#being nice is the main tactic so now you know kids
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I mean. I wanna hear your ramblings about Zenith getting control over the player. Please?
You ask for Zenith I deliver <3
This is mainly if Zen knew about the mc + their amnesia when he's already at utira library (im going to say the infernal grunt that tries to kill Jaern at the start of the game but ends up dead is the one that informed him, phones technically exist so maybe he was able to tell him something when he saw the first augur's kid looking lost af and not even knowing who or what the second augur was).
Anyways .
Even if the mc has amnesia they have already learnt about the cults and Zenith does know this especially because them+Nora+Damian come to the library asking about the prophecy, so he wouldn't be able to mention anything cult-related.
He would literally just be very nice to the player and gain their trust that way just like he did w the people living in Oranos (and even if not as extreme also Utira). His popularity among the people would also make him seem more trustworthy so he wouldnt have a hard time gaining the players trustâ He would also try to separate the mc from Nora+Damian and probably make those two seem like bad people so that the mc stays away from them.
He wouldn't really need his powers at all either, if he wanted the mc to do something specific he could always just:
a: ask favours from the mc as exchange for favours he'd done for them (like helping them find the prophecy!)
b: gaslight them even more (?
c: peer pressure them into doing whatever tf he wants (since he CAN control everyone else)
Probably at some point he would slowly introduce them to the cult, not sure how he would manage that but oh well, he is a cult leader so definitely not the first time he's done that.
And fun fact: Even if the mc is immune to his powers bcs of Nyx, they arent immune to actual manipulation tactics so l o l . If Zenith knew they'd be immune to mind control from the start i can imagine he would've just gone the manipulating (tm) route.
#fun fact a long time ago (before Zenithâ) i got a hyperfixation on cults and how they actually convienced people to join#it was out of pure curiosity bcs i didnt understand how it could happen (now i know tho)#its very random that my favorite character is now a cult leader lmao#but at least i can apply the little things i remember đ#being nice is the main tactic so now you know kids#anyways back to insurgence. I can actually imagine Damian ending up joining infernal too out of pure pressure and bcs of the mc.#he is just very nice and i dont think Zenith would have a hard time manipulating him. Even with just threats in his case. I cry poor damian#Nora wouldnt tho#I dont think Zen wants her in his cult after she tells him to shut tf up tho lmAo.#i enjoy rambling abt zen ty very much anon#Ask Zheph
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I've had a realisation,
So, we all like to dunk on Akechi for having a stupid plan- which, well, yeah; but I think that a lot of people (whether they like Akechi's character or not) tend to miss the point:
That being, that the holes we all poke in his plan; "Why didn't he just kill Shido at the start?" "There's no way he'd live/be free after that," "His plan to ruin Shido's reputation would never work," are actually far more revealing as to Akechi's priorities, than they are of him just being 'stupid'.
For starters, "there's no way he'd live/be free after that." -as a fandom I think we've all already come to the conclusion that Akechi's regard for his own life is spotty at best. I wouldn't necessarily say that he wants to die by the time of the third semester, which really just adds to the tragedy of the whole situation, but I digress. Point is, the kid needs therapy, moving on.
"His plan to ruin Shido's reputation would never work," Ah, now this is where I think some cultural differences start to come in to play- I won't say much, since I'm relatively uninformed, but by the sounds of it, revealing that Shido has an illegitemate child is actually the kind of thing that would make a lot of people raise their eyebrows. And, more importantly, the kind of thing that would really throw his "easy election win" into some serious jeapordy. (AND, it's never exactly stated that "revealing himself as an illegitemate child" was Akechi's tactic to ruin Shido- more of a "hey, Shido, guess who it was that ruined you, you piece of shit?"- which, well, more on that mindset later)
Next, "Why didn't he just kill Shido from the start?" This is where I think a lot of people get tripped up. To my memory, there is not a single point in the engine room where Akechi says that killing Shido is the cornerstone of his plan (localisation differences notwithstanding. I'm sure someone will come yell at me (/lh) if this is the case). Now, to be fair, Akechi in the engine room is really just him giving a very desperate powerpoint while he sharpens his sword- so I don't doubt that he's skimming over a couple points. But, you'd think that Akechi would remember to mention that if that really was his main goal.
Okay, so Akechi doesn't want to kill Shido. Cool, follow-up question, "Why didn't he just give Shido a pshychotic breakdown from the start?" That's the kind of thing that would have ruined Shido's reputation, too, right? And, it would have been before he would have had the means to try and cover it up. Well, finally, I can get to my point:
Akechi needs Shido's disgrace to be loud, because he needs everyone else to care, too. Akechi's revenge isnt just against the man who left him and his mother for dead, but also against the society that continued to leave him for dead, again and again; the society that only lauded him as something special if he slapped some pretty wallpaper over the past he had absolutely no control over.
Looking at it like this does a lot of things:
First, it really amps up the whole "the PT's justice and Akechi's justice foil each other". Akechi's revenge is also a vehichle for revolution, since it is, in essence: "Look! Look at the man who you lauded as a saviour! Look at me, the man who brought him down. Aren't we both disgusting, in your eyes? Take a look at yourselves. Aren't we all the same?"
That leads pretty nicely into Akechi as a pawn for Yaldabaoth, too. Akechi wants to make sure he and Shido go out with a bang, and leave a shitshow in their wake. That's prime God of Control real estate! It's also prime "metaphor for Ruin" real estate; you get the point.
And, finally, an interesting point comes from all of this. That being, that, well- the only reason that Akechi's plan wasn't going to work, is that he placed too much stock in the idea that Shido has any concept of loyalty or gratitude. Shido, as we all know, is an absolute piece of shit- and still, Akechi had believed that maybe, just maybe, his father would feel bad for being terrible to his son.
(I'm not going to go on too big of a tangent, but that is an interesting insight into Akechi's idea of Justice, and into what his personas might represent. Contradiction, as ever, is the name of the game, and Akechi simultaneously believes that there's no way to get anywhere in life without force and violence, and that there is also a fundemantal truth of what is good and fair within human hearts)
The message of this, I'm pretty sure, is not: "Akechi failed because of that lingering belief in humanity" (wouldn't that be one hell of a heel-turn lmao), but rather: "Akechi, with his distorted (ha) priorities, was never going to be happy in any quest for vengeance, even if his plan succeeded entirely"
tl;dr, Akechi needs therapy. Wait- Maruki, no! Not that kind of therapy!
#persona 5#goro akechi#I'm sure someone has made a similar analysis of this before#but all my thoughts about p5 have for the most part just been me talking to myself- so I wanted to get this one down in writing lmao
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'Tis the dragon age season, and i am here with a DA Oc Lore Post.
Not about every single one of them (yet? question mark?) but a general...timeline. Mostly about Zea and Lora. An explanation of why i keep saying 'its honestly a wonder Zea turned out as well adjusted as they did'
putting it under the cut đ it got LONG (also, Veilguard Spoilers Tm closer to the end of the text, so uve been warned)
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So basically, in my heart in my mind all three of my DAO wardens exist at the same time:
Lora (elf mage), Nikolai (dwarf commoner) and Noel (human noble)
(for those unfamiliar with DAO, each of those have their own origin story. i linked the wiki but tbh tbh tbh i highly recommend playing DAO for urself instead. is it old with old graphics? yes. is it an absolute banger regardless? YES.
I tweaked a few things here n there for each of the backstories, but maybe i'll elaborate on that in a separate post. who knows!)
Anyway. Somewhere along the way the team would come across a village in the middle of a darkspawn attack. They get there early enough to save some people, but too late to save the village itself. You know, Blight things.
This is where they'd find Zea, who survived only because, well, turns out they're a mage! and the magic got triggered by the fact that they were sosososo scared. They are also 5 years old at that point in time.
Lora is the one who finds them, which is fortunate, because they DO try to hit her with some lightning. Which she's well-practiced with redirecting. (u know those big AOE elemental spells you can get in DAO? my main tactic while playing as Lora was to just stack those three on top of each other. So.)
Anyway, she calms them down n gets them out of the building that used to be their home. Whatever family they had is dead, and Lora does realize that
1. Zea is a mage
2. and also an elf
So the chances of them being raised in a nice loving environment are pretty low. And let's be honest, Lora would feel incredibly opposed to the idea of this little kid suffering any more than they already did (<- already getting attached)
It's like finding a blind baby bird on the ground and not being able to put it back in the nest.
Zea would also immediately latch onto Lora as the first like. Adult that they can rely on now that their own mother is gone. (i have not thought about their family too much, but leaning towards the idea that they were being raised by a single mother. )
Lora would make them feel safe, even if she isn't the best parental figure, being 19 (JUST had her Harrowing) and this being her first time in her memory that she gets to leave the mage tower and travel the world. And, you know, having to help stop the Blight. She's got a lot going on.
The initial plan is to either find someone in some town who could help, or give Zea to the dalish, possibly. Wynne suggests the mage circle, but Lora is very much against it, for reasons mentioned above. (and some others. like the fact that the Fereldan mage circle was just completely fucking wrecked.)
But they don't find anyone in town, and by the time they get to the dalish everyone kind of decides that it's not been too bad, actually, and maybe the kid should stay with them. Especially because Zea would probably (definitely) cry a lot if they were to be left somewhere with yet another bunch of unfamiliar people.
Zea is pretty much being raised communally. Nikolai is actually the one who's the best at being a parental figure, as Lora...again, does not think of herself as a parent for the longest time. (Which, who can blame her, really)
And Noel is. Well. Noel.
A brief aside.
Zea, being 5, is old enough to remember things from before the darkspawn attack. They would know
their name and surname
exactly two lines from a song their mother used to sing to them when they were scared or upset
enough of their childhood for the memories of it to haunt them on n off forever âď¸
along with other things that will fade away with time, like their mother's face and what her voice sounded like. etc.
Anyway, that is to say, they will develop a habit of singing those two lines from the song to themself when they need to calm down or distract themself or the like. A self-soothing method, if u will. (<- link to a thing i drew about it)
I have this image in my head of this toddler noticing that Lora is having a rough time at some point (maybe just got woken up by one of those archdemon nightmares) and coming over to sing it to her....because even at that young age, they want to help (foreshadowing)
(the song is actually this one bcs those two lines got stuck in my head while i was playing DATV for the first time n then i was like hey. i could use that....... the specific lines are from 0:37 - 0:49, if u care)
Anyway.
The wardens do what wardens do and end the 5th Blight. Yuppie!
The group splits, with some going their own ways, and some sticking together.
Nikolai and Alistair become like the Normal Uncles to Zea, who occasionally babysit them when Lora is off in the deep roads or whatever.
As for their primary caretakers. well.
My opinions have changed many times over the years regarding the question of Who Would Lora Romance.
At first the answer was. No one.
And then i thought it would be really funny if it was Zevran.
And THEN i thought that it would be even funnier if Noel was their occasional third.
She is the cool aunt who comes over a few times a year to give Zea the most expensive ass gift and to flirt with their parents and then fuck off again.
So Zea is essentially being raised by Thedas' weirdest polycule.
No wonder they can't help but disrespect authority. And. Well. [gestures vaguely in their direction] Other Things.
Now, you can sigh with relief, i'm not going to describe every year that follows.
But there are a few Key Events.
1: The Accident
As mentioned before, Lora did not really consider herself a parent. She wasn't cold to Zea or anything, but she did not take a lot of responsibility, and also did not consider how much her actions and demeanor might influence Zea. Who, let's be honest, would kind of end up idolizing the lot of them, but Lora especially.
So, a couple of years after DAO ends (or maybe During? I haven't quite decided yet, but it's before they turn 8), Zea gets it into their head to try and imitate not-mama.
They've seen her stand in the middle of a lightning storm she summoned on the battlefield, and they were like. Well, lightning kinda comes easier than other things, so let me try that too!
And it goes terribly wrong.
They end up almost dying, but Lora is quick enough to react and get them help. (Which, it had to have been someone else. Maybe Wynne. Because I don't think Lora would know or be any good at healing magic, and I'm SURE she felt so normal about that fact in that moment.)
And this is the event that really hits her over the head with the realization of just how much influence she has on the kid.
So, when Zea recovers, Lora takes it upon herself to teach them how to use magic Properly. Which, hey, ends up working out great.
This is kind of a pivotal moment for her, because she realized just how attached she's gotten, and how easy it would be to lose them. And if she becomes a bit over-protective for the next few years...well. Who Can Blame Her.
This is the moment when she starts thinking of herself as a parent.
2: The Talk (the birds and the. archdemon blood)
As mentioned previously, and even several times, I believe, Zea would idolize Lora and the others, and by extension, would think that grey wardens are the coolest people in Thedas.
Zea is also what I would describe as a bright-eyed idealist. They want to leave the world a better place. They want to help people. And most of all, they want to prevent what happened in their home village from happening again, wherever they can.
They also think their mama is Stronger That God And Will Never Die, and they want to be just like her! đ¤
So they voice as much, when they are about 11-12. They tell Lora that they want to become a grey warden when they grow up.
Now, her plan for them was simple: she wants them to live a long and happy life. Which does not go hand-in-hand with being a warden. She also knows she won't be around forever, even if she's actively searching for a way to prevent the Calling. And also also, she couldn't give less of a shit about the secrecy of the order when it comes to her kid's safety.
So she tells them everything. From the Joining to the Calling, every little detail of being a warden, every drawback. She makes it sound as unappealing as possible, trying her best to discourage this dream of Zea's.
What she doesn't consider is the fact that...Well.
Even if they know they will suffer, they will do it anyway.
Zea has an uncommon relationship with death, lets say. They know that it will happen. To them, and to others. It's not something to be afraid of, necessarily, on the grand scale of things. Suffering must be prevented as much as possible, of course, but death itself does not bring suffering with it on it's own. And so, if they're going to die anyway, what's 30 years or so if they can help save so many more lives? To them, it sounds like a sweet deal.
Sure, they could dedicate their life to saving people in some other ways. But the topic of the blight and darkspawn is particularly personal.
And, knowing about the Calling now, they know that Lora will not be around by the time it's their turn, and so will not be hurt by it.
If they survive the Joining, that is, but eh. Details.
(Although they were fully aware they might die. And they prepared accordingly. With a letter to their family and all, in case things went bad.)
They join the wardens when they turn 20, without telling anyone.
Lora only finds out afterwards.
Obviously, she's not happy about it, but it's not like she can reverse it (yet?..).
So, they talk, they argue, they make peace, and she supports them as best she can, while also redoubling her efforts to find a way to prevent the Calling.
The events of Veilguard happen when Zea is 27.
(spoilers start here)
Lora and co. are in the south of Thedas, helping fight the blight there, and so they cannot come and help out.
And Zea doesn't want them to. They want to prove that they can handle it all on their own. They don't even tell their family that they're involved with All That until shit really hits the fan.
Even after Weisshaupt.
(They try writing a letter to Lora to tell her that they're alive, after. They can't finish it, because they hate how it keeps spiraling. They don't need her to come over and fix everything, they can stand on their own two feet, they have a Team, they WILL handle it.
But, damn, they do want that Mom Hug.)
Before all that, they never really encountered a situation in which they thought they will die. Not since they were 5.
It tests them, their bright-eyed idealism, their inherent urge towards kindness above all.
(Yes, they did punch the First Warden. And yes, they did feel incredibly bad for him once they found him in the underground Weisshaupt replica later. And yes, the memory of his death does haunt them sometimes, even if killing him was an act of kindness.)
But in the end, no matter how angry they were at Solas, or how much they wanted to punch him, too, they chose to talk him down instead.
Because, despite it all, they still want to leave the world better than they found it.
Thats it, thank you so much for attending this lecture đŤĄ
(and also, yes, Noel DOES teach Zea how to stab people so so so well. It's her own way of caring)
#kunst huli#dragon age#lora dao oc#zea dao oc#noel dao oc#dragon age oc#rook dragon age#datv spoilers#dont think im gona tag the specific games#man. i should have been doing lore posts like this ages ago#instead of trying to draw EVERYTHING before i can even MENTION it#because lets face it. i cant do that#as much as i would love to draw oc comics all day. if one is not predisposed.........#anyway. hope u enjoyed it if u read it!#if not. then i just hope u enjoy the little bit of art accompanying the text <3#i have no car today n i have to get to work somehow : (
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I love reading your analyzing of Coyle. I wondered if you had any thoughts on his sexuality? (I mean I have a damn spread sheet myself, but you're so much better at words and really great at psychoanalyzing lol). I've described him as being "the straightest gay man I've ever seen" to a few people now and eventually the "get" it.
(CW: discussions of canon typical sexual and racial violence, slavery, internalized homophobia, domestic violence and femicide. One of the linked videos also discusses fascism using disturbing transphobic rhetoric as an example.)
Thank you for your kind words, itâs really nice to know my ramblings are resonating with someone! Discussion should be allowed to emerge naturally, but I think much of the debate that arose from the revelation of Coyleâs character was removed from the context of the oppressed groups being commented on by the text. I say that mainly in reference to people of color, since the KKK represents a cultural trauma which is inextricably attached to blackness, but the statement applies to queer people as well. That very Klan was almost extinguished in the 1870s until it was revitalized half a century later by a film, of all things: media is obviously important. Thereâs much more that can be, and to an extent needs to be, said about this story beyond rehashing âit is/is not okay to hornypost about thisâ ad nauseam.
So letâs get this out of the way: I think Coyle was deliberately being written as queer. The ethics of incorporating LGBT characters in a setting so obsessed with the grotesque are questionable (you can read more perspectives on that here and here,) but I think there was intention behind the decision to depict him this way, whether it's "good representation" or not.
One of his defining traits is that he habitually deploys lewd, effeminate language to intimidate and dehumanize his victims: âalluring piglet,â âhoney,â âbeautiful/sexy b*tch,â âdarling,â âsweet, ripe young things" and the like. You could argue that is solely a degradation tactic rather than a direct indicator of his sexual preference, and he does seem to do it primarily to scare you. But a big part of the horror in Kill the Snitch is that Coyle is very unembarrassed about how much pleasure he gets out of subjecting you to that degradation. (âYou lick my boot, maybe I let you up.â) The innuendo he taunts the Reagents with is unaffected by their gender presentation, and The Snitch is a fixed character presented as a cis man who Coyle treats with just as much aggressive leeriness. From there, it's difficult to interpret him as straight.Â
And since Coyle is one of the main villains of the game, I think I would be remiss if I argued that his bi/pansexuality is a thematically insignificant byproduct of his broader characterization as a sadist. That conclusion certainly presents itself: even if his queerness is loudly implied, it isnât commented on directly by the text the way other aspects of his character are, like racism and uxoricide. The closest we get to a clear, unmistakable identification of his sexuality comes in the form of his aforementioned attitude towards The Snitch.Â
While the Reagents are interchangeable grunts, The Oogie Boogie Man Snitch is Coyle's own prisoner, and as such we witness him compound the usual routine of sexualized cruelty with repeated assertions of possession, calling him things like âtoyâ âmineâ and âpropertyâ to emphasize a sense of ownership. He comes completely undone when the Reagents electrocute him to death, exploding into thwarted, miserable rage like a kid watching their sandcastle get kicked to shit (âNo! FUCKING NO! He was mine!â) and throwing out all of his beliefs at once as this jumbled, fascistic mess; âanarchist pinko fucksâ this and âcountryâs going to shitâ that.
Perhaps the most telling line about their dynamic is this one: âJesus Christ you look like my second wife, you know that? Spittin' image. Woman got me 'bout as hot as Missouri asphalt.â The only time we see how Coyle interacts with people on an even playing field is in the files, when itâs mentioned that he killed two of his fellow soldiers when serving in the army & brutalized a murkoff agent interviewing him. The social dominance he has over people like The Snitch and his wives seems to be the only way heâs capable of conducting interpersonal relationships on a vaguely emotional level. Otherization, fuckability, and the need for corrective shame/subordination are all intertwined in Coyle's head, muddling together to form his notion of natural hierarchy: one which is incoherent, self-serving, and more about appearances than anything else. (âI know what you did. I just need to hear you say it.â)
And the importance placed on appearances isnât just something that Leland happens to believe. In the era when this game takes place, the electric chair was at peak popularity as a form of âhumaneâ capital punishment: in reality, it was a callous technological repackaging of the methods of execution which came before it, namely the (distinctly racialized) hanging/lynching. These methods were designed to reinforce social hierarchy by staging voyeuristic displays of dehumanization, and were levied with particular barbarism against people of color. Thereâs a catalog of horror stories I could insert here about white supremacy and the electric chair, but thatâs another post entirely. What I want to establish is that:
A. It's easy to interpret The Snitchâs execution (and the Reagentâs forced participation in it) as a symbolic enforcement of Murkoffâs construction of social dominance, akin to capital punishment or lynching/state sponsored terrorism. B. Men like Coyle were categorically responsible for orchestrating executions like the one in the game, and the fact that he gets so angry and addled about it even though heâs ostensibly a follower of their doctrine speaks to the nature of his ideology.Â
Though a lot of real world topics get touched on by Coyle's dialogue, it certainly isnât 100% down-to-earth social critique. Many of his lines invite you to laugh at him (âIt's hurtful when you disrespect the badge. I have feelings, tooâ/âAin't you slicker'n a can of mashed assholesâ) and his crimes themselves are, at times, overblown and ridiculous. He's a caricature of institutional violence and injustice, not a straight faced example of it. No, the realistic part of Coyleâs storyline is how the power structures of 1950s America both protected him from consequences and deliberately encouraged him to degenerate. Iâve alluded to this before: itâs one of my favorite things about Trials.
He was sent to military school because of his violent tendencies and joined the marines to avoid investigation after killing his first wife, but once he had the Police Department to shield him his behavior escalated in severity so much so that it attracted the attention of an even worse organization. The process was Military School â Ku Klux Klan â Marines â Police Department â Murkoff. This facet of the story was always there, but the newly released comic really hammers in the point, that Coyle - infantile, nonsensical, vulgarly abusive and utterly unworthy of authority - was never a barely tolerated outlier or a well kept secret within the systems he budded up from. The files directly attach his klan involvement to police work even as he's described as a âgood cop:â because there were no good cops in Blackwell, because good cops arenât real. US Law Enforcement can be traced back to early southern slave patrols, they've had a handshake agreement with the Klan for decades, and you need look no further than the recent Minneapolis Police Department exposĂŠ to see how they operate in the modern world - and this game is set sixty years before 2023. Horrifying, yeah?
Understanding cops themselves to be fundamentally immoral and unjust, by the time we meet him in the game, Coyle isnât even a competent cop in terms of his willingness to enact unjust aims. Yes he is brutal, yes he is racist, yes he clings to the childish, cowardly belief in immutable superiority found in actual modern fascists - but the ouroboros of psychosexual issues driving him to behave the way he does take precedence over his purported devotion to any belief system, to such a degree that he isnât even acting in explicit defense of an institution anymore. That job, to defend the current institution, is what the Reagents are being trained for: the same ones he deems subhuman and, most tellingly, âperverted.â
One thing that makes Coyleâs whole presence in Kill The Snitch so surreal and disorienting is how manufactured and aimless his job as The Snitchâs defender really is. The man play acts an interrogation of someone who will never see trial, referencing vice squads, courts and elections that are nowhere to be found in the Sinyala facility - even though a different line of his mentions how they âdonât favor courts in these parts.â So, heâs directly contradicting himself. When the Snitch dies, he goes âNO! NO! I'll never... God DAMNIT,â not even finishing his own sentence about what it is he apparently needed The Snitch for.
The man obviously thinks otherwise, but heâs a make-believe cop, a test dummy for trainees to be pitted against ala shencomixâs professional hater. Though nowhere near as disenfranchised, Coyle is a puppet in Murkoffâs trials as much as the Reagents are, all his nasty, grandiose rhetoric ultimately amounting to hot air: and unlike the Reagents, this does not end with him being reborn. He lacks the overarching purpose of eventual service to a greater cause that they have.
And therein lies the self-destroying prophecy inherent to his understanding of reality. You can argue that Coyle is aware (subconsciously or otherwise) that there exists the potential for him to be otherized, and by extension subordinated, for an immutable part of himself which is directly attached to his sexuality and masculinity. Iâd be surprised if he wasn't, considering how loudly the prejudices of the culture he arose from are relayed to the audience. The fear that comes from that knowledge gives birth to an obsession with categorism, shame, and âjustice:â which he rationalizes as an immutable aspect of reality by connecting it with the natural phenomenon of lightning. (âI used to stand in a storm and watch the lightning strike the plains and I would think, "well there you go." That's justice. Sometimes the finger of God reaches down and touches you. But you never know which finger it is you're gonna get.â)
This leads to violence which he is constantly rewarded for: and because itâs the only viable outlet he has for exercising those very issues which he was trying to avoid confronting in the first place⌠he overindulges. Loses all interest in presenting the rhetoric coherently, in favor of chasing the immediate release that cruelty provides with ever-increasing vigor. (Funny how he calls the Reagents âdope addictedâ too. Mr. Sony VPL strikes again!)
But in the end, Coyle is worthless. Heâs a tool, designed to be overcome. It's a similarly symbolic, utilitarian role to that of The Snitch, which potentially feeds into his perverse sense of protectiveness over him, but the people who are coming out the other end of this with a job to do in the real world are the Reagents. People he looks down on, people he terrorizes, people heâs so desperate to bend to his will. Heâs like... white chauvinism revealed as senseless, small and disgusting, condemned to chase its own tail & buckle under its own weight no matter how hard it shakes it's fist at the sky.Â
And in a series so fixated on delusion and the disintegration of the self, the nugget of reality within that was thrilling to see on screen. 10/10, would cringe at again.
#theartof-p#leland coyle#officer coyle#outlast trials#murkoff corporation#Iâm feeling a need to include a âthe north is awful tooâ caveat#but I recently found out some relatives had a cross burned on their lawn.#in the urban North. in the 80s.#so itâs probably just my own biases speaking lmao#iâm p sure it doesnât sound like Iâm singling out the rural south here but lmk if you think otherwise#lmk whatever you have to say#anyways. Long live Leland Coyleâs hideous deplorable ass!!!
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Twin Stars - Chapter 10
Audience seat (worth it?)
You're nervous.
You've been nervous before going into a play before, but those moments were different - you were still new to the language and didn't want to lose something that matters, it was long and you kept silently wishing for your stomach to not make a loud noise, the place was kind of empty and you wondered if you were going to stand out once the light turned on, this sort of things.
You never feared having a panick attack before.
Of course, you wouldn't have asked if you didn't think there was a good chance would can just sit down and enjoy - the wonders of not having to hide that anything weird is going on! - but stars you'll only be sure when you're there.
And you want to do it. It's not fair to lose something like that forever.
You already cleaned and changed, and are now running your fingers throught your hair to try and get it a bit easier to use an actual comb. In a way it's like a special occasion!
"You know we still have half hour, right?"
"I want it to be nice!"
Isa looks at you with what you're sure is a type of foundness usually directed to baby animals. It doesn't calm your nerves, but does cover it in a layer of embarrassment. You accidentally pull too hard.
"You know, it could be easier of you start at the tips."
You untagle your fingers and look at him.
"If I what?"
"Start near the tips." He runs his fingers on his own hair as a demonstration "You're pushing knots togather like this."
... It was that easy?
You feel your face heat up, but chenge tactics anyway. For a moment, you consider asking Mira for help, but shoves it out as soon as the thought comes. Too early.
"Again, if you get uncomfortable, you just have to ask to leave."
"I'm gonna sit on an end, Isa. So I can leave without saying a thing and you'll never know."
Isabeau simulates a dramatic voice, but his little smile is still there.
"A rogue taken in is still a rogue at heart."
"Hard learned lesson."
It's more work than you'd usually want. Maaaybe because you took so long, but details.
You almost get too impatient, but a second thought helps refuel your decision: it can be a special occasion. The thought of saying it makes you nervous, but, when your partner is being as patient as it gets, the least you can do is show what is fine.
"You know, you can sit at the end with me. Then it can be like a date."
You see him perk up. Victory?
"Like I'd choose any other way! But yes, it can be like a date. A date with our friends near."
"Moral support."
"I can get behind some moral support."
You finish combing your hair. Untangled, it gets to your shoulders. You really should comb more often (you say that every time, you know you won't).
Once you're satisfied, you put on the little wristband you got yesterday (there's a butterfly on the little bell!), check the clock - this took way too long! - and offer your hand.
"A warm hand for this cold morning?"
"How could I refuse?"
You two exit hand in hand. You don't let go after joining the others, or when the group leaves.
You feel like a teenager dealing with their first crush, but, right now, you don't mind. You're glad you have this.
~â
~
Blind you. Now that you see the actual poster, this thing is long. Stardust, why do you have to jump head first like this? You don't think?
You pat your pockets where your snacks are, just to think about something. You look at your line order, which will translate into the seating order: Stardust, Fighter, Mirabelle, Researcher, Kid, PĂŠtronille, you.
It's, if you're honest, a bit of a relief. You won't see Mirabelle's face, but that's fine. Better than raise the risk of crying in public. You can see the Kid's kicking feet, though, behind (beside?) their sister's legs. Kid Sandwich.
The lights turn off, and the play starts.
It quickly became clear why there was a fight to pull it so shortly after the King: the main storyline is about a fictional country being taken over by a tyrant that takes away people's freedom and a very determined rando going on a quest to taken the tyrant down. The bare bones, sure, but still.
You swallow. You pay enough attention to not be caught off guard later, but to... well, to a higher power who cares, audience seat is hard to slip back on.
You're being very normal. Totally normal. You're not drumming the arm rests for any reason other than tension because of conflict. You're sure as the sunrise not putting a lot of effort into keeping your breath normal.. You're just a mentally sound person watching a play where the deuteragonists make allies and find out about an artifact that can mean victory.
Act 1 over. Lights on. Break time.
There isn't a lot of places to go in that hall, but you find a little space behind some stairs. You lean into the wall. You don't question why there's a hollow space in the first place.
You breath in, and out, in, out, in, out. It's ok, you'll be fine. No need to make the others worry think you don't want to stay.
"Hiding away?"
You almost jump out of your skin when you hear. Did... did the sister follow you there?
"I said I wanted to use the bathroom." she explains, as if she had read your mind. Or you're rustier than you thought still. Blind you.
You give your signature grin.
"So you are?"
"Dodger. But, yeah, I guess so." She shrugs.
You open your mouth, half ready to say something witty, but change your mind and close it. You don't think you have energy for that right now.
You undo your fake grin and nod.
"I can't blame you. It's weird."
"'It' what, Sisyphus?"
That sounds like a cue to be careful. You've had enough of cues for a lifetime.
"The whole, group, thingy. I don't remember if I had time to tell, but I'm kind of new too."Â
"You didn't."
She doesn't look happy. You don't blame her.
"Well, point is, being shoved in a circle because someone you know is on it and walking that weird line where it's like nobody wants to... what's the word?... it's like they don't want to be reminded that you're new. They're nice but it's weird."
Nille looks away and nods.
"Super weird. Doesn't help that they seen attached by the hip most of the time. I mean, what in the world did I lose?"
"Not just a long time, a long time of a countrywise crisis, and we just got back, and it's like not just them, but everyone wants to act like everything's fine and dandy, which technically is, but it's not!"
"But what do we know? We're just the siblings. They're alive, right?"
You blink at her, and watches some tension leave her shoulders.Â
You didn't mean to spill out like that, even if it's not exacly specific, but, it wasn't a bad thing?
You take a deep breath, and shake your head.
"Sometimes thinking about the whole thing makes me angry. In the end things turned out good but stars some stupid crab is included."
She looks at you with an intense look. You feel weird, untill it downs that she's reading you.Â
You saw this type of look before. Once. When someone wants to know if mean it or is doing some song and dance.
You're not bothered. You meant every word. And Nille notices that.
"I get it. I get a bit angry too. It's not fair, tho, is it?"
"How will I know? I'm on the loop!"
You see her back out for a moment, but then she chuckles. Must be from tension. The pun only made sense for you.
"Yes, of course." She takes a deep breath. Pheeeew. "You know, I couldn't tell if you didn't tell."
"Each deals how they can. In my case, I don't." You say, and wink.Â
"Anything to avoid another loss, eh?" You breath in, but any noise dies in your throat "Well, I'm pretty sure the break is almost over, so let's also avoid an earful. How about that?"
Your throat still feels tight. You nod and follow her back.
Lights out.
You're not zoning out and that's a victory of it's own. After some time, you start feeling cramps. Oh, right, you have not eaten.
You fish around with your hands and sink into your cloak. Odile was right, snuck in snacks are tastier.
Drama happens. Character scenes happen. The relic is found, but an unshown aside from some tentacles giant sadness attacks the heroes. One of them fights it alone so the others can leave.
Act 2 over. Lights on. Break time.
Oddly enough, you're not as shook. Maybe because you didn't put as much effort into not being shook.
Oh well, you might continue to lie to others for as long as you're not caught, but you learned that day that it's useless to lie to yourself. Letting things out, even if you didn't dig very deep, helped.Â
A thing, if not the thing...
This time, you go to the bathroom. You rip off some toilet paper and let yourself weep.
Oh, look, you can cry from both eyes now.Â
You bite the inside of your cheek hard to avoid laughing. Not too hard. Not too hard.
...
Oh.
Oh.
And you thinking you were out of the loops!
It takes a lot of effort, but you manage.
When you're done, you use Healy Bealy a craft so your eyes won't be bloodshot when you go back.
You're doing good, you think. your face is clean and darkless when you walk out.
The others are already on their seats when you walk in again. Bonnie's hat is keeping yours. Ir gets removed by Nille when you arrive.
"Just in time... Are you okay?"
"Never better!" You say with your signature grin, and sit with your legs crossed.Â
Lights out.
The heroes go throught the tyrant's castle's basement to get in and face followers while dealing with some drama fallout. Very run-of-the-mill. This time, with no sarcasm at all, it doesn't really ring bells that leave you disturbed.
Untill a basement room colapsed and crushed a chunk of the group. Including the first deutagonist.
You try to swallow the lump in your throat by paying attention to how the group managed to make the body gathering believable. They're good. They're good. The rest of the act is very emotion heavy. The second deuteragonist's (protagonist's?) actor is selling his soul on the performance, but you can't really dismiss anyone else.
You're normal about this whole thing. Very normal. You're disturbed in a normal amount for someone watching a tragic play. You're not scratching your pants under your cloak when someone on stage talks about leaving the blame game for later.
Act 3 over. Lights on. Break time.
You really don't want to have a breakdown in the bathroom. Way too close. Will just make things worse. At least now it's acceptable to weep in the hall, so you do so.
You sat down to watch a play about what was in essence a death march. Except it's not over yet. You're pretty sure that, if you walk out of the hall right now, you'll see stars.
Your stomach churns. You could throw up. But you won't. The snacks were given by Bonbon in good faith.
In, out, in, out, in, out. If it had a fifth act, you'd soon have a Memory from how it smells behind those stairs.
The thought makes you laught. Some tension leaves. Good, good. You don't have to be fine now, just fine enough to make it through.
You pat your cheeks with your cloak one last time, than walk back.
Lights out.
The heroes make it to the upper floors, and the protagonist/deuteragonist recieves help from the first protagonist's ghost - but he's the only one who sees them and they don't interact with scenary, so it's unclear if the ghost is meant to be real or a hallucination. Just like in act 2, others stay behind facing enemies and sadnesses.
In the end, the tyrant is taken down pretty much with sheer fury. Then, there's a brief epilogue where the protagonist and an ally talk about what it took to restore peace and how the friends they lost will always be in their hearts.
... Hang on, all of that took place in sixteen blinding days?
You join in the clapping, of course. Credit where credit is due. Your feelings are another business.
Fucking joke.
The curtain falls. Lights on.
You can hear a mix of reactions around you. From people saying it's great and worth every second to people worried that it might spawn sadnesses.
In out in out in out in out. As discreet as you can.
Outside, illuminated by street lights, you check your group. The Kid seens eager to talk about how nice stuff looked (makes sense, you guess. You wouldn't think they would pay attention to that sort of think. But then again, there's a lot of things that you wouldn't think. Not outside of a very limited context. Once again, your eyes sting, but it's much easier to hold back. Somehow, it's like getting to know them all over again)and Nille seens to be enganging if still shaken up (you can't blame her, even bare bones can touch sore spots). The Researcher and Mirabelle look interest in discussing characters and what might have inspired what (count on the bookworms to do analytical legwork). Behind them...
You shove your hands in your pockets and look away.
...?
There's still a roll of bread in your pocket. How did you miss it?
You hold it, glad to have something to do with your hands.
"I think the ghost was real."
"See? Sisy agree."
You hold back your confusion. They were in on it? When did they comment?
"Really, Sisyphus?" The Researcher looks at you with squinted eyes. Keep calm, will you? It's a valid question about an interpretation, not a trap "Absurd timeline aside, the story was pretty grounded."
"Yes, but..." A normal response that a normal person would give, ok? Now, normal words, go! "The ghost knew stuff he wouldn't otherwise know, no? And, usually, a hallucination so vivid takes time to settle." You put on your signature smile "Also, a ghost guider is just more" relatable "interesting."
"Also nothing that can't be explained as noticing things and crediting the 'friend'. And, of course, which option is more interesting is subjective."
"In what world someone just going nuts is more interesting than ghosts existing?" PĂŠtronille asks. You notice some defiance in her face and voice.Â
Maybe it helped her relax, too?
Mirabelle jumped in. Or rather, returned:
"Hey, sometimes madness can be more scary than supernatural! It's very believable and doesn't stick out too much in a more grounded story."
You smirk, but need more time to thing about a response that won't out you. You can sense a tie and tie break coming. All you need is-
Stardust and Fighter are paces away. Stardust looks upset, and they're holding each other's hands.
You grip the poor innocent bread.
"Well, that's the charm. I guess."
And take a big bite.
You can feel eyes on you. You don't know or care who's. You just want to get to the room and shower.
So, you only pay attention to the path.
...
At this rate they might think you're angry.
You care enough to keep your mouth shut.
#in stars and time#isat#isat spoilers#in stars and time spoilers#isat fanfic#in stars and time fanfic#two hats spoilers#twinfrin au
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Honestly, the ending scene of episode "Race on Tatooine" from the Freemaker Adventures, gotta be one of my favourites when it comes to this show.
Just the fact that everyone's celebrating and praising Naare, even Kordi, while Rowan just stands there and has no idea what to do with himself. Poor kid must have been absolutely terrified, but he couldn't say anything. Not when Naare was there. But then
"Fortunately, we're all safe. But it could have turned out much differently. That is why you must never, ever go anywhere without me, Rowan. You never know what dangers await you."
What she said is absolutely spine-chilling, especially now that Rowan knows who she really is and wants to stay as far away from her as possible. You can even see in Rowan's body language that he's actually leaning back, trying to back off, because he's NOT feeling safe. He knows that he's in danger. They all are. But he was always her main target, because of his powers to sense Kyber crystals. And now that Naare won the trust of the others (and especially Kordi) she decided to go even further with her evil tactics and try to literally CONTROL Rowan's life, basically not letting him out of her sight. I actually think that this was Naare's first step to completely seperating Rowan from his family in order to manipulate him more and more. And honestly, there's the possibility that Kordi and Zander would let Naare keep an eye on him, because Kordi finally trusted her and they would think that she's just being a responsible and protective mentor. It was fortunate that Rowan found out just in time to stop this from happening. But it doesn't erase the fact that this scene is still really scary.
The fact that she's so close, literally standing over a 12 year old child, who's probably in full panic mode inside, but NEEDS to keep his cool down to keep his family and himself safe. She's playing the same nice Jedi as before, but now Rowan knows that it's an act. He knows she's extremely dangerous. That if she decided to stop pretending right then, she would totally slice up his family, like the Emperor advised her. And nobody would be able to stop her.
Not to mention, Naare was thiiiiiiis close to finding out that Rowan knew. If she got suspicious and actually noticed that Rowan is hiding her real lightsaber behind his back, I'm pretty sure if's safe to say that it would be over pretty quickly. Kordi and Zander would most likely not survive this and Rowan would get kidnapped afterwards. Terryfing.
#one of the reasons why Naare is one of my absolute favourite fictional villains#she's terryfing#what the hell#i should write something inspired by this scene#the freemaker adventures#rowan freemaker#naare#naare star wars#zander freemaker#kordi freemaker#lego#star wars#lego star wars#cartoon#rant
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New Apple
(Also Known as: Nott Broke, I am now writing the WKTD-Amane Cross Analysis. This is also the Trans Amane Momose Thesis)
(CWs: Cults, Child Abuse, Child Death, Body Horror, Homophobia, Transphobia.)
(Spoilers for We Know The Devil and Milgram.)
I am a unrepentant fan of the Visual Novel We Know The Devil. I love it dearly, I think it's one of the best Things ever made.
I am also a...fan, to say the least, of Amane Momose. I think about her every day. And as a result I've thought about these two things together a lot. I think there's a lot of thematically cohesion that can be derived from putting the two together.
Since this is Milgram Focused, I'm going to put an explanation for what the plot of WKTD is first before continuing.
WKTD is a 2015 VN about Three Bad Kids at a Christian Summer Camp who are sent to meet The Devil one day in a cabin in the woods. This game is about Queer Religious Horror and has great prose and you should play it-
Now, there are already comparisons that can be drawn to Amane's cult and the game's main premise, but let's discuss each of the three kids first.
No Prince For The Princesses
Starting with Jupiter. Jupiter is the tomboyish good kid of the bunch or, more accurately, tries her best to be the good kid to minimal success.
Laughing off a head injury isn't all that Jupiter's good at; she has the best grades in class, and coaches make her starter on whatever team has the most pressing need for someone who can do sports. She's a perfect role model, except for how she always misses the winning goal and she always blanks on the last question. She leads when no one else wants to, which is always.
Jupiter can keep up until right when it matters the most. It's here where I mention Jupiter snaps a hairband against her wrist, a common tactic used as an alternative to self-harm.
Her place in the dysfunctional group of problem kids becoming clear as her issues with being the perfect good kid and her immense self-hate and loathing start to seep through. Jupiter struggles under this weight of expectations and pleasing others but tries to pretend she an:
Neptune: ascetic monk at not giving a shit.
To her own detriment, she hangs out with the Worst Group in the Camp of Worst Kids just so she can get them to stay away from her. If they just like her enough then they won't bother her. Even if she personally dislikes them and how they act.
Not that she...enjoys acting like this. She's disgusted by the idea of the Counselor liking her. Because:
Jupiter: He likes people he can make a little uncomfortable and won't give any trouble about it.
Though as Venus says, that's exactly why he likes their group.
Jupiter is someone who's resigned to reality being like this. To being considered a bad kid even though she tried so hard. Sure it's unfair and people have tried a lot less than her but:
Jupiter: You can still get better at this, if you try, you know?
Even I can say "I'm sorry" Even I have hope I swear! I'm going to be a good girl now! That's it!
Anyway, Jupiter Kisses Girls. She Likes Women. She's a Lesbian. She has a Seven Minutes in Heaven Scene with Neptune where they Kiss-
That kiss having a lot of relevance to how (specifically) a t1 Amane attempts to approach certain taboo ideas and concepts.
Jupiter: It's not real if we don't say it out loud, right?
Amane tends to talk around things in T1. It's not immediately noticeable but it's prevalent in a lot of her speak. Specifically when taboo ideas come into play. Instead of saying anything directly she talks around it.
(Apostle and Death)
Amane: Okay! Iâm kind, so I shall forgive you. Thatâs nice, isnât it? If my parents were in my place, you would have been lectured for another hour.
This is my favorite example, as Amane is just calling her parents unkind here. But, Amane isn't really good at talking around things. In the same VD, when faced with the knoweldge that she's being underestimated she immdieatly talks about her genuine feelings about being treated like a child, and being talked down to because of it. Being very forward and open about her own emotions.
Outside of that we have instances of her showing interest in things that are believed to be taboo, or at least in things discouraged by her community.
(20/06/27, Amaneâs Birthday)
Amane: I donât need it. Iâll gratefully accept your well-wishes, but I donât eat things like that. AlsoâŚâŚ Shidou-san, I canât say Iâm especially fond of the way you assume that all children will love frivolous things like this. Shidou: âŚâŚâŚâŚ Is that so⌠I apologise. Iâm sure everyone else will be happy to eat it, so donât worry about it. Sorry for intruding. Amane: âŚâŚâŚâŚ âŚâŚcakeâŚâŚ
She even disrespects the blue flag in Purge March, the flag representing "discarding vulgarity"
Considering both how a lot of the generally aesthetics of Magic and Purge March seem to be considered frivolous. And her being forbidden to go to an amusement park.
T1Q5:When you go to an amusement park, what do you like to ride? A: That is a place I should not go to.
I think we can infer that these things are consider vulgar and wanting them anyway. She wants something outside of what she has. Something that she tries to Hide in her interrogations. (Interrogations)
T1Q3: If you were allowed to do anything, what would you want to do? Nothing really. I am not lacking anything.
T1Q17: What would you do if the world ends tomorrow? If everything ends? Then, I might do all sorts of things I have never done before.
(Put a pin in these interros, we are Going to come back to them.)
It's wrong to want such a thing, she knows this well. That's why she doesn't say it out loud. It's not real until she does. No one can punish her for it if she doesn't say anything.
Except...they Do. Same with Jupiter, people who didn't try as hard to get into the "proper, good girl" summer scouts got in when Jupiter didn't. Amane studies so hard and yet she only gets a 83% when Kotoko is tutoring her.
(20/06/18)
Kotoko: There, Iâve finished marking. 83%. How do I put it⌠Even though you act like this, itâs not like youâre super brilliant at studying or anything, huh.
She just blanks at the last question.
Misses the winning goal.
Something about Her is...inherently holding them back from this illustrious standard of being a good girl. It's just, impossible for her to be one. She knows this herself.
Only if, only if, only if I could be a good girl
And even though she tries, she Can't do anything to change that. In the same way that no matter how hard Jupiter tries, people instinctively understand that she's something Other somehow. The both of them being harmed over and over again in an attempt to live up to ideals that they will...never be able to live up to.
The system of We Know The Devil works like this, you choose two kids and leave one behind each hour. Leave one behind enough and they become the devil. The worst kid out of all of them.
Jupiter does her best but her best is never going to be enough. So if she gets excluded enough times...
Even the best kid has the devil inside her.
Jupiter wants to touch, to hit, to pull.
Venus: I wish I could be meaner. I wish I could be so much meaner.
She's never going to be able to make up for this incessant greedy Want.
Her hairband snaps here, she can't keep the devil away for much longer, and she knows it.
Jupiter: You know, I actually liked when the captain talked about how heaven was on merit; as long as you do good things, maybe you can one day be good⌠Jupiter: But then they said we donât believe that anymore and itâs only whatâs in your heart that matters. Jupiter: Just when I think I got it right, they changed it. Jupiter: I can try hard, but I think⌠Jupiter: God knows my heart isnât really in it. And that was my only shot, right?
Amane considers love a showcase of mercy,
T2Q9: What does love mean to you? A: To spread mercy with no limits.
And considers her punishments love.
T2Q2: Do you believe you were loved? A: Very much deeply.
I suppose when you think about it, trying to beat the devil out of someone is mercy.
But, you can't really do anything about it if someone does want the devil.
Jupiter: It's wrong to want such a thing, you know that, don't you? So don't do it. I still know that much.
In each color ending, the devil gets destroyed. The devil only getting one moment for whatever they wanted.
For revenge, for love, for "please take me back."
One Singular Moment to live as they are before having it burnt out of them.
...Someone had to have opened that door at the end of Purge March
(Milgram T1 Glitched Character Voicelines)
Amane: Ahh! I'm so sorry...! I'm sorry...! I'm sorry for breaking the rules!
Lukewarm, I Spit You Out
We have more bad kids to go through, so let's talk Neptune.
Neptune is, to be blunt, a self-proclaimed bitch. She doesn't act like she's supposed to belong her which is exactly why she belongs here. She uses profanities, sneaks alcohol into the camp, and the summary of this game calls her a mean girl. Though this meanness of hers betrays a certain amount of care and worry for her group, or, at least they like to think of it that way:
Neptune is very kind or possibly super mean and hates us. But that's okay. She's really funny.
This kindness of hers comes out in many ways. She's concerned for Jupiter, trying to get her to actually give a shit about herself, especially when she does so much work.
Neptune: I mean like, aren't you doing fine? Neptune: Aren't you trying harder than literally everyone else here? Neptune: You're so chill about everyone's bullshit it makes me so mad and then you won't extend even the slightest of that chill to yourself and that makes me EVEN SO MADDER. Neptune: Can't you just be a little lessâŚgood?
And wants Venus to get out of his egg, to let himself be a bit of a bitch, and stop apologizing for himself when he is doing nothing wrong.
Neptune: Wait, I got it. I dare you to not say sorry for the rest of the night. Jupiter: Oh my god. Venus: I can do that! Jupiter: âŚcan he though? Neptune: No it's perfect. Neptune: It'll fix something annoying, and this will make everyone's life easier, and all of us win. Venus: Is it really annoying? Neptune: You shouldn't have to apologize for things you don't need to apologize for.
Neptune deeply cares about the people around her, it just comes out as harsh words and actions. She wants to make Jupiter's life a living hell so that she's forced to say that it hurts.
Neptune: People are supposed to get hurt by things. It's fucked up to not. It's not good for you.
Though, as Venus calls out, the way Neptune acts doesn't fully come from self-confidence.
Venus: ...your problem Neptune is. Venus: You think being mean is more honest. Venus: But you're just as bad as Jupiter. Venus: And me.
Neptune, like the other two, deeply hates herself. Like Jupiter she has a consistent "tell" that shows she's the devil. She throws up this black ichor-like substance. Poison really. The only thing she can say. She's a bad kid through and through.
Now, Amane is self-proclaimed annoying.
Es: Regardless of whether youâre a child or an adult⌠you are beyond annoying. Amane: Oh, my. I am honored by your praise. Es: As I said. Amane: (giggles)
She takes Real Pride in being, a little shit to people.
20/06/03
Fuuta: âŚâŚhuh? Whatâs your problem? Youâre just leaving all your meat? What a weird kid. Amane: You say that, but youâre not eating all of your food either. âŚâŚare you not able to eat your vegetables? Even though youâre an adult. Fuuta: Huh, what, so youâre just eating grass? What are you, a rabbit or something? Since youâre just a brat, you should be eating your meat properly. You wonât grow if you donât. Amane: âŚâŚyou make some really funny jokes, donât you, Fuuta-san.
This behavior is mostly present in T1, mostly cause T1 is Amane's testing period. She's trying to see what she can get away with. These behaviors disappearing by T2 because she learns that she can't get away with much. Introducing us to a less playful, more angry and genuinely despairing Amane. (Of Blessedness and Punishment)
Amane: This is unforgivable! I wonât forgive you! (screams)
That isn't to say Amane doesn't genuinely want to help out though, even with her more aggressive attitude. In fact she goes out of her way to "help" Fuuta and responds to Yuno's questions and worries honestly and patiently.
(23/06/27, Amaneâs Birthday)
Yuno: By the way, Amane. Have you ever wished you were never born? Iâve thankfully lived a pretty fun life so far, so havenât really. But you seem to be struggling with something. So I kinda wondered if you thought like that. Amane: âŚâŚI donât think that. Being born into this world is the first miracle any person experiences, and is something to celebrate. Even if after birth I was put through trial after trial, the value of that will never disappear.
Amane is kind, genuinely so. She helps the cat, she tries her best to "guide" people back to the better path. The problem is, is that her want to help gets tied up in her community and her worldview. Causing more harm than she would like, it's almost like she can only spit out doctrine when that isn't the case.
Amane: Hm. Is that so? Are the prisoners who werenât forgiven feeling lost right now? Maybe they need our faith as well.
Outside of that, Amane is rather opinionated, she tries to keep it down but it seeps out anyway. She's expressed numerous times her frustration with being treated like a child (ie: being treated like she has no rights of her own.) And expresses that openly and bluntly.
(20/06/13)
Shidou: IâŚâŚ I just donât understand. If everything about MILGRAM is trueâŚâŚ why did a child like you have to become a murderer? Just imagining what sort of circumstances must have led to that, it makes me so sadâŚâŚ Amane: âŚâŚ*sigh*. Is that right. I donât think Iâm going to get along with you, Shidou-san.I donât agree with the fact you refuse to acknowledge that I have my own free will, and that I should be held accountable for my actions, just because Iâm a child. I may have only been alive for 12 years, but all the choices Iâve made, even if they werenât the best ones, were entirely my own. What point is there in you getting sad when I have no regrets myself?
It's easy to call her annoying or petulant for this, especially when Shidou (seemingly) is just concerned for how how a child is in prison of murders. And again she Does act annoying on purpose.
But Shidou is being actively patronizing and forcing his view of Amane Onto her. When Amane rebukes this, instead of apologizing or reevaluating he dismisses what she says. Something that deeply frustrates her.
Neptune: I'm an evil bad slut right? I'm a bitch and a flirt. Neptune: I'm a bitch because I let people know when they walk over me. Neptune: I'm a flirt because boys keep talking at me. Neptune: And this is somehow my problem, because they can't get over themselves and leave me alone? Neptune: How is that fair? Why should I get hurt by that? It makes me so mad! Neptune: Why would I be anything but MAD about all this stupid obnoxious BULLSHIT.
Youâre sorry? I donât care! Please, go ahead and die already Remember MY cries, MY repents, MY words of âIâm sorryâ that I said to you?
Amane cares a lot about being treated Properly, about the people around her being treated Properly. She can't really...accept injustice. She broke one of her cult's doctrines because she wanted wrap up what was probably a Small Wound at worst judging by the state of the cat. She's not going to waver just because the people around her believe otherwise.
Amane: âŚâŚIâm fine. I donât know what youâve done or what it is youâre worried about, but I think if thereâs something you believe in, you should stay true to it. Itâs not something that should waver just because other people said something. I personally donât plan on changing my own beliefs even if Iâm told Iâm wrong eitherâŚâŚ
Amane believes in the idea that people can get better, and wants to see people get better even if she can't. She's going to help even if she has to be Violent to do so.
Neptune: You asked me to come out. So I'm coming out. The door opens and it's her but it's not her She grabs Venus and crushes him against the wall like he's a little doll.
Amane: Donât you think itâs a good opportunity to be reborn? If, right now, you could shake off those around you trying to drag you down to depravity, and could changeââ
When Neptune's the devil she forcibly tries to turn the other two kids into the devil alongside with her. She knows this whole situation is a nightmare and wants to force the two into accepting who they really are, even if it meant hurting them.
Why should they be the ones to suffer when their trying so hard to be good? Why should they be suffering when they already ARE good?
Neptune: Doesn't it feel unfair? You're already good, so why do you have to try so hard to be good? It makes me mad. They want you to prove you're good. But you're already so good. What is that? Why do they do that?
We must not give into them, they are the ones that should be judged
Why does She need to prove that she's righteous when the people around her can break the same rules she does and get away with no consequences?
I donât need it any more, if youâre going to break your vow Here and now, itâs my turn to tear you apart
It's just so Unfair. Why is she the one getting hurt for no good reason? Why was the cat the one who got hurt for something that wasn't even its fault? It's just not right. None of this is right.
Neptune: Does that kid look happy to you? Well I guess we have different opinions and you will have to stop me from making him into what he is trying very hard not to be.
Help Me God, I'm In Love
We have one more kid to go through.
Venus is known for being very much a doormat, and very easy to push around. A small detail when their sitting down to listen to the Bonfire Captain's story is that Venus tries his best not to take up space.
Venus sits with his legs crossed, taking up as little space as he can, which is at most not very much.
And As mentioned before he constantly apologizes for himself, even when it isn't even his fault. That dare Neptune gives him? He immdieatly fails it, the sorry is an instinct, he does it automatically.
Though even then, Venus is known to be...a bit of a little shit. Maybe even quite Mean. He has a bite to his words and can be extremely judgemental. Not that he seems to notice .
Jupiter: Do you think he notices how much of a jerk he is sometimes? Neptune: I wish.
Amane: An arts university, thoughâŚâŚ Does that mean youâre good at drawing, then? It may be a bit rude to say, but thatâs rather unexpected.
(I Love how Amane implies that she thought Mikoto was too boring to be an artist. Incredible.)
Not only that but he's strongly opinionated, often surprising the people around him with them and how pointed and critical he can be. The people around him being so used to how shy and docile he seems.
Jupiter: Why not you. You're safe. You're like a puppy. You're harmless. Venus: âŚdid you lose your nerve? Jupiter: Except when you talk.
He doesn't mean to be mean on purpose, he doesn't even like being mean, but it just comes out of him. He can't stop himself. He's so angry and bitter about certain things that his real feelings bleed out of him.
Neptune: Wow Venus I'm ALMOST impressed. Neptune: You are, deep down, kind of a little shit. Venus: I didn't mean it in a mean way. I wasn't teasing. Neptune: That's so much worse, Venus. Venus: I guess I just don't get it? Venus: I don't like being mean and I don't want to be mean so I try really hard not to be mean. Venus: I don't get any of the 'just kidding' because it's not just kidding.
But Venus is easy to pick on, he smiles weirdly, he tries his best to avoid causing too much conflict, and the idea that Venus is "not like the other boys" get floated around pretty early depending on what interactions you chose, and Jupiter and Neptune discuss this their 10AM interaction:
Neptune: Are you seriously worried about him? Jupiter: Maybe. A little. Jupiter: He's weird. Not in a bad way, necessarily? Jupiter: But maybe in a bad way, possibly. Jupiter: Sometimes I don't even know what he is.
Jackalope: That isnât even really Amane Momose anymore. Youâve awakened something much bigger.
There's something....different about Venus, like Jupiter and Neptune before him. Everyone can tell, and thus treats him differently for it but he's just not exactly sure what that...Is.
And it's so Frustrating.
Venus: âŚI don't know what's wrong with me.
Venus: But I can't. Not when it comes to this. Jupiter: What is "this"? Venus: Whatever they want out of me that's not fixing radios. Venus: To be tougher? To grow up? To-what's that?
He's jealous, so deeply jealous of Jupiter and Neptune and he doesn't even know why.
Venus: I'm mad about a lot of things I guess. Jupiter: Liar Jupiter: You're not mad. Jupiter: You're jealous. Jupiter: Why are you so jealous. Jupiter: It's flattering. But it's weird. Venus: I don't know.
Muu: âŚâŚhey, are you listening to me? What are you staring atâŚâŚ? Amane: Iâm not staring at anything. Muu: Liar, you definitely areâŚâŚ
Amane: âŚâŚcakeâŚâŚ
He wants...something from them, he doesn't know what but it's something important to him. Something that would make him feel like he's himself and not...whatever he is. It's not even like he necessarily minds being different. He doesn't even think he can be anything else.
Venus: I know I'm bad at getting anyone to like me and I'm weird and everyone else can deal even though I can't, but I can't. Venus: I'm just going to be like this. I'm not going to be any different. Jupiter: You're asking to get beat up. Venus: I don't care.
T2Q20: How do you feel about you not being like everyone else? A: Nevertheless I was born as myself, so I'm happy.
This deep want appears in Everything he does. Everything he does is to somehow get that Thing he Wants the Most. He can attribute it to something else but everyone can tell he wants Something.
Neptune: Venus, your problem is that you are very nice. But you want something. And you think being nice is going to give it to you. But it never will. And until you figure out what it is you want. Every kindness of yours will be full of that want.
Amane: Ah, I am looking forward to it! Seeing whether your judgement will align with that of these higher standards! If that is the case, maybe Milgram would be the right world for us to live in, rather than the outside world!
Milgram relies on your judgement, isnât that right? In that case, you could become the mediator for a far more righteous world!!
That isn't to say he Isn't afraid of being found out. Of having the kind of person he is being revealed. In a game of truth or dare he chooses dare because:
Venus: I mean, it's kinda like Jupiter said? Truth is embarrassing and dares could get you hurt. Getting hurt is way less scary.
But then the contradiction of this gets pointed out to him, people can be embarrassing with dares as well. It's easy to hurt and embarrass someone.
I've already mentioned that Amane hides...a lot, she tends to talk around things and use double meanings and what not. But she also doesn't want to seem frivolous or wasteful. She wants to stay seeming mature and smart and pure. Being immature is dangerous to her, another reason for people to view her as useless and weak. Another reason to get hurt.
She isn't that. She can prove it. She's not greedy or materialistic.
Venus: I don't want to be strong. I don't want to be that sort of person at all.
She doesn't want anything.
Venus: I want them within me and without me. All through and about me. I want feathers in my lungs and eyes on my skin. I want my heart to see and my lungs to fly.
Nothing at all.
T1Q17: What would you do if the world ends tomorrow? If everything ends? Then, I might do all sorts of things I have never done before.
This is when I reveal Venus is Trans.
Venus is Trans! She uses She/Her, I've been using He/Him for her previously to reveal she's trans like how the VN reveals she's trans.
Venus wants to reveal the truth, to be seen as she is, to have:
That wing to see the truth and that eye to lay it bare.
She wants to be honest and live as herself. To really Be Her. When she becomes the devil she says it's nobody's fault but hers. She wants this. She wants this so much.
She's not doing it cause she was forced or coerced she did it cause she Wanted To. She wanted to do it so badly. She does it with such glee it's honestly terrifying. She killed out of hate and duty and Enjoyed It.
The devil is lonely. We kicked out the devil and it must miss us. It keeps begging to be let back, to let it in.
And Amane Did.
Smoke and Honey
Amane Momose is undeniably monster-coded.
Jackalope: That isnât even really Amane Momose anymore. Youâve awakened something much bigger.
Amane: Right now, I am both Amane Momose and I am not. I am speaking on behalf of our faith.
Amane: Yes. It is only natural for a person(/human) to apologize to another for breaking a promise. Es: ⌠Amane: Why are you looking so doubtful? Are you not human?
This happy pinky promise hurts to break
There's so much to discuss that if I did do it in detail we would get so set off track very badly, but Amane Momose is Other. She's the Other, she's not human. She's never Been Human. Atleast not by the standards of her cult.
In the Milgram Cat Symbolism, Cats has been highly associated with sin. Yuno portrays her cat self as the most honest but also sinful version of herself. Kazui does the same. Amane being the cat, implicates her as a sinful force in the world. Something dangerous and terrifying that needs to be destroyed.
Amane Momose, somehow, is a threat to normal human existence (at least in the existence of the cult.) She's too opinionated, too dedicated, too Bad of a kid. Having her exist at all as she is, is a threat. She doesn't Want to stop being herself, she's supposed to want to stop. Humans aren't supposed to act like she acts. What if that stubbornness was directed at something against the cult?
Adults also hate perfect kids who love the world so much they can't stop themselves from saving it.
We Need to Destory The Devil No Matter What or Who it is. To choose someone to act as the scapegoat, the worst girl, the one kid too weird, too strange, too threatening.
What does Amane do? She's already a liability, just a child, useless and unhelpful. What if she was destructive? Better to teach her now to be better, right?
It's not like she isn't destructive, it's true. She does harm. Horrible harm actually. I completely understand wanting to restrain her for those reasons.
But, she had One Moment, and it was ripped away from her.
Jupiter: If I taste what it's like, I know, there's no way I'll be happy being human ever again.
I Wonder what else is left for her now.
#milgram#cw child abuse#amane momose#cw cults#milgram analysis#milgram meta#it is MIDNIGHT#I wrote this in Two Days and Two Long Sessions#Im telling you guys this VN is important reading for Amane Momose purposes#I also dont know how to beta read theres probably a quadrillion mistakes
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Sonic the Comic Liveblog: Issue 94
I really like this cover art! I can't put my finger on it, but there's a certain je ne sais quoi about this art that really identifies it as belonging to a British comic.
Oh okay, cover art was by Elson, explains why I liked it then. Anyway, we see once again that the price of StC is being raised. I've said before I feel StC is expensive, especially in comparison to late 2000s era Beano, but I suppose when you compare it to something more comtemporary like IDW Sonic it's a good price? Then again, who knows how it stacks up when you account for inflation. Annnnnd final note about this image - I wonder if that sonic spinner toy works like a fidget spinner?
It might be because this is a whole different planet from Mobius, but it feels really odd that we're seeing like⌠Disney-esque dog humans as secondary and background characters rather than more traditional anthromorphic animals.
Anyway, professor dude turned into reverse colour scheme Hulk. They're not even hiding it, his name is literally Bulk.
Ah yes, Sonic's "spin really really fast to solve any problem" tactic! Haven't seen that one in a good few issues.
Lol that's some pretty good snark.
Hey, that's pretty close to my main blog's URL!
Hmm. Starting to get Totally Spies vibes.
Nice monochrome colouring! And it's pretty interesting to see Vector characterised as being smart in this way, even if the explaination does sound like it fits right in with Classic era Doctor Who lmao
A review of Fighting Vipers, and look, there's Honey! I bet this reviewer never would've guessed that character with later be connected to the Sonic series
Ooooooh! Did not expect to be introduced to Ebony and Pyjamas today! I am quite aware these two are fan-favourites. Btw, I'm loving that outfit Ebony is wearing, never seen art of her wearing anything modern and casual like that before.
Ok! I guess she can change her outfit instantly! But man, I can already see that people must've fallen in love with this character quickly, just this one panel is great show of personality.
You have my heart, Ms Ebony <3
I haven't really brought it up much, but for a good while by this point, StC has become more or less just a Sonic comic (jeez, who would imagine considering it's name). The only other Sega comics they do anymore is the occassional run of Decap Attack comics. I guess out of all of them this one must've been a favourite among readers.
I about to make a joke sugguesting Johnny's drink is alcoholic, but I wonder how old he actually is? Legal drinking age is 18 so he could potentially be old enough? But even if he wasn't, the UK is not exactly know for having teenagers who always follow drinking laws.
Gonna file this one under "sentences that sound a lot more racist if we weren't talking about animals"
It's kinda funny that Knuckles just like⌠randomly has a pet dinosaur now. âŚoh my god this issue is from 1997 so means Underground (released 1999) wasn't the first one to give him a dinosaur for no reason.
You know what mate? I'd be pissed off too.
A third of the back page which is otherwise dedicated to reminding you when the next issue releases? oh god yeah, such a waste of space. Totally unbelivable. đ
The word of a kid who probably also enjoys burning ants under a magnifying glass.
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Random opinion #7 :
![Tumblr media](https://64.media.tumblr.com/a47353271c6864fd7530d4b945630a12/fa43d89eee917a3b-60/s500x750/8ac33c4c72648beb509bfb96b36715934a7c37bd.jpg)
I can explain.
Ngl, the match ended up being .... bizarre. Actually, i am living for how weird it ended up to be !
Ares itself is a season who is, more or less, a copycat of season 1 but with other protagonists (thanks god, the new kid aren't ersatz of Endou, Gouenji and Kidou, and it is more an aftertaste than a fact). It was a normal Football Frontier.
Spoiler alert : the new main team, Inakuni Raimon, wins the tournament, what a shocking plotwist...
My point is that Ares is predictable and not very original, and some of the most interesting ideas have been mishandled. It is the most normal IE can get. (Wtf, IE being "normal", the same IE where you sakka with dinosaurs against aliens and communists to save the Earth by time-travelling ?)
And then, comes the match against Hakuren.
Where to even begin ?
Both teams have similar situations : they are both participating for the first time, and very surprisigly got far (very powerful opponents from last year were also here), both are from the country, both are supposedly underdogs, both have a " unsufferable ace striker" and "sponsor" problem, both uses weird tactics, and in the 2 cases, only 1/3 of the team pull their weight. I can go on, but it will be long.
The development during the match : this match has its moments, its "plotwists". It begins with Hakuren having the upper hand, Atsuya dominating Inakuni physically and psychologically (he insults your dad). Then, Asuto makes Inakuni to gather their shit together in the 2nd half, but it actually makes Shirou and Atsuya playing even more serious. Someoka (hey he's here!) makes Nae the new recruit come on the field. Turns out she sucks at sakka. But also is supersonic. And she befriends with Norika the Inakuni goalie because why not. The hakuren coach makes his team to do weird tactics to accomodate Nae, communicating with weird hand sign with the public and the team, and it works, Inakuni is confused. Hattori, a Inakuni defender, is a ninja wannabe so he can understand weird hand sign, and makes Inakuni have the upper hand for once. But, after a father-daughter drama (Nae is the coach's daughter, who is also the sponsor), they stop using hand sign but the Hakuren tactic still works, so Hattori is confused but there is little time left. Shirou, Atsuya and Nae goes to execute Triple Blizzard but it is countered by Counter Drive, by Asuto and Kozomarou (it comes from nowhere), and they goal and win. This is so wtf, i love it. Literally what is going on in this match lmao
The element of surprise : refer to the previous point (and i haven't told everything). This match is the absolute chaos no one saw coming. Everything was unexpected. Even the fraud Counter Drive that comes from nowhere is actually brilliant : Hakuren dominated this match because their main assets were unpredicable (and powerful), but it backfired at them. I used to hate it, but now i know it is chief's kiss.
The team co-op : the actual theme of the episodes. When you think in outer code 1, it was established Hakuren had co-op problems because of Atsuya, and then the match comes and it's perfect, makes me think that we, the audience, has been gaslighted to think they was a problem lol. And let's enjoy the coordination between Shirou and Atsuya + at the end of the match, with all hakuren
Shirou and Atsuya, my babies, my blorbos, my fave. If they are in the episode, you know it will be a good time. It was more focused on Atsuya than Shirou, but i don't hate it since he was goated in this match.
I actually like Nae, their new recruit. Yes, she can be annoying but idk, she's funny. I like the sibling relationship she has with Atsuya and the friendship with Norika. Not the most meaningful things Ares had to offer, but it was nice ! :)
The fact that, upon witnessing this match, Haizaki "has seen the light" where he was at this worst. Like, his team is disqualified, he got beat up by thugs without reason, but then he sees Asuto playing in this match, and suddenly things seems to improve. Truly a Haizaki x Asuto moment. Asuto is Jesus to Haizaki lmao
The Atsuya meme : look at this beauty (unfortunatly, this is also here areorion goes downhill visually but fucking worth it)
![Tumblr media](https://64.media.tumblr.com/40df99caceb9f191c3dfa8a0f7ddb0e6/fa43d89eee917a3b-40/s540x810/cdeeba71769c08924c7ed08aab1a38348af4dc09.jpg)
Conclusion :
![Tumblr media](https://64.media.tumblr.com/c931b64f561c22fdb3e8e83a7189fed5/fa43d89eee917a3b-19/s500x750/3b777676f53bc7fcb9719960b2d4e9f715b7b8f4.jpg)
#Inazuma Eleven#inazuma eleven ares#Hakuren#Inakuni Raimon#Ep 16 and 17#The best match#Inakuni vs Eisei is 2nd#There is no way in hell i'd rewatch Ares entirely but if it's to rewatch those 2 matches#Atsuya is a GOAT#Not me giving my opinion no one asked for đť
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Custom Toonami Block Week 157 Rundown
Spy X Family: Itâs the season finale and you know what that means: actual plot progression! Itâs time for Donovan to actually visit Eden and Loid gives a rundown of why he canât just crash into the place despite being Lupin the Third on steroids. Now see this whole time I thought the plan was to assassinate Donovan idk where I got that idea but thatâs what I assumed. But apparently itâs actually to just get in his good graces and ply him for info which seems completely unrealistic given the guy doesnât step outside except for alumni shit, like this is why real operations usually gun for people a couple ranks down on the chain of command for info gathering given Donovan has Lupin Mask detection devices surrounding him at all times. First Anya tries to follow Damian and confront Donovan herself but she eventually has to dip out but not before reassuring Damian to have courage and face her father because she fucks up all the time and her father still loves her so even if he fucks up occasionally he should have faith in his dad too. This gives Damian the motivation to not back down on meeting his dad and keeps Loidâs operation going. He pretends to run into Damian accidentally while looking for Anyaâs keychain she got last episode and luckily Donovan actually shows up to meet his son. So Loid gets to introduce himself and apologize for Anya decking Damian the first day of school (ironic that Anyaâs very first fuckup is the only thing that gives him literally anything to talk about here) Loid vents about his frustrations raising Anya and Donovanâs like âyeah bro kids suckâ and Loid plays it off like âyeah they do but I try to talk to them on their level and meet in the middleâ and boosts up Damian as a good kid to try and draw them closer to each other while making sure Donovan remembers his name and face. Itâs not much but itâs a foot in the door and outlines Loid and Donovanâs different perspectives on the prospects for the future, Donovan thinks only of how communication fails because you canât really trust anyone and Loid is constantly seeking to understand everyone as much as possible (usually for spy shit but still).
Inuyasha: Naraku and Sesshomaru keep fighting and Naraku repeats his tactic of âIf I let Sesshomaru beat me up enough then all my blood and guts will just eat him and shitâ from the last time they fought because Sesshomaru is OP and even the main villain canât beat him really. Problem being Narakuâs blood is made of Super Venom and will literally melt anyone that gets within ten feet of it which is bad news because thereâs three very squishy humans and one moderately squishy half demon whoâre about to get soaked in the stuff. Hosenki tells Inuyasha he needs to cut him down to get his power and break Narakuâs barrier and thereâs a cool parallel of Sesshomaru and Inuyasha both saying ânothing else mattersâ but Sesshomaruâs saying it about destroying Naraku despite the fact it may cause Kagome, Miroku and Sango to die but Inuyashaâs saying it about saving them even if it means losing his chance to gain Hosenkiâs power. Hosenkiâs moved by Inuyashaâs compassion and gives him a pass on the âcutting through unbreakable adamantâ thing and busts himself open so Inuyashaâs Wind Scar to wipe away Narakuâs miasma also carries the adamant shards and just fucking IMPALES Naraku and itâs SO SATISFYING because heâs been so fucking smug since Mt. Hakurei but like between Inuyasha making 60% of his body adamant crystals by impaling him and Sesshomaruâs followup turning his body into whatâs essentially a fine paste, itâs really nice to see. Kagome even gets to use Kikyoâs arrow to shoot the jewel shard and purify it so he canât take it with him while he runs away. Even Narkau says if he had fasttraveled like a second later heâd be really dead. Honestly as a kid I remember thinking it wouldâve been fine if it just ended there like even by Narakuâs standards that escape was weirdly marginal, like everyone important was there and got a good blow on him but we still have Hakudoshi and shit to deal with so of course weâre not done yet. Though I gotta say the Adamant Barrage is one of my favorite Inuyasha moves like itâs just so visually cool looking and it just completely no-sells the âno but stronger barrier thoâ arms race thatâs been going on for the past like fifty episodes. Though I also gotta say this is where they start leaning into the Tessaiga gaining new powers from defeating demons as something the Tessaiga inherently does and Iâve always assumed this was a retcon made at this point because the Wind Scar and Backlash Wave seemed inherent to the sword itself and the barrier crystal seemed to be a special case tied to the properties of the bat demonâs blood jewel itself but apparently this is the point where theyâre just like ânah it gets new abilities whenever it kills a strong guy but only when itâs plot relevant because we donât want it shooting lightning after he kills the Thunder Brothers or some shitâ and I think itâs like an editorial mandate that Shonen series have mechanics to keep throwing new powers into the mix because thatâs what happened with MHA and itâs just kinda strange despite me liking the Adamant Barrage and Meidou Zangetsuha (not the biggest fan of the Dragon Scale though).
Yu Yu Hakusho: This is a weird episode, just kinda gonna say that up front. So Yusukeâs been training with the demon monks for a year but Raizenâs on his deathbed and snaps and decides to try to eat Yusuke because apparently heâs demon enough for Spirit World to be mad about him being in the human world but human enough for Raizen to eat I guess. Still they fight a bit and heâs even with Yusuke despite literally being ten minutes from dying. Yusuke snaps him out of it and he gives his backstory about why he doesnât eat humans and itâs legit the most half-assed âa girl healed my wounds and didnât immediately want to kill me so I fucked herâ story like Togashiâs usually a lot better about these, itâs so paint by numbers and itâs legit a one night stand where she takes off her shirt and is like âbtw Iâm poison so donât eat meâ and Raizenâs so struck by her boldness and titties he literally says he âhad no choiceâ but to fuck her, like donât get me wrong Iâm a sucker for some impressive titties and a confident girl too but he gives Yusuke WAY too much detail about how he fucked his great great great great great great grandma and then decided to never eat humans again because they sex was just THAT good, like there was no grand romantic development to their relationship or playing at having a deep connection like he fucked her and then fucked off and then she died giving birth to his demon baby like holy shit thatâs such a paper thin excuse plot like I could get better motivations out of a filler story. Anyway now that Raizenâs unloaded his story about unloading into Yusukeâs grandma he tells Yusuke Yomiâs a prick and Mukuroâs probably the lesser of two evils and fucking dies on the spot. Ever the rebel, Yusuke decides that the first thing he wants to do is go visit the person his deadbeat dad told him was impossible to reason with and, meanwhile Kurama and Hiei are counseling their new masters about what a wild card Yusuke is and not to underestimate his dumbassery because it fucks everyone up in the end.
Jujutsu Kaisen: Itâs time for a good old-fashioned flashback arc! The first part of the episode is a big semi-unrelated setpiece about young Utahime and Mei Mei going through their own PT/Eternity Devil shenanigans and itâs pretty fun and does that weird anime rotoscoping thing which Iâm not sure if I love or hate but itâs all a setup for Gojo and Getoâs introductions which is pretty nice since last week we got a good bit of foreshadowing for their backstories with the movie. The interesting thing here is when theyâre talking to each other they both seem to have the exact opposite opinion of their current day selves with Geto being the one vouching for protecting the weak and Gojo going for strength above all else so from the outset we essentially put in high relief that this is going to be a story about Getoâs fall and Gojoâs rise to meet where their standards come to by the time of the movie/series. The main plot goes down and basically as I understand it the dude thatâs the leyline for all the barriers and shit has to get fed a specific human every few years so his immortality still registers him as human and doesnât go âwait this fuckerâs 2000 years old, better make him a buddhaâ because enlightened people are notoriously shit at actually having empathy for the existing world or doing anything to actively help people since the material world is fleeting and all that. So itâs kind of ironic that a bit of ritualistic sacrifice keeps him away from enlightenment but they liken it more to something like Orochimaru taking on a new host (or Gojoâs Digimon example but I donât find that quite as useful). But yeah the catch is the sacrifice is a young girl who Iâm sure wonât inevitably change the outlooks of two young men at the crossroads of life, though sheâs also being hunted by a group of evil sorcerers and another group that canât actually do shit but has lots of money to pay people to do shit and also one of the guys theyâre paying is Megumiâs dad who everyoneâs simping for I guess? I really like how effortlessly quirky and lighthearted a lot of the writing for this part is, like itâs goofy and unique but not in a sweaty way like a lot of the bigger stuff tries to be nowadays, really sells the previous generation being just as big of dorks as the current one.
Scott Pilgrim Takes Off: So this is a weird series and Iâm not entirely sure how Iâm gonna go about breaking this one down considering itâs a lot more âvibe-centricâ for lack of a better word. Thereâs a lot of jokes that are probably better if youâre reading it as a comic or willing to stop and go back to read subtitles but I donât have the energy for all that so Iâm bound to miss a few. But yeah I think the premise for this one is fairly well-known already, itâs a quirky lovestory that gets all the people too isolated to be hipsters but too extroverted to be Goths going with its charming characters and unique/blatant references. Itâs kind of funny that the romance between Scott and Ramona is the core because as far as I see it so far itâs a relationship where both people are the Manic Pixie Dream Girls which is kind of a fun dynamic, though it does fall into the normal romantic comedy traps of Scott trying to orchestrate a meeting and obsessing over a girl but it skirts away from being too stalkerish in the end. They kinda have like half a date and immediately almost fuck which makes me feel like a bitter loveless old person that hates romance because that seems unrealistic to me that theyâre just randomly gonna hop in bed that quick, Iâm from the âdonât kiss until the third dateâ era of romantic comedies so like not saying itâs a terrible way to do things and it is nice they showcase both of them backing down and putting up and taking down barriers of consent but like I said it makes me feel old and bitter because this seems to be escalating WAY too fast. Thatâs kinda how I feel about a lot of this like I feel like Iâm about a decade too old to romanticize being unemployed and mooching off a friend and being in a go-nowhere copyright-infringement named band but I am enjoying the vibe in general. But yeah now the actual plot comes in with the Gendo Ikari ripoff (because apparently every anime ever has to have one of those now) and the League of Evil Exes (Iâm just kind of amused that they self-identify as evil, like idk why thatâs so funny to me theyâre so serious about it) and I do like how it seems like because Ramona herself is relatively closed-off we learn more about her through the path of each person sheâs dated which is kind of a neat way to symbolize the path of truly connecting with someone which does kind of ease some of my worries about how quick they jumped into things. The first guy is just a random fleeting fling from middle school and I imagine thereâll be more progression and complicated relationships as we go (though damn Ramonaâs 23 and sheâs already dated seven people worth mentioning? Like thatâs not too outlandish but that still seems above the norm at least) Anyway the first boss apparently has magic and turned Scott into tokens so⌠guess weâre going full magic next time⌠Also between this and Yuji in JJK and a few others thereâs an odd number of anime that just have it like âoh yeah the protagonist was just kinda already good at fighting to begin withâ to get around them having to learn the basics of fighting.
Ranking of Kings: Iâm kinda checking out on these honestly at this point, like I know I complained last time about this whole season seemingly being filler but yeah itâs just not as interesting retreading the small time lapses in the original story like making a Naruto filler arc but on purpose for some reason. This time all this is supposed to happen during the time Bojjiâs heading back to his kingdom even though that was supposed to be a rush trip and they still barely made it back in time to save his mom, glad to know these detours almost cost Hilling her life because Bojji was fucking around with random bandits and spirit dogs. The first short is about Bojji and the Underworld Knights making camp in the canyon and ending up helping out a random family with a bandit problem while hiding from a giant t-rex like monster that just turns out to be the Underworld Captain sleepwalking and moaning. The second short is about them running into those spirit dog things they saw with the Big Lipped Alligator Moment guy from the start of Bojjiâs journey (also Kage talks about it like he was there, like technically he was in Bojjiâs bag but I canât be bothered to check if he wouldâve been in a position to see any of that shit but Iâll take his word for it) and yeah itâs the standard Avatar plot of âthe spirits are angry but you gotta talk to them instead of fightingâ itâs fine itâs just really short and doesnât go very far like a lot of these have been doing.
Vinland Saga: Season 2 starts off with the story of Einar, a young Englishman in the middle of a tragic backstory when JUST after he finishes rebuilding his village after it got pillaged, it gets pillaged AGAIN and his mom and sister die and then heâs shipped off as a slave. Itâs kinda funny because when he says heâs from England Iâm just guessing it was Vikings that did the pillaging given how the cultural climate of England was at the end of Season 1 it was basically free game for them, so itâs not Thorfinnâs old crew cause theyâre all dead but itâs something very like his old crew that creates Einarâs origin story. Einar tries to take to heart his momâs message about living well being the best revenge and always rebuilding after devastation but turns out living as a slave fucking sucks, who knew. Thankfully heâs at least sold off to people that while not exactly nice they are pragmatic and want the slaves treated well enough that theyâll look good enough to sell well to some rich assholes that probably wonât beat them too much which is probably better than being stuck in a foreign country with no food or money, like idk I assume Einar could at least figure out something to hunt but itâd probably be really rough and his escape attempt ends hilariously quickly when he runs out of food and tries to go pilfer some. Heâs eventually broken in to trying to be a good slave just to stay alive and honor his momâs ideology of trying to rebuild. He runs into Leif whoâs looking for Thorfinn because apparently Thorfinn somehow got mixed into the slave trade after season 1 because I guess heâs just trying to go down the checklist of everything Thors was trying to save him from becoming. But yeah the sheer love that Leif is showing to try and save Thorfinn even now really gets to Einar and he puts in the last bit of effort to be sold off to a seemingly good-natured man with a HUGE farm. Like you know, owning people is never great but this guy at least seems like heâs not gonna beat the shit out of his guys for no reason and Einar is slowly starting to convince himself that he can live without his freedom and accept his fate. Thatâs when we find out Thorfinn WAS sold as a slave to THIS SAME GUY, and heâs fucking JACKED now, like itâs a big reveal of how old Thorfinnâs gotten given Leif didnât look that much older and was still looking for Thorfinn as âshort and blondeâ but the Netflix pic for Vinland Saga is legit older Thorfinn so that was spoiled a bit.
#ooc#Toonami#Custom Toonami Block#Spy X Family#Inuyasha#Yu Yu Hakusho#Jujutsu Kaisen#Scott Pilgrim Takes Off#Ranking of Kings#Vinland Saga
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So I had another thought mind you spoilers
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I just realized there are more characters I would really love to see in Earth spark or like any iteration for any future Transformer thing that involves the Transformers storyline in any way possible but this is specifically for Earth Spark I wonder what would happen if over time the djd or like any of these guys ended up in Earth spark if they were going to continue the storyline and incorporate one the biggest baddest guys besides the main form of the Decepticons but like Overlord and other bad guys especially bad Autobots like they've shown Decepticons being good and Decepticons being bad but they haven't quite shown any Autobots being on both of the spectrums of being good and bad because I remember specifically Dorothy pointed out to her kids that not all Decepticons are bad and they weren't born into that life but now it's got me thinking not all Autobots are good either like there are few Autobots that kind of been what's the word something else cuz we literally had an Autobot vampire in the IDW Comics like I can tell that Earth spark can go ahead and take some of the punches that IDW was had but not all of them but it would be nice to see the djd or turn incorporated into the series along with Overlord and a bunch of other guys cuz they did it with cyberverse and like that was a whole climactic thing I also noticed that I would love to see blitzwing in the series too like we got two of The Seekers and star screaming himself but I want to see a bunch of the other things too and now that the parents have their own badge for them to wear I'm still wondering whether some of them might lean more to a side like they also back in the day for the Decepticons and Autobots they had special symbols and parts that they would use like the elite guard or Pacific killed tactic groups or the wreckers and then like seeing if the kids might lean towards a Pacific group and I know there might be more to come and so many Mysteries that are still somewhat implanted into the story and I remember when the flashbacks of when the ground Bridge was destroyed I kind of want to see a bit more of the stories that were happening in the war that might tie into more the future that a lot of bots still kind of think the war might still be going on or they don't want the war to end and they might still have some grudges specifically towards other Bots that they might have to face like some other grudges towards some Decepticons and Autobots like it's not just people on earth like I know it's specifically planted there but some people of Cybertron or from other planets and also the quintessons the contestants and the council the functioning Council like stories of the origins for Pacific characters of how they met like I guess that Terrence story but I would also like to see like Pacific Origins like I would also like to see how Dorothy and Megatron fully met and also like some flashbacks for them back in the day for like when Megatron was probably a gladiator or something and maybe having a whole another understanding for all our characters but those are just my thoughts I just really want to Series where there is more Incorporated of like the because I'm seeing they take bits and pieces from other storylines and other pieces from the Transformers fandom but these are just my thoughts and I can't help but ramble so yeah
But these are just some of my things I get there a little incoherent and they're just like all over the place but that's on my part and sorry for bad grammar or spelling or things don't make any sense I really try but I would also like to hear other people's inputs on this
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Well. Reading the prologue to the fifth book sure is... A Thing when you've only read the first. Half of it doesn't even count as spoilers to me, it's pure word salad.
My main takeaway is that Sadeas would be fucking pissed if he knew Gavilar was keeping aaaaaaaaaallllllll thaaaaaat from him. And Merida is in on it? MERIDA!? No idea what he'd make of the secrets themselves, it's kind of a lot of a lot.
I am disappointed to know that Sadeas being with Gavilar that night meant nothing more than him hustling up like "Here, take my armor, I'm gonna go probably trying to save your life I hope you haven't been keeping any absurdly massive secrets from me bye!"
Not that I expected it to be revealed that they were banging on top of everybody's coats, but it's nice to have some empty spaces for the imagination to roll around in.
So, what's the deal with telling Dalinar not to drink (albeit in a weird, cryptic way), and then telling his guy to make sure he gets something to drink? Is it to test Dalinar's will? Is it just to fuck with him? Is it to redirect blame from Dalinar for choosing to get drunk that night and put it back on Gavilar? Because that would be on-Brando. (See: Dalinar having the gall to blame Sadeas for not doing enough, and this not being treated as an absolutely wretched thing to say.) As someone who's lived with an alcoholic for 15+ years: Fuck that. I ain't got that kind of patience for winos no more.
Everybody's pissed at Gavilar for how he treated Navani, but to be brutally honest? I don't care. You married a war criminal. What do you want? No, what I'm pissed about is how he must've treated Elhokar if that's what he thinks about him. No wonder that boy's got so many problems. I sure am glad Elhokar got to prove his dad wrong by becoming a Radiant and helping to save the wor--ohhhh. Yeeeaahhh. Fuck you, Sanderson.
EDIT: Because I should've known better than to not include a disclaimer re: my opinions on this fictional character's fictional life situation. I would have been sympathetic towards Navani, despite the fact that she made a blatantly terrible decision... but then ch 75 of TWoK happened and she pulled some real Scumbag Mom Tactics--and unlike Gavilar's Scumbag Dad Tactics, it's treated as NBD, nothing to see here--and so now? I don't care. And if you tell me I need to care? I will care less. Signed, a real life victim of emotional abuse--not that that matters, apparently.
I hope it's explained somewhere, at some point, how Gavilar got into any of this. Did he just up and start having visions like Dalinar, and one thing led to another? I don't know shit about any of these non-human entities pullin' strings and whatnot yet, but I feel like they probably have some stuff to answer for. They gotta know that humans do not do well with having mystical nonsense foisted upon them like that.
What's up with mentioning Aesudan like she's an old chum. We're talking Elhokar's wife, right? How old is she, that she'd be pallin' around with Gav and the Sadeases? Is she like Aesudan Jr. or something?
His family. In that moment, Gavilar saw his legacy crumbling. He was dying. Storms. He was dying. What was le to him? What did anything matter if he was dying. He couldnât. He couldnât... He was supposed to be eternal...
ngl, this got to me. Sure, he was a dumb bitch getting up to all kinds of dumb bitch shit, but I dunno, man, something about dying thoughts does stuff to me. Look, I hurt inside when I think about... Roshone's? shitty kid's death, and I don't even remember his name. No one can predict what'll get to me and what won't (probably what's not supposed to and what is, respectively), not even me.
I liked that there were little bips of humanity tucked in between all the red conspiracy string. Like "When was the last time I hung out with my friends? NO TIME! GODHOOD NOW! I think I used to like my wife? NO! RENEW THE APOCALYPSE TO SAVE THE WORLD OR SOMETHING!"
#the stormlight archive#book 5 spoilers#idiot who's only read WoK reads the book 5 prologue#for Sadeas content tbh#gavilar kholin#on no the cat got into my yarn stash#apocalypse renewed for another season#the opposite of cancelling the apocalypse#apocalypse gritty nostalgia-bait reboot#very clearly Gavilar apologism#*looks at the camera like it's the Office*
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John Mulaney: From Scratch in Las Vegas, September 4
Once again, spoilers for the show and what will presumably be in the special. This is about his relapse so tread with caution is that will be an issue for you. However, the tone of his struggle is the same one he used in his past specials so if you didnât have any issues then, I think youâd be ok with this. Of course, use your own best judgement, friends.
The opener was Seaton Smith.Â
He opened with trying to find the rich people in the crowd but acknowledged that theyâd go mwrmwmwrw money isnât everything so then he started talking about golf and went aha I got yaâll.Â
There was a joke about weed being the only Christian drug
He had a bit about when white people are nice, be nervous
He had a bit about there being a black man on the Bachelor and was like America (ABC and Disney+) were not ready for a black man to be fucking a house full of 50 white women. That shit premiered on Tuesday and the Capitol burned on Wednesday.
He also did some crowd work and roasted a couple in the front row for having different answers about kids and she was like I didnât hear the question and was roasted about how not hearing questions you donât want to answer is certainly a tactic, often used by drug dealers
He also had a bit about how different child rearing is in Texas versus New York and about how hitting your kids is treated differently, like his dad would have just threatened it whimsically.Â
Now on to the Main Event!
The first thing he said was âhiiiiiiiiiiâ exactly in the tone you think he said it in. he followed that up with a little shrug looking adorable and a little bashful
âItâs him! Mr. Problems. Oh Las Vegas, Oh my godâ he then talks about how Vegas is a land of vice and a Choice for him to preform in as a recovering addict. He had a sober buddy and 3 bodyguards with him at all times.Â
âAnd hereâs what happenedâ December 18, 2020, he gets invited to a friends apartment for dinner AND HEâS TWO HOURS LATE because he stopped, coked out of his mind, at SNL for a haircut because he still had his building access badge and he went to the hair department and they were like, heâll leave faster if we just do this, and then he stopped at his drug dealers.Â
He called venmo and cashapp, apps for drug deals and was like what do normal people even use them for. He maxed both out paying for drugs.Â
He was the best looking person at his intervention. âCoke skinny, new cutâ and the 12 people intervening looked like shit. He looked âtears for fears while they all looked jerry garciaâ (I hope you know who those musicians are besties).Â
He immediately yelled âCan I go to the bathroomâ to you know, dump his drugs because when you walk into that, you know what it is.Â
He was not allowed to go (he would be asked if he still needed to pee later and would say âwhat?â
There were 6 people in NYC and 6 people over zoom in LA because he guesses 6 people couldnât be bothered to fly in for HIS INTERVENTION
Interventions can go two ways, it can be kind of accusatory and this is how you let us all down, or it can be supportive. Everyone but Nick Kroll got the memo to be supportive.
Nick Kroll went first.
Nick Kroll listed all the ways John was a bad best friend and brother over zoom and John was getting texts during the intervention saying Nick wasnât supposed to do that and they were all sorry.Â
Bill Hader went next. he originally wasnât going to be able to make it so he had recorded a thing but since he was there, he did it live. (He would eventually send the video to John in rehab, which is not what you want on the way to rehab âawesome, more interventionâ)
He tried to derail the intervention, âthereâs not enough latinx representationâ he said heâd go to any rehab except the one they had picked out for him. This was a star-studded affair and he was mad no one was being funny.Â
 Natasha Lyons went next, telling him his life and career is in shambles
So he gets carted off to rehab after this intervention. Donât let 12 comedians pack your bags for 2 months at rehab. it was bombas socks and iphone chargers.Â
A little secret about rehab, youâre not allowed to bring drugs in. You remember how he was late? In his pocket on the way to rehab included: a huge amount of pills, 3g of coke (which was 2g by the time he got there, courtesy of a koala station in a gas station bathroom), and $2000 in cash. He had other plans for the weekend. He was admitted for xanax, coke, perocet, and adderall addiction. Say what you will, but he does not do anything half way.
Itâs 4am when heâs sent to detox, heâs been awake for 3 days.Â
He also gives a small lesson on how to get drugs. Find the lowest rated doctors on yelp and webmd reviews and go ask for them, they need all the business they can get. You become like Captain Phillips, I am the doctor now.Â
Dr. Michael was his shady doctor. He was a first avenue apartment where he would write prescriptions from his kitchenette where his girl Minerva was always asleep. âI didnât kill my wife Minerva.â But John would ask for his drugs, Dr. Michael would write the script and then ask what he needed it for. Dr. Michael would also make John take his shirt off, always offering a flu shot and going no, shirt all the way off (in case you were wondering how bad this addiction actually was)
The first moral is now you know. The second moral is get vaccinated.
Heâs sent to the regular ward the next afternoon and they finally get him to sleep.Â
Heâs sketched out that doctors have last names at this establishment
He asks for drugs such as klonopin and is taken aback a bit when he doesnât get them. The doctor is like PA state law says no, and so John suggests they go to a CVS in Jersey to get some.Â
His bestie Pete Davidson starts calling that night. Except Pete changes his number every month and a half so John has him send a selfie and saves the new number under some other random name, at this point in time, Pete is saved as Al Pacino. (We get an Al Pacino impression) John is asleep and his nurse sees Al Pacino trying to call him 5 times and so she wakes him up.Â
Pete Davidson and John Mulaney did not do drugs together. (The author is lowkey surprised and sad about that, like if Pete was my bestie, weâd make so many poor choices) But Pete was always very supportive of his sobriety.Â
John needs recognition so badly, in group when they introduced themselves he said âIâm John M.â and no one cared. So he left a tabloid out with the news of his admittance and his face on it in the rec room on the table. The not being someone was âdriving him bananas.â When they talked about what they do for a living and he said Iâm a a stand up comedian, someone asked if he made a living that way. He said âyeah ask your daughterâ (or your son)
One of the things you do at rehab is break up with your drug dealer.
One of his drug dealers only bought drugs to keep John from buying worse off the streets and only got into the game because John kept asking him for drugs and was his only buyer. That guy was originally a painter and John has no idea how they met. John is the only person to turn an innocent man into a drug dealer.Â
Here he did the Baby J is back baby joke. the Park Theater is one of the biggest stages in the world so he did that joke in one pace across the stage and said the stage is that joke long.Â
âI am no longer on drugs. Itâs very good but also ah---â Heâs in a 12 step anonymous group.Â
âI need attention, clearly.â After a show you think he would be sated, but no.Â
He wants that attention that the kid whoâs grandparent died and showed up to school dressed for the funeral and got to sit in the beanbag chair for reading despite it not being his turn, gets. He went on about being willing to let one of the lesser important grandparents die so he could get attention, for quite a while.Â
He feels left behind in science, like his Câs and Dâs in those classes. All those classes were was putting things on a windowsill for the janitor to throw away. He had a bit about how the fuck people put dinosaurs back together, itâs like getting wayfair furniture without the instructions.Â
He also things the moon belongs to America. Like we got there first and when other countries say stuff about the moon heâs like mmmmmmm.
He also had a joke about paying to get into college and like, for white people thatâs always how itâs been.Â
The show ended with him going over the highlights of that GQ interview that he was so coked out for that he forgot he did it entirely. He has no memory of it at all. He was just called up that day and asked for an interview and you know how coke is the best drug to receive attention on? He just did whatever he wanted with that attention.Â
And that was the show.
#John Mulaney#john mulaney: from scratch#spoilers#kid gorgeous#The Comeback Kid#The Top Part#New In Town#show write up
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Hi!! Can you do they boys getting kidnapped but its Diluc, Childe, and Kazuha? Thank you!!đđ
Note: I just want to point out that there's no actual reason on how I choose for the reader to beat up the kidnappers since part 1,, it's totally random as long as I'm trying out different ideas whatever fits ehe. Enjoy! đ
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Kidnapped Genshin Boys x Fem Rich!reader pt.2
Part 1 (Kaeya, Zhongli, Xiao)
Characters: Childe, Diluc, Kazuha
Genre: fluff, established relationship, some woman kicking ass action, (TW: mentions of blood and violence)
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CHILDE
Your boyfriend would definitely try to go head-to-head against the shady group of people who abducted him. The gang accountable must be living under the rock for even considering one of the most dangerous Harbingers as their prey to carry out their schemes.
However, Childe learned that there would be ramifications if he tries to be rash without gathering solid intel first. Having no knowledge of your current circumstances and whereabouts troubled him to the core. They could have already sent out a corresponding group towards you and endanger you if he failed to listen.
Being wealthy is not a foreign concept to Childe as he is also a wealthy man himself. That said, the premonition of being a target for a ransom would not be unrealistic to him. For now, he is glad that he is the victim here instead of having to witness you kidnapped.
"You know, you could've asked me nicely for some money. I might just give it to you, instead of doing all this for my girlfriend's money." Despite being in a position far from desirable, Childe leisurely sat on the chair that he was bound to, crossing his legs. He was making small talks to push away the worst scenarios happening to you. Are you safe? Are you crying? Did they hurt you?
"I don't know who you are to be running your mouth, but you should value your life a little more." Their leader emerged from the group.
Childe's ocean eyes squinted as menace casts upon his pupils, his voice lowered, "Is that so? Ironic, because you guys seem to value money more than your lives."
The head stepped back slightly, "Enough with your empty threats! You should be aware of the current situation you're in. We're not fooling around here."
"I'm not fooling around either."
As sparks were thrown back and forth, you made your way in through the main entrance. Tapping the shoulder that belongs to one of the men, "Excuse me, I need to get to my boyfriend." Your fist sunk into the side of his face when he turned towards you. He collapsed on the ground with a few broken teeth and blood spewing out of his mouth. Moving on to the next adversary in your path, you fought with full faith in your abilities no matter how intimidating they were.
Soon, the leader and people further ahead finally took notice of it. You pave your way towards your boyfriend and eventually, both your eyes meet each other. Childe puffed out a breath of relief when he finally saw you, but also registering the fact that you just took down most of the men with your bare hands.
Kicking away the men who tried to grab you, you then waved enthusiastically at Childe, "Hey girlie, hold still." Rushing right ahead to the leader, you brought your arm near your face, elbow pointing outwards. The sharp edge from your elbow jabbed his throat, causing him to choke and lose balance.
As his reaction dulled, it was your chance to strike again. Thus, you gallantly overthrew their leader and the entire gang by yourself.
After helping Childe, he stood up abruptly and placed his hands on your shoulder with eagerness written all over the face, "I never knew you could fight so well! How about a spar with me right now?" Expect your boyfriend to continuously bug you to indulge in his rampant itch to fight anyone that comes across as a worthy opponent. Though, the real takeaway from this experience was the way your hair clings to your face with sweat as the adhesive and the triumph look in your eyes. It was a rather attractive sight to relish in his taste.
DILUC
Your boyfriend would be infuriated that crooked people like these exist, much less target him to extort money from you. Just another validation to add up on how incompetent the Knights of Favonious is, he thought. Someone will have to clean up their mess, that someone being him. What better way to do that than to follow them to their hideout to seek out the whole organization?
Diluc is renowned for being one of the richest men in Teyvat. Naturally, the group thought they hit the jackpot on not only holding him for ransom, but potentially garnering some money from him as well.
The only concern he carries is your wellbeing. Diluc fears that this incident will affect you mentally. His head started filling up with formulations on ways to resolve this matter without causing any uproar to guarantee your safety.
When the head was introduced to him, he gritted his teeth to suppress every ounce of his might to not reach for his claymore. Diluc still has to prioritize gathering information first regarding the gang. His patrons at Angel's Share are usually the ones providing him with promising intel of any evildoers, but some things are just meant to be obtained by himself.
"Is this the only hideout you have? Quite in a shambles, don't you think?" Diluc's eyes shifted around the dilapidated building, observing the surroundings to know his enemies better.
The leader rolled his eyes, "It wouldn't be so bad once we get some funding from you and your girlfriend." Diluc hummed. Judging from his answer, it is safe to assume that the organization is rather a small scaling one. Defeating them right now will result in uprooting the source once and for all.
As Diluc was about to do so, a lackey of the gang ran frantically towards them, panting labored when he reached and trying to catch his breath. "What is it?" The leader question.
"T-there's... there's someone." He pointed towards a direction with fear layering his voice.
"What? Why are you so scared?" They all glanced towards the spot.
"I swear there was a woman! I don't know who it is, but she took out some of our guys on guard outside."
In disbelief that a woman could have done anything so reckless, the leader trudged to said location. As it is a spot lacking light, the darkness and shadow made it challenging for him to pinpoint if anyone is there. When he moved closer, you crept out behind from his blind spot and kicked the back of his head, causing his head to spin. Your arm lunged forward, gaining a tight hold onto his nape. You put everything into pushing him, his forehead hammered down to the floor. Creating a loud thud, it gave him a concussion.
"Looking for me?" Your foot stamped onto his back, just making sure he stays down.
Everyone, including your boyfriend, had their pupils dilated at the scene. You sighed at the silence, "All of you just messed with the wrong couple." Lifting your foot away, you stomped forward without giving them a second thought. Your arms and legs are all warmed up for many rounds against your foes.
Diluc watched you from afar as you drove your way towards victory. Although he could step in to help, he admits silently to himself that he would like to observe you a little longer. Putting his trust in your calibers to carry you far, his eyes never left your brave figure.
Once you cleared the group, the next thing to do is checking on Diluc. Already unfastening the restrains himself, he walked to you, "That was well executed. Your abilities shouldn't be underestimated. Don't join the Knights though." He stressed the last remark, scoffing. You chuckled and held his hand to guide him out of here, "Thanks. Glad to impress you, Master Diluc. Let's go home."
KAZUHA
Your boyfriend is a rather hard target to impose on for their plans of kidnapping him. His senses are just too refined for an ordinary person to challenge. Basic tactics, such as overthrowing him with the element of surprise have proven to be futile. Thus, Kazuha will always be able to evade falling prey into their hands.
The only way Kazuha could have been kidnapped is through falsifying evidence of you being in a life-threatening situation. Although he has successfully saved his own skin, not the same could be applied to you. Feeling his resolve shaken, what other choices could he have? Prioritizing your safety is the most important thing right now.
Kazuha may have faced similar situations in the past when out in the sea, encountering pirates of other crew aiming for the Crux Fleet's fortune. Being in the position as a captive for ransom is new. He actually found it amusing, rather than having thoughts of blaming you. It is not your fault that you are blessed with wealth. It is the fault of the criminals.
"Ain't you that the kid who's with Beidou? You're part of her crew." The leader questioned his target, to which he was greeted by Kazuha's silence. "Tell you what. You're just like the rest of us. We want to be rich. How about you ask your girlfriend to bring some more money and we'll give you a share as well?"
Kazuha's face darkened, "I don't know what you've heard, but it must be really valiant of you to assume to worst out of the Crux Fleet and myself. I'd appreciate it if you cease lumping me together with criminals like you."
The Crux Fleet does put up with an infamous reputation amongst the Qixing. Perhaps the abductors concluded that Kazuha has a negative conscience just like them, as in upholding a relationship with you to have a taste of your assets. Still, if he tried to talk his way out of it, barbarians like them will never reach a mutual understanding with him. Kazuha shut his eyes, ignoring any further confrontations to preserve his energy as he contemplates a plan.
He was interrupted when he thought he heard your voice nearby, carried by the wind. The others around him did not hear it since it was just something only Kazuha could pick up. Applying full concentration, he managed to form what he heard, "Get out of my way, please, while I'm asking nicely."
Opening his eyes, he turned to stare at the entrance. As if on cue, the door swung open when you kicked it down, announcing your presence. Some men fainted below your feet.
The others instantly reacted by storming towards your direction to stop your advancement. You stood still in your position, taking a mindful deep breath. One thing you learned from Kazuha is to always remain cold-headed before engaging in a fight.
Kazuha wanted to get out of the restraints to rescue you, but instead, you started dishing out few moves against the men.
When you thought you finished with the remaining numbers, their leader was about to declare his victory, "I got you!" Encircling his arm around your neck in an attempt to strangle you, you huffed and grinned towards Kazuha to signal him you have it under control.
You elbowed his stomach and felt him loosen his grip when he winced. Making enough gap between his arm and your neck, you slipped away and swiftly kicked in between his groins. The color drained from his face and tumbled to the ground, passing out in pain, "Hmph, this is what happens when you touch a lady without her permission." You brushed away the hair from your face after an arduous fight.
Jogging towards your boyfriend, "Kazuha!" He brisked towards you as well and held you in his embrace, softly rubbed your nape, "You're giving me plenty of inspirations for a haiku after such a wonderful performance." Kazuha would appreciate you refraining from such a heedless approach next time. He was comforted to see you safe and knowing the threats were nothing more than to use you, his weakness, against him. After witnessing that, Kazuha will be slightly ashamed he even doubted you in the first place, so he trusts that you can watch out for yourself next time.
#childe x reader#childe genshin impact#diluc x reader#diluc genshin impact#kazuha x reader#kazuha genshin impact#genshin impact x reader#genshin impact imagines#genshin impact headcanons
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Knight x an autistic / ADHD person who rdies horses and lvoed dragons
Ah yes! This is the shit I live for.
![Tumblr media](https://64.media.tumblr.com/631f36598cb29d0336fc681661560813/51a384e2ecf248c8-72/s540x810/388c0b3bfc67626910d2c313475638dd66a015f2.jpg)
Ever since you were a kid you practically lived and breathed the equestrian lifestyle haben had spent most of your youth with the horses and fowls that slept in the stables that laid beyond a crooked and rotten fence so much so that you fell asleep upon the hay of an empty stable only to wake up in the comfort of your bed it made the events of yesterday look like a dream. Needless to say your easy distract-ability caused a lot of worry and panic on your parents end but after the second and theirs time they would know where to go when to fetch for you for dinner or set a reminder on your phone. It was an effective tactic as there would be days where youâd go back home when needed after horse riding and maintaining the horses but that was a very much a 50/50 chance of occurring but a feet of improvement none the less.
When you werenât at the stables you would be out dragon scouting. Dragons were fascinating creatures. Their origins varied depending who you talked to and not one were alike the other. So when you werenât interested in anything equestrian youâd be found sitting in an opening in a field waiting for any signs of dragons, wyverns, drake, wyrm, amphiptere and or Lindwrum to pas you by doing their own thing. You normally came up short but that didnât stop you from imagining all the other species of dragon that had yet to be documented it was an exciting prospect.
So when you met knight cookie you almost knocked him down for a split second for a chance to admire the healthy and well cared for purebred heâd been leading by the reigns. The horse was well trained, their coat was phenomenal, their hooves looked freshly taken care of and their main was so silky that if you were to brush their hair it would be like brushing water. Needless to say the horse was an absolute specimen of the highest calibre a purebred could be, at least you believed the horse was a purebred. Hard to tell under all that equipment. Knight was about to start scolding when words only failed him as he saw how gentle and respectfully admired his trusted stead he didnât know what to say but that wasnât needed as when you came back to reality to notice the awkward knight sitting on the ground was when the apologies started as you helped him up, brushing him down of invisible dust a tad embarrassed yourself.
âIâm sorry! I just saw your horse and noticed how beautiful they were and just had to get a closer look to make sure my eyes werenât deceiving me. Again Iâm so sorry I shouldâve asked.â Knight brushed off your apology, knowing you didnât mean any actual harm only to cast his eyes to where his horse thought that now would be a great time to leave him alone and had began galloping off in the distance with his stuff still strapped to the saddle and in the direction where a local farmers market was being held. âApology accepted, listen you clearly know how to handle horses, so how about you help me wrangle my horse before they ruining the farmers market?â Blinking twice you looked for the horse, not believing what he was saying for a second before catching sight of itâs tail hairs fading from view before booking after it, leaving poor knight cookie with his struggle to catch up with you. Yellings for the horse to stop went completely unheard.
Anyways onto the relationship!
- horseback riding dates are a thing! Youâd go through the woods, find a nice clearing and have a cute little picnic break with some snacks and water for the horses. Though if you went horseback riding alone in the woods chances are heâd have to come and get you as there was a high possibility you were either asleep on the horse or distracted by some fungi growing.
- if your dream was to become a dragonologist, knight would help you find traces, proof, etc of other species of dragons yet to be documented which meant youâd probably have moved several times to fulfil your book but it was a nice change of scenery and meant you got intrigued by the little things whilst adventuring together. This also includes crude drawings of the dragons and what they mightâve looked like alive.
- then there are days where you have a little downtime to yourselves and you spend it giving the horses in the stables a freshen up or cuddle in bed cuz I believe that knight is most affectionate behind closed doors.
#cookie run imagine#cookie run imagines#cookie run kingdom imagine#cookie run kingdom imagines#cookie run kingdom x reader#cookie run x reader#knight cookie imagines#knight cookie imagine#knight cookie x reader
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Maybe Baby Retreat
â Words: 12.7k
â Genres: 50% Fluff, 50% Smut
â Summary: In an attempt to conceive, Taehyung discovers a five day retreat dedicated to help with the impregnation process but you're fairly certain that the entire thing is a scam.
[Day One]  Taehyung should be fucking you.  Itâs a bit crass to be grumbling that heâs not sticking his sperm in you, but your fertile window begins today and if he really wants a kid as much as he says he does, you wouldnât be on a godforsaken bus.  The yellow school bus jumps and jolts as it goes down the jagged, unpaved road. Every bump is felt in the back by ten folds as youâre rocked from side to side on the seat and not on your husbandâs dick. Said man is too busy singing along with the guide thatâs living it up with a mic in hand and his voice on the intercom. Heâs trying to bring up the morale, but youâre not having it.  Instead, you turn to the window and stare out at the empty countryside that stretches across the horizon. Thereâs not a car in sight and if you swear to god if youâre being shipped to a serial killerâs farmhouse, youâre dragging Taehyung down to hell with you.  âYouâre frowning, sweetheart,â he says while leaning over to you, flashing a blazing grin much to your chagrin. âYou know stress isnât good for the baby.â  âItâs not like it matters. There is no baby.â  âNot yet.â Taehyung throws an arm around your shoulder, pulling you into him as you scoff. Youâre aware being a Debbie Downer isnât going to help anyone but itâs hard to loosen up when youâre so on guard and skeptical about this whole thing. When youâre surrounded by noisy strangers who are all too overfamiliar.  You suppose it was your fault to begin with.  All those nights of staying up to read about tricks and tips of conceiving led Taehyung to discover the Baby Retreat. A five day sanctuary that ensures people will be able to conceive.  The moment you saw it, you were certain that the whole thing was a scam, but your sweet summer child husband was wholly convinced and no matter what you said, it wouldnât change his mind.  âWho knows, it might actually work, right?! And if it doesnât, then it looks fun anyway! When was the last time we had a vacation together?â  Itâs also your fault for being so soft. You couldnât shut Taehyung down when he was so enthusiastic, so here you are. You took off a week off work and on your fertile day, youâre shipped onto a school bus out into the middle of nowhere.  âOh! Looks like weâre here, folks!â The vehicle slows as it turns into the gravel parking lot and the guide smiles as he peers out the windshield. âWelcome to the Baby Retreat! I hope you leave with a few buns in the oven! And if not, then donât worry, you can still eat for two here!â  Thereâs a few snickers and once the bus parks, everyone gets up, slowly shuffling out and stretching their legs.  The air is sweltering hot and the sun beams down onto the back of your neck, making it uncomfortable to breathe. Youâre panting with sweat built on your hairline as you drag your luggage through the grass. But no one seems bothered by it. Maybe because theyâre excited that theyâre here, they have the energy to fill the field with their chatter.  Even Taehyung is grinning and heâs a certified whiner when it comes to hot weather. The guy blasts the air conditioner during summer until it feels like itâs winter. Though you have an inkling itâs just a tactic so you can cuddle up to him for warmth before bed.  âCome on, slowpoke!â Taehyung breaks through your train of thought and then abandons you by running ahead like a hyperactive five year old.  âIâd be faster if you helped me!â Taehyung doesnât hear you. You wonder if you married a child â but you suppose thatâs why you called him the light of your life during your vows. Like Yoongi once said at the dinner reception, Taehyungâs excessive energy is indeed a double-edged sword.  You follow the stream of people to the center building, a modern wooden structure in the middle of the fifteen yurts that form a circle. It surprisingly looks alike to the advertisements, each with a porch and steps up to the door. The grass is verdant and pliant beneath your feet, the numerous trimmed trees around providing some nice shade and the flower beds give bright splashes of colour to the place. If this retreat wasnât oddly centered around impregnation, you wouldâve been convinced that it was a fancy camping resort.  âWelcome everyone! Welcome to the Baby Retreat! I hope the trip here wasnât too bad!â  You finally join Taehyungâs side and look towards the stage in front of the main building. Thereâs a man with a half-moon smile and chubby cheeks in a loose tunic and taupe pants. He stands next to a woman in a baggy poncho holding a ukulele for reasons beyond you.  âI see some familiar faces here! To all those already familiar with the Baby Retreat, welcome home. Iâll try to keep this short and simple, so youâre not too bored.â He claps his hands together with a bright smile. You look around at the crowd to see elated expressions. âMy name is Park Jimin and this is my girlfriend, Song Hyunjin. A little about us, weâve been together for over ten years and yes, we have an open relationship with each other, but that does not mean we arenât in love with each other.â  He draws her in, nuzzling into her without shame and she giggles. âTo our new faces, trust me, youâll find out soon enough.â  Jimin pulls away with an enormous grin. âWe havenât had any children ourselves, but donât worry. Weâre reproductive endocrinologists with proper training and medical degrees. But we started this retreat four years ago to take a more unconventional approach to reproduction. And for the next five days, we have the honour of hopefully helping you ladies conceive and you males impregnate your partner!â  Thereâs some exchanged smiles and Taehyung looks at you with hopeful eyes. It feels better to hear these people arenât uneducated and talking out of their ass, but youâre still unsure how to feel.  Hyunjin laughs. âNot only that, our goal is to help you relax and truly deepen your relationship with your partner. While we canât promise a hundred percent success rate, hopefully youâll leave this place feeling more refreshed than you did before. With that being said, please feel free to come up and ask us any questions. Weâre very open people who are more than happy to help you in your process of expanding your wonderful families. There is nothing more beautiful than pregnancy and birth.â  She jumps off the stage and grabs a wooden crate. With a smile, she begins passing out packs.  Jimin continues, âFor the next five days, weâll be helping everyone improve their diets and exercise habits while getting plenty of vitamin D. What my lovely Hyunjin is handing out now are your survival kits!â  âFor men, fenugreek supplements are given to improve your sperm counts and for the ladies, there are prenatal vitamins and folic acid. Thereâs also a guide to the activities provided around here and a map, some sunscreen and other knick-knacks to remember your time here. Donât worry, we wonât bombard you with any pregnancy pamphlets or information. Iâm sure youâre tired of hearing about that.â  Itâs a bit refreshing to hear. Youâve been neck deep in research about conception that itâs been hard lately â another reason that you agreed to Taehyungâs whims.  âAre you the Kim family?â Hyunjin asks and when you confirm it, she hands both you and Taehyung cute pouches. You reluctantly take it, but when you thank her, she happily smiles. âWelcome to the Baby Retreat.â  The introduction drags on for a bit more before Hyunjin admits that itâs hot and that everyoneâs probably tired, so the meeting ends and you open your pouch and find information on your yurt.  âNot too bad, right?â  Taehyung can tell by the look on your face as you gaze up at your white-tented yurt.  âWeâll see,â you mumble and he takes the luggage, following behind you. âI thought we were going to spend five days in an orange tent, so I guess this is better by default.â  âAn orange tent?â He laughs. âBut I showed you the commercial! Did you not pay attention?â  âPeople lie on advertisements all the time, Tae.â  But to your surprise, the interior of the yurt is even better than expected. It looks like a cozy cabin, wooden panel walls that separate the full kitchen from the full bathroom and provides some privacy to where the queen sized bed is. Light comes in from the top, filling the space with luminescence. Thereâs a mini-fridge filled with goods, plush towels set on the table with a personalized welcome card, down duvets that are soft to the touch.  And itâs wrecked the moment Taehyung jumps on the bed with his arms and legs wide open like a starfish. He rolls over and props his head up with his hand â in the position where he often asks you in a breathy voice to paint him like one of your french girls. And he uses the same voice on you now while wiggling his brows, âWanna ruin the sheets with me?â  You burst out laughing, but it sounds all too tempting. He could probably dump a load in you within five minutes, though youâre not sure if anyone could hear you from the outside. âDidnât they say thereâs planned activities in an hour? What if we donât show up.â  âItâs fine. People come here for one reason anyway.â Thereâs a pause. âTo fuck.â  You roll your eyes, setting your suitcase next to the bed and you look at the nightstand to notice mineral oil lubricants. Youâre mildly impressed at the details. âThanks, Captain Obvious.â  âThey wonât miss us.â Taehyungâs own attention is taken to a wooden basket on a shelf of the irregular shaped bookshelf and he comes over, only to grin when he sees whatâs inside. âHoney. I think we should have some fun tonight.â  You turn around, wondering what heâs up to now. But any snarky remarks die on your tongue when you find a leather whip in his left hand and a ten inch, neon pink dildo in his other hand.  âIs that...even sanitary?!â  You canât imagine how many people have used it.  âWe can find out.â Taehyung fiddles around with it, pushes a button and the dildo begins to rotate, making the both of you laugh. âHoney, we gotta give them five stars on Yelp! They have a communal sex toy bin for us to use! We canât get this anywhere else.â  âOh god. Iâd rather not share my sex toys with anyone.â The two of you are interrupted by muffled folk music that begins to leak inside and it persuades you to go out. âCâmon, we should go check out what they have. If we have to spend five days here, we might as well meet some other people too and be social or whatever.â  Taehyung grins, tossing the dildo back into the basket and joining your side. âYouâre liking this place, arenât you?â  âNo. I just think the yurtâs half-decent.â  Taehyung can see right through you, but itâs a bit too early for the âtold you soâ spiel so he holds back and the both of you step outside of the yurt. Thereâs a few people hanging around and the weather is more bearable as the sun slowly begins moving and setting over the horizon. You meet friendly newlyweds who are surprisingly having their honeymoon here.  âWe just canât wait to have kids,â Rose, the young twenty three year old, says as she embraces her husband, Hoseok. Theyâre no strangers to publish displays of affection, openly kissing up on each other. It would make you a bit uncomfortable if not for how touchy Taehyung is as well.  When you first got together all those years ago, your friends teased you about it but itâs been years since. No oneâs a stranger to how you plop yourself down on Taehyungâs lap or how he might kiss you and then steal your food right off of your own plate.  âWhen we saw that the retreat offered a honeymoon package, we just couldnât resist,â Hoseok says, but youâre not sure if heâs talking to you and Taehyung or his wife with how much he gazes at her. Itâs a sweet sight though. You remember that honeymoon period.  âRemember when we were that young?â you ask as you leave to the other side, giving the couple some much needed privacy. It was obvious they werenât up for more conversation with the way theyâre shifting and staring at one another.  âWhen you were still hot? Yeah. I doââ Taehyung bursts out laughing when you jab him. âIâm kidding, Iâm kidding! Youâre still hot, okay? The hottest chick here and youâd make the hottest MILF too.â  âDamn straight.â  The pair of you also run into another couple thatâs older and appears a lot more comfortable with the place. âOh, this is actually our second time here! The first time gave us the four year old troublemaker running amok back at home.â  You blink in surprise, suddenly more interested in the conversation. âThis place...worked for you?â  âIt sure did.â The woman, Dahyun, smiles. âSome people didnât have as much luck as we did, but we had so much fun last time that we knew we just had to come back. We were actually staying in your yurt last time.â  She points and you swivel your head over, intrigued. âHuh.â Taehyung raises a brow, noticing how engaged you are and the corner of his mouth tugs.  Her husband, Seokjin, chuckles heartily. âWe thought it was time to give our son a younger brother, so here we are! Tonightâs the welcome party and just a word of advice, I really recommend getting some of that grilled salmon. Itâs absolutely delicious.â  âJust let them eat whatever they want, Jin,â his wife sighs in exasperation.  âIâm just saying! I wouldâve liked to know last time â I wouldâve gotten two plates before they ran out.â  âThis is why the doctor told you to eat less of everything. You ate more than I did when I was pregnant with Youngjae.â  âI canât help that Iâm eating for three! For your information, Iâm carrying the entire family on these broad, broad shoulders of mine. Soon, Iâll have to start eating for four.â  Dahyun turns to you and Taehyung who are amused at their bickering. âIâm sorry. Please ignore him.â  Itâs not a bad place, at least not so far. You werenât sure what you were anticipating, but on the entire way here, you were worried that it was a scam your poor husband fell for. Luckily though, it seemed like the accommodation is good and the people around are friendly and welcoming, coming from different kinds of backgrounds and walks of life. It makes you feel better about not having internet connection or being murdered in the middle of the night.  The welcoming party turns out to be fairly nice too, and like Seokjin said, the food is delicious.  Itâs a buffet style with tables set out, full of what Jimin declares is antioxidant-rich foods. He and Hyunjin go on a tangent about the benefits, how soy and estrogen foods have been limited, how thereâs an emphasis on fruits, vegetables, carbohydrates, proteins and folic acid, and youâre sorely impressed at the attention to detail they provide.  âOh my god. The salmon is amazing and have you tried these beans, Tae?!â  Taehyung laughs as he watches you eat, eyes lifted to look at you across the rounded table. âI thought you hated beans.â  âI do. But try it.â You lift your fork and he happily leans over, taking a bite. He swallows it down and smiles at how you stuff your cheeks.  After dinner, the pair of you gather with the rest to watch a few performances held on the main stage. Jimin introduces other staff members who sing, dance and Hyunjin even does a number with her ukulele, belting out some indie songs while standing bare feet.  Itâs bizarre and a bit surreal to be sitting back in a lawn chair and watching some chick with flowers in her hair jump around and try to entertain you, but itâs not completely unwelcome. If anything, you were sort of having fun. The sun had set, making the weather milder. The breeze was warm against your cheeks and the fairy lights strung above were twinkling.  The whole atmosphere lulled you and with your head leaning on Taehyungâs shoulder, every blink became heavier and heavier. âThis is nice,â you mutter and he catches it.  Your husband turns his head with a tiny smile. âYeah?â  âMhmh...â  You feel a wet kiss being planted at the top of your head and you decide to indulge, closing your eyes for just a moment. But the next time they open, you realize that the crowd has thinned, theyâve put on music on the stereo and Taehyungâs windbreaker is draped on top of you as a makeshift blanket.  âHey there, sleepy head.â He grins at you when he notices your lashes fluttering. âWant me to carry you back to the yurt?â  âIâm fine.â It takes a second to get up and you stretch your arms out before the both of you make your way back to the yurt. There were a few younger couples lingering around and still taking in the scenery, but the years were catching up to you quickly and all you wanted was to dive into the sheets and satiate the rest of your sleepiness. âHow long was I out for?â  âAbout half an hour?â  Taehyung fishes for the key and opens the door. âI didnât even realize I was so tired.â You manage to kick off your shoes and beeline to the bathroom to brush your teeth.  âOf course, you were tired. You didnât even sleep on the bus and for the past few days youâve been up late doing research.â  You mumble incoherently, not having enough energy to argue with Taehyung and he grins, nudging you aside so he can grab his own toothbrush.  In the next ten minutes, itâs lights out. Youâre rolled onto the bed, tucked into the warm sheets like a burrito, and Taehyungâs settled in as well. You hear his exhale and you allow your muscles to relax in the comfortable darkness. The exhaustion thatâs been built from the entire day washes over you. But before you can drift off, in the quietness of the room, you remember.  And you reach out, arm stretched, feeling for your husband.  Taehyung hums when you tap his shoulder. You feel him shift and mumble, âWhatâs wrong?â  âIâm fertile,â you mutter with your eyes closed. âYou need to stick your dick in me.â  He bursts out laughing and his arm slings over your abdomen. âItâs okay if we donât have sex tonight, you know.â  You sigh, too fatigued to get up and do the job yourself. âWeâre gonna miss our opportunity, Tae.â  A soft kiss is pressed to your temple, and you feel yourself losing the fight to keep your consciousness. âWeâll have other chances. Relax.â  âRelaxingâŚ.isn't gonna give us a baby.â  âNo, but it will keep my current baby sane.â  After being together for so many years, Taehyung knows how to make his words sound sweet and enticing. And before you can even damn him for always catering to you and babying you, youâve fallen asleep in his arms.
[Day Two]  Breakfast is as incredible as dinner was. Thereâs a full fruit platter thatâs apparently all organic and a number of carbohydrates to fill yourself all the way to lunch. But you begin to regret eating so much with the scheduled activity that follows.  âCouples yoga is a way to build intimacy and trust with your partner.â Hyunjin and Jimin smile brilliantly and you wonder if theyâre happy go lucky all the time. It must be fucking exhausting.  âTaehyung.â You nudge the man beside you whoâs intently listening and he turns his head. âYou know Iâm not flexible at all.â  âDonât worry.â He flashes a blazing grin. Itâs way too early for this. âThis is just for fun and Iâll catch you if anything.â  âNo. Last time I tried doing yoga, I pulled a muscle in my thighââ  âOh look. Theyâre doing the first pose!â Your husband excitedly lugs you down and youâre forced to comply, crossing your legs and facing him.  Itâs simple at first. There are basic poses with him leaning against you. Although it is hard to find a good balance considering how tall Taehyung is and even for being lanky, heâs quite a bit stronger than you are. But when Hyunjin and Jimin begin to twist themselves around and Jimin holds her up by the feet with a single hand, you know itâs impossible.  Unlike Taehyung, you never did cheerleading or any acrobatics.  âYouâre going to drop me or Iâm going to snap your spine, Tae!â  âDonât you trust me?â  You look at your half-monkey, half-clown of a husband. âDo you really want to know the truth?â  The both of you collapse into a heaping mess before he can confirm or deny. He laughs and starts tickling you for not being able to listen until youâre begging him to stop before you look more like an idiot than you already do.  Thereâs a few couples who do a good job and you giggle when Taehyung mutters passive aggressive comments on how theyâre teacherâs pets or that their form is awful. But thereâs the fair share of other pairs who do as bad as you, namely Seokjin and Dahyun, the old couple from last night, bickering at being unable to do any poses.  You canât say that coupleâs yoga is particularly relaxing, but itâs silly and you find yourself having fun.  Hyunjin leads the cool down exercise and Taehyung nearly whacks you in the head with how he stretches. Your glare gains his exaggerated pout then cheesy smile. âNow as the very last cool down exercise, weâre going to take our partners by the hand.â  You mimic her and clasp Taehyungâs hands, awaiting further instructions.  âAnd weâre going to gaze into their eyes.â What? âFocus into the colour of their irises, how brown or blue or green they might be, or even the pattern of them. Sometimes we donât truly look at one another like we should.â  âWhat are they even saying?â you mutter and the corner of Taehyungâs mouth twitches. In spite of how bizarre it is, you follow and stare into Taehyungâs rounded eyes. Theyâre brown. Like theyâve always been.  But you must admit, when the morning sunlight catches his irises at particular angles, the colour is a lighter shade than usual. Theyâre quite bright too.  âThey say if we gaze into the eyes of someone we love, our heartbeat synchronizes together.â  What? Your brows furrow skeptically and youâre about to turn away, but suddenly Taehyung grabs a hold of your chin. âDonât look away,â he commands with an authoritative voice and you swallow hard.  âOkay.â You focus your eyes to enlarge and focus. âIâm looking.â  You wonder if this is a staring contest, but even with his wolfish smile and being married for so long, Taehyungâs intent stare starts to make you feel vulnerable. You wonder if heâs always looked at you so affectionately. More importantly, you realize that even with all his dumb antics â like deciding to paint the fence green and then stopping halfway or ripping out the cabinets in the kitchen and never replacing them like he intended â you still love this sweet and kind dummy.  âAlright. Everyone can relax now,â Jimin announces softly as he claps and you finally blink a few times, eyes stinging from how you forced them open. âThatâs the end of this session. Thank you for joining everyone.â  Yet, Taehyung holds your gaze a moment longer. And before you can pipe up and tell him itâs over, the man leans in and presses a soft kiss to your lips. He smiles when he pulls away. âAs much as sweat is a good look on you, I think itâs time to shower, Mrs. Kim.â  You scoff and he holds your hand with an enormous grin, dragging you back to the yurt.  The two of you hop into the shower together, a habit that Taehyung insists is to save water for the good of the environment, but you swear half the time, you end up wasting more than if either of you do it separately. Youâre sure that right now is one of those times.  âHey.â You turn around as heâs lathering up his shampoo.  âHey, yourself.â He smiles and shifts towards the stream of water before screaming at how hot it is. Taehyung quickly adjusts it, dissipating the fog on the glass. âWhy do you like bathing in molten lava, woman?â  âYou always make it too cold.â You scoff, but donât dwell on the argument as you lean into his backside. âListen, should we get a quickie in?â  Taehyung frees himself of the soap and looks at you. âIf we do, weâll miss lunch and then the hike.â  âWeâre going on a hike?!â  âYep, so hurry up cause if we donât get lunch, weâre not gonna make it!â He gets out of the shower, leaving you to be bludgeoned by the ice, cold water. You sigh in exasperation.  The purpose of coming here is to conceive, not go on a hike. But with how enthused he is, you begrudgingly join.  Afternoons are the worst out here. The sun is sweltering and there isnât an ounce of a breeze or a wind. As a result, the heat stifles and lingers without dissipating, causing sweat to dampen your clothing and stick to the back of your neck. The weather exhausts you and you feel your creamy lunch pasta up your throat again as you lug your legs up the steep, rocky incline.  No matter how much you try to keep up, you fall behind from the group.  Taehyung twirls around with a big grin, mouth perfectly symmetrically. âAre you okay?â  âW-What does it look like?â you pant. Itâs unfair that Taehyung works out once a year and treats his body like a candy trashcan but is still more fit than you are.  âI can carry you if you want.â  âYouâre going to snap in half carrying me.â You pass him as he laughs.  You hear him catch up, feet skipping along like heâs playing hopscotch. Then suddenly, you feel yourself being lifted off the ground and you shriek, arms looping around Taehyungâs neck. Youâre scooped up in his arms like heâs about to kick down the door into the bedroom, but instead, he starts sprinting up the path like a maniac.  âTaehyung!â you squeal and he laughs again.  âIsnât this better?â  âArenât you tired?â  âIf I say yes, youâre gonna think Iâm trying to tell you to lose weight, but for the record, I like how soft you are.â  You roll your eyes, embarrassed as you pass a few couples, but none of them seem to find it bizarre and they even smile warmly at you and Taehyung. Yet, he starts to slow down tremendously after a few minutes, panting and sweating profusely. You ask him if heâs going to put you down yet, but you underestimate just how stubborn your dear husband is. Taehyung refuses until youâre up at the top of the trail, making it to where Jimin and Hyunjin are by the waterfall.  There, youâre finally on set on your feet again.  You pass him your water bottle. âDrink it before Iâm the one dragging you down.â  He grins and downs it.  Up here, itâs much more refreshing and easier to breathe. Thereâs a tiny waterfall coming from the higher mountains and there are trees around to provide shade. When you squint, you can see the campsite at a distance with all the yurts.  âWe should take some pictures!â Taehyung declares when he steadies his breath and pulls out his selfie stick from the hideous fanny pack that you still wonât admit is pretty convenient.  âYour mom is gonna want a copy so donât pull any ugly faces, Tae.â  âMy face is never ugly.â He tugs you beside him and snaps a few shots before reviewing them carefully. Taehyung always had an eye for these kinds of things. âWe didnât get a good angle of the water.â  âI can take it for you.â  âWhatâs the point if weâre not together?â His thick brows are furrowed, lips lopsided, sighing.  A matronly and friendly voice pipes up next to you, âDo you need any help?â  Dahyun is smiling with Seokjin beside her and Taehyung appears relieved. âYes, please.â  She takes his phone as he folds back his selfie stick and she stands off to the side, capturing you and Taehyung smiling with his arm around you. âOne. Two. Three. Iâll take another one.â  Dahyun changes the angle a bit and Taehyung leans over to pull on your cheek while you feign a glare at him. The second picture is taken while the woman and her husband laugh, endeared. âThere we go. You can check them to see if theyâre good.â  The phone is handed back and by Taehyungâs expression, it seems acceptable. âYou two are too cute. When did you get married?â  âOh, I think three years ago? Yeah. Three.â  Itâs much longer than it actually feels. It seemed like it was a week ago when you first met in class and thought he was annoying. Like yesterday, he was supposed to propose at a fancy restaurant but failed when you found the ring box the night before â how he screamed at you to stop, but it was too late and he ended up going with it. Theyâve all become memories that you cherish.  âWe met back in school and dated a while before getting married.â  Dahyun smiles. âHave you decided how many kids you want yet?â  You hitch a thumb to Taehyung. âHe wants four, but Iâm fine with two.â  âThe bigger the family, the better, right?â he says, looking up from the screen of his phone.  âWait until you have kids, youâll end up wanting more,â Seokjin chuckles, âThat or youâll want to give them all away, but personally, I could raise a whole football team if sheâd let me.â  His wife jabs him in the ribs. âYeah, because youâre not the one who has to give birth to them.â  âAnd thatâs why youâre the boss of the house.â He pouts at her while the corners of his mouth tickle up into a smile, and she relents.  âLetâs be honest, the real boss of the house is our little troublemaker. I swear he took after all your bad traits.â  Seokjin gasps. âExcuse me, Youngjae is my most masterful creation...even if he painted all over our leather seats and popped our car tire with his batman toy.â  She shakes her head with a light sigh, but itâs hard to hide her beaming expression. âI shouldâve known he would give me trouble when he went past the due date for two weeks.â  âT-two weeks?â you sputter.  Dahyun nods, finally having the sympathy she was trying to fish out of her husband. âMy stomach was as big as a watermelon and I was in labour for fourteen hours before I ended up getting an emergency c-section and he came out a whopping ten pounds.â  Your head is swirling as you try to imagine a ten pound baby in this petite woman.  It almost seems like a horror story thatâs waiting to be picked up by Hollywood.  âBut honestly, the hardest part wasnât the whole pregnancy or birthing process. It was afterwards.â Her exhale is long and fatigued. âSuddenly thereâs another human being youâre responsible for and you have to take care of them while youâre still in recovery. I remember when Youngjae couldnât stop crying in the middle of the night. I always had an idea that having kids was a lot of work, but you really donât have time for yourself once theyâre born, and not to mention my bladder was completely done for after the whole thing.â  âAlright, alright.â Her husband pulls her close. âI already know youâre a woman warrior. I saw it with my own eyes.â  Dahyun smiles but it doesnât reach her eyes and she turns to him, deadpanning, âNo, you didnât. You passed out half-way.â  âI was there in spirit,â Seokjin insists humorously.  Dahyun scoffs while Taehyung grins at their back and forth thatâs reminiscent of his own dynamic with you. âBut were they worth it?â  âOh, a thousand percent,â Dahyun responds without needing a second to consider, expression softening. âEnough that I would want to do it all over again.â  She doesnât get a chance to say much else when Jiminâs voice pierces through the chatter and everyone gathers together with the last stragglers who have finally made it up. âThank you, everyone, for coming all the way up here. This is Serenity Falls that was actuallyâŚďż˝ďż˝  But his voice drowns out.  You linger on what Dahyun said, about child rearing and birthing, and thereâs nothing that can be done to the uneasy emotion swelling inside of you.  The walk back down is silent. Done without a single complaint from you about the hot weather or how your feet ache. Taehyung notices, glancing at you several times. He doesnât say anything until youâre back at the yurt.  âWhatâs wrong?â  You look at him from across the room. âNothing, why?â  âYouâve just been quiet.â  âI justâŚ.â You inhale and decide to divulge him. âI was just thinking about what Dahyun and Seokjin were saying. Do you think weâre cut out for this, Taehyung?â  His head quirks to one side. âWhy wouldnât we be?â  âYou and I can barely take care of ourselves.â  âThatâs not true.â  âWe forget to buy food all the time.â  âThat makes midnight snack runs fun.â He grins.  You exhale an unsteady breath and Taehyung approaches you. He doesnât mind how sweaty you are and wraps his arms around your waist. âWeâll figure it out. You said it yourself, right? One step at a time.â  âBut what if itâs too much and you decide you donât want to do it anymore? Or that...you donât want to be with me?â He opens his mouth, but you keep going before he can jump in. Itâs not just about you being self-conscious or needing reassurance. Youâre simply trying to imagine the worst case scenario as realistically as you can. âLike when Iâm still bloated like a whale and in a bad mood and the babyâs crying and no one knows what to do.â  âIâll still love you no matter the changes,â Taehyung murmurs earnestly, searching your expression. âEven if youâre bloated like a whale and in a bad mood and the babyâs crying and no one knows what to do. Iâll use google to figure it out and get the baby to calm down and Iâll get you some chocolate and Iâll rub your feet.â  You scoff lightly. âYou make it sound so easy.â  âMaybe because it wonât be as hard as you think. Iâm great with kids and we got killer teamwork, you know, plus this babyâll be the best project weâve ever done together.â  âA project thatâs gonna last us eighteen years.â You smile.  Taehyung laughs, the sound mellifluous in the room. âWhich isnât that long considering how fast time moves.â  You hum and encircle your arms around his neck. Taehyung gets the hint and leans in to seal your lips against his, slotting them together to kiss you the way he knows you like it.  Itâs slow, comforting, an opportunity to revel in the softness of his lips. Taehyung gives you courage â he always has and when you break apart, smiling against each other, you feel worlds better than before. âIâm gonna start a bubble bath. You can join me if you want.â  Itâs less of a suggestion and more of a demand, one Taehyung fully recognizes and makes him smile in amusement as you saunter away. Taking advantage of the tub in the bathroom, you lower the stopper of the drain and dump in the soap they offer. The water gets filled three quarters way with a layer of bubbles and you strip. You sigh as you get comfortable in the tub.  âIs it warm?â  Your husband leans against the doorway, arms crossed and the corner of his mouth curled.  âUh-huh.â You loll your head on the edge of the tub and lift up your foot, watching the way the water cascades off your skin. âAre you not going to get in?â  âMaybe later,â Taehyung surprisingly replies. He rarely rejects any chance at jumping your bones when youâre being this forward about it. Thereâs no hike or lunch to catch thatâs preventing him from having fun with you either. But as your husband walks out, you catch him unceremoniously stealing the clothes you have prepared and the stack of towels by the sink.  âWhat are you doing?â  âThereâs no point in covering yourself up if Iâm gonna strip you anyway.â He flashes a mischievous grin and you sigh, relenting in his antics. You simply lay back to enjoy the water, muscles relaxing and your brain thatâs constantly in overdrive empties.  After ten minutes, your skin begins to wrinkle, so you drain the water and get out. But the moment you stand up, the cool air conditioning slams into you and your body starts to shiver.  âTaehyung!â you shout and hear silence. âAt least give me a towel!â  Fortunately for you, thereâs a smaller one on the rack he missed so you swipe at it and wrap your shoulders to protect yourself. But youâre still dripping wet and in need of your clothes, so you stomp out to find your ridiculous partner whoâs apparently five years old andâ  âHA!â Said man youâre searching for bursts out of the closet and you scream, startled half to death, nearly falling to the ground. Taehyung starts to laugh like a maniac.  âAre you serious?!â You gawk at him. âHow long did you even wait there for?â  âLike five minutes ago.â The bastard wolfishly grins. âWorth it though.â  You cock a brow at him, sighing. âSo thatâs why you didnât join me in the bath?â  âNo. I didnât join you, so I could do this.â He yanks the towel where your breasts meet, leaving you nude. Goosebumps rise all over your skin and your nipples harden in the frigid air.  You screech, arms trying to cover yourself. âTaehyung, itâs cold!â âI can warm you up,â he says but then runs away when he reads the glare on your face, giggling boyishly. Itâs completely childish. If anyone was watching, youâd be mortified, but itâs been a long time since there was any shame in your marriage, so you stomp after him while nude.  You hunt the man down while he tries to evade by rounding the coffee table. Itâs no longer about grabbing clothes or covering yourself up, itâs time for revenge.  Luckily, the yurt isnât big enough to have a game of tag. You manage to reach him and you steal the opportunity to yank his pants down. Taehyung, mid-laugh, trips on his feet and stumbles on the carpet. You burst out giggles, looking at his ass in the air and he giggles too from the infectious sound bubbling up your throat.  âOh, youâre gonna get it now,â He mutters in a low voice with half-lidded eyes and you scramble away with another shriek.  âYou started it!â You jump onto the bed and Taehyung kicks off his pants. You donât ask why heâs skipped out on wearing boxers, but you notice heâs already half-hard and that only makes you laugh louder.  He chases after you as you duck and steal his own tactic of rounding the coffee table. But unfortunately for you, Taehyung has always been destined to win with his longer legs. He catches you within two strides and snatches you as you scream. Youâre thrown over his shoulder like youâre a sack of potatoes and he smirks. âCaught you.â  âTaehyung! People are gonna hear!â You laugh in spite of being the one whoâs making most of the noise and he tosses you onto the bed. Usually, you hate to be manhandled, but your husbandâs the only exception to the rule.  âLet them hear.â  He hovers over you and the laughter dies down. Taehyung stares earnestly into your eyes and your breathing becomes shallow. But you donât like to lose and as his wife of three years, you know his one, true weakness.  Your fingers lift to Taehyungâs armpits and he seizes when you start tickling him. You laugh when he does and once he doubles over, thereâs an opening to the left, a perfect escape route. You steal the opportunity while you still have it and start to climb off the bed, but he regains his breath and grabs your ankle, tugging you back to him in one swift motion without even needing to try.  Taehyung grins. âGod, youâre such a brat sometimes.â  âYeah, and I know you like it.â  He grabs your wrists before you can make another tickle attack and pins it above your head. You can tell that thereâs no more time for jokes or any more playing around, not when you can feel his hard cock against your stomach.  âYou smell good,â he sighs into your neck, inhaling deeply. âCherry blossom? Peony?â  âStrawberries,â you answer. âYou smell like sweat.â  âYouâre gonna end up like me anyway.â Taehyung smiles and leans in to kiss you. It isnât shy or chaste. His tongue licks into your mouth and you exhale, a strangled moan muffled against his lips as you melt against him. He finally has you where he wants and you let him take control.  The pair of you swap spit for a few minutes until he releases your hands, allowing you to curl your fingers into his shoulders as he caresses your waist.  Taehyung eventually breaks away with a playful glint in his eyes. âYou wanna try the toys?â  You both look at the basket half across the room and he rolls off of you. You get to your feet to inspect it for yourself and discover an array of colourful gadgets, some that youâve tried before and others that youâre sure needs to have an instruction manual with it.  âIâm not putting any of these dildos in me, Tae. I donât know where theyâve been.â  âI know.â He lays with his head propped up by his hand and you eye something at the bottom of the basket. You pull out a leather whip and look at him. âOoh, a classic pick there, sweetheart.â  A whip seems more sanitary considering it doesnât have to go in anyoneâs orifices.  âIs it?â You approach with a tiny smile, staring down the innocent man. âRoll over.â  âWhat?â  âIâll whip you.â You grin and he blinks at you. More often than not, youâre the more submissive one in bed, but the idea of having Taehyung crying out and the idea of you cackling at his pain has him immediately rolling face down in intrigue and you stepping up on the bed.  He turns his face to the side. âDo you know how to do it?â  âHow hard can it be?â Thereâs a pause. âBut tell me if it hurts.â  âThe point is to make it hurt, Y/N.â  âYeah, but I donât want to hurt you-hurt you.â  âI can handle it.â Taehyung smirks and you scoff.  Even in this position, heâs trying to maintain his dominance.  You grip it tightly and donât count. Simply, with a flick your wrist, you slam the whip across his backside. It makes a loud cracking sound and you hear Taehyung sharply inhale. His teeth grit and you freeze, watching his expression carefully.  âHow was it?â  âIs my back split open?â he asks, trying to look over his shoulder.  âNo.â  âI think I might have to go to the ER.â He sits up completely, overdramatic in the way he fumbles around and his tone filled with some mischief. âI think thereâs internal bleeding. Or my spine is broken. I wouldnât be surprised.â  âItâs fine, Tae.â you laugh. So much for telling you to go for it. But you already had an inkling Taehyung wasnât one for receiving pain. After all, heâs still your whiny baby who only eats vanilla yogurt. âNot your thing?â  âNot my thing.â He takes the whip from your hand and tosses it across the room. âI have a better toy in mind.â  Youâre about to remind him youâre not gonna put any of those communal toys inside of you, but he instead walks over to his suitcase and starts tearing some clear packaging open with something pink inside. You read the label â itâs a remote control vibrating egg.  Your brows furrow. âWhen did you get that?â  âTwo days before we left. Amazon prime, babe.â  âSo thatâs what you were looking at when you told me you were doing some online shopping?â  âPrecisely.â Taehyung grins and youâre not sure if you should be pleasantly surprised or in dismay since the two of you have already made a pact not to buy anything else online. The treadmill bought on an impulse is still taking up half the space of the living room.  Before you can think too much, Taehyung gets it open and comes over. He nudges your thighs to open and you lay back, leaning against the headboard. Youâre not that wet yet, if at all, but it doesnât stay that way when his long fingers rub against your clit in circles.  With his other hand, he strokes against your slit and then sinks his index finger in knuckle deep. You throw back your head, moaning his name at the intrusion while he remains silent, intently watching your pink cunt squeeze. Taehyung curls his finger and swallows hard. The sloppy sounds of your cunt fill the room and he hums in satisfaction.  âOkay. Ready?â  âUh-huh.â  The head of the cold egg meets your folds and it slowly enters. While the toy might not be big or long, the girth stretches against your warm walls and you keen. Taehyung makes a low noise, encouraging you to take it. When itâs in, he smiles brilliantly. âGood job, sweetheart. You did it.â  âNow what?â  âThis, of course.â Taehyung dangles the remote in front of you and then like a psycho, he ramps it up to the highest possible setting. Intense vibrations are felt through your body instantaneously and you cry, head knocked back against the headboard as your velvet walls squeeze and tremble.  âT-Taehyung!â  âGood?â  âI-Itâs too much!â Youâre completely at his mercy and he takes advantage of it, drinking you in with a wolfish smile. Youâre unable to muster a glare at him, reduced to a complete mess while your center leaks and drips onto the sheet. Still, you try to reach over to the remote.  He dodges when you lunge at him. âNu-uh.â  Luckily, you get a hold of your husband and climb over to him. His arm is extended straight up, laughing as you try to snatch it from him. He waves it inches away to mock you while enjoying the sight of you quivering on top of him. âT-Tae!â  âOkay, okay.â He laughs and transfers it into his other hand, about to turn the setting down a notch. But right at the moment youâre about to snag it for yourself, the remote flies out of his hand. It falls through the gap between the wall and the headboard.  It clatters to the ground.  âOh shit.â  âTaehyung!â  âIâm sorry, Iâm sorry.â He rolls off the mattress and looks underneath the bed before abruptly standing. âIâm going to need a long stick or something.â  He starts to look around the room, searching for a tool to grab the remote thatâs out of reach, and you donât know if you should suffocate him with a pillow or facepalm yourself hard enough to get knocked out into a coma.  You can pull out the egg yourself, but the violent vibrations were beginning to thrum pleasure through you, so as your useless husband goes fishing for the remote, you finish the job. Your fingers play with your clit, rubbing the bud as your slick drips down your thighs and you come hard on the toy.  The same moment light flashes beneath your eyelids and your toes curl, Taehyung grabs the remote with the help of a rolled brochure and shuts it off. The both of you are winded for different reasons.  âYou know, I'd say that was pretty hot if not for how stressful that actually was.â  âYouâre an idiot.â You tug the toy out of you and bat him over lazily, feeling spent on how hard you came. âNow dump some sperm in me, idiot.â  Taehyung has a cheesy grin and climbs over you. Despite the struggles of grabbing the toyâs remote, heâs fully hard from the noises you were making. âIâd tell you to ask more nicely, but Iâll let it go.â  He aligns the head of his weeping cock to your swollen cunt and leans his weight into you. He starts to push in and you whine, gripping his forearms. As wet as you are, Taehyung is still well-endowed â less girthy than the toy, but thereâs a considerable length to him.  When he bottoms out, you can feel him all the way to your throat.  He tucks sweaty strands of hair behind your ear and kisses you. âSorry about earlier.â  ââtâs okay. It was fun,â you admit and he smiles, starting to work up a good rhythm. You feel hot in your face with the pressure of his body on top of yours, hardened nipples brushing against his chest. Your cunt pulses and squeezes around his length. It draws Taehyungâs groans into your neck.  âF-Fuck. Youâre so tight.â  It feels good and you know heâs reveling in the pleasure too. His eyes are shut tight, the scrunch made between his brows and it entices you to reach up and kiss him to which he sweetly indulges you. Your tongues twine as you pant against each other and Taehyung starts to lose his pacing.  He bends your knee, hitting you at a deeper angle as his strokes become increasingly frantic and quick. You egg him on and he groans once more before he thrusts himself as deep as he can go and cums. Ropes of white paint your walls, the head of his cock against your cervix and filling your cunt and womb up. You can feel some of it dribbling out, seeping past your folds and when Taehyungâs about to withdraw, you quickly grab his forearm.  âWait. Just stay put for a second. I have to keep it in.â  He nods and kisses your lips. âOkay.â  Taehyung nestles into you, nuzzling into your neck and you hope this is the one.
[Day Three]  There were lots of activities and amenities offered and advertised by Jimin during the introduction of the retreat, but you realize you mightâve missed over the most important one of all.  âHow does that feel?â the massage therapist asks as she works a knot out of your shoulders and smooths your skin with the oil.  âAmazing,â you murmur from the corner of your mouth, melted against the table.  Couples massages were something you always scoffed at, but holy shit, itâs absolutely paradise. With the breeze blowing through the pitched tent and the glowing humidifier releasing a fresh scent, youâve never been more relaxed as all the stiffness is worked out of you.  You open your eyes to see Taehyung enjoying it as well â though not as much as you are since heâs quite ticklish. Sometimes, he squirms a bit too much and his massage therapist is at a loss of what to do.  But when itâs all done, you feel like youâre in a new body. âOh my god. I think Iâm more flexible than before. Look, Tae!â  You stretch your leg and he giggles at how happy your mood is. âIf I knew you liked it this much, I wouldâve signed us up for one at the spy near the gym.â  Your eyes are wide, catching the sunlight. âDo you think theyâre as good as this place?â  Taehyung grins. âProbably.â  âWe should go when we get back then. Oh, do you wanna check out the library?â  âSure.â  You grab his hand, lacing your fingers together and he smiles to himself.  Itâs a free day without many planned activities, giving you both an opportunity to look around the retreat for yourselves and take it easy. And the pair of you take full advantage of the opportunity. Since morning, you were lazing around the yurt and after breakfast and the massages, you decide to lay in one of the hammocks by the trees while Taehyung naps with you.  Said man hasn't seen you this stress free in a while, so he happily indulges you in all your wishes. Even when night falls and you step away from the stage where Hyunjin is performing again to stargaze. Itâs an odd activity for you since mosquitoes love to especially swarm around you when given the chance and on numerous occasions, youâve been a moth landing spot.  But tonight, the breeze is soft and gentle, and you don't feel any tickles on your skin that isnât Taehyungâs hand grazing against yours. The grass is pliant beneath your feet and the fairy lights twinkle far away enough that its luminescence doesnât obstruct. You knock your heads back to view the horizon, allowing the darkness to engulf you and the stars to emerge.  âRemember Bali?â  âWhen you lost your passport?â  âWhen we went stargazing with the tour group,â Taehyung corrects. âIt still wasnât as beautiful as this.â  âYou think everything in front of you is the most beautiful thing youâve seen. You said that about the Eiffel and then Tokyo Tower.â  He laughs. âHey, my mind doesnât change that often. Youâre still the most beautiful thing Iâve seen.â  You scoff, looking away from the sky towards him with a pout. He always knows how to lay on the sappiness without needing to blink. Your dear husband has always been shameless in that aspect and you adore him for it. âSo Iâm a thing to you now?â  âYou know thatâs not what I mean.â He wraps his arms around your waist. The both of you stare up at the sky. âIs that the big dipper?â  You look at where heâs pointing to the large clusters of stars. âI canât see it. Maybe thatâs scorpio.â  âNah, I donât think so.â Taehyung tries guessing, âIt might be taurus or gemini. Or libra.â  âArenât you just naming astrological signs now?â  âMaybe.â He grins. âIâm a capricorn.â  âYes, I know.â You two of you clearly donât know anything about constellations or how to find them, but it doesnât make the moment any less enjoyable. Yet when your necks start to ache, he takes your hand and strolls down the path through the trees. âTaehyung. What if we get lost?â  None of you have your phones or any flashlights. Thereâs only the crescent moon giving off its light. âDonât worry. I have a great sense of direction.â  âYou and I both know thatâs not true.â  âYou have a great sense of direction, so we wonât get lost,â he says and you sigh without putting much of an argument up. Not when you knew he was headed to the lake you had peeked at earlier in the afternoon, and now it was shimmering with the moonlight, reflecting the starry horizon in its water.  Thereâs a certain kind of peacefulness, a serenity that you would never get back in the city or even the suburbs. Certainly not without light pollution or the occasional car whizzing past. Here, there is none of those noises, none of those distractions, just you and Taehyung savouring the viewâ â  âHey.â But of course, your mischievous husband has to have ulterior motives for coming all the way here. And you know there are ulterior motives by that glint in his eye and the sly smile he has.  âWhat?â  âWanna take a dip?â  Your brows shoot to your hairline. âAre you crazy? Itâs probably freezing! What if we get hypothermia and die?â  âFor the record, youâd make one beautiful angel. But Iâll warm you up before it gets to that point.â Taehyung grins and starts stripping, tugging his shirt right off his head. Itâs always been like this â him proposing something out of your norm, you try to voice your concerns, and then youâre the one whoâs diving head first into it without hesitation and end up having more fun than he does.  âGod, itâs so cold!â  The moment the water touches your toes, you recoil. But you brace yourself and continue onward with your entire body shivering. Itâs your first time skinny dipping â â something normally reserved for rebellious teenagers and most certainly not for late twenty-some year olds. Yet neither of you have qualms, even if youâre shrieking and Taehyung is laughing and following behind you.  âItâs freezing, Taehyung!â  âCome here.â He pulls you to him so your backside is pressed to his front and you wonder how Taehyung can be so warm all the time. The pair of you get waist deep into it and you turn around to grip him. Your husband smiles and holds onto you, eventually going far enough that the water reaches your shoulders. âSee? Isnât this nice?â  You hum, gazing up at the stars and the moon, the sight reflected on the water and how youâre pressed to Taehyung. âSeems like the beginning of a horror movie.â He laughs and your feet try to reach down to find stability, but you realize you canât touch the ground anymore and your grip on him tightens. âWalk back a bit, Tae.â  âWhy?â  âYou know I canât swim.â  His mouth curls. âBut I like how youâre holding onto me. I wonât let go,â he adds after a long pause, âif you beg me not to.â  Your arms immediately come to loop around his neck and your legs wrap around his waist, latching onto him in a vice grip like a koala does to a branch. âTaehyung! Iâm not kidding.â  âOh...oh!â The bastard pretends that heâs gonna let go of you and actually does for a split-second. He laughs at your panicked expression. âIâm kidding! Iâm kidding!â  You feign a pointed glare that turns out to be more of a pout. âYouâre lucky I like you.â  âYou only like me?â  âYeah and if you keep going, Iâm going to demote you from husband to friend.â  Taehyung makes a pained, sharp sound. âCanât let that happen then.â He suddenly hoists you up higher, grip secure on your thighs and smiles brilliantly while you scoff.  You savour the view and the warmth of his body heat, but youâre slightly distracted. âDo you think anyoneâs gonna steal our clothes, Tae?â You squint at the small pile near the shore.  âWho would?â  âI donât know. What if a bear comes from the bushes and takes them? Weâll have to walk back naked.â  âIâm pretty sure there arenât bears here, Y/N. Stop overthinking it.â Taehyung suddenly grabs a hold of your chin and turns your head for you to look only at him. Then, he kisses you in a soft and gentle way before the tip of his tongue meets the seam of your lips. You happily oblige, parting them and allowing him access to your tongue and giving him a taste of you.  The man hums in satisfaction as soft smacking noises fill the surroundings. You lean into his firm frame while Taehyungâs large hands slinks from your thigh to the curve of your ass. You feel his thumb probe against your folds.  âT-Taehyung.â His hard length is beneath you and you grind down on him, feeling empty. It draws a groan from his throat.  After a moment, you get his cock inside of you. The stretch soothes the itch you had, filling your cunt deliciously. But unlike the movies, itâs not enough for you. The water washes away the lubricant, each stroke rough and the glide slower than youâd like. So you beg him and the both of you are dragged up onto the shore again.  You turn on all fours. The pebbles uncomfortably dig into your knees, but itâs a distraction that blurs into the background when Taehyung pounds into you. You feel all of him, his body heat against yours, each thrusting movement flicking off the droplets of water from your skin. And when Taehyung turns your head to kiss you while rubbing at your clit, you cum around his cock.  He finishes as you beg for it and Taehyungâs sticky fluids leak down your thighs on the trek back.
[Day Four]  Taehyung blinks blearily, slowly coming to consciousness. He scratches his bed head and groans at how his muscles ache. But when he turns his head, the other side of the bed is cold and empty. His eyes widen in confusion and he feels more awake than before.  He checks the time and realizes he slept in, a total of ten hours, which isnât a surprise considering how last nightâs rendezvous continued and was more intense than usual. What is unusually, however, is that youâre gone.  But he soon finds you outside. Bathing in the sun. Laying in a hammock. Napping with a book next to you.  Your eyes flutter open as his shadow covers your figure. The corner of his mouth pulls.  âMorning.â  You sheepishly grin. âMorning.â  âWhat time did you get up?â  âLike an hour ago. The breeze was nice so I thought Iâd do some reading, but I guess I accidentally fell asleep.â  âLooks like youâve gotten comfortable.â Taehyungâs enormous smile aches his cheeks. Youâve fallen in love with this place more than he has, but he doesnât mind whatsoever. He loves watching you have fun.  The two of you have breakfast, inhaling in the food, and then head to a meditation class on the grass led by Hyunjin. Typically, Taehyung has to convince you to take part in such a session and youâd usually wave it off as a waste of time. But there are no qualms or an ounce of hesitation in your expression when you head over.  âNow breathe in, and out, a steady stream of breath. Think about all that you are grateful for. Everything that has made your life amazing, and let that positive energy surround you as the negative energy releases.â  But while youâre eager, Taehyung, on the other hand, finds out that meditation is not cut out for him. Heâs bored out of his mind from the lack of stimulation. Time feels like itâs dragging on slower, each second a minute and a minute is an hour. Somehow, meditating makes him feel even more exhausted than before and his mind ends up wandering.  Taehyung thinks about how heâs really craving some fatty burgers instead of the organic oatmeal and yogurt he had â how hot the weather is â how itâs hard to breathe â how sweat sticks to his skin.  âHold your breath for three seconds and release for three seconds.â  He sighs and peels back an eye to see you with your hands pressed together, concentrated in following instructions. The corner of his mouth tickles into a smile.  As bored as he is, itâs worth seeing you happy.  //  The more excited you are about something, the more you run around from place to place and Taehyungâs resorted to looking for you. Luckily, the resort is small, so he finds you in front of the main building, chatting to a certain brunette with a half-moon smile and chubby cheeks.  ââheard that doggy actually works for some people, but for me, it doesnât feel right...likeâŚâ  âThe head of the cock isnât right up against the cervix?â Jimin hums thoughtfully. âHave you tried angling your leg better? Sometimes you need to bend a bit and he needs to be leaning towards the side rather than just hovering straight on top.â  What.  Taehyungâs brows lift and he quickly approaches. Your face lights up when you see him. âOh, hey.â  âI was looking for you.â Taehyung throws his arm over your shoulder and subtly tugs you into his chest. He looks at the other man, eyes narrowed in on him which he doesnât seem to notice.  âSorry, I was just caught up with Jimin.â  âWhat were you talking about?â  âWhat position is best for conception.â You blink innocently like itâs not a big deal youâre exploiting the details about your sex lives to another guy, and while heâs not embarrassed whatsoever, it was a bit too much information being shared for Taehyungâs liking. âTurns out elevating the hips might not help as much as we thought it does.â  âHuh.â Taehyung deadpans, âThatâs interesting.â  âI know, right?â Your expression is bright, oblivious to his turmoil. At the same time, Hyunjin exits from the building in yet another flower crown and flowy skirt. She smiles at the both of you and joins Jiminâs side, planting a sweet kiss on his cheek and holding his hand.  âHope I wasnât interrupting anything important.â  You smile at her. âNo, itâs okay.â  The woman nods and looks to her partner while her voice drops into a more private tone. âJust wanted to let you know that Taehoon and I are done.â  As if to validate her words, a timid yet tall man exits the building and they wave goodbye to one another before he walks off towards the parking lot. Jimin smiles. âDid you have fun?â  âYeah. It was nice.â  Both you and Taehyung exchange expressions. He wonders if youâre thinking what he is or if heâs understanding the insinuations correctly.  As if they catch the inquisitive looks on your faces, they smile in a relaxed way. Thereâs no need to explain anything to either of you when youâre strangers, but theyâre open enough and Hyunjin says, âTaehoonâs my second partner.â  âSecond...partner?â  âHyunjin and I are in an open relationship,â Jimin clarifies in a friendly manner. âItâs not really traditional, but it works well for us.â  âOh.â Taehyung and you wordlessly bob your heads. Heâs pretty sure they mentioned it during their introduction but it slipped his mind. They must get asked a lot of questions too since Hyunjin answers what heâs thinking, telling the both of you thereâs not a lot of jealousy involved since they trust each other wholeheartedly and communicate a lot. And rather than finding it bizarre, youâre left intrigued. Taehyung notices as you walk away.  âDo you want an open relationship too?â  âYou know it would never work for us.â You lean over, hugging his arm. âIâm too possessive for that.â  He laughs. âThen what about talking to Jimin about our sex positions?â  âHeâs a professional.â You shrug. âI thought I could get helpful advice. Why?â  âNothing, itâs just kind of weird.â  Jimin doesnât look like a professional. He looks like just some dude in khaki shorts and a white shirt, obnoxiously bulging biceps, probably has rock hard abs, and heâs in an open relationship and clearly doesnât mind chatting up you, aka Taehyungâs wife.  âAre you jealous?â  âWhat? No.â Taehyung scoffs, suddenly defensive and you give him that look like you know him better than that. âI just donât think we donât need to ask for help yet, and at least not about our positions. Weâre gonna have a baby one way or another, Y/N. We just have to be patient.â  âTell that to my dying eggs.â You walk off and Taehyung grins.  âMy spermâs strong enough that itâll rescue your dying eggs.â  //  Evening eventually comes and you try to revel in the surrounding sights, the atmosphere of the entire place and the very cozy yurt youâve grown to adore. Itâs sad knowing that tomorrow youâll have to depart from the resort. You regret not coming here with a more open mind. That way, you couldâve enjoyed and embraced this place much sooner.  âActually, Iâm kind of glad. Iâm getting sick of them serving the same food.â  Youâre shocked at your husbandâs apathy. âBut itâs antioxidant-richââ  âI just want some fried chicken or a burger.â  You scoff. âThatâs why the doctor told you to lower your blood sugar and youâre not even over forty yet.â But still, youâre taken aback that heâs not in love with the resort. âOut of everyone, I thought this wouldâve been your haven. I was expecting you to beg me to build a cabin here or something to stay.â  Taehyung hums, leaning back into the chair. âIâm not saying the resort is bad. As long as I get to spend time with you, I like it. And I like that you like it.â  âPsh.â He always knows how to say the right thing, especially when heâs doing it absentmindedly and not trying to get something out of you. You lean over, hand lifting to squeeze his cheeks together and you turn his head to kiss him. Taehyung smiles at the soft and affectionate gesture. But you look at him with half-lidded eyes that mean more. âWanna ditch?â  Itâs the final celebration that Jimin and Hyunjin are happily hosting, but you donât mind leaving for some more quality time with Taehyung, and he happily agrees.  The both of you sneak out of the crowd, stumbling back into the yurt, giggly and giddy like youâre still teenagers trying to be stealthy at midnight. Taehyung kisses you silly and soon, your back is hitting the mattress. He almost rips your dress with how hastily he tries to tear it off your head and youâre stuck for a moment until you manage to get it off.  But in spite of how childish your antics are or how Taehyung blows raspberries on your tummy, each one of his touches is intimate and loving. He holds your hips down and eats you out until you cum twice. Then youâre flipped onto your stomach with him on top of you â his cock is dug into your pussy, every draw and thrust delicious. Your walls pulse along his length and you moan his name and clutch the sheets with tight fists.  You relish in the pressure of his body pressed on top of yours as he pounds into you. It only takes a few minutes before heâs releasing into your womb, cumming hard enough that you feel it too.  He rolls off of you, spent, but you gather your energy and hold him down for a second round.  Youâre a woman on a mission and youâre going to make sure you leave this resort with Kim Taehyungâs baby inside of you.
[Day Five]  The final day of the resort has arrived much to your dismay, and you feel sad enough to cry.  âThank you so much for all youâve done.â  âItâs our pleasure.â Hyunjin grins, her arms wrapped around Jiminâs. âWe just hope you had a great time at our resort.â  âYes, I really loved it.â  âOur doors are always open,â Jimin affirms. âIf nothingâs stuck, you can always come back or if youâre ever looking for more siblings for the little one, you can come again too. Weâre happy to welcome anyone thatâs family back.â  Youâre moved by their words and much to Taehyungâs dismay, you give a brief embrace to each of them. You also manage to see the newlywed couple, Hoseok and Rose, who are still smiling and somehow look even more in-love than when they arrived. Dahyun and Seokjin, as well, wish you luck on your adventures.  âWe might be coming back real soon.â The woman sighs, hitching her thumb over her shoulder. âThat husband of mine is planning to book another trip next month.â  âSo soon?â  Dahyun nods with a long exhale. âI think heâs hoping Iâm not pregnant so we can come here again.â Your laugh spurs on her own and youâre able to resonate with the hopelessness of husbands.  Everyone is boarding the same bus, but this is the last opportunity to gather when people are getting dropped off from different places. So you make sure to savour the moment, get your last goodbyes in, and Taehyung pulls out his phone to snap several pictures of you for keepsakes.  Then, the two of you board the bus with your luggage and settle in your seats.  âYou know,â you pipe up and Taehyung turns to you. âEven if we didnât conceive, it was still fun.â  He smiles while taking his hand. âYeah? Iâm glad.â Taehyung laces his fingers with yours and you lean your head on his shoulder as he, too, leans his head on top of yours.  The bus pulls out of the lot and onto the road. Jimin and Hyunjin wave with brilliant grins, and together, you and Taehyung watch the little resort become a particle in the distance.
[Epilogue]  This is terrible. Unexpected and spontaneous.  âI have bad news.â Youâre leaning against the door frame of Taehyungâs office and at your tone of voice, your husband looks away from the computer screen with wide eyes.  âAre you divorcing me?â  âNo.â  âDid you lose your job?â  âNo.â  His entire body deflates in a sigh of relief and he leans back, hands grasping the armrests of his swivel chair. âThank god because I just bought those new shake weights that were shown on TV.â  âYeaâ wait. What?â  Taehyungâs bubbling laughter comes from his chest. âWhat is it?â  He doesnât notice the stick in your hand, so you throw it at him. Luckily, Taehyungâs reflexes are still in good shape and he claps his hands together, catching the stick before it hits his head. But then his brows furrow in confusion.  âYouâre probably going to need to wash your hands after that. I peed on it.â  He doesnât answer. Your oblivious husband instead takes a long second to inspect the stick and his pupils dilate. He finally realizes what it is and looks carefully. In the meanwhile, you hitch your breath, feeling unsettled. But then the most enormous smile stretches into his cheeks.  It almost looks like his smile is about to break his face.  âYouâre pregnant,â Taehyung murmurs.  âI sure am.â  He looks at you. And then the stick. Then he looks at you again. Taehyung searches your expression in alarm as your words echo back to him. âWhy is this bad news? D-did you change your mind? Do you not want kids?â  You shake your head. âNo. This is fantastic news. I just wanted an excuse to go to the retreat again.â  He laughs and exhales a long breath. Taehyung scoots his chair over using the heels of his feet and comes to you. He throws his arms around your torso in a secure embrace while his ear is pressed gently to the flat plane of your stomach thatâll soon swell in the coming months. âGod, youâre going to be the death of me, woman.â  Taehyungâs brown eyes are lit with mirth and you ease into his hug as your fingers comb through his dark locks. Finally, youâre going to be parents. After waiting and hoping for so long, it was now on the horizon. Thereâs a sense of fear in you both, but youâre overwhelmed with euphoria and excitement.  âWe can always go back for the next kid.â  âI havenât even had this one yet and youâre already thinking of another.â  âI canât help it.â Taehyung grins, looking up at you and you lean down to kiss his smile.  You have a feeling this babyâs going to be loved beyond belief.
#bts fanfic#bts scenario#taehyung fanfic#taehyung smut#bts smut#taehyung fluff#FINALLY i can use the smut tag again looooool#BTS TAEHYUNG AS A SWEET GUY WHO'S NOT AS SWEET IN THE SHEETS#AND OC AS A GRUMBLING SIMP FOR HER HUSBAND
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