressive like she claims it to be. You know what that movie actually has a lot of? Naked women and lesbian sex. Jackie's gay.

I know a lot of butch/futch/even high femme dykes who began their journeys presenting heterofemme realness and rejected it when they made their way down the rainbow brick road. Jackie very much gives me those vibes. Like, she has gay energy, but also a very "useless gay man" energy.

I think that finding out "x amount" of her teammates are some kind of queer and that the Very Hetero Sport she's been shielding herself with is uhhhhh Not That is part of what leads her down the path of self-discovery.

She's also shredded. Jackie canonically has an 8-pack and that's interesting because in the 90's, muscle tone was seen as something undesirable for women. (Now, I know that the show is made Now, where the aesthetic ideals are different, but if it's in the text it counts.)

Anyway, this has all been said before in other tumblr posts about Jackie being gay. I'm sure you're asking about why I wrote her as a futch service top instead of say, a femme pillow princess?

It has to do with her character arc. In S1 of Yellowjackets, Jackie's arc is one of nihilism and regression. The only thing that is keeping her alive in this survival situation is her love for Shauna, and when she learns of Shauna's resentment, she loses the will to live. Literally. Dies of a broken heart.

Jackie cannot survive in an environment without love. And, she struggles with survival instincts in general. Which is what makes her a great foil to Nat, who cannot help but survive, and, ironically, dies in S2 of too much love. The moment Nat stopped being cynical and nihilistic she doomed herself.

Two characters in direct opposition cannot exist so therefore they must either kill one or the other other--or change each other to live in harmony. I chose the latter. Jackie softens Nat and Nat hardens Jackie. They meet in the middle. If Jackie becomes hard, and becomes someone who can survive, what does that look like? What's the funniest possible way to get to this point?

Make Jackie the one who builds the shelter. Take this ineffectual, limp wristed twink and show her the way towards self-sufficiency through trades. Her home was broken beyond repair, so she learns how to fix it on her own. The literal is metaphorical and the metaphorical is literal.

So, now that I've explained:

Why Jackie is gay

Why Jackie fixes houses

Now, "why a service top"?

I touch on it in the text, but I don't think she's solely that. I do think that even after coming out, if she was experimenting with people who weren't Shauna she wouldn't allow herself to be physically vulnerable with them. It would cause a panic attack. She has a very Protestant energy and receiving pleasure as a part of sex would probably give her like 5 different mental breaks.

Jackie doesn't enjoy sex with Jeff (oral and hand stuff count as sex) not just because she's gay, but because she's too self-aware of how she's being perceived to enjoy her body.

On the other hand, she is a chronic people pleaser--though Lazy, so I knew she couldn't jump into this with both feet. If Jackie had slept with the girl in chapter 1 it wouldn't have gone well, and it would have been super awkward and unsatisfying for both parties. It's the envy at seeing Nat enjoying herself, and finally being in a safe space to relax a little that allows her to explore sensuality. Still, I don't think she'd let herself be touched in the same way.

If she had, as planned, shared a room with Shauna at Rutgers, I could see her being in a much more comfortable sexual role. Because Shauna was her safe space. But, I could also see her bringing a lot of her own baggage into that situation, and it quickly becoming toxic. I don't think they'd work romantically out of their "platonic" relationship in school, because it had already broken and festered by the Pilot.

Anyway! That's the impetus for Jackie's dykery. I hope that clarified some things. There are other folks out there who have come away with other, valid, and cool conclusions, but these are the ones I came to with my own research and experience. Thanks again for asking!

[cleoselene]

the top 5

So I'm not really a film buff. I like a lot of movies, but I'm a tv person. TV is my love, TV is where my passion is. And I've been mulling over the question of what are my actual top 5 favorite TV shows of all time?

I can tell you the top three easily:

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - uncontested favorite show of all time. Perfect characterization. Covers nearly every genre you can think of. Intricate, deliberate, patient storytelling. Gets a reputation for being the "dark" Star Trek but is still loads brighter and more hopeful than anything labeled "Star Trek" after 9/11. The writing is so strong, the characters are so lovingly crafted, there are over 100 incredible episodes to dig into. It doesn't overwhelm you with anything, when the story is very serialized, it gives you a break. When the story gets too intense, it takes a turn and gives you something lighter. I have SO MANY OPINIONS about how fandom kind of lets me down in its appreciation of this show but my appreciation of it is perfect.

Six Feet Under - beginning to end, uniformly wonderful quality. Claire Fisher and I went through a few too many of the same experiences as young women in the early '00s. I think if we're lucky, we find a television show that portrays experiences in a way that are true to us, and Six Feet Under speaks a certain kind of truth for me. Claire and I had the same cynical views, the same confusion in early adulthood, the same flirtations with sinister older men, the same asshole artist boyfriend who got us pregnant and then acted like when she/I had to get an abortion it was all about HIM. That complicated, painful relationship a young woman has with her mother, that's fraught with fighting and pain and a fierce kind of love. And the most perfect, beautiful ending in television history. My only complaint with SFU is that Nate Fisher is an incredibly difficult character to sit through on rewatch (and on first watch honestly) but I forgive it because through Nate we get Brenda, who is the Difficult Woman that fandom always claims they want to have to love but always hates when they get her. Brenda is amazing. I love Brenda.

Twin Peaks - a multi-decade obsession that I don't think I need to get into too deeply here because I have been fawning over it on this blog for months, but a few notes: This show takes a single tragedy and doesn't allow you to get over it, in a television landscape that encourages you to consume a new violence every week and then forget about it, Laura Palmer's death has lingers with us for over three decades because it should. It should be terrible and awful and painful. Twin Peaks also came about when crime media like Silence of the Lambs was telling us that the true evil scary bad guy was a crossdressing serial killer, when television soap operas coded crossdressing as a deviant, evil behavior, and said, "one of our explicitly coded good people is transgender." Twin Peaks told us that the killer is not some weird other, but as it is in reality, someone more familiar and mundane that we try to imagine is a terrifying monster to cope with the brutal mundane reality. And that's just the tip of a massive iceberg when it comes to what this piece of interpretive art is tackling. The wonderful thing about Twin Peaks is that you can read a million theories trying to define exactly what it's about and they can all be correct, because it's not just about consumable tv violence or trying to make monsters out of the mundane, it's about how we perceive our realities and so, so much more. The iceberg's depth is endless.

and then after those top three, I struggle to round out the top five. I have other shows I LOVE, but hesitate to put in with these elite three, for a variety of reasons. I love Star Trek: TNG and Voyager, but the uneven quality I think kicks them off the top five. Voyager has brilliance but some really dog bad episodes, TNG has some whole bad seasons.

HBO's "Rome" is an obsession that was so potent while it lasted that I am tempted, but it was a 2 season show and the quality fell off badly because the plot was majorly rushed in S2. I don't think it qualifies for top five, either.

My most recent sci-fi obsession is The Orville in that it really comes close to hitting the sweet spots the 90s Treks hit within the limitations of shorter modern television seasons, but I don't know if it's a complete work yet. I HOPE NOT. Season 3 was as beautiful and wonderful as modern television gets. It's got major top 5 potential.

Legend of the Seeker is up there with Rome in that the obsession was potent but way too brief: a 2 season affair. It's tempting to put this one in the top 5 because honestly I had almost no complaints about it. It adapted absolutely dog-awful atrocious shit source material and Raimi/Tapert gave it the same magic they infused into Xena to make it a really fun, progressive show. I want to give it a top 5 spot just because IT DESERVED BETTER AND EVERYONE ON IT WAS SO BEAUTIFUL. Also the fandom was super fun and I made really good friends in it and it was just a really joyful show to watch. It made me feel happy. TV doesn't make me feel happy enough anymore. Usually it makes me feel depressed *cough all the new Star Treks, cough* but Legend of the Seeker just lifted me UP. It was syndicated and I worked graveyard shift and I would get home after working all night at 7am and watch the new episode before bed and it was just. Such a boost of happiness.

Finally, I think Farscape deserves a slot. I don't know where. I am WAY overdue for a Farscape rewatch. After the roommates and I get through DS9 (one of them has never seen it!!) we are going to Farscape next. I always love telling people that Farscape is like Star Trek if Star Trek allowed itself to be kinky. What was that one TWOP description of Farscape? "American man lost in the Australian S&M scene." Roflcopter. Also, John/Aeryn is one of the more epic ships of all time. OF ALL TIME.

[morathicain]

Okay, so ep 10 of Be My Favourite has left me ... frustrated? Talked a lot to my friend @ommited-miscellaneously about the way Kawi’s character seems to have switched and how uncomfortable the dynamic between them was and how weird some decisions were (like the mom, like ?????????). Is he ace coded? After some consideration, I doubt it. I rather like the theory (of @shouldiusemyname ) of him being an observer who isn’t used to be an active participant but also going in blind.

But regardless if it’s one of the two or the good old “one of them needs to be pushy and the other needs to play coy to the point of seeming repulsed”, it was done badly in my opinion. Like, a lot of people seem to think them sleeping together in the end was romantic and a sign of Kawi realising he actually likes to do all of that with Pisaeng, but it made me highly uncomfortable. Pisaeng had been trying to get any sign of affection from his boyfriend this last episode and Kawi has reacted repulsed to the smallest touches. Could it have been the nerves? Sure, but it’s still not a cool move, dude. Did his avoidance of actually telling Pisaeng what had been bothering him and instead saying he “ENJOYED” himself this day despite clearly been aggressive and rejective the whole day sit wrong with me? Definitely. Like, sorry, but this treats Pisaeng as if he’s dumb and can’t see when someone actually has a bad time? There was a chance for communication and it wasn’t used at all. Instead, they instantly jump to the sex!!

Which was the next ... uncomfortable thing. Like, they haven’t had a sober kiss yet. And Kawi clearly doesn’t feel ready. Why the fuck, do they need to jump to sex instantly, without proper communication, when they haven’t even had a sober kiss? Why couldn’t they have a talk so Pisaeng understands and they then can proceed to like ... watch a movie and cuddle, hold hands and share a first tentative kiss? This felt so rushed and I’d only accept it if it’s going to explode into their faces next episode.

Also, I was getting BohnDuen flashbacks. Of course, Kawi isn’t as bad as Duen, but the way he treats Pisaeng’s simple wish to spend time with his boyfriend and thinks Pisaeng wants to jump him all the time, wasn’t sitting right with me. Most of the episode he was an outright asshole to him while Pisaeng was so desperately pushy. Yes, the nerves but DAMN, that’s what the offer for communication at the end has been for! Like, I can accept a lot of reasons for him being overwhelmed but it still stands that Kawi didn’t use the chance to communicate his struggles and he should have grown enough as a person till now to use that. And if he doesn’t, on purpose, then this show suddenly gets deeper and less wholesome and light than it was during the past episodes. And to me, it rather felt like a checkmark.

Somehow, this kiss felt also less natural and comfortable as the two drunk kisses they have shared before. Yes, the nerves, but I’d argue that the circumstances made it feel different. In those two kisses before we’ve seen Kawi communicate a clear need and wish to be close to Pisaeng and initiate the kisses (hell, him being unable not to play with Pisaeng’s hair in the first one was adorable AF and exactly the vibe I would have wished for their first time - let me see that he enjoys it!) and nothing of that need or his crush on Pisaeng has been shown in this episode?

We know that Pisaeng has been going to the future, too, we just don’t know since when and how often and what he’s learned. But if they need to constantly travel through time and their relationship STILL raises my hackles like that ... maybe they shouldn’t be together at all? Really, this episode it sometimes felt as if Kawi isn’t really interested in a romantic relationship with Pisaeng at all or that he never thought beyond “getting together for the greater good”. It leaves me baffled after all those episodes before which were well done and a lot of fun and I wonder if something changed/if the problems were here all along/if the writers actually have a magic trick up their sleeves that will make it all make sense and be good????

So yeah, my thoughts on this are complicated and I’ve spend a good portion of last night trying to put my finger on why both of their behaviour felt so wrong to me (yes, Pisaeng’s, too - it felt almost mindlessly pushy???). In the end we have to wait and see ^^°

As an extra, things that would have made it better in MY opinion: 

more time between Pisaeng confessing and Kawi realising his own feelings, maybe with Pisaeng actually exploring his sexuality more and having boyfriends (he’d know better what he wants and Kawi could maybe observe what a relationship with Pisaeng might look like and also what he wants from his relationship with Pisaeng?)

them having an actual talk about what they want and need and their fears

them NOT jumping to sex instantly but also NOT avoiding any other form of intimacy (and IF Kawi has intimacy issues then PLEASE talk about that!)

have Kawi initiate cute moments in between too, let us see his need to be close to Pisaeng and be supportive (and not only have him promise it in a call with Pisaeng’s horrible mom - no I won’t forgive her being homophobic and distant 99% of the show just to have a last second switch) despite being a bit overwhelmed and nervous

Have Pisaeng NOT pretend as if he’s had a horrible fight with his mom to come and be with Kawi, this was stupid and not in character all along, wtf guys?

Have them break up and I mean this seriously - I was so uncomfortable during this episode and the fact that they didn’t properly talk made me think that if this goes on (or would go on irl because the show might just behave as if everything is fine next episode) they are doomed. If they don’t find a way to properly communicate their needs and limits, they’ll get stuck in the worst relationship, thinking this is the only way to make sure the world is happy? Thanks, I hate it.

Anyway, I wrote a quick breakup scene here and will now wait and see what next week brings. It might be the build up for the angst in episode 11 as always but I currently have a hard time believing that they’ll handle the topic properly and well enough for me to want them still together in the end (pls prove me wrong pls prove me wrong pls prove me wrong) and that would be a damn shame because the show has been fun and cute so far. But we’ll see ...

So far thank you @ everyone who read till now. No hate please, this is MY opinion and you can have another. I’d rather be convinced that my view is too unjust but I’ll only accept friendly discussions. Rude comments will be blocked. Thank you! <3

[bibibbon]

Do you mind if I ask your top 10 favorite characters (can be male or female) from all of the media that you loved (can be anime/manga, books, movies or tv series)? And why do you love them? Sorry if you've answered this question before.....Thanks...

Thank you for the ask and no, no one has asked me this before.

I must admit Iam someone who doesn't really have favourite characters in a way I can rank them but I like talking about every character I find interesting which tends to be majority. Also my opinions about what characters I like change very frequently.

I find it hard to rank characters I like from different media so here's the list in no particular order

Katara (avatar the last airbender) - ever since I watched atla I have always loved katara and the premise of her character. Katara is someone who lost her mother at a young age due to abilities that she possessed of being a water bender. She was then forced into a motherly role after her father left for war so she definitely struggled coming to terms with a lot of things and probably felt a sense of isolation being the only bender in her tribe. I love how katara is tough and femine at the same time, how she also has her own complex feelings about things and how she is the glue to team avatar.

Pidge (Voltron) - no I was never active in the Voltron fandom but even with the wasted potential of the show pidge will always be my favourite character in that series. Pidge is a character who would do anything for both knowledge and family. Her knowledge is what ends up saving voltorn a lot of the time and I loved her motivations and the character conflict she had where she wanted to prioritise her family over Voltron. (Ps I don't recommend watching voltron the story writing went out the window in season 2)

Itadori yuuji (Jujutsu kaisen)- I think you kinda tell the type of characters I like by now all are moan characters (I guess I just have a soft spot for MCs). To me yuji is a very fascinating character he can bring out the best people and honestly his character arc is very satisfying to see. The boy who was cursed to try and save people failing to do so and then going on to develop ideologies like how he is just a cog within a system and how his only purpose is to be a vessel and die but then all of that being broken Infront of him and he ends up causing the people he wanted to protect pain just by existing is something so heartshattering. The losses he goes through and how he always viewed himself as a lonely guy but now he finds strength in community and ends up viewing his only purpose is to save megumi.

Izuku midoriya (my hero academia)- Iam not sure if this counts but Iam more in love with the wasted potential and the what we could of had when it comes to izuku. Izuku isn't the regular shonen MC kinda guy there are many scenes of him analysing and overthinking things easily. He is also someone who isn't afraid to show and express his emotions and I truly wish he was handled by a better writer because there are some very small things I like about his character that don't get explored. Izuku is a very emotionally intelligent character who is able to realise a lot of things about people he usually spots and sees what people want to keep hidden and he isn't afraid to point these things out and actually do something about it.

Takemichi hanagaki (tokyo revengers)- This was the first series I actually started to make theories for and I loved takemichi as an MC. He was someone who made a lot of mistakes in the past and got the chance to change everything so he did and he tried to become everyone's saviour but sometimes not everyone can be saved. I just also really love the idea of a character who was lonely and got a chance to escape from that lonieless and surround himself with the people he loved just to slowly lose them and then goes on to blame himself and views that his only way of redeeming himself is to help another person suffering the same fate as him (I think the TR ending could of been improved a whole lot more but Iam not mad with what we got it's pretty good for a time travel and deliqunent manga)

Mao Mao (the apothecary diaries)- honestly I love how relatable and adorable she is. There is also the fact that she grew up in a bath house where her emotional needs where neglected so she grew up quite apathetic and slowly her character is used to explore the female world in china and how broken and unfair the system can be to people all make me love her character. Also who doesn't want to be a cat and spend their days doing nothing.

Violet evergarden (violet evergarden)- oh how much I hold this short series dearly. Violet was always used as a tool her entire life the series follows her journey of her learning love she goes and writes letters for people trying to capture what they want to say and understands their feelings learning about different types of love whole she slowly starts to incorporate that into her life. I do have some mixed feelings about the ending considering that Gilbert and her share a nine year age gap and some of the controversial stuff that goes with the ship but overall violets story is really beautifully executed and her character development is beautiful.

Eren Yeager (attack on titan)- Yes another MC I love. If you're wondering no I don't believe Eren was right for what he did but i understand why he did it. I understand why he wanted destruction and viewed the world as a rotten place I also understand why he wanted to abandon his duty and live out his life in peace with the person he loved. I love how isayama wrote his character and I especially love how he humanised Eren in chapter 139 and actually showed us that Eren is still a 19 year old who was exploited and used as a child soldier, a child who saw too much when he was too young in a world that was too cruel for him to survive.

Genya Shinazugawa (demon slayer)- he definitely deserved more screentime but I love genya he is an absolute menace all he needs is some demon flesh and a gun and he is sorted. I loved his character arc with sanemi how the manga explored his confusion of what happend to his mother, him naturally growing to become cold hearted to survive, him wanting nothing but his brothers love and the tragedy behind his character how he could never hear his brothers last words to him.

Percy Jackson (Percy Jackson)- loved this series and I read it when I was young. I mainly love how Percy is just a little confused meance to society who has a fatal flaw of being too loyal to the ones he loves. His story of not fitting in and his relationship with his mum Sally is everything to me. I haven't read the series in a long time but I still truly love Percy.

Yeah my liking for characters is actually very basic. Majority of these characters are main characters but that doesn't mean I don't like talking about other characters I just like thinking about and analysing these characters way more also this list changes a lot of the time. Again thank you for the ask

[adamwatchesmovies]

The Plague Dogs (1982)

Although The Plague Dogs is often crushingly sad, I could actually see someone calling it their favorite movie. It isn’t exactly the kind of animated film you’d randomly watch but it’s so skillfully made it becomes uplifting despite the dour subject matter. Animal lovers beware, this one will likely have you in tears.

Rowf (Christopher Benjamin), a labrador-mix, and Snitter (John Hurt) a smooth fox terrier, are used for experimental purposes at an animal facility in the Lake District of north-western England. When they escape, they have to face the difficult realities of life in the wild: not only do they have to find food and shelter, but their former captors are after them.

Based on the novel of the same name by Richard Adams, The Plague Dogs makes its agenda clear from the start: vivisections and animal research for its own sake are morally wrong and needlessly cruel. The first scene shows Rowf paddling in a tank of water until he is exhausted and falls down into the water to drown. He is then revived by the “white coats” and brought back into his cage. The humans comment on how long the dog took to succumb to fatigue. Immediately, the scenario you just saw flashes through your mind over and over. We don’t know how many times Rowf was subjected to this experiment but it’s enough to have given him a phobia of water. At least you can sort of see why the scientists put Rowf through - in theory anyway. Not so much for Snitter. A brain operation performed on him makes him prone to sudden blindness and hallucinations. More than once, he is unable to discern whether the room he’s stepped in is a new place, the home of his former master (whose death he blames on himself) or the laboratory he escaped from. What purpose could that procedure serve?

You’re starting on a downer with the two emotionally or physically damaged animals. Then, they escape. You think maybe the film will get a little lighter in tone… but it doesn’t. There are very few- if any - moments of respite as the dogs contest with the cold and hunger. We’ve seen many films with talking animals. Most of the time, if you really take a long, hard look at these stories, you’ll see that the animals are not real animals. They’re merely people in costumes given ticks that make them resemble our four-legged friends. Not here. When Rowf and Snitter see snow, they don’t understand what it is. When they encounter other dogs, they struggle to comprehend why they watch over sheep. There is so much about the world they don’t understand that you doubt they’ll make it through the winter - even with the help of The Tod (voiced by James Bolam), a fox who agrees to teach them to hunt in exchange for a share of their kills.

There's a glimmer of hope in The Plague Dogs. It has to do with the protagonists' escape and what it will mean for the animals remaining in the facility. As Rowf and Snitter encounter people, rumors that they carry the bubonic plague (hence the title) reach the media. The longer they evade capture, the more unwanted attention is directed toward the laboratory from which they escaped. It’s not much and writer/director Martin Rosen even doubles down on the tragedy by changing the ending of the book - in what I would call a good move because it feels truer to the story.

Before you start thinking that this film isn’t for you, that it’s too much of a downer, know that The Plague Dogs does not lump all of humanity together. Several people are very sympathetic towards the dogs. It’s just that unfortunately, their hands are often tied or that they are unable to do anything but leave the animals alone. Also, understand that this film was made in 1982. This is a movie that's been seen and that has moved people. This guarantees that things have improved significantly since.

The Plague Dogs is likely to make you cry. At the very least, it will make you sad and upset. On the right day, that might be exactly what you’re looking for. On every other, it’s a well-made film that makes you think and that ending - it’s unforgettable. (On Blu-ray, January 20, 2023)

[risingfire17-the-weeb-trash]

40 Day Anime Challenge  Day 19- Something you ship that makes absolutely no sense: Alice Liddell and Peter White from Alice in the Country of Hearts (2011)

Synopsis (paraphrased from fandom.com: Alice Liddell is kidnapped to  Wonderland and thrust into a "game," where the only way to return home is to get acquainted with Wonderland’s denizens. However, her attractive, weapon happy new friends are embroiled in a power struggle that may kill her first!

Warning: I know this is a post about anime, but in this case I will say DON’T WATCH THE ANIME! They adapted a 10-route otome game that took a 6-volume manga and 9 spin off series into an 85-minute movie. Needless to say, it’s terrible. Play the game or read the manga.

*MAJOR Spoilers Ahead*

Yes, Peter kidnapped Alice and brought her to this dangerous world. Yes, he constantly disrespects her boundaries. (To be fair, so do most of the other characters.) And yes, his attitude is really annoying. So, why do I ship this?

All based on a headcannon that isn’t even true. Peter was the only one who saw Alice in her world, and it’s explained in the manga that he brought Alice to Wonderland to rescue her from a tragedy in her world, that she doesn’t remember that her sister Lorina is dead, and that in order to bring her there, she couldn’t remember him from the Sunday afternoons in her world. My musings started when @sailorstarr-chan4​ told me she believes Alice killed her sister, which is why she feels guilt about her sister but cannot remember that she’s dead. And it made so much sense I couldn’t let it go.

Now, why would Alice kill her sister? We know she constantly compares herself to her sister and has incredibly low self esteem, and that she was dumped for her sister. Given Alice’s character, I don’t think these motivations alone are enough for her to kill her sister. However, let’s think about the life of the real Alice Liddell. She was the middle child of a well to do family, and thus routinely ignored. She received romantic attention from Lewis Carroll when she was 10. Something happened that led her parents to cut contact with him, and while that something has never become public knowledge, the rumors about it ended her engagement to the love of her life, Prince Leopold. Looks to me like someone was abused as a child and blamed for it later. So back to our anime/manga/game, why would her sister be the target of her rage? My theory is more fleshed out in this fic I wrote, but read the trigger warnings first!

But, after reading Peter’s spin-off and playing his route, I found no evidence to support either theory. In fact, his route didn’t even mention that Lorina was dead. But then I read this true end summary, and while her sister is confirmed dead, neither me or Star’s theories are true. The truth is actually way more boring. She blames herself for Lorina’s death (who died of illness) but blames herself after being blamed by her younger sister Edith simply because she cannot cry at the funeral. Just because she processes grief differently, she is blamed and blames herself. That’s the despair that Peter wanted to save her from when he kidnapped her. I mean, I’m glad she didn’t go through what I thought she did, but still...kind of underwhelming.

So, that’s basically why I ship Alice and Peter, because in my mind, he’s the one who saves her from trauma. And he still is, it’s just not as dramatic as I thought. And by bringing her to the Country of Hearts and making her forget the truth, he’s impeding her ability to process her grief and move forward, so really, how much of a hero is he to her? I ship them because I see Peter as Alice’s hero, but that opinion doesn’t make much sense anymore.

Also, the true ending shows that Nightmare had a role in bringing Alice to the Country of Hearts, and it’s unclear who’s idea it was originally to bring her there, so who is really her “savior?” And it’s revealed that all the characters loved her and tried to make her happy because of what she’d been through. So, if everyone knew, then any of them could have been with her based on my trauma bonding/healing ship dynamic. 

HOWEVER...I still ship it.

[anthroparis]

can you go more in depth on why you hated the barbie movie, i thought it was mid but i somewhat enjoyed it. mostly because i took an edible before going. also i love your blog for how angsty and opinionated you are

I would love to! and thank you, I try not to be so edgy (I used to be worse) but I am very opinionated and as my hero ron swanson said, if you believe in something, you sign your name to it.

Intro

"Hollywood is unoriginal and they love money" -ralph sepe, j.r.

thesis: my problem is more that it's probably one of the most soulless and offensive takes on feminism I have seen in my life, and people keep dragging its rotting corpse around on parade like it's accomplished literally anything.

like. come on.

actual movie parts

speaking on technical terms, I really fucking hated the pacing. so many random, useless points were brought up and then never developed. it's like gerwig didn't know what she wanted to say so she just said everything and never developed any of it. there were so many characters, plots and subplots, and conflicts in the movie and none had a good setup or payoff. like so much happened to the point where it feels like nothing happened at all. I'm not even quite sure what the point was? what were they even trying to say? women are powerful? it's okay to be a girl? aging is okay? like oh my god. I'm not saying you can't have a ton of themes, I'm saying that if you don't know how to make them work together and flesh them out enough, it's going to DESTROY your pacing. it was like watching fucking love on a leash with how many things started and ended right after one another.

okay those are my film school dropout gripes. now onto why this movie completely failed as a feminist story:

the feminism

it was a big-budget, star-packed movie made in hollywood

it's fucking barbie

"barbie was made to make women hate men" "barbie was made to empower women" BARBIE WAS MADE FOR MONEY. IF THE PRODUCERS DIDN'T THINK IT WAS GOING TO MAKE A PROFIT, THEY WOULDN'T HAVE MADE IT. IT WAS MADE TO SELL TICKETS. IT WAS MADE TO MAKE COMMERCIALS FOR. IT WAS MADE TO ADVERTISE MERCHANDISE.

it is actually literally not revolutionary at ALL to put money in a producer's pocket and more fast fashion in a landfill. stop pretending like it's feminism. it's not. it's capitalism that is preying on a demographic. congrats, you just fell victim to advertising!

okay now that that's said:

this is the kind of movie I imagine liberal parents would show their small children to introduce them to feminist theory. I saw someone on instagram saying that you shouldn't take your kids to this because it contains "themes that they might not understand" like fucking what? what themes? there was absolutely 0 nuance at all in that movie. nothing was symbolic or thematic, they literally just TOLD YOU WHAT WAS HAPPENING.

this is like if they made a picture book about feminism into a movie. I'm sorry but throwing around terms and buzzwords means literally nothing to me.

you want to write a powerful movie about defying gender roles, misogyny, and wanting to just exist without the weight of expectations? then write a fucking movie about a person. Whip It (2009) is an excellent example of a feminist movie that outsells barbie in every written regard, because it's not hamfisting these terms to fumble around a slightly progressive point, it's telling a story about a humanized, sympathetic character who is struggling with her own relationship to femininity. like I'm sorry, but there is nothing relatable about barbies. I am not flawlessly beautiful, I am not effortlessly successful. most women aren't.

which brings me to my next point: this movie is overly obsessed with the idea of being a woman rather than being a person who happens to be a woman.

I want to see movies about people. just people. not defined by their genders. exhibiting a wide range of traits, interests, experiences, feelings, memories. I don't want to see barbie's steps into ""real womanhood"" being going to a fucking gyno, because women are not defined by our pussies. believe it or not!

I strongly, STRONGLY disliked the really heavy-handed terfy messages in this movie. I understand that most people would not notice them but I do. I see that shit.

here I'll give you one: barbies who are not enlightened by their knowledge of their "womanhood" are brainwashed by the kens. WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT. I'm reaching here but the whole brainwashing bit is a super fucking terfy talking point about women who like men. I've heard it a lot as someone who engages in kink.

I'll give you another one: universal girlhood. to "free" the brainwashed barbies, the enlightened ones have to tell them about these things that "every women experiences!"

I remember watching this bit and not relating to a SINGLE thing that was listed. not ONE thing. I am a cis woman. but because I am gnc and was raised to be gnc, I could not relate to these experiences. I do not worry about gaining weight. I am not self-conscious of my stretch marks, and never have been. I am not afraid of being mean or loud when it's necessary.

again I identify as cis. I'm just gnc. I have constantly struggled with feelings of not being a girl in the right way. I imagine lots of other people feel the same thing. this constantly snivelly "well you have to fit THIS criteria to be a girl" nonsense is so fucking harmful to me, to trans women, to other girls who don't feel like they fit within traditional gender norms or struggle with feeling like they're not doing femininity right.

barbie gives us an incredibly narrow, specific window into femininity, and yes, actually, it does reinforce gender norms. there's not really anything revolutionary about being conventionally attractive, smart, and successful.

that's where I really struggle with this movie. it represents a very tiny, limited piece of womanhood and then packages and sends it off as the full picture. it's exclusionary. it's narrow-minded. it's incomplete. things just happen. things just happen!

nothing about this representation of womanhood felt organic to me. it literally felt like it was written by some guy. it had "heyyy queen I saw your tweet about how men are trash and I just wanted to let you know that I agree. although I myself am a man, (i know, ugh)" written all over it.

they were so close. SO close with that part where normal barbie feels like she's less valuable as a woman for not being successful. I like that point a lot, and would've liked to see a movie that focused around that instead. but it's just not not true. she's gorgeous. she's intelligent. she understands politics. she's confident. she has friends. measuring women's success through numbers is literally corporate feminism. it's bullshit.

I would like to see movies about women who are people. women who are flawed, not in the palatable, socially-acceptable way. not in a cute, fashionable way. I want gross girls, I want loud, mean girls, I want girls who exist for themselves. I want girls who are just getting by. I want girls who are impassioned, I want girls who scream and are messy and violent.

because these things are not gendered. let's stop acting like they are.

I am so fucking tired of corporate feminism. of this idea that feminism needs to be palatable to be taken seriously. that women are not naturally aggressive, or loud, or mean. that we are defined by our genitals.

nothing or worth or significance happened in that movie. the arguments about it are stupid

outro

"It just exists. It exists so they can make commercials for it. So that you can pay money to see it. Films aren't made just to exist"

-ralph sepe jr.

[randomblack-girl]

Astro notes 🧜🏾‍♀️

I noticed Saturn in the 9th house might show signs of religious issues like maybe religious beliefs were pushed onto them when they were young and this made them dislike religion or feel uncomfortable with it. I have this placement and I hate when people start talking to me about religion. Especially to fix my problems like girl God isn't gonna fix my crippling depression...enough

This could also show signs of going to college late or not wanting to. Maybe being conservative? But I haven't seen that, quite the opposite surprisingly.

Jupiter in the first house come off as nerdy or like they know a lot or very ditzy maybe both.

I've noticed sag risings, degrees, or jupiter rising have eye problems.

Saturn in the 6th house like to go on diets or they just do for some reason. And they stick to it they take their health seriously probably work out often too.

Pisces venus/5th house love anything with romance, fantasy, magic and spiritual stuff like Crystals. Here's some recommendations for yall 😍

Caraval by Stephanie Garber I love this book SO MUCH just read all 3 books and her other series once upon a broken heart eats too

Idc imma put it here...The Selection series and I don't wanna hear no slander 🙅🏾‍♀️

Now you see me- the movie I just watched it and omg why is it so good !?

I think the 5th house talks about music taste along with venus. My sister has a sag venus and listens to music in Spanish she also has Uranus in her 5th house and listens to pop. And I'd say music that isn't mainstream she loves Rina Sawayama and Rosalia.

I have pisces venus in my 5th house and I listen to mostly pop-indie music. I'm a pop and rnb girlie. I don't listen to mainstream music really and I kinda write mainstream artists off sometimes. My favorite artists are probably tyler the creator and willow. I also don't really "stan" anyone I really just listen to whatever is good. I rarely stick to an artist or have a favorite. I listen to one or two songs by one artist usually then move on its rare for me to like most of their music. I noticed something similar with my sister.

I have lilith in the 11th house and tell me why damn near my whole grade hated me 😻🤭. It was mostly guys too and I also experienced cyber bullying.

Lilith in the 6th house might show issues with their health or body. I knew someone who has this placement and they have diabetes. But it could just mean being insecure about their body.

Lilith in the 11th house are the ones sending and getting n*des too like unsolicited pictures or sexual comments. Maybe they do s*x work online or thought of it. Anything negative or sexual that includes the internet. Omg this placement reminds me of Kat from Euphoria!! Damn no wonder I related to her 💀

Chiron in the 9th house might show religious trauma. This is the placement for people who grew up in the black church...iykyk.

Venus in the 2nd house have nice lips like plump and little with a prominent cupids bow. My sister has this placement and she has such cute lips!

Capricorn rising and Saturn aspects to the asc tend to be skinny the type to eat whatever and never gain weight. It could be an insecurity I have Saturn square my asc and I've always been insecure about being skinny. I've also noticed they can be tall or look tall. Basically the tall and lanky type.

8th house neptune/pisces idk but something with drugs. May become addicted to substances, die from them, die in mysterious ways.

I knew someone with their sun in the 12th house and they talked about not knowing themself and being a different person to fit in.

Gemini moons love to read but they might struggle to actually read because of their other interests.

Moon in the 8th house might be like their mom. They might look like their mom or just be similar. Just a theory but maybe it would be like that with other planets like sun in the 8th house might be like the father, venus might be like their partner, mercury like their sibling. But I'm not sure.

Leo, 5th house placements, or sun dominant might love yellow, gold, and stuff with the sun. I'm sun dominant and love gold and sun jewelry I kinda refuse to wear silver unless I have to 🤭.

Moon people might love silver I know a guy who had moon in his first house who loved silver.

Capricorn rising/Saturn rising might have something with their bones. I know a guy who is cancer rising with Saturn in his first house who talked about getting silver grills. He also had pointy knees 😭 and his teeth were sharp, fang like? And he talked about hating them. He was also tall (he was so fine chile 😩) but we must stay focused!

Gemini men will tell you anything chile...I was dating (this was middle school so I don't really claim him but anyway) this guy with a gemini venus. He told me he was into black girls (whole time he's racist) and ended up cheating on me with a white girl 😭. Now again this was middle school so take it with a grain of salt ig.

Idc what planets but having a lot of planets in the 4th house is usually not a good thing 😬. Most people with this I've noticed had a traumatic childhood.

[storiesofsvu]

A Redemption Earned Ch 28

Heather Dunbar x reader Warnings: language, i think that's it?

It was only a few days later when you were making dinner and heard a quiet shriek from Heather’s office, Lily had sent a group text to her and Rob about meeting for a coffee over the weekend. While she had Cody with a sitter, the day still soared above expectations for all parties, a little bit of awkward conversation at first until everyone was relaxed and laughing and comfortable. A few days after that, they cleared schedules to grab coffee again, this time with Cody in tow and to walk through the park, probably stopping at the playground and Cody’s insistence.

You joined Heather this time, to give Cody more comfortability with a group of adults that he didn’t know yet. Becca had nothing better to do and wanted to burn off a little bit of energy, figuring that she could at least play kid with Cody if the older adults needed him distracted if a tricky subject came up. As much as you would always believe that chosen family bonds could be far stronger than actual family, you would say that it was the blood bond that made Cody so instantly comfortable with the Dunbar’s. He greeted you with a giant hug, and politely shook Heather and Rob’s hands, giving Heather an inquisitive look, trying to remember where he’d seen her before. Becca joined you at the entrance to the park and Cody instantly noticed her Frozen phone case, shrieking something about Olaf and the two of them were thick as thieves quoting the movie and discussing theories within minutes.

You were pleased to see that it wasn’t just a ‘grill Heather about making growth’ day and an actual every getting to know each other day. Lily talked about her past, her work, her family, some of the struggles of being a single mom. She asked about Heather and Rob’s careers, smiling at the work Rob had done with the clinic after Jordan’s death. Having someone else who knew Jordan around ended up bringing up a handful of stories about him as well, both him as a young adult, and as a child, and everyone agreed the childhood stories were far superior. Cody would jog back to the group every so often and ask a couple of questions, tell a little story, or even just to show them a really cool bug he found before running off again. He dragged Becca out onto the playground – much to Lily’s relief— for multiple rounds of tag and other fun while the adults finished off their coffees and watched. By the end of round four he’d hopped up onto Becca’s back in a piggy back and instructed her back over to the group.

“Mom can we have pizza for dinner?” He asked with a pleading smile and Lily chuckled.

“We had pizza last night.”

“Chicken nuggets?”

“Only if it’s with veggies.” She replied and he seemed to be thinking it over for a minute before he accepted the deal.

“Okay!” He proceed to climb off Becca’s back and scrambled into Lily’s arms as she propped him on her hip.

“Are you hungry now? You wanna go?” She asked, tickling at his back and he nodded.

“But one more thing first.” He requested and she let out a little sigh, thinking he was about to try to rope everyone into a round of tag or the floor is lava. Instead, he turned to the other adults, “Ms. Heather, you were at dad’s grave last week, did you know him?”

“Uh…” Heather glanced toward Lily who gave her a soft smile and an encouraging nod, signifying she was okay with the truth right off the bat, “I did. Your dad,” she gestured between herself and Rob, “was our son.”

Cody’s brow furrowed for a moment before he glanced to Lily, “I know how family trees work, we did them in art class. Your mom and dad are gramma and grampa.”

“Yup.” She gave him a little squeeze, “and these are your dad’s parents. And Becca was your dad’s sister.”

“So I have two grammas and two grampas like Parker does?”

“You do.” Lily nodded, “but just so no one gets confused we’re gonna call these guys Mimi and Pops, if you like that?”

“Yeah!” He beamed, scrambling down out of her arms to race across and give a big group hug to Heather and Rob. Neither of whom could help the misting in their eyes at the entire exchange and how smoothly things were going.

When you left the park that day, there was a plan for a visit to Rob’s house the following weekend, Cody had heard something about a dog in passing and was in dire need to meet it. With the help of you and Becca, Rob did a quick shopping trip to make sure that he had enough stuff to keep Cody occupied. He already had a couple of video game consoles from playing with Jordan and Becca but picked up some more child friendly games and a couple of extra remotes. He went a little all out in the play sports section, thinking it would be nice to spend some time in the yard, and made sure to pick up a couple of new toys and treats for Steve as well. The day was a smashing success, Cody showing off some of his t-ball skills while Steve played catcher, thankfully Cody didn’t care at all that the ball got covered in dog slobber. In general there was just a lot of running and playing to burn off energy in the back yard before dinner, made by Lily and Heather. Becca managed to get there right in time to get a plate before a couple rounds of Mario Party got played and somehow Cody came out the champion of two outta three rounds.

The entire process was repeated the next weekend at Heather’s. You’d tried your best to convince her she didn’t need the entire backyard playset, saying they were a huge pain to put up and take down and she reminded you she had people to do that for her. She did do her best to not go overboard on the books, toys and movies though, reminding herself that this wasn’t some kind of competition with Rob, it was just to make sure Cody was comfortable and had fun. He spent most of the afternoon playing outside, it was clear that he was an only child, a vivid imagination and he was totally fine being by himself. Though that didn’t stop him from dragging you into a couple of sword matches, and he was more than happy to settle down in the living room to colour with Heather while he rambled on telling her any and all stories he could think of. You took the lead on dinner this time, giving Heather as much grandson time as you could before setting the table. Becca showed up in time for dessert, helping you with the dishes before everyone regrouped to watch Toy Story before dispersing for the night.

There were a few quick dinners, park dates, movie theatre trips throughout the next couple of weeks. Rob, Lily and Cody took a nice trip to the zoo filled with lots of laughs, fun pictures, ice cream and far too much time in the petting zoo. Cody requested the aquarium with Mimi the next weekend and had a blast looking at everything and running through the space. It varied on who was involved, not every meet up was an entire family occasion, breaking up the time accordingly and with who Cody wanted to see and who else was available. You were around for what you could be, but also wanted to give Heather the more solo time for Cody to really get to know her.

Your presence, without an official title or connection to Jordan did pique the curiosity of Cody and while at home eating dinner with Lily one night he asked about why Mimi and Pops didn’t live in the same house. She reminded him about the talks they’d had about different families, how Carter’s mom and dad didn’t live together, but he still spent weekends with his dad a couple of times a month. Cody then mentioned something about how you and Heather held hands and Lily explained that you were partners. He asked if you were in love and she said you were to which he said ‘that’s good. Ms. Summers is my favourite teacher, I’m glad she’s in love.’ Lily couldn’t help but smile, feeling extra proud of her son and made sure to give him extra chocolate sauce on his ice cream for dessert.

**

Heather was sat at the dining room table as she tied up some loose ends on a case, working through paperwork with a glass of wine. You’d disappeared upstairs after dinner; she figured you just needed a bit of time to yourself after a long day at work and hadn’t questioned it. She heard you coming down the stairs and was ready to put away work but you crossed the living room to dig through your purse for your keys, picking up a cardigan from the back of the couch.

“Going somewhere?” She asked and you nearly jumped, figuring she was in the home office.

“Yeah.” You let out a sigh, “I refilled my meds last week, but I grabbed the wrong bottle when I packed. They’re sitting on my kitchen counter, I’ve gotta run home quick. You need anything while I’m out?”

“No. Thank you though.” She smiled softly and you couldn’t help but return one to her. You let out another little sigh, moving towards her, wrapping your free arm around her and dropping a kiss to the top of her head. Her free hand rubbed at your arm as she hummed happily turning her head to kiss your shoulder. You stayed there for a moment, lingering to delay your leaving, even temporarily.

“Isn’t this getting a bit redundant?” You asked and she paused in her work.

“You’d be surprised just how much seemingly useless paperwork lawyers have to do.” She replied and you let out a huff of a laugh, dropping into the chair beside her.

“No. I mean this constant back and fourth between houses. I know we agreed on it so we could each be in our own ‘space’ on a regular basis but we’ve started waiting longer between switching, and our stuff is so scattered between places it’s hard to remember where things even are now.”

“What are you saying?” Her brow furrowed, hand sliding across the table to hold yours.

“I’m finished with my renos, I’ve upgraded that place and could probably get more than it was originally worth on the market. Why don’t I just sell and move in here? I’m here all the time and we’re always together anyways. Cody’s comfortable here, he’s got his toys and that treehouse thing in the yard, it just makes the most sense.” You explained and she practically beamed at you.

“I think that’s an absolutely lovely idea.”

“Really?”

“Yes.” She leant in to steal a kiss from you, “though as much as I adore the thought of truly living with you, I’m not sure if I want you moving in here.”

“Why? Your house is way nicer.”

“More like I want to live somewhere with you that is ours. Somewhere that’s uniquely and equally both of ours together.”

“This part of that whole making sure you’re not in total control thing from therapy?”

“That.” She laughed, “and the fact that I do want it to be something we choose and own together.”

“I dunno if my bank account can keep up with your lavish tastes.” You teased and she rolled her eyes, “Heat… the first family home you ever bought was an eleven million dollar mansion…”

“Point taken.” She chuckled, “I’m sure we’ll be able to find some middle ground, and we can work out the finances then. When do you think you’d want to move?”

“Summer would be best.” You thought for a moment, “it’s not that far off and would give us the time to go through things and decide what we’d keep for a new place. Most of the furniture I have came with the place, I wouldn’t be offended to sell or donate it.”

“Alright.” She smiled, leaning in to press a gentle kiss to your lips, “I’ll call my real estate agent in the morning, see what they’ve got on the market. Are you alright staying in the Chevy Chase area?”

“Yeah, course.” You nodded, “everyone lives up here already, it’s nice to be close to family, and it’s a pretty quick drive to the school.”

“Perfect.” Heather smiled once again and you could feel the love radiating off her.

Before you could say anything else, both of your phones pinged at the same moment. Yours was across the room, so you looked to Heat for which of the group chats was going off. It turned out to be the ‘parental’ one, shared with the two of you, Rob and Lily.

Lily:

‘Cody is asking if it would be possible to sleepover at Pop’s place this weekend? Well, he actually asked for a massive sleepover with everyone at Mimi’s, but everyone includes Steve and I wasn’t sure that was going to happen.’

Heather:

‘Yeah this is an animal free zone. But I am more than happy to head to Rob’s to play some games and help out.’

Rob:

‘I’m so on board! And so is Steve! Becca’s in Europe right now though, so there will unfortunately be no auntie to hangout with.’

Heather:

‘Yn says she thinks she can kinda fill that role?’

Lily:

‘Okay! Perfect! I’ll get him packed and fed after school, what’s the best time to drop him off?’

Rob:

‘Let’s say seven?’

Lily:

‘Sounds great. I’ll pick him up Sunday around noon?’

Rob:

‘Sounds good.’

Heather:

‘Enjoy your solo weekend.’

Lily:

‘oh believe me, I will!’

Heather put the phone down and turned to you with a small smile, “do you think it would be too much if I arranged a maid service for her? To make sure she doesn’t spend her first weekend without Cody in years cleaning?”

“Maybe ask her first?” You shrugged, “she might not want anyone else in the house. Or get them to come Friday when Cody’s at school and she’s at work, so she’s got a clean house to come home to?”

“That’s a better idea. I’ll call her tomorrow.” She nudged at your side gently, “now you get going. I don’t want you to get too tired to drive home and not pick up your meds and deal with a migraine tomorrow.”

“Alright, alright. I’m going.” You chuckled, stealing one last kiss before you scooped up your keys and darted from the house.

________________

@ms-calhoun @naturalxselection @yesterdaysgone @hbkpop @giftedchildturns40 @anya-casablanca @svulife-rl  @swimmingstudentchaos891 @alexusonfire @jamiethetrans @red1culous @oliviaswifey @mysticfalls01 @cmmndrwidw @bumblebear30 @svushots @yourtaletotell @cerberus-spectre @emskisworld @ex-uallyactive @addictedtodinosaurs @imaginaryoperagloves @multifandomlesbianicc @annegilletteslostwh0r3 @bookpillows @drduckthief @whimsicallymad @mmmmokdok @ladysc @momlifebehard @mmemalwa @holycrapraewth @poisonedcrowns @wannabe-fic-reader @when-wolves-howll @dead-of-niight @fighterkimburgess @lannister-slings-and-arrows @borg-queerr @godard-muse  @itisdoctortoyousir @brooklynmhm @nobody-important1212 @emilyprentiss4life @httpjupiterbby

[mgmoments]

Growing Into Your Own

Diavolo | Obey Me!

Muscle growth, muscle worship, macro

Warning, NSFW

Your time spent with Diavolo was always some of your favorite. When you first arrived, little did you realize that the Lord of the Devildom would quickly become not only one of your closest friends, but even something a little more.

It wasn't uncommon for Diavolo to summon you to his opulent home for coffee, tea, or simply to spend the evening talking with you. Barbatos never seemed to mind the extra company, likely because it was good for the Master of the house to have someone else to talk to. That, and you were fairly good about cleaning up after yourself.

Today was no different. Diavolo had summoned you to his office to chat while he finished paperwork. Something seemed slightly off, however. You were never really one to notice the smaller details, but you couldn't help but take note at every time Diavolo tugged at his collar or attempted to pull his sleeves down.

"Dia, is something wrong? You've been tugging at your suit a ton since I got here," you asked, curious. He simply smiled.

"Ah, no no. Nothing's wrong. It's just...a touch tight. I suppose Barbatos must have shrunk it in the wash!"

"I assure you, I did not such thing Master Diavolo," Barbatos stated, entering the room to refill Diavolo's tea. "There is...another matter of concern. Perhaps our guest should depart so we might discuss this matter privately?"

Diavolo seemed ready to protest, but a sharp glance from Barbatos quieted him before he had the chance. He sighed. "I suppose it is getting late. I'll see you again tomorrow, yes? We can have one of those 'slumber parties' you said humans like to have!"

You laughed, but Diavolo simply beamed his bright smile. With no reason to protest, you gathered your things and headed back to the House of Lamentation. You couldn't help but wonder what exactly the two needed to discuss, however. Even more confusing is how it could possibly be related to Diavolo's clothing being tight.

"I'll be Barbatos just didn't wanna admit he messed up in front of ya," Mammon said at dinner that night. "Dude's obsessed with perfection, he just didn't want ya to think he was anythin' less than perfect."

Mammon squealed as Lucifer smacked him in the back of the head with a rolled up paper.

"There is a good enough reason why they needed to discuss matters without a human present, Mammon. It has little to do with perfection. It simply is not their business, or yours for that matter."

"Then you know what they're talking about?" You asked, knowing that Lucifer wouldn't tell you even if he did know. The frown that settled on his face was answer enough.

"Unfortunately," he replied, "Whatever this issue is it is one they've decided does not concern me. It is worth stating that Diavolo has been complaining about his clothing for some time now, at least a week. I'm surprised that it just now became an actual issue. Regardless, we all need to keep our noses out of royal Devildom business. Am I understood?"

You and all the brothers gave a quick nod. Lucifer smiled, and dinner continued. Despite everything, you couldn't shove the issue out of your head. In a way it was almost exciting to think about all the possibilities. Your mind raced with theories as you drifted off to sleep.

You returned to Diavolo's castle later the next day, only to be greeted by the towering demon dressed in a dragon onesie.

"What do you think?" he asked, turning around to show off the fine details, "I heard that humans dress in fun nightwear for events such as these, so I had Barbatos make this special. Is it nice?"

"I love it, Dia," you said with a smile, laughing at Diavolo's antics, "It suits you. Though, I see you more as a teddy bear than a dragon myself."

Diavolo smiled, and wrapped you in a massive hug.

Demons, on average, were already larger than humans. Even the relatively short Mammon and Asmodeus were still both slightly taller than you. Large demons like Beel and Diavolo, however, towered over you. You always considered yourself lucky that they were so kind, because you could only wonder how things would be if these two titans decided to use their size against you.

Diavolo's strong hand enveloped your own as he led you to his home theater like am excited child. He gleefully informed you of all the movies and snacks he had planned for the two of you as you both settled down into massive beanbags. Your seat didn't last long, however, as you were soon sitting comfortably in Diavolo's lap with his arms wrapped around you.

You both sat in quiet comfort watching some cheesy romcom when you felt something throb beneath you. You were taken aback- Diavolo wasn't the type to be...like that. Then you felt it again, realizing that Diavolo's legs appeared to be tensing up. Looking up to him, you noticed him wincing slightly. A small groan escaped his lips.

"Dia...? Everything ok?"

"Y-yeah. I...I think my legs are asleep is all. Let me just...urgh....stand up."

You rose from Diavolo's lap as he rose to unsteady legs. You couldn't help but feel like he looked slightly larger than before. It was subtle, but it was almost as if his onesie had begun to cling to him where it had once hung off of him.

Diavolo groaned again and nearly stumbled over as Barbatos entered the room with a new tray of food. Barbatos quickly placed the tray down and rushed to his master's side to hold him up.

"Is Dia ok, Barbatos? He seems out of it."

"The Master has simply been overworking himself recently, that's all. Exhaustion is beginning to get to him."

"No, Barbatos," Diavolo groaned, "It's finally coming, I just can't hold it back any longer. We need to be honest with them. They'll find out soon enough anyway."

"..Very well," Barbatos said, turning towards you. Diavolo sat back down as Barbatos began to speak.

"Lord Diavolo, as you are well aware, is lord of the Devildom. It is more than a title. You may consider it...something like a race. He is unlike the other demons you've met here. He is far more powerful, not simply because of his station but because he is naturally more inclined towards power. Part of his natural aging involves what you humans could almost consider a second puberty, a period of time when he finally fully matures and can be considered ready to take the crown of the Devildom for his own."

"What does...what does that actually involve?" you asked, watching Diavolo breathe heavily in his seat.

"You may have noticed the young Master tugging at his clothing recently. It's been a slow process thus far, but part of this evolution involves Lord Diavolo increasing drastically in physical size. This is no longer common knowledge, but Lord Diavolo's father was large enough to completely fill this room. Lord Diavolo will likely be that size when this process is completed, and based on what we are currently seeing, the process will be completed tonight."

"Wait, hold on! You're saying Dia is gonna completely fill this room tonight? Sure he's big, but he's nowhere close to being that big."

"It will cease being a slow process soon enough. Lord Diavolo is entering the final stage, and it will all happen relatively quickly. I recommend-"

Before Barbatos could finish, Diavolo let out a large groan. Both you and Barbatos' eyes snapped towards the demon prince as his entire body began to tremble and pulsate. The sound of tearing fabric began to fill the room as Diavolo's body began to push outwards in all directions. The onesie struggled to hold on as Diavolo's body began to tear through it, each muscle increasing in size and thickness. His feet were first to break free, tearing away Diavolo's slippers with his toes curling in seeming pain. His arms and legs followed, his swelling biceps and thighs tearing through the cloth like it was merely tissue paper. As each second passed, Diavolo's body grew larger and large with more and more muscle packing onto his steadily taller frame. His groans slowly became moans. The process was clearly no longer painful.

Sure enough, Diavolo's cock broke free of his pants and flopped about in front of him, throbbing half-erect. He breathed heavily as pre began to drip from the tip, the cock continuing to grow with his body. You felt your cheeks grow hot, embarrassed to watch the obscene display but finding yourself aroused by the process.

"L-love," Diavolo panted, his horns and wings erupting from his head and back, "p...please..."

You looked to Barbatos who was nowhere to be seen. With no one to tell you otherwise, you climbed Diavolo's powerful thighs and placed yourself atop his expanding lap. You wrapped your own legs around his cock, the entire thing reaching up to your chin, and began to stroke it gently with both hands. You carefully ran both hands over the tanned skin, feeling every muscle and tendon in the cock with care before steadily picking up the pace. The cock stood at attention, and Diavolo's entire body shuddered in response. Without thinking you placed your mouth around the tip as best as you could, and began licking. Diavolo moaned in ecstasy as the cock throbbed with newfound power in your mouth. You felt the pressure within slowly build until it erupted outwards. Unable to remove your head in time, a large amout of Diavolo's seed found its way into your mouth before you were thrown backwards from the force of the eruption. The cock continued to let loose powerful stream after stream of semen until the room was nearly completely covered in it. When the stream finally abated, you felt the massive body beneath you begin to relax.

You, however, were not finished. You rose from the cock and began to admire the rest of Diavolo's newly massive body. You ran each hand over his powerful new muscles, tracing every curve and line and taking the time to appreciate every individual muscle. Diavolo's body shuddered again as you reached his chest and rubbed each of nipples. A small moan escaped his lips. Eventually he seemed satisfied with your worship, and cupped you in a massive hand. Next thing you knew, you were sitting on his palm in front of his movie screen sized face, his golden eyes looking at you with adoration.

"Are you ok, my little love? I hope this all didn't come as too much of a shock to you."

You simply smiled, and brought your lips to his. The two of you exchanged the closest thing to a kiss you could, Diavolo's lips nearly engulfing your entire head. You pulled back and smiled at one another.

"I would like to apologize for ruining our sleep over, my love. And for...my unseemly behavior. Please do not think worse of me for it, and please know that even now I will never do anything to hurt you."

You knew. You'd known for nearly a year now that Diavolo would never harm you. If nothing else, tonight had simply shown you how much he truly cared for you. Life moving forward would be different for you both, but you never were one for doing things the normal way. You settled down in Diavolo's warm palm as something deep within your body began to shudder...

[thegrantwater]

how the team handled reid's addiction/recovery

//tw for mentions of drug abuse, addiction, overdose, recovery; gonna be a bit of a long one//

~ reid knew that gideon, no matter how much he cared for him, would never do anything to help him. everything with frank was haunting his mind, and he was far too distracted to really notice how much reid was struggling, but gideon knew that he was using

~ after about 2 weeks from his abduction, he'd been using steadily every day, and hotch was the first member of the team to notice him slipping to the bathroom more than usual during the day.

~ that night after the rest of the team had left, hotch went to gideon and asked if reid had said anything about the abduction, to which gideon gave a noncommittal grunt of "he's stressed, he just died. cut the kid a break"

~ so hotch kept an eye out, off-handedly mentioned that he was there for reid if he ever needed anything

~ 3 weeks and 4 days after he spoke to gideon, he was woken up at 2 am to a frantic call from reid, saying hankel was in his house and was going to hurt his mom. he can't remember the last time he drove that fast, but when he got to reid's apartment he saw the other man shaking and crying on the floor of his bathroom, the tourniquet still tied around his arm and a near-empty bottle of dilaudid next to him. he immediately went into dad-hotch mode, got him a glass of water and just sat with him while he cried.

~ reid wrapped himself around hotch and sobbed, begging him not to report this to anyone because "you guys are my family, i can't lose you, you're all i have" and hotch just lets him, petting his hair and promising him that he won't say anything

~ from then on hotch became the person reid called if it ever got too bad, because he was the only one who he was certain wouldn't judge him. he knew the others would be more than willing to help, but it scared him to be so open with even hotch, let alone the entire team.

~ and hotch keeps his word, he never says anything outright to anyone else on the team. but he does mention to them, on a day reid called in sick, that he's struggling right now and they all need to be there for him. gideon knows, but he never speaks up.

~ penelope and derek were the first after hotch to step up and see what they could do. penelope was the one to finally realize he was using, and when she proposed the theory to derek it took everything in him not to go up and grip reid by the shoulders, shake some sense into him and beg for a way to help him get better, because he just couldn't stand seeing his best friend so hurt.

~ so instead of being overly dramatic about it, they decide that they'll invite him to their weekly movie night and snuggle up on penelope's couch and watch shitty comedies that derek rented from blockbuster until 1 am. spencer falls asleep between them and sleeps soundly for the first time in months, his hand still in the popcorn bowl.

~ after them was emily, who knew all too well what a drug-addled young man looked like. she saw traces of matthew in reid, and was determined to make sure that he didn't turn out the same, because this time she would do something.

~ she started to bring him coffee and danishes in the morning, knowing that he likely wasn't eating nearly as much as he should've been. it was more casual at first, only once a week or so saying "they made extra at the coffeeshop" and placing it on his desk before he could argue. but before long, they were eating breakfast together every morning, and some days even meeting up at a cafe or diner to talk about an obscure french novel they'd both read.

~ jj was the last one to notice something was off about reid, struggling with her own trauma from hankel. she was still blaming herself for him even getting taken, so despite her best efforts to look out for him she barely even noticed when he got bad. after hotch said something to them at the roundtable, she kept a closer eye out for him.

~ she wasn't even sure that she completely understood what was really going on with reid, she just knew that her friend was struggling and that she needed to help him in any way she could. so she started letting him ramble on whatever topic his brain focused on that day, and she did her best to try and understand what he was talking about. she even asked penelope to look up some of the science theories he was talking about so that she could talk about them with him too. seeing how he lit up when someone actually listened made her heart burst.

~ spencer had a feeling, deep down, that they all knew what was going on with him. he also knew that hotch never said anything, just that the people he worked with were incredibly talented profilers and no matter his best efforts to hide from them they'd always know what was going on with him.

~ in fact, hotch never said anything outright to him either, after that first night. but he'd come and stay with reid on the really bad nights, and was the one to set him up at NA meetings, to get him a sponsor. he never made a big deal out of anything, but spencer knew that he probably cared the most out of anyone else on the team

~ and once he got better, started the recovery process, he slowly repaid the team for their kindness. he started paying for breakfast with emily, and hosted movie nights at his house every few weeks. he even watched a soccer match with jj, since that was something she cared about. he never had to do anything for hotch, because he just knew that nothing would ever be enough to show his gratitude. but he'd watch jack so he and haley could go on date nights, and picked up extra paperwork at the office. and it was enough.

//god this one hurt but it needed to be done, idk why but the only way reids recovery makes sense is if the team knew but just kept it on the dl for him and helped him in small ways, ways to make sure he knew they cared//