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lqfiles · 6 months ago

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PAY THE PRICE — 29. a moment of vulnerability

(wc: 2.281)

much to your surprise, haechan’s door was already left unlocked by the time you reached it. your hand halted at the immediate unlock of it, and you hesitantly moved it open afterwards, your confusion growing more prominent with each step inside. it wasn’t typical for haechan to leave his door unlocked, especially at night from the experiences you’ve had with him.

as you entered further into the apartment, an unusual sense of eerie and a strange stillness hit you. a muddle expression formed on your face, and you looked around the dark living room, a feeling of familiarity following as you did so. your first thought was to look at the spot you remembered haechan to be seated at last time you had visited him during the night hours.

“haechan?” you didn’t expect the tone of your voice to be so soft as you called out his name. haechan, who was sat on the couch instead of the floor, didn’t acknowledge your words, letting them echo into the void. “i know you have my stuff, asshole.” you lightly complained, attempting to stir a reaction out of him who had yet to look up.

he remained strangely silent, barely moving. you took more careful steps into the place, slowly making your way towards the middle of the room where he was. standing next to the couch, you contemplated on what exactly to do. “are you asleep?” you whispered carefully, somewhat worried that you’d wake him up. you’ve never seen haechan this silent, let alone this motionless.

haechan shook his head, breaking the motionless trance he was in. his hands were still crossed over one another and his head was still looking down at his lap. “are you.. you okay?” the question felt foreign as it left the tip of your tongue. it remained in the air and was left unanswered for approximately 10 seconds. you didn’t expect haechan to talk, but he did. “i don’t know.. maybe.” his voice croaked. you don’t think you’ve ever heard such a sound come from haechan.

you expected him to dismiss it, and now you were put in an awkward position. were you the right person to ask him to elaborate? you’re relationship with him wasn’t that strong, let alone anything friendly in your eyes. still, you had already intruded his place without his consent, maybe the least you owed him was an ear to listen. “wanna talk about it?” you sighed out with reluctance.

haechan’s sigh followed soon after as he finally looked up, making eye content with you. the first thing you took notice of was the tired look in his eyes, almost as if he hadn’t been sleeping for the past few days. before you could analyse his face any further, he spoke. “i just got a lot on my mind.” he started, fiddling with his fingers.

“about what?” you reluctantly asked again. realistically, you’re not sure if you cared or wanted to know the answer. but based of his body language alone, you could tell something was bothering him, and call yourself foolish, but if there was anything bigger than your foolishness, it was your sense of empathy.

“life? i’ve just been very.. what’s the right word.. lost?” haechan continued. you eyed the empty spot next to him, contemplating the decision on whether or not to take the seat. you obliged, if you were to stick around for a story time, you at least deserve to actually sit through it. you sat down and nodded for haechan to continue. “what about life?”

“i’m just.. I don’t know, i’ve just been wondering where i’m heading to with life.” he confessed, and the answer took you by surprise. “why’s that?” you questioned, growing intrigued. haechan pondered for a moment, his hands now limp on his lap. “it’s stupid.. i think seeing jaehyun do well in life just has me questioning my own course in life, i guess i feel somewhat discouraged?” haechan admitted and the mention of jaehyun piqued your interest, though you tried to not show it.

“i don’t get it, do you want to be like jaehyun?” you asked in confusion. your conclusion behind haechan’s sullen mood seemed to bother him. he shook his head with a soft groan. “no, i don’t want to be like him, but i also do. its not that i want to have the fame jaehyun has or be known as an outstanding singer.. it’s more like.. i want to stand out too.” haechan explained, gnawing his lips.

“why do you think you don’t stand out?” you inquired with your head tilted in confusion. haechan glanced your way before shutting his eyes softly, re-opening them shortly after. “well, now i stand out yeah, but i don’t like the way i stand out, it’s not me.” haechan groaned in exasperation, yet you remained confused.

“i don’t get it, what’s the issue?” you questioned once more, growing more intrigued by his complaints.

“of course you don’t get it, because you don’t know me (—). you probably think you do, but you don’t.” haechan deeply sighed, it seemed like he was really tired, whether it be in general or because of your continuing questions. you remained silent, not sure how to respond back to his words. haechan took the silence as an opportunity to continue.

“i’ll let you know a bit about me then. did you know that the only reason why i’m even attached to my guitar is because i believe it’s the only reason people show interest in me?” haechan stared ahead of him, arms loosely crossed. “i do know what it’s like to not stand out because i had always remained as the one everyone would choose second because i had nothing to offer. does that make sense to you?” with a slight twist, haechan shot you a quick glance before turning his gaze back to it previous focus.

“its funny because i thought, maybe, if i pick up on a trait such as learning the guitar, people would take more interest in me and i’d get their validation. which worked in my benefit, surprisingly. who knew everyone could be so into the rockstar boyfriend fantasy?” he chuckled almost bitterly. you slightly gaped at the confession, too stunned to form a proper reaction.

“its why i liked to be called haechan, and why no one aside from yangyang jaehyun and renjun get to call me by my real name, because they don’t actually care about the real me. they like haechan.” haechan’s arms unwrapped from each other, gesturing up and down the length of his body to emphasise his point. “they like haechan, the guy who plays the guitar and is nonchalant, not donghyuck, the guy behind him who always comes second.”

haechan’s tone was undoubtedly bitter, and he paused for a moment. “so, do you get it?”

“..i’m sorry to hear that.” was all you could come up with in the moment, your expression doing enough to showcase your honesty. haechan didn’t response, instead he brushed his fingers through his hair with a lack of energy. “but what about karina? she calls you donghyuck?” you wondered. haechan let the question hang in the air for a bit before he answered.

“because i never told karina any of my issues, why would i? she was a short talking stage, i was still figuring myself out as donghyuck and cut her off once i wanted to start fresh. i didn’t want a memory of the old me to be left behind, except for those i actually care about. i don’t care about karina.” haechan answered truthfully with no hesitation.

once again, you weren’t sure how to carry on from that. what was an appropriate question to ask in such an instance? there was an underlying hostility in his words, yet you could also sense the rawness and misery in them. your empathy truly got the best of you, and you prepared yourself for the speech you were about to give.

“this is probably going to sound weird coming from me.. but i’m sure there are many people who admire you.” you started. “i won’t lie, i hate your guitar, a lot, but you’re not bad at it, i guess.. you could say i admire that, or something.” you averted your gaze, staring ahead just like he did.

“i dont know, it seems to me like you’re scared of people liking you for who you really are which is why you’re putting up this front.” haechan’s face contorted into a frown. “now you’re just twisting my words.” he laughed, and you softly chuckled too. “what i’m trying to say is that i doubt people wouldn’t put you first if you remained true to yourself, for all you know, someone could’ve been madly in love with you for being donghyuck. why change yourself for others if it doesn’t make you happy?”

silence overlook again and you believed that you had hit a sensitive topic. “but it does make me happy.” haechan admitted after a minute, his voice merely a whisper. “so you’re happy being someone you’re not?” you repeated bewildered and haechan shrugged. “maybe.” he answered honestly.

“and you’re happy talking to girls as someone you’re not?” you continued.

“i like the feeling of being wanted.” haechan responded.

“okay, but playing with people’s hearts is not nice.” you argued back. haechan shrugged again. “i never said i’m trying to be nice, life hasn’t been that kind to me either.” he stated simply, crossing his arms over each other again. his persistent mindset shocked you, and you swiftly turned your body to face his.

“listen, i know we’re not that close for me to tell you what to do, but, stop doubting yourself, it’s weird.” you sighed in annoyance. “you’re interesting as you are and i don’t think a guitar would change that much. you’re scared that people will put you second, but you’re not even giving people the chance to put you first by being yourself. wouldn’t it be worse if people found out you’ve been putting up a persona this whole time? that you’re name isn’t even haechan?”

“what are you trying to say (—)” haechan had turned his head to look at you “you’re too harsh on yourself. whether you’re haechan or donghyuck, it shouldn’t matter. if people don’t like you for who you really are, then they’re not worth your time. also, you’re leading girls on by seeking their attention, it’s not nice.” you stated with determination, and haechan couldn’t hold back the smile that was forming on his face.

“why are you getting all serious about that.” he scoffed out a laugh, and the room started to feel more lively. his face seemed to have softened, and you internally let out a sigh of relief, for some reason. “i think everyone has their destined person that’s perfect for them, it’s kinda sad that you’re leading these girls on and making them think you’re their perfect match when you’re not even serious.”

haechan let out another soft laugh, and this time, he sat himself up more proper before turning to face you again. “okay, do you think you’ve met your perfect match?” his stare felt strong as they locked with your eyes and for a moment you remained speechless, lost in the intensity of them. “i don’t know.” you answer back truthfully. haechan nodded his eyes, keeping his eyes locked with yours. “and do you think we could be a perfect match?” and the question took you by surprise, your mouth ajar as you tried to come up with an answer.

“god forbid.” haechan chuckled at your response, and the rapid beating of your heart slowed. “i’m surprised you told me all this, you know. i thought you didn’t like me.” you admitted. haechan’s eyebrows raised at the assumption and he swallowed.

“i just wanted to be vulnerable for the night, knowing i wouldn’t confess to this stuff any other day. its nice to get stuff off your mind from time to time.” it hit you then why everything felt so weird this particular night. because haechan, the guy who barely crossed the friend status, was being vulnerable, with you of all people.

“we aren’t exactly friends.. but you can get stuff off your chest with me if you need to.” you offered haechan, and genuine surprise overtook his features. “why would you do that?” you shrugged, looking down at your own intertwined hands. “isn’t it better to tell someone who couldn’t care less about you than someone who does?”

“i didn’t know you could be nice like this.” haechan chuckled after some time. you scoffed in offence, looking back up at him. “I don’t know what image of me you have in your head, but i’d never make fun of someone’s vulnerability.” you defended yourself. haechan shook his head. “that’s not what i meant.” he corrected.

“i know, but being nice doesn’t have to be limited to friends. its nice to be nice… even towards insufferable people like you.” you continued to defend yourself and haechan’s perked up at your words. “are you saying we can’t be friends?” he wondered, his surprise masked by the tired look that had returned.

you attempted to remain unbothered by his inquiry, nonchalantly shrugging your shoulders. “do you want to be friends?” you proposed with hidden curiosity. haechan stuck his hand out towards you, silently waiting. you hesitated before essentially gripping onto it, his own hand shaking your clasped hands.

“i‘ll give you your utensils when i wake up, i’m tired.” haechan yawned before getting up from his couch and walking towards his room. you got up yourself, making your way towards the door with your mind in a haze. your hand was on the handle of his front door, and before you could open it, haechan’s voice called for you.

“just.. you can call me donghyuck too, if you want, since you know it already.”

previous — master list — next

notes ; angsty… anyways sozz i was kinda living life and had no motivation but i’ll try~ proofread this once so sozz for any grammar mistakes

TAGLIST ; @90s-belladonna @pnkified @2jisungs @swee7dream @sinisxtea @en-dream @h-aecat @lostinneocity @sunflowerbebe07 @pookime @aerivrs @alethea-moon @hcvenue @prettyrenjunn @manooffline @bath1lda @hyejooistic @emvrd @dojaejunging @odxrilove @hyuckluvr-com @jaeims @ihyucksol @tddyhyck @dalsosapple @https-yeonjun @luvlyrenwoo @yoursyuno @lilacsxjoon @heymsperfectlyfine @mystverse @ne0c0r3 @casperbutnot-theghost @hyuckies18 @w3bqrl @ckline35 @nosungluv @luvvsnae @chcnlcs @cryingforgyu @thatgirlkay @222brainrot @junviadinho @n0hyuck @sinsgaybutthatsokay @choerubies @goldustupmysea @cyber-innie @hyunjungjae @blamemef0rit @lowkeychenle @lecheugo

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hees-mine · 7 months ago

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DESTROYED - L. HEESEUNG

Pairing: heeseung ⚥ reader

Warnings: suggestive, crying, blood, violence, touching without consent, reader says no. This is rushed so i apologize in advance for errors.

Genre: 18+, smut, Minors do not interact!

WC: 2,533k

PART ONE PART TWO

⟱⟱⟱

Avoiding heeseung was now a daily routine for you.

It went from trying to get as close to him as possible to keeping as much distance from him as possible.

You nearly skipped your shared class with him everyday cause his aura alone made a chill run down your spine.

The most you’ve seen of him was a small glimpse of the worn Nike’s that’d he’d wear to school everyday.

You know you probably shouldn’t even notice him or look for him at all but avoidance was easy acceptance wasn’t.

Avoiding him was easy cause the last thing you wanted to do was run into him alone again.

But acceptance was hard cause you didn’t want to believe the guy you secretly loved from afar wasn’t a guy worth loving.

The scenarios that you made up in your head about him were so far from reality.

There were polar opposites and even knowing what kind of person he is it’s still hard to move on from something that’s been a part of your life for so long.

But eventually, you’ll have to come to terms with it cause this wasn’t another one of your unrealistic scenarios. He was someone to stay far away from, and the bruises on your neck were proof of that.

Heeseung watched you walking the school halls pitifully a smile creeping up to his lips cause now you’re smart enough to know better than to get anyone near him.

He must admit it is a bit strange that you even approached him to begin with cause since he’s been in the neighborhood you’re the first and only person to acknowledge him or try to befriend him.

He kept his distance from people purposefully cause he simply wanted to be alone.

It’s better for him that way.

He doesn’t want to talk or even to be seen if he had a choice then he’d stay hidden away from everybody.

Heeseung had just wrapped up his classes for the day and stepped out of the school building heading in the direction of the woodsy path that led back to his home.

You weren’t the only one that took that route he’d often see you but he’d never show himself for obvious reasons.

The path was his favorite cause not only was it a shortcut to home, but he also avoided all the other schoolgoers as well.

As he walks the path, the sound of small twigs cracking under his shoe gives him a sense of satisfaction.

He took a few more calculated steps listening to the dried up leafs crunching with every stride there was one big lead in particular and he was anticipating the sound right as his foot came in contact with the aged leaf the sound of laughing in the woods ruined the suspense of his endeavor his head snapping up toward the sound.

There was nothing in his line of vision. He stopped and listened, looking around for something or someone in the distance, and then he heard it again, but this time, he also heard the sounds of someone crying.

He walked in the direction of the noise getting closer and closer to the sounds until a group of three men entered his vision.

It had been a full month since you had been avoiding heeseung, and you thought it was safe to say he’d leave you alone for good now, so you started to take your old trail back home, assuming he wouldn’t be bothering you out here again.

And Well, there was no sign of heeseung. There were three older men standing in front of you, blocking your path when you got maybe halfway into the woods.

There was never anyone out here ever.

Until today.

And today just so happened to be your lucky day.

You tried to politely tell them off, but they didn’t listen. Of course, they didn’t listen.

They badgered you continuously despite you telling them you were not interested. They circled you like hungry wolves against their prey, poking and prodding you, pulling your hair, and saying the nastiest things to you.

You were paralyzed with fear, praying someone would save you, and just when one of the men was going to grab you and do, god only knows what, you heard a male voice shout. “Hey!”

The three men look up in the direction of the voice, your eyes soon following there’s, and even though Lee heeseung had just assaulted you in these same woods, somehow, you’ve never been happier to see his face.

“What do you want boy can’t you see we’re busy?” One of them says and you cringe slowly backing away from them.

“Can’t you see I don’t give a fuck? Leave before I run out of patience,” one of them scoffs, and heeseung is just waiting for them to give him a reason to do what he’s been itching to do since the moment he saw them.

“See, unlike you, we don’t have patience. We see what we want, and we take no matter what’s in our way,” the ring leader says and pokes heeseung on the chest with his index finger. Within a second, he’s face down on the ground, groaning in pain.

You flinched from the sudden show of violence and coward down next to a tree, your eyes flicking back and forth from the men and heeseung.

Everything flashed before your eyes so quickly you spaced out, and when you finally got to take a second to breathe and take everything in, heeseung was the only man standing. The rest were covered in blood, rolling in pain, and you’re sure some of their bones were broken with the way heeseung repeatedly hit them with a thick wooden branch.

He didn’t even have a scratch on his face, just the look of pure rage in his eyes as his bloody fists shook with anger.

Your eyes were riddled with fear looking at him. You never thought a savior could look so deranged.

You backed away from him when he came near you and reached his hand out for you to take.

He stood up straight, looking at you with a hardened expression. He didn’t wait for you to take his hand. Rather, he took yours, yanking you off the ground as you kept your distance.

Just cause he saved you, that didn’t mean you weren’t still frightened by him cause you knew he was capable of harming you, too. He’d already done it once.

He walks within a foot’s distance his arm attempting to grab at your waist so he can lead you out of the woods and you pushed his hands away fearfully.

“Are you fucking kidding right now? I save you from a group of fucking assholes, and you push me away?” He says as if he hasn’t harmed you before.

You took calm breaths and never made eye contact with him.

Your silence ticks him off, and he forcefully grips your face. “You know, I thought you’d be smart enough not to take this path again after what happened last time.”

Tears well in your eyes at the thought of what happened last time and your body is filled with even more fear as you try to move your head out of his grip.

“Fucking mute thought you were a bit smarter than that” he turns around, leaving you in the woods with the unconscious bodies on the ground. You took a peek at them, got up, and ran home as fast as possible.

Despite earlier events and your better judgment when nightfall hit you decided to take a walk cause you just needed a break especially after your mother tore into you when you showed up late.

Your life had just been terrible recently, and every small thing felt magnified from the way heeseung treated you.

You didn’t tell your mom what happened you know she wouldn’t care the only thing she cared about was how quickly you’d come home so you could run to the corner store and buy her another bottle.

It has always been that way since you can remembe-

Your train of thought was broken when you heard loud voices in the near distance. They were screaming sounded, almost like fighting.

You stopped in your tracks a few blocks down, and you could see two men standing outside in front of their house. “Mom, go inside,” heeseung says.

“Yeah, go inside, dear. I’d hate for you to see me wreck your boy,” his dad drunkenly chuckles.

What happened today was just a Kickstarter for heeseung to do what he should have done a long time ago, but now he was ready to do what needed to be done. Him and his mother had endured enough stress and pain at the hands of his father, and it was finally time to put an end to this.

Right here.

Right now.

You saw one of the men throw a punch landing straight on the other man’s face and you flinched.

Flashes from heeseung fighting off those men earlier rushed through your mind as you watched the two unknown men fighting each other.

It wasn’t long until one was dropped, the other jumping on top of the body on the ground, pummeling the other's face in, and you gasped quickly, covering your mouth as the assault took place.

You heard a woman’s voice sounding panicked. “Heeseung, don’t he’s still your father.” She turned on the porch light and ran down the steps to cover what you assumed was her husband.

No way, you thought as you heard what she said, was it really heeseung?

You know what he was capable of doing to you, but he treated his own father the same way. Was he really that sick and twisted in the head?

Heeseung never understood why his mother would always defend his father, but her wishes always came first, so he withdrew himself for his mother’s sake. If it wasn’t for her, he might have killed his father tonight.

When all the other lights in the neighborhood came on, they revealed him perfectly, and it was indeed him.

It was heeseung.

You were shocked to your core. You didn’t stick around for anything else, and you bolted back home, tucking yourself in bed for the night, trying desperately to erase the image of bloody heeseung from your mind.

Since that day, you have practically been running from Heeseung whenever you sensed his presence was near.

Except today at your locker when you felt a hand tug your wrist.

You looked up, and when you saw him, your body shook immediately with fear. You tried to pull away from his grip, but it just got tighter.

“Look at me” he commands but you kept your eyes low. “Fine” he yanks you to that same empty classroom where you both did unspeakable things things you wished you hadn’t. “Look” for the first time in weeks you dared to look at him in the eyes.

“Y-you told me not t-“

“I’m telling you now!” He shouts. “Don’t act you know the first thing about listening” he pinned you against the door.

You quickly lock your eyes with him, fearing what he might do if you didn’t listen.

He looks between both your eyes they looked so familiar he’s seen that look more times than he’s comfortable admitting. “Why are you looking at me like that?” His expression faltering for a moment. You don’t answer your body shaking in fear.

“Heeseung, stop you’re scari-“ he cuts your words off quickly, pressing a finger to your lips so the words don’t come out.

“If you feel that way, then why do you let me do this?” He puts his hand under your skirt, skimming your inner thigh with his fingertips.

You writhe under his hold, pulling your body away from him. “No!” You shout, but he quickly covers your mouth.

He holds you in place, lowering his hand and putting it on your throat. “Be fucking quiet. Yeah, don’t act like you don’t want this.” he grips your thigh while you struggle to get out of his grip.

“Stop!” You gasp out for air, and he squeezes tighter.

“Shush, just let me,” he whispers in your ear. “Be real quiet,” he continues, touching you under your skirt, his hand moving from your throat down to creeping down to your chest, and you winced. “Come on, I know you want. It got so wet for me last time,” he hums and licks the side of your jaw.

“Heeseung, please stop,” you whimper, hoping he’d listen.

“You say that, but I know you don’t mean it. You loved it last time. Your fucking pussy was just dripping and begging to be fucked” he nudges his forehead against yours, pressing himself closer to you.

You shrink back, your face contorting in disgust, and you can’t believe you ever liked someone like him to begin with. “Get off!” You yelled, using all your strength to push him off of you, and he stumbled back, finally letting you go.

You quickly reached for the doorknob but he was quicker. “Don’t” he easily picks you up hoisting you on the teachers desk spreading your legs and situated himself between. “Keep them open let me have you the way I want” you obey too scared that he might hurt you. “The way we both want” he whispered pressing a soft kiss on your neck.

He starts to roll the bottom of your skirt up, and that’s when he hears you sniffling softly. You want to close your legs, but you keep them open, remembering that you could possibly be hurt in this situation at any given moment.

His eyes travel to your watery ones, and his hands freeze at the look in your eyes. No wonder why your eyes looked so familiar. You were looking at him the same way his mother looked at his father before he’d hit her.

There’s no other way to describe the look other than fear.

He realized you were scared of him, and as much as he hated his father for what he’d done to his mom, at this exact moment, he could see his father in himself.

His breath catches in his throat and there’s nothing but pen drop silence in the room as he retracts his hands.

When he took his hands off you, you looked at him, your eyes red and watery. Through your blur of tears, you saw the look of confusion on his face mixed with something else.

“Go,” he whispers and backs away from you, freeing you from himself.

You stood up from the desk, your mouth parting to utter something, even though you should have just left as quickly as possible.

Before a word comes out, he shouts. “GO!”

You jumped slightly and rolled down your skirt, running to the door, leaving without looking back.

He stood alone in the empty classroom catching the reflection of his face in the glass window and he was staring back at himself there was nothing behind his eyes and he realized that he was destroyed.

⟱⟱⟱

Thanks for reading please reblog and leave feedback.

#heeseung smut #enhypen heeseung smut #enhypen heeseung #enhypen #heeseung #lee heeseung #lee heeseung smut #enhypen smut #enhypen hard hours

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yaknowlikenyah · 3 months ago

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Controversial opinion time. Outside of the legal problems, teenagers seeing a horny picture or post is not the end of the world. A large part of the puritanical views on sex is that before you turn 18, you're supposed to be "pure" and shielded from the world and all the "dirty" sex out there. That's just not realistic when most teens start really developing their sexuality or being sexually active at like- 15-16.

Personally, while I'm not Comfortable with the idea of people under 18 interacting towards me in a sexual way (or even under 20 really because of personal preferences) I wish it was more socially acceptable for someone coming into themselves sexually to ask questions about things like kink or protective measures during sex.

And honestly? Kids are gonna find that shit! They're going to search it out. Hell, I got interested in bdsm at like, 14 and a LARGE part of my sexual education was self taught from the internet and old sites on bdsm etiquette.

When all your sexual knowledge is hidden behind an 18+ barrier, minors start lying about their age! You get teenagers writing that they're in their 20's in their bios so they don't get blocked and it breeds more danger because now they're interacting with adults under false pretenses which, ignoring any sort of predatory angle, means that things like roleplay can be initiated without full knowledge and consent from both parties.

But I think it's GOOD when kids can learn while still admitting that they're kids. I think it's GOOD that a kid could come to you and you as an adult could enforce your own boundaries and set an example. Circling back to my own experiences, a large part of why I walked out on a high school boyfriend instead of letting him aggressively pressure me into sex and push my boundaries was that I read all those bdsm sites. I learned about consent in a stricter sense than what was taught in public schools, and it let me know that wasn't right and that It wasn't right for him to push more than what I was comfortable with. Having that knowledge of kink Helped!!

That 18+ barrier is part of why it's so easy to be taken advantage of by people who 'finally treat you like an adult' and acknowledge you as more than just a pure thing that needs to be protected. It's why you get kids thinking that any sort of kinky sex or weird kink is Wrong and Bad and Makes you a bad person. That's why you get trans and gay people labled as 'Pedophiles' just for talking to kids about their own experiences with sexual and personal identity.

It's obviously a grey area and not something that people will agree or be comfortable with, but it's something to think about. I would rather a kid be able to come to me as a person for kink knowledge and advice and be able to be honest about it in an informed, appropriate way than I would want a kid to rush into things as soon as they turn 18 without knowing the safety.

#nyah #just- thoughts.#screaming out into the void

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flower-boi16 · 3 months ago

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Stolas' "Character Growth" of Making Amends With Blitz is Poor as Hell

Something many critics don't seem to mention when talking about Stolas' characterization in Season 2 is how the season tries (keyword tries) to have Stolas go through an arc of fixing his mistake in regards to making the deal with Blitz and, ya know, sexually abusing him. The show is acknowledging that Stolas fucked up, which means it isn't coddling him...right?

Well, this arc first gets kickstarted in Ozzie's when Blitz explicitly tells Stolas to "not pretend like anything we have is anything but you wanting me to fuck you", showing to Stolas that Blitz doesn't feel the same way about him as Stolas feels about Blitz, which gives Stolas a moment to reflect on their relationship.

The Circus then shows that Stolas believed that for once, he had a genuine mutually affectionate relationship with someone, that someone being Blitzo, as Stolas felt some kind of happiness he never felt before and could never get with Stella, only to realize that it was all a lie and Blitzo doesn't feel the same way as Stolas did for him. Stolas desired genuine intamite affection and thought he had that but he didn't, and so he looks to a book to try and find Blitz an alternative so he can continue his job without staying in the deal, chosing to free Blitz.

Oops then shows Stolas going to Ozzie's place to get the Ausmodean Crystal for Blitz, and The Full Moon shows Stolas giving the crystal to Blitz, now learning to let him go, putting his own selfish desires for affection aside and reconizing what he did to Blitz was wrong and choosing to let him be free from the deal.

So...this, on paper, sounds fantastic, right? The show is making an arc of Stolas growing from his mistakes, realizing the deal is wrong and choosing to let him go while acknoweldging Blitz's mistakes right....right?????

Well...no. While this is a compelling arc in isolation, there are several issues that taint it. For one, the arc revolves around multiple plot holes and contrivinces in order to work. I've already mentioned this several times but, Stolas and Blitz being childhood friends feels like a retcon and it doesn't really line up with any of their interactions in the first season, and this arc relies on the two's past friendship in order to work.

Further more, there's the fact that Stolas shoulden't even have any real love for Blitz in the first place considering that Blitz stole from him not once, but twice. First Blitz steals all of Stolas' items when they were kids for his dad by tricking him into a game and the second time Blitz takes advantage of Stolas again to Steal the grimoire. Did Stolas REALLY just...not realize that Blitz took advantage of him in either of those instances????

Why would he have ANY love towards him after he did those things? He should HATE Blitz for taking advantage of his feelings, but he doesn't. There's also the fact that this arc is just a complete replacement of Stolas' character in the first season, fully comitting to his sudden shift from a man who made mistakes that hurt others to a UwU gay sad soft boy who just wanted genuine affection, which is a jarring change for him as a character, and this arc competely relies on this sudden shift.

It removes everything that made Stolas an interesting character in the first season and replaces it with something unreconizable from his previous iteration, so this arc ends up feeling like an unnatural direction for Stolas' character to go to. The other big problem with this arc is how it codes Stolas' actions in a sympathetic light - as in, he only made the deal because he believed he had real affection with Blitz.

The thing is, this whole thing ends up making Stolas even less sympathetic than before. You'd think that Stolas would care about his childhood friend's consent in this matter because even if he thought that Blitz liked being his plaything he would still care about his boundries since well, he is supposed to be Stolas' childhood friend...right??? But instead of that he decided to put his childhood friend in a situation where he HAS to accept the deal or else he'll lose his job, and he's doing that through coersion, which is a horrific thing to do to someone especially someone you CLAIM to be your first ever friend.

None of Stolas and Blitzo's interactions in the first season come across as Stolas being oblivous to Blitz being uncomfortable rather it's Stolas not caring about Blitz being uncomfortable and not taking it seriously because he only cares about his own sexual pleasure. While Stolas' actions are still painted negetavily the show is using a sympathetic reason for his actions but that sympathetic reasoning doesn't end up working and if anything makes him look even less sympathetic than before. It's supposed to be "bad actions codded with sympathetic motivations" but it doesn't work because the actions he's done don't make sense with the motivation the show outlines.

And this brings me to the last, and, probably the biggest issue with Stolas' "growth arc" in Season 2; the show's refusal to admit the full extent of Stolas' what Stolas has done to Blitz. Season 1 had Stolas consistantly belittle and talk down to Blitz, ignoring his boundries and constantly dehumanizing him into just being his "impish little plaything", yet, the show pretends as if making the deal was the only bad thing Stolas ever did to Blitz and just ignores all the other stuff that he did in the first season.

It contributes to the problem of the show refusing to acknowledge Stolas' mistakes and instead choosing to downplay them or demonize those who dislike him for valid reasons (also, no, the description acknowledging Stolas' lack of self-awarness doesn't work because if Stolas is meant to be in the wrong during the episode than it should be frammed as such, yet the episode just frames him as solely the victim. That ain't good writting). And there's the fact that this arc would be rendered null anyway because well all know that Blitz and Stolas are going to get together anyway by the end of the show meaning that Stolas never had to let go of Blitz in the first place because then he'll get back to him.

So, overall, while this arc is fine in isolation, it falls apart due to it relying on too many plot holes and not actually having Stolas reconize the full extent of his mistakes, and so saying that the show is coddling Stolas is still a valid critique given that this arc is still codding his actions under a sympathetic light.

#vivziepop critical #hazbin hotel critical #vivziepop criticism #helluva boss critical #helluva boss criticism #anti stolas

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fiddleyoumust · 7 days ago

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I need everyone who watched episode 7 of Your Sky today and walked away feeling sorry for P'Oh to stop it.

Your Sky is doing a really great job of showing you the differences and similarities between Muenfah's behavior and Oh's. They're both hotheaded. They both have a tendency to react violently when angry.

This episode is the first time I've been upset with Muenfah. Even though it was Oh who pushed Teerak, Muenfah was more interested in punishing Oh, then checking on Teerak. It's the first time he's ever given me pause and made me question whether he's the kind of person Teerak should date.

Oh is worse, though. Sure, he shows concern for Teerak in the moment after Teerak falls, but he's also the one who put him on the ground, so that's only right.

In the aftermath of the fight, he blames his mother for his actions. She's a shit a parent, but Oh is an adult who has made bad choice after bad choice because he got obsessed with a boy who was nice to him ONE time.

Teerak is a kind person. He is also a timid person. He doesn't like negative emotions and wants to please people. It's hard for him to say no, which makes it easy for people with bad intentions to take advantage of his kindness.

Oh has repeatedly done that to him. He's pressured him. He's stalked him. He's drugged him. He's coerced him and now he's physically hurt him. All of this because Teerak was nice to him once and Oh fixated on him.

The flashback to their first meeting was important, because it shows you that Teerak never treated Oh special. He treated him the way he treats everyone, with genuine kindness and care.

Oh clearly hasn't had that in his life. I feel bad for him for having a shitty mother, but his trauma doesn't give him the right to cause harm to others. Oh doesn't need Teerak. Oh needs therapy, and it's not anyone's job to save him. The problem is, Oh doesn't think he's the problem, so he will never work on himself.

The show told us that by introducing another character at the end, doing exactly what Teerak did by being kind to a stranger, and leaving us with the sense that the cycle was about to start again. Even as Oh was shedding tears over his "love" not being returned, we could see in real time the fixation beginning to shift to a new target.

In contrast, we have Muenfah, still reeling from Teerak second-guessing their kiss. A kiss where Muenfah did nothing wrong, and got consent before he did it, and it still ended up being something that made Teerak uncomfortable.

Sometimes, we can do everything in our power to make sure our partner is ready and it still isn't enough. I kind of want this show to talk about it, because it's doing a lot right on communication and consent, and I think we need to talk more about what you do when communication and consent still end with a bad result.

The great thing about Muenfah, and one of the reasons I adore him, despite his anger issues, is that he KNOWS this is an issue. He's aware. And he's not looking for Teerak to fix him.

The conversation with his parents, where he acknowledges that his temper is a real problem that might cost him a relationship with Teerak, was so important. The fact that he says he knows he needs to work on himself so he can be a good partner is just. SIGH. I love this man.

I hope we get to see him say some of this to Teerak next week. I hope he also apologizes for what happened in the bar because it was traumatic for Teerak, and Muenfah is sorry, so he should say it. And I hope they talk about their kiss because being that intimate when their relationship status is uncertain, has left Teerak spiraling, and I think it would be neat for a show to talk about regretting consent and how to forgive yourself and your partner when things like that happen.

#your sky #your sky the series #muenfahteerak #thomaskong #thomas teetut #kong jiro

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opencommunion · 1 month ago

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liberal democracy is not going to save us from fascism because liberal democracy is nothing more than a relaxed form of fascism. the core social units of liberalism, the citizen and the nation-state, are also the core social units of fascism. this is why communists often talk about fascism emerging or evolving from liberal democracy, not replacing it.

in liberal democracy the public, reconceived as individuated "citizens," consent (or are assumed to consent) to governance in exchange for certain guaranteed "rights" or "freedoms." this social formation serves the ruling (capitalist/property-owning/employing) class by obscuring the inherent contradiction in capitalism between the interests of the laboring masses and their bosses. the masses and ruling class both become "citizens" who are understood as having the same "freedom" to own property, even if that "freedom" is practically unactionable for the majority of citizens.

because this is an obfuscation of class conflict, not an actual reorganization of the unequal relationship that gives rise to that conflict, the ruling class still faces the constant threat of popular resistance, and must constantly mitigate that threat. they're obliged to provide a sufficient standard of living to the masses to prevent them from rising up. the concept of the "citizen" is very useful to the ruling class, because it lets them limit the number of persons to whom they are beholden. citizenship is exclusive. the constitutions of liberal democracies don't really guarantee freedoms to people, they only afford those freedoms to citizens.

a liberal nation-state holds power over a certain swathe of land, and governs every person on that land, but only the people defined as "citizens" are entitled to "freedom." whatever standard of living the citizens enjoy is secured at the expense of an out-group, non-citizens (and sometimes second class "citizens"). the out-group makes material contributions (labor; cultural production; land/natural resources in a colonial context where the indigenous people are the out-group) without reaping any rewards, and they're subject to the violent authority of the state without receiving any of the bribes (rights/privileges) used to secure the consent of citizens.

the transition from liberalism to fascism is not a sweeping reordering of society, it's just a tightening and fortification of the existing borders between citizen and non-citizen. when capitalism is in crisis and the ruling class faces rebellion from starving masses, they can get bread for their citizen in-group by violently taking it from the out-group. and that's what they'll always inevitably do because the alternative would be to give up their own wealth and power.

when I see white people in Europe or its settler colonies say that their liberal democracies can't possibly be fascist because they're still enjoying certain rights and freedoms, what I see is the in-group denying the transition to fascism because they're not (or not yet) part of the out-group facing its violence. I hear this from white communists almost as often as white liberals, in statements like "this isn't fascism, it's just liberalism operating as intended," which is almost on the right track but ignores the crucial fact that fascism is liberalism's built-in fail-safe, and stops short of the crucial conclusion that the ruling class already pulled that trigger a long time ago. it seems to be very difficult for left-leaning whites to acknowledge that they are benefiting from fascism, and easier to close your eyes and accept those benefits. wake the fuck up now

#fascism

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xspeter · 1 year ago

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𝑪𝑨𝑹𝑫𝑰𝑮𝑨𝑵

𐬺 ➾ 𝑃𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑃𝑎𝑟𝑘𝑒𝑟 𝑥 𝑓𝑒𝑚！𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑒𝑟

𐬺 ➾ 𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝑷𝒆𝒕𝒆𝒓, 𝑷𝒆𝒕𝒆𝒓 (𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒌𝒔 𝒉𝒆) 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒔 𝑴𝑱.

𐬺 ➾ 𝐼𝑛𝑐𝑙𝑢𝑑𝑒𝑑 𝑖𝑛 𝑚𝑦 𝑓𝑜𝑙𝑘𝑙𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑛𝑡！

It wasn’t fair.

You had been dreaming about going to prom with Peter Parker since you were six years old, and now, some girl Peters barely known for a year, gets to accomplish your dream? How is that fair?

You stir your punch, legs crossed as you watch Peter and MJ dance. Your own date, some guy you barely even know, is behind the bleachers making out with some girl you don’t even know the name of. That doesn’t bother you though, no, Peter is bothering you.

It hurts even more because it’s not even his fault! He doesn’t know that you’ve been practically in love with him since the first grade, so how can you expect him to do something about it?

So lost in your own self pity, you don’t notice the sound of a chair behind pulled out next to you.

“Hey,” Ned says, a slight smile on his face, “How are you feeling?”

Ned is the only person (besides your mom) that knows how you feel about Peter. “I’m not sure what you’re talking about.” You seethe. Ned rolls his eyes, he takes a sip of his own watered down punch, and gives you a, stop-bullshitting-me look.

You furrow your brows, “What?” You exclaim, arms crossing over each other.

Ned gestures to Peter and MJ briefly, “So you’re just staring at them like you want to murder them for fun?”

You scoff, “I’m not staring at them.”

You choose to ignored the way your voice wavers, and you’re thankful Ned chooses to ignore it too. “Whatever you say… Look, if you get sick of sitting here by yourself, me and Betty are only a couple tables down.” He says, getting up and walking away, but not without a final sympathetic glance at you.

You nod in acknowledgement, shooting Ned a reassuring smile.

Once he walks away, you pull your eyes back to Peter and MJ, only to find that they’re gone. Your eyes fart around the room, looking for the couple but coming up with nothing.

You bite your lip. If they walked away from the party to get some privacy then you should let them have that, but what if they didn’t walk away? What if they were forced away?

You were one of the only people who knew that Peter was Spider-man, which meant you were one of the only people who knew the constant danger he was in. Which meant if he was in trouble, you were one of the only people who would know. So you should go look for him, right?

You stand from your chair abruptly, causing it to make a loud screeching noise against the gymnasium floor. People in the tables around you glance at you, and you awkwardly clear your throat and give them all an apologetic smile.

You swiftly make your escape from the gym, ignoring ned as he attempts to talk to you as you walk past his table. You quickly flutter your eyes open and closed as they adjust to the bright of the hallway as you exit the dark gym. Slowly, you begin to walk, keeping yourself vigilante for any clues that could leed you to Peter or MJ.

As you walk farther into the school, you hear the faint sounds of giggling.

“Peter, what are you doing?” A female voice shrieks, one you know belongs to MJ. Relief fills you at the revelation that neither of them are in danger, but dread replaces it as you realize the other possibility.

Slowly, you follow the voices until your against the wall next to them. You flatten yourself against it, doing your best to make yourself as unnoticeable as possible.

You listen as Peter shushes MJ playfully, and the girls giggles softly in response. Logically, you know it’s in your best interest to leave, but you can’t bring yourself to.

Peter softly pushes MJ against the wall, softly he says, “Can I kiss you?” MJ nods swiftly. As soon as he gets her consent he’s quick to connect their lips. You feel sick, and your hands ghosts over your stomach.

Tears fill your eyes as you make a quick escape for the gym. Once you make it, you rush past a confused Ned and Betty and begin collecting your things. Your date, who must’ve reappeared somewhere in the last ten minutes, smiles once he sees you and begins to try and make conversation, but you shoot him a glare that effectively shuts him up.

You leave the gym with tears dripping down your cheeks, trying and failing to hold down your sobs. You quickly climb into your car and slam the door shut. You were Peter and MJ’s ride but you could care less if they were stranded, as far as you were concerned they could stay at the school all night.

Rationally, you know you have no right to be feeling like this towards the two of them. You technically have no real claim on Peter and he could kiss whoever he wanted, but that didn’t mean it still didn’t hurt.

You pull out of the highschool and break practically every traffic law in existence to get to your home. Once you make it, you stumble into your house and begin to tear off your clothes and pull your hair down.

Your mascara runs down your face as you pull onto a baggy shirt and throw yourself onto your bed, too exhausted and depressed to take off any of your make up or shower.

You continue to hiccup, closing your eyes and attempting to get some sleep, but your thoughts are still plagued with thoughts of Peter and his stupid, pretty face.

You wake up to the shrill sound of your ringtone. With a groan, you turn it off, already knowing who’s at the phone and why they’re calling.

You attempt to close your eyes and go back to bed, but you’re interrupted by your door bursting open and an angry looking Peter stepping through the threshold.

“What the hell, y/n?” He seethes, “Me and MJ were stuck at the school for an hour before May could come get us!”

You smile victoriously, “I’m sorry?” You giggle. Peter furrows his brows, “Sure you are.”

You roll your eyes and check your phone, it’s nearly midnight. “Jesus, Peter. It’s almost midnight- why the hell are you here?”

Peter looks at you like you’re stupid, “Because something is clearly wrong, and i’m not just gonna let you sit here and be depressed about whatever it is by yourself.”

You swallow, eyebrows furrowing and a fresh set of tears beginning to fill your eyes. Even though you abandoned him at the school- he’s still trying to make you feel better. Why did he have to be so nice? Why did he have to make this harder then it already was?

“I’m not upset.” You mumble, arms stretching out behind you to prop yourself up.

Peter sits at the end of your bed, causing it to sink a bit. “Where’s MJ?” You ask. He smiles at the mention of her, “We took her home.” He says.

You hum in acknowledgment, eyes looking past Peter, because you know if you look at him right now you’ll burst out crying.

Peter, always so in tune to your emotions, immediately notices the shift in mood. “Hey, hey…” He scoots closer to you until you’re face to face. His hand cups your cheek, “What’s wrong?”

That’s when the dam breaks. Your lower lip wobbles as a new cascade of tears flows down your cheeks. You push him away, practically jumping to the other side of the room to put some space between the two of you.

“Please, just please Peter, just go-” You beg.

Peters eyes snap open as he stands from your bed. He knows well enough to not attempt to get close to you though. “Not until you tell me what’s bothering you!”

“Nothing is bothering me-”

He laughs at that, “Then why are you crying?”

You roll your eyes, arms crossing over your chest, you scoff out, “It’s none of your business.”

It’s Peters turn to scoff as his eyes practically bulge out of his head, “It is my business y/n! We’re best friends, we tell each other everything! Just tell me what is bothering you so I can help you feel better!”

“I can’t!” You sob.

You can see Peter trying to put it together in his head. He suddenly steps closer to you, eyes searching your face for, well, really anything at this point.

“Is someone threatening you?” He asks seriously. His hands reach out for yours, but you’re quick to pull them behind your back. Hurt flashes in his eyes at this, but still, he persists. “If someone is hurting you because you know me then you have to tell me. Mr. Stark and I can-”

“No one is hurting me!” You huff. You do your best to maneuver around the taller boy, who has somehow cornered you against the wall, but he stops you. Peter gently grabs you shoulder and keeps you in front of him. “Then what is wrong?”

“Please don’t make me say it.” You gasp, “Please, Peter, don’t.”

Peters eyes soften as he pulls you against his chest. You sob into his shoulder, arms circling around his torso and squeezing him against you.

He pulls back, his hands cup your face and he smiles, “There’s my girl.” He says adoringly.

Your lips twitch into a smile and then fall again. “You have to go, Peter.” You mumble. The brunette nods and pulls you into his chest once more. You squeeze him like this is the last time you’ll ever touch him, because as far as you know, it is.

It’s been nearly a month since prom, and you and Peter have spoken possibly three times. It’s not his fault really, he’s just so busy with him and MJ’s new relationship and you, well… you’re not really making any effort to hang out with him. It hurts too much- having to listen to him gush about how in love he is.

Too busy playing with the food on your tray, you don’t notice that you’re staring at Peter and MJ across the lunchroom until someone waves a manicured hand in your face.

“Um, hello? Anyone home?” Gwen jokes. You roll your eyes and drop your fork. Gwen pulls out the chair across from you and drops her tray with a bang.

“I’ve been trying to get her attention this whole time.” Kate says. Gwen shrugs, “Well, you know how she gets when she sees… well. Y’know.”

Kate nods sympathetically and you cross your arms over your chest. “You’re both so dramatic.”

Kate and Gwen share a look.

“How are the plans for your birthday party coming along?” Kate asks, and you’re grateful for the change in subject.

You shrug, “They’re coming.” You say, taking a bite of your mashed potatoes. Gwen snorts, “Coming.” She laughs. You and Kate groan, “You’re such a child.” You say endearingly.

The three of you laugh and continue to eat. You each throw in little comments here and there, and you don’t even notice when Ned sits in the empty chair next to you.

“Hey.” He says with a polite wave. He nods to Gwen and Kate in greeting and the two follow suit. “Hey, Ned.” You respond with a warm smile.

Ned clears his throat, nervously he asks, “Are you avoiding Peter?”

You furrow your brows and glance at the boy in question. Peter is staring right at you. When your eyes meet, he’s quick to look the other way.

“No, i’m not. Why would you think that?”

The boy shrugs, “No-no reason. I was just… wondering.”

You roll your eyes, “Tell Peter if he wants to talk to me he can do it himself.”

Ned opens his mouth to protest but you give him a glare. He nods solemnly and walks gloomily to Peter.

“I think I lost my appetite.” You say. You pick up your tray and leave the table without saying goodbye to a concerned Kate and Gwen.

You throw your food away and head for the bathroom. You’ve spent way too much time here these past couple of weeks, either to just get a breather or to sit in cry. Right now, you want to sit and cry.

You look in the mirror and watch as fresh tears begin to roll down your cheeks, eyes glassy and cheeks beginning to redden.

You drop your backpack on the floor and lean against the sink. Face falling into your hands. A position you’ve found yourself in way too many times.

You aren’t even sure what hurts more- Peter and MJ’s relationship or the fact that you had no right to be mad at Peter and especially not MJ. They didn’t do anything. If you really considered yourself Peters best friend you would be happy for him, right? So then why aren’t you?

Is it because you’re too selfish? Is it because you want Peter all too yourself?

Yes, you think, Is that too much to ask for?

You’re pity party is interrupted by the door opening, and you’re quick to wipe your face and pretend that the mascara stains on your face simply aren’t there. And you’re praying the other person does the same.

Clearly you did something to make the world fucking hate you, because of course Michelle fucking Jones is the one who walks in the bathroom. You sniffle and keep your head down, avoiding eye contact.

Her hair is pulled back in a low pony, some strands left out to frame her face. She’s wearing a simple blue crewneck and baggy leggings. She’s one of those girls who make looking homeless look good.

“Oh,” She clears her throat, “Sorry to… interrupt.” You nod in acknowledgment, immediately attempting to push past her and walk out of the bathroom, but she stops you.

She stares at you for a moment, takes a deep breath, and then says, “Are you in love with Peter?”

You swallow the lump that formed in your throat, your heart falling to your stomach. You suddenly feel nauseous- like the room is closing in on you.

“Who told you that?”

She shakes her head, her eyes downcast. “No one. But… it’s not hard to tell.”

You squeeze your eyes shut.You shouldn’t be surprised she noticed. MJ’s always been an observant person, she’s always been able to read right through you- so why did you think you could hide this from her?

“Look,” You huff, “I’m not- I’m not going to act on it so you don’t need to worry-”

“I’m not.” She blurts, “Worried, I mean. I know you and I know that you just want Peter to be happy. I just wanted to tell you that… i’m sorry.”

Your eyes widen and you look at her in shock, your hands clenching and unclenching at her sides. She’s apologizing? For what? Have you really made her feel so bad about being happy wirh someone that she felt the need to apologize?

You feel like a terrible person, your eyes welling up with a new set of tears.

“You have nothing to apologize for-” You start, but she interrupts you again.

“No, I do,” She sighs, she grabs your forearms and bites her lip. “I…I knew. I knew and I still went after him and I’m sorry. I’m so fucking sorry.”

Your jaw clenches as a new wave of emotions crash over you. She knew how you felt and she still went after him? Doesn’t that violate like every single girl code there is?

Through your anger, you manage a smile. It’s not her fault, you remind yourself. Peter was so.. so easy to fall in love with, if you were in her shoes you probably would’ve went after him too.

An awkward silence filled her revelation, but through bated breaths you manage, “It’s fine.”

MJ looks at you like you’ve grown two heads, and maybe you have.

“The heart wants what it wants right?”

Birthday parties have never really been your thing. You always feel awkward at them, with all that attention on you. Some people revel in it. You are not one of those people.

You continue to brush out your hair, pulling it back and out of your face to allow you to start your makeup. Your parents are out in some business trip, and as far they’re aware, you’re just going to dinner with a few friends.

You huff and continue to do your makeup. You rarely ever go all out usually, not unless it’s a dance or something like that, but tonight is different. Tonight you’re going to look amazing and you’re absolutely positive about it.

You carefully pull your party dress over your hair, which you just finished doing. The dress is black and lacy. It has spaghetti straps and it reaches to your middle thigh. The material is skin tight and silky to the touch.

You pull on your black heels and walk to your full length mirror. You smooth your hands over sides and make sure you’re comfortable with how you look. You smile and take a deep breath tight as your mom calls you to the living room.

You walk down the stairs slowly, a smile on your face as you see Kate and Gwen talking to your mom. Kate is wearing a beautiful purple dress, the top is tight but the bottom is slightly flowy and it reaches her mid thigh. She looks almost like a princess.

Gwen is wearing a tight sequin teal dress. Her hair is up in a low messy bun with some strands framing her face. “You guys look amazing.” You compliment. At the sound of your voice both of them snap their heads towards you and their eyes practically bug out of their head.

“No fucking way! You look beautiful! Is Peter coming? He should be able to see what he’s missing.” Gwen mumbles the last part, but you still hear it. Your heart pangs a bit at her suggestion but you still put a smile on your face. You explain that you had invited Peter before any of this had even happened, and as far as you knew, he would still be here.

Gwen made a face at this, but didn’t say anything. You shrugged, “Besides, it’s not like we aren’t friends anymore. I just needed some space so I could get used to him and MJ being together. I’m basically over it at this point.” Kate and Gwen shared a look at your blatant lie, but you choose to ignore it.

An awkward silence seeps into the room that all of you choose to believe isn’t there, and it isn’t broken until the first couple of guests get there. You hope up and quickly instruct Kate to dim the lights and start the music, which she does. The room is covered in an incandescent glow now, and the familiar sound of Spotifys, “Best Pop Hits of All Time” playlist begins to play.

You open the door and see the familiar face of Flash Thompson as well as a bunch of other faces you hardly recognize.

You furrow your eyebrows at Flash’s smirking face, “Last I checked, I didn’t invite you.” You snarl. Flash shrugs and pats your shoulder, “Happy Birthday, Sweetie.” He walks past you, and the rest of the guest follow suit.

By the time Peter arrives the place is packed. He can barely turn the corner without nearly running into someone, and the music is blasting so loud his senses are beginning to go awry.

He catches a glimpse of you dancing with Gwen and Kate, your eyes are sparkling and a real smile is on your lips. He thinks it’s the first real one he’s seen on you all month.

His lips twitch up, and his heart aches a bit at the current state of your relationship. He has no idea why you’re avoiding him, but he’s determined to find out tonight and fix it.

You however, have no idea Peter is even there. You’re too busy dancing and finally letting loose. Any thoughts about Peter or about school or even about your life seem to have completely left you, and finally you feel happy. You feel free.

“Happy Birthday Bitch!” Kate exclaims and you laugh heartily. This day really couldn’t be any better.

“Hold on, I’m gonna go get something to drink!” You yell over the music, you practically run to the “punch” (you spiked it) and fill it to the brim of your cup.

You gulp it down, hardly hearing someone calling your name. You glance to the side and see a smiling Peter, but you’re too buzzed to even care.

“Peterrr!” You squeal, immediately throwing your arms around the boy. Peter seems taken aback by your sudden show of affection for him, but he doesn’t push you away. “Happy Birthday, Sweetheart.”

You step away from him with a dopey smile on your face, “How have you been?” You question, “I feel like I haven’t seen you in, like, forever.” Peter cringes and laughs nervously, “I’m fine, but today’s not about me. How are you, Birthday Girl?”

You shrug, “Today? I’m great. Every other day, not so much.” Peters smile falls slightly at your revelation. He knows if you weren’t as drunk as you were you would’ve never admitted something like that to him.

“I’m sorry to hear that.” He says honestly. You smack his arm and laugh, “I bet you are.” You giggle, and then you kiss him on the cheek and walk back to the dance floor.

Peter really, really needs to find out what’s been bothering you.

The next two hours you spend partying and drinking, getting drunker and drunker as the night continues. Peter has soent the night much different then you, him and MJ mostly keeping to themselves, but he’s been trying to figure out when and how to talk to you.

Eventually, he finds you again grabbing the cake out of the fridge and placing it on the dining table. Peter smiles softly at it, his mind taking him back to all the other birthdays the two of you have shared together.

“Let me guess, half vanilla half chocolate?” He asks you. You loved vanilla, but Peter loves chocolate. So when the both of you were even you decided to go half and half during both of your birthdays, so you could both enjoy the cake together.

“Of course it is.” You slur.

Your obvious drunkness makes Peter question if tonight is really the right night to be doing this, but he knows if it doesn’t happen tonight, it never will, and then things will just continue to get worse. So her takes a breath and asks you, “Can I talk to you?”

You furrow your brows and cross your arms over your chest, “What about?”

Peter looks around at all the watchful eyes and listening ear around you, and gently he grabs your arm and leads you to the backyard. The area is relatively empty minus the few stragglers who aren’t even sober enough to discern their ass from their head.

He takes a breath and watches as you glance around. Your arms cross over your chest as you suddenly feel uncomfortable. “What’s going on?” You ask.

Peter takes a deep breath, “Look, Y/N, I know that you’re avoiding me, I know that for some reason that I can’t wrap my head around that I did something, but I really can’t figure out what it is.” He rambles. You open your mouth to defend yourself, but he interrupts you. “And I really just want to know what I did and how to make it better. So please, please just tell me.”

Your eyes widen and your breath begins to quicken. All the alcohol you consumed seems to have vanished as you feel more sober then you ever have in your life. You don’t know how, but you know tonight is going to change everything.

“I’ve already told you Peter, nothing is wrong.”

Peter rolls his eyes and clenches his fists at his side, “Are we really doing this again? The lying?” You squeeze your eyes shut. Peter takes a step towards you and pushes a stray piece of hair behind your ear. “What is wrong, Y/N?”

“I’m in love with you!” You finally blurt, “I’m in love with you and I have been for years. I didn’t know how to tell you and then you and MJ started dating and I just- I just couldn’t take it. It was selfish and I am so fucking sorry.” You’re crying by the time you’ve finished.

Peter looks shocked, his eyes practically bugging out of his head. You both sit and stare at each other in silence, the music from the party blaring from the inside of the house.

Peter swallows, “I have to leave.” He mumbles, immediately walking past you and practically running into the house.

You cough out a sob and cross your arms across your chest. You almost feel relieved that the truth is finally out there, but Peters reaction causes a whole new set of emotions to wash over you. You aren’t sure of a lot, but you do know that you and Peters relationship will never be the same after this.

Peter knows he fucked up. He knows leaving you there by yourself was not the way to handle that situation, especially not after he basically forced you to confess to him- but he didn’t know what else to do. This changes everything for Peter.

What you don’t know, is that it took Peter years before he was able to finally accept the fact that you didn’t like him like he liked you and to move on. Thats what his and MJ’s relationship is supposed to be, him moving on, but now…

He swings himself across New York Cities skyline, trying to understand what his next move should be. He can’t just break up with MJ, doing that would solve absolutely nothing, but he knows he doesn’t love MJ like he should.

He doesn’t love her like he loves you.

Peter eventually climbs his way up to the top of the Empire State building, a sandwich from Mr. Delmar’s corner shop resting in his lap.

He sighs and runs a masked hand over his face. On one hand, he has his current relationship with MJ. He liked MJ, yes, but he was in it for all the wrong reasons, and breaking up with her would just hurt her which is not something he ever wants to do.

And then there’s you. His childhood friend, the girl he fell in love with, the girl he wants to marry. But he’s practically ruined any chance he had with you. There’s no way you’ll ever want to talk to him after this, and as far as you know, he doesn’t want to talk to you either. Plus, if he broke up with MJ and then confessed everything to you there’s no way you’d even want to be in a relationship with him! (Not that he blames you.)

Even with all these thoughts swirling in his head, he knows he needs to do one thing, and that’s find MJ.

When he reaches her apartment, me knocks on the door solemnly. MJ opens it nearly immediately, and the look on her face shows that she knows why he’s there.

He smiles sadly at her, “Hey.” He mumbles. She just nods in greeting and steps out of the way to let Peter through the door.

She guides him to her room, where they both sit in an uncomfortable silence. “MJ-” He begins, but she interrupts him with a hasty kiss. It’s passionate- but only on her side. Peter sorta just sits there like a hunk of flesh and rests his lips against hers. When she pulls away there are tears in her eyes.

“I know, Peter. It’s okay.” She whispers. She squeezes his hand, and Peter’s eyes well up with an on-set of tears.

“I am so, so sorry.” He says shakily. MJ shakes her head and smiles at him reassuringly, “You have nothing to apologize for. I know you loved her when we started dating, it was just a matter of time before you realized it yourself.”

Peter bites his lower lip, a string of new emotions hits him like a truck. He had been so stupid to think he would ever be able to get over you, and he hates that he’s only just now realizing it.

MJ kisses him on the cheek one final time, “Go to her.”

Peter nods and quickly exits the house, he practically throws himself across buildings to get to you.

You one the other hand, have since practically kicked everyone out of your house so you could sit and wallow in your own self-pity. Kate and Gwen had insisted they stay but you refused saying you just wanted to be alone.

Now, you sit in the dark of your bedroom. Your house is a disaster, but your heart hurts way too much to even care.

Your mind runs through every memory you and peter have together- from the time you met when you were five years old, to now, when you’ve practically ruined any relationship you hoped to have with him.

The thought only rips more sobs out of your throat. You really have no idea how you’re even able to still be producing tears with how much you’ve cried this past month, but here you are, makeup ruined and your eyes practically blood shot.

You practically jump out of your skin when you hear a knock on your window. You don’t need to look to know who it is. The noise usually brings you comfort, happy to know Peter felt safe enough with you to come visit you after patrol- but now… now you know what’ll happen when you open that window, and you know it won’t be anything good.

Peter knocks again, a bit louder this time, and you finally force yourself to get up. You don’t bother trying to fix yourself, Peters seen you at your worst too many times to count.

You pry open your window with a soft grunt, and peter pulls off his mask and crawls through. He stumbles a bit once he lands, but he finds his footing quickly. He smiles shyly at you, but you turn around a cross your arms over your chest. You sit on your bed, causing it to sink a little bit with your weight.

Peter feels awkward and uncomfortable, which is something he never thought he’d feel when he was with you.

“Y/N…” He sighs, “I am so sorry.” You shrug your shoulders, “You didn’t do anything wrong. You don’t like me and I was stupid to ever admit that to you, especially not when you have a girlfriend.”

Peter shakes his head and leans against your wall, his arms crossed over his suit, “I don’t have a girlfriend. Not anymore.”

Your breath hitches and you finally look at his face, “What do you mean?” You mumble.

Peter shrugs, “I broke up with her.”

Your mind can’t process what you’re hearing. Why would he do that? You can’t conjure up any reason other than he had to be possessed.

“Why the hell would you do that?” You question, standing from your bed and begin pacing the room. “I mean seriously Peter! She loves you! You need to get out of here and go fix it with her!”

Peter chuckles, even through everything you’re still worried about him. “Funny,” He says, “She told me the same thing.”

You stop walking and immediately a feeling of guilt begins to settle in. You ruined MJ’s chance at happiness because of your own selfishness? You promised her you wouldn’t act on your feelings and yet here you are.

“If you broke up with her because of me then you’ve got to be out of your goddamn mind.” You seethe.

Peter shakes his head, “That-That’s the thing Y/N! I didn’t break up with her because you told me you love me, I born up with her because I…” Peter takes breath and squeezes his eyes but, “Because I love you too. And I was stupid for not acting on it sooner and forcing us into this mess.” He confesses.

Your heart practically stops. You can’t believe what you’re hearing and you can’t even look at him.

“You don’t know what you’re saying.”

Peter shakes his head hastily and steps towards you. “I do though. I have loved you for years Y/N and I thought you didn’t love me back so I tried to move on and!- well, you know the rest.”

You swallow, and finally look up at him. Your eyes shining, “So you really love me?” You question.

Peter smiles and wraps his arms around you for the first time in what feels like months.

“I’ve never loved someone more.”

tag list - @fictional-characters-i-love-them

#peter parker x reader #peter parker #angst #marvel #folklore #cardigan #ned leeds #peter parker x michelle jones #michelle jones

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spankedquail · 2 months ago

Note

hi… so i’d really like some advice actually…

i’ve been seeing this Dom for almost a year now and actively been dating and exclusive for about five months (not my first D/s relationship). for the most part things have been really good or at least they were at first, he’s a bit older than i am (he’s 36 and i’m 22 - although perhaps that’s the first red flag?) and he’s more experienced than i am.

anyway, a couple of weeks ago we got into an argument (i’m not sure that’s the best word to describe it, disagreement perhaps?) because i didn’t understand why i had gotten into trouble for something we’ve agreed is not part of our dynamic (i decided to go out and get my nails done - i work two jobs and study full time but im not struggling financially and i just saw it as a nice treat for myself after acing my last exams). when he saw them he was really pissed off and said i didn’t ask permission to go and get them done (which is true, i didn’t) but when i asked why that was a problem he said i need to be smarter about how i spend money - but the thing is i’m not interested in talking about controlling my finances and i’m not interested in having that be part of any dynamic until i’m married, when we started out i made that clear and he agreed and when i reminded him that that’s not part of the scope of our dynamic he punished me for being disrespectful…

i have come to really care for and perhaps love this man, but i am worried that if i stay in this relationship i’ll be choosing a path that i can already see is perhaps not the best for me… am i being overly dramatic and blowing things out of proportion?

In any D/s relationship, mutual consent and clearly defined boundaries are foundational. You were clear from the beginning that financial control was not something you were comfortable including in your dynamic.If he agreed to those terms but is now enforcing rules that weren't agreed upon, this is a breach of trust and a violation of consent.

In a healthy D/s relationship, boundaries need to be respected consistently. When you brought up your concerns, his response was to punish you for being "disrespectful." This reaction is troubling because it suggests he’s unwilling to have open communication or acknowledge previously agreed boundaries. It seems like he’s shifting the dynamic without your consent, which is unfair and potentially manipulative.

A Dom's role is to care for and protect their sub, not just control them. If he's punishing you for something that wasn't within the scope of your agreed dynamic, it's worth asking yourself: Is this about caring for you, or is it about exerting power? If he's concerned about your finances, a healthier way to express that would have been through a calm, respectful conversation—not something super reactive and emotional. His reaction indicates that he may be prioritizing control over communication and mutual respect.

You already sense that this might not be the best path for you, which is important to acknowledge. Your gut feeling is an essential guide in these situations. If you're already feeling uncomfortable and second-guessing your dynamic with him, it’s a sign that something is off. Relationships (especially D/s ones) should feel safe, respectful, and aligned with your values.

You're not being overly dramatic. You're being thoughtful and careful about your well-being, which is exactly what you should be doing. If your Dom is not willing to respect the agreements you’ve made, or if he punishes you for questioning those boundaries, that's a significant issue. It may be a sign that he is not the right partner for you, especially if what you want is a dynamic grounded in respect, communication, and mutual consent.

#advice #ask #d/s relationship

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mymoodwriting · 1 year ago

Text

7k, yandere, mental asylum, anxiety, questions of sanity, voices in your head, headaches, manipulation, satanic cultists, rituals, temp play, hot candle wax, restraints, needles, drugs, bruises, sore throat, screaming, running, abuse, physical abuse, psychic abilities (@starillusion13)

“Do you remember me?”

You jolted awake, looking around your room only to discover you were alone. You were probably just hearing things, so you got up and did your morning stretches, getting ready for the day. Although it wasn’t that simple.

“Are you ignoring me?”

Whatever this voice was, it seemed to persist, and you refused to acknowledge it. You couldn’t go back down this rabbit hole, especially not now.

“You can’t just forget about me!”

“Shut up!”

You were halfway down the stairs when you shouted, really needing this to stop. Then you noticed your aunt at the foot of the stairs, looking up at you.

“Who are you talking to?”

“No one!”

“Huh?”

“I… I mean you… I thought you said something…”

“That’s no way to talk to your aunt.”

“Sorry…”

You offered an apologetic smile and rushed down, trying to hurry out the front door but your aunt grabbed your arm and held you back. You kept a smile on your face.

“Yes?”

“Are you hearing things again?”

“No. Of course not.”

“Hm… I’m taking you to the hospital.”

“NO!”

Your aunt’s grip on your arm got stronger and she dragged you out of the house. You fought her all the way but she still beat you in the end. Once you were at the hospital you had to calm down a bit, or else you’d only be helping her case.

“Aunt, I’m not crazy!” You pleaded. “I don’t hear voices in my head anymore!”

“That’s not what it looked like today.”

“Aunt!”

You dread stepping foot in that place, and were trying to fight back. Yet you began to feel this throbbing ache in your head. You groaned, your vision starting to fade.

“No, no, no, no, no…”

🖤

You whimpered as you began to regain consciousness, already fearing the worse situation. You didn’t want to open your eyes, but you knew you had to get up at some point. You sighed when you were greeted by a blank ceiling, glancing around the empty room to confirm your aunt had admitted you into the hospital. Your little scene just outside must have made it easy to convince the doctors, so now you had to get yourself out which was easier said than done. At least you weren’t restrained.

The door to your room was locked, so you banged your fist against it and called for someone. A nurse came over, but instead of listening to you they took you to speak with one of the doctors there. You didn’t want to talk to anyone, but you knew now that you had been admitted you’d have to go through the proper procedures in order to get out. Soon enough you found yourself waiting in a small office until the doctor showed up. They greeted you, acting like this was just a regular check up, but this was the last place you wanted to be.

“How are you today?”

“I’m fine. I’d really just like to go home.”

“I understand that, but it’s important-”

“I’m over the age of eighteen, a legal adult, I didn’t consent to being admitted. My aunt doesn’t have the right to lock me up here.”

“Miss y/n you collapsed outside the hospital, this is more of a follow up to that incident than anything else.”

“Well I’m fine. I don’t have a concussion or anything do I?”

“No.”

“See, I’m good. Can I leave now?”

“Physically, you may be alright, but what about mentally?”

“I’m fine as well.”

“Are you sure you don’t want to talk about it?”

“Talk about what?”

“I have looked in your file. You were quite upset when your imaginary friend stopped talking to you, which makes sense as you were just a child. Has something happened in your recent life to trigger a return of your friend?”

“…”

“It’s in your best interest to stay for a few days as we-”

“No. You have no grounds to keep me here.” You stood up. “I’m perfectly fine and don’t-”

You suddenly felt this throbbing ache in your head, finding yourself growing unsteady. You fell to your knees, holding your head, but it wasn’t helping. The doctor came around but their voice sounded muffled. Your vision was fading to black again and you tried to stay awake but ultimately passed out.

🖤

This time, as you regained your consciousness, there was no light, just darkness. Your eyes needed a moment to adjust, but it didn’t bring you comfort. The room seemed to have a different layout, and the world around you was far quieter. You were sitting up when the door suddenly opened and a few people walked in. Before you could ask anything, hands were on you dragging you out of bed and out of the room. You began screaming and demanding answers, but they didn’t listen. You had no idea where they were taking you, but when you entered this room with lit candles scattered around your heart sank.

There were others present, hiding their faces and figures with cloaks. You could see red lines on the floor, noting the candles were specifically placed. While struggling you suddenly felt a prick in your arm, seeing someone pull a needle out of you. Soon enough you began to feel weak, and you were laid out on the floor. Your head was swimming, your heart pounding in your ears from fear. You had no idea what was going on as the dark figures surrounded you and began speaking in a tongue you didn’t understand.

Next thing you knew you were screaming. Someone stood over you, pouring hot wax onto your neck and then trailing it down your chest. Even trying to get it off was difficult and it burned to do so. Nothing made sense around you, it all felt like some bad dream, and you so desperately wanted to wake up. Instead you could feel yourself drifting off, sinking into this void as the pain and darkness swallowed you whole. You feared this was the end of your existence, and you were powerless to do anything.

🖤

You gasped awake, only to immediately grab your throat and whimper from the pain. It was a sign that what you had experienced was very real and not just some vivid nightmare. Now that you were settling into your reality you looked around the room again. This definitely wasn’t the hospital your aunt had admitted you to. After a moment you carefully got up, stumbling your way over to the door. To your surprise it was unlocked, and you stepped out into a quiet hallway. You didn’t hear any sounds of life, but you weren’t alone.

“Welcome home.”

A hoarse scream escaped your lips when you heard the voice again. You grabbed your head, shaking it back and forth. This wasn’t real, none of this could be real. You started moving, slowly going faster and faster, wanting to escape whatever this was. Luckily you found a way out of the building, seeing nothing but trees and wilderness surrounding you. It didn’t make sense, but you just wanted to get away from this place, so you picked a direction and ran. As far as you knew there was nothing but wilderness, and then you came across an abandoned building. You could see the graffiti on the outside, finding it strangely familiar.

Against your better judgment you approached the building, stepping inside. It was empty, but as far as you could tell it hadn’t been abandoned for long, the graffiti wasn’t that faded. As you walked the halls you began to realize the familiarity of it. These symbols were like those you had seen last night, and it sent chills down your spine. You were starting to feel uneasy, your legs shaking and giving out. You collapsed to the floor, crawling back and wanting to get on your feet, but then that voice came back.

“Do you like it?”

You screamed despite the ache, grabbing your head. You wanted nothing more than to wake up from this nightmare, but it was starting to dawn on you this was all very real. The tears began falling, and you really just wanted to go home. You were in your own little despair that you didn’t feel someone else’s presence.

“Hello…”

You gasped, and looked over to see a young gentleman sitting at your side. He stared at you curiously, offering you a warm smile.

“Who… who are you…”

“Taemin, and you?”

“I… I…”

“You’re new here. I haven’t seen your face before. I’m surprised you found this place already.”

“What… what is… here… I’m not…”

“I know.”

“Huh?”

“I believe you. I’ve been here long enough to know what crazy looks like.” Taemin sighed and stared out the window. “It’s unfortunate that you’re here. They won’t help you.”

“What…?”

“Look around. The symbols all over the walls, the state of the main building and this place. The supposed asylum we’re at is run by a bunch of insane cultists worshiping Lucifer. They use their patients for rituals and other things.”

You reached up to grab your throat, images of that night flashing before your eyes. You couldn’t really deny that what had happened last night was a dream, not anymore. This was all real, and it terrified you.

“I need to escape…”

“You can’t.”

“I’ll find a way. I-”

“The perimeter of this asylum is lined with barbed wire fences, and there are cameras all along them as well. There’s no signal out here so you can’t make calls, not that you’d find a phone. No one is waiting for us.”

“Huh?”

“How do you think this place operates? They offer to take away the undesirables from society. Whoever your guardian is, they know you can’t reach them from here and won’t be their problem anymore. Whatever they pay, it’s worth it to get rid of us. That’s why this place is so worn down. All they do is feed us and keep us locked up like animals.”

You didn’t want to believe his words, but it all made too much sense. No way you’d be allowed out of hospital anytime soon after collapsing, twice, especially if your aunt had anything to say about it. She had to raise you ever since your parents passed away. When you were little and had your imaginary friend you knew she saw you as a burden, and that never went away. If she had the chance to send you somewhere else far from her where she’d never have to see you again, you didn’t doubt she’d take it. However much she was paying to keep you here would be worth it in her eyes. Perhaps on her end she thought you were getting some psychiatric care for the voices in your head, but it certainly didn’t matter either way.

“She finally did it… she threw me away…”

“In a strange sense…” Taemin leaned in close, brushing some hair out of your face. “You’re free now.”

“Free?”

“Like I said. They just feed us, the rest is up to us. Come with me.”

Taemin took your hand and pulled you to your feet, leading you out of the room. As you walked down the hall, hand in hand, he took you up a flight of stairs. You began to hear a commotion, to hear the sounds of life. There was laughter and happy chatter, and soon enough you saw other people roaming around. They had smiles on their face and seemed to be enjoying themselves, although you couldn’t understand why. Taemin took you up to the rooftop of the building, having you stand by the edge with him.

All you could see were the tops of trees, but the fresh air was nice. You needed this, a moment to just breathe and process. While you stood there you found yourself realizing just how true Taemin’s words were. Here you felt free. No one had expectations of you, and there was no one you had to appease everyday. You glanced over at Taemin who had his eyes closed and head lifted up to the sun, basking in its warm light. He seemed quite content, even though he had apparently been here for a long time. Seeing him like this gave you a sense of peace. Even though you were scared for what your future held you felt that you’d be alright with him.

“Breakfast will be served in a bit. I’ll show you around before then.”

Taemin took your hand again and led you back down. You realized this build was three stories high and made of concrete. There were all types of miscellaneous items around, and all the people you came across greeted you with a smile on their face. Your throat still ached from the hot wax, and it wasn’t easy to talk, but you had so many questions, and you felt that you could trust Taemin to tell you the truth.

“What is this building?” You asked. “It’s not where I woke up…”

“This is where everyone would rather be, although our beds are elsewhere. You woke up in the main building, where our food is, where we sleep, and where the cameras are.”

“I see… where are the staff?”

“No idea. No one really cares though.”

“Hm.”

There were plenty of activities around to entertain yourself with, but it was all up to you. After getting more familiar with what Taemin called the hideout a loud bell began to sound. You looked around, wondering where the source was coming from.

“It’s just a recording that plays throughout the grounds. It just means breakfast is served.”

“Oh.”

“Let’s go.”

You followed Taemin, others also leaving the hideout and making their way. Everyone seemed to move together, and you could see that a trail had been made into the ground over time. When you got to the main building you were shown to the cafeteria, expecting to see staff, but there was no one. Trays were laid out on a table with classic breakfast foods but that was it.

“Where is… everyone?”

“This is it. They just leave food out for us, and we eat what we want until it’s gone.”

“And you all just… follow the honor system?”

“We’ve known each other for a while now, and we’re all we’ve got. There’s no reason to start a commotion. Besides, if anything gets out of hand then someone will show up and that’s the last thing any of us want.”

“Noted.”

“Since it’s your first time you should get first pick.”

“Wait-”

Taemin took you to the front of the line, and to your surprise everyone let you do so. You felt a bit guilty about it, but no one seemed upset, and Taemin was very encouraging. You got a modest amount of food, not really that hungry, and not entirely trusting the food, but no one else seemed to have an issue with it. You sat with Taemin, and a few others joined you as well, introducing themselves. The atmosphere over breakfast further helped to put you at ease. This may not be a place you willingly came to but you were glad to know everyone was nice. At least the other patients were, and you didn’t really want to know about the staff.

Taemin took you under his wing as he showed you how things worked there. It really seemed like this place was more of a summer camp for adults. All the other patients were around your age, and everyone welcomed you with open arms. Even though you had woken up in a room by yourself, everyone actually slept together in what seemed like a dorm with bunk beds. There were still plenty open and so you could pick one for yourself. The days were yours to do as you pleased with, and you had to admit it was quite enjoyable. It was rather easy to forget why you were here. Taemin made sure you had a smile on your face every morning, always staying by your side as you discovered more and more about this place.

When he took you to the waterfall you were left speechless. You had never seen one in real life before, and stepping into the water almost felt like a dream. Taemin joined you in the water, the two of you starting a bit of a splash fight before you retreated behind the waterfall. The sounds of the water running, and the coolness of this little pocket, it was very soothing. You were soon joined by Taemin, the two of you hiding and resting for a moment. This whole place was feeling more and more like a vacation, and the people around you were like friends.

The pillow fight you had one morning gave you the chance to experience something you never did, and it was wonderful. You were laughing and smiling like never before as all the feathers fell around you. Then you saw Taemin off to the side watching you with a gentle smile on his face. You came over to him and pulled him into the chaos, wanting to share in such a moment, to make this memory together. Everything you were living here was like a dream come true but that fantasy would soon come crashing down. One night you were woken up by a strange noise, looking around to see it was still dark out, yet some beds were empty.

“Taemin…”

You had chosen a bottom bunk, so you could easily get out of bed without waking anyone else. Once you were up you noticed Taemin wasn’t in bed, and heard some noise coming from out in the hall. You carefully peeked your head out, but there was nothing. Yet the noise persisted, so you decided to investigate. When you turned the corner you could see a figure down the hall stumbling around, and go into another room. You slowly approached, coming to what you thought was the laundry room, seeing someone curled up on the floor. For a moment everything seemed okay, and then they yelled and grabbed their head before turning back to face you. Their sudden actions startled you and you collapsed to the floor with a yelp.

“Tae… Taemin… are you okay…”

“I should ask you…”

Taemin took a deep breath and then crawled over to you. As he got closer you could see this pain behind his eyes, something you hadn’t seen before. He offered you a soft smile and took your hand.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to frighten you.”

“What… what happened?”

“Remember how I told you the staff here were cultists…”

“Yeah.”

“I’m not sure what type of rituals they’re performing… but it’s doing something…”

“What do you mean?”

“I don’t know… I get these dizzy spells, we all do… and this headache… I can’t really describe it…”

“Is there anything I can do?”

“I don’t think so. It’s only been getting worse.”

“What are they doing all this for?”

“No idea… they believe their loyalty will be rewarded… so they continue to do all this…”

“Taemin, we have to escape. We need the world to know what they’re doing here and-”

“You ungrateful little girl!”

You yelled and grabbed your head, hearing that voice booming in your mind once again. Taemin looked at you with concern, grabbing your arms.

“Y/n, what’s wrong?”

“This is your home now! Don’t even think about leaving, I won’t let you!”

“Stop… just stop…”

“Y/n, what are you talking about? I’m not doing anything.”

“You can’t leave!”

“Shut up!”

“Y/n… who are you talking to?”

“… no one… it’s nothing…”

“Do you… do you hear a voice in your head?” You could only nod. “You hear him…”

“Him?”

“Lucifer.”

You shook your head violently and screamed. There was no way this voice in your head was the devil, it was just your imagination. Taemin pulled you into his arms, giving you the chance to let the tears flow.

“I’m sorry…”

“No… no it’s not the devil… it’s just my imagination…”

“Is that what you want to believe?”

“Shut up!”

“Take a deep breath, okay? Just deep breaths and focus on my voice, everything’s going to be alright.”

Taemin kept saying reassuring things, holding you close until things began to feel better for you. The voice seemed to quiet down for the moment, but you were still terrified over the implications.

“What’s happening to me…”

“It’s not your fault… they must have already done some rituals with you…”

“When… when I first got here… there was chanting… and they poured hot wax on my throat…”

“Of course… you were brought here because you hear voices.”

“How… how do you know that?”

“We all know why each of us are here… no point in keeping it a secret.”

“Right… but I’m not hearing the devil…”

“They thought you could be the connection they were looking for.”

“No, no I’m not-”

“Sh, it’s okay. As long as we keep this a secret, everything will be fine.”

“And what if they find out?”

“They won’t.”

“Taemin…”

“I… well then maybe we can use this to our advantage…”

“How?”

“I’m not sure… I’ll think of something, but no one can find out that you’re hearing things.”

“Okay…”

“Y/n, look at me. Everything’s going to be fine. We’ll be free in the end. Do you trust me?”

“I do.”

🖤

You stuck close to Taemin, it seemed that the voice didn’t bother you if he was around. Although now you were paranoid. Always looking over your shoulder and worried someone might discover your secret and tell the staff. Taemin was well aware of this, and did his best to distract you, but something changed about him that night too. He got quiet, and you rarely saw his smile anymore, but he was still Taemin. Even if he hadn’t told you, it would have been obvious he had been there the longest given the fact everyone listens to him. Still, in the back of your mind you knew something was wrong.

One morning you had been sleeping in when you began to feel this warmth traveling up your body. It didn’t concern you, but it was enough to stir you from your slumber. As you opened your eyes you saw a blurry figure on top of you, starting to register that the warmth was their hands slowly wrapping around your throat. Now you were alert, moving to get this person off of you only for them to grab your hands and pin them to your sides. You struggled for a bit before realizing who it was, although it only eased your concerns for a bit. Taemin stared down at you curiously, and you felt a bit nervous.

“Taemin… are you okay…”

“Good morning.”

“Morning… what are you doing?”

Taemin didn’t say anything before screaming and grabbing his head, falling off the bed. You quickly got up, grabbing his head and hoping he didn’t hurt himself. He continued to yell and squirm for a bit before seeming to regain his senses.

“Taemin…”

“I’m fine… I’m fine… sorry…”

“What happened?”

“I don’t know… are you alright?”

“Yeah, I’m okay.”

“Sorry…”

“Taemin, we can’t stay like this. It looks like it’s only getting worse for you. We need to get you help, we need to get away from this place.”

“It’s not that easy.”

“But we have to try.”

Taemin closed his eyes and took a deep breath, remaining in his arms. He wanted this moment to last, to never leave it, but there were still things to do before he could have what he wanted. He had an idea, but he wasn’t sure how you’d take it.

“Y/n.”

“Hm?”

“What if we told the truth.”

“What? You mean about me?”

“Yes.”

“I thought… but if they know…”

“We can take control.”

“Huh?”

“You’re the connection between them, and what they’ve been worshiping. They’ll listen to what you say, you’re basically their prophet.”

“But… but how does this work for us?”

“Once you gain their trust, you can tell them anything you want, and they’ll do it.”

“Yeah, but they won’t just let me leave… not any of us.”

“Which is why we don’t ask, but work it in. Everyone here wants freedom, so they’ll be on our side.”

“I like this idea.”

“Shut up.”

“We can both be free this way.”

“And you’ll leave me alone?”

“That seems to be the outcome.”

“And how do I know I can trust you?”

“You think you’re the only person I can speak to?” A sinister chuckle filled your head. “I can tell others about you, expose you and work against you in this plan if I so desire. How do you think you got here?”

“What does that mean? What did you do!”

“Not much honestly. A simple whisper here and there, a name, a location, a reason. You’ve heard my voice before, so it makes you the perfect candidate.”

“Before… you mean… when I was little… it was you…”

“Yes. It’s always been me, and my power has only grown now that I’m here. So I suggest you cooperate before I make you.”

“What’s he saying?” Taemin questioned. “Will he help us?”

“I…”

“I’m in control here, so don’t try anything funny.”

“Y/n?”

“I… I don’t think he’ll help… but he won’t work against us…”

“Okay, that’s good.”

“How? What’s your plan here?”

“Do you trust me?”

“Yes.”

“Then just follow my lead.”

Taemin didn’t share his plan right away, wanting to move past the morning first and for both of you to be in a better headspace. After eating you went to the waterfall, enjoying the fresh air and the sounds of the water.

“Y/n.”

“Hm?”

“If we do this… we have to go all in, no hesitation.”

“… what’s your plan?”

“I need you to understand this won’t be easy, and you might not like it.”

“Are you sure it’ll work?”

“Yes.”

“Okay. Whatever it is, I’ll do it.”

“Promise?”

“Yes. I promise.”

It wasn’t until you heard the plan did you understand Taemin’s concern. His idea wasn’t pretty, nor was it kind. He wanted you to gain the trust of the director, and convince him to perform a specific ritual. This would be the ultimate test of their loyalties where they would sacrifice their own lives in order to summon their master, and they would be rewarded with their own resurrection. Like you had promised, you’d go through with the plan, and if this was it, then you needed to swallow your fears and commit. Your only real question now was how you would get an audience with the director, but Taemin already had an answer for that.

Since there were cameras along the perimeter, that’s where you would go to draw attention. It sounded a bit dangerous, but Taemin assured you that everything would be okay. You went over the plan a few times before putting it into motion. Taemin pointed you in the right direction, and left you alone so you wouldn’t feel embarrassed. You took a deep breath and worked yourself up, needing to be under stress for this to work. As you walked you began to get into the headspace, eventually deciding to run. You kept moving until you came to the fence, crashing against it and screaming. You made a few failed attempts to climb it, and ultimately collapsed to the floor hugging your knees.

At this point the tears were real. You were so caught up in your head, so afraid of what would happen if this didn’t work that you didn’t realize you weren’t alone for long. You felt something poke you and looked up to see three people dressed in white surrounding you, each holding what you assumed to be a stun baton. The fear was real, but you had to continue with the plan. After a moment of silence you sprung to life and started crawling over to one of the figures, begging for help because the voices wouldn’t stop. You honestly thought you would have been hit, but you never were. Instead you made it to hug one of their legs, crying and begging to make it stop.

“Who are you speaking to?”

You looked over to see a fourth person, and his features matched what Taemin had told you, this person was the director. He squatted down to meet you at eye level, a reassuring smile on his face. You found it disgusting, but you couldn’t blow this.

“His name is Andre Stevenson. A loyal worshiper of the devil since he was sixteen, never been married. Speak to him like a child, it’ll boost his ego.”

“Can… can you help me… please, Mr. Stevenson…”

“What did you call me?”

“Your name… Andre Stevenson… he says you’re a good friend… and that you can help me…”

“Who said that?”

“Him… he’s in my head… please help me… he wants out, I want him out…”

“He wants out?”

“Yes… he says you met when you were sixteen… and should get a present for being so good…”

“I like the sound of that.”

“Can… can you make him go away…”

“That depends. What can I do?”

“He says… he says he wants… he wants to meet you…”

“Does he? And how would we do that?”

“He… he says there’s a way…”

“Go on.”

This was the part that got you nervous. The director wasn’t a stranger to rituals, but one that involved taking his own life, you weren’t sure how he’d take it. Although before you could speak the plan the voice in your head began feeding you line. You couldn’t disobey, and repeated what he said. This new ritual seemed far more real, and far more dangerous. The director listened, seeming to understand and see that you weren’t making things up.

“Well then, I suppose we should get started.” The director said. “Go back to your room now, everything is going to be okay.”

Despite your condition, they only seemed to care about what you had told them. Others pried you off the person you had been holding on to, throwing you to the ground. They all walked off and you soon found yourself alone again. You were relieved to see that the plan worked, or at least it seemed that way for now. You slowly got on your feet, making your way back to the main building. Along the way you found Taemin.

“How did it go?”

“It worked… although things did change.”

“What do you mean?”

“The voice… I think it told me a real ritual… I had to repeat it…”

“Are you okay?”

“I don’t know… if they actually summon the devil… I don’t know what will happen…”

“One problem at a time.”

To ease your mind Taemin took you to your favorite spot, the waterfall. You partially wanted to clean yourself off from interacting with the staff, deciding to get in the water. Taemin joined you after a while, and the two of you went over to your little spot behind the waterfall, helping you relax all the more.

“Taemin.”

“Hm?”

“If this works, what are you gonna do?”

“Uh… I’m not sure. I can’t really go home. There’s no guarantee I won’t get sent somewhere else. What about you?”

“I think I’m in the same boat. I don’t really have a home to go back to.”

“You can stay with me, and be my queen. I can give you everything.”

“No.”

“Y/n, focus on me.”

“I’m fine.” You assured. “I’m not listening to the voice in my head.”

“That must be hard since you’ve heard it before when you were a child. What was it like?”

“Honestly… it was kinda nice. I had a friend I could always talk to, so I wasn’t alone.”

“And the voice went away eventually, right?”

“It was so sudden, and it made no sense. Everyone just told me I was growing up, but I knew something was wrong. I guess it finally makes sense now. I wasn’t imagining things, and they really just disappeared. I missed them… I shouldn’t.” You sighed. “What about you? I don’t know why you’re here, yet you say you’ve been here the longest. That is if you want to share.”

“It’s alright. I’d honestly say our stories are similar.”

“Are they?”

“I spoke to someone who wasn’t there too, and it drove my parents nuts. They tried therapy but I still had my friend, and I didn’t want to let go. Eventually they got tired of me and sent me away. I bounced around a few places and then wound up here. Whatever they’ve been doing, it has some effect. I’ve begun to hear more voices in my head ever since I got here.”

“It’s strange… making friends with someone who’s not really there with you… you have good memories, yet you feel so alone too…”

“You don’t have to be alone anymore, or ever again.”

“Thanks, Taemin.”

As it was getting late you got out of the water and made your way back, going to this small fenced off area. You weren’t sure what it used to be but you could see others there as well. Some fires were going, but everyone was enjoying themselves. Music was being played by makeshift instruments, and you quite liked the vibe. Taemin pulled you close to dance as the sun set, bringing a smile to your face. You had to admit, things were better with him around.

“Taemin.”

“Yeah?”

“I’m really glad I met you.”

“Me too.” Taemin smiled. “After tonight, we can all breathe easy.”

Everything seemed to be going well, and then you suddenly heard yelling. What you could only describe as staff members arrived and ambushed everyone. Some tried to run but they’d wind up caught and sedated. Taemin took your hand, snapping you out of your frozen state and pulling you along. There wasn’t really anywhere to go, so you were both caught and sedated as well. Your fear from before came back, crashing down on you as darkness swallowed you whole.

🖤

As you began to open your eyes again your senses were returning to you. Things were still blurry, but when you tried to move you realized you were restrained. You were laid back and tied down to some type of table. You tried to free yourself, but you were still out of it from the drugs. You did hear a bit of a commotion, managing to look around and see Taemin struggling with some of the staff members. You tried to speak, but that only got the attention of someone else. A hand came down to pull your head back and to the side.

“… stop… whatever…”

“Sh, save your strength for tonight.”

You felt a pinch on your neck and drifted off again, uncertain if Taemin would be alright, or if you would be. When you woke up later you found yourself laying on the cold hard ground. As you opened your eyes you could see that you were surrounded by darkness, the only light coming from the candles that were around. Your hands were tied behind your back, and your legs tied together. You managed to get up on your knees, looking around and realizing you were at the center of a pentagram again. You began to notice the cloaked figures as well, and they all seemed to have someone on their knees before them, the other patients.

“You’re finally awake.”

You looked up to see the director standing in front of you, Taemin on his knees with a knife to his throat. You yelled and tried to move closer but the director only pressed the blade further against Taemin’s neck. You feared he’d draw blood so you stopped.

“What are you doing? This isn’t how the ritual is supposed to go!”

“The ritual requires a sacrifice, many, and I don’t see why it has to be and my followers when we have plenty of lambs.”

“That’s not how it works!”

“A sacrifice is a sacrifice.”

“This is a test of loyalty! And you dare question-”

“Has he said anything? Is he unhappy? Everything seems to be working, so let us proceed.”

“Do not be afraid.”

The director raised his blade, as did others, but then Taemin started laughing. It filled the air, creating a sense of uneasiness. Everyone seemed to freeze, not sure what was going on.

“Apologies…” Taemin chuckled. “It wasn’t supposed to go like this, but I couldn’t get everyone’s loyalties.”

For a moment the world was still, and then everything came to life. No one else besides you had been restrained, the others held down by the threat of the knife, but now that was gone. They sprung up and attacked those that were in cloaks, taking their weapons and using them against them. You heard screaming and immediately shut your eyes, not wanting to witness anything yourself. It was all happening so fast that the only thing you were aware of was your racing heartbeat. Then slowly you realized it had gone quiet. You carefully peeked your eyes opening, seeing the candles were out and there was only darkness.

“It’s over now.”

You heard footsteps approaching, making you tremble. When you felt a hand on your shoulder you jumped, but you were held still. Someone reached down to undo your restraints, freeing your hands and legs.

“You don’t have to be scared anymore.”

Whoever helped you walked around and stood before you, holding their hand out. You couldn’t make out their face in the darkness, and then the lights came on. You needed a moment to adjust, and then you saw Taemin.

“… Taemin… I don’t understand…”

“You’re safe now.”

Your eyes went wide as you finally put it together. Hearing the voice and seeing his face, it clicked. Although you weren’t sure you wanted to believe it.

“… you… it’s you… has it always…”

“You’re far more beautiful than I could have imagined.”

“… how… I don’t… how?”

“I’ve always been special. I could hear everyone else, and I could speak to others in their head too. Of course it drove my parents mad and they threw me away. Eventually I wound up here. No outside contact, no way of escape. These people were crazy, and I wasn’t going to reveal myself to them. As you can imagine I was very uncooperative too.” Taemin knelt down to meet your eyes. “Yet that wouldn’t stop these people from performing their rituals on me. I’m not sure what their goal was, but it did something. It made my power stronger, and made me realize I could use it to my advantage. Of course by then I knew none of these cultists would listen to me, nor would they listen to the others, so I needed someone new.”

“… you mean me…”

“Yes. My power had grown stronger, I could reach someone further away, and after some time I found you again.”

“You made me look crazy!”

“I know you’re not, but I also know no one else would believe you. A few whispers here and there to push our dear director in the right direction to bring you here. An average girl like you hearing voices isn’t normal, so it certainly gave him incentive.”

“So this whole time… you’ve been running things here…”

“The number of patients is greater than the staff, and they are easy to get in line. Everyone wants to believe in a higher power after all.”

“You mean… all of this… you’ve had it planned from the start… what they did to me when I came here…”

“I had to make sure you wouldn’t so easily speak to others until I met you, and also plant the idea that you could speak to their dear master.”

“You’re crazy!”

“I set you free.” Taemin stated. “I got you away from your poor excuse of a guardian, from the institution that would actually drive you insane, and now you’re here with me. You’re free.”

“Am I?”

“We can make our own future now.” Taemin leaned in close, whispering into your ear. “You have a gift of your own, and I would like to see it bloom.”

Taemin took your hand and helped you to your feet, leading you outside. You were still in your own head, processing everything that had just happened, and what Taemin had revealed to you. It was still dark out, the moonlight shining down, and the sky full of stars. Besides the moon there was still the light from the burning fires, and the others were dancing around and smiling like before, as if nothing had happened.

“You don’t have to be alone anymore.”

You looked over at Taemin, seeing that beautiful smile on his face again. He could just make all your worries wash away with that look, and you were really considering just letting him. Despite how things have turned out, you couldn’t just forget all the good times you had experienced here.

“Have you ever seen the sunrise?”

“… no…”

“It’s beautiful, you’ll love it.”

Taemin kept walking, and soon enough you slipped out of his hand. He immediately stopped and looked back at you. He didn’t say anything, didn’t need to, and held his hand out to you again, gesturing for you to take it. Nobody really knew you were here, nobody cared, and no one would probably ever know what happened here either. It’s like you disappeared from the world when you came here, leaving behind any expectations and responsibilities you had. In a sense you were free, and the road before you was to be whatever you wanted it to be. So you took a breath, followed by a step forward, taking Taemin’s hand. He was content with your choice and the two of you walked side by side now on the same road as free spirits. The future was in your own hands, and you would face it all together.

#shinee #taemin #lee taemin #shinee au #taemin au #shinee imagines #taemin imagines #shinee scenarios #taemin scenarios #taemin yandere #shinee yandere

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lilxmoo · 1 month ago

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Little things Amie and Jay did in AC that are actually quite important and I think deserve recognition

KAL👏 NOT 👏 BEING 👏CREEPY 👏 like guys he could have been a weird Jacob from Twilight "i imprinted on you" SO EASILY. But instead, by offering to leave and by always respecting Auri as a person before all else (throughout the whole series btw, it didn't stop once they're together), they actually show that he genuinely loves her rather than just being creepily attached to her against her will. Every step in their relationship is decided by Aurora, giving her full autonomy, but she ALSO asks for consent from him so they don't just assume he's ok with whatever just because they're bonded. It could have been so weird but they dodged that bullet really well

SCARLETT IS NEVER SLUTSHAMEDDD!!! I didn't think about til recently, but having a female character who is sexually active, sexualizes herself and has many partners is never a joke in this series, which is wonderfully refreshing. In fact, it's a subtle but really helpful insight to her character, with her desire to be loved instead of just loving, how detached she feels from her dad and her general desire to experience attachment that she hasn't always received. It's also not something she does simply because "she has to", she genuinely likes it, and that's never painted as a bad thing.

Having a queer character be religious. The whole United Faith thing is never really explored (which is probably good, it could have gotten way too political way too quick), but it's clearly inspired by Christianity. With Finian being both part of what is essentially a Christian and also a bisexual man is such good subtle representation that I WISHH there was more of in media. Just a silent acknowledgement of, "hey, these things don't have to be separate, being both is ok "

No alien species is wrong, and no conflict has a clear right side. Again, kinda under explored for the sake of trying to not be super political, but there is a silent yet pretty pointed show that every conflict is pretty grey. They don't justify murder or racism, but they kinda show, "hey, terrans and Syldrathi BOTH did good and bad things in this war. Terra attacked innocent Syldrathi, but Jericho Jones was a peacemaker. The Syldrathi did not ask for war, but Caersan was still a mass murderer anyways." Just an extra tiny layer of depth which helps with it feeling more real.

Subverting the, "I can fix him/her" trope. The characters aren't "fixed" by their love interests. Their growth is inspired by their partners, but also by their friends and experiences, which is much nicer. They say, "you CAN'T fix them. But you can encourage them to grow", and I really like that, I think its much healthier.

Neurodivergency. I'm not sure if Zila is actually meant to be autistic, but as someone on the spectrum myself, I definitely see her there. And her not understanding social ques isn't painted as something she needs to learn, it's painted as something EVERYONE ELSE needs to accept. Not change themselves for, that's important, but accept. Whenever someone criticizes her for her lack of social awareness, it's not a joke or a narrative criticism of her, etc the "You understand how everything works except other people" line. If anything, they are showing us that she does have feelings, that empathy is still important for her even if that's not something that's actively shown, and that these types of statements are hurtful, not helpful.

Trauma has consequences. Amie and Jay have talked about this in interviews, but they have always said that they stop believing a story when a character dies and then everyone just moves on, because that's not realistic. And that really helps the story and characters feel believable. Cat's death isn't only shown through Tyler being kinda sad. Every single character grieves her, not because they were close but because they knew her, which is very realistic, and for Tyler specifically she quite literally haunts his narrative, just like real death does, especially of such a violent kind. His grief drives him to make decisions which end up changing the course of the story, as does Kal's trauma with his dad, and everyone's past experiences, they all matter, and drive the storyline forward. Very realistic and very well-done.

They end the story where it needs to end. I'm a big advocate for not stretching out stories beyond where they need to go, and they do it well. Like, it's a sci fi space opera, they could've made it fifteen books long if they wanted, or made sure they had enough books for every squad member to have a cover of their own (which i wouldve loved to see, but anyways), but instead they said, "this is where and how it needs to end, and we're not gonna milk it."

Representation is subtle. The best kind, in my opinion, is when it feels real, and here it does. Fin and zila aren't constantly discussing being queer, they just have a conversation about if Saedii is hot, similar to Scarlett teasing Auri about Kal. Aurora being half Chinese isn't more important than her being half Irish, they both matter but neither overshadow her as a person. They become reminders of home, not reminders of her differences.

This was WAYYY too long, I apologize, but I was tryna think on why this story doesn't feel weird where in a lot of places it normally would. So here's my ramblings :D (noone is gonna care but oh well I put it out somewhere lol) anyway amie and jay know how to write surprise surprise

#I'm a yapper #Can you tell #Thought not #sorry about this #the aurora cycle #aurora rising #aurora's end #auroras end #aurora cycle #aurora burning

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americasass81 · 6 months ago

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Not Your Kinda Love

Warnings 18+ for the following:- Implied Stalking, Threatening Behavior, Non-consensual Sex, Dubious Consent, Implied Smut {m/f, oral f receiving), Implied Use of Sex Toys, Implied DBSM Dynamic, Use of Pet Names. Seriously do not read if any of this upsets you, the warnings are there for a reason. Feedback is welcomed and any mistakes are my own.

By proceeding you are acknowledging that you are over 18 and are consenting to the content below the cut.

Synopsis:- It might not have been your kinda love, but perhaps in the end it would be just what both of you needed.

Author’s Note 1:- Written for @caplanbuckybarnes Titles For Caplan Writing Challenge. Thank you for hosting this fun challenge Caplan. I really enjoyed creating this piece.

Author’s Note 2:- As usual all images have been found through google search.

Pairing:- dark!Loki Laufeyson X Female Reader

Total word count:- 4,134

Turning over in bed and reaching for the body beside you, you couldn't believe you were here ... again. What was it about him that kept drawing you back night after night, heartache after heartache? You knew he was never going to change given who he was. Hell, he had all but proven as much that first night you had ended up beneath the sheets together. And yet the more time you spent with him, letting him do the things he did, the more your heart still held out hope. Still had room for the possibility that if you continued to give enough of yourself, he would hold you the way you now held him as your mind wandered back to when and how this fucked up situation first began.

Exactly three months previously and thank god the party was winding down. Of course you loved being Tony Stark's personal secretary and knew any number of women that would kill for the job you now held and the opportunities it presented, but damn that man if he didn't take the 'personal' part of your job title far beyond the scope of what you had signed up for. Calls at all hours of the day and night for stupid little things whenever a thought popped into his head as if he didn't have an array of virtual assistants capable of recording a quick email. Work AND home things that Pepper insisted were not all your responsibility, which Tony continued to ignore to both her annoyance and yours. And of course, there was the organizing of all those Stark parties.

Dressed up to the nines for every holiday event along with any other frivolous occasion the master of ceremonies decided was worth celebrating. And you just had to be in attendance. After all, not only were you a highly valued member of staff, but as Tony liked to remind you every chance he got, someone as wonderful as you deserved to have men and women falling over themselves to wine and dine you as they tried to prove themselves worthy of claiming your heart and where better to meet such individuals. As if he'd actually stop pestering you long enough to give these potential suitors the opportunity to even talk to you.

No, picking up your latest drink from the bar now and taking a sip while looking at your watch, you promised yourself once the liquid ran out you were heading home. Sure some of the women here had seemed interesting and hell having spent quite a bit of time in Stephen Strange's company you could certainly see the appeal where he was concerned. But something wasn't right. Maybe all your years working now as Tony's assistant had heightened your sense for trouble but you just couldn't get comfortable. Then again maybe it was the trouble that followed the Avengers through no fault of their own that had you so on edge or maybe it was the eyes you felt tracking you all night yet never seemed to be there when you tried to zero in on them.

Yes, it was most definitely them you should have paid more attention to.

Raising your glass to your lips again to take another sip and just as you and the liquid kissed, all hell broke loose ... in a manner. Shutting off the music and taking command of the sound system, Tony Stark’s trusted A.I. F.R.I.D.A.Y. clearly informed all those present that a minor emergency had occurred in the compound that required part of it to be locked down. This meant of course that everyone, yourself included, was now expected to take up residence in an available room in the accommodation wing since all the main exits had been sealed.

So as you now downed the rest of your drink before heading off to find a bed for the night, you couldn't help but sigh at this inevitable turn of events while simultaneously grumbling at your lack of a family and the easy out that came with it. After all, those people with kids had it all you now thought as you calmly passed some worried party goers making their way along the corridors or stopping for directions despite the fact that people were only permitted to head in one direction. No, those lucky sods had shown up, enjoyed a few hours break and then headed back home at a reasonable hour under the guise of having been away from their little ones for far too long. Hell it was even rumored on many occasions that Tony forked out for the childcare costs of those that attended these little shindigs. Talk about having your cake, frosting and getting to eat it you thought.

Setting this aggravation aside and finally reaching the accommodation wing, you now let go of these jealous musings long enough however to claim the first open door you came across, stepped inside and closed it behind you before you realized none of it really mattered where you were concerned. Here or at home, being the first or the last to leave, you worked too hard and too long to ever land a partner willing to slot themselves into your lifestyle and even if you did, Tony would probably still find some stupid reason to have you hanging around.

No, this was the job you ended up doing and there was nothing you could do about it other than quit … and even that hadn’t worked.

Sighing deeply now as you locked the door and began removing your dress and heels, the fabric pooling at your feet made you wish your resolve had been stronger. So much stronger. After all, was this not the reward the great Tony Stark had bestowed upon you the last time you had typed up your resignation letter and left it on his desk. That and of course a fabulous week at a top of the range spa and the promise that he would also scale back his unreasonable demands on your personal time.

Yeah like that had materialized. Two days back at work and all was as it was before. He just couldn't manage without you it seemed.

Walking towards the bed now and slipping under the covers feeling totally exhausted, you were just about to close your eyes and leave Tony Stark and the rest of the compound to do whatever it was they were doing when a noise alerted you that sleep was not your destination just yet. Sitting up in bed mindful now of all that might be going on within this private space, you thought about calling out to F.R.I.D.A.Y. but then thought better of it. After all, the eyes you thought were on you all night never materialized and for all you knew F.R.I.D.A.Y. was busy elsewhere dealing with whatever problem had landed you and the other guests in your current locations to begin with.

Then again, there was also the real possibility that it was simply the night's drinks playing tricks on your mind. After all, now that you thought about it, you couldn't accurately remember how many you had actually consumed and thanks to you organizing this blessed event, it had been one long week that saw you burning the candle at both ends and now found you beyond exhausted.

No, listening intently now a bit longer and hearing nothing, you reassured yourself the situation had simply heightened your senses while your imagination flew off to the land of make believe. You were safe and everything was fine. Holding onto this thought then, laying down on the bed again and closing your eyes to the world around you, sleep came to embrace you once more before it was cruelly snatched away again however ... you had most definitely heard something this time. You were sure of it.

Cursing yourself now that you had not worn anything under your dress, but smart enough to know that you couldn't fight off a possible intruder with a massive sheet wrapped around your body, you climbed out of bed and called out for F.R.I.D.A.Y. as loud as you were willing to under the circumstances, but wasn't surprised when no answer was received. It seemed you were on your own. Listening out once more now but again hearing nothing, you slowly opened the bedroom door next and looking around the living area was a bit relieved at least to see that you seemed to be alone.

Now you just had to prove it.

Walking quietly over the threshold then from one room into the other you didn't need the missing dress or the altered lock on the main door however to tell you that something wasn't right. You felt it in the chill surrounding you that had nothing whatsoever to do with your thoroughly naked form. No, you were most definitely not alone.

Placing one foot carefully now in front of the other while picking up a heavy glass ashtray from the nearest side table you passed, it still surprised you when you made it to the other side of the room without incident. Reaching up to examine the locking mechanism then and confirming that it was indeed open now, your hand moving down to catch the handle and pull the door open raised a whole different set of questions however as the door held firm.

Placing the ashtray on the nearest surface now and using both hands this time to pull the door with as much strength as you possessed, you finally had to admit defeat and accept that perhaps exhaustion had at last caught up with you and had now reached the level of paranoia however. For certain facts proved your theory wrong. The door for example, despite your best efforts, remained closed. The room, both of them in fact, remained to the naked eye completely devoid of humans except for yourself. And there was definitely no other sound other than that of your racing heart. Even if there were other minor inconsistencies.

Okay so your dress no longer occupied a circle of the floor by your shoes, but walking back to the bedroom then, its shimmering fabric resting now across the back of the couch brought your feet to a total and shocking stop. Had you put it there? Reaching out to touch it, it didn't align with any memory you had, but then again you were the only one here. Perhaps your memory was the altered factor in this situation. It's not like this hadn't happened before where you and copious amounts of alcohol were concerned. So picking up the dress and this time taking it back to the bedroom with you, you now closed and locked this door too and placed the garment on the only chair in the room before telling yourself this whole experience was all in your head. Now if only you could convince your eyes of that exact same fact. For their experience told a totally different story.

Turning now to face the bed, its soft sheets and embracing comfort should have been waiting to welcome you back once more, but it seemed you weren't truly alone after all. Stretched out before you now, every bit as naked as yourself, Loki, the god of mischief, was unashamedly ogling you like a predatory animal ready to pounce and devour you whole. And it wasn't a pleasant thought.

But it wasn't your only thought either.

Running back to the door now and finding it every bit as stuck as the main door you had just assured yourself was perfectly fine, you now screamed out for F.R.I.D.A.Y. but quickly realized you were on your own when a chuckle behind you reached your ears and two strong hands rested now upon your trembling shoulders. You were cut off from the outside world it seemed.

Turning back around to face your captor now, for that's exactly what he was, you knew you stood no chance of fighting him off however and since running was clearly out of the question, it seemed logic, reason and conversation was now your only avenue to head off whatever sick and twisted scheme Thor's diabolical brother had concocted with you at its center. So removing his hands from your shoulders then and walking towards the foot of the bed, you sat down and let out another deep and exhausted sigh before finally speaking the words that forced you to acknowledge his very real presence. "Loki, what the hell are you doing in my room naked and why am I unable to leave?"

Moving towards you now but stopping abruptly however when you stared him down with an exasperated expression, he held up his hands in surrender and walked instead towards the chair that now held your dress. Picking it up then and dumping it on the floor as you had earlier in the night, he then sat down in a manner that left his whole being on display for anyone to witness. Which explained why your eyes remained laser focused on his face instead. You wanted answers and you were going to get them. So, with a calm breath, you asked once more what he was up to and waited for his answer. One you absolutely did not like.

"Well pet," he started, as his fingers skimmed lazily along his thigh, "we're on lockdown remember. I needed a bed, you're all alone, so I didn't think you'd mind sharing. After all, that bed is big enough for two and I promise not to bite,” he finished with a devilish look that told you all you needed to know.

‘Unless you ask me to,’ your mind now heard, though those particular words never actually left his lips. They didn't need to. Loki was a trickster after all. Hell he was THE trickster. If a bed was all he wanted there had to be a vacant one somewhere in this whole compound and his answer only covered why he was here in your room. There was still the question of why you couldn't leave, not to mention why his naked form was occupying your bed when the couch in the living room would surely do him just fine. No, he was definitely up to something and you were determined to find out what that was despite your fear associated with any answer he provided. So you soldiered on and reminded him again of the second part of your question. And of course he had an answer for that too.

"Come on pet, we do not know what this emergency is or what terrible beast my dimwitted brother and his band of buffoons may have tempted into this building," he stated now as he rose from his seat and walked towards you before continuing, "no, my conscience could not allow any harm to come to one such as you. Best to make sure you are utterly protected," he now finished as he stood before you, reached out his hand to take hold of your chin and run his fingers along your cheek as you imagined they had on his thigh just moments ago.

Leaning into his touch now as if he was somehow working his magic on you, you may very well have fallen for his charms if the memory of the party had not suddenly presented itself front and center in your mind however. The eyes you swore were following you all night but could never find ... "it was you," you suddenly blurted out as you broke free from his hand and now scurried up along the bed putting as much distance as possible between the two of you in the process. "You were watching me all night. You planned this?" and though these revelations all came out as a question, you knew. Even without a word passing his lying lips, the truth could not be denied.

This was all his doing somehow.

Standing before you now as a wicked smirk graced his features, you didn't need his following actions to know that you were screwed. If you were being honest with yourself, you knew it the minute the main door of the apartment wouldn't open. You knew it when you found him lying on your bed. You were what he wanted, but he wasn't about to have his way. Getting ready to move from the bed and at least attempt to fight him off this time, it seemed he still had the upper hand however as magic tendrils coiled around your arms and held you firmly to the bed frame before he spoke again.

"Now pet before you think about doing something stupid, allow me to paint you a picture so you are fully informed of all that your future actions will entail," and with that a series of images flashed along the wall off to your right in a show of horror that would keep you awake for many nights to come. Walking from room to room, muttering words you knew you'd never understand over each peaceful party goer he came across, you didn't need his explanation to know their fate now lay in your hands.

But then again Loki wouldn't be Loki if he didn't love to talk, so he stuck the knife in and told you anyway. Told you that if you should refuse him now or any time here after, one, more or perhaps all of those assembled before you would meet a horrible and untimely death. Tell his bumbling brother, your boss or anyone remotely associated with the Avengers, law enforcement or earth's governments and again, you knew the consequences. Try to warn any of these innocent people in any way and it wouldn't end with their lives. Their families? Their friends? Hell tragedies could so easily befall entire neighborhoods these days without anyone ever knowing why.

Best to do as you were told it seemed. But could you really do that? Could you really just give in and give this madman what he wanted?

Lingering on this question while gazing once more now as the images wound down to end on one of Shona, a temp you knew that worked for Natasha Romanoff, your blood ran cold and a tear escaped your eyes as the reality of your predicament truly settled in your heart. He really had left you with no way out. These people were innocent after all. They could not be harmed because of you. And it was because of you you suddenly realized as a totally different image all your own crystallized into being before your very eyes and superseded all of those that Loki had created.

Falling farther into memory's flow now of a night before you had started working for Tony Stark, your life had almost been cut short by a drunk on a motorcycle but for the intervention of a mysterious stranger clad in green and gold armor. Pulling you out of harm's way and making sure that not a single hair was out of place, he had offered to see you home safely … and how had you shown your appreciation? You'd walked away and never thought of him again. You'd never spoken to him, never danced with him whenever your paths crossed at any event both of you attended. Hell you hadn't even stood up for him and protested that he wasn't himself when the attack on New York had marked him as public enemy number one.

No, you had simply gone on with your life like nothing had happened and forgotten all about him as everyone else had his entire life. And now you wondered why he was seeking retribution.

Had you only just said thank you or accepted one of his many dance offers. Had you badgered Thor into realizing just how far Loki had strayed from the boy he had played with as a child. But no, you had treated him worse than dirt and now your fate was sealed. Yours and countless others. So who was the real monster here then? The god who had been cast aside for doing something any decent person would have done or you, who may now be responsible for many, many deaths as a result of thinking only of yourself?

Pulling against your bindings again as you still refused to accept defeat, Loki laying down beside you and muttering some nonsense as a redhead began writhing on the wall before you suddenly forced the reality of your new situation upon you however in a way his words never really could. You were all at his mercy. Sitting back on the bed then and asking him to stop, you exhaled a sigh of relief at his immediate compliance ... at least until he made his true intentions known.

Situating himself between your legs as his fingers and lips now mapped out every mound and hollow of your glorious body, his tongue and shaft reaching places no one ever had before left you completely lost as to what was so wrong with what was going on. And that was long before the orgasms started. The orgasms that shook your body, stole your breath and made you realize your life as you knew it would never be the same. For there was no backing out of this arrangement even if Loki reversed whatever spell he had placed upon the party guests. You couldn't give this up.

Sure the god of mischief had forced himself upon you by threatening innocent people, but damn him if he didn't make it worth your while. Positions and toys you never knew of. Pleasure that bordered on pain. A tongue ... oh a tongue that could do so much more than spew filthy words that turned you on and disgusted you in equal measure. And how could you even forget what his godly equipment was capable of. A human phallus could never compete with his impressive erections, though many had tried. No, as each night after your initial encounter became a new adventure in what depraved sex act your body could tolerate, even him disappearing in the morning without so much as a kiss on the forehead or a kind word could not it seemed protect your all too human heart.

You had started falling in love with him to the point where very little else mattered. Work for example now became nothing more than a means of wasting away the day until night fell and your dark prince appeared once more to take you apart as you screamed his name for all the nine realms to hear. Sure you still worked just as diligently and no one close to you ever suspected what night time brought your way, but beneath the sheets, in Loki's arms, someone else it seemed had taken your place.

Someone who loved to be dominated. Who loved to be spanked, marked and pushed to new heights of pleasure over and over and over again at the whims of her dark lover. Who loved ice it seemed far more than heat. And who, no matter how many mornings her god pushed her arms aside and reminded her she was nothing more than a warm place to stick his cock, was only all too happy to provide whatever small comfort his body was willing to accept when he finally agreed her frail human form couldn't handle any more.

Which brought you back full circle now to him sleeping in your arms while your left leg rested across those muscular thighs that proved every bit as skillful at getting you off as the impressive length currently recovering from yet another night of pounding your pussy apart. Pulling your body closer to his then as your mind finally accepted what you allowed him to do to you, you now prepared to join him in sleep as your dreams replayed him fucking you to pieces and then putting you back together into this new being that longed to have him acknowledge your growing feelings for him while also admitting that perhaps he too had fallen victim to love's influence.

Admitting that such a thing was most likely doomed to failure given who he was, his arm unconsciously moving up to encircle your waist brought a glimmer of hope you desperately clung to however when his muttered confession told you that his spell had been removed weeks ago. Bolstered by this new information, the path ahead looked very different now however as your bodies rested together until your carnal desires called out to each other once more and this new dance took both of you to higher plains of euphoria all over again.

#TitlesForCaplan #dark!loki #dark!loki x reader

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electricprincess96 · 2 months ago

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You've talked about Talia's history of SA but have you mentioned Ivy's? Genuinely curious, I'm not calling you out or anything.

I haven't talked about it no.

This is mostly because, my primary DC character that I follow is Jason Todd and Ivy plays a much smaller role in his story and the fandom around Jason doesn't really touch on Ivy all that much.

But fuck it I'm here now so I'll talk about it.

Now full disclosure here.... I like Poison Ivy.... as a villain. I personally feel she does the ecoterrorist shtick that the League of Assassins has going on 100 times better. But in terms of like actual morality, she is still a piece of shit and I like that about her. She'll sell every man, woman, and child to the devil if it meant a weed could grow a few inches taller.

But where Ivy's real moral bankruptcy comes into play is her complete disregard for boundaries, consent and AGE. Ivy is the femme fetal stereotype taken to its most extreme, even James Bond would tell this chick she needs to chill.

Ivy's history of sexually assaulting men makes Talia look like an angel in comparison.

Now the difference used to be pretty clear. The story always framed Ivy's deeds as wrong (perhaps not always to the extent they should have since she very often mind controlled, rapes and/or sexually assaulted and traumatised many men, including a very underage Dick Grayson on more than one occasion) BUT it was at least acknowledged she was not in any way right for doing this. Bruce or Dick or whoever weren't meant to be shipped with her.

Unfortunately, there is a.... trend nowadays to try and exonerate Ivy of her crimes due to her popularity alongside Harley Quinn. And because Harley gets to pretend to be redeemed, Ivy has to as well. With retcons of "Bruce WANTED it" and shit like that. Yeah, no, I don't buy it.

Poison Ivy is an abuser, she's not the cool aunt to the Bat Family. She's a dangerous, badass eco-terrorist who would gladly see people choke so long as her and her plants thrive and that's way more interesting than her just being Harley's girlfriend and the Bat Kids weird Plant Aunt.

#princess answers asks #anon #dc comics blogging #batman comics blogging #this isnt necessarily anti poison ivy #its not even anti harley and ivy #its more anti bad writing

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a-cloud-for-dreams · 7 months ago

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Character bingo: Amrit Doobay

Oof okay upon further inspection I have some additional thoughts:

Canonically, I hate him. He’s sexist, homophobic, just really creepy overall (specifically re: undressing Amala without her consent like you don’t own her!! Stay MILES away from my girl). It does send a message that Remy made the the only dark skinned LI in this book super toxic/gross, but I don’t have time to get into that whole mess in this not nuanced post. My main opinion on Amrit can be boiled down to he’s an interesting morally gray LI, but Remy crossed the line with him, making him feel uncomfortable to romance (at least in comparison to other red flag LIs)

I despite this guy, but I will admit that there are interesting parts to his character. For instance, and this is a general Doobay trait, but his loyalty towards the people he truly loves is something I really like about his character and wish could have been explored more

That line about not having the right to be weak actually tells us a lot about him. It shows that his definition of strength is about asserting dominance, and that he doesn’t tolerate those who show weakness because he wasn’t allowed to. Obviously, he was raised with a lot of pressure I blame everything on Raj because he’s doing twice the work with half of the help leading the Dozen. To me, it makes sense why he put all of his eggs into one basket and does everything he could to drag Amala back to her home country. The way he talks about his childhood so nonchalantly shows how he was forced to suppress his trauma too which is uhhh not a great coping mechanism. I mean he even acknowledges that Amala and Kiran are lucky to be able to depend on each other without the threat of being stabbed in the back, so it makes sense that his character is lonely

I’m not defending him because again, I think he’s a pathetic, arrogant, and bigoted loser but like with other parts of this book he could have been more well liked if he was written better. You know how in S1 he was shown to be respectful but cold (I don’t know how to explain what his fake persona was like)? That’s who he should have stayed as instead of becoming a bratty creep whose actions are forgiven by the plot

#sorry I should be sleeping rn I’ll fix this late #also bestie I lied I thought it got deleted but it got saved to the very bottom of my drafts for some reason IMO #romance club #kali call of darkness #amrit doobay #mir's musings 💬#character opinion bingo 🧍‍♀️#asks

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immaturityofthomasastruc · 2 years ago

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IOTA Reviews: Illusion

You know, It's really sad how this is a Lila episode, and she somehow isn't the most annoying character to come out of it.

Let's get into the fifth episode of Miraculous Ladybug's fifth season: Illusion

We start off with a news broadcast where several people are interviewed about the recent developments this season. There's an attempt made to show differing perspectives, but while half are recurring characters who are confident Ladybug and Cat Noir will beat Monarch (Xavier, Mr. Damocles, and Alec), the other half are antagonistic characters who either blame Ladybug for everything going wrong or are too stupid to care about the bigger picture (XY, Chloe, and Bob Roth).

This is one of the overarching problems with the show, its refusal to show any nuance in its arguments. We already know how easy it is for the writers to blame Marinette for things whenever there's a conflict, but whenever there's an argument where both sides make interesting points, the opposing side is almost always represented by an antagonist or jerk who frames their view in either a condescending or idiotic way so it's easy for the viewer to brush them off, and the same can be applied to their side of the argument as well. Hell, it's already happened twice this season with Lila and Chloe (Multiplication, Determination). It just comes across like the show is pretending to act like its conflict is deeper without actually showing any real nuance with it. I get that some arguments aren't morally gray, but if you're trying to discuss Ladybug's past failures, put more effort into showing how the people of Paris would see something like this without knowing the full context.

Also, this is a minor thing, but I actually like how when we see Alec on the talk show, he's wearing a wig like the one he had in “Wishmaker”, and has the same positive outlook on life he had at the end of that episode. For a show that usually plays loosey-goosey with its continuity, it's surprising to see the writers actually acknowledge the character growth of someone as insignificant as Alec.

Congratulations, Miraculous Ladybug. You managed to give a very minor side character a consistent arc. Now if only you could put the same amount of effort into writing your main cast.

We cut to Adrien's room where, shock of all shocks, he isn't exactly a fan of his image being used for a high-tech ring without his consent. He storms off to see his father, but it turns out that Gabriel is experimenting with the idea of not being such a terrible father for once. He's making breakfast, saying that Adrien can call him “Dad” now, and even admits that he's been very neglectful towards his son ever since Emilie “disappeared”. Yeah, he's cooking breakfast in his white suit and haircut that makes him look like a grandpa for some reason, but hey, at least the kitchen isn't on fire.

Of course, Gabriel still isn't really good at comforting his son, as seen with his response to Adrien's concerns about Alliance.

Adrien: Speaking of which, Dad, I'm not really comfortable with having my face on all these rings. That's actually why I didn't want to be a model anymore, to avoid that. Do you understand?

Gabriel: Of course, I understand, my son. But that's the point; it's just an image, it's not you! And since this image frees you from your obligations, we, the Agrestes, are able to spend more time together. But if you'd rather everything went back to the way it was before, just say the word.

Adrien: You're probably right.

Gabriel: You'll see, my son. Alliance will bring us closer.

“I know you're concerned about me using your image for something that I could have hired literally anyone else for, but if you would rather go back to being a model on a strict schedule, just say the word.”

Father of the year, ladies and gentlemen.

We get a decent interaction between Marinette and Alya where they discuss ways that Monarch could be giving Miraculous to his Akumas, unaware of what the Alliance rings do. Alya comes up with an interesting hypothesis that Monarch is using the Dog Miraculous to swipe them back, and honestly, that sounds like a much better plan than “develop a cutting-edge AI ring and hope whoever I akumatize had enough money to buy one”. I like this bit, as it shows the two thinking of ways to stop Monarch beyond beating whatever Akuma he sends out next. It honestly could have been a really interesting story arc to see Marinette, Cat Noir, and Alya learn more about how Monarch is using the new Miraculous he got instead of having us know what he's doing already.

After class ends, Nino talks to Adrien about an underground resistance he's forming with his friends, deciding to give each member a condiment-themed title.

Alya: What's up with the sauces?

Nino: What's up is Ladybug and Cat Noir don't have us to help them anymore.

Alya: (nervously) Um... uh... what do you mean, “us”?

Nino: Well, us, you Rena Rouge, me Carapace! (Alya kicks Nino's leg underneath the table) Ouch! What's the big deal? We can tell Marinette and Adrien we used to be superheroes. It's not like we have any Miraculous that Monarch could steal from us. The only ones who need to protect their secret identities are Ladybug and Cat Noir, not us. And anyway, I already told Adrien about Carapace.

Adrien: (chuckles nervously)

Marinette: Adrien knew?! Alya, did you know that he knew?!

Alya: What, no, I swear I didn't know at all! (kicks Nino's leg again)

Nino: Ow! Come on! He's my best bud, I can tell him stuff! You and Marinette tell each other stuff, don't you?

Alya and Marinette: No we don't!

Yeah, remember how shocking it was for Nino to reveal that he and Alya were Rena Rouge and Carapace to Adrien in “Rocketear”, and how we thought this reveal would play into something big like the Season 4 finale, possibly splintering the trust several characters had with each other? This is what it culminates in. Wasn't waiting over a year since that plotpoint was established totally worth it for that gag that once again ignores the secret identity rule?

Also, just because you don't have a Miraculous, it doesn't mean Monarch can't target you like he did last season (Optigami, Sentibubbler), you dumbass.

For the first time in God knows how long, Lila actually becomes relevant when she asks to sit with the four, only to be rebuffed by Marinette and Nino. Using some more condiments and food as props, Nino explains his plan.

Nino: We're gonna film an akumatization.

Alya: And how are you, Comrade Ketchup, gonna be in the know when and where this akumatization takes place?

Nino: Easy, Comrade Beurre Maître d'Hôtel. I'm gonna make it happen.

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Yep, this is the plot of the episode, people. Nino's going to try and get someone akumatized. Now I know what you're all obviously thinking: Isn't this cruel?

Adrien: Isn't that cruel?

Alya: Totally! To make someone suffer just to discover Monarch's technique? Super cruel!

Nino: No, it's not! You forget Ladybug always fixes everything in the end with her magic ladybugs! The akumatized victims forget what happened to them.

Oh yeah, this is totally ethical, you guys. Who cares about the emotional trauma an Akuma victim would go through, much less any civilians endangered by their rampage?

To make things even better, guess who Nino wants to get akumatized?

Okay, putting aside what we, the audience, already know about Gabriel that Nino doesn't, why would he think pissing off one of the most influential fashion designers in the city of Paris is a good idea? He says he's targeting him because it's easy to do so during parent-teacher conferences, but why not target someone else who has been akumatized more often than him, like Xavier/Mr. Pigeon? I don't think the idea of a more morally gray plan to stop Monarch is a bad one, it's just that this plan is so stupid, and the writers only go over the ethical implications, and that said plan is so ludicrous, Nino is basically asking for a restraining order.

While Adrien and Marinette agree to Nino's plan, Alya only hesitantly goes along with it, but unbeknownst to any of them, Lila was overhearing their conversation, so she goes to tell Gabriel what they're doing. During the conferences, Marinette barges in and pretends to trip and drop some pizza onto Gabriel's clothes, and I'm going to assume that either the pizza was cold of Gabriel is really good at keeping a cool head because there's no way taking a hot pizza to the chest wouldn't hurt like hell. Adrien and Alya come in with more food, and we get the one funny joke of the episode with Alya half-assing her performance as the half-heartedly throws some cake onto Gabriel's suit. Pretty funny how Nino is conveniently the only one who isn't taking the risk by attacking Gabriel in front of his teacher by filming the whole thing, isn't it?

Gabriel has had enough and does a 180, planning to take Adrien out of school and somehow, Marinette blames herself for going along with the plan... even though she was the only one to not approve of it, while Adrien and Alya did, and even then, the latter two were very hesitant. It turns out this was all part of Gabriel's plan, as we see him transform into Monarch as soon as he gets to his lair and uses Trixx's power to create a Mirage of his civilian form, having a breakdown so dramatic, I'm surprised he didn't end it by saying, “YOU ARE TEARING ME APART, MARINETTE!”.

The illusion of Gabriel turns into the Collector again, and now he supposedly has the Horse Miraculous' Voyage as a power. Adrien and Marinette transform into Cat Noir and Ladybug respectively, and try to fend off the “Akuma”. Back in Monarch's lair, we learn that he somehow has the ability to unify with five different Miraculous at once, choosing to do so with the Bee, Mouse, Horse, and Rooster Miraculous. Why is he able to do this now?

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Monarch uses Voyage and heads to the sewers, activating Venom before using Multiplication to create eight smaller clones of himself, finally using Sublimination to give the copies the power of invisibility. Strange, wouldn't wanting to be invisible count as a wish? While looking for “the Collector”, Ladybug uses her Lucky Charm, getting a bag of shredded cheese. The two chase after the illusion, only to fall through a Voyage portal into the sewers, where Cat Noir is almost immediately stunned by one of the clones. Hey, it took five whole episodes this season for him to be incapacitated by an Akuma to pointlessly raise the stakes this time! It's a new record! Ladybug throws the cheese to reveal the clones, who are then chased off by some nearby rats.

Monarch goes back to his normal form, and after a small pep talk, the illusion pretends to reject the Akuma entirely before falling into the water. The real Gabriel detransforms and then pretends to have gotten out. So Gabriel tricked the heroes with his foolproof plan... except for the fact that Ladybug and Cat Noir should have recognized the use of Venom, the hidden clones of the Collector when the video Nino got only said he had the Horse Miraculous' power, the akuma somehow purifying itself when Ladybug still needed to de-evilize it in “Rocketear” and “Penalteam”, the fact that Gabriel should be soaking wet from falling into the water, and the—okay, you all know where this is going.

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Meanwhile, Nino sees the footage of the illusion and sees what he believes to be the way Monarch gave the Collector the Horse Miraculous' powers. Nino then apologizes to Gabriel for attacking him, Gabriel forgives him, and Nino invites him into the Resistance, with a bunch of new members. The final scene reveals that in addition to Nino, Alya, Marinette, Adrien, and Gabriel, the Resistance now has Max, Kim, Rose, Juleka, Ivan, Mylene, and to Marinette's horror, Lila. Also, there's a post-credits scene where Gabriel explains what he did to Tomoe when literally everyone watching was able to figure it out.

Okay, so let's summarize. The first mission for Nino's resistance involved assaulting a private civilian, was easily discovered before it could even be implemented, was just as easily foiled by an illusion, now Monarch and one of his allies have infiltrated the alliance as moles, and Nino isn't even aware that his plan was a colossal failure. This resistance isn't exactly going to be like the Rebel Alliance, is it?

Yeah, this episode sucked. It's easily the worst one so far in my opinion. There were a handful of decent moments and ideas here, but my God, the story was just terrible. Morally gray subject or not, it's hard to get behind the heroes when they try to intentionally piss someone off for a plan that the audience knows is going to fail, especially a plan as stupid as Nino's. This episode features Nino at his most obnoxious and unlike Alya, Marinette, and especially Adrien, he doesn't even feel bad for what he did to Gabriel when it ended up being (as far as we know) completely pointless. It feels like the writers wanted to gloss over the ethics of Nino's plan by making Gabriel the victim, because if it was anyone else, it would have made him look like a colossal prick. The fact that he learns nothing and thinks his moronic scheme was a success really doesn't help.

The other characters thankfully weren't as bad. It seemed like the writers were trying to show some self-awareness by having Alya, Marinette, and Adrien object to the plan in one way or another, but it never really went much other than them begrudgingly going along with it, much less calling him out for his actions. At the same time, they all got some decent moments, like Alya and Marinette's discussion about Monarch and Adrien struggling to convey his feelings about the Alliance rings to Gabriel.

It's also kind of weird that it took us about five episode into the season for Lila to finally be relevant again after she did absolutely nothing for the last three episodes of Season 4 and the first four episodes of this season. It was only three and a half years since “Ladybug”, the last major Lila episode premiered, right? But hey, at least the writers didn't overindulge in the dumb Lila lies like her other episodes, and was used more as an informant to kick off Gabriel's counter to Nino's plan.

Putting aside how terrible Nino's plan was, Gabriel's plan still had a lot of problems to it. Like I already mentioned, it's a little strange that Ladybug and Cat Noir never talk about the tiny clones they fought, or the fact that Cat Noir was stung by Venom. I can kind of suspend my disbelief by saying Ladybug was too focused on the battle to think, but why the hell didn't Cat Noir say anything? You would think after working alongside Queen Bee and Vesperia, he would recognize what being stung by Venom must look like. Yeah, Ladybug and Cat Noir didn't know Monarch can now use more powers for some reason, but it still really bothers me, because they should know the Collector can't multiply himself. It's also strange that he made his trick so hard to find when you would think it would be more obvious to see

But overall, this one was just a chore to get through. It feels like the writers saw how much some people didn't like Nino in “Rocketear”, and were like, “You call THAT character assassination?” And speaking of...

THE BIGGEST IDIOT OF THE EPISODE IS... NINO

Was there ever any doubt? The dude talked about his identity in a public place, nonchalantly blew him and his girlfriend's cover when he had no reason to for his Resistance, tried to get his best friend's dad akumatized while not caring about any potential damage, showed no remorse for what he did when his plan blew up in his face, tried to tell Ladybug and Cat Noir about what he learned while they were fighting the Collector, and all that was for a plan that didn't even work because the intel was discovered with ease, to say nothing about how he unintentionally let two enemies into his own Resistance. I've seen a lot of stupid decisions in this show, but never have I seen a single episode where a character makes screw-up after screw-up and doesn't even realize how much of a colossal moron he's being. With the past five episodes I covered and awarded Biggest Idiot Awards to (Ladybug, Alya, Xuppu, Mr. Damocles, and Luka), it was more them not seeing the bigger picture. Here, Nino is honestly trying to help Ladybug and Cat Noir, yet he failed at his job in every way.

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