#i haven't seen A LOT of content like that thankfully. but the bit i did was offensive to me.

[daz4i]

when ppl make content of nikolai not understanding sigma’s gender or smth like that, they’re insulting me personally actually. you look me in the eyes and tell me this man cares about gender labels. the vaguely gendered clown that’s all about freedom. i dare you.

[alexanderwales]

My early impression of Factorio: Space Age are extremely positive, though it's much more geared toward veterans than I would have expected. I guess sushi belts aren't entirely mandatory, but I don't know how you would get by without them. They are easier now, but there are other mechanics that take things up a notch.

Mild spoilers follow, but it's not really a spoiler kind of game, and the UI seems very ready to give you all kinds of information about places you haven't been and things you haven't seen.

It's got a ton of content, the game design is overall fantastic on several levels, the music has been great, and in general I'm just a huge fan of it.

I am curious how well it holds up on repeat play, since a lot of doing a blind playthrough is figuring things out, and after you've figured them out, a lot of the gameplay is gone.

One slightly negative note, at least for me, is that the early game felt much too longer when I just wanted to get to space, and I kind of wanted … I don't know, an accelerated start option, not necessarily something like Faster Start, but a few technologies researched and maybe a tiny starter base or something. Setting up a furnace stack by hand is not something that I feel like I really need to do again, but I did it for the first SA playthrough, because I wanted the default expansion experience. I did kind of regret it in the end though.

I made it to deep space science in SE, so that's the point of comparison for me, and this is far far less of a grind, along with far more interesting challenges. The cheap rockets that can't carry a lot really incentivize building up a proper base on each planet, one that can make its own buildings and infrastructure, which is neat, and thankfully on all but Gleba (and Nauvis) you don't really have to set up permanent defenses against enemies, which can be a bit of a pain if you want to get on to the next thing. I set up defenses on Nauvis, and that was a time sink, but with the enemy expansion mechanics it was very very necessary. I think next time, rail world setting might be better, but I don't know how that would change the other worlds.

I think the thing that I admire most about it is that they really worked hard on making sure that each planet was very very distinctly different from the others, that each planet had some kind of new threat that was very different from the others, that each planet had gameplay mechanics that were very different from the others ... and it all works wonderfully, at least so far.

There are a few things that I wish were in the expansion, which aren't (at least as far as I know), and some of those are a matter of creative vision, some are a matter of development time taking forever, and others are just engine limitations. The spaceships are ... I mean, they're fine, but it's very clear that they're using the "surface" class, which is what I would have expected, but still means that there's none of the cool space stuff like docking procedures and ships that split apart and spinning up for artificial gravity. It's another interesting challenge in terms of game mechanics, but it's definitely aesthetically the worst of the new things.

The spaceships do not particularly look like spaceships, an issue which I think could have been partially solved by having new spaceship wall sprites and requiring the spaceship to be enclosed. The rocket engines look incredibly cool when they fire up, but then you look up at the gun turrets just sort of clinging onto this platform, and it seems a bit jank. But it's also the thing you probably spend the least amount of time on overall, since the ships get built a few times and then never looked at again, moving between planets without much intervention once the design works well.

(The space map is also a bit of a disappointment. I wasn't expecting orbital mechanics, but ... actually, I think I would have liked some kind of simulation of it. Launch windows for shortest time between planets would have been cool. Some circuit-readable calculation of how much thrust/time it will take, which rises and falls with the motion of the planets?)

But yes, overall, very positive on the expansion. I think there are a few kinks that aren't quite worked out, but in my opinion they're nothing major, just some features and mechanics that aren't signposted or a few wonky UI elements.

[popculturebuffet]

Pride Month: Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge (Commission for WeirdKev27)

Hello all my children now and welcome back to pride month which once again was way shorter than planned for this blog. I might do some extra queer reviews. It was still a good pride month: I finally got a bi pride shirt

My sister came out as trans, and in general it was a pretty good month. And whlie I've only gotten the previous review and another out, there's always time for queer content. But what I have gotten to this month thanks to kev's been great and today we cap off pride month with a spot of horror, something I honestly don't expect from Kevin. While he did have me do all of Evil Dead, it's the only horror franchise he expected and the blackening was my pitch. So with a busy schedule I haven't really gotten to dip into the big franchises i've wanted to cover. So when Kev asked me to do so, I took the sudden blessing to review a film from one of my franchises and a film this queer whose lead's role in this both ended his career but ultimately brought him peace later on.

Now I get most of you going to this are nightmare fans: you followed the tag etc. But since some readers may be less familiar like Kevin or my good friend @jess-the-vampire who watched the film with me, a brief primer: Nightmare on Elm Street was a 1984 film from horror legend Wes Craven, the film that made his career, put New Line Cinema on the map, and created one of the greatest horror icons of all time in Freddy Kruger, while injecting much needed new life into the slasher genre.

So naturally New Line wanted a sequel. Craven hadn't, already not liking the twist ended forcefully slapped onto the original nightmare where "Oops nancy didn't win after all", was still offered the chair which he turned down as he didn't like the scripts concept of Freddy going into the real world, feeling it'd dilute the character or the exploding bird that has nothing to do with the plot we'll circle back to later, from a script written by two faced motherfucker Howard Chaskin. We'll circle back to why he is later, but you should know up front he's a two faced mother fucker

So directing duties fell to Jack Shoulder of Alone in The Dark (The other one) and The Hidden Fame. Jack Shoulder.nt. For now he was a good director, and new line needed one. He also had no idea what the fuck he was doing, having to do a ton of effects shots he had no idea how to pull off. Thankfully riding shot gun was Kevin Yeager, creator of my favorite killer in all of horror.

Yes it's him who brought my baby way older than me boy to life, with the help of don mancini and brad dourif of course, but he created the real life doll and deserves as much credit as his fellow legends.

So Nightmare 2 came out and it did MONSTEROUS numbers. On a 3 million dollar budget , it made 30 MILLION. Ten time sit's budget. So New Line was still doing good but the mixed reception both for legit reasons (A switch up from the original, having nothing to do with the original per wes craven's wishes to not use any of the characters from the first, and Freddy in the real world) and the gay panic around the film. Nightmare on Elm Street 2 is one of the gayest slasher movies sisnce gay came to gay town, so let's get into WHY it's so gay, why it adds a lot to the film, the impact it had on it' star, and how the film itself is as a whole under the cut. All night long.

You've Got the Body, But I've Got the Brains

Before we can get into this movie's queerness, let's look at the film itself. If you haven't seen nightmare on elm street, please do it's excellent. One of horror's best despite a goofy bit here or there that clashes with the tone and some truly mind numblingly dumb parenting, which as you'll soon see is standard for the franchise and the one thing this sequel decided to esclate.

For those who haven't, the film followed Nancy Thompson, an average teen who is soon stalked in her sleep along with her friends by Freddy Kruger. As the film gradually reveals Freddy was a child murderer who got off on a technicality, so the local parents all burned him alive. He came back from the dead as a vengeful ghost demon man, brought back by dream demons that look like sperm who we as a fandom like to pretend don't exist. I won't go deep into his stalking of Nancy and her friends as like I said this sequel wasn't allowed to use them and i'd like to cover the original at some point. For now the bottom line is freddy was seemingly defeated, came back to strike nancy, but she somehow surivived as confirmed by this film, having been told by urban legend to have "gone crazy" after he boyfriend was hacked up to bhits.. which is a.. less than accurate version of what happened to glenn.

So the film opens up 5 years later: Nancy is a sequel non entity who left a diary we never saw her writing behind, and her house has been moved into by the walsh family. Our lead is Jesse, played by the incomprable mark patton, an average teen who opens the film as that awkward kid in the back of the bus, can relate

This is naturally a nightmare as Freddy's back for his revenge.... by possesing a teen who has nothing to do with nancy or his murder to get a body to. .become a living god with all his dream powers? Then take his revenge. The title makes only marginally more sense than why do this overcomplicated plan and "why didn't he do it last time", but Englund's still at the top of his game and the film really likes to do terrifying closeupfs of freddy's eyes, just both just starring at you. The makeup here is REALLY good and really horrifying.

So Jesse's stuck on the bus when it locks him and two giggling girls inside, who shriek when they get parked atop a cliff. The horror for this one uses more abstract art for i'ts inspriation, this using a very narrow cliff and a later one using salvador dahli's "Persitance of Memory" as it's base , swapping clocks for "everything jesse owns".

Jesse's been having nightmares since they moved and woke up scremaing each time. But this is `1985 so his family just ignores it and hopes it'll go away. His family consits of his hard ass dad, his mom and his sister, none of whoms names I care to remember. Played by Clu Galagher, Hope Lange and Christie Clarke respectively. All do a decent job but their mostly here as props: his mom worries about him, his hard ass dad is a grumpy dick constantly, and his sister is there to almost die later and get scared.

At School things are a mixed bag for Jesse: ON the one hand he has a sort of girlfriend in Lisa Webber, played by ken meyers, a rich girl who drives him to school every day and hangs out with him a lot and he soon gets a friend/possible partner? in Grady, a rough and tumble jock played to douchey but loveable perfection by Ron Rusler. Grady dosen't like Jesse at first for reasons and the two get into a wrestling match where Grady pulls Jesse's pants down exposing mark patton's ass for all to savor (Patton was 26 at the time, though it's still VERY werid to have this scene with a teenager and in general). On the bad end is Coach Schinder, your standard coach played by Marshall Bell who may or may not be a sexual predator but probably is, woh makes him do pushups, run laps and generally is just the worst.

The pushups do bond our new brochachos and honestly had Freddy not got involved i'm pretty sure he , Lisa and Jesse would be a throuple. Or he and jesse would be a couple at least. I mean they did pull each other's pants down. That has to be some form of second base. I'm only 5 years in to being a Man loving men and I still don't get all the mechanics. Don't get them all with women either. I'm a bi mess.

Jesse's dreams only intesify though, and we get some cool bits like the dali refrence, freddy opening his brains to show jesse , and the boiler room appearing in the walsh basement, Freddy's layer in life and in death. I also love the use of heat as a common denominator in freddy's possessions and dreams here: Given fire ended him, it works VERY nicely as a theme for the guy, from a furnace to jesse's stuff melting to an exploding bird.

Okay time to finally circle back to the exploding bird which dosen't work in any way shape or form but is still funny. First off as PushingUpRoses pointed out and Jess helpfully reminded me, birds tend to get a raw deal in horror with thier deaths not mattering as much or tommy wiseau becoming one

The recent film The Watchers at least corrected this as the bird Dakota Fannig was escorting before the woods kidnapped her is kept with her the whole film, survivies the film (Not saying if Dakota and co do or not, watch it it's pretty good if with a wobbly third act), and while not a major presence is still a nice visual calling card for the film.

Bird Ethics aside, the point is one of the walsh birds murders the other, attacks Grumpy Ass Dad Man, and then explodes

So Grumpy Ass Dad man naturally assumes.. Jesse did it. Despite a cherry bomb not working that way and Jesse being as shocked as anyone. Your son did not shove a payload of explosives up a bird's ass good sir. What are you on. Jesse storms away and Grumpy Ass Dad Man wants to fight him. He also got defensive earlier about not telling Jesse they live in a murder house after grady spills the beans.

Things progress and Patton.. is a fucking marvel in this film. Seroiusly his facial acting is top notch and the guy can scream like no one else, making me sad what happened after the film, circling back to THAT in a bit, all teh sadder. There's a deep sadness to jesse, an awkard teen struggling with his possible sexuality (Subtext Patton portrays greatly), a monster trying to literally tear his way out of him, and confusoin about what' sin him, all while no one really helps him: Lisa continuly assures him it was "just a dream", which it is not as Freddy's glove ends up outside at one point and things soon escalate to the point it couldn't possibly be, his dad thinks he's on drugs, and his mom just.. worreis a bit. Grady isn't super helpful, partly because he's a macho weirdo who asks if he's mounted Lisa yet and .. well i'll let him tell us why he's grounded.

We get no context for this and that just makes it all the more hilaroiusly batshit. Rob Russler is fantastic.

We feel that same powerlesness nancy felt: just as the first film was a metaphor for how adults often let teens down by not listening to them as threats claw at them, here it's how Adults and one's peers can often be unhelpful against internal struggle: Jesse is slowly loosing control of himself, possibly loosing his mind as far as he knows, and has this .. thing stalking him in his dreams.. but like Nancy no one can accept the truth. The subtext jesse is closested, either gay or bisexual (possibly pan) onlly adds to it: in a time as homophobic as the 80's staying in the closet isn't a choice: it's the only way for someone Jesse's age without the money to live on his own to survive. His dad is already an asshole man, he'd be even worse if he find out Jesse liked going inside literal assholes. Patton spends the film with a dour look, on the verge of cracking and only getting worse as Freddy takes more than more control.

The possesion element.. is great. It is mildly troubling iwth the gay subtext: having Jesse's fear of his queerness be repreesnted by a serial killer wasn't a good idea.. but the film still works regardless of that, in part because Freddy could represent Jesse's fears of being gay: all the sterotypes, horrible things said about gay people manfested into a gross abomination with a blood lust. All of poor jessee's shame over who he is, shame he never should've had but society forced on him, making him into this beast. Granted it's hurt a bit by his sorta girlfriend later getting jesse to expel him with the power of love, but given the film end son a nother cliffhanger, with freddy not defeated if seperated from Jesse, more on that later, it says to me at least that you can't defeat wh oyou are.. only oyu can fight your own self doubt and accept it.

Eventually Freddy gets to the murdering: Jesse wonders out in a fuege state and an underated aspect of nightmare 2 is it's dreamlike quality: like the original, the film has this dreamlike atmosphere, but goes farther with it: things lke a snake suddenly appearing on jesse, the bird exploding or jesse going to a gay bar gay bar are all left vauge: was he dreaming? is he sleepwalking? how much happened and how much was a dream? With the film not relying on the series iconic dream kills, it allows it to really play with things. Did ANY of this happen by the end? For a slasher. it's ambitious, brilliant and a joy to watch.

So he winds up at a gay bar gay bar gay bar. Or a leather bar. Either way i'd want to go. His coach finds him there then.. makes him run laps. Beofre he can get to child predator stuff though, Freddy does what jess called "pulling a matilda on him" as he suddenly has telekensisis kyle and whips the coache's bear ass before whipping him to death.

This dosen't help as next night after some more stuff we can gloss over, Jesse overs over his sister.. wtih glove in hand. Freddy nearly killed her and jesse is left a begging wreck. He tries to get Kim to undrestand at her dope pool party, but she only wants to fuck it out of him and freddy's tounge showing up tells Jesse that's not an option. He goes to grady who in the bluntest line tells jesse when he says something wants my body "Yeah she's female and waiting at the cabana and you want to sleep with me"> Which yes, yes he does but that's not the point.

Tragically.. Grady dies after Freddy claws his way out of Jesse in the film' sbest sequence and best kill. Rusler nails it with Grady's sheer fear nad begging being horrifying as nothing can save him and the sleeper awakens and slashes Grady to death. The horror in this flim is underated: even I underated it first time I watched it but on second watch while the film dosen't have as many jaw dropping set pieces as the first

Jesse goes to lisa.. but freddy kills her fish, sets a lamp on fire and emerges. This leads to the infamous pool party scene after a really tense underated scene of Freddy stalking Lisa in the cabana.

This scene was one of the main reasons Craven didn't want to do the film, feeling this exposed how short englund was. And first watch I found it goofy as hell... but on second.. it sinks in what freddy's really doing chasing the teens: he's playing with them. The same way he does in his dreams. I do admit, Freddy in the real world isn't AS terrifying on concept.. but the film finds a way to make it so with something I missed the first time: FREDDY IS STILL A GOD HERE. By coming to our world the way he did, he apparently kept his powers. He can still teleport to a degreee, makes the pool boil over, the gates too hot to touch. He may not be able to shapeshift, though in fairness he only shifted his arms in the first one so he may not have been able to period yet, but his fire powers more than make up for it, a jet of flame interuppting as he iconicaly declares

Yes the setting itself is a bit cheeesy.. but ti works. Freddy isn't chasing them because he's devolved or has less methods, he could probably burn them all. .h'es chasing them.. because he's a sadistic bastard. Always has been, always will be. He didn't HAVE to puree Glen

But he likes making a sport of it. His kills in the first.. are all horrifically ironic, if more subtle than he would be from 3 onward. I hate to spoil them for those new to the franchise, hi kevin, but it's needed for comparisons sake: he dragged tina's corpse across the celing, hung up rod in his prison cell with his own bedsheets and ... whatever it is your looking at right now. While this was all revenge there's no illusions that freddy isn't a sadistic bastard who makes a spectacle of his victims. He's smart enough in cases that aren't blood fountain to make it look plausable to the folks who find the corpses, as being widely known would make it harder to do this (as shown by Freddy Vs Jason), even with the wilfull ignorance of Elm Street's parents already helping a ton.. but he likes to drag it out. He likes to make it as horrific as possible. The films after this emphasise this with him finding some way to twist both their fondest dreams and greatest nightmares into something, from slamming someone who badly wants to be famous into a tv while welcoming her to prime time, bitch, using a pupeteers veins for strings, making an aneroxic eat herself to death or having an invisible karate fight with a karate man because they ran out of budget, this shit is his art.

So while him slashing people with his glove isn't super artful as these. .it fits as the "piece" he's doing here while tearing these teens to pieces.. is getting to kill SO many at once, using his powers to herd them like cattle while he gets to be the butcher. And he hasn't lost his touch as an idiot trying to reason with him like this was a monster movie and no ta guy slashing people with a glove, gets slashed and thrown into a fucking grill. While it clearly took TIME to posses jesse, he didn't HAVE to announce himself during it (That we're aware of) or try and kill his sister. He loved making this poor kid painfully aware that he's taking control and everything Jesse knows and loves will be dead when that happens. He gave him his body back after Grady ONLY to let the poor boy cry and scream in anguish at what Freddy had done with his body and wonder right where Freddy wanted. Freddy.. is a monster, literally and figuratively and this film captures that beautifully. I will say his dream powers are better than "whatever heat related powers the writers want", no question, but given the series later decline to thinks like super freddy and the power glove, it's easy to go back to this one and see the craft putting into making freddy terrifying.

The body possesion thing works too: like I said Jesse is a prisoner in his own body, either trapped deep in his subconcious or again, given Freddy sucks, probably forced to watch. The idea of not being in control of your body is terrifying and Jesse covered in Grady's blood is just horrifying. It's not the same as the original, true.. but it's fantastic all the same.

That said the ending.. is a bit of a disapointment. We get all this build up, even Lisa's Dad shooting him dosen't stop freddy.. and the climax. .is lisa confronting freddy alone at the old steel mill he used, telling Jesse "it's all in his head, he can control it power of love blah blah blah" and Freddy's just .. defeated. Now i'll give the film some slack: while it gets shit for this ending and deserves it, deflating a well crafted terrifying build up with "I love you so you can escape him", this series... seems to suck at endings. I've only seen the first three, so I can't fully say, but i've seen enough reviews of the later ones and heard enough to a least get the sense none of them know how to defeat freddy in a way that's both convincing and sets it up for sequel. Even the first one, as much as I love it, has Nancy luring freddy out and using home alone traps, which is a WAY bigger blow to his dignity than hardrock rooftop poolside vilas ever were. There are exceptoins: 3, New Nightmare and Freddy Vs Jason have and seem to have banger endings. But for the most part it's some convient deus ex machina to beat freddy that either never came up before or is vaugely hinted at. It's why I do lean toward the chucky franchise a bit: while Chucky's never truly beaten for good, the final battles with him always feel climactic and big. Even 3 , the worst of the films i've seen, has chucky get ripped to shreds by an unreaslitic carnival ride. With Freddy.. the scale on him's so big it's hard to find a way to convincingly put his ass down, even temporarily but they never seemed to try that hard either.

It dosen't help they just.. repeat the same "Is it really over HA HA BITCH IT ISN'T IT REALLY ISN'T EXPECT TO NEVER GET CLOSURE ON THIS SCENE" ending as the last one. It does at least have a bit more style as it's Jesse once again getting on a buss, with Tina assuring him thigns are okay and her friend talking about "what a wild party that was" and brushing off people died horribly from a weird claw man which...

Tracks. Then it turns out OH NO FREDDY'S DRIVING THE BUS AGAIN.

THE END

JESSE FUCKING DIED I GUESS

It's the same ending as the last one minus the implication everything was a dream and the horribly fake freddy hand. Now Jesse COULD'VE survivied and just skipped town which given his dad... probably a smart move long term. Nancy was trapped in a speeding car made of freddy Kruger and lived somehow. Like Jesse's ultimate fate, they never really explained how Nancy survived. This film confirms she did as Grady, master of sympathy he is, probably would've mentiond her death too, and the next film has her come back in full, but they never explain HOW, and never touch on Jesse again as the franchise tends to pretend like this flim dosen't exist.

And that's a sad fact of the film: It was an evolutionary dead end. Rewatching it.. it's fantastic. It's not as good as 2 and 3 which have more realistic adult characters who are still useless, but feel like actual people with Nancy's mom being an alcholic, her dad being a hardass if not an asshole man like Jesses, and the jerkass nurse at the mental institute having at least reasons for her distrust of nancy as to defeat a dream man, nancy had to do some sketchy shit. Their not good people, but they come off more as people and not a cardboard cutout, his wife and a bad sterotype of queer people being accused of being pedophiles. The film also has weird shit like the birdsplosion, the snake and drags at times, while Lisa feels VERY underwritten and the ending half assed and lazy. It's not perfect.. but rewatching it let me see the films good sides: it's queer subtext, which we're almost to, is well done for the most part, Mark Patton is fucking amazing as are Robert Englund and Robert Rusler, the effects are fantastic especially on a low budget and the concept is well thought out and creepy. The film is an oddball in the series.. but it's one that tried new things and gave us an atmospheric, creepy and throughly gay horror film. So on that last part

Scream, Queen!

Sooo there's no easy way to do this so i'm just going to come out and say it: This is one of the gayest films I have ever seen

It's why we're here, it's why it's my finale for pride month, it's why Kev had me review it, and it's why for better or worse this film is remembered. It has other layers I mentiond: Mark Patton's performance is, after this rewatch, one of my all time faviorite's in horror, great effects, a trippy atmosphere, and Freddy at some of his most terrifying. But let's be frank: if this film is remembered, it's not because of any of those valid reasons.. but for the simple reason of

Before we even get into metaphor the film has TONS of shirtless scenes of Mark Patton, with most dream scenes having him shirtless or in his underwear. His first meeting with Grady ends with Grady pulling down his pants while they wrestle , exposing his butt to one and all. He goes to a leather bar in his dream. His coach is a pedophile, which is a very harmful sterotype and a very harmful thing to conflate. Grady outright lampshades that Jesse wants to spend the night with him instead of an eager to bone lisa. He says "somethin'gs inside of me". The film is not subtle.

And yet.. it also is? Jesse's metaphor of feeling uncomfortable contsnatly, trying to be who people want by having sex or dating but not being able to, being afraid of what he is and as I mentioned the metaphor of freddy as everything he fears about being an out queer person in a time when they were often blamed for hate crimes against them, to the point For Better or Worse writer Lynn Johnston wrote a whole arc in the strip about a longtime character coming out because a close gay friend of hers died and the police SYMPATHIZED WITH THE MURDERER. Jesse is in a constant gay panic: Is he bi,? is he gay? it's hard to tell because he can't accept himself or what he feels, and like Freddy tends to do, he gloms onto that fear to feed himself.

The film is gay as hell and for 1985 it's a bold statment: looking back it's impossible to not see HOW gay it is and that's a good thing. However HOW the queerness was implimented.. was a very bad thing. And i'm not just talking about the pedophile teacher which is bad and maybe having freddy whip him to death was a bit... much. Then again...

Maybe that ship had sailed for this franchise.

No i'm talking about the fact writer David Chaskin is a two face mother fucker. Told ya we'd circle back. See Shoulder.. had no idea the film was gay.. or claims he dosen't. Given how well directed the film is and how we get a full shot of Mark Patton's glorious ass I will never let you forget about, I have doubts he REALLY didn't know. But given NO ONE at new line caught the subtext till it was out except maybe Robert Englund, it's just as likely he was THAT oblivous and included the random ass shot without question. Also to clarify i'm not sayin ga shot of a man's ass is inherently gay.. but i'm saying it is when he's wrestling anothe rman while trying to also remove HIS pants. Context is king.

See making the film gay.. wasn't a bad idea. Chaskin wanting the mostly hetero teens wawtching to get being gay wasn't bad and the gay teens to feel accepted..was noble. It was how Chaskin handeled the backlash over the film being gay that makes him a monster.

A film this queer naturally got gay panic, not helped with the open homophobia brought about by the AIDS crisis shortly after. So Rather than... admit this was his idea, Chaskin instead blamed Patton.

This.. Was a dick move on so many levels but the biggest was.. patton's sexuality was an open secret. As the only openly queer person in the room, he was an easy target and Chaskin knew it. It saved Chaskin's career but only made what was already a hard time in LA for Patton worse. As I found out via an interview with Plus magazine, Patton already wasn't super happy in LA, having his agents dictate what he wore and unlike his time in new york, not being able to be openly queer as agents were, and I shit you not he really said this and I can sadly fully belivie it, scoping out clubs in west hollywood to tank the careers of people up for parts against their clients. They didn't let him interview with a queer magazine.

So Nightmare had come at an already stressful time for the man, as patton said in the article, which you can find here

“By that point, AIDS was all around me. Everyone I knew was getting sick"

And when it caame to Chaskin's bullshit Mark said

“David would just blame me any time it came up alluding to something along the lines of, ‘Well, he’s a big old fag and he chose to play the part in a big old fag way.’”

This all came to a head with an audition for an abc sitcom, the whole horrifying situation here, which I found about on Patton's wikipedia entry (and might of come up in the film, it has been a bit), is what lead me to the article.

“It was what I would consider my last true hardcore audition,” Patton remembers of nearly getting a part as a gay character on CBS. He was sitting a table with nearly a dozen other men. “They began to ask me if I would be comfortable playing a gay character and telling people I was straight if they began to question my sexuality? I remember looking around that table and I knew every one of those men were gay. All I could think about was how everyone I knew was dying from AIDS and we were having this bullshit conversation. My heart just broke and that was the line for me. I knew I would never be able to do what they were asking, so I walked away from Hollywood and decided to move on to a place where it was totally acceptable to be gay.”

So Mark became an interior decorator and while he was happy life wasn't finished beating the poor man upside the head as he then got diagnosed with AIDS

“I found out on my 40th birthday and three days later I was in the hospital,” Patton says. “But because of the infections I had, they made me take tuberculosis medicine and that didn’t mix with those older HIV meds. There were so many side effects.  It was like I was poisoned. ” He pauses for a long moment before he continues. “I almost died there, but thankfully my friends took me to an AIDS health clinic, which saved my life.”

Seriously I can't thank the Plus article enough. So Mark survivied, found love with his husband Hector Morales Moondragon, and now sells art in mexico.

It was in this calm, happy phase of his life, after all this bullshit.. that he FINALLY made piece with the film that had caused him so much strife. He was approached to be interviewed for Never Sleep Again, an exaustive documentary on the Nightmare franchise I highly recommend, and in doing so finally told his side... and as a result with many now knowing he was still alive and still out there, it got him on the convention circuit. Somethign the documentary emphasises, as well as the plus article.. is how cathartic that was for Mark: after years of his film being mocked "The Gay One"... it got embraced as the gay one. The gay community had embraced the film, many being awakened by patton in it, and warmly embraced their scream queen.

Patton is still hanging in there: last year he had to GoFundMe for a liver operation and his health is rough.. but he's alive, in good spirits and well loved: By his husband and his fans. And as one of his fans... I wanted to spotlight Mark's story because i'ts a tragedy.. but it ends in triumph. Mark left a place he wasn't accepted to find love , acceptance and ultimately peace. Chaskin.. never actually apologized, still hasn't and didn't show up in Scream Queen despite mark's best efforts, but fuck him: Patton found peace, people found themselves in this movie, and I personally enjoyed it. The writer sucks but it can't take away from the deft direction or patton's performance. I hope Mark does better and gets to act at least one more time, and I may review his other film swallow next pride. For now stay proud, thanks for reading and to mr patton personally.. thank you.

[destinyc1020]

In general, i feel recently there has been sensitivity from anons (not just in your blogs but other blogs too) where if they see a compliment towards Tom and it doesn’t follow up with a compliment for Z then they immediately call the owner of the blog “not a true Z fan”. For example recently I have been seeing some anons upset that blogs haven’t talked about challengers enough when they hype tcr even though we did not get anything regarding challengers, not even a still from set. Right now we got the tcr trailer so of course everyone will talk about it. In general, I think 80% of the convention around Tom is always slightly judgmental or negative imo “why is his hair like that” “why is he wearing that when Z looks so amazing” “she is Barbie he’s just a ken” “he doesn’t look good” “why is he aging like that” …etc so when blogs (rarely) compliment something regarding T some anons will start whining and accusing people of not being a true Z Stan.

Thanks for your input Anon 😊 You make some good points.

Over the years I have seen some Anons being hyper-sensitive over certain things w/regards to TZ (either as a couple or individually), which is why sometimes I say that the fandom can be a tad bit exhausting at times. 😭😩

Most of the time I'm just thinking:

I tend not to follow blogs that are judgmental about Tom's looks, or that are just negative in general. I don't really like a bunch of negativity. 😓 Especially if it's not even warranted towards someone. 😔

I agree w/you.... We haven't really gotten much regarding Challengers, so of course we're not going to talk about it AS much. We had TONS of pictures of Tom filming TCR, and now we're getting promo, a trailer, and the series will be airing soon. Of course we're going to talk about it.

I feel like most blogs are pretty fair with coverage tbh. When Z has something going on, I'll post it. When Tom has something going on, I'll post it. Like, sometimes people just have more things going on at certain times than others. That's basically it. It's not a slight, it's not a snub, it's just that sometimes one might have more content than the other.

Plus, I feel like we get TONS of Z content...whether it's through her multiple brands/ambassadorships, her photoshoots for her houses/fashion gigs, her awards show appearances/presenting gigs/award show wins, etc. Like, she has a LOT going on! So those complaining that we're not talking about "Challengers"...Ummm...seriously?? 🥴

Thankfully, I haven't had any Anons on my blog complaining about not talking about "Challengers". I think most ppl know that when there's info about Challengers to be had, we WILL be posting about it. Plus, I feel like we've been talking about Challengers even despite there not being anything concrete to go on. Just the other day for example, we spent what felt like hours discussing what type of "adult content" the film might have. 😓

Anyway, it's a shame that some fans still feel like there has to be this competition betwn TZ or betwn their fans at all. :I

[subwaytostardew]

Day one of 1.6. I unpacked the game's files and got sidetracked going on a redecorating spree after seeing that the townInterior_2 tilesheet expanded. Plus I'm not limited to just 4 layers anymore!! I can add rugs anywhere!! Now there's even more clutter. Notes pasted everywhere. Cushions wherever possible.

Not the most crucial fix since well... Submas broke. My husband disappeared and his room became Abigail's. Went nonverbal, too, but it happens.

Thankfully the Railroad had no map changes whatsoever! Surprising since pretty much every map was updated (I had to fix Emmet and Joltik's coordinates since the Bus Stop expanded and broke their schedules...) It took a whole night, but I got them functional just before we start summer on our playthrough!

I did try to offset their breathing rectangles a tiny bit since they're tall and are automatically set to breathe from their stomach/crotch area but... that didn't work out very well. It ended up looking worse. Oh well.

Speaking of breathing rectangles, the option to offset them was added only a few days before 1.6's release! It was one of the last few changes from the modding alpha before the code freeze about 3 days ago (implemented March 15th, exactly). It was too late for schedule pathing and larger NPCs to be fully supported, but I managed to get in a request to extend offsetting options to NPCs loaded only in events (with the addTemporaryActors command, most notably used for the secret woods bear). Now I can try to get the Pokemon to have breathing animations without the automatically determined position ruining their sprites like how submas did when I tried to move theirs even a single pixel upwards! There were also options for shadow sizes and emote positions in that change, so now I can finally have Durant smile without it coming from his abdomen.

I'm still waiting to see a lot of the visual changes and play the festivals on Kade's multiplayer farm, so if you have any ideas for what you want submas to react to, please send them! I do have a general idea as to what the festivals are like and have seen dialogue for some of them, but you can only tell so much based on reading jsons. The new festivals are implemented like the Night Market (which we still haven't made content for...) so I can't see which map coordinates are open for submas to attend at! Also, I do want to have marriage events around the new waterfalls, but the question is more of which ones...

But to answer- yes! Everything is running smoothly and we're right on track!)

▷ Station Steward Thylak

Soooooooo the update drops today, has it thrown a wrench in anything or is everything still running smoothly?

We haven't dabbled in the update just yet (I'm currently answering this from work!) But myself and Thylak do plan on playing a multiplayer session together to go through all the changes 1.6 has (and to have some fun from modding...) But we are hoping that the RAILROAD HAS BEEN LEFT UNTOUCHED!

Because if anything changes there then.. well. uhh... we'll figure it out!

I'm sure if we find something out we'll let ya'll know. (And the extent of how many Joltiks decided to make there home....we coined the term Joltiks for Bugs.) But for now we are both going to enjoy the update when we have the time too.

(Edit: Woops forgot tags

- ◁ Station Stewardess Kade

[qillmhi]

So I'm like... Never a fan of the 'Imma kill my bros for u' kind of scenario especially since I very much love all the turtle bros, so here's my version of an obsessive lover 2012 Mikey!

🖤🧡🐢

Dark!2012!Mikey x Reader

-Michelangelo is the youngest out of the four turtle brothers, so he was easily the most childish and energetic one, much to his older brothers' annoyance.

-He was loud yet small. Just a few inches shorter than you. A social butterfly, but can be oblivious to most things.

-Mikey may not be the smartest turtle, but he does have own way of getting what he wants.

-And he has his eyes dead set on you.

-When he first realised his crush on you, he openly welcomed it with zero resistance. It felt great being in love so why should he deny it?

-He loves expressing himself so there was little to no filter when he's showing you his love.

-"(y/n)~!!!!" Mikey threw his arms around you "I missed you so much!!!!!" He cried in excitement rubbing his cheek on yours.

-You laughed at the youngest turtle and placed your hand on his head "Mikey! I just went for a glass of water!"

-"Yeah! But you took sooooo long so I still missed you!"

-He would be all over you. Wherever you go, Mikey is expected to be following close behind.

-Sometimes without your knowledge.

-Whenever his brothers weren't looking, he would slip by to your apartment to watch you sleep.

-But he did it to make sure you're safe! Don't worry!

-He would always be the first one to tackle you as soon as your foot entered the lair. Then proceed to trap you in a cuddling session with him for hours before anyone could get to you.

-"Oof--!"

-"Dibs on (y/n)!!!!"

-"Ow--Mikey!!" You groaned in protest.

-"No time to talk dudette! Look--" He held up a glowing flower watch "--it's hug time!"

-You squinted your eyes at the familiar looking gadget "Did you force Donnie to make you that hug-watch thing from the Trolls movie?"

-"Maybe~!" Mikey avoided your eyes "So hug time...?"

-Physical contact is his love langauge! Mikey's insides would be all mushy and gushy if you respond to them even the slightest bit. And if you return the favor? This little boy will melt into your arms!

-When you do ask him to let you go, he would just simply say "Nope!" popping the 'p' then proceed to tuck himself below your chin.

-"Awwh come on!!"

-Everytime he feels your soft hands scratching his shell, he immediately starts churring in delight. You thought it was cute, so you'd pat him in the head which made him even more happy!

-He can't help it! Mikey is just obsessed with how soft and plush you feel against his skin! He would definitely glue himself on you if you'd allow him to.

-"You are so squishy~!" Mikey mumbled against your shoulder while hugs you from behind for the nth time today.

-You flicked his forehead earning yourself a small 'ow' "And you are a big baby."

-You didn't mind his clinginess thankfully. It was just Mikey being cute as always. For real how can you resist this baby?

-He's loves it when you give your full attention to him. But if you're talking to someone else, he would just simply have an arm over your shoulders. Silently brooding towards the intruder, giving them a silent warning.

-If the boy isn't hugging you or initiating some kind of physical contact with you, he would be content holding the hem of your shirt or any kind of clothing you own (he may or may not have kept a few in his room that he may or may not have been using as a pillowcase to cuddle). Something that became a norm whenever he's at your apartment and you preparing both of your meals.

-Damn he loves your food! It was then only food he worships other than pizza! He especially loves watching you cook. Like an angel preparing to give him heaven.

-Speaking of Heaven.

-This orange fluff have TONS of pictures of you saved in his phone. If you ever made the mistake of sleeping in the lair, this guy is just snapping pictures of you in every possible angle. Sideways? Upside down? Close up? Bird's eye view? They all made you look perfect!

-His wallpaper is a selfie of you and him enjoying your home made chocolate icecream pizza that you made just for him. Aren't you just the sweetest? He considers that as your first date even though you two aren't official.... yet.

-I mean you made that treat just for him so it must mean that you return his feelings right?

-As time went by, his little crush for you grew into something more.

-You were starting to see his brothers and your other friends a little less and him and little more.

-It was just Mikey. Only Mikey.

-Just the way he likes it

-Everyday you'd wake up and find him cuddled up to you. When you ask him what he's doing he would just look up at you with his innocent baby blue eyes and say "But cupcake! I'm cold and you're suuuuper comfy~!" Cue those puppy dog eyes and you're 100% powerless.

-He would bring you all sorts of goodies like food, favourite drinks, movies, videogames--anything he could carry just for you!

You couldn't say that you didn't like the attention. Mikey is just so sweet especially whenever he brings little trinkets saying "They reminded me of you!" With that adorable freckled smile of his! It just makes you blush every time.

His innocent sweet smile just melts through your heart!

His brothers thought it was weird when he's always out and about after training and patrolling. But hey! The lair is a lot more quiet and Donnie doesn't have to worry about his stuff being broken anymore. Besides they knew you, you were a great friend so they trust you.

After a while you started to miss your friends. Having Mikey around was fun but you wanted to see what the other guys are up to these days.

One day you decided to visit everyone in the lair with pizza and had a great time chatting and playing with the turtle brothers. Oddly enough Mikey wasn't there.

But he was. Mikey was there. Hidden in the dark corners of the lair. Not even his brothers noticed him. His smile was gone. His eyes were dark as he kept himself one with the shadows, silent as a ghost.

He didn't like the way you were smiling with other people. Of course he was fine with letting you talk to his brothers sometimes, but still there were some boundaries to be made.

"Mine..." Michelangelo silently growls.

Although he doesn't favor this image of you with other people, he does take pride in the way your eyes would flicker to his bedroom door every now and then. Good. Very good.

Finally it was time for you to go. He immediately left. Time to take action.

When you got home you saw your favorite orange turtle curled up on the floor sobbing. Your heartached at the sight of the big crocodile tears falling from his face.

-You dropped down on your knees and asked him what was wrong.

-"I was waiting for you here all day b-but you didn't come home... you left me.." He cried miserably "I-I understand... if you don't want to h-hang out with me anymore... no one really wants to. I p-promise won't bother you anymore.." Mikey sniffed then left before you can get a word out.

-That was three days ago and you haven't seen Mikey since. He stopped visiting, stopped replying to your calls or texts. He was just gone.

-You realized just how much you loved having the small orange ninja around. Your home became cold and lonely. You started to miss him terribly.

-You went back to the lair, ignoring the others as you went straight for Mikey's room and knocked on his door.

-Mikey opened the door for just a crack. His eyes were red from crying. He looked absolutely miserable, but you pushed the door open and pulled him into a hug.

-You apologized to Mikey. You told him that it wasn't your intention to make him sad or feel neglected. That you loved having him around you.

-Mikey hugged you back of course. He closed his bedroom door to give you both privacy while you continued to hold him tight.

-He nuzzled his snout on your chest and told you he missed you too.

-Your soul ached when his shoulders started to shake. You placed your cheek on his head with your hand on his shell to calm your crying turtle.

-Except he wasn't.

-Mikey's smile was as wide as it could ever be. His eyes held a victorious sinister glow as he felt his entire body shake from excitement when he as in your addicting scent.

-Mikey was a good liar.

-He didn't mean to make you this sad. But he had to in order to make you come to him.

-And believe me when I say those three days of not seeing you was torture to him. Sure he had a folder full of your pictures saved on his phone (and his cuddle pillow) but it just can't compare to the real thing.

-But it was worth it though.

-He already had you right where he wanted you. He just needs to give you a little more push for you to confess your love for him and you two will be happy together forever!

-He knew he couldn't keep you to himself. You would surely retaliate if he forces you.

-But that doesn't mean he can't push you into making you claim him as yours instead.

-Oh how it feels so good to be in your love and care again!

-Mikey started churring as he pulled you even closer.

-Yeah Mikey definitely wasn't the smartest.

-But he's definitely the most cunning.

-And he would do anything to have you.

[ca-3]

Please share your thoughts about fanon's Beidou interpretation

It took me too long to get to this cause I couldn't decide if I wanted to make this a long answer or shorter but like... I feel like Beidou really got the short end of the stick in several cases in the fandom and in game, and how it possibly lead to how she's portrayed fanon-wise.

I'm tired of trying to figure out how to word this, so I apologize if it gets to me just rambling because it will. But also I'm a Beidou main and I want to talk about her, SO Y'ALL GONNA LISTEN.

I've been playing since about 1.1(?) and in the earlier days of the Genshin fandom Beidou hardly had any fan content to begin with.

Which made sense at the time, because she wasn't really present in the "Farewell, Archaic Lord" story a.k.a the Liyue Geo Archon quest like at all... But what is interesting about Beidou is that her presence was still technically there in game even when she wasn't officially introduced in the main story.

Like for example we had access to The Alcor and The Crux Fleet for a very long time and we could talk to her crew on it and get almost everyone's opinion about her. Almost all them had extreme respect for her and even crushes on her? Furong being gay for Beidou is a huge mood tbh and I got to share the fact women are indeed in fact attracted to Beidou.

In canon, Beidou is highly respected by so many. Literally "something of a cultural icon in Liyue" according to her character story, almost all the playable characters have nothing but good things to say about her. Even kids in Liyue role play as her when they play pirates and fight over who gets to be Beidou.

All these little details that you could find about Beidou while exploring was incredibly interesting to me and made me REALLY want to see what kind of person Beidou would be like in the story... and that's kinda where my issue with fanon Beidou begins.

Part of the reason I think she really did get the short end of the stick in the story was because she wasn't introduced until around June-July this year(?) with Kazuha at the same time...

Beidou's introduction wasn't super exciting for me... don't get me wrong, I'm happy we got this at all and I adore Kazuha but I sometimes wish we got a different introduction to Beidou and how we convinced her to take us to Inazuma. Her introduction felt like it got a little overshadowed by Kazuha and the whole The Crux Clash subplot.

And the reason I wished she got some introduction before we met Kazuha, is because fanon Beidou gets reduced to just being his doting mom figure.... like A LOT and that's it sometimes.

and before someone comes at me, please know I think there's nothing wrong with that. I actually really enjoy some Mama Beidou content, but my issue is that a lot of the content is never really about Beidou, her other qualities, or her character story. It's so hard to find that stuff it feels like.

I get where the characterization of "Mama Beidou" comes from, because it's canon Beidou gives out snacks to kids in Liyue sometimes and kids do like her and she does things like ruffling Xingqiu's hair which can seem like something a mom would do. SO I DO GET IT.

Another thing about Beidou's other relations, Beidou used to feel like she didn't exist outside of the ship Beigguang... AGAIN DON'T COME FOR ME, CAUSE I LOVE AND SHIP BEIGGUANG A LOT. IT'S A GREAT SHIP BUT again... like with Kazuha... Beidou just gets a bit mischaracterized there too sometimes.

By the way, I'm mostly speaking about how I've seen Beidou portrayed in fan art for clarification. I haven't gotten around to seeing how Beidou is usually characterized in fan fiction yet.

This isn't most of the time thankfully, but why does Beidou get characterized as the dumb or even irresponsible one in the Beigguang ship? That's a characterization that I've seen a few times and never understood.

Is it cause she seems like a rebel type? Because she enjoys drinking? Because she does Ningguang's "dirty work"? Because she has a lot of gossip surrounding her? Because Ningguang just seems to be more sophisticated to you? I don't know... But that's definitely my least favorite fanon Beidou.

It's a literal fact that Beidou is considered Ningguang's equal.

"...she collaborates with Ningguang on an equal footing: Beidou is her own boss and no one, not even Ningguang, is sitting in the background pulling the strings for her."

"Ningguang's advisers worry constantly that Beidou is too unpredictable and too much of a maverick. But Ningguang simply smiles and dismisses their concerns.

"On the contrary, Beidou is the most reliable person in Liyue," she replies. "Just tell her the truth, as well as what's in it for her, and she'll come around in her own time."

Also Beidou can even beat Ningguang at chess and very few can do that. Beidou is actually very intelligent and a good judge of character.

"Beidou has beaten Ningguang at chess. Twice. The important part is not so much that she did win Ningguang's money, but more that she dared to."

But now to prevent anymore tangents, basically I feel like a lot of fanon Beidou comes from her not being able to exist much outside of her popular relationships sometimes. She has many other connections with other characters but we don't that much. Maybe if we're lucky we will see more of that in the future.

All Genshin characters are mischaracterized sometimes for sure and some more than others. At the end of the day, fandom is all in good fun and I don't really worry that much about it despite me having a lot to say. So all this stuff is okay to exist.

It just sometimes saddens me Beidou doesn't get the actual cool or interesting parts of her talked about as much as some characters either.

Her backstory might be on the more generic side, but is also a more of a uplifting story than a sad one. Who Beidou is now is what is cool to me, and she has the one of the most badass vision stories in the entire game and you can't fight me on the that, I will debate.

If you haven't read Beidou's Vision story in her profile, I highly recommend you do. Just shows how powerful she is on her own and she definitely deserved her vision. I could talk about so many other things right now.

But anyways, it's late and this has been the passionate ramblings of a Beidou fan, if you made it through this congratulations lol

[alvhiedeir]

Little Red Elf

Thor X Reader

3174 words

This is longer than intended and quite different than requested and I have no excuse than my lack of discipline but I hope this is good enough

You are seriously thinking about investing on a security camera.

No, it wasn't that you were worried about being robbed. It's was being, 'gifted'.

In an almost daily basis, different items would make it's way to your doorstep. Black roots, hyacinth, hellebores, poppies and other herbs that would usually not grow around the area. It was nice, that was the first thought you had. You were no Circe, the great witch of Aiaia, but such ingredients could and did help greatly with your draughts. So as much as this occurrence should startle you, you brushed it off as the doing of one of your friends working for Lord Osanyin who would usually send you samples of anything new. You figured business was just doing better than usual for her to give you this much.

Two weeks, it continued on. When you rise for the day, there would be a neatly placed bundle of herbs or plant on your front steps. Always perfectly centered. And for two weeks, you accepted each and everything in such giddiness.

That is until you until today.

"I haven't been given you anything, (y/n)," She turned away from the selves she was organizing and continued, "it's been pretty busy lately for the last month with the arrival of new supply from Asia."

Her answer gave you a sudden feeling of uneasiness.

"Then who," your voice trailed, dragging the weariness and alert in the air. Your friend was quick to catch the shift of your mood.

"But think about it," she placed the bottle she was holding and walked towards you, "those herbs are rare and what are the chances of a random miscreant obtaining it?"

It eased your nerves a bit to hear her words.

"Or maybe, you finally have an admirer even if your always holed up in your home!"

She laughed at the jesting glare you sent.

"Like you're any better, cat lady."

"Hey! Having four cats does not count as being a cat lady!"

"Sure, whatever you say."

You shared a laugh, the tension thinning out. After saying a few words, she went back to the counter to pack the herbs that you bought, the reason why you were there in the first place.

"You bought quite a lot. What is it for anyway?"

"Loki wanted some draughts to "bring entertainment around this damn boring halls", his words not mine."

She laughed, commenting how it sounded just like him. She handed you the carefully packed products, with a small purple ribbon tied on the basket as she always did for you.

Just as you're about to leave she called out.

"If you're still disturb about the whole mysterious gifts, why don't you try staying up to see who it is?" You thanked her for her suggestion and concern and with a wave, headed back home.

To say the least, her suggestion was not very successful.

After you went home, you got started on the ordered draughts and by the time the moon greeted the sky, your eyes were already heavy. Being stubborn, you stayed sitting in your kitchen, chair facing the window to see if anyone or anything would past by.

The minutes were slow and before you knew it, the sun has reclaimed its place. And there was yet another gift. A freshly uprooted crab apple tree that barely passes as an adult. How in the world did they get this one?

Another week fast approached and the gifts arrived just as fast. Cornel bark, elecampane, silver fir, the list goes on. Each night, you attempt to desperately stay awake to catch but a glimpse would always end up with you succumbing to sleep. It didn't matter if it was for hours or a mere minute, by the moment your eyelids flutter open, it was already there. Perfectly centered as always, in an almost mocking way.

"You missed us again", you could hear the ridicule from it.

As days flutter, the gifts and your frustrations would only intensify. One time it was antlers from a dear Australia. The other day it was the tusk of a bore. Yesterday it was the blood of steed. The last one made you panic a bit, but thankfully in came only in a small vial. It eased your nerves, albeit slightly that the animal was minimally harmed.

You tried sleeping in the morning so that so that you could roam at night. But when you rise from your chair for a drink or to go the toilet, the sneaky bastard have already placed another gift. You went as far as sitting on your doorstep for the whole night, but even that didn't help. The gift was on your window.

You were at your wits end with this "Persistent Santa" shenanigans (it was your friend who called them that. It was that or creepy-pile-of-dung-that-had-to-much-time). Whoever they were, they are good.

You sighed tiredly again, the dark bags proving Your fruitless efforts.

"Wow, you look miserable!" You silently snapped at the voice, too sleepy to argue but to proud to ignore it. His laugh was laugh, always happy to see others demise.

"Just give me the money, Loki." You impatiently thrust the basket full of draughts to him, eager to leave and maybe sleep for a few days.

"Aren't you greedy." The more he teases you, the more punching him right in the face became an increasingly good option. As if reading your voice, he raised his hands in mock surrender.

" I would pay you, but," he dragged his voice as floated closer to you, "I dont have my money right now. And the old man is calling me so can you wait a few minutes for me?" He smiled, oh-so-mockingly sweet at you.

A tomato would have been jealous of the tint of your check. The itching call for violence is now an unignorable howler. But before you can give in, the god of mischief is already pushing you into one of the rooms, claiming your silence as agreement. In a blink, you were in a well decorated room. The walls were cream in color and golden leaves decorated the corners. Threre were shelves of book against one side of the wall and-

"Wait a minute." Snapping out of your trance, you shouted, voice filled with vile, "Loki!"

But sadly, it came too late and the door have already been shut and only his feint mocking voice telling "enjoy!" Was heard from the other side.

You could sighed, pity for your own predicament. Moving towards one of the shelves with a colorful string of curse words following, you might sa well entertain yourself with something. The books were more old, and probably cost more than your soul. Each one was placed neat and organized, neither a speck or spot of dust could be seen. But one particular book caught your eye.

With a gentle finger, you traced the gold imprints on its spine.

Herbs, Medicine and Witchcraft

Unlike everything else, this one book was placed different. It was pulled slightly forward, as if recently placed back but someone else other than the organizer. When you pull it out, you also noticed the small, almost miniscule dirt on its cover. But other than that, it was nothing special.

"I didn't think they'll have this kind of book."

You sat down and flipped on a random page. It was filled with information about different plants that can be used for both medicine and, surprisingly witchcraft. It included their typical use, characteristics, side effects and their locations. And it was very specific too.

"I wonder if I can borrow this."

Page upon page was flipped, despite the fascination dwelling in you, drowsiness became unbearable. It was just so quiet and peaceful here. Maybe a few minutes won't hurt, right?

"Loki will be there for a while anyway. Might as well." Your reasoning seemed to make sense with your tired eyes and you rest your head. Not even bothered by the fact that you used the book as your pillow.

It'll just be few minutes anyway.

It wasn't a few minutes.

Slowly, your eyelids fluttered as consciousness begin to come back. You sighed contently, that nap certainly helped with your mood. You buried your nose deeper into the soft cloth you leaned on and inhaled. It smelled like fresh lilacs and the sun.

Wait, cloth?

You lifted your head and saw, indeed there was a neatly folded cloth on the place of the book. It was pale apricot, almost faded white and now that you are looking properly, it was a short robe?

"I starting to think you were not going to wake up."

Do you know the sound of a startled walrus with a respiratory disease? Imagine that, but worse. That how you sounded as you whipped your head in surprise to the voice. Right beside you was the god of thunder himself, Thor. The difference in size between him and the chair he was resting on was almost comical. You would have laughed if it wasn't for the fact you want to live a longer.

"He-hello Thor-sama." Damnit, what did you stutter?

He casted his eyes sideways to acknowledge your greeting, glacing right back into reading afterwards.

Looking yourself, it was then you noticed the book he was reading was the one you were previously sleeping on.

"It didn't seem like you were using it," his voice was monotone as for usual, "aside as a pillow, that is."

Ahh, the sheer pleasure of being swallowed by the ground right now would be nice.

"Ah! That- I! Yes..." You simply stared at your lap instead, fist clenched tightly on top. Better to stay quiet that to embarrass yourself further.

Thor was in between being an acquaintance and  a work friend. Neither of you talked much, aside from greetings and small talk but was more than used to his presence with the number of times you had to deliver things to Loki, enough so that you don't have to tremble everytime you meet.

But sitting this close, in a close space, alone, this was definitely the first time.

And it'll be the last if you're not careful.

The silence was suffocating, for you at least. You have almost jumped in your sit when he flipped a page in the book.

A minute passed and you are so closed to jumping out of the window. The room was too quiet. Making small talk won't be bad at times like this right?

"It's a nice book."

Wow. If you could, you would have hit yourself in the back of your head. Great thinking, really.

He merely nodded and the silence dragged once again.

"There's a lot of useful information in it."

Stop, just stop. Please stop digging your own grave.

"That's why it's a shame to be drooled on."

"I do not drool!"

In the distant, the sound of funeral bells rang clear in your head. The life you lived was good. Your friend will remember what flower you wanted to be placed on your coffin, and she can have your house, maybe even your-

Before you could complete your will, you heard a smallest of chuckle from the other god.

Huh?

You stared at Thor and sure enough, there's the tiniest arch in his lips. His eyes remains on the pages but - shit - has he always been this pretty?

Between the brief greetings and quick glances, it was hard to appreciate his beauty. Though mostly blank, his face was clear and smooth. Not a single blemish as one might expect from a god who knew battlefield as his home. He was no Aphrodite nor comparable to Paris, but he himself held a beauty of his own. You couldn't quite decide on if it was the light from the window or it was simply him that was glowing?

His neck flexed in the smallest notion as he read. The muscles of his shoulders were relaxed against the table.

Heavens. Those muscles.

You blushed on your thoughts. You tear your eyes away from his physique, the wooden table suddenly very interesting.

"It is rare to see you without Mjolnir, Thor-sama."

"I don't bring him when I read."

"Him?" The question lingered on your head. Was Thor one of 'those' people?

"Do you read often?"

"No."

"Are you interested in herbal medicine?"

"No."

"Is that so?" Your answer was awkward just as the air around you. But to the very least, the tension have eased out knowing that he didn't  obliterate you so far.

"Um, Thor-sama?"

Curse you and your need to fill in the silence.

"May I ask why you are reading a book about witchcraft? You do not seem the type to be interested in it." Realizing what you said was potentially insulting, you quickly apologized, eyes wide as you tried to explain. "Not that you don't look like it! What I mean is, um, - that." You stumbled over your own words with nervousness but he simply kept his eyes in the book, barely even glancing at you.

"... give you." His voice made you stop with your gibberish. Catching only the tail-end of his words, you looked at him questioningly. Only then did you realize that it has almost been a minute since he flipped a page, almost as if your question startled him as well.

"Ma-may you repeat that?"

There was a short pause before his answer came.

"So that I know what to give you."

Furrowed brows and confused eyes marked your features.

"So that I know what to give you."

His words repeated in your head, like an stubborn echo inside a cavern.

"I know what to give you."

"Give you."

"Give."

Oh shit.

"You're the Persistent Santa?!" The chair you previously sat on collided with the floor with a loud "thud". Hands planted heavily against the table, you casted accusing eyes to him.

Before any other words were uttered, your senses made its way back to your head like a harsh slap of water. You just yelled at the strongest Norse god. You might as well have dug your own hole and painted your tombstone.

But all fear and confusion left you as you stare at the fore mentioned god. He was not glancing down anymore but instead his eyes found its place opposite of your direction. And if one would look close, really intently stared, the faintest of red could be seen blooming in his cheeks.

"He-he's blushing."

Thor is blushing.

"You shouldn't be shouting here." His voice did not have the same air of threat and authority it usually holds. If your ears were right, it almost sounded like he was embarrassed.

Silently picking up the fallen chair, you sat down with your eyes burning holes the robe infront of you. Which you have almost forgotten was there.

Thinking back to the times you interacted with him, one word would usually come to mind. Quiet. He would acknowledge your presence or sometimes even greet you during the times you bump into one another but has never to made a conversation. Compared to Loki, you have always figured that maybe he was just more refined.

It wasn't until you heard his tale from your friend that you have gathered a sort of fear towards him. You knew how gods are, how vile and wrathful they are. And a god of his caliber could wipe you with a single flicker of his finger.

You would now bow and act more politely to him. Going as far as trying to avoid any contact with him.

But now sitting a mere foot apart, you felt no threat. No danger. And only then did you realize that you have never really felt any danger to begin with. When he speaks, he did not have the murderous aura that they claim to choke anyone.  He had never given you any reason to fear him, it was only you who decided to believed other's opinion.

"I'm sorry."

As if a trigger, his head turned to you upon hearing your timid voice but you dare not look at his eyes.

"You don't-"

"Not just for yelling."

Where did you get the courage to cut him off? You do not know. But, still with the false bravery, you continued.

"I mean, I have been very rude to you for a long time,"

"You have never been mean to me and I only returned the gesture by fearing you without any basis of."

With every fiber of yours screaming otherwise, you turned to look at him in the eye.

"I'm really sorry."

The longer you look into those golden eyes the more the heat on your neck spreads to your cheeks.

Guess his hair isn't the only thing red now.

"It's nothing," surprisingly it was Thor who turned away first. This time though, you eyes remained on him with a small smile. Youu have been missing out on so many things. But now, you have the eternity to catch up. And you're sure as hell you will.

"Thor-sama."

"Just Thor."

You laughed a bit, a sound that you did not notice brought a smile on his own lips.

"Why did you give me those gift anyway."

He turned his head to the other direction, but your keen eyes could see his tainted red ears.

"Loki said gifts were a good way to get close to someone." You grinned.

"I should have known better than listen to him."

His words dragged a loud laugh from you. The thought of him asking Loki, of all people for an advice was something you thought you'll never hear. And the small pout in his voice upon the next statement both brought you giddiness and butterflies.

Your hands instinctively covered your mouth, but still the sounds slipped through. And if you would have opened your eyes that moment, you would have seen the adoration in Thor's as he watches you.

Yes, it was embarrassing to ask his cousin for advice and finding those herbs was a hard task. But if seeing you like this, with lips arch into the most beautiful smile he have seen filled with happiness he once thought he couldn't bring you, then he would do it a thousand more.

Bonus:

Outside the closed doors, Loki grinned at himself. Trying to get you two was a pain with how standoffish Thor was by this was the most entertainment he had for a long time.

"What the hell are you doing?" It was one of Odin's crow that screeched from beging, as they watch the god smiling, and by experience it never means well.

"Oh nothing," he sing-songed. He floated pass his uncle but never before saying,

"Hope you're ready for grandkids!"

"Huh?"

But they did not receive an answer, only a chorus of laughter from the god of mischief as he drift away.

If you don't know who's Circe is, she's a witch in the Greek mythology that turned sailors into pigs. Odysseus met her during his travel home from the Trojan war. She turned his men into pig too. And it's a book of Madeline Miller too! You should really read her books.

This was requested by @tenshi-san and I apologize that I might have strayed too far from your prompt. I really hope I did your husbando some justice. He was so hard to write because that only thing I can see him as is bored😂. But I hope you still like it!

[withoutmonsterswebecomethem]

Catching them grip the leash tighter he gave a slightly curious look. But let it go, turning his head away to look at …something else, in a different direction. As Annaki was continuing his attention went back to them, "Ah…Yeah. So fun." He nodded. But they were at least his second and third best friends for the most part, so where he went, they went. It was silly to have a lizard, but he wanted one, and it was happy and content and very well taken care of. Bryn loved going home in the evening and sharing his day with his three favorite 'people' in the world for the most part.

Bryn blinks, "Oh! Yeah. I've seen it. Thankfully haven't needed to go lately." He kept everything in order where that was concerned, thankfully. Bryn smiles, "Wouldn't be too much hassle to be more up to date though." As they continued with their question he paused thinking it over before saying, "Yyyyeesss?" He wasn't sure simply because he couldn't exactly remember which sweet things he liked at the moment. He hadn't had many in his life aside from cake and the odd thing here or there," Oh! Thanks! That's nice of you." Bryn said a little more excitedly than he was used to speaking, he kept doing that, it was another weird mood kind of day, he supposed. Clearing his throat he shifted, adjusting the bag of food again.

"I usually make stuff from scratch." When he could remember to anyway. Bryn laughed a bit at their comment of his having the warmest place, "Yeah. Well, I have to basically change out of these heavier clothes into lighter ones any time I'm home. Which is why I don't go home a lot during the day." He commented. But he did like it that way, too. It kept things balanced he supposed, all day in the wintery weather, all night in what could be considered beach weather conditions. He made it all work though, "Well you're more than welcome to come soak up the heat with Peanut any time you want, he won't mind." Bryn was pretty sure the lizard wouldn't really even notice either.

At Annaki's question about Peanut's age, he shook his head, "Nope. He's basically still a puppy. Or just gotten out of it actually." Bryn held the fish food he came for in his free hand, standing straight. Looking over at them he shrugged "Still have hopefully another…ah…let's see, fifteen years with him? Yeah." Listening to them talk about the beta fish he nodded "No. They wouldn't, those conditions are horrible for them-" But he wasn't a fish ambassador so that's all he had to say on it, "Beta are cool. I have a few at home." Adding casually Bryn lifted the fish food and read some of the information on it, "If you want you could check them out while you soak up the heat with Peanut?" Inviting strangers to his trailer didn't seem like the best practice, but he was willing to trust them till they proved otherwise.

A SOFT GRIN FLITTERED OVER THEIR FACE as Annaki gave a tiny nod. It certainly wasn't a problem anymore. They could imagine the hot water they would be in should they be caught trying to do anything against the doctor's orders, especially so soon after finally getting to leave the walls of the hospitals with directions to return should they feel the slightest bit off or have trouble regulating their blood sugar. Surprisingly, they hadn't been scolded as much as they thought they would have for actually trying to the drugs, with Cyrek seemingly more upset over how she got them in the first place and Atticus just wanting her better. Fingers instinctively gripped the leash a bit tighter as she considered what they had to have been thinking when she wasn't awake. Thankfully, the conversation was an easy way to pull her from it. "A ferret and a lizard! How fun! We have some vets at Happy Villagers who work with exotic pets, if you ever need to get a check up for them." Annaki's face was always one filled with glee when one of the more exotic pets came into the office, not that that said much as they were pretty excited to see any animal that came through the doors. "Do you like sweet things? I'll save one for you next time I get them. They're best when made fresh, but I don't think anywhere around here makes them. The frozen ones are good, too, though." It may have been odd to some to already making such an offer, but if there was one thing about Annaki it was that their friendliness knew no bounds, even if it did get her in trouble at times. "You probably have the warmest place in all of Anchorage. It would only take me five minutes of being outside to be jealous of that." After all the winters spent in the Alaskan town, they were almost sure they had completely forgotten what the Mediterranean climate of Greece that they grew up in. The receptionist followed their direction, and Mochi effortlessly kept up. Sometimes she had to wonder if the dog had the talent of knowing her next move before she did. "Is that old for a monitor lizard? Or does that still make him a baby?" Grey eyes flicked to the color decorations littering the shelf. "Kind of. I won a beta fish at the carnival once. He didn't live very long, though."

[youremeimyou]

Old Friends

pairing: Jung Hoseok x reader genre: fluff, comedy, slight drama high school crush au and there’s a Hoseok vs y/n rap battle in there, somewhere word count: 6k warnings: just some passionate kissing, oh and shirtless Hoseok;)

Description: Hoseok is your high school friend that you had a different kind of relationship with. You run into him, after many years and rekindle your friendship. Then he takes you to your high school reunion and claims you as his girlfriend. But it’s only an act. Right?

A/N: EGO IS OUT!! I can’t get enough of it, or enough of J-hope. Hence, this oneshot. I gave this my all and had fun reading it back so I’m hoping it’s not shitty. Pls let me know what you think of it. Also I changed the way I write and reffered to the reader as ‘you’ for this one- idk i wanted to try it. If you guys have prefferences you can let me know. I hope you like it. Enjoy!

It's official, you hate summer. Sure.. school's out, no more chasing after professors or migraines lasting for weeks. But goddamn it it's hot and humid. It's like trying to breathe in a sauna, which you hate. Plus, the sun is like a deadly laser. Normally you love strolling through this street. Glancing at cute little stores and admiring street artists as you walk by. Not today, though. Not while feeling like all the water in your body is gonna evaporate any second.

You notice a little crowd up ahead, a half circle. And the sound of a groovy beat captures your attention. You might've stopped and joined the crowd just for the captivating music, if it wasn't for the torturous heat. In this instance you'll settle for only a glance at whatever show is going on inside that half circle.

That's until you see the street dancer there and you stop dead in your tracks. Someone is crazy enough to dance in this heat. Someone manages to look like the greatest performer alive despite the sweat covering his body and the fact that he's probably about to pass out. That someone is Jung Hoseok.

Before you can do anything else, you realize just how much better he’s become. And he was already an amazing dancer the last time you saw him. Back in high school, that is. Hobi the bubbly, cheerful dancer that dominated talent shows every year. Hobi who you occasionally helped pass chemistry. Hobi who could actually also sing, a fact only you knew about him of all the kids at your school. Because you’d spend most of your time in the music room, usually all by yourself. But one time, you caught him sitting alone and singing in there and after that, he’d visit you every so often. In return, he was the only one that knew you composed songs.

It’s been three years since graduation and your last conversation with him. But right now, he’s standing right in front of you. No, he’s dancing. The music ends in time with his final move and the mini crowd goes wild. As he catches his breath, most people leave money in his hat on the floor. You hope they’re being generous. Rightfully so, that was one hell of a performance.

You contemplate on whether you should say hi or not. The introvert in you decides you shouldn’t but before you can turn around to leave, you make eye contact with Hoseok.

“Y/N?” he asks.

“Hey, Hoseok.”

And he smiles. Despite how exhausted he must be, he gives you a whole cheekbones lifted, classic Hobi smile.

“You were amazing. But how did you not faint dancing in a weather like this?” you ask, smiling back.

“Come to think of it, I do feel like blacking out.” he says in between his panting.

You panic and go closer to him quickly. “I can take you to the hospital-”

“I’m kidding, Y/N.”

Did you maybe miss his mischevous ass? You both giggle.

“How about taking me to an icecream shop to catch up, instead? It’s been so freaking long. If you don’t have any plans, I mean.”

Your plan is going home, opening the refrigerator door and standing in front of it. So they’re skippable for an old friend.

“Let’s go before you deteriorate.”

You take him to the closest icecream shop you know and the shop has great air conditioning, thank god. Hoseok sits down and you feel as though he won’t be able to get up and order. Despite the smiley and bright facade of his, his body seems to be worn out. So, you take the liberty to order for both of you.

As you wait in line, order and wait for them to prepare it, you think about what you wanna say to Hoseok. Regardless of how much time has passed, you notice how you still get a little nervous with him around. It used to be like that in high school, too. You could never really look him in the eyes while he was speaking with you. You wouldn’t be intimidated. You’d just be kinda.. overwhelmed.

You take the cups and make your way to the table. Hoseok’s eyes light up, he seems content with your choice. He also looks better now, the cool air of the shop must’ve helped.

“What’re the odds of us meeting like this? Just on the street?” he initiates conversation.

“Well, I’m not exactly surprised to find Hope on the streets.”

“You remember my stage name?” He looks geniunely surprised.

“How can I possibly forget crowds of people going crazy, cheering J-hooope?”

That makes him shy, you think. With him averting his eyes to the ground. You’d hear those cheers often, back then. Hoseok was known as ‘J-hope’ and his act ‘Hope on the street’ was very popular. Everyone in Gwangju High would come to watch him perform, including you. It really is a bit strange how you ran into each other randomly on a street in Seoul, you think. You both had dreams of moving to Seoul as teenagers and had told each other about it. But neither of you knew if the other actually made it there. Until now.

"Did you move here right after graduation? I remember you talking about wanting to persue music here at University of Seoul." he says with his eyes on his icecream. He remembers your dream.

"Yeah, I had to get out of there. I moved here even before knowing if the university had accepted me. Thankfully, I got in. What about you? When did you come here?"

After he takes a spoon of the good stuff, he takes his eyes off from his cup and connects them with yours. It happens so suddenly that you almost blush. You're able to hold it in, though. Barely.

"I kinda wanted to wait until my work at the dance academy was done. So, after two more years at Gwangju, I finally transferred here, to National University of Arts just at the beginning of this semester."

You're glad to see him not giving up on dancing because he's so talented for it that it isn't like anything you've seen before or after you've known him. When he dances, it's like whatever music he's moving to actually finds form in him. And when he's not dancing, the way he moves around, walks, talks still somehow appears artistic.

But then, you realize you've been staring at him, lost in your train of thoughts. And he must've noticed because one corner of his mouth curves upwards a little, forming an almost smirk. This time, you can't stop your cheeks from turning red. Fuck.. What's wrong with you? It's been years since you've even seen his face. Why the hell did you just turn into a teenager, all over again?

"How's music school? Did you drop any albums I'm missing out on?" He asks and his eyes go back to his icecream. You can breathe normally again.

"I think school is always a pain in the ass. Even if it's about music." is your reply. You both laugh.

"I couldn't agree more."

Normally you have a hard time talking about yourself with others. But when it comes to Hoseok, it's different. Because that kinda used to be your relationship back in the days. Talking to each other about stuff you wouldn't with others.

"I've been working in a studio a friend of mine opened and we're working on some stuff but.. I can't seem to finish anything I start so, no. I haven't really been productive." you add with a frown. There're lots of things you don't like about yourself and being a procrastinator is one of them.

Then, a hand is placed lightly on yours that was resting on the table. It's Hoseok, holding your hand and looking at you warmly. "Nah, I'm still pretty sure we're gonna hear your stuff on the radio, soon." He looks like he geniunely believes that. All you can do is smile back in appreciation.

Time goes by as you talk about all kinds of stuff. You learn he lives at the student dorm but he's not exactly happy about it and wants to find a new place to stay. Also that he's giving dance lessons to earn some extra cash. You tell him about Yoongi, that friend of yours who owns a studio and how he's looking for someone to move in, after his flatmate moved away. You promise to have the two meet each other and see if they can become roomates.

Hoseok suggests to exchange numbers but it turns out both of you haven't changed them since high school, so you both have the other in your contacts. And you say goodbye shortly after, agreeing on hanging out again, soon.

By the time you get home, it's already evening and you're a little hesitant to open up the door and greet your roommate, Namjoon. Because you promised him that you'd watch that philosophical movie you can't remember the name of together. But you were supposed to do that about two hours ago. You decide to just go in and explain how you ran into an old friend and got held up. Namjoon'll understand, right? You go inside but see that nobody's home, so you call him.

"What's up ditcher?" is how he answers the phone and you can't blame him, really.

"I'm so sorry Joon. I wanna make it up to you but.. where are you, exactly?"

"Yoongi's."

"Okay, don't move." You hang up the phone and go straight into the apartment across the hall from yours. Yoongi has already opened the door before you can knock. You make for the living room and spot your roommate there. Just as you're about to explain, you also spot credits rolling on the tv screen and finished popcorn bowls.

"Wow, you watched Waking Day without me?" you complain. And Namjoon is quick to respond.

"It's Waking Life and yes, since you were a no-show."

"But you didn't even leave me popcorn."

"What're you saying? There's some left right here." Yoongi is the one who hands you one of the bowls.

"There are literally only three kernels here."

"Well, that's what ditchers get." Yoongi is just as merciless as Namjoon.

"But what if something happened to me on my way back-" you try the approach of pulling on their heartstrings but both of them whip their necks back and look at you in extreme worry, so you decide not to mess around. "Okay, okay. I encountered an old friend and lost track of time catching up. But maybe we can watch another movie and I'll make the popcorn, huh?" You wear a guilty grin on your face.

"Nope. You should take a seat and tell me about this friend that made you ditch me."

You sit down in between the guys on the couch, but you're facing Namjoon and telling him about Hoseok. Yoongi only sees your back and he's just so done with you, as always.

"You guys have a house exactly symmetrical to mine across the hall. Why the hell are you always here? I know it's not to see me, you're not even looking at me." It's a mix between ranting and whining. Both you and Namjoon know he's doing it to get attention.

"Because your couch is comfier." says Namjoon.

"And you have a piano." you add.

"You have a keyboard!"

"My keyboard is no upright piano."

Yoongi gives up with a huff. But you attack him with tickles until he gives in and giggles, all the while trying to get rid of your hands.

"By the way Yoongs, you're still looking for a roommate, right?"

"Yeah, why?"

"The friend of mine from Gwangju I was catching up with, Hoseok, is looking for a new place. I want to introduce you guys."

"Sure. What can you tell me about him?"

You pause because there're lots of things you can say about him. But those are all about the high school Hoseok. You wonder how many of them changed and how many stayed the same. You're sure of some things, though.

"I can tell you that he's a great guy and a dedicated artist, a dancer. Also he's funny and a mood maker."

"Alright. You should bring him over."

"Great! I will."

You wake up to your phone buzzing repeatedly. First thing you do is check the time and your clock on the wall is striking 11:30 in the morning. You overslept, great. It makes sense after you convinced Namjoon to binge watch Death Note before going to bed. But you ended up sleeping on the couch. The fact that you're in your bed right now means Namjoon carried you there.

3 unread messages from Hoseok.

-Morning, Y/N.

-Are you free today?

-I wanna treat you to some coffee.

It's been three to four days since the time you ran into Hoseok and you've been meaning to reach out to him to hang out but he just beat you to it. You thank the god for his extrovertedness.

-I'm taking care of some stuff in the studio today.

-But you can visit me there and if I'm finished quickly we can even hang out later, too.

-If you'd like, of course.

You press send and for some stupid reason your heart races a little fast. Were you being too forward? He just said coffee, maybe he meant a quick get together. You just asked him to wait for you in a studio, possibly for a couple of hours.

Two more buzzing.

-Sure! I'll make sure to help out so you can finish faster.

-Text me the time and the adress when you can.

You sigh in relief. But now it's time to be nervous about how you'll be alone with him there for a long while. Not that it makes you uncomfortable. You just feel that overwhelming feeling of him being around returning. You hope to at least not act like an idiot.

You make your way to the studio and text Hoseok the location, saying he could drop by whenever he'd like. Yoongi told you to listen to some demos for him but you leave that for last. For now, you're setting up some instruments and tuning them up for the band arranged to record tomorrow. But the bell rings and you sprint to answer the door.

"Hi!" you greet him.

"Hey." Hoseok says with a bright smile. He holds up the bags in his hands. "I brought food and icelattes."

"Which makes you a hero. Come in."

You eat and drink your coffees as you talk about stuff. Then, you play a recording of a guy who did an awful cover of Smelly Cat a few days ago. It makes Hoseok laugh so hard that he tumbles out of his seat and falls towards you. You knew it was a habit of his but you had never been the person he falls over to, before.

He helps you get the rest of the things done after that and surely him giving you a hand speeds up the process. For the last thing, you call him over to listen to the demos.

"Wow, some of these are really good. Especially this one, I like the beat a lot."

"Yeap, me too. I'm showing this one to Yoongi, later."

Finished up with the things, you're getting ready to leave but you hear him beatboxing the beat he liked a while ago.

"You can beatbox?"

"Yeah, I picked it up not so long ago."

An idea pops into your mind. You take him by the arm, practically drag him back to the recording booth and hand him a mic.

"Get a beat going."

"Wha-"

"Just do it." And you run back to record him doing it. After that, you throw in some other instruments quickly. When you play the outcome, he smiles so hard.

"How did you just do that in such a short time, coming up with practically a song."

"You did it, too. You came up with a beat off the top of your head. That's the basis of songs, mostly."

He listens to it over and over. "Hey can I use this for when I do freestyle battles?"

"To dance over to? Sure! I'll work on it some more, though and perfect it."

He shys away a little. "Well, this would make a great dance track but.. I meant freestyle rap battles."

"You rap, too? Geez, is there any street art you're not talented in?" You're not that surprised, though. He always stroke you as swag in living form.

"I'm trying to get into it. I should improve if I wanna make a name for myself out on the streets of Seoul." he says half jokingly but it's true that the rap scene has become a major part of street competition, recently. You know from Yoongi and Namjoon who are also rappers.

You play the beat from the top. "C'mon, then. Let me hear a snippet."

"No, no I'm not really-"

"C'mon~ let's battle." you say to get him worked up a bit. Also, you picked up a few things from Yoongi and Namjoon over the last couple of years.

"Oh battle? Okay then, why don't you go first?"

Both of you try to control your laughter and you come up with some very stupid and childlike rhymes that make Hoseok laugh even harder.

"It's your turn, J-hope."

"Ooo~" he gets more fired up with the mention of his stage name. You're going back and forth rapping about the most random and funny stuff. But then you get bolder and want to go at him a bit, to get him more serious about this. Trying to remember embarrassing things he's done in high school, you throw in lines about the time he had to dance in his underpants in front of the whole school after losing a bet.

Also, there's this face you pull whenever you try to diss someone, something you picked up from Yoongi. But it looks funny on you and the boys always make fun of you about it. You're sure you're doing it right now, too out of habit. And you're not wrong because as soon as you're done, Hoseok starts and he mentions it.

Except, he says something along the lines of despite of you having that expression, he still doesn't feel like you're dissing him because of how beautiful you look even while pulling a funny face.

What? Did he just call you beautiful? In a rap battle?

You're in shock and aren't able to speak for a while. Which Hoseok takes advantage of. "You failed to come up with something in time, Y/N. I win." Then he boops your nose. He fucking boops your nose. What did you get yourself into?

It's the day you finally bring Hoseok to meet with Yoongi. It's been a couple of weeks since you guys started hanging out kinda on a regular basis and Yoongi finally had some free time. The three of you are sitting in Yoongi's living room and you're watcing them get to know each other. Everything seems to go well. The door opens and Namjoon walks in.

"Yo. Sorry I'm late."

"It's okay since you live far away. Oh wait, you live across the hall." Yoongi is quick to welcome him.

"At least I brought dessert."

The two boys go into the kitchen to get dessert ready to be served.

"That's my roomate Namjoon. He wanted to meet you, too." you inform Hoseok.

"Roommate? Wait- you live just next door?"

"Yeah."

"Why didn't you tell me sooner? I'd beg to Yoongi or something to get him to accept me!" he says with a smile. You're glad he's happy about the fact you might live next to each other.

"I think he already likes you. I'm pretty sure you got the room."

And you turn out to be right. Hoseok and Yoongi hit it off quickly and he moves in a couple of days later. You start spending even more time together since then. Both with the other boys around and just you two, alone.

This one time Yoongi gives you the day off, Namjoon is off to do a job interview and you've got absolutely nothing to do. So you go over to see Hoseok. You knock and ring the bell but loud music is coming from inside and he doesn't hear you. The door isn't locked, though and you just go in. When you get to the living room you see Hoseok practising, going really hard at it. There're sweatdrops on his face and his white shirt-now practically see through shirt-is stuck to his body, revealing the delicate structure of it.

Blood rushes to your cheeks and your heart is thumping but you can't look away. He's art, you think. Art that you can't get enough of. He finally notices you, which almost gives you a heart attack but thankfully he isn't uncomfortable with you being there.

"Hey- uh- phew." he tries to talk but needs a moment to catch his breath, first. "Y/N. Please tell me you've been standing there long enough that you saw my new moves."

You nod, still not completely out of your daze. "They were.." you trail off because he just casually takes his shirt off in front of you. "Can you pass me that?" he asks you to hand him over the towel on the chair next to you. You're on autopilot as you do so.

"So, what do you think?"

"Oh yeah- Umm.. it was awesome. Very captivating.."

"Thanks." he smiles brightly while walking closer to you. "I'm gonna take a quick shower. You wanna hang out, after?"

Right. That's why you came over, you remember. "Yeah, I'll be here."

Hoseok and you just hang inside all day. Not doing much but still managing to have fun. Yoongi comes home for a while but has to go back out again, so it's mostly just you two. In the middle of the night, you guys start watching a movie, planning to stay awake till morning but Hoseok's tired from practising earlier and dozes off, eventually. And you're famous for sleeping in front of the tv, so you quickly follow. Then, you two somehow get in a cuddly position in your sleep.

The next morning- or more like afternoon, you wake up to Yoongi slurping his coffee, seated right across from you. Hoseok's nowhere to be seen.

"Hey Yoongs, why am I still here?"

"Well, you obviously fell asleep in front of the tv again and Namjoon's strong arms weren't here to carry you to bed."

"Where is he?"

"Joon said he was staying at a friend last night, not wanting to get all soaked up in the rain. And Hobi woke up just moments ago and went out, saying he has to get ready for a gig."

You nod at him and get up. You're about to go back to your place to wash up but realize something suddenly.

"Since when do you call him Hobi?"

"Since when do you have a crush on him?"

Your eyes go wide with panic. "Wha- No way what're you say-"

"Do you think I'm blind? I can perfectly see it when two people are cuddling on my couch."

"We just fell asleep that's all-"

"I saw you two over at the piano, too. And in the kitchen a few days ago doing the dishes. And while dancing here in the living room for no reason. You can't look him in the eyes without going red and he can't take his eyes off of you."

There isn't much you can say to convince him otherwise because you realize that he's right. At first when you guys started hanging out again, you thought you felt butterflies because you kinda had a thing for him in high school. You paid it no mind thinking it'd fade away with time but it didn't. Your feelings only grew stronger and now you know it was visible to others.

What has you tensed up, however is the way Yoongi talks about the situation like it's both-sided. That's where you can't be sure. Because yes, Hoseok randomly calls you beautiful, takes you out for meals and spends entire days with you. But you don't know if he likes you like that or if he's just being friendly. Just like back in high school.

"Okay, yeah. He makes me feel a certain way. But there's nothing going on, we haven't even talked about it. I don't think he's into me like that."

Yoongi's brows furrow in confusion. "He was just asking me if anything was going on between you and Joon the other day, though."

He asked what?

"What?"

"Dude, he was obviously jealous and suspicious of the fact that you were roommates. And very close ones."

You did have a very close bond with Namjoon, just as you did with Yoongi. Yoongi's just involved less skinship and more serious talk. But Namjoon was the first person who friended you in Seoul and over the years he became your self proclaimed guardian angel. That was all.

"You didn't correct him?!"

"I tried but he seemed overwhelmed with confusion, I'm not sure if he fully believed me. Or fully listened? I dunno- I was kinda enjoying his little emotional crisis."

"Yoongs!"

"Fine! So yeah, maybe you should to talk to him."

How do you talk to someone about this? you wonder. And can Yoongi really be right about the possibility of him reciprocating your feelings?

You're reading a book on your couch. It's been a couple of days since your cuddly interaction with Hoseok and you haven't really hung out after that, either. You're not avoiding him, though. More like testing the waters. Namjoon's little squeal and sprint to the living room gets you out of your thoughts.

"Y/N! Oh my god!"

"Joonie what happened?"

"I got in." His smile is from ear to ear but you're not surprised he got the job he was going after for a while now. He happens to be intelligent beyond your understanding. But also a goofball. Because he -who usually treats books like his children- throws the one you were reading away and gets you up on his back. Now you're both singing victory songs as he gives you a piggy back ride.

Just then, Hoseok makes an entrance to your apartment, sees you two and his face visibly drops.

"Oh- sorry guys. I should've knocked-"

"Dude, it's okay. Think about our two apartments as one big house. You don't have to worry about knocking everytime. Come in!" Namjoon is being his friendly self as he puts you down. "I gotta go call my parents. Thanks for always believing in me, Y/N." He places a soft peck on the top of your head and goes back to his room. Uh-oh. You hope Hoseok doesn't misunderstand.

"How are you doing, Hobi?"

"I'm-" he hesitates for a while. "I didn't know you and Namjoon were.. are you? Y'know like together?"

"No!" you regret yelling but it just comes out before you can stop. "I mean, it's not like that. We're friends. In fact he kinda decleared himself my older brother."

The total grimace that had took over Hoseok's face starts to slowly dissappear. "Oh, okay. I'm sorry for making you uncomfortable like that-"

"No, no. Let's just change the subject." You want to move on from this before it gets awkward.

"Okay. Oh right! I came over to show you something."

He holds out his phone for you to see. It's an invite to an event. Gwangju High's high school reunion, to be exact. You also got one, too but immediately deleted.

"The reunion? You're going?" you ask.

"We should go."

You're about to protest but he cuts in.

"I know most of our year were jerks. But it's Gwangju. I know you miss it there. And high school wasn't all evil."

"It was the people who were evil, Hobi."

"That's why we have to show them their evil ways weren't enough to break us down."

"What do you mean, we? Everyone loved you!"

"The jocks hated me for being popular despite not playing football."

That was true. They sometimes gave him a hard time for grabbing the attention of girls more than them.

"Besides, we're grown ups. If they weren't able to mature, that's their problem. We'll just breathe in some hometown air and have fun."

You did miss home. And the fact Hoseok'll be with you eases your stress so you say yes.

Hoseok and you roam the streets of Gwangju, firstly. You tell him the places you missed most and you visit those. When the reunion evening closes in, both of you go to your homes to get ready. Your parents are sort of shocked you're attending the event but they won't complain because they missed you a lot and you haven't realized how much you missed them back till you finally came back after a long while.

Hoseok comes to pick you up and oh boy. He immediately recongnizes the dress you're wearing as the exact one you wore to prom. The light blue piece fits your body even more perfectly now, he thinks.

"This is your prom dress." It's not a question because he's certain.

You panic because well you wore it thinking nobody would remember since not a lot of people were paying attention to you during prom and you didn't have anything else decent enough in your old closet. How the hell does he remember?

"It looks even more beautiful." And with that, your panic is no more.

You get to the school finally and almost everyone is there. All trying very hard to look fancy, so Hoseok and you make fun of some of them before entering.

"It's J-hope!", "Hope's back!" and "Who is that with Hoseok?" are the comments you hear as you walk by. A few speeches are given, while you stuff your face with cupcakes. Then music's on and people start dancing.

Hoseok is approached by many and he kindly converses with them all. He forces you to speak from time to time, too. One of the boys who you used to tutor a lot, Hansung, tries to make a couple of moves on you. Probably under the influence of alcohol. You politely dismiss him but some other guys that came alone also are eyeing you from different places of the room. Hoseok is well aware and not okay with it, at all.

He slides a hand down your arm and links your fingers. When you turn to him in surprise, he pulls you closer. "Let's act like a couple."

"What-"

"I'm sick of people trying to see if you're available for them, aren't you?"

It is a bit disturbing. You bet most of them didn't even recognize you and are just looking for a prey for the night. "I am." you reply.

"Then just go with it."

So you do that but this time the girls start to get uncomfortable since most of them were eyeing Hoseok. And like clockwork, Gaeun appears with her gang of plastic girls. Gaeun used to be Hoseok's biggest fan. But all she actually wanted was to get into his pants just cause of how popular he was. Knowing this, you tense up. Her eyes hold such a suggestive look that you almost want to protect Hoseok from her.

As far as you know Hoseok has never indulged her like that back in school days. And he doesn't seem to be effected by the way she looks right now, either which can be described in two words: model legs.

"Hobi~" her irritating voice muses. "There're lots of girls wanting to dance with you tonight."

He takes his hand away from yours to claimingly grab you waist. "Sorry, ladies. My dances are all booked by this one, right here." He turns his head and places a kiss on your temple.

"I'm sure your date for the night won't mind if-"

"She's not just my date for the night. Y/N is my girlfriend." he cuts her off. Shock is evident not only on their faces but yours as well. The girls have to walk away awkwardly but what they think they're speaking among themselves is quite audible to you.

"There's no way. Y/N could never be enough for him. Just wait until the end of the night and see how he gets bored."

Hoseok didn't hear them. But you and some other people did. And you don't care what Gaeun says but her words get around fast and people are looking at you even more weirdly than before. Hoseok realizes your body tensing up.

"What's the matter?"

"I don't think people are buying that we're together. Especially after Gaeun started speaking to them."

He looks around to find that people really were looking at you suspiciously.

"Let's make it more believable, then."

He pulls you to the dancefloor and starts moving you to the rhythm. You've danced with him before but they were all silly ones, meant for fun. This one was serious. And your bodies were seriously close. But you just let him lead you, knowing that he knows what he's doing. After a while he figures that the music's ending so he twirls you around and finishes with a sudden dip.

You're back is resting againt his hand as you're leant back and Hoseok's face is so very close to yours. Some people clap and some don't but neither of you really care about the people watching anymore. Then he kisses you. He downright kisses you at the center of the dancefloor. It's passionate but gentle. He doesn't let go for a while but you've no clue how long it's been cause you're lost in the taste of him. Which is a thousand times sharper than the whiskey and a thousand times sweeter than the cupcakes.

He pulls you back up, finally parting your lips. "I think we got about enough attention. Wanna get out of here? We can go to the music room." he suggests. All you can do is nod cause you still can't form words.

You get there and it's the only place in this school that you've missed. You sit down on the piano seat and Hoseok pulls a chair next to you, it's like deja vu.

"You know the song you used to play, the one I liked a lot. River-"

"River flows in you." of course you remember.

"Yeah. I kinda tried learning that on the piano a while back."

"Show me."

He tries to play it and messes up some bits so you help him out. Then, your hands touch accidentally and you both freeze.

"Y/N-"

"Hoseok-"

You both try to speak at the same time and cut each other off, so you laugh. Hoseok goes for it again.

"Y/N. I wanted to ask you out so many times right here, as you'd play songs to me. Did you know that?"

You most certainly did not.

"I wanted to ask you to a dance at the prom, so bad. But you left before I could muster up the courage."

He turns to face you completely.

"I couldn't believe it when I found you again, like that. Everything I felt came back to me as we spent more and more time with each other. And when I got that invite.. I thought- Maybe I've been given a second chance, to do it right this time."

Your heart is racing so fast that you can hear it. Every word he said are things that you've been thinking. So you have to do it properly this time, too.

"So.. so, will you go out with-"

You crash your lips with his immediately and he responds in a flash. This time the kiss is much more deep and demanding. His hands travel down to your waist as you get up from your seat and move to his lap. He hums into your mouth and you try to take in every bit of the vibration from it before both of you pull apart, out of breath.

But he still looks at you with questioning eyes, as if you haven't just given him an answer clear as day. But he looks so cute that you entertain him.

"Yes, high school crush. I will go out with you."

He can finally smile again. Though, it turns into a smirk a while later.

"But will you go out with me?" you joke around, still sitting on his lap.

"I will go out with you so bad that it'll swipe you right off your feet."

As if he already doesn't..

....

A/N: Wowzers, my first Hoseok fic is finished.. I know this was long and thanks sooo much if you bared with me and read it. It would mean a great deal to me to know what you thought of this so, I’d love to have your feedback. Thanks again for reading and have a lobely daayyy :)

PS: How beautiful is Hoseok btw..

[makeste]

I was glad to see you enjoyed my Top 10 ask. You did mention you had a ranking for the arcs - would you do a ranking for them? Like, worst to best? (My guess (of the arcs you've finished): Internship arc, Hero Killer Arc, License Exam, USJ, Intro Arc, Culture Fest, Battle Trial, Pro-Hero arc, Final Exams, Sports Fest, Camino Ward, DvKp2; since you haven't liveblogged Joint Training Arc yet, no clue.) Just curious.

good morning evening everyone, and welcome to another Wednesday episode of “makeste tries to answer asks from two months ago while on the bus.” this one is a bit of an interesting challenge since it involves ranking and that always takes me a long time, but as you said, I did have an ongoing ranking of the arcs in my head, so we’ll see. at the very least the ones at the beginning and end shouldn’t be too hard, and you can probably guess them already. (in fact, you actually did.)

(ETA: yeah this took me two sittings to do, so I ended up posting it on the ride home lol. I just like BnHA you guys. almost as much as I like talking about how much I like it!)

okay so here goes.

14. Basement arc - yeah so let’s just go ahead and get this over with. this is the one and only BnHA arc that I actually dislike. fortunately it’s an outlier and suffered from a bunch of one-time issues, most of which stem from the fact that Horikoshi was apparently trying to write a longer and darker arc than usual. well he succeeded! and thankfully learned his lesson. and at least this arc gave us Eri and Mirio and some good Kirishima flashbacks and Chekov’s Quirk-Be-Gone bullets and the Highway to Hell. hopefully the anime can improve on the rest.

13. Provisional License arc - okay, so it might surprise a few people that this arc is all the way down here. let me explain. this is a perfectly fine arc, and I like it well enough, but it’s a bit longer than it needs to be, and not that much happens in it aside from our introduction to best boy Yoarashi Inasa, and the Great Toga Conspiracy (which is admittedly excellent). there are some great moments (Aoyama doing his best impression of “THE BEACONS ARE LIT” from RotK comes to mind), but overall it’s fairly forgettable, and it suffers from being placed directly in between my two absolute favorite arcs, which means I have a tendency to overlook it, which isn’t really the arc’s fault.

12. Hero Killer arc - this one is interesting because I really lost patience with it during my first read-through, but strangely enough when I watched it in the anime I actually really enjoyed it. it was also much shorter than I remembered. I’ve belatedly realized that reading it while doing commentary really slowed me down, because for the parts that I wasn’t feeling, doing the commentary took a long time and also left me dwelling on a lot of the things I didn’t like. but in actuality, Stain’s Annoying Rants aside, this is a pretty enjoyable arc full of Big Hero 6 flashbacks, hot revenge-driven Iida, Gran Torino’s introduction, Deku learning full cowl, Bakugou’s Best Jeanist internship, and Todoroki saving Deku and Iida’s lives by being glued to his phone when he really should have been paying attention to his own internship. get off that social media already Shouto.

11. USJ arc - this is a great arc, but it just feels small compared to everything that happens afterward. but it’s fun to look back on because there are lots of little hints for future developments to come. the traitor theory, for instance. and this is also our introduction to the League and to Tomura and the Noumu. and that final fight between All Might and the Noumu is still one of my favorite scenes in the whole series, especially in the anime. it’s so fucking good you guys. shit.

10. Intro arc - just FYI, I lump everything from the first chapter up until USJ into one arc since it’s easier. anyways, so this is roughly on the same level as USJ, but gets a slight edge because there are some iconic moments here. namely, the first chapter (which is still one of the best shounen intro chapters I’ve ever read, if not the best); Kacchan VS Deku 1; the entrance exam; and our introduction to the rest of class 1-A, particularly Ochako and Iida. oh, and Aizawa! gotta love how he starts out all ready to expel some bitches only to wind up falling in love with the whole class. fatherhood agrees with him.

9. Band AU arc - I actually love this arc. I just love all of the ones above it on the list a bit more, and I can’t really justify it being any higher than this. but it has The Band and the Babysitting Squad and Mirio being the best big brother in the world and Eri being just ridiculously, astonishingly cute. Gentle and La Brava are also great villains, if not quite my favorites. there are a few questionable plot holes in the arc, and it lacks any sort of big impact on the rest of the series, but it’s basically a canon filler arc and it’s so much fun and I can’t wait to see it animated.

8. Fanfic Lodge arc - you guys this arc started out so fucking cute and ended up so fucking tense. and this was our intro to the League of Villains proper, including Spinner, Twice, Tuxedo Mask, the prodigal Todoroki son, and my best girl Toga. Deku VS Muscular is still hard for me to read (his liiiiiiiimbs) but it’s one of Deku’s best moments regardless. and the angst at the end of the arc is almost unparalleled. god I love it.

7. Final Exam arc - a.k.a. the one where all the kids team up with each other to shoot their teachers in the fucking face. this arc has it all: Momo character development, Bakugou character development, TodoMomo, BakuDeku, and Aizawa being a total badass. (and All Might too, but he’s kind of overkill tbh. which is its own kind of awesome though.) there’s so much good stuff in this arc that this description is a bit vague because if I got any more specific we’d be here all day. it’s just a lot of good stuff that I like.

6. Joint Training arc - dudes I love this arc so much. class B and their array of ridiculously awesome quirks! class A and their impeccable teamwork! Bakugou joining the OFA Scooby Squad and showing off his new WIN AND RESCUE COMBO! Monoma! Shinsou!! SIXQUIRKS!!! god there’s so much great content.

5. Endeavorhawks arc - this arc would be even higher except that it’s a bit short (though it’s perfectly paced, so that might actually be a plus) and it doesn’t feature as many of my faves. but Hawks’s intro + our intro to The Great Noumu Conspiracy + Todoroki Family Drama + some of the best character development I’ve seen in a shounen manga (god I still can’t get over what a ballsy move it is to try and redeem Endeavor) = solid gold. and it’s so well done. and caps off with one of the best plot twists in the series to date, which sets up what promises to be one hell of an interesting arc later down the line. just. it’s so good. possibly the best-written arc to date, even if it doesn’t quite top my list.

4. My Villain Academia arc - and this isn’t even done yet!! and it’s still already this high!! Tomura flashbacks! Toga flashbacks! TOUYA FLASHBACKS???! (we’ll see??) creepy cults! my new favorite character One-Handed Giran, the biggest badass in the whole fucking series! worldbuilding for days! Dr. Robotnik! more Noumu shit! etc. etc. this arc has been non-stop goodness and I almost feel spoiled at this point.

3. Sports Festival arc - the most fun of all the arcs. I have rewatched the cavalry battle in the anime like a bazillion times. there used to be this show on Nickelodeon called Wild & Crazy Kids where kids teamed up for all these zany competitions (water balloons were usually involved), and I fucking loved that show, and parts of this arc kinda have that same kind of spirit. it’s just fun. and then to top it all off we have our Shouto character development, as well as Bakugou’s little character arc that he also has which is excellent. not to mention what is probably Ochako’s most badass moment to date. love it.

2. Kamino arc - guyyyys where do I even start? this arc is perfection. good VS evil. All Might taking a stand even when he’s got nothing left in the tank, because the world needs him and he won’t let them down. the sheer visceral terror of AFO’s introduction. my favorite character getting fucking kidnapped and being brave AF and his friends rallying to save him yesssss. and the reveal of All Might’s secret, which is arguably the most powerful scene in the series. I get chills every time. “my heart is still the heart of the symbol of peace.” if All Might had announced at that moment that he was starting a new religion I would have been like “yeah okay.” I would follow him to the ends of the earth. how can one man be that selfless and brave. anyways this arc is absolutely incredible and objectively one of the best in all of shounen.

1. Deku VS Kacchan Part 2 - nothing to see here, just two boys who’ve known each other since they were in diapers, who’ve done everything together and have always been together but have never actually understood each other until now. just the two of them finally opening up to each other, because the one who always tried to act so tough actually isn’t that tough, in truth, and in spite of everything, he trusts the other enough to let his guard down around him this one time. just two rivals, sorting out their shit and figuring out what it all really means. and their dad, helping to facilitate the whole thing because he knows that one day, somewhere down the road, this bond between them will mean absolutely everything. is this really even an arc?? it’s only like six chapters, and only one event actually takes place. but do I care?? yeah, no. Deku and Kacchan’s relationship is the series to me, so yeah. to me it counts as an arc. and not just any arc, but the best arc.

so there you have it! I hope I haven’t accidentally left something out lol. but this should hopefully be a pretty definitive list, at least for now. looking back at all of this really makes it sink in just how good of a story this is, though. damn.

[kapanbenernya]

A Hat in Time -- Cute as Heck

Yeah, I don't know where to start on this one. I mean I did liked Spyro: Year of the Dragon and that similar muppet video game when I was a kid. But I was never really into the 3D collect-a-thon, because the PS1 was the only console I had at the time, and most of those games were on the Nintendo 64. Hell, I didn't even know there was a Nintendo 64.

I told you, I was a dumb fuck when I was a kid

I picked this up because a friend kinda recommended it to me. I asked him about this game, and he said "it's pretty good, but the light-hearted-fun kind of good". Well shit, that's something I haven't heard in a long time to describe a video game, what with everything gotta be "gritty" and "realistic" but they end up edgy and depressing. After all of those things considered, I thought to myself, why not?

Let's have some light-hearted fun!

The first thing I noticed when I googled it is that it was a kickstarter project. I'm not gonna lie, I was kind of pessimistic. What, with your Mighty No. 9 and Yooka-Laylee ending up being one of the most expensive disappointment in the history of kickstarted games. But between the two, Mighty No. 9 was the one that caught my attention the most. I mean Keiji Inafune was in the team behind it. And that guy was the father of Megaman. This is like if BombTag was made by the guys who made Bomberman but also being a lot more shit than the current version of BombTag. So you can clearly see why it was a cruel twist of fate that it turned out to be crap, it had all the pieces and all the money it needed to be the homecoming diva of the year that will receive all the scholarships, and look how it ended up: a 60-pound crack-whore that sucks dick by the nickel. Well I decided then that wallowing and speculating about how this game might be another pile of shit is just wasting my goddamn time, so I moved on to finally playing the game.

The first time I started it, I wasn’t impressed

I’m just gonna be honest and upfront about this, I think the graphics sucked. I understand that you’re angry, but this is my paragraph, so shut the fuck up. Ok, how do I explain this? I mean the graphics are cel-shaded, which actually compliments the theme this game was going for, I’ll give it that much. But it’s fucking bad, even for indie. There are clipping issues everywhere, shading that went crazy and mis-matched, and a few more minor issues. They didn’t disturb the game though, not at all. I just think that if you’re making a game that’s on kickstarter and a few projects like this one has failed miserably, maybe don’t make it look like Wind Waker went a few rounds with a semi truck. But again, as I have said, it does not affect the game in any way, just a minor complaint from me really. The graphics aren’t the strength of this game anyway.

To be fair, graphics wasn’t Wind Waker’s strong suit either

To me, the strength of the game lies in the gameplay

The story is that you are some alien kid in a spaceship fueled by thingies called Time Pieces. On your way home some mafia guy asked you to pay the toll, in a blue suit, in outer space, without rockets. You gotta admire his dedication. Anyway, he fucks up your ship and as a result all your time pieces got scattered across different themed worlds. And thus begins your journey of collecting all 40 macguffins so you can kickstart your magic spaceship-home-base-thingy! Now please relocate your eyes back to it’s original place after rolling it so far backwards from hearing the sub-par theming of the game. Don’t worry, I promise everything gets better, because I will finally talk about the gameplay in the next paragraph

The gameplay at it's core is a simple 3D platformer. You jump, you slide, and you attack enemies. Pretty basic shit on the surface level, if not deceptively so. Thing is, there are moves that you can get from a combination of jumps, slides, and wall hops that can get you further than your little minds can handle. And like it or not, this is a thing that you have to master becuase the platforming will only get more and more challenging as you progress throuh the levels, especially the secret levels that can be hard as balls. Thankfully, they usually teach you how to do things by introducing a mechanic in a story first, and only after then do they allow you to go wild.

The second part of the gameplay is the objective, which is to collect all the scattered time pieces thingy to re-fuel your spaceship. This is achieved through a set goal depending on the levels of the game. And since there are 5 unique worlds in total, each with levels of their own, you can bet your ass that there’s a lot of gameplay variety. This is in one hand, a good thing since a lot of variation can be a guarantee that you will not get bored by doing the same thing again and again. I guess this is a thing that comes from being a kickstarted game. This dev guy wants this, that dev person wants another thing, and the everybody just frankenstein’d all the different concepts into one big ball and hope for the best. Thankfully, it worked in favor of the game, since the interchanging themes and mechanics means that every level feels fresh and novel. Although I must say, this also results in one particular level that’s very different in tone from the rest of the levels. I mean for comparison, In one level I was in a town full of bald Mafia men, pushing them off cliffs and ledges for fun. Meanwhile, in the next level I was being chased by the lordly ghost woman in a haunted mansion. Now, since the other levels are anything BUT scary, I thought that this horror-themed level is just children level of scary. You know, like your talking bones or bed sheet ghosts. What I didn’t expect was a sincerely terrifying level that made me genuinely scared. 

Wow, I never expected that my pants could be so brown.

I gotta tell you though, that level wasn’t some kind of genius design or some avant-garde breakthrough. It’s just your generic scary enemy chasey chasey sequence you’ve seen a million times. It’s just that you can really feel the horror because you didn't expect it to be there. It’s like walking into Disneyland to find everything has been replaced by spiders and mickey had hung himself on the main attraction.

One thing that I felt is that the game is very short. 25 levels in total (excluding the DLC) with bonus missions for extra time pieces that amounts to 40. That may seem to be a huge number, but trust me it isn’t. The reason why is because the game is a bit of a cakewalk. The bosses themselves aren’t hard, except for the purple ghost guy that can spam AoE attacks like it’s going out of style. After playing it fully, I get the feeling that I’m not quite the intended audience for this game. I feel like A Hat in Time is made to be played by children. It’s just a feeling I had though.

In Brief

You know what I felt when I played A Hat in Time? Joy. Pure innocent child-like joy that leaves a grin on your face. The kind of grin you used to get when you played in the yard with your friends or family. It’s a different kind of joy from the triumph when you defeat a hard boss in Dark Souls or when you get the top frag in shooter games. It’s warm and optimistic and leaves you content. If you’re a kid looking for a good kiddie game, this one’s for you. If you’re just looking for some good old fashioned nostalgic platformer game, this one’s also for you.

Hey we don't judge things over here my guy. A game's a game, and what matters is you enjoy what you're playin'.

[fadebolt]

As someone who also got to experience the Hungarian education system (well, technically, it was the Serbian one, but from what I could tell, there isn't really a difference, which kinda makes sense with the history of north-Serbia), I feel like I should probably add my two cents to this, because it made me feel somewhat validated.

Gonna leave a "read more" here too, since you know, these are pretty heavy topics. Things I don't tend to talk about on this blog (and for a good reason).

So the claim that there's a normalization within our culture, of people engaging in more adult-oriented activities in way younger ages is absolutely correct.

I can't recall anybody mentioning a relationship with an older person, but I have witnessed many elementary school kids (generally 12-14 year olds) smoking, commonly drinking alcohol and openly talking about how they watch lots of porn.

Thankfully in my high school, the other kids were way more cultured in that way. The environment was way more pleasant, which I'm very grateful for, because elementary school was an extremely miserable experience, and I truly hope I'll never have to deal with such a rancid environment ever again.

Though there was one moment where my friends from high school have surprised me. Because when our class went out to cook and eat a big meal, as a way to celebrate our final year being over, we did a little drinking game with a mobile app that asks a bunch of questions. A lot of the questions were about more sexual topics, and I was shocked to see just how many of my classmates have actually been engaging with that stuff... and that they've been doing it for a while too (we were 18-19 at the time, so I still expected a few yes-es to those questions, but not from like, over half of the people there xd).

And what do ya know, one of them has literally gotten married a couple months ago. As a 20-21 year old. Yup, that just happened, I guess.

The thing that's funniest about all this, is that up until recently, when I started to frequently hang out around internet spaces, it never really occurred to me that there was anything wrong with all that. Because like... nobody ever questioned it. Sure, I did feel like it was a lil much a lil early, but I always thought that I was the weird one, and that I'm just developing slower, or not getting the hormones that everyone else does. Simply put, I just assumed that everything is normal, and that the problem was with me. (Which was usually correct when it came to social stuff... yay autism!)

And it weirdly makes sense that nobody questioned these things. After all, both Hungary and Serbia has age of content at 14, and we even have a few Romani people living here, who like to push things even earlier. (Like "Matisz Papa", the guy that became a grandfather in his late 20s, and speaks Hungarian very weirdly. Dude can still be found on YouTube, if anyone's interested)

So you can imagine my confusion when I start frequently going into the internet, and hearing about people saying how it's bad for 16 year olds to engage with adult stuff. It honestly felt as if I was seeing an alternate reality, or an alien species. And for a while, I was conflicted too, because I haven't actually seen anybody being damaged due to watching NSFW or having intercourse at a young age.

However, I don't imagine most damaged people would be open to talking about these things, and I have absolutely 0 personal experience to draw from (outside of accidentally stumbling onto NSFW images as a teen while looking through fanart, but like, that happens to everyone, and I don't imagine it as one of those things that causes permanent damage), so I learned to trust the internet a bit more in regards to this, and have come to understand that, yeah, maybe there is something horribly wrong with the culture that I was born into.

Unfortunately, I really don't know if this is something that could be fixed. The best thing one can do is educate their own kids about this stuff, to make sure they don't end up in a situation that can leave them hurt for life.

That's what my father did, any time my brother or I have brought up smoking, even in the context of a joke. He's been addicted ever since his buddies pressured him into it as a teen, and he fully understands the horrible consequences of not being careful with the cigarettes, and so he has done everything he could to keep us safe from this dangerous addiction.

You can't prevent everyone from doing dangerous and unhealthy things. However, you can influence the ones close to you and keep them safe, so that in return, they can keep others safe too. On some occasions, things really might be too far gone, but it never hurts to at least try. As people always say, "Be the change you want to see".

Or just pressure the government to fix some things. I mean, they're the worst in both Serbia and Hungary, so heck yeah, go do that too!

What's up with minors being completely comfortable sharing with everyone that they're dating with grown adults in their 30's????

[popculturebuffet]

Finally for the Nickelodeon live action originals, favorite character from the Nickelodeon live action originals from 2007-15 (the last set you saw before leaving live action Nick): iCarly 2007, True Jackson VP, The Troop, Big Time Rush (where the more cartoonier vibe can be attributed from being created by Scott Fellows, who also helmed Ned's Declassified which was also a cartoon but in live action), Victorious, Bucket & Skinner's Epic Adventures, How to Rock, and Bella and the Bulldogs? And as a bonus, I’ll throw in Fairly OddParents Fairly Odder and iCarly 2021 (which thankfully has no involvement from Dan Schneider this time so there’s a much safer environment for that era of the franchise) due to being based on an older IP (only didn’t mention Sam & Cat since you confirmed you never saw it) despite both being on Paramount Plus instead of Nickelodeon.

Okay so I haven't seen fairly odder. Heard it blows and we're better off with new wish. Also haven't seen how to rock, forgot to omit that one. And I did see sam and cat. So.. be ready for that

ICarly (Original): Spencer. Jerry Trenor is genuinely talented and gets to show it off even more now he's in the main cast of a show instead of a shouty weirdo on the side. I mean he's no less loud, but spencer also gets depth being both a good guardian to carly and a relatable adult as someone who also works in a career with weird hours and dosen't have many irl adult friends.

The show itself is pretty good early on, and was one of the few live action shows I watched reguarly after leaving nick behind rather than just because it happened to be on. Being the succesor to drake and josh with what younger me THOUGHT was less crutely helps. I mean there's way more than I remembered as I found out watching Quinton Reviews massive look at the series, but it's a bit more measured. Except with Sam. But while Sam's cruelty's a bit much the cartoony nature of the series helps me mostly look over it, and the timing is well done with a talented young cast.

And.. yeah like Drake and Josh it's hard to go back to. Not as hard as quinton's long retrospective exists, but Janette McCurdy's book, which I still need to read, was covered in the last part of his look at sam and cat and was so horrifying it took him a while to get that part done. The short version is janette had an abusive overly religoius stage mom that gave her a severe eating disorder and body dismorphia. The book is really good from all I hear and worth buying. Schinder was laso a nightmare on set, implied to be creepy with Janette, and had a lot of creepy weird sexual content in the show. So while the show ITSLEF isn't terrible it's hard to go back to knowing one of it's main stars suffered so horribly. Just to keep this out of the way she went through the same on sam and kat, being denied directing an episode and wasnt happy to be there to begin with.

True Jackson VP: I didn't see this one often, though it was okay.

The Troop: Wish i'd seen this one more as what I saw of it was a solid monster of the week show, mixing ghostbusters with high school angst. Always a good move

Big Time Rush: Carlos. Carlos Pena Vega is a wonderful man, and a great comedic actor. I only saw this one on and off, but I did seek it out and even once got ribbed by my sister when she found out I watched it on amazon prime back when it was on there. And it's for the reason you went out of your way to point out: it's from the same creator of ned's declassified, has the same vibe and thus it's like catnip for me. The quality is kept up, the goofiness ramped up since the new setting means our heroes have less restirctions and not being a teacher their adult figure can shout at them more and call them dogs. It even coined the term swifted. Or if it didn't it told me it exists. It's pure fun. I like ned more for it's slightly deeper cast and nostlagia's sake, but big time was a more than worthy followup with it's own talented cast that thankfully also didn't involve child abuse.

Victorious: It used to be robbie but now i'm not so sure. I do like his actor though who now throws nick themed raves and seems like just.. the most awesome guy. Another one of the quinton reviews trinity and this one I saw more of but never really glommed onto. I like the cast once again and i'm happy most of them are doing pretty well, but I never really got into this one.

Bucket and Skinner's Epic Adventures: Aloe their arch enemy who reminds me of Ben Stiller's roll in heavyweights, and discount ben stiller mixed with lars from the same movie is a good time. This is one I remember mostly just for being so bad it's good to me. It had all the tropes: two idiot heroes, girl one of them's into whose roll is basically just girl, douchey rival, wise mentor, that sorta thing. It's so cliche and stock it wraps around to being hilarious.

Sam and Kat: Goomer. He's the best. I saw a few episodes back in the day, and it was... just not.. good. At all. And given the mess behind the scenes, how thrown together it was it was... yeah. You can tell on screen. This should not have existed and Nick shoudl've known better and i've noticed less spinoffs after this. Danger Force is the only one I can think of and at least seems to wrap up the NSU on a high note.

ICarly2021: Spencer. Again. Forever and always. I haven't seen a ton of this but what I saw I liked, a decent reboot that brigns the series back in style and does it's best to fill the void janette left behind (not that I blame her as her decision was entirley for her own perosnal health and leaving acting was a good thing for her) with new characters and a solid update. I wish it hadn't ended on a cliffhanger and hope someway we get a reunion movie to fix that. Otherwise it seems like a more than worthy addition to the canon and a way for the cast that did return to take ownership of their biggest roles back.

[tophbefong]

i was at the beach but i haven't done much! it's kinda like a family vacation so we're spending some time together. we wanna go see the seals that live here bcs they're really cute 🥺👉👈

i'm fine, yesterday i was back home for a few hours bcs basically the whole state there is underwater?? a lot of cities are flooded, so we checked back at home. thankfully, everything is fine!!

also did you hear of mdzs s3 coming in august? idk the exact date rn but it's at the start of august !!! HANGUANG JUN, LAN WANGJI, LAN ER GEGE, LAN ZHAN 🥺🥺🤧🤧🤧 man i miss him <3 also ofc best boy the yiling laozu, wei wuxian, wei ying 🥺❤

y'know what, after s3 ends (aka the end of the donghua), i'm gonna reveal myself 🤧🤧

i'm so interested in drunkji? also guanyin temple like 👀👀 but i hope there'll be less jc content bcs i can't fucking stand this guy (and i like his his stans even less tbh) - mdzs anon

omg i got very worried with the flood thing?? you probably were terrified but i'm so glad that everything was okay and nothing bad happened.. also you apparently had a good time with your family, i hope you had some rest!

SEALS ARE SO CUTE. like. really. cute. never seen one live but i'd d*e to see one ☹️ specially in natural environment but i guess this dream is going to far lmao but as a marine mammals enthusiast you can imagine how i'm now

oh finally! i'm really not good at watching things that are unfinished? i need to WAIT to something to get to an end so THEN i'll watch it. idk just a problem with keep doing stuff and if there's an hiatus i just. give up. i'm happy that i finally may be able to watch mdzs bc i miss wwx so much... 🥺 and i can't wait to see more content of him!

and i started to watch tgcf and i'm on episode X and i have 5% sure of what is happening bc everything seems a bit pointless? but MY GUEST is that hua cheng was bored and he planned to create a caos by using a minor god (is that correct?) to drag them to their malicious plot but then. he finds that xie lian is like. a beautiful cinnamon roll too pure and good to this world and hua cheng is like. 'well i guess i'll have to help him you know he deserves and i have enough time for that lmao'. while meanwhile they fall in love?? then hua cheng disappears and xie lian will spend a lot of time trying to find his san lan in a plot much like naruto and sasuke where xie lian is like babe come back to me and hua cheng is like 'wtf ily but leave me alone i want to split the caos and be tricky lmao'

hope this random theory makes any sense.

[meditating-dog-lover]

My health and fitness results for this year so far (February 12, 2020)

I made a post on Friday, January 24 with some goals I had for this year. Since then I feel like I've done a pretty great job (for once). Here's what I did:

1. I started eating a good balance between protein, fat and carbs.

2. I used to eat too little protein beforehand. Now I'm able to eat plenty.

3. I have gotten rid of my processed carb cravings thanks to limiting my sugar and bread/wheat intake. My family ordered pizza a couple times and I didn't cave in.

4. I have not binged once!

5. I eat enough fat and fiber.

6. I figured out how many calories I need to consume each day given my height, age, weight, gender and activity level. I need to eat 2500 calories a day for maintenance and 2000-2300 for weight loss. This is great information because I have a long history of restricting my caloric intake. I feel so satisfied and get full quite easily.

7. I do allow myself to have higher carb and calorie days 2x a week (Tuesday and Friday). I eat 2100-2300 calories and allow myself to enjoy some of my favorite healthier carb dense foods such as sweet potato fries, chicken tenders, cauliflower crust pizza and extra dark chocolate.

6. Rather than binging on sweets And chocolate I give myself a regular sweet fix. I love salted caramel dark chocolate! At this point I can give up every other dessert and just eat this from now on. I also enjoy coffee with stevia caramel drops and cocoa powder. I have 3-4 chocolate squares in the morning and 3 cups of coffee a day. The coffee satisfies me as I really like the taste and it keeps me full. Plus it tastes just as good as a salted caramel mocha from Starbucks. I add no sugar.

7. I eat a heavy breakfast, sufficient afternoon snacks and a light lunch and light dinner (around 300 calories). My body benefits from snacking as opposed to having 3 full meals. I eat snacks with my breakfast and after lunch. I might benefit from fasting for at least 12 hours though.

8. Regular walking. I walk around 10k steps 5x a week.

9. Regular stretngth/circuit training. I do this 3x a week.

10. Flexibility workouts.

Last semester I did make great gials but I didn't execute thtm into full effect. I would eat too little, was still addicted to carbs, would eat healthy 5x a week and blow it 1-2x that week, which greatly negates my progress. Even though I ate healthier keto recipes I feel like I ate too many calories due to the high fat content. I stopped tracking my calories and macros after September which I shouldn't have done. I ate a lot of junk food over the Christmas break. Additionally my exercise plan wasn't set in stone yet in the fall.

I am 2.5 weeks in and still haven't seen any physical results but I hope to soon. I hope I don't get too discouraged. I'll keep it up, even for longer than 8 weeks because this should be a healthy lifestyle and not a quick fix.

I might walk a bit less often because my circuits are intense. I was able to get away with lots of walking before that. Maybe I can try some boxing/tae bo? I find exercise at this point to be a lot easier now thankfully. I used to struggle quite often.

I will continue to kick butt.

Health is wealth!!