#but what an episode! it's starting to brew it's starting to boil

[keungking]

me when i join a fandom and suddenly have to watch the new episode on the night of release for the first time in forever to not get it spoiled

[whateverisbeautiful]

♥️ Ranking Richonne

#20: I Don't Have A Problem (S3E12)

Clear. 🤩 One of The Walking Dead's best episodes for many reasons, but especially for the beautiful seeds it planted between Rick and Michonne. The fence is where their lives became interlocked, and Clear is the start of where their hearts became interlocked. And in this scene right here, Richonne became absolutely inevitable...

This whole episode is something special, and I love Rick and Michonne's every interaction, with an honorable mention to their “the mat said welcome” scene. 😋 From the moment they met, these two had some romantic tension brewing, and it nearly boils over in this scene that just had to make the top 20.

Rick has brought Carl on his first run and decided to bring Michonne along to help and to see what she’s about. It'll forever be telling to me that Rick felt comfortable enough to have Michonne on this run alone with him and his kid.

Despite some arguing that Rick was strictly skeptical of Michonne during this era of their relationship, I think the fact that he brought her out here to his former neighborhood and then, even more, let Michonne go out unsupervised on a crib run with Carl showed that there was some level of trust here that I don't think Rick would give to just anybody. Like while Rick initially tried to fight how drawn he was to Michonne in season 3, his behavior with her still painted a clear picture that to him...

And Michonne shows both Rick and Carl just how special she is and proves that she’s the real deal in all aspects throughout the episode. Especially in this scene here. 

So what I love about this scene is that in a moment where Rick is feeling visibly frustrated and disappointed, Michonne’s regal calm spirit practically tames his defensive energy. He asks if she has a problem with the new approach they have to take, despite her showing no signs of having an issue. And Rick asking this will just always make me amused because no one got him hot and bothered quite like Michonne just existing.

Like she was silent for a literal second, but that was enough to evoke a reaction from him. And Andy, to me, found the perfect way to ask where it was defensive without sounding overtly challenging or particularly offputting.

And then Danai just makes all the right choices in this scene cuz Michonne knows that she doesn’t need to match that testy energy. Instead, she turns slowly and looks right at Rick and sets the tone by gently saying, “No Rick, I don’t have a problem.” 👏🏽👑

Something about even just her saying his name has some weight to it. And I love that this is the approach she takes. This is genuinely me every time I hear Michonne perfectly deliver that line...

Michonne had been a bit quieter and apart from the group prior, and this line is her elegant offering to let Rick know she isn’t his opponent and wants to help - that she isn’t a problem and doesn’t have a problem, not with his approach, or just doesn’t have a problem in general that he has to worry about.

And then to make that verbal offering of her alliance even more physical, Michonne hands Rick the lone bullet she picked up. Rick takes it and the way they focus on their hands again feels like it’s an important exchange. It’s like their first peace offering. And it’s one of the first of many things Michonne and Rick will hand each other, including a very special pack of mints that parallels this scene a bit. 😊

I love that Carl is visible in this scene and noting this exchange between his dad and the woman who will become his mom and his best friend. Carl knew something was up here and that something was different about this. He was still skeptical of Michonne at this point, but I think it was at this moment he began to tell that Michonne has some sort of unique impact on his dad. 

This scene is also special because this is Rick in the freshest stage of being a single dad. He has to raise his son, who went through the trauma of having to put down his mom, and he also has a newborn to take care of, who he knows is actually Lori and Shane’s baby. And he has to deal with all this madness with the Governor. The weight of the world was on Rick's shoulders, and you see him really frustrated that the lack of guns at the station is yet another L. But Michonne is just so calm about it which is the energy he truly needs in his life. 

She just asked if there’s a new solution cuz she only envisions winning. Even just when hearing Rick earlier explain how he was the police in this small town and there are other places to check and all that you can tell that he’s used to being second-guessed and challenged by people, and having to prove himself...But Michonne isn’t other people. She gets him, and she’s not rattled by their situation, so he doesn’t have to prove himself.

I also love how, even as they speak, it’s tense but not harsh. There’s just always this passion pulsating between them, even as strangers.

There’s so much power in the fact that Michonne wasn’t hostile back, but rather calm, collected, and compassionate. The way she looks at him here just says she sees Rick in a deeper way than most. Even that early in their relationship, she understood him.

So even with Rick bugging out, it doesn’t intimidate her or put her off, Michonne gets it and she handles it beautifully. If Rick and Carl didn’t know they were rocking with a queen before then, they knew now.

And y’all, I know Rick knew they were with someone special because of his reaction after this exchange.

Rick’s reaction to Michonne after she hands him the bullet and looks right in his eyes with that soft knowing expression before walking away is the cherry on top of this golden scene because homeboy looks like he’s been fully enchanted. Like Rick's whole energy is giving...

Rick pockets the bullet and takes a whole moment to collect himself after the way Michonne looked at him. His look up to the sky was a 'dang, can Lori see me falling for another woman in just a few short days?' look. #DirectMindQuote 😂

Rick and Michonne felt a spark right then and there. I know it. And no characters would have an exchange like this unless it was a seed toward something romantic growing. 

Even deeper than that, I love that this moment was an insight into so much of what makes Rick and Michonne's relationship special. They can speak to each other and reach each other in any state. They can be a calming presence. They can enchant each other. They are so clearly the exact type of person the other needs in their life. They have such a unique and positive influence on each other, and this was the beginning of many moments that show that. 

I love that it was this moment that had even Danai wondering if Rick and Michonne were endgame and that it was then confirmed that for Gimple, Richonne really was in the works during this episode. I mean after an exchange like this, the road to Rick and Michonne falling in love was pretty much guaranteed. 

So I love seeing Rick and Michonne in this early stage, especially knowing they will go on to become beloved family to each other in the fullest sense. #Husband&Wife 😌

[lizzyscribbles]

Okay, kinda shocked by the positivity on the last post. 😅 So I guess here we go again??

Today’s MHA thought: Katsuki Bakugo (or Bakugo Katsuki, whichever tickles your fancy) and why I think he’s an incredible character despite hating him in the beginning.

Some context: I was a teenager when the anime came out, so the only thing I knew of him was what we were given there. So like, seasons 1-4 my hatred for him was STRONG. It let up a little at the end of 3 with his and Izuku’s fight, and again with the class a/class b fight in 5, but it wasn’t until I put the series down for a few years then came back this as an adult in April and binged the entire series before 7 started airing that I really started to love him as a character.

Now, there’s a few reasons for this, but a lot of it boils down to this: He has NO REASON to be an asshole.

As far as we know, he has good parents, had a mostly-healthy home life, and doesn’t start being actively traumatized till he joins UA. He’s just genuinely a bad person at the start, like he literally tells Izuku to go take a swan dive off a roof AND HE HAS NO EXCUSES. (Side note, not saying being traumatized gives you the excuse to say these things. NO ONE has an excuse to say this no matter what they’ve been through). He had no past trauma to explain that response, no real good reasoning behind it other than he’s just being mean. We learn later it’s because Izuku made him feel inferior and he didn’t know why, which makes perfect sense and we see the evidence of this long before it’s said, but that doesn’t make it any better.

But that’s the beauty of it, for once this asshole-ery wasn’t born of trauma it just kind of…happened. He’s almost like All for One and Endeavor in that neither really had a good reason to be mean, they just got so wrapped up in themselves that they lost sight of everything else. However, that’s why I love Bakugo’s arc because it’s so satisfying to see him slowly come to that realization himself and change even though he really doesn’t have to. (It also begs the question why Endeavor and Bakugo and really any of the villains are seen in such different lights despite having similar stories, which is a theory for another day that I have brewing).

His change wasn’t necessitated by abusive past that held him back like Todoroki or even having to figure out how to manage a new quirk like Izuku, because say what you will he is SMART and he is TALENTED and he was doing great on his own. He could’ve climbed his way to the top without having a good personality, I mean just look at Endeavor. But he saw Izuku, his classmates, his FRIENDS and realized that wasn’t what he wanted.

And it all culminates in the end of season six when the class goes to retrieve him, instead of rushing to Izuku to yell his apology, he sends Iida after him because Iida is built for speed (these two/three episodes are my favorite part in the entire damn series and I’ll probably make a whole post about them eventually). But then, after that, he genuinely apologizes. He recognizes what he did was wrong, and what gets me about the dub of this episode is the way they chose to phrase the line:

“Saying this out loud doesn’t change a thing”.

He KNOWS that apologizing doesn’t make it okay, and he accepts that Izuku may never forgive him, but he does it anyway, and that’s how you know he really meant it. We see his convictions through the whole series, that boy doesn’t say anything he doesn’t mean. But it doesn’t stop there, he goes on to prove it with his actions, starting by calling Izuku by his real name, and his first name at that.

And in all of that, we still don’t lose his personality. He’s still loud, brash, mean, a bit of an asshole, and determined to be the best, but instead of looking down on Izuku, he sees him as an equal...an actual friend, someone to race against so they can both be better. It’s no longer all about him, he’s learned to see the world through a different lens, one we see him create during the entire series. He has truly changed in a way that feels natural and authentic to him as a character, and that’s something you don’t see every day.

And, we can see in the end, he continues to think about others, striving not for the top, but for Izuku’s happiness, and I think that’s beautiful.

I have so much more I could say about this, but I’m gonna stop here because this post is long as hell already, but if anyone is curious about anything don’t be afraid to ask, I’m an open book!😄

[xcherrypie]

Lazy days

Summary: Sundays are for relaxing, and Sam wants to make sure that relax is exactly what you do.

Words: 1k

You smile to yourself at the feeling of Sams warm breath tickling the hairs on the back of your neck, his fingers laying gently over your stomach. As you try wriggle out of his grasp it’s evident that despite his deep sleep he doesn’t want his girl going anywhere. “Sam” you groan, “I want a brew” in saying so you move his arm off from around you and make your way downstairs to the kitchen, fully aware your boyfriend would be down to follow you any second, like a little lost puppy.

You were right, not even seconds into the kettle boiling you screech as Sam snakes his bare arms around you, lifting you into the air, spinning you around. “Put me down Samuel” you laugh, attempting to sound stern but failing miserably. “Alright” he smirks, placing you on the kitchen counter, instantly positioning himself between your legs. Before you could even look up at Sam, his lips gently crashed Into yours, he tasted so sweet and as you melted into the kiss your fingers found his hair. He smirked as he placed loose kisses on your lips, that left you wanting more. His right hand cupped your face as his left hand gripped your waist, pulling you in closer to him resulting in there being no space left between you.

The kettle boiled and Sam pulled away from you, resting his hand on your sides. “I’ll have two sugars in mine love” he winks, turning to walk away into the living room. “Your a dickhead” you pout, jumping from the counter, watching Sam walk off. He absolutely loved teasing you, he’d always cave in eventually of course, he couldn’t resist you himself. But there was just something he loved so much about you being so desperate for him that he can’t help himself.

After a shared breakfast on the sofa and three episodes of reality TV you’d come to the collective decision to carry on the day as you’d started; doing absolutely nothing. Sam was obviously delighted with this decision as it meant he could spend all day on his little wind up mission that he’d started back in the kitchen that morning. However little did he know it wouldn’t last as long as he’d hoped, especially after you’d arrived back downstairs from a quick shower in nothing but one of his shirts.

“What?” You question in response to Sam raising both eyebrows at you. “You know what” he sighs back. He was right, you knew exactly why he was looking at you with such lust and would be lying if you said you hadn’t chose such an outfit on purpose. Sam found you attractive in whatever you wore but due to your significant height difference whenever you wore anything of his he’d just melt.

As you selected a new episode of your show Sam placed his head in your lap, a move so subtle even you was unsure if he was doing it on purpose. All morning your need for Sam had been growing and growing and was starting to get too much, especially as he moved his head over your crotch, you felt the need for him to be even closer.

“Sam” you murmur. “Hmm” he responds whilst his fingers trace along your bare thighs. “I need you” you practically whisper, as if your not the only two people in the house. Sam didn’t say anything, just continued drawing circles over your now achy legs, each time getting closer to your core. As your breath hitched and you open your mouth to ask for him a second time, his gentle touches turned into gentle kisses. Kisses that alone were creating a wet mess under the cotten shirt you wore. He positioned himself so he could kiss further up your body, making sure he didn’t leave an inch of your skin, his hand cupped your breasts and his nibbled and sucked at your neck, causing whines to escape your lips. He stopped suddenly, looking straight into your eyes, almost inviting you to beg for him again. “ Please Sam” you whine causing a mischievous smirk to spread across his lip. “Seeing as you asked so nicely” he hums back, already spreading kisses back down your body.

Your body relaxed as you threw your head back, each kiss against your skin creating more heat between your legs. Sam eventually made his way back down to your thighs, repositioning himself on his knees, between your legs. You anticipated yourself for more teasing, something Sam usually takes great joy in doing, however clearly the tension got too much for him at this point as in one motion he pushed the hem of the shirt over your hips and licks up your folds.

The room fills with croaky moans as your breath gets faster, you can’t take your eyes of Sam while his pink lips suck on your clit, even his breath against you causing the most pleasurable sensation, he doesn’t take his lips off you as his hands wander up to your breasts. The combination of Sam eating you out and his fingers lighting playing with and pinching your nipples creates that familiar feeling in the pit of your stomach, you were close, and Sam knew it.

“Please don’t stop” you whined your hands forming a firm grip in Sam’s hair. “Hm but you look so pretty like this y/n” he responded, looking up at you, replacing his tongue with his fingers. His fingers started pumping gently yet quickly inside of you as your legs started to shake. Using his other hand he held your shaking leg down as he hovered his lips over yours, “Let go for me baby” he mumbled into a passionate kiss, causing you to come undone simply by his words.

Your left beneath him panting while he takes his fingers from inside you, bringing them to your mouth, smiling up at him you suck on his fingers, cleaning up the mess you’d made. “Good girl” he responds placing a soft kiss on your forehead.

Notes: Hey guys! Hope everyone has had a lovely Easter 🐣 feel free to send over any requests x

[travellingwiththedead]

Ok, trying for some more coherent thoughts about iwtv s2e7 behind the read more (spoilers, obviously):

You know shit's about to go down when basically all of s1 is in the recap

Santiago the little shit is loving this. Oh Ben Daniels is so perfect.

Dang, Sam Reid, you have no right to look this good (his hair's on point, this can't actually be Louis' POV LOL xD). Also, Lestat looks so very pissed off when he comes on stage. Doesn't want to be there, indeed.

"He was as much of a captive as we were." uh-huh, sure, Jan. Come on, Louis, you don't really believe that?

And Armand can go "I couldn't prevent it" all he wants, he definitely could have prevented it at any stage before they were actually on the stage and maybe even when the play already started. He was the coven master and could have legally put Santiago down for the mutiny he was brewing, which Armand was very aware of. But he didn't.

So those theorising they'd make Lestat's first dirt nap longer to account for the time changes were right. He did really nap like 100 years before Marius dug him back up.

Oooooh Lestat /hates/ Santiago.

Santiago and vampire Sam trying way too hard to make Louis look like a predator with their little play about Louis hunting Lestat instead. Pff, boys, no one would ever buy that.

Lestat moves like a wind up toy sometimes, or maybe I'm imagining things, but once again, the acting from everyone in this episode is so, so good. Give everyone involved in this show all the awards!

Lestat tearing down that homophobic soldier is *chef's kiss* but also, if he was strong enough to get himself up there and back down so quickly, read his mind, and later get into the mind of the guy with his loneliness, how are we supposed to believe he's weak and being controlled/forced to do this play? Over all I don't see how they'll do the whole "Lestat came to beg Armand for his blood to get healed" thing with Lestat not being all that bad off, in the end.

Santiago fumbling his lines xD

I'd say with the revisited flash backs to Claudia's turning and to the fight in s1e5 the truth lies somewhere between the two accounts. Louis said the trial's retelling of Claudia's turning was more right, sure, but as with all eye witness accounts, they are never 100% true. So yeah, somewhere between the accounts lies the truth.

LOL Real Rashid's entrance there is so good. We needed something to break all that tension. Thank you, Real Rashid, I hope they don't eat you for it xD (or, you know, for being a Talamasca spy in their home...)

See, i said it, Lestat looking damn near pristine all through that fight in s1e5 was a hint. No one looks that good after crashing through walls. They fought, because rage had been simmering for 7 years and it finally boiled over. They beat each other up and Lestat went too far. Now can we finally stop having the same discourse over this thing again and again and again? (Also I just love the foresight in this show, how they showed us the dent in Louis' coffin in s1 but we only get an explanation for it in s2. Awards, for every last person working on this show, now!)

Lestat's talk about how he broke Louis: Sam Reid, the actor you are. Dang, so good.

"One more round in the stormy romance of you two!" You tell them, Claudia. Oh girl, you deserved so much better.

So was Louis aiming that cup of blood at Armand or at the wall? Because Armand definitely had to move out of the way at least a little.

I do wonder, did they make sure Madeleine was so out of it for most of the trial because they hoped she'd stay with the coven if she didn't have much of an idea what was going on? Or did they do the same thing to her as to Louis and Claudia and she was just more susceptible because she's weaker?

Her choosing Claudia again, even if it means death, is all Claudia ever wanted. Dang, these bi ladies are giving me all the feels.

Claudia telling the audience she's gonna go full on murder ghost on all their arses: iconic. Also you can't tell me Lestat didn't look proud as hell right there. That's his daughter, never going down without a fight, never giving in.

Claudia and Madeleine in the sun is so heartbreaking :( Claudia holding Madeleine like movie!Madeleine held movie!Claudia. Ladies, you deserved better. Fuck these vampires.

And Louis, in that rock filled coffin, feeling them both die :( Claudia because he can read her mind, and Madeleine because he made her. (And they helpfully labelled the fucking door so Armand will know which one to pull Louis out of when he "rescues" him.....)

Can not wait for Louis to go full on Blade on the coven's collective arses next episode.

[violence-uncut]

Distractions. ( j.m. & e.k. )

pairing: jon x eddie

warnings: m/m, smut, oral, daddy kink, blood ( small ), mentions of sex toys, shower sex

type: one-shot

words: 2,673

summary: eddie helps mox one of the only ways he knows how.

( based on the episode of dynamite/winter is coming! )

a/n: two years. . . geez im so sorry. but i've had this in my drafts forever so forgive if it's a bit rusty. hopefully another one will be posted in a few weeks. enjoy!

AEW Dynamite / Winter Is Coming! 12-2-20 - Jon Moxley vs. Kenny Omega for the AEW Championship.

It was supposed to be a clean fight. He was so stupid to think Omega would play fair. It just proves to Jon just how much of a coward this guy really is. So much for the fucking Gentleman’s agreement. He currently lays in the center of the ring, blood dripping into his eye.

Mox’s body feels like lead even though the anger made it feel like his entire being was set on fire. Despite the dazed look in his eyes, he really wanted to punch something or someone right now.

Jon could hear commotion out on the stage, hearing a certain New Yorker spit curses towards a specific man named Lance Archer. When the brawl breaks out on the stage, Jon works his way under the ropes and stumbles over to the barricade with help from officials.

He just wants to stay and wait for Eddie but he's urged to the back so the Doc could stitch him up. Once he's cleared and free to go, Jon storms off down the hall towards the locker room. He's breaking things and shoving equipment carts out of his way as he rages, a headache brewing at the base of his skull.

All Mox could think of was Callis and Kenny running from the building with his championship.

"MOTHERFUCKER!" He yells out, shoving a cart particularly hard that it topples over, spilling its contents all over the floor. A member of the crew rushes up, trying to calm Jon down. "Get the fuck away from me!" He couldn't remember the last time he was this angry. He feels it boiling under his skin as he gets bombarded.

He just wants to get to the damn locker room. He can feel the tears begin to form behind his eyes as he starts shoving people away from him out of pure fight or flight.

“Hey!”

Everyone freezes at the sound of Kingston’s voice. “Move, Move! What the fuck is going on here?!” Jon’s back is to the commotion as he takes deep breaths.

One of the security guards explains what happened to Eddie, a few words later and he walks over, placing his hands on Jon’s shoulders. “C’mon Mox, let’s go.” He gives him a shove towards the locker room.

Mox does what he’s told and makes his way, shoving the door open. All the wrestlers in there look up when the two enter and all Eddie has to do is glare across the crowd and they’re all scrambling to gather their things. Jon walks over to his cubby and sits inside, head dropping into his hands with a hefty sigh.

After making sure there’s no one else in the room, Eddie locks the door and heads over, stopping in front of Mox’s sulking form. He reaches up and runs his fingers through the bit of hair on the top of his head.

Jon drops his hands and rests his forehead against Kingston’s stomach. He’s still breathing heavily and the tears he’d tried so desperately to hold back now spill freely down his cheeks.

Eddie knows Mox doesn’t need words right now. He trails his fingers down and cups his chin, gently pulling Jon’s head up.

The look in his eyes alone made Eddie want to hunt Kenny down and do unspeakable, extremely violent things to him. “Oh baby boy. . .” He cups Jon’s face with both hands and wipes the tears away with his thumbs.

Sniffling, Jon leans into the older man's touch, his shoulders dropped, eyes closing. "D-Daddy. . ." His voice cracks and Kingston leans down, pressing his forehead against Mox's. "I'm here baby. I'm here." Their lips connect in a kiss and Jon's hands reach up, gripping onto his shoulders.

Eddie reaches between them and rests his hands on his hips, reluctantly breaking the kiss. "Let's go get you cleaned up, yeah?" Jon nods solemnly, letting go as Eddie rises, taking a hold of one of his hands automatically and tugging Mox up. He leads him to the showers, stopping him in front of an end stall.

“Undress for me.” He instructs, reaching in and turning on the water to piping hot just the way he knew the other loved. Jon fumbles with his belt, pulling it through the loops. He knows he’s being a little dramatic but he just couldn’t help it. He should’ve paid more attention during the match, he should’ve-

“Hey, baby boy. Hey. . .” Eddie’s soft tone cuts through his thoughts. Warm hands replace his own and Kingston works on getting Mox out of his jeans.

Something resembling a whimper leaves his lips as his boyfriend helps him undress the rest of the way. “Thank you. . .” Eddie maneuvers him under the spray of the water, careful not to get himself wet. “You’re welcome sweetheart.”

He steps back, arms crossing over his chest and watches Jon’s naked body, his eyes scaling up his toned legs, to his perfect ass and up his- abs? Eddie blinks, finding Jon’s now facing him, his big blue eyes gazing up at him.

“Please join me daddy?”

He smiles, actually smiles. The only thing that gets him to smile now-a-days. He starts to undress, kicking off his timbs and shedding each layer one by one. “Since you asked so sweetly.” Mox watches as he strips, subconsciously licking his lips when Kingston slips off his boxers and steps into the shower.

They step into each other and Jon wraps his arms around the other’s neck, planting a firm kiss on his lips. Eddie smiles into it and grabs the younger man’s ass, pulling him flush against his body. He can barely taste Mox’s blood mixing into the kiss because of the water washing over them.

Jon groans into Kingston's mouth when he feels their cocks brush against one another. Eddie deepens the kiss, sliding his hands down to the back of Jon's thighs. He lifts him up, wrapping his legs around him. "Fuck King. . ." Jon pants, locking his ankles together.

"You act like I don't fuck ya like this all the time." The man smirks, pushing Jon back against the tiled wall, holding him there. Moxley’s head lulls back with a thud as Kingston begins trailing his kisses down the column of his throat.

“Mmm, and? Lemme enjoy how fuckin’ jacked my man is, okay?” The two engage in a mini stare down before Eddie grins, slowly spreading his ass apart. “Oh f-fuuuck. . .” Jon’s moans echo throughout the showers at the stretch.

The elder smirks, maneuvering Jon’s ass over his cock. “Feel good baby?” Mox whimpers when he feels the head of his cock pressing against his hole. “Yes daddy, fuck. . . please, wanna feel you inside me.” He wiggles his hips, a long moan leaving his lips as Eddie sinks all the way into him.

“That’s my boy, takin’ me so well,” Kingston’s voice is deep and rough in Jon’s ear. Shudders rack his body as he tightens his hold on Eddie. Rough hands settle on his hips, giving him time to adjust. Eddie gives him a few more seconds before working him up and back down his thick cock.

  “Shit, have you been usin’ your toys?” Eddie groans out as he fucks up into Jon. All Mox could manage is a smirk as he swiveled his hips, letting him feel the answer to his own question. Eddie slips in and out of him easily, a chuckle on his lips.

  “You’re such a tease baby boy. But fuck if I don’t love it-” Eddie’s cut off by Jon grabbing the back of his neck and slamming their lips together in a sloppy kiss.

“An’ you talk too much, put your words where your cock is, daddy." He purrs, beginning to fuck down against him at a steady pace. He rejoined their lips and slips his tongue into Kingston’s mouth; gently running it over his to get him to stop talking.

Their hot breaths mingle as Eddie clutches Mox’s hips, helping him ride his cock faster. He groans at the assault on his tongue, feeling him suck the muscle gently.

Jon knows what he’s doing to his boyfriend, but he’s justified- kinda. Mox snickers into the other’s mouth, a string of moans leaving him when he brushes that special spot inside him.

Eddie’s top lip curls into a smirk, fingers gripping his boy’s hips harder; He’s almost positive there’s gonna be bruises in their place tomorrow.

He didn’t need any affirmation to know that he’d found Jon’s prostate. He whimpers, tightening his hold around Kingston’s neck, pressing their foreheads together rather hard.

Jon can’t help the string of begs that leave him as he gets closer and closer to reaching his end. “P-Please daddy. . . I needa cum, please.” Eddie chuckles roughly, panting against each other’s mouth as he reaches between them, wrapping his hand around Jon’s cock. His eyes roll back into his head as Eddie’s firm grip. “Shit daddy, please, please!”

His wrecked pleas and whimpers are music to Kingston’s ears as he begins to jerk him. “That’s daddy’s desperate boy.” He growls hotly against Jon’s ear. Warm tears of pleasure spill down Mox’s cheeks as he feels his orgasm creep up on him starting in his toes.

Jon cups the back of Eddie’s head and wraps his other arm around his shoulders for support. “Fuck daddy ‘m s-so close pl-plea-” Jon’s mumbles are cut short as he spills over Eddie’s fingers; the elder milking his cock to the last drop.

Eddie kisses away some tears along both Jon’s cheeks as he works him through his high. “That’s it baby boy, did such a good job for me.” Eddie coos, his thrusts slowing to a stop. Jon lets his head fall back, goosebumps erupting all over his body.

“You didn’t get to cum. . .” Shaking his head fondly, Eddie wraps his arm fully around Jon’s waist, walking them over so he could shut off the now icy water.

“Mm, wasn’t ‘bout me tonight.”

Jon squeezes around his boyfriend’s cock still inside him, whimpers of pleasure leaving his lips as Kingston walks back towards the lockers. “Gonna pull out now sweet boy, think you can handle it?” A sigh of protest leaves Mox’s lips but he nods anyways.

It takes Mox a few minutes to regain feeling in his legs but Eddie’s right there, holding him up. Comfortable silence settles over them as Eddie pulls out their street clothes.

“I’ll pay ya back with a blowie or somthin’ later.” Rolling his eyes while his back is turned, Eddie grabs one of his towels before facing the other. “Shut the hell up,” He responds playfully, starting to dry Jon off. “You ain’t payin’ back shit.”

Jon grins cheekily, lifting his arms as Eddie runs the towel down his body. “At least let me dry you off too? I can’t have your naked body in front of me and not be able to touch it-.” The end of Jon’s sentence is slightly cut off as Eddie throws the towel in his face.

Jon laughs and catches it before it falls. He could sense Eddie’s patience thinning a little by the look on his face. He walks over and starts drying Eddie’s head and beard.

“Thank you for takin’ care of me,” Jon places a kiss on Kingston's cheekbone, pressing against him lightly, his body language following the opposite the words that just came from Eddie’s lips.

“I can always count on my daddy.” Mox continues to dry him off, tossing the towel away right before getting to his crotch. His hand takes its place, gripping Eddie’s cock triumphantly.

A deep breath exhales through Eddie’s nose, eyes becoming cloudy with lust. “You really don’t like to listen, do ya?” Jon smirks, nipping along his stubble jawline. He tightens his grip, pumping him slowly.

“No’p’e, how else is this relationship gonna work?” He pushes the right half of his body against Eddie’s, knocking him back against the wall. He picks up his pace, a satisfied groan leaving Eddie’s lips.

“I knew you wanted this,” Eddie’s hand comes up quick and clutches the back of Mox’s neck. “ ‘Course I did,'' He grits out, capturing Jon in a kiss that’s all teeth and tongue. “Always do, but tonight was about you baby.”

Smiling in victory, Jon swipes his thumb over the leaking head in his hand. “I know daddy, but I love your cock and I want to repay you. . .” If Eddie could’ve gotten any harder by just those words alone, he probably would’ve.

He squeezes Jon’s neck, a moan breaking out with his words, “A-Alright baby boy, alright.” Sated, Mox smirks and bites down onto the junction between Eddie’s neck and shoulder. 

A growl leaves Eddie’s throat as Jon bites into his skin, the feeling sending jolts of pleasure down his spine. Trailing nips down the length of Eddie’s body, Jon sinks to his knees and comes eye level with his cock. More precum trickles down the slight curve of Kingston’s dick and it makes Mox’s mouth water.

“C’mon baby boy, clean up your mess. . .” Mox eagerly licks up the sensitive side; Collecting the precum on his tongue before wrapping his lips around the head.

A taste that’s even more distinctly Eddie explodes on his taste buds as Jon expertly swallows him to the base. He breathes through his nose, feeling his boyfriend filling his throat with every pump from his hips, making Mox’s eyes roll back into his head in pleasure.

Eddie’s head thrashes back and forth against the concrete, his thoughts getting fuzzy each time Jon takes him all the way. “Fuck baby, that’s it. . . always thinkin’ of daddy. Such a good boy.”

Moxley’s whole body is sore, his head full on pounding now but he definitely didn’t want to be anywhere else right now. The feeling of the cold floor on his knees helps cool his still overheating body.

He sighs when Kingston reaches down and runs his fingers through his beard. A sign that his boyfriend was close to his end.

Suddenly pulling off with an obnoxiously loud ‘pop’, Jon wraps his hand around Eddie’s cock, keeping the same pace as his mouth. “Gonna cum for me already daddy? Was I that good?” His eyes flick up and lock on Eddie’s, the hand on his jaw tightening.

Praise was something Kingston knew Jon craves, and he’s going to give him exactly what he wants.

“Mhm, so fuckin’ good baby. You know what you do to d-daddy.” Mox kisses around the head as he jerks Eddie faster, wrapping his lips around the tip. “Fuck, gonna make me cum so good baby boy, such a pretty mouth. . .” Eddie’s thumb rubs against Mox’s cheek, his breath hitching as Jon takes him fully down again. His hips begin thrusting against Mox’s face, both of his hands holding his head still.

Eddie’s body goes rigid as he cums down Jon’s throat, his groans echoing through the locker room. Mox swallows everything that’s given to him as Kingston pumps into his mouth. He places his hands on Eddie’s thighs to stabilize himself, watery eyes watching every expression on Eddie’s face as he sucks him dry.

Eddie pulls Mox off him and up into a messy kiss, tasting himself. “Shit baby boy, you always give the best head,” He chuckles against the other’s lips, feeling Jon’s arms wrap around his middle. “Funny to think you weren’t gonna let me.” Jon smirks, leaning into the pressure when Eddie wraps a hand around his throat.

“You’re so fuckin’ annoying.” Eddie replies with a fond eye roll, pecking Mox’s lips a few times. Mox kisses back eagerly each time before eventually pulling away so they could get dressed and leave. Jon walks with his head held a little higher as he and Kingston walk out to their rental.

Even though he lost tonight, even though Kenny cheated and basically spit in the face of what he was doing to carry AEW through this shit storm of a year. Mox is definitely sure he left being the real winner.

fin.

[discet]

1. What’s Marcy’s relationship with Eda like in your Boiling Isles AU?

2. Does Marcy think about getting a staff like Hunter’s?

3. Can we hear more about that time Marcy absolutely destroyed Bosha in a witches duel?

So as previously stated, for a good run of S1 Marcy would kind of just be present during Lilith's schemes to capture Eda as moral support. As a result, Eda has a kind of casual friendly relationship with Marcy. However this goes astray when, good intentioned, Marcy goes to the Owl House to try and reason with Eda(Believing Lilith, and by extension Belos, are well intentioned) when Eda turns into the Owl Beast. Marcy narrowly manages to brew one of the cures with King's help, and Eda is appreciative and feels like she 'owes' the kid. Even offers her a way home if she wants it, but Marcy, in probably a pretty character defining moment, declines, wanting to stay in the isles a while longer At the Climax of S1 Lilith flees the coven with Hunter+Marcy after they find out about the past Golden Guards, and goes to the only person she things could possibly successfully shelter them, Eda For S2 Eda becomes the two kids Wine Aunt.

That's a good question, I think she does after seeing Amity's training wand as well(in the elements). I think they run into the problem of sourcing whatever powers Hunter's Staff. Since the commercial grade training wand ran out of power so quick. I think ultimately I like the idea of a running joke/limitation of the duo being that they have 1 staff and places to be and are just bickering while riding the whole time. I think ultimately its resolved at the end of S1 when Marcy manages to save a Palisman from Belos' clutches.

So the HOW is mostly Marcy just overprepares with Potions and overwhelms Boscha. Step 1, smoke bomb. Step 2 chug potion of Life Sight to see Boscha through the smoke. Step 3, insta-vines at Boscha's feet to hold her in place. Step 4 shrink potion at Boscha. Step 5 scoop now shrunk Boscha into a glass Jar until she concedes What I think is funnier is what surrounds the fight. Cause it all starts cause when Marcy starts at Hex side Amity tries to welcome her into her clique of popular girls as a kind of apology for what she did in Ride Along. Hunter tags along, still not trusting Amity yet. Marcy is still a huge clutz and dork and quickly gets on Boscha's bad side. Marcy tries to deescalate it but Boscha just keeps putting her down and bullying her until Marcy challenges her to a witches duel. (You leave Hexside vs You never bully anyone again). Hunter and Amity spend the whole episode either trying to get Boscha to drop it(Amity) or to set up traps to assist Marcy (Hunter) But are stymied at every turn and are just so worried cause Marcy has been so Nice and Understanding towards them, and are worried she isn't taking this seriously since she's just happily doing potions all day. This is also when Amity and Hunter kind of bury the hatchet and become tentative friends Then they both see her just unleash this torrent of calculated destruction and are like "uhhhhhh. If you were capable of this why didn't you fight against us like that when we were being jerks to you." And Marcy answers "Well, my friend Anne told me before I left my old school that it was important to try and see things from others peoples point of view before judging them" tosses jar with Boscha from one hand into the other "and I realized I had kind of intruded into both of your lives and I wanted to give you both a chance." Turns jar upside down, "and my other friend Sasha told me that if anyone starts bullying me for stupid reasons that I should destroy them. I think she meant like, socially, but this worked out just as well I think." And now Boscha can never bully anyone again and Marcy gets a big reputation bump for both dealing with her and to not be trifled with.

[lawusstuffs]

Swap! Lumity AU Grom Episode.. Has now released.

⭕ Few details can either be added/removed in the future

Episode 16

-During the first scene, things are still the same. Though with Swap Luz not planning to ask Swap Amity out.

-Reason: up until now, Swap Luz hasn't realised that she fell inlove Amity. But instead saw Amity as someone important to her, not in a romantic sense (yet).

-Like in Canon, Swap Luz and Amity bumped onto each other, Amity about to fall off until Luz immediately grabbing her by the wrist.

-At first, Swap Luz looked at her with a cold gaze, processing a bit before realising it's Amity. Her expression softened but still looked rather menacing.

-Swap Amity, being friendly, tried ignoring this and rather greeted Luz as they composed themselves back.

-Boscha and co are looking at them, a bit frightened but rather awkward and still greeted Luz nicely.

-A small silent occured before an announcement happened, Luz being the Grom Queen.

-With Swap Luz processing; Amity, like Canon Luz, celebrated this.

-As Swap Luz processed it, just like Canon Amity, rather didn't say anything and immediately left.

-Swap Grometheus is the same as the Canon.

-Unlike Canon Amity, Swap Luz explained her fear as "complicated" rather than "embarrassing". Remember, Swap Luz hasn't fully processed her feelings towards Swap Amity yet so even she's not sure about what her true fear is.

-A small timeskip, just like Canon Luz, Swap Amity participated onto becoming the Grom Queen instead of Luz.

-Swap Hunter and Vee trained Amity using Swap Hunter's bard ability and Vee's illusions.

-Swap Amity's fears are her being controlled physically, being chatted by creeps in social media, and fancy clothes being torn off piece by piece.

-Just like in Canon, Swap Amity is afraid of being looked down upon by Swap Lilith.

-Though unlike in Canon, Swap Amity's true fear is her parents finding out where she is. And possibly drag her away from Boiling Isles in a bad way.

-With the Grom starting, their clothes are still the same like in Canon.

-As soon as Swap Luz saw Amity. It took a long time before she could even compliment Amity.

- "Well, you look strange, but nice." Says the giggling Swap Amity.

-Like in Canon, Swap Luz thanked Swap Amity.

- "warming up to me, Noceda?" Asked the catto smug Amity.

-"... I don't know what you're talking about.." Says Swap Luz, being a confused otter.

-Like in Canon, Swap Amity fought until her true fear came in, causing her to run away.

-With now Swap Amity cornered, Swap Luz immediately protected Amity. With Lilith watching like Canon Eda.

-When the grom monster read Swap Luz's mind, the grom formed into Amity (like the Canon Luz grom), Luz took awhile to process this.

-As soon as grom monster (Amity), turned around, slowly walking away. Luz processed this and tried to reach out to the grom monster, dread and desperation written on her face.

-Swap Luz tried to reach out because the grom monster looks like Amity, attempting to abandon her like her did father to her.

-The grom monster immediately formed into a huge mouth, attempting to eat Swap Luz. Swap Amity immediately pulling her away.

-It took awhile for Swap Luz to recover as this happened, her having a panic attack as Swap Amity saw this.

-Swap Amity immediately snapped her out of it by giving her a hug.

-When Swap Amity asked Luz for a dance, Luz processed first before slowly taking her hand. Swap Amity leading the dance for awhile before Swap Luz gets the situation.

-As Swap Luz got the situation, Swap Luz starts to lead the dance as well, her also the one lifting and carrying Amity up (Swap Amity still doing the split move).

-When Swap Amity did the split move, this made the ground have a circle print, Swap Luz would pull out a potion, pouring it on the printed circle on the ground as they danced.

-As they continued to dance, Luz would slowly smile but she's not aware of this.

-The potion would create a fog brew, confusing the grom monster. Swap Luz and Amity took this as an advantage by creating human like form (using the plant glyph), the inside being Luz's potion explosives.

-The grom would think this is Swap Amity and Luz, it would attack and eat this but eventually, the scene would be like Canon grom scene did.

-After Swap Lumity danced, Amity asked if Luz asked someone out for the grom. Luz processed for a bit before shaking her head.

-"I didn't have anyone in mind.. But thinking about it now," Luz would stop in this sentence because she finally realized she liked Amity.

- Swap Amity would be confused but before she could question it- just like in Canon, they got carried up and such.

-Just like Canon, all things end nicely in Grom party, with pictures and stuff on it.

-Also like with Canon, Swap Amity was upset upon not being able to face her fears.

-Meanwhile Swap Luz now finally realising that not only did she saw Amity as important to her, she was also in love with her in a long time.

[castletown-cafe]

Castletown Café Episode 7: Addison’s Personalized Tea Part 2: Mari Tea

Previously on Castletown Cafe:

Whose tea did I start with? Oddly, none of the canonical teas, but instead, I tried my own flavor. Originally, this episode was going to be about using your imagination and thinking up what your flavor would taste like...that is, if somebody else where to drink it. If you wanted to drink your own flavor, just pour yourself a glass of water, right? Just kidding! Nah, I’m sure we’d wanna try our own flavors for ourselves, so I began figuring out what to make my tea flavor and the ingredients I’d need. Then I got an idea for Noelle Tea, Kris Tea, and so on, and so forth!

We continue.

One hundred Dark Dollars for magical tea that changes flavors when different people drink it? Yeah, I’d say that’s worth the price, as long as you don’t drink your own flavor, when it just turns into water. Although you’re not supposed to drink your flavor, what if you could? As I wondered what my tea would turn into when different characters were to drink it, I settled on a chai-like tea that would be easy to brew for someone who had never made their own tea before, but has made mulled apple cider many a time in the past. All I needed to do was just use water instead of juice and add tea bags, right? Fortunately, making my own tea didn’t have to be as daunting or as complex as I once thought. Although I begun to read “Healing Herbal Teas: Learn to Blend 101 Specially Formulated Teas” by Sarah Farr, the herbalism and the math required to make your own combinations of loose-leaf tea didn’t really jive with me.

Remembering how I make warm spiced ciders every autumn, an idea struck me: brew my favorite tea, English Breakfast black, with my usual mulling ingredients of cinnamon, clove, allspice, and orange slices, and to sweeten with a small amount of honey upon serving. I began by brewing it all together in my ghost mug, taking the tea bag out, and letting the spices and orange continue brewing for another 30 minutes before removing them, placing the tea in the microwave and reheating it for 60 seconds (I have a 1200 watt micro, if you have a 1100, you may need 30-60 seconds more time), stirring in honey, and returning the orange slice as a garnish. While that result was good, I thought it was missing something: a slice of ginger and a dash of nutmeg. Switching to the stovetop, Mari Tea now had the four spices that make up Pumpkin Pie Spice: cinnamon, ginger, clove and nutmeg. I still kept the allspice and orange, however, to give it a little citrus flavor and to bring a little fruitiness into this “pumpkin spice black tea”.

MARI TEA:

Ingredients:

4 cups water

1 cinnamon stick

2 allspice berries

3 whole cloves

1/4 piece ginger

Sprinkle of nutmeg

2 small orange slices

2 bags English black tea

Honey to taste

Peel and slice off one 1/4 inch thick piece of ginger. Slice orange for 2 wedges or round slices, keep the peel on. The peel’s oils add to the flavor as does the juice.

Bring 4 cups of water to a boil on high heat and turn off heat immediately. Carefully, preferably with a slotted spoon, add your cinnamon, ginger, cloves, allspice, orange, and sprinkle in nutmeg. Cover and let brew for 30 minutes.

After 30 minutes, turn the heat back on to get to a simmer before turning the heat off again and adding your tea bags. Cover and brew the tea for 3 minutes and then remove bags.

Strain tea into a heat-proof bowl, then ladle your tea into a teapot or just into your desired teapot. If you have a strainer small enough to fit a teapot, you can strain your tea directly into one.

Serve by pouring a cup or ladling a cup from the bowl. Add honey to taste, and store leftover tea in an airtight container after it’s cooled.

That solved my question of what Mari-flavored tea would taste like - pumpkin spice black tea with orange and honey. What would you-flavored tea taste like? I hope I could give you ideas on how to do your own tea. Think of the kinds of teas you like, and the flavors you like. Get creative!

This, however, was just the beginning. With this, I quickly figured out the rest from here. Oh, we can go further…and we will!

TO BE CONTINUED…

[seyaryminamoto]

As someone, who's favourite character is Zuko, let me just say that your analysis about the Southern Raiders is spot on. Something about that episode (especially the way Zuko acted) always felt a little... off to me. And I could never figure out what it was exactly and considering the fact that discussion about this episode centered around the Kataang vs Zutara, I thought I was the only one who felt that way. So, I guess thanks for putting my thoughts into words.

Oh, I really feel ya, anon. If you actually don't look at the episode from a shipping point of view, which seems to be the focus of most the fandom, a lot of unpleasant things really start sticking out. I'm personally neutral to the Kataang vs. Zutara debate, I see good points and drawbacks to both ships, and no one's going to convince me that this episode proved the superiority of either pairing, especially when the shipping interpretations have never been important to me when analyzing this episode. People can say Aang is right in the end, they can say Zuko understands Katara's plight better (which, considering Aang has lost even more people he loved than Zuko has, he certainly should have understood Katara's suffering quite well too), but focusing on whether Zuko or Aang are the angel or the devil on Katara's shoulders practically blinds everyone to the very glaring and mindboggling flaws in this episode's writing, imo.

In general, the concept of Zuko's life-changing field trips with the three Gaang members he'd wronged the most is fine and fun for most people, but from the first time I watched the show it felt like the production team knew they were pressed for time and needed some veeeery quick and effective solution for Zuko to gain acceptance in the Gaang ASAP despite all the bad blood there. I can imagine a lot of people love these episodes, but admittedly I wouldn't rank any of them among my favorites because, as interesting as some of their concepts could be, if executed right, my immersion certainly wasn't as strong as with the rest of the show due to the nagging feeling that this was all for the sake of redeeming Zuko in the eyes of each Gaang member... and not necessarily in the eyes of the audience.

They get away with it, of course, because by this point in time, the audience is 100% conditioned to love the Gaang and Zuko, and if you see them getting along, you should be rejoicing in their team-up... but if you put some emotional distance between yourself as a viewer and the events of these episodes, their writing leaves a lot to be desired, especially in the concept of giving Zuko a quick whitewashing in the eyes of Aang, Sokka and Katara, one after the other, so they can genuinely accept him as a teammate and friend. If we'd seen similar trips frequently or occasionally in the rest of the show, with two specific members of the team taking off on an adventure by themselves, it might not be so glaringly obvious (and even... artificial? I guess?) that they're trying to quick-redeem him for each of them here, but on top of it happening thrice, it's literally happening one after the other, too. There's no episodes in-between, it's just literally a four-parter arc of "let's help Zuko become friends with these three".

The plotlines to be dealt with in these episodes are basically catered to each Gaang member, tailor-made life-changing field trips based on whatever they'll value the most, all of it conveniently possible and doable in the span of time they have between Zuko's joining of their group and the show's finale. Aang needs to learn firebending, Sokka needs to save his dad, Katara is permanently grieving for her mother's death. And so, Zuko to the rescue! If he helps them with their personal character quests, he gets 50+ approval points! :'D Honestly, I'm absolutely not against the notion of Zuko befriending them, obviously not, but the methods through which they chose to make it happen simply might not be the finest...?

Zuko loses his ability to bend because he "lost his rage", but he's still angry pretty often, the show even spoofs its own writing by showing him losing his patience at Sokka... while at the same time trying to sell that Zuko "isn't angry" anymore? Zuko helps break out random prisoners from the Boiling Rock without taking a single moment to actually learn who they are, why they were locked up, and without pondering if they deserve to be helped or if perhaps they're genuinely dangerous? Zuko gives Katara every possible tool and information she needs to take revenge on Yon Rha, because, loosely quoting his own words, he "cares what she thinks of him"...?

How about if we'd seen Zuko trying to connect with Fire Nation people, to help his fellow Fire Nation citizens, especially the ones who were living in dreadful conditions, like the ones in the Jang Hui river village? How about if we'd seen Zuko saving lives rather than threatening to take them? How about if we'd seen Zuko actually reasoning with his anger, and either working his way out of it, or repurposing it consciously, or making legitimate, personal efforts to find a new source of strength for his firebending through self-reflection, above all else?

We didn't really need sudden one-on-one field trips to teach Aang, Katara and Sokka to trust Zuko: we needed Zuko to prove himself worthy of that trust, to show how much he has changed, to literally contrast his new behavior with the old, to actually see that the guy no longer jumps into violence-mode 24/7, that he's willing to listen to other people's opinions or wisdom, that he wants to learn better when he knows he's misguided or misunderstanding something or another. Would he have become BFFs with any of them in four episodes if this had happened? Well, it definitely would have happened with Aang, the other two would have been trickier, but they definitely would have been more willing to accept him if they actually got to SEE that the changes in Zuko weren't skin-deep. Katara can be as thick-headed and stubborn as she may want to be, but I have no doubts she wouldn't have been able to hate Zuko as much as she used to if she'd seen him helping people, much like she often wants their group to do. But instead, they don't get to see the actual changes and growth... they just get their biggest goals and wishes satisfied, and that's enough to decide Zuko's trustworthy, no matter whatever sketchy behavior he displays in later episodes.

I absolutely appreciate the worldbuilding context we gain for the raids on the Water Tribe through The Southern Raiders, but I don't think this was an organic way to tell the story of how Zuko became friends with the Gaang. If pressed, I'd even say that Zuko's overt desperation to be their friend is OOC, to a degree: if this guy actually knows how dangerous his father's plans are (and he's supposed to :'D), how isn't he focusing on that side of things, when he's always been such a go-getter? It's not like he grew out of this sort of ends-justify-the-means behavior, seeing as he's absolutely obsessed with stopping his father ASAP, by any means possible, in the finale, when there was no such urgency to be found ever since he joined the Gaang. How isn't he more worried about stopping Ozai than about becoming best friends with the Gaang? Immediately sharing everything he's learned about Ozai's intentions of destroying the whole world might not make them friends instantaneously, but it would certainly get someone like Sokka to take his information seriously and immediately begin strategizing how to counter Ozai's plans. Instead, Zuko spent all those weeks, over a month, even, teaching Aang firebending, going on field trips and hanging out with his new friends in Ember Island. Once you have all the cards on deck and you actually look at all of them at once, doesn't it feel like there were so many more ways to achieve what the show was going for, far more effective ways than through the "let's be friends with Zuko" arc?

Ultimately, there's very little display of growth, in my opinion, in this small arc, on Zuko's side, despite the most obvious and reasonable way to earn the trust of the Gaang would be by outright showing them how much he's grown. I won't deny I appreciate that the writers respected his personality and didn't just warp him into the perfect good softboi the way the fandom apparently interprets him, but even if Zuko was going to be cranky and speak one-liners like "I'm never happy", it wasn't impossible to write better situations for him to connect with the Gaang's members and gain their trust. Even if the writers were set on having these episodes happen exactly as they did, they absolutely could have been written in a much better way, to create an explicit and direct contrast between Zuko's early behavior and the new Zuko's behavior when it comes to things that matter (most the parallels I've seen the fandom drawing are things like "oh look he hated tea before but now he brews it for his friends! So much growth!"... would've been nice to see the growth when it came to a lot of other things, too, if the growth really was there? Am I rite...?).

I may just be influenced by other redemption arcs that focus mainly on characters having common goals and working together to achieve them, then becoming friends in the process... but I really don't see how Zuko's character benefited from these episodes. Yes, bridges were built... but they absolutely could have been built in a more organic way that didn't make people like myself (and a few others) question if Zuko had learned or grown at all, considering the way he behaves isn't all that distant from the Zuko we've seen and known throughout the rest of the show. And the fact that he really seems to have learned nothing in The Southern Raiders once you reach the show's finale... you're basically asked to take for granted Zuko did learn a lot of lessons because he says he did, to assume he's going to put them into practice sometime in the future despite he has chances to do it during the show itself but never does, simply because they drop the ball upon every opportunity to show how much he's changed.

I really don't blame his character at all, when it comes to these shortcomings... it's seriously, genuinely, a problem with the writing department. Take a look through the fandom and you'll see thousands of people who claim Zuko's character arc is the most touching, complex and beautiful writing they ever have seen... and why? Because we're in the face of tell-don't-show :'D most people's perception of Zuko's character are based not so much on HOW Zuko displays his growth, it's strongly based on him stating he made progress, even if there's too many instances where the growth simply seems to have fallen to the wayside or gone forgotten for the sake of a plotline or another. Zuko absolutely could have been written far better than this, he could absolutely have the redemption arc his fans are sure he does have, but for me... there's way too many gaps in logic, too many missed opportunities, to truly think his growth was as extraordinary as a lot of people are hung up on saying it was.

[ateezinmymind]

my brother’s best friend (part 1)

word count: 4k

fluff, slight angst??

(series masterlist)

tag list: @brie02 @a-soft-hornytiny @reeateez @multidreams-and-desires

Jung Wooyoung, the boy who was irresistible, but off limits. Jung Wooyoung, the boy who just had to be your brother’s best friend…

“Y/n!”

Snapping your eyes out of the reoccurring unsettling thoughts, remembering you're still in the 1st hour. You guess the bell already rang, seeing everyone had their bodies turned in the teachers direction.

The class murmuring amongst themselves, the small episodes of laughter and whispers.

“You didn’t even hear!” Gripping your shoulder and shaking it around, you roll your head towards the boy sitting next to you. “The announcements said there’s going to be a school bonfire this Friday!! Aren’t you excited?” Not getting the ecstatic reaction he was hoping for, scoffing out Wooyoung leaned back into his desk.

Looking down at the ground you searched for a reasonable excuse to tell the guy you’ve been dreaming about, you weren’t going.

“y’know.. Woo I don’t think that’s really my scene“ bringing your gaze into his unamused eyes you continue without confidence, “a-and you know it.”

Flicking the loose bangs that fell to his eyes, Wooyoung looks at you with disappointment. “That doesn’t mean you can’t change.” Leaning forward in his desk once more, taking his chin to his hands, closing his eyes he whispers out “you don’t have to stay hidden away from the fun”

———

Why was he so committed to bringing you out of your comfort zone? It’s not like he actually enjoys being in your presence. He and your brother have always been picky about the terms of you hanging out with them. Yeosang loves you of course, like any brother would, it was indescribable and obvious. But once he graduated high school, last year. He had told Wooyoung to keep his intended boundaries from you and not spend as much time with you when he came over. But even during Yeosang’s senior year, you and Wooyoung actually came to become close friends.

October, 29th << Junior year

“Get off! Get off! I can’t breathe!” Spitting out fits of giggles and snorts, Wooyoung laid sprawled out on top of you. “No! I can’t, I’m sorry y/n.” giving a wiggle seeking comfort “you stole my spot.”

It was true. You did steal his seat on the couch. It was so tempting to lay your head down when he got up to use the restroom.

The three of you were having a scary movie marathon, which meant lots of snacks, blankets and jump scares. When the first movie ended you hadn’t realized you had clung to Wooyoung’s side until Yeosang gave a cold glare and a questioning “what the fuck?” And from there, was when Woo got the sudden urge to get out of the brewing situation by going to use the bathroom.

Rolling your eyes, giving out a huff, you lay yourself along the sofa. “Why are you acting like that Yeosang??” lifting himself up off the recliner he goes to put in the next movie, slumping down and ejecting the disk he quips out, “like what?” Giving out a small chuckle from annoyance, you stick your tongue out to the back of his head. “Like you’re going to have me banned from my own existence”

Closing the case, Yeosang turns around and tilts his head to the side. Plastering you a look of disgust, “I’m sorry, but I just witnessed my sister boggling my best friend. To which I might add, is off the table”

Lifting your head up and forcing it back down, you continuously hit it over the sounds of your groans. There was no wrong intention of being friendly and quite frankly seeking comfort from the scary movie, it was stupid. Right as Yeosang gets up off the floor and heads to the kitchen to refill his bowl of popcorn, Wooyoung comes out of the bathroom. In perfect timing.

“You little-“ he blurts, running towards you as evil giggles ignite within him as he plunges his hands on your shoulders. Rocking you up and down as he makes his way on top of your flat frame.

Hearing laughter and squeals come from the living room, Yeosang puts his phone down and peeks into the area. Observing the way your face is flushed, and how you’re literally being all up in Wooyoung‘s damn business, made his blood boil. Stomping back to the kitchen, the beeping of the microwave feeding his flaming fire of rage, gets feverishly opened and as he takes the popcorn out of its bag and into the bowl. He makes sure to slam it shut unnecessarily hard.

“Dude get off my fucking sister, that’s gross.” As silence blanketed the room, the tension before significantly increased. “Chill, we were just messing around-“ Wooyoung says almost defensively.

Propping your elbows up, swiping a hand over your forehead, moving the messed up hair. You look up at Wooyoung, who’s jaw clenches and unclenches, as the veins in his neck become prominent.

Tapping his arm as a gesture for him to release you from his trap, the awkward silence feeds your urge to leave this situation completely. “Please get up Woo” you practically plead out. So he does, he releases his hands on your waist and gives you a light apology. “Sorry-“

“Thanks.” Yeosang spits out. “Now we can continue on to the next movie…” looking over at you getting off the couch, he gives one last blow, “the reason why you’re even here.”

Your eyes become blurry with tears, from both embarrassment and the sudden anger rising within. Now standing, you quickly fold the blanket you were wrapped in just seconds before. Draping it over the cushion, you look at Yeosang who snidely smirks in satisfaction at the television. Then to Wooyoung who portrays himself in a stiff manner. His arms folded over his chest, left leg bouncing quickly, and wearing an expressionless face.

Quickly looking down to the floor, you make your way across the room and to the bottom of the stairs. Trying not to embarrass yourself any more, you try and sound the least bit affected by your feelings. “Goodnight. Thank you for letting me hang out-” leaving the boys to continue watching by themselves.

Making your way up to enclose yourself in your room, face hot and limbs jittery. Why did Yeosang have to humiliate you in such ways, you knew Wooyoung didn’t mean anything by it. Of course that’s not the same way you feel about him, because who wouldn’t have some intimate feelings for him. He was a charmer, and hell he knew it. Wooyoung never bent out of shape about it though, he had times of modesty and respect, especially when he was trying to get on someone’s good side.

There was that one week where he spent his entire day, everyday to help out with the junior class decorations for the school spirit competition. You’d never seen him so motivated before that, it still makes you chuckle to this day. He’s always yearning for affection, though he can be seen to come off as a cold hearted person, Wooyoung wants to please the people around him. He doesn’t like having enemies or people who look down on him, and he won’t risk his reputation of being ‘everyone’s friend’. It’s in his nature to be a comforting presence, and that's why you think you’re so fond of him.

Opening the door to your bedroom, getting welcomed by your favorite scent from the lit candle by the window, you let out a long sigh of exasperation. At least this was the longest you’ve got to hang with them yet. You could see this as a plus, though because this outburst had to happen today.. right when Halloween is around the corner. Your once exciting ideas flew out the window while insecurities sank their teeth in.

It was a stupid idea to begin with, of course you shouldn’t hang out with him, he wasn’t your friend. It’s not like you befriended him first, even though he’s been your classmate since the beginning of this school year, your junior year, you drew an interest in him when he made his way to introduce himself. He had been so funny, making the whole class laugh out from this one awfully corny joke.

Wooyoung being the new student was like a fresh start to a better experience. He wanted to put his past behind him, and change his former and darker days.

In all honesty Wooyoung didn’t share a lot about his life, which is interesting to consider— for he’s so determined to be a safe place for everyone else. You were clueless about how his life besides your home and school goes down. It’s not that you were suspicious about him hiding something, but if he in fact was even the slimmest bit of your friend, you’d want him to open up too.

Walking over to your nightstand, turning on the warm lit lamp you sit on the end of the bed and flop down on your back. “Thank you for letting me hang out??” Slapping your forehead, you give a cry of humiliation, “why did I say that-“ you shouldn’t have to have permission to be friendly with your brother, and frankly his friends! Why was Yeosang so picky when it came to Wooyoung but not the others?? You’ve had your times of fun with Seonghwa, why was he so different?? It made you angry to say the least.

The other boys came over a lot more before Wooyoung showed up. Mingi and Seonghwa showed you a side you’ve missed with Yeosang.. they brought him comfort and genuine smiles and hospitality. They didn’t hold a grudge on each other, they didn’t keep secrets, and he actually liked to talk about them in your presence. This year changed how things were..Mingi left schools when Wooyoung came, and Yeosang stopped hanging out with Seonghwa. Obviously it was a sensitive topic, but that only intrigued you more.

Getting up, quickly making your way to the bathroom, trying not to wake yourself up before you wouldn’t be able to sleep. You take care of your nightly routine of washing your face, brushing your teeth, etcetera. Hearing Wooyoung give a quick and loud commentary about the typical people in scary movies from down stairs, you rub your eyes with exhaustion. Today drained you, and in order for this Halloween weekend to be a success, there needs to be some time to sleep. Blowing out your candle, and then turning off your lamp, you hop into the warmth of your bed, and fall into a slumber.

October, 30th << Junior year

“KANG YEOSANG YOU PIECE OF SHIT!” opening your eyes, the screaming voice of Wooyoung does its job of erupting ears, and it makes you roll out of bed. Groaning with annoyance, once again make your way to the bathroom to wash up.

Going to your closet, picking out an outfit for the day you choose some casual leggings with a t-shirt. Another scream from outside your door makes you think of all the possibilities causing it could be. It’s only 9 in the morning and already they’ve woken the house.

Walking across the hall to your brothers room, you give a quick knock. “Yeosang??” you ask, but you’re only met with giggles and then a smack, ending in a “OUCH!” assuming it’s from Wooyoung, given his standards.

Turning the handle, you peek through the door to see your brother and his friend sitting on the floor, faces lit with blue in the dark room, and nudging each other repeatedly. They’re absolutely unfazed, and had no clue the door even opened. You roll your eyes, at the fact they woke you up with video games..typical—

“Hey!” getting their attention, they swivel their heads over to you immediately. In all honesty you didn’t even think they’d hear you, so a bit flustered about how much attention you had made you just laugh. “Do you guys want breakfast?” softly saying, and all they do is turn back to the screen and give a sigh of relief and a happy “YES PLEASE!” making you gently close the door and head your way down the stairs.

“Good morning mom!” stepping into the kitchen you sing out to where she is sitting at the table reading a book and sipping on coffee. Looking up at you, and giving a bright smile, she gets up and greets you in a morning hug and kiss, “Good morning my sweet y/n, how did you sleep?”

Giving a light chuckle and soft smile back, you separate yourself from her body and turn to the fridge. “It was fine...actually pretty nice. Since I didn’t stay up as long as the boys-“ then turning to playfully give your mom another roll of your eyes and finish saying, “but they DID wake me up!” making her laugh out loud, she sits back down and picks up her book and sighs out- but joyfully, “Yep, I heard” craning your head back to look at her face, you see she wasn’t mad, just wearing a smile sweetly.

There’s times where you think your mom needs help, with dad rarely being around because of work, you never find her complaining. She is strong, practically caring for three children, because Wooyoung is welcomed whenever he wants. It’s a problem, but it’s become a habit or probably more a lifestyle.

Taking out the carton of eggs, some bacon and fruit you start on breakfast. You thought just something simple would do.. there’s no need to go all out. Your mom kept trying to help you out, but everytime you insisted she’d relax instead.

After finally cutting and washing the various fruits and filling the plates of food, you give your mom her meal first. Setting it in front of her reading state, you kiss her cheek “here you are! I’ll go get the boys” you say and turn to set your way up the staircase.

Skipping two steps at a time, you reach the top and strut to your brothers room. Hearing the muffled conversation, knowing you shouldn't invade either of their privacy, curiosity took its turn in you. No more screams or fits of laughter spilled out through the crack, only the low inaudible stammers.

Softly placing your hand on the door frame, leaning your head in for better comprehension, the conversation clears up and becomes coherent. Not even needing to be in the room, you know there's tension going on. “But that's a whole different story Woo, I didn't feel that way with Seonghwa..it was just d-different.” you had no idea what was going down, why was Yeosang talking about Seonghwa? “sure, I get that. But i just don't understand why you are always so weird about me wanting to acknowledge your sister..you get such a temper when she's around.” then there was a long pause, hearing someone shuffling about, sounding like they're on the bed, the interesting conversation continued but a little quieter. “Wait..Wait!” hearing giggles come around, the grip on the door frame tightens, your whole body on edge for more information. Both of them erupting in a small fit of laughter, “so it was Seonghwa!! That’s why!!” you hear Yesang trying to rebuttal but unable through his annoyed groaning and small chuckles.

So this was all about something Seonghwa did? Or is it something you missed, having really no clue what this is about, you straighten your body away from your brother's private talk. You hear the muffled sounds of them again as you head to the stairs. Your mind thinks of a billion ways to connect something. Leaving them be, you turn to give a shout for breakfast once you reach the steps again. And with what little you knew, you never got the chance to figure out their meaning in that exclusive talk.

———

The morning quickly turned to evening, the day spent uselessly. Yeosang and Wooyoung ended up going out after you fed them, something to do with their “weekend plans”, whatever that meant. So you wasted time cleaning and being of help to your mom. When the boys came back, you all had dinner together and then Wooyoung went home. You weren’t even sure what this certain tension going on was about, and how Halloween hadn’t even been brought up at all. It was almost awkward, and uncomfortable to try and possibly bring up.

After you washed the dishes and wiped the counters clean, you made your way to your room for the night. Passing Yeosang’s closed room, you hear his video game playing making your body involuntarily knock on his door.

“Come in!” he shouts over the sounds. Entering in with his invitation, once Yeosang sees it’s you he pauses and softly smiles up to you. There he was, that was your brother. The sweet brother whom you love dearly, and whom loves you— even when it’s hard to tell. The brother who has always been there for you, your other half. Well that was the true him, at least how it used to be before.

“Hey yeo yeo— can I sit with you?” you feel yourself cheering back to his sweet expression. Earning a pat next to himself on the bed, you skitter forward and crawl to him. “You okay?” he gently says, throwing his controller to the side.

Nodding your head, you reach for his hand. Taking it in yours, you give him a reassuring squeeze and giggle. “Yeah, yeah~ I just want you to know that I’m sorry.” you say lowering your voice to almost a whisper. Actually really not sure what you were saying sorry for exactly, but in all this mishap you find yourself being the one the blame. Lacing his fingers with yours, Yeosang perks his head to the side and lightly sighs. “Y/n, please don’t..” he starts with a comforting tone, taking his other hand to tap your knee. “No apologizing, it’s over and it was stupid” he scoffs. “Okay and also— you didn’t miss much” he picks up his controller again after giving your hand one last grip “it was so predictable and not even scary-“

Finding his amusement enlightening, you give a laugh and slide your legs off the side of the bed. “Well, fine. But I love you Yeosang..” you say getting up, and turning to look at him lightly.

“And I love you dork, but let’s not get too sappy now okay?” he chuckles. “I gotta beat this game real quick so you can join in~”

And that’s what the both of you did that night, played video games, proving each other wrong, having little arguments, the tiniest bit of pushing and pinching but overall bonding again. The night couldn’t go on forever sadly though, it had to end at some point. Sharing laughs and love, everything seemed perfect.. that this would be your brother always.

But did he really mean it?

———

<< present day

That weekend had always left you wondering what you did wrong. The day after your evening games with Yeosang, he didn’t end up going out for Halloween. Wooyoung didn’t show up, it was interesting to say the least.. but there wasn’t really anything you could do.

After the bell rang, students flooded the hallways, the chatter rang through the building and you packed your things by your locker. School went by surprisingly quick, and throughout it all Wooyoung had pressured you further to go to the bonfire this weekend. His reasonings didn't really make you want to go, you didn't really feel the need to. It would be a night full of your annoying classmates, the screeches and shouts of people doing something unabiding of their safety, and the only friend you would be with was Wooyoung.

Closing your locker you feel your phone start buzzing in your pocket.

Before getting it out to answer you see Wooyoung at the end of the hallway leaning against the wall, hands in his pockets. Maybe he was waiting for you? He had said that he was going to stay after school for a test he missed. Because he didn’t show up at all last week, and came back like it was nothing, saying he got sick.

As you continue to walk to the lobby you answer the call not paying attention to the ID, “hello?”

“Y/n, hurry up I’m waiting..” the male voice sounded so familiar, you sped up quickly waving bye to Woo as he pushed off the wall seeming like he wanted to talk. “Wait.. who is this?” turning the corner you see Seonghwa standing there, wearing a smile

“it’s me..”

part 2

[the-badger-mole]

Let's say you're on the writing team for Avatar when it was just an idea Bryke had. They've stepped back, letting the writers do what they do best. While Bryke certainly offer suggestions, they don't try shoehorning in their ideas.

What aspects of canon would you change and keep the same??

Would you have elements of a one-sided Kat@@ng, with Aang learning to let Katara go, or not have it at all??

If you were to write Aang as a character you actually liked, how would you do it??

Oh! I like this ask. Bet! Get a snack, because this is a long one.

In Book 1, I would keep Aang pretty much the same, but I would frame certain things he did the way they should have been framed. Like his whole deal on Kyoshi, leaving Katara to do all the work so he could flirt. That would have much more of an impact on his friendship with her. Subtle at first, but it would be the first blow against Kataang. Katara would gradually over the course of that first season have to confront the fact that she's pinned all her hopes of ending the war on a child. I think that making her face that reality would open the door to more conversations about how he felt about what the world expected him to do, and that would in turn lead to Katara helping Aang to face what happened at the siege on the NWT, and what he was being trained to do honestly.

Book 2 would be where Aang is confronted with his duty as the Avatar and what "ending the war" would mean. By this point, he knows in no uncertain terms that he's expected to kill Ozai at the very least, and his crisis of conscience happens here, and this is where he would start trying to figure out alternatives. At the same time, the people he's meeting talk to Aang and his friends honestly about what they've experienced in the war- famine; disease; loss of homes; seeing loved ones suffer and die brutally.

It all has an effect on Aang, and makes him cling tighter to Katara. Katara interprets it as platonic and doubles down on mothering Aang, even trying to shield him from the worst of the realities of the war as much as she can. When Aang tells his friends once again that he isn't sure if he can kill Ozai, someone snaps at him- Sokka I think- and tells him how the war has affected all of his friends personally, and that they don't have the luxury of feeling bad about Ozai dying, and what did Aang really think the army they were trying to gather was going to do on the battlefield, have a tickle fight (yeah...this feels like a Sokka moment). Here is where Aang finds out about Kya, I think.

Aang still goes to (the much less racist version of) Guru Pathik, and still fails to let go of his attachment to Katara. Zuko and Katara still have that moment in the caves. I haven't decided if Zuko still turns on them- on the one hand, I do think him joining the Gaang here could work. on the other hand, I think he needed to go home and see how much it doesn't fit him anymore. I could go either way. Aang still gets shot by the lightning and Katara still saves him.

As Aang and his friends travel through the Fire Nation, they spend more time with the poorest citizens. They find out how much they've suffered because of the war, and how much they also want it to end. Katara's stint as the Painted Lady lasts much longer, and she becomes a sort of urban legend, which may or may not get back to Caldera. If Zuko is on their side at this point, they start planting the seeds of rebellion on the promise of ending the war (none of the FN citizens know who he is of course). The Footloose episode doesn't happen. It's stupid and adds nothing. Instead, there's more focus on the propaganda and fear the FN leaders are spreading and finding out that there's already a rebellion brewing among certain pockets of the people. Piando plays a much bigger role in this season. He knows who they are, and helps connect them with a growing resistance movement.

Aang is still hung up on Katara, and still hasn't told them that he can't enter the AS or why. On the DoBS, he figures it won't matter since neither he nor Ozai can use firebending anyway. He keeps it too himself, and lies to his friends about being prepared to kill Ozai (well...not so much lying as telling them he's going to do what he has to and letting them assume). He still kisses Katara. They still lose this battle. The adults still sacrifice themselves for the kids to getaway.

When they get to the Air Temple, things get heated with Aang and Katara. Aang tries to run off and go play immediately, but this time, Katara lets him have it. She reminds him that she just lost her father again because he and so many other people surrendered to give them the chance to escape. She lays into him about his laziness and disregard for the people around him and tells him that he needs to shape up, or he'd get everyone killed. She becomes a lot stricter with his training at this point. Not cruel, but she's a lot less likely to tell Toph or Zuko to go easy on him, and she raises her expectations for his waterbending.

Aang gets his feelings hurt and he goes off by himself deep into the temple. He finds writings on AN culture and philosophy and actually begins learning about his people. He learns about airbending techniques he never learned. Some of it is clearly meant for battle. Aang learns that his people's views on the sanctity of life and killing aren't as black and white as he'd believed. This is also where he gets a hint of energy bending.

The Firebending Masters, Boiling Rock, and TSR still happen. Mai does not rescue Zuko and Co- that was something that never made sense to me. But then, most of Mai's characterization after CoD makes no sense to me. She's a character that needs a redo, too.

Katara and Zuko get closer during this time. Same as they do in the show. It's not quite yet a crush on either of their sides, but a lot more focus is given to the development of their friendship. They quickly become each other's go-to person in the group for support and to just hang out. Aang sees this and does not like it. It also makes his reaction to the play make a lot more sense, because he's already starting to suspect there's something between them. He confronts Katara about his feelings for her, her feelings for Zuko, and the kiss they never talk about. Katara says she doesn't really know how she feels about any of it, and she doesn't think this is the time or place to talk about it. Aang kisses her again. It's bad. Katara probably hit him this time. They don't talk alone again.

Aang is once again confronted with the expectation that he's going to kill Ozai. He has to this time, because Ozai is going to be at the height of his power, and won't hesitate to cancel Aang's subscription to Life. His friends finally realize he never actually intended to kill Ozai on DoBS, and demand to know what his plan is now. He still hasn't got one. He still hasn't told his friends about the AN philosophy scrolls he found at the air temple. He still insists that he can't in good conscience kill Ozai. Then his friends point out that millions more people will die if he doesn't. Aang goes off, gets kidnapped by the lionturtle and has the conversation with the past Avatars. They tell him he not only should kill Ozai, but he also has to let Katara go so he can use the Avatar State. Aang doesn't want to do either. Then the lionturtle gives him another way. Energy bending

The lionturle's way has consequences, though, and Aang is informed upfront that energy bending would bind him to whoever he used it on, and that it's influence was corrupting. If Aang wasn't careful, he could become as big a threat to the balance of the world as any Fire Lord had ever been. Aang doesn't understand that warning. He chooses energy bending and goes off to face Ozai.

It does not go well. There is no Rock of Destiny to magically give Aang access to the AS. There is just hyperpowered Ozai- with his decades of experience bending, and Aang, whose firebending is also strengthened, but who can't control his power as well as his opponent. He tries some of the battle techniques he read about in his scrolls. He hasn't got them down either, and some of them just feed Ozai's flames, but he manages to trap Ozai in a ball of air and suffocate him and the fire. He doesn't kill Ozai. He just leaves him disoriented long enough to energy bend him. Battle's over.

Aang brings Ozai back to Caldera, expecting to be hailed as a hero. He isn't at first, but then Iroh, Hakoda and other older and wiser people agree that it's better that Ozai gets to stand trial for his crimes. He ends up being sentenced to die anyway. Aang is furious, and then he discovers that some of his anger is Ozai's. He's bound to Ozai and now Aang has to work really hard not to let that bit of Ozai influence his personality. It's difficult, because Aang is genuinely angry enough that he can't tell what's his feelings and what is Ozai. Aang is now dealing with the fact that despite being the Avatar, people aren't willing to take him seriously, and won't not kill Ozai. He also has still not gotten over his crush on Katara and can't control the AS. On top of that Katara tells him that she doesn't feel the same way about him, and later he finds out that she's fallen for Zuko. Hard. Stupid hard. Like, they've already decided to get married in a few years, hard.

It's a bad time to be Aang. Book 3 would end with him being overwhelmed by his hurt, disappointment, and anger. Roku comes to him and suggests that he go back to Guru Pathik and learn from him. And so the last scene is Aang slipping away without telling anyone he's leaving. Toph may or may not join him. IDK.

[empressofdiamonds]

What can I do for period self care?

Hello dear,

First of all, focus on a nice hydration, nutrition, and sleep. Having all three under control makes periods easier to deal with. Don't go all pigging out on chocolate and candies, it will make you feel like shit. Don't go watch 2 entire tv show seasons in one go. Everything in moderation, and moderation feels so much better.

I really like to consume hot foods over cold foods during my period, so I prepare myself some cozy Campbell's Mushroom soup and I add in extra diced up mushrooms, sometimes other veggies like spinach leaves, broccoli, fresh fine herbs. For drinks I mostly make myself some chai (latte or not), tea, tisanes, or matcha latte, sweetened with stevia sugar if necessary. If I have ice cream cravings, I get myself some nice high quality sorbet (there's some easy DIY recipes out there!), or the tiniest can of gelato I can find. If I crave chocolate, I either make hot chocolate, or I get some nice dark chocolate and degust it one piece at a time, slowly.

I STRONGLY recommend checking out electric muscle blankets, as they'll never go out of heat and you can adjust the heating settings. They are useful for back arches or cramps or everything else. If you can't afford those (they run around 40$) or you don't like them, I suggest the water bottle heaters. They're filled with boiling hot water, then you plug them up and cover them with the lil sweater they come in. Their heat is not ajustable but it lasts for at least 1-2 hours. Baths are a really affordable option for cramp relief, too.

If the pain is too heavy, consider that your birth control might be the cause. I had 10/10 period pains on the IUD, but once I had it removed, it went away instantly. Make sure that you still have another BC option, NEVER go ahead without any kind of protection! (condoms, another form of BC, etc. For the full array of options, please consult your doctor/gun about that)

For period supplies, I prefer to use organic cotton pads for home use (so much easier to change out and no things up there, they're actually about the same price as ordinary ones, and feel so much nicer against the skin!) Also I brew myself some raspberry leaf tea, which makes sure the period goes by quickly, about once per period day. Do not drink this tea if you are trying for children, as it is an abortive!

For excercise, I prefer to do low impact, slow excercise like yoga, stretching, maybe a little bit of Pilates. Walking is another great way to excercise, but again, go at your own rythm and I'm sure that you won't get much muscle losses during your 3-5 day period!

You can use those rest days to do some self-reflection, like watching TED conferences, read books, doing jounaling prompts, and so on. No need to pull all stops and start a depression episode on your period. Distract yourself out of your pain. Having a few days of complete stop in your daily life won't be the end of the world, but you have to return to your grind right after, not giving up to that too-comfortable-but-really-bad slump feeling 💎

[discoscoob]

when watched loki first time it maybe does feel like loki and sylvie romance came out of no where, but rewatching their is subtle hints of romance, when loki and sylvie first meet clearly they intrigued by each other, loki literally ditches mobius to follow sylvie. loki and sylvie spend time together, talking about love and how lonely they are and beginning to bond but people see it as they squabbling siblings yet they are versions of each other and learn to love each other through each other, they squabble because they are are similar which why it funny loki comes to find versions of himself annoying and can see why thor found him annoying. while sylvie is a loki variant she lived a separate and different life to loki. like lokius shippers are fixated on loki fixing mobius tie as proof their is an attraction but ignore loki and sylvie chemistry when she tries to enchant him, you could say loki and mobius friendship come out of now where loki and mobius are using each other for their own motives and squabble, sure maybe be some respect for each other underneath but most time mobius is belitting and mentally torturing loki until he realises the truth about the tva and then suddenly are calling each other friends like ok... loki also serenades sylvie while looking at her with puppy dog eyes lol but say his romantic feelings for sylvie come out of nowhere compared to loki and mobius friendship or them imagining it is romantic lol. also notice loki shows his powers to sylvie which are fireworks which could symbol fireworks/spark between them and them talking about love and love being a dagger and how love is hate but like so shocked when turns out romantic feelings are brewing between them lol ok imo i say sylvie and loki relationship has had more build up then loki and mobius, sure sylvie and loki squabble but she never belittled him etc the way mobius has, it feels sylvie and loki are on equal footing mobius speeches/way talks to loki also reminds me of odin and thor and maybe Coulson too. Kang telling Sylvie to grow up reminds me of when people have downplayed loki pain and trauma.

There’s a lot to respond to but thank you for sharing this. I agree with a lot of it. I do agree that Loki and Mobius’ friendship is a bit wibbly wobbly (I don’t like what he says to Loki at the start of episode 1) but I understand that Mobius is brainwashed and that as soon as Loki tells him the truth he chooses his side and abandons the TVA, I appreciate that the show had very little time to flesh out both relationships, however they spent 3 full episodes building on Loki and Sylvie’s relationship, whereas people were already shipping Loki and Mobius after a 2 minute trailer before the show even came out 😭

3 episodes is a reasonable amount of time for people to develop feelings, we watch movies where the romantic interests can develop feelings within the first 10 minutes.

I think a lot of it boils down to people seeing what they want to see and interpreting things they way they want to interpret them.

[skellebonez]

16 & 26 with Huntsman X Sandy, LET'S GO

I HAD TO WRITE THIS IMMEDIATE AFTER EPISODE 8 I CANNOT BELIEVE THIS. YOU AND @kitkat1003 DID THIS TO ME. I WROTE THIS PAST 3 AM. I finished it in 30 minutes after I got online again. I want to write MORE so consider this just the start of another ongoing series of prompts I guess.

Obvious SPOILERS for S2E8.

I let you win./You don’t hate me.

Huntsman could not believe that he was doing this. But... everything was off. Nothing about what had happened since the Lunar New Year Festival had felt right to him, and after he retrieved the Demon Revealing Mirror his bad feelings about the entire situation was just farther confirmed. Now, however... now he had next to no trust in the person who was pulling all their strings. Not after her non-answer to his questions.

So now he was here. Out in the open. Back at the docks where he first got a good look at the man he had a recent encounter with. On the boat where he saw him and in front of his door. Huntsman knew he was inside because he had watched him come home.

He wish he knew what his name was, at the very least. He'd just been calling him Blue or Big Guy or something similar in his mind. Said as much during their last encounter. Hopefully what he had found after he had returned meant that there was at least still some good will in his direction from the larger man. Enough to make up for the fact he would have to ask for his name at least.

The door was right in front of him. He just... had to knock now. He knew how to knock, he could do it so quickly. He just... had to raise his arm...

And then his vision was a wall of blue and he let out a very unbecoming scream of surprise.

"It's you," Blue said, face a picture of... confusion. Not the immediate anger or suspicion that Huntsman had expected. It came after a moment however, a glower and a crossing of his arms. "It's you."

The spider demon couldn't help himself from tensing up for a moment, despite his best attempts at avoiding that, but it was only for a moment. He instantly stood up straight, clearing his throat before flourishing his arm with a chuckle. It came out shaky, more awkward than he had intended.

"Is that, heh... offer still on the... table?" He reached into his coat, pulling out the single teabag he had found stashed away in his pocket after their last encounter.

It took a hot second for Blue to react, but when he did it was instantaneous. He grabbed Huntsman by the coat collar and pulled him inside without so much as a word. Huntsman's first reaction was to pull back, fight back at the grip on his collar and then at the large muscular arms picking him up like he was as light as a rag doll, but he didn't. Instead he let himself be picked up, carried through the house boat and deposited on the couch before Blue sat across from him with a stern expression with his palm open.

Huntsman sat awkwardly for a moment before he realized what Blue wanted, and he held out his hand slowly. So slowly. He hovered above Blue's hand for a good few seconds, watching his expression before biting the bullet and opening it to let the tea bag fall into the large hand.

Before he knew it Blue was off and back again with a tray that held two cups and a hot kettle of water, and there was no way he boiled water that quickly he couldn’t have so he must have been making some already. He placed the tray down and began pouring water into the cups that held two identical teabags, one tag more torn and worn and dirty than the other so that must have been the one he had on him. Huntsman sat in silence, unsure of what to do aside from what this happen.

There were cats on the boat. Many cats, more than he could count. They didn’t come close to him, barring one. One that matched his owner in both color scheme and hair style, who sat on Blue’s shoulder and hissed at him threateningly.

Huntsman was not threatened by a cat.

“What’s your name?” Blue asked suddenly as he sat back, a wide smile with a hint of suspicion in the very back of his eyes. But the smile, the open expression, the willingness to give him another chance, that was far stronger. “I didn’t have the chance to ask you.”

“Uh... Huntsman,” he answered slowly, watching the steam lift from the slowly brewing tea between them.

“I’m Sandy,” Blue, Sandy, said without missing a beat. “What are you doing here so late at night, Huntsy?”

The spider demon froze, looking at Sandy incredulously. He had half a mind to tell him off then and there, to object to his name being shortened to something so... so... SILLY! But he didn’t. Huntsman was not stupid, he knew he was not a genius like Syntax (but, then again, how smart could the ex-human really be if he had believed that Spider Queen would not double cross him and bring him into the fold eventually), but he wasn’t stupid.

He remembered their fight. How strong this large demon was. He put Goliath to shame despite being of similar stature, there was something about this man that was hidden deep down somewhere that Huntsman could not see and when he admitted it to himself he had been terrified that Sandy would kill him at that time. He could have killed Huntsman. He saw what he did to the scenery around them. But he didn’t.

He let him go.

So Huntsman took a deep breathe and began to talk.

~

It didn’t take long for his explanation. Just long enough for the tea to finish steeping. He didn’t reveal everything, but he did say enough. Told him about Lady Bone Demon (Lady White Bone, White Bone Spirit, whatever name she was going by these days) and how she had been doing... something. How he had his suspicions for a while. How he was worried for his Queen.

“Do not misunderstand my intentions. I have no stake in your Monkie Kid group and quite frankly if Bone Lady wasn’t in the picture I wouldn’t be here,” Huntsman said firmly, picking up his tea cup as Sandy picked up his. “But I care for my Queen. And I believe she is in danger. I am no fool, I know we are enemies, but they do say ‘the enemy of my enemy is my friend’..” He paused, looking up at Sandy and maintaining eye contact with him. “And we have a common enemy.”

The cats that were hiding in the shadows had begun to slowly come out. Some were watching him from the shelves and cat trees. How in the world did everything in this house boat stay standing when he drove it?

“That we do,” Sandy agreed, again so fast and so simply. His willingness to listen to the spider demon put him off in a way, but in others... it felt nice to be listened to. As much as he loved his Queen there were times she just did not listen to him at all, Syntax and he did not see eye to eye on much, and Goliath... well, he listened usually. But he was even more loyal to Spider Queen than he was. He put total faith in her working with their extra member so talking to him had not gotten him far. “And after what happened at the festival and Monkey King’s island and all the other stuff? The others are going to take a lot of convincing. But I believe you.”

“You... believe me?” Huntsman asked incredulously, raising an eyebrow. “... You don’t hate me.”

It wasn’t a question. It was a statement. One he could not believe he was saying.

“Nope,” Sandy said as he took a sip of his drink. “I don’t hate you. But that doesn’t mean we’re allies, I know that.”

“... you’re weird,” Huntsman said with a scoff, rolling his many eyes.

“Says the spider guy who let himself be dragged into his enemies home at 1 in the morning to be sat down for ‘a cuppa’,” Sandy shot back with a small smile. There was the smallest bit of amusement behind it. “We’re both weird.”

“Touche,” Huntsman could not help but reply as he looked down at his drink. He couldn’t help but wonder in the back of his mind if it was poisoned. That’s partly what he thought when the last cup was offered in the forest. But Sandy seemed to heartfelt in his offer to have done something like that. He didn’t seem the type to boast about getting alone and not wanting to fight only to poison someone. So Huntsman kept hold his his tea and brought it up to his face. “But that still begs the question. Do we trust each other enough to do anything more after this?”

“Oh, I don’t trust you nearly as far as I could throw you,” Sandy laughed out as he drank the rest of his tea. “But I trust myself. And I trust my own judgement. And I think I can trust myself enough to work with you for the better of both of our friends.”

Huntsman didn’t say anything at that. He sat, staring at the tea for another moment. He... did not trust Sandy, not fully yet. He trusted him enough to not kill him, and so far that trust had been rewarded quite well. But much like Sandy he trusted himself. He trusted his own judgement. And he had chosen to come here of his own volition, by himself, to protect his Queen.

A cat wandered over, a calico, and jumped onto the couch next to him. It stared up at him with bright brown eyes, watching him intently.

“Why did you let me leave?” He asked after a moment. “I let you win, by leaving. But you could have beaten me regardless. Why?”

“I wanted to give you another chance. Everyone deserves that much. Everyone.”

Huntsman gripped his teacup tighter at this, staring at the torn teabag with Sandy’s face on it. It must have been his own special blend. His own special blend that he had given to him as an olive branch. A sign that he would listen. And he had listened.

Huntsman gulped and raised the teacup to his lips and gulped.

It was smooth. Bright. Slightly bitter but not unintentionally.

It was the best tea Huntsman had ever had in his life.

“... How much tea does that second chance get me?”

Sandy smiled, a different kind of something that was brighter and softer and less in his face, and something in Huntsman's chest jumped of it's own accord.

[spencesglasses]

sweet creature (spencer reid x f! reader) pt 1

A/N: I did it! I did change the plot a little bit so Spencer does know the reader instead of just meeting her at the BAU. This takes place around season 11/12. Please ignore any grammar or spelling errors hehe. Enjoy! <3

part two

Spencer weaves through the sea of people, heading towards a small coffee shop tucked between two lonely stores. The hustle and bustle of the market square was enough to make Spencer’s need for a serene atmosphere urge him into the cafe. A familiar scent fills his nose when he finally walks in: freshly brewed coffee and muffins straight out of the oven, he concludes.  

“Welcome in!” he heard someone call out from the back. “I’ll be with you in a second!”

He nods and claims his spot on the battered leather couch in the nook of the quiet coffee shop. The building was cold, despite the burning heat outside. Which was good, he supposed, he was never really fond of the heat.

“187!”

Spencer puts his attention to the woman in front of him. His eyes were stuck on her, and his thoughts drowned out most of his surroundings. She and Spencer had known each other for a while now, since the day he walked into her shop on an impromptu coffee run. Spencer went in with a frown on his face and left with a number memorised, but Y/N didn't need to know that. And that next Saturday they found themselves on his couch watching movies and cracking jokes through them all. By the end of their first movie, she was asleep so peacefully Spencer did not have the heart to wake her up. So he stayed there with her, throwing a small blanket over her and making a makeshift bed on the floor below her. Y/N left in the morning for her part-time job, a job he found out keeps her afloat when monthly payments come around.

“Hello,” sang Y/N, waving a hand over his face. “Earth to 187.”

For a moment, he feels out of place while the memory of them clings to him. “Huh?” he clears his throat. “Sorry about that.”

Y/N quirks her brow. “It’s alright, Mr. 187,” she pokes his stomach.

“Doctor, actually,” he grinned, shooing her hand away.

She moved away just before Spencer could poke the spot between her brows, and she made her way back behind the register. “Well, doc, you didn’t come here to sit and look pretty. Whatcha want?” Spencer’s face flushes and she watches him shake his head, as if it was a reluctant reply. “Unless you did come here to sit there and look pretty,” she laughs.

His brows furrowed. “What? I was ju-”

“I’m just messing with you,”

His lips curl into a gentle smile. “Oh,” he looks up at the menu. “You choose.”

“Oh, don’t say that, Spence, I’ll give you the most repulsive cup of coffee you’ve ever had.” she said with a smile.

“The most repulsive cup of coffee, but I’d still love it anyway,” he leans forward against the counter between them.

“And why is that, 187?”

“Because you made it,”

Y/N pushes his head away and starts on the ticket. “Such a charmer, Dr. Reid. So tell me, you use that line often, or are you just trying to get free coffee?”

Spencer taps his finger against his chin in a false ponder. “Both, but free coffee always makes my day.”

Her laugh and the smell of freshly brewed coffee are lively compared to the quietness inside the shop. Seeing her move so effortlessly around the kitchen had more of an effect on him than he’d care to admit. She puts a lid on the cup and pulls a pen out of her apron.

The buzzing of his phone in his pocket pulled him out of his thoughts. “I gotta go,” he said. “We just got a case.”

“Just in time, 187, your coffee is ready,” she slides the cup across the counter.

He takes out his wallet and pulls out a few dollars and Y/N shakes her head, “No need,” it was her turn to shoo away his hands. “It’s on me.”

“So I’m taking my charm worked?” he laughed.

Y/N held her hand over her chest and batted her lashes. “Oh, of course,”

“That usually doesn’t-” Spencer’s phone rang.

“You should go,” she checks her watch. “I actually have to go as well.”

Spencer tilts his head at her. “New job,” she continues.

“I can walk you out,”

“I’m sure the FBI needs you much more than I do, and I think-”

He interrupts her. “You paid for my coffee and the least I could do is walk you out.”

She paused for a beat. “Alright then, doc, I need to clean up a bit then clock out and I’ll meet you out front.”

Spencer nods, turning on his heel and walking through the front doors. She stared at the doors closing behind him, then got to work.

“I can do that if you like,” she hears her coworker, Anna, say. “I see you have a special someone waiting for you.” she wiggles her eyebrows.

“Oh please, Spence and I are friends,” she rolls her eyes. “Barely that, we meet each other a month ago and the only times I see him, or actually get to have a proper conversation with him, is when he stops by the shop.”

“Spence?” Anna repeats.

She arched one brow. “Yeah?”

“Nicknames already, huh?” Anna faked yawned.

She threw the rag she was using to clean the counters to her friend. “Just shut up and clean,”

Anna chuckled softly. “Have you told him, by the way?”

Y/N’s head snapped up. She did mean to tell him, but she just did never have the chance to. Now, she had two options: tell him now, or surprise him later.

She frowned deeply. “Not yet.”

-

Y/N hurried to the front and found Spencer leaning against the shop building, fiddling with his watch. The sound of the doors opening alerted him. “Ready?”

She hummed and held out her arm. “Ready.” Spencer linked his arm with hers, and they were on their way. Meanwhile, Y/N had something boiling deep inside her, her thoughts overflowing. Should I tell him now? Of course! This is the last chance you have! It’s not that big of a deal, right? She huffed, digging her nails into her palm.

Spencer’s eyes fall on her, quite literally having to look down at her. “Are you okay?”

“Huh?”

“I asked if you were okay,”

His voice catches her off guard, and she’s quiet for a moment. This is the perfect opportunity to tell him, Y/N. You’re making a bigger deal than it is. “Don’t profile me, 187,”

“I don’t need to profile you to know something is bothering you,” he separates their arms. “What is it?”

Tell him, Tell him, Tell him. “It’s really nothing,” she said. “I start at my new job today so I’m just nervous,”

This wasn’t a total lie. She was nervous. Who wouldn’t be nervous starting at a new job, especially the one she’s about to have. New people, new surroundings, and traveling every other day. It would be a huge adjustment considering the job she has now. Despite the nervousness, she was excited. She was ready for new and bigger things, things her current job could not give her.

“Hey,” he says softly, halting their movements. “You are-”

“Spence, we both have to go,” she snaps.

Spencer watches her as her feet carry her to her car. She didn’t mean to be so blunt. She knew she should just tell him and get it over with, but she couldn’t help but think about how awkward the interaction would be. She didn’t want to intrude. Dammit, Y/N. Why didn’t you just tell him when you had the chance? You’re making this so difficult! She shakes her head. It’s silly that she’s arguing with herself through her thoughts. “I’ll see you in a bit, Spence,”

He gave her a questioning look but before he can question her, she was off.

What is she hiding, he thinks.

-

The train to Quantico was brief, but it gave him time to be alone with his thoughts. What was she being so secretive about? And why was she going to ‘see him in a bit’. He knew he was thinking too much into it, but the profiler in him needed answers.

Spencer made it to his floor as soon as he could, realizing he was 30 minutes late. This wouldn’t be the first time he was late, but it was the first time he was late because he was with her. He rushed through the hallways not paying attention to his surroundings into he heard someone call his name, well his nickname.

“Boy wonder!” he halts and sees Penelope Garcia rushing towards him.

“You’re finally here,” she places her hand on his arm. “We have a case,”

“Hotch sent me-”

“And we have a new addition to the team!” she squeals.

Wait. New job. “See you in a bit”. It couldn’t be. Could it? Is this what she was so nervous about? Starting at the BAU? Not just starting at the BAU, joining their team. Being a new member of their tight-knit group. A new member of their family. Don’t think too ahead on this, Spencer, you don’t even know if it’s her yet. Don’t get your hopes up.

“Oh, you will love her! She fits in so perfectly!” Penelope tugs on his wrist, pulling him towards the wide glass doors.

The bullpen is lively. Everyone seemed happier, more joyful than they’ve had been in a while. His eyes roam left and right, trying to find if his conclusion was true. And there she is. Just as he thought. Y/N. Y/N sitting there with Hotch. And Morgan. And Tara. She sits there as if she has always been there, making jokes with everyone and already having a playful banter with Morgan. He knows Penelope was right, as always.

“Spence!” JJ calls. “Come meet newbie,”

Y/N’s and Spencer’s eyes meet, and they knew exactly what they were thinking. She gives him a sheepish smile and says, “Surprise.”

—

A/N: I just remembered that Emily is only in one episode in season 11 so you’ll probably only see her when I write out that episode and when I write season 12.

But anyway, first chapter! How we feelin’?

Feedback is always appreciated <3