#i hate cyberbullies with a passion

[achaotichuman]

The fact that people have to put disclaimers that they know some things Tamlin did weren't right at the top of every post, tells me that the vast majority of this fandom is chronically online.

[viennakarma]

Everything I Wanted II.

LESTAPPEN X READER (PART 2)

Summary: Your journey to become a Motorsport legend wasn't easy, especially when your path clashed with your greatest rivals, Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc.

Word count: 8.9k

Tags: Driver reader, mentions of crash, angst, abusive parent, daddy issues, trust issues, character death (not reader), cursing, strong rivalry, misogyny in motorsport, invasive media, aggressive fans, reader suffers with cyberbullying and hate, smut, female reader, +18, unprotected sex, voyeurism, exhibtionism, edging, filthy, porn with plot, queer! everyone, polyamory lestappen, bit of dirty talking, pet names, not beta read

Relationships: Lestappen x Reader

Mentor!Kimi Raikkonen x Reader

Sebastian Vettel, Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton x Platonic!Reader

Notes: this is full of motorsport categories inaccuracies, just go with the vibes please. There are a few inaccuracies regarding other drivers' lives, but they are just to fit the story. This chapter is very angsty and none of it is an attack at the drivers nor their fans and personalities, please.

I know I KNOW, this got out of hand, AGAIN. I promise next part (and hopefully last) is more focused on the romance, and the happy ending reader deserves.

Find me on Twitter!

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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

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You spent Christmas with your mom, sharing a lot of presents and watching a bunch of stupid Christmas movies. New Year’s was now a tradition to spend with the Raikkonen Family, joined with the closest friends for a little get together. It was a good opportunity to reconnect with Kimi’s kids who missed you a lot during the season.

Charles never contacted you during winter break, which you were sure was the best after that mistake. You hated each other too much and the only thing that could come out of that was toxicity from the both of you. You refused to even acknowledge what had happened and its implications, that wouldn’t and couldn’t mean anything.

During the pre-season testing in Bahrain, you and Charles were back to whatever your relationship was before that one lapse in judgment months before.

Nobody noticed anything.

One day, Fernando pulled you aside for a little chat. You two sat side by side on big moving boxes, sipping on energy drinks.

“There’s something I have been wanting to talk to you about since last year,” he started, seemingly pensive, distant.

“Is everything ok?”

“Yeah, yeah. Remember after we first met when you asked me if I had advice for you regarding your career?” Fernando said, and you remembered.

Right after you had gotten close, you asked him for advice, you always did, especially about racing. But one day, you were chatting about his career, and you asked if had any lessons you should never forget. He had laughed joking about read all your contracts then asking if you were calling him old, but he said if he ever had any advice, he would tell you.

“Yes, have you got my answer yet?”

“Sí, Nena,” he paused, looking deep into your eyes, “enjoy.”

You frowned and he saw the confusion on your face.

“I see much of my younger self in you, you know? The same passion, this fiery desire to win, your goal for the championship, to conquer the world…” Fernando paused, looking up to the clear sky, the sunset coming around, “And I did. But I wish I had enjoyed it more. I should’ve gone to parties, I should’ve visited the countries we went to and tried the food, I should’ve made more friends, I should’ve had more lovers… I was so focused on winning, on getting my hands on that trophy of champion of the world, that I missed out on a lot.”

You felt your eyes tear up, and you wiped it before the tears came down. Putting your hand on his shoulder, you smiled at him.

“It’s such an honor race with you. And an even greater honor to have you as a friend, Nano” you whispered to him, you two laughed as his eyes watered too, and slapping his shoulder you laughed, “don’t make me cry, you old softie!”

You took his advice to your heart.

You went to the parties, you met new people, and that’s how after two entire seasons, you managed to befriend Lando, your teammate. You two had to open your hearts a little bit and meet in the middle. Which proved to be great, the whole team loved the change in your dynamic. You still weren’t besties, but you were close colleagues, and that was great. Everyone noticed the change and it reflected on how you started racing as a team instead of individually.

The car was even better than the year before, and the first race of the season you got a promising win.

That win, Lando’s pestering, and Fernando’s advice was how you ended up in a party after the Bahrain GP. Wearing a skimpy mini dress and 5 tequila shots deep, swaying your hips to the sound of Rihanna. You were dancing and singing with Lando and a few of his friends, loudly screaming the lyrics.

When it was way too hot for you, you grabbed a water bottle and beelined your way out of the crowded dance floor. You found a corner of the VIP section where the AC seemed to be working better, and as you stumbled inside the small space, you ran chest first into someone.

“Sorry,” you said, taking a step back and pressing your back against the cold wall.

“Enjoying your win?” Your head snapped up as you recognised Max’s voice. You had run into him.

Lando had mentioned inviting Max to the party, he had gotten a P2 in the race but you doubted he would go to a party he knew you would attend. You were obviously wrong.

“You know I am,” the victory was so good that nothing could ruin your mood.

“Well, then enjoy it. I’m coming for the win, again.” He warned you but his voice was devoid of anything, just sounded like he was casually telling you about the weather. But you knew that he was implying his championship the year before, rubbing it in your face.

“Don’t be so confident, Max,” you finished your water, smirking at him, “Enjoy the view of my rear!”

You flipped your hair, feeling his eyes on you the whole walk back to the dance floor.

And yet-

Somehow-

You ended up back at that small corner, dancing with your body pressed between Verstappen’s and the wall, his hand holding your jaw firmly, you rolled your hips against him, feeling the way his body responded to yours.

“We can’t-” he said to you, still, his eyes hadn’t left your lips, like he was so oh so tempted.

You rolled your eyes, annoyed. Sober you would never do that, but then, that was a problem for later. Checking to see if anyone was looking at you, you hooked a finger around his waistband and pulled him towards the bathroom.

As soon as the two of you were inside, you locked the door and Max pressed your back against the door, latching his lips to yours in a very desperate open mouthed kiss. You hugged his shoulders, opening your lips to him, his hands went down your sides and he grabbed your ass, pulling you into him. But that wasn’t enough, so he held your thighs and pulled up, carrying you. You locked your legs around his waist, and he stopped the kiss to walk, sitting you on the marble side of the sink, still between your legs, forcing his bulge against your panties, and eliciting a moan from you.

He took a half step back to hike your dress up, palming your cunt over your panties feeling the dampness of it, he tried to press his hand under your panties, but the lacy fabric didn’t leave much space, so he simply tore the bottom of them, exposing you to him. He just ran a finger over your slit, collecting your wetness for a brief moment before pushing a finger into you. Max watched your face with concentration, studying your body’s responses. Your hips shaking at the movement of his finger, and when the second one joined, you got louder. He curled his fingers up, his thumb pressing your clit, and you had to use both hands to hold onto him, your head lolling back against the mirror.

“Take it and shut the fuck up,” he grunted between clenched teeth.

He was pressing your insides so good, the slick sound of his fingers going in and out, his heavy breathing, the loud music outside and his laser focused fingers had you coming against his fingers in minutes. When he noticed you close, cunt spasming against his fingers, he pressed the other hand against your mouth, covering your moans when your toes curled and you orgasmed on his hand.

Max barely let you recover as he opened his jeans and stroked himself twice before pushing his cock into you in one swift move, making you gasp at the sudden intrusion.

“That’s what you wanted, right? Fucking teasing me all night,” He pushed particularly hard, hitting your g-spot, making you see stars, “you’re a fucking menace, y’know that? Fucking insufferable,” then his words became a mumbling of something dutch you couldn’t quite catch anymore with the way his hips snapped against yours, taking all your focus away and turning you into a mess of moaning.

Max fucked like he raced, focused and relentless, brutal. He hugged you with one arm around your waist to keep you in place and the other held you face, tilting your head so he could kiss you, or whatever that mess of saliva, tongues and teeth was. Your orgasm crashed through you unexpectedly, and you only hugged him tighter, pressing your face against his chest, biting into his skin through the fabric of his T-shirt to silence yourself, your teeth sinking into him was enough to send him also over the edge, coming with moans against your ear.

That night, you went home with shaking legs and an incoming headache, as Max left with the scraps of your panties in his pocket and your lipstick stain on his shirt, above his chest.

It was the seventh race of the year, Monaco, and you absolutely hated that specific track since your years of F2. During your two first years in F1 you had awful experiences, the rookie year you DNF and the year prior you had barely managed a P7. You were trying to keep your head up, be hopeful that you could at least try for top 5.

But since you couldn’t catch a fucking break, an old video of your teenage years resurfaced.

You were walking to your first round of interviews when Amanda, your PR manager, started walking by your side.

“There’s something. An old video of a karting competition resurfaced, where Max and Charles pretty much call you stupid,” Amanda was always direct, you could give it to her.

“Let me see the video” you asked, offering your hand for her phone.

“We don’t have time, but everyone will ask you about it. I need you to be the bigger person and act like it isn’t important, yes? They will try to taunt you and get a bad reaction from you, I need you to dismiss everything they throw at you. Agreed?”

You sighed. You knew the stuff from your teens were pretty bad, you rarely badmouthed Max or Charles, but they always felt threatened by you, so there were lots of instances they attacked you. Honestly, you just didn’t want to come out of this victimized. So as you entered the first round of interviews, you decided you were going to downplay anything they asked you.

“Y/N, have you seen the footage of you, Max and Charles from your teenage years that resurfaced recently?”

“No, uh, I haven’t.”

Someone pushed an iPad in your hands because of course, they wanted a live reaction from you. You pressed play, reading the subtitles someone put on the video. It was an amateur recording like a post race interview made by another teenage guy. First as Max walked out of the track, the guy asked what he thought of your win.

“It was luck, she’s not bright enough to think of a strategy,” Max said, walking away, clearly pissed having lost to you.

There was a cut and the camera was turned on again when Charles walked toward the guy asking the question. He repeated exactly the same question he had asked Max.

“Y/N, I don’t worry about her long term. She’s not going very far in this sport anyway,” Charles shrugged, seemingly unbothered.

As the video cut again, it showed your face, you remembered when that was. You were 14, and your dad had dropped you a few months earlier, so you were working your ass off balancing school, work and karting.

“Hey, Y/N. What do you think of your result today?”

“Uh, I tried a new strategy I learned earlier this week, thankfully it worked in my favor,” teen-You dried your forehead with your coat’s sleeve.

“What are your plans for this competition?”

“Well, I hope to be good enough to get into F4 next year, and work my way up into Formula 1,” you smiled softly and walked away after a quick bye.

The video ended and you still spent a few seconds staring at the black screen of the iPad. This interview didn’t come to your mind in more than a decade, but it was nice seeing how you made your 14-year-old dream come true.

“So, what do you say?” The reporter extended his mic to you.

“I guess I proved them wrong, right?” You giggled a little, “don’t take it to heart, really. We were all hormonal teenagers, I’m sure if someone digs, they will find a video of me saying the same stuff about them,” you shrugged, despite that being a lie, sounded dismissive enough.

“So it doesn’t upset you?” The reporter insisted, and you knew he wanted a scandal you weren’t willing to give.

“Of course not. I’ve always known my worth, and I’m P1 in the driver’s championship as of right now. So I don’t really care.”

The interviewers soon let the video go, when they realized you didn’t care about it. You weren’t sure if anyone would also approach Charles or Max with questions about the same video, but you couldn’t care less, you wanted to avoid drama for the time being so you could focus on the championship instead of this bullshit.

On the morning of qualifying, you were in your room, trying to meditate and clear your mind, when a knock interrupted you.

“Guys, I asked for twenty minutes so I could-” you stop yourself when you realize it isn’t anyone from your team, but it’s Max and Charles, “what are you doing here?”

“We came to apologize about the video,” Max started.

“Did your PR teams send you here?” You looked around, trying to catch a camera or even a phone recording.

“No uh, we realized we were very immature with you, and this video is just proof of how silly that was,” Charles sighed, seemingly embarrassed.

“You don’t need to apologize, I mean- the two of you really had it out for me, you called me dumb a lot,” you pointed to Max, then Charles, “and you called me ugly countless times. I don’t know why it would make any difference now.”

You were just so used to being defensive, to protect yourself from hatred you found it hard to believe them, to give them a chance to apologize because you couldn’t believe it to be genuine.

“Even if you don’t take it, or believe it, I would like to apologize for that behavior. I was just a stupid kid.” Max looked deep into your eyes, which could’ve made you uncomfortable if he didn’t seem so honest.

“I’m really sorry, Y/N. It was too idiotic to be like that to you, growing up. You were just a kid too.” Charles added.

You understood where that apology came from, it was stupid and embarrassing for all three of you this teenage rivalry when you all were barely mid racers back in the day. Sighing, you looked around, dropping your façade for a second, allowing yourself to display the same honesty they showed you.

It was hard and required some sort of deprogramming because you could only see them as rivals, like your dad had whispered in your brain so many times before, like their actions towards you had cemented dad’s words. They had said things that were on your mind for so long, that had made you defensive and deflective.

“Look, don’t worry about it. Whatever happened back then, it’s water under the bridge,” You shifted on your feet. As they started walking away, you added “this doesn’t mean we’re friends.”

They only nodded before leaving. Your routine went back to the same, and as the next scandal went on, people forgot about the silly video, but a very specific part of the fans started shipping you and both your rivals.

The rivalry never died down though.

Then, out of nowhere, Sebastian pulled you and Lewis aside to a conversation. Then he told you that he was going to retire by the end of the season. It was the first time the two of them saw you cry, and Sebastian hugged you tight, shushing your crying softly.

“I’m so sorry, I’m sorry,” he whispered, petting your head.

“No, don’t apologize,” you let him go, drying your face, “I have listened to you talking countless times about how you missed the kids. Don’t apologize for choosing to be a great dad. I know Hanna and the kiddos will be ecstatic.”

“You two are my closest friends here, that’s why I wanted to tell you first, before my announcement.”

“Thank you, Seb,” you said, eyes still watering, “I’m going to miss having you around.”

“Thank you for telling us beforehand,” Lewis said, also visibly emotional.

The season was writing itself to be just as close as the year prior, but now you were slightly better at keeping the lead most.

That is until Zandvoort. This GP was always a nightmare to you, because it was full of Max’s fans, and they absolutely hated you for being his rival. You had been booed when you were on the podium the year before, so now, you and Amanda decided it was best to keep your head down during the whole week. Not out of shame, but more of a matter of safety, you didn’t know how far the crowd could go in antagonizing you. When you were booed the other year, Max had said it was part of the sport and dismissed the conversation.

The morning of free practice, you went into the paddock very low-key and kept to yourself. You arrived with a little cup of coffee and got mentally ready for a hostile environment the whole weekend. That, until you spotted a small group of people dressed with your color and wearing your number, waving wildly to you.

In a spur of the moment decision, you went there, getting close to the barrier to sign a few caps and take a few selfies. In retrospect, you knew you shouldn’t have done that, especially with only two bodyguards accompanying you.

You were finishing chatting with your fans when you felt something heavy hit the side of your head and the impact made you stumble backwards, you were confused as you heard the screams and felt one of the bodyguards pull you back, as the other jumped the barrier and started running. You patted your temple and something wet and sticky was dripping down the side of your face. You stared at the small group of fans who were looking at you horrified. Staring at the hand, you saw the red staining your fingers, and as the bodyguard kept pulling you away to somewhere safer, the thing flowed even more and  got into your left eye.

You wondered if it was blood as you touched your temple but felt nothing, not a gash nor small cut. You covered your left eye as it started to sting from what you supposed smelt like paint.

“Hey, hey, what happened? You’re bleeding!” Max jogged up to you.

“Not blood, just paint” you muttered, trying to use your coat to clean your face.

“Someone threw a paint ball at her,” the bodyguard said.

“Fuck, it’s burning!” You exclaimed, feeling tears in your left eye.

“Come here, the RB hospitality is close,” Max said, holding your wrist, he stopped shortly pointing to your bodyguard, “and you, sort this and find the person who did it.”

You let yourself be taken by Max into the RB territory, the burning so annoying that you rather take whatever solution he was thinking of. He held your waist and placed you sitting on a sink, and then you felt water streaming down your face.

“Stay still,” Max commanded, holding a hose over your head, pouring water down your face, “now blink slowly, let the water wash it,” his voice soft as you did what he told you to. Slowly but surely, it washed the paint away, relieving your left eye from the stinging. Max held the hose up and held your chin, tilting your head up so he could check your eye, still letting the water stream down your face.

You took a few minutes, breathing and regulating your heartbeat from that scare, trying to come back to normal and understand fully what was going on. From what you gathered, you were chatting with fans when someone else came and threw something with paint at you.

“How does it feel?” 

“It’s better, already stopped burning,” you told him, feeling your heart miss a beat at the close proximity you found yourself to him. You were sitting on a sink, Max standing between your legs pretty much like you two had done months before for entirely different reasons.

“Open your eye, let me see,” he asked, and you tried to blink it open, “can you see?”

“It’s a little blurry but I believe it will get better,” you explained, and he didn’t let go of your chin. Suddenly, he covered your right eye with the other hand, leaving you only with your left eye sight.

“How many fingers am I putting up?” He showed it to your left eye. The vision was a bit blurry but you still could make out the shapes very clearly.

“Four, Max. It’s just a little bit blurry, probably will get better in a few minutes” you sounded annoyed, you tried to move but he pressed a hand against your waist, keeping you in place.

“Now, what happened?” He asked finally. You ignored the proximity, and the hand still on your body.

“We’re in Zandvoort, that’s what happened,” you shrugged, really annoyed about it.

“What do you mean?” He was visibly confused. You scoffed because you knew it wasn’t something he didn’t know, since the year before he has dismissed the importance of how hostile people were to you.

“We’re massively surrounded by your fans, Max.”

“I don’t understand.”

“They hate me because you hate me, and they think because you hate me they’re justified in their hostility towards me,” You explained, with a sigh, you pushed away from Max, “this GP has been like this for me ever since Rookie year.”

“I don’t hate you,” he said, brows furrowed.

“You do. And they do too,” you pointed down at the paint that had also stained your shirt as proof.

“I don’t,” he insisted and you rolled your eyes, jumping off the sink, but he didn’t give you space, which made you stand chest to chest with him, “I promise.”

You stared at him, breathless. That wasn’t part of the game you played, being kind, sounding worried and making promises. None of that was part of this whole rivalry. Pushing his chest, you tried getting away but he caged you against the sink, body flush against yours.

“Do you believe me?” He asked and your eyes fell to his lips, and you allowed yourself to remember the desperate and chaotic kisses you had shared in a dimly lit bathroom, “I don’t support any of this behavior.”

You heard voices and steps approaching, which made you finally push him away, walking towards the door. Whatever little magic had been happening between those walls was undone the moment you remembered none of that would’ve happened if he had politely put a stop to it earlier.

“It’s part of the sport and I have to deal with it, right?” You returned the very same words he had said about you when you were booed by the crowd the year prior.

As you opened the door, you were faced with Sebastian. He stopped, taking you in and then pulling you in a hug.

“Are you ok? We just heard what happened!” He murmured, guiding you out of the bathroom. He held your shoulders and looked at your face, checking how your left eye was still a little red, “we should take you to see a doctor, come on.”

Lewis soon arrived at the entrance of the RBR station, he warned about the reporters crowding outside, waiting for a glimpse of you after the attack. The British man gave you a Mercedes coat so you put it over your head and avoid the cameras waiting outside. With the bodyguards and both Lewis and Sebastian leading you away, you ended up at the medical center, and after a quick examination, the doctor gave you eye drops to put throughout the day.

Your Principal suggested you sit the FP1 out, letting the reserve driver take your place while you recovered. By the middle of FP1, your eyesight was 100% and you went to get ready for FP2. The whole day you felt like everyone was being extra careful, tiptoeing around you. You hated feeling like you were being pitied, so when the inevitable round of interviews came, you knew what you had to do.

“We heard about your incident earlier today, how are you feeling about it?” Someone asked.

“I’m pretty upset, to be honest. Formula 1 is a sport loved around the whole world, and the paddock overall is supposed to be a safe place not only for the fans, but also the workers and drivers. What happened today is unacceptable and could’ve been much worse. I’m voicing my dissatisfaction and I intend to, through legal means, take this complaint to the FIA.”

Later that night, as you laid awake on your bed, scrolling through the repercussions of the day, you stopped when you saw a snippet of Max's interview.

“What happened today was dangerous and unacceptable, I don’t support this behavior and I stand with Y/N,” that was all he said, but Max usually was a man of few words, always knowing when it was enough.

You knew he should’ve voiced that much earlier in your career, specifically after the booing the year before, but still- He also could have opted to not say anything at all, and he didn’t.

Amanda also sent you the news that the fan who had attacked you was found and banned for life from Formula 1.

After calling Sebastian, you managed to get ahold of Max’s phone number and texted him a simple message.

Thank you. Twice. - Lioness

The text went to read almost immediately, and the three dots appeared from his side of the screen. You wait, and wait, and wait. And then the dots disappeared, and an answer never came.

After a solid P2 that weekend in Zandvoort, you went home for the summer break. You and your mom had planned to go to Monaco for a little while since you were planning on buying a place there. From there, you and your mom would go all around the French Riviera to enjoy the sea and spend a few days in a spa resort. Then, you would go back home and relax before going to Ibiza for a weekend to meet Lando and his friends to enjoy some partying.

Everything went according to plan, but one day when you came back home after the trip to the French Riviera, you found your mom passed out on the living room floor.

You called an ambulance, quickly taking her into the hospital. Everything was a blur, the tests and scans, your mom still unconscious on a hospital bed, and the results. The results that pulled the floor from under your feet.

Your brain couldn’t fully compute what was said. Cancer Stage 4. Surgery. Palliative care.

The world was muted around you as you sat on a chair in the waiting room, hands shaking when you tried to understand what was happening. You somehow ended up calling the one other person you trust.

“Y/N? What happened?”

“I don’t understand- she just- she just passed out and I thought- but- but they said- palliative care” you try to come up with words.

“Talk to me. Are you sick?” Kimi’s voice is so focused and a little soothing.

“It’s mom”

“Send your location, I’m going there,” that’s all he said.

Waiting for Kimi gave you some sense of purpose, because it’s Kimi. He could fix anything. He fixed your life when you were 14, he can do it again. He would get there and find a way to help. Your mind got so clouded when the word cancer was thrown in the conversation, that you probably missed the part about treatments and- and surgery and stuff.

In your mother’s room there was a comfortable couch where you tried to settle to sleep, but you only spent countless hours awake. You hoped to see the doctor again to try and get him to explain everything for a second time.

You wished you were smart and quick, but no, you just sat there holding onto the hope that Kimi had a way to fix this.

Kimi arrived early the next morning, knocking on the door before entering. You stood up, hugging him tight.

“What happened?”

“It’s pancreatic cancer, they said. We need to see more about surgery and- and treatments.”

You and Kimi found the doctor, who explained again, and in that moment you finally understood what he meant the first time around. She was in a late stage of pancreatic cancer, which was usually a very difficult illness to find before it is too late, due to the placement of the organ in the body and late symptoms. The only options were either to try a very risky surgery and chemo so she could extend her life for around 8 months to a year. Or she could go home to live her last few months the way she wanted.

You begged and cried and bribed and offered every single solution your brain could muster to try and save her. Kimi held you when you fell to the floor, sobbing.

When your mom woke up and you and Kimi told her the diagnosis, she cried too, sobbing in your arms as you tried to hold it together for her sake. It took a couple of days for her to choose to go home. The two of you spent the last days of summer break traveling around the world a bit more, visiting temples and statues, and seeing nature and everything good the world had to offer, going to places motorsport hadn’t taken you to.

Your mom went to every race week from there on, even when she felt especially weak, even when you had to hire a full time medical team for her. 

Your focus on the season was solely on the moment between entering the car and leaving the car. You still managed to race like you’ve done before, calm and controlled, with the help of your engineers and team, you still could put the car where you wanted it, paving your way for a solid world championship that year. It was like your brain was seeing racing as the one thing in your life you had full control over, so sometimes you even felt like you and the car were one.

You didn’t tell anyone about her. Though every driver noticed how distant you were, even Charles and Max and the ones that weren’t very close to you noticed how you were only fulfilling your obligations and leaving, you weren’t even celebrating your wins, leaving the fastest you could after a race.

The Singapore GP was tough for you, having to leave your mom home alone with the medical staff and a couple of friends from her book club, since she wasn’t strong enough to travel anymore. Your attention was failing all throughout media day and free practices. Qualifying was shit compared to your performance the rest of the season.

In Q3 you did a reasonable sector 1 and 2 but you messed up sector 3 completely. It was a complete accident when you got in the way of a Ferrari when he was doing his fast lap, and you ended up messing his qualy too. Jace let you know it was none other than Charles Leclerc, who was setting the pace for a pole position. Out of 19 drivers, you had to ruin his lap. In the end, Max got pole, Charles qualified P3 and you qualified P5.

You went through the motions during the post qualifying press. You were about to leave after debriefing, when Charles Leclerc found you on the way to the parking lot. You pulled your coat tighter around yourself protectively as he walked up to you. You were hoping to escape his fury at least until after the race the next day. Before he could even get a word in, you started.

“Look, I know I messed up your pole. I know you won’t believe me, but it wasn’t intentional. I really thought there was no one doing fast laps on the track, I thought everyone was either still doing out laps or in the pits, so when you-”

“Calm down, breathe,” he interrupted you, “I’m not here to fight.”

“No?” You frowned, confused with the kindness in his eyes.

“We know you’re going through something, and I’m sure I’m the last person you want to hear this from, but you’re not alone. And you should really consider talking with someone on the grid. They’re all- we’re all worried about you.”

The words felt alien coming from his mouth, but the gentleness was so comforting you felt a lump in your throat.

“Why do you think I’m not ok?” You muttered trying to sound confident, but your voice failed, betraying you.

“You’re skinny and you look sleep deprived for a few weeks now,” Charles said directly.

“Damn, thanks.”

“I don’t mean it like that, you know it,” he paused, putting both hands on his pockets, “have you been eating?” Your lack of response made him press further, “have you eaten today?”

You pressed your lips together, not wanting to answer that.

“Let’s go, I’ll drive you to the hotel, we’ll stop on the way to grab some food,” Charles gestured to his car, a few meters away. You stood there, shocked as he started walking away, then he stopped looking over his shoulder, “come on, I don’t have all the time in the world.”

As you sat in his Ferrari, Charles put music on and you didn’t do much talking, but it was tranquil. He called the restaurant to order take out on the way, and 30 minutes later he dropped you off at the hotel with a bag full of food.

“Thank you, Charles.” You whispered before leaving the car.

You ate the food while on a video call with your mom.

You recovered well during the race, finishing P2, behind Max and ahead of Charles.

Your mom passed away a few days after the Japanese Grand Prix, the one you had won and dedicated it to her from the top step of the podium, even if she wasn’t there, just watching from home. You went home and stayed with her, holding her hands and hugging her as much as you could.

Some part of you knew she was somehow fighting, because she had promised you the year before she would be there when you became world champion. You could see she was hoping to make it to the end of the season, but you also knew she wouldn’t, and you rather she didn’t have to endure any more pain just for your sake.

“You don’t need to fight anymore, ma,” you whispered before she went to sleep, “you raised a strong woman, too. I will see you on the other side, ok? You can rest now, I love you.”

“I’m so proud of you, honey. I love you to the moon and back.”

You made it through her small funeral, following what she had written down before passing. An intimate funeral, full of flowers and a toast to her life. You cried the whole time, with Kimi and Minttu taking turns at comforting you as they could. Coming back to an empty home smelling of cleaning products made you almost lose your mind, and the sight of you in such despair was enough for Kimi to convince you to stay with them until you had to travel for the next race, in almost seven days.

The days passed in a crying blur, you let part of your team know about your mom’s passing. Only Amanda, Jace and your Principal. Jace tried to convince you to take a break and not go to the next race in Austin, but you quickly shut it off. Not only because racing was the one thing keeping you sane amidst the chaos, but because you were so close to the championship, and  it was still close competition with Max and Charles, so you couldn’t afford to lose a race and the points that could come with it.

You had to honor your mom in some way.

That’s how you ended up on a plane to Austin with Kimi and Amanda. You knew Kimi had convinced you to let him go because he was sure you’d have a mental breakdown anytime along the weekend, but deep down you appreciated the company. Arriving there, Jace was the first to hug you and whisper his condolences, as well as your TP too.

You survived the entire weekend without breaking down crying in public, but that was your worst race in a few months, the first time out of a podium since Spa. You ended up P5, which luckily wasn’t too bad because Max finished P4 which you were grateful for as he was the one who was P2 in the driver’s championship close behind you.

After that week, you packed your stuff and moved to the new condo in Monaco you had bought during summer break. Despite loving your mom to pieces, you couldn’t manage to live alone in the house you bought for her a couple of years before, it was lonely and it hit you with overwhelming waves of sadness all the time. You distracted yourself a lot with buying furniture and decorations for the new place, and discovering Monte Carlo in a whole new way. The one comfort in all that, was knowing your mom wasn’t suffering anymore.

Then you went straight to Mexico for the next Grand Prix, this time, Kimi left you because he had to come home to Minttu and the kids. Amanda had been such a support for you, that you knew you had to give her something special for the holidays, out of gratitude.

Everything was going as expected until the press conference. You were there with Charles, Max, Sebastian and Lando. You suspected they were putting you always in the same group as Max and Charles because, as the season nearing the end, only three races left, they were your close competition.

While someone asked something of Charles, you were whispering with Sebastian, chatting about Mexican foods you wanted to try after the race. Then, something bizarre happened, and phones started to ping all around the room, between reporters, cameras and everyone else started checking their phones. It seemed like something out of a black mirror nightmare.

You reached for your phone but then remembered you left it to charge in your room.

“This question is for Y/N,” a reporter asked, reading something from his phone, “there’s a new article that just came out saying your mom passed away a couple of weeks ago, is that true?”

Your blood ran cold, and every sound felt like it was muted inside the room. Wide eyed, you searched for Amanda, who was somewhere on the opposite side of the room, and when you found her, she was pale. Then, there was a cacophony of voices and cameras and questions, that made you suddenly overwhelmed.

Swallowing, trying to reassess, you found Sebastian already standing, holding your shoulders. Looking around you noticed how the other three drivers had stood up, making some sort of shield around you, protecting you from the cameras and reporters swarming around. 

“We can go, ok? Come on,” Sebastian was saying when Amanda caught up to you, leaning beside Sebastian.

“We can leave, right now,” she said, holding your hand.

Still a little confused, you nodded and let them both guide you back to your room.

“I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry for your loss,” Sebastian hugged you, running his hands on your back for comfort.

“How- how did they find out?” You ask Amanda.

“An article came out, I’m not sure. Someone was probably digging into your life, but don’t worry, I put the team on it already.”

“How do- how we diffuse this? How do we proceed? We need to address this, right?” You started blabbering, trying to wrap your head around everything.

“That was very disrespectful of them to ask like that!” Sebastian exclaimed, making you two jolt.

“We’ll do whatever you’re comfortable with. Do you want me to release a note asking for privacy?” Amanda suggested.

“Can I write something and then run it by you?” You asked, she only nodded.

After a moment, both Amanda and Seb left you alone as you typed a note on your phone. You rewrote and deleted a few times before settling on something heartfelt and respectful but also, calling out the invasion of privacy.

My mom passed away a few days ago after battling with cancer for the past few months.

She had requested of me to keep it a secret until after the season was over, so I could mourn her without the weight of racing over my shoulders. 

But obviously someone went digging and disrespected not only one of her last wishes but also disrespected my grief and my right to privacy. I love my mom but I’ll not be answering any more questions about her illness or death, please respect me and respect her memory.

All the love, Y/N

Nobody asked anything over the weekend, but again, it felt like everyone was tiptoeing around you. As soon as you first saw Nano the next day, he held you tight for almost a minute whispering his condolences, and it made you almost cry again. Lewis also spared you a hug, saying if you ever needed anything, to contact him.

You survived that weekend, and decided to go straight to Brazil for the next GP instead of going back to Monaco. In São Paulo you mostly slept your worries and fears away. You had promised yourself to try and focus on the season only, to make your dream come true, to fulfill your mom’s promise in some way.

With Ferrari’s bad strategy in Mexico, they had ruined Charles’ chance at the championship. Now your only competition was Max and the Red Bull rocketship.

You rewatched the race a couple of times as you usually did, to try and catch any mistakes you or your team may have made, to fix it for the next one. But also to try and notice any weaknesses of your rivals, if it was something you could use in your own favor.

You noticed right away in the FP1 that your car wasn’t adhering to the track, you were losing balance and needed more force than usual to keep yourself in place. By FP2, you managed to control your car better, but that caused your tyres to wear off way more quickly.

Quali was one of the shittiest you’ve ever done in your career, taking you out in Q2 for the first time that year, placing you for a start at P12.

“Listen, we’ll do better tomorrow, ok?” Jace told you as soon as you entered the garage, seeing Max still out with a shot at pole position.

“Give me a few minutes to unwind, please,” you asked, dropping your helmet, balaclava and gloves at a nearby table.

You went straight to your room, searching for your phone. Immediately calling Kimi, you waited for him to pick up.

“I watched it,” he said first and foremost.

“If I do bad in the race tomorrow, and Max does well, then I’m gonna lose the championship, Kimi,” saying that out loud made you shiver in horror, “FUCK!” You screamed, kicking a chair.

“First of all, even if you did bad tomorrow, you’d still have a chance to fight for the championship in Abu Dhabi. You know that,” Kimi warned you as if he was scolding a little kid, “second of all, I never taught you this loser mindset. You’ll have to find a way to work around the problems in your car tomorrow.”

“Shit, I’m so fucked! How? How could I even-”

“Remember when I first met you? Your kart was with almost this same problem, yeah? Remember you got P2? You went ahead and fixed it. That’s what I need you to do tomorrow, don’t focus on what you can’t do, only focus on what you can do.”

“I’ll try my best.”

“No trying. Do it.”

After spending the entire night crafting plan A, B, C and Z with you strategists and engineers, you barely got any sleep, but you forced yourself to rest. In the morning, you went to the track early to meet with your team again, to run your strategies one more time, when you had an idea. You’d still follow the plans you had carefully crafted with the team, but you decided to make a Plan Star, as you had called. Interlagos didn’t have any safety car in the last two years, so it was dangerous to fully count on one. But your plan star consisted in the case of a safety car in this one specific window of laps, you’d go to the pits for hards, counting on everyone else being on old softs or mediums at that specific point in the race. But for it to work, you had to be the first of the front field to go in.

As the lights went out and you accelerated, you got already three positions up, landing in P9, and luckily, the points zone. Jace was worried in your ears, talking about the car and the tyres management. With controlled calm and Kimi’s voice in your head, you managed a few more positions in the first 14 laps, landing P7. You lost a bit of time there, since Nando was P6 and everyone knew how tough it always is to overtake him. But you eventually managed to get the position. Unfortunately, it was the moment you had to go to your first pitstop. Due to the problems in your car wearing off your tyres, you would have to go for a two-stop, which ended up costing you three positions again. But you were patient and you were rewarded when the other cars had to pit, which gave you back the four places you had lost.

The race you went on and you barely moved up or down from your P5, but you managed to concentrate.

Jace, on the other hand was sounding more and more worried about your second pit stop, about the difficulty in get closer to P4, about the P6 trying to enter DRS zone behind you, with your tyres wearing off, with the-

“Jace, I love you but please shut the fuck up, I know what to do,” you were praying for a miracle when suddenly, there was a yellow flag, and the safety car went out during the perfect window of laps, “fuck, Jace, this is plan star.”

“Copy,” he paused, his voice sounding secure, “Box, box.”

You changed into hards, no one else went to the pits, and the race restarted after three more laps. The safety car had closed the gap between you and the P4, which made you overtake him easily.

Jace was still keeping quiet to help your concentration, he only interrupted to warn you about overheating your tyres, and your velocity per lap compared to the next position. You started overtaking like a madwoman as much as your tyres allowed.

“That’s P1, Lioness,��� Jace told you.

“Copy that.” You said with your voice shaken.

As you managed your P1, you went back to be aware of your surroundings, seeing a Red Bull right behind you, trying to overtake but you managed to hold position.

When you took the checkered flag, you sighed with relief, Kimi was right.

“Congratulations, Y/N! That’s a brilliant, brilliant win!” Jace’s voice was sounding shaken too.

“You’re crying, Jace?” You laughed softly.

“It’s an honor to tell you that you, Y/N Y/L/N, are a Formula 1 world champion!” Jace shouts, and behind him you can hear more people screaming.

“What? Jace you’re fucking with me!”

“No, Lioness, you’re the 2022 champion of the world!”

“But- but how? There’s one race left? And Max was right behind me!”

“No, Verstappen DNFed during that one yellow flag. Behind you was Perez.”

You made the calculations quickly in your head. Max was P2 in the championship, but this DNF meant no points, and even if he managed to win the last race in Abu Dhabi, he wouldn’t be able to equal you in points. So-

“OH MY GOD, oh my god!” You screamed your lungs out, feeling the tears streaming down into your balaclava, “Fuck yes! I’m Formula 1 World Champion! Thank you, thank you so much guys! Jace, holy shit, I’m the champion!”

“You’re the champion!” Jace confirmed.

You felt joy in a way you hadn’t felt in a long, long time, as you stopped your car on the number one spot. Still a little dizzy from the thrill, you left the car, going straight to your team, heavily waiting for you. They all hugged you, hitting your helmet, saying congratulations and everything. You took a moment to hug Jace and Amanda, who had been of great support throughout the year.

After getting weighted and being congratulated by the other two on the podium, Perez and Hamilton, the latter hugging you tight as he took you off the floor, you drank water as you waited for the post race interview with Nico Rosberg.

You were giddy, barely holding yourself together with how happy you were feeling, how you wanted to hold the trophy, how grateful you were and more importantly, how you felt a great weight being lifted off your shoulders.

“Y/N, congratulations on becoming a World Champion! I have to say, as a girl dad, it is great to see you become the first woman ever to win this title. How do you feel? What do you want to say?” Nico offered, with a kind smile.

“To be honest, I can barely contain myself. It’s such an honor to be here and be the world champion. I look at the past and see my younger self who never thought would make it to Formula 1. It’s such a dream come true, after this year’s hardships, I’m glad to achieve the greatest dream of them all!” You said, kinda quickly, rambling as you tried to put into words all the emotions mixed with the happiness, “I’m sorry, I know I’m taking up all your time, I just want to dedicated this win, and this championship to three people who saved my life: Kimi, thank you for being the salvation of my career when we first met; And my mom, who’s not here anymore, thank you for being the light in my darkest days. And lastly, I want to thank myself for working my ass off and never giving up.”

You muttered a thank you as Nico only laughed at your rambling. Before you moved to the cooldown, you grabbed the mic back again.

“May I add one last thing?” You asked for Nico, who only nodded, pointing to the camera again, “This is to my father: I made it, you asshole.”

You wanted to send the middle finger too, but you knew you couldn’t because of the FIA’s guidelines, and you were already risking a penalty for cursing on live TV. In the cooldown room, you sat beside Lewis, watching a few highlights of the race on the screen. It showed a couple of your overtakes.

“Damn, you overtook like crazy,” Lewis muttered, seemingly amazed.

“I pulled a Lewis Hamilton in Interlagos last year,” you joked, and he laughed.

That podium felt like the culmination of everything you had worked for your whole life, felt like recovering your love for the sport for what it was, for the fast cars and the adrenaline. Being on that podium in Brazil as a World Champion shifted something inside you forever. During your anthem, you laughed, and when you got the trophy, you cried, pointing the trophy to the sunny sky with a silent prayer to your mom. You barely noticed, but you felt the champagne raining on you, and opened your arms to shower in it. Putting the trophy down, you splashed the other bottle, laughing and wetting everyone that was close to you, Lewis, Checo, Jace, who had gone up representing the team.

When the celebration ended, you stayed behind a little more, watching the crowd from the podium, and they started chanting. It took you a few seconds to realize they were chanting your name.

You raised your trophy at them, and they cheered even louder. Then you pointed it to the sky again.

“Look, ma, I made it” you whispered to yourself, feeling the tears streaming down your face.

TAG LIST: @be-your-coffee-pot @supremebaddietrash @mellowarcadefun @cmleitora @kyuupidwrites @80sloverry @newlifeforus @soulaires @hrrorflm @redwolfxx @icarus-nex @jenniferrvsesi @bborra @leilanixx @hc-dutch @withyoutilltheendodthismess @is-just-a @freetimemachinequeen @saturnchase @butterfly-lover @eddiesbitch83 @elliott-calls @nb26fort @wcnorris @vellicora @mac-daddy-210 @hiraethrhapsody @losore-prone @gills-lounge @enrapturedbythemoon @formula1mount @mightiestheroes @cherry-piee @chezmardybum @whodis-26 @mortallyblueninja @f1mockingjay @dance-the-painting

[vavuska]

⚖️ Elon Musk and J.K. Rowling have been named in the cyberbullying lawsuit filed by Olympic champion Imane Khelif.

Paris2024

My previous post about the topic: [X]

Imane Khelif spoke against cyberbullism: [X]

I don't know if Khelif would win this lawsuit, but the message is important: being super rich doesn't allow you to harass people, because they don't meet your ideas about what a woman or a man should look. Gender stereotypes and conventional beauty standards are still damaging people and billionaires should be liable for the massive bullying they created due to their visibility on social media.

Imane Khelif's father didn't approve her passion for boxing, because he thought that boxe wasn't a "thing for girls". And now, she has been attacked for "not being feminine enough". The massive hate and bullying she receives are the same a lot of LGBTQ+ kids experience during their life. I know that a lot of cis/het boys and girls struggle with the judgemental attitude bigots have to their appearance or life choices, but this kind of obsession for gender stereotypes is deeply linked with omophobia and transphobia.

What annoys me the most about all of this is that trans and non-binary people have been subjected to this same treatment for years. The minute it happens to a cis person, everyone realizes how bad it is. I'm glad Imane Khelif is fighting back, but no one deserves this.

Another wonderful woman that deserves to be mentioned here is the Chinese boxer Lin Yu-ting, another athlete who ended up in the same defamatory campaign of Imane Khelif. Lin Yu-ting's story went viral after she won her silver medal. Lin Yu-ting began boxing as a child to protect her mother from her father's abuse. She fought, as Khelif did, from a young age, always with other women, without any problems until the IBA issue. Through ups and downs, Lin Yu-ting never gave up, until she achieved this well-deserved Olympic medal.

Yes. Not only Elon Musk and J. K. Rowling (and other far-right politicians) started a hate campaign against two cisgender non-white women, but also they targeted two women who fought against domestic violence, abuse and gender stereotypes from a very young age!

Update 21 August 2024: J.K. Rowling is in the Find Out phase.

J.K. Rowling has deleted 27 tweets since being named in a lawsuit brought by Olympic Women’s Boxing Gold Medalist Imane Khelif. Rowling has also not tweeted in 13 days.

[brf-rumortrackinganon]

Isn’t this parent support group a bit random and does not really seem like what they’re passionate about? I don’t want to cynical because they did take time to meet the bereaved parents and interactions with them must have been hard to fake, so I don’t want to outright accuse them of using the parents. But it’s just a bit random… and also not. I mean I guess it does make sense. They’ve always said they were passionate about mental health… Harry has children covered with Wellchild… They have a mission to stop hateful comments about them, so I guess the crusade against social media makes sense… but somehow combining all three does not feel authentic to them. I don’t even know but the pivot to children/mental health/cyberbullying feels like an attempt to rival William and Kate’s work, which I guess is obvious because they have been doing it for a long time. William attempted to do soemthing with cyberbullying a couple of years ago. I guess I just thought they were done with that kind of thing when Harry seemed more focused on Invictus last year and when they pivoted to ARO, polo show, etc.

I think the group is supposed to be more about creating a tool for parents to talk to each other about all things parenting but the Sussexes leeches onto the one bit about “kids are being bullied to death because of social media” because it supports their censorship platform.

If I had to guess, since most of the Sussexes’ portion of the interview was about cyber bullying, they expected the whole package to be about cyber bullying but CBS threw them for a loop when they added the one family whose son died from a drug deal made via social media and that’s why Meghan flipped out on the producers.

[speedydestinydream]

Post "Fight or Flight" Episode Thoughts

(general thoughts after watching episode 2 of the milliot spinoff; seeing if my predictions were right and just talking about the episode)

!SPOILERS FOR THE NEW TMF EPISODE UNDER THE CUT; POSTED AFTER THE RELEASE OF THE EPISODE!

For reference, my pre episode prediction post

• Okay so they did show the video advertisement, and Elliot didn't really freeze up BUT he did stutter a lot which is fair, Milly didn't really speak but thats fair since it's. His gardening club

• Elliot was STRUGGLING with pulling out that fucking weed. Bro you can use a weed cutter THIS IS WHY THEY WERE MADE

• SEAAAANNNNN MOMENTTT YEAAAAHHHHH it's mostly his voice behind the camera but STILL. Also poor guy man accidentally ate compost RIP (Elliot being so apologetic for it,,, Elliot you are me and I am you.)

To be honest I thought black gold was oil tho??? Not compost? Idk

• Elli. Elliot. Elliot Thornton. Why did I just watch you bite into a tomato like an apple.

• Did he change shirts into the exact same shirt after that take cause he definitely had tomato juice on his shirt lol 😭

• Elliot practicing conversations in the mirror 🤨 Giving me huge Jake vibes here JUST LOOK AT HIM

• RAINBOW DASH SHIRT OH MY GOD MILLY IS AN MLP FAN (she is so rainbow dash)

• Milly has a father‼️‼️

• oh god cyberbullying... Elliot NOOOOOO

also for the students that were typing those replies. How stupid do you have to be to cyberbully someone on THE SCHOOLS OFFICAL GACHABOOK POST. WHERE THE FACULTY CAN SEE IT. USE YOUR BRAINS PLEASE

• Also... Bradley's last name is Buckley I think? Bradley Buckley? (the @ on one of the replies of the post)

• "Nothing will change. I'll always be pathetic." ELLIOTTTTTT NOOOOO

• MILLY FIGHTING BECAUSE THEY CALLED THEIR VIDEO ADVERTISEMENT CRINGE. I WAS RIGHT SHE WAS FIGHTING PARTLY IN DEFENSE OF ELLIOT LETSSS GOOOOOO

• I WAS RIGGGHHTTT ELLIOT WAS HORRIFIED BY MILLY FIGHTING BUT DIDNT WANT TO GRT INVOLVED BECAUSE HE DIDNT WANT TO UPSET MILLY OR EMBARRASS HIMSELF I WAS RRRIIGGGGHHTHT

• "Stop fighting this isnt you 🥺" - Elliot, probably

• OH MY GOD I WAS RIGGGHHTTT FAYE AND DOMINIC JOIN THE GARDENING CLUB I WAS RIGHT!!!!!

• Ms. Cherry is PISSSSEDDDD

• ELLIOT OH MY GOD???? YOU FAINTED??????? THAT CAME OUT OF LEFT FIELD I DIDNT NOT EXPECT THAT OH MY GOD.

• I WAS RIGJT WE DID SEE NEW STAFF (the nurse!!) She seems nice :3

• Elliot: "Oh lord... I wanna die...!"

Milly: "Yeah, he's ok. He's back to normal." LMAO. poor Elliot bro

• He PASSED OUT and still doesn't wanna go home??? Elliot take the free go home excuse it's ok

• awwwwwhhhj he's blushinggg

• FAYE AND DOMINICCCC!!!!

• Faye and Dominic wanted to be friends with Elliot but thought he was avoiding them and Elliot wanted to be friends with Faye and Dominic but was too scared to talk to them,,,, awwhwwhwhw friiieeennndddssshiiipppp

• damn these two are PASSIONATE about their animals

• BRADLEY (PINEAPPLE GUY 🍍) JOINING THE GARDENING CLUB???? MY PREDICTION WAS RIGHT?!??!?! OH MY GOD?!?!?!?!

• He sounds like a really sweet guy

• Bradley. Is blushing. Oh my god

• Man these guys all LOVE Elliot. Treating him like Jake 2.0 LMAAOOOO (seriously tho I'm so happy Elliot has 4 friends now WWOWOOOOO)

• His height compared to Milly I. He's SO FUCKING TALL WHAT. He's gotta be a senior atleast right???? Jesus christ how old is he

• "Who died and made you president of this club?" Dominic you are going up the ranks of my favorite tmf characters at an alarmingly quick rate I'm afraid that when I'm done typing this you'll be in my top 5

• JUMPING UP AND DOWN THEYRE SO SILLYYY

• Clozy Crunch? Wonder if it tastes good 🤔

• BRADLEY CANONICALLY BENCHES 100KG????? THATS LIKE 220.462 POUNDS?????? HES A HIGHERSCHOOL???? OH MY GOD??!??!?!

• THE MUSIC CLUB YEAHAHAHAH

• So real Hailey, princess is a stupid nickname fr

• "Hate is a strong word-" Jake bullied you for 2 years???

"Hate isn't strong enough of a word for me." Real Zander real

• THEY CUT ZANDER OFF BEFORE HE COULD CURSE. LET ZANDER SAY FUCK PLEASEEEE

#letzandersayfuck2024 rip 😞

• awwwhh Elliot's symbolism with the pink cactus flower that's cute

• God they're so awkward I love them

• Milly you are blushing RED girl

• JAKE AND ELLIOT INTERACTION OMG?????

• Hes just gonna. Leave the paper towel on the floor?? 😭 I mean I wouldn't wanna touch it either but atleast kick it to the bathroom??? Jake???

• Jake reprimending himself for embarrassing himself in front of someone and Elliot celebrating the fact he built up the nerve to talk to someone... oh how the tables turn

• AWWW DOMINIC WITH A FLOWER CROWN

• Faye are you HOLDING A FUCKING SPIDER

• Aww butterfly on Bradley's nose

• They're all BUDDIES

• Good ass episode and I was right with a lot of my predictions omg. How did that happen 😭

• Elliot I wanna see more of you and your club YOU WERE FUCKING AWESOME

Anyway that's all I just had to talk about this episode cause it was SSOOOOOSOSOOSOO good. I was literally screaming while it was premiering I was so overjoyed

[rosafloera]

Bad Actor: ComradeKatara (aka Othelo aka Grendelsmilf Aka Noelleakopian)

Previously part of Lesbians4Sokka.

That should already ring some alarm bells, Lesbians4Sokka was a page notorious in the community for some of the most brutal cyberbullying. Think RAPE THREATS! Before I start showing supporting evidence, a disclaimer:

*Let's not add to the situation, do what we can to ignore her and move on. She is a troll that doesn't deserve our attention, nothing will change her mind. There are bigger world problems requiring our focus.

Fun fact: the L4S page IS now ComradeKatara, hovering over the old tag shows

TLDR: ComradeKatara headcanons Katara as a homophobe, constantly mocking/cyberbullying her and anyone who disagrees. In the same breath she is a devout Sokka x Zuko shipper, which is laughable and contradictory.

All ‘evidence’ they have ever provided consists of misinterpretations of canon so illogical it’s pointless to reply to.

Also I’m sure CK doesn’t publicise their Toph and Azula hate and homophobic headcanons that much because Toph and Azula stans are passionate and would rip them apart in a second. Get behind me, Katara. I love you 🥹❤️

CK's FAQ.

She hates Zutara because it's 'racist'. Which is hilarious when we see her ship Zukka. Even the explanation as to why she headcanons Katara as a homophobe, (which she so graciously replaced the entire word with 'straight') beating around the bush and actually explaining nothing at all.

Saying 2 contradictory things in 1 sentence is quite the talent and exposes that she is in constant agony over which side to pander to more. *She is nothing without pandering!* Poor CK doesn't love Katara at all.

In her own words....

'i think CK’s writing proves inconsistent with both the characters and the themes of the show, to an offensive degree. pretty much the only character treated with any sort of respect is momo, and that’s probably because he can’t talk.'

Leave poor Momo alone.

Don't be shy CK. Let it be known you were Lesbians4Sokka.

Lesbians who only hate on women, unsurprisingly have very queerphobic takes. Dear god, do they EVEN like women???

CK reblogged this btw.

At least they're aware?

If only they would leave these characters' names out their mouth, the whole of ATLA actually.

Oh, really. You had no idea when you mercilessly cyberbullied people with your cliques, I assume.

Nor of your lesbians4sokka past, huh?

Peace out.

More proof:

#l4s #lesbians4sokka

https://www.tumblr.com/comradekatara/search/homophobic

Wayback machine just in case lol:

[linabirb]

OK OK SO. 3 16 24 (i was LITERALLY gonna ask abt 6 and 7 but taru beat me to it LMAOAOAOAO) ummm i wanna see for twst and milgram pls <3

HEHEHEHEHE thank you for sending these sol!!

3. "screenshot or description of the worst take you've seen on tumblr"

twst: OHHHHHH THERE'S A LOT. but i'll keep it short. again, that one bday vignette line and also people saying that riddle will grow up just like his mother despite the character development he got. that one hurts me so much because again, i had said it many times, i have anger issues myself and one of the many reasons why i like riddle is because of how much i relate to him and because he feels so human and not just. you know. "haha angy boi". so seeing things like "ohhh he should never have children because he will treat them like he was treated when he was little" is so. painful.

milgram: tbh there's so many that my brain just kinda refuses to process them anymore ALSO SINCE THE FANDOM IS KINDA SMALL. I FEEL LIKE ALL THOSE POSTS ARE EASY TO FIND but again i'll keep it short: mahiru is NOT a stalker/kidnapper/etc, stop saying she is, she literally said she's not one and i doubt it was a lie and also hhhhhhh i have my. own opinion about whatever is going on with kazui but i don't wanna go into detail but basically. before he himself said that his crime wasn't related to cheating, there were some people who were like.. very passionate about voting him guilty because he's a cheater and like. i'm sorry this is so funny to me like we have a guy who killed a child and MANY different animals, we have a guy who cyberbullied a teenage girl into committing suicide, MIKOTO, SHIDOU LITERALLY ASKED "WHICH ONE" AFTER HE GOT A QUESTION ABOUT HIS VICTIM(S) and cheating is where you draw the line?? 😭😭 ah and also whoever says that it was his wife's fault <3 i'm in your walls right now.

16. "you can't understand why so many people like this thing (characterization, trope, headcanon, etc)"

twst: HMMMMM LET ME THINK ABOUT IT. okay okay let's see. well, first of all, i'm not a fan of the time loop theory simply because i'm not a fan of time loop tropes in general. i'm pretty sure there was a time (i think it was like.. late 2000's-early 2010's? maybe even earlier) where like ALMOST EVERY SINGLE VISUAL NOVEL, GAME, ANIME, MANGA, ETC (but especially vns), used that trope AND I HATED IT SO MUCH. i love it when time loops are used to make a character go through the same painful event over and over again to completely change their character, but most of the time (haha get it) time loops feel like.. basically it's like writers use them to just explain everything that doesn't exactly make sense in-universe. why does this character say mc looks familiar to them and doesn't elaborate? well that's because they've seen them before in previous loops! why does mc know how this world works even though they've never been there? well that's because time loop! why do these two characters are in love with each other even though they've never even talked? well that's because they were in love in previous loops! i can talk about my hatred for that trope for hours, honestly.

okay, let's talk about characterization. tbh there's not much i can say because.. let's be honest, even though twst characters are definitely deep and interesting and fun, their personalities feel a bit "limited"(?) mostly because of their disney counterparts or because of how strong certain traits of their personalities are. and i'm not complaining.. mostly. i really wish some characters had more personality traits. but what i really hate is when some writers just.. throw away all the "ugly" or "unlikeable" traits of those characters to make them more "imagines-friendly". like i'm sorry, but sometimes i just read some fics and go "he would NOT say that". i know that people love the "OH BUT HE'S NICE TO Y/N" trope, i use it too sometimes, but like.. some people just really forget that this game is about characters who are literally based on disney villains. like it's okay, let them have flaws. and i don't mean those flaws that are like "omg he's so shyyyy >///<" or "hehe he can ramble a lot <3" NO. I MEAN ACTUAL FLAWS.

milgram: it's okay. it's okay guys. i promise it's okay that somebody can't see that character being gay or ships them with someone of an opposite sex. it's okay. and that's coming from someone who has almost no straight ocs.

like, listen, i'm a 0104 shipper. i see their relationship as romantic but i absolutely have nothing against platonic interpretations. but when people see something like ship art and go "muu is literally a lesbian btw" i'm like. i have so many hcs too but it's one thing to say that "hey i think this headcanon is very plausible and i think it's very neat" and to go "IT'S LITERALLY CANON" unironically and not as a joke. like idk, i'm just that kind of person who has lots of headcanons but until i see them actually being confirmed, i won't try to make people change their mind. (and just so you know i'm not trying to deny that she's attracted to girls. she has that vibe and she literally says "i love you" when she sees a girl and her pupils become bigger like?? but come on. it's okay for people to ship her with a male character until she literally says that she's not into boys in canon)

kazui is a whole different thing, i really was interested in the whole "yeah he's gay actually" theory and i love the memes, but now that people are saying it's "officially" canon and lowkey just. kinda being annoying, yeah, i don't even want to look at the tag anymore because i want to see actual theories and i don't want to see another "yeah he's gay so vote him inno". i'm not here to say that it's a dumb reason to forgive him, since we are literally allowed to have all kinds of reasons to forgive a character, but i think it's a weird thing to say when this guy really does seem like a very deep character, but i can't take him seriously anymore because of those theories that don't even sound like theories (and i mean it in a bad way and not bc they sound so canon)

24. "topic that brings up the most rancid discourse"

twst: honestly, this fandom mostly has like.. people-related drama, like this artist/writer/etc did something problematic, things like that. but i think if i had to choose a topic that annoys me the most.. these two topics kinda go together but i'll start with mc's gender. it actually doesn't get discussed that often, since we're supposed to see them as a self-insert, but i've really seen people say things like "mc is obviously supposed to be female" or "mc is obviously supposed to be male", etc.

i'm not going to pretend that i don't have my own opinion and i'm going to say that tbh i see twst mc as being male (one of the reasons why my mc is a guy), but that's mostly just because i usually prefer to play as a guy when it comes to games like that. (honestly if i have a choice, i choose fem mcs very rarely, stelle is like one of the few exceptions) however, i never try to prove why i'm right, i just kinda go "eh you do you". but i'm not gonna lie, those who believe that mc is female are the most annoying ones, like i get it, of course, a large part of twst fandom are women who are attracted to men, but also. there are. so many otome games. no literally a huge reason why i often don't feel comfortable playing otome games is because I HAVE NO IDEA WHY but i really just don't want to play as a girl and i don't want those characters to see my mc as a girl. (i rarely see my mc as a self-insert btw and almost always see them as their own character) LIKE I DON'T KNOW CAN'T PEOPLE WHO SEE THEIR MCS AS MALE/NB HAVE SOMETHING. like i literally love twst and obey me (i really should play it more often but again. my phone doesn't like it and idk if it will run on my tablet) exactly because of how "genderless" their mcs feel and that i can just see them as whatever gender i want them to be. and idk it just.. doesn't feel good when people are trying to remind me that "btw mc is obviously supposed to be a girl" especially when i already kinda know that considering the audience/demographic.

the second topic was probably more popular to discuss when i first got into the game and when it first came out: character x mc or character x character. i was a big character x character enjoyer and didn't really care about character x mc at first until i got interested in riddleyuu and malleyuu. but yeah, watching those sides fight was like. guys you both are losing. like some character x character fans were being mean and hating on self-inserts and some character x mc fans were saying things like "y'all just want more guys to ship". and like. there's nothing wrong with both of those things like calm down. i still can see people arguing because of that, but i just try to ignore them now tbh.

milgram: *clicks on the tag* .. yeah whatever is going on right now.

[blakesuga]

Little Things #13: Genshiken

The animated series Genshiken is a whole breed of Japanese fandom culture I would rather not indulge in. My prime reason is that the Genshiken anime fan club is so accepting of fawning over inappropriate media involving animated underage girls. I distinctly remember a scene where one of the newest members of the Genshiken club (I believe it was one of the main characters, Kanji Sasahara, but correct me if I am wrong) commented on how the girls on the posters that decorated their club's room could be underage. However, one of the other members claimed that they were not underage since they were in high school. ...I had to pause the anime and truly comprehend what I just heard. For further reference, I believe this scene was in either the first or second episode of the 12-episode season, and I just heard this outlandish claim. I was not even able to fully grasp the premise of the anime and the commentary the creators behind it were trying to convey to the audience. I felt like I was just thrown into the lion's den and the only instructions I was given was to survive and not get lost. I feel like that is exactly how certain fandoms whether it is for anime, manga, musical artists, sports, etc thrive off parasocial interactions and behaviors that operate when the people of the fandom feel truly passionate about their entertainment or lifestyle. Critical thinking is thrown out of the window and the fans are determined to defend their wild claims as long as they believe that their loved and trusted "idol" will be appreciative of their protection and loyalty.

I will forever be gobsmacked at how blatantly dismissive fandoms can be towards any red flags within their fandom if that could potentially threaten their self-perceived haven. Not to place hate on all fandoms, but I am in some Kpop and anime fandoms and I love interacting with the community. Yet, I am also well aware of the flaws and red flags within the community and I try to keep them in mind and call out anything that can be perceived as harmful that the fandom creates, like cyberbullying innocent people for not liking the same music groups or animes like the fandom majority. This is why I am a strong advocate for critical thinking and to not buy into parasocial relationships that can eventually trap you and stunt personal development. That Genshiken scene is only the tip of the iceberg on how the creators presented the "typical" anime otaku fan (probably based on perceived stereotypes) back then and even if times have changed and people from the fandoms are becoming more aware of the parasocial and perverted behaviors some people from within encourage, we all need to be able to set boundaries to the level of extent we will engage in degenerate fandom culture. Sooner or later the very thing that we idolize over time will evolve from a symbol of happiness and entertainment to one of fetishization.

[thethirdvoerman]

32, 45 and 57 for kieran >:3 and actually any other question you want to answer about him i miss him

i really should draw him one day.........

32: If we're talking modern au, Kieran would love cyberbullying. He is a hater. Other than that, I feel like he has done trespassing a lot for the sake of research, which he never admits to because Leland would heckle "Professor I-Have-A-Stick-Up-My-Ass" for being so uptight about rules and then breaking them.

45: What doesn't Kieran hate with a passion? He sees a mildly annoying person on the daily commute and wishes them a century of diarrhea. He probably has Opinions about the different tile used in the city pavement. They changed the recipe of his daughter's favourite pastry and he cursed the bakery owner. If a student is late to his class once he hates them for the rest of the semester. God forbid you dog-ear a book in his presence. This man is a bundle of Opinions in a twinkish disguise.

57: Kieran is really bad at making anything fried. Type of person who messes up a fried egg, can't make an omelette without burning or tearing it, and never succeeds at making food crispy. He himself prefers boiled, steamed and stewed foods, but it is irritating not to be able to make his daughter perfect chicken nuggets.

[independentartistbuzz]

Unveiling No Enemy: Christian Imes and the Musical Exploration of Cyberbullying

Led by Christian Imes, Animals in Denial is an evocative musical endeavor shaped by deeply personal experiences and an unwavering passion for creativity.

The genesis of "No Enemy" stemmed from Imes' encounters with negativity within the industrial community and the pervasive culture of the internet:

"As I distanced myself from the industrial community, I found myself grappling with the overwhelming negativity of internet culture. It seemed everywhere I turned, there was discord. Initially, I reacted defensively, but upon reflection, I realized that the lack of understanding between generations was a significant factor. We weren't listening to each other, and this realization prompted me to challenge these dynamics."

Recognized for his innovative approach to music, Imes employs a blend of instruments and technology to craft his distinctive sound.

For "No Enemy," Imes utilized a Billy Corgan Signature Strat and an Ibanez AX120 guitar, along with an RP50 for effects. Additionally, he incorporated his wife Jeanine's bass and Abelton for triggering solid beats. Remarkably, the entire song came together within a mere three hours, with each instrument captured in a single take during the recording process.

The theme of cyberbullying addressed in the track remains profoundly relevant in today's digital landscape, where online harassment and scams continue to proliferate. Imes reflects on his own experiences and concludes that harboring hatred towards others is counterproductive:

"Reflecting on my life, I realized I harbor no hate for anyone. Despite enduring hardships, including narrowly escaping a racially motivated attack, I refuse to succumb to bitterness. If overcoming PTSD has taught me anything, it's the importance of moving forward."

As an artist on the autistic spectrum, Imes discovered his passion for music at an early age, drawing inspiration from iconic acts like Nine Inch Nails and Depeche Mode.

Imes' mastery extends beyond the guitar, as he is self-taught in synthesizer programming, drumming, and bass guitar playing. Operating primarily from his private studio sanctuary, he collaborates with his wife Jeanine, blending talent and innovation to create a rich musical tapestry that pushes artistic boundaries, occasionally incorporating AI technology into his compositions.

Through "No Enemy," Imes continues to explore new realms of musical expression, channeling his fervent dedication into addressing pertinent societal issues through his artistry.

[itsrattysworld]

Without Prejudice Mervelee Myers Last Post 13/01/24 Address Social Media Cyberbullies Target Me On Behalf A-Z Abusers Let Me Share Passions Of Writing Storytelling Singing Performing Dreaming From Growing Up In Household Of Males With Strong Females Who Instilled Resilience Not Accepting Giving Up As An Option I Recall GanGan Irene Who Lived 10 Years After My Father Buried Some Of Her Children From Infancy GanGan Elsie Who Died Of A Broken Heart Despite Surviving Strokes Last Time I Seen Her Out Of Her House Day They Bring Uncle Terah From March Pen St Catherine 1st Buried On Our Land Mama Lou Laugh Sing Her Way Through PTSD Carer For Those Who Needed Her TLC After Her Nearest Dearest Left Home She Even Treated The Cats As Her Family Like I Learned To Communicate With Neighbours I Created Legacies Foundations Laid When I Joined Facebook 2009 SM Influencer Homemade Books On LinkedIn Websites Carry Stories Published On Subjects Cradle To Grave I Was Featured Online Across Globe Face Windrush 70 I Contributed Mum's Eulogy Viewed 7K Times FB Until I Became Victim After Death Mother Dementia June O'Sullivan Sanctions Hate Crimes Label UURICA-LE Spent 10 Years Clearing Name Time For Me To Benefit Intellectual Property Copyright Images CPPDP Instead Of Having Them Harvested Stolen Those That Underestimated My Education Gained Via Personal Experiences Are In For A Shock Am Not On SM Seeking To Rob Anyone Like What Is Happening To Me And Husband To Us Nigel Pearce Seb Adjei-Addoh Sir Mark Rowley Will Not Hear Last Of YouTube Benefiting From My Creations Trying Trick Me To Make Me Voiceless Vulnerable Victim Past 10 Years Some Name World Is In Denial Black People Refuse To Help Their Own Except Take Advantage Mimi Owusu Scam £10,000.00 Sold Me Out To H4W 12 Pages Witness Statement Sent Police To Do Welfare Check Adult Social Care My Great Grand Parents Were Land Barons CCMCC Judgement Ryan Clement Pay £9,450.00 Have Lists Offered £46-55,000.00 SENCO Job Smart Teachers Endorse Tony Bertram Chris Pascal LinkedIn 3/1/2024

Refer to Without Prejudice Mervelee Myers Writes For Therapy Confused Girl Lost My Father To What They Said Was His Nerves Worked Too Hard Did Not Take Care Of Himself Lindon Stolen Balis Story Lists Of Defamation Section Registered Deaf Doing Rounds Maudsley NHS Southwark Council Housing For Women Mimi Owusu Life Open Book To Help Others Experience PTSD Or SEND Any Stages Of Journey From Cradle…

[hhssyyaa]

Content Warning: This article addresses sensitive topics, including cyberbullying, suicide, etc. Reader discretion is advised. If these discussions are distressing, consider skipping this content. The intention here is to raise awareness and foster understanding, not to spread hate or target any individuals or parties involved.

INTRODUCTION *.~

Hi there folks and welcome back! So today we are going to dive into the realm where pop culture and social activism collides. Yes, that’s right – a topic that I think that is not only intriguing but also relevant. Theres no doubt that everyone and anyone who is online has heard of the word fandom and what it consists of. However, to formally define what it is, according to Cambridge University Press (n.d.), it is a community of supporters - who are typically the more devoted ones, of something or someone. From BTS to Harry Potter, fandoms have become one of the driving forces behind many significant social and political movements. It’s not just about loving your favourite characters; it’s about leveraging that love to make a difference.

Fandom as Supportive Communities 彡

One of the most significant instances fandoms have impact in social activism is through charity events and fundraising. Fans from different backgrounds and different nationalities pool together their resources and raise substantial amounts of money for causes they’re passionate about. One that is most notable was the Black Lives Movement where the BTS army donated more than $1 million dollars through campaigning in Twitter. The charity named One in an Army was trending on Twitter with their hashtag #MatchAMillion where hundreds and thousands donated in support (Madden, 2020). Hence, shows that the sense of belonging in a community that fandoms usually create provides a powerful motivator for activism. People are more likely to engage in social issues when they feel like they are a part of a supportive community that share the same values. It’s not just about being a fan; it’s about finding a community that shares your passion for change.

Fandom, Pop Culture and Activism ✎

Pop culture references are often adopted by fandoms to highlight social issues. They use their favourite characters and tales as a platform for discussion and change advocacy in their fan fiction, fan art, and other works of material. The discussions made can help increase public awareness and also be used to influence public opinion, bring about social change and have an impact on political choices (Chowdhury, 2023). It can affect the attitudes, behaviours, and beliefs of people and is frequently viewed as a reflection of societal views and values. Pop culture, for instance, can have a significant impact on how young people perceive gender roles, relationships, and body image.  In a way, it could be a platform, or a hub for education and advocacy where fans can share information, resources and research on important issues to help inform and mobilise their communities.  It's a brilliant way to connect with a broader audience and show how even fictional worlds can reflect and influence real-world issues.

Media representation : ̗̀➛

“Representation in the fictional world signifies social existence. Absence means symbolic annihilation.” - George Gerbner

In many ways, fandoms could also influence the media by advocating for better representation. The impact goes beyond the screen. When fans rally behind a call for representation, it sends a clear message to the entertainment industry that their target audiences crave authenticity and relatability.  This pushes creators and the media landscape to more diverse and inclusive characters and storylines. For instance, Black Panther and Shang Chi which represents the black and Asian community in the big screens. The value of one's own identity, culture, and ancestry is emphasised in both films (Raafeke, 2021). It’s natural for fans to long for their cultures or something that fans can see in themselves in the big screens and being represented. And fandoms give a platform to voice these concerns to the entertainment industry for better representation. So, the next time you see a campaign for better representation, remember: it's not just a call for diversity; it's a demand for authenticity and a celebration of the myriad voices that make our world extraordinary.

Challenges and controversies -ˋˏ✄

But of course, no community is free of faults. It’s not all sunshine and rainbows in the world of fandom-driven activism. Differences between fandoms can lead to conflicts or promote toxic behaviour. It has been well documented that fandoms can have harmful effects. So, what are these harmful effects? Well, the most common and highly known to people are increased fan involvement in bullying – or rather cyberbullying. Threats of murder, sexist remarks, slurs about race, and intimidation are sadly common in the fan group culture even though some may disagree. One of the most popular cyberbullying cases we know would be of Selena Gomez. Selena Gomez, one of the most followed people on Instagram faces cyberbullying by Justin Bieber’s fans but now, inclusive of Haily Bieber’s fans. According to reports, cyberbullies are significantly more destructive since they are able to specifically target parts of her that she finds undesirable (ABC News, 2017). Balancing the positive impact with the challenges is a tightrope act that every fandom must navigate.

Long-term commitment ╰┈➤

Now, let's talk about a crucial aspect often overlooked in the world of fandom-driven activism – the long-term commitment. It's not just about a momentary spark; it's about sustaining that flame over time, turning a movement into a lasting force for change. Especially now, in the era of the internet, it’s so easy to get swept up in the initial wave of activism. Hashtag trends, charity campaigns that goes viral, but what happens when it’s no longer trending? Some fandoms may understand the issues they care about are not solved overnight and needs continuous engagement even though the spotlight dims.

CONCLUSION ツ

So, there you have it folks. Fandoms are more than just a gathering of fans; they’re a force to be reckoned with for change, a platform for education, and a catalyst for social activism. Keep that in mind the next time you join your favourite fandom. Your passion could be the key to making the world a better place. And remember, whether it’s fighting for justice in a fictional world or the real one, you can make a difference. Until next time!

REFERENCES

ABC News. (2017, March 23). Selena Gomex Explains How Online Bullying Affects Her, ‘They Want to Cut to Your Soul’. ABC News. https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/selena-gomez-explains-online-bullying-affects-cut-soul/story?id=46325132.

Cambridge University Press. (n.d.). Fandom. In Cambridge dictionary. Retrieved November 8, 2023 from https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/fandom.

Chowdhury, R. (2023, February 15). Are young people of a society more influenced by pop culture?. Reader’s Blog. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/readersblog/areyoungpeopleofasocietymoreinfluencedabypopculture/are-young-people-of-a-society-more-influenced-by-pop-culture-50519/.

Madden, E. (2020, June 11). The BTS Army and the Transformative Power of FandomAs Activism. The Ringer. https://www.theringer.com/music/2020/6/11/21287283/bts-army-black-lives-matter-fandom-activism.

Raafeke. (2021, September 13). The importance of Shang-Chi and Black Panther. Medium. https://medium.com/media-eye/the-importance-of-shang-chi-and-black-panther-a04e02291ab8.

[rye-views]

Celebrity. 셀러브리티. 7.6/10

I would recommend this drama to my friends. I wouldn't rewatch this drama.

Omg Kang Min Hyuk, I've missed you! Lovely to see Lee Sang Yoon and Bora. Wait Junho showing up was so funny to me, and unexpected.

I like the Ari& logo. I love a show where we like the protagonist. I really do appreciate how easily and honestly Ari apologizes and gives thanks in the beginning. I'm glad Yoon Si Hyeon was likable until the end. I did like that agree/ugly comment from Ari.

Ari's mom is such a Korean mom I both love to see it and hate it. Every time Jin Tae Jeon says his own name, it disgusts me. He disgusts me. Kim Min Chan is also a dick. God the cockroaches freak me out.

It's so emotionally taxing to let one person or an industry or an entity of sorts, lol, have so much control over your sense of worth and happiness. Whether it's love, obsession, or hate, it's all so tiring. Everyone's emotions are so heightened here. Calm down. Spending time and energy to destroy others is also such a waste. Move on. Cyberbullying and online hate, and the passion for it, I really can't comprehend it, and thinking about it kinda stresses me out. The concept of fame is so interesting sometimes. There's def a difference bw liking being liked vs liking fame. How does the ambition for fame really fan itself out in so many people?

Did I miss something or did they not address it? Why was mom in jail? and did we ever figure out why exactly Si Hyeon and Jun Kyung broke up?

[beyondthepage]

The Importance of Live Music

Experiencing music live is a wonderful thing. When you witness music live, you get to witness what I believe to be the closest thing humans can come to creating real magic. The speakers boom with guitar riffs and drum lines, the lights reflect off the walls, and vocals echo through the venue. However, while it sounds like a party of their life for some people, will it still be worth it when threats such as bombings and gunshots are happening in the area? Thus, despite there being fundamental flaws in live concerts, it leaves an extraordinary impression not only on the musicians’ hearts, but also the fans' hearts.  

One of the most important advantages of having music live for both performers and audience would be being able to escape reality. On the internet, both may receive hate, disgusting and disrespectful comments - performers received backlash while some audiences experienced cyberbullying. Both performers and audience may sometimes feel like they are under a microscope or being treated like an object, which causes them to live in fear as a small mistake can escalate into a massive wave of hate. However, while receiving such threats can cause mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, meeting supporters or idols face-to-face during concerts can provide a sense of validation and joy. Performing live can be a rejuvenating experience for artists as they fully engage with their supporters in the moment. Additionally, live music has a strong emotional impact that allows audiences to connect with the music on a deeper level and experience cathartic release. Not even recording technology is capable of providing the same thrilling sensation as in the concert. When compared to recorded versions, the experience of listening to live music can evoke a distinct set of emotions in individuals, providing a sense of comfort and solace during difficult times. Therefore, having music live offers both performers and audience a chance to step away from their problems or disconnect from their daily routines and focus on the present moment, where they can experience the energy and excitement of the live performance in a direct contemporary time.

Another great advantage of having a live concert is being able to feel the feeling of success. Performers have trained for their whole life and sacrificed more than you think. Due to the long and hard training and exercise to sharpen their singing and dancing skills since they were so young, some of the performers like the Korean singers Minzy and CL from 2NE1 tend to have a different childhood from ordinary children, even some admit to losing theirs. Performers often find the adrenaline rush of being on stage and receiving feedback from the audience to be a form of validation that instills pride in their hard work and dedication. Sharing their talents and connecting with fans can also be an immensely gratifying experience as they get to share something they are passionate about. Likewise, for fans, watching their favourite artists perform live can be extremely thrilling and rewarding, especially after saving up money to afford the extravagant tickets. The ability to enjoy a special experience that they have worked hard for can be empowering as the energy and excitement of the crowd, coupled with the grandeur of the performance, creates an unparalleled feeling of elation and happiness that is difficult to replicate elsewhere. Just like the saying goes, dreams do come true.

However, even with all the above-mentioned advantages, there is one thing that provokes both performers and audience during live concerts, which is the lack of safety. Despite having tight security breaches in the area, some can snuck in unauthorised items inside the venue, endangering thousands of lives, including theirs. Let the bombing incident of Ariana Grande’s 2018 Manchester Concert be an example for this, where many innocent lives were lost that day. To add, the 2004 Lampung concert of Sheila on 7, an Indonesian pop-rock band from Yogyakarta, had four young women killed and dozens fainted due to thousands of fans trying to enter the overcrowded venue. Because of this reason, both the performers and audience’s lives are at risk and experiencing such horrible moments may lead to trauma.

Furthermore, the concert may surprisingly be not what both performers and audience imagined. Both sides have worked so hard to get where they are, but sometimes results aren’t that satisfactory. For performers, they have worked so hard to make the concert possible, but if the audience is not active or only a few came to watch, they will feel awkward. Girl’s Generation, for example, first experienced a “black ocean” back in 2008 at the annual Dream Concert, only a year into their debut. A "black ocean" is an organized protest wherein the audience turns off their lightsticks as a way to show their lack of support or displeasure at a particular artist, leaving the venue in darkness. As a result, they may not have the same cheerful feeling or vibe when carrying out the next few songs due to questioning upon their careers, skills and popularity. For the audience, they paid a substantial amount to see the musician’s performance live, but if their vocals are unstable and have unhygienic surroundings like a muddy floor, they will feel unsatisfactory. As a result, performers and audience will feel like their efforts have gone to waste even if both sides get to meet each other.

In conclusion, even though they are more exposed to dangerous crime situations, musicians will halt the performances for the sake of the audience’s comfort. On the day of performances  in Jakarta on November 4 2021, the 2016 best male rookie group in Korea, NCT 127, had to stop its concert midway due to a group of fans pushing and fainting. Since the pressure of the crowd was too great, the Korean idols and staff reacted quickly by giving the fainted ones water to hydrate themselves and instructing fans to not shove one another. Moreover, unlike hearing recorded music, which are often carefully crafted and edited, live performances offer a sense of spontaneity that can create a unique and memorable experience for both the performers and the audience. Stage performances give performers the opportunity to showcase their talents and to see firsthand how their music or art is affecting their fans. This can be incredibly rewarding to witness the emotional impact of their work on an individual level, and to see how their art is resonating with people in a meaningful way, which adds fuel to an artist's passion and drive. Additionally, the live setting can make the performance feel more personal and authentic for the audience, as they can witness the performer's artistry in real time, and can create a shared sense of excitement and enthusiasm among the audience from feeling the energy of the live performance. Therefore, it is important to have a live music experience for both performers and audience.

[bulldyke-rider]

I'm gonna beat this one into the ground, but like, it's funny that they're always saying they didn't know they could be gay, but then they wanna say somebody else is uneducated about lesbianism. I feel like you're mad at the idea of a woman not having to Google the word queer to know she's gay, and so you've made up this lesbian in your head that knows nothing about Twitter culture and somehow is also cyberbullying you. Come on.

The woman who inspired this post also pulled that "lesbians who say I look straight" bullshit which I just think is pure homophobia. I don't believe for a minute that you've run into more than one butch lesbian who didn't believe you're a lesbian because you're feminine. You're strawmanning fr. Cause who are most of these women fucking? Feminine women! Or are you just mad about someone asking you if you're straight casually?

With a passion, I hate when feminine women whine about people not being able to tell they're gay/bisexual. Or when they pretend their femininity is some extra sign of being gay. Ladies, we are gonna be fine. Literally, only complete fuckin idiot losers care about this, I promise.

Every time some woman is like "if you don't think I'm a lesbian, you don't know lesbian culture/history",

1) they never bring up anything I don't know about. It's never shit that you can't find scrolling on Tumblr for 15 minutes.

2) it feels like overcompensating. Like "I'm ackshully more lesbian than you". Why? Cause you read info graphics on Twitter?

[superstarfun]

anon here. you don’t know me, and i don’t know you. but genuine question. why are you cringe. every time my eyes glance at your account i am overcome with rage and hatred and physically cringe back. you are the bane of my existence. hero’s headspace? more like hero’s STUPID space. because you’re stupid. every time i hear the word “hero” i think of you and am overcome with a blinding indescribable burning anger. you are poison. you are a poison of cringe and there is no antidote. i hate you. you’re cringe

okay what the actual fuck????? I come onto this platform as an escape from my life and also from Twitter because every time I look at either of those, I get so sad and pissed off because there's nothing good there. I have been considering on just leaving Twitter entirely and staying on here instead, but this message really fucking pisses me off and is making me reconsider. I know your dumbass finds so much fun in typing these horrible messages to random people because you know they could never find out and ohh it's so funny to cyberbully OMORI fans, but man. that really hurts, y'know? Just knowing someone out there hates me with a burning passion. But at the same time, good. I am so glad I am so cringy that I cause you to feel rage over just the word 'hero.' I hope I continue to ruin and taint your life while I proceed to forget about you. Have a wonderful day. Fuck you.