#but all the differences in how they see everything is so annoying like i really dont like their version of canon

[writingwisterias]

How would the different eras of Leon act if he knows he shouldn’t be with the reader (ada wong typa shit) but he can’t escape from her like whenever something happens (like maybe she spotted arias’s wedding in vendetta ?) she is deff a part of it and he keeps running into the reader 🙏 i love your work btw you’re the reason why i keep refreshing the tag 💪💜

Hiii

I love this idea lmao and thank you! You are so sweet - I hope you have a great day <3

Warnings: None Fem! reader

RE2:

Post the events of the game let's say he sees you around the training grounds

After the events you both went through at a young age I think he finds it easier to blame you for letting him fall for Ada's tricks

It grows heated and hurts you that he treats you like that around the camp

Krasuer actually makes you sparing partners on purpose hoping that you would hone in your anger and focus on creating your skills

It doesn't work

RE4R:

He sees you as he's running around but almost plays it off as just a figment of his imagination

It would a similar reaction to Ada in the game but let's say he actually is hung up you and has feelings then he would slip up more

He'll expose these feelings more often than showing you he's angry.

I don't think however you would use this to your advantage but find it cute that he is struggling

He's almost drawn to be at your side more than he is to focus on the mission. Ashley's presence is a reminder of what he's meant to be doing

Infinite Darkness:

Grows frustrated at first, like how are you here again

At this point I think he'll just assume the universe thinks you are meant to be together

Again is more likely to draw in close and team up in a way where he's not just straight up being used

He's been there done that

Better at hiding his feelings but does slip up a few times

Damnation:

He's beginning to get used to it at this point, I don't think he would really get mad

I think again it's just surprising how you are always there as a thing in his life and he never seems to know you very well

Playful banter, enough to get through the mission

Kinda accepts what you do as he's just used to it at this point so there's no tension or arguments on that front

He assumes you are hear on orders for someone. Doesn't agree to it but if you don't stop him from doing his job he wont stop you doing yours

RE6:

He surprised you are here, like he just wasn't expecting you to be involved with this plot scheme or that it was that large you would have an interest in it

Smiles to himself every time you talk or do something to help him. He's smitten at this point.

The dynamic has shifted dramatically at this point, there is hidden feelings waiting to be exposed or spoken about.

But when do either of you have the time?

It's just forever left unspoken

It would be easier to deal with it like this but at the end of the day it's too obvious now

The final 'goodbye' is the hardest

Vendetta:

So I think he would actually get annoyed but because he's not in the right frame of mind to deal with the emotions that follow from seeing you

He would provide information for the others about you if you are involved.

When he actually sees you he's silent. Not really talking to you all that much.

After the mission though when he's starting to get in a better mindset I think he will attempt to reach out

Maybe for some stability after all you have been there through literally everything

It could progress romantically but I think that's just what you were both expecting at this point if it does happen.

Soulmates in a way

Death Island:

You are either currently fucking or have fucked recently

Lingering touches when he does see you, its playful and the other don't really know how to react

He's not surprised that you are somehow involved and will stick by your side during the fights just in case

You both meet up together of course

At this point you just accept each others company and allows it to develop in whatever way it does

If it works out then great. If not then until next time.

[jasmine-does-wevertf-she-wants]

I'm thinking about the difference between like and love in MDZS.

Like it's out of the question that LWJ is instantly incredibly attracted to WWX. Later that obviously develops into a very devoted very deep love. The narration doesn't give any indication when that happens though I'd venture somewhere during the Wen indoctrination camp.

Anyways, does teen!LWJ like WWX though? In the way that he enjoys his company, likes to spend time with him, enjoys who he is as a person? I'd say no. We have no indication that LWJ regards WWX positively on a conscious level at all. Now I think that mostly can be attributed to teen!LWJ lacking most of the emotional development he'll do later. Teen!LWJ doesn't seem to like anyone much other than LXC. And that's okay! He's not a people person and that's fine! Given that and the emotional turmoil WWX most certainly wrecked on him upon arriving in Cloud Recesses I think it's perfectly understandable he doesn't like him much and tries to avoid him.

But then attraction begins to develop into love when he sees WWX isn't only a trouble maker in the Wen indoctrination camp but can take himself back for the safety of the group while still sticking to his principles. Who does it like him? Then he still takes care of LWJ single-handedly saves the whole group sacrificing himself in the process and LWJ is forced to confront very suddenly he's not falling in love with a beautiful talented careless troublemaker but with one of the few people in their world who will choose what's right and trying his best to balance that with the circumstances they live in. And WWX goes missing and LWJ is desperate to find him and he comes back and he is so markedly different from anything their world says he's supposed to be and decidingly not in a good way and he's prepared to let it go for the sake of conforming to the rules he holds so high. Of course throughout the plot he realizes the rules mean nothing and can be very much interpreted to do injustice vs. upholding what's right and that he was wrong to turn his back on WWX for not abiding by the rules.

And then WWX comes back from the dead and it's the first time LWJ really lets himself enjoy his company lets himself enjoy the person WWX is actively keeps him by his side while WWX tries his damned best to be the most obnoxious person to LWJ and how likely is it that LWJ realizes it does not matter? He was so so so wrong for ever thinking WWX annoying. He doesn't like most people's company but WWX can do everything he could not stand in another person and it's fine because he knows WWX and knows whatever he does is out of love and because he thinks it's right and WWX does not go wrong in judging what's right.

And I think actually the opposite is true for WWX. He arrives at Cloud Recesses and is so captivated by LWJ so beautiful the only one who can keep up with him and he stays by his principles the only one WWX ever met who truly treats him as equal. But LWJ rejects him at every opportunity and while WWX does not think LWJ hates him that's certainly not a basis to consider anything more and then the plot happens and really he doesn't have much time to think about anything regarding his feelings until his death.

But then he's resurrected and they do have time and LWJ is not rejecting him but supporting him and caring for him at every turn. Being a person WWX can depend on. Being the only one who ever was that for WWX. While still being beautiful and brilliant and being even more righteous than he was as a teenager and WWX falls in love so quickly it's a speed run. And he really didn't have a chance to do any different.

And I think it's kind of beautiful how they start out from such different points but very beautifully meet in the middle after years and years of misery but still together in the end.

[jaelami]

Love and Deepspace: Caleb and Bad Writing (Long, LONG Rant)

I might be in the minority here but I'm not liking Caleb at all. (Edit 1: I said the wrong thing here, I do like Caleb. I think he has the potential to be a good character. The hate comes more from how Infold has done his story. Well, the story in general.)

I'm not bothered by the childhood friend thing. So that's not the issue I'm having. I'm just not liking the story. I feel like it was rushed which I know it probably wasn't but it feels that way. And it shows the bad writing of LaDS when it comes to the main storyline.

The way the MC is glossing over some huge red flags and blaring warning signs, it pisses me off. We get a tease of her fighting Caleb's yandere tendencies but she still lets it happen anyway. Infold really wanted to rush the relationship. They sure as hell don't know how to write a slow burn or even a medium burn.

Even Sylus, who has had less story and less everything, had more back and forth with MC than a supposed dead guy. MC hated and was annoyed being tethered to Sylus. Was annoyed when he appeared when she was with friends or with other hunters (conveniently when Xavier is not around).

Back to Caleb: Then there's the fact he is the only LI that wants to baby her in every aspect. The other LIs knew she could kickass and let her. Do they want to protect her? Yes. Do they protect her? Yes. But do they know she could do it on her own if needed? Hell yes. Caleb still thinks of her as the little girl who was afraid of thunderstorms. He constantly thinks of her as the girl who made childhood promises to him. And let's not forget, he drugs her to "keep her safe". He uses his evol to keep her in place. He locks her in her room. That is horrifying. And she glosses over it!!!! Everytime!!!! When she wants to "go out with friends" and he won't let her. He finds ways to keep her there. She doesn't question it.

Do I mind dark romance? No. I read dark romance but at least the FMC doesn't fall for MMC immediately. She thinks shit through. MC on the other hand doesn't bat an eye. Caleb has returned from the dead. Great, be happy. But don't just ignore that he's returned with issues and secrets. We can obviously see that he is not mentally all there. Don't just tell him everything and not be concerned that he's not reacting to shit. She's not really questioning the fact he is still alive. Not a priority, I guess.

She proceeds to tell Caleb everything about the papers that Grandma gave to Zayne (not Caleb btw) to give MC in the time of her passing. MC is not at all concerned about the consequences of doing that. She sees and hears Caleb being involved with the Professor and she still doesn't consider that a huge neon red flag. Instead she does everything in her power to excuse his behavior. What? He even tells her, "You think I have a chip in my brain?" He knows she's worried about it and still manipulates her into moving on from the question. And she does!!!

And then there's Zayne, who is also in Skyhaven, because of course he is, and still she doesn't tell him anything about Caleb even tho he was Caleb's childhood friend too. Or she doesn't go to him to ask for help. She was drugged by Caleb and she doesn't tell Zayne, her doctor. Zayne is literally there for no real reason in the story of Caleb and MC. He was used as a plot device for a different part of the story. How has Zayne not heard of Colonel Caleb? It seems that Caleb is a big deal in Skyhaven. Yet he doesn't know? I feel like Infold isn't going to have these two characters interact at all which would make no sense story wise.

We have these characters existing in one timeline/storyline together and we are supposed to believe they don't know about each other or MAYBE know about each other. Xavier literally lives in the same building as MC. He can enter her apartment at any time. She told him his fingerprint will let him in. She gave him the permission to literally barge in. He's her partner at the HA! And yet!!!! He never sees any of the other LIs come to her apartment? And he's conveniently missing when hunters are involved in the other LIs storylines. It's always another male colleague that she works with. It's getting old and stupid real quick.

The theory of the LIs being each other's antithesis makes no sense when they never acknowledge each other. Xavier/Sylus, Zayne/Caleb, Rafayel/LI6, really falls flat. It can't be they are different timelines or parallel universes when the storyline plainly connects them. In chapter 4, Caleb and Grandma talk about Zayne. They want to invite him over for dinner. And that's not the only time when the story connects the LIs. Zayne goes to check on the guy who has a mermaid skeleton in his living room. Rafayel gave the collector his painting that was slowly killing him. They all know about Onychinus which means they should know who Sylus is. And let's not forget Tara has met Sylus. Does she not mention him in front of Xavier?

I mean, come on. Math is not mathing.

Either Infold is purposely making MC dumb, because let's face it she makes some of the worst decisions, to explain the bad writing or they don't really know how to connect the storylines at all. (Edit 2: MC isn't dumb per say she lacks critical thinking skills sometimes. Maybe that's a better way to put it.)

I don't count the many 4/5 level special cards as a part of the main storyline because if that was the case the girl's evol should be teleportation or multiplication. Cause they all conveniently happen at the same time.

I know all of Caleb's cards aren't out and his storyline isn't complete (most of his cards are from the past) but that doesn't matter right now. It doesn't excuse the rushed feelings MC has in the present. Also in chapter 4, it is implied to us, as viewers, that MC didn't have romantic feelings for Caleb. They treated each other as siblings. (I know they aren't. I'm talking about how MC treated him in chapter 4.) Did Caleb have feelings? Yeah, that was obvious.

I don't know. Time will tell, I guess but so far the main story update has been disappointing for me. I want a VILLAIN romance but, please, do it well. I have the morally grey storyline with Sylus (kinda). Give me a well written Villain love interest. Don't rush it. Give me, present timeline yearning not past. Give me a slow-ish burn. Let MC and Caleb fight. Give me, knife to the throat romance. Don't make MC so gullible and naive. Let her ask other LIs for help when Caleb is stepping out of line. Have her question if he loves or is just obsessed with her.

Viper literally says that Caleb is obsessed with MC not in love with MC. He, a mentally unstable man/robot person, can tell the difference. MC is twiddling her thumbs and pretending not to see it.

Was Caleb in love at one point? I think so however with time it has twisted into obsession. (Edit 3: I'm not saying Caleb doesn't love MC now. I'm saying those feelings have twisted more to obsession. Like maybe whatever the Professor did, did something to his feelings for MC. And I know MC will enable him like MC does with Xavier. MC be freaky that way. That's not a bad thing for a FICTIONAL scenario.)

Also Kevi and Mia?! That storyline pissed me off. She literally sees something is wrong with the twins and does nothing. Mia doesn't give info to anyone because she doesn't trust them. Unfortunately for Mia, she put her trust in MC and that was a mistake because, as mentioned, MC is stupid. MC goes to where Kevi is hiding and doesn't take Zayne?!?!!? Doesn't take Kevi to Zayne immediately even tho he's ill. Why the fuck not?!

Kevi tells her point blank he was afraid of the Fleet and not to be trusted and she doesn't think it's bad when the Fleet got to him? No, because it's okay cause Caleb was involved? He was conveniently found by Caleb? That's not suspicious, that's not weird. Kevi must be okay. But wait, there's more! Mia conveniently dies right after. Neither Zayne or MC does anything beyond mentioning it was a weird coincidence. Not at all suspicious, apparently.

What the actual fuck? (Edit 4: I am aware that more happens than just casually mentioning the situation. I did, in fact, read the story. I just think certain choices leading up to Mia's death and Kevi's forced adoption could have easily been avoided or at least better written.

MC puts her trust in Caleb to do the right thing even tho she knows and acknowledges he's not the same anymore. I don't think I'm wrong for saying that it's a stupid choice story wise. It's obvious Caleb doesn't put his full trust in MC, but MC does. It causes an imbalance. We know MC can be and has been a badass; why diminish that?)

How is anyone not annoyed with the storyline? It makes Caleb a really bad character and LI, it further proves MC is dumb as shit. She's so easily manipulated and so impossibly naive.

No. No one cares because he's the Winter Soldier. Omg if real money is going to be spent on this godforsaken game make it worth it.

I was so excited for Caleb too. It's just sad.

(Edit 5: Because someone mentioned this 🙄, I'm aware that this is a Reverse Harem. I don't know where I said it wasn't. Besides this rant is based on the MAIN STORYLINE ONLY. NOT THE INDIVIDUAL CARDS.)

Also a random note, I don't like the voice of Jenna. It doesn't fit her at all. Not bashing the VA at all. She has a great voice. It's just not a strong voice for Jenna.

(Reminder: Before someone calls me easily manipulated, please note I was able to piss you off for criticizing a mobile game and a FICTIONAL character. I don't mind having adult discussions about LaDS but be an adult about it. I enjoy different perspectives and I'm not set on my opinions about the game. My mind can change depending on what comes next. It makes discussing/ playing the game more fun. I am allowed to express my opinions and feelings on what is out. If my opinion makes you so angry to the point of name calling, maybe you need to stop playing. A parasocial relationship to pixelated men is not a good thing for your mental health.)

[kommandonuovidiavoli]

What kind of stories did Sami hear about Wally while he was missing? Did different perspectives give him different ideas of who he was? (e.g. Stories told from his mom Vs Sector V Vs from the KND 'sector v' lore )

I was preparing sketches for this ask, that's why it was taking so long... then I started typing and saw how LONG it was getting, and decided to do it without the pics because it would be too much so... sorry 😞

Anyway! Details under read more!

Sector V:

Nigel: "You father... he was... well... he was really strong and brave. He never backed up from a challenge and usually was the first one getting into them. Which, you know... sometimes it wasn't the smartest decision. Sometimes it would get all of us in trouble. But somehow, he also knew how to take us all out of it. He made a lot of mistakes... and I mean, A LOT... and I miss them. I miss every single one of them.

Hoagie: "Wally? He was something, let me tell ya, kid! He couldn't be contained, and I tried MANY times, ahah! He was always active, you would never see him rest or just still! Sometimes we had to jump on him and just, hold him down, and even THAT was a struggle! But he had a BIG heart. He was... a bit of a dum dum, but he was good! We all loved him a lot... I loved him a lot... we used to talk a lot about various things. I miss those days..."

Abby: "Your father was... not the sharpest tool in the shed... or in anywhere, let's be honest. Sometimes I could repeat the same thing to him over and over and he would STILL not get it AT ALL. Or do the exact opposite of it. You don't know how many times I saved his behind from bad grades by reminding him to do his homework. But y'know, it wasn't all his fault. Sometimes I knew he did his best but it was just not enough. We all knew he was just too overactive to think straight, and maybe with some... help... things would be different..."

Family:

Sydney: "Ahh, your dad was really great, ya know? He was full of energy! Always jumping around the house and running and playing! I loved staying outside and watching him play, it always cheered me up! And even better when we played together! And he was really brave, no matter what challenge he could face, he would face it without hesitation! That is, unless it was grandma being angry, ahah! Ah.... I'm sure one day he'll be back... I know he will..."

Lou: "Annoying. Loud. Violent. Dumb. An idiot on legs. You didn't take anything from him... except his strength. I might've not liked him that much, but he had that... strength in him, that will never back down and fight for what he believed in that... I always admired. I know I always talk trash about him, but... I miss him. At least we can be reminded of him if we look at you."

Charlie: "Your dad was a challenge. There, I said it! He was really impossible to deal with! School was constantly calling me or your grandpa because he got into trouble or did something he shouldn't have been doing! He made me scream a lot! But... he was my baby... he is still my baby... I just hope one day he will forgive me and come back..."

Joey: "Wally is awesome! I love him so much! He's the best big bro one can ever ask for! Maybe a bit annoying but I mean, all big bros are, so! You'll see, you'll have so much fun with him when he's back! Just don't tease him too much or he'll hurt himself, ahah!"

Kuki

"Your dad... was my world. He was everything I needed and everything I wanted. He was strong, he was good, he knew what he wanted and how to obtain it. He always knew what to say in every situation, to make me sad, to tease me a bit or to express how much he loved me without directly saying it. He didn't like to say it, so he would just, cheer me up, buy me something I wanted, write little notes during class that said something sweet... or... something he thought was sweet... but I still appreciated it. I tried to do the same for him; to be there and help as much as I could... but maybe it wasn't enough...

I'll never know... or maybe one day I will. Knowing him, maybe one day he will come back just to prove everyone he could do it! Wouldn't surprise me! And that day, we will be really happy! I'm sure you'll love your dad as much as we all do!"

BONUS

"So... I met him, I think? Once, I don't remember where or when, but I did! And he was... an annoying teenager. He would scream and kick around, but NOT when Joey was there! He turned into a completely different person when Joey was around, he was nicer and funnier! Nigel always told me he had a good heart but unfortunately, as we know, as you grow up you become an assh-... I mean... a meanie to kids, sometimes.

I also remember that he was happy you were coming out! Like, he would always tell Nigel how he was happy and a bit scared because he didn't know if he was gonna be a good dad. Then I would tell him "OF COURSE YOU WILL!" and he would smile!

I remember the day he disappeared. He was happy because he was getting a new job that would allow him to make you happy. I don't know how, adult jobs NEVER make kids happy, but he was more than sure it would. I told him to be careful because you never know around adults and he laughed and said not to worry and then said bye.

I wanted to follow him but Nigel stopped me because this was not KND business. Maybe I should have done that..."

"... how do you know this many things about my dad, Penny?"

"... I just do? DUH!"

[glasvera]

Golden Morphine

Adam Warlock x Fem!Reader

Description: You're checking in with Adam to make sure your injuries are healing well... and this time, his healing has an altogether different effect on you.

Warnings: Spicy but no smut (yet)

A/N: I'm in my Adam Warlock era. My Golden Boy Arc. I am so down bad for this man it is insane. I'm writing nasty things about him instead of getting him to Lord proficiency on Marvel Rivals. I need professional help.

... and yes I have a part 2 planned.

Word Count: 2.2k

“You are sure this is alright?” he asks tentatively while his hands hover just millimeters above your skin. His palms glow with a faint golden light.

A lilting giggle sounds in your throat as you nod, perhaps, for the tenth time in the past five minutes. His concern was endearing, but he really needn't ask quite so frequently. 

You had asked him to check up on some recovering injuries you had to make sure everything was alright; after all, you had broken several bones, and you definitely didn't let them rest as much as you probably should have. Unfortunately for the flustered man standing behind you, many of those bones included ribs and you had some nasty contusions on your back. Perhaps he could have just snapped his fingers and healed you good as new, but the two of you had fallen into a rhythm of intimate understanding. You had thought nothing of it when you had approached him before, and you thought nothing of it this time as well.

He had come to enjoy watching your wounds close and mend beneath his ministrations, and you had come to enjoy the feeling of it. When those golden tendrils pour into you, you're filled with a surge of what can only be described as euphoria. Golden morphine.

It was delicious. It was addictive.

So, here you sit with your back to him, having lifted your shirt up so that it hangs loosely around your neck and over your chest. This was the reason for his constant requests for reassurance. Seeing your skin bared before him like this, the warmth emanating beneath his touch, felt like the ultimate sin. And with the way you sigh with each healing wave… he could feel the sweat beginning to bead on his forehead. If only you knew what you did to him.

“It's fine, Adam. Besides, I thought you liked to watch?” you teased gently, shooting him a cheeky grin over your shoulder.

You could have sworn his cheeks had turned a darker shade of gold… or bronze, perhaps? He certainly couldn't seem to look you in the eye.

“Forgive me, it's just…”

“What? Is it that bad? How many different shades of purple are there back there?” you tease again, shaking your head slightly.

“N-No! I simply feel as if I… as if I shouldn't look,” he admits meekly.

That’s what’s bothering him? You nearly roll your eyes. With no small amount of discomfort and a few grunts, you scoot yourself around to better face him. Bad idea. He immediately covers his face to avoid looking upon your chest, even if it is mostly covered by your rolled up shirt. 

“Please! I do not-!”

“Adam! How many times have you healed me? How many times have you seen my skin?” you interrupt him, at this point slightly annoyed both by his chivalrous stubbornness and the pain you'd suffered to face him properly. You pout with your bottom lip jutting out towards him.

“But you are-!”

He gestures broadly to your bare top half with his free hand, still doing his best not to look at you directly. You catch that hand mid-movement and lock his fingers with your own.

“Adam,” you begin again, this time softer, and he can't help but pause his worries to hang onto your every word. You give his hand a squeeze. “Feel that? It's just skin. And this…”

You guide his hand to rest on your waist, and you could have sworn he stopped breathing. For a brief moment, you admire the contrast of his golden flesh against yours.

“...is just more skin,” you finish, your voice soft and airy. Even you have to admit that your mouth feels a bit dry at the touch despite being the one to initiate it.

One of his white gold eyes peeks between his fingers and stares intently at where your hands lay. His breathing is ragged now, and you can feel the way his hand trembles beneath yours. Long moments pass in silence between the two of you. Languid strokes of your thumb soothe the back of his hand, and finally, the trembling lessens. But it does little to lessen the sparks igniting in this moment.

“Soft…” he breathes out. It brings an almost relieved smile to your lips and a warmth to your cheeks.

“But still skin. And I promise I don't mind you looking at me, or touching me for that matter. It's just a part of the healing process, right?” you say reassuringly. There's something so tender in your words, and his hand falls from his face as his gaze returns to your face. Those chiseled features soften. Inwardly, he curses himself for being so easily affected by so much as a glance from you.

“O-Of course. Forgive me,” he murmurs bashfully. Then, his brows knit together in confusion, and he chews pensively on his lip.

“You… like this?” he asks, blinking before those milky white orbs meet your gaze. “It radiates off of you. A warmth. An affection.”

Oh. Your blush deepens, though it was no secret in the end, you suppose.

“I do,” you affirm. “I like being with you. And I like being taken care of, I suppose,” you add with a soft titter.

You both avoid each other’s gazes then, and an even thicker silence pervades the space around you. For a moment, you fear you've said too much. Have you finally gone too far? It's always been different with Adam; you can't deny that. But true feelings are so often felt and so rarely spoken between you. You worry that you've broken some unspoken pact, ruined the intimacy you've allowed yourselves this long.

“That is… good,” he states simply, finally, taking a deep breath between words.

Now it’s your turn to be surprised as your eyes flash up to meet his.

“It is…?” you ask hesitantly, the words a mere whisper on your lips.

Adam’s head tilts to the side, puzzled by you once more. A few locks of golden hair droop unceremoniously onto his forehead. 

“Should it not be?”

You blink a few times and study his face, searching for any hint of uncertainty. Instead, you only find his apprehensive gaze as he waits for you to answer. The corner of your lip twitches into a smile, and you exhale a small huff through your nose.

“No, no, it’s fine. I was just surprised,” you respond with a hint of relief in your voice. Your hand travels up his arm, leaving his on your waist as your fingertips dance along his bicep. His eyes flicker down to watch, seemingly enraptured. His lips part in anticipation as you lean in closer.

“Now, do you mind finishing what you started…?” you breathe as your hand comes to rest on his chest, tracing the delicate lines that seemed to be engraved into his skin.

An audible gulp sounds in his throat as his eyes continue to follow your hand. Finally, they look back up to yours. “What… what I started?”

You hadn’t intended to tease him, not really, but the way he gazes at you with bated breath makes it quite the tempting prospect. Another time, perhaps.

“Healing me, silly,” you answer with a chortle. “Even if I do like being with you, I did come here for a reason.”

He straightens up then, suddenly, and clears his throat. You definitely recognize that deep copper shade to be a blush on his cheeks now, and it has your stomach doing flips. The perfect man, truly.

“R-Right, yes,” he says, trying so desperately to hide the embarrassment in his voice. It’s difficult now for him to focus with whatever… this was developing between you two, but somehow he manages. The perfect being, and all that.

He starts where his hand rests upon your waist. You’re not sure if it’s his lack of focus, or if there was something more in his intent now, but it’s strong. It catches you off guard as you feel that golden energy pour through you, healing the last of your bruises and delicately setting your cracked ribs into place. But more than that, it sends a tingling sensation coursing through your entire being. It’s so sudden that you can’t stop the sound that escapes your lips.

You can’t stop the broken, breathless moan that cracks in your throat. Thank goodness your hand was already braced on his chest. Your fingers curl against the skin there, and your body nearly convulses with the strength of it.

Forget golden morphine. His healing was like an aphrodisiac to you now.

He pulls away from you in an instant. Of course he does. His face is the picture of horror, and he stares down at his hands for a moment before he takes you by the shoulders.

“Y/N!” His voice is exasperated as he looks you over. “I am so sorry! What have I done?”

It takes you a second to catch your breath, and your cheeks are flushed. That golden energy lingers and sends shocks of pleasure straight to your core. You grip the mantle of his cape in both of your fists and pull him closer. 

“Fuck, Adam…” you curse, and you can't help but laugh breathlessly when he peers down at you in utter confusion. “N-nothing bad, I assure you.”

Your eyes are half-lidded, and your grip shows no sign of weakening. It’s not that he doesn’t trust you or your words, but this is truly unlike anything he has ever witnessed. Adam takes the time to study you, noticing the warmth radiating off of you and… something else he doesn't recognize. A need? 

Curious as he is, he composes himself once more and places his hand at your ribs, just inches underneath your breast. You barely have time to process it before he's sending out another wave of energy. It leaves you panting, clamping your thighs together, and trembling. Your toes curl in your boots and your head falls to rest on his chest while you catch your breath. 

Oh.

He's catching on. Slowly. Slower than the tightness forming in his pants, at least. 

“It… feels good?” he asks, his voice taking on a low huskiness. When all you do is nod, his hand begins to travel up your side to cup your cheek. “Y/N… allow me to see your face.”

There was no way you could deny him now, and your head rises so that you might meet his pearlescent gaze. He finds your pupils blown and your lips parted ever so sweetly… His thumb traces your bottom lip and he sends the tiniest whisper of energy to that spot. Your eyes shut tight as a whine catches in your throat.

It draws a shuddery exhale from him. He doesn’t understand why, but some part of him needs to hear more of these noises from you. He speaks before he even realizes what he asks.

“Please,” he begins, a soft quiver in his voice, “Please let me kiss you.”

It’s not your voice that answers, but your lips. They crash into his; it’s messy, needy, utterly stealing the breath from his lungs. Your hands leave the mantle of his cape to slide into those silky golden locks at the nape of his neck, determined to make the same mess out of him that he’s made of you. He gasps into your mouth before both of his hands are cupping your face. It’s clear who has more experience in this field, but you certainly don’t mind taking the lead. Your legs part and wrap around his waist, pulling him impossibly close as he stumbles slightly to steady himself. Nipping and tugging at his bottom lip with your teeth draws a whimper from him that leaves him bucking his hips into yours, and you can’t help but let out a low moan at the way his evident desire grinds against you.

He breaks the kiss then, clearly a bit overwhelmed with his flushed face and swollen lips, but shows no signs of letting you go. His chest rises and falls with the force of his breaths.

“I… I do not know what it is you do to me, but…” he finally murmurs, his breath fanning across your face. “I know that I like it. I want to hear more of you. Feel more of you.” The back of his hand brushes soothingly along your cheek before brushing through your hair, and his reverent gaze melts you in an instant. Then his touches travel lower, and his golden fingers toy with the bunched up fabric of your shirt. “...That is, if you will allow me?”

You must be dreaming. Sure, you had just kissed him, and gods know you’ve wanted to do that for ages, but for him to want to continue? It feels like something out of your fantasies.

So when your hands fall from his neck, when your fingers find the edge of his cape and slowly push it off of him and he lets you, you’re still not sure it’s real. But you’re not going to give up the chance to live out this dream of yours regardless.

“Only if you let me do the same,” you respond airily, occupying your fingers with tracing those delicate lines across his chest and shoulders. 

“I-I…” he starts, clearly distracted by your touches. “Yes. Please.”

[cabeswaterdrowned]

Sorry (not) but I find anyone who acts like Blue is making something out of nothing when she’s mad Adam’s first question is about the kissing to be like. Deeply suspicious. Of course she is mad that’s the first thing he asked her! They’ve been walking on eggshells around each other and not really communicating since the last aborted kiss attempt which is on both of them to some degree, but when he comes around to her it’s only for this and when she has so many fears and insecurities about not properly belonging in the gang because she’s a girl (which is founded based on the fact aside from Noah they’ve all been misogynistic towards her at some point even if it was passive) and not being respected, when she’s also an outsider at home because of a different thing she can’t control. And you can not say that her feeling Adam is treating her like a thing to have and not a person he connects with is unfounded he again literally “I got Blue without you!” screamed at Gansey, consistently going to her after they fight (he did it end of TRB after repugnant too) to validate himself or just generally when he’s falling apart looking for validation from her like in the apartment scene. It’s not a bad thing to seek validation from your partner and in TRB before I’d say the last quarter I think Blue and Adam were genuinely connecting and developing a friendship while also exploring their feelings/attractions to each other, which did always have elements of seeking escape or validation for both of them in different ways, but it’s dissolved into that so much now. And I do think Blue is to some degree mad at Adam because he’s here and available to be mad at when she’s also mad at Gansey for it (I don’t think they’re *in the wrong * for not inviting her but they are in the wrong for not even considering she could want to go or at least want to be in the loop, also even though it’s Gansey’s party if Adam is trying to be her *boyfriend* it was kind of his place to ask her) so she’s conveying anger at Adam when the anger is for both of them, and also more general factors she’s frustrated by, but also Adam has the exact same response of channeling emotions that aren’t solely about Blue through their fights (and to his credit he is self aware that he does this) so again crucifying Blue for it is whack imo. Also to check myself on shipper-brain for the Adam-Gansey aspect of it, well obviously I read that here as a factor because I’m me, but for arguments sake on the premise Adam has No feelings about Gansey that are anything other than platonic Blue would still have a right to be mad about him prioritizing his platonic male friends over her and treating them with more respect, obviously, because misogyny exists (also these are not two contradictory readings in that I think they’re both factors. Signed an Adam Stan).

[icewindandboringhorror]

examining a seemingly normal image only to slowly realize the clear signs of AI generated art.... i know what you are... you cannot hide your true nature from me... go back where you came from... out of my sight with haste, wretched and vile husk

[numberoneanika]

Honestly the roleplay blogs are stronger than I am because if I saw a post where people were saying my blog was annoying and calling me corny I would jump in a large pit and rot away

[conundrumrespeculis]

tags by @briarmoon1015 #Barry’s trauma and depression after his death and rebirth has undoubtedly changed him #I’m glad others have picked up on it #and I honestly am here for it #we have gotten some excellent writing exploring how his trauma has reshaped him as a person #it’s very intriguing #I’ve seen a lot of people not adress this and it becomes a little annoying #especially when talking about silver age comics #Barry’s changed as a character we got to understand that not everything he did in the silver age he would do today #context is also really important and a lot of people tend to ignore it lol#either way though #I’m super interested in seeing more of Barry’s family having to adress this change #it’s part of why I hate Barry’s retirement that happened recently #please adress his depression before we write him out of stuff lol

Okay this is a Wally post but I HAVE to talk about this. He literally has his entire life growing up changed when he comes back to life!!! He's been reshaped by childhood trauma that previously didn't exist.

He's literally a different character. He's literally a different character and everyone pretends he's the same guy which INCLUDES everyone who knew him and remembers him before time reset and stuff but also that man is probably ignoring some of the differences.

I would not be surprised if he looks back on his memories of things that happened once upon a time and doesn't understand why exactly he did those things.

I have admittedly not read NEARLY as many modern comics with Barry in them than Silver age and heck, even bronze age! But he just. He's so alone in modern comics, when one of the fantastic things about him to me originally is he's such a friendly guy???

In the death of Iris West arc he literally makes TWO whole new friends one of which was AFTER his wife died!! His wife died and he was still out there making friends!!

And in the silver age he SO often had a friend he knew from something or other showing up as part of the plot. He was the guy you went "Yeah that makes sense" when he knows some astronaut or fashion designer or something because he's friendly and just.

Modern Barry is inherently isolated. Which is what Eobard planned all along with rewriting his history and I can respect that but STILL. I cannot name a single thing where he was making friends or knew a guy.

He has old friends and family he's somewhat estranged from to varying degrees at varying times but he doesn't have anyone new.

Man has no social life it reads like!!!

The only modern comic I can name where he feels at all like the friendly guy he originally is is in the Voidsong mini-series which I don't even know if that's main canon??? (it's a lovely story btw. fantastic friendship focus.) And that's him and Aquaman becoming friends!!!

Hey...

Has anyone considered the thought of like. Maybe some of the anger Wally displays towards Barry is because he came back from death a different person kinda?

He had an entirely different upbringing and went from "Knows a Guy" (that's so many of his old stories it's fantastic. Why does he know the local gorilla actor? He's just like that) to being isolated and alienated and then also had depression on top of that.

Imagine your dad comes back from the dead after leaving you with such a dark and thick shadow to crawl out of- that he only comes back AFTER you crawled out of- and then he's not even the same guy. He's not even the man that you remember because not only have you and everyone else built him up in your memory but half his life before becoming a hero was different.

And then. y'know. The whole "accidentally trapped most of the speedsters in the speedforce" thing. And also depression can change a person. And- there's a lot okay??

Barry after Flash Rebirth and especially after the new 52 reboot is a very different character to how he started/the man Wally knew as a kid and even now like. They look the same age??? Sometimes??? that's gotta be weird. I know they're speedsters but STILL...

...

Uhhhh anyways

TLDR: Some of Wally's anger at Barry is because he's irrevocably no longer the same as he was before his death

[itspileofgoodthings]

Porfiry telling Raskolnikov that at least he was honest and in one bound took the furthest leap to put his theory to the test of actual action——

[beneaththebloodylake]

the ace attorney fandom has such an established lot of headcanons half of which they think are actually canon and almost none of which i agree with, on top of all the changes the translation made which i despise id honestly be better of not interacting at all which is actually really annoying

[onenotsubtle]

emotional about my favorite book on this Midnight On Monday

[embraceyourdestiny]

@shaa-ki reply got too long so a reblog instead lol

No you’re good, that’s an interesting angle that I hadn’t considered! Stepping away from canon facts and actual events that happen and moving more into viewer interpretation, personally, I think the “usefulness” of the Winchester depends on “which lens of the kaleidoscopic you’re looking through”, so to speak. The Michael lineage comes from the Winchester bloodline and the Lucifer lineage comes from Campbell family, if I got that correct. Seeing it that way (I hadn’t considered that yet because it only happened an episode or so ago, so it hasn’t sinked in yet lol), they could both be considered unimportant without the other half, or important on their own as inherent vessel bloodlines destined to fulfill the Plan. But my personal interpretation in this meta-thinking is seeing how the different vessels are shown to be important within the Winchester’s sphere of the world, not the Divine Plan, and comparatively because of that, how The Michael Line and everything with Michael as a whole is much less of a big deal for their family compared to alllllll the shit going on with Lucifer, lol. Lucifer as an angel has a much stronger, immediate connection with the Winchester’s family, he single-handedly tried to ruin their life by trying to intact “his” version of The Plan, and Michael is kinda just some annoying guy bothering them at this point in time on my watch through lol So that was my thought process on posting “John isn’t as important in the universe” if that makes sense! (You didn’t spoil anything btw so you’re good! just reiterating I have limited knowledge based on my watch through so my thoughts are 90% to change with more context later)

Honestly, though, even looking through the Divine Plan lens, I feel like Lucifer is still kind of a bigger deal than Michael, to god, to the fate of the world, and that is also a parallel to Sam and Dean. And that’s also something Michael so far seems jealous of, and def the other angels are too. Wanting all the attention from daddy lol.

There’s more of. A Hubbub with Lucifer/Sam. Their issues end up being a much bigger deal / focus then there ends up being devoted attention dedicated to the older brother. younger brother things, I guess lol

Like, Lucifer is the one to start it all. He falls. His action starts the chain of events, not Michael. Michael reacts, not acts. Michael is someone who kinda got roped into it. He wasn’t at the center of the blast zone, if that makes sense. He wasn’t the bomb. So, comparatively, since Lucifer is needed to enact any version of the apocalypse, and Michael is necessary for the Specific Plan but honestly kind of a side-factor in any of the other millions of ways The Plan could go (the ultimate plan simply being the end of the world. The angels have their bet on how it will/should happen, and all the big players have their own version too, but honestly it’s all semantics. As long as the world ends, it don’t matter how. Based on what I’ve seen at least!)

I hope that makes sense. I totally see how if you believe in the angel’s plan Mary would be useless without her matching key, but so far my interpretation is a little different :)

Thanks for sharing your interpretation by the way, I loved thinking about this situation inna different way! Please feel free to share any more thoughts you have, I’d love to hear <3

Also i can’t wait to learn the context for the things that’ll be funny. Irony and hindsight is a really big, funny part of being into supernatural honestly lol

Cupid: John and Mary Winchester, huuuuge deal. They couldn’t stand each other at first but after us, perfect couple.

I fucking knew it.

Well, no, I didn’t know that the angels organized the union of Mary and John Winchester, but I knew that Mary and John weren’t a good couple. I knew that even if they still were alive and. together, they wouldn’t have been happy. I don’t know why, but I could feel it. Something about how Mary, or anyone, really, didn’t seem all that bothered by John being dead in the “good” timeline where she lives and Sam and Dean don’t get along. How life was good even if he wasn’t there. (How Sam and Dean don’t need John at all.) How Mary never mentioned John in any of her “returns/visits”. How they just seemed like a couple that would argue and not get along, with divorced energy even if they both lived.

It’s so demented and a complete violation that the Higher Powers forced two humans together against their will for their plan.

The Winchesters never had any free will. Heaven intended it. They were nearly patchworked together by circumstance. I don’t think even Sam and Dean feel attached to John the way they do Mary. He was merely an outsider used as a piece in a game. He doesn’t belong with the Winchesters. All he gave was his name.

[friedroses]

.

[yume-no-miya]

look i love making sae be the one who's so in love and showering hajun with so much love and affection but it's much more fun to think that HE fell harder than her

[kaijutegu]

Alligator Body Language and You, or: How To Know When An Alligator On Social Media is Being Stressed for Views

Alligators are wild animals. Despite the idiotic claims of animal abusers like Jay Brewer, they cannot be domesticated, which means they are always going to react on the same natural instincts they've had for millions of years. Habituated, yes. Tamed, yes. Trained, definitely. Crocodilians can form bonds with people- they're social and quite intelligent. They can solve problems, use tools, and they're actually quite playful. Alligators are also really good at communicating how they're feeling, but to somebody who doesn't spend much time around them, their body language can be a bit mystifying. And it doesn't help when social media influencers are saying shit like this:

That is not what a happy gator looks like.

That's a terrified, furious gator who isn't attacking because the ogre handling her has her in a chokehold. She's doing everything she can to express her displeasure, and he's lying about it because he knows his audience doesn't even know how to think critically about what he's doing. He knows that because his audience doesn't know anything about these animals, he can get away with it. This I think is why I hate him so much- he deliberately miseducates his audience. He knows what he's doing is factually inaccurate, he just doesn't care because attention means more to him than anything else in the world.

Let's change that! Here are two really important lessons for understanding alligator body language on social media.

Lesson 1: Alligators Don't Smile (in fact, most animals don't)

So what's going on in this video? Jay Brewer is aggressively choking his white alligator Coconut while scrubbing algae off of her with a toothbrush. And make no mistake, he is digging into the creature's throat while she is visibly distressed. He claims she's happy- but she's not. He is willfully misrepresenting what this animal is feeling. That's a problem, because people... well, we actually kind of suck at reading other species' body language. The reason for this is that we tend to overlay our own responses on their physical cues, and that's a problem. For example, let's look at an animal with a really similar face to ours, the chimpanzee. Check out Ama's toothy grin!

Wait, no. That's not a happy smile. That's a threat display. When a chimpanzee "smiles," it's either terrified and doing a fear grimace, or it's showing you its teeth because it intends on using them in your face.

How about a dog? Look at my smiling, happy puppy!

Oh wait no, this is a picture of Ryder when he was super overwhelmed by noise and people during a holiday party. He'd hopped up in my sister's lap to get away from stuff that was happening on the floor and was panting quite heavily. See the tension in the corners of his mouth and his eyes? A lot of the time when a dog "smiles," the smile isn't happy. It's stress! Why Animals Do The Thing has a nice writeup about that, but the point is, our body language is not the same as other species. And for reptiles, body language is wildly different.

For instance, look at these two alligators. Pretty cute, right? Look at 'em, they're posing for a Christmas card or something! How do you think they're feeling?

Well, I'll tell you how the normal one is feeling. He's annoyed! Why is he annoyed? Because the albino just rolled up, pushed another gator off the platform, and is trying to push this guy, too. I know this because I actually saw it happen. It was pretty funny, not gonna lie. He's not gaping all the way, but he was hissing- you can actually see him getting annoyed in the sequence I took right before this shot. Look at him in this first shot here- he's just relaxing, and you can see he isn't gaping even a little bit.

By the end, he's expressing displeasure, but not enough to actually do anything about it. He's annoyed, but he's comfy and that's where one of the best basking areas is, so he'll put up with it.

Reptiles open their mouths wide for a lot of reasons, but never because they are actively enjoying a sensation. Unless they're eating. No reptile smiles- they can't. They don't even have moveable lips. If a reptile is gaping, it's doing so because:

It is doing a threat display.

It is making certain vocalizations, all of which are threats. Alligators are one of the rare reptiles that do regularly vocalize, but most of their calls aren't made with a wide open mouth.

It is about to bite something delicious or somebody stupid. Check out this video- virtually all of the gaping here is anticipatory because these trained gators know darn well that the bowl is full of delicious snacks. (I have some issues with Florida's Wildest, but the man knows how to train a gator AND he is honest about explaining what they're doing and why, and all of his animals are healthy and well-cared for, and he doesn't put the public or his staff at risk- just himself.)

It's too hot and it has opened its mouth to vent some of that heat and thermoregulate. This is the main reason why alligators will often have their mouths part of the way open, but sometimes they'll open all the way for thermoregulation. This is what a thermoregulatory gape looks like- usually it's not all the way open, kinda more like < rather than V, but you can't say that 100% of the time. Additionally, a thermoregulatory gape... typically happens when it's hot out. If they're inside, maybe they've been under their basking light for too long. Heat's the dominant factor, is what I'm getting at.

There is another reason that a captive crocodilian might be gaping, and that's because it's doing so on command. Some places have their gators trained to gape on cue, like St. Augustine Alligator Farm and other good zoos. They have the animals do this in presentations that are genuinely educational. They ask the animals to open their mouths so that they can show off their teeth and demonstrate how their tongues seal off the back of their mouth. They'll also do it as part of routine healthcare, because looking at their teeth is important.

In this case, the animals aren't gaping because they're stressed, they're gaping because they know they're gonna get a piece of chicken or fish if they do it. And what's more, they're doing it on cue. They have a specific command or signal that tells them to open wide. It's not an instinctive response to a situation. It's trained. If the animal provides the behavior after a cue, the situation is much less likely to be negatively impactful.

It's also important to remember that there's a difference between a partially open mouth and a gape! As discussed above, alligators will often have their mouths a little bit open just to maintain temperature homeostasis. It helps them stay comfy, temperature-wise. These guys are all doing thermoregulatory open-mouthed behavior- that slight open and relaxed body posture is a dead giveaway. (That and it's the hottest spot in the enclosure.)

Lesson 2: A Happy Gator Is A Chill Gator

So if alligators don't smile or have facial expressions other than the :V that typically signifies distress, how else can you tell how they're feeling? One way is stillness. See, alligators subscribe to the philosophy of if it sucks... hit da bricks.

Basically, if they hate it, they'll leave. Unless, y'know, somebody has their meaty claws digging into their throat or is otherwise restraining them. (Restraint isn't always bad, btw. Sometimes the animal is going through a medical thing or needs to be restrained for their safety- which a responsible educator will explain.)

Let's look at a very similar scenario, in which a captive alligator is getting his back scrubbed.

As you can see, it's quite different. First, he's not being restrained at all. Second, look at how relaxed he is! He's just chilling there vibing! He could simply get up and leave if he wanted to, because he's not being held. Towards the end of the video, as he lifts his head, you can see that his respiratory rate is very even as his throat flutters a bit. I'm not sure what this facility is, so I can't comment on care/general ethics, but like. In this specific case, this is an alligator enjoying being scrubbed! And you can tell because he's not doing anything. A happy gator is content to be doing what they're doing.

Why Should I Listen To You?

Now, you should ask yourself, why should you listen to me? Why should you trust me, who does not own an alligator, versus Jay Brewer, who owns several?

Well, first off, there's no profit for me in telling you that what you're seeing on social media is in fact not what you're being told you're seeing. I'm not getting paid to do this. That's the thing with people who make social media content. The big names aren't doing it just for fun. They're doing it for money. Whether that's profit through partnerships or sponsorships, or getting more people to visit their facilities, or ad revenue, you can't ignore the factor of money. And this is NOT a bad thing, because it allows educators to do what they're passionate about! People deserve to be paid for the work that they do!

But the problem starts when you chase the algorithm instead of actually educating. A "smiling" alligator gets the views, and if people don't know enough to know better, it keeps getting the views. People love unconventional animal stories and they want those animals to be happy- but the inability to even know where to start with critically evaluating these posts really hinders the ability to spread real information. Like, this post will probably get a couple hundred notes, but that video of Coconut being scrubbed had almost 400,000 likes when I took that screenshot. Think about how many eyeballs that's reached by now. What I'm saying here is that it's just... really important to think critically about who you're getting your information from. What do dissenters say in the comments? What do other professionals say? You won't find a single herpetologist that has anything good to say about Prehistoric Pets, I can tell you that right now.

Another reason you can trust me is that my sources are not "just trust me bro," or "years of experience pretending my pet shop where animals come to die is a real zoo." Instead, here are my primary sources for my information on alligator behavior:

Dragon Songs: Love and Adventure among Crocodiles, Alligators, and Other Dinosaur Relations- Vladimir Dinets

The Secret Social Lives of Reptiles- J. Sean Doody, Vladimir Dinets, Gordon M. Burghardt

Social Behavior Deficiencies in Captive American Alligators (Alligator mississippiensis)- Z Walsh, H Olson, M Clendening, A Rycyk

Social Displays of the American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis)- Kent Vliet

Social Signals and Behaviors of Adult Alligators and Crocodiles- Leslie Garrick, Jeffery Lang

Never smile at a crocodile: Gaping behaviour in the Nile crocodile at Ndumo Game Reserve, South Africa- Cormac Price, Mohamed Ezat, Céline Hanzen, Colleen Downs (this one's Nile crocs, not American alligators, but it's really useful for modeling an understanding of gape behaviors and proximity)

Thermoregulatory Behavior of Captive American Alligators (Alligator mississippiensis)- Cheryl S. Asa, Gary D. London, Ronald R. Goellner, Norman Haskell, Glenn Roberts, Crispen Wilson

Unprovoked Mouth Gaping Behavior in Extant Crocodylia- Noah J. Carl, Heather A. Stewart, Jenny S. Paul

Thank you for reading! Here's a very happy wild alligator from Sanibel for your trouble.