#but there's something about the organized coming together of it

[marvel-verse]

I beg you please don't have an uncomplicated take on China just because we're getting some fun cultural exchange.

I love that Americans and Chinese people are coming together and having these conversations, it's so fucking important, but I don't think it's right to say "the Chinese don't have to pay so much to go to college so US propaganda is all wrong". Because yes it is propaganda, but you have to look critically at both countries. There is no such thing as a 'good' government. If there was, it wouldn't be the Chinese or US governments.

Did you know that right now the government of China is committing an ethnic genocide and has been for years? In the Xinjiang province, Uyghur people and other mostly-Muslim ethnic groups have been forced into what the Chinese government has called "re-education camps".

In 2022, it was believed that more than one million people had been imprisoned at these camps (source). Cotton plantations and factories also appeared within the camps. Here is one organization dedicated to the ending of forced labor in the region that you can read up on.

"Several countries, including the US, UK, Canada and the Netherlands, have accused China of committing genocide - defined by international convention as the "intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial or religious group". The declarations follow reports that, as well as interning Uyghurs in camps, China has been forcibly mass sterilising Uyghur women to suppress the population, separating children from their families, and attempting to break the cultural traditions of the group. The US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, has said China is committing "genocide and crimes against humanity". The UK parliament declared in April 2021 that China was committing a genocide in Xinjiang. A UN human rights committee in 2018 said it had credible reports that China was holding up to a million people in "counter-extremism centres" in Xinjiang. The Australian Strategic Policy Institute found evidence in 2020 of more than 380 of these "re-education camps" in Xinjiang, an increase of 40% on previous estimates." (source)

Here is an interview the Human Rights Foundation did with former inhabitants of the camp on their conditions. It's dark, so take care of yourself and don't read if you're not in the right space for it.

And again - don't necessarily take what countries say at face value because there is always political motivation, but it's worth emphasizing that China admitted to placing these ethnic minorities in "re-education camps".

As for censorship, we know that the Chinese government censors media -- it's become a big topic of interest in CDrama and AsianBL communities. The CCP (Chinese Communist Party) is very socially conservative. You can't have nudity in Chinese shows, no depictions of gay relationships or drug use, and the morals displayed in the show have to be reflective of CCP values.

I haven't been able to find documentation of any actual "censorship" codes on content, but it seems to be a case of if you try something risky, you risk getting your show cancelled:

Every other reason for censorship is political and largely depends on the mood of the government or is a response to stuff that's currently happening in China that they deem problematic and capable of disturbing the peace or anything that isn't promoting the official government narrative. Nobody knows exactly what would set the government off so they play it extremely safe by producing "safe" content because experimentation could see your hard work go down the drain. (source)

Famously, the Heaven Official's Blessing live action adaptation was cancelled after filming due to restrictions on depictions of same-sex couples. I think it's still in censorship hell and people are on the fence for whether it will ever be released.

The show Spirealm also has a very interesting censorship history, but you can read about that on your own time.

And it's hard to get information on this because of Chinese press regulation, language barrier, prevalence of anti-China propaganda, etc but it's worth exploring.

TLDR do not look uncritically at another country because it is fun. These are important issues. Sweeping them under a rug is disrespectful to these peoples' lived experience.

being on this app is so surreal. americans are usually the ones that learn about other places and people everywhere else already know about america because we're everywhere online. we've never been on the opposite side where other people are learning about us -- and they are horrified about our "normal"

the country america spent our whole lives trying to convince us is miserable and suffering under an oppressive government that starves everyone and controls their media? that's just projection. turns out besides like... housing prices and few available jobs, china is doing pretty great. they originally believed we were all living it up "the american dream" way and now they're all thankful they were born in china and have no idea how any of us are even alive

[gilbertscurls]

campaign — matt sturniolo

summary: the face of prada and the youtuber-ambassador do a campaign together.

The blinding studio lights illuminated the sleek set, a testament to luxury and high fashion. The Prada campaign was buzzing with energy, cameras clicking, assistants rushing, and stylists adjusting the tiniest of details. It was just another day in your world, where you were the face of Prada, the embodiment of elegance and confidence. But today, there was a shift in the usual routine—a new addition to the campaign.

Matt Sturniolo.

You’d heard his name before, of course. Who hadn’t? The wildly popular YouTuber turned Prada ambassador had been making waves, blending his relatable charm with high fashion in a way that seemed effortless. His face had been plastered across billboards, his smile as familiar as an old friend’s to millions of fans. And now, he was standing just a few feet away, dressed in a perfectly tailored suit, his usually casual demeanor sharpened by the edges of Prada’s luxury.

You adjusted your stance, turning slightly as the photographer called out directions, but your gaze flickered to Matt. He was laughing with the crew, a sound that somehow cut through the controlled chaos. There was something disarming about him. He didn’t seem fazed by the glitz or the pressure, his easygoing nature making it clear he was just as comfortable here as he was in front of a vlog camera.

“Alright, let’s bring you two together for this next shot,” the director called, motioning for Matt to step onto the platform beside you. He approached with a confident stride, but his eyes held a spark of curiosity as they met yours.

“Hey,” he said, his voice warm. “Matt.”

You extended a hand, offering a small smile. “I know. You’re everywhere these days. I’m—”

“I know who you are,” he interrupted, his grin widening. “Hard to miss the face of Prada.”

You raised an eyebrow, amused by his candor. “I guess we’re officially colleagues now.”

“Guess so,” he said, stepping into position beside you. “Try to go easy on me. This is more your world than mine.”

The photographer began snapping away, calling out instructions, but you couldn’t help stealing glances at Matt. Despite his self-deprecating remark, he was a natural. He moved with an effortless confidence, his boyish charm contrasting beautifully with the sharp lines of the suit he wore. When the photographer asked you to interact, it felt surprisingly easy. A shared laugh here, a subtle touch there—it was all organic, as though the two of you had known each other far longer than a few minutes.

“Not bad,” you murmured during a brief pause, tilting your head to look at him. “You might just have a future in this.”

He smirked, leaning slightly closer. “Coming from you, that’s high praise.”

The shoot continued, but the atmosphere shifted. What started as a professional collaboration turned into something more playful, more personal. Between shots, you exchanged quips and stories, his humor cutting through the usual stiffness of the fashion world. You found yourself drawn to the way he balanced confidence with humility, how he seemed genuinely interested in the world you navigated daily.

As the session wrapped up, the director praised the chemistry between you two, calling it “magnetic.” You couldn’t help but agree. Matt lingered as the crew began to pack up, his gaze catching yours one last time.

“So,” he said, tucking his hands into his pockets, “what’s next for the face of Prada?”

You smirked, tilting your head. “Probably another campaign. You?”

“Filming a car video,” he said, deadpan.

You laughed, the sound surprising even yourself. “Quite the contrast.”

“Hey, it keeps me grounded,” he said with a shrug. Then, after a beat, he added, “You know, this was fun. Maybe we’ll run into each other again on set.”

“Maybe,” you said, holding his gaze. “Or maybe we won’t have to wait for another campaign.”

The suggestion hung in the air, subtle but undeniable. His smile softened, his eyes searching yours for a moment before he nodded.

“I’d like that,” he said simply.

As he walked away, you couldn’t help but feel that something had shifted—not just in your day, but in your world. It wasn’t every day that you met someone who could stand out in the dazzling chaos of your life. But then again, Matt Sturniolo wasn’t like anyone else.

tag list: @stuwniolo, @sturnobsessedwh0re, @matts-myloverboy, @imjusthereforthesturniolosmut, @lizzymacdonald06, @asherrisrandom, @sturniolowhore69, @faith5drpepper, @emely9274, @psychologyloverfr, @lovetaylorrussellgrr, @conspiracy-ash, @helpimateenagerinlove, @ghostlythinggoingaround, @sturmatt, @chris-hallelujah, @goingtojohnkramershouseee, @wurlibydominicfike, @straw8berry, @shadowthesim, @courta13, @frankdelreyy

[trikruismybitch]

Never meant...

Pairings: Natasha Romanoff x Fem!Reader, Implied Natasha Romanoff x Maria Hill

Warnings: kinda cheating, communication? Sad just very sad lots of angst no happy endings

Summary: Natasha's been distant and you just want to know if she's okay

"Whats been going on with you?" Y/n questions softly "You've been acting distant and weird lately, is everything okay my love?" you say as you walk up to Nat touching her arm lovingly

"Yeah baby i'm fine" she gives you a smile but it strained and her tone is dismissive

You internally sigh not wanting to cause any problems but the growing distance between you guys lately has been bothering you

"I know you're not fine Nat" you look into her eyes "I can feel that you aren't 'fine' and honestly lately i've been feeling like we aren't 'fine'." You stop rubbing her arm with your thumb but you stay close still "I don't want this to be a fight but i can tell somethings genuinely wrong and i need you to talk to me about it. I'm here for you, okay baby? Whatever's going on we'll get through this together." You speak in a gentle and understanding tone. You love her so fucking much and it kills you that she's not communicating with you.

Natasha looks at you and you stare back. You start to get a nervous pit in your stomach at the way she's staring at you. Usually theres a softness to the look in her eyes but right now it feels like she's looking right past you and it's unsettling.

"Maria kissed me a month ago," Natasha says. Theres a pause before she admits, "and i liked it. I wanted her."

You take a step back as if you were physically pushed "What?" Your mind starts racing and your hearts starts beating rapidly "What are you trying to say?"

Natasha shakes her head "I pushed her away after a second, i swear! I've felt so guilty about it since it happened...and It took me awhile to admit to myself that I'm attracted to her."

Natasha's eyes pour deeply into your soul. Her unwavering gaze is met by yours, eyes slowly blinking, praying, hoping that this is a cruel dream. Your skin itches, your body feels hot.

"I-i don't know what to say..." You whisper out taking a few steps back leaning on the kitchen counter hands resting behind you "I don't know how to feel right now. I'm confused, do you have feelings for her?"

"No! I don't! I love you." Natasha waves her hands in front of herself "I just think...feel sexually attracted to her? She's funny and she makes me laugh, she's like a breath of fresh air, you know?"

You just stare at her not believing she had the balls to say that to your face, "I need to go." you mumble and start looking around for your keys. Fuck you really wish you were more organized and now its biting you in the ass.

"Y/n, baby" Natasha keeps calling out as you rummage through all the places you might've put your keys. You look at the key hook and zero in on Natasha's car keys. Natasha follows your gaze and rushes to grab the keys before you get there, "Y/n wait! What are you doing? Where are you trying to go?"

You snap "I don't know Natasha!" You yell throwing your hands up and looking around. Your eyes start to burn wanting to cry "I just know that I don't want to be around you right now. I need time to process what you've said and then we can talk okay? So please just hand me the damn keys!" you cry out frustratingly. You hold your hand out for the keys, waiting.

"I want to talk now." Natasha furrows her brows "I came to you wanting to talk this through-"

"You didn't come to me!" You point to your chest "I had to push it out of you Nat! I always do!" You wave your hands around wildly, "Whenever you're upset or somethings bothering you, you become distant and unresponsive to my attempts to engage with you. Then when i ask if you're okay- and big surprise-you lie! I had to push this out of you Natasha!" You shake your head angrily, "So do not say that 'you want to talk this through'" you use air quotes when you say that, "because you NEVER DO! I do! I'm patient and understanding with you...and all you do is lie to me in return!" You sigh out tiredly "So, please respect my wishes and let me leave." You outstretch your arm for the keys

"No, I'm sorry okay" Nat tries to take a step toward you but you shake your head as you drop your hand "I-i've been feeling so guilty about this, thats why i've been distant. I didn't want to admit...I wasn't fully upset about the kiss. And I was so angry at myself for liking it and even if i didn't kiss her back I felt like I betrayed you. I just want to fix this." She's on the verge of tears clutching the keys tightly in her hand. She doesn't want to lose you.

You shake your head, again, and rub your eyes with your hands, "I don't understand how you expect me to fix something, I didn't even know was broken in the first place Natasha" You swallow as you take a deep breathe "You're basically saying you want to fuck someone else because your tired of our relationship, how am I supposed to feel about that? Huh? All this shit is thrown at me, I know we weren't 100% but I thought we were happy, that you were happy with us."

"I love you so fucking much. I love our life together and I would never" she enunciates 'never', "throw it away to sleep with someone else" she speaks vehemently before softening her tone "I'm telling you because I know I need to be honest with you about this. You think I want to feel this way about someone else? You mean the world to me Y/n and I don't want anything to jeopardize that."

You close your eyes. Despite everything she said and how much it hurt you, a part of you understands where she's coming from, and even with everything your heart still burns for her.

You open your eyes and you try to smile but it comes out strained "I know. I love you too...but I can't promise you that what you said isn't going to affect our relationship. I appreciate the transparency but I need time Nat...please give me the keys." You ask politely

Natasha's lip quivers as she slowly gives you the keys "Where will you go?" She questions

"I don't know right now, I'll let you know later." You go to walk past her but she softly grabs your arm when you've become parallel with her.

She gives your cheek a soft kiss, "I love you." she presses her forehead against your right cheek, breathing you in before you leave. You feel her tears fall and your heart pangs sadly in your chest at the women you love, so you briefly lean against her "I love you too" you gently pry your hand from her grasp and then you leave.

Natasha watches you go. She watched as the door is slowly shut. She hears as the roar of her cars engine takes whats left of her heart. She never meant for this to happen. She never meant to hurt you. And she never meant for you to leave.

an: not proofread & this has been in the drafts for awhile. a little something to read while you wait for "Did i cross the line" part 3 👀

[nerdygirlramblings]

Off to See the Wizard (7)

previous | next

cw: bad attempt at accents

Gaz watches the door slam behind you and turns back to Price, eyebrow raised. "Well, that was'n part 'a the plan," he says dryly. He looks to Soap and Ghost then back at Price. He drops his gaze to where Price still holds his wrist and, voice laced with sadness, says, "Maybe we were too much."

Price angles his head to catch Gaz's eye. He sees his own guilt reflected there. He sighs and runs a hand over his face. "Ya might be right," he admits.

"Wot 'appened?" Ghost asks, looking from the chair you abandoned to the door to Price.

"Think we might-a come on too strong," Price says. "She'd been skittish at dinner. Who knows wha' she thinks 'a wha' you an' me told 'er seein' what we did tonight." He drops his head into his hands. He knows you need to know about them, but when they first tried to explain their relationship to Laswell, it took months to make her see. To understand. They simply don't have that time with you.

Price knows actions speak louder than words. But it seems they shouted when a whisper might have worked just as well.

You sleep fitfully, chased through your dreams by soft lips, deep blue eyes, a desperate plea, and a broken heart. In the morning, when you hear the others getting ready, instead of rolling over and going back to sleep, you pull your things together. As the door to the barracks closes behind them, you head to the bathroom to get ready. You've paid attention to their routine and know they do their first round of training before they eat. If you head to the mess now, you can pick up some coffee and food to take with you, thus avoiding them for now.

You run quickly through the line in the mess, grabbing some fruit before you go. You carry it and a big tumbler of coffee to your office where you proceed to barricade yourself in with all the current intel you have. You check and double-check and triple-check the travel itinerary; the boys leave in four days, and despite your own emotional turmoil, you want them safe. You ignore the text you get from Laswell asking how you're getting on with the boys. Does she know something about them you don't? Instead you respond with a comment about how you know how to get to town if you need to and about Corporal Avery. You keep your thoughts about the 141 guarded.

By lunchtime, you're deeply invested in some older intelligence on the organization the 141 is taking on. It's a series of wire-taps between some of the organization's presumed leaders and local underlings from months ago. You know the audio has been scrubbed six ways from Sunday, but you wouldn't be the best if you didn't follow every hunch, and something tells you there's important information here. If you can find it.

You're so deep down the rabbit hole you don't hear the knocking on your door. You focus on your job and don't realize you've skipped lunch.

You work through to dinner, stopping when your growling stomach reminds you it hasn't had quite enough fuel to keep going at this rate. A glance at the clock shows it's 7:30, far later than you've seen the boys eat. Maybe you can eat in the mess in peace and slip into the barracks unnoticed, but you doubt it.

It's really John you're avoiding. It's not Kyle's fault he kissed his friend? lover? partner? in front of you. He couldn't know what John insinuated earlier that day. He couldn't know the kiss just about broke you. Even Simon, though he said he wants you, didn't do anything to make you feel like he was putting you on. It was Soap who snuggled close. Sure, Simon didn't stop him, but maybe that's how they comfort one another. You know their jobs are harrowing. Maybe this is something they do to cope.

You aren't thinking about food when you walk into the mess, mind still stuck on the 141, so you're surprised to see Soap sitting alone at a table. You consider ignoring him - he hasn't seen you yet - but when he glances up and sees you, his whole demeanor changes. You didn't realize how sad he looked until you think about how happy he is to see you. He waves an arm and starts to rise, looking like he's going to start shouting at you in a moment.

You hurriedly make your way to him, sitting in the space across from him as he takes his seat. "Och, Oz, was thinkin' you'd taken off." It's part tease, part scold. "We didnae knoo whare ye were. Gaz couldnae feend ye for brekkie, ahnd Ghost said no one answered yoor door at lunch."

You bite your lip and look away, torn between being ashamed and frustrated. You finally settle on curious. "I'm a big girl, Soap. I can, and do, take care of myself."

He waves a hand at you. "Aye, we knoo. But we're all keen on spendin' time wi' oor best girl now tha' yoor here." He blushes a bit at this admission but still meets your gaze. "We only have a few days, and I fer one doan wanna miss out on ye if I can help it "

You feel the heat rush to your cheeks. Soap has always been a sweet talker, but this feels definitively more like flirting than anything he"s said over comms.

He starts talking again, barrelling through your silence. "An' I hope I didnae make ye uncomfortable when I was restin' las' night. He doesnae look it, but Ghost makes a right fine pillow." He winks at you. "I bet you do too. Yoor soothing like tha'."

You hurry to respond. "No, no, I wasn't... uncomfortable? A little surprised I guess. Didn't know it was, well, I don't know what I thought, but it's fine. I'm fine." You know how you sound, tripping over yourself. In an attempt to deflect, you say, "I still need to eat, so..." You trail off and hope he gets the hint to leave, but it seems he's stubborn because he doesn't react. In fact, he leans forward and levers him up when you do.

"Lemme come wi'," he says. "We all had oor scran, but I can keep ye company. Pay ye back for all those nights ye made things less lonely."

You can't really say no when he puts it so sweetly. So you let him accompany you through the line, pointing out what you should try and what to avoid. You don't fail to notice the sounds he makes when you grab your selections, the hums and snickers and scoffs and questioning noises. When you're sure you have a fairly balanced plate - with some extra desserts because it's been one of those days - Soap deftly pays, ignoring your reminder that, "I get a daily meal allowance as part of this placement. It isn't even my money I'm spending." Then he snags your tray, carrying it for you back to your table.

As you eat Soap tells you more about himself, especially his family and how they want him to "settle doon wi' a nice girl." And just as John did the previous morning, Soap looks directly into your eyes as he says it. "Ne'er thought I'd feend one Ah wanted to settle doon wi'. No' really. No' until yoo, Oz."

You sputter for a moment, but really, who wouldn't. Three admissions of desire? love? in two days, and though you aren't quite as shocked by Soap's after both John and Simon, you're still troubled. "What about last night? You and Simon...you seem...close."

Soap nods his head. "Aye, we are. But it doesnae mean my heart is too full for ye." He looks at you so earnestly the recriminations die in your throat. You have feelings for four people all at the same time, after all. Who's to say the same can't be true for Soap. Is that what's going on with John, too?

You take a deep breath and force yourself to meet Soap's eyes. "What, exactly, are you saying, Soap? Are you playing around? Is this a game, or-"

He hastily cuts you off. "No! No no, nothin' li' tha'. I like ye, Oz. Have for a long while." He reaches across the table to hold your hand. "And yoor right. I have feelings foor...Ghost too." He shrugs and focuses on the table, collecting his thoughts. "Guess Ah don't see the point in limitin' mah love when each mission could be mah last." He spears you with his ice blue gaze and drives the point home when he adds, "An' Ah knoo Ah'm no' the only one who thinks tha' way."

part 1 part 2 part 3 part 4 part 5 part 6 part 8

~~

Taglist: @blackhawkfanatic @starriestarlight @grayskel @mxtokko @imjustheretofightforlove @miss-vanta-likes-to-write @thriving-n-jiving @madsothree @silly-starfish @danielle143 @beelzebee @nova-willow-541 @alchemyfreak321 @lilynotdilly @eternallyelvish @viylikescats @erintaro @hidden-treasures21

[jackiespurnell]

thinking about you baby (no crash au jackie taylor x fem reader headcanons - requested)

summary: the yellowjackets made it to nationals. you're on the opposing team. and jackie wants you. really badly.

tw: masturbation, sexual fantasies

────୨ৎ────────

okay, so jackie knows that falling for a member of the competing team was a terrible idea 

but it’s not her fault that you’re so pretty!

there was a dinner party organized for the two teams the night before nationals

and while jackie was still 100% focused on winning tomorrow

she thought it couldn’t hurt to get to know some of the other players 

and you were one of those players 

you had on really tight jeans and a low cut tank top that did amazing things for your breasts

in that moment, jackie had half a mind just to reach out and touch them

which was a bad idea

even she knows that

but she really wanted to

at first, the two of you just started talking a little bit, nothing serious

you ended up in the seat next to her, casually twirling your hair and laughing at her jokes

and all she could do was smile and laugh along

(and ignore the fact that she wishes she was the one twirling your hair)

get it together she told herself she’s literally your competition. bad idea

after dinner, some of the yellowjackets went out to get ice cream

so of course jackie thought to invite you along

and while the other girls were very obviously against this, she really couldn’t care less

sue her for liking you!!

you were just so cool and funny and she’d be lying if she said she didn’t want you

and besides, the mental image of you sucking on an ice cream cone?

well, it was way too hot to pass up on seeing the real thing

“yo, jackie, why did exactly did we bring the competition along” tai had pulled her aside

“come on taissa, it's not that big of deal!!”

“actually, it kind of is.”

whatever. they wouldn’t understand.

once they got back to the hotel, jackie invited you inside of her hotel room

(okay, yes, she was sharing with shauna but it’s not like shauna would mind)

unfortunately for jackie, you declined

something about wanting to get to bed early for the big game tomorrow

and fine, okay that made sense

jackie should probably be more focused on the game as well instead of some girl she just met a couple of hours ago

but still

she couldn’t help but feel like you rejected her

which is not at all what happened

except it kind of is just what happened

jackie sighs, flopping down on her bed

on the bright side, she did get your number

but when she checked her messages, you hadn’t sent her a damn thing

and her stubborn ass was not about to text first

then she got a great (read: terrible) idea

she looked around, her roommate and best friend was nowhere in sight…

now jackie was not big on masturbation

maybe did it three or four times in all seventeen years of her life

but you just looked so fucking pretty tonight…

so she slides a hand down her pants and envisioned you in her head

and oh what a pretty vision she conjured up

she shut her eyes tight and rubbed a little bit on her clit, not too hard yet

she thought about you perched on her lap

your thighs wrapped around her hips

her hands would roam all around your body, unable to keep to herself

“fuck” she murmured quietly, pushing her fingers farther into her pussy

she thought about you on your knees

your hair would be a mess, your pretty eyes staring back up at her

she touches herself imagining it’s you touching her instead

she imagines your long, pretty fingers playing with her pussy

jackie wonders if you’d be a tease

if you’d take your slow time with her while she cries out in arousal

or if you’d be quick to the point

and have her climaxing in no point

honestly

jackie isn’t entirely sure which one she’d want more

but it doesn’t really matter to her, cause she just wants you in any way she could have you

“fuck baby” she lets out a loud moan and she knows she should probably try and be quieter, especially with you right down the hall

but how could anyone except her to be silent

especially with all those thoughts of you still floating around in her head

she wonders what you have on underneath your tight clothes

she pictured pretty lace panties and a matching bra

jackie would like to run her hands over the pretty designs, feeling you up

but she knows damn well she’d be too impatient

and just rip off all your clothes

just the thought of getting to see you all gorgeous and naked in front of her was enough to send her over the edge

and let’s just say she had the best orgasm of her life, 

just on command, she gets a notification from her phone

and its a text!!! from you!!!

“having fun in there?” you text

“damn, was i that loud?” jackie responds, a little bit turned on by your casualness

“yeah, you were. what were you thinking about?”

now, jackie was not one to be forward about these kind of things

but a little impulsivity never hurt anyone…right?

so she answers your question with all the naturalness in the world:

“i was thinking about you”

────୨ৎ────────

[nydescynt]

In elementary school, the first and only time I heard about trans people existing was a rumor about Lady Gaga. The first movie I saw with any kind of trans character was Ace Ventura, which my dad paused and preemptively explained, in serious tones; not because the transmisogyny might be upsetting, but because the existence of trans people was such an adult and taboo topic for us to be introduced to.

But things got better- were getting better, slowly. A guy in the grade below me in high school was the first openly trans person at my school. There were a few openly gay/lesbian couples at every school dance, something kids even a few grades above me said hadn't happened for fear of backlash. TV and movies, even kind of shitty primetime ones, were adding lgbt+ characters to their lineups.

Gay marriage was legalized in June of 2015. I remember walking to get frozen custard with my friends, and feeling an infectious joy: that everything was getting better.

I graduated high school in 2016.

Everything that year felt like a slide backwards into hatred. Increasingly fascistic rhetoric from the Republican candidates had crystallized into a bid for Donald Trump to run for president. The Pulse nightclub shooting happened that June; I remember crying for days, going to a vigil with my sister. We lied and told our parents we were going to the movies. Each car that passed made everyone at the vigil tense and relax - we'd already seen the news about the bomb threats, the foiled copycats.

I had just entered my first year of college, bought my first binder. Offered she/they pronouns in one class. Gotten to vote for the first time.

Trump won. Anti-immigrant and anti-queer and anti-BLM posters were slathered over campus the next day.

I remember feeling broken, the whole week after. Crying in the tiny LGBTQIA+ club room with a bunch of other dead-eyed queer kids. We spent every moment not in class huddled together like penguins, basking in the meager solace of all being equally scared.

We fought. We made social groups and organizations. We protested. We signed classmates up to vote. The microphone set up for national coming out day the following year saw lines of people waiting to tell the world who they were, in spite of it all. We got gender-neutral bathrooms designated in every building. We kept trying.

Social change comes in waves- 2 steps forward, 1.9 steps back. It feels awful and horrifying to see the backpeddle, especially when you're just coming of age after a period when all you can really properly remember is the steps forward. I know; I entered the world at a similar moment.

I don't want to retell my whole life story, so I'll end on this. After I graduated, Fall of 2019 I went down to Tennessee and worked at Cracker Barrel HQ for a while. They have a pride affinity group. One of the company leaders was an openly gay man old enough to be my grandpa. The world after that went to shit in other ways, but sometimes I sit and stare at my tacky CB-logoed rainbow flag and pride glows inside me. Pride that we have made it so far, so fast; that what was unmentionable 40 years ago and mockable 20 years ago is normal enough to be blandly included today. I am asking you to believe that we are still stepping forward. I am asking you to keep being you - as quietly as you want to, as loudly as you can.

[hiddengiggles]

Let’s talk about consent and smart ways to play

Yes, consent can be revoked at any time. That’s normal and your boundaries should be reexamined regularly as part of your own check ins.

No, it doesn’t mean either party did anything wrong, it can just be a change of what either wants. Shaming either party for changing their mind serves no one. Don’t act like the person who was receiving the action is unfair or a “tease” for changing their mind. Don’t act like the person giving the action was bad or wrong for doing the thing for which they had consent at the time because you didn’t like it.

Yes, it’s awesome to be able to open yourself up and be vulnerable for different activities and kinks. When you don’t have a partner to engage with regularly, it can be thrilling to finally find a person to play with, I know.

No, blanket consent for EVERYTHING right from the jump is NOT a good idea. If you’re connecting with a play partner the first few times, start slow and expand. Feeling enough trust to give consent for some kinks can and probably should take time so uou can be really comfortably vulnerable

Yes, it is exciting to safely meet play partners from the online world when you are BOTH ready for it! When you’re safe about meeting (getting to know them slowly, setting a neutral meeting point, letting a few people know where you’re going and the name of your friend, etc) it can be a great way to get time with your kinks. When it isn’t forced, rushed, or for too long a time period, the organic connection can be magical!

No, you should not assume each party is on the same page unless you’ve communicated multiple times, especially in writing. If you had a phone call a month ago that talked about boundaries and assume all is well, you’re not actually playing safely. Some people write out rules, some BDSM players sometimes make it a “contract”, but a verbal conversation will not protect you or help you if worse comes to worst. This is especially important for partners still new to playing together. Record the hard conversations in some way.

Yes, you can start a conversation on boundaries and kinks with generalization. Example on my end, my husband and I both are okay with pictures and videos taken of us and posting them. In the early days of our relationship, we checked every time we played “Is it okay if I film this?” but after years together we’ve both agreed it’s okay to take them anytime, though we check with each other if we’re comfortable with what was captured regularly.

No, a general conversation is not enough. Continuing my example, we both have boundaries for ourselves and for each other to make sure we’re okay with it being posted (or sometimes sold). Earlier today, I put on a really pretty lingerie set for some birthday giggles. However, I stopped and asked “If you wanted to film this, would you be comfortable with me being seen in this publicly? Our usually boundaries call for a top and bottoms covering”. He paused, considered, and said no, so I put on a tank top and shorts too. Get specific with every aspect of your play, from your comfortable clothing levels, to where content can be posted, to areas you don’t want touched that day that you might normally be okay with otherwise. Assuming you already know the answer is not enough, say it again.

Consent is a lot bigger and more complicated than just this post, so talk about it A LOT with your partner(s). The biggest key to a good relationship in and out of kink (friendship, mentorship, romantic relationship) is to NEVER STOP TALKING. Communication is key, talk about your boundaries and consent over and over and over. They will change and grow, and so will you.

Mistakes and miscommunications will happen, but it’s important to talk about them like the grown people you are. A lot of consent issues with new partners aren’t malicious, they can easily stem from either party being unclear or simply not thinkinh to ask about something that could be a boundary issue. Unless it was a blatant “I KNEW the boundary and disregarded it purposely because I wanted to do it” situation, be an adult and talk about it. If you’re adult enough to be engaging in activities or kinks for adults, you need to follow through and talk about what went right and wrong. Learn and grow from the stuff you didn’t do as well before, accept responsibility for your part, and move on, with or without that partner.

[voluptuarian]

First of all, I love the useless, fluid meaningless of these terms. In the current climate, "zionist" and "propaganda" have come to have no actual concrete meaning whatsoever. What is a Zionist? A person from Israel? Anyone who supports the idea of a "Jewish state" in their ancestral homeland? A person who advocates for indigenous rights or believes in land back period? Any Jew? It's a meaningless prop phrase that communicates nothing. And propaganda, while still occasionally used in its original sense ("information, especially of a biased or misleading nature, used to promote or publicize a particular political cause or point of view" per Cambridge Dictionary) has become a go-to for declaring any statement you dislike to be somehow nebulously invalid.

Since I'm not the op, I can't speak for their political views. And since I'm not the reblogger, I won't hazard to guess what particular definition of "zionist" they're employing this time. However OH BOY do I have something to say about the alleged "propaganda" they mentioned!

If large scale oppression of Muslim populations in China is a figment created as propaganda, these claims then should:

be easily disproven

not be spread by trusted organizations

denied by trusted organizations

only be spread by particularly aligned groups (one particular nation or organization, etc)

show signs of artificiality in reports and testimonials (such as bots, organized groups masquerading as "regular" individuals, etc.)

So, to begin with, who is out here claiming there have been attempts to ethnically cleanse the Chinese Uyghur population?

The first independent report, published in 2021 put together "by more than 50 global experts in international law, genocide and the China region" (CNN)

Amnesty International, whose 2021 report included testimony by 50+ contributors who reported having been detained in camps, mistreated, and tortured (by the way, Amnesty International also declared Israel's actions in Gaza a genocide-- so if you accept their take on Israel as legitimate, you must by extension respect their take on China, right?)

The United Nations, which declared it genocide and "probably the largest incarceration of an ethnoreligious minority since the Holocaust" (NPR)

The Council on Foreign Relations

Another research report, this time by Stanford Law School’s Human Rights & Conflict Resolution Clinic and Human Rights Watch

Wikipedia, whose article on it begins with "Since 2014, the government of the People's Republic of China has committed a series of ongoing human rights abuses against Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslim minorities in Xinjiang which has often been characterized as persecution or as genocide. There have been reports of mass arbitrary arrests and detention, torture, mass surveillance, cultural and religious persecution, family separation, forced labor, sexual violence, and violations of reproductive rights" and goes on to mention a list of the exact offenses described in the original post:

And here's a New York post article with names, faces, and personal testimonials of some of these survivors, a similar article from 2023 by the Guardian, and an NPR article with the testimony of an ethnic Kazakh from Xinjiang. And also a Guardian article with an excerpted account by former detainee Gulbahar Haitiwaji (who has since published her memoir expanding on the experience) detailing her 3 year punishment in prison and reeducation camps. And, from 2019, a CNN article which explores the insane security and surveillance installed in Xianjiang in the name of "fighting terrorism," the mistreatment of minority ethnic groups and favoritism shown the Han immigrants, and the kidnapping and imprisonment of visiting Turkic minorities from Kazakhstan. (I have another similar article that I couldn't find online but have printed at home that I will try and add tomorrow as well.)

Even fucking Al Jazeera has regularly reported on Xinjiang (first article; second article)

Don't you guys love Al Jazeera? Don't you believe everything Al Jazeera says? Surely their weighing in would imply the veracity of this issue, right?

The New York Times, repeatedly including in an article analyzing leaked government documents covering the "crackdown" in Xinjiang and the coercive strategies employed on families of those taken for "re-education," another covering government strategies for using surveillance and police regulation against its minority population, and another which detailed how China orchestrates intricate social media propaganda packaged to look like genuine individual opinions with the aim of discrediting reports on human rights violations

The Guardian, as recently as February last year, provided an update on anti-religious crackdowns still happening

Noting that noting that majority-Muslim Uyghur religious practice was "seen as evidence of extremism and separatism" and that the "crimes" these women were punished for were specifically religious in nature, including "illegally studying scripture with her mother for three days 'in or around' February 1976, when she was just five or six years old," and specifically targeted women who were believed to have authority in the community-- cultural genocide tactics 101. This article also again underscores the reports of witnesses and survivors detailing the abuses listed in the original post.

Obviously an unreliable assortment of sources with no internal consistency whose coverage we can safely discard, right?

Meanwhile what official sources were claiming this was propaganda? Well-- Chinese ones.

It's China's official position to the rest of the world, and is posted on Chinese embassies including the examples here of announcements on the webpages of the Chinese embassy in Jeddah and in Indonesia:

These announcements claim that "Xinjiang-related issues are not about human rights, but about fighting violence, terrorism and separatism," that the international community's consternation about the situation was motivated by "racism" and anti-Chinese sentiment (masterminded by the USA) and that the the Uyghur are not only not being oppressed, but are flourishing and their birth rates are actually going up-- the opposite of what all the previous sources show occurring. It also claims none of the nations bothered by this are "part of the Muslim world"-- meanwhile one of the major organization that took part in the general demand for action was the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. (uhrp.org has a list of what nations and groups were involved in what actions, including the 43 countries who participated in the UN statement in October 2021.)

Meanwhile, this South China Post article points out how the situation in Xinjiang was so "harsh"-- with rampant corruption, bribery, overwork, and insane security measures-- that even in 2019 the non-minority, non-Muslim, non-Uyghur ethnic Han immigrants the government has worked to settle in Xinjiang were already leaving.

If the group that's get privileged treatment and the government actively wants there can't stand it, how bad is it for the people China wants cleansed?

And whereas, despite the difficulty for any investigative body to get into Xinjiang and the fear and secrecy surrounding everything happening there, as previously shown, multitudes of testimonies of victims and their families have been assembled, from sources both within Chinese territory and even in neighboring countries, who can attest to the inhumane and illegal activity happening under Chinese authority in the region. Meanwhile the supposedly "organic" testimonies of Uyghurs on social media (as discussed in New York Times article I shared earlier in the post) who claim nothing bad is happening in Xinjiang show every hallmark of being organized, doctored, spread by bots and fake accounts, and created through government orders and fear by people who have been threatened with or already put through "reeducation" as part of China's own continuing propaganda campaign to try and cover up the crimes against humanity enacted in Xinjiang against non-Han minorities.

(And while I'm on it, because so many people similarly believe any criticism of Russia is somehow also "propaganda," the Russian Empire, the Soviet Union, and the modern Russian state have all targeted indigenous populations within its territories-- and now, within the territories it has invaded-- and oppressed ethnic and religious minorities under its power through mass killings, forced labor, and cultural genocide. Just for a brief touching on Russia's current oppression of Buryat and Tuva peoples, the video below is Marina Khankhalaeva's [representative of Buryatia Independence Committee] recent address to the UN on the situation.)

So in conclusion, China's oppression of its ethnic and religious minorities and the potential genocide currently being enacted against its Turkic Muslim population is not propaganda, it's really happening and there is a profusion of evidence at your fucking fingertips to prove it. China's own efforts to claim this isn't the case ARE propaganda, part of an very large and obvious campaign targeting gullible social media users.

If, when every reliable source and the people themselves have provided more than enough proof of their oppression, you continue to insist that the years-long, well-researched accusations of Chinese crimes against religious and ethnic minorities are fake and dismiss those charges as "propaganda" then you are willfully choosing to close your eyes to human rights violations, silencing the accounts of the victims, and gleefully aiding and allying with an imperialist, racist, colonial power in its egregious persecution of religious minorities and indigenous groups and all in the name of-- edginess? sticking it to "the man"? Twitter likes? Congratulations, you've betrayed every genocide survivor and colonized minority on earth and now you're personally on my shit list up there with George Armstrong Custer.

It’s so hilarious to me that people spent all this time the past year and a half boycotting and protesting Israeli goods, and now they’re flocking to RedNote in the wake of TikTok being possibly banned.

China has literally one of the worst industrialized oppression of Muslims on the planet. Like actual internment camps, forced labor, apartheid, and forced sterilization. Like r u serious.

[dewinthestars]

How to Stay Organized When You’re Juggling College, Relationships, Social Life, and Personal Life

Hey there, overachievers (and fellow burnt-out humans)! Life can feel like a never-ending balancing act when you’re trying to keep up with college classes, maintain a relationship, hang out with friends, and still make time for you. It’s a lot—but balance is possible. Here’s a breakdown of how to organize your life so you don’t feel like you’re drowning:

1. Time Blocking Is Your Best Friend

Your calendar is more than just a tool—it’s a lifeline.

• Block out time for classes, assignments, and study sessions first (non-negotiable).

• Schedule quality time with your partner, even if it’s just a FaceTime study date or a coffee run between classes.

• Add “you” time to the calendar—self-care is just as important as deadlines.

Pro Tip: Use color coding for different areas of your life (blue = school, pink = relationship, yellow = social life, etc.) so you can visually see how balanced your week looks.

2. Prioritize Like a Pro

You can’t do everything at once, and that’s okay.

• Academic deadlines come first. Late essays = late-night stress. No thanks.

• If you’re overwhelmed, communicate! A quick “Hey, this week is hectic, can we catch up later?” goes a long way in relationships and friendships.

• Be honest with yourself about what truly needs your attention and what can wait.

3. The Power of Small Moments

If you don’t have hours to spare, make the most of minutes.

• Text your partner or friends during study breaks to stay connected.

• Listen to a podcast, meditate, or journal for 10 minutes to recharge.

• Little moments of effort show the people in your life (and yourself) that you care.

4. Learn to Say No

It’s tempting to say yes to everything, but overcommitting will drain you.

• Politely decline plans if you’re running on empty. Your true friends and partner will understand.

• Think of it this way: when you say no to something, you’re saying yes to what matters most (like your mental health).

5. Sunday Reset = Your Secret Weapon

Use Sundays to get your life together for the week ahead.

• Plan outfits, meals, and study sessions in advance.

• Check in with yourself: How are you feeling? What’s your focus for the week?

• Clean your space—nothing feels more chaotic than trying to study in a messy room.

6. Give Yourself Grace

Some weeks will feel balanced, and others won’t—and that’s okay.

• Life isn’t about perfect balance; it’s about being intentional.

• Celebrate your wins (no matter how small), and don’t beat yourself up if you drop a ball.

[sturnstarrz]

formally introducing... a mafia!chratt au

“we’ve all broken our rules for someone." "...or two."

the italian mafia is the strongest and deadliest crime organization that exists in new york city. there's several families that have withstood decades fighting against each other within the mafia to gain control over the city.

the sturniolo family has held power above all others for generations. the name is feared in most households, their reputation being a ruthless one. if you were someone who ever got caught up in their dealings, you quickly came to learn that they were a cruel and intimidating family. they kept their circle tight, their business unknown and their money flowing.

but they honored loyalty like no other. they were fierce when it came to protecting their own. and you had known the sturniolo brothers since you were a small child.

justin, nick, matt, and chris.

your mother told you stories about the couple that lived in the house directly across from yours. she used to be close friends with them. a few days after you were born, they welcomed triplets. practically everyone in town ranted and raved, gushing over the rare occurrence.

however, their father jimmy, did not appreciate the amount of attention that it was gathering.

he adored his baby boys... loved them. but he was a hard and strict man, involved in a dangerous line of work. something he was able to keep a secret for years. he couldn't afford people sticking their noses into his life, more than they usually did. especially when he was on the cusp of something big at the time.

he wanted to send the boys to live with their uncle on the other side of town. they could still learn the ropes of the family business, as all sons are expected to do in the mafia.

they would be raised there, at least until they were older, and gained their own identities and differences. as small children, you could barely tell them apart. they would get stopped almost every place they went. jimmy argued with mary lou, insisting that they would be the cause of him getting caught. he was paranoid. he believed attention lead to gossip and gossip lead to exposure.

the mafia weren't the only cruel and harsh people in the city.

but mary lou refused, threatening that she would divorce him if he made them leave. so he had no choice but to keep his boys home.

he was tough on them, like he was with justin. teaching them how to fight, how to intimidate. how to run the business.

how to take over when the day comes and he would be gone.

he was arrested when you were 16, the memories of it still fresh in your mind. it was the early hours of the morning when you heard the loud banging.. the shouting. their house was raided, and you watched from your bedroom window as they dragged out jimmy in handcuffs.

it was then you found out what kind of world the triplets were really born into.

it was agreed since you were young that they would always protect you, due to your mothers connection from years ago and the bond that seemed to develop as you all grew up together.

there used to be sunny afternoons, goofing around in their backyard after school or snowy weekends during the winter, sipping stolen liquor around the warm fireplace.

but after the arrest, you didn't see your friends as much as you used to. it quickly changed into them missing days from school and friday nights alone in your room. their uncle rob would often take the boys on jobs, while their mom was passed out drunk on the couch.

he moved into their house once jimmy was sentenced to help continue raising them. he was given 15 years. the boys would be much older then, and they needed to catch up fast to the harsh realities of their family business. who knew what could happen to their father in jail.. being one of the most undercover powerful crime bosses in the city meant you had plenty enemies.

and now... it's 1987. you just turned 21, feeling the weight of the world on your shoulders. your mom is sick, and has been for the past few years. cancer.

it's just you and your aunt now to take care of her. your dad left when you were 5 and you've only felt a real sense of family when you used to eat sunday dinner at the sturniolo house.

your dreams of attending university once you graduated are lost. the cozy diner a few blocks from your neighborhood is currently keeping you afloat, and you save whatever money you can from tips so that you can maintain a sliver of hope of moving far away from this crime-ridden and corrupt city.

you avoid the sturniolos like the plague. you want nothing to do with their way of living. and they don't seem to care about the distance you've created or they're simply too involved in their business, the own crushing weight of their family name and responsibilities on their shoulders as well.

it's just that... you can't help the feeling of longing that resides in your chest. the way you miss what once was.

you hold a soft spot in your heart for them, for their family. they might intimidate everyone else but not you. you know them.

you know who they really are.

disclaimer! : this au is dark and has many themes and descriptions of violence, crime, sex and drugs. i do not condone any of the actions or events that will be included in this story nor do i claim to have accurate knowledge of gangs, mafias, crime, etc. it's also a borderline poly relationship dynamic between reader and matt and chris [not incestual obviously] but if that bothers you, then this fic is not for you.

divider credits : @strangergraphics

[leighlew3]

So...

I know a lot of people out there are feeling lost, helpless, hopeless, and especially perhaps the younger crowd wonders: what now? As someone who has taken hit after hit after hit of trauma, abuse, homelessness, suffering, struggle, loss, illness, etc in my life that at times seems never ending... dealing with perpetual trauma and finding hope in the face of devastation is uhhh sorta my specialty.

*dorky wink and finger guns*

So, first of all on my end let me explain my plans, and then get into the 'why' and what else I plan to do and how I think we all need to tackle these coming days, weeks, months and sadly -- years.

For mental health reasons on the heels of still struggling with my grief and what sadly has become chronic health issues, I'm probably going to spend the foreseeable future hyper-focused on writing, fictional ships, planning my next tattoo, the WNBA free agency, the end of the current NFL season, and doing everything humanly possible to boost my immune system for what will inevitably be the next pandemic/plague that this administration will laugh at as Americans drop dead again because "sCiEncE iSnT rEaL".

And I advise others to find what will help them survive as well.

Here's the thing though: "give up" is not in my DNA. Nor is burying my head and hiding out away from "anything negative", because that's a hella privileged position to take, and I'm not about that life.

So, I will be signing all the petitions possible, making calls to reps who actually have proven they care, protesting when possible, sharing important info on social media, volunteering, etc as well.

Which brings me to the point here: don't give up. Do what you can. But also... recognize your humanity and limitations whether they be financial, physical, psychological or otherwise. Because sacrificing your own sanity and health isn't going to help anybody. And then we're down one less soldier in this battle for the greater good.

IF there's another election in four years (never in my lifetime did I think that would even be a question), we will have a lot of rebuilding to do regarding lost progress. We need to be ready.

In the meantime, dive into something productive and/or comforting for your own life that keeps you fulfilled but also be ready and willing to do what you can help those around you, at key moments. It's that whole "put on your oxygen mask first when the plane is going down" thing. You can't help a damn soul if you can't even breathe.

Be kind to the people you love. Tell them you love them daily. Connect with like-minded individuals. Protect and defend our most vulnerable wherever possible (the disabled, marginalized communities, fellow women/girls, etc). Hug your pets and if you don't have any, consider adopting a rescue.

Vote in the 2026 midterms. Volunteer at or donate to your local women's shelters, homeless shelters, racial justice organizations, LGBTQ+ organizations, animal rescues, environmental organizations, nursing homes for the elderly, etc.

We have to find the balance between self-care for ourselves and making our own lives tolerable amidst this bs, especially any of us who belong to one or more of the above groups -- while also plugging in to help others and the community as a whole, as needed.

And trust me, it will be needed. More than ever.

You're not alone. Even if IRL you feel like you're the only person in your family or circle who hasn't 'drank the Kool Aid' and lost all sense of reason or basic human empathy.

If you're reading this right now -- please take a second to take some deep breaths, step away, and start setting both short-term and long-term goals for yourself and your life that will help you moving forward so you can continue to fight for yourself, and for us all.

Please remember, we're in this together.

I'm with you. 💜

[malk1ns]

Tbh I would love to be a fly on the wall to hear exactly what the Pens were promising Geno. Maybe even bringing Mario in to assure, reassure, and re-reassure Geno's people that Sidney is 100% an untouched virgin.

Anything to get Geno's breeding rights of course

of course!!!

Zhenya sighs as he drags his cursor over the screen, copying the email text and pasting it into the translation software he sprung for a few years ago.

He can speak English just fine. Has to, after all the people he's dealt with. Reading and writing, though, is an entirely different beast, and one he's not all that interested in dedicating much time to.

He just wishes the Penguins would bother to translate their little notes before sending them along.

Technically, they're not supposed to be sending him communications on the side at all. Zhenya's agent was very clear about that up front, when the Penguins front office first reached out—if Zhenya were to consider uprooting his entire life all for one omega, even one as exceptional as Sidney Crosby, everything was to be negotiated above-board and by the book. That means running everything through layers and layers of legal channels before anything gets decided.

Zhenya doesn't have much patience for that. He has hockey to play and other appointments to keep, and this whole hypothetical could drag out for years.

It appears that Mario Lemieux feels the same. He'd started emailing Zhenya on the side as soon as Zhenya's agent indicated he was interested in exploring the opportunity, straight from his personal email account. Sometimes he'll loop in other high-ups within the Penguins organization, but frequently it's just him, sharing footage of Crosby and tantalizing little details that are obviously couched to pique Zhenya's interest.

It bothers him that it works. Crosby is beautiful, of course, with big eyes and a plush red mouth and the ability to put together places on the ice that seems almost otherworldly, but Zhenya likes to think of himself as a professional, not one to have his head turned by an omega more than a decade his junior.

Mario, as an alpha himself, would know exactly how to push Zhenya's buttons. Zhenya would resent the consistent reminders that in the end we're all no more than our instincts, but he has to admire the persistence.

Today's letter, it appears, is about Crosby's experience. Zhenya had responded to Mario's last email with a crude sex joke, one that was frankly below him, but he'd been on his way to an appointment with a particularly well-paying omega, so he'd been bricked up and horny for days in preparation.

Sidney is no virgin, he'll be the first to tell you that, Mario's response starts. He's perhaps less proper than some of the European omegas you're accustomed to; you must understand that he's been through a lot in his career, ever since he was a little boy, and he's used to standing up for himself. He's enjoyed a robust social life since he's been in Pittsburgh— Zhenya snorts —and he's not ashamed of it. Nor should he be. If that's a deal-breaker, you should let your agent know now, because we have no intention of hiding that from you.

Zhenya raises an eyebrow. It might just be the translation software, but this is a slightly more defensive tone than he'd expect Mario Lemieux to take over a team asset. Then again, there was a rumor that Crosby spent time living with Mario's family when he first entered the league—perhaps there's some fondness there beyond what a team owner feels for a high-performing player.

One thing I can promise, though, is that Sidney has never been with an alpha. This has been something that was worked into his contract since his days in junior, and he's always been diligent. He avoids being around alphas when he's cycling, including me—and he's a son to me, there's no risk there. He takes that element of his chastity very seriously. I can assure you that when it comes to alphas, Sidney is entirely unspoiled. He would be yours first, and potentially for longer if things work out.

Both of Zhenya's eyebrows go up at that. It's true that omegas in Russia are generally expected to behave in the traditional fashion—demure, modest, chaste. Zhenya grew up believing that too. But he's a grown man now, he's traveled the continent and been to all sorts of cosmopolitan places and met all sorts of sophisticated people; it didn't take long for him to realize that an omega's worth doesn't necessarily lie in how virginal they've kept themselves.

Sidney Crosby is special, though. Zhenya's watched enough of his footage to know that. Any get of theirs would be extraordinary. And the idea of being the first to have Crosby that way, the first to awaken his instincts like only an alpha can in an omega...it's more tempting than it should be, considering how long Zhenya's been doing this.

He doesn't bother reading the rest of Mario's email. Instead, he sends a note to his agent requesting an update on the negotiations with Pittsburgh, as well as a copy of his current contract with Metallurg. He wants to take a look at the termination clause, so he's ready when the time comes.

He wants to go to Pittsburgh.

[da2supremacy]

Davrin is in it for the long haul while Sulanni is allergic to the concept of marriage however the trick is that you just can't call it a wedding or a marriage. She wants to BE married without GETTING married. They're signing papers for tax purposes. It's about assets. Clearly. Teia gets very into organizing it but it's all for naught in the end bc Sulanni would rather elope. Viago is one of the witnesses at the courthouse and he does cry. They'll go out to eat or something with The Veilguard and their respective family stand ins. They may have a quieter ceremony between the two of them with some of the Dalish customs they remember from their clans. Sulanni was separated from hers young and doesn't remember much so Davrin would have to take the lead here. But feelings are private, you know? For all the fussing about not wanting to tie herself down she is asking Davrin what color their kid's bedroom should be like a week later.

I don't believe polygamy is legal in Thedas so Thistle does not have any marriage dreams. Neve doesn't seem like the type to really desire a wedding or a marriage even for Lucanis's sick First Talon assets. It's not like Lucanis and Thistle aren't showering her in expensive gifts anyway. The Mourn Watch is an elite group of Mortalitasi in the country that's basically ran by the Mortalitasi so it's not like Thistle is strapped for cash either. If there was to be a marriage between two of the three of them I imagine it would be between Lucanis and Thistle because they made a precious little accident together in which case it will be a dramatic shitshow no matter what.

It's a shotgun wedding. She is an elf and a mage. Neve, the Tevinter Mage, plays the role of the maid of honor and purposely wears red to make sure everyone knows she's sleeping with the groom (and the bride). Thistle's getting handed off to her groom by Vorgoth wearing the most goth ensemble devised by man. So much black lace. Widow's veil. The whole nine yards. Without a care in the world for whether or not she's visibly pregnant too. The bride's side of the aisle is just The Veilguard, a portrait of Varric in it's own chair, Myrna and a bunch of skulls embodying Spirits like Keepsake and Curio. Bellara cries. Emmrich thinks there should be more skulls. Taash is mostly concerned with when the food is going to come out. Davrin dances with Assan at the reception. Illario does something to embarrass himself. The dramatic Antivans EAT. THIS. UP. Waiting to see how Caterina finally cracks. Viago wants to be literally anywhere else but Teia is having the time of her life. Teia planned the whole thing after Thistle reccomended the Necropolis as a location. The wedding is in Treviso. Catarina will spend the rest of her life trying to get that great grand child in increasingly more absurd schemes. Thistle doesn't notice a single contract on her life like the baby crawling across the road in a cartoon as traffic is obliterated around them. Lucanis is going gray early from obliterating all of that traffic.

This would never happen if it was Neve because Neve would simply put Thistle on the birth certificate. Thistle is the father in the eyes of the law. She's fine with this. She's going to be such a good father to this baby. Lucanis is probably less fine with it but I think he'd break before Neve does. Either way, Neve would never be dumb enough to let Caterina know she had a great grandchild. This is just two women co-raising a child and regularly sleeping with your grandson, ma'am. No relation.

Meinrad and Emmrich would be the only ones to have a relatively normal wedding. Meinrad asks pretty much as soon as the gods are dead. They aren't sure what their blighted blood means about their lifespan anymore but they do not have time to waste. Meinrad is a very simple Andrastian child and so they defer to Emmrich's wishes for specifics. Meinrad takes Emmrich's surname in a quiet ceremony at the Necropolis. They have one witness each at the ceremony and a larger reception. Emmrich's guests are more plentiful, having had a long career and many acquaintances. Mienrad tends to keep to themself, they lost contact with their family during the events of their conscription and many of their friends died at Weisshaupt so they don't have a lot of guests from their past to choose from. But! They made so many friends during all of this. Antione and Evka are invited for sure. I think they'd invite the other faction leaders like Teia, Vigao, Strife, and Irelin. It's not a party without Isabela and I think they kind of liked Rowen. Flynn from Lavendel, Chance and Jacobus from Treviso. Stalgard and his sister. The various Veiljumpers whose hides they saved in Arlathan. The nug. There is space set aside for a portrait of Varric, Harding and Meinrad's sister.

Meinrad wears a dress. They always wanted too. A beaded one with a long train. It is a ridiculous, indulgent thing that just trails the Necropolis' sand everywhere and they are so, so happy in it. Emmrich is elated to see as much He probably got a matching ostentatious suit. Vorgoth officiates. Meinrad wasn't sure what they were expecting but the Wedding Skull isn't so bad. The rings exchanged are just the begining of Emmrich decking them out in all that golden glam for the rest of their very happy lives together.

Hey, hope you all had a good weekend! Unfortunately, it’s Monday =/ Fortunately, it’s time for Rook Intro Hour! 🍀🌺🌼🌸

How it works: I ask you a question about your Rook(s) and you answer it with as much brevity or verbosity as you desire. You can do this whenever you want, and I’ll reblog it + add some comments! There’s no time limit— if you want to do the older ones, they are collected here! (The post is updated on Fridays!)

Today’s Question(s): Does your Rook want to get married to their LI(s)? Do they care about where? Is there a specific tradition/traditions they want to follow, when they do? Who would they invite? What would they wear?

Have fun & thanks for sharing!

[farthest-harbor]

Please infodump about the Nick headcanons :3

I have more!

Nick always wanted to be a dad. He dreamed about it with Jenny, imagining raising a child with her. When he lost her, he gave up on that dream and figured it wasn't for him. With the action-filled life he leads, it would be tough to have a family anyways. But if you decide to adopt synth Shaun, Nick will immediately step in as a dad figure. He will teach Shaun life skills, take him on adventures, read to him, show him how to repair gadgets, and play with him. You will see a very sweet side of Nick you never knew before. Shaun will make him feel young again.

Nick is torn between being a city guy and a country guy. Obviously his work keeps him in the city and he's got excellent street smarts, but when you take him with you to places that are more peaceful, like Sanctuary or Acadia, you watch him relax into the tranquility of nature. He loves a good view, and since he doesn't need to sleep, he likes to watch sunrises and sunsets while enjoying a smoke. Sometimes he misses the sounds of birdsong from before the war.

He isn't much of a singer, but sometimes you can catch him humming softly along to something on the radio, usually Billie Holiday. His voice is low, warm, and rich, and mostly in-tune. If you like to sing along to the radio, he will listen adoringly, even if you're tone deaf. He badly misses the times when music was easier to come by, when almost every house had a turntable and a record collection. There's so many half-remembered favorite songs floating around in his head from the old days that he'd love to reminisce about with another person who remembers prewar times.

He hates the Silver Shroud show with a passion, thinks it's corny and juvenile, and is terribly embarrassed if you take on the Shroud's voice and mannerisms when you take up the role. He will visibly cringe if you do the voice and will probably make fun of you about it later. Despite this, he still likes Kent Conolly, for reasons he can't entirely explain, but he does think Kent has terrible taste.

Nick likes both cats and dogs but is more of a cat person. He's reserved, independent, and intelligent, and enjoys those same qualities in a pet. But Ellie would never allow a cat in the agency, it's enough of a struggle already to keep it organized, so if the two of you adopt a cat, it will probably live at Home Plate or wherever your home is.

He's kinda old-fashioned about relationships. If you're together long enough, he will probably propose, unless you do it first. He will try to scrounge up a ring for you somehow, either make one himself or scavenge one from an abandoned house. He would want a quiet, private ceremony with just the two of you, maybe a couple close friends, just to make it feel official. While marriage doesn't mean anything from a legal standpoint in the postwar world, it just feels right to his prewar sensibilities. A ceremonial proof of his love and commitment to you. He'd probably want to have the ceremony somewhere tranquil and pretty, maybe near Sanctuary, but would be happy to marry you in the Diamond City chapel if you asked, or anywhere else of your choosing.

Nick is entranced by the ocean. I think he only saw it for the first time when prewar Nick moved from Chicago to Boston. It felt impossibly huge, beautiful and powerful. He couldn't get enough of it. He has a bit of a reckoning on the boat ride to Far Harbor, though, when he experiences firsthand how violent, cold, and cruel the ocean can be. It rattles him a little. Still, whenever you're by the ocean, you'll catch him staring thoughtfully out at the breaking waves and the distant horizon. He just can't seem to look away.

These were fun, thanks for asking! Feel free to ask again anytime :)

[curiosity-killed]

curio's chaotic guide to corralling brain squirrels ✨for Capitalism✨

obligatory disclaimer: my only qualifications are having lived with Cocaine Squirrels In My Brain for my entire life and getting the fun experience of people regularly telling me "you can't have adhd, you're too organized/successful/put together" meanwhile i am regularly held captive by my brain zooming through deep dives on cicada facts at 1 AM on a work night

first off, the general overarching bits:

Come in at 70%. I tell this to literally everyone and am stealing it from my sister, but basically—don't come into your job at 100%. That 100% will be taken for granted by you and your coworkers and become the expectation, meaning when you have a day where the brain is holding you hostage or you're tired or hungover or for whatever other reason can only give 50%, it will be a crisis. Come in at 70%, so 50% isn't a huge deal and you can whip out the 100% for some special sparkle times.

Embrace the good bits. look, lbr. cocaine squirrels are not a great time, generally speaking, in a corporate 9-to-5 space. BUT sometimes there are perks. for instance, I am the person you want in a (corporate) emergency because the right pressure (and coffee and high BPM music) makes the squirrels band together and pull some damn good shit off in crunch time. whatever quirk you feel you can leverage, do it.

okay now more squirrel-corralling thoughts (am I doing this instead of my actual job? obviously.)

build a system of systems

okay i know if I say anything about a planner or to-do list, I will be shot on sight but. well. this is about planners and to do lists

I am a chronically aspirational planner user. I love the concept of planners. love to have such a tidy and organized way of going about life. And I can use planners—for about 1-3 months at a time, max.

what I've found works best for me is to have kind of a rotation of task tracking systems: sometimes my planner*, sometimes sticky notes plastered across my desk/wall, sometimes color-coded to do lists in an actual notebook, sometimes color-coded to do lists in my dry erase notebook, sometimes notes on my computer.

I don't think it super matters what you use so much as it matters to have things in place that you can swap to when your brain stops liking the one you're using

*this isn't an ad but I rlly like the Rocketbook planner specifically because it doesn't have a timeframe, so you don't have to worry about "wasting" it during the months you're not using it. just wipe it down and start fresh whenever it's back to being useful

agree to slightly more than you should (but watch out!)

if i have a normal workload, the effort it takes to make myself Do The Thing goes up by about 50% with a negative relationship to the quantity of work. ergo I am best off if I am just slightly overutilized—if I have about 9 hours of work to do rather than 8. That doesn't mean I always work a 9 hour day (because the squirrels and I fucking hate that) but it means there's just a little additional pressure to help make it easier for my brain to, y'know, execute.

THAT SAID, it is really easy to fuck this up. don't be like me and wind up basically doing an entire contract solo (that was supposed to be a 9-person team)!!! it's bad!

mostly i think this is trial and error, so figuring out the right balance for yourself will take getting it wrong some of the time.

the squirrels crave that novelty

this is also related to the first point, but I've found I get more done if I let myself bounce between projects/tasks more than probably makes sense to people who aren't possessed by manic rodents in their brain.

I try to break down tasks in a way that lets me cross something off (dopamine! or. something??) and lets me skip over to something different/novel as a break (e.g., today I need to copy edit a bunch, draft some appendices for a different project, and create an autopopulating tab for an internal project—so I copy edited one whole section, skipped over to the appendices to get a first pass down, hopped back to the next section of copy editing, and then switched to the internal project).

too much of this can feel like playing pinball with your brain, but giving myself the option to switch out into something different helps keep me from getting into the Dreaded Tedium Stage of things

flexibility and structure

this is going to depend some on your work structure, but use what flexibility you can. My work offers a flex schedule, meaning I can take a four hour break in the day as long as I make those hours up somewhere else. I don't. necessarily recommend?? taking a 4 hour break BUT sometimes the squirrels unionize and demand I vacuum the living room, and trying to ignore it and work will be infinitely slower and more exhausting than if I just get up and vacuum and then get back to work. other times, the squirrels stage a sit-in protest and i am stuck scrolling tumblr aimlessly or re-reading fanfic for no reason and then at 8 PM they decide they actually are willing to do The One Goddamn Task i absolutely must do.

it sucks and I genuinely really hate this part of ADHD, but the best option I've found is to sometimes let them win in the moment and come back to the challenge/ask at a better time (for instance, my energy/focus tends to be worst in the afternoon and much better in the evening, so it's easier for me to get something done in the evening than fighting squirrels all afternoon).

...and on the flipside, where you can impose some self-made structure, it can also help get the squirrels in line. calendar holds (i.e., putting an event on your calendar that's just for a task/project and turning on do not disturb for notifications) can help with this if you're able to stick with them (ime this is a skill that has to be built and practiced), organizing things by 'must do' vs 'quick wins' can help, etc. as with everything, it's a process, but finding a balance between where you can flex and where you can lean on structure to help you along has been beneficial to me

anyway idk if any of this is new or helpful but my personal squirrels have been sated and i do. unfortunately. actually need to work now kbye

[ginho001]

YAYYYYY I LOVE ALL OF YOUR INHUN HEADCANONS 🤍🤍🤍🤍 I especially love reading the cute traits and habits they have. And of course the omegaverse 👀 is a big treat, I loved it a whole lot thank youuuu. Hell yes to the gihussy and 💦

Now talk to me about how they feel about each other, how they act when they're together, date ideas, things they love doing for each other, and... sexytimes 👀

anon ur lowk my best friend. i'll share my personal hcs below, but before I just wanna plug this fic that in my mind is the closest manifestation to how I believe the two would interact. this author is amazing and every fic they've written for 457 is ART and if you're looking for a great read, this is it pookie ong ong

ANYWAYS ok ok lemme spit (go read it tho if you haven't already on GOD)

starting off with gi-hun, in my mind he's very demure when it comes to the relationship. behind closed doors he likes the domesticity, physicality and romantic gestures. REASONING BEING: i firmly believe gi-hun never would have married if not for societal and familial pressure, now whether or not its bc he's gay or not (i'm personally on the fence abt that) is up to y'alls discretion. but back to the original point: he had a very idealized view of marriage until he actually got married, and something broke inside him when his marriage failed, and in-ho knows that to some degree. I imagine on valentines or some other holiday, they're just sitting in the bedroom together in the dark, and gi-hun quietly divulges he used to do big romantic gestures like this with his wife, even when he didn't have a lot to offer until things got bad in the end, and it makes him SO tender and sensitive in private, let alone in public. HOWEVER i believe this only applies to gi-hun in korea. When they go on vacation or end up going to the US, he's much more comfortable with hand holding and displaying his ring on his finger instead of keeping it on a chain around his neck like he did in korea. THAT BEING SAID. he loves in-ho. in a deeper way than he loved his wife, and he knows it. the trust is deeper, and he's true to himself, which is something that he could never do before without being shamed for how pitiful he was. in-ho accepts him in that pitifulness an out and he loves him for it. the attraction to how handsome he is and his cute little mannerisms come after.

HOLY FUCK THAT WAS LONG WINDED SORRY

on the smaller side, gi-hun really likes in-ho's hair. i think he misses when his was longer, so he's always mussing it up with his fingers.

when not in peril, gi-hun (surprisingly) loves when in-ho makes his shitty dad jokes. he likes that he can laugh with him, feels freer when he does. he knows that between them there is nothing pre-conceived, they know the worst of each other, and gi-hun looks forward to the times coming where they learn the best.

gi-hun can't cook for shit, so he splurges on expensive pastries sometimes, as he learns in-ho has a sweet tooth.

like i was talking about previous, in korea their dates aren't elaborate, they are just colleagues or friends going out to dinner, celebrating something or other with drinks. however when they head to Thailand or the US or wherever else they decide, they do old men shit. sorry, still not that elaborate. they just go on strolls, go sight-seeing, birdwatching, etc. occasionally they get gussied up in purdy suits and go into high rise sugar daddy restaurants, but primarily they are doing old man shit outside of when they are fucking. they smooch and hold hands gayly tho ofc

because i am a generic loser, i side with the "in-ho is obsessed w gi-hun" camp bc a) its true and b) its true so.

i think in-ho's obsession to some degree is fueled by his guilt. we know from HDH he still has some belief deep down that gi-hun is right, and hopes he can prove him wrong in the long run. Thus, his obsession comes from watching every micro-fucking-movement he makes and hyper analyzing like a doofus. he doesn't realize until there's a little bit of separation that there was actually a decent chunk of his hyperfixation that was actually just into him lowkey. gi-hun is different from his late wife in nearly every way save the fucking. stubbornness. hard angles and naivety, but beautiful in his humanity, something in-ho lost when his wife died. he falls in love because gi-hun has enough humanity for both of them, in spite of everything. he brings him back to the simple, past the whiskey and jazz in his sterile habitat back to the noise, something he didn't know he missed.

in-ho likes doing romantic things. bouquets, expensive cufflinks, decorating the kitchen with shitty streamers on holidays, bringing breakfast in bed. at first gi-hun was very "no, no, you don't have to" but when in-ho genuinely, unironically pitches a fit about it when gi-hun carries his breakfast in bed to the kitchen to eat at the table, gi-hun lets him. if he's not bringing him breakfast in bed he's making gi-hun a plate but feeding him off of his.

UHHHH NSFW BELOW THE CUT

these 2 have surprisingly high libidos for their age, and this is not to feed my say gex bias guys trust, its because when they r finally away from the games, their bodies aren't in survival mode and r like "oh i can fuck now" so they r getting it on like at the very, VERY least twice a week.

i am a bottom gi-hun truther. i personally don't see in-ho being willing to offer himself sexually in that way (as in reamed in the ass), which works out well for them because gi-hun gets a lot more out of it bottoming, aka the vulnerability and closeness. he likes when in-ho is right in his face during missionary, sweating and chewing on his lip because at first he is so, so scared of hurting him. they eventually figure out their groove, and gi-hun comes to find out in-ho has a spit-thing. at first he thinks it's a biting kink, but then it starts getting into spit as lube territory, or just sucking all on his neck not even to leave marks necessarily, just to see the sheen on his skin. gi-hun is less embarrassed about the times he accidentally drools thanks to that

they don't be going crazy in any positions bc old men, and in-ho's shoulder is probably fucked up from getting shot, so they're pretty generic. it takes them a wile to figure out gi-hun is flexible for no fucking reason. just one night they fucking missionary, in-ho grabs the thighs, overbalances and BOOM gi-hun's knees are bracketing his fucking head like no problem. ended up being a wobbly-leg kinda night for the both of em

gi-hun is a talker during sex. he's always asking if in-ho feels good, exclaiming his own satisfaction, etc etc. in-ho talks too, but sparingly because he doesn't want to lose control and start grunting and huffing like a wild animal. it still happens every so often though, because c'mon who wouldn't lose their shit if all the sudden you find out you can basically bend your hubby like a pretzel.

sometimes though they'll be tired as fuck but still have a libido, those times they just kinda spoon and hump, not really worried about the mess so much. those are the nights they'll talk real affectionate to eachother, and fiddle with their rings after bc they are married idc what u say.

OK MAYBE i'll share some abo stuff later as bonus, but this is already SO MUCH LONGER than i meant it to be so I will bid y'all adieu.