#earth here has only been alive for maybe 4 days?

[itsahotminuteinbetween]

remember that one what-if scenario of the witch au? If Eclipse hadn't stayed in the cabin and instead ventured out to find KC himself? Yeah, well, he stumbles upon what he assumes is an empty cottage and finds a newborn ai (not literally, she's programmed with the mentality of an adult, she's just very new)-what a wrench in his plans.

Earth sort of assumes that Eclipse was sent to the cottage with the same directives as her-he's not about to correct her when he needs a place to stay.

[oceantornadoo]

(simon riley x f!reader, same rank!)

violence, cod inaccuracies, reader is a badass

simon riley never calls you baby

until he does.

you tell him it has to stay hidden. you can't be known as "the girl fucking the lieutenant", no matter if you're the same rank as him, the same sweat and tears put into the job. it scares you, the thought of losing decades of hard work over some stupid fling with a man they call ghost. a man who brings you tea on your sick days, a man with soft eyes and a listening ear, the only man who's ever brought you to orgasm. the push and pull of your autonomy and your love is ever growing, that bone deep fear rooted in your marrow.

simon's scared too. scared of waking up and it's all a dream. scared that his enemies will find out, scared that it'll show he isn't so dead after all. he's been a rotting thing on earth for nearly four decades and he's comfortable with it; no matter how alive you make him feel. his hand on your waist feels right, but he can't bring his heart into the light.

so you call each other "lieutenant." maybe "riley" when he pisses you off, just to get under his skin. "dove" is rare, but it warms you up just the same, gives you an unbidden vision of hot chocolate and snow days. mainly its "l.t.", remnant of johnny, the respect and friendliness woven together sweetly. you murmured "babe" to him once, in the early morning when he sneaks out, and felt his shoulders bunch, the weight of it too much to bear. that was the end of pet names, or so you thought.

--

it's a foggy day on what becomes the worst night of your life. the mission is at a standstill, the intel outdated. you were supposed to be taking out a terrorist organization, blowing up the base of their operations, but instead the building is damp and abandoned, echoes of life the only sign they were here. price is in your ear, telling you to clear one last room and retreat, simon already on his way out. you nudge your way into the room with caution, years of practiced steps coming to you on instinct. for some reason, you don't catch the glint of a stranger's eye in a hidden corner. you don't see the rope in his hands, the knife between his teeth. the next thing you see is the floor, fog seeping over concrete as rough hands gag you and mutter promises of ungodly harm.

something's wrong. "price." simon murmurs soft and low, crossing out of the building to the tree cover below. "where is she? s'pposed t' be out by now." he's scanning the building through his scope, looking for that figure he knows so well, could find blind. "copy. 'er tracker says she's still in the buildin'. let's-" there's a piercing scream in the air. the ravens take flight from the trees. dark wings, dark words. "ghost-" "goin' in." a sigh on the other end. he can practically feel price's hesistancy but he doesn't care, heavy feet already moving back into the building. "you're goin' in blind, radar's jus' gone out." he swears under his breath, clearing hallway after hallway as the building falls back into silence. just as he comes upon a 4-way split, you scream again, the sound far away and to his left. "'m comin' dove, hold on." there's no gunfire, no sounds of fight. it's so eerie he thinks he might have dreamed it, his worst nightmare come true. his instincts lead the way, some knowledge of your location hidden in his blood. pop. finally a gunshot, and if he squints hard, he tries to imagine it being from your weapon. he's close, nostrils expanding at the scent of you, memorized even without your favored perfume.

there were four of them. you still can't believe you missed them, the thought in the back of your head as you fight for your life. scrambling from the rope one tries to force on you, becoming an eel as you slip out of their grasps. this is what you do, what you're trained for. until someone stomps down hard on your ankle, the force of it cracking straight through. you scream, can't help it, searing pain blinding your vision for precious seconds. they take advantage of it, gloved hands tying your own behind your back in a tight knot. you can't reach your comms so you scream again, this one out of frustration, desperation that your team, that simon, might not find you.

the big one shuts you up with a hand to your throat, a bruising grip that leaves you unable to speak. they aren't well trained, fumbling hands and shaky grips, and you're finally able to reach your holster, shooting the first between the eyes before you can even glimpse his face. now you're in your element, adrenaline covering the pain of your ankle as you fight back, shooting one after the other, digging out your knife for close combat. it's over in a blink, the men no match for your skills, and once you double check they're dead, you collapse in the corner, the pain of your ankle roaring. that's when you hear it.

"baby?" it's him (but it can't be). he's never called you that. you pretend not to see when he whispers it into your neck as you feign sleep, when he murmurs it in a grunt as he's deep in your cunt. he's never said it to your face. "baby!" it's definitely him, that gruff voice cutting across the fog. you whine out of frustration, your throat too sore from your attacker to call out. instead, you limp to the door, almost running into simon as he comes crashing into your own personal hell. he sweeps you into his arms and you let him, grabbing his shoulders to make sure he's real.

"y' hurt?" he takes a look around the room, at the carnage in your wake. "my brave girl." you're sobbing, unsure whether its from frustration or relief. still can't believe you got caught, feeling like such a stereotype to have your knight in shining armor rescue you. "handled them all y'rself, hm, baby?" he's all sweetness and it hurts, seeing his eyes swell in pride as he takes in the four dead men, gunshots and a knife sticking out of one's eye. "why- why are you calling me that, simon?" he's ushering you out, your arm around his neck as you limp towards freedom. "proud of you." he says it simply, eyes trained on potential threats, not watching your reaction.

"aye, i told you, gaz. ye owe me a drink." soap's voice crackles through the comms. they were on. which meant your team heard the whole thing, heard simon practically claim you, knew you were together, thought you were a slu- "she's too good for him. i don't believe it." gaz's voice replied. "bugger off." simon grumbled into the mic, the sounds of them snickering loud and clear. "good?" he turned back at you, stopping you before you approached the clearing where your team waited. his eyes told you something different, that he'd walk out of here right now if you wanted. the cock of his head meant he'd follow you anywhere, live off the lamb for decades if you wanted. that was all you needed to know. you nodded and pushed forward. "yeah, i'm good, baby."

--

this is SO CRINGE but it's been in my drafts forever and needed to start paying rent

[marymarvels-blog]

Did I cross the line? | 2,906 words

Evan Buckley/ Eddie Diaz

Once during their regular therapy sessions, Frank asked him.

“Do you think you’re a good person?”

His immediate answer, that startle even him, was..

“Of course no.”

In amusement, Frank just hummed and wrote something in his notebook and then immediately changing the theme. Seemed like even his psychologist was shocked because never in two years Frank changed the theme of their conversation so suddenly. Maybe that’s because they have less than 2 minutes before the end of that session, Eddie doesn’t know.

He was himself weirded by his such a fast answer.

But after thinking about it, it made sense.

He never even thought about the possibility of being somehow a good person. When Shannon left him, except from his heart hurting, he somehow felt at ease.

It’s good that she left, he will not longer be able to hurt her, she will start living a better life. Any life is better without him.

They were sitting at Buck’s apartment, at his new couch, that Eddie specifically helped him to choose. His back was pressed against Buck while his arm rested at his best friend’s leg. It was weird position, but it felt amazing.

After the gruesome shift they needed to feel each other, even if it wasn’t the most common position to be in with your best friend, who can judge them?

Eddie looked above to see Buck looking at the screen with wide eyes and then laughing shaking his head.

It took him surprisingly only 4 years, which for Eddie is not too long, (giving that he only now realised that he is in love with his best friend), that joining 118 was the best and the worst decision of his life. He knew he wanted to help people and he didn’t regret becoming a firefighter, just..

If it wasn’t 118, he wouldn’t be able to find a family..wouldn’t be able to hurt people he loves. His ugliness inside of him was contagious and he knew somehow unintentionally he would hurt them all.

If he would tell even a bit of that to Buck, that man would make his life mission to prove him otherwise. Eddie could bet he would sleep at the floor near his bed if that would help Eddie to get rid of his thoughts and not be alone. Because it’s Buck, he is always like that. Always so caring.

Each day it was even harder, because even just closing his eyes made Eddie picturing Buck’s smile, Buck’s excitement, every Buck’s little movement.

After Shannon’s death he wasn’t himself. He wasn’t even sure that he was alive. And it was Buck who made sure that Eddie was eating, that Eddie wasn’t alone, that Chris was getting his homework done and had a shoulder to cry on if he needed. It had been him who ever so often reassured Eddie that he’s safe, that he’s not going away, that he will be here as long as Eddie needed him.

At that moments Eddie more desperate than ever wanted to answer “Always. I always need you.”

But it would be selfish. It would be selfish to have Buck only to himself. He loves Buck. And how couldn’t he?

How couldn’t he be in love with Buck? Buck, who is doing everything in his power and even more to make sure everyone is alright, Buck who is helping every person he sees needing help. Buck, who’s heart Eddie’s sure is bigger than the Solar System itself.

Sometimes Eddie thinks he is dreaming. In rare moments after he joked about something or as always got Buck’s back at the argument between him and Chimney, he catches Buck’s look and for a second glimps he thinks, he think he sees adoration in his eyes. As though it was Eddie who put all the stars at the sky and not Buck who showed him the light in everything.

Eddie couldn’t believe that Buck is still has his back. Eddie is damaged Earth, which is ruining itself, and Buck is a Sun who is against all the physics laws orbiting around him, threatening to burn it each time it came close to the Earth.

Buck, who is hugging him every time they meet before their shift.

Buck who is blushing after someone praised him.

Buck who is jumping excitedly after reading some new facts about ants and desperately waits to tell them to Eddie.

Buck thinks Eddie doesn’t remember what have happened the day he was shot, but unfortunately it’s not the truth. He remembers Buck’s strong arms, his face, him trembling arms and not so covered tears in his eyes, the strain of his voice when he heard Eddie asking him if he’s okay? And how couldn’t he?

It was him who made Buck feeling like that. It was one of the first times when he hurt Buck. And, unfortunately, not the last. These thoughts, these images left Eddie having miserable nights.

If Eddie was a good man he wouldn’t be laying in that position with his best friend. He’s not sure there is some protocol for how best friends should be laying but he’s almost sure there are some unspoken rules that if your best friend has a boyfriend you should not lay in his arms full of hope while he is stroking your hair.

Every night since he found out that Buck and Tommy are dating he promised himself that he will try to be a good friend. If he can’t be a good person maybe he could try to be a good friend. He would do anything for Buck.

But he was a really selfish person. Knowing that Buck is with Tommy , knowing that Tommy is genuinely a really good boyfriend and maybe «the one» for Buck, he still selfishly layed in Buck’s arms catching his smiling gasp as he rolled his eyes when the main character found out that he has a twin.

The only one thing that відділяла його від emotional breakdown was how Buck seemed happy and calm when they were hugging. It was enough confirmation for egoistical mind of his.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen more stupid and obvious plot twist” huffed Buck.

“Funny, you just didn’t seen yet “my heart goes to frog” where the main character dies and become a frog” Eddie is snorting seeing Buck’s reaction. God how he loves this man.

Buck looked at him with horror and disbelief.

“You’re lying, you just made it up”, he wasn’t so sure of it but still couldn’t believe that this is possible.

“No, seriously if you want I can turn it on”, Eddie said starting to get up but Buck held him back with his arms laughing and shaking his head, still being in disbelief.

“Don’t, we’re so cozy I don’t want you to get up”, If Eddie wasn’t so shocked he would make an exciting squeak because it was the second confirmation and his brain like a Cheshire Cat happily accepted. Buck enjoys their physical contact as much as he loves it and it drives him crazy.

All these overwhelming feelings made him nervous which in fact made kind of nauseous. Or maybe it was the fact that not 20 minutes ago he ate the whole pizza.

But it doesn’t matter. Fuck nausea, he’s happy.

At that exact moment, he felt vibration on his left pocket.

His phone’s screen sparkled with numerous notification.

Eddie furrowed his brows and opened them.

It was Chimney. Okay? What does he need at the Fridays nighy at- he checks- 12 pm?

«BUCK IS SINGLE»

«HE BROKE UP WITH TOMMY TODAY»

«ITS YOUR CHANCE»

He was startled to say at least. Frozen for more time that he would like to acknowledge. In his defence he needed to process a lot of information while his mind was working full time at 2x speed. Why didn’t Buck tell him anything? Is he okay? Why did they break up?

Seeing that Eddie has read his messages Chimney started to sending him hundreds of question marks.

Quickly looking into Buck he wrote.

«Even if it’s true he just broke up I can’t do it right now»

Milliseconds after he send that message, he got a whole paragraph ffrom Chim.

«I don’t care, ITS YOUR FUCKING CHANCE. Tomorrow he can meet someone else but now you HAVE THE FUCKING CHANCE. Press him to the fucking wall and kiss him already, Diaz. This is an order»

Not knowing how to respond to this, he wrote.

«woah woah it’s intense even for you chimney»

«sorry I heat bet 100 dollars that you will kiss Buck today»

woah wait WOAH WHAT

«CHIMNEY ARE YOU ACTUALLY INSANE»

«sorry sorry just joking»

Eddie doubts it. And now he needs to think what to do. Because Chimney really got into his head with all his messages. There’s a tense bubble in his stomach that tells him that he shouldn’t do it. Especially right now.

But the idea of telling him that and letting it go already made him wait in anticipation that was soaked in fear.

Everyone was telling him that his feelings aren’t one sided but the thing is..he always needs to know for sure. Especially with Buck. He knows with the wrong words or actions he will ruin everything they have together.

But Eddie was always known to be main destroyer of his own happiness.

Maybe..maybe there is really hope. Today he almost felt one.

With shaking hands he turned to look into Buck. Catching his look Buck’s eyes immediately softened.

Eddie was a man of action. Everyone told him that he needs to think twice before doing something. But it didn’t work for him.

He was staying at his shell or rushing with the whole speed. There is no in between. Today he chose the second one.

He turned into their weird hug so now he was facing Buck’s face who turned one eyebrow up at his actions.

Eddie is slowly breathing out, closing his eyes and when he opens them he sincerely looks at Buck, trying to see the answer at those big ocean eyes of his.

“Please tell me if my actions are inappropriate.”

“Eddie, wha-”

He didn’t give him the time to answer.

He stood up and in two movements crossed his legs so that now he was sitting completely on the Buck’s knees straddling Buck's hips with his legs. The Buck’s hands almost instinctively rested on his waist and only then did he realize what he was doing.

Giving himself 0 zero seconds to think about it, he immediately pressed his lips on top of Buck’s. Buck let out a shocked noise that turned into a quiet moans once Eddie’s eager mouth really started to kiss him.

At that moment Eddie felt like he was gonna throw up. Buck didn’t answer to his kiss oh my god, I’m fucking disgusting-before Eddie could spiral even more, Buck immediately answered him, deepening the kiss and taking more control over the situation.

Eddie was really 100% at control every second of his life, don’t trusting anyone to help him and give up some part of that obsessive need to control. But here he was, in the warmth of Bucks body, willingly give him all the control, fully trusting the other man. This is the unknown part of himself and he wants to explore right know with Buck.

And at the end of the day he had been always powerless against Buck, so with a quiet moan he opened his mouth.

He felt a little pushing and laid his head on the back of the couch where Buck was pressing him, happily and eagerly tracing Bucks body with his free arm.

If it wasn’t enough indication for Eddie, Buck’s almost soundless moans eased his anxiety and made him more confident in his actions.

Eddie himself surprisingly was letting out loud moans, which he didn’t even noticed he made, and after realising that he was making them, he thought he would die from an embarrassed.

But watching how it affected Buck, with him moaning louder after every sound that escaped Eddie’s mouth, he stopped caring and started deepening the kiss.

Buck smelled like home made lasagna and minty shower gel and this combination felt like home. Eddie felt extremely grateful that he was one of the people that get to see this side of Buck.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, their lips were separated, but Eddie didn’t give Buck a chance to separate (but if the way Buck is leaning to him is an indication of something he’s doubting he even wanted) pushing their foreheads together.

After the fog in his mind was cleared Eddie realised that he was basically laying on the couch with his legs around Buck’s body and feeling Buck’s weight on his body pressuring him just the right amount.

Suddenly, the weight on top of him was gone. Eddie looked in confusion and wanted to whine at the sudden loss of warm, but Buck was seeming to felt his misery, so he immediately took his arms lifted him up and put him back on his laps.

“if I lay on top of you like this I'm afraid I'll crush you”, explained Buck his actions, making Eddie blush.

It wasn’t a secret for anyone that after he fucked up with Shannon’s twin, he was really struggling and with that came apathy and for the first time in his life he was struggling with eating. If it wasn’t Buck who made sure Eddie ate at least one meal a day, he wouldn’t be eating at all.

So it shouldn’t be a shock for him that during the summer he lost nearly 40ibs getting from 200 to 160. Everyone at work noticed it and he had a long conversations with Bobby about it. But even with one meal a day he still was able to perform tasks and his strength even if it was affected by his poor life choices, still was at the top.

If it wasn’t this context Eddie would be pretty embarrassed that someone made this comment, but right now he likes that Buck was able to manhandle him with ease and that comment shoot a pleasurable pain in his lower abdomen.

“I would really liked that”, confidently said Eddie, knowing for sure.

Two twinkling eyes placed their full attention on him and Buck chuckled.

“Did you love it?” he asked before he could stop himself.

The most absurd question someone could ask a person who he is in love with. Wow, please someone teach Eddie how to shut his mouth.

Startled once more, Buck just kissed the corner of his lips.

“Amazing, 10/10, would recommend”, answered Buck in a flirtatious way.

“Recommend to whom?”, asked innocently Eddie. In this game two can play.

Buck eyes widened at realising what he just said.

“No, no, only me, recommend only to myself, anyone else back off”, he answered pressing a small kisses on Eddie’s face.

Still Eddie had no idea if all of that meant as much for Buck as it meant for him.

“Should we talk about.. this?”, carefully asked Buck as if he was afraid of something.

“Maybe later? It’s so cozy and I don’t wanna go into the depth how I fell in love with you”, murmured Eddie, melting under Buck’s lips.

In seconds only he realised what he just said and it felt like someone sucked all the oxygen from his lungs.

It seemed like Eddie could seen the way the tension coursing through Buck’s muscles after his words. Before easing away.

“Are you..in love with me?”, Buck asked quietly.

Taking a long, show breath he got the courage to look at Buck, but only for a brief moment.

“I-I think you heard it. There’s no need to gloom me. I told you that I’m sorry, okay? I know it was really selfish I know and I hate myself, I hate myself so freaking much, but I-”, Eddie began to ruffle his hair anxiously.

“Hey hey, Eds, shh look at me”, he was talking in the softest, soothing way possible, as he cupped his face and gently looked at him.

“I was just startled, okay? You know when you are in love with your best friend for years and you lost all the hope only to that said friend casually kiss you and say that he is in love with you. I just need time to process everything that has happened in the last 10 minutes, to realise that this is the reality but I can reassure you that I love you too”, and then he kissed his forehead.

The whole night he was on the verge of breakdown but that last kiss nearly sent him over the edge.

“-O-okay”, he said, a little uncertain, trying not to cry .

Mesmerising by Buck’s closeness he slowly raised his arm and dipped his fingers into Buck’s curly hair

“is that okay?”

Buck delightfully hummed.

“It’s more than okay. Everything. Perfect.”

Okay, maybe being a selfish person isn’t too bad. If that selfishness made Eddie kiss Buck and confess his feelings, maybe it was worth it.

Now that he has Buck’s chin under his head and warm hands at his waist, he thinks maybe he’s not bad person.

Or maybe he is.

But that doesn’t matter.

He just hopes Buck’s lightness is contagious and he will catch it.

[bullet-prooflove]

Botany: Angel Reyes x Reader

Tagging: @witches-unruly-heart @annetje @infinity-mars @danzer8705 @im-just-a-mississippi-girl @the-wandering-lunatic @anime-weeb-4-life @vannabanana1995 @multifandomloversworld @camelia35 @harperdoodle @queeniesdiary @laylasbunbunny @est1887 @briefpersonenemy @lilvampirina @creativitybeware @genius2050 @mortal--soul @buddinglinguist @spookyboogyuniverse @spaghettificationandpretzels @nu1freakshow @oureternalbond  @rubes2323

Angel always washes his sheets when he knows you’re coming over, there’s something about being surrounded by the scent of fresh laundry and you that completely ruins him. He finds he sleeps better in clean linen, and it becomes a weekly thing instead of fortnightly, even when the two of you haven’t made plans.

He drinks less these days, his fridge actually full of food instead of orange juice and beer because he likes to make you breakfast in the aftermath, sometimes you like to cook when you come over. He enjoys having you around, he looks forward to the nights where you’re his and only his.

There’s a domesticity to the relationship, one that he’s never allowed himself to have before. The women he’s been with since Luisa are fast and fleeting, a place to drown himself when the world becomes too much to bear, and he needs to lose himself.

It’s when he comes home to you, wrist deep in dirt, pulling weeds from the flower beds that line the front of his house that he realises how serious shit has got between the two of you.

“Sorry.” You tell him, using the back of your hand to brush a strand of your hair away from your face. “It’s been bothering me for a while.”

“Yea, no it’s fine.” He tells you, kneeling down and taking up residence next to you. He looks at you wearing one of his shirts thrown over a strap top and those Levi’s that fit you just right. You’re completely in your element, your face streaked with soil, hair tied back as you work. His lover, the kush farmer, the gardener, the botanist.

“We need to prep the soil.” You tell him, letting the gritty, dry earth slip through your fingers. “All of this is devoid of nutrients, I’ll get some compost from the farm, maybe some manure from the horses up by Riz’s place, dig it out and liven it up a bit. Is that ok with you?”

“What will you grow?” His voice rough as he speaks because he’s never had someone so invested. He thinks it means that you’re here to stay because you know, he sure as shit has no fucking idea how to keep something other than himself alive.

“I was thinking we could choose something together.” You say, nudging your shoulder with his. “Play into your vibe, probably some succulents and cacti. I don’t think you’re a lilacs kinda guy, although they are a great pollinator, you’d probably end up with some butterflies and bees. They’re pretty good at smothering weeds too and the smell when summer hits…” You trail off, your cheeks colouring as you tilt your head to meet his gaze. “Sorry I’m getting ahead of myself. Your garden, your rules.”

Fuck you’re captivating to watch. He doesn’t know anything about this horticulture shit but for you it’s a passion, you light up when you talk about it, you’re in your element with your fingers in the earth. He doesn’t know what the hell he did to deserve you.

“I love you.” He blurts out suddenly and he expects you to be taken aback, to reel away from the force of the words that leave his mouth.

“I know,” You tell him, a smile gracing your features as you take in his surprised expression. “You think I don’t see it?”

He’s got nothing to say to that, he really hasn’t. He knows he’s not the most forthcoming of men, he plays his cards close to his chest when it comes to his feelings because he’s been burned before. However, he is impulsive, emotion driven, he feels deeply. He’s not surprised that it bleeds into his physical actions.

“The shit you do for me, it means the world. Making sure I eat in the morning, when you know I’m about to spend a day in the fields, giving me a ride home when I’m too tired to function, running a bath when you know I’m sore. I’ve never been with someone so attuned to me. So, yea, I love you too, and this…” you point at the flowerbed. “is my way of showing it. I’m just really shit at expressing myself, hence why I’m letting you pick the plants instead of just throwing myself into it.”

He laughs because what you don’t realise is that all of these things you’ve listed reflect the shit you do for him. The nights you hold him close in the darkness after he’s had a nightmare, hands soothing over his back as you whisper in his ear, the fact you know he always needs physical reassurance when the two of you are together. You never judge him for it, you never make him feel needy or clingy.

“C’mere.” He mutters, wrapping his arm around your shoulders and drawing you close. You smell like fresh earth, musky and rich, he buries his face in your hair, the contours of your body fitting perfectly against him.  “I love you and you can plant whatever the fuck you want.”

Love Angel? Don’t miss any of his stories by joining the taglist here.

Like My Work? - Why Not Buy Me A Coffee

[natsumiheart]

Ever since I met you.

…Hello world! Lmao

Hi, I'm Natsumi, and I'm wondering who is even reading this but if you are, welcome to a very long post about how I got into Tears of Themis, how it helped me through such a hard time, and how I ended up falling in love with a certain detective.

I made this post for an event on hoyolab but I’m posting it here too in my trashcan! I already wanted to have a post documenting this online just for myself, even if in the future I cringe while reading it, I can look back and remember the emotions I felt through the year. I also wanted to share it with the world so that maybe people will feel like me, or come to appreciate this character that I love so much as much as I do. (you’re free to reblog btw!)

Warning: This post is mostly about Luke!

It contains spoilers about some Luke cards and some spoilers for his Blossom Chapter. There are small scenes from episodes 2 and 5 of main story as well. Oh, and Artem and Luke 2nd anniversary cards.

If you are here because you’re interested in learning or reading more about Luke and do not care much for the rest, I recommend the interlude, part 6, and The end: part 1. The other parts also talk about Luke and his stories but those are the most important in my opinion.

Due to Tumblr’s 30 image per post limit, this will be divided into 3 parts, each part added with a reblog.

______________________________

Index because this post ended up incredibly long so here are the parts laid out to read anything you’re interested in!

> Part 1: Introduction

(How did I learn about this game?)

> Part 2: Contact

(Getting the game)

> Part 3: The Beginning

(Starting the game and first impressions lol)

> Part 4: Falling

(FOR LUKE AHAH)

> Interlude: Luke Pearce’s Fear

> Part 5: Obsession

(How and why did this obsession start?)

> Part 6: Reflection

(Thinking back on Luke’s personality that attracted me)

> The end: Memories

(Extra memorable moments)

______________________________

Part 1: Introduction

I play Genshin (shocker) and I have some online friends who play it as well, so when Tears of Themis came out globally since it's made by Hoyoverse as well, most people who played genshin went to check it out. I discovered Tears of Themis through those people, and I was recommended the game by my online friends.

What was my response?

“I have no phone storage.” AAHAHAH, yes. I'm not a day one player. I only started during the second anniversary because back when the game came out despite being interested I could not play because I did not have any device that could handle the game. My phone could not handle Genshin's size either, it's not compatible to begin with- I played Genshin on the PlayStation [emoji]

However I did not forget about the game, I was just hoping that somehow one day, a miracle will happen and I will be able to play mobile games like other people LOL but what are the odds of that happening?... Well, a miracle happened 2 years later.

Bonus: I had a little beef at the time with Artem because I kept thinking drawings of him were actually of Jumin who is a very well written character I love like crazy from mystic messenger since 2016 BWAHAHA

Every masterpiece.. has its cheap copy.. IM JKJK PUT THAT KNIFE DOWN AHAHA

______________________________

Part 2: Contact

So one day I was visiting my aunt's house and met my cousin's acquaintance. I met the guy for like.. only 2 hours and during those hours my cousin told him about how I draw digitally but I have been drawing on an 8 year old phone that stays alive for like 30 mins at a time AHHAHA

The guy was like “That's it, I'm getting you an iPad to draw on.” I laughed, thinking he was joking- but then 2 days later I received TWO iPads, one for me and one for my little sister! W t f. Angels do exist on earth? And I was never able to thank him in person because he's a busy guy who only visited my village and I never saw him again o.o

Can you guess what I started doing when I got it? Download a bunch of games I wanted to try throughout the years but couldn't! Among them was Tears of Themis. My house didn't have the best Internet and had a couple hours of electricity a day so I downloaded it very slowly at my aunt's house.

I remember so clearly about how I sat next to my sister as I was downloading the game, and it started playing the second anniversary promotion video since it was starting during that time. At first I was like “aww, they proposing!” but suddenly things turned spicy and I almost dropped the iPad from my hand HAHA.

I did not know what to expect going into this game because I stayed away from spoilers and videos about it since I knew I wanted to get into it myself one day (I was interested in the main story). It made me sad too to be honest because I wanted to play it but couldn't, so I avoided it for years.

I however, did not expect at all that the game would get THAT spicy LMAO my sister noticed my reaction and she was like “What's up?” And I was like “you cannot see this” though she is older than the game’s age rating AHAHHA

______________________________

Part 3: The beginning

I was so excited getting into this game! When I started I was incredibly hooked to the main story, and at the time.. hear this.. I had a bias towards Artem because he looked like Jumin AHAHA

I was honestly more interested though in the main story than the boys, because the boys didn't make me feel much at the time- I do not have a “love at first sight” I never had that kind of experience for real life people or fictional people. (Anyone can experience it, and that's valid! It's just for me personally that never happens.)

After knowing characters and learning more about them, that's when sometimes- I fall in love with them as a character, they end up giving me so much happiness just seeing them, they give me comfort.. And they fill up my sketchbooks HAHA is this love romantic? Usually no, that's very rare!

I did not feel much for Artem (turns out the only thing he and Jumin have in common were their looks and being socially awkward, shocker-) but I had a little interest that led to me pulling for his second anniversary card when I started being able to wish. I lost- and got a standard Artem, but then I won and got his card LMAO you can get a lot of wishes starting off. However I was doing the stories of the standard SRs, along with the main story and someone.. someone was warming up a lot to my heart.

______________________________

Part 4: Falling

The boys were all very interesting and lovely characters! (The NPCs as well!!)

Artem, despite how he comes off at work, is actually just a shy guy who is bad at communication outside of work.

Vyn is actually a very interesting and well written character being very different than the rest of the cast due to his unique upbringing (honestly? His family feels like a cult, bro literally is running from a cult) and you learn more about his own psychology the more you get to know him.

Marius is literally just an artist who wants to chase the life he wants but is hindered by responsibility and his position.

And Luke- Luke stole my heart LOL

First off, he's a detective and I've already confessed online to having a thing for detectives by a drawing- that starting since I was a kid and I watched detective conan🧍‍♀️his introduction chapter.. was very interesting. It was literally the first episode, Rosa clearly knows and cares about this character right off the bat you're like hmm? What was this guy doing for 8 years? Why did he show up now after so long? Almost making him suspicious even. But he and Rosa seemed so close despite it all.

After that Luke had started showing up in the story here and there, a moment that made me go “ohh.. what a cool guy.” Was when after Marius’ case in episode 2, he shows up on a bike like “get in we outta here” and saved her from all the reporters.

His theme plays at this scene.. my heartttt

Revealing he'd been watching her and the case from afar and was literally waiting for her to get out and get her away.

I started reading the standard SRs, the first one I did was “Among the great blue” which honestly I recommend everyone doing again because I bet you all do not remember Luke saying this about Jellyfish

The card made me go *the rock eyebrow raise* GAHAH and at the time I was all innocent, not knowing anything about what Luke was going through, so when Rosa woke up and did not find him sleeping next to her (after she invaded where he's supposed to be sleeping lmao) and Luke was hunched over like “I'm fine I just accidentally swallowed gum lol” I actually believed him 💀 there were signs, but it would fly over a player's head until things are revealed ON THE FIRST FREAKING ACT OF HIS PERSONAL STORY and suddenly everything makes sense. Wow.

When I started personal story, I was just starting it because starting all of them is part of the “Rookie tasks” event you get when you start the game. Only to be punched in the gut immediately.

This is LITERALLY what you’re greeted with when you start his story 💀

I was starting to warm up to this guy and you're telling me.. he's sick and planning to leave us.. omg.

I got to choose one limited SR from the Rookie event, and I thought Luke looked adorable so I picked his card "A star in the palm" and the story.. omg that card, I'm weak. Everyone needs to see it, READ IT!

It’s illegal to be BOTH handsome and adorable smh

After that I started WANTING to do more Luke stories so I did the other standard SRs “Radiant Sunlight”, “Timely Rescue”, “Inner Sanctum”. They were all so good, my favorite being Inner Sanctum for how much it messed with my heart.

Dude is literally falling and he STILL makes sure to protect her.

I- was dying. I started pulling for Luke's anniversary card, starting to regret my choice going for Artem's. But he wouldn't come-

So I went back to main story because that's how you get the most schips, and guess what- I had reached episode 5…

______________________________

Interlude: Luke Pearce’s Fear

The way episode 5 starts, Luke joins the NXX and Rosa is incredibly surprised seeing him there introducing himself as an agent from the NSB. Meanwhile Luke… is mad.

At first he can't believe Artem would even make her do this but she confirms to him that it was her decision, and then he spills the truth about his identity, and about where he's been the past 8 years. He apologizes, for lying, for planning to leave her again, for everything.

And then this happens.

You guys, this scene made me go straight up insane. You can tell how much he had cared and loved her for all these years, and how his biggest fear is literally the main character getting hurt or something happening to her. I felt so emotional over it, that after this act I started DESPERATELY pulling for his card and I finally- finally got it

Episode 5 BTW is one of my favorites in the main story, it is 3 parts because it's THAT good. It's when people will start seeing what Luke is as a character, what's beneath the surface you see in episode 1. (Also this episode introduced the best character: Hugh Moss AHAHH)

The parallel between Rosa, and Jasmine (the reporter whose case you investigate), was not lost on me. That reporter died trying to expose the truth which is exactly what Rosa has been trying to do. I think the entire chapter literally is showing you why Luke is so scared of her continuing the path she's in.

But you know what's the best part? He's freaking terrified, yet he never forces her to leave. He says this:

People keep saying Luke is a red flag that keeps trying to control Rosa and her actions and I swear my reaction is always “Are you even paying attention?” Luke never forces Rosa, he only shows he's against it, but he always says he will support her whatever decision she makes.

A similar more light-hearted situation is the story of his summer card “Iridescent Heartbeat” where Luke is afraid of Rosa getting hurt or doing things that are too much for her so he doesn't consider doing things such as Bungee jumping or rafting. But Rosa insists that she wants to do it and when she's visibly afraid later, Luke teases her a bit (LOL)

but then holds her close to him and soothes her saying there's nothing to be afraid of cause he's there.

He encourages her to do what she wants! And when she does indeed get hurt because the rope was too tight around her leg, he does NOT put the blame on her, but on himself-

Y'ALL HOW IS THIS GUY CONTROLLING??

(The scene after kinda got on my nerves cause Rosa got “angry” that he’s not his usual “cheerful self” like girl I love you but please- can’t you see how much you getting hurt affects him? She pretends that she’s angrier than she actually is making Luke apologize over and over like 💀 but tbh it was also funny, I don’t like how she handled it but it was funny lol)

When they go rafting Luke lets Rosa take the lead and he will follow her because she wanted to prove to him that he doesn't need to plan everything, however Rosa's plan backfires, things go horribly wrong and she can't figure out how to get the raft to go straight. Luke again, does not reprimand her in any way and only helps her so she can do what she wants. Later on even after they've fallen off the raft and onto the water he immediately holds her and takes her up to the surface so worried like “are you okay???” And despite all that, he says she's right. That she's always right and he will stop trying to plan and go more with the flow. 

Luke never tried to control Rosa, he just loves her so much that he does not want to ever see her in pain or sad. He wants her to be the happiest girl in the world.

So who is Luke? Luke is the coolest mf, a guy that always jumps into action to help others with a heart so damn big that his own emotions slowly destroy him. He has felt an astronomical amount of guilt and regret since childhood- and has cared for and loved the main character just as long. The girl who is the reason he was able to keep his sanity, the girl who he always wanted to protect, and the girl who is the reason he is still here today. 

I wholeheartedly believe that without Rosa in his life, Luke would've ended up completely different, if still alive at all.

Bonus: I remember people being like, the characters have gemstones that match their color in the proposal ring, so why does Luke have Ruby instead of something like Topaz? This is why.. the ruby in the ring represents Rosa (getting emotional over here omg) and honestly that ring is freaking insane because not only did he design and make it and its box by himself for years.. but a ruby is inside the key that Rosa gave to him.

Remember how Luke when you click on the key in visit says “I wear it like this to have it as close as possible to my heart” now look at the key.. if the Ruby is Rosa, and Luke’s heart is the key, do you see what he conveyed in that ring? Yea, I’m crying too. 

______________________________

Part 5: Obsession

I have a bit of an obsession problem, I've been obsessed with stories, games, or characters and that obsession can last years of my lifetime. And it's understandable, when you're going through terrible things in your life, you get attached to what makes you feel happy and you hold on to that feeling. That's what starts that obsession.

When I got the second anniversary Artem card I did the story immediately and it was.. it was alright. Artem wants to propose, but in his attempt to keep it all secret distances himself too much and gets Rosa worried, but then wow! He proposes with the help of his coworkers and happy ending + things get a bit spicy at the end. 

But I felt like.. like I'm getting deja vu AHAHA like I've seen this kind of story a million times before. (Probably cause I did from watching a bunch of kdramas and having consumed a bunch of stories from a lot of media) It did not exactly get me to feel anything much, I'm sure it's different for Artem stans though having him propose after probably following his story for 2 years XD good on you guys have fun with your mans! 

For me though who had just started, it did not have that much of an effect. After I got the Luke anniversary card I was excited and went into the story oh so innocently not knowing back then that Luke cards are honestly heart wrenching. 

It led to me crying in bed while the sun was rising from the window as Luke says “That's because I love you.”

The way how he blocks the wind from her and lets it hit him instead at that exact moment is freaking PEAK writing.

That card showed me a lot more about this man who is so shackled by his own emotions and circumstance, that he's willing to sacrifice everything even his own wants and dreams for the one he loves.

Have you guys seen that one official art with Rosa posing as Themis? And the boys are represented by the objects around her? Luke is the sword, Artem is the balance, Vyn is the blindfold, and Marius is the snake by her leg.

It starts to make sense why Luke is holding onto her sword to the point of bleeding, he's bleeding yet he looks up to her in absolute devotion not caring for what happens to him and his eyes are only always on her. He’s willing to be her sword, to take all of the pain and protect her so she can be happy.

My life.. has not been what is considered “normal”. I'm not going to give my backstory in this post aHAHAH but at the time when I started Tears of Themis I was going through a very bad point in my life where I was close to have given up completely on my future and accepted my fate as it is. I had shut down completely, and I went back to becoming a shut-in which is honestly something I went through for four years before, it wasn't good. 

When you reach that point, you start becoming apathetic to everything.

Luke however, somehow started making me start having emotions again. Reading and learning about this character was actually affecting me in a way I have not been affected in a long time. He felt.. real, like I could feel his emotions, his love, his despair.

And that's part of why I got so attached to him and he became my comfort, because of him, I started to feel human again.

AHA CRINGE. OK enough with the sadness.

But I'll never forget how much Luke and Tears of Themis helped me keep a grip during those hard months. I'm in a better place now, it's not good- but it's better, and I still just open this game and visit Luke to help me ground myself.

One time after a bad day I accidentally touched him and he said this, I went insane-

I think that says a lot about the state of my sanity AHAHAH 

______________________________

[To be continued in reblog]

[continuous-spec]

ME Fic: The Messages In Between Ch.1

Summary: Shepard and Garrus messages to each other throughout the events of the Reaper War.

Link: Ao3

Notes: GST: Galatic Standard Time. Cycles are one-day cycle of the Citadel per the GST. One Orbit has 40 Cycles. There are ten Orbits in a GST year. 2686 GS is also 2186 for the Alliance.

Galactic Standard Time: Cycle 20, Orbit 9, 2686. Day 6 of the Reaper War.

Garrus breathed in the stale air of his cabin, trying to relax in his makeshift cot. He had been without sleep for almost two days.

Four days since the Reapers hit Palaven and six days since they hit Earth. Six days without contact with the Sol system. Six days not knowing if Shepard was still alive.  

Garrus rubbed his brow plates, trying to push the thoughts of her out of his head. He needed to sleep. He had spent the last two hours stuck on top of a comm tower, sniping any reaper forces within scope of Vitcus' men—All while fixing the comm tower too.  That was somehow just this morning. Garrus' mind whirled with fog without sleep, trying to keep track of the time. He needed to rest, but the adrenaline still kept him stirring in bed. 

Just as he felt himself drifting to sleep, his omni-tool pinged dozens of times. Messages upon messages poured in. Almost all from the same source: Datapad Model OXIV, Alliance Addition.  Garrus shot up out of the cot, trying to scan the messages. The words shifted and moved with his exhaustion, but there was no way he could sleep now. 

***

[Datapad Model OXIV - Draft date GST: Cycle 30, Orbit 4, 2686] 

Garrus, It’s Shepard. I'm sending this out. Hotwired a datapad they’re allowing me to have to prep evidence. I doubt the Alliance is reading. I'm pretty sure they won't notice when this datapad goes missing, either.

Give the Hierarchy hell, and hopefully, we’ll get somewhere with it.

Send back if you can. I think this is going out? 

[Datapad Model OXIV - Draft date GST: Cycle 35, Orbit 4, 2686]

House arrest, you got to be fucking kidding me. Is this on the news? Can you see this? I’m sure Khalisah is having a field day with this.

At least Joker can still get on the Normandy. I'm stuck. Maybe I'll take you up on that offer to break me out. You know, we can steal the Normandy again, too, just like old times. 

[Datapad Model OXIV - Draft date GST: Cycle 5, Orbit 5, 2686]

You’d hate this. It’s all pointless jabbering. Tribunal after tribunal. They won’t listen. Aratoht is all they care about. I’ve shown them the proof. They keep putting their heads in the sand.

Do you know that saying? Does it even translate? It just means that, as always, they’re ignoring the real problem. Why is that not a surprise? 

[Datapad Model OXIV - Draft date GST: Cycle 15, Orbit 5, 2686]

Did you know today is my birthday? On Earth its April 11th. I'm only a little disappointed you didn't get me a gift. 

I think I’m 32 or 30. Does being dead count towards age? Do turians celebrate birthdays? 

30 is a big one, a big milestone for humans. When I was a teenager, I never thought I would get to it running with the Reds. I guess, technically, I didn’t get to celebrate it.  Humans don't generally celebrate it in a jail cell either. 

I just wish you were here with me for it. We could have shared another glass of wine. Among other things…

Right now, I’m so bored that I’m trying to figure out how to make prison wine. Hopefully, I won’t go blind. 

[Datapad Model OXIV - Draft date GST: Cycle 23, Orbit 5, 2686]

If I could go without hearing about the Reds for one more day, I might not scream. They have spent a week dissecting my time with the Reds. Seriously? I left them when I joined the Alliance.  I’m just some drugged-out teen junkie on Red Sand to them still.

When do we stop paying for the sins of youth? 

I hope this is getting to you. I hope you’re getting further than I am. Good thing you left. Imagine both of us in an Alliance interrogation room? 

[Datapad Model OXIV - Draft date GST: Cycle 25, Orbit 5, 2686]

Want to take any bets on how long until the Reapers are here? I'll give it two more months. that what like three orbits? You think the Councils cares? 

What are you wagering? How about we wager like we did with Strip Skyllian-Five? This isn't a bet I want to win this time though. Even if I like seeing you in your skivs. 

[Datapad Model OXIV - Draft date GST: Cycle 29, Orbit 5, 2686]

Still no answer from you. You playing hard to get Vakarian? 

[Datapad Model OXIV - Draft date GST: Cycle 37, Orbit 5, 2686]

The prison wine is nasty, almost as bad as the stuff you brought last time. Still not blind, although I am having visions of you pinning me up against the aquarium. Did I get you blushing yet? 

[Datapad Model OXIV - Draft date GST: Cycle 1, Orbit 6, 2686]

I’d like to think you’re just playing hard to get, and I’m not just sending these off into the ether. It's hard doing one-sided sexting you know?  

No one tells you how boring prison is, even with the datapad. I wish they’d give me a keyboard so I can practice. Also, to hotwire it to get a better signal to you. 

Now I’m starting to know why they try to limit how much electronics I get. It’s the Alliance's fault, they trained me how to do this. Yeah, that’s the excuse I’m going for. 

If you can, send a voice recording, I miss it. You I mean.

I miss you. 

[Datapad Model OXIV - Draft date GST: Cycle 35, Orbit 6, 2686]

God, it’s so annoying. They have these guards watching me constantly. What do they think I’m going to do? Fight someone? or someones gonna fight me? Ridiculous.

It'd be nice to have some privacy to take care of myself since you're not here. I guess I'll just have to think about you in the shower...

[Datapad Model OXIV - Draft date GST: Cycle 15, Orbit 7, 2686]

I got tarred and feathered today by the Brass. This is totally something humans do, not an expression like the sand one. Don’t look it up. Just believe me. 

 If I have to hear one more thing about the geth, I might blow a gasket. Okay, now that one is an expression, although, with the cybernetics, I think that might be possible for me. 

[Datapad Model OXIV - Draft date GST: Cycle 25, Orbit 7, 2686]

I got stabbed by a batarian. He cloaked into the base. Been in the med bay for a week now. Apparently, my heart stopped. I guess that’s twice now on me dying? Let’s hope we don’t get a third anytime soon.  

[Datapad Model OXIV - Draft date GST: Cycle 25, Orbit 7, 2686]

There was poison on the knife too.  So what is that twice now toooo that a batarian poisoned me? Who'se conting 

[Datapad Model OXIV - Draft date GST: Cycle 25, Orbit 7, 2686]

*cunting

[Datapad Model OXIV - Draft date GST: Cycle 25, Orbit 7, 2686]

*counting wow third times the charm

[Datapad Model OXIV - Draft date GST: Cycle 25, Orbit 7, 2686]

the morphine im getting is niceeee though

Who needs prison wine 

[Datapad Model OXIV - Draft date GST: Cycle 25, Orbit 7, 2686]

I misssssss you

[Datapad Model OXIV - Draft date GST: Cycle 26, Orbit 7, 2686]

Sorry, morphine brain.

I did end up figuring out how to make more wine from some apples. You can’t have it, obviously.

But I wish we could share another glass of achiral wine. Maybe you can get something a bit more pricey this time? I’m sure you're not just on a vigilante salary still. 

[Datapad Model OXIV - Draft date GST: Cycle 27, Orbit 7, 2686]

Patia Semmark. Besine Kodsoh. 

Those were the names of his family. He screamed them at me. The batarian I mean.

I think he wanted me to kill him. Now he’s in some cell on this base alongside me. 

Did I do the right thing? What if I am crazy? What if the Reapers were all in my head? 

Did they die for nothing? 

[Datapad Model OXIV - Draft date GST: Cycle 7, Orbit 8, 2686]

Sorry, I haven't sent it in a while. The stress is getting to me. Maybe you're reading this? My face looks like it’s burning a hole through it. I hope you find scars attractive too. 

I’m back on my home planet, but I can't sleep easily most nights. It was easier when you were with me in my cabin. I’m cuddling up on pillows right now, wanting them to be you.

At least the pillows are softer than you, Vakarian. 

But still, I need you here with me. 

[Datapad Model OXIV - Draft date GST: Cycle 36, Orbit 8, 2686]

It’s been almost a month since I’ve sent anything. Sorry, I haven't written. It was starting to feel more like a diary.

Sorry as well I don't think I even asked how are you doing?

How is your family? Did your mom ever get that treatment on Sur'Kesh? How is Solana and your dad? Did you ever get those paintings back from Vlyrica? I'm sure you're doing great things out there. 

I hope you're doing well. I'm thinking about you a lot.

[Datapad Model OXIV - Draft date GST: Cycle 39, Orbit 8, 2686]

I’m pretty sure I'm not getting past certain encryptions set up by the Alliance. 

This is why I could use you. You were always better at this kind of stuff than me. While you know I am the better shot and better looking, I’m pretty sure I am a better dancer, too.

Where was I going with this? Oh, right. I miss you. I hope you've missed me. I'm still waiting for you to break me out.

[Datapad Model OXIV - Draft date GST: Cycle 6, Orbit 9, 2686]

I guess I lost the wager. That a good thing right?

What is the news saying out there? They forgot about me and the Reapers?

Not that it matters. Nothings changed. We're getting nowhere. Six months and nothing to show for it. Almost two and half years of my life gone. First dead, now jailed. At least we made the most of it when I had a few free months together. 

[Shepard - Draft date GST: Cycle 14, Orbit 9, 2686]

They're here. Left Earth, on Normandy. Got Joker, and even Kaidan is back. We're getting possible plans for a weapon on Mars. 

[Shepard - Draft date GST: Cycle 15, Orbit 9, 2686]

Kaidan is badly hurt. Cerberus attacked us. We’re going to the Citadel if you're there. Meet me at the Embassy if you are. 

[Shepard - Draft date GST: Cycle 16, Orbit 9, 2686]

In the old docking bay. Kaidan's not of the wood yet, but stable. Just got all your messages you've been sending. I guess you never got mine either? Hopefully, we can talk now. Where are you?

[Shepard - Draft date GST: Cycle 17, Orbit 9, 2686]

Please Garrus, I need you. 

[Shepard - Draft date GST: Cycle 18, Orbit 9, 2686]

We're coming to Menae. It might take time to get there. Are you on Palaven? 

[Shepard - Draft date GST: Cycle 19, Orbit 9, 2686]

Come back alive, you promised

***

Garrus' mandibles held tight to his jaw as he poured through the messages. Cycles upon cycles, he kept sending out a message to her only to be met with silence. He even set a damn voice recording and vids, hoping those would slip by Alliance encryption. He guessed once she landed on the Citadel she got his message. Now, maybe, hopefully, with the comm tower back on, she was somewhere on Menae? Why else would the messages finally come in? To taunt him? 

Another ping rang out from his omni-tool, bringing Garrus out of his thoughts. General Corinthus needed him. The comms were back down. Garrus cursed under his breath. He hadn't even sent Shepard a message back. Hopefully, she was still out there on the battlefield. Garrus would make damn sure he was right behind her. 

[f0point5]

pretty sure you’ve talked about this already so many times so if you don’t want to keep talking about it no worries!!

but this Logan/Kimi swap thing BAFFLES me. Yes, Logan should have improved more by now. I really feel for him because it’s clear that he’s trying to improve and just can’t figure it out for some reason. Plus the team’s bizarre switch from “we resigned Logan because we believe in him” to what appears from the outside to be a lack of support. But i agree he won’t be on the grid next year.

But at the same time it’s idiotic for the FIA to approve the dispensation because then the rules are essentially meaningless. It’s idiotic for Williams to take on an underprepared driver (because as talented as Kimi might be, there’s no way he’s adequately prepared for F1 right now) when part of Logan’s issues were due to being underprepared. If this kid gets eaten alive then merc will have thrown away so much potential. Genuinely I think there’s an incredibly high chance no one wins here. Maybe it all works out, but it seems like a hell of a risk just because you’re worried that he might sign elsewhere.

anyway excuse the rant lol just read the new chapter and so intrigued 👀 hoping lando comes thru for you this weekend <3

No I could go for DAYS.

I wouldn’t blame the team for replacing Logan mid season. It’s incredibly difficult to score points at the bottom and you need to be running two cars. Williams have been fighting one handed. Logan is just not cut out for this, that to me is clear. I am so curious why they resigned him, I guess because they didn’t have any other options from their academy, but the way they seem to have absolutely had enough of him is sad. To hear him on the radio calling himself a “dumb fuck” is horrible. It’s all hard to watch. It’s giving Red Bull.

I don’t understand the Kimi thing. They made this rule because they didn’t want any more children in F1. How would they just throw that out the window because someone asks? And not even for a kid who has a wealth of experience. He’s driven what? 18 months in actual cars? The FIA will out themselves as a complete joke if they say yes. I guess Williams will be saying “we will put him in the day he turns 18 if you say no so you may as well say yes it’s 4 months early”, but I think they have to stick to their guns and say not a day before the 18th birthday.

I don’t have an issue with him being in the car. Maybe he’s another Max, maybe he’s not. Regardless, I think if he is good enough, he will show something. And if he doesn’t, then he doesn’t, there will be others who come up through the feeder series who do. I don’t put a lot of stock in preparedness beyond physical fitness. Another few months of driving F2 where the cars are very slow, very different set up wise, and honestly where the racing is kinda just a free for all is probably not going to prepare him any better than he is now (considering how few F2 races there actually are as well). I think talent shines through. Logan might have done better with more prep but he probably never would have been Oscar. And yes Kimi is underprepared, but the best prep you can get is just to drive, so if Toto really is planning to put Kimi in the Merc seat, this is the smartest way to get around the rules about testing. Because that’s all it’ll be, is testing. He can sit in the Williams for half a season and get his bearings, go to Merc and get his bearings again in 2025, and by 2026 he would be an incredibly well prepared driver. IF that is how Toto decides to approach it, and not expect results from Kimi. I actually do see the merit in it. But only if it’s approached properly by everyone involved which with Toto you can’t guarantee. BUT the FIA throwing out the rule book would be insane.

I’m SO interested what on earth Toto has promised Vowles to get a Merc junior who will essentially be wasting a seat for Williams in the middle of a season. Granted he probably can’t be worse than Sargent but again, James will effectively just have Alex all year. Are Williams getting free engines?

Fundamentally I think the person who comes away with egg on their face here is James Vowles. Mr “you need to give a rookie three years and an arm around the shoulder” has absolutely exposed himself as TotoLite™️. As for Kimi, I can only hope he has a good team around him and that he has people who will come to the paddock and look out for him and not just let Toto run his career. Because I don’t think him being in F1 early is a guaranteed failure, but I think he will need a strong support network and someone looking out for his best interests.

I’m just shocked by this turn of events in all honesty

[fezwearingjellybananas]

Hi! Hope you are well! I am not really familiar with comics as a show fan and I know you are, could you "rec" some issues/runs of The Flash as a starting point? I really love Barry & Iris and would love to read their comics dynamic. Have a nice day!

Thank you, I hope you have a nice day too!

I have read a few comics but not all of them, so there are more people who know a lot more than me, but I will give it a whirl.

I think as a general starting point for Flash comics in general, I'd probably recommend The Flash: 80 Years of the Fastest Man Alive. It's one of several books DC released as an anniversary thing (I also have Green Arrow: 80 Years of the Emerald Archer), and it has in it a selection of comics, so it has Jay's first appearance, it has Showcase #4 which is Barry's first appearance, it has Wally's (as Kid Flash), it sort of has Bart except it's the back of his head (my one note is Bart is quite neglected in this book), as well as a handful of others picked from the Flash runs of the three of them (my icon is actually from this book), and commentary by various writers so it gives you an overview and lets you read a little bit then decide which you'd like to read.

Carmine Infantio wrote the original Flash run with Barry, DC also released a 4 book Silver Age omnibus (I like books), that gives you the starting point of Barry's story. This is being written in the 50s and 60s, there are going to be things that are dated as with reading anything from a while ago, I suspect in 50 years people will be saying the same thing about what we're writing now, but I do have such a soft spot for the Silver Age. If you're specifically looking for Barry and Iris they are introduced here as already together before Barry gets his powers, and I quite like that they never go the love triangle with the secret identity route here, Iris knows the Flash through work kind of, but she's not really interested, she's got Barry. Also she can fly a plane.

I haven't read enough of Cary Bates' Flash run to know yet, only a few bits here and there, but this is getting into Iris and Barry are married, this is probably worth looking up, I do keep meaning to

Crisis on Infinite Earths doesn't have Iris in it, but it is an important story for Barry, and I quite like it. I am still upset about how many pages there are between Barry dying and anyone outright saying they're going looking for him.

Geoff Johns' Flash: Rebirth is also probably not a bad place to start for Barry, this is a comic set after Barry's been brought back to life, his history has changed, there are all these people who he doesn't really know, it's him trying to find his feet into being alive again. And also Eobard Thawne is here to Cause Problems On Purpose. I don't like all of Geoff Johns' comics, but this one is good.

Flashpoint is again apparently a majorly important comic in Flash mythos. I might try reading it again, I last read it a few years ago, but honestly I'm not a huge fan of Flashpoint.

Skip New 52 if you're looking for Barry and Iris. There are a few parts of New 52 that I like, but Barry and Iris aren't dating in New 52 (Barry dates Patty Spivot) and it's New 52, you can skip it. Though if you've watched the show, maybe Out of Time (Robert Venditti ect, it's Volume 6 in the TPs, which is #30-35, Annual #3, and The Flash Futures End #1), that's the arc with the Future Flash.

I love Joshua Williamson's Flash run, I am sure I have said so many times, I would definitely recommend that one, and again, this is post a soft reboot DC did after New 52 kind of flopped, so it's probably not a bad place to start either.

Jeremy Adams' Flash run was Wally based so had some fun moments but probably not what you're looking for, and Si Spurrier I have the first TP next to me to read once I've finished reading Blackest Night, I'll have to get back to you on that one.

As one-off comics rather than getting into the whole thing, there's United They Fall (Gail Simone), it's an Elseworlds but because it's just one comic rather than continuing on from something started in 1956 it might be good to try if you haven't read comics before just to see if you like reading them? I also enjoyed New Frontier by Darwyn Cooke, that's not exclusively Barry and Iris but they do feature, and again it's set in its own timeline rather than main continuity so it can be read as a stand-alone comic (also it features a very cute kid Hal Jordan and has made me feel very strongly that Hal Jordan should have been allowed to join NASA)

I think in general comics have been going for a really long time and there are a lot of them so at first glance they can seem daunting to get into, but also, there's so many of them it would be frankly unreasonable for people to expect you to read every single one ever. I think the best way to start is probably to pick a writer, any of them, and start at the beginning of their run. They will build on things that have happened before (even Barry's original Flash run brings up things that happened in Jay's Golden Age comics), they will have characters show up who maybe you don't know but they'll treat them like this is a character everyone's already familiar with, and there's the bits that editorial wanted this to happen for that event or didn't want that to happen for reasons so they had to work with that, but overall I think each author is going to have a story that they want to tell and those individual stories are going to be much more contained within their own comic runs, so you can just go find a story you like, you don't need to read every single story ever.

I hope this is helpful and you find a comic you like!

[the-ravenclaw-werewolf]

Hey, I just wanted to ask, have you seen Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3? Or not yet?

When you do, can you answer these questions here?

Beware, because spoilers here.

1. How do the characters react to Rocket's backstory? How do they react when he's injured at the start very much? Does someone suspect there being a reactor in his chest could mean someone did something horrible to Rocket in the past before? Could Emma maybe even relate to him there when the High Ev. Reveals that they were never emant for Counter Earth, like how her family was never getting adopted? How does she react to him being having numbers (89P13) on him like her?

2. How do they react to Starmora's relationship?

3. How do they like Drax and Mantis funny relationship?

3. What's their reaction to the High Ev?

4. How do they fair well to Rocket's friends last screen time?

5. How they fair with seeing Rocket's almost demise as Peter refuses to give up on him yet?

6. How do they process the children in the High Ev's ship to be colonized?

7. How do they process the planet the High Ev. laid to waste?

8. How would they react to the High Ev. Being defated finally?

9. How would they react to Rocket's not killing him in after all he did to him when he could have?

10. How would they react to Rocket's scene with the baby raccoons?

11. How would they react to Peter almost dying?

12. How do they react to the finale where everyone decided to go different ways after?

13. How do they react Drax accidentally hurting a child with a fast ball to her face?

14. How do they react to Pete coming back to Earth and meeting his Granpda gain after years of being of not knowing if the other was even alive?

15. How they react to Cosmo and her Bag Dog Problem?

16. How do they react to Nebula's growth in this movie? To her tears after Rocket wakes up because he was the one person who was with her when they both weren't bliped out?

17. How do they react to the finally where Gomora goes home to the Ravegers in the finale?

18. How do they react to everyone dancing to "Dog Days Are Over", finally being able to just celebrate being able to just have fun after the hurricane has passed? How do they react to Rocket going from a primal scream of anguish from what the High Ev. Did to his friends to a primal whoop of delight after everything he's been through?

You can answer there whenever! Don't stress if you haven't seen the movie! Just take you your time! Take care.

Sorry for the late reply, here you go!

They would find Rocket's backstory tragic and horrific, seeing how some animals are also treated cruelly in their worlds. The more observant of the 40 would notice the reactor and put the pieces together. But Emma would definitely feel more sympathetic to Rocket since they both were given false promises only for them to be smashed to pieces.

(Assuming they watched the other movies of the MCU), they would have a slight understanding that Peter was grieving and was trying to cope with it. But they also understand that this Gamora was not the one that the GOTG had grown up with, so it shouldn't be her responsibility to try to fill the position the old Gamora left behind. So they're glad to see that Peter and Gamora reconcile, with Peter having come to terms with his Gamora is really gone and that no one can replace her, and with Gamora seeing value in both Peter and the team, but doesn’t give up her autonomy for him.

They would find it really cute and sweet of how they both offer emotional support and they play off each other so well.

Like Peter, they would find him as the typical tyrant that is full of bulls*** and would personally love to punch him in the face for his actions, especially the animal lovers of the 40.

Most of the 40 would cry hard, especially those who have loved ones on the other side just like Rocket. And the line, “Can I come?” would be a punch to the gut for all of them.

Most of them would feel Peter’s pain in his fight to bring Rocket back, some of them wishing that they were able to save their own loved ones.

Would proceed to hate the High Ev. more, and I can see Ciel and Emma definitely being the most horrified.

Now they would want him dead by the next act.

Big cheers. Genuinely, as even the stoic members can’t hide their joy. 

Some would be mad that he didn’t while others would see this as a moment of triumph that Rocket didn’t have to stoop to his level to beat him.

They would start tearing up, as seeing from being compared that the babies were cowering away from the High Ev.’s hand vs the babies basically crawling on top on Rocket, and when he carries them all, but stares at the other animals who were also trapped, seeing the plight in his eyes of wanting to save all the animals.

Very worried but then relieved that he came out okay.

Would feel bittersweet about it but they are ultimately happy that they all get a happy ending.

Most would wince, while a few would have the guts to laugh.

Find the moment very sweet and happy that the two finally reunited.

“GET BACK HERE AND TAKE IT BACK!” -The dog lovers of the 40.

Are proud of the growth she was able to achieve and that she is become more open with emotions.

Very happy for her.

Glad that everyone in their own way got their happy ending and are taking the next step into their lives.

[sunwarmed-ash]

🔥Sinful Sunday🔥

Deja Vu: Chapter 3

Fandom: All Spiderverses

Ships: Parksborn(Webb), Peter 2/Peter 3,

Rating/Word Count/Status: Explicit, WIP

Tags: Angst fic, fill-in scenes for Andrew!Peter post TASM2 and during NWH, backstory chapters, hurt comfort, Sick!Harry, Goblin!Harry

TW: Mentions of suicide attempt, hospital scenes, needle mention,

Summary:

The quantum pull has Parker flying backward, up, left, and then down at speeds faster than the interstate average. The force pulling in the center of his gut like an umbilical cord is worse than it was the first time he Quantem Lept, and when he reaches up to touch his ears, he notices one of them is bleeding. Parker screams the entire way down. He knows he does because his throat aches and his lungs beg for oxygen, even if he can’t hear a sound. 

He’s lucky that of all the things to fall on in New York City he falls on grass, but still, thanks to the intense speed and force of gravity, it fucking hurts when he lands. He startles a flock of pigeons when he craters the earth, but thankfully, because of the location, there aren’t many human patrons to notice his explosion. Something cracks like its broken, but the adrenaline currently coursing through his veins has him standing without thinking twice. Another thing he notices, when he can keep his vision from spinning, is that Pete is nowhere to be seen. The suffocating, haunting knowledge that he was alone, trapped in his own pathetic universe again soaked through his skin like a chill in his bones, threatening to freeze them. Panic builds in the hollow of his throat.

The only other person who happens to be within eyeshot stares at him carefully, and Parker's sense starts to tingle once more. Potential Threat?

Parker takes a step forward anyway.  

“Hey uh, excuse me, what day is it?”

Now the ruddy-complected man’s glare is angry, defensive.

“Can't you just check your phone?” He growls. 

His attitude pisses Parker off, but he dug into his pocket either way, frowning before showing the asshole the shattered front of his dead cell phone.

“Can't you check yours?” 

The heated man scoffed, turning and flipping him the bird before shouting,

“December 4th, 2017 dickhead!” over his shoulder.

December 4th. Of 2017.

2017.  

Three years. 

Three. Fucking. Years. 

He had spent a grand total of 4 days in Peter 1’s universe, maybe a week, tops, but somehow, here, now, it’s 3 years later. Which meant Parker hasn't been in his Queens, for three years. He hasn't gone to work, paid his rent, checked on May, or seen Harry.

His gut tightened and all other thoughts halted in place at the memory of Harry. 

Harry, who he had already abandoned once to the horrible place just 200 feet to his right. 

And now, even after Parker swore he wouldn't, he did again. It didn't matter that this time it wasn't his fault. Because Harry would never give him the chance to explain that now. 

If he was even still alive… 

[emmetcounty]

TOP 5 CONSPIRACY THEORIES

That's a tough one these days, with so many big-tent conspiracies floating around in the public consciousness. I'll try to limit myself to specific conspiracies, though I'm gonna make one exception just cuz I find it so fascinating. I'll also try to avoid shit that's just reducible to blood libel, not only because that shit is fucking awful, but also because it's just lazy, there's no creativity or passion it's just antisemitic. Also note that I'm not an expert on conspiratorial thinking/conspiracy theories, nor am I an expert on any of these conspiracies. I'm not trying to be objective about these either, I have specific biases and I'm not gonna try to cull them here. So, with that out of the way, and in no particular order:

1.) A fun, and mostly harmless one is the genre of [Dead person] is still alive. It's so versatile that it still surprises me that it's been more or less self-restricted to musicians. I've heard Tupac, Michael Jackson, Elvis obviously. An unhoused dude I met, and maybe this isn't a conspiracy theory per say, was convinced that he was Kurt Cobain to the point of providing hyper specific details of Cobain's life that I had no means of confirming or denying. That day was odd. He said he wanted to just get out of the spotlight, which I think is understandable.

2.) Fucking Havana Syndrome, oh my god. Just a group of CIA agents working 16 hours a day, living exclusively on a diet of coffee and Mormonism suddenly getting earth shattering headaches, and proceeding then to accuse the cuban government of inventing infrared brain lasers. Fucking hysterical, I hope they all have aneurysms. In a similar vein is the whole thing of cops ODing on fentanyl through touch alone. To anyone skeptical of that, these cops are almost always just having panic attacks, and in fact do not have any fentanyl in their bodies.

3.) JFK didn't kill himself

4.) The dead Internet theory. This one is a fascinating study of how and why conspiracy theories happen. The idea is that the Internet is mostly bots, manipulating and being manipulated by algorithms that their creators neither understand or are able to control. And like. There are grains of truth here and there, spread throughout the misinformation. For instance, there's a legitimate market on youtube for bots to boost engagement and views. Does that market account for the lion share of views on the platform? Absolutely not, its impact is marginal at best. Another example the theorists love are the numerous bot posts on Twitter. Twitter has always had a bot problem to some degree! That doesn't mean Twitter is all bots tho! So why has the theory gained traction? Because the Internet's a fucking complicated entity, and your average joe is looking for easy answers. As it is with all conspiracies, simple lies are often more preferable than complex truths.

5.) MOASS. Now, here's that exception to the no big-tent rule. It's my personal favorite conspiracy theory, but it requires a bit of explanation. For those of you who haven't heard of this one, Dan Olsen has a really good video on it, but for those who don't have two and a half hours, I'll try my best to sum it up: remember the whole GameStop thing where its stocks went up a bunch out of nowhere, and a bunch of redditors made a fuss about democratizing finance capital, then the whole movement sorta disappeared shortly thereafter? MOASS (an acronym meaning "the mother of all short squeezes") is a belief by the bag holders who missed the big wave of that movement. The idea is that the first wave in January of 2021 was merely the prelude to an apocalyptic financial crash which will be ushered in by "apes" (as the redditors call themselves) coming to own more shares of video game retailer GameStop than actually exist. They also believed (or in some cases still believe) that GameStop is gonna merge with the now defunct Bed Bath and Beyond. The reason I find this one so fascinating is not because of the deluge of incomprehensible nonsense that apes typically spew, nor is it the wild confidence that the movement inspires, but rather that it's so utterly disconnected from reality that it works as a very useful example of Mark Fisher's conception of capitalist realism. Like, these people have chosen to imagine an apocalypse so profoundly convoluted, that even trying explaining its structure can cause psychic damage, and they do this instead of think about their material reality for like. 30 seconds. Idk, it has a special place in my heart.

Honorable mention to COINTELPRO, because even though it was a real thing that really happened, and even though you can easily find sources outlining its extent, intentions, goals, and accomplishments, when you try to explain it to any normal person, you sound fucking insane. I know from experience 😔

[habizuh-studios]

I've Held My Heart Close All These Years

Since the day he woke up here and again, and again, and again, he has never felt happiness. Until there is a light, and he's set free. A word rings in his head: Ascension. Out of the coffin after ninety-six years, however, can change a lot. Especially if there were countless people to see it.

OR: Xie Lian ascends from the coffin and chaos ensues :) ---- Chapter 4- Burdened:

(A heavy load, whether emotionally or physically, that is forced to be carried by a person.)

AO3 LINK (Next Chapter)

He Xuan walks away from the palace with an unfeeling gaze. He doesn’t even look back.

This will be interesting, that’s for sure.

____

Before Lang Qianqiu could react, The Earth Master had walked away.

All he saw was red.

He isn’t sure how long he stayed there, staring.

Overcome with emotion, he bursts open the door to the palace, probably startling several heavenly officials from the middle court. He doesn’t care.

His head is swimming in emotions, but he can’t comprehend a single thought. His mind is both too empty and too full; his only goal is to get to Guoshi.

Only when he slightly trips on the elegant floor does he think properly. What will I do when I actually find him?The most obvious choice would be to confront him. Demand for answers.

Part of him wants to cry like a small child again, to sob on the floor pathetically and beg for his parents back, like that will do anything. He wishes it would.

…

He realizes he’s still running and stops.

Other facts drift into his mind. Bloodied mess. Corpse. Murderer. Buried. Alive.…

His eyes are shadowed with grief and resignation as he looks up from his radical sprint. Maybe, instead of going with the flow, he should think this through. But he’s not very good at that, is he? He’s always been the type to dive headfirst into things, uncaring of the consequences until after the fact. It’s only worked for him well so far because he was a God. He had tricks up his sleeve and allies and people that he could trust to fix things.

An Le was one. His Guoshi was one.

Xiao Mengyou is one.

…

His gaze is blurry from something; whether it be from raw emotions or the expression of such is unclear. He can think later, he might vent later.

He looks to his right, shifting his weight to look at the door properly.

It’s an unassuming door. Doesn’t look out of place at all, in General Xuan Zhen’s palace. Just another room- it could be anything, really.

It could be a dining room, a ballroom, a study room, or an office.

But that doesn’t matter to Lang Qianqiu right now.

He slams the door open without a second thought.

Inside, he sees him.

He looks… different. But it’s all the same, in the end.

He could never forget the mask that ended countless lives on his seventeenth birthday.

…

Murderer.Corpse.…

Guoshi…He… he doesn’t know what to do.

Still, it’s not even a split second until after he opens the door that he runs towards Guoshi. He’s still not sure what he would have done.

Maybe he would’ve grabbed him by the neck and ended his Godhood then and there. Maybe he would have yelled at him and cried. Only Heaven knows if there was the slightest chance would have wrapped his arms around him for comfort.

Nothing and everything goes through Lang Qianqiu’s head as he runs towards the infamous man-

Zwip!He stumbles backwards, the adrenaline rushing through his head suddenly clearing the slightest bit as he processes just what happened. He clears his eyes and shakes his head of… well, everything.

He drops to his knees and looks up.

The Guoshi stares back down at him differently. Before, his eyes were sharp. Some would say cold, but Lang Qianqiu didn’t think Guoshi was heartless, back then. His gaze was piercing, though, the elegant silver mask adding to his mysterious gaze. Now, although some of it is still hidden by the mask, they’re… softer, now. Yet more feral, more guarded. Nothing like he’s ever expected of his teacher, or of a heartless murderer. It’s indescribable.

There’s a ribbon around him, guarding him. Lang Qianqiu can feel how evil energy rolls off of it in waves. The elegant ribbon reeks of evil energy; a demonic spirit, at worst. It might be a spiritual weapon, but Guoshi didn’t ever show Lang Qianqiu, if he ever had one. He feels more emotions gripping his heart, squeezing them until every last drop of sense in him dissipates. The ribbon, despite its aura, is shiny and white, looking to be of expensive material. Lang Qianqiu has probably seen it somewhere.

The ribbon smacked him away from his pursuit on purpose because it thought he was a threat. Lang Qianqiu can gather that much.

He hears a noise from above him and quickly wipes his eyes of tears he didn’t know he had. He stares at the mask that haunts his nightmares; the same one that he used to aspire to be, the same one he wanted to have, the same one that made and ruined his life. The eyes underneath can barely be seen, but Lang Qianqiu can tell that they’re still wide. Wide and staring at him.

Does Guoshi recognize him? Will he speak, tell him everything is fine, even though it isn’t ?

Will he want to kill him, too?

…

He cannot bear the silence any longer. His thoughts are too loud, too silent.

…

He swallows and looks up.

“Guoshi,” he basically snarls. His pride has already fallen low, in this room. There’s no point in keeping up appearances. Although it wouldn’t do any good to destroy General Xuan Zhen’s palace in madness. His hot, anger-flooded gaze meets the eyes of someone confused. He is the same.

He doesn’t know what comes over him, and yet, he asks. Or maybe it’s more of a demand.

“Take off your mask.”____

The thought of who this other person is pangs through his heart. His memories, which have laid dormant for his peace of mind, come flooding back at the expense of his joy.

Lang Qianqiu, his mind supplies. Prince of Yong’An. He truly is proud of him. But his request…

Though it tightens his chest and makes it a little hard to breathe, he can feel the mask loosening on his face. One of the hands he had covering his throat lift up to feel the mask, and as he turns his head forward to be more comfortable, the mask slips off. Comfortably, without any effort on his part. Almost like a curse he lifted.

He hasn’t been able to take the mask off for a hundred years. Now, he can feel wind on his face, near his eyes. He feels… free.

This is the least he can do for Lang Qianqiu, is what he should tell himself. He should tell himself that the feather-lightness in him is because he did something right for him, for once. Yet he can’t help but feel so grateful for what Lang Qianqiu has done for him.

Truly, he is selfish.

He can see a little better now. The silver that had lined his peripheral vision for the longest time is finally off, revealing corners he didn’t even notice. His eyes feel… fresh? New? He doesn’t know the word for it.

Lang Qianqiu, who is now looking at him, has no signs of recognition on his face. He seems… disturbed, maybe. Those amber eyes who had looked at him with hatred, as he should, feel different. He can’t quite place his finger on it.

He draws his knees closer to his chest subconsciously for comfort. He feels like a small, worthless glob of flesh that has felt the outside world after being locked away for one hundred years.

Well, he supposes, it’s at least partially true.

Especially with the way Lang Qianqiu is looking at him. ____

Now, He Xuan knows he probably just started some very unnecessary drama within the upper court. But he knew that it was going to happen eventually, even if he wasn’t the one to tell Lang Qianqiu that the new God might have been the Guoshi of Yong’An. He really was trying to get it all over with, and he’s sure anyone who has ever heard of him would attest to that.

So he doesn’t feel bad when he descends back to Nether Manor. It would take a lot more than starting up some hundred year old drama to make him feel bad. Though he can empathize with Lang Qianqiu, he probably could keep a level head for everything to be… less of a mess.

“He Xuan.”

The man in question would have started if he were beneath himself. Still, he scowls and holds his ground.

“Crimson Sought Rain Flower,” he says, sarcasm and annoyance in his tone. “What do you want?”That shitty, lovesick bastard has the audacity to chuckle through the connection. Insufferable. He Xuan does not roll his eyes, if only so he isn’t associated with the martial God of the Southwest.

… Maybe He Xuan does need more food. Where is Shi Qingxuan, anyway?

“How are things going on up in Heaven? With Lang Qianqiu?” Hua Cheng asks with more genuine interest in his tone than he has ever given He Xuan when they do this.

He Xuan thinks back to every little detail about that meeting.  Lang Qianqiu’s connection to it all, with some poorly hidden past.

A ribbon and a mask.“I told him my suspicions, if that’s what you’re asking.” He responds with the tone of voice of someone who has done this multiple times before.

…

“Though, I did notice something…”“Oh, do tell.”

[dandelionlovesyou]

Do you think that Finnick was reaped or volunteered for the games?

Hi there 😊

I think Finnick was reaped. I don't think a fourteen-year-old would volunteer, regardless of how good he was. Finnick was also not the cocky type, I mean he projected it after being a Victor, but we all knew that's all a facade.

Now, why didn't anyone take his place if he was from a career district? I'm not sure. Maybe whoever was to volunteer that year to take Finnick’s place chickened out. 🙄 

OR Finnick was very good that they thought that even at 14 he could win already. Here’s how Katniss described him:

Being from District 4, he was a Career, so the odds were already in his favor, but what no trainer could claim to have given him was his extraordinary beauty. Tall, athletic, with golden skin and bronze-colored hair and those incredible eyes. While other tributes that year were hard-pressed to get a handful of grain or some matches for a gift, Finnick never wanted for anything, not food or medicine or weapons. It took about a week for his competitors to realize that he was the one to kill, but it was too late. He was already a good fighter with the spears and knives he had found in the Cornucopia. When he received a silver parachute with a trident — which may be the most expensive gift I’ve ever seen given in the arena — it was all over. District 4’s industry is fishing. He’d been on boats his whole life. The trident was a natural, deadly extension of his arm. He wove a net out of some kind of vine he found, used it to entangle his opponents so he could spear them with the trident, and within a matter of days the crown was his. 

The citizens of the Capitol have been drooling over him ever since.  

Finnick was a prodigy. Whoever trained him must have seen his potential. His mentor, I’m sure also knew how to play his strengths that’s why he had all he needed during his game.

I headcanon Finnick being an only child or an older brother to much younger siblings, so no one would have taken his place in the reaping. Later on in MJ, it was written that the ones Finnick loves were helpless. This could be Annie or his family. Allow me to indulge myself and add some quotes [from MJ] here about Finnick too. I really love his character and admire him for his strength, resilience, and goodness.

Thank you for the ask @browneyeddevil

... Then there’s Finnick Odair, the sex symbol from the fishing district, who kept Peeta alive in the arena when I couldn’t. They want to transform Finnick into a rebel leader as well, but first they’ll have to get him to stay awake for more than five minutes. Even when he is conscious, you have to say everything to him three times to get through to his brain. The doctors say it’s from the electrical shock he received in the arena, but I know it’s a lot more complicated than that. I know that Finnick can’t focus on anything in 13 because he’s trying so hard to see what’s happening in the Capitol to Annie, the mad girl from his district who’s the only person on earth he loves.

Despite serious reservations, I had to forgive Finnick for his role in the conspiracy that landed me here. He, at least, has some idea of what I’m going through. And it takes too much energy to stay angry with someone who cries so much.   [so sad!!!] .... Finnick isn’t the only one with attention problems.

.....

I see my mother lead in a group of mobile patients, still wearing their hospital nightgowns and robes. Finnick stands among them, looking dazed but gorgeous. In his hands he holds a piece of thin rope, less than a foot in length, too short for even him to fashion into a usable noose. His fingers move rapidly, automatically tying and unraveling various knots as he gazes about. Probably part of his therapy. ..... “I can walk a little now. It’s just that I tire so quickly. It’s easier for me to get around this way. How’s Finnick doing?”

“He’s . . . he’s having concentration problems,” I answer. I don’t want to say he had a complete mental meltdown.

“Concentration problems, eh?” Beetee smiles grimly. “If you knew what Finnick’s been through the last few years, you’d know how remarkable it is he’s still with us at all. Tell him I’ve been working on a new trident for him, though, will you? Something to distract him a little.” Distraction seems to be the last thing Finnick needs, but I promise to pass on the message.  [cries]

.....

Boggs shows up to escort me down to the Airborne Division. Just as the elevator arrives, Finnick appears in a state of agitation. “Katniss, they won’t let me go! I told them I’m fine, but they won’t even let me ride in the hovercraft!”

I take in Finnick — his bare legs showing between his hospital gown and slippers, his tangle of hair, the half-knotted rope twisted around his fingers, the wild look in his eyes — and know any plea on my part will be useless. Even I don’t think it’s a good idea to bring him. So I smack my hand on my forehead and say, “Oh, I forgot. It’s this stupid concussion. I was supposed to tell you to report to Beetee in Special Weaponry. He’s designed a new trident for you.”

At the word trident, it’s as if the old Finnick surfaces. “Really? What’s it do?”

“I don’t know. But if it’s anything like my bow and arrows, you’re going to love it,” I say. “You’ll need to train with it, though.”

“Right. Of course. I guess I better get down there,” he says.

“Finnick?” I say. “Maybe some pants?”

He looks down at his legs as if noticing his outfit for the first time. Then he whips off his hospital gown, leaving him in just his underwear. “Why? Do you find this”— he strikes a ridiculously provocative pose —“distracting?” 

I can’t help laughing because it’s funny, and it’s extra funny because it makes Boggs look so uncomfortable, and I’m happy because Finnick actually sounds like the guy I met at the Quarter Quell.

....

At dinner, Finnick brings his tray to my bed so we can watch the newest propo together on television. He was assigned quarters on my old floor, but he has so many mental relapses, he still basically lives in the hospital.

....

I have training, but Gale’s scheduled to work with Beetee on weapons or something, so I get permission to take Finnick to the woods. We wander around awhile and then ditch our communicators under a bush. When we’re a safe distance away, we sit and discuss Peeta’s broadcast.

“I haven’t heard one word about it. No one’s told you anything?” Finnick says. I shake my head. He pauses before he asks, “Not even Gale?” I’m clinging to a shred of hope that Gale honestly knows nothing about Peeta’s message. But I have a bad feeling he does. “Maybe he’s trying to find a time to tell you privately.”

“Maybe,” I say.

We stay silent so long that a buck wanders into range. I take it down with an arrow. Finnick hauls it back to the fence.  [I missed this portion. Finnick and Katniss hunting together. They have so much time together in D13 and I admire their friendship so much. Remember that Gale became jealous of them because they just understood each other and are often together.]

....

“He’s worse,” I whisper. Finnick grasps my hand, to give me an anchor, and I try to hang on.   [A perfect friend and brother Finnick was]

....

Finnick and I sit for a long time in silence, watching the knots bloom and vanish, before I can ask, “How do you bear it?” 

Finnick looks at me in disbelief. “I don’t, Katniss! Obviously, I don’t. I drag myself out of nightmares each morning and find there’s no relief in waking.” Something in my expression stops him. “Better not to give in to it. It takes ten times as long to put yourself back together as it does to fall apart.”   [Finnick’s enduring strength of will]

Well, he must know. I take a deep breath, forcing myself back into one piece.

“The more you can distract yourself, the better,” he says.

“First thing tomorrow, we’ll get you your own rope. Until then, take mine.”  [that rope was his lifeline, yet he gave it to Katniss!]

...

Finnick sloshes some cream in my cup and reaches into the sugar bowl. “Want a sugar cube?” he asks in his old seductive voice. That’s how we met, with Finnick offering me sugar. Surrounded by horses and chariots, costumed and painted for the crowds, before we were allies. Before I had any idea what made him tick. The memory actually coaxes a smile out of me. “Here, it improves the taste,” he says in his real voice, plunking three cubes in my cup.

....

He [Plutarch] hastily calls Finnick and Haymitch over and they have a brief but intense conversation that I can see Haymitch isn’t happy with. Plutarch seems to win — Finnick’s pale but nodding his head by the end of it.

As Finnick moves to take my seat before the camera, Haymitch tells him, “You don’t have to do this.”

“Yes, I do. If it will help her.” Finnick balls up his rope in his hand. “I’m ready.”

I don’t know what to expect. A love story about Annie? An account of the abuses in District 4? But Finnick Odair takes a completely different tack.

“President Snow used to . . . sell me . . . my body, that is,” Finnick begins in a flat, removed tone. “I wasn’t the only one. If a victor is considered desirable, the president gives them as a reward or allows people to buy them for an exorbitant amount of money. If you refuse, he kills someone you love. So you do it.”

....

“I wasn’t the only one, but I was the most popular,” he says. “And perhaps the most defenseless, because the people I loved were so defenseless. To make themselves feel better, my patrons would make presents of money or jewelry, but I found a much more valuable form of payment.”

....

Making knots. Making knots. No word. Making knots. Ticktock. This is a clock. Do not think of Gale. Do not think of Peeta. Making knots. We do not want dinner. Fingers raw and bleeding. Finnick finally gives up and assumes the hunched position he took in the arena when the jabberjays attacked. I perfect my miniature noose. The words of “The Hanging Tree” replay in my head. Gale and Peeta. Peeta and Gale.

“Did you love Annie right away, Finnick?” I ask.

“No.” A long time passes before he adds, “She crept up on me.”

....

“Finnick!” Something between a shriek and a cry of joy. A lovely if somewhat bedraggled young woman — dark tangled hair, sea green eyes — runs toward us in nothing but a sheet. 

“Finnick!” And suddenly, it’s as if there’s no one in the world but these two, crashing through space to reach each other. They collide, enfold, lose their balance, and slam against a wall, where they stay. Clinging into one being. Indivisible.

A pang of jealousy hits me. Not for either Finnick or Annie but for their certainty. No one seeing them could doubt their love.

....

Sometimes, for no reason, she [Annie] presses both her hands over her ears as if to block out a painful sound. All right, she’s strange, but if Finnick loves her, that’s good enough for me.

....

We join a group that includes Delly, Annie, and Finnick. It’s something to see Finnick’s transformation since his marriage. His earlier incarnations — the decadent Capitol heartthrob I met before the Quell, the enigmatic ally in the arena, the broken young man who tried to help me hold it together — these have been replaced by someone who radiates life. Finnick’s real charms of self-effacing humor and an easygoing nature are on display for the first time. He never lets go of Annie’s hand. Not when they walk, not when they eat. I doubt he ever plans to. She’s lost in some daze of happiness. There are still moments when you can tell something slips in her brain and another world blinds her to us. But a few words from Finnick call her back.

....

There’s a human cry from below. “Someone’s still alive,” I plead.

“No, Katniss. They’re not coming,” says Gale. “Only the mutts are.”

Unable to accept it, I shine the light from Cressida’s gun down the shaft. Far below, I can just make out Finnick, struggling to hang on as three mutts tear at him. As one yanks back his head to take the death bite, something bizarre happens. It’s as if I’m Finnick, watching images of my life flash by. The mast of a boat, a silver parachute, Mags laughing, a pink sky, Beetee’s trident, Annie in her wedding dress, waves breaking over rocks. Then it’s over.  [I didn’t want to include this here but it’s parts of Finnick’s memories. I will just cry.]

...

We seal the pages with salt water and promises to live well to make their deaths count. Haymitch finally joins us, contributing twenty-three years of tributes he was forced to mentor. Additions become smaller. An old memory that surfaces. A late primrose preserved between the pages. Strange bits of happiness, like the photo of Finnick and Annie’s newborn son.

....

[flowersandbirdsflyingfree]

Questions 1-5 from the Casual Ask Game for Tank Dempsey if you please. (@dzvagabond)

Thank you, @dzvagabond ! Looks like we got some more questions for you Dempsey!

Now we’re talking! I know, I really am that awesome.

1. Introduce yourself!

The name’s Tank Dempsey! I’m a corporal rank in the United States Marine Corp and proudly served for my country since 1939. Don’t be fooled ‘cause I’m more than a handsome face. I’m one kick ass war hero who holds the high record for the farthest grenade throw, the most push ups with one arm, and well known for aiding missions like Peleliu and Iwo Jima before getting into that whole zombie mess. All I ever need to be happy is a gun, a good woman and something to shoot. I’m proud to say I’ve got everything I need. Oorah!

2. So, how have you and s/i been? What have you two been up to recently?

For starters, HAPPY 115 DAY!!!

Wait, that was today?

Yeah!! And on the end of Daylight Savings too!

Ha! Well, I’ll be damned!

Other than that, we’ve been good. Just taking one day at a time and enjoying the little things. She’s been educating me on all her metal genres and bands and all that. It’s oddly therapeutic.

3. How did you and s/i meet anyways? What was that first encounter like?

It turns out the zombie apocalypse stretched across timelines. Do NOT ask me how. Just trying to pinpoint what was going on gives me a migraine. Speaking of migranes, my only source of answers was Doctor Rosenkrantz! He just spoke in riddles. Asshole.

Don’t worry about Richtofen, darling dearest.

Right. No promises. Anyways, so I was hearing Richtofen’s constant barking of orders at one of the those Group 935 labs when one of the teleporters switched on out of nowhere. Out pops this one of a kind young woman who proved worthy to join the crew and the rest is history, baby!

4. So, like, how is s/i as a person?

Aw man! *cackling* Time to see you light up like a firecracker on the 4th of July!

Oh sure! Keep rubbing it in, why don’tcha?! *Hides behind my hands*

Let’s see here: A beautiful woman with a sensitive heart, sharp mind, a down to earth personality all wrapped up in resilience. Yep, seems about right to me. I’m so lucky to call her my Juggergirl.

*starts to look up again* T-thank you. I’m the lucky one. I’m convinced I married my guardian angel.

Shucks, quit buttering me up so much, pumpkin. *leans in for a kiss*

5. Any upcoming plans with s/i? Like in the next coming week or even month maybe?

November is a pretty busy month for us. For starters, today, then the 10 is celebrating the foundation of the USMC and then Thanksgiving.

*I stare intense* Aren’t you forgetting something, DEAR?

Aww, I’m sorry for getting rough on you again. *He takes my hands in his and kisses my knuckles* I’m only teasing, sweetheart. You know I’d never forget our anniversary. I better think of something extra special for us to do this year! Ain’t no way I’m letting a day like that go by without us going all out!

As a heads up for you guys, save the date! November 27th is our anniversary of when we finally got together. And I gotta say I’m the luckiest man alive.

[sillyasiani]

9/17/2024

I'm back :) and its been a long time since I wrote in here. I guess you can tell what that means lol. Life has been good! I'm lying lol. Well I mean life is good but at the same time it has been hard. I am still with Cho and I feel like we will be together forever now. It seems to be heading towards that direction so only time can tell what Haens. I forgot the p button was not working so excuse if some words don't make sense. But why am I journaling if life has been "good"? well for one I am sad. I have been wanting to break down and cry the last few days. Is it because I will be mentrating? will I be ovulating soon? idk. But I just have been reevaluating and thinking. Cho has been off of work for the last 4 months. I am so glad to see him thriving. It brings me joy seeing him live his life. But It also got me so jealous. Because he has this thing that brings him so much joy and I don't have that. I have not been working out.. I have gained weight. Not far off my range. But basically been around 141-145. Idk why I haven't been able to lose the weight the entire summer. Maybe because I haven't been working out as much lol. And I have been getting high frequently. SO when I'm high I eat a lot. So I am trying to avoid it I guess. But anyways getting back to Cho and him being off... I love seeing him live his best life. But I am so envious that he has something that gives him purpose. idont have anything that makes me happy or gives me purpose. I love watching tv and eating and raving. Wow. lol. And thats why I sad because I have nothing that gives me purpose or joy. I am just living with those things. Things that are meaningless. I don't enjoy hiking as much as he does, I don't enjoy climbing as much as he does. Am I sad because ou hobbies aren't the same? if you asked me this a year ago I would probably say yes, not I don't really care. Well I lie, it does bother me that idont love it as much as him. It makes me think and question why he wants to be with me. Or It makes me scared that if I am not like him he willl realize this later on that we are not matched. But I have been trying to evaluate how I've been feeling and why I felt sad. Its weird because I felt so heavy. My heart and my chest felt so heavy. And I was just waiting for someone, anyone, to ask are you ok? for me to finally break down and cry. Because I really am not ok. I feel like I lost myself. I am not the same Ashley as jersey Ashley. I feel like people find me boring and uninteresting. I find everyone boring. No one interest me. And thet has been consistent for almost a year now.. And the fact that I have been consistently finding everyone and everything uninteresting makes me wonder if its the people or myself. It makes me think tahat Im the boring one. I don't even have activities that make me happy the way it does for cho. He keeps talking about feeling "alive". I don't feel like I'm living at all. And I want to find something that makes me happy. I hate being a nurse now. I don't have friends our here. I don't workout. And this is the complete opposite of what I was 2 years ago. I used to love my Job, I used to have so much friends. And now I hate my job and now I don't have any friends I care for. I don't have anything thing that brings me joy. I have no hobbies. What is my point off iving here on earth. I went to the gym and I wanted to sit in the middle of the yoga room and I was on the midst of breaking down and crying. I have been walking around with this heavy heart, even now. to be cont...

[onegianthotmess]

Resident Evil OC:

Alessandra “Alice” Giovanni

Backstory Overview:

Alice is a D.S.O. agent employed by the U.S. government of Greek and Italian heritage. She was close childhood friends with Leon Kennedy and the two have retained their friendship through many years, considering each other siblings in arms since childhood. Both Alice and Leon enrolled in police academy together and were both assigned to Raccoon City Police Department.

After trying and failing to wake up Leon after a long night of heavy drinking so he wouldn’t be late, Alice arrived on time for her first day in Raccoon City by herself on September 30, 1998 and was visiting her sister on her break when the outbreak happened. In order to save Alice, her younger sister was eaten alive as she held zombies back so she could escape, her ladybug hair bow being the only thing left behind for Alice to remember her. And after reuniting with Leon and escaping Raccoon City as it was nuked, both her and Leon were interrogated and then paired together on missions from then on, being known as “the Sibling Package Deal” as their code partner name for missions by the president.

I’ve only made Resident Evil 4 Alice since that’s where my hyperfixation is at the moment.

So please enjoy these images of her along with a good amount of dialogue lines I came up with for her-

(Beginning of RE4/pre getting kidnapped by Mendéz)

“Sometimes I wonder if anything was worth it. The Incident, hellish jungle training and missions, the massacre. I wonder if any of that pain had purpose for me. But, as Mami used to tell me, everything has a purpose and a reason for being, you just have to look for it sometimes.”

“I promise, Leon, this time it’ll be different. I swear it on my baby sister’s grave that it will be different this time.”

“It just has to.”

“This is creepy. And I lived through the Raccoon City Incident.”

“I may have loved to copy my Papa as a bambini, but no way in hell am I gonna copy his smoking habit.”

“I naturally have two different eye colors. And if you comment on my body again, I’ll gouge out both of your perverted eyes.”

“Let’s go, Leon.”

“Cazzo, this place smells…”

“What’s with these weird charms? They look like spiders or some kind of insect from a horror film.”

“Oh, you startled us!”

“What on earth is in that pot? Rotten cannibalistic stew?”

“Maybe he only speaks Spanish?”

“I don’t think this is jam or paint on this badge…”

“Oh, shit!”

“There’s hair cooking in that pot, Leon. Hair…”

“What the hell is going on here?!”

“Who is still alive after having their neck snapped?!”

“These people are not right in the head!”

“Leon, duck!”

“A chainsaw maniac? They have a fucking CHAINSAW MANIAC?! Is the Texas Chainsaw Massacre now?!”

“Cazzo, my knife!”

“What kind of town has breakfast and bingo all together in church?”

“Don’t think I’ve seen a whole town so excited about bingo…”

“Leon, duck!”

“Well, someone ate his vegetables…”

(After escaping the basement/after initial Las Plagas infection)

“Oh, I gave you that jacket for last Christmas!…I don’t care, I’m going to be upset because it was an expensive one made from REAL sheepskin leather!”

“Well, I found our gear… Now to find how to get to it without getting killed…”

“Shit, duck!”

“Just go ahead of me and I’ll cover you!”

“How many bullets do you need?!”

“Oh, Mami, help me…”

“Thanks, Leon!”

“Who can survive five head shots?!”

“I’m out of shotgun shells!”

“Would someone give us a fucking break?!”

“Well, hello, stranger…Do you have a name?”

“‘Gun rhymes with fun for a reason’? I like this guy!”

“This house isn’t too shabby. Looks like a family home that’s been passed down a few generations.”

“Cazzo, the tall man is back!”

“Gift? Blood? What the fuck kind of cult crap are we really dealing with here?”

“He worked for Umbrella?! Oh, I’m killing him the next time I see him!”

“Oh, poor puppy… Let me help you, bambino…”

“Run along now, bambino. Go on.”

“Well, now we’re back in the hellhole we started in…”

“Okay, I might love dogs, but what the hell are those things?!”

(When goggles are in use)

“It’s dark in here, goggle time.”

“I think I see a way down this hall…follow me.”

“Condor One, I have a visual on the church. Those creeps are nowhere to be seen, so that’s good.”

“They were regular night vision goggles, but I fixed a few bugs and upgraded them a bit myself. They’re really handy for finding secret entrances and all that fun stuff. Still need to upgrade them to have an infrared setting to help with seeing those monsters better in dark quarters without use of a flashlight.”

“Leon, if you don’t get out of the way, I’m gonna shoot you!”

“Die, you figlio di puttana!”

“There’s a fake wall behind this bookcase here. Leon, help me move it.”

“There’s something in the water!”

“Why is it always bugs?! Ugh!”

“Oh, this new upgrade makes even the new infrared setting less fuzzy! Didn’t know the merchant was handy with support items like goggles.”

(Talking with Hunnigan or Leon over radio)

“Roost? This is Condor Two. To make it short and sweet, things went to shit and now I’ve been separated from Condor One and Baby Eagle. Could you send me Condor One’s location? I’ve been trying to reach him, but he seems preoccupied since he isn’t picking up.”

“Condor One? Hello? Come in? Condor One, come in! Come in! Leon? Leon! Leon Scott Kennedy, answer me!…Shit.”

“Roost, could you pull up some intel on a guy Condor One was just with? His name is Luis Sera and, from the way Condor One described him, he seems a bit questionable at best.”

“Sorry about that, Roost. Condor One and I ran into a bit of trouble out on the lake. We’re back on track and continuing our search for a key to the church in town. Talk in a bit. Condor Two out.”

I don’t know how to end this, so-

I hope you liked her?

Also, I want more Resident Evil girls with long hair tied up!!!