#christopher winter

[huntsvillegossip]

Hello Lovelies ~~

Well, let's give a big cheer to the wonderful electricians for fixing the power around here. It makes it so much easier to be able to work. These hands aren’t what they used to be, and trying to write up everything on pen and paper really did make it feel like we were living in medieval times. That being said, you all have been finding some very creative ways of keeping yourselves busy and entertained this past summer. 

It seems the Commune is very much struggling currently. We’ve all heard about poor Mr. Abernathy, which is a tragedy for all, and he will be very much missed. However, it seems there have been cracks in the foundation of that house long before this. Antonio Estrada Jr has been removed from his position as secondary leader of the house. Why this could be is anyone’s guess, though it has been shared he is also leaving the house altogether, alongside Mylene Karimi. Two long-time members leaving during such a somber time does put into question how well things are at the Commune. Is it possible Sunflower’s increased strictness could be doing more harm than good? So much for one big, happy family.  

There is also the matter of how well those two will adjust back into town life - especially for Antonio. Poor Mylene may well have to be the main breadwinner for those two. Once again, my sources tell me that Theodore Collins was brought up in regards to Antonio’s removal as second-in-command, since those two just can’t seem to settle down. Whether their grudge may escalate now that he’s no longer at the Commune remains to be seen.

Although speaking of Mr. Collins, he has been quite the social butterfly, seen once again cozying up with our very own Officer Morgan Vovk. Bit of an odd time to continue flirting with a taken woman who's trying to rebuild her family, if you ask me. But to each their own, I suppose. Who knows? Maybe Officer Vovk would prefer a younger man nowadays?

With no power it seems others have had the same idea of meeting up in the late hours of the night. Zoë Clarke has been spotted quite a few times now leaving Axel Addams’s house in the early mornings. Now I know she loves to conduct her own interviews, but it is highly doubtful the two are doing much talking during these meetups, don’t you think? If I may provide one piece of advice for the possible new couple: make sure to clarify how exclusive you are. Communication seems to be a pressing issue lately in this town. 

On a final, happier note, we do have to congratulate our Principal Christoper Winters and Miss Emma Dunford on starting a family. While Josie Reigh seems to have continued her wild adventures, it seems she is learning the hard way that actions do, in fact, have consequences. Thankfully, the two have graciously agreed to take the future bundle of joy from her when the time comes. A wise decision in my opinion, the two are much more capable of raising a child. Now if you’ll excuse me, I am going to go enjoy some much needed AC. Although please try not to let things cool down too much around here. I’m always happy to provide a listening ear to you all. Love, Auntie G. 

[miamaimania]

Frozen in Time: Christophe Jacrot's Norilsk, Siberia

[aestum]

(by Christopher Politano)

[miumiumanzo]

Chris and Rose moments

[estellesdoll]

31 𝒅𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒘𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓 | 𝒄𝒉𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒎𝒂𝒔 𝒎𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒕

⊹. 𝒅𝒂𝒚 31 : 𝑵𝒊𝒄𝒌'𝒔 𝒏𝒆𝒘 𝒕𝒊𝒕𝒍𝒆 𖧧 . ָ࣪    ִֶָ

𓄹 ࣪.𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒏𝒆𝒅 𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒕 𓄹 ࣪.𝒎𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒕 𓄹 ࣪.𝒏𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒈𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𓄹 ࣪.𝒕𝒂𝒈𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒕

𝒔𝒖𝒎𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒚 : Chris and the reader plan the ultimate Christmas reveal for Nick: he's going to be an uncle.

𝒑𝒂𝒊𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 : future dad!chris sturniolo x pregnant!reader

𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 : pure fluff

𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒅 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕 : 1k

𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒔 :HELLO, EVERYONE! WE’VE FINALLY REACHED THE END OF THE POSTS ON THE CHRISTMAS MASTERLIST. I WISH YOU A WONDERFUL NEW YEAR AND THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT!

I know this Christmas masterlist is filled with pregnant!reader content, but I honestly couldn’t resist 😭.

You sat on the couch, sipping hot cocoa as Chris fussed over the placement of a particular ornament for the third time.

“Babe, it looks fine,” you said, laughing softly. “Nick’s not gonna notice if the star isn’t perfectly aligned.”

Chris turned to you, holding the ornament like it was the Holy Grail. “He notices everything. You know he’ll make some snarky comment about my lack of symmetry. I just want this to be perfect.”

You rolled your eyes affectionately, running a hand over your small but noticeable baby bump. “It’s not like he’s gonna be staring at the tree once he opens his gift.”

Chris set the ornament down and walked over to kneel in front of you, resting his hands on your knees. “You think he’s gonna freak out?”

You tilted your head, pretending to think. “Hmm. Freak out as in scream and throw himself on the floor? Or freak out as in go completely silent and then explode five minutes later?”

Chris laughed, his dimples making an appearance. “I’m betting on the second one.”

You grinned, reaching out to smooth his hair. “Either way, it’s gonna be a Christmas he’ll never forget.”

--------

The sound of the front door opening echoed through the house, followed by Nick’s unmistakable voice.

“Merry Christmas, ya filthy animals!” he called out, his footsteps heavy as he stomped snow off his boots. “Where’s the eggnog? And why does it smell like cinnamon in here? Did you two join a Hallmark movie cult?”

Chris smirked and got up, heading toward the hallway. “We’re in the living room, Einstein. And no, we just know how to set the mood.”

Nick appeared a moment later, carrying a tray of cookies and a bottle of eggnog. His eyes immediately darted to the Christmas tree. “Wow. This is…a lot. Did you hire an interior decorator, or is this all you, Chris?”

“Rude,” Chris shot back, crossing his arms. “I’ll have you know I did all of this myself. With some help, of course.”

Nick’s gaze shifted to you, and he raised a brow. “Let me guess—she’s the one with the actual taste?”

You laughed, holding up your mug. “Guilty as charged.”

Nick plopped down on the couch beside you, draping an arm over the backrest. “Well, I gotta say, this is impressive. Almost too impressive. Are you two hiding something? Because this is giving ‘we’re about to drop a major bombshell’ energy.”

Chris shot you a quick look, his lips twitching as he tried to hide a grin. “What? Us? No way. Just a totally normal, boring Christmas Eve.”

Nick narrowed his eyes but didn’t press further.

--------

After some idle chit-chat and cookie munching, Chris clapped his hands together. “Alright, time for gifts!”

Nick raised a brow. “We’re doing this before dinner? That’s suspicious.”

“Just go with it,” you said, biting back a laugh.

Chris handed Nick the golden gift box, his expression carefully neutral. “This one’s from both of us.”

Nick eyed the box suspiciously. “This better not be another one of those prank gifts. I’m still traumatized from the time you gave me that fake lottery ticket.”

“Just open it,” Chris urged, gesturing impatiently.

With a dramatic sigh, Nick tore into the wrapping paper, revealing the plain cardboard box inside. “Oh, good. A box. Just what I’ve always wanted.”

You rolled your eyes. “You’re impossible.”

Nick lifted the lid, and the sarcasm melted from his face the moment he saw the onesie inside. He stared at it, his mouth opening and closing as he tried to process the words printed across the fabric: Best Uncle Ever.

For a long moment, he said nothing. Then he looked up, his eyes darting between you and Chris. “Wait. Is this—are you—?”

Chris grinned, his dimples on full display. “Surprise.”

Nick let out a disbelieving laugh, running a hand through his hair. “No freaking way. You’re having a baby?!”

You nodded, tears pricking your eyes. “You’re gonna be an uncle, Nick.”

Nick shot to his feet, pacing back and forth in front of the tree. “Holy crap. This is huge. Like, this is the biggest thing that’s ever happened to this family. I mean, aside from me being born, obviously.”

Chris snorted. “Obviously.”

--------

Nick spun around, pointing a finger at Chris. “You realize this means you have to get your act together, right? No more last-minute Target runs for diapers. And you better start reading parenting books, like, yesterday.”

Chris held up his hands in mock surrender. “Relax, Dr. Phil. We’ve got it under control.”

Nick turned to you, his expression softening. “And you—you’re gonna be the best mom ever. But, uh, just so you know, I’m claiming the title of ‘favorite uncle’ right now.”

You laughed, wiping at your eyes. “Deal.”

He dropped back onto the couch, shaking his head in disbelief. “I can’t believe this. This is the best Christmas present ever. You guys really outdid yourselves.”

Chris nudged him. “So, you’re happy?”

“Happy? Are you kidding? I’m ecstatic. This kid’s gonna have the coolest uncle ever. I’m talking matching outfits, secret handshakes, the works.”

Chris groaned. “Oh God. What have we done?”

--------

The rest of the evening was a blur of laughter, hugs, and heartfelt conversations. Nick insisted on re-wrapping the onesie so he could open it again, and Chris recorded his reaction for posterity.

Later, as the three of you sat by the fire, Nick leaned over and placed a hand on your belly. “Hey, kiddo. It’s your Uncle Nick. Just so you know, I’m gonna teach you all the cool stuff. Like how to make the perfect peanut butter sandwich. And how to annoy your dad.”

Chris rolled his eyes. “Great. Just what I needed.”

You smiled, resting your hand over Nick’s. “This baby is already so loved.”

As the fire crackled and the snow fell outside, you couldn’t help but feel that this Christmas was the start of something truly magical.

𝒕𝒂𝒈𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒕 : @emely9274 @gemzyy

@/estellesdoll

𓄹 ࣪. like, reblog 𑁍 comment

﹒◟send me your requests and use an emoji if you want to stay anonymous. 𓂃

[bulrayzsweetz]

he. can. get. it.

[enchanted-keys]

Marianela Nunez and Matthew Ball in The Winter's Tale (Royal Ballet 2024)

[changbeansss]

Winter falls

Pairings : Bang Chan x reader

Genre : Angst

Warnings : Mentions of break up, crying, Chan is referred as Chris in the whole story

The first snowflakes of the season were falling gently outside, turning the bustling city into a serene winter wonderland. Inside your favorite café, the warm glow of the fireplace contrasted sharply with the cold reality you were about to face. You sat across from Chris, the man who had been your world for the past three years, feeling a mix of dread and sorrow.

Chris reached out and took your hand, his touch as familiar as the falling snow outside. His brown eyes, usually filled with warmth and joy, were now clouded with sadness. His soft curls framed his face, making him look even more vulnerable in this moment.

"We need to talk," he said softly, his voice barely above a whisper.

You nodded, already knowing where this conversation was headed. You had both been avoiding it for weeks, hoping that the inevitable could somehow be delayed or, better yet, avoided altogether.

"I got the job offer," Chris continued, his eyes searching yours for a reaction. "It's an amazing opportunity, but it's in South Korea. I can't turn it down."

You felt a lump form in your throat, the reality of his words hitting you like a cold wind. "I know," you replied, your voice trembling. "I knew this day would come, but I didn't want to believe it."

Chris squeezed your hand, his eyes pleading with you to understand. "We've always known that our dreams might take us in different directions. I never wanted this to happen, but it's my career, my future."

You nodded, tears welling up in your eyes. "I understand, Chris. I do. But it doesn't make it any easier."

Silence hung heavy between you, the weight of unspoken words and shattered dreams pressing down on your hearts. The café, once a place of joy and laughter, now felt suffocating.

"We can't do long distance," Chris said finally, his voice breaking. "It wouldn't be fair to either of us. We deserve more than that."

"I- I know," you whispered, tears now streaming down your face. "But how do we move on from this? How do we let go when we both know we can't?"

Chris leaned across the table, brushing away your tears with his thumb. "I don't know," he admitted, his own eyes glistening with unshed tears. "But we have to try. We have to give each other the chance to find happiness, even if it's without each other."

The words were like a knife to your heart, but you knew he was right. Holding on would only prolong the pain, making it harder to heal.

"I love you, Chris," you said, your voice breaking. "I'll always love you."

"I love you too," he replied, his voice filled with anguish. "More than anything. That's why this is so hard."

You both stood up, the finality of the moment crashing down on you. Chris pulled you into his arms, holding you tightly as if trying to memorize the feel of you. You clung to him, not wanting to let go, but knowing that you had to.

Outside, the snow continued to fall, covering the world in a blanket of white. It was as if the universe was offering a fresh start, a new beginning, even though it felt like the end.

As you walked out of the café together, you knew that this was the last time you would be together like this. The streets were quiet, the only sound the crunch of snow beneath your feet.

"Goodbye" Chris said softly, his voice barely audible above the silence of the night.

"Goodbye, Chris," you replied, your heart breaking with each step you took away from him.

You walked away, each step feeling heavier than the last. The cold winter air bit at your skin, mirroring the pain in your heart. You knew that moving on would be impossible, that Chris would always hold a piece of your heart.

As you reached your apartment, you looked back one last time. Chris was still standing there, watching you with a look of utter devastation. You gave him a small, sad smile, knowing that this was the end of a beautiful chapter in your life.

Inside your apartment, you collapsed onto the couch, the weight of the breakup finally crashing down on you. The snow outside continued to fall, each flake a reminder of what you had lost. You knew that the road ahead would be long and difficult, but you also knew that you had to find a way to move forward, even if it felt impossible now.

Winter had always been your favorite season, but now it would forever be tainted with the memory of your heartbreaking goodbye to Chris.

[fruitysalamander1398]

christopher walken was in the ORIGINAL 1966 broadway production of the lion in winter?? as phillip?? oh my god i personally feel insane about this

[these-summer-nights-in-december]

Christopher Citro | This Is Today | 2025-01-03 2.09 AM

[iolite-moodboards]

Winter falls 떨어진다 눈이 그 어떤 것보다 깨끗하게

I loved you loved you loved you 너도 그랬듯 loved you loved you loved you 다시 falls

[marejadilla]

Christopher Winter Pugliese, Oil on Canvas, 2024, in progress.

[miamaimania]

Frozen Moments: Norilsk, Siberia through the Lens of Christophe Jacrot

[supercalifragipopculturevomit]

THE BEST OF DANIEL BRÜHL

It’s dumb, honestly.

You get this seemingly brilliant idea of turning to foreign films so you’re forced to read subtitles and focus—a problem you’ve been noticing of late—but in doing so, you end up with a more destructive distraction.

“Who’s that guy, again? The one in all those international productions?” That’s how I found myself on my Daniel Brühl marathon-turned-obsession.

It was his role as the cute Nazi in Inglorious Basterds that first put him on my radar. Over the years, I would see him in The Fifth Estate, Burnt, Woman in Gold, The Zookeeper’s Wife, and The King’s Man. Midway through All Quiet on the Western Front, I was like, “All this needs is that German actor…” and I had to chuckle when he later appeared on screen. I also checked out the first season of The Alienist because I was intrigued by what he and Dakota Fanning as leads would do with such a spooky-looking show.

Adorable as he was in his breakout role in Good Bye, Lenin!, it was his performance in the critically-acclaimed Rush that caused me to spiral. Similar to when Benedict Cumberbatch took on the modern version of Sherlock, it was like seeing Brühl with new eyes. His playful take on Helmut Zemo in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier was the final nail in the coffin. I don’t imagine it’s all too different from what Tom Hiddleston did to fans of Marvel as Loki.

I’m actually at the tail-end of this obsession now that I’ve seen everything I can get a hold of—around 39 films, two TV shows, a documentary, a music video, countless interviews, a bunch of ads, and a handful of fan cuts—but he has a lot of works worth recommending so I thought I would share them on here. This will mostly be a subjective list with priority on projects I found most interesting which showcase his range best. Like, I enjoyed The Bourne Ultimatum but he was on screen for a total of 2 minutes so I wouldn’t include that here.

RUSH (2013) This biographical sports film written by Peter Morgan—the man behind The Crown—centers on the rivalry between Formula One drivers James Hunt and Niki Lauda in the 70s. Not a fan of F1 or sports in general. I have nothing against either, just zero interest. But this character-driven film, much like Ford vs Ferrari, had me at the edge of my seat the entire ride. And it surprisingly has one of the best meet-cutes—and accidental wingmen—I’ve seen yet.

Brühl delivers an Oscar-worthy performance in this role. For someone who needed a lot of convincing he could do the character justice, he truly went above and beyond. For one, he befriended and studied Lauda, the iconic F1 figure he was portraying. No easy feat considering Lauda being, well… Lauda. In interviews, Brühl recounts the story of the memorable invite he got from Lauda to meet in Vienna. This would be their first meeting and Lauda told Brühl outright that he should only bring hand luggage so he can piss off if they don’t like each other.

He would end up staying a few days and buying additional clothes.

He also spent a month in Vienna to nail the accent, making sure to capture the arrogance and irony innate to it. And although he got driver training for the role, he also considered the tiniest details like which went on first: helmet or gloves? There was also the tricky business of looking graceful entering a tiny F1 car—a bigger challenge for Chris Hemsworth who plays Hunt—but an obstacle all the same.

All the hard work paid off. It was well-received by audiences, critics, and the F1 world. The first time Lauda saw the film he went, “Holy shit, that’s really me”. Lauda’s friends thought he did voiceover work for it. Director Ron Howard was so pleased with Brühl’s performance that he went out of his way to show an unfinished cut of the movie to the producers of The Fifth Estate (2013). This gracious act would land Brühl the co-lead role opposite Benedict Cumberbatch.

GOOD BYE, LENIN! (2003) Can't tell if it's just because the two films have the same composer and were created around the same time, but this tragicomedy set in East Germany reminded me so much of my beloved Amélie. This is definitely more dramatic and political but it has that same mix of whimsy, heart, and charm. With its budget, it was meant to be an indie film, but the story of a son who would recreate a faux-socialist world to keep his mother alive captured the heartstrings of audiences, not just in Germany but also worldwide. Brühl plays the son and his success with this film was a double-edged sword: although it would open doors for him internationally, he would also be typecast as the “nice guy” in his home country.

INGLORIOUS BASTERDS (2009) This has one of the best, most intense opening sequences in all of cinema… and one of the greatest villains. In this wild alternate universe from Quentin Tarantino, he rewrites the ending of World War II. It’s the right balance of dark, hilarious, and entertaining—my favorite from the auteur’s works. Here Brühl plays a cute and charming Nazi, which is very confusing to the senses.

Aside from Brühl, it was also my first introduction to Christoph Waltz, Michael Fassbender, and Melanie Laurent—all fantastic European actors who’ve crossed over to Hollywood after the success of this movie. “Crossing over” seems ubiquitous now but, at that time, giving most of the lead roles to then relatively unknown actors must have been a risk. But for this, it was necessary. Language plays a huge part in this trilingual film and casting native speakers grounded it in authenticity. Tarantino originally had Leonardo di Caprio in mind to play Hans Landa. Whether he meant for him to learn German or to speak English with a German accent, who knows. Either way, it’s safe to say that would have been a different film.

THE EDUKATORS / DIE FETTEN JAHRE SIND VORBEI (2004) This anti-capitalist film, which has become a cult classic, captures the spirit, idealism, recklessness, and angst of young revolutionaries who just want a better world. Where one stands on the measures taken, or even their sentiment, can be considered a litmus test. With or without reference to this quote from the movie—“Under 30 and not liberal, no heart. Over 30 and still liberal, no brain.”—is up to the viewer.

There needs to be a suspension of disbelief for the series of events that takes place but the setting is necessary for the clash of worlds to happen. It’s not a perfect movie but the issues they debate about in length… they’re still discussions we’re having nearly 20 years later.

p.s. this has my favorite behind-the-scenes of all of Brühl’s projects. Though he hasn’t lost his sense of humor, he seems to have become more reserved as he got older. HERE, at this period in his life, he’s a total goofball bordering on loose cannon.

THE FALCON AND THE WINTER SOLDIER (2021) Though I’ve enjoyed quite a few MCU movies, I’m not invested in the universe at all, so watching this wasn’t a priority. In fact, I was ready to settle on YouTube compilations made by devoted fans of all the scenes Brühl was in. Upon seeing clips, however, I got intrigued by his character so I still ended up watching the miniseries and also Captain America: Civil War (2016).

Both were better than I expected. Civil War is more serious, while TFATWS is more playful, but both face relevant issues along with formidable foes. Brühl’s villain in Helmut Zemo is fascinating because he tears the mighty Avengers apart with mere patience, fury, and intelligence… and his motivations are understandable. He lets his character loose in TFATWS—at one point, on the dance floor—and it’s magnificent. His mission is still the same, but this time he does it with a lot of charm, humor, and fabulous Sokovian style. A Turkish delight, personified.

ME AND KAMINSKI / ICH UND KAMINSKI (2015) Brühl’s Sebastian Zöllner is a repulsive and sleazy journalist who has greasy hair and wears too much cologne but I can’t get enough of his chaotic energy. His magnum opus is hitched on a legendary artist dying and his fantasy is to turn the orphaned daughter into a sugar mommy. It’s all kinds of messed up but he plays the hell out of the smarmy dirtbag so it’s a lot of fun. This is Brühl’s second collaboration with Wolfgang Becker, who directed Good Bye, Lenin! Daniel Kehlmann, the writer whose eponymous book this film was based on, would later write Brühl’s directorial debut, Nebenan.

NO REGRETS / NICHTS BEUREUEN (2001) This is reminiscent of the slightly problematic but highly enjoyable teen comedies and coming-of-age films of the 90s. It’s like an edgier Can’t Hardly Wait: boy goes through cringe-worthy measures to get the girl he’s long been pining for, his two closest pals have nothing but dumb advice to offer, yet he still ends up on the path to self-discovery. It’s awkward, chaotic, frustrating, and beautiful—but such is adolescence.

Brühl and his co-star Jessica Schwarz fall in love on the set of this film. And although they would break up years later, the tenderness between their scenes together is palpable and there’s something rather bittersweet about seeing that captured in perpetuity.

For a more straightforward rom-com, he has Lila, Lila (2009). It’s about a guy who passes off a manuscript as his own to impress a girl and the hilarity that follows. It’s on YouTube for those who need a fun and light watch.

THE ALIENIST (2018 – 2020) Based on the novel of the same name, this moody psychological thriller set in late 19th century New York follows a psychiatrist—then called an Alienist—who investigates a series of grisly murders with methods still considered new and controversial at that time, such as psychology and fingerprinting. He gets by with a little help from his friends, John Moore, an illustrator for the New York Times, and Sara Howard, a society woman who works in the NYPD.

In the lead role of Dr. Laszlo Kreizler, Brühl plays the dark, complex, and mysterious Alienist whose study of mental pathologies and deviant behaviors reveals much of himself and his past.

LESSONS OF A DREAM / DER GANZ GROßE TRAUM (2011) This film is loosely based on Konrad Koch, an educator and pioneer who brought football to Germany in the late 19th century. In the movie, the sport is used as a means to pique students’ interest in the English language and culture—both considered barbaric by the Germans at that time. A heartwarming tale of a teacher who overcomes insurmountable odds and inspires students along the way, it’s the German equivalent of Dead Poet’s Society.

ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT (2022) This story, the third adaptation of the 1929 novel, “Im Westen nichts Neues”, conveys the futility of war like no other. There aren't as many films on World War I as there are on World War II, fewer ones that tell it from a German perspective, so this is doubly unique in that regard. Powerful watch but 10/10 not like to relive it again. Apart from producing it with his company, Amusement Park, Brühl plays Matthias Erzberger, the German State Secretary who pushes for armistice talks with the Allied forces.

An ideal companion watch to this would be Joyeux Noël / Merry Christmas (2005), another WWI movie Brühl stars in, which depicts the unbelievable Christmas truce between French, German, and Scottish soldiers in 1914. His linguistic ability shines here as he shifts between German, French, and English effortlessly. (Half German, half Spanish, Brühl speaks a total of five languages: those three plus Spanish and Catalan.)

The Zookeeper’s Wife (2017) and Alone in Berlin (2016) also recognize the bravery of defiance at the height of tyrannical regimes. Although between the two, I would skip the latter.

JOHN RABE (2009) This biographical film set in China tells the incredible true story of a German businessman who uses his Nazi Party membership to create an International Safety Zone in Nanking. This was in the late 1930s, during the Rape of Nanjing. In this six-week carnage by the Imperial Japanese Army—which includes sexual assault, mutilations, and killing contests—upwards of 200,000 Chinese are brutally murdered. The protective zone manages to save around the same number of civilians.

Brühl doesn’t play the titular Rabe, but his character, Dr. Georg Rosen, is one of few Westerners who decides to remain and protect Nanking even as conflict escalates. Dr. Rosen was a German Diplomat instrumental in the creation of the safety zone.

p.s. with all these heroic roles in his catalog, I’m convinced Brühl would be a frontrunner to play President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, should a movie be made about him and Ukraine’s conflict with Russia. You heard it here first.

NEXT DOOR / NEBENAN (2021) This is Brühl’s directorial debut. Here he plays a darker, fictionalized version of himself. Definitely not for everyone but quite enjoyable if you’re familiar with his major works and public persona, appreciate the ingenuity of one-location movies, and delight in British-style meta humor.

Pre-requisite viewing for maximum enjoyment: Good Bye, Lenin!, Captain America: Civil War, and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.

[miumiumanzo]

more Chris and Rose shenans

[estellesdoll]

31 𝒅𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒘𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓 | 𝒄𝒉𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒎𝒂𝒔 𝒎𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒕

⊹. 𝒅𝒂𝒚 17 : 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑷𝒆𝒓𝒇𝒆𝒄𝒕 𝑰𝒎𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒇𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𖧧 . ָ࣪    ִֶָ

𓄹 ࣪.𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒏𝒆𝒅 𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒕 𓄹 ࣪.𝒎𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒕 𓄹 ࣪.𝒏𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒈𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𓄹 ࣪.𝒕𝒂𝒈𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒕

𝒔𝒖𝒎𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒚 : Chris doesn’t think he’s good enough for you, but you’re determined to show him that his imperfections are what make him perfect for you.

𝒑𝒂𝒊𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 : bf!chris s. x f!reader

𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 : insecurty, self-doubt, vulnerability, low self-esteem

𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒅 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕 : 2.5k

Chris had always been sunshine personified—bright, warm, and effortlessly comforting. From the very start of your relationship, he made it easy to love him. His dimples, his humor, the way he could light up any room with just a goofy grin.

You’d always thought he was perfect, even if he didn’t always believe it himself.

But over the last few weeks, that light had dimmed.

It started small. Missed texts here, an unusually quiet dinner there. Chris, who normally couldn’t stop talking about whatever was on his mind, had grown reserved, almost distant.

At first, you told yourself it was nothing. He was busy. Stressed, maybe. But the distance didn’t go away, and your heart ached with the growing gap between you.

By the third week, you couldn’t take it anymore. You had to know what was wrong.

──・୨୧・ ──

It was a Friday night, and Chris had invited you over for dinner. You’d spent the day psyching yourself up for the conversation, determined to get to the bottom of whatever was bothering him.

Every glance at your phone sent a flicker of unease through your chest—texts from him were shorter, the conversations colder. You knew something was wrong, and tonight, you were going to find out.

When you arrived, he greeted you with his usual smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. There was something in his posture—shoulders slightly slouched, eyes clouded—that you couldn’t ignore.

“Hey,” he said, leaning in to kiss your cheek, but his lips lingered, as if he was searching for something. His arms were stiff around you, and he pulled away almost too quickly.

“Glad you’re here,” he added, his voice a little too low. His smile felt rehearsed, like he was going through the motions. That wasn’t like him.

“Me too,” you replied, studying him closely. He looked tired—his hair was slightly messier than usual, and there was a tension in his shoulders that you couldn’t ignore. It wasn’t the usual Chris you knew, the one who always seemed to carry a spark with him. He was dimmed, like a candle flickering in the wind.

Dinner was quiet, punctuated only by small talk that felt forced on both ends. Normally, being with Chris was easy, like slipping into your favorite sweater. But tonight, the silence between you was heavy, as if every word was an effort neither of you was sure how to make.

You couldn’t help but notice how much he seemed to be pulling away, his eyes distant, his laughter more strained than usual.

You watched him carefully, noticing the subtle changes—the way he’d push his food around his plate, as if trying to escape from his own thoughts. You knew him well enough to know when something was off, but you couldn’t quite put your finger on what it was.

You hated the way the air between you had thickened, the space between you expanding with each passing second.

By the time you were sitting on his couch with a movie playing in the background, the air felt too thick to breathe.

You glanced at him, the side of his face cast in the soft glow of the screen. His body was turned slightly away from you, and there was something so painfully distant in his stillness.

You wanted to reach out, to touch him, but something stopped you. Maybe it was the fear that he didn’t want you to. Or maybe it was the uncertainty of not knowing who he was right now.

The silence, which was usually comforting and companionable, now felt suffocating. It was a silence that spoke volumes, filled with unspoken words and thoughts too tangled to be unraveled. It was like standing at the edge of a cliff, not knowing if you should jump or wait.

“Chris,” you said softly, your voice breaking through the quiet hum of the movie. You turned to face him, meeting his eyes for the first time all evening. He flinched slightly at the sound of your voice, and you instantly regretted not speaking sooner.

But it was time. You had to know what was going on.

“What’s going on?” you asked gently, your voice careful but steady.

He glanced at you, his brows furrowing slightly. “What do you mean?”

“You’ve been... distant lately. Quieter. And I feel like I’ve done something wrong, but I don’t know what.” Your heart was in your throat now, the weight of those words pressing down on you, but you pushed through. You couldn’t keep pretending that everything was okay when it clearly wasn’t.

His eyes widened, and he shook his head quickly, like he was trying to convince himself more than you. “No. No, it’s not you.”

“Then what is it?” you pressed, your voice gentle but firm. “Because something’s bothering you, and I don’t know how to fix it if you won’t talk to me.”

Chris hesitated, his gaze dropping to his hands. He fidgeted with the hem of his hoodie, a clear sign that he was nervous. His discomfort was palpable, and the longer he took to answer, the more you could feel the space between you growing.

It wasn’t just physical space anymore—it was emotional, and it felt like a chasm you weren’t sure how to cross.

“It’s nothing,” he said finally, but the words felt hollow, empty in a way that didn’t sit right. It wasn’t the Chris you knew. This wasn’t the guy who’d smile through anything. The one who would always be able to pull you from any dark place with nothing but his presence. This wasn’t him.

“Chris.” You reached out, covering his hands with yours. You needed him to know that whatever it was, you were in this together. “Please. Just tell me what’s going on.”

He exhaled sharply, leaning back against the couch, looking up at the ceiling. For a long moment, he didn’t say anything, and you started to wonder if he ever would.

The silence stretched, and the uncertainty gnawed at your insides. It felt like you were waiting for him to let you in, to show you what was hiding behind those walls he’d built around himself. But then, he spoke, his voice barely above a whisper.

“I don’t think I’m good enough for you.”

The words were so soft you almost didn’t hear them. They struck you like a thunderbolt, shattering everything you thought you knew about him.

“What?” you breathed, leaning in closer, trying to understand. His gaze was fixed on his hands, as if he couldn’t bear to meet your eyes.

He looked up at you, his blue eyes filled with a vulnerability that made your chest ache. “You’re amazing. You’re smart, beautiful, funny... you could have anyone you wanted. And I’m just... me. I don’t know how I got lucky enough to have you, but sometimes it feels like it’s only a matter of time before you figure out I’m not enough.”

You stared at him, stunned. Chris had always been the confident one, the guy who could charm his way through any situation. He was the life of every party, the one who made everyone laugh, the one who never hesitated to speak his mind.

But hearing him speak like this, seeing him wrestle with doubt in a way you never thought possible—it broke your heart. The man who had always been the one to hold you up now seemed to be crumbling right before your eyes.

“Chris,” you said softly, scooting closer to him, your voice a balm to the rawness in his tone. “Why would you think that?”

He shrugged, avoiding your gaze as if he could hide from his own thoughts. “I don’t know. It’s just... I see you, and I see everything you deserve. And I don’t feel like I measure up.”

Tears pricked at your eyes, but you blinked them away, unwilling to let him see how deeply his words had affected you.

You didn’t want him to think his self-doubt was something you couldn’t handle. You knew this was more than just about you. It was about him, and the way he saw himself. You didn’t want him to be so hard on himself anymore.

“Chris, listen to me. You are more than enough. You’ve always been enough.”

He shook his head, his jaw tightening. “You don’t have to say that.”

“I’m not saying it because I have to,” you said firmly, holding his hands tightly in yours, your voice steady. “I’m saying it because it’s true. You’re the most incredible person I’ve ever met.

You make me laugh when I’ve had the worst day, you always know exactly what to say to make me feel better, and you love me in a way no one else ever has. You make me feel seen. How could I ever feel like I deserve more than that?”

Chris’s throat bobbed as he swallowed hard, his eyes glistening, a battle of emotions flickering across his face. The realization that you saw him as he truly was—the good and the flaws, the imperfect and the beautiful—seemed to melt some of the walls he had built around himself.

“I don’t want anyone else,” you continued. “I want you. All of you. Even the parts you think aren’t good enough.”

For a moment, he didn’t say anything. He didn’t need to. The raw honesty in your words hung in the air, settling between you like a blanket of reassurance.

Then, slowly, he reached for your hand, intertwining your fingers with his, his touch grounding you both. “I love you,” he said quietly, his voice thick with emotion, more vulnerable than you had ever heard it.

“I love you too,” you whispered, the words laced with an intensity that made the world feel right again. You leaned in to kiss him softly, gently, as though this moment might be the first of many steps toward healing.

The kiss was everything—soft, slow, and filled with the weight of the love you had for each other. It was more than just physical—it was a promise. A promise that no matter how hard things got, you would fight for him. You would fight for both of you.

──・୨୧・ ──

The conversation didn’t magically fix everything. Insecurity isn’t something that disappears overnight. But it was a start, and sometimes, a start was all you needed.

Over the next few weeks, Chris began to open up more. He told you about the little doubts that had been eating away at him—the fears he hadn’t even realized he was carrying.

There were long nights where he would talk about his childhood, about moments that had shaped the person he was now. He talked about failures, insecurities, and things he never had the words for until now.

You listened, patiently, understanding that this wasn’t just about comforting him—it was about knowing him. The real him. The vulnerable, imperfect him that he was learning to trust you with.

And you, in turn, made it your mission to remind him every day how much he meant to you. Each day, you found new ways to show him that his worth wasn’t tied to how much he gave or how perfect he was. He was enough, just as he was.

You’d leave sticky notes on his bathroom mirror with affirmations, reminding him of how incredible he was.

Small, thoughtful gestures—like surprising him with his favorite snacks or planning spontaneous dates—became your way of reinforcing your love for him, no matter what.

One evening, after a particularly tough day for him, you decided to surprise Chris with a little reminder of how much he meant to you.

You set up a cozy corner in his living room with fairy lights, blankets, and his favorite movie queued up. When he walked in, his eyes softened at the sight of the space you had prepared for him.

"What's all this?" he asked, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

"I thought we could have a night to just relax," you said, leading him over to the couch. "I know things have been hard lately, and I just want you to know that no matter what you're going through, I'm here with you. You don't have to go through it alone."

Chris sat down beside you, his shoulders less tense than usual, his smile genuine this time. "Thank you," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. "I don’t deserve you, but I'm so grateful for you."

"You deserve all the good things life has to offer," you replied, squeezing his hand gently. "And you’ve always been enough. I’m lucky to be with you."

The night passed in comfortable silence as the two of you settled into the warmth of each other’s presence. You both needed this time, to be together without any pressure, just supporting each other in the way that only you could.

Weeks turned into months, and Chris slowly began to find his way back to himself. There were still moments of doubt, times when he’d struggle with his insecurities, but the difference was that now, he wasn’t afraid to let you in. He knew that no matter how imperfect he thought he was, you loved him—not for what he did or what he thought he should be, but for who he truly was. And that was more than enough.

In turn, you began to learn more about your own strengths.

Loving someone like Chris, especially when he was struggling, wasn’t always easy, but it taught you patience, understanding, and the power of being there for someone.

You learned that love wasn’t just about the good times, but about showing up for each other when things weren’t perfect—about embracing the imperfections and making them part of the beautiful picture you were building together.

And as the days passed, you both found a deeper connection. Chris’s confidence grew, not because he was suddenly flawless, but because he realized he didn’t have to be perfect to be loved. He didn’t have to hide the parts of himself he thought were weak. With you by his side, he began to embrace his flaws as part of what made him uniquely him.

It wasn’t always easy, but it was real. And that was enough for both of you.

──・୨୧・ ──

One evening, months after the first heart-to-heart conversation, you and Chris sat on the couch together, laughing at an inside joke only the two of you shared.

He looked over at you, his dimples deepening with his smile, and for the first time in a long while, you saw the old spark in his eyes—the one that had drawn you to him in the first place.

This was the real Chris, the one who was no longer afraid to show his vulnerability, his imperfections, and his love.

“I’m glad you’re here,” he said softly, his voice sincere, as he leaned in to kiss you. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

You smiled back, cupping his cheek, feeling the warmth of his skin beneath your touch. “I’ll always be here, Chris. For all of you.”

And in that moment, with the lights dimmed and the world outside forgotten, you knew that no matter what the future held, you had found something truly special.

Something imperfect, but perfect in its own way. And that was more than enough.

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